Too wound up for the Super Bowl. Made a Stupid Football Mind take on the Giants the last few days and need to correct it because it's how I roll -- OSI UMENYIORA, the game-changing DE for the team that will win Sunday, DID play in the matchup earlier this year. I have said several times he didn't and blew it.

So, for sure AHMAD BRADSHAW and HAKEEM NICKS missed the game, as did starting C DAVID BAAS, who was a late scratch due to severe headaches. Yep, the Giants had to roll with their back-up center on last-minute notice and still won.

The game was zip-zip at halftime, too, which is odd considering how well they both score. The Giants had a chance in the third quarter to take a two-score lead on the road and ELI was picked in the end zone. Good for the Pats, right? Flirting with disaster that home team.

The closer we get to this fantastic matchup the more I am feeling New England has to control the clock to keep New York's explosive passing game off the field. Usually teams treat CAPTAIN COOL and his offense as the unit they need to keep on the sidelines but not this game -- New York is more explosive than New England and can win multiple ways.

BILL BELICHICK broke from practice a couple of times this week for 31 minutes to prepare for halftime. Cute. Did he play "Papa Don't Preach" during said rest? Also Bill is jettisoning tomorrow's walk through because obviously the hay is in the barn. I love that move because his guys will sit around all day tomorrow and Sunday doing nothing but thinking about the game. They will be more wound up than THEGREAT MEATSAUCE at a buffet.

The Giants improved to 6-and-2 after winning at New England and the Pats dropped to 5-and-3. The Pats haven't lost since and to close the regular season won seven of eight against non-playoff teams, the only win versus a postseason-bound squad coming at Denver. The Pats went 1-and-2 versus playoff teams during the regular season. The Giants went 1-and-3 versus playoff teams during the regular season. Dohkay.

New York, though, is more different now than New England was back regluar-season time due to playing five consecutive must-win games. Had the Giants lost to the Jets or Dallas the final two games of the regular season there would be no Super Sunday. This is a destiny bit for Big Blue.

And please stop with the angle of Brady-in-a-dome. I get it. He has an amazing in-dome record -- I know that -- but, again, New York has the more explosive passing game and will be just fine in the climate-controled bit. All good with the opinion. Bleeped up the Osi part, made it good, added the Baas bit which is key and am envisioning New York scoring at least 30 Sunday.

More on the matchup and world of sports over the weekend. Aw.

Super Bowl Sunday -- February 5, 2012. This will be your one stop shop for interesting stories about the NFL's biggest game. We'll post everything from hardcore previews to Super Bowl commercials.

It's usually not a good idea to make Tom Brady angry. Well, that's exactly what Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is doing. He says Brady was timid in the pocket in the earlier match-up between the Giants and Patriots. He actually went as far as to say Brady reacted to pressure that wasn't even there.

Meanwhile, Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is documenting everything he does in his Super Bowl journal. Check out this exclusive look at the suddenly studly Cruz's thoughts.

Madonna will be rocking the 31-minute halftime show. The 53-year old legend is also using Clearchannel to launch her new single/music video "Give Me All Your Luvin."

I 'Prattled it either night of or day after conference title games Concrete Jungle was winning the big prize, and the emotion has strengthened day by day. And now that I have watched back NYG-Pats from earlier this year -- a Concrete Jungle win, snapping a 20-game home winning streak for CAPTAIN COOL -- I would be surprised if the Giants lose.

OSI UMENYIORA, HAKEEM NICKS and AHMAD BRADSHAW all missed the game, VICTOR CRUZ and MARIO MANNINGHAM still were getting squared away in what was becoming a pass-first offense and NE's starting DE ANDRE CARTER played and will not in the Super Bowl. BILL had major problems in his secondary during the fourth quarter, CB's were getting beat all over the field and S SERGIO BROWN commited an awful PI that set up the game-winning pass. They. Had. No. Chance.

BRANDON JACOBS, filling in admirably for the injured Bradshaw, hurt himself in the second half, missed some time, then came back a bit hobbled but still busted off some good runs. ELI MANNING went on an 85-yard drive late to tie it, 'Cool rallied the home team to a field goal with a minute and change to go, then Eli zipped down the field to win it. And they won it on a brilliant play-action pass from the 1 to JAKE BALLARD, who destroyed LB TRACY WHITE.

Here's what is unquestioned -- Eli Manning is as trustworthy in this spot as 'Cool, the Giants defense is better and more reliable than New England's, they both have very good kickers and the Giants are more explosive than New England with a healthy, three-receiver set better than New England's. The Pats tight ends are very tough to deal with, but GRONKOWSKI will not be as effective due to a high-ankle sprain and, thus, New York will put all the focus on HERNANDEZ and Welker.

