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Posted by: Bradley McDonald

It doesn't seem like many people are giving Seattle a chance in this years' Super Bowl, even though they were the top seed coming out of the conference. Pittsburgh's win over the a-bit-premature-greatest-team-of-all-time Indianapolis Colts made them the favorite. I haven't seen too many "experts" picking the Seahawks.

I'm going to go against the tide and call for a Seattle upset! My prediction: Seattle 24 - Pittsburgh 20.

If you think I'm crazy or if you just want to prove your sports knowledge far exceeds mine, enter your prediction in the comments section for all the world to see! The person with the prediction closest to the final score wins the grand prize of having their name announced in the blog (along with bragging rights)! I may even be able to convince the 90&9 chiefs to throw in a free CD. So, let the games begin!

(Speaking of games, March Madness is right around the corner and we'll definitely have the 2nd annual 90&9 Tournament Bracket, so start researching now!)

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

The town of Washington, Pennsylvania has changed it's name to Steelers, PA as to not confuse anyone of it's allegiance for the Super Bowl. The name change will only be in affect until Feb. 5th, the day of the Super Bowl.

WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Just to make sure there's no confusion about which team they are pulling for in Super Bowl XL, the mayor and council voted unanimously to change this city's name.

Welcome to Steeler, Pa.

The name change for the city of about 15,000 people south of Pittsburgh will last through Feb. 5, the day of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks.

"I know the folks in the state of Washington are rooting for the Seahawks, so we wanted to make sure everyone knows the city of Washington is fully in support of the Steelers," Mayor Kenneth J. Westcott told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

You will want to keep addressing those bills, cards and letters to Washington, Pa., though, because the name change is cosmetic and not recognized by the U.S. Postal Service.

"It's just a spoof until after the Super Bowl," Westcott told the newspaper.

Posted by: David Bunch

Ninety and Nine has an excellent issue this week concerning media, culture, and faith. Specifically, there are several view points on television, movies, and all other things Hollywood that are definitely worth checking out.

The Only Way to Turn Things Around in Hollywood Is to Become More Engaged is a very interesting, behind the scenes interview with Act One's Spencer Lewerenz.

I have long contended that Christians can no longer rail against any one form of media, because media is now unavoidable-it's influence is everywhere and it is overlapping. We are exposed to all kinds of messages via the internet, movies, magazines, and the like.

So how to integrate this and hold fast to our core Christian values? Says Lewerenz:

Everyone in the family now has a computer, a TV, a cell phone, an iPod... The media has become ubiquitous and unavoidable. And we Christians find our way of seeing the world, our ideas and morals, massively underrepresented. Often, the ideas and morals presented there are antithetical, even antagonistic, to our own.

But this way of seeing the world, so opposite to our own, will continue to permeate every facet of our lives through the media. And the sad thing is that we have helped to create this reality, and we will continue to do so unless we educate ourselves about Hollywood and change our approach accordingly. That’s why Behind the Screen exists, to help Christians take a more effective course of action and better live our faith in the process.

I find it refreshing that there are those people like Lewerenz who have found a way to balance their creative dreams with their faith, and also are making a positive impact for good in an industry that is so often known for bad.

I know people who have come here to be actors or writers, ended up in a completely different side of the industry, and then found that they’re having the most amazing impact just by living their faith while working in accounting or distribution. You never know what God has planned.

Posted by: David Bunch

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

If anyone has seen Gonzaga play this year, you know about Adam Morrison and his offensive prowess. The Larry Bird comparisons keep popping up everywhere. For you old school Celtics fans, that may be blasphemous, but once you see him play, you might just change your mind. His shot and offensive moves are eerily similar to Bird's.

And we have a first hand report from Gonzaga's game versus the University of San Francisco thanks to Lamont jones!

On a clear night in San Francisco, the city's university was abuzz and rocking. Their Dons were taking on the 7th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs and one of the nations premiere collegiate basketball players in Adam Morrison. The War Memorial Gym was packed to the rafters. There was not an empty space in the house. Fans were clamoring for a chance to see Morrison. They wanted an opportunity to view greatness. They were not disappointed.

From the opening tip, the crowd waited in anticipation to see his first shot. He hoisted up a 3 and swish it went through nothing but net. The crowd booed him whenever he touched the ball, but you could tell he was relishing that. After each drive to the basket, each pull up from the baseline and each free throw, you would see this coy smile from the superstar.

