racingmeridian.com

The Pittsburgh Steelers have put up 89 points in their last three games. Three dropped passes against the Baltimore Ravens, speculates reporter Gerry Dulac, cost them, at minimum, an additional 18 points in the AFC Championship. If Roethlisberger and company are good for around 30 points on Sunday, you’ll still need the Cardinals to do some scoring to get the “over” (currently at 47). That, friends, is the dilemma. I can picture the black and gold offense rolling to thirty five points but the number still hitting the under; I just don’t see Kurt Warner having much success against a ferocious pass rush…Dulac also makes a very interesting point concerning the weather conditions the Steelers have encountered in their past seven starts. They’ve encountered freezing rain (while putting up 33 points against New England), wind and cold. They’re getting the best conditions in three months on Sunday, something for punters to ponder…the Baltimore Ravens are resigned to losing one of their high profile free agent linebackers. Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Bart Scott are all free to leave in March but I’d be shocked it the Ravens don’t end up retaining Suggs and Lewis…Tennessee Titan coach Jeff Fisher has promised Kerry Collins he will be the starter if he returns next season. That settles it, Collins will be back. Fisher was also critical of Vince Young’s off-season training regimen; it is clear the Titans will need an improvement in both attitude and results from the tormented Young. The Titans should be seriously considering cutting their losses and walking away from the head case…the Sporting News outlines three big issues as the NHL heads into it’s second half; 1) Can the San Jose Sharks translate their regular season success into post season glory? 2) Will the Pittsburgh Penguins make the playoffs? 3) Who will be the biggest name moved at the March 4^th trade deadline? …the Ottawa Sun is reporting Brian Burke is making a major play for Florida Panther defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. The Panthers will apparently wait to see where they stand in regard to making the playoffs before moving their star rearguard…the New York Post reports today that the Tampa Bay Lightning are shopping Steve Stamkos. The Post claims two franchises have been offered the rookie. If the Lightning make this move it would surely be conclusive evidence of their managements minimal interaction with reality…Anaheim Duck GM Bob Murray has stated he believes something is wrong with his team. Though the Ducks are currently tied for the final playoff spot in the West, Murray does not sound optimistic about his teams chances for post season advancement…ESPN reports the NHL awards show will be moved from it’s traditional location in Toronto to Las Vegas…Stephon Marbury has admitted to receiving a verbal offer from the Boston Celtics. It appears the Knicks are loathe to watch the disgruntled vet leave town and wind up with the defending champs…things get interesting in the Australian Open today with Andy Roddick facing Novak Djokovic…the whispers are becoming more insistent that David Beckham is done in Los Angeles. Currently playing for A C Milan, Beckham was non committal about his future yesterday…the Galaxy could make a play for Michael Owens this summer. The Newcastle striker is a free agent at the conclusion of the current EPL season…a slot machine at Woodbine generates 900 dollars a day in profit. Just something I thought you’d want to know. Damn thing does not get a penny of my money…of twenty three writers polled before Saturday’s big fight, only one chose Sugar Shane Mosley. It was a stunning upset with Mosley looking as energetic and vibrant as a kid. Who’s next? Oscar? Manny? Floyd? I’d vote for a rematch with Miguel Cotto. Certainly, I think the June rematch between Margarito and Cotto should be scuttled…I still can’t get the untimely verbal ruminations of Bob Arum out of my feverish mind. The promoter’s statement early last week that the Margarito-Cotto rematch was a go even if Antonio lost to Mosley is a powerful indicator that something was wrong in the Champs camp. Was it an injury? Indifference or laziness in preparations? Margarito needed to be wound tight, not told that the fight was to a large extent irrelevant…