The 2010 NFL has featured a plethora of injuries and controversial hits but no position has been hit harder than quarterback. In the week after numerous teams were forced to use their third-string signal-callers, the NFL started reinforcing their rules on excessive hits to any players and levied stiff fines, like the one for 75K issued to James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Some notable dispatches from the trainer’s room thus far and there’s more:

• Detroit Lions: Former first-round pick Matthew Stafford injured his shoulder on opening day and has yet to return.  His replacement, Shaun Hill, broke his arm last Sunday against the New York Giants, forcing third-stringer Drew Stanton into action.  With the luxury of a bye week this Sunday, Stafford may finally return next week against the Washington Redskins.
• Cleveland Browns: People didn’t expect to see rookie quarterback Colt McCoy much this 2010 season, that is until both starter Jake Delomme and second-stringer Seneca Wallace were sidelined with ankle injuries. Colt got the start last week against the Steelers physical defense now imagine if he would have gotten knocked out of the game. . . fans then would have been given the opportunity to see a guy named Brett Ratliff who needed to be signed off the Patriots’ practice squad.
• Philadelphia Eagles: Starting QB Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion in Week 1 opening the door for Michael Vick’s comeback.  Vick then injured his ribs a few weeks later, thus opening the door for Kolb’s “comeback” and yet another quarterback controversy in Philly. Although not a QB, an honorable mention goes to wideout DeSean Jackson who was KO’ed from a vicious hit from the Falcons last Sunday, another hit that produced a large fine against the defensive player ($50,000).
• Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler missed a recent game against the Carolina Panthers, thanks to suffering a concussion (and 9 sacks) against the New York Giants the previous week. Todd Collins saw time in that game against the Giants until he was injured on a crushing hit opening the door for the Bears’ third-string QB, “what’s his name”.
• Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars: Both starters, Vince Young and David Gerrard left last Monday night’s game with injuries setting up a battle on Monday Night Football between two second string slingers.

And this list doesn’t even include the QBs who almost didn’t make it to the starting lineup last week – the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (concussion) and the Vikings notorious “texter” Brett Favre (elbow), who nearly missed last week’s games.  So what’s the league to do?

First off, there’s not much that can be done to change the rules further to protect quarterbacks.  But keep in mind that this has become a pass-happy league – ten quarterbacks threw for over 4,000 yards in 2009 – so protecting them will be even more vital to the NFL’s future success.

That will lead to a further increase “The Blind Side” effect – namely, teams will spend top-dollar on quality left tackles that can protect their prized QBs.  Mammoth-sized offensive linemen with quick feet will only get richer (just ask Miami’s Jake Long who went No. 1 overall in his recent NFL Draft).

Finally, this all ties into a recent hot-button issue that has emerged during the collective bargaining agreement negotiations between owners and the NFLPA: should the NFL really expand to an 18-game season?  Player injuries as a whole have been trending upward, and two more games can’t be good news for QBs.  At this rate, will teams be forced to carry four of them on their rosters?  And who wants to hypothetically see Matt Flynn facing off against Tarvaris Jackson in a Sunday might match-up at Lambeau?

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri also covers the NFL for Sports Climax and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com.  He has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

Ron Burgundy would not be pleased. The fans of the San Diego Chargers are officially starting to lose it. (See YouTube video below).

The Chargers suffered a crushing 35-27 loss to their Raiders in Oakland on Sunday, a game that snapped their 13-game winning streak against their AFC West archrivals. To add insult to injury, the Raiders scored two touchdowns and a safety off Chargers miscues (two blocked punts and a fumble).  San Diego actually had a chance to kick a potential game-winning field goal late in the game, until tight end Antonio Gates was flagged for holding followed by quarterback Phillip Rivers’ fumble, which was returned to the house in the opposite direction by Tyon Branch. Game over.

Later that evening on NBC’s “Football Night in America,” Rodney Harrison, a former Chargers safety, and fellow analyst former Colts head coach Tony Dungy discussed the loss. Dungy indicated that San Diego head coach Norv Turner is partially to blame.  On Monday, the normally mellow Turner fired back at Dungy, and even cited a 2007 game his team won against Dungy’s Colts in 2007.

Norv Turner trash-talking!? A child flowing tears, screaming, “I hate the Raiders!” at the television? Almost forgot, here’s that video and BTW, kid, ‘You need to chill.’

Here’s another youngster “cheering” his Chargers on after their loss.

