Steelers Nab Six-Pack!

The Pittsburgh Steelers captured the 2008 NFL Championship last night. The second in my lifetime, and sixth overall.

The game had me on the edge of my seat for the entire fourth quarter. I give my props to the Cardinals - who tallied the most yardage against the Steelers defense all season - but I am thankful to have players like Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes in Pittsburgh.

Amazing game - Amazing finish.


Also, sorry for being absent on here. I hope to be back up and running again shortly. My company just moved offices so I was without a computer until Friday - plus my second semester of school has started, and I am pretty busy at work - so I have had other things keeping me busy.

But, once I get myself in the groove again - I'll be back more often.

Super Steelers

I know this is two sports related blogs in a row, but I have to say something about my Steelers making it to the Super Bowl - don't I?

The Pittsburgh Steelers were 'the team' in the '70's. Marching through the playoffs to the tone of four Super Bowl victories.

Unfortunately, the Steelers captured the 1979 Super Bowl (of course played on January 20, 1980). Well, wouldn't you know that I would be born the following year and the Steelers would go into the crapper.

It took 15 years after my birth for the Steelers to reach another Super Bowl - and they fell to the Neil O'Donnell led Dallas Cowboys. Oh, wait - Neil O'Donnell wasn't on the Cowboys, you say? He was on the Steelers - WELL YOU COULD HAVE FOOLED ME.

Sorry, had to vent.

Anyway, the Steelers again were absent from the Super Bowl until 2005 when Pittsburgh finally captured the Vince Lombardi trophy in my lifetime.

So, who knows. On Sunday, the Steelers once again have moved themselves into a Super Bowl - this may be the start of yet another pattern, much like the one I missed in the '70's. Well I sure hope so.

Pittsburgh slipped by another hard hitting team in their rivals from Baltimore, 23-14 to move into the Super Bowl. Waiting for them two weeks from now - the Arizona Cardinals.

Now, on paper the Steelers should win this game easily. But, that has been said of each and every Cardinal opponent during this playoff stretch - and they are still standing. So I am in no way writing off this team.

The last few Super Bowls have been teams of destiny - including the '05 Steelers. Teams that have gone on magical runs to capture the championship, and I am afraid that destiny may be with the Cardinals this season. But, I am hoping that destiny may also want to repeat itself for a kid who was born just a little too late.

Hall of Fame(?)

Baseball will be inducting two new members into its Hall of Fame, Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice.

For Henderson, it was his first time being on the ballot - for Rice, it was his 15th and final time.

The baseball hall of fame appears to be tougher to get into than Fort Knox. I mean, was Rice not a hall of famer the other 14 times he was on the ballot? Did they have to make him sweat it out?

It seems like a flawed system to me. Which is only getting worse now that the steroid cloud hovers over most of the new players up for induction. Mark McGwire has already felt the wrath twice.

But, I am not that big of a baseball fan anyway - so I thought I would talk about the football hall of fame. They have narrowed down their finalists to Bruce Smith, Cris Carter, Andre Reed, Rod Woodson, Russ Grimm, Derrick Thomas, Paul Tagliabue, Ralph Wilson, Shannon Sharpe, Bob Hayes, Bob Kuechenberg, Claude Humphrey, Cortez Kennedy, Dermontti Dawson, Richard Dent, Randall McDaniel and John Randle.

From what I have read (but could not find to back up), the Hall of Fame inducts 4-7 members each year. So, with those guidelines I have come up witht he members of 2009.

Definite: Bruce Smith, Cris Carter, Rod Woodson.
Secondary: Shannon Sharpe, Derrick Thomas, Paul Tagliabue, Dermontti Dawson.

This also got be interested - who in today's game is either a lock, or on his way to being in the Hall of Fame. So, I have come up with the players I feel could be there when they are done playing.

Note: I have not included any offensive line or kicker/punter. I am not a great judge of an offensive lineman (though Allan Faneca and Orlando Pace are surely locks). And as of now, not one punter is in the Hall of Fame. Though in my mind, there are definitely some worthy kickers.

AFC: Ed Reed (Ravens), Ray Lewis (Ravens), Carson Palmer (Bengals), Donnie Edwards (Chiefs), Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs), Larry Johnson (Chiefs), Willie McGinest (Browns), James Harrison (Steelers), Troy Polamalu (Steelers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Hines Ward (Steelers), Joey Porter (Dolphins), Brett Favre (Jets), Andre Johnson (Texans), Mario Williams (Texans), Tom Brady (Patriots), Tedy Bruschi (Patriots), Randy Moss (Patriots), Junior Seau (Patriots), Richard Seymour (Patriots), Rodney Harrison (Patriots), Keith Bullock (Titans), Javon Kearse (Titans), Rashean Mathis (Jaguars), Fred Taylor (Jaguars), Champ Bailey (Broncos), D.J. Williams (Broncos), Antonio Cromartie (Chargers), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Shawne Merriman (Chargers), Philip Rivers (Chargers), LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers), Jamal Williams (Chargers), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Marvin Harrison (Colts), Peyton Manning (Colts), Reggie Wayne (Colts), Bob Sanders (Colts).

