Comparisons and talk

Over the next week, you will hear a comment from everyone in the world on the Super Bowl.

It's the biggest game in the world and everyone knows what they are talking about. Just ask anyone on the street and they will tell you. Odds are they will talk of Peyton or Rex and odds are they think they know what they speak of. But they are spouting off ... the question is which player is going to do or say the dumbest thing this week.

There's always one guy willing to do something dumb on the biggest game of their lives. Twice before when the game was in Miami major incidents have occurred. Stanley Wilson of the Bengals and Eugene Robinson became famous for off the field incidents and both teams lost the game.

So keep an eye for which team has the incident and bet on the other.

As far as comparisons - we keep hearing about Tiger and Roger Federer. Two great champions, but one great problem. This is not a conversation worth having, YET.

Tiger has dominated all over the world. If there's a golf course, he has conquered it. He is the best everywhere, every day, every way, period.

Federer has NEVER won the French Open. He's as dominant a tennis player as we have seen, but to be considered the best of the best, don't you have to win on all surfaces to be considered the best?? Pete Sampras never won the French, but is considered ONE of the best, which right now Federer is. But until he can win on the red clay of Roland Garros, the conversation isn't fair.

Tiger is the best we have ever seen. Conversation over.

The NHL All-Star game was seen on Versus last week in less than a half a million homes. American Idol killed it in the ratings. Why would the NHL put the game on a Wednesday night when there was NO FOOTBALL at all this past weekend??

Commissioner Gary Bettman needs to call ESPN and beg to be back where the NHL belongs with Barry Melrose. How many times can the NHL screw things up and survive?

Till daddy takes the T-Bird away...

Sorry I have been a bit remiss in blogging the last few days. The whole house has had the stomach flu and it's been rough. We're on the mend and back to a relatively normal household, for us anyway.

For those not old enough to remember, here's a classic of the 85 Bears doing the Super Bowl Shuffle. I know that my boy Berman in Chi-town thinks that this is his year ... and it might, but right now, it's fair to say that Rex Grossman is the second worst quarterback EVER to play in the big game. Only Miami's David Woodley was a bigger farce. In my mind, even Vince Ferragamo (not of the shoes, but of the Rams) was better than Rex. What a sad, sad statement.

And I know he's going to yell at me and tell me that the Giants lost to them and that they are still playing. Best I can say is, "good for you and your team Francis!!" But I still hope that Peyton kicks their ass.

Here's my hot topic of the day - and please let me know if you feel the same way - I think it's great that two great coaches happen to be facing off in the Super Bowl. I think it's great that they are the first black coaches to coach in a Super Bowl. BUT I think it's sad that NO ONE is talking about that it's 2007 and we are talking about this as a huge barrier breaker for black coaches. It's a farce.

There are 119 Division I-A jobs and there are only six black coaches. SIX? What the heck is that? Is that equality? Tell me there aren't more qualified black men to coach before you bring the retreads back again.

Don't get me wrong - I am very happy for Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy. There aren't two better men to represent the cause than them. I am just disappointed that we are in 2007 and we are a long way from when Dr. Martin Luther King "Had A Dream" and these two class acts have to answer this question of being a black coach. Just sad.

Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register wrote a great piece on this subject.

Anyone notice in the State of the Union how Bush and Cheney drank water at the exact same time? Very strange.

Is it time for pitchers and catchers yet?

Back in the saddle

Good to be back in Atlanta. Great trip to Austin, once I got there. Going to be a lot of great things coming from the Digital Media group of GCI. So keep your eyes and ears here to see the latest from Paul Walker and the gang.

Quick shots from the weekend.

Good for Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith - but is it me is anyone else scared that we still speak of this as a milestone moment in 2007? Sad that it took this long.

Anyone else see Peyton Manning with his head down as Tom Brady was about to lead the Patriots to a winning drive? Glad to see him win, but this time, it wouldn't have been his fault.

