SAYING GOODBYE TO DOUG FLUTIE

Yet another mid-week post here, as I will be ripping it up down in Philly this weekend, with Smokin Steve and the gang, and thus will be unable to post on Saturday, or Sunday as I normally do. I am very much looking forward to getting out of water logged New England for some need R & R. I have been in training mode for the past few weeks, getting ready take in such things as Cheesestakes, Tasty Cakes (although those can now be found my area), and various other South Eastern Pennsylvania culinary favorites. After all, Philly is the junk food capital of the free world, is it not? Mr. Skalish also informs me that there will be a "Beef and Beer" on Sunday night, the proceeds of which go to the Lymphoma Society (all you can eat and drink for $25). Let me see if I get this straight: All of the food I can eat, and beer I can drink, and a very good charity is helped in the process? Only in America, WHAT A COUNTRY!!!!

The main reason I write today is pay tribute to one of my favorite athletes of all time, and one who I believe never got the proper credit in his all too brief time in the NFL. I speak of none other than the pride of Natick Mass, Doug Flutie. Old #22 (as he is known in New England), announced his retirement, among little fanfare at Patriots headquarters in Foxboro on Monday. There was not a huge media throng present to chroincle his thoughts, there was no "Stop the presses" coverage of his farewell press conference (of course much of that had to do with the fact that most of our region is underwater). What I saw of it seemed very impromptu, with Doug answering questions about his post-carreer broadcasting plans, while sharing some B.C., and CFL war stories. There were various members of the print and electronic media present, and from what I read, it lasted close to an hour. Still, part of me thought that the whole thing seemed rush and hurried. I have seen more in depth coverage when players such as Pedro Martinez have left town.

It have always believed that it is difficult for someone that was not living in the Boston area to fully appreciate Doug Flutie's talents. Many college football fans around the country have seen the films of him winning games, and throwing the famous Hail Mary in Miami, but unless you were here from 1981- 1985, one cannot fully appreciate the influence he had on football in this area. All of a sudden, when Flutie hit campus, College football mattered in New England. All of a sudden, power houses such as Alaabama, and Penn State were coming to the Boston area to play, and sometimes the Eagles were beating them. Media coverage, and national exposure for the program followed, as did wins and major Bowl appearances. Flutie's four years culminated with a trip to the Cotton Bowl in January of 1985 ( the eagles beat the University of Houston), and a Heisman Trophy for #22.

I have long said that the only good thing about the 80's were the Celtics winning three championships, and B.C. football when Flutie was Quarterback. Each week during their respective seasons, Larry Bird, Kevin Mchale, Robert Parish (among others), and Doug Flutie would do things that were simply amazing, and a joy to watch. I remember vividly going to the old Foxboro Stadium (actually it was Sullivan Stadium at the time) in the pouring rain, with my Pop Warner team to watch B.C. take on the Crimson Tide of Alabama. I remember it was Bear Bryant's last year, and I also remember that the Eagles pulled out a close one in the 4th Quarter. It remains the only time I ever saw Flutie play live. B.C. games during Flutie's tenure at the Heights (as B.C's campus is known), were EVENTS, and I remember thinking how cool it was during my early teen years, that all of these big College Teams were coming to our area, and we were holding our own against them. By the same token, we all knew that the fallout would be dramatic once Flutie graduated, and it really is not at all surprising that they have not had a player since that comes to close to matching Doug in terms of stature, and his pure ability to win games.

Despite his success in college, it remains frustrating to this day that Flutie never got a fair shake in the NFL. Many blame his height for this, but I have long believed there were other reasons, and listening to Patriots Coach Bill Belichick expound on Flutie's talents at yesterday's press conference, it seems some of my theories were well founded. Flutie, like Vince Young today, had abilities and talents that would force teams to taylor their offense to fit his strenghts. NFL coaches being the creatures of habit that they are have always been reluctant to do this, due to the fact that many came out of systems, or "coaching trees" (the 49ers, and Giants, being two of the most famous examples), where there is a prescribed way of doing things, and coaches that come out of a particular system rarely deviate from the proven methods. This is one of the reasons why teams were reluctant to take Young, despite his athletic ability. Many coaches feel more comfortable with a classic "Pocket passer", and they are not going to change that line of thinking, no matter what.


Flutie's NFL carreer never seemed to get off the ground. No matter what team he was with, and no matter how many game he would win, it seemed like he always had to look over his shoulder, and the rug almost always got pulled out fomr under him. His pro career actually began in the upstart USFL, where he starred onthe New Jersey Generals, with Herschel Walker in the backfield. After the league folded, it was off to the Chicago Bears, where Coach Mike Ditka made him fight for playing time along with such NFL "legends" as Mike Tomczak, and Jim Harbaugh.

In 1987 Doug was picked up by the Patriots during the NFL Players strike. He was named the starter in 1988, nnd espite the fact that we went 6-3 as a starter (including a last second win Vs. Indy in which Flutie won the game on a 13 yard TD run), Tony Eason (who had not played a game since 1987 due to a severly injured shoulder) got the start for a divisional playoff game at Denver in January, 1989. The results of the decision were predictably horrible, and Flutie's tenure ended following the 1989 season.

From there it was off to the CFL where he won three Grey Cups, while playing for the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, and the British Columbia Lions. His 466 completions, and 6,619 passing yards in 1991 are still league records. After the 1997 season, Flutie returned for another curious tour of duty with the Buffalo Bills. Despite the fact that he has a winning record as a starter, he was forcedto shar playing time with the "Future Hall Of Famer" Rob Johnson. The battle for the coveted starting position turned very personal between the two, and things hit the ultimate low when despite a winning record, Johsnson started over Doug in the famous (or infamous depending on your perspective) "Music City Miracle" game Vs. Tennesse in January of 1999.

After Buffalo it was off to San Diego, where things started off well, until Drew Brees was drafted, and Flutie was quickly thrust into the backup role yet again. Of course his career came to a close after on last tour of duty in New England, serving as Tom Brady's backup. Our lasting image of Doug will be the dropkick, during the New Years Day game vs. Miami. Flutie stated from the beginning that he knew what to expect upon returing to Foxboro but despite that, there were still times last year during some blowouts where I wondered, "why aren't they putting Flutie in?". His stay last year also seemed a bit awkward at times, and Doug admitted as much in his farewell press conference. Despite the fact that his pro career seemed incomplete, Doug's influence lives on at the campus of B.C. as well as through his legion of fans that he will always have in New England.