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SUPERBOWL XLVI

2012-02-05T22:36:00.037Z

Pretzels ready, TV ready, caffeine ready....bring on the game.
Welcome to my third live blog of the greatest show on turf the Superbowl....kick off comes at 11:20pm GMT....keep it here.

Go Giants - The underdogs, but like the last time they won the Superbowl against the Patriots, they beat Miami dolphins in Week 8 and again were the underdog team.
Plus they've already beaten the Patriots in week 9 this season 24-20.

My key to a Giants win...protect Eli Manning when he has the ball and blitz Tom Brady - who will be known for the rest of this evening as 'old lady'.

All rise for America The Beautiful and the National Anthem.

Kick off and Eli gets to work first play selection a run up the middle for no yards and then a couple of nice passes, slow but steady march up field.
3rd and 13 - ouch - Eli sacked for a loss...punt coming up
Old lady gets done for intentional grounding, who was that a pass to - ha ha - a safety for the first points.
NEW YORK GIANTS 2, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 0

Lucky break for the Giants, a fumble by Cruz and the Patriots pick up the ball, however the Patsies have 12 men on the field...ha ha, ho ho...

Victor Cruz - Cruuuuuuuuuuzzzzz - touchdown Giants, Scotsman Lawrence Tynes makes it 9-0 Giants !
Get Old Lady !
And the Patriots end that drive with a field goal to make it 9-3 in the 2nd quarter...they had to get something from that drive, did I just see the Patriots kicker throw grass in the air to see which way it would blow ???
They're playing indoors - no wind !

The Giants next possession ends in a punt but before the ball is snapped the Patsies, Wes Welker counts his players to make sure they don't have too many men on the field again !
This first half is flying by as 'old lady' is now racking up the yardage after a slow start and he's not been sacked yet...one or two have been pretty close though.
Perfect two minute drill for the Patriots, moving ever closer to the end zone and still no sack of 'old lady'.
Patsies time out with 34 seconds in the half and around 30 yards to go.
Woodhead out of bounds at the 10 yard line and a first down, forward motion at the 3 yard line...offside Giants with 18 seconds to goal...two plays to get in.
Jason Pierre-Paul with the big stop for the Giants....15 seconds and 3rd down.
Touchdown Patriots, 4 yard TD reception by Danny Woodhead, a 97 yard drive.
NEW YORK GIANTS 9, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10
What New York Giants pass rush ?

Half time and the original cougar still looks pretty damn good - Madonna - I certainly would - mmmmmmm

Here come the Patriots, starting the 2nd half the way they finished the 1st half - Touchdown Patsies !
Another record for 'old lady' surpassing numerous quarterbacks for the most yards in a Superbowl - all time that is.
17 unanswered points - GIANTS 9, PATRIOTS 17, making this next drive by the Giants a must score.
Lawrence Tynes splits the uprights and reduces the Patriots lead to 17-12.
I was just writing about how the Giants had regrouped and how well Eli was putting this drive together and then he gets sacked at the 15 yard line forcing Lawrence Tynes to kick another field goal.
GIANTS 15, PATRIOTS 17.

2am in the morning and it's the end of the 3rd quarter, it could go down to the wire this one, far from over.
Eli Manning statistically is the best 4th quarter QB in the league - truth.
Old Lady gets intercepted all the way down the field on the 9 yard line by Blackburn...Gronkowski got cut up on that play and it's the first black mark against 'old lady' on the night.
Here comes the Giants and Eli orchestrating yet another drive with plenty of time on the clock, score too early and the Patriots get right back in there again and run the clock down before going in for the kill.
The Giants punt with 10:26 to go in the game and 'old lady' gets the field, time for the Giants defense to show up, get the pass rush going and sack the 'old lady' - 93 yds to go !
The pocket keeps collapsing but he gets away every time, the Giants are a yard short of 'old lady' everytime they blitz him...they've just got to stop him get to him and knock him out of his rhythm.
Running the clock down whilst slowly moving down field, a Wes Welker drop stops the clock with 4 minutes to go and another incompletion gives the ball over to the Giants with a punt, placing Eli Manning in a situation that he has thrived in so far this season.
2.30am in the morning and this is the ball game !!!
Manning to Manningham with a 38 yard sideline completion...wow...and the Patsies throw the challenge which is overturned.
One more play and then it's two minutes to go...what a drive from the Giants...Manning to Nicks at the two minute warning...I don't want this game to end.
1st and goal at the 7..1:04 to go and the Patsies call a timeout...2nd and 10 for the Giants...either run it in or get Tynes to kick the field goal.
Ahmad Bradshaw runs it in for a touchdown in slo-mo = GIANTS 21, PATRIOTS 17 with 0:57 seconds to go.

