The NFL free agency signing period opened yesterday with three of the biggest names on the list quickly signing with new teams.   With the collective bargaining agreement set to expire at the end of the 2011 season and with 2010 expected to be played uncapped, it was the Bears, Giants and Dolphins showing no fear wading into the free agency waters and making a splash.

Peppers Highlights First Day Of Free Agent Signings

The Bears struck first with the biggest name on the market in Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers.  With Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and the executive team on the hot seat, the conservative Bears opened their wallets to save their own hides.  Despite being on the north side of 30,  Peppers was showered with a six-year deal worth up to $91.5 million, with $42 million guaranteed.  Taking advantage of the uncapped season, the Bears loaded $20 million into the first season of the contract.  The Bears were very busy yesterday, also signing Vikings RB Chester Taylor and San Diego TE Brandon Manumaleuna.

It’s do or die in the Windy City.

A similar atmosphere loomed in the Meadowlands yesterday, with the New York Giants scrambling to fill holes in a defense that went from being the best in the NFL to the worst in the NFL in the middle of one season.  With gaping holes at linebacker and safety, the Giants will likely address these areas of need in both the free agency signing period and at the draft.  With a treasure trove of linebackers in the draft, the Giants passed on Arizona LB Karlos Dansby and signed his teammate, S Antrel Rolle, fresh off his first Pro Bowl since converting from cornerback.

Rolle was released by the Cardinals last week in a salary dump move.  Rolle was due a $3 million roster bonus as well as an $8 million salary for the final season of his contract.  The Giants were quick to swoop in and pick up the top safety on the market and make him the highest paid safety in NFL history.  The deal is a five-year contract worth $37 million, of which $15 million is guaranteed.

After losing out on Rolle, the Miami Dolphins targeted Dansby to fill the hole left by the departure of the talented malcontent LB Joey Porter.   Dansby is the first change made under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to fix a defense that melted under pressure and caused the Dolphins to miss out on back-to-back playoff appearances.  Dansby was awarded a five year deal worth $43 million, with $22 million guaranteed.

The first day of free agency was marked by defense, defense, defense.   Outside of the Baltimore Raven’s trade for Anquan Boldin, very little news occurred on that side of the ball.  Expect to see momentum pick up on offensive signings in the next few days.

With a looming lockout and potential uncapped season lying in front of the NFL and its players, the 2010 NFL free agency signing period will be one of the most unique in years.  Teams will be unsure of who to go after and what type of contract they should offer.  Players will be concerned with what looms in their future if a resolution between the players and league cannot be reached.

Owens Back On The Market

But one for thing is for sure, Jerry Jones is loving the jambalaya stew he’s cooked up with his greedy thirst to purchase his next Lombardi Trophy.

Here are some of the interesting highlights during this signing period:

Jason Campbell, QB Washington Redskins

The Redskins have a new coach and another new offensive system.  Mike Shanahan knows how to develop a quarterback, so Jason Campbell could finally be in good hands.  As a restricted free agent, it is likely that the Skins will tender him because there are no better options in the open market.  Campbell has improved significantly over the last two years, although it has been overshadowed by poor coaching and personnel decisions.  Expect the Skins to re-sign Campbell to a short-term agreement and draft Sam Bradford in the upcoming draft.

Chester Taylor, RB Minnesota Vikings

Here’s a guy your heart bleeds for.  He was the Vikings’ big free agent signing in 2006, ran for a solid 1,216 yards and proved his worth.  They go and draft Adrian Peterson and the rest is history.  Taylor is probably the best running back in the NFL not starting or splitting duties at the RB position.  At age 30, he likely has little left in the tank, but you really want to pull for this guy to get a nice contract which he deservedly earned.   Hopefully he’ll get a chance for a few more carries in his next stop.

Terrell Owens, WR Buffalo Bills

Surprise, Surprise.  T.O. is a free agent again.  After one very underperforming season, the Buffalo Bills said adieu to everyone’s favorite malcontent.  But don’t cry for T.O., there is a sucker born every minute and it appears that its John Harbaugh’s time to assume the position of village idiot.  Expect T.O. to land in Baltimore very quickly.

