Neither Snow nor Dome will Keep Saints, Pats from Miami
Random thoughts while wondering what ever happened to Angel Bravo:
Do or Die Dept.: The NFC and AFC championship games are today and no doubt you are sick of the hype and analysis that you've been bombarded with during the last week. I'll keep mine brief.
In the NFC, America's Darlings, the New Orleans Saints, meet the Chicago Bears. It appears, no one from outside the city limits of Crystal Lake thinks the Bears have a shot in this game. Even those in the Chicago media have presented a pretty strong argument against the Bears.
Nationally, it's all about Drew Brees and can the Bears defense stop him? Can the Bears defense, which has been very porous lately, stop Reggie and Deuce?
One of the liabilities of running a cover two defense is that you are very exposed underneath because players are responsible for areas not players. A smart, disciplined quarterback like Drew Brees can take advantage of that and surgically carve the Bears up like Emeril filleting a salmon. However, there is one factor the pundits have not been paying attention to: Mother Nature.
If the weather at Soldier Field is anything like what's going on outside my window right now (and most likely it's worse due to "lake effect snow") then that changes a lot of things. The Saints are an indoor carpet team, not used to slipping and sliding outside. But even in the bad weather, the receivers know where they are going and the defense can only guess which may lead to being able to advance the football underneath. The man in coverage slips and suddenly you are on your way to the end zone. Quick slants and screens are great in this kind of weather and the Saints feature them in abundance.
The Bears will have to run the ball and milk the clock and have to rely heavily on Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Short yardage situations on third down are key to the Bears today. If you see them in a lot of third and longs, they will have no chance to win this game.
In the final analysis, it'll be a big day for Deuce McAllister running through a depleted Bears defensive line and for Drew Brees who will get the slants and the short outs he needs to win the game. Saints 20 Bears 10.
In the AFC game, there is no coach I'd rather have on the sideline in a big game right now than Bill Belichick, especially when he comes equipped with the unflappable Tom Brady. They've been there, done that and have the t-shirts.
On the other sideline, you have a coach who has never made it past this point in a season coupled with a quarterback who has never won a big game in his life. Today will not be that day. Tony, Peyton, thanks for playing. Patriots 34 Colts 20
No Further Explanation Needed Dept.: The national media is making a big deal that both Peyton Manning and Brian Urlacher need a win today to validate their careers. They don't. Dick Butkus and Dan Marino never won a ring and Butkus never even came close to playing in a championship game,, but both are revered players and both are in the hall of fame. Manning and Urlacher will be hall of famers whether they ever get to a super bowl or not.
Tough Love Dept.: Not everyone wants to give the Saints a hug.
Well Done Dept.: My all-time favorite Chicago Bulls player is in the news for another outstanding accomplishment.
Reality Sucks Dept.: Now you know why athletes ask for such outrageous salaries. The price they pay is often more steep than the price that they receive.
Grimm Truth Dept.: The Pittsburgh Steelers brass would be poor contestants on "Who wants to be a Millionaire." "Is that your final answer?" "Yes, no, maybe, huh." The loud whirring noise that has been detected in western Pennsylvania is the ghost of Art Rooney spinning in his grave, mostly from embarrassment.
Happy Ending Dept.: When you choose lemons, you better be like this guy and figure out how to make lemon aid.
Last One Standing Dept.: Michelle Phillips, you can open that bottle of scotch now.
She's a Grand Old Flag: Someone needs to tell these people that the Donald is flying an American flag, not a pair of Rosie O'Donnell's drawers. What we need are more patriots, not people against patriotism.
Hat in the Ring Dept.: Hillary Clinton bids to become the first American president to travel by broom.
Voice From the Wilderness Dept.: The governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, has publicly flogged President Bush over the President's policy on Iraq. All 15 of the states citizens rush to agree with the Governor.
Time is on Our Side: I'm not that familiar with the doomsday clock. I know the doomsday clock radio is one that can only tune in smooth jazz stations.
Baby You Can Drive My Car Dept.: Makes me wish I kept the '69 Malibu. Or the '70 Impala. Or the '72 Nova. Or my baseball cards.
Speak From the Dead Dept.: It's the new talking Steve Irwin doll (sting ray attachment optional.)
For the Love of Money Dept.: Forbes says Oprah is the richest woman in showbiz. Martha Stewart demands a recount. Oprah vows to make it up to Martha by building a cooking school for wayward girls.
Sorry, No Pictures Dept.: Award winning director Jonathan Demme was banned by Brandeis University from filming a speech by former President Jimmy Carter, even though Demme is working on a documentary about Carter. Demme did offer Carter a stipend, but Carter refused saying even though he had done so in the past, he was no longer working for peanuts.
