Eliminating kickoffs makes no sense

Roger Goodell recently said he is open to eliminating kickoffs in a Time magazine interview that hits shelves this week. 

While it can be said that the move is a measure to promote safety of players, his replacement for the kickoff is sure to cause a stir with diehard football fans. 

Goodell said, via an article by Sports Illustrated, he is considering adding another offensive chance for the team that scored. 

What this means is that if the Green Bay Packers scored, the offense would get the ball back on their own 30-yard line and have one shot to gain 15 yards or to punt. 

If the team makes it, it gets a new set of downs, and the other team's defense remains on the field. If it fails, there is no explanation to what happens, but I would guess that the other team gets the ball where you are stopped.

This might bode well for teams like the Packers with a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers who makes 15-yard completions in his sleep, but most teams would punt to avoid giving the other team a chance to score.

But does eliminating kickoffs really help with safety? What about the defenses? 

If a team finally scores on the Baltimore Ravens, makes it a 10-7 game and then gets the ball back, the Ravens defense now has to be on the field even longer. 

And what happens to defenses when they are on the field too long? Injuries. 

Eliminating kickoffs might limit athletes colliding at high speeds but it adds more chances on the defensive side. 

And the added insult to defenders is just one aspect of this that doesn't make any sense. 

The move would also eliminate onside kicks and, while the added offensive opportunity is like an onside kick, teams would actually be in a tougher position to comeback with only one shot to gain 15 yards. 

Not to mention that teams that employ several special team players would need to overhaul their rosters, with kickoff specialists a thing of the past and the need for a Devin Hester-type player lower on the list.   

Despite the oddity of the change, Goodell backed up his claims in the interview. He said he doesn't do anything just for the press time.

"I don't do things for public relations," Goodell said in the interview. "I do things because they're the right thing to do because I love the game."

Well, Mr. Goodell, if 

"I don't do things for public relations," Goodell said in the interview. "I do things because they're the right thing to do, because I love the game."

Well Mr. Goodell, if you really loved the game, you would realize that this isn't the right thing to do. 

Alex Smith deserves better fate

Jim Harbaugh’s decision to start Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith is a controversial decision.

Not controversial in the sense of QB controversy, but rather setting a tone that could lead injured players to make poor decisions in the future.

Smith lost his job to Kaepernick after suffering a concussion. Smith followed the NFL’s protocol and was unable to get cleared medically prior to the 49ers’ Monday Night Football game versus the Chicago Bears.

Kaepernick used his opportunity to showcase his abilities, and he ultimately won the starting QB job.

Now, this has happened many times before. Brett Favre began his record of 297 consecutive regular season starts after replacing an injured Don Majkowski. And in baseball, a guy named Lou Gehrig played every game for 14 years after replacing an ailing Wally Pipp.

I have no problem with Kapernick replacing Smith if he is the better option at quarterback.

I take issue with the fact that the NFL wants you to believe they have the players’ best interest in mind when it comes to concussions and other head injuries.

But when a player loses his starting job due to a head injury, it could prompt other players to mislead medical staff when taking concussion tests.

If Smith never takes another snap in San Francisco, don’t be surprised if players intentionally score poorly on their preseason concussion evaluations. This could give concussed players a better chance of passing their tests later in the season in order to get back on the field quickly.

Smith – who completed 25 of his last 27 passes before being injured and only lost once this season – did things the right way, and finds himself on the sideline holding a clipboard.

Don’t be surprised if other players risk their long-term health in order to avoid the same fate. Sure, it’s not a prudent move when looking to the future. But losing a starting in position in the NFL can mean the loss of millions of dollars.

If Kaepernick outperforms Smith in practice on a regular basis, he should get a chance to play. But Smith should not be punished for sustaining an injury.

Smith did the responsible thing and should be rewarded for doing so.

McNabb's return will fall short

Donovan McNabb is going to be back in Philadelphia, but he will be wearing the opponent’s jersey and trying to beat the Eagles.

On the other side is Michael Vick, the prison deadbeat turned overnight sensation with two very good games.