Bobbie Williams, OL Cincinnati Bengals

This is the last guy Carson Palmer wants to see leave, but he might as well pack the bags for the guy who protects his hide.  The Bengals proved this past season that if Palmer is healthy they are a team to be reckoned with.  But given Williams’ perceived value in the open market, it is unlikely that Cincy will be able to afford to bring him back.

Julius Peppers, DL Carolina Panthers

It is very unlikely that the Panthers will franchise Peppers for another season and pay him an exhorbitant one-year salary.  And the rest of the league knows it.  Already, Peppers is the top name in the free agency rumors mills.  It is  already swirling that the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles are interested.  As good as Peppers has been, he is moving to the wrong side of thirty and it is unlikely that he can live up to the contract he will likely sign.  His raw talent will make teams look past his inconsistency on the field and he’ll get one last big contract because a DL that can sack a QB is priceless.

Karlos Dansby, LB Arizona Cardinals

I realize Dansby has definitely started to slide back, but he is still under 30 and is the most high-profile LB at the position.  And it doesn’t hurt that almost every other LB that is a free agent is restricted.  Dansby’s unrestricted status will make him extremely appealing to teams not interested in having to give up a draft pick for simply signing him.  It is unlikely Dansby will be back in Arizona as they re-tool their defense.  Expect to see Dansby come East and land either with the New York Giants or Philadelphia Eagles.

Dunta Robinson, DB Houston Texans

Here’s one sure bet, Dunta Robinson wishes he could go back and reconsider his decision to sidestep training camp in a contract dispute like he did last season.  Playing in a contract year, Robinson put up the worst stats of his career and became a liability on defense for the Texans.  There no chance at all the Texans will franchise him, so he is jumping out of a plane without a parachute.  Expect Robinson to languish on the free agency wire and be begging for a job.

Darren Sharper, DB New Orleans Saints

After being dumped by the Minnesota Vikings due to a poor 2008 season, the Saints took a chance on an aging safety with hopes that he had one more season left in him.  What a signing!  Not only did he have a season left in him, he single-handedly led the Saints defense to a Super Bowl championship, setting a record for interception yards in a season along the way.  Unfortunately, the Saints have a lot a players to re-sign and Sharper will likely be the odd man out.  Expect to see Sharper playing elsewhere in 2010.

Shayne Graham, K Cincinnati Bengals

Typically one of the most trustworthy kickers in the league, Graham hit rock bottom in his contract year.  Early in the season, they cut his long-time long snapper Brad St. Louis after Graham went into a funk.  Things improved and then came the playoffs.  With his team in comeback mode, Graham missed a 28-yard field goal that took the wind out of the sails of his team and sent the fans heading to the gates.  Kickers rarely survive after missing such a critical easy chip shot, so don’t expect Graham to be back in Cincy next year.

Brett Favre has thanked the fans of the Minnesota Vikings and has said that he has no regrets on playing for them last season. He has also indicated that he could not have enjoyed  the season anymore than he did. He has the support of many of his fellow players and fans. But as usual, Brett Favre is not letting the cat out of the bag when it comes to playing for the Vikings for  one more season. Why is he going down this road again?…

Brett Favre is not talking yet on coming back next year.

I think that if Favre truly believes in what he says, he should make his decision sooner than later. He has made a habit of being in limbo on this decision before  and that is not fair to the  fans or his teamates. He had one of his best sesons statistically and was as close as you could get in bringing the Vikings to the Super Bowl. I would think that he would want to redeem himself after  the mistakes he made in the NFC championship game against the Saints including another costly interception in overtime that sealed the Vikings fate. Maybe it was the last choke we will see by Favre and maybe he doubts himself when it counts most.

Favre did sign a two year contract so that is another reason to make a decision fast. Live up to your word and your contract and make a decision. Don’t make people wait and create the drama the you clearly crave.  While I personally think Favre should hang it up, I want him to step in the pocket and make a decision timely. Quit with the indecisiveness.

I admit, I was one of those Vikings fans that dreaded the idea of the hated ex Green Bay QB wearing the Purple and Gold.

