The Return

Well...almost a year away. Over that time, I've enjoyed some opportunities. Some of which I continue, others that I have chosen to no longer pursue. I even tried my hand at re-branding...of sorts. But this was the first "home" and it beckoned me on almost a daily basis. I have a slew of items to cover. Let's not put them off any longer...

NHL

Be serious now. Prior to last evening, has anyone heard of Sam Gagner? If you hadn't, I'm sure you have by now. Anytime someone ties a record with Wayne Gretzky, you're accomplished something very special...


The Edmonton Oilers scored eight goals...and Gagner had a point for each goal. Kinda spectacular huh? For the record, another former Oiler scored eight points in a game, Paul Coffey.

MLB

Just finished watching the news conference in regards to Josh Hamilton and his relapse. If anyone is truly upset at this, think about it some more, please.

I have heard and read where people were blaming the bartender for serving Hamilton. It's one thing to be what's known as an enabler. The bartender wasn't. Has anyone considered if the bartender even knew who Hamilton was? Sure there could have been patrons that were aware of who he was serving, but to come down hard on this individual is a little harsh.

Also, Hamilton holding a press conference even though he didn't take questions was brilliant. I loved that. In this day anf age, athletes, celebrities, etc., believe that issuing a statement through personal websites and/or Twitter accounts, Facebook pages, all other forms of social media is beyond refreshing.

PGA

I present the long hitting Gary Woodland...



Missed it by that much...

NFL

Isn't this week supposed to be about the Super Bowl? If you ask me, it's been more about Peyton Manning, Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts. This game of "oh, yeah, well..." is edging toward the sophomoric side. Remember when we heard this kind of crap was going to stay in-house? So much for that idea.

So, Manning's surgeon, Dr. Robert Watkins to you, issues a statement that alerts us that one of Indy's prized possessions is "medically cleared to play professional football". Colts owner Jim Irsay, as he tends to do, took to Twitter. His version? Manning hasn't been cleared by the Colts medical staff.

Irsay was preparing a statement to be released today. Honestly, I'm tired of all this stuff. If he doesn't want to pay Manning that huge roster bonus, don't. If you want Peyton in Indy, then you do. We don't need to hear anymore statements...until the Super Bowl is over. Then my ears will perk up.

College Football

Remember Gunner Kiel? That name should be fresh in your memory especially if you follow college football. Might wanna watch this video courtesy of The Daily Reveille. Go to the 1:40 mark...

I don't think I need to add to this, but I believe you suspect that Kiel was the "quarterback from Indiana".

Only "The Hat"...

Saturday NFL Playoff Games: Jets/Colts

The second of tomorrow's games will take us to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

We've already heard Jets head coach belly aching about how Manning is wearing on his teams (Remember that Ryan was previously the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens). Here's the TV info...

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
Network: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth

A rematch of last season's AFC championship game. The Colts won that one, 30-17. The Jets return to hopefully extract a bit of revenge for not only that game, but for Ryan as well.

When the Colts have the ball...

	Scoring (Rk)	Total Yds (Rk)	Pass Yds (Rk)	Rush Yds (Rk)
offense	27.2 (4th)	380.8 (4th)	288.1 (1st)	92.7 (29th)
defense	19.0 (6th)	291.5 (3rd)	200.6 (6th)	90.9 (3rd)

This is the matchup to watch: Darelle Revis and Pierre Garcon. Antonio Cromartie is nursing a bad groin (don't go there) and there's no way Ryan will pit Cromartie against the Colts fastest receiver. Jets fans better hope that Revis is finally 100% back from hammie issues, too.

The weirdest stat is how low the Colts are in running the ball in comparison to how much they throw. So how does the Colts offense function so well? Play action works with #18 back there. Plus, the Colts run the ball just enough so that opponents have to respect it.

The burning question will be who else will be able to help Manning besides Garcon? Does it really matter? If he's on the field, Manning will find him. He always does.

When the Jets have the ball...

	Scoring (Rk)	Total Yds (Rk)	Pass Yds (Rk)	Rush Yds (Rk)
offense	22.9 (13th)	351.0 (11th)	202.6 (22nd)	148.4 (4th)
defense	24.2 (23rd)	341.6 (20th)	214.6 (13th)	127.0 (25th)

Where do you start here? Easy. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. The Jets must get the rushing attack going full bore. That is the glaring weakness of the COlts defense. They can rush a QB, but they can be pushed around. That was the theory heading into last year's AFC championship game. But for some odd reason, when the playoffs roll around, the Colts D toughens up against the run.

