The Sports Town

0-18.....Thursday Night Football Games.

2009-12-03T15:01:00.000-05:00

Sorry about there being no Part 2 of this Weekends Wrap-Up. I got swamped and had no time to do it.

I did get to watch history last night though.

The New Jeresy Nets broke the NBA record for losses to start a season. They did it in style as well, as the Dallas Mavericks almost put up an 80 spot and shot 84% from the field at halftime!

The Mavs pumped the brakes a bit, but the Nets took another beating. Former Nets franchise face Jason Kidd relished this win, considering he almost put a triple double on their heads.

It is brutal for Nets fans this season. How far does this streak go? 20, 25, 30 games?

Sad part is, that it is not an effort problem. The Nets DO play hard everynight. There are CYO teams that shoot the basketball better than the Nets though. Right now, they have zero depth or talent on the wings (shooting guard-small fowards).

I will play the optimist in all of this for Nets fans.

The rebuilding plan is being done right, and it will not take them long to be good again.

The Nets right now do have some players to build around. Brook Lopez and Devin Harris are good. Terrence Williams may never be a star, but he can be an excellent and very good glue guy. I am not big on Chris Douglas Roberts, but on a good team, he could come off the bench and be some instant offense.

Here is the real silver lining...

The Nets have the most cap room in the biggest free agent offseason ever, and will have a top 5 pick in a deep, loaded draft.

Let's play a hypothetical game right now.

What if the Nets sign say Lebron James (I think they actually have a better shot at Bron than the Knicks) and a mid level guy, say Marcus Camby or Udonis Haslem. Then, in the draft, say they hit the Lottery and get John Wall from Kentucky?

Do you think that you can argue with me that a lineup of Harris, Wall, King James, Camby/Haslem, and Lopez, with Douglas-Roberts and T. Williams coming off the bench is not a playoff team in the East?

I think that is an argument that you would lose.

Keep your heads up Nets fans, this is only a one year thing.

We have a treat tonight.

Not only do we have the NFL game on Thursday night, we have a monster rivalry college game that is a playoff for the Rose Bowl.

The Buffalo Bills take one of their home games, and completely waste it tonight in Toronto, against the Jets. There is NO reason for these games being in Toronto, in a domed stadium (The Bills home games in December are major home field advatages with the weather, etc.), other than the fact to line the pockets of a greedy owner that acts like he cares about the city that has made him millions of dollars a year.

I guess there really was a reason for someone to flip him the double barrel birds.

The Jets come into this game coming off their best game in a month. My whipping boy Kerry Rhodes came out of hibernation and actually played to his talent, and the Jets harassed another SportsTown whipping boy, Jake "Pick 6" Delhomme.

I see the Jets running the ball about 40 times in tonight's game, making sure that The Sanchize does not throw picks like they were stadium gift give-a-ways.

Although Terrell Owens has played alot better since the coaching switch, he will be lined up all night against the NFL's best CB in Darrelle Revis, or how the CBS guys call him "Revis Island".

New York Jets 20, Buffalo Bills 13.

The Civil War!

One of College Football's biggest and oldest rivalries gets centerstage tonight on ESPN, as Oregon St. and Oregon get it on for a shot at Ohio St. in the Rose Bowl.

The Ducks are at home, and QB Jeremiah Masoli has been playing like a Heisman candidate since the Boise St. mudstomping. RB LaMichael James has had a fantasic Frosh. season replacing SportsTown's Golden Gloves Champ LeGarette Blount.

The Beavers are the Pac 10 team that does the most with the least. Head Coach Mike Riley really does not get enough respect from the country. He seldom gets a to recruit, but somehow grooms his players into talents. (Beavers had the 2nd most players drafted last year.)

This will be a shootout, with both offenses being high octane. Turnovers will be monster in this game. The fact that the Ducks are close to double digit faves in this game is a joke. So.....

UPSET SPECIAL!

Oregon St. 42, Oregon 38

Weekend Wrap-Up Part 1

2009-11-30T18:53:00.000-05:00

How can we avoid this?

Everything and their mother has had an opinion on Tiger Woods driving his SUV into a fire hydrant and into an oak. It really should not be a big deal. Tiger did not harm anyone but himself in this situation or damage anyone's property except the counties hydrant, and perhaps his neighbor's tree.

Why has this not gone away?

