Top 15 Sports Moments of My Lifetime (5-1)

If this is the first one you are seeing and would like suspense...quick close your eyes and scroll on down to the part 1.

5. 2001 World Series Game 7 Yankees-Diamondbacks
Date: November 7th, 2001

-The World Series, pushed back into November because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was one of the best ever. It touched those who were most closely affected by the tragedies in New York and gave anyone with a pulse chills. The Yankees and Diamondbacks were tied at 3 games a piece for a Game 7 in the desert. Two legends...Curt Schilling vs. Roger Clemens on the mound...a dynasty (New York) and an upstart (Arizona). After the game was even through seven innings at 2...young Alfonso Soriano launched a shot into the Arizona night and into the left field stands to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

The dynasty looked like it would continue. It was going to be their 4th straight World Series. Mariano Rivera was coming in for a two-inning save, "fuggetaboutit". Then in the Bottom of the Ninth something funny happened. Rivera got hit. And he threw the ball away. And he hit a batter. After a Tony Womack single tied the game and Craig Counsell was plunked to load the bases...Luis Gonzalez stepped up to the plate. With the infield in, Gonzalez got jammed by the famed Rivera cutter and lifted it just barely onto the outfield grass plating the winning run and ending the Yankees run.

4. Mark McGwire Breaks Maris' Record
Date: September 8, 1998

-More Baseball. We talked about how Ripken's streak helped bring baseball back...well the summer of '98 and the Sosa-McGwire home run chase did the rest. It was a frantic time of checking Sportscenter every morning to see what McGwire and Sosa did the night before...how close were they getting to the record. On a fox special a tuesday night game between the Cubs and the Cardinals was televised from St. Louis. McGwire was on 61 home runs...tying him with Maris.

As flash bulbs went off for every single pitch he faced...finally in his second at-bat in the 4th inning, McGwire made contact. While most of his HRs were moonshots, this was a low line drive heading into the left field corner. It just cleared the top of the wall. And Joe Buck yelled, "62!". As the Maris family was there to greet him, players on both teams, including Sosa (who would also surpass Maris) congratulated McGwire on the amazing accomplishment. While today, this is no longer the record (Bonds has it) and drug allegations have tarnished what happened, this moment will never change for those who witnessed it. The feeling in that moment was that you witnessed something truly great.

3. Gum on the Helmet- Super Bowl XLII
Date: February 3rd, 2008

-The New England Patriots finished an undefeated regular season. They were playing the New York Giants in the Super Bowl (a team they had beaten about a month earlier) in Glendale, Arizona. They were 12 point favorites and were poised to finish off the best season in NFL history. But the Giants played with tenacity and grit that the Patriots hadn't dealt with all season. They smacked Brady and the record-breaking offense around.

Despite this, the Patriots held the lead late in the fourth quarter as Eli Manning attempted to lead the Giants on a winning drive. With 2:39 left on their own 14, it looked unlikely to happen. On a 3rd and 5 from their 44 yard line, Manning got pressure that he somehow broke free of, he floated the ball in the air for what seemed like minutes. Leaping up about 30 yards down field was little-used WR David Tyree. He reached up and caught the ball with one hand and his helmet while Rodney Harrison committed everything short of rape on the receiver trying to get the ball away. He held on. Three plays later, Manning found Plaxico Burress in the left corner of the endzone for the touchdown to win the game and end the Patriots dream. It most likely does not happen without a catch that could only be described as an act of God.

2. Michael Jordan's (Real) Last Shot
Date: June 14, 1998

-The most legendary athlete of my lifetime is without question Michael Jordan. Basketball was good, but he made it great. He made the big shots, won the big games, and had a competitiveness and will to win that no one has surpassed. A player is not considered great until he does what Jordan did. Make the clutch shots. Jordan did that better than anyone, and there's not one (during my lifetime) that stands out more than his final shot as a Chicago Bull.

Already having five championship rings, the Bulls were looking to win their third straight title and complete their second "three-peat" of the decade. In their way was the gritty Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. With the Bulls up 3-2 in the series the Jazz looked like they had the game wrapped up and were in good position to force a Game 7. With less than thirty seconds left, Karl Malone had the ball down low looking to ice the game away, when Jordan crashed down on the double team and stripped the Mailman of the ball. Michael dribbled up court. Took a look at the clock, ran it down and ran isolation against Byron Russell of Utah. Jordan drove right, crossed back over to his left and stopped on a dime...pulled up and buried the open jumper with five seconds left as he stood and hung his perfect follow-through.

