In My Opinion: Going Undefeated

Don't listen to what Peyton Manning has to say, ignore Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne.  The Colts want to go undefeated.  If they don't, they're crazy.  Quick who won the 1987 Super Bowl?  Unless your a fan, you probably don't know it was the New York Giants.  Now try another one, who is the only team to go undefeated?  That's right, the Miami Dolphins (if you said the New England Patriots I'll also accept that as they did go 16-0).  Yes, the Super Bowl is the most important.  If someone is injured, I understand avoiding the risk and keeping him out, but the Colts have a chance at history, the chance to pass the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the greatest team ever. 

I don't care what you say, there is no better team.  Not the 1984 Chicago Bears who went 15-1 and dominated the Super Bowl, the greatest team is the only one that has never lost, the 1972 Miami Dolphins.  Michael Irvin recently said that he would give up all the other Super Bowls to have one full undefeated season.  while that may be a little bit of an over-exaggeration, I get his sentiment.  It gets harder and harder every year to set a record, or become a legend.  There aren't many things that NO ONE has done before.  One of the few left in the NFL - Go 19-0...

Peyton Manning has it all, 3 MVP's, a Super Bowl Trophy, and numerous individual records.  He may be one of the best players in NFL history.  Still, Peyton Manning is not a man of legend... this could make him that.  To describe Manning, I want to take a quote from one of my favorite movies of all time, The Sandlot.  In it, Babe Ruth speaks to one of the stars, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez to motivate him.  Before he walks out of the scene, he said something that resonates perfectly for this situation "Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."  To me, you need to do something special to be this never dying legend.  One that not only were people not alive when you played, but they don't know anyone who was alive then either.  Babe Ruth is a legend, and Peyton can be too.  Go undefeated, go through the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.  This is your chance to become a legend Peyton.

I want to take a quote from one of my favorite movies, The Sandlot.  In this, Babe Ruth visits Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez to inspire him to go get his baseball and become a neighborhood legend.  After his inspirational talk Babe Ruth fades away stating "Remember Kid, Heroes Get Remembered, But Legends Never Die."  Babe Ruth is a legend, Peyton Manning is not.  This is Peyton Manning's chance to become a legend.  Go undefeated, win all your playoff games and win the Super Bowl.  If he does this, Peyton Manning will become a legend, and his memory will never die.

Go See Your Team

Stub Hub Bowl Site

If you want to go to the game, go, here's one way to get tickets...

Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! I hope your made it home safely and have a fantastic holiday. Look for future updates on my blog including Seeing The Sports recap of my trip to the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco and the College Winter Classic in Fenway as well as my Bowl recap! There is much more to come in Sports Bound to stay tuned!

Merry Christmas!

Sports Bound Guide

In My Opinion: Top 5 Non-BCS Bowls

Everyone talks about the 5 BCS bowl games.  They are the lead on College Football Live every day during the season, and are the talk of Bowl Season.  But until those games happen, there are plenty of intriguing matchups and great games worth watching (and visiting) during this bowl season.  Here are my top 5 non-BCS Bowls.

1)      Konica Minolta Gator – West Virginia v. FSU

-Not as much for the game as for the man.  Bobby Bowden has meant more to Florida State and college football than anyone else in the game.  When he started at FSU the team had won 3 games in 2 years.  He turned them into a powerhouse and led them to one of the greatest runs in the history of sports (14 straight top 5 finishes).  Something that will never again be topped (Just ask SC).  Bobby will look to go out with a bang where his Seminoles take over his old team the West Virginia Mountaneers.  While his team is nowhere close to those of the past, look for them to come out inspired and play like his 1993 and 1999 National Championship teams.  With famous FSU alums in the stands, I’m not sure how they couldn’t be inspired.  I expect this one to be high scoring, as both teams have pretty weak defenses and expect FSU to will their way to victory.  If anyone can inspire them Bobby can.

2)      MAACO Las Vegas – Oregon State v. BYU

-Vegas baby, Vegas.   That alone is the reason to go to this battle between two ranked teams in the desert.  Don’t be fooled, however, the weather is not warm but the stakes are high.   BYU may not be excited to be in their 4^th straight Las Vegas Bowl but their fans travel well.  Oregon State put up a heck of a fight against one of the best teams in the country, on the road, in a rivalry game, on national television.  I look for them to do the same tonight.  Win or Lose fans will have a good time at this one, the stakes are always high in Vegas.

