MARSHAWN LYNCH IS GOING TO THE PRO BOWL!

I don't care if you don't like the Buffalo Bills. I do so I'm going to recap the only positive story about them that is current. Marshawn Lynch, the Bills first string running back is going to the Pro Bowl in February. As the first alternate to Titan's Chris Johnson, Lynch will be venturing to Hawaii because Johnson is currently injured.

Although this is a little exciting for Bills fans, or me, I know that the Pro Bowl is not that exciting of a sporting event. All the excitement comes for the Super Bowl, and then goes away again. Everyone knows that the AFC always wins, or should. But this is actually a nice little honor bestowed on Lynch and the Buffalo Bills. Even though he's replacing Johnson, it's the first time a Buffalo Bill's RB will be going to the Pro Bowl since Travis Henry, who the last time I heard, was in jail for selling crack and having too many kids. The only other Buffalo Bills participant who was actually voted in (I'm not sure why) was Jason Peters. Ironically, though he was chosen, this is the second consecutive year Peters will not be attending the Pro Bowl, due to injury. Either that, or they aren't going to pay him enough.

Anyway, go Marshawn! I don't know if I'll watch the game, but tear down that NFC's defense!

Jaclyn Kahn

WORKING ON A DREAM

With apologies to the Jaxster, here is the new title song off the new Springsteen album, Working on a Dream. You can probably bank on this song being included in the Boss's setlist at the Super Bowl. Enjoy!

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM

It's old news now that Herm Edwards has been fired from his coaching job in Kansas City. Now the latest news reports Edwards joining ESPN as an analyst for the NFL.

If you can't beat them, join them. That is definitely the case for Edwards, who was fired after only two seasons with the Chiefs; two seasons that just happened to be the worst two season span the team has ever had. But can you really blame Herm Edwards for that? Yes, coaching is a big part of how teams win, but it also involves the players, and I cannot name a single person who is currently a player on the Kansas City Chiefs. Actually, I don't know if I could name anyone who has been on that team, unless they built up their career there and then made it big elsewhere.

Before the disastrous Chiefs, Edwards coached the New York Jets, and we all know that the Jets haven't been to the Super Bowl in a very long time. However, I remember watching Edwards coach the Jets (at a time in my life where I actually rooted for them. I know how horrible), and he seemed like a nice guy who knew something about football, even if his players didn't act like it all of the time. Right now I think I am going to take a neutral stance on him joining ESPN. At least it's not one of those egomaniac players who thinks he's all that and wants to stay in the spotlight in some form (*cough cough* Strahan, Barber, Keyshawn Johnson, *cough cough*). Although I'm not a fan of Cowher on CBS when he puts his two cents in before a game, maybe Herm Edwards will provide some statistics and information that won't be so biased (Cowher; go back to the Steelers if you love them so much!)

According to the article at Yahoo! Sports, Edwards was a guest analyst on ESPN during the last off season, so he does bring some experience to the glass table. Edwards will begin his new tenure as an official sports analyst next month.

Jaclyn Kahn

IT'S IN THE CARDS: ARIZONA TO BE CHAMPIONS OF THE NFL

The Arizona Cardinals will be playing on Super Bowl Sunday. Yes, it's true. The franchise that has done practically nothing in its history since moving from Chicago back in 1959, has a chance to be champions of the NFL. Who would have thought this four months ago. Kurt Warner has found the fountain of youth and has had his best season since his MVP year of 2001, when he was with St. Louis. He hasn't accomplished much since then, but if he leads his team to victory this Sunday, he will have accomplished something no other quarterback has ever done; win the Super Bowl with two different teams. If the Cardinals win this weekend, I still wouldn't think he is a hall of fame quarterback, but that's for another discussion. This post is about Super Bowl XLIII.

Standing in the way of this Cinderella run are the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a franchise with a storied history that includes five Super Bowl trophies. Because of their success and the fact the Cardinals have never won a Super Bowl, I will be rooting hard for Arizona this weekend. I also think the team from the desert will pull off the upset, just like they have the past three weeks in the postseason. I might sound like a broken record, but I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again. Larry Fitzgerald is the key. He is a beast and if you let him run across the middle of the field like he has lately, then you are asking for trouble. The Pittsburgh defense is considered the best in the NFL and there is no reason to dispute that. They still have to play their "A" game to force Arizona into making some key turnovers. The Cardinals have played smart the entire postseason and must continue to do so. This is no ordinary defense they are going up against. I think they are ready for the challenge and will win this Sunday.

The offensive edge obviously goes to the Cardinals. They have been high-flying and nothing has seemed to rattle them lately. The Steelers tend to play many low scoring games, unless their defense returns one for a score. Ben Rothlisberger seems to always make the big play when he needs to, but really doesn't lead his team to a bunch of points. The number one reason he has even made it to two Super Bowls is because of his defense. If the Steelers win this weekend, it will be because of the defense. Hands down. They certainly could go down as one of the best ever, but for some reason, I don't think it's going to happen.

Prediction: Warner throws for three touchdowns, including two to Fitzgerald. Edgerin James will run for a score late in the fourth quarter and Arizona will stage off a late Pittsburgh drive to win Super Bowl XLIII.

