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Category Archives: Tom Brady

Super Bowl XLVI is in the books!

06 Feb

What a game! I tell you one thing, the Super Bowl of the last 13 or so years have given us a lot of epic championship games. You can’t always have said that. Let’s just look at all the great games we have witnessed recently:

  1. 1999 – Super Bowl XXXIV – Rams 23 Titans 16 – Just one yard short.
  2. 2001 – Super Bowl XXXVI – Patriots 20 Rams 17 – Vinatieri for the win.
  3. 2003 – Super Bowl XXXVIII – Patriots 32 Panthers 29 – Back and forth all game long culminating in a Brady-led drive setting up the winning FG in the last seconds.
  4. 2007 – Super Bowl XLII – Giants 17 Patriots 14 – Manning to Tyree, greatest play ever, that led to game winning TD in last seconds.
  5. 2008 – Super Bowl XLIII – Steelers 27 Cardinals 23 – Cardinals win it in last minute…not so fast, Roethlisberger to Holmes with seconds left to win it.
  6. 2010 – Super Bowl XLV – Packers 31 Steelers 25 – Not really epic, but a very close game won in the last minutes.
  7. 2011 – Super Bowl XLVI – Giants 21 Patriots 17 – You just watched it!

Before those games you rarely got an epic game, let alone 7 in 13 years! As much as I have to gripe and complain about the NFL these days, this is not one of those instances. The Super Bowl has been the greatest one day sporting spectacle in the world for decades now. But, only recently has the game lived up to that hype and we are all the beneficiaries of that.

Eli Manning and the Giants came out with a bang. It was like they could do no wrong. The Giants owned the 1st quarter, leading 9-0. The Patriots did mount a drive early in the 2nd quarter but only got a field goal out of it. The Giants seemed to continue their domination of the 1st half, but could not muster any more points. I remember near the end of the 2nd quarter thinking “Wow, the Giants are dominating this game and only up 9-3, I wonder if this will be another Super Bowl XXI.” Well, right after that Brady got started. Tom Brady took the Patriots on a, Super Bowl record-tying, 96 yard drive which culminated in a Patriots touchdown giving them the halftime lead at 10-9 and what seemed like a huge momentum swing.

After M.I.A. flicked the whole world off, the Patriots went on another long drive, 79-yards to be exact, for a score and a commanding 17-9 lead. But, Eli would not let the Patriots run away with this one. While the Giants had just collapsed in back-to-back drives, Eli would then take the Giants offense on two drives ending in 2 field goals and cutting the Patriots lead to 17-15. It would stay this way for a while actually and it quickly became apparent that this was going to come down to the wire.

With 3:46 remaining in the game Eli Manning mounted an 88-yard touchdown drive that would give the Giants a 21-17 lead, after a failed 2-point conversion. But it was the 6-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw that left everybody scratching their heads. The Patriots defense, in the most obvious way, allowed the Giants the touchdown. Bradshaw had been instructed to kneel down at the 1 to run as much time off the clock as possible. The only problem was he tried to kneel down but all of his weight, most of it in his gut, carried him over the goal line. This all resulting in what was the weirdest looking touchdown ever. Seriously, the man looked like someone had knocked him down with a Taser Gun. Just weird.

With Bradshaw’s goof, the Patriots and Tom Brady were left with 57 seconds left in the game. Time to mount another game-winning drive that has defined this quarterback and team. The only problem? Well, for the first few plays it was Brady’s receivers dropping every single ball like they were in Snoop’s music video. Brady was able to move the ball a little but not enough to make an impact. The last throw coming to a knock-down end. GAME OVER! The New York Football Giants won their 4th Super Bowl and 8th overall NFL Title. Tom Coughlin now securing his future in Canton and Eli Manning almost assuredly will be joining him. Which brings me to my last point.

Just two short months ago, every single Giant fan in the world was screaming for Tom Coughlin’s head. In fact, if it wasn’t for their run at the end of the season, the outcry would have been so loud and strong that Mara & Tisch, very conservative owners (when it comes to hiring/firing head coaches – I mean even Jim Fassel was given 7 years), would have probably had to fire Coughlin whether they wanted to or not just to settle the base down. So, it struck me odd that both Mara and Tisch would proudly spout superlatives about their fan base on the very stand they were handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Greatest fans ever! Most loyal fan base! Best fans in the world! Well, I would have to disagree…but even if I’m wrong on that point, what is right is that all of Giants Nation are lucky to have a head coach as good as Coughlin. In fact, they don’t deserve the success that he has brought their franchise. But, Giants fans should enjoy this one. They have now beaten the “best team of the decade” twice now, in the Super Bowl. That should count for something.

 
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Posted by on February 6, 2012 in Ahmad Bradshaw, Eli Manning, Jim Fassel, John Mara, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, Steve Tisch, Super Bowl, Tom Brady, Tom Coughlin

 

Super Sunday: Super Bowl XLVI

05 Feb

It has finally arrived. The game to end all games, Super Bowl XLVI. All the hype, trash talking, speculation…everything ends and nothing else matters than what takes place on the field. The New York Football Giants take on the New England Patriots. Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady. Tom Coughlin vs. Bill Belichick.

The Rematch. Even if you hate both teams you have to admit that this is going to be a great game with great games within the game. Will the Giants pass rush get to Tom Brady and if they do how will he take it? Will Eli continue to play like the elite quarterback that he has grown into this year? Will the Patriots defense play like it did in the regular season or the playoffs? Is Rob Gronkowski’s ankle ready to go? If so, where is he at physically? 70%? 85%? 100%? Will Bill Belichick tape the Giants walkthrough?

