Talking NFL

If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare yourself for the greatest sports anchor meltdown ever caught on tape! (Warning: NSFW)

You’re with me, Temper Tantrum!

Let’s be fair to the Swami; he’s not the only famous anchor to lose his cool with the production crew:

Or with ESPN, for that matter…

(note: if the Berman clip has been pulled, you can see it over at Deadspin. They have it permanently embeded. God Bless them…)

To the rabid football fan, the Super Bowl represents the culmination - the zenith - of a five month season full of amazing plays, last minute victories, and ultimate team achievement. But to the casual fan, or just the everyday Joe or Judy, the Super Bowl may be the only game they watch all year long. It’s an excuse to buy ridiculous looking party favors, and throw a neighborhood bash on an otherwise uneventful Sunday in February.

For this later group, they really only have one request in regards to the actual football contest that is played:

They just want a close game. And some funny commercials (OK, two requests…)

As a member of the former group, I can certainly respect that wish. However, my standing as a lifelong fan of Patriot Nation completely outweighs any wishes I have for a down-to-the-wire thriller.

In fact, to all you one-day football fans (ODFF’s) out there, know that everyone in New England is wishing and hoping that not only is your party a dud - we f*@king hope it’s over before halftime. We hope the Patriots obliterate/annihilate/wickedbeatup-ate the Giants to the tune of 1,972-0.

Here’s the deal, my lovely ODFF’s: the Patriots are on the verge of unprecedented history. Not only for the first 19-0 season in NFL history, but for their 4th Super Bowl in 7 years. This achievement would elevate the Patriots dynasty to a new level; above the Cowboys of the 90’s and the Lions of the 50’s (yes, the Lions were once a dynasty - honest). We’re talking about moving into the same block as the truly elite teams: the 49ers of the 80’s, the Steelers of the 70’s, and the Bears of the 40’s.

The Monsters of the Midway won four NFL titles from 1940 to 1946 - a seven year span. But what people remember the most about that dynasty (the ones that are still kicking, anyways) is the first title they won in 1940, when they played against the Washington Redskins:

Washington had defeated Chicago 7-3 in a regular season game three weeks earlier. After the contest, Redskins owner George Preston Marshall told reporters that the Bears were crybabies and quitters when the going got tough. As the Bears prepared for the rematch, Chicago head coach George Halas fired up his team by showing them newspaper articles of Marshall’s comments.

The Bears controlled the game right from the start, using the T formation as their primary offensive strategy…they held a 28-0 halftime lead and then continued to crush the Redskins, scoring 45 points during the second half. After Halas took the team’s starters out, the backup players continued to pile on the points. The Bears ended up recording 501 total yards on offense, 382 total rushing yards, and 8 interceptions–returning 3 for touchdowns.

The final score was 73-0, the largest margin of victory ever in an NFL title game. And that epic destruction of the Redskins firmly cemented them in the annals of pigskin lore.

Because naturally, history remembers the big games, the title games. Not the Week 3 games, or the Divisional Round playoff games. Case in point - look back at the 2003-04 Patriots. When a Patriots fan thinks of those two seasons, we think of a 34-4 overall record, 19 straight victories at one point, and two championships. But to the ODFF’s? Meh. They remember that both Super Bowl games were close. In fact, all three of the Patriots titles were won by a difference of three points. Victories, but not all that memorable.

Certainly not memorable like the 85 Bears, the team that many people consider the best team of all time up to this point. Sure, they were pretty dominating during the regular season and playoffs. But what everyone remembers is the way they publicly castrated the Patriots 46-10 on Super Bowl Sunday.

(well, that and the Super Bowl Shuffle)

So with the peak of perfection in sight, every fan that cheers for the flying Elvis is looking for a final and emphatic flag planting ceremony to be held in Phoenix. The final exclamation point to say, without a shadow of a doubt, that this team is the best to ever walk a football field.

So here’s hoping for an absolute bludgeoning on Sunday. As Patriots fans, we want to see raw carnage. We want it to sound like a pinball game inside the University of Phoenix Stadium. We want the scoreboard operator to come down with a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome.