Who’s to blame for this mess in “San Diego?”  How about Chargers general manager A.J. Smith?

Smith, who is routinely criticized by the media and callers to San Diego sports-talk radio station XX 1090 for being arrogant, has recently drawn the ire of fans who question his recent moves.  During the off-season, he released the team’s all-time leading rusher, LaDainian Tomlinson and traded controversial cornerback Antonio Cromartie.  Both players are now enjoying success with the New York Jets.

He then refused to sign the tenders of two key free agent holdouts: wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeil, who actually signed a new contract this week.  Neither player has suited up for the Chargers in 2010.  After Smith nixed a potential trade to the Minnesota Vikings last month, Jackson’s agent, Jonathan Feinsod, stated, “They call [Smith] the Lord of No Rings for a reason.”

Smith followed that up yesterday by making linebacker Shawn Merriman the latest scapegoat, placing the oft-injured player on injured reserve with a minor-injury designation.  This means that Merriman must be released once he’s healthy.  While the team could choose to re-sign Merriman, it’s highly unlikely given the strained relationship between the two.

See a pattern developing?

Before fans go even crazier, there is some hope for the Chargers.  Turner’s teams are notoriously slow starters, yet play well down the stretch – in the past three seasons, his teams are 13-0 in December.  Plus, the team plays in the weak AFC West, so it’s not like a 12-4 record will be required to win the division.  And the icing on the cake could be the return of McNeil and the rumored return of Jackson in a few weeks.

But things better turn around quickly, as fans in “America’s Finest City” are growing impatient.  At this rate, they may become more fired up than Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown.  A scary thought, indeed…

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri also covers the NFL for Sports Climax and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com.  He has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

Critics mock Major League Baseball for its slow pace and ponderous, 162-game schedule.  But once October rolls around, no one seems to mind games that last more than three hours – not when the drama can cause fans to bite off their nails, and underdogs have a chance in the shorter, best-of-five division series.  And this year is no exception.

Only this time, it took approximately thirty hours for the American League playoffs to turn on its head.

Our wild ride begins at 3:07 PM Eastern on Wednesday in Tampa, as the Rangers visit the Rays at “The Trop.”  Jeff Francoeur doubles in the game’s first run, and Mets fans everywhere remember that he’s not in the witness protection program.  By the half-way point of the game, the Rangers are up 5-0 and Cliff Lee is cruising along to yet another dominant October victory.

In the opener of the NLDS in Philly, Roy Halliday no-hits the Reds, only the second no-no in MLB playoff history.  ‘Nuff said.

It continues at 7:37 PM Central Time in Minneapolis, as the Yankees and Twins square off in the first playoff game in the new Target Field.  After a first-inning bunt doesn’t materialize − think the Yanks aren’t in Ron Gardenhire’s head? − the Twins jump out to a 3-0 lead on CC Sabathia after three.  Could it be?  In due time, the Yankees come back to take a 4-3 lead thanks to a Curtis Granderson triple.  The Twins tie it up, but Mark Teixeira homers just inside the right field foul pole (confusing Johnson again) and giving New York a 6-4.  Marian Rivera gets another four-out save, and history repeats itself.

More of the same on Thursday in Tampa, as the Rays’ bats are silent.  The Rangers take a 2-0 lead.  In the top of the fifth, Michael Young blasts a three-run homer off James Shields just after a questionable checked swing.  Rays’ manager Joe Maddon argues the call with umpire Jim Wolf and gets ejected.  C.J. Wilson shuts down the Tampa Bay bats, and the Rangers head back home with a 2-0 series lead after a 6-0 victory.

Back to Minneapolis, 5:07 CT.  More of the same – the Twins take and early 2-0 lead, but the Yankees tie it up and then take the lead in the first on a Lance Berkman home run.  Orlando Hudson’s (remember him, Dodgers fans?) solo homer in the 6^th ties it up.  In the top of the 7^th, the much-maligned Berkman hits a go-ahead double after – ironically – a questionable pitch is called a ball.  Gardenhire also gets ejected, Rivera again closes it out in the 9^th, and reality sets in.

Two questionable calls, two ejections, two 2-0 leads for the road teams heading back home for their respective Game 3s of the ALDS.  All in just over thirty hours.

Who says baseball is predictable and boring?

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri also covers the NFL for Sports Climax and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com.  He has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

The calendar has finally turned to October, which evokes thoughts of cool weather, pumpkins, homecoming and – most importantly – the MLB playoffs.  Say what you will about the seemingly ponderous regular season, but the postseason has featured some riveting games the past few years, and this season should be no exception.  On top of it all, viewers won’t have to be subjected to Chip Caray’s horrible play-by-play on TBS anymore.

