When Democrats Attack ... Plus Quick Hits!

Here is an article from Politico explaining a bit about the Democrats trying to use the reconciliation process to pass health care, the Republicans being stupid hypocrites about it, and ... well, the entire situation just sucks to be entirely honest. Let's try to put this in simple terms for any of my readers who might be more used to Fox News (The Wiese's tagline for them? "We distort, you comply"):

• Washington is so gridlocked with partisan hacks right now that nothing, absolutely NOTHING, of consequence can get through.
• The Republicans have already proven with such issues as A) reading terrorists habeas corpus, B) trying terrorists in court rather than tribunal, and C) Raising the deficit to profane levels that they are hypocrites (if we did it we knew best ... but these left wing crazies clearly don't know best!)
• The Democrats, as horribly as they've handled this, are right on one thing regarding health care: this bill will be immensely popular once it passes. People don't complain about free things, about government services. Republican, Democrat, unless you are the most anti-government anarchist out there you don't complain. So once this passes, the people will refuse to let it be taken away.
• And, as always, it's important not to forget that Republicans promised to make healthcare Obama's Waterloo
  

So, when you add all this together, we see that Republicans aren't trying, Democrats mismanaged this, and once it's all said and done nobody will care because 80% of Americans will think it's great (or, at least, it's a step in the right direction). God forbid that the Democrats pass this bill by the same means the Republicans passed two of Bush's tax cuts ... that would just be unpatriotic, fascist and socialist. Or so Fox News thinks.

Now for a few quick thoughts before bed:

- Yes, I have been blogging more. I've also been working more. "You need to get a life" one faithful reader has told me when I go on these stings. Well ... this is how I unwind, so enjoy the benefits of me unwinding!

- Do you think there is much of a market for a mid-twenties social worker in the reality TV world? Specifically I'm thinking about "The Bachelor." I think I could take a leave of absence from work to wine and dine 25 attractive women who are all trying to "win" by having me select them as my bride to be. ABC, if you're interested, just give me a call...

- Was told today that the USA beat Canada while I was at work. Came home to find out that they lost. I told my boss they had won; his response text tonight: "good thing I didn't get a chance to text my old Canadian roommate to talk smack yet..."

- The NFL combine is over, now we can get to analyzing parts of a football player that actually matter. You know, like his ability to play the game, in pads, on a field, against 11 other players...

- Like a month until opening day...

- So tonight I ate a tablespoon of "Dave's Gourmet Insanity Hot Sauce." Let's just say I'm scared to go to the bathroom right now, because I'm sure it's not going to be any better coming out than it was going in ... here's a link if you want to punish yourself.

- Torn ACL for Robbie Hummel is too bad. It may surprise some of you that I'd think that way, but I've watched enough Purdon't games this year to know that they weren't heading anywhere in the tourney with him, at least not much beyond the Sweet 16. Now this is just another excuse for them to hide behind, when in reality they just don't really amount to much. Of course, maybe this is just fodder for the Ewing Theory ... in which case, we're all in trouble.

- Finally, I got my Tracy Porter jersey in the mail yesterday after a few week wait ... wore it to work today, reenacting the INT for TD all day. Good times. Who 'Dat?

How To Bite Off More Than You Can Chew ...

"I've got a feeling that the guys in the temple are going to bite it real soon." ~ Random Co-Worker

Well, random co-worker, all I've got to say is that I hope you're right. Here's why:

Season six of LOST might have been the most anticipated event of my life. Actually, starting there, let's just go through the top ten most anticipated events in my life, off the top of my head:

10. The Release of Madden Football 2008 (for the PS2) - because, coming off the Super Bowl loss, I was psyched to return kicks with Devin Hester for the first time. Let's just say that the fact they changed the game to make kick returns very difficult, and punt returns impossible might have been a bit of a letdown.

9. The Release of "Stand Up" by Dave Matthews Band - It had been a number of years without an album, I had just driven my sister to prom (chauffeur for the night), and the album had been released that day. I was psyched. I bought it. I tried to talk myself into it. It's still not very good. Because of this album I was extremely hesitant to be excited for 2009's "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King." Which was awesome. So, really, "Stand Up" ruined two experiences for me. Thanks for getting overly political guys...

8. ROAD TRIP!!! - I was pretty excited to drive across the country with three of my best friends following high school. With multiple car breakdowns, a right hook to the face, and the successful convincing of one member that we had a mail order bride awaiting him in Vegas ... let's just say that this one probably lived up to expectations as well as could have been expected.

7. 2nd Date, 2007 - We'll leave it vague for obvious reasons. A huge success at the time, things looked promising, and then went all 8th inning, game 6 2003 on me ... now this is steadily moving down the list. But it's still doing better than my anticipation for the Cubs season in 2003 ... I've already forgotten about that (Alex Gonzalez ... ugh)

6. Leaving for College - Getting into the "I had trouble sleeping the night before" territory. Little did I know how much my life would change in those four years, but even through the ups and downs it was generally a success.

5. Jr. High - Now, the night before Middle School? ... that was a "I can't sleep!!!" moment. I was so psyched, so nervous, so unsure ... little did I know that the roughest years of my life would ensue. Man, Jr. High sucks. I agree with a girl I went out with, who said "they should just let kids stay home starting in sixth grade, then let them come back in High School." She's a teacher, by the way...

4. LOST Season 6 - More on this in a minute...

3. Christmas 1993 - Or it could have been 1992 or 1994 ... but it was when I was still living in South Bend. On Christmas Eve of whatever particular year it was I COULD NOT SLEEP. I saw every hour, on the hour, waiting for Christmas morning. And I got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle play set. One of the few things on this list that unequivocally lived up to the hype.

2. The Release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" in theaters - I camped out, saw the midnight show, went back the next night, saw it again ... ended up seeing it somewhere in the neighborhood of seven or eight times in the theater. This one surpassed the expectations. Sheer brilliance.

1. Bears - Colts Superbowl - Two weeks of buildup, of analyzing the game, of figuring how exactly how the Bears could beat the ponies ... all thrown away because: A) Cedric Benson is a wuss, B) Rex Grossman sucks, and C) Lovie Smith is incompetent. I'm getting sick... (at least my Tracy Porter jersey has finally shipped!!!)

Anyway, back to LOST (with it now properly placed in my pantheon of buildup) ... seriously, what the heck? The following five seasons had set up a riveting tale, with all the pieces in place for an epic finale, and what have they accomplished through four episodes?

1: They have introduced a ton of new characters, confusing the plot when they need to be simplifying it towards the end.
2: They have begun dividing the world into good versus evil, but only by confusing who is good and who is not.
3: They have split into what they are stupidly calling a "flash-sideways," but what I will intelligently call a parallel universe.
4: They have completely discarded the three most intriguing characters by either killing them off (Jacob) or seemingly forgetting about them (Ben, Richard).

So, in other words, they have completely let me (use your Teddy KGB voice) unsatisfied. The parallel universe aspect seems to be overkill; after successfully using a flash-back, then seamlessly transitioning into utilizing flash-forwards it seems that they have just gotten greedy, thinking "hey, we've never done this before." To steal the words of Ian Malcolm (of Jurassic Park fame) they were so caught up on if they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. Seriously guys, all we really want is answers, not more questions. You keep telling me that "the time for questions is over" on every stinking promotion ... and then you give me more questions!

