tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66175305236575390952024-03-12T20:25:50.829-07:00Clinically AwesomeI like beer, sports, chicks and crude jokes. This is about what I like. So chances are, you'll be reading about beer, sports, chicks and crude jokes.Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-9404420920504197962012-12-06T11:25:00.000-08:002012-12-11T11:25:18.885-08:00Week 14: Defending the Suddenly Super UnPopularI have said some things this season that I regret. I have written other things that I no longer agree with. Some of these things start with "Mark Sanchez" and end with "will be good," while others sound like anti Russell Wilson statements originating from the begining of the season.<br />
<br />
I wrote my opinions on the Wilson v Flynn debate twice. Once before the season, and the other for week 5's preview. Both times my stance on the subject was not "Anti-Wilson" as much as it was "pro-Flynn." <br />
<br />
I love Russell Wilson. I loved him in the pre-season. But I was a believer that since Flynn was deemed worthy to be paid like our starter in the spring, that he should get a chance to prove that theory right or wrong before being demoted.<br />
<br />
No matter how many times I wrote or said that, people took it as "the rookie sucks, lets go with Flynn!" which obviously couldn't be more far from the truth. In both columns I followed my opinion up with "I think Russell Wilson will be our starting Quarterback when we contend for Superbowls."<br />
<br />
Still, with the rise of Russell ( Last five games: 68% completion, 1114 yards, 11/1 TD/INT with 191 yards rushing) it has opened me up to recieve a lot of crap for my alleged "anti-Russell" stance. It wasn't long after his 4th quarter go a head drive, and his game winning overtime drive before I was fielding "and you wanted Flynn to start over him" comments.<br />
<br />
Which was cruel because all I wanted to do was bask in the glory of having just watched my Seahawks drive 12/97 yards with under 4 minutes to go to take a late game lead; then 12 plays 80 yards for an over time win. But I couldn't, because once again I had to defend myself.<br />
<br />
Look, my logic still stands. Flynn is and was paid like a starter. It's not like Wilson was going anywhere next season due to lack of playing time. The least we could've done was let Flynn prove he wasn't the guy. What my logic didn't take an account of, was that Wilson basically got a seasons worth of maturation in the first month and a half of the season. I was aware that he was obsessive with his game tape study, but I wasn't aware that it would translate this quickly.<br />
<br />
In hindsight, should Matt Flynn ever have been the starter? Nope. Its come out since the last time I wrote about this that Matt Flynn's elbow was really fucked up. And Pete Carroll supposedly knew what he was doing. Russell Wilson was running the barebones offense for the 6 weeks because he was learning, not because of an inabillity. 9/10, my Flynn over Wilson logic is correct. This just happened to be the 1 time.<br />
<br />
Now Seattle is at 7-5. They have a strong chance of making the playoffs and an outside shot at stealing the division. They have a strong defense (that may take a shot to the nuts depending on what happens with the Browner and Sherman suspensions), crushing run game, and now, their franchise QB.<br />
<br />
Playoffs? You're talkin playoffs?<br />
<br />
Yes, yes we are.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Denver Broncos</span> @ Oakland Raiders +10</strong> Wow, the Raiders really suck. I'm embarrassed that I thought they would resemble a pro-football team this year. E-me.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Baltimore Ravens</span> @ Washington Redskins -2</strong> I feel weird that looking at a spread where the Redskins are favored against the Ravens. But the Ravens don't look as good as they did in the first month of the season. That being said, they still have Ray Rice and the Redskins blooow at stopping the run (this team gave up 100+ to Jon Dwyer just a couple weeks ago). Ray Rice for the win.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Kansas City Chiefs</span> @ Cleveland Browns -7</strong> Alright, so we had the Jeremy Belcher thing last week, and that sucks. Sports are meant to counter balance tradgety, not mix. I got no jokes here. I truly feel bad for Romeo Crennel and Scott Pioli for having to witness a dude killing himself in front of them. I can't even imagine what that has done to them. As far as the game is concerned, horrible events have a tendency to galvanize teams. KC played their most complete game of the season last week, it should continue.</li>
<li><strong>San Diego @ <span style="color: red;">Pittsburgh Steelers -7.5 </span></strong>Chargers owner came out this week and said Norv and Aj Smith are dead men walking. Thanks for making my job easy, bro.</li>
<li><strong>Tennessee Titans @ <span style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts -3.5</span></strong> Again, the two scariest words in the AFC right now: CHUCK.STRONG.</li>
<li><strong>New York Jets @ <span style="color: red;">Jacksonville Jaguars +3</span></strong> I don't care how bad Jax is. New York shouldn't be giving points to a team full of retards.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Chicago Bears</span> @ Minnesota +1.5</strong> Adrian Peterson just blasted the Packers for his 6th straight 100 yard game (210 yards to be exact). If the voters have a soul, he is the MVP of the league right now. Not making the playoffs be damned. You take Peterson off the Vikings (you know, like normal humans who suffer the same injury he did last Christmas) and that team is doing a strong 2011 Colts impression. He keeps up this pace and he finishes under 100 yards away from Eric Dickerson. That being said, Bears need to rebound like a mother right now.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Atlanta Falcons</span> @ Carolina Panthers +3.5</strong> The Carolina Panthers were the unfortunate team who had to figure out how to play KC last week. It doesn't get any easier, as the Falcons are in town. I think this season is over for them.</li>
<li><strong>Philladelphia Eagles @ <span style="color: red;">Tampa Bay -7</span></strong> Tampa needs a win. Eagles need a higher draft pick.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">St. Louis Rams</span> @ Buffalo Bills -3.5</strong> I just threw a dart at a board and it told me to take St. Louis.</li>
<li><strong>Dallas Cowboys @ <span style="color: red;">Cinncinatti Bengals -3</span></strong> Its cute how Jason Garrett pretends like he isn't about to get fired. Because he is. Say it with me, Cowboy fans : John. Gruden.</li>
<li><strong>Miami Dolphins @ <span style="color: red;">San Fransisco 49ers -11</span></strong> I'm going to take the 9ers because I need the Dolphins to win. I want the Seattle/ San Fran game to have the division on the line. It would be the most intense game ever. Naturally, since I want this not only will SF beat Miami and New England next week, but my son will wait till that day to make his arrival.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New Orleans Saints</span> @ New York Giants -4.5</strong> I thought the Giants were going to start their post season run last week. They didn't. Is it this week? That would be totally strange since they are playing at home. I think I'm going to take the Saints and base it off of Drew Brees being pissed off for throwing 5 int's last week.</li>
<li><strong>Arizona Cardinals @ <span style="color: red;">Seattle Seahawks -10.5 </span></strong>couple of different reasons why I think Seattle can cover a touchdown and half. 1) revenge. We lost week 1 to these bastards. 2) Seattle has a ton of momentum. We just went to Chicago and punched them right in the dick. 3) (and most important) Arizona sucks ass.</li>
<li><strong>Detroit Lions @ <span style="color: red;">Green Bay Packers -6 </span></strong>Go home Detroit. And while you are there, think about replacing your head coach with someone who knows how to run an offense. I mean damn. Mikil Leshoure should be running the ball 22 times a game.</li>
<li><strong>Houston Texans @ <span style="color: red;">New England Patriots -5.5 </span></strong>because its time for the Patriots to get everyone on the "New England vs ______" superbowl bandwagon. It happens every year.</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-28368129157267720242012-11-29T11:09:00.000-08:002012-12-09T21:23:07.084-08:00Week 13: Fantasy do-or-dieI love Fantasy Football. It's frustrating and fun all wraped up in one giant burrito ready for your consumption.<br />
<br />
This season, in my Vancouver league I started off 1-5. In my other league, I started off 1-3-1.<br />
<br />
Through the magesty of trades and just pure awesomeness, I am on the cusp of the playoffs in both leagues. Look, I'm not saying I'm the best Fantasy player of all time, but this is definitly a season that merrits it's own 30-30. Especially the Vancouver League.<br />
<br />
Just look a the roster turn over: I have had 75 different players on my team and one point or another this season. The next closest team 54. I have made 8 trades this season. The rest of the league combines for 12 (that includes the trades made with me). So really, there were 4 trades in my league that were made that didn't involve me. Ultimately, through those moves I flipped a starting lineup of<br />
<ul>
<li>Drew Brees</li>
<li>DeAngelo William</li>
<li>BenJarvis Green Ellis</li>
<li>Wes Welker</li>
<li>Brandon Lloyd</li>
<li>DeSean Jackson</li>
<li>Aaron Hernandez</li>
<li>Toby Gerhart</li>
<li>Giants D</li>
<li>Matt Prater k</li>
</ul>
Into:<br />
<ul>
<li>Drew Brees</li>
<li>Arian Foster</li>
<li>Ray Rice</li>
<li>Wes Welker</li>
<li>Randal Cobb</li>
<li>Denario Alexander</li>
<li>Jimmy Graham</li>
<li>Aaron Hernandez</li>
<li>Steelers D</li>
<li>Kai Forbath</li>
</ul>
Yeah, suck on that everyone. But really, because of that 1-5 hole I dug myself into this lineup means nothing if I don't A) win this week B) get 3 of 4 specific games to go my way. Really, I need a Flutie Hailmary to get this done.<br />
<br />
So cross your fingers, because this team is filthy. And I've worked hard stockpiling this talent. I would really love a championship to show for it.<br />
<br />
Now onto Week 13 picks:<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">New Orleans</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Saints</span></b>@ Altanta Falcons -3.5 Drew Brees quest to drag this team into the playoffs continues this week. Of course, he very well may just want to continue pissing me off and deliberately lose. Stay tuned..</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Seattle</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Seahawks</b></span>@ Chicago Bears-3 Jay Cutler is lucky he is at home. Because if the Legion of Boom could get to him with a soundtrack provided by Qwest Field, we may have been looking at the first ever on field homicide. I still think Seattle can beat this team.</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Minnesota Vikings</span></b> @ Green Bay Packers-7.5 The Adrian Peterson MVP quest continues.</li>
<li>San Fransisco 49ers@<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b> St. Louis Rams+7.5 </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">They tied last time. I imagine St.Louis will keep it closish.</span></span></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Arizona</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Cardinals</span></b>@ New York Jets -6.5 Fuck the Jets. Sanchez looks like he has Stockholm syndrom.</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Carolina</b></span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Panthers</span></b>@ Kansas City Chiefs +5.5 Cam Newton should be able to get some points on the board against this shitty, shitty KC team.</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts</span></b> @ Detroit Lions-7 Two words: CHUCK. STRONG.</li>
<li>Jacksonville Jaguars @ <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Buffalo Bills -6 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I haven't watched much of either teams. I do know that when Buffalo loses, they lose big. Jacksonville doesn't really have the pieces to put up big points. So... Buffalo wins.</span></b></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>New England</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Patriots</b></span>@ Miami Dolphins+7.5 The trail of tears continues...</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Houston</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Texans </span></b>@ Tennessee Titans+7 If they playoffs started today, I would put a lot of wood on Houston winning the AFC.</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Tampa Bay</span></b> Buccaneers@ Denver Broncos -8 This should be close. Denver is due to lose, and Tampa needs this win to keep their playoff chase on.</li>
<li>Pittsburgh Steelers @ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Baltimore Ravens-7</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> I feel like everyone expects this game to be close. It always is. But every now and again you need an outlier to throw every one off. Plus, there is Charlie Batch.</span></span></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Cleveland</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Browns</span></b> @ Oakland Raiders +2.5 Dirty secret: Cleveland not as bad as their record says they are. Dirtier secret: Oakland might be worse than their record.</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Cincinnatti Bengals </span></b>@ San Diego Chargers PK Norv Turner, start working on that tv resume.</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Philadelphia Eagles</span></b> @ Dallas Cowboys-10.5 I'm going to take Philly sticking in this game, only because I'm heavily considering picking up their kicker so I don't have to wait for the monday night game to finish my fantasy game.</li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">New York Giants</span></b> @ Washington Redskins +3 Now that we are in December, I think it's time to start picking the Giants in literally every instance.</li>
</ul>
<br />Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-1358597400577146502012-11-22T15:38:00.000-08:002012-11-23T15:38:34.158-08:00Week 12Last week I accidentally took a bye week along with the Seahawks. Since it's Thanksgiving, I don't have a lot of time to write a bunch of comments for each game. Or anything for that matter. So here are my thoughts real quick, and hopefully I can find some time to pound out a more thoughtful column next week.<br />
<br />
Here are my picks:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Houston Texans </span>@ Detroit Lions +3.5</b></li>
<li><b>Washington Redskins@ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Dallas Cowboys -3.5</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">New England Patriots</span> @ New York Jets +7</b></li>
<li><b>Oakland Raiders @ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Cincinnati Bengals -8</span></b></li>
<li><b>Pittsburgh Steelers @ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Cleveland Browns +1</span> </b></li>
<li><b>Buffalo Bills @<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Indianapolis Colts -3</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Denver Broncos</span> @ Kansas City Chiefs +10.5</b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Tennessee Titans</span> @ Jacksonville Jaguars +3</b></li>
<li><b>Minnesota Vikings @ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Chicago Bears -1</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Atlanta Falcons</span> @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1</b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Seattle Seahawks</span> @ Miami Dolphins +3</b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Baltimore Ravens </span>@ San Diego Chargers +1</b></li>
<li><b>San Francisco 49ers @ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">New Orleans Saints +1</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">St. Louis Rams</span> @ Arizona Cardinals -2.5</b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Green Bay Packers</span> @ New York Giants -3</b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Carolina Panthers </span>@ Philadelphia Eagles +2.5</b></li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-35980166469980997242012-11-09T12:48:00.001-08:002012-11-09T12:48:32.628-08:00Week 10Sorry I'm late. Work has been a killer and I totally forgot that yesterday was Thursday untill I was home watching Andrew Luck whip passes around the field against the future LA Jaguars. So Thats on me. Here is my predictions for the week:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Detroit Lions @ <span style="color: red;">Minnesota Vikings +1</span></strong> though Detroit has not been as offensively bad on defense as they were last year, they're still not good. And Minnesota is at home, and desperate for a win. And Adrian Peterson sold his soul to the devil.</li>
<li><strong>Atlanta Falcons @ <span style="color: red;">New Orleans Saints +1</span></strong> I'm calling it RIGHT HERE- Saints win. What am I basing this off of? Nothing. Fact is, I'm a man and men do shit like claim a 3-5 team will beat a 8-0 team. And we say it with confidence (hence the upcase lettering).</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New York Giants</span> @ Cincinnati Bengals +3 1/2</strong> We are officially at the point of the season where everyone starts talking trash about Eli, and Tom Coughlin calls out his team for poor performance. This obviously means they are going to come out throwing heymakers. Bet your life savings on the Giants here.</li>
<li><strong>Oakland Raiders @ <span style="color: red;">Baltimore Ravens -9</span></strong> Doug Martin went Bo Jackson/Techmo Bowl on the Raiders last weekend. Ray Rice is better than Doug Martin. Fantasy owners of Ray Rice, enjoy (now that I've said that Ray Rice will blow out his hammy, because I am an owner of Ray Rice.)</li>
<li><strong>Buffalo Bills @ <span style="color: red;">New England Patriots -12 1/2 </span></strong>Normally I'm not fond of picking a team to destroy their division rival twice in one season. The reason I'm doing it here is because Aaron Hernanez is healthy and they are coming off a bye week. Oh, and the Patriots are assholes.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Tennessee Titans</span> @ Miami Dolphins -7</strong> Titans cover. Miami wins. This game is, 'meh'</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">San Diego Chargers</span> @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3</strong> Is this the game Phil Rivers remembers he is Phil Rivers? I sure hope so (just traded for him in one of my leagues). I know I should say "Tampa will win here" but this is about the time where Norv Turner saves his job for another year. So without further ado, Chargers win.</li>
<li><strong>Denver Broncos @ <span style="color: red;">Carolina Panthers +4</span></strong> I have no real feel on this game other than I can't shake the idea of Panthers keeping it close. So I'm going to pick them to cover.</li>
<li><strong>New York Jets @ <span style="color: red;">Seattle Seahawks -7</span></strong> The Jets are coming to Seattle. Mark Sanchez is the QB for the Jets. Jason Jones is healthy for Seattle as well as every card carrying member of the Legion of Boom. This is going to be a NIGHTMARE for the Sanchize. I would imagine this is where we see alot of Tebow.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">St. Louis Rams</span> @ San Francisco 49ers -12 1/2</strong> There are four spreads of over 9 this week. I have taken the favorite on two of them (and spoiler: I'm taking the Steelers against the Chiefs) so this is the one that doesn't get covered. I guess my reasoning is SF has a weakness with guarding slot recievers and Danny Amendola is back. Boy that seems like a weak argument when I re-read it. Screw it, Rams cover.</li>