CARDINALS 28 Steelers 20

Shawn Marosek

LACK OF CLASS GETS COACH FIRED

Two weeks ago, a private Christian high school shutout a special needs high school by the score of 100 to 0. Yes, this was the actual basketball score as Covenant School - insert favorite verb that means "beat down" here - the Dallas Academy. Apparently, Covenant decided to still press on defense, and hurl up quick threes on offense even late into the fourth quarter. After the victory, the higher ups at Covenant were none too thrilled with their team pouring it on. They sent several apologies and even offered to forfeit the victory to Dallas. Well, when their coach, Micah Grimes, refused to include his name in the apology, he was fired.

"In response to the statement posted on The Covenant School Web site, I do not agree with the apology or the notion that the Covenant School girls basketball team should feel embarrassed or ashamed," Grimes wrote in the e-mail, according to the newspaper. "We played the game as it was meant to be played. My values and my beliefs would not allow me to run up the score on any opponent, and it will not allow me to apologize for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity."

That's one of the funniest quotes I've read by a coach in a long time. His beliefs would not allow him to run up the score on his opponent? Can I ask what the score would have been if he ran up the score? You would think when the score was 59-0 at halftime, Grimes would have called off the dogs. You don't stop playing the game, but when a team can't score, I think you can play a more relaxed defense and start bleeding the shot clock a bit. Especially when your opponent has several players with special needs and hasn't won a game in four years! How about playing your reserves? I credit the school for living up to their morals and principles and firing Grimes. I thought it was a good message to send after a horrible one was sent in the fourth quarter of that game.

Normally, I am almost never sensitive toward teams on the wrong side of a blowout. I am for some proper etiquette such as not stealing bases, hurling 50-yard bombs, chucking up threes early in the shot clock, but if there is still time on the clock, then you don't stop playing. In football, a team can't stop moving toward the end zone. In baseball, you can't tell a batter to stop swinging for a base hit, and in basketball, you don't tell an offense to simply let the shot clock expire without shooting something. If you get your doors blown in, get up, and go get them the next time.

However, this was an extreme situation. Firstly, it was a high school basketball game. Secondly, the score was 59-0 at halftime, so no one is coming back from that kind of deficit. And thirdly, this Christian school was playing was a special needs school that hasn't won a game in four years! So, I'm not sure how Coach Grimes, his players, and fans were getting a kick over blowing this team out? Live up to what you preach! I'm glad the higher ups at Covenant did at least. Hey Grimes, I wouldn't expect a letter of recommendation from your former bosses anytime soon.

Pat Morgan

WATCH OUT FLAVA FLAV, T.O. IS COMING TO TOWN!

In the era of Reality Television, we have encountered countless shows with a variety of characters: Flava Flav; 7-drama filled adults in some snazzy house; horrible singers, dancers; couples, friends who become enemies while racing around the world; people getting fired; swapping wives, babies, husbands, children, you name it; Tia Tequila, the list goes on and on. But now you can add another name to this list: Terrell Owens.

When I think of reality TV, I don't necessarily think of sports. However, I did catch an episode on what it's like to be a Dallas Cheerleader. Not that interesting and it drained brain cells more rapidly than the other shows do. Going along with this Dallas Cowboys theme, T.O. is going to get his very own reality show. The show, "The Terrell Owens Project" will be aired on VH1. But of course. What other television network brings you Rock of Love and I Love New York both of which should never been witnessed by and human being living about the Mason-Dixon line (Yes, I know that "New York" is from Syracuse, NY, although many are trying to forget it).

So I'm wondering, is this "Project" show going to be like real life. The papers and sports websites, blogs, journals, magazines, etc etc already capture the crazy antics of this egomaniac football "superstar." We've already seen him cry, yell, do crazy antics on the field (like the one ripping Belichick for spying on other teams- which was pretty awesome), fight, scream, and brag about how amazing he is. What else could he possibly do that would make him even more entertaining? Are they going to get him all hot and bothered and let him loose in an elementary school?

All that I can say is that although this is a horrible idea for a television show, most of the stuff on television already is pretty crummy, so it'll fit right in. However, I must admit I am a little intrigued to take a peek at this show and see if T.O. can make an even bigger ass of himself than he does during the football season.

Jaclyn Kahn

BETS, PLACE YOUR BETS!

As some people know (especially Pat and I), people will bet on sports. Some do it for fun, others for serious monetary gain, and then others do it because the government is corrupt, or something to that extent (long story, don't ask).

This newest post is on betting... on the Super Bowl. Now, it's not just betting on which team will win, or by how many points. This is serious betting, on nothing all that important. But it sounds very entertaining.

If you are interested, you can place bets on how many times "NBC will show Brenda Warner on TV during the Game." First of all, who? I'm guess that it's Kurt's wife. Or mom. Before I assumed it was one of the commentators that are on the field that Madden and Michaels go to when they run out of things to say, and even if it's not, I'm going to keep this rant. I could rant on a whole separate post about the females that have been chosen to fulfill these positions. First of all, I would do a much better job (HINT HINT ESPN/CBS/ABC/FOX etc.) because I actually care about football. Even some of the men reporters they have on the field look like they don't really want to be there. Usually when I see these people, I hope that the ball goes out of play and hits them in the head. It would be far more entertaining than what is being present on screen. I would also do a better job with interviews to ask the questions people watching actually care about, not droning on, praising the QB or MVP. If I had that job and was to ask Eli Manning a couple questions, don't be surprised if they seemed a little brash.

