Has anyone else noticed the river of accusations that seem to keep flowing through Beantown over recent years? Wait, you have no idea what I’m referring to? Take a seat and do your best impression of Auguste Rodin’s “Thinker Statue”, and maybe It’ll come to you. Not yet? Fine, I got you covered.




Remember Tom Brady’s ankle injury late last season? There were a number of individuals out there that accused Brady of faking, to mess with the opposing team and their game plan. Backing that rumor, the media caught Brady away from the New England practice facilities walking just fine. The locals discarded it because at least this time, Brady wasn’t sporting a Yankees hat. Meanwhile, on the practice field, he was in a walking cast and hobbling with a noticeable limp.

If the faking rumor was true, it makes sense. Having a more immobile Brady would change the defensive schemes of the opponent. Having no Brady at all means a different plan for another quarterback, or perhaps more emphasis on the New England running game.




But was Brady faking?


Let’s switch over to baseball. Remember the rumors that came out last year to discuss how Curt Schilling faked the whole “bloody sock” incident? It was Gary Thorne who mentioned it on the air during an Orioles broadcast in 2007. A day later, Thorne was on the air quickly eliminating these rumors, saying that he misheard (or perhaps “misremembered”…) what Doug Mirabelli said about the injury… which was that it was strictly for PR. Did someone get to Thorne?

Sure, if it were true, it also makes sense. The Red Sox were not only trying to eliminate an 86-year curse, but also attempting to overcome a 3-0 deficit from their hated rivals. Schilling’s heroic Game 6 performance was ten thousand pounds of motivation, soaked into one little sock.



But was Schilling faking?


As recently as yesterday, Boston sports has once again been launched into a similar spotlight, this time with Paul Pierce and the Celtics, who are desperately trying to find an additional “kick in the pants” to help knock off the Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s NBA Finals. Some critics have been vocal in stating that Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson has hinted that Paul Pierce faked his knee injury during Game 1. Certainly, someone nicknamed “The Truth” wouldn’t do something like that?!

It is rather curious though, considering that Pierce was quoted as saying he heard a “pop”, and thought his knee was torn at the time. That plus he was carried off the court, later coming back looking like a million bucks. Let’s face it though… actually, let’s face “the truth”. Pierce’s return to the court not only sparked the crowd, but also his teammates. Hitting the clutch three pointers late in the game just made that enthusiasm and motivation grow even more… so much that the Garden nearly exploded like a popcorn bag left in the microwave for a minute too long. Pierce’s heroic return generated an insurmountable lead… and just like that, Game 1 was Boston’s for the taking, leaving Kobe and the Lakers helpless.



But is Pierce faking?


Would Boston sports really fake more than Elaine Benes did with Jerry on Seinfeld? Or are the opponents and sports fans out there trying to find a way to deal with their jealousy for the recent stretch of greatness that Boston sports is currently on? That remains to be seen.

If you’re going to go out and call them all classless for such behavior, I invite you to sit and think about this one first. While I personally think there are a plethora of better ways to force motivation on your teammates and fans, there is still nothing wrong with what any Boston sports player has done… if they even did it at all.

The key point we’re missing here is plain and simple. Winning in competitive sports is much more than just skill. Obviously, you do need to have elite talent to compete. However, icy veins, guts, and heart are also important… and most importantly, a team needs cohesion and motivation to push them to the top of the mountain.

Sometimes, getting your team to exhibit all those traits take extreme measures. I certainly am not accusing Boston sports players of faking, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if any of the aforementioned stars did it either.

Faking or not faking, it isn’t cheating. It isn’t like they videotaped anything.

I understand that Bill Belichick has never been a fountain of personality when it comes to press conferences, quotes, and the media. In fact, the answers to the majority of his questions are about as vanilla as the wardrobe he sports on the sideline.

Let’s face it, he lets his ego get the best of him, to the point that winning is the only thing that matters. It’s his competitive edge, which I get to some degree, as certainly he’s not alone in having that desire to succeed. Yet, tonight I saw Bill Belichick stoop to what I would call a new low. A new low that by far eclipsed some of his past antics. To quote Fat Albert, he’s “like school on Saturday… no class”… and quite frankly, I think that’s putting it nicely.

In the wake of one of the more shocking upsets in NFL history, the focus of the cameras were deterred from the elation and joy that was about to explode from the sideline of the New York Giants, after their stunning 17-14 Super Bowl XLII victory over the “Artist formerly known as the undefeated New England Patriots”. Instead, the focus was pressed back on Belichick, who was able to trash the opponent’s newly earned spotlight just enough for the world to notice. At least, it certainly caught my attention.

Once Tom Brady’s final attempt to reach Randy Moss (on a 60-yard Hail Mary pass) fell incomplete, New England’s fate was sealed, and its perfect season had vanished quicker than the ’72 Dolphins could pop open their champagne bottles.

Still, in the final frenzy, players and media began to scatter onto the field, including Patriots coach Bill Belichick, albeit prematurely. Belichick did manage to give a brief congratulatory message to Giants coach Tom Coughlin, only to have a confrontation with the officiating crew shortly thereafter, in which we can only assume that he was informed that there were still two seconds on the clock, and another play would need to be run. Instead of pushing his team back to the sideline and restore order to the game, Belichick instead stormed off the field, exiting before the game clock hit zero, leaving his players to clean up the shocking mess that he left behind.

Quite honestly, this left me in complete disbelief. While on the biggest stage in all of sports, Bill Belichick, a three-time Super Bowl champion, didn’t have the decency to honor his opponent, and have enough class to remain on the field for a few more seconds. Just a few measly seconds. That’s it, that’s all it took.

There is no doubt in my mind that this was a tough loss for Belichick and the Patriots. Losing a Super Bowl is never an easy pill to ####. This one no doubt was tougher after not only losing a chance at another Super Bowl title, but also at a perfect season… “Superfection” if you will. Still, that doesn’t make his actions right.

No one can take away what Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, and the rest of the New York Giants accomplished earlier tonight. New York’s performance was truly gutsy, inspirational, hard fought, and lucky, all wrapped into one Lombardi trophy-sized package. On a stage expected to present us with imminent perfection, the Giants instead created their own version of history, and did so in remarkable fashion.

