Live from Philadelphia

While I apologize for the recent three-week layoff, I assure you that it came in the service of a worthy cause--namely, my relocation to the city of Philadelphia. After days and days of resume-sending and apartment-hunting, I've finally found time to write a bit about a few recent goings-on in the world of sport. Here it is--a hodgepodge of current thoughts:

AFC Championship Game: While the Patriots' loss angered me in light of the fact that they were my preseason picks to win it all, I must admit that I am extremely happy to see Peyton Manning reach a Super Bowl. I tend to dislike grandiose, overgeneralizing statements--but I feel comfortable in asserting that anyone who is a fan of the NFL should give a tip of the hat to Peyton Manning. Who could possibly deny that a Manning Super Bowl win would represent the epitome of a feel-good sports story? The guy is a first-rate gentleman, a statistical juggernaut who is creating his own record book--and he's doing it with grace, humility, and controversy-free style.

Andy Roddick: Were it not for the existence of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick may well have won five or six Grand Slams at this point in his career. Unfortunately, he'll never one-up the Swiss machine, and his career may eventually be defined by his inability to overcome the Federer Effect. Think of all those highly talented Western Conference NBA teams, e.g. the Suns, Sonics, and Jazz, who had the misfortune of being great at the same time that Michael Jordan was in the league. I'd go so far as to say that some of those teams were better than others who won the NBA Finals before and since. Still, athletes and teams are rightfully judged in relation to their contemporaries; as Ric Flair so famously said, "To be The Man, you gotta beat The Man. Woooo!"

Tom Coughlin: A one-year extension? Gimme a break.

NBA: Would it be possible to petition David Stern to amend the Association's rules so that the Suns and Mavericks could meet in the most entertaining, highest-scoring Finals series ever?

Tiger Woods: Kudos to Tiger for insisting that he'll skip the British Open if his first child's birth coincides with the tournament. Hard to imagine... especially if he's already won the Masters and U.S. Open...

Super Bowl Prediction: Colts 24, Bears 14