NFL: 2009 Super Bowl Prediction

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Steelers

On a personal note, I will be rooting for the . As much as I love to root for the underdog, I just cannot support the NFL allowing a team that finished in a three-way tie for the sixth best record in the NFC to have the critical home field advantage in two playoff games against better teams. I have a hard time believing that the Cardinals would otherwise be in the Super Bowl, were it not for that.



The Cardinals played in the worst division in their conference, so essentially the eighth best team was rewarded with home field advantage in two games that they otherwise would have lost in my opinion. I love to see the underdog shock the world just like I like to see a man go from rags to riches. But if the man does it by insider trading and tax fraud then how can I support that. That is not to infer that the Cardinals cheated, but they are benefiting greatly from an unfair system and they are not that proverbial feel good story in my book.
Game Analysis

This really looks like the 2006 Super Bowl match-up between the and the. In that game, the Steelers dominated more than the 21-10 score would even indicate.
Roethlisberger was only a second year quarterback then, but truthfully he is not that much more polished than he was then. He is still the same guy that is going to throw for a shade of 200 yards and not hurt you by throwing interceptions. That is all the Steelers ask him to do, since their defense takes care of the rest. Their defensive points against average of 13.9 was the best in the league.

The defense was good then and it is even better now. The Steelers gave up only 44 yards rushing per game! And they do not deliver bone bruising hits, they deliver imobilizing hits. Just ask the Ravens running back, Willis McGahee, who was carted off in the final minutes of the AFC Championship.

Great defenses always trump even good offenses. The Steelers defense will knock Kurt Warner down a peg. Instead of being a lock for the Hall of Fame, he will go back onto the bubble. Edgerin James will look pedestrian and be denied any real shot at true sports glory.

The Cardinals defense has looked amazing at times during this playoff run. Shots Heard cannot account for the improvement. But one reason might be the incredible prowess of players like safety, Adrian Wilson. If you have not seen his hops, you need to check it out!



The Cardinals defense will need to take it to even another level, instead of thinking that Warner and Fitzgerald can simply outscore the Steelers. If their defense can force two or three turnovers on the Steelers side of the field then the Cardinals will have a shot.

Larry Fitzgerald has looked like a beast in the playoffs. Even double teams and special zone awareness has hardly slowed him down. I have not seen anything like the Terrell Owens broken leg dominance during the season that the Eagles went to the Super Bowl.

We can be assured that with two weeks to prepare and the league's best defense that the Steelers will contain Fitzgerald. The Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Haley will need to suck up his pride and make sure that is as much of a part of the game plan as Fitzgerald, if not more. Based on Haley's ego driven mannerisms and his ego, I have serious doubts that he would be willing to go in that direction.

It is true that Boldin was sour about his contract situation earlier in the year. Boldin also was a bit selfish by not celebrating the team's NFC Championship victory with the team. But it is important to note that Boldin clearly is a blood and guts type of player.

The man was paralyzed for a few seconds in a hit earlier this season. He also had to have his face reconstructed to even be playing in the post season. Most players would not have even bothered to try and help a terrible team make the Super Bowl. So the Boldin detractors, should take a step back.

And to truly add insult to injury, the Cardinals front office gave Larry Fitzgerald a four year 40 million contract to Larry Fitzgerald. Anquan Boldin, a receiver with similar output was in the middle of his four year $22.5 million contract. Boldin has 6,496 yards receiving in six seasons. Fitzgerald has 5,975 yards receceding in five seasons. Clearly, any player would feel de-valued in those circumstances.

But despite all that sidebar drama, Boldin should be ready to go and anxious to shine. He will want to show that he is just as worthy of the big bucks. All that said, Steelers are still the favorites.

Outcome: Steelers 27 Cardinals 23 - Cardinals cover the spread; Steelers win most exciting Super Bowl since the last one.

Funny Bird Coloring Page

Coloring an image means to give life to the image that we colored. Black and white image will not provide the beauty, but if we already gave it color the beauty will appear and life will rising. As the rainbow that decorate the sky after rain.

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Funny Bird Coloring Page

Coloring an image means to give life to the image that we colored. Black and white image will not provide the beauty, but if we already gave it color the beauty will appear and life will rising. As the rainbow that decorate the sky after rain.

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Rainbow Coloring Pages

Rainbow is one form of natural occurrence. Usually rainbow appears after the torrential rains and the sun appear with warm. The bright colors give the feel of the beauty is not measurable. Can you mention the all colors of this magnificent rainbow?

