Patriots Heavy Favorite In Super Bowl XLII

BOSTON (AP) ― The New England Patriots' path to perfection has one last hurdle: a New York team of road warriors hoping for a Giant upset.

"We'll try to elevate our game for one last performance," said Tom Brady, the Patriots' dimple-chinned, record-setting quarterback with the model girlfriend.

Brady and the Patriots (18-0) will try to match the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only teams to complete an undefeated season when they face Eli Manning and the Giants on Feb. 3 in the Super Bowl at Glendale, Ariz.

"I think you enter the season and you're hoping to put together a bunch of great wins and you realize there's challenges every step of the way," Brady said after beating San Diego 21-12 in the AFC championship game Sunday. "To not have a letdown like most teams have -- we had a few letdowns or times where we didn't play our best, but we overcame them."

Standing in the Patriots' way are the Giants (13-6) and Manning -- Peyton's little brother, whose moxie and leadership abilities no longer can be questioned.

"We haven't been given a shot, but we're here," Manning said of his Giants, who have won 10 straight on the road -- including a 23-20 overtime win at Green Bay in the NFC title game. "I think we're deserving of it."

Las Vegas oddsmakers might think differently. They installed New England as a 13 1/2-point favorite in the big game, in which New York will get another shot at destroying the Patriots' path to perfection.

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Not Another Predictions Column! Conference Championship Games

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Philip Rivers is hopeful about playing Sunday against New England; but coach Norv Turner has said he will be a gametime decision. While the Chargers’ game-winning drive of last week was of the stuff that builds legends, how much of that stuff can be left? San Diego barely managed to defeat the Colts, and that was with Peyton Manning looking like the Eli Manning of old. Patriots fans are chortling with glee as once again Peyton Manning failed to get it done in the playoffs, making them even more convinced that last year was a fluke as it pertains to Manning and postseason success. In fact, there isn’t much for Patriots fans to not be chortling about this year – it has been a perfect year for Patriot fans, in more ways than one. Despite the Spygate issue at the beginning of the season, Pats fans have been able to enjoy an undefeated season rife with blowout victories, close calls, and the knowledge that they will have a Top Ten draft pick in this year’s draft regardless of the fact that New England is still in contention for a Super Bowl berth. Speaking of which, by the end of the day tomorrow we will know exactly who will be participating in Super Bowl XLII. That fact, that thought, always mystifies me. We go four or five months attempting to predict whom we think will end up ultimately vying for that silver trophy; but in the end, because of the mere passing of a single day, all our speculation turns into either fact or fiction. This, of course, marks the countdown of only two weeks of real football left to watch, before such things as the Pro Bowl and the Arena Football League become prevalent on the football viewers’ scope. It is then that NFL fans begin to disperse, to get back into their football-less everyday lives. Only the diehards stick around, nervously scouring the free agent newswires, and anxiously following all Draft-related news. Enough of this waxing philosophical, it is time to get back to football. Billy Volek may be making the start at quarterback for San Diego, but even if he does not, expect to see him playing at some point. San Diego will have to rely on Norv Turner’s masterful playcalling now more than ever, but just as their hopes were dashed by the Patriots last year, so it shall be again. New England pulls off the victory, catapulting themselves into the Super Bowl. It amazes me that I have not once picked against New England this year. Part of me is pulling for San Diego this week, but if Brett Favre is to win another Super Bowl ring, it would be sweetest to defeat New England.

