Remembering Leon

January began like a tigress, it leaves like a butterfly as sunny and warmer weather plants a wet one on North Texas. We have things a lot better than say people in the bluegrass state of Kentucky where power remains out for almost a week since the Ice storms began one week ago.

This day in 1993 the Dallas Cowboys began their decade of dominance with a big win over the Buffalo Bills with a 52-17 pasting at the Rose Bowl. It should have been the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history except for a miscue by Leon Lett.

While running back a fumble recovery for a touchdown, Lett decided to showboat and never saw Don Beebe chase from his right to knock the pigskin loose. Ten months later Leon Lett would rear his ugly head again when inadvertently kicking a live football mere moments after a botched field goal attempt by the Miami Dolphins on a snowy Texas Stadium field 11/25/93. Two plays Leon will never live down. I hav spoken with Leon on numerous occasions and he'll smile and shrug the shoulders when you ask about those moments. Dallas of course would roll over the Bills two years in a row when they defeated them again in Atlanta 30-13 fifteen years ago yesterday.

Work shall keep me busy for the next two days so here I go...Usually when we get to the finale for the NFL season, it seems there are two constants. Teams who have been to the big dance before know how to get it done and find a way to win. Two weeks of hype, build-up and parties also leads to a letdown once the game starts. For a while the average score of the Super Bowl from 1983-1990 was in the area of 41-14. The past few years the games have been very competitive. I look for more of the same tomorrow.

The Arizona Cardinals became the second team to finish a season 9-7 and reach the Super Bowl. The L.A. Rams did the same thing in 1979. They also lost the Steelers that year 31-19. It is a given that many people are riding that Cardinal bandwagon as America loves an underdog. The current line for Super Bowl 43 is Pittsburgh minus seven. I am taking the Steelers to win but not cover! The over/under on this game is 46.5 points. I am taking the under.

When all is said and done, I predict that Big Ben and Willie Parker borrow from Bill Parcells in 1990 and do a great job with ball control. I also believe that the Steelers D will have their problems containing Larry Fitzgerald. Kurt Warner will have a monster game win or lose. I do not foresee special teams being a factor in this game like 1981 when Rod Martin had three picks in a Raider win over Philly 27-10. I have been saying this all week to my regulars and drunken coworkers: Final Score-Steelers 24 Cardinals 20. The MVP will be Willie Parker and the comedy will outdo the commercials.

I am already imagining what Budweiser and Doritos will have in store for us. I did a voiceover for a Doritos ad back in October. I'll be honest enough to tell you if I like the ad that beat mine. GoDaddy.com is usually good for humor. Curious to see what that one second ad is all about...

Mavericks are at Miami with a matchup with Dwyane Wade and Mike Beasley while the Stars take a trip to Columbus. Both clubs will have a busy month of February playing home games at the AAC. I will be there with camera in tow...Did I forget there would also be UFC going down? As a casual fan it amazes me the crowd we attract for the matches. Drinkers and watchers eager for blood and battle. I am keeping my eye on what Sir George St Pierre is capable of doing. We are always busy for UFC nights...

Hello February!

Time for a walk!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will