After days and days of speculation, the trade of A.J. Burnett from the Yankees to the Pirates has finally been completed.
As a long-suffering Pirates fan, this looks like another case of the team acquiring a once dominant player in the twilight of his career. Like Sean Casey and Matt Morris before him, Burnett was one of the best in the game a few years ago, but after signing with New York, his production slipped considerably, and he was a .500 pitcher during his time with the Yankees with an ERA hovering around 5.
I've been an advocate of going with a total youth movement and saving any veteran acquisitions for a time when the team is really close to contending.
After a 72-90 season, I'm not so sure the Pirates are close. Even if it works out with Burnett, how much of a difference is it going to make in the win/loss record?
I bet my brother that if Burnett is still with the team past the trading deadline, I would shave my head.
What are the chances that I'll have to go out and buy some clippers in August?
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
RIP, Gary "The Kid" Carter
Growing up in the 80's, being a Pirates fan meant that I really, really, really hated the New York Mets--Muck the Fets--and the Met player that I could not stand the most was catcher Gary Carter. Yes, despite the fact that those Mets teams had goofballs on their roster like Keith Hernandez, Lenny Dykstra, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, Carter was always up there on my list of Mets that I could not stand.
He just seemed obnoxious with his constant smile and enthusiasm, and I always wanted the Pirates to wipe that smile off of his face. Unfortunately, for the better part of the 80's, the Pirates made Gary Carter smile a lot as they were the Mets whipping boys year in and year out.
It wasn't until years later, when Carter was out of baseball, that I realized how much of a nice guy he was, and how that smile and enthusiasm came from a true love for, not only baseball, but life in-general.
It just goes to show you that when we hate an athlete from an opposing team, more often than not, we're basically just hating the uniform and don't really know the player who wears it.
As a 39 year old man, if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably have more respect for Gary Carter if he were playing today. He played the game of baseball with the kind of attitude that most players in any sport should have. He acted like he was one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to do what he was doing.
If Major League Baseball was filled with more Gary Carters, perhaps, it would still be our national past time.
He just seemed obnoxious with his constant smile and enthusiasm, and I always wanted the Pirates to wipe that smile off of his face. Unfortunately, for the better part of the 80's, the Pirates made Gary Carter smile a lot as they were the Mets whipping boys year in and year out.
It wasn't until years later, when Carter was out of baseball, that I realized how much of a nice guy he was, and how that smile and enthusiasm came from a true love for, not only baseball, but life in-general.
It just goes to show you that when we hate an athlete from an opposing team, more often than not, we're basically just hating the uniform and don't really know the player who wears it.
As a 39 year old man, if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably have more respect for Gary Carter if he were playing today. He played the game of baseball with the kind of attitude that most players in any sport should have. He acted like he was one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to do what he was doing.
If Major League Baseball was filled with more Gary Carters, perhaps, it would still be our national past time.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
West Virginia leaves the Big East for the Big 12, and the Backyard Brawl appears to be a thing of the past
It's official. West Virginia is the newest member of the Big 12 Conference.
The Mountaineers didn't have to wait the mandatory 27 months before leaving the Big East, but for you Pitt and Syracuse fans out there who think this will create a path for your teams to follow WVU out the door, think again.
The Mountaineers really, really, really must have wanted out of the Big East because they negotiated a $20 million buyout.
Last week, Pitt AD Steve Pederson was on record as saying the Panthers wouldn't pay any more than $5 million to get out of their Big East committment so they can join the ACC. I guess that means they're staying for a little while longer.
Oh well, at any rate, Pitt and WVU have apparently played their last football game for a very long time.
I mean, no matter how much the fans may want it, the handwriting is on the wall. West Virginia has to play nine conference games in the Big 12, and since one of their annual non-conference games is going to continue to be against state rival Marshall, that doesn't leave much room for the Panthers. Every school likes to play at least two cupcakes a year, so it looks like Pitt and WVU are going to have to find new brawling partners.