I have gone back and forth on this game. Either team that wins will be making history. If the Patriots win, they will be the first team in Super Bowl history to have a bottom 3 defense and win. If the Giants, with a 9-7 record, win, they will be the worst team (record-wise) to have won a Super Bowl. So who do you pick? Can the Giants beat the Pats twice in one season? Can they win the rematch?

Well, it’s time for me to stop asking questions and start answering them. I do believe the Giants defense gets to Tom Brady. I don’t think Gronkowski will be much of a factor because of his ankle. Eli Manning and his WR corp will shred the New England defense, while New York’s running game will wear them down. I think the Patriots defense will revert back to how it played in the regular season. Don’t count on Tom Brady having another multi-pick game but he will not be able to come through in the clutch. The game will be close and won in the final minutes. Tom Brady and Co. will put up a valiant fight and it will be another Brady-Belichick Era Patriots Super Bowl that is decided by 3 points. Giants 27 Patriots 24.

Hall-of-Fame Inductees

Jack Butler, Steelers CB (1951-59), Dermontti Dawson, Steelers C (1988-2000), Chris Doleman, Vikings, Falcons, 49ers DE/LB (1985-99), Cortez Kennedy, Seahawks DT (1990-2000), Curtis Martin, Patriots, Jets RB (1995-2005), Willie Roaf, Saints Chiefs T (1993-2005)

All of these men were chosen to enter the hallowed halls of Canton this August. Now, almost all of the 15 Finalists deserved to be in, voters can only choose for 5. Unfortunately, WR is being backlogged and some great receivers are being left out. How is Dermontti Dawson chosen over Tim Brown and Cris Carter. It’s a disgrace that some clear cut Hall-of-Famers cannot even sniff the spot…just look at how long it took Lynn Swann and Art Monk to get in. Sometimes you just have to wonder if the guys making the votes actually watch the game…or if they have a hidden agenda.

 
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Posted by on February 5, 2012 in Bill Belichick, Eli Manning, Hall-of-Fame, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLVI, Tom Brady, Tom Coughlin

 

Second Place Is Just The First Loser, Part I

03 Feb

I was reading an article by ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley and Mike Sando about the best and worst Super Bowl losers of all-time. It’s a great piece and I really suggest you all checking it out. You can click here to do that. As I was reading this I was thinking how great to re-do their list. I’m guessing you guys would have a different list than theirs and mine, too.

So, let’s look at the best teams to lose in the Super Bowl today and tomorrow we will check out the worst to grace the best game of the year. Also, we will go over the 2 Super Bowls that were played on February 3rd. So, let’s get crackin’.

The Greatest Teams to…ugh, not….Win The Super Bowl

  1. 1968 Baltimore Colts - Honestly, can anyone pick a different team. The Colts roared to a 13-1 record. The Colts then destroyed their competition in the NFL playoffs, which included the Cleveland Browns, the only team to beat them that year, 34-0. The biggest disappointment is that they had the ultimate bulletin board material in Joe Namath’s legendary guarantee. There is no greater upset that football, and maybe all sports, have ever seen as the #2 offensive and #1 defensive team went down to Broadway Joe’s Jets.
  2. 1978 Dallas Cowboys - How good was this Cowboys team? They had the #1 offense and #3 defense that year. They lost to a Pittsburgh Steelers team that had the #5 offense and #1 defense. Super Bowl XIII is considered one of the greatest Super Bowls of all-time. A team that lost to one of the best teams during arguably the greatest dynasty the NFL has ever seen has to be in this discussion. Remember, if Jackie Smith had caught that pass in the end zone, this game probably would have been won by the Cowboys.
  3. 1983 Washington Redskins - One of the greatest teams of all-time was absolutely dominated in the Super Bowl. No team in NFL history, until 1998, had a more prolific offense than this Redskins team. All I have to say is thank God I was almost 2 years old at that time. I still won’t watch Super Bowl XVIII highlights and I was too young to remember it. I don’t want to talk much more about this horrible memory as all I hear right now is John Facenda saying, “On came Marcus Allen, running with the night.” Ugh.
  4. 1969 Minnesota Vikings - How in the world did the Purple People Eater’s not win a Super Bowl? This team was the very best of those teams. This was the #1 offense and defense in the league. But, as great as the Vikings were, they ran into a greater team in the Kansas City Chiefs. And thank God the Chiefs won, because we get to enjoy beautiful clips from the man, Hank Stram. (check them out here)
  5.  2007 New England Patriots - Yeah, that’s right. What ESPN and the rest of the media were declaring “the greatest team ever” is all the way down to #5 on my list. First, teams of today would get absolutely annihilated by teams of the past. With free agency and the cap, you just can’t build teams like you used to. Go figure that the 1974 Steelers were the same team as the 1979 Steelers but there are only like 5 guys on this year’s New England Patriots that were on the field in 2007 for the Pats. So, while there is more talent throughout the NFL, it just can’t come together on one team, especially for any length of time. The 2007 Patriots were hurt by 2 things: an aging defense and an ego-maniac of a head coach. Bill, you should have stopped trying to run up the score on every team like this was college football in the 90′s and ran the ball more. Maybe, Brady would have had an extra couple of seconds to be able to make all of the throws. Just sayin’.
  6. 2001 St. Louis Rams - I have to admit, and you need to too, that I never saw this coming. The Patriots, led by a back-up QB that could barely beat out Drew Henson at Michigan, are going to beat “The Greatest Show on Turf”…and they’re playing this game on turf? Wow! But, now that we know who really won this game (can anybody say a video camera taping the Rams’ walkthroughs) is anyone surprised the best team in 2001 lost? I say the NFL destroy the Pats’ Lombardi Trophy right with the evidence they destroyed.
  7. 1990 Buffalo Bills - Poor Bills fans. They had to hear the jokes (Do you know what Bills stands for? No, what? Boy-I-Love-Losing-Super Bowls) and the teasing. But, this was one of the best teams of the 1990′s. Four Super Bowls in a row? Even the 70′s Steelers couldn’t do that…although they did win all of their four trips. Marv Levy was just out-coached. But, that is hardly a cutdown. He was facing Bill Parcells. One thing that has always gotten to me was that the Giants don’t get more credit. It is always like the Bills lost to a nobody. Has anyone seen tape of that defense? They shut down the 2-time defending champions 49ers the week before…and both Hall-of-Fame QB’s (Montana and Young) couldn’t do anything about it. The Bills shouldn’t be ashamed of losing to such a good team. The only problem was, in hindsight, this was their only shot at a ring.
  8. 1997 Green Bay Packers - Brett Favre was leading the Packers to back-to-back Super Bowl titles, just like Bart Starr had done 30 years before. Problem was, they were running into one of the last truly great teams led by an even better QB than “Mr. Retire-or not”. John Elway and Co. stole the show, but this was a very close affair. Brett Favre even had a chance to win it in the last minutes. The Packers came up just 7 points short as they had no answer for Terrell Davis, who would go on to have a 2,000 yd. season the very next year in what would be Denver’s 2nd straight title.
  9. 1973 Minnesota Vikings - I have to say I like the QB better on this Vikings team than on the ’69 team. But they were a stronger unit on the ’69 team. This Vikings team had the 2nd best defense in the league. Problem was, they were facing the #1 defense in Miami’s “No Name” Defense.
  10. 1991 Buffalo Bills - This was the 2nd best Bills team they had. They just ran into one of the best Super Bowl Championship teams. The Bills talked a big game, but when it came down to it Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, James Lofton, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett, Darryl Talley, Shane Conlin and Co. just couldn’t get it done on the field. You look at those Bills teams and really wonder…how in the world did they not win just 1 Super Bowl. I guess that’s why they’re on this list twice. 

