A Culmination: Meryl Davis & Charlie White

History occurred at the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi on Monday, as skaters Meryl Davis and Charlie White took Gold in ice dancing, the first non-singles Gold for the USA in figure skating history. They topped their rivals, Canada's Tesse Virtue and Scott Moir, setting world records in their scores.

For Davis and White, this has been a long journey that started in their childhood. Both grew up in Michigan, and were teamed together in 1997, and started their rise in the ranks from novice all the way to Olympic champions. All in all, Davis/White have won 6 National Championships, 5 Grand Prix Championships, 2 World Championships, and 2 Olympic Medals (silver '10 Vancouver, gold in '14 Sochi). They've been undefeated in the past two seasons, an unprecedented feat not just for them, but for any U.S ice dancing pair. An equivalent would be a college football team going undefeated for 2 season

Before Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto came onto the scene, winning their first national championship in 2004, ice dancing had gone somewhat unnoticed in the U.S. While Davis and White have taken it to another level, it was Belbin and Agosto that helped to pave the way and begin to put American ice dancing onto the map, taking silver at '06 Torino.

Now however, the U.S ice dancing team is on the rise, with Madison Chock and Evan Bates, along with Alex and Maia Shibutani vying to see who will take over that mantra as the next top American ice dancing pair. Based on their Olympic performance (Chock/Bates 9th, Shibutani siblings 10th), it should be a fought after battle. It really is hard to imagine. If you went up to a figure skating fan as recent as 10-15yrs ago, they probably never would have believed that the U.S would have 3 top 10 finishes in the Olympics. But thus is the case.

It's unknown as of right now whether Davis and White will compete at the 2014 World Championships, or if we'll see them perform competitively again. Either way, they have really taken ice dancing onto a whole other level, with their quickness and crispness on the ice. Whatever is next in their perspective futures, I don't think its that much of a reach to compare, or put them in the same sentence as Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean (Great Britain, '84 Sarajevo Olympic Champions, 4 time World Champions, arguably the top ice dancing pair in history).

(2014 National Championship Short Dance/Free Dance)

 If Davis and White do call it a career, what a career it has been.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/17/winter-olympics-sochi-ice-dancing-meryl-davis-charlie-white/5554831/ (a good glimpse at the history of us ice dancing by USA Today's Christine Brennan)

Super Bowl 48 Preview

Its that time, time for the "big game", or as Stephen Colbert called it this past week, "Superb Owl". Anyways, this has been a highly anticipated matchup and should be a showdown, with Peyton Manning and the Broncos' Offense vs the "Legion of Boom" and the Seahawks' Defense. In my NFL Season preview, I did predict this match-up, but will my prediction (Broncos), stay the same? You'll have to read on to figure out. I'll go through position by position now to see who has the edge and where, followed by my prediction. So with that being said, here we go.

QB: 

(SEA) Russell Wilson: 26TDs, 9INTs, 3,357yds, 101.2RTG

(DEN) Peyton Manning: 55TDs, 10INTs, 5,477yds, 115.1RTG

As impressive as Wilson has been in his first 2 seasons, leading the Seahawks to the NFC Divisional round last year in his rookie year and now the Super Bowl, it isn't even close here. Manning had a historical year with his 55TDs, setting records. It was just announced that Manning just won another MVP award as well. Playing in his 3rd super bowl, the clear edge goes to Manning and the Broncos.

RB:

(SEA) Marshawn Lynch: 301Car, 1,257yds, 4.2Avg, 12TDs

(DEN) Knowshon Moreno: 241Car, 1,038yds, 4.3Avg, 10TDs

The Broncos tend to use more of a situational running game, although Moreno did have an impressive year offensively. However, when Lynch enters "beast mode", there's no better running back in the game who runs as physically as he can. He's an integral part to the Seahawks' offensive plan. The Seahawks and Lynch get the edge.

WR1

(SEA) Doug Baldwin: 50Rec, 778yds, 15.6Avg, 5TDs

(DEN) Demaryius Thomas: 92Rec, 1,430yds, 15.5Avg, 14Tds

When the Seahawks traded for Percy Harvin, they envisioned him as their #1 receiver, but due to injuries to both Harvin and Sidney Rice, Baldwin has had to step up, and has done an admirable job, however Thomas is one of the most top underrated receivers in the game, with his size and speed. The Broncos get the edge.

WR2:

(SEA) Golden Tate: 64Rec, 898yds, 14.0Avg, 5TDs

(DEN) Wes Welker: 73Rec, 778yds, 10.7avg, 10TDs

Just as Baldwin has had to step, so has Tate due to the receiving corps injuries to the Seahawks. While Welker had a fairly solid year, it isn't the numbers that he put up while with the Patriots, and part of that is due to his concussion issues this year. Due to that, the Seahawks get the edge.

TE:

(SEA) Zach Miller: 33Rec, 387yds, 11.7Avg, 5TDs

(DEN) Julius Thomas: 65Rec, 788yds, 12.1Avg, 12TDs

Its pretty much a runaway here. While Miller is a nice TE, Thomas simply had a breakout year, starting from his performance during the season opener. A possession TE, the edge here clearly goes to the Broncos.

(Offensive Line):

(SEA): Russell Okung, James Carpenter, Max Unger, J.R Sweezy, Breno Giacomini

(DEN): Chris Clark, Zane Beadles, Manny Ramirez, Louis Vasquez, Orlando Franklin

Each offensive line has an important task in front of them. The Seahawks need to create running lanes for Lynch, while the Broncos need to give Manning time, being that he's a pocket passer (while Wilson has the capability to escape). With that being said, this is a draw.

