Coincidence?

All I have to say about the NFL playoffs is this:

Thousands of birds have been randomly dropping en masse around the world. Add the Ravens, Falcons, n Seahawks to that statistic. GO.BEARS......

Tis the Season

Hello blogger world. I have officially been gone for far too long, chalk that up to starting a new and fantastic job at Piedmont Healthcare, but nonetheless sports have not stopped during my absence. I do apologize for being gone for so long, but absence makes the heart grow fonder so my readers should have a pretty big heart right now. With that being said, let's try to recap what has gone on the best 3 months.

We will start where we left off, with college football. Oregon and Auburn will be duking it out this year for college football's most prestigious title, National Champions and the way the stats line up this should be a high scoring, fast paced game. Auburn is lead by Heisman winning quarterback Cam Newton, whom amongst stark controversy surrounding his old high school recruiting days, has proved no matter what is happening off the field when it come to game time he is truly in it to win it. On the other side, Oregon is lead by Heisman trophy candidate running back LaMichael James, who finished the regular season with over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns. While this game should definitely be great prime time television I'm going to say that Auburn will come away with the victory with a spread of 41-38.

On to the NFL we go.
Boy, has this been one crazy season. Finally that old dinosaur, Favre snapped his 297 straight starts with an injured shoulder that sidelined him because he couldn't feel his fingers. Dear Brett Favre, please retire now. The Vikings have not benefited with you being at the helm, and without you they are just as bad, so it is just time to go. K, Thanks. The real surprise of this season has been the Atlanta Falcons. I can't say that I am surprised, have you seen their roster, they are stacked from linebackers to wide receivers, and nothing thrills me more than finally seeing them showcase their true talent. Their 11-2 record is the best in the NFC and with the remaining schedule shaking out quite nicely for them, they should finish at worst 13-3, clinching home field advantage, which we know should bode very well for my boys in black and red.

However, as many of you know I am a Chicago Bears girl through and through and my team has, at times, shown some real promise. Last weeks bludgeoning aside, we have won when we needed to win and the Packers have lost when they needed to lose, so the Bears seem to be in good shape when it comes to at least making a playoff run. How far they go in the playoffs, is yet to be determined. It is just so great to see Brian Urlacher back on the field, healthy, and really doing work on every quarterback that he faces. Did you see him and Julius Peppers destroy MVP candidate Michael Vick, because I did and I loved every minute of it.

Some of the more shocking teams that have really unraveled this year include the Jets who have now dropped 2 in a row after being embarrassed by the Patriots, and then letting a warm weather team come into New York and beat them on their own field. Not looking good for ole Rex Ryan, but knowing the Jets they will make a last season surge and clinch the wild card. However, the most disappointing team this year without question has to be the Cincinnati Bengals. I don't even know where to begin. They draft two huge players in Ochocinco and T.O. and they still can't win more than 2 games? I understand that Carson Palmer hasn't been the lights out quarterback he was earlier in his career, but with talent stacked like this on offense, and a defense that isn't great but certainly not terrible, how do you not beat teams like Buffalo and Cleveland. I guess this just proves that the NFL is a crazy sport and on any given Sunday any team can win, or in the Bengals case lose.

Finally let's have a quick recap on the NHL.
My beloved Blackhawks have been plagued with injuries since Week 3 and after losing some of my favorite players in the off season due to salary caps, have not played very well. Currently, they are on pace to, dare I say it, not even make the playoffs this year. Here's to hoping that once my beloved Kane and Hossa return, the offense will return and we can turn this year around. Fingers crossed. Aside from the Blackhawks early season meltdown, most of the heavy hitters in the NHL are still the heavy hitters. The Penguins, Flyers, and Red Wings, are all holding there own and beating the teams they are suppose to by rather large margins making it all the more concerning for me and my Blackhawks.

So there you have it, my 5 minute rundown of 3 months worth of sports. Hopefully, I can get back to writing on a daily basis, but until next time, GO BEARS and BLACKHAWKS! :)

Pick of the Day!

