I am and more than a bit.  But no matter about how I feel.  First sorry that it has been eight days since my last post, but unfortunately like most people until money starts growing on trees, I must make a living.  I spent most of last week in the year 1958, putting together a special for the radio station where I work (WESR and website is http://www.wesr.net/ ) which is celebrating 50 years on the air.  But that is neither here or there, a lot has happened in the past eight days.

We will start off with the divisional round of the play-off's which is the major cause ofthe winter of my discontent.  While the Patriots won, (totally expected since at every position they are a better team than the Chargers) the Packers lost, and that is the source of my discontent.  As is prone to happen the Evin Twin of Brett Farve showed up at the wrong time and place.  That last interception in overtime (which notably led directly to the loss) was a ball that even Eli Manning would have had second thoughts about throwing.  Well maybe not Eli, but some other competant quarterback.  Oh well the vagaries of pro-football frequently match the vagaries of a re-election campaign.  Actually looking back it was a well played game by both sides (as much as I hate to give the Giants any credit) and while the better team lost at least they were both trying.  

This is a lot more than I can say for the Charger Patriot Game, which was a less than stellar performance, and notably was not even as close as the score would indicate.  The play-calling of Norv Turner was about as conservative as it gets.  Hell it was so conservative that it makes Martyball look like it is being called by a river boat gambler.  LaDainian Tomlinson  was totally impressive sitting on the sidelines with his helmet on.  Okay maybe he was injured but that is no reason not to at least do a stint as a cheerleader for the people actually out there oerforming.  San Diego might do well trading him, and keeping Michael Turner as their star running back.  At least he shows some fire.  He also appears to be a team player, rather than a pouting prima donna.  Another observation on the Chargers, and their crying after the game about dirty play on the part of the Patriots.  It is really funny that every time the Patriots kick their butts, how they play dirty.  I will be amused to hear the locker room post game interviews if the Chargers ever manage to reverse that situation "to wit" not lose to the Pats. 

Since the last post two new coaches have been hired, and notably neither of which I am familiar with.  John Harbaugh  at Baltimore.  I am more familiar with his brother Jim Harbaugh who was McMahon's replacement as the Quarterback of the Chicago Bears (a major Ditka mistake).  Then the Falcon's hired Mike Smith from the Jaguars as their head coach.  I still think that Emmitt Thomas would have been the perfect choice, but I am not Arthur Blank.  My thought was why create anymore turmoil, when there is already an abundance available within the organization.  For both gentleman, the task ahead is not one that is enviable, and in both cases, success will be hard to come by, and the odds of survival limited. 

I saved the last for best.  Actually I saved the last for anti-climatic.  Okay how many out there really think that the Giants have a prayer in Arizona.  Well they have a prayer but that is about all they have.  I have this feeling that the Patriots have been saving the best for last.  I think that Belichick is hoping for a 73 - 0 game to tie the most number of points in a championship game or perhaps 74 - 0 to beat that record. Note that 73 - 0 was the final score in the 1940 NFL Championship Game between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins.  He may settle for the most number of points scored by a single team in a Super Bowl, but not less than that,  If memory serves that is 55 by the 49er's over the Denver Bronco's in Super Bowl XXIV.  Now don't quote me on that since I am operating from memory here. So all you gamblers out there don't bite on this big spread being offered by the Casino's.  

Well I am off to reconsider by role as a football pundit since this is my worse year in recorded history.  In the regular season on a straight up basis I went 141 - 82 - 0 and on the spread a pathetic 104 - 112 - 7.  So far in the Play-Off's I am an equally pathetic 5 - 4 - 0 straight up and 4 - 5 - 0 on the spread.  Hardly a stellar performance.  You can read all about it at my other blog located at  http://johnetnfl.spaces.live.com/ . In the meantime, I am off to send out some congratulatory e-mails for all who have called me an idiot.