Super Bowl prediction

UPDATE: I was close on the score but had the winner wrong. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of the Super Bowl.

Well, I was got one right and one wrong in the championship games, so I’m still even through the playoffs.

One game left. I like what the Cardinals have done through the playoffs. Solid defense, especially against the run and a balanced offense.

But who can go against the Steelers, tradition, experience, good defense and good running game. That’s what wins championships.

Except for last year, the AFC has a four game winning streak. The Giants and the Bucs are the only NFC teams to win since Kurt Warner was in the Super Bowl last.

But I have not been impressed with the Steelers. Are they not that good? Or are they just doing what they need to do to move on.

My heart is with the Cardinals and I think they could win. If they can run. If Fitzgerald or Boldin gets catches. If Warner withstands the rush.

That’s a lot of ifs…..

But I’ll take it, Cardinals 26 Steelers 23.

Besides, if I pick the Steelers to win, that would be too easy.

Now where are those 3-D glasses.

Some Super Bowl news

Police: Fake Super Bowl Merchandise Sold At Flea Market

Super Bowl ads aren’t sold out yet

And finally, NFL players unite to help build East Tampa playgrounds

All-Pro players such as Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, Panthers receiver Steve Smith and Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking joined about 160 Home Depot associates and about 40 volunteers from CDC (Corporation to Develop Communities) of Tampa in building a new public playground and an additional one at the King’s Kids Christian Academy.

Bucs fire Gruden and Allen

UPDATE IV: Buccaneers.com announces a news conference for 3 pm ET (3:30?)

UPDATE III: The St. Petersburg Times reports that Morris will be head coach, Mark Dominik the General manager and possibly Gary Gibbs as defensive coordinator.

UPDATE II: Just as I updated, a tweet from TBO.com posted a story that not only Glazer but Peter King of SI.com and ESPN.com’s John Clayton are also citing sources that Morris will succeed Gruden.

UPDATE: FOXSports’ Jay Glazer reports Buc sources say that Bucs Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris will replace Gruden. Morris had been rumored as a candidate for the Denver job.

From the St. Petersburg Times Tampa Bay Online web site,

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen.

The team made the announcement in a two-paragraph statement on its Web site after 5:30 p.m. Friday. No successor has been named for either job.

The move had been talked about since the Bucs lost 4 straight games and fell out of playoff contention.

Gruden was 57-55 in seven seasons as head coach with the Bucs, but was only 45-51 after his initial season. His record still ranks second among seven all-time Bucs coaches. Tony Dungy, the head coach Gruden replaced, was 56-45 in six seasons.

In 11 seasons as a head coach, including four with the Oakland Raiders, Gruden compiled a 91-77 overall record and his teams won four division titles.

Bucs players contacted by the Times were surprised by the firings. Fan Opinion, on the other hand leaned in favor of the firings.

He will no doubt catch on at one of the other teams looking for coaches as will Bruce Allen.

I’m not sure what I think of this. I’m still a little upset with Glazers for firing Dungy. But “Chuckie” certainly hasn’t shown much since the Super Bowl season, although it’s a little unfair to blame him completely for the fade at the end.

But the buck (Buc?) stops with the coach.

You can tell the economy is bad …

when Super Bowl parties are cancelled

The recession has hit Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl party plans like a Dick Butkus tackle to the knees.

Sports Illustrated has called off its staple Big Game bash. The Brooks & Dunn Inaugural Golf Classic, a celebrity party and golf tournament hosted by Bucs Warrick Dunn and Derrick Brooks, was canceled for lack of sponsors. Even the venerable skin mag Playboy pulled out of its annual party, leaving Tampa with a Bunny-free bowl.

NFL divisional playoffs

Here are my picks for the pro games this weekend. This week’s games are worth 4 points each in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WISN “upickem” games.

Saturday:

Seattle @ Green Bay. Green Bay’s storied season continues. GB 24, Sea 20.

Jacksonville @ New England. New England is just too good. Belichek solves the running game of the Jags. NE 35, Jax 21.

Sunday:

San Diego @ Indianapolis. San Diego doesn’t get off to a fast start again and can’t catch up to the Colts. Ind. 28, SD 24.

Giants @ Dallas. Giants are playing well and Dallas hasn’t been. The good news for Dallas is that Tony Romo won’t cry at the end of this one. Giants 31, Dallas 27.

BCS Championship Game

As Brian Fraley asks, who besides fans of OSU and LSU care about this game?

Well, OK, I sorta care because I’m in four picking contests.

The Dummocrats have one. I’m third (sorry I can’t link to the Yahoo game) and don’t expect to move more than one up or a couple down. There I picked OSU over LSU 45-43. In Triple overtime, of course, because that’s the only way LSU loses.

In the JSOnline game I picked OSU over LSU 24-21, because I need to catch-up, and I see most people are voting LSU. I am 20 of 31 picking, with 30 points (BCS bowl games count 6 points each).

Same in the WISN game. I’m also 20 of 31 with 30 points. I picked OSU 24-23.

In my other game, I’m also third (again a Yahoo game) with no expectations of moving up or down very much, at the moment. I’m 23 of 31 in that game. I picked LSU 35-24, which is really how I think the game will wind up.

The BCS still sucks and should be replaced.