Pigskin Pimpin' On A Saturday

I'm sure Peyton Manning's fantasy updates include Reggie Wayne.  Poor Dallas Clark probably feels a little out of the mix.  After the jump, stuff about football.

Jacobs 1 Urlacher 0

Long before this web log existed, I suggested that the Bears should select Brandon Jacobs to help assist a running game that was sorely lacking.  The SIU product (by way of Auburn and Coffeyville Community College) ran past, around and through opposing defenses at the Division I-AA level (now known as the FCS) en route to a 1,000 yard season.

The Bears did take care of their running back problem ... by drafting Cedric Benson in the first round of that draft.  And before the Giants swooped in and took Jacobs, the Bears selected Kyle Orton.

Gag.

I'm still convinced that was the best Saluki football team I've ever seen ... and still hold to this day that had then-head coach Jerry Kill let Jacobs control the ball rather than splitting the duties evenly, I would have witnessed a national championship during my time in Carbondale.

Jacobs, nor the Salukis, got that football championship.  But the mountain of a running back did win a Super Bowl ring with the Giants.  I guess that is somewhat of a consolation prize.

On Saturday night, Jacobs conquered another challenge.  Brian Urlacher.

I'll take that pat on the back now.  Thanks.

Pardon The Interruption: Former Saluki Brandon Jacobs + Pretty Girl = Blog Brief

I know I promised NBA all-day, but when a former Saluki appears on KSK with arm candy, it deserves my undivided attention.

If my dad gets a chance to read this blog, I know exactly what he would say.

"See that could have been you, but I guess you'd rather write about an athlete with a pretty girl than be the athlete with a pretty girl."

Kinda, I've always had a thing for jersey chasers -- mostly because they're generally good looking, not smart and shallow -- so it's not like it would be hard to impress them. And there is nothing wrong with road beef.

Oh and that shirt deserves a plus-one.

Brandon Jacobs Has Excellent Taste In T-Shirts, Women [Kissing Suzy Kolber with image credit via G. Haygood Photography]

Daily Dosage: Worst Three-Way Ever

Can you believe the nerve of the Chicago Bears?

I get up early, write my stories, edit my stories and bake a cake early Sunday morning just so I can watch one of the NFL's most storied rivalries.

And how am I rewarded? By the Monsters of the Midway laying a monstrous egg in Green Bay. Sickening. Absolutely sickening.

The loss puts the Bears, Packers and Minnesota Vikings in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC North. Like I said: Worst 3-way ever.

Shame on you, Bears.

Hopefully Jamie-Lynn Sigler will brighten your day.


Packers bounce Bears into first-place tie. I guess by this headline you can tell The Neckbeard didn't save the day. But the Chicago's ineptitude didn't stop there.

Devin Hester hasn't shown up all season as he ranks 30th among returners. It looks like he's taken a money, gone to an island and has sent a look-a-like to take care of his on-field business. The defense didn't show up to stop the run or the pass.

Yet I bet all you'll hear about is Rex Grossman's sh*tty day Before you ask, The Neckbeard

Yuck.

Grant's big day leads Packers over Bears [Packers 37 Bears 3]

The defense does it again. The SIU football team scored 35 first-half points as it hosted another must-win game at McAndrew Stadium. However, unlike Western Illinois, the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits had the kind of offense that stretched the Salukis to the limit.

A 14-point third quarter tied the game at 35 before a fourth quarter 28-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Kyle Dougherty became the game-clinching score for SIU.

But it wasn't that easy. The Saluki 'D' stepped it up in the final period and did not allow the Jackrabbits to score. And when the Evil Bunnies looked poised to take the game into overtime or even score the leading touchdown, cornerback James Wheeler stepped in front of a Ryan Berry pass headed towards the sideline to seal the win.

Defense bails out sluggish second half by SIU [Daily Egyptian]
Timely turnovers give SIU victory [Daily Egyptian]

Jacobs > Scott. In the battle for Saluki pride, New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs reigned supreme over Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott. No. 27 rushed past, through and around B-more defenders for 73 yards and two touchdowns as the Giants bested the Ravens, 30-10.

Scott made four tackles in the game as Baltimore dropped its record to 6-4.

Giants rush for 207 yards against Ravens in win [Giants 30 Ravens 10]

Quality Linkage:

• Lil' Romeo played with his pants around his ankle...that's what she said. [LA Times]
• Classy coeds at Maryland. [College Game Balls]
• Justin Timberlake wants to be like Mike. [Fanhouse]
• TRL signs off. Where's Carson, Christina and Fred Durst? [Gawker]
• The Arrested Development movie? Please let it be true! [FilmDrunk]
  

Pigskin Primer: The Neckbeard Returns

He pregames like you party!

