I get it that Albert Haynesworth WAS the best defensive player in the NFL last year... in a contract year.
He has had several off the field/attitude/personality issues during his career.
He now has 41 million in guaranteed money.
How many times will Dan Snyder sign Deion Sanders/Mark Brunell/Dana Stubblefield/Bruce Smith/Adam Archuleta/Antwaan Randle El before he realizes this is not the way to win in the NFL?
Does anyone really think that Albert Haynesworth will be worth this money five-six years into this deal? For that matter, a great case can be made he won't be worth the money this year.
No doubt the Redskins landed an extraordinary talent today, however, Dan Snyder's track record with free agent signings leaves lots of room for second guessing from 'Skins fans
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wager Anyone?
I am willing to wager with anyone, today, on the NCAA basketball tournament.
Please pick for me the winning team, in fact, I will give you 4 choices... In theory I'm giving you the top 4 seeds (all of the number ones) and I will take the field. 11-10 odds- even money in bookie speak.
Here's the deal, there hasn't been one team to show anything that even resembles dominance this season.
As soon as a team is crowned the new number one, a loss has followed that week, almost without fail over the last 2 months. Pitt, at the hands of mighty Providence tonight, the most recent case.
Just give me your four, and I'll take the field.
Thanks for playing.
Fight On,
Nate
Please pick for me the winning team, in fact, I will give you 4 choices... In theory I'm giving you the top 4 seeds (all of the number ones) and I will take the field. 11-10 odds- even money in bookie speak.
Here's the deal, there hasn't been one team to show anything that even resembles dominance this season.
As soon as a team is crowned the new number one, a loss has followed that week, almost without fail over the last 2 months. Pitt, at the hands of mighty Providence tonight, the most recent case.
Just give me your four, and I'll take the field.
Thanks for playing.
Fight On,
Nate
Monday, February 23, 2009
Best Buzzer Beater Ever!!!
I know this is a giant statement in the history of buzzer beaters, and certainly the stakes don't compare to Jordan vs. the Jazz in the NBA Finals or Laettner vs. Kentucky in the Elite Eight, but from the standpoint of how amazing the shot itself was, this one takes the cake... no if ands or buts about it...
Devin Harris tonight for the Nets vs the 76ers...
before viewing the tape, notice that Harris first attempts to shoot the ball with about .9 seconds left, only to have it blocked, he regains (albeit only partially) control of the ball with about .2 seconds to go, just in time to fling it- totally off balance- from half court!!
nothing but rip cord!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afz7lz7KGM
Devin Harris tonight for the Nets vs the 76ers...
before viewing the tape, notice that Harris first attempts to shoot the ball with about .9 seconds left, only to have it blocked, he regains (albeit only partially) control of the ball with about .2 seconds to go, just in time to fling it- totally off balance- from half court!!
nothing but rip cord!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afz7lz7KGM
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Can I Email You?
Blogger.com, who supports my blog, allows me to list 10 email addresses that are automatically emailed each time I post.
If you care to be one of these people, either comment on this post with your email address OR if you dont want to expose your email address on the open web, email me at nateschaps@yahoo.com
Fight On,
Nate
If you care to be one of these people, either comment on this post with your email address OR if you dont want to expose your email address on the open web, email me at nateschaps@yahoo.com
Fight On,
Nate
Monday, February 16, 2009
The 500
Not much of a race fan, but watched the Daytona 500 Sunday.
A few thoughts...
No denying the talent of the drivers, running 3 wide at 165 mph through turns at following distances of a few feet. Amazing there isn't a wreck around every corner.
They need to make a rule so what happened yesterday is less likely to occur again.
Brian Vickers and Dale Jr., both a lap down, started a chain reaction wreck knocking out several of the leaders. It was, other than the rain storm, the most significant event of the day.
