Just out of love...

He's been called National Champion.
He's been called "The greatest college quarterback of all time."
He's been called a hero.
He called himself the real Heisman winner.
He's been called NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
He's been called a flop.
He's been called crazy, even suicidal.
Anyone who watches football even casually knows who I'm talking about.
Vince Young has gone from phenom to legend back to phenom, and he now sits second on the Titans' depth chart behind the archaic Kerry Collins.
He blew off rumored emotional struggles that led to a frantic search earlier this year as a trip to a friend's house.
Even as a fan of Vince, I was skeptical about that odd adventure.
Regardless, it has been a roller coaster journey through football thus far for Vince, but his off-the-field ride took him right back to hero on Wednesday.
You see, Young was mentored through a healthy portion of his football career by Steve McNair, who, as anyone with cable or the internet knows, was shot by what seems to be his mistress on July 4.
Steve McNair was married with four kids.
Two of those kids are students at St. Paul Christian Academy, a school that had a "Dear Dads Breakfast."
According to teachers, 11-year-old Trenton and 5-year-old Tyler "were wondering what was going to happen with them" in regards to the breakfast.
Apparently Trenton and Tyler, like much of sports media, had forgotten about Vince Young's legendary capabilities when he's needed.
So Vince showed up at the restaurant where breakfast was happening, ate an omelet with the boys, signed a few autographs, and made those two boys' day.
He probably made their lives, though.
Vince summed up that, even though many have suggested he has completely lost his mind, he "gets it" better than most celebrities ever will in his quote to the Tennesseean.
"Those are my boys. I wouldn't say it was to pay anyone back; it was just out of love. Steve would do it for me. He pretty much did it for me when I was growing up. I have a history with the boys and I want to do anything I can. I am their big brother."
I'm not saying Vince Young is perfect, or he deserves to start (although he does), or that he won't ever let those boys or his fans down.
I am saying that the media outlets will probably let this story slide through the cracks before today is over in favor of something more interesting, like the latest leaked steroid user.
It's a shame because Trenton and Tyler are more important than that.
Just ask the greatest college quarterback of all time.

Dear fantasy football team,

So all you guys have been drafted to play for this illustrious franchise, the Macon Babies, and you should feel lucky. To my first round draft pick, Steve Slaton, I knew when I pre-set my player rankings and draft strategy, that the chips would fall to where you would be my guy. Yes, you are more valuable to me than Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb, Steve Smith, and Clinton Portis. Don't let all those Pro Bowls and Super Bowls get you down. Your team is perennially awful, but you are my shining star.
In week one, I need a good performance out of you. When the Eagles play the Panthers in that opening tilt, I could use a 300-399-yard game out of Donovan McNabb. A couple of touchdowns would be great, but no interceptions please. At the same time, I need Steve Smith to get over 200 yards and a couple touchdowns. Basically, I need an offensive shootout. I'm not even going to discuss how ridiculous things need to get if Portis gets injured in the preseason and I have to put in the Panthers' Jonathan Stewart.
Furthermore, Peyton Manning, you're not on my team, and, in fact, you're my opposition. Thus, a 10-40 performance with 120 yards and a touchdown would be a blessing. Especially if all 10 of those completions are to my guy Dallas Clark. That's right, please ignore Reggie Wayne and your other speedy receivers. Clark is slower, therefore more thorough. Remember the tortoise and the hare? If not, I'll give you a hint: the rabbit loses.
Otherwise, if Brady hurts his knee again, I'm gonna need you to step up JaMarcus Russ... Okay, that's a long shot. I should just stop. Good luck, guys!

