SteamboatJakson:
For just over two decades now the Dallas Cowboys have held the title 'America's Team'. That is a title I believe they no longer deserve, not because I am cruel but the stats are there to support my claim. There have been 18 different teams to the Super Bowl since the last time the Cowboys were there. That is 18 different teams in 14 years (15 years assuming that the Dallas Cowboys don't make it this year) with the Cowboys not as a Super Bowl participant. Nor do I see them getting to the Super Bowl with Tony Homo (Romo) at the helm. I also wouldn't consider them 'America's Team' if there is no salary cap after the lockout, which is most likely coming. Throwing money at the problem of not winning is not American, our debt is a higher number than I know how to say and averages over 4 million dollars per day.
I would like to nominate a few teams for the right to be 'America's New Team'. The New England Patriots have to be the start of the conversation, is anything more American than patriotism for your country. A patriot is one who loves and defends his/her country. Also the success the organization has had over the past decade cannot be ignored, four Super Bowl trips since 2002 winning three of them. My next team would be the Indianapolis Colts. They have a quarterback that can do no wrong by almost anyone you ask in Peyton Manning, much like the New England Patriots Tom Brady. Every team that could be considered for 'American's Team' needs a clean face for the franchise and a quarterback's face is a good place to start. One cannot forget to mention the Pittsburgh Steelers when talking about 'America's Team'. While 'Big Ben' hasn't been an ideal face with recent legal troubles, one can't complain about how the Steelers play the game. They seem to be a direct reflection of their fans. That reflection is bringing your hard hat to work and put in the work to succeed. While I could be biased in putting in the Green Bay Packers it is hard to ignore the fact that they could qualify. A team that is owned by their fans is truly American, no matter how you spin it because they have a direct connection with their fans. It will be interesting what my Crazy Cousins will have to say about who they think is 'America's New Team.
Cousin DJ Cliff:
As sad as it may be, America is currently watching one of the world’s most popular sports without having its own definitive team to pull for. A team where fans from Texas and Maine can get together and pull for. A team whose jersey is worn in middle school classrooms in Atlanta, Ga as well as Boise, ID. Sports in the United States are currently lacking an “America’s Team,” and here’s the most recent team to fall from grace, in addition to my vote for its replacement.
Dallas Cowboys: the team that basically termed the phrase for “America’s Team” has experienced a massive fall from grace. No longer is this team comprised of your blue-collar workers, it is now comprised of reality-tv stars, drama-queen rookies (Dez Bryant, although I must admit that the kid can play), and underpaid veterans (see Free, Doug; starting LT pulling in a massive $467K this year). Not to mention, one of the most self-centered owners in sports. Jerry Jones singlehandedly overhyped his team, promised the world a spectacle with his Cowboys reaching the Super Bowl in his Palace, and placed more emphasis on getting a boxing match in his Palace than a W in his Cowboys’ win/loss column. This isn’t America, and this isn’t America’s team. Potential replacements may be hard to come by for a category that holds such meaning in American sports. However, leaving no stone unturned, here are a couple shots at it (in particular order).
New Orleans Saints: your 2010 Super Bowl Champs (yes, you read that correctly. 2010 Super bowl, not Super Bowl XLIV champs. I’ll hold on to that rant for a later time) are the front runners to take over the title of America’s team. The city was put on national crisis alert when Katrina hit in late 2005, and no thought New Orleans would ever be the same. After a couple years of rebuilding a city, stadium, and team, the Saints emerged as the feel good story of the year, and possibly the decade. Humble leaders who played their college ball in the blue-collar Midwest (Drew Brees, Sean Payton), an iconic stadium that spans lifetimes (The Superdome, host to the Rolling Stones, BCS championships, Republican Party National Convention, Final Fours, and even a couple Red Sox/Yankees preseason matchups), and a fan base stronger than Jack Marks (Who Dat Nation). To me, Who Dat Nation means “Dat is not Who I would mess with.”
For what it’s worth, the torch was passed on December 10th, 2006, when the Saints trounced the heavily favored Cowboys by a total of 42-17. The game had the interesting subplots (Parcells vs. former student Payton for the first time), playoff implications (saints took over the 2nd best record in all the NFC), and a milestone in the making (Brees topped 4,000 yards passing in a for the first time in his career). All in all, a coming out party for Who Dat Nation and the city of New Orleans, capturing the eyes, ears, and hearts of a nation without a team to pull for.