Vickers and Jr. were fighting to be the car in the so-called 'lucky dog' spot (for NASCAR novices- the lucky dog is the leading car among those a lap down- if a caution flag comes out the 'lucky dog' gets back on the lead lap) when Jr clipped Vickers, the accident that ensued wrecked, among several other top performers, Kyle Busch, the day's best driver.
Quick tangent...
A friend of mine, a former D1 collegiate football offensive lineman, went to the race this year, as he normally does. Haven't talked to him since he got back, but last year he saved his beer caps for statistical purposes.
At the '08 version of the 'Great American Race,' this former Thundering Herd O-Lineman threw back 46 barley pops. I wait on him often at my bar, seeing him 'at work' often, I don't doubt for a second his ability to crush nearly 2 cases.
On the topic of beer, it's hard to tell if NASCAR fans are genuinely passionate about their favorite racer or if they're just really cocked and screaming belligerently. Give 'em credit for at least being able to see straight enough to know when the 88 (Dale Jr.) car took the lead briefly yesterday.
Matt Kenseth won the 500 this year, I'm pretty sure he led only 1 lap, the one preceding the red flag brought on by the string of thunderstorms rolling in from Florida's west coast.
Was he the day's best driver? Certainly No...
The one thing standing out in my mind from Sunday is that NASCAR seems a bit like Diving and Olympic boxing. The race's winner is determined too much by happenstance and technicalities that are noticed only by race officials.
Dale Jr. was penalized a lap yesterday because his front tires were on the white lines that separate his pit box from the next on pit row.
The race leader was determined, at least once, by the car that was, in a photo finish, the first to clear pit row during a caution flag.
As mentioned earlier, the day's best racer was knocked out of the race in 9 car crash caused by 2 guys who were 30 or more spots back.
The race's 2 most significant events yesterday were undoubtedly...
1. A thunderstorm
2. A wreck caused by 2 guys 30+ spots off the lead
Is this how NASCAR's premiere event should be decided?
As I mentioned in the lead, I'm not denying the talent of the racers... and clearly it isn't all luck.
For one guy (Jimmy Johnson) to win the Nextel Cup series 3 years in a row, it can't be all luck.
Clearly Johnson and his team have developed superior tactics and skills to the competition.
I just wish, on Sunday in Daytona at least, it were a bit more apparent how the winner demonstrated his skills and earned his victory.
Fight On,
Nate
A few thoughts...
No denying the talent of the drivers, running 3 wide at 165 mph through turns at following distances of a few feet. Amazing there isn't a wreck around every corner.
They need to make a rule so what happened yesterday is less likely to occur again.
Brian Vickers and Dale Jr., both a lap down, started a chain reaction wreck knocking out several of the leaders. It was, other than the rain storm, the most significant event of the day.
Vickers and Jr. were fighting to be the car in the so-called 'lucky dog' spot (for NASCAR novices- the lucky dog is the leading car among those a lap down- if a caution flag comes out the 'lucky dog' gets back on the lead lap) when Jr clipped Vickers, the accident that ensued wrecked, among several other top performers, Kyle Busch, the day's best driver.
Quick tangent...
A friend of mine, a former D1 collegiate football offensive lineman, went to the race this year, as he normally does. Haven't talked to him since he got back, but last year he saved his beer caps for statistical purposes.
At the '08 version of the 'Great American Race,' this former Thundering Herd O-Lineman threw back 46 barley pops. I wait on him often at my bar, seeing him 'at work' often, I don't doubt for a second his ability to crush nearly 2 cases.
On the topic of beer, it's hard to tell if NASCAR fans are genuinely passionate about their favorite racer or if they're just really cocked and screaming belligerently. Give 'em credit for at least being able to see straight enough to know when the 88 (Dale Jr.) car took the lead briefly yesterday.
Matt Kenseth won the 500 this year, I'm pretty sure he led only 1 lap, the one preceding the red flag brought on by the string of thunderstorms rolling in from Florida's west coast.
Was he the day's best driver? Certainly No...
