Tips for the casual Super Bowl fan

Ah yes. The unofficial holiday known as Super Bowl Sunday is finally upon us. If you are a fan of the Ravens or 49ers, you must be ecstatic. If you're a football fan in general, you love the match up. If you don't know a tight end from an end zone, or a first down from the first quarter, have no fear. You too...yes you...the non fan being forced to watch this game like many of you are. Do not dread the endless mindless chatter about blitzes and man coverage, replays and coaching strategies. This year's Super Bowl is packed with enough off the field angles to keep you in the conversation, while not mentioning a single play on the field. Ok non sports fan, get your google ready. These four topics should get you through your Super Bowl Party with flying colors.

The Harbaugh Bowl: Super Bowl parties bring families together like most major holidays, and not everyone in the family knows that Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith late in the season. The brother vs brother angle can be played many ways conversationally (although I contend we already had two brothers coach against each other in the Super Bowl...but I digress). John or Jim? "Who would you root for if two of your children were competing for the same title?" That's a topic everyone can chime in on.

Ray Lewis: You can talk about Ray Ray for an entire half without even turning the game on. Did he cheat? If he did...does that make him a hypocrite? Are you growing tired of "Reverend Ray"? Or is Mr. Lewis suffering the same backlash that Tim Tebow suffered for being so outspoken with his religious beliefs?

Beyonce: Yes...Beyonce. Her half time performance alone should get you through the entire third quarter. And someone at your party will either ask if..or accuse her of lip syncing her performance. Bet.

The Commercials: You can really play it off by just commenting on the commercials too. That way you don't get that death stare for asking "Who did Randy Moss used to play for?" at the two minute warning.

And if all else fails then watch the damn game! Should be a classic.   follow @plcolter

Championship Sunday...get'cha popcorn ready

The NFL enjoyed a fantastic Championship Sunday last year. Both games were nail biters, and plays that you won't soon forget ultimately decided both contests. The Patriots and Giants won their respective wars of attrition, and the rest was history. This year's Championship Sunday could be even better, and yes...I got my popcorn ready.

The NFC kicks things off with a match up of quarterbacks playing at an MVP level. Atlanta's Matt Ryan showcases an offense that had not one...but two receivers with 1,100 plus yards. That's not even counting Hall of Fame to be tight in Tony Gonzales, who scored a touchdown in his first career playoff victory last week. The Falcons put up 30 points on a tough Seattle defense. The 49ers defense is equally tough, but can be scored on.

San Fransisco was a fumble or two away from reaching the Super Bowl last year, and this year's team is even more potent offensively. This year's 49ers have Colin Kaepernick under center, and all he did last week was put up 45 points on the Green Bay Packers. I say he because Kaepernick was unstoppable, both running and throwing. Haven't seen a post season performance like that since Vince Young in the Rose Bowl. One can only wonder what he has in store for a Falcons team that was torched this season by Cam Newton (over 700 total yards, 6 tds, no turnovers in two games this yr) and Russell Wilson (445 total yards, 3tds, 1 int last week). Should be plenty of fireworks in this one.

The AFC has a Championship Sunday rematch for the first time in 25 years...and if the Patriots and Ravens can even come close to last year's thriller, we should be in for a treat. Last week both teams combined to score 83 points, while giving up a combined 63 points. You do the math....#shootout. You should get plenty of bathroom break opportunities with all of the scoring in this one.

And let's not look at this as just a legacy game for retiring Ray Lewis. Tom Brady has a lot to prove as well. Yes, Brady is a first ballot Hall of Famer...but he hasn't won a thing since "spy gate". Coincidence? Maybe. But conspiracy theories won't continue to fall on deaf ears, so it would behoove Mr. Brady to get it done...soon.

Regardless of who advances today, us fans should still feel like winners. I got my popcorn...and I'm ready for some football.  follow @plcolter

Now who's Tebowing?

The Denver Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs in shocking fashion last weekend. The Baltimore Ravens are now looking at the Patriots. The Broncos are looking at what might have been. Half way across the country, I'm sure Tim Tebow had to be thinking..."Ha ha...I got y'all that far last year."

For all of the fanfare surrounding Peyton Manning and the winning streak, the Broncos were knocked out in the divisional round...again. We all know that Tim Tebow is too humble to ask this...so I will. Hey Denver...where was the improvement?

Last year Tim Tebow lead his Broncos to a divisional title and second round playoff appearance...the same as Peyton Manning. And Tebow actually won his home playoff start last year. In fact, Tebow's Broncos also went on a winning streak. Sure, he didn't throw for as many yards as Peyton Manning...and he never will. But this ain't fantasy football we're talking about, Tebow is a winner!

The New York Jets were beyond negligent by refusing to play Tebow...but I digress.

Who knows what Tebow could have done with this year's Broncos? (or Jets for that matter...but again I digress). Hopefully Tebow gets a fair shake at a starting job this off season. But you can't help but think that he was rooting for the Ravens. And loved every minute of it.   follow @plcolter 

So...what are you saying Dirk?

Dallas Mavericks star forward Dirk Nowitzki is frustrated. Frustrated with the front office's recent free agent failings. Frustrated with his injury. And frustrated with the current state of his team. In an interview that aired before Wednesday's game with the Clippers, Nowitzki stated...and I'm paraphrasing....

