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!

Not much to be said but . . . Wait for it . . . GO EAGLES!!!

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve

#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (University of Oregon)

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys - Offense
#1 P Matt McBriar (University of Hawai’i)

Dallas Cowboys - Defense

#78 DT Junior Siavi’i (University of Oregon)

The game is being televised on NBC at 3:00pm HST (KHNL8)
Portland 5:00 PM PDT (KGW8)
Seattle 5:00 PM PDT (KING5)

A Happy New Year to all Hawai’i Football Fanatics readers! Thank you for your support the past year and here’s to a prosperous year ahead for everyone. Rose Bowl! Go Ducks! Don’t forget to watch all the NFL games on Sunday for playoff matchups! As for me, I’m watching the game of the week, Eagles v. Cowboys.

Go Ducks!

Go Eagles!!

Mahalo nui loa,

Don Aweau

Monday night is an intense rivalry between two teams with strong ties to Houston, TX. The Titans, who were formerly the Houston Oilers and the Texans, the newest NFL franchise. The Texans are looking for chance to have a winning season and a possible wild-card contention. The Titans may be just able to salvage their season by winning the rest of their games. They always seem to get close to winning but can't close it out.

I'm going with the Titans on this one as its a no-brainer for me. Ex-warrior, Ryan Mouton, is finally getting the hang of it. But I can't fault him since this is his rookie season and a lot of criticism from fans are unwarranted. Kevin Mawae is like a workhorse. Brought out of retirement, the former LSU player with island ties is solid as a poi pounder.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans - Offense

• #68 Kevin Mawae

Tennesse Titans - Defense

• #29 Ryan Mouton
  

Houston Texans

Hoka! (Too Bad) Texans have no island players!!

Game on: 3:30 PM HST (ESPN22)

Portland 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN35)

Seattle 5:30 PM PDT (ESPN31)

*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams .

This game is a toss-up as both teams have a contingent of Polynesian players. Eagles are attempting to get a wild-card spot in the playoffs and the Bears are playing to avoid any more losses to squeeze into the game too. Cowboys avoided a loss today (barely with a 1 pt win), so they lead the division, but Philly still has a chance with a win over the Bears. I’m rooting along with the rest of my ‘ohana though for the Eagles on this one (since we lived in Philly). Go Eagles!!!

As of the past few weeks, all the Philly Polynesians on the Eagles squad are still nursing injuries or relegated to the practice squad. Fenuki Tupou is on injured reserve. Marcus Mailei and Paul Fanaika are hoping to see game time tonight.

Due to time constraints (have to go see my cousin, Kupono, of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame, return to Hawai’i), I’ll have to place a link for the Bears Polynesian/Islander contingent. I apologize for that, I got too engrossed in watching the Cowboys/Redskins, Colts/Ravens and Steelers/Chiefs matchups. What a shocker in the Steelers/Chiefs game!

Game Watch Links:

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles - Offense
Injured Reserve

#78 OT Fenuki Tupou (University of Oregon)

Practice Squad

#63 OG Paul Fanaika (Arizona State University)

#41 RB Marcus Mailei (Weber State University)

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears - #57 Olin Kreutz, #73 Donovan Raiola (practice squad), #75 Matt Toeaina, #59 Pisa Tinoisamoa, *#46 Al Afalava, *#45 Will Ta’ufo’ou (practice squad) & *#62 Johan Asiata (practice squad)

The game is being televised on NBC at 3:20pm HST (KHNL8)
Portland 5:20 PM PDT (KGW8)
Seattle 5:20 PM PDT (KING5)

*For complete NFL Polynesian/Hawaiian/Island Ties players, see HFF Pro Teams .