NEW YORK GIANTS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

Somewhere up in Wisconsin, there lies a small city of roughly 100,000 people. This small city lies near a Great Lake, and gets 47.7 inches of snow a year. This little city is where one will find perhaps professional football’s most famous football field – Lambeau Field.This city’s name is Green Bay. Ages ago, Bart Starr once inspired frenzied fans with his play on Lambeau Field, but since 1992, there has been one man, and one man alone, who has captured the heart of millions. Brett Favre, once drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, has shown that loyalty does still exist in sports at the professional level. For sixteen years, he has worked, played, bled, tackled, passed, ran, laughed, and amazed the Green Bay faithful. No one knows when or how the legend will end, when the reality will eventually become the stuff of myth, tales passed on from generation to generation. Stories will be told 100 years from now of his on and off-field exploits. And rightfully so – for what other player has done what he has done? There is no one who comes close, except perhaps Cal Ripken, JR, in Major League Baseball. Favre has played through injuries, family sorrows, trials and tribulations. He has taken hit after hit from the media, from critics, and from opposing defensive ends. But yet, when the snow settles on the field, one man still stands. That man is Favre. Favre, a gladiator in his own right, takes none of the credit for himself. Ever gracious, he praises his teammates, and respects his fallen foes. He sheds his battlegear, and goes back to his home to spend time with his family. He stands tall as a protector; a deliverer, a father, and a hero of mythical proportions. Through the years, he has had many a different supporting cast, but some familiar faces are still there. Chad Clifton still protects Favre’s blindside. Donald Driver still catches Favre’s passes. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila still rushes opposing quarterbacks. Nick Barnett still tackles opposing runningbacks. The rookies and young guns have started earning places on the team as well. Players like James Jones, Greg Jennings, and Ryan Grant have bolstered the offensive attack. On defense, young stand-outs Cullen Jenkins and AJ Hawk assist Barnett and Gbaja-Biamila.

Of course, in all of the talk of Green Bay, no one should overlook the Giants. Eli Manning and company have gotten on a roll, gelling at a time when in years past they have melted. Eli Manning has started to carve his own name for himself, perhaps starting to scrape his way out of elder brother Peyton’s shadow. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have solidified the backfield, picking up yards and touchdowns. Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress bookend the wide receiver position, consistently making plays. Kevin Boss has stepped in and filled All-Pro Jeremy Shockey’s shoes quite nicely, looking to provide an excellent two-pronged tight end assault next season. The defensive line has been amazing all year long, harassing opposing quarterbacks without ceasing. The secondary has been picked on, but has fought scrappily. At times they give up the big play, but then somehow they seem to bounce back and make their own big plays. The linebackers are banged up, but they still make the tackles. The Giants are not an overly strong team, but they are not a weak team either. They fight, and they do not stop fighting. Give them an inch, and they will take a corner office. Give them a corner office, and they will take the building. The Giants have never been given a chance this postseason, but yet, they are still here. Seattle is gone. Washington is gone. Tampa Bay is gone. Dallas is gone. Two of those fell at the hands of these very Giants. Will they fell one more opponent before playing in the Super Bowl? Whatever happens, the answer to that question will be known tomorrow night. The Giants will not go down without a fight, but neither will Brett Favre and the Packers. Green Bay will win, taking Brett Favre to the Super Bowl.

By Robert “RingLeader” Gilbert

Last week I went 3-1 and am 6-2 in the playoffs.

[Comments Will Be Taken In The PantherCoalition Forums]

2007 / Highest-Flying Season In NFL History

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When Amani Toomer caught Eli Manning’s short pass, dodged a tackle and sprinted down the Dallas sideline for a 52-yard touchdown last week, the Giants were not only on the path to Sunday’s National Football Conference championship game. They also represented, in one play, the convergence of schemes, rules and personnel that made this the highest-flying season in N.F.L. history.

This was the year of the pass, when 3 yards and a cloud of dust gave way to the three-step drop. In one game of their undefeated season, the Patriots, who until this season featured a balanced offense, ran only twice in the first half. Seven quarterbacks threw for more than 4,000 yards this season, more than ever before, and two of them — New England’s Tom Brady and Green Bay’s Brett Favre — take their teams into Sunday’s conference championship games as favorites.

Almost everyone is riveted by the results. Brady and the Patriots broke nearly every significant single-season passing record. Favre has had a turn-back-the-clock season. The other quarterbacks in Sunday’s games, Manning and the Chargers’ Philip Rivers, have had seasons that were turning points in their careers.

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Favre Should've Been A Jet

Brett Favre could have - maybe even should have - been a Jet.

The Jets had a deal with the Cardinals to move up two slots ahead of the Falcons in the 1991 draft so general manager Dick Steinberg could grab their quarterback of the future.

