January 2007 - Posts

Confessions of A Bears Fan
30 January 07 06:31 PM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)
Okay, so I'm sitting in my living room, contemplating this Sunday's Super Bowl.  Am I planning a party?  Perhaps deciding on how many types of snacks to serve, what kind of dip.  Whether I'll have Ruffles?  Tostitos?  Triscuits. 

Or, I could be thinking about the commercials they'll be featuring.  Could they possibly make a funny one featuring K-Fed?  Will the commercials from contest winners for Alka-Seltzer, Chevy, Frito-Lay and the NFL be worthy of their placement before millions?

But, no, I'm sitting here with a single question running through my brain repeatedly:  "Good Rex or Bad Rex?  Good Rex or Bad Rex?  Good Rex or Bad Rex.  Good..." well, you get the point.  After reading in the paper that Rex Grossman is 'accustomed to criticism' and that he's feeling relaxed in Miami with just days to go,  I am flabbergasted.  "When I was drafted," he joked "one of the first things that people told me was that the backup quarterback was the most popular player in town."  Some joke. 

Granted, many people expect Chicago fans to be totally loyal, never swerving in their faith and belief that their team ALWAYS has a chance.  But they are mistaken, that's the CUBS fans!  (And yes, I'm one of them, too).  Bears fans, on the other hand, are fully entitled to rant, rave, scream, yell, question AND doubt their team and its performance.  Apparently, Rex has feelings of doubt as well.  "I would love to play more consistent so that they know what to expect, everyone knows what to expect.  I know I can do that." 

Sigh.  "Good Rex or Bad  Rex.  Good Rex or Bad Rex.  Good Rex or Bad Rex."
Filed under:
Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Super Hero?
29 January 07 11:59 AM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)

Ever thought you had what it took to be a superhero?  Now's your chance to find out with the help of the Sci Fi channel!  Click here to visit SciFi.com.  You can download an entry form and check the schedule for the cities where they will be holding in person try-outs.  Or, there are instructions on how to send in a video of yourself.

C'mon guys, there must be someone out there who's got what it takes!  Someone with the stamina and endurance to make it through.  I can see it now...  Faster than aislin123 on trivia, more powerful than a Gold Rush forum, able to post new blogs in a single keystroke...look, up on the screen, it's bird, it's a plane, NO, it's STEEPLE MAN!

 

Filed under:
NASCAR News
28 January 07 03:40 PM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)
ROLEX 24 RESULTS
Juan Montoya, CART Champion, winner of the 2000 Indy 500 and winner of seven Formula One races added the his first sports car title, the Rolex 24 endurance race to his impressive victories.  Montoya, joined by Scott Pruett and Mexican driver Salvador Duran, helped to lead the Chip Ganassi Racing Team to its second consecutive victory.  This was the second Daytona win for Pruett, a veteran road race driver. 

"This was just a total team win," said Ganassi, the first team owner to win this race back-to-back since Al Holbert in 1986-87. "Al was somebody I wanted to be like when I was growing up and I'm going to think about that for a long time."

The winning car covered 668 laps and 2,378 miles. There were 13 full-course caution flags and a 78-minute red flag stoppage at the halfway point when a GT class car hit and took out 80 feet of guardrail.

Two cars finished on the lead lap, in a tough fought race. Three cars were as close as rush hour traffic with only three hours left in the race, with Montoya third and battling Scotland's Ryan Dalziel and Italy's Max Angelelli.

"It's amazing," Montoya said in the tumultuous Victory Circle. "It's incredible after 20 hours there are three cars on the same lap. It was like qualifying every lap. Very exciting."

A LEGENDARY MOVIE
Dale Earnhardt, Sr, fascinated people with his life and his death.  Now, in a joint venture by NASCAR Images, Viacom and CMT Productions, a moving tribute to his life is set to premiere in February.  According to Marty Smith of ESPN.com "Non-race fans will be moved. Race fans will be moved to tears."

The movie is told with forgotten footage and through interviews with Earnhardt and those who knew him best.  It is set to be an in-depth look at someone many people didn't understand.

The movie, which will be presented first in Florida in February, and then around the country, just like the NASCAR season.  It is not fiction.  It not even "based on a true story."  It is much more than that.  It is Dale from the very people who lived the experience.  Said Smith "The quotes are eye popping."

"Racing was his mistress. Being able to buy soap and toothpaste was a luxury." -- Marshall Brooks, Earnhardt's good friend.

"He was a chunk of coal. We all figured he'd be a diamond someday, but it was going to take a lot of polishing." -- three-time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip.

