Feel Good Stories of 2006 (1 Viewer)

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Amid all the negatives that are constantly written about sports, it's sometimes hard to get any recognition for the good guys or the uplifting aspects of a grueling season. That's why Schaddy is taking a time out from the bad and shining some light on the good. Every sports season gives us heros and positive storylines; here's a look at a few of the feel-good performances of the 2006 NFL season.

LaDainian Tomlinson

In a league full of players who talk about themselves more than the team and get into bad situations off the field, LT is not only a breath of fresh air as a humble superstar; he's the best player in the league. With the NFL record for touchdowns in a season already his, Tomlinson can now get some breathers down the stretch, but you'd better believe he's going to set a playoff record or two. LT is the epitome of a team player; he acts as a leader with his play and his actions, he sets the bar higher for his teammates, and he dominates on the field while being a model citizen off it. In short, he is the closest thing that the NFL has ever had, in the modern era, to answer Michael Jordan in the NBA Barry Bonds in Major League Baseball, or Wayne Grezky in the NHL. Tomlinson's numbers are just staggering. He is on pace to approach or demolish about a dozen NFL records, and with continued good health, he may become the greatest back in the history of football. If there was a fantasy draft among league officials, it's likely that Tomlinson would be atop every single draft board, and his conduct befits a future coach and one of the great ambassadors the game has ever had. In short, LT is the best thing the NFL has going right now, and fans everywhere would be wise to enjoy his performances every Sunday; players like Tomlinson don't come around but a handful of times in a century.

the New Orleans Saints

Without being too dramatic about the issue, there has been no more important a cultural aspect to restoring the pride of the hurricane-ravaged state of Louisiana than the Saints' amazing run so far. A team that has fallen short so often in the past decade now appears to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and the city, state, even the rest of the country, couldn't be happier for them. With players like Drew Brees Joe Horn and Reggie Bush, the Saints have star power, and also players who got their hands dirty helping the hurricane victims, hinting to the strong character that this team has displayed all season. Duce McAllister, has returned from injury last season to show that he's still an elite runnger, and Bush has provided a dynamic element to the Saints' offense. Marques Colston has been a rookie sensation, while Devery Henderson, an LSU product, has gone from disappointment to game-breaker. New Orleans' defense has been nothing short of a revelation, with players like Scott Shanle, Omar Stoutmire and Scott Fujita performing well above expectations. Sean Payton is as hot as a coach can be right now, one-upping his mentor and a Hall of Famer in Bill Parcells, and the Saints got a statement win. If a best-case-scenario script would have been sent around the Saints offices prior to this season, the message couldn't have differed much from reality so far. Football is America's game, and an American city survivinig along with its team, well, you just don't get stories thos good very often.

Brett Favre

While Favre will always be an oft-criticized player, there aren't too many other players who have captured fans' hearts and opponents' respect quite like Favre has. And now, in the apparent twilight of his career and piloting a crashing plane, he's having as much fun as ever. Favre has cut down on his bad throws this year, and is finding much more success in the win column. He's continued to make Donald Driver the best receiver in the league who never gets enough credit and has also developed a rapport with rookie Greg Jennings, who is looking like a top-end #2 receiver of the future. And while winning has always been the most important thing in the three-time M.V.P's mind, the fact that Favre is enjoying himself on the field again is a comforting notion for a career that hasn't ended the way he would've liked. Favre has also continued his march through the NFL record books, and if he can throw 8 touchdowns in his final 3 games, he will have thrown the most scoring passes in the history of the league. Favre is a classic hero figure, overcoming adversity to find tremendous success. It's too bad that the final chapter of his story almost surely won't end with a championship, Favre's is a story that fans will always love to remember.

the New York Jets

The youngest coach in the league? A quarterback with a gimpy arm and no running back? A defense switching to a 3-4 and lacking playmakers? Surely that is not the recipe for a team that has a shot at the playoffs in the ultra-tough AFC. Think again. The Jets have defied impressive odds this season to emerge as a playoff contender in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Eric Mangini not only defeated mentor Bill Belichick in New England, but has proven that he's got as bright a future as any coach in the league. Chad Pennington's shoulder has held up better than expected, and while he isn't Carson Palmer or Donovan McNabb, he's been a solid field general who gives his team a chance to win. The three-headed running back of Kevan Barlow, Cedric Houston and undersized rookie Leon Washington has been good enough this season, providing needed balance to the offense. The receivers, like seemingly every unit on the team, have also been better than anticipated, with Laveranues Coles providing a consistent target and Jerricho Cotchery emerging. Defensively, the new system has worked well, with the Jets drastic improvement against the run as the main evidence. Kerry Rhodes has emerged as a playmaker to compliment Jonathan Vilma; the duo has combined for 175 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 5 picks. The Jets are back and balancing New York's football season - while the Giants have been in turoil, the Jets have been a surprising success.

Frank Gore

Over the course of a football game, you're always going to hear an announcer talking about a player who 'you've just got to root for'. Gore certainly fits that category, and his breakthrough season this year has led the once-woeful Niners franchise back to relevance as a team that's on the rise. Gore should have been a superstar in college, but was limited by a combination of injuries and talent around him. He also had to work extremely hard in school, but eventually Gore found a way to make enough of an impression on NFL scouts that the Niners took a flier on him in the third round of 2004's draft. Amid concerns over his oft-injured knee, Gore emerged as the top option in San Fransiso's backfield. This season, well, he's looking like the NFC's starter in Honolulu. Gore has proven a durable, bruising back with breakaway speed and outstanding vision. He's also a reliable receiver, and makes plays all over the field. At just 24 years old, Gore is on the verge of his first 1,500 yard, 2,000 all-purpose yard season, and looks to have many more of them in his tank. Gore doesn't have prototypical size and still has to limit his fumbles, but he's flashing the potential to be one of the league's five best backs for the next decade. San Fransisco's rebuilding project looks to be in its final stages, and Gore will lead them back to their place among the NFL's best franchises.

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