P.J. Fleck, a popular Northern Illinois University wide receiver from 1999 – 2003, accepted the position of offensive coordinator with his alma mater on Thursday, February 2nd. One day later he surprisingly resigned from the position.  Head coach Dave Doeren released a statement explaining that ”P.J. called today and said he does not feel he’s ready to be an offensive coordinator.”

Fleck spent the past two seasons as Rutgers’ wide receivers coach. There is some early speculation he could follow Greg Schiano, former Rutgers head coach, to Tampa Bay. Schiano recently accepted the position of head coach with the Tampa Bay Bucs and is building a coaching staff.

This year’s rematch promises to be just as exciting. Both teams enter the game riding momentum. However, the Giants had a much tougher road to the big game. After knocking off the Atlanta Falcons in the first round, New York had to travel to Green Bay to face the 15-1 Packers. Knowing they had to skill to beat the Packers, the Giants entered the game with a high level of confidence. Led by an explosive passing attack and a stellar defensive performance, they knocked off the top-seeded Packers. Then the resilient Giants team had to travel to San Francisco to face the number two seeded 49ers. With both teams having great defenses, the game was guaranteed  to be tight. After trading possessions in overtime, the Giants caught a huge brake when San Francisco punt return man, Kyle Williams muffed his second punt of the game. The ball was recovered by the Giants and that capped the game. New York’s running back, Ahmad Bradshaw set up the Giants for a game winning field goal and a trip to the Super Bowl.

The Patriots road to the big game was a little bit easier. After receiving a bye in the first round, the Patriots faced the Denver Broncos in the second round. Tim Tebow was not able to pull off another miracle in this one and the Patriots demolished the Broncos, 45-10. Then New England had a much tougher task against the Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots received a few breaks in this one to clinch their spot in the Super Bowl. In their final drive, the Ravens dropped a potential game winning touchdown pass and a game tying field goal.

And this is were we stand now. Despite the Patriots being favored, the game is pretty much a toss up. The most recent poll on ESPN.com shows that the nation is perfectly divided on who will win the game. So far,  624,461 votes have been registered and the tallies count up to a 50-50 tie.

The only judgement there is of this match up is the game played between the two teams this past November in New England. And perhaps this game could reveal a lot. Eli Manning led a fourth quarter comeback to knock of the Patriots 24-20. The score shows that the two match up closely but there is more to the story than the close score. In that game,  the Giants were without two key pieces to their offense, star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw. Because of Bradshaw’s absence, the Patriots were able to drop an extra guy into pass protection. Even without Nicks, the Giants still threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns. With both Bradshaw and Nicks healthy for the Super Bowl, New England will certainly have their hands full.

Another key to the game will be in the trenches. In their first match up this season, the Giants had two sacks while the patriots had none. Also, the Giants still rushed for 111 yards without Bradshaw.

Injury Report: The Giants are a lot more healthy entering the game than the Patriots. They  have six guys listed as probable, none expected to be slowed down due to the injury. However, the Patriots have a more serious injury problem. They have 10 guys listed as questionable including star tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Prediction: Giants-31 Patriots-20

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 P.M CST on NBC.

Before both sides reported a deal, the Cubs were at 7.95 million and Garza’s side was at 12.50 million. So … as you can see, both sides were way off and a compromise came as a surprise. However, both sides reaching a deal was good and major affects won’t take place.

This was Matt Garza 2nd arbitration year, so his final arbitration will be next year.

Now since the deal is settle, we could expect the trade talks to pick up. Another starting pitcher went off the market, the Nationals signed Edwin Jackson. The Nats had no interest in Garza, so this could be good if the Cubs still want to deal Garza (which I think they do). There’s only one pitcher out there that could take the team out of the Garza sweepstakes and that’s Roy Oswalt. Teams most notable are the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers.