"If you're a badass and you can back it up, it will intimidate people. Dale could look at people, and just by looking at them, Dale could make them doubt themselves." -- Teresa Earnhardt.

"He was the first real live-action superhero my son had gotten to know. For that matter, he's the first one I'd ever gotten to know, too." -- NBC news anchor Brian Williams.

And, when you get into the interviews with and stories told by those who knew him best, Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Teresa Earnhardt, Taylor Nicole Earnhardt; Dale's four siblings, his former crew chief Doug Richert and former crew members Chocolate Myers, Will Lind, Danny Lawerence, NASCAR on Fox personalities Darrell Waltrip and Steve Byrnes along with many others, you are brought a truly marvelous insight into the man referred to by many simply as "Dale".

"This movie is worthy of the man. He would be pleased. You will be, too -- race fan or not."  -- Marty Smith, ESPN.com

Countdown To Daytona:  21 Days





Filed under:
ETonline Presents: The M&Ms Report
27 January 07 11:55 PM | scoutmom | with no comments
Missing your showbiz fix?  You can get the latest in entertainment news with a new slant - it's presented by the m&m characters!  Each m&m (Red, Yellow, Green and Blue) cover a different aspect of entertainment in their own photogallery.

Today's video:  Is Kevin James of "King of Queens" leaving to become a stripper?
Filed under:
Tailgating Banned at Super Bowl!!
26 January 07 02:52 PM | scoutmom | 5 comment(s)

Let me say right off the bat, no, I'm not going to the Super Bowl.  But, that doesn't lessen my outrage in the slightest.  Super Bowl officials have confirmed that tailgating is banned.  Not only that, you can't tailgate within a mile of the stadium.  And, hey, if you were thinking of driving your RV down to Miami, don't plan on parking it in the lot at Dolphin Stadium. 

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the "no tailgating" policy has been in place at the Super Bowl for several years, the result of tightened security after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Because tailgaiting is permitted during regular- and post-season games for the Miami Dolphis, a team official had said on Tuesday that it would be allowed during the Super Bowl.  WRONG!!

Anyone caught committing the crime of grilling and/or consuming alcolhol within a one-mile radius of Dolphins Stadium "will be warned to get their things and leave," according to Detective Nelda Fonticella of the Miami-Dade Police. 

Oh, and by the way, there is only parking for 11,000 vehicles available at the stadium and the special permits purchased in advance cost $60 to $325 per vehicle.  And you can't take a cab or private shuttle to the stadium.  No private shuttle drop-offs or pickups at Dolphin Stadium will be allowed.  You can use the Park and Ride option to park in a remote lot and take a bus to the game.  Why, you ask, are there only 11,000 parking spaces?  Because they're using much of the parking lot for the 1-million-square foot "NFL Experience," an interactive football 'theme' park and party on Super Sunday open to ticket holders only, for a price of course.  "That's not tailgating; that's corporate sales," said Ray Bridges, a Colts fan with tickets to the game. 

When told there was no tailgating Mike Baum, a Bears season-ticket-holder who has a custom-made, blue and orange school bus he uses for tailgating at Soldier Field, said "It's football! It's what we do!  What am I supposed to do -- park in front of somebody's house and walk down the sidewalk with a tray of sandwiches?" 

Sure, Mike, as long as you're at least a mile away.

Filed under:
Super Bowl Pepsi Halftime Show - Win a Super Can
26 January 07 02:31 PM | scoutmom | 3 comment(s)

Pepsi is sponsoring the half time show for the Super Bowl, and is offering one fan a chance to win the one-of-a-kind Pepsi "Super Can", valued at $100,000, made of sterling silver and studded with diamonds, rubies and sapphires.

Go to http://www.superbowl.com/pepsi to register and find out more.

Once you register, you will receive an email with your eight digit code.  Watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 4 to see if you win. 

Good luck!!

Filed under:
Tapes May Exist to Confirm Reggie Bush Accepted Gifts
25 January 07 11:26 AM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)

As reported by Yahoo.com, tapes may exist that could confirm that New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush and his family took cash and gifts while he was still at USC. A grand jury subpoena issued by the US District Attorneys Office of California in San Diego requests of at least one witness to produce "any recordings in your possession of conversatons between Lloyd Lake and Reggie Bush, Denise Griffin, or LaMar Griffin." Denise Griffin is Bush's mother, LaMar is his step-father.

