Strahan Mulling Retirement

Michael Strahan says he will make his decision whether or not to retire by mid-April.

Last summer, it appeared Strahan might not be a part of anything with the Giants. He sat out training camp while mulling retirement. He says it was not a money ploy, simply uncertainty whether he still had the desire to play.

He'll go through the same process this year, but promises his decision won't take anywhere near so long. After a vacation in March, Strahan said he will weigh his options and most likely let the team know by mid-April, before the NFL draft, if he is coming back.

Strahan states that money is not an issue now that he has won a championship. Sure Michael, lie through that gap of yours. He also stated that money was not the reason he went back to the Giants last year.

Strahan, you are not fooling anybody. We all know money is very much part of it, especially since you had to pay your ex-wife $15 million in your divorce settlement. That amount was half of his net worth.

Swallow your pride and admit that you need that coin. I would. I would play until a team kicked me off the squad if I had a divorce settlement that cost me that much dollar.

You are a good guy, and always a good interview, so just admit that you are going to come back and make a ton of money that your ex-wife cannot touch.

Patriots' Fans: Stay Classy

There are times when sports fans get a little delusional following a championship, an unbelievable miracle, or in the worst case, a bad loss/upset.

Such is the case with New England Patriots' fans after the "upset" that was Super Bowl XLII. Had Patriots' fans come to First To Third, they would have anticipated the New York Giants victory.

Some losers/jackasses Pats fans have started a petition in request for the NFL to review the final 1:40 of Super Bowl XLII. The online petition has 19,267 signatures as I type this entry, which I assume more than 3/4 of which are jokes (I hope).

The first entries seem genuine and I feel sorry for the losers fans that seriously believe that there is a conspiracy theory against the Pats. I hope they do not have children and feed this information to them. The children are the future and it is never a good thing to dumb-down our future.

If this actually gets in the hands of Roger Goodell, I hope he makes like Lou Brown and pisses all over it.

Cheaters.

Super Upset?

It happened. Just as First To Third had predicted: the New York Football Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, ending the dream of a perfect season for Tom Brady and Co.

Aside from last year, it was the best Super Bowl that I have ever seen (because the Colts won it in XLI). David defeated Goliath. Ricky Vaughn and the Indians beat the Yankees. The other Manning was able to step out of his brother's shadow to cast his own over the NFL.

Justice was served. The "evil" team did not prevail. Any given Sunday ... one team can defeat any other.

And this Sunday in particular that was entirely true. The Giants ate up all the doubters leading up the big game and used that motivation on the field. Brady was bothered by Justin Tuck and the Giants defensive linemen. They were the MVPs of the game even though Eli was magnificent in the decisive fourth quarter.

Watching Brady get speared during a sack late in the game was exactly what the Giants did to the Pats all day: punched them in the mouth.

But lets talk about the real issue at hand. Will Brady's girlfriend, Gisele Bundchen, make good on her promise that she would run naked in Manhattan if her super boy's team lost.

As of right now it does not look so good for your eyes and mine:

Sure enough, the Patriots were upset, losing 14-17, leading CBS Sports to remind the former Victoria's Secret model about her promise to strip down for the people of Manhattan.

Only problem? Gisele's agent says the supermodel never made such a pledge. "She didn't say it. This is ridiculous," her agent tells PEOPLE. "What's wrong with the world?"

Just like her boyfriend, she is cheating the world.

And what the hell is with Bill Belicheat? Leaving the game early like a sore loser, as did Brady. They make LaDanian Tomlinson look like a good sport.

I cannot believe Belicheat switched up the "hoodie" on us and the rest of the nation for the biggest game of his life. I guarantee the Pats store takes that jacket off their shelves immediately.

If only I had balls and put my money where my mouth was... even my girlfriend's friend had the balls to put up a G on the Giants. And this is me shrinking...

Prince Akeem Saw It Coming

First To Third may have predicted the New York Giants victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship, but Prince Akeem of Coming To America fame saw it coming back in 1988.

"Most exhilarating!"

AFC & NFC Championship Games

Three more games. Two of which will be played this Sunday. Super Bowl XLII is coming.