Anyway, getting back to the betting, you could also place a bet on "How many food references will John Madden make during the game." This is just too funny. I have sat through enough Monday Night Footballs to know that Madden doesn't shut up about food. Even when the teams are playing, Madden will explain what he likes to eat, and how it's served in that particular city. According to the blog, the odds are Over/Under: 1½. I would have to say way more than 1 time but then again, maybe he'll be more interested in the game this Sunday. But maybe not.

You can bet on cheerleaders, or how many times Al Michael's and John Madden will say "Big Ben" instead of his full name (which really is a mouthful), or you could throw your money at the question: "Who will the MVP of the Game thank first?" Your choices are:

God: 1/1
Teammates: 2/1
Family: 4/1
Coach: 7/1
Doesn't thank anyone: 3/1

Off the bat, I'm going to say that the last choice won't happen. They have to thank somebody. I don't know how gracious these players are to thank their teammates. My prediction is that the MVP, whoever he may be, will say that his teammates performed very well, but I doubt he's going to thank them. Family is definitely a big one, but my question is, does he have to say "family" or can he say "Mom, Dad, baby bro," etc etc? You might want to check the rules on that before putting money on that one. I definitely think putting money on the coach to be thanked first is a tough one. I think the coach will be thanked, but probably not first. They should have added "Thank himself." Depending on who the MVP was, I wouldn't be surprised about that one winning out. Anyway, if I was going to put money on this question, it would definitely be on "God." It seems as though that can't fail. Although, I remember when the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers was talking after his team won the AFC Championship; he thanked the fans. It wasn't first, and it wasn't the MVP, but I wouldn't rule that option out.

Jaclyn Kahn

JOE TORRE JUST MIGHT BE MY NEW BEST FRIEND

In a new "tell-all" book, Torre dishes about how corrupt and cruel the New York Yankees team and staff really are. Not exactly, but some people are excited to see if Joe Torre's new book, The Yankee Years, will reveal some not so niceties the Yanks might have been involved in.

So far, reports are saying that "teammates" of A-Rod called him A-Fraud, and I'm not surprised. If it wasn't from jealously of not making as man millions upon millions as A-Rod is making with the Yankees, it could be from the ridiculousness of the amount of money he's getting paid, and his not so wonderful baseball skills that have been shining through. Though he seems to be doing pretty well personally, when he can hit the ball, A-Fraud can't get his team to the playoffs, or apparently anywhere near it. But it's not just A-Fraud that isn't catching a break in this book. Torre apparently is calling some of the players "prima donnas." And why shouldn't he? Some of these players are making more money than God himself and are not showing anything for it. I wouldn't be surprised about complaints from these "primadonnas" about not getting more money, or having to work too hard. Boohoo. You don't work a full calendar year but some of you make more money than high grossing Hollywood films. That's just gross to me.

Another aspect of this book involves Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman. That's not surprising either. If the players are prima donnas, then Steinbrenner is the Alpha Prima donna. So word yet about how badly Steinbrenner or Cashman are ripped apart, but that makes the anticipation for reading this book even higher.

I have to admit that I am not much of a non-fiction fan, especially sports non-fiction. But this might just be a treat for non-Yankee fans. Think this book will fly off the shelves on its release day (Feb 3rd) in Boston? I'm not so sure about that. But definitely in Los Angeles. This seems like a good book to request from the library: the wait will be long, but can score good tidbits along the way. Definitely worth skimming if A-Fraud and Steinbrenner are the antagonists.

Jaclyn Kahn

DONOVAN MCNABB ALWAYS HAS THE LAST LAUGH

Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Arizona Cardinals. No, it was not a dream. But this article isn't about the game that took place last Sunday, although it involved a Quarterback and two unruly (and unintelligent) fans.

Apparently 2 Arizona Cardinal fans had too much fun with McNabb's house in Arizona. Not once, not twice, but three times, these two idiots vandalized McNabb's house, trying to be "funny." Well, maybe not funny, but McNabb thought the joke was somewhat funny, until it went too far. The first prank was leaving an Arizona Cardinal's flag in a tree on Donovan McNabb's property. Apparently McNabb thought it was pretty funny, and he even left it in his tree. The second prank was when the two Stooges came back to McNabb's residence, leaving a cardboard box that said "Go Cards" and "Beat Philly." At this point I'm sure McNabb was probably hoping he could back his car out onto these two persistent jerks.

It was the final prank that did them in. Well actually, it was the second. Let me explain: the third prank involved these two Cards fans to burn phrases into McNabb's lawn. Phrases such as "Go Cards", "Go Kurt", and "I <3 AZ" were all burnt into the grass. At this point, these pranks are going too far into property damage. I know that McNabb seems like a nice guy, especially for putting up with 3 pranks instead of blowing steam at the first one, but enough is enough. That and I doubt these two pranksters would be able to take McNabb, I don't doubt his physical toughness. Anyway, these 2 Cards fans might not have been found if it hadn't been for the cardboard box that they left during the second prank, which had one of the pranksters full names and full address on it. Smart. Very Arizona-like. To quote the Sergeant, Joe Favazzo, who worked on the case, he said they “did about a five-second investigation," until the full name and addressed were found. Once they found the first Cards fan, the second one came out into the open as well. Both pranksters are now arrested, and good riddance.