Reggie Bush pointing to the Bears as he ran by all of them on the way to the end zone was just "Bush" league. Rookie mistake that pissed the Bears defense off. Not saying it was what woke them up, but it didn't help. Nonetheless, a great season for the Saints.

FYI - Abbie forgave me for missing Dad's day at school and her teacher is letting me come by this Friday! Happy happy joy joy!

Hell freezes over? No, but Dallas/Austin sure has...

Howdy ho all. I am blogging from the Admirals Club at beautiful Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. I am trying to make it to Austin for meetings with our Digital Media team from GCI Group. I have made it further than the rest of the team at this point. People are stuck in New York and Chicago from this snow/ice storm hitting the area.

My flight on American was cancelled at 7:55 to Dallas - but Delta had an 8 am that I was able to get on. Sorta funny - one flight can get out and the other can't? Anyway - flying in was fine - Dallas looks very serene and pretty in snow. Problem is they don't have the proper equipment (like Atlanta) to deal with it. So the airport is jammed with people being stranded. The Admirals Club is 3/4 full and no one is going postal yet.

Have a 2:50 p.m. American flight to Austin, which has been dealing with ice storms for the last day. You'll like this one, they ran out of the de-icing fluid at Bergstrom Airport in Austin. Who would think they would need a ton of it, but don't you think every airport in this day and age should have a supply of it to last at least 72 hours? This way you are covered for a storm blowing through town without shutting your doors? Then again, I never knew that it snowed in Texas. Wonder if this is part of global warming wackiness or El Nino? Either way - it's not like it's the first time I have been stuck. Just the first time in Dallas. On the positive side, I can always stay with my friends in Fort Worth, the Diamonds. Already called and booked a room just in case.

The part that is killing me about all of this is that we have moved our meetings back to Thursday and Friday. Usually, wouldn't be an issue. I brought enough clothes because I knew better - PLUS I didn't check a bag. Getting wiser in my old age. What is killing me is that Abbie has a dad's day at her school on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. She was sooooooo excited about showing me everything in her room and seeing her friends. We talked about it in detail last night before going to bed. I tucked her in and gave her a kiss and she said, "I'll see you Friday. I can't wait to take you to school with me." Uggghhhh!!! Can a dad feel worse than disappointing his little girl?

Such is life, I guess. But as a kid whose dad travelled a ton and still made it back to most if not all of my games and special things, it just drives me insane.

OK - enough lament. What else can I tell you?

I can tell you that I am rooting for a Indianapolis-New Orleans Super Bowl. Wouldn't it be interesting to see Peyton finally make the big game to play his childhood and hometown team? I never like to bet against Bill Belichik - but man, if this isn't the Colts year, it never will be. Peyton will get the monkey off of his back with his best game of the playoffs and best game ever versus New England.

I think I am still in pain from watching the hit Reggie Bush took on the second play of the game.

I don't care how anyone spins it, Marty Schottenheimer is to blame for the San Diego loss. The Chargers blew two time outs in the second half that they could have used on that last drive. Plus the mistakes and fumbles come from not being prepared, period. Didn't Earnest Byner fumble on the goal line against Denver? Marty's teams just aren't playoff successes. If the Chargers want to go to the next level, it's time to find their next coach.

How bad are things with the Oakland Raiders? So bad that the team with the first pick in this year's draft can't even get Denny Green to interview for the job. Man that tells me everything I need to know. Randy Moss and Al Davis - no one wants to work with either.

Everyone keeps talking about the Democrats first 100 days. Have they done anything yet? Will they do anything at all during that time except to let us know about it?

Watched the first two nights of 24. Just when I was ready to give up on the show, they find a way to get me hooked again. If you haven't started watching - go get the first seasons and catch up. Keifer Sutherland is the man and Jack Bauer is like a bad penny - always showing up!

Muhammad Ali turns 65 today. Great story from Phil Taylor of SI.com. Ali is still the greatest.

