The Power Zone Super Bowl XLIII Preview

Congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who both earned the right to go to Tampa, Florida to play in Super Bowl XLIII. The Arizona Cardinals earned the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl with a thrilling 32-25 victory over the Philladelphia Eagles. The Pittsburgh Steelers earned the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl with a 23-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Key Players on both sides of the ball:
ARIZONA O: Kurt Warner, Cardinals QB: Kurt Warner already has one Super Bowl Ring that he earned when he Quarterbacked the St. Louis Rams with a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. With a win on Sunday, he will have his second Super Bowl Ring. Kurt Warner, at the age of 34, is the third oldest Quarterback to start a Super Bowl.

Kurt has been well so far in the postseason, playing smart, being patient, not turning the ball over often, and putting the ball in the hands of his playmakers, Edgerrin James, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Warner also has been helped out when he turns the ball over by this surprisingly good defense.

Kurt Warner needs to play smart, be patient, not turn the ball over, and go deep for his playmakers. Kurt will have to keep this formula working if the Cardinals are to pull the upset

PITTSBURGH D: James Harrison, Steelers LB: Harrison is, no doubt the heart of the Steelers D. Harrison and Troy Polamalu are the Steelers Defensive Playmakers. The Steelers Defense will have to get pressure on Kurt Warner, forcing him to throw the ball before he wants to. Easier said than done.


PITTSBURGH O: Ben Rothelisberger, Steelers QB: Big Ben won Super Bowl XL three years ago. Now the Pressure is on him to do it again for Pittsburgh to win a record Sixth Super Bowl. Big Ben has been making smart decisions and taking advantage of what the defense gives him. Big Ben is going to throw to Hines Ward, Nate Washington, and the rookie Limas Sweed, who will be looking to redeem himself after dropping a sure touchdown catch in the first half of the AFC Championship Game. The Steelers will also be running the ball early and often with Willie Parker.

ARIZONA D: Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie & Antrell Rolle : Arizona CB: The Cardinals Corners will have to knock the Pittsburgh receivers off their routes. Easier said than done.


Coaches: Arizona Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt was the Steelers Offensive Coordinator when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. After head coach Bill Cowher retired, Whisenhunt was expected to become the new Steelers coach, but he was instead passed on for current Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt then took the job as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Whether there is any hard feelings over that or not, the fact that the Arizona Cardinals have a shot to win the Super Bowl Is Absolutely Incredible.



Special Teams: If the offense and defense are neutralized, Special Teams is going to be how the Super Bowl will be won. Will the Cardinals Special Teams squad be able to contain the Steelers speedster, Santonio Holmes? Will the Cardinals be able to score points when they get down into the goal line? Or will they have to settle for field goals from the very good Neil Rackers?

I can't wait for the Super Bowl. I Watch The World Series and the NBA Finals, but the only Sporting Event I Record every season is The Super Bowl. This will be my eighth year recording the Super Bowl. The first Super Bowl I Recorded was Super Bowl XXXVI, when the New England Patriots pulled off the biggest upset since Super Bowl III.

Ben Rothelisberger has had the clock ticking for his chance at a second ring for the last two seasons. Kurt Warner’s chance to win a second Super Bowl will close after this game, because I think he has his mind set on retiring after this game.

Can The Cardinals win the Super Bowl? No doubt about it. There are a lot of people out there underestimating the Cardinals.




Knowing the Super Bowl, anything is possible, and that is why everybody loves to watch it, even if they watch just for the commercials.



Prediction: Both Kurt Warner and Ben Rothelisberger to rely on the running game early. They both could rely on the short passing game to help build up their confidence. The Steelers Front Four will have to stop Edgerrin James and Larry Fitzgerald. Ditto with The Cardinals defense having to contain Willie Parker and Hines Ward while also getting Pressure on Ben Rothelisberger. Once Again, easier said than done.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to win a record sixth Super Bowl to “win one for the other thumb.” The Arizona Cardinals are trying to end the longest title drought in NFL History,

My Pick Is:
PITTSBURGH OVER ARIZONA

NBA highlights from January 30th

Here Are Your NBA Highlights from last night, January 30th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Willie Green Finishes the Fast Break!


The Power Zone Super Bowl Preview is coming up later today!

NBA highlights From January 29th

Here Are your NBA highlights From last night, January 29th!


Here Are Your Top Five Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! LeBron James With the Left-Handed Slam!

NBA highlights From January 28th

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night, January 28th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Andre Iguodala Soars for the Slam on Yao Ming!

