In the first month of 2001, Trent Dilfer became perhaps the most unlikely Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Maybe a similar fate awaits Kordell Stewart.
Why would that be a surprise for a league that has thrived on the unexpected? This is the NFL where the St. Louis Rams overhauled their defense in one year and have allowed less points than the Baltimore Ravens, who set a record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season in 2000.
How about second-year quarterback Tom Brady unseating $100 million dollar quarterback Drew Bledsoe in New England? Or the defending NFC champion New York Giants probably missing the playoffs.
Peyton Manning is considered by many to be the game's best young quarterback, but got lambasted by his own coach and will not participate in the postseason. But unheralded quarterback Jim Miller and the Chicago Bears are heading to the playoffs in a year in which coach Dick Jauron was supposed to be fired.
"If I had told you some of these things back in the spring, you would have sent me to an asylum," said Tennessee Titans General Manager Floyd Reese.
Terrell Owens, meanwhile, does not speak to his own coach, Randy Moss signed a contract worth more than $75 million and proclaimed he plays when he feels like it and tackle Kyle Turley made headlines for throwing the helmet of an opposing player during a game.
But some things were normal during the season. The Rams offense was in good form, Jon Gruden's scowl produced results, Shannon Sharpe continued to yap away and Brett Favre remained the league's top magician.
There have been no magic potions for the Detroit Lions, who were 0-12 under rookie coach Marty Mornhinweg before winning their first game.
But this indeed has been a special season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, thanks to Stewart, running back Jerome Bettis and the league's best defense.
After struggling with different offensive coordinators in previous years, Stewart has rewarded Coach Bill Cowher for standing by him and Ravens Coach Brian Billick went so far as to call Stewart the league's most valuable player. While Cowher stuck with Stewart, Rams Coach Mike Martz overhauled his defense, bringing in eight new starters and new coordinator Lovie Smith from Tampa Bay. The biggest addition has been six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Aeneas Williams, who was acquired from Arizona for two draft picks.
But Williams was supposed to provide an immediate upgrade for St. Louis. The same could not be said for Brady, a sixth-round pick in 2000.
When Bledsoe suffered sheared blood vessels in his chest after being hit by Mo Lewis in a Week 2 loss to the New York Jets, the Patriots were supposed to be finished for 2001. But instead of falling out of contention, the Patriots won nine of 12 games with Brady at the helm. Doctors have cleared Bledsoe to play, but Patriots Coach Bill Belichick is sticking with Brady and who can blame him.
Meanwhile, Manning leads the NFL in interceptions and the Indianapolis Colts are not headed to the postseason. It should result in the firing of coach Jim Mora, who decided to verbally attack his quarterback publicly for the turnovers.
The Chicago Bears lost twice to Favre and the Green Bay Packers, but made the playoffs for the first time in seven years. The centerpiece of the NFC's best defense, Brian Urlacher is the next great Bears middle linebacker in the mold of Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary.
The San Francisco 49ers also returned to the playoffs after a two-year absence under Steve Mariucci, who is perhaps the game's most friendly coach but has been unable to communicate with his star receiver Owens.
It is no secret that Owens has held a grudge against Mariucci ever since he was suspended and fined for racing to midfield and spiking the football at the Dallas Cowboys' star logo in a game two years ago.
Jerry Rice departed after 16 glorious seasons in San Francisco to take another shot at the Super Bowl across the bay with Gruden and the Oakland Raiders. After winning their second straight AFC West title, the Raiders may be considered co-favorites with the Steelers to reach Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans.
But the Giants appear to be continuing their disturbing trend of failing to make the playoffs after a Super Bowl season. Following titles in 1986 and 1990, the Giants did not make the postseason and Kerry Collins appears to still be affected by a four-interception performance in last January's 34-7 loss to Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV.
The 2001 season will take two permanent highlight reels to NFL Films. The first was provided by Turley of the New Orleans Saints, a long-haired blonde offensive tackle with tattoes on his biceps in a Nov. 4 game against the Jets. After New Orleans safety Damien Robinson twisted the facemask of Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks like a corkscrew, Turley hurled the helmet of Robinson across the field.
On Dec. 15, Arizona Cardinals rookie Bill Gramatica tore his right ACL while celebrating a field goal in a game against the New York Giants. It turned out to be a poor career decision.
After making his 42-yard field goal in the first quarter, Gramatica leaped in the air to celebrate. When he landed awkwardly, Gramatica fell to the ground and clutched his knee, which will require reconstructive surgery.
The Minnesota Vikings became the league's dysfunctional team with receivers Moss and Cris Carter openly bickering with teammates and coaches on the field. The only receiver to have 1,000 receiving yards in his first four seasons, Moss bagged a $75 million contract and later declared he only plays when he feels like it.
But the Vikings have an excuse for their troubles. A pall was immediately cast on their season in the wake of the Korey Stringer tragedy in training camp. The death of the Pro Bowl right tackle due to heat stroke after an Aug. 1 practice at Mankato sent shockwaves throughout the league.
