I'm back with the second installment of "Making The Rounds". If you missed the
original post, feel free to go back and delve into it's madness.
Super Bowl XLV - I don't think we could have asked for a better matchup this year. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers represent football in my opinion. They had great coaches, great players, and even greater fans It's hard to say that growing up a 49ers fan, but it's true. Both possess a long and storied history of excellence, and when kickoff goes down this Sunday I think it's very safe to say that we're all in for a real treat.
So who am I going with? I would love to see Aaron Rodgers and Charles Woodson walk away with the Lombardi trophy. The Packers are damn good, but if I was betting on the game, which I haven't yet, I would take the Steelers. Final score will be 24-17.
Albert Pujols - "Fat Albert" and the St. Louis Cardinals are at a crossroads. Free agency is looming and a deal has yet to get done.
Unless you've been camping out under a rock all offseason, you're fully aware that this is the last season on Pujols' contract and he isn't willing to negotiate terms of a new deal once spring training begins in just a few weeks. The Cardinals front office had years to get something done, but have lolly gagged more than Randy Moss when the ball ain't thrown his way. Sorry Randy, but it's true.
If the Cardinals let the games best player skip town, it will be the biggest baseball blunder since the Red Sox sold the rights to George Herman Ruth over to the Yankees. As a St. Louisan, I'm optimistic that a deal will be reached, but the closer we get to spring training, the less likely it becomes that Albert will be in a Cardinals uniform in 2012. I just hope it isn't Yankee pinstripes.
Boston Celtics - The boys from Beantown are rolling. This past Sunday they put a legit thumping on the Lakers, and clearly demonstrated that they are primed for another trip to the NBA Finals. Current record is 37-11, second best in the L.
I've heard the age argument already, and I agree the collective in Boston is older than the oldest dirt, but they are very deep, especially in the front court, and have more than enough bodies to wear teams down. If nothing else they've got a ton of fouls to give.
The "Big 3" are healthy and playing some very efficient basketball thus far. Ray Allen is in the midst of the best statistical campaign of his illustrious career, and "The Truth" is still just that. They've battled and won despite injuries to Rondo, KG, Delonte West, and Shaq. Guys like Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, and even Semih Erden have made successful contributions. The minutes those guys are playing now will only help the team come playoff time, something that Doc Rivers clearly understands.
It's still early, but I like Boston to make it back to the finals. My hope is that the Spurs won't fade away the second half of the season. I called for a Spurs/Celtics championship final two years ago, so if that can somehow materialize itself this season I would be in hoops heaven.
Michael Cole - For the pro wrestling fans out there I wonder how you feel about Michael Cole, the "voice" of the WWE? Are you a Cole Miner? I know I am!
He's got a great thing going right now from where I'm sitting. He has a heel persona that has been building since NXT Season 1, which I think is great. He verbally abuses co-announcers' Jerry Lawler, Josh Matthews, and Matt Striker every week. He commentates on every program, and actually plays favorites. He worships the Miz and actually jumps up and down while calling his matches. I've never seen that type of emotional attachment to a wrestler before from a commentator. Well, J.R. was quite fond of Dr. Death Steve Williams, but it wasn't close to Cole's infatuation.
The crowds hate the anonymous GM on Raw (hell, I hate the anonymous GM on Raw), and it's Cole that gets to deliver the message each and every Monday night. The "And I Quote" line is something I actually get geeked to hear. Some like it, some don't, but it's better than all those garbage guest hosts that were on the show.
In the 25 or so years I've been watching professional wrestling I can't recall an announcer playing the role that Michael Cole is right currently. I give a lot of credit to the writers for getting something right for once, and taking a chance on something a little different. It's refreshing to see new characters and "makeovers" happen. He's over big time right now.