No one can take that away from them. Even still, Bill Belichick and his classless actions certainly tried to in his own way. And as a fan of the game, that frustrated me.

Winning may be everything, but losing with dignity is definitely something as well. Someone please tell Bill Belichick that the next time they see him.


Photo Credits:
“Eli Pumped” – Via Fox Sports – Julie Jacobson / AP and “Belichick in Red” – Via Fox Sports – Paul Sancya / AP

Once again, the Super Bowl is upon us, and like many, I have decided to throw a party to celebrate the season’s final football game.  Like last year, I consulted my little black book to contact various sports figures and celebrities in the world to see if they would bless me with their presence.  Yet again, I got more excuses than there are days that Bill Belichick wears a hoodie.  As always, I’m in the sharing mood, and thought I would fill you in on some of the responses I received… **

Celebrity Excuses for NOT Attending My Super Bowl Party (2008 Edition)

O.J. Mayo – He was scared to accept my invitation.

T.O. – He cried when he heard that I didn’t invite Romo.

Roger Clemens – He told me my party was “hogwash”.  I don’t even know what that means.

Ellen DeGeneres – She balked when I said she couldn’t bring her dog.

Eddie Murphy – He couldn’t commit for such a long period of time.

Bobby Petrino – He said he would attend, but later changed his mind.

Nick Saban – I couldn’t get a straight answer from him either.  Something tells me he’s at the same party as Petrino.

Brett Favre – He used the same excuse that he did on me last year.  He couldn’t decide.  I think it’s an easier decision this year Brett.  I’m going to have French Onion dip this time.

Michael Strahan – Due to his team making it to the big game, he said he didn’t have a gap in his teeth… I mean, his schedule.  

LaDainian Tomlinson – He just said he was going to sit this one out.

Lindsay Lohan – She said she wouldn’t be caught dead there.  Hmm, interesting choice of words.

Britney Spears – She said she couldn’t get a sitter.  Uh huh, yeah… good one Brit… and you’re also performing at the next MTV Awards show too aren’t ya?!

Bob Stoops – He said he would love to come, but he never shows up for the big game.

O.J. Simpson – I told him he couldn’t bring any friends.

Reggie Bush – He’s apparently busy taking a lie detector test.

Miguel Tejada – He said he was spending some time with Reggie Bush.

Sammy Sosa – He gave me some kind of excuse about not being able to speak English.  Too bad his excuse was written in English.

Dana Jacobson – Her “No” response was laced with “F-bombs”.  One thing is for sure, I don’t think she’ll be at church on Super Bowl Sunday.

Kelly Tilghman – She said I live too close to a back alley.

Steven A. Smith – He apparently found out I write a blog.  I think you know his answer.

Kwame Brown – He said he was too busy underachieving.  I’m not sure if that was meant to be a joke or not.

The ’72 Dolphins – They had to go buy some more ice for the champagne.  They’ve been waiting so long that it was beginning to melt.  

Ohio State Football – I guess my joke about “not being able to get here fast enough” must have struck a nerve or something.

Florida State Football – I know about half the team was available, but they still aren’t coming.

Miami Heat – They simply informed me that they were stuck in the cellar and wouldn’t be getting out any time soon.

Kirk Herbstreit – His source told him the party would be a blast.  He’s apparently still a little gunshy, and therefore respectfully declined.

Adam Jones – He didn’t know if he was going to be in Baltimore or Seattle.

Erik Bedard – See Adam Jones.

Ben Roethlisberger – He said I wasn’t tall enough.  I’m 6’ 3”, but wait… why does that even matter?  Oh well, whatever… I’m too tired.

And finally…

Amy Winehouse – Plain and simple, she said “NO, NO, NO”.

It looks like another year featuring a celebrity-free Super Bowl party at my house.  Oh well, that means more French Onion dip for me.

** Disclaimer: In all honesty, I know none of these celebrities.  I also don’t even own a little black book.  Therefore, all of these excuses are fabricated, and meant to provide a clever spin on Super Bowl week.  The part about having a Super Bowl party… now that was true.  Enjoy the big game, and as always, thanks for reading.  - KP

All week on television, I keep hearing the “experts” chirping on and on as to how each believes that the Patriots moving on to the AFC Championship is a foregone conclusion, and taking care of the Jaguars was going to be a piece of cake. Therefore, I thought I would come in and not just throw that theory under the bus, but chain it up to the back of the bus and let it drag for a while. You see, not only do the Jaguars have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but also could find that history could possibly be on their side as well. To explain, let’s flashback to the NFL just over a decade ago…

And the Rest is History…

It was 1995, and the football world soon would learn that the city of Jacksonville, Florida was about to surprise many by joining Charlotte, North Carolina as the other city that year to be rewarded with an NFL franchise.

Unlike most expansion franchises of past and present, the Jacksonville Jaguars were immediately thrust into an eclectic mix of controversy, attention, and excitement. Right off the bat, the team not only was sued by the Ford Motor Company due to the similarity of the team logo (to that of the Jaguar car), the Jaguars also forced their way onto the NFL scene almost immediately by making the AFC Playoffs in only its second year of existence. This feat, of course, was matched by their youthful NFC counterparts, the Carolina Panthers. Yet, it wasn’t the way this team made the playoffs, but what they did once they got there that is pertinent. As you will soon see, the ’96 Jaguars have some eerie similarities to its 2007 counterpart.

On the Mark

The ’96 Jaguars were led by Mark Brunell, who at the time, was a slick-footed and mobile 26-year old quarterback. Brunell not only eclipsed the 4,000 passing yard plateau, but also had nearly 400 yards on the ground that year. David Garrard, the 2007 version of Brunell, while equally as mobile (nearly 200 yards during the season), is instead built like a tank, able to run over defenders like they’re a speed bump on the road. Furthermore, Garrard has made very few mistakes, tossing only three interceptions during 325 regular season attempts. Garrard’s mistake-free play and mobility is going to be key in competing with New England’s potent attack.

