It’s been awhile since one of my favorite teams won it all, and I’ve missed the feeling. I’ve been on a high since the Ravens beat Denver last month thanks to Jacoby Jones’ “Mile High Miracle,” and I’m not about to come down. The momentum from that game carried the Ravens into Foxborough, 9 point underdogs for the second week in a row. The Patriots did not stand a chance.
As Games Mistress mentioned yesterday, people love to bet on the Super Bowl. It’s always fun to play in a box pool or bet on the winner or even the coin toss (as I’m typing this, the Papa John’s commercial about winning the coin toss and getting free pizza is on). I already know who I’m rooting for, so a “who’s going to win” bet is out of the cards for me. For years, my friends, family and I made fun bets with nothing actually being wagered, but this year I thought it’d be fun to introduce some prop bets to our party. Here’s a list of fun prop bets for your party, especially if you don’t have any rooting interests.
I know what you’re all thinking, “Enough with the Ravens, Raven!” But it’s not every day your favorite NFL team is in the Super Bowl. I feel kinda skeevy selecting Torrey Smith as a Hump Day Hottie, considering I’ve been a fan of his since he was 17. Torrey is a former Terp and you know I love my Terps. Also, I want to share the best smile in the NFL with the rest of the world. Enjoy!
As most of you can tell by my screen name, I’m a huge Ravens fan. I remember the day that Baltimore finally got an NFL team, and I was a devoted fan ever since. In our short existence (est. 1996) we’ve already been blessed with a trip to the Super Bowl that ended in a huge win. But I was a freshman in college who watched the game with one other lonely Ravens fan in a student lounge. I didn’t get to celebrate. I didn’t get to go to a parade, but, hopefully, this time it will be different.
Not a booty, I know. This just makes me giggle (Photo: J.A. Roberts)
Your Super Bowl contenders are set: it’s the 49ers and Ravens – aka HARBAUGH BOWL, or HAR-BOWL, or BOWL OF BROTHERS (seriously, I just made that one up) – next Sunday in New Orleans. You’re likely aware of the main storylines behind the upcoming game, but here at Ladies… we cover the angle no news organization dares to examine. Continue reading
An oldie but goodie, I almost forgot this guy was still in the NFL. That is, until I realized he was actually a Baltimore Raven. How did I miss this signing?? Anyways, without further ado, a look at Mr. Sean Considine.
I'm just relieved this isn't an animated gif in which the outer floating heads rotate around Boomer. (Image source: ESPN)
It’s NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND! And I know this because ESPN sent me the most frightening email yesterday to remind me. I’m normally all for floating heads, but I live in fear of falling asleep and having the floating head of Keyshawn Johnson bellow “C’MON MANNNN!” in my dreams. Also, what the hell is with the green glow? The Countdown Crew are aliens, I tell you.
Meet me after the jump for a quick look at Wild Card Weekend. I have to go find my tinfoil hat first…
(Subtitle: Probably I’m Overreacting, Since They’ve Certainly Blown Plenty of Other Games This Season, And Anyway If They Make The Playoffs We’ll Never Get Rid of La Russa and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.)
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go stare at Rafa in his underwear. I find it clears the mind.
We’re (finally) a mere 48 or so hours away from the game and I can’t be the only one who’s antsy for it to get here already.
Local (Milwaukee) media have gone so far overboard on their coverage of the Packers leading up to the game that I’m ready for it to be played just so I don’t have to wait 15 minutes into the nightly news to hear about Egypt.
In case it hasn’t been abundantly clear over the past two weeks that Packers fans are a special kind of nuts, check out this article. It includes the complete text of a letter from the Green Bay Superintendant of Schools. The schools will close early on Monday in anticipation of the team’s return to Green Bay. Should the Packers win, there will be a parade and celebration on Tuesday and the letter let’s parents know that they can take their kids of of school on an excused absence for the celebration.
I know you’ve all been waiting to see where the Ladies… come down on the outcome of this game, so wait no further.
I have to be a homer and pick the Packers. They have the momentum heading in to the game and have had plenty of time to study tape and prepare for the Steelers offense. Aaron Rodgers will cement himself in Packers’ lore and the secondary will have a huge night, netting at least 2 INTs Packers 28, Steelers 20
Games Mistress: 34-21, Packers and Rodgers throws for 300+ yards and 3 TDs, so I can further rue the week his concussion enforced hiatus cost me a berth in my non-Ladies league Super Bowl.
Lady Bee: As Queen of the Way Off Predictions (I called a Bears-Jets Super Bowl), I’ll say Packers 30-27. It will be close and decided on a field goal. We will wake up Monday morning worshipping Mason Crosby.
THE Blonde Bomber: 21-17 Packers
Miss Minda: 24-20 Green Bay. Go Pack Go!
Buffalita: I predict 24-17, Packers. Yes, the Steelers defense is good. But if the Jets can manage to score 19 against them, I have plenty of faith in Rogers
So I have all the Ladies… aboard the Packers’ Super Bowl Wagon. Lets hope we’re not all super disappointed come Monday morning!