The one thing standing out in my mind from Sunday is that NASCAR seems a bit like Diving and Olympic boxing. The race's winner is determined too much by happenstance and technicalities that are noticed only by race officials.
Dale Jr. was penalized a lap yesterday because his front tires were on the white lines that separate his pit box from the next on pit row.
The race leader was determined, at least once, by the car that was, in a photo finish, the first to clear pit row during a caution flag.
As mentioned earlier, the day's best racer was knocked out of the race in 9 car crash caused by 2 guys who were 30 or more spots back.
The race's 2 most significant events yesterday were undoubtedly...
1. A thunderstorm
2. A wreck caused by 2 guys 30+ spots off the lead
Is this how NASCAR's premiere event should be decided?
As I mentioned in the lead, I'm not denying the talent of the racers... and clearly it isn't all luck.
For one guy (Jimmy Johnson) to win the Nextel Cup series 3 years in a row, it can't be all luck.
Clearly Johnson and his team have developed superior tactics and skills to the competition.
I just wish, on Sunday in Daytona at least, it were a bit more apparent how the winner demonstrated his skills and earned his victory.
Fight On,
Nate
Friday, February 13, 2009
America's Team
Got this stat from Colin Cowherd this morning on ESPN Radio...
there is only one NFL team that has at least one season ticket holder living in all 50 US States.
Lacking a playoff win since the mid-1990's, there's been some argument over who truly is 'America's team'
In this case at least, the only NFL team with a fan base from Florida to Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, still is the Dallas Cowboys
there is only one NFL team that has at least one season ticket holder living in all 50 US States.
Lacking a playoff win since the mid-1990's, there's been some argument over who truly is 'America's team'
In this case at least, the only NFL team with a fan base from Florida to Maine to Alaska and Hawaii, still is the Dallas Cowboys
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
No Contest here...
College Football's best rivalry... so many great candidates: Texas vs. Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout, Auburn Alabama in the Iron Bowl, USC and UCLA with campuses only 12 miles or so apart, Army and Navy in the ultimate respectful rivalry, Michigan and Ohio State, Colorado vs. Nebraska...
okay, now quick trivia... name the teams in these rivalries...
1. The Civil War
2. The Big Game
3. The Backyard Brawl
4. The Egg Bowl
5. Bedlam
read the rest of the entry... then scroll to the bottom for answers... if you don't have at least 3 of 5 correct, TheSportsVerdict highly recommends you tighten up your game!
The lack of a contest I refer to in my title compares college football to college basketball, where the ONLY rivalry that means anything in the regular season is Duke and North Carolina.
Every Saturday, throughout the fall, football fans gather to watch immensely critical college football games. During college hoops season, the ONLY game that captures the attention of most fans is Duke vs. North Carolina.
I'm not saying college basketball doesn't have other rivalries (Georgetown vs. Syracuse and Kansas vs. Missouri come to mind quickly) but none enter the same league as Duke/UNC.
Coach K, Dean Smith... Coach K Court, The Dean Dome.
Christian Laettner, Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Antwain Jameson, Bobby Hurley, 'Sheed, and WoJo
Nothing even begins to compete.
More people say blue is their favorite color, both teams wear blue... maybe that's it.
College football fans argue about the sports' best rivalry, and at least 10, if not 20 or more games can make a great case.
In College Hoops it's case closed.
Tomorrow night at 9pm the ONLY college basketball rivalry worth mentioning is renewed.
Here's a toast to "Speedo Guy"... if you don't know what I am talking about, YouTube him!
Trivia Answers from Above
1. Oregon v Oregon State
2. Cal v Stanford
3. West Virginia v Pittsburgh
4. Ole Miss v Mississippi State
5. Oklahoma v Oklahoma State
Fight On,
Nate
okay, now quick trivia... name the teams in these rivalries...
1. The Civil War
2. The Big Game
3. The Backyard Brawl
4. The Egg Bowl
5. Bedlam
read the rest of the entry... then scroll to the bottom for answers... if you don't have at least 3 of 5 correct, TheSportsVerdict highly recommends you tighten up your game!
