NFL, still a man's game?

By Dan Rodgers

The NFL owners just approved a rule change...that's never a good thing.

The rule moves kickoffs from 30 yard-line to the 35. If you're not a huge football fan then you have no idea the kind of impact this will have on the game. Not to mention, a touchback is still only put at the 20 yard-line. So the kicking team just gained a huge advantage.

I know they are trying to protect player safety, but the owners want an 18 game schedule and that isn't safe. Basically, teams with good return teams (i.e. Bears, Browns, Jets, Seahawks) will be at a huge disadvantage. Not to mention, return specialists like Brad Smith, Devin Hester and Leon Washington become much less valuable.

Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff tied the record for the most touchbacks in a single season this past season. This coming season, whether it's this year or whenever, he and possibly other kickers will shatter that record. Every kickoff that was at the goal line or a yard or two deep in the endzone will now be five to seven yards deep and most likely be touchbacks.

This will also help the defense because there will be more touchbacks and more drives starting from the 20 yard-line.

There isn't much to debate because the rule change has already been implemented. It's just interesting because teams will be changing how they spend their money.

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Can't Wait

By Dan Rodgers

At the post-game conference following the Jets win over the Patriots in the second round of the AFC playoffs, LB Bart Scott was congratulated on the victory and the reporter said, "See you in Pittsburgh." Scott's response, "Can't wait."

Of course, now the entire Jets organization is using it and Sports Center is currently mocking the hell out of it and it's hilarious.

We'll see how that goes this Sunday at 6:30. The Jets travel to Pittsburgh for the second time this season and look to beat the Steelers to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl III.

Two notable injury updates are that Pitt DE Aaron Smith will not play and NY QB/WR/KR Brad Smith is likely to play.

Two game breakers in this one will the Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Jets receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes returns to Pittsburgh for the second time this year and faces the team that dumped the Super Bowl MVP for a fifth round pick. Holmes didn't have a big game last time so he will look to get some payback against his former team.

Polamalu is the kind of guy that can give Chezmo tons of issues. He blitzes whenever he wants and is probably the best player left in the playoffs. He is phenomenal against the pass and a great tackler. Chezmo needs to know where he is on the field at all times.

I think my Jets have a solid chance of beating the Steelers as they did so earlier in the season. I expect some big plays out of both defenses.

As for the NFC, I'm in love with the Packers. I think they'll cover their field goal spread (-3).

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