Tom Brady Prediction

I'm sure most of you NFL fans out there saw Tom Brady's preseason debut last night. I thought he looked really good. He threw 2 nice TDs and had a perfect deep ball that Moss dropped. he did have an INT but he then went to the sidelines and threw his waterbottle down like it was the playoffs or something!

He moved around and stepped up in the pocket. I do think that he needs to take a few big hits and have a few people down on the ground around him in the pocket. Just so that he can get used to stepping up in the pocket, stepping into throws, and trusting the knee.

I have a prediction to make. I think that last year's injury might end up being the one of the best things to happen to Tom Brady's career. Obviously winning superbowls and marrying underwear models are much better than a knee injury but this is the way I see it. He looks great so far. We know that he's going to play a lot in preseason and should be firing on all cyllindars come week 1. The most important things to a QB like Brady are his throwing arm, shoulder, and head. He got a whole season to preserve what matters the most to him. Last season made have put another 2-3+ years onto the prime of his career!

All I'm saying is that Brady is going ot be huge again this year so be ready. He will be fresher than ever and hungrier than ever. I hate the guy, but I expect a big year.

Now here's an idea....

With the celebrity world abuzz over the engagement of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen I got a great idea. Maybe Bill Belichick would like to be the videographer for the wedding!? Seems fitting doesn't it?

A Priceless Birthday Gift

Well not that I like the attention or anything but today is my birthday. I got a lot of sweet gifts and had a lot of fun today but there was one gift that was a special surprise. A gift that I was not expecting at all.

Tom Brady is out for the SEASON! Wow what an amazing gift because I hate the Patriots and I hate Brady! Brady is out for the season and Favre looked like same old Brett in his Jets opener.

So is it a mere coincidence? Is it a gift to me from God? Is it God rewarding Brett for persevering and continuing to believe in himself when Ted Thompson and Co. didn't.

Am I a little bitter about not having Favre on my favorite team? Yes, I will admit it was a little hard watching him sling it around for another team today. But what can i do now but wish for my favorite player of all-time to win?

I don't really know for sure what will come of this. All that I do know is that Mr. Favre and the Jets are looking pretty damn good in the AFC East right now. Maybe Favre will get to go out with a ring afterall!

2008 NFL Preview - AFC East

1. New England Patriots (16-0 in 2007)

Sadly, the miracle of last year will be nearly impossible to replicate. But with the easiest schedule on paper, it may not be as tough as some might think. This division should be locked up by Nov. 13th, when the Pats finish their 4th home game in 5 weeks. Two losses come from (one of) either Indy or Pitt, and one lost-focus/rest week after home field is decided. We can only hope that Favre can help the Jets make a run at the division. I'm hoping, but I'm not counting on it.

Key Aquisitions: Jerod Mayo, Lamont Jordan

Key Departures: Asante Samuel

2008 Predicted Finish: 14-2

2. Buffalo Bills (7-9 in 2007)

Lynch is an absolute beast. Edwards is settling in. I think it's going to be really interesting to see how the Bills do with both these two getting all the snaps. If a few things bounced their way in 2007 (and they ditched the Losman experiment earlier), the Bills might've had 9 or 10 wins and a wildcard spot. Playing the AFC/NFC Westies will give the bills 6 wins in 8 tries, the Jets and Miami will contribute the other 4. The bills will lose to the Chargers, Rams, Jacksonville, Cleveland and New England x2.

Key Aquisitions: McKelvin (CB), Hardy (WR)

Key Departures: none

2008 Predicted Finish: 9-7

3. New York Jets (4-12 in 2007)

Favre changes the dynamic of this team. For the good? We'll see. Clemens is the new Rodgers, and can't possibly be happy about it. But even a crusty Favre is a better option than these Clemens and will give them an extra couple wins. AFC Westies will smack around this team, as will New England, and Buffalo for sure. Also look for a possible surprise loss (Maybe Dolphins at home but probably not).

Key Aquisitions: Brett Favre, Vernon Gholston

Key Departures: Chad Pennington.