"We were going to pick Brett Favre," Ron Wolf said by phone Tuesday night from his Jupiter, Fla., home. Wolf, who retired in 2001, is well known as the Packers general manager who acquired Favre and built a Super Bowl champion, but before he worked in Green Bay he was an assistant in the Jets' front office. He pushed hard to draft Favre in 1991.

"But when it came time for the Cardinals' pick, they told us the guy they wanted [defensive end Mike Jones] was on the board, so they didn't do the deal," Wolf said. "They picked their guy, the Falcons picked Brett Favre, and that was it."

The Jets, understandably angry and frustrated, had to move on. So they looked down their chart of quarterbacks and took the next one. It was Browning Nagle. Everyone knows how that worked out.

Wolf said he bumps into Jets fans from time to time who mention the story to him. Seeing Favre all these years later, still among the best quarterbacks in the league and one win away from his third trip to the Super Bowl, must just eat away at Jets fans.

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Patriots Owner, Kraft Understands Enmity Toward Team

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat behind his wide desk and marveled at how his team's jersey could be the target of so many boos -- even when it's worn by a 14-year-old girl.
This wasn't Randy Moss or Rodney Harrison hearing the catcalls. They're used to it.

This was Anna Grant, a high school freshman who had worked hard to win the Punt, Pass & Kick competition in her age group as the team's representative.

When she was introduced along with the other winners before the fourth quarter of San Diego's playoff win last Sunday, she was the only one booed by the crowd in Indianapolis, home of New England's fiercest rival.

"Why should a champion be booed?" the boss of the three-time Super Bowl winners said Tuesday. "She won an intensive competition. She's supposed to be honored."
His team is getting the same reaction -- not because of the spying incident in the season opener but because fans like to see teams at the top get knocked off, he said. If the Chargers can't do it Sunday, New England will be headed to its fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons.

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Not What You Wanted ? NFL's Final 4 Fight On !

You can't always get what you want.
You can't get a rematch of last year's AFC championship game between the would-be kings, the New England Patriots, and the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts' defense of their Super Bowl title did not last a game, thanks to the stubborn and feisty San Diego Chargers and their 28-24 triumph at the RCA Dome.

You can't get an extension of the game's best rivalry, a matchup between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, a replay of the earlier meeting last Nov. 4 that saw the Patriots come from 10 points down to win 24-20 and key their run to an undefeated season.

You can't always get what you want. Maybe you'll get what you need.

Even absent the marquee matchup, the NFL's conference championship games next Sunday feature compelling characters and the Patriots' continuing quest for the most perfect of all perfect seasons — 19-0 and their fourth Super Bowl win in seven years.

"All the preparation, all the months of workouts and training camp and weeks of football and hundred of hours of practice and six hours of meetings a day, it comes down to this," says quarterback Tom Brady. "It's a great opportunity."

The winner of the Chargers-Patriots (3 p.m. ET) game moves on to face the winner of the New York Giants-Green Bay Packers game (6:30 p.m.) in Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3 in Glendale, Ariz.

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Not Another Predictions Column! Divisional Round

Not Another Predictions Column! Divisional Round of Playoffs

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

It almost ended up happening that I would be missing this game, this week. However, my schedule worked out, and I should be able to see almost all of this game. I will be watching with my Brett Favre jersey on, anxiously waiting to see who gets the ball and who scores. Matt Hasselbeck has probably heard quite enough of that. In fact, I am willing to bet he has a speech in place for it now: “Fourscore and seven years ago, I walked onto this hallowed field, and made perhaps the most infamous mistake of my career when I said those ill-fated words ‘we want the ball, we’re gonna score.’ Just as Tony Romo will have to deal with the mention of his ‘Seattle Slight’ for years, so have I dealt with these stones flung by you in the media. And so, I come before you today to redeem myself. We want the ball, and, this time, we’re going to take it and go home.” Look, Seattle did not play that well against Washington. They were winning 13-0 before Washington came back into it. The offense was not doing much at all. The defense scored the game-clinching scores. If this game becomes a shoot-out, and the Seattle offense of last week shows up, Seattle will get blown away. If Green Bay messes up on offense and lets that defense start wreaking havoc, well, then, Green Bay gets blown away. Yes, this is extremely basic analysis. Here is what it comes down to: Green Bay is a very young team, and might be a little star struck in the playoffs. Key word? “Might.” I say that because none other than Brett Favre leads them, and he knows what he’s doing. Packers win it this week, advancing to the NFC Championship Game.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