We had two upsets last week (sort of). The San Diego Chargers defeating the Indianapolis Colts was definitely an upset. And many were surprised that the New York Football Giants were able to defeat Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jessica Simpson and the Cowboys.

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Single digit weather. The Frozen Tundra in full effect. Destiny for Brett Favre?

Eli Manning and the Giants have made a improbable run in these playoffs. No one thought Tom Coughlin could get this team as far as they have gone, especially with an inconsistent Eli Manning as their quarterback. But, the team has become a strong unit and are looking to upset the Packers in Lambeau.

I am taking the Giants in this one. Do not get me wrong, in my heart I want Favre to get a ring this year, but I think the Giants have caught lightning in a bottle.

Manning is handling the football like his older brother, their defense is solid, and they are confident in what they are doing. The cold weather may get to Manning in the beginning of the game, but Brandon Jacobs will help Eli by carrying the load.

The Giants defensive front line will be chasing Favre all day, more than the Seahawks did last week. But expect to see them have success in chasing him down.

Hey, if you cannot have the older Manning in the big game, then why not have the younger?

Giants win 27-23.

San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots
Philip Rivers may be out. LaDanian Tomlinson is banged up. Antonio Gates is probably out.

The Chargers are trusting Billy Volek in this one? Sure, he was able to take out the Indianapolis Colts, but he will be going up against the juggernaut offense of the Patriots.

The Patriots are on a mission and I think the only hope of stopping them is in one of the NFC teams. The Chargers are too beat up despite the talent on their team. I have not watched any of the Patriots games recently because it depresses me to watch them pull out victories week after week.

Patriots win 31-17.

Carl Loves His Team

New York Football Giants, you can now thank Carl for the victory against the Cowboys. He yelled his ass off from his living room.

NFL 2007 Divisional Playoffs

The divisional round of the 2007 NFL playoffs are upon us. Four great games to set us up for the final four teams in search of the Lombardi Trophy. First round byes are over, and the juggernauts of the NFC and AFC are ready to join the party.

Cue the NFL Films music, its time for some gridiron...


Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers
Brett Favre's last dance? According to reports today, probably not. The Seahawks response to being down against the Redskins was impressive in the Wild Card round. But this week they face a much better offense in the Packers. The Seahawks will be pressuring Favre all game long, but he still has the scramble power to help his team pull this out. Playoff game at Lambeau Field? Does not get much better than that.

Especially if you are this dude.

Packers win 31-20.

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts
The Chargers have won the last two of three against the Colts in the regular season, including a victory in November in which Peyton Manning threw six interceptions (of course I was in the stands for that one, ugh). That was a Colts team coming off their loss to the Patriots, and which they were short some key players, especially on the offensive side of the football.

This time around Manning will have Dallas Clark, and as of right now, future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Meanwhile, the Chargers ended the regular season with a six-game winning streak, and played solid football in the second half of the Wild Card game.

We will see if LaDanian Tomlinson can get something going in a big playoff game, which might be a tall task with Bob Sanders waiting in the backfield. This game will be on the shoulders of Philip Rivers, as it was last week for the Chargers. San Diego, say hello to a different Manning that you did not see in November.

Colts win 34-24.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Now we are getting to the fun ones. Can Eli Manning follow up his first playoff win with another quality performance? What color Cowboys jersey will Jessica Simpson be wearing?

The Giants are on an eight-game road winning streak and are a different team than the Cowboys saw in the regular season. Will Terrell Owens play? Of course he will. We were wondering the same thing when he was on the Eagles about to play in the Super Bowl. Expect to see TO playing in the game. He may be limited on what he can provide on the field but I still expect to see him haul in a TD.

Tony Romo better have his running shoes, because the Giants D-Line will be going at him all day. We will see the Cowboys get out to the early lead before Manning settles down and pulls this one out for the Giants.

Giants win 35-30.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots
The Jaguars are the team that everyone is deeming the favorite to dethrone the Patriots in the playoffs. I don't buy the hype.

Teams have proven that you can run on the Patriots towards the end of the season (see: Joseph Addai, Willis McGahee, Willie Parker), and a lot of people are doubting the linebacker core of the Pats, but I do not hear that junk. That core group are some of the most professional dudes in the league at those positions and will be ready for the challenge of taking on the running attack of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.

