NFL Roundup

So The Beard once again went .500 in his NFL Playoff predictions:

The Jets offensive line didn't have the production they've shown this postseason, and only mustered 86 rushing yards against the Colts. That won't get it done. Mark Sanchez showed that he might be for real with some very nice throws particularly his second TD pass to Dustin Keller when he got destroyed as soon as the ball was released. The Colts defense made the necessary adjustments at half time though, and allowed the Jets zero 2nd half points. Peyton Manning continued to make his case that he might be the best quarterback ever in NFL History. Manning attacked and destroyed the Jets Safety's with deep throws, and as a result got Doug Plank fired as the Jets defensive backs coach. Plank has to be worth at least an interview for the open Bears D-Coordinator position doesn't he?


Brett Favre continued to show why he is the all time interception leader in NFL History by committing one of the most idiotic throws in NFL History to end the game and the Vikings Super Bowl run. Sure, Adrian Peterson fumbled too many times. Yes the vaunted Vikings defense didn't perform the way they have all season (did Jared Allen even play btw?). Absolutely that 12 men in the huddle penalty before the pick was really detrimental to the Vikings cause. None of that matters though, because if Brett Favre is supposed to be as good as all the Favre ass-lickers at ESPN/NFL Network/Fox/John Madden/CBS constantly say he is, he cannot make that play. That is inexcusable. High school qb's get yanked for making that kind of throw. Jay Cutler gets crucified (justifiably) for making throws like that. Maybe it's me, but I believe that 40 year old hall of fame bound quarterbacks know better than to make that throw back across the field right?


There are 9 other quarterbacks I would trust more in that situation than "The Almighty Vicodin" and they are as follows:

1. Peyton Manning
2. Tom Brady
3. Ben Roethlisberger
4. Eli Manning
5. Kurt Warner
6. Phillip Rivers
7. Carson Palmer
8. Drew Brees
9. Matt Ryan


The best part of the Favre throw? The Vikings Radio announcers immediate reaction to it. Give it a listen here.

Weekend Outlook

Some weird free agent baseball signings and uh "retirements" taking place in the last 48 hours. The Mets trading for Gary Matthews Jr. The Phillies signing Jose Contreras. The Kansas City Royals signing Rick Ankiel to their roster full of other teams garbage prospects who didn't work out. Then there's the bizarre case of Oakland A's prospect Grant Desme leaving his would be baseball career behind to enter the priesthood. This one is pretty silly and strange to The Beard. Grant has his whole life to enter the priesthood. He's only got a brief amount of time to play Major League Baseball. I understand the whole "calling" people feel but it's perfectly logical to ask why? Why throw it away when he doesn't have to? Didn't his god give him a gift to play? Isn't it a sin to waste the talents his catholic god gives him? It's very odd to say the least...

All the baseball dealings aside, this weekend is all about the NFL Championship Games. These games are always interesting, and most of the time they end up being better than the actual Super Bowl itself. All four of these teams are different from each other on both sides of the ball, and present interesting match ups. It's also interesting to note, that once again the NFL is still so over saturated, that a team with a 9-7 record is threatening to go to the Super Bowl for the second season in a row. Lets get to some predictions:

Jets v Colts : A lot of the spotlight is being focused on Peyton Manning's offense vs Rex Ryan's defense as the key match up for this game. I would submit that the focus should be the other way around. I think the big determining factor in this game will be the Jets offense, and how well they will be able to run the football against that very light front seven of the Colts. If the Jets are able to dominate the Time Of Possession, it keeps the ball out of Manning's hands and it will keep the Jet defense rested. Baltimore had a similar strategy last week, and it would have worked had they not fumbled 3 times. Shonn Greene is known to fumble, but Thomas Jones never does. The Jets also might have the best offensive line in football with 3 Pro Bowlers. Yeah Peyton Manning will get his yards, and the Colts might get a couple of TD's, but my prediction is Jets 26 Colts 20.