The “Who Are You” Crew

The Jacksonville receiving corps was a group of non-household names in 1996, yet featured players talented enough that they played themselves onto the NFL map. During the historic 1996 campaign, Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith established themselves in the NFL, as both eclipsed the 1,000 yards receiving mark that season. This year’s group of receivers in Jacksonville are once again not household names, yet possess enough talent to catch Garrard’s passes when the game is on the line. The Jags featured no 1,000 receivers in 2007, but successfully spread the ball out to players such as Reggie Williams, Ernest Wilford, Matt Jones, and Dennis Northcutt.

The Two-Headed Monsters

Having two feature backs on one team, also frequently referred to as the “two headed monster”, is a trendy and often used strategy in today’s NFL. The concept was infrequently used in the ‘90’s, but the Jaguars did implement it by using both James Stewart and Natrone Means during most games. Jacksonville’s 1996 two-headed monster combined for over 1,200 yards rushing. The 2007 version features veteran Fred Taylor alongside the youthfully talented Maurice Jones-Drew. Taylor and Jones-Drew combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing this season.

The “Men of Teal”

On defense, the Jaguars are physical. A blue-collar group that consistently hits you in the mouth and tries to knock you off the line of scrimmage. Statistically, they’re not among the league’s elite, but they still cracked the top 15 in both 1996 and 2007. This stat was especially impressive for the 2007 team, who found themselves in a division with a trio of solid football teams, none of which ended the season with a losing record (Indianapolis – 13-3, Tennessee – 10-6, and Houston – 8-8). They’re a big, solid, and strong group, almost “Superman-like”. Therefore, one could easily refer to them as the “Men of Teal”, instead of the “Men of Steel”.

Elite and Greet

These two Jacksonville playoff teams (past and present) both were presented a meet and greet with the NFL’s elite team during that respective season. In 1996, it was the Denver Broncos, led by poster boy John Elway, who powered their way to a 13-3 regular season record. Alongside of Elway included a slew of other weapons, including RB Terrell Davis, TE Shannon Sharpe, WR Rod Smith, and WR Ed McCaffrey. In 1996, the Broncos were #1 in the NFL in total yards on offense, as well as #4 in total yards on defense. The 2007 counterpart is the story of the year in the NFL, that being the powerful New England Patriots, led by today’s poster boy Tom Brady. Vaulting their way to the first ever 16-0 regular season, the Patriots, run by head coach Bill Belichick, also featured their own arsenal of weapons, including WR Randy Moss, WR Wes Welker, ILB Tedy Bruschi, CB Asante Samuel, among others. Interestingly enough, like the ’96 Broncos, the ’07 Patriots were #1 in the NFL in total yards on offense, as well as #4 in total yards on defense.

Past and Present Day…

The 1996 Jags team entered the playoffs as the #5 seed, eventually holding off the Buffalo Bills 30-27 during Wild Card weekend. That set up the Divisional playoff matchup with the high octane Broncos team, when the Jags shocked the world by eliminating Denver at home by the same score (30-27). Today, here we are yet again. The Jaguars are the #5 seed in the AFC. They enter Saturday night’s showdown with New England as a heavy underdog, barely escaping with a narrow 31-29 victory in Pittsburgh last weekend. The Patriots, led by NFL Passing TD record holder Tom Brady, have the heavy burden of trying to complete the unimaginable, a perfect season since the NFL expanded to sixteen regular season games. Ironically, the 1996 Jaguars eventually lost the AFC Championship game that year to the Patriots.

A Simple Plan

The New England juggernaut is hanging on by a thread. If you can’t see it, your judgment is clouded. The Eagles, the Ravens… all teams that are inferior in talent this year, yet had their chances. There is only so many times a team can keep eeking out victories. Maybe if Rex Ryan hadn’t called that timeout in Baltimore. Perhaps if Eli hadn’t tossed that late interception in New York. If only the Colts and Giants could manage to hold on to each of their fourth quarter leads. Sure, it shows talent and poise to keep on winning, but the question remains, do the Patriots have three more games like this in them?

Beating the Patriots, believe it or not, requires a simple plan. Limit your mistakes and eat clock. The Jaguars have the players to make this happen. Jones-Drew and Taylor need to do their best impression of Willis McGahee and Brandon Jacobs. Run hard, run strong, and run efficiently, keeping New England’s offense off the field as much as possible. Because, the Pats will score. Garrard and the offense need to be in regular season form. The defense needs to be themselves… physical, smack the opposition in the mouth, while wreaking havoc for players like Moss right off the line of scrimmage. The tangibles are there. Execution is the only thing left. And oh yeah, you will have thousands upon thousands of wicked-loud fans to deal with up there in Chowda-land. Pressure? Nahhhh…

Easier said than done, that much is true. Yet, not out of the realm of possibility.

In Conclusion

Most involved with this 2007 Jacksonville team weren’t placed in the exact situation as the 1996 team, but the franchise as a whole has been. A franchise that has consistently maintained the same format and structure throughout its existence, from its inception in 1995 until today. This 2007 Jaguars team can build off that, and feed off it. A team with similar makeup and strengths able to make the unthinkable happen. It can happen again. Now, the 2007 Jaguars are in a position to make their own history.

As we have seen during the season, a near flawless game is needed to knock off the Patriots, and teams that have came close, simply made too many critical mistakes down the stretch, eventually relinquishing the lead to Tom Brady and crew. If the Jaguars should need any motivation at all, Coach Del Rio should pipe in highlights of those feisty ’96 Jaguars, who derailed pretty boy John Elway and Denver’s offensive onslaught.

The “Men of Teal” are here, and don’t be shocked if they spoil New England’s Super Bowl pahhty.

Sometimes, I really wonder about football fans in the New England area.  Yeah, I’m calling you out.  Are you real football fans?  I have to question it, specifically starting out with the individuals that run the local television stations.  But hey, now that I have everyone’s attention anyway…

 

I get it that your team was entering Sunday’s showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers with an unblemished record.  I get it that you are gunning for a perfect season.  I get it that you have interest in watching your beloved team play.  I GET IT.

 

But shouldn’t it be OK to miss perhaps the opening kickoff and first few minutes of the game to see the completion of another?  Specifically one that has playoff implications and is about to go into overtime?