1. "Redsox fans have longed to hear it..."
Date: Late October, 2004

-There was no team more tortured, no fan base more hurt than the Boston Redsox. They were cursed, they could never win another World Series because of the "Curse of the Bambino". Chants of "1918" would consistently ring out at Yankee Stadium...and after the epic collapse of 2003 in the playoffs...it seemed as though there might be some truth to the whole thing. Then 2004 happened. The curse was reversed.

The Redsox rallied from a three games to none deficit (the first team ever to do so) in the 2004 ALCS to conquer their rivals and "daddy" New York Yankees. It was a Game 4 stolen base by Dave Roberts and base hit by Bill Mueller to tie it. Then a David Ortiz home run into the bullpen to force a Game 5. Then it was Ortiz again with a key home run to tie the game and a jam-shot base hit to center field to send the series back to New York. It was the bloody sock in Game 6 by Curt Schilling that will long live as legend in Boston. Then it was the Game 7 shalacking in the House That Ruth Built by a bunch of "idiots" that completed the greatest comeback ever.

The actual World Series? Pretty anti-climatic. A sweep of the Cardinals.

"Back to Foulke...Redsox fans have longed to hear it...the Boston Redsox...are World Champions". Just typing those words give me chills to this day. I witnessed it. Something many of my family members who were Redsox fans never got to see. They did it. And there is almost definitely no moment that can happen in the world of sports that will EVER pass this. And most Redsox fans feel the same.

Cheers.

Top 15 Sports Moments of My Lifetime (10-6)

10. Ripken breaks Lou Gehrig's Iron Man Streak
Date: September 6, 1995

-This along with another moment later in the countdown helped bring baseball back. Cal Ripken went 2,632 straight games without sitting out. It stretched from 1982-1998. He played SS and 3B, played for 8 different managers in that span!

What made the streak so memorable and respected was that Cal was just your ordinary human being. He was like any other person, going to work every day. He played hurt, he played sick. He played in big games, games that didn't matter, games that were memorable. But what he always did, everyday for almost 16 years was go out there and play.

9. Syracuse and UConn Play Six Overtimes
Date: March 12, 2009

-It was just a ho-hum night during championship week. A pretty good game looked to be on in the Big East tourney between 6-seed Syracuse and 3-seed Connecticut. 3 Hours and 46 Minutes later it would end as maybe the most memorable college basketball game of my life. The final score was Syracuse 127 Connecticut 117...in SIX overtimes. The final whistle would blow at 1:22 AM. Orange Guard Johnny Flynn played 67 minutes (about two full games for most college starters)

Flynn finished with 34 points, Paul Harris scored 29 and grabbed 22 rebounds. For UConn, A.J. Price scored 33 and the Huskies blocked a total of 16 shots. At the end of regulation, as the buzzer went off in a tied game, Orange Senior Eric Devendorf appeared to win the game with a fadeaway three. However, the play was reviewed and overturned as he just barely did not get it off before the red light went on. It would take six overtime periods to decide the longest game in Big East history.

8. 2003 League Chokes Series'
Date: October 14-16, 2003

-It looked like everyone's dream world series was going to happen. No way. The Redsox and Cubs...in the world series?! Too good to be true it sounded...well...it was. The Cubs led the series against the Marlins 3-2 and jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 8th inning of Game 6 with their ace Mark Prior as sharp as could be. Then Steve Bartman interfered with a ball that Moises Alou had a 10% chance of catching and caused Alou and the rest of the Cubs to lose their cool. The Marlins scored 8 runs in the eighth inning...and overcame ANOTHER 2-run deficit in Game 7 to shock Wrigley and the Cubs...curses.

Oh but we are not done. October 16th was the night. A night that will haunt my dreams forever. Redsox leading 5-2 in the Bottom of the 8th at Yankee Stadium. A leadoff pop-out...the sox were 5 outs away from going to the world series. Then all hell broke lose. After the Yankees cut the lead to two, Redsox manager Grady Little gave Pedro Martinez the old pat on the back. Posada hit a bloop shot that scored two, as Yankee Stadium literally shook and tears flowed down my face. I knew it was over. But Aaron Boone punctuated it with a home run off a Tim Wakefield knuckler.