Other Notes:

The Cubs have signed 18-year old Cuban lefty Gerardo Concepcion to a major league deal worth 7 million. The deal could be pushed up to 8 million with incentives. Concepcion will be in Spring Training and will have to be added to the 40-man roster. In that case, the Cubs will have to make a move to the 40-man roster to add Concepcion. Since, the 40-man roster is full right now. We could hear the move any time now.

Ben Badler says scouts do not see how Concepcion received 7 million. So … scouts think the Cubs may have overpaid. It does make sense because as many as 10 teams had interest in Concepcion. Also, the Cubs haven’t spend in free agency and a lot of their money goes to the draft and International players. Kevin Goldstein says Concepcion is projected as a back-end starter (3-5). Let’s hope Concepcion can prove him wrong and see what he can do.

Video of Gerardo Concepcion

The Cubs have also signed left-handed pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith to a minor league contract. Smith is 29 years old and has played most of his career with the Mariners. Once to have potential and be a #3 starter. He has last played for, not in the MLB, but for the Australian baseball league.

We don’t know is he received an invite to spring training, since the Cubs named their non-roster invitees last week. But I think he’ll be there and show what he can and cannot do.

Could their be another Cuban on the way to the North Side … Yoenis Cespedes? He’s close to coming to the Unites States and hope to sign soon after that. His agent says he expects Cespedes to sign before camp opens up. It seems the Cubs overpaid for Concepcion, so don’t be surprise if they go all out for Cespedes. Cespedes news could heat up soon, when he enters the United States.

Side Note: Bruce Levine states the Cubs have added RHP Esmalin Caridad to the list of non-roster invitees.

Last night on TNT before the Bulls/Knicks game, the 2012 NBA All-Star starters were released. For the second year in a row, Chicago Bulls point guard and reigning MVP Derrick Rose was named the starting point guard for the Eastern Conference.

Joining Rose in the Eastern Conference backcourt is Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade. At the forwards are New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony and Miami Heat forward LeBron James. At center is Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

For the Western Conference, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers make up the starting backcourt. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers start at forwards. Lakers center Andrew Bynum is the starting center.

Rose received a whopping 1,514,723 votes, good enough for second in the Eastern Conference and third in the NBA, only behind Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant.

Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Rip Hamilton all finished in the top seven in voting at their position, including Joakim finishing second at center.

The 2012 All-Star Game will be played February 26 at 7 CT on TNT, and at the Amway Center in Orlando.

And this wheeling move between two Knicks’ defenders:

On March 1st, 2012 at 6pm in the great city of Chicago, many Chicagoans and people of other regions will gather in the heart of the city for a poker tournament.

But this is not your run-of-the-mill tournament.

This particular tournament will benefit the One Step Program supporting Children’s Oncology Services.

If you are an avid player or simply a novice, what better way to play a game you love than by doing so for such a charitable cause?

The tournament is limited to 350 people and will cost you $275 to participate. But, you’re getting a lot more than a seat at a poker table for your money.

In addition to the seat, food and a full bar is included in the cost. What’s more, the winner of the tournament will receive a seat in the $10,000 World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas. But, more importantly, you are playing to help give children with this horrible disease a chance to do what every child wants to do: be kids.

If you have the means, come out and support the One Step Program. If you don’t want to play poker you can pay $75 to spectate, eat, and drink with everyone else.

I’ll be there supporting this great program and I hope to see you there as well. Plus, you never know what local celebs may be sitting at your table.

Seats are going fast, so click here for more information and sign up today!

Last month we gave you the Derrick Rose preview of his new shoe the adiZero 2.5, you can find that article here.

The adiZero 2.5′s released in stores today but this All-Star version of the shoes will be in stores Feb. 23rd. You can find them at FootLocker, Eastbay.com, and shopadidas.com for $110.