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Rainbow Coloring Pages

Rainbow is one form of natural occurrence. Usually rainbow appears after the torrential rains and the sun appear with warm. The bright colors give the feel of the beauty is not measurable. Can you mention the all colors of this magnificent rainbow?

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B.S. Detector: Stan Van Gundy Edition

With no due respect to the Detroit Pistons, we know that their are three championship contenders in the NBA Eastern Conference. Those teams are the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy knows his team is trying to get to the summit (an NBA championship) this year. They may not be the favorites, but that makes games versus upper echelon teams more meaningful. Yet Van Gundy has denied that game between the Celtics and Magic means anything tonight. That is why our b.s. detector is buzzing.

“I’ve said all along, and I honestly think it’s true: If they’ll give us two wins for the Boston game, then I’ll make it bigger than the other games; Otherwise, it’s not.” Van Gundy said.

Guess what Van Gundy, when you are playing your fellow top teams, those games are two game swings. So honestly (but not in your case) those games are worth two games. If your team loses you will be two games back of where you would have been with a loss. Not to mention, your team will lose a potential tie-breaker game. So these games are worth even more than two games and are bigger. So just stop trying to muse us with fake modesty.

Jameer Nelson, who is averaging 6 more points a game than he did last year is the x-factor. Nelson is steadying a team that looked soft in their five game exit to the Pistons in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals. Nelson's improvement has taken the pressure off of their star wings Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis as well as star center Dwight Howard, who struggles late in games.

The Magic added guards Michael Pietrus and Courtney Lee. Pietrus is consistently excelling now that he is out of the log jam of guards at Golden State. Lee is looking smooth for a rookie.

Lee is joined on the bench by J.J. Redick , Keith Bogans, Tony Battie and Marcin Gortat. All of those players are understanding their roles more and more and will be able to make more significant contributions during this year's playoffs.

Although the Magic lost their first game of the year against the Celtics, the Magic swept their home and home season series with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are favored by most experts to win the Western Conference. Van Gundy knows that evening the season series with the Celtics would be a huge boost to his teams' mindset.

Besides the fact that wins verse upper echelon teams will help the Magic get home court advantage in the playoffs, Van Gundy knows that such wins create the belief necessary to be winning games in May and June. So if you are reading Van Gundy, you have had your B.S. called.

Picture: Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic coach

Alphabet Coloring Pages

One way to teach the alphabet to children is to use a simple image that represents the initial letter. As pictures above, a fish using the letter 'f' as the beginning of the word. We can teach the other letters with a similar pattern. Try it!

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Alphabet Coloring Pages

One way to teach the alphabet to children is to use a simple image that represents the initial letter. As pictures above, a fish using the letter 'f' as the beginning of the word. We can teach the other letters with a similar pattern. Try it!

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B.S. Detector: Russell Martin Edition

The television show, 'Before The Bigs, recently featured Russell Martin. On that show, Martin claimed to have a peculiar reaction when he found out his Double-A manager would be Steve Yeager. Who is Steve Yeager, you ask? The essence of that question is what makes Martin's reaction peculiar.

Steve Yeager is a former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher who retired in 1981 and has been an obscure name even in Dodgers fans circles ever since. Russell Martin was born in 1983 and was raised over 3,000 miles away in Canada.

Yet despite the distance and generational separation, Martin still claimed to have a significant reaction upon hearing that Yeager would be his Double-A manager at Las Vegas. To paraphrase, Martin said, 'Wow, I cannot believe that such a great defensive catcher will be my manager. This is a great opportunity to go really propell my major league careeer.'

We know that Martin likely never even hear of Yeager's name even in passing (so to speak). We especially doubt that even those in the know are holding up Steve Yeager, a career .228 hitter as the standard bearer for catchers.

Let us put it in a different perspective. People from Martin's generation are taking away only a little bit from great 70's catchers like Thurmon Munson, Johnny Bench or Carlton Fisk. They are taking away no pre-emptive value from the Steve Yeagers of the world.

Is it a big deal that Martin lied? Most will say not. Many more will admit that he is just selling the drama for a television show. But at Shots Heard we promote only the truth and we cannot look at disingeniousness with the least degree of allowance. So Russell Martin if you are reading, your B.S has been called.