But the Dons were not fazed; they went toe to toe with the nation's number 7 team. Before the end of the half the Dons' coach screamed to double Morrison. Two players trapped him at the top of the key; Morrison calmly split the double the team and dropped a feathery jumper through the net.

But the half did not end without a buzzer beater. The Dons blocked a shot with 6 seconds left and turned up court and got a layup to end the half. The Mighty Gonzaga Bulldogs were only up 5 at the half, and Morrison only scored 24 points. The Dons surged ahead by one in the second half but the crowd knew it was only a matter of time before Morrison and his pals would take over. First Rivola hit a 3, and then Batista got fouled and hit a layup. Then Morrison took over, hitting his Bird-like jumpers all over the floor. When his team needed him most, Morrison was grabbing the defensive rebounds and starting the fast break. 24 points went to 30, 30 to 36.

And the crowd turned on their home team and wanted Morrison to score 40. As the Zags pulled away it was all that people wanted to see. With Morrison witting on 39 points, Coach Few left him in the game with 19 seconds left. Morrison was fouled and quickly sank his 40th and 41st points at the free throw line. The visiting hero was taken out of the game to a standing ovation. Morrison and his merry men had won their 15th straight game.

Posted by: David Bunch

The New York Times has an interesting piece on the Seahawks and their owner, reputed to be the 3rd richest person in the US. The article makes much of Paul Allen's "Geekiness", as well as the eccentricities of several of the players. For example:

The Seattle
Seahawks are Paul G. Allen's team, built in his egghead image. Allen, the
co-founder of Microsoft and the third-wealthiest person in the United States,
spent Sunday evening jumping up and down in the Seahawks' locker room, probably
trying to keep his eyeglasses from falling off his face. It looked to be his
first victory party that did not involve a merger.

And:

If any football players could carry on a conversation with Allen, they might be
Seahawks. Shaun Alexander, Seattle's star tailback, started a program to teach
elementary-school students to play chess. Matt Hasselbeck, the quarterback, wore
an argyle sweater to a news conference during the playoffs and traded quips with
reporters. The Seahawks may slowly be bringing geek chic to the National
Football League.

Shaun Alexander also stated that after the party at his home to celebrate the win, he quietly cleaned up his house while his wife slept.

Hooray for professional sports counter culture, baby! I say better to have some chess players and argyle sweater types on your team than to have to contend with the likes of the thugs that haunt many franchises today.

Posted by: David Bunch

Duke lost last night after a 17 game run. Florida and Pitt also lost, leaving no unbeaten teams in Men's College Hoops.

This paved the way for UConn to be #1 in this week's polling.

My Hoosiers are just outside of the top 10 at #13.

Posted by: David Bunch

Kobe Bryant has scored 81 points in a game-the second most in NBA history (Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 in 1962).

I tip my hat to him for his accomplishment. To place it in perspective, Jordan's best was 69 points in a game.

But I contend, and I am pretty sure Brad and I will disagree here, that Kobe's 81 cannot be compared to Wilt's 100. Kobe has the benefit of the 3 point shot (7 of which contributed to the night's performance). Wilt Chamberlain had the 100 point game with only two point field goals and free throws.

I know the counter argument is that defense back then was nothing like it is now, but all kinds of things have changed over the years besides just defense-including the advent of the 3 point shot.

Posted by: David Bunch

Dawson's Dad is here to check in. Thank all of you for your kind words and for allowing me a one week hiatus to get to know the lad, as well as to settle into the new routine. It was back to work today, but the workday was a lot sweeter knowing that I was going home to the Little Guy himself.

I've found myself waxing philosophical this past week....having a child has totally taken my perspective on life and "turned it on a sixpence". All I can say is that it is totally wonderful and I recommend it (in the proper context and as the parents are prepared).

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is set! Pittsburgh will match up against Seattle, who will make their first appearance ever in the big game. Each team looked very strong in their conferernce championship game and The Super Bowl promises to be a competitive, well-played game. Both teams have a very efficient offense; neither team turns the ball over much. Seattle's defense has been susceptible to the pass all season, so Pittsburgh probably has the edge on defense.

Those are my initial thoughts. More analysis later in the week.

81
Kobe Bryant scored 81 points last night against the Raptors! Yeah, EIGHTY-ONE, 81, POINTS! It was the second highest point total in NBA history; second only to Wilt Chamberlain's famed 100 point game. I'm thinking if I'm the opposing coach, once he gets to, you know, 50 or 60, I MIGHT start double or triple teaming him. The rest of the team scored 41 points! Kobe wasn't thinking about passing, so put the whole team on him!

