Super Bowl Venues

Majority of the Super Bowl games that were held were played in one of the three most frequent cities that were used as the game's venue so far. These three cities are New Orleans in Louisiana, the Greater Miami Area and the Greater Los Angeles Area. In fact 25 out of the 41 games that were ever played were held in one of these three cities. New Orleans and the Greater Miami Area have been the Super Bowl venues for nine times each and the Greater Los Angeles area has been the game's venue for seven times. Following these would Florida, Tampa and San Diego, which have hosted the Super Bowl thrice each.

Some of the stadiums where the Super Bowl was held are Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Miami Orange Bowl, Tulane Stadium, Rice Stadium, Rose Bowl, Louisiana Superdome, Tampa Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium and a lot more.

Super Bowl 2012

The venue for the Super Bowl games is usually chosen by the National Football League or NFL around 3 to 5 years prior to the game actually being held. Typically, different cities place their bids to be able to host the Super Bowl. After the bids have been received, the NFL owners have a meeting to select, decide and finalise the location. The venues for the next 4 years of the Super Bowls have already been decided, up to 2011 Super Bowl XLV. There was also a suggestion made by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in October of 2007 that there could be a Super Bowl which would be played in London.

Super Bowl Venues

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Trade Update

The Bears made a trade today, Friday the 16th, for defensive end Gains Adams from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears had to give up their second round draft pick in the 2010 draft for Gains which now puts the Bears out of the first two rounds of the draft next year because their first round draft pick was included in the trade for Jay Cutler. Gains Adams is in his 3rd season with the NFL and was the 4th overall draft pick in the 2007 draft by the Buccaneers. Gains played in 37 games with 29 starts in three seasons, recording 124 tackles, 13½ sacks, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

"He's prototypical of what we look for in a defensive end, particularly on the right side," Angelo said Saturday. "When you think of him, the first thing you think of is his athleticism, and obviously you have to have a high level of that to be a pass rusher in this league. We just think that getting back into a scheme that facilitates his traits, given how we feel about our coaches and our defense, makes him a good fit for us."

Nfl 2012

All the coaches on the Bears seem to be in love with his ability and are very happy with the trade for him. Gains is also happy to be with a winning team coming from Tampa and has a lot of respect for defensive coach Rod Marinelli, which he has only heard great things about. He is signed through 2012 and might be a very good option for the Bears if they can not sign defensive end Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson who both are in the final years of their deals. It is unclear as of now if he will play in this Sunday night game but I will be watching him closely when he does get into the game to see what kind of new talent we added to our team.

Trade Update

Chicago Bears Offense

Some critics would say that the best defense for a football team is the offense. Others would say that the best offense for a team is the defense. I would personally say that you absolutely need both to have a championship team. For the sake of this article though I will talk about the Bears offense in depth. I will go over the different strategies, players and opinions that make the Bears offense either successful or unsuccessful. The Bears have always had a history of being a defensive team, but they have only made the super when their offense has been suburb. Let's take a look at the 1984-85 Bears.

It was the Bears 66th regular season and 16th post-season that took them to a championship. The Bears defeated the last three post season opponents be a combined score of 91-10. That is truly an incomparable margin of victory. This is the biggest deficit by any team in NFL history, but why did they win by so much. It was because of players like middle linebacker Mike Singletary who was named defensive player of the year, and Walter Payton who won the NFC offensive player of the years. Not to mention one of the most renowned coaches in the NFL Mike Ditka. They had it all. I believe that the main reason the bears were so successful was because they finally had an offense to support their defense. First I would like to talk about Walter Payton

Nfl 2012

Walter Payton was given the nickname sweetness due to his ability to run the ball so smoothly. He was a nine pro-bowler, and once held the NFL record for rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. He was inducted into the pro football hall of Fame in 1993. Needless to say Walter Payton was one of the greatest football players of all time. Like I said before, the bears have always had a history of being a defensive team, but with Walter Payton on the sidelines they quickly became one of the best offensive teams that year. I see a lot of him in our new upcoming star Matt Forte.

In recent history Matt Forte has been the crutch of the Bears offense. With his 205 rushing game against the Panthers in week 4 (2012 Season) he joined the greats included Walter Payton and Gale Sayers, to be the only running backs to rush for more than 200 yards in a game. He has proven is worth to the organization week in and week about over the past couple years and I am sure there is more to come. With that said Forte is not the only offensive production the bears have been getting recently.

Jay Cutler has been leading the offense for the Bears the last couple of years. He was a first round draft pick (11th pick) out of Vanderbilt by Denver. He played there for 3 years and came to the Bears with an over 500 record. He had never seen a playoff game until last season when the Bears made it to the NFC championship against the Green Bay Packers. We ended up losing that game, but it was still a great sign of good things to come. It especially has to be hard for Cutler because besides Forte he does not have the best supporting cast. Cutler was sacked 52 times last year which was the most out of anybody in the 2011 season. He was sacked for more times that season than his entire 3 years at Denver. Even with those numbers he can still produce great games. In week 1 of the 2012 season Cutler threw for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns to give him a great quarterback rating of 107.8. Seeing this just shows that he has the potential to be the next big bears quarterback alongside of the greats like Jim McMahon who was on the 85 bears. With all those great numbers he has produce there is still signs that there I not something clicking in the offense. There offensive line has been struggling to keep up with defenses for a while.

Not only is the Bears offensive line struggling, but they lost a key starter in week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. The Bears starting right tackle Gabe Carimi (6'7) a rookie out of Wisconsin was injured sometime in the second half of the game. The Bears just signed this gigantic man hoping that he would bring great protection just to have him get injured in week 2. Carimi has a subluxation, which is a partial dislocation of the kneecap. This is a less serious injury than expected, but it will take some time to heal. It is too early to tell whether he will be back this season. I also know that with Football comes injury's so it is to almost be expected that some players on the Bears roster will be on the injury reserve.

I would have to say that the best asset to the Bears organization in the past decade has been Devin Hester. Devin Hester just extended his NFL record for combined kick/punt returns to 15. This record will stand for many years to come. He has been one of the greatest offensive threats for the Bears since Walter Payton and he is doing it on special teams.

The real purpose of this article it to try and compare the Bears offense in 85 to the present day offense. To be honest the present Bears just do not have the same tools as the 85 Bears did. Matt Forte is good, but he is not similar to the great Walter Payton. Jay Cutler has a lot of potential, but he did not run a team like Jim McMahon could. The injury of Carimi also puts a damper on the Bears Success. So offensively, the Bears have a great amount of work to do before they become a super bowl team again, but I feel like it's only a matter of time before we see the Lombardi trophy in Chicago.

Chicago Bears Offense

Super Bowl Sunday - Greatest Show On Earth

When it comes to the biggest event in American sport, there is no doubt that Super Bowl Sunday, the final of the NFL's American Football championship, is the most watched and most popular. So much of the sporting year in the USA is geared towards the Super Bowl, which usually takes place in late January or early February, and is one of the biggest dates in the USA calendar.

Lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy, which is the great prize for winning a Super Bowl, is a great honor for any coach and any team captain in the NFL. It can also mean a big change and an air of optimism which can affect a whole city with a win on that day. There is no better example of this than the win of the New Orleans Saints in 2010, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which was indeed a great boost for the people of that beleaguered city.

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Records

The team which has carried away the trophy on the most occasions is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are also tied with the Dallas Cowboys for the most appearances in the Bowl, with eight each. A less desired record is held by the Buffalo Bills, who have the most consecutive appearances, but as they lost all four of these, they also have the most consecutive Super Bowl defeats.

In terms of individual players who have excelled, Jerry Rice holds a raft of records, having the most points scored in Super Bowls with 48, is tied for the most points in a single game with 18, and also holds records for the most receptions and the most receiving yards.

Entertainment

When it comes to the vast amount of money and prestige that comes with the game, there is always a large amount of attention which is placed on a number of things during the evening.

One of the most popular announcements in the build up to the big day is the announcement of the band or singer that will provide the halftime show, with huge acts such as Bruce Springsteen, The Who, and Paul McCartney having played the half time show over recent years.

Commercial Interests

One of the biggest things about Super Bowl Sunday is how commercialized the day has become, and how much advertising on the host broadcaster. At the moment, CBS, Fox, and NBC are sharing the broadcasting rights for the Super Bowl, and coverage rotates between them every year.

The advertising slots which are sold for the commercial breaks on are the most popular and also the most expensive for a single advert, and the anticipation and hype that accompanies adverts from the major companies can become large and interesting in itself.

For many American sports fans, this is the biggest day on the calendar. And although commercial and entertainment interests are also well-represented, the key feature is that, every player in the game wants the chance to lift the trophy, and to win a coveted Super Bowl ring which will stay with them forever.

Super Bowl Sunday - Greatest Show On Earth

Billy D. Ritchie
Director Of Content
Leadsbyfone, LLC

Super Bowl

My Blog

What A Madden 2012 Strategy Guide Will Do

With Madden 2012 coming out on August 30th, 2011 gamers everywhere are trying to prepare to become the best they can in football video games. There are so many madden 12 tips and strategies that you will need to know in order to compete against the best competition online and in franchise mode. A common practice among active madden players is to buy madden 12 ebooks so that you get the upperhand on your opponents by getting help straight from professional gamers.

These madden strategy guides will give you the best plays on both offense and defense in an easy to understand format so that you can take them online with any of the 32 teams available and dominate other players. One of the best things about becoming skilled in madden 2012 is that you can win money by competing in the various tournaments throughout the United States. Millions of passionate fans buy the madden nfl series every year from major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon but very few of those people get the upper hand by also buying a premium guide.

