Super Bowl sets TV records

The New Orleans Saints' 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV was watched by an average of more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M-A-S-H" to become the most-watched program in U.S. television history, the Nielsen Co. said on Monday.

"It's significant for all of the members of the broadcasting community," said Leslie Moonves, CBS Corp. CEO. "For anyone who wants to write that broadcasting is dead, 106 million people watched this program. You can't find that anywhere else."

One of the reasons the Super Bowl is watched by so many people is the funny commercials. 'The Dortios Slap' scored big, and was picked by many as the best Ad this year. This goes to show that Football is America's Game.

Super Bowl XLIV beats 'M-A-S-H' finale for U.S. viewership record [NFL.com]

Rumors: McNabb to Denver?

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reports that Denver is one of three teams that have had multiple conversations with the Eagles about the availability of quarterback Donovan McNabb. The other two teams are Buffalo and Cleveland. This is interesting because McDaneils has made a name out of blockbuster trades. But I don't expect anything to come of it because, 1) As long as Andy Reid is in Philly I believe McNabb will be, 2) Donavon is 33-years old and the price wouldn't be right for Denver.

Some Bronco fans would welcome McNabb with open arms, while others (me) want to stay far away from him.

Broncos sign free agent RB Hall

The Denver Broncos have signed free agent running back Bruce Hall. The former Mississippi RB/QB spent time on the Bills' practice squad working under then running backs coach and current Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville.

This isn't big news, the Broncos will be signing lots of players in the off-season, only to be cut after and during training camp. It will be interesting if Denver goes after any other Bills now that Stuesville is on board.

Predictions? You want predictions?

Ok, so my family and friends have been asking me my "somewhat professional" opinion and predictions today on the big game, so I figured that I would post them here.

First of all I think it's gonna be a great game! Congrats to both the Colts and the Saints!

You have not just the top two teams in the league battling it out for the title (isn't that the way it should be?) but you have the top two QB's leading their teams.

I also think the Saints will emerge victorious today! Here's why:

I believe in the New Orleans Saints! They have meant so much not just to the city of New Orleans, but to the entire Gulf States region. They symbolize everything that is RIGHT about New Orleans!

They have the most dangerous offense in the league. If you make one mistake, one missed assignment, one blown coverage it's a TD. The Colts MUST bring their defensive "A" game today to keep Drew Brees and that offense in check.

I don't believe that the Colts and Peyton Manning will be able to match score for score what the Saints can do.

For the DL of the Saints, they need to make sure their hands are up on every pass play. Look at what our Broncos forced Peyton into when we pressured him and put our hands in his face. He threw for 3 picks and we ALMOST ended up walking outta there with the upset of the year.

The "X" factor in all of this is two parts. The 1st is Reggie Bush, he can out run ANY DL and LB on the field, and most DB's won't be able to contain him coming out of the backfield. Look for Reggie to have a big game today. 2nd is the Saints "D". They need to play in their gaps, and stick to their game plan of putting pressure on Payton Manning. If they start worrying too much about Peyton's gyrations and audibles at the LOS, Peyton will beat them. Play your game, honor your game plan, and trust the guy on the left and right of you to do their job as well, and you will frustrate and force Peyton to make mistakes!

Finally, my brother, his wife and 4 kids reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, and although they're die-hard Bronco fans 1st and foremost, their adopted team are the Saints.

As the the team and fans of the New Orleans Saints say,

"WE ARE NEW ORLEANS!"

I believe in the New Orleans Saints and feel they'll leave Miami with the team's 1st Lombardi Trophy and more importantly they will give back to the Gulf States region the pride and continued strength to rebuild what Katrina took from them.

34-31 New Orleans

"Who Dat Say Dey Gonna Beat Dem Saints?"

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

James

I get it HOF Committee, really I do!

First of all I want to apologize to all the Bronco fans out there for not posting updates on the HOF selections. However today, a friend and neighbor lost his battle with drug addiction and passed away. He was only 31 years old. Please give a shout to God and ask for his grace, peace and understanding for his wife and 7 year old son.

Drug addiction is a nasty, nasty disease!

So with that being said, I want to congratulate Floyd Little on being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame! It was LONG OVER DUE! Good things come to those who wait and Floyd need not wait anymore!

As far as Shannon not being inducted, I get it. When you are up as a receiver, regardless if you're a Tight End or a Wide Receiver, along side the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Jerry Rice, there is NO WAY the committee is going to make Jerry Rice share the stage with ANY other receiver. Which is why Cris Carter, Tim Brown and Shannon Sharpe didn't make it.

On top of that, I think the committee did Shannon a favor by not putting him in along side the GOAT. Had we looked at Shannon's stats along side Jerry's it pales in comparison. When he played for San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle, Rice made 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards, had 14 1,000-yard seasons and scored 208 touchdowns. It would have diminished Shannon's career had he gone in with Rice.

What frustrates me more is the fact that he didn't get in last year. Shannon deserves to be in, hands down, no questions asked, end of story. He revolutionized the TE position and did it all coming from a small Division II school Savannah State University.

Sharpe was drafted in the 7th round of the 1990 NFL Draft, 192nd overall, by the Denver Broncos. He had a mediocre rookie season as a wide receiver, until Broncos head coach Dan Reeves convinced him to convert to tight end. He remained with Denver until 1999, winning two championship rings in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII in the process. After a two-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won another championship ring in Super Bowl XXXV, he returned to the Broncos where he retired in 2003.

Career receiving statistics

Year Team Games Rec Yards Y/R TDs
1990 Denver Broncos 16 7 99 14.1 1
1991 Denver Broncos 16 22 322 14.6 1
1992 Denver Broncos 16 53 640 12.1 2
1993 Denver Broncos 16 81 995 12.3 9
1994 Denver Broncos 15 87 1010 11.6 4
1995 Denver Broncos 13 63 756 12 4
1996 Denver Broncos 15 80 1062 13.3 10
1997 Denver Broncos 16 72 1107 15.4 3
1998 Denver Broncos 16 64 768 12.0 10
1999 Denver Broncos 5 23 224 9.7 0
2000 Baltimore Ravens 16 67 810 12.1 5
2001 Baltimore Ravens 16 73 811 11.1 2
2002 Denver Broncos 12 61 686 11.2 3
2003 Denver Broncos 15 62 770 12.4 8

Total - 203 815 10,060 12.3 62

Shannon Sharpe Highlights

Click here for Career Highlights

Click here for a funny CBS Highlight

More CBS Stuff

Vaya con Dios John!

As always let me know your thoughts!

Shannon Sharpe snubbed, Little gets in

Today the NFL announced; Shannon Sharpe was not selected to the 2010 Hall of Fame class. That is very hard to swallow, Floyd Little made the cut as a senior nominee, and that makes it easier to take. Little becomes the third Bronco to get into the Hall, joining Elway, and Garry Zimmerman. The fact that Sharpe did not make it has caused an uproar in Bronco Nation.

Big congrats to Floyd Little! This was a long overdue, Sharpe will get in next year. We will have more to come on the site so check back.

The big game is tomorrow!

A lot of the country is covered in snow. We've got about a foot up here, and records were broke in Arizona. Yet tomorrow the Saints and Colts won't have to worry about cold weather - playing in beautiful Miami Florida. And I won't have to worry about spending $1K to go to the game - I'll be watching it on a couch, inside where it is warm. No big party this year, just the family and our 50".

It looks to be a great game, it would be a crime to miss it. No predictions here, but we are pulling for New Orleans. The game is on CBS, 7 pm (ET) enjoy the game!