In a recently conducted survey amongst JSF employees, it was discovered that the commercially popular event known as "New Years Eve" has laid claim to a spot in between Flag Day and Arbor Day on the Holiday Power Rankings. 

Basically what we're saying is that, we'd love to wish you a happy New Years Eve, but unless you like wildly overpriced drinks, douchebags in rented tuxedos, DUI checkpoints and this guy, then you're probably shit out of luck. 

But hey, there's a crapload of football on tomorrow, so you've got that going for you.



December 31

1961 – The United States' Marshall Plan officially expires...but as any St. Louis sports headline writer will tell you, the phrase "Marshall Plan" was fair game each and every week until Marshall Faulk retired in 2007.

1971 - Brent Barry, guard for the Houston Rockets, is born.  He's known as "Bones" and won two NBA Championships with the Spurs in '05 and '07.  Most notably, he's known as "the last white dude" to win the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest ('96).

1974 - The Yankees sign Jim "Catfish" Hunter to a 5 year contract worth a record $3.75 million or the rough equivalent to what CC Sabathia is now able to give to bums on the street holding up "Please help" signs.

2010 - After another lackluster season, the San Francisco 49ers dismiss their 9th offensive coordinator in as many years.  Thanks a lot, Shaun Hill.



For those not watching at home, last night the Oregon Ducks edged the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl by the score of 42-31.  There are probably anti-bowl people out there thinking to themselves, "sweet, now the players get to tell everyone they once won the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, who gives a crap".  But that's where you're wrong, my friends.  Not only do they get bragging rights for eternity about their bowl victory, they also get to hoist this puppy...



It's every little kid's dream to one day win a meaningless bowl game and get to lay claim to a trophy with a giant metal humpback whale on it.  Truly something they'll never forget.



The Mike Shanahan era in Denver

The most bronze man in the Rocky Mountains said good bye to Pat Bowlen and three years, $20 million after receiving his pink slip. The Broncos pissed away a three game lead with three games to play, and very easily could have finished 5-11 had it not been for Ed Hochuli in Week 2, the Saints defense in Week 3 and a Cleveland choke job in Week 10. Sorry. Skip Bayless just typed the previous sentence.

Shanahan is another example of good head coach turned idiot dictator. He's been responsible for the hiring of four different defensive coordinators this decade, thought Courtney Brown was the answer on the defensive line three years ago, saw his dream duo of Bly and Bailey fail, and became so in love with the Denver Broncos running game that he could pretty much turn anyone in to a 1500 yard rusher - at least in his own mind. Apparently, I'm in the minority, though. The readers of Foxsports.com seem to disagree (as of Tuesday night).



If the "No" crowd has the same view as the football media, Shanahan will probably find a spot in Canton when all is said and done. Only question is whether his bust will differ at all from his real face.



Dr. Aaron rings in the (soon-to-be) new year with a look at things that are "on fire". We'll tell ya who else is on fire ... this chick. Anyone who doesn't love her is a bad person.