Obama Congratulates Auburn Assistant Coach...With a Chest-Bump?

Hey, why not?

Any concern Obama may have had about preserving the dignity of the office went out the window a long time ago.

There's a fairly obvious joke to be made about the look on Trooper Taylor's face here but I don't really think you need me to tell it.



h/t: Michael Silence.

"We're Becoming a Nation of Wussies"

That is not a paraphrase of Attorney General Eric Holder. Good guess though.

No, that is Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, getting into a bit of a spat with a local Philly weatherman over the NFL's cowardly decision to cancel last night's Eagles-Vikings game because of forecasted snow, wind, and who knows what other nasty atmospheric disturbances that would have affected the playing conditions.

Rendell is right, for once in his politically misguided life. Football is a cold weather sport. Snow games in late December are to be expected. Heck, most fans hope for those games! Who doesn't like watching football in the snow?

Maybe the No Fun League is still punishing Philly fans for pelting Santa Claus and Jimmy Johnson with snowballs.

What, was that wrong?



Via The Blaze. Cross-posted.

Eagles Fan Commandeers JWF, Posts Tecmo Bowl Version of DeSean Jackson's Unbelievable Game-Winning Punt Return

The telltale sign of an amazing comeback is when a video game re-enactment of the final play surfaces on YouTube within 48 hours.

This one's for you, Giants fans.



Via Philly.com.

High School Athlete Draws Penalty for Pointing Up to God After Scoring a Touchdown

This seems capricious and arbitrary, until you consider the fact that it happened in Tacoma, Washington - a city that likes to flaunt its liberal bona fides at every opportunity.

Then it makes perfect sense.

Sports and religion clashed at the State High School Football playoffs in Tacoma Monday night. During the 2A semifinal game between East Valley and Tumwater one of the stars of the game got flagged for doing something millions of Americans do every day.

Like he's done so many times this season, Tumwater star running back Ronnie Hastie powered his way into the end zone then dropped to a knee and pointed to the sky.

"It's just something I do every time I get in the end zone to honor my Lord cause I play for him, I give him the glory cause he's the one that gives me the strength," said Hastie.

Except this time, the referee flagged Hastie for unsportsmanlike conduct, a 15 yard penalty and the fans were peeved.

"I think it was a pretty lousy call I think it's just a game, even if it is a prayer it should go on."

According to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association's rules players cannot draw attention to themselves. So, when Hastie scored and raised his hand to heaven the refs said he was doing just that.

Hastie was humble about the call, "I was just confused cause I've done it every game and then I got flagged for it, I learned now so."

Even Tumwater's Head Coach Sid Otton believes the refs probably got the call right.

"If it's a rule and they made it then I agree with it because it's in there. I admire the young man. He's a great player, great person off the field too," said Otton.

The 15 yard penalty did not affect the outcome of the game, Tumwater still won big time, but one Tumwater fan told us it's legal to pray in his city in the end zone, but apparently not in Tacoma.

"Well, I thought it was pretty crummy that kids can't give thanks in public."

h/t: Brittney Linville.

Cross-posted.

Bills Wide Receiver Flubs Perfect TD Pass in OT, Blames God For His Brick Hands

This has to be a first: God getting upbraided on Twitter by a despondent NFL wide receiver after he drops a sure game-winning touchdown in OT:

I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO...less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPadStevie Johnson
StevieJohnson13

Check out the replay. It's hard not to empathize with Johnson here, but I have to say God held up His end of the bargain.

I mean, where else was He supposed to have Ryan Fitzpatrick put that ball?!



Via TMZ; hat tip Hot Air headlines. Cross-posted.

NFL Conference Championships

We've gone 6-2 through the first two rounds of the NFL playoffs, but forecasting the conference championships has been difficult, as we have two tossup games with close spreads and enough storylines for four games. Can Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy help get the Colts over the hump and remove the 1000-pound gorilla that is Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and a savvy, battle-tested New England team?

Can the Saints, a year removed from a nomadic 3-13 season, overcome the elements in Chicago, where it will be cold and snowy at gametime? Will Rex Grossman be able to limit his errors while the Bears running game attacks a vulnerable New Orleans run defense?

Let's find out.