I'm sure both schools will eventually find new rivals within their respective conferences, but it's a shame to see the Brawl go, at least for now.
As a Pitt fan, I'm happy to say I got to witness the Panthers' last victory over the Mountaineers back in 2008 at Heinz Field. But, also as a Pitt fan, I'm mad to say that WVU has the eternal bragging-rights beings that they won the final two games in the series.
Oh well, I'm not even 40 years old yet, and I've already seen the Panthers lose two of their biggest rivals in WVU and Penn State.
But, that's life in big time college athletics.
The Mountaineers didn't have to wait the mandatory 27 months before leaving the Big East, but for you Pitt and Syracuse fans out there who think this will create a path for your teams to follow WVU out the door, think again.
The Mountaineers really, really, really must have wanted out of the Big East because they negotiated a $20 million buyout.
Last week, Pitt AD Steve Pederson was on record as saying the Panthers wouldn't pay any more than $5 million to get out of their Big East committment so they can join the ACC. I guess that means they're staying for a little while longer.
Oh well, at any rate, Pitt and WVU have apparently played their last football game for a very long time.
I mean, no matter how much the fans may want it, the handwriting is on the wall. West Virginia has to play nine conference games in the Big 12, and since one of their annual non-conference games is going to continue to be against state rival Marshall, that doesn't leave much room for the Panthers. Every school likes to play at least two cupcakes a year, so it looks like Pitt and WVU are going to have to find new brawling partners.
I'm sure both schools will eventually find new rivals within their respective conferences, but it's a shame to see the Brawl go, at least for now.
As a Pitt fan, I'm happy to say I got to witness the Panthers' last victory over the Mountaineers back in 2008 at Heinz Field. But, also as a Pitt fan, I'm mad to say that WVU has the eternal bragging-rights beings that they won the final two games in the series.
Oh well, I'm not even 40 years old yet, and I've already seen the Panthers lose two of their biggest rivals in WVU and Penn State.
But, that's life in big time college athletics.
I'd like to thank the Pitt Men's basketball team for cutting short my growing optimism before it got out of hand
A few weeks ago, when Travon Woodall returned to the Panthers lineup and the team finally ended their eight-game losing streak, I predicted that Pitt would go on a pretty epic run in an attempt to salvage their season and come oh so close to an NCAA tournament berth only to have their bubble burst on Selection Sunday.
The Panthers started their Big East schedule 0-7, but after Woodall came back, they went on a pretty impressive four-game run and started to look like the top ten team they were at the beginning of the season.
But just when it looked like they would climb up the conference ladder, they've come crashing back down to reality.
After two pretty humiliating losses to South Florida and Seton Hall, the Panthers are now 4-9, and whatever hopes they had of becoming a bubble team have, well, you know.
There's still talk of them going on a five-game winning streak to finish out the year and maybe making a nice run in the Big East tournament in March, but come on. As the saying goes: At this time of the year, a team is what it is.
The Pitt Panthers are a mediocre basketball team, and they are destined for the NIT.
Maybe the Panthers have another run in them, but this sort of reminds of the 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were a pretty awful team that year, but since the AFC North was pretty bad, as well, the team was still alive for a playoff spot late in the season despite their sub-.500 record.
My brother would call me daily to talk about it, and he would often say, "hey, man, they're in the weakest division in football. Don't give up hope just yet!" Finally, after hearing that for the 1000th time, I told him, "well, that might be true, but they're in last place in the weakest division in football."
And, as most college basketball fans know, the Big East is far from awful. It's maybe the best and deepest conference in the country. If the 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't go on a run in the awful AFC North, I doubt very much that the 2012 Pitt Panthers will go on a run in the awesome Big East.
It's OK. It happens.
The Panthers have had a pretty unbelieveable streak of making the NCAA tournament, but all streaks are made to be broken.
Thanks for the awesome decade, Pitt.
Get'em next year!
The Panthers started their Big East schedule 0-7, but after Woodall came back, they went on a pretty impressive four-game run and started to look like the top ten team they were at the beginning of the season.