It will be a close one and that will work in the Pats advantage: they have been here before with this group.

David Garrard may take good care of the football, but he will have a couple mistakes in this game that the Pats will immediately capitalize on.

Patriots win 27-23.

NFL Playoffs Oh Seven

They are upon us. America's favorite sport.

The playoffs of the gridiron after a rough and tough regular season.

Wild card round is upon us.

Colts, Patriots, Cowboys, and Packers are all at home marinating over a bowl of potato chips salivating on who they will play (well Tom Brady is not paying attention because he will be banging Gisele Bundchen all weekend).

Here is what First To Third thinks about the matchups:

Pittsburgh Steelers v. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a popular pick as of late to "dethrone" the Patriots in the playoffs, but it will all start against the Steelers. A couple of weeks ago I would have liked the Steelers chances in this game even though they lost at home to the same Jags... not so anymore. I think their Super Bowl aspirations went out the door when they lost Willie Parker and Aaron Smith to injuries.

Fred Taylor has been hot as of late and the Jaguars running game will flourish in the cold weather of Heinz Field.

I like the Jags in this one because of a few factors. Their running game. David Garrard takes care of the football. And they have a solid defense.

Jags win 17-13.

San Diego Chargers v. Tennessee Titans
I think the only way that the Titans pull this off is if their defense keeps the Chargers from turning Vince Young's mistakes into points.

Sure Philip Rivers is just as mistake-prone, but LaDanian Tomlinson and the home-field advantage will help the Chargers overcome his bonehead play. The Chargers have been playing solid ball as of late and will pull this one out.

Chargers win 31-20.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. New York Giants
This is going to either be a great game or a puto game (pretty good analysis huh?). But really, who knows what Eli Manning we will get in this game. He showed up big in the Patriots game, but could easily become Ryan Leaf this weekend.

Jeff Garcia is a warrior and had a hand at eliminating the Giants in last year's playoffs. I like both squads' defenses.

If Manning has a better than average game than I think the Giants take this especially with Brandon Jacobs in the backfield.

Giants win 27-21.

Seattle Seahawks v. Washington Redskins
Redskins are the feel good story of the NFL season. Washington has rolled four straight opponents after their tragic loss of Sean Taylor and their immediate loss on the football field.

Besides the Packers, I am pulling for the Redskins to take the NFC. They are the team that no one wants to face. Emotion can carry a squad and I think this Redskins team will beat the Seahawks.

Redskins win 26-23.

16-0

As much as I hate the New England Patriots and watching their games, I must say that was one of the most entertaining games of the year. The four games in which they trailed (Colts, Ravens, Eagles, and Giants) proved to be the best games to watch this regular season.

Needless to say if you follow sports, but the Patriots completed their perfect regular season by beating the New York Giants, 38-35, making them the first 16-0 team in NFL history.

And that is not the only history breaking stat that was broken on the night. Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's single season TD record by throwing his 50th TD of the year. Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice's single season TD record by catching his 23rd TD of the year. And finally, the Patriots scored a single season record 589 points on the year.

It was hard to believe that the Patriots would lose even as I watched the Giants move to a 28-16 advantage. Somehow, someway, you knew that Bill Belichick and Brady were going to find a way to win.

Hats off to Eli Manning and the Giants for showing up for this big game. I was worried that this game would get out of hand quickly and that Manning would have been pulled from the game if that happened. But Manning came up BIG for the Giants, keeping them in the game by throwing 4 TDs and only one pick.

This has to be a confidence builder for Manning and the Giants heading into the playoffs and their first round match-up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They can look themselves in the mirror and say "we can hang with the best in the league".

If you give the Patriots any light of hope they will eat you up. As soon as the Giants turned the ball over, the Patriots took advantage by scoring off of the turnover.

Good luck to any team that faces the Pats in the playoffs. They will need a perfect, flawless game to defeat the Pats... just like how the season gone for New England.

NFL Week 10 Picks

The weekend is upon us and it is time to start thinking about Sunday. There are some good games this week with Dallas visiting New York and Denver taking on Kansas City.

