“Inman: NFL playoffs fertile ground for unexpected heroes - San Jose Mercury News” plus 1 more |
| Inman: NFL playoffs fertile ground for unexpected heroes - San Jose Mercury News Posted: 11 Jan 2011 01:36 AM PST Cal product Marshawn Lynch punctuated the Seattle Seahawks' playoff-opening win with the most dramatic and stunning postseason run since "... Well, since the Giants chased down San Francisco's first World Series crown two months ago. Unlikely heroes often are born in the playoffs. The Giants were baseball's surprise story, and these NFL playoffs are bound to echo tales of wonderment. Look at the star quarterbacks who exited the NFL's Nielsen ratings showcase this past weekend. Gone are the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, the Philadelphia Eagles' Michael Vick and the defending champion New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees. As a bonus, Brett Favre is already one week into his, ahem, retirement. Two scenarios are on the horizon. Either, (a) Tom Brady hoists his fourth Lombardi Trophy for the favored New England Patriots or (b) some bloke from the other seven teams turns into a cult figure and rides first in the victory parade. Lynch is the clubhouse leader for Scenario B. He could be the Seahawks' version of Cody Ross, a low-key outfielder who joined the Giants late in the regular season and became their playoff catalyst. The Seahawks acquired Lynch during an in-season trade with the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 5 (just as the misfit-and-castoff-labeled Giants were about to embark on their playoff run). Unlike Ross, Lynch was more misfit than castoff, stemming from off-field incidents and a three-game suspension. Lynch ran right into NFL playoff lore Saturday. Replay after replay counted the missed tackles on his 67-yard touchdown run in the Seahawks' 41-36 home upset of the Saints. Did he break six, seven, eight, nine tackles? It was like counting Cal's laterals in "The Play."Onward go the Seahawks, whose 7-9 regular-season record gave them the NFC West's automatic entry into the ever-unpredictable Lombardi Trophy Hunt. Super Bowl imaginations now run as wild as Lynch. Could the Seahawks really live up to last week's 500-to-1 odds of meeting the New York Jets in the Super Bowl? Or how about the 200-to-1 odds for a rematch of the 2005 season's Super Bowl, pitting the Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers? The most likely scenario has the Patriots and Falcons parlaying home-field advantage into conference crowns. Home is not always so sweet, however. Three of four wild-card weekend winners were visitors. (Final San Francisco Giants reference: They clinched all three of their postseason series in opponents' ballparks.) Upsets happen. In the process, players make names for themselves (see: Santonio Holmes, David Tyree, Deion Branch, Dexter Jackson and Larry Brown -- all unlikely Super Bowl heroes in the past 15 years.) This Super Bowl won't be won by Manning, Brees or Vick. Brady should win it. But some unassuming soul could get in his way. The Green Bay Packers won at Philadelphia on Sunday thanks in part to a rookie running back (James Starks, 123 yards) and a cornerback not named Charles Woodson (Tramon Williams, last-minute interception in the end zone). Also boosting the Packers' cause were likely suspects, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews. The playoff win was Rodgers' first in his three seasons since replacing Favre. Rodgers and Lynch are among 10 Cal products left in these playoffs. Can you envision Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain winning another title or Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez winning his long-sought first? Quarterbacks' legacies grow the most in the playoffs, however. Three decades ago, the Raiders' Jim Plunkett and the 49ers' Joe Montana won the first of their multiple rings in relatively surprising fashion. Brady and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger are the only quarterbacks left who have won Super Bowls. Rodgers, Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens), Mark Sanchez (New York Jets), Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears) and Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawks) all might end up telling us they're "Going to Disneyland." Yes, the playoffs seem to be Brady vs. the "field," a la Tiger Woods in his heyday. But others can become the toast of the town by producing a ridiculous touchdown run, catching a pass against their helmet or kicking a clutch field goal in the snow (and, in the case of referee Walt Coleman, citing an obscure "Tuck Rule" to nullify a late fumble). It's the playoffs. You never know who will seize the spotlight. Contact Cam Inman at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/CamInman. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Samsung's ultrathin 9 Series laptop coming in February - engadget Posted: 09 Jan 2011 01:27 PM PST SAMSUNG Introduces New 9 Series Thin And Light Laptop WIth Stunning Superbright Plus Display And Premium Design All-new Durable Design and Long Battery Life Create Capable Computing for Professionals On-the-Go LAS VEGAS, NV, January 5, 2011 – Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, today announced the 9 Series, a durable, ultra premium, lightweight laptop computer at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The 13.3-inch 9 Series offers mobile professionals and power users a sophisticated laptop equally suited for work and entertainment. Thanks to a stunning design, Samsung's hallmark SuperBright Plus display and Intel performance processing power, the notebook ushers in a new era in mobile computing. The 9 Series will be available on display at Central Hall booth #12006, January 6-9, 2011. "Weighing less than 3 lbs., Samsung has designed the 9 Series to stand out, completely reimagining the notion of the traditional laptop," said Scott Ledterman, director of mobile PC marketing at Samsung Enterprise Business Division. "When designing a premium laptop like the 9 Series, Samsung wanted to offer an unforgettable experience without limitations. The 9 Series laptop successfully combines elegant styling, performance and ease of use in an ultra thin and lightweight package." Unparalleled Styling The 9 Series' naturally flowing design takes cues from the sleek styling and sophisticated beauty of a premium sports car. The silhouette evokes thoughts of speed and performance with an ultra-thin 0.64 inch profile. Additionally, the naturally flowing arch maximizes the laptop's ergonomic appeal, making it easier to use and a natural fit for the human grip. Ultra Vivid Display Innovation Inside Signature Samsung Technology Lastly, focusing on convenience and connectivity, the new 9 Series boasts USB 3.0, Bluetooth 3.0, built-in WiMax and utilizes the latest in Wi-Fi and USB Sleep & Charge technologies. The Samsung 9 Series is scheduled to be available in February 2011, starting at $1,599. All Samsung mobile PC products are available through Samsung resellers and distribution channels, which can be located by calling 1-800-SAMSUNG or by visiting www.samsung.com. Key Specs: This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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