 

Case in point, yesterday’s game between the Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers.  Let me transport you to the waning moments of the game.  The Chargers were flat all game, with injuries being sustained to key players such as Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and Shawne Merriman.  Gates and Rivers fought through the pain and kept playing.  As a team, San Diego kept fighting, eventually clawing their way back, to the point where it was 17-10 in the final minutes, with the Chargers driving down the field for a game-tying score.  The once raucous Tennessee crowd was becoming uneasy, quieting from deafening cheers to borderline murmurs.  You could almost hear each fan squirming around in their seats.  With the game clock further ticking towards zero, Rivers lobbed a pass to the corner of the end zone, where star tight end Antonio Gates waited to try and win a jump ball situation.  As Gates reached up into the sky and snagged the ball, his feet came down near the sideline.  In slow motion, I watched in anticipation, as a fan of the game, and one who loves last second heroics.  The official slowly crept up from the side, and appeared to be raising his hands towards the sky to signal a touchdown when…

 

“… 0% down, come by and pick out your favorite model today…”

 

No, that wasn’t an advertisement geared at getting the attention of Tom Brady.  It was a car commercial.

 

I was now watching a local car commercial highlighting some cheesy jingle and an end of the season sale.  I kid you not.

 

The first thought that popped into my head was… “No, they didn’t… they couldn’t have.”

 

Giving the local executives the benefit of the doubt, I thought maybe it was a glitch with the TV programming, and the game was cut to commercial on accident, or just prematurely. 

 

They didn’t… they couldn’t have.

 

THEY DID.

 

New England pulled a “Heidi”.

 

Heidi, the lovable Swiss girl, also the focal point of a children’s movie that so rudely interrupted a tight matchup between the Jets and Raiders four decades ago next year.  That game was another matchup of two of the better teams in the league during that time.

 

The commercials finally ended, yet the battle between the Chargers and Titans was gone and off my television airwaves for good.  Instead, the pre-game for the Steelers and Patriots match replaced it faster than you can say “Spygate”.  I was officially thrust from the climax of one game with playoff implications, and into a pre-game chat filled with pointless banter.

 

Is there a legal contract here that something like this must happen?  Or is it that New England is so self-centered that no other game matters?  Contractual legality is the only thing I can come up with besides the fact that the head of the TV station is more of a “homer” than a football fan.  Either way you slice it, I see it as serving up a plate of “just plain ridiculous”.

 

Say what you want about it, but my message to the New England media is that you’re an absolute joke.  There, I said it.  What are you going to do about it, cut my cable line?!  You simply can’t block out the final minutes of an OT thriller (with playoff implications) to present the pre-game for the local team’s matchup.  That’s against “Football Viewing Code” if you ask me.

 

This further tells me that there could be a major event in our world today, good, bad, or tragic, and the local news stations would not dare report it because the Patriots or Red Sox were on TV.  I wouldn’t be shocked if it were only presented to me in the form of a ticker at the bottom of the screen.

 

And that, my friends, is my rant for today.  New England pulled a “Heidi” on me yesterday.  I wonder what they will do next.  My guess is something new happens by the final week of the season, when the locals do whatever it takes to get that Week 17 matchup against the Giants on local TV.  Remember, it’s on the NFL Network.  Attention New England: Since your beloved Patriots will be 15-0 at that point, why don’t you just put it on every station, much like the press a Presidential address gets.  You should put pre-game shows on during the 1 and 4 o’clock time frames too.  And yes, you can cut my sarcasm with a knife.

 

Who knows what will go on with the TV broadcast in upcoming weeks.  Stay tuned… literally.  With all my frustration, maybe I should just read a book.

Able to spread defenses with a single pass…

Able to make opponents miss in a single move…


The 2007 NFL season, while only just half over, has all the makings of a makeshift comic book. Sure, the villains are there… from Michael Vick, to Pacman Jones, to Chris Henry, to Bill Belichick, and so on. Yet, it’s instead the unsung heroes that intrigue me the most. Not just unsung heroes, but unsung superheroes, because of how each has contributed to his team’s success, while quite often going unnoticed or under appreciated.

Two individuals in particular stand out more than any other in football. Like Batman and Robin, one could call them the “Dynamic Duo”.


Behind mask number one…

Dwarfed by stars, yet a giant in his own right. At 5’9” and 185 pounds, he almost gets lost among the other massive figures.

Like the Flash, he is lightning quick and elusive. Look away for a second and he’s gone.

In 2004, he was the first in history to successfully return a punt, a kickoff, make a field goal, and hit an extra point, all during one game.

Only one Division-I college offered him a scholarship. Today, he’s a one-man wrecking crew in the NFL.

Six catches shy of last year’s reception total, yet a six-pack more touchdowns.

Like Plastic Man, his body almost contorts itself to assist with play making ability.

The former Red Raider is now raiding NFL secondaries. Formerly speaking at D.A.R.E. graduations, now defenses are dared to cover him one-on-one.

His 61 catches leads all on his juggernaut team. Yes, that’s no typo. It’s also good for third in the NFL.

Once playing for the ‘Fins, his new team has the rest of the league “swimming with the fishes”.

While the world breathes Brady and Moss, he breathes life into the Patriots.

Never fear, Wes Welker is here!


Behind mask number two…

One flip of a coin, heads you start, tails you hit the pine. Keep that bench warm Brady, your era is on hold.

Big Ben is little. Move aside Peyton. Date a model Tom. There’s a new kid in town. A former Beaver looking to dam up the Mistake on the Lake.

Out of nowhere, he comes to save the day. Able to leap the AFC North in a single bound. Only Pittsburgh remains his kryptonite.

The Colts and Pats are the two AFC teams that have accumulated more points than his team.

A marksman like The Punisher, he also possesses the power of a distance attack like Cyclops.

Mobile? He can be when necessary. Instinctive? Absolutely. Clutch? Most definitely.

His 2,200 plus yards and twenty touchdowns have the fans draped in orange and brown screaming, “Brady who?”.

