White doesn't vacation in May

THIS JUST IN: FOR THE 13TH TIME IN 14 YEARS, UTAH BLAZE COACH DANNY WHITE IS IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

Thanks for the bulletin, right? What's the next shocking headline, "HEFNER DATING PLAYMATE"?

Some things happen so routinely, they barely rate as news.

That's how it is with White. Guiding his team to the playoffs is like The Donald guiding his way to another million. In those cases, the best story is actually if they fail. But in lieu of a more sensational angle, let's leave it at this: The Blaze are in on the first try. It wasn't easy and it certainly wasn't pretty, especially after losing eight of their first 11 games. But they turned it around with four wins in their final five games to wrap up a playoff spot.

So it's a keeper. The Blaze may have not had a winning record (7-9), but they're still playing while Real Salt Lake is looking for just one win, and the Jazz are on vacation.

The Blaze scored a touchdown with six seconds remaining, then held their breath as MacKenzie Hoambrecker's 56-yard field goal try missed by inches, giving the Blaze a 55-54 win over Kansas City Friday at the Delta Center. It was a kick so close that White claimed defensive lineman Hans Olsen's fingernail was all that kept the kick from succeeding.

"This," said White, "is what keeps me coming back."

Year after year after nail biting year.

Asked if he could fathom not being in the playoffs for a change, White replied, "I'd be hard to live with. I could fathom it with this team ... and when (Kansas City) got the ball with a couple of minutes to go, things didn't look very good. But you never give up your faith."

And in the high-scoring world of Arena Football, never give up your calculator, either.

All coaches, it should be noted, want to make the playoffs. If not, they don't keep their jobs. On the other hand, there are a few who make it a routine, like brushing their teeth or waking at 6. Somewhere along the line, making the playoffs stops being a privilege and starts being an expectation.

If White seems to get more than his share of post-season appearances, excuuuuuuuse him for aiming high. You'd think at age 54 he'd be backing off, but no way. Go ahead and ask him about the screw-ups during the season. He will politely answer.

Just don't ask him about early vacations.