STAR TRIBUNE
MINNEAPOLIS - This may be Wong's LD's fifth BIGFFBL
Championship game in the seven years, but LD's coach Eric Wong says it never
gets old.
"Every team starts out 0-0 and believes they can be BIGFFBL Champion," Wong
said. "But it's not the best team that wins. It's the team that is able to use
the tools he acquires to do the best job when it really counts. Of course, a
little luck does not hurt."
The LD's have been through a rollercoaster season. They started out 4-2, then
lost three in a row to put their season in deep peril. Then won four in a row,
including a controversial 1 point win over Team Goo, to win the Husky Division
and return to the playoffs.
"No matter what happens, Coach Wong has always said that the next game is a new
beginning. We just take it one game at a time," said RB Thomas Jones.
What has been so anomalous this season is that much of the LD's success this
year is due to success at the QB position. Matt Hasselback, Jake Delhomme and
Kerry Collins have all contributed significantly in the LD's playoff drive. Last
week, Collins scored 42 points, which is the third time in four weeks that he
has scored over 30 points.
"First of all, I appreciate Coach Wong putting enough faith in me to draft me in
the 13th round this year. I think every guy who wants a second chance should get
it," Collins said. "I know Matt and Jake want to start and they are solid
players, but coach makes it clear that the hottest hand will play and we all
have accepted that."
The LD's face the LB's this week and are not just facing a powerful squad led by
QB Donovan McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook, but also head into this game without
the services of Eagles WR Terrell Owens, out due to a broken bone in his leg.
"TO has carried us many times this year. But the great thing about this team is
that we all know that if someone is struggling or hurt, everyone else needs to
pick up the slack. While TO is a great player, we have proven that we can win
without TO having to carry the team," said WR Donald Driver.
The LD's may have already exceeded expectations that league pundits predicted
them to be much closer to obtaining the Golden Toliet than the BIGFFBL
Championship. But gaining respect and bragging rights aren't the main topic of
conversation for the LD's.
"I'm amazed at how coach never talks about him not getting enough respect this
season," said RB Corey Dillion. "I played seven seasons for the laughingstock of
the league getting 1,000+ yard seasons and was frustrated for not getting
respect. But coach doesn't say anything about it."
There is much speculation about the Wong's future fueled by reports of a
conversation with the BIGFFBL Commissioner saying that "this year may be it."
What exactly does "it" mean?
"Well, we'll find out next week. Won't we?" Wong smirked.
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