2008 Predicted Finish: 8-8

4. Miami Dolphins (1-15 in 2007)

They should be able to secure a high pick in the 2009 draft fairly quickly. They are the sacrificial lamb this season (again). With Pennington at quarterback and no defense, they'll be competitive in each game for about a half. Signing Pennington will not increase their 2008 win total, unless he hands them the entire Jets offensive playbook. I think that they can grab 2-3 cheap wins, but I can't find a team that I can honestly say they can beat. With a gun to my head, I'll take the Fins over the Ravens. They'll carry a 10 game losing streak into 2009.

Key Aquisitions: Jake Long, Bill Parcells

Key Departures: Jason Taylor

2008 Predicted Finish: 2-14

Hey Congress, Stay Out Of Sport's Problems

Now before I get started on this little rant I just want to say I really could care less about politics and the whole big brother concept it has with other countries. But when it comes to problems in sports and sports figures, Congress needs to keep their big nose out of sport's business. I really am sick and tired of turning on ESPN and now that football is done and over with it seems like the only two things on ESPN anymore are steroids in baseball and the spygate and how congress is "interested in getting to the bottom of this". On Wednesday Roger Clemens and a handful of baseball players, trainers, and representatives are heading to Capital hill to discuss the findings of steroids in baseball. It is a day I am simply going to call "Black Wednesday". This is something that is baseballs problem not the governments. So there is controversy in sports, there are more pressing issues in my mind then worrying about who did and who didn't take steroids in the last 90's and early 2000's. I know Bud Selig hired good old Senator George Mitchell to figure out who was taking what in baseball, but this is taking things a bit far if you ask me. Congress worry about getting us out of Iraq or stopping George Bush from making anymore idiotic decisions with our tax money. In the mean time let me tell you how I would go about fixing the steroids problem in baseball and the problem with spygate.

Steroids in Baseball
It a problem that Bud Selig should of dealt with many years ago. Instead he had Senator Mitchell do the investigation he should have been doing and now thanks to the Mitchell report baseball is now seen under a bad light. Look Selig made a big mistake and we know a bunch of players had at least tried steroids during the past 10 to 15 years, but do we really need to recover what happened in the past? You can't fully prove who took steroids or performance enhancing drugs from 5 to 10 years ago. How can prove it is credible? Instead of worrying about the past just let it go and focus on cleaning up the game for this season and seasons to come. Instead of random testing test everyone in the league for steroids. Because honestly how can you really make a test like steroids random? Now label the past 15 years as "The Steroid Era" and move on. Baseball is already a mess you don't need to make it worse by bringing congress into it.

Spygate
Now since this has come out and I have heard more rumors about the Patriots using it in the Super Bowl and other games I think it is time to really crack down on this. I think the fine and the forfeit their first round pick was a good punishment but now there needs to be more of a punishment. Now I think you should forfeit games and maybe even more than that for being caught video taping now. Who knows if the footage they got of the Rams running their plays helped them in the Super Bowl against the Rams. Roger Goodell needs to enforce some type of punishment system for this. Maybe something like this. First offense: Forfeit of the game and a fine. Second Offense: Forfeit game plus some additional games on top of that. Third Offense: Forfeit entire season. It is at least something the league has to look into.

Congress is there to help punish people for doing real crimes like murders and other serious offenses. They should be more worried about terrorists attacks, how to fix this economic recession, and stop George Bush from cutting taxes on health care. They shouldn't be worried about Baseballs problems, they shouldn't be worried about the NFL's problems, they should be worried about any sports related problems period.

Nate Gonner is a guest writer for The Sports Flow. He writes his columns every Monday and Thursday for Gonners View. Check his site out here

Superbowl Recap: What Does 18-1 Really Mean?

18-1. What does it mean? Sure, I was rooting for the Giants Sunday and sure I rooted against the Patriots almost any chance I got the entire season. However, what do we owe to 18-1? Is the season marked by the Superbowl loss?

Unfortunately for the Patriots, they will forever be remembered as the team to go undefeated and lose in the Superbowl. It took 35 years to have another undefeated team with a perfect record going into the superbowl and it might be another 35+ before we see it happen again. It is indeed very possible that they go down as the only NFL team to EVER go 18-0 and lose in the superbowl in the history of the world.