Brett Favre (4) getting hit by the Saints D-Line

It is officially MY favorite time of the year, the first game of the NFL!!! I cannot contain my excitement about tonight and while I get ready to snuggle up on my couch in my Chicago Bears Snuggie, I am here to offer my advice on who I think will win tonight's game between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings.

My pick to win tonight's game is New Orleans by a spread of 35-28. There are numerous reasons why I think the Saints will win tonight, with the most compelling fact being that the past 10 Super Bowl Winners have all gone on to win their first game of the following year. Second, I just love the dynamics between Drew Brees and Reggie Bush and think that they will be able to out run and out score that ancient dinosaur on the other side, Brett Favre. 

I will be posting post-game analysis so that all my readers out there will be able to have some great water cooler talk tomorrow! Enjoy the most wonderful day of the year ladies! : )

We Made It

Congratulations Ladies you have successfully made it through the first weekend of college football! Let's all let out a deep sigh of relief and pat ourselves on the back for making it through unscathed. However, the buzz from Week 1 will unfortunately be hanging over the work cooler until Saturday when the next round of games begin. So, in order to keep you fresh on all of this past weekend's highlights, below you will find some of the highlights from the biggest game, best catches, and a few surprising upsets, to chat about with your male counterparts over lunch.

Biggest Game from this Past Weekend:

It comes as no surprise that Monday night's game was the BIGGEST game from opening weekend. The Boise State vs Virginia Tech game was the gridirons best showcase of everything college football has to offer. It featured big hits, thrilling come backs, and held National Championship implications. What keeps this game buzzing around the water cooler is the fact that with Boise State winning the match in a hard fought, 4th quarter stunner, it has paved the way for Boise State to most likely win a bid to the National Championship game at the end of the year. With the rest of Boise State's schedule being nothing but the "Little Sister's of the Poor", they should finish the year undefeated and clinch a berth in the biggest game of the year.

With Boise State winning it's now time for everyone to board the Boise bus. Before the season started no one believed Boise could handle the big-boy league and would instead embarrass themselves in their season opener. However, after their steely rally in the 4th quarter to beat out the Hokies in a 33-30 victory, it's time to realize that Boise State is here to play behind a stellar coach and even more impressive quarterback.

Impressive Catches/Plays from Week 1:

Janoris Jenkins Florida Gator Cornerback

Janoris Jenkins' Pick 6 (intercepting the ball and taking it back for a touchdown) in Florida's game against Miami (OH), helped lead a sputtering Florida Gator team to a  34-12 win.

Kansas State's Daniel Thomas

As Kansas State works to rebuild its football program here in 2010, Daniel Thomas will be the one to look out for. Thomas was the key offensive player in KSU's 31-22 win over UCLA, running for over 230 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns.

Georgia State RB Travis Evans

For all of us local here in Georgia, last Thursday represented the birth of a new era in college football. Local college, Georgia State University, held its first football game in the school's history. Blowing out Shorter in a 41-7 rout, the Georgia State Panthers hope to become the newest powerhouse football team in Georgia. 

East Carolina's Justin Jones

East Carolina's Justin Jones caught an improbable Hail Mary pass from QB Dominique Davis to propel East Carolina to a 51-49 win over Tulsa in their home opener.

Georgia Tech QB Joshua Nesbitt

Georgia Tech star QB, Joshua Nesbitt led the team to an impressive 41-10 rout of South Carolina State. Nesbitt and team went for it on 4th and goal twice, and both times Nesbitt scored touchdowns, solidifying why he should be considered for the highly accredited Heisman Trophy. Nesbitt ran for 130 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.

Upset of the Week:

Jacksonville State Head Coach Jack Crowe Celebrate after Winning in 2OT

It should come as no surprise that the biggest upset that plagued Week 1 of college football, was Jacksonville State University upsetting Ole Miss in Double Overtime. Possibly one of the biggest wins in young Jacksonville State's football record, the win over Ole Miss didn't come easy. However, the Gamecocks were able to stun the Ole Miss Rebels with a crazy final play in 2OT, nudging out a 49-48 victory.