Now onto the Super Bowls of the past:

February 3, 2002 – New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17 – Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA - Tom Brady led the upstart Patriots to a massive upset in one of the best Super Bowls of all-time. Adam Vinatieri became a Patron Saint in New England. Tom Brady earned MVP honors as he passed 16-27 for 145 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots mugging the Rams’ wideouts was a big reason why the Patriots were able to hold on and win this game. Also, there was something about a video camera, too. The Patriots won their 1st Super Bowl title.

February 3, 2008 – New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 – University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ - This Super Bowl is in the top 3 Super Bowls of all-time. The Giants, who barely got into the playoffs, scored a massive upset agains the 18-0 New England Patriots. Eli Manning and David Tyree gave us the greatest play in Super Bowl history. Manning earned MVP honors with 19-34 255 yards and 2 TD’s. But, it was the Giant’s D-line who were the true MVP’s as they never let Brady get in a rhythm. The Giants won their 3rd Super Bowl title.

 
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Posted by on February 3, 2012 in Adam Vinatieri, Baltimore Colts, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, David Tyree, Eli Manning, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, St. Louis Rams, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLII, Super Bowl XXXVI, Tom Brady, Washington Redskins

 

The “Gronk”owski Watch

02 Feb

Is anybody else getting sick and tired of hearing about Rob Gronkowski, his high ankle sprain, whether he’s wearing his boot or not, the new cleat being made for him, ad nauseam, ad nauseam, ad nauseam? Me too. But this is the Super Bowl and all of the hype has been going on for 10 days now, with today being the 11th. But, I have to say that even though his “watch” is getting old what’s worse is every single soul in the ESPN family calling him Gronk. Am I being too nit picky? I am so sick and tired of everybody saying “Gronk did this” and “Gronk did that”…heck, John Clayton even said he laced up Gronk’s shoes for him yesterday. Ok, ok…so I am exaggerating a tad bit. But this is getting ridiculous. Call the man by his name. But, let me please say to ESPN…if you are going to continue to call Rob Gronkowski, “Gronk” than you have my blessing to start calling Bill Belichick, “Belicheat”.

So, the true story on Gronk…just kidding, Gronkowski is that he’ll play. He probably won’t be anywhere near as effective as he normally would be, at least in the 2nd half he won’t. Gronkowski didn’t wear a boot to Media Day because who would? He wanted to try to show the media that he was fine. So, you don’t need to listen to anymore updates on him because here is the low down on it: Rob Gronkowski will play, if he is effective it will be in the first half and he will not have an MVP performance. But, let’s be honest…New England doesn’t need an MVP performance from him to win the game. All they need is for Brady to lead them down the field in the final minutes for a game winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri…..oh, wait…

No Super Bowl recaps today as not one single Super Bowl has been played on February 2nd. That is until the year 2014. I’ll be back tomorrow to recap 2 more Super Bowls of the past. Including one that was the very first Super Bowl to be played in February.

 
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Posted by on February 2, 2012 in Adam Vinatieri, Bill Belichick, John Clayton, NFL, Rob Gronkowski, Super Bowl, Tom Brady

 

A little Brady, a little Roethlisberger and a little Rodgers?