I would only leave the Mavericks to chase a ring. But since I have a ring, I think I'll finish my career here in Dallas. But I only have a few good years left and I don't want to play for a mediocre team.

Um...so what exactly are you saying Dirk?

It sounds like you're saying...get me some help this summer or get me outta here. But don't be passive aggressive about it. As comedian Kevin Hart would say...SAY IT WITH'YA CHEST!

Dirk Nowitzki is a local legend on two continents. A multiple all star player, league MVP, and Finals MVP. Dirk has done it all and is a sure fire Hall of Famer. He's earned the right to tell owner Mark Cuban...Look bruh..I'm gonna give you one more summer...if you can't land anybody...waive my no trade clause and ship me out. I'm too old for this.

And no one could blame him.

And Dirk...please don't try to spare the fan's feelings. Because if they were GM, they would ship you out of here for Dwight Howard yesterday. Fans root for the team...as long as we're winning, we don't care who's on the court.

Bottom line Dirk...You only have a small window of leverage left. If you're going to use it...us it with a swagger. SAY IT WITH'YA CHEST!  follow @plcolter

Hey Reggie Wayne...give it a rest

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-9 in last Sunday's AFC wild card game. Ray Lewis made his triumphant return in the final home game of his 17 year Hall of Fame career. Lewis, a linebacker, lined up at running back on the game's final snap...then proceeded to do his squirrel dance one last time for the fans who supported him. One Indianapolis Colt thought it was disrespectful. Hey Reggie Wayne...shut the bleep up!

For one, Wayne would not have felt disrespected, or even cared at all, if the Colts would have won the game. And who cares if he feels disrespected? That was a Ravens home game. It wasn't like Ray pulled a T.O. and ran to the Colts 50 yard line to dance on the horseshoe.

Secondly, if the Colts felt disrespected by the whole Ray Lewis swan song extravaganza, then they are hypocrites. During their regular season home game finale, they played an emotional tribute to their embattled head coach, who was returning from a serious ailment. Everyone in the arena (including the visiting and division rival Texans) stood and applauded for several minutes prior to kickoff.

And you don't think that gave the Colts (who were playing at home) an emotional and competitive edge? It's a copy cat league Reggie Wayne. Take your loss like a man.   follow @plcolter

Let's keep the RG3 debate to Sunday's game

Yesterday's playoff game between Washington and Seattle was less about the Seahawks first road playoff win in forever. It was more about the Redskins franchise quaterback Robert Griffin III. RG3 injured his knee late in the regular season, and didn't seem healthy at all Sunday afternoon.

Controversy sparked when the Redskins team doctor stated he never cleared RG3 to return to the Baltimore game, the game Griffin was injured. Dr. Andrews also expressed concerns over RG3 playing against Seattle...and for good reason. RG3 was injured again and the coach is coming under fire.

Can we please leave the debate there?

Today a prominent radio personality used Griffin's injury to validate his claims that pocket passers are superior to dual threat quarterbacks. He basically said (and I'm paraphrasing) This is why you draft Andrew Luck over RG3. Griffin is the fancy sports car, and Luck is the reliable SUV. He stated...to be able, you have to be available. 

Duh....That goes for any position in any sport....but I digress.

This is not about Andrew Luck vs RG3. This is not about black or white. This is not about runner vs passer. It's all about winning. GET OVER IT!! Steve McNair was a great running quarterback. Troy Aikman was a prolific passing quarterback. Both careers were cut short...to injuries.

Now do I think RG3 should have been out there playing last Sunday? No I don't...

But let's please keep the debate there and not drum up that tired old debate about running qb's vs passing qb's. Both styles are winning in today's NFL.    follow @plcolter

2011...The forgotten QB class

The NFL playoffs are upon us...and all of the attention has gone to the three rookie qb phenoms Andrew Luck, RG3, and Russell Wilson. All three are deserving of praise. They all played great this year and they all took their teams to the playoffs. Lost in all of the fanfare is the fact the sophomore qb class has quietly put together a solid campaign themselves.

Christian Ponder lead his Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs in his second year, and that was without his best weapon Percy Harvin for the important playoff push. Yes, Adrian Peterson deserves the lions share of the credit, but RG3 and Wilson also had 1,500 plus yard rushers to carry them.

Andy Dalton has quietly taken his Cincinnati Bengals to the playoffs back to back years. The Bengals have not done that in lord knows when. He has a stud receiver in A.J. Green, and a solid defense. Dalton has a chance to be good for the foreseeable future.

The San Fransisco 49ers gave second year qb Colin Kaepernick his shot midway through the season, and he did not disappoint. He took the starting job from former number one overall pick and last year's starter Alex Smith. Kaepernick...and the 49ers have not looked back. San Fransisco is more dynamic offensively, and that's a scary thing considering the talent they already have on defense. Kaepernick definately has the potential to be really good for a long time.

And that's not including last year's number one pick Cam Newton...who quietly put together a solid sophomore season. He combined for over 4,600 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also cut his turnovers down. Most importantly, the Panthers improved their record each season with Cam under center. In a division with perennial playoff contenders Atlanta and New Orleans, Newton's playoff debut will be delayed. But surrounded with the right talent, there's no doubt he will make it there...and soon.

Bottom line, the playoffs are full of good young talent at qb. The game is in good hands for a long long time.     follow@plcolter