Hopefully that will have softened them up a bit

As kids (and maybe some adults, I'm not trying to crush any dreams here) eagerly await the gifts provided by a jolly fat guy in a red-and-white suit, I thought of another group of guys in red and white who could make my Christmas especially joyous.From Dec 14 to Dec. 25, I will mimic the pattern of the "12 Days of Christmas" song by asking for one thing on the first day, two things on the next day, and so on until Christmas.But, as this is the season of giving, I'd love for all of you to give me your thoughts on what you'd like from the Red Wings for Christmas, so please, post away!Of all that I've asked for to this point, this one is probably the most modest request of the bunch.As ordinary as this may be, it's something the Wings haven't delivered enough of this season and something they must give tonight, if only to keep it close against the visiting Blackhawks.Ten Ferocious Minutes of Play in the First PeriodPreferably, these would come in the first ten minutes of play."Getting started on time," or rather the inability to, is something coach Mike Babcock has consistently lamented going all the way back to last season.The difference between now and then, however, is that the Wings don't have the talent to recover from alackadaisical start.If the Red Wings don't come out guns blazing, any effort they muster later in the game, typically, comes too late.Tonight, the Wings will be hosting the hated Blackhawks for the second game of a home-and-home series.Like the Wings on Sunday, the Hawks are coming off a loss from the night before.Hopefully, that will have softened them up a bit.But even a tired Blackhawks team will be no picnic for theinjury-riddled Red Wings.From the opening faceoff, the Wings must empty their tanks and take the play to the young and dangerous Chicago team.Finish every check, win every foot race, take every shot, win every board battle; if they don't do these things, they're giving the game away.Guys, this is a gift fully within your power to give.It's a modest request. I'm not asking for 10 goals, just 10 solid, ferocious, dominating minutes to start the game....nine Red Wings resting (during the Olympics), eight seed position in the West, seven points for Ville Leino, six straight games without an injury, five players clicking on the power play, four wins in a row, three solid periods of hockey every game, two defensemen scoring, and a dominating performance by Pavel Datsyuk!. we ordered,"a spokeswoman for the ministry told a regular news conference Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine on Jan. (Reporting by Madeline Chambers and Kerstin Gehmlich) Stocks Russia.

Hopefully I'm not the only one on this one, but it appears to me that the MVP Award is slightly lop-sided and maybe a little overrated as the Pro Bowl selection seems to be becoming that way also. As it stands right now in the 2009 season it appears that Peyton Manning is once again in the running for MVP. Also mentioned in line are Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Brett Favre, Chris Johnson has had some mention, and even Vince Young at one point. Everyone has their own opinion of what the most valuable player award is about.

In the last 10 seasons there's only been two running backs and hasnt been a defensive player since Lawrence Taylor in 1986. I agree the quarterbacks are probably one of the more important positions being that other than the center they touch the ball more than anyone, but they need to spread the love. In 2007 Tom Brady won his first MVP award after tossing a record breaking 50 touchdowns. He'd never won it before even after leading his team to 3 Super Bowl wins and several respectable winning seasons. Why did Brady get it How was he able to toss 50 touchdowns in '07 and never come close before Was it because they acquired Randy Moss arguably one of the better wide receivers in history Could be A wide receiver has never won MVP The credit is always given to the quarterback Would Brady do it without Moss Doubtful.