At a wide look, a Super Bowl loss looks bad for this Patriot dynasty. The '70s Steelers 4 for 4 in their Super Bowl appearances, as were the '80s 49ers. Thus I must say that Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana are always going to have something over Tom Brady. But during those Steeler and 49er dynasties, there were years when they lost in the playoffs before reaching the Super Bowl. We shouldn't discredit the Patriot dynasty because that in one of their non-championship years, they lost in the Super Bowl instead of earlier in the playoffs. If the Patriots go on to win another championship this decade, they're legacy will still match the '70s Steelers and '80s 49ers and most likely surpas. In the grand scheme of things, when looking at this dynasty 10+ years from now this superbowl loss could be almost an asset to the team's list of accomplishments. How good of a chance do they have of doing this? I think very good. Brady is most likely going to be a Patriot for life, they have the 7th pick in the draft and if they can get Moss to come back and recharge their LB corps with some youth, they could be as good if not maybe better than ever!

To be honest if I had to say who I thought has a better chance of winning the Superbowl next season, the Giants or the Patriots, I would probably say the Patriots. For now, I'm going to ignore all Spygate and Spygate 2 allegations and info just because we aren't really sure what it entails right now. That aside, I think that there's really no telling if this loss marking the infamous "perfect" season will mark the Patriots "dynasty". Only time will tell.

Aside from that I was really impressed with the play of Eli Manning and the Giants Defensive line. Truly I would have liked to give the MVP award to the Giants D-Line. They really won the game. The New York defensive line dominated the game. Individual players like Justin Tuck, Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, and Jay Alford kept making outstanding individual plays. Tom Brady had a record setting season mostly because the New England offensive line consistently gave him time to throw and when given a chance to scan the field, Tom Brady will pick apart any defense. But the Giant pass rush consistently got to Brady, sacking him, knocking him down, throwing him off rhythm. We haven't been used to seeing Brady knocked around, but that's what the Giants did. The Giants lines, both offensive and defensive (but mostly defensive), outplayed both of the Patriots' lines.

Since in the MVP award has to go to an individual player, I think, for the game as a whole, Eli Manning is a worthy choice. In the fourth quarter, the Giants had three real possessions. Manning twice threw go-ahead touchdown passes. He completed four of five passes on 3rd down, three of them converting to first down (on a 3rd and ten, he completed a nine yard pass that allowed a short 4th down run). In the fourth quarter, he made big play after big play. He's a deserving MVP.

I tip my hat to the Giants. I'm very happy for guys like Tom Coughlin and Michael Strahan. Although, hopefully skipping training camp doesn't become a popular trend! Amidst all the screaming and cheering towards the end of the game I couldn't help but think what Tiki Barber must have been thinking!

Is Tom Brady The Greatest Quarterback Ever?

Everyone defines greatness a different way. Some define greatness through records. Some define it through championships. When you think of great quarterbacks some that come right to mind are Unitas, Montana, Marino, Bradshaw, Starr, Staubach, Elway, Farve, Manning, and, whether you love him or you hate him, Brady. On Sunday, Tom Brady has a chance to do what none of the quarterbacks on that list have done, and that is go undefeated. Some already say Brady is the greatest postseason quaterback of all-time and his resume defends that argument very well. Three Super Bowl rings, an undefeated record at home in the playoffs, and two Super Bowl MVPs. Not to mention he is the leader of what might go down as the best football team to ever step on a football field. Not bad for a sixth round draft pick out of the University of Michigan.

What It Really Means To Go Undefeated?
It means you will be glorified in history forever. Everyone knows Don Shula because he was the only coach to go undefeated. No matter how much you hate the New England Patriots, you have to admire the accomplishments that are waiting for them if they can get by the Giants Sunday. They may have "cheated", teams may have let the game slip through their hands, but they are the only team without a loss this season. Us haters may gripe and groan if in fact by the end of Sunday night the Patriots do win, but regardless of the outcome we will have seen history Sunday night. I have already explained what it means to go undefeated, but what if the all-mighty Patriots fall on Sunday? The Giants will have pulled off the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. Whatever happens its a story we can tell our kids, our grandkids, and maybe even our great grandkids. Because being perfect never happens No baseball team has won 173 baseball games, No one wins 98 basketball games, and its hard to find a team that can go undefeated in college football and they play no more than 13 or 14 games. 36 years have passed since the Dolphins went undefeated and it maybe another 36 or more before we seen another great team like the Patriots.