Well ladies, I hope I have armed you with some of this week's biggest plays, games, and catches that are sure to impress all the males in your life! Once again, congratulations on making it through one of the craziest weekends all year, COLLEGE FOOTBALL KICKOFF! :)

Fantasy of the Day

With the US Open heating up, I thought it was only fitting that our Fantasy of the Day be none other than sexy US Tennis player, Andy Roddick.

Name: Andy Roddick

Sport: Professional Tennis Player

Birthday: August 30, 1982

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Marital Status: Married to model, Brooklyn Decker

Current Tennis Rating: Roddick is currently 8th in the ATP Rankings

Andy Roddick is one of the most celebrated athletes in the United States. Not only has he been so kind as to grace our television set with his adorable smile and killer backhand, but he has been featured in magazines like Vogue and Rolling Stone. When Andy isn't playing tennis he enjoys listening to music, his favorite band is the Dave Matthews Band, and taking his boat out in Texas. With hotties like this playing in the US Open, ladies it's time to tune in and let the drooling commence! 

Know a Fantasy of the Day? Nominate him! Post a Comment and YOUR Fantasy of the Day could become OUR Fantasy of the Day.

Your Crush...The Quarterback

As promised yesterday, in order to understand the inner workings of a defensive line I have decided it would be best played out in a common Friday night scenario: attending the same party as your crush. We have all been there before, we go to a party, we see our crush and he is surrounded by 10 other girls all vying for his attention. It sucks right...but have no fear the same plan you set up with your girls in order to catch his eye, is the same type of play defensive men call in order to get to the opposition's Quarterback.

The Scenario:

It's Friday night, you have just had one of the longest weeks of your life and all you want to do is go out with your girls and unwind. You just got a Facebook message from your crush about an awesome house party happening only 10 minutes away and you immediately sharpie it into your planner. Sitting on Cloud 9, because your crush not only acknowledged you but he took the time to personally invite you to the house party, you call up your 10 best friends and you all prepare for your big night out.

With the help of your girl friends you look smoking for the big party. You have on your favorite party dress, your hair and make up is fierce, and you are wearing the new pumps you just got yesterday, nothing can shake your confidence tonight. Ready to get the night started and really wow your crush you and your girls all head out for the party. You arrive right as the party is heating up and you immediately spot your crush across the room....surrounded by 8 other girls and even more coming through the door. You stop in your tracks and turn to your girls who have already spotted the major issue and you all decide to regroup outside and figure out how best to tackle this problem.

While inside the house you were quick to survey the room and really take in your surroundings so as you step outside with your girls you are confident that you can figure out how to get to your crush and make all of those other girls obsolete. You take the reigns once outside and you and your girls come up with a fail-proof plan with each person having a key responsibility once you go back inside. You are acting just like a Middle Linebacker acts in football, you surveyed the house, figured out the best way to get to your crush, and then relayed that message to your girl friends. In football a Middle Linebacker is responsible for surveying the field and seeing how the opposition lines up and then telling his defensive counterparts what play to run in order to get to the Quarterback quickly and keep them from gaining yards. The Middle Linebacker is the "Quarterback of the Defense," and draws up the plays for the defensive line.

Once back inside, your girls immediately jump into action. Six of your girl friends were quick to notice that they knew 6 of the girls standing in front of your crush. In order to help you get to your crush they are best used as decoys. They go up to the girls that they know and immediately strike up a conversation distracting them completely from your crush. You see immediate success, 6 of the girls around your crush are now completely out of the picture as your friends talk their ear off. In this sense, your 6 girl friends are acting just like the Defensive Line in football, this includes tackles, guards, and Linemen. During the game the Defensive Line is responsible for distracting the offensive line and keeping them from protecting their Quarterback. Just like your girl friends distract the 6 girls by talking to them, the Defensive Line distracts the Offensive Line by hitting them and drawing them out of the play thus allowing you to get to the Quarterback.