McNabb will be trying to prove he still can play, and Vick is trying to prove he is back to being a superstar. Vick will be doing so against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. The Redskins have allowed 977 yards through the air already.

Prediction: Philadelphia 34, Washington 28

McNabb will have a good game, but the Redskins defense will ultimately be the problem. Vick should pass and run at will, and the Eagles will survive a shootout.

Other NFL action:

Atlanta over San Francisco 24-13

New Orleans over Carolina 34-13

Cincinnati over Cleveland 27-23

Green Bay over Detroit 31-13

N.Y. Jets over Buffalo 17-10

Pittsburgh over Baltimore 14-13

Tennessee over Denver 24-17

Seattle over St. Louis 24-14

Indianapolis over Jacksonville 38-13

Houston over Oakland 28-17

Arizona over San Diego 20-14 (UPSET)

Chicago over N.Y. Giants 27-20

New England over Miami 30-27

NFC North showdown is Game of the Week

A strong start by the Packers and a surprising start by the Bears sets up this week’s game of the week.

The rivals face off in a Monday Night Football match up with first place in the NFL North up for grabs.

Green Bay enters the week following a nail-biter win over Philadelphia and a no-nonsense blowout against the over-matched Bills.

Chicago has flexed some muscle in the passing game with quarterback Jay Cutler throwing for five touchdowns and one interception through two weeks.

Cutler and the Bears’ offense will meet their toughest challenge to date as the Packers are ranked third in total defense and is the No. 3 team defending the pass.

Through two weeks, Green Bay has limited teams to an average of 116.5 yards through the air. Meanwhile, the Chicago offense is averaging 316 yards via the pass. Whichever team can assert their authority in this aspect of the game should have the upper-hand in the contest.

Aaron Rodgers passed for 255 yards and two TDs last week. He has four touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. His numbers could go up with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley as targets. Charles Tillman has played well at cornerback for the Bears, but Zach Bowman has the potential to be a liability. Whoever lines up against Bowman could have a big night.

The passing game for each team is crucial considering each team’s running game is a little less certain. The Bears have only rushed for 139 yards this season, but running back Matt Forte has been more effective catching the ball in screens and swing passes.

Green Bay is without Ryan Grant, who rushed for 1,200 yards the last two seasons, after a season-ending injury. Brandon Jackson rushed 11 times for 29 yards and a touchdown in his first start in the wake of Grant’s injury. Chicago has allowed an average of 28 yards rushing a game, which is the top mark in the league.

The game could be boiled down to the Packers pass defense versus the Bears run defense. Because Chicago will rely more on the pass than Green Bay will on the run, the scales may tip in the Pack’s favor.

I’m calling for the shoot-out with the last score likely being the winning score. In a rivalry game, nothing is for certain.

Prediction: Green Bay 35, Chicago 34.

Other NFL action:

Josh: N.Y. Giants over Tennessee, 31-30

Anthony: Tennessee over N.Y. Giants, 31-17

Josh: New England over Buffalo, 35-7

Anthony: New England over Buffalo, 27-10

Josh: Baltimore over Cleveland, 17-6

Anthony: Baltimore over Cleveland, 17-3

Josh: Tampa Bay over Pittsburgh, 14-10

Anthony: Pittsburgh over Tampa Bay 17-14

Josh: Cincinnati over Carolina, 24-17

Anthony: Cincinnati over Carolina, 27-14

Josh: New Orleans over Atlanta, 34-17

Anthony: Atlanta over New Orleans, 27-24 UPSET

Josh: San Francisco over Kansas City, 14-13

Anthony: San Francisco over Kansas City, 21-17

Josh: Minnesota over Detroit, 21-20

Anthony: Minnesota over Detroit, 21-3

Josh: Houston over Dallas, 31-28

Anthony: Houston over Dallas, 31-21

Josh: Washington over St. Louis, 28-3

Anthony: Washington over St. Louis, 24-14

Josh: Philadelphia over Jacksonville, 31-28

Anthony: Philadelphia over Jacksonville, 38-14

Josh: Indianapolis over Denver, 28-27

Anthony: Indianapolis over Denver, 31-13

Josh: San Diego over Seattle, 35-14

Anthony: San Diego over Seattle, 28-17

Josh: Oakland over Arizona, 17-14 UPSET

Anthony: Arizona over Oakland, 21-9

Josh: N.Y. Jets over Miami, 24-21

Anthony: N.Y. Jets over Miami, 23-20

Battle of Mannings should be fun to watch

The big game for week two is The Manning showdown in Indianapolis. It is Peyton Manning against Eli Manning; it is the Indianapolis Colts against the New York Giants.

The reason the game is big isn’t because of the brothers, however. The Giants’ defense and the Colts’ defense are the storylines here.

Last week, the Giants played well on defense. They only gave up 237 total yards, and they forced five turnovers. The Colts were the opposite, allowing 257 yards just on the ground.

This is the true test for the Giants defense, with Peyton throwing for 433 yards with three touchdowns against Houston. This is a must needed game for the Colts, with a 0-2 start being unfamiliar territory.

Prediction: Colts 34, Giants 24

The Giants defense played well last week, but they didn’t play Peyton. The big story for Eli was three interceptions. Peyton will make the Giants pay after turnovers.

Other NFL action:

Atlanta over Arizona 24-14

Tampa Bay over Carolina 17-14

Kansas City over Cleveland 14-10

Philadelphia over Detroit 31-10

Tennessee over Pittsburgh 21-17

Minnesota over Miami 31-14

Baltimore over Cincinnati 24-21

Dallas over Chicago 24-14

Green Bay over Buffalo 31-7

St. Louis over Oakland 17-10

Seattle over Denver 24-10

Jacksonville over San Diego 20-14 (UPSET)

New England over N.Y. Jets 24-9

Houston over Washington 24-17

New Orleans over San Francisco 30-13

No revenge for the Vikings

The NFL season is just around the corner, and the game of the week is kicking it off.

The Minnesota Vikings will play the New Orleans Saints in a rematch of last year’s NFC championship game. Last year it ended on an interception by Brett Favre. This year, it will end in a shootout.

Drew Brees was looking extremely solid in the preseason, which makes him dangerous against any defense. Although the Vikings have a good defense, Brees has too many weapons to throw to.

On the other side, the Vikings can run the ball to speed the game, and Favre is no slouch when it comes to utilizing weapons down the field. The problem is that Adrian Peterson fumbles and has poor blocking skills.

Chester Taylor is a huge loss, because he was the third-down running back. Look for the Saints defensive line to get a few third down sacks.

Plus, the Saints defense had 39 takeaways last season. If Peterson fumbles, it will lead to short fields for Brees.

Nonetheless, the Saints defense still allowed over 300 yards a game last year, and they have not really closed up the weaknesses in the secondary. Despite Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice’s injury problems, Favre should have no problems finding somebody down the field.

Prediction: Saints 38, Vikings 35

In the end, the Saints are healthy and the Vikings are not. I think the Saints take a huge lead, while Favre attempts to come back but falls short.

Other NFL action:

Anthony: Denver over Jacksonville 24-21

Josh: Denver over Jacksonville 20-17

Anthony: Miami over Buffalo 27-17

Josh: Miami over Buffalo 30-14

Anthony: Chicago over Detroit 21-20

Josh: Chicago over Detroit 14-10

Anthony: Indianapolis over Houston 34-28

Josh: Indianapolis over Houston 28-27

Anthony: Atlanta over Pittsburgh 24-13

Josh: Atlanta over Pittsburgh 28-14

Athony: Tennessee over Oakland 20-17

Josh: Tennessee over Oakland 35-10

Anthony: Tampa Bay over Cleveland 24-6

Josh: Cleveland over Tampa Bay 13-10 (UPSET)

