|
CALLING SIGNALS |
 |
|
|
 |
Don't look for a close one
between Pats and Eagles
of TheColumnists.com
Here comes the Super Bowl, and let’s face it: Unless you’re a Patriot or Eagle fan, you want just two results.
A close game.
Cool commercials.
The ads should be a ball. But don’t count on tight competition. New England has too much muscle--in the head of coach Bill Belichick, in the arm of Tom Brady, in the legs of Corey Dillon.
My pick: Pats 38, Eagles 17.
Not that you should bet the Benz. I predicted Pittsburgh would reach this NFL title game, and that was as accurate as a Ben Roethlisberger playoff pass.
The Patriots should display the same pickoff defense against Philly’s Donovan McNabb.
Let’s hope not. Again, most fans want a punchy Bowl. Like last year’s Patriot party against Carolina.
That was one of the most exciting Super Bowls in history. I rank it fifth all time.
My top 10 Bowls:
1991: Giants over Bills
20-19.
2000: Rams over Titans 23-16
1989: 49ers over Bengals 20-16.
1998: Broncos over Packers 31-24.
2004: Pats over Panthers 32-29.
1982: 49ers over Bengals 26-21.
2002: Pats over Rams 20-17.
1976: Steelers over Cowboys 21-17.
1969: Jets over Colts 16-7.
1983: Redskins over Dolphins 27-17.
Sania mania: Tennis has a fresh face. It belongs to Sania Mirza of India. You’ll remember that name as soon as you see her.
No wonder the gaga Indian press calls her “the new pinup girl.” This 18-year-old is a dusky successor to Blondie Kournikova. Stunning.
If she ever wins big, we’re looking at a huge draw. That might come soon. Mirza reached the Australian Open’s third round, where she gave Serena Williams a tough second set before losing.
The way Amazin’ Mirza pounds the ball, you’ll soon be staring while she’s starring.
Speaking of sharp tennis players: Alicia Molik looks good and plays better. Which had locals erupting in her Aussie Open quarterfinal match with Lindsay Davenport.
Molik is a rare breed: a serious Australian women’s contender. And she might’ve upset the world No. 1 but for a sorry line call. Molik’s ace would’ve given her an 8-7 lead in the third set, but an official ruled it wide. The replay showed it was good, to no avail.
Shades of the U.S. Open call last year that jobbed Serena Williams.
This is madness. It’s 2005, not the wood-racket era. Replay technology should be as much a part of tennis as Serena hot pants. Give judges the option of checking TV’s Hawkeye.
Broadcasting ugly: That could be Brad Gilbert’s next book title.
The man who wrote “Winning Ugly” is turning his tennis playing and coaching expertise into TV fun.
Gilbert was the picture of confusion in his Aussie Open stint with ESPN. He didn’t know where to look. Once he reacted to instructions in his ear by saying “OK.”
It wasn’t slick. It was refreshing, especially his ideas.
The Russian women were ripping each other? Gilbert gave the cat claw and said it was throw-down time.
France’s Amelie Mauresmo lost another big match? Gilbert called her No. 2 ranking a joke.
Name game: Everyone’s having a field day with that new baseball moniker, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Pundits are throwing curves such as the New York Giants of San Francisco.
Fans in Anaheim are throwing a tantrum. They demand the Angels erase L.A. and return Anaheim atop the marquee.
Which is silly. Anaheim has all the marketing value of a ghost town. Think Arlington Rangers. East Rutherford Jets. Auburn Hills Pistons. They upgraded big time by adopting Texas, New York and Detroit.
L.A. Angels? Now that’s
a big-league team.
©2005 by Bucky Fox. The illustration is from IMSI's Master
Clips Collection, 1895 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael, CA, 94901-5506,
USA. This column first posted on Jan. 31, 2005.
You
can comment on this column online. Please address your message
to either "The Editors" or Bucky Fox. To send an email,
click here: talkback@thecolumnists.com
|
|
|
Archives |
|
|