Picture: Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher

NFL: 2009 Conference Championship predictions

2008 Season Predictions Performance: 154-101
2009 Playoffs Predictions Performance: 5-3

Philadelphia Eagles (11-6-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (11-7)

Pick: Eagles

We have serious concerns about Westbrook's health. Besides that, the Eagles have been locked into a zone. After smashing the Cowboys at home to get into the playoffs, they have controlled their games on the road against the Vikings and Giants. We also are skeptical about the claims that all of the sudden, Arizona has a strong defense. It was less than a month ago that the Cardinals lost 47-7 to the Patriots. In the game before that, they lost at home 35-14 to the sometimes anemic Vikings.

Outcome: Cardinals 32 Eagles 25 - Eagles almost come back from 18-point halftime deficit, but Cardinals move on to Super Bowl.

Baltimore Ravens (13-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4)

Pick: Steelers

In our week 14 write-up of the Steelers/Ravens match-up, we wrote:

Great defensive battles in the regular season are 'ugly.' Great defensive battles in the playoffs are epic.

In that game, the Steelers won 13-9 on a 'controversial' last second touchdown pass. But that regular game was brutal to watch. This game that will be played with the same amount of offensive ineptitude (and stellar defense) will be epic.

The Steelers will need to take advantage of that 12th man to try to rattle rookie Shane Falco AKA Joe Flacco. If they let the Ravens stick around, Ed Reed could come up with a momentum changing interception late in the game.

Outcome: Steelers 23 Ravens 14 - Roethlisberger, the 'Playground Quarterback' reasserts the Steelers dominance over Ravens.

Picture: Baltimore defensive players, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis hold hands.

Funny Cats Family Coloring Page

Cats are animals that have a strong hunting instinct. They were able to find prey in the distance of 1 kilometer. They have strong senses of smell. A sharp eye and ear that is capable of vertical hear prey with a very low frequency. Each family cat is a family that love each other. The mother will protect its children not to hunger and cold.

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Funny Cats Family Coloring Page

Cats are animals that have a strong hunting instinct. They were able to find prey in the distance of 1 kilometer. They have strong senses of smell. A sharp eye and ear that is capable of vertical hear prey with a very low frequency. Each family cat is a family that love each other. The mother will protect its children not to hunger and cold.

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Gabbo! Gabbo! Gabbo!

The new LBJ commercial is reminiscent of the Gabbo, Gabbo, Gabbo commercial on the Simpsons. Just as all the Springfieldians were excited, so are many of us intrigued about what we should 'brace for.'

Since the commercials are only aired during basketball telecasts on TNT and ESPN, we are not overly intrigued. But the PR hook is noteworthy and it is things like this that make us think LBJ may eventually hit his stated goal of becoming a billionaire.

In the Beach Coloring Page

All people like the beach. Every holiday, I also usually go to the beach. Feel the waves roll up-roll. Cool breezes that blow. Make soul our fly to the sky. Make my mind free from the burden of all the soul burden. :D

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In the Beach Coloring Page

All people like the beach. Every holiday, I also usually go to the beach. Feel the waves roll up-roll. Cool breezes that blow. Make soul our fly to the sky. Make my mind free from the burden of all the soul burden. :D

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NFL's Super treatment of the Cardinals and Chargers is inexcusable

By allowing division winners to automatically make the playoffs with a minimum of home field advantage in the first round, the NFL has unwittingly (or maybe wittingly) rewarded lesser teams with unfair benefits. We knew that the NFL coveted regular season parity, but did we realize that it so blatantly extended into the playoffs?

The San Diego Chargers finished the season with an 8-8 record, three games behind the 11-5 New England Patriots. The Chargers were rewarded with a first round home playoff game, while the Patriots were not admitted into the playoffs.

The Cardinals finished 9-7, tied with the Cowboys, Bucs and Bears for the sixth best record in the NFC. The Cowboys and Bucs finished 3-3 in divisions that did not feature a sub .500 team. Despite playing in a tougher division, the Bears finished with the same 7-5 conference record that the Cardinals did. But due to automatic playoff bids for divsion winners, the Cardinals had already clinched a playoff spot in Week 14.

It is doubtful that the Chargers or Cardinals would have made the playoffs had they not had the luxury of feasting on each of their terrible divisions in their respective conferences. The Cardinals were undefeated (6-0) against the NFC West. The 49ers, Seahawks and Rams were a combined 13-35. The Chargers were were a correct call away from going undefeated in their division play. Instead they were 5-1 against the Broncos, Raiders and Chiefs who had a combined 15-33 record.