All photos are courtesy of sneakerfiles.com

QB
1. Drew Brees (UFA) – Saints
2. Alex Smith (UFA) – 49ers
3. Matt Flynn (UFA) – Packers
4. Kyle Orton (UFA) – Chiefs
5. Chad Henne (UFA) – Dolphins
6. Donovan McNabb (UFA)
7. David Garrard (UFA)
8. Jason Campbell (UFA) – Raiders
9. Rex Grossman (UFA) – Redskins
10. Brian Hoyer (RFA) – Patriots

RB
1. Ray Rice (UFA) – Ravens
2. Matt Forte (UFA) – Bears
3. Arian Foster (RFA) – Texans
4. Michael Bush (UFA) – Raiders
5. Marshawn Lynch (UFA) – Seahawks
6. Peyton Hillis (UFA) – Browns
7. Cedric Benson (UFA) – Bengals
8. BenJavus Green-Ellis (UFA) – Patriots
9. Ryan Grant (UFA) – Packers
10. Kahlil Bell (RFA) – Bears

FB
1. Mike Tolbert (UFA) – Chargers
2. Jason Snelling (UFA) – Falcons
3. Le’Ron McClain (UFA) – Chiefs
4. Ahmard Hall (UFA) – Titans
5. Spencer Larsen (UFA) – Broncos

WR
1. Wes Welker (UFA) – Patriots
2. Vincent Jackson (UFA) – Chargers
3. Marques Colston (UFA) – Saints
4. Dwayne Bowe (UFA) – Chiefs
5. Reggie Wayne (UFA) – Colts
6. DeSean Jackson (UFA) – Eagles
7. Mike Wallace (RFA) – Steelers
8. Stevie Johnson (UFA) – Bills
9. Brandon Lloyd (UFA) – Rams
10. Pierre Garcon (UFA) – Colts

TE
1. Jermichael Finley (UFA) – Packers
2. Fred Davis (UFA) – Redskins
3. Visanthe Shiancoe (UFA) – Vikings
4. John Carlson (UFA) – Seahawks
5. Jeremy Shockey (UFA) – Panthers
6. Scott Chandler (UFA) – Bills
7. Jacob Tamme (UFA) – Colts
8. Joel Dreessen (UFA) – Texans
9. Bo Scaife (UFA) – Bengals
10. Martellus Bennett (UFA) – Cowboys

OL
1. G – Carl Nicks (UFA) – Saints
2. C – Scott Wells (UFA) – Packers
3. T – Kareem McKenzie (UFA) – Giants
4. C – Nick Hardwick (UFA) – Chargers
5. C – Chris Myers (UFA) – Texans
6. G – Ben Grubbs (UFA) – Ravens
7. T – Jeff Backus (UFA) – Lions
8. G – Jake Scott (UFA) – Titans
9. T – Sean Locklear (UFA) – Redskins
10. T – Marc Colombo (UFA) – Dolphins

DE
1. Mario Williams (UFA) – Texans
2. Cliff Avril (UFA) – Lions
3. John Abraham (UFA) – Falcons
4. Robert Mathis (UFA) – Colts
5. Calais Campbell (UFA) – Cardinals
6. Israel Idonije (UFA) – Bears
7. Adam Carriker (UFA) – Redskins
8. Andre Carter (UFA) – Patriots
9. Red Bryant (UFA) – Seahawks
10. Juqua Parker (UFA) – Eagles

DT
1. Paul Soliai (UFA) – Dolphins
2. Aubrayo Franklin (UFA) – Saints
3. Shaun Rogers (UFA) – Saints
4. Jason Jones (UFA) – Titans
5. Brodrick Bunkley (UFA) – Broncos
6. Sione Pouha (UFA) – Jets
7. Antonio Garay (UFA) – Chargers
9. Rocky Bernard (UFA) – Giants
10. Derek Landri (UFA) – Eagles

ILB
1. Stephen Tulloch (UFA) – Lions
2. Curtis Lofton (UFA) – Falcons
3. D’Qwell Jackson (UFA) – Browns
4. David Hawthorne (UFA) – Seahawks
5. London Fletcher (UFA) – Redskins
6. Barrett Ruud (UFA) – Titans
7. E.J. Henderson (UFA) – Vikings
8. Dan Connor (UFA) – Panthers
9. Kirk Morrison (UFA) – Bills
10. Joe Mays (UFA) – Broncos

