Blog Hog: The Patriots are Coming!

Now that Santana is with the Mets, Dear Criss, I can think about the Sox without fearing for my boys getting shipped off somewhere. I don't have to feel like I wanna puke. Apparently, current polls on Red Sox Nation, conducted by The Boston Globe, show the same feelings. And the stinkin' Yankees didn't get him either! Woo hoo!

Word on the street is New Kids are going on tour. I don't know if there's a place for that on this blog, but I'm not sure how to process it in my brain either. Seriously?

Back to sports. I love media day. There's so much silliness and excitement in the air. Makes you want to skip work to watch SportsCenter all day. Countdown to the Super Bowl! Why are your players wearing red heels by the way? I think you need to look up some of those pics. But I love that Tom is taking pictures of Deion. It's always good to see the high stepper. Priiiiime time.

Roxy

Team: Jim Davis, Boston Globe

Deion: Harry How, Getty Images

Watch out for the Milkman

Um, when did Milk 'Stache-man Wes Welker become a Soviet? Whoa! You are delirious, Dear Criss.

And give me a break with the Phil Rivers sob stories. "And then he got bit by a dog, after saving three children from a wild rabbit after he lost his contacts and could barely see how he helped an old woman cross the street while using his crutches."

Seriously, everyone needs to chill with the Patriot hating. What's the deal? Playing hard and winning is suddenly bad. I can't believe we have to wait another week for football. I don't know what to do with myself. And then what do we do after the Super Bowl? I guess focus on spring training.

So what's up with your Johnny "Traitor" Damon endorsing Rudy? Are you serious? Will Wolf Blitzer be interviewing him next? Wait, will people actually vote for someone because Damon endorsed them? I'm scared.

Roxy

AP Photo, Milk Processor Education Program

Giants-Patriots

I know I said I would be rooting for Brett Favre and the Packers but I lied, Dear Roxy. I found myself rooting and pushing for the Giants everytime they had a first down.

And so it is... Giants-Patriots in the Superbowl.

Manning-Brady! May Manning & Company prosper! Plus, watching the Patriots play and win is kinda boring.

Plaxico Burress was amazing last night. And so was Eli, of course. A lot has been said about him and the "lack" of experience and poise, but that was thrown out the window last night. Good for Eli!

Oh, and that crazy temperature last night. I mean, -2 with a windchill of -24! Crazy! I'm just glad I was watching the game in the comfort of my own home.

I also have to mention Philip Rivers. You wanna talk about playing hurt? The guy had arthroscopic knee surgery last week in order to play against the Pats! And not only that, he now needs to have surgery to repair a torn ACL!!! Talk about leaving it all on the field.

Back to the Superbowl. I can't wait to see this matchup again. The Giants showed they can play, and play good football, against your guys. As a matter of fact, for the past two weeks, the teams the Pats have played have shown us that they are, in fact, unbeatable. They've just come short in the end. Hopefully the Giants won't.

And like the US team in Miracle, somebody's gonna beat the Soviets!


Rizzo: Mike Eruzione, Winthrop, Massachusetts
Herb: Who do you play for?
Rizzo: I play for... the United States of America

-Criss

Super Bowl Bound!

18-0.

Pats - Giants.

This is gonna be good.

And barf, of course you're gonna go for Eli and his Giants. You know, Dear Criss, I felt bad for Brett. I am getting old and turning into a sentimental sports sucker. But you know what? He's been there before. So if he decides to retire this year or in ten more years, it'll be okay. And speaking of - I ordered the commemorative Red Sox Sports Illustrated mag and they sent me the Sportsman of the Year Brett Favre issue. I called them and the lady said, "Do you know how lucky you are?" Apparently these sold so well they reproduced 4,000 extra copies, which were gone in a week. Guess I need to contact the Smithsonian or Green Bay historical society.

And although I'm late, I wanted to point out one of my old 49er faves Bryant Young who is very likely retiring. He's been aroung for 14 years, is a four-time Pro Bowler, and the last guy left from the Super Bowl glory days of old with Steve Young. Went out with a win (thank you Niners).

"I was just trying to enjoy the moment and focus on the game, and just trying to focus on my job," said Young, who played a noticeably effective game in his usual thankless role in the trenches. "I was trying not to get too emotional and break down, because I had a job to do out there." - San Francisco Chronicle

So here's to all the media hype preceding the Super Bowl, and here's to us arguing about how the other person is ridiculous for rooting for X team.

Roxy

Bruschi: Boston Globe, Barry Chin; Reuters

Bryant Young: San Francisco Chronicle, Michael Macor

Thank you for that quick and precise update, Dear Roxy. You're good at what you do!
Sooooo, totally heartbroken now that Peyton and Co. are out of the playoffs... I definitely didn't see that one coming. There's always next year, right?

Surprisingly enough, Little Eli and Co. won! I was definitely rooting for them. Enough of Romo and Owens! Ha, the whole Owens crying thing had me laughing! I wasn't completely sure if it was for show or not, but it was entertaining indeed. I kinda feel bad for it.

And you wanna know about heart? Just take a look at Brett Favre. That guy plays with heart everytime he sets foot on that field. That's what I've always liked about him all these years, and now that the Colts are out, I know who I'll be rooting for the rest of the way.... although I like Eli too! Decisions decisions.

