PRINTABLE SUPER BOWL XLVIII GRID

It is a sad state of affairs when your place of business no longer turns a blind eye towards that American institution, the Super Bowl office pool.  It seems the only places these pools are still thriving are bars, the occasional restaurant, and the neighborhood Super Bowl party.

This year Jack Fact Graphics, in partnership with the Professional Armchair Quarterback, is making public his personal Super Bowl grid.  Now this isn't one of your garden variety 10x10 grids.  It's got team logos, the NFC and AFC logos, Seattle Seahawks Armchair Quarterback logo, the Denver Broncos Armchair Quarterback logo, and of course the NFL Shield.  It also used to contain those colorful and completely unique Super Bowl logos, but those have all been replaced by the coldly generic silver ones featuring the Lombardi trophy and roman numerals, thanks to the commissioner...

But wait!  That isn't what makes this Super Bowl pool so awesome.  In addition to having a cash payout for each quarter, it's got three additional ways to win some of that pot too.  These additional categories are; First Blood, First Seven and Final Score.  All are explained on the sheet, but here is the explanation.

FIRST BLOOD:  The first points scored in the game, e.g., a safety, field goal, or touchdown.  The "First Blood" excludes the extra point on a touchdown, i.e., the first "6" points on the scoreboard.  This is the first "2", "3" or "6" scored in the game.

FIRST SEVEN: The first touchdown AND extra point scored for a combined total of "7".  If the extra point is missed, muffed, etc., the prize in NOT awarded for that touchdown.  This is the first "7" scored.

FINAL SCORE:  The final score of the game.  This accounts for overtime.  If there is no overtime period, i.e., the game is decided in regulation, then the winner of the fourth quarter is also awarded this prize.

That's it, and here it is:

SUPER BOWL XLVIII GRID from Jack Fact Graphics

Click Here For .pdf

The Armchair Quarterback Denver Broncos Football Stein Mug

The Armchair QB Denver Football Stein Mug

The Denver Armchair Quarterback NFL Beer Stein makes a great gift for all Denver Broncos football fans.  This design is also available on other mug styles.  Select the link or image above to view additional details and pick your favorite mug.

McDaniels McContemplating McNabb?

You’re joshing me right? So rumors out of Philadelphia are that the Denver Broncos are one of three teams in trade talks with Donavan McNabb. The acquisition of McNabb would almost certainly help the Broncos, primarily because he would be replacing a mediocre quarterback in Kyle Orton. However, I would not for example, anticipate that he would have the same impact that Brett Favre has had with the Vikings this past season. I’m just saying…

Maybe I’m a little biased, but having lived in Philadelphia for the past 20 years, I have never been impressed with McNabb, and very dismissive of descriptions of him as an elite NFL quarterback. Keep in mind that a lot of the Eagles success earlier this decade had more to do with a weak NFC East than anything else.

The knock on McNabb is that he is great between the twenties, but is not very accurate and has the propensity to throw the occasional gopher ball. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for his subpar playoff games, but many question his intestinal fortitude in a big spot, and like to point to his apparent choking (literally) in the Super Bowl against the Patriots. He has choked in some other big spots too.  Still, he can heave the pigskin with the best of them, something Kyle Orton is definitely not capable of doing. If the Broncos do wind up with him, this would presumably lift the play and attitude of Brandon Marshall and the receiving corps.

At 33-years old, Donavan McNabb is still a viable option at quarterback. He would be a good stop-gap measure for the Broncos until they can either get Chris Simms to overcome his own problems ‘Manning-up’ and demonstrating that he has the stones to compete in this league, or until they can draft their quarterback for the future.