Great Chess Player. Great Movie.

Bobby Fischer, outspoken ex-chess champion, dies of kidney failure

From ESPN: REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Bobby Fischer, the reclusive chess genius who became a Cold War hero by dethroning the Soviet world champion in 1972 and later renounced his American citizenship, has died. He was 64.

The article does a good job of explaining Fischer's eccentric life, but if you want to get a different take on the man, I highly recommend the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. If you're not a chess fan, that's okay. It's more than that. I may have to break out the VCR this weekend and watch it.

At Least the Hoosiers Won

This was not a good weekend to be a fan of the Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams suffered humiliating defeats on their home turf.

First, the Colts returned to their old playoff ways to go one-and-done in their final game at the RCA Dome.

• Chargers stun Colts, will face Patriots in AFC title game (ESPN.com)
• Errors, poor play doom Colts in Dome's finale (IndyStar.com)
• Minus L.T. and Rivers, Chargers Stun Colts (SI.com)

I didn't get to watch much of the game, but from what my buddy Jonathan tells me, the Colts deserved to lose. I hope last year's Super Bowl victory wasn't an aberration. I want to be confident that the Colts have a shot at making the Super Bowl each year without having to worry about choking in the playoffs. I was confidently looking forward to the Colts playing the Patriots is what could have been the best AFC Championship game ever. Now, we're all stuck with watching the Chargers getting their asses whooped. Then again, I assumed that would happen against the Colts. Shows what I know.

Speaking of playoff futility, let's move our attention to the hometown team of the Dallas Cowboys. I was worried about this game from the start, thinking that any upsets that occurred this weekend would happen in the NFC. I was half right (unfortunately).


Da Boys extended their postseason futility by collecting NFL record-tying sixth straight postseason loss. At home. Against the Giants.

• Another Dallas Cowboys season ends on sour note (Dallasnews.com)
• Dallas Cowboys exit playoffs with 21-17 loss (Dallasnews.com)
• Cowboys fall short on last effort as Giants move on to face Packers (ESPN.com)

Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda. The Giants wanted this game more. I guess there's always next year to look forward to. But Decembers have not been kind to the Cowboys the past few years. I'm tired of getting my hopes up and having them dashed over and over with uninspired play. It was a great season for the Cowboys. But what a disappointing way to have it end.

But at least my Hoosiers won.

Remember These Guys?

They're only the defending Super Bowl champions. From MSNBC:

Yes, it’ll be quite a weekend with New England, Green Bay and Dallas in action. All the great teams are ready to make their Super Bowl push. New England, Green Bay and Dallas. All the great teams in the NFL. Is there a team missing?

Oh, that’s right, the Indianapolis Colts.

Oh, those Colts. The defending Super Bowl champs led by former league MVP Peyton Manning and current defensive player of the year Bob Sanders.

Will Indianapolis breeze through San Diego and then conquer New England?

Maybe not, but they could and they won’t be scared. And they should be remembered. This is your Super Bowl champion and they haven’t gone anywhere yet. While others are basking in the glow of the playoffs, the forgotten Colts are shining their Lombardi Trophy and quietly preparing for another run at a ring.

Actually, I hope the Colts are overlooked. That will make their victory over the Patriots in the AFC Championship game even sweeter. Go Colts!

Unlucky #13

Cowboys Defeat Hoosiers in Insight Bowl

I wasn't expecting the Hoosiers to win, but I was h0ping for a closer game. I didn't watch it and, in a way, I'm glad I didn't. All I need to know is that IU put up some points in the second half and hopefully created some momentum for next year.

"We dug ourselves a big hole but we played much better in the second half," [Head coach Bill] Lynch said. "I was really proud of our guys the way they came back in the second half and kept battling."

I expect the Hoosiers to battle next year. And that may be enough to fully convert me to a full-fledged IU football fan. The spirit of Coach Hoep was honored this year. Let's see what they can do next year without a tragedy to distract them.

GO HOOSIERS.