FYI - from the past post - the only team I would put on the ice with the Canadiens of 78-79 are the Edmonton Oilers of 84-85.

The best hockey team EVER!

ESPN.com's George Johnson talks about what is without a doubt the greatest team EVER put on the ice.

You can tell me and George we are wrong, but I will argue there's only ONE team in the mix in my mind... can you guess who it is?

Taking a sabbatical

OK - I have had time to breathe and recover from yesterday. Only problem is that I haven't recovered. I am still angry.

And while some Detroit Lions fans have reminded me that my life is still better than theirs, I am sorry but I'd rather have Matt Millen than THAT coach.... I no longer can say his name outloud without getting sick.

This is just like a marriage. Right now, we are going through some trust issues and I don't trust the Giants to be there for me. I am very angry and will not discuss it with them until they take care of firing THAT coach.

Now the Giants may have an excuse of, "There are no better coaches out there," but this is a total farce. If they wanted Bill Cowher, go get him. Don't give me this crap about we have the right guy. THAT coach isn't right and he isn't a good coach. You have to read Paul Schwartz of the NY Post - sums it up perfectly.

So - for the time being I am a Jet. From your first cigarette to your last dying day, when your a jet you're a jet...

Not that I still don't LOVE my team - but we are going through therapy right now to work out our issues. Period.

If you don't understand, I am sorry you don't understand my passion for the Giants. This was one that pushed me over the edge.

My picture of me in my Mangold jersey will be online as soon as I get it. I will be sending it to the Mara/Tisch families with a note explaining my position.

Knowing them, they will throw it away like they did my committment to them.

Last straw

I am 38 years young and for my whole life I have been Giants blue. It's something you are born into and it's passed on from generation to generation. Up in New York, you are either a Giants or Jets fan. There is no one that is a fan of both, just not real.

Today, I am going to do something that I NEVER EVER thought I would do. I am renouncing my Giants loyalty. Why today? Very simply put - Tom Coughlin was given an extension on his contract.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"He has a vision and he understands how that vision can now move forward," co-owner Jonathan Tisch said during a conference call to announce Coughlin's one-year contract extension. "He did not have to save his job. He did not have to talk us into anything."

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Tisch and Mr. Mara - you father's are rolling over in their graves thanks to your stupidity! What the hell have you watched for the last three months, because obviously it's not the same thing everyone else in the world saw.

The owners didn't ask Coughlin to make any changes and they said they were satisfied he was the right man to lead the Giants.


Coughlin has no control over this team. He has no clue in how to develop a young quarterback. And he has no idea how to win a big game. He is a clown! I think it's great to go 2-6 in your last eight games and then lose a playoff game and get an extension??? This is an embarrassment!

"Tom Coughlin is our coach for 2007 and hopefully for many years after that," Mara said. "That is the final decision."

Final decision??? Fine. I have a final decision as well. The Giants ownership has made me do something I never thought I would do. I am now green and now a fan of the New York Jets! I would become a Falcons fan - but it doesn't have the same impact.

I have ordered a Nick Mangold jersey and I am going to take a picture of myself in it and send it to the Giants ownership with a note letting them know how they have lost a lifelong fan. Might even get one for Abbie. Have to teach her now about Broadway Joe Willie, Joe Klecko and the Sack Exchange.

I am just sick right now. I can't even begin to express my outrage with these morons! Any thoughts on how to make myself clear to the Giants management are welcomed.

They are coming to town next year again - maybe we can have a ticket burning here in town!

Chewed up and spit out

Pretty much how the Buckeyes felt after Florida stomped them. All credit to the Gators and all the blame to Jim Tressel. Have no idea what the game plan was for OSU, but if it's broke, have to fix it.

Just like the BCS - anyone think about the fact that if Urban Meyer didn't whine and moan his way into a title shot, we would have never known how good Florida is. So something still needs to be done with that.

