Taking the Colts

Don't talk yourself into thinking the Indianapolis Colts won't win because Dwight Freeney will see limited action, if at all, in Super Bowl 44.

The Colts will win because of the players that will play today.

Here are the reasons why the Colts prevail:

1. Peyton Manning. What can you say? He's now the undisputed top quarterback in football, and has developed into a clutch performer. Remember Steve Spurrier's verbal barbs at Manning when the former coached Florida and the latter was at Tennessee ("You can't spell Citrus without U-T" "I know why Peyton came back for his senior year. He wanted to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP")? They're a distant memory now. Still very, very funny, but a distant memory nonetheless.
2. The group of receivers. All of them are healthy, including Reggie Wayne, who is back at 100 percent. Manning will have a healthy Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Dallas Clark with which to work.
3. We say the Indy D is still better than N'Awlins - with or without Freeney. The lone standout on the Saints' defense has been Darren Sharper. Other than that, this is a very ordinary unit. We think Manning will have a big day.
4. Because Pierre Garcon is better than Pierre Thomas. Okay, we just wanted to get both Pierres into the same sentence. And we'll go out on a limb that this is the first time there have been two guys named Pierre in a Super Bowl.

Our pick: Colts 34, Saints 24.

WhizWitout is now on Facebook.

Suns Hot for Iggy?

CSN Philly hoops reporter Dei Lynam is reporting tonight that the Phoenix Suns are "desperate" to acquire Andre Iguodala.

This lends credence to earlier reports this week that had the 76ers talking with Phoenix GM Steve Kerr on a deal that would send Iguodala and Sam Dalembert to the Valley of the Sun for F/C Amare Stoudamire. And while the report is essentially a rehashing of this story, the "desperate" element is a new entry in this saga. Lynam does a good job detailing Phoenix's longstanding infatuation with Iguodala.

Also keep in mind that he did play collegiately at Arizona.

WhizWitout is now on Facebook.

Report Has Sixers Talking Deal with Suns

The Bleacher Report today passes along a report from KTAR radio in Phoenix reporting the 76ers being involved in talks for Amare Stoudamire:

The reported potential deal with Philadelphia seems to be the more enticing fit for Phoenix.KTAR reported the Sixers were willing to trade star Andre Iguodala and center Samuel Dalembert for Stoudemire "and another player."Who that player might be wasn't specified, but Suns' guard Leandro Barbosa's contract would fit the bill in terms of salary numbers matching in the deal. Barbosa is currently out with a wrist injury.

It's an interesting idea, isn't it? As good as Iguodala is, the Sixers need more of an "alpha dog" type player. Allen Iverson may still have that mentality, but his game doesn't allow it. And any opportunity to dump Sam Dalembert's contract is a good one.

It would be doubtful Stoudamire would re-sign with the Sixers and, frankly, who cares? If he doesn't re-sign, or if Ed Stefanski decides not to try, big, big money will still be coming off the books.

WhizWitout is now on Facebook.

Two Former Bills Coaches Now on Staff

Andy Reid's hiring of Dick Jauron as secondary coach brings the number of former Bills coaches on staff to two.

A few weeks ago, Reid also hired ace special teams coach Bobby April away from Buffalo to replace Ted Daisher. Despite the obvious success of DeSean Jackson as a punt returner, Daisher's units were wildly inconsistent and routinely gave up field position to a defense struggling with issues of its own. One reason for the struggles on special teams was the inconsistency of punter Sav Rocca. In another move yesterday, the Eagles signed former Georgia Tech punter and Ray Guy Award winner Durant Brooks to compete with Rocca.

With any luck, April will be able to bring special teams back to the level of prominence they haven't enjoyed since John Harbaugh ran the unit.

WhizWitout is now on Facebook.

Reid Hires Dick Jauron

Andy Reid has hired Dick Jauron, a fellow member of the Mike Holmgren coaching tree.

Jauron, who will coach the DBs - replacing Brian Stewart, who left to become Baylor's DC - reuinites with Reid for the first time since both toiled under Holmgren's 1992 staff in Green Bay. That particular staff is somewhat legendary in that it included the likes of Steve Mariucci, Ray Rhodes, Jon Gruden and Marty Mornhinweg.

As Buffalo's head coach, Jauron was a disaster. He experienced mild success in Chicago before that, but at this point in his career, it should be obvious he's best suited as an assistant.

Jauron's biggest task will be figuring out the free safety position and whether or not Macho Harris is the long-term answer. Sean Jones (whose one-year deal expires) has good ballhawking skills, but was inconsistent.

(WhizWitout is now on Facebook.)

Switched at Birth: Chick Hearn and Max Baucus

Switched at birth? You decide.

Above: Montana Sen. Max Baucus (D), Montana

Above: The late Chick Hearn, Longtime Lakers announcer

WhizWitout is now on Facebook.

Phils Make Contreras Signing Official

Per the Phillies PR Department:

Right-hander Jose Contreras signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.

Contreras, 38, went a combined 6-13 with a 4.92 ERA in 28 games (23 starts) last year between the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies. With the Rockies, he went 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances (two starts) and had 17 strikeouts in 17.0 innings.

“Jose is a versatile pitcher who will likely get stretched out in spring training as a starter, but our scouts feel he is best suited for a significant role in the bullpen,” said Amaro. “His competitiveness and durability are pluses and what he showed in his brief stint as a reliever in Colorado gives us reason to believe that he makes our pitching staff stronger.”

In 2005, Contreras was a member of the World Champion Chicago White Sox and went 15-7 with a 3.61 ERA in 32 regular season starts and 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA in four postseason starts. In 14 career postseason games (four starts), Contreras is 3-3 with a 3.80 ERA. Two of his 14 postseason appearances came against the Phillies last year.

A native of Cuba, Contreras was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees in 2003. He has a career record of 71-63 with a 4.61 ERA in 191 games (175 starts) for the Yankees (2003-04), White Sox (2004-09) and Rockies (2009). In 16 career relief appearances, he is 2-1 with a 3.90 ERA.

Contreras will wear #52.

**

WhizWitout is now on Facebook.