Now that Johnny Damon is a Yankee, could some Red Sox secrets be made available to his new teammates.  Things that would further fuel the rivalry and give the Yanks a leg up on their fiercest foe?  Only time will tell if he can provide such an advantage.  Such a topic would be very debatable, but also, quite boring.   Therefore, I'd like to pretend that Red Sox players have come up with symbolic "pet names" for their Yankee counterparts, during their drunken frolics and goodtimes as The Idiots.  I wonder, would Damon ever tell if such names do exist?  If so, what would these names be?  Here are some ideas.

Derek Jeter: Nickname: King Midas--- Everything he does seems to come up golden. He has championships, clutch hits, and miraculous plays to burn. However, just like the legend of King Midas, Jeter is cursed.  For all of his riches, nothing less than a World Series title every year will ever do.

Alex Rodriguez: Nickname: Purple Lipschitz---  Every time he speaks a bunch of crap comes out from between those dark, purplish, seemingly touched-up lips.  He always says exactly what the "right" answer should be rather than what he thinks.  Stop the gentleman act, step out of the box,  and say what's really on your mind.

Jason Giambi: Nickname: Asteroid---Only an a$$, with a great, big, giant rock in his head, would put that steroid crap in his body.

Hideki Matsui: Nickname: Chop Suey--- Pitch him just right and you can often get him to "chop" the ball to second, for a rally killing 4-6-3 doubleplay.

Bernie Williams: Nickname: Bernadette---  He does throw the ball like a girl after all.  Sorry about that ladies.  Some girls like Jenny Finch throw better underhanded.

Gary Sheffield: Nickname: The Pinata Killer--- The way he waggles his bat and swings with such aggression, reminds us of a young kid at a birthday party. You know the boy who is trying his darn best to smash that hanging pinata wide open, sending all the candy flying across the room.  Sheffield makes fans seated upperdeck in foul territory down the leftfield line more alert than any other hitter, as his moonshots often fly their way.

Jorge Posade: Nickname: Voodoo-Doll---Take a closer look and you might agree that his head seems just a little too small for the rest of him.  Almost like a voodoo witch doctor started to shrink his head and then changed his mind.

Mike Mussina: Nickname: Moose-Meat--- Seems like that's what he's been serving up to Boston hitters, more often than not.

Randy Johnson: Nickname: Mr. That's What They All Say ---This is in regard to his real nickname, The Big Unit.

Mariano Rivera: Nickname: Gizmo--- This may be obscure for some.  Gizmo was the name of the cute little creature in the movie Gremlins, with those ears that stuck right out.  If you fed him late at night and got him wet, then all the evil Gremlins popped out of his body and wreaked havoc everywhere.  If you hadn't noticed, Rivera's  ears stick-out too. He's also been known to get in some late trouble during games vs. Boston.   Since Rivera only has 2 pitches, maybe his ears tip off the Sox hitters.  When the left ear twitches it's the cutter.  When the right ear twitches it's the 2-seamer.

Tom "Flash" Gordon (Now the Phillies closer): Nickname: Flash--- The nickname stayed the same because that's about how long it took Boston hitters to turn around some of his fastballs.

George Stienbrenner:Nickname: Thurston Howell The Third (Gilligan's Island)--- The Boss is another doddering rich old man who is stuck on his very own island.  Like this character, George thinks nothing of using his money to get whatever he wants. 

What do you guys think?  Would Damon tell all?  Do you have any potential nicknames that come to mind about your favorite Yankees, that you would like to share?  Let me know.

     Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks, proud owners of an 11 game winning streak and homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Their record now stands at an impressive 13-2. Professional football excitement has never run this high in Seattle, and expectations are beginning to soar in a way that befits their logo.   Their fans were treated to an early Christmas present, when the 2005 schedule came out.  Got ya, didn't I!  You thought I was going to talk about the Colts game.  Well I will, just not yet.  Since the absolute beginning of the season the Hawks have benefitted from not only a favorable schedule, but also a couple of beautifully giftwrapped victories that should be considered instant classics. 