Lloyd Lake, the subject of the grand jury probe into extortion claims, was a founder in the failed sports marketing agency New Era Sports and Entertainment which attempted its startup with Bush as its first client. Lake and co-founder Michael Michaels told Yahoo! Sports in April 2006 that Bush and his family agreed to be partners in the agency in 2004, but later backed out of the deal after accepting cash, free rent and other benefits totaling $100,000. In an ongoing Yahoo! Sports investigation, nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts was allegedly given to bush and his family.  Lake and Michaels said in August 2006 they planned to file suit against Bush.

If the taped conversations involving Bush exist, and become public, Bush and USC could face penalties from the NCAA and Pac-10 Conference, both of which are already conducting their own investigations into the reports of extra benefits. Bush has said that he and his family did nothing wrong in regards to allegedly receiving extra benefits, and has not talked to the federal investigators. He is not cooperating with the NCAA investigation, which doesn't have subpoena power.

NCAA bylaw 12.3.1.2 states an athlete shall be deemed ineligible if he/she accepts benefits from agents or marketing representatives. It goes on to state that student-athletes, their family or friends cannot receive benefits or loans from agents. NCAA by-law 12.1.2.1.6 states athletes cannot receive preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual's athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless specifically permitted under NCAA legislation. If the NCAA were to rule that Bush received extra benefits during his playing time at USC, he could be ruled retroactively ineligible. Some of those benefits date to the Trojans' national championship season in 2004 and could be rescinded. USC could face further sanctions and Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy could be taken away.

"I respectfully decline to comment on the media frenzy regarding Reggie Bush, his family and his college career," Bush's attorney David Cornwell said Wednesday. Cornwell had responded to the inital reports last April claiming Bush and his family were victims of an extortion plot. Cornwell spoke with federal authorities about the matter and claimed that Lake and Michaels tried to coerce Bush into repaying the money.

Lake's mother, Barbara Gunner, testified that she heard portions of the tapes made by her son, and that LaMar Griffin stated that Bush intended to repay New Era Sports "their money", as well as for the car purchased for Bush. Yahoo! Sports has learned that LaMar Griffin spoke with federal investigators in the spring of 2006 and acknowledged the tapes do exist. Griffin then told a federal investigator that Lake threatened to make the tapes public if the money was not repaid. In her testimony, Gunner told the grand jury that she provided at least $60,000 to help her son finance the startup business.

Filed under:
Around The Track
24 January 07 03:34 PM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)

Earnhardt, Jr. Defends Stepmother

In a weird twist, Dale Earnhardt Jr. found himself defending his stepmother against comments made by Kevin Harvick.  “It’s hard when you have what I call a deadbeat owner that doesn’t come to the racetrack,” Harvick told reporters at the Tuesday night media session.

 

“You’re killing me,” responded Junior.  “That’s ridiculous.  I don’t think there is a comment for that remark.”

 

“Booogity, Boogity, Boogity!  Let’s go racin’ fans”

As reported on driver Darrell Waltrip’s blog, about 60 percent of the fans surveyed are in favor of continuing to use the phrase as part of the telecasts.  I know, it’s corny, but hey, it’s a tradition!  Besides, we even ‘borrow’ it to use for the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby!

 

Rolex 24 Grand American Race

Saturday, January 27, 1 PM ET on FOX and 2:30 PM ET on SPEED)

Perfectly placed between the Divisional Championship games and the Super Bowl, the Rolex 24 – as in 24 hours long – is set to take place this weekend at Daytona.  The race, which started out as a three-hour, 311-mile competition back in 1692, is America’s longest sports-car event.  Expect to see many NASCAR stars competing, including Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Juan Montoya, Bill Lester and A.J. Allmendinger.   The Daytona International Speedway is a 3.56 mile road course.

 

Daytona 500

Sunday, February 18, 2 PM Eastern on FOX

“Gentlemen, Start…Your…ENNNGINESSSSSSSSSSS!!!”
Filed under:
Super Bowl - Marking Time Until the Game
23 January 07 10:41 PM | scoutmom | with no comments

Yes, I know the Super Bowl isn't for another week and a half, but I feel the pressure to put out the obligatory "we have to talk about SOMETHING while we wait for the darned game!"  Seriously, I understand the rationale for the extra week, but I don't necessarily agree with it.  But, since it exists, we'll deal with it the best we can. 