With that being said, we would like to point out some things that the mainstream media won’t tell you about the playoffs.  Here are three fearless predictions/ things to watch for:

1. Everyone wants and expects a Phillies-Yankees rematch, but don’t count on it.

Yes, the Northeast-centric media and Fox executives would drool over this potential World Series.  But the fact of the matter is this – before last year, the last time both favorites headed into the playoffs was 1999, when the Yankees faced the Braves.  (2001 does not count, because the 116-win Seattle Mariners were the favorites in the AL).  So the odds are against a 2009 rematch; don’t be shocked if an underdog wins the pennant.

2. Don’t underestimate the Giants and Rays.

Everyone is fawning over the Phillies top three starting pitchers (Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels), but have you forgotten about the trio in San Francisco?  Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez aren’t too shabby, and don’t count out the suddenly resurrected Barry Zito.  As for the Rays, they had the most wins in the AL, and only one less than the Phillies.  They have a solid trio of starting pitchers (David Price, Matt Garza and James Shields), and Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria are dangerous at the plate.

3. A Rays-Giants World Series would cause Fox “suits” to cringe.

While it would likely be a good match-up, would anyone watch outside of the two respective Bay areas?  Thanks to the New York and Philadelphia markets, the 2009 Series was the most-watched in five years, and had a 39% increase in viewership over the 2008 Phillies-Rays Series – the largest year-over-year increase ever.  Bottom line: the most Phillies and Yankees fans outside of their home cities will be in the Fox headquarters in Los Angeles.

While this space is not usually a forum for predictions or “homer-ism,” it would be amusing if the Rays and Giants faced off in the Fall Classic.  Look on the bright side – at least we wouldn’t have to endure Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

But then who would watch November baseball?

More MLB:

National League Playoff Schedule – NLDS

American League Playoff Schedule – ALDS

Braves Clinch on Final Day – Sports Climax

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri also covers the NFL for Sports Climax and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com.  He has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

The NFL’s version of Jamie Moyer, 46-year-old kicker John Carney, will be returning to his old stomping (make that, booting) grounds of New Orleans for the third time.  The Saints signed the ageless kicker on Tuesday, and a report yesterday indicated that he will kick on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.  This is a move that is clearly meant to send a signal to their current struggling kicker, Garrett Hartley. 

Hartley, who is 24 years old and could easily refer and relate to Carney as “Dad.” is just 4-for-7 in field goal attempts this season. This includes a key 29-yard shanker last week in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons, as well as two misses in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.  Ironically, all three misses have come indoors at home in the kicker-friendly confines of his Superdome home.

Hartley’s fall from grace has come quickly.  He was a hero in New Orleans in February, fueled by his overtime field goal to beat the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game.  He then converted all three field goals in the Saints Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts – all of which were at least 40 yards long (a Super Bowl record).

Ironically, Carney kicked for the Saints during the 2009 season while Hartley was serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for a banned stimulant.  Carney converted 13 of 17 field goal attempts, and then served as team’s kicking consultant for the remainder of the season.

Carney had a great season with the New York Giants in 2008, filling in for the injured Lawrence Tynes and converting 35 out of 38 attempted field goals.  He has 473 career field goals and also previously played with the Buccaneers, Chargers, Chiefs and Jaguars.

While it remains to be seen what will become of Hartley, the Saints (particularly head coach Sean Payton) are to be commended for keeping him on the roster.  The Saints also deserve credit for not discriminating against middle-aged workers and for not outsourcing work to other countries.  Corporate America should take note.

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

The 2010 MLB season ends this weekend, with the AL East, AL Wild Card, NL West and NL Wild Card spots still up in the air.  But for many other teams, this off-season could potentially be as interesting as the playoff races. 

As many as 13 teams could change managers for the 2011 season, an unprecedented number. This is on top of the two recent hirings of Buck Showalter in Baltimore and Don Mattingly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here’s how the managerial landscape currently stands heading into the hot stove season: 

• The Braves and Blue Jays are certain to have new managers due to the announced retirements of Bobby Cox and Cito Gaston, respectively.  Former Marlins manager (and Hanley Ramirez’s least favorite skipper) is the current front-runner in Atlanta.
• The Cubs, Diamondbacks, Mariners and Marlins currently have interim managers, and are all likely to hire new ones.
• The Brewers, Mets and Pirates are likely to make changes soon.  Don’t expect Jerry Manuel and Ken Macha to have their options picked up in New York and Milwaukee, respectively.  Two interesting names that have recently popped up – Joe Torre potentially going back to Queens (thanks to his “…I hope the phone rings” faux pas) and former Mets manager/current Brewers bench coach Willie Randolph taking over for Macha.  And would anyone really notice if John Russell was jettisoned in Pittsburgh?

