OK, it's official. New England is a dynasty. Which, if Dallas is any indicator, is the kiss of death...the fast lane to poor performance.

Since my sister lives outside of Philly, I was rooting for the Eagles, but how they got so far is beyond me. Donovan McNabb is no Roger Staubach. In the few games I've seen him in this year, it seems like every other pass is pregnant with poor judgement or has interception written all over it.

Yeah, the dynasty label is shorthand for "enjoy while it lasts, which will only be until the big stars get to the bargaining table next year." The salary cap will ensure that there's never another real dynasty in pro football.

The last completely home-grown (drafted) team to win a Super Bowl was the Pittsburgh Steelers ... a thing of the past, I'm afraid.

Will always wonder if the Cowboys might have given the Steelers more of a run for their money in the 70s if Staubach had gone straight from college to the pro's. Instead, he fulfilled his commitment to the country after graduating from Annapolis. In a similar vein, what additional records might Ted Williams have achieved if he hadn't taken time off from MLB to serve in Korea?

But Staubach's example would start to disappear, too - and not too much later, either - when academy grad's would be posted to units close to their pro team's facilities ... about as far to the rear with the gear as a person could get. Still, you have the Chad Hennings of the world, and the hope that maybe that trend, at least, is not irreversible.

Though I spent part of my life just a couple hours' drive north of Philly, I was never an Eagles fan. What little class that organization had was mostly low ... and sharing the stands with their fans gave pretty much the same impression. Gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson once shared the impression that "Philadelphia fans would boo a rescue at sea, and throw empty beer bottles at the lifeboats."

I could tolerate the Steelers since they were AFL, and they played hardnosed ball. But the Eagles were always just an annoyance, a fly to be swatted at (and sometimes bitten by). But even then they might have been respected opponents if it just hadn't been for that Vermeil guy. Oy! What a maroon.

Interesting question about Roger Staubach and his service commitment. Surely he'd have had some increased physical longevity had he not gone into the Navy, but I wonder if his leadership skills would have been as good.

All things being equal, I prefer for our best and brightest to be fighting for freedom, rather than yardage. I just wish they'd get the same recognition for the former as for the latter.

Eric, re: "All things being equal, I prefer for our best and brightest to be fighting for freedom, rather than yardage ..."

You and I are in complete agreement on that. My comments regarding Staubach's life and career did not stem for regret over the path he chose, but, rather, for the fact that others did not follow his example.

There are a few in pro sports, still, who put service to country ahead of their career, but they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Pat Tillman was one of many, many young men in the NFL who were in top physical condition, with a good head on their shoulders, and the ability to make a fine soldier. But in the end, there was only one Pat Tillman.