It seems as though Donovan McNabb had the last laugh.

Jaclyn Kahn

"SAND" VOLLEYBALL COMING TO A COLLEGE CAMPUS NEAR YOU?

Last week, a motion to sanction beach (they call it sand) volleyball as an official NCAA sport was denied, as it failed to received the two-thirds necessary for approval. Good news for those in favor though, the measure will probably pass when it is put to a straight majority vote in April. Before I go forward, I just want to ask if that style of voting confuses any of you too? Imagine if the US government went with this style of voting? It's like a constitutional amendment failing to get the 38 states necessary for approval, so a couple days later they vote again where only 26 states are needed to ratify. That makes no sense to me, but hey, neither does the NCAA.

As a guy, I can't say that beach volleyball isn't pleasing on the eye, but come on, it is nothing more than a leisurely activity people do when they go to the beach. They already have volleyball, so it's not like this sport originated on the beach. People set up volleyball nets in their backyards at barbecues too. So why not sanction Backyard BBQ Volleyball as a college sport too? Or better yet, my friends and I would play wiffleball or touch football when at the beach. Why aren't those considered? I guess it comes down to any excuse to get a woman into a bikini. For some crazy reason, beach volleyball is already an Olympic event, but then again the only organization in sports I find more corrupt than the NCAA is the IOC.

I do find it ridiculous that beach volleyball is an Olympic event, when in 2012, baseball and softball won't be (how dumb is that?), but at least Olympic cities actually have beaches and are played in the Summer! Considering the NCAA doesn't have a summer sports program and most college campuses don't have beaches, I'm wondering where college campuses are going to set up their giant sandboxes. Imagine being an athlete who is being recruited and going on a tour of a college's athletic complex. Here is the basketball court, over there is the football field, and in that room is a giant box of sand!

I guess they could rent out the sandbox to the campus daycare center during the day, or if the college is really strapped for funding, they could just have fraternities bid on hosting the games. Come get loaded and watch some beach volleyball. A bunch of drunk frat brothers would be hollering on the action with a few mortified parents mixed in who decided to come see their daughter in action. What a scene that would be! Based on the picture I found, maybe George W. Bush will incorporate this into a post-presidency college tour! And who knows what the recruiting process for beach volleyball would be like? Would the coach make you try on a bikini and see how it looks? You look good, you're in!

My outlandish ideas are certainly ridiculous, but isn't the whole idea of NCAA "Sand" Volleyball ridiculous in itself? Are there really that many college co-eds petitioning to get beach volleyball sanctioned? If you really love volleyball, isn't the indoor variety the game you love? Instead of wobbling and falling around in some sand? The NCAA should do some actual work instead of coming up with stupid ideas that they probably came up with while sharing a doobie together.

Pat Morgan

FIND ME A JOB IN BASEBALL

Perusing the baseball articles this evening, as a way to change up all of the football news and opinion, much of the baseball news is about signing new people to the team. Every baseball team in the MLB is trying to fill its roster with the best of the best so that they can go all the way next October. Or November if they elongate the season any more.

Anyway, that's not new news. Teams for every sport try to get their hands on the best of the best so that they can be the best. But what strikes me is how much these players are getting paid. If money was the only way to get to the World Series (as Steinbrenner believes it does) than all of these teams will definitely make it this year.

Take for example the recent acquirement of Nick Markakis to the Baltimore Orioles. He is getting 66.1 MILLION dollars (I feel like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers) as a right fielder for six years. Let us divide 66.1 million dollars by six and see his upcoming annual salary. Hmmm... well if we rounded so the numbers were nice, Markakis would be making roughly 11 million dollars every year for playing right field. The MLB might as well have baseball year round, otherwise he is getting a steal from the Orioles' bank account.

Now I realize that there are other players in baseball that make much more than this measly 66.1 million dollars. Take for example, A-Rod who had a 275 million dollar contract for ten years. The man isn't finding a cure for cancer here, or even doing much besides hitting on Madonna and giving her private lessons. Give me ten percent of that and I would be happy. I also know that baseball isn't the only sport that is paying its players more money than some small countries have in their bank accounts. I just like to complain at the fact that baseball players bore the heck out of its fans and they are getting paid an exorbitant amount.

Compared to the 66.1 million buckaroos, it would then seem like the veteran catcher, Brad Ausmus, is being gypped. Ausmus just signed a mere one million dollar contract to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Come on LA! You cant fork over 11 million dollars per year? How veteran is he?

The one that takes the cake for a "poor" deal is the one year, 750,000 dollar contract for Henry Blanco. He will now be the catcher for the Padres, and boy he must be crying at how #@$$^!@ his paycheck is going to be for that year. Maybe he should start hanging out with Madonna, or move to Baltimore.

In a time and place where people are worried about losing money in this downward spiraling economy, how can journalists write these stories? How can players accept this much amount of money for playing a game, and sometimes not all that well? The worst of all is when players refuse to play for a team because the salary is just too "low." I'm sorry, would you like 200 million dollars to play semi decently while people lose their jobs everyday? Go rule a country, at least the dictators are doing more work every year than these baseball players, or basketball players. Again, if these people found cures to diseases and created an environment where global warming would cease (If you don't believe in it, you're a rich republican! just kidding, I think...) then maybe I could see why maybe people should be earning that much. Maybe. Earning 750,000 dollars in baseball seems like it's a good deal, at least to me. Maybe these teams should cut their salaries and invest into the economy. But what do I know.

