Week 14: Defending the Suddenly Super UnPopular

I 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.

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Playoffs? You're talkin playoffs?

Yes, yes we are.

• Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders +10 Wow, the Raiders really suck. I'm embarrassed that I thought they would resemble a pro-football team this year. E-me.
• Baltimore Ravens @ Washington Redskins -2 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.
• Kansas City Chiefs @ Cleveland Browns -7 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.
• San Diego @ Pittsburgh Steelers -7.5 Chargers owner came out this week and said Norv and Aj Smith are dead men walking. Thanks for making my job easy, bro.
• Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts -3.5 Again, the two scariest words in the AFC right now: CHUCK.STRONG.
• New York Jets @ Jacksonville Jaguars +3 I don't care how bad Jax is. New York shouldn't be giving points to a team full of retards.
• Chicago Bears @ Minnesota +1.5 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.
• Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers +3.5 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.
• Philladelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay -7 Tampa needs a win. Eagles need a higher draft pick.
• St. Louis Rams @ Buffalo Bills -3.5 I just threw a dart at a board and it told me to take St. Louis.
• Dallas Cowboys @ Cinncinatti Bengals -3 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.
• Miami Dolphins @ San Fransisco 49ers -11 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.
• New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants -4.5 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.
• Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks -10.5 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.
• Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers -6 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.
• Houston Texans @ New England Patriots -5.5 because its time for the Patriots to get everyone on the "New England vs ______" superbowl bandwagon. It happens every year.

Week 13: Fantasy do-or-die

I love Fantasy Football. It's frustrating and fun all wraped up in one giant burrito ready for your consumption.

This season, in my Vancouver league I started off 1-5. In my other league, I started off 1-3-1.

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.

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

• Drew Brees
• DeAngelo William
• BenJarvis Green Ellis
• Wes Welker
• Brandon Lloyd
• DeSean Jackson
• Aaron Hernandez
• Toby Gerhart
• Giants D
• Matt Prater k

Into:

• Drew Brees
• Arian Foster
• Ray Rice
• Wes Welker
• Randal Cobb
• Denario Alexander
• Jimmy Graham
• Aaron Hernandez
• Steelers D
• Kai Forbath

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.

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.

Now onto Week 13 picks:

• New Orleans Saints@ 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..
• Seattle Seahawks@ 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.
• Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers-7.5 The Adrian Peterson MVP quest continues.
• San Fransisco  49ers@ St. Louis Rams+7.5 They tied last time. I imagine St.Louis will keep it closish.
• Arizona Cardinals@ New York Jets -6.5 Fuck the Jets. Sanchez looks like he has Stockholm syndrom.
• Carolina Panthers@ Kansas City Chiefs +5.5 Cam Newton should be able to get some points on the board against this shitty, shitty KC team.
• Indianapolis Colts @ Detroit Lions-7 Two words: CHUCK. STRONG.
• Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills -6 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.
• New England Patriots@ Miami Dolphins+7.5 The trail of tears continues...
• Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans+7 If they playoffs started today, I would put a lot of wood on Houston winning the AFC.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers@ Denver Broncos -8 This should be close. Denver is due to lose, and Tampa needs this win to keep their playoff chase on.
• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens-7 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.
• Cleveland Browns @ 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.
• Cincinnatti Bengals @ San Diego Chargers PK Norv Turner, start working on that tv resume.
• Philadelphia Eagles @ 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.
• New York Giants @ Washington Redskins +3 Now that we are in December, I think it's time to start picking the Giants in literally every instance.

Week 12

Last 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.

Here are my picks:

• Houston Texans @ Detroit Lions +3.5
• Washington Redskins@ Dallas Cowboys -3.5
• New England Patriots @ New York Jets +7
• Oakland Raiders @ Cincinnati Bengals -8
• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns +1 
• Buffalo Bills @ Indianapolis Colts -3
• Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs +10.5
• Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars +3
• Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears -1
• Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1
• Seattle Seahawks @ Miami Dolphins +3
• Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers +1
• San Francisco 49ers @ New Orleans Saints +1
• St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals -2.5
• Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants -3
• Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles +2.5

Week 10

Sorry 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:

• Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings +1 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.
• Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints +1 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).
• New York Giants @ Cincinnati Bengals +3 1/2 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.
• Oakland Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens -9 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.)
• Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots -12 1/2 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.
• Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins -7 Titans cover. Miami wins. This game is, 'meh'
• San Diego Chargers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3 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.
• Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers +4 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.
• New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks -7 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.
• St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers -12 1/2 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.
• Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles +1 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.
• Houston Texans @ Chicago Bears PK 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.
• Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburg Steelers -13 I would take Pittsburg at -20. So thanks, Vegas.

Week 9: First half review

Full 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!