Super Bowl 2012

All of the madden-school strategy guides include full hd videos as well as complex written breakdowns and is presented to you in a secure digital ebook format. You will then be able to take the information that you get from the guides and use a poor madden 12 team and compete with teams such as the reigning super bowl champion, Green Bay Packers. The blitzes and coverages in the defensive strategy guides will leave your opponent confused and befuddled. You can act like you are the coach of your favorite NFL franchise and lead your team to a conference championship and maybe even a birth in the 2012 NFL Superbowl. The offensive sections of the tips shows you exactly what plays you will want to call and when it is best to call those plays. You will be taught how to properly read the defense and the coverages that they are in. Best of all, you aren't given a simple list of good plays. A madden 12 strategy guide will include schemes and setups to go along with all of the information presented to you.

Madden 2012 is produced and distributed by Electronic Arts. They have made the best football video games in the world over the last 20 years. There are a lot of new features in this year's edition so you will defiantly want to read up on things such as custom playbooks, online franchise mode, and team specific entrances. There will be plenty of madden 12 forums for you to join for free in case you want to enter tournaments or learn from free tips. A free madden tip that we can provide you before the game even comes out is to always substitute in the players on your team that have the most speed. Speed is one of the most crucial elements to any successful madden team. Attributes such as awareness have never mattered much in the past, so don't look for that to change in madden 2012 or anytime in the future.

What A Madden 2012 Strategy Guide Will Do

Madden-School is the leading source for Madden 2012 strategy guides and madden 12 tips.

Reducing the Cost of College 101

With increasing tuition costs decreasing access to higher education for many students, the Center for College Affordability and Productivity has been working to compile and publish a report that will detail twenty-five ways for college administrators and state and national governments to lower the cost of college. Skyrocketing tuition costs have been at the forefront of the education reform discussion and with college and university tuition inflation rising at almost double the rate of general inflation; students are calling for change.

So, what's behind these dramatic tuition spikes? Most students are aware of the current state of the national economy. And, while the economy has recently shown signs of recovery, a huge budget deficit and high unemployment rates still exist. For ground schools, an increase in hiring, specifically in the administration sector, has contributed to higher tuition rates. Additional investments in student services and school infrastructure (such as unnecessary NFL style stadiums) have further exacerbated costs.

Nfl 2012

To keep higher education affordable and accessible and to meet President Obama's call for eight million more college graduates by 2012, a number of changes need to be made. Let's take a look at a few of the twenty-five proposals submitted by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity and why these measures need to be implemented.

1. Increase Dual Enrollment Programs: Many of the nation's high schools offer students the chance to earn college credits while still in high school- either through Advanced Placement programs or other initiatives. More high schools and more students need to take advantage of this opportunity and start their college-level courses in high school. By doing so, these students will be able to apply credits earned in high school to a college degree, in effect earning a degree faster and paying less in college tuition costs.

2. Cut Unnecessary Degree Programs: While students should have the opportunity to pursue a degree in their subject of choice, the truth is, some programs are just not as popular or real-world applicable as others. By cutting programs that don't garner much student interest or won't adequately prepare student for real-world job opportunities, colleges will be able to save money and offer lower tuition to deserving students.

3. Promote Timely Degree Completion: Not only do students themselves spend more money the longer they are in school, they also cost the school more. By encouraging timely degree completion, offering incentives to students who complete their degree ahead of schedule or on time, and offering more cost-effective ways to retake courses that were dropped or failed, colleges will be better positioned to reduce tuition and related costs.

4. Implement Online Courses and Online Degree Programs: The hot topic of the day is online education. Online instruction is not only more flexible and accessible than traditional ground instruction, it's also significantly more cost-effective. And, what better way to prepare students for an increasingly digitally savvy workforce than by allowing them to earn their degree from an accredited online degree program?

5. Reduce Textbook Costs: Textbooks now cost students a yearly average of more than 0. Partnerships with publishing companies have also begun to cost colleges more and more. Offering textbook rental plans or e-textbooks, two substantially more cost-effective solutions to print, to students will help to dramatically lower both student and university expenditures

6. Digitize College and University Libraries: Although digital libraries, like digital texts, have been slow to catch on at many college campuses, some, more progressive colleges and universities have turned to digitizing as an innovative way to save. Digitization can help to significantly lower the costs of operating an academic library and help administrators save the money they need to confront heightened tuition costs.

Reducing the Cost of College 101

The cost of college needs to be reduced. And, if college and university administrators and state and federal politicians take note of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity's proposals and work diligently to implement necessary changes, more students will have the chance to pursue a higher education and earn a college degree.

How To Back Big Winners In US Sports - What's The Key To Making Money?

Winning big on US sports... it's all about patience.

No matter what the sport you care to mention, it's amazing how often a new season starts with one particular team blazing a trail at the head of the standings.

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New signings, a new coach, a run of good form.

They quickly become 'the team' to beat.

Bookmakers similarly latch on. Reducing any liability, they react by slashing the odds. They over-react, you could say.

But, then again, so do punters.

How many times have you seen traders falling over themselves to get a piece of the action... when the market has barely formed. When the season has such a long time to run.

A case of 'bet now, think later'.

Often the best thing is to do... nothing!

That's right. Strange as it may seem, the best policy can be to watch... and wait.

This is certainly the case when it comes to the US Sports... be it American Football (NFL), baseball, basketball, ice hockey and even major league soccer (MLS).

And the main reason for this is the format used by these various sports in the US.

What could best be called a 'regular season, post-season' model.

This characteristic isn't unique to the States but it tends to be the exception rather than the norm when it comes to the majority of global sporting competitions. They tend to be one, or the other... not a mixture of both.

In simple terms, there's an initial phase (regular league format) followed by a concluding phase (knock-out competition).

And as we know. In league situations, it's usually a case of the best team which ends up the winners. The cream rises to the top as everybody competes on a level playing field.

However, in cup competitions, anything can happen. It's all on the day. It's not always the best team which wins... more the luckiest!

How does this explain your betting strategy?

Well, it's quite simple really.

What you have is a situation where during the first part of the campaign, whether it's in baseball's MLB standings, basketball's NBA tables or the NFL rankings, a team starts really well.

They record win after win, generate a good win/loss record and head the rankings...and are put straight in by the bookmakers as favourites for the Super Bowl, World Series or Stanley Cup.

And that's to be expected. If the best regular season team isn't deserving of outright favouritism... then who is?

All perfectly logical it has to be said. But only logical if there was a proven record of these early season trailblazers going on to win the outright competition.

Because if the stats show that they don't... why make them the favourites?

And I can tell you... they don't. Not nearly enough to be backing early season pacesetters at ludicrously short prices.

Just recently we've seen the Green Bay Packers start the regular NFL Season by winning their first 13 matches. Prices were slashed for 'the Pack' to follow up their Super Bowl win of 2011 with another success in 2012.

Made favourites to win the Super Bowl XLVI the Packers were the No.1 ranked team from the NFC... but lost their first play-off game at home to the New York Giants (who then went on to beat the No.1 ranked team in the AFC, New England, in the Super Bowl).

So 2012 was another blank year for the top rated teams in the NFL.

Too many teams fail to 'see out the trip'

And of even more interest to this study is that fact that the best record in the regular season doesn't just mean you're 'the best' team but it also means you get the best route through the play-offs. Taking on the weakest opponents, with that all-important homefield advantage.

So if teams still aren't sealing the deal with all this in their favour, just why do we continue to fall for these market leaders.

Why rush in early and take falsely short prices about a team who could easily slip up in the play-offs?

Looking at the available data... since 2000, across the five major sports in the USA (that's the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS) there have been 59 annual championships - as strike action scuppered the 2005 ice hockey season.

Of those 59 titles only 20 were won by No.1 seeded teams. That's a rather measly 34%. The best team in the tournament barely winning 1 in 3 times.

You've got teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers (2006) winning the Super Bowl as No.6 seeds and No.4 ranked New Jersey Devils winning the Stanley Cup (2000).

The St. Louis Cardinals were No.4 in the National League standings prior to baseball's World Series in 2011 and Real Salt Lake were the No.4 team in the MLS before they won the play-offs in 2009.

Time and again we see so-called favourites losing in the post-season.

Great.. I get it now. But how can I win money?

Depending upon your knowledge there are a couple of ways in which this type of situation can be addressed.

The most obvious one is to lay the top seeds (and, we presume market leader) on an exchange like Betfair.

The price is a crucial consideration... but the example of the Packers shows just how over-bet these teams have become.

On the stats, they were a solid lay.

However, a more appealing option is to go hunting for teams at bigger prices.

Those with (i) good late season form and a bit of momentum going into the play-offs (ii) not too many injuries/suspensions (iii) past play-off experience always helps a team (iv) managerial expertise is similarly a plus when the competition intensifies (v)... a good price.

These factors all come into play once the post-season kicks in and can make the difference between winners and losers.

Yes, you might need your team to win 'on the road'. For sure, they might need a bit of luck along the way.

But when you're opposing a short-priced team with one, or possibly two others (hedge your bets with one team in each conference / side of the draw), then you can easily locate bets at double-figure prices.

So the over-riding advice...

Bet smart. Don't follow the crowd in trying to lump on a team which has impressive early season form.

The format of US Sports makes it a real lottery once the play-offs begin... and it's asking a lot for a team to hold their form right through the 'league programme' and match-by-match in the 'knock-out phase'.

