Like it or not, Manning is the best QB in the NFL and he's going to win another Super Bowl title

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So you hate Peyton Manning? Well, get ready to do a little more hating after you see him hoist up the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Colts win the Super Bowl.

Yes, it's going to happen.

And yes, Peyton Manning is that good. Believe it Patriot Nation, Manning is even better than Tom Brady.

I said it, and it pains me to say that. Two years ago I wouldn't have made that statement, but Manning just keeps getting better, while Brady isn't.

As for the Super Bowl, I'll be wearing my NFL-issued Drew Brees No. 9 jersey and rooting on the Saints and the city of New Orleans.

But I think the Colts are a better team -- in all three phases of the game.

But I don't think it's going to be a cakewalk, either.

The Saints can win this game, but they need to play flawless football to do so. And I think the Colts won't let the Saints play perfect ball, either.

Manning is so good that even if the Colts trailed by 14 points in the first three quarters -- perhaps even in the fourth -- I'm not going to go run and hide and think the Colts don't have a chance. With Manning at the helm, it's hard not to be confident in him running the show. Plus, he's got so many weapons in the passing game (Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon). I don't care if the Colts can't run the football (but they can against a poor Saints run defense), they don't need to anyway.

With that offensive line protecting Manning like a mother and father do with their newborn, it doesn't matter what the Saints throw at the Colts and Manning. He's seen it all before. The Saints physically beat up an old Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game, but Manning is stronger and his offensive line is great at identifying the blitz and picking it up. If Manning has time in the pocket, expect a completion and potentially a big play.

But if the Saints can get base pressure without leaving their corners on an island one one one because they have to blitz, they've got a chance to frustrate Manning (admit it, we all want to puke when Manning is shown shaking his head after a poor play) and get a much-needed turnover.

Forcing turnovers is the only way the Saints have a shot to win.

Plus, Drew Brees and the Saints offense -- perhaps the only offense in the league that could go score for score with the Colts -- need to sustain drives and scored TDs, and not settle for field goals.

The Saints have balance -- Brees is a master in the pocket and also has great targets (Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson), plus they also feature the X-factor, Reggie Bush, a running back that is more like a wide receiver.

Bush is also scary on special teams where he can return a punt for a TD at any time, but I think the Colts can neutralize Bush because the Colts' defense is based on pure team speed, not beef. They flow to the football and it's hard to make big plays against them (credit playing Cover 2 for that), although those corners are weak and something I'm betting Brees is going to attack.

I've seen so many Saints games this year and down the stretch, that offense sputtered at times for a multitude of reasons. Whether it was poor pass protection, receivers not getting open, or running backs (Pierre Thomas must be a factor in the run game for the Saints) not doing the job, for as good as that offense has been, they've had slight issues moving the ball down and they can't do that in the Super Bowl.

Chad's Take: Manning is going to pick apart the Saints. The Saints will dial up every blitz under the sun, but it's not going to fluster Manning and the Colts. Indy knows how to break down opponents, and chucking the ball against the Saints is the way to go, although don't be surprised to see Joseph Addai have a good game out of the backfield since the Saints will be so focused on stopping the pass.

The Colts just might run up and down the field scoring a boatload of points, but the Saints will do it, too. The Saints' defense has been opportunistic in the turnover department all season -- they are not that great as a team defense because they give up so many yards in the air and on the ground -- but don't expect to see Manning throw more than one pick. The Colts know how to protect the pigskin and they also know that's why the Saints are here because that defense is a ball-hawking unit.

This is going to be a great Super Bowl, but I think Manning steals the show. He's the best in the NFL at what he does, and he'll show everyone again that he's the best.

Expect more commercials with Manning's mug on the TV screen after he wins another Super Bowl title.

