Rich Talks Sports

The Indianapolis Colts will play host to the San Diego Chargers this Saturday at 8 PM ET. The game is set to be televised on NBC from the beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium. This will truly be a good game. This is the playoffs so whatever has happened during the season can typically be thrown out the window. So, I would like to look at what each team must do to win.

Looking at the visitingChargers first, I think the biggest key will be if they can keep Peyton and his offense off the feild. If they can control the tempo of this game, then they have a better chance to win. If they attempt to get into a shoot out with Manning and company, I think that they will come up short. The time that the Chargers defense is on the field will be key. If they are on for more than 25 minutes of this game, the Chargers lose.

As for the Colts, it is really simple. Get your high power, high scoring offense on the field and keep them there. Wear down the defense of San Diego and score often. The offensive line will be a huge factor here and if they can protect Peyton and give him the time that he needs then he will find Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, or Dallas Clark. Factor in the running back tandem of Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes and it gets even scary.

Ultimately, I think that the biggest factor in the two teams will be that of the defensive backs. Whichever teams DB does the best job will ultimately come out on top. If I had to make a predicition, and I do, I see this game going to the Colts with a final score of 37-24.

This is by far my favorite time of the year. From here till the Super Bowl in February, I will be glued to the television. You see, first I am an Indianapolis Colts fan through an through. Secondly, I am a New York Giants fan. And, lastly, but not least, I am a football fan. When it is all over, I am said for a few weeks and then baseball kicks in.

This year, both my AFC and NFC teams are in. My wish would be to see them both meet in Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st. For that to happen, the Colts have an up hill battle. The Giants have it a little easier as they have one less game to play.

All in all, it is conceivable that they can meet in the finals. But, it remains to be seen who moves forward and who stays behind. Who is your pick?

I always find it interesting when someone states that a rookie head coach is unseasoned and does not bring much to the table. It is difficult to swallow such a generalization. I like to talk more about them on a singled out level so that I am addressing the individual coach and his ability/inability to get the job done. Lane Kiffen was a good example of a coach that could not get it done. Steve Spurrier was a good example of a coach that could not get it done.

Well, today, lets take a 3 rookie coaches that showed that they could get it done. It is funny that all three of these head coaches and their teams held an 11-5 record for this year.

The first has to be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. I have to say that I really have never heard of Tony Sparano until this season. To me, he was pretty much an unknown. This guy had a great leader sitting in the box upstairs and had some awesome players that were on his sidelines. But, his greatest accomplishment was making Chad Pennington the starting quarterback. It was classical watching Favre fail and the Jets dreams crushed by the one they divorced.

The second would be that of John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. When I thought of the Ravens in the beginning, I never really thought that they would be contenders. Joe Flacco played his heart out and so did the defense. The Ravens did what they need to this season.

The last one would be that of Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons. I really did not think that Matt Ryan and Michael Turner could do the job. Well, frankly, they proved me and a lot of others wrong. They more than did the job.

So, in a nutshell, congratulations to these three head coaches on their trip to the playoffs in their rookie season.

Today, Marvin Harrison was in the Indianapolis Colts lineup well after the other starters had exited the game. The reason was clear to see. He had his eye on surpassing Chris Carter on the all time receptions list. He needed just 7 catches today to take over sole possession of second place behind the great Jerry Rice. On the seventh catch, Marvin was tackled and when he rose, it was to a standing ovation.

Marvin started his career in 1996 as he was a first round selection for the Colts in the NFL Draft. Harrison ran a streak of Pro Bowl selections that spanned from 1999 all the way to 2006. Harrison now has 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. The records that he has set have been the testament to how well him and Peyton Manning work together on the field. However, today would not be a record that would be achieved with the help of Peyton. This time it was Jim Sorgi that threw the pass that Harrison caught to put him in second place.

One thing is for sure in Indianapolis. Marvin Harrison will be remember for a long time to come. It will remain to be seen if he can upend the current raining receiver.

You heard that right. The biggest name in baseball is being mentioned in trade talks as I am writing this article. I am sure that his name will bring about a lot of buzz as well. The problem is, this might not be the “big” player that you are thinking of. The name that is being mentioned is that of Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He just so happens to carry the largest single last name in all of baseball history.

Rumors have it that the Boston Red Sox are in pursuit of the young and talented catcher. Saltalamacchia was traded to the Texas Rangers by the Atlanta Braves along with 4 prospects. The deal was made to bring first baseman Mark Teixeira and reliever Ron Mahay to Atlanta. The deal was realized on July 31, 2007. Salty, as affectionately known with the Atlanta Braves, just came off a stint in the Dominican Winter League where he did nothing more than hit .364 while crushing 9 home runs in a 20 game spread.

I wonder if he can play first base. I think that the Atlanta Braves could deal with a power hitting first baseman that can switch hit. Can some call up Frank Wren?

