What a difference a year makes. At this time last year, we all thought Brett Favre would wind up in Mississippi golfing in retirement and Tom Coughlin would be either be fired before the 2007 season began or would be fired after week 3. Oh, and there were the Bears preparing for the Saints in the NFC Championship. Here’s a quick preview of each of the conference championship games:

New York vs. Green Bay

This game has Brett Favre written all over it and it seemed unlikely that the Packers would host the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field. In the end, the tumultuous Cowboys folded and Terrell Owens cried like a girl who didn’t get Hannah Montana tickets. The Packers won’t benefit from snow this weekend, but will feel right at home with frigid temperatures (a balmy high of 6 degrees) expected.

What the Packers Do Well: They’ll show you an I formation with double tight ends and then on the very next play spread it out with four receivers. They’ll pass when expecting the run and run when expecting the pass. Brett Favre is always #1 on the “Who We Have to Stop” list, however, with an excellent running game with Ryan Grant (201 yards vs. Seattle), expect to see Green Bay exploit the Giants defense with Ryan Grant utilizing cutbacks when the Giants become over-agressive. Due to the weather, it’s a good bet you’ll see a slew of draws and screens in an effort to counter the blitzing schemes. If none of that works, they’ll just depend on Favre to bail them out gunslingin’ all over the field. Defensively, the Packers may have one of the best secondaries in the league. Al Harris and Charles Woodson make it nearly impossible to go down field in the passing game and their linebackers look something similar to what the Bears had last year.

What the Giants Do Well: Get pressure on the quarterback. They get good enough pressure from their front four, yet will still come after you on third down making it nearly impossible for a quarterback to drop back 5 to 7 yards. Their decent against the run, but did let Marion Barber run all over them last week. Ryan Grant won’t be any easier. Offensively, they’re as about consistent as City of Chicago fees. They can put together a great drive (like they did before the half against Dallas) yet seem to take two steps back for every one step forward. Running game is all about power, but this one falls on the shoulders of Eli Manning. He’ll need to do the same thing he did in teen temperatures as he did in Dallas. The key will be New York’s ability to keep drives alive and survive without Jeremy Shockey.

Guys Not Necessarily Heard From: Green Bay Offense: Donald Lee-Just the guy who could exploit the Giants across the middle on third down. Green Bay Defense: Atari Bigby-He may be the guy who stops the Giants running game. New York Offense: Ahmad Bradshaw-will he be the key to success on third down? New York Defense: R.W. McQuarters-he’ll get accustomed to being in the nickel, not smoking it.

My Pick: Packers 31 Giants 17…homefield advantage really counts when in Green Bay…in January.

San Diego vs. New England

Is this just a formality or what? Everyone was hoping for an Indy-New England matchup, but Team Peyton didn’t deliver. Philip Rivers will learn this week to not provoke the home field fans…quickly.

What the Patriots Do Well: Everything. Need I say more? Tom Brady and the Pats made things a bit more interesting against Jacksonville, but San Diego won’t be any match on either side of the ball. No matter who they play, no one seems to be able to create enough pressure on Brady to create mismatches or forcing him to create plays. Brady is superb in changing the play when the original call isn’t there. Expect to see New England man-handle the time of possession column.

What the Chargers Do Well: Apparently, not relying on LaDanian Tomlinson. The key to their success may be exploiting the middle of the field, but that’s if Rivers has anytime to throw the ball and if San Diego can establish somewhat of a running game. Most, if any, of their success may come from Michael Turner and Darren Sproles. Defensively, the Chargers will match up well on paper utilizing the 3-4, but nothing seems to matter when it comes to New England. Belichick may be a bit hesitant to test anything to Antonio Cromartie’s side.

Guys Not Necessarily Heard From: New England Offense: Kevin Faulk- Not unheard of, just another guy who will exploit the Chargers on screens. New England Defense: Ty Warren- Yet another Patriot who will benefit from a stellar defensive roster. San Diego Offense: Michael Turner- will he be the right formula for what looks like a negative equation? San Diego Defense: Marlon McCree-stretch out good because they’ll need you on every passing play.

My Pick: New England 35 San Diego 13…the Patriots may be more methodical, but they’ll still make a statement.

Technorati Tags: Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, LaDanian Tomlinson

Perhaps you’re like many Cubs fans who continue to grow impatient with the Cubs seeming unwillingness to add pitching depth.  Of course, we all cringe when we see the numbers of Jason Marquis’ contract when you put them next to his ERA, and I’m not going to defend the situation.  I will, however, try to add this bit of perspective: 

In comparison to their 2006 spending splurge in which they set all kinds of money with their wallet rather than their on-field performances, this offseason has been surprisingly barren aside from the signing of Japanese star Kosuke Fukudome. 

Still, there is a shocking difference between the Cubs of old and this new breed.  In years past, the Cubs would make it known of their plans to acquire a top-flight, proven free agent over the winter only to end up settling for a cheaper version at the last minute.  Case and point: Juan Pierre.  The 2005 acquisition spent all of one season in Chicago and came at a heavy price in hindsight.  However, over the last two seasons, the Cubs have gotten exactly what they wanted.  Alfonso Soriano was seen as the top free agent available in last season’s class, and Kosuke Fukudome was the undisputed top target of an organization desperate for some stability in the outfield.  Clearly, times have changed for the Cubs.  This offseason will perhaps be best known for the addition by subtraction to the Cubs roster.  Jacque Jones and Mark Prior are each off to greener pastures, and while it would be completely unsurprising to see each of these players have career years now that they have left the not-so-friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, these are still moves that needed to happen.  The same can be said for Cliff Floyd, who obviously felt the pressure of playing in his home town.

Looking at the way the outfield has changed in the last few months is quite surprising. Instead of watching Jones and Floyd lumber in the Wrigley grass, we suddenly have one of the most athletic outfields in the League.  Soriano was a surprisingly capable outfielder last season despite being hampered by a leg injury for most of the season, and Felix Pie, despite his struggles against left handers at the plate, is undoubtedly the best defensive outfielder on the Cubs roster.  Fukudome is known in Japan as an above-average outfielder with a good arm, and while most of the Japanese parks are stadiums and don’t have nearly the variables that a Wrigley Field corner outfield spot poses, it is reasonable to assume that most of his defensive prowess will translate into the Majors.

Sure, we’d all love the Cubs to add a proven number two starter to their rotation, but let’s be honest: the market is decidedly thin (Kyle Lohse? Seriously) and the Cubs have a lot of young arms at their disposal.

So, as you feel yourself growing increasingly frustrated at the Cubs lack of activity in the pitching department this winter, just remember what 66 wins felt like..

Ouch.