Super Sunday!
It is here and one can only imagine a future Sunday such as this iduring which we are watching the Miami Dolphins in the ultimate NFL game. OK, daydream over.
It's about the Colts and the Saints today.
I have picked the Colts. They're the better team. I hope the Saints win. They're the better story. Plus, I love underdogs.
We will be blogging live throughout the day and game. I will be on here around 5 p.m. and we can start then.
Meantime, let me give you a few things to consider:
It is gorgeous here in South Florida, if you happen to be one of my readers from out of the area. And yet, this paradise I call home is under pressure from the NFL to improve Sun Life Stadium to bring it up to the NFL's standards.
That tells me the game might not be returning to Miami for a long time. As it stands, the next game up for bid is 2014. The NFL will award that game in two or three months and I doubt they will give it to Miami only months removed from our last game.
But there are other issues that suggest the game might not be back here in a long time. Seems the NFL wants a roof over Sun Life Stadium because it wants to guard against the possibility of rain here. The Dolphins have already put out designs for such a structure. They've given no price tag on the structure -- that has a hole atop it, by the way -- but it is clear they don't want to pay the hundreds of millions it might cost to make it reality.
As a taxpayer and football fan and someone not insane, I think the roof over Sun Life is a terrible idea and not just because it looks hideous.
Even if you forget that the Dolphins have a weather advantage in early season home games and a cover might negate that, even if you forget we are in a recession, I object to the idea because I refuse to bow to the NFL's hypocrisy on the issue.
The fact is Tampa will continue to bid on Super Bowls but the NFL has not asked that region to put a roof on their stadium.
The fact is the NFL cannot be so concerned about rain here on Super Bowl Sunday here while lifting the weather clause from its Super Bowl bidding rules to allow the new Giants/Jets Stadium (which has no cover) to bid on the 2014 game.
(Super Bowls are by rule not to be played in areas where the average January/February weather averages below 50 degrees unless the game is to be played indoors. New Jersey fails on both counts, which is why the league conveniently lifted the clause this one time.)
Anyway, you probably don't feel strongly about this unless you're a South Florida resident. I am. I want Super Bowl's to continue coming here. It's a good thing. But we're good for them because this is a great place to be in February.
And that doesn't mean we should have to live up to rules no other region has to abide by. Period.
Anyway, one last thing before the live blog: I will be among the 16 panelists casting a ballot on the Super Bowl MVP tonight. At the right time, I will ask my twitter followers to tweet me their reasoned suggestions for MVP. I will take those suggestions into consideration in making my choice.
NFL has a huge set of BAL"S to ask Miami to put a roof on because some people might get wet in 70 degree weather then turn right around and say it's OK to play the Superbowl in New Jersey where it WILL be cold, miserable, maybe snowing in Feb...here's a big F U to Roger Goodell
Posted by: bobbyd12 | February 07, 2010 at 01:05 PM
Joey Porter is a guest commentator on the NFL Network for Super Bowl Coverage today.
Posted by: Po White Trash | February 07, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Some observations (by Andy Cohen):
1) I don't want to go out on a limb here but in today's Super Bowl we will either see a shootout by Messrs. Manning and Brees or a tight defensive struggle as the defenses assert themselves.
2) Don't be surprised if Dwight Freeney overcomes his injury and makes a big impact in this game, unless of course the injury is too severe and it hampers his mobility.
3) Can you believe people actually pay me for my complete lack of insight and deliberate ambiguity? I mean, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???
Posted by: Nathaniel Dodsworth | February 07, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Dear Mr. Salguero
I just read "Joey Porter is a guest commentator on the NFL Network for Super Bowl Coverage today."
I hope they team him up with Emmit Smith.
Now if I can only find my emmit Smith to english dictionary.
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | February 07, 2010 at 01:31 PM
LMFAO @ Nathaniel regarding andy cohen. Read it and thought that exact same thing.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 01:35 PM
Soiled , imagine if you teamed emmitt , porter and shannon sharpe. It would be an episode straight out of fat albert. Sharpe would be mushmouth. daba duba !! , daba duba !! , daba duba !!
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Not sure if was mentioned Mando, but Brees' comeback was 1/100 according to Dr. James Andrews.
Posted by: Calphin | February 07, 2010 at 01:38 PM
I'll give my prediction of indy 34 NO 27 before i'm out. I want NO to win.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 01:40 PM
With ya NJ, want New Orleans to win.
Think the Colts will take it though.
Posted by: Po White Trash | February 07, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Porter hasn't wasted any time trashing the dolphins on NFL network. I can't wait for that guy to be outta here.
Posted by: Jake | February 07, 2010 at 01:55 PM
I don't care who wins,as long as it isn't the Colts.
Posted by: beerndrums | February 07, 2010 at 01:57 PM
You're boring Armando. Who's going to blog during the super bowl?
