It's time to get a little testy
With the Bears awaiting their final exam for the season in Super Bowl XLI Sunday in Miami, there's plenty of time for everyone else to limber up with a quick quiz (football knowledge not necessary -- which is fortunate, given the lack of such knowledge Quick Hits has shown over the years):
1. The best way to stop Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is:
a. By blitzing
b. By not blitzing c. By not paying attention to his hand gestures d. By telling the Tennessee alum the opponent Sunday will be the Florida Gators2. The key statistic for the Bears offense will be:
a. Rushing attempts
b. Interceptions c. Time of possession d. Points3. The key statistic for the Bears defense will be:
a. Sacks
b. Interceptions c. Points allowed d. Number of players saying, ''We're going to Disney World!''4. The 2006 Bears never will replace the 1985 version in Chicago fans' hearts because the team lacks:
a. A fiery coach
b. A punky QB c. A music video d. The Honey Bears (the cheerleaders whose last season was 1985)5. You will know Sunday you're going to call in sick to work Monday when you hear:
a. The weather forecast
b. Prince perform at halftime c. ''I sure hope you didn't eat those gray shrimp.'' d. ''Rex Grossman, Super Bowl MVP.''
OK, not that far.
The topic did come up during our recent phone conversation, when yours truly wondered about her significant other, singer Enrique Iglesias.
''What's up with Enrique?'' Quick Hits said.
''What do you mean?'' said Kournikova, who is scheduled to participate in a Feb. 12 tennis exhibition with Jim Courier, John McEnroe and Jana Novotna at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
Is he accompanying her to Chicago?
''No,'' Kournikova said. ''He's actually working in the studio hard, finishing his album. He's got his own commitments and his own work.''
Why anyone would pass up the chance to leave the warmth of Miami for a much cooler city like Chicago in February is beyond Quick Hits' comprehension (yes, you're correct, so are a lot of other things, too).
To be continued ...
Monday: Anna on the state of her game.
He did journey from Arizona to Chicago for last weekend's SoxFest.
Going to Miami for the Super Bowl?
''No, I am not,'' the White Sox first baseman told Quick Hits. ''I was asked by a friend, but I declined. A little too much travel for me.''
Instead, he will be at home.
He did get out to attend the Bears' amazing comeback victory this season against the Cardinals in Arizona.
''I have tickets to the games there,'' Konerko (right) said. ''I was torn a little bit because I knew the Bears were a good team. I was actually pulling for the Cardinals because for the Cardinals that would have been like winning the Super Bowl for them. The Bears, they still would have made the playoffs. The Cardinal players -- that was one of the toughest games to watch -- those guys had their heart broken.''
It was almost as if the Bears were -- dare Quick Hits say it? -- destined to win. Something similar to the 2005 World Champion White Sox.
''We'll find out,'' Konerko said. ''It seems like all that stuff, it looks like you can look back and say it all makes sense. Meantime, it looks like Peyton Manning is destined to win a Super Bowl. A long lineage of quarterbacks and all that kind of stuff, so it makes perfect sense that both teams should win. Only one will win.''
Which is something you generally cannot say about Cincinnati Bengals players.
Of course, the outspoken receiver won't be playing Sunday. He merely will be seen in a commercial for the NFL Network.
''Hanging with Chad'' is the theme of the ad. As opposed to other hanging chads for which Florida is known.
He will be playing a party host at his home in Miami.
That's the same ad that Britney Spears once was supposed to be a part of before she was sent to the sidelines.
The female attractions for this commercial: domestic diva Martha Stewart and former attorney general Janet Reno.
You'd think a player of Johnson's stature might be able to do a little better than that.
''It doesn't get any bigger than Martha,'' Johnson told Quick Hits.
Not certain what that means, but it seems like a good idea to switch topics.
So how's the temperature in Miami?
''Very hot,'' said Johnson whose commercial endorsements include Degree deodorant, which comes in handy, given the warm weather.
Whom does he like in the game?
''I think Indy,'' he said.
That's not exactly what the people in Chicago want to hear.
''I know it's not what they want to hear,'' he said, ''but I'm just going off of knowing football.''
And less stimulating if you're rooting for the Bears.
Ohio-based online game simulation site SportsSims.net predicts the Indianapolis Colts will win Sunday's Super Bowl XLI by rallying with 17 fourth-quarter points for a 30-24 victory.
The company ran 20,000 simulations with the Colts winning 61.8 percent of the time by an average score of 35-23. The Bears' average winning score was 35-26.
SportsSim.net is 14-5 in Super Bowl predictions.
Then there is the forecast of Chicago statistician John Dewan, whose analysis based on 12 categories has been correct 14 times in the last 16 Super Bowls. He sees the Bears prevailing.
''The key for the Bears to pull an upset is their red-zone defense,'' SportsSims.net president Steve Olson said.
Or to play the game on the field rather than on a computer.
TOP 10
1. 1989 49ers
2. 1985 BEARS
3. 1978 Steelers
4. 1992 Cowboys
5. 1984 49ers
6. 1996 Packers
7. 1972 Dolphins
8. 1986 Giants
9. 2004 Patriots
10. 1991 Redskins
BOTTOM 10
71. 1994 Chargers
72. 1999 Titans
73. 1993 Bills
74. 1996 Patriots
75. 1986 Broncos
76. 1985 Patriots
77. 1982 Dolphins
78. 2000 Giants
79. 1979 Rams
80. 2003 Panthers
SI.com selected its nine best quotes in Super Bowl history (with game number in parentheses):
1. "If it's the ultimate game, how come they're playing it again next year?" -- Cowboys RB Duane Thomas (VI)
2. On players' favorite pregame nocturnal activity: "I never really understood the strip-joint thing. Why go to a place and get all excited and then have a hard time walking out?" -- Ravens DT Tony Siragusa (XXXV)
3. On Miami: "I'll be glad to leave here. I feel like eating palm trees. I don't like this place. It's for people with arthritis. They come here to play golf and die." -- Steelers DT Ernie Holmes (X)
4. "We're going to win on Sunday. I guarantee it." -- Jets QB Joe Namath (III)
5. "Pump it in there, baby. Just keep matriculating the ball down the field, boys." -- Chiefs coach Hank Stram (IV)
6. On Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw: "I didn't say he couldn't play, just that he couldn't spell." -- Cowboys LB Thomas "Hollywood" -- Henderson (XIII)
7. After hearing Russ Grimm of the Redskins had said he would run over his own mother to win the Super Bowl: "I'd run over Russ Grimm's mother to win the Super Bowl, too.￢ﾀﾝRaiders LB Matt Millen (XVIII)
8. On why he stayed out all night partying in New Orleans after he forbade his teammates to do so: "That's why I was out in the streets. To make sure no one else was." -- Raiders DE John Matuszak (XV)
9. On whether he preferred playing the game in Los Angeles or Miami: "I'll play anywhere for $15,000." -- Packers CB Herb Adderly (II)