I will give Florida fans their due - still don't like the Gators, but they deserved the win something awful. If you are a Gator and talk to me, you better do one thing and one thing only - give Ron Zook credit. If you do that, we can have a nice talk and I will respect you. He is the one that built this team and Urban should buy him a car, dinners, vacations - whatever he wants. He set the table for the success Urban has. The title helps recruiting and Zook helped there too.

So for you folks in Chicago, maybe there's hope at Illinois. Who can follow Zook there?

Schlichter gives it one more try...

Phenomenal piece from USA Today's Jon Saraceno on for Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter.

He could have been one of the great ones - but was taking over by the demons of gambling. He has started his own non-profit called Gambling Prevention Awareness.

Schlichter provides the general public with an understanding of the signs and dangers of compulsive gambling.

Is it me or is it ironic the initials of his organization is GPA?

The waiting is the hardest part....

Some of the best teachers we will ever have in life are our music teachers. No, I am not speaking of Harry T. Welte of Fort Lee High School (although I really liked him). I am speaking of the guys on our IPods. The artists we grew up and still listen to.

For instance, Professor Thomas Petty said it best for how most Giants fans feel after the playoff loss to the Eagles, "the waiting is that hardest part."

The waiting he speaks of, in this case, is the firing of Tom Coughlin. I know many of you are shocked to hear that I don't think he's a good coach. It's not like I ever mention it in my blogs.

I sat and watched the game yesterday torn. I am a true Giants fan and live and die with them. Been that way a long time and it's a "Hard Habit to Break" (Chicago - one of those numbered albums). But I wore my white Eli jersey and sat in the basement and watched.

First drive - Giants march right down the field and scored. The next three drives - the Giants started on the Philly 49, their own 48 and the Philly 46. The result of those drives? Two three and outs and a five and out. End of the first quarter - 7-0 GMen.

The game was over right then and there. I don't care about anything else that happened. Our defense was stellar and the offense had three great chances and didn't capitalize on any of them. Score three points on one of those drives and David Akers kick is to tie the game, not win it.

Tiki Barber had a great game and did everything he could to continue his career, but how torn could he have been? He was playing to save Coughlin's job and he knew it. He was a true professional and left it all on the field - despite their differences. Thanks Tiki - good night, good luck and Good Morning America.

Look at Jeremy Shockey. He couldn't walk and he was out there killing himself. He has ripped this staff early and often. But he has heart. Now if he can keep his mouth shut...

Eli Manning has been ripped for the last two months, but no one and I mean no one can say anything bad about him for this game. He stood in the pocket and played well enough to win this game. Imagine (John Lennon) if he had his injured left tackle healthy? Sorry Luke Petitgout, we missed you. But you still take too many dumb penalties.

Yesterday (The Beatles) was about the heart and soul of the players on this team. It had absolutely NOTHING to do with the coach and his staff.

How many more undisciplined penalties did they take again? It's the playoffs, don't you think we can stop the false starts by now?

There's one way to stop all the madness and John Mara knows it.

"I'll have something to say during the week, but not right now," Mara said as he exited the locker room after the Giants' 23-20 loss to the Eagles. "Do you think you can wait that long?"

We have waited long enough to hear the words. While we have waited, the Falcons got Bobby Petrino and others are looking for coaches as well.

As the Little River Band told us, it's time for a "Cool Change."

Classic video of a former top NHL pick

Most of you know that I used to work for the Atlanta Thrashers.

I was on the staff before we had any players. We spent a year searching for the best players for our inaugural draft in 1999.

We had the first pick and chose, from the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League, Patrik Stefan. Nice enough guy but was prone to concussions and just not a great player.

Well, this past summer, general manager Don Waddell traded Stefan to the Dallas Stars for Niko Kapanen. The funny part is that Les Jackson, who is now the assistant general manager with the Stars, was in the same role with us when we pick Stefan. So he should have known better.

He has only played in 28 games this season and has scored four goals and five assists. His best game, of course, was against the Thrashers when he scored and had two assists in Atlanta for a 5-3 Stars win.