In the interest of preserving rich rivalries, we can accept the unbalanced schedule. For now we can stomach teams playing teams twice in their own division while not playing every team in their own conference. We can accept that teams in weaker divisions will have advantages over teams in stronger divisions. To use a sports analogy, that is the way the ball bounces.

But we draw that line at automatic playoff births for division winners. We definitely despise allowing division winners automatically getting home field advantages over stronger playoff teams.

What are we telling Colts fans who watched their 12-4 Colts get nipped by a score in overtime at the San Diego Chargers? Are we supposed to tell them, yea you played a tougher schedule and finished four games better, but since you were in a division with 13-3 Titans that they get a whammy?

It gets worse though. The division winners are guaranteed home field advantage over Wild Card teams for the entire playoffs. So the 9-7 Cardinals, who beat the 11-5 Atlanta Falcons in the opening playoff round will now have the home field advantage over the 9-6-1 Eagles.

The Falcons were 7-1 at home during the regular season, but only 4-4 on the road. The Cardinals were 6-2 at home but only 3-5 on the road. The home field advantage may have been the difference for the Cardinals. Ahead 30-24 with 4:15 left and needing to run the clock out, the Cardinals did not have a loud crowd drowning out Kurt Warner's play signals.

Now the Eagles are the latest team to travel to Arizona while it should be the Cardinals who are the road team, as they were in their successful match-up against Carolina. The Eagles only finished 2-4 in their tough division. But finished with the same 7-5 conference record that the Cardinals did by throttling teams like the Cardinals.

In Week 13, the Eagles blew out the Cardinals 48-20 at home. But despite that and a better record, the Eagles are going on the road for their third straight playoff game. The mediocre Cardinals are being rewarded with their second home playoff game in three weeks. To think it would be three out of four had this scenario played out last year when the Super Bowl was at Scottsdale.

We are happy to see the Cardinals throw their hat in the ring with the Eagles as an underdog feel good story. But the NFL needs to stop giving division winners automatic playoff births. And the NFL certainly should not give home field advantage to the worse teams.

If the last seed can make the playoffs and win four games away from home and thus a championship, then we will have feel great stories. That is the scenario that played out last year with the New York Giants. The Giants went on the road to beat the Bucs. They then beat the 13-3 Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium before going on to beat the 13-3 Green Bay Packers at icy Lambeau Field. That in itself was a memorable feat. But the Giants truly immortalized their memory by spoiling the Patriots quest for the first 19-0 season in NFL history.

The Giants were a feel great story, as the 10-6 Giants just barely grabbed the last spot in the playoffs (no system gave it to them). Maybe we will feel pretty good about the Cardinals too if they win the Super Bowl. But if we do it will be the difference between drinking a fine wine and a batch of homemade hooch.

Picture: Running backs LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers and Ederrin James of the Arizona Cardinals. August 25, 2007.

NFL: 2009 Division Playoff Predictions

2008 Season Predictions Performance: 153-100
2009 Division Playoff Round Prediction Performance: 3-1

Baltimore Ravens (12-5) @ Tennessee Titans (12-4)

Pick: Ravens

The Titans have only been playing .500 ball over their past six games. On the other hand, the Ravens have looked good all year, blowing out several teams, including the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the playoffs.

Outcome: Ravens 13 Titans 10 - The Ravens need a plus three turnover differential to win by a Stover field goal.

Arizona Cardinals (10-7) @ Carolina Panthers (12-4)

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers have not lost at home (8-0). The Cardinals are 3-5 on the road and are 2-5 against NFC teams outside of their division.

Outcome: Cardinals 33 Panthers 13 - Ten point underdog wins by 20, Delhomme turns the ball over three times.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) @ New York Giants (12-4)

Pick: Giants

Going into this week, the Eagles have more momentum than any other team still alive. They also went into the Meadowlands and beat the Giants 20-14 in Week 14. But we have concerns that the Giants will contain Westbrook and that an impatient Donovan McNabb will throw more interceptions than Eli Manning.

Outcome: Eagles 23 Giants 11- The G-Men will not be repeating as champions.

San Diego Chargers (9-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Pick: Steelers

Defense still wins ball games. The Steelers defense has smothered teams all year with a few notable exceptions. The Steelers gave up 24 to Peyton Manning and the Colts. They gave up 31 in a late season phone-in game to the Titans. But mainly the Steelers calling card has been to hold teams to 15 points or less; something they did 11 times.