      This side of the NFC North, the NFC West has got the most severely challenged football teams in the entire league.  One could even argue that the NFC North is actually the better division.  They do have at least two teams with winning records after all.  The Seahawks are the only team with a winning record within their division.  In fact, the Rams, Cards and 49ers have combined for a hefty total of 13 wins, exactly the same total as the Hawks.  The schedule gods also placed dates with the Texans, Titans, and the surprisingly bad Eagles on the agenda.  Those three teams have combined to win a whopping total of 12 games themselves, or one less than Seattle.  Let's see 12+13 = 25.  Now 6 teams go into 25 wins approximately 4 times.  That's right an average of about 4 (4.1666666 to be exact) wins per team, to what amounts to 9 out of the 15 games completed thus far on the Hawks regular season schedule.  Now that's an early Christmas present.

     Speaking of early presents the Hawks have received, I know many football fans recall the game against Dallas on Oct. 23.  The Cowboys had the ball and were driving for a potential game winning field goal with precious little time left on the clock, when Drew Bledsoe threw one of the worst passes you could ever hope to see.  It was intercepted and returned just far enough, with just enough time remaining, for a game winning field goal as time expired.   If you remember this, then I bet you remember the overtime game against the Giants on Nov. 27.  In that heart stopping game, Jay "I" Feely "A lot like Santa today", missed 3 field goals that would have won the game for the G-Men.  I must admit these were 2 fabulous endings that all true NFL fans will always remember, for better or worse.

     Besides these games the Seahawks have had several unexpected close calls from inferior talent.  For example, on Oct.9 they beat the Rams 37-31 in a shootout.  Late in the 4th quarter the Hawks were forced to punt deep from their own territory setting St. Louis up for a potential game winning drive starting near mid-field.  Alas, Shaun McDonald fumbled the punt return. The Hawks recovered the ball and ran out the clock.  Later in the season there was a 27-25 thriller with the 49ers on Nov. 20.  In that game San Francisco stormed back from a 27-12 deficit at the start the 4th quarter.  Always "dangerous" Ken Dorsey drove the Niners 76 yards for a potential game tying touchdown. The 2-pt conversion attempt that would have completed the comeback and forced overtime failed.  One final surprise occurred just last week against the Titans.  The Hawks stormed out to a two touchdown lead only to see the Titans "high powered" offense drop 24 unanswered points on their defense.  The Hawks ultimately did win the game 28-14 by scoring a couple of touchdowns of their own, in a game that never should have been that close.

     The only other games against competetive talent were as follows: 1) The Jaguars beat the Seahawks 26-14 on opening day.   2) In week 2 the Seahawks jumped out to a 21-0 lead against the now playoffless Falcons, but had to hold on in the end to win 21-18.  3) In week 4 the Redskins beat the Hawks 20-17 in overtime.  As you can see, the Seahawks have not been nearly as tough when picking on someone their own size.That brings us to this week against the Colts.

     Let me clarify by stating, the Seahawks owe nobody an apology for what happened in this game.  Whether or not they had an emotional advantage cannot be proven and will not be discussed.  They also are not responsible for the personnel choices the Colts made, but facts are facts.  When analyzing this victory over the Colts, you cannot ignore the truth of the matter that so many players did indeed sit.  It wasn't  just Manning, Harrison, Wayne, and James, but over half the defense.  Missing in action were both starting def. tackles, Corey Simon and Montae Reagor, neither of who played a down.  Other defensive starters who did not play a single down were free safety Bob Sanders and linebacker Cato June.  All world defensive end Dwight Freeny was in for only a handful of plays early in the game and back-up defensive end Robert Mathis didn't see a single snap. With all the attention given by the media to resting offensive players, not everyone realized that 6 or maybe more  very important defensive players, affecting the line, linebakers, and secondary, would contribute nothing to the game.   Seattle fans should interpret  this win for what it was and not make it out to be something it wasn't.  This was not a blow-out of the Colts.   Perhaps the score should have been even more lopsided than 28-13, since they competed against so many 2nd stringers.

     By now you may have assumed that I have some personal vendetta  against the Seahawks.  On the contrary,  I do not dislike the Seahawks in the least.  This is not some vicious attack on their team.  On the contrary, I have often defended the team when others have taken cheap shots regarding past failures.  I have nothing but respect for coach Mike Holmgren.  I consider Matt Hasselbeck to be one scrappy dude with tremendous heart. I love his competetive nature.  Bobby Engram is an under-rated receiver and a real pro. The return of Darrell Jackson will only help the mission with his big play potential.  I admire Joe J. for his strength during his own personal tragedy years back when he was a Buccaneer.   Last, but certainly not least, Shaun Alexander. He is arguably the best in the business, plus he has tons of character and confidence. In fact, I will almost certainly root for the Hawks if they should make it to the Super Bowl.  I do not care for any of the AFC contenders, although rooting against the Bengals at the Big Dance would be hard to do.  I do so love an underdog. 

     Why then write this blog?  As I have been surfing about from blog to blog, it would appear that Seahawks fans are really hyping themselves up.  Given the history of the team, I say proceed cautiously with your expectations.  Yes, these birds are a force to be reckoned with, but so is every other playoff team in their own right.   Based on the the level of most of their competition this year, and their performance against teams with talent, the jury is still out.  Root will all your might.  Seahawks fans are great and deserve a professional championship as much as any other fan base, if not more.  Just keep things in their proper perspective. There is still plenty of work to be done and even more yet to prove. Best of luck.  Every team in the playoffs will need at least a little.

     Let's get it on!  It's not only Christmas Eve but Fantasy Football Championship Saturday!   All my hard work has paid off.  Beating opponents to the next hot free agent pick-up.  Brokering deals with other league members.  Fixating on start or sit decisions when bye weeks and tough match-ups arise. There were 1000 smackaroos on the line in my  10 man league.  It's me versus The Bus Boys, whom we have affectionately labeled the "Short Bus" Boys.  Neither one of us has any guys going after today. We'll know the winner by the time dinner is over.  I'm so excited and equally so is my wife Super Jane.  (The woman has a motor. Great with the kids, workaholic, you name it.)  She's excited because she can't wait for the stupid season to end.

     I don't have a team loaded with stars. What I've got is a bunch of solid consistent players who usually produce good points, but can also provide the occasional big game.  That is except for you Torry Holt.  On draft day you were part of my master plan.  You and that lunk-head Marc Bulger who butchered his shoulder on Monday night vs. the Colts trying to make the most pathetic self-defense block I have ever seen.  He was plowed by some burly linebacker during a return of his freakin interception.  More on that game to come.  My plan was to try and draft both of you because I knew that Mike Martz is a pass happy maniac. Well it worked.  I drafted you in the second round and snagged Bulger in the 4th.  You two sure were making me look like a genius early on.  Man did you guys light it up together. 

     Four games into the season and you had 30 receptions, along with nearly 450 receiving yards and three touchdowns.  You were single handedly carrying my receiving crew. Some weeks you were like two receivers in one. In week 3 you contributed 9 catches-163 yards-and a score. You were the beloved "automatic start vs. anyone guy".  Then a mini-disaster occurred.  Your knee was hurt during the week 5 game against Seattle.  You played on like a warrior and finished with  8 catches, 126 yards, and a score despite your injury. I didn't know what was to come but I had my fingers crossed.

     All week long I waited.  Your team was going to play the Monday night game against the Colts.  The game where that fool Bulger decided to protect himself with his throwing shoulder rather than duck.  I'm not bitter though Bulger, you jerk.  David Garrard had been helping out lately, before him it was Brad Johnson, and now Josh McCown is starting this week's championship game for me. (I rolled the dice and he did well by the way.)  See my back-up to Bulger had been Byron Leftwich.  Who says lightning doesn't strike twice?  Anyway, you had the dreaded gametime decision tag placed on your knee and like I said the game was on Monday night.  Due to bye weeks I had only two other available receivers.  My opponent that week and I were tied for first place.  The free-agent receivers all left something to be desired.  If you couldn't play I would have had a roster spot that got me no points. 

