mr. blackandwhite

Waiting, waiting, waiting waiting and waiting. And waiting.

Good grief could this week possibly crawl by any slower than it already is? This waiting for the Superbowl on Sunday is killing me. I thought last week was bad and that this week might go by a little quicker. Nope. I think this week is actually worse!

At least things have picked up at the office to make the days go by a little faster. Of course, as soon as I get home from work, time changes gears from 'crawling' to 'blazing' the moment I walk through the door. Make dinner, eat, cleanup, baths, bed-time stories, bed-time bottle.. (for the baby, not me. I know how you think.) Many nights, by the time it's quiet in my house the clock says it's almost 9 PM.

Oh well, what are you gonna do? Enjoy this crazy kid time while it lasts.

In the meantime, The Superbowl is on Sunday and currently it's only Thursday.

Till then, we wait. And wait. (And wait.)

Superbowl Kickoff:

(got the countdown script here)

Media Circus Day

The day that everybody loves has finally arrived. It's Superbowl Media Circus Day! Yes, it's the much heralded day when all the loonies come out of the woodwork to ask the players and coaches of the New England Patriots and New York Giants as many of the most ridiculous, non-football related questions as humanly possible.

Many will openly wonder how some of these 'reporters' have managed to get press credentials for the big Media Circus Day spectacle. Many 'legit' reporters will openly scoff at their own brethren over the goofy nature of some of their questions, blindly ignoring the irony that when they do so they will scoffing at their own creation.

What I find to be especially amusing is that the big story of the day is not that the Pats and Giants are in the Superbowl on Sunday, the big story of the day is that it is Media Circus Day! Reporters reporting on reporters. It's like an endless circle of infinity.. or something. It's weird.

The entire Media Day thing is completely blown out of proportion and silly, so you may as well roll with it and enjoy it. Besides everybody loves watching the players' and coaches' reactions as they struggle to answer the craziest questions they've ever heard and if you say you don't, well I don't believe you.

In other, scintillating news, I have turned my Patriots 2008 Calendar page from January (Mike Vrabel) to February (Matt Light) a few days early because I am sick to death of January and hate it so much (No offense Vrabes). As far as I'm concerned, there are only two good things about January: The NFL Playoffs and my Mom's birthday. Unless you are a kid or a snowplow driver, or unless it's your or someone you know's birthday, I defy you to name anything good about January.

Yes, February is still Winter but it's much easier to deal with, because it is short, even if it is only a couple days. It is also the last real month of Winter, which means Spring is tantalizingly close. Plus there's the Superbowl, the first big holiday of the year (yes, it IS a holiday so don't get me started), and there's Valentines Day of course. Who doesn't enjoy buying overpriced flowers? There's also The Daytona 500, which is fun, and the NHL scurry for teams to make The Playoffs gets into gear. Also fun. (Especially when The B's have a good shot at getting in this year.) PLUS the Celts don't suck anymore so they are fun to watch, AND, let's not forget Spring Training!

See? Despite still being Winter, February has much to offer.

For now though, we've still got three days of January and Media Circus Day. I wonder if anyone will ask Tom Brady about his ankle today. Hmmm. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say, 'Yes'.

GO PATS

(photo: Boston.com / AP)

And they're off.

The Pats are on their way to Arizona and the Superbowl. I watched the rally for the team on TV this morning and I was really impressed with the turnout by the fans to send The Patriots off, especially considering the cold and snowy weather. Way to go Patriots Nation!

I wanted to go to the rally myself and was seriously considering it earlier this weekend. Unfortunately my Wife came down with a stomach bug so I have been taking care of her and keeping the kids entertained as best I can.

As I mentioned above, its cold and snowy here today (Only one week left in January. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.) and the kids are kind of restless and also concerned for their Mom who they are not used to seeing sick, so after lunch we decided to watch a movie. It's a good day for one. We tried to pick something with a summer-like theme because we are all sick of winter. They are watching 'Atlantis'. Seems to be all underwater so far but its better than 'Happy Feet' or some other winter-type movie.