<li><strong>Dallas Cowboys @ <span style="color: red;">Philadelphia Eagles +1</span></strong> I've been saying Jason Garrett is going to get fired like each of the last two weeks. Both of these coaches' seats are so hot they can't sit with both cheeks down at the same time. I have no idea. I guess I will take Philly since Shady McCoy is the best player on the field and they're home.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Houston Texans</span> @ Chicago Bears PK</strong> The Bears of Chicago are 7-1 and just hung have a 100 on Tennessee. Here, is your let down game. Edit Note: please believe if I am wrong, Seattle will beat them next week. Smokin' Jay Cutler vs the Legion of Boom is going to be an awfully entertaining matchup.</li>
<li><strong>Kansas City Chiefs @ <span style="color: red;">Pittsburg Steelers -13</span></strong> I would take Pittsburg at -20. So thanks, Vegas.</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-36243633063511299362012-11-01T13:04:00.005-07:002012-11-01T13:04:59.792-07:00Week 9: First half reviewFull Disclosure: I got nothing to talk about. Last weekend was my wife's birthday and I watched a grand total of about five plays last weekend. Never fear, it just happened to be at the half way point in the young NFL season; so lets see how my predictions are doing!<br />
<br />
EDIT NOTE: Sure, some teams have only played seven games. So they don't have as big of a sample size. We'll take that in account, I assure you.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Tom Brady is going to be awesome. First in yards, fifth in touchdowns. The Patriots have taken some lumps this season, but not really at the fault of Terrific Tom. So I'm going to get a check here.</li>
<li>Russell Wilson will be rookie of the year. Unless RGIII and Andrew Luck blow out hammys while tag teaming a minor I will get this one wrong.</li>
<li>Toby Gerhart is going to play a lot and make himself a lot of money. Way off. Adrian Peterson discovered black magic.</li>
<li>Mark Sanchez is going to be better this year. Nope.</li>
<li>Jets are going to suck this year. Yup.</li>
<li>Mark Sanchez is going to be the QB of the LA Jaguars... still in play.</li>
<li>Darren McFadden will lead the league in rushing if he stays healthy. He's been healthy, but his rushing totals have not been. WTF, Oakland?</li>
<li>Oakland will win 9 games if McFadden stay's healthy. I don't see these dudes going 7-2. So, Fail.</li>
<li>Calvin Johnson is going to top last season: In order for this to be true, he has to catch 55 balls, for 1000+ and 15 touchdowns in the next 9 games. Not likely.</li>
<li>Arian Foster will not (top last year). I'm going to say "I'm sorry" for this one.</li>
<li>Saints will struggle: Check.</li>
<li>Peyton Manning will toss 30 td's: a little over that pace with 17 through 7 games.</li>
<li>Eric Decker will become a household name: Not yet. lol.\</li>
<li>Tony Romo will go for over 4,000 yards: Baring injury he'll get there. He is over half way.</li>
<li>Dez Bryant will go ape shit: Bleh, he has been super uninspiring.</li>
<li>Larry Fitzgerald will be responsible for John Skeltons death: Who knows, maybe he had something to do with that high ankle sprain earlier in the year.</li>
<li>Ray Rice, MVP: Not if the season ended right now. That honor belongs to Matt Ryan. But thats the beauty of 8 games remaining, he could go crazy and make it happen. In fact with all the Baltimore injuries on defense, If Rice put the team on his back and went crazy for the next 8 games he could jack the award still.</li>
</ul>
So not too far off. I'm going to omit the division standings right now, because the season is only half way done. Right now though, it doesn't look good. Lets get on with the picks.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Kansas City Chiefs</span> @ San Diego Chargers -7 1/2 </strong>From everything I've read regarding the 2012 San Diego Chargers, Phill Rivers has done everything short of dropping his pants and shit on the field in an attempt to get Norv Turner fired. Losing to the Chiefs would be a less messy way.</li>
<li><strong>Miami Dolphins @ <span style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts +1 1/2</span> </strong>I'm going to ride Andrew Luck here, only because they're playing at home on the turf.</li>
<li><strong>Buffalo Bills @ <span style="color: red;">Houston Texans -10</span></strong> Thanks for playing Buffalo. Damn. The worst part about this, I'm playing Arian Foster in my fantasy league. This is going to suck balls.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Baltimore Ravens</span> @ Cleveland Browns +3 1/2</strong> IN that previously mentioned game, I just aquired Ray Rice. This is not going to suck balls. By the way, Baltimore limped into their bye week. Now they're playing a shitty team. I full expect a heavy axe to get dropped on Cleveland on Sunday.</li>
<li><strong>Chicago Bears @ <span style="color: red;">Tennessee Titans +3 1/2</span> </strong>I'm going to take the Titans to cover more as wishful thinking. My brain tells me I'm being an asshole though.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Detroit Lions</span> @ Jacksonville Jaguars +4 </strong>Detroit beat Seattle last weekend. Seattle is better than Jacksonville. Detroit will beat Jacksonville.</li>
<li><strong>Arizona Cardinals @ <span style="color: red;">Green Bay Packers -11</span></strong> 11 seems like a lot of points to be spotting, untill you realize that it's impossible to cover when you can't score.</li>
<li><strong>Carolina Panthers @ <span style="color: red;">Washington Redskins -3 </span></strong>I almost said Carolina just because eventually Cam's gotta get that ship turned around, right? Well, not in Washington. THat town is too amped up over RGIII. Next week, maybe. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Minnesota Vikings</span> @ Seattle Seahawks -4 1/2</strong> I had a creative little diddy about a Vikings prayer I was going to put in this slot. Then Frank Gores week 7 performance crept into my brain and I got scared. Adrain Peterson is destroying fools right now. Then I figured Seattles defense IS really good and now has something to prove. Minnesota covers, Seahawks win.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</span> @ Oakland Raiders PK</strong> </li>
<li><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers @ <span style="color: red;">New York Giants -3 </span></strong>I don't feel particularly confident about this one. Just a hunch.</li>
<li><strong>Dallas Cowboys @ <span style="color: red;">Atlanta Falcons -4</span></strong> Falcons run Dallas off the field and Jason Garrett gets chopped. This is the week Cowboy fans. John Gruden, please pick up the red phone.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Philadelphia Eagles</span> @ New Orlean Saints -3 </strong>Andy Reid will avoid execution this week. Unless I'm wrong...</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-41341511167335919852012-10-30T12:03:00.003-07:002012-10-30T12:03:39.461-07:00NBA PreviewSometimes in life you get so wrapped up with the daily tasks, that you forget that life is moving on around you. People age. Seasons change. Days continue to pass, whether or not you gave it permission. As you get older, your life seems to get busier. Or maybe its that you get worse at multi tasking? Whatever the case, if you aren't paying attention you are opening yourself up for a sneak attack. Like Holidays. Or a birthday. Or your annaversary. <br />
<br />
I am all to familiar with this Phenomenon. Just these last two months I have been back in school, working full time, all while performing the required tasks assigned to me by my title as "father/husband." Sometimes I get so wrapped up with what I'm doing at that moment, I forget tha time is moving on.<br />
<br />
It fees like just last week my wife and I were telling our families we were expecting. Now we are less than two months away from the arrival of the Prince.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A more centric example, at least in reference to this blog, is how I handled covering last years basketball season. The NBA lockout frustrated me to no end. It ended so quickly and at a time that was incredibly busy for me, so I was unable to do a preview like I wanted. Nevermind, I thought. I will just make sure to write consistant reviews of recent Blazer performances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That was the plan. But as life often does, it heard my "plans" and told me to "piss off."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
School got crazy during the winter, and the Blazers turned into one of my least favorite team I ever supported. Anytime I began to write anything about the team, I would write something along the lines of "f**k fat Felton..." and then I would have to go find a dog to kick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Raymond Felton took as much joy out of my sports fandom as Chone Figgins does during baseball. That is inexcusible. </div>
<br />
Following the asswhoopings they recieved by the Celtics, Pacers and Knicks (they were down at multiple points to the Celtics by 30+ and lost to the Knicks by 42 they day after they fired Mike D'Antoni) in early March, I washed my hands of that team. I couldn't take it anymore. <em>Why would I spend another moment of my life following a team that doesn't give a shit? </em>With the exception of a few moments (Nate's firing, the trade deadline, and JJ Hicksons emergence) I stayed away the rest of the year.<br />
<br />
Following the playoffs, I spent my remaining shifts as an employee for Wells Fargo researching and disecting the draft. By the time the draft rolled around, I was as familiar with Damian Lillard as I had been with any other Blazer draft pick, ever.<br />
<br />
<strong>Edit Note:</strong> I was also very familiar with Andre Drummond who I really wanted to end up in Portland as well.<br />
<br />
I followed the Free Agency and (new GM) Neil Olshey's first days in office as if it were a hostage situation. The Nic Batum contract negotiations were especially important to me after the Pacers matched Roy Hibbert (which really sucked). <br />
<br />
I watched most of the Summer League. I had to catch the guy dubbed as "the steal of the draft" in mr. Lillard. He ended up winning co-mvp of the Summer League averaging 26 points per game.<br />
<br />
Between Summer League and Pre-Season, however, there is this dark period in the NBA I like to call "the start of the NFL." This pulled the NBA out of my consciousness with the exception of my franchise on NBA 2k12.<br />
<br />
And while I was focusing on the Seahawks, my picks column, and fixing my broken ass Fantasy Football team's, the NBA has snuck back into my life. And I couldn't be happier.<br />
<br />
In honor of the return of the NBA, the 82 game schedule, and a Blazer roster that doesn't feature Raymond Felton; let me present to you my NBA preview.<br />
<br />
(30 thoughts about the upcoming season)<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Damian Lillard</strong>. More than anything, I'm excited about his potential. After losing Roy, this team is desperate need for a franchise player. LaMarcus Aldridge, as great as can be, hasn't shown that he can be the Lizard King for a full season yet. But if these two can develop a nice chemistry together- maybe we can have something.</li>
<li><strong>Portland vs Lakers, game 1</strong>. Seriously, the first night we get a crack at Showtime 3.0. With the talent disparity between the two squads, its possible this game could get ugly in favor of the team from LA. But, I'm happy that we get to take a shot at them before that squad gels together. Maybe we'll get a quick confidence boost and rattle off some un-expected wins. Get some.</li>
<li><strong>Nic Batum.</strong> He got paid this off season, and new coach Terry Stotts is going to release him from the corner cage that Nate had locked him in. Hopefully he responds. If not, that contract is going to be hurtful.</li>
<li><strong>The return of real rivalries</strong>. Have you seen how many matchups have tension going into this season? Boston/Miami, Boston/Chicago (when Rose comes back), Miami/Indiana, New York/Brooklyn, LA/LA, Lakers/Miami, Lakers/Boston, Portland/Lakers (ok no one outside of these fan bases care, but screw it) the list goes on. Add Houston/OKC after James Harden torches his old squad for 45 their first matchup.</li>
<li><strong>James Harden.</strong> On Saturday the Beard went from 6th man favorite, to potential All-Star representative for Houston. I enjoy his work, so anything that gets him the rock more is fine by me.</li>
<li><strong>LeBron James.</strong> Yeah, I'm kind of over my crusade of rooting against him. I don't see myself rooting FOR him, but you gotta admit, the dude is great. That playoff run was stupid and the way he plowed Team USA to a gold was awesome. All that being said, I smell a Michael Jordan/Charles Barkley situation forming. For those of you who don't get the reference: sports writers (who vote for MVP) got bored of voting for Jordan, so they latched onto Charles Barkley in 1993. Lebron being a 4 time mvp before he hits 30? Not if the Sports Writers of America have anythign to say about it. Which is good for...</li>
<li><strong>Kevin Durrant, MVP</strong>. Another scoring title and a 60 win team should get him the nod.</li>
<li><strong>LaMarcus Aldridge</strong>. Two years ago he got paid, and he stepped up as a leading scorer. Last year, he failed to keep that locker room in check but he was named an All-Star. This year he needs to prove he is the king banana. We need 25-9 out of our All-Star.</li>
<li><strong>Bill Simmons on an NBA pregame show for ESPN</strong>. This is self explanitory. </li>
<li><strong>The 2012-2013 Trail Blazers.</strong> Will they be a playoff team? Eh, maybe. But thats not really important right now. What's important is that the give the fan's a sniff of potential good returns. If this team is running, showing chemistry, and scoring a ton of points, these fans are going to buy in. So give us something, dudes.</li>
<li><strong>Wes Mathews.</strong> Both he and LaMarcus have spent lots of words talking about how much improved he is coming into this year. Hopefully this is true, because last year was rough.</li>
<li><strong>Good rookies ended up on good teams.</strong> Jared Sullenger fell down to Boston thanks to possibly misdirected injury concerns. And Perry Jones III fell to Oklahoma City, because, they really needed another super athletic forward. Damn.</li>
<li><strong>Oklahoma City Thunder. </strong>Let me preface this by saying I don't think we will get a rematch of the NBA finals. The league is too good, and injuries happen to randomly to sit here and say that the season will unfold like last year. That being said, unless Durrant or Westbrook get hurt we are going to see some fury come from that combo. They lost their first chance at a title, and then their 3rd amigo. That screams Atilla the Hun potential.</li>
<li><strong>Los Angles Lakers.</strong> Sure, I hate this team. But they did go out and grab my favorite non Blazer and pair him with two players that are natural compliments to his skill set. Pau Gasol with his high post play, and Dwight with his pick and roll game were born to play with Steve Nash. It could get nasty, especially if...</li>
<li><strong>Kobe conforms</strong>. I'm not saying he has to step in line with Nash, I'm just saying he needs to recognize that Nash can benifit him. He needs to evolve as a teammate and accept a role with out constant ball domination. If he steps in line, and this team stays healthy... Oh. Shit.</li>
<li><strong>Miami Heat. </strong>While we are on the subject of great teams, lets just go ahead and say the Miami Heat science experiment is going to be interesting this year. Logic would tell us that they would've spent the 2012 off season looking for potential big men. However, after dick slapping OKC in the finals last year, they did the exact opposite. They brought in more shooters. Good for them. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Lebron and Bosh holding down the two front court positions for a full season will be interesting.</li>
<li><strong>Greg Oden.</strong> This is 100% speculation, but... if something were to go wrong with Miami this season (ie. an injury, or realizing that they can't repeat without a bigman) then look for Oden rumors to be popping up. Again, complete specualtion. I'm not even sure how healthy he is.</li>
<li><strong>A better year out of Melo.</strong> This more hopeful due to him ending up on my fantasy team. I guess hell is pretty cold this year.</li>
<li><strong>Brandon Roy</strong>. I'm actually not excited about this. It actually makes me sick to my stomach to think of him wearing a different jersey. But he is my guy, so I'm hoping for the best.</li>
<li><strong>The first time Brandon Roy, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio hit the court at the same time.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Return of Derek Rose</strong>. The first time he takes the court in Chicago, it's going to be insane. Think of the emotion? I mean, the dude choked up during a press conference for his shoe. He is hungry.</li>
<li><strong>Trades.</strong> My favorite part of sports is playing arm-chair gm. I took it to a new level last year ripping off fake trade after fake trade to the point where I'm sure some of my buddies stopped bringing their phones to work. My odd's on favorite player to be traded this year: Tyreke Evans. </li>
<li><strong>One step closer to the Seattle Super Kings.</strong> </li>
<li><strong>Tim Duncan's attempts to go out like Davey Crockett.</strong> I know he signed a 2 year deal, but lets get real. I wouldn't be shocked if this was Duncans last run. Stage is set for a playoff run where Duncan throws one last haymaker, but ends up going down on his home court... just like Crockett at the Alamo.</li>
<li><strong>The funniest thing about the Dwight Howard trade.</strong> If Dwight and Kobe don't blend, Howard can bounce after this season. LA could possibly be left with three old guys, Ron Artest, and their dick in their hand. And don't, for one second, think Mark Cuban isn't planning on buying Howard the country of Chili to convince him to come to Dallas. He is going to have a butt load of cap next off season while attempting to stretch out Dirk's title window. Also in play: Atlanta.</li>
<li><strong>Orlando Magic.</strong> The worst team in the NBA.</li>
<li><strong>Toronto Raptors will score a butthole load of points this year</strong>. They have a solid point guard in Kyle Lowry. They have Andrea Bargnani and Demar Derozen. Legend has it is Jonas Valanciunas has superstar potential. They may not win a bunch of games, but they shouldn't be boring to watch.</li>
<li><strong>Durrant</strong> will win the scoring title with 31 ppg. <strong>Rondo </strong>will win the scoring title with 12 assist a game. And <strong>Kenneth Faried</strong> will lead the league in rebounding with 13 a game.</li>
<li><strong>Eastern Playoffs</strong>: Miami, Indiana, Brooklyn, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit</li>
<li><strong>Western Playoffs:</strong> Oklahoma, LA Lakers, Clippers, Spurs, Memphis, Denver, Dallas, Portland</li>
</ol>
Get some.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-27950235427131888142012-10-25T15:12:00.003-07:002012-10-25T15:12:51.104-07:00Week 8 and the Thursday Night GameThursday night games suck.<br />
<br />
I wasn't a huge fan of them to begin with. And that was before the Seahawks were forced to play their division rivals, the San Fransisco 49ers last week. On the road. On only 4 nights rest. Yeah, I already wasn't super fond of them. But now, I hate them now. Scratch that, I loath Thursday night games.<br />
<br />
They're stupid.<br />
<br />
Sure on paper they sound great. Another night dedicated to professional football. Actually, it sounds delicisous. But the execution has been poor, to say the least. The games have been overall boring, sloppy and have yielded a ton of injuries (go back and watch that Pittsburgh game again). Its just not enough rest in between games for the teams to put their best effort. They're still banged up from the previous game, and now they gotta go do it again? No thank you. <br />
<br />
Look at what happened to the Seahawks last week. They're defense had allowed 12 points per game heading into last weeks game and by the second half, they were gassed. San Fransisco pushed them around like they were children. Granted, the score doesn't reflect an ass whooping, but my eyes told me a different story. After half time last Thursday, the 9ers would've had a tougher challenge against tackling dummies and blocking sleds.<br />
<br />
