All right, I have a confession to make. It is 3:19 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Matt Ryan has been an Atlanta Falcon for a little under two minutes, and I have already ordered his jersey. I'm a dork like that. Congratulations to him and Gosder Cherilus on being selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Never before has Boston College had two players drafted in the top 20, which tells you just how special these two are.
With Boston sports teams winning so much these days, it's all too much on my brain. So I've decided that, for every Boston sports fan's well-being, we must abandon one of these teams. I know that sounds harsh, but it must be done if the entire New England area is to avoid a massive, collective, stress-induced heart attack. Not to mention, we can't get too cocky (it's bad for our image). It is here and now that the competition begins to determine which team must be eliminated.
Boston College Eagles Football
The Eagles had arguably the greatest year in their history in 2007, despite the resulting Champs Sports Bowl bid (aside: is it just me or are there too many bowl games? There were 32 last year, meaning more than half of the 120 Division I teams participated). The season Matt Ryan and Co. had has put football highest on the map in Chestnut Hill since Doug Flutie in 1984. The main wonder, however, is how the program will recover from losing Ryan and Cherilus to the pros. Every home Saturday, sections E, F, G, H, and J are full of Superfan shirts. Weekly football games are tradition, and recent success ensures that that will not end anytime soon.
Status: Safe. Doug Flutie. Matt Ryan. Enough said.
Boston College Eagles Hockey
Alright, there is pretty much zero argument that can be made against Eagles hockey as of right now. Winning a national championship has propelled the team further into the national spotlight, and success year after year ensures that this team is here to stay. Watching the triple-overtime thriller with a roomful of UNH fans was the high point of my college career (as short as it has been to this point). To Nathan Gerbe: Please stay another season. You have made my freshman year with what you have helped this team do, and I think I speak for most (read: all) of the student body when I say that we want you back. With an abundance of freshmen on this year's team, another championship within the next three years is a distinct possibility.
2008 Woodie Awards
