New York Gets Super Bowl in 2014!

Today it was announced that the great states of New York / New Jersey will get Super Bowl XLVIII (48) in 2014! That to me is great news. I cannot however begin to fathom why it took 4 ballots, come on people. Miami was eliminated after the 2nd ballot, and the final vote came between New York / New Jersey and Tampa. The 3rd ballot did not have a clear cut winner, so the voting went to a 4th ballot where all you need is a simple majority of 17 votes. Finally it was announced that New York / New Jersey will get the Super Bowl in 2014.

For some reason some people really seem to have a problem with this, and I can't really grasp why. First of all, there is why to much complaining and whining about things in the world today anyway, my goodness people grow up! That mini rant aside, one of the biggest problems people have with having the Super Bowl in New York / New Jersey is the weather. Realistically most games that are considered to be the best and most memorable happened to be played in inclement weather. Weather is part of the game, that's just how it should be. When we were all growing up playing football with our friends, did we care that it was cold or snowing or windy or warm? No, no way we just played football and I'm sure that all the NFL players growing up did the same thing. Some people think it would give certain teams an advantage, but does playing the Super Bowl in doors or in warm climates give greater advantages to teams from the South or from warmer climates? Again the answer is no. What I can't believe is that there are so many wimps out there afraid to go outside in winter, boo who, there might be wind or a flake of snow. Actually going on how the climate is reacting, it could be a nice clear 55 degree day or warmer.

What better area is there really to have the Super Bowl? New York and New Jersey will absolutely make this a huge 2 week party leading up to the game. There will be events probably at Liberty State Park in New Jersey and around Giants Stadium, and of course there will be events at the Javits Center, Radio City, and of course MSG will all be involved in pre Super Bowl week festivities. I think this could and should open the door for other "cold climate" cities to have the Super Bowl in the future, like Chicago would also make a great city to have the Super Bowl. I'm actually surprised that anyone would be criticizing New York / New Jersey getting the Super Bowl, this is going to be fantastic.

The bottom line here is that weather elements are part of football, they are just part of the game. I just think that this is great for the NFL and for New York and New Jersey, Super Bowl XLVIII should be fantastic and hopefully this leads to more Super Bowls being played out doors in cities that may have "undesirable" weather at that time of the year. With the Super Bowl being played in the New York area in 2014 you can expect about a year long media build up to the event nationally and world-wide, the NFL has struck gold yet again!

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Blackhawks vs Sharks

Game 1 between the Sharks and the Blackhawks was an all out war. Normally when I think of the western conference I think speed and finesse from every team top to bottom. However, that was not the kind of game we were treated to in game 1. The Sharks and Blackhawks came out hitting and played physical hockey for all 60 minutes. There were a total of 62 hits between the two teams in game 1 and while I do not see the pace of 62+ hits per game, I do see this continuing to be a very physical and long series.

I feel that the San Jose Sharks, who have never been to the Stanley Cup Finals, controlled much of the 1st game. Nabokov let in an "easy" goal to give the blackhawks their first goal of the game, a save attempt im sure he would like back. The Sharks were not only able to controll much of the game but they also managed to put up 45 shots on goal and only Niemi's goaltending brilliance held the Sharks at bay. At the same time the Sharks did a great job at disctracting Byfuglien while he camped out in front of the Sharks net. It was though Byfuglien's powerful slapshot with 6:45 to go in the 3rd period that sealed the deal for the Blackhawks in game 1.

The Blackhawks owned the Sharks in the regular season, winning 3 out of their 4 matchups, which includes winning both games at the Shark Tank {4-3 [OT] & 7-2}. I feel that the Sharks played better in game 1 than what the final result was. I still think this series is pretty much a toss up. I expect this series to be 2-2 after 4 games. With all of that said I think that there is great value and I suggest taking the San Jose Sharks (+185)[@ BookMaker] to win the Western Conference Finals Series.

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So Who's Destiny Is It?

We are now into the 3rd round of one of the wildest and unpredictable NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs ever. However, its unpredictability is exactly what helps make the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs arguably the best playoffs in all sports. I know handfuls of people who do not even watch hockey all season, but they will make it a point to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The sacrifice and the passion that every single player has in these playoffs are unmatched in any other sport. This is definitely not a sport for those who aren't brave, and its not a sport if you don't think the Stanley Cup is the most important thing in your life.

This year we have a somewhat predictable #1 vs #2 seeds, facing off in the Western Conference finals. However, it is a different story in the Eastern Conference finals. In the east we see the #7 vs #8 seeds, both now meeting up against unprecedented odds.

