Then There Were Two!

Two days left in the Olympics and a few things are still up for grabs.  The main prize, especially as far as the Canadians are concerned, Men's Hockey will come down to two. The U.S. and Canadians will play tomorrow in what will be the most watched television event in Canadian history.  This game is important for American hockey fans; the game is life or death for Canadians. 

Canada, despite losing to the Americans, will be the clear favorites.  The Americans will again need an unbelievable performance out of goalie Ryan Miller.  It should be exciting, patriotic, and well played. Even non-hockey fans should find this a compelling event.   

Friday Farewells

This weeks Friday Farewells are brought to by (insert your name, company, disgruntled spouse here for a nominal fee*).
I am being serious, for once, about these (at least most of them).

Farewell to:

Robbie Hummel - Purdue's star forward and leader out for the year with a torn ACL. Sadly Purdue's Final Four hopes I must also bid farewell without Hummel the Sweet 16 is as far as they get. Heart breaks for the guy and team.

Brotherly Love. Mark McGwire discussed his disappointment and dismay at his brother Jay's upcoming book about Mark's steroid use. Family get-togethers should be fun. I think signed copies for Mark for Christmas might be a nice gesture. Sad stuff brothers should always have your back not stab it.

The Gold Medal Chance for the U.S. Women's Hockey Team. It was always gold or silver for the U.S. and when that is the case silver seems to taste slightly sour. Disappointing for sure.

Canadian Women's Hockey team's Class.  This departed last night when they partied like drunken hooligans and brought their drunken party back on to the ice.  Not all members of the team are legally able to drink. Talk about not being able to handle success.  Stupidity now has names on the back of hockey jerseys to go with its many faces.  Attention a sense of class has left the building.

No U.S. Nordic Gold Medals. Billy Demong won the first nordic gold medal for the U.S. Teammate Spillane added the silver giving him 3 silvers for the games. Pretty Happy.

Plastic Straws. Chewing plastic straws during games is now banned by the NBA.  Caron Butler for the Mavericks chews about 12 a game or should we say chewed.  Doesn't the NBA have bigger problems like the New Jersey Nets?  My heart says no, but my teeth say yes. 

Respect for NBC Olympic Hockey analyst Mike Milbury. Milbury after calling the German's fire hydrants that were getting peed on by the Canadians, the next day he called the Russians, Eurotrash. The king of class Mike is famous as a player for going into the stands and beating a fan with the guys own shoe. We think youro'trash Mike. Hard to feel bad about losing something you really never had.

Lastly to what I am labeling as SUPER SAD SUNDAY. The Winter Games will come to a close this Sunday and my DVR will breathe a big sigh of relief.  The culmination of the games very well could be a US Canada rematch for the Gold Medal in Men's Hockey.  Those of you not interested in international competition, patriotism, love for mankind and basketball will be thrilled that I will get back to work. Until then USA USA USA... Blow your nose in your hanky crying sad.

*Friday Farewells will be sponsored by the highest bidder.  It is not that we are selling out it is just that we are well.... selling up.

Podium Pandemonium

The Drama continues in short-track speed skating in the Women’s Relay.

The Koreans made a controversial pass bumping into the Chinese skater and were after review of the video disqualified. The Koreans would have taken the gold, but for the disqualification. I have several
problems with this ruling:

1. I am under the belief that rubbing is racing this was a minor
infraction especially when compared to the contact that I will gripe about in #3.

2. China would likely have not passed Korea and certainly Canada and
the U.S. would not have. In fact the Americans were still skating to
finish after the Chinese were back at the Olympic Village. They
almost disqualified the official for interfering with the U.S. team
while he was making his way to the replay booth. The U.S. finished
almost 10 seconds behind the Koreans. In short-track that is almost a
full lap. If they wanted to knock the Koreans down for the bump give
the gold to the Chinese okay, but for them not to medal when they
could have skated an extra lap and still beat the U.S. is ridiculous.

3 Okay before the hate mail starts from the American fans, the U.S. without the Korean disqualification should have gotten the bronze regardless and with the DQ should have gotten silver. A Canadian Skater who had just finished her lap while making her way off the track completely ran into the active American Skater. This is a violation of the Short-Track Code for International Affairs and Relays Article 4 §3.15(D)(i)(b)(2) states: THOU SHALT NOT RUN INTO RACERS SKATING IN THE RACE WHEN YOU ARE NO LONGER RACING—The Penalty is described in subsection (c) as death and/or automatic disqualification.
 
My solution is simple those with the most knowledge and expertise select the winners.  Based on fan votes from their couches and friends of mine who never saw the actual race here are the results.
 
THE NEW PODIUM
Chinese - Gold
USA - Silver
Korea - Bronze
Canada -A Pizza Box

WOW Canada!