NFC: Torry Holt (Rams), Julian Peterson (Seahawks), Patrick Kerney (Seahawks), Clinton Portis (Redskins), Jason Taylor (Redskins), Brian Dawkins (Eagles), Donovan McNabb (Eagles), Brian Westbrook (Eagles), Lito Sheppard (Eagles), Eli Manning (Giants), Antonio Pierce (Giants), Justin Tuck (Giants), Osi Umenyiora (Giants), Drew Brees (Saints), Marques Colston (Saints), Aaron Glenn (Saints), Jonathan Vilma (Saints), Ronde Barber (Buccaneers), Derrick Brooks (Buccaneers), Warrick Dunn (Buccaneers), Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Zach Thomas (Cowboys), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Jason Witten (Cowboys), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Anquan Boldin (Cardinals), Kurt Warner (Cardinals), Edgerrin James (Cardinals), Adrian Wilson (Cardinals), Steve Smith (Panthers), John Abraham (Falcons), Keith Brooking (Falcons), Lawyer Milloy (Falcons), Jarred Allen (Vikings), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Darren Sharper (Vikings), Kevin Williams (Vikings), Pat Williams (Vikings), Lance Briggs (Bears), Devin Hester (Bears), Brian Urlacher (Bears), Calvin Johnson (Lions), Takeo Spikes (49ers), Patrick Willis (49ers), Isaac Bruce (49ers), A.J. Hawk (Packers), Donald Driver (Packers), Charles Woodson (Packers), Al Harris (Packers).

That is my list. Obviously, some of these players are early on in their careers and could slip up. Some still need a few more things to go right for them as their careers wind down - and there are still others not on this list (Jay Cuter-Matt Forte-Chris Johnson-Aaron Rodgers) who have done well, but haven't had enough years to really prove themselves yet.

I am sure some people have there picks that may have been omitted, and some that are on my list that shouldn't be there. Let's get the talk flowing.

Revisit: NFL Predictions

The National Football League's playoffs begin tomorrow with a pair of wildcard games.

I felt it was time to revisit my preseason predictions - since I was totally wrong about the Super Bowl champion, I feel it's ok to do it a little prematurely.

Anyway here were my predictions:

Conference Champions
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: New Orleans Saints

AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

Wildcards
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers
AFC: Jacksonville Jaguars, NY Jets

SUPER BOWL
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Diego Chargers

SUPER BOWL WINNER
Dallas Cowboys

My Super Bowl prediction was obviously way off - guess I shouldn't have watched the Dallas Cowboys on HBO's Hard Knocks before the season started.

The Cowboys were one of the many disappointing teams this season that had high expectations. Also among them were the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Bucs, Green Bay Packers, N.Y. Jets and even the San Diego Chargers.

I will leave out the 0-16 Detroit Lions, who no one thought would be good - but they were flat out terrible.

Like every season there were certainly some surprises. I bet nobody thought the Tennessee Titans would be the best team in the NFL - led by backup Kerry Collins. The horrible Atlanta Falcons with a rookie QB Matt Ryan at the helm making the playoffs - as are the Baltimore Ravens, also with rookie QB Joe Flacco.

The biggest surprise may be the Miami Dolphins, however, who won just one game a year ago and made through the tough AFC East - including a valiant effort from the Tom Brady-less New England Patriots - to make the playoffs.

I know one person who is a little upset about that. Disgruntled Jason Taylor who was traded to the Washington Redskins in the offseason because he wanted a chance to win as the Dolphins rebuild. The Dolphins are in the playoffs - while the Redskins all have tee times this weekend.

Anyway, the regular season finished like this.

Conference Champions
NFC East: N.Y. Giants
NFC North: Minnesota Vikings
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: Carolina Panthers

AFC East: Miami Dolphins
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC West: San Diego Chargers
AFC South: Tennessee Titans

Wildcards
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons
AFC: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts

So, I got three teams correct in each conference - perhaps not in their correct position - but not too bad, selecting exactly half of the playoff field.

