Destiny Fulfilled

Dwight Freeney played, the Colts Super Bowl experience, and not even Hurricane Katrina could have kept the New Orleans from winning the Super Bowl.

Freeney manned up and played many snaps at right end for the Colts and recorded a sack, but Drew Brees dissected the Colts; secondary in route to a 31-17 final score and claiming game MVP honors.

Brees finished the game completing 18 of his last 19 passes, and 10 straight to end the game.  His 32 pass completions tied a Super Bowl record with Tom Brady in his win over the Carolina Panthers.

Brees played sensational football and did not make a mistake with the football, that prevented Peyton Manning to take advantage of.

There were a few turning points in the game like the onside kick, the Porter interception, or even Pierre Garson’s drop on a third down, but there was a different play in the game that struck my eye.

It was fourth and goal inside the Colts’ two yard-line at the two-minute warning.

The Saints come out of the timeout and decided to go for it, and not take the easy three points.

They ran it with Pierre Thomas and got stuffed at the one.

However, this was the momentum shift that sparked the Saints win.

With the ball at the one, the Colts had to run the football three straight plays and then punt.  This gave the Saints the opportunity to get a score just before the half.

The Saints did get that field goal to cut the deficit to 10-6.

The Saints, by running the football and missing the fourth down conversion, forced the hand of the Colts to run the ball and play conservative.  Peyton Manning and the explosive offense trotted off the field because they could not risk a pass and a turnover to lead to an easy score.

If the Saints would have kicked a field goal right out of the two-minute warning, the Colts would have played the drive differently.  They would have passed, and would have had a good chance at getting another touchdown right before the half, as they did to the Jets in the AFC Conference Championship game.

That is what kept the Saints into the game and eventually win their first Super Bowl in the team’s 43 year history.

Fulfilling Destiny

The best day in the entire year is now upon us.  No not Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even Halloween, but Super Bowl Sunday.

An unofficial Holiday that millions and million of people care so much about.

So who wins this big game?

Well I have the Saints on top in the end because of a few reasons.

First, Dwight Freeney’s ankle is the most talked about ankle since Curt Schilling’s in the “Bloody Sock” game against the New York Yankess.  Freeney’s availability will not be a factor on this game.  His ankle has improved and it is probable that he will take a shot to numb the pain, but only 10-15 plays he will be out there it will not matter.  The offensive line is playing really good now and Drew Brees is a smart quarterback.  That means he will get rid of the ball early and use his check downs when necessary.

Reggie Bush is healthy and coming off a bye week.  Bush has been hit or miss in his NFL career up to date.  However, if you take a look at the Divisional game against the Arizona Cardinals, he was explosive, powerful, and was able to utilize his speed.

Bush had a punt return and a receiving touchdown in that game, which was after the first round bye.  Bush now is coming off another bye week, so watch for him to get to the outside and either run a defender over, or use the R-Stick on the Playstation 3 controller on Gary Brackett in the open field.

Finally, Darren Sharper’s ability to have that sixth sense to find the football.  Not only does Sharper have the nose for the football, but the nose to intercept a big pass at a big moment, and not only pick it off, but to also take it back to the house for six.

In the end, Peyton Manning will have over 300 yards passing.  Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne will have their big numbers against the Saints’ bend but don’t break defense, but it will be one of those “Remember Me” hits on Manning that could result in an interception to seal the game.

Saints win their first Super Bowl as they fulfill their destiny.

Final score 31-27 Saints.

Badger Beat Down: Spartans’ Lucas Injuried

The Spartans not only struggled throughout the game against the Wisconsin Badgers Tuesday night, but also came out wounded in the form of Kalin Lucas’ right ankle.

Tom Izzo, head coach of Michigan State, and the Spartans have struggled at Wisconsin since the arrival of Bo Ryan in 2001, but last nights game was an old-fashion butt kickin’.  Wisconsin trailed one to nothing in the first minute of the game, and then starting bringing the right and left hands in the form of three pointers.

