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SALT LAKE CITY — What a weekend for a couple of local players now earning a paycheck in the NFL.
Former BYU Cougar Dennis Pitta and former Utah Ute Paul Kruger are both moving on in the NFL Playoffs after helping the Baltimore Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-9.
Pitta caught two balls for 27 yards, one of which was a 20-yard touchdown strike from QB Joe Flacco and made it a two-score deficit midway through the third quarter.
Kruger had a huge game on the other side of the ball; 3 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 5 QB hits, 1 pass deflection and 1 forced fumble.
The Seahawks duo of former Utah State Aggies also showed well and helped Seattle beat the Redskins 24-14.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner led his team with nine tackles, one for a loss.
Robert Turbin had 22 yards on eight carries and one catch for six yards, but his value came in spelling (providing a break for) Marshawn Lynch, who ran for for 132 yards on 20 carries.
TV reporter gets blind-sided
Speaking of Wild Card weekend, the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis was doing a pre-game show before the Vikings took on the Green Bay Packers.
Reporter Lee Valsvik, who doesn't quite fill out the Jared Allen jersey, was doing a live shot on game-day grub when she thought it a good idea to involve to Vikings fans and a football.
Instead she got a lot more than she bargained for and was blind-sided by some guy who thought he was Adrian Peterson.
She goes flying into the restaurant table, but declares she's okay.
She may not fill out that jersey, but she certainly can take a hit.
Chip Don't Go
Well, Chip Kelly isn't going anywhere. The Oregon football coach, despite many interested NFL teams, is staying put.
The Eagles, Browns and Bills were all interested in the college coach, but Kelly must have something in Oregon that he can't pull himself away from.
Maybe it is fans like musician Mat Kearney who wrote an awesome song pleading with Kelly to stay.
"Chip don't go" is catchy, has creative lyrics and Kearney's got a good voice.
But I'm betting Kearney didn't have a lot to do with it.
Phil Knight on the other hand...
Cover shotA new ad is out for the MLB 13 video game and apparently you get to decide who is on the cover.
From Bryce Harper to Matt Kemp to Buster Posey and his international sign for "Wolverine!" are vying for your vote.
They've all got eye-popping stats and hardware to back it up, so these seven players give you other reasons to consider while deciding to whom your vote will go.
It's pretty funny, but Posey (not because he is a San Francisco Giant) is my favorite.
You really can travel in the NBAAmir Johnson's epic double-dribble is so blatant and obvious it is hilarious, yet it doesn't get called by any of the three referees on the floor.
The Toronto Raptors forward takes the pass at the top of the key, then dribbles into the lane. He stops, pivots, but has no one to pass to. So, he pump fakes and dribbles again into a jump shot which he scores for two.
The look on his face tells you he knew he got away with it.
Reminds me of the old upsy-daisy pivot switch the Mavericks' Chris Kaman pulled against the Celtics last month.
Apparently the NBA really doesn't care if you travel.
The life of a beat writer
Who says being an NBA beat writer is glamorous?
Jazz beat writer for the Deseret News Jody Genessy (and his wife) will argue on the contrary.
After returning from a recent road trip Genessy arrived at the airport, went to his car which he parked in long-term parking and found a truck full of frozen exploded soda cans.
"So, apparently my trunk got a wee bit cold while parked at the SLC airport this weekend," wrote Genessy.
And chances are he was looking forward to a nice cold beverage.