Aaron Heilman Traded To Cubs

Aaron Heilman was about to get a fresh start in Seattle.

He is now packing his packs and heading to Chicago.

Heilman was traded from Seattle to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, seven weeks after the Mets shipped him to the Mariners as part of a three-team swap. Chicago gave up utility infielder Ronny Cedeno and left-hander Garrett Olson, who had just been acquired in a trade with Baltimore.

The Cubs will give Heilman a chance to become their fifth starter but he could land in the bullpen, where he’s been used exclusively the last three seasons. A year ago, when the Mets had their second straight late-season swoon, Heilman went 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA and three saves in 78 games.

He blew five of eight save chances and heard steady boos from the disenchanted fans at Shea Stadium.

The 30-year-old Heilman grew up a Cubs fan in Indiana and graduated from Notre Dame. He said he mostly enjoyed his six seasons with the Mets.

Ronny Cedeno could compete for the second base job with the Mariners.

This could be a good move by the Cubs. They have a man who could be either the fifth starter or in the bullpen.

The trade for Heilman means that Jake Peavy will no doubt stay in San Diego.

I was looking forward to seeing what Garett Olson brought with him, but Seattle now has a promising roataion.

NBA highlights from January 27th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from January 27th


Here Are Your Top Five Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Shannon Brown throws down the alley-oop!

NHL All Star Weekend from Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens are the NHL's version of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. The Canadiens have 24 Stanley Cup Championships, the most in NHL History. On Sunday Night, the NHL played tribute to their most successful franchise on their centennial by allowing the city of Montreal to host the 2009 NHL All Star Game.

Check out all the festivities below!

The NHL SuperSkills Competition 1/24/09


The NHL Young Stars Game 1/24/09


The 2009 NHL All-Star Game 1/25/09

NBA highlights From January 25th

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night,January 25th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Al Thornton Goes Inside!

The Double Oop You Have To See!

Here's video of Ike Nwamu and Deuce Bello of Westchester Country Day School pulling off an amazing designed double alley-oop in a recent high school game. Check It Out Below!

NBA highlights from January 24th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, January 24th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! LeBron James Slashes for the Slam!


Today on ABC the San Antonio Spurs play the Lakers in Los Angeles! That will be a fantastic game! Be sure you don't miss it!

NBA highlights from January 23rd

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, January 23rd! It went down to the wire in Golden State Last Night! Click on the video below to see how it ended!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Vince Carter Slams with Authority!


And Your Top Play! LeBron James hits the Game Winner!

Chicago Cubs Under New Ownership

Tom Ricketts has been selected the new owner of the Chicago Cubs by the Tribune Company.

He will have to be approved by the remaining owners for the deal to become official.

"My family and I are Cubs fans," Ricketts said in a statement on Thursday night. "We share the goal of Cubs fans everywhere to win a World Series and build the consistent championship tradition that the fans deserve."


Dennis Culloton, a spokesman for Tom Ricketts, confirmed to The Associated Press that the bid is worth about $900 million and will include Wrigley Field and a 25 percent interest in a regional sports network.

As much as I was hoping that Mark Cuban would become the new owner, hopefully Tom Ricketts will stop at nothing to ensure that the Cubs end their Championship Drought.

The Cubs finally have an owner that cares about winning.

NBA highlights From January 22nd

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night, January 22nd!


Here Are Your Top Five Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night!Lamar Odom With the Huge One-Handed Slam!

Is Jeff Kent A Hall Of Famer?

Jeff Kent announced his retirement yesterday.

The 40 year old slugging second baseman may be set to head into Baseball's Hall Of Fame.

Jeff's Stats are very good. They include:
Jeff winning the 2000 NL MVP Award.
Jeff is the only second baseman to have 100 or more RBIs in 6 straight seasons
He is also the all time leader in Homeruns by a second baseman, passing the great Ryne Sandberg.

I think Jeff Kent is a Hall Of Famer. Will the voters agree?

NBA highlights From January 21st

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night, January 21st!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Rudy Gay practices for the Slam Dunk Contest!

NBA highlights From January 19th

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night, January 19th! Kobe & LeBron would square off in Los Angeles. Which team would win? Click on the video below to find out!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Andre Iguodala Slams it in on Erick Dampier!

Cardinals, Steelers To Meet In Super Bowl XLIII

The Matchup for Super Bowl XLIII is set.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Florida February 1st for Super Bowl XLII.

The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 32-25.

The Steelers defeated the Ravens 23-14.

My Super Bowl XLIII Preview will be up Saturday, January 31st.