The Badgers, without star point guard Trevon Hughes, due to foul trouble early in the first half, started to launch and connect from State Street.  Jordan Taylor, Jason Bohann0n, and even Keaton Nankivil knocked down long distance shot one right after another.  It was fun to watch a grind it out offense connect on six first half three pointers.

The game was over at the half as the Badgers went up 13 entering recess.

It would get worse from there for Sparty if you could not imagine that.

The only unbeaten team in the Big Ten coming into the conference clash could not cut the lead down within seven in the second half, and would then lose star point guard, and last season’s Big Ten Player of the Year in 2008-2009.  Lucas raised and released a long jumper over Wisconsin’s big man Keaton Nankivil and would land on his right ankle.

Lucas would not return and the Badgers would pull away to win the big game by a score of 67-49 at the Kohl Center.  Lucas’ presence in the Spartan lineup will affect their continuity, but also his on the court  leadership and ability to will the team through dry spells is something that even Coach Izzo cannot teach another player on the team.

Lucas leads the Spartans in many categories but more importantly the loss of Lucas, which has yet determined for how long, but with big games at Illinois, and then against Purdue could really shake up the Big Ten conference race.

Lucas was probably not going to win the Player of the Year Award this year anyways, as Evan Turner is playing like he is from another planet, but Lucas means more for the Spartans shot at getting a number one seed in the Big Dance.

If Lucas misses a long period watch out for teams like Wisconsin and Purdue to challenge the Spartans for the regular season title, and watch the Spartans drop a game or two, which would most likely land MSU as a two or three seed in the March Madness tournament.

The Next All Decade Team

Who said it was never to early to look ahead.

Ok maybe looking a decade down the road is a little far-fetched but hey, why not.

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady topped the list as the  NFL’s best quarterbacks in the past decade as was Jamal Lewis, Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis.  Now, let’s look at who is in the NFL and add in those future stars in the NFL that will make the next All Decade team.

Ben Roethlisberger already has two Super Bowls, and has a great team in Pittsburgh behind him, so I do not see why he will not continue to win and win in big games.

Aaron Rodgers, yes that “other” guy in Green Bay just finished his second season as the starter and already is a legitimate MVP candidate for next years season.  If he can avoid being hit and sacked 50 times a season he may be a great player for years to come.

Running backs generally do not last long in the league as stars, just ask Shaun Alexander, but Adrien Peterson and Chris Johnson will be great for a time in this decade that will leave a lasting impression of us to remember them when it comes time to make this list in 2020 that people will remember them.

By the time 2020, full back position will be irrelevant in the game with the change in the game to a shot-gun passing league with the spread offense.  But I’ll take a shot in the dark and name Le’ Ron McClain for his ability to run, block, and catch the ball.  Add in the fact that Baltimore runs the ball as good as anybody, he will be in front of guys like Ray Rice who will be 1,000 yards rushers too.

The diva’s on the outside will without question not top the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson over the next ten years.  Add in DeSean Jackson of Philadelphia and then Pittsburghs’ Santonio Holmes these four have as much speed, quickness, and nach for getting into the end zone as anybody in league history.

The rest of the offensive side of the 2010-2019 All Decade team looks like this:

Quarterbacks – Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Phillip Rivers, and Drew Brees.

Running Backs – Adrien Peterson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Jonathan Stewart.

Wide Receivers – Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, DeSean Jackson, and Santonio Holmes.

Full Back – Le’Ron McClain.

Tight Ends – Jermichael Finley, Vernon Davis, and Dallas Clark.

Tackles – Joe Thomas, Jake Long, Ryan Clady and Michael Oher.

Guards – Jahri Evans, Logan Mankins, Stacy Andrews, and Ryan Lilja.

Centers -Ryan Kalil, Alex Mack, and Nick Hardwick.

On the defensive side there are some real good young-ins in the game already.  Guys like Michael Straham and Ray Lewis topped the list for this year’s All Decade team, but the next All Decade team should see of the same types of players, as well a few “freaks” when it comes to getting after the quarterback.

Defensive Ends – Jared Allen, Mario Williams, Elvis Dumervil, and Robert Mathis.