Beyond the parallel universe issues, they have centered the plot around characters that nobody really cares about anymore: primarily Jack, Kate, and Sayid. All three of these characters have run their course, but because they are the show's "big stars" they don't have the guts to do what needed to be done and kill one of them off to stir the pot. They've done it before; R.I.P. Charlie; but for some reason they seem slow to do it again. Let's not forget that Charlie, along with Jack and Kate, was prominently featured on the case to Season 1 ... and now he's gone. It could have been done again, and it should have been done again at the end of Season 5 (now enter a bunch of "but Sayid did die" complaining. I know he "died." I wanted his character gone, though, not just "I'm dead, I'm back" junk).

All of this aside, there are still 12 episodes to salvage this, and we know that it is pretty likely, as random co-worker reminded me, that quite a few people (particularly new characters) will bite the dust. Also, Josh Holloway has turned in some of the finest TV acting I've seen in a long time this year, which has made the show quite a bit better when he's on screen. Give the man an Emmy now, please. I still have hope that things can be salvaged, and that we will see Richard and Ben factor back in, and that the questions will have answers ... but this is starting to feel like Matrix II to me. When the first Matrix ended I wasn't enthralled, but I gave it a pass due to the possibility there would be two more to make sense of it all. When Matrix II ended I withheld my judgment knowing that a third would probably make sense of it all. When I left the theater following Matrix III ... well, let's just say I hope that I don't leave Season 6 of LOST with that same feeling. I've said for the past year and a half that the show has set itself up to be the greatest TV show of all time, or the biggest disappointment of all time. Perhaps they are just setting us up, reeling us in, only to blow our minds. I hope they do. If they don't I might be inclined to bust the windows out of the lighthouse.

(Editor's Note: After reviewing the list of top ten most anticipated things in my life, I have concluded that very rarely do things I eagerly anticipate end up working out as well as I had hoped. In fact, by my count, my top ten only went 3 for 10 on an outright win scale. Ain't life funny? )

DMB: The Andre Dawson of Music?

I enjoy a good debate as much as the next guy, and I obviously have a pretty high opinion of myself as I take the time to write this blog, so I suppose it's long past time to delve into some of my faithful reader's takes on my writing. On the subject of the Dave Matthews Band I took some heat in the following way:

"I think Dave Matthews is good, but I wouldn't go so far as to call him the greatest of all time"

"But then again, I wasn't trying to say Dave Matthews Band is the greatest band of all time"


The preceding two quotes come, more or less, from two faithful readers who seem to have been under the impression that I was presenting DMB as the greatest band of all time. My exact quote, from this breakdown of my ten favorite DMB songs, was as follows:

"But beyond that, this song showcases every aspect that makes this band an all-time great."

The song in question, "Alligator Pie," is a really good song with excellent energy on the album as well as live. But the question still remains: did I overshoot my aim in my analysis of the band? Well, yes ... and no. First of all, I wasn't trying to claim that DMB was the greatest band of all time, merely that they are in the discussion as one of the greatest bands of all time (note "an all-time great" rather than the all time greatest). The question, then, really goes on to how you define anything as an all-time great.

When considering that aspect of the argument there are a variety of areas in pop-culture to examine (literature, movies, television among many others) but only one area which truly tries to define what an all-time great really is: professional sports. All major pro sports have a "Hall of Fame" which tells us which players stack up as an all time great. The question, then, becomes one of shades of greatness: Michael Jordan may very well be the greatest of all time in basketball, but where will Kobe Bryant end up ranking when all is said and done? How about LeBron James? Derrick Rose has had a promising start to his career, but will he end up as an "all-time great?" For Rose it is too early to tell; for James it is probably not, and for Bryant we can probably go to bed and sleep soundly knowing he is in the top twenty somewhere.

My basketball analysis, started here and here, will continue at some later date as I continue to define the fifty greatest players in NBA history. For the time being, however, I would like to redefine my argument that the Dave Matthews Band is an all-time great by comparing them to a soon to be member of Baseball's Hall of Fame: Andre Dawson. Dawson made it into the Hall of Fame this year, but his induction was and is hardly a unanimous decision. He had good numbers, but probably not great ones, and never really won anything other than an MVP on a last place team (such is the fate of my Cubbies...)

What was in Dawson's favor, however, was the fact that he played in an era void of superstars. Seriously, look at the 1980s, the era in which "The Hawk" was in his prime. Consider, then move away from Mike Schmidt, a surefire legend at the time and even more so now. How about the rest of the players who were in their primes? Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gywnn, Rickey Henderson sure ... and then? Jim Rice, who made it last year? Compared with his contemporaries he is probably considered good, even very good, but not great. When compared with the legends who came before him he may not even hold that high esteem.

The reason Dawson factors into this argument is because, much like "The Hawk," DMB has come of age and hit their prime in an era lacking in top shelf talent. Consider the following list of Grammy Award winners from 1994 (Under the Table and Dreaming) through 2009 (Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King):

-1994 - The Body Guard Soundtrack
- 1995 - Tony Bennett
- 1996 - Alanis Morissette
- 1997 - Celine Dion
- 1998 - Bob Dylan
- 1999 - Lauryn Hill
- 2000 - Santana
- 2001 - Steely Dan
- 2002 - O' Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack
- 2003 - Norah Jones
- 2004 - Outcast
- 2005 - Ray Charles
- 2006 - U2
- 2007 - Dixie Chicks
- 2008 - Herbie Hancock
- 2009 - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
- 2010 - Taylor Swift

Now ... just look at that list and ask yourself how many of those artists will be remembered twenty or thirty years from now. Santana, Dylan and Ray Charles for sure ... but all of them were well past their prime at the time of winning, and probably wouldn't have won with the same product in a different era. U2 for sure ... but "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" wasn't a great U2 album, but rather an album by U2 in a year when the competition was headlined by Gwen Stefani. The Dixie Chicks? Maybe, but given how quickly they've fallen off, probably not. Taylor Swift is off to a thundering start ... but so were other teen sensations in the mid to late 90s, and we see how that worked out.

I suppose my point is this: the competition in the past few years wasn't exactly stiff. In fact, it was comprised mostly of one hit wonders, solid bands turning in less than stellar work, or over the hill artists who were getting by mostly on the power of their name. A quick look at this past year's candidates for the Album of the Year award (won by Swift) will confirm this point:

- Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, The Dave Matthews Band

Now, out of those five, who would you bet is remembered twenty years from now? I've got to believe it is DMB because they have had a prolonged staying power that none of the other four can brag about, and that the other four will be unlikely to replicate. DMB sells out every tour stop on a cross country tour ... yearly. Three or four shows a week ... for six months (at least) ... yearly. Wrap your mind around that. Pretty impressive.

So perhaps my overarching point should have been that DMB is an all-time great based on their era, and that they will be remembered fondly as a group which actually produced music at a time when music was a scarce commodity. I'm not going to lie: Lady Gaga knows how to make a song that is catchy as hell. But I'm not willing to bet that she is going stronger than ever fifteen years from now. Nor am I willing to be she will still have a huge fan following fifteen years from now. Only the greats do that; that's why DMB qualifies.

