Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints! Its the first time they’re going to the Superbowl! As I said in my Hawai’i Fishing Fanatic blog post:

“I’m rooting for the Minnesota Vikings to win the NFC Championship. Go Vikings! However, I do like the Saints too since I spent time in my Air Force days deep in the Bayous. My buddies in Mississippi and Louisiana have a great love for the team. I also emphathize with the trials and tribulations the franchise has gone through from the days I was down in New Orleans.”

Wow! what a fantastic ending to a game that was fought well by both sides. A congratulations to Polynesian, Marcus Mailei, who was put on New Orleans injured reserve list in late December. A former Philadelphia Eagle he was recently acquired by the Saints in early December.

Marcus Mailei with the Philadelphia Eagles

Well we know at this point that New Orleans and Indianapolis are on their way to their respective conference championships but their opponents are to be decided today. Hmm. . my picks thus are, let me see, Vikings and Jets! Yes, I’ll go against the grain and go with these two!! I’m a big Eagles fan so naturally Dallas is a hard sell, Polynesian Naufahu Tahi and I love Brett Favre.

NY Jets, obviously because UH Warrior Football assistant coach, Rich Miano, played for the Jets & Eagles but we have UH Alum #78 Wayne Hunter and fellow Polynesians, #91 Sione Pouha & #79 Ropati Pitoitua on the Jets squad.

Alright then, Go Vikings! and Go Jets!

Tonight on Monday Night Football (ESPN).

This is a no-brainer if you are a Brett Favre or Naufahu Tahi fan, it’s root for the Vikings. Auwe! Packers have no islanders on their roster. Naufahu looks questionable (back) before the game and running backs (Peterson & Taylor) may be seeing a majority of playing time. Let’s hope to see Naufahu working the backfield and Brett throwing like the last game for a Vikings victory.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings - Offense
#38 FB Naufahu Tahi (Brigham Young University)

This is the recent injury report from the NFL:

VIKINGS:

Steve Hutchinson (back), WR Darius Reynaud (hamstring). LIMITED: QB Brett Favre (foot), CB Cedric Griffin (hand), LB E.J. Henderson (shoulder), LB Erin Henderson (calf), TE Jim Kleinsasser (hand), RB Naufahu Tahi (back). FULL: P Chris Kluwe (illness).

Minnesota Vikings Links:

Just a quick preview for Hawai’i Football Fanatics fans to get the juices going for the NFL’s First Sunday of the regular season!:

Starting off the morning at 7am

Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns (KHON3)

Looks like Naufahu Tahi will be playing more as the running backs (Peterson & Taylor) will take turns pounding away for yardage during gametime. Newcomers/draftees David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava for the Browns have their duties cut out for them as they may see more playing time than usual as they compete for starting spots.

Minnesota Vikings Offense - #38 Naufahu Tahi

Cleveland Browns Defense - *#57 David Veikune & *#56 Kaluka Maiava

Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals (KGMB7)

This game may be one-sided as a bunch of islanders are playing for the Bengals and none for the Broncos.

Cincinnati Bengals - *#58 Rey Maualuga, #68 Jonathan Fanene, #94 Domata Peko & *#37 Fui Vakapuna

Mid-morning game at 10am:

Washington Redskins @ N.Y. Giants (KHON3)

This is another one-sided game and won’t be hard to choose as Hawai’i’s favorite QB will be cheering for his team on the sidelines due to an injury. Mike Sellers has put in a strong performance throughout the pre-season on both special teams and backup duties.

Washington Redskins - Offense
#5 QB Colt Brennan (University of Hawai’i)

#45 RB Mike Sellers (Walla Walla CC)

Sunday Night (afternoon) game at 2:15pm:

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (KHNL8)

GO BEARS! What more can you say about the Bears except they have some of the best islander lineups in the NFL! Don’t miss this game as it’ll be an interesting one at Lambeau Field.

Chicago Bears - Offense

#57 C Olin Kreutz (University of Washington)

Chicago Bears - Defense
#46 S Al Afalava (Oregon State University)
#59 LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (University of Hawai’i)
#75 DT Matt Toeaina (University of Oregon)

Chicago Bears Practice Squad

#45 FB Will Ta’ufo’ou (University of California - Berkeley)
#62 G Johan Asiata (UNLV)
#73 Donovan Raiola (University of Wisconsin)