7. Texas-USC Rose Bowl/National Championship
Date: January 4th, 2006

-Number one defending champion USC battled number two Texas in the Rose Bowl for all the marbles. It was not only a fantastic game but the last one ever called by the legendary Keitrh Jackson. Arguably the three best players in college football at the time, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush (USC) and Vince Young (Texas) squared off on the most sacred ground. The game started off a little slow but from about the middle of the Second Quarter on...there was no better game.

Back and forth the two teams went. Big players making big plays. USC went for the jugular on 4th and 2 just past midfield. They had success running all night. Not this time. Texas got inside penetration and stopped RB LenDale White just shy of the first down marker and turned the ball over to Texas. Trailing 38-33 Vince Young led a masterful drive with his arm and legs with just 2:13 remaining. The 4th and 5 from the 9 yard line with less than 20 seconds left play found the ball in Young's hands...he looked, saw no one open, and dashed for the corner of the endzone...and scored capping what was an incredible game.

6. John Elway Gets the Monkey Off His Back
Date: January 25, 1998

-It was the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers for the Super Bowl in San Diego, CA. The Broncos had lost their previous four super bowls by a combined 163-50. They were decided underdogs against Favre and the juggernaut Packers. But the night would be fortuitous for the Broncos. Denver led by three at the half but were facing questions after star running back Terrell Davis left with a migraine headache.

He returned in the second half. During a key 2nd half, 92 yard drive John Elway of 37 years young dove for the first-down. He was hit so hard, sandwiched between two Packers he flipped and looked much like a Helicopter. This was the defining moment of the game and maybe of Elway's brilliant career. Behind Davis' 157 yards and 3 TDs the Broncos pulled the upset 31-24. In the postgame, Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen held up the trophy and shouted into the microphone, "This one's for John!".

Top 5 upcoming....

Top 15 Sports Moments of My Lifetime (15-11)

These are sports moments that have happened in my lifetime that I can remember watching. If it happened in 1989 (year I was born) through 1992, chances are I do not remember watching it (so Laettner shot is out).

Here's the list...

15. Brett Favre on Monday Night Football
Date: December 22, 2003

-Normally I can't stand the man but this is worth mentioning. His father had died over the weekend and leading up to the game there was question would he play? Should he play? He did play. And it was maybe the most impressive of his illustrious career. Favre went into Oakland on a Monday Night in front of the whole country and looked fantastic. Favre threw for 399 yards and 4 TDs in a 41-7 shalacking of the Raiders. He was perfect.

14. Boise State-Oklahoma 2007 Fiesta Bowl
Date: January 1, 2007

-It was the little guy vs. the big bully. David vs. Goliath. And boy it was amazing. After Boise State jumped out quick to an early lead, Oklahoma made a frantic comeback in the 2nd half and after a pick-six with 1:02 left to give Oklahoma a touchdown lead it looked like it was over. But then on a fourth down and long Boise State pulled out a hook...and then a ladder...and receiver Jerard Rabb rumbled down the sideline 36 yards and dove into the endzone to tie the game with 7 seconds remaining.

After OU scored at the start of overtime, another fourth down, and more trickery! A running back pass into the endzone put the Broncos within 1. They knew they couldn't keep playing with the Sooners. So they went for the win. They faked a WR screen they ran earlier in the season on a two-point conversion and QB Zabransky handed it off behind his back to RB Ian Johnson. The Statue of Liberty worked, and they shocked the world as Johnson ran in for two...and proceeded to propose to his cheerleader girlfriend.

13. Dale Earnhardt Dies
Date: February 18, 2001

-Racing wouldn't be something that would be on this list you would think. But the death of a legend, on his playing field (or track) is of note. On the final lap on the Daytona 500 Earnhardt was trying to protect his two teammates (Michael Waltrip and Dale Jr.) who were in 1st and 2nd respectively, but around a turn he was clipped between Sterling Marlin and Ken Schraeder. His car abruptly slammed into the wall which did not look like too bad of a crash.

However, hours later it was announced that NASCAR had lost Dale Earnhardt. Maybe the most tragic moment in sports of my lifetime.

12. Appalachian State upsets Michigan
Date: September 1, 2007

-It was the opening week of the 2007 season. Michigan was a top-5 team preseason and they had a cupcake coming in to get them warmed up...or so they thought. Div-1aa (or FCS) team Appalachian State arrived at the Big House with bad intentions. They jumped all over Michigan early, led by QB Armanti Edwards (now a Carolina Panthers WR) but the Wolverines clawed back into it. With 110,000 looking on, Michigan had a relatively short field goal attempt coming up for the win. It was going to be the last play of the game.