So, baseball teams will still fork over the millions of dollars to make sure their team is good. Maybe the Orioles will actually get a break this year. But probably not. Anyway, what do I know? I guess we should all learn a lesson from George Steinbrenner. I mean, the more you pump money into the team and its players, the more chances they will win the World Series at the end of the season, right? Right?

-The Jaxster

JETS SOAR FOR NEW HEAD COACH

Now maybe this is because I am in no way a fan of the New York (*cough cough* Jersey *cough cough*) Jets, but they really know how to snatch up a coach, and a couple of headlines. The latest news flash is that the Jets picked their man, Rex Ryan, to become their new head coach.

Now obviously this seems like a good idea, I mean Rex Ryan was on a team that almost won the AFC championship game. Almost. So that must mean that acquiring him will lead the Jets to the same fortune (or misfortune seeing as though the Ravens will not be making an appearance in the Super Bowl this year). But is that what the Jets really want? To get to the AFC championship game only to lose the one game away from the all-mighty Super Bowl game?

There was much speculation as the Jets laid low in pursuit of their attack, I mean pick. There were a multitude of names thrown out to us avid football fans: Cowher, Spagnuolo, Grimm, Billick, the list goes on and on. After the Cowher craze lasted for about 48 whole hours, the big trend was pointing to Spanuolo. It seemed as though his miraculous Giants would pull the right strings and make it back to the Super Bowl, which would be a positive quality for a Jets' coach to have. But unfortunately for the poor Giants (I hope you can gather the sarcasm), they got rocked on their home turf. I'm assuming due to that misfortune, or just the lack of skill that deterred the Jets from further going down that lane.

So now it's all Rex Ryan for the Jets. Honestly I'm surprised they aren't still waiting to see whats going to happen with Grimm and the Cardinals. I mean, at least they made it to the Super Bowl, Rex. And I just can't believe that their hard work and amazing 37-year-old quarterback is actually all that amazing. John McCain is pulling strings somewhere. And Warner's success might be stirring some ideas in Brett Favre's head, I'm sure. Maybe his twentieth try at retiring may be pushed back yet again. If the Jet's decide to keep Favre then they need more than just a stellar coach. Anyway, before the minor tangent, I would think the Jets would want a coach who can actually get its team to the Super Bowl, whether they win it or not. Unless they are on the same page as I am and don't think that the Cardinals are all that they are cracked up to be (but then again, neither are the Jets, but I digress...)

Although I've read some articles about Ryan, I don't really know that much about him. Some coaches do really well in certain cities and absolutely lousy in others. But maybe Ryan will turn around the floundering Jets. Maybe they will make it to the playoffs next season, or dare I say to a championship game? As for now, I hope that doesn't happen, for I have to stick with my Buffalo Bills who also know how to crumble on impact. The only positive thing from the Jets making it to the Super Bowl in this day and age (and possibly winning it) would mean that all the Jets fans will shut up about their one and only Super Bowl win, which for most of these fans, happened before they were even a figment in their parents' imaginations.


(note for the picture: THE JETS WERE ON SESAME STREET? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THINGS HOLY I hope there weren't any kids watching that day; brain cells might have been obliterated if they had!)

-The Jaxster

Top Reasons Why The Cards Will Not Win The Super Bowl

1.) Cards come from John McCain's state. John McCain lost, and now so will his cards.

2.) The lucky streak has to end sometime.

3.) Steelers can knock people out of the game (i.e. McGahee), so the birds better fly fast, or get carted out on a stretcher.

4.) Because that crazy man at the bar says its a conspiracy!

Enough said.

Addition:

5.) Because Kurt Warner doesn't want his family (with seven children, I can't imagine) to get a puppy (full story here)

THIRD TIME WILL BE THE CHARM FOR RAVENS

The Baltimore Ravens, a team no one expected to make it this far, face the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday for the AFC Championship. With a stout defense and a rookie quarterback who has exceeded all expectations, the Ravens are now one win away from making it back to the Super Bowl. This team reminds me a lot of the 2000 Baltimore squad, except this one has a better offense! The Trent Dilfer Ravens didn't score a touchdown in five straight games during the season and still ended up winning a title! Joe Flacco has played about as well as a rookie can and his defense certainly takes the pressure off him. He is very poised and has made few mistakes this season.

Pittsburgh is favored to win this game, and they deserve that honor. The Steelers have beaten the Ravens twice this season, one on a controversial touchdown reversal in week 15. They have what many people argue as the best defense in the NFL, led by safety Troy Polamalu and defensive player of the year James Harrison. My colleague Pat Morgan told me recently that this is the most consistent franchise in the history of the NFL. He's absolutely right. The Steelers have a rich history and always seem to be at the top of the league. They dominated the 70s and have made numerous trips to conference championship games, including a their victory in Super Bowl XL.

These two teams are practically mirror images of each other and that will show this weekend. If you like defensive football, then this game is a must watch. It's always tough to beat a team three times in a season and the case will be no different come Sunday evening. The Ravens are on a magic carpet ride and it is not going to end this weekend. Expect a low scoring game with the Ravens pulling it out in the end on a Matt Stover field goal with less than a minute to play.