Cubs Get Sick Of Pie

The Chicago Cubs finally lost patience with Felix Pie.

Pie, once considered the Cubs outfielder of the future, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Starting Pitcher Garrett Olson and minor league pitcher Henry Williamson.

Olson went 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA in 26 starts with Baltimore in 2008. He is 10-13 with a 6.87 ERA in 33 career starts, all with the Orioles, who drafted him between the first and second rounds of the 2005 amateur draft.

Williamson was the Orioles’ 14th round selection in the 2007 amateur draft. He went 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA last season in 20 games at the Class A level.

I was glad to see the Cubs unload Pie. I agree with many Cubs fans who compared him to Corey Patterson, another outfielder with a high cieling and no plate discipline.

The Cubs got a potential starter out of the Orioles. Good for the Cubs in getting some depth in their starting rotation.

My NFL Conference Championship Preview

My Picks in the Championship Games today are:
STEELERS OVER RAVENS
The Steelers are playing their best Football. The Ravens defense has played well, but they are tired, and Joe Flacco will struggle against Pittsburgh's defense.
CARDINALS OVER EAGLES
The Arizona Cardinals have it all. A good running game, a great passing game, and a good enough defense to make it to the Super Bowl.

NBA highlights From January 17th

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night, January 17th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!

I'm laughing at the "Boom Goes The Dynamite" reference at the end!

And Your Dunk Of The Night! Gerald Wallace Throws Down the Alley-Oop Slam on Greg Oden!

NBA highlights from January 16th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, January 16th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! LeBron James Cleans Up The Glass!

NBA TV Top 5: January 15th

Here Are Your NBA Top Plays From Last Night!

NBA highlights from January 14th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from January 14th! It's a rematch of the Western Conference Finals that came down to the final seconds! Click on the video below to see who pulled out the victory!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Top Play! Roger Mason hits the Game Winning Shot vs. Lakers!

Tony Dungy Retires As Colts Head Coach

It's Game Over for Tony Dungy.

The great Coach and greater person announced his retirement from NFL head coaching.

Dungy became the first African American Head Coach to win the Super Bowl as his Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI.

Dungy was also a successful head coach in Tampa with the Buccaneers, as he had them in contention for many years.

The NFL has lost one of their great coaches and great people. Dungy was not your average head coach. Dungy never raised his voice in the locker room. Dungy ran his Football teams and his life with a quiet strength that came from his Christian faith in Jesus Christ.

We will, without a doubt, see Tony Dungy in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

It couldn't happen to a better person.

Jim Rice, Rickey Henderson Inducted Into Baseball Hall Of Fame

Rickey Henderson, the most prolific lead-off man in baseball history, got his call to the Hall Of Fame on his first try.

Jim Rice, the prolific slugger for the Boston Red Sox, got in on his final try.

Henderson was the all-time leader with 1,406 steals and 2,295 runs scored. Widely considered to be the greatest leadoff hitter ever, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first time on the ballot with 94.8 percent of the votes cast by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Jim Rice received seven votes over the 75 percent threshold to garner 76.4 percent, earning 412 votes on the 539 completed ballots cast. Two ballots were sent in blank. This year, 405 votes were needed. Last year, Rice fell 16 votes short.

A .298 career hitter with 382 home runs, 2,452 hits and 1,451 RBIs in 16 seasons, Rice had four seasons of more than 200 hits, led the American League in home runs three times, RBIs twice, hits once, slugging percentage twice, was the AL Most Valuable Player in 1978 and was an eight-time All-Star

Both Rice & Henderson will be joined by Second Baseman Joe Gordon, who was elected to the Hall Of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

"The Hawk" Andre Dawson fell just short of the 75 percent required for election.

Congratulations to Rickey Henderson. Henderson, who habitually referred to himself in the third person, was the greatest leadoff hitter ever. Jim Rice was another great player who deserved to make the hall.

Hopefully next season Andre Dawson will make the Hall Of Fame.

Congratulations to Jim Rice & Ricky Henderson on their elections to the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

My Divisional Playoff Post

Sorry for the no post yesterday.

Thoughts from yesterday's game:
The Ravens defense enabled the offense to play just good enough to win.
The Arizona Cardinals may make the road their best friend.
The Cardinals defense has stepped up over the last two weeks.

My picks for today's games:
CHARGERS OVER STEELERS Big Ben is coming off a concussion, and San Diego is playing their best football right now.
EAGLES AT GIANTS Toss Up. I will go with the Giants because they're at home.

Pat Burrell Is No Longer Welcome In Philly

It may always be sunny in Philladelphia, but not for Pat Burrell.