This is the game - Old Lady has to take the Patsies, 80 yards in 57 seconds !

1st and 10 - long down the middle and dropped by Branch
2nd and 10 - down the middle again to Hernandez who drops the ball
3rd and 10 - Brady under pressure and he's sacked......Pierre-Paul gets him
4th and 16 -Branch to the sideline and out of bounds.

2nd and 10 at the 44 with 17 seconds to go - long bomb down field to Hernandez - incomplete - penalty on the play too many men on the field for the Giants.
2nd and 5 midfield with 9 seconds to go......out of bounds
3rd and 5 midfiled with 5 seconds to go - one play - a hail mary.....

THE NEW YORK GIANTS WIN SUPERBOWL XLVI !!!!

WOW - What a game, what a finish.

3am in the morning and who can sleep after that one, we have witnessed one of the greatest games in history with the greatest players in history, we will look back at this night in years to come and think, I remember that night, I remember the emotions, the plays, the excitement and the agony.

Sleep well everyone...and thank you for reading.

Superbowl XLVI

2012-02-05T14:50:00.000Z

It's the first Sunday in February which to me and millions of others around the world means one thing, it's Superbowl time.
This year the big show rolls in to Indianapolis a city whose Colts in the pre season anyway would have been contenders for the being the hometown favourites to win the game, however that all changed when star Quarterback Peyton Manning became injured and their season went into freefall.
As for my team the Green Bay Packers, they became unstuck at the next to last hurdle, being dumped out by the New York Giants who then went on to overturn the San Francisco 49ers to book a place in the game.
The AFC champions are the New England Patriots meaning a repeat of Superbowl XLII where the Giants triumphed.
What to look out for in this game, well personally I think Patriots QB Tom Brady will be a marked man, the Giant's defense which effectively took control over Green Bay and San Francisco will be hard to stop. Whilst on the other side of the ball the Giants have to unflappable Eli Manning leading them into the game. Granted the Patriots are an aging team but are not past their prime, it could go either way and this time my heart and my head go with New York Giants to win the game.
Once again for the third year running I will be blogging live on here and on Facebook during the game.

Enjoy !

Keep Calm And Win !

2012-01-22T12:38:00.000Z

It look's like the Nottingham Panthers in pursuit of the Elite League title have rolled the dice again and brought in 35 year old former Sheffield Steeler, Rhett Gordon.

Gordon only played 20 odd games for the Steelers before picking up a season ending injury in the 2002-03 season, a gritty right shooting forward who then went on play in Germany and Italy before coming back to England in a shock signing for the Panthers.

Is it too little too late and what effect will another import have on the morale of the team many of whom have been criticised on various forums for their performances in recent weeks.

How will the experience of the 35 year old forward help the Panthers task of remaining in the hunt for that elusive league title and is the signing of a player who is in the twilight of his career the right move by whoever made the decision to sign him ?

Is the signing of this player at this time in his career a precursor to a coaching change soon or maybe next season ?

All these questions will no doubt be answered in the coming weeks

Enjoy your hockey and bring a friend.

Say Cheese Again....

2012-01-09T21:16:00.000Z

The NFL Playoffs are upon us and where better to start than by pledging my allegiance to the current Superbowl Champions, Green Bay Packers. Nothing can stop them, with Aaron Rodgers at the helm and a squad that reads like an all-star or future hall of fame team then it's destiny.
One thing that will not and cannot happen and that is Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos getting anywhere near Indianapolis on February 5th.
I predict a Green Bay vs Baltimore Superbowl with a victory for the Packers.