This is a physical game. These are dudes with physical attributes a pubic hair short of crime fighters, and they spend 60 minutes fighting each other. Even Wolverine would need a couple days between doing that. Following last Thursday nights game, Seahawks full back Michael Robinson described the situation as, "go get into a carwreck and then try and play 2 days later."<br />
<br />
These games are hypocritical.<br />
<br />
Think about it: every rule the NFL has passed in the last few years has been done under the context of trying to keep players safe. Defensive players can't even adjust thier cup within five yards of a quarterback without having charges pressed on them. Which is fine, to an extent. Gotta keep these players safe, right?<br />
<br />
Wasn't player's safety the reason the league came down on The Saints and the bounties this summer? I seem to remember hearing something about that.<br />
<br />
But then you go and make them play on half a weeks rest? Seriously? Whats more dangerous? Bounties, or sending player's that are not fully recovered back onto the field. Hint: Thats they kind of attitude that lead to the league getting sued in the first place. Granted, the players are suing over misdiagnoises of head injuries; but this is sending players out on the field when they are not physically ready to. It might not be the same thing, but it's atleast related.<br />
<br />
Don't believe me? Ask Scott Fujita.<br />
<br />
"The Commissioner says he is disappointed in me. The truth is, I’m disappointed in him. His positions on player health and safety since a 2009 congressional hearing on concussions have been inconsistent at best. He failed to acknowledge a link between concussions & post-career brain disease, pushed for an 18-game regular season, committed to a full season of Thursday night games, has continually challenged players’ rights to file workers compensation claims for on-the-job injuries, and he employed incompetent replacement officials for the start of the 2012 season."<br />
<br />
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who never responded to Fujita's manly statement, did respond to complaints on the Thursday games, "The shorter week is harder for the players. They'll tell you that, I'm sure." He then went on to preach the benifits of having 10 days off following the Thursday game.<br />
<br />
Point is, Thursday games are dangerous and have yet to yeild an interesting game. Lets go a head and scrap this idea after the season, eh owners? Atleast pretend you give a shit about the players and fans, and not just about that money.<br />
<br />
Here are the picks (last week 6-7):<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs <span style="color: red;">Minnestoa Vikings -5 1/2</span></strong> I was about to write about how Tampa is improved against the run this year and Christian Ponder isn't very scary- then I remembered I just wrote like 7 paragraphs on why Thursday night games suck (especially for the road team). So the Vikings are going to win, but by how much? Last week they won by 7 at home against Arizona so lets assume they could put up a 6 point margin against Tampa.</li>
<li><strong>Washington Redskins vs <span style="color: red;">Pittsburgh Steelers -4 1/2</span></strong> I really don't want to bet against RG III, but he hasn't really had a bad game and he is playing IN Pittsburgh. So... lets just say Steelers and move on before I change my mind.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Seattle Seahawks</span> vs Detroit Lions -1 </strong>I have watched 1 Detroit game. Last weeks Monday night game against the Bears. In a grand total of zero moments did I find myself thinking, "shit, this team could beat us next week." Fun fact: Last time Sidney Rice played Detroit, 2009, when he caught 7 balls for 201 yards.</li>
<li><strong>Carolina Panthers vs <span style="color: red;">Chicago Bears -9</span> </strong>The Panthers are really bad and the Bears seem to be really good. But do I think the Bears can go out and past someone by 10 points. It's iffy. I'm going to say yes, if only because Carolina still doesn't know how to turn around and had the freaking ball off. <strong>Fantasy note</strong>: in ESPN PPR leagues (points per reception) Brandon Marshall is projected (THAT PROJECTED) to go for 27 points this week. Holy damn thats some (justifiable) disrespect to Carolina's defense.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New England Patriots</span> vs St. Louis Rams +7</strong> Three weeks ago the Patriots capped off the 6 best offensive quarters in the history of the universe. Then they played the hawks and got punched in the dick. Then they played the Sanchize, and tried to beat themselves. I feel like this team should be good and angry for this one. Another thing to think about: The Patriots are 0-2 against the NFC west this year. They have this game and a home game against the 49ers left. They better win this one or they could seriously be looking at a chance to get blanked by a division.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts</span> vs Tennessee Titans -3 1/2</strong> Sometimes is as simple as this: Andrew Luck is very good. Andrew Luck is averaging 42 passes per game. The Tennessee Titans are allowing teams to complete 72 percent of their balls. For this trend to continue, Andrew Luck will complete 29 balls this week. If Andrew Luck continues his current 12.5 yards per completion percentage, he will be at 362 yards on Sunday. Translation: Colts win.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Miami Dolphins</span> vs New York Jets -1 </strong>Reggie has been slumping and hurt over the last couple weeks. Maybe Rex Ryan demanding he apologize for comments about Revis' injury will give him some incentive to have a good game.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">San Diego Chargers</span> vs Cleveland Browns +2 1/2 </strong>I have no thoughts on this game other than CBS better not try and put it on my tv. I will go straight ape shit if it is.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Jacksonville Jaguars</span> vs Green Packers -15</strong> Green Bay has found their swing. Rodgers has tossed 16 of his 19 Touchdowns in the lsat four weeks. The Jaguars are not good. However, I am starting Rashad Jennings in my fantasy league this week so I'm going to pick the Jag's to cover. I'm throwing it in the universe and seeing if it sticks.</li>
<li><strong>Atlanta Falcons vs <span style="color: red;">Philadelphia Eagles -2 1/2 </span></strong>Atlanta isn't going to go undefeated. Here is a good game to make that statement accurate.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Oakland Raiders</span> vs Kansas City Chiefs PK</strong> Damn this game is ugly. Raiders. Enjoy your #1 pick, Kansas. Hopefully it finds you a Quarterback. Side Note: How funny would it be if Brady Quinn plays out of his mind for the rest of the season, locks up a contract from Kansas only to shit the bed next year? I would say, "very funny." </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New York Giants</span> vs Dallas Cowboys +1</strong> Cowboys won the first game. These two always split. 1 point means I'm just picking the winner. Giants, I'm looking at you. Jason Garrett, you might as well start packin' up your shit now, bro.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New Orlean Saints</span> vs Denver Broncos -6</strong> Drew Brees the Hun needs to go for like 500 yards in this game. As a guy who owns him in my fantasy league (and Peyton in the other) I really, really hope they combine for 1,100 yards.</li>
<li><strong>San Fransisco 49ers vs <span style="color: red;">Arizona Cardinals +6 1/2</span></strong> I really wanted to pick San Fransisco to run up a touchdown on the Cardinals here. This is what's stoping me: 1) Arizona was 4-0 to start the season. They beat three potential playoff teams in that run. That tells me this losing streak should end at some point. 2) Wise man once told me, "always bet on the home dog on a monday night." I would attribute that quote if I could remember where it came from. But I can't. I still think it plays here though. AZ covers, but they don't win.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-8605647815763604802012-10-18T13:14:00.002-07:002012-10-18T13:14:26.848-07:00Week 7: Just Pickin'I have a ton of work to do so I don't have time to pound out a column. That being said, I didn't want to rob you all of a chance to screw up your gambling this weekend. Here are my picks (expect a post on the Hawks/9ers game tomorrow)<strong><span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Seattle Seahawks</span> @ San Fransisco 49ers -8</strong> Last week was awesome. I have never been so happy to be wrong in my life. But this is a new week. Here is what I know about this game: We are coming off an emotial win, on short rest, and playing on the road. We are doing this against a team who is coming off an embarrassing loss, playing at home. I think the 9ers beat us tonight, but not by 8 points. We cover.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Baltimore Ravens</span> @ Houston Texans -7</strong> Big deal is going to be made about the fact that the faces of death that have roamed Baltimores defense for years not being in this game. But whats obviously being forgotten about (evidence being that they are giving Baltimore a full touchdown) is that Houston got lit up in their one game with out Bryan Cushing. Plus, Baltimore could rally around their fallen leader for an emotional lift.</li>
<li><strong>Green Bay Packers @ <span style="color: red;">St. Louis Rams +5</span></strong> Do I have the balls to pick 3 road teams to cover to start the week? Hell yeah I do. But I'm not so sure I'm going to. Here is why: Rams have given up 18.5 points per game this season, but those numbers are scewed party because of the asswhoopin they put on the Cardinals two weeks ago. Their first 3 games they gave up 27,28, 23. Packers very well could cause they to revert back to that version of their defense. On the flipside, the Packers are allowing over a 110 yards a game on the ground. St. Louis is at home, so I'm going to let them cover.</li>
<li><strong>Tennessee Titans @ <span style="color: red;">Buffalo Bills -3</span></strong> If the guy who had Chris Johnson in my fantasy league wasn't terrified of the artist formerly known as CJ2k reverting back to his old ways, I would've already pulled the trigger on a trade for him. Eventually, he is going to turn it around. The skills are still there, he is just pressing. He had 90+ yards for the second time last week and now he gets Buffalo. This is going to be one of those 37-24 games. Buffalo wins.</li>
<li><strong>Cleveland Browns @ <span style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts -2 1/2</span></strong> Andrew Luck made his first start for my fantasy team last week while Drew Brees was on a bye. He shit the bed and it ruined my morning ( thankfully the Seahawks turned that frown upside down). This game is going to boil down to this: Andrew Luck is the best player on the field and playing in front of his home crowd. Colts.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New Orleans Saints</span> @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2 1/2 </strong>"Wait, I thought you said you weren't picking the Saints anymore," possibly said one of the 4 readers I have. Look, the Saints have been bad. Buuut, they're coming off a bye week, against a team that gave up 500 yards to Eli Manning in week 2. I'm going to take Saints, but it's coming with warning, Saints: You screw me here, and we are done. Here me? Done.</li>
<li><strong>Dallas Cowboys @ <span style="color: red;">Carolina Panthers +2 1/2</span></strong> Dallas isn't very good. They aren't well coached and there is a major disconnect with thier players (example: please watch Dez Bryant bitch ath the officials while the rest of his team tried to run a hurry up). That being said, The Panthers pre bye week didn't seem to have thier shit together either. I'm going to pretend that Cam Newton had a hallmark moment where he figured out how to be a leader and the Panthers right the ship- for this week atleast. <strong>Side prediction</strong>: Cowboys lose this week, then get BLOWN out next week at home against the Giants; Jerry Jones fires Jason Garrett moments after week 8 ends.</li>
<li><strong>Arizona Cardinals @ <span style="color: red;">Minnesota Vikings -7</span> </strong>The Vikings have won 3 of their 4 wins by 7+. One of those wins were over the 49ers. The Arizona Cardinals are NOT the 49ers. </li>
<li><strong>Washington Redskins @<span style="color: red;"> New York Giants -5 1/2</span></strong> Damnit, I wish I had Eli this week. Redskins couldn't stop me. This game will be stupid fun to watch, I really hope its on tv.</li>
<li><strong>New York Jets @ <span style="color: red;">New England Patriots -12</span></strong> Patriots are returning home, coming off an emotional loss. As Russell Wilson can attest, they do not have a good secondary. Thankfully, Sanchez doesn't have anyone to throw to that I can remember their name. The Jets did have success running the ball last weekend against the Colts, unfortunately, the Patriots can stop the run (as shown by them errasing Marshawn Lynch last week)Thats not good for the Jets. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Jacksonville Jaguars</span> @ Oakland Raiders -4 </strong>My natural guess was to go with the Raiders at home. But I've been off on Oakland most of this season. So lets just go with the exact opposite of what I originally thought.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Pittsburgh Steelers</span> @ Cincinnati Bengals +1</strong> You know how last week I was like "Mendenhall is back now Pitt will be really good" well I didn't take an account of the whole "first game back from an ACL injury playing on 4 days rest." They're rested this week, and its fairly must win. </li>
<li><strong>Detroit Lions @ <span style="color: red;">Chicago Bears -7</span> </strong>On paper this looks like it should be all Bears. They're defense is rolling and the Lions potentially will have an awfully hard time with Brandon Marshall. While all this is true, it really only means that this game has the makings of being another Jay Cutler National TV Shitshow. He seems to have his most legendary blow ups during the games he should be great in. I'm going to say he bucks the trend and plays alright.</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-25920911679520663262012-10-12T11:26:00.000-07:002012-10-12T11:26:20.239-07:00Bound For Glory 2012: The Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU9TPIaATYJ45QfGsTWep9L0txrzaecWSuTYhtRcGi6GGaNZCApqaamwdvr4FPtZgj6784jjRNsPbvgNpua0065VA3I0btwAhihNopBGNwhHyw5a81658pYxEe9tzx9b8pTMham_8Wp8/s1600/200px-Bound_for_Glory_(2012)%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU9TPIaATYJ45QfGsTWep9L0txrzaecWSuTYhtRcGi6GGaNZCApqaamwdvr4FPtZgj6784jjRNsPbvgNpua0065VA3I0btwAhihNopBGNwhHyw5a81658pYxEe9tzx9b8pTMham_8Wp8/s1600/200px-Bound_for_Glory_(2012)%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
TNA is putting on their biggest Pay Per View of the year, Bound For Glory on Sunday, so lets all take a break from being productive and have ourselves a little preview and prediction party.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Joey Ryan vs Al Snow</li>
<li>Miss Tessmacher (c) vs Tara</li>
<li>Samoa Joe (c) vs Magnus</li>
<li>Zema Ion (c) vs Rob Van Dam</li>
<li>Chris Daniels & Kaz (c) vs AJ Styles & Kurt Angle vs Chavo Guererro& Hernandez</li>
<li>Bobby Roode vs James Storm </li>
<li>Sting and Bully Ray vs Aces & Eights</li>
<li>Austin Aries (c) vs Jeff Hardy</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Whatever your opinions of TNA might be, you would be wrong to think this is not a solid card. Starting basically the Tapings after Bound For Glory last year, TNA has been rolling in the right direction, and this card is a test to that.<br />
<br />
Don't believe me? Look closer: This card has the culmination of a successful gimmick ( the Bound For Glory series is their invention. And after last years trial run, this years was awesome). It has pay off's for long running programs: The Aces & 8's invasion, though not unique, has been running through out the summer. We have seen the faction take over before (shit, even as recently as two years ago with "They/Immortal"), but TNA has managed to stick with the story and thanks to a lack of reveal they have made it a regular 'whodunit'. But even longer then that, we can finally have a resolution with the Bobby Roode and James Storm conflict. <br />
<br />
We have 4 cases of potential vetrans putting over youngsters in Ryan/Snow, Tessmacher/Tara, Joe/Magnus, and Ion/Van Dam.<br />
<br />
And not to be out done, there is a potential pants wetting match with the triple threat tag match.<br />
<br />
It's safe to say that I'm very impressed with the direction and obvious planning this pay per view took. 7 of the 8 matches are a minimum of three months of planning by the TNA booking. Only RVD/Ion was a last minute throw in, but that was done in such a fashion that I'm ok with it. Cudo's TNA.<br />
<br />
There is nothing else for me to say other than: Lets break down the card and guess where they are going next.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Zema Ion(c) vs Rob Van Dam</strong>:</span> Ion has had a strong run since taking the XDivision title at Destination X. He's been a strong chicken shit heel, who has pulled it out against all comers. On the other side, RVD is a legend with nothing really to do. I had thought they would've put him in the match with Joe and Magnus since he was ECW's longest TV Title Champion and he had beef already with Magnus. But they went this route. I'm ok with that. <br />
<br />
All that being said, RVD winning means nothing to that title. At least right now. Ion goes over with the help of his spray. If the idea is to give RVD an XDivision run, then let him chase Ion a little bit. We all want Ion to get his ass beat but delaying even further is the play here. <em>Ion wins.</em> <br />
<br />
<strong>Going forward:</strong> Either way, this should get another PPV match out of these two. RVD wins, Ion is going to come back for a rematch. Ion isn't winning clean, so RVD is going to come back for revenge. Which is nice, because RVD needs a story, and being in a program with a legend will only make Ion more credible for his show downs with Kenny King or Jesse Sorenson.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Samoa Joe(c) vs Magnus-</span></strong> Samoa Joe won the title just a couple weeks ago thanks to Devon's contract running out. I can't believe that the original plan was for Joe to hold this title going into the pay per view. Full disclouser: I'm a huge fan of long title runs. 9/10 I would prefer title runs to go half a year or longer. This is not the case for this match though. <br />
<br />
TNA likes Magnus. It's obvious. They give him a shit load more air time then his former British Invasion teammates, Doug Williams and Robbie T. Let Magnus take the title here. The TV title is super unimportant right now, so have Magnus cheat to win (maybe have Doug Williams return and help him pull it out). <em>Magnus wins.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>Going Forward</strong>: Put title on a heel and let Samoa Joe, or a returning Pope, or whoever chase it down. Make this title mean something.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eWZZGfPnVg6EeR_F7K3_xBleOzyXOApmhlcyiX4x1iGEkF3iTvXGEFdF9X58JOXOwdfvrGhTW51YxplWPwH0dOX-0bbdb0J3nBFgwLVQzA_eTIXItj4Jiku3XI5Jt0PLcQr7e2exhHE/s1600/img_2875.0_standard_730.0%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eWZZGfPnVg6EeR_F7K3_xBleOzyXOApmhlcyiX4x1iGEkF3iTvXGEFdF9X58JOXOwdfvrGhTW51YxplWPwH0dOX-0bbdb0J3nBFgwLVQzA_eTIXItj4Jiku3XI5Jt0PLcQr7e2exhHE/s200/img_2875.0_standard_730.0%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirty, dirty man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: red;">Joey Ryan vs Al Snow-</span></strong> I actually missed the gutcheck where Ryan made his debut. But I dig the story. Ryan is a pretty awesome dirt bag. He looks like he could be Ron Jeremy's child, and frankly, I'm not prepared to say he isn't. TNA has built this story since the start of the Gutcheck series, so obviously<em> Ryan is going beat Al Snow</em>. I just hope there is a Head appearence. <br />
<br />
