Random Thoughts (December 27, 2010)

The weekly picks are done, for now. I will be picking the winners for the NFL Playoffs and the BCS Bowl Games but the constraints of school and work have prevented me from getting in the picks the last two weeks. I promise to bounce back better than ever for the games that everyone will be watching... It has been written here a million times but coming off of a weekend in which Tom Brady led the Patriots to the AFC's top seed for the playoffs and broke the NFL record for most pass attempts without an interception (319), it has to be stated again that #12 is the best quarterback of his generation. Brady now has a career record of 110-32 in the regular season. Add in the 14-4 record in the playoffs - which includes three Super Bowl titles - and you are talking about the unquestioned greatest winner of his time. Winning is what defines Brady. Yes, he has numerous records and trophies but at the end of the day all that matters are the wins. With his Patriots locking in home field advantage for the AFC playoffs, Brady is in a situation to lead his team to a fifth AFC title in his nine years as quarterback with the ultimate goal of winning Super Bowl XLV in his sights... Despite the Christmas Day loss to the Magic, the Celtics are still the leading favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. A team led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo is good enough to contend but the supporting cast of Shaquille O'Neal, Glen Davis, Jermaine O'Neal, Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels, and Delonte West puts them over the top. Doc Rivers has the depth and talent at his disposal to lead the Celtics to their 18th NBA Championship... The Bruins desperately needed that 4-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on December 23 but even more importantly, they needed the energy that Milan Lucic brought to the ice during the 3rd Period brawl. The Bruins are a talented team capable of making a run at the Stanley Cup in 2011 but they too often play complacent hockey. Hopefully the Lucic fight and the win will carry over into the New Year... Enjoy Matt Ryan tonight...