From Royce Webb at espn.com:

How does one describe Kobe's 81 points?

It's the greatest scoring night any of us have ever seen, except for the few among us who were in the arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 1962. In other words, it's the best performance in NBA history, except for Wilt's 100.

It was 1.7 points per minute, or, in this case, 1.9 points per minute, since Kobe actually sat six minutes against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, in the Lakers' 122-104, come-from-behind win in L.A.

It was 66 shots -- 46 field goal attempts and 20 free throw attempts. Of those FGAs, 28 found the net (60.9 percent), including seven of his 13 3-pointers. Eighteen of 20 free throws followed suit. (Yes, Kobe's free throw streak ended -- at 62.)

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

My wife and I decided we should go ahead and "have" a kid to keep up with Dave and Farrah, so this past weekend we went out and got one. He's of the four-legged variety, but he definitely thinks he's a human.

Say hello to "Biggio!"

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

Well, Pittsburgh did it! They beat the unbeatable team. The Steelers survived a close one against the Colts when Indy missed a game-tying field goal in the final seconds. No one gave Pittsburgh much of a chance against this Colts team, but the Steelers blitzed and harassed Peyton all day long and the Colts offense struggled most of the day, except for a couple of drives.

Chalk this win up to Pittsburgh's coaches. They learned their lesson from the first matchup and had a brilliant game plan in place.

Even though I have nothing against Indy, I found myself cheering for the Steelers. Ever since the Colts started 13-0, everybody had pretty much given them a Super Bowl win, so it was fun to see an upset of this caliber.

Tom Brady of the Patriots finally learned what it was like to lose in the playoffs. Denver pulled away from New England in the fourth quarter and ended up winning a 27-13 ballgame. This was the Patriots first loss in the playoffs since 1999.

Oh, and Carolina beat Chicago and Seattle beat Washington.

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

Quite a strapping young lad, isn't he?

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

I' m happy to announce that there's a baby Bench Warmer in the world! Dawson Benjamin Bunch was born yesterday to proud parents David and Farrah. He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds and 2 ounces and stood 22 inches tall. That's a power forward in the making right there, baby!

Little Dawson is in the Special Care Unit because yesterday his breathing was too rapid, but all tests for infections came back negative and he is breathing perfectly normal today. He is scheduled to go home on Tuesday. Pictures will be posted soon.

Congratulations, Dave and Farrah!

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

An analysis of this week's playoffs game, brought to you exclusively from The Bench Warmer(s)!

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
It's odd to see the Patriots playing away from home in the playoffs. They're used to having home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but that didn't happen this year. A big contributor to the Patriots sub-par (by their standards) record was the health of their defense. They were banged up all season, but they seem to be a lot healthier now and with coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady leading the way for them, anything is possible.

The Broncos beat the Patriots back in October, 28-20, and have been very consistent all year. Jake Plummer has put in probably put in the best year of his career by playing smart and not turning the ball over.

New England totally annihilated Jacksonville last weekend, but Denver will be a tougher test. I'm going to go with the Broncos in a semi-upset over the defending champions!

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts embarrassed the Steelers on Monday Night Football in week 12 by winning 26-7. The Colts jumped out to an early lead (REAL early - first play was an 80 yard touchdown pass) and had the game in control before Pittsburgh could catch it's breath.

I don't think the Steelers will go down as easily as they did in the previous game. But Peyton and company cannot be stopped, only slowed, and the Steelers can't keep up with them on the offensive end. If Pittsburgh doesn't give up any big plays, they can stay in this game, but that's easier said than done. Although, I wouldn't be totally surprised by a Steelers' upset, I just can't pick against Indy and their revamped defense.

Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
The Bears have averaged only 16.3 points per game all season, but it's their defense that wins games. They force turnovers from overly aggressive teams, but are also tough on the run, and that makes for a powerful combination. They should also be better at offense now that quarterback Rex Grossman is back behind center. Kyle Orton just looked helpless back there.

Carolina lost to Chicago by ten points a few weeks ago. They got in a hole by turning the ball over early and Da Bears never gave them any breathing room. This game should be another low-scoring affair especially since it's in the dead of winter at Chicago's Soldier Field.

The Panthers are playing very well right now, as evidenced by the 23-0 thrashing of the Giants and, if Carolina's coaches learned anything from the last time these two teams matched up, I would give them the edge.