Anthony: Carolina over N.Y. Giants 24-14

Josh: N.Y. Giants over Carolina 21-14

Anthony: New England over Cincinnati 30-21

Josh: New England over Cincinnati 35-31

Anthony: San Francisco over Seattle 24-20

Josh: San Francisco over Seatlle 21-7

Anthony: Green Bay over Philadelphia 31-21

Josh: Green Bay over Philadelphia 35-14

Anthony: St. Louis over Arizona 17-14 (UPSET)

Josh: Arizona over St. Louis 13-10

Anthony: Dallas over Washington 24-13

Josh: Dallas over Washinton 28-10

Anthony: Baltimore over N.Y. Jets 20-17

Josh: N.Y. Jets over Baltimore 24-17

Anthony: San Diego over Kansas City 30-13

Josh: San Diego over Kansas City 28-7

Redskins should trade down for more draft opportunity

The Washington Redskins made headlines when they traded with the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The all-pro QB is certainly an upgrade over Jason Campbell – and backups Rex Grossman and Colt Brennan for that matter.

In the same off-season in which the team brought in a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback, the team has kept up its reputation of signing used up free agents.

Washington already had running back Clinton Portis on the roster and decided to add Larry Johnson and Willie Parker to the squad. Johnson and Parker don’t have a good set of legs between the two of them.

The Redskins love to overpay for over-the-hill free agents from Deion Sanders to Jason Taylor to Albert Haynesworth – not ridiculously old, but $100 million dollars for a defensive tackle?!?

The signing of Parker and Johnson mar the trade for McNabb, but the Redskins can atone for it by drafting to protect their backfield players. Mock drafts suggest Washington could go after offensive tackle Russell Okung of Oklahoma State.

That would be a decent selection, but it may be wiser to draft down. Trading with a team like Cleveland – who has already expressed interest in moving up could produce multiple draft picks to select offensive lineman or a more suitable running back.

There is far more opportunity for the Redskins - who don’t have a second round pick from the McNabb deal – with multiple mid-round picks than one No. 4 overall pick.

There are better ways to handle NFL OT

Months after the New Orleans Saints played their way into the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance, the NFL chose to adjust its sudden death overtime rule in playoff games. But rather than taking a step forward, the league diluted its extra period’s format.

The league changed the overtime rule – in the playoffs only – allowing the period to continue if the team who wins the coin flip kicks a field goal on its first possession. If the second team matches the field goal, the game will revert back to a sudden death format.

The idea is to allow both teams an opportunity to have the ball, but it just tones down the overtime period.

Personally, I like the sudden death format. If a team thinks they should get a possession, then force a turnover or stall the opposing offense – in short, play defense.

In college football, each team gets the ball at the 25-yard line. After each team takes its turn trying to score, the team with the most points wins. If it is still deadlocked, the process starts over. This system isn’t much better.

The best way for the NFL to handle overtime, if they insist on changing it, is to simply extend the game. Rather than debating between sudden death or some variation of that – like what was just installed – just add another 10 minute period.

Play the game for 10 more minutes and at the end of the game you have a winner or another 10 minute period until someone wins. There is not a need for complicated formats with silly rules, but that’s what the NFL has. It is also dumb to have the overtime rule apply only to postseason games.

Keep it simple NFL, just extend the game.

Despite production, Jones doesn't stick with NFL teams long

NFL running back Thomas Jones is the Rodney Dangerfield of professional football – he gets no respect.

Jones signed recently with the Kansas City Chiefs after he was released by the New York Jets.

Players are released all the time, but rarely are players shown the door after rushing for 1,402 yards and helping his team make it to the conference championship game. Such is the case for Jones.

In three seasons with New York, Jones rushed for 1,402, 1,312 and 1,119 yards respectively. That’s good production for any running back.

But the Jets have Shonn Greene waiting in the wings so it was “see ya” for Jones.

That’s a bad break, but it’s not the first time it has happened to Jones.

The running back rushed for 1,210 yards in 2006 for the Chicago Bears. He started all 16 games, lost just one fumble and was a key part of the Bears Super Bowl push.

The year before, he rushed for 1,335 yards in 15 games. But it was the same story in Chicago.

But, the Bears had used a fourth overall pick on Cedric Benson and traded Jones to give Benson an opportunity.