It’s not often that we here at Ladies… will recognize the efforts of a pro cheerleader. But after seeing all of the recent buzz around Laura Vikmanis and learning that she is the cousin of a friend in the OH circle, it was pretty hard not to admire her moxie and help share her story with the sports world. Who is Laura Vikmanis? More after the jump.
Hailing a cab to Pittsburgh, it's Mark Sanchez! (Getty Images)
Only a little part of me will be glad to have my Sunday nights back (that means I might actually file my posts on time!) I mean, really, has the football not been superb these last two weekends?
Saturday’s NFL Divisional matchups saw the Steelers topple the Ravens 31-24, while Green Bay annihilated the Falcons 48-21.
Then came Sunday. We figured the Seahawks wouldn’t stand a chance against the Bears, and while they put up a fight the end result was as predicted: Chicago over Seattle 35-24.
But did you think for a minute…that the Patriots would fall to Rex Ryan’s Jets? Oh, the drama, the vitriol, the stupid hair, the gentle musings of one Bart Scott (please do yourself a favour and watch the video clip!)
Get’cha popcorn ready for Sunday and join me, Games Mistress and CuteSports after the jump for our NFL Conference Showdown predictions…plus a chance for you to vote for your NFL Conference Championship picks.
To get you ready for the NFL Divisional Playoffs this weekend, I thought I would feature a hottie from each team playing this weekend. To see if your favorite hottie made the cut, take a trip with me after the jump. I hope I don’t disappoint!
Note: This really was supposed to be yesterday’s post (which is actually day 9, not day 7, but GM is having calendar amnesia this week).
In a first for the ACoH, today’s designee never actually played professional sports, but I know I’m not the only Lady who enjoys spotting him on the sidelines…
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year dear readers… the decorations, the songs, the presents, the merriment, the football games… THE LADIES… ADVENT CALENDAR OF HOTNESS!
Yes, join us here everyday as we bring you a yummy little treat to brighten your days. It’s the holidays – done the Ladies… way!
For me, there can be but one man to kick-off the ACOH… The man putting it down for my Brownies… the one… the only… Peyton Hillis!
I could have dedicated the entire post to just the biceps – but why deny you the rest of him?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Guess who writes for a sports blog and has Reggie Bush on both her fantasy teams, including one that is in such bad shape as far as running backs go that she is resorting to starting Fred Taylor and 3 WRs for week 3? Yeah. So. (Though as someone who dates a Saints fan, I must note there’s a certain amount of relief among the NOLA fanbase that Reggie’s leg is “just” broken and he didn’t reinjure his knee.)
Injuries and fantasy football lineups thus being on my mind, I thought I’d take a quick survey of other developing situations around the league that might impact your fantasy choices this week.
Hands up: who cannot wait for September?
No, no, NO, Malcolm Sheppard of the Texans! That's not what I meant by "Hands up!" (AP Photo)
Oh, September. What’s not to love? The return of NFL football, baseball hurling towards the Fall Classic, hockey and basketball waiting in the wings. We’re almost there, but in the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of what happened the last weekend of August.
Lady Bee here for the vacationing Raven. So, um, what fresh hell is this? T.O. and Ochocinco on the same team?!! Ochocinco telling ESPN this will be a great year? Oh, you said it, Chad! With apologies to loyal Ladies… reader thistlewarrior, we cannot wait for this circus to get underway. How much ego and douchebaggery can one locker room take? How long until T.O. hangs his good buddy Chad out to dry? Or complains about Palmer not throwing enough passes to him?
Of course, all that said, could we expect Terrell to take the high road while Chad pulls a hissy fit over face time? Please, dear readers. We want your take on this. Better yet, start making wagers on when the shit hits the fan. I’m already predicting a minor spat over who is Batman and who is Robin (guess which role T.O. has assumed?) Somehow, I can’t see that partnership going as smoothly as this one did.
All the best, Bengals fans. You’re in for a heckuva season.
Well, it’s finally here: Playoff Time! This is when you separate the men from the boys. Well us Ladies are separating the hotties from the not-so hotties. Take a trip with me after the jump to see some hotties playing in the Wild Card match-ups this weekend.
2010 begins with a plea from this sports/man loving lady. I believe in the power of intention and attraction, so let’s put our thoughts together, and will Jeremy Bloom back into the world of professional sports.
I’m not going to pretend I know much about Chris Henry. I know enough that he spent his career in Cincinnati, that he played for West Virginia, that his 2009 season was cut short by a thigh injury, and that he was working hard to turn his life around. You already know that.
But when I look beyond the drama, the career stats and the lost potential as a player and a person, I know enough to say that this is simply heartbreaking. Children have lost a father. A family has lost a son. A team has lost a valued colleague.
Our thoughts are with Chris’s family and teammates.
I'm sorry...what was the question again?