-Jeremy
Owner
Macon Babies

Simply Genius

Bronson Arroyo has always been an interesting character to me.
You know, the guy who started with the Red Sox that had the long hair.
He was also the only white baseball player with braids, and he has been a singer and guitarist with produced CD's.
On the field, he's always been the type of pitcher that no one seems to be able to explain, we just know he's good.
I couldn't tell you if he's a fireballer, or if he paints the corners, or if he throws a loop-de-doo knuckleball like we all did on Nintendo games.
I just know he always seems to be successful.
Now, as it turns out, he's also a genius, and he may have used steroids.
You see, Arroyo has admitted that he's not all that careful with his supplements now, and he used to take andro and amphetamines, which have both been banned.
But they weren't when he took them.
That's the kicker that most people booing Manny, Papi, and the rest of the "Dirty 104" as I have just in the last 10 words dubbed them, don't realize.
Anyone on that 2003 list was found guilty of taking supplements that were not illegal yet or had no formalized testing or punishment.
Arroyo's stance, paraphrased:
"Yep, I took lots of stuff back then. Good stuff. Legal stuff. Was it laced with steroids? WHO KNOWS??? But it was AWESOME! In fact, I'm probably on that list from '03. Be shocking if I wasn't. If you're asking whether I'd do it again, the answer is abso-frickin'-lutely. If that stuff were legal, I'd buy the Sam's Club supersized jug. To be honest, I'm not very careful now. I don't take what's banned, but I do take anything that's not."
Do you know what that means?
If it does come out that he was on the 2003 list, no one will be shocked.
Anyone who's read the story I just read won't buy a newspaper, magazine, or tell-all book simply to find out the details about Bronson's steroid use.
No one will assume that because he was on the list, he was shooting the hard stuff into his left glute. (or perhaps the right glute; I don't know proper protocol.)
He didn't pull the Palmiero finger point, or the A-Rod "I'm sorry for what I may or may not have done that could have possibly been against a rule or statute or maybe law," or even a Papi "I think I took tainted vitamins."
He told us exactly what he took, told us what he's taking, and told us why he did what he did then and why he does what he does now.
It'll probably be taken way out of context by those who aren't used to such, but not by me.
I appreciate honesty.

Mr. James...excuse me...

So, I finally saw the Lebron James video.
I know you know the one I'm talking about.
First, it was "the video that Nike confiscated of Lebron James getting dunked on by a high schooler."
Then, it was "the video that the public had the right to see."
Next, it was "well, I mean, the camp does have a 'no outside photography or recording' policy."
Finally, it was "oh somebody leaked the video. I'm shocked. We might as well watch the footage from someone's cell phone video camera."
And this is the type of trending that is keeping me out of the sports writing industry?
I even heard Dan Patrick say that Lebron didn't get dunked on; he actually just got out of the way and let the kid have his moment.
Well, as stated, I finally saw the video, and... umm... King James got dunked on by a high schooler.
He caught a face full of shoulder, gave a "swing-and-a-miss" attempt at a block, and then stumbled backwards upon landing.
That is textbook "posterization."
Perhaps, as some talking head hypothesized, Lebron could have blocked the kid if he wanted to, but we'll never know that because Lebron, that I know of, hasn't really addressed it.
Not that it matters, since getting dunked on or dunking on someone is no indicator of actual talent, but I would love to hear the interview that would occur if Lebron and a reporter had a completely truthful and accurate conversation about the incident.
"Mr. James...excuse me...rumor has it that you got... posterized at your recent camp. Is this true?"
"Why yes I did. Haven't you seen the video? It's all over every website that calls itself a news outlet, most of which are actually run by high school dropouts with poor senses of humor and decency. (Glares menacingly at the kid wearing the star trek t-shirt and no press credentials)"
"But Mr. James, I heard Nike confiscated the tape. Don't journalists have the right to everything that happens anywhere at anytime, regardless of rules in place in those locations?"
"Well yeah, they tried to keep that tape from getting out. Truthfully, nothing that happens in a private location is any of the media's business, and the camp had a rule against recordings done by anyone other than Nike. That rule is really just for the protection of the 16-17-year-olds that are attending the camp, but it actually would've been really convenient for me this time. (insert cheesy Lebron commercial smile)"
"Lebron, some have said you let the kid dunk, but I've seen the video. He made you look pretty bad; am I right? (looks around for a high five)"
"Well truthfully, I'm probably the most naturally gifted athlete on the planet, so, were I playing at game intensity and focus, I would've sent the ball into the sixth row. But I wasn't, because it's a camp and I'm the host. Thus, that high schooler dunked on me, and it should be on a poster. Because that video is nasty."
Granted that conversation won't ever happen, but that's my take on the issue.
The King got thrown down upon, but it's not really that big of a deal.
The score is still Lebron 2,000,000...the world 1.

