by Jerry Keys

It is going to be a welcomed return of the once fable franchise, Notre Dame, back in a title game for the first time in almost a quarter century. The only sad part is the game is not played until about a week after New Year's Day. Wasn't New Year's Day when all the big games were played? I'm sorry, my error, more revenue for television networks. Let's just hope they do not stretch it out to where the BCS title game is within a few days of the Super Bowl.

The AFC Championship Game looks more and more like a possible re-match of Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. The final week of the season has yet to be played out but I am sticking with my pre-season pick, Houston. If the Texans get their ground attack going, they will control the clock for nearly forty minutes. Quick strike teams such as New England and Denver can score at any time but their defense will be sucking wind by the third quarter.

The defending Super Bowl champion, New York Giants, looked like world beaters on some days, but after their completely sub-par performances against Atlanta and Baltimore, they will not be sneaking in like last year. Dallas and Washington have done what the Giants did last year. They were both considered 'dead in the water' and have turned their season around. One of these teams will definitely be a tough match-up for the #5 seed.

But the #5 seed may end up being another surprise team, Seattle. They were once thought to be lucky to even be in the playoff hunt after the blown call against Green Bay, but late season wins against fading Chicago and the trouncing of San Francisco has removed most doubters. Atlanta is still my pick to make their second Super Bowl appearance. Although their previous two play-off appearances were not spectacular by any means, I see their home field advantage being a major factor. In addition, if it is a re-match with Green Bay, I do not see a repeat of their implosion from two years ago.

To wrap up the NFL portion, I want to give a shout out to the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers sister, the 2012 Steelers. They beat the Giants and Baltimore (with a QB who handed the ball off to Barry Sanders at one time), but coughed up leads to Oakland and Tennessee, not to mention Big Ben's two interceptions late in the last two games. But what can you expect from a shuffleboard offensive line and a running (let me re-phrase, walking) attack that had no identity. If they can beat Cleveland (lost first game, eight turnovers) they will finish 8-8 for the first time since 2006 and if they lose, it will be their first losing season since 2003.

Speculation has surfaced Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa are not expected to be first ballot nominees. Some indicate they may not enter for many years to come. This would be a nice opening for Craig Biggio, who collected over 3,000 hits but did not sport a lofty batting average. But for a player who spent a number of years behind the plate, he should get extra consideration. Mike Piazza revolutionized the role of a catcher. He raised the bar for offensive output by a catcher, although he lacked the ability to throw out many base runners. But given the climate of the other first ballot players, these two should be seriously considered for immediate entry.

Jack Morris should be strongly considered. He was one of the most dominate pitchers of the 1980's and although he won World Series rings with three teams, who can forget his dominance with the 1984 Detroit Tigers or his Series for the ages performance for the 1991 Minnesota Twins. Often overlooked after Mariano Rivera rewrote the record book for saves, Lee Smith was a front runner of many of today's relief specialists. Part of Smith's career was when the reliever only pitched one inning, but in his early years with the Chicago Cubs, that was not the case. Smith deserves more consideration than he has received.

This will be Atlanta favorite Dale Murphy's last appearance on the ballot. Murphy had an eight year span from 1980-87 where he was an elite home run hitter. He also played about the same time as Jim Rice did. Rice was a more prolific slugger than Murphy and it took him fifteen tries to reach the Hall. Murphy posted impressive numbers and had he played two decades earlier, maybe he would have gotten a better vote count. Jeff Bagwell and Fred McGriff were neither ever mentioned in any steroid allegations, but for some reason, they are not getting the votes they deserve. McGriff was in his declining years when the use of steroids became a hot topic. I am not near a stat sheet, but if I recall, he never hit 40 homers in one season. Kind of like Eddie Murray, who happened to reach the Hall.

Some players are justifiable being put under the microscope for allegations and some are simply because they played in the same era. Which leaves me to wonder how will Greg Maddux be treated next year. He was a cerebral pitcher who never was known as a strikeout artist or a power pitcher. He would treat every hitter like a chess game. Should he be a first ballot pitcher? Undoubtedly yes, but look what has happened to other players who were never suspected but were just caught up in the game by simply playing in the wrong era.

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