Cold? Youbetcha

My, it's a cold one out there today. Whenever it gets cold or, heaven forbid, we get three inches of snow, people always ask me, "Bet this reminds you of home."

My response: No, no it doesn't.

Sure, today was unpleasant. Not too cold to go for a run, but chilly nonetheless. However, I'm from Minnesota, and if there's one thing I'm accustomed to, it's seeing my breath. In fact, that's my first memory: being able to see my breath circle out of my mouth. Some people have birthday parties or sitting on grandpa's lap, I have impossible cold. 

On Tuesday, my brother sent me this link, which ably underscores my familiarity with harsh temps: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22649329/?GT1=10755

It's a story about a Colorado city fighting a Minnesota city for rights to the moniker "Icebox of the Nation." Apparently, this is an ongoing feud. We're not sure why, but it is. The article is reminiscent of two guys arguing over who has the better Yugo. Funny thing is, International Falls isn't even the coldest Minnesota city. It gets all the pub, though.

In Minnesota, we aren't blessed with much. We say things like "Oh yaahhhhh," and "youbetcha," and we do so proudly (or, perhaps, out of habit). So when I read the article, I was ready to fight. My home state needs a city with this title. It's a bizarre source of pride. Thus, if there's a militia being formed, count me in.

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OK, back to the task at hand. We're trying to tweak this modern marvel we call a blog. If you're an avid reader (and by "avid" I mean if you read it at all), you know there's improvements to be made. One idea my boss would like to implement is a Q & A format, which I'm all for. So, if you have any questions relating to The Daily Times and local sports, we'd like to hear 'em. Questions of coverage, why we write what we write, how we decide what games to include, etc. -- it's all fair game. Ask away. Also, and this is a BIG also, story ideas are welcome. I've been told it's easier to mow a lawn with scissors than it is to leave a comment here, so questions and suggestions can be sent to lstgeorge@daily-times.com

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 Aztec's girls basketball tournament starts Thursday. The eight-team bonanza runs through Saturday, and differs from many of the tournaments throughout the area. Ya see, when a team hosts a tourney, they schedule their first-round game against the absolute weakest team in the field. There's no question about it: if you're at a basketball tournament and you're playing against the host squad in Round 1, you have a weak team. In fact, that could be a barometer of each team's strength: how many times they've played against a host team on the first day of a tournament.

The Lady Tigers, however, are slated to take on Capital, no slouch, on Thursday. If the Tigers had maintained the party line, they would have played their junior varsity in the opener, but alas, they're not.

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Randy Jackson's departure from the Farmington sidelines leaves three District 1-4A programs looking for football coaches. Kirtland Central is trying to replace Bill Cawood and Shiprock needs a replacement for Bruce Graham. The situation nearly mirrors that of the league's girls basketball scene, which boasts four new coaches this season.

My early prediction for the new Farmington coach: Bobby Petrino.

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Has anyone seen Wade Phillips recently? Was he even at the Cowboys' game against the Giants on Sunday?

If I'm Jerry Jones, I would just keep giving Phillips 16-game contracts. That way he could guide the Cowboys to a strong showing during the regular season before turning control over to an assistant with a spine. Poor Wade has never experienced a postseason win as a head coach.

If the Packers and Patriots both win Sunday, the Feb. 3 Super Bowl will go down as the most anticipated Super Bowl ever. I hate to look too far ahead, but the prospect of Brett Favre playing in another Super Bowl is intoxicating.

My forecast for the weekend's conference championship games:

Patriots 27, Chargers 21

Packers 23, Giants 14 

 Lou