GROBBER’S MONDAY RANTS—Jan 11,2010

***It was nice to see the New England Patriots take it up the “giggy” on their home field Sunday. That means we do not have to her any more of Bill Belichick or Tom Brady any more! And with Green Bay losing to the Cardinals in overtime,in one of the worst defensive displays by two teams in a Playoff game ever, the Networks can forget about another Favre vs Packers game.

***Karlos Dansby’s 17-yard fumble return for a touchdown in overtime gave the Big Red a 51-45 win over the Pack in the highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history. The defensive score on O.T. reminds one of three times the Bears ended OT games while their defense was on the field-all in regular season games. In 2001, Mike Brown returned interceptions for TD’s against the 49ers and Browns in consecutive weeks. In 2004, the Bears beat the Titans in Nashville on a safety when QB Billy Volek fumbled in his own end zone and teammate Fred Miller(who two years later became a Bear)fell on it-giving the Bears the unusual win.

***Now the Colts host the Ravens Saturday in what could be billed as “The Ghost of Baltimore Present against the Ghost of Baltimore Past!” Those two met in a Playoff gamme at Baltimore three years ago as the Colts won in their old City en route to the Super Bowl,where of course they beat the Bears.

***Rex Ryan’s Jets are in San Diego to lock horns with Ron Rivera’s Charger defense in what should also be a great AFC Divisional game.

***In the NFC, Dallas plays at Minnesota and Arizona is at New Orleans. Favre against Romo and Warner vs Brees.

***The Northwestern men’s hoops team came up with a nice comeback win at Michigan. The Cats were down 17, rallied to take a ten point lead,saw the Wolverines take a one point lead with just over a minute to go,but NU scored the last seven points, all on free throws to get a rare win at Crisler Arena.

***DePaul has an 11 am news conference Monday. This is likely with regard to hoops Coach Jerry Wainwright who injured his leg in this past weeks loss at Villanova when a Wildcat player crashed into him by the Blue Demon bench. DePaul AD Jean Lennti-Ponsetto is expected to be at this Newser.

LES