Where does Brady Rank as Far As Greatest of All-Time?
Right now Tom Brady is not the best quarterback to ever play the game, but he is close. I still think San Francisco great Joe Montana is the best quarterback to ever play football. To me its not all about the records, its about stepping up when the light is shined on you. Montana did that better than any quarterback I have ever seen play. He pulled last minute heroics (i:e The Catch against the Cowboys), and he shattered the competition when the experts doubted him (i:e 55-10 Super Bowl drubbing against the #1 scoring defense in Denver). Another thing Montana has four Super Bowl rings. Brady only has three. But Brady has a great chance of surpassing Montana. Why Brady has a chance is because he still rather young. Brady is only 30 years old, and is hitting his prime right now. If he stays in the NFL for 5 or 6 more years he could win more rings and could make more memorable moments. When it is all said and done Brady could be the best player that ever played the game. Thats right not just quarterback but player. In fact Sunday might be the day he passes Joe Montana, because no great quarterback has ever lead their team to an undefeated season. Tom Brady will no doubt be heading to Canton when his career is over, but we will have to wait and see if in fact he will go down as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game of football.

Nate Gonner is a guest writer for The Sports Flow. He writes his columns every Monday and Thursday for Gonners View. Check his site out here

How Quickly and Slowly Three Years Passes

I'm not quite sure if it seems like only yesterday, or if it seems like ages ago that Patriots Linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a stoke and experienced a brush with death. I was just thinking about this just the other day and I couldn't believe that the media was too busy talking about Tom Brady's ankle to give a great story like this some pub. Both Stefan and I have been very busy lately and I only got around to it today to see that ESPN had already put out a little piece on Teddy. I had my heart set on it so i had to post it anyways.

I will be completely honest, I don't like the Patriots. I especially dislike the whole cheating/spygate scandal. I've never cared for Bill Belichick, although I consider him to be the best coach in the NFL right now and maybe of all-time. I even will be rooting against the Patriots on Sunday. I've been rooting against them the whole year and will continue to do so. This being said, I have immense respect for Tedy Bruschi and what he's done. I can't even imagine having and stroke and surviving, let alone getting back to playing in the NFL.

"What we've done, is sport, not real life. What Tedy accomplished, it's pretty much a miracle, really. I mean, come on now, the two aren't even close." - SS Rodney Harrison

You can add Rodney Harrison to the list of players I could care less for but he really keeps this one in perspective I think. Not only has Tedy come back he is maybe better than ever. Although he lost maybe a half step he has help up great all year and has good numbers. For a second consecutive season, Bruschi has led all New England defenders in tackles (99) and you can go ahead and throw in 2 sacks for good measure.

You can say what you want about the New England Patriots, because I know that I have. But don't root against this guy. I have immense respect for him and always will. He's a great player and will be my lone personal silver-lining to the Superbowl if the Patriots win it all. I hope that the media can switch their focus over to this remarkable story and one of the greatest comebacks in NFL and sporting history in this week leading up to the Superbowl.

Third Time Is A Charm For Tynes and The New York Giants

A 47 yard field goal stood in the way of the New York Giants, and a date with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42. It was that simple. However there was a problem, Lawrence Tynes had missed the previous two fields goals which would of given New York the lead. That and both field goals were closer than the one Tynes was about to attempt. The pressure was on. If Tynes misses this field goal he is the most hated person in the big apple, but if he makes it he redeems himself and is a self proclaimed hero. The snap good, the hold good, the kick straight down the middle. Lambeau field left stunned as the Giants, who basically kept Green Bay in the game down the stretch, went in and upset Brett Farve and the Packers. Now, just like a month ago, the 30 other football teams along with football fans outside of the Boston Massachusetts area will be rooting for the New York Giants as they are the final team in the way of the Patriots and the glory of being undefeated. Why is everyone behind the Giants you ask? Because No one wants to see Bill Belichick to hoist another Lombardi Trophy , no one wants to see Tom Brady win another Super Bowl MVP, and no one wants to see the Patriots go undefeated.