Song Sung Blue Dept.: Sing along, even if you don't know the words. Apparently, no one does.
Do or Die Dept.: The NFC and AFC championship games are today and no doubt you are sick of the hype and analysis that you've been bombarded with during the last week. I'll keep mine brief.
In the NFC, America's Darlings, the New Orleans Saints, meet the Chicago Bears. It appears, no one from outside the city limits of Crystal Lake thinks the Bears have a shot in this game. Even those in the Chicago media have presented a pretty strong argument against the Bears.
Nationally, it's all about Drew Brees and can the Bears defense stop him? Can the Bears defense, which has been very porous lately, stop Reggie and Deuce?
One of the liabilities of running a cover two defense is that you are very exposed underneath because players are responsible for areas not players. A smart, disciplined quarterback like Drew Brees can take advantage of that and surgically carve the Bears up like Emeril filleting a salmon. However, there is one factor the pundits have not been paying attention to: Mother Nature.
If the weather at Soldier Field is anything like what's going on outside my window right now (and most likely it's worse due to "lake effect snow") then that changes a lot of things. The Saints are an indoor carpet team, not used to slipping and sliding outside. But even in the bad weather, the receivers know where they are going and the defense can only guess which may lead to being able to advance the football underneath. The man in coverage slips and suddenly you are on your way to the end zone. Quick slants and screens are great in this kind of weather and the Saints feature them in abundance.
The Bears will have to run the ball and milk the clock and have to rely heavily on Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Short yardage situations on third down are key to the Bears today. If you see them in a lot of third and longs, they will have no chance to win this game.
In the final analysis, it'll be a big day for Deuce McAllister running through a depleted Bears defensive line and for Drew Brees who will get the slants and the short outs he needs to win the game. Saints 20 Bears 10.
In the AFC game, there is no coach I'd rather have on the sideline in a big game right now than Bill Belichick, especially when he comes equipped with the unflappable Tom Brady. They've been there, done that and have the t-shirts.
On the other sideline, you have a coach who has never made it past this point in a season coupled with a quarterback who has never won a big game in his life. Today will not be that day. Tony, Peyton, thanks for playing. Patriots 34 Colts 20
No Further Explanation Needed Dept.: The national media is making a big deal that both Peyton Manning and Brian Urlacher need a win today to validate their careers. They don't. Dick Butkus and Dan Marino never won a ring and Butkus never even came close to playing in a championship game,, but both are revered players and both are in the hall of fame. Manning and Urlacher will be hall of famers whether they ever get to a super bowl or not.
Tough Love Dept.: Not everyone wants to give the Saints a hug.
Well Done Dept.: My all-time favorite Chicago Bulls player is in the news for another outstanding accomplishment.
Reality Sucks Dept.: Now you know why athletes ask for such outrageous salaries. The price they pay is often more steep than the price that they receive.
Grimm Truth Dept.: The Pittsburgh Steelers brass would be poor contestants on "Who wants to be a Millionaire." "Is that your final answer?" "Yes, no, maybe, huh." The loud whirring noise that has been detected in western Pennsylvania is the ghost of Art Rooney spinning in his grave, mostly from embarrassment.
Happy Ending Dept.: When you choose lemons, you better be like this guy and figure out how to make lemon aid.
Last One Standing Dept.: Michelle Phillips, you can open that bottle of scotch now.
She's a Grand Old Flag: Someone needs to tell these people that the Donald is flying an American flag, not a pair of Rosie O'Donnell's drawers. What we need are more patriots, not people against patriotism.
Hat in the Ring Dept.: Hillary Clinton bids to become the first American president to travel by broom.
Voice From the Wilderness Dept.: The governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, has publicly flogged President Bush over the President's policy on Iraq. All 15 of the states citizens rush to agree with the Governor.
Time is on Our Side: I'm not that familiar with the doomsday clock. I know the doomsday clock radio is one that can only tune in smooth jazz stations.
Baby You Can Drive My Car Dept.: Makes me wish I kept the '69 Malibu. Or the '70 Impala. Or the '72 Nova. Or my baseball cards.
Speak From the Dead Dept.: It's the new talking Steve Irwin doll (sting ray attachment optional.)
For the Love of Money Dept.: Forbes says Oprah is the richest woman in showbiz. Martha Stewart demands a recount. Oprah vows to make it up to Martha by building a cooking school for wayward girls.
Sorry, No Pictures Dept.: Award winning director Jonathan Demme was banned by Brandeis University from filming a speech by former President Jimmy Carter, even though Demme is working on a documentary about Carter. Demme did offer Carter a stipend, but Carter refused saying even though he had done so in the past, he was no longer working for peanuts.
Song Sung Blue Dept.: Sing along, even if you don't know the words. Apparently, no one does.
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