However, while your 6 friends have been a tremendous help in clearing your path to your crush, there are still 2 other girls keeping you from your prize, not to mention all of the girls that keep coming through the door. Have no fear, you still have 4 of your closest friends right by your side to help catch your crush's eye. The 2 girls still by your crush are the typical party girls: the ones that always try to be the center of attention and have to cling to your crush like their life depended on it. It's going to be hard to get them separated from your crush but you are confident in your friend's capabilities. Never to back down to a challenge, your 2 most outgoing friends jump right into action. They move fast and think on their feet, so quick in fact that before you know it they have managed to get everyone on the dance floor including the 2 people who were clinging onto your crush. These 2 friends act just like Cornerbacks in football. Cornerbacks are quick on their feet and are the big play makers on defense. They are the ones that you see making the crazy acrobatic jumps in the air swatting the ball away from a Wide Receiver. Your friends primary responsibility is to think fast, act quickly, and draw the girls away from your crush, or in football terms, break up the play.

Finally, your crush is by himself, for the time being. In order to help you get to your crush before another girl swoops in, your 2 remaining friends block the path to your crush. They focus on not letting the girls who are walking through the door get to your crush. They are your last line of defense in helping ensure that you get to your crush. Your 2 remaining friends act like Safeties on the football field. Safeties are the last line of defense and their sole purpose is to keep the big play from happening. For your girl friends, the "big play" they are trying to prevent is having more girls approach your crush before you can get to them. In football, the big play Safeties work to prevent, is the big pass play that gains 20, 30, or even 40 yards. So, with all of your girls in place and doing their respective duties, you are free to make your move right towards your crush. You push through the crowd and you finally catch the eye of your crush. You guys start talking and hit it off. Little did you know but you have a lot in common, and your knowledge of college football blows him away!

Isn't it crazy how confusing sport's broadcasters work to make football seem to the innocent bystander; when it can easily be decoded using simple scenarios. I hope this scenario has helped you understand how a Defense works in football and how their major mission is to get to the Quarterback and keep the other team from scoring points. Defensive Lines spend just as much time figuring out how best to attack a Quarterback, as we do on figuring out how to catch our crush's eye...see I bet you never thought you would have something in common with those huge football players you see!!

Stick with me ladies as we move through the trenches that is football. Next on the agenda is decoding and simplifying football penalties. We'll tackle questions like: What is an Illegal Shift? Why do they have to throw a little yellow flag? Why do coaches review plays? and everything in between!

Football...Like Shopping?

Ladies, I have just had an epiphany after my last post. I feel as though I am doing exactly what everyone else is doing to us...just regurgitating a bunch of information and we are expected to understand it no questions asked. However, I realized I'm not being as helpful as I can be. So, in order to remedy this situation I have decided to relate football to OUR favorite pastime...shopping. 

You really wanna understand the offensive line? Well, let's compare it to shopping.

Here's the scenario...imagine H&M is having a huge blowout sale and everything, yes EVERYTHING, in the store is 75% off. So you grab 10 of your closest friends and take off for the nearest H&M. On your way to the mall, you begin strategizing with your friends about how to tackle the feat that is a 75% off sale. What side to attack first, do we split up into teams, go at it all together, what clothes we really need, you know the drill. In this sense, you are acting as a Quarterback acts on the field, you are leading the troops and figuring out how best to penetrate H&M that will result in the greatest amount of clothes purchased. A Quarterback strategizes how to attack a defense in order to gain the most yards and ultimately score the most points.