Prediction: Colts, 37-30

Bruins should pass on Kovalchuk

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Bruins 2009-2010 season has been a disappointing bust thus far. With that being said, it doesn't mean Peter Chiarelli should trade away the young foundation of this team to bring in a rental like Ilya Kovalchuk. Yeah, yeah I know the Bruins can't put the puck in the net, but is Kovalchuk really going to take this team to the Stanley Cup, much less the Conference Finals? No, I don't think so. For the longest time, I've been an advocate of Chiarelli trading a draft pick, a young, established player and a prospect for Kovalchuk, but a conversation I had the other night has completely changed my train of thought.

The B's have been completely decimated with injuries this season, and that has been the major reason for the lackluster season so far. They've lost significant time from the likes of Marc Savard, Milan Lucic, & David Krejci. All of whom are major contributors to the Bruins offense. In my mind, Krejci has never recovered from his hip injury. He came back too soon, and it's affected his play all season. If this team is healthy, and that most likely will not happen at all this season, they're still a very good team. In addition to the injuries, they have had several players suffer through underachieving seasons. Blake Wheeler, with the exception of a recent hot streak, has not played up to par. Neither has Michael Ryder. Krejci has looked terrible recently, but I still blame that on his balky hip.

If the Bruins are going to make a move, I think they should still look to the south for a trade partner. Instead, let's take a look at the Hurricanes. Instead of Kovalchuk, why not make a move for Ray Whitney. He's netted 16 goals already, and is pretty much a sure fire 25 goals a year guy. He also will not cost you a good young player like Lucic, Krejci, Bergeron or Wheeler. While we're talking about the Hurricanes, why don't we bring back Aaron Ward. Peter Chiarelli made a major blunder by trading him away and bringing in Derek Morris. Ward would help solidify the defensive corp. Both these moves are low cost moves that would help the team now without mortgaging the team's future. I don't mind the Bruins trading their own first round draft pick, but they need to hold onto the Maple Leaf's pick that could potentially be a lottery pick. Hopefully their recent moves will not drastically improve that team.

Are you ready for some Baseball?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Quick blog here everyone. With the NFL season wrapping up this Sunday, it's time to start focusing on the baseball season. Beginning next Friday, February 12th, you'll see the return of the Friday Fantasy article a la baseball style. It's been a very interesting off season with lots of player movements done and much more to come before Spring Training begins.

Is BC the team to beat in the Beanpot?

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's an interesting year for the Beanpot this year.

The two powerhouse teams in last year's edition of one of hockey's greatest traditions are mere shadows of their former selves at this point in the season, while a disappointment from last year is surging. And oh, yeah. Harvard's in it, too.

Around this time last year, Boston College was suffering from the good old championship hangover and was plummeting its way down the rankings on its way to its first sub-20 win season since the 2001-02 campaign while Boston University and Northeastern were sitting pretty at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. And Harvard? Well, Harvard was struggling. As expected, BU and Northeastern ended up in the championship game, which the Terriers dominated on their way to yet another Beanpot title.

This season, it's the Eagles that are flying high, while the Terriers and Hustkies have been sniffing in the dirt. And Harvard? Well, Harvard's struggling.

BC is currently the only ranked team in this tournament at 14th. For the record, despite playing incredibly better than the 08-09 Eagles did at any point last season, this year's team is three spots lower in the polls than the year before at this point in the season. They are 13-8-2 overall and their 22 points (10-6-2) are second in Hockey East. They were playing some of the conference's best hockey and sported a seven-game unbeaten streak heading into the holiday break.

BU has suffered the same illness this season that BC did the season before, toiling through a year that has seen them go from the top-ranked team in the nation to a team struggling to get above .500. Northeastern lost Brad Theissen to the NHL and they became an afterthought in the league almost immediately. Harvard has less wins this year than they did last year heading into the tournament.

But does this necessarily mean that the Eagles are destined to win the Beanpot? BC probably wishes the break never happened because since the hiatus, the Eagles have not been the same team, going 3-5-0. Two of those losses? You guessed it. At the hands of BU.