There was a tremendous hockey game last night, but someone forget to invite the Russian goaltenders. The other Russian players received the invite, but decided they had better things to do like watch Apolo Ohno in the 500m. Consequently the Canadians, upset the Americans had already spoiled their party, they went to the Russians hotel pulled them out of bed, dragged them to the ice, pulled their shirt of their heads, and then beat them to a bloody pulp. Even Alex the great was MIA.  It was one of the biggest flops in recent memory.  What was thought to be an epic battle turned out to be an epic beat down. After Canada scored an early touchdown Russia tried to get close, but was only able to kick a field goal and lost 7 to 3.  ОЙ or OUCH it hurts no matter how you say it! Russia was sent packing without the hardware everyone expected them to take home, but there were some nice parting gifts syrup, bacon used as a pizza topping and a few leafs. Welcome to Canada, now go home. ПОКА and have a nice trip.
Canada will face the winner of Sweden and Slovakia, which will took place at Midnight ET last night. I love Olympic hockey, but that is why the DVR was invented.
Team USA got past the Swiss by a score of 2-0 in a tough fought game. The U.S. will face either Czech or Finland who were still tied at my bedtime. Ryan Miller was again fantastic, the only question is whether Miller will have enough in the tank to win two more games and take the gold.
Friday the Final Four begins at 3:00 PM ET. Today buckle up for women’s hockey, as the two best teams by far will play in the Gold Medal game at 6:30 PM ET. Did I mention it is the U.S. vs. Canada? Yeah you might want to check it out.

New Testing Has Cheaters Running Scared

*

Yesterday, a small news story ran that made some Olympians, Professional Athletes, and Collegiate Athletes very nervous. Not all athletes have need worry, but those who have decided to use HGH now have reason to fear. A rugby player was banned for testing positive for HGH. Previously it was deemed impossible to drug test for HGH. This new blood test however changes everything.

Will this story serve as a warning shot over the bow of athletes or will more big names be defined as cheaters down the road. Many sports such as Major League Baseball will first have to okay blood testing. This is something that the players association has opposed for some time. What needs to happen is the players that are clean need to take a stand and demand blood testing, otherwise they will continue to be at a competitive disadvantage. A disadvantage in a professional sport equates to large amounts of money and even a job all together.

What will happen with this HGH test? No one really knows, but what needs to happen is to adopt it fast. Normally the performance enhancing drugs are one step ahead of the testing, but finally the testing has caught up. Delay in implementing these tests will only give the users the advantage one again.

*No HGH was used in the creation of this picture.  Okay, I admit that this picture is my arm don't be jealous.

Holy Hogworts!

Some things are too good to make up. I received an email Monday outlining the events for the University for the week. I almost always immediately delete these emails; however this one had something on Monday evening that caught my eye. I had to scroll down to find out exactly what this event was. Was it a basketball game that I had forgotten about against a top 25 team or a guest speaker from the U.N.? Nope.

What grabbed my attention was the Informational Meeting for the newest student organization. Yes, it was the meeting for the Razorback Quidditch team. If you don’t know what Quidditch is don’t worry I will explain or just go to the meeting.The information below invited all to come learn about the new organization, whether or not you’re a Harry Potter fan. Quidditch is a game played by the characters in the movie Harry Potter. The announcement also informed that Quidditch is a sport. Yes it is asport PLAYED IN A MOVIE BY WIZZARDS ON FLYING BROOMS. What has the world come to? Our future depends on students whose extracurricular activities include playing a sport that requires a flying broom and a magical ball that has wings and flies around. All the more bothersome a student was willing to take the time to organize a student organization dedicated solely for this purpose. This requires getting five signatures from your peers. How do you walk up to someone and say want to sign my petition to play a sport that only exists in a series of books or movies? This group better not be recieving funding. Although maybe they should the equipment and uniforms sound expensive.

I would love to read this groups mission statement: "Helping students to reach new heights on imaginary brooms."

I would like to inform that as of yet the Razorback Quidditch team is not giving out scholarships just walk-ons and as of yet the NCAA has not sanctioned Quidditch, although I am sure it is in the works. I have heard from an unreliable source that the IOC is looking to add it for the Olympic games as soon as London or Sochi once it can be defined whether it is a Winter or Summer Sport. The reason for the debate here is because although the Movies were released to theaters in the Summer they came to DVD in the Winter. Also an alternative theory is that although there is not snow on the ground at Hogworts it is during the school year which makes it like football a fall sport. Somewhere Lombardi is rolling over in his grave that I just compared Quidditch to Football.

A quick search on the googler informed me that this was not exclusively an Arkansas problem in fact Arkansans are a little late in the game other Universities have already established teams and gone to tournaments.  Good news is the teams save a ton on travel expenses.  For views of actual quidditch tournament action just click here.  Notice they don't fly, yet.  We can only hope they realize this.

This article is dedicated to Joseph Gates, a fatihful reader or the Four6Three, and his Patronus Charm.