Well, besides the American public being complete whores for gossip and always wanting to see the rich and powerful stumble to their levels, because the whole story has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.

Why was Tiger leaving his house at 2:30am? Was he fighting with his wife? Is the rumored affair with the Long Island hostess the reason for that fight? Did Mrs. Woods go after him with a 7 Iron like she was William Wallace in Braveheart?

Although Tiger Woods has no committment at all to going public with this, he has to realize that his so called private life became very public, whether he likes it or not. TMZ, National Enquirer, and others will make sure of that. Although, ESPN has done their best to protect Tiger. (Sickening how the biggest Sports Network, who shows an entire round of Tiger's in highlights, was the LAST to report of this!) I think ESPN sent Tom Rinaldi to be a bodyguard, and not a reporter.

It is not helping matters that Tiger blew off the cops several times (although did not have to by law give the cops a statement), made a statement over his website and not in person, and cancelled his appearance at a golf tourney that helps his own charity. People that have minor injuries and scraps to the face do not do that.

Something smells awfully fishy about all of this, and the way Tiger is trying to control his privacy in this is only fanning the flames. Hopefully, it all comes out, because if it does not, the public like the whores we are, will speculate until speculation becomes the truth.

Did everyone see the end of the UCLA-USC game? I know it was tough if you lived on the East Coast like me, but it might of been the most hysterical thing I have seen in sports all year.

Of course you already seen it!

Does the entire Pac 10 Head Coach Fraternity think they can take shots at Top Dog of the Conference, who is the master of giving out shots and think he was going to lay quiet?

Big mistake.

There is a reason Pete Carroll is not in the NFL, where the talent is mostly equal, and is at USC, where he gets whatever talent he wants. Carroll is The Bully.

So when UCLA head guy Rick Neuheisel takes out giant ads in LA newspapers saying that USC does not own LA anymore, it was not forgotten. When Stanford's Jim Harbaugh went for 2 up 20+ points in the 4th quarter, it was definitely not forgotten. And lastly, when Neuheisal is taking timeouts when Carroll was giving mercy and taking a knee with less than a minute left.

UCLA became live game, and was made an example.

We all know what happened. 45 yard TD bomb, USC sideline acting like they just went back in time and beat Texas in the Rose Bowl, and a riot almost breaks out.

These are heated rivalries. Anything goes, especially when The Bully has been taking shots to the mouth.

Remember The Empire Strikes Back? The Empire took a shot in the mouth (end of Star Wars), and went after who gave them those shots tenfold. In the Pac 10, USC is the Empire.

The boys are the Pac 10 might of awoken a sleeping giant. Carroll might be a jerkoff, but you guys made your bed with all of this, now it is time to sleep in it.

Monday Night Game:

Big game tonight in New Orleans. Offensive fireworks should be going off for 3+ hours straight.

This game reminds me of the 1985 Monday Night Game between the undefeated Bears, and the Miami Dolphins.

An awesome QB (Marino-Brady), going into a hostile envoirment and beating an undefeated team by going nuts aerially with his WR's (Clayton-Duper, Moss-Welker).

New England Patriots 38, New Orleans 27.

NFL Picks for Week 12

2009-11-28T19:40:00.000-05:00

I started to write this post early, since I could not stand the Bromance CBS has with Tim Tebow. I really believe Verne Lundquivst and Gary Danielson are told by their producers to act like its Brokeback Tebow. Well, perhaps I am slightly wrong, I do not think Danielson is acting.

Three games in the books this NFL week. (SportsTown is 3-0 so far this week!) The Thanksgiving games were boring and very predictable. I thought the Giants-Broncos game at night would of given us a breath of fresh air.

I was wrong.

The Giants stink. They got abused by the struggling Broncos. Both sides of the ball, OLine and DLine got manhandled by the Broncos, which is a scary thought for the Giants considering that the past few years, that has been their strength.

How hard was everyone laughing when Giants DE Osi Umenyiora was verbally hammering his team on the sidelines on two different occasions? This is the same guy that got the goose egg against the Broncos and All-World LT Ryan Clady.

Osi, if you are going to call out your team, do not do it in the game that you are one of the main reasons that the Giants got manhandled.

