February Couch QB Countdown - Top Fight Songs

The first installment of the Couch QB Countdown chronicles the top fight songs in college sports.  Arguments and criticisms are always welcome.  Without further ado, here are the lucky winners:

10.  "Aggie War Hymn" - Texas A&M University:  A fight song in every sense of the word, the Aggie War Hymn sounds like everything a fight song should sound like.  It's militaristic, patriotic, and the lyrics describe the emasculation of their rival's mascot.  When you include a line that reads, "saw varsity's horns off", you earn a spot on this countdown.

9.  "Fight CU" - University of Colorado:  Sure, I'm biased.  Of course I'll admit it, but this is still one of the most underrated fight songs out there.  It embodies everything a fight song should be.  The lyrics leave out the accouterments that make most school anthems cheesy, and it strips everything down to one simple message:  the Buffaloes are here to win.  The words "fight", "win", and "victory" make up more than 25% of the entire song, and the "shoulder to shoulder" mantra paints a three-word picture of the gridiron that sends chills down my spine.

8.  "Fight On" - University of Southern California:  A lot of college football fanatics can't stand this tune, but any song will drive you nuts when you hear it played on repeat every Saturday.  I'm no Trojan fan, but like "Fight CU", the Trojan fight song dispenses with the frivolous descriptive lyrics and offers up a simple, catchy tune about winning football games.  In the case of "Fight On", it looks like it might be working.

7.  "Rocky Top" - University of Tennessee:  Although "Rocky Top" isn't the official fight song of the University of Tennessee, its influence on the school's football program is undeniable.  This Appalachian anthem conjures up a sense of pride in its fans that puts it on any countdown of the greatest fight songs.

6.  "Boomer Sooner" - University of Oklahoma:  The whole damn song's comprised of 5 words stuck on repeat, but good lord this song is catchy.  "Boomer Sooner" earns its place at number six by offering up the most addictive tune in college sports.  I'd have an easier time quitting heroin cold turkey than I do getting this song out of my head.

5.  "War Chant" - Florida State University:  The War Chant isn't technically the fight song for the Seminoles, but there's no denying it's widespread popularity.  The melody is simple, ominous, and intimidating.  For years, the War Chant has made rival schools feel like Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  The accompanying tomahawk chop is synonymous with Florida State football, and it's simple enough to teach to toddlers.  So even if you can't read, write, or memorize two stanzas of a simple song, you can still cheer for the FSU Seminoles.

4.  "Texas Fight" - University of Texas:  We've already established that teams get bonus points for including the word "fight" in their fight songs.  "Texas Fight" uses the word six times in its first five lines, bashes its rival school, and puts the lyrics to a tune that is recognizable by even the most casual football fans.  When ESPN uses your fight song in its College Gameday commercials, you've got an historic and relevant song, worthy of a spot on this countdown.

3.  "Notre Dame Victory March" - University of Notre Dame:  Arguably the most recognizable fight song in the nation, you can make a strong case for the "Notre Dame Victory March" at number one.  The 3-spot is no knock on this classic, just a statement about the top two.  Regardless, the Fighting Irish have been the most important college football team for decades, and their fight song mirrors that historical importance.  The "Notre Dame Victory March", Rudy, and Touchdown Jesus mean more to college football than anything else we've discussed on this countdown thus far.

2.  "The Victors" - University of Michigan:  It's only fitting that one of the most storied football teams of all time has one of the most influential fight songs in history.  "The Victors" dates back to 1898, and it's powerful lyrics depict a time when college football was played by larger-than-life heroes, long before the Reggie Bushes and Cam Newtons of the world left their stain of dishonor on the game we love so much.  John Philip Souza, the godfather of the American march, has been quoted as claiming "The Victors" to be the greatest college fight song ever written, and his credentials are a little more impressive than mine.

1.  "Anchors Aweigh" - United States Naval Academy:  "Anchors Aweigh" isn't just a college football fight song.  This tune embodies the pride of the United States Navy, and its patriotic verse finds reverent use in musicals, cartoons, commercials, and countless other forms of American media.  A true fight song should evoke emotion, and there isn't a single song on this countdown that inspires as much pride as "Anchors Aweigh".  Not to sound cheesy, but this song isn't just about fighting for gridiron victory, it's about fighting to protect our way of life, and that puts it at the top of the list.

