The Super Bowl

Well it wasn't a shootout like many thought it would be and the game was a bit sloppy at times (Brady's intentional grounding for a safety on the Pats 1st series) but overall it was a decent game but I wonder what the game would have been like if Gronk had been healthy. His high ankle sprain was pretty obvious that he couldn't move like he had all year. Again at the end of the game with the hail mary, could a healthy Gronk made the circus catch? It is all hard to say and not worth speculating about. The point is the two catches were pretty good for Gronk and he was only targeted three times says to me they didnt want to risk losing him all together. Anyway enouh of my boy Gronk. The 4th quarter of this game had plenty of drama and made you forget a lot of the early sloppy play. Both defenses had come to play but in the 4th it was the Giantd defende who came up big when they stopped the Pats on three straight plays at the end of the game. Welker and Branch had dropped passes that they would normally catch but I still think the Giants D had a lot to do with those dropped passes. The funniest part of the game came when Bradshaw scored the go ahead TD all while trying to stop his momentum from carrying him into the endzone. The defense decided to let him score. The Pats were out of timeouts so it was the best way to stop the clock and get the ball back to try and win. Normally I would agree with the call but I think it was too late no matter what. Anyway congrats to the Giants they proved to everyone that they had the right momentum heading into the playoffs. I contribute it to a nasty defense that was finally healthy and firing on all cylinders. Sure Eli won the MVP award but I think Justin Tuck was the big man on campus during Super Bowl Sunday. He pressured Brady into the intentional grounding Safety and had a very big sack at the end of the game that forced Brady into a position to have to make it or break it on the last play of the game. All I have left to say is bring on Baseball's Spring Training. I am planning on attending three games this year on the East Coast So Lets do this.

The Super Bowl is Upon Us!!

    Wow school got in the way of my Blog, LOL!! I have 4 blogs 3 of which I have written in and one that I keep meaning to start but never have and things keep happening to keep from them. My last sports entry was about the start of the NFL season and the end of the lockout and my professed hatred of Alex Smith. Well I have to say My Niners really shined this year and Alex has gained a little respect from me. Still not sure he is right for the team but he sure did shine this year. I would have to say that it is in large part to Jim Harbaugh. He led this team from a dismal existence to the NFC Championship game. So congrats Alex keep it up and you will become a hit. The monkey on your back now is can you make it to the Super Bowl.

     
  Well The Giants who had the worst record of the playoff teams made it to the Super Bowl. They are a much better team than their record indicates and came on strong towards the end, especially after their defense who were banged up for most of the season became healthy. Their opponents are the Patriots. Oh how I can't stand the Patriots. I loved Teddy Bruschi when he was there and I love Rob Gronkowski, however it is because of their UofA roots that I cheer/cheered (Bruschi retired) for them.
So for this Super Bowl I don't plan on rooting for a team just Gronk. Much the way I did for the Raiders Buccaneers Super Bowl. I just rooted for Jerry Rice and didn't take sides. Although I secretly rooted for the Raiders in hopes of Rice to win SB MVP award. Much the way I will this year for Gronk. Rob has done very well in just two years in the NFL. His rookie year he set a rookie record for TD for a rookie TE and this year he set the single season record for TD's by a TE and most Receiving yards by a TE. Not bad for a guy who had back surgery and missed his final year at UA. Just to kind of give you a show of dominance in his first two years he has 28 TDs in 32 games, one of those is considered a rushing TD because Brady tossed a lateral his way and they considered it rushing over receiving. To me the ball was in the air and he caught from about 4 yards away so in my book it was a pass, but I am not an official scorekeeper. Just a fan. So here is to you Gronk, Tear it up next Sunday!!

NFL Back in Business

Well I have to say I was going to do the happy dance when I started to write this blog yesterday so before I do my complaining I will talk about my happy thoughts. I am glad they have decided to agree on the new plan and get back to business. I was so happy about seeing the trades and the Free Agent agreements (Free Agents can't sign contracts til Friday) The teams are getting ready for the season and the players have started gathering at the respective stadiums gearing up for training camp, so football is in the air.

Yes my favorite team is the San Francico 49ers. Which brings me to my unhappy dance. For the last five years I have had to deal with the extreme let down that is known as Alex Smith. I still remember the day he was drafted the Niners had the 1st pick of the draft. I was decked out in my Niners tie and Niners hat and my Niners jacket, you get the point. I was at my friend Rob's house and when they called out his name I was all Wha Huh!!?? I was expecting several different possibilities that could have been named. However I trusted the pick so I went along with the crowd. I had heard a lot of fans had the same reaction I did. So after two years and seeing Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey win games and Smith not win games. Sure Smith puts up bigger numbers but what matters to me is the fact is that He puts up big numers but gets the big L while the other QB's don't put up the numbers but get the big W in their columns. Shaun Hill won more games and even last season Troy Smith won more games. The team rallied behind Troy. Then Troy gets benched (He did yell at Coach Singletary) and all of a sudden Alex is the Golden Boy again. Alex put up career numbers against Seattle all he had to do was win two more games and the Niners were diviaion champs. What happened? The same thing that always happens to Alex the big L. Well Alex became a Free Agent and everyone expected Alex to go out and get a second chance with another team and maybe it is what he needs. However The Niners agreed to terms with Loser Alex Smith and he will sign the dotted line on Friday. Oh yeah and Jim Harbaugh who I had a ton of respect throughout his NFL and college coaching career has said that Alex Smith will be the starter for Niners this season. I cant believe that after 7 seasons of pure agony of watching  "the golden boy" that the Niners would even think about this. Every other team in the NFL would have this guy out on his ear. At this point I would rather see Jamarcus Russell suit up. Anyway I am here for the Niners through thick and thin and this is definately real thin.

Introduction

   After I named my blog I realized I should have spelled it Phanatic. I have been a Philadelphia Phillies Phan since the 70's and my all time favorite player is Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. I collect baseball cards and I have more Phillies cards than any othe team. My oldest card is a 1956 Topps Robin Roberts card.

Anyway this blog is about sports and my opinions. I will obviously focus mostly on baseball but I love Football and Hockey as well as college sports. I am currently a senior at the University of Arizona and I go to a ton of sporting events , like football, volleyball, basketball and baseball. I go to some of the other sports but these are my favorites. So I will be making comments about the Cats as well as other college events that will happen throughout the year.

Proffessional Basketball will get some time on the blog as well. I am a Chicago Bulls fan and I will talk about the former UofA palyers that are in the NBA but as far as season things I won't comment as much unless something important happens, I get more interested by the time Playoffs come around.
  

Feel free to express your opinion for or against what I have to sayjust keep it clean and dont get nasty about it.
Enjoy,
James W. Palmer, Jr.