RAVENS 16 STEELERS 13

Shawn Marosek

THIS IS WHY I LOVE JEOPARDY!

KANSAS CITY, HERE WE COME?

When I flipped on the FAN yesterday to listen to the Mike Francesa show, I was expecting to hear him breaking down the two NFL championship games to be played on Sunday. Much to my surprise, the first caller I heard wanted to discuss the New York Islanders. Francesa taking calls on the Islanders? What's this? Maybe he was disparaging them for being so bad before I tuned in. I've noticed throughout the years that Francesa has a touch of schadenfreude when a team in New York stinks (other than his beloved Yankees). After navigating through a couple of callers, I finally figured out what this Isles talk was all about.

Apparently, Islanders owner, Charles Wang, has scheduled an exhibition to be played at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri before next season. Upon hearing the news, frantic fans immediately took that as Wang's first step to take the Islanders permanently to Kansas City. In my opinion, it was at the very least an unveiled threat to get Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to approve the Lighthouse Project. It is common knowledge around the league and community that the Islanders won't last much longer at the Nassau Coliseum. The Isles have been looking for a way out ever since the scoreboard crashed to the ice, thankfully overnight, in 1996.

I happen to believe that the Lighthouse Project is a far fetched idea at the current time. It wouldn't make sense in this economy to pay the estimated $4 billion for construction of this new arena/mall/etc. Even with the jobs it may create, I can't see this being approved anytime soon. That means the Islanders will either have to suck in up in the Coliseum for a few more years, without the guarantee that the project will be even approved then, or move to Kansas City or to some other city looking for a team. Rumors are that Wang has been losing $20 million a year recently with the franchise the way it is. Therefore, unless Wang really loves Long Island and will do whatever possible to keep the team there, then I believe the Islanders days in New York are numbered. If he really was going to do whatever possible, why would he even toy with the idea of playing a game in Kansas City?

If the team moves as I feel will ultimately happen, New York City would survive as it has plenty of sports franchises, and you can make the argument there is no reason for any market to have three franchises in one sport. It would be extremely tough for the Island though. Even though its been awhile since the Islanders have been any good, they still really matter to their loyal fans based on the strong legacy they built from their four consecutive Stanley Cup Championships in the early 1980s. I would even have a tough time seeing them go, and I barely follow the NHL season. Unfortunately, Isles fans are going to have to hope the Lighthouse Project defeats the odds and gets approved, because right now there isn't much hope for this team staying.

Pat Morgan

BATTLE OF THE BIRDS: CARDS WILL SOAR PAST EAGLES

Here we go again with the Arizona Cardinals. No one wants to take them seriously for the third straight weekend and once again they are the underdogs. This time it's against Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though Arizona got blown out against Philly back on Thanksgiving Night, I still think they will pull out the win this time around. They are a different team than the one that finished the season like they didn't deserve to even be in the playoffs. They have been known all season as a team that is one-dimensional with the likes of Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald anchoring an impressive passing game. Now, over the past two games, they've developed a running game to go along with their proficient air-attack.

As a team, the Cardinals have rushed for 231 yards over the past two games. I know that's not stellar, but that's all they need when they have this kind of offense. Keeping the defense honest is the key to their success. If they can establish any kind of running game early, it just makes it that much more difficult to cover what I consider to be the best receiver this season in the NFL. Fitzgerald will be the difference maker in this game. It's amazing at some of the catches this guy can make. The Eagles on the other hand, do not have a receiver who can make the grabs that Fitzgerald can. I know they have Brian Westbrook, but Fitzgerald will catch those deep balls from Warner when the game is on the line.

The Eagles come into this weekend riding high, winning six of their last seven games. Many of the team members started growing a playoff beard when they were 5-5-1 and looked like they weren't going to be playing in January. This season has had its ups and downs, with the speculation that McNabb and head coach Andy Reid might see their jobs in Philadelphia come to a close at season's end. This season also showed that McNabb didn't realize there were ties in the NFL. It still boggles my mind, especially after hearing the quote: "I wonder what they would do if it were the Super Bowl." Anyway, they have had a great run, the defense is playing great and McNabb is playing well right now. It's their turn to travel across country, similar to what the Cardinals had to do the last time these two teams played.

There is a lot of pressure on Philadelphia to finally win a title with Reid and McNabb. This is their fifth trip to the NFC Championship Game and if they do not come away with a Super Bowl title, maybe some changes will be made. For a team that looked like they weren't going anywhere 11 games into the season, now the Eagles are the favorite in a conference championship game. I don't think McNabb will handle the pressure well. He'll lead his team to two scores (his defense will get the other one), but a couple of key mistakes will help the Cardinals move onto an improbable Super Bowl appearance.

CARDINALS 24 EAGLES 21

Shawn Marosek

FORE!!! THIS GOLFER NEEDS ONE SERIOUS MULLIGAN

This weekend, golfers from all around the world will congregate in Hawaii for the start of the PGA season. In fact, most of them made sure they signed up for the event before departing to this tropical paradise surrounded by thousands of miles of salt water.

