Super Bowl

bsp; This phenomena reared its head during the regular season, but in the biggest game of the year, Super Bowl XLIII.  Why is the leader of such a sub par offense (22nd in the league during the regular season) the engineer of so many come from behind wins? When examined, two major reasons can be found.

Continue reading "Why Ben Roethlisberger Will be the ..."

Coming off a super bowl victory last season, hopes couldn't be higher for the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers, as they should be.  While the team is returning 20 out of 22 starters from that super bowl run (only losing Larry Foote and Bryant Mcfadden), things begin to look bleak as we look at the possible roster a year from now.  In 2010, the Steelers will have an alarming number of key players that will be free agents if these players do not re-sign.

Continue reading "Trouble Ahead for the Steelers"

Arizona:  This should be an amazing Super Bowl…aren’t they all?  Even the blowouts are fun…because it’s the biggest game of the year!  These two teams know each other fairly well.  The coaching staff of the Cardinals is littered with Pittsburgh connections.  Some say that this should give the Cardinals the advantage…and I agree.  The Steelers may have the No. 1 defense in the league, but that won’t make a difference to Kurt Warner and the Cards.  Look for a high scoring affair in this contest.  Boldin should have a great game, with everyone keying on Fitzgerald.  He may even give Warner a run for MVP honors.  Pittsburgh will keep it close until the 3rd quarter, but then the Cards will fly to victory and bring the Lombardi Trophy to the desert.  Arizona 41, Pittsburgh 27.   

Continue reading "Predictions Super Bowl XLIII"

Despite the fact that I would kind of like to see the Arizona Cardinals pull off an upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, I think that the Yellow and Black will prevail in this one.  The way I see it, the Cardinals are good enough to score two TDs, but not more than one field goal.  The Steelers, on the other hand, will also get two TD scores against an Arizona defense that really isn't that great (unless they can force turnovers, which the Steelers don't give up), plus kick a few more field goals to pull out the win.

Continue reading "Super Bowl Prediction: Steelers 23, Cardinals 17"

The first year I ever watched a Super Bowl was after the 1996 season, when the Green Bay Packers (whom I, ironically, as a Vikings fan, was rooting for) beat the New England Patriots thanks in large part to a kickoff return by Desmond Howard for a touchdown to open the second half (if my memory serves me right).

Continue reading "My Favorite Super Bowl"

the freakin' Cardinals are in the Super Bowl. For me this is just something that I've thought was impossible for at least the last 20 years. I am not a Cardinal fan at all. I just have a mutual respect for them out of the love for the game that I have. I also had the pleasure of serving in Iraq with late Pat Tillman. I follow the Cardinals kind of like my In-Laws. When something important happens I take notice, but most of the time I could care less. What a fool I was!

Continue reading "Super Bowl set for Sunday!!!"

ts right now I should be doing nothing but preparing for the "holiest" of all days...Super Bowl Sunday.  Now don't get me wrong, I will watch the game on Sunday and enjoy it, but I really don't get into all the hype that precedes it.  In fact, I really dislike the fact that two weeks must commence between the AFC/NFC Championships and the overall title game (although I DO like the fact that it gives the players a chance to rest up in order to give their best performances).  However, at about this time every year, I start to become hooked by another sport...bowling.  I'm usually just a baseball (Twins) and football (Vikings) guy (I haven't watched an entire basketball or hockey game in years), so that February-March void needs to be filled with something (and Spring Training doesn't quite cut it).  Thus, I turn my attention to bowling.  Whether it be lacing up the flattened shoes at the actual alley or watching the pros break a sweat over every ball, I love what the sport of bowling represents: the idea that a task (knock down ten pins) that looks so easy can be so frustrating.

Continue reading "The Third Season"

ionships, Gruden has got to be heralded as the greatest coach in Bucs history delivering their only Super Bowl in 2002. They have had several playoff years in his tenure, and despite an unexpected collapse at the end of this season were on pace to make the playoffs again safter starting 9-3.

Continue reading "Passing the Torch in Tampa?"

Cedric Benson; ring any bells? Why the Bears elected to go with Benson instead of Jones after their Super Bowl run two years ago is beyond me. I think that Forte shows high aspirations of filling his shoes. While he seemed a bit banged up towards the end of the season, I think that he is a solid back that could leave Chicago as one of the greats in team history. I'm not sure he would rank with the likes of Jim brown, or Walter Payton, but only time will tell.

Continue reading "Chicago Bears Looking Ahead"

(First of all, I want to sort-of apologize for this picture...I usually don't like to personally attack people on this blog without due cause, but it is just too funny not to put up!)

Now that the proper time to reflect on the Vikings' first-round playoff loss to the Eagles has been taken, I want to comment on what I feel is the biggest area the Vikes should address in the offseason...the Head Coaching position.

Continue reading "Dismiss the Sheriff, Promote the Deputy"

p; If you get the chance…read his book!  

The Eagles are flying high with their Super Bowl run, but I have to say I am disappointed with Donovan McNabb.  What was he thinking of when he picked up the telephone on the Giants sideline?  If that were Terrell Owens or Pacman Jones, Goodell would have suspended them by now.  D-Mac…you know better, don’t you?   