The strategy, whilst keeping an eye on the odds, must be to oppose these short-priced market leaders in the US.

How To Back Big Winners In US Sports - What's The Key To Making Money?

Matthew Walton. Author, journalist and broadcaster, Matthew has worked in the betting industry for the past 20 years. His articles can be read online at http://www.goldcall.com and you can follow his daily updates on Twitter by following @MattWalton_uk.

Wembley Stadium Events

The new Wembley Stadium opened in 2007, and is an all seater stadium, with Wembley seating a massive 90,000 people, making it the second largest stadium in Europe, but the largest roof-covered stadium in the world, and at a cost of £798 million, the most expensive stadium ever built.

It's the home of England's national football team, plus it also caters to a variety of other football events, such as the FA Cup Final, FA Community Shield and the promotional play offs. Not only does it cater to football, but other Wembley stadium events include Rugby League games, NFL games (the first such venue outside North America), and concerts, with previous artists such as George Michael, Metallica, Oasis, U2, Muse, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, AC/DC, Madonna, and Take That performing, and the Concert for Diana and Live Earth being hosted.

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The stadium has a busy schedule ahead with 95.8 Capital FM's Summertime Ball taking place on 6th June 2010, to be headlined by Rhianna, Michael Jackson's tribute concert airing live world wide from the stadium on 8th June 2010, which will include superstars such as Stevie Wonder and Beyonce, Green Day continuing their world tour and playing on 19th June 2010, and Muse 10th & 11th September 2010. The stadium is due to host the 2011 Champions League Final, and it'll be a significant part of the plans for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, as it'll be the site of several games in both the men's and women's football tournaments, with the finals planned to be held there.

Wembley Stadium Events

D Trotman is an Internet Marketer, and you can visit his latest site on Wembley Stadium Events, which has a variety of info on all things Wembley Stadium including Wembley Stadium Seating.

Top 5 Social Media Trend Predictions For 2012

In 2011 we witnessed a number of fascinating advances in the world of social media (SM) networking. However, with 2011 come and gone we're now left to wonder just what new trends we'll be able to expect from 2012. A few of the highlights of 2011 came as we realized the full impact of Facebook on the growth of social media, saw the strategic play made by many companies to market their brands across the social media landscape, as well as seeing Google make its own attempt at SM networking with the advent of Google+. By analyzing these past innovations, we can begin to get a glimpse of what may be in store for the future of social media. Here are the top five predictions for where social media trends are headed over the next year.

The Growth of Social Gaming

Super Bowl 2012

Given the broad viral spread and addictive nature social media gaming has developed over the past few years, it isn't hard to see how this trend will steadily grow in the near future. One logical development would be in the introduction of live gaming events hosted by big name developers, such as Zynga, whose substantial fan base could help push this trend to ever greater lengths should companies choose to pursue the idea.

The Spread of the Social Search Engine

One foreseeable trend is the growth of the social search. While Google+ has already taken advantage of social search technology, given the implications of such an advance on not only the social networking world but on business as well, it seems safe to assume that others sites will soon be following Google's lead. The ability to conduct a specialized search focused around the personal preferences given in a user's profile information seems to offer limitless potential to web retailers looking for new ways to draw in consumers.

Content Branding in Social Media

Even people who don't care for football often tune in to the Super Bowl just to watch the commercials, where companies have spent millions and millions of dollars for a few seconds of ad space. Nowadays, however, that same kind of viral advertising can be achieved for next to nothing through the use of social networks. As companies are beginning to realize this fact, more and more are starting to use content branding as a means of self-promotion through social media sites, where content can be rated and circulated freely. This is a trend that will only continue to progress.

Social Media Marketing

Since SM networking has now been shown to offer companies a tremendous return on their investments, companies of all sizes have started jumping on the bandwagon and investing in SM marketing campaigns. With the growth of this trend, the next logical step will be for companies to begin branching out into business-to-business marketing, allowing these companies to gain an even better foothold in the social media world.

Customer Relationship Management Through Social Media

With so many other aspects of the business world spreading into social media, it seems the next practical step would be for companies to begin using these social networking and media outlets as an online extension of their help desk services. This would allow companies to communicate with their customers more freely, as well as giving these companies the ability to identify important trends in their customer base via their customers' social profiles.

Top 5 Social Media Trend Predictions For 2012

J.T. Moore is the founder and Producer of Killer Productions, established in 2001. Killer Productions is a full-service Internet video production company.
We specialize in creating effective web videos and web commercials for any industry, product, or service. In addition, the Killer Productions team are experts in developing and implementing profitable web video marketing strategies and video SEO tactics. It is our goal to bring visibility, thereby increasing Internet sales or leads through the proper use of videos and video SEO marketing strategies. Learn more about us by visiting http://www.killerproductions.net or follow us on Twitter: @killer_video

Superbowl XLVI Quarterback Overview

Why are you here? There can only be one reason... SUPERBOWL XLVI with Tom Brady and Eli Manning at the helm. After recent games, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants are facing off once again for the ultimate prize. Tom Brady will square up against Eli Manning in pursuit of the greatest honor in professional football. There's a lot at stake here, so let's first take a look at Tom Brady's stats then we'll look at Eli Manning. Brady is 6'4 at 225 lbs and graduated from Michigan. He definitely has the experience to beat Eli in Superbowl XLVI and boast many impressive statistics:

Tom Brady Stats

• 611 attempted passes / 401 completions = 65.6% completion percentage
• 8.6 yards per attempt
• 12 interceptions
• 105.6 QB rating

Super Bowl 2012

Manning is also 6'4 at 218 pounds and graduated from Mississippi. He also boasts tons of experience so let's take a look at his stats compared to Brady's.

Eli Manning Stats

• 589 attempted passes / 359 completions = 61.0% completion percentage
• 8.4 yards per attempt
• 16 interceptions
• 92.9 QB rating

As you can see, Eli Manning is seemingly the underdog in this offense scenario against Tom Brady. There's much more to a football team than a QB, so next time I will go over the offensive sectors vs the defensive sectors. Without an effective defensive strategy, the Giants could be left with their pants down. On the other side of the equation though, without an all-out offensive rush there's no way to win a Superbowl. It's going to be tough for the teams to do, but they need to strike a balance of offense and defense to win this game. Whichever quarterback gets this balance right will win the Superbowl for sure. Some quarterbacks can find this middle ground very easily right from the start while others struggle to find it until it's too late. For these quarterbacks, it's critical that they "find their groove" right away or it could spell absolute disaster for the team and the fans. Personally, I think that Tom Brady will be able to manage his team and discover this balance more effectively because he seems to have a cooler head and takes it all in stride. All in all, seeing Eli Manning vs Tom Brady will be undoubtedly one of the biggest spectacles in NFL history and will remain in the minds of the viewers for years to come.

Superbowl XLVI Quarterback Overview

Lucas Oil Stadium - New Home of the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are enjoying their stay at their new home - the Lucas Oil Stadium. The stadium is a retractable roof stadium located in Indianapolis, Indiana which opened in the second half of 2008. The new stadium replaces the RCA Dome which was the long time home of the Colts. This stadium is constructed in preparation for the Super Bowl XLVI to be held in 2012. Aside from the stadium, a new high-rise JW Marriot Indianapolis is being constructed as part of the preparation for the Super Bowl.

The architectural firm behind the design of the new stadium is HKS, Inc. with Walter P. Moore as the structural engineer. Similar to other stadium, the Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof and window wall which allows the Colts to play outdoors. The concept of kinetic architecture was utilized in the design of the stadium for it to be a multi-functional facility with the ease of conversion for an increased return of investment.

Nfl 2012

The rights to name the stadium was purchased by Lucas Oil for approximately 0 million for 20 years, thus it is fondly nicknamed as The Luke by some commentators. Despite the state-of-the-art facilities of the new home of the Indianapolis Colts, a retro look is inculcated in the design as a result of Indianapolis's liking of a field house appearance of sports venues which were popular a few decades ago. The construction of the stadium costs 0 million which was raised through a cooperative effort from the government of Indiana and the Colts.

The seating capacity of the new stadium for football games is 5,000 more than the old one. Now, 63,000 fans can watch from the sidelines during the game. In the event that Indiana will host the Super Bowl, this seating capacity can be increased to 70,000. For basketball games, the seating capacity of the facility can go beyond 70,000. Features of the new stadium includes two huge Daktronics HD scoreboards each measuring 97 feet wide and 53 feet tall and located in the northwest and southeast corners of the stadium.

The retractable roof of the Lucas Oil Stadium was designed by Uni-Systems. The roof divides lengthwise into two retractable panels, each sliding down the slope of the roof of the stadium when it is open. Each panel weighs 2.7 million pounds each. It takes nine minutes for the roofs to open, twelve minutes for it to close and is fully automated at that. What is unique about these retractable roofs is that it is the first ever roof that divides lengthwise. However, the entire stadium is not waterproof so the roofs remain close for most of the year.

A peculiar addition to the stadium's design is the large moveable window wall that allow additional light while closed and gives a more open environment when open. This is another first for that stadium since it is the largest movable glass wall in the world. The first NBC Sunday Night Football of the 2008 NFL Season was played in the Lucas Oil Stadium. Unfortunately, the home team wasn't able to grab the win.

