The Top Five of the Week: Super Bowl Moments

Because it's the Super Bowl this Sunday, I am doing a top five of my personal favorite Super Bowl moments that have stuck with me.  I would recommended for something to read that you check out the Lil Wayne article done by the Rolling Stone.  I will also have an interview with Eric from the Daily Sports Grind and my rant about 21st birthday parties then a full-on Super Bowl breakdown with my final pick of the year. 

1. Favre to Rison 1997 Super Bowl- The Packers Super Bowl win is probably in the top three of coolest sports moments for me (right there with making the playoffs with Tosa West, and Marquette to the Final Four).  This play symbolizes the 90s version of Favre and the type of team the Packers were that year. They took a headcase and made him into a legitimate second option.

2. Desmond Howard's Return 1997 Super Bowl- All year Howard had been the game changer for the Packers and really was the reason the Packers were so good that year because of their excellent special teams.  Howard took from the goal line and found the seam to take it to the house putting a dagger in the Pats. It also gave his career hope after looking like it had gone nowhere after winning the Heisman. 

3. Kevin Dyson One-Yard Short 2000 Super Bowl- I apologize for no Packer links but they really do not have anything on YouTube.  This was probably the best Super Bowl I have watched for many reasons and it featured everything you had wanted.  Both teams were virtually Cinderellas to begin the year and ended up in the Super Bowl with one yard from getting a touchdown.  

4. Adam Vinateri Field Goal Winner 2002 Super Bowl- I watched the game with a bunch of people and they asked to put the score on the board. As a young kid, I went with 31 Pats 28 Rams. For some strange reason in my 13 year old mind, I felt confidence that an underdog could win this game. This also could explain why I still to this day love the underdog (foreshadowing!??!?!?!) 

5. David Tyree's Catch 2008 Super Bowl- Probably the most improbable Super Bowl in a long time when the six-seeded Giants beat the then-undefeated New England Patriots.  It was ironic that the Pats were once the underdogs who everybody loved and by this time, there was such a hatred for them. When Tyree made that catch, only one time was my 10 floor dormitory. 

-Charlie.

NFL Hates the Rush

One of the bigger stories in the past couple of days is the fact that the NFL wasn't a fan of Rush Limbaugh taking part ownership in the St. Louis Rams. While I think is unfair and everyone in America has a voice (freedom of speech), I can understand Commissioner Roger Goodell point. His reason was pretty simple

Divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about," Goodell said. "I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL. "Divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about," Goodell said. "I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL." (via Chicago Tribune)

Goodell is obviously worried that Limbaugh will say something leading into a foot in a mouth situation for the NFL and he doesn't want to have deal with the pressure the Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Jessie Jackson bring to the table. Which in my opinion is complete bullshit because I have no idea how a guy like Jackson who talked down about Jews can have opinions on race? Doesnt seem fair to me.

The other unfortunate thing about Sharpton/Jackson, they would convince African-Americans to not play for the Rams and well, you really cannot field an all-white football team expecting to a.) win and b.) draw controversy. I am not saying that would happen but it would be likely players would speak out against Mr. Limbaugh. Also I hope that neither of those two ever want to buy an NFL team because they shouldn't be welcomed either into the league.

The one point I do want to share from my roommate and beloved guest of Chuck's Corner E... "Players can talk about how great (President Barack) Obama is and they get praise for it, then one conservative wants to own a team leading to a sort of revolution." You do have to wonder what our standard on politics in the NFL. If you are going to allow one thing but not another then a standard needs to be made. It's fair that these guys have opinions but they aren't Rhodes Scholars, it's a bandwagon thing. I would like to see how many NFL players who were outspoken about our President made it out to the polls to vote... I bet the number is slim.

-Charlie.

PS: I promise no more politics haha.

NFL Preview: NFC South/West

On to the next part, I will try to get the AFC done by Thursday. A lot of homework on my hands to keep me busy so stay tuned.

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints: Key Players- QB Drew Brees RB Reggie Bush WR Marcus Colston Key Games- at Philadelphia (9/13) vs. NY Jets (10/4) vs. NY Giants (10/18) at Miami (10/25) vs/at Atlanta (11/2, 12/13) New England (11/30) vs. Dallas (12/19) Outlook- Their offense is probably one of the best in the league and I do worry some about their hard opening schedule. I think they can get past that and slide into the fourth spot in the playoffs.