Hockey H-Eh-Day

There is nothing quite like international hockey. Make it the Olympics and throw in the fact that the six best teams were all playing their rivals on the same day and you have a Hockey H-Eh-Day. The day began with Russia vs. Czech and ended with Finland vs. Sweden. Oh yeah the U.S. vs. Canada was sandwiched in between.


The U.S. beat Canada in the Olympics for the first time since 1960. It took retro jerseys, which I am a huge fan of, and a 42 save effort by U.S. Goalie Ryan Miller to take out the Canadians. The 5-3 win secured the group A victory for the U.S. and gave them a first round bye. More importantly, the win gives the team a much-needed extra day off and either the first or the second seed going into the elimination round.

Russia secured first place in group B with a bone crushing win over the Czech team. The turning point in the game was an Ovechkin hit on former NHL star Jaromir Jagr (see it here). The hit lead to a turnover and two passes later a Russian goal. From that point on the score and the momentum was in the Russians favor. It would end in a 4-2 win for Russia and guaranteeing that Russia would join the U.S. in the quarterfinals.

All matchups have yet to be determined, but the elimination rounds begin Tuesday with 8 of the 12 teams in action. The U.S. & Russia will be joined by the winner out of the late game between Finland and Sweden for the top 4 seeds and byes. It will get complicated after that for the 4th seed.
Overall the day was full of excitement and it should only get better as now it is lose and go home. Hopefully, the tournament will lead to more memorable matchups and incredible hockey.

Vladimir Putin is RIGHT!

Well if I had a million bucks (or bucksov as the Russians would say) for every time I said this I probably would have just made my first million. Then again if they gave out millions to agree with Putin there might be a lot more agreement in the International community. So what do I agree with Putin on? His opinion on the Olympic Figure Skating.

Why is a Prime Minister of a country jumping into a figure skating controversy? Because to Russia it matters, especially after Slutskaya lost in 2002.

Putin told Plushenko, "I would like to sincerely congratulate you on the wonderful Olympic performance -- your silver is worth gold. You were able to overcome all the obstacles in your brave comeback and performed the most accomplished programme on the Vancouver ice. All Russian figure skating fans admire your brilliance, true fighting spirit, courage and the will to win. Well done!"

Lysacek was terrific and skated a beautiful program. The question is a matter of what the judges and figure skating want to reward. The judges rewarded the skaters the same on the artistic potion, but gave the nod to Lysacek in technical difficulty. This seems a bit backwards. If this is how skating is scored why was Johnny Weir so far back? He skated a wonderfully artistic program and did so very clean. As Weir stated in a late night interview, “It is political.”

Some feel I am tainted by the fact I served a mission in Russia. This is true, I love Russia and the Russian people, but I have always cheered for my homeland first. However, Plushenko’s ability to do things others cannot, had me watching a sport I normally leave for my wife. Lysacek made me say that was beautiful and very graceful. Plushenko made me say, OH WOW, did he just do that!

The winter sports gaining popularity are things like snowboard halfpipe, because the tricks are progressive and pushing the envelope. If you want to win you have to do things that have never been done before. If figure skating wants to grow and increase popularity it should follow suit. In the sports world if you are not progressing you are dying.

American’s that follow this event have been outraged by Plushenko’s and Putin’s comments. However, let’s flip the script. An American just got silver despite doing things on skates the gold medal winner can only dream of doing. How outraged would we all be? VERY! We don’t handleb default that graciously and so we shouldn’t expect others to.

As for Lysacek he has been a gold medal person throughout the whole ordeal. He has tried to diffuse the situation by stating that the comments of Plushenko have been taken out of context etc. He has been a true champion in this regard. Normally you are not rewarded in life for being a great person in this case maybe Lysacek was.

As for you Mr. Prime Minister you are correct and so is your skater.

 

I am Retro?

I apologize to take a break from the Olympic games, but the ice was bumpy and I am having some personal problems that have become distractions. I feel these are affecting my work and I hope to reflect on my problem. Besides if you can wait for a cauldron to come out of the ground you can indulge my quick detour.


Maybe I am having a quarter-life crisis, but I have become very disturbed of late thanks to an NBA team and their jerseys. MLB, NBA, and NFL have always had turn back the clock nights, throwback jerseys, old school uniforms, AFL nights etc. etc. all in the name of paying respect to former teams, players, leagues, and most important the all-mighty dollar. I have always enjoyed these nights and thought it was a nice thought for pro athletes to pay respect to their predecessors and to let fans spend more of their hard earned cash on these oldies, but goodies. However, my opinion of these old-time uniforms changed forever a couple of weeks ago.

While watching a basketball game on TNT, which really means waiting for the half-time show with EJ, Charles, and Kenny, my wife brought me quickly into a state of depression. What transpired has kept me up at nights since. Not only has this moment plagued my sleep, it has lead to poor eating habits and destroyed my desire to exercise. It was so traumatic it is still difficult to discuss, but I will do my best. Some of you are probably asking if it is so painful why do I write. Two reasons really: I hope that my expression will provide some sort of therapy; and I hope that my pain will somehow make others similarly miserable, after all misery loves company.

