Sled safety

Sledding and other winter activities such as tubing and tobogganing, account for tens of thousands of reported injuries requiring medical treatment each winter, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This is an astounding statistic, considering that snow activities take place for a relatively short period of time each winter. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises the following to help prevent injuries due to sledding accidents.

• Wear helmets when sledding to avoid head and brain injuries. Sleds easily reach speeds of 20-25 mph.
• Supervise sledding activities. About 71 percent of unsupervised sledding outings end in injuries, while only 29 percent occur when children are supervised.
• Separate the older children from the younger ones.
• Do not sled where there are snow-covered holes, roots, tree stumps and fences. Avoid areas with a lot of trees.
• Sledding spots should have plenty of flat room at the bottom of the hill. Do not select a spot that ends in the middle of a street, busy parking lot or pond.
• Dress in bright colors to be seen easily.
• Bundle up in layers for extra warmth.
• Have one child sled the course at a time. The next in line should not begin their trip down until the last one has ended their run.
• Do not use sled-substitutes, e.g., cardboard boxes, cafeteria trays.
• Select sleds with steering mechanisms as opposed to snow disks or inner tubes.
• Keep sledding children away from cars and other motorized vehicles.
• Do not ride a sled being pulled by anything motorized.

Colts 2010 Season Wrap-Up

What a disappointing end to an up and down season for my boys in blue. I had such high expectations for the Colts this year... that did not include ending with a record of 6-6. But with the major injuries forcing more and more roster moves... even with the big comeback wins and previously unknowns stepping up to the plate (Fili Miola, Pat Angerer, Kavell Conner, Mike Pollack, Blair White, Ricardo Matthews), the Colts managed to both under achieve and over achieve all the the same season. And had me burned out, thinking we were done, when we were less than half way through the season. It's amazing that we managed to win the four straight must-win games to take the AFC South title.

So, what next to prep for the 2011 season? Re-signing the free agents of course. At the top of the list... Peyton Manning, whose contract expired this year. This is a huge off season. What else?

• Get Manning better run blockers/pass protectors. I shudder to think about how many 3rd and 1's we failed to convert. Winning a game requires Peyton to set an NFL record for pass attempts and completions every time out. We need for the Colts to have the kind of running game we had when Edgerrin James was in his prime. While Peyton is amazing, we need balance.
• Special Teams coverage is pathetic. It's impossible to win if the opponents consistently get the ball on the 45 yard line with each kick-off and punt. I think this needs to be addressed at the coaching level.
• Make good use of the draft. We will have a higher draft position than we have had in some time (21st or 22nd). Make the best of it!
• Get healthy. We experienced an inordinate amount of injuries this season. Beef up off-season strength and conditioning or whatever else it takes to keep our guys healthy.

2011 looks to be a very promising season.  The chance of a home game for the Super Bowl is realistic! Go Colts!

Almost Equal Time for the NFC North

The NFC North teams to beat (in my opinion) are the Packers and the Vikings. And I'm not just saying that because of my recent cross country move from Florida's lovely Gulf Coast to Rochester, Minnesota. Absolutely LOVING Rochester by the way! The rolling hills and lakes are simply beautiful. I'll update you all as to my opinion in winter time and let you know if I feel the same way -- BRRRRRR! But I digress... Let's bring it on back to football.

Aaron Rodgers has become the team leader the Packers expected, and has been doing an incredible job as QB in line with the Packers' "throw the football" style game. To allow Rodgers to fully meet his potential however, their offensive line needs to establish a more consistent level of play. Last season's 51 sacks need to be cut in half. Tramon Williams will also need to step it up with cornerback Al Harris unable to play.

The Vikings on the other hand, have a brilliant defensive front that is effective against both the pass and the run. Their claim to fame especially is in their ability to rush the quarterback. Their secondary, however, needs to work on consistency, which is going to be difficult given their current secondary line-up. The Vikings are, to be blunt, old... and injured. Cedric Griffin is still recovering from the torn ACL he acquired in that sad NFC Championship game. Antoine Winfield, entering his twelfth season, is just recovering from a foot injury. And starting right corner Chris Cook is dealing with a torn meniscus. The Vikings acquired running back Toby Gerhart, runner up in the Heisman Trophy voting, needs to step it up to spell Adrian Peterson and help keep Favre healthy. If the Vikings get through October's schedule against the Jets, Dallas, Packers and Patriots... they are a lock for post season.