A good sight for Jets fans. No Freeney or Mathis.
Image by Ed Yourdon via Flickr

If the Jets cannot run, I look for QB Mark Sanchez to endure plenty of punishment at the hands of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Those two will simply be pinning their ears back and going for the sack. But the Jets do have a couple of nice receivers.

Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes must be on the ready to bail out Sanchez in blitzing situations. And they might want to hold on to the ball, too. Both can develop cases of the "dropsies".

A high powered offense against a rugged defense. A running offense against a perceived weak defense. Take your pick here, right?

I never bet against Manning.

AFC South Primer

We head to the AFC South today and take a peek at the defending AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts and their other divisional foes.

Is there any better receiver than Johnson?

Houston Texans
2009 record: 9-7, 2nd in division
Head coach: Gary Kubiak
Key Additions: FB Justin Griffith, K Neil Rackers
Key Losses: RB Ryan Moats, CB Dunta Robinson

1. Are Texans primed for the playoffs?
They came close last year, but I'm not so sure they have all the tools. How many people know that QB Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yards last year? The key was keeping him healthy. The QB is the #1 key, but you have to have the people around Schaub. WR Andre Johnson is the best receiver in the league, but the talent pool becomes more shallow after that. A healthy Owen Daniels will go a long way, but it's the running back situation that concerns me. RB Ben Tate may be the horse they so desperately need.

2. Will Brian Cushing be as effective in 2010 as he was in '09?
Texans owner Bob McNair went to see Mr. Goodell in an attempt to have Cushing's suspension reduced for a positive test of hCG. Overtraining? Not seeing a reduction and since the skeleton has been freed, look for teams to maybe exploit the defending Defensive Rookie of the Year...at first. It will take Cushing a while, but we all know football is a game of adjustments. Cushing will have to make a big one.

3. What about those running backs?
Drafting Tate was big. The Texans also have Arian Foster who looked very good at the end of last season when he was given the opportunity to play. And we can't overlook Steve Slaton. He had injury issues last year and was actually a detriment. If Slaton can turn things around, if Tate can prove he's a horse and if Foster plays the way he did in the last last two games of 2009, the Texans could be playoff bound in 2010.

Even with the loss of CB Dunta Robinson and the suspension of Cushing, the defense is still legit. Just not as sound.

A healthy Sanders will make Indy all the
better defensively.

Indianapolis Colts
2009 record: 14-2
Head coach: Jim Caldwell
Key Additions: none
Key Losses: G Ryan Lilja, CB Tim Jennings, CB Marlin Jackson

1. We all know that QB Peyton Manning is going to get his payday. What about WR Reggie Wayne and DE Robert Mathis? How will the "unhappiness" with their contracts affect the Colts?
One thing I have learned is to never doubt the Colts. If Wayne isn't given the huge payday he feels he's entitled to receiving, I don't foresee that as an issue on the field. He's productive and know Manning's every twist and turn. That being said, some sort of compromise will be met. Mathis isn't far away either. He's the reason teams can't concentrate solely on DE Dwight Freeney. The two together is arguably the best DE combo in the NFL.

2. What can we make of the aging offensive line?
I thought the Colts would try to land OT Rodger Saffold with their first round pick for just that. The chose DE/LB Jerry Hughes instead and I was a bit disappointed. Not that Hughes is a bad player, but Saffold was a guy that I felt was a necessity for the Colts future. We just recently heard the C Jeff Saturday will be on the shelf for 2-6 weeks (most likely 4 weeks) and that in itself tells you the tale.

3. Will we see a healthy Bob Sanders?
The way this guy plays, I doubt it. He will miss a game due purely on his aggressive style. You know there's a shoulder or a knee issue down the road. If Sanders can stay healthy, the Colts are a bit more imposing on defense.

When you have Manning, you're never out of the question.

The Jags offense will once again center
around Maurice Jones-Drew.