In a few hours The Pats will land in sunny and warm Arizona. I am so jealous. I wish we could escape from this cold and gray to somewhere warm and bright for a few days but that is not going to happen. I'll just have to enjoy the Arizona sun vicariously through The Patriots this week.

I know there's going to be a lot of nonsense and insane amounts of hype this week heading into the game, but I am actually looking forward to it a little bit. Last week was so long. At least this week we have the game to look forward to.

The historical context of this year's game and everything that is on the line for The Patriots adds an extra dash of tension to this Superbowl. As if just being in the Superbowl is not nerve-wracking enough.

Last week I had to go to the doctor. During the routine check-up I had my blood-pressure tested and the nurse asked me, 'Is your blood-pressure normally this low?'

'As long as The Patriots are not playing,' I thought to myself.

Superbowl week is here and our team is in it again. Nerve-wracking or not, this never gets old. Enjoy the moment Patriots Nation.

GO PATS

'Sanctuary, boys...'

'Sanctuary! Can't touch me here fellas!'

That's what I imagine Tom Brady saying to himself as the press whips itself into a lather over his continued absence during the times when the media has access to the Patriots locker room and practices.

'Hope you had fun stalking me through the streets of New York! See ya on Media Day assholes!' (Ok maybe that's just what I would be saying.)

We know Brady is there somewhere in Foxboro. We've seen the evidence; the main sports page of Boston.com actually features a picture of Brady's jeans draped over a chair in front of his empty locker. It's almost like he's teasing them.

'Catch me if you can fuckers!' (Ok maybe that's just what I would say.)

Bill Belichick seems to be more than happy to play along with the game, providing zero Brady related information despite being prompted to the point of irritation about his status. I know that zero information about injuries is the standard Belichick response, but something about that smirky smile he's been wearing during his daily meet the press the last few days tells me otherwise. I think there's a game afoot. 'They play their games, we play ours.'

Personally I'm not really worried about Brady and I find the fact that the hand wringing in the press over his absence has gotten to the point that they are posting pictures of a pair of pants draped over a chair to be somewhat humorous, as if you couldn't tell.

It kind of reminds me of this scene from Rescue Me (a show that my Wife and I are completely addicted to by the way).

GO PATS

Tonic

The day did not start off the greatest. Before work I had to go to a Dr. appt and those are always such fun. For a Friday, things were definitely feeling pretty blah.

But then:

"Debaser"
"Tame"
"Wave of Mutilation"
"I Bleed"
"Here Comes Your Man"
"Dead"
"Monkey Gone to Heaven"
"Mr. Grieves"
"Crackity Jones"
"La La Love You"
"No. 13 Baby"
"There Goes My Gun"
"Hey"
"Silver"
"Gouge Away"

All better. Happy Friday.

(GO PATS)

This killin' time is killin' me.

It's the middle of January and it's the week before the week of the Superbowl. Basically it's the longest week of the year. It's the week the Earth stood still. Klaatu barada nikto.

Making matters worse, it's slow at the office so the days are really draggin' here. I know, poor me.

Oh. You were probably expecting more at this point. Yeah. Sorry.

The Patriots will practice today and one of the funny quotes from the locker room came from Heath Evans who, in reference to the uproar over Tom Brady getting spotted wearing a walking cast the other day, joked, "I'm going to put on a boot and see if you all follow me around."

You know what would be funny? If all of the Patriots players started walking around in those walking cast thing-a-ma-bobs as a joke. Even Coach Belichick could wear one. Ha ha!

Well, it would be funny for at least a minute anyway..

Last night saw the end of the Victory Chili from the Pats' last two playoff games. After being inspired by Michele and her visit to Wienerschnitzel, what was one of my best chili batches ever went out in grand fashion as a phenomenal chili-dog. It was exceptionally hot. And awesome. Tastes like Victory.

Alright. Now you know what I had for dinner last night. Like I said, longest week ever.

As you were.

GO PATS

Brady ditches walking boot cast thingy after 'Flower Delivery Guy' disguise fails horribly.

So by now you've all probably seen the pics of Tom Brady trying to sneak into his girlfriend's apartment while posing as a regular old flower delivery guy. Unfortunately for the MVP, the ruse did not work and those wily paparazzi spotted him anyway. Damn. Those guys are such bastards!