But just when it looked like they would climb up the conference ladder, they've come crashing back down to reality.
After two pretty humiliating losses to South Florida and Seton Hall, the Panthers are now 4-9, and whatever hopes they had of becoming a bubble team have, well, you know.
There's still talk of them going on a five-game winning streak to finish out the year and maybe making a nice run in the Big East tournament in March, but come on. As the saying goes: At this time of the year, a team is what it is.
The Pitt Panthers are a mediocre basketball team, and they are destined for the NIT.
Maybe the Panthers have another run in them, but this sort of reminds of the 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were a pretty awful team that year, but since the AFC North was pretty bad, as well, the team was still alive for a playoff spot late in the season despite their sub-.500 record.
My brother would call me daily to talk about it, and he would often say, "hey, man, they're in the weakest division in football. Don't give up hope just yet!" Finally, after hearing that for the 1000th time, I told him, "well, that might be true, but they're in last place in the weakest division in football."
And, as most college basketball fans know, the Big East is far from awful. It's maybe the best and deepest conference in the country. If the 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't go on a run in the awful AFC North, I doubt very much that the 2012 Pitt Panthers will go on a run in the awesome Big East.
It's OK. It happens.
The Panthers have had a pretty unbelieveable streak of making the NCAA tournament, but all streaks are made to be broken.
Thanks for the awesome decade, Pitt.
Get'em next year!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Bowling for Super Bowl
Last week, I was in a bit of an emotional pickle. I wanted to bowl in my Sunday evening league, but I wanted to watch the Super Bowl even more. My bowling league meets Sunday evenings at 7pm during the season. I've been bowling with my current team since January of 2009, and two of the previous three Super Bowls had the Steelers as participants, and my league game was canceled. And the 2010 Super Bowl was on the same weekend that saw the Pittsburgh region get hit with two feet of snow, and our bowling match was postponed.
Unfortunately, this past Super Bowl didn't include the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the weather was so nice last Sunday, shorts were almost an option. Therefore, there was no way Mother Nature could intervene on football's behalf.
My Sunday evening match was on as scheduled. Fortunately, I always have the option of rolling off in my league. Rolling off is when you pick a day and time to bowl your three games before your scheduled match in-case you're unavailable for some reason, like, for example, having an obsession with the NFL. Anyway, you roll three games by yourself and your scores count as part of your team's match.
I was 50/50 on rolling off. On one hand, I really wanted to watch the Super Bowl, but on the other hand, I really enjoy the two or three hours I get to spend bowling with my teammates every Sunday Night.
But, I knew the Super Bowl would win out. I mean, what red-blooded American decides to have a bowling match during the Super Bowl? I know the Steelers weren't in it, but come on! You mean, football isn't followed by every single human being in the country? It should be. It should be mandatory.
I digress. I called the bowling alley around noon to inform them that I would be arriving shortly so I could roll off for my match later that evening. I figured I would have plenty of time. However, the lady who answered the phone told me I could roll off, but I had to be done by 1pm because of a special they had starting at that time. I couldn't believe it.
I had three options: I could just pay the price for their special, but I'm way too cheap for that. Besides, I already paid $85 to bowl this winter. Why should I give them any more money? A second option would be to bowl during the Super Bowl, but since I already promised by girlfriend that we were going to hang out together and watch the game that night, I knew that was out of the question. You know that saying, "It's a woman's right to change her mind?" Well, men don't have that same option. Or, at least boyfriends/husbands do not. Once we promise to spend time with our ladies, there is no turning back. It's easier to get out of a gym membership than it is to break that promise. My third option would have been to just use my average minus ten for the three games. But over the past year or so, I've emerged as the best bowler on my team, and that comes with certain responsibilities. You can't just ditch your teammates when they're counting on your scores.