Jacksonville Jaguars
2009 record: 7-9, 4th in division
Head coach: Jack Del Rio
Key Additions: DE Aaron Kampmann, LB Freddy Keiaho, WR Kassim Osgood, LB Kirk Morrison
Key Losses: WR Torry Holt, T Tra Thomas, DT John Henderson

1. Can the Jaguars please get a pass rush?
Not seeing it again in 2010. The Jags had a shot at drafting Jason Pierre-Paul and passed for Tyson Alualu. Not sure what the thinking was there except to find a replacement for Henderson. The Jags defensive front four has suffered because of poor drafting at the position. Can you sat Derrick Harvey?

2. Will the Jaguars stay in Jacksonville?
No question the NFL groans when they hear week after week that the Jags cannot sellout their home date...except when Indy comes a calling. That's a major issue that both the Jaguars brass and the NFL have to contend with. You don't like making a team move, but we know the dollar rules. The possibility of a move could lead to a distraction.

3. If Jacksonville doesn't make the playoffs, is Del Rio gone?
I hate to say it because Jack Del Rio is one guy I would seriously consider running my team, but to answer the question, yes.

I love the trade for Morrison. He will bring a return of the intense defense we've seen in the past from the Jaguars. It won't be what is was when Jacksonville was making a yearly run at the playoffs, but Morrison is a building block.

Johnson can get 2,106...with help.

Tennessee Titans
2009 record: 8-8
Head coach: Jeff Fisher
Key Additions: DE Justin Babin, CB Tye Hill, LB Will Weatherspoon
Key Losses: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, LB Keith Bulluck, C Kevin Mawae, TE Alge Crumpler

1. Ant good news about the defense?
Not really. Hard to maintain when you lose guys like Vanden Bosch, Bulluck and Hayneswoth over a two-year period. Drafting DE Derrick Morgan may ease the pain of losing a somewhat aging Vanden Bosch, but Morgan cannot bring the experience factor from a college campus. Titans fans should pray that CB Cortland Finnegan can return to his 2008 form. If he can, things will look much better on the defensive side of the ball.

2. Is this really Vince Young's team?
It is. VY proved last year he can get it done and lead the Titans to wins late in games. That's all Jeff Fisher can ask for.

3. Can Chris Johnson break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record?
Let's do the math first. Dickerson's record is 2,105. CJ would need to average 132 yards a game. He only came up 100 yards shy of breaking that last season. Two games did him in last year. The opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers (57) and a week 5 affair against the Colts (34). CJ had only two other games in which he didn't reach the century mark (week 3 v. Jets - 97 and week 4 v. Jacksonville - 83). It's a matter of the workload. Johnson had 358 rushing attempts last season and averaged 5.6 yards a carry. That's a lot of attempts. If Johnson can raise his yards per carry to an astonishing 5.9 yards a rush, he will. I don't like adding more carries. Although, Johnson is hard to catch if he's in the open field. Wait. You can't catch him in the open field.

Don't forget that Young has receiving threats as well. This team could produce fireworks if Young's can outperform his '09.

We all know who's going to win this division.

1. Indianapolis. It's a matter of protecting Peyton.
2. Tennessee. Johnson's a game changer and Young is primed for another good season.
3. Houston. Losing Cushing for four games could mean starting out 0-4.
4. Jacksonville. When you have no home field advantage...

Colts Contract Issues Hinge on New CBA, Manning

As NFL team's continue their mandatory weekend minicamps, there is a little discontent that has reared its ugly head at minicamp for the defending AFC Champs.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis have elected to stay away from the activities due to their unhappiness over their current contract situation. Both have two years remaining on their deals. Wayne is currently on a six-year, $39 million while Mathis' six-year deal was worth a total of $30 million. Both want new deals, but with the uncertainty of a CBA, there's has been little, if any, movement in negotiations. Colts GM Bill Polian spoke regarding the situations involving Wayne and Mathis.

Polian

"We're not in a regular environment, that's the problem. I've spoken to both their agents, and I certainly respect both men and they make a good case. But the problem is we don't have a system, and without a system, you don't know where contracts might or might not fit in.

"It's a jigsaw puzzle, and as one piece fits in then another falls in place and another falls in place."