Here’s to hoping Jones works out for the Chiefs. Kansas City has parted ways with unhappy Larry Johnson, so anyone else should be a breath of fresh air for the franchise.

And for Jones’ sake, he better hope the Chiefs don’t draft a young running back in April’s draft.

Best sports video games of all time

I flipped on the TV looking for a sports fix. Neither the Winter Olympic opening ceremonies, the NBA All-Star Celebrity game nor the Sienna-Niagara college basketball team could keep my attention. So looking to alleviate boredom, I turned to video games.

I turned on my Wii and started playing Punch Out, and I thought to myself this is one of the greatest sports video games of all time. Whether you had the Mike Tyson version of the game growing up or the generic “Mr. Dream” version, after Tyson’s legal troubles, Punch Out offered hours of entertainment. It has always been a game I could go back to also, playing it over and over again.

As I was enjoying it and thinking the above paragraph to myself, I started making a list of the best sports video games of all time. So let’s take a look at my favorites by platform.

Nintendo – NES

Punch Out – Working your way up through the boxing ranks as Little Mac is a blast. Sparring with caricature fighters and spotting their weaknesses. My personal favorite is the fighter whose turban would blink before he’d throw a punch, giving you time to dodge and counter punch. Then he would spin around and your only defense is to duck and cover until he wears himself out, and then knock him to the canvas.

Techmo Bowl – I’ve gotten into a debate about which is better Techmo Bowl or Super Techmo Bowl. I stand by my choice of Techmo Bowl. I have a little bias because I’m a Bears fan and Chicago’s team features Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and Kevin Butler. Though the game is simple, allowing just four plays to choose fun, I can play it over and over again.

Track and Field – The key to Nintendo Track and Field was how quickly you could alternate between the A button and the B button. Anyone who scratches the controller is bush-league. It’s OK if you’re a beginner, but you can’t claim any records if you put a sock over your hand and run it back and forth over the buttons. I on the other hand alternate fingers. However, I learned my left index and middle fingers are quicker than my right, so I have to hold the controller upside down, but I dominate. If you plug in the mat and we use our feet, you’re toast.

Excitebike – Again, like most NES games it was simple. Race your dirt bike and avoid obstacles. You could even build your track. Just awesome.

Honorable mention – RBI Baseball, Blades of Steel, Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf

Sega Gamegear

NBA Jam – I never had a Gamegear, but my friend Andrew did and we both loved NBA Jam. It was terrific two-on-two basketball action with awesome dunks. My favorite combination was the Bulls’ Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant.

Super Nintendo

FIFA ’96 – At the time, I was playing soccer a lot throughout the spring, summer and fall. When I wasn’t physically on a soccer field, I was fine tuning my Super Nintendo soccer skills. FIFA ’96 had world and USA play – my favorite team was Atlanta and I had a fierce rivalry with Seattle. I didn’t know anything about either team, but the made up competition made the video game more intense. Another great feature was shoot-out play – you didn’t have to wait for a tie game in tournament play. I would compete in shoot-outs over and over again.

Super Mario Kart – The original Mario Kart was so much fun, working your way through the Mushroom, Flower and Star cups. Once you did that in 50 cc mode you’d advance to 100 cc. When you beat the three cups you unlocked the Special Cup. I had a blast beating it; ending with the Rainbow Road track, only to find out it opened a 150 cc class. This was much tougher to beat, but my senior year of college I finally claimed the gold in the 150 cc Special Cup … I almost cried.

Honorable mention – Atlanta ’96 (Olympics)

Playstation

Gran Turismo – A more realistic game than Mario Kart, Gran Turismo supplied me and my dad many hours of competition and entertainment. The game took a lot of work, but my Game Shark gave me the code to get unlimited money so I could by the fastest cars – then it didn’t take so much work.

NHL Faceoff ’97 – I had two hockey games NHL ’99 and NHL Faceoff ’97. Both were fun, but the fighting in NHL Faceoff was just a little more intriguing.