3)      Capital One – Penn State v. LSU
-Before the season, these two teams hoped to face off in a bigger game with National Championship implications.  Still, they should be excited for a January 1^st bowl against another powerhouse.  I’m excited to see how Penn State’s offense faces off against a strong LSU defense.  In their only two tough games of the season (against Iowa and Ohio State) Penn State’s offense went missing and they fell badly.  Les Miles may need this win to try and win some recruits over Nick Saban and Urban Meyer.  I like LSU

4)      Chick-Fil-A Peach – Virginia Tech v. Tennessee

-This is always a big game and this year it hasn’t changed.  Don’t think Lane Kifflin isn’t going to get his Volunteers excited for this December 31^st bowl.  Virginia Tech started here, and hopes to leave with a better taste than last time, when they lost a tough game to Alabama.  Tennessee isn’t that talented, but they will play hard.  Look for Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams to establish the running game and slowly end Tennessee’s excitement.

5)      Pacific Life Holiday – Arizona v. Nebraska

-The chance to spend Late December in San Diego is enough for me.  Then take two awesome teams, a Heisman trophy finalist a high powered offense and a tough defense and you have yourself a fantastic game.  I look for a low scoring one as I feel Ndamukong Suh and his defensive teammates have a chance to shut down Nick Folds and the Arizona offense.  Look for a fun one though, and enjoy wearing a T-shirt in December.

Honorable Mention –Emerald Bowl – USC v. Boston College

-Okay, so maybe I’m adding this as a recent BC grad and future fan in attendance, but there are plenty of storylines.  Will Joe McKnight play?  Whether he does or doesn’t, will USC really get up for a game against Boston College?  Are they really as bad as they have been playing all year?  This game could go either way.  I look for BC to play an inspired game in a low scoring battle.  IF they can hold off SC and gain some confidence, this could be one of the upsets of the bowl season and could be the biggest win for the ACC in a long time.

MNF Guide: Washington (II)

Its another Monday night in Washington.  Here is once again the guide to FedEx Field.  This week the New York Giants take on the Washington Redskins.  This game has a lot of implications, the Giants are playing for the playoffs, lose and they are virtually eliminated.  The Redskins are playing for their jobs.  With Bill Allen the new GM for the Redskins, many players are playing to show him that they can.  Should be one to Enjoy

FedEx Field is the largest and one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The stadium was built in March of 1996 and completed in April of 1997 only 17 minutes after construction. Since he bought the team in 1999 Daniel M. Snyder has spend more than $100 million dollars to enhance the Field making the stadium even bigger. Located in the upper deck is the Redskins' Ring of Fame, with plaques honoring the team's greatest players and executives, including George Allen, Sammy Baugh, Joe Gibbs, Vince Lombardi, Sam Huff, Joe Jacoby, Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, Doug Williams, Art Monk, John Riggins and Joe Theismann.

While your in D.C. there is always something to do, between the Capitol, the White House, the Smithsonian, the Presidential Memorials and the Holocost Museum, there is plenty to do that could take up multiple days. Once it gets to 5:00 and the game is around the corner, however, head over to the stadium and embrace the whole atmosphere. If you are on a budget, I’d recommend going to Fast Eddie’s Sports Bar and Grille where they have 5 meals under 5 dollars including a Hoagie Sub, Pulled Pork Sandwich and Personal 8”Pizza. You can also stop by the ESPNZone where they always have good food, all the games you can think of on TV and plenty of awesome arcades and more to entertain yourself.

After that head over to the stadium and enjoy the Hog Haven. As you may know, the Redskins are known as fans that dress up as Hogs. Get out there and enjoy the scene, Washington D.C. is a top notch. Tailgating is allowed for 4 hours so at 4:30 you will see a packed lot filled with people grilling, drinking and hoping the Redskins can put the ball in the endzone.

Cash parking is available at and operated by Jericho Church, located on Jericho City Dr., and easily accessible via Arena Dr.