Finally, and just for pure fun, here is a ranking of my ten favorite artists of all time, off the top of my head. Please note, I'm not saying they are the greatest of all time, simply that if I had to pick ten artists, and ten only, to put on my I-pod for eternity these are the ones I would choose, and the order in which I would choose them (from ten, the easiest to lose, to one, the pick I would make for eternity if I had to):

10. The Wallflowers - because "Bringing Down the Horse" was one of the best albums of the 1990s, and because Jakob Dylan is more enjoyable for me to listen to than his much more famous father.

9. Led Zeppelin - because they have at least a half a dozen albums which can be listened to front to back, and because, for my money, they are the most influential and cutting edge rock band of all time. Not to mention that "The BBC Sessions" is one of the best live cuts ever, regardless of era or style.

8. The Gin Blossoms - because their first album, "New Miserable Experience," is one of my ten favorite of all time, and because their come back album, "Major Lodge Victory," is one of the best under-the-radar albums of the 2000s.

7. The Goo Goo Dolls - because within a three album ark ("A Boy Named Goo," "Dizzy Up The Girl" and "Gutterflower") they established a discography that is immensely enjoyable, even if they were a little rough around the edges before "Goo" and a little too immersed in pop culture after "Gutter."

6. 2pac - because if you can get away from you inevitable issues with "angry young black men" and listen to the struggles identified in his work, as well as the poetry behind it, "All Eyez On Me" will blow your mind ... and "The Seven Day Theory" will leave you longing for more, and feeling his death may have been an unavoidable tragedy. Certainly my most controversial pick, but for those who can get past the vulgarity, violence, and different world an artist is born.

5. Pearl Jam - because "10" is one of the best albums of all-time, and because the rest of their discography is solid. Also because their past two albums ("Pearl Jam" and "Backspacer") are works of art in their own right, extending Pearl Jam's reign of excellence from 1991 to 2009 ... at least.

4. Simon and Garfunkel - because they are stronger together than they were apart. Because they are one of the few to have a legitimate claim to over 20 "greatest hits." Because their music is poetry. Because you get caught up in it and lose track of time.

3. Dave Matthews Band - for all the reasons already mentioned.

2. Pink Floyd - because, for my money, no album has ever been as perfectly complete as "Dark Side of the Moon." Because I could listen to that one album over and over again for eternity and not lose interest in it. Because the rest of their discography is surprisingly underrated considering how hyped they are. Listen to "The Division Bell." Even without Waters ... perfection.

1. Billy Joel - because I know his entire discography front to back, from "Cold Spring Harbor" (sneakily good) to "River of Dreams" (outright excellent). And because, if I had to pick, he'd be my favorite of all time, across all genres.

But that's just my point of view ...

A Novel Idea

I'm sure you had to have seen the shocking news out of Washington D.C. in the past week: Indiana's Democratic Senator, Evan Bayh, announced that he would not be seeking reelection in this fall's elections. Bayh has served two terms as Indiana's junior Senator (Republican Dick Lugar being the senior Senator) after being a highly successful two term Governor in the Hoosier state.

What made Bayh's decision all the more mind boggling is that, unlike so many of the other Democrats running for the hills, he had a pretty simple road to reelection. Sure, he might have had to spend some money on his reelection campaign, unlike the 2004 steamrolling of Marvin Scott, or 1998's equally impressive bludgeoning of Paul Helmke. Bayh had not faced an election where he garnered less than 60% of the vote since his first Gubernatorial foray back in 1988; then he managed only a meager 53.2% of the vote. Still, this year would have likely been somewhere between 1988's election and 2004's 61.6%, and there is little doubt that Bayh would have been able to win.

So if he wasn't running from defeat, as so many other Dems seem to be, what was he running from? If you believe the man himself he will tell you that he simply is tired of the partisan bickering in Washington. His logic, as presented in the past week, is pretty simple: he can't get anything done in Washington due to partisan gridlock, so he is going to go into the private sector and make a difference there. He has presented himself as the consummate public servant who wants nothing more than to make a difference for the people of his state, but who also can't stand being a public servant anymore because he can't seem to find a way to make a difference.

Of course, we all know better: Bayh took to the Senate in a singular attempt to find a way into the White House. He was briefly flirted with by Al Gore in 2000, then more seriously by John Kerry in 2004. Bayh probably felt fortunate to avoid the humiliation of defeat in both of those instances, but he also must have felt it was his turn in 2008 when he made it to Barack Obama's "short list" of Veep candidates. Even when Joe Biden was picked instead Bayh had to figure that a cabinet post was his, and when he was passed over even for that I suspect he began to have doubts about his future in Washington that were much deeper than before.

One final piece to the puzzle is almost certainly his failed bid for the 2008 Democratic nomination, a bid which was quite literally dead upon birth. Taking that experience into account Bayh must have come to grips with the fact that his only chance to end up in the West Wing was via the Vice-Presidential door, and then he made the mistake of backing Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary, backing the wrong horse, and leading to him looking hypocritical when he quickly jumped ship hoping Obama would save him. Add all this together and it seems painfully obvious that Bayh was less upset by the partisan gridlock, and more upset with the simple fact that he was an Executive style leader who seemed permanently locked in the Legislative branch. There was no way to the White House there for him, and with that dream squashed the Senate held less allure than before. Sure, he could serve as Indiana's senator for the next few decades without really struggling to stay in office. But why would he when his dreams had been quashed?

And so we find ourselves here, with contradicting images of the man. On the one hand we have the image he has sought to project: that of the humble civil servant who wants nothing but the best for the state, who just can't continue to be a part of the very government that is failing us. On the other we have the spited politician, who's aims and dreams have been stomped on and turned into a cold reality where he begins to understand that there is no upward mobility in the way he hoped.

But which of these images is most accurate? I say "most" because, as is usually the case, this situation probably encompasses both of these realities. I believe in Bayh the man who wants to help the people of his state, but I also know the reality of Bayh the personally driven politician because all people who reach the levels he attained have a good portion of personal drive behind them. Still, there is something that Evan could do which would, in my mind, swing things back towards the first image and away from the second: announce, with little delay, that he is going to fight for the rights of the citizens of this state in the manner he is most effective and capable at. Announce his candidacy for Governor of Indiana in 2012.

Bayh's terms, from 1988 to 1996, were highly successful times for this state, and it is because of those years that his popularity has remained so high in this state. The state constitution states that a person is limited to two terms in a twelve year period, a period which has long since passed. Bayh could, constitutionally, serve another two terms from 2012 to 2020. He could come back to the state, to the position he was most successful, to the position he was most comfortable with, and help get the state back on track. He could circumvent Washington's partisan gridlock by dealing with matters at the state level, and by railing against Washington from the Governor's mansion.

Of course Bayh would never do this for the same reason that everyone avoids these things: moving backwards is always seen as a sign of weakness in politics. The days of John Quincy Adams being voted out of the highest office of the land, only to humbly return to Congress to serve the best he could, are long since past. Once a politician moves up the ladder he or she rarely moves back down it. Bayh would be doing just that. But if he did make this move, if he were to put his money where his mouth was, he could accomplish his biggest stated goals: helping Hoosiers while also avoiding Washington's gridlock. A novel idea. But one he should consider.