It’s ironic that he loves “The Big Break” on TV. Growing up liking the Cowboys, he’s the new sheriff in town.

While “Remember the Titans” is among his favorites, he wants the world to remember the Cleveland Browns again.

I give you… the one, the only… Derek Anderson.



Two stars. Shining bright, yet forgotten under the NFL’s cloud of household names.

Calm the damsel in distress. Dim the signals and ditch the suit. There’s a new duo in town… and they’re here to save football.

This post is part of Mike Greenspire’s Blogger Contest, featuring articles related to the NFL. I would like to encourage all of you to read the posts of all the other participants. All stats and information are researched through the Fox and NFL websites. Best wishes, and as always, thanks for reading… - KP

The baseball season is over, but an active offseason is already in full swing. The NFL football season has reached its midway point. Meanwhile, the NBA season is underway, with some talented teams stumbling out of the gates. There are tomatoes flying as far as the eye can see. It was another wild week in the world of sports, and what better way to show one’s displeasure towards certain individuals than to hurl that famous red fruit that often gets confused as being a vegetable. As always, feel free to chime in, or just sit down, grab a ladle and some toppings, and get ready to make a pizza.

Throwing Tomatoes – Volume III

“Top of the Vine” this week...
Ignorant Media Regarding Moss and Owens
I’m sick of all the stories about how Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have “turned over a new leaf”, and now are team players and overall great individuals. Why doesn’t the media instead mention the obvious? Um, hello? They’re winning! I guarantee if either player were to endure a losing streak, they will fall right back into their old antics. Fortunately for Moss, he may be in the clear. You never know with Owens, as Dallas could drop a few if they aren’t careful (starting this week in New York).

NFL

Chris Henry
Unbelievable… he’s literally hours off of his suspension and set to make his 2007 debut for the Bengals, when he gets into an altercation with a parking attendant. Some people just have a knack for finding trouble.

Don Shula
When discussing the Patriots, “Spygate”, and going undefeated, I think you have to leave well enough alone, especially when you were the coach of the only undefeated team in NFL history.

Bill Belichick
The Patriots are a great team, but their coach is a classless individual with the personality of a rock. I think Belichick is nuts to leave Brady in midway through the fourth quarter during games that are well in hand. I think it is even more crazy to pass the ball in those games, go for it on fourth down, and so on. If he isn’t careful, one cheap shot on Brady (in garbage time) could derail New England’s dream season.

Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams
Each of these two teams get a tomato until they win a game. Last week’s bye week for the ‘Fins and Rams must have felt like a victory. Both face teams that are playing well as of late (Miami vs. Buffalo and St. Louis at New Orleans). I better go buy more tomatoes.

San Diego’s Run Defense
Adrian Peterson is already a star in the NFL. Even so, San Diego’s run defense was the strength, allowing less than 90 yards per game going into the match against the Vikes. Not anymore. Instead, Norv and the gang are about to average a tomato per week.

MLB

Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox
For providing us with a completely boring World Series, and another sweep in a sport’s “final hurrah”. OK, maybe the tomato should be directed more in Colorado’s direction.

Hank Steinbrenner
For thinking that he can acquire a marquee bat (e.g. Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada) without having to part with any of New York’s young talent. What do you think, teams are just giving players away?

Scott Boras and A-Rod
For announcing that A-Rod is opting out of his contract during the World Series. It sure sounds like showing up the Red Sox to me, or just stealing away some attention.

Joe Girardi
The new manager of the Yankees announced he will wear #27 on his jersey, hinting towards being present for New York’s next title, which would be number twenty seven. OK, kind of clever, but overall cheesy in my mind. So if you win one Joe, do you switch to #28 the following year? Give me a break.

College Football

Bill Callahan
It was just a few years ago that he was coaching a team in the Super Bowl. Now, he’s had a major part in taking down a former college football power. The latest blunder, allowing Kansas to put 76 points on the board. Those walking papers also come with a tomato Bill…

Charlie Weis and the Irish
Props to Navy, but incoming tomatoes for Charlie and Notre Dame. It was a battle, and the Irish fell after multiple overtimes. With how similar the team jerseys were, I almost thought I was viewing an offseason scrimmage. Yeah, it was that ugly.

Virginia Tech Hokies
The painful loss to Boston College still looms large. You can’t blow a ten point lead with only a handful of minutes left on the clock. No matter who you are playing…

Boston College Eagles
Fresh off a miracle victory against Virginia Tech, the Eagles lay an egg at home, and fall to the Seminoles. Don’t be shocked if VT exacts their revenge in the ACC conference championship.

Fans Drinking the Dennis Dixon “Heisman Haterade”
Let’s check the stats first on Dennis Dixon of the Oregon Ducks: Over 2,000 passing yards, 549 rushing yards, 20 passing TD’s, 3 INT’s, and eight rushing touchdowns… all for a team ranked third in the country. He’s a leader, he’s a force, he is the Heisman favorite as of today, and if you don’t think so, you’re drinking “Heisman Haterade”.

College Basketball

Billy Gillispie and the Kentucky Wildcats
Not only did Gardner-Webb knock off Kentucky, but they did at Rupp Arena, and by 16 points. Yikes. Can anyone even tell me Gardner-Webb’s mascot without looking it up? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Bet on Wildcats or Bulldogs… then again, Tomatoes would be a good fit.

NBA

Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards
All three teams are supposed to contend for legitimate Eastern Conference playoff spots. Sure, it’s early, but days in, these three franchises combine for an 0-11 record. Incoming!

Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week
Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition

Navy Football – at Notre Dame, for ending a streak of four plus decades of losing to the Irish
Gardner-Webb – at the Kentucky Wildcats
Kansas – at the College football world, for continuing to not believe in them
Joe Torre – at the National League
Bobby Bowden – for ending Boston College’s undefeated season

This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… now toss that pizza in the oven. I’m famished.

When you have connections, you have connections. In the past, I was able to get my hands on some long lost letters from the childhoods of various athletes. This time, my connections have set me up with an information gold mine. That’s right… diaries. Specifically, I’m diving in and providing you with the diary entries that are relevant to this weekend’s matchup between the Colts and Patriots, or as it is more commonly being referred to as “Super Bowl XLI ½ ”. I finish the list with my own personal entry (and prediction) on what could be “the game of the year”.