Giant's Playing Lights Out Since Round 1 With The Patriots.
Tom Coughlin deserves a contract extension for making the decision to play his starters in a "meaningless" game to try and stop the Patriots from making history. The Giants were already in the playoffs, and could of rested their starters in order for them to be fresh for the wildcard round of the playoffs. Instead, he looked at the game as a "must win", and pulled out all the trick in order to trip up the Patriots. It didn't look like Eli Manning was playing the Patriots night in late December. It looked like another Peyton Manning/Tom Brady classic battle. In his four years in the league, I have never seen Eli Manning play as good as he did that night. The crazy thing is he has managed to carry that momentum throughout the playoffs, being the only quarterback in the playoffs to not throw an interception. Manning has been rewarded with another shot at the all-mighty Patriots, but this time the game has much more meaning to it. If the Giants lose, the Patriots will be the first team in NFL history to go 19-0 in a season and will have won their fourth Super Bowl title of this decade. But if the Giants win, a sports nation will rejoice. Patriots haters everywhere will bow in front of their television sets, and thank the Giants for beating those damn Patriots.

Eli Proved He Is A Good Quarterback
Ok so if anyone read my last weeks column that said Eli Manning was mediocre, I would like to take that statement back. At the end of my column I said if he was able to beat the Green Bay Packers he would leave me speechless, and as Tynes 47 yard field goal went right down the middle of the goal posts thats what I was. I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to believe that Green Bay was going home. I didn't want to believe that just a year after his older brother Peyton made it to the Super Bowl, that little brother Eli would be playing for his first ring. I didn't want to write this and say hey Eli Manning is actually a good quarterback. Because you have to have a good quarterback in order to win on the road consistently in the NFL, especially in the playoffs. Forget that he played god awful in front of the home town Giants fans, going 3-5 in their 8 home games (including 4 straight). If you saw the Giants road to Super Bowl 42 then you would know that it was anything but a cake walk. The Giants played in three of the toughest stadiums to get there, and three good quarterbacks who were wanting their own playoff success story. They faced a Hall of Fame quarterback destined to end his storybook career with a win in the Super Bowl. They faced a gun slinging Cowboy, who up until the media swarmed him with questions about playing with little blond sticks watching, was one of the best quarterbacks in the league. They faced a traveled veteran who was looking for his chance at playoff stardom. Now the Giants face a man picked in the 6th round of the NFL draft, and might be the most successful playoff quarterback in NFL history. Can the Giants stop Tom Brady and the mighty Patriots? As the Giants have shown us throughout the playoffs, anything is possible.

Nate Gonner is a guest writer for The Sports Flow. He writes his columns every Monday and Thursday for Gonners View. Check his site out here

2007 NFL Championship Weekend Preview

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
NY Giants at GB Packers

It has been almost a decade since my dad and I got to watch a Packer game this important and I couldn't be more excited! When I look at Giants’ newfound success it seems hard to pinpoint just because it’s so newfound and a little mysterious. When I look at their game against Dallas I find it necessary to mention the fact that they only ran 44 offensive plays in a game. That is ridiculously low. Their longest drive was eight plays long and ended in a punt. Their time of possession was 23:30. The Cowboys actually outgained them by over 100 yards. The G-Men were efficient on offense and scored touchdowns instead of field goals, with no turnovers. But they won with defense, especially that nasty pass rush that had Romo so rattled in the fourth quarter.

The Packers can shut down everything the Giants did well in the Divisional Round.
You think Charles Woodson and Al Harris won't eat Little Manning for dinner? Do you think the Packers will sacrifice Favre the way Dallas failed to protect Romo? Will they abandon their game plan in the second half? Mike McCarthy proved his maturity in sticking to the gameplan last weekend when the Packers found themselves in a 14-0 hole early. However he stayed committed and it worked. I was very impressed. New York's defense is very comparable to Seattle’s, and Green Bay embarrassed the Seahawks this weekend. The Packers have an outstanding offensive line and a quarterback whose strength is handling a pass rush. They are equipped to handle everything the Giants do well, and unless Eli turns into Peyton and Tiki Barber un-retires, I don't know how New York is going to match points with the Packers. Am I a homer? Well, I’ve been called one before. Is this a homer pick? NO!
Prediction: GB 34 NYG 21