This & That

A few links for you to enjoy while I work on other projects, both writing, school, and work related:

- Sarah Palin + Tea Party = ? Honestly, I'm not really sure. I certainly don't believe the "Tea Party" will amount to much of anything, and it seems to me that their best case scenario is turning into Ross Perot circa 1992. And, of course, we all know how well that worked for the Republican nominee; it would split votes again. Still, there is something that is comical, yet very scary, about this movement that bears watching.

- Here is a link to The Universe Today, and a picture from the Southern Hemisphere of Mars. Look how big it looks in the night sky. I wish I lived somewhere with a decent view of the night sky. Light pollution depresses me.

- Politico featured an op-ed piece by none other than Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Here is that piece, and here is an open letter to Pawlenty from a former college instructor of mine. (Warning: Ed can be vulgar at times, but he's generally an accurate, funny read, and his sarcasm in this post is excellent)

- In fact, while we're on the subject of Ed, here is a post he did on Sarah Palin's epic performance at the Tea Party convention, and another one on him saving professional hockey. Ed, I believe, is the most liberal person in the state of Georgia now... he better watch his back.

- It's been awhile since we've touched on Iran, so here is an article on Iranian opposition leaders urging their followers to take to the streets on their biggest national holiday, and another article on how Ahmadinejad spent time on that holiday boasting about his nation being capable of making nuclear weapons, while the protesters were held back, beaten, arrested, and just about every other thing in the books. Keep it up morons. They'll overthrow you eventually, and you'll have nobody to blame but yourself. I just hope the US is patient enough to wait. Unless there is eminent, and I repeat, EMINENT danger we should not undertake military action in this situation.

- Finally, here is a take, from Politico, on the growing split between President Obama and "Speaker" of the House Pelosi. Just remember, 90% of America just wishes Obama would but her out her of misery. Too bad she runs in one of the most liberal districts in America.

Anyway, enjoy the weekend, enjoy the start of the Olympics, and have a good one.

They Were Who We Thought They Were ... Or At Least Who They Had Been

To say that watching the New Orleans Saints upset the Colts was divine would be an understatement. But rather than take the time to set up the arguments as to why the Colts proved to be exactly what I always said they have been, I'll just link you to a variety of articles that do the job for me. Thanks for everything Peyton and Mr. Polian. You stay classy...

- Here Bill Simmons does a "retro-diary" taking a look at how the Colts blew it. He notes, with great accuracy, how the Colts fell apart, and in the emails at the end you get to read some great views from the fans: that Manning lost control at the end of the 3rd quarter, that one reader is now waiting for the Colts to try to ban onside kicks, and that if Reche Caldwell could catch a football Peyton Manning would still be without a Super Bowl ring. If only ...

- This article points out, directly, that Manning stormed off the field without congratulating anyone ... then tried to defend him. Look, there is no way to defend him. He's a jerk, and he will now go down with the 1991 Detroit Pistons team as one of the biggest cry babies ever. Same with LeBron. You can't have it both ways. I accept that he's a "great competitor" who "couldn't stand loosing" ... but honestly, for a man who is supposed to be THE ATHLETE kids can look up to, this wasn't setting a very good example.

- In Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback he breaks down almost every angle of the game. Of particular interest was a little tidbit found on page two, when Bill Polian sidestepped a question from King about Pierre Garcon dropping a key pass on the Colts 3rd drive of the game by saying that you couldn't blame Garcon because he got "jacked" at the line of scrimmage. What a sore looser. Um, Bill? That "jacking" you're talking about? That's called defense.

- Here, Joe Posnanski goes through one of my favorite passtimes: recounting the numerous, almost unbelievably long list of big game losses in Manning's career. Dating back to High School, the man chokes in big games. Can't deny it. Even the year they won it all he threw 3 TDs to 7 INTs in the playoffs.

- Finally, Jason Whitlock ranks the top ten QBs of all time, with a special intro about Bill and Peyton throwing everyone under the bus ... except themselves. People forget how talented the team around Manning has been. Brady might have won four or five with the talent Manning has had around him ... and Peyton has managed only to back into one.

All of this may become a moot point if Manning and Co. strike back with multiple championships in the upcoming years. Believe you me, they may well do it with all the young talent that is on that team. But it was so satisfying to see Peyton revert to Peyton, listen to Bill do what he always does (complain and whine), and see the return of the Manning face. Even after all this dust has settled Manning is only 9-9 for his career in the playoffs. That's a .500 record. Rex Grossman has a .500 record. Good times had by all. How people still root for this team is beyond me.

The Super Bowl - A Running Diary

A 52" TV? Surround sound? Macho nachos? The ultimate good vs evil match-up of the decade? Here's a running diary of the Super Bowl, featuring my Dad, my Mom, The Wiese ... and yours truly.

6:00 PM - Ready to go. The last time I needed the Colts to lose a game and they did I was rooting the Steelers on in the divisional round. For today's game I have busted out the same pants, the same undershirt, and the same all black shirt. The difference? Of course the Saints hat which dons my head. A few quick facts about this hat:

1. It was purchased by me, in the Ft. Wayne Mall on a youth group trip to see Ft. Wayne Hockey.
   
2. It was purchased for the singular reason that Mike Ditka was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints at that point.
3. It journeyed with me to the Gulf Coast a record nine times for relief trips, and has the sweat of all those trips and all that work built into it.
   

So, needless to say, if a hat can bring good luck this one is it.

6:05 PM - Nantz and Simms just told us that Freeney will play. Not a big surprise there ... what kind of wuss would you have to be to not even take the field in your championship game. I mean, even Colt McCoy managed to get onto the field before taking himself out for fear that his draft position would drop. Still, I'm hard pressed to believe that Freeney will be anything other than a side note in this game. A level three sprained ankle, by definition I've been told, involves torn ligaments. Freeney's game is based on speed. Seems like a bad combo to me.

6:09 PM - Just turned the surround sound system on; wow this thing is impressive. In other news, we are now meeting the NFC Champions, the team of God, and of all things good ... the New Orleans Saints. I will now spend the next few minutes praying while the come onto the field. Please God, I need this ...

6:10 PM - The Saints entering to the Chicago Bulls old music, as Wiese correctly notes. That has GOT TO BE a good sign, right? I'm now pumped. Wiese points out that you can't hear the players speak in their intro video clip. "Some guy is gonna get fired at CBS" he says. "We're back" is the only thing I can hear from it. Hopefully for the last time, jackass. "Those *ers. They don't deserve to have The Who playing for them" Wiese says. I think he's just watching this game for the halftime show.

6:16 PM - Macho Nachos are sitting next to me, an Old Style in hand ... I think I'm about as ready for this as I can be. My phone is even cooperating; it's almost dead, making it impossible for all the annoying Colts fans I know to inundate me with "Go HORSE," or "Go BLUE," or "Go Manning Family threesome" texts. I made one of the three of those up, but you get the point: Colts fans suck. My buddy Dave said, upon returning from a conference in Indy this week, "I get it now. Colts fans are ungodly annoying. I get why you hate them."