But there is one member of the Colts that needs a new deal even more than Wayne and Mathis combined, Peyton Manning. That compounds the issues surrounding Wayne and Mathis even more due to Colts owner Jim Irsay saying intends to make Manning the league's highest paid player. Manning is in the final year of his deal and re-signing him, even at 34, is of far more importance than renegotiating the contracts of Wayne and Mathis. The order in Indy begins with the four-time MVP. Although, Irsay's comments about Manning's potential contract amount cannot be extremely soothing to other Colts awaiting for a new deal.

No, I'm not writing off the importance of Wayne and Mathis to the Colts fortunes, but I'm also not ignorant enough to hide the fact that the Indianapolis Colts are not the same team without #18 under center. Wayne did step in as a team leader when Marvin Harrison was injured a couple of seasons ago and then not brought back after the '08 season. Wayne is a Pro-Bowler and Indy's best receiver, no question. But who gets Wayne the ball? No Manning, not as many catches.

Mathis is as integral to the Indy defense as Dwight Freeney. They are arguably the best pair of defensive ends in the NFL. When teams worry too much about Freeney, Mathis is always the beneficiary. He's that talented.

The status of a contract extension for Manning is what will delay any form of a new deal for Wayne and/or Mathis. And the longer there's no CBA in place, the longer Wayne and Mathis may stay away from Indy. Once a new CBA can be reached, the flood gates will open on this.

And so will the money...

The Big 11

If you look carefully at the logo for the Big Ten Conference, you can see an "11" integrated.

I'm not suggesting the conference change its name although it would make sense because there are 11 teams that are members.

No. I'm actually referring to the number of Indianapolis Colts fans that greeted the team at the Indianapolis airport after their Super Bowl defeat.

My son-in-law is a Colts fan, and it was a bit sad to see them lose. Even sadder that Colts fans showed their utter lack of interest and support for the team.

We're talking about added security, roads blocked to divert traffic. We've all seen the drill when a big event happens.

I know that the city had some inclement weather on Tuesday. Snow and wind chills in the upper 20's can subdue a mass. There are other issues to worry about besides the Colts arrival back in town, right? It was in the middle of the day on a Tuesday, too. People are at work. Maybe getting the kids from the babysitter or daycare as they make their way home.

This article on indystar.com sums up how those in Indianapolis (and other cities) feel about this whole issue.

But to me, it's a bit lame. Actually, really lame. If you want a lesson on how to treat a losing team, this is it. Reading the comments will give you more of an insight than I ever could. Despite all the "circumstances", I wonder how many people would have been at that airport had Indy won. It would have been attended by a lot more than 11.

I have no question that those brave 11 fans were not embarrassed by their showing. Some fans were happy to be there in support of their Colts.

The city of Indianapolis and other so-called Colts fans, you should.

There is a thing called civic pride or does that not apply since your team lost?

Super Bowl positional analysis

Update: Dwight Freeney is active for the game.

Just when you've had enough coverage from this year's Super Bowl...here I am.

For the big game today, I'll be looking at the positions and telling who has the advantage.

Quarterback:
This is a lot closer than people might think. All Brees has done since his arrival in New Orleans is become the conductor of one the NFL's most potent offenses. The only difference between Brees and Manning is simple. Peyton has a ring.
Advantage: Colts

Running backs:
I don't think this is close. The Saints have three guys (Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, Reggie Bush) that can attack you in three different ways. Joseph Addai did manage 100+ yards against the Jets a couple of weeks ago, so New Orleans had better not sleep on him.
Advantage: Saints

Wide receivers:
Very close here. If you take the top three, it's a push. Colston, Henderson, Meacham v. Wayne, Garcon, Collie. The difference is the #4. New Orleans has Lance Moore. Granted, he was hurt most of the season, but he led the Saints in receiving last year. Something good to fall back on if you need to.
Advantage: Saints

Tight end:
Both Jeremy Shockey and Dallas Clark are Pro-Bowl ends. The main difference between the two is I feel Clark cannot be covered by the Saints linebackers. Clark is essentially a receiver in an end's body. Shockey's got a bum knee, too.
Advantage: Colts

Offensive line:
The Saints line is strong on one side and weak on the other. The same cannot be said for Indy. Jeff Saturday will one day be in Canton.
Advantage: Colts

In viewing the offense:
Colts: 3
Saints: 2

On to the defense:

New Orleans and Indy in Super Bowl XLIV

No more Rex Ryan. No more Brett Favre. Won't Media Day be boring during the festivities that surround Super Bowl XLIV.