Well last night in Edmonton, Stefan had another classic moment. Luckily for him, his team made up for it. You HAVE to watch this video to see it. Have a great weekend!

Playoff predictions

With the NFL starting its playoffs this weekend. Hard for me not to jump in and give you my picks for the weekend.

On Saturday, the Colts win because they will be the last team with the ball. The Seahawks win because it's a long way to go to win a playoff game, those fans in Seattle rock and Shawn Alexander is still not horrible.

On Sunday, the teacher shows the student he hasn't lost anything as the Patriots will beat the Jets. Game will be close for a while though.

The last game of the week is the one I am dreading. Giants - Eagles. I can live to be a thousand and still every time I hear those words, my first thought is Pisarchik and Herman Edwards. UGH! This time around, I think the Eagles load the box to stop Tiki Barber and make Eli Manning win the game. Can he do it? Sure. Will he do it? Odds aren't good. Everyone thinks he's overrated. Everyone is ripping him. Problem is that the defense hasn't been any better than he has. So between those two factions and wanting Tom Coughlin gone, the Giants will find a way to win this game. Final score - Giants 27 Eagles 23.

Gosh I hope I am wrong ... as much as I love my team. I don't want to think about where in Savannah I am going to watch the Bears-Giants game.

USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt is the one you need to read if you are a gambling soul.

Also - Monday night - Gators vs. Buckeyes. Finally, the main course. Only been one good appetizer in the Fiesta Bowl. I don't see this game being a good one either. Keep hearing that Florida is good and that they are fast. I have watched Florida play. They were lucky to beat Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas. Chris Leak is just average at best and to me is not a great leader. Troy Smith is a great leader with so many weapons to choose from and by the way, they are pretty fast as well.

The bottom line in my pick is that I am not going to bet against a guy who has won a National title as well as a few Division I-AA titles in Jim Tressel.

Ohio State 38, Florida 21.

When this happens, can all of these people in the SEC finally give another conference credit? Doubt it.

Loyalty isn't so easy for many

As the new members of Congress are sworn in Thursday, I can only look forward and hope that the Democrats have learned just a teenie weenie bit about what not to do from their friends on the other side of the aisle.

Odds of that happening are about the same as Nick Saban going to Alabama. Whoops - did I just say that?? Silly me.

What I don't understand is why people are that upset about what Saban did. He didn't do anything different than a politician who controls the fate of our government and our world. Ol' Nick is just a football coach.

WHAT? Just a football coach? And I guess your mom is just a mom....???

Ya know what kids, I am over the coaching garbage. Last time I checked, Saban wasn't leaving Michigan State either and that was three jobs ago. He wanted to go back to a college lifestyle. Some are better in college than the pros and Nick knew it. He also knew $32 million doesn't grow on trees. It is what it is. Leave it alone.

I will say this for Saban - he will go at a minimum of 8-4 next season. He will also land a top 15 recruiting class with five weeks to go this year. Give him four years and Tommy Tuberville will be sweating a little bit down the road when Saban wins a National title before him.

If you want to scream, how about screaming about how Mike Shula helped turn a program around while on probation. Just when they are about to come out of their sanctions, after he got a nice contract extension last year, he gets kicked to the curb.

Loyalty works both ways. And it doesn't work well in either direction these days.

Heck, the only place I have seen loyalty lately is with Nancy Pelosi, the new Speaker of the House (I get ill every time I type those words together!). She backed John Murtha for her second in command when she knew that Steny Hoyer would kick his ass. But she stayed with him and lost her first battle on the Hill. Her only mistake was that she lost a battle inside her own party. Good start Nancy! Think the people that backed Steny are huge fans of you now? But you did stay true to your friend and for that you should get a little bit of kudos.

So, when the new members get sworn in, remember their fresh, smiling faces. For life will change for them starting tomorrow. Hopefully, they can stay loyal to their beliefs and constituents. It's a lot easier said than done.