The lack of a contest I refer to in my title compares college football to college basketball, where the ONLY rivalry that means anything in the regular season is Duke and North Carolina.
Every Saturday, throughout the fall, football fans gather to watch immensely critical college football games. During college hoops season, the ONLY game that captures the attention of most fans is Duke vs. North Carolina.
I'm not saying college basketball doesn't have other rivalries (Georgetown vs. Syracuse and Kansas vs. Missouri come to mind quickly) but none enter the same league as Duke/UNC.
Coach K, Dean Smith... Coach K Court, The Dean Dome.
Christian Laettner, Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Antwain Jameson, Bobby Hurley, 'Sheed, and WoJo
Nothing even begins to compete.
More people say blue is their favorite color, both teams wear blue... maybe that's it.
College football fans argue about the sports' best rivalry, and at least 10, if not 20 or more games can make a great case.
In College Hoops it's case closed.
Tomorrow night at 9pm the ONLY college basketball rivalry worth mentioning is renewed.
Here's a toast to "Speedo Guy"... if you don't know what I am talking about, YouTube him!
Trivia Answers from Above
1. Oregon v Oregon State
2. Cal v Stanford
3. West Virginia v Pittsburgh
4. Ole Miss v Mississippi State
5. Oklahoma v Oklahoma State
Fight On,
Nate
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Rod
A Rod took steroids. Not shocked.
Bonds, Clemens (still in denial) Palmeiro (denied until he got caught red-handed) Giambi, Pettitte (out of the closet) and McGwire (awkwardly half in/half out of the closet) also all took steroids. Not shocked.
The list could (and eventually will) go on and on (Eric Gagne, Bret Boone, Mark Prior, Brady Anderson, many others). Does it really matter?
Kudos to Giambi, Pettitte and most recently A-Rod, someone taught them a lesson in PR 101- when you screw up, 'fess up and say you're sorry... the American public is remarkably forgiving...
Point is, from 1995 when baseball returned from its strike shortened season until 2004 when performance-enhancing drugs were cracked down on, MLB played its 'Steroid Era.' Some years from now, when perspective is gained, it will be judged for what it is, just as the following eras below are today...
1900-20 was the dead-ball era, extremely low power numbers compared to post-1920
1941-45 was the War era, where the talent level was down because of players fighting for the free world
1947-began integration, black players allowed in MLB, competition level surges
1973 began the Designated Hitter era (AL), offensive number surge
in 1995, baseball turned a blind eye to steroids.
the game needed a boost after droves of fans were turned off by the first World Series cancellation since 1904. The Sammy Sosa-Mark McGwire HR race of 1996 was the answer.
Steroids were taken by players of all positions for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Baseball is unique in its obsession with numerical records. No one knows by heart the number of TD passes the NFL record-holding quarterback has for his career or the NBA record-holding point scorer, ditto NHL goal scorer...
But every sports fan knew 755 for Hank Aaron and 61 for Roger Maris.
Baseball fans and historians are outraged at the notion that someone trumped Hank and Roger with an illegitimate boost.
This is what makes the case of baseball so unique. From a championship standpoint, its not likely that any one team won a World Series based on its players usage of steroids. The drugs were all over the league, highly doubtful any one clubhouse was binging significantly more than any other.
The outrage, in my humble opinion, is based mostly on how individual accomplishments and records should be reconciled in the light on the revelation of the performance-enhancing drug use, league-wide. Fans feel cheated that 61 and 755 went down to 'cheaters'. How dare they cheat the record book!
{Interesting side note, when you look up weightlifting world records there are often two categories listed 1. Clean and 2. East German (oops, I mean "untested'')}
40 years from now, it's safe to say Barry Bonds' 73 will not be measured on the same scale as Roger Maris' 61. Just as today it's absurd to measure Jack Chesboro's 41 wins in 1901 versus Cliff Lee or Brandon Webb's 22 in 2008. The eras are totally incomparable.