We want the Patriots to play the part of Daniel Plainview and the Giants that of poor Paul Sunday. We want to watch the final chapter of this march to perfection unfold the exact same way the last 10 minutes of There Will be Blood concludes.

And when the game ends, we want the audience to stare in stunned silence at the blank screen in front of them - the same way my girlfriend did at the end of that movie.

Complete with the exact same exchange we had:

Girlfriend: “…what…was that?!”

Me: “That…was a beating.”

That way, when anyone looks back at the 2007 Patriots (football fans, historians, or ODFF’s), they will have no choice but to say that they were the greatest football team in history.

New England Patriots, perfection, history, blowout, Super Bowl, There Will Be Blood

In a word…yeesh. Media Day during Super Bowl week has essentially morphed throughout the years from a press access day to a freak show to finally an enormous media circus that’s a combination of both. Let’s just get right to the worst best stuff…

- Everyone’s talking about the marriage proposal that Tom Brady received from a Spanish reporter. Naturally, Tom handled the awkward situation with his usual charm and humor:

“I’ve never had a proposal [before].”

Ha-ha. We all know this is approximately proposal #6,946,082 for Tommy Touchdown. Hey Ms. Innez; back of the line for you! That’s right, behind the former Victoria’s Secret model, the B-level goalie puller actress, and every 18-34 year old woman from New England. Gracias!

- I love the way AOL Fanhouse summed up thoughts on the fact that Chad Jackson of the Patriots has a personal stylist named “Peaches”:

“I ask you: Can you imagine any player on Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers, the team that won the first Super Bowl, saying, “I have a personal stylist named Peaches”?“

No…no I cannot!

- By most accounts, the best interview of the day was the Giants Michael Strahan, which shouldn’t be a big surprise with quotes like this:

“I love Tom Brady,” Strahan said. “I’m jealous that I’m not Tom Brady. But I definitely want to hit Tom Brady on Sunday.”

You have to admire the man’s honesty. On all counts.

- ESPN’s Matt Mosley shares this “low blow” dished out by Patriots right tackle Nick Kaczur:

“Turns out not everyone on the Patriots’ offensive line has been able to grow a beard. Right tackle Nick Kaczur, who has more of a bushy goatee, was asked about his two clean-shaven linemates.

“Those guys are still waiting for their balls to drop,” said Kaczur.”

Even better than the quote? The two comments on this post:

winston2322: Why would it matter if a lineman dropped his balls, they are illeligable recievers anyway?

IRISHBOSOX39: *shakes head*

Now that’s comedy!

- Finally, a confession that I briefly toyed with the idea of making the trek from L.A. to Phoenix for the Super Bowl, to cover firsthand Media Day and the Patriots quest for perfection. Well, any regrets I may have had about skipping out on Media Day went out the window after reading this brief report from Deadspin’s Will Leitch, a first-time participant:

“Media Day is a waste of time for everyone, and that doesn’t just mean the players and the media. Even the dope gimmick folks, the lady who wanted to marry Brady, or “The Tonight Show”’s Kelly Pickler (an actual collaboration which tells you all you need to know about both Pickler and “The Tonight Show”), or the mock astrologists (as if there were any other kind), seemed generally bored with their schtick. Everyone felt like they were going through the motions; it’s Media Day … we have to do something CRAZY!

We were so discouraged that we couldn’t even make it through the whole thing. Sorry: Trust us, empty space is more entertaining that what we’d have for you here had we stayed.

Stadium looks great, though.”

Yep. Glad I’m going back home to watch the game with friends instead.

NFL, Super Bowl, Media Day, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing

Isn’t this two week wait for the Super Bowl fantastic?! (answer = NO) Well, since we’ve still got time to kill and we’re all sick to death of Brady Boot updates, let’s have some fun with a myriad of Super Bowl and NFL related videos…

For starters, let’s revisit YouTube legend BradyFan83, who’s composed an “apology” tune to one Randy Moss:

Next, here’s all you need to know about Giants fans; they (1) like to burn their quarterback’s jersey 2 months before he leads the team to a Super Bowl, and (2) think throwing a bottle of lighter fluid on top of a fiery barbeque is a good idea.