The National Football League's best rivalry is renewed tomorrow at noon as the Chicago Bears take to the road to face the Green Bay Packers in a showdown for bragging rights and division supremacy.

And by the looks of things, there won't be need to panic for fan-favorite Caleb Hanie as it looks like Kyle Orton will be making a triumphant return to the huddle.

For this blog's sake, I hope it is true. Heck, I hope he goes out and throws for 400 yards, 3 touchdowns and takes 10 shots of Jack Daniels in celebration.

Only because I don't want to have to deal with anymore Rex Grossman bashing. Let's be honest, the Anti-Neckbeard could throw for 500 yards, 5 touchdowns, sack the Aaron Rodgers twice, pick three of his passes off and return them for touchdowns, return a kick and punt for a touchdown, save the economy, find Osama Bin Laden and invent a car that gets 300 miles per gallon ... and he would still be hated by Bears fans if he makes one mistake.

I never thought I'd be swooning for the return of a former Purdue QB not named Drew Brees, but here I am.

For the sake of this blog, Kyle, get it done!

Saluki Nation preps for Civil War of sorts. The SIU football team picked up a HUGE 38-35 win against South Dakota State, but Saluki fans will turn their eyes out east for another football matchup of interest.

The New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens square off Sunday, pitting two of SIU football's all-time greats, Baltimore LB Bart Scott and New York RB Brandon Jacobs.

So who gets the best of this matchup. Will Scott use the Hit Stick on a former Saluki or will No. 27 use the circle button en route to another 100-yard game?

Only time will tell.

GO SIU!

Photo Credit: Rotoworld.com

Daily Dosage: Isn't She Lovely?

I've already shouted out my editor and the newest member of the siuDE sports desk in earlier editions of the Daily Dosage, but today I'm doing something for myself.

It's not Carrie Underwood's most glamorous shot, but oh. my. goodness. she is still hot.

Maybe it's just my twisted sense of attraction, but there's just something I love about a girl who loves baseball.

I can't honestly tell you if she loves baseball or not, but she's got a mitt in her hand and that's good enough for me.

Seriously though, I'm a sucker for a girl that can carry a conversation about any sport.

You like Derrick Rose and the Bulls, let's talk. You think Kyle Orton is the Bears' best QB since Jim McMahon, let's grab coffee. You think Alfonso Soriano should be dropped in the order to fully capitalize on his monstrous power numbers, let's hit up a Wrigleyville bar.

You get the point, right?

Now, if Carrie and I can have a conversation in which we both come to the conclusion that OPS should replace batting average as the preferred stat to judge a hitter then I'm getting a ring and lockin' her up.

Enough of my rants, on with the Dosage!

What do you mean the Bears were on a by week? I guess after scoring 48 points, offensive coordinator Ron Turner is looking for a way to minimize the Bears' scoring options.

Since there's no Bears coverage this week, I'll take a page out of my Asst. Sports Editor playbook and run with something we like to call 'Saluki Tracker.'

Brandon Jacobs

Eli Manning and Kevin Boss will get the all the credit for hooking up on the game-winning touchdown in the New York Giants' 21-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but running back Brandon Jacobs deserves an award for best supporting role.

Jacobs delivered the key block that allowed Manning an extra moment to find an open Boss in the end zone.

And where did he learn how to deliver monster blocks like that?

At THE Southern Illinois University, of course.

BJ27 didn't have his greatest game on the ground, rushing for only 47 yards on 18 carries, but I'll forgive him. He's still a beast.

Bart Scott

Another disappointing effort for another SIU grad. But don't tell him I said that, he might put a hit on me like he did for Hines Ward.

Scott only made two tackles in the Baltimore Ravens' 29-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Eh, I'm not sure what else to write here except Scott is one of the angriest linebackers in the world and if I ever got into a fight, I would hope he was on my side.

Quality Linkage:

• "The Wolf Pack, which is beginning to make a habit of losing close games, had two 100-yard rushers, piled up nearly 500 yards of offense, limited the Hawaii Warriors to 28 rushing yards, intercepted two passes and had six quarterback sacks." Who gets the blame for this loss? [RGJ.com]
• Is Erin Andrews headed to Hollywood? [SportsByBrooks]
• Headline Pt. 1 - Police: Woman Beat Man Who Refused To Kiss Her. [WPFB]
• Bill Plaschke's one-sentence graphs continue to frustrate Ken Temendous. [Fire Joe Morgan]
• When Facebook statuses go too far: Man Murders Wife With Meat Cleaver Over Facebook Status. [AppScout]
  

A bonus for all of you Joe Six Pack's out there playing a drinking game ... Maverick!

Sarah Palin. Strippers. Las Vegas. That should take care of Google searchers. [Fox News 5]