PATRIOTS VS GIANTS SUPER BOWL XLVI: FOR JETS FANS, THIS IS WHAT HELL HAS TO FEEL LIKE

Jets fans have to live with rooting for Eli Manning. (AP photo)

  By Brad Carroll  

The New England Patriots-New York Giants Super Bowl matchup this coming Sunday is being hyped as one of the greatest battles in the game's long and storied history. It's the rematch. It's great offense against great offense. It's Tom Brady against Eli Manning. It's Tom Coughlin against Bill Belichick.

It doesn't get any better than that, right? Right?

Well, if your allegiance lies with the New York Jets, this is nowhere near a dream matchup. It's a nightmare in every sense of the word.

TOOL CONCERT REVIEW FROM MOHEGAN SUN: MAYNARD, TOOL GIVE AMAZING PERFORMANCE THAT LIVED UP TO THE MASSIVE HYPE

  By Brad Carroll  

There's a very short list of rock bands that I would drop everything to go see live. So when one of those bands was playing Mohegan Sun Tuesday night, I made sure to be there. The band was Tool, one of the greatest rock bands of all time and one that I've never had the privilege of seeing in person.

That changed Tuesday night. To say I was excited for the show going in would be a giant understatement. Out of all the rock shows I've been to recently, this was the one that had me most pumped. And, thankfully, Tool didn't disappoint, rocking the entire arena with an epic 90-minute performance.

The first and obvious thing to check out during a Tool show, beyond simply listening to the music, is watching lead singer Maynard James Keenan work on stage. He's been known to play entire shows with his back turned to the audience, almost unwilling to be the typical front man of a major rock band.

CAROLINA PANTHERS NEW LOGO GAINS MORE INTIMIDATING STYLE THAN PREVIOUS LOGO

The Carolina Panthers introduced a new main logo, the first change for the franchise since entering the league in 1995.

The differences are subtle at first glance, but the new panther has a more muscular look than the old. The new face has a less cartoonish style than the old. The old may be more aggressive in nature, but the new logo is definitely more intimidating.

Overall, it's a major upgrade without changing the style or color scheme. Sometimes little tweaks go a lot further than going in a completely new direction.

Check out the top most intimidating sports logos of all-time here.

UFC ON FOX 2: LONG ISLAND'S CHRIS WEIDMAN BEATS DEMIAN MAIA IN OPENING BOUT

The UFC on FOX is back for its second go-around, and we're all hoping the event is better than the first installment, which fell short on a number of counts. But with one fight in the books tonight from Chicago, we already had one winner with local ties.

Chris Weidman, who attended Baldwin High School on Long Island, defeated Demian Maia by decision in the opening bout. Weidman graduated from Hofstra University as well. He improved his record to 8-0 overall in MMA and 4-0 in UFC.

It wasn't the most exciting fight, and casual fans might have tuned out because of the slow action, but it was a great win for a New York guy. It's especially impressive as Weidman had just 11 days to prepare for the fight, as he was a replacement fighter.

Rashad Evans is fighting Fred Davis in the main event on the card within the hour. The winner most likely will face Jon Jones next.

JETS FOUR-STRONG AT PRO BOWL SUNDAY

D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, Brandon Moore. (AP photo)

The New York Jets are well represented at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, which will be played Sunday night on NBC. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold and Brandon Moore will all play. One of the few reasons to actually watch the game, for Jets fans anyway, would be if and when all three offensive linemen get in the game at the same time.

On defense, it's always great watching Revis play. Plus, there's always the question of whether or not, even in the Pro Bowl, the opposing quarterback will throw his way.

There are no Giants playing in the Pro Bowl, as they have bigger things to worry about, as in the Patriots a week from Sunday in the Super Bowl.

GIANTS, PATRIOTS SUPER BOWL REMATCH A GAME OF SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

David Tyree was a hero in 2008. (AP photo)

  By Steve Morton  

We all knew Super Bowl XLVI would come. But who'd have guessed even less than a week ago that we’d be entertained by a replay of one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent history – Super Bowl XLII – in another New York vs. Boston showdown.

Of course, with any rematch, it's tempting to look at the similarities of the original meeting between the Giants-Patriots first Super Bowl face-off.

But this isn't 2008. And for all the similarities, the differences are just as glaring. Certainly, it's intriguing to look at the many parallels, some of which are very uncommon. For instance the Giants' playoff road went through Green Bay this year, just as it did in 2008. And during each run, the Giants had lost to the Packers in the regular season matchup.

GAMEDAY QUICK TAKE: SCHIANO LEAVES RUTGERS TO BECOME HEAD COACH OF BUCCANEERS

Greg Schiano is the new head coach of the Buccaneers. (AP photo)

  By Glenn Carroll  

Greg Schiano, today, accepted the head coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Schiano was most recently the head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, where he resurrected a lost program. Tampa fans and management hope he can bring that to the Buccaneers, which other than a short stretch under Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, has been a bottom-dweller in the NFL.

Schiano will lead a team with plenty of talent on the current roster, with quarterback Josh Freeman heading into his fourth year and LeGarrett Blount emerging as a star at running back. Schiano, however, will need to use this upcoming draft on the defensive side of the ball to freshen up an aging squad.

It won't take long for players and fans of the Buccaneers to buy into Schiano's philosophy and style. This might have been a shock to many, but this is the right guy at the right time for the Buccaneers. Let the resurrection begin.