Nice try though Tom. Extra points awarded for getting Giants fans to openly wonder if the walking boot cast thingy you were wearing was not a disguise but actually a very shrewd decoy.

Hmmm. Now that I think about it, maybe that boot thing was a decoy! If it was I would be willing to bet that was BB's idea. Man, that Belichick.. He thinks of everything! And he is also very tricky. You never know what he's got up his sleeve. That is why he is a Genius. For reals yo.

After seeing this pic however, I have to stick with the original 'failed flower delivery guy disguise' ploy, otherwise Brady would still be wearing the boot-cast thing and not those c-boy boots, which I can tell you from experience, are very hard to put on.

Seriously.

And quit laughing at me and my c-boy boots. I bought them when I was in Montana ok? It was a Montana moment.

Oh in case you didn't notice the Superbowl hype has started.

GO PATS

PATRIOTS ARE SUPERBOWL BOUND!!

Patriots Nation, our team is 18-0 and we are going to the SUPERBOWL!!!

Whoop it up my friends!!

ONE GAME TO GLORY

GO PATS!!!

Pats / Chargers at the half: 14-9, PATS

A defensive 1st half between the Pats and the Chargers. The Patriots D has allowed SD to move the ball but has held them to field goals when they near the end-zone.

The Patriots offense on the other hand, has been held down by the Chargers in the 1st half but when the Patriots have gotten in position, they have put it in the end-zone. The Pats are up 14-9 at the half.

I have to say I am surprised at how well SD QB Philip Rivers has done considering he is playing on a bad leg. Chris Chambers is a good receiver though, as we know from his days in Miami, and is making Rivers look good. I'm also surprised to see Rivers gutting it out playing with a bad leg while L. Tomlinson is standing on the sidelines. Hmm. I'll just leave it at that.

The Pats get the ball to open the 2nd half. I'd love to see them drive for a TD on their opening drive and go up by 12 to start the 3rd Q. Duh!!

Still a long way to go in this one. Still feeling stressed out. Hope The Pats can take the pressure off at some point as the 2nd half progresses. DUH!

GO PATS!!

Dropkick me Jesus, through the goal-posts of life..

Well here we are. The day has arrived. The Patriots will play in their fifth AFC Championship in seven years. That is simply incredible. With so many trips to this game since 2001-02, I can kind of see why people in other parts of the country would be sick of my team. I mean, thinking back, I was sick to death of the Bills when they were going to the AFC Championship game like every year back in the 90's (also known as 'The Dark Years' for Patriots fans).

Oh well what are you gonna do? The rest of the country is just gonna have to suck it up again because we are back in it for another round.

The pressure for this game is huge. I can barely stand it as I sit here typing this. As if being one game away from the Superbowl is not bad enough, there is an undefeated season on the line as well. It's almost too much for one person to take. Of course, even though I've got the shakes, I would not trade this feeling for the world. This is phenomenal. As a Patriots fan, these are moments to savor and remember.

Two Games to Glory.

Angela has a post up that pretty much says it all. Like her, for the past few nights I have actually been having dreams about this game. Yes, it is true. Although, my dream last night was a nightmare. I dreamt that I could not get the game on my TV and that my radio would not work. I was endlessly clicking from channel to channel. Every now and then I'd get a snippet of the game then something would happen. It was a weird dream.

I've got a bunch of Pats gear out decorating the living room; The Lucky Patriots Fleece Blanket, my Tom Brady Superbowl MVP Globe (when you shake it Patriots confetti flies around), Pats pillows, throw rugs, the works.

Plus, I've got plenty of extra hot 'Victory Chili', as I called it last week, home-made guac and I've got the whole family in their Pats gear from head to toe. Yes we all have our Patriots socks on. There's a mini Tedy Bruschi and Tom Brady running around here somewhere. Positive vibes abound.

Now it's just wait, wait, wait. I'm trying to keep busy and distracted till the game starts. I'm also doing lots and lots of pacing. Yeah, it's not a pretty picture. Courtney has advised me to 'breathe' but I am finding it difficult.