And the finalists for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award are: London Fletcher, Mike Furrey, and Brian Waters. And the winner is: Brian Watters, Guard Kansas City Chiefs. I'm glad people haven't forgotten Sweetness; not just the fact he was the greatest ever, but also the fact he was such an amazing man. Queen Latifa is singing, back in a minute.

6:20 PM - Not raining in Miami this time around. Seriously, if before Super Bowl XLI you had given me odds on the Bears winning if it was raining, I would have pounded "yes." I will now go beat myself in the head with my NFC Championship hat ...

As Carrie Underwood sings there is a shot of Jim Caldwell and Peyton Manning. Manning blinked three times, Caldwell zero. The real coach and the cadaver. Uncanny. I bet he won't blink when they dump the Gatoraide on him. Wiese's phone rings. "Who dares disturb me during the national anthem?" He then suggests that A) we should have our cat sing the next national anthem, and B) that the next M. Night Shamalyn movie will probably suck. "I remember when I saw 'The Happening'" Wiese says. "Boy that movie really shit the bed."

6:25 PM - The first winning commercial of the night? Larry Legend stealing LeBron's McDonalds as he and Dwight Howard do a dunk off. Proving once again that the older you get the smarter you get. Coin Toss time ... but first a shot of Emmit "I have to play football until I break a record because I'm so self absorbed" Smith. Saints win the toss and screw up: they choose to receive, and I think you wanted to give Manning the ball. "I'm sure they must have discussed it" my Mom says." True, but they didn't ask me.

6:30 PM - IU alumni Courtney Roby returns the kick, and we are underway. In other news, we have a fantasy football championship to decide tonight as well. All kinds of things going on. Saints punt after passing deep on 3rd and 2. "I Don't understand why you don't run there" Dad says. Courtney Roby with a great tackle again; GO HOOSIERS.

6:35 PM - Listen to those Saints fans!!! WHO DAT? Manning, that's who: over the middle without any issues to Dallas Clark. Dad is all over the fantasy football stats. Colts are moving without any issues.

6:38 PM - Roman Harper has had a couple of big plays so far. Manning under pressure, finds Collie for a big gain. If the Saints aren't careful this game will be over pretty quick.

6:42 PM - Jim Caldwell makes Lovie Smith look like Bobby Knight; seriously man, get excited! You're about to win the Super Bowl! In other news, my dad wonders why Peyton Manning hasn't thrown to Devery Henderson yet. I inform him that it may be because Henderson plays for the Saints. Colts FG; my Mom says "well I thought that was going to be worse." Gotta love being in a Saints only environment. Now my parents are laughing at Snickers commercials. Gotta love them.

6:45 PM - And ... THAT was the big "Tim Tebow is going to cause women to die because abortions won't be legal anymore" commercial? I just want this debate to end... Roby fumbles, Saints recover. Let's go Saints.

6:46 PM - Wow Bears ... wow. Super Bowl Shuffle for Boost Mobile? Can we just get Richard Dent into the hall of fame so that he has some pride? Saints get a first down ... thank God. "Only because of the fact the Saints needed that first down" my Dad says while applauding. Bush is on the other guys team for this fantasy football thing. Gotta love it.

6:50 PM - Colston just DROPPED that ball. Man. I could have caught that ball. 3rd and long for the Saints ... Saints to punt. Here's to hoping that Greg Williams has some new ideas to stop Manning on this next drive. Another spectacular special teams play by Roby as we head to commercial.

6:55 PM - Joe Addai is slicing the Saints D up, and even though the drive started inside the 5 the Colts are quickly to midfield. This Saints defense looks as soft as expected, but missing the opportunity to score on the first two possessions is what will kill this team. Addai busts another huge run up the middle. Shades of the Denver - Atlanta Super Bowl from 1998. May not even be a game.

7:00 PM - "I hate watching Manning ... I really do" my Mom says. She calls him a "fidgity ass. I love my mom. TD Indianapolis. Shit. Shades of 98 and 95 all over again. I don't think New Orleans is going to be capable of stopping Peyton. To say that I hate him would be a firm understatement.

7:05 PM - I note that the Saints need a TD now or this game will be over. My mom says "normally this is where I'd say that it's early, but I think you're right." We've officially reached my first hat toss of the night, following a phantom holding call on the Saints, backing them up to the ten. And the end of the 1st quarter sees a Colts 10 - Saints 0 score.

7:10 PM - CBS is proclaiming itself the "network of the decade?" I think that wins the Winston Wolf memorial "let's not start sucking each other's Popsicles yet" award. Great catch by Colston. Come on Saints.

7:12 PM - My dad perfectly calls the late hit and explains why it was called that why while my mom says "give me my scissors" while seeing the long hair of a Colts defender. They are certainly one of a kind. Pierre Thomas with a couple of plays that make it seem like he just wants it. In other news, we've finally had a Devery Henderson sighting.

7:17 PM - Freeney sacks Brees. Will someone just kick him in the ankle? Long FG here ... good. Come on Saints D. "Right here is where we could use Peyton Manning having his legs separated from his shoulder blades" my Dad retorts.

7:20 PM - Letterman and Leno quite simply nailed that commercial. Well done by Jay going on CBS making fun of himself. And now we have back to back commercials with fat guys in no pants ... and Favre at 50. That salvaged it.

7:25 PM - Go time for the Saints D, let's see if they can do it. Great stop on 2nd and 1 by Jon Vilma, sticking Addai in the backfield. And, courtesy of a drop by Pierre Garcon we have our first 3 and out for the Colts tonight. Thank God. That drop was almost worse than the Colston drop. The Dove for Men commercial is awesome "BECAUSE YOU'RE A MAN!!!"

7:30 PM - "I'm Peyton Manning derp de derp." Wiese doesn't even follow football, and even he can see how much of a tool Manning is. Now he's back to his research on Keith Moon. We have now officially crossed into a point where my dad is celebrating after every point our fantasy team picks up for me so that I can just sulk and focus on my Peyton Manning Voodoo doll. Saints are up around midfield after a great catch by Shockey. Wiese is waxing poetic on The Dark Knight and The Shining. Life is good. And then we get a reverse? Why would you run a reverse against this defense? Go up the gut; the Colts are soft. Thats how you beat them!

7:35 PM - False start at the three ... damn. Saints now face 2nd and goal from the 8. Now 3rd and 1 ... at the 2 minute warning. We are in trouble here, because Manning will get the ball back, with 3 time outs, and roughly 2 minutes left. The Saints must push this ball in, because the Colts will probably get at least a field goal here. And, due to the aforementioned stupid decision to take the ball at the start of the game, the Colts have the chance for back to back scores. I feel sick.

7:40 PM - Mike Bell falls down, and now we've got 4th and goal from about the 2. Stupid call; why run a stretch play to the outside against a fast defense. Use power, run right up the gut. They should have gone with a QB sneak. Saints are going for it. Shit. Colts stuff Pierre Thomas, and here comes Peyton Manning. My dad and I are in agreement that running two straight off tackle plays was stupid. The entire Saints offensive line was across the goal line on that last one.

7:45 PM - Reggie Bush steps in for the punt return. And Reggie goes East to West again, gaining nothing. HUGE catch by Henderson though, and the Saints may well salvage a field goal here. Let us pray. Field Goal ... GOOD! Half time; time for a break.