JOHN FRANCO ELECTED TO METS HALL OF FAME

John Franco throws the first pitch last September 11. (AP photo)

For once, here's some positive news involving the New York Mets. John Franco, the team's longtime closer, was elected to the team's Hall of Fame today. Franco, who will be the 26th player elected, is the team's all-time leader in saves and games pitched. He saved 276 games in his 14 seasons.

Here are the statements by both Franco and the Mets.

JORGE POSADA WALKS AWAY AS A TRUE YANKEE

Jorge Posada announced his retirement Tuesday. (AP photo)

In an emotional press conference, Jorge Posada announced he was leaving the game of baseball forever. With Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, among other players and coaches, in attendance, one of the greatest catchers in Yankees history announced his retirement to a jam-packed audience in the Bronx.

Posada had the chance to play for another team this upcoming season, but said he had his mind made up last season, telling Jeter, his teammate and best friend, during the year that the 2011 season would be his last. Plus, there was the fact he couldn't see himself playing in anything but pinstripes.

"Playing for the Yankees has been an honor," Posada said. "I could never put on another uniform. I will forever be a Yankee."

JORGE POSADA TO OFFICIALLY RETIRE TUESDAY

Jorge Posada will end his career as a Yankee. (AP photo)

New York Yankees great Jorge Posada will officially announce his retirement Tuesday morning at Yankee Stadium. Posada played 17 years with the Yankees, becoming one of the best hitting catchers of all-time. He won five World Series titles and was a five-time all-star.

We broke down Posada's Hall of Fame chances earlier this month.

GIANTS DEFEAT 49ERS: WE HAND OUT GAME BALLS (THOMAS, ELI, CRUZ, MORE) AND GAME FALLS (JACOBS, MORE) AFTER NFC TITLE WIN

We're handing out game balls and game falls after the Giants defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, 20-17, to win the NFC Championship game. The Giants now advance to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis two weeks from now against the New England Patriots.

 The Game Balls 

Devin Thomas had a huge game. (AP photo)

* Devin Thomas: It's a rare occurrence for a special teams player to make two game-changing play in an entire season, let alone in about a quarter's time. But that's exactly what Thomas did for the Giants Sunday in the NFC Championship game. He recovered two fumbles, one in the fourth quarter and one in overtime, that sparked the Giants to a 20-17 victory over the 49ers. On the first, the Giants, trailing 14-10 early in the fourth quarter and unable to put together any scoring drives to speak of, were again forced to punt. A lucky bounce, a recovery and a successful replay challenge later and the Giants had the ball at the Niners' 29. The punt bounced off kick returner Kyle Williams' knee and Thomas picked up the loose ball for a huge turnover. Eli Manning, seven plays later, hit Mario Manningham for the go-ahead touchdown. In overtime, Williams fumbled again, this time on a strip by Jacquian Williams, and Thomas was there to scoop up the loose ball. The Giants took over at the 49ers' 24, already in field goal range. A few runs later and the Giants were celebrating after Lawrence Tynes kicked a 31-yard field goal to win the game. Thomas' plays were the difference in sending the Giants to the Super Bowl.

GIANTS DEFEAT 49ERS: DEVIN THOMAS, SPECIAL TEAMS COME UP BIG IN NFC TITLE GAME WIN

Giants celebrate after Lawrence Tynes' field goal. (AP photo)

If we learned anything from the conference championship games Sunday night it was special teams matter. Big time. The Baltimore Ravens are going home because of theirs', as a 32-yard field goal attempt that would have sent the game to overtime was badly missed by kicker Billy Cundiff. The Giants, on the other hand, are going to the Super Bowl because of their special teams.

Coverage ace Devin Thomas recovered two fumbles on punt returns and kicker Lawrence Tynes had no problem with his game-winning 31-yard field goal, sending the Giants to Indianapolis for a date with the New England Patriots.

FORMER JETS GREAT SHAUN ELLIS FINALLY REACHES SUPER BOWL ... WITH THE PATRIOTS

Shaun Ellis is going to his first Super Bowl. (AP photo)

For New York Jets fans, there isn't much to be happy about right now. The hated New England Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl and the despised New York Giants are one-half away from doing the same. Things couldn't get much worse if you're all about the Green and White.

But there might be reason to at least crack a smile if you're a Jets fan. In his 12th season in the NFL, Shaun Ellis is headed to his first Super Bowl. Of course, it's not all good, as Ellis has reached football nirvana in one season with the Patriots, something he couldn't do in 11 years with the Jets.

PATRIOTS DEFEAT RAVENS: WE HAND OUT GAME BALLS (MOORE, WILFORK, MORE) AND GAME FALLS (CUNDIFF, MORE) FROM AFC TITLE GAME

We're handing out game balls and game falls after the New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship game Sunday night. The Patriots advance to the Super Bowl two weeks from now in Indianapolis against either the New York Giants or San Francisco 49ers.

 The Game Balls 

Sterling Moore makes the play. (AP photo)

* Sterling Moore: Few of you probably even knew Moore was on the Patriots roster, let alone the player who would make the biggest play of the AFC title game. With the Baltimore Ravens driving for the potential game-winning touchdown, quarterback Joe Flacco threw a perfect pass to Lee Evans in the end zone. The ball hit Evans right in the hands for what would have been the winning score in the final seconds. But after Evans corralled it, Moore swatted the ball right through his hands for an incomplete pass. Moore, who had his back turned to the pass, had just a split second to make the play, and he did. If he hesitates at all, Evans scores the game-winner and the Ravens are going to the Super Bowl. The Ravens, one play later, ended up missing a 32-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff, giving the Patriots the victory. Moore wasn't the best player on the field, but he came up with the biggest play of the game at the biggest moment.