Cheers and Jeers: Mage's Fire

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Vodka
• 1 part Cinnamon schnapps
• 1 part Blue Curacao

A few days before the big Super Bowl Day. The media has long since run out of topics that are semi-relevant to discuss, the players know their roles, and the only thing left to do is get the giant pizza, fill up on beer and assume the position on the couch. HOWEVER before so here's a few burning questions that C&J is still wondering about....

1. Super Bowl Advertising

Now that took creativity

I know its totally non-sports related but the Super Bowl is far more than a sporting event its a cultural mega-event. Everyone tunes into the Super Bowl because well everyone tunes into the Super Bowl. This cycle produces the biggest Ads, the movie previews we should all be aware, and a new zeitgeist to discuss around the water cooler (do people really have water coolers?). Unfortunately with the recession on I fear a lot of commercials will be subpar (including Miller's fabled 1 second commercials). We'll see....

2. Kurt Warner's Read and React

Dude Look up!

The best and only way to avoid the feared Yinzer exotic blitzing scheme is quick reads and reacting. There are no 5 step drops. No college pockets were you have time to knit a wool hat. Warner needs to be completely aware of surroundings or he (and the Cardinals) are going to regret it.


3. Handle the Pressure (Act like you've been there before)

No caption needed

In possibly the worst Super Bowl I can remember, Ben Roethlisberger stunk it up versus Seattle not too long ago. I mean if Seattle hadn't equally sucked everyone would remember Roethlisberger as a choker as opposed to a guy with a Super Bowl ring. Can Roethlisberger handle the pressure this time? Will he at least act like he belongs there?

4. The New Kings?

ESPN mad cuz we're flagarant

Can anyone imagine if the hullaballoo if it was Dallas going for an NFL record 6th title? There would be daily polls on why the Cowboys were the greatest franchise ever in the NFL. There would be questions on what was more dominating the Cowboys in the NFL or the Roman Empire in the Middle East. And yet instead we have simple, small Pittsburgh poised to be Kings of the NFL. How will that factoid be handled in the press? Will it trickle into more coverage? Respect? I wouldn't bet on it but it could be an interesting question.

Anyway a little Cheering and Jeering....

Jeers: To the lack of decaf coffee in the afternoon. Why do people drink decaf in the morning? Isnt the point to wake up? I don't understand. Then again I need the caffeine to avoid any hint of weakness. Cause in those moments the clowns will attack.

Cheers To the Dookies going down to Wake Forest. Not only does Duke lose (always a good thing) but this is now the third straight week of the #1 team losing. C&J is going to keep saying it until it comes true. The Madness will be out of control this year...


Jeers: To 25 years of David Stern. Once upon a time maybe David Stern was normal, rational and not a raging dictatorial jerk. We'll probably need a team of historians working around the clock to realize when that exact point was before he started blowing goats. Hmm the legal department says I need to add the word allegedly. Fair enough.

Cheers: The NBA Rookie v. Sophomore challenge. Look at the names on the list. Pretty impressive. Certainly more so than Allan Iverson in the regular All-Star Game (Free Mo Williams!)


And your C&J gal of the week....Naomi Cruz, who was on the short list for Middle East peace envoy but was ultimately passed over for George Mitchell. For which I will never forgive this administration.

NFL Preview Part III: AFC Fallers

While the NFC has had teams bounce around like me at a mosh pit, the AFC playoff picture has really been a picture of stability. Honestly in drawing up a list of those AFC teams that made the playoff last year who might not make it this year do I even bother making comments on Indy and New England? For them its all about the health of Brady and Manning. Both are coming off injuries really for the first time in their careers. However none of the injuries appear lingering, debilitating or ultimately team destructive. How do I know this? I don't have the first clue. But until there's evidence it affects their regular season play I'm not even bothering listing them falling. So out of the remaining 4.....

1) Tennessee - Lets be honest the Titans only made the playoffs last year because the Colts rested their entire team and then didn't even try in the final week. That's it. They haven't drafted well as they now have 7 running backs (including Vince Young). If anyone screams natgonnahappen its the Titans.

2) Jacksonville - This is less a direct commentary on Jacksonville then it is on their division. I'm willing to argue the AFC South is the most competitive division in the AFC (maybe the NFL) and any slip up could spell the Jaguars missing the playoffs. 2nd year quarterbacks sometimes take steps back as teams get better at game planning. The idea of that Fred Taylor will be healthy for two straight years might be a stretch. Oh and that once vaunted DL is way down (they still can't bring in their top draft pick).

3) Pittsburgh - Personally I think Jacksonville is a better team. Pittsburgh has THE toughest. Their offensive line last year was near atrocious and thats before they lost Alan Faneca (not to say Faneca is his old self but is the replacement better). And now they're star NT that really anchored the D was out with being a big fatty. So with all these negatives whats the positive. Its the AFC North. Baltimore won't compete given that they don't actually field a QB. Cinci could surprise some teams if they can avoid arrests and find a healthy RB. The big question is the Browns. Can they finally beat the hated Yinzers? That'll determine who will take the AFC North

4) San Diego- Similar to Pittsburgh if not San Diego who else can the West? Denver is relying on Jay Cutler to manage the offense and his diabetes. The chargers seem to have less margin this year as Michael Turner is gone, Antonio Gates is still hurt and I think River had his leg replaced with some sort of cybernetic implant. I'm betting the Chargers will continue to rule the West but it seems much less secure on paper....