Super Bowl XLIV Preview: Initial Analysis Gives Indianapolis Upper Hand On New Orleans

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I feel the need to preface this short column by noting that, though I live in Indianapolis, the Denver Broncos are my favorite team, and have been for a quarter-century.

Therefore, while I do support the Colts, I’ve only resided here four years, and neither bias nor subjectivity should be taken into account with any of my information or predictions about the Colts. In fact, I have been as honest and critical as anyone in this city toward the home team over the past month.

That said, I picked the Colts to easily beat the Ravens and Jets the past two weekends (almost on the numbers), and was correct. I will do the same for the February 7 game in Miami for similar reasons: the Colts are just a better team than the Saints right now.

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Blackhawks Weekly Update: Up and Down Week

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The Blackhawks first full week of their eight game road trip has come to a close, and what an up and down week it was for the Hawks.

We saw a mixture of things this week. One of them being an increasing problem with goaltending. Throughout the whole year the Hawks have had one of, if not, the best goaltending duo with Huet and Niemi. Just recently though, many have started to question their ability to win big games.

More importantly, playoff games.

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Brady won’t need surgery

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Update: According to ESPN, Patriots quaterback Tom Brady will not require any offseason surgery after dealing with a rash of injuries.  During the year he dealt with injuries to his right shoulder, right ring finger and ribs. Brady said, "I am excited I do not have to have surgery this offseason. I remember a year ago at this time there were all these concerns on whether I was going to play this year. I was never concerned about that. It is nice to be in an offseason when I really feel like I can get started right away."

Fantasy Impact:  Brady is a superstar who had a good comeback season.  The Pats figure to upgrade their running back situation this offseason, and continue to look to upgrade the pieces around him.



Knox heading to Pro Bowl

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Update: Chicago Bears wideout Johnny Knox will replace Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin on the NFC Pro Bowl squad, according to the Bears' official website.

Fantasy Impact:  Harvin will miss the game with an injury, and will be replaced by Knox who will get most of his action as a special teamer. 

 



Jets want to keep Edwards

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Update: According to Adam Schefter's (ESPN) twitter page, Jets head coach Rex Ryan wants to keep wideout Braylon Edwards for the 2010 season.  Ryan said, "I definitely expect Braylon back. I see us tendering him (at a) first and a third-round pick, as high as we can go with him."

Fantasy Impact: Edwards had a stellar season for the Jets, and performed well in the AFC Championship.  He fit in nicely with the Jets, and turned things around after a miserable time in Cleveland. 



Jets losing faith in Gholston

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Update: The Newark Star Ledger is reporting that the New York Jets have lost faith in former first round linebacker Vernon Gholston.

Fantasy Impact: The Jets were hoping that Gholston was going to become an elite player and pass rusher, but has yet to make an impact during his young career.  There is the chance the former first rounder can become an elite pass rusher, but there it is now coming out that the organization is beginning to doubt that it will ever happen.



Monday Link Dump: Lots and Lots of Favre

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Here are today’s links, and you will notice that they are decidedly Favre-centric. What can I say? All of the links being submitted to me today have dealt with Favre and the Vikings, as if the Colts victory didn’t even happen.

And I wrote about the Vikings, as did our new writer, with none of our Colts writers submitting any content. I don’t really know how to explain it, but the Colts fans have two weeks to make up for it now that Super Bowl hype can officially begin.

Enjoy today’s links.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



The Vikings Loss Retold Through the Lyrics of Hootie

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[Editor's note: This post is the first from a new writer that I am proud to welcome aboard: Drew Lange. Drew is currently reeling after watching his Minnesota Vikings lose last night, but decided to redirect his sorrow into something like productive...the result of which is the very unique post below. Enjoy.]

Before the Vikings – Saints game started last night I could not stand or sit still. I was way too nervous. After years and years of waiting for another big game, I couldn’t handle it. I decided to go walk around the house out at my farm and look for random CDs lying around in our computer room that nobody uses since we all have laptops now.

Among other things I found ‘The Best of Hootie and the Blowfish (1993-2003)”. This interested me since I know of Darius Rucker the country singer from my time DJ-ing on weekends at my local country station. The only real Hootie that I have come across lately is when at a party and everyone gets together to belt out the chorus to ‘Only Wanna Be With You’ in their best (and inevitably worst) Hootie voice.

