Hockey first, Football Second, and Last but OBVIOUSLY not Least.....Steroids!!!

Here's how it breaks down. Give me just a few minutes to praise the Bluenotes for their splendid play of late. Then let me throw out a few things I'd like to hear comments on about the football games this weekend. And Finally (and please don't scroll all the way to the bottom just to see this and miss the hockey and football), we'll say a few more things about steroids. Deal?

BLUES ARE DARN TOOTIN'! Looks who's hot, grab that net and catch those beautiful butterflies baby! The Blues are scoring goals, stopping goals, winning games, and puttin' a slober-knockin lickin on the best teams in the league. The Blues are 10-4-4 under new coach Andy Murray, and 10-2-2 in their last 14 games. They're playing well on the road and at home. They've got two games before the break, one tonight against the Murray's old boy's in Los Angeles County, and then again Saturday night. After the break, they will play 11 of 15 on home ice in front of a revitalized St. Louis fan base.

So what does this mean? Well, mainly it means that the Blues could be buyers instead of sellers come trade deadline (Feb. 27). It also means that we're tied for the third best point total since December 12, and that as of right now the current difference between the Blues and the final playoff spot is nine points. It won't be easy for the Blues by any means, on average in recent years the final playoff spot is earned at 93 points, so that would mean that the Blues would have to get 51 of the final 70 points remaining in the season. Not easy, but can be done.

Can I witness myself for a moment? Is that cool? At the beginning of the season, I allowed myself to make a few predictions in a blog titled "New Additions Should Solidify Blues." Here where some of my predictions that many good friends laughed at foolishly: Martin Rucincsky 20 goals, 40 assist (two games from the break: 11 goals, 19 assists), Billy Guerin 30 goals, 30 assists (two games from the break: 18 goals, 15 assists) and also that he would regain his All-Star form (he was elected to the All-Star team.) I also suggested that someone would knock the Detroit Red Wings off their "proverbial tower" at the top of the conference, and as of now the Nashville Predators are atop the Wings by two points. I praised the signing of Manny Legace and mentioned that the Blues need to go down to a one goalie system instead of platooning three goalies in Mike Kitchen Era. Since Legace was handed the starting reigns he's been stellar (credit to Sanford for his great performance the other night as well.) I will admit that I mentioned The Dominator wouldn't really be The Dominator this year in net for the Red Wings, but he has. So I was wrong there.

TOM BRADY FEST otherwise known as the NFL Playoffs, although you wouldn't know that there are actually other teams besides the TOM BRADY led New England Patriots. That's all I hear about these days. TOM BRADY this, TOM BRADY that. Yea, he's good. And as Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post pointed out today he should be swell again this week, "Just so you know, Tom Brady likes carpet more than a puppy on a bathroom break. Dude is 23-1 career on the fake stuff.” Maybe we'll get to hear about TOM BRADY for a couple more weeks, wouldn't it be great?

What are my Predictions? Well, since you asked. I'm taking the Saints over the Bears. I just don't think Sexy Rexy can get the job done this week. He was clutch for one week, I think that's all he's got in him. I dig both teams, I really dig Lovie Smith but I think the Saints are goin' do it. They got America behind them, and I'd love to see them win for that reason. Plus, Drew Brees is a stud, and Reggie Bush is just downright sick. He's a pleasure to watch, and since my boy LT is gone for the season I hope I get to watch Reggie as long as I can.

The other game? I hate both these teams. I'm so sick of Peyton Manning. But I do love him. I think he's a great example for youngsters as to how to be a good, admired athlete. But I still hate seeing him everywhere. But I don't hate him near as much as I hate TOM BRADY and the TOM BRADY led New England Patriots. I hope the game is a good one, I hope it goes extra minutes and I hope that TOM BRADY leads the Patriots 80 yards on the opening overtime drive and then their rook kicker shanks the field goal. Then I hope the Colts march right down on New England's defense (which is so well rested because TOM BRADY has been doing such a great job of clock management and keeping his offense on the field and the defense off the field), and the Kicker from Clutch City known as Adam drills a game winning 54 yarder.

Saints over Colts in the BIG Bowl.

ALRIGHT FINE....STEROIDS. Listen closely, thanks for all the interest in the recent blogs. I'm glad you guys are diggin 'em. Keep it up. Just don't hurt any fellow bloggers. And I was also wondering where my blog fits in on the morning routine for those 5 a.m. bloggers? Do you read mine first?

I'm sticking with my opinion, I don't think Big Mac should be let in. I still think we need to draw the line somewhere, and I think now is the best time. However, I have been reflecting a lot on this issue and I do remember watching that record breaking game and I remember how awesome it was to see him give mad ups to the Maris family that day. As Bob Costas was qouted in the St. Louis Post this morning: "I had to appreciate the circumstances surrounding the home run race of '98...I was in the ballpark that night in St. Louis in September of '98, and I saw the grace and decency with which McGwire carried himself. In a time of crassness and exhibitionism, he showed a real sign of the game's history. Now I realize there's an irony there because he and others who have excelled in that era have, whether it was their intention or not, distorted that history." He goes on to say, "He was more than respectful of Roger Maris, a man whom history had treated wrongly up until that point. The way that evening played out in St. Louis, even down to the groundskeeper...it captured the whole spirit, not just of that home run chase, but just the way people relate to baseball in St. Louis."

I'm with Bob. I'll never forget lying down in front of the TV in my living room, feet propped up on the TV stand and watching that happen. When Big Mac took a moment out of his celebration to stop, point at the Maris family, then tap his chest, and point to the sky in honor of Roger, that was truly incredible and it truly showed what a classy guy McGwire was.

However class or not, I still think he's out. And I think Bonds is out. And I think Sammy is out. And I think Raphy is out. Sorry. BUT WAIT...did you see what Bonds said yesterday, "I think McGwire and Pete Rose should be in Cooperstown." UHMMMMMM...I wonder if Barry is starting to realize that if MAC can't get in, then he sure as hell ain't gettin in.

The Bid for Jeff Weaver is on...by the way. I'm thinking we get him. You guys?
And I do like the idea behind having current Hall of Famers vote on the Hall of Fame Ballot. Although I also don't think sportswriters are as dumb as some people apparently think they are. They're around the game day in and day out, and simply by being around the game they've come to a great understanding of how the game should be played. Give them some credit.

I'm out. Blues and Kings tonight!