Dear Diary: The Pats vs. Colts Entries**

Dear Diary,

I really wish that Tom would stop wearing that stupid hat after games. He looks like a 50’s paper boy.

Gisele Bundchen

Dear Diary,

With my teammate Sammy Morris out for the year, I may stop getting hate mail from all of my fantasy owners. Now if Coach would just start running the ball more often.

Laurence Maroney

Dear Diary,

During the week, we went out and bought up all the video cameras at every electronics store in the Indianapolis area. That should keep Belichick under wraps.

Jim Irsay

Dear Diary,

I’m not afraid of you Joseph Addai. I’m not afraid of you Kenton Keith. I’m the plug in your running game’s sink. Our team is 6th in the NFL allowing only 87 yards per game on the ground.

Vince Wilfork

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe Kraft and Co. took this long to deliver weapons to help me out on offense! Seriously, this game is now like shooting fish in a barrel. I yawned about a half dozen times in the second half of last week’s game. I also started daydreaming about the little lady again. Damn, she’s fine!

Tom Brady

Dear Diary,

Sure, Randy Moss is a big target that is putting up ridiculous numbers so far this season. But I’m Bob Sanders… my name may sound like I’m an accountant, but I’m a defensive force. Our “D” is too, and we lead the league in passing defense, allowing 165.4 yards per game.

Bob Sanders

Dear Diary,

People keep talking about my QB being on pace to break the touchdown record… what about me? I’m on pace to break the touchdown record for a wide receiver! I’m pushing 800 yards receiving and have 11 scores already… plus I’m finally playing for a winner. Life is good!

Randy Moss

Dear Diary,

I plan to be all over the field in this game. Whether on special teams, running across the middle, or running deeper routes, I’m going to be in the nightmares of Indianapolis fans for weeks to come.

Wes Welker

Dear Diary,

I can’t wait to get revenge on this team for beating us in last year’s AFC Championship. We’re going to put up as many points as we possibly can, all game long, no matter what the score is.

Bill Belichick

Dear Diary,

I admit it, I have been having nightmares about facing this New England offense. They look unstoppable and we are going to have our hands full on Sunday.

Marlin Jackson

Dear Diary,

Talk all you want about the offense of the Patriots, our team is right up there. I personally have 32 catches, 388 yards receiving, and lead the team in touchdowns with six… and I’m just the team’s tight end!

Dallas Clark

Dear Diary,

People say we won’t have a chance without Marvin, and I’ll be double covered all day. Believe me, we have enough weapons, and Peyton spreads the ball out enough. Yes, I lead the team in receiving yards, with 668 (and 5 touchdowns), but we’ll be ready no matter what, and so will our fans.

Reggie Wayne

Dear Diary,

I know I was holding out before the season began, but I’m here, and I’m ready. Bring on Reggie Wayne and bring on the Colts. I’ve been waiting for this game for almost a year. It’s payback time. Get ready Peyton, I already have four interceptions this season, and I’ll be watching.

Asante Samuel

Dear Diary,

People questioned my ability to carry the rushing attack. I even missed a game due to injury, and still have almost 600 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on the season. I’m going to be ready on Sunday. We’ll all be ready.

Joseph Addai

Dear Diary,

Everyone questioned the depth on our team after losing a number of players during the offseason. They focused on me being able to help Joseph out in the running game. Well, I’m averaging the same per carry (4.8 yards), and I’ll be ready to help out come Sunday.

Kenton Keith

Dear Diary,

We will have our hands full with the Patriots offense, considering that they lead the league in points per game (41.4), yards per game (439.5), and passing yards per game (303.8). Still, we’re not too shabby ourselves. In fact, we’re more “under the radar” than any other 7-0 team in the history of football.

Tony Dungy

Dear Diary,

All the talk in the NFL is about the Patriots. We have defeated them in three straight games, we’re the defending champs, and we’re playing at home. Put the touchdown record talk aside, and let’s talk about how much of a battle this game is going to be.

Peyton Manning

Dear Diary,

Everyone is talking about how unbelievable New England’s offense is this season. Yet, our group is third in the league in points (32 per game) and third in total yards (399 yards per game)… and that’s without me for some significant time. I want to participate in this game so badly, and hope my knee will hold up come Sunday.

Marvin Harrison

Dear Diary,

Gisele is the only one that has seen Brady on his back this season. I plan to change that when Sunday arrives. Everyone talks about our offense, but our “D” is solid too, allowing only 14.6 points per game, which is second in the NFL.

Dwight Freeney

Dear Diary,

Updating my season: 42 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, eight sacks, and four forced fumbles. Watch out Peyton, I’m going to be your worst nightmare.

Mike Vrabel

Dear Diary,

I have been a part of recent history for both franchises, and I can’t wait for this game on Sunday. I hope to have another opportunity to allow my foot to push my current team to victory, and to being the frontrunner for home field advantage in the AFC.

Adam Vinatieri

Dear Diary,

The Game: The Colts and Pats play this Sunday in the most anticipated game of the regular season. The media has been focusing on the Patriots all year, while letting a very talented Indianapolis team fly under the radar. Both offenses are powerful and can strike at any moment. Both defenses are talented as well, featuring a number of playmakers all over the field. The winner gets the inside track on home field advantage in the AFC and immediately becomes the Super Bowl favorite.

The Colts: Marvin Harrison is still ####ed up, but Peyton Manning has enough other weapons that Indy’s offense should still be able to move the ball efficiently. Addai and Keith have been a solid one-two punch in the Indy backfield, and the home crowd will also help out. On defense, the Colts will absolutely need to get pressure on Brady. If Brady gets comfortable early in the game, the Colts could be playing catch up all day long.

The Patriots: New England’s key on offense will be trying to establish a consistent running game (with Maroney), which would keep the Indy defense off balance. The New England defense will need to find ways to slow down Peyton Manning, and possibly force him into a few mistakes. Harrison will be ####ed up, and may not even play, which could help the Patriots focus more on Reggie Wayne, therefore forcing Dallas Clark and the rest of the offense to beat them.