Defensive Tackles – Ndamukong Suh, Haloti Ngata, Darnell Dockett, and Jay Ratliff.

Linebackers – DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews III, Brian Cushing, Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, Brian Orapko, Jerod Mayo,  and Keith Rivers.

Cornerbacks – Derrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jairus Byrd, and Leon Hall.

Safeties – Nick Collins, Eric Berry, Brandon Meriweather, and Antonie Bathea.

Kicker -Ryan Succop.

Punter -Dustin Colquitt.

Kick Returner -Johnny Knox and Percy Harvin.

Punt Returner – Reggie Bush.

There is no doubt that this list will change, but it is fun to take a blind shot in the dark with this team.  Agree with it, debate it, but do not deny it, that we will have to wait just under ten years before we can analyze this.

NBA Midseason

It is time to take a look back at the first half of the NBA season and see who is playing good, who is fading back, and time to look at some midseason surprises as well as hand out the Midseason Awards.

The Atlanta Hawks, what a first half of basketball they played under coach Mike Woodson.  They have improved each of the last three seasons under him and now they look like a complete basketball team that could go deep into the postseason in the Eastern Conference.

Joe Johnson is the star of this team with his unlimited range from behind the three-point arc and his unselfishness to give up the big shots to a teammate with a better look.  Mike Bibby’s resigning this offseason was huge as he is a big part of what the Hawks are doing this season.  Bibby is averaging only 9 points and 4.4 assists per game, but his leadership and experience is what’s most important.

The biggest reason that has caused such success this year comes from the bench.  The Hawks’ 6th Man of the Year lock, Jamal Crawford has been unstoppable this year, and has big shot capabilities as he showed the Phoenix Suns with a game winning three-pointer that was well behind the line.  The Hawks are now third in the East, but they will be a factor in the playoffs in deciding who will make it to the Finals.

The Cleveland LeBron’s, I mean Cavaliers and the defending NBA Champions, Los Angeles Lakers are by far the top two teams in the entire NBA.  The Cavs have already defeated the Lakers twice this season as well, and it may be time that LeBron has surpassed Kobe as the “Best in the Business.”  Regardless, these two teams are the favorites to play for the Championship and it makes for a storybook Finals if it happens.

Kevin Durant has been a scoring machine this year.  KD is averaging 29.3 points per game, which is third in the NBA, and has already had a stretch of games where he scored at least 30 points in seven straight games.  KD has thrown his name right into the MVP discussion not only for this season, but for a decade to come with the way he has performed with the emerging Thunder this season.

The not so good of the NBA’s first half includes some dreadful teams.  The NJ Nets, NY Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Yes, all three of these teams are pathetic.

The Nets have won only three games so far in 2009-2010, and it does not look as if it is going to get better this season.  The 2010 free agency cannot come soon enough for Jay-Z’s team.

The Knicks have not been better.  Checking in at 17-26, and losing 13 games by 10 or more points, but after their 50 point loss to the Mavs at home, they clinched a spot on the Bad.

Minnesota has been awful, but the future with Al Jefferson and Jonny Flynn looks promising.  Especially if Ryan Gomes and Kevin Love can give more positive plays to help a young team.  Minnesota was not expected to do much this year, and after an embarrassing NBA Draft, where their top pick Ricky Rubio decided he would rather stay in Spain than come to the NBA, the Timberwolves hit rock bottom.

However, the worse of the first half has been Washington Wizards’  guard, Gilbert Arenas.  Bringing in guns, and then pulling them out of his locker room is absolutely ridiculous.  Not just because it was Agent Zero, but the entire event was because he would not pay up on a gambling bet with a teammate.  A teammate.

Arenas deserves what he has coming to him, and anything short of prison time, and the rest of the season being suspended without pay would not be harsh enough.

On a brighter note, some of the biggest surprises of the first half has been the Memphis Grizzlies looking like a new team.  Coach Mike Hollins has the likes of OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Zack Randolph jelling together and winning.  The Grizzlies are now eighth in the West and I expect them to make the playoffs this year.