Lovie Smith Calls Out Gene Wojciechowski of ESPN.com
In the true spirit of turnabout as fair play, Lovie Smith singled out ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski for doubting the Bears this season.  In the post-game conference, when Wojciechowski posed the question " "You talked about a lot of people around the country picking the Saints in this game --" Lovie Smith interrupted with "And you were one of them, Gene."   He went on to admit that the Bears did Sunday what they hadn't done all year, they made him, and many of us, a believer.  Welcome to the club, Gene!


Tank Johnson to Play in Super Bowl
Cook County Judge John Moran granted a defense request Tuesday to allow Johnson to leave the state as he awaits trial on gun possession charges.  While there are no special restrictions on him, screw up just once and he will face "dire consequences". 

"Chicago Bears Day" Proclaimed
Maybe realizing how fragile their chances are in the Super Bowl (I'm still afraid to breathe, and the NFC Championship Game has been over for quite some time now), Monday was declared Bears Day.  To top it all off, the famous lion statues outside the Chicago Art Museum were decked out in Bears helmets, just as they were the last time the Bears' went to the Super Bowl in 1985.  Meanwhile, in Indianapolis...

Colts Try to Focus

The receptionist now answers the phone ""Hello, AFC champion Indianapolis Colts", there are two giant inflatable Colts players outside the entrance, one with the Super Bowl logo along with an inflatable arch that says "Colts City", and Jim Irsay had a mid-morning meal with...the AFC Championship trophy.  "The trophy we want is the one waiting in Miami, the Lombardi Trophy," Irsay said. "But this one was the ticket we needed to get there."

X-Rays Negative on Peyton Manning's Thumb
It's only sore, not broken.  But, anyone who has ever banged their thumb or jammed their finger can tell you, it's going to hurt like the blazes.  Now here's a man who probably truly appreciates the extra week for recovery!

Cornerback Nick Harper May Miss the Big Game
Harper may be forced to miss the Super Bowl if his ankle injury is a high sprain.  That type of injury usually requires four to six weeks recovery.

Okay, enough already!!  I promise that will be it on "Super Bowl filler"!!

Filed under:
Around the World of Sports - NFL, MLB, NASCAR, Tennis, Golf, MLS
22 January 07 03:08 PM | scoutmom | with no comments

NFL

While everyone is telling Bears fan Mark Pavelka how lucky he is, I wonder if he realizes how long he will be paying for this one?   Colleen Pavelka, nine months pregnant and due today, decided to take her doctor up on the offer to have labor induced Friday, so she didn’t risk going into labor during the playoff game on Sunday, to which her husband had tickets.  This is one that she will forever be able to pull up when she needs her husband to do something.  Trust me on this one.


Bill Parcells announced his retirement from coaching today, after four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.  Parcells, ends a career that featured three Super Bowl appearances and two championships, although not with the Cowboys.


ESPN’s Chris Mortensen confirmed Saturday night that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to name Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin as their new head coach.  A formal announcement from the team is expected later today.


Apparently, Michael Vick was NOT carrying marijuana, or any other illegal substance, in his water bottle at the Miami International Airport.  Or so said a league source to ESPN on Sunday.  The police, however, still say “there’s no official word” on analysis of the substance of whether charges will be filed.  Guess we’ll have to wait and see on this one.

 

MLB

 

Bud Selig’s announcement to step down as baseball commissioner when his contract expires in 2009 is apparently serious this time.  Honest.  Well, probably. If it SHOULD be for real this time, a number of names have been thrown out as possibilities, including Andy MacPhail, former president of the Chicago Cubs; George Mitchell, politician and diplomat.  (But, he’s older than Selig, so I don’t think so); Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations and even, dare I say it, former Texas Rangers owner George W. Bush.  Actually, Bush wanted to be commissioner before he even ran for governor of Texas. 

 

Chase Utley has agreed to an $85 million, seven-year contract as a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies

 

As reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago native Cliff Floyd is close to agreement on a one-year contract which will bring him back home, and into the fold with the Chicago Cubs.  A decision is expected this week.


NASCAR

 

Apparently, responding to the negative comments made by his stepmother Teresa Earnhardt was the right move for Dale Earnhardt Jr.  She stated she was “absolutely” committed to keeping Junior behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevy and is willing to discuss a larger role at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as part of the ongoing contract negotiations.

 

Race to the Chase field expanding to 12?  It’s possible.  As reported by ESPN.com’s Dave Newton, a source close to NASCAR said the governing body is finalizing a plan that will allow the top 12 in points in the 10-race playoff with no provision for how many points a driver is from the lead.

