From: jpglori@srv.PacBell.COM (John P. Gloria)
Subject: Re: Eagles : YIKES!
Organization: Pacific * Bell
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 20:30:35 GMT

In article <1992Oct7.175946.727@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com> marshall@nebula.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com writes:
>In article <1992Oct7.034021.29240@PacBell.COM>, jpglori@srv.PacBell.COM (John P. Gloria) writes:
>>In article <1992Oct7.021646.1975@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com> marshall@nebula.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com writes:
>>>>
>>>>The Eagles might have more talent, but they don't have the winning tradition 
>>>>that the Niners possess in big time games.
>
>What's with this "winning tradition" crap? Ask the Packers how much a
>"winning tradition" did for them in the '70s, or ask the Steelers how
>much it did for them in the '80s.
>
Okay, we have a no-win situation here. You are correct in bringing these
teams up. I am aware of the "past" records of the aforementioned teams. 
Unfortunately for these teams, an era came and went past them. The 
tradition was not carried forth. With the AFC coming into the picture and
the advent of more talented players and defensive schemes put into action,
it became harder for the "old" teams to change. These teams are now starting
to make the acquisitions to make themselves contenders. Currently the Eagles
are in the "making" stage. Granted, they are looking good right now. However,
the Niners have "made it" and IMHO, they will continue to do so. They will
only get better. The Eagles, IMHO, are a GREAT starter team, i.e., start the
season with good results, but they have yet to win the big one. All you guys
harp on what their current standings are, etc., etc., and state that the
SB is only one game and that it shouldn't be a barometer to measure a teams
greatness. Sorry, but I must be the lone advocate on my view point that the
SB is the only measurement. Sorry, excuses about tipped passes or "could/should
haves" and winnning more games in the regular season or more come backs will
not buy a SB ring.

>>Again, stats do not mean squat shit on Sunday. Do you
>>understand that concept?
>
>No, I don't. I've got a Master's degree in statistics, and you'll have a
>hard time convincing *ME* that statistics don't mean squat shit. Sure, they
>only tell part of the story, but don't try to tell me they are meaningless.
>
That is your problem. Statistics as applied to the game of football do not
mean squat shit. If your theory were correct, Elway, Kelly and Marino would
all be SB winners based on Statistics, oh yeah, let us not forget Cunningham.

>>>Now, what does it all mean? Not a hell of a lot. Both the 49ers and Eagles 
>>>will make the playoffs, and then all the stats go out the window. Head to 
>>>head I'd say the two teams are pretty evenly matched, but right now I'd
>>>give the nod to the Eagles, although the 49ers certainly have an
>>>excellent chance of beating them.
>>>
>>The first sign of common sense by you Bob.
>
>Well, at least that puts me ahead of you :-)
>
>>The Niners have as good a chance as any team out there and I would
>>pick them over the Eagles any day soley because they Niners know how
>>to play pressure games and have proved this during the last ten
>>years.
>
>Let me get this straight. Since the 49er players of the '80s were able to
>excel in the pressure games, the 49er players of the '90s (an almost
>entirely different cast of characters, mind you, including the coaches)
>are automatically endowed with that capability. Is that how it works?
>Come on! Past success does not guarantee future success; again, ask the
>Packers and the Steelers.
>
Bob, some things are intangible, or does that require a Master's for you
to understand. Coach Seifert came right in and won a SB. Coach Seifert, 
currently has the highest winning perctange of any coach. Does that
tell you something. Montana goes down and now Young is leading the Niners
to victories. Does that tell you something? Success breeds success, and
failure breeds failure. To reverse either process requires changes.
The Packers and Steelers did not make changes. Does that tell you something?
The other non-SB winners need to make the right changes. Look at the Vikings.
Hiring Coach Green is a step in the right direction. The Cowboys have taken
the right steps to reverse their failure, and so have the Eagels. The
only problem is that they have to succeed in going all the way. Perhaps
on these teams will in the next 2-5 years, NOT this year though. IF anyone
of them does, than kudos to them. It will mean that they finally went over
the hump. You're correct, past success does not guarantee future success,
but using past success and changing with the times will certainly give you
an edge. Don't you agree?


-- 
  ---------  John Gloria - jpglori@sysengr.pacbell.com	--------	
  Let us be thankful for the fools; but for them the rest
  of us could not succeed.  -   Mark Twain