01 Feb

Before we jump in the time machine and go back a few years we have some Super Bowl/Pro Bowl news to address. First, the “big” Super Bowl news right now is that Chad EightFive, yes Ochocinco in Spanish is eightfive not eighty-five, is in his first Super Bowl. Chad is what? That’s exactly what I was thinking when I flipped over to the NFL Network to watch a minute of Media Day. I had forgotten all about him this year. Weird that a “future Hall-of-Famer” was a non-factor this year. Did anyone remember that he was a Patriot and that he’ll be “playing” on Sunday? Rumors are not true, however, that he will have a celebration planned after every water break he successfully completes.

The second bit of news comes out of Green Bay where Aaron Rodgers has something to say. He was on ESPN 540 in Milwaukee yesterday and had this to say:

“I’ll be honest with you. I was a little bit disappointed. I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves.”

Wait a minute…was he talking about his Packers in the playoffs? Was he disappointed in the whole NFC side in the playoffs this year? Maybe, he has seen the future and the Giants don’t have a good game this Sunday?! Let’s look further to see:

“I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn’t want to play or when they were in there didn’t put any effort into it. I’ve always found that when you’re going that tempo, that’s when the injuries are going to happen, not if you’re going full speed. You’re more likely to get an injury standing around the pile or just going through it half-speed.”

So, what is Rodgers talking about? The Pro Bowl. I will wait to let that sink in… … … … I hear Allen Iverson saying “we’re talking about [the Pro Bowl] man, we’re talking about [the Pro Bowl]. Not the game, not the game. We’re talking about [the Pro Bowl} man.” Is Aaron serious? Has he eaten too much casu marzu?? (If you don’t know what that is, click here) I mean, this is the Pro Bowl we’re talking about. Even the fans don’t care about this game. Nobody even watches this thing. I mean, the Hawaiians are so in love with it that they don’t even fill half the stadium for this game. So why does Aaron Rodgers care so much? It’s not like Brett Favre was leading the AFC this year. Relax Aaron. You’ve got your Super Bowl ring and a promising future. But, I know the real reason why Aaron is so peeved: Not only did State Farm steal his move, but BJ Raji has it as a new dance and finally State Farm got tired of Rodger’s move and moved on to Clay Matthews’ move since he actually plays football…professionally.

Now on to the important stuff…well, at least in my opinion.

February 1, 2004 – New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29 – Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX - What looked like a lopsided affair going into the game, became an all-time classic Super Bowl. If not for John Kasay kicking the ball out of bounds on the kickoff, the Panthers probably would have won this one. But, Tom Brady, earning MVP honors, led the Pats to a Vinatieri game winning field goal (where have we seen this one before?) and the Patriots’ 2nd title in 3 years. Brady went 32-48 (Super Bowl record for completions) for 354 yards and 3 TD’s.**

February 1, 2009 – Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL - Another classic Super Bowl and even though the Cardinals lost, Kurt Warner sealed a spot in Canton. Ben Roethlisberger and Warner dueled to the very end, James Harrison had the longest play in Super Bowl history (a 100-yard INT return for a TD) and Santonio Holmes earned MVP honors with 9 catches for 131 yards and the game winning TD with just :35 seconds left. Pittsburgh had won their league leading 6th Super Bowl title and 2nd in 4 years.

** – yes, I know about the halftime show with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson…but come on…let’s cover up for the kids, alright? Save that for Skina Cinemax.

 
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Posted by on February 1, 2012 in Aaron Rodgers, Adam Vinatieri, AFC, Arizona Cardinals, Ben Roethlishberger, BJ Raji, Brett Favre, Carolina Panthers, Chad Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers, James Harrison, Janet Jackson, John Kasay, Justin Timberlake, Kurt Warner, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFC, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pro Bowl, Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLIII, Super Bowl XXXVIII, Tom Brady

 

The Power of Hate

28 Jan

hate

verb

transitive verb

1: to feel extreme enmity toward <hates his country’s enemies>

2: to have a strong aversion to : find very distasteful <hated to have to meet strangers> <hate hypocrisy>

Hate is a powerful word. Hate is a powerful emotion. You can move and motivate people on the emotion of hate. Break down the teams you love and root for in each sport. Now look at the teams you loathe, the teams you love to see fail. Was there a single person in all of God’s green earth, outside of New England, that wanted the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII in 2007? As a fan of an NFC East team, I will tell you straight up that fans of other teams in the NFC East were moved to pull for the Giants to beat the Patriots that year. Why? Why would fans of rival teams pull for that team they would never root for in other games? Hate. Let’s be honest, anyone outside of the true Northeast absolutely hate Bill Belicheat. A lot of fans hate Tom Brady. Some fans even hated Teddy Bruschi.

People, and more specifically fans, have varied reasons to hate a player, team and/or coach. Just think of the reasons why you hate the teams you do. Think of the reasons why you hate certain players. Well, I want to focus in on one player that has gotten a lot of hate this year. Ok, so I already ruined the suspense with that picture above. So, without further adieu…….[building suspense]……let’s talk about Queen King James, a.k.a. LaBron James.