Cousin D-Lo:
I think in order to be America's team, you need to have a large fan base + great history/tradition + relevance in the football world. For me that leaves the Giants, Bears, Steelers, Jets, and Patriots. The Steelers are eliminated with their quarterbacks inability to pull tail like most normal Super Bowl champion quarterbacks can and needs to party on college campuses to do it. The Patriots have a reputation to play dirty and have the taint of Spygate on their legacy.
The Bears would initially be ruled out due to the fact Cutler may or may not have bitched his way out of Denver. However, thanks to spygate 2 it looks like McDaniels may actually be the bigger douche in that mini drama. Also the Bears and Steelers are the two most well traveled fan bases for away games. The Jets are the White Sox and Mets to the Cubs and Yankees, so it would be hard to place them over the Giants. People seem to have forgotten the Eli Manning out on SD situation, but keep in mind 75% of America hates the east coast bias ESPN provides and just for NY sports in general.
To me it is either the Steelers or Bears. Both are family owned organizations and are not affiliated with the NY/NE area overdose of attention. Plus they have probably the 2 largest fan bases overall. Cutler and Roethlisburger aren;t helping the cause however.
Also - does anyone see the Bears over the Jets in the super bowl as easy as I do? The comparisons are similar. Brian Urlacher is the 2006 Peyton Manning (best player/career without a super bowl). The Jets are the 2006 Bears. They are getting dangerously fooled by their big arm, erratic, short young quarterback from a major college program. Their defense will "carry" them as far as they will go without their game changing defensive tackle (Kris Jenkins/ Tommie Harris out for seasons). Brad Smith can change a game for them like Hester did. Their head coach runs their defense. And they play in one of the 2 biggest markets in football. If they beat the Patriots Monday and become the #1 seed in the East, I am putting $50 on both teams winning the conference Tuesday.
Cousin Money Mike:
Ok first things first. The Cowboys should not be America's team. Back in the day led by Aikmen Smith and Irvin yes, they were a powerhouse and the title was well deserved. However, Romo, Barber (Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice I don't think they even know who their featured back is) and who a rookie Dez Bryant or Miles Austin. Come on the title should have been stripped from these guys three years ago.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are well deserved of becoming America's Team. I mean come the Patriots can't become they got caught with the whole Spygate thing. And the Saints became good last year. Anyways back to the best organization in football. Mike Tomlin is a badass, and accepts nothing other than winning. They are the funniest team to watch in the NFL hands down. They play a physical style of football, which is extremely entertaining. I can't wait to see Harrison just level someone from the Ravens this weekend and probably pick up another fine. Also, from Willie Parker, to Rashard Mendenhall over the years the Steelers have been consistent at one thing over the years and that is running the ball with authority. And we all know you have to run the ball to be successful in the NFL. (Which is why the Packers are not going anywhere this year?). But my vote goes to your future 2011 super bowl champions Pittsburgh Steelers.
SteamboatJakson:
While this is long overdue maybe it is better that I held off giving my perspective. I mentioned before several teams that should be in contention for ‘America’s New Team’ but everyone knew all along whom my pick was going to be. The Green Bay Packers are my clear choice to be ‘America’s New Team’, while I am a Green Bay fan that does not make them any less deserving. Can you say I am bias? Absolutely you can, but who isn’t going to be at least a little bit towards their team.
Tradition runs heavy through Green Bay which is essential in being called ‘America’s Team’. With the most NFL Championships the Packers do not lack a winning tradition. While the Super Bowl wins are not as great as some of the other teams the number is still relevant at three. The trophy everyone wants at the end of the year is ‘The Vince Lombardi Trophy’ named after one of the greatest coaches ever to coach the game. While Mr. Lombardi did not retire as a Packer it is where he built his legend and where his heart and soul was/is today.
The stadium is named after a Packer legend as well Earl ‘Curly’ Lambeau. Green Bay has always taken care of its own and will continue too because they are a reflection of their fans. The Green Bay Packers are owned by the city of Green Bay, which means all citizens in Green Bay can have input that matters and gets voiced about the team. While tradition is great you also need a strong present and future to be considered ‘America’s Team’.
The Packers present has shifted from an American hero in Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, who is the future. From early in the 1992 season until the end of 2007 the Packers fans will know who was under center for them. This current Packers team is of rare sorts in that they build through the draft and very rarely through free agency. Including the punter and kicker the Packers heading into the playoffs are starting 20 of 24 players that were drafted by the Packers. Which is highest in the league, this point illustrates that loyalty to their players is a concern to the front office. When going and working for someone you want to be able to work your way up and be treated fairly, well that’s what the Packers offer. Not only are they a model franchise in that regard it is part of what makes them ‘America’s New Team’.
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