I will write on this topic further in coming days, dealing with the topic of who was clean, and how clean players should be judged in the 'Steroid Era'
Bonds, Clemens (still in denial) Palmeiro (denied until he got caught red-handed) Giambi, Pettitte (out of the closet) and McGwire (awkwardly half in/half out of the closet) also all took steroids. Not shocked.
The list could (and eventually will) go on and on (Eric Gagne, Bret Boone, Mark Prior, Brady Anderson, many others). Does it really matter?
Kudos to Giambi, Pettitte and most recently A-Rod, someone taught them a lesson in PR 101- when you screw up, 'fess up and say you're sorry... the American public is remarkably forgiving...
Point is, from 1995 when baseball returned from its strike shortened season until 2004 when performance-enhancing drugs were cracked down on, MLB played its 'Steroid Era.' Some years from now, when perspective is gained, it will be judged for what it is, just as the following eras below are today...
1900-20 was the dead-ball era, extremely low power numbers compared to post-1920
1941-45 was the War era, where the talent level was down because of players fighting for the free world
1947-began integration, black players allowed in MLB, competition level surges
1973 began the Designated Hitter era (AL), offensive number surge
in 1995, baseball turned a blind eye to steroids.
the game needed a boost after droves of fans were turned off by the first World Series cancellation since 1904. The Sammy Sosa-Mark McGwire HR race of 1996 was the answer.
Steroids were taken by players of all positions for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Baseball is unique in its obsession with numerical records. No one knows by heart the number of TD passes the NFL record-holding quarterback has for his career or the NBA record-holding point scorer, ditto NHL goal scorer...
But every sports fan knew 755 for Hank Aaron and 61 for Roger Maris.
Baseball fans and historians are outraged at the notion that someone trumped Hank and Roger with an illegitimate boost.
This is what makes the case of baseball so unique. From a championship standpoint, its not likely that any one team won a World Series based on its players usage of steroids. The drugs were all over the league, highly doubtful any one clubhouse was binging significantly more than any other.
The outrage, in my humble opinion, is based mostly on how individual accomplishments and records should be reconciled in the light on the revelation of the performance-enhancing drug use, league-wide. Fans feel cheated that 61 and 755 went down to 'cheaters'. How dare they cheat the record book!
{Interesting side note, when you look up weightlifting world records there are often two categories listed 1. Clean and 2. East German (oops, I mean "untested'')}
40 years from now, it's safe to say Barry Bonds' 73 will not be measured on the same scale as Roger Maris' 61. Just as today it's absurd to measure Jack Chesboro's 41 wins in 1901 versus Cliff Lee or Brandon Webb's 22 in 2008. The eras are totally incomparable.
I will write on this topic further in coming days, dealing with the topic of who was clean, and how clean players should be judged in the 'Steroid Era'
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Phelps
Micheal Phelps lost his endorsement deal the other day with Kelloggs' Co. and was suspended 3 months by the USA Swimming team.
Why? Because a picture was taken, on a camera phone, of Phelps smoking marijuana from a bong at a party at the University of South Carolina (the other USC)
Phelps is 23 years old and was on recognized before the home football game at South Carolina that day, he later attended a party where the photo was taken, almost certainly by a friend of a friend.
1. Some creep, certainly a no-name himself, seized on the moment and snapped a sneaky photo of a celebrity in a private moment. Sends it to a British tabloid newspaper and now has something to hang his hat on. Who ever this kid is, he's the real loser in this story.
2. A 23 year-old is smoking a little bit of weed at a college party!! Stop the Presses?
3. I understand he's a celebrity and with that comes an almost complete loss of privacy... but can a guy get a break? I've done plenty of things I wouldn't have wanted caught on camera... and anyone who says they haven't is lying.