This brings us to the most interesting part of the discussion, the potential changes that loom.

• Tony La Russa’s contract us up in St. Louis.
• Ozzie Guillen may want out of Chicago, especially given his son’s feud with White Sox GM Kenny Williams via Twitter.
• Dusty Baker has yet to ink the Reds’ offered contract extension.
• Joe Girardi’s contract is up with the Yankees at the end of the season.  The possibility still looms that the former Cubs catcher would return to Chicago to manage his hometown team.  However, Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg remains the fan-favorite to take over.

Oh, the possibilities are endless.  How about this scenario?  Girardi, miffed at not getting an extension after winning a World Series in 2009 and/or blamed for the Yankees’ collapse this season, bolts for Wrigley Field.  Torre, fresh off his make-up hug with GM Brian Cashman, makes like Billy Martin and triumphantly returns to the Bronx.  The Mets, spurned again and yet again reacting to the Yankees’ lead, hire ESPN’s Bobby Valentine for a second go-round.  Guillen moves to Miami to take the Marlins, where his son is also free to Tweet away at Williams.  White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, sensing the “reunion” theme, brings La Russa back to the South Side (although the hideous 1983-style uniforms should NOT return).

At the very least, this should make for excellent reality television.  Who needs “Jersey Shore” (or is it “Sewer”)?

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

If New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan’s goal for 2010 was to get the team more attention, he’s sure done a good job of it. 

After proclaiming in January that his squad was the AFC playoff frontrunner, they surprised many by making it as far as the AFC Championship game with rookie QB “The Sanchize” at the helm. 

Since then, the outspoken Ryan has shown that the apple hasn’t fallen far from the *Buddy) tree but after flipping birds in public and F bombing his way through preseason, all of a sudden Rex doesn’t want to play this game of frat house any more.

Here’s a recap of Ryan’s journey since joining the Jets:

• Flipped off Miami Dolphins fans at a MMA event in Sunrise, Florida during Pro Bowl weekend.
• Played it up for the cameras of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series about Jets training camp, complete with dropping more F-bombs this side of Bobby Knight.
• Fired back at NBC analyst (and former Colts coach) Tony Dungy, saying he was “unfairly judged”after Dungy criticized him for using such salty language.  (The two later cleared the air in a face-to-face meeting.)
• Engaged in a war of words with Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis before the season opener.  The Jets ended up losing the game, 10-9, and Lewis did not shake his former defensive coordinator’s hand after the game.
• Was mentioned as part of an inappropriate behavior allegationmade by TV reporter Ines Sainz.  This included Sainz claiming that he and defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman “…purposely overthrew passes” so they would land near her and players cat-calling in the locker room.

Fast-forward to this week, which featured Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (he of the Kimbo Slice-esque beard) getting arrested for DWI on Tuesday at 5:15 AM in Manhattan.  To make matters worse, Edwards’ blood alcohol level was .16 (approximately double the legal limit), and reports stated that teammates Vernon Gholston and D’Brickashaw Ferguson were also in the car with him.

Ironically, Ryan ripped his players for their recent behavior in a Wednesday morning meeting.  He later told the media, “I’m tired of the embarrassment to our owner and this organization. Let’s just end it.”  Nothing like the pot calling the kettle black, Rex.

More Jets:

NFL’s Version of the Hatfields and McCoys – Sports Climax

“The Sanchize” Needs to Rise for the Jets – Sports Climax

Rex Ryan, King of the F Bombs – Sports Climax

Rex Ryan Fined $50,000 for Flipping Bird – Sports Climax

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

In the latest installment of the NFL’s new version of the Hatfields and McCoys, the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots 28-14 yesterday at Meadowlands Stadium.  So ends the first installment in the cold war between the two AFC East rivals.  Here’s a quick rundown of how some of the key players in this on and off-the-field rivalry fared: 