    I came up with a plan.  I had a load of running backs, some who could not get off my bench.  I made a deal with the Bus-Boys who had injuries problems of their own (a banged up Julius Jones), to get  Brandon Stokely of the Colts.  Stokely had not yet totally disappeared from the Colts offense and he was coming off a 1000 yard 10 touchdown season.  If you Holt could not play, at least I still had an option to go to on Monday night.  Well you did play and turned in a gritty performance on a night where it was clear you were not 100 percent.  You were held out of the end zone, but managed a repectable 70 yards.  I lost that game by 1.1 points or 11 rushing/receiving yards thanks to tough guy Bulger getting himself laid out..

     You missed the next 2 games due to your injury and also enjoyed a bye week to get healthy.  Once you came back in week 10 you were a bit rusty but still caught a beautiful touchdown pass from Bulger who also returned in this game.  He was back in my good graces for just that one week . He re-injured his shoulder again the following week when he was slammed on it while getting sacked.  His shoulder was probably still hurt from his bonehead play that famous Monday night.

    Anyway Torry you went on to prove that you can go out and catch the rock no matter who is throwing you the ball.  You have made the likes of Jamie Martin and even Ryan Fitzpatrick better than they are.  In the last 5 games leading up to today you caught 10 or more balls three times and and scored three more touchdowns for my team.  All together you have had quite the season.  In only 12 games you played thus far, you have 88 receptions, 1128 yards, and 8 touchdowns.  In fact you have failed to score a touchdown in only 4 games all year.

     Well the results are in, and I unfortunately have to admit that I lost the big game by a hair as well as the 1000 smackaroos.  You put up another "Big Game" Torry Holt.  You caught 10 passses for a buck sixty three and a touchdown. I thought I was a shoo in to win.  My kids' Christmas gifts this year would have wound up being free.  Maybe Super Jane would have changed her mind about fantasy football.  But no,  I don't get any glory, bragging rights or greenbacks for all my hard work, time and effort.  You see those Bus-Boys had The Larry Johnson on their team. (I was praying San Diego could stop him or even just slow him down a bit.) The Larry Johnson who, thanks to Priest Holmes' injury in week 8, has became the most feared back in the league. The Larry Johnson who was picked to the Pro Bowl despite only 6 starts.  The Larry Johnson who had 179 total yards and two touchdowns today.  The Larry Johnson that I traded to The Bus Boys in week 6 for Brandon Stokely. The trade happened a scant two weeks before Priest Holmes' injury turned Larry from Caddy to Mac Daddy.

     Torry, this is all your fault.  If you hadn't hurt your stinkin' knee this would never have happened.   If you had simply announced that you were planning on playing that Monday night game so long ago, I would never had made that trade.  But no, you had to be a game-time decision.  See what you cost me Torry.  You're a bum.  Now get off my team.

I hope you liked the irony in all this.  I still love fantasy football and would take Torry Holt any day of the week.  Merry Christmas to all.     

     If you watch ESPN as much as I do,  then your heart is heavy like mine.  The tragic turn of events in the Dungy family have touched many of us during what is supposed to be a joyous time of the year.  As a parent myself, the pain Mr.Dungy and his loved ones are feeling is unimaginable to me.  I'm sure I speak for everyone when I offer my condolances and prayers.

     As we have been hearing for weeks now, the Colt's plan has been to rest many of their players for a large part of this now even more insignificant game.   However, in its own right, has this horrible situation actually made the game somehow more significant to the coaches and the team?  Temporary head coach Jim Caldwell and his players might have a very tough choice to make.  Do they stick to the plan that was in place, or do they disregard the head coach's will and try to win the game?  Many of the players were opposed to sitting anyway.  Do they defer to Dungy's wishes in this difficult time, or do they try and do something symbolic for him and his family?   