<strong>Going Forward: </strong>After Ryan is under contract, I'm not sure what to do with him. If Ion is to retain the X title, he can't really contend for that since he is another chicken shit heel. And I hope TNA wouldn't give us a return match with Al Snow.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Miss Tessmacher(c) vs Tara</span> </strong>It started as a mentor vs student rivalry. Tara heeled out on her pupil and now here we are. I actually think Tara should take her down and set up Miss Tessmacher taking the title back from her down the road. <em> Tara wins. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<strong>Going Forward:</strong> Legend has it is Velvet Sky is coming back. That was quick. I would have Tara injure Tessmacher. Then on Impact you bring out Mickie or Velvet or whoever and set up a two month program with Tara. Tessmacher gets healthy, returns for Genesis, and we have a nice Knockout rivaly paying off to start the new year.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Daniels & Kaz (c) v Styles & Angle v Guererro & Hernandez-</span></strong> aka. the wet dream match. AJ Styles has been feuding with Daniels for basically 10 years ( more realistically, the last 16 months). Angle came into the fold before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slammiversary_(2012)" title="Slammiversary (2012)">Slammiversary</a>, teaming with AJ (another long time rivalry) to win the tag titles. Daniels and Kaz would win the titles back on an episode of Impact and defend them again to AJ/Kurt at No Surrender. Adding Chavo and Hernandez in this mix is going to only add to this spectecal. Hernandez is going to do the Super Mex spot, plus he has 3 light dudes to boarder toss. Kurt Angle and Hernandez have torn it down before, so that will be fun. And Chavo is holding his own in tag matches since he defected from WWE.<br />
<br />
What makes this match even more fun, is you can make a cae for all 3 teams winning. AJ/Kurt are the two best wrestlers in the company. Daniels and Kaz are the longest running tag team. And Chavo and Hernandez could use the belts the most. <br />
<br />
I could see Daniels and Kaz winning dirty by pinning Chavo setting up a match between the two teams at Turning Point. I could see AJ and Kurt winning the belts and set up either a final blow off between Daniels/Kaz v AJ/Kurt at Turning Point, or even adding whatever tag team is formed with the reveal of Aces& 8's (this seems very possible with Angles interactions with Wes Brisco a rumored member of the group). <br />
<br />
But as I stated before, Chavo and Hernandez could use the belts the most. Chavo is still fresh in the company, a win here further seperates him from his loser persona in WWE and helps him add to the credibillity his last name brings. That being said, I'm going to say <em>Daniel and Kaz win,</em> thanks to help by Aces & 8's.<br />
<em></em><br />
<strong>Going Forward:</strong><em> </em>The outcome of this match would put Angle and AJ into the Aces & 8's story line, which I imagine is bound to happen. It also allows a Daniels/Kaz vs Chavo and Hernandez title match, where Chavo/Hernandez can get their revenge and finally capture the tag titles.<br />
<br />
I really hope after they put the tag belts on Chavo and Hernandez that it leads to Homecide coming back in a "You forget about me? Your REAL tag partner" story. I need Homecide back in TNA.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Bobby Roode vs James Storm w/ King Mo as Special Ref</span>- </strong>Anyone else smell Austin/Michaels/Tyson set up here? I kinda do. Look, this match is going to rule. They didn't need to add King Mo in there. They should've put Mo in the Tag match since Daniels and Kaz are famous for their trickery. Roode v Storm doesn't need any help getting my money. Up untill Destination X I was convinced this would be for the title in the mainevent. They sure set it up to be that.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, we are getting the payoff of a feud literally started a year ago. Roode was the orignal winner of the Bound For Glory series, but was unable to beat Kurt Angle. The next episode of Impact, Kurt caught a quick Last Call super kick to the chin and lost. James Storm shocked the world, and his former tag partner, by winning the World Title. The first match he gave after his title win was to his buddy, Bobby Roode. <br />
<br />
Roode returned the favor by breaking a beer bottle over Storms dome, and rolling him up for the win. Begining his heel turn and the longest title run in the history of TNA Impact Wrestling.<br />
<br />
Storm jobbed to Roode at Lockdown this year, so I expect <em>James Storm to win</em>. After the victory, I expect Roode to pop off to King Mo, and get dropped a la Tyson/Michaels.<br />
<br />
<strong>Going Forward</strong>: I think Storm wins to draw this feud out a little longer. Possibly pushing both of them back into the title picture by the end of the year.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Sting & Bully Ray vs Aces & 8's</span></strong>- history has a funny way of repeating itself. At Bound For Glory 2010, the big pay off was going to be the reveal of "They". It was rumored that it could be a Hogan heel turn, especially being that the setting was Daytona Beach (the location of his NWO turn). I was convinced it was Paul Heyman, because Hogan would have been too obvious. Sure enough, in the mainevent Hogan came martching out the same way he did in 1996, aligned with Jeff Hardy, and helped him win the World Title. <br />
<br />
In hindsight, it was so obvious that it actually became shocking again. Now the question is, is the obvious answer going to be the right one here?<br />
<br />
The obvious reveal of the Aces faction is Jeff Jarrett, Luke Gallows (or whatever he calls himself), Wes Briscoe and whoever.<br />
<br />
This is what I would have happen if I was in charge: I would have like six dudes come out for Aces. Sting and Bully Ray have been bamboozled! It was supposed to be an even 2 on 2 (which obviously it won't be because at one point Aces rolled out like a 20 man riot squad). The two TNA stars are getting beat down. <br />
<br />
Out comes TNA's faces. Angle, AJ, EY, maybe even a returning Devon, they're helping even it out the numbers. Pure pandemonium. Maybe the faces drive back some of the excess members of Aces. Out comes Jeff Jarrett from the crowd, he drills Bully Ray in the dome with a guitar. It's now 3 against one; Sting is cornered.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AcZT3hWjswJPRYXSGq7cQZ5AzxsDv9-hwLVtrR7kvfjWI6ioKlFEvEJ9pc-SMwGcADWY21c2GI9Qq9M_vgLe17-LkkUh4maHNyljGax9yqBkkBg8_eR5HFz7kaMtpRisXeokBwEGVc8/s1600/mranderson1_crop_exact%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AcZT3hWjswJPRYXSGq7cQZ5AzxsDv9-hwLVtrR7kvfjWI6ioKlFEvEJ9pc-SMwGcADWY21c2GI9Qq9M_vgLe17-LkkUh4maHNyljGax9yqBkkBg8_eR5HFz7kaMtpRisXeokBwEGVc8/s200/mranderson1_crop_exact%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I smell a rat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Out comes Ken Anderson. He was seen "laid out" at the end of last weeks episode of Impact after he had been originally choosen as Sting's partner. He gets in behind Sting, and all of a sudden Sting looks to be more confident. The Aces members start to back up a little bit. Sting is about to lead the attack, when Anderson slips the mic check on from behind and drops the Icon.<br />
<br />
The rest of the group take their masks off to join Jarrett and Anderson. Wes Briscoe and Gallows. Your welcome.<br />
<br />
In case you need help making sense on why Anderson: Anderson hasn't had a real story in almost a year. He is a horse with no name right now. TNA tried to kept flipping between heel/face last year with him and it really killed his character. Anderson is a good heel. Turn him heel, solidify his character and let him be the maineventer for this faction. Jarrett can serve as the Flair to Anderson's HHH.<br />
<br />
Anderson will explain his reason for betraying TNA as retrebution over being lied to and revenge for when Hogan formed Immortal. He will explain the Jarrett wanted revenge on TNA for firing him, and giving Sting the first Hall of Fame induction (he started the company, you know). And everyone else who shows up in the group can be young upstarts who saw aligning with Jarrett and Anderson as a way to kick open the door and make a name for themselves.<br />
<br />
<strong>Going Forward:</strong> It was rumored that TNA wanted to host a war games like pay per view like they did in WCW with the Horsemen and NWO factions. Here is your chance. This match is called a No Contest due to never really getting started, and set ups a war games style ppv at Turning Point or Final Resolution.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Austin Aries(c) vs Jeff Hardy</strong>-</span> It started as Face v Face, which is weird for the biggest PPV of the year. But it looks like Aries is taking a play from the Punk playbook and playing the bad guy looking for respect here ( yeah that Brainbuster at the end of Impact last night helps solidfy that point). <br />
<br />
Look, I have high hopes for some a couple of jaw dropping moments. $20 dollars says we see Hardy do a swanton to the outside of the ring, and possibly Aries do a brainbuster outside as well. These two are capable of anything. <br />
<br />
As for the finish, I could go both ways on this one. Jeff Hardy winning completes the year long retribution project. We all know where he fell to in April of 2011. I wrote about his comeback last year's Bound For Glory preview. Hardy winning here solidify's his face of TNA position and puts an exclamation point on what has been a great year for the Charasmatic Enigma.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, why give it to him now? Wrestling is so much better with anticipation. Is the crowd really clammoring for a Hardy win NOW?!? I get the setting makes sense. Bound For Glory is their Wrestlemania, so it's the biggest back drop. Buuuut... if you can hold off, there is potential for a bigger payoff.<br />
<br />
Lets say we are 25 minutes into this match, and Aries drills Hardy in the nuts and hits him with a 3rd Brainbuster. <em>Austin Aries wins</em> solidfies his return to heel status ( the mid title run heel turn is becoming popular with both TNA and WWE lately. See: Styles, AJ. Anderson, Ken. Punk, CM) and his title run (That would be two wins over Roode and one over Jeff Hardy. Thats solid).<br />
<br />
<strong>Going Forward</strong>: Aries explains himself Thursday as he did what he did to save the fan's from themselves. They wanted to see Hardy win, when he is a terrible person. He cuts a promo about Hardy being a multiple time relapsing junkie. Hardy comes out, owns up to it, but says people change. He gets a rematch and then a Turning Point he beats Aries and wins the title.<br />
<br />
I think they need another month to build the title change. Let Aries become a mainevent heel and give TNA another heel for the world title picture. Right now there is two. Roode and Bully Ray (and Anderson if he flips). But Aries heel character is coming from a truthful place. He believes he deserves the respect that the fans are giving to Jeff. You could easily turn him back face at a moments notice.<br />
<br />
TNA, give yourselves another month to really build on Hardy's story. Make it emotional. Then after he hits the final swonton and captures the belt back, don't drop the confetti. Just let him sit in the middle of the ring and have himself a moment. I would even cut the announcers from speaking. Just the crowd cheering and a picture of a worn out Hardy embracing the title.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDOkVGTdqAdmM38sZx1jGD0iB43HFPWYBDAdpWtZk1Jf9ESX_7P_GUElOwGH8pE5Wi3L4sfh_ST4I5gIpYXyYS6R4Ap9A4qK2nqEnCuohDSJCihgxHPB4f42WI4caKTIdx5ZSWJj2DlQ/s1600/wcbu4x%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDOkVGTdqAdmM38sZx1jGD0iB43HFPWYBDAdpWtZk1Jf9ESX_7P_GUElOwGH8pE5Wi3L4sfh_ST4I5gIpYXyYS6R4Ap9A4qK2nqEnCuohDSJCihgxHPB4f42WI4caKTIdx5ZSWJj2DlQ/s320/wcbu4x%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardy's win could be emotional...if it's at Turning Point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If done right, it could be a lasting moment in TNA history.<br />
<br />
<br />
One final note: Matt Morgan showed up at a couple house shows last month. They talked about it on Impact. I imagine they did it to throw another wrench in the Aces speculation. Though Morgan could benifit from a mouth piece like Jeff Jarrett, I don't think he will be associated with the group.<br />
<br />
If The BluePrint is to come back on Sunday, expect him to show up in a random match. Pure speculation: Matt Morgan has tweeted about his beef with TNA management. So maybe he comes out and puts the boot to Al Snows face and helps Joey Ryan (and all his dirtiness) win a contract.<br />
<br />
Alright, well this is now over 3,000 words. Lets see how close I get. Enjoy.<br />
<br />Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-45909431669929419182012-10-11T15:48:00.001-07:002012-10-11T15:48:32.059-07:00Week 6My brother text messaged me this morning asking me about my prediction for the Patriots/ Seahawks game on Sunday. I responded quickly rattling off reasons why I think the Patriots will win, but Seattle will keep it from a public execution (at home, defense is too good, uh... that's it.). After what amounted to about 7 pages worth of text messages I concluded that New England would win 24-13.<br />
<br />
But that prediction hasn't sat well with me. Something doesn't feel right about it. I fired off a text to the Born Winner asking for his opinion, "we are going to get blown out" He replied.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I guess that could happen. But that doesn't feel right either.<br />
<br />
So at 9:30 am I decided to put work aside and start focusing on what will be the outcome of this week 6 matchup. Because when it comes down to it, whats really important here? Yeah, I thought so.<br />
<br />
Three weeks ago, the New England Patritots were 1-2 and fresh off a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. If you were invested in the 2012 Patriots, it was basically the end of the world ( like, say, I dunno, if you were a fantasy owner who had so many Patriots you named your team "Tom and the Terrifics... like me).<br />
<br />
At half time the following week in Buffalo, the Patriots had 1 TD against an awful defense. They were on their way to 1-3 and I was on my way to a broken tv remote.<br />
<br />
But then it happened. Nobody knows what happened exactly. But something happened. Maybe it was an inspiring made for tv speach by The Hoodie. Maybe Mrs. Brady took him out back and gave him a "whats up". Whatever happened, it work because the Patriots rolled off 6 touchdowns and a field goal in the second half on there way to a 52-28 win.<br />
<br />
Then last week against Denver, we saw more of the same; 31 points against a team likely headed back to the playoffs.<br />
<br />
At this moment, it looks like the Patriots are who we thought they were. A team that will give up a decent amount of points (allowed 20+ to every team not from the state of Tennessee), but will in turn hang more points on you then a division 2 basketball team.<br />
<br />
On the other side, we have my beloved Chickens. While there offense has left a lot to be desired (ok, just the pass game), there defense has been the stuff wet dreams are made from. Through the first 5 weeks, Seattle allows the least amount of yards per game (258.6 yrds/game) and the second lowest points per game (14.0). <br />
<br />
<strong>EDIT NOTE: defensively, they are only giving 12.2 points per game. The round number of 14 was caused thanks to the pick 6 from Carolina last week</strong><br />
<br />
So this matchup boils down to, can Seattle slow down New England? Lucky for us, we have a point of reference for the question. Dear readers, I direct you to the Patriots week 2 loss against Arizona.<br />
<br />
The Cardinals, alot like the Hawks, rely on defense and anything they get offensively is somewhat extra credit. However, when you look at the box score you notice that the Patriots still were able to move the ball. So what caused a Cardinal win? Honestly, it was probably a perfect storm of Arizona playing as well as they could and New England losing a major focal point of their offensive scheme early in the game (Aaron Hernandez went down with a high ankle sprain and my fantasy aspirations early in the first quarter).<br />
<br />
The three takeaways Arizona forced had to have helped as well.<br />
<br />
I don't feel confident enough to say the Hawks are going to shut down New Englands offense. I think the world of Brady and co. But I don't think they're going to get blown out. Especially when we take in account that it will be at the CLink. This will be Brady's first start in Seattle and I would imagine the crowd will be geared up to welcome him. So,unless New England rips off 14 points in the first 3 minutes of the game (ala Cleveland vs New York last week) the home crowd is going to get rockin like a playoff game. Thats always a nice advantage.<br />
<br />
And as Arizona proved in week 2, if Seattle can force a couple turnovers while limiting their own, anything can happen. <br />
<br />
I'm going to say New England 17 Seattle 13.<br />
<br />
Now on the the rest of the week:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Pittsburgh Steelers</span> vs Tennessee Titans +7</strong> You know how Seattle is #2 in points allowed this year? Well guess who is dead last with 36.2... that would be Tennessee. Have fun trying to stop Big Ben and a suddenly healthy Pittsburgh offense.</li>
<li><strong>St.Louis Rams vs <span style="color: red;">Miami Dolphins -4</span></strong> I feel like this should be flip flopped. Full disclosure, I have not watched a single live minute of the Dolphins this season. I do know they have the top ranked rush defense in the league, and STL is coming in without Amendola. So, lets say Miami and move on.</li>
<li> <strong><span style="color: red;">Dallas Cowboys</span> vs Baltimore Raves - 3 1/2</strong> I would like to take a moment and apologize for seemingly ruining Tony Romo's career. Since I wrote that pro- Romo column before week 2 the Cowboys have gone from beating the Superbowl champions on national tv to shitting the bed on national tv. Much like Cam Newton two weeks ago, this is a game where we are going to find out for sure who these Cowboys are. I'm calling the Cowboys cover (not confidently enough to call the win though)</li>
<li><strong>Detroit Lions vs <span style="color: red;">Philadelphia Eagles -3 1/2</span></strong> Somewhat of the same thing here for the Lions. They have looked really bad at points this season (see: Titans, Tenneessee). And though the Eagles defense has looked good, this team is actually a few plays away from actually being like 1-4 right now. One of two things are going to happen in this game: Either Vick is going to remember how to be good or the Lions are going to remember how to be good. <strike>I'm going to say Detroit racks their brain first.</strike> <strong>EDIT NOTE</strong>: I originally said the Lions were going to cover. Then I finished the rest of my picks and realized I had a ton of road teams covering. So, now I think Mike Vick remembers first.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Cincinnati Bengals</span> vs Cleveland Browns +2</strong>- Sometimes I pick games for what I would like to see happen. And as an owner of Ben Jarvis Green Ellis and someone who watch Amahd Bradshaw go apeshit against the Browns last week... I'm gonna say Bengals and feel pretty good about it.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts</span> vs New York Jets - 3 1/2</strong> How in the hell are the Jets giving points in this game? Did Vegas not watch thier Houston game? Mark Sanchez ( poor dude) has the worst completion percentage of any starting Qb since JaMarcus Russell in 2009 (which seriously, no this fault. Go back and watch how many dropped passes there were. Or how many WR's were completely in the wrong spot on timing routes. You gotta feel bad for the dude) Colts are gonna win another one for Chuck Pagano.</li>
