Being a good Sport

Alright, alot has happened since I took the winter off. But the plus side of a new year is a chance to start over or just having a fresh start. That being said, we will try to continue to bring you our point of view on a wide range of topics. Of course all the contributors to "Political Liability" have outside gigs, families, and other endeavors to which they are committed.

So in an effort to not get burned out on the same ol' politics as usual, which I'm pretty sure President Obama promised to get rid of, but I'm sure he's working on that and not making back room agreements or pushing legislation through without careful reading done by Congress like previous presidents did, we will venture back into a realm I am familiar with, sports.

Prior to this experience, sure I talked politics and knew my way around conversations, but I was a focused blogger on ESPN, being featured 7 times on their homepage "Voice of the Fan" in 2007. And what better time to expand than this week with all the goodness that is going on in the sporting world.

A Hawk to the Hall: Andre "The Hawk" Dawson, a mainstay at Wrigley during the 90's, a beloved Cub has gotten his invite to join the immortals in Cooperstown. And while the Hall is currently unsure what hat his famed bust will wear, its the hopes of all those in the Windy City its a "C".

And while this is great news for the lovable losers, its does overshadow the hurt of one Mr. Ron Santo. Ron Santo, who has since his retirement loss his legs to diabetes, should be in the hall of fame. There is not a baseball fan who disagrees with that statement, except for those who, for whatever reason, refuse to acknowledge his greatness.

The biggest DUH! moment of 2010: Mark McGuire admitted he did steroids, called up Roger Maris' widow, apologized and then blubbered his sorry self all over sports television. Now he's hoping that those same voters who won't put in legit stars, will somehow find it in their hearts to forgive him and vote for him next year, while this year he collects a check from the St. Louis Cardinals for helping his dealer...um, coach, Tony LaRussa, as hitting coach for the team.

His first advice to Cardinal players, "Ok, Pujols, Holliday, first rule in hitting a baseball is that while HGH won't help hand-eye coordination, a little squirt may help push the ball over that fence they put out there."

Slinking Slimeball Slides into Sunny SoCal: I am ashamed to admit it now, but I once thought Lane Kiffin got a raw deal in Oakland, and thought his being hired at Tennessee was going to be good for him. It would give him the chance to show what he's really made of. And he didn't fail us in that regard. Joining college slimeballs like Bobby Patrino and Nick Saban, who actually slinked away from NFL jobs, Lane one upped them only the way Lane Kiffin could. As Notre Dame fans rejoiced, and maybe a silent tear spilled in Stanford, Pete Carroll left for his "third times a charm" shot at the NFL, no one would have guest who USC would bring in to replace him.

Never fear, Lane is here, and his staff from Tennessee has volunteered to move itself west like it was 1849 all over again. This time the "chosen one" will strike it rich, and is hoping not for gold, but for a crystal football.

Playoff Prediction Time: Okay, I meant to do this last week, but oh, well. Here's how I think the playoffs will play out for the remainder of the season:

Divisional:
Baltimore at Indianapolis: The Colts almost blew this one during the regular season as they needed a huge defensive play to help them overcome the Ravens D. The Ravens ended the season for the Pats last week, and started rumors this maybe the beginning of the end in Beantown, and are hoping to do the same in Naptown. Not going to happen. The Colts players are rested, well rested in fact, and are tired of people putting them down for not going undefeated. This is what they've been focused on. With Flaco's going to have to throw more than 10 times this weekend, and everyone knows that. COLTS WIN 28-10

Arizona at New Orleans: New Orleans has been on a slide since losing to the Boys. They've looked defeated and almost even loss home field advantage after losing their perfect season bid. But never fear, if anyone can jazz up this team, its home field, its the Superdome, and its Drew Brees. Arizona barely got by the Pack, and the Cards were at home. After the helps of a facemask, maybe some other botched calls and of course Aaron Rodgers first and last drives of the game, the Cards were able to get the overtime win. I don't think they get that chance this weekend. Brees is going exploit that weak secondary worst than Rodgers did, and the Saints secondary is far better than the swiss cheeseheads they played last week. SAINTS WIN 49-14


Dallas at Minnesota: Yeah, I know, the Boys got a huge monkey off their back by not only getting a playoff win, but embarrassing the Eagles twice in the process. And like some bad wild west, this game features two of the most carefree gunslingers in the NFL with Romo going against Favre, so get ready for plenty of turnovers. And yes, both teams have excellent backfields and d-line. But, the Cowboys don't have Adrian Peterson, and there will be the difference. This should be a great game the way they both match up, but, and it pains me to say because I hate both teams, the Vikes will win. And if they don't and the Boys end up in the Super Bowl, look for a conspiracy theory or two popping out. VIKES WIN 24-21

New York Jets at San Diego: Yes, Rex Ryan did pick the Jets to go to the Super Bowl. And, if anyone can pull of the Jet-lag it would be SoCal's own Mark Sanchez, who will have a sort of home coming playoff game. And yes, Revis, the Jets corner will play a role in shutting down Rivers and the Charger passing game, so this game has all the intangibles of being a great game, probably the best of the four. The only real reason the Jets won't win is that the Chargers just keep finding ways to pull games out. And if Rivers gets anywhere close to a ring, he'll be even more annoying, but he does deserve it after he helped resurrect a dead San Diego franchise. CHARGERS WIN 17-14

CONFERENCE:
San Diego at Indianapolis: Early in the last decade the Colts couldn't get over hump that was the New England Patriots, until Peyton and the rest of the team manned up and just did it. When they did, they got into the Super Bowl and won. This time the humps name is San Diego Chargers, who have eliminated the Colts each of the past 3 years, since said Super Bowl win. Well, this Colts team will get over that hump once again and march on into the Super Bowl behind a great Peyton Manning drive and some stout Colts D. COLTS WIN 31-17

Minnesota at New Orleans: This should be the better of the two conference games. This is, after all, the reason Brett Favre came out of retirement, both times. And if he really thinks gun slinging is the way to win this game, I'm going to be wrong in my prediction, but Darren Sharper is going to have a field day. I can definantly see Favre literally throw this one away a la NFC Conference Championship 2007 when he gave it up to the Giants who went on to win, but I think that, again, Adrian Petterson is a difference maker in this one. Brees and the explosive Saints offense will put up a good fight, but its not to be. VIKES WIN 38-35

Super Bowl:
Minnesota at Indianapolis: Hopefully this will be Brett Favre's going away party, but since I think they'll come up short, he'll probably come back again next year and fail horribly. The Colts offense will just be too much for the Vikings Defense. The Colts D, which has held steadfast all season will contain Petterson, and put pressure on Favre causing him to throw 3 picks, yeah, I'm going to even predict the amount of picks. Colts fans will rejoice and Peyton will be crowned the Greatest Quarterback ever getting his second Super Bowl ring and an early invite to Canton. COLTS WIN 38-14