Now, onto the rest of this week's picks:

Miami Dolphins 23, Buffalo Bills 20 - I actually had to flip a coin in this one. The Bills Run Defense is prime to get shredded by the High-On-Life Ricky Williams and the Wildcat, but Buffalo last week whipped out a passing attack we have not seen all season from them. The Dolphins are horrible against the aerial assault. In the end, last minute FG wins it and keeps the Dolphins slim playoffs chances alive.

Carolina Panthers 27, New York Jets 16 - I see the Jets have been reading this blog, and they took my advice and benched Kerry Rhodes. Smart idea, but Mark Sanchez is throwing more interceptions now than Lindsey Lohan has run-ins with paparazzi nowadays. Panthers defense scores in this game.

Cincinnati Bengals 45, Cleveland Browns 13 - Bengals got humiliated last week in Oakland, and have hard nosed coaches Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer that probaly made the team go through hell this week in practice. On Sunday, they take it out on the Browns. After the game, Eric Mangini will complain that the Bengals played too hard.

Atlanta Falcons 38, Tampa Bay Bucs 20 - Josh Freeman has not looked bad behind the Center for the Bucs, but this franchise is a complete mess. Head Coach Raheem Morris is too immature for a head gig right now, and the Falcons will take advantage of it.

Houston Texans 31, Indianapolis Colts 28 - UPSET SPECIAL! Yes, I am going back to the well on this one. I was going to pick the Colts until I found out that Dwight Freeney was out. Matt Schaub will have a much easier time without having to worry about his blindside all day long. Peyton Manning does his best John Elway impersonation under 2 minutes in the game, but but it is no good.

Minnesota Vikings 31, Chicago Bears 13 - Took this long for these two teams to play this season? Bad scheduling. Jay Cutler is going to get pounded by this Vikings front four. I hate to stomach this, but with a big game, Brett Favre is in MVP talk. Do you know how hard that was just to even type?

Sidenote: What an awesome Mizzou-Kansas game going on! Looks like Mizzou is going to win on a last minute Field Goal. Mark Mangino murder watch starts in about 7 minutes.

Arizona Cardinals 24, Tennessee Titans 17 - I wanted to pull the upset special on this game, but the Cardinals passing attack should carve up the Titans. Tough to dismiss the fact that the Cardinals are 5-0 on the road this year as well. Remember though, the dreaded "Pacific Time Zone team playing at 1pm on the East Coast" is in effect though.

Philadelphia Eagles 23, Wshington Redskins 16 - The Skins defense is playing top notch right now, and Donovan Mcnabb is not 100% on the same page with all these young guns in the Eagles offense. This game will be close, but talent just rises to the top. Mccoy and Jackson have big days.

Seattle Seahawks 34, St. Louis Rams 27 - I just remember how Matt Hasselback carved up this defense earlier in the season. The Rams play hard, and Steven Jackson is an absolute monster, but they just do not have enough to win. If you have Hasselback and Jackson on your fantasy teams, be prepared to reap the benefits.

San Francisco 49ers 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 - The Vegas handicappers forbid me from making this game an upset special (SF is 3 point faves). This is just a horrible matchup for the kittens. 49ers Run Defense is very stout, and The Pinball Wizard (New Maurice Jones-Drew nickname, tell me if it is fitting.) is going to have a hard time against the big guy in the middle Aubrayo Franklin, who should be headed to The Kapunu Suite in Feburary.

If you do not get that term, go rent or buy Forgetting Sarah Marshall immediately! Although I want to investigate if Bill Hader gets these side roles in funny movies because he performs fallice acts to movie executives. The guy is not funny at all, along with the rest of Saturday Night Live of the past decade.

San Diego Chargers 38, Kansas City Chiefs 17 - The Bolts have really turned it on the past month and change. I see no way in hell the Chiefs pull off two monster upsets in a row. We can leave it at that.

Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 10 - This pick is made now knowing that Big Ben's coconut is not fully healed yet. Dennis Dixon will make his first start, in a horrible venue for QB's. The Steelers defense really has to crank it up in this game, but I think there is too much Flacco/Rice/Mason in this game.

Last Week: 9-7

Season: 100-58

College Football Picks of the Week 11/28

2009-11-28T02:49:00.000-05:00

First off, I hope everyone had themselves a fun Thanksgiving.

A good chunk of the picks are already in for the week, but lets recap what happened in the past two days.

-Colt Mccoy single handedly willed Texas from a possible upset. 500 total yards and 5 touchdowns, which included 175 yards rushing. Wow.