How about some Super Bowl halftime show goodness? For me, it doesn’t get better than U2’s performance at Super Bowl XXXVI (no, it has nothing to do with the fact that it was also the Patriots first Super Bowl win. Well OK, maybe it does…)

And, of course, here’s the award for “Worst Accidental Revealing of a Middle-Aged Boob” during a halftime show:

(more…)

With the arrival of the Big Tuna in Miami, it looks like we won’t be able to laugh at the incompetent moves of the Dolphin’s front office anymore (at least until Parcells gets bored and quits two years from now).

Lucky for us, we still have the Raiders and the Redskins, who are battling it out for the Isiah Thomas Mismanagement Award for an NFL Franchise.

First we have the Raiders and the surreal story (broken by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on Friday), that Al Davis wants Head Coach Lane Kiffin to sign a letter of resignation that Al himself has drafted! Here’s the report Mort filed on Friday:

The best part of this is the tone of Mortensen’s voice during this whole interview. He basically just wants to say, “you know what? Al’s done. He’s having full blown conversations with Napoleon and wants to hire Knute Rockne. For the love of God, will somebody please take the keys away from him and get him set up in a Springfield Retirement Castle penthouse?!”

Even better is the name of Kiffin’s rumored replacement. True story; on Friday night I was talking to a few buddies about this story, and said, “you’ll NEVER guess who Al wants to bring in as coach! C’mon! Guess, but you’ll never get it!” Immediately, one of the guys said, “Dennis Green.” When I asked him how he guessed, he replied, “well, I went with the most ridiculous answer I could think of. By the way, you’re not serious are you?”

I mean, you know who Dennis Green is, right? He’s…oh, never mind…

Meanwhile, there’s similar bedlam inside the Capital Beltway. Fans and bloggers are none to thrilled about the decision to jettison defensive coordinator Gregg Williams after four (that’s right , FOUR) interviews for the head coaching position. I particularly enjoyed Mr. Kenney’s comparison of Dan Snyder to George Steinbrenner. Ouch.

Another move that has baffled the Redskins faithful is the replacing of accomplished offensive coordinator Al Saunders with first time offensive coordinator Jim Zorn. Most confusing of all is the idea of hiring an offensive coordinator before you’ve hired a freaking coach! Oh, really? I’d be hard pressed to find that move in Football Team Building 101.

Lucky for Al Saunders, there’s some interest in his services around the league. Most notably with…you guessed it…the Oakland Raiders.

How apropos. The dumb raiding the dumber…

Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Al Davis, Dan Snyder, Isiah Thomas, Kenneth Lay, Angelo Mozilo, Edward John Smith, you get the idea

Regular readers of Talking NFL know that every now and then I like to slack off turn things over to a guest writer. With the Super Bowl just over a week away, we’re handing the reins over to a fellow Patriots fan and 451 Press writer. Her name is Randi Morse, and she writes for the extremely popular Brad Pitt Watch and Watching House. So kick back with a pint of Chunky Monkey and enjoy Randi’s journey as a Pats fan!

—————————-

I’ve lived in Vermont for my entire life. Around here, football seems like it belongs only in high school, as there is no stadium anywhere near here. When I got older and into high school I learned about the NFL and remember thinking that the Patriots were kind of like a joke. Like the last kid to be picked in gym class because you knew he was going to suck at dodge ball. Being a girl, and being a girl who wasn’t huge into sports, I decided that I would give all of my short sports-attention span to the Dolphins – mostly because they had cool colors and an awesome mascot. Luckily the year I chose to watch them they made it to the Superbowl…and lost. And, I must tell you, the Patriots didn’t enter my mind again until only three short years ago.

Three years ago I got a part-time job working at our local, hole-in-the-wall radio station. One of my responsibilities was inserting the commercials during the Patriots game. And on radio, a Patriots game can take hours. You have a few hours of pre-game chatter, the game, and then a few hours of post-game chatter. The first few games I blocked out everything, did my job, and would read a book or surf the net during any “talking�. Then, one day I found myself listening to the chatter and the game and realizing that – hey – the Patriots didn’t suck anymore! In fact, the Patriots were good…REALLY good!