It's TWO GAMES TO GLORY AND I AM FREAKING OUT PEOPLE.

GO PATS

I'm also keeping distracted by blaring some very loud and obnoxious music to fit the mood, causing my Wife to retreat upstairs away from the noise.
For example:
Black Flag: Fix Me, I've Had It
Metallica: Damage Inc
Rollins Band: On My Way to the Cage
Ramones: Surfin Bird
AC/DC: For Those About to Rock, If You Want Blood (You've Got it)
Godsmack: Timebomb, Stress, Situation (I'm finding the old Godsmack tunes to be particularly soothing)

And, of course, Meat Depressed: Here We Go Patriots.

It might be time to break out the Jack. I really need to calm down.. Seriously.

GO PATS
GO PATS

I need to go get my squishy stress relief football thingie. And I need to breathe..

GO PATS

audio test

I am trying to make an audio player from Wordpress work in Typepad. This is a test post which I am sure you will find to be overwhelmingly interesting.

Mr. Nosebleed Section Ticket Holder Guy

Update:
Awesome. I made it work.

Here's to you Mr. Cool Audio Plugin Writer Guy and you, Ms. Cool Audio Plugin Figure-er Outer for Other Sites and Telling the Rest of Us Chick. Touch the sky!

Oh yeah, GO PATS

Update 2:
I notice that the audio player thingie does not show up in my RSS Feed and that I am also feeling VERY nerdy at the moment. In any case, here is another try using a different method. Let's see if this one shows up in the RSS feed. And awaaaaaay we go!

Wow Philip Rivers really is a jackass huh?

So I did not watch any of the NFL Playoff games today. I took a football day off. I took a break. I didn't even wear hardly any Pats gear. Think of it as recharge day. Instead of watching football I took the kids ice-skating. Old tyme hockey, Bobby Orr. My kids are already passing the puck better than me. Nice.

The only thing I know of what happened in the games today is the brief highlights that I saw while watching ESPN Sportscenter (I know, GACK) earlier tonight.

One thing that jumped out at me was San Diego QB Philip Rivers screaming at the Indy fans at the end of their game after defeating the Colts. Ladies and gentlemen, Exhibit A of why I have come to hate that Chargers team. That guy Rivers is a fucking tool.

Your team just won the game, on the road, against the defending Champs. Enjoy the win and shut the fuck up until you get to your own locker room. It boggles the mind that San Diego was a team that once referred to The Patriots as having 'no class'. Talk about defining the term.. Hope the flight home is fun for Rivers' knee or whatever he tweaked in the game. I hear high altitude is really good for that kind of thing.

Two Games to Glory.

GO PATS

Patriots get the win and I get one step closer to an ulcer..

The Patriots just won what was an extremely tough, hard-fought game over the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-20. In the end it came down to turnovers, with the Pats scoring a TD off of a Jacksonville turnover in the first half and then with time winding down at the end of the game, Rodney Harrison picked off a David Garrard pass to basically seal the deal for the Patriots with an 11 point lead and under five minutes to go.

I gotta tell you, this game had me stressed out right from the start. My chest was tight, I was pacing the floor, I had to remind myself to breathe.. The usual deal with me during the playoffs. My Wife commented at one point, 'You are gonna get an ulcer from these games'.

I don't know about that but a few more gray hairs are probably on my head, I can tell you that.

Despite my attempt to pump myself up with my last post, it seems like I was right to get a little freaked out about the Jags earlier this week. This was a TOUGH team. The Jags punted I believe only twice the entire game and were able to drive the field and score on almost every possession. Thankfully The Pats were able to match the Jags score for score, and when the Pats D held the Jags to field goals, The Pats offense was scoring touchdowns. Once The Patriots got up by 11, the blood-pressure was still high but at least it came down a couple notches. Thank god.

Kudos to Laurence Maroney who was absolutely HUGE in this game, gaining over 100 yards on the ground. Dante Stallworth made some amazing catches at critical points in the game, particularly the 50+ yard catch that he made that I thought for sure was going to be a TD. One more step and he would have been gone. Tom Brady was phenomenal. With only two incomplete passes in the game, I believe that sets, or maybe ties an NFL playoff record and he was in there throwing some key blocks for his receivers too. What else can be said, Tom is THE MAN. End of story.