As though the Advent Calendar of Hotness was not enough, here’s a complete buffet of NFL sizzle to wrap up your Friday. The Ladies… were recently presented with a challenge. Karen of Fredericton, New Brunswick writes:
So, in a strange twist of fate, I found myself watching football this weekend. And liking it…Can you recommend a team with the most hotties? ;) I typically have liked the Patriots, but I could potentially be swayed.
We love a challenge almost as much as football booty. Can we successfully encourage this loyal reader to avoid the “victim of regional coverage” trap? (I know a lot of Pats fans in this province. Also, Red Sox fans. It hurts.)
We begin dishing the advice in one of two parts after the jump.
In honor of Troy Polamalu’s return to the field yesterday and because this commercial
never fails to make me laugh, we’re starting off Monday morning with an ode to boys with long hair.
Two Baltimore Heroes: Eddie & Cal
When it comes to being a sports fan, I have ridden the roller coaster of emotions. I have been privileged to experience the ultimate highs and humbled to have experienced the extreme lows. Recently, I’ve been forced to take inventory of my sports emotions, so to speak.
As most of you already know, I was born and raised in Baltimore in the early 80s. My first sports love was the Baltimore Orioles. When I was a little over 1-year-old, my O’s won the World Series. That was the last time my beloved franchise was blessed with a title. Of course, I don’t remember the sweet taste of victory, but I did experience it. My mom-mom packed up my little self, hopped on a bus and took me downtown for the victory parade. I have a photo of me in my little stroller, waving my World Series pennant with the parade passing in the background. What I wouldn’t give to recreate that moment. Let’s just hope I don’t have to wait until that stroller turns into a wheelchair!
Let’s not forget that until I was a sophomore in college, I had never seen a baseball game that didn’t have Cal Ripken, Jr. playing in it. I wouldn’t say that the Orioles spoiled me, though. We were good during my formative sports fan years, but all good things must come to an end. Personally, I don’t think we’ll ever win until someone finally exacts revenge on that Jeffrey Maier kid. Hate him. While I have come to expect disappointment from the Orioles, I’m having a harder time coming to terms with my other teams.
So I was going to give this post the “Hump Day Hotties” tag, but I thought I might get some flack over it. So instead, I’m just going to use this post to introduce you to Joe Flacco, quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Joe has caused a hysteria in Baltimore. See, we folks from Charm City don’t know what a real quarterback actually is. That is until Mr. Flacco arrived in town.
For years we have tried to find that “Franchise Quarterback,” but he never seemed to develop. While I was partial to Kyle Boller (solely on looks, btw), others were calling for his head from the moment we drafted him. Hell, we went a month during our Super Bowl season without scoring an offensive TD! And we won the Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer under center! Even Disney acknowledges that Trent Dilfer sucks! Can you say “Defense,” much?
So needless to say we’re all pretty stoked that Flacco has taken the reigns of our offense. I personally don’t think he’s bad to look at, either. I think his Bert-esque eyebrows are what throw people off, but if he would just tweeze them up a little bit, he’d be a bonafide hottie. I think he’s adorable, despite the brow problem. I’m sucker for a guy with dimples!
Check out some adorable pictures of #5 after the jump!
Ah, football season is finally here! I think I speak for everyone when I say that it couldn’t have come soon enough. Preseason football is so boring. Watching starters play about one quarter does not feed my appetite for football. Also, this will be my first season playing fantasy football (wish me luck!), so that makes the start of the season that much more exciting. There are 13 games this Sunday and another two on Monday. Some should be entertaining, while others are sure to be a snooze-fest. Unless you’re a fan, you probably aren’t counting down the hours until the showdown between the Rams and Seahawks.
So without further ado, I present to you (in no particular order and with my completely biased opinion) the top five games of Week 1…
We’re watching football, so this is what you get.
We Dey, so STAY DOWN.
Write your own caption, or we’re sending Troy Polamalu after you. And he’s cranky.
A preview of things to come?
So we all know who the hot players are, but do you know who the hot coaches are? With the new trend of hiring younger coaches, the NFL has provided us with a new crop of hotties. Instead of the coaches reminding you of the old, creepy man who hangs around the neighborhood (Brad Childress, I’m looking at you!), now they’re more like the hot, 30-something dad that moved in down the street! Yippee!
Take a trip with me after the jump where we explore some hot NFL coaches!
I know it’s just preseason, but come on. Last night, stand-in kicker Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson delivered on an extra point in the 2nd quarter which gave the Bengals that one point edge over the Patriots and eventually led them to a one point victory.
In light of last night’s ridiculousness, I just HAD to post this photo (thanks KJ) and open it up for Write Your Own Caption.
Have at him!
If you haven’t noticed from the last couple of posts, the ladies cannot wait for football season to start. Training camp is in the full swing of things with the first preseason game coming this Sunday. But even still, real football has not started yet so it’s only natural that news is a little slow. The first game of the season is still over a month away. People are mostly grasping for stories to report on. So I have decided to sort out some of the more ridiculous, and entertaining, stories coming out of training camps. Enjoy! Take solace in knowing football season is almost here.
Ladies... 