The Crystal Ball 2007 The Super Bowl

Amongst all the unbelievable amount of white noise that occurs during the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, predictably more than a few talking heads ramble on about how ridiculous it is to have the Big Game scheduled so far after the championship games. I’ve said so myself, specifically last year when the NFL withdrawal was hitting hard. But I came up with a better solution than just eliminating the extraneous week, see recap below.

Although I can see their point, it does seem to be rather ridiculous to make fans wait the extra week. The detractors of the extra week have reasons that are somewhat compelling, most notably that the teams lose momentum, it’s a time waster, and that there is not enough going on to fully report on the game. I find the last one the most interesting. I think this time of year is when we get some of the most fascinating, and crazy, angles of NFL reporting known. I mean, after all, if it were not for this added delay of two weeks between NFL games, would we ever really know about the following Super Bowl related topics?


There’s always the typical stuff…

Greatest Super Bowl Team of All Time
Greatest Super Bowl Coaches
Greatest Super Bowl Performances
Greatest Super Bowl Moments
Greatest Super Bowl Highlight Films
Greatest Super Bowl Commercials
All Time Super Bowl Team
Strategic Game Match ups and breakdowns
Experts Picks for Game Winner
Fabulous Super Bowl Party Menus and Recipes


And then there’s the weirder stuff…

The Sexiest NFL Quarterback in History
The Sexiest Coach in the NFL
Starting Quarterback Love Lives
Future Marketing opportunities for Eli Manning
Starting Quarterbacks Marketing potential
Ladies of the night descend on Arizona
Monastery offers lodging for Super Bowl
Giants Lineman’s very odd previous career – not for the faint of heart
Best Beer Buys for Super Bowl Parties

I’ve read multiple articles on every single one of the previous topics, and they represent merely the tip of the iceberg. I would love for the Super Bowl to be played three weeks after the Championship games. Who knows what crazy stuff would be unearthed with that much time and boredom. As it is, we’re not far from simulated match ups of how the two teams would perform on the rings of Saturn.


Recap

The Super Bust: What a stellar game! Unbelievable, far more successful than I ever thought it would be!

Ok, I need to come clean, I have nothing. My plan was to plop in my copy of Madden Football, cue up a game playing the Colts and one playing the Saints, and see what happens. I had it all worked out beautifully. And then, work took over and I found myself busy all week. The one chance I had to play Xbox, well, I found Halo 2 already loaded, and the urge to wipe out aliens and relieve some work frustration took over and by the time I had relaxed, time’s up! See, this is just yet another example of why Roger Goodell needs to get on the stick and make this game a reality. I cannot keep faking it! But, for those of you who wish to have something….

Colts 35 – Saints 27

A stunning successful start to the Super Bust was witnessed by all who jammed Las Vegas last weekend. Such action, entertainment, and big plays staged on the big fabulous backdrop that is Sin City.

The Colts started out slowly, going 3 and out in their first two possessions. They looked rusty and unsure of themselves. Perhaps their inability to overcome the Chargers in their divisional game left them with some performance anxiety.

The Saints, on the other hand, came out firing. Taking advantage of a bad pass interference call on Bob Sanders, the Saints managed to get to the Colts 15 yard line before their first drive stalled. They walked away with a field goal. Their next drive, they made up for it, with a 15 yard sweep to Reggie Bush and Drew Brees connecting for a 65 yard bomb to Marques Colston for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

After this, the Colt offense woke up. Inspired by the return of Marvin Harrison, Peyton Manning connected on all 5 passes attempted on the drive. Mixed with some pounding rushes by Joseph Addai, Manning hit Dallas Clark in the end zone to bring the Colts within 3 with 30 seconds left in the half.

But a stellar run back on the ensuing kick off allowed New Orleans to kick a last second field goal and take a 13-7 half time lead.