And even though the Chargers won agains the Colts, it's not hard to say I'll be rooting for them against your Pats.

Super excited about football playoffs!!!

PS: What's with OJ?

And in baseball news, super sad news about former Yankee, Jim Leyritz. I suppose you have to pay the consequences when you drink and drive.

-Criss

Showdowns!

You want an update on the Heat? They're still losing. Now to the exciting stuff...

I love football. I really do. It's the only sport where I enjoy watching the other games/teams to figure out who's gonna play who. I footballed myself out this weekend. Brett Favre is a maverick. Peyton shouldn't have lost to the Lighting Bolts. Eli in the NFC Championship game?! That boy has matured immensly in his game. It's almost like he then exploded with New England. But can he take on Favre? I don't think so. You know, after so many years of just not being able to stand old Brett (particularly during the Steve Young years), I now have a soft spot for him. Don't mind him much at all these days. I was actually happy for him. If it comes down to him and Brady, imagine what a game that would be. A shoot out by the best of the quarterbacks.

I'm ready to take on LaDanian and his incredible dislike of the Pats. And then there's his QB who trash talks opponents on the field. Hello?! When was Aikman or Young, Montana, Marino or Elway ever talking smack like that? Give me a break. I can barely wait for all these games. So let me guess, Dear Criss: You're going for Eli all the way.

Finally, I know some folks said Romo going to Mexico during the off days with the chick-whose-name-I-will-not-write-here was really not a big deal. I think it was. Maybe some players can handle it, but after a terrible ending to his season last year, he should've been exercising to the Rocky soundtrack everyday. I think he should have remained focused in Texas or the region, ready to take on the G-men. I think it hurt him big time, and I'm waiting for comments from T.O. and Jerry-Sidelines-Jones.

What did you think?

Roxy

17: Getty Images, Jim McIsaac

Moss: AP, Charles Krupa

Playoffs!

Of course I'm rooting for the other team, Dear Roxy. What kind of fan do you think I am?... I still want the Dolphins to have the only undefeated season.

I can't wait to catch up on some football this weekend. I must admit I missed it just a bit while I was gone. But now that I'm here, I miss eveything from there :( I should leave more often... it can only balance itself out that way, I think.

Although I was rooting for the Chargers last week, it's all about the Colts this weekend. I can't wait to see Manning in action after what it seems like a month. I think it will be a good weekend all around.

And yes, I will still defend Roger.... and the whole I've never used steroids deal.

Since you mentioned Johan, I must add that the Mets were looking to sign him too, but weren't willing to give up their prospects. I think Santana's signing is gonna be tougher than he initially thought. We shall see.

In basketball news, I know nothing. Please enlighten me!

-Criss

Playoff Time!

Is Belichik smiling?

So now we're splitting hairs on HGH vs. steroids. Oh, then that's okay, Dear Criss. It's okay that your Yankees add HGH to their cereal, maybe even smear it on their toast. I know we discussed this, but the more clips I hear from that taped conversation with Roger Clemens, the more I think the whole thing is sketchy. I'm not saying he did it or he didn't, but it's all sketchy. And you rooted for Ohio State? Do you hate UM? Do you not still feel the pain from that game? I'm going to distribute your picture to all of the UM students on campus so that they can throw darts at it. You better stay home.

Well, it looks like the Steelers didn't make it. That was hard to watch. Too many turnovers. And now my Pats have a chance to bring down those same Jags. Go get 'em, Tom!

Let me guess who you're going for...

Countdown to Saturday. Pats! Pats! Pats!

And word on the street (Boston Globe) is that the Sox are close to a deal with Mirabelli.

Roxy

I'm back!

I leave for two weeks and this blog becomes Red-Sox filthy! Argh!!!

I am so out of the loop on sports, Dear Roxy. I can definitely tell you sports-related stories from the homeland but what good will it do?

I do know one thing, Rox, Pettitte admitted to using HGH, not steroids. And I am still behind Roger – 100%!

BTW, thank you for the grad wishes! I am finally done… for now… I think.

I see the Pats are a perfect 16-0… nothing like a good spoiler in the post-season. And did he break Manning’s record? If he did, I like him even less.

Go Dolphins! Glad to see you didn't go winless. Whew!

Congrats to LSU for winning the big one - I must admit I found myself rooting for the OSU - but well deserved!

And no more Red Sox crap on this thing... as soon as you go out of town, it's Yankee's pinstripes, girl!

-Criss

PS: Happy belated Birthday, Rox!!!

Although you were a bit sick, I'm sure you found a way to have a good time :)

16 and Oh My! Perfect.

Sweet 16 indeed. Well, looks like Dear Criss will be back this week to view the Boston/New England dominated blog that Sporting Gals has become while she's been away. Look how nice it looks! Hee, hee, hee. That game against the Giants was no walk in the park for the Pats. It was like a good movie. Then there's Benny who hurt his ankle. I'm a little nervous about the Steelers. I know Dallas really didn't have anything to lose by giving up their last game, but I think you have to play well all the way through. Have shaky Romo talk to Steve Young about Brett Favre.

Wildcard weekend will be very interesting.

Happy New Year!

Roxy

Fan: AFP, Getty Images, Chris McGrath

Bill: SI.com via Boston Globe