This is what NFL football fans live for each and every season. The week 17 games have more meaning than I have seen them have in some time. For way too many years, teams have clinched weeks ahead of time and there was not really much of a race at the end. Well, that is not really the case this year. Lets take a look at the games that have something at stake.

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings - Giants have clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC, however, if the Vikings lose, they could be out of the playoffs.

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills - The Bills season is all but over. With that said, they are primed and pumped to be able to spoil the Patriots post season hopes. A loss might throw out the Patriots for good.

Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans - The Texans are playing for the .500 record and they are looking to spoil the vision of post season games that the Bears have.

Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Raiders have only one thing to play for; Spoiler. The Bucs have to win this game if they want to play in the post season.

Jacksonville Jaguars versus Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens are longing to go to the post season but has to get past a Jaguars team that has nothing to lose.

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - If the Dolphins win, then they win the AFC East. If the Jets win, they can throw a monkey wrench in the final spot for the AFC.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles are playing for pride more than anything else. Well, that and the chance to keep the Cowboys out of the playoffs. A loss and these guys can go to Mexico without any worries at all.

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers - plan and simple, winner take all and gets my Colts in the first round. OUCH.

One has to wonder if Jerry Jones will make a major change in the off season. In my book, if Dallas somehow pulls our a playoff berth this weekend, Wade Phillips might still have a shot in returning in 2009. However, if they do not make it into the playoffs, then in my opinion, Jerry has no other alternative than to look elsewhere for a head coach.

The bad thing for Wade is the fact that if he wants to stay in Dallas, he needs to win on Sunday and hope that 3 other teams manage to lose also. Well, frankly, I can not see that happening at this point. The Minnesota Vikings will more than likely lose to the New York Giants. However, the Giants will more than likely depend on backup quarterback David Carr as this game means nothing to them as they have already clinched home field throughout the playoffs.  Chicago’s task is not an easy one either as the Bears travel to Houston to take on the Texans. The Texans are no slouches as they have arguably one of the best running backs in the league. Lastly, you have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing host to the Oakland Raiders.

Couple all these games and the fact that Dallas has to get past Philadelphia, the Cowboys will not have a cake walk to get into the playoffs. It will be fun to watch Wade sweat it out on the sidelines as he score board watches.

Today I was surfing around and I ran across something that I have to admit that I never really knew. Well, actually quite a few things I have to say. I consider myself an avid baseball fan. With that said, these facts center around the World Series. So, without further ado, lets get to the facts.

1) The World Series started in 1903.

2) The first World Series Champions were the Boston Pilgrims (Boston Red Sox). Some say that the Pilgrims name never existed.

3) The New York Yankees have the most wins in the World Series.

4) The New York Yankees have the most losses in the World Series.

5) Since the conception of the World Series, there has only been 2 years that it did not take place. The 2 years are 90 years apart; 1904 and 1994.

6) The Braves Organization is the only team that has one the World Series under three different cities: Boston, Milwaukee, Atlanta.

7) There are 15 teams that have never won a World Series: Brooklyn Robins, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Houston Colt .45s, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Pilots, St. Louis Browns, Washington Nationals.

With the acceptance of the invitation sent to David Wright, third base is locked up for Team USA. David Wright now joins Chipper Jones as the teams 2 third baseman. After I thought about having the 2 of these guys on the same team, I then began to wonder what it would mean to Atlanta to have someone like David Wright join their squad. So, lets take a look at it.

The Atlanta Braves are in need of a power hitting right handed bat to sit between Jones and Brian McCann. David only hit 33 last year and has cranked a grand total of 130 taters since becoming a major leaguer. Chipper Jones can move over to first and limit his injuries, therefore, we get him for all year as opposed to part of the season. This, in fact, answers the issue of needing a first baseman that can hit more than 20 home runs and hit for a high average.

All in all, this is a pipe dream that will probably never come true. But fans are suppose to dream.

If you are a football fan, this is a game that you definitely have to see. Regardless if you like the teams or not, if you are a true fan, then you are interested in just the fact of who will control home field advantage in the NFC. As for the Carolina Panthers, they have fought their way into this game to have a chance for home field. As for the New York Giants, they have lost their way into this game. Tonight will have the answer for both however. It will end here tonight as next week, win or lose has no bearing on home field advantage.

Both of the teams have a great defense. For the Panthers, their defense has stepped up recently. One the offensive side of the ball, you have to always be aware of DeAngelo Williams. This is a single player that can kill a team. If you can contain him, you can win. Jake Delhomme is not having his best games on the road. Couple that with the fact that it is going to be colder than witch’s stare on Halloween, then he will not be much help to this team. As for the Giants, Eli has to step up big if the Big Red and Blue is going to do anything tonight.  They have to have him and the recievers clicking on all cylinders.