What happened is this, while enjoying my wait for halftime and watching Vince Carter take a jump shot my wife says, “Hun, who is playing?”.

“Orlando Magic.” I mumbled.

“Really?”

“Yeah, you just don’t recognize them because they are wearing retro jerseys.”

“Retro?”

“Yeah like old jerseys.”

Her retort is the root of most if not all of my psychological problems since, at least that is what the therapist thinks.

“I know what retro jerseys are. I was asking because they look like the ones the magic wore when we were kids.”

This hit me like a box of bricks. She was right. The jerseys were from the early 90’s. How was this possible retro jerseys were being introduced from when I was a kid.

Looking at my face she laughed and said, “I guess you’re retro.”

I am now retro. It is not bad enough to celebrate your ten-year reunion while you are still in school, now teams are wearing OLD jerseys from when I was a kid. I no longer have a feeling of freedom and joy. Like the jersey that represents my era, I am only talked about a few times a year when I am pulled out of the archives, dusted off, and get in the game or in reference to the past.

Those of you touched by this story please make a donation to my retirement or therapy fund, cash, money order, check, or credit cards will be accepted regardless of age. We try not to discriminate. For all of you who are now filling pain, I am truly sorry. I thought this would make me feel better or I would find comradeship in your suffering. I was wrong. If I don’t write tomorrow I hope you will understand.

Golden Night for the U.S.

Last night was a golden one for the U.S. as Shaun White, Shani Davis, and Lindsey Vonn all took gold in their respective events.  Shaun White was phenomnal in the Men's Halfpipe soaring well above the competition.  Shani Davis used his tremendous form to have a tremendous last lap winning the 1000m. Lindsey Vonn won downhill with a dominating performance.  On men's skis Vonn pushed through her injury willing herself down the dangerous course.  Others got involved too, winning two silvers and a bronze, bringing the U.S. medal count to a total of 14 (5 gold, 3 silver, & 6 bronze).  Chad Hedrick speed skated to a bronze in the 1000m, while Scott Lago rode the half pipe to one as well.  Julia Mancuso may have been the suprise of the night challenging Lindsey Vonn on the Downhill and coming away with the silver for her efforts.  It looks to be a close battle though with the Germans who have 10 medals and still have several strong events.  The U.S. will look to add to their lead though and hear the Star Spangled Banner again tonight in both Men's Figure Skating & Ladie's Halfpipe.  Both which will be decided tonight in primetime on NBC.

.2kg Over

Trey Kirby wrote an article about a luger disqualified for her equipment weighing in at .2 kg over weight. Kirby stated the line had to be drawn somewhere, but this seemed a little harsh. Too Harsh Really? Don’t tell that to a collegiate or high school wrestler who is disqualified when their body weight is more than a tenth of a pound overweight. This is her equipment. She didn’t have to run for hours, not eat for weeks, or spit in a cup too make the weight. All she had to do was a math problem and remove the weight. Maybe it is a strict rule and maybe it was an accident or an honest mistake so what. The rules have to be followed and the rule is not whether the luger intentionally brought overweight equipment but whether the equipment was actually overweight. Sure there are worse problems in sports such as blood doping etc. but that doesn’t mean all rules should be forgotten until the serious infractions are all enforced. Like it or not she broke the rule.

Roller Derby on Ice

If you like compelling edge of your seat action where anything can happen at any time buckle up I have the show for you. Full of twists and turns, just when you have resolved yourself that it is over, a shocking accident changes the fortunes of countless individuals.Throw in high speeds, danger of bodily harm, and compelling personalstories and you have yourself a hit TV drama.

This is not 24 or Lost or even a reality show like Survivor. This is actual reality and it is short-track speed skating. It is a combination of everything we love and hate from the world of sports, reality shows, and action thriller. There is pushing, bumping, grabbing, shoving, and even hitting with no clear line of what is afoul and what is not. There are wild wipeouts into walls that can take out four or five competitors at a time. Something so wild and unpredictable can only determine a winner by who crosses the linefirst unless there is a disqualification. This adds to the drama as we all watch the possible infraction over and over. Throw in instant replay and sharp blades and this is about as good as it gets. Theonly thing missing is a chance to phone in and vote.

It gets better-- the super stud of this sport is a former dancing king. Seriously, Apollo Ohno won the hit sensation Dancing with the Stars, not after he retired from his sport like former NFL stars, but while he is in the middle of his career. Other skaters might want to heed former Baltimore Ravens coach, Brian Billick’s advice never to trust a man that likes to dance.

In the first event finals for the men three Koreans looked to sweep the medals when inexplicably the third-place skater crashes taking out the second-place skater on his spill into the wall. This allowed the two Americans, Ohno included, to take the silver and bronze.The US women’s relay team qualified for the finals thanks to an Italian skaters tumble.