• I made puking sounds when I saw the Photoshop pictures of Favre in a Vikings uniform.
• I made gagging sounds when I heard that yes he COULD become a Viking.
• I gave the evil eye to whomever said that yes, he would be coming to Minnesota to play.
• I stared unbelieving at the TV as the SUV moved along 494 toward Winter Park, which oddly reminded me of the OJ chase.

No, not Brett Favre who had been a thorn in our side for 16 years. Who I called many names, including Diva, spoiled, Hick, among many others. I remember laughing at him as he cried through his retirement speech. Cheering when he broke the record for most INTs, booing him as he acted like a big baby and hid from cameras when the Pack was losing big to the Vikings years ago, his trainers hiding him with towels. How pathetic is that?

It wasn’t because I didn’t think Favre was talented, oh no! It was because Favre was still considered a PACKER even if he hadn’t been on the team for over a year. After all, for 16 years he led the Packers to numerous championships, including two super bowls. He out played our team, out smarted our defense and basically was the icon for the Green Bay Packers. I have nothing against the Packers. I admire their history and feel they are the one true football team still around, it’s the annoying, arrogant, cheese and beer addled fans I can’t stand. I do work on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin and unfortunately work with a bunch of cheese heads. For those years that Favre was leading the Pack they had boosting rights. Except for a couple of those years I could not say too much, but then again, they were winning championships and our coach took a knee. What can be said to that?

When Favre left GB and wanted to come back, we Viking fans just sat there and watched the tennis match between the future hall of famer and the somewhat confused (at least it seemed to me) Green Bay Packers duke it out. It was not pretty, nor was it clean. It was a messy, silly and somewhat very drawn out match and we LOVED it!! Meanwhile we were slowly and quietly building not only a good team, but a great team. Signing free agents like the Williams boys and Jared Allen. Making smart and superior draft picks like Adrian Peterson. The only missing link seemed to be… a QB. What we had was not going to cut it.

When Favre didn’t back down, and it was obvious that the Pack didn’t want him, nor did they want US to have him (rumor had it he wanted to come here BADLY) they traded him to the Jets in a very smart deal with a “poison pill” attached. I say smart, because at the time it was, but it almost bit them in the butt when Favre played very well, until hurt late in the season. The Jets dropped him and once again, Favre not so tearfully retired from football.

Not so fast!

Enter the Vikings, notably Brad Childress with his ALMOST perfect team. Brett Favre was now available, with no contract, no poison pill…the only problem was he was going to be 40 years old, hurt and yes, retired (but does that even count when talking about Brett Favre??) And, yes, sadly when you look at the whole NFL the best QB available. Now to convince the “old gunslinger” he still had another year or maybe two in him.

Once again, we had the tennis match, only we were on the other side of the net, but we did not have much to lose in this match. If he didn’t want to UN-retire, then we go on with what we have (yikes!) or, if he did we deal with his obvious flaws and hopefully fill that gaping hole at QB, but with risks….lots of risks!!

There were signs this deal was done months before. Brett had his shoulder operated on. He worked out at home with high school kids he coached. He looked dang good throwing that ball too. Then of course the rumored phone calls, and then the famous pick up from the airport and the SUV drive. You’d think the president was in town the way it was played out here.

Brett signed and was on the practice field that afternoon. Seeing him in the red #4 jersey and Viking helmet seemed surreal to me. I thought this cannot be happening.

Brett missed camp, but after all his years did he really need it? He also was familiar with the offense and just had to build some chemistry with the receivers. Two of them very young, Sydney Rice and rookie Percy Harvin. Sounded easy huh?

And it was!

Again, I still had to rub my eyes when he stepped out onto the field but after awhile it seemed natural. He jelled, he threw, he took apart defenses like they were playing high school teams and not professional football teams. He built that chemistry with Harvin, Barrian and especially Sydney Rice. There were rumors of locker room problems, but after the rest of the team squashed that, nick naming him the “silver fox” putting a rocking chair by his locker on his 40th birthday and of course the butt slapping.

• Brett made them believe in themselves
• Brett kept them in the game, even when down.
• Brett made them a better team.
• Brett made it fun to watch football again.