David Garrard ruined my perfect predictions column last week with his 32-yard run on fourth down. I would love to get on the Jaguars bandwagon. However, they have not been going up against teams that I have wanted to lose, which it makes it difficult to pick them. As my readers know, I have, and continue to, supported the Patriots throughout this season. If the Jags win this week, then I might definitely support them next week. Tom Brady was named the NFL MVP. This was to be expected considering the 16-0 season he and the rest of the Patriots crafted, but still, more than one vote should have gone to Brett Favre. Take away Brady, and the Patriots are likely still in the playoffs considering the division they played in. Take away Favre, and the Packers probably do not go anywhere this season. The simple fact is this – the Jaguars barely beat the Steelers, twice. The Steelers are nowhere near as good as the Patriots, and nowhere near as good at putting up points. The Patriots will expose the Jaguars this week – unless, and this is a big unless – the Jaguars can wear out the defense for the Patriots with their running game, keeping Brady off the field. This game will be close until the third or fourth quarters, when the Patriots will explode and win.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

These two teams played one of the wackiest games I have ever seen several weeks ago, when the Chargers won despite every attempt to give the game away by both teams. Instead of it being a “whomever scores last” battle, it was a “whenever you want to just call this one, go ahead” battle. Peyton Manning was playing with scrubs at wide receiver, threw six interceptions, and only lost by two points. Well, the Colts should be healthy now, after having a few weeks off. They had been getting rather banged up with injuries. Marvin Harrison is expected to play this week, and that will provide a test for young Antonio Cromartie, interceptor extraordinaire. Cromartie must be licking his chops to take on Manning again – the last time they met, three of those six Manning interceptions went to Cromartie. I could see this game as out-doing the last one, but the result will be different. Colts win and go on to the AFC Championship game, again.

NEW YORK GIANTS @ DALLAS COWBOYS – WEEKLY UPSET GAME!

Eli Manning won a playoff game! The Sky Is Falling! The Sky Is Falling! After falling behind early, he executed quite well and led his Giants to a convincing victory over the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay. Terrell Owens says he will play this week. However, he still is dealing with the ankle injury, so how much will that hamper him? Tony Romo remembers his last playoff game, and his ‘Seattle Slight,’ as I’ve termed it. He wants to try to make new memories, ones that erase those. Oh, and he’s going to Mexico with Jessica Simpson. Does he want a football championship, or a woman? That’s the quintessential million-dollar question of the day. I am banking on Eli Manning continuing his newfound post-season success and giving me my upset game this week. The Cowboys do not want to be Facing The Giants – because they will lose. Cowboys are one and done this year, folks.

Last week I went 3-1 and am 3-1 in the playoffs.

By Robert “RingLeader” Gilbert

[Comments Will Be Taken In The PantherCoalition Forums]

The ''Charger Girls'' Are The Crème De La Crème Of Babeland

They’re so gorgeous that they were the inspiration for a Beach Boys song, causing every American man to pine for them 24-7. From the plains of Kansas to the Poconos of New York, every red-blooded male living through harsh, long winters has aspired to “Go West, young man.”

The NFL made that quest even more tantalizing when, in 1990, the Charger Girls were unleashed on the San Diego Chargers’ sidelines. The ultimate eye candy for football fans, these Charger Girls epitomize the golden, sun-kissed, fresh and natural look of the capital of Babeland — San Diego, California.