Honorable Mention:

• "Buckeye Battle Cry" - Ohio State University
• "Tiger Rag" - Clemson University
• "War Eagle" - Auburn University
• "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" - Chicago Bears (NFL)
• "When the Saints Go Marching In" - New Orleans Saints (NFL)

The Bottom Five:

• "Fairest of Colleges" - University of Denver (my alma mater, unfortunately)
• "Skol, Vikings" - Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
• "Miami Dolphins #1" - Miami Dolphins (NFL)
• "Ragtime Cowboy Joe" - University of Wyoming
• "Hail to the Spirit of Miami U" - University of Miami

-Sam

At this point, I just feel bad for the Florida Marlins

A friend recommended this video to me... Asking Creed frontman Scott Stapp to write a song for your baseball team is about as low as it gets.  It's no wonder they can't draw more than 20,000 fans to home games.

-Sam

Denver is only a second-rate market for second-rate people - 'Melo is gone, but Champ returns

The city of Denver has seen its name sullied over the past few months during the never-ending controversy surrounding Carmelo Anthony.  That sad chapter in Denver sports history has closed with a blockbuster trade sending the now-despised Anthony to the New York Knicks, along with home-town favorite Chauncey Billups.  I won't claim to be any kind of expert on the NBA, but I know these two things to be certain.  I hated Carmelo Anthony before it was trendy to, and I've always loved Chauncey Billups.  That being said, I hate to see a CU Buffalo and former NBA champion leave Denver, especially after hearing him voice his desires to stay in town, but dealing 'Melo was crucial for the future of the Nuggets and the sanity of its fan base.

What bothered me the most about the controversy was the implication that Denver is a second-rate market, incapable of keeping high-profile athletes as franchise players.  It was no secret that Carmelo wanted out of Denver, and the storm that grew over our city sent the message to the sporting world that Denver was on par with Cleveland; a statement that induces nausea, headache, and a general sense of helplessness.

My biggest take-away from this whole scenario is that Carmelo doesn't deserve our city.  One spoiled, lazy, and overhyped diva doesn't make or break the repuation of any one city.  The fact is, there is more evidence disproving the second-rate market implication than there is supporting it.

The Rockies have set a surprising precedent this year by signing their two biggest stars to long-term contracts.  Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, two players that would have likely earned more by leaving for a "top-tier" market (Chicago, New York, or LA), decided to commit to spending the prime years of their careers in the Mile High City.

That tells me two things:

1. Both Tulo and CarGo exhibited a rare quality that has all-but vanished from professional sports.  The word is "fidelity", but I'd be willing to guess that Carmelo Anthony would have a hard time spelling the word, let alone defining it.  One year of college at Syracuse doesn't give me reason to believe that he's any more intelligent than he comes off in interviews.

2:  Denver is a city where legitimate superstars can feel comfortable spending the duration of their professional careers.  Given the possibility of earning more money elsewhere, they chose to stay put.  By doing so, they've earned the respect and admiration of hundreds of thousands of fans, and they can enjoy those benefits for the rest of their career in a city that has a mix of city living, scenic beauty, and a family-friendly quality that New York or LA couldn't touch with a 400 foot pole.

Today was a disappointing day for Denver fans for many reasons.  Exchanging Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups for three player's I've never heard of doesn't give me much hope for the Nuggets' immediate future, but after the black eye suffered by this embarassing fiasco, Champ Bailey and the Denver Broncos alleviated a lot of that pain for a city that needed a break.

John Elway announced via twitter that Champ Bailey has signed a four-year extension with the Denver Broncos, news that seemed unlikely at best a week prior.  Bailey has been a shining star in a dismal Bronco defense for several years, and his leadership is irreplaceable on the Denver roster.  Bailey, still one of the best shut-down cornerbacks in the NFL, has been very vocal about his desires to play for a championship team, and that has led to a lot of speculation that his Denver days were done. Denver fans have been dreading the announcement that Champ had been shipped off to the New England Patriots, or some other team poised for a Super Bowl run in 2011-2012.  Thankfully, we managed to hold on this time.  You think Champ would have stayed if he were playing for the Cleveland Browns?  What about the Detroit Lions?

The truth is, Denver is a great market for players that value the important things in life.  Champ, Tulo, CarGo, Sakic and Elway seem to enjoy it...

'Melo, on the other hand, is going to love New York.  It's overrated, arrogant, and classless: he should fit right in.

-Sam

Peter the Great's Farewell Tour

Something's wrong in Denver.  It feels like yesterday that the Avalanche were battling the Red Wings for Western Conference supremacy every year, and the Broncos were fresh off back-to-back Super Bowls.  Recent mile-high headlines remind me of the ongoing "melo"-drama and radio personalities are busy wallowing in self-pity over the Broncos' struggles.  Despite some preseason hype, the Avs are amassing one of the longest losing streaks in NHL history.  If they can manage to lose their next 8, they'll tie the all-time record.  There haven't been many bright spots in the Denver sports scene of late, but many had a brief glimmer of hope when the news broke that Peter Forsberg was returning to the Avalanche after two years in Sweden.

Unfortunately, the euphoria was short-lived, and after just two games (both on the road), Forsberg announced that he was hanging up his pads for good.  What saddens me is that his comeback has become a punchline to many fans.  Peter the Great is one of the most influential figures in Denver sports history, and I'm glad we got an opportunity to see him finish his storied career in an Avalanche jersey.

For years, I had an unhealthy obsession with the Florida Panthers.  Our family pet was named "Beezer", after the all-star goalie, and I honestly think that I spent two years in a row without ever taking off my Panthers jersey.  When I moved to Colorado Springs, the Avalanche were in their first year in Denver, having moved from Quebec, and I desperately tried to hate them.  Throughout the year, I watched as both teams put together impressive runs, culminating in one of the single greatest games I've ever seen.  In game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, both teams battled to a 0-0 stalemate into the third overtime period. In all likelihood, that is the highest my blood pressure has ever been (at ten years old, no less), and when Uwe Krupp squeaked the game's only goal by John Vanbiesbrouck, I cried like a baby, threw my remote at the television, and vowed to hate the Avalanche until the day I died.

Time can change just about anything.

As the seasons went by, I watched players like Claude Lemieux, Mike Ricci, Adam Foote, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, and I couldn't help but love the team.  Looking back, I had never seen a leader like Joe Sakic, and I had never seen a hockey player like Peter Forsberg.

To say that Forsberg played a physical game would be a gross injustice.  He took beatings that made Cops look like Rainbow Brite, but he always answered with earth-shattering hits that would rattle our ancestors. Every time I looked up, he was threading crazy passes to every player on the team, and he truly elevated those around him.  Even in his brief return, I saw glimpses of that same touch.  He always seemed to be three steps ahead of everyone else.

Forsberg was a classy, electrifying, tough-as-nails competitor, and Denver was lucky to bear witness to such greatness.  The failed comeback stings, especially considering the current state of the Colorado Avalanche, but I think it's important to remember what he's given to our city.  His farewell tour reminded me that some athletes transcend the games they play, and Peter Forsberg will be greatly missed.  His number belongs in the rafters along-side Sakic, Roy, and Bourque, and I'm glad I got to see him finish his career in the best city in the United States.

-Sam

Statutory Sanchez - Another Reason to Hate the Jets

I was forwarded a Deadspin link by a friend of mine.  She's certainly not a sports-fanatic, so when she asked if I had heard the new Mark Sanchez scandal, I was surprised to say no.  The story chronicles an account by a 17-year-old New York girl detailing her affair with Jets QB Mark Sanchez.  Deadspin.com doesn't qualify as a credible news source any more than Wikipedia serves as a reputable bibliographical citation for college dissertations, but the accusations in this story warranted mention in the blog.

Here's the link, for those following along:
http://deadspin.com/#!5755011/the-somewhat-romantic-story-of-mark-sanchez-and-a-17+year+old-girl

To be clear, I hate the New York Jets and I hate Mark Sanchez.  There's something about the over-cocky bravado of the organization that I find to be really abrasive and grating.  I consider myself to be a purist when it comes to sports, and the Jets have taken on the personality of The U from the the 1980's, and in the process, they've adopted the same character flaws that plagued Miami.

Here's a brief breakdown of some of the Jets' recent headlines:

• Brett Favre's weinergate (hilarious enough to be mentioned in every post as far as I'm concerned)
• Braylon Edwards DUI
• Rex Ryan's foot fetish photos
• Sal Alosi tripping scandal
• Ines Sainz harassment allegations in Jets' locker room

And now, Mark Sanchez gets involved in a relationship that could easily qualify as statutory rape in many states (not New York or New Jersey, however).  Sanchez, 24, allegedly met this girl at a New York nightclub on New Year's Eve, and several dates and romantic encounters ensued.  The article talks about how the girl in question was surprised as to how "genuine" and "down-to-earth" Mark Sanchez was.  As a 24-year-old myself, I am fully aware of the impressionable nature of any 17-year old girl.  If my friends saw me sweet-talking a high school girl, they'd hog-tie me, throw me in a trunk, drive me into the wilderness and show me their best Chuck Liddell impression.  There are some things that are morally off-limits, and high school girls fall squarely into that category.