<li><strong>Kansas City Chiefs vs<span style="color: red;"> Tampa Bay Buccaneers -4 1/2</span></strong> Brady Quinn, welcome back dude. I hope you do well, there is something about your frat boy act that I find charming. Unfortunately, I don't like it well enough to pick you to cover this week.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Oakland Raiders</span> vs Atlanta Falcons -9 </strong>Oakland seems to do literally the exact opposite of what I think they will do every week. So my first thought was "Atlanta needs a dominate win. They've had some close ones lately." Since that was my first thought, I'm going to go Oakland.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New England Patriots</span> vs Seattle Seahawks +4</strong> Look, I've played this game 200 times in my head. I've seen Seattle getting thier ass whooped. I've seen them stealing a win. So I'm going to split the difference and say New England wins 20-13 ( I have never wanted to be wrong more in my life).</li>
<li><strong>Buffalo Bills vs <span style="color: red;">Arizona Cardinals - 4 1/2</span></strong> So who is Arizona? Are they the 4-0 team? Or are they the squad that allowed St. Louis to sodomize their qb for 60 minutes last week? I'll take Arizona, knowing full well that Mario Williams is probably primed to break Derek Thomas' sacks in a game record.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New York Giants</span> vs San Fransisco 49ers -6 1/2</strong> Recently Jim Harbaugh came out and said some flattering things about Randy Moss, who by fantasy standards, has been a disapointment this year. Harbaugh said he believes we are due for some Moss centric highlights. This is probably not a bad game to have that happen in. That being said, am I really about to give 6 1/2 points against the defending Superbowl champions? No. Thought about it, but then I remembered that the best road team in the NFL are the football Giants. I'm gonna ride Eli on this one.</li>
<li><strong>Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Redskins</strong>- the site I use didn't have a spread listed for this game due to RGIII's concussion. I'm going to hold out putting a pick because I love the chance to not be wrong.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Green Bay Packers</span> vs Houston Texans -3 1/2</strong> Is Houston good? You bet. Are they undefeated good? No, no they aren't. Green Bay wins.</li>
<li><strong>Denver Broncos</strong> <strong>vs <span style="color: red;">San Diego Chargers -1 1/2</span> </strong>Bill Simmons used to pound the drum on the "don't bet against Peyton Manning during night games" rule. That rule doesn't seem to apply here. This smells like the night where Ryan Mathews turns to the cameras and says, "Hi, I'm Ryan Mathews. I'm averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Own me in your fantasy league, now, please."</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-53020404398950080542012-10-05T14:48:00.000-07:002012-10-10T14:48:45.693-07:00Mariners September Review/Season Wrap UpRemember when the Mariners started off their season by beating Oakland 5 of their first 7 games in the first two weeks of the season?<br />
<br />
Yeah, me either.<br />
<br />
At the begining of the year, I woke up super early for our first game against Oakland... that was held in Japan. While I was a little too aggressive with the time I woke up, I took the extra few minutes to jot down some season thoughts.<br />
<br />
Man, am I an optimistic little bitch. Here are some of the classics:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"Smoak should, he was batting .263 with 12 home runs before taking a ball off the hand that derailed his season." Damn.</li>
<li>"Jesus Montero by all accounts has Mike Piazza power" Eh, he had flashes. But they were very brief. Very, very brief.</li>
<li> (in reference to a good hitter emerging out of the young bunch) " Will it happen? Ackley will, I'm confident in that" If the word "good" in Seattle is translated to .226 avg and 12 home runs, then yes, I would be correct.</li>
<li>I also said Mike Carp was going to be good. HA!</li>
<li>"Ichiro needs to either get back over 200 hits, or he needs to put 20 balls in the seats. He is batting 3rd this year, so I wouldn't be opposed to him showing more power." He didn't do either. And actually wasn't good till he found a locker next to Derek Jeter and his vat of HgH.</li>
<li>"Michael Saunders needs to not suck" He actually didn't. So I'm going to give that to myself. He hit 19 bombs, good for 2nd on the team.</li>
<li>I didn't talk about Kyle Seager at all in the opener. I was drinking the "Chone is a lot more comfortable at lead off juice." I was wrong on both accounts. Thankfully, being wrong on Seager was a good thing.</li>
<li>I mentioned that "Felix needs to be Felix." If we forget that he didn't win in September (0-4 in 6 starts) and just remember August and the Perfect game... then I was right.</li>
<li>I asked for a .300 hitter or a 30 home run season. We got 20 home runs out of Seager and a .260 average out of Jesus Montero. So, fuck.</li>
<li>Lastly, I made a brief plead for one of the "three amigos" to get called up and make a Pineda impression. None of them made it to the majors this year, but Denny Hultzen made it to Triple A. He should have a good shot at making the team next year. We are also on the clock for shortstop Nick Franklin and catcher Mike Zunino. </li>
</ul>
Real quick, before I put a bullet in this seaons head let me touch on something. The fences. The Mariners announced they were moving them in for next season. My thoughts? Thank God. Maybe the field wasn't the problem and the players were, but at some point it becomes psychological (right, Justin?). These players seemed to have dreaded home games (we were 7th in runs scored and 6th in homeruns on the road), and desperately need a shot in the arm.<br />
<br />
Maybe with the pulled in fences they could lure Josh Hamilton to come roam right field for us? That would be swell.<br />
<br />
Well that will wrap it up. Another up and down here that ends 13 games below even at 75-87. One day we'll get back in the playoffs, I'm sure of it.<br />
<br />
Side Note: Before I go, I want to get in an offseason prediction. With the fences moving in, some of team ideologies are going to change. Some players have been hindered by those deep fences, while some have exploited them. One such player, American League Pitcher of the Month for July, Justin Vargas has had more then his share of bail outs due to playing in <strike>Yosemiti National Park </strike> Safeco Field. He went 14-11 with a 3.85 era over 217 innings this year. <br />
<br />
With the fences coming in, I bet Seattle looks to sell high on Mr. Vargas. His value will never be higher then it is right now. It only makes sense (shit, use him in a package to drop Chone Figgins).<br />
<br />
See you next year, guys.<br />
<br />Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-37636735229831938652012-10-04T09:24:00.002-07:002012-10-04T09:24:13.233-07:00Week 5: Rehashing Flynn v WilsonIn August I wrote an entry called, "The Great Debate: Russell vs Flynn" where I came out in favor of Matt Flynn while hedging my bet with Russell Wilson. During that post, I detailed my thoughts on what was a supremely polorizing topic of conversation for Seahawk fans every where: who should be our starting QB?<br />
<br />
I went with Matt Flynn. Not because I wasn't in love with Wilson, rather it was because I actually thought this team was good and didn't want to derail the season with a rookie QB. I didn't see a reason to toss the rookie into the deepend when we had recently signed a player who in his second career start tossed 6 touchdowns.<br />
<br />
I wanted to see the Seahawks demonstrate patience, or as I called it "Let Russell Wilson 'Carson Palmer' " because I felt Matt Flynn had done enough to atleast prove that he wasn't good enough. If that doesn't make sense, let me restate it: Matt Flynn in his two regular season starts for Green Bay had shown enough to atleast get the oppertunity to fail in Seattle.<br />
<br />
It's not like Russell is making a lot of money. He was a 3rd round pick. It's not like he is an aging veteran who came here with the intention to start. He is 24 and we drafted him. Why did we not let Russell watch for a bit?<br />
<br />
Now hindsight is 20/20. And Wilson has not looked good. He has had moments, like the begining of the Ram's game, where you send a text message to your brother saying "he's turning the corner." But so far those moments have been immidiately followed by a punt (or in Sundays case: an interception).<br />
<br />
I haven't turned my back on Russell. In the August piece, I said that "I think Russell Wilson will be our starting Quarterback when we contend for Superbowls." And I still do. I think he is a playmaker and smart. I just don't think he was ready. Through four games: 73.5 QBR, 594 yards, 4 td's, 4 picks. He has completed 60 percent of his balls, but they're only going for 5 yards a clip (translation: check down machine).<br />
<br />
Matt Flynn could've atleast done that.<br />
<br />
Just to see what life would've been like with Flynn under center, I stared a Madden 13 Connected Career (this years Franchise mode). The first half of the week 1 Cardinals game saw him go 11/13 and we had a 17-3 lead. That would've been a lot better.<br />
<br />
Had Pete Carroll gone with Flynn, there would've been 4 likely scenereos: 1, Flynn sucks. If that was the case, Pete would be able to pull him after proving that he isn't the guy and seemlessly move to Wilson. 2, Flynn is great. And Seattle beats Arizona, crushes Dallas, doesn't need the hailmary against Green Bay, and doesn't throw 3 picks against STL. We start off 4-0 and he looks like the franchise. No big deal here, because again, Wilson isn't getting paid much.<br />
<br />
3, Flynn is average. You take your 8-8, 7-9 record and move on to Wilson next year. You developed a franchise QB, while remaining competative. No one is upset. Or the last one, Flynn plays and slips a hamstring a couple weeks in, Wilson comes in and plays like he should be the starter. If Wilson plays good, Pete can justify staying with him. If Wilson plays bad, you go back to Flynn because he was the original starter and you let Wilson continue to study what he saw.<br />
<br />
By going with Wilson first, none of those can happen. You don't want to 'Alex Smith' him and damage his confidence. Pete took a gamble and so far it hasn't paid off like he had hoped. But there is no recovery from this unless Russell gets hurt. That is the only way a change under center can happen and the franchise can save face.<br />
<br />
Our bed is made. Lets hope Wilson turns it around in Carolina (for the record: This is NOT anti- Wilson. Again, this is pro-patience)<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Arizona Cardinals</strong> <strong>vs <span style="color: red;">St.Louis Rams +1 </span></strong>I don't see how we could wake up tomorrow morning in a world where Arizona is 5-0. Should the beat St. Louis? Absolutely. But Green Bay couldn't go undefeated because they lost to a terrible KC team last year, and St. Louis has a kicker who drops 60 yard field goals like it's a video game. </li>
<li><strong>Cleveland Browns</strong> <strong>vs <span style="color: red;">New York Giants -8 1/2</span></strong> Giants by over a td? I don't really want to do that, but the Giants are following a loss. The lack of Giant homefield concerns me though. Screw it. I'm going G-Men.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Green Bay</span></strong> <strong>vs Indianapolis Colts +7 </strong>I hope this game is on tv. It's goign to be a wild shoot out. The Packers on turf? Oh man. Whatever the over/under is... take the over.</li>
<li><strong>Philadelphia Eagles vs </strong><span style="color: red;"><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers -3</strong> </span>when I first went through the weeks slate, I found myself picking basically all road teams to cover. This was the exception. Rashard Mendenhall is returning and for fantasy purposes I need him to go ape shit. So, GO STEELERS.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Atlanta Falcons</span> vs Washington Redskins +2 1/2</strong> Yeah, the Redskins are depleted. Atlanta managed to escape last week with the win. Atlanta needs to make a statement.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Baltimore Ravens vs </span>Kansas City Chiefs +6 </strong>Sometimes games are as simple as this: Kansas is very bad. Baltimore is very good. Now some might say, "But Kansas is at home, bro." To those I say this, " KC is 0-2 at home this season and have given up 38.5 points in those two games."</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Miami Dolphins</span> vs Cinncinati Bengals -3</strong> this is one of those instances where I hope I'm wrong for fantasy purposes. But Miami is giving up 56 yards a game in the rushing department. Thats 2000 Baltimore good. Poor, poor Ben Jarvis.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Chicago Bears</span> vs Jacksonville Jaguars +6</strong> Cutler was decent last week. Chicagos defense was insane. Jacksonville got blasted at home by the Bengals. Am I really about to pick Cutler to cover on the road when they are giving a touchdown? Yes (DeMarco Murray 11 carries 24 yards last week).</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Seattle Seahawks</span> vs Carolina Panthers -</strong>3 Remember 2 picks ago when I talked about Miami being great against the run? Well Seattle is only giving up 6 more yards a game. They also sent 3/4's of their secondary to the pro-bowl last year. They also sacked Aaron Rodgers 9 times two weeks ago, and Cam Newton isn't Aaron Rodgers. Seattle baby.</li>
<li><strong>Bufalo Bills vs </strong><span style="color: red;"><strong>San Fransico 49ers -5 1/2</strong> </span>I hope I'm wrong<span style="color: red;">. </span></li>
<li><strong>Denver Broncos vs <span style="color: red;">New England Patriots -8 1/2</span> </strong>Here is what I think: I think The Hoodie will game plan for Mannings lack of arm strength and plan to take away the short throws. On the otherside, Brady will cut the head off the Bronco's similar to how he did the Bills for 45 points in the second half on Sunday. In other words, I need to find a way to get Manning out of my fantasy lineup.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><strong>San Diego Chargers v New Orleans Saints -3 </strong></span>Because they can't lose every game, right?</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Houston Texans</span> v New York Jets +8</strong> I was wrong about Mark Sanchez. That dude needs a change of scenery. Houston wins, and Tebow is starting within two weeks.</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-2936175778911616522012-09-27T11:45:00.003-07:002012-09-28T09:49:57.719-07:00Week 4<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tuesday morning I woke up with a giant smile on my face. Seattle was 2-1 and for once was on the good end of a terrible call by an official. I wrote a quick thought, I posted a picture, and I went about my day. Smiling the whole time. I was in the minority. Fans outside of Seattle were foaming at the mouth. "What an injustice" they screamed. "Aaron Rodger's is a marter." They announced. "How dare the Seahawks not correct the officials ruling." They clammored. <br />
<br />
My blood started to boil and I released a rant of my own. I was not about to sit back and allow my Chickens get drug through the mud because they were placed in an awkward situation. You want war, douchebags? I'll give you war. <br />
<br />
Here is the scope of my rant (tightened up, of course) <br />
<br />
I think its bush league the people are upset with the Seahawks over this. If you disagree with the call, feel free to be mad at the referee's. Or Roger Goodell and the owners. But the Seahawks? Please, grow up and learn a thing or two. <br />
<br />
That is directed to everyone. Outraged players and fans alike. Green Bay Packers Guard Josh Sitton went onto "Rome" Tuesday morning to vent about being on the losing end of the call. At one point during the interview, Sitton took shots at wr Golden Tate and coach Pete Carroll by suggesting they should admit the call was wrong.<br />
<br />
"I think the two biggest goats out of this whole thing is Pete Carroll and Golden Tate," Sitton told Jim Rome. "They're calling it a good call. And Golden Tate's saying he caught it and there was no push in the back. I mean, be a man. You can be happy you won the game. I understand that. Stuff's gonna happen. But be a man and admit that it was a bullshit call and stand up and have some integrity."<br />
<br />
<br />
Seriously, bro? That is who you are mad at?<br />
<br />
You want to put blame on Tate for doing his job? He fought for the ball, like he has been taught to do most of his life. And lets not ignore that there are pictures and angles that exist that actually support Tate having possession (ESPN won't show that though).<br />
<br />
You're upset that he pushed the dude in the back on a hailmary? I know football wasn't your primary sport, so feel free to review some youtube videos of other hailmary attempts. Shoving happens. The officials (even the real ones) wouldn't have called pass interference on that in a million years. <br />
<br />
And suggesting that Pete Carroll is wrong for sticking up for his players is even more retarded. What would you have Pete say, "Oh shit. Green Bay really got screwed on that one. I'm going to have to talk to Golden in the locker room about the rules of the game." Don't be nieve. <br />
<br />
How ridiculous is that? To be upset with a coach and a player over a referee's call. They went into a dog fight and came out on top and you want the world wants them to openly discredit themselves by admitting they were given a gift. This is the real world. Not some mystical world of dragons and magical gum drop houses. Grow up and accept the loss. <br />
<br />
I don't remember a single instance of players or teams admitting they came out favorable in a bad call. When did Tom Brady admit to fumbling in the tuck rule game? I forget who asked the Steeler's to admit that the Seahawks got jobbed in '05. Remember when Vinny Testeverde didn't score that touchdown (also against the Seahawks) on a Quarterback sneak, but was given credit for the touchdown anyway and that helped keep Seattle out of the playoffs and eventually lead to the instillation of Instant Replay? I sure as shit do, but what I don't remember is people asking Vinny to admit that the referees were wrong.<br />
</div>
It's unfortunate, sure. But it's not just the call that was unfortunate. It was the whole situation. It's the replacement officials being involved in the first place. I sure hope Josh Sitton doesn't expect Pete Carroll to apologize for the official lockout.<br />
<br />
And lets not undersell WHO is responsible for this in the first place. The real guilty party is Roger Goodell and the Owners. They have put teams in these situations ( like the hailmary, or last night's Raven/Patriots clock expiring fieldgoal) by putting under qualified dudes out in high pressure situations. High School Chemistry teachers should not be policing professional football players. It's that simple. Roger Goodell is trying to strong arm Ed Hochuli and company, and thats why this has happened. <br />
<br />
So the REAL goat, Mr. Sitton, are the guys who signs your paychecks (but you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you, I understand).<br />
<br />
Look, should the Packer's and their fans be upset that they lost the game? Absolutely. I would've been. But don't stop at the call. They should also be upset that their offensive line gave up 8 sacks in the first half (and 9 for the game). They should also be furious that they weren't able to score at all in the first half. And while we are on the subject of poor referee calls that swayed the game, please don't forget that if it weren't for a phantom PI call, the Packers wouldn't have been in position to score ANY touchdowns.<br />
<br />
Remember to be mad at that as well, Sitton and company.<br />
<br />
Bascially, the brunt of the anger should be at the fact that your team held the seahawks to a shade over 150 yards for the first 58 minutes yet Seattle had a chance to win the game with a touchdown.<br />
<br />
It's true after Monday, Packer fans have a lot to be upset with. But I assure you, it's nothing like getting jobbed in a superbowl. Stop bitching, it happens.<br />
<br />
And Seahawk fans, remember to be thankful. 2-1 baby!<br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<ul><span style="color: #eeeeee;">
</span>