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

SD Chargers at NE Patriots

I underestimated San Diego last week, and I hope I'm not doing it again now, but I don't see the Chargers beating New England. I'll even be a little surprised if they keep it close. Forget the injuries — Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Luis Castillo, Nate Kaeding — and the Patriots' substantial home-field advantage in frosty Foxborough. Forget the 38-14 beatdown New England threw down on the Chargers earlier this season and last year's Patriot win in San Diego that knocked the Bolts out of the playoffs. The Chargers, talented as they are, don't have the firepower to keep up with New England.

Their defense didn't look good against Indianapolis, and it probably won't look any better against New England's record-setting offense. Jacksonville's personnel dictated the "nothing cheap and nothing deep" strategy that allowed Brady to set a postseason record for single-game completion percentage, and the Chargers won't do that. Their strength is in a strong rush and pressure on the quarterback. The problem for San Diego is that their defensive backs, as good as Crowmartie and Jammer are, are going to be eaten alive by the Patriots' receivers

.
On offense, San Diego's weaponless attack — with Tomlinson and Gates gimpy — isn't likely to do much of anything against New England's defense. The Pats' defensive unit isn't what it once was, and there are vulnerabilities, but it's not going to fall apart the way the Colts' did, especially if Billy Volek is the starting QB. I believe New England will win, and win big.
Bring on a SB rematch from 1996-97!
prediction: NE 37 SD 17

Counting down 2007: A year of Scandal

Here are my top 7 sports scandals in 2007 counted down from 7 to 1.

7. Marion Jones' Fall from Grace

In October, seven years after winning a record five Olympic track and field medals at the Sydney Games, and after years of passionately denying that she had ever taken performance-enhancing drugs, Marion Jones pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about her use of steroids. The spectacular fall from grace by the woman who was the golden girl of the Sydney Olympics culminated in the return of the five medals she won at those Games. Jones will be sentenced in Jan. 11.

6. Sean Taylor Murdered in His Home

Just as 2007 began with the grim news of an NFL player cut down in his prime (Darrent Williams), so did the year end. In early December, football mourned the loss of Washington Redskins standout safety Sean Taylor, who was shot and killed in his Miami home by armed intruders whose apparent motive was robbery. Taylor, the father of a baby girl, was only 24. This came as a shock to the league and a team who was/is in the heat of the playoff hunt. Taylor was winning the probowl race at his position and just this week was announced as the winner of the starting spot. He left a family and a game, and he had so much left to give to both.

5. Barry Bonds Indicted

Barry Bonds became baseball's all-time home run king on Aug. 7, when he passed Hank Aaron by hitting career home run number 756. The record is considered tainted by myself along with many in the game who believe Bonds used steroids. On Nov. 16 the slugger was indicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges for allegedly lying to a federal jury about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Bonds pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Dec. 7 and remains the face of baseball's ongoing steroids investigation.

4. Mike Vick Goes Down for Dogfighting

In one of the ugliest episodes of a crime-ridden year for the NFL, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was exposed for his role in a dogfighting operation. Vick pleaded guilty to federal felony dogfighting charges and started serving his sentence in November. Vick could also be tried in Virginia on state-level felony charges. His football career is definitely in jeopardy.

3. NBA Gambling Scandal

When NBA referee Tim Donaghy was exposed for betting on games and providing confidential information to others, league commissioner David Stern called the crisis the "worst situation" he'd experienced in basketball. Donaghy pleaded guilty in August to two felony charges. The whole situation was a well-publicized mess and gave sportsfans just another turnoff to the NBA.

2. Spygate

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was apparently breaking NFL rules by videotaping signals that New York Jets' coaches relayed to their players during a Sept. 9 showdown in the Meadowlands. The incident, dubbed "Spygate," led to the Patriots being stripped of a first-round draft pick and a $500,000 fine for Belichick. The Patriots are definately a dynasty, but is the team's reputation now tarnished? I say yes, but it depends on who you ask.