The Indianapolis Colts trailed the New York Jets, 17-6, with 2:11 remaining in the first half. Indy scored 24 unanswerd points and proceded to shatter ESPN's Mike Greenberg's dreams of the Jets going to the Super Bowl.

The New Orleans Saints survived two 10-play, first quarter TD drives by Minnesota and forced five Minnesota turnovers to crush the thoughts of Brett Favre playing in another Super Bowl. New Orleans is used to survival. It's become part of the city's culture.

Many storylines surrounding Super Bowl XLIV will be presented and shared over the next two weeks.

For the Colts QB Peyton Manning, it will be a return to home, sort of. Peyton faces the franchise he grew up cheering. At one time, his father, Archie, was the franchise. Peyton knows all too well how that feels.

In the process of yesterday's 30-17 win, the Colts avenged a loss to a Jets franchise that was a long time coming. A 16-7 loss to the hands of the Jets in Super Bowl III on the heels of a guarantee by Joe Namath. Namath had stated of the similiarities between his Jets and this edition of the Jets. Manning viewed one big similiarity between his Colts and the big prize, another Super Bowl in Miami.

For the Saints QB Drew Brees, it the continuation of one of the greatest modern day sagas. A saga that began almost four years ago. A saga that will be told for generations in Louisiana.

One of the first things the newly hired Saints head coach Sean Payton did was call Brees when Brees was a free agent. Brees chose the Saints after the Miami Dolphins showed concerns about his shoulder, another ironic twist. Brees' selection of New Orleans delivered a two-fold deal. The most obvious was to present the city a Super Bowl. The second, and actually most impressive, was to give aid for the city in the post Katrina era.

Sports discovers a way to meld itself into everyday culture. Just a couple of examples, if I may.

The 1980 U.S. Olympic mens hockey team. Many view this team accomplishing the greatest upset of all-time by winning the gold and defeating the USSR along the way. A bunch of college kids had no chance against the Soviet machine, let alone attempting to win a gold medal. Tell me how that works out.

The sight of President George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch for Game 3 in Yankee Stadium of the 2001 World Series. With emotions still running high after the events of 9/11, the Prez strode to the pitcher's mound and delivered a strike. Many events after 9/11 are still in my memory bank. The sight of all the pro leagues showing their patriotism, escpecially in the NFL, by taking the field and carrying the American flag. This one of the President stands out the most to me.

And we now have the NFC Champions, the New Orleans Saints. A city still in rebuilding mode after Katrina. Brees has openly told everyone that the Saints thrive off the fans and it works the other way, too. It's a unique situation as the Saints players have immersed themselves into the city and its efforts. There's another process still going here, too. Healing.

Maybe it's about something called destiny. If you didn't believe in it before, you have to now.

Championship Sunday

Here it is, Championship Sunday. Both the AFC and NFC will pronounce their representatives for the Super Bowl.

Some things are rattling in my head about today's games. Loose screws? Maybe.

Vikings v. Saints

1. Will Vikings RB Adrian Peterson be able to be, well, Adrian Peterson?

We haven't seen AD go for over 100 yards since week 10 against the Detroit Lions (133 yards on only 18 carries). He's flirted with 100 on two other occassions (week 14 v. Cincinnati and week 16 v. Chicago). Fact: Peterson's highest yards/carry since then is 6.0 in the last game of the regular season against the New York Giants. He only had 9 carries that game. Outside of that, that number is 3.9 in that week 16 against the Chicago Bears. AD had 24 carries.

2. The status of Vikes Mr. Everything, Percy Harvin.

Harvin travelled to New Orleans, but he's having problems with migraine headaches again.

“Man, I’ve tried everything, and nothing works,” said Harvin, who’s listed as questionable to play against the Saints. “I give up.”

The quote was from a video teammate Bryant McKinnie posted on his Twitter account. The migraines have kept Harvin from practicing, but at this point of the season, it's not as much of an issue. Harvin has missed a game this season due to the headaches, and I imagine this could be a gametime decision if he goes or not.

If there's one person that can empathize with Harvin, it's Denver Broncos great Terrell Davis. He was known to have a migraine or two in his day.