I’ve been wanting to talk about this subject for awhile but with the NFL creating daily headlines, I haven’t been able to do so. I was listening to sports radio back when the NBA season was about to ramp up and the hosts were talking about how fans of the NBA have put away their hate of LaBron James and would probably end up rooting for him this year. This got me to think, who are these jokers talking about/for? Everybody I have talked to still want him to lose. I will be honest with you all, I really liked LeBron when he first came into the league. The only negative thing I wanted to see was him fail to live up to Michael Jordan’s star. You see, I am a Chicago Bulls fan and I am a Bulls fan first and foremost because of His Airness. But, unlike many disgraceful fans who jumped off the bandwagon when MJ retired for the 2nd time (I still don’t count his years in a Wizards uniform) I stuck with the Bulls and always will. Now, I do admit that I am nowhere near as big of an NBA fan now as I was growing up. But the Lakers-Celtics “rivalry” of late and Derrick Rose have really gotten me back into the game. At least a little during the season and a lot during the playoffs.

But let’s get back to LeBron. I, just like many fans, started hating him when he rubbed it into the whole city of Cleveland’s faces when he declared on ESPN that he was “taking his talents to South Beach”. And then the guy claimed this was fine because he donated all proceeds to charity. Are you freaking kidding me? So, let me get this straight. If I got my wife, my family, her family and my mistress in the same room and declared I was taking my talents to my mistress but said it was all cool because I was going to be little Sammy’s Big Brother, that totally justifies my decision?!?! Look, LeBron had every right to leave Cleveland. I don’t think anybody blames him. But to do it on national tv and then expect everybody to just love him? Who in the name of Ben & Jerry does he think he is? And I just love how there were some former players and sports tv personalities defending this. There is a thing called etiquette. And even if you follow that, you can guarantee that the city you left will hate you. But to just think all of America will just roll with it is pretty absurd.

This brings me to the guys on the radio. My level of “hatred” towards the Queen is just as much today as it was back when he made his stupid decision. In fact, his mocking of Dirk Nowitzki being sick in the Finals last year just pissed me off more. He needs to grow up before he can be considered a true leader. I have to say, until the day he hangs it up, I will be there to cheer for him to lose. I really want him to go down in history as a great player that couldn’t hack it when it mattered…that would rather pass the ball than try to shoot the final shot for the win. Now, I’m not an idiot. I know Miami has a really good team, but it’s “anybody but Miami” for me until he declares his talents are going elsewhere. So am I correct? Am I off point? Let me know where you stand on this and if you did hate him last year, if you still feel the same way…

 
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Posted by on January 28, 2012 in Bill Belichick, Cleveland, Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, NBA, NBA Finals, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFL, Super Bowl, Teddy Bruschi, Tom Brady

 

The Road to Super Bowl XLVI

23 Jan

AFC Championship Game Recap – Patriots 23, Ravens 20

What a game! I thought for a minute that it would be extended into overtime. How does a kicker miss a 32 yard chip shot? Even though he blew it for the Ravens to head into overtime, they had 3 straight drives at the end of that game. Three chances to get into the endzone, or at the very least get a field goal to tie it up. The Ravens have no one to blame but themselves. You pick Tom Brady off 2 times in 1 game and can’t win? The defense didn’t play great, but played well enough to have won.

My analysis on Joe Flacco is pretty positive. He started off horribly but turned it around quickly and it looked like a man growing into an elite QB in this league. Outside of a really bad interception, he really played well. 22/36 306 yds. 2 td 1 int. A solid day for Flacco, but there’s one problem. They did not finish the way a championship level team does. This is the difference between the Ravens and the upper-crust of the NFL. The Patriots, though playing very subpar, showed why they are going to their 5th Super Bowl in 11 years. Just think about that…5 Super Bowls in just 11 years. Only the ’70′s Dallas Cowboys went to as many in fewer years, going to 5 in 9 years. Of course, the Patriots have already won more than those Cowboys did. The Patriots have, so far, won 3 Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) while losing 1 (XLII), while the Cowboys won 2 (VI, XII) and lost 3 (V, X, XIII). So, even if you’re rooting against the Patriots on Sunday, February 5th, at least respect what they have done for the past decade and a year. Tom Brady will have a chance to tie both Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana at the top with 4 Super Bowl titles each as starting QB’s. But, back to Joe Flacco. I think Baltimore will go into next year pretty solidly behind Joe Flacco. He showed that, while he does have some more room to grow, he is very capable of becoming an elite QB. I really think Tom Brady dodged a bullet, here. If the Ravens had taken care of business, I think it would diminish (very slightly) his resume. It wouldn’t take away from his Hall-of-Fame career but it would definitely get the media (basically ESPN) to stop acting like he’s invincible.

The Patriots will now move on to their 7th Super Bowl overall (only 1 short of a tie for most Super Bowl appearances by a team at 8 with Dallas and Pittsburgh). The Patriots, in addition to those mentioned above, lost in 1985 – Super Bowl XX to the Chicago Bears and in 1996 – Super Bowl XXXI to the Green Bay Packers. And now to wrap up this recap. Since, the school year is back in session I will give out my grades for each team. First the losing side. The Ravens offense receives a C+, defense receives a B+ (graded up for the 3 turnovers they caused) and the special teams a D. And now for the victors. The Patriots offense receives a B-, the defense receives a B- and the special teams an A+.

NFC Championship Game Recap – Giants 20, 49ers 17 OT

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, in comes the NFC Championship Game. A game that was so good it just had to go into extra time. What was even better was that, just like Baltimore had a 32 yard field goal to send it into overtime, the Giants had a 31 yard field goal to win the game in OT. The difference? The Giants made their kick. But,this game was a defensive struggle throughout. I have to say, as big as Eli Manning came through, he had many passes that should have been picked off. Many of those passes where you thought Eli was trying too hard to make something happen. But, I guess that’s what happens when you throw the ball 58 times (which is one thing that disgusts me about pro football these days). On the other side of the field Alex Smith didn’t have the numbers and definitely looks like the lesser of the two quarterbacks, but he had a nice game too. He did have way too many throws at the feet of his receivers, but most of those were when he was rolling out (which is not the type of QB he is). But you definitely felt that these two teams deserved to be here and deserved a shot at the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. But it was the Giants who took advantage of it and will be playing in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII.