The Talk: New England has dominated its competition thus far, but look at the schedule closer. Sure, the Patriots defeated solid teams in Dallas and San Diego, but they have also faced its weak division foes in Buffalo, New York, and Miami. Indianapolis has faced the more consistent group of stronger opponents, with Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Denver, Jacksonville, Carolina, and New Orleans all on their schedule. What I’m getting at is simply the Colts have overall faced stronger competition, and should have more playing time against more consistent opponents (on both sides of the ball). New England’s juggernaut offense will not be stopped, but this experience, coupled with Indy’s talented offense, should keep them in the game.

The Prediction: Offenses should prevail in this one, and I see this game coming down to the team who has the ball last. For all the reasons mentioned above (statistically and from a player’s standpoint), I see New England edging out the Colts by a touchdown, and getting revenge from last year’s playoff loss. I also won’t be shocked to see these two teams meet again in an AFC Championship rematch.
Prediction: Patriots 38, Colts 31

- KP

** Please note that these diary entries are fabricated and none of these comments were ever stated by any of the individuals listed, with exception to myself, who made my own comment and prediction. Each line is simply my interpretation of the game, the moment, and the talent of each player or individual involved in the game. All stats and information are realistic, and researched through the Fox and NFL websites.

This post is part of Mike Greenspire’s Blogger Contest, featuring articles related to the NFL. I would like to encourage all of you to read the posts of all the other participants. Best wishes, and as always, thanks for reading… - KP

Are the 2006 Bears really the 2001 Patriots in disguise?  What exactly do I mean by this?  To explain, let me first start by traveling back in time, five years to be exact.

Do You Remember?

It was February 3, 2002, exactly five years ago to the day.  The year 2002 was certainly a different time in the NFL.  Heck, it was also a completely different time for our country.  The Patriots had not yet established themselves as one of the league’s most dominant teams.  More importantly, the September 11th tragedy was still very fresh in our minds (not that it still doesn’t exist in our thoughts today).  In honor of the fallen heroes, the Super Bowl XXXVI logo was changed to resemble something more patriotic.  Maybe that would spell doom for the Rams, as they were the team that had to face the Patriots, who in some ways became the sentimental favorite because of the September 11 attacks.

Do you remember this game, and where you were?  OK, so it was only five years ago, and maybe I shouldn’t be so dramatic, as I remember exactly where I was that night.  On that day, I was actually living in Boston, and over at a friend’s place for a laid back Super Bowl party.  Believe it or not, no one in the entire apartment was a die-hard Pats fan.  Most of them were Penn State alums, and therefore Eagles and Steelers fans.  Everyone in our group had gathered for the company, and of course, because the Super Bowl is just another good reason for “twenty somethings” to party.  However, no one in that group would be ready for what was going to happen next.

Super Bowl XXXVI: The Line

 

The high-powered Rams came into this Super Bowl as a 14-point favorite over the New England Patriots.  Fourteen points!  No doubt, the city of Las Vegas was buzzing when that line came out for the “Big Game”.  Everyone and their mother had the Rams in this one.  Don’t even tell me otherwise, unless you were a “glass is not just half full, but overflowingly full” Patriots fan.  And believe me, not many people in Boston have that mentality, but you couldn’t really blame them, especially not during that time.  The Red Sox had not broken the curse yet, and the Patriots had not begun their recent NFL dynasty either.  The city of Boston is extremely passionate about its sports teams.  And I mean passionate.  If I wanted to know the result o####ame for a Boston team, I wouldn’t have to watch the news, or read the paper.  You can just read it on every person’s face that next day when traveling to work.  Boston lives and breathes local sports… so much that the local news programs never even run a sports ticker that features other teams besides their own.  At least, I have never seen one, except for the extended Sunday sports show that airs.

 

Shock and “Law”

 

Super Bowl XXXVI had begun, and it was off to a slow start.  The only first quarter score was a long field goal by Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins.  While St. Louis was leading 3-0 in the second quarter, the lead could have been much larger due to a few squandered opportunities by the Rams.  Next, the momentum would begin to shift, and the game would start to slowly turn into New England’s favor.  Who else but big play cornerback Ty Law to spark the New England run?  Law intercepted Kurt Warner in the second quarter, returning it for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 7-3 lead.  Another Rams turnover late in the first half would give New England the ball back.  Tom Brady would lead the Pats down the field for another score with less than a minute to go in the first half.  The result was a 14-3 halftime lead for the Patriots, and a stunned country.  Even still, I can guarantee thousands of people were thinking… “It’s only halftime, the Rams offense is too potent to keep under wraps for the entire game”.  At least, that is what I thought as I was watching the halftime show. 

 

As it would turn out, that is exactly what would happen, but not until the fourth quarter.  After blowing a comfortable two touchdown lead late in the game, the Patriots got the ball back in a game that was now tied at seventeen apiece.  With only a handful of seconds on the clock, the Patriots decided to try to sustain a drive, instead of downing the ball and settling for overtime.  Brady was masterful running the two-minute offense, and the result was the Patriots getting the ball just barely into field goal range for Adam Vinatieri.  This would be only the beginning of Vinatieri’s legacy in the NFL.  Adam nailed the 48 yard field goal, and sealed a 20-17 victory for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.  Back in Boston, at the party I was attending, the roar began, starting slowly, and later becoming a loud and continuous thunder of cheers and screams, as the city of Boston celebrated through the night.

 

Present Day: Super Bowl XLI

 

Today marks a similar time with that of five years ago, at least from a football perspective.  The line on this game is not nearly as steep as that of Super Bowl XXXVI, yet the Colts are still emerging as a somewhat heavy favorite.  Currently, the spread is seven points, in favor of the Colts (half of the spread from five years ago).  However, a poll on the Fox Sports website asks who will win the game this weekend, and currently, 61% of the people who voted chose the Colts (with only 39% voting for the Bears).  At the time of review, the poll was just under a total of 825,000 votes.  Similarly, in my recent “Stupid Pill Survey”, I asked the same question, and got responses, but from a much smaller audience.  The results were similar, however, with the Colts raking in 69% of the vote, and the Bears having only 31%.  But do these numbers alone argue enough towards the point that the Super Bowl XLI matchup is similar to that of the game between the Rams and Patriots?  Not quite in my mind, so let’s look into it a tad bit more by comparing the teams from today, with those of the past. 

