NEW WEBSITE

I have a website now (www.natetidwell.com) on which I will soon begin posting some of my writing.

JOHN AMAECHI

John Amaechi can do what he wants -- Tim Hardaway's comments notwithstanding.

I won't claim to know what it's like to have to hide something (although I suspect a lot of us have things we wouldn't want found out).

However, it would still mean more to me if Amaechi came out while still playing and wasn't selling a book. Call me cynical.

Super Bowl XLI

Conference championship games: 2-0. Playoffs: 6-4.

Had enough of the stories? I have. Actually, I've listened and read very little. There's no news, everyone is going to play so let's get on with it. That said, I don't mind the extra week before the Super Bowl -- gives you a chance to do something else on a weekend. The game, with a little breakdown:

Colts offense vs. Bears defense: Chicago will be looking for big plays, so Peyton Manning will have to be sure where he's putting the ball. Indianapolis' receivers and runners will need to protect the football. The Bears will try to get pressure with their front four only. Chicago's secondary is solid but the Colts' receivers are better. Advantage Colts.

Bears offense vs. Colts defense: Indianapolis has had a remarkable turnaround with its play against the run during the postseason. Chicago's Thomas Jones had a big game in the NFC Championship. Rex Grossman needs to play like he did in the second half of the win against New Orleans. The Colts' front four creates more big plays. Advantage Colts.

Colts special teams vs. Bears special teams: Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri is as close to a lock as you can get in the postseason, but Chicago has the NFC Pro Bowl kicker (Robbie Gould), return specialist (Devin Hester) and special teamer (Brendon Ayanbadeho). Look for Hester to make an impact. Advantage Bears.

Tony Dungy (Colts) vs. Lovie Smith (Bears): It's the first Super Bowl for both, the social impact of both being African-American well-documented. Both have their backgrounds in defense which would lend to more conservative play, but both men seem to realize you can't win unless you take chances. Dungy has a little more to work with. Advantage Colts.

Outlook: Something out of the ordinary seems to happen early in these games to move the needle one way or the other (Ben Roethlisberger's no-touchdown touchdown in last year's game). Once that occurs, we can get down to the game. If I'm the Bears I let Grossman throw a couple deep early. If the Colts are successful on offense early in the game it's usually downhill for them. Colts 24-20.