The time has arrived you have finally made it to H&M so you and your friends take off running to try and beat the crowd. Unfortunately, you take 2 steps into the mall and realize everyone had the same idea as you and now you are left fending off the crowds for that most perfect party dress. Lucky for you, you guys come armed with plans, in football we call them plays, in order for you all to be successful. As you enter into H&M, you decide instead of breaking into groups (your original plan), you decide you all would be best served if you stay together, so you change the plan. This change of plan is what in football they call as an audible. The quarterback, after surveying the field realizes his team would be better off doing a different play than the one he originally called, so he changes it at the last minute.

Now that you and your girls are armed with your new play you decide to put it into action. Let's be honest we always have those 5 or 6 friends who come along on a HUGE shopping trip to just browse because they just don't have the money to spend on clothes. It's ok, we have all been that person before, and let's be honest these 5 or 6 friends make the best people to shop with because instead of looking for stuff for themselves they scour the racks helping YOU find the perfect shirt to go with your new skinny jeans. These friends will do whatever it takes, from just standing around racks keeping other people from getting through them, to pushing through everyone and their brother because they have spotted THE shirt. Their only goal is to help you find the perfect outfit and make sure that you are able to get wherever you want to get in the store as easily as possible. In a way these 5 to 6 friends are acting just like Offensive Linemen in football. In football, the offensive linemen sole goal is to protect the quarterback and make his job as easy as possible. Like your friends do for you when they block people from getting to the rack you are rushing for, linemen block the opposition so that the running backs can get through them and ultimately score touchdowns. A touchdown for you at H&M is totally snagging the last size M shirt for $4, well in football it's putting 7 points up on the scoreboard!

You and your friends are now in full shopping mode. You have made it into H&M and even landed a few amazing finds in the first 30 seconds so you are feeling good. While you have those 5 to 6 friends who are just along for the ride and making sure that all of your shopping needs are met, you still have 4 other friends who are working just as hard as you to find that killer outfit. Two of your friends immediately stay behind you, using you to and the 5 to 6 friends in front to push through the crowd and trusting in you to lead them in the right direction. They have similar tastes and preferences as you and they know that by following you, they will in no doubt land the perfect shirt just like you. Once you all have made the initial surge through the crowd, these 2 friends are the ones that, in some seemingly impossible way, slip through the 25 people in front of the rack and in 30 seconds emerge with shirts for everyone, donning the right size and color for each person in your group. Before you even have time to ask how in the world they squeezed through everyone, you are all on to your next mission, finding the perfect pair of pants to go with your newfound love. In many ways these 2 friends act like Running Backs on the football field. They initially hang back behind the quarterback, surveying the field and the way defense is set up, and then after the initial snap, they take off and find holes and gaps to squeeze through to gain yards. No one really knows how most Running Backs find these tiny holes and gaps, but we all love them for gaining the yards. Lord knows as ladies, we love these 2 friends when we shop, because they do the impossible, slip through the crowd, find the right size, and are back in 20 seconds. 

Finally, this leaves your remaining 2 friends. They are the silent strikers as I like to call them. They usually walk by your 5 to 6 friends who are there just to shop, but they often stray one way or another after the initial surge of people. Whether it's a cute boy they spot by the window or a killer pair of heels, these 2 friends are the ones that always see past what we are all captivated by and instead come back with some of the greatest finds. These 2 friends act just like Wide Receivers in football. Wide Receivers are the big play makers and they are the ones that go down field and look for holes and gaps that the QB might not see right away. Like your friends who find the killer pair of heels marked down to $5, Wide Receivers are responsible for gaining 20, 30, even 40 yards on one pass play because they got down the field and open and the quarterback was able to hit them with a pass. 

So, it's all in a days work for us girls when it comes to shopping and being strategic. We know just how to navigate through a store in order to get 3 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 pair of heels, and a killer hat to top it all off for only $40. Well for football players it is all about putting the most points up on the scoreboard and keeping their quarterback safe. I bet you didn't think that one simple shopping example could teach you everything you need to know about offense in football!

Now stick with me, because tomorrow I will teach you how defense works using a simple scenario I'm sure we have all been exposed to before: a party where it just so happens your crush is attending.