How They Got Here:
In the first round the Flyers (after going into a shoot-out vs the Rangers on the last day of the season to qualify for the playoffs), got what was probably their most favorable match-up; the New Jersey Devils. If anyone was surprised that the #7 Flyers beat the #2 Devils then you hadn't been paying attention all season. The Flyers owned the Devils in the regular season winning 5 of their 6 meetings, and they continued their dominance over the Devils in the 1st round of this years playoffs. The Montreal Canadians were given a much tougher task, the #1 Washington Capitals. The Canadians won game 1 vs the Capitals only to then lose the next 3 and find themselves down 3 games to 1 and on the brink of elimination. It was then that Halak began to seemingly flip a switch and make one remarkable save after another game after game after game. The Canadians then stunned the Capitals in game 7 in Washington; by a score of 2 to 1.

The Canadians reward for coming back from down 3 games to 1 to eliminate the #1 seed in the east, was to play the #4 seed in the east; the Pittsburgh Penguins. After splitting the first 4 games of this series the Canadians once again found themselves on the brink of elimination down 3 games to 2. Much like the first round it was Halak's brilliance and great team play all around that allowed the Canadians to again win in 7 games thus now officially shedding their Cinderella tag and showing the World that they came to play in these playoffs. If that series was not good enough, it was the series between the Flyers and the Bruins in round 2 that stole the show. Down 3 games to 0, the Philadelphia Flyers were able to become only the 3rd team in NHL history (and 4th team in sports history) ever to come back from being down 3 games to 0 to win a 7 game series. What was even more special was the Flyers found themselves down 3-0 in Game 7 in Boston and were able to pick themselves up and win the game, securing themselves in NHL history.

Canadians vs Flyers
So looking at how the two teams got here, anyone can argue that its the Canadians destiny or its the Flyers destiny to play in the Stanley Cup Finals this year. However, I feel that the Canadians will need heroics greater than what they showed in both round 1 and round 2 to be able to overcome the challenge that they face playing the Philadelphia Flyers. Shocking? Not really. Both teams that the Canadians played in the the past 2 rounds of the playoffs have similar styles offensively and defensively. Offensively the Capitals and the Penguins play with a lot of finesse and speed. They make great moves and they take shots from anywhere; straight on and off to the sides. As far as defense goes, the Capitals and the Penguins are not really known for their great defensive abilities. As I explained on Twitter about an hour before the start of game 1 against the Flyers: The Flyers are a totally different team than whom the Canadians have played against thus far. The Flyers have some speed but what the Flyers love to do is be physical and grind out goals. You will not see them make the fancy finesse moves or shots from all angels. The Flyers will place men in front of Halak all game long, every game and just pound away offensively at the front of the net. They will just drive over and over crashing the net and working hard for their goals. That is just the Flyers style. Also as the Canadians saw in game 1, unlike the Capitals and Penguins, the Flyers can play great defense. Chris Pronger will be everywhere throughout this series, and he will make it a point to make Cammalleri and the other Canadians forwards lives, a living hell.

While I do not think this series will be a sweep, as the Canadians have shown much resilience in the playoffs thus far, I do think that the Flyers will win this series and go on to play for Lord Stanley's Cup. An hour before the game started I posted on Twitter (if you are not already following me my name on twitter is omalleypicks) for everyone to take the Flyers to win the series against the Canadians at (-110) on bookmaker. Now since game 1 has already past, bookmaker has the Flyers to win the series against the Canadians at (-205), I advise to take if you missed getting on them at (-110).

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Big 10 Expansion

There is a rumor that the other day the Big 10 officially invited 4 teams to join the Big 10 conference as they look to expand. The 4 teams that got the invites were; Notre Dame, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Missouri. However, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany has since denied this. I personally think that it is a great idea for the Big Ten to expand and hopefully get a conference championship game, to help with exposure late in the season like the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 to name a few. Now as it is, the Big 10 is finished weeks before the bowl selection process is done. Expansion will also make the conference a much tougher conference and push respect for the Big 1o higher than it already is.

I see nothing wrong with inviting Missouri, Nebraska, or Rutgers, however I do not think that the Big 10 should invite Notre Dame. Notre Dame had their chance years ago but turned the Big 10 down. So I say they should not have been asked again, or ever again. Sure Notre Dame carries a huge national following, but my goodness they are hyped up every year for nothing, every year. I think it would have been better for the Big 10 to invite Pitt to join in on the expansion of the conference. Hopefully Notre Dame would say no and Pitt will get their chance. While I am not personally a fan of Pitt themselves, I think that Pitt is a great team, a strong team and have only been getting better and will only get better in the years to come.

