the 4th star

I understand the need to mix in some hyperbole if you’re riding shotgun for a professional sports team. This is the new era of the business, and much like air travel now revolves around security measures and pissed off people waiting as a result of those security measures, the games are now a marketable product. No matter that the people listening to the pre-game show are already in their cars heading to the arena. They must be sold. Each game is better than the last. That’s the standard prescription these days. You can put it on the booooaaaaaard….YES!

But when do things go too far? How about tonight, when Manitoba Moose play-by-play man Brian Munz kicked off the radio broadcast of the Moose and Hershey Bears game? In hyping the weekend series, Munz said (and I’m paraphrasing) that when last the two clubs met, back in the Calder Cup final this past spring, it was the most exciting time in Winnipeg professional hockey — ever.

Sorry, Brian. I know you weren’t in Winnipeg for most of the history, and that absence earns you a pass and everything, but that ad copy is not even close to accurate. That Calder Cup was good, sure. People had fun. A few even got excited. But the passion wasn’t there like it was for the previous incarnation of pro hockey in this iceberg of a city. And I say this as a guy who has no sepia-coloured filter to speak of. I don’t wax poetic on the past. Nostalgia don’t live here anymore. Sitting in those uncomfortable seats, I remember it as it was. Despite what the half-full water bottle crowd will tell you about the good old days, pro hockey has sucked in this town for a long time. Having said that, though, it did have its moments — exciting moments that overshadow the Calder Cup silver medal.

1. The Winnipeg Jets won three Avco Cups. Here’s the last one.
2. 1990. The Goal. Stop talking, John Garrett.
3. Back when Hot Dog Hockey was something.
4. White. We didn’t start the fire (but we like to think we did).
5. What’s more exciting than rock synthesizer and rack toms?

Somewhere Masterclark is smiling. And excited.

What’s interesting about this weekend in the National Football League wild card derby is the familiarity. We have New York at Cincinnati and Philadelphia visiting Dallas on Saturday. That’s followed by a Sunday double dip featuring the Baltimore Ravens at the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers renewing acquaintances with the Arizona Cardinals.

Three out of the four games are re-matches from last weekend, with two of them taking place in the same venue. The stakes are a lot higher, of course. In those three games to close out the regular schedule, only Jets actually needed a win to advance to the second season. Now, teams are in a win/watch situation. Win and you move on to the conference semifinal. Lose and you’re forced to watch the path to the Super Bowl just like the rest of us.

Looking deeper into the games, specifically the three re-matches, we find the perfect experiment for what I have always found difficult to measure. Who is a good coach and who is a bad coach? With back-to-back games, the common refrain involves a split — win one, lose one. This time around, the six teams involved in this back-to-back situation will have to beat the other side with a smart game plan that builds on strengths and covers up weaknesses in each match-up. That comes down to coaching — putting players and units in the best positions for success. There are no excuses. The coaches have seen what the other side has. They’ve thought about it all week. It’s fresh in their video players. Now we’ll see if they’re as smart, and as creative, as they think they are.

New York (the other one) at CinCity
Bengals -2.5
I think the Jets are just happy to be here. I think the Bengals have a better defence. I think experience at quarterback will usually beat a rookie gun-slinger. I think Mark Sanchez hasn’t thrown too many picks lately. I think that’s about to change Saturday.

Eagles at Cowboys
Over 45
Both coaches are so bad, neither team could win. Seriously, though. How does one pick? I mean, on one hand having the Eagle-Dogs out of the post season this early would make us New York Giants fans very happy, but on the other hand, having the Cowboys drop another playoff game in the bottomless bucket that is their despair is too sweet to pass up. Who am I kidding? Watching Tony Romo and Wade Phillips cry after the game would be awesome. Again. Dallas will win, but no one wants them to.

Baltimore at New England
Ravens + 170
Don’t know of too many people taking the Ravens. Let’s keep it a secret, kay?

Green Bay at Arizona
Over 47 points
Shoot-out! I have a feeling Ken Wisenheimer (or whatever the Cards coach calls himself) has a few tricks up his sleeve for this one. Plus I think Green Bay tipped their hand in last Sunday’s blowout. But the one thing that bothers me is all the hype the Packers are generating right now. Everyone likes them. With all this positive press, you just know they’re going to lay a big fat egg here. Too bad. A chance to watch Brett Favre go up against his first old team is lost if the GBP don’t advance past the AC. Man, I was really looking forward to seeing that. We all were.

/sarcasm

I know, I know. Why don’t you put up the William Shatner version? Listen. Truth is, I don’t really find Captain Kirk reading lyrics in his signature exaggerated way that funny. Worth checking out — no doubt about it. But I’d rather have the Pulp in my morning juice. Let’s leave it at that and move on. Not sure what’s coming up today (as I have nothing ready and things are busy). Probably some real NFL picks and a hockey post or two.