8:20 PM - Wiese's expert analysis of The Who's performance "they're old dude." My dad and I did our instant analysis of the game thus far. We've decided that:

A) we have lost about four points in the first half in our fantasy football league, but are still hanging tough.

B) The Saints managed to take control of the 2nd quarter, and missing on the TD might not have been a killer as it kept Manning from doing his patented end of half drive.

C) The first possession will be huge for the Saints D

Additionally, I noted that the game would probably turn into a shootout in the 2nd half, and that the first defense to force a key turnover would probably be the team to win. Also, you can't ever state enough how much the extended halftime of the Super Bowl messes with a team's rhythm. That isn't good for New Orleans, who ended the half having run all but 6 of the plays in the 2nd quarter.

8:25 PM - Here comes the second half. For the time being it is down to just Wiese and I. Sorry, I'm back now. I just shit myself due to that onside kick call. Sean Payton, congrats. You win the "biggest balls in the room" award. That's why they took the ball at the start of the game. I get it now.

8:27 PM - Everyone is back in the room. My dad called Saints ball before I did due to being on a non satellite connection. Gotta love technology. What a huge momentum swing. TD Saints, Pierre Thomas on a screen. Peyton Manning now gets the chance to do what he has done all year: come from behind in the 2nd half of a close game. But the Saints certainly sliced and diced that Colts defense. Whew.

8:30 PM - Colts are driving again, looking like it didn't even bother them that they didn't have the ball for more than 6 plays in the last 70 minutes. Midfield already. 3rd down and a spectacular throw from Manning to Clark. He is so good. Over 3 defenders.

8:37 PM - Now down inside the ten, this is why Manning is so good. Without blinking he drives the field. First and goal from the four ... Addai TD. If it had to be a Colts TD I'm glad it was Addai.

8:40 PM - OK, Saints serve now. So far my shootout prediction has been spot on. Wiese notes that the new elephant that my parents got my nephew looks like a crack addict. He does. He also sings and dances. And moves his ears. "It sounds better than The Who." My dad cracks.

8:45 PM - Saints ball after a decent return from Roby. The Saints are staying with Pierre Thomas, finally a team that utilizes the ground game against the Colts. It's important for the Saints to score here. They are at midfield, then a first down at the Colts 36. DeVery Henderson is looking VERY good.

8:50 PM - Manning is lecturing his offense ... 3rd and 7 now. Short again, but the pickup of 4 makes it a field goal attempt ... GOOD!!!!!! Garret Hartley is looking golden thus far. "The Saints D needs a stop now" Dad says. Agreed, agreed.

8:52 PM - Great coverage by the Saints special teams as they pin the Colts to the ten. A promising start to the drive. Now let's see if they can finally put Mr. Manning on his rear end.

8:55 PM - Manning moves the team out to the 25 without any issues. The 3rd quarter is already winding down. Seems like it just started. This still isn't where we want to be, but at least we got to see Peyton stomp his feet like a little girl over not getting the snap off in time.

9:00 PM - Start of the 4th ... we open with a huge gain across the middle to Pierre Garcon. Colts are to midfield again. Colts now face a 4th and 2 in the 40s and THE COLTS GET IT. Ugh. This is another reason why I hate the Colts. Manning is so good.

9:05 PM - 3rd and long ... again. Let's see if we can hold them. Manning audibles and throws incomplete. I can't believe that Stover is going to kick a 50 yard FG ... and they shouldn't have. Wiese is talking about Beyonce "she be got it goin' on, you know what I'm sayin'?" Gotta love The Wiese.

9:10 PM - My mom asks if I remember when Manning came into the league, and The Wiese asks her if she is really my mother. Priceless getting this group together. Some high quality Pierre Thomas and Devery Henderson pick ups here. My mother has now moved back to the couch by me to help keep me cool. Brees is dinking and dunking beautifully, showing super accuracy. This is just a reminder that he is the only Purdue Alumni to ever receive a full pardon by me. This happened last year, after he helped my dad and I to finish second in both the regular season and the playoff redraft of our fantasy football league.

9:15 PM - Brees is close to the completion record already. Inside the five, and a TD to Shockey. That's why you don't give the opposing team the ball at the 41 instead of pooch punting inside the ten. Love it. Now the 2pt conversion, and it is ruled incomplete on the field, and Phil Simms calls it incomplete. Well, my friends, Simms is a moron. Moore has it, it crosses the plain of the goal line, which is all it has to do. I'm sure the Saints will review, but we go to commercial.

9:17 PM - We come back from commercial and now get to decide if this officiating crew is a bunch of morons or not. This is clearly a 2pt conversion. This is a huge moment in this game. Simms is now trying to back out. Just say that your wrong Phil. And the crew overturns it. 2pt conversion is good. New Orleans baby! 5:42 left in the game.

9:20 PM - My mom says she sees horns growing out of Peyton's head. Gotta love my supporting cast tonight. Here's a big round of applause to them; they're probably the only group of people in America brave enough to watch a Super Bowl involving the Colts with me.

9:23 PM - Colts ball at the 30, you can hear the Saints fans going nuts, and the Colts false start. Manning picks up 17 to Garcon, then Malcolm Jenkins nearly picks one off. Come on Saints.

9:25 PM - Manning back to Garcon, across the middle, and the Colts are back to midfield. He is tearing them up ten to fifteen yards at a time. While we break for for a Saints injury my Dad celebrates that Manning is having to get up off his rear finally; I point out that Peyton probably flopped Vlade Divac style to try to draw a roughing the passer.

9:30 PM - 3rd and 5 for the Colts ... PICKED OFF BY TRACY PORTER!!!!!! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD FOR THE HOOSIER PICK SIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think I could have ever asked for more. I will now order a Tracy Porter Jersey. It is going to happen. I will be rocking a Tracy Porter Jersey soon. I love that man.

9:32 PM - "Gotta love the Indiana Hoosier with the INT for TD" texts Bowser. Indeed sir. Indeed.

9:35 PM - Manning is barking out orders, less than 3 minutes left. Saints call a time out due to confusion. Clark is toughing it out, but he's hurt. A questionable catch by Collie over the middle to say the least. I am outvoted by the team who all says it's a catch. I don't believe it is. But then again I do suffer from a rare condition that causes me to always think the Colts suck and miss on plays.

9:40 PM - Late hit on the Saints? Yup. What a moron. The Saints are TRYING to get the Colts into the game. Flag on an INTERCEPTION ... oh please God ... Interference ... no INT. Addai down to the 3. This is the Peyton we know and love with these couple bad throws, but this game isn't over til the fat lady sings. 2nd and goal. Incomplete hitting the goalpost. Can't really remember that I've seen that happen before.

9:45 PM - 3rd and goal ... Addai ... NO! 4th and goal, 1 minute to go. I'm starting to believe it may happen. INCOMPLETE SAINT WIN!!!

...

Well, not yet, but it's done. "I'll tell you this, even the 'great' Manning can't pull this out" says my Dad. Yes. Saints win.

A special thanks to the entire team who helped me through this tough moment in life: my mom, my dad, and The Wiese. I'd also like to give credit to the cracked out elephant who sat in front of me from the moment my dad brought him down here, and stared at me. The Wiese tried to move him once but I asked him not to because it was good luck. Good job elephant.

