Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) carries the ball after a catch as New England Patriots defensive back Marquice Cole (23) defends in the third quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I have to admit, I did see the San Francisco 49′ers having a great shot of getting to New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII.  I had them or the Atlanta Falcons representing the NFC.  As for the AFC, I did not see the Baltimore Ravens coming, especially the way they were spiraling at 9-4 with three games left, having just replaced their offensive coordinator.  Well, as we learned with the Arizona Cardinals, a hot team in the playoffs is a hard train to stop.

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Aug 28, 2009; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals offense and the Green Bay Packers defense get set at the line of scrimmage prior to a play in the 3rd quarter of a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

As with their other position of need at wide receiver, the Arizona Cardinals options are a plenty on the offensive line when it comes to free agency.  Whether the Cardinals stick with Kevin Kolb and John Skelton or bring in a guy like Peyton Manning, they will need much better protection up front in 2012.  That much is clear.  Clearly Manning will need the protection and with Kolb and Skelton, I think although they were hurried much of the time, there were times they may have felt scrambling was their only option when it clearly wasn’t.  That comes from the feeling of not trusting your offensive line.

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Jan 31, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws a football during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Farrell/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

The Super Bowl.  There is no other game, no other Sunday like it.  When the Arizona Cardinals were there three years ago, it was one of the most memorable days of my life, even in defeat.  All the hard work that goes into making it to this point, all the talk, all the games, all the controversies.  It all comes down to one 60 minute football game.  Today it is the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI from Indianapolis.  It is a repeat of the Super Bowl right here in Arizona four year ago.  Not a lot of players remaining, but the two biggest, Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, do remain and are still as good as ever.  Manning is even better than that day in Glendale.

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