But before you can even look forward to whether or not the Eagles will face the Terriers in the championship game you have to remember Harvard. Granted, people are lauding Harvard for going 3-3-1 since the break and that's not exactly stellar by any means, but you also have to remember that this is most likely the biggest thing the Crimson are going to play for this year and they have a habit of getting up for these games. Two years ago they knocked off Northeastern in the first round and nearly beat both BU and BC last season.

The odds seem stacked in BC's favor. Both the Terriers and the Huntington Hounds relied heavily on their goaltending last year and had success. This year, neither team has that luxury. Theissen is long gone for Northeastern and Keiran Millan might as well be for the Terriers. Bottom line is while the Beanpot is always up for grabs, Boston College has the most complete team on the ice. The Eagles have one of the top scoring offenses in Hockey East, along with a top-notch defense and a steadily improving/healing goaltender between the pipes, which has produced the second-best totals in scoring defense in the league. But for whatever reason, whether it be style of play, a psychological block on the part of the Eagles or something else, the Terriers have had Boston College's number. If they can get out of the semifinals with a win, expect another great chapter in the story of the Battle of Comm. Ave.

Prediction:
Semifinals
Boston College 4, Harvard 1
Boston University 5, Northeastern 2
Finals
Boston College 4, Boston University 3 OT

Patriots better show Wilfork the $$$$

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Time for the Patriots to pay up.

I know it's not the "Patriot Way" but it's time to get out the checkbook and pay the top defensive lineman in the NFL.

Yes, Vince Wilfork is the real deal. He's the best at his position in my book, and he's done anything and everything to help the Patriots win since he was drafted in the first round six years ago.

His rookie contract is over -- how many years did he outplay that contract? Exactly!

Now, Wilfork wants to see a lot of green, and I can't blame him.

The Pats had a shot to lock him up during the season and that bonehead move by the front office to not give him an extension is going to cost the best franchise in the NFL a lot more money.

But the bottom line is Wilfork is an elite player, he's played all out for the Pats and now it's his chance to cash in.

Nobody should blame him for trying to find that pot of gold, either.

To top it all off, Wilfork is a key piece on a defense that is and has been in transition. The monster tackle is a keeper, regardless of how much it's going to cost the Pats.

The Pats have been known to no pay top dollar to retain players, but if they have any dreams of winning another Super Bowl any time soon, then Wilfork needs to be up front taking on multiple blockers on every play with a Pats uniform on.

The Pats need him. And they need him in a big way.

Please don't try to play hardball with Wilfork and pull a fast one by franchising him. He's earned a big payday and a long-term contact.

The Pats need to show him the love ($$$$$).

Colts, Saints will go to the Super Bowl

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Super Bowl or bust.

Who's going to make it to the Big Dance?

It's two intriguing matchups with the surprising 'ground-and-pound' New York Jets traveling to Lucas Oil Stadium to face the high-flying Indianapolis Colts.

In the NFC matchup, Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings head to the Louisiana Superdome to square off with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

Yes, on paper, those are two very good matchups. But we all know many of these playoff games haven't been close. Here's to having two nail-biters today!!!

Here's a couple of quick-hitters and what I'm looking for out of each matchup:

Jets at Colts

We all know the Jets knocked the Colts from the upbeaten after the Colts started 14-0, but we also know the Colts packed up their starters in that game and basically let the Jets win, which gave them the inside track of earning a playoff berth. Will that move by the Colts come back to bite them in the AFC Championship?

I'm saying no way.

The Jets have surprised us all with their great play on defense and the ability to control the clock and run the football -- which they will try to do to the Colts today -- but if they get down by a couple scores, Rex Ryan's game plan might go right out the window.

The Colts can air it out on the Jets. Don't expect a big game from Reggie Wayne, who will be blanketed by Jets outstanding cover corner Darrelle Revis all day long, but the Colts have too many weapons in the passing game (TE Dallas Clark and WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie, and RB Joseph Addai, who can catch the ball out of the backfield).