     My guess is that they will more than likely stick to the plan.... sort of.  Many of the regulars will indeed sit, but I think they will play more than expected.  Peyton Manning and crew have every right to be distracted, but I think they will rally around this event and come out as focused as ever.  I predict they will make a huge statement in the first half by jumping all over the Seahawks.  They will try to show the love and respect they have for their coach by playing their most inspired game of the year.  I believe the factors leading up to this (as I said before) insignificant game, might  actually prove more distracting to the Seahawks than the Colts.  It is very possible that the Seahawks are never able to overcome a furious opening burst by the Colts, and ultimately lose this game. 

     The Colts are a proud group of men.  I know that they will find the way to honor their coach and represent him well today.   The coaching staff will follow Dungy's plan to rest the players for whatever portion of the game.  Not as much as he would have initially preferred, but enough to show their respect to him and his plan.  The players will make their "extra" time on the field count for double.  In this way they can pay tribute and homage to their leader, and leave the game prideful knowing that they did everything in their power to dignify the memory of his son James.  Maybe this can provide a little peace, even just a tiny bit, during this difficult time.

Best wishes and God bless.

     Most of us are familiar with the term "Butter" face".  It's used by men in conversation when checking out women.  These words describe a woman with a nice figure but a not so pretty face.  The dialogue would basically sound something like this:  "Wow, she sure has got a great body, "but-her" face is ________".  Well you can fill in the blank as you see fit.  By changing the topic to football, we can apply the same concept to this year's version of the Chicago Bears.  Man, they sure have a great defense but the offense thus far has been downright ugly.  There is reason now for the team to at least hope that this is about to change.  Coach Lovie Smith was finally able to bench rookie quarterback Kyle Orton.  Rex Grossman, the intended starter from the beginning of the year, has at long last returned from a pre-season injury.

     Last Sunday Grossman entered the game against the Atlanta Falcons to start the second half, with the Bears clinging to a 6-3 lead.  He immediately led them on two scoring drives which netted 10 points. The Bears never looked back and cruised to victory.  Although Grossman was not spectacular, it was obvious that he sparked the team.  His ability was clearlysuperior to that of starter Kyle Orton.  His passes showed the velocity that goes with a strong arm, and he demonstrated the conviction to throw the ball down the field.  Orton, on the other hand, has been playing not to lose.  He takes no chances and repeatedly looked to complete short  passing routes.  I admit, it may be premature to jump on the Rex Grossman bandwagon, but he can only help this team.  The passing attack has no where to go but up.  Orton has a passer rating of 59.9.  Equally pathetic are his 9 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.  In fact, Orton has only thrown 2 touchdown passes in a game once all year and has also gone over 200 yards passing just twice.  Even worse,  in two other games he  passed for measly totals of 67 and 68 yards.  Awful!

     The most important aspect of Grossman's return is the renewed sense of hope this provides the defense.  After the Atlanta game, the effect that Grossman had on Bears defensive players was plainly evident.  Some of them were absolutely giddy with delight.  How much better might they be able to play now if the offense can provide them with a lead to work with?  If they have been teeing off on opposing teams all year long, what will they be capable of doing in this situation?  I doubt any of their opponents are all that eager to find out.  Ugly or not, wins are wins and this team currently stands at 10-4.  This record is entirely due to the play of the defense.  They have been the class of the league, but even this unit cannot be expected to win in the playoffs if the offense cannot score some points.  They don't even necessarily have to score alot of points, just a few more.  Perhaps Grossman can provide this leadership.  The diffference needed could be just one extra touchdown a game.  This defense is that good.  Still a doubter?  Then chew on this for a minute.

