Super Bowl 46: The Rematch

Super Bowl 46 is a rematch from Super Bowl 42. Every sports fans remembers that catch by David Tyree to save the drive and help the Eli and the Giants march down and win the game. The Giants are the underdogs again in this game but they have been on a hot streak as of late. The match-up everyone is talking about is Eli vs Brady. Both guys are trying to cement themselves in history with a win. Brady would join an elite group of quarterbacks who have won 4 Superbowl's. Those QB's are Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana. Not a bad couple of guys to be named with. Eli would also join elite group of quarterbacks with 2 plus wins. Big Ben and Brady are the only ones still active on that list. The Giants D has quietly been putting up some big stats. Patriots need Gronk to be healthy to add to that miss match-ups of the tight ends and Welker.  This should be good game. For those like me that dont have a dog in the fight you could root for the team with the most players from your favorite college. In my case that would be the Giants. They have 2 former Hogs on the team. Mitch Petrus and Tony Ugoh. They also have a guy from Arkansas in Stacy Andrews but he is on the IR. The Patriots only have one Hog and thats Ryan Mallett. Ryan will most likely not even be activated to play. Also as a Cowboys fan it is hard to root for the Giants. This is my prediction for the game: Giants 31 Patriots 24
What is yours?

Ryan Mallett: Give the kid a break

The National Media continues to knock down Ryan Mallett. The NFL Draft is just a week away tomorrow and talk of Mallett's character seems to be revving up again. Razorback fans are very passionate about the Hogs but are no way protecting him. People should remember just a few short years ago that some fans went so far as to get Houston Nutt's phone records so I would think that here in the state we would have heard about some of this stuff. We all know about some trouble that he got in when he was at Michigan and the year he sat out because of the transfer. But as much heat that is coming out about him you would think we would hear more here in Arkansas. My personal opinion is the National Media has a bias against Arkansas and Coach Petrino. They also have a bias against Ryan for the way he talks. Ryan speaks they way he does because of where he grew up. He is only doing what we all do and develop our language and other traits based on our environments we grew up in. Because Ryan Mallett is a Razorback he is lumped in with all the haters of the Hogs. The latest incident for Mallett comes from a visit with the Carolina Panthers where it was said that he partied all night the night before the meeting and then canceled because he was sick the next morning. The reports were put out by some fairly credible newspapers. Ryan's agents put out a statement which you can read here: http://www.arkansassports360.com/24588/agents-carolina-panthers-issue-statements-regarding-mallett-partying-report Carolina officials also denied the story. I understand that the teams have to find out everything they can about a possible draft pick because of the investment. I think the teams should also make sure they are getting their information from multiple credible sources.

All these so called "draft experts"that have been dragging Mallett through the mud every since he declared for the draft should really be ashamed of themselves. What has he done to them to deserves the hate that he gets. No I am not saying Mallett is perfect and he does have a few incidence that prove he is not, but come-on where is all the hate for Cam Newton that was there during the season. Cam Newton is projected to be a possible number one pick yet he was heavily scrutinized during the season with the cheating scandal and the pay to play scandal. Mallett has been by far one of the most scrutinized players in this years draft. A lot of those so called "draft experts" also talk about how much pro ready Mallett is because of the pro style offense he ran at Arkansas. All it takes is for one team to like him to take him and I still think the is a first rounder. I also feel Mallett has a pretty good head on his shoulders and will not waste the opportunity the NFL provides unlike former QB Matt Jones. Someone will give the kid a break and I strongly feel he will prove all of the doubters wrong and make some teams fans very angry because their team could have had him.

Sugar Bowl, How sweet it wasn't for Arkansas

Arkansas Razorback fans everywhere have a bad taste in their mouth right now. That taste is that of bitter sugar that Ohio State dished out last night in the Sugar Bowl. For a while there in the game it looked like Ohio State was going to run a way with the game. Ohio State built a big 21 point lead before Arkansas came back in the second half to come with in 31-26. Arkansas gave this game away. Ohio State was not the best team but were the better team last night. Arkansas tried very hard to lose this game. This was the worse possible time to have a major case of the butterfingers. Joe Adams himself dropped at least 3 passes that would have gave the hogs 21 points. Lots of people want to blame Ryan Mallett today for the loss. Its not Ryan's fault. Yes, he did throw the game ending interception but there were lots of other issues that lead to the loss. The case of the butterfingers the receivers had, missed opportunity on the blocked punt, poor tackling in the first half....etc. Kickers played great in the bowl. Breeding put Ohio State deep in there territory several times. Hocker put through some long field goals to keep the hogs in it. Special teams played well for the most part. Knile Davis was able to end the game with just over 130 yards. Breeding, Hocker, Davis amoung others are some players to keep your eyes on in 2011. The big question now will Ryan Mallett come back for his senior season. A lot of Hog fans would love for him to come back and see what the Hogs can accompish next season. I would like to think the wouldnt want to end his Razorback career on an interception. With that said I really think its going to come down to where the so called "experts/draft gurus" think he will go. If Mallett is projected as a top 15 pick I don't see him coming back. If he is projected to the late first round or later he will be back in Razorback Red. That Sugar Bowl loss stings but the Hogs did finish the season 10-3 going 6-2 in the SEC. It was a great season. I know I am still proud today to say I am an Arkansas Razorback fan.

This song sums it up for me.