The best seat in the house is the view from the couch

Here are my two quick tangents for the week...

First, sweet sweet revenge. Aaron Boone injured his ACL by playing basketball this week, possibly ending his 2004 season and / or voiding his sweet new contract from the Yankees. Gee, I'm all teary-eyed...

Secondly, I've been applying for many openings with local newspapers and TV stations trying to break into professional sports writing. But you know what I've found? No one will hire you without experience, and you can't get experience without getting hired. Talk about a Catch22. Ugh.

OK, back to what matters. So obviously the news this week is, what else, The Big Game (I'm going to refrain from using the correct term simply because I feel like it). So what's left to be said about the game? I know, I know. It's all been done. Nothing else could possibly be said that hasn't already been talked about. Unfortunately, I don't have the means to travel to Houston and do an on-site type of story, so I am stuck writing what I can based solely on what I know off hand. So here's what I know:

1) The Patriots and Panthers are both dominant forces on one side of the ball, and mediocre, at best, on the other side. And luckily for us, the faithful TV viewers, the side that both teams are strongest on is defense. So we can expect to watch a nice boring 12-9 or so game. I wouldn't be surprised if the only touchdowns scored were on defense or special teams.

2) Tom Brady is either going to establish himself as on of the best playoff QB's ever, or get knocked off the pedestal that every reporter in America has put him on. Think about it, Brady has never lost a playoff game. He threw his first career postseason INT last week, a garbage pass in the fourth quarter that got picked in the end zone. The guy is good, period. But no one is giving him any kind of respect. I know, it's cliché. He's the most recognizable player on either team, just a step ahead of He Hate Me. It's kind of like the Marlins in baseball, they've never lost a playoff series, yet they get no respect when it comes to playoff time. Give the man his due.

3) This may end up being the first time in my memory that the National Anthem ceremony is more anticipated than either the Halftime Show or even the game itself. Beyonce is singing the Anthem, and she's getting more publicity for it than just about any other aspect of the entire day. Oughta be interesting.

Well, enough with the facts. I'll be spending my Sunday in Connecticut with a couple of friends. Foxwoods is holding a nice Super Bowl buffet-style dinner with 4-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Ken Stabler, who I am looking forward to meeting. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to seeing his Super Bowl ring, which I really hope he has with him. Only seen one up close once, from the Packers in '96. Knew a guy whose daughter worked for the team and she gave him her ring.

Anyway, I'll be in Connecticut for the game, watching on some of the biggest screens I've ever seen. I'm talking like movie screens here. Should be awesome. I'll try and get the pictures from the Shula Dinner up here soon, and if we get pictures on Sunday, I'll have those too.

So what have we forgotten. Let's see... big football game, casino, ah yes, the pick. I'm 7-3 for the postseason, not bad for a fist year handicapper. Just wish I hadn't pulled out my money after the first round. Cost myself at least a grand. Speaking of handicappers, I met a guy at a blackjack table last week who had done quite well with the Pats. It seems he made a couple of real ballsy bets, like taking New England, Carolina, and the Philly/Carolina under. Made about $25,000, in one day. Needless to say, he decided to reward himself by going to the game this week. Lucky bastard.

So here's my pick, use it as you will...

PATRIOTS (-7) over Panthers: Yep, you guessed it. I'm sticking with my boys and taking them all the way to the Lombardi trophy. If not for McNabb's injury I would have predicted this game back in August. Oh well, guess I'll just have to take it as is. Here's how it's gonna go. The Patriots will probably manufacture about 4 good drives all game, but the Panthers won't muster much more than one or two, until garbage time. Jake Delhomme will show his inexperience after he is forced to make plays because there is no question Bill Belichick and Romeo Crennel will find a way to shut down Stephen Davis. Tom Brady will do just enough to win, no turnovers, maybe a sack or two, probably one TD pass. There are only two things that scare me about this game. First, Carolina's defense. They're great, and I respect Brady and Charlie Weis, but the Panthers' D-line is really fast, almost akin to the Bucs last year. Secondly, special teams. If this comes down to a field position game, Carolina has probably the best punter in the game right now, while New England has, undoubtedly, the worst. Hell, I can punt a football 35 yards; Ken Walter is only getting 35+ if he really booms one. Who knows, maybe he'll break out of it. God I hope so.

I really believe that the Pats will take home their second trophy in three years. And I've heard from some of my friends about the question I posed last Sunday as to whether or not the Pats are a dynasty. I can see where you guys are coming from when you say they're not a dynasty yet, especially because they've made their run with essentially interchangeable players. But 2 titles in 3 years, and 3 trips to the Big Game in 8 years has got to count for something.

Predictions:

Final Score: Pats 27 - Cats 13

MVP: Kevin Faulk

I'll explain this next time, whether or not I'm right.

And just think, if you're not into football, only 22 days until pitchers and catchers report....

posted by Big D @ 12:00 AM