Clash of the Titans

I've heard much talk on sports radio over recent months about the level of parity in particular professional leagues.
The hosts on these shows begin to banter about which leagues have the most level playing field amongst its teams, then they move on to discuss whether parity is really important.
My personal stance is that, to the fan of mediocre teams, parity is paramount.
If your team just missed the MLB wild card by a game and a half or finished as the eight seed in the NBA's eastern conference and got spanked by the Cavs, it's nice to think, "My guys might have a chance next year."
For everyone else, especially league officials, total parity is like "ending women's suffrage."
The phrase itself sounds better than the meaning of the words.
Total parity means that this year's champion might be terrible next year.
See 1997 or 2003 Marlins.
Total parity means that fans just get frustrated when their Super Bowl Raiders disappear for years afterwards.
Are their Angels fans anyhwere outside of California because of that title the Halos won in 2002?
Did anyone else even remember that the Angels won a World Series in 2002?
On the flip side, how many Celtics and Lakers fan exist outside of Massachusetts and California simply because of the 1980's?
Take me for example, I've only seen the United Center once in the seven days I've ever spent in Chicago, but I still cheer for the Bulls as much as possible because of the Jordan era.
I'll go a step further and say that I wouldn't even watch the NBA now if Jordan's Bulls hadn't erased the word parity from the NBA lexicon in the mid-90s.
All that said, the NBA is building to what I think may be the best NBA season in years because, for once, parity isn't happening.
The teams that are making the biggest moves are last season's contenders.
The Lakers decided, "what we need is a grumpy, lanky dude."
Thus, Ron Artest.
The Celtics said, "We'll see your grumpy, lanky dude, and raise you a scruffy beard."
Thus, Rasheed Wallace.
Questionably, the Magic gave up a little too much, but they picked up Vince Carter, and I can't wait to see Vince jump off Dwight Howard's back for a 360 through his legs.
Even the Cavaliers signed Shaq, which is a way better deal than a lot of people realize for situational and match-up reasons.
Basically, the Eastern conference power forwards, or fours, should start a support group.
Imagine yourself having to decide who to help, your small forward who's getting destroyed by the King or your most likely undersized center that's getting pushed around by the Big Aristotle.
Have fun with that.
Also don't forget that the Rockets and Blazers have been reloading, and D-Wade is forcing the Heat's hand on some moves in Miami.
The NBA was already gaining popularity, but I think this may be one of the most interesting eras we've ever seen in sports.
This is no one or two-team race, but this is also no NFL, where contenders change year-to-year.
What we're about to see is essentially an eight-or-nine team league of contenders that fill their schedules with 20 or so minor-league teams.
I mean, does anyone actually view the Bucks and Andrew Bogut as anywhere near the same level as Kobe and the Lakers?
Personally, I love this direction.
Why?
Because I think it sounds more exciting to see Shaq, LeBron, Kobe, Pau, and Ron Artest on the same court without All-Star jerseys on than it would be to see Michael Redd and those ugly green uniforms get swept out of the second round.

Really?