What's right and what's wrong with our world...

Good morning all - I had an idea of what I was going to blog about, but then I came into the office and totally changed my mind.

Why or what changed my mind? Two very simple things.

First, I heard that The Home Depot and Bob Nardelli came to a "mutual agreement" for him to step down. He will do so with a $210 million package.

Wow. Wouldn't it be great to work for a company for seven years and totally under perform and still get a nice hefty pay-out? It's $30 million for each year he worked. AND that has nothing to do with all the money the Home Depot paid him to work during that time.

Funny part is that people are talking about Home Depot stock going up this morning based on Nardelli leaving. To quote Yakov Smirnov, "What a country!"

Hey Iraqi people ... President Bush may be wrong in how he is handling it, but damn, doesn't this make you want this Democracy stuff?

On the other side of the coin is what is good in the world. Last night in Detroit, the Red Wings retired Steve Yzerman's 19 jersey. Only the sixth jersey to ever be raised to the rafters of Joe Louis Arena. (TRIVIA TIME - can you name the other five?)

The 41-year old Yzerman spent his whole career with the Red Wings - it spanned 22 seasons and three Stanley Cups. But it also spanned a lot more off of the ice. If you watched the ceremony, you saw the true man. He was humble. He was nervous as heck. He took a sip of water a few times and his hand was shaking each time. He was thankful. He was THE captain of the Red Wings and will always be known that way.

But he spoke of his family. Not only his wife and daughters, but his Red Wing family that helped raise him from youth to the man he is now. He may not look like it now, but he is still the scrawny kid that the Red Wings drafted out of the Peterborough Petes.

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press talks about how the city said thank you. Eric Adelson of ESPN the Magazine tells a story of how he gave back to his community on more than one occasion.

He is as a good a person in sports as there is. I met Yzerman a long time ago when I was at the Lansing State Journal as a young writer, he was as decent to me as can be. I know I am a bit biased, but hockey players are by far, the best athletes to deal with. They are the most humble. They are the most approachable. And they never, ever forget where they come from.

Yzerman took a job with the Red Wings organization in the front office and will be there for life if the Ilitch family owns the team. It's not a $210 million buy out, but it ain't bad for a kid from Canada.

Maybe guys like Nardelli need to go to Peterborough or Flin Flon, Manitoba for a while? Won't help them get high stock prices, but it might just raise their stock in the bigger game called life.

As if that weren't enough - Nick Saban leaves the Dolphins to take over the job at Alabama. For the last two weeks he has said, "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." Guess $35-40 million changed his mind. Or was it the decision of who was going to be his quarterback next year: Harrington or Culpepper.

Now, I will be the first to say he made the right choice. He is a very good college coach and a very average pro coach. But the way he handled this was horrible. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut and say, "No comment."

Either way, the SEC just got stronger again. Betcha Jimbo Fisher leaves LSU to follow along.

And a little conference will lead them...

For those waking up this morning and turning on ESPN and seeing the score of the Fiesta Bowl, you may be shocked by the score. But anyone who watched the game will say the same thing have, "you don't understand, the score still doesn't do justice to how great a game it was."

When it comes on ESPN Classic this week, and I am telling you it will, if you like college football in the least, you have to watch this game. Pat Forde of ESPN.com writes a great piece about the Cinderella story Broncos.

The roller coaster of emotions in the last five minutes of the game and the overtime were just astounding. I have had people calling and emailing to talk about the game and ask if I stayed up to 1:30 A.M. ET to watch the end. I am so glad I did.

For those who haven't seen it - two of the greatest gadget plays EVER run by Boise State. Wasn't incredible that they worked, was incredible that they worked on a Bob Stoops defense.

And to top it all of Ian Johnson of Boise State asked his cheerleader girlfriend to marry him on Fox after the win. What would he had done if they had lost?

