Chicago’s path was a bit more predictable coming in as the second seed but it was surprising to many how they blew away the San Jose Sharks in the western conference finals. Regardless of the path taken by either team we start again even-steven with a race to four to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup! So what do we need to watch for and more importantly who is going to win?

At first glance the series seems to very much favor the Blackhawks. They have a team that is equally as physical as the Flyers and they can score goals any way they need to; whether it’s using their speed to create off of the rush or just by putting big bodies in front of the net and bashing away time and time again until the red light comes on. Thus far in the playoffs the Flyers have yet to face an opponent who they couldn’t just rough up and eventually wear them down (the way they did to Boston) or flat out dominate (the way they dominated both New Jersey and Montreal) so it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to a more formidable opponent.

We can start this by saying both teams are in about the same position when it comes to their respective netminders, so these guys are likely to cancel one another out in performance. With that said, there is no doubt that the Flyers will have to somehow neutralize Chicago’s ability to score. That seems obvious of course but a lot of times a team can focus on one or two guys and sort of make role players step up to beat you. However in this case Chicago doesn’t have just one or two guys who are scoring. The Hawks have been incredibly balanced with Dustin Byfuglien leading the way with 8 goals followed by the Toews, Kane, and Sharp trio who each have 7. The easy answer to Byfuglien for the Flyers is throwing Chris Pronger at him. Using Pronger in that role is a great idea but then what about the rest of the Chicago forwards? Even if you can manage to shut down some combination of the four leading scorers that still leaves two other guys who can burn you AND the likes of a Marian Hossa who despite having only 2 goals thus far in the post-season is always a threat to put the puck in the back of the net. Just because he hasn’t been scoring doesn’t mean he necessarily continue to struggle. All the while there is a guy like Chris Versteeg to further consider because he has come up with some big goals for Chicago up to this point. It will certainly be a tall order for the Flyers. One way for the Flyers to take some of Chicago’s players out of their rhythm is to utilize guys like Daniel Carcillo to be a pest to the Hawks. In the past Carcillo has been known to cross lines and cost his team by taking stupid penalties. But in recent games he’s done a nice job of agitating players without going to the box as often as he used to. Keeping Chicago focused on dealing with a pest is a great way to frustrate their game plan while subsequently enforcing your own if you’re the Flyers. Easier said than done of course but it’s not a bad tactic to employ.

In the meantime, the Flyers have some offensive weapons of their own for Chicago to worry about. Mike Richards has had a fantastic post-season thus far and has put up the numbers the Flyers expect him to put up when it really matters. Danny Briere has posted some great numbers as well but more importantly he is staying healthy which has been a grave concern for him his whole career. There have also been a couple of pleasant surprises for the Flyers in Ville Leino (who has been red hot) and the emergence of Claude Giroux. If both guys can manage to continue their high level of play against Chicago there is no doubt that the Flyers will have as good a chance as any to push the Blackhawks to the limit and possibly even be what puts the Flyers over the top in this series. It will also be important for the Flyers role players to really step things up and raise their level of play even moreso than they have so far. Role players are important to winning any Stanley Cup of course but the Flyers will need to use their role players much more than the Blackhawks will likely have to rely on its role players.

In the end, I don’t think the series will be a walk-over for the Blackhawks the way some people seem to think it will be. The Flyers have played some smart hockey and it’s unlikely that they will start to shoot themselves in the foot now. But Chicago just has too many weapons when it comes right down to it. Barring injury of course I think the Flyers will be able to steal a game or two in this series but the Hawks will use their skill, speed, and physical presence to ultimately outclass the Philadelphia Flyers and raise their first Stanley Cup since 1961. I said it at the beginning of the year and I’m saying it now, the Chicago Blackhawks will be your 2010 Stanley Cup Champions.

Kevin Kolb will be leaving Philadelphia, and no one will care!

I would expect Kolb to be making his NFL exit very soon. Considering the Eagles is now carrying 4 QB’s, which include Donovan Mcnabb, Michael Vick and now Jeff Garcia. These 3 guys are light years above Kolb. So expect him to be cut and dropped off quick by Andy Reid at the Philadelphia Bus Stop…Maybe he could become a struggling bartender  just trying to earn a buck, cause this NFL thing just isn’t going to workout. I mean really Philadelphia has giving this guy over 1000 chances to beat out Mcnabb. I never understood why the moronic fans  in Philadelphia don’t love their Jesus, Donovan Mcnabb!

Pick up some Cool Garcia Eagles Stuff on Ebay, for Cheap!!

T Izzle, is the Dizzel, in the Buffalo Bizzel.

I know this guy is still a playmaker regardless of what the Media thinks. He is currently drawing double teams and rollup safeties during this game. Regardless, For the second Half I would still expect him to get started early.

Also where is the “Real” Tom Brady. I bet all those people who picked him this year in thier leagues 1st rounds are kicking themselves for not taking Drew Brees! Brady just doesn’t not look the same, and maybe this superstar is going to fall back down to earth this season!