So, when I hung up the phone, I had to make a split decision (no pun intended, unfortunately). I decided to hop in my car and drive as fast as I could to the bowling alley. I arrived around 12:20 and informed the lady that I was the one who called and asked if I could roll off. I was hoping that she'd relax her stance a bit on the whole 1pm thing, but nope. She reaffirmed her position that I must roll my three games by 1pm or I'd have to pay for their special.
I decided to just go for it. I normally bowl a night or two on my own for practice, and I always amaze with my ability to bowl three for four games in a short period of time. The only thing I was worried about was how it would affect my scores. I didn't want to bowl low games and have my teammates angry at me for choosing football over bowling.
By the time the lady set me up with shoes and everything, it was almost 12:30. But I was determined to get three games in my 1pm. I had a lot to deal with: nerves, a dark bowling alley (they always keep the alley dark during the day for some reason), and kids. Believe it or not, a kid who was just wondering around the bowling alley waiting for the 1pm special just came wondering into my lane as I bowled. I didn't let that stop me.
I started off pretty slow score-wise in the first game, but I got rolling about halfway through and I wound up bowling above my average. I looked at the clock, and it was 12:38.
I was red hot for the second game (at least for me). I had quite a few strikes and no open frames until almost the end. I finished that game by 12:45 with a 189.
The third game was little closer to my average, but with a late flurry, I managed to, again, finish above my average, and for the series, I bowled a 498. I also managed to finish my match five minutes before the special was to begin.
It was my fourth highest three-game series of all-time, and under the circumstances, it may have been my most impressive bowling accomplishment to date.
It was certainly one of my prouder bowling moments.
So, who was a more valuable player to his team on Super Bowl Sunday? Me, for my near-500 series under adverse conditions, or Eli Manning with his game-winning drive to clinch Super Bowl XLVI for his Giants?
Well, Eli got to go to Disney World. I think you know the answer.
Unfortunately, this past Super Bowl didn't include the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the weather was so nice last Sunday, shorts were almost an option. Therefore, there was no way Mother Nature could intervene on football's behalf.
My Sunday evening match was on as scheduled. Fortunately, I always have the option of rolling off in my league. Rolling off is when you pick a day and time to bowl your three games before your scheduled match in-case you're unavailable for some reason, like, for example, having an obsession with the NFL. Anyway, you roll three games by yourself and your scores count as part of your team's match.
I was 50/50 on rolling off. On one hand, I really wanted to watch the Super Bowl, but on the other hand, I really enjoy the two or three hours I get to spend bowling with my teammates every Sunday Night.
But, I knew the Super Bowl would win out. I mean, what red-blooded American decides to have a bowling match during the Super Bowl? I know the Steelers weren't in it, but come on! You mean, football isn't followed by every single human being in the country? It should be. It should be mandatory.
I digress. I called the bowling alley around noon to inform them that I would be arriving shortly so I could roll off for my match later that evening. I figured I would have plenty of time. However, the lady who answered the phone told me I could roll off, but I had to be done by 1pm because of a special they had starting at that time. I couldn't believe it.
I had three options: I could just pay the price for their special, but I'm way too cheap for that. Besides, I already paid $85 to bowl this winter. Why should I give them any more money? A second option would be to bowl during the Super Bowl, but since I already promised by girlfriend that we were going to hang out together and watch the game that night, I knew that was out of the question. You know that saying, "It's a woman's right to change her mind?" Well, men don't have that same option. Or, at least boyfriends/husbands do not. Once we promise to spend time with our ladies, there is no turning back. It's easier to get out of a gym membership than it is to break that promise. My third option would have been to just use my average minus ten for the three games. But over the past year or so, I've emerged as the best bowler on my team, and that comes with certain responsibilities. You can't just ditch your teammates when they're counting on your scores.
So, when I hung up the phone, I had to make a split decision (no pun intended, unfortunately). I decided to hop in my car and drive as fast as I could to the bowling alley. I arrived around 12:20 and informed the lady that I was the one who called and asked if I could roll off. I was hoping that she'd relax her stance a bit on the whole 1pm thing, but nope. She reaffirmed her position that I must roll my three games by 1pm or I'd have to pay for their special.