The real stars of this game were the defenses. Both defenses were in the faces of each quarterback all night long. The Giants didn’t shut the run game down like the 49ers did, but they definitely managed it. Outside of Vernon Davis’ 2 TD’s, the Giants D really showed up and has had a nice hot streak now. They made Alex Smith do what he just cannot do and that is throw on the run. A great game with a great ending.

I mentioned the defenses as the stars of the night, but there was one player that towered over everybody (including everyone in the AFC Championship Game too) and that was Victor Cruz. WOW! He had 115 yards before halftime. He ended with 142 yards on 10 receptions. The only thing the man didn’t do was score a touchdown, but in this defensive game it can’t be that big of a negative. I have to admit, with every Victor Cruz catch while Carlos Rogers “tried” to cover him (while looking like he truly wanted/needed help). After seeing Rogers finally learn how to catch a ball (seriously, why couldn’t he had caught JUST ONE FREAKING INT in DC?) it was with great pleasure I saw him get carved up.

Oh, yeah before I get to the grades I just have one observation. I know most of you guys won’t care about this and will probably laugh, but I thought it was kind of weird. I don’t have any photo showing it, but I noticed that what was supposed to be the NFC Championship logo (click here to see what it’s supposed to look like) became the NFL Championship. Instead of the NFC logo in the middle, they put the NFL logo. So, are they saying the true NFL Championship is between San Fran and New York? Are we going back to pre-merger days? Maybe, New England should have put the old AFL logo (or this one) in the middle of their Championship logo. Just an observation. Now for the grades. For the losing side, San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers offense receives a B, defense receives an A- and special teams a C (sorry, but I have to grade them down for that last fumble that set up the game winning field goal). For the victors, the New York Giants offense receives a B+, the defense receives an A and the special teams receive an A.

The New York Football Giants will be going back to the Super Bowl for the 2nd time in 5 years. The Giants will be making their 5th trip to the Super Bowl in franchise history. They have won 3 times (XXI, XXV, XLII) and have lost once (XXXV). Oh, and one last word to all of you Giants fans. You don’t deserve a great head coach that is Tom Coughlin but feel lucky you have him. Are you going to try and get him fired next year if you begin the season 0-3? Congrats Coughlin, if you win one more I think it’s a slam dunk into Canton for you! And you do deserve that trip, sir.

Yesterday, I posted a little request at the end of the post to pray for Joe Paterno and his family. Well, just hours after that posted we all got word that Joe Paterno had passed away. Please, continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers and (I should have mentioned this yesterday, too) keep those boys who Jerry Sandusky preyed upon and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they have to continue to live with the evil that happened to them.

 
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Posted by on January 23, 2012 in AFC, AFC Championship Game, AFL, Alex Smith, Baltimore Ravens, Carlos Rogers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Eli Manning, Green Bay Packers, Joe Flacco, Joe Montana, Joe Paterno, New England Patriots, New York Giants, NFC, NFC Championship Game, NFL, NFL Playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady, Tom Coughlin, Vernon Davis, Victor Cruz

 

Conference Championships Day!

22 Jan

Playoffs Bracket

The Final Four…NFL-style. We have finally gotten to the conference championships. The AFC Championship Game is on first and then we have the NFC Championship Game. Let’s jump right in to what promises to be a great day of some pigskin!

AFC Championship Game - Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots, 3pm on CBS

This should be a great game. You have the Ravens with the #3 defense versus the Patriots and their #2 offense (#3 in pts.). Then on the other side you have the Ravens struggling #15 (#12 pts.) offense versus the Patriots atrocious #31 (#15 pts.) defense. It’s going to be a treat to see if Tom Brady can out play the Ravens suffocating defense or if Ray Lewis & Co. will shut down Brady and their prolific offense. The Ravens have to be physical on the line with the Patriots’ two TE’s. They cannot let Gronkowski and Hernandez beat them like they did the Broncos. For obvious reasons, Joe Flacco’s time is now. He has to have a big game. He has to come up big in the end. Mark this down, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Ravens pick up a QB in the draft if Flacco struggles again. I just don’t know where I sit with Flacco. I like him and see a lot of talent in him, but I also think, for some reason, he has reached a wall. Will he bust through it today or will he jeopardize Baltimore’s best chance at winning a Super Bowl in years? Ray Rice and the offensive lineman are going to have to get the running game going to take the pressure off of Flacco. Another matchup some are talking about is John Harbaugh coaching against Bill Belicheat. I think it’s funny that Belicheat is viewed as a defensive genius and since 2007 that has been the achilles heel of this team. I do believe that Belicheat is a great defensive coordinator, but he is a Tom Brady, video camera and the tuck rule away from being a failed head coach and seen as just a defensive mind. Harbaugh, on the other hand, has been a solid coach in Baltimore. I don’t think he’s been great, but it’s hard to get more out of another head coach, short of a Hall of Famer. I am going with the away team, but have extreme hesitance with this pick. Ravens 31 Patriots 28

NFC Championship Game – New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers, 6:30pm on FOX

