The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
This week in the Sports Experts column, I thought we would talk a little bit about the NFL playoffs. The new year is as good a time as any to make some predictions, so I called on NFL experts Jeff and Jason. First, a little discussion on Team Canada and the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championships. While it was great to see Canada win, I thought the games were a little boring, especially as the game wore on and Canada's lead grew on whoever they happened to be facing. The only game that kept my attention for all three periods was the semifinal game against the Czech Republic. Rob agreed with me: "I was glad to see the Canadian team win the WJHC, but it was a little boring. They routed their opponents every game. I could barley watch as they made team after team look silly. The only close game all tournament was the one in the semis versus the Czechs. Each game was over after one or two periods and I lost interest." - Rob B. "We may not have NHL at the present, but looking at (the World Junior) performance, Canada will again dominate the NHL markets in three years or so. They didn't just win, they destroyed. Even Russia was a push over for this team possessed." - Jeff K. "I love the Gold Medal Game!! I don't mind the Russians rubbing it into the American's faces but the Canadians worked them from start to finish." - Jason M. Which brings up the other hot topic to come out of the WJHC Ð the Russian hotdogs. Although I wasn't able to watch their game against the Americans, I thought it was funny that the American team was upset. It's not like they never flex their patriotic muscles and rub them in someone else's face. "I was happy to see the USA go down to Belarus, that country is full of surprises. It was good to see Russia get their lunch fed to them after the hot dogging they did against the States. I am sure no one will forget that in the USA dressing room." Rob B. Time for some NFL predictions. "My NFC pick to win is kinda a mix, between Green Bay and Atlanta. I'll pick the Packers. The AFC is tough to pick, but I'm gonna pick the Dark Horse San Diego Chargers to win it. Pittsburgh is great, but they can be beaten. I like the Chargers, playing hard to the end, and with a 12-4 record, they are strong. The Superbowl will come down to the Pack vs. the Chargers. I think the Chargers would beat 'em, but I love the Packers." - Jeff K. "The Eagles looked great until Terrell Owens was injured. Being a Raiders fan, I'm cheering against the Chargers and New England. I personally think Tom Brady fumbled the ball in the Snowbowl a few years ago. I hope the Steelers destroy the Pats in the AFC Championship Game." - Jason M. Personally, I'm not a huge NFL fan, but when I do pay attention, I cheer for the Chargers. This year, my uneducated prediction is that they will surprise everyone and win, but I wouldn't bet money on it. Finally, as a follow up to last week's column, Rob has given us an update on Jason's New Year's resolution to backcheck at least twice per game. "Last week Jason did keep up his New Year's resolution for backchecking, just thought you would like to know." - Rob B.