3. With all the talk about Brett Favre, how much pressure will the Vikings offensive line be feeling?

Um, a lot. The O line stepped up last week against Dallas, and that line must duplicate that effort. After all, it's a Lombardi Trophy or bust. If the Vikes lose, this season and the Favre Experiment will be deemed as utter failures. That's a ton of pressure. The offensive front has suffered from breakdowns at different times this season. It's a weakness worthy of notice. I know Saints DC Gregg Williams has.

Jets v. Colts

AFC Championship Peek

This Sunday's AFC Championship game has been hashed and rehashed umpteen times by now on every sports show. We've been blitzed with all the matchups and who's injured and who's got to play above their head. I'm surprised we haven't found out the name of the people that are reponsible for keeping the Gatorade full.

Here's my 5 keys to the Jets/Colts AFC Championship game.

1. Peyton Manning v. the Jets 3-4 Defense.

We've observed Manning having a tad of difficulty with this particular scheme. For the second consecutive week, Manning will see a 3-4 that's basically the same. Rex Ryan's influence is weighs heavily (pardon the pun) in Baltimore. Sure, Rex will tweak it a bit, but the familiarity will assist Manning in presnap reads. Jets safety Kerry Rhodes said it best, "We can't give him the answers to the test."

2. Jets power running game v. Colts speedy defense.

Most experts have extolled the superlatives of the Jets offensive line. I've done the same. Four of the five were selected in the first round and center Nick Mangold, guard Alan Faneca and tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson are Pro-Bowl bound. How will this group contend with a Colts defense that's so quick off the ball? If you watched the week 16 game, you saw onat least a couple of occassions where Colts end Dwight Freeney had clean shots at he Jets backfield. If they concentrate too much on Freeney, there's Robert Mathis on the other side. If you worry too much about Freeney and Mathis, there's a group of linebackers that are even quicker, and underrated.

Colts and Saints: overlooked?

Is it just me, or does it look like that the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts are being a bit overlooked?

I mean, most of the talk we're hearing seems to center around Rex Ryan and the New York Jets and their improbable playoff run and the Minnesota Vikings and that guy at quarterback, Brett Favre.

I doubt that the Jets and Vikings are overlooking their opponents this weekend, but things seem extremely subdued from the Saints and Colts camps. But that shouldn't surprise anyone at all. In the words of our 26th President Theodore Roosevelt, "Speak softly and carry a big stick". That's what the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts are doing.

We've heard the constant chatter from Jets head coach Rex Ryan with the most recent being this from an article on NYPost.com.:

"We're on the big stage every day in New York," he said. "This will be as loose a team as you'll ever see going into an AFC Championship game. We're not afraid to compete against the Colts, we're excited to."

We've heard the constant praises thrown at Vikings QB Brett Favre for the wonderful season he's having. We've heard Vikes head honcho Brad Childress refer to Dallas as the "Tasmanian devils". Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is saying that he's going to score "ten times" this Sunday.

So why are these #1 seeds being thrusted into the backgroud? How can the teams with their conferences best records seem so out of the picture? How is it that their opponents are shoved into the limelight?

That's because New Orleans and Indy are choosing taht approach. They are opting to do their talking on the field, and their opponents this weekend should severly take note of this. It's almost a scary quiet in those camps right now. A quiet confidence.

We all saw what happened in week 16 when the Jets and Colts played. Manning was pulled with about 6:00 left in the third quarter with Indy holding a 15-10 lead. The Jets won 29-15 with Curtis Painter playing QB for the Colts. The talk of the Jets "backing in" the playoffs began to emerge as a headline. The thought that the Colts passed on a possible perfect season began to take shape with Colts fans and players being angered by the move.

That move by the Colts hierarchy has actually galvanized the team. The Colts know their real purpose, win a Super Bowl.

And the Saints?

More NFL Playoff Football!

Only the Packers/Cardinals game provided any form of excitement during the NFL's Wild Card Weekend. Maybe we'll be treated to bit more this coming weekend with the Divisional Round. Here's a quick look at the games being played on Saturday.

NFC: Arizona @ New Orleans; 4:30 PM ET, FOX (Kenny Albert, Darryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa)

Most will watch: Cards QB Kurt Warner and Saints QB Drew Brees.
How could you not want to watch these two? Warner absolutely lit up the Packers last week. Warner had more TD (5) than incompletions (4). There's no sign of him slowing down one bit. Warner has excellent postseason numbers. There is the rumor that Warner will retire after this season. I look for the Cards to do all they can to postpone that. If you have any doubt that this guy will end up in Canton, you're simply crazy.