 

TENNIS

 

Australian Open Quarter Final Matches

 

Women’s

Nicole Vaidisova (CZE)       vs.       Lucie Safarove (CZE)

Serena Williams (USA)        vs.       Shahar Peer (ISR)

Men’s

Mardy Fish (USA)                 vs.       Andy Roddick (USA)

Roger Federer (SUI) vs.       Tommy Robredo

 

GOLF

Charley Hoffman won his first PGA Tour title by defeating John Rollins at the first playoff hole in the Bob Hope Desert…err…Chrysler Classic.  Two time Hope Winner Phil Mickelson had a truly bad day, hitting three balls into the water with on three holes.  He finished with a 78 tied for 45th at 7 under with two double bogeys, five bogeys and three birdies.

 

SOCCER

 

David Vanole, the starting goalkeeper for the US at the 1988 Olympics and who helped the US qualify for the 1990 World Cup collapsed last at dinner last Monday and later died at the age of 43.  He was on a ski vacation in Salt Lake City with his family, including his wife Kerry Tatlock, the NBA’s senior director of global marketing partnerships.

 

Real Madrid’s ruling out the possibility of David Beckham making an early exit from the Bernabeu has not hurt MLS ticket sales.  The Galaxy, who signed Beckham to a truly outrageous contract, said it had sold 5,000 season tickets since Thursday’s announcement of the signing.  Expansion league Toronoto FC said it has already sold 2,600 of its 10,000 season tickets.  The hiring of Beckham “has generated more interest in Major League Soccer than any other event in league history,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday.
Amazing Comeback - Colts to the Super Bowl Part II
21 January 07 11:56 PM | scoutmom | 6 comment(s)
Rallying from a 21-3 deficit, Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to a 38-34 victory over the New England Patriots.  It was the biggest rally from deficit in conference title-game history. 

In two weeks, the seemingly unstoppable Manning and his Colts will face off against a Bears team that seems to have remembered what it takes to win, and win big.  Later this week, I'll take a look at each team, but for now, the fans in Indy and Chicago can start the pre-game partying a little early.  Tony Dungy suggested that rather than heading to Miami, the two teams could just "meet in Ft. Wayne and split the difference".

Lovie Smith and his long-time mentor, Tony Dungy are set to meet in a showdown that promises to be anything but dull. 

My only request?  Please, please, PLEASE, no more commerical endorsements for Peyton Manning!!
Bears Going to the Super Bowl! Part I
21 January 07 07:33 PM | scoutmom | with no comments
Okay, I admit it.  I'm as stunned as the rest of you.  Yes, they are my team, but not being sure which Rex would show up, I faced today's game with a great deal of trepidation. 

Flashback to 1985:  Bears vs. Patriots, Super Bowl XX in, of all places New Orleans, LA.  Bears 46 - Patriots 10.  The Bears set Super Bowl records for sacks (7) and fewest rushing yards allowed (7). The Bears 36 point margin over the Patriots was a Super Bowl record until Super Bowl XXIV. The Patriots were held to negative yardage (-19) throughout the entire first half, and just 123 total yards in the entire game, the second lowest total in Super Bowl history.

Back to the present:  Potentially, the Bears could once again face the Patriots, depending on the outcome of today's game.  However, back then it was a given we would win.  Today, there is no certainty other than I am kicking everyone out of the house, for fear of how I will deal with either a loss OR a win!
Sports Headlines - NFL, MLB, NCAAF, Tennis and Golf
19 January 07 07:48 PM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)

NFL

Dolphins sign San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to a four-year deal to become their new head coach.  A press conference is scheduled for 7:00 Eastern tonight.

Michael Vick, once again, seems to be in trouble.  In November, he was fined $10,000 by the team and donated another $10,000 to charity, along with making a profuse apology to a fan after making an obscene gesture at a fan who heckled him after an embarrassing 31-13 loss to New Orleans.  Now, he had his water bottle confiscated by security at Miami Int’l Airport  Needless to say, no one in the Atlanta organization is happy. because it smelled like marijuana and contained “something” in a hidden compartment.

K-Fed is slated to perfrom at this year's Superbowl.  I have just one thing to say about that...WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!?!?!

MLB

In an update to an earlier story, the final numbers for Jeff Samardzija to come to give up football and join the Chicago Cubs is nearer to $10 million, and includes a no-trade clause.  He had a 2.70 ERA in seven starts for the Class A teams in Boise and Peoria before returning to Notre Dame to help them make it to the Sugar Bowl.  He caught 78 passes for 1,017 yards as a senior.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa still seems to be giving his third baseman Scott Rolen the silent treatment.  They haven’t spoken to each other since winning the championship.  Two hard-headed individuals.  Hopefully, they’ll get over it before Spring training starts in a fw weeks!