It’s not just their looks. OK, it is. In their gravity-defying, midriff-baring, lace-up peekaboo tops trimmed with lightning bolts (take a deep breath, guys) and derriere-skimming flippy skirts, it’s a wonder how they manage to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions when they perform their high-energy dance routines. Then again, maybe that’s why all eyes are glued to those 28 dancers. We keep hoping. And they are dancers, by the way. According to Sport Magazine, the Charger Girls are “the best cheerleaders in the NFL.” Take that, Dallas.

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Del Rio Has A Way Of Producing Winners

FOXBORO — It’s probably safe to say that most New England fans don’t know a lot about Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio.

What they do know is likely negative, tied to things that Del Rio has said in the last year or so that pertain to the Patriots. Like a couple of days after his Jags played New England last season when Del Rio said one of his players “should’ve speared” Pats quarterback Tom Brady on a first-half run.

Or during the height of the Spygate controversy, when Del Rio implied a different type of wrongdoing by New England, saying his team’s coach-to-quarterback system “mysteriously malfunctioned” during the first half of Jacksonville’s 2005 playoff loss in Foxboro.

But before writing off Del Rio as a loudmouth, understand that his emotions — which he tries to conceal, Belichick-like — at times get the best of him.

As a head coach, Del Rio wants to play things close to the vest when it comes to the media.

As a former player, however, it’s hard to suppress the fiery nature that served him so well on the field.

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Bucs Were First In NFC South & Last In Playoff Field

The Buccaneers were the worst team to make the NFL playoffs.

If you did not think so before Sunday, you should now. The Buccaneers only made the playoffs because they were fortunate to play in the NFC South. It was the worst division in the league. Somebody had to win it, but whoever did was destined to get bounced.

Winning the NFC South this season was like winning a chance to fight Mike Tyson in his prime. Congratulations. Now, get ready to get knocked out.

The Giants did the honors Sunday, defeating the Buccaneers, 24-14, at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers fans were loyal, never booing, still rooting for their team even when they fell behind 24-7. Had the Giants played a home playoff game this poorly, their ears would have been ringing from the booing. But the Buccaneers fans seemed to sense they were merely getting a dose of reality. The Buccaneers only defeated two teams that finished with winning records, the Titans and the Redskins. Even the fates aligned for the Buccaneers. Because of injuries to other teams, the Buccaneers faced eight backup quarterbacks this season, talk about good timing.

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Not Another Predictions Column! Playoffs: Wildcard Round

AFC: WEEKLY UPSET GAME - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS

These two teams just met recently and played a hard-fought battle in which the Jaguars emerged victorious, in Pittsburgh. After being ahead for most of the game, the Steelers came back and tied it. Unfortunately for the Steelers, the Jaguars scored again and won 29-22. The injury bug has been biting the Steelers hard – running back Willie Parker and tackles Marvel Smith & Max Starks are all injured. Both of these teams lost games they should have won last week, but various starters were resting. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 27-21, and the Texans outscored the Jaguars 42-28. Quarterback David Garrard has been rocking steady all season long for the Jaguars, limiting his mistakes and capitalizing on his opportunities. No one that I have seen is giving the Steelers much of a chance in this game, pointing out a few different factors to support that opinion. One, that the Jaguars defeated the Steelers not more than a month ago. Two, the Steelers are reeling from various injuries, whilst the Jaguars are at full-strength. Three, the Jaguars have a better record (11-5) then the Steelers (10-6). Guess what? Those reasons do not mean anything to me. We are officially in January football now, and January football is completely different from pre-January football. Regular season records mean nothing (New England, are you listening?). Regular season feats mean nothing (Still there, Bill Belichick?). Defensive rankings mean nothing (think Indianapolis Colts circa 2006). The playoffs wipe all slates clean. Jacksonville made the playoffs, but they are one & done as the Steelers win it this week.