 Relays can only be described as synchronized chaos. There are four teams of four skaters on a surface the size of a pee-wee hockey rink. Instead of a baton being passed the skater shoves the next skater to propel him or her forward. It is as fun to watch as a yo-yo in a blender or cds in a microwave (kids do not try these at home).*

Two new sports compare, snowcross and skiercross are similarly rollerderbies on snow, but there is something about the drama of the ice. Maybe, it is the shiny reflective surface or the fact that the skaters go around and around the oval taking the turns with their bodies almost parallel to the ice. Whatever it is it is fantastic.

*The Four6Three takes zero, zilch, absolutely no responsibility forthe idiotic things kids, single men, or married men when their wivesare out of town do regardless of where they got the idea. The ideas, thoughts if any, opinions, prejudice, or stupidity is that of theauthor alone and does not represent the views of the blog itself. TheFour6Three does not promote or endorse the destruction of yo-yos or compact discs and believe equal rights should be extended to all musical discs or string operated toys. No yo-yos or cds were harmed in the making of this article.

Georgian Nodar Kumaritashvili

Photo by: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/EPA

I would like to send my sincerest condolences to the family, friends and countrymen of Olympic luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

I have had the opportunity to associate with a few Georgians. These experiences have all been positive. They are a warm and hospitable people known for their cuisine. Though often quitet and reserved they are also feisty, courageous, and competitive. Located in the tumultuous caucus region south of Russia conflict is something with which Georgians are well acquainted.

Nodar was twenty-one years old born in Georgia, which was then part of the Soviet Union. The son of a luger, Nodar’s first season of competitive luge was in 2008. Still very young in the sport he was ranked 44th out of 65 lugers. His death was a tragedy for everyone.

Questions remain surrounding the accident. Was the track to dangerous? Should the wall have been erected sooner? What could the IOC and Luge Federation have done to prevent this? The answer, I don’t know. What I do know is that something should have been done.

I am not trying to point blame, but even more than medals at Olympic Games, we want everyone to return home. The Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili may have stated it best when he said, “One thing I know for sure is that no sports mistake is supposed to lead to a death. No sports mistake is supposed to be fatal.”

Hopefully, the IOC and the world can reevaluate our priorities because this is not about a luger dying in a very dangerous sport. This is about a son not returning to his father’s arms.

Winter Olympic Fortune Forecast*

This is Steve McThunder with your Olympic Forecast. There is a recordsetting front moving into the Vancouver area from the South. It could provide for an unbelievable (literally) Olympics for the U.S. Team.

Apollo Ohno will win his 6th medal in short track speed skating. BodeMiller finally gets an Olympic gold. The Men's figure skating sweepsthe medal stand taking gold, silver, and bronze. Lindsey Vonn comesback from her injured shin to win three gold medals and a bronze. TheMen's hockey team shocks the favorites, Canada and Russian, to winGold. The U.S. wins gold in the four-man bobsled for the first timesince the 1940's. And then somehow, the U.S. steals (again this maybe literal) a bronze medal in women's figure skating. There will bezero possibility of scoring scandals and only a slight chance ofperformance enhancing drug use. These are all slighly possible with achance of rain on the celebration parade. Likely? No, but possible.However there is a 90% chance of a Shaun White will win gold & if hedoes, a 100% chance he will make a boat load of money on endorsementsafter the games.

This is why the Olympics are the best reality television. Anything can happen and just when you think it is certain that something won’thappen it does. So bundle up or pop some corn, but whatever you dowatch the Olympics it is not only patriotic to support the U.S. but itis part of the human spirit to cheer for Robel Zeimichael Teklemariamthe lone athlete from Ethiopia, who will be Cross-Country Skiing. GoU.S. & Go Ethiopia!

*U.S. Olympic Committee can make checks payable to the Four6ThreeScholarship Fund. These funds will be used for only the essentials(popcorn, pizza, and cable television).

SUCCESS!

With the Olympics coming up there will be great achievements in winter sports, records broken, great performances, and medals won. Nevertheless, how will the Olympians know if their trip to Vancouver was successful? I think the incomparable John Wooden’s definition of success will provide a great point of reference. Coach Wooden is not only one of the best coaches to ever walk up and down a court he is one of the greatest human beings to walk up and down the street.

         

          "Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." John Wooden

Who Will Pay The Bills?

Last week, amid the Tebow Super Bowl commercial controversy another story was written about another Tebow controversy. Unlike the Super Bowl commercial, this one might actually have some substance.

Amid the speculation that the Jacksonville Jaguars might draft Tim Tebow, Holly Anderson broke a story about Uche Nwaneri an offensive lineman for Jacksonville ranting about how Tebow could never help the Jags win. He used his expertise to deduct that Tebow will never be successful in the NFL. His analysis included that Tebow: cannot throw, cannot take a snap from under center, cannot read defenses except maybe cover two or man, and oh yeah he cannot throw. Yes, he mentioned cannot throw twice. He then asked the fans to buy tickets because he is tired of coming to an empty stadium.