 

NOW (Bears) and THEN (Patriots): The Underdogs

 

In many ways, the 2006 Bears remind me of the 2001 New England Patriots. There are a few examples that I find to be more glaring than others, and I have included those below.

 

Quarterbacks

Chicago Bears - Rex Grossman

New England Patriots - Tom Brady

 

You might think that I’m crazy to even begin to compare Tom Brady and Rex Grossman, but think about it for a minute before you jump down my throat.  If you recall back to Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady was still a first year quarterback (he replaced the injured Bledsoe), and while he came in and stabilized the offense, leading the Patriots to a number of victories (12-3 to be exact), Brady was still just a virtual unknown in the NFL.  Grossman is also getting through his first full season as a QB, due to a number of injuries in previous years.  Sure, Rex has caught a great deal of criticism from the fans in Chicago, and also throughout the NFL.  Either way you slice it though, Grossman wins games.  He is 15-3 as a starter this season, and while he has struggled at times, he often does just enough to help his team win the game.  Overall, Grossman and Brady are/were two quarterbacks playing in their first full seasons, and leading his team into the Super Bowl.  Both were relatively unknown during his first time reaching the Super Bowl.  The similarity is definitely there.   

 

Wide Receivers

Chicago Bears – Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian

New England Patriots – Troy Brown and David Patten

 

Neither of these two teams has/had superstar Wide Receivers on its rosters, but all were fairly consistent.  Muhammad was the closest thing to a well-known receiver, as he has had a few consistent years with the Carolina Panthers.  Each team also has/had an existing deep threat, as both Patten and Berrian have the breakaway speed to allow for a big play, therefore also stretching out the opposing defense.

 

Special Teams

Chicago – Robbie Gould and Devin Hester

New England – Adam Vinatieri and Troy Brown

 

How ironic that I mention Vinatieri in this section, and how he will also play in the latest Super Bowl, but this time, for the favorite.  Either way, Vinatieri was obviously a big part of key Special Teams play for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.  Robbie Gould, a former Penn State graduate, has been a very clutch player for the Bears this season as well.  In addition, other parts of these Special Teams groups were key in leading each of these two teams to many victories.  Devin Hester has been a fiery rookie that has sparked the Bears this year, and Troy Brown was key in returning a few touchdowns for the Pats five years ago.  There is no doubt that Special Teams is key to increasing the chances of an upset victory, and the Bears of today are nearly flawless on Special Teams.

 

Defensive Standouts

Chicago – Brian Urlacher and Ricky Manning, Jr.

New England – Tedy Bruschi and Ty Law

 

This isn’t to say that the Colts and Rams of five years ago did not have playmakers on defense, but more so stating that the defense of the Bears and 2001 Patriots stepped it up on many occasions, when the Colts and Rams relied more on its offenses to overpower teams.  In particular, the playmaking ability of Urlacher and Manning Jr. are most notable, though others such as Mark Anderson, Adewale Ogunleye, and Tank Johnson could all step it up.  Five years back, New England had similar talent, not only including Tedy Bruschi and Ty Law, but also Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, and Lawyer Milloy.

 

NOW (Colts) and THEN (Rams): The “High Octane” Favorites

 

On the other side, the Colts of 2006 and Rams of 2001 are also very similar in my mind.  Both of these teams are powerful offensively, featuring a number of different weapons all over the field.  In particular, I felt that these particular positions (mentioned below) were the best examples for comparison:

 

Quarterbacks

Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning

St. Louis Rams – Kurt Warner

 

Peyton Manning is not only one of the best quarterbacks in the game today, but also one of the best all time.  Kurt Warner, though not much in the game today, was at the top of his game a few years back when playing with the Rams.  It certainly didn’t hurt that Warner had a plethora of weapons around him, including future Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk and big play receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. 

 

 

Wide Receivers

Indianapolis Colts - Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne

St. Louis Rams - Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt

 

There is no need to say much here, but simply that each of these two teams have significant weapons at the Wide Receiver position.  The Rams still have both Bruce and Holt today, and at this point, Holt is the primary target, when Bruce was more so the number one guy five years ago.  Harrison is considered the number one receiver in Indianapolis, but Reggie Wayne is equally as lethal, and could be a number one on many other teams in the NFL. 

 

Running Backs

Indianapolis Colts – Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes

St. Louis Rams – Marshall Faulk

 

Yes, I agree it is a stretch to compare the combo of Addai and Rhodes to that of the Marshall Faulk of 2001.  Faulk is sure to be a Hall of Famer some day.  While Addai is only a rookie, his speed and power, combined with the talent of Rhodes, make for quite a nasty running back tandem that can not only rush for significant yardage, but also block and catch as good as Faulk.  Overall, it adds up to a significant backfield talent that will cause fits for the opposing defense, whether it is the Patriots of 2001 or the Bears of today.

 

The Broad Spectrum

 

2006 Bears and 2001 Patriots

If you look at the overall statistics for the 2001 season, the Patriots did certainly not dominate in any category.  You may analyze the stats and say that this was not a superior defensive team.  However, if you were to dive into the games more closely, you will see that New England won a lot of close games, especially late in the season (can anyone say “Tuck Rule”?).  Most of these victories were thanks to Special Teams and Defense, partnered with consistent offense.  I remember the Patriots being a team that ran a very methodical offense; tossing out several “dink and dunk” passes, as they traveled down the field.  Those 2001 Pats never won a game easily, but they won nevertheless.  That is how I see the Bears of 2006.  While Chicago did score a ton of points on the year, many of those were early season blowouts.  More so, it was the Chicago defense and Special Teams unit that stuck out in my mind.  Robbie Gould was fantastic filling in the kicking duties.  Devin Hester was “lightning in a bottle”.  The Bears have been overlooked, mainly due to the fact that they play in the much weaker NFC conference this year, and also due to the fact that they played