4. Let's hope one of Phelps' true friends who was at this party tracks the secret photographer down and deals out some vigilante justice.
5. Whoever this guy is who took the photo has cost Phelps millions of dollars in endorsements and, at least in the eyes of some, permanently damaged his reputation. And for what?
6. Just another example of how 21st century technology means that privacy no longer exists, you can be caught on camera anywhere at anytime. There's a reason why fitness clubs with famous clientele forbid cell phones inside the building.
7. Phelps is the greatest swimmer of all time, totally performance-enhancer clean and he's never done anything to harm anyone. After his bong hit I bet all he did was call the local pizza joint for delivery... stimulating the local economy... and we all know how much that's appreciated.
Fight On,
Nate
Why? Because a picture was taken, on a camera phone, of Phelps smoking marijuana from a bong at a party at the University of South Carolina (the other USC)
Phelps is 23 years old and was on recognized before the home football game at South Carolina that day, he later attended a party where the photo was taken, almost certainly by a friend of a friend.
1. Some creep, certainly a no-name himself, seized on the moment and snapped a sneaky photo of a celebrity in a private moment. Sends it to a British tabloid newspaper and now has something to hang his hat on. Who ever this kid is, he's the real loser in this story.
2. A 23 year-old is smoking a little bit of weed at a college party!! Stop the Presses?
3. I understand he's a celebrity and with that comes an almost complete loss of privacy... but can a guy get a break? I've done plenty of things I wouldn't have wanted caught on camera... and anyone who says they haven't is lying.
4. Let's hope one of Phelps' true friends who was at this party tracks the secret photographer down and deals out some vigilante justice.
5. Whoever this guy is who took the photo has cost Phelps millions of dollars in endorsements and, at least in the eyes of some, permanently damaged his reputation. And for what?
6. Just another example of how 21st century technology means that privacy no longer exists, you can be caught on camera anywhere at anytime. There's a reason why fitness clubs with famous clientele forbid cell phones inside the building.
7. Phelps is the greatest swimmer of all time, totally performance-enhancer clean and he's never done anything to harm anyone. After his bong hit I bet all he did was call the local pizza joint for delivery... stimulating the local economy... and we all know how much that's appreciated.
Fight On,
Nate
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
As Good As It Gets
No, not the Super Bowl.
Not Red Sox vs. Yankees, Lakers-Celtics or any other rivalry is pro team sports.
Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal is the best rivalry in sports right now.
Now I'm not even going to pretend to be a huge tennis fan and I am certainly not incredibly knowledgeable about the sport. But what I watched Sunday morning was the most competitive, well- played, entertaining sporting event I've seen in some time.
I fell asleep late in the 3rd set Sunday Morning, sometime after 5am eastern time. Nadal won in 5 grueling sets, almost 4 and half hours of play.
The level of play is off the charts when the Swiss-born Federer and Spanish-born Nadal take the court. Now that Federer's once invincible serve has become just a little more manageable, it makes for much better play. Service breaks are not the freak occurrences they were several years ago.
The 22 year-old Nadal bested the 27 year-old Federer in another amazing Grand Slam final in July of 2008 (Wimbledon)- the grass court showdown last summer earned more attention because-
1. it wasn't played during the middle of the night and
2. it wasn't played on the same day as the Super Bowl
Although the timing of this past match left a bit to be desired, Federer-Nadal is as good as sports get right now.
Final points won Sunday morning
Federer 174
Nadal 173
Fight On,
Nate
Not Red Sox vs. Yankees, Lakers-Celtics or any other rivalry is pro team sports.
Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal is the best rivalry in sports right now.
Now I'm not even going to pretend to be a huge tennis fan and I am certainly not incredibly knowledgeable about the sport. But what I watched Sunday morning was the most competitive, well- played, entertaining sporting event I've seen in some time.
I fell asleep late in the 3rd set Sunday Morning, sometime after 5am eastern time. Nadal won in 5 grueling sets, almost 4 and half hours of play.