Burrell was a member of the Philladelphia Phillies since 2000 and was a crucial part of the 2008 team that was able to stomp out the "Cinderella Story" Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series.

Burrell became a Free Agent in the offseason, and he is about to make those World Series rematches this coming season a lot more interesting.

Pay Burrell has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays to play the outfield and be a Designated Hitter.

The World Series rematch already was great news, but now Pat Burrell will join the Tampa Bay Rays as they will attempt to defend their AL East Title from the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox.

NBA highlights From January 7th

Here Are Your NBA highlights From Last Night, January 7th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Vince Carter Breaks Free For a Wide Open Poster Jam!


If you missed the ESPN announcer switch last night, you missed a great moment! Check Out Dick Vitale calling his first NBA Game since 1984. Dick Vitale(for one night only) Goes Pro!

Luis Vizciano Heading To The Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have acquired reliever Luis Vizcaino from the Colorado Rockies.

In exchange, the Cubs sent Starter Jason Marquis to Colorado.

Marquis was 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA last season for the Cubs. The Rockies also receive cash.

Vizcaino struggled in his first year with Colorado, going 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 43 relief appearances.

If Luis Vizcaino struggled in Colorado, what makes you think he would be any better at Wrigley Field?

By that same token..

If Jason Marquis struggled in Chicago, what makes you think he would be any better at Coors Field?

The only thing Marquis can do that Vizcaino can't do is swing the bat, but how many relievers stay in ballgames long enough to do that?

Trade Grade: Meh.

Chicago Cubs Sign Milton Bradley

The Chicago Cubs have signed a Switch-Hitter.

The Cubs and outfielder Milton Bradley agreed Monday on a three year, $30 million contract.

In Chicago, he'll fill the Cubs' need for a left-handed bat in the middle of the order and will be used mostly in right field even though he has played 100 games in the field just once -- in 2004 with the Dodgers. The Cubs will likely spell him with Kosuke Fukudome, who will also platoon with Reed Johnson in center. Fukudome was in right field last season.

This is a great pickup by the Cubs. They finally have a guy who can switch hit. Bradley can also light a fire under his new ballclub. Some may criticize Bradley because he came from a "launching pad" of a ballpark, but Bradley is well on his way to another launching pad,

Another criticism may be that the Cubs have signed a guy who was a Designated Hitter last season, but that was hopefully for nothing more that to ensure that Milton's knee healed properly.

Hopefully Milton Bradley will channel his desire to win in a healthy manner. If he does that, this gamble will pay off in a big way.

NBA highlights from January 3rd

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, January 3rd!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Keyon Dooling Slams it Down on Michael Beasley!


And Your Top Play! Tony Parker hits the game winner!

My NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks

CARDINALS OVER FALCONS
DOLPHINS OVER RAVENS
COLTS OVER CHARGERS
VIKINGS OVER EAGLES

NBA highlights from January 2nd

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, January 2nd!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Dunk Of The Night! Russell Westbrook Cuts for a Slam!

NHL Winter Classic 2009

Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on Jan.1st 2009.
Here was the epic promo for the New Year's Day Winter Classic.


Here Are The Highlights from the game itself.
Introduction and National Anthems


I showed you the CBC feed yesterday. This is the NBC feed.


Here was the NHL's twist on "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" played before the third period.

2009 NHL Winter Classic Highlights

The 2009 NHL Winter Classic was an epic battle which saw the Detroit Red Wings defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Here Are The Highlights from that game.

New Year, No Limits: Maddison Motorcyle Jump

If you only saw the ball drop New Year's Day like I did, you missed out on this incredible stunt. Motorcycle Daredevil Robbie Maddison nails this incredible motorcyle jump on top of a 96-foot replica of the Arc de Triomphe!
Watch It Below!

A Historic New Year's Day

Happy New Year Everyone! I am excited by what 2009 has to bring, especially with the first day of 2009!

In College Football, we have the Outback Bowl, Gator Bowl, Capital One Bowl, Rose Bowl, and the Orange Bowl today.

At 1PM EST today, Wrigley Field makes even more history as it hosts a Hockey Game for the first time ever. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings will face off against the Chicago Blackhawks in a matchup of two of the "Original Six" NHL teams.


Then At 6PM EST, Our National Pastime gets their own 24 hour network. The MLB Network will launch with a one hour edition of Hot Stove Live followed by Don Larsen's Perfect Game in the 1956 World Series. This is the first time the game has been shown on Television in it's entirety since the event.