Now of course I am a Brett fan. He’s not that spoiled diva I read about. He’s a good old boy that loves football, and yes has a big ego but he should and needs one for the work he’s doing. He does sometimes let that ego get in the way but that’s part of the price we pay to have him.

The first time they played the Packers, Brett played flawlessly, and the Packers didn’t have a chance. His predecessor, a decent QB himself Aaron Rogers looked like a deer in the headlights. It was beautiful!!

The 2nd Packer meeting in Green Bay only reinstates how I feel about cheese heads. When Randy Moss left the Vikings years before it was not for all good reasons. Randy obviously wanted to go somewhere else, and the Vikings were OK with letting him go feeling his best years were behind him. Randy had had his problems and only hung on because of his amazing talent. Most Vikings fans miss him, even with his off field problems and sometimes on field problems, Randy was a blast to watch in his hay day. When Randy returned to Minnesota he was greeted with applause. One notable picture I saw was of the famous Viking fan, Syd who dresses up like a Viking at games, was offered a seat in the end zone of a Patriots game. Randy caught a TD and went over and shook hands with Syd. It’s a touching picture and tells you how much Randy respects the Viking fans and how much we respect him… not so with the cheese heads and the QB who put their little hole in the wall town on the map. Who brought back a team that sucked for a decade and made them respectable. Who won a super bowl for them and was their hero for 16 years… noooooo, these morons booed him and booed him relentlessly the whole game. The most disgusting thing I saw was a “funeral” with a dressed up dummy of GB QB Favre in a coffin. The obscene shirts and the burning of jerseys…. SHAME on you Packer fans!! THIS is why you are so hated. I hope because of all of this that Brett goes into the Hall of Fame as a Viking and not a Packer just to stick it to them…one more time.

The Dallas playoff game had to be one of the best games. The defense won it, but Brett took apart their defense as if he were drawing up the plays on them. The famous Pants on the Ground chant showed how much these guys enjoyed playing together.

The NFC championship game was sad, since the Vikings out played the Saints in every way but turnovers. This game Brett played his heart out. He played with close to a broken ankle brought on by cheap shots from the Saints who hit him when he was unprotected. I believe they should start ejecting players since fining them seems to do no good. And I heard that the fans were yelling at him as he lay in pain getting it taped. Yelling that they hoped he’d never walk again… sickening, sad and totally classless fans. Shame on you too!! Even at his most “divaish” I never wished him any ill will.

Watching his press conference after the game you just could not see him wanting to come back. He looked tired and all of his 40 years. Yet when you saw Percy and Sydney talk about him, how much they admired him and how much they learned from him, begging him in their way to come back you wonder. And it is Brett Favre. He’s a “never say never” kind of guy. We won’t know until training camp is almost over if he’ll back or not.

I do hope so. What Viking fan would not want to relive that magic again? It was, for the first time in a very long time, fun to watch a Viking game. But for his sake… I’m on the fence. I feel for his family who had to watch him get pummeled in that playoff game. It was brutal, but my new pal Brett is tough.

Tennis anyone??

Super Bowl Sunday is finally here and it is now time to analyze the game to determine who will come out on top.  Both teams have a plethora of offensive weapons at the disposal of their outstanding quarterbacks.  But it will come down to which defense steps up to get stops and turnovers that will determine who walks away with the victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

Peyton Manning will not be denied his second Super Bowl title.

The Colts rushing game has been less than spectacular on the ground this season.  Perhaps Joseph Addai is saving his biggest game for the biggest stage. He has been inept a lot of the time this year but does have the talent to have a break through game at anytime.

The Colts have the passing weapons to compensate for the lack of a rushing game.  Peyton Manning has four targets to chose from. Reggie Wayne is the stud who makes Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie much better receivers by forcing double teaming situations.

One on one coverage is just what the Colts want to see from the Saints defense.

Throw in a very versatile and talented tight end in Dallas Clark, and you have  a passing game that will keep you guessing on who the ball is going to.  Manning will use them all throughout the game and the Saints defense will be on their heels all night long.