I said in my last post, that Mccoy had the spotlight to himself on Thanksgiving night, especially considering that the New York Giants stunk the joint up in Denver, and all the NFL fans switched over to the Texas-Texas A&M game. He did not disappoint.

He might of just won the Heisman on Thursday night.

- I am eating my own words when I stated that Pitt is a top 5 team right now.

It was a tough, hard fought game, but Pitt should not be losing to the likes of West Virginia. They are just too talented. I did come out of that game thinking one think positive on the Panthers side.

Dion Lewis is the 2nd best Freshmen RB I have ever seen with my own two eyes. The first being Adrian Peterson at Oklahoma.

- After watching Texas A&M shred the Texas defense, plus watching the Nebraska-Colorado game, I have come to the conclusion that Nebraska can upset Texas.

The Nebraska defense can stop anyone. If you are a bettor, just bet the Under blind in that game. It has 12-7 written all over it.

Heisman Watch

1. Kellen Moore QB Boise St. - Just after watching Moore add another five touchdowns passes to his resume, I am down to 3 options if I had a Heisman voting. Right now, Moore is the frontrunner.

2. Colt Mccoy QB, Texas - He has made me eat some serious crow. The guy has been a video game the past month. He reminded me of Michael Vick in Madden '00, where Vick was not only a good passing QB, but the fastest guy in the entire game.

If Mccoy goes trigger happy against Nebraska in the Big 12 Title Game, he leapfrogs Moore.

3. Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford - If Mccoy stumbles, and Gerhart has a monster (And I mean monster on the level of 225 yards-5 TDs), Gerhart's numbers might just be too eye-popping to say no to. Best thing for Toby is, he does play against Notre Dame, who I could run for 115 and a score on.

4. Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - In my eyes, he cannot win it anymore. Getting stone-walled by the likes of Auburn to me would stick out even more than trashing the Gators next week. He may get invited to New York though. All exspenses paid.

5. Tony Pike QB, Cincinnati - Now, I know he has no shot at winning the Heisman. I just am down to 3 players, and I wanted to make a point with Pike.

Pike missed several games due to injury, and came back and tossed 6 touchdown passes! Pike is the "What If" this season. Just what if Pike never lost time due to injury?

Honorable Mention: Golden Tate WR Notre Dame, Tim Tebow QB Florida, Dion Lewis RB Pitt, Jerry Hughes DE TCU, CJ Spiller RB Clemson.

We are 3-1 with the picks so far this week, as Pitt let me down hardcore. Here are the rest of the picks:

Florida 41, Florida St. 23 - I would of liked to seen this game with Seminoles QB Christian Ponder playing. No crying over spilled milk, so we watch the Gators steamroll one of the more pathetic defenses in college football. Bobby Bowden does not have the likes of Marvin Jones, Peter Boulware, and Donnie Abraham anymore.

Oklahoma 28, Oklahoma St. 27 - UPSET SPECIAL! This pick is not who I think could win this game. For me, it is about two things:

1. Vegas has this line extremely fishy. Oklahoma is a 9 point fave, against a ranked opponenet, when they have not beaten anyone this season.

2. Oklahoma St., my original pick to go to the Title Games, is a major roadblock for Boise St. going to a BCS Bowl game. We are now channeling Ronald Regan.

"Oklahoma Sooners, tear down that wall!"

South Florida 23, Miami 20 - UPSET SPECIAL #2!! The Bulls finally have a shot at the celebrity Canes. South Florida may have slid the 2nd half of the year, but I bet my mortage that they have had this one circled on the calendar since it was announced that this game would be scheduled.

LSU 24, Arkansas 20 - I wanted to pick the Razorbacks, but if Arkansas somehow won this game, the lynch mob in Louisiana would have the knoose tighly wrapped around Les Miles neck fast. I root for chaos, not bloodshed.

Clemson 27, South Carolina 17 - I think the Tigers run CJ Spiller down the tough Gamecocks throats. Steve Spurrier just needs to find a good enough QB and he will start winning SEC titles. The defense has been very good for years now. It is time for the Old Ball Coach to get a QB that he can turn into the next Shane Matthews.

Utah 34, BYU 31 - The Holy War. My two cents, the best rivalry game nickname. I just think BYU is a bunch of frauds. Max Hall throws way too many INTs, and the Utes can still score.