I decided to just go for it. I normally bowl a night or two on my own for practice, and I always amaze with my ability to bowl three for four games in a short period of time. The only thing I was worried about was how it would affect my scores. I didn't want to bowl low games and have my teammates angry at me for choosing football over bowling.
By the time the lady set me up with shoes and everything, it was almost 12:30. But I was determined to get three games in my 1pm. I had a lot to deal with: nerves, a dark bowling alley (they always keep the alley dark during the day for some reason), and kids. Believe it or not, a kid who was just wondering around the bowling alley waiting for the 1pm special just came wondering into my lane as I bowled. I didn't let that stop me.
I started off pretty slow score-wise in the first game, but I got rolling about halfway through and I wound up bowling above my average. I looked at the clock, and it was 12:38.
I was red hot for the second game (at least for me). I had quite a few strikes and no open frames until almost the end. I finished that game by 12:45 with a 189.
The third game was little closer to my average, but with a late flurry, I managed to, again, finish above my average, and for the series, I bowled a 498. I also managed to finish my match five minutes before the special was to begin.
It was my fourth highest three-game series of all-time, and under the circumstances, it may have been my most impressive bowling accomplishment to date.
It was certainly one of my prouder bowling moments.
So, who was a more valuable player to his team on Super Bowl Sunday? Me, for my near-500 series under adverse conditions, or Eli Manning with his game-winning drive to clinch Super Bowl XLVI for his Giants?
Well, Eli got to go to Disney World. I think you know the answer.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Pitt defeats Villanova for fourth straight win
Well, yesterday's matchup at the Pete it was a far cry from the 2009 NCAA Regional Finals when Villanova knocked off Pitt to advance to the Final Four--the two teams entered yesterday's game a combined 6-14 in the Big East--but for Pitt, the 79-70 victory was the latest "must win" for the team after stumbling to 0-7 in the conference to start the season.
With Travon Woodall back in the lineup, the Panthers look like one of the best teams in the Big East.
Pitt is 15-9 overall, and probably needs at least another five victories if they're going to get serious consideration for the NCAA tournament.
I think it's safe to finally put the Panthers on the bubble.
With Travon Woodall back in the lineup, the Panthers look like one of the best teams in the Big East.
Pitt is 15-9 overall, and probably needs at least another five victories if they're going to get serious consideration for the NCAA tournament.
I think it's safe to finally put the Panthers on the bubble.
The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots, 21-17, in Super Bowl XLVI
Just some thoughts on last night's Super Bowl victory by the Giants:
*Did anyone else share the opinion that maybe the Giants and Patriots weren't the two best teams in the NFL? It was an exciting game, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't have that magical feel that most Super Bowls have. It sort of felt like the Finals of the NCAA Men's tournament, where, often-times, the two teams that make it aren't always the two best teams in the country.
*After about a quarter or so, I realized that these weren't your 2007 New England Patriots, and I sort of felt bad rooting against them. I mean, I wanted them to lose and all, but it felt like punching the 2007 team in the head while it was already knocked out. The Patriots basically had one good segment the entire night, divided into two parts--the 96-yard touchdown drive at the end of the first half, and the 79-yard touchdown drive to begin the second half--other than that, I thought the Giants were the better team the entire night.
*Why were the Patriots favored by 3-points?
*Maybe it's just the parity of the NFL, but has an NFL team ever won two Super Bowls in half a decade the way the New York Giants have? In 2007, they barely made the playoffs as a wild card team and had to win three-straight road games in the postseason just to make it to the Super Bowl. In the Super Bowl, they were huge underdogs to the 18-0 New England Patriots, but pulled off the incredible upset. The next year, they were one and done in the playoffs. The next two years, they didn't even make the playoffs. And this year, they were 7-7 after 14 games before winning their last two games to get into the playoffs as the NFC East Champions. And with the exception of having one home game in the first round, they pretty much followed the same '07 path to the Super Bowl and won it again over the Patriots. I used to laugh when players on wild card teams would say, "hey, once you make the postseason, anything can happen." Well, after the way the last seven seasons have gone--five of the past seven Super Bowl winners started their playoff journey in the wild card round--I am no longer laughing.
