Getting Your Kicks
Posted January 15, 2007, 9:43 AM ET

The NFL Divisional games were incredibly entertaining, even if the play was a little sloppy. I didn't have a favorite in any of the matchups, but each game had terrific storylines and drama. As much as I love college football, the bowl system comes up way short in producing the theater that is generated each year by the NFL.

I'm still looking for any "expert" to explain to me how the Indy Colts' defense can go from the worst in the league in stopping the run, to an overnight sensation in money-time during the playoffs. While Peyton Manning has been ordinary, the defense has been out of this world. If the Colts get past New England (no easy task), the arrival of Manning and Dungy to Miami for the Super Bowl would be a great story.

New England is ridiculous. Tom Brady is the modern day Joe Montana, and he and coach Bill Belicheck have teamed up for a 12-1 postseason record. Was there any doubt that the Pats were going to rally and win in San Diego? Brady makes it look so easy, and anybody that discounts the Pats' ability to return to the Super Bowl is nuts. Any team that can win Super Bowls in 2001, 2002, 2004 and possibly this year as well....you can't disregard the greatness of New England. Who would have thought New England could continue this run with the loss of Charlie Weis? That's a joke, of course. If the Pats win it again this year, you can make a case for them as the greatest of all time...four titles in six years, during an era of the salary cap and parity is pretty impressive.

Da Bears are back in the NFC title game for the first time since 1989. Rex Grossman is still a wild card at quarterback, but the Bears are at home and they still play great on the defensive side of the ball. Despite the built-in advantages, Bears fans are nervous and anxious about their quarterback....and they should be; it is well-deserved. Tearing up the depleted Seattle secondary is hardly newsworthy, and Grossman proclaimed after the OT win that the Bears "played great"....I wouldn't go that far. Even so, the Bears won their first playoff game since 1995, and the Windy City prepares for "America's Team".

Sorry, Dallas...here comes the Saints. New Orleans has become the NFL equivalent of Wake Forest in this year's ACC football season. Always a lousy team with very little tradition and history to show for its efforts...the Saints have captured our attention with their post-Katrina story, and new perch in football's "elite" status. Drew Brees is on fire, Deuce and Reggie are a dynamic duo, and what could be a better gift to the capital of the Bayou than a trip for the Saints to the Super Bowl? The Saints are one of six current NFL franchises to not make it to the big game.

Personally, I hope Manning, Dungy and the Colts play the upstart Saints in the Super Bowl. Nothing against Chicago or New England...but Saints/Colts provides the best story.

Other items from the world of sports....it was good to see a teenager excel on the PGA Tour. No, I'm not talking about Michelle Wie, but a younger kid...Tadd Fujikawa. Unlike the hacking Wie, Fujikawa finished in a tie for 20th...now, that is a story worth hyping in the golf world. Wie is as over-promoted as Notre Dame football. Can you imagine the talking heads if Wie was able to accomplish that feat...we would never hear the end of it...kind of like the Irish if they could actually win a big game under Cheesecake Charlie.

David Beckham is coming to the States....who cares? They are going to pay him $250 million over 5 years, and that roughly comes out to a million bucks a week....who cares? He plays for the LA Galaxy...who cares? This is just what soccer needs, to explode upon the mainstream sports scene....who cares? But have you seen his wife?....Now, that's something we can discuss.

It didn't take long for North Carolina's reign as the nations #1 ranked team to last....the Heels were spanked by the surprisingly tough Virginia Tech Hokies. One week...out with the Heels, in goes defending champion Florida. There was also a sigh of relief on Tobacco Road when Duke finally won a conference game and has escaped the ACC basement.

By the way, on a serious note, Duke officials had a "football summit" to discuss the future of the program.....I'm not making this up. Supposedly over 200 former players and alums showed up to discuss the options available for Ted Roof and the program....I'll keep you up to speed if there is anything to report. Early indications speculate that Duke is going to proceed with the nation's longest losing streak heading into the 2007 season.