2. Atlanta Falcons: Key Players- QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White, RB Michael Turner Key Games- vs. Miami (9/13) at New England (9/27) vs. Chicago (10/18) at Dallas (10/25) at/vs New Orleans (11/2, 12/13) at NY Giants (11/22) Outlook: There is a part of me that hates the Falcons schedule but Ryan seems to be doing all the right things in the Hotlanta so we shall see. They will fight for the final Wild Card spot.


3. Carolina Panthers: Key Players: RB DeAngelo Williams WR Steve Smith LB Jon Beason Key Games- vs. Philadelphia (9/13) at Atlanta (9/20 11/15) at Dallas (9/28) at Arizona (11/1) at/vs. New Orleans (11/8, 1/3) at New England (12/13) vs. Minnesota (12/20) at NY Giants (12/27) Outlook- Very challenging schedule and I am convinced that Jake Delhomme is as close to washed up as you can get. Carolina win around 7-8 games.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Key Players: DE Gaines Adams WR Antonio Bryant CB Ronde Barber Key Games: vs. NY Giants (9/27) at Philadelphia (10/11) vs. New England (10/25) vs. Green Bay (11/8) vs/at New Orleans (11/22, 12/27) at/vs Atlanta (11/29/1/3) Outlook- I wasnt a big fan of the Bucs deciding to scrap their offensive coordinator and I believe they will have many problems on the offense side of the ball.

NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks: Key Players- QB Matt Hassleback WR T.J. Houz (saving space) LB Lofa Tatupu Key Games-vs. Chicago (9/27) at Indianapolis (10/4) vs/at Arizona (10/18, 11/15) at Minnesota (11/22) at Green Bay (12/27) vs. Tennessee (1/3) Outlook: The NFC West is really a two horse race and I think the Seahawks have the edge. I like the overall team if they stay healthy, they will take the fourth spot.

2. Arizona Cardinals: Key Players- WR Larry Fitzgerald QB Kurt Warner Wr Anquan Bolden Key Games- vs. Indianapolis (9/27) at/vs Seattle (10/18 11/15) at NY Giants (10/25) at Tennessee (11/29) vs. Minnesota (12/6) vs. Green Bay (1/3) Outlook- The Cards may contend for the division but that will be it. Tough road games to NY and Nashville loom and you have to worry about a near forty-year old QB.

3.St. Louis Rams: Key Players- RB Stephen Jackson QB Marc Bulger WR Donnie Avery Key Games- at/vs Seattle (9/13, 11/22) vs. Green Bay (9/27) vs. Minnesota (10/11) vs. Indianapolis (10/25) vs. New Orleans (11/15) vs. Arizona (11/22) at Tennessee (12/13) Outlook- The Rams are a bunch of nobodies but they have a favorable schedule facing most of their challenging opponents at home.

4. San Francisco 49ers: Key Players- RB Frank Gore LB Patrick Willis CB Nate Clements Key Games- at/vs Arizona (9/13 12/14 ) vs. Seattle (9/20 12/6) at Minnesota (9/27) at Indianapolis (11/1) vs. Tennessee (11/8) at Green Bay (11/22) at Philadelphia (12/20) Outlook- Could be a real ugly year for the Niners with a tough as nails schedule. They could really benefit from Michael Crabtree if he ever signs but they are looking at a top ten pick again.

-Charlie

Spagnuolo to Fix the Rams

First off, my apologies for not putting up predictions but I am the only one in America whose done worse than Bill Simmons so dont blame me for not putting them up. I will post my reactions on both games and quick thought on the Super Bowl, late tonight or early tomorrow.

Now on to business, the Rams have went with Steve Spagnuolo to become the new head coach of a franchise whose been in a rut after the mess Mike Martz started and what Scott Linehan finished. I dont think its an impossible situation but they are definitely going to need some work.

Taking a quick look at their defense, I think Spagnuolo biggest question mark is their secondary. They have no great players, some young players but no real standouts. Ron Bartell and Tye Hill were both high draft picks for the Rams that have yet to perform and the same goes wth Johnathan Wade so there is some promise there. They have an alright linebacker crew with Will Witherspoon and Pisa Tinoisamoa and their defense line looks strong with Adam Carriker and Chris Long.

I think Marc Bulger needs to ride out into the sunset, I dont know if drafting a quarterback early would be the right answer but getting a guy like Nate Davis or Josh Freeman in the second or third round would be great for them. Andre Smith would be a great number two pick for them to fix their offensive line troubles and I think they should explore the idea of getting a new wide receiver. Stephen Jackson, I believe still has at least three years left in him to be a good running back.

I dont know if Spagnuolo will get the Rams to the playoffs next year but you never know in the NFC West.

-Charlie.