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks
It would surprise me if this game was even close. The Seahawks have one of the most powerful offenses in the league and I just don't think the 'Skins can keep up. Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander broke the all-time touchdown record for a year and he'll probably get a couple in this game.

The Redskins did squeek out a 20-17 overtime victory in week 4, but since then, Seattle has gotten it's act together and reeled off 11 straight victories. Washington will have to score more than 20 points to win this game and I don't think that'll happen, especially since their quarterback has been playing with a banged up knee.

Posted by: David Bunch

Duke continues to dominate Men's College Hoops. There latest trouncing of an opponent was yesterday when they beat #23 Maryland.

Shelden Williams had his first career triple double, and you have to love his nickname: The Landlord.

Williams, as he has done most of the season, more than compensated for any problems Redick had. "The Landlord," as he is known to the Cameron Crazies for his control of the paint, helped keep all of Maryland's players in single digits in points until Chris McCray made a layup with 3 1/2 minutes remaining to reach 10.

I love studying great leaders and a lot of times great leaders are found on the sidelines of sporting events, in the form of the coach. And Mike Krzyzewski is both a great leader and a great coach. Check out how he inspired his team to win last night:

The inspired effort came after Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski sent his players and coaches to the midcourt logo at Cameron Indoor Stadium and asked each to sign his name. The gesture came during the final practice before this matchup, and the Hall of Fame coach wanted to show the importance of protecting their home court.

Everyone got the message.

"You put your name on something, it becomes yours, you have some ownership in it," reserve forward Lee Melchionni said. "When something is yours, you don't let anybody take it from you. That's our home court out there, and nobody takes anything from us on our home court."

That's good inspiration!

I'm thinking about coming into work everyday and signing my desk...especially on Mondays.

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

• It was great to see my Tigers finally put a complete game together and unleash a pounding of Miami, 40-3. LSU has had the talent to do this all year and they were clicking on all cylinders for this game. Stat of the game: Miami was held to 3 total yards in the second half!
• Notre Dame keeps confirming my opinion that their name alone bumps them up into a better bowl game than they deserve. The Irish lost their 8 straight bowl matchup.
• Besides the LSU game, most of the games this year were close, which means the bowl committees did a fine job of choosing matchups. The Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl were both decided by three points (and both kept me up until midnight, when the games were finally decided) and we all know how good of a matchup the Rose Bowl turned out to be.
• Take a gander at some of the official names of these bowls. I faintly remember posting a blog last year making fun of the multitude of bowl games (too lazy to look it up), but these babies are real!

Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
Meineke Car Care
MPC Computers
Emerald Bowl
Gaylord Hotels Music City

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

After a bowl season with many nail-biting finishes, Texas and USC provided us with the most exciting game in the grandaddy of 'em all. How great is Vince Young? He put the Longhorns on his back and singlehandedly won the game for them in the greatest offensive performance I've ever seen (267 yards passing and 200 rushing).

And, boy, was I happy to see it. After having to sit through weeks of hearing about the great USC and how they may "three-peat" as National Champions, I was glad to see them finally go down. You see, two years ago LSU won the BCS National Championship game, but USC was voted the champion in the AP Poll. The media apparently decided that LSU's title didn't count and that USC should receive all the glory and a chance to "three-peat" this year.

Carl Dubois, a sportswriter for Baton Rouge's The Advocate shares his thoughts here:

Congratulations to Texas for its Two-Peat. The Longhorns beat the Southern California Trojans 41-38 late Wednesday in the Rose Bowl, the BCS national championship game.

That's two consecutive Rose Bowl victories for Texas, which should seize the opportunity to bill itself as repeat national champion.

Marketing is everything, you know. USC (and ABC and its sister network, ESPN) taught us in 2003 that the Rose Bowl can be the national championship game, even when it's not, if enough people decide it is. Go for it, 'Horns. Hook 'em if you can.

That's how USC entered Wednesday's game on a quest for what everybody called a Three-Peat (or a Three-Pete, for USC coach Pete Carroll).

Do the math, comedian and USC fan Will Ferrell said during ABC's pregame show. The Trojans are playing in their third national championship game in three years, he said.

Tell that to LSU, which has the ADT trophy, the crystal football signifying the BCS national championship for the 2003 season.

Nick Saban held one aloft after the 2004 Nokia Sugar Bowl.

Pete Carroll held one aloft after the 2005 Fed-Ex Orange Bowl.

Mack Brown held one aloft after the 2006 Rose Bowl Presented by Keith Jackson.