Stanford 63, Notre Dame 28 - Yes, I really believe this score. It would be fitting for Charlie Weis's execution. There is no shot in hell that the Irish can stop Toby Gerhart, not to mention QB Andrew Luck. This game is on primetime ABC, which would mean it is the first time we see an execution on national television.

Last Week: 6-5

Season: 80-46

Thanksgiving Day NFL/College Games

2009-11-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

We all know what is tradition on Thanksgiving Day and weekend. The family all gets together, you have the 13-course meal, including the turkey, stuffing, yams, the 3 different types of pie after, and it is all done for "giving thanks". There is another major part of this tradition though.

NFL Football on the Turkey Day.

Some people go into Manhattan to watch the Parade, with the balloon floats in the air and somehow not falling down in the wind tunnels the tall NYC building make the city blocks. Most people watch NFL football spread across 12 hours of the day.

We have three games, spread across the entire day, and 3 networks.

Heres are the Gooble Day NFL Predictions:

Green Bay Packers 38, Detroit Lions 13 - I would love to pick the Lions on Thanksgiving, especially given the fact that the Lions and Cowboys on T-Giving is as American as apple pie. I do not believe SportsTown new hero Matthew Stafford is playing on a short week after going Eric Roberts in Best of the Best on us.

If Brady Quinn torched this secondary, what do you think Aaron Rodgers is going to do? I am scared about it, the guy I am playing in Fantasy Football this week has both Rodgers and Greg Jennings. OUCH!

(Quick Sidenote: I lost this week in FF. The Johnson's, both Chris and Andre let me down. Lendale White vultured a touchdown off of me, and Gary Kubiak will not call a pass play for his freak inside the 10 yard line.)

Dallas Cowboys 31, Oakland Raiders 10 - I cannot wait for this game. Why? Because some crazy Raider fans actually think that Bruce Gradkowski is good enough to move the ball on offense on the road. Do you people realize that the Cowboys defense is very good? Gradkowski is going to be performing an Iron Maiden song going back to pass. Run to the Hills....Run for your Liiiiiiiaffeeeeeeee!!!

Denver Broncos 24, New York Giants 21 - This game actually intrigues me. Both team are seriously on the downside and are desperate for W's. The Giants will have a gimped out Brandon Jacobs and no Ahmad Bradshaw in the lineup, meaning the Broncos can focus on Eli Manning and the passing game.

The Giants defense when it matters could not stop Miss Daisy if she were walking. Kyle Orton and friends should be able to move the ball and score. Best part is, we get more Matt Millen in the booth, who is the only good thing about the NFL Network. Remember, before he did the equivalence of W. Bush to our country to the Lions, Millen was a great analyst. Sticks to your strengths Matty.

The added bonus of Thanksgiving Weekend is we get a huge Friday full of College games as well. Not all the games are stale as well, some of these games actually have the potential to shake the system around.

Chaos on a Holiday weekend.... I love it!!! The college predictions:

Texas 45, Texas A@M 17 - There are two reasons why this made the list this week. One, College Station has been hell to Texas recently, and the Aggies have beaten the Horns 2 out of 3.

The second reason is, this is the only college game played on Thanksgiving, giving the entire stage for Colt Mccoy to really make a surge in the Heisman rankings with a big day.

Alabama 27, Auburn 17 - Rivalry games always bring the best out of underdogs. Gives them a purpose to play hard. Auburn will surprise the Tide early, but they just do not have the talent or grit to end it.

Pittsburgh 41, West Virginia 27 - This as an ugly and hated rivalry as there is. The Moutaineers will love nothing more than to put the kibosh on the Panthers potential BCS showdown with Cincinnati. Noel Devine should have a big game, but....

I think Pitt is a top 5 team right now. They have all the components. A QB playing out of his mind, a Frosh RB that is consistent, big physical WR's, aand their defensive front four is awesome. I think they win this game, and setup a massive showdown with the Bearcats.

Boise St. 63, Nevada 45 - I so wanted to call the upset on this one. If the game was not on the Smurf Turf, I think I might have. Nevada right now could run on the 85 Bears and they will rack up points on the Boise St. defense. I do not think they can stop Kellen Moore though.

There is the Thanksgiving picks.

I hope everyone has a good and safe Thanksgiving.