Hello, 1990…where have you been? Does this game feel like this or what? I can remember that game like it was yesterday. I remember being in our side room in the house I grew up in during the first half of my childhood. I remember hoping Matt Bahr would make that field goal. You see, the 49ers the week before beat my beloved Redskins 28-10 the week before to knock them out of the playoffs. So, in turn I had to root for the Giants to exact revenge on them for what they did. And it happened! Believe me when I say that a certain 8 going on 9 yr. old was very happy that day. And for you Niners fans, maybe we’ll get to see another game like the one we saw here. Outside of the infamous heads-tails miscall, this has got to be the worse officiating ever! But it’s 2012 and we have a hard-nosed 49ers squad against a very hot Giants squad. Will Eli Manning continue his great play? Will Alex Smith continue his magical season? Both teams love to run the ball and both teams have great passers (as long as Alex Smith continues to look like he has all season). This one is going to come down to the defenses. Believe the old adage “defenses win championships” because it will come true today in this game. If the Giants can continue their hot run I believe they will rattle Alex Smith into being the old Alex Smith. Either way you know you are going to get great play from the Niners D. The only question for them will be: is Patrick Willis playing or not? I like Eli better than Alex. I like Frank Gore but the combo of Bradshaw and Jacobs is bruising…believe me, as a fan on an NFC East team, I know!! I love the Giants wideouts more. I like the Niners defense more, but the Giants are playing like their D of old. I say that continues and Eli shows why he’s one of the games’ best. Giants 15 49ers 13 (that’s right…a little 1990 for you)

So, that does it. Enjoy the games today but I do ask you for one thing. No matter where you come down on the (horribly & disgusting) child sex abuse scandal at Penn St…I ask for all to say a prayer for Joe Paterno who is in failing health and might be seeing his last days here on earth. Pray for his family to have strength in this difficult time. Thanks and enjoy the pigskin! I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow for recaps on the day’s games.

 
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Posted by on January 22, 2012 in Aaron Hernandez, AFC, AFC Championship Game, Ahmad Bradshaw, Alex Smith, Baltimore Ravens, Bill Belicheck, Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, Frank Gore, Joe Flacco, Joe Paterno, John Harbaugh, Matt Bahr, New England Patiots, New York Giants, NFC, NFC Championship Game, Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, Rob Gronkowski, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl, Tom Brady, Washington Redskins

 

You have to risk it all, to win it all.

19 Jan

I was looking for some information on my Redskins, when I came across this article. Now, I could go on and on about what I think about the Redskins and the quarterback situation, but I think this brings up a whole other subject. That being that the NFL is a one position league. Take some time to at least scan through that article (believe me, it’s good for fans of any team). Let’s take a look at what the NFL has become.

I never really thought about writing about this subject until today when I read Jason Reid’s article on the QB situation for Washington and the whole league. It just reinforced my position that I have come to over the past 2-3 years. That being, the NFL is a one position (QB) league. You have to have a great QB to win the Super Bowl these days. Just go ahead and look at the QB’s that have made and won the past 11 Super Bowls (in reverse order):

That’s right, you have to go all the way back to 2000 to see an average/good QB match-up. And that was really before a lot of the rules have made it to a QB league. Gone are the days of a Jim McMahon, Jeff Hostetler, Doug Williams, Mark Rypien winning the Super Bowl. Sure, you see Rex Grossman in Super Bowl XLI in 2006. He was surrounded by an outstanding defense and a great running game (why did Lovie Smith stop running the ball in the 2nd half?). But this is the exception. If you want consistent winning, which is the best way to make 1 or multiple trips to the Super Bowl, you have to have a great QB. This league is the haves and the have-nots. Sure, you can have your team jump up and have a great year winning 10 or 11 games and making the playoffs. There’s 5 new teams making the playoffs every year. But if you want to turn that into consistency, you have to have an elite QB. For the fans of the teams that don’t have an elite QB? You’re screwed. You want to know why the 49ers are back in the NFC Championship Game? Look no further than Alex Smith and before you start laughing, go look up his numbers this year. He has been more than a game manager. I wouldn’t put him in the elite catagory, but for at least this year he is a very good to great QB. For all of the flack (no pun intended) toward Joe Flacco (and I have my doubts, too) he has been a good to very good QB most of the time and has a ceiling in the elite level.

All we have to look at is this: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER have I ever even agreed with the notion to root for your team to lose games to get a higher draft pick. Well….that is until this year, of course. Sure, it was foreign to me and very hard. I even caught myself pulling for the Skins to win games that they were close in and ones at the end of the season. I reveled in the fact they swept the New York Football Giants for the first time since 1999!!!! I could finally call my brother and act like a complete idiot, pumping my fists in his face Harbaugh-style and singing Hail To The Redskins at the top of my lungs. Then, I remembered where our franchises currently stand and I cried like a baby…but enough about that.

Why did I pull for the Skins to Suck For Luck? Even though they had no shot at him because the Colts were purposely throwing their season. What other choice do you have? If you want your team to have a chance to win a Super Bowl you better believe this is your only shot nowadays. Plus, I think you would too if your team hadn’t had a franchise QB since 1985 when Joe Theismann went down to a nasty, career-ending injury at the hands of LT. And if you look at it, the Skins haven’t had a legit Hall-of-Famer at the QB position since Sonny Jurgensen was throwing it around from 1964-74. THAT’S A FULL 8 YEARS BEFORE I WAS BORN!!! Sorry to yell, but COME ON! I realize that their only shot at being a legitimate franchise again is to get that elusive franchise QB. More than ever this is imperative. And it is to your team, too. I mean, think about it…the Colts aren’t stupid (well….) they are risking alienating the face of the franchise, since it moved to Indy in 1984, to draft the next elite QB. They now for them to maintain a level of excellence, this is their only way.