OLB
1. Anthony Spencer (UFA) – Cowboys
2. Jarret Johnson (UFA) – Ravens
3. Ahmad Brooks (UFA) – 49ers
4. Leroy Hill (UFA) – Seahawks
5. Bryan Thomas (UFA) – Jets
6. DeAndre Levy (UFA) – Lions
7. Manny Lawson (UFA) – Bengals
8. Jo-Lonn Dunbar (UFA) – Saints
9. Geno Hayes (UFA) – Buccaneers
10. Aaron Maybin (RFA) – Jets

S
1. Michael Griffin (UFA) – Titans
2. LaRon Landry (UFA) – Redskins
3. Dashon Goldson (UFA) – 49ers
4. Abram Elam (UFA) – Cowboys
5. Jim Leonhard (UFA) – Jets
6. Chris Hope (UFA) – Titans
7. Tom Zbikowski (UFA) – Ravens
8. Tyvon Branch (UFA) – Raiders
9. Thomas DeCoud (UFA) – Falcons
10. Brodney Pool (UFA) – Jets

CB
1. Brent Grimes (UFA) – Falcons
2. Cortland Finnegan (UFA) – Titans
3. Carlos Rogers (UFA) – 49ers
4. Brandon Carr (UFA) – Chiefs
5. Lardarius Webb (RFA) – Ravens
6. Tracy Porter (UFA) – Saints
7. Terrell Thomas (UFA) – Giants
8. Rashean Mathis (UFA) – Jaguars
9. Aaron Ross (UFA) – Giants
10. Eric Wright (UFA) – Lions

K
1. Jay Feely (UFA) – Cardinals
2. Neil Rackers (UFA) – Texans
3. Phil Dawson (UFA) – Browns
4. Rian Lindell (UFA) – Bills
5. Josh Scobee (UFA) – Jaguars
6. Nick Folk (UFA) – Jets
7. Matt Prater (UFA) – Broncos
8. John Kasay (UFA) – Saints
9. Connor Barth (UFA) – Buccaneers
10. Steve Hauschka (RFA) – Seahawks

P
1. Mat McBriar (UFA) – Cowboys
2. Donnie Jones (UFA) – Rams
3. Daniel Sepulveda (UFA) – Cardinals
4. Steve Weatherford (UFA) – Giants
5. Matt Turk (UFA) – Texans
6. Nick Harris (UFA) – Jaguars
7. Ben Graham (UFA) – Lions
8. Brad Maynard (UFA) – Browns
9. Jeremy Kapinos (UFA) – Steelers

And what a resurgence it has been. In the last seven games, Joakim Noah has averaged 12.4 points per game, 12.1 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game on 62.5% shooting. He has six double doubles in those seven games, and was two points away from having a third double double in a blowout win over Cleveland. Jo has also played over 30 minutes in all but one of those games, and that shows an increased trust in Jo by Coach Thibodeau, who had opted to bench Noah early in the season in the fourth. Noah has played more 30+ minute games in the last six than in the whole rest of the season combined.

This is compared to Jo averaging 40% shooting, 6.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for his first 15 games of the season. Clearly after the loss at Memphis, Joakim stopped worrying so much about the money he’s getting paid and decided to play his game. Joakim was quoted as sayin

“Yeah, no question, I thought about that,” Noah said. “Sometimes you feel like because you’re given so much money you’re expected to do things. That’s not the right mentality to have as a player.”

We saw the same thing happen with Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni after they signed new contracts with the team. All three players started to try and be “worth” their contract, and it hurt all of their games. We have seen with Luol Deng that once he stopped worrying about playing up to his contract, he returned to being a highly effective basketball player.

If Joakim Noah can keep up his high level of play, he could receive All Star consideration with the weak center position in the Eastern Conference.

John Legend is awesome. The song is a nod to his own very popular song, Ordinary People.