The second half looked like it might be a repeat of the end of the first, but a fumble on the kickoff allowed the Colts to take the ball and move down the field. A quick dump pass to Anthony Gonzales and a stellar run through the secondary allowed the Colts to take their first lead of the game early in the second quarter.

Long drives by both teams followed, each scoring 7 and ending the third quarter with the Colts holding a 21-20 advantage.

But Peyton owned the fourth, playing as though to make up for a poor showing in the divisional game’s last period. The fourth started off with the Colt defense holding the Saints to a three and out, led by Bob Sanders pounding Drew Brees into the ground for a 7 yard sack. Peyton took over and marched the team down the field for a touchdown to Reggie Wayne.

Drew Brees, not to be outdone, countered with a 13 play drive that resulted in a quarterback sneak into the end zone. Eschewing a two point conversion attempt, the Saints put their hopes in their defense. But Peyton had thoughts otherwise.

Continually working in Addai, and spreading the ball to his receivers judiciously, Manning ate up the clock and moved the Colts smoothly down the field, capping the drive with a 14 yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison. The Colts drive consumed over 9 minutes of game time, and gave Brees and company only 1:30 left to produce a miracle.

And Drew did his best. Starting at their own 23 after the kick off, Brees fired two quick passes to take the team to mid field. However, time was a factor as the Saints were forced to use their last timeout after the second reception when receiver Terrance Copper could not get out of bounds. On the ensuing play, the Saints final rally died when Antoine Bethea stepped in front of a short pass from Brees, intercepting the ball and ending the game. Manning came out for a quick kneel down, and the Colts captured the first Super Bust championship.

Now, you tell me, wouldn’t that be a great game to watch? Come on, let’s all petition Goodell to get this game on the schedule!


The Big Game

Welcome one and all to Super Bowl XLII! The 42nd edition of the league championship game will kickoff Sunday February 3rd at the University of Phoenix Stadium in beautiful Glendale Arizona. This year, NFL fans worldwide could possibly witness history, as the Patriots vie to become only the second undefeated team in Super Bowl history, and the first to go 19-0. In their way stand the New York Giants who oddly enough play their home games in New Jersey. But we’re splitting hairs. Let’s just take a gander at these two franchises, shall we?


AFC Champion New England Patriots

The New England Patriots were founded in 1959, one of the original eight teams that made up the American Football League. Initially known as the Boston Patriots, the team struggled mightily during its tenure in the AFL. Although they did manage to make it to the AFL championship game in 1963, the Patriots never had a regular home during this time. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Alumni Stadium and Fenway Park all served as the home field for the young Pats at one point during their existence. The merger of the AFL and NFL helped the Pats find a home. For their first season, they were installed in the AFC, in the East division, where they still reside. As for a tangible home, the next year the Patriots moved into Foxborough Stadium, where they played for 30 years until the opening of their current residence, Gillette Stadium, in 2002.

During their existence, the Patriots have gone through numerous changes. Their first owner was Boston business executive Billy Sullivan, who owned the team until it was purchase by Victor Kiam in 1988. Kiam owned the team until 1992, when he sold it to James Orthwein. Orthwein only owned it for two years, before selling it to current owner Robert Kraft, but his tenure will long be remembered in Boston. During his short time at the helm of the franchise, Orthwein changed the look of the team with a massive uniform change, hired Coach Bill Parcells and came close to moving the team to St. Louis. Luckily for the Boston faithful, this move never materialized.

The Patriots have played to date in 5 Super Bowls, their first coming in 1986. That year, the Patriots faced off against the Chicago Bears, and were summarily destroyed by the force of nature that was the 1985 Bears. Their next appearance came during Bill Parcells’ tenure at the conclusion of the 1996 season, when they faced the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots lost this game as well, but played with much more gusto than their previous appearance. The team would not make the game again until 2002, and when they did make it they found the deck stacked against them again. Playing with a second year quarterback named Brady, who had filled in all season for the injured Drew Bledsoe; the Patriots faced the St. Louis Rams, who had set a record for most points scored in a season with their potent offense. The team showed no fear as they held the high flying Rams to 17 points, and won the game on a last second field goal to capture their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The Patriots have been back to the big game twice more since then, winning both games by 3 points, one of them on another last second field goal.

