I remember writing a program on my Commodre 64 computer that could predict football scores.  It was a decent program, but more than that, it showed me something about football I didn't know. The 1983 Chicago Bears, it told me, were much better than the 8-8 season they were posting and might be on the verge of greatness.  The 1983 Bears were always in close games. They lost 5 games by 7 points or less, and 4 of them by 3 points or less.  They won 5 games by 7 points or less, 3 of them by 3 points or less. The Bears were fighting hard every game, but hadn't found a way to win, not yet.  Of course in 1984 they went 11-5 and in 1985 they posted an almost perfect season of 15-1. Dan Marino beat them on Monday night football. The 1985 Chicago Bears are considered one of the great teams ever.

What I learned was that first a championship team learns how to put up a good fight before they learn how to win.  Consider the 2002 Indianapolis Colts.  They started the year 4-4, finished 10-6 with 6 wins by 7 points or less, 3 of them by 3 points or less.  They were fighting but barely winning and got blown out badly in the playoffs.  2003, 11-5, 2004, 12-4, 2005, 14-2, 2006 Super Bowl.  Oh yea, the team that knocked them out in 2004 and 2005, the New England Patriots. In 2002, they learned not to quit. That was the gift Tony Dungy brought them.  That attitude delivered the victories soon after.

So how about the New England Patriots in the Bill Bellichek era?  The 2000 NE Patriots, coach Bellichek's first year, they went 5-11.  Two of the wins by 3 points or less, one by 7 or less.  They could have been 2-14 easily.  Seven of the losses were by 7 points or less and 3 of those by 3 or less.  They could have been 12-4.  Of course, after that year (excluding the strike year) 12-4 would be a bad year year for them.  In 2001 they were 11-5 and in the following years came 4 Super Bowl showings. They went through the same learning process of don't quit.

How about the greatest run of playoff appearances ever, the SF 49ers.  Starting in 1981, they showed up in the playoffs 16 out of 18 years.  How about the start of it all, Bill Walsh and the 1980 SF 49ers?  That year they were 6-10, six losses by 7 points or less, 2 of them 3 points or less.  Three of the six victories were by 3 points or less.  They could have been 3-13 or 12-4.  They were learning how to fight, but hadn't learned how to win, not yet.  That season was the start of one of the greatest teams of all time. 

So how about the 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars?  Four close losses, three close wins.  In there fighting every game? Yes sir!  So let's change out all the players and all the coaches and throw away our season tickets and have a good old fashion hissey-fit.  Let's set an example of how to quit. Or maybe, let's sit back and watch Jack Del Rio build a dynasty.  Let's let this team learn how not to quit and let's stand right there with them. History shows the champions all learned how not to quit before they learned  how to win.    

This is a special year for us, let's enjoy it. Oh yea, and try to smile, everything is ok.