     The 1985 Chicago Bears are considered by many to be perhaps the most dominating defense in the history of the NFL.  In 1985 the team alllowed only 198 points during the 16 games of the regular season.  This year's version of the Monsters of the Midway have thus far allowed 151 points through 14 games.  With two games left against Green Bay and the Minnesota, it is extremely likely that they will better the mark of their famous predecessors.  Impressively they have allowed 10 points or less in ten of their fourteen games, losing only once.  This was a 9-7 opening day loss to Washington.  This formidable defense has allowed only one field goal in 3 games this year and two field goals in  2 other games.  For those of us who are mathematically challenged, that would be 21 points spread out over five victories.  Finally, three of their four losses have been against AFC foes, the superior conference.  (Contenders Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, along with a week 5 stinker against Cleveland) This makes them 9-1 in the NFC, not a good sign for their conference rivals.  The defense, along with the return of Grossman has catapulted the Bears to become this year's Cinderella.  Who woulda thunk it back on opening day, and even more so after the team started off 1-3.  The NFC North was the joke of the league.  Who's laughing now?

     If the playoffs started today the Bears would have a first round bye in the playoffs and be guaranteed at least one home game.  If the Seahawks win one more game they would secure the other bye week and home-field advantage throughout the playofffs.  The remaining teams still in contention for the wild card spots are (in current order) the Giants (10-4), Panthers (10-4), Tampa Bay (9-5), Washington (8-6), Minnesota (8-6), Dallas (8-6), and Atlanta (8-6).  If the playoffs started today Minnesota, Dallas, and Atlanta would be odd men out.  When you look at this group of wild card contenders collectively, none of these teams really scare you.  The Bears already own victories against Carolina (13-3), Minnesota (28-3), Tampa Bay (13-10), and Atlanta (16-3).  As I mentioned before, the Bears did lose to Washington (9-7) but that was way back on opening day with greenhorn rookie Kyle Orton at the helm.  All told, these five contenders combined to score 26 points against the Bears defense during their regular season meetings.  Call me a believer, but what would cause you to believe that the offensive chances of these teams would significantly improve at Soldier Field ,when it's freezing cold in January?

    The unknown variables for the Bears in their quest to make the Super Bowl. although few, are significant.  The two best NFC teams besides the Bears, in my opinion, are the Giants and Seahawks.  Assuming the Bears (I know it's not good to assume) and Seahawks secure first round byes, then the Bears would draw the highest seeded winning team from the wild-card round.  The Giants, with their balanced attack and solid defense would pose a challenge for the Bears, should they win their first round game.  Eli Manning is developing ahead of schedule but I am not sold that  he is quite yet ready to handle the Bears ferocious defense at this stage of his career, especially at Soldier Field.  The Giants defense, although solid, has been prone to giving up big plays both on the ground and through the air.  This would likely be a fabulous game, however I think the Bears would somehow prevail.

     In comparison, the Seahawks are so similar to the Giants. Just refer to the overtime regular season matchup between these two squads in Seattle as all the evidence you need. Three missed field goals by Jay Feely of the Giants cost them a highly competitive, and hotly contested game. Although the Bears would have to play the Seahawks in Seattle, I think the Bears would pull this game out as well.  Oh, and just imagine if the Seahwaks were somehow upset in their first playoff game.  If this were to happen the Bears would be truly difficult to beat with two playoff games at home.  So much to speculate on, so many games left to play, so much to look forward to.

     I know, I know, this guy must be nuts.  He thinks Da Bears can actually make the Super Bowl? You know, I don't necessarily truly believe they can myself, but the other NFC teams just don't impress me.  Their defense always gives them a chance.  I just smell the scent of destiny, karma, or divine intervention in the air.  This would be such a wonderful story, one to always remember.  Whatever the outcome of the Bears season, they have assumed the role of Cinderella. They started off as the "Butter Face" team of the league, but look at them now.  I know it may seem like a lot for them to hope for, but if Rex Grossman can stay healthy and give them the anticipated upgrade at quarterback, they will be an opponent to be reckoned with.  Even with marginal improvements at the position, Grossman just may be the cosmetic surgery their offense has been waiting for all year.  Until the Super Bowl anyway, because it will take a whole lot more than Grossman to knock off nearly any of the AFC juggernauts at the real Big Dance.  It would take the game of their lives for the Bears to be able to finish the deal, and I know inside it won't happen, but hey, you gotta be in it to win it.  Good luck at the ball Cinderella.  If I am correct, it sure will be a whole lot of fun to watch.