As I've listened to the coverage following last night's Eastern Conference finals game, in which Orlando eliminated Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, I can't help but laugh.
Surprise, surprise... the media have turned on Lebron.
His team lost a series in which he averaged 38 points, and the 24-year-old was aggravated, or upset, or downright pissed.
Actually no one knows what he was feeling because the man left the arena without talking to the media.
What? He just talked to his team mates in the locker room and then got on the bus?
I can't imagine why a man who was probably frustrated at the lackluster performance of his teammates Less Williams and that kid from High School Musical, aka Anderson Verejao, would want to skip the press conference.
Sure it's supposedly the media's right to needle an already frustrated athlete with such questions as...
"So, Lebron, does it bother you that Kobe is going to get a shot at another title and you guys are going home?"
"Did your team mates let you down tonight?"
"Lebron, what are you going to need this offseason to win a title?"
"So are you ready to go to New York NOW?"
Wasn't leaving the arena a better choice, as a team mate and superstar, than what I would've wanted to say in that presser?
"Yeah, I'm pretty upset that I'm gonna have to wait a year for my first title, but I'm really not competing with Kobe until we get to the Finals at the same time. Of course my team mates let me down, don't you have a television? I need Cavs management to get their heads out of their backsides and get me something better than Mo Williams and a broke-down Ben Wallace. Seriously, Mo Williams is the best you can do? And I thought about it, even hanging out with Jay-Z isn't cool enough to make me wanna play for the Knicks. If I want to go to New York, I'll buy a plane."
Now THAT would've been unprofessional. In my mind, what he did could be percieved as personal damage prevention.
Rather than risking going T.O. in the press conference, Lebron just walked away.
So before you judge, think about how you would respond to these questions.
After you don't finish a sale,
"So does it bother you that all that commission just walked out the door and, wow, Jimmy's really landing a big one over there?"
After your favorite student gets suspended for getting in a fight,
"Did Johnny let you down today?"
After you work on a project for months and your group members let you down tremendously,
"Next time, which group members would you want again and which do you want out of the group?"
After an awful work week,
"So when are you gonna start applying with other companies?"
Now imagine that your answers are going to be published all across America, without the preceding questions, leaving only your angry and potentially hurtful commentary.
I've been in the other side of the business, and I'd go straight to the bus, too.

Ridiculous...

I was going to write this post about how the sports media has become tiresome with their coverage of the NBA's two brightest stars, Lebron and Kobe.
Everyone seemingly agrees that Lebron is more physically gifted than Kobe and that Kobe is a far better game closer than Lebron.
Conversely, it seems to be conventional wisdon that Kobe is a bit of a ball hog and that Lebron frequently passes up the clutch shot to include his team mates.
I had prepared a statement regarding the genius of Lebron's decision-making paradigm, and I was ready to say that his pass-first mentality would eventually pay off.
Yes, I was already on the James gang's bandwagon, but I didn't expect Lebron to answer for himself this soon.
A mere two days after the King was "too unselfish"....
I'm going to pause right here to highlight how ludicrous the notion that anyone could suggest a professional athlete is too unselfish actually is.
Let this simmer for a second.
"Yeah, the nerve of Lebron James. It's like he understands the meaning of the word 'team' or something. He actually trusts his team mates to take the final shot of the game. What a loser."
I rest my case.
Un-Pause.
A mere two days after the King was "too unselfish" to take an off-balance shot over passing to an open team mate, James addressed the only two counterpoints anyone has ever had against his otherwise flawless game.
His jump shot is shaky.
He would prefer to not take the final shot.
With exactly one second remaining on the clock, the GREATEST PLAYER IN THE GAME hit a three-point jumper without flinching and with no backboard or rim needed.
Check and check.
Many have speculated that these playoffs could be when Bron-Bron takes his place as the next Jordan, but Jordan and I would both disagree.
A direct quote from His Airness:
"Do it your own way, and see where it goes. It might not hit the way you want it to. You may not make as much money as you want to. But there's value in remaining true to yourself."
Lebron makes plenty of money, but the point remains clear.
Both Jordan and James are the best of their time.
Nobody who touched the court while Jordan was playing was as good as Jordan.
That includes Kobe, who can not lead a team of second-tier players to six rings.
Nobody who is on the court right now is as good as Lebron.
That includes Kobe, who isn't big enough or nice enough to win or lose the way Lebron does.
Basically, Lebron is ridiculous.