So now The Patriots move on to the AFC Championship Game. Two Games to Glory. I am glad to be through this one tonight. It's such a relief to get this win and to be able to breathe normally again. Maybe it's just me but it seems like every time the Pats are in the playoffs, the team they end up facing in the Divisional round always presents the toughest challenge for the team.

Whew..

Although prime-time games became a bit of a drag during the regular season, in this case, with the bye, it was not that big of a deal and one benefit the Pats will now have is that, with their game finished, they have the luxury of sitting back, resting and watching San Diego and Indy hopefully beat the living crap out of each other on Sunday. I'm hoping to see an extremely physical match-up in tomorrows AFC Game. Hopefully it goes to double over-time. I'm still rooting for San Diego, even though I hate them. Fly to Indy, play a tough, tough game, fly back to California, then fly to Boston for the AFC Championship. Sounds good to me.

I've got a ton of leftover chili for the games tomorrow. It gets better when it sits overnight too. I made this batch extra-hot for The Football Gods. My Wife told me it was the hottest batch I'd ever made. I told her I did that on purpose. It worked. I made an extremely good guacamole dip go go with the chili too and we'll be enjoying that again tomorrow as well. Tastes like victory.

Two Games to Glory.

GO PATS

Playoff teams me likey... Wowwee-Wow-Woo.

It's time to pick my playoff teams for the DIVISIONAL ROUND!

I know you were disappointed that I didn't post my Wildcard picks last week (PHHT!) so here are my, 'Who am I rooting for in the NFL's Divisional Round' playoff picks.

Let's go with the NFC FIRST!

Dallas / Giants - I'm rooting for the Cowboys over the Giants. I am so goddam sick of the Giants. They are the team that I get every Sunday on Fox due to the whole regional proximity to the team thing and I want them to go away. I've had enough. Plus, a Cowboys win means there are more chances for babe-cam shots featuring Jessica Simpson! WOOP. I am down with that.

Green Bay / Seattle - I'm rooting for Green Bay here. Not that I have anything against Seattle.. but they are just kind of a 'blah' team for me. Really it comes down to the fact that I want to see The Cowboys and Packers play in the NFC Championship. Cowboys / Seahawks or Packers / Giants just doesn't have the same level of oomph to it that a Dallas / Green Bay rematch would. Anything other than Dallas vs Green Bay in the NFC Championship game would be a let down.

OKAY NOW MOVING ON TO THE AFC!

Pats / Jags - Pats. A-doy. Look where you are.

Indy / San Diego - San Diego. Now this is actually a tough choice. It's not really which team I am rooting for, but which team I want to see lose more than the other. This is one of those deals where the best scenario is that both teams lose, but that can't happen so I have to pick one of them.

In the end I am rooting for the team that I think The Patriots would have a better chance of beating, should they advance to the AFC Championship of course. (Football Gods, please note that I am NOT overstepping and getting ahead of myself here. Thank you.) Thus I am rooting for San Diego, even though I hate them more than any other NFL team, simply because I would rather see The Pats face Phillip Rivers than Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship game.

That's kind of a backhanded show of respect for you Indy fans, which may be a first at this site. There you go. Happy?

The thought of the Chargers players walking off the field in Indy all happy and celebrating is kind of sickening, but at the same time seeing Indy losing at home would be pretty sweet. In the end it's a no win situation with this game. It's like voting for The President of the U.S. Pick the lesser of two evils.

GO PATS

Order has been restored.

Ok what was that last post.. I have to say I'm a little surprised at myself for my little Jaguars induced mini freak-out the other day. That's one of those posts I'd like to go back and delete but it is what it is. Today I am much calmer and I have regained control of my senses. Plus I have consumed far less coffee today.