I correctly picked the Steelers winning the AFC North, Chargers winning the AFC West - and had the Colts winning the South, which was wrong, but they still got in. I missed on the Dolphins, Titans and Ravens.

In the NFC, I correctly picked the Cardinals winning the West and the Eagles being a wildcard team. I selected the Panthers as the second wildcard team, but they ended up winning the South. I missed on the Falcons, Vikings and Giants.

This weekend looks to be a series of 'upsets' in my opinion.

Colts vs. Chargers. Falcons vs. Cardinals. Eagles vs. Vikings. Ravens vs. Dolphins.

I am picking a straight visiting-team victory. The Colts, Falcons, Eagles and Ravens will all move on to next weekends battles - while the Steeers, Titans, Giants and Panthers await their next foes.

Enjoy the games.

Revisit: Starting Times

A few months ago I mentioned how the starting times for professional sporting events has become insane for those of us who live on the East Coast.

This was during the NBA Finals, where games were heading into halftime at 10:30 p.m. on a weekday. I had come up with a sort of plan to accommodate both parties: Move the start times up and both parties can finish the game.

My question posed was simple: Are you more inclined to watch a game that you missed the start of, or watch a game that you have no possible way of seeing the conclusion of?

For many of the major sporting events, this question still rings true. However, something else has come to my attention - that at least for one sport, and for the regular season, almost everyone can be happy.

For the past few seasons, Monday Night Football on ESPN has given us something special. During the first week there are two Monday Night Football games: one features teams located closer to the East Coast, while the second has teams located more towards the West Coast.

Last night, the Green Bay Packers took on the Minnesota Vikings and the game started at 7 p.m. EST. Again, this start time is difficult for the West Coast, but for most of them interested they can still see the most of the game - including the conclusion. The game wrapped up at 10:30 p.m. which is pretty reasonable. As soon as the game concluded, the second game featuring the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders began: another Monday Night Football game, this time for the West Coast.

My question is pretty simple again: Why can't we do this every week?

Most Monday Night Football games begin on or around 9 p.m. to accommodate everyone. And again, for those of us who work in the mornings during the week, we can't finish the game unless we can function on very little sleep.

They (ESPN) already have enough of a crew to put on two Monday Night Football games. And the team of Mike (Greenburg), Mike (Golic) and Mike (Ditka) is pretty impressive calling the game as well. I really don't see the down side here. Each coast gets their own Monday Night game.
The only people who are going to suffer are those on the East Coast who have a rooting interest for a team in the late Monday Night Football game, and stay up to watch it. Or, for the Must-Watch-All-Football Guy, who has to watch anything football on television. Other than that, I don't see anyone complaining about this.

Each week there is at least one game being played on the West Coast. Why not move one of those 1 p.m. Sunday games to Monday night? It's not like everyone is able to watch every game anyway.

It's just one man's opinion. But, I think it's a pretty good one.

Fantasy Football

I have been playing fantasy sports for a multitude of years. It all started in college when my roommate got me started in a fantasy basketball website - and I was immediately hooked.

Over the years I have tried almost everything: basketball, baseball, football, hockey, car racing, college and pro pick 'em, golf, etc.

But, slowly each one started to fade away. The only one I am truly still engulfed in is Fantasy Football.

A few years back my family started a league - and also we give out a trophy at the end of the season to the winner. The trophy is a miniature helmet with our league name on it, and with each season victory the champion will initial the helmet and place the year he/she won on it.

I was victorious during the first year that we held the league. My uncle (who lives in Kansas City) was champion during year two - his son claimed the title in our third season. And last year, my uncle from Pittsburgh came out of nowhere to grab the title.

Our league is pretty simple - we have two starting quarterbacks, four starting wide receivers, two starting running backs, a tight end, a kicker and a defense.

We held our online draft last Sunday, and I was stuck with the last pick in the first round.

Here is the rundown of my draft picks:

First round, 10th overall: Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots.
Second round, 11th overall: Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys.
Third round, 30th overall: Plaxico Burress, WR, New York Giants.
Fourth round, 31st overall: Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns.
Fifth round, 50th overall: Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets.
Sixth round, 51st overall: Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Seventh round, 70th overall: Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis Rams.
Eighth round, 71st overall: Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins.
Ninth round, 90th overall: Cowboys Defense.
Tenth round, 91st overall: Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota Vikings.
Eleventh round, 110th overall: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Twelfth round, 111th overall: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers.
Thirteenth round, 130th overall: Adam Vinatieri, K, Indianapolis Colts.
Fourteenth round, 131st overall: Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings.
Fifteenth round, 150th overall: Jaguars Defense.
Sixteenth round, 151st overall: Rob Bironas, K, Tennessee Titans.
Seventeenth round, 170th overall: Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders.
Eighteenth round, 171st overall: Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins.
Nineteenth round, 190th overall: DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles.