As to whether Tebow can throw or not I believe I have seen him throw the football. As for reading defenses and taking the ball under center, these are things someone can learn and cover two and man happen to be two very popular defenses even in the complex NFL. Do not mistake me for a Tebow fan. I am still of the belief that Tim Tebow owes Darren McFadden a Heisman Trophy. I am a realist though and I understand that the NFL is a business. Although I personally do not think Tebow will make a great NFL quarterback.  However, I do think that unlike Nwaneri that if Tebow asked fans to show up they might actually come.

Jacksonville is an organization with horrible attendance and is in danger of being moved to a more lucrative location. Nwaneri’s likelihood of saving this organization is a whopping 0.0%. He could go on the evening news every night and beg fans to show up, but it won’t help. However, Tim Tebow, regardless of how good he is at quarterback, will put pants in seats. Pants don’t normally bring themselves, even if they are on the ground, which translates to ticket sales. This would only last for a year or two unless the team starts to win, but that is far more tickets than Nwaneri and his family buy.

Can Nwaneri and Tebow coexist? No! The lineman’s job is to protect the quarterback. How hard do you work for the boss you despise? How closely do you watch out for the neighbor you cannot stand? So what should Jacksonville do? Ditch the lineman. No one will care. It doesn’t matter if you can get equal value or not. If you want to keep the team in Jacksonville draft Tim Tebow. Do not start Tebow just draft him. Start to develop him and occasionally put him in to a standing ovation to run the wild-cat. Half the NFL is running it a few times a game anyway. Who knows maybe people will show up to see it? Or don’t and keep the lineman who has brought no one to the stadium in his three years in Jacksonville. It's your decision, but there are bills to pay.

Monday's Marquee Matchup

Finally, the matchup we have been waiting for... Villanova at West Virginia. Three weeks ago, all anyone could talk about was the Big 12 matchup of Kansas and Texas in Austin on the 8th of February. Texas has since lost 4 of 6 and is tied with Missouri for fourth in the Big 12. After being drubbed Saturday by a 13-9 Oklahoma team, tonight is a real test for the Longhorns. It is not a must win, but they must be competitive to try and get things back on track.

The matchup between Villanova and West Virginia is another Big East brawl. It should be a dandy as Villanova looks to get back on track after losing only their second game of the year to Georgetown on Saturday. The Mountaineers of West Virginia last lost January 16, to first place Syracuse. The Mountaineers are not always pretty, but just seem to find ways to win behind their great frontline while the Wildcats thrive on their backcourt play lead by Scottie Reynolds. With a victory, Villanova will join Syracuse atop the Big East, but a loss and the Mountaineers will tie the Wildcats in second place. 

POST SUPER BOWL SYNDROME

I apologize for the late post today. I like to post every day before 8:00 a.m. so you all have something to do at work because let’s be honest, sports at work is a lot better than work at work. I woke up this morning though in a complete fog as I stumbled to the bathroom turned and on the lights I felt like I was looking at The Who’s laser light show from halftime. My stomach was cramping from the three different kinds of wings, nachos, and sausage dip (Sausage, RoTel, Cream Cheese- It will change your life). My joints ached as though I had played the game itself. My back was sore from what felt like was a late hit spear, whoever did that to me better have gotten flagged for a personal foul. I felt depressed and sad, as though I had nothing to look forward to in the near future. The worst part was my throat. I felt as though I had spent the night licking Bourbon Street. As bad as it felt, it tasted about the same. Come to think of it, no wonder my stomach hurts so bad.

Thanks to the snow falling today in Northwest Arkansas everything is shutting down, so the doctor’s office is closing early and I can’t get in. Oh well, I have a lot of experience with self-diagnosis and I think it is safe to say I have PSBS also known as Post Super Bowl Syndrome. Who knows how long this bout will last? The good news is college basketball is heating up with March Madness around the corner and pitchers and catchers report for spring training February 18. Until then I just might have to suffer.

My First Big Interview - Michael Strahan

This morning I received a call from Sprint asking me if was free from 1-3 PM EST to speak with Michael Strahan. I figured the former Super Bowl champion & seven-time pro bowler must be a big fan of the Four6Three and wanted to chat with me about the big game. I figured I could reschedule all my other appointments and interviews. The phone call was coordinated with an online-video stream so the world could see my first big interview. I was pumped, this was my big break!

Not even a week in and the Four6Three was going to have an interview with its first big sports star. For the next two hours I watched with anticipation as Strahan spoke with Giants fans, Jets fans, and even a fellow Seahawks fan. I sat with my cell phone next to me plugged in for maximum battery life. As I listened to fan after fan after fan, I planned my conversation. I was ready. I wrote down the questions I would ask, the possible answers I might receive in return, and my witty responses.

