The New England Patriots are two victories away from making history with a perfect 19-0 season and a fourth Super Bowl title.
As if opposing teams did not have enough problems to worry about with the Patriots’ record-setting passing game featuring quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Randy Moss, another big weapon has emerged late in the season.
That would be none other than St. Louisan Laurence Maroney, the former Normandy High star running back who has been a beast as of late. After struggling with injuries throughout the season, Maroney has given the Patriots some excellent running to compliment its already devastating passing game that has carried the team all season.
In the past four games, Maroney is averaging more than 100 yards rushing and nearly five yards per carry. Now healthy, Maroney is looking like the running back who was a steal at the 23rd pick in the first round two years ago after a fabulous college career at Minnesota.
He rushed for 122 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown in New England’s 31-20 victory over Jacksonville in the AFC Divisional Playoffs last Sunday. He also added 40 yards on two receptions.
Maroney scored two touchdowns in the Patriots’ historic 38-35 victory at New York to clinch the undefeated regular season. He rushed for 156 yards against Miami and 104 yards against the New York Jets in late-season contests.
No sale
Forgive me if I am not buying Terrell Owens’ tearful post-game address after his Dallas Cowboys were tripped up by the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. T.O. turned on the water works in defense of his quarterback Tony Romo after a less-than-stellar performance after a week of sunning himself in Mexico with his Hollywood honey Jessica Simpson. Many are wondering if T.O. has turned over a new leaf and become a better teammate after making a career out of throwing his own quarterbacks under the bus when a team didn’t meet expectations.
No sale for me.
Although he did seem sincere, I thought it was a pretty pathetic exhibition, especially when you go back to how he treated Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. McNabb was the one who lobbied to get T.O. to Philly and defended him at every turn. All he got in return was constant ridicule from T.O. in the media. And even worse, T.O. did everything he could to undermine McNabb’s leadership on the Eagles.
Philly fans have never accepted McNabb as their quarterback to begin with and all he did was fan the flames. That a way to stand up for the brother T.O.
Now in Dallas, T.O. is crying and fawning over Romo, the new golden boy of the league who has yet to win a meaningful game with the Cowboys. He let a playoff victory slip through his hands last year when he mishandled a snap in Seattle last year. And this year, he prepared for this year’s Super Bowl run by hanging out on the beach with Jessica Simpson.
One of Romo’s biggest flubs last Sunday was when he sailed a hopelessly wounded duck over a wide-open Owens’ head in the third quarter which would have been an easy touchdown.
Cry me a river, T.O. Bum.
1K Lisch
Congratulations to Saint Louis University junior guard Kevin Lisch, who scored his 1,000th career point last Thursday night in that forgettable 49-20 loss at George Washington. Lisch will soon be joined in the 1,000-point club by fellow Metro East buddy Tommie Liddell, who needs 12 points to reach 1,000 points for his career. The “618” backcourt (as coined by my colleague Maurice Scott) has provided Billiken fans with many thrills in the past two-and-a-half seasons. I’m looking forward to many more.
Able Abel
McCluer South-Berkeley senior basketball player Abel Tillman turned in a performance for the ages last Friday against Madison. Despite MSB’s 80-73 loss to the Trojans, the 6’7” Tillman enjoyed a career night with 19 points, 24 rebounds and 11 blocked shots. Madison’s outstanding senior guard Cornelius Chatt led the Trojans to victory with 30 points and nine rebounds.
Go, girls
I had a chance to witness two big girls’ basketball showdowns last week. On Tuesday night, I attended the big Incarnate Word-St. Joseph’s clash. IWA used a great defensive effort to defeat St. Joseph 45-35 to avenge their loss to St. Joe’s in the championship game of the Visitation Tournament. On Friday night, McCluer South-Berkeley met up with a much-improved Jennings team in a Suburban East showdown. Berkeley came through with a 50-48 victory in a game that wasn’t decided until the last second. It was Jennings’ first loss of the season after 13 consecutive victories.
Ring the bell
The grandfather of “Fighting Words” columnist Glenn McBrady passed away on Monday. John Collier, a World War 2 Veteran and former CYC soccer coach, was 85. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church, located at 4900 Ringer Road in Oakville. Our thoughts are with Glenn and his family. The Missouri boxing community also mourns along with its best (only?) beat writer. (Glenn’s column covering recent bouts will run next week.)
(Earl Austin Jr’s new book, “The PHL in the STL” on the history of basketball in the Public High League is now available. You can purchase your copy at the St. Louis American (4242 Lindell), Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods (Florissant and Sunset Hills locations) and on-line at www.earlaustinjr.com).