• Pats QB Tom Brady: He told WEEI radio during training camp, “I hate the Jets.” When asked if he watched HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”  After blowing a 14-10 halftime lead and, getting shutout in the second half and being picked off twice, Brady’s post-game response was, “We just sucked.”  Perhaps that awful Justin Bieber-type hairdo doesn’t help your vision, Tom.
• No-longer disgruntled Jets CB Darrelle Revis, who has referred to Parts WR Randy Moss as a “slouch,” was torched by Moss for a fantastic one-handed touchdown catch just before the end of the first half.  Revis later left the game with a hamstring injury.  Let’s see if Revis keeps his mouth shut come December.
• The teams’ two head coaches, Bill Belichick and Rex Ryan have traded verbal jabs the past two seasons.  However, the two shook hands and talked before the game, and did so after the game as well.  Makes you feel better about humanity, doesn’t it?
• The biggest winner was Jets QB Mark Sanchez (a.k.a. “The Sanchize”), who threw for 220 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions as he led his team to a second-half comeback.  This comes on the heels of an awful performance last Monday night in a 10-9 loss to the Ravens, in which he threw for just 74 yards and checked down more often that Matt Leinart.  But all is forgotten and Sanchez is once again the savior and tabloid darling.  That must mean it’s Eli Manning’s turn to be run out of town by the New York media.

The two teams face off again in Week 13 on Monday Night Football in Foxboro on December 6.  Here’s hoping that the war of words heats up again right after Thanksgiving and that both teams are still in the playoff hunt.  Otherwise, there’s no point in enduring Mike Tirico’s voice…

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

The L.A. Dodgers announced yesterday that manager Joe Torre will be exiting his position at the end of this season and his replacement will be hitting coach Don Mattingly. 

During his tenure, Torre took the club to back-to-back appearances in the NL Championship Series in 2008-09, both times losing to the Philadelphia Phillies. One question that remains is whether Torre is retiring altogether from managing.  Reports floating around indicates the Chicago Cubs and N.Y. Mets may be interested in Torre should be become available.

This was Torre’s final year of a three-year contract and his departure was expected. This tumultuous season included a slashed payroll, turmoil stemming from the divorce of the team’s owners Frank and Jamie McCourt and the team’s collapse since the All-Star break in July. These factors weighed heavily and clearly wore on Torre. 

What’s surprising about this changing of the guard is the fact Mattingly was given the Dodgers’ top job.  While it was all-but a certainty the past few years that he was being groomed to be Torre’s replacement in the future, recent rumblings indicated that the team might instead promote former Dodger Tim Wallach.

“The opportunity to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers is truly an honor,” Mattingly said about his first managing job. The former Yankees first baseman is scheduled to be in the Arizona Fall League this off-season to manage a team there. 

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

The New York Giants face the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night at Lucas Oil Field in a key Week Two match-up. But more importantly, it’s that time again, NFL fans – it will also be “Manning Bowl II,” as Eli and his brother Peyton square off for just the second time, and the first since 2006. 

This is also only the second time ever in NFL history that had brothers starting at quarterbacks in the same game. 

Here are a few things for viewers to look forward to: 

• Expect to hear multiple references to how both Eli and Peyton have the same number of Super Bowl rings.
• Expect Eli to reference his “Amazing Catches” story about big brother Peyton in the pregame show yet again.
• Expect Archie Manning to be interviewed by every major sports television and radio outlet between now and kickoff.
• Don’t expect the proud Manning parents to state which team they are rooting for that night.
• The over/under on the number of times NBC cuts to a shot of Archie and Olivia in the stands: 63.
• Number of times NBC’s Al Michaels will mention the point spread and over/under line during the game: 1.
• Number of times that Colts’ head coach Jim Caldwell will be asked about possibility of resting his starters towards the end of an undefeated regular season: zero (thankfully)
• Expect Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin to throw the red replay flag to challenge a referee’s call – and be unsuccessful yet again.

Most importantly, let’s hope that it’s at least as good a game as the first “Manning Bowl,” which the Colts won 26-21 at the Meadowlands.  Oh, and that the brothers are cordial to each other after the game and don’t fight.  OK, at least we won’t have to worry about the latter one…

Used with permission of the author.

Chris Lardieri covers the Los Angeles Dodgers for Examiner.com and has written about Major League Baseball for Inside Edge, a scouting company that provides content to ESPN Insider and Yahoo Sports. He previously wrote for 1766, the Rutgers Alumni Magazine, and popular blog, ‘The Outer Loop’.  Be sure to follow Chris on Twitter for more MLB and sports observations.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC