Hot reads: UFL title for Fassel not a ticket back to NFL
Former Giants coach Jim Fassel won the championship in the inaugural season of the United Football League, as his Las Vegas Locomotives beat Jim Haslett's Orlando Tuskers, 20-17, in overtime Friday.
Will it be enough to get Fassel another head-coaching job in the NFL?
Chances are it won't. With teams either going to coaches who have won a Super Bowl - put Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy on that list - or up-and-coming young coaches, Fassel might be left out, as he has been in the last several coaching hire cycles.
"I'm enjoying this as much as at any other time in coaching," Fassel said during a recent interview. "I'm enjoying the players, the challenges of a new league. I'm not even thinking about the NFL."
But you'd better believe Fassel would jump at the chance. Tell you what. Teams could do a lot worse.
MVP: A 3-horse race
Usually by this time of the year, the field of potential MVP candidates has swelled to a half-dozen or more. But it's tough to see that figure get above three. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it's a three-way race among quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre.
At this point, you can make an argument for putting them in any order you like. My take: It's Brees first, Manning second and Favre third.
Brees clearly has been the difference for the 10-0 Saints and is enjoying a brilliant season with 2,746 passing yards, a league-high 22 touchdown passes and a 105.8 rating, second in the NFL.
Manning, a three-time MVP, has done an extraordinary job in leading the Colts to a 10-0 record and is at the top of his game with 3,171 passing yards, 21 TD passes and a 102.7 rating. We've come to expect that kind of greatness from Manning, and he hasn't disappointed.
Favre, also a three-time MVP, has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence and leads the NFL with a 112.1 rating. He has benefited from a terrific defense and, perhaps more importantly, the best running game he has been involved with. Credit workhorse Adrian Peterson with the assist.
Can't help thinking that . . .
If the Dolphins somehow make it to the playoffs, it will be because of Ricky Williams, who now is the key factor in the running game with Ronnie Brown (foot) out for the season. Williams has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games heading into Miami's Week 12 game against Buffalo.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is fast becoming a dominant quarterback at home. The numbers say it all: He's 11-1 in Atlanta.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak will be on the hot seat if he doesn't make the playoffs. At 5-5, he has lost two straight heading into this week's game against the unbeaten Colts.
Wade Phillips' future in Dallas is tied entirely to the team's playoff fortunes. I'd say he needs at least two postseason wins to stick around in 2010.
The Bears' No. 1 priority in the offseason will be addressing the offensive line, followed closely by receiver.