Well Monday Night Football at half remains 14-10 in favor of the Bills, who would have thought it!

Well Look for the Eagles to make all the way to the Super Bowl this year.  They should have won their division last year but they came up just short.  Now with a lot more fire power Mcnabb should have one of his best years ever.  So will they win it? No.  That s right the Eagles will lose in the Super Bowl too…

THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS:  That’s right a repeat. Why? Because only injuries can stop the Steelers from being the champs this year.  Baring any long term injuries to Big Ben the Steelers should be able to pull off the repeat easier than people think.  The schedule is a lot softer than it was last year and the depth is solid.   So those are my Super Bowl picks for this year, right it down, and “T.J. Hushmazo lock it up”

Also Mad’Nuff Monday night guarantees are back and better.  Stay posted.

On the eve of Vick’s official return to playing in the NFL, I wanted to get a quick chance to talk about something I have noticed since his incarceration. America has changed, and a higher level of education on the Pit-bull has occurred.

Prior to the FBI shutting down “Bad Newz Kennels”, I had noticed that people are more intimated by animals, like the pit-bull, that the press demonize due to isolated incidents in order to sell more papers and get higher ratings. The sad thing is, that in most cases that I read about the dog was not to blame, considering it’s retarded human or inhumane owner. I also sometimes see that papers like to label any aggressive dog attack as carried out by a pit-bull even if that was not the case, because as a people we are fascinated by the dogs great strength.  That fascinations without a doubt causes the prejudice and mistreatment this great breed which the our true problem.

The thing I find odd about our the press is they very rarely report the positives stories about bully breed dogs. I have found however a couple of positive stories

1. Pitbull defends family

2. Pitbull stops Domestic Violence

3. Idiot Fake Pitbull Story! The Normal stuff we see! Note: A woman can’t bite a dog that is really attacking, PLUS 5 minutes of an attack would be long enough for any breed of dog to either kill it’s prey or move on!

I truly believe that the Media in the past has poisoned the American public. This women in the new segment above is just another example of an idiot with a voice. Let me ask you a question, why did they not show the pitbull? Yep because it was not a pit, it was probably only a mix. I think idiots who lie to vilify the innocent wither its because of ignorance or self promotion deserve to be deported. I am sick of watching T.V. and feeling like morons are ruining this country. It’s not the breed that is at fault…It’s our press!

For example if I say “Pitbull” many people will first think of “dog attack”, yet when I say “Cocker Spaniel” people think “Great Pet”. However this is a terrible assumption. Cocker Spaniels are the number one dog every year to be involved in attacks and many of these attacks occur on children. Yet the press never educate the public on this danger since it’s just not as sexy of a story.

Michael Vick for all his faults may be one of the best things that has happened to the Pitbull world because it forced people to learn and read more about the dogs that were seized from his property.  Vick inadvertently made this style of dog education sexy. People followed his trial and they also followed the Kennels survivors. They had several shows in hopes of educating the public, but in reality these shows were about making the networks money.

1. Nat GEO Vick Dog Program

Pitbulls are one of the first breeds of dogs that made their way from Europe to America. They actually used to be much smaller. Some of the best fighting Staffordshire terrier, which is what our American Pitbull has basically came from, where only 35 pounds. The dog was tough, extremely intelligent, brave and insanely loyal. This made this dog a great asset for anyone who was planning on settling new territory. For that reason, people who came to the United States very often found a Pitbull by there side.

Regardless, I have never blamed people for being afraid of what they do not understand, but I have been upset when I see people banning,demonizing and misplacing blame, on these dogs just because they are capable. Pits are capable of protection just as much as they are of loving. The fact that they have been banned from parts of this country is just deplorable. These bans should be lifted without a doubt. It is my right to own the dog of my choice!

Being a owner of a Pitbull, I have very often encountered people who have a limited understanding and very small tolerance to just the site of my dog. Yet it seems that many people are now beginning to leave those prejudices behind and realize, “It’s not the dogs fault it was abused, or it that it is a stong breed”. Michael Vick, I just want you to know that if you really want to help, you should start by helping create litigation which hopes to stop the illegal practice of breed banning. Michael would be a great witness to prove that breed bans do not stop the issues of neglect and misuse associated with dog fighting. In reality, it only makes this breed more profitable for criminals in areas where they are illegal. Dog fighters don’t follow the law so making more laws makes no sense! Education of the legitimate public is what is needed and banning breeds makes that so much harder.

Vick, thank you. You maybe the Sauveur of the American Pitbull by ironically being one of their worst enemies! America no longer hates the dogs but realize that a dog is only as good as his owner!

Let the drama begin.

By now everyone knows about the latest head-turning acquisition in the NFL. No ladies and gentleman, we are not talking about Michael Vick. This is the return of the return of Mr. Brett Favre. I got a look at the Vikings schedule which didn’t interest me much prior to the huge pickup. But let’s all take a look together now that Favre has joined the club.