Even if just Nebraska agrees to join the Big 10 that will be huge for the conference. However, adding Rutgers, and Missouri and possible a Pitt or Notre Dame is definitely a great decision by the Big 10. Not only their great athletics, but the invited schools also have great academic achievements that will fit in nicely with the tradition of the Big 10 in athletics and academics. On word that the Big 10 would like to expand, the SEC and PAC 10 have also mentioned expansion. The Big 12, ACC, and Big East are understandable nervous. I have heard rumors that the SEC would go out to try and add, Florida State, Miami, Texas A&M, and Texas. So plenty of things to keep our eyes on building up to the start of the 2010 College Football season and what a season it should be!

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Pittsburgh Steelers - 2010 Regular Season Outlook

Pittsburgh Steelers - 2010/11 Regular Season Schedule
Week:	Date:	Time:	Opponent:
1	Sunday, Sep. 12	1:00pm EDT	Falcons
2	Sunday, Sep. 19	1:00pm EDT	@ Titans
3	Sunday, Sep. 26	1:00pm EDT	@ Buccaneers
4	Sunday, Oct. 03	1:00pm EDT	Ravens
5	Sunday, Oct. 10	BYE	--------
6	Sunday, Oct. 17	1:00pm EDT	Browns
7	Sunday, Oct. 24	1:00pm EDT	@ Dolphins
8	Sunday, Oct. 31	8:20pm EDT	@ Saints
9	Monday, Nov. 08	8:30pm EDT	@ Bengals
10	Sunday, Nov. 14	8:20pm EDT	Patriots
11	Sunday, Nov. 21	1:00pm EDT	Raiders
12	Sunday, Nov. 28	1:00pm EDT	@ Bills
13	Sunday, Dec. 05	8:20pm EDT	@ Ravens
14	Sunday, Dec. 12	1:00pm EDT	Bengals
15	Sunday, Dec. 19	4:15pm EDT	Jets
16	Thursday, Dec. 23	8:20pm EDT	Panthers
17	Sunday, Jan. 02	1:00pm EDT	@ Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin the 2010 NFL regular season trying to rebound from a disappointing 2009 season. In my opinion the suspension of Roethlisberger for the first 6 games, plus the arrangement of their 2010 schedule does not help the Steelers one bit.

Missing Roethlisberger for the first 6 games will of course be crucial. Who know where the Steelers will be come the first game Roethlisberger gets to play in. Steelers have their bye week in week 5. I think that you never want to have you bye week to early or to late. If it was up to me, I would say the ideal bye week would be somewhere around weeks 7, 8, or 9. A bye week that is too early just means that you have to go a really long stretch without rest. Rest that may be needed to aide injured players or just to take time to catch your breath and analyze where you are and what needs to be done. In the case of the 2010 Steelers, they are in the position of having to play 12 straight games, but breaking their schedule down further I see more concerns.

I know that it took the Ravens overtime to beat the Steelers without Roethlisberger last year and I think that Dennis Dixon is a good QB and will only get better in time, but this years Ravens squad will be even better than last years team.The Steelers will play a home game, week 4, against the Ravens without Roethlisberger and I would be surprised if the Steelers are still in the game late. That is not a knock against the Steelers but more of an appreciation for the 2010 Ravens. What bothers me most about the Steelers schedule though is that they have to play 5 of their first 8 games on the road. That would be hard enough for any team, let alone a team missing their starting QB for 6 games. Within those first 8 games the Steelers have to play a stretch of 4 very difficult games, including 3 straight games on the road. Week 7, the Steelers have to go to Miami which will not be an easy game. After that, week 8, the Steelers travel to the Saints followed by a trip in week 9 to the Bengals. If having 3 straight road games was not bad enough, in week 10, the Steelers finally get to come back home; their reward is that they have to play the New England Patriots. Needless to say, this will be the toughest stretch in their schedule.

Now its not all bad for the Steelers. If the Steelers are still in contention late in the season I think their schedule finally begins to favor them, with 3 of the last 4 games being at home. If they are in contention they have to play home against the Bengals, home against the Jets, home against the Panthers, and finish the year on the road against the Browns.

I think that as far as games of interest are concerned, of course any divisional games will be huge, but for games outside of the division their are 3 games that should be circled on your calendar as a football fan. Week 8 at the Saints, Week 10 home against the Patriots, and a really intriguing game week 15 at home against Santonio Holmes and his New York Jets.

Giving just an early and quick look through their schedule I have the Steelers going around 11-5 or 10-6 which I think given the circumstances most Steelers fans would be very pleased with.

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