Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge hockey fan. My team of choice since I was seven years old has been the Edmonton Oilers. As it turns out, I have had a few friends who have played for the Oilers over the years. One of them, Dean Mc Ammond now plays in Ottawa.
It was with utter shock when I saw the highlights from about an hour ago of the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators. At the 2:39 mark of the second period, moments after Downie had been checked into the glass by Ottawa's Christoph Schubert in the Senators' zone, Downie skated the length of the ice and took a run at McAmmond, who had just released the puck while circling behind the Flyers' net and was met by Downie coming around the other side. Mc Ammond fell to the ice unconscious and a fight ensued right over top of Dean. This hit by Steve Downie was absolutely gross. He left his feet and at full speed flew at McAmmond like a missle. It was in all honesty one of the dirtiest hits that I have seen in years. In fact this is the second dirty hit that Mc Ammond has received in the past three months. In June, Mc Ammond was hit by a very questionable elbow from Chris Pronger of Anaheim. At the time, Dean had been one of Ottawa's best players in the playoffs and in the Finals.He never played another minute in the finals and the Sens never won another game in the series.

The hit by Downie was garbage. I played hockey, you don't do stuff like that. Downie had no respect for Dean, no respect for the rules, no respect for the game. Trying to crack the line up eh? Downie why don't you get some skill and try playing the game. Running around and leaving your feet to throw a check is total Bush League. There is no place for this garbage in the NHL. Tell me is this what the NHL is looking for in a player. A player who:

• lacks discipline
• lacks respect
• blindsides other players
• leaves his feet when throwing a check
• throws a hit to the head
• laughs after the matter/incident

This was a cheap hit. Downie you are a joke. You belong in a bush league where there is no TV coverage, no pay cheque and no talent. You don't belong in the National Hockey League. I would expect the NHL to act appropriately and suspend Downie. Dean I hope that you have not played your last NHL game. Here's to a speedy recovery. All the best.

I can't wait for the next Philadelphia Flyers / Ottawa Senators game. If Downie plays you can bet that a few of the Sens will have a few words and possibly a few other things for Downie.

Well the NFL season starts this week and I thought that I would submit my predictions for the upcoming season. Could this finally be the year that my favorite team the New Orleans Saints win it all? The Saints have been the laughing stock of the league for many years, but if last year is any indication they are destined to be Champions soon.

Here is a look at our NFL predictions for the 2007 season.

AFC

AFC EAST

1 NEW ENGLAND

2 NEW YORK JETS

3 BUFFALO

4 MIAMI

AFC NORTH

1 BALTIMORE

2 CINCINNATI

3 PITTSBURGH

4 CLEVELAND

AFC SOUTH

1 INDIANAPOLIS

2 JACKSONVILLE

3 HOUSTON

4 TENNESSEE

AFC WEST

1 SAN DIEGO

2 DENVER

3 KANSAS CITY

4 OAKLAND

Divison Winners: NE, BAL, IND, SD

Wild Card: CIN, DEN
Wild Card Playoff Games: BAL over DEN / SD over CIN

Div Playoff Games: IND over BAL / SD over NE

Conference Playoff Games: SD over IND

NFC

NFC EAST

1. DALLAS

2. PHILADELPHIA

3. NY GIANTS

4. WASHINGTON

NFC NORTH

1. CHICAGO

2. DETROIT

3. GREEN BAY

4. MINNESOTA

NFC SOUTH

1. NEW ORLEANS

2. CAROLINA

3. TAMPA BAY

4. ATLANTA

NFC WEST

1. SEATTLE
2. ST. LOUIS

3. SAN FRANCISCO

4. ARIZONA

Division Winners: NO, DAL, CHI, SEA

Wild Card Teams: PHI, CAR

Wildcard Playoffs: PHI over SEA / DAL over CAR

Divisional Playoffs: NO over PHI / CHI over DAL

NFC Championship: NO over CHI

Super Bowl: NO over SD

Yup the Saints will win providing they stay healthy. Two other teams that could win it all with a little help are Seattle and Indianapolis. It should be a great season.