Enjoy.

Weekend Wrap-Up Part 2

2009-11-24T13:35:00.000-05:00

I just got finished watching the physical and dirty Titans-Texans clash and I had to start off with this game.

First off, excellent clock management by Jeff Fisher and the Titans on that final drive. They were confident in Rob Bironas and just made sure they sucked up the clock.

Secondly, yet again, Gary Kubiak let this game slide between his fingertips because of playcalling. It is excellent inbetween the Red Zones. The Texans can moved the ball up and down the field. When they get there, they have major problems, and this is not the first time I have mentioned it.

The Texans have a 6'3" 230 pound freak of a beast at WR in Andre Johnson. Why is it that I have barely seen the Texans just throw a fade route/jumpball into the endzone for him inside the 10 yard line? He would win that contest 8 out of 10 times against any CB in football. I just do not understand it.

This Texans team should be 7-3 at the very least. They have the talent and the explosiveness. There is just something missing from this franchise, and I think it is the Head Coach's problem.

Last thing about this game. The officiating was awful. They missed a blantant trip against the Texans, followed by a phantom horse-collar tackle on Chris Johnson.

I am starting to believe Barry Melrose when he states that the NHL refs are by far the best officals in the world.

-I am still stunned that the Toilet Bowl game turned out to be the best game of the day by far. The Brownies and Brady Quinn came out with guns blazing. The Lions and Matthew Stafford fired right back. Classic shootout game, but then something special happened.

On the last play of the game, Stafford rolled out, tried to make a play, threw up the Hail Mary and got completely flattened by a Browns linemen. It wound up being pass interference and Stafford, because of a completely boneheaded timeout by our favorite jelly donut Eric Mangini, was allowed to go back into the game, without doctor's approval, and threw the game winning TD pass with what we found out to be a separated left shoulder.

Stafford showed complete moxy and guts right there. If he did not already win over his team and the fans, he did it right then and there. Just awesome. He was like Eric Roberts in Best of the Best, when he continued despite getting hurt. "Pop it Tommy!!!!"

-Last week, I was listening to Mike Francesa on WFAN, and I was actually hearing these dillusional Steeler fans that were stating that Big Ben is better than Dan Marino and Peyton Manning...

Good God are you kidding me? Your boy is a good NFL QB that just happens to ride on the coattails of an excellent defense. Big Ben can make plays, especially outside the pocket, but do not dare compare him to two of the best 5-6 Quarterbacks that ever lived. Francesa was about to knock over his Diet Coke he was so aggitated about these clowns.

Oh and by the way Steeler fans, you should be complaining more about how the lowly Chiefs punched you guys right in the kisser on Sunday and why your Special Teams cannot stop an 85 year old man with a walker.

The same thing goes for the Bengals as well. How the hell do the Bengals and Steelers lose to the Chiefs and the Raiders? Awful, especially that fumble by Andre Caldwell on the kickoff return.

-I dunno who are bigger frauds in East Rutherford. I know the Giants won against the Falcons on Sunday, and Eli Manning looked awesome, but that defense could not stop Matty Ice Ryan at all in the 2nd half.

Francesa made an excellent point on his Miked Up Sunday Night show. The only thing the Giants really won was the Coin Toss before overtime.

The Jets are even worse.

Mark Sanchez after 10 NFL games, does not know how to look off defenders. He stares directly at one receiver the entire time like he was a blonde walking into a bar. The Jets have 6 more games and an offseason to get him out of that habit.

Kerry Rhodes got steamrolled several times by Laurence Maroney. Rhodes, is playing, pardon my french, like he has his giant head and ego up his ass.

I will say it one more time. It is time for Kerry Rhodes to stop making music videos, doing photo shoots, and Tweeting non-stop. It is time to get your head back into football. If you do not realize this soon, you will be cut by a Head Coach that does not tolerate weak play.

-Now, I am done with the NFL, let's talk about the College game, and what a week it was...

The Oregon-Arizona game was a complete classic. It was the best game I have seen all year long. Jeremiah Masoli turned in a Heisman-like performance. Too bad about the Boise St. game.

Arizona is up late, and the students already started to jump from the stands onto the sidelines. I think they put the jinx on.