The 2007 Patriots will take the field for Super Bowl XLII as the designated home team. They are currently on the cusp of completing their season as the first team to go undefeated and win 19 games. Their attempt at history will be led by their record setting offense. The Patriots set records this year for most points scored by a team, most touchdowns thrown by a quarterback and most touchdowns scored by a receiver, amongst others. The key to their offense is quarterback Tom Brady, whose cool demeanor under the pressure of big games harkens back images of Joe Montana. Brady’s career exploded in 2007 with the additions of top flight receivers such as Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Known for years as a top tier quarterback, Brady had never had the kind of statistically brilliant year, one reminiscent of Peyton Manning, until this season. The Patriots passing attack and rejuvenated running game allow them to simply outscore any opponent. The weapons contained within their offense are varied and numerous. If a few of their key players are contained, others step up to fill the void and keep the machine running smoothly. While they have been stopped this season, it has been rare and mostly due to mistakes, which the Patriots do not often make. Their defense, while tough and tenacious, has shown signs of weakness down the stretch, most notably against the run. But savvy veteran leadership from players such as Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau has kept the defense strong, working together and effective at the most crucial moments of tight games.


NFC Champion New York Giants

The New York Giants are one of the oldest and most storied teams in the NFL. Founded in 1925, the team was known for much of their early history as the New York Football Giants. This was necessary because team shared their name with one of New York’s baseball teams. The need for the distinction disappeared when the baseball Giants moved to San Francisco. The football Giants also shared their field with the baseball Giants, playing for the first 30 years of their existence at the famed Polo Grounds. After the 1955 season, the Giants moved their home games to Yankee Stadium, where they played until 1973. After that, they spent two years at Yale Stadium and one at Shea Stadium until they moved into their current home, Giants Stadium, which they share with the New York Jets. The two teams are currently building a new stadium complex for both to share near their current home.

Much like the Rooney’s and the Steelers and the Birdwell’s’ and the Cardinals, the Giants have been a family owned operation since their inception. Businessman and bookmaker Tim Mara bought the team with a $500 investment. Tim guided the team for the first five years of their existence, trying to make pro football work in a climate that saw other sports, most notably baseball, boxing and college football, far more popular than professional football. In 1930, Tim transferred ownership of the team to his sons Jack and Wellington. The two ran the team together as a family operation until 1991 when Jack sold his half of the team to Bob Tisch. Bob Tisch and Wellington Mara combined to run the team until 2005, when both men passed away. Their sons Steve and John, respectively, now carry on the family business of the New York Giants.

The Giants have played in 13 NFL championship games, winning 4, and 3 Super Bowls, winning 2. Their most notable championship game came in 1958, a loss to the Baltimore Colts that many have called the greatest game ever played and many NFL historians look to as the turning point in the popularity of the NFL. The Giants won 2 Super Bowls, in 1986 and 1990 under head coach Bill Parcells and behind the ferocity of linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Taylor's all out play and speed rush into offensive backfields helped change the way offensive coaches looked at protection and the importance of the left tackle, the offensive lineman typically tabbed as the protector of the quarterback’s blindside. During those two championship seasons, the defensive coordinator for the Giants just happened to be current Patriot head coach Bill Belichick. Quite the interesting coincidence, no? The Giants most recent Super Bowl trip, after the 2000 season, ended in a crushing defeat from the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2007 Giants have made their way to the Super Bowl the hard way, on the road. New York has taken the wild card route, one that does not typically lead to success, the most notable exception being the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers. The team started the season inconsistently, losing their first two games and creating a swirl of questions about the team’s potential success for 2007. The team rallied to amass a 10-6 record, which included a stunning season ending loss to the Patriots, where the Giants played far better than expected. Building off the confidence of that performance, the Giants stormed through the playoffs, beating Tampa Bay handily, knocking off the top seeded Cowboys in Dallas and outlasting the Packers in Green Bay in the 3rd coldest championship game in NFL history. The team is led by 4th year quarterback Eli Manning, who had been inconsistent and oft questioned until his current playoff run. Since the beginning of the post season, Manning has played spectacularly, minimizing mistakes and making excellent decisions. The team also has a potent running attack, led by bruiser Brandon Jacobs and speedster rookie Amhad Bradshaw. Their defense is built on speed and disrupting opponents offensive attacks. Helmed by 15 year veteran Michael Strahan, the Giants defense is fortified by young, fast talent such as Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, who are expected to play large parts in attempting to rattle the unshakable Tom Brady and put the clamps on the Patriot offensive juggernaut.