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Toby Gerhart is going to play a lot and make himself a lot of money. Way off. Adrian Peterson discovered black magic.
• Mark Sanchez is going to be better this year. Nope.
• Jets are going to suck this year. Yup.
• Mark Sanchez is going to be the QB of the LA Jaguars... still in play.
• 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?
• Oakland will win 9 games if McFadden stay's healthy. I don't see these dudes going 7-2. So, Fail.
• 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.
• Arian Foster will not (top last year). I'm going to say "I'm sorry" for this one.
• Saints will struggle: Check.
• Peyton Manning will toss 30 td's: a little over that pace with 17 through 7 games.
• Eric Decker will become a household name: Not yet. lol.\
• Tony Romo will go for over 4,000 yards: Baring injury he'll get there. He is over half way.
• Dez Bryant will go ape shit: Bleh, he has been super uninspiring.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

• Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers -7 1/2 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.
• Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts +1 1/2 I'm going to ride Andrew Luck here, only because they're playing at home on the turf.
• Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans -10 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.
• Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns +3 1/2 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.
• Chicago Bears @ Tennessee Titans +3 1/2 I'm going to take the Titans to cover more as wishful thinking. My brain tells me I'm being an asshole though.
• Detroit Lions @ Jacksonville Jaguars +4 Detroit beat Seattle last weekend. Seattle is better than Jacksonville. Detroit will beat Jacksonville.
• Arizona Cardinals @ Green Bay Packers -11 11 seems like a lot of points to be spotting, untill you realize that it's impossible to cover when you can't score.
• Carolina Panthers @ Washington Redskins -3 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.
• Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks -4 1/2 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.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Oakland Raiders PK
• Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Giants -3 I don't feel particularly confident about this one. Just a hunch.
• Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons -4 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.
• Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orlean Saints -3 Andy Reid will avoid execution this week. Unless I'm wrong...

NBA Preview

Sometimes 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.

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.

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.

 

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.

 

That was the plan. But as life often does, it heard my "plans" and told me to "piss off."

 

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.

 

Raymond Felton took as much joy out of my sports fandom as Chone Figgins does during baseball. That is inexcusible.

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. Why would I spend another moment of my life following a team that doesn't give a shit? 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.

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.

Edit Note: I was also very familiar with Andre Drummond who I really wanted to end up in Portland as well.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

(30 thoughts about the upcoming season)

1. Damian Lillard. 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.
2. Portland vs Lakers, game 1. 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.
3. Nic Batum. 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.
4. The return of real rivalries. 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.
5. James Harden. 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.
6. LeBron James. 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...
7. Kevin Durrant, MVP. Another scoring title and a 60 win team should get him the nod.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge. 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.
9. Bill Simmons on an NBA pregame show for ESPN. This is self explanitory.
10. The 2012-2013 Trail Blazers. 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.
11. Wes Mathews. 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.
12. Good rookies ended up on good teams. 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.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder. 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.
14. Los Angles Lakers. 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...
15. Kobe conforms. 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.
16. Miami Heat. 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.
17. Greg Oden. 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.
18. A better year out of Melo. This more hopeful due to him ending up on my fantasy team. I guess hell is pretty cold this year.
19. Brandon Roy. 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.
20. The first time Brandon Roy, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio hit the court at the same time.
21. The Return of Derek Rose. 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.
22. Trades. 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.
23. One step closer to the Seattle Super Kings.
24. Tim Duncan's attempts to go out like Davey Crockett. 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.
25. The funniest thing about the Dwight Howard trade. 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.
26. Orlando Magic. The worst team in the NBA.
27. Toronto Raptors will score a butthole load of points this year. 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.
28. Durrant will win the scoring title with 31 ppg. Rondo will win the scoring title with 12 assist a game. And Kenneth Faried will lead the league in rebounding with 13 a game.
29. Eastern Playoffs: Miami, Indiana, Brooklyn, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit
30. Western Playoffs: Oklahoma, LA Lakers, Clippers, Spurs, Memphis, Denver, Dallas, Portland

Get some.

Week 8 and the Thursday Night Game

Thursday night games suck.

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.

They're stupid.

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.

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.

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."

These games are hypocritical.

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?

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.

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.

Don't believe me? Ask Scott Fujita.

"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."

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.

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.

Here are the picks (last week 6-7):

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnestoa Vikings -5 1/2 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.
• Washington Redskins vs Pittsburgh Steelers -4 1/2 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.
• Seattle Seahawks vs Detroit Lions -1 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.
• Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears -9 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. Fantasy note: 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.
• New England Patriots vs St. Louis Rams +7 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.
• Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans -3 1/2 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.
• Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets -1 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.
• San Diego Chargers vs Cleveland Browns +2 1/2 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.
• Jacksonville Jaguars vs Green Packers -15 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.
• Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles -2 1/2 Atlanta isn't going to go undefeated. Here is a good game to make that statement accurate.
• Oakland Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs PK 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." 
• New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys +1 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.
• New Orlean Saints vs Denver Broncos -6 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.
• San Fransisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals +6 1/2 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.