1. The Mitchell Report

Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada,Andy Pettitte, and Eric Gagne, amongst many others, were named in the long-awaited Mitchell Report on Dec. 13, 2007. It was largely an All-Star roster linked to steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs that put a question mark, if not an asterisk, next to some of baseball's biggest players and moments. We have still yet to see or hear what reprecussions will come of the report. However, I personally feel it is a step in the right direction for upholding the integrity of the game.

Top 5 Games of 2007

After doing some deep thinking, here's The Sports Flow's Top 5 game of 2007.

5. Ohio St. vs. Xavier- 2nd Round- NCAA Tournament
I specifically remember watching this game with some buddies and it was one hell of a game. It was back and forth, superstar playmaking game, with the the top players on each team stepping up big time. The best of the 2007 NCAA Tournament in my opinion and one of the best of 2007. It looked like Xavier was going to pull away late in the 2nd half, but Mike Conley Jr. and Ron Lewis had something else in mind...

Just ignore the first part, after about 20 seconds it will show the highlights.



4. Michigan vs. Appalachian St.
FCS Powerhouse Appalachian St. shocks the world with their upset over 5th ranked Michigan. This was a great Saturday in college football history and might be the biggest upset ever in college football.



3. Patriots vs. Colts- 2007 AFC Championship
Comeback for the Super Bowl champion Colts. Just a hard-fought, great all-around football game.



2. Oklahoma St. vs. Texas- College Basketball Game
One of the greatest game I have ever seen. 3 OT game, back and forth with clutch plays and shots. Sorry couldn't find any video highlights of this game. So here's an article from MSNBC Sports:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16663049/

1. Boise St. vs. Oklahoma- 2007 Fiesta Bowl
Who would have thought otherwise? Undisputed number one game...



There you have it our Top 5 games of 2007. Thoughts? Did we miss any games?

Thanks for a Reason to Care

Last Monday's game between the Ravens and the Patriots was a great game. The Ravens did fall short (by about 2 yards) but they made me care. I'll be honest, aside from watching the Packers play every week I don't really care about the NFL regular season like I should. I just get sick of seeing the Patriots on every single Sunday and Monday night games, but if nothing else Monday's game made me care.

I found myself sitting on my futon rooting for the Ravens to win. Which was weird because I thought that I didn't care. I realized that I don't really want the Patriots to go undefeated. I'm not sure why, but I just don't. However, I do really believe that they will go undefeated, although their best shot at a loss is going to be at home against the Steelers this weekend.

As far as the game goes I admit, I only tuned in for the 4th quarter, but it was well worth my time. I was very impressed with Tom Brady. He was cool, calm, and collected and I really liked how he scrambled to pick up that pivotal first down late in the game. As far as the Jabar Gaffney's winning TD goes, it was a great pass but I don't think that he had complete control of the ball before going out of bounds. However, given that the call on the field was a TD I think the right thing to do was to have the play stand because there was NOT irrefutable visual evidence in support of it being incomplete.

The complaining about the officials was a bit too much for me to handle though. The holding call late in the game was legitimate, as was the timeout that Brian Billick called was legitimate too, although not timely. While the Gaffney call was debatable the defense on him wasn't very good anyways. People are failing to realize that even if that hail mary would have gone for a TD, Kevin Dyson was all over Patriot defenders throwing them aside, so it would have been pass interference anyways.

The Ravens played their hearts out, especially on defense. They just made too many mistakes. They were penalized far too much in the game and they just unraveled at the end (especially Bart Scott - fine pending).I thought ESPN's Monday Night Football announcers were annoying again, especially Tony Kornheuser, who openly rooted for his fantasy of a Baltimore redemption.

Overall it was a great game. The Patriots are still undefeated which makes for great drama down the road and best of all....I care again!

Sorry for the lackluster review of the game but I've got to go do some studying. Let me know what you thought of the game as well as the pivotal calls made down the stretch.

'72 Dolphins Watch Out!

Complete Sports is somewhat commonly known for his Bold Predictions. However, today I've got one of my own. Except, I'm not sure how bold it really is.