The Houston Rockets without Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are still in contention for the playoffs, thanks in part to Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry coming off the bench.  Can they make it to the post season, that is asking a lot for a team without a star player.

Finally, the Oklahoma City Thunder no longer look like a team that is a year away.  They look like they are ready to break the barrier and make the playoffs.  KD, as mentioned before, is ready to step up and be one of the top stars in the game and Russell Westbrook is becoming a good young guard as well.  The Thunder will make it tough down the stretch for a team to just run them over.

First Half Awards:

MVP goes to Mr. James, as he has led the Cavs to two big wins over the defending Champs, and has the Cavs in first place in the East.

Sixth Man goes to Atlanta’s Jamal Crawford.  Crawford plays starters minutes and contributes to starters’ ponts as well.  He has been a key to the Hawks’ success this season.

Defensive MVP goes again, to Dwight Howard.  Leads the NBA in boards and blocks, not much else needs to be said.

Best Coaching so far in the NBA has to go to Memphis’ Mike Hollins.  He has the Grizzlies in playoff contention and looking like a good basketball team.

Rookie of the Year is a close one between Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings.  Jennings gets the nod as he already has a 55 point outing and is leading the Bucks in several categories including scoring and assists.  Jennings’ Bucks also have a better record than Evans’ Kings do.

With the first half of hoop played, it will be interesting to see who can stay into the mix for the playoffs, and also who will stay into the mix as a MVP candidate.  There is no question that LeBron and Kobe will be 1-2 in the discussion, but KD will make a strong case for the honor if he can get his team into the playoffs this season.  also it will be fun to watch if the young teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and the Charlotte Bobcats can hang around long enough to make it into the postseason.

Race to 900

Two of the most successful programs in College Basketball history, in Syracuse and Connecticut, have two of the most successful coaches the game has ever seen.  Jim Boeheim, Syracuse head coach, in his 34th season and Jim Calhoun, Connecticut head coach, in his 24th season at UCONN, and 38th season overall are in a race to 900 wins.

Coach Calhoun has missed his team’s past few games, and has had multiple games he has not been able to coach in because of health related reasons, has had a prolific career with two National Championships (1999 and 2004), nine times won the Big East regular season, and has also sent many players into the NBA, most notably Ray Allen.

Coach Calhoun started out at Northeastern before making the jump to big time Division 1 basketball in the Big East by taking over a Connecticut program that had not seen the levels that it has risen to because of Coach Calhoun.  He has brought an attitude and an environment that makes basketball a way of life, and a place where high school players dream of playing at because of Calhoun.

Coach Boeheim has been the master of doing it his way for 34 years now.  The defensive end has been his calling card with the goal of slowing his opponents down by playing an aggressive 2-3 zone.  Zone’s in college have mostly seen their way out of the game because of the great shooters that roll through the leagues like the Big East, but Coach Boeheim has had all his teams play with their hands up and quick on their feet to extend the defense when necessary.

Coach Boeheim, has also been fortunate to have coached several NBA players like Carmelo Anthony, and because of that he has led the Orange to eight Big East regular season titles, 12 Sweet 16’s or beyond, including a National Championship in 2003, with Anthony, and has posted 32 seasons now with 20 plus victories after getting a win over Georgetown last night.

Both of these programs in UCONN and Syracuse would be lost without their respected coaches, and both, regarding their health, will be neck and neck all the way as they race to 900 career victories.  Coach Boeheim moved ahead of Coach Calhoun by one victory to capture his 819th win last night, but there is no doubt that these two individuals can make it to 900.

They do it in different ways, both offensively and defensively, but in the end, they are both can flat-out coach and they know how to win.  Over 1600 career wins joined, three National Titles, and still more love to keep doing what they were born to do leaves us as sports fans with an intriguing race to a historic number of wins.

Both of these coaches are already in the Basketball Hall of Fame, deservingly so, and are two of the best to have ever roamed the sidelines of a basketball court.

Pro Bowl: Really Worth It

The NFL is trying it’s best to promote and put on a good showing of it’s best players.  Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, and Tom Brady are among the top players that were unanimous selections to play in the Pro Bowl, and yet, none of these players will be their in Miami playing in the game.