GO PACK GO !

<<< Hallowed turf, Lambeau Field - LIVE

Hockey Night In Sheffield and then Nottingham

2011-12-27T20:23:00.000Z

Sheffield Steelers 3, Nottingham Panthers 5 (26/12/2011)

Nottingham Panthers 5, Sheffield Steelers 1 (27/12/2011)

The traditional Christmas hockey games against the Sheffield Steelers nearest rivals saw two abysmal defeats in two nights, who or what do we blame ?

Time for the team to look in the mirror, the defense, the goalie and the forwards with an inability to score.

Starting at the back Decaro in my opinion is weak. 9 goals in two nights not what makes a championship team.
Is Finnerty the right man for the job as a coach or player / coach ?
Who makes the decisions on the bench during a game, who makes up the lines, Abel or Finnerty ?
Is the fact that we are rotating with the extra import unsettling the team ?

Questions, questions, questions and always after a loss by the Panthers.
FACT - They've got our number this year and look more like a league winning team than we do.

LIVE BLOG it's the Islanders against that other New York team.

2011-12-23T02:18:00.004Z

It's 2am in the morning and i'm sat watching the Islanders v. Rangers hockey game and so far it's disappointing for the Isles. 3-1 down ath the start of the 3rd having not taken advantage of Biron flapping around early on in the Rangers net. Shooting the puck low and up close kept Biron on his toes and his inability to grab the puck in that situation should have been taken advantage of. Meanwhile the Islanders defense has left a lot to be desired at timesleaving Nabokov wide open and allowing the Rangers to pass the puck around freely in front of the net.
The other noticeable thing with the Islanders this season is the fact that they tend to be slower on the ice than other teams, no pace either on or off the puck all apart from the odd player, Tavares is one who immediately springs to mind as being one who can keep up with the play is it a lack of fitness and conditioning on the other players part ?
For the record though Brandon Dubinsky's opening goal for the Rangers was particularly sweet a one man effort from end to end down the right wing using the boards to pass three Islanders players before shooting home, one of the finest individual efforts i've seen this season albeit it pains me to say from the MSG inhabitants.

02:19am Matt Moulson scores the Islanders second goal with Tavares keeping the focus on him in front of the net allowing Moulson to shoot home. Matt Bickel previously having tried to make a name for himself with two fighting majors for the Rangers and paying the ultimate price of a powerplay goal to make the score 3-2 and the Isles are back in it.

02:23am Where's Nabokov's protection, the Islanders defense are letting the Rangers space in front of the goal and allowing them to shoot at will. At least the 3rd period shot count is more equal now at 5-5.

02:27am And the Islanders manage to fight off a Rangers powerplay with 4 minutes to go in the game, how can the blueshirts always seem to have five men back in defense whenever the Isles move forward ?

02:33am Trouble clearing the zone, to center ice and passes going astray, so what do the Islanders do, pull the goalie whilst not in control of the puck and the Rangers score from long range, pretty much game over.

02:37am And that as they say is it, New York Islanders 2, New York Rangers 4 a very disappointing performance from the Islanders. Keys to the game on how the Islanders lost it were, inefficient defense, speed on the puck and sloppy passing out of the zone.

Good night all....

