Less than an hour to kick-off

[Ira]

I'm not a really big football fan (baseball and Yankees only), but when it comes to the finals and especially considering these two games today, I'm PSYCHED.

The first in Chicago, maybe snow and no dome, against the recently worst team in football...

And we're talking a cool game with a really electrified crowd.

So I'm going to pick up beer now, and for the 17th year in a row, I'm going to TRY to explain the rules of the game to my wife. It's not like I'm an expert or anything, but at LEAST I can explain to her certain elementary rules, like that you have to go 10 yards to get a first down.

A concept which, after 17 years, she STILL doesn't totally understand.

I say Bears and Patriots.

New England always does it, the Colts don't, the Saints ain't used to the cold, and they're playing in Chicago.

Bears and Patriots.

Plus, the law of averages.

[halfdome, Danny]

I know not many share my opinion on this butt...My take on it is, I don't know how football is played and I don't care. Don't like seeing grown men trying to kill each other then pat each other on the butt, it's disgusting behavior. Danny

[Miriam C.]

In the 6th grade all girls had to learn to play football on a piece of paper. We had to learn the rules to a lot of sport we were not allowed to play at school.

Perhaps the butt slap is the reason.

[asianflava]

I love it when they football in the snow or mud! It adds a totally different variable to the game. Baseball? Those wimps don't even play when it rains.

[Ira]

I love it when they football in the snow or mud! It adds a totally different variable to the game. Baseball? Those wimps don't even play when it rains.

Football doesn't go either in the rain or snow for the Super Bowl, which has to be in a domed or warm-weather stadium. But I guess this has everything to do with the half-time show and commecialism more than with anything else.

Second, there's nothing wimpish about a guy throwing a hard baseball at your head at 90 plus mph--and trying to HIT it. Now THAT takes balls.

160 GAMES A YEAR'S WORTH COMPARED TO THE PITIFULLY SHORT FOOTBALL SEASON!

Finally, and this is a fact which can not be disputed:

Baseball players do not dance, wiggle their hips, and act like total assholes when succesfully completing a play. When Bush from the Saints ran for that touchdown, and did a somersault into the end zone eben though no one was around him, what the hell is THAT crap about?

Anyway, I'm one for one:

Chicago kicked ASS, and it was one of the best games I've ever seen.

On to the Pats now.

[Classic Finn]

I know not many share my opinion on this butt...My take on it is, I don't know how football is played and I don't care. Don't like seeing grown men trying to kill each other then pat each other on the butt, it's disgusting behavior. Danny

Yup like a herd of angry bulls ....

How about a good game of Soccer, Rain or Snow... And not all that gear on...

Classic Finn

[BrwBier]

Racing is a true sport, baseball, basketball, and football only take one ball.

[asianflava]

A 90mph baseball is nothing compared to a 300lb lineman. Besides those wimps wear a helmet to protect against that baseball. The pitcher doesn't intentionally aim for their head like a lineman aims for YOU. The pads help but they don't protect you from broken bones.

Baseball is one of those things that is fun to play, fun to watch in person but there is no way I'd watch on TV. People complain that football is slow paced, baseball is even slower.

[Ira]

But in baseball, I always laugh when I hear the announcer say:

"Two balls on the batter..."



(I'm 50 years old and that joke has been cracking me up since I was 10.)

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

I am with Rocky on this I like to play baseball or go to a game in person but watching it on TV is too painful for me the only thing harder to watch is golf.

[kajamelu4]

You die-hard football fans should come see our powder puff game every fall. (powder puff games are played by girls) My 15 year old played this year, and skipped out onto the field and off each time she was put into the game. Her coach would just shake his head.

[Ira]

...but watching it on TV is too painful for me the only thing harder to watch is golf.

Baseball just fascinates me--but I know what you guys are talking about because I've certainly heard it before.

It's been described as two hours of sheer boredom broken up by seconds of intense excitement. But I'm glued to the edge of my seat for those seconds of excitement.

But gee...

Maybe a lot of this has to do with the fact that I'm a YANKEES fan, and that we're always in the playoffs?

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

But I'm glued to the edge of my seat for those seconds of excitement.

But gee...

Maybe a lot of this has to do with the fact that I'm a YANKEES fan, and that we're always in the playoffs?

I know what you mean. That is how I am during a basketball game (the whole game not just seconds at a time). Since I am a Spurs fan I know about being in the playoffs almost every year.

[angib]

I think you guys need to look at three sports to set your reference points:

1) Rugby. Maybe the hardest men of all - anyone who tapes their ears to their head to stop them getting knocked off in play isn't going to a tea party.

2) Basque Pelota - still played in the USA? As kids we were taught this is the most dangerous game of all - think of a baseball doing nearly 200mph - they do now wear helmets, but I think that is so they can bury you with all the bits.

3) Cricket. If you thought baseball was slow and impenetrable.......

This picture of a Pelota player has to be included because it looks so nice.



Andrew

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

Andrew,
What do you make of Beckham comming to the States, Do you think it will really change the US sports fans mind about Soccer? Now soccer is my favorite sport to watch and play. I played every year for the last 5 years until I tore my groin paid for a whole season and injured myself the week before the season started. Still not 100% and it has been over a year.