And so, sports fans, disaster has been avoided. Good prevailed over evil. And we have seen the return of the Manning Face. Thanks for reading along.

The Super Bowl

Last week I went to great lengths to get all of my anti-Colts feelings out, on paper, and out of the way. This week I have a story to tell you, then a few thoughts on the game, and a pick to make. First, with the story.

THE STORY

I was born in April of 1986; roughly two a half months prior to my birth the Chicago Bears claimed their first Super Bowl title, their ninth NFL championship in all. That Bears team is, by many measures, the greatest team to ever take the field in the NFL. When one considers their opponent winning percentage (.505) stands in stark contrast to that of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team, whose opponent winning percentage (.357) is the second easiest all time to the 1970 Baltimore Colts (.352). That Bears team featured a fierce defense with a more than competent offense. They sacked the opposing QB 80 times (!) and had 36 interceptions; they held the opposing QB to an average rating of 47.9 and allowed a meager 82 yards per game on the ground, while allowing less than 200 yards of total offense a game. No defense has ever been close to that dominate, and that total dominance is best illustrated by the total scores of their three playoff games: Bears 91 - the Rams, Giants and Patriots 10. Nobody even scored on them in the NFC playoffs.

That Bears team was unlike anything we have ever seen, and, if the past few years are any indicator, they are unlike anything we will ever see again. In the past five years the NFL has decided to change the rules so that defenses cannot stop the offense, particularly the opposing passing games. Defensive holding, an increase in the frequency in pass interference calls, and making it so the quarterback is practically wearing a red practice "don't hit me" jersey ... well, these changes have made it so that it is impossible to play defense in the NFL anymore. A good indicator of this is the number of players who make it to the 4,000 passing yard mark each year. In the past only the best arms were able to make it there, and generally only then if they were playing in an offense conducive to lots of passing.

In 2009 a record TEN QUARTERBACKS threw for at least 4,000 yards. The previous record years, seven in 2007 and six in 2008, were the two previous years. The next highest totals came in a three way tie at five 4,000 yard passes. Those years were 1999, 2004 and 2006. In other words, four of the six years with the most 4,000 yard passers have taken place AFTER Colts President Bill Polian complained to the NFL that it wasn't fair the 2003 and 2004 Patriots were beating his team. No, seriously, this happened. Scroll about half way down this article if you need a refresher course. Even in the increasingly pass-happy decade of the 1990s there were only 22 QBs total to reach 4,000 in a single season. Now we've had twenty three players do that in the last three years alone!

So ... if you can't bump and run the wide receiver without fearing a flag ... and you can't play tight defense down-field without fearing a flag ... and if you can't even touch the QB without getting a flag ... how can you play defense? On a recent podcast Bill Simmons stated that he didn't think that even the awesome Patriots of 2003 and 2004 could have hung with the Colts because they wouldn't have been allowed to play defense. I would go a step further: the 1985 Bears, the greatest team ever, wouldn't even be able to be in Super Bowl contention if they were to play in today's environment. They would simply be unable to hang with a team like the Colts, not because the Colts are better (they're not), but because the rules are so far in favor of offense that you now need to be able to score 35 points on any given Sunday in order to have a chance to win. That Bears team was built on controlling the ball, time of possession, and beating the crap out of the other team. That is the formula that won football games for nearly a century, and five years ago the NFL changed it.

That said, this Super Bowl matchup has to be one that gets you excited if you are even a casual sports fan. Would Manning v Favre have been a little better? Probably ... but I'm happy I don't have to pick between two of my least favorite teams to find one to root for (for the record, I would have been in ViQueens purple if this apocalyptic event had occurred, much as I was pulling for the Red Sox over the Cards in 2004 and the Astros over those South Side fairies in 2005. I am nothing if not logical, and I've had plenty of practice of late in picking the lesser of two evils.) In this game we have two teams, both with totally self-contained story lines that make them fascinating. Take the New Orleans Saints:

• A team which hails from a city which was torn apart by the worst natural disaster in modern times to befall this country
• A team which has a coach (Sean Payton) who was passed up by Green Bay, and a QB (Drew Brees) who was let go by San Diego in favor of Phillip Rivers, and was then given the ultimate kick in the crotch as the Miami Dolphins said "no thanks, we'd rather have us some Daunte Culpepper with a side of torn ACL." Two spurned people, uniting together, then seeing the city they united in be torn apart.
  
• A team which drafted Reggie Bush, then has barely had to use him to get to where they are today. If you don't think Bush is a huge potential x-factor in this game you are probably forgetting that the man knows how to win on the big stage. (All Notre Dame fans are silently nodding right now, and will soon go into the fetal position as they secretly think about how much different Charlie's time in South Bend might have been if only Reggie wasn't so darn strong pushing in Matty Leinart)
• A team that nearly moved to San Antonio ... then was resurrected to become the heart and soul of a city in desperate need of something other than a mutual hatred of FEMA to rally to.

I've been to the Coast, and I wore the hell out of my Saints hat. I purchased the hat when the Saints hired Ditka, and I wore it almost every day on the coast. There was never a day where someone didn't come up to me and say something about the Saints. That team came behind the community in a way we rarely see pro athletes do, and that entire region is one, united behind this team. I wouldn't be surprised if Miami is overrun by Saints fans because, lets face it, Colts fans suck and don't travel well ... and the Saints fans want it, hell they need it much more than Colts fans can understand.

On the other hand, you have the Indianapolis Colts:

• A team looking to win a Super Bowl for the second time in four years.
• A team with a QB looking to surge into the debate of G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time)
• A team with an offense that has taken full advantage of all the rules their team president worked so hard to get into place (did I mention he sits as a very respected member of the frickin' NFL competition committee?)
• A team that knows this feeling before, won't be nervous, and won't feel they are out of this game no matter how the first three quarters go

Two teams, two very different engines driving their Super Bowl hopes. The Saints and the city they helped to save. The Colts, and one man's drive to be the G.O.A.T.

THE BREAKDOWN

So how can we tell who is going to win this game? There are a few areas to look at, starting with team statistics:

• In total offense the Saints were number one in the NFL with 6,461 yards, while the Colts were 9th with 5,809 yards. That broke down to a difference of 40.7 yards per game between these teams in total offense.
• Within the subject of offense the Colts were second in the NFL in passing offense, gaining 282.2 yards per game through the air, while the Saints were fourth at 272.2. Both of these teams are efficient through the air.
• While, on the ground, the Colts were dead last (80.9 rushing yards per game) and the Saints were sixth at 131.6. The difference is very telling, and what it tells me is that the Saints like to run, and believe they can run. The Colts, on the other hand, don't feel they can run, but don't believe they need to.
  
