Before I get started in my usual rant, I just want to say that Brody Jenner is singlehandedly emasculating every man between the ages of 18-35 by going forward with this travesty of a tv show on MTV called Bromance. I’m tired of this whole “bromance”, “bros over hoes”, “man-hug” culture. There’s nothing wrong with hanging out with the fellas, but when you have to put a label like “bromance” on it, thats just being a little weird. Alright… now let’s get to the sports.

We’re a week away from the “Feel-Good” Super Bowl. Seriously people. What is there to hate in this game? Almost every year, there’s a team to hate. Last year it was the Patriots. The year before I couldn’t stand Lovie Smith’s inability to pick a quarterback. Before that, I despised the stupid Seahawks and their stupid stadium. See the trend here? There’s always something to hate on… except in this case. This year we have the Pittsburgh Steelers. The tough, blue collar team that wins with defense led by a young, talented quarterback and a smart head coach. And then you throw in the fact that we could have a second black head coach win a Super Bowl in three years. And if thats not enough for you, the Steelers would get their seventh Super Bowl championship since the Lombardi Trophy was created, which would put them behind the Cowboys for second all time.

On the flip side, there’s the Arizona Cardinals. The sexy pick. A nice young team lead by the guy who’s been there before. Kurt Warner is the quarterback this team needs. Who better to make this is a Cinderella story than the Cinderella Man himself? And he’s got the notorious G.O.D. on his side.

“But the Cardinals don’t have a running game!” Really? The same Cardinals team that has a combined 335 rushing yards between Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower? Thats right. Edge is leading the postseason in rushing yards.

“But the Cardinals don’t have a good defense!” Really? The same Cardinals team that forced six turnovers against what was considered the second best team in the NFC? The same Cardinals team that held Donovan McNabb to a first half passer rating of 2.2 in the NFC Championship? Oh yeah, there’s no way that defense is any good.

Part of me wants to see the Cardinals win because they never have, and likely never will… because they’re the Cardinals. Wherever they go, they suck. Chicago, St. Louis, Arizona, friggin Guam… it doesn’t matter. The Cardinals, up until this season, have been a cursed franchise. Almost as cursed as the Cubs.

The other part of me wants to see the Steelers win because they’re the best team remaining. The team is stocked with good guys. Ben Roethlisberger didn’t come from any fancy quarterback factory like USC. He went Miami of Ohio. Hines Ward was a third round pick. James Harrison was an undrafted free agent who, at one point, drove a bus and now he’s the Defensive Player of the Year. Whats not to like?

Personally, I think the Steelers are going to win because they’re better. They’re battle tested and they’ve come out clean. They had the toughest schedule in football, and some would say the toughest schedule of the past 25 years and they still managed 10+ wins. Kurt Warner is a fumble waiting to happen, and James Harrison lead the league in forced fumbles. I don’t know if you could have a better situation for the Steelers without actually rigging this.

As far as my Giants go, I’m disappointed to see them lose… especially to a team like the Eagles because its no secret that the Cardinals would have been floating up the proverbial creek without a paddle if they had to play the NFC Championship in the Meadowlands. Moving forward, I’m looking forward to the draft. Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m well on my to being a draft guru. The Giants have glaring holes at wide reciever and could look to upgrade their linebacking corps. With the 29th pick in the draft, the Giants will probably take a linebacker. Luckily, they’ll have options. Even though its a little early to tell, I can see them drafting a guy like James Laurinitis or Brian Cushing. If they could bring in a guy like Hakeem Nicks from UNC, it’d be a good addition. I don’t see any free agent that piques my interest, especially at wide reciever. TJ Houshmanzadeh is good. He runs precise routes, he has great hands but how often does he really break a huge touchdown run? Is he really a playmaker or does he benefit from the attention that Chad Johnson gets. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Giants have a second and a fifth round pick from New Orleans for Jeremy Shockey. Also the Giants can acquire a first round pick from the Saints if they re-sign Jonathan Vilma before he becomes a free agent. If the Saints sign Vilma before February 27th, the Jets get a second round pick, and the Giants get a first. So, here’s hoping the Saints sign Vilma tomorrow.

As always, here are a few things I’ve been thinking about in the wide, wide world of sports.

– What kind of world do we live in where Eric Mangini gets a job almost immediately but guys that have won Super Bowls like Jon Gruden and Mike Shanahan are still waiting?

– So, should we officially start the timer for Vince Young’s next mental breakdown? I mean, Jeff Fisher pretty much said that not only is Kerry Collins coming back but he’ll start next season. So, we’re in agreement? Vince Young is going to shoot up the Titans facility like an underappreciated A/V club member?

– I would love it if the 49ers signed Mike Vick, not because I want to see Vick play again, but I think the locker room dynamic between him and Mike Singletary would be something they would have to make a reality show for.

– It turns out that Joe Torre had a few things to say about his former Yankee players. There’s a shock. Thanks Tom Verducci. Any other fresh stories you want to throw out there? I heard Manny Ramirez wants out of Boston. Maybe you want to cover this new Mets prospect, David Wright? Reggie Jackson’s coming to the Bronx, Tom. You might want to throw these stories in the book.

– Either Omar Minaya is really slick, or really stupid. Regardless, I have an ulcer now. Thanks, Omar.

– What’s up with high school coaches lately? They’re either killing kids in football practices in Kentucky, or beating the ever-loving snot out of girls with learning disabilities on the basketball court. 100-0? Really? I guess when it was 59-0 at halftime, he just decided, “Hey, who am I to take my foot off the gas?” Is this what we’ve become as a country? Anything for a W? Now, look… I’m not saying he should have kept it close just for the sake of keeping it close, but at least let them score. Put in your scrubs. Work on the passing game. Stop the full court press, perhaps.

– How about Chase Budinger eating some shoe the other night against the University of Houston?

– Does AJ Smith have a deathwish? Doesn’t know that if he continues down this road antagonizing LaDanian Tomlinson, his home will be ransacked and he’ll be run out of town ala Frankenstein’s monster? I guess he doesn’t realize who LT is and how much he means to San Diego.

– Stephon Marbury is upset because the Knicks won’t let him out of his contract so he can join the Celtics. There’s a shock. What did Steph think? That the Knicks were just going to hand him over to the defending NBA champs… within their division? Come on, Steph. I know you have a tattoo on the side of your head, but you’re not that stupid.

– Finally, I just wanted to take some time to remember NC State Wolfpack coach Kay Yow, who passed last week at the age of 66. She will be missed.

Questions or comments? Email me at s_talouis@yahoo.com.