Trailing 34-32 the snap was good, the hold good, the kick...BLOCKED. It was blocked by the Mountaineers (not the West Virginia ones) and it concluded the greatest upset in the history of college football. A loss that the Michigan program is still yet to overcome.

11. Mike Tyson goes nomnomnom on Holyfield
Date: June 28, 1997

- Mike Tyson told us he would eat the opposing Boxer's children. He told a reporter he wanted to throw down his kid and stomp on his testicles. He even said that if Jesus were here he would fight him too. Well, it seems as though he wasn't kidding after this.

In their previous bout, Holyfield had defeated Tyson and taken his belt away. In the rematch, Holyfield was again frustrating Tyson and this time Tyson couldn't hold himself back. In the middle of the third round while locked up, Tyson bit a small chunk out of Holyfield's ear and spit it out on the ring floor. Either too shocked or in denial what had just occurred, Miles Lane allowed the fight to continue after a delay. The next time they got locked up...Tyson bit the man again...on his other ear! This was the last straw, the match was ended, Tyson disqualified and the fall from grace continued.

More to come!

Why College Basketball is Broken

Jay Bilas made an interesting point before the tournament even began that the quality of college basketball is down because of not just the "one and done's" who come for a year and bolt for the NBA, but ALL of the early entrees. The power teams don't seem to exist anymore.

He's right. If college basketball was like it was even less than a decade ago, when we had powerhouse teams, the VCU's of the world would not be going to the final four. Butler at least has some name brand talent and plays a style that could succeed in many of the top conferences. VCU on the other hand, has benefited greatly from the departing players.

Let's look at what college basketball COULD look like today.

Kentucky Wildcats
G- John Wall So., G-Brandon Knight Fr., G-Eric Bledsoe So., F-Patrick Patterson Sr., F-DeMarcus Cousins So.

Bench: G-Doron Lamb Fr, F-Terrence Jones Fr, F-Josh Harrelson Sr., G-DeAndre Liggins Sr, G-Darius Miller Sr, F-Daniel Orton So.

Analysis:
Sweet freakin Jesus. Who would want to play with that team? The bench would probably be a top 20 team in itself. Who the heck wants to get in transition with John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, and Brandon Knight being able to handle the floor. This team would probably be my prohibitive favorite.

Ohio State Buckeyes
G-William Buford Sr, G-Evan Turner Sr, G-Jon Diebler Sr, F-Jared Sullinger Fr, C-B.J. Mullins Jr.

Bench: G-Aaron Craft Fr, G David Lighty Sr, F-Dallas Lauderdale Sr, C Kosta Koufos Sr, F-DeShaun Thomas Fr.

Analysis:
I don't know how you defense this team. Turner was last year's national player of the year and you combine him with Sullinger and Mullins and my goodness. Mullins was regarded as maybe the top Center in the country as a freshman out of high school and was picked in the first round, same with Koufos. They can match up defensively and have plenty of guys to hit the trifecta.

Syracuse Orange
G-Jonny Flynn Sr, G-Scoop Jardine Jr, F-Wesley Johnson Sr, F-Donte Greene Sr, F-Rick Jackson Sr.

Bench: G-Brandon Triche So, F-Kris Joseph Jr, G-C.J. Fair Fr, F-Baya Moussa Keita Fr, F-Fab Melo Fr.

Analysis:
Another team that would give opponents fits. A damn good starting lineup with guys like Triche and Joseph to give them a lift off the bench. This team playing a 2-3 zone would be downright scary. Having Jonny Flynn running point with three legit options to post and two of them (Johnson and Greene) being able to step out would make them the Big East favorites in my eyes.

Memphis Tigers
G- Derrick Rose Sr, G-Tyreke Evans Jr, G-Elliot Williams Jr, F-Wesley Witherspoon Sr, F-Tarik Black Jr

Bench: All G-Will Barton Fr, Antonio Barton Fr, Joe Jackson So, Chris Crawford Jr, Roburt Sallie Sr

Analysis:
This team would run teams to death. Rose and Evans?! Rose is arguably the NBA's MVP today, so you put him in college right now and it's hard to imagine how good he would look. The inside is a little weak, but they have 8 guards that could play and start for most teams in the country. It may look a little like the old Villanova guard-heavy lineup but this team would be fun as hell to watch.

