January 2, 2006
Madison and the NFL
Not sure where he would have come down on the DH or the infield fly rule, but I posit that President Madison would have appreciated the structure of the NFL playoff system. If nothing else, it proves the importance of the structure of laws and governments.
I heard a commentator discussing the playoffs yesterday. Some Kansas City players are understandably upset at fielding a great team, finishing 10-6, and watching the wild card games from their barcaloungers. They probably deserve a shot. But LaDanian Tomlinson of San Diego thinks they deserve a seed as well at 9-7.
Said commentator pointed out that every game counts in the NFL and that strikes me as true. The wild card brings in good teams who did not win their divisions, but the league has not devolved into the NBA/NHL world where you play all year to decide which two teams won't make it.
I think the NFL has structured it correctly. (Oh, and go Broncos!).
UPDATE: To tie my self-serving football post back to politics I offer this link. Jay Cost at RCP suggests that he President did not appreciate the structure of Congress any better than Mr. Tomlinson grasped the wild card. Good Read, hat-tip: Insty.