I, personally, don't give a rip what the law says.  If Sanchez knowingly pursued and slept with a 17-year-old high school student, he's not only a scumbag, he's a criminal.  

-Sam

Three's Company: QB Controversy in Denver

I read an interesting article on the Mile High Report today about the relationship between Denver's two quarterbacks.  The article states that Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow's relationship has become somewhat adversarial, and there is discussion as to whether or not the two can coexist in the same locker room.  To me, the Broncos have put themselves in a precarious spot by inserting another quarterback into the situation: John Elway.

I realize the journalistic suicide in mentioning Elway's name in any context that depicts him as anything other than a demi-god, but try to separate names from the situation, and look at it from a purely sociological standpoint.

Football is a sport of type A personalities.  Denver's two quarterbacks are alpha males who have spent their whole lives as on-field leaders.  Pitting them against each other in a competition for the starting job is going to cause friction, but a little competition can be healthy.  Orton hasn't earned the reputation to be a true mentor for a young quarterback, and that dynamic doesn't exist with their relationship.  Tim Tebow wants to play, and he believes in his heart that he is better than his counterpart. It's not altogether unhealthy so long as the issue is resolved prior to the start of the season.  Certainly no reason to panic.

This issue I see is inserting John Elway into the situation.  His role within the Broncos' front office has been laid out in semi-specific terms, but I'm not too sure I fully comprehend what is expected of him, both from fans and from his superiors.  The article, linked below, talks about Elway being active on the practice field with the QB's, and I think this is a huge misstep by the unproven football executive.  Since the Shanahan era, the coaching staff and front office have been one-and-the-same, and the overwhelming sentiment is that this model is no longer effective.  Elway's presence on the practice field sends the message that not only is he the final say in personnel decisions, but he is serving as an unofficial QB coach.

It's no secret that Elway is the quintessential alpha male, and getting him involved in the current QB controversy on this level will only muddy the waters. With ego's of this size, you're going to have a few too many cooks in the kitchen.  The best GM's in the NFL don't spend the time mentoring specific atheltes, because they realize that they become biased and more emotionally invested in certain players.  If Elway wants to grow into an effective executive, he needs to distance himself from situations that will confuse emotion with rational thinking.  This is a step backwards, not only for the Broncos' quarterbacks, but for the new-look front office as well.  Leave the coaching to the coaches, and observe the situation as it unfolds.  Only then can Elway make an objective and informed decision about who's under center next season.

If you want to read the article, here's the link:

http://www.milehighreport.com/2011/2/4/1974728/more-john-elway-this-time-on-the-vic-and-gary-show

-Sam

Bradshaw - The Best Ever?

With all the Superbowl XLV buzz, everyone seems to be talking about the upcoming Roethlisberger v. Rodgers battle. Both of these guys have the potential to make a significant mark on football history, and it's gotten me thinking on the most over-debated topic in sports. In true hypocritical fashion, I figured I would voice my two cents on the issue.

As a long-time Bronco fan and loyal Dolphins supporter, my argument for the best quarterback of all time has always invariably ended with Dan Marino and John Elway at the top of the list, in no particular order. You can't argue with Marino's records or lightning-fast release, and Elway's mobility, arm strength, and accuracy were flat-out scary. I've spent years rebuking arguments that Favre, Brady, Manning, and Montana were better than either of these legends, but after a recent revelation, I offer up an new perspective.

Terry Bradshaw was the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL.

Before you slaughter me, hear me out for a moment. Bradshaw led the Steelers to four Superbowl victories in the 1970's, finishing with a playoff record of 14-5 (a better percentage than Montana, Elway, Aikman, Marino, and Young). He was voted Superbowl MVP twice, and called the offensive plays for his whole career.

If you take the statistics into account, Bradshaw will never get the credit he deserves, but he is all-too-often overlooked. Quarterbacks are the 5-star generals of the sporting world. No one position carries the pressure, scrutiny, and expectations of the NFL quarterback, and wins are the most important statistic in the book (keep in mind, this is coming from the biggest Marino fan in the nation). Kyle Orton thew up crazy stats this season and was rewarded with a late-season benching, not because of his performance on the field, but because of his team's record.

Vince Lombardi is noted for saying, "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing". If that's the case, no one has ever done it any better than Terry Bradshaw.

-Sam