I made a couple mistakes in my draft, however. I did not notice the bye weeks for my two starting quarterbacks - who actually have the exact same bye week - so for that week, I will have to pick up another quarterback.

In our league, if you have a good defense, kicker and tight end - eventually you will only need one. So once the bye weeks finish, the extras are usually dropped for running back, quarterback and wide receiver depth.

I took a few gambles like always: I always select at least one rookie who I believe may get a chance to grab some points. In this draft, I took both Mendenhall from Pittsburgh and Jackson from Philadelphia. Mendenhall should see time as Willie Parker's backup, as well as on goal line plays. Jackson could develop into a go-to-guy for Donovan McNabb, who has lacked talented receivers.

My final gamble was on Ricky Williams. Williams has been out of the league for a long time before finally making his return last year - only to get injured in his first game. This training camp, Williams has been praised for his workouts and play. So hopefully, he will also see some time and prove to be the player he was in the past.

My main concern on my team is quarterback, which it always seems to be. Picking 10th, all the top-tier quarterbacks were gone: Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger - so I went with the receiver and then the running back. After another round Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Brett Favre and Matt Hasselbeck were off the board - so I went with Anderson, who broke out last year. My only hope is that he can repeat that performance - and that Bulger returns to his previous form as well. Rodgers has looked sharp in the early going, but replacing Favre will be hard. He may be a wild card that I was lucky enough to select, because there is some talent on the Packers.

Well, wish me luck. It' s been three seasons since I have had the coveted trophy. And it would sure look good on my desk again.

Quick Rant: Brett Favre

I have never really understood the strangle hold that Brett Favre has held over the NFL.

For years I have heard dozens-upon-dozens of reporters/commentators slurp up to this guy like he was the second coming of Jesus.

Has he really been the best quarterback ever? Or even in the top 10? Probably not.

He led the Green Bay Packers to just one - count it: one - Super Bowl victory in his tenure under center. But for some reason, he continues to get praise.

Perhaps it' s because he appears human. He developed a dependency to vicodin, his wife developed breast cancer, his brother-in-law was killed in a ATV accident, his family in Mississippi were victims of Hurricane Katrina. Instead of driving a fancy car, Favre shows up to football games in a pickup truck. Yes, he is an every man's man, so people identify with him a little more.

It seems like the past few years has always been Favre's last season. He continually has offseasons wavering back and forth whether he will retire or not. The Packers drafted future quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first round to learn under Favre, and to take over the duties at quarterback when Favre retires.

Finally, the 2007 season appeared to be Favre's last under center. He officially announced his retirement at an early enough time that the Packers could give him his well deserved farewell, and also plan for the upcoming season. The Packers appeared to have moved on, they had handed things over to Rodgers and drafted Brian Brohm in the second round to backup Rodgers.

But, here comes Brett again. It appears to me that he is of the Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan-ilk. He craves attention. If his name isn't in the news, he has to do something to get it there.

Why do you think he played the back-and-forth for so many years about retirement? It was the offseason, and no one was talking about him. Now, he is retired, so people are no longer talking about him. So why not mention that you have that 'itch' to get back out onto the field.

Well, duh. For the past 17 years you have been heading to training camp around this time. It's no wonder you have the 'itch' because you are an NFL football player. Mike Golic said on Mike & Mike that he still gets the 'itch' every year around this time, and he's been retired for 13 years. It's engraved into your brains - this time of year is time to start football.

I have had it with Favre and those who slurp him. And I have for a long time now. Yes, he is a wonderful quarterback - yes, he is one of the 25 best to ever play the position. His longevity, however, is the main reason he is leading in almost every passing category. You play for so long and never miss a game, you're bound to break a few records.

Here is a quick list - tell me who of these 10 that Favre is better than:

• Tom Brady
• Peyton Manning
• Steve Young
• Joe Montana
• Terry Bradshaw
• John Elway
• Troy Aikman
• Dan Marino
• Johnny Unitas
• Fran Tarkenton

It's time to stay retired Brett. Do yourself, your family, the Green Bay Packers and the Packer fans a favor. You are going out on a pretty good season, that isn't guaranteed again. The Packers and most of their fans have moved onto the Rodgers era. It's time to stop holding the franchise hostage: you are an all-time great, they can't move on until you retire for good. And finally, spend some quality time with your family. Football takes up a lot of a person's time - they have supported you for this long, it's time to repay the favor.