I fully believe that the New England Patriots will not lose a game this season. I just don't see them losing. Obviously it would be much easier to make this prediction after the game with Indy this weekend, however I'm making it now. The Colts are really good, but I think the Patriots will win, and probably by double digits.

I just don't see them losing to anyone this year. Bill Belichick has this team playing with a fire I've never seen before. He's also coaching to make a point. He wants to put away any chance of the whole cheating faisco placing any doubt in anybody's minds about how good this team really is.

Their RBs and TEs are solid, and they have the best WR corps in the NFL. Their D is stout and they have some late round draft pick QB named Tom Brady. He's alright I guess. I'm calling that the Pats go undefeated this season.

What do you think?

2007 AFC Predictions

With the NFL Season only two days away, it seems proper to do some predictions.

East
1. Patriots
Definitely the most talented team and best coached team in NFL. The WR corps will be very solid after adding Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Wes Walker. Now that Corey Dillon is gone, I believe Laurence Maroney will be one of the top rushers in the AFC and should get plenty of carries and yards if he can stay healthy. The Defense is one of the best in the league which includes the best defensive front along with new addition at LB in Roosevelt Colvin.

2. Jets
The Jets are primed to show everyone that last year was no fluke. The Jets have plenty of question marks. Who knows who the starting QB will be by the end of the season. Chad Pennington is just too inconsistent, I see Kelly Clemens starting not before long. Thomas Jones was a great off-season pickup, it seems Jets' RBs always accumulate a ton of yards so Jones should put up some good numbers if he stays healthy. The defense is mediocre and young and will have a hard time stopping the run.

3. Bills
I still think the Bills are another year away from contending for the top spot. The offense should produce and be able to put up some impressive numbers; J.P. Losman looks like a true QB, Lee Evans is a great WR, and Marshawn Lynch will be a great back with his strength and speed. The defense will be holding them back after losing Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes

4. Dolphins
The Dolphins have too many issues. Trent Green? Come on now. That alone speaks for itself...

North
1. Bengals
I truly think this is the Bengals' year to win the north. The offense is no doubt one of the best in the league with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J.Houshmandzadeh, and Rudi Johnson leading the way. I think the defense will be very productive this year, the line is very underrated and the LBs and secondary are loaded with play makers who can create some turnovers and get some big stops.

2. Ravens
The Defense is stellar, including the best secondary in the NFL and will keep them in every game. But the offense seems to be stagnant at times. McNair is old and other than Willis McGahee they lack big play makers on offense.

3. Steelers
The offense will be great with Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, and Hines Ward. I think the Steelers can bounce back but Mike Tomlin won't center the offense around Parker, which is a huge mistake.

4. Browns
It's going to be a long season for the Browns. They have QB problems, not to mention a semi-tough schedule. Brady Quinn will be starting not before too long.

South
1. Colts
The Super Bowl champs will contend for another title. We all know the offense is great and will be able to put up loads and loads of points, but the defense still needs to improve. I think Anthony Gonzalez will be a great No. 3 WR and Joseph Addai is one of the premier backs in the league. Addai's role will expand and should put up some impressive numbers.

2. Jaguars
The Jags definitely have a solid defense but I dont know how far David Garrard is capable of taking this team. Maurice Jones-Drew is a solid back but they need the WRs to step up.

3. Titans
Vince Young is a good QB but still needs to find some kind of rhythm in the NFL. The offense doesn't have any other big-time threats. Give the Titans one or 2 more years.

4. Texans
Do I really even need to explain?

West
1. Chargers
The offense is splendid and guess what? Norv Turner said Ladainian Tomlinson will be even more involved in the offense, even though it seemed he was involved in about 90% of their plays last season. The defense will continue to be one of the best in the NFL.

2. Broncos
Denver will be improved from last season, I see Travis Henry rushing for over 1,500 yards. Jay Cutler will be more comfortable behind center and Javon Walker will have one of his best seasons yet.

3. Chiefs
The offense has plenty of holes to fill and will be worse than mediocre. The defense is pretty talented but won't be enough to get them above 5 wins.

4. Raiders
Still have plenty of problems on the offense but the defense is very promising and should help them win a few games. I am still baffled by the recent signing of Daunte Culpepper.

AFC Title Game Prediction:
New England over Cincinnati