Ladies and gentlemen, there are your entrants for Super Bowl XLII. Teams, please stand and take a bow, you have earned it for making it this far. Fans pick your favorite and root them to victory. Or, pick your least favorite and root them to oblivion, since people rarely remember the losers of the Super Bowl.


NFL, the alternative Universe

Amazon.com has been accepting pre-orders all week for the book, 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England’s Unbeatable Patriots. A tad presumptuous, no?

Giants’ punter Jeff Feagles on Sunday will appear in his first ever Super Bowl after 20 years in the league. I’ve mentioned before the Giants are traveling the same path as the 2005 Steelers. If that is true, does that make Feagles the Giants version of Jerome Bettis?

According to a Victoria’s Secret poll of what is sexy in the NFL, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was voted the sexiest coach in the NFL. Ok, not a Super Bowl win, but I’ll take it.

Carson Palmer’s new backup in Cincinnati will be younger brother Jordan Palmer. Maybe they should sign Jesse Palmer to make it a Palmer trio.

The NFL will host another game next season in London, pitting the New Orleans Saints against the San Diego Chargers. Now that’s an East Coast road trip.

In other NFL game expansion, the league approved the Bills petition to play one game a season in Toronto for the next 5 years. I hope they play it early in the season, it can get a might chilly in Toronto.

In an attempt to have a little fun during Media Day, Giants receiver Plaxico Burress predicted the Giants would win 23-17. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had some fun of his own in response.

"We're only going to score 17 points? OK. Is Plax playing defense? I wish he had said 45-42 and gave us a little credit for more points."


Upon Further Review

I found this interesting little article from Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star and FOXSports.com. Mr. Whitlock seems to feel that true football fans should not only be rooting for the Patriots, but praying for them to win. Personally, I think prayers should be held for something a slight bit more important than for a group of grown men to win a staged competition playing a kid’s game, but that’s just me.

While glossing over and explaining away the seedier parts of their season, and stating that Patriot hatred is merely jealousy rather than based on something tangible say cheating or poor sportsmanship, Mr. Whitlock maintains the reasoning for his belief we should pray for their victory is that the Patriots are the perfect sports team.

It would be easier to just let Mr. Whitlock’s words speak for him here.

“(They are) everything we say we want in a champion. They're the ideal blend of talent, confidence, humility, hard work, intelligence and willingness to share the spotlight. They're what we all want our teams to be”

They are. They do play with an all for one, one for all motto. They have talent, no doubt about that, and the confidence you do see and want in a champion. Humility? Well, that one is up in the air. No one complains about doing the dirty little jobs that breed success, nor does anyone shirk from actually doing them. They work as hard together as you could ask a large group of differing personalities, all bent on obtaining a shared goal. You never see them try to glorify themselves, always playing for the good of the team. And they win, consistently and often. They are what many people would love for their team to be. But are they the perfect sports team?

