Not the game I want, but the game I've been given

Well, here we go again. The one match-up that I didn't want to see is going down. Baby Faced Eli Manning will face off against Tom Brady and the offensive powerhouse that is the New England Patriots. Again. Yawwwwwn.

As it might be clear to see, I am no fan of this battle. Or at least I wasn't.

My objection to this game isn't hard to guess and it isn't far from other critics'. For one it's a rematch. The story lines are pretty similar. The Giants scrapped through the season just to make it into the playoffs while the Patriots, essentially, breezed through all the way to the big game. Probably one of the NFC's greatest underdogs met up against one of the AFC's perennial favorites. Baby Eli stood up to a titan of the game in Tom Brady. This David and Goliath story turned out with an authentic ending. And Eli is hoping he can pull off another victory.

Sweet Rhymes and Basketball Times: Grammy Albums for Basketball Outcomes.

Pizza and Wings. Lewis and Clark. Milk and Cookies. Sanford and Sons. Music and Sports.

The list above contains 10 items, 5 combinations, that both, (a) explain my life in a 5 combination list and (b) are undeniably meant for one another, save for maybe the “Sanford and Sons” one, never really saw that show so who knows, but the other four there’s no disputing. Now I’d love to explain my pleasant addiction to milk and cookies, or my passion for the accomplishments of Lewis and Clark, but this is a sports blog. So with the Grammy’s right around the corner, and the NBA season nearing its midway point, I figured I’d arise from my fantasy-football-depression-induced-coma, referred to as FFDIC in the medical world, and finally write a thrilling SPAB article on my favorite combination of those listed above; Music and Sports.

Before we begin, I’d just like to say that I know very little about basketball, and can’t play a lick of it, however, I’m fairly familiar with music, hip-hop in particular, and consider myself an expert at deciphering what albums are absolutely terrible from those that are “Award Worthy”. In short, this article is an attempt at translating my ability of finding “Award Worthy” music into finding “Award Worthy” NBA teams.

Let’s begin the ceremonies!

Opening Day: Are we there yet?

25. 30. 67.

These are the days we have until Pitchers and Catcher report, the full start of spring training, and Opening Day, respectively. Now, I know the NFL season isn't technically over yet and the NBA and NHL are in full swing, but football is king. And baseball: it's sweet prince.

T.O.-- Real. Comfortable. Wrangler.

It's been a tumultuous year for Terrell Owens. In Week 14 of the 2010 NFL season, Owens tore the meniscus cartilage in his knee to end his season. After that, during some mysterious off-season activity, he tore his ACL. Soon after this he had surgery but, likely thanks to the NFL lockout, he was never picked up by a team. It seemed he was content to sit out this NFL season with nothing but his successful past career and his VH1 show to be his ticket to fame.

Then, things got real. Owens went on a Sports Center special hosted by Stephen A. Smith with his family by his side. What a perfect time to announce to America that he would be retiring. He had a great career and after 15 seasons, it wasn't a short one either. He had a very heartfelt story about having his family always there for him and not wanting to quit on anything. He felt it was time. He was hanging up the jersey.

Then Wham! TO did what TO does best! Get that popcorn a poppin'! He April Fooled Stephen A in the middle of October! Only TO can do that! He said he was healthy and was ready to come back to the NFL "soon"! He then defined "soon" as a month or less. This was gunna get good! A bunch of teams needed wide receivers! He would get scooped up and breaking records again in no time!

2012 Sports Pro and the Average Bro Bucket List

Well, here we are! It's 2012! It feels like it's been such a long time coming. Thanks to the Mayans and crazy people that misinterpret Mayan calendars, this has been deemed humanities' last year ever! That's some pretty heavy stuff to deal with! I've got so much left to do! I just bought a sweet outfit at Express! I haven't even gotten a chance to wear that high quality apparel! (Yes Express Inc. We would love you to be our sponsor).

Phew...Take it easy there Average Bro! You're getting ahead of yourself! You'll have plenty of time to wear the amazing clothes from Express. 

Sorry Pros and Bros! Got a little crazy there. We all know the world's not going to end. Thanks to Back to the Future II, we know that, due to some crazy realignment, the Chicago Cubs will sweep the Miami Marlins in the 2015 World Series. So we know the Apocalypse isn't happening until at least then. C'mon people! Use your heads!

Buuuuuut....Just in case I'm wrong, I guess it never hurts to be prepared. So, as a huge sports fan, I am making a Bucket List. The Official Sports Pro and the Average Bro Bucket List! The top 10 things to do in 2012! It's pretty much what we would all love to in any given year then taking it to the next "last-year-on-Earth" level.

1. Go to Superbowl XLVI
• Well, duh! What guy doesn't want to go to the Super Bowl? Especially the last Super Bowl ever! I want to take my talents as the Average Bro to Indianapolis for the big game. But why stop there?! Why not rush on the field? Why not rush on the field waving a huge Sports Pro and the Average Bro flag! (Yeah...I took a marketing class one time.) I figure I'll be okay, because if the security at Lucas Oil Stadium could stop a streaker, they would just put them on the D-Line. Heaven knows no Colt could finish a tackle on me.
2. Visit the Steel City
• Whether you like the Steelers or not, you have to admit they are a force in the football world. Six Lombardi Trophies didn't just fall into their lap. They had to work for them. But they won't be working for one this year. So instead of the super bowl parade, I'd like to get a bunch of people and go to Primanti Bros. After that we'll go to the center of the city and all Tebow at the same time! Greatest flash mob ever! I'm sure at least half of us will survive!

The Media and Luck: A Love Story

"I <3 Andrew Luck"

"Luck + Media 4ever!"

"Mr. and Mrs. Media Luck"

These are just some of the things doodled all over the notebook of the national sports media.

It's no secret. The media loves Andrew Luck. And why not, he's the star quarterback, a great student, and he's got great facial hair. He's probably even got a bunch of nice cars! (Just Kidding NCAA!) If the national sports media was the head cheerleader this would be a great American love story.