I sat & waited & waited & waited then suddenly my phone rang this was my moment of glory. It was my brother calling to see if Strahan had called yet. The remainder of the two hours passed uneventfully. I watched tearfully and distraught as Strahan signed off the webcam and thanked Sprint for setting up the calls. I thanked Sprint for taking two hours of my life that I can never get back and for raising my expectations to all-time high and then driving them off a cliff in the car of my dreams.

Super Bowl XL Was FIXED?

The worst officiated Super Bowl ever, now has a hint of conspiracy to it. Both a Heisman winner & a NFL MVP have questioned whether Super Bowl XL was fixed. Wednesday on the Scott Van Pelt show Eddie George and Shaun Alexander discussed Super Bowl XL between the then Alexander’s Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Heisman, Eddie George, said the referees cost Alexander his Super Bowl. Although Alexander admitted he wondered about the calls- he would not go much further than to say he wouldn’t be surprised if something came out 10 years from now. Scott Van Pelt, the host, was obviously a little uncomfortable with the whole conversation and said I bet the NFL loves us talking about this the week of the Super Bowl and joked that this was the Herd or the Mike and Mike show.

Is there something to this? Did you see the game? It was either fixed, the officials all forgot their contact lenses, or it was the worst officiated game in NFL history. Either way it is interesting that two former NFL stars would bring this up the week of the Super Bowl four years later. Let the conspiracy theorists begin, but if George feels this way and he never played in the game what do others in the NFL ranks think. Is there any hard evidence to support this theory? Just a lot of little yellow flags!

Listen to the audio here.

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Super Bowl XLIV Might Finally Be SUPER!

There is no doubt that this year’s Super Bowl features this year’s two best teams. This rarely happens. In fact, the last time two number one seeds from each conference met was 1993. This isn’t to say that there have not been some great games like the Giants upsetting the Patriots, the Rams vs. Titans, etc., but rarely is the matchup this even.

The Colts are 4.5 to 6 point favorites as of noon EST. However, football gurus can see this game going either way. The Saints are loaded with weapons on offense and a ball hawking safety in Darren Sharper. The Colts have the best quarterback on the planet in Peyton Manning. Both teams have very explosive offenses and very solid underrated defenses. So which is the more complete team? I guess we will find out Sunday. One thing is for sure this Super matchup will be Super to watch.

Super Tough or Super Selfish?

Dwight Freeney the star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts has a torn ligament in his ankle. As if that isn’t bad enough a quarterback is the one that hurt him. A misstep on Mark Sanchez’s foot has Freeney possibly missing the Super Bowl. There is a long history of players playing despite horrible injuries in the big game. The question is whether this is Super Tough or Super Selfish?

All players want to help their team win the big game and no one wants to be sidelined with an injury, but at what cost? Is the back up so bad that you are better hopping on one leg? Or is it the pride and satisfaction of saying I had a broken leg and still played in the Super Bowl. After all, Jack Youngblood is a legend because he did this very thing.

At what point does Dwight Freeney say the best thing for the Colts is for me to sit the bench and let someone who walk without a limp play. I don’t envy Dwight, but the toughest thing he might do is to say I won’t play because the team needs me not to.  Now that is tough. 

Phil Takes the High Road

     Despite my support, Phil Mickelson, an avid reader I am sure, has decided to put the wedge back in his garage.  Phil accepted Scott McCrying's apology Wednesday and took the high road.  As of yet McCrying has made no such declaration about his Hockey-Stick Putter.  Unlike Phil, I obviously have not taken the high road and still wish Phil would have beat him with that antique wedge.  Phil says he will put the club away for now, but may bring it back in the future.  I hope the secret weapon returns soon.  Who knows maybe Phil loaned it and its magical powers to Peyton Manning for the Superbowl.  Too bad Phil didn't loan Peyton a better joke for media day. Really Peyton taking your little brother's jokes that he stole from the Office?!? It turns out maybe golf is a gentleman's game after all.  Thanks for the reminder Phil.

It's Too Late To Appologize!?!

In the search for PGA justice Scott McCarron would like a few things cleared up. First, he never called Phil a "Cheater" he just said that what Phil does is "cheating". Any good lawyer can see this makes all the difference and I should probably retract my first statement about Scott McCarron. But I never called Scott McCarron a "whiner" or any other thing I just described what he was doing, which was "whining". I think this is enough of a distinction to keep the article posted. Who is this guy, Bill Clinton? For a guy that doesn’t like the extra spin on the golf ball he sure does put some spin on his words.

Phil I would not put too much stock in to a guy that uses a putter that is taller than he is. Seriously? This guy uses a hockey stick to putt with and is worried about other people’s clubs. Should the PGA ban a twenty-year-old wedge or the two-meter putter? Scott, Happy Gilmore called he wants his putter back. If anything should be outlawed it should be anchoring a putter against your collarbone and using a slap shot. Just tap it in, tap tap taperoo.

