Category: NFL General

My name is Gary Gambino.  (No relation, wise guy.)  My column is entitled “The Silence of the Gambz.”  Enjoy.

If you look at the two teams getting ready to battle it out on February 6th in the Super Bowl, the Eagles and Patriots both have experienced coaches, two great quarterbacks, and two very qualified owners. However, the key to the success of these two franchises, especially the Patriots, is their balance.

With The Super Bowl approaching, I can’t help but think of one thing from last year’s Super Bowl.  Is it the Patriots winning? No. Does it have anything to do with football? Of course not.  When I think of the Super Bowl, I will forever think of the “Wardrobe Malfunction” that took place during the half time show last year.  

It’s implausible to imagine the player who broke the most coveted record in football being remembered as the guy that couldn’t win the big game. Peyton Manning bears that ugly scar. After shattering Dan Marino’s single season touchdown passing record, throwing for 49 TD passes, Manning’s legacy was almost guaranteed to be that of one of the greatest signal callers ever. That is, until last Sunday, when in three repugnant hours of chaos and confusion, it all melted away.

Last week was either a great week for the Sportscolumn crew or an easy week to pick. All favorites won. A couple of us (Milehigh, Vegas) picked the Colts in the upset and were summarily beat down. This week, we all agree on the winners, with the exception of Guru Ganu, who has had his brain turned to mush by either the cold weather in Boston or too much Sportscenter.

Last week, the Sportscolumn crew went 7-9, dragged down by Mile High’s 0-4, who did just about as good as the Broncos last weekend so he’ll be looking to make a comeback. There were 3 upsets in the first round but nobody got all three upsets right. This week, the Sportscolumn panel is agreeing on the first three games – take the Falcons, Steelers and Eagles. It’s fitting that the only game in dispute looks like it’s going to be the closest game all weekend.

NFL Draft Preview (picks 6-10)
by Dominic Lombardi

6th-Tennessee Titans: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami (FL)

I’m looking at the Titans offense and I see no holes. Running back Chris Brown is young and talented, wideout Drew Bennet is coming into his own as either Steve McNair or Billy Volek chuck it up to him. I chose Miami corner Antrel Rolle as Tennessee’s first round pick because in addition to Tank Williams, Andre Dyson and his brother Samari, who was plagued with injuries in ’04. If Samari isn’t ready for the start of 2005, there may be a sibling rivalry if Antrel shows promise while filling his place.

I’m going to guess that Fox announcer Joe Buck wasn’t watching the Dolphins and Browns a couple of weeks ago when after being sandwiched between 320 pound Orpheus Roye and the turf, Miami quarterback A.J. Feely stopped to vomit on his way to the sidelines.

I feel confident Buck didn’t see this, because he managed to sound pretty convinced when he repeatedly suggested that Randy Moss’ cheeky end zone celebration was the most “disgusting” thing to ever take place on a football field.

NFL Draft Preview

by Dominic Lombardi

1st-San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Cal

There are many who will say that John York should continue his complete facelift of his awful 2-14 49er team by picking USC QB Matt Leinart with the first pick in the April draft, but that would drive the Niners deeper into salary cap hell. Such a talented QB like Leinart would cost an arm and a leg. But who is the poor-mans Leinart? It is Cal QB Aaron Rodgers. His stats are right there with Leinart, but he was not covered as well nationally as Leinart was because Cal went to the Holiday Bowl, while USC went to the Orange Bowl. Bottom line: Rodgers will be as good as Leinart in the NFL, but will cost less which is very attractive to the 49ers.

Unbeknownst to me, the NFL competition committee has apparently changed the rules on field goals. In order to take the pressure off kickers and head coaches, the NFL has agreed that if a kicker misses the kick on third down, he is able to retry it on fourth down.