Sheffield Steelers - Rockstar

2011-12-19T00:20:00.000Z

It's Good To Be Back

2011-12-15T22:28:00.000Z

I've always been a hockey fan, well for the last 25 years or so anyhow. My love affair with the Sheffield Steelers has been somewhat turbulent over the years from the first day some 20 years ago, on and off to the present day.
So forgive me 'Steeler Faithful' for I have sinned, it has been two years since my last visit to the House Of Steel and now I have made a return.
I've not stopped watching the game though, both of the Elite League variety and the NHL flavour, but only from the comfort of my own home via the internet and Sky TV.
I have had many reasons for leaving my team behind, the main two being money and the Steelers ability in the past to lose it and then come begging back to the fans for more and of course my family.
Those who know me will be aware of the family struggles we have endured over the last few years but luckily we can move forward and hopefully come back to the game and in particular the Sheffield Steelers together.
My first visit was on Sunday night against the Braehead Clan, no I didn't get a free ticket but actually paid full walk up price on the day of the game such was my eagerness to go back.
I wasn't disappointed, they has played three games in three nights including this one and had one them all, quite an achievement and one which I applaided whole heartedly.
The players may not be of the same standard as of 10 years or so ago, but the hockey wasn't too bad and it was particularly nice to catch up with some old friends and foes around the arena.
What lies ahead ? Fife Flyers at home this Saturday followed by the visit of Nottingham Panthers on Boxing Day. Tickets already purchased for both and family commiting we will be back for more as the season enters the second half.

As someone who shall remain nameless once sang "it's good to be back".

Wembley Arena (Circa 1995)

Strikes, Balls and Pucks

2011-10-12T22:32:00.000+01:00

Winter sports, just love em'
NFL, NHL and NBA, what no NBA !!!, they call it a lock out, a strike but no ballin' as the commish of the NBA has cancelled the first two weeks of the season before it even begins. It's time the players and the owners got their collective heads back together for the common good, hey it's only money that the teams are losing.
To the ice and the NHL season has begun and the Thrashers have flown Atlanta and Jetted into Winnipeg to a fanatical sell out Canadian crowd, such a shame the first home game was a loss.
As for me i'm rooting for the Canucks to make it fourth time lucky and to get to the Stanley Cup Final to win the whole thing. we are long overdue.
Just don't mention the NFL, 5 weeks in and my team still hasn't won although one of the weeks was a bye week, come on Miami Dolphins win one for the fans.
Baseball's season is winding down and the World Series is nigh, my heart says Cardinals vs Tigers with a win for the Tigers in memory of Sparky Anderson, but sadly my head thinks it's more likely the Texas Rangers who will take the World Series this year.
More blogs to come as the dark and cold nights draw near.

Daryl.

Wiinipeg Jets back home, the opening face off.

Are You Ready For Some Footballllllll ????

2011-09-13T21:22:00.000+01:00

Hell yeah, the NFL season has begun and what an opening weekend it has been.
The current champions, Green Bay hosted the Saints on Thursday night and we were not disappointed, what a game to start the season with and a win for the Packers.
Sunday night was poignant, it was the tenth anniversary of 9/11, so much was done to commemorate the day, much so within the NFL with ceremonies and anthem singing to remember those we lost on that day ten years ago....GOD BLESS AMERICA.
The games that night were great, Sky Sports had Pittsburgh at Baltimore followed by the New York Giants in Washington. The Steelers were well and truly trounced, no two words about it and the odds on the Ravens making it to the Superbowl in February must have surely tumbled. In Washington an unfavoured Redskins team sprang a surprise by beating the New York Giants in what was to be a momentus night for the green half of New York.
Two games on TV and two games online too at the same time, multi tasking at it's best. Chicago overcoming a much fancied Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field in the first online game and then Carolina comig up short against Arizona in Cam Newton's first game in the NFL. What a start to his career he had breaking records for a rookie quarterback in his first game but with a loss to his name. Having said that Peyton Manning didn't win his first NFL game either all those years ago. I'm expecting good things from young Newton in the weeks to come, he's precise, unflappable and good to watch.
The late game on Sunday night was the so called 'Americas Team' Dallas Cowboys in New York to face the Jets, the game didn't kick off until well after 1am so I decided to call it a night and catch up on the game after work on Monday.
The Jets didn't disappoint, coming back from 14 points behind in the fourth quarter to post the win, a spirited and exciting comeback commanded by Mark Sanchez.

