Jack No-Football is Gaining on Us

The series will have a championship game next year. Over the past couple of years, this has probably been one of the biggest criticisms of the BCS. As it is currently, the BCS works best when there are exactly two undefeated teams. If there are ever, say, three teams with equivalent records, having a championship game should decide who's "really the best."

In other news, I'm a little disappointed that Santonio Holmes is planning to hit the NFL, even though he apparently has Tressel's blessing. I think another year of college ball could be good for Holmes. It might teach him not to celebrate at inappropriate times, or something. Okay, probably not.

This is the time of year when we feel the cold breath of the Specter of No Football creeping up on us. The college bowls are ending, and the pro playoffs are coming soon. The Super Bowl is practically staring us in the face, though we don't know who will play in it. But once that's over, there will be little football activity until April, when the draft takes place. Well, that's how it usually is. I wouldn't be too surprised if T.O. sues the Eagles in the off-season, or something.

This could be a great rookie class, if Holmes, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, LenDale White, and Vince Young decide to go. Right now, I wouldn't be surprised if I were to receive a message from my future self telling me that Young performed a Grossman-like role for whichever team lands him. His performance at the Rose Bowl suggests that he has the "intangibles" that will allow him to energize his team. I think Leinart's performance would be better than Kyle Orton's, but I haven't seen the evidence that Leinart has the leadership qualities that Young has shown. (He might be more like Donovan McNabb, who some have suggested doesn't have the leadership qualities to unite the Eagles.)

I'm partial to the Titans — I've got family in Tennessee — and my dream scenario is that Tennessee trades up from #3 (if necessary) to get Young. Steve McNair, sadly, is nearing the end of his playing days, and Billy Volek isn't going to cut it as the QB of the future. The Texas would be better served by getting some protection for David Carr, and then seriously asking themselves whether they need Reggie Bush, or whether some free agent running backs, deep threats, and draft picks for next year would serve them better.

New Orleans is number 2. They benched Aaron Brooks, their six-year starter. Their backup had mixed success, but they took a quarterback in the fifth round of the 2005 draft, and they're reportedly pleased with his progress. New Orleans doesn't really need a quarterback, and if they dump Brooks two years early, the last two years of his $5 million signing bonus will count against the salary cap. Saints owner Tom Benson has come across as tight-fisted in the months since Hurricane Katrina forced his team's relocation; he might not be particularly willing to spend big money on another QB prospect. In my opinion, you have to go down to number 10 (Arizona) to find a team that is even close to needing a quarterback the way Tennessee does.

Ideally, the Titans need to trade up to get Young, if he comes out this year. If not, Leinart is their best bet.

I hope you've been taping and TiVoing the best games of the year, because, my friends, NFL winter is upon us.