Trust and Loyalty

While the title of this blog may seem to be a bit deep for a sports writer, these human values are, in fact, essential to the sports world.
A player must be able to trust his teammates and his team, but he must also be loyal to both of those entities.
In today's sports climate, the loyalty of a Chipper Jones, who has more than once taken less money to not only remain an Atlanta Brave but to also free up room for the salaries of other players, is rare.
More common is the "loyal to the highest bidder" mentality of a C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett.
We can also see this in football, where Anquan Boldin has talked of wanting to play for someone else other than the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.
Never mind the fact that playing with ace reciever capabilities in a system where every defense will be focused on the actual ace of the team, Larry Fitzgerald, should make any reciever drool.
That's a topic for another post.
This mindset of most athletes has forced teams to be, truthfully, untrustworthy to their players.
Why would a general manager, owner, or coach stick by a player when that same player is likely to skip town to a richer market after playing like an All Star in his contract year?
It is that attitude that, in my opinion, has created the Denver Broncos vs. Jay Cutler saga.
You see, Denver isn't stupid.
They've seen how players can treat a team, and they don't want to be the next victim.
While this attitude may be justified, that doesn't make it right.
Jay Cutler has been the franchise quarterback for the Broncos since before he was even drafted, but the lure of this year's "it" free agent Matt Cassel was just too much.
Rather than coming out from the start that Jay Cutler was the team's signal caller and nothing could change that, the Broncos entertained the idea of trading Cutler for Cassel.
Never mind the fact that Matt Cassel, before last year, was the guy wearing the cap and carrying the clip board for the Patriots.
Never mind the fact that Cassel was 11-5 with essentially the same offense that went 18-1 the year before.
Never mind the fact that the Patriots missed the playoffs for seemingly the first time this millenium.
The football world was talking about Matt Cassel as possibly even a better idea than Tom Brady, and the Broncos listened, especially once former Pats coordinator Josh McDaniel came on board as head coach.
Then, when Cassel ended up elsewhere, McDaniel and friends blew the trade talk off as no different than a water-cooler chat.
Like "Hey Josh, if you were to trade for Matt Cassel, would you trade Jay Cutler in a three-team deal that would involve the Buccaneers and players x, y, and z? I'm not saying, but I'm just sayin'..."
Totally casual, and they approached you, right?
So that makes you innocent in the whole thing, right?
Wrong.
See, what the Broncos were forgetting is that Jay Cutler has never been that guy shopping himself around.
He's established friendships and connections with his recievers.
He's never put himself out there as anything other than the Denver Broncos' quarterback, which is what McDaniel and company called him only after they didn't get Matt Cassel and they had to make nice with the guy they were willing to trade for someone else's second-stringer.
Notice who actually traded for Cassel: The Chiefs, who haven't been a relevant team in years.
Notice who didn't show up in the conversation: the Steelers, the Giants, the Ravens, the Titans.
Those are the winning franchises, who stick with their guns until their guns NEED replacing.
Those are the franchises who don't go out after the "next big thing" unless they need that position.
Those are franchises that have been to the playoffs repeatedly and even won titles this decade.
Notice a trend?

Surprise Surprise

I'm about to do something I very rarely do.
I'm going to write, at length, about the NBA.
I know it sounds so unlike me to concern myself with the Association, a league I've pretty much given up on since the retirement of Michael Jordan, Round 3.
Lately, though, the newest class of NBA superstars like Dwight Howard, Dewayne Wade, King Lebron James, Chris Paul, and the new Kobe Bryant have made me love the game again.
Shaq's resurgence as a dominant figure has also played a big part in my growing interest in the league.
Thus, I'm going to layout the stretch run in the form of my playoff predictions.