*The Giants finished the year dead-last in rushing the football. I guess that puts more dirt on the "You need to run the football in-order to win championships" sentiment.
*Eli Manning has engineered two Super Bowl-winning touchdown drives in the final minute. Has any other NFL quarterback done that? I know Tom Brady led the Patriots on two Super Bowl winning field goal drives, but both games were tied. In Manning's case, his teams were behind each time. I can't think of any NFL quarterback who's done that more than once.
*Is Eli Manning elite? Who cares? All I know is he's pretty damn elite in fourth quarters of Super Bowls.
*Eli Manning winning the Super Bowl in the house that his brother built? I can't believe it's not a bigger story. Before the year, everyone wondered if Peyton Manning would be able to lead his team to the biggest homefield advantage in Super Bowl history. Who could have predicted that Eli would be the Manning leaving Lucas Oil Stadium with the Lombardi trophy?
*When the Giants took over at their own 12-yard line with three minutes and change remaining, was there any doubt that Manning would lead the Giants to a winning-score? When Eli hit Mario Manningham with that perfect 38 yard pass down the sideline, and when Manningham did his sideline version of David Tyree, I knew the Giants were winning that game.
*Bill Belichick letting Ahmad Bradshaw score the go-ahead touchdown in-order to preserve time on the clock? Absolutely the right thing to do.
*Bradshaw not being able to stop himself at the one-yard line to take more time off the clock? Come on, man, seriously? You couldn't stop? What are you, like one of those pro wrestlers who can't "stop" himself when another wrestler throws him into the ropes?
*How's Bradshaw going to tell his grandchildren that story in the future? "Oh yes, I took on three tacklers and bulled my way into the end zone for the Super Bowl winning touchdown. Nope, I lost the video. Sorry, kids."
*If the Steelers were in a similar situation, and the opposing coach decided to let them walk into the end zone in-order to save time, do you think Chris Kemoeatu would still get totally owned by the defensive lineman?
*Remember the old days when every Super Bowl was a blow-out? We haven't had one of those in a long time.
*At 65 years and however many days old, Tom Coughlin became the oldest head coach to win a Super Bowl. I can't believe his Giants players gave him a Gatorade bath. He could catch pneumonia.
*Like most Steelers fans, I always want Brady to get his, but that intentional grounding call on a forty yard pass that resulted in a safety was kind of bogus. I mean, how can anyone definitively say that he was throwing it away to avoid a sack on a pass that long?
*Anyone bet money that a safety would be the first points in the Super Bowl? How much did you win?
*Before Spygate surfaced, the Patriots were 12-2 in the postseason, including 3-0 in Super Bowls. Since Spygate was snuffed out, the Patriots are 4-4 in the postseason, including 0-2 in the Super Bowl. Mean anything?
*Spygate or not, five Super Bowl appearances in 11 seasons by the Patriots is pretty damn impressive.
*I was going to mention the halftime show and the commercials, but I forgot to care enough to pay attention to either entity.
*Welcome to the offseason. :(
*Did anyone else share the opinion that maybe the Giants and Patriots weren't the two best teams in the NFL? It was an exciting game, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't have that magical feel that most Super Bowls have. It sort of felt like the Finals of the NCAA Men's tournament, where, often-times, the two teams that make it aren't always the two best teams in the country.
*After about a quarter or so, I realized that these weren't your 2007 New England Patriots, and I sort of felt bad rooting against them. I mean, I wanted them to lose and all, but it felt like punching the 2007 team in the head while it was already knocked out. The Patriots basically had one good segment the entire night, divided into two parts--the 96-yard touchdown drive at the end of the first half, and the 79-yard touchdown drive to begin the second half--other than that, I thought the Giants were the better team the entire night.