Awesome Article from ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/news/story?id=4748959

I just found out that where Butler plays is the site of the Indiana State Championship game in Hoosiers.  One of the greatest sports movies of all time.  That is awesome, figured I'd share it with you

Interseting Article: Travel

Just read an article from the New York Times, pretty interesting

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/business/08seats.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

My Thoughts: Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Its the most wonderful time of the year... and not (only) because of Christmas and New Years.  Its Bowl Season, my favorite time of the year.  Not only is football on (almost) every day from today on, with NFL and College Football games taking turns in the spotlight, but it is a chance to see so many teams, and so many players, get their chance at the spotlight, and get to end their season as winners.  Personally, I am not a fan of the BCS system.  Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of bowl games for teams like Boston College, Central Michigan, Stanford and others.  Its an experience no one would forget (if you haven't been to a bowl game, go).  I personally am going to the USC-BC game in San Francisco this year.  The winning team won't even be ranked not to mention in the National Championship hunt, but boy am I excited.  But to decide the National Champion,something must be done differently

Imagine if we had the chance to see the top 8 teams in a winner take all tournament.  Just look at the first round: #1 Alabama v. Ohio State, #2 Texas v. Oregon, #3 Cincinnati v. Boise State, and the 4-5 Match-up of TCU and Florida.  Who says those wouldn't be exciting.  How about a Final four of Texas v. Cincinnati, and an Alabama Florida rematch.  What if TCU upsets Florida and has the chance to prove themselves vs back-to-back SEC opponents.  The battles could be priceless.  Yes maybe a few BCS memories will be removed.  Stories lilke Ian Johnson proposing to his girlfriend after upsetting Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and others may be lost, but do you think they wouldn't give that up to know they had a chance at a National Championship?  As soon as Boise won that game they were asked one question "Do you think you should get a shot at the National Championship?"  YES they should, it wouldnt ruin the amazing game they played, or the awesome upsets.  And yes, the regular season is sort of a playoff.  But Cincinnati won all their playoff games, so did TCU and Boise State.  They dont benefit.  And to say there wouldn't be controversy, what would Georgia Tech think if they barely missed out... or what would  Florida say when GT gets in over them because one team from every conference must get in.

Memories and thrill still occur in sporst with a playoff.  In College Basketball we still remember the upsets (even when teams went on to lose by 40 the next week).  I still remember where I was when Hampton beat Iowa State or Bucknell upset Kansas.  I still remember what I was doing when Craig Smith (with ice in his veins) hit two freethrows in overtime with 1 second left to send the game into 2nd overtime vs. Pacific.  Even college baseball, I watched all 27 innings of BC v. Texas on internet TV.  BC lost and was later eliminated, Texas made it to the title game and didnt prevail.  Think that ruins that game for the Texas fans, many of which sat in the stadium for hours on end?  I dont think so.  Give these guys a chance at the title.  There are smart people running the BCS, you can find a way to make more money off this, thats what its all about isnt it?

With controversy or not, enjoy the Bowl Season.  Go to a game if there is one year you, take an extra drive and tailgate, go to the fanfest, and watch the passion.  Join a pool with your buddies and see who really knows the college game the best.  Do it for a few bucks or just pride, I know telling my buddies that I won is more important to me than anything else.  Most of all, enjoy the season, there is nothing better than family and friends, and there is nothing that brings my family and friends together more than the comradery of sports.  Enjoy the season!

Hidden Gem: Winter Classic

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4746454&categoryid=2378529

The Winter Classic is coming to Boston.  This year, its a two day event.  On January 1st the Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd Annual NHL Winter Classic.  The first two events were hosted in Buffalo and Chicago.

This years has a special twist.  One week after the NHL's classic.  One of the biggest rivalries take their conference battle to Fenway Park.  Boston College plays Boston University on January 8th at 7:30pm to give the game a little collegiate feel.   

Guest Blogger: Jaguars move to Los Angeles in 2010?

Hey everyone,

I don't know if you know but billionaire Ed Roski Jr. and his commercial real estate company (Majestic Realty) have plans to build an NFL stadium in the Los Angeles suberb called Industry. I know we have all heard this story before since the Rams and Raiders both departed Los Angeles at the end of the 1994 season. However, they have governmental support, the support of near by neighborhoods, and funds already in place to have this stadium built. The only thing stopping them from putting a shovel into the ground is finding a team to commit first. There are seven NFL teams who are could move to the Industry site including all three California teams (Chargers, 49ers, and Raiders), Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and the St. Louis Rams. The Chargers and Jaguars have received the most media attention when it comes to moving to Los Angeles. Jaguars seem like the most appropriate team as ticket sales are low in Jacksonville. I would appreciate if you joined my facebook group called "Bring the Jaguars to Los Angeles" as a way of showing your support. There I have attached many articles and videos talking about the Jaguars issue and how as each week goes by, it appears likely that they will move west within the next two years. So check out my group, the link is . There you can see all that is going on in this situation and feel free to post anything you like about the topic. The more support we get the better!