UCLA Bruins
G- Jrue Holliday Jr, G-Malcolm Lee So, F Tyler Honeycutt So, F Kevin Love Sr, C Joshua Smith Fr

Bench: G-Lazeric Jones So, F-Tyler Honeycutt Jr, F-Reeves Nelson So.

Analysis:
UCLA has been down the last few years and it's easy to see why with the talent drain they have had. They were just a year away from having Russell Westbrook as well! The double-double machine combined with Joshua Smith would make up a ridiculous front court. Jrue Holliday would give them a legit scorer with Malcolm Lee (the guy the offense runs through now) getting plenty of open looks.


Arizona Wildcats
G-Jerryd Bayless Sr, G-Brandon Jennings Jr, G-Lamont "Mo-Mo" Jones So, F Solomon Hill So, F Derrick Williams So.

Bench: G-Kyle Fogg Jr, F-Jesse Perry Jr, G-Jordin Mayes Fr, F/C-Kyryl Natazyhko

Analysis:
Another team that could benefit from the rule. The guards alone would scare anyone in the country. Bayless would be a scoring machine that could play off the ball with Jennings running point. You have to imagine Derrick Williams would have just a tad bit more room to make things happen with those guys on the floor. The bench isn't great but are solid role players.

Other damn good starting 5's

Kansas State Wildcats
G- Jacob Pullen Sr, G-Rodney McGruder So, G/F-Bill Walker Sr, F-Michael Beasley Sr, F-Curtis Kelly Sr

Kansas Jayhawks
G-Tyshawn Taylor Jr, G-Xavier Henry So, F-Markeiff Morris Jr, F-Marcus Morris Jr, C-Cole Aldrich Sr
(with F Thomas Robinson So, G Brady Morningstar Sr, G Tyrell Reed Sr off bench)

Texas Longhorns
G-Cory Joseph Fr, G-Avery Bradley So, G/F-Jordan Hamilton So, F-Tristan Thompson Fr, F-Gary Johnson Sr  (with G-J'Covan Brown Fr off bench)

North Carolina Tar Heels
G- Kendall Marshall Fr, G-Dexter Strickland So, F-Harrison Barnes Fr, F-Tyler Zeller Jr, F-Ed Davis Jr
(with F-John Henson So, and F-Alex Stepheson Sr off bench)

Louisville Cardinals
G-Peyton Siva So, G-Preston Knowles Sr, F-Earl Clark Sr, F-Terrence Jennings Jr, F-Samardo Samuels Jr
(G-Kyle Kuric, G-Mike Marra, G-Chris Smith off bench)

USC Trojans
G-Jio Fontan Jr, G-O.J. Mayo Sr, G-Marcus Simmons Sr, F-Demar DeRozan Jr, F- Nikola Vucevic Jr

Wake Forest Demon Deacons
G-Jeff Teague Sr, G-C.J. Harris So, F-Al-Farouq Aminu Jr, F-James Johnson Sr, F Travis McKie Fr

Gonzaga Bulldogs
G-Demetri Goodson Jr, G-Steven Gray Sr, F-Austin Daye Sr, F-Elias Harris Jr, F-Robert Sacre Jr

Pittsburgh Panthers
G-Ashton Gibbs Jr, G-Brad Wanamaker Sr, G-Gilbert Brown Sr, F-Gary McGhee Sr, F-DeJuan Blair Sr.

Florida Gators
G-Erving Walker Jr, G-Nick Calathes Sr, F-Chandler Parsons Sr, F-Vernon Macklin Sr, F- Alex Tyus Sr
(with G-Kenny Boynton off bench)

(sorry no Duke or UConn)

How much better would college basketball be? A better college game + more experience= more ready for the NBA which in turn ='s a better NBA product. Let's go pro executives, use your brains.

What's the Order?