Well, not Chad Campbell! Campbell decided to make the eight-hour flight from Houston without doing so. I guess this is the extreme version of forgetting to lock your door when you depart on a long trip. Who do you think you are, Chad? If you were Tiger Woods you'd definitely still be on the golf course this weekend, but, hey, way to try to stick it to the man!

"It's one of my top five favorite tournaments we play all year,'' Campbell said. "It's one of my favorite golf courses. That's what (stinks) more than anything.''

That wasn't the quote I was hoping for from Campbell. I would recommend to him that he have a sense of humor about this. Well, at least portray that to the media. Campbell should also join his colleagues in laughter! The next time he tees off, you can count on his playing partners saying, "glad you signed up."

Oh well, I hope Chad got to enjoy the beaches while he was there. Maybe he took in some surfing or tanning. At least it was Hawaii, and not Podunk, Alaska. And hey, at least people won't immediately think of soup when they hear his last name anymore. Speaking of which, I know I could go for some Chunky right about now!

I can't imagine you are a big enough golfer to have your own traveling secretary, so you are going to have to take the mulligan for this one, Chad! Excuse me while I go add this faux pas to your Wikipedia page. Just be happy you have one!

The Complete Story:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/golf/wires/01/15/2070.ap.glf.sony.open.campbell.0382/

Pat Morgan

Football Fanatics

Even politicians are getting in on the football playoff action! Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is going to change his last name from Ravenstahl to Steelerstahl. According to the Mayor, the team gave him the idea, and it's definitely not a bad one!

I think that this temporary name change is really funny and entertaining. I mean, how many times is there even an opportunity for the Mayor to change part of his name from the opposing team's name to his city's name? It's pretty unreal. And awesome.

When I first started to read about this, I was waiting for the subconscious to be like, "Are you for real? This is stupid!" But as the idea sunk deeper into my over-footballed brain, I decided that this was a nice piece of sports-related "news" and the fact that this will probably never happen again is entertaining to me. The whole name changing part isn't the best part of this story. It's the fact that the Steelers are playing the Ravens next sunday and the Pittsburgh Mayor has "Raven" as part of his name. Actually the best part of this whole situation is that the -stahl part of his name actually means "steel" in German. So if we put those two together it makes: Raven-steel. So maybe someone had a prophesy back in the day and when they come to Ellis Island, decided to make that their last name... or not but I like to think I'm witty and creative. Anyway, I'm glad some people are having fun with football instead of just focusing on all the stats, etc.

I wonder if there are any Mayors with the name NewEnglandPatriotowski and if he/she would change his name if he lived, in let's say Buffalo. (I can dream can't I?!)

-The Jaxster

The Musical Stylings of the Super Bowl

I'm just going to come right out with it: I am not impressed nor am I excited to watch Bruce Springsteen at the Super Bowl half time show.

I know that this sounds daft, but I am not old enough to enjoy his musical talents, or the lack there of according to some. Ever since the "wardrobe malfunction" with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, there hasn't been any musical performers at the Super Bowl who have been under the age of 55. Tom Petty, Prince, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and now it will be Bruce Springsteen.

I have to acknowledge that most of the people who will be watching the Super Bowl probably are of the generation that adored the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and now Springsteen. But there are a lot of younger fans out there, as well as fans who don't all prefer the same music. Lumping music greats into one category really isn't my style, but for the purposes of this article, that's exactly what I'm going to do. With the exception of Prince, all the music is pretty much equal (don't throw things just yet). What I mean is, let's get a different genre of music going here.

Going back to the faux pas of Jackson and Timberlake, MTV will never again be allowed to be a part of the Super Bowl half time show. That I can say is understandable since Jackson flashed half of the world (and I think I ended up being one of the rare few who didn't witness it when it actually happened). But just because Jackson had that accident, and the FCC had a "minor" freak out about it, doesn't mean that no one who isn't near the age of retirement shouldn't be there to perform.

For example, Jennifer Hudson is going to be there to sing the national anthem at the beginning of the game. I think this is great on so many different levels. One, she is a great singer, and two, this is the first time she will be back in the spotlight after the tragic incident that happened to her family last October. Why not have a good singer like that be the star of the half time show? Why not get some rocker band who can still dance around the stage without worrying if their hips will dislocate? Even if it continues with the pop music theme, there are bands/singers out there who won't flash the entire world and aren't associated with the superstar antics that we see from Britney and other overpaid, under-talented performers. Now I am no musical expert, but what about pop bands like Maroon 5, Nickelback, Audioslave (or just Chris Cornell) or even (dare I go there) some of the singers that made it from American Idol. I hate to promote this sickening show, but what about David Cook, or non-American Idol singers who can actually sing and their songs are pretty good.

ANYONE that could appeal to a younger crowd, as well as the crowd that likes bands and singers that once were amazing and now are just in it for money and continued fame. Next thing we'll know, Journey will be next year's band and then I'll have to consider not watching any of the Super Bowl if it happens.

The only thing that could be worse is if the NFL decides to go drastically young, and then Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, or High School Musical is the main show. If that happens, then I will never watch football again.

-The Jaxster

Will the Super Bowl be without a Manning or Brady?