That is not to say I am not nervous about the Patriots' playoff game this Saturday, but really that has nothing to do with the fact that The Patriots are facing The Jags. I would be nervous about the game no matter who we were playing. I was nervous when The Pats played the one-win Miami Dolphins earlier in the season. I get nervous before EVERY Patriots game and in the playoffs I get even more nervous before games, because in the NFL playoffs there is no tomorrow, Rock. What can I say, I am me and that's just the way I am.

Dammit.

As far as facing The Jaguars, I think if the Patriots can score early and force the Jags to have to play from behind, the Pats will be in good shape. The Jaguars most dangerous weapon is obviously their running game, including the running ability of their QB, David Garrard. Hopefully the Patriots can limit that aspect of their offense, or preferably, take it away entirely by keeping their own offense on the field, racking up points and wearing down the Jags somewhat beat-up defense. The Patriots have been able to consistently score on their opening drives this season. If they can do that this weekend and make the Jags have to play from behind right out of the gate, it will play right into the Patriots hands.

If the Pats can get up by two or more scores, they will be set. The Jags would be forced to abandon the run and go to the weak point of their game, having to throw the ball to try and play catch-up, something that would be very hard to do against the Pats, who have a pretty good defense of their own.

The Jags defense is formidable, but they are also dealing with some injuries to their D-Line and Linebackers right now and coming off a tough playoff game last weekend does not help matters. Hopefully the well rested Pats offense can put together some long drives and wear down the Jags D even further.

On the other side of the coin, should the Jags keep the game close or grab the lead, it is good to know that The Patriots are a team that knows how to handle adversity within a game. They know how to stay cool and have proven time and time again that they can make the necessary plays to come back from a deficit or hold onto a lead in a tight game.

The Pats have been getting the best game out of every team they have faced for the past few weeks and this week will be no different. The have been tested and know how to handle a team that is playing with that extra motivation. Although being in the playoffs should be all the motivation a team should need, the chance to be the team to knock off the Pats will up the ante.

Playing for a 16-0 record had it's share of pressure but everybody knows that in the end it is not the regular season that matters. They don't give out trophies for the best regular season. Now it's the playoffs and these are the games that really mean something. The Patriots are well aware of what is on the line this weekend, and it's not about a perfect record. It's about winning the Superbowl. Teams coming into The Razor may have that extra motivation to try and ruin the Patriots unblemished season, but guess what? The Patriots have plenty of motivation of their own.

Maybe the question being asked should be, 'can opponents match The Patriots playoff intensity?'

See, I'm feeling much better now.

GO PATS

Me winning isn't, you do.

Let me start this post off by saying that the weather around here is TOTALLY AWESOME today. It's like 60 degrees outside, which is about 62 degrees higher than it was this time last week. It can stay like this for the remainder of Winter as far as I'm concerned. It's so nice out I was prompted to get my first Dunkin's iced coffee of the year. Large hazelnut. Cream, one sugar. Nice.

I think I need to stop watching NESN in the morning while I'm walking on the treadmill getting all ripped and in shape. Despite my earlier statement that I'd be ignoring the hype going into this week's Patriots / Jaguars playoff game, it turns out I've been totally sucked into the Jaguars bandwagon of fear, with their two-headed monster of a running game, efficient passing game and bruising, leather and steel, mace club wielding defense.

Dudes and ladies I'm freaking out about the Jags!

Ok not totally freaking out but definitely more worried than I was before. The daily NESN reports building this Jacksonville team into a monster with a D-Line made out of clones of The Hulk and Brady and Belichick's (albeit expected) praise and talking up of this team have got me all a-jittery.

The large Dunkin's iced coffee I just drank could have something to do with that though..

GO PATS

(image: Marvel Comics)

Three More Games to Glory: Time to get down to business..

Alright the first round of the NFL playoffs are over. In the AFC I was rooting for the Jags over the Steelers and the Titans over San Diego. In the NFC I honestly did not care who won or who lost. Who was playing again? Seattle, New York, Tampa Bay and.. Seriously, who did Seattle play? Oh yeah the Redskins. Yes, I really did have to check. As you can see I've had zero interest in the goings on over in the NFC this past season. It's all about Dallas and Green Bay in that conference anyway, so whatever.