Continue reading "Divisional Round Review"

times this year.  The problem is that with all the pre-season hype about the Cowboys making a Super Bowl run, it’s somewhat of a disappointment that more players were not selected.  I’ll be the first to admit that having 13 players selected from one team is ridiculous.  No team is that good at nearly every position! 

Continue reading "Snubbed"

The superstition in the National Football League regarding the "Super Bowl Hangover" - the unfortunate losing seasons that teams defeated in the Super Bowl seem to suffer the year after their momentus loss - has a new twist and a greater meaning with the absurd finale to last year's

Continue reading "Patriots' Super Bowl Loss Could Signal ..."

But I thought I'd reflect on the instant classic that was Super Bowl XLII, three months following the shocker that saw the New York Giants knocked off the previously undefeated New England Patriots in a thrilling 17-14 comeback win. 

Continue reading "Super Bowl XLII in Review"

>Ohmigosh! They did it! All that skepticism and doubt – poof! The New York Giants have won Super Bowl XLII!  Congratulations G-Men! Here’s the 5 keys to the game that I think did it for you:

Continue reading "5 Reasons the New York Giants Won Super Bowl XLII"

ting outcomes of football games, although last year I nearly predicted the exact final score of the Super Bowl while hitting on seven of my nine prop bets. (My prediction was 26-17, the final was 29-17.) For whatever reason I had a very good feel for that game. This year's

Continue reading "Super Bowl XLII Prediction"

You New England Patriots players are a laugh riot! Imagine, Donté Stallworth or Wes Welker taking over as quarterback from Tom Brady. Actually, it was rather amusing. Each of these players calmly answered the speculation of their MVP’s health by saying Bill Belichick had asked them to take over the helm. Each never flinched, as if to say how absurd the speculation is. I agree, Tom Brady is likely just fine and will play remarkably in Glendale, Az on February 3. In case you haven’t noticed, QBs often play when hurt – case in point Philip Rivers. Don’t forget that the offensive line gives Brady all day to throw the ball, so even if his leg hurts a bit he’ll likely play up to par.

Continue reading "Hardy Har Har – How to Laugh at the Super Bowl"

This is the team that still lives in my mind. The only team to bring my hometown a Super Bowl win. Sure, I follow other clubs in the NFL now. It is hard not to when yours has deserted you! At any rate, I drive around town in my black car with the black Raiders license plate frames in honor of days long passed…

Continue reading "The Los Angeles Raiders"

I seriously had the New York Giants written off as Super Bowl contenders. Also, I assumed that Eli would never actually come into his own and learn how to be effective in the NFL. Written off as nepotism, I was one of those naysayers that figured he would be a back-up QB sooner rather than later.

Continue reading "I stand corrected!"

, the combination proved to be too unseemly for the Bolts.  With The Patriots advancing to the Super Bowl after grabbing the 21-12 win, here’s a look at what worked and what didn&rsq

Continue reading "The Bolts Fold to the Brady Bunch"

>As we near the last – sniff – weekend of the NFL season to decide who is going to the Super Bowl, I realize that empty feeling is coming back. You dedicated fans know what I am talking about! It’s that feeling you get when your beloved jersey gets ripped, your lucky hat disappears, or the store is out of your favorite beer. Yep – that vacant, lonely feeling that begins to creep in this same time every year. Sure, we savor this last weekend and then spend two weeks planning for the big day. Afterward, we are numb and feign interest in the Pro Bowl, just kidding ourselves that it is an actual game.

Continue reading "It’s almost over!!!!"

Mark my words- SD is taking out the Pats on Sunday! Super Bowl is only 1 win away...let the hype begin so the heavily favored Pats feel all the pressure. Go Bolts!

Continue reading "Colts went down!"

ced that there are some really strong young guys that are following in the footsteps of that great, Super Bowl winning D. Barrett Ruud has over 100 tackles for the year. Phillip Buchanan has about 59 tackles on the year and an interception today (his second this season). In addition, Jermaine Phillips has 83 tackles for the season. Don’t forget Jovan Haye and Gaines Adams with 6 sacks apiece. I was so excited when the broadcasters were announcing those stats that I almost tripped on my way to the kitchen! Luke MCown is proving to be a viable backup as well. While he does make some rookie mistakes, he completed 21 of 28 passes against Carolina. Overall, his completion percentage is just over that of Jeff Garcia. I sit in excited anticipation for the game next week. I only wish I could fly out and actually be there! Fire them cannons!

Continue reading "Shining Stars"

the New England Patriots are a dynasty, oh and wait – the Indianapolis Colts are the reigning Super Bowl Champs. Go figure!

Continue reading "Random NFL Rumblings…"

I clearly remember a Bucs loyalist telling me that Tampa has hosted more Super Bowl games than any other city. Whippee! Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess. One day – all of that changed. I went to a pre-season game one year while a student at the University of Tampa. It was the last one before the start of the regular season – Bucs vs. New England Patriots. Being the smart-ass I normally am, I purchased a Bucs shirt and Pats hat from some parking lot vendors and proceeded to go into the game. I’ll never forget the look on the faces of many of the fans. It was a strange mix of delight and disgust. I can’t blame ‘em though. In my defense - I have always been a football fan. It has been hard for me to get totally behind one team since Georgia’s greed ruined the one I grew up with and the only one that won a

Continue reading "My Guilty Pleasure"