There are 456.32 ways that you could write in the Red Sox line-up. And honestly, there aren't many wrong ways of doing it. There could be a flip flop of so many players, and it could work any way. The one way to go about it is to make it tough to make calls to the bullpen for the other team. The opening day will go as follows:

1. Carl Crawford: Too dangerous to not start him here. His ability to steal bases just speaks for itself.
2. Dustin Pedroia: He has this spot locked down. With Crawford in front of him, and his consistency to make contact its a perfect fit. If Carl can get to second base, the pitcher is in for a long battle and a productive out.
3. Adrian Gonzalez: Best hitter with runners in scoring position in the bigs right now. Perfect spot for a left hander to come in with the guarantee Carl will be on second base. Sets up another productive out at the least. If not, a banger off Pesky's Pole.
4. Kevin Youkalis: If the pitcher isn't out of the game by this point, Youk will bring a MVP bat to the plate. He'll wear down CC like sandpaper in wood-shop. His power goes without saying.
5. David Ortiz: Another left handed bat coming after a righty. The good part about his position is he'll see much more pitches now. There's a good on base percentage from all the guys before him, and he'll have great opportunities to snag some RBI's.
6. J.D. Drew: So much emotion, pure heart from him. Sometimes I wish he would just chill out and play , but you can't stop the man from lovin the game.
7. Jarod Salt.....: Not too sure what to expect from him. To be honest, I don't see anything over .270 in his first season. Being under Tek's wing, he'll be more focused on adopting the starting line up.
8. Marco Scutaro: No other spot left for him. Just ignore this part of his game and watch him pick up ground balls.
9. Jacoby Ellsbury: A solid nine hole hitter, or more of a second leadoff hitter. Getting to Jacoby is like starting the line-up over again. Except big Carl's waiting behind.

AL East Preview

Now that Porter has all the football out of his system, it's time to move onto baseball as pitchers and catchers report to spring training within the next week. The AL East the past few seasons has been unpredictable besides the fact that the Sox, Rays, and Yanks will be in the top three. This year is no different, but the order will no doubt change. Here's the breakdown:

1. Red Sox (96-66): Theo brought the heat this off-season with the moves he made. Crawford and Adrian being the largest , as well as adding a little depth to the bullpen has changed the look of the team. The biggest reason for the 95+ win season will be the pitching. Clay Bucholz will be the season changer if he can keep coming with what he had last year. He seemed to figure out how to bring his good stuff day to day while locating his curve-ball. Along with the Lester and Becket, these three will form a solid playoff three that has the potential to carry them to the Series. The only question is if Youk and Pedroia are actually over their injuries. Pedroia was still complaining about soreness near a week ago, and it will be a wait and see process.

2. Yankees (90-72): The loss of Andy Petite puts a lot of pressure for Hughes to repeat another good season, and the depth of that rotation has taken a step backwards. There is still a good enough team for a 90 win season, but there is no doubt they have lost some big players. Look for Cano to have an MVP like season at the plate, as well as the expected A-Rod season. Now Posada will be taking the DH position, as well as a very defensive outfield other than Granderson at the top of the line-up. The one good positive is their ability to hold leads in the later innings. I expect the Yanks to not sit back during the season, and I can see a big move to acquire a pitcher before the deadline.

3. Rays (86-76): Garza is now a Cub. That alone takes away quality starts for the Rays. Their make up and style of play was dangerous to so many teams, and now the whole vibe of the team looks different. They did sign Manny and Johnny Damon to deals, but they won't be making the playoffs this year with losing some of the back end of the bullpen as well as one of their key starters. Crawford going to the Sox also leaves a big hole that Damon will be trying to fill, but Johnny isn't the player he used to be. There will be no playoff baseball on the ugly rug this year.

4. Blue Jays (80-82): The Jays have pesky the past few seasons, but I haven't noticed many moves that will change their late seasons problems. There isn't much of a breakdown besides they will duplicate their early season ups, and late season fizzles.

5. Orioles (75-87): It was tough deciding between the final two teams knowing all the moves the Orioles made, but I can never agree with what they do. They actually have a surprisingly good lineup, with Roberts, Markakis, and Guerrero. But their pitching won't get anything done for them. If anything can be learned by the Rays its that the farm system needs to be built and developed especially for lower market teams. Paying Vlad isn't the answer for them and there needs to be more of a long term mind set in the front offices. I was generous with 75 wins, but the offense will have trouble backing up that starting rotation.

Super Sunday

It's Super Sunday, get the nachos, wings, couches, and excuses to call out of work Monday ready. What could be better? We have two historic franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their 6 Super Bowl titles and the Green Bay Packers, their 3 Super Bowls, the cheeseheads and oh, yeah the home of the guy who the trophy is named after, Vince Lombardi.