The Colts are simply too explosive for the Jets to keep up with. But if the Colts have to settle for field goals instead of TDs, then the Jets can stick to their game plan and pound the rock, while protecting rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

New York's luck runs out today. Sanchez will have to make some big throws in this game, and he won't. The Colts will attack, stop the run and put the game in the rookie's hands. He's not ready for that kind of pressure, plus Indy's relentless pass rush.

Prediction: Colts 27-13

Vikings at Saints

Now this should be a slugfest with two ball-hawking defenses and two prolific passers in Favre (those of you who thought he washed up are pretty quiet now, huh?) and Brees.

The knock on Favre has been that he chokes in big games. Well, can the Saints capitalize on some of Favre's errant throws and turn them into game-changing plays?

I think they can, especially with former Vikings safety Darren Sharper, who played with Favre in Green Bay, patrolling center field. If the ball goes up, Sharper has the awareness to go after the ball and make a play. If it hits his hands, you can bet your savings that Sharper will make the INT. Plus, I know Sharper is jacked for this game since his old team didn't re-sign him, forcing Sharper to sign with the Saints in the offeseason.

Besides Sharper, the crowd noise in the Superdome can't be overlooked. Advantage to Brees and that pass-happy offense. That noise limits Minnesota's attacking nature off the ball since they can't hear, forcing the defensive line and beast Jared Allen to be a tad slower since they have to watch the ball be snapped instead of reacting to Brees' cadence.

Same thing for when Minnesota has the ball. The Vikings will have to go to a silent snap count since the line won't be able to hear Favre, and that advantage also goes to the Saints attacking off the line of scrimmage.

If the Vikings have a real shot, they must pound away with tailback Adrian Peterson, who has disappeared at times this year but has the ability to overtake a game at any point. But it's not his fault for some iffy games; the Vikings simply don't have a great run-blocking offensive line.

My guess is that the Saints will take away Peterson, putting the game on Favre's shoulders. Favre will play real well in this game since he's got great targets to throw to as well.

Favre will not be to blame for this loss, you can pin it on the defense which is real weak against the pass. If the Vikings can't get to Brees and sack him and force him to get rid of the ball quickly, expect to see Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush wide open down the field. And when they're open, the Saints know how to put on a show and punch it into the end zone.

Prediction: Saints 34-31

What were you thinking Cooper?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's one thing to speak your mind, it's another to know when to shut up.

You can bet USC women's basketball coach Michael Cooper will think twice before opening his mouth to the media before or after a game.

If you didn't read what Cooper said, take a look at this. Cooper, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers many moons ago, quickly got initiated into the USC-UCLA rivalry when he dropped a bomb during his postseason news conference on Sunday.

Here's what he said, according to ESPN.com.

"My opening statement is (expletive) UCLA," Cooper said.

Mind you, the Trojans even won the game, 70-63.

First off, can you say insert foot in mouth?

Better yet, you've got to be kidding me.

If Cooper was trying to garner national attention for his club, he's got a real twisted way of going about it.

I guess all is forgiven (seriously joking) since he later issued an apology.

Call it the heat of the battle or whatever, but it still doesn't fly with me.

Cooper crossed the line.

Whether he knows it or not, he's in a position of power and what he says and does holds a lot of weight with his players, the fans, the school and the countless number of young aspiring female basketball players that want to be just like many of the current USC players.

I know, Cooper must really regret acting like that, but what's done is done. He can take it back all he wants, but that statement is still there and it still sends the wrong message.

Would you want your child saying that after a sporting event?

No way.

A rivalry is great, but after the game shake hands, accept victory or defeat and respect your opponent.

Cooper clearly didn't do that.

There's no place in athletics for that kind of behavior.

Kids need role models.

Would you want your kid looking up to Cooper?