Soundgarden Show They're Still Rulers of Grunge

When I told a couple of friends of mine that I was seeing Soundgarden, one of them smirked and asked if another obscure band from the 90s was also going to be playing. I think she referenced Third Eye Blind or Matchbox Twenty, but I don’t remember. These are the same friends whose wedding song was by the Dave Matthews Band and have been to numerous Phish concerts together. Let’s just say that Soundgarden is not their brand of rock.

I think the main source of ridicule was that the concert was going to be at the same time of the AFC Championship, where my beloved New England Patriots would be playing the Baltimore Ravens for a trip to the Super Bowl. I knew a couple of months ago when I purchased the tickets that it would be on the same night of the game, and also knew the Pats had a very good chance of playing in the game. But two factors sold me on buying the tickets. First it would be at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston, an intimate venue that holds 2,700 people. The second was that I didn’t have to work the next day. Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King.

So on the night of the show, I had my plan in place. With the game kicking off at 6:30 and the show scheduled at 8:00, I would head into Boston and watch the first half of the game while recording it on my DVR at home. I would go into the show, turn off my phone, and attempt to avoid all human contact on my way out of the show so I would not learn the final score of the game. Believe it or not, I was able to pull it off successfully, only to watch the Pats put up a stinker in the second half and lose decisively 28-13.

I will say that with all the ridicule and torment of missing the game live, I have no regrets of attending the show. Until this year, Soundgarden has not released new music since 1996, and I have always said if they ever made a comeback that I was going to see them live. They brought an infusion of metal, blues and punk to the grunge movement of the early 90s, and became a lasting influence on the Seattle music scene along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Their 1994 release, Superunknown, is still one of my favorite rock albums.

The show did not disappoint either. With no flash or extravagant stage gimmicks, they ripped through a total of twenty six songs, ranging from classics, deep cuts, and a handful of tracks from their solid new record King Animal. It was just Matt Cameron’s hammering drums, Ben Shepperd’s thunderous bass, Kim Thayil’s wailing guitars and Chris Cornell’s howling vocals, all you could ask for in a rock show. Even after all of these years, Cornell’s voice still sounds as strong as ever.

Being a product of the 90s, and in a day in age where many rock acts are lacking, it was a great feeling to be brought back to a familiar era where rock music made a difference. Cornell sings “I’ve been away for too long” on the opening track from King Animal. I couldn’t agree more.

Now if I can only follow suit and avoid all the talk of “The Harbaugh Bowl” for the next couple of weeks.        

Breaking Down the Conference Championships

There were a couple of topics I thought about tackling this week.

First was Jodie Foster’s personal but somewhat head scratching speech for her Cecil B DeMille lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes. One thing I will say is that if you value privacy, being a famous and recognizable actress is not going to help your situation.

Lance Armstrong admits to doping. Is this really a surprise to anyone? Do we really need a two night interview with Oprah to see him admit his guilt? You can guess what I will not be watching.

Manti Te’o lied about his “girlfriend” dying of leukemia. Did he make the whole thing up? Was it a hoax? Is he hiding the fact that he’s gay? Whatever the truth is, the whole thing is pretty strange and confusing. We shall see in the end how it affects his draft status.

Let’s move on to more serious matters. I can’t help but feel there are some great story lines to this weekend’s playoff games that can’t be ignored. Tom Brady will be making his seventh appearance in a conference championship, tying Joe Montana for the most all time. If he wins on Sunday, he will surpass John Elway for the most starts in the Super Bowl with six. Ray Lewis could be playing the final game of his career, going down as arguably one of the greatest defensive players (and probably the most juiced) ever in the NFL. Matt Ryan finally shook off his playoff demons with a strong game last week against Seattle. Can he keep it going against a quicker San Francisco defense? First time playoff starter Colin Kaepernick bested Aaron Rogers in an impressive fashion to lead San Francisco to its second straight conference championship. Can he repeat his performance on the road in a loud dome? All in all they will add to the drama that will hopefully lead to some good football on Sunday.

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

San Francisco 49ers (-4) over ATLANTA FALCONS

Was everyone else surprised as hell at Kaepernick’s performance last Saturday? Me too, but you have to admit was fun to watch. Kaepernick will have another opportunity to have a field day on the ground, since Atlanta’s run defense ranks worse that Green Bay’s. But Atlanta must be looking at the line thinking, “We’re underdogs at home? Seriously?” This should be huge source of motivation, but in the end I don’t think it’s going to be enough. San Fran should be able to control the tempo of this game between Kaepernick and Frank Gore, and their defense should stifle Atlanta’s running game. Atlanta will resort to throwing the ball all day, which is nothing new for Matt Ryan and his strong receiving core. This would normally play into Atlanta’s hands, but San Fran is a better version of Seattle, who came back from twenty points to almost win last Sunday. Plus I’ll take Jim Harbaugh over Mike Smith any day of the week.