<li><strong><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: red;">Cleveland Browns</span> </span>@ Baltimore Ravens -12</strong> I have a theory that I have absolutely no stats to back it up, but here goes: if you are picking a game that features a team giving a ton of points immediately following a super emotional game against a team they should curb stomp, you pick the shittier team. That being said, I really think Baltimore is insanely good. But I'm going to test out my theory a few times this week. So I'm going with Cleveland.</li>
<li><strong>San Diego Chargers @ <span style="color: red;">Kansas City Chiefs PK</span></strong> Uh, I'll take Kansas City at home with no points. That seems fair.</li>
<li><strong>Tennessee Titans @ <span style="color: red;">Houston Texans -13</span></strong> 1/2 Let's see, Tennessee gave up 90 yards to Steven Ridley, 130 to a montley crue of Chargers, and a 100 spot to Mikil Leshoure. Now they are playing Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Are you sure 13 1/2 is all you want?</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Carolina Panthers</span> @ Atlanta Falcons -8</strong> Cam Newton embarrassed himself last Thursday. If he's a man, they'll cover. We are going to find out alot about Cam Newton on Sunday.</li>
<li><strong>Seattle Seahawks @<span style="color: red;"> St. Louis +2 1/2</span></strong> Using an altered version of the argument I used to pick the Browns, I'm going to take St. Louis against my Chickens. This smells like one of those games where we lose and then I get to listen to talking heads scream, "see, they aren't that good." for a full week.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">San Fransico 49ers</span> @ New York Jets +4</strong> My Cleveland/Baltimore theory was successful last week for the 9ers/Vikings game. No knock on SF, I just figured they'd come out flat. This week they won't. Have fun, Jet fans.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New England Patriots</span> @ Buffalo Bills +4</strong> Last week I figured the Patriots were going to make Baltimore pay for Arizona's sins. They almost did. Before last week, the last time they had lost two games in a row I was a virgin. Buffalo is 2-1, but they could be 15-0 and I would put my money on Tom and the Terrifics. Take the Patriots and Tom is going for 400+</li>
<li><strong>Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions</strong> As of right now thee isn't a line to this game because of Mathew Staffords uncertainty. </li>
<li><strong>Miami Dolphins @ <span style="color: red;">Arizona Cardinals -5 1/2</span></strong> This was JUST made official: Arizona is good.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Oakland Raiders</span> @ Denver Broncos -7</strong> I will take Oakland, thank you.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Cincinnatti Bengals</span> @ Jacksonville Jaguars +1</strong> This game has a 0 percent chance of making it on my tv this week. So, Bengals and lets move on.</li>
<li><strong>Washington Redskins @ <span style="color: red;">Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1</span></strong> I'm going to say Tampa, only because they're at home. As someone who has Alfred Morris on his fantasy team, I hope I'm wrong.</li>
<li><strong>New Orleans Saints @ <span style="color: red;">Green Bay Packers -9</span></strong> You know how I just wrote like 1500 words about Green Bay and thier fans, REVENGE GAME. Saints are about to get executed.</li>
<li><strong>New York Giants @ <span style="color: red;">Philadelphia Eagles</span> <span style="color: red;">PK</span></strong> I'm going to say Philly. Basically, I think New York likes hovering around .500.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Chicago Bears</span> @ Dallas Cowboys -3</strong> Blah. I dunno. Is Forte playing? Thats kind of important. ESPN just said Forte practiced yesterday, so I'm going to say Chicago and not feel good about it.</li>
</ul>
<span class="userContent">
</span>Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-3432546188218723092012-09-25T07:53:00.002-07:002012-09-25T08:01:35.863-07:00That Final Call. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kmIFhTDYbLvYKDy5_eRwEvzKS5xLukh3EwSpsshAnM-EscV-vwfnTLrbK-iK3bfspfkzC4mlU8zOdxFpihxWfBShrr78Mo5I4GPy25C9lY_oIo4Dl6meYd_dTrJ8MEOGnVILFbJN17g/s1600/i%5B9%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kmIFhTDYbLvYKDy5_eRwEvzKS5xLukh3EwSpsshAnM-EscV-vwfnTLrbK-iK3bfspfkzC4mlU8zOdxFpihxWfBShrr78Mo5I4GPy25C9lY_oIo4Dl6meYd_dTrJ8MEOGnVILFbJN17g/s400/i%5B9%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Picture thats actually worth a 1000 words.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those of you pretending to be up in arms about the winning TD last night, simmer down. It's the least the league could do for what happened to us in the Superbowl 8 years ago. It's not even that unjustifiable. You could argue that it was a simultanious catch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not saying it was, just that you could argue that point.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fact is, those ref's were awful. And it wan'ts just on that play. The game was littered with phantom pass interfences, questionable late hit's, and an assortment of unintelligible judgements. Go back and youtube Kam Chancelors' PI call. That was clean. It also saved Green Bay's drive that ended with their soul touchdown. So before you get righteous on the Seattle Screwjob (as some on the Twitters have called) why don't you pump your breaks and do some rewatching.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The replacement ref's are bad. They have turned 2 and half hour games into 4 hour life decisions. They have swayed the outcome on a couple games (Batlimore/Philly, New England/Baltimore, Washington/St. Louis, etc) so lets not start pounding chests like this is a travesty. We knew this was coming. It had to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe this will serve as the agent of change for Goodell to finally pull his head out of his ass and bring back Hochuli and co. I hope so. I'm tired of waiting 4 minutes between plays while these 7th grade science teachers and JV football coaches bumble their way through these calls. They're actually hurting your game, Roger. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Will the ref's be back next week? Probably not. We'll probably see this same crew running a 1:00 et start time in Buffalo while Hochuli sits at home and crushes out another 100 push up's just in case. Goodell has got to break the ref's like he broke the players. It's all about the dollar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the meantime we'll gladly be 2-1, thank you very much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-40338351606606970012012-09-20T14:52:00.003-07:002012-11-15T08:32:13.462-08:00Week 3 and the AP Press ReleaseNEW YORK (AP)- New Player Safety rules maybe amended by the National Football League as soon as this afternoon, according to sources close to league sources. <br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
The new rules, which are expected to be passed by <strike>dictator</strike> commissioner Roger Goodell, would effectively eliminate most contact within a football game by adopting rules set forth by the American Flag Football Association of America.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Goodell, who has long since declaired his intention to ruin clean up the NFL of dangerous physicallity, has long been rumored to be in favor of eliminating tackling all together.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The rule change has gained momentum following the hit WR Golden Tate applied to engaged LB Sean Lee, during Seattle's win over the Dallas Cowboys. A hit that has been classified by the League as a 'blindside hit' and will cost the wide reciever $21,000 dollars, despite not being called for a penalty.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Following the game, Tate took to twitter to justify protecting his Quarterback from the persuing defender. "I hope Sean Lee is ok. I never have intentions on injuring another player. It's football which means its physical. (A) Dirty hit would be if I went for his head or neck area."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Even Sean Lee, who was medically cleared to return to action after a few plays, didn't seem to have too much a problem with the hit. “That’s part of the deal,” Lee said following the 27-7 loss. He went on to add, “ I bet you if we went head-to-head and square up he probably won’t be celebrating as much. It’s part of the deal and part of football, and hits like that happen.”</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzy0hYbzabHt1pK5hnzceN1VeNOLp6wIezTH7epiTb0KQeYdp110E0vEjQeYgDXHBH5LgQKpqeLTE1anOJMxg3glRmUf5OwUaUM2I1BW0WFtQGiZblWTQZjIRsdrZJV5wWMK5t2H5uXUs/s1600/sean-lee-golden-tate-hit%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzy0hYbzabHt1pK5hnzceN1VeNOLp6wIezTH7epiTb0KQeYdp110E0vEjQeYgDXHBH5LgQKpqeLTE1anOJMxg3glRmUf5OwUaUM2I1BW0WFtQGiZblWTQZjIRsdrZJV5wWMK5t2H5uXUs/s200/sean-lee-golden-tate-hit%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sexy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Goodell ratifies the new rule change, it is expected to be implimented as quickly as this week. However, it is believed that no one will be told until Sunday, when someone gets flagged randomly for performing previoulsy acceptable actions.<br />
<br />
Like running.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
</div>
<a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GLF_TOUR_CHAMPIONSHIP?SITE=MYPSP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-09-20-17-56-26#b4811505-5978-418a-99bb-f2b9fc22ade2"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> Learn more about our </span><a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/privacy"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Privacy Policy</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> and </span><a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/terms"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Terms of Use</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">.</span><br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, on to the picks. Althought I should probably stop there, because last week I went 0-2 in fantasy and 6-10 against the spread. If week 3 continues to be bad, I'm bringing in relief for next week. ( Picks in <strong><span style="color: red;">Red</span></strong>)</div>
<ul>
<li>New York Giants @ <span style="color: red;"><strong>Carolina Panthers</strong></span> -1 1/2 Because it wouldn't be a Giants season without Tom Coughlin almost getting fired.
</li>
<li>Buffalo Bills @ <span style="color: red;"><strong>Cleveland Browns</strong></span> + 2 1/2 I was going to take the Bills. Then I remember they aren't good and Trent Richardson might be. </li>
<li>San Fransico 49ers @ <span style="color: red;"><strong>Minnesota Vikings</strong></span> +7 Huge win on Sunday night for SF. That usually translates to a team like Minnesota hanging around longer than they should the next week. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Detroit Lions</span></strong> @ Tennessee Titans + 3 1/2 I feel like the Lions should run the Titans by 15 here. </li>
<li>Cincinnati Bengals @ <strong><span style="color: red;">Washington Redskins</span></strong> -3 I'll take the Washington crowd during their home opener, thank you. </li>
<li>Kansas City Chiefs @ <span style="color: red;"><strong>New Orleans Saints</strong></span> -8 1/2 This is the last week. You hear me, Saints? The last fucking week. You don't blow these dudes out of the water, I'm trading Brees off my fantasy team's and riding against you the rest of the season. </li>
<li>New York Jets @ <strong><span style="color: red;">Miami Dolphis</span></strong> +2 1/2 Reggie Bush has 6 straight games of atleast 100 yards from scrimmage. Thats the longest in the NFL in that time (Thank you, Mathew Berry). </li>
<li>Jacksonville Jaguars @ <strong><span style="color: red;">Indianapolis Colts</span></strong> -3 Andrew Luck > Blaine Gabbert </li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></span> @ Dallas Cowboys -8 Am I the only one that saw Tampa put up 34 against New York last week and thought "these guys really don't suck?" Because getting 8 points against the Cowboys would suggest I am. I still think Romo is good,but Tampa is going to cover. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">St. Louis Rams</span></strong> @ Chicago Bears -7 1/2 In Chicago, following 10 days of every calling Cutler a bum? I actually expect a good Cutler game. The Ram's might be decent though. Ram's cover. </li>
<li>Philadelphia Eagles @ <strong><span style="color: red;">Arizona Cardinals</span></strong> +3 The Eagles should be 0-2. Arizona has beat 2 good teams. Michael Vick likes to throw picks and Arizona likes to recieve picks. ARIZONA GOES 3-0. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Pittsburgh Steelers</span></strong> @ Oakland Raiders +4 Oakland, you broke my heart last weekend. Now the Steelers will break your backs. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Houston Texans</span></strong> @ Denver Broncos PK How brutal was Peyton Manning last week? He literally did just enough to beat me in one of my fantasy leagues while simultaniously costing me the game in my other league. I have never been so mad at a player in my life. This is a total spite pick. </li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><strong>New England Patriots</strong></span> @ <span style="color: #eeeeee;">Baltimore Ravens</span> -2 1/2 Look, I'm heavily invested into the 2012 Patriots. They need to win for my sake. </li>
<li>Green Bay Packers @ <span style="color: red;"><strong>Seattle Seahawks</strong></span> +3 My stepmom is from Wisconsin and her whole family are Packers fans. Typically, I love them all. But this is not a typical situation. This is Monday Night Football. We beat the Packers and I have a throbing boner for 6 days. This is bigger then family. THIS IS WAR!
</li>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-2804517084432650802012-09-14T12:19:00.000-07:002012-09-14T12:21:23.602-07:00Tony Romo and the Inaccurate Scope of his Criticism "Tony Romo is a Fucking bum." <br />
<br />
As a fan of our nation's favorite sport, how many times have you heard this statement (or something to this effect)? Better question: how many times since August started have you heard this? That might make it easier to track.<br />
<br />
The last time I heard it was this morning while driving to work. I was catching up on "The Adam Carolla Show" from last Tuesday (prior to the Giants-Cowboys game) with Brandon Steiner as the guest. For those of you who don't know (I imagine all of you fall under this category) this dude makes his money by selling sports
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">memorabilia. He's a New York guy. Specifically, he is in the Giants/Yankees camp.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Cowboys/Giants game came up and this guy interjects some comment along the line of, "they don't have a quarterback" when asked why the Giants would win. Normally, I would just roll my eyes and make a mental comment about how dumb New Yorkers are; but I was litterally raging about this topic a few days ago so it's almost like the universe is asking me to take a stand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And stand I will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because this notion that Tony Romo is not a good Quarterback is complete, and utter bull hooey. Infact, I suggest that if you are ever in a situation where someone tries to interject this as an opinion; you consider it your obligation as a red blooded american to beat the shit out of them and make them apologize.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpP1hMZBVFHdIECzrEQAw2KwlN7yGfW1YsVuG2Bs8E5crCgLuMq1qFjVEwKbL3dKxpXE__FG1EQbo37v-qodHzg-exeF-Kcx9RWrrQt-7aK4Q8fk_XZ5kpKXmhR1y20FRbYoRG-BGe4Q/s1600/tony-romo2%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpP1hMZBVFHdIECzrEQAw2KwlN7yGfW1YsVuG2Bs8E5crCgLuMq1qFjVEwKbL3dKxpXE__FG1EQbo37v-qodHzg-exeF-Kcx9RWrrQt-7aK4Q8fk_XZ5kpKXmhR1y20FRbYoRG-BGe4Q/s320/tony-romo2%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once and for all: Romo has not been the problem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tony Romo is many things (Jessica Simpson ex boyfriend, Carrie Underwood's ex boyfriend, Eastern Illinois Alumni etc) but a "bad Quarterback" is no where near that list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Unlike those douche bags who fling recklace opinions to and fro all willy nilly, I like to ground my arguements in a little something called "proof". First, let me throw this out: Bad Quarterbacks exsist on bad teams. The only time a Romo lead team finished under .500 was the season he only played in 6 games. So, there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But thats not going to be good enough, I understand. After all, Fantasy Football is king in this town. My arguement needs stats. Lucky for all of you, I have come prepared. Fasten your seatbelts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Including last week, the Romosapian has started 78 games as the QB of the Dallas Cowboys. In those starts, he has compiled a yard's-td-int stat line of 20,879-149-70. Using Eli as a comparison (divison rival. Romo's week 1 match up. The QB of Brandon Steiner's Giant team that made him feel confident enough to call Romo a bad QB) He has racked up 27,726-186-129 in 120 games. 42 more games, 37 more touchdowns.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I don't think I need to tell you that Romo's per game averages are better( and obviously his per/16 game stats are better). But I should highlight that there are two factors skewing these stats outside of Eli's 42 additonal starts. 1, Romo missed 10 games in 2010. Through those six games he was completeing a curly hair under 70 percent of his pass attempts. Who knows what kind of magic he would've thrown up that year. And 2, Eli just gave his career average's HgH last year by dumping almost 5000 yards in a pass happy offense. If you really wanted to see how awesome Romonucleosis career has been so far, you should just just compare the two through the first 78 games of Eli's career. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Actually lets do that, while expanding at the same time. By my count there are 6 QB's heading to Canton as soon as they hang up their cleets. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Rothlisburger, Eli Manning and (baring a catestrophic injury) Aaron Rodgers (Aaron hasn't played in 78 games yet thanks to Favre, so lets just ignore him for the rest of the arguement).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Drew Brees: 17,479-109-73</div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Tom Brady: 18,029-123-66 </div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Peyton Manning: 20,107-134-98</div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Eli Manning: 16,190-110-80</div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ben Rothlisberger: 16,860-110-73</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So Eli, armed with his 2 superbowl rings, is considered a future Hall of Fame QB. Ben Rothlisberger with his 2 rings, same boat. And rightfully so for both. They're legacies are not on trial here. Drew Brees, armed with his 1 ring and the greatest Passing Season of all time. And Brady and Manning will be forever locked into the death match for Greatest QB of All Time arguement. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Yet here is Romo who has compiled better stats then all of them. Through 78 games. So why does Romo get all the heat and none of the praise?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There are actually a couple different factors that have caused the hating of the Romocoaster. 1, he plays for one of the 5 most covered team's in sports. They were unquestionably the most covered team in the NFL prior to this offseason, but took a backseat due to bounties, neck surgeries and Tebow. Since 2006, we have had a severe over saturation of the Cowboys Quarterback. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2. That (lovely, wonderful, glorious, magestic, perfect) botched field goal hold against Seattle in 2006. Romo seemed like he was the answer to the "When is Dallas going to replace Aikman" question that they had been asking for half a decade at that point. Then he muffed a hold and everything became murky. The third reason, his famous ex girlfriends. I've never seen him try and complete a 15 yard out to Jessica Simpson (maybe that's because she's built like a tackle?) so this should be a non issue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The fourth, which ties into the fifth: he doesn't have a signature win and he doesn't have a ring. Think back to Romo's biggest win of his career. Seriously, whats his most important win? This is where the Romo hate gets it's steam. All those HoF Qb's I listed up there have wins that we can look back and say, "remember when Peyton rallied the Colts in the AFC championship game" or "remember Big Ben's final drive in Superbowl XLIII?" and they all have rings. Romo doesn't have one of those. Yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGTNIsqn8EeQ91R9kYyWN1k0iVGIacEmUuzSsgoP6YZTo6j03YJg4yXlQep7FLOD4f4p4l924S1BNKYEaWsr44Kqt7dGKLfIsprG3fBF2rS6NB8tnfhxybaDoqvGYnRxOFRSb5-mNlUg/s1600/eli-manning-with-super-bowl-xlvi-trophy%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGTNIsqn8EeQ91R9kYyWN1k0iVGIacEmUuzSsgoP6YZTo6j03YJg4yXlQep7FLOD4f4p4l924S1BNKYEaWsr44Kqt7dGKLfIsprG3fBF2rS6NB8tnfhxybaDoqvGYnRxOFRSb5-mNlUg/s320/eli-manning-with-super-bowl-xlvi-trophy%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How would you feel about Romo if he were in this picture?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>(editor note</strong>: using the 78 start's bench mark again, only Brady, Rodgers and Big Ben had rings. All three have won all their championships before the 78 game marker. Moving on.<strong>) </strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What he does have is an ass load of positive fantasy numbers while leading the NFL's craziest reality show (this is not an argueable point: his most talent WR has a professional baby sitter). What he does do is keep his head low, his hat backwards, and his moutshut; while he pray's to whoever he pray's to that somebody on his line will block a blitzing linebacker. Dallas isn't neccesarily talent starved (especially at WR) but they do consistantly lack depth at positions aimed to keep their franchise QB alive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I read an article last year (I wish I saved the link, but it was too ridiculous at the time) asking if Dallas should move on from Romo. It upsets me to think that people honestly feel like Romosexual is the problem with this franchise. He isn't. He is the brighspot. His numbers put him in the conversation of future HoF. Go back and re-read the stat comparisons with Brady and the Mannings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Through 78 games, Romo's numbers say he belongs in the ellite conversation's. Unfortunately, his lack of jewelry gives the ignorate masses amunition to ignore those claims. The solution for #9 is simple though, he has to win. Anthony Romo win's one Superbowl, and as if he rattled of a string of hailmary's, all will be forgotten. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But he's got to get something out of his teammates to do that. No team has ever won a superbowl with one player. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But one player can sure get a shit load of the blame. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-39370865574534383392012-09-13T15:05:00.005-07:002012-09-13T15:05:41.108-07:00Week 2 PicksLast week, for lack of a better word, sucked. It sucked for my fantasy teams. It sucked for my real life team. It really sucked for my picks against the spread column. Basically, my wife could've handled all my football related affairs last weekend and I would've had a more productive weekend.<br />
<br />
Except my Sanchez pick is off to a good start. That one made me smile (even though I didn't really buy into my own bs... as I picked Buffalo to beat the Jets last week).<br />
<br />
Picks in Red.<br />
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Chicago</span></strong> @ Green Bay (-5) Do I think Green Bay will fall 0-2? No. Do I think Green Bay can stop Matt Forte from having a good game? Again, no. So, do I think Green Bay will cover? I do not. Moving on.</li>
<li>Arizona @ <span style="color: red;"><strong>New England</strong> </span>(-14) Despite Seattle losing to Arizona last week, I still think they suck. Tom Brady is going to leave behind scorched earth this weekend, which is going to shit all over my Seattle week 1 loss justification "Arizona had a really good defense"</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Oakland</span></strong> @ Miami (+3) Miami blows. Oakland will run this to 10.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Minnesota</span></strong> @ Indianapolis (+ 1 1/2) Adrian Peterson did NOT blow out his ACL last year. He got a hang nail and was tired of running into 8 man fronts. Thats the only way to explain how he has come back to the point where he is now. Healthy (ish) AP is > Colts.</li>
<li>Houston @<strong><span style="color: red;"> Jacksonville</span></strong> (+ 7 1/2) This game sucks. Jacksonville covers.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><strong>Cleveland</strong></span> @ Cinncinati (-7) I mean they ARE divison rivals. One would hope Cleveland can keep it within a touchdown. If not, please start warming up that rotator cuff, mr. McCoy.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><strong>Kansas City</strong></span> @ Buffalo (-3) Buffalo took a huge ass whoopin' from the Jets and I can't even remember the name of the Reciever who caught the two touchdowns. That being said, me picking KC is more about me hoping Dexter McCluster goes ape shit, and less about Buffalo and how they looked last week.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Balitmore </span></strong>@ Philladelphia (-3) Philly should be getting 3 points, not giving. In fact, I'm 70 % sure I wrote this down wrong. Hold on. Holy shit, I wrote it down right. Baltimore, all day.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">New Orleans</span></strong> @ Carolina (+3) I'm not overly prepared to write New Orleans off, and Carolina can't remember where they put their running game. Again, unfortunately for BOTH MY FANTASY TEAMS. </li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Tampa Bay</span></strong> @ New York Giants (-7) Tampa can run a little bit, pass a little bit and defend a little bit. I'm sure they can stay in this game.</li>
<li>Dallas @ <strong><span style="color: red;">Seattle </span></strong>(+3) Seattles going to win. So, there.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Washington </span></strong>@ St. Louis (+3) I guess St. Louis looked improved. Best player on the field is wearing a Redskins jersey though.</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: red;">Tennessee</span></strong> @ San Diego (-6) San Diego should win, but I don't see them winning by a touchdown.</li>
<li>New York @ <strong><span style="color: red;">Pittsburgh </span></strong>(-6) If the NFL season were a game of horse, last weeks Sanchez game was some insane behind the backboard, blindfolded bull shit of a shot. There is a good chance he tried that shot to be funny, only it happened to go in. However, there is also a good shot he stays outside and practices shots like that. So, Mark, prove it.</li>
<li>Detroit @ <strong><span style="color: red;">San Francisco</span></strong> (-7) Lets do some more math. Green Bay is better than Detroit. San Francisco is better than Green Bay. Detroit is on the road where they are going to be able to run the ball less than normal. This equates to San Fransisco, handily. </li>
<li>Denver @ <span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="color: red;">Atlanta</span> </strong></span>(-3) I have no reasons for this. I'm just going to take the home team and pray Peyton has a set back.</li>
</ul>
Lets hope I'm better than last week. I sure as shit couldn't be any worse.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-71495895780383182602012-09-10T10:32:00.001-07:002012-09-10T10:32:15.168-07:00Pump Your Breaks, CardinalsFirst lets address the Gurilla in the room: You needed Kevin Kolb to shake off his frowny face, and comeplete 6 of 8 balls on a fourth quarter drive to beat us. So, good job there guys. You needed lightening to strike 6 time in order to squeak out a win at home.<br />
<br />
You barely beat us, while we are starting a 3rd round Quarterback. I'm not using that qualifer to justify his lackluster 1st half, more as a tool to take away from your win. So suck it, douchebags. He is going to be great, I assure you. You beating him, at home, week 1 before your team has been mathmatically eliminated from exsisting is not something to beat your meat about.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8JWqr6bIZxiQ-R1SzXRi-dMXZcnHHer6XZ4jDxPvJ1fvO26KKLURV5n-0IBwzeCai9gxugbLKlz1olrGRqn7wsr0g_k0PDZ4lrhQDqQXvysg6qUx_TxLeR-epYpkJNZjU0r-qQMPE80/s1600/20120909_jel_ak4_247_extra_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8JWqr6bIZxiQ-R1SzXRi-dMXZcnHHer6XZ4jDxPvJ1fvO26KKLURV5n-0IBwzeCai9gxugbLKlz1olrGRqn7wsr0g_k0PDZ4lrhQDqQXvysg6qUx_TxLeR-epYpkJNZjU0r-qQMPE80/s320/20120909_jel_ak4_247_extra_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sit down, Arizona. You guys suck."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, you're 1-0. We are 0-1. But next week you'll still be starting John Skelton or Kevin Kolb and we will not be. Next week we'll have Marshawn Lynch. The same guy who torched you for 89 yards despite being shelved up with a stiff back for the better part of the last month. We get Beast Mode, you get Beanie. Seriously, are you in a better position than us? 16 weeks from now we will be the team in the playoffs while you are reading prospect scouting reports. But lets not get ahead of ourselves.<br />
<br />
Right now, I'm all about yesterday. Yesterday I went 5-8 in my picks (6-8 with Wednesday game included). Yesterday, I lost both my fantasy games (a huuuge Fuck you to Carolina's playcalling, Rashad Jennings knee and ofcourse, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings). And to top it off, after a week of relentless trashing talking over the interwebs, my beloved Chickens got off to a less than ideal start.<br />
<br />
It happens. Hopefully never again, but it does. Here are some things we can hang our hat on as Seahawk fans: 1, Russell Wilson didn't play good. He played ok. His first game was a solid outting considering the circumstances (first professional game, on the road, division rival, Patrick Patterson, etc). But that games was far from good. He seemed timid. Especially in the first half. Granted, Lynch took forever to warm up and Russell was limited to 9 passes in the first half. But they weren't a quality 9 passes.<br />
<br />
The second half he seemed to settle in. The Sideny Rice touchdown was gorgeous. He looked off 4 different recieiving options before going back to Sidney across the middle. 20 dollars says Tavaris Jackson was sitting in Buffalo, saw the highlight of that play and said, "ooooh, thats how you do it."<br />
<br />
In fact, lets continue talking about Seattle's freshly minted QB 1. Yesterday his first half was not good. He looked like a rookie (atleast, how a rookie should look. Thanks RGIII for making everyone else look bad). But in the second half, he made plays when he had to. And I gotta say, there is something about the dude that inspires confidence. Even through a tv screen.<br />
<br />
Russell Wilson had a rough game, yet I feel supremely confident in his abillity to lead this team. There is something about him that put me at ease during that drive. Something I never felt during the Hasselbeck era (despite how much I loved Matty Hass). I honestly feel like if that drive was replayed 9 more times, the result would end in a touchdown on atleast 8 of them.<br />
<br />
Last night as the last drive was happening, I fired off a text to my brother, " The Legend of Russell begins right now." Obviously, the drive didn't result in a win. But I still believe in that message.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The other take from yesterday: our defense wasn't running on full blast. It was like they couldn't find a way to shift to 5th gear. Or 4th for that matter. They seemed slower than they did in preseason. I mean the usual suspects were solid. Chris Clemons had a sack. Red Bryant erased any hope for an Arizona run game, and swated a John Skelton pass like Dikembe used to destroy set shots. And the Richard Sherman pick was beeeeaaauuuutttiiiifffuuuullll.<br />
<br />
Outside of that, even the Hurricane seemed unimpressive.<br />
<br />
Next week is a different story. Seattle will open up home against Dallas. People are riding the "Dallas might be good" bandwagon after their Wednesday win, so naturally you take Seattle in that one.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iW8HZ2CwxfOAYocMa_ae6yKwaV-wvTKUkDmJ-EgfobvOlc4aiB0vKVHqxQ-awgwcRCI7FbDZ-gXPjFbQBXBLo_4p8KQDwW30lzdpFJu36Kv2TCHtBAmKxIaC4MAgOq5tTpDFM08hMVY/s1600/DeAngelo+Williams+Carolina+Panthers+Training+o_--Jvx3_zUl%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iW8HZ2CwxfOAYocMa_ae6yKwaV-wvTKUkDmJ-EgfobvOlc4aiB0vKVHqxQ-awgwcRCI7FbDZ-gXPjFbQBXBLo_4p8KQDwW30lzdpFJu36Kv2TCHtBAmKxIaC4MAgOq5tTpDFM08hMVY/s320/DeAngelo+Williams+Carolina+Panthers+Training+o_--Jvx3_zUl%5B1%5D.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is called a handoff, Carolina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As for fantasy, my one week marriage with DeAngleo Williams and the Carolina Panthers will hopefully be over. I just can't rely on a team that neglegent with their playcalling. Seriously, if I were a Panther fan right now I would have the worst hangover ever.<br />
<br />
Drew Brees was getting some early chatter for a possible run at 6,000 yards. If that defense plays like they did against RGIII, I don't see how thats going to be a problem. That defense is so bad he will probably be looking at 50 attempts a game. In other words, DROP MARK INGRAM NOW.<br />
<br />
Lastly, how great was it to have Randy Moss and Peyton Manning back in our lives? Randy Moss is, and will always be one of my all time favorite players. He was my first jersey. I loved the highlights, and when I got older, I loved the douchy comments. I'm happy that he is back for a retirment tour. His td catch, especially being in Lambau, brought a smile to my face. Unfortunately, that smile was shit on immidiately after that, because the rest of that 49ers/Packers game featured a slew of players that I was matched up against in my Fantasy leagues ( a special thank you to Frank Gore, who when is not torching the Seahawks in reallife, aparently likes to forget he is 29 and should be considering retirment).<br />
<br />
<br />
And to the Middle Manning Child, who reminded everyone that he doesn't need his cannon arm to be a football Savant. He is a top-3 QB of all time, and didn't deserve to go out with a neck issue. I want Peyton to go out on his own terms. He deserves it. So watching 18 do what he does like he hadn't missed a full year was delightful.Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-69687061743406436462012-09-07T14:03:00.002-07:002012-09-07T14:05:16.139-07:00Week 1Wednesday night was a little slice of heavan. I ditched the gym and told my wife in no uncertain terms, "hunny, I'm getting a burrito and watching every snap of the Dallas/NY game." Now I'm not a Giants fan. And I certainly don't favor the star. But I needed football.<br />
<br />
So what happened? I went to Qudoba, and hooked up some Tortilla soup and a Queso burrito. I went to 7/11 and bought a Mountain Dew (I'm constantly trying to quite drinking soda. The only thing that accomplishes is forcing me to drive to a gas station when ever I want one). I got home just as the ball was being placed on the tee for the opening kick. It was magestic. I couldn't duplicate that timing again if I wanted to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGdHbs0pZ2jJ5-Hz0c2j8jPZWuSoADrX13ydolQrtyOKvVINlyptzezKL4efE0GSR8RTohwGmg-WvegQaU80AgSvHEdctGgv8y8u1qwueUs5-TInmK-aUE7hXgttddn_IEg-kRrFq6X0/s1600/russell_wilson_08212012%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGdHbs0pZ2jJ5-Hz0c2j8jPZWuSoADrX13ydolQrtyOKvVINlyptzezKL4efE0GSR8RTohwGmg-WvegQaU80AgSvHEdctGgv8y8u1qwueUs5-TInmK-aUE7hXgttddn_IEg-kRrFq6X0/s1600/russell_wilson_08212012%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm all in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Following that game (in which I picked Dallas, so this season is off to a good start), armed with a full belly, I laid in bed with my mind racing through an entire universe of thoughts.<em> Is Dallas good</em> (possibly)? <em>Are the Giants bad</em> (hell no, they always lose games they should win)? <em>Why is John Pierre Paul not fighting crime</em> (he should. Scary M-F)? It was so lovely to have football back in my life again.<br />
<br />
Then Thursday morning happen, and the crulest joke the world could play on me was played. I realized we had four day's till the Seahawks kicked off their year. FOUR FREAKING DAYS. Are you kidding right now, NFL? That is absolutely on par with your lady giving you a boner, then falling asleep with out allowing you to finish. Just mean spirited.<br />
<br />
Today was a little more manigable. Read some Russell "The Love Muscle" Wilson fluff pieces, checked my fantasy team about 700 times, and solicited all my Cardinal fan friends into some harmful shittalking. All in day's work, really.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tonight, I have the night to myself so I'm going to play Madden till my eyes bleed. In the mean time, I'm still at work so lets pound out some odd's (I'll bold my picks)</div>
<ul><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Atlanta </strong>@<strong> </strong>Kansas City (+ 2 1/2) I mean, Atlanta needs to look strong here, right? They need to get people back on their band wagon so they can break peoples hearts again in January.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Philladelphia @ <strong>Cleveland</strong> (+11) Lets get this straight. I think Cleveland sucks. I also subscribe to the theory that there are mystical forces that hate the city of Cleveland (I'm not prepared to say that God himself hates Cleveland...But someone important does). So what would hurt worse? A Eagles shit kicking or a game where Brandon Weeden keeps the score close only to get his knee blown out next week? I'll take the 2nd option, thank you. </div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Washington @ <strong>New Orleans</strong> (-9) If you tune in on Sunday and Drew Brees is hovering around 500 yards passing please realize he is having a Waterboy moment and everyone on Washington's team looks like Roger Goodell.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>New England</strong> @ Tennessee (+5 1/2) I love Jake Locker. However, I REALLY love Tom Brady. I'm sorry Jake, we'll talk again next week.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Miami </strong>@ Houston (-13) Only because in week 1 bad teams hang out with good teams. That being said, if Ben Tate and Arian Foster combine for 320 yards rushing just know that I'm not going to be that upset about it.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Buffalo</strong> @ New York Jets ( - 2 1/2) I know I'm not down on Sanchez, but obviously Tebow has mystical powers. </div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Jacksonville @<strong> Minnesota</strong> (-3 1/2) LETS GO TO-BY. CLAP CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Indianapolis</strong> @ Chicago (-11) Here is your chance Andrew Luck, prove me wrong. </div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strike>Los Angles </strike>St. Louis @<strong> Detroit</strong> (-8 1/2) Yeah, good one. I would've taken Detroit if they were hanging Oregon points.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
San Francisco @ <strong>Green Bay</strong> (-5) Welcome back to the middle, SF.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Carolina @ <strong>Tampa Bay</strong> (+1) Remember how Josh Freeman doesn't actually suck. New coach, home team? Yeah, they'll win.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Seattle </strong>@ Arizona (- 2 1/2) Russell may struggle at first, but after Hurricane Earl takes a ball back to the house this game is going to get UGLY.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
