The Weak Ender

The New York Giants laying down for the Patriots would be a rather fitting way to end the season. Especially to defensive end Michael Strahan who broke the single-season sack record when Brett Favre took a dive. Turnabout is fair, play right? So expect Strahan, Eli Messiah and the rest of the gang to roll over. Although, how that will be different from most of the December games the Giants play in? That would be funny if the Giants were trounced 45-0 and the media pressure forced Tom Coughlin to concede that his team was actually trying.

The Giants should, however, just mail this one in. Nobody is expect the Cowboys to try at Washington. The 49ers certainly won't be interested in playing at Cleveland. The only team you have to feel bad for is Tennessee who will be playing Indianapolis. That apple polisher Gomer doesn't take games off, and you have to admire him for that. Well, unless you are Jim Sorgi's Mom. Then you know that she must be livid that Gomer has to go out and try hard in every single game.

• Bucky and Dawuss nailed Lil' Hater's lament in the comment section of the previous post, that being that the NFL finally caved on it's NFL Network game because it involved the New York Giants. Hard to imagine the NFL budging if this was, say, the Patriots vs. the Chiefs. But leave it to the NFL to throw away its only leverage so the country can see the Hefty Lefty go through the motions against the Patriots. Great move. The one question, though, why does America feel like they deserve to have this game on free TV? Where is Congress to demand that Wrestlemania should be on free television? Or the UFC? The NFL and DirecTV should be able to design its own business model. And if the game means that much to you, get a dish or go to bar. Just stop with the bellyaching.

• Warren Sapp was fined $75K for his temper tantrum in Jacksonville last week. Sapp should have just punched the guy if he was going to lay out that kind of money. This, of course, would have never happened in an Eddie Guns' called contest.

• The Chargers can wrap up the No. 3 see with a win over the Raiders on Sunday. Still believe that the Chargers would be better off facing the Patriots in the second round. Well, that is if they get to the second round.

• You know that Week 17 is meaningless when one of the biggest storylines involves a "Who is hotter" between Jessica and Ashlee Simpson. The right answer, of course, is Ashlee. Just kidding. It's Joe.

God bless the Pac-10 for quitting in its bowl games. The Arizona State game would be disturbing, but Dennis Erickson really hasn't had the chance to bring in his own players yet. Oregon is going to have to start a Leaf. Damn, load up against the rest of the Pac-10 outside of USC. Losers. But hey, the Pac-10 has two teams in the top five in the NCAA hoops and Arizona might just be the best team.

AND FINALLY
Southern California lost a legend with the passing of Stu Nahan. That name might not be familiar to you outside of Southern California, but you should recognize him from all of the Rocky movies. Or better yet, this famous clip. (Just as Matt P. predicted I would post.)

RIP Stu.



Stu had better be in the Academy Awards montage for stars who have died. If they have a ceremony this year, that is.