Posted by: AFChamps | February 07, 2010 at 02:06 PM
My prediction NO 37 - IND 34
Posted by: TnFinFan | February 07, 2010 at 02:24 PM
Mando, read your (other) article on the Goodell's blackmail attempt. And you're right, the roof thing is wrong on so many levels, it's laughable.
Is everone so afraid of Goodell that they can't pull him aside and explain a few things to him?
Posted by: cocoajoe | February 07, 2010 at 02:26 PM
I predict whoever scores less points will lose. Ready for a job at the NFL network.
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | February 07, 2010 at 02:30 PM
42-31 Saints.
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | February 07, 2010 at 02:31 PM
38 - 31or 34 Colts.
Colts D will make a few more stops than Saints D.
Colts O-Line is better than Vikings and will protect Peyton. Gotta go for the Colts.. Peyton is a class act.
Posted by: TNPhinFan | February 07, 2010 at 02:41 PM
38 - 31or 34 Colts.
Colts D will make a few more stops than Saints D.
Colts O-Line is better than Vikings and will protect Peyton. Gotta go for the Colts.. Peyton is a class act.
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 02:42 PM
Covering part of the Stadium with cement is not going to create victories.
A roof will only cast weird shadows on the field of play that might potentially impact games. (not to mention...lower the quality of TV Coverage.)
Besides... the Dolphins are an outdoor team. They are striving to be a very tough team.
T H E I R
STADIUM should be built with Sculpted Concrete and S T E E L -- not some strange flat deck and 'Artsie' support-cables.
The rumor is that several 'uber-wealthy creeps' complained about getting rained-on last time. ...and as usual they want the general population to fix it. -- not much a reason to destroy the environment that the home team plays in. Football in a container is not the answer.
The funny part is that a roof won't change the distance of most seats from the field (even with 'Lower-Ring enhancement'.) Joe Robbie's Stadium is known throughout the country as one of the poorer venues to view field-action. (Roof or not.)
...and (as our gracious Blog Host has mentioned...) Why would anyone want make it less hot in SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER?
Miami can resolve their 'rain-phobia' by installing some sort of hi-tech retractable tarp over the fan area (it would cost less.) Besides - We all know that an extended Superbowl drought will eventually galvanize the 'community' in favor of funding a new Stadium anyway -- or at least that what national Sports Statistics from the past thirty years show.
Posted by: What Would Warren Do (WWWD) | February 07, 2010 at 02:45 PM
Totally agree with your stance on Joe Robbie...the league is really beginning to lose my respect in many matters. Here's to a Colt's victory and a score producing the most winning squares!
Posted by: Mike in Houston | February 07, 2010 at 02:50 PM
" 38-31 or 34 colts" . LMAO @ tnpfinfan. when one makes a prediction it's with 1 score not 31 OR 34. that's 2 chances to say you got it right. It doesn't work that way . :)
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 02:51 PM
WWWD,
good idea on the awning for the fans... Personally if I were to fly down for a game and get rained on I would not care. NFL can blow hard all they want. If Jets Medowlands gets a SuperBowl who would want to go. I hope if they get one it would be a strike year! lol
All tah needs to be done is to add more seating close to the field to increase noise from the 12th man.
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 02:54 PM
nj,
it works that way in Tennessee.
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 02:56 PM
NJ,
If you want the exact pick you will have to call my guaranteed service... 1900Joeysux
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Will any of the players from Colts Saints realistically be available in FA?
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 03:03 PM
41-24 Colts.... Aints don't score as much as everyone thinks
Posted by: bobbyd12 | February 07, 2010 at 03:04 PM
What's Freeny status?
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Maybe our Stadium needs a big screen TV in the Middle of the field like Dallas? We could place retractable umbrellas from it. lol
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Saints 34 Colts 31
Posted by: Turd Ferguson | February 07, 2010 at 03:33 PM
Saints-37
Colts--34
As for where the super bowl is played, Goodell is prodding billionaires (his bosses) into spending their money. Risky business. Although I do like the idea of the domed stadium. It would benefit the owner in the long run. But, it is his decision.
Posted by: perspective | February 07, 2010 at 03:40 PM
Goodell has shown himself as a phony gangster thus far. His proposed rule changes have turned the game into a joke, the curious reffing with no recourse, is a joke. Now he wants to get into the stadium construction business? Goodell can lick my bag.
Posted by: shaggy | February 07, 2010 at 03:45 PM
shaggy,,, tell us how you really feel. lol :)
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 03:49 PM
I think "Sun Life Financial" (which will always be Joe Robbie Stadium in my heart), old though it may be, is one of the most asthetically pleasing stadiums in the NFL. I would hate to see a roof flopped over it. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by: Jake | February 07, 2010 at 03:52 PM
The Miami Dolphins do not play under a roof, they play in the sun, rain, heat, and slightly cold just like god intended...
Who's got the guacamole?
Posted by: carlito from golfito | February 07, 2010 at 03:53 PM
I got it Carlito with hme made salsa out of the garden. Awesome.