So even though the Super Bowl isn't for a few weeks, I just began to think about it and who might be showing up. Now that both of the Mannings are out of the playoffs, and Brady has been a no-show for most of the season (Hallelujah, am I right?) it just might seem that none of the "big guns" or celebs of football are going to be in the spotlight. That will be even more true if the big names like McNabb, Westbrook, and Roethlisberger don't make it to Tampa.

Since last Super Bowl, Eli Manning has become as popular as his brother, which makes some people elated, and others astonished. Personally, I think that he got to where he was because of his family name, but that is another story for another day. So that's why so many are shocked and dismayed that Baby Manning will not be venturing to the Super Bowl this year, at least with his Giants.

A couple of years ago, when neither the suddenly amazing Giants, nor the monopolizing Patriots made it to the Super Bowl, there was still a football giant to take much of the spotlight: Peyton. And with good reason; Older Bro Manning helped bring his team to Super Bowl XLI and win it. But what really pissed me off, and I mean PISSED me off was that Brady somehow ended up at this game by being involved with the coin toss.

It doesn't surprise me, now or then, that the NFL loves Brady and can't get enough of him. So even though his team didn't make it to the Super Bowl, he sure did. And because of this special guest appearance, I am intrigued and apprehensive to see which NFL "star" is going to make a special guest appearance this year. Will it be Brady again? Even though he was out for most of the regular season, there's no doubt in my mind that the NFL would pull any amount of strings to get him back out onto the football field, even to the dismay of all anti-Patriots/anti-Brady football fans.

However, after the big hoopla about Eli Manning and his winning Giants, the team who beat out the Super Bowl Giants (no pun intended...maybe) the NFL might not want to give up their overly praised NFC team. That is why the person that might be at that coin toss, who won't be Brady, will be Eli Manning.

In a perfect Super Bowl world, there will be no surprise appearances by any Brady, Manning, or anyone of that stature. The only players that should show up to this game should be the players from the two teams playing in the XLIrd Super Bowl. If any players are going to help with the coin toss, or any other mundane part of the show, why not have it be some Hall-of-Famer? Someone who isn't associated with a current football team that didn't make it because they just couldn't live up to the pressure, or just weren't that good?

Oh and if the NFL has Tony Romo show up for anything, I will search out the idiot who made that decision and give them a piece of my mind!

Go Eagles!
-The Jaxster

EAGLES MUST COMPLETE THE DEAL

The Philadelphia Eagles of the last decade are one of the best teams in sports history that have received so little love from their fans and most NFL fans in general. Now Eagles fans are quite crazy (they booed Santa Claus), but you would think Andy Reid was Matt Millen and Donovan McNabb was Ryan Leaf by the way they treat their team sometimes. Just seven weeks ago it appeared the Reid/McNabb era was coming to an end. The fans would have received their wish and Kevin Kolb and an unproven coordinator would have been called in to run the show next season.

However, when the Eagles square off against the Cardinals in the desert this upcoming Sunday it will be their fifth NFC Championship Game appearance since the 2001 season. They are also 7-0 (McNabb 6-0) in opening playoff games during their run. The tandem of Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid has been highly successful, and despite the rival Giants winning the Super Bowl last year, the Eagles have been the better NFC East team. Just ask Buffalo Bills fans how much success means if you don't complete the deal and cap off your run with a Super Bowl championship. On the flip side, you can ask Peyton Manning just how much different his life is now that he finally won a Super Bowl two years ago.

Now is the time for the Eagles finally to win their Super Bowl. The path has been somewhat paved for them now that they have cleared the Giants hurdle and seen three of the top four teams fall. The Arizona Cardinals took full advantage of six Carolina turnovers to advance, but if the Eagles can't beat the Cards here, they will never win a title. They've already beaten them by four touchdowns this year. The best team in the final four is the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Eagles beat their offensive line and Ben Roethlisberger like a drum in Week 3. As for the Baltimore Ravens, you don't think that McNabb would love to get back at them for causing him the most embarrassing moment of his career? And that game was only 10-7 Ravens when McNabb was pulled for Kevin Kolb.

If the Eagles can figure out a way to win two more games, this team's decade will be remembered forever in Philadelphia. This franchise is buried in a division where the other three teams have done nothing but win. The Cowboys have five titles and the Giants and Redskins have three. No other division has more combined titles, and that the fact they haven't contributed to that count has been a torn in the Eagles side forever. As for next year, don't think that a very deep Giants team and a very talented Cowboys team won't be back as extreme obstacles. A win here would greatly trump the Phillies championship and would cement Reid and McNabb as a heroic duo in Philly, but should they leave their fans at the alter yet again, the most they've done is bought themselves one more year of fans calling for their heads. I believe Reid is one of the best coaches in the game, and McNabb is much better than he is given credit for. However, it is all about the bling, and for their sake they better close the deal.

Pat Morgan

NFL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

NFC WILDCARD
Arizona 27, Atlanta 20
Philadelphia 16, Minnesota 7

AFC WILDCARD
Indianapolis 35, San Diego 31
Baltimore 20, Miami 10

NFC DIVISIONAL
NY Giants 24, Philadelphia 20
Carolina 44, Arizona 10

AFC DIVISIONAL
Tennessee 13, Baltimore 3
Pittsburgh 24, Indianapolis 17

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
NY Giants 31, Carolina 24

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Pittsburgh 19, Tennessee 16

SUPER BOWL XLIII
NY Giants 20, Pittsburgh 14