No No. 4 in Super Bowl 44: The Running Thread

In honor of the Saints making the Super Bowl, I have brought back my original avatar.

This is a big day for my family, in which practically everyone is a Saints fan. My mother, who lives in New Orleans, was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago, but she got to see the Saints earn a trip to the Super Bowl. But there's two other people I wish were alive to see this: Buddy Diliberto and my grandfather. Buddy (the inspiration for my username, incidentally), to hear what he would have to say, my grandfather because I know how much it would mean to him.

My grandfather was born in 1925 and fought in World War II. He was a union electrician and was one of those guys who was outside from dawn to dusk whether it was a work day or not. The only exception he made was the three hours on fall Sundays when the Saints were on TV. He swore he was going to give up on them several times, but never did.

I lived 200 miles away at the time, but I promised him when the Saints got to the NFC championship game in 2006 that I would come down and watch the Super Bowl with him if they made it. Obviously, it didn't happen, and then he died in June of 2008. He was the first person I thought of when Hartley's field goal went through the uprights.

It's days like these I remember why I love sports in the first place. Whether they win in two weeks or not, it's all gravy from here (though I probably won't be thinking that when and if they get behind against the Colts).

Poignant moment over. Resume Favre hate-fest.

 

I don't hate Brett Favre. I just want him back home at his plow and off my TV for two weeks, if it isn't asking too much.

 

. . . or humping the John Deere.

 

Early bettors are all on Indy's side; they've pushed the line up to -4.5 in some offshore books.

 

So what will be the biggest story of the next two weeks...Peyton playing his dad's team or interviews with former Saints third-stringer Guido Merkins, who was the only player in NFL history named Guido?

 

Oops ...

 

Biggest Story will be Tony Dungy. Tim Tebow is the son of Tony Dungy.

When Gruden won at Tampa we all heard that he won with Dungy's team and TD got lots of love. Will TD get some glory if Caldwell wins? Twice, the year after TD left a head coaching job the team went to the Super Bowl.

 

The game's in Miami? Someone of note is gettin' arrested.

 

Usually, the guy's Mr. MOTO.

When he tries to get cute, he gets bit.

Some are better seers than others.

 

Thanks. This is why sports are awesome.