Looking Back, Foward and Across

Well its the almost the new year, so like any pundit its time to recap those events that we remember. Why do pundits do that? My first impression is because America has no memory. I keep waiting for reunion shows for shows that are still ongoing. I would also say people are lazy . I mean what else explains the existence of Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks. But the 5th Street will one up the usual punditry by doing adding a little imitation and a little prognastication.

The Present (i.e. This Week in Sports)

The Manwhich Matchup
The Super Chargers and Colts made this game into a super sloppy joe. High powered offense, an exciting come back and recording breaking performances. The Chargers had LT running on all cylinders, hadn't made any mistakes and somehow had contained Manning for about 55 minutes. But there's always that third part of the game (you know the one that's so bad on the Browns that no one even mentions) thats right Special Teams. When Rhodes returned the kickoff for a TD it kept the Colts in the game and seemingly got the fire stoked under Mannings feet.

Upset of the Week
Well for once in the NFL pretty much all the favored teams held serve. Yes, I know Jacksonville lost but Leftwich had a concussion. I'm fairly certain if Byron knew that that he was playing football and not basketball the Jaguars would have one the game. The game that I was most suprised about was Denver over Tennessee. This is a team that well folds faster than Superman on laundry day. But somehow Jake "Middle Finger" Plummer gave them the victory. Can Denver actually make it to the Playoffs? A definitive maybe.

The Future
Next week's big game is Carolina v. New Orleans. Both teams are hot (and not in the Brittney Spears trashy soon to be former career way). The winner pretty much will get the last wild card and get the joy of going to Green Bay. Nonetheless hold onto your Rolling Rocks sports fans I'm predicting a great game (and a new orleans victory)

The Past
Well its been a long year in the Sports World. The ectasy of victory, tragedy of defeat (well if your in Cleveland its the later and the never the former). Here's a brief list of the best and worst of 2004:

Best Team:
Detroit Pistons - This is a team that really came together, played as a unit and won as a unit. They seemed to get better as the playoffs ran on (play of the year coming for Tayshoun Prince blocking Reggie Miller's lay-up). Unlike the Patroits (runner up for team of the year) they dominated in the championship , with the mighty Lakers being reduced to squabbeling children.

Best Game:
The best game of the year probably happened in the Super Bowl. Two teams marching back and forth, a last second field goal, nudity, funny commercials...what else could be better? I'm not sure maybe if Belichek had celebrated the victory by doing some sort of Irish jig but this was as close to a perfect game (read Rams over Titans) as your going to get. The runner up with UConn winning the national championship over Georgia Tech (its The Tournament it always get a shout-out)

Player of the Year:
Mia Hamm. Her team won the gold in Athens. It was her and the rest of these modern day Amazons that enough gold and championships that would make King Tut jealous. They started an entire league for these gals (by contrast Lebron James gets a gator-aid named after him...hmm lets think about this one). Is there really anyone with comparable atheletic accomplishments, talents, grace and respect in today's sports?

Most Over-Hyped Moment
Boston winning the World Series. Ah the inhumanity of city not winning a championship in the last oh 9 months or so. How could a team with the 2nd biggest payroll that had just added a World Series MVP actually win a World Series? What adversity they had to overcome. Talk about overhyped. Yes the Red Sox hadn't won a World Series since butter and bread had become a best selling item. But the biggest thing in their way was a fat dead guy. Come on! The one thing that makes me happy is that we won't have to listen (hopefully) to Boston fans bitch and moan.

Goats of the Year
Ron Artest
For making everyone forget about what is going on in the NBA. For ruining Larry's Bird's team and keeping them from winning a championship. For making kids cry.

Barry Bonds, Bud Selig and Don Fehr
Steriods 10,003
Record Book 0
Safety 0
Common Sense 0

Butch "Napoleon" Davis
Do I really need a reason?

Happy New Year to all and to all a good night