The main attraction? It has personal value to me because it will be the first NFL game that I have ever attended. Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers, NBC's Sunday night game. It should be a good game with both teams coming off disappointing losses.

Picks:

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers - The Falcons are winless on the road, and the Panthers are winless at home. Vinny Testaverde will probably start and that, as weird as it is to say this, is a good thing. UCLA alumn DeShaun Foster should have a good game because he has averaged 110+ yards/game against the Falcons in his career. Carolina.

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers - Green Bay is the real deal, and will have to do something that the Chargers could not, stop Adrian Peterson. I am skeptical of the Packers running game but I think Brett Favre has magic about him this season. Green Bay.

Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs - The Broncos looked awful last week against the Lions. Larry Johnson is out this week, but the fact that they may have sole possession of first place in the AFC West at the end of the day will motivate them enough. Plus, the Broncos could not stop me if I was running against them. Kansas City.

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins - Miami has a chance to get their first win this week. They are coming off their bye week and will be playing at home. Still, I want to see that perfect season. Buffalo.

St. Louis Rams @ New Orleans Saints - Come on. I feel bad for Rams fans (which includes many of my family members), just an ugly year. Colston will have 2 TDs on the day. New Orleans.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Cleveland can tie the Steelers for first place in the AFC North with a win this week. Yes, I am saying that in November. If this game was in Cleveland I would take the Browns no problem. But the Steelers are at home and their defense is better than that of the Browns. Betting man take the Browns because the Steelers are 9 1/2 point favorites. Pittsburgh.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans - I do not know what is up with the Jaguars, they are giving up yards like crazy lately. Tennessee in a nice divisional matchup. Tennessee.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins - The Redskins are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, while Donovan McNabb and the Eagles are wondering where to eat after the game. Of course, McNabb can pull a McNabb and have a monster game all of a sudden. Washington.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens - The Bengals are a damn mess. They are one of those teams that you just look at and ask yourself, "WTF are they thinking?" Funny quote I read in an article this week, "When the Ravens want to throw it deep, they go to Steve McNair. He averages 5.5 yards per completion. When they want to keep it short, they go to Kyle Boller, who averages 5.4." Classic. Baltimore.

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals - This could be a dangerous game for the Lions who are coming off a blowout against the Broncos. Still, they find a way to win. Detroit.

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants - They played an entertaining game against each other in week 1 with the Cowboys winning. But this is a better Giants team than what the Cowboys saw early. Romo is going to have to be on the move because the Giants defensive line is solid. New York.

Chicago Bears @ Oakland Raiders - I am not picking the Raiders until they start playing JaMarcus Russell. It certainly would not hurt their chances or season. Chicago.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers - The Chargers are going to be pumped up for this one, coming off an ugly loss and this week playing during primetime. The Colts may have a hangover from their tough loss to the Patriots, but think they will bounce back. Peyton will be able to throw all over the field. Joseph Addai owns all. Indianapolis.

San Francisco @ Seattle Seahawks - Damn. Could ESPN have picked a better game for Monday night? This stinker is going to be hard for me to watch. Poor Niners fans, it looked so bright after the 2-0 start, but now have lost 6 straight. Johnnie Walker, say hello to your little friend. Seattle.

Countdown until I head to Oakland to watch the Colts play: 36 days. Percentage of chance that I will rock Colts gear: 0%.

Last week's record: 7-7.
Overall record: 58-40.

NFL London - Wembley Streaker

The game between the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants may have been an ugly game, but everyone loves a good streak job by a fan:



Nice costume dude. I might be all for more games in London if this happens at every game. Classic.

I think the NFL should look into having an NFL game at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles though. That game would sell out immediately and encourage the NFL to get a team in LA sooner than proposed.

Well you did have TWO teams in LA and they failed!

As the saying goes, you do not know what you have until it is gone. Plus, what else do LA fans have to hold onto right now? The Dodgers have not won a playoff series since 1988, the Lakers are a drama club, the Clippers are the Clippers, the SC is no longer college's powerhouse, and David Beckham is a non-factor with the LA Galaxy.