Pittsburgh @ <strong>Denver </strong>( -1) Big Ben is gonna get dry humped all night. He may need neck surgery afterwards. I'm sure Peyton could suggest a good surgeon. </div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Cincinatti</strong> @ Baltimore (-7 1/2) Logic would tell me Baltimore is going to win big. But this is week 1, and Monday Night Football where nothing ever happens how it should. </div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
San Diego @ <strong>Oakland</strong> ( pick 'em) Because I had to pick somebody.</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Get some.</div>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-71925458308841993572012-09-05T15:30:00.000-07:002012-09-05T15:30:09.645-07:00NFL: The 2012 Preview2 and a half hours till kickoff and I still haven't done any type of NFL preview post. How is that possible? Is it because I don't know what I'll say? Shit, I never know what I'm going to say. So that can't be it. Is it because I haven't done my homework? Again, please. I'm two fantasy drafts in. I'm practically in midseason form.<br />
<br />
So why haven't I started it yet? Well, for starters I'm lazy. Actually, scratch the starters. Thats the whole reason. I haven't written this yet, because two nights ago my wife gave me permission to buy Madden. Down goes the laptop, up comes the joy sticks.<br />
<br />
But I'm at work right now, 15 miles away from my xbox. Sounds like the best possible time to pound out some predictions.<br />
<br />
First, lets do the divisions:<br />
<br />NFC West- Seahawk, 49ers, Ram's, Cardinals<br />
NFC East- Eagles, Giants, Cowboys, Redskins<br />
NFC South- Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Buc's (although that division so screwy it could literally reverse order)<br />
NFC North- Packers, Bears, Lions, Vikings<br />
<br />
Wild Card: Giants and Bears<br />
<br />
AFC West- Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Cheifs <br />
AFC East- Patriots, Bills, Jets, Dolphins<br />
AFC South- Houston, Tennessee, Indi, Jacksonville<br />
AFC North- Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Browns<br />
<br />
Wild Cards<br />
Bengals and Raiders<br />
<br />
Superbowl: Ravens over Eagles ( I was originally going to put Patriots over Philly, but I really want to be different and leave the door open for me ripping my shirt off and pounding my chest in celebration. Stand by)<br />
<br />
For shits and giggles, here is a quick prediction for the Born Winner:<br />
<br />
NFC WEST- Seattle<br />
NFC East- Giants<br />
NFC South- Falcons<br />
NFC North- Green Bay<br />
<br />
Wild Card- Chicago and Philly<br />
<br />
AFC West- Denver<br />
AFC East- Patriots<br />
AFC South- Indi (Seriously, he said that. Bold move, for a bold man)<br />
AFC North- Steelers<br />
<br />
Wild Card- Bengals and Chargers<br />
<br />
Superbowl- Patriots over Chicago<br />
<br />
Here are some other things to watch out for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Tom Brady is going to be awesome. There is a reason I killed a man to get him on my fantasy team. I fully believe Brandon Lloyd is going to do a poor man's Randy Moss impression. Plus, he still has a contract starved Wes Welker, and a freshly paid Aaron Hernandez and Gronk.</li>
<li>Russell Wilson is going to win Rookie of the Year.</li>
<li>Toby Garhart is going to play ALOT more than the Vikings would like. Toby Garhart is not a bad running back. Toby Garhart is going to make ALOT of money for himself this year.</li>
<li>Mark Sanchez is going to be better, but it won't matter. That decision has been made. The Jets are going to suck and Tebow is going to take over. Mark Sanchez, QB of the Los Angles Jaguires.</li>
<li>If Darren McFadden stays healthy, he leads the league in rushing and Oakland wins 9 games.</li>
<li>Calvin Johnson is going to top last season</li>
<li>Arian Foster is not.</li>
<li>The Saints are going to struggle. Right, I mean they don't have a coach.</li>
<li>Well, they still have Drew Brees. Hand to God if that team wins 8 games Drew Brees should rip off his jersey and walk RIGHT into Canton.</li>
<li>Peyton Manning is going to toss 30 touchdowns and Eric Decker is going to be a house hold name.</li>
<li>Romo is going to toss 4000 yrds + again. However, since he is still the Quarterback for the Cowboys people will disect his game like he threw 28 picks.</li>
<li>Dez Bryant is going to go ape shit this year. By November, we will all be sick of the "sercurity team has lead to maturity" stories surrounding Bryant and his huge season.</li>
<li>Larry Fitzgerald is going to be responsible for the death of John Skelton.</li>
<li>Ray Rice, MVP.</li>
</ul>
There, I'm on record. Lets do this damn thing.Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-58646593828275253602012-09-01T15:35:00.000-07:002012-09-10T11:01:29.635-07:00Mariners: August in ReviewWhat an August. This month we saw the 1 step forward, 1.5 steps back Seattle Mariners continued their frustrating dick tease of a 2012 season.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Felix: he won 4 of his 5 starts, posting a 1.08 era. He had three (COUNT THEM THREE!!!) 1-0 shutouts including the August 15th Perfecto. He now has the city of Seattle and the Cy Young race by the balls. All Hail the King.</li>
<li>On the flipside, Justin Vargas was not good. After winning the July Pitcher of the Month award, the dude went awol. In 5 starts, he went 1-2 with a 5.12 era and is responsible for a broken tv remote in my apartment.</li>
<li>Justin Smoak got called back up thanks to another Mike Carp injury. His time in Triple A did him no good. Mr. Smoak, who batted .196 in his 51 at-bats since being recalled, has struck out more then his actual base hits this season. Alot more. He has 98strike outs compared to his 75 hits.</li>
<li>Dustin Ackley seemed to turn it around a bit. After turning in a lovely .173 average for July, he hit .257 (including 3 homeruns) in August. Lets hope he can get hot in September.</li>
<li>Seager (.244 w/ 4 home runs) Montero (.233 w/ 4 home runs) and Jaso (.266 w/ 3 home runs). Thats the middle of our lineup. No jokes needed.</li>
<li>Brenden Ryan continues his quest to be an every day shortstop who bats under the Mendoza line for a full season. With 1 month to go, he is currently at .195.</li>
</ul>
How this team went 15-12, is beyond me. Actually, scratch that. They sent Felix to the mount every 5th day. So that helps. But seriously, lets send up a flair. We need some help in this batting order. Or atleast some HGH.<br />
<br />
The worst part about it: you don't hear about hitting prospects with this team. Two years ago, we had Smoak and Ackley to think about. Now all you hear about is Zito, Hudson, Mulder jr that we have in Hultzen, Wagner and Paxton. Where the hell is our hitters? How can one organization be THIS bad at developing hitters. Even Pittsburgh had developed Alverez and McCutcheon.<br />
<br />
The Seattle Mariners have not developed and kept a solid major league hitter since Alex Rodriguez. All the other good ones have been involved in illadvised, short sided deals. That list is fairly long: Adsrubal Cabrera, Shin-Shoo Choo, Jose Cruz, Adam Jones etc.<br />
<br />
On The brighside, Football is 9 days away. I do love this team. Despite the struggles they have kept me involved. Which says alot. But there are issue that can't continue to be ignored. Jack, you got some work to do, brother.Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-39215703218317658282012-08-15T15:29:00.000-07:002012-08-15T15:33:48.323-07:00Long Live The King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Twenty minutes ago, Felix Hernandez completed a perfect game. He struck out 12 batters, including 7 of the last 9 outs in said game. I can't seem to construct too many proper sentences, so I'm going to leave you with this picture. Enjoy:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxcz3yQVIhTsM4Ecyc3LwjJ82A0gVSV5uY-vz4Ax5A_veKYfBpH07dZEoYe5XtXWmiuZMOAkumapbx6kdNwp_J2wOx3cSA6pidExXRE_RIGwze1oiga0Zm7H2Bp-S7TEzMyjIOTfhgVo/s1600/954031%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxcz3yQVIhTsM4Ecyc3LwjJ82A0gVSV5uY-vz4Ax5A_veKYfBpH07dZEoYe5XtXWmiuZMOAkumapbx6kdNwp_J2wOx3cSA6pidExXRE_RIGwze1oiga0Zm7H2Bp-S7TEzMyjIOTfhgVo/s1600/954031%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxcz3yQVIhTsM4Ecyc3LwjJ82A0gVSV5uY-vz4Ax5A_veKYfBpH07dZEoYe5XtXWmiuZMOAkumapbx6kdNwp_J2wOx3cSA6pidExXRE_RIGwze1oiga0Zm7H2Bp-S7TEzMyjIOTfhgVo/s640/954031%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-84321692382799010522012-08-13T15:53:00.000-07:002012-09-07T15:54:33.445-07:00Great Debate: Russell vs Flynn<div style="text-align: left;">
Damnit Pete, make up your mind. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are under a month from opening kick off and the Seahawks are still entertwined in a two man QB battle. Making matters worse, both seem very capable of being a starting QB.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7va9oIolCZMkwcOO8e-TnhpOu2iLgFL7ZW6jZDU9snOLSLAEybL68pIU7MtnSSGPXqfHRVuszrpSgGPHwSOxbqySO6g-HrjeAXW0tJSZLsDF2KHYGczQk6sFxjrdE8KKTyc9BAg5g6Y/s1600/Matt-Flynn1%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7va9oIolCZMkwcOO8e-TnhpOu2iLgFL7ZW6jZDU9snOLSLAEybL68pIU7MtnSSGPXqfHRVuszrpSgGPHwSOxbqySO6g-HrjeAXW0tJSZLsDF2KHYGczQk6sFxjrdE8KKTyc9BAg5g6Y/s320/Matt-Flynn1%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's becoming a hot arguement between me and the people I argue sports with. As polorizing a discussion I can remember having in regards to the Seahawks in recent years. Seriously, this is approaching the "Is Shaun Alexander any good?" arguement from 2006.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So let me go a head and get on record with what I think should happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think Pete Carroll should choose Matt Flynn as the starting Quarterback. Flynn, of course was signed presumably to be our starter a few months back after absolutely TORCHING the Lions in week 17 for 6 touchdowns. Not 1, not 2, not 3... But six. In the history of professional football there have only been 35 occassions where a QB has tossed 6 touchdowns or more. Matt Flynn and his 2 career starts has one of them. I don't care if the Lions started a secondary made of autistic children, they were professional autistic children and so Matt Flynn had a night for the ages.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So now he is a Seahawk. He came her to start and start he should. Granted, in his two outting so far he hasn't looked AWESOME, but he hasn't looked bad either. Atleast not bad enough to let Russell "The Love Muscle" Wilson jack his starting spot.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now I know the arguement. And I agree, Russell has looked GREAT in the first two preseason games. But seriously, he is tossing seam passess against people who will be assistant coaching high school football in three weeks. Lets not get too excited.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do I think Russell is good? Hell yeah. I fist pumped my shoulder out of it's socket when we stole him in the 3rd round. Does that mean I'm excited about starting a rookie QB? Hell no. Rookie Qb's struggle. This defense is good enough to make the playoffs. We have good recievers. We have a franchise running back. Bitch, lets play for keeps.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Let Russell Wilson "Carson Palmer" under Matt Flynn. If Flynn sucks, then we can go Wilson. If Flynn gets hurt, we can go Wilson. But let Flynn prove he isn't our starter first.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He deserves that.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhMx6qck9R7lFKG7g9Bi31Oh5BPjkXORKkkc5Xy-myenARvc7AZkx0cJxHqkT-v8N45aqR5QUmAkq2WndTzwjgyA2QRLn9M_y9drIS-8A5VUC1Rl07I-Ib64riwsO_au02bW5HmEPPg8/s1600/150184371_extra_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhMx6qck9R7lFKG7g9Bi31Oh5BPjkXORKkkc5Xy-myenARvc7AZkx0cJxHqkT-v8N45aqR5QUmAkq2WndTzwjgyA2QRLn9M_y9drIS-8A5VUC1Rl07I-Ib64riwsO_au02bW5HmEPPg8/s320/150184371_extra_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Full disclosure: I think Russell Wilson will be our starting Quarterback when we contend for Superbowls. But the dude is 24. There is no reason to not atleast see what we have with Flynnsanity.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not going to be upset if #3 gets the nod. But alot of people think I am Russell bashing. I'm not. I just feel the need to preach patience. You know?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of course, Pete Carroll is probably going to name Russell the starting QB and I will have to explain to everyone that I wasn't against him; I was just FOR Flynn. You know, because nobody will actually read this. </div>
Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-44256197918149463442012-08-10T09:04:00.001-07:002012-08-10T09:38:19.376-07:00Dwight Howard, Lakers and Wheat GrassThe Orlando Magic ended their near two year long Dwightmare last night. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYjQYrLyNHRL9lGPwgC0cZnf_QV0vlGorRAeXO2assXjqFZ6ZZ7Q_ulC7xWpoOuxk9UOL_P5PgXru_jryJlt0O7wXSFXpmqp_kEuby2NGyi8RR_SXctCN6D6bog6LmfNPc2QLb6DZ4ZU/s1600/tumblr_m7krt7KxMR1rtglq3%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYjQYrLyNHRL9lGPwgC0cZnf_QV0vlGorRAeXO2assXjqFZ6ZZ7Q_ulC7xWpoOuxk9UOL_P5PgXru_jryJlt0O7wXSFXpmqp_kEuby2NGyi8RR_SXctCN6D6bog6LmfNPc2QLb6DZ4ZU/s320/tumblr_m7krt7KxMR1rtglq3%5B1%5D.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks stupid in Yellow. Right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Magic are expected to announce this morning the trade that will send Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers, in return they will recieve Aaron Affalo, potential cap space and Crabs.<br />
<br />
Thats almost not a joke. Please review the complete trade below:<br />
<ul>
<li>Lakers get: Dwight Howard, Earl Clark, Chirs Duhon.</li>
<li>Magic get: Aaron Affalo, Al Harrington, Moe Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, a PROTECTED 1st round pick from the 76ers, Lakers, and Nuggets.</li>
<li>76ers get: Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson</li>
<li>Nuggets get: Andre Igoudala</li>
</ul>
Thats it. Thats the whole trade. The turned down two trades this off season with the Nets and Rockets that would've seen them unload all their bad contracts and in the case of the Nets offer, bring back Brook Lopez and Marshon Brooks. They said no, because anytime you can turn Dwight Howard into a chance to pair Aaron Affalo with Hedo Turkalou, you have to do that.<br />
<br />
Seriously, Houston was willing take on Hedo and J Richardson and send back cap space, draft picks and Kevin Martin. Maybe I'm high, but Kevin Martin is better than Aaron Affalo.<br />
<br />
Also, J Rich's contract shouldn't have been the mandetory move. He has 3 years and a shade over 18 remaining. Thats 6 million a season for a starting 2 guard (thats basically what Portland is paying for Wes Mathews right now). The man can still offer something productive. Orlando should never have made a move unless it involved Hedo's, who has 2 years at 23 million left. His contract is basically a dick punch whose sting won't fade for another two years.<br />
<br />
I get it. You trade the guy who doesn't move like a mummy. This trade can be summed up in one more (coherent) point: Orlando traded the best center in the league in a four team trade that involved the 2nd best center in the league and another guy who is one of the best defensive perimeter players in the league and is currently playing for our American Olympic team. The Magic didn't recieve either of those players.<br />
<br />
Yippy for draft picks that won't sniff the lottery (and if they do, perhaps if Bynums knee blows up like a gernade and Philly bottoms out- THAT PICK IS PROTECTED so it better not be too good of a pick).<br />
<br />
Well done Orlando.<br />
<br />
In other news, how awesome would it have been to be a fly on Steve Nash's wall this morning? He probably woke up about 6 am to the wonderful sound of the ocean flowing up to his rented condo in Malibu. Decided to let the aspiring actress/waitress/yoga instructor who was occupying the other half of his bed sleep longer, and go for a private jog by himself around the coast line of California's rich and famous.<br />
<br />
When he gets back, he continues his morning ritual and busts out an hour of intense, mind freeing Yoga. This is how he keeps his back and mind healthy. He grabs a shot of wheat grass and throws it down the hatch while once again thinking about how life is smiling on him while staring at the ocean. <em>Life is perfect</em>, he thinks.<br />
<br />
Its at this moment, he becomes content with any trepidations he has with playing with the moody Andrew Bynum and the homecidal Kobe Bryant. <em>I can make this work</em>, he confidently reminds himself.<br />
<br />
At that moment, he is joined by the Yoga instructor who looks like Rebecca Romain 15 years ago. She is naked except for Nash's prized Wayne Gretzky Oilers Jersey. He is annoyed at her. She is not only wearing his favorite jersey, but she is holding his blackberry.<br />
<br />
"What are you doing?" Nash asks, confused to why she thought she had permission to help herself to his phone.<br />
<br />
"Um, some guy named Kobe just called like 10 times." she starts, Steve could tell she wasn't aware that she was talking about Kobe Bryant. "He kept screaming about a bunch of bad words, something dirty Austrillians and..." she paused. "Something about buying a D-12. Or you guys sharing a D-12?Is that a new car?"<br />
<br />
A rush of excitment and adrenaline over took his body. He jumped up and fist pumped like the end of a bad 80's sitcom. His new team had just replaced Andrew Bynum with Dwight Howard. IN the matter of 35 days he went from playing with guys named Gortat, Lopez and Dudley to guys named Bryant, Gasol and Howard. <em>Move over, Iron Man, I'm now the luckiest man on the face of the earth.</em><br />
<br />
From that moment on, the rest of Steve Nash's day was a blur of experimental sexual positions, thought of his defensive mistakes being errased, and wheat grass shots.<br />
<br />
And anal. Lots and lots of anal.Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6617530523657539095.post-73366734249270761642012-08-01T13:30:00.000-07:002012-08-15T13:31:01.057-07:00Mariners: July ReviewAnyone reading this I'm sure will agree: July was nothing if not eventful. There was an All-Star game (1 Mariner!), there was a stretch where we lost 7 of 8 games, and of course the current stretch where we have won 8 of the last 10 games.<br />
<br />
Some individual highlights included: Felix<br />
<ul>
<li>Felix, as per usual, was a monster, winning all 3 of his decisions and spreading 10 runs over 44 innings.</li>
<li>John Jaso and Jesus Montero both batted exactly .300 for the month. Unfortunately the rest of their numbers were 4 home runs and 22 RBI's. Combined.</li>
<li>Chone Figgins only played in 6 games. THEY'RE LEARNING!!!</li>
<li>But the most impressive bullet point, Jason Vargas. Mr. Vargas rebounded his awful June by going 5-0 with a 1.64 era. That is not a misprint. Somehow he tricked the Mariners batting order to help him win 5 of his 6 starts. Of course, it's SUPER hard to lose when you only give up 8 runs in 44.0 innings (unless your Felix, then the Mariners do find a way to lose).</li>
</ul>
Eh, I gotta apologize. I'm just not into right now. I mean I love this team, but I feel fairly detatched right now. I just switch jobs, my wife is pregnant and I had to come to the realization that Justin Smoak will never reach his alleged Paul Bunyan potential (atleast while wearing a Mariner jersey). Maybe if they win another game or two I'll find the fountain of fan youth and pound out 2,000 words of glowing hyperbole, but right now, I kinda just wanna go to the gym then play some Madden. Sue me.<br />
<br />
I just feel blah right now. Justin Smoak sucking has really been a dick punch. I haven't evne mentioned the whole trading Ichiro situation, which has left with this feeling similar to that when you'd delete a girl's phone number that you weren't quite over with.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to get into that Ichiro thing again. It sucks.<br />
<br />
Here is to hoping the stretch this win streak out for the rest of the season.Clinically Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03788665293735327030noreply@blogger.com0