Who am I kidding? Let's start at the top, with the hottest news since the A-Rod to Boston (non)-trade: the New England Patriots. I still don't think people around the country respect and appreciate the Patriots, and the Patriots know this.
How can you not respect them though? They have won 14 straight games, the second-longest winning streak in NFL history. They are a seven-point favorite to win the Super Bowl. They have overcome countless injuries, headaches and, of course, the skeptics. People say they are too small, too slow and have no big-play guys or superstars, but come on. When does the MVP of the NFL ever win the Super Bowl? This year's co-MVPs, Steve McNair and Peyton Manning, could do nothing against the New England defense. Manning, hailed as the best passer in the league, only mustered a 35.5 passer rating, and McNair, the wounded soldier, managed only 210 yards and one touchdown.
The Patriots are unstoppable. Let's get that straight before I go any further. There's no need to knock on wood, or worry about jinxes. No matter who has more talent or plays better on Super Bowl Sunday, one thing is certain: Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots will have a superior game plan. John Fox may be a great coach, but he is no Bill Belichick.
The Patriots don't win because they are the better team-they win because they are the better prepared team, and they don't make mistakes. In the Patriots' two losses this season, Tom Brady threw a combined seven interceptions. Since then, he has thrown just five more in the last 14 games while the Patriots have intercepted 29 of their opponents' passes. In addition, the Patriots have lost only seven fumbles all season. The Patriots play smart football by taking care of the ball, throwing conservative, successful passes and playing tough defense.
The Patriots will win the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. It's a sure thing, just like Lebron James will win the NBA Rookie of the Year, the Yankees will not win the World Series, New York will always have one football team (the Bills), the Portland Trail Blazers will have at least two more players get arrested for marijuana possession this season, and Vin Baker will attempt a comeback, and then drink again, and then try another comeback, then drink again, then retire. This is the inevitable. Don't try to fight it.
There's not one really specific topic that I feel deserves a whole section to itself, so here're a few Babbling Bostonian observations dating back to the middle of December.
Does anyone else think the Lakers deserve everything that has happened to them this year? Karl Malone didn't miss a game in 32 years in the league, yet immediately after selling his soul to Los Angeles, he hits the Injured List. And what has happened to Gary Payton could not have happened to a nicer guy. While I'm a huge fan of GP's skills, he's never been high on my "guys who seem to really love the game" list. GP went to L.A. to play with three future Hall of Famers. Instead he's playing with squad full of C.B.A. graduates, honorable mention all-conference college players, and guys who are only in the N.B.A. because they won a lot of rings with Michael Jordan, as well as guys who are only in the N.B.A. because Jordan won rings by schooling them over and over again. See Derek Fisher, Horace Grant, Devean George, Kareem Rush, Stanislav Medvedenko, Bryon Russell and Luke Walton.
The New York Rangers are the biggest embarrassment in sports history. They might as well sign Pete Rose and make it official.
Speaking of Rose, HAHAHAHAHA, how pathetic! He should have just kept denying it. Now he has negative credibility.
And speaking of pathetic, what the hell is Vin Baker thinking? I mean, seriously, stop drinking! Is it really worth $40 million?! All he has to do is admit he's old, work semi-seriously in practice, sit on the bench for two seasons, and cha-ching! And how about his family and the "best doctors money can buy?" If I were Vin Baker's family, I'd look him in the eye, slap him across the face one way, slap him across the face the other way, and ask him "What the hell is your problem?" What a waste. If Danny Ainge had half a brain and knew what was best for the Celtics, he'd call Dennis Rodman as soon as possible and offer him a contract. And if Ainge knew what was best for Vin Baker, he'd sit Baker down and make him watch Joe Namath's heartfelt proposition to Suzy Kolber over and over again. Vin, that's going to be you in 10 years if you don't stop drinking!
Over break I had the pleasure of commuting to Amherst on weekends to work at the men's hockey games. I learned a couple things:
1. When the rink speakers don't work, players immediately blame the scorekeeper. Guys, don't kill the messenger!
2. There are two kinds of hits in college hockey. There's normal checking and then there's Brandon Zangel '07 hits.
Moral of the story: I enjoy babbling.