I am a big Vikings fan and naturally at this time I don’t feel like doing much talking. I had my BlackBerry off during the game, and after the game was over I had 13 new texts and seven Facebook notifications. I answered one text and sent one more. That’s really all the talking I’ve done since the game was over other than say goodbye to my family as I hopped in my car for the ride back into town.

There isn’t much to say.

So with me not doing much talking for a while, I decided I’ll let Hootie explain how the game went in the form of his band’s best songs over a ten year span.

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D. Harris Big in Loss

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Update: Despite his teams 30-17 loss at the hands of the #1 seed Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets LB David Harris played a great game recording 11 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble.

Fantasy Impact: Harris played great all year and was nursing sprained ankle coming into this game, showing how effective he can be despite injuries.



Peyton Spreading the Ball

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Update: With his favorite target WR Reggie Wayne blanketed most of the game by Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis, Colts QB Peyton Manning was forced to look to his other receivers often in the game and seemingly had no trouble doing so. Peyton completed 11 passes to Rookie WR Austin Collie who finished with 123 yards and a TD, as well as completing 7 passes to youngster WR Pierre Garcon who finished with 151 yards and a TD.

Fantasy Impact: QB Peyton Manning and his Colts are showing that they can make big plays through the air to almost any wide out on their roster, the Saints will to have their secondary playing at a high level if they plan on slowing the Colts Aeriel assault down.



Jets Cant Keep Up with Colts

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Update: The New York Jets run at the Superbowl was cut short as the team fell 30-17 to the AFC's #1 seed Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Jets came out strong putting up a 17-6 lead in the first half but just couldn't seem to keep up with the Colts as they scored 24 2nd half points, while the Jets were shut out in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Fantasy Impact: The Jets had a great post season run after finishing 9-7 and limping into the playoffs, Coach Rex Ryan will have a lot of young talent to work with in the off season as he and his club prepare for next year.



Colts Manning Up

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Update: After a slow start to the game, the Indianapolis Colts found their momentum and put the finishing touches on their division as the become the AFC Champions once again defeating the New York Jets 30-17 and advance to the Super Bowl. The Jets got off to a hot start with a 17-6 lead but couldn't do anything 2nd half as the colts scored 24 unanswered points.

Fantasy Impact: Colts QB Peyton Manning was 26 of 39 for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory, spreading the ball around to multiple players as his star WR Reggie Wayne was covered by Jets star CB Darrelle Revis. The Colts will now face QB Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in 2 weeks time.



4 Reasons No One Should Be Surprised the Vikings Lost to the Saints

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I was surprised that the Minnesota Vikings lost last night.

I picked them to win here on MSF and also picked them in the NFL Playoffs pool that I’m doing with my family. We use confidence points to add an extra layer of intrigue to each pick, and I placed the maximum amount possible on the Vikings. That’s how confident I was that they would win, despite having to play on the road in the Superdome.

And you know what? They should have won.

Minnesota outgained the vaunted New Orleans offense 475-257. The Vikings were 7-12 on 3rd downs; New Orleans was 3-12. The Vikings had 31 first downs to the Saints’ 15. The Vikings held the ball for nearly 10:00 more than the Saints.

Add up all of the numbers and the Vikings should have won 31-17, rather than lose 31-28. But despite the numbers, none of us should be surprised that the Vikings lost…and here’s why.

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Detroit Pistons Weekly Watch: Urgency Lacking, Better Lineup Needed

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The Pistons, who had been trending upward last week, have regressed again.  They have gone 1-3 this week and are currently 15-28 overall.

The Pistons lost on the road at New York 99-91, beat Boston in the Palace 92-86, and lost at home to Indiana 105-93 and Portland 97-93.

In the New York game, Richard Hamilton was out with a stomach flu, joining Ben Gordon and Will Bynum on the inactive list.  Chris Wilcox was also out by halftime with back problems. Though short-handed, the Pistons scrapped to stay in the game, but Rodney Stuckey lacked sufficient offensive support.  Charlie Villanueva was also assessed a flagrant 1 foul that stalled the Pistons offensive momentum in the second half.

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Attn Young Ballers: Think Before You Ink

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Before I get into my recap of Cleveland State’s one point win over the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon, I have to first revisit something from Friday.

Vikings Coach Gary Waters made a comment Friday night in talking about new Cavalier Cedric Jackson (who played two minutes in Saturday’s 100-99 win over the Thunder on Saturday - pictured below) that I found particular interesting, and didn’t quite get to in my previous post.

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