Anybody see a repeat in there?

It's old news to remind you that every major conference in the country agreed to take the human element out of it as much as possible by following a system that picks two teams to play for Division I-A college football's national championship.

Carroll liked the system in 2003 before LSU passed USC in the standings and won the right to play and beat Oklahoma for the national championship. Before LSU made that jump, Saban said he would respect the system whatever the outcome.

Carroll changed his tune, declaring the 2004 Rose Bowl the national championship game. Jackson bought the hype and billed the game accordingly, despite the fact nobody in America suggested that a Michigan victory over the Trojans in that game would earn Michigan a national title.

USC quarterback Matt Leinart wore a T-shirt ripping the BCS with a thinly veiled obscenity, but he and Carroll embraced the system when the Trojans won the 2004 version of the BCS national championship.

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

I've still got Hawaii details forthcoming and there are plenty of bowl games to talk about, but before I get into that I thought I would share with you an unbelievable act of kindness by a superstar. From Scoop Jackson, on espn.com:

KG and Oprah
How do you make Mother Moses cry? In a year when ball players were getting press for "str8 stupidness" it seemed strange that Kevin Garnett's written appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show went notice-free.

He wrote her a letter. They gave her the letter on-air as a surprise. In the letter, he said he wanted to donate something to her Angel Network, which was building houses for those who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. His pledge: To build one house per month for the next two years. That's 24 homes! Two seasons of "Extreme Makeover." Financially funded by one person … with no commercial return on his donation. A gesture that should have landed him on the cover of Time alongside Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono as Persons of The Year. A gesture that made Oprah -- read it again, Oprah -- break down.

But still, no member of the media wrote a story about it. USA Today scripted a blurb; ESPN.com made a mention. But overall -- nada.

Now, let Kevin Garnett or any other athlete run a stop light; let them miss a practice unexcused; let them miss a child support payment -- Bam! Lead story on "SportsCenter," forum discussion on "Rome Is Burning," breaking news on CNN.

In an era when it is too often publicly asked: "Where are our kids' role models?"; in a society that is starved for areas of positiveness to come from our professional athletes; in a world where we have been conditioned to believe that every one of these young superstars is unappreciative, ungrateful, undeserving and a void soul, a situation arose that could have shifted the entire perception of their existence. What Kevin Garnett did was just that big.

But guess who dropped the ball? Us. The media, for not saying anything about it, and the public, for not demanding that we do.

The moral of this story: How do you make the media not pay attention to you when you are a superstar athlete? Do something humane.

Posted by: David Bunch

New Years actually turned out pretty good. We had fun over at the youth group party on New Years (no law infractions or emergencies), and after church Sunday had a great New Year's day dinner with some couples at a friend's house.

Several of the couples have kids who are the same age as Kristen (13 years) and all of them including Kristen received mp3 players for Christmas. After dinner we were sitting in the living room talking when I looked around and noticed that all of the kids had their earbuds in and were jamming away. As anti-social as this behavior may sound, I was pretty impressed that each of them remained engaged in the conversation despite the blast to the ears.

Just as I was recovering from the shock of this new reality of the mp3 multi task, Kristen hits me with this:

After spending a loooong time on the computer, she tells me that she likes a particular guy from the church. Being the insightful wizard that I am, I realized that she had been "chatting" with him all that time. So I inquired as to whether or not he had asked her out. "We just talked things out," was her reply!

Talked things out???? They typed away on a keyboard and computer screen for hours!!

But wait, that's not exactly true either.

SHE was typing on the computer. HE was receiving the messages as text on his cell phone and replying back to her.

WHAATT???? This is "talking things out"????

I am pretty tech savvy myself and am not too far removed from the dating and social scene. I stay relatively connected to this generation thru my work with High School Boys Sunday School and the Youth Group. But I have to ask a question here.

What kind of social skills are these kids developing? It seems like the social setting of the very near future will be some sort of tech environment in which we listen to mp3 players and type or text feverishly on mobile devices.

On second thought, maybe this way is better. As long as Kristen is communicating through tech devices and not actually seeing someone, I don't have to worry about that first kiss!

Posted by: David Bunch

The Texas Longhorns are College Football's National Champions. I didn't see the game, but I heard the game winning call this morning on my way to work and read the details at the link above.

It sounds like it was a good game and you have to love the way it ended. The game winning touchdown was scored with just 19 second left, on a 4th down and 5 situation.

This is the Longhorns first outright championship since 1969.