EAST
First Round
1 Boston v. 8 Chicago
The Celtics currently trail the Cavaliers for the number 1 spot, but with more than 20 games left, I think "The Big Ticket" can lead the green machine back to the top. I also think that Jordan himself has one more return coming that will lead the Bulls to overtake the mighty Bucks. Just joking, I think a Michael Redd-less Bucks team is sure to collapse. BOS 4-2

2 Cleveland v. 7 Philadelphia
This, in my opinion would be an incredibly lopsided series. Basically, I have zero faith in the Sixers. CLE 4-0

3 Orlando v. 6 Detroit
I think moving Iverson to the bench will serve to spark enough of a spurt for the Pistons to jump Philly, but that's about it. If Iverson and Rip can play nice enough to work some magic of their own (sorry for the pun), this seems to be the most likely upset chance of the East side. ORL 4-3

4 Miami v. 5 Atlanta
Atlanta has seemed shaky this year, but who knows what could happen. I expect this to be the most closely contested series, as a 4-5 should be. MIA 4-3

Second Round
Boston v. Miami
I'm not actually going to predict any upsets in the Eastern first round, but I recognize the potential. This series will be a classic, as I expect big things from D-Wade. BOS 4-3

Cleveland v. Orlando
Don't expect as much of a close series as one might expect. King James and friends really make their system work, and I really don't like the way Orlando is coached. Mr. Howard will help keep the series from being a sweep. CLE 4-2

Championship
Boston v. Cleveland
I really like both of these teams. That's all i can say, other than that I can't wait for this series. CLE 4-3

WEST
First Round
1 LA Lakers v. 8 Phoenix
This one was just too easy, and will be a nightmare for those of us who hate cliche broadcasting. "Shaq vs. Kobe...too bad it's not Christmas day... blah blah blah." Expect brilliant quotes from the big fella and prolific non-answers from Kobe to follow such original inquiries as "are there any hard feelings from that trade that happened five years ago?" LAL 4-2

2 San Antonio v. 7 Utah
This is the only upset I'll actually predict. Partially because I think Utah is better than their record might indicate and partially because I flat don't like the flopaholic, complaining Spurs, I'll take Boozer and the Jazz. UTA 4-2

3 Denver v. 6 Houston
I'll just take the Nuggets and be done. Houston is the most gloriously mediocre team in sports history. You can never pick against their being in the playoff hunt, nor their ability to make absolutely no headway once they get there. DEN 4-1

4 Portland v. 5 New Orleans
The Hornets are another one of my favorite franchises, and this, like the East 4-5, will be a battle. I expect the Hornets will win, but the Blazers are slowly developing into what could be a scary good franchise in the near future. NO 4-3

Second Round
LA Lakers v. New Orleans
I wish I could say that the Hornets could pull off the upset against Kobe and friends, but I just don't think David West's 65-year-old back and Tyson Chandler can handle Pau and Drew. Also, I don't see anyone in N'Awlins stopping the Dobermamba. LAL 4-2

Denver v. Utah
Big game Chauncey and 'Melo are going to be a dream together in the postseason, and this will probably be their masterpiece series. Expect lots of highlights. DEN 4-2

Championship
LA Lakers v. Denver
I would love to be different and pick a team other than the Lakers out of the West, but that just doesn't seem realistic. LAL 4-2

NBA FINALS
LA Lakers v. Cleveland
If you bought stock in the company that produces all the "Next Michael Jordan" statements, this series will set you up for an early retirement. Also looking to profit are the "King's first crown" people and the folks who brought you "Can Kobe finally win a ring without Shaq?" CLE 4-3

Honestly I don't know who would win that last series.
I just wanted to pick a team that wasn't Lakers or the Celtics, and the Bulls and Heat seemed too unlikely.
Basic synopsis is that there are 4-5 teams with a legitimate shot at winning the East, but the Lakers are the cream of a surprisingly weak crop of Western playoff teams.
The records out West are better overall, but, for once, the Eastern teams are better, in my opinion.
By the way, I'm glad those pre-season Clipper picks went so well for everyone.

No more...