No, I’m afraid they are not. Not because of the good parts about them, but because of the bad parts of them, and what they represent to football, team sports and ultimately to fans. The Patriots while embracing all the great things about a team and team sports also encompass many of the bad things, cheating, lying, poor sportsmanship and selfish behavior. As fans on the outside of the microcosm of the world of sports, we want our sports heroes to be stand up people, walking giants playing on elysian fields of glory, embodying every good thing we wish and hope for ourselves to be. Whether that comparison is right or wrong, or even fair to make of young men oftentimes just as flawed as the rest of us, it is what we want, need and at times demand. I do not believe the Patriots are any better or worse than any other team in terms of poor behavior or setting bad examples. One could look to any team in any sport and put a magnifying glass to their collective warts and find many things for which people could dislike them. But at this moment the Patriots stand poised to accomplish a feat rarely seen, and with that will come adjectives as the best or perfect.

And they are far from perfect. With the Patriots we do not get that warm feeling we want from a team, one who seems to be filled with mythical heroes who would run into a burning building to save a child or climb a tree to rescue a kitten on the way to the stadium. Once again, I know these comparisons are not fair, but that is how we wish to see our sports heroes, especially in a world that seems to run low on real ones. With the Patriots we get accompanying the grandiose praise of the ultimate team a reflection of our own darker nature, conniving, lying, cheating, rude, deceitful, unapologetic, vain, vindictive, immature and egomaniacal.

And we do not like to see the bad side of ourselves, nor do we like to see it reflected in such bright lights, on such a grand stage. No one likes to be reminded of their flaws, they wish to forget about them and focus on the good things. We all do, and we should focus on the good things and work to correct those bad things. But to be reminded of the darker sides of our own nature and see those traits put on a pedestal as something to emulate not only is foolish and ridiculous, but also dangerous as it reinforces the idea that it is okay to do whatever is necessary to win, no matter who it hurts how it’s done what it costs or what you sacrifice and destroy within yourself morally, as long as you emerge victorious.

I cannot pray, as Mr. Whitlock puts it, for the Patriots to win. We should be praying for them to lose. If those kind of traits can be defeated, even if merely using a game between two teams as a symbolic defeat of them, then we can go forth in hope to defeat them within ourselves, to control those demons and move through life and become something more than we are now, conducting ourselves with grace, dignity, fairness, even handedness, maturity, intelligence, and always looking to give a leg up instead of stomping on the throat of another. Those are the traits we should celebrate and strive to emulate. Those are the traits we profuse to be so important and vital to teach the young, but so often fail ourselves in setting a good example. Perhaps a symbolic defeat of such bad traits is all we need to help push ourselves along, to give us a rallying point from which to work and help ourselves overcome our own failures. As long as we keep striving to embody them, then perhaps we can morph into the heroes we wish for our sports teams to be. The real kind of heroes we need in this world. The kind we are running desperately low on, and of which we need more.


Celebrities; they’re better than you

For 19 years now, ESPN.com has combed the news wire for celebrity prognostications. Why? Because we love celebrities, and since they are famous and often times good looking, they MUST be smarter than the average Joe Lunchbox, and therefore their pick must hold more weight. Or perhaps it’s just an exercise in fun and silliness.

Anyway, while most of the big picks are boring, and some horribly uninformed, more than a few are downright fun. To check out ESPN.com’s complete list, visit the site here. For your reading pleasure, and to help out those who do not wish to sift through 100 picks by actors, politicians, and the pseudo-famous, we have pulled out a few of the choicest cuts below.



DAVE GROHL Musician, Foo Fighters
Patriots by 3 because I like their three-corner hats.

Et tu Dave?


OMAR EPPS Actor, "House"
Patriots, 35-24. The Patriots are on the verge of making history. What better motivation can one need?

I would have sworn Tomlin would go with the Giants, but I guess he’s backing the AFC.


JERRY MATHERS Beaver on "Leave It To Beaver"
Patriots, 30-27. I would love to see the perfect season.

Good gravy, who was bored enough to ask Jerry Mathers?


