I'm Naming My First Child Sproles. Or Perhaps Scifres.

Nick Canepa called it the best NFL game ever in Mission Valley. That old coot has certainly been around long enough to be considered an expert so I'm not gonna disagree. The only game I can think of that comes close (considering only playoff games) is the win over the Dolphins in the '94 playoffs, but to get that win the Bolts needed Pete Stoyanovich to miss a 48-yard field goal as time expired. For this win they took the fight to the Colts, created a number of scoring opportunities, forced the Colts to play on a long field throughout the game and made big plays on key defensive downs.

Here are the plays that stand out, both the good and the bad:

- the opening offensive play for the Bolts where LT ran around right end for 13 yards;

- the Mathis sack on 3rd and 2 that ended that opening drive;

- every Mike Scifers punt starting from the first to the last where the ball miraculously landed on the two and bounced straight into the air, going out of bounds at the 1 yard line ... because of Scifres the Colts started possessions at their own 10, 19, 3, 7, 9 and 1;

- that 36-yard completion from Manning to Anthony Gonzalez where Gonzalez snaked up field;

- the big completion to Gates where Gates ran to the 10 and then turned and stiff armed the Colts defender;

- the Manning shady 72-yard pass to Reggie Wayne that caught Antonio Cromartie and the rest of the Bolts D sleeping;

- the beautiful Bolts drive from their own 20 that ended with Sproles fumbling the ball into the end zone for a Colts touchback ... this is when I took my glasses off, sat on the couch and rubbed my eyes, unable to look at the television;

- the gutsy 12-yard scamper on third down by Philip Rivers that set up a 4th and 1 sneak for a first down ... Rivers' dive along the sideline to try to get the first down epitomizes his toughness;

- the interception to the deep safety in the end zone on the very next play after getting a first down at the Colts' 32;

- the Dobbins' sack at the 1 yard line on 3rd and 2 after Manning double pumped ... Manning never saw Dobbins;

- Rivers' two passes to Gates over the middle on the game-tying drive;

- Kassim Osgood clapping that the coin toss came up tails;

- the defensive holding penalty on 3rd and 8 where the Colts' DB grabbed Chris Chambers and spun him around; and

- the Sproles run around left end for the game winning touchdown.

Bolts win 23-17.

Now on to Pittsburgh.

Go Time

Hey Philip,

You had the best season of any QB in football this year. I don't care what the MVP voters say.

Let's get r dun tonight.

Best,
Bevormo

New Owner?

Word is Jeff Moorad (the guy standing) may be the next owner of the Drinos. Moorad resigned today as CEO of the D-Backs and says he is near an agreement to buy the team from John and Becky Moores.

A very interesting development to say the least. All previous reports said that it would take months for Moores to work out a deal to sell the Padres. Although a final deal may indeed be a few months away, the fact Moorad resigned today would seem to indicate a deal may get done faster than anyone initially imagined.

Some initial positives of this development are that Moorad is a SoCal kid, has shown a willingness to okay expenditures in 'Zona, has overseen development of a strong farm system while with the Backs and, let's be honest, is not going through a divorce. If we're lucky he'll take over in time to okay an increased payroll so the Pads can keep Peavy and maybe sign another free agent or two.

I'd have no problem with that.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009, folks!

It's going to be a big year.

Couple Nice Little Wins

Couple nice little wins by the Illini following their disappointing loss to Clemson last week.

On Saturday morning they took the pain to the Georgia Bulldogs at the United Center, drubbing the 'Dogs 76-42. I missed the game entirely because I was en route to Las Vegas for the weekend and by the time I arrived at the Mandalay sports book, the beatdown was already in the books. Georgia apparently had 27 turnovers. I'm not sure how many of those the Illini forced, but that's a nice little number. I'm no basketball expert, but if the other team has 27 turnovers your chances of winning seem pretty good.

Just two days later, on Monday night, the Illini hosted the Rainbow Warriors in Champaign. Hawaii played well considering their long trip from the most remote island chain in the world (that's right folks, Hawaii is out there), but the Illini, behind clutch shooting from Chet and 'Nique Keller, managed a 68-58 victory. That puts the Illini at a solid 8-1 on the season with remaining non-conference games against Chicago St. (tonight), Detroit (the debut of Alex Legion?), Missouri (border war) and Eastern Michigan, before opening the Big Ten season at Purdue on December 30. If all goes right they'll be sitting at 12-1 that night in West Lafayette and, though they won't be expected to win that game, a strong showing against Hummel, Moore and the rest of Painter's boys, would give a strong indictation that this Illini team will be dancing come March.

Let's do this, Bruce!

Big Week, Big Week

First, Michael Turner and the Falcons ran all over the Bolts. That was on Sunday.

Then, Clemson beat Illinois in Champaign when, with a chance to win or tie with a last second shot, Demetri McCamey waltzed the ball up the court, got tied up at the top of the key, and didn't get a shot off. That was on Tuesday.

Next, the Padres traded Khalil Greene to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league relief pitcher, Mark Worrell, and a PTBNL. That was on Wednesday.

Finally, the Bolts rebounded to pummel the Raiduhs 34-7 behind Darren Sproles' two touchdowns. That was Thursday, last night.

Like I said, big week. Big week.

Thus Endeth the Season

November 30, 2008:

Denver 34
Jets 17

Falcons 22
Bolts 16

See the title of this post.