okay, okay, more football

Why did I ever think that a Marty Schottenheimer-coached team, seeded first in the AFC, playing at home, with the best running back in pro football, could possibly win a playoff game and advance to the Super Bowl? To be played in San Diego???
The Chargers had field position repeatedly and got nothing. Dropped passes played a big part, but somehow I blame Marty for that as well. And the single biggest play of the game - an interception by San Diego that leads to a fumble and a takeaway, thanks to Troy Brown. Huge. Was it my imagination but with few exceptions, have defensive backs completely lost the ability to catch the ball? I know that's why they're DBs in the first place, but my god, they really can't catch. And Marty burning a timeout challenging the call that it wasn't a fumble... I'll bet that will sit well with the Chargers owner as he prepares to fire him. If you had an old 6 inch blaack and white TV you could tell the fumble was not going to be reversed. Bye Marty. Dream of Elway. Well, I've learned my lesson and now, since I can't imagine the Indy defense playing like the Ravens defense for a third straight week, I like New England next Sunday at Indy. More on this later.
As for the NFC, today's game was Seattle's to win and they blew it. Grossman played a good quarter and a bit at the start but then was a dog most of the day. But still the Seahawks couldn't manage. Well, as with the AFC, I see a team showing up from out of town and if Seattle, with limited weapons, could put up 20+ on Da Bears, I see the Saints matching that, and more. I see overall team speed as the biggest factor in the game, with once again, Reggie Bush being the X factor. I like the Saints. And then what a Super Bowl - 2 of Bill's Boys, Parcells that is - Pats and Saints. 3 out of 5 vs. never-ever in Super Bowl 41. In San Diego. Without Marty Schottenheimer.
As for our insane junta in Washington now going on friendly-to-them media and saying the Dems are irresponsible for not having a plan - I'll just say Kennedy has offered a plan, Biden has offered a plan, and John Murtha has offered a plan. Probably others as well including the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group. All plans. All offered. Oh, but none included invading Iran so their viability was questioned. Silly Democrats, don't you know any plan for peace in Iraq MUST include war somewhere else. Remember, Oceania is always at war with Eurasia. (Thanks, Keith)
And you remember, War is over if you want it.
Reagrds, MLK Jr. Know that in 2006 there are high school students in America who think you freed the slaves. If I remember correctly, this was stated 2 years ago in a History class at Taft High taught by my good friend, Mark Mishkin. Even without the man who is still not my President, I worry about the future of American democracy.
Later, (after the two-minute hate)

Football Saturday

Okay, so I was wrong about Ohio State-Florida. It's not like I started a land war in Asia. Anyway, I have a new plan for this weekend. Indy and Baltimore - offense vs. defense, advertising wonderboy Peyton Manning vs. double-murderer Ray Lewis, the Colts that left Baltimore in the dead of night with their insane owners who deny their Jewish heritage (the Irsays, nee Israel) and the Ravens who were partially founded by Art Modell, who left Cleveland in the lurch. Lots of bad blood, lots of history. And all I keep reading about is how the Colts stopped Larry Johnson and the Chiefs last week after not stopping the run all year. Well, the Chiefs made the playoffs after an extraordinary set of circumstances on the last day (Broncos lose at home, as did the Bengals) and their coach insistd on playig Trent Green the entire gaame when he simplyh sucked and yes, the Colts stopped Larry Johnson but that's once all season. The Ravens were #1 on defense in almost every stat that matters and why should that stop now? They will not allow Peyton to outscore them, they will score on defense, and they will win. And they will cover the 4, 5 point spread.
Philly at New Orleans should be interesting as well. But consider this - the Giants, the Giants for god's sake, gave the Eagles everything last week and should have won had they scored earlier in the game with the ball in great field position. Leto Sheppard is out for the Eagles, tough cover corner. And yes, they play with emotion, BUT that will be nothing compared to the emotion the Saints and the crowd and the city of NOLA bring to this one. Plus, if there is an X factor in all these games this weekend, it is Reggie Bush. Get him 20 touches - carries, catches, returns - and he will break something. Maybe not all the way but certainly field position. And emotion. Saints win. Saints win.
As for the other news of the week, the man who is still not my President made his Gulf of Tonkin speech on Wednesday and it is only a matter of time before the self-fulfilling prophecy of larger Middle Eastern conflict comes to fruition. Thank you, Republican cowards. Lincoln is spinning in his grave.