-I have been killing Colt Mccoy all season long, about how he does not deserve to be considered with his play. Well, I think Mccoy has started to play his way back into the discussion. The stats the past month are insane, but the one thing that would stop me from voting for Mccoy if I had a ballot.

The Longhorns creampuff schedule....

Speaking of creampuff schedules, if the BCS somehow puts Penn St. into a major Bowl game, they should be arrested. It would such a crime, that John Gotti somewhere in hell is laughing.

-Something is very fishy with what is going on in Kansas with Mark Mangino. I understand that he is a half a ton, and is prolly taking that frustartion out on his players both physically and verbally, but I remember playing sports in high school and the coaches being able to verball pound the snot out of us.

What gives here? Is Mangino going over the line, or does someone have a complete hard on for his job? Now, when the Kansas program is on a losing streak, all these players come out of the woodwork. something is not being said about this situation, and it smells like a landfill.

- College Basketball is here, which means two things. Alot more of Dick Vitale and his oil shooting mouth, and no more Charlie Weis press conferences. Oh yes, the latter is coming soon.

- Sports Look-A-Likes: Anyone see that Kurt Busch Miller Lite commerical when he is walking in the bar? He looks identical to Dante from Clerks. I started cracking up as soon as I realized it.

Weekend Wrap Up Part I/Monday Night Selction

2009-11-23T19:20:00.000-05:00

We will get the brunt of the Weekend Wrap-Up in after the exciting Titans-Texans game tonight. Before the rest of the weekend action, I want to talk about two sports journalist/personalities that made me really scratch my head this week.

The first being ESPN's newly crowned Stat-Nerd Keith Law, who was one of two people (the other being Will Carroll) to keep Cardinals Ace Chris Carpenter off his NL Cy Young ballot. The latter being NFL Network's Jamie Dukes.

Law, who is a really smart guy (*cough* Egghead *cough*), decided to vote for Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez on his ballot instead of Carpenter. Now, I understand someone offering a different opinion than others, but it is the way he expressed his decision is what really bothers me.

Law explained that there are certain sabermetric numbers, team defense, run support, luck (Yes, Law actually used the term luck),etc. that went into his decision. I agree with him in the most part about this. Those stats should be looked at. There is only one problem.

Law comes off as if these are the only things he looked at. Mr. Law? Did you even watch a baseball game this season? The numbers in baseball mean alot, but when pitcher's have similar stats, what you see with your own eyes factor in as well.

Carpenter and Wainwright, carried their teams into the playoffs with tremendous Post All-Star Break performances. Vazquez did do all he could to get the Braves into the postseason, but the eventual winner, Tim Lincecum, went 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in September when his Giants still were alive for a playoff berth.

I read Keith Law's ESPN Chat that week, and he was barraged with questions over this. He came off arrogant about how he knows the numbers to base his opinion. That is fine, but if you are a voter for a specific baseball award, at least act like you watched these pitchers throw, instead of coming off like you just read a computer or a piece of paper with their numbers on it.

Yes, that is how you come off Mr. Law. The way you argued your stance, you come off in two ways. One, that you are just trying to be different, just to be different. Second, that you made this vote just to prove that the sabermetric (WAR, etc.)numbers mean more than what a person sees.

That is not the case. It is a combination of everything put together. Next time you make a vote like that and you need to argue your stance, use all the angles, because this time, you just sound like a Fantasy Baseball nerd that wanted to make a point.

And I will spare Rob Neyer from ESPN, that tried to defend Law's voting. I will eventually get to that stiff one day, but I have another beef.

That beef is with NFL Network's Jamie Dukes.

Before I make my point, how did this guy get that cushy job? Does he have incriminating photos of the Network President and Rich Eisen doing the nasty? It really is baffling.

Yesterday, around 4pm, I am flipping between the games and the NFL Network. The announcing crew, Dukes, along with Tom Waddell and Fran Charles, were in the midst of talking about the Redskins-Cowboys game when Dukes made this outrageous statement. (Do not remember it literal, but I will try my best.)

That even if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, they made the wrong move with Terrell Owens....

Um, what?

This is not the first time Dukes has mentioned this situation with the Cowboys and TO. When Fran Charles decided to take the stance that the Cowboys are better off without TO, Dukes, as unprofessional as they get could not even look into the camera and argued his point like he was about to get into a barfight with someone and did not want to look them in the eye.