The level of play is off the charts when the Swiss-born Federer and Spanish-born Nadal take the court. Now that Federer's once invincible serve has become just a little more manageable, it makes for much better play. Service breaks are not the freak occurrences they were several years ago.
The 22 year-old Nadal bested the 27 year-old Federer in another amazing Grand Slam final in July of 2008 (Wimbledon)- the grass court showdown last summer earned more attention because-
1. it wasn't played during the middle of the night and
2. it wasn't played on the same day as the Super Bowl
Although the timing of this past match left a bit to be desired, Federer-Nadal is as good as sports get right now.
Final points won Sunday morning
Federer 174
Nadal 173
Fight On,
Nate
Decent Day
48 hours removed from Super Bowl XLIII The Sports Verdict finds a decent day of predictions...
Got the winner, but missed on the spread. Not being on the right side of the point spread means basically a loser (my Sportsbook.com online account is evidence), however...
I was remarkably prophetic on a few things...
1. Predicted the half time score at 17-10 Pitt- ended up being 17-7 Pitt.
2. Called for at least one big play from WR Santonio Holmes, he not only caught the winning TD pass, he was named the MVP
3. Accurately said Big Ben would use his feet to escape the rush, he did several times, including the 1st and 20 play on the decisive drive
4. Not going to claim to be a genius for saying the Cards running game would be shut down, but I said under 60 yards and they finished with 33.
5. Predicted a long touchdown catch by Fitzgerald, thought it would come earlier in the game than it did.
Where I missed badly was in the second half, I wrote before the game and wagered at halftime that Pittsburgh would pull away. Pittsburgh's opening third quarter possession was a thing of beauty until it sputtered inside the Cards 5.
Pitt's next 3 drives earned zero first downs and netted -2 yards. Not going to pull away playing that kind of offense.
In total, the fourth quarter was perhaps the best Super Bowl fourth quarter ever. Even better than last year.
I thought the first three quarters, save for James Harrison's INT return, were only moderately interesting.
The Boss, as always, was the real McCoy.
Quick picks for next year...
Arizona fails to make the playoffs... almost all Super Bowl losing teams do not rebound with successful seasons. The weak NFC West may be their savior.
Pittsburgh returns to playoffs but loses before the Super Bowl. The Steelers are a very good team but only GREAT ones repeat. This Pittsburgh crew is not great.
Got the winner, but missed on the spread. Not being on the right side of the point spread means basically a loser (my Sportsbook.com online account is evidence), however...
I was remarkably prophetic on a few things...
1. Predicted the half time score at 17-10 Pitt- ended up being 17-7 Pitt.
2. Called for at least one big play from WR Santonio Holmes, he not only caught the winning TD pass, he was named the MVP
3. Accurately said Big Ben would use his feet to escape the rush, he did several times, including the 1st and 20 play on the decisive drive
4. Not going to claim to be a genius for saying the Cards running game would be shut down, but I said under 60 yards and they finished with 33.
5. Predicted a long touchdown catch by Fitzgerald, thought it would come earlier in the game than it did.
Where I missed badly was in the second half, I wrote before the game and wagered at halftime that Pittsburgh would pull away. Pittsburgh's opening third quarter possession was a thing of beauty until it sputtered inside the Cards 5.
Pitt's next 3 drives earned zero first downs and netted -2 yards. Not going to pull away playing that kind of offense.
In total, the fourth quarter was perhaps the best Super Bowl fourth quarter ever. Even better than last year.
I thought the first three quarters, save for James Harrison's INT return, were only moderately interesting.
The Boss, as always, was the real McCoy.
Quick picks for next year...
Arizona fails to make the playoffs... almost all Super Bowl losing teams do not rebound with successful seasons. The weak NFC West may be their savior.
Pittsburgh returns to playoffs but loses before the Super Bowl. The Steelers are a very good team but only GREAT ones repeat. This Pittsburgh crew is not great.
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