In the AFC, The Jags got the upset over the Steelers that I was expecting, but The Titans could not get it done against San Diego. Going into the Titans / Chargers game, I didn't really feel like the Titans had a shot, but San Diego has become my NFL hate binky so I was really rooting for the Chargers to go down in defeat in front of their home crowd. It would have been interesting to hear the tirade of bitching and excuses that would have assuredly been spewing from the Chargers locker-room had they lost the game today. Oh well, next week they're in Indy so expect to hear it then.. It's going to be hard to know who to root against in that game since I hate both teams almost equally.. Hmmm. That will require some thought.

So this Saturday night The Patriots will face Jacksonville in the Divisional Round, the first of what will hopefully be Three More Games to Glory for The Pats.. For The Patriots to move on they are going to have to earn it this weekend. The Jags are a lower seed but I think they are probably the toughest of the three teams The Pats could have potentially faced (Steelers, Jags, Titans). They have a good running game, a good defense and a QB who can get the job done with his arm or his legs. They play in what is arguably the toughest division in the AFC so they are used to facing quality teams on an almost weekly basis.

Do the Jags have what it takes to hang with the Pats for 60 min though? That remains to be seen. Although the Jags are certainly a very good team, if The Pats can get a decent number of points, 10, 13, 17, up on them early on I think it will be hard for The Jags to keep up the scoring pace that The Patriots are capable of. Of course that could be said about just about any team in any game once they get that kind of lead..

I'm not going to waste any time or energy trying to guess or predict what will or will not happen in the game on Saturday. In fact, just talking about this topic makes me nervous... I was listening to Boston sports radio station WEEI the other day (My iPod battery died and I decided to try and listen to what they were saying. As usual it was hard to make anything out as the hosts and the callers tried to shout over each other..) Most of the callers were so ridiculously over-confident in The Pats, they were already talking about the off-season. It was ridiculous. I am not one of those people. I am fully aware of the fact that The Football Gods have a way of punishing the over-confident. They are vindictive like that.

Thankfully I know that there is no one in the Patriots locker room that is expecting to just show up and win on Saturday. With a bye this past weekend, The Pats worked on their own team during the break to try and fine tune their game. The benefit of an extra week off while their opponent had to play a grueling playoff game will hopefully pay off this Saturday. Until then, I'll be ignoring the hype and working on generating the best positive football karma that I possibly can.

GO PATS

It feels like a Wednesday but it's really Friday. Awesome.

Hey what's up homies? Check it out it's my first post of 2008. Set your expectations for this post as you see fit. For me, that would be low.

Yesterday I woke up and the temperature outside was zero point zero, Bluto Blutarsky's grade average. This type of weather can best be described by the following quote: 'It's a crappy cold that defines no fun'. Thank you Turtle.

Hmmmm, what else... I am really impressed by the folks that are going to try to post something on their site every day of the year this year. I will not be one of those people, but I am glad that I will get to read their posts on a daily basis. It will give me stuff to read on my lunch break. Speaking of which, today I had a PB&J.; I would rate today's PB&J; as 'ok'. It was not the best I have ever had. I have done better. Maybe next time I should try making a BB PB&J;. Next..

I have been walking on the treadmill every day so far this week. I am also doing sit-ups and push-ups as well as torso twists. I was watching the Miss Hooters 2007 contest over New Years (while my Wife was in another room) and according to one of the hotties in the contest, all you need to do to tone your abs is to do torso twists. Who knew? So I am doing them.

It sucks waking up early to exercise, but I was reading an article in Men's Health while sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office a few months ago and the article said that the first place a woman looks when they see a guy is at their chest and their stomach, so when my Wife looks at me this summer, I want her to see washer-board abs glistening in the sun and if waking up early to get on a treadmill is the price I have to pay, so be it. I will pay that price.

And finally (mercifully?) ..

The Patriots were 16-0 during this past regular season and I am still having a bit of a hard time wrapping my head around the sheer awesomeness of that accomplishment. However, without downplaying how truly awesome going 16-0 during the regular season is, I am more concerned with the post-season and the, hopefully, Three Games to Glory that lie ahead for The Pats. More on that later..

GO PATS