This is the best the NFL Network can do? Jamie Dukes is, at best, below average as an analyst. Even Tom Waddell is a stiff, but at least he a professional stiff. This leads me to believe that Dukes has some serious dirt on someone in the higher up to actually have that job. My 14 year old cousin that does not follow football can do a better, more professional job than that crying stiff.

Hey, Mr. Dukes? You should read this blog and not get angry over the truth I mentioned about you, but you should listen to what I have to say and perhaps fix what you do wrong on television.

It is obvious that you will not be fired anytime soon, might as well do your gift job correctly.

Now, onto tonight's game....

The first time the Titans and Texans played this year, it was a complete shootout. The Texans could not stop Chris Johnson, and the Titans could not stop anything about the Texans offense.

I expect some more of the same, but the Titans defense has stiffened up a bit. Steve Slaton will have a hard time running the ball, so it will be up to Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to provide an aerial attack that Afganistan would be freightened over.

The Texans will not be able to stop Chris Johnson. He will get his 125 yards and 2 Touchdowns. They have to makes sure that Johnson does not break those 60 yard runs. Big test for the Texans defense, who has played very well the past month.

Houston needs this game, and somehow pulls it out....

Houston Texans 34, Tennessee Titans 27

(Fun Fact. I actually am in a Fantasy Football league that I am down 49 points going into tonight, with Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson left for me. I am not worried one bit that I will lose. That is sick!)

NFL Picks for Week 11

2009-11-22T11:41:00.001-05:00

It is coming in late, thanks to a classic Oregon-Arizona double OT thriller that I fell asleep right after. We will do a quick predictions and a first, MVP Watch.

MVP Watch

1. Peyton Manning QB, Colts - He is not the MVP of this team. He IS this team.

2. Drew Brees QB, Saints - Holding the 2nd spot strong, even after a few sub-par games for Brees standards. Will hold at spots 1 or 2 as long as the Saints are undefeated.

3. Adrian Peterson RB, Vikings - Eventhough the fumbling is an issue, he is having a monster season and I do not have the stones to put The Days of Our Favre here.

4. Chris Johnson RB, Titans - Tough to put up on here since the Titans have a sub .500 record, but have you seen the stats the past 3 weeks? He should be on this list if you have him in any Fantasy Football league.

5. Steven Jackson RB, Rams - This one must be scratching your head even more, but hear me out. The Rams have zero offense after Jackson. Teams put eight, nine guys in the box to stop him. What is Jackson's stats pro-rated to end the 09 season? 1627 yards rushing on 4.8 per carry. Name another RB in football other than Chris Johnson that could pull that feat off?

Honorable Mention: Tom Brady QB Patriots, Carson Palmer QB Bengals, Jared Allen DE Vikings, Maurice Jones Drew RB Jags.

We lost the Thursday Night game, as Ricky Williams hit the Fountain of Youth and had himself perhaps his best game in his career. Here are the rest of the games:

Detroit Lions 24, Cleveland Browns 15 - What a God-awful game. The Brownies actually played good defense the other night, but does anyone think Brady Quinn can lead this team into the endzone? Neither do I. Stafford to Megatron Johnson for 2 scores, and the Brownies boot 5 field goals.

San Francisco 49ers 23, Green Bay Packers 20 - I have zero faith in Aaron Rodgers right now. Let me rephrase that, I have no faith in his Offensive Line. 49ers will bring some heat, and Frank Gore can run on anyone.

Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Kansas City Chiefs 17 - No Troy Polamalu, which any team can exploit, but do you really think the Steelers are going to lose to a stiff team like the Chiefs after getting their butts kicked last week? There is a better chance of Paulie Shore getting the next acting lead in Ridley Scott's next blockbuster.

Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Buffalo Bills 20 - Usually this is where I take the Jags, and they put up a complete egg (See the Seattle game). The Bills just cannot stop the run, and Tiny Jones Drew is a human pinball.

New Orleans Saints 37, Tampa Bay Bucs 27 - Herm Edwards of ESPN predicted the monster upset here, espeically if the Bucs are wearing the creamsicles (Love those Unis!), but I do not have the minerals to make that selection. Saints running game should feast no the Bucs.

New York Giants 31, Atlanta Falcons 20 - The Giants are back after a much, much needed Bye Week, and they will finally have starting CB Aaron Ross back. No Michael Turner for the Falcons, meaning that Matt Ryan