Lucas Oil Stadium - New Home of the Indianapolis Colts

Rick Grantham is an avid NFL fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on Indianapolis Colts Merchandise [http://www.booyahvillage.com/nfl-indianapolis-colts.html]. Many articles are related to NFL blankets [http://www.booyahvillage.com/nfl-blankets-and-throws.html] and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

Indianapolis Bragging Rights

You may have lived in the Circle City all your life or be relatively new to town. But have you ever really listened to what others say about Indianapolis? Two decades ago, it may have been, "Why do I have to spend my weekends here?" Indianapolis has been recognized as the amateur sports capitol of the world over the years; it has blossomed into much more.

Not only is Indianapolis the 13th largest city in the United States, but it's a terrific place to live, work, play, eat, shop... and the list goes on and on. Most people who reside in Indianapolis are proud of their city, but may not know ALL the fun facts that can be shared with friends, relatives and visitors.

Nfl 2012

Consider this your Indianapolis "Brag Session."

Brag about the culture

• Indianapolis Cultural Trail, A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the Downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The eight-mile path allows users to pass by and through many destinations that make Indianapolis a recognized leader in the arts community. The trail will be completed by 2012.

• Indianapolis boasts The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, not only the largest museum of its kind in the world, but also rated "the best museum" by Child magazine. Among the interactive, hands-on attractions are the Dinosphere; featuring life-size, roaring dinosaur skeletons and simulated fossil digs. In 2006, the 43-foot Fireworks of Glass was installed, the largest permanent sculpture of blown glass ever created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Since then, the museum has expanded even more, adding a fabulous new lobby, new exhibits and more.

• Indianapolis is home to the Madame Walker Theatre Center, which stands as a memorial to America's first female self-made millionaire, Madam C. J. Walker.

• The Indianapolis Museum of Art was ranked by USA Today as one of the top 10 locations for marriage proposals -- in front of the famous LOVE sculpture. Adjacent to the Museum and located on 100 acres that includes woodlands, wetlands, meadows and a 35-acre lake is the 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The park opened in June 2010 and is one of the largest museum art parks in the country, and the only one to feature the ongoing commission of site-specific artworks.

• The Indianapolis Zoo is the nation's only accredited combined zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. The zoo's Oceans exhibit features the world's largest shark touch tank; while the Dolphin Adventure offers the world's first totally submerged dolphin viewing experience. During summer 2010, the Indianapolis Zoo opened its newest exhibit - Cheetah: The Race for Survival.

• The Old National Centre (originally named the Murat Temple when it opened in 1910) is the largest Shrine temple in North America.

• The Indiana State Museum features art, science and culture. The museum not only has exhibits inside, but is an exhibit itself with its 92-county walk, Indiana material-made exterior and more. It will feature Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Sept. 25 - Jan. 16, 2011.

• Indianapolis houses the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, one of only two museums east of the Mississippi with both Native American and Western art. A NEW exhibit featuring replicas of national treasures, Jingle Rails, will be unveiled in November 2010. Every canyon, mesa, lodge, Mt. Rushmore and even the replica of Indianapolis' own Soldiers and Sailors Monument-are made with natural materials by renowned-artist Paul Busse.

• Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in its number of monuments and memorials commemorating veterans.

• The 35th Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon takes place Saturday, May 7, 2011. The Mini has sold-out for the past nine years with 35,000 registrants, and an additional 4,000 participants in the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. The Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon in the U.S., and overall, the sixth largest running event in America.

Anyone would agree there's A LOT to do in Downtown Indianapolis. People of all ages can be entertained at numerous museums and historic sites, performing arts and theatres, memorials and parks, major sports venues and various unique attractions.

If you want to see what's only in Indianapolis, discover Indianapolis' Cultural Districts.

Indianapolis is bursting with pride over its six unique Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and Wholesale District. Four of the six districts have homes directly in Downtown Indianapolis, while Fountain Square is just a mile southeast and Broad Ripple Village nine miles northeast. The districts showcase distinct pockets of cultural opportunity thriving in the city. You'll find delightful public art, unique galleries, inspiring museums, quaint shops and engaging recreation. Satisfy your appetite at exquisite restaurants, ethnic eateries and cafes. Laugh out loud or dance the night away at one of dozens of night clubs and theaters. The districts also have your ticket to professional sports and performances.

Downtown is home to baby elephants, Duckpin Bowling, a working indoor carousel, a world-class symphony orchestra, a 55-foot "Indiana" sculpture, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and so much more to explore.

In recent years, Indianapolis has continued its reputation for Amazingly Always New attractions such as Rhythm! Discovery Center in 2009, Cheetahs: Race for Survival at the Indianapolis Zoo in 2010 and plenty of new Downtown residences to be close to the action!

Brag about Downtown dining and shopping

• Circle Centre, Downtown's world-renowned shopping and entertainment complex, is celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2010.

• Indianapolis is home to the 1886 City Market, which has remained a 'market' ever since and is undergoing a makeover through spring 2011 to further enhance the market.

• Indianapolis' Mass Ave, one of the few remaining diagonal streets on the original 1821 plat, is Downtown's premier arts and entertainment district where people live, work and play in the same eight-block area.

• Downtown Indianapolis has nearly 300 eating and drinking establishments to enjoy.

The dining options are endless ranging from national eateries like Capital Grille, Fogo De Chao, Weber Grill, Palomino and Ruth's Chris to the unique local hot spots such as Saffron Cafe, R bistro, Harry & Izzy's and Bazbeaux pizza.

• St. Elmo Steak House's infamous shrimp cocktail was named "World's Spiciest Food" by Food critic and Travel Channel blogger Alison Stein Wellner in May 2009.

• The Slippery Noodle Inn is Indiana's oldest, continually-operated bar (since 1850). It won the Keeping the Blues Alive - Blues Club of the Year from the Blues Foundation.

With more than 210 shops Downtown, residents and visitors can enjoy everything from the trendy, one-of-a-kind shops such as Windsor Jewelry Company or At Home in the City/Silver in the City, to the popular national chains like Nordstrom, Carson Pirie Scott, T.J. Maxx and Border's.

The JW Marriot hotel will open its doors in 2011. This will be the largest JW Marriot in the world with 1,005 rooms and 145,000 square feet of meeting and event space. It will join more than 30 quality hotels and bed & breakfasts Downtown.

• TripAdvisor named Conrad Indianapolis a Top 25 U.S. Hotel from its 2010 Traveler's Choice awards.

Brag about the sports

• Indianapolis is the only city to boast four professional sports teams, playing within a four-block radius, all in the heart of Downtown. (NBA Pacers, WNBA Fever, NFL Colts and Triple-A Indians)

• In 2012, Indianapolis will host Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. The spectacular new venue opened in 2008.

• Lucas Oil Stadium was named the Sports Facility of the Year in May 2009 by Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Journal.

• Conseco Fieldhouse was ranked the best NBA arena by The Orange County Register.

• Indianapolis is home to a football team of world champion caliber. In 2010 the Indianapolis Colts returned to Super Bowl XLIV. In 2006, the Indianapolis Colts dominated the Chicago Bears for a Super Bowl XLI victory.

• Indianapolis is the only city to have hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four three times in a decade: 1991, 1997 and 2000. Downtown hosted again in 2006 and 2010 and is set for 2015 too. In 2005, the city hosted the NCAA Women's Final Four for the first time and will again in 2011. (The Sporting News named Indianapolis as the "Best Final Four Host" stating "there's no better basketball town than Indy.")

• Indianapolis IS basketball in March. The city hosts the Big Ten Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments from 2008 - 2012. The Women's Tourney also visited in 2007. Indianapolis hosted the World Basketball Championship, which is held every four years, in 2002. This was the first time in the event's 52-year history that it had ever taken place in the United States.

• The Indianapolis 500 race is the largest, single-day sporting event in the world. Coincidentally, the second largest is the Brickyard 400.

• A national spotlight shone on Indianapolis as we hosted the 2005 VISA U.S.A Gymnastics National Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse. Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational will be in Indy January 2011.

• Indianapolis played host to the USA Swimming Nationals and ConocoPhillips Swimming Championships and World Championship Trials in July 2009. Indianapolis also welcomed the USA Diving Olympic Team Trials in 2008.

• The city hosted the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2006 and 2007 at the Indiana University Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium.

• Indianapolis ranked as the second best sports host city in the U.S. in May 2009 in The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live by Robert Tuchman

Of course, Indianapolis earned its bragging rights early as the amateur sports capital of the world. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long been noted as the city's icon. The addition of Victory Field, "the Best Minor League Ballpark in America" according to Sports Illustrated, as well as the state-of-the-art Conseco Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium, have furthered the city's sporting image. In addition, the USHL Indiana Ice is a Tier I junior hockey team that entertains the Indianapolis community.

During any given season, sports fans are sure to find an Indianapolis team to rally or event to attend. From the annual Circle City Classic or Indiana High School Athletics Association championships to the Big Ten Women's and Men's Basketball Tournaments, the action is non-stop.

What's more, various national governing bodies either originated in or have moved their headquarters to Indianapolis including the Black Coaches Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, USA Gymnastics Federation, USA Track & Field, USA Diving, Inc., U.S. Synchronized Swimming and others.

Brag about the international competitions and awards

• The American Pianists Association has been supporting aspiring young artists for more than 25 years. Unique Fellowships, both classical and jazz, offer significant opportunities for American pianists, ages 18-30, to advance their careers. Each Fellowship is valued at more than ,000 including cash awards, fees, publicity and recording opportunities.

• The Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American Fine Art program has awarded more than .5 million in unrestricted grants and art purchases and added more than 125 pieces of art by 35 Native American fine artists to its permanent collection over the last 10 years. This biennial program is one-of-a-kind in the world for Native Americans and first nations and has led to the distinction of having "the finest collection of Native contemporary art in the world."