So, thank you Roger freaking Goodell. You have messed this league up, in the name of safety and trying to grab the casual fans’ eyeball. Thank you for giving my team (and many other fans’ teams) the chances of “when Hell freezes over” to not only win a Super Bowl but to compete for it for a full decade!

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2012 in Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith, Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger, Brad Johnson, Donovan McNabb, Doug Williams, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Jake Delhomme, Jeff Hostetler, Jim McMahon, Joe Flacco, Joe Theismann, Kerry Collins, Kurt Warner, Mark Rypien, Matt Hasselbeck, New York Giants, NFC Championship Game, NFL, Peyton Manning, Rex Grossman, Rich Gannon, Roger Goodell, San Francisco 49ers, Sonny Jurgensen, Super Bowl, Tom Brady, Trent Dilfer, Washington Redskins

 

NFL Playoffs Divisional Round, Day 1

14 Jan

NFL Playoffs bracket

Day 1 and boy, do we have some match-ups to watch today! You have high powered air attacks, a smash-mouth defense, old-school 80′s style football, a defense that a wet noodle could score on…heck we even have the option for all of you. If you’re not satisfied by that well, than you need to go talk to Mick Jagger! But the story lines don’t stop there. We have a city’s “savior”, the “next-Montana”, an archangel who can’t throw the ball but he still beats you nonetheless and we can’t forget the coach who not only beats you but afterwards slaps the crap out of you and pumps his fist in your face. Yes, and we have it all in one day!! So, let’s take a closer look at these matchups.

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers, 4:30 on FOX - Sean Payton and Drew Brees take their air show on the road. Luckily, for them and us we aren’t at the mercy of San Fran generators. On the other side we have Jim Harbaugh who has resurrected the 49ers and their QB Alex Smith. I’m not going to try and fool you into thinking Smith is a great QB. He is not. But, when he has a strong running game and a great defense the man can manage a game. Well, manage is not really giving him enough credit. Alex Smith in any other year had an outstanding year. But 3, yes THREE, QB’s threw for over 5,000 yards this year. Heck, even a rookie threw for over 4,000 yards. The Niners also have one of the best backs out there in Frank Gore. The most shocking stat is that the Saints have rushed for more yards this season than the 49ers. The Niners have more of a grind-it-out, very balanced offensive approach while the Saints are like Air Coryell on steroids. But the Saints have a running game too, they just don’t need to use it that much. On the defensive front, the 49ers are everything you want. They not only shut you down and don’t allow many yards and/or points but they also lead the league, with Green Bay, in takeaways. We all know what the Saints are on defense. Not a lot of great talent but a master-schemer in Greg Williams who loves to put pressure on you and make you turn the ball over. The only thing is, they are one of the worst defenses in takeaways. This game is really going to come down to what the 49ers do in the redzone. They are going to have to score touchdowns not settle for field goals or leave points on the board. I love the 49ers and think this is a game they can definitely win but I have to pick the Saints who I think are on a roll right now. Saints 23, 49ers 21

Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots, 8:00 on CBS - In the AFC we have…well, I really don’t know what we have. Seriously, can anyone please tell me what in the world is happening in the city “high in the sky” this year? I thought the Steelers, even with all of their injuries, would never let the Broncos beat them in the playoffs (well, according to some only one man…nay, one demigod beat the Steelers). I can throw all of the stats I want at you and in the end what will it mean? Absolutely zilch! If the Patriots defense (yes, that one I said a wet noodle could score on) allows Thor Tebow to keep his team in the game late, you can guarantee we just might see another magic show happen in the end. I have to say that I would absolutely love to see the whole Broncos team Tebowing literally on top of Belicheat but I really don’t think they will win. I think this is where the T-train ends and Brady and the Patriots move on to the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots defense, well…the 11 men that just so happen to be on the field when we say “the Patriots defense” will allow the Broncos to keep up but I think the Pats are too powerful and have been here too many times to allow the Broncos to steel (ha, like that one?) this one away. But, I said that last week about the Steelers and look where we are right now! So, I will stop running my mouth (better yet, typing with my fingers) and predict the score. Patriots 24, Broncos 17

On another note, we have one of the weirdest things to come around in some time. I mean, this was pretty weird and so was this, this, this and this. But 12 years ago, did anyone ever even think that they would see this happen? I have to say I didn’t but hey, if you can’t beat them… I wonder if Fisher will get to the Super Bowl in a few years and have to give one of those “They’re celebrating right now! Look at them!” speeches to pump his team up, only to have them fall 1/2 a yard short this time. I think Jeff Fisher is a great coach and is bound to win one someday. The Rams finally have a coach that can lead them back to the promise land. But a word of the wise to you St. Louis…don’t dump Sam Bradford and go with a knucklehead like this guy. It might not work out too well.

Enjoy the games today and we will be back tomorrow to have me gloat about just how smart I am at picking NFL playoff games to preview Sunday’s match-ups.

 
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Posted by on January 14, 2012 in AFC, Alex Smith, Bill Belichick, Denver Broncos, Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Green Bay Packers, Greg Williams, Jeff Fisher, Jim Harbaugh, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, NFL, NFL Playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Sam Bradford, San Francisco 49ers, Sean Payton, St. Louis Rams, Super Bowl, Tennessee Titans, Tim Tebow, Tom Brady

 
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