MICKEY ROONEY Actor
Patriots. Whoever is the favorite will win ... It's all a matter of percentages in every sport.

Such in depth analysis from the Mickster.


WAYNE NEWTON Singer
Patriots, 35-30. As a true patriot and devoted chairman of the Celebrity Circle of the USO, I have to side with New England.

Nice self plug there Wayne. So to be a true patriot means you have to side with convicted cheaters and liars? Hmmmm, even with that thought process, I still have no idea who to vote for on Super Tuesday.


ADAM WEST "Batman"
Patriots by 7 to 10 points. If Brady keeps his foot out of the mousetrap, he'll be able to pick apart the Giants' secondary.

He had to pick New England; he’s the mayor of Quahog. Adam Weeeeeesst, Adam Weeeeesst.


RANDY JACKSON "American Idol" judge
New England Patriots by a touchdown, trust me!

I’m only surprised he didn’t finish the sentence with trust me dog!


GORDON CLAPP Actor
Patriots, 41-10. How could I not? Plus I am from the region. They know how to win. No matter what they are up against they always come out on top.

Yes, they do know how to win in the region. Unless you discount the Celtics, and then the region had no idea how to win from 1918 to 2001, but other than that, always on top!


SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY D-Mass
Tom Brady and the Patriots are pumped for this one. They're ready for anything the Giants throw at them.

Interesting that despite the proclamations, he did not actually make a pick. Politicians are amazing creatures.


ED ASNER Actor
Giants, 7-3. I think they're due. And they've become destiny's team. May the best team win. This is not to say that I have any animosity towards the NE Patriots and Tom Brady. They're the best people in the world.

Seriously Ed, 7-3? You honestly think the Giants patchwork defensive backfield can hold the highest scoring offense in NFL history to 3 points? This makes Plaxico’s prediction downright intelligent.


CARL WEATHERS Actor
Patriots, 31-17. It's impossible not to go with New England. Congratulations to New York, but they won't win this Super Bowl.

Of course he’s picking the heavy favorite; he always played the heavy favorite that got beat by the underdog. He does not understand the underdog.


DOLPH LUNDGREN Actor/director
Giants, 21-13. This year it looks like the right Manning is in the Super Bowl.

But Dolph knows all about the underdog. DRAAAGOOOOOOO!


SCOTT ADAMS Dilbert cartoonist
Giants, 37-21. Eli Manning has more incentive to win because he's trying to make his parents love him more they love his older brother. That's a bigger incentive than Tom Brady's desire to win yet another ring and bed yet another super model. It's a question of diminishing returns.

The most logical analysis on the list. Brilliant!


Coaching Update

Redskins – spoke at one point with USC coach Pete Carroll, but he is no longer being considered as a serious candidate. Currently the only team without a head coach.

Raiders – nothing new on Al Davis’ rumblings on Lane Kiffin’s status. Perhaps it was merely gas.

Browns – signed head coach Romeo Crennel to a 2 year extension. Finally the Browns are doing something right.


Idiot of the Week

Rarely is there a week that goes by when I have to sit and think, man, where am I going to find an idiot within the NFL Universe. Even during the few weeks when we get near posting time, never once has someone failed to pop their little head out of a hole, spy their shadow and declare themselves an idiot. Luckily, I did not have to wait until the last minute this week for the idiot to stand tall.

This week we honor former Giant running back and current NBC talking head Tiki Barber. When the Giants clinched the NFC Championship, it obviously became a big story of how the Giants went to the Super Bowl one year after their star player retired. Were the Giants better off without Barber? How would he react? A potentially compelling story, no doubt.

And we got one, thanks to Ian O’Conner of FOXSports.com.

In the article, Tiki makes himself out to be the odd man out. The poor player who gave everything, body and soul, to the team that now scorns and ignores him.

"I'm Public Enemy No. 1 if you're with the Giants. With every heroic story there has to be a foil, and I'm convenient for that. I am the (expletive) foil in a Shakespearean play."