• The Indianapolis Prize, presented by the Indianapolis Zoo, is the largest individual monetary award (0,000) for animal species conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree. The Prize is given every other year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts involving a single animal species or multiple species.

• The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis takes place every four years. Music lovers from all parts of the globe focus their attention on "The Indianapolis" - now regarded as one of the most respected music competitions in the world. The 17-day festival, Sept. 10 - 26 in 2010, features talented violinists from around the world.

Brag about the future

You may think that Downtown is complete. Not true. Development momentum remains steady with MORE THAN .3 billion of new construction to be completed by 2015. Since 1990, .9 billion have been invested in Downtown.

So, next time someone asks you about your town, you can quote Indianapolis native David Letterman. "I'm very, very proud of the fact that I was born and spent most of my life in that wonderful community of Indianapolis. It's a great city."

Thanks, Dave. We think Indianapolis is pretty wonderful too.

Indianapolis Bragging Rights

Find this story online: http://www.indydt.com/IndianapolisBraggingRights.cfm

Mural Art in Indianapolis

Indianapolis

Murals - Outside Public Art

Super Bowl 2012

Some say that street art is the most exciting of all graphic art. It has taken several years of wandering the streets of Indianapolis and, when least expecting it, turning a corner and encountering a beautiful piece of art, to appreciate the number and variety of murals in our city. Sharing this experience is the main reason for this article on outside public art which is also in many respects outsider art.

Almost all street art is short-lived, either painted over, destroyed when the building is removed, or simply succumbing to the elements and to deterioration. So documentation becomes another purpose of photographing and writing about mural art.

Since mural art had some of its beginnings in advertising, the first section of the book is about old signs that are still around and ghost signs that are fading but still visible. Some recent signs that are unusual or illustrate an artistic treatment of an advertising theme are also discussed.

The sign at 16th and College advertises a popular soft drink, and a mural at 707 Massachusetts Avenue advertises cereal. Although these murals are very old, these products are still around, and it's interesting to see how their marketing has evolved.

The second very contemporary mural is in Broad Ripple on the Monon Trail, just south of Broad Ripple Avenue. It was painted by Artists Joshua Wells and Dan Thompson of PaintSubsurface in 2006 and advertises a restaurant on the trail using a wave. It is reminiscent of Katsushika Hokusai's famous painting, but this one contains cups, saucers, and sodas. Very cool! Mural styles and influences from other artists and art traditions, is a subject I found most interesting. Muralists apparently build on the work of their predecessors, and their work tends to reflect current artistic trends.

Another example of an old advertising, mural which has recently been beautifully redone, is on Pendleton Pike near Franklin Road and adorns a German restaurant that has been family owned for more than thirty-five years. The restaurant offers a unique cultural dining experience as well as scrumptious baked goods from its bakery, and imported food and gift items that can't be found anywhere else in the city. The newly painted mural is a work of art more than advertising, showing scenes from the German countryside.

A final example of the beginnings of mural art in advertising can be found on Indiana Ave., now Martin Luther King Boulevard near 26th street. Piggy speaks for himself on this restaurant saying, "Best in the World since 1962". This mural is near the Indiana Avenue Cultural District which was the home of jazz in Indianapolis for many decades and still boasts the Madame Walker Theater.

The community mural movement, which started in the late 1960's, produced hundreds upon hundreds of large scale wall paintings in less than a decade. They were concentrated in major cities, but almost every city had a few, including Indianapolis. These were sparked by the civil rights movement, labor movements, the Chicano movement, and community development programs. Hispanic muralists such as Diego Rivera, Clemente Orozco, David Sequeiros, and Arnold Belkin influenced the style and content of these murals. They were also influenced by graffiti and by advertising art.

Murals with a message describes some ambitious community murals such as, "The Street of Dreams". It is located in the Watkins Park Family Center and includes portraits of many of the well known jazz artists in the city such as David Baker, Cheryl Hayes, and Jimmy Coe. The equally talented muralists who painted this and many other murals relating to the community mural movement are Barbara Stahl, Carol Tharp-Perrin, Larry Ginhardt and Lawrence Clark IIII. In Indianapolis, many of these murals are gone, but a few can still be seen in city parks. A mural in Douglass Park on the near east side celebrates one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery in the United States before the Civil War.

An interesting and unique example of mural art is still visible near 38th and College. Clayton Hamilton's Message Wall has posted community related messages and political commentary for years. He changes the wall frequently. Some examples include, "Vote out Greed, Lies, and Secrecy" and "Our Vote Mattered...Power to the People in '06 and '08!"

A mural commemorating the U.S.S. Indianapolis by Cynthia Walden, painted in 2002, is located under the New York street bridge over the canal in downtown Indianapolis and shows the ship superimposed on an American Flag with the caption "Freedom isn't Free.

The final section of this article deals with murals in churches and schools and in various neighborhoods of the city. It covers outside murals only, as their are numerous inside murals in public schools and in many places of worship.

An unusual and unsolicited work of mural art can be seen at east 10th and Sherman Drive beneath the underpass. It was painted by Tami Lannom and intended to beautify the neighborhood and inspire with its message, "Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it." Her message seemed to encourage many other artists in this area, resulting in the painting of other exceptional wall art. With the attention to development being paid to this neighborhood because of the city's hosting of the Superbowl in 2012, many more can be expected. The other neighborhoods in the city can boast similar mural achievements.

There are also numerous murals on the Monon Trail and in the city's newly designated cultural districts including, Broad Ripple, Indiana Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, Downtown and Wholesale District, and the Canal District. Street art and graffiti, Eli Lilly & Company's Global Service Day murals, and new murals planned for sprucing up the city for the Super Bowl in 2012 add to the mix. Please comment if you have seen any murals that are newly painted or have any favorite murals that you would like to know more about. Thanks and "keep painting"!.

Mural Art in Indianapolis

Sylvia Andrews is the author of the three volume publication, Indianapolis Murals, Outside Public Art, and several children's books including If You Take a Horse to the Gym, about the serious problem of childhood obesity. She also teaches a gourd art class at the Indianapolis Art Center and has a degree in Art History. http://www.sylvanartspress.com

Super Bowl, Super Numbers!

In America we use almost any occasion or event to throw a party. The Super Bowl is one of the top party days of the year and who can blame us for wanting to live it up just before March Madness?!! Even the most passive NFL fans can take joy in celebrating the lifting of the Lombardi Trophy. This year's game takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana and unfortunately EVERY football fan in the country just won't fit into the place.

Even during a recession, NFL fans spare little expense when it comes to the food and snacks that are made available on Super Bowl Sunday. Last year, Americans consumed over 30 million pounds of chips, hot dogs, BBQ, dips, nachos, chicken wings and whatever artery-clogging product you can think of. And here's an example of just how much 30 million pounds of food is;

Super Bowl 2012

· 1 billion chicken wings
· 293 million miles of potato chips (if laid end to end)
· If you spread out guacamole dip on a football field the amount consumed would be nearly 12 feet high

And believe it or not we like to drink beer on Super Bowl Sunday. A lot of beer. Americans will consume over 320 million gallons of beer on game day. That's enough to fill almost 300 Olympic sized swimming pools. All that food and all that beer wind up causing seven million people to call in "sick" to work on the following Monday and the sales numbers for ant-acids jumps roughly 20%. Those are giant statistics and it goes to show just how enamored the populous is with the Super Bowl. According to statistics, the average Super Bowl party is planned over a month in advance, with over 20 million people attending those parties. With all that food, beer, and partying is it any wonder that only 5% of people who watch the Super Bowl watch it alone? And with all the people who are attending parties you know that many of them don't give a hoot about NFL football until the main event. 40% of the people who watch the game will have not watched the NFL during the regular season.

Since we are doing so many numbers, I'll give you a little more to ponder and be amazed with. The preparation of the 30 million pounds of food on Super Bowl Sunday takes approximately 10 million man-hours. That's a lot of time spent sipping beer and basting hot wings! And if you want to compare that with something for perspective, consider that it also took 10 million man-hours (over a span of four years) to make the Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar"!

Super Bowl, Super Numbers!

Freddy is a social commentator who enjoys taking on any subject matter of interest to those who follow politics, pop culture, sports, film, music and pretty much any other topics that people enjoy thinking about. Having the ability to look at topics and issues from a different point of view is important to our growth as human beings. Freddy's Open Mind is a blog that is meant to amuse, inform, and most of all, provoke thought at different levels.

http://www.FreddysOpenMind.blogspot.com

Best Super Bowl Party

To organize your Super Bowl party, there are some essentials you need to take care of:

1: Invite the diehards: A little friendly competition in your house, whether it be for the team or the sport, is key to keeping the party focused.

Super Bowl 2012

2: Make it a pot-luck: Don't hesitate to allow your guests to bring their favorite junk food, give them an idea of how many attendants you're planning on and what "category" of munchies to bring. Below are some ideas to intrigue your guests' inner creativity:

• Name that Player-Drink: "Polamalu Punch"-will knock you down, "Manning Margaritas"-make it a double, "Johnson Juice"-It's GOOOOOOD!, "Iced Tebow"-pray it doesn't get spiked.


• Football themed Cakes/cupcakes: bringing a centerpiece food item can be as good on the eyes as it is on the mouth!


• Single Bite Snacks: Easy to devour bites that won't cause you to miss a major play because you were concentrating on utensil use.