Baltimore Ravens (+8) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

I’m still a little stunned that Baltimore won in Denver. This is obviously not the same team that finished the regular season 1-4. The injury bug that swept through the Raven’s defense seems to have let up, and the team is playing up to its potential at the right time. These teams have a history too, and the Ravens always play the Patriots tough. The last three times they have faced each other, including last year’s AFC Championship game, have been decided by a total of seven points. Shouldn’t we expect the same type of game on Sunday? It always seems to happen when these two teams play. The Pats should be able to put points on the board, but their defense has to contain Ray Rice and avoid Joe Flacco’s lame duck passes that find their way behind the secondary. In the end it’s a close game, but the Pats win to move on to Brady’s sixth Super Bowl against his hometown team while sending Ray Lewis off to his retirement party. Pats fans should just be prepared to be on the edge of their seats for this one.

A Look at the Divisional Round Matchups

A few thoughts from the week that was…

The NHL Players Association and the league have finally agreed upon a new labor agreement. As a casual fan of the NHL, I have not been losing sleep over the absence of professional hockey. But hockey has probably the most diehard and dedicated fans of any professional sport, and the owners and players should be ashamed of themselves. How does NHL commissioner Gary Bettman still have a job? This has been the third work stoppage since he took over as commissioner in 1993, and the second in seven years. You think it might be time for the NHL to find a new commissioner? And while where at it can we also get rid of Bruins owner and fellow slime ball Jeremy Jacobs, the chairman of the NHL Board of Governors and a strong influence behind the lockout? Wishful thinking on my part.

With their third BCS title in four years with a very convincing 42-14 win over Notre Dame, Nick Saban’s Alabama team is sport’s newest dynasty. With six weeks to prepare, I’m glad to see Notre Dame showed up for the first half. This is also the seventh straight champion out of the SEC conference. I’m beginning to see a pattern here…

In the 2013 Hall of Fame voting, the Baseball Writers’ Association elected…nobody. For the second time in four decades, no players were chosen by the writers to enter the Hall of Fame. It’s kind of hard to believe that arguably two of the best players at their respected positions, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, were not elected on their first ballot. And I stress kind of. The steroids era has obviously left its mark, and it might be time before any players associated with it join Cooperstown’s hallowed shrine, if at all. For all that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa did for rejuvenating baseball 1998 with their home race, neither one of them belong in the hall. They were both one dimensional players throughout their careers. But Barry Bonds was arguably a Hall of Fame player before his head swelled up like a hot air balloon. He was a three time MVP and eight time gold glove winner before his home run tirade at the turn of the century. He also averaged 36 stolen bases a season between 1989 and 1998. The fact that he was a complete asshole to the media probably didn’t help his chances.

Thumbs up for the season premiere of Justified. It’s good to see everyone’s favorite wisecracking, bourbon drinking and gun slinging Deputy US Marshall Raylan Givens back and in top form. It has the making of another solid season.

The nominations for the 85^th annual Academy Awards were announced on Thursday. Although all the nominations are deserving, it’s a little surprising that Katherine Bigelow, already a one time winner for The Hurt Locker, was snubbed for Best Director for Zero Dark Thirty. Maybe the members of the Academy are the same people that hire NHL commissioners and elect players to the baseball Hall of Fame.

Finally a few words of advice for Carmelo Anthony: you do not want to tangle with Kevin Garnett. We all know you have mastered the open handed bitch slap, but this is one scuffle you will lose. Next time just walk away.

With all that being said, let’s look at some marquee matchups in NCAA hoops as we enter the first weekend of conference play.

Just kidding. There are a few important football games also on this weekend that require our attention.

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

DENVER BRONCOS (-9) over Baltimore Ravens

I know what you’re thinking: this line is way too high. And I should be routing for Baltimore to win for the chance that my New England Patriots can host the AFC Championship game next weekend. But let’s not forget that Denver went into Baltimore in week fifteen, held Ray Rice to 38 rushing yards, and embarrassed the Ravens 34-17. Granted Denver was up 17-0 at the half and Baltimore had to turn to the passing game get back in the game, only to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of hand. I see this game playing out the same way. Peyton Manning puts his team up early, and Baltimore has to rely on Joe Flacco to make a comeback. Denver’s defense also has been on a roll lately, allowing opposing teams to fifteen points a game since the beginning of November. Can Ray Lewis make that much of a difference going into one of the toughest venues in the NFL? I don’t see him doing any dances when this one is over.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-3) over Green Bay Packers

Backing San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick in his first playoff start scares me a little, but so does the 49ers defense. Green Bay doesn’t have much of a running game, so they will have to rely heavily on Aaron Rogers, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But Green Bay’s shoddy offensive line, allowing a league high 51 sacks during the regular season, might be in for a long day against sack machine Aldon Smith and San Fran’s pass rush. Rogers will have a tough time if he’s running for his life for most of game.

Seattle Seahawks (+2.5) over ATLANTA FALCONS

There’s probably not a team that has more pressure on them this post-season than the Atlanta Falcons. Cruising through most of the regular season, they secured the top spot in the NFC throughout the playoffs, but they can’t help but be haunted by their recent playoff history. Quarterback Matt Ryan is 0-3 in his post-season career, and he’s about to go 0-4. The Falcons running game was one of the worst during the regular season, relying mostly on Ryan and the passing game to win ball games. But Seattle’s passing defense is one of the best in the league. I see Marshawn Lynch having a huge game for Seattle, and I’m riding the hot Seahawks to win another road game.   