BEARS -2 over Saints: The spread is down to -2 for the Bears today, meaning a lot of money is going on the Saints. Dome teams are 0-9 outdoors in conference title games, and my thought here is the conditions will limit Reggie Bush's explosive potential. The Bears should be able to move the ball on the ground with Benson and Jones, minimizing Grossman's attempts and keeping the Saints offense off the field. Chicago's defense hasn't been nearly as good as early in the year, with Tommie Harris and Mike Brown gone, but should be able to dictate the pace with some hard hitting nonetheless. A field position battle, hostile crowd and maybe a another big play from Devin Hester will lead Chicago to the first Super Bowl since the 1985 season. Bears 16-13

Patriots +3 over COLTS: Last week I said the winner of the Patriots-Chargers game would likely be the eventual Super Bowl winner, and logic says New England has it all going over the Colts: recent playoff history, genius coach, smooth QB, etc. Still, their two most recent matchups have both been Indianapolis wins in Foxborough, so they know how to beat this team, and that's through the air. Something seems askew with Peyton Manning in the first two games, but he's home, due for a big game, and if the Colts get a jump on the suspect Patriots secondary right away, they could be in for a big day. The Patriots do not allow scores early, so if the Colts can strike quickly, it will be a huge confidence boost. The Indy defense seems rejuvenated since Bob Sanders came back, and they should be able to limit the Patriot ground game to some extent. Meanwhile, receivers Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell are due to come back to earth after big games last week. In the end though, it should all come down to a familiar face--Adam Vinatieri, who is money in the bank at playoff time. Colts 23-21

NFL Divisional Playoffs

We went 4-0 against the spread in the Wildcard games, so let's see if the hot hand will continue. This is always the best weekend of the playoffs, and let's hope we get some great games.

Colts +4 over RAVENS: Indianapolis is in an unusual underdog spot, which I think helps them going into Baltimore, where the crowd and Ravens defense is sure to be snarling. Peyton Manning had a lousy game against the Chiefs with three picks, and the Ravens corners will be looking for the big play. Colts defense likely won't be able to contain Jamal Lewis as well as they did Larry Johnson, but I think Manning will be able to make some big strikes to Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne and don't overlook tight ends Dallas Clark and Ben Utecht. Trashtalking Ravens won't be able to keep up offensively, though never underestimate Steve McNair. Don't forget about Adam Vinatieri, the most clutch kicker in recent memory. Weather 60 and rainy at gametime, but not expected to be a factor. Colts 27-24

SAINTS -5 over Eagles: Philadelphia has had a spectacular run since Donovan McNabb went down, but was fortunate to escape with a win against the Giants last week while the Saints rested. My only concern for the New Orleans offense is they may be a bit rusty after being off two weeks and mailing it in their last game, which meant nothing. Forget their 4-4 home mark and lousy playoff history. Sean Payton can gameplan against anyone and will use exotic formations to utilize both Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister out of the backfield against suspect Philly run defense, while Drew Brees mixes it up to a bevy of receivers. Eagles just don't have as many offensive weapons to keep up. Saints 31-20

BEARS -8.5 over Seahawks: Seattle is another one-and-done here after being fortunate to escape against Dallas last week. They just never got in gear this year with assorted injuries and the post-Super Bowl hangover. They were destroyed 37-6 in Chicago back in Week 4, and though everyone in the Windy City is freaking out over Rex Grossman, I don't see the Bears pinning their hopes on him in the expected 30-degree wintry mix of weather. Bears will pound the ball and their defense will pound Matt Hasselbeck. Bears 27-6

Patriots +5 over CHARGERS: As good a matchup as you can get this early in the playoffs, and I expect the winner to be the eventual Super Bowl champion, so essentially this is the biggest game on the board. New England has played well since getting shut out in Miami a month ago and never underestimate this core group that has won so many big games the last five years. Having said that, the Chargers are 14-2 for a reason. They're a great team. My only concern is Marty Schottenheimer coaching scared, with so many colossal playoff failures haunting him. Though I expect a huge game from LaDainian Tomlinson and a steady, if not spectacular, effort from Philip Rivers in his playoff debut. Tom Brady will get hounded much more than last week by great Charger front seven, led by Shawne Merriman. With all those big names, however, expect this game to come down to the kickers. The Chargers have an Pro Bowler in Nate Kaeding and the Pats have a rookie in Steven Gostkowski. Kaeding blew the game against the Jets two years ago and makes up for it here. Weather expected to be around 60 and sunny at gametime. Chargers 23-20

Coughlin to Return as Giants Coach

As a fan I can't say I'm thrilled about this, but I did expect it.

Tom Coughlin will return to coach the New York Giants after the team decided Wednesday that two straight playoff appearances outweighed a sub-par 2006 season and a second consecutive exit in the first round of the postseason, according to a team official.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the team was to make a formal announcement during a noon conference call.

It was not immediately known whether Coughlin was given a contract extension or he will be work the final year of a deal that he signed in January 2004. He was to be paid $3 million under terms of that contract

There isn't a great market for head coaches at this point in time and the way the NFL is these days, they could fare much better next year. But not if he has the most undisciplined, erratic team in the league, with constant false starts, holding penalties, shoddy tackling, finger-pointing and a miserable offensive gameplan with a regressing quarterback who is not getting proper coaching. Outside of that, he's doing a great job.

On the upside, if they have another year like 2006, Bill Cowher may be ready to get back into the league and Bill Belichick could be available, so let's see what happens.