Tiki complains about the Giants not inviting him to the Super Bowl. Tiki complains about how everyone hates him and gave up on him even though he was immensely productive in his last year with the team. Of course, Tiki also conveniently forgets the fact that he is no longer a part of the team and he gave up on them after last year to do his own thing. And he announced his giving up in the middle of the season and became a huge distraction to the team throughout the second half of the season and into the playoffs. Tiki also conveniently forgets how he repeatedly blasted the coach, undermining his authority, while with the team. Tiki conveniently also forgets how Coughlin’s coaching turned him from a decent back with a fumbling problem into a weapon. He also forgets how he blasted Eli Manning, the team’s leader, at the beginning of this season. But he’s so put upon as public enemy #1.

But Tiki wants everyone to know how supportive he is of the team, and how he gave the coach the thumbs up to Giant owners on his way out last year. Interesting how you could not do that to the press during the season.

It just amazes me how Tiki still makes it all about him. Current Giant players, staff and coaches have all said how much better team chemistry has been without Tiki and his me first attitude. And if you doubt it has not had an effect, look where they were this time last year and look at where they are now. Last year, I defended Tiki and his decision to leave football and get on with his life. Many rode him for leaving with still plenty in the tank, but I figured a man has to make his own way. But I cannot defend how selfish he is to interject himself into a situation that no longer concerns him. For his bad attitude and selfish behavior, Tiki you are an Idiot.


Scandalous!

If anyone may recall, last year I put forth my time tested formula for determining the Super Bowl winner. All you have to do is look to the latest scandal sheet. To put it succinctly, I determine Super Bowl winners based on who has a scandal, started a scandal, is embroiled in a scandal or on the cusp of one. And by my definition, a scandal is anything off the field that takes away from the team itself, puts all the focus on one player or anything that may disrupt a team from properly preparing for the game.

It does not even have to happen on the eve of the game, one can blow up during media day, which is a great way to determine the scandal of the Super Bowl. If it happens beforehand, even better determination, since that is all anyone will want to talk about during media day, especially to the player in question and to all of his teammates. This kind of distraction can impair preparation and even cause disharmony in the locker room, which is exactly the kind of thing that a team looking to win it all does not need leading up to the game.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who has clued in on this determining factor, as SI.com recently ran this photo montage of the top Super Bowl scandals.

Last year, my methodology worked like a dream. I figured the Bears had more scandal nonsense flying around their locker room thanks to Tank Johnson and his legal woes. The Bears did not let me down either, and lost to the Colts.

So who steps up this year? Who will provide the scandal that determines the outcome of the Super Bowl? Let’s look at the contenders.

Spygate – an excellent scandal, but two things go against it. One, it was at the beginning of the season. And two, the Patriots have thrived after the scandal broke. If anything, it made them more powerful. Although the recent inquiries regarding the destruction of the evidence could fan the flames and blow it back into a full blown controversy that might be big enough to eclipse everything. But I still do not believe this to be the one. However, I reserve the right to be very wrong on this one.

Tom Brady’s ankle – has potential. It’s before the game, an injury to the key to the offense and it did cause him to miss practice. But, there’s nothing there. He’s had time to rest and heal, and it’s not like he ever has to scramble anyway. Close, but no cigar for this one.

Seymour and Harrison’s Bogus Journey – Could there be meat in this sandwich? Seymour has been called out as a dirty player and repeatedly fined, while Harrison started off the season on the bench for using HGH. Alas, no, nothing here. Harrison’s embarrassing stain is long ago, and Seymour cares not about what anyone thinks of him. All filler, no killer in this one.

Randy Moss and the Order of the Judge – Ok, now we get to some good stuff. Randy Moss had a restraining order issued against him before the Patriots first playoff game. This came as a shining beacon to many, including myself, who thought Moss would invariably self destruct and become a locker room cancer. He never did, until this moment. So far, the Patriots have coped with it nicely, but Moss has been all but absent in the playoffs. This one is the prohibitive favorite to win.

