(Get) A Sporting Life

Jeezus H. Christ. What exactly does it take to write for Slate ? Charles Pierce (who is NOT, I repeat NOT to be confused with Charles P ei rce) single handed proves it doesn't take a whole hell of a lot. The Cardinals' presence in the Super Bowl is fluky and disgraceful. [W]e are going to be inundated with mendacious swill over the next two weeks on the subject of what a great story the Arizona Cardinals are.... We're going to hear about how they magically transformed themselves at the end of the season. We're going to hear about the remarkable comeback of Kurt Warner. We're going to hear about how marvelous it is for the National Football League that a Super Bowl championship is within the grasp of a team so thickly dripping with obvious mediocrity that it's a wonder Charlie Sheen isn't playing left guard. We are going to hear all of this because the NFL and its broadcast partners operate on the very simple premise that everybody who reports—or follows—thei...

...for example, the world may be coming to an end (see the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl last August? Neither did the good Lord above I'm betting.) The Blues are still the Blues, which means lots of injuries. (The Blues lose players the way I lose stool....in large batches.) Even with all that, the development of the team continues on pace. Berglund looks the probable rookie of the year to me, and Oshie seems to have the make-up of a star if he can stay healthy. Add those rookies with the marked improvement of Backes and Perron, and it really looks like the Blues are going places....just not this season. The St. Louis Cardinals? Well, they re-signed Duncan and Wellemeyer. If he stays healthy, I don't see how Duncan survives the season without being traded, unless Colby Rasmus turns out to be the bust of all busts. It is good to see that Albert wants to start beating the crap out of some baseballs already. We shall see.