Vikings v Saints : We're being told that this is the game that will "vindicate" Brett Favre, and if the Vikings win, we should all not hate him anymore because all of this drama has led to a Super Bowl appearance. I guess we shouldn't hate Ray Lewis anymore because he won the Super Bowl too, if we follow that logic. Obviously since Ray Lewis doesn't get the benefit of the doubt from people with three digit I.Q.'s and long memories, Favre shouldn't get the benefit of the doubt either.

Favre's ultimate legacy will be that of a petulant, me-first, crybaby, and bald face LIAR he has been over the past 3 seasons. He lied twice to both the Packers, and Jets about his retirement. He also lied to the Vikings about it when he initially said thanks but no thanks because he didn't want to go to training camp. He threw so many people (Ted Thompson in particular) under the bus because they were guilty of the grievous crime of taking his "I'm Retired" press conference seriously and moving on with their franchise. He is all about Brett Favre, and Brett Favre only. Everyone else on the team is just going along for the ride.

It will all be for naught however, as the Saints offense will be too high powered for the Vikings defense to slow down. Saints 30-Vikings 23.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Weekend Summary

Interesting weekend for the most part. The NFL Playoffs didn't have too much drama minus the last game. The Saints and Jets came through for The Beard. The Cowboys and Ravens did not. The Jets-Chargers game was the most interesting of all the action. Norv Turner continued to show why he couldn't win a one person beauty contest, let alone a winnable home playoff game. Yeah Nick Kaeding decided to not make any field goals, but he wasn't responsible for 10 San Diego Penalties, particularly in key situations. As this blog has pointed out before, penalties are all about discipline, and discipline starts with the Head Coach, and that's not even getting into the "To Onside or Not To Onside" situation late in the 4th quarter. Not to grasp the obvious or seem to be ex post facto expert, but with 1 timeout left AND the two minute warning, you kick it deep, or at the very least squib kick, in that situation. Field position possibilities alone dictate kicking it deep, especially when you're counting on your defense to get the ball back regardless. Maybe this is bigger than a "Martyball" problem after all huh Bolts fans?


The Late Gaines Adams...26 years old is way too young to die, regardless of an enlarged heart or otherwise. Apparently, the Bears and everyone else had no idea he had this condition. Adams is hardly the first athlete to die of this condition, and he won't be the last unfortunately. While he seriously underperformed, and Jerry Angelo vastly overpaid for him with a 2nd round draft pick, it's still a damn shame to say the least that Gaines is no longer with us.


The NHL Killing Machine known as the Chicago Blackhawks, pulled out an exciting, physical, and intense to say the least win against the hated Detroit Red Wings. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, the Hawks ended up besting the Chicken Wings in a shootout after one of the most up-for-grabs overtimes ever witnessed in a regular season hockey game. Antii Niemi tended a great game in goal with 35 saves, and Patrick Sharp ended up with the game winning shootout goal. The Hawks didn't do themselves any favors by committing more penalties than they needed to, thus allowing Detroit to climb back into the contest. The Hawks got plenty of chances to showcase their top 10 penalty killing however, and also showed that they are playoff ready, as this game definitely had a playoff feel to it. Here's to continuing to "Commit to the Indian!".


And yes Mark McGwire still is a liar, Tony LaRussa is still a liar, Jack Clark is awesome for speaking the truth, and the Cardinal fans seem plenty happy with being ostriches by burying their head in the sand. Nice standing ovation you Hawaiian shirt wearing freaks...

Weekend Outlook

Well, I'll be starting early on Saturday morning as the beloved Dayton Flyers travel to Xavier to take on the Mouseketeers on ESPN 2. The Flyers are looking to make history and end one of the most baffling losing streaks in the history of college basketball by beating Xavier in Cincinnati for the first time since 1981. Uncle Rico was still playing high school football the last time this happened. Will history take place? I don't know but I'll be Flyer'd Up for sure.

Also, the NFL Playoffs continue starting on Saturday as well. Here's my predictions for what they're worth:

New Orleans over Arizona
Baltimore over Indianapolis
Dallas over Minnesota
New York Jets over San Diego.

Have a great weekend everybody!