The Colts defense has been steady all year long.  They have depth and speed.  They are small in size but are ball hawking and can disrupt an offense.  They do have a major question on the injury front to their star pass rusher Dwight Freeney.  He has been hobbled with an ankle injury and his effectiveness will be questionable at best on Sunday.  The Saints do have a high powered offense, so the Colts defense will have to use that depth and speed to make up for it.  They will need stops to get the ball back to Peyton Manning and the offense.

The Saints also have a diversified offense that has a number of weapons.  They have been enjoying the resurgence of Reggie Bush in the postseason.  Bush has been making big plays both on offense and special teams.  That is the dual threat that the Saints were hoping for when they drafted him as the #2 overall pick.  He is complemented in the backfield  by Pierre Thomas who has fit in well when asked to catch or carry the ball.

Their receiving core is lead by Marques Colston who is their homerun threat.  Colston takes pressure off Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, opening up lanes for them to freely run their routes.  He plays a role much like Wayne does for the Colts.  If you pay too much attention to him, his fellow teammates will make you pay for it.  Drew Brees does have the talent to light up the scoreboard which is why the Colts defense needs stops.

The Saints defense is opportunistic and looks for the turnover at all times.  They will need to try to confuse Manning and come up with stops and turnovers to get the victory today.  They did it to perfection against the Vikings in the NFC Championship game, coming up with five takeaways.  Without those turnovers, they would not be playing today.

The defense will be scheming under their defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.  The game plan will be to come at all angles hoping to confuse Manning and force him into mistakes.  This will be the key to a Saints victory.  They must bend but not break as they have all year long.  We will see if they can stop Manning and company.

Bend or Break.

After analyzing all this, my prediction is the Colts.  The Saints defense will not be up to the task of stopping Manning. Manning will be too determined and figure out the schemes that will be coming at him.  He is a master of calling the audible and the Saints defense just doesn’t have the talent to deal with this.  He will use his receivers  well and keep Brees and the Saints offense off the field.  He will act like a type of defense therefore taking pressure off his own defense.

Manning just won’t be denied his second  Super Bowl ring and Super Bowl MVP trophy.

Prediction: Colts 41  Saints 27

Gregg Williams will have to have his defense come up big on Super Bowl Sunday.

I think the Saints chances of winning the Super Bowl primarily rest on the shoulders of their defense. While Drew Brees and company will be a factor, the defense must come up with both stops and turnovers to get the victory over the favored Colts and Peyton Manning…

The Saints defense has been opportunistic all year long with the turnover. They have had a knack  for coming up with the big play when needed and it resulted on them winning a whole bunch of games. I would consider the a bend but don’t break type of defense.You do not have to look too far to see what I mean. They took full advantage of the miscues by Bret Favre and the Vikings in the NFC Championship game. They converted five turnovers into a trip to the Super Bowl.They are going to need this kind of fortune to take out the Indianapolis Colts tomorrow night. The defense must come up big.

The Saints will use a gambling type of defense to try to confuse Manning and make him make bad hurried decisions. They will try to come at him at all angles and keep him guessing on where people are going to come from on the field. Manning will need to figure out and make adjustments on the run. If the Saints do not guess right, Manning will make them pay. This defense must pull this off or else there will be no celebration in the “Big Easy.” It will be a gamble, The Saints will hope to win the gamble.

The offense on the other hand will need to use ball control to move the chains and keep Manning and company off the field. Drew Brees will have to stay away form his own mistakes and keep his offense on the field. The Colts are banged up on defense and their premiere pass rusher Dwight Freeney is probable so the Saints can take advantage of this with proper management on offense. This will help them  to victory but will need more from  the defense to pull off the upset. Brees will have his shot to outshine the Hall Of Famer Manning.

A lot of people think the Saints are a “team of Destiny.” While they well could be, their destiny relies in the play or lack of play of their defense.

It is time to talk about what will it take for the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl. A closer look reveals that it will start and end with their superstar quarterback Peyton Manning…

Manning's Mangement will be the key for the Colts to win the Super Bowl.

It will all come down to proper management by the field general, and he knows what it takes to win the Super Bowl. The Saints will take gambles on defense and when those gambles fail, the cerebral Manning will make them pay dearly. Turnovers are the bread and butter for the Saints defense, and Manning will advert them with his reads and audibles when he comes to the line of scrimmage.