The All Star game in the NBA is an exhibition that draws a full house for the game that features a dunk contest right in the middle of the game, and runs all weekend long.  The MLB All Star game forces its stars to play, and the game has meaning for both leagues to compete not only for bragging rights, but for also home field advantage in the World Series for the winning League.

The AFC quarterbacks selected to the Pro Bowl this year were Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Phillip Rivers.

The quarterbacks that will be playing for the AFC; Vince Young, Matt Schaub, and David Garrard.

What?  Really?

The Pro Bowl does not matter to the players, does not matter to the fans, and it does not really need to matter to the NFL.

The players make any and ever excuse not to play in this game because it does not have any meaning, and it brings such a huge risk for injury.  Since their is a huge risk of injury, there leaves little reward to show up and play in this meaningless game.

The NFL is hugely successful, and does not need this game for anything.  It is already the best game in the world, and everyone involved with sports knows it cannot competed against (just ask Mark Cuban).

Unless there becomes a great incentive for players to play in this game, the players like Peyton, Brady, Favre, and Rivers will not show and will not play.  Yes, the young players that have not been a Pro Bowler before will play, but after they have been there and done that, then they too will take their name out of the hat to play.

Who knows, maybe by midweek Garrard and Schaub will pull out of the game and Jamarcus Russell gets a spot in the game.

New Year, Same Question to be Answered

Well the age-old question is upon us yet once again, as another season for Number Four comes to an end, and whether he has played his last game is unclear.

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings lost a tough, physical, and draining game to the New Orleans Saints Sunday in the NFC Championship game, where it appeared Favre was going to lead another game winning drive to put the Vikings into the Super Bowl.

Favre played a good game, the defense for Minnesota played an excellent game, and Adrien Peterson played a game he would rather not remember.  However, it was one pass that will cost Favre and the Vikings a trip to Miami.  Favre’s numbers were ridiculous if you analyze them and watched the game.  He was hit early and often in the game, and some of the shots he took, like the Sharper hit, makes you wonder how he walked off the field in the game.

Favre, after the game said that it is “highly unlikely” that he will return next season.  That was according to the Associated Press, and at the age of 40, and the likely departure of Kurt Warner, it would look as if Favre will also lean towards retirement, for good.

Favre’s decision to retire or not retire, will surely be criticized all the way until the start of 2010 regular season as nobody will fully believe or doubt the slimmest of percentages he comes back.  He did not “unretire” until after the second preseason game this year so why would not he do that again.

Favre’s statistics are out of this world, that is not even worthy of  an argument, but his decisions are almost a nightmare at times, as Brad Childress found out the hard way.

You’ll have a presice, accurate gunslinger for three-quarters that avoids the big mistake, and then for two or three throws down the stretch you will make you question his judgement.  There is no doubt he will go down as one of the top quarterbacks ever, maybe the greatest, who’s to say, but he certainly made the world of difference for a Vikings team that barely made the playoffs without him, and with him looked like they were (and should have been) Miami bound.

Favre’s decision will not have a time-table, and nobody but Brett can make that decision, but just like Ed Reed, nobody should even discuss retirement the hour after, day after, or week after a tough physical playoff game like this one.  Take your time, talk to your family, consult with your doctors, and reflect your future with yourself to figure out what is best for you.

Favre may have played his last snap in the NFL, but his numbers, games, and memories he left there will last forever.

Seeing Smoke and Making the Leap

One year after USC starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez, decided to enter the NFL Draft, his head coach, Pete Carroll has joined him on the sidelines on Sunday’s.

Carroll, who had a legitimate dynasty at USC has accepted the head coaching position in Seattle to take the Seahawks job.

Carroll, who seems to fit the college game better for his attitude towards players, by being friends with them, not dancing on the sidelines like a buffoon, and also playing pranks on his players during the week, has decided it was time.

This is not Carroll’s first rodeo in the NFL as he went 33-31 in his earlier stints in New England and New York Jets.  Carroll also went 1-2 in 3 playoff games.

