You couldn't ask for better games than the AFC and NFC Championships. For a half, it looked like the NY Jets were on their way to Miami. However, you have to play 60 minutes of football and the Jets' defense couldn't contain Indy's Peyton Manning. As a lifelong Jets fan, I could see this coming. I loved their effort and their guts, but the Colts were just too deep for the undermanned Jets defensive backfield. Still, I think Gang Green will be back in the title game again within the next few years.
The NFC Championship was even better. Brett Favre kept getting punished by the Saints defense and kept coming back for more. And who didn't think #4 would take the Vikings downthe field for the game-winning score. Yet Favre threw a vintage pick (across his body and into traffic) late in the game and never had another chance to redeem himself. I expect Favre to return next year, because he's healthy and has too much talent to make his return in Minnesota a 1-year event. Even though I could care less about the Saints, I'm happy for their fans, who have suffered more than most should ever have to endure over the last 40 years. Add in Hurricane Katrina and it's nice to see New Orleans get the ultimate opportunity in 2 weeks. I can't imagine the parties on Bourbon Street tonight.
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Don't look now, but the UTEP Men's basketball team is streaking again. The Miners kicked the hell out of Central Florida Saturday afternoon, and junior Randy Culpepper went crazy. Nine 3's and 39 points is a nice way to shoot yourself out of the worst offensive slump of his career, and Culpepper's huge 2nd half was just what the doctor ordered. Now, I hope more than 8,000 fans will show up Wednesday to watch the Miners pound slumping Tulane. If not, I wonder what Tony Barbee's team will need to do to attract a crowd at a home game.
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The next 2 weeks will be big for Sportstalk. This Tuesday, Hall of Famer Randy White will join me at 3-Legged Monkey (corner of Montana and Hawkins) to promote the Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. The Nation All Star Challenge. On Thursday, former Cowboy and Giant Everson Walls will be at The Monkey and then next Tuesday Jay Ratliff will return to El Paso from the Pro Bowl to join me at The Monkey. Stay tuned to KROD for more big guests headed to El Paso over the next 2 weeks.