It’s in the Cards For Arizona In Super Bowl XLIII

I could care less about the Chicago connections,because I wasn’t born when they played here. But I ampicking the Arizona Cardinals to win Super Bowl XLIII(43). For the record, I have guessed wrong with theCardinals for three straight weeks in the playoffs.But that is not the reason I am picking them to win.Most experts in the football world are picking theSteelers, and when that happens, go the other way. Howmany times have we seen in sports that it is not thebetter team that wins, but the team that gets hot atthe right moment? Right now, the Cardinals andquarterback Kurt Warner are the hottest team infootball.

Pittsburgh’s defense was the best during the regularseason and has done a good job in the playoffs. But the Cardinals did not have a running game during theregular season and now have a rejuvenated EdgerrinJames, who brings a dangerous running attack.To argue who the better quarterback is, Warner or BenRoethlisberger, is hard to do. But right now I wouldgive the edge to Warner, who is leading a team that noone cared about to the biggest game in the sport.

The Eagles blitzed Warner every way they could. Forawhile in the second half it was working for theEagles. But when Warner needed to come up with a bigdrive, right after the Eagles took the lead, he camethrough. Warner could be the first QB to win two SuperBowls with two teams.

The betting line, as of Monday, favors the Steelers bya touchdown. I think this will be a tough game. TheCardinals need to force turnovers on defense and comeup with some big plays on offense. The Steelers needto keep their offense on the field, eat up the clockand lean on their dominant defense.

I want to see a close game, with good defense and goodspecial teams.Bruce Springsteen as the halftime entertainment I am50/50 over. If he goes out there, rocks the place andplays his hits, great! But if he goes out there andplays a bunch of crappy songs off the new album, Iwill be disappointed.I say take the Cardinals plus the seven points, but Ilook for the Cardinals to win straight. Final Score:Cardinals 24, Steelers 21, which means the “under” (47points total) will also win. Please gambleresponsibly!

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So the Academy Awards nominations are out, and I havenot seen any of the nominated films for best picture.And I’ve seen only one of the best actor and actressesnominations (happen to be the same movie). I did enjoythe performances of Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei in“The Wrestler.” I’m not sure if they are Oscar worthy,but they give good performances in a good movie. I wasa little upset that the best movie I saw in 2008 wasnot nominated for best picture or best director. ChrisNolan’s work on “The Dark Knight” should have at leastearned him a nomination.

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So did anyone watch “The View” with Gov. RodBlagojevich?If this was the move of his public relations team, itmight be a good idea to win over the nationalaudience. Going on these shows and acting like he ishaving a good time makes sense if you want peoplearound America to feel sorry for you. I’m sure thereare people across the country who feel he might not begetting a fair Senate trial. He is trying to paint thelegislature as the bad guys.But for those of us in Illinois, who are sick of hiscockiness, stubbornness and the “stupid” poems hereads, it is just another example of “cuckoo”Blagojevich. Also, it is strange to me that the onecalling Blago “cuckoo” is also kind of “cuckoo.”

(Chuck Salvatore is a reporter for the SouthwestNews-Herald. He may be reached at (773) 476-4800 ext241, at chucksalvatore@hotmail.com or atchucksalvatore.blogspot.com. Also don’t forget tocatch him every Thursday on the Linda Padgurskis showfrom noon to 1 p.m. and “The Out-N-About Talk Show”with Ron and Joe, on Fridays from 2 to 3p.m., both onWJJG 1530 AM, with the sports report. Chuck may alsobe heard every Thursday on Radio Chicagoland with RayHanania giving the Entertainment Report.)