Giant leap of faith. “The Patriots limp into Super Bowl XLII with the swagger of a beaten-down bully. Folks, the Pats peaked in Week 11 of the regular season. With a team full of talented but aging veterans, especially on defense, is perfection too much to ask? Domination is already out the window. The mighty underdogs, led by one of many Mannings playing pro football, march with the swagger of a team peaking in January. The Pats have come back down to earth. The Giants know it. The Giants will win, 31-27.”
JP, Washington, D.C.
Kiz: A New England team that averaged 40 points per game and built the greatest-of-all-time hype through 11 weeks got so tired that those unbeatable Patriots are now a figment of breathless commentators’ imagination. New England would definitely lose this Super Bowl, if the foe were the 1974 Steelers. New York, however, might not have made the 2007 playoffs in the AFC. So although they’re far from perfect, the Pats will finish undefeated.
Just being Frank. “It must be unbearable for you to see the perfect 18-0 Patriots on the doorstep of winning their fourth Super Bowl. May I suggest a nice cyanide cocktail so you don’t feel obligated to watch, or worse, write another whiny column.”
Frank, Centennial
Kiz: Is cyanide best enjoyed neat or on the rocks? Way to stay classy, Patriots fan.
Only the strong should survive. “In the NHL’s current state of ‘parity,’ I would rather watch paint dry, clean the garage or remarry the ex-wife (well, maybe not marry the ex-wife). The game of hockey we once loved now stinks. I say do away with the salary cap and let Darwin have his way with owners and cities that choose not to manage or market their teams successfully.”
Mark, Pueblo
Kiz: If Chucky Darwin were the NHL commish, he would declare Nashville, Phoenix, Florida and Washington unfit for survival in his league.
Guarded truth. “Bring on Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell. I have hated this guy for years because he always presents problems for the Nuggets and enjoys doing it. On our side, he would be great.”
Everette, Loveland
Kiz: Now, there are folks lacking a firm grip on reality who would tell you the Nuggets should trade a box of dirty jocks for Nets guard Jason Kidd. It’s not gonna happen. What Denver could get done is acquire Cassell for a playoff run.
Don’t forget beltin’ Helton. “Has everyone gone nuts? Troy Tulowitzki is a talented and potentially great shortstop. He had an outstanding rookie year. But that is one year by my count. The heart and soul of the Rockies is first baseman Todd Helton. Are baseball fans in Colorado stoned on the altitude, or have they forgotten all the years Helton has been consistent and solid?”
John, Parker
Kiz: Nobody in this dusty old cowtown deserved to see the World Series in Colorado more than Helton. But Tulo is the future. Here’s a sneaking suspicion that if Toddy Ballgame ever plays in the Fall Classic again, it will be while wearing another team’s uniform.
Parting shot
And today’s parting shot aims New England’s infamous video camera at the past indiscretions of Denver’s own Super Bowl champs.
“Fire-the-coach sentiments pervade in other nonplayoff cities, why not Denver? Bottom line: Mike Shanahan has not taken the Broncos to the Super Bowl when he wasn’t cheating. We’ve heard a lot of talk about Bill Belichick and all his evil spying, but the Broncos seriously violated the salary cap during the 1990s and were punished. It’s the dirty, little secret no one likes to talk about.”
Matt, Littleton