NFL Blitz 2000 – Just as violent has the NHL Faceoff fights; NFL Blitz encouraged late hits in a fast-paced seven-on-seven format. There was a lot of passing, big hits and taunting after the plays. It was a lot of fun.

Honorable mention – NBA Live 2000, NFL Gameday ’99, Triple Play ’99, Cool Boarders 2

Playstation II

Madden – It’s difficult to pick a specific year, because I played a lot of Madden while I was in college. I bought the game beginning in 2004 and every year after until 2009. The invention of the ‘hit stick’ was great, but I loved the ‘truck stick’ and ‘highlight stick’ – the Madden series really understood sticks. Superstar mode, where you played the game in a first person style sealed Madden as the best football game ever.

Athens 2004 – The Summer Olympic game for the 2004 event was my favorite Olympic game ever. Me and my friend James played this a lot. It was better than the Sydney game that came out four years before and was the first Olympic game I bought since Atlanta ’96 for the Super Nintendo. The rubber covering on my controller’s joysticks was ripped off because of the intense discus battles we had.

Honorable Mention – MLB the Show, NCAA Basketball, Strike Force Bowling

Wii

Wii Sports – Even though you can download classic games like Punch Out and Techmo Bowl onto the Wii, I’m only going to count games made for the system in this category. Having said that, the Wii Sports game that comes with the system is great. Bowling, boxing, tennis, golf and (the best) baseball offer players plenty of choices. The game is cool because it completely changed video games. People have to make the appropriate motions to play the game. Despite that it is still simple and nursing homes began using the bowling game as physical activity for their residents. I love the baseball and golf games on Wii Sports.

Honorable Mention – Wii Fit, Wii Play (these are listed as honorable mention because I’ve played them, but don’t know them well enough to expand on the games)

Super Bowl preview: New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints: 15-3

How they got here: The Saints, along with the Colts, got the NFL talking about the possibility of another 16-0 season. New Orleans got to 13-0 before losing to the Dallas Cowbys. The Saints lost their last two games of the season also, but still easily won the NFC South division.

In the playoffs, the Saints cruised past the Arizona Cardinals before locking horns with the formidable Minnesota Vikings in the NFC title game. New Orleans capitalized on five Viking turnovers, forced overtime and Garrett Hartley’s XX-yard field goal sent the Saints to the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

All season, the Saints enjoyed a high-powered offense, which ranked first in both points scored (31.9 per game) and yards (403.8 per game). The majority of the offense was generated by the arm of all-pro quarterback Drew Brees. New Orleans averaged 272.2 passing yards per game – ranking the squad fourth in the NFL. Running back Pierre Thomas complimented Brees’ ability and the Saints ranked sixth in rushing yards during the 2009 season.

When the team got to playoffs, Brees continued to make it rain on the field, completing 63.5 percent of his passes and ringing up six touch downs and zero interceptions.

Five players to watch:

Drew Brees – If the Saints hope to win Super Bowl XLIV, they’re going to need their leader to continue to perform at the high level he has all year. Brees is both an on-field and off-field leader and they will certainly look to him for guidance as the franchise embarks on a new experience – the Super Bowl. Brees is certainly a top-tier quarterback and, if he falters, the Saints will also.

Darren Sharper – The only offense that can match New Orleans is Indianapolis. Luckily for fans, they will be able to see the two go head-to-head. Like Brees, Peyton Manning is not prone to mistakes. In order for the Saints to win, they will need to force turnovers. They would not be in the Super Bowl this Sunday had Minnesota secured the ball. Sharper anchors the New Orleans secondary and has a nose for the ball. New Orleans ranked 26^th in pass defense during the year, but will have to step up and try to slow the Colts’ offense the best they can. Sharper is probably the best candidate on the Saints D to come up with a big play. If so, momentum and the score could shift in favor of New Orleans.