But Saints fans believe they have the league MVP as their QB in Brees. Brees was second in the MVP voting and that vote has many in Louisiana up in arms. There's no question that when Brees gets it going, there's not any QB that's better. He has many so weapons at his disposal. That may have been why he didn't win the MVP.

You should also watch: New Orleans at the beginning of the game.
It's been almost a month since the Saints have played a real game. This is not the time for rust to set in. A quick start is paramount even though we know the Saints have the offensive firepower to come from behind, but so does Arizona.

If New Orleans wins the coin toss, you might see them take the ball first. Get that offense on the field early and see how they react. That side of the ball has not actually performed too well as of late.

But don't forget: the Saints ground attack.
The newest three-headed monster of Pierre Thomas, Mike Ball and Reggie Bush has given New Orleans even more cause to be optomistic. The lack of a running game was viewed as a significant weakness with the Saints offense. Not anymore. Establishing the run would open the passing game even more for Brees. A big benefit for the Saints.

One last thing: the crowd.
We know balls will fill the "air" of the Superdome. The indoors atmosphere, in itself, does not favor either team. It will be how much the crowd stays behind their Saints. If the Cardinals can score early and often, the life of the crowd would immensely diminish. Playoff games don't come around New Orleans too much. The crowd must holdfast and make a difference.

Bottom line: Despite being favored, it almost feels like people are doubting the Saints. With all that's been made of their late season swoon, it's hard to believe that the switch can flipped on. But what can we make of a Cards defense that blew a 21-point lead to the Packers? When Aaron Rodgers had to throw, he did so and he did at will. Brees operates the same way. Neither defense can stop the run and neither defense can stop the pass. The Saints can run while The Cardinals struggle with their running game.

Saints 37, Cards 28...both Warner and Brees pass for over 300 yards but the turnover bug bites the Cards.

AFC: Baltimore @ Indianapolis; 8:15 ET, CBS (Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf)

Indianapolis Colts "Pursue" Perfection?

Another Thursday night game on the NFL Network. This week's Indy-Jacksonville tilt will provide some interest unlike the previous weeks.

The Indianapolis Colts are in pursuit for the NFL's Holy Grail, a perfect season. The Patiots came close a couple of years ago. Indy seems to be in this position frequently, but with no results as being "prefect".

One thing that should raise a lot of eyebrows is Colts head coach Jim Caldwell's statement that all healthy starters will play...or something along those lines. Then on Monday, Caldwell's Colts have an injury report with 29 players listed. Here's a peek at that list on nfl.com. Sure, Indy has been one of the NFL's more injured teams this season, but we should all feel like we're being seen as less than smart by this ploy.

So...the game.

Once Indy decides who to play and who to sit, it will be the defense that controls the result. We all know what the Colts offense is capable of doing...putting up points in matter of seconds. The defense must set the tone for the Cots. Priority #1 is Jags RB Maurice Jones-Drew. If Indy can take "Pocket Hercules" away from the Jags offense, that will force Jacksonville to go to the air and make the Jags one-dimensional.

That would create havoc as the Colts DEs (Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis) could have free shots at Jags QB David Garrard. We've all seen what those ends can do. The result can be very unpleasant for opponents.

And Jacksonville must establish Jones-Drew. By having the run be the main emphasis of the offense, that would free up Garrard. I would actually move Garrard around a little. A rollout or bootleg should keep the defense a bit more hoest and Garrard is capable of that. A moving target is harder to hit.

The Jaguars defense does have concerns. CB Rashean Mathis' health is a major issue. With Mathis, the Colts passing game might (and I stress the word, might) be a bit contained. Again, it is all depedent on how much Colts QB Peyton Manning plays. I expect at least three quarters, or until a Colts leads approaches three TDs, whichever happens first. I'm thinking three quarters.

Jacksonville needs a win to stay in the #6 seed in the AFC. Indy already has the #1 clinched. One thing to think about...how bad does Indy want a perfect season. The amount of time starters play tonight will be the indicator. Also factor in is that Indy will be on a long week for for the next game.

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