The Colts will try to establish the run with runningbacks Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. If they can run the ball, their passing game will be that more effective. The Colts have not been that effective rushing, so it will remain to be seen how long they will stick to this game plan if not effective.The Colts and Manning are good enough to overcome this because of the diversity they have on the receiving core. Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon and Dallas Clark can all beat you down field. These number of options will keep the Saints defense guessing on defense on which player will be the focus on any giving play. This is where Manning will eat you up alive.That is too many options for the Saint’s defense to cover all  over the field.

As far as the Colts on defense themselves, they are banged up . Their primary pass rusher on defense Dwight Freeney has a hurt ankle. This could hinder the ,defense but they have enough speed and depth to overcome it. This is why it tis more vital for Manning to keep the chains moving on offense and keep Drew Brees and the Saints offense off the field. Proper management will be vital.

As long as Manning takes advantage of these opportunities, the Colts will be in great shape for the victory. In my opinion, he will have a ample amount of chances to exploit the Saint’s defense. The Saints came up big against the Vikings and Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game which is why  they won the game.Relying on turnovers is a tough and hard way to win a football game.  Peyton Manning is a different animal and will not make the same mistakes as the 40 year Favre did. Manning will use the football filed like he is playing chess, and it will be check mate for  he Saints defense. I am not going to say that it will easy, but Manning will be up to the task. It could be a very long day for the Saint’s defense  because of Manning Management.

Adding to the misery of the  Minnesota Vikings fans after their devastating loss in the NFC Championship is whether their starting quarterback Brett Favre will be back next season.  The question arises on whether he should return or retire.

Favre is  coming off of one of his best statistical seasons of his career.  He passed for 4202 yards with 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.  He also completed a impressive 68.4 of s passes.  He led the Vikings to a 12-4 record , good enough to win the NFC North division.

Minnesota then defeated Dallas 34-3 in the division round of the playoffs in which Favre threw a career best four touchdown passes.  He had the Vikings on the brink of the Super Bowl in New Orleans, when he made another poor decision that sealed their fate.

Most of the Minnesota players want him back next year.  That is definitely in his favor for a return.

The poor decision in question is his third down pass that was intercepted when he had the Vikings in field gaol range at the end of regulation in the NFC Championship game. Instead of running, passing to a receiver in front of him, he threw cross field and got picked off.

This is what you get from a gunslinger like Favre.

He tries to force things when they are not there.  While sometimes they pay off, this time it blew up in his face when it counted the most.  Favre did the same thing a couple of years ago in Green Bay against the New York Giants.  He again tried to force a pass, when there were other open receivers ,and it ended up with another interception.  The Packers lost, and the Giants became Super Bowl Champions.

This seems to becoming a habit for #4.

I think that the rigors of the NFL season leaves Favre with nothing left at the end of the season both physically and mentally.  This takes a toll on Favre and must effect his play deep in the playoffs.  I would suggest that he hand the reigns to a younger quarterback.  Favre does not have what it takes to to lead his team to the ultimate goal of a Super Bowl title.  He should hang up the #4.

The Minnesota Vikings suffered a devastating loss yesterday at the hands of the New Orleans Saints 31-28 in overtime in the NFC Championship. It would be easy to blame some very shaky officiating in overtime, but a closer look tells the story of a team that has nobody to blame but themselves…

The Vikings outplayed the Saints everywhere but on the scoreboard. They moved the ball up and down on the field outgaining the Saints 475-257. The Vikes defense played  more than well enough to get this team to the Superbowl. It was the miscues by the offense lead by Brett Favre that sealed their fate.

The Saints had   more that a couple of “Home Town” calls in overtime. In particular was running back Pierre Thomas fourth and inches dive that appeared to be a certain first down. The officials went to replay. The replay showed that Thomas did not have  control of the ball where the ball was spotted. It should have been spotted behind the first down marker giving the ball to the Vikings. Another big blown call was a catch by wideout  Robert Meachem jut before the game winning field goal. Meachem’s catch was ruled a completion on the filed. The officials again reviewed the play that showed Meachem had trapped the ball. The Saints benefited again and Garret Hartley kicked a 40 yarder than sent them to the Super Bowl.The Vikings have reason to feel they were ripped off. If you going to rely on the instant replay, get the calls right. Everybody saw what I saw and it cost a team the right to play in the SuperBowl . WOW!