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Are YOU Ready for some FOOTBALL?

It occurred to me last Sunday night as I was channel surfing that I very nearly missed the first televised pre-season game of the 2010 football season! ARRRRRRRGH! Close call! So of course I had to go scooting over to the Colts' official site to check out what's going on... sadly... looks like the first beyond-local telecast will not be until August 26th on ESPN at 8 PM.... sad dayyyyyyyy! Of course that is when I will be in transit to my new home in Rochester, MN :( Here's hoping that Vikings country will be a more Colts-friendly environment than its been down here it Buccaneer land. Bad enough that I was stuck with a pathetic excuse for a team mere miles from home... but Colts games were CONSTANTLY being bumped by the Bucs televised atrocities.

After getting caught up on the state of things in the AFC... I am fairly certain that the playoffs will come down to The Colts (of course), Dolphins, Chargers and Patriots. And here's why...

Last season, my boys in blue won eight games that were decided by less than eight points. Some of them were ugly, granted, and fights to the last second... with more than one "hail mary" finish. But Peyton Manning always seems to find a way when it counts. As long as he stays healthy... and the defense keeps it together... The Colts will be in good shape in January. Looks like they may have to start the season without Center Jeff Saturday, who underwent arthroscopic surgery last Tuesday... but hopefully he will be back closer to two weeks than the possible six? Just four weeks would have him back in time for the season opener against the Texans... and DEFINITELY by the time the Colts face the NY Giants. On top of that, left tackle Charlie Johnson sprained his right foot... but seems to be on the mend... and should be healthy in plenty of time.

With the addition of a big running back in Ryan Mathews, the Chargers should be an even more dynamic team than last year and will (as much as I hate to say it) give the Colts a run for their money. With the ability to run the ball so the play-action fake will actually be worth something? The Vince Lombardi Trophy might just be their's for the taking.

I have waited a lonnnnnng time for the Miami Dolphins to find their way as a team again... They were awesome at execution last season, but not so great on the 2-minute defense end of things... and just not very good at making the big plays. But... if they can figure out how to stop those big plays on defense, and make a few on offense, we just might see them in the January playoffs.

Had to include the New England Patriots. Mostly cuz I hate 'em. Don't laugh - I'm serious! I have never despised a team in any sport as long or as hard as I have despised the Patriots. But that has nothing to do with football. That's an integrity thing (or lack thereof). But... back to football... As much as they try to surround Brady with young talent, they are definitely a team in transition and can't hide it. And they need their young players to start playing quickly and producing or they won't go anywhere this season. Although I have to admit that I found it quite joyous to watch them let the opponents score EVERY time they were first and goal inside the 5-yard line last season :) Not to mention those turnovers in several game-ending offensive drives :) But I suppose, as reluctantly as I type this, that if their young guys can toughen up and pull it together, we will likely see them in January. UGH.

Now to head to the NFC sites and check out what's happening on the other side of the football ;)

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Tiger Woods Press Conference

Anyone get a chance to watch Tiger Woods' press conference? I caught it online at Mahalo and am now reading through the reactions. Sad to watch someone we all thought was the epitome of integrity in sports say that they will now begin to live with integrity. And having had to admit my shortcomings and failures to loved ones as we all do, I can't help but be grateful that those shortcomings were not done on a world stage.

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Do the Olympics Still Matter?

Athletes representing 97 nations will participate in the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver tonight.

Turn on your TV.

Watch.

Cheer!

And remember that the games represent so much more than the sports.

Remember that the Olympic rings, representing colors from every nation's flag, are interlocked and interdependent.

In today's world, the Olympics remind us that no one country can stand alone.

So just for tonight, cheer for the United States and the other 96 countries, congregating peacefully with common goals under common rules, to show us that just maybe we all can get along and work towards a common good for all.

And then tomorrow? Let the games begin!

Olympics Schedule 2010

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