Who could have imagined when the National Football League season began in August that it would be the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens who are one victory away from playing for the coveted Lombardi Trophy in the Super Bowl?
Somebody much smarter than me said years ago that the truth is sometimes stranger than fiction and this year’s NFL season bears that adage out.
This weekend’s matchups have Baltimore playing at Pittsburgh at Arizona hosting Philadelphia.
Even though Arizona dismantled the Carolina Panthers last week and the Eagles knocked off the Super Bowl champion Giants, the best game should be between the Steelers and the Ravens.
It should be typical January football weather in Pennsylvania when the two teams hook up, miserable playing conditions, cold and the stands packed with fans and their “Terrible Towels.”
A return to the days of the Steel Curtain from years gone by. Anybody over say age 40 should heave a deep sigh remembering the glory days of the black and gold when the guys said they were playing for what they called: “One for the thumb.” You kids can ask your parents about that particular season.
In my opinion, whoever wins the Cardinals/Eagles game is no match for either the Steelers or the Ravens who, if it was possible, should be the two teams playing in the Super Bowl.
A subway series between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, two long-standing members of the NFL who don’t like one another would be nice, but it still wouldn’t be a matchup of the two best teams.
Here’s an interesting thought.
How much money could you have made on a “pick four” bet of say five Benjamins with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Arizona and Baltimore being your selections?
A lot more than you’d net on the pick four at Emerald Downs I expect.
Talk about an economic stimulus package!
You sure wouldn’t have to worry about needing any spending money until at least the 2010 Super Bowl rolled around.
Boiling the water
Those young men on the Oak Harbor High School swim team are something else, aren’t they.
To put it mildly, the lads have been tearing things up in the water this season.
Swimming so fast and heating up the water at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool with renewable energy that I imagine North Whidbey Park and Recreation Director Craig Carlson has been able to lower the water temperature and save a little money after the Wildcats blistered yet another opponent in a meet.
Oak Harbor is still undefeated and has recorded at least seven state qualification times so far.
Coach Amy Nurvic has done one heck of a job in her first season at the helm. She has the talent on the roster to be able to spread competitors around in events giving team members the opportunity to qualify for state competition in races that maybe aren’t their number one events.
A smart move on her part. Why swim the same people in the same events in every meet? You know they are going to win so forget about running up the score and just get more swimmers qualified for state competition.
A coach can do that when they have a truck load of talent to work with.
The only thing the team lacks is fan support and it sure would be nice to have a few more people in the stands cheering Oak Harbor on to victory at the next home meet at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20.
On the topic of coaches, fans of Wildcat swimming have to give a big thanks to North Whidbey Aquatic Club coach Neil Romney for all his work in developing young talent.
The NWAC program keeps growing every year and Romney’s people keep winning meets and setting new team records. As the Aquajet swimmers grow and mature, the high school program will continue to improve and I look forward to some Wildcat state champions this season and for many seasons to come.