Good for him and good for them. Odds are that this game is 10 times better than the one we will see in the same building next Monday night.

2000 and heaven for Jets fans...

Hope everyone had a healthy, safe and happy start to the New Year.

Couple of quick New Year's hits on this holiday:

Congrats to all of the Gang Green Jet fans - who would have bet that this team would have made the playoffs this year? Just crazy. The Man-Genius is pretty good and Steve Serby thinks this is only the beginning. By the way, in ten years we will look back on last year's draft and see that DeBrickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold were two of the best picks EVER for this franchise.

With the Giants in the playoffs - you would think I would be happy. However, this just give the Giants a chance to keep their coach. And most of you know how I feel about him. What's ever worse is that I am going to guarantee a victory over the Eagles. Why would I do that? Why would I think this team has a chance to win? Easy - it has NOTHING to do with football and everything to do with Murphy's Law.

The second weekend in January, we have a bat-mizvah in Savannah for my wife's cousin. SO, I know that the game would be in the middle of the ceremony or party or something. Most of you who know me, know that I will be in the doghouse because if it follows suit, I will be watching the game somewhere.

So PLEASE Andy Reid - have your team ready and blow us out. Save my marriage and fire my coach at the same time.

On the happy note of the Giants world - Tiki Barber is supposed to sign a $10 million - four year deal with ABC News/ESPN. Best week of the year last week and he's still leaving on his terms. Good for you Tiki! Good for you!

Look for Alabama to sign Nick Saban to a huge deal by the end of the week. My guess is 10 years - $45-50 million. He always wanted to be a pro head coach - but I think he has realized that it's not all that's it's cracked up to be. Plus I think he learned a big lesson when he picked Dante Culpepper instead of Drew Brees. Go back to college and recruiting Nick - it's what you are good at.

By the way, now that Denny Green is fired in Arizona, look for Pete Carroll to give the NFL one last chance. If anyone knows Carroll personally, please call him and tell him to stay. Start with the Saban analogy and then look at Steve Spurrier. I know it looks good on paper with a new building in the desert Pete - but I have two words for you: Bidwell family. Enough said.

Denny - you are who we thought you were. A bad NFL coach, but a great video clip waiting to happen.

Hey Jim Mora - nice having you in Atlanta. Good luck on your next coaching job. By the way, tell your dad he was right, Vick is a coach killer. So far two for two. But he does sell a lot of jersey's and he puts butts in seats for Arthur Blank. The AJC's Jeff Schultz sums up the players bad effort to save their coach.

Speaking of which, Mr. Blank please stay in your box until the game is over. Why on earth would you be speaking to your coach during a game? Last time I checked, you built a winner in Home Depot, not in the NFL. Until you do, stay up in the box, please.

Also why didn't Rich McKay announce the firing instead of Blank? Anyone wondering why McKay isn't on the hot seat? Mora was his coach and John Abraham for a first round pick? Hey Jets - steal of the century!

Bill Cowher please stay. Great job having your team ready to win a game for pride! Will miss you on the sidelines. Class act. How about coaching the Falcons? Maybe you can kick Vick's butt into shape. Just a pipedream ... I know.

If Brett Favre decides to retire, what a way to go. And take Rex Grossman with you, please. Could you imagine Favre on that Bears team... probably be undefeated.

Mike Shanahan felt like garbage after the loss at home in overtime to San Francisco kept him out of the playoffs. I can't even fathom what must be going through his head with the loss of Darrent Williams. Just sickening.

Talk about interesting playoff note to watch - Colts defense cannot stop the run and the Chiefs Larry Johnson is the league's 2nd best running back. Colts haven't lost at home this year. This should be good.

My Super Bowl pick is easy, as in the Big Easy of New Orleans versus Marty ball of the San Diego Chargers. Even Marty cannot screw this one up, could he?

YouTube have any full length video's of Saddam's hanging yet? Will check tomorrow - you know someone will put it up there.

Happy happy joy joy to you and yours.