We anticipate the Chargers to get at least 14 points, so the Steelers offense will need to show up for this game.

Outcome: Steelers 35 Chargers 24 - San Diego's offense on the field for only one play in the third quarter, an interception play.

Picture: San Diego Chargers quarterback, Philip Rivers

Missouri wins the Journalism Bowl

Pardon the pun, but Missouri beating Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl on December 28, 2008 is old news. Consider this your 'Extra, extra; read all about it!'. And it is at least newsworthy to the news producers, otherwise known as reporters, editors and publishers.

At one point I was strongly considering getting a Masters Degree in journalism. But explaining why I decided against attaining a Masters Degree in journalism is another subject. Although, in my personal research on the matter, it became clear that these were two of the top ten journalism schools in the country. In my opinion and the opinion of many others these schools are in the top five. Both schools offer unique learning opportunities.


Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois, about a twenty minute drive from Chicago. The students are assigned real beats covering everything from education boards to City Hall. Many students' articles end up being printed by papers like the Chicago Sun and the Chicago Tribune. Such opportunities are highly coveted by aspiring journalists.


The University of Missouri founded the first school of journalism in the United States in 1908. In conjunction with their formation, they established the Columbia Missourian newspaper. It is the only college daily that serves as the main paper for its community. The U of M also has only university own commercial television station (network affiliate) in the country.

So with such a rich history, we can be assured that about every angle. But to briefly summarize it, the more experienced Missouri team pulled out an exciting overtime victory.

Picture 1: Fisk Hall, Northwestern University journalism building. Evanston, IL.
Picture 2: Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri. Columbia, MO.

Male Superhero Coloring Page

Heroes who win each battle will be respected by friend and foe. They have an extra ordinary strength. Super strength that require only owned the responsibility for running their obligations to help others

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Male Superhero Coloring Page

Heroes who win each battle will be respected by friend and foe. They have an extra ordinary strength. Super strength that require only owned the responsibility for running their obligations to help others

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New Year Coloring Page

New year brings a new hope. Last years bring a valuable experience as a mirror for this year. Prepare ourselves to face all the challenges and the obstruction of the future. Happy New Year...

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New Year Coloring Page

New year brings a new hope. Last years bring a valuable experience as a mirror for this year. Prepare ourselves to face all the challenges and the obstruction of the future. Happy New Year...

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NFL: 2009 Wild Card Predictions

Week 17 Performance: 12-4
2008/2009 Performance: 154-101 (Excludes Eagles/Bengals tie)

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Falcons

The red birds are at home and they have a good offense. But their defense gave the Broncos a defense a run for their money for the worst defense in the league.

Outcome: Cardinals 30 Falcons 24 - Falcons cannot run the ball against the Cardinals terrible defense.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Following the Chargers Week 12 23-20 last second loss to the Colts, QB Phillip Rivers said they were the only 4-7 team with a chance of making the playoffs. Still, that was probably more of a shot against the Broncos than a strong belief in his team.

Both teams are hot as the Chargers have went 4-1 since and the Colts have won nine in a row. Despite that impressive streak, the Colts have not dominated the competition. Expect a fun game for Chargers fans!

Outcome: Chargers 23 Colts 17 - Another chapter added to Chargers/Colts rivalry; Sproles comes up big while LT sits.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens are not a dominant defense, but they are among the best and the Dolphins trick plays and wildcat offense may not be enough.

Outcome: Ravens 27 Dolphins 9 - Dolphins become latest victim of Ravens' defense.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Eagles

The Vikings are formidable at home. However, a Philadelphia talk show host called the Vikings offense one dimensional, referring to their reliance on Adrian Peterson and inept play a QB. But it is one thing to know it and another thing to stop it. The Vikings won 10 of their last 14 games with teams knowing that. Still the Eagles are a hot team and clicking on all cylinders.

Outcome: Eagles 26 Vikings 14 - No surprises, A 71-yard screen TD pass to Brian Westbrook and bad play by QB Tavaris Jackson make the difference.

Picture: The Grain Belt Beer sign is a landmark, located on Nicollet Island off of banks of the Mississippi River, north of downtown Minneapolis. The sign is within walking distance of the Metro Dome.

At Grain Belt's peak, the sign lit up every night. Now owned by the city, the sign is still occasionally lit to commemorate the Minneapolis Brewery Company's history that went back to the 19th century. The sign itself was built circa 1940.