If the Arizona Cardinals unexpected hosting of the NFC Championship game is any sign of things to come sports-wise in 2009, it’s going to be a crazy year.  Here are some other teams that may benefit from the Cardinals improbable run and further signs that 2009 is the year of the sports apocalyps

• They might as well start printing the NL Champion T-shirts for the Pittsburgh Pirates, which for a change may actually end up staying in America, instead of shipped to some 3^rd world country.

• NBA fans should braces themselves for a second half surge from the Clippers, who will shock the NBA world by playing their way into the NBA Finals and promptly announce they ceasing operations as a franchise. 

•   In college basketball, Oregon State goes from winless in conference play in 07-08 to the Pac 10 Champions in 08-09 after winning the Pac 10 tournament.  The Beavers will be spurred on by some imaginary motivational force field that only exists when your coach is related by marriage to a new president.

The most shocking thing about the Cardinals game is how much tickets are selling for.  The game sold out in 6 minutes, which normally could only have been explained if the current Cowboys were playing the 93 Cowboys at Univ. of Phoenix stadium.  Since tickets are selling for 2,3,4 and even more times their face value, I think the Cardinals would be wise to implement some sort of test for people to purchase tickets.

•    Timm Rosenbach was: A) Prominent Phoenix Lawyer or B) Starting QB for the Cardinals

•   Fill in the Blank:  ________ Joyner and Clyde _______

•     Buddy Ryan’s defense was called the what?

•     Rob Moore played what position?  Ron Moore played what position?

•   The Arizona Cardinals logo is what bird?

• True or False: Phoenix is not Los Angeles.

• Name the last 4 Cardinal head coaches after Buddy Ryan.

If you can answer 4 of the questions above, you should automatically be comped tickets to the NFC Championship game.

If you can’ answer 4 of those questions, you should have to pay at least 5 times face value of your tickets to a Cardinal season ticket holder who has held his/her tickets for at least the last 5 years.

It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, we should give the first crack to, you know, actual Cardinals fans.