• Other Bringables: Chips/dip, cups/plates/napkins, veggie/fruit trays, sweets and deserts

3: Seating arrangements: Arrange your livingroom/man cave/den into a prime viewing area. Think about the possibility of moving the kitchen table to the living room...lots of seating around the table plus the Lazy Boy/Sofa in line sight to the TV could maximize your viewing area while providing places for food, without having to leave the room. CAUTION: a table cloth may be a valuable interest to place on the floor under the table AND on the table itself. Provide an easy escape route for when nature calls.

4: Setting up the "Kid Party": Give the kids some space to have their own fun. Movies, pizza and ice cream can give you the much needed adult-time and allow them to lounge around too.

• Set up a schedule between the parents for "check-in" sessions where each parent can take a quick look and make sure things are staying kosher.


• For the little tikes, hire your babysitter for the night and ask for her movie, pizza and ice cream preference.


• Make sure to keep track of adult drinks, to avoid any confusion on the kids' part.

5: Guests who had "Too much fun": Someone is bound to get out of hand at a party like yours. Make sure you've got a little cash at hand to send them home in a taxi, or pull out the roll away and offer them a glass or water and some rest.

Best Super Bowl Party

Prorganized is issuing a 52-week long organizing project... check it out today to get started!

College Football - Coaching Musical Chairs

The film world was saddened this holiday season with news of the passing of Ann Savage - perhaps the original Femme Fatale. 'Femme Fatale' roughly interpreted, stands for 'Fatal Woman.' Get too close and you lose your good judgment, get whacked or at least seriously embarrassed. Using the universal laws of attraction, the standard methodology includes luring unsuspecting folks to listen to seductive language and in the end, cause some really poor decisions. As college football heads into the annual period of depression known as winter, some programs will be hard at work to rebuild or to at least get dog programs to respectability. Coaching candidates offer seductive language, grand visions and in some instances, cause the hiring institutions to make some really poor decisions.

In the end, schools have to try something radical to turn losers into winners. Witness the University of Buffalo. For years a doormat program, the Bulls actually achieved an unbelievable level of success in 2008 with a bowl appearance. Even though the Bulls lost to UConn in the International Bowl, this is a remarkable turn-around for a program that in the not too distant past, was simply the laughingstock of eastern college football. Congrats then to the Bulls and coach Turner Gill. This is what one would refer to as a "good hire."

Nfl 2012

Which coaching decisions will turn out to be the poor ones? One never knows for sure, but there are some bizarre story lines already forming on the surface of the 2009 season. Iowa State got really lucky in having its 2-10 coach hired away by - of all people - Auburn. This saved the school from itself when the Cyclone brass offered the former coach a contract extension. Racking up 2008 season wins over South Dakota State and Kent State at the beginning of the season, the Cyclones proceeded to lose everything else. Iowa State then replaced its lost head coach with native Iowan Paul Rhoads. Rhoads brings impressive credentials, a commitment to win in the state of Iowa and comes to the Cyclones from -of all places - Auburn. 2009 will see which school got the best end of this deal. Stay tuned on this one!

The Sage of College Football (your humble author) wishes Coach Steve Sarkisian at Washington the best of luck in 2009. Coach Sark probably read the tea leaves in his former position at USC and determined that his upward upward mobility would be better served by looking for another institution to craft into a winner. But Washington? The Huskies ended this past season winless - the first perfectly dreadful season for a Pac-10 school. If the Huskies turn in a few wins in 2009, coach Sark will really have accomplished something significant. Then look out for the purple dogs in 2012.

The opportunity to turn a loser into a winner will frequently override a coaching candidate's better judgment. The Sage hopes that New New Mexico State Coach DeWayne Walker made a good choice. Walker is the 33rd head coach of the Aggies and has his work cut out for him. The Aggies managed a single conference win last season and probably have the Cornhuskers, Michigan and a variety of other schools trying to get 'em on their home schedules. Should Walker get a couple of wins, New Mexico State's biggest challenge will be keeping him.

Going north from Las Cruces, the University of New Mexico also found itself in need of a new head football coach following the resignation of coach and alum Rocky Long. Never a powerhouse in the Mountain West Conference, New Mexico was in need of a recruiting ace to lure decent players to Albuquerque. Interestingly, the Lobos managed to convince Mike Locksley to give up his position as Offensive Coordinator at Illinois to try and push UNM in the right direction. This will take quite a bit of pushing. However, among Locksley's qualifications is a top 25 recruiting rating from Sports Illustrated. Should Locksley attract better players than have previously taken the field for the Lobos and get some wins in old UNM Stadium, other programs are going to want to know exactly how he did it. They are also going to want to hire him. Both football programs in the state of New Mexico need to make generous contract extension offers should either of their new coaches appear to be getting their respective programs turned around.

Brady Hoke, formerly Head Coach at Ball State, now finds himself in the same position at San Diego State. Admittedly, SDSU could offer things that Ball State couldn't - like a beach and decent weather. Hoke traded in his #12 Ball State Cardinals for one of the worst programs going. If he can turn it around in South California, he will be one of the hottest coaching commodities going. The Aztecs also better have a retention plan in place should Hoke start winning. There isn't a task more daunting than taking over a perennial loser and turning it around - except perhaps for taking over a program that is used to winning and keeping it that way. Witness Lane Kiffen -the new Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers and former Head Coach of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. Here is a guy who won't miss church the rest of the year. Getting fired by Al Davis at Oakland is not a disgrace as much as it is a blessing. But then to land in Knoxville? A bowl appearance in 2009 would be the 'hat trick.' There is real pressure in Knoxville, though, and 104,000 fans will be in Neyland Stadium for every home game to apply it.

The annual shuffling of the head coaching ranks has just about ended now for 2009. The motivational speeches are being prepared for the Spring Games heralding a "new way of thinking," "a winning attitude," "putting the past behind us," and "making something special happen." These are all great speeches, and are essentially given to every college level player with the courage to take the field for a losing program. Next September, we will finally see which programs have been lured in with sweet talk of victory and which programs actually deliver. The unfortunate part of hiring coaches is that a good decision is rewarded with having to come up with a big contract extension. A poor decision puts your program right back in the dumper.

College Football - Coaching Musical Chairs

For more wit and wisdom, please visit the author's home page at: http://firstworst.com/home.html or email directly to: talkbacktothesage@firstworst.com

Wholesale Pandemonium, In A Good Way, In Wisconsin Dells With 2012 New Attractions Unveiled

Every January in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., the resort community better known as "The Waterpark Capital of the World!®", there is a little tradition the local visitor bureau likes to call the official release of what's new for the coming year. Given everything that's debuting in the Dells for 2012, frankly it might have been easier to chronicle what's not new. But, in the spirit of keeping the tradition alive, here is a rundown of new Wisconsin Dells waterpark rides and new Wisconsin Dells attractions for the new year.

Big Waterpark News
Starting outdoors, Noah's Ark Waterpark, America's Largest Waterpark, is debuting Quadzilla, a million family mat racer slide that stands 47 feet tall, with lanes that run 323 feet long. How can that be, you ask? Because the four slides making up this ride are literally braided and twisted together, a first-of-its-kind for this community. Riders will plunge head first on Quadzilla, reaching top speeds of just over 20 mph. If you do the math, that's 24 seconds from top to bottom. The lanes start out enclosed, but as you race to the bottom, they become open lanes so you can see who's winning in the side-by-side competition. As you crest over vertical curves and gain even more speed toward the bottom, be prepared to experience a feeling of weightlessness.

Super Bowl 2012

At Kalahari Waterpark Resort Convention Center, they've literally raised the roof to install two indoor Super Loop waterslides, the first of their kind in the world, the Sahara Sidewinders. These slides stand 65 feet tall, which meant extending a section of the roof to accommodate the added height. You'll even be able to see the top of these slides from the interstate. Riders will step into the slide and brace themselves as a trapdoor opens below their feet, sending them rocketing at speeds up to 25 mph. Kalahari also installed an additional free fall slide for the really adventurous called the Screaming Hyena. While the new slides will be a hit with tweens and teens, the toddlers have not been left out, as the resort has opened a new kid's play zone called Tiko's Watering Hole, with more than a dozen kiddie slides and interactive African animal figures - think grey-crowned cranes doubling as squirt guns. A rain tree gushes water as if it's raining for added squeals.

Heading back outside, the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort is adding two new water tube-style slides, one that loops and one that jettisons riders straight down, both with trap doors to get the free fall started. Riders can reach speeds up to 40 mph thanks to maximum G force. Both of these behemoths will be in the Glacier Canyon Lodge section of the sprawling resort, the country's largest combo indoor/outdoor waterpark property.

Over at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Parks, their archeological crew has "excavated" the million Lost City of Atlantis, a gigantic outdoor water fortress that covers over three acres. This new archeological find will be easy to spot at a whopping six stories tall. Tailored for all age groups, the Lost City of Atlantis will feature a monster dump bucket and seven water slides including a bowl ride, boomerang slide, family tube slide, kids' water slides and a geyser blasting water over 160 feet.
The new splash pad at Sherwood Forest Camping & RV Park proves waterpark fun doesn't have to be limited to just waterpark resorts. This zero-depth attraction is festooned with rainbow water arches, squirt cannons and geysers.