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-9.5) over Houston Texans

Isn’t this the same Patriots team that exposed Houston for the overrated frauds that they are with a 42-14 ass whooping on Monday Night Football in week 14? I thought so. Nobody prepares his team for big games better than Bill Belichik. Plus Matt Schaub has been doing his best Mark Sanchez impersonation lately, throwing one touchdown and four interceptions in his last five games, beginning with the loss in New England. If the Pats can focus on containing Arian Foster and Houston’s running game, Tom Brady and company win big at home. Plus what would an AFC Championship be without a Manning/Brady showdown? I’m already giddy (and a little terrified) just thinking about it.   

Breaking Down Wild-Card Weekend

If anything could be said for this NFL season, it was made of comebacks, rookie quarterbacks, and a couple of records that were almost broken. Houston’s J.J. Watt and San Francisco’s Aldon Smith almost broke Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson was nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. But the NFL does not deal in horseshoes and hand grenades, so almost doesn’t count.
 

What is certain though is that Peterson, along with Denver’s Peyton Manning, is a candidate for comeback player of the year as well as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Eleven months after tearing both his ACL and MCL in his left knee on Christmas Eve last year, Peterson put together a memorable season for the ages. He rushed for 2,097 yards and was tied for second in the league averaging six yards per carry. Between weeks seven and fourteen, he averaged 164 yards per game. And he was an average low second round pick in most fantasy drafts before the season started. Admit it; you were afraid to take a chance on him too.

The same can be said for Peyton Manning. The NFL’s poster boy returned from a career threatening neck injury to do what he does best; throw touchdowns and win football games. Returning to his old form, Manning finished third in the league with 37 touchdown passes and second with a 105.8 quarter back rating. The Broncos are the hottest team in the NFL right now, winning eleven games in a row to clinch the top spot in the AFC heading into the playoffs.

Which brings us to this weekend’s round of wild-card games. This will be the first time in league history that three rookie quarterbacks will start a playoff game in the same post-season. Washington’s Robert Griffin III, Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck and Seattle’s Russell Wilson have been playing like seasoned veterans in leading their teams to the playoffs.

But more importantly, can one of the teams playing this weekend reach the Super Bowl? Since 2006, a team playing in the first round has reached the Super Bowl every year except one, with five of those teams winning the championship. As for this year, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I see New England and San Francisco Super Bowl in a rematch from week fifteen, with the Pats this time coming out on top. Then again, picking football games can be as difficult as trying to solve the fiscal cliff. But for fun, let’s break down this weekend’s games anyway.

(Home team in CAPS)

HOUSTON TEXANS (-4.5) over Cincinnati Bengals

Honestly, I’m the last person on the Texans’ bandwagon. Losing three out of their last four regular season games, including last week in Indianapolis that cost them a first round bye, does not increase my confidence in them. But the Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990 and have never won a road playoff game in franchise history. Let’s not forget the 31-10 loss last year to the same Texans team with T.J. Yates as Houston’s starting quarterback. This year the Texans’ primary quarterback Matt Schaub will be starting for Houston. On the other side, Cincy’s QB Andy Dalton is a year more experienced, but he’ll have too much of J.J. Watt in his face. Cincy also has a strong front four that will have its work cut out for them in stopping Arian Foster. Ultimately I just don’t trust a Marvin Lewis coached Bengals team on the road in a loud dome. They don’t have the pieces to pull it off.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (-7.5) over Minnesota Vikings

Here’s a little advice for the Green Bay Packers: learn from last week’s loss in Minnesota, stack the box to contain Adrian Peterson and make Christian Ponder beat you. Repeat: Make Christian Ponder beat you. Playing at home on the Frozen Tundra should make the task a little easier. Also Aaron Rogers is pretty good, who threw for eleven touchdowns and one interception in the month of December. Peterson could still run wild, but I’ll take Rogers at home.

Indianapolis Colts (+7) over BALTIMORE RAVENS

I have two words for you: ChuckStrong. The Colts have been playing inspired football all season, while the Baltimore Ravens have lost four out of their last five games. Not only do I like the points in this game, but I see the Colts winning outright. Ray Lewis announcing his retirement after this season is not enough to trump ChuckStrong. This is my upset pick of the weekend, setting up a Colts vs. Peyton Manning match up in Denver.

Seattle Seahawks (-3) over WASHINGTON REDSKINS

For me this is definitely the most intriguing match up of the weekend. Two rookie play makers starting at quarterback against two stingy defenses, with both teams playing well down the stretch of the regular season to reach the playoffs. If RGIII wasn’t hobbling around on a bad knee, I might give the edge to the Redskins. But Seattle’s defense is one of the best, and no team is playing better right now. If any team can make a run to New Orleans that’s playing this weekend, it’s definitely the Seahawks.