Monday Night Football is legendary in America and much was to be expected of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady this season, anything less than a Superbowl trophy would for them be classed as failure.
Off to Miami they headed to meet Chad Henne and the Dolphins. the Dolphins had strengthend over the summer and the signing of Reggie Bush from New Orleans was hopefully to add something more of a ground game. Personally I think it is a make or break season for Henne at QB and coach Sparano knows full well that they both must deliver or else be looking elsewhere for employment.
An opening weekend matchup against the Patriots was no easy task and to be honest I didn't expect much from the team I have supported now for over 25 years. I was pleasantly surprised, a spirited performance from Henne and the Dolphins saw them not disgraced, a loss is a loss but I wasn't too upset at the outcome. They showed some promise and may spring the odd surprise this season with possibly a very slim outside chance of making the playoffs for the first time in god knows how many years.
The late, late game was to be Oakland at Denver, a game I wasn't staying awake for as it kicked off at 3.15am over here, so i'll wrap up week 1 later on Tuesday night.
The NFL is back and i'm happy.....wooo hooo !

Festival, Fringe

2011-08-27T15:33:00.000+01:00

Having just spent a marvelous week up in Edinburgh, taking in the sights and sounds of the International Festival, Fringe and street performers I got around to thinking.
Stand up comedy is becoming crass and unfunny and may need a new angle on it to amuse and sex it up.
I was made aware of a performance by two young women who spent the whole time on stage dancing and performing whilst naked, what a great idea not exactly main stream but a different slant on the performance art.
I've always been a great fan of comedy from classics like Laurel and Hardy to modern day goliath's like Peter Kay and Lee Evans, standard fare maybe but what about naked stand-up ?
You read it here first 'naked stand-up' could be the next funniest thing a stand up comedian doing his performance whilst standing totally naked.
If I had the material and the memory to remember a performance I would have a go at it myself, yes sir, naked comedy, up on stage a microphone and nothing else !

DARYL SLINN - LIVE & NAKED - THE MAN WITH THE SMALL PENIS

Would it sell, curiosity would get the better of most people so could be a money spinner....watch this space, the cogs of my mind are whirring !.

Daryl
X

Poisoned By The Hand That Feeds

2011-08-02T20:55:00.000+01:00

Oh boy did York get messy, just not the nice kind of messy sadly for me. The day was going great, great people, great food and great racing. I even managed to win a bit of money and then after the concert (Scouting For Girls) it all went so very wrong. I remember sitting at the table chatting merrily away unaware of what the time was and the next thing I remember was waking up at 2.30am in York A&E, totally exhausted.
Piecing things back together it was apparently first thought that I was drunk (no such luck) but what had happened was i had food poisoning which in turn led to a hyperglycemic episode where I appeared drunk and collapsed on York Station.
Early morning in York with my workmate who very well could have saved my life is a strange place especially feeling empty and exhausted but with no visible signs of a hangover, the first train home was 9.30 and we arrived at the station after a long walk just after 5am.
I slept for most of Sunday and Monday on my return home and by Tuesday felt no better, appetite gone, stomach empty and feeling very weak....the doctor diagnosed food poisoning stating that the beef I had eaten should really be well cooked and not rare as it was. Poisoned by my own hand not helped by the fact that my new medication had been giving me problems in the previous week.
I'm back on the mend now, back at work, tired and trying to focus, the new meds for diabetes and vitamin D deficiency still fighting to adjust to my body.
Tomorrow may be another day...just

Horsing About

2011-07-23T00:24:00.000+01:00

An all around bonkers sort of day, my little boy left nursery this morning and will move up to infant school in September. What an emotional morning that was for us, I don't think he understands what is happening and that today was just another party day, a little bit like an extra Christmas Day but with a magician and ponies thrown in.
I would like to thank all the staff at Grange Kindergarten in Rotherham for the last two and a half years, for everything they have done and to one very special person in general who has done so much for us and my little boy, for which we will be eternally ever grateful and promise to keep in touch.
On to the weekend and a little bit of horse racing and relaxation is in order at York on Saturday, champagne, afternoon tea and Scouting For Girls on stage too.
It could get messy and I might struggle to find the train back home again.

BRING IT ON !

Finger !

2011-07-15T14:35:00.001+01:00

High blood pressure.

Worsening diabetes.

Vitamin D deficiency.

Liver not working properly.

Get in the queue, I was here first, all diagnosed in one week...life's great isn't it.
To hell with getting better, i'm gonna get badder as every day goes on.

D x

PS - Currently in love with Imelda May and Missy Malone X