• Finally, in the ultimate measure of an offense's effectiveness, the Saints were the NFL's most potent offense, averaging 31.9 points per game (and, it should be noted, they have scored 30+ points in each of their first two playoff games). The Colts, while still very effective, were only seventh at 26 points per game. Interestingly enough, the line in this game moved to Colts (-5.5) ... which is the same as the differential in points per game, only inverted to favor the Colts. Hmm...
• On to the defense, the Colts were middle of the pack, 18th in the NFL, allowing 339.2 yards per game, while the Saints were 25th allowing 357.8 yards per game. Less than 20 yards a game difference, and both teams were in the bottom half of the league, indicating even more so that A) the nature of the game has changed drastically since 1985, and B) that this looks, on paper, to be one heck of a high scoring game.
• In the specific area of passing defense the Colts were actually pretty decent, in the top half of the NFL at 212.7 yards per game, good for 14th in the league. The Saints, on the other hand, were 26th in the league allowing 235.6 yards per game through the air. Although, as a budding Saints apologist I feel the need to remind you that they were missing their number one corner back for half the season.
  
• Running defenses flip the scale a little bit: New Orleans was 21st, allowing 122.2 yards per game on the ground to the Colts 126.5, good for 24th in the league. George Halas is now rolling over in his grave at the thought of two defenses with core numbers this bad playing for the Super Bowl...
• When you put it all together and look at the number of points per game allowed by each of these porous defenses you get the following: New Orleans 20th allowing 21.3 points per game, while the Colts were a stunning 8th allowing only 19.2 points per game. Despite allowing a ton of yards the Colts managed to do a bit of the following:
• The Colts managed to finish with 34 sacks while allowing a league low 13 (!!!!) sacks. Think about that for a minute ... Manning was sacked only 13 times the whole season. Wow. By comparison, New Orleans had 35 sacks while Brees was sacked a reasonable 20 times. And Aaron Rodgers, in other news, is still not buying his offensive line any end of year presents; he was sacked 51 times.
  
• Finally, in terms of turnover differential, the Saints were +11 (having turned the ball over 28 times and forced 39 turnovers), while the Colts were +2 (having turned the ball over 24 times and forced 26 turnovers). In short, if the Saints can replicate this aspect of their regular season they have a very good chance of winning the game.

Adding this all up we see that both passing offenses are potent, the Saints run the ball much better than Indy, and that Indy's defense is slightly better than the Saints, although New Orleans was much better in turnover differential. Now, on to another area where we should be able to get a bit of information: common opponents.

1. New England - (Colts 35 - Patriots 34; Saints 38 - Patriots 17)

In this common matchup the Colts were banged up, but the Saints were more banged up, missing both starting corner backs. The Patriots featured the most potent offense either of these teams has faced before Sunday, and the Saints just rolled along, while the Colts faced the toughest test they have had to date. Let's just put this one in the "Pro Saints" category and move on.

2. Buffalo - (Colts 7 - Bills 30; Saints 27 - Bills 7)

Just to remind the Colts that they lost two games on purpose this year, this being one of them. Even if you win it all Colts fans, it could have been a perfect season. Now you'll never know. In other news, the Bills were the number two passing defense in the league this year, to the Jets, and while they shut down Brees generally (only 172 yards) the Saints were able to run (126 rushing yards from Pierre Thomas, 222 total rushing yards at 5.8 yards per carry). That fact bodes well for the Saints chances in this game as well: they can win without Brees doing the bulk of the damage, and they can run the ball and control time of possession. Two things you have always had to do if you were going to beat Senior Manning.

3. Miami - (Colts 27 - Dolphins 23; Saints 46 - Dolphins 34)

Miami played tough against both teams, but the overwhelming thing to take away from this common opponent is that both of these teams have the ability to win games they probably shouldn't. Two close, come from behind wins here.

4. New York Jets - (Colts 15 - Jets 29; Saints 24 - Jets 10)

I guess Colts fans can say that they beat the Jets when it counted ... but the Saints looked better here. And the Colts threw a game. Since when was that legal? Isn't Shoeless Joe Jackson banned from baseball forever (even through death) because of this very issue?

5. St. Louis - (Colts 42 - Rams 6; Saints 28 - Rams 23)

The Colts cream a bad team ... the Saints just survive...

Out of all of this the most pertinent game remains the New England game for each. The Colts barely survived, and probably wouldn't have if Belicheck hadn't lost his mind. The Saints absolutely destroyed New England.

THE PICK

So what does all this mean? My Grandfather would probably like to say that all of this means that I need a life. I think that it means one thing: the Saints are going to win the Super Bowl. The reasons are clear: they can run the ball and the Colts can't. They can't stop anyone on defense, but the Colts can't stop the run. They are capable of winning at least two different ways (running the ball or passing it in a shoot out) while the Colts only have one way (drop back and pray). Both teams are good about keeping their respective QB upright, and the Colts are especially hurt here with Dwight Freeney trying to play with torn ankle tendons. The Saints take care of the football and force the other team into mistakes. Hell, there is a former Indiana Hoosier STARTING FOR THE SAINTS (God bless you Tracy Porter). How can you top that.

Wait a minute...

...

I feel like I'm forgetting something ...

...

...

... maybe something I actually managed to write two weeks ago? ...

... ("So ... what does that all mean? It clearly means we are headed to a New Orleans v New York Super Bowl. And, despite the fact that I really tried hard to be unbiased in my analysis, I think it also must mean that I ... undervalued Peyton Manning.")

... Did you catch that? ...

...

... ("So ... what does that all mean? It clearly means we are headed to a New Orleans v New York Super Bowl. And, despite the fact that I really tried hard to be unbiased in my analysis, I think it also must mean that I ... undervalued Peyton Manning.") ...

... what?

... ("I ... UNDERVALUED PEYTON MANNING.")

All things equal, you bet the Saints in this game. They have karma on their side. They have the numbers on their side. They've got a rabid fan base on their side. But they don't have Peyton f'in Manning on their side. I really can't stand the man; to say that I hate him may actually not be an understatement. But, much like Wes Mantooth's feelings towards Ron Burgundy ... I may hate him, but I respect him. And I've seen this same old song before:

A talented player comes up, racks up individual accolades, is berated as a poor teammate, and is reminded that he can't win the big game. But that player eventually breaks through, and then, every once in awhile, that talented player becomes something else. He becomes transcendent, and then all bets are off.

I hope Peyton Manning's teammates drop a few balls, he yells at them like always, and they start to fall apart just like the good old days. I hope that the Saints come into the Super Bowl not just happy to be there like the Bears in 2007, but driven to prove everyone who is picking the Colts wrong. I hope that Brees connects deep to Devery Henderson. I hope Pierre Thomas runs through the porous Colts defense. I hope Manning connects with Saints in big moments, rather than Colts. I hope Jim Caldwell blinks at least once as Sean Payton raises the Super Bowl trophy and the entire Gulf Coast celebrates. I hope...

But I think that Peyton Manning is about to become transcendent. It's funny, but in a way Bernard Pollard is the most important person in the world when it comes to the debate of NFL QB G.O.A.T. Had he not submarined Brady's knee, and subsequently the Patriots season and the second half of Brady's career, this is likely not where we'd be. Nor would we be here had David Tyree not found a way to hold on to the last catch of his NFL career, moments after the Patriots let Eli go for fear of a roughing the passer penalty (see, those rules suck). But here we are, and when Manning wins on Sunday there will soon be only two: Montana and Manning.

For years I had felt we would get an heir to Montana's throne, but I always figured it would be the golden boy, Brady, he of 3 Super Bowl rings. After Sunday we'll know if that history will be changing. I suspect that it will.

SUPER BOWL PICK: COLTS 37 - Saints 28