Reggie Bush – With two powerful offenses and vulnerable defenses on the field, special teams could play a gigantic role in this year’s Super Bowl. Bush has proven his value as a punt returner throughout the year and took a punt return to the house during the Arizona playoff game. When the Saints are able to stop the Colts’ attack, field position will be a hot commodity. Bush could put New Orleans in a position to get an easy score, whether it be a field goal or a touchdown. Look for special team – Indy’s or the Saints’ – to be the difference.

Garrett Hartley – The young kicker proved he won’t be easily rattled, when he lined up in OT in the NFC championship game and put the game-winner right down the middle of the uprights. It is unlikely the Saints will run away with the contest, so Hartley will need to be prepared to possibly kick another high-pressure field goal in the waning seconds – this time with the Lombardi Trophy on the line. For the same reason Bush’s efforts on special teams may be crucial, New Orleans may need to rely on the inexperienced kicker. He has a strong leg, he just needs to stay accurate.

Pierre Thomas – Perhaps the biggest question mark for both teams is the running game. So far this post season, the Colts and Saints main rushing threats have performed more or less equally. Thomas has rushed for 113 yards in the team’s playoff games, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He’s scored one touchdown. On the other side, Joseph Addai has carried 27 times (the same total as Thomas) for 103 yards, an average of 3.8 yards a carry. He has not scored a rushing TD and fumbled once. The Saints best defense could be their rushing attack. If Thomas can find success on the ground and take time off the clock, it would significantly handicap the Colts’ chances of winning. Thomas needs to step up and take some of the load of Brees and at the same time keep the defense honest. If he makes the defense respect the run, more passing lanes will open for Brees. Also, if Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney cannot recover from an ankle injury in time to play, the Saints could take advantage of his absence on the line.

The Saints will win the Super Bowl if …

Quite simply, everything goes right. New Orleans is a five-point underdog for a reason. The Colts are a better team. If the Saints can keep Manning off the field, force a turn over or two, run the ball successfully and not make mistakes, they will win the game (it’s that simple). Again special teams could play a huge roll and if the Saints start with better field position than the Colts it will make the aforementioned tasks easier to perform.

The Saints will lose the Super Bowl if …

They cannot stop Manning. The defensive staff and players have talked about “remember me” hits and look to deliver a few on the Indy all-pro. If Manning isn’t pressured he will pick apart the New Orleans secondary and utilize speedy Pierre Garcon, reliable Reggie Wayne and the most underrated player in the league Dallas Clark. Manning will win the game if he is not pressured.

No room for firearms in pro sports

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress stated he plans to play in the NFL again. He has to say ‘again’ because he’s currently serving a two-year prison sentence for carrying an unlicensed, concealed weapon, with which he accidently shot himself in a nightclub.

Burress was also suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The punishment kept the commissioner’s reputation for enforcing strict conduct standards intact.

In the wake of Burress’ nonsense, Washington Wizard all-star Gilbert Arenas was recently suspended indefinitely by NBA commissioner David Stern for keeping guns in his locker and brandishing one at a teammate during a dispute. Arenas has since said he was joking when he pulled the gun on Javaris Crittenton, but Stern didn't buy it. It was also rumored Crittenton had a gun of his own in the locker room.

The most recent gun related incident in sports reported was Dallas Cowboy fullback Deon Anderson allegedly threatened a restaurant employee with a gun during a dispute.

Sadly, this type of thing is becoming the same old story. Example like the ones above, Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones' trouble with the law, Tank Johnson’s gun issues and many other misconduct stories have surfaced time and again.

It is commendable the way Goodell has taken a moral stance against illegal activity, but maybe it’s time for owners and general managers to do the same. Why not make conduct clauses in contracts?

There are many, many examples of incentive clauses in contracts – hit 20 home runs this year, make an extra $5,000. How about to deter criminal behavior, players earn a bonus if they go home immediately after a competition?

“Hey Plaxico. You can have an extra $500,000 this year if you don’t go to nightclubs.” Sounds like a sweet deal for everyone involved. With that extra half-a-million, Burress could turn his home into a nightclub, inviting people he trusts and eliminating the need to arm himself.

If teams don’t want behavior incentives, they should find some other deterrent before another unnecessary, tragic story engulfs the world of sports.