I move that we, as a body of sports fans, issue a "cease and desist" letter to all those who are witch-hunting for steroid users.
I just don't want to know anymore.
There is a policy in place to help prevent future use, and necessary investigations against those who have committed perjury have taken place.
Just stop.
Why can't media members see that stories like "Oh yeah, A-Rod was using in 2003" and "Hey my brother, Big Mac, was using" only hurt the game further?
First of all, everyone knew the "Great Home Run Chase" was fueled almost exclusively by 'roids, at least in retrospect.
Sammy and Mark were literally larger than life, and there's nothing we can do about it now.
Furthermore, baseball fans everywhere took solace in the fact that Barry Bonds' records would not stand long because Alex Rodriguez, who surely was not a steroid user, would eventually save the day by crushing 800 or so home runs.
Alas, the national sports media can never really tell when enough is enough.
So, when four sources revealed that A-Rod had tested positive in a supposedly sealed survey test in 2003, before steroids were banned, of course Sports Illustrated ran the story.
As Kenny Chesney said, "Never sure when the truth won't do."
What I have realized is that baseball was way more fun when we didn't really know what the ugly truth was.
1998 was magical.
We all watched while McGwire, Sosa, and Griffey dueled it out for Maris' home run record.
Everyone had their favorite, and so many of my generation were sad when Griffey, ironically the only seemingly clean contender in that race, was knocked out of contention by injuries.
Then we started caring.
We wanted baseball to be clean again.
Now, the game is arguably cleaner, or we at least know who the cheaters were/are, but we can't enjoy it.
The man who was supposed to clean the home run king's crown off will only further tarnish it, and who will save us then?
Even feel-good story Josh Hamilton has shown up on HGH lists.
I hope there is someone out there who can do so, a superhero with a 'roid-free record who can challenge the marks set by the steroid-era's inflated superstars.
There's only one problem with that hope.
The bars may be set too high for a natural human to reach.
Let's hope our own curiosity didn't kill what was once our national pastime.

Super Bowl?

I hate being wrong.
Unfortunately, I have grown far too accustomed to the state of being incorrect over the course of my life.
Don't believe me?
Here, let me list a few sports and non-sports related falsities I've uttered in the past.
"Dude, this is Clemson's year." (spoken a record 10 times, possibly more.)
"I'll never work in another retail store again. This sucks."
"Sam Bradford is terrible. He'll probably end up transferring."
"Boy, this journalism degree is really going to come in handy."
"John Smoltz is a Braves lifer. He'd never sell out to one of those big markets." (I still don't believe that happened.)
Just when I thought that I had a handle on my rampant verbal miscues, the Arizona Cardinals began to make fun of my wrongness.
I don't think I've ever been proven wrong on two consecutive "there's no way in" burning anti-paradise statements in one post-season, by the same team.
I was all over the anti-Cardinals bandwagon as the Warner-led Redbirds hosted the Falcons, even with the Cardinals home-field advantage.
Then, as the Fitzgerald show hit the road for Charlotte, I just knew the Panthers were going to put the wood to the desert-dwelling road team.
Luckily, I knew when to stop myself, and I refused to pick a winner in the NFC championship game.
I would've picked the Eagles, by the way.
Now, I'm left with what would seem like a sure choice.
The Steelers and my favorite quarterback, Big Ben Rothlisberger, are facing the lowly Cardinals.
The same Steelers that were the only team that I really had no beef with in my "Powder Rankings" post several weeks ago, are facing my "slumlords" from the same column.
In other news, this post-season does not change that assessment, as the Cardinals did win a terrible division.
One right statement in a snowstorm of terrible ideas.
What we may be seeing is the first team to successfully turn the juice off after clinching a horrible division early and then turn it right back on during the post-season.
I hope that I don't have to see the Cards win the Big Game, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Thus, I will not pick a winner.
I refuse to say that there is no way in (burning anti-paradise) that Kurt Warner could throw to Larry Fitzgerald enough times to beat the Steelers defense.
I refuse to say that Big Ben is going to make the Cardinals defense look like a bunch of middle-schoolers.
I refuse to say that Santonio Holmes and the best celebration in the NFL will score at least once with two long kick/punt returns.
I refuse to say that Troy Polomalu and his modified "Power of the Dreads" will pick Kurt Warner twice, in all likelihood.
I'll just say that it's going to be a great time, with both teams playing competitively, and that I hope the best team wins.