Football Picks

Before I get to my pick for Super Bowl XLIII, I want to quickly address the Jason Varitek situation for (hopefully) the last time. Varitek is one of the all-time great players on the Red Sox. He has been apart of the Sox since a famous 1997 trade that also brought Derek Lowe to Boston in exchange for Heathcliff Slocumb. 'Tek has played an important role on seven Red Sox teams that have made the postseason and without him behind the plate, the Red Sox probably would not have won the World Series in either 2004 or 2007. He is the one that stood up to A-Rod in 2004 when the Yankee slugger tried to act tough with Bronson Arroyo -- it was the fight that sparked the Sox onto history. As fans, we can't understand the insane amounts of millions that our heroes on the field receive as compensation for allowing us to act like children for a few hours every day during the summer. For me, a teacher making $45,000 a year, I can't fathom why 'Tek would turn down $5 million to play baseball but that is not the point. Not right now. The point is that as a fan, as one of millions who live and die by the Red Sox from February to October, I don't want to see one of my favorite players leave after so many years of distinguished service. The Red Sox need Varitek in 2009 to handle a very talented pitching staff. Varitek needs Boston because no other team (or fan base) will accept an aging catcher who hits .220 with no power. There is a reported deadline of 8:30 this morning for Varitek to accept the Red Sox contract offer. I am one person who wants to see it completed... As always, the pick is against the spread. Arizona (+7) over Pittsburgh The Cardinals got hot at the right time of year. After an ugly end the to the regular season, they have ripped off wins over Atlanta, Carolina, and Philadelphia to earn their first ever Super Bowl berth. The connection between Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald has become unstoppable and even if the Steelers secondary finds a way to slow down Fitzgerald, Warner has Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin (and Steve Breaston) to fire spirals at all afternoon. Cardinals - 31 Steelers - 23 Conference Championship Games: 1 - 1 Season: 131 - 121 - 9