There is no doubt Pete Carroll has credibility and has had success in the college ranks where he won 97 games at USC and sent many first round players into the NFL Draft as head coach there, but there seems to be another reason to why it was now “conveniently” time to make the step back into the NFL.

The past five seasons at USC, the  Trojans athletic department has had some investigations on both the basketball sensation, OJ Mayo, and also Heisman tail back, Reggie Bush with benefits while attending school in So Cal.  Now with the latest allegations going against star tail back, Joe McKnight, it seems as if the Trojans are not going to be able to shield away their mishaps, if you will.

Carroll is no dummy, he knows what is coming to the program from the NCAA as to probation or violation of recruiting scandals.  Carroll knew he could leave anytime for any job when he wanted, so what better time to jump ships then right before the ship hits an iceberg.

Carroll does have connections in Seattle so it is not necessarily like he was looking long for the opportunity to get a job, but it was “convenient,” again that Jim Mora was fired and quickly to announce Pete Carrol was in the running for the head coaching job.

Where there is smoke there is fire, and for USC, it does not look good in that not only are you losing a terrific head coach in Pete Carroll, but also that after the allegations of McKnight, that there may be severe penalties coming your way.

Wild Card Weekend

Let the playoffs begin.

Four games this weekend that include three rematches from week 17, and the other game is a rematch of an early season thriller.

It is simple this weekend in that the teams with the fewer turnovers, more explosive plays, and stay clear of being called for penalties will advance.

The Bengals swept the AFC North teams this year and winning the division begin a ball control style of offense and not the air attack Palmer and Ocho Cinco have done in the past.  Benson will have to be established against the top defense in the NFL, to open up shots down the field. The Jets will also have to run the ball to take pressure off of their rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

This is Rex Ryan’s first rodeo as a head coach, and look for the Bengals to win the game because of forcing Sanchez into risky plays.  Bengals win a defensive battle, 24-16.

The Philadelphia Eagles take a second trip down to play Dallas in Jerry’s Palace.  Tony Romo has played well as of late and the Eagles are a bit out of sync after last week’s game.  However, Andy Reid has never lost an opening round game of the postseason so watch out Dallas.

McNabb will have to sight in and be ready to throw 35 times in this one, as they lack a real running threat once again.  Look for Jackson to hit a home run or two against a Dallas secondary that is not as good as advertised.

On the other side of the ball, Romo will look to balance the attack by handing off to Barber, Jones, and Choice and set up play action to Miles Austin deep, and Witten between the numbers.

It is hard to beat any team in the NFL, and asking the Cowboys to beat a good Eagles’ team three times in a season is damn near impossible.  Eagles get revenge and win, 27-21.

The Ravens try to finish off the Patriots this time out.  In week four they had a fourth down pass dropped by Mark Clayton that would have continued a drive that looked promising to get on top of New England.  Flacco had a fabulous season avoiding the sophomore slump, and Ed Reed is getting ready to play once again.

The Pats’, who are going to be without star wide out, Wes Welker after tearing his knee in the season finale.  Moss and Brady are going to have  on the same page, and the running game will have  effective to control the time of possession in this one.  Belichick is a master mind, but this one may look like a bit too much to over come.

Baltimore wins on the road, 23-21.

Finally, in the desert, the Packers fly back out to Arizona with a top five defense led by Defensive MVP candidate, Charles Woodson, and rookie sensation, Clay Matthews Jr.  Both players having great seasons and peaking at the right time.  Woodson will have his hands full with Larry Fitzgerald all game long, but will surely be a must see match up.

If the Packers can control the football by getting Ryan Grant the ball and using Jermichael Finley’s athletic ability to create mismatches against a banged up secondary, the Packers have a great shot at winning on the road.

For the Cardinals, throw last week’s game out the window and remember what they did a season ago.  Look for Fitzgerald if you are Kurt Warner, but if in doubt throw at Jared Bush.  Bush an unproven corner who is prone to make mistakes and commit penalties in man coverage, might be a concern for the Packers.

I’ll take the Packers on the road, 31-20.