I picked the Falcons to win Super Bowl 51 in an upset, and for most of the game I was feeling pretty good about my selection. But never count out Tom Brady, who proved that he is the best quarterback ever and has the Super Bowl titles and Super Bowl MVPs to prove it. The Patriots were done, yet Brady refused to lose. When they were coming back in the fourth quarter I honestly thought they would pull it out. It was an incredible football game and one that the Falcons will never get over. Wow, what a Super Bowl.
* I don’t understand the Falcons’ play calling late in the game, and why teams feel like they have to throw the ball on third and one. Matt Ryan’s fumble on a third and one should have never happened had they run the ball. Later, the Falcons had another third and one and ended up out of field goal range when a field goal there would have put them up by 11 points with only a few minutes to play. The Patriots won the game, but the Falcons also blew it. And their play calling down the stretch deserves to be second guessed.
* I still don’t like the NFL’s overtime rule. I think it’s ridiculous that both teams didn’t at least get one possession in the extra period in the Super Bowl, no less. There was no doubt in my mind that once the game went to OT the Patriots would win. Still, it’s not fair that Atlanta never got a chance in OT.
* Former Steeler offensive lineman Alan Faneca will have to wait for his call to the pro football hall of fame. He was passed over for the second time over the weekend. Still, I expect the former LSU great to get the call one of these days. He was too good not to make it. This year’s class includes safety Kenny Easley from Seattle. He was a heck of a player, but don’t tell me he was any better than former Steeler safety Donnie Shell. Donnie should have gotten the call years ago. I hope that both Shell and LC Greenwood get a look from the Veteran’s Committee one of these years. Both should have been in Canton long
* I enjoy keeping up with recruiting in college football. If the recruiting services are right, my beloved Penn State has a really good class coming in. James Franklin and his staff are relentless on the recruiting trail, and their Big Ten championship obviously helped. By all accounts Penn State has a Top 15 recruiting class coming to Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions have made huge strides under Franklin and the talent level continues to get better. Still, Penn State hasn’t caught up with Ohio State when it comes to restocking with top blue chippers.
* Paul Tortorella sounded very pleased with his first recruiting class at IUP. Tort and his staff filled a lot of needs on both sides of the ball, and also signed some really big kids. IUP has a lot of talent and will get even more talented with these most recent additions.
The Crimson Hawks should have another great team next year. Hopefully these newcomers to IUP will keep the team great for many years to come.
* The IUP basketball teams are having another great season. Joe Lombardi’s men have now won twelve games in a row and have compiled an outstanding 21-2 record. Lombardi is a heck of a coach. His teams not only win games, but also get so much better during the year. Come tournament time they are a team you don’t want to play. Kudos as well to the IUP women who exploded for 100 points, including 14 3 pointers, in their win against Slippery Rock over the weekend. The IUP women are now 16-5. Congratulations to both teams, and best of luck in the upcoming playoffs.
* Pitt, under new coach Kevin Stallings, is having a really bad year on the court. Fans don’t like the coach and aren’t eased with the results. The Panthers have now lost eight straight ACC games. Still, you have to like the effort Pitt gave in its lost two losses on the road to North Carolina and Duke. The Panthers were right there late in the game. I take that as a big-time positive.
* Thanks to our friends at Hutton Blews Insurance in Marion Center for their sponsorship of the Hutton Blews Three for Three high school basketball promotion. For the third straight year, brother and sister Shannon Lipniskis and Jay Blews have donated to the Teddy Bear Fund Drive. Their donation this year is $3,100, bringing their three year total to $9100. They don’t come any better than Hutton Blews Insurance. Thanks again, Shannon and Jay for helping the kids!