The first five games should produce a 5-0 start; at Cleveland, at Detroit, home against rebuilding San Francisco, home against defensively struggling Green Bay, and at the inept St. Louis Rams.

The next three games are tough; home against Baltimore, at Pittsburgh, home at Green Bay. I’d say the Pittsburgh game is a loss. The one against Green Bay could be a shootout based on pure emotion alone that could go either way. The game against the Ravens figures to be hard-nosed and I’ll give the Vikes the edge in that one being at home to bring them to 6-2 midway.

After that they get to rest up for a week before they face the Lions again at home, then inconsistent Seattle at home, and Chicago who has defensive and wide receiving woes at home as well. I think all three are wins bringing them to 9-2.

The final stretch is where it gets tough; at Arizona, a trap-game like matchup against Cincinnati at home, at Carolina, at Chicago who may be in the division race at that time, and home against the New York Giants who might be in playoff or NFC East title contention as well.

If the Vikings turn out to be solid, they should win one or two of those last five games. If they mold into a great team then 12-13 wins should be on the horizon. Favre may be 40 years old, and have shown signs of decay over the last half of the previous year, but in Minnesota he has a proven deep threat in Bernard Berrian, and a put-the-team-on-my-back rusher in Adrian Peterson along with starter-worthy Chester Taylor.  

This team is much more balanced offensively and stronger defensively than the Jets were last year and that should be the difference in how well Favre plays through another 16 game stretch.

Well after Thursday night there is one thing that is clearly apparent and that is the good get better.  All eyes were on Tom Brady last night in his first action since game 1 last year.  Tom Brady proved to be very good for his first game back.  He was accurate but did have trouble with the deep ball you can tell that he is still leery about his knee when he has to sit in the pocket for long, but other than that he looked good.  One thing I noticed is the bend in his knees when he dropped back and the slight bounce or chop in his feet.  He still has a long way to go in that department but I say the effort to break his old habit of a straight leg delivery and little motion in the pocket was apparent.  Brady looks to be dangerous in this upcoming season.

On the other side the defending champs , believe it or not, look like their defense has only gotten better.  It was an actual shock that the starters played as efficient as they did and were able to make plays with out doing as much scheming and blitzing as they will do in the regular season.  The only weak point could be seen in the number two corner spot where you can tell the young corners are still trying to find their stride.  The positive of that is that Polamalu was able to pick up the slack for those corners while he was in the game.  Write this down now, “You will see the Steelers defense be even more dominant this year than they were last year”.  I know it is just preseason but Vegas has gotten the top two teams write this year maybe just not in the correct order.

Michael Vick has signed a 2 year contract with Philadelphia Eagles. I to say the least am surprised. After resigning Donovan, I would have thought the Eagles organization would have never done something like this. They have been secretly trying to replace Mcnabb for several years now, but this move will only elevate any problems Donovan has had with this organization. I thought that Vick would fit very well on the redskins and would have been a great move for that organization. He fit in perfectly in washington and I am wondering if the eagles made a hard move because they knew that the Redskins could have had a serious interest. Either way, I am happy for Michael, who will now have the ability to get back to his life as a player, after paying back his debt to society.

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Big Ben and Holmes enjoy last year's victory!

I honestly can’t wait to see the NFL Season this year. I was wrong about the Steelers not winning last season, and I will fully admit that. I was hoping to find out through comments, who do our readers think will win the Vince Lambardi trophy this season, and why. Please note: That all of the responses will be judged and the funniest and the correct answers will receive a special prize at the end of the season. Just make sure you post the correct e-mail so we can notify you if you win or not! Only 1 pick per contestant!

Houston Texans:  The Texans have been competitive for the last two years in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.  Playing the likes of the Colts, and the Titans twice each year and usually these two teams would be too much for the Texans to handle but this year is different.  The Texans are going to finally have some continuity this year, and a decent amount of experience on both sides of the ball.  While the Titans have no shot at performing the way they did last year and the Colts abilities have yet to be seen with the changing of coaches.  Look for the Texans to make the playoffs this year and possibly even win their division.

Minnesota Vikings:  There had been a lot of talk about Favre coming to this team but the truth of the matter is he won’t and he is not needed.  If Childress does the right thing and Starts Tavaris  Jackson look for the Vikings to win their division and steamroll into the playoffs.  This is a 9 win team without a quarterback, and if any QB plays well for them this year they are a lock for 11 wins.

San Francisco 49ers:  Yeah Ok maybe they aren’t a lock for the super bowl, but this is a team on the rise in the worst division in the league,  the Cardinals made it to the super bowl last year but that easily could have been any one of the teams in that division.  With Mike Singletary at the helm the team made leaps and bounds last year.  A team with this much potential only needs to harness it and they could easily win their division.  Look for the 49ers to have their first winning season in a long time and be in playoff contention.