Now the Seahawks use a starting FB in Michael Robinson, but he's a strict blocking back.

And as noted, the Seahawks traded for Percy Harvin prior to the season, but he's been injured for most of the year. Coming off of a concussion, it appears he's coming into the Super Bowl healthy, making him an "X" Factor for the Seahawks. 

In lieu of a FB, the Broncos usually start 3 WRs, with the 3rd being Eric Decker. Decker had 87Rec, 1,288yds, 14.8Avg, 11TDs, so he'll also be an "X" Factor entering the big game.

LDE:

(SEA) Red Bryant: 30Tckls, 1.5Scks

(DEN) Malik Jackson: 42Tckls, 6Scks, 1FF

Both Bryant and Jackson have become forces for their respective team's defensive lines. With his production this year, have to give a slight edge to the Broncos.

DT:

(SEA) Tony McDaniel: 53Tckls, 2Scks

(DEN) Sylvester Williams: 19Tckls, 2Scks

Williams was the Broncos' first round draft pick this past year, and put up a fairly favorable rookie year, but McDaniel was a force at DT. The edge here goes to the Seahawks.

DT:

(SEA) Brandon Mebane: 45Tckls

(DEN) Terrance Knighton: 31Tckls, 3Scks, 1INT

MeBane has been a workhorse for the Seahawks, but Knighton could play a critical role for the Broncos defensive scheme in trying to stuff the Seahawks run game. The edge here goes to the Broncos.

RDE:

(SEA) Chris Clemons: 24Tckls, 4.5Scks, 1FF

(DEN) Shaun Phillips: 35Tckls, 10Scks, 2FF, 1INT

Clemons has been a solid veteran presence for the Seahawks, but Phillips has really gone above and beyond this season. The Broncos get the edge here.

OLB:

(SEA) Bruce Irvin: 40Tckls, 2Scks, 1FF, 1INT

(DEN) Nate Irving: 41Tckls, 1Sck

Irving, along with the rest of the Broncos' linebacking corps have had to step up do to a multitude of injuries, importantly to Von Miller. Irvin though has been a solid presence for the Seahawks, proving those who doubted him on draft day wrong. The Seahawks get the edge.

MLB:

(SEA) Bobby Wagner: 120Tckls, 5Scks, 2INTs

(DEN) Wesley Woodyard: 84Tckls, 1.5Scks, 2FF, 1INT

Woodyard has done plenty to step up for the Broncos D, but Wagner has just had an incredible season. The Seahawks get the clear edge.

OLB:

(SEA) Malcolm Smith: 54Tckls, 1Sck, 1FF, 2INTs

(DEN) Danny Trevathan: 129Tckls, 2Scks, 3FF, 3INTs

While many just remember Smith for his game winning INT of Kaepernick off of a tip by Sherman, he has been a solid presence for the Seahawks. Trevathan though has emerged as a leader for the Broncos D, and will be a key in stopping Lynch. The Broncos get the edge.

LCB:

(SEA) Richard Sherman: 48Tckls, 8INTs

(DEN) Champ Bailey: 14Tckls

Bailey has had a tremendous career, but he was frequently on and off the field this year, dealing with a variety of injuries. Sherman on the other-hand is arguable the "best corner in the game", and you can bet he'll be matched up with Thomas throughout the game....and that he'll probably receive far and few between targets. The Seahawks get the clear edge.

RCB:

(SEA) Byron Maxwell: 28Tckls, 1FF, 4INTs

(DEN) Dominique Rodgers - Cromartie: 31Tckls, 3INTs

This is a close match-up. Maxwell will have a big task, seeing a lot of targets with Sherman likely being avoided by Manning. Cromartie will also have a big task of watching out for Tate and his speed. By the slightest of edges, I'm giving the advantage to the Seahawks.

SS:

(SEA) Kam Chancellor: 99Tckls, 1FF, 3INTs

(DEN) Duke Lhenacho: 73Tckls, 3FF

Lhenacho has been coming along in his early NFL career, but Chancellor can make the big plays and punishing hits. The Seahawks get the edge.

FS:

(SEA) Earl Thomas: 105Tckls, 2FF, 5INTs

(DEN) Mike Adams: 64Tckls, 1INT

Adams is a nice safety, but Thomas has already become one of the top safeties in the game, garnering comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu. The Seahawks get the clear edge.

K:

(SEA) Steven Hauschka: 33/35FGs, 94.3%, 53Lng

(DEN) Matt Prater: 25/26FGs, 96.2%, 64Lng

The kicking game can be a key factor in any game, especially as big as this. It can be points thrown away, or a drive resulting in a needed score. Both teams' kickers have been solid all year long. While Prater may have been aided by being in Denver, I do think he's the best kicker here. The edge goes to the Broncos

P:

(SEA) Jon Ryan: 74punts, 42.7Avg, 69Lng, 28 inside the 20

(DEN) Britton Colquitt: 65punts, 44.5Avg. 60Lng, 23 inside the 20

The punting game can be just as important as the kicking game. It can essentially flip the field, make a non-scoring drive still be a productive drive if you're able to pin the opponent back. This will be a key factor for the Seahawks. With that being said, I do give the edge to the Seahawks.

So after all of this, who do I like? I think it'll be a close game, going down to the wire. Both QBs have experience with the 2-minute drill. There may be a lot of Super Bowl inexperience with the Seahawks, but I don't think that'll be much of a factor actually. In the end, I just think that "Legion of Boom" will make a big play in the end to seal it, whether it be a game-ending INT, or a forced fumble to allow Wilson to make a game-winning drive. 

27-24 Seahawks

So there you have it. Now sit back, have some wings, and enjoy the game everyone.