So, if New England opts to become run-first because (a) you can run on the Giants and (b) 'Jungle will sell out for the pass by rushing four and dropping seven, it may make some memories. But that would mean one of the NFL's best passing attacks would flip the script during the biggest game of the year and might be overthinking the bit.

The Giants are naturally more balanced than New England and, thus, should be guessing less on defense. I like 'Jungles LB's and safeties much more than NE's, and the back end of the defense comparison isn't even close. COUGHLIN will not be outcoached by Belichick. He already snapped his 20-game home winning streak and beat him for all the money as a big 'dog in the Super Bowl after the 2007 season.

Whatthehell am I missing? Game still will be in question probably late in the fourth quarter but the Concrete Jungle will prevail, and I truly believe I am seeing this clearly.

I must concede I am a bit "pear-shaped" right now for multiple reasons. The one I will share here has to do with the news that broke during 9-to-Noon that DON CORNELIUS had died due to a gunshot-related incident and the speculation is it may be a suicide. He was 75.

Don Cornelius was a huge part of my childhood growing up just outside of Washington D.C. and as the creator/host of the TV show "Soul Train" When I was in fifth grade -- same grade as my son -- me and my friends LUSCIOUS TISDALE, MILES SPIRES, DWAYNE BONDS, DANNY NORTON and ERIK WAINWRIGHT would get together with girls on the playground, fire up some funky music and imitate the Soul Train line. That's where people line up and dance down the middle, hopefully making people laugh. Yep, I guess it's the first time I actually "hollered" at girls.

Not to play the old-man card too much but back then no computers, video games, I-Pads, texting or other distractions. Just bike riding, GI Joes, basketball games, exploring, two-hour phone calls and the initial stages of "hollering." You had to work harder to accomplish things because life wasn't so easily accessible.

What zapped me a bit as I left the station today is Don Cornelius, a man at one time who was as popular in the soul-music biz as the MICHAEL JACKSONS and BERRY GORDYS of the genre, was a link to my past. I grew up in predominantly black neighborhoods and Soul Train Saturdays was a major part of the mix. My late mom introduced me to stuff like this and watched the show with me every weekend. Don Cornelius, a man with a silky-smooth voice, poise, grace and plenty of "show," reminded me of my mom and just how much I miss her. Many of you reading now have links to the past readily available because you have lived here all of your life. For me it's the now and the future and that's it.

We were a family in "transition" at that moment, had just moved back from two years in the Phillipines and even though I didn't realize a few years later I would relocate 3,000 miles west and enter a new phase of life I always appreciated my mom watching TV shows with me. Soul Train was a weekly watch. We also watched "Little House on the Prairie," M.A.S.H.," "Mork and Mindy" and "Midnight Special," which was a late-night show featuring live music. After the divorce was final she'd make sure Fridays were good and shuffled me and the aforementioned friends to the Capital Centre to see whatever was on display. Might have been the Caps, the Bullets, the Circus, Disney on Ice and pro wrestling, featuring my all-time fave DUSTY RHODES THE AMERICAN DREAM.

Listening to and studying old-school soul music is my number-one hobby and I wouldn't be into it as much even at the age of 46 as I am if not raised on it by my mom, Don Cornelius and Soul Train. I miss her, was stung earlier by the news of his death and miss Soul Train.

... MICHAEL BEASLEY: Back to reality and the oxymoron known as the enjoyable grind. Michael Beasley, the mercurial player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. We play Indy tonite and Beasley is coming off a spectacular performance against a Rockets' team that had no chance against the multi-faceted enigma.

What to do with Michael Beasley? Wrote about it yesterday. TOM HANNEMAN, FSN's Wolves' VOX, was in studio today and indicated Beasley seems to have learned by watching the ball flow smoothly sans his inclusion for 11 games. Tom made it seem like Beasley is buying in to the program, won't be a "black hole" and pound the rock into shotclock submission. I don't trust the opinion until I see it for like 20 percent of the season.

Michael is so key to this team it's a major talker. ADELMAN is set to play him a bunch at small forward, cross his fingers and hopefully watch him change games. When Rubes were all over Beasley earlier in the year my stance was I want to see what Adelman can get out of him before writing him off. Then I thoroughly appreciated the team without him and started concocting trades to land a quality two guard.

Michael Beasley has me perplexed. Ok, the opinion for now is to keep him, grow him and trust Adelman has a handle on the bit. It's not like I want Michael to pass everytime he gets the ball and realize with his dynamic skill set there have to be times you can isolate him and either get a basket or get him to the line. He's better in the isloation game than KEVIN LOVE because he has better "handles" and can be a lethal weopon if he buys into the plan and stays within himself. And given NBA offense is all about isloation and the pick-and-roll we should be able to win games with Beasley, Love and THE SPANIARD executing the plays.