TENNIS

Andy Roddick defeated Marat Safin 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.  Roddick is seeded sixth in the two-week tournament.  Top-ranked Roger Federer defeated 25th-seeded Mikhail Youzhny (last year’s US Open semifinalist) 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (5). 

And, in a scene more reminiscent of rugby than a tennis tournament, about 150 Serbian And Croatian youths “scuffled”, using sticks, fists and feet to fight one another.  Police are seeking video footage as part of their investigation.

NCAA Football

Patrick Nix of Georgia Tech has been chosen as the new offensive coordinator for Miami.

GOLF

Current leaders in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic are Justin Rose (-18), Scott Verplank (-16) and John Rollins and Lucas Glover (-12).  Phil Mickelson is currently at -7.

Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija Signs With Cubs
19 January 07 03:31 PM | scoutmom | with no comments
• First Team All-BIG EAST Selection (2006)
• Fifth-Round Major League Draft Selection (2006; Chicago Cubs)
• Freshman All-American (2004; Collegiate Baseball magazine)
• Football Consensus First Team All-American (2005)
Just announced this afternoon that Jeff Samardzija, who was expected to be a first round pick in this year's NFL draft, has decided instead to sign with the Chicago Cubs for an expected $5 million. 

Samardzija was drafted by the Cubs in the 5th round of the 2006 Draft.  His fast ball is purportedly 97 mph.  As reported by Dave Kaplan, WGN Sports, he is an excellent pitcher who should make the major leagues in a rather short time.

WITH NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL: Totaled just 24 catches for 327 yards and no touchdowns in first two seasons with the Irish football team but burst onto the scene with record-setting '05 season that earned him consensus All-America honors ... also one of three finalists for Biletnikoff Award (given to college football's top receiver) ... set ND season record for TD catches (15) while tying Tom Gatewood's 1970 record for receptions (77) and ranking third in the ND record book with 1,249 receiving yards ... ... set ND record for consecutive games with a TD catch (8, at start of `05) ... made highlightreel, 19-yard TD catch in opener vs. Pittsburgh ... tied ND record with three TD catches vs. Michigan State ... his 153 receiving yards vs. Purdue included one-handed, leaping grab for 41-yard gain and two TD catches (one a 55-yard play that saw him slip five tackles) ... latched onto six passes for 99 yards and 32-yard TD (on third-down play, for 14-14 tie) in showdown with USC ... had 10 catches for 154 yards and pair of TDs vs. BYU ... combined with Maurice Stovall (14) as first ND duo to have 10-plus catches in same game ... 127-yard day vs. Tennessee (7 catches) included 73-yard play on short pattern, sparking go-ahead march to break 21-21 tie (he scored the TD) ... made eight catches for 191 yards and pair of TDs at Stanford, including 80-yard play after short catch ... second on `04 team with 16.1 yards per catch (17 for 274, in 12 GP) ... enjoyed big night versus Oregon State in Insight Bowl (5 catches, 89 yards) to end 2004 season ... first lettered as a freshman in `03 (7 catches, 53 yards) ... also served as 2005 place-kick holder and played as deep safety on defense in two '05 games.  (courtesy official website)
AFC Championship Game
19 January 07 12:03 AM | scoutmom | 4 comment(s)
New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 on CBS
Kickoff:  6:30 PM Eastern

Let's start out with some key matchups.

Tom Brady is 12-1 in the post-season. Peyton Manning is 5-6.  Brady is 10-0 in domes.  Adam Vinatieri was the entire offense in the 15-6 win over the Baltimore Ravens.  His replacement in New England, Stephen Gostkowski not only hit a 50-yarder, he also hit the game winner in the Patriots victory over the Chargers.  Manning has problems against the 3-4 defense (39.6 passer rating against Baltimore). 

The Colts wide receiver trio of Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark provides a mismatch against just about any secondary in the league, including the Patriots.  Dwight Feeney...dome...right there in Brady's face.

The Colts have won the last two games over New England, but lost the previous six.  New England is the reason Indy was knocked out of the 2003 and 2004 playoffs. 

Both Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy have post-season experience, but Dungy hasn't been able to get his team to the big game.  Belichcik on the other hand has been there, done that. 

This game looks to be tough, hard-hitting, exciting and close.  The Colts are a 3 point favorite to win - home field advantage may be just the boost they need.
Next page »