Quote: JDR is easy to root for in a game like this, as I respected him as an opposing player and respect him as a coach and person.

 

 From the perspective of being a Lions fan, there's one former Lions player on each of the Super Bowl teams. For Seattle, it's Cliff Avril, who didn't have a good season in Detroit in 2012,  despite having 9 1/2 sacks. Avril valued himself more than the Lions understandably wanted to pay him and both sides moved on. Having said that, I thought Avril was a professional with the team and in society. For Denver,  there's C Manny Ramirez, who didn't get much playing time with the Lions but developed into a solid starter, first at G, then at C, for Denver. I wish both players well but neither of them would affect which team to root for.

 

I agree with you that JDR had to overcome major adversity as a Defensive Coordinator this season. The Broncos played arguably their two best Defensive games of the season in the playoffs.   To the credit of JDR and Broncos Defensive players, they certainly exceeded my expectations in the first two playoff games.

 

Derrick Coleman is indeed a fantastic story. I learned about his background when he was draft eligible. Regardless what transpires with Coleman, he's a tremendous example for people to follow in many ways.