Tonite is kind of a big evening for Michael Beasley because fans very much want to like him and believe he is consistent. He just came off a 34-point effort and was 12-for-12 at the free-throw line. He absolutely cannot suck the life out of the offense tonite, cannot break the flow of the offense by trying to outgun DANNY GRANGER and just has to have a solid game to take another step in the right direction. I will be watching and pulling for him. A consistent and explosive Michael Beasley complements the progress wonderfully and will lead us to a playoff berth.

RICKY RUBIO forcing the issue last night with his offense was my most significant take from the win at Houston. Yep, I know MICHAEL BEASLEY was Michael Beastley and KEVIN LOVE does what he does and we zapped a team that handled us a week ago, but the rookie driving and looking for his shot more -- not settling because they leave him open, initiating the offense -- was a sweet little baby step towards being a better overall team. This kid is special.

Rubio is a high-ender in this league and is full of confidence. He'll be an elite point guard one day and elite performers have many tools on which they can call. And as KYLE LOWRY and GORAN DRAGIC discovered last night roasting you off the dribble is one that is on the improve for young Ricky Rubio.

With Beasley healthy and Rubio playing terrifically the offense looked like the bit I predicted would finish top five in the league. That prognostication took a hit due to the injuries but should get better.

What to do with Beasley, who was 12-of-12 from the line? WES JOHNSON has like 10 free-throw attempts all season. Embarrassing for a fourth-overall selection. Hope Beasley blows up again versus Indiana and start calling other teams? Wait for him to grow and mature and become more consistent? His skill set is freaking awesome in that he's strong with both hands, can shoot the three and penetrate and rebound. Thing is, we don't see it enough to fall in love.

Wes? Awful night last night and looks as meek as ever. Have to wait it out I guess. DERRICK WILLIAMS? Virtual non-factor with Beasley back and given his most comfortable spot is the same position that Love plays he's stuck. Diseased. Development on hold.

All good in the covenant, though.

This QUINTON COPLES bit is done by some Rube and the video isn't great. Rube did a nice job with it, though. MIKE WOBSCHALL of Vikings.com does a very nice job on the radio, and it has been a pleasure watching him grow professionally. I tap on him a bunch for football chatter and he has been one of those no-namers 9-to-Noon provides opportunity that has taken the rock and gone the distance. I like cultivating kids on the radio and couldn't care less if nobody knows who they are. They will eventually and professional pride will be instilled in friends who climb the ladder.

Wobby just returned from a week at the Senior Bowl and worked the information circuit very well. Out of nowhere a guy I talk to multiple times everyday started talking about UNC DE Quinton Coples and how well he played all week in Mobile.

So, I tapped on a local and NFLN source to talk about the man who wears number 90, same number worn by the great JULIUS PEPPERS, who also balled for the Baby Blue. Local source was the same one who guaranteed me MATT KALIL would enter the draft after the December rumor circulated he was staying at USC and CHARCH freaked. Bam, 9-to-Noon nailed that beeotch and Charch slept well. Aw.

My people love Coples and I now am factoring him into being a possibility at third overall if the steam takes me there. Still, trading with Cleveland and nabbing Atlanta's 22nd overall is what I want to do. First draft-day, Rube-like thought of how it could go, then the explanation: Coples at four (post trade), OSU LT MIKE ADAMS at 22, then a fresh-ass receiver (FLOYD?) or mercurial CB (JANORIS JENKINS?) at 35. Wow, that's all of a sudden the zenith!

We just had a DL with a million sacks, so why would we ponder Coples at three? Copy-cat league, OSI, JPP and TUCK are the cat's ass and Coples and ROBISON have position flexibility. Plus, the division is full of fresh-ass 'slingers. So, would this mean the HENDERSONS (both free agents) are out and GRIFFEN and JASPER join GREENWAY? Totally thinking out loud and realize all of this is a longshot.

Supposedly the draft is incredibly deep at CB and WR and much more on that will be learned when we do our two Combine shows in a few weeks. But this Coples stole the show at the Senior Bowl and remember we took the Senior Bowl MVP last year at 12. My NFLN hook absolutely adores the guy and said he is by far the best DE in this draft and worthy of a very high pick. Yep, Coples joins KALIL, REIFF, BLACKMON and CLAIBORNE as third-pick talkers.

These are the good, old days, Rube Nation, and, thus, I am excited every day to execute The Bit. Penalty-box show tomorrow, Wolves playing fun brand of basketball, TEAM TUBBY 38th in the RPI, LUCIA atop the WCHA and sweeping teams and the Combine, free agency and the draft fast apporaching. Hell, yeah!