Plaxico Running his Mouth – in years past, this could have made an impact. Anytime a team predicts victory over their opponent it tends to end up as bulletin board material. But like the Patriots care what the other team yammers about. Never have all season, why start now? Nope, nothing but hot air this one.

Tiki makes it all about Tiki – Showing his true colors once again, Tiki moaned that he was public enemy #1 to the Giants, who had not even invited him to Arizona. An excellent distraction to a team trying to do something no one has been able to all season. There is only one small problem here; no one on the Giants cares. In fact, I’d bet half of them would go, Tiki who? This one has legs, but can it run?

So, by analyzing all the factors involved, I see Moss, his restraining order and subsequent absent play slightly overshadowing Tiki and his continued selfish behavior. Will this be enough of a push to get the Giants over the top and slay the dragon? Only Sunday will tell.


On Tap This Week

Another week in the playoffs, another split in the win/loss column.

Last week 1-1
Playoffs to date 5-5
Season to date 172-94

If I get this week wrong, I may have a losing playoff record! The horror….

This week, well, just one game, I’m not sure but you might have heard something about it.


New York Giants (13-6) vs. New England Patriots (18-0)

Seriously, I’ve had two weeks and still cannot wrap my head around having to root for Eli Manning to derail the Patriot train.

The Patriots are attempting to complete the first perfect season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, and to become the first team to win 19 games. They are also attempting to win 4 Super Bowls this decade. Tom Brady will be attempting to become just the third quarterback to win 4 Super Bowls, joining Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw in that highly exclusive club. Bill Belichick will attempt to become just the second coach to win 4 Super Bowls and tie the record held by Chuck Noll. I’m going for a record amount of alcohol consumed if such things come to pass.

The Giants for their part are attempting to win the Super Bowl as a 5th seed and only the second wildcard team to accomplish such a feat, matching the 2005 Steelers. Now that’s a record I will be more than happy to share. They are also attempting to become the first team to beat New England this year.

The Patriots are currently 12 point favorites. Everyone and their grandmother started out picking the Giants and then thought, wait, this is too easy and switched to the Patriots. Kind of like how everyone picked the 2001 Rams over the Patriots. Hmmm, that could bode well.

But on the other side is the Giant’s patchwork secondary, Plaxico running his yapper, and Tiki Barber working hard to become a distraction for a team for whom he no longer plays. Me thinks that does not bode well.

As for my pick, all season I’ve said concerning the Patriots I want either the win or the satisfaction, either is fine with me. Now, it is not enough. Much like the Patriots themselves, I want it all. I’m not talking myself into the Giants; I know realistically they have little hope. No matter how vulnerable the Patriots have looked over the past month, they still have managed to win. You think they will not have enough left in the tank to finish things off? Their mantra all season has been “60 Minutes”. They’ve played every snap of every game the same, all out, much to the embarrassment of several teams. You think they’ll let off the gas now, with the finish line so close? I think there’s a better chance of Al Davis replacing Lane Kiffin with John Madden than the Patriots suddenly taking it easy. They’ve been here before, and won 3 times in 3 tight games. They are not going to choke. They need to be beaten, manhandled, and crushed. It’s the only way to do it. Are the Giants the team to do that? There’s a chance, they played them tough at the season’s end. But I doubt it. Of course there is always the saying of Any Given Sunday, but unless Brady’s ankle snaps and Belichick gets food poisoning, it’s highly doubtful that highly touted saying will have any play come Sunday evening. But, since most of my feelings toward the Patriots tend to lean in the arena of the irrational anyway, why not grab at that golden ring. It only passes by once more.

Giants over Patriots


If the Giants win, I’ll see you all next week. If the Patriots win, well, I’ll be in Las Vegas with Elizabeth Shue and a Beverages & More discount card.