The one thing that caught my attention the most was Bill Belichick. Whenever he had a press conference, whether it was after a great win or a tough defeat, he never bragged. He simply said that they did good, but that it didn’t mean they could rest. He embodied everything I’ve ever known and loved about old time New Englanders – they never brag, and they keep moving forward. You would never know that Belichick wasn’t born here.

Then the Patriots kept winning…and winning…and winning! Suddenly everyone I knew was holding a football party on a weekly basis, and even our tiny hole-in-the-wall radio station had teamed up with a company to give away a television for the Superbowl! And now we find that not only are the Patriots headed to the Superbowl again, they are doing so undefeated. That’s a big word, and one to live up to. Will I be watching the Superbowl on Superbowl Sunday? You bet! I’ve got someone to cheer for – a team that I can look at and tell my children that they belong to US – to New England. “They’re from around here�, I can say, “see – there are plenty of things to be proud about in New England.�

New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, Vermont, Guest Bloggers

As you’ve probably heard by now, Patriot nation has breathed a HUGE collective sigh of relief at the news that Tom Brady is only suffering from a mild high ankle sprain, nothing more.

In fact, Tom and his gorgeous lady friend Gisele were spotted hitting the town earlier this week, and Brady was without the boot/brace he wore earlier in the day. So why did he have it on in the first place? The answer is probably one of the three:

1) Just a precaution
2) A Belichick ploy to confuse the Giants
3) Brady was in trouble w/Gisele

Personally, I believe option #3. Think about it - he was probably in the doghouse with Gisele for something dumb; like forgetting to call after the AFC Championship game or knocking up another C-level actress. And you know that a high profile, high income model like Gisele is also uber high maintenance and was waiting for him in NYC with the Wrath of Khan.

So what does Tommy Touchdown do? He buys some flowers AND puts a brace over his ankle. Imagine the scene when he walked into Gisele’s pad:

Tom: “Hey, babe. I brought you some flowers and- (winces) ow, my leg…”

Gisele: “Oh, you poor thing!”

(they do it)

Well played, Tom. Very well played indeed. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m running late to meet my girlfriend for dinner. Better put on that neck brace…

Update: Tom Brady has missed practice on both Thursday and Friday. Again, it’s either due to reasons #1 and #2 listed above, or the Patriots figure that having Gisele nurse him back to health is their best option. Can’t really argue with that logic…

Tom Brady, bootgate, Gisele, misdirection

Prior to the AFC Championship Game, football fans around the country were stunned when the Chargers knocked off the Colts, denying the New England vs Indianapolis rematch they were all pining to see.

But everyone quickly recovered once the Patriots knocked-off the spirited Chargers. For then the Cloverfield monster-like drooling over a Brett Favre vs Tom Brady uber QB face-off in Super Bowl XLII began in full. What a perfect match-up! What a phenomenal story line we can all bludgeon into the ground over the next two weeks!

Oops. Nevermind. Care for some Eli?

Having said that, the Giants not only proved to be the better team on Sunday, but the younger Manning brother proved to be the better QB on the field as well. While he didn’t do anything spectacular, he didn’t kill his team with a crucial INT like his Green Bay counterpart did either.

And let’s not forget about that New York run game. Just like Eli, it has also been very consistent, with the two headed attack of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combining for 324 rushing yards in the playoffs.

But perhaps most noteworthy has been the excellent game schemes put together by Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the postseason. He had multiple blitzes against the Cowboys during the Divisional Round. Yet against the Packers, New York kept the QB pressure to the base 4-man front, letting linebackers like Antonio Pierce drop into coverage to limit Favre’s multiple receiving options.

As for this revised Super Bowl match-up, what’s not to like about a New England vs New York storyline? Sure, Patriots fans were all looking for a little revenge against those Cheeseheads for Super Bowl XXXI, but hey, beating another NY team en route to another title sounds pretty good to me as well…

Not that a Patriots victory is a given, either. This Giants team is responsible for the largest come from behind victory Belichick’s crew had to muster this year in Week 17 (that being 12 points). This makes the early Vegas line of 13 to 14 points in favor of New England that much more surprising. With their strong pass rush and efficient offense, the Giants match-up very well with the undefeated Patriots.

