Monday, February 29, 2016

US Soccer Crest History

With the release of US Soccer's updated crest, here is a history of our crests.

2016

Pros: I like that they kept the shield concept.  I like the letters 'USA' in the crest.  I like the return to the dark blue color of our flag instead of the lighter blue in the 2014 edition of the last crest.  And I like the change to blue lettering and red stripes instead of the previous opposite color scheme.

Cons:  The font isn't patriotic or really symbolic of anything.  And why v-shape in the middle of the crest?  But my biggest gripe concerns the shape of the crest.  It is too narrow.  Secondly, why make the topline completely flat?  Those two decisions, as well as the strange font, have made the crest overtly modern, taking away any chance for it to ever become timeless.



1995, 2006, 2014



1993




1988



1980s



1970s




 1950


1913, 1934

Monday, February 8, 2016

Peyton Manning, 2nd GOAT

Peyton capped off the greatest statistical career of any QB in history with his 2nd Superbowl title.  Ultimately, his legacy is that he has changed how the QB position will ever be played.  (Brady, a system QB, has no such legacy).  The Broncos upset the 17-1 Panthers, though Carolina had the #1 offense in the league and were led by MVP, Heisman winner and BCS champion, Cam Newton.  En route to the SB, Peyton fittingly had to overcome his career nemesis, Brady in the AFC Championship (Peyton is 3-1 vs Brady in the AFC Championship).

A few more notable facts:

- Peyton is the only QB to win championships with 2 different teams.

- He has reached the SB 4 different times with 4 different coaches.

- He is also the oldest QB to win a SB at age 39.  Elway did it at 38.

- Peyton has become the only QB to get to 200 total regular season and playoff wins, besting Favre's 199 wins.

- With the SB win, Peyton finishes with a winning playoff record at 14-13.

- He is the 12th QB to win multiple championships.  Now only Montana (GOAT), Bradshaw, Brady and Aikman have more.

- In regular season stats, Peyton finishes first with all-time most MVPs, passing TDs, passing yards and wins.  He is by far the best regular season QB ever.

Peyton Manning
MVPs: 5 (1st)
Superbowls: 2
Career Passing TDs: 539 (1st)
Career Passing Yards: 71,940 (1st)
Wins: 186 Regular Season (1st), 14 Postseason
Single Season Passing TDs: 55 (1st)

Brett Favre
MVPs: 3
Superbowls: 1
Career Passing TDs: 508 (2nd)
Career Passing Yards: 71,848 (2nd)
Wins: 186, 13

Dan Marino
MVPs: 1
Superbowls: 0
Career Passing TDs: 420 (5th)
Career Passing Yards: 61,631 (3rd)
Wins: 147, 8

Drew Brees
MVPs: 0
Superbowls: 1
Career Passing TDs: 428 (T-3rd)
Career Passing Yards: 60,903 (4th)
Wins: 124, 6

Tom Brady
MVPs: 2
Superbowls: 4
Career Passing TDs: 428 (T-3rd)
Career Passing Yards: 58,028 (5th)
Wins: 172, 22


Superbowl Wins:
4 - Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady
3 - Troy Aikman
2 - Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Roger Staubach, Bart Starr, Jim Plunkett, John Elway, Bob Griese