Umtailgate is officially getting back on its feet and it couldn’t be a better time. One round away from the Superbowl and this weeks match-ups are already Super. We have the feel good NFC game and the “Classic” AFC game. Will the defensive Bears be able to match the offensive charisma of the “Aints no more”? Will the meticulousness of Manning finally overcome the super cool Brady? Official Umtailgate pregame breakdown covers the important aspects of the games including team reports, Michigan influence, announcer factor, uniform quality (for the gals) and Umtailgate considerations. Click on Continue Reading (below TB) for our fun preview of both of the Conference Championship Games.
NFL Conference Championships
Game 1:NFC Saints @ Bears (3PM on Fox)
Poor Man’s Analysis: Lets skip the gooshy shit, we all know New Orleans, the city, was destroyed last year and now this displaced group of fellas is reviving the city, lets talk about the squad. Offensively they have a multi strike offense. A surgically repaired Big Ten product, D. Brees, has come to town and put up pro bowl numbers, think anyone misses Aaron Brooks? He seems poised for a game of this nature and if his line gives him time he can do some surgery of his own on the Bears secondary. Brees performance is key and Umtailgate thinks he will produce tomorrow. Complicating matters for the windy city folk is the Duece/Bush combo that can break one at any given moment. Surprising rookie Colston leads the receiving core that also has big play ability.
Meanwhile the Midway faithful are praying Lovie’s loyalty to Rex in effects doesn’t do to them what this loving “Packer” is doing to the exGator. The Bears offensive needs him to simply execute and not make big blunders. Should be able to do this if the line pushes holes for Julius Jones older brother and C. Benz. Cold weather could favor this smashmouth style if Grossman keeps his cool. Of course the outcome still relies heavily on a jaw jarring Bears ‘D’. Should be a classic.
Uniforms: Very aesthetically pleasing ladies. Gold/Black and Classic Bears. Plus I for some reason like the French feathery thing on the Saint’s lids and how can you hate the traditional ‘C’. Definitely wins best game to look at of the day.
Michigan Factor:
Bears: (1 player only) Brian Griese (QB) - Its not out of the question the “Griese” gets a shot if Rexxy is piss poor in the 1st half. The UM grad led us to the Title in ‘97, so why not the Bears 10 years later? (And while speaking of Brian, test your knowledge on this super site, jailhouse trivia about our former wing tippers thanks to Therealests., yes our boy #35 made the quiz). Also, sorry msu haters, Muhsin Muhammad is also on the squad.
Saints: (3 Players) Bet you can’t name them before reading below, don’t feel bad, we couldn’t either. Mark Campbell (TE) - Has been consistent in his first year in the bayou, 10 starts and about 20 grabs, no TD’s. Kevin Dudley (RB) - Only one appearance for the fullback. Jonathan Goodwin (C) - has “appeared” in all their games, good luck catching him on the field
Announcers: Aikman and Buck. Both have been under suspicion at times but and as much as I hate Bucks pussiness, they are probably the top team in the land regardless of affiliation. Pregame show with, legends in their own minds, Bradshaw and Long and the actual legend Jimmy Johnson is also tops of the day.
Umtailgate Factor: (Bears) - Big points here as we have a huge tailgate base in the Windy as well as the entire west side Godfather contingent are huge Bears fans. As a matter of fact “Frydaddy Frank” will be in the house tomorrow representing the ‘family’. Speaking of Frydaddy, check out what he has aspired to do since the UM tailgate season has ended at biggestbearfan.com. Note: Fry Dad, if you change your mind you can always borrow some of Shane’s Wrecking Balm. (Saints)- Not a ton here, however four strong members of the ‘family’, including every single one of our writers and our only TV star, did visit the Superdome and rocked it out on Bourbon street for the Final Four in 2003. Plus we have had an occasional “Mardi Gras” theme.
Final Prediction: Blood is Thicker than Hand Grenades, Go Bears! 24-20. Party it up for us Frydaddy and Friends!
Game 2:AFC Pats @ Colts (6:30PM on CBS)
Poor Man’s Analysis: Again let’s forget about the obvious talk of the case of Manning v. Brady Indy 2007. The Patriots are winning with smoke and mirrors and Brady as usual but for some reason we here at Umtailgate think their charm might be waning this weekend. For the first time in several years the Colts are a surprise to be here instead of disapointed they are not in big game. Pressure is eased and Peyton is due after two off wins. Brady will try to mount a comeback but this just could be Mr. Manning and T. Dungy’s coming out party, FINALLY. The Colts use multiple options on offense and look for a big game from J. Addai catching balls out of the backfield. Tommy will also try to spread the ball around as usual but the suddenly stingy Indy D just might be able to break Mr. Perfect’s spell.
Uniforms: Sorta bland here. Colts ‘Horseshoe’ is about the only cool thing going and colors are not inspiring. At least we don’t have to wonder WTF that electromagnet thingy is on the field in New England. No really, what is that thing? Our best conclusion thus far is that its like a modern day “flux capacitor“, somebody fill us in. Anyway the best you can do ladies is drool over Brady cuz the uni’s suck. Ps-I hope he wears those arm bands/pads.
Michigan Factor:
Pats: (2 players) Tom Brady (QB) - Maybe to your surprise we are somewhat conflicted here. Us Michigan fans must consider Tom a “late bloomer” since he didn’t exactly walk on the water at UM, and on top of that we are kinda pissed he hogged most of the pussy in Ann Arbor while we were there. Anyway, at the end of the day, we are still proud and for this it creates an obvious alliance with the New England squad. Pierre Woods (OLB) - The Rookie Frenchmen has played in the last dozen games and has about a dozen tackles.
Colts (2 players) Cato June (OLB) - The third leading tackler among all AFC players in the playoffs this season. A huge factor in stopping the Brady led charge. Marlin Jackson (FS) - Also has been a big contributor in the Colts postseason run.
Announcers - Jim Nance and Phil Simms screams bland to me. Of course Nance is a consummate pro and has called Final Fours and Masters so we will go easy on him. Simms is a douche bag though. The pregame goes with offseason acquisitionJames Brown, two ex QB’s and the beautiful Shannon Sharpe. Essiason and Marino are ok but still signal a big dose of boring to me. The lesser of the day’s two games.
Umtailgate Factor: (Pats)- Not sure we have history in the Boston region but many of us did go to school with T.B. and several slightly partied with him, at least were at the same party once and a while.
(Colts)- Three Final Fours and a handful of Big Ten tourney’s in Indy for many of the Umtailgate crew also bonds us to the “Hoosier Dome”.
I don’t know who gets the edge, Indy is cool and we hung with JJ Reddick and Adam Morrison their last year. But as a kid I was really intrigued about those MF’ers throwing all that Tea in the water. Lets call it even based on Jermaine O’Neal’s club “7″ being sweet.
Final Prediction: Might get to bed early after all, Colts end their drought and Brady finally loses. Indy 42-28.
Nicely done as usual Johnny……also good to hear from you…I was worried….anyway Frydaddy is already in action at a local watering hole within walking distance of the Stadium and will be as active in the stands as all the other Bears Fans….he couldn’t sleep last night….too excited for this big event….anyway hope all goes well with the man Rex. He’s not my favorite a Gator ya know but he has to have a GOOD game for this to become a reality……today let’s all pull for Frydaddy and da Bears.