How well? Oh hey, we’ve got nearly 2 weeks to analyze this match-up! (Ugh…)

New York Giants, New England Patriots, Super Bowl XLII

Care of Boston.com:

The New York Post published a picture today in which Patriots QB Tom Brady looked to be wearing a boot/protective brace over his right foot.

I’m not gonna freak out.
I’m not gonna freak out.
I’m not gonna freak out.
I’m not gonna freak out.

……

Too late, I’m f#@king freaking out!!!

New England Patriots, Tom Brady, there’s a big bear on the road to perfection

Last week, Pro Football Talk published a report that (according to a league source) Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy would step down and be replaced by assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell.

Needless to say, it looks like Pro Football Talk could use some more reliable sources.

Late yesterday, the Colts held a news conference where Coach Dungy announced that he would return to Indianapolis to coach for a seventh season. To Pro Football Talk’s credit, team president Bill Polian also said that Caldwell would be named associate head coach, and will take over for Dungy whenever he decides to leave.

(Meaning that Jim Caldwell is to Tony Dungy what Aaron Rodgers is to Brett Favre)

Bottom line, you have to admire the fact that the Colts have established a succession plan for one of the league’s most successful franchises. Caldwell was being wooed by both the Ravens and Falcons, but chose to stay by Dungy’s side, as he has for the last seven seasons. And give credit to Caldwell for showing patience and staying with the Colts - he realizes that Bill Polian has put together a winning organization and wants to stay a key part of it.

Speaking along those lines, it’s interesting to think about Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and his decision not to interview for those same Falcons and Ravens head coach openings. After the defection of Eric Mangini to the Jets, perhaps the powers that be in Foxborough decided to have a talk with Josh about his future with the Patriots? Just a thought…

Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, Bill Polian, head coach

There’s a plethora of thoughts running through my brain after the Patriots 21-12 victory over the Chargers in the AFC Championship Game, but here are the ones that are getting past those 7 Sam Adams Lagers that I downed:

- Tom Brady certainly did not have his best game. Of the three interceptions he threw, the one in the end-zone to Antonio Cromartie could have been a killer like the one he tossed in the playoffs against the Broncos two years ago (and thank you CBS for showing that replay again! Boy was that pleasant…)

- Randy Moss was held to a non-factor for the second week in a row. Who knows how much that has to do with his “old friend’s” restraining order, but Patriots fans are hoping it becomes a non-issue by Super Bowl Sunday…

- Of San Diego’s 311 yards of total offense, wideouts Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers accounted for 183 of them.

- Give credit to Philip Rivers for gutting out a decent performance on a very gimpy leg. Not so much credit goes to L.T., a.k.a Darth Vader on the Chargers sidelines.

- Laurence Maroney now has back-to-back 122 yard rushing games. Anyone still think the Patriots are a “finesse” offense? Didn’t think so…

- This Patriots defense, while giving up yards to their opponents, is closely resembling the 01-02 championship team’s “bend but don’t break” philosophy. Three times the Chargers had first and goal to go - three times they came away with field goals.

- Punting the ball away on 4th down at the Patriots 36 yard line with less than 10 minutes to play and down by two scores? Hey, that’s just Norv being Norv…

Finally, there were some great individual efforts from various Patriots players all game long - Junior Seau’s crucial stop of Michael Turner on 3rd and goal and Kelley Washington downing a punt inside the 5 yard line come to mind immediately. But nothing stands out like the clutch play of Kevin Faulk. Two of his catches set up Patriot touchdowns on the next play, and he converted 2 first downs on their final drive that clinched the game.

I have absolutely no problem saying that right now I love Kevin Faulk as much as another heterosexual man can love another heterosexual man.

(But don’t worry, Tom - you can win my love back 2 weeks from now…)

New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, AFC Championship

Championship weekend has arrived, and let all football purists rejoice! Both games will be played as they should be in January; outside in the freezing cold. Unfortunately, there won’t be any snow in either New England or Green Bay, but we would have seen some white stuff if the Carolina Panthers were hosting the NFC title game (Put that in your Global Warming pipe and smoke it, Al!).