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 03:59 PM
Damn !! . i got indy -2 NO - O in my super bowl box . PS. Tnphinfan , yeah they are a little slow in TENN . LOL !! :)
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 03:59 PM
NJ< a little slow?.. we are mucho slow:)
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 04:02 PM
Yuo guys up north.. how much snow did ya'll get?
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 04:04 PM
its simple mando if the colts win its manning. and not for all the reasons you think. If he wins the super bowl and the MVP these suck ass patriot fans up here will be flustered. Now what can they say to make brady seem better then payton. What one super bowl please brady screened passed his way to a championship in 2001. so please for me and all other fans up here who hate the pats do it for us.
Posted by: eddie from new england | February 07, 2010 at 04:05 PM
LOL @ tnphinfan. I need a final of indy 12. 22 . 32 or 42 with NO 10 , 20 . 30 or 40 and drinks are on me .
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 04:07 PM
Northern NJ and NYC got nothing !! thank god.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Mando... Do it for TN too (Peyton MVP if Colts win). He is a Demigod around these parts.
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 04:09 PM
each qt also with 1ndy 2 NO -0
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Roof it!
The early season home field advantage has been exposed as myth over the past few seasons.
Mando - - you're sitting in an air conditioned press box while the fans on the sun side are dropping from heat stroke.
Besides, the more critical floor is the distance the seats are from the field, and the (resultant) flat angles of the site lines.
Blow it up, and build Reliant Stadium here---trust me, it's much nicer.
Posted by: The Seer | February 07, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Wild Turkey is in order.
31 Colts 28 Saints
Posted by: Ace | February 07, 2010 at 04:10 PM
NJ, we need to get the guys from the blog to all fly down to Miami for a game next year. Would be awesome!!!
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Tnphinfan. that would be nice. Ok . im out !!! Have fun everybody . Don't drink to much. Tommorrow is monday. :)
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | February 07, 2010 at 04:15 PM
Mando,
Put together a ticket package for us on the blog for a game next year. Would be fun to meet each other and what better place than at a Phin's game?
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 04:23 PM
So nice of nfl network to give Joey Porter a forum to trash the Fins & to destroy any miniscule trade value he may have had. F him, and F them!
Makes me wish Sapp hadn't been arrested.
Posted by: The Seer | February 07, 2010 at 04:25 PM
Seer:
Football is not meant to be played indoors.
Reliant Stadium, Lucas Slude Stadium, Arizona --
Are
ALL
Sterile
Environments.
Put on some Sunscreen on and D E A L!
Posted by: What Has Warren Done! (WHWD) | February 07, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Nate Jones on the supposed divide in the locker room over Porters benching.
"There was no siding with Joey vs. the coaches at all," Jones said. "That's silly. If anybody's even thinking that, that's nowhere near true. That has nothing to do with the next guy. The next guy plays for the Dolphins.
"He doesn't play for Team Joey or this team over here. He plays for the Dolphins. That emblem is bigger than Joey, Sparano, everybody. That's what Sparano preached all year, and that's what we abided by."
Posted by: MIAMIDOLPHINSfan | February 07, 2010 at 04:39 PM
I'm here a little early folks. I'm sitting on the 40 yard line for the Super Bowl. What a life!
Anyway, Mel (AKA Kenny) I don't know why the NFL selected me as an MVP voter. Just did. Probably same reason you come to this blog all the time, you knobhead.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | February 07, 2010 at 04:41 PM
I wouldn't mind the Super Bowl in NJ if the Dolphins were in it while Jets fans were sick to their stomachs watching it.
Posted by: CamCameron | February 07, 2010 at 04:52 PM
By the way, Adam Schefter is hearing from the Saints that Sean Payton asked Bill Parcells to talk to the Saints Saturday night but that out of respect for the Mannings, Parcells declined.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | February 07, 2010 at 04:54 PM
So if Parcells thinks so much about respect how do you think he feels about the way Joey Porter has conducted himself this week?
Big Tuna has got to be seething about Porter.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | February 07, 2010 at 04:55 PM
Don't rub it in Mando.....
Posted by: Po White Trash | February 07, 2010 at 04:55 PM
Dwight Freeney is playing
Posted by Evan Silva on February 7, 2010 4:36 PM ET
NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports that Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (ankle) will play Sunday against the Saints.
Colts president Bill Polian leaked the news to La Canfora.
profootballtalk.com
Posted by: Mr. Miyagi | February 07, 2010 at 04:55 PM
Why would Parcells speak to another NFL team, don't you think thats a conflict of interest issue? Respect for the Mannings... whatever...
Posted by: carlito from golfito | February 07, 2010 at 04:57 PM
The good thing is we don't have to wait in line to take a leak...
Posted by: Po White Trash | February 07, 2010 at 04:57 PM
I can't see the Dolphins playing under a roof in Miami. Now that the Marlins will be out, a bit of remodeling would be OK to get seats a little closer to the action like in the OB
Posted by: TnFinFan | February 07, 2010 at 04:58 PM