But as I said, this is only part of the story. If the Vikings protected the ball, it would of never have gotten to the point of overtime. Minnesota had five turnovers in all. Three fumbles and two interceptions. Percy Harvin fumbled deep in his own  territory that lead to a Saints touchdown. Bernard Barrian also fumbled when the Vikes were on the move. But the biggest culprit was quarterback Brett Favre. Favre lost a fumble and had two picked off. The first two were drive killers and the last one sealed preventing them for ending the game at the end of regulation.

On third down and in field goal range, Favre made a decision that was reminiscent of a couple of years ago.Favre had room to run and a receiver right in front of him on the sideline that would of picked up very valuable yardage towards a game winning kick. But instead of seeing right in front of him, the gunslinger threw cross field that ended in a devastating interception. Green Bay fans will remember him doing that against the Giants a couple of years. Favre also had more viable options then but choked then as he did now. He will receive no sympathy form them. Favre ended up 28-46 for 310 yards, a touch and two picks. But it was his last pass, like Green Bay, that will be remembered by Viking fans. The Hall of Famer will have a long off season to think about a very poor decision.

The Vikings have lost five straight NFC Championship games. I have a little sympathy for them. I am a Eagles fan. They have lost four out of five. My advice for the fans of Minnesota is; Some things are not meant to be!

There is nothing worse in sports when poor officiating impacts the result of a game.  It is magnified when it happens in a game that decides who plays for the championship.  The NFL is dealing with just this problem tonight, as Pete Morrelli’s crew totally dropped the ball with their erroneous calls that led to a New Orleans Saints overtime victory and a spot in the Super Bowl.

Vikings Robbed By RefereesSaints Fans Rollick In Delight

During the overtime period, Morrelli’s crew had five erronous calls over a stretch of five plays where poor judgment was displayed, each time in favor of the Saints.   The first error occurred on the spot of a Devery Henderson catch that gave the Saints about an extra half yard to the first down marker on third down.  Despite clear evidence that it was a beneficial spot, backed up by Fox’s Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, the booth review didn’t change the spot.

On the very next play, fourth down, Pierre Thomas dive-bombed over top his line at what appeared to be a clear first down with forward momentum.  Hold the phone.

Replays showed that Thomas lost secure control of the ball, meaning that forward momentum no longer applied.  After a booth review, and again there is clear evidence that Thomas lost secure control, no change of spot occurred on the ball.

Now with a fresh set of downs thanks to the gratuitous nature of the officials, Brees drops back to pass.  First, Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen is tackled from behind by Saints guard Jhari Evans.  A textbook hold that they teach NFL officials the first day of training.  No call.

To make matters worse, the referees decided to call a pass interference on the play against Ben Leber.  First, Leber never even made physical contact with the intended receiver, David Thomas.  Slow motion replay shows no contact occurred and Fox’s Aikman questioned whether contact was made.  Second, the ball was overthrown by seven yards.  Thomas turned to make the catch at the 30 yard line, the ball landed on the 23 yard line.  This is what the rule book terms uncatchable.

After planting Reggie Bush into the ground for a 5 yard loss, the final nail was placed into the coffin by the referees.  Brees delivers a pass over the middle to Robert Meachem.  The pass was ruled a catch on the field.  Clear replay evidence shows that Meachem never caught the ball, only trapped it against his leg before the ball touched the ground.   Again textbook rule says no catch and once again, Fox’s Aikman says the pass should be ruled an incomplete pass.

Not today folks.  Booth review rules that it was a catch, setting up the Saints for the game winning field goal that Garrett Hartley would knock down the middle.

Nothing disappoints fans more than watch athletes that give their all be robbed by officials.  Even worse when it happens and decides who plays in the Super Bowl.

Obviously, Roger Goodell will be mum on this and support his officials.  It would just be so politically incorrect to be mean to the people of New Orleans.  They’ve suffered enough.

Congrats to the folks in the Big Easy on winning your first NFC Championship…asterisks and all.