Fellow Honolulu Star-Bulletin journalist and blogger, Dave Reardon, had me thinking all day, yesterday, on the notion that Sean Payton and June Jones shared the same football philosophies. Hmm. . . It makes you wonder whether some of those game-changing plays were part of the former UH football coach’s legacy and repertoire. Check out the article for yourself and see if you agree, Payton’s philosophy similar to Jones’.

Again, Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints and to the City of New Orleans!!! Who Dat! Saints dat who!!! Superbowl Champs!

It’s finally here, Super Bowl Sunday and I’ll say it again, Go Saints! I’ve said it in an earlier post, my affinity for the Saints when I was stationed in the Deep South.

But best wishes today to island boy, Aaron Francisco, and fellow Polynesians, Freddie Keiaho and Fili Moala, on the Indianapolis Colts. Although injured, a big auwe! to Marcus Mailei with the Saints (formerly with the Eagles).

Whoever wins, it’ll still be an awesome Sunday!

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!

Aloha Hawai’i Football Fanatics fans!

Sorry got a late start today due to family matters the last several days. I wanted to pay tribute to my Uncle Samuel Kahakumaka Aweau, Jr. who passed away on Friday afternoon. Aloha ‘oe ‘Anakala!

Most of the featured games on the blog are televised locally in Hawai’i. If any fans have other games of interest, let me know and I’ll do my best to cover them as well.

Finished games as of 10am

New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles (KHON3)

Final: NO 48 PHI 22

New England Patriots @ NY Jets

Final: NE 9 NY Jets 16

Mid-morning game at 10am

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears (KGMB7)

This game is an islander “toss up” because both are favorite teams and feature players from the islands.

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)

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

N.Y. Giants @ Dallas Cowboys  (KHON3)

This is all Dallas Cowboys as the Giants have no players with island ties at this point of the season.