*Why were the Patriots favored by 3-points?
*Maybe it's just the parity of the NFL, but has an NFL team ever won two Super Bowls in half a decade the way the New York Giants have? In 2007, they barely made the playoffs as a wild card team and had to win three-straight road games in the postseason just to make it to the Super Bowl. In the Super Bowl, they were huge underdogs to the 18-0 New England Patriots, but pulled off the incredible upset. The next year, they were one and done in the playoffs. The next two years, they didn't even make the playoffs. And this year, they were 7-7 after 14 games before winning their last two games to get into the playoffs as the NFC East Champions. And with the exception of having one home game in the first round, they pretty much followed the same '07 path to the Super Bowl and won it again over the Patriots. I used to laugh when players on wild card teams would say, "hey, once you make the postseason, anything can happen." Well, after the way the last seven seasons have gone--five of the past seven Super Bowl winners started their playoff journey in the wild card round--I am no longer laughing.
*The Giants finished the year dead-last in rushing the football. I guess that puts more dirt on the "You need to run the football in-order to win championships" sentiment.
*Eli Manning has engineered two Super Bowl-winning touchdown drives in the final minute. Has any other NFL quarterback done that? I know Tom Brady led the Patriots on two Super Bowl winning field goal drives, but both games were tied. In Manning's case, his teams were behind each time. I can't think of any NFL quarterback who's done that more than once.
*Is Eli Manning elite? Who cares? All I know is he's pretty damn elite in fourth quarters of Super Bowls.
*Eli Manning winning the Super Bowl in the house that his brother built? I can't believe it's not a bigger story. Before the year, everyone wondered if Peyton Manning would be able to lead his team to the biggest homefield advantage in Super Bowl history. Who could have predicted that Eli would be the Manning leaving Lucas Oil Stadium with the Lombardi trophy?
*When the Giants took over at their own 12-yard line with three minutes and change remaining, was there any doubt that Manning would lead the Giants to a winning-score? When Eli hit Mario Manningham with that perfect 38 yard pass down the sideline, and when Manningham did his sideline version of David Tyree, I knew the Giants were winning that game.
*Bill Belichick letting Ahmad Bradshaw score the go-ahead touchdown in-order to preserve time on the clock? Absolutely the right thing to do.
*Bradshaw not being able to stop himself at the one-yard line to take more time off the clock? Come on, man, seriously? You couldn't stop? What are you, like one of those pro wrestlers who can't "stop" himself when another wrestler throws him into the ropes?
*How's Bradshaw going to tell his grandchildren that story in the future? "Oh yes, I took on three tacklers and bulled my way into the end zone for the Super Bowl winning touchdown. Nope, I lost the video. Sorry, kids."
*If the Steelers were in a similar situation, and the opposing coach decided to let them walk into the end zone in-order to save time, do you think Chris Kemoeatu would still get totally owned by the defensive lineman?
*Remember the old days when every Super Bowl was a blow-out? We haven't had one of those in a long time.
*At 65 years and however many days old, Tom Coughlin became the oldest head coach to win a Super Bowl. I can't believe his Giants players gave him a Gatorade bath. He could catch pneumonia.
*Like most Steelers fans, I always want Brady to get his, but that intentional grounding call on a forty yard pass that resulted in a safety was kind of bogus. I mean, how can anyone definitively say that he was throwing it away to avoid a sack on a pass that long?
*Anyone bet money that a safety would be the first points in the Super Bowl? How much did you win?
*Before Spygate surfaced, the Patriots were 12-2 in the postseason, including 3-0 in Super Bowls. Since Spygate was snuffed out, the Patriots are 4-4 in the postseason, including 0-2 in the Super Bowl. Mean anything?
*Spygate or not, five Super Bowl appearances in 11 seasons by the Patriots is pretty damn impressive.
*I was going to mention the halftime show and the commercials, but I forgot to care enough to pay attention to either entity.
*Welcome to the offseason. :(
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