AFC: TENNESSEE TITANS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Vince Young wears the jersey number 10. Why is that number significant? Well, it happens to be one number higher than the number of touchdown passes he’s thrown this season. Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw eight, and he did that in three games. Somehow, though, the Titans kept winning games this season. The Chargers have won ten of their last twelve games, and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 1474 yards with 15 touchdowns. That’s an off-year how, exactly? Philip Rivers had a topsy-turvy season, sometimes playing really well; and at other times struggling, but he still passed for 21 touchdowns and 3100 yards. Due to an ankle injury, Vince Young’s favorite receiver Roydell Williams will not play in this game. Justin Gage will thus be Young’s main target in this game. Gage is an interesting wide receiver prospect who has been hampered by injuries before, but really has just never ended up in a system that suits him with a quarterback that suits him. That quarterback may end up being Vince Young, or perhaps someone else. The Titans barely managed to defeat the Colts’ back-ups last week, though Vince Young missed most of the game with an injury. San Diego and Tennessee played in the regular season – the Chargers escaped with an overtime victory, but they felt that that was the most physical game of the season for them. Expect another close battle this time around, but without a different result. Chargers win, thus knocking out both of the wildcard teams in the AFC.

NFC: NEW YORK GIANTS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

If I were a Giants fan, right now I would be just a little worried. Eli Manning actually showed up in a big game last week against the Patriots, seriously making the Patriots work to reach 16-0. Such a performance was unlike Manning, and it would be no surprise at all if he flops this week. However, I refuse to continue to lower myself and only talk about Eli Manning in this space. The Eli Manning issue has been discussed ad nauseam by newspapers and websites all over the country, including the Philadelphia Inquirer. Go read them if you want Eli Manning discussion. Tampa Bay’s young running back Earnest Graham rushed for 898 yards in the regular season, and that is without being a starter the full year, and not playing in the last game of the season. Speaking of which, Tampa Bay should be thankful their backups are not their starters, as the Carolina Panthers dispatched the Bucs 31-23 last week. By the way, apparently the Buccaneers’ main page considers the Panthers to be “a thorn in the Bucs’ side.” We will remember that for next season, Tampa Bay. We will remember. Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams piled up 121 yards and two touchdowns against a mixture of Bucs’ starters and backups, and now the Bucs get to deal with big Brandon Jacobs, the Giants’ latest thousand-yard rusher. Another efficient quarterback this season, the Bucs’ Jeff Garcia was not prone to making mistakes. He led the Bucs on a steady path of victories, slinging together good outings. However, I feel that the Bucs’ future may be brighter with Luke McCown at quarterback. I have one anecdote to state before I make my pick for this game: I missed the beginning of the Panthers-Bucs showdown because I was out, but I was listening to it on the radio. Eugene Robinson, one of the analysts on the Panthers Radio Network, said, “I do not believe Luke McCown can make plays with his legs.” I immediately said, “What Luke McCown have you been watching, Eugene?” Typically I agree with many of the things Eugene says in his commentary, but two minutes later, I arrived at home, flipped on the TV, and another two minutes later, there’s Luke McCown ripping off a 30-yard run right by linebacker Thomas Davis. Foot, meet mouth. I have been going with the home teams so far, and I believe that the Bucs have a good chance to win this game, but I do find it hard to pick against the Giants. For this week, I am going with the Giants on the road to be the first wildcard team to win.

NFC: WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

People say the Seahawks are overrated because of their schedule. Well, the Seahawks do not choose their schedule, but they still have to play it. Seattle is often over-looked because of their schedule, because of their location, and because they appear inconsistent. For example, Seattle came into Carolina a few weeks ago and should have thoroughly throttled Carolina. Instead, Carolina pretty much controlled the game throughout. Seattle’s running game is a little inconsistent, but it reminds me of Carolina’s rushing attack in 2005. Many times I defended it back then by saying that in ’05 Carolina’s rushing game did what it had to do to constitute itself as enough of a threat to give Steve Smith the opportunities he needed. Seattle’s rushing game circa 2007 is very similar to that. It does what it needs to do to give Matt Hasselbeck opportunities to find receives like Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch, and DJ Hackett. Washington is on a roll, motivated by the death of Sean Taylor, the play of their defense, and the steady hand of veteran Todd Collins at quarterback? Hey, quick question, is Collins in the Pro Bowl yet, like Tony Romo was last year? Be consistent, after all, voters! Clinton Portis has been running well, the receivers have been making plays, and the defense has been shutting down offenses. Washington is the team no one wants to play. However, emotional highs do not always work. Emotion runs dry, sometimes, and this is the week that I believe the emotion runs dry. Seattle wins it.

