Super thoughts to put on record

Lineman Dan Connelly returns a kickoff 71 yards against
the Packers in New England's win.

With the eve of Super Bowl XLV upon us and the over-the-top Texas Stadium ready and primed for some 100,000-plus spectators to watch the Packers-Steelers, I thought it might be a good time to put some perspective on the sports scene.  Especially given that there really isn't much else to do while watching yet another snow storm approaches.


It's going to be hard to watch the Super Bowl and not think about how the Patriots really could be representing the AFC.  But I have to give it to the Jets who came out and played with much more desire and heart, and despite all of their trash-talk during the week leading up to the game, simply wanted it more than the Patriots.  Have to tip your hat to them.  Really no excuse to play the way the Patriots did, especially at home, but seeing two teams the Patriots defeated only a month ago battle it out at Cowboy Stadium, will be a tough pill to swallow.



Oh well, at least the Red Sox are about a week away from beginning Spring Training in Florida.

March Madness is getting close.  Can't you tell?

Before we get to that, the best time of the year in sports for me is the college basketball season.  Granted I do like football in the fall, but college basketball in February and March is simply the best.  If you want to see passion, flip on ESPN any given night and not only are the team's giving their all to beat their rivals, but so too are the fans who packed the gyms and arenas to cheer on their teams.

The Big East is such a grind.  No doubt it's the best conference in the nation top to bottom (Remember Providence whupped up on an Alabama team that beat Kentucky).  There's something special when UConn meets Pitt; Georgetown squares up with St. John's'; Villanova and Syracuse duke it out before 30,000 at the Dome.  And that's before we get to the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden.  To sit there for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday sessions is any college hoops junkies' dream.

But the tournament might take too much of a toll on the teams that qualify for the NCAA tournament a week later.  Energy gets zapped and teams are prime for quick exits (Syracuse '09).

I think some Big East teams should do well in the tournament, but watch for Texas and Ohio State to make some noise.  Sure Ohio State may have squeaked out some wins, but they just look very deep and talented and one that could make a run.