In addition, both match-ups have historical significance as well. The Giants and Packers are two of the most storied teams in NFL history, and both franchises have combined for 18 championship titles/Super Bowl victories since 1927.

Ah, but did you know that the Patriots and Chargers are two original members of the old AFL league? And that the Chargers destroyed the Patriots 51-10 in the 1963 title game? Revenge game, baby!!

Let’s take a closer look at both contests, starting with the NFC:

Giants at Packers

First, let me join a long and not-so-distinguished line of sports bloggers & writers who owe the New York Giants a big fat apology. I completely wrote them off at the start of the season & predicted they’d finish 6-10. Whoops. And how about that Eli Manning kid, huh? Talk about clutch…good to see he stopped learning from big bro.

(yes that was a completely unwarranted cheap shot on Peyton. Expect roughly 58 more before kickoff ‘08…)

Anyways, this should be a great game. Both teams have an excellent running game (assuming Ryan Grant has fully recovered from his early case of fumble-itis early last week), and a swarming front seven that can get to the quarterback. Both quarterbacks have been playing mistake-free football, and both kickers are hitting over 80% of their field goals.

But there seems to be one area where Green Bay has a decidedly huge advantage, and that’s with their wide receivers. A great deal of Brett Favre’s resurgence this year needs to be credited to Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Donald Lee, who combined for 3,219 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns.

Add this to the fact that Giants cornerbacks Sam Madison and Aaron Ross are hobbled with injuries, and it should be a big game for the Packers passing game. Manning, Jacobs, and Burress should keep it close, but the Packers defense has the advantage in healthy playmakers, and that should be the difference.

Prediction: Packers 27 - Giants 17

(more…)

(opening the door to The Continental)

“Hallo!  Oh, my dulcet darling….I have missed you….as the night sky misses the stars!  And you look so lovely….so devastating….in your….sheik new uniform.  A pity though….that you did not wear your powder blues….they so accentuate your femininity!”

“Wait, do not go my petite petunia!  I dare not offend you….tempestuous one!  Trust me….I have changed since last year.  You will find me a much more gracious host….this time around.  Please….would you care for….a glass of champagne?  Some caviar?”

“There, there, much better….let us celebrate your team’s ….glorious achievement!  But one game away from the Super Bowl….and to be lead by (pause, looks at black book)….William Volek and Legedu Naanee!  How wonderful.  Who knows….what gas station they will be employed at next year, Fräulein!

Fear not leepschun, I am sure you hero….your master of quiet dignity…..LaDainian Tomlinson….will be ready for battle on Sunday!  Lucky for you….he appears to have….a quick healing vagina.

As for your vaunted ariel commander….Philip Rivers (a.k.a. Marmalard)….sadly I have my doubts.  But what heroics he issued forth in Indianapolis!

Behold that intense gaze!  That laser-like focus….that look of someone who needs to drop a rather large deuce.  Surely….some credit to your 4th quarter comeback….belongs to him.

And how he verbally jousted with those Colts fans….my, my!  Such bravery!  Although, I am confused….tell me, my sweet gecko….how can he do that, but also say this?  Is he conflicted?  Perhaps….a bit selective with his personal code of ethics?  Or is he simply….an enormous douchebag?

Wait, wait!  A thousand pardons!  Please….have some New England Clam Chowder!  Ah, yes….good isn’t it?  I made it myself, buttercup.  Mmmmm….chunky!

Truly….I cannot express how impressed I was with your chief tactician….commandant Norv…..his scheming was utterly brilliant!  And only one 12-men on the field penalty….all game long!  He has come quite a long way since Week 2….such an exponential improvement in IQ hasn’t been witnessed since….Flowers for Algernon….

By the way, my sinewy serpent, is it true….that in a dreadful childhood incident….he accidentally shot himself in the face….with a shotgun full of rock salt?

Oh, I kid, I kid, my little locust!  I have nothing but respect….and admiration for your entire organization.  Take Shawne Merriman, for example.  That gentleman….he exudes nothing but class….from every open orifice on his tattoo covered body!

Ah….you appear to be getting sleepy….my succulent squash.  I must inform you that….unbeknownst to you….I slipped a Mickey….in your chunky clam chowder….