Last week I went 11-5, and went 166-93 for the regular season.

By Robert “RingLeader” Gilbert

[Comments Will Be Taken In The Panther Coalition Forums]

A Look At The Men Who Make The Calls / Ed Hochuli

Edward G. "Ed" Hochuli (born December 25, 1950 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an attorney and National Football League referee.

He graduated from Canyon del Oro High School in the Tucson suburb of Oro Valley, Arizona. Hochuli earned his B.A. with honors from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1972. While at UTEP, Hochuli played linebacker from 1969 to 1972. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona in 1976. He was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 1976 and has been a partner in the Arizona law firm of Jones, Skelton and Hochuli since 1983. He specializes in civil law and is admitted to practice in Arizona state and federal courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

He began to work for the NFL in 1990 as a back judge after many years as a college official in the Big Sky Conference and Pac-10. He was promoted to referee in 1992 and has since been referee for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXVIII, as well as the alternate referee for Super Bowl XXXVII. He wears number 85.

Hochuli is probably the NFL's most popular referee, in terms of name recognition, among both hardcore and casual football fans. He is best known for his long dissertation-like explanations when announcing penalties and other calls. He even once was mentioned on talk show host David Letterman's Top Ten List. He is also known for his unusually muscular frame compared to other NFL referees, most notably his biceps. His likeness appears in the Madden NFL series of video games for the XBOX 360 video game system starting with Madden NFL 06.

http://www.football-refs.com/ed-hochuli.php

The Tournament Of Roses / Rose Bowl Evolution

The first Tournament of Roses was staged in 1890
by members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club,
former residents of the East and Midwest eager to
showcase their new home's mild winter weather.
"In New York, people are buried in snow,"
announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club
meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our
oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to
tell the world about our paradise."

During the next few years, the festival expanded to include marching bands and motorized floats. The games on the town lot (which was re-named Tournament Park in 1900) included ostrich races, bronco busting demonstrations and a race between a camel and an elephant (the elephant won). Reviewing stands were built along the Parade route, and Eastern newspapers began to take notice of the event. In 1895, the Tournament of Roses Association was formed to take charge of the festival, which had grown too large for the Valley Hunt Club to handle.

In 1902, the Tournament of Roses decided to enhance the day’s festivities by adding a football game – the first post season college football game ever held. Stanford University accepted the invitation to take on the powerhouse University of Michigan, but the West Coast team was flattened 49-0 and gave up in the third quarter. The lopsided score prompted the Tournament to give up football in favor of Roman-style chariot races. In 1916, football returned to stay and the crowds soon outgrew the stands in Tournament Park. William L. Leishman, the Tournament’s 1920 President, envisioned a stadium similar to the Yale Bowl, the first great modern football stadium, to be built in Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco area. The new stadium hosted its first New Year’s football game in 1923 and soon earned the nickname “The Rose Bowl.”

The Tournament of Roses has come a long way since its early days. The Rose Parade’s elaborate floats now feature high-tech computerized animation and exotic natural materials from around the world. Although a few floats are still built exclusively by volunteers from their sponsoring communities, most are built by professional float building companies and take nearly a year to construct. The year-long effort pays off on New Year’s morning, when millions of viewers around the world enjoy the Rose Parade.


Nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All” the Rose Bowl Game has been a sellout attraction every year since 1947. That year’s contest was the first game played under the Tournament’s exclusive agreement with the Big Ten and Pac-10 conferences. The 1998 Rose Bowl Game was the 52nd anniversary of that agreement, the longest standing tradition of any collegiate conference and a bowl association. Now, as part of the Bowl Championship Series, the Rose Bowl has hosted the National Championship Game between the top two teams in the nation in 2002 and 2006, and will host the National Championship again in 2010.

Copy/Paste Link For Rose Bowl Site

http://www.tournamentofroses.com/rosebowlgame/index.asp