Ironically, the game will take place in Dallas (the only team to ever beat the Steelers in the Super Bowl as well as the Green Bay Packers long-time rival dating back to the Ice Bowl). The coach of the Packers is actually from Western PA (Mike McCarthy) and comes from the coaching tree of Mike Holmgren--the last Packers to coach to win a Super Bowl with the Packers. As an aside to the game, it is also the herbal essences/head and shoulders game of the year with Clay Mathews of Green Bay battling Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh.

Shampoo aside, this game will be decide in the trenches. You have the NFL transition to the 3-4 coming to light in this game where two of the very best at it will battle. The Steelers have been doing it since I was in diapers, and the Packers just in the last two seasons when Dom Capers was hired to be their defensive coordinator. Both teams possess dynamic, game-changing pass rushers as well as ball hawks in the secondary who make QBs think twice about lofting the ball up there.

When you take a look at the Steelers O-line, which was not very formidable in the first place, and you add in (well subtract) Pouncey from center and this could be a big time problem for the Steelers. All the talk is how Big Ben extends plays with his legs and pump fakes behind a line that is just good enough. Substitute Doug Legursky for Pouncey and that won't be so easy. Not to mention this is the best defense that Ben will have faced all season.

The Packers on the other hand have had their offensive line do the job over the last few months. Rodgers will not be able to escape as easily as he did against the Falcons earlier in the playoffs but his legs + his line vs. big ben's + his line and the advantage is Green Bay.

The X-Factors

Everyone knows who the main players are in this game...now lets take a look at the less heralded players who will have a tremendous impact on the outcome.

For Pittsburgh: Rashard Mendenhall RB
Yeah, remember him? With all the talk on Big Ben avoiding rushers and chucking it to a crossing Hines Ward or Mike Wallace deep or Antonio Brown's helmet you may forget that Mendenhall is actually their best player. He even ran over that tough Jets defense in the AFC championship game and could be the difference and morph himself from great player that no one talks about to a household name.

Green Bay's X-Factor: Jordy Nelson WR
Green Bay is not going to run the ball...nor do I believe they will try. They will do what the Patriots do against the Steelers. Spread 'em out and let it rip. Rodgers has the best passer rating of any QB in the league indoors..and the roof tonight will be closed. The Steelers can cover Greg Jennings he will be covered by Ike Taylor with an nice assist from Polamalu, Driver is not 100 percent, and the tight end is non-existant. However, Nelson is Rodgers' 3rd down guy who will be counted on to break free of either Ryan Clark, Bryant McFadden or William Gay.

What I See...

I really have no idea who will win this game. A part of me believes Green Bay is too finesse to beat Pittsburgh, but can you name that AFC team that has had the most success vs. the Steelers in the last few seasons? The New England Patriots. The Packers are built in that same mold, with the ability to spread out that defense with receivers that can play in the slot or outside and a QB that is at the very top of his game. It's really a tough call.

The Packers will not be able to run the ball at all on Pittsburgh, I know this, Pittsburgh knows this, Green Bay knows this...expect Rodgers to throw 40+ times in this game. In every single game this postseason, the team that has had more rushing yards has won. Go ahead, go check those stats. The Steelers will almost definitely rush for more yards than the Packers.

The Pick...

At the start of the year my pick was the Green Bay Packers as Super Bowl Champions. If you don't believe me, look! In my heart of hearts I want them to win, however my mind believes the Steelers will win. So what does a man do? Go with his heart or his mind? Well either way I covered my ass and told you I actually believe both teams will win so either I have great foresight or my mind is right.

The Green Bay Packers will win Super Bowl XLV. It is Aaron Rodgers' time.

Pittsburgh Steelers 13   Green Bay Packers 20
MVP: Aaron Rodgers QB Green Bay

Explanation:
There are these entities that I will call the football gods. You don't anger them. Ask the New England Patriots. You cheat the game? Well they will get you back. Go undefeated then have your hopes ripped away from you by the imaginary gum on David Tyree's helmet. The next year, Brady's ACL snaps. Then this year, they are treated to a great season only to be deFEETed by Rex Ryan and the Jets. The key in all of these is torture for pissing off the gods.

Now what's my point? Ben Roethlisberger. He "allegedly" sexually assaulted a girl this offseason and faced little penalty for what he did. Yeah, yeah, I know the case got thrown out. Did you also hear O.J. was innocent? The football gods will strike back tonight and Aaron Rodgers who shut his mouth during all the Favre fiasco, who never complained, who sat in the green room for hours on end while waiting to be picked way back in the 2005 draft now has his chance. The gods will reward him for his hard work, professional, and belt-flashing talent.