As an update Robert Allenby supports my theory on how to get one of these magic wedges guaranteed to make you win (Although I could be wrong on this since John Daly is using one*). Allenby stated that you can find them in your garage or on eBay.

*This comment is not intended to rip on Daly, and if he is reading, John, I hope you take a week off clear your head and get back on the links your too talented to hang them up plus the pants wake us up from our naps.

Here We Have Idaho*

In honor of College Football Signing Day lets review who the young men might want to play for if they want their coach to have guts.

This became apparent this past bowl season. The two gutsiest calls both came from two coaches from the same state. No, it was not Florida, California, Texas, or even Alabama. Although Nick Saban chose to fake a punt on 4th and forever from his own 20 yard line that was not gutsy just stupid. No the state with the coaches with true backbone is Idaho. Go Gem State! No the Capital is not Des Moines.

The CALLS:
The Idaho Vandals after being down 7 with 32 ticks left on the clock the Vandals drove 66 yards in the length of the field and scored a touchdown with 4 seconds left on the clock. Overtime right? Wrong. Coach Robb Akey goes for TWO and it seconds later he was taking a quick dip in yellow Gatorade!
And we all remember the Fiesta Bowl where the Boise State Broncos successfully faked a punt on 4th and 9 with the game weighing in the balance. This fake resulted in a 29 yard gain and the drive resulted in the go ahead score in another BCS victory.

With the coaching carousel in effect it is a wonder both of these coaches were not talked about more at big schools. Chris Petersen however seems perfectly happy with the western white pine, mountain blue birds, huckleberries, and of course potatoes.
So when you think of Idaho add two Coaches with Guts to the list of things you think of.


*I admit I am from Idaho & 99.9-100% bias and yes I have been asked if my hometown was near Des Moines. The answer is … YES just west.

Shame on you Phil Mickelson...

Shame on you, Phil Mickelson for playing by the rules. With all of the controversy in sports over the past few years, why are we talking about a 20-year-old wedge? We don’t have enough to worry about with PED’s, gambling, and countless others not to mention numerous indiscretions of players off the field.

This is different. Golf is a gentlemen’s game, it is against the spirit of the rule, it is an unfair advantage, and everyone should be on the same playing field. These are some of ridiculous reasons I have heard. Sure golf is a gentlemen’s game, but most guys would kick another guy’s ball in the water if he thought it wasn’t outlawed. I have a series of books call A Gentleman, the titles vary from 'at the table', 'at a party'-- mysteriously mine is missing the at the Golf course volume. If it existed, I am sure its first chapter would discuss the use of irons over two decades old never mind the language read on the lips after a missed putt or the moving of boulders or not allowing a golfer with a disease that causes problems walking to ride in a cart. Every time I play, I encounter more and more gentlemen (like the six yahoos playing in the foursome in front of me sharing a cart and not allowing anyone to play through). Never mind trashing on fellow players to the media.

It is against the spirit of the rule because the spirit says although this club is explicitly mentioned in the rule and exempted this implies it shouldn’t be used?!?! Unfair advantage? We are playing with Titanium drivers the size of a watermelon with graphite shafts that can hit the ball 350 yards with a ball that flies straighter and farther and stops on a dime and we are worried about a club made when the original Bush was in office. That is unfair, “Read my lips No 20 year old Wedges.”

Everyone should be on the same playing field. There is a new Internet site, its called eBay- and get this you can buy old stuff there. I am sure if a Pro wants a 20-year-old wedge he can find one. I was not aware there was a shortage. I have one in my bag if anyone wants it- I use it when I am in the rocks, which is about every other shot for me.

Professional golf is COMPETITIVE and HUGE MONEY IS ON THE LINE. What do people do when money is on the line in life? We hire Tax attorneys & CPA’s to interpret the rules to the best of their abilities so we can keep every nickel. We probably shouldn’t do that because it isn’t really in the spirit of the tax code. It is like cheating. Do we blame swimmers for wearing Speedos instead of baggy swim trunks? No, it is in the rules. Is the hitter who notices a seam in the webbing every-time the pitcher throws a curve ball cheating or just smart? How about the coach that calls a timeout just as the kicker is kicking the ball? CHEATER. Even though if he didn’t and it was our favorite team we would all be screaming ice him ice him! We may hate the rule, but we don’t hate those that follow it.

America, Golf, and Scott McCarron you all have bigger problems to worry about, like missing last week's cut. Please forget the 20-year-old wedge sir and get a life. If a Ping-Eye 2 wedge is the difference in Scott McCarron’s world ranking of 204 & Phil Mickelson at number 2, I will gladly buy you won Scott for 50% of your increase in winnings. Better yet, maybe you could play Phil for his. What should be the rules? We don’t want any cheating.