There, there….just lie back (removes robe)….as I unleash….my gi-normous Patriot missile!  As you go under, my glorious doormat….please know….that just like last year….this will be….very, very painful….

New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, AFC Championship, Talking NFL, Glorify the Past, opening old wounds, the continental, SNL back in the day

For starters, we have to talk a bit more about that HUGE upset in Indianapolis. While most football fans are disappointed that the Chargers completely wrecked a highly anticipated Pats vs Colts rematch, I personally couldn’t be happier…can you say grudge match?

There’s some bad blood off the field as well. As you long-time readers remember from last year, Talking NFL has a spirited exchange with the good folks over at Glorify the Past. For those new to the site, here’s the original smack-talk article (with completely unedited evil comments, which I later graded). By way of an olive branch offering, this spring GTP member desertboltfan was kind enough to write up a Chargers draft preview for the site.

So it seems only fitting that this year’s AFC Title game brings us old lovers together yet again. Trust me, I’m brewing up something special later this week to rekindle those flames of hatred. Blog on blog violence; it don’t get better than this!

Speaking of which, that’s a good place to start with the links, as Barstool Sports and Kissing Suzy Colber are about to get into a full blown pissing contest. Let the blogger fury fly!

The IndyStar’s Bob Kravitz puts some good perspective on the Colts loss. I really enjoyed his comparison of this team to the Atlanta Braves in the 90’s…

We Are The Postmen describes why even longtime Bears and Lions fans just can’t help rooting for Brett Favre.

The Looper marvels at the thought of Eli Manning - the Savior of NY sports.

Hey, guess who leaked those pictures of Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo vacationing in Cabo San Lucas? IDontLikeYouInThatWay.com has the not-so-surprising answer…

Frank Hughes of the Seattle New Tribune thinks there’s a 30% chance that Mike Holmgren decides to retire as Seahawks coach (and a 100% chance that Deion Branch tore his ACL on Saturday. Ouch).

OK, now for some videos; this one’s of T.O. has been making the rounds today, and for good reason…

Not because the reporter is smokin’ hot - look at T.O. peeking out from behind the curtain! Hi! Hey, you…yeah, you in the tight jeans! C’mere!

Here’s some more of the lovely Ines Sainz in action…

Here’s a reporter attempting to perform the Lambeau Leap (and failing spectacularly):

Finally, here’s Patriots fan myricegirl doing a rap/dance/jaguar impersonation (I have no idea what to call this - you tell me…)

Come on down to Cabo San Lucas! We have some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, where white sand beaches stretch as far as the eye can see! We guarantee that a vacation at our beautiful tropical paradise will make you forget all your worries!

Just ask some of our recent visitors…

Tony Romo: “Hello, everyone. Being the quarterback for the most popular team in the NFL sure does carry a lot of pressure with it. I’m so glad I took some time out in Cabo San Lucas! A few days there, and I forgot about everything; my problems, my playbook, even the rules on intentional grounding. You can be sure I’ll be coming back soon - maybe even next weekend!”

Don’t worry Tony, you all ready have a tee time for 9am on Sunday! Yes, the gorgeous scenery on our beautiful peninsula can move even the craziest toughest people to tears. Like Terrell Owens:

Terrell Owens: (sobbing) “The ocean…the dolphins…the cheap prescription drugs…sometimes there’s so much beauty in Cabo San Lucas that I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in.” (weeps hysterically)

Most importantly, a getaway to Cabo San Lucas is so easy even a complete moron can do it!

Jessica Simpson: “Hey, y’all! When my Tony Tigger wanted to go east to Cabo San Lucas, I thought it was a really bad idea, what with Fidel Castro being such an evil dictator and all. But I gotta tell ya, I had more fun there than I did filming “Employee of the Month”! Huh-huh! Golly, WalMarts are BIG…”

(commotion in the background)

“Uh-oh, better git goin’. Daddy says the whole state of Dallas is outside wantin’ ta talk to me! Boy it shur is fun being popular. Ta ta!”

Cabo San Lucas - leave all your troubles behind! (Now offering 20% discounts to Cowboys fans)

Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo, another rough off-season awaits, Jessica Simpson, official career ender