New Ways to Be Entertained
There is a really nice variety of new indoor attractions this year starting with Wild Fun Zone, located downtown Dells and offering indoor bumper cars with spinning action, 3-D black light mini golf, a laser tag arena that takes the shape of a space cave, virtual roller coaster ride and mega arcade. Look for the huge gorilla on the top of the building to find this place.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum has added a "shrunken head alley" featuring a half-dozen actual shrunken heads. Next door at Wizard Quest, a new character by the name of Professor Oodlesmack has been added to the quest displays. His eccentric hobby is creating new flavors of popcorn, so naturally there is an Oodlesmack Popcorn counter attached to Wizard Quest, with more than 40 different gourmet flavors. Plus, the Dells 4D Special FX Theater, on the same block, has two new films this year that will make you feel like you're in the movie.

There's just something about oversized gadgets that gets kids, and adults, engaged. At the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory - Interactive Science Center, you can lift a 3,000 pound car off the ground using an oversized lever. This new hands-on exhibit is located right outside of the front entrance to the Exploratory. Head inside and you'll find two other new exhibits - one, a musical experiment called "Dancing Sands" and the other a "Square Wheel" that actually rolls. Side note - the Exploratory is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012.

Jeremy Allen's Grand Illusions magic show now has a theater all its own on Stand Rock Road and, to mark the move, Allen has added two new David Copperfield-type escape illusions. You'll also see four new white tigers making their stage debut.

For grown-ups getting away to the Dells, there's Wett Nightclub, a new hot spot with a quarter-million-dollar sound stage and massive dance floor. The club is quickly gaining a following thanks to its lineup of well-known DJs. The Dells Beach Club is another option. Housed with the Dells Comedy Club, the Dells Beach Club offers dining (they're known for their beer burger), tiki lounge featuring contemporary music and dance floor with DJs spinning Top 40 hits.

Wholesale Pandemonium, In A Good Way, In Wisconsin Dells With 2012 New Attractions Unveiled

Julia Luther is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Dells at the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, and is responsible for promoting Wisconsin Dells "The Waterpark Capital of the World!®" as a premiere national tourism destination for families, meetings and conventions, youth sports and group travel.

FiOS in 3D?

3D television is one of the hottest products on the market today. A few years ago Hollywood began producing more and more movies in 3D and now consumers want the technology to watch 3D movies at home. FiOs Tv from Verizon is set to offer its subscribers 3D videos on demand. There are 10 titles set for release at present.

Viewing 3D content

Nfl 2012

You will need a new 3DTV to view the movies and of course you still have to wear 3D glasses although now days they are far more stylish than the traditional paper ones, we are all use to wearing. You can get a good pair of 3D glasses for around 150.00 dollars. There is a new Toshiba 3DTV, the Regza that is a glasses free viewing experience. It will be available in Japan only and no word when the US market will see a similar product.

Now that the technology exists for 3D viewing on home televisions, more content needs to be developed.

• Most of the content we see now is in the form of videos. But there is also a move towards 3D gaming, NBA 2K11 will be released in 3D later in the year.
• George Lucas is developing a CD version of the Star Wars trilogy, the first release is slated for 2012.
• FiOs launched 3D content for the on-demand channel, WealthTV. Viewers can watch episodes of "Wealth on Wheels" in 3D and feel as if they are in the driver's seat as they view classic luxury cars.
• In 2010 Verizon broadcasted a Yankees vs. Mariners baseball game in 3D on its FiOs TV service. Can 3D NFL games be far behind? Professional sports in 3D would offer users a unique viewing experience.

FiOs is a technology with room to grow. The speed and bandwidth possible on the all fiber optic network are capable of delivering content faster and at a better quality than ever before possible.

FiOS in 3D?

Paul J. Is an online journalist specializing in saving money online. He loves tech and gadgets. If you're looking for Verizon FiOS coupon codes you can find them on Paul's blog.

Nifty Alternatives to Not Watching the Super Bowl

It has been estimated that 100,000,000 million people watch the Super Bowl each year. Although the football game is broadcast to 225 countries, we can assume that the majority of viewers are American as the two teams in competition are American teams.

Not everyone in the United States, though, is a football fan. Some of us like to do other activities, so here is a list of neat things to do INSTEAD of watching the pig skin warriors:

Super Bowl 2012

Go swimming or walk along the beach. You might be able to get some beach walking time in without the crowds although water temperatures are chilly for swimming. Indoor pools are a good bet. Don't forget your flip flops and towel.

Go shopping. This football game is so popular that stores have special sales going on. Might as well take advantage of low prices on selected items, and the stores will be noticeably less crowded.

See a movie. This week happens to be loaded with interesting movies: The Grey with Liam Neeson, Underworld Awakening starring Kate Beckinsale, Katherine Heigl in One for the Money, Red Tails, Man on a Ledge, and the 9/11 film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

Exercise either outside or at the gym. I was at the gym last year during Super Bowl and had my pick of machines to use.

Read a good book. Normally, you probably read the paper, online news and such. Treat yourself to a great story, whether it be from the library, the bookstore, or downloaded to your Amazon Kindle Fire. According to Bowker Info, over 300,000 titles were published in 2010. Take your pick!

Ever visited Ancestry.com? Curious about your family history? Are you that person in the family that keeps everyone together? Right now Ancestry.com has a 14-day free trial to see if you find it as interesting as we do.

Clean out a closet. It doesn't matter who you are or where you live. If a closet hasn't been straightened in six months, its due. Cleaning and organizing are how some people destress. It's also nice to donate items you don't need.

It's tax time. If you haven't started your tax returns, this is prime time.

When is the last time you planned a vacation or even a weekend getaway? If you can't remember, perhaps some research on travel destinations might be in order. Sit down with your favorite beverage and start planning.

Don't forget the luxury of a bubble bath and soaking to your heart's content. Slow down and take some time for yourself. Monday comes soon enough.

Nifty Alternatives to Not Watching the Super Bowl

Linda Missler
http://mynorthapps.com/

Head Coaching Changes and Teams to Watch For The 2011-2012 NFL Season

No less than eight teams will kickoff the 2011-2012 NFL season with a new skipper manning the sidelines. In the AFC Cleveland, Denver, Oakland, and Tennessee welcome new skippers, meanwhile, four NFC teams also roll out the red carpet for new headmen in Carolina, Dallas, Minnesota, and San Francisco.

Two of the eight new skippers (cowpoke Jason Garrett and viking Leslie Frazier) are actually interim HC hold-overs from last season when Dallas and Minnesota both fired their headmen prior to the conclusion of the regular season, however, both Garrett and Frazier still must be considered rookie NFL skippers as they are entering their first full season as the man in charge. As a matter of fact, seven of the eight new skippers for the 2011-2012 NFL are actually rookies when it comes to being the man in charge.

Nfl 2012

Denver is the only team to hire a retread this season as they brought aboard former Carolina HC John Fox to control their destiny, however, it is noteworthy that both Tennessee and Oakland promoted from within as the Raiders moved last years offensive coordinator (Hue Jackson) into their HC slot while the Titans handed the skipper reins to long time player and assistant coach Mike Munchak who has 30 years with the organization. Below is a summary of two possible surprise teams from this years crop of new HCs and what to watch for:

Cleveland: The Brownies brought in Mike Holmgren to run the show prior to the start of last season, being the nice guy the ole walrus is, he gave HC Eric Mangenius a year to prove himself. Unfortunately for Eric Mangenius his Brownie team didn't show up to play for him as they lost their final four games to close out the regular season including the 9-41 drubbing in the season finale that was administered to them by divisional rival Pittsburgh and ended up with a mark of 5-11 for the second straight season.

Needless to say and rightly so, a two year record of 10-22 got Eric Mangenius kicked to the curb. Enter new rookie skipper Pat Shurmur...shur who? Although Pat Shurmur had a decent college playing career as a center at Michigan State, his name isn't one that readily comes to mind when it comes to the NFL as he never played in the pro ranks and when it comes to NFL coaching experience tollied in virtual obscurity for nine seasons as the Eagles QB coach prior to last year when he was a one-year offensive coordinator for the Rams.

Shurmurs claim to fame during his nine year stint with Philadelphia stems from the play of former Eagle QB Donovan McNabb who led his team to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance, couple that with the play of rookie Ram QB Sam Bradford last year in Shurmurs only season with St Louis as their OC and presto....Cleveland GM Mike Holmgren loves Shurmur, hires Shurmur, and now expects Shurmur to do the same with young Brownie QB Colt McCoy.

The Brownies major malfunction last season was their offense which finished the season ranked a terrible 29th in passing yards per game, 29th in total yards per game, and 27th in points per 100 yards gained, which of course is the reason why Cleveland finished last year ranked 31st in average points scored per game (16.94). If Shurmur can fix what ails this Brownie offense then Cleveland might just be one of the surprise teams this season as their defense really didn't play that bad last year in ranking 8th in points allowed per 100 yards, 12th in yards allowed per rush and a respectable 13th in average points allowed per game at 20.75 and especially when considering how long they were on the field due to the play of the poor Brownie offense.

There will be changes to the Cleveland defense as the Brownies elected to let defensive coordinator Rob Ryan go and brought in Dick Jauron to call the shots. Jauron, who had head coaching stints with both Chicago and Buffalo, knows how to coach defense as evidenced by the statistics that his units posted while with the Packers, Jags, and Bears in previous defensive coaching stints.Most notable of upcoming change will be the alignment the Brownie defense utilizes as they will be switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3, look for the additions of monster tackle Phil Taylor (1st round draft choice) and DE Jabaal Sheard (2nd round draft choice) up front to pay quick dividends along with the return of linebackers Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong and second year CB Joe Haden.

Offensively, new HC Pat Shurmur will be calling the plays just as his new mentor and GM Mike Holmgren did while with both Green Bay and Seattle. Change will come to the offense as well with the implementation of a short quick passing game (often referred to as the west coast offense), when it comes to divisional play this change can only help the Brownie offense against defensive stalwarts Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Divisional rival Pittsburgh is fresh off a Super Bowl loss, if historical trends hold up this means that the Steelers should fail to make the playoffs, whether that happens or not is anyone's guess, however, this much I do know and that is the fact that Pittsburgh is getting pretty long in the tooth and especially on defense, a glance at Pittsburgh's roster from last season shows their players average age was 26.78 years old which was the second oldest in the league behind Washington.

The same can be said for Baltimore as their roster averaged 26.68 years of age which made them the fifth oldest team in the NFL. Cleveland was right up there as well with an average of 26.78 years per player which ranked them third in the league, the difference is that because the Brownies had shoddy records over the past three straight seasons (14-34) they were able to add fresh young talented blood to their lineup and dumped a lot of aging talent this season. Vegas has set the season win/loss total at 6.5 for Cleveland, I think the Brownies get at least to the .500 mark this season......OVER 6.5 Seasonal wins.

DENVER: After losing 12 of their final 14 games to close out last years campaign with a really overall shoddy mark of 4-12 the Denver Broncos decided to part ways with young HC Josh McDaniels and in turn hired ousted Carolina HC John Fox to take the reins. In the big picture who could really blame Denver for wanting to go in a different direction with a new skipper after McDaniels had actually managed to lose 22 of his last 26 games dating back to the previous season>

McDaniels, who lucked out to get the Denver job to begin with, was his own worst enemy with regard to player relations as he constantly seemed to cause turmoil and in the end the players simply quit playing for him. Then of course there was McDaniels dubious at best drafting of Tim Tebow the previous year which cost Denver in a very large way last year as it came back to bite them squarely in the ole behind with the lack of talent and depth on the defensive side of the ball.

Not judging whether Tebow will end up being a good acquisition or not, the point of the matter is that Denver needed help on the defensive side of the ball after finishing 26th in run defense prior to drafting Tebow. In the big picture Tebow has a questionable arm, questionable accuracy and will be a work in progress. McDaniels gave up way too much to get Tebow in the slot that he drafted him in when considering that he gave up Denver's 43rd, 70th, and 114th overall picks to Baltimore for the right to draft Tebow in the first round with the 25th pick. After drafting Tebow and NOT drafting for defensive help, what happened last season?

A check of the final stats from last years regular season reveals that Denvers defense finished dead last in the NFL (32nd) in total yards allowed per game (390.81), points allowed per game (29.44), only totaled 23 sacks (1.44 p/gm), the Broncos defense also finished a shoddy 31st in rush yards allowed per game (154.6) and 30th in yards allowed per pass. Is it really any wonder why Denver got rid of McDaniels? What raised some bushy eyebrows was the direction in which Denver elected to take with regard to the hiring of former Carolina Panther HC John Fox who himself was fresh off a league worst and truly dreadful 2-14 season.

In truth the Panthers fall from grace should not have been THAT big of a surprise when considering the fact that Carolina resided in the same division as New Orleans, which had won the Super Bowl the prior season, and with Atlanta, which was up and coming as evidenced by posting a mark of 20-13 over their previous two seasons.

Carolina simply got long in the tooth as evidenced by posting a mark of 35-30 in their previous four seasons and elected to go young by dumping a lot of veteran talent and bringing in a lot of new young faces. It didn't help any when the injury bug hit them early in the campaign and it most certainly didn't help them when young starting QB Matt Moore (who had played so well in winning four of five games to close out the previous season) suffered a concussion in the season opener and then proceeded to fall flat on his face by throwing four picks in two games.

Moore was benched in favor of rookie QB Jimmy Clausen who played no better, when Moore was re-inserted for week nine action against New Orleans he injured his shoulder and was done for the year. Moore and Clausen combined to tally a TD to INT ratio of 7 to 16 for the season and were the root cause for the Panther offense to rank a dead last 32nd in the league in passing yards per game, total yards per game, points per 100 yards gained, yards per pass and also ranked 31st in passer completion percentage and 30th in time of possession.

Needless to say, Carolina was done in by their shoddy QB play. John Fox shouldn't have that concern with the Broncos who have triggerman Kyle Orton under center and a fast improving Brady Quinn backing him up. Orton is the kind of QB that new HC John Fox likes with regard to his leadership and steady play, last season Orton tossed for 3653 yards with a TD to INT ratio of 20 to 9 en-route to compiling a QB rating of 87.5 and in his two seasons with Denver thus far has thrown for a total of 7455 yards with a TD to INT ratio of 41 to 21 with an average QB rating of 87.15. No Fox won't have to worry about the Denver offense, instead he can turn his attention to what he does best which is coaching defense.

John Fox has a pretty good pedigree as he got his NFL coaching start with the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 1986 as their defensive backs coach as well as their defensive coordinator, prior to taking over the helm as the skipper of the Carolina Panthers in 2002, Fox had also cut his teeth as a defensive coordinator for the Bolts, the Raiders, and the Rams. In 2002 when Fox took over the Carolina Panthers, they had finished the previous year with a record of 1-15 and oddly enough were remarkably similar to last years Denver team with regard to defense or lack thereof as evidenced by finishing the regular season ranking a shoddy 31st in the categories of rush yards allowed, total yards allowed per game and TOP (time of possession) and ranked 28th in both pass yards allowed per game and defensive sacks along with a 27th ranking in yards allowed per pass.

In his first season with Carolina Fox pushed his team to a 7-9 finish and in his second year took them to the Super Bowl. Can Fox duplicate in Denver the same kind of turn-around as he did when he first took over the Panthers? I think he can as the Broncos are a talented club offensively and defensively have added the needed pieces of the puzzle both coaching-wise and player-wise to make huge strides this season. Denver has a tougher schedule this season with games at Tennessee, Green Bay, and Minnesota along with home dates against the visiting Jets, Bears, and Patriots, however, the rest of Denver's division will play the same teams. Look for Denver to finish second in the AFC West behind San Diego and by doing so surpass the season win/loss total of 6 that Vegas has assigned them....OVER 6 Seasonal wins.

Take care and be well my friends

Jim

Head Coaching Changes and Teams to Watch For The 2011-2012 NFL Season

Jim Campbell runs http://www.FootballForecastor.com which has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, you will be hard pressed to find another handicapper that has had the kind of success Jim has had, over the past twelve years he has maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

The Republican Field Takes Shape

This is what good citizens and political junkies are supposed to do:

We watch the Presidential race unfold like it's the NFL play-offs.

Nfl 2012

So there I sat in front of my TV dutifully watching the first Republican Presidential debate from the impressive Reagan library in Simi, California. There were the prospective candidates, all lined up under the wingspan of a life-sized Air Force One that loomed over the entire audience of enthusiastic Republican supporters.

Looking at the field, it's hard to believe that anyone but Mitt Romney could possibly be elected President. Last month's frontrunner Michelle Bachmann is a strange woman, a former IRS lawyer who raised five of her own kids and 23 foster children, all while dutifully obeying her husband who professionally counsels homosexuals to "pray away the gay."

Michelle is the Gaffe Queen, getting all mixed up about Elvis Presley, the Battle of Concord and lots of other things that don't matter but that she keeps talking about and getting wrong. Oh and she also says she can make gas cost a gallon - just like that! Too nutty to be President.

Bachmann became the frontrunner right after the former frontrunner Donald Trump dropped out after admitting that President Obama "probably" is a native-born American. That and the TV sweeps rating period was over, and he didn't need the publicity anymore.

The new frontrunner is Texas Governor Rick Perry, who just positively hates Social Security and Medicare and says they are "failures" that should be "given back to the states." Rick just loves to execute criminals (the GOP audience loves it, too!) and thinks that U.S. Senators should be chosen by politicians from each state and not directly elected by the voters. Hmmmmm.

Perry the Republican nominee? Obama can't be this lucky.

One thing that all of the Republican candidates seem to agree on is that taxes should be RAISED on the working poor. I hear it over and over again. Every candidate says it's wrong that 47% of Americans don't pay any federal income taxes. Everyone should have "skin in the game" when it comes to paying income taxes, the GOP hopefuls all say.

But who are these people? They're the working poor. The people who cut our lawns. Serve our lunch and pump our gas. Butter the bagels and sweep the floors. Watch over our kids and care for old folks in nursing homes. This is the backbone of America.

How can it possibly be in the best interests of the nation to make these people pay MORE taxes? They're already paying a greater share of their income in federal payroll and state sales taxes than your average millionaire. Why would anyone want to raise their taxes? I just don't get it.

Since the Republican debate was held at the Reagan Library, I just wish that someone pointed out that it was Ronald Reagan who created the Earned Income Tax Credit that reduced income taxes for lower income workers. It's too bad that all of the GOP candidates who claim to be just like Reagan have such a different point of view when it comes to helping - or hurting - the working poor.

There's no question that tax policy will be a pivotal issue in the 2012 elections.

One party wants to raise taxes on the working poor. The other wants to raise taxes on the richest 2% of America. Let's see how this debate unfolds.

The Republican Field Takes Shape

Vision Media Marketing Inc. ( http://vmmi.net ) was incorporated in 1985 by Jean Swibinski and Paul Swibinski, who continue to direct the company. A full-service public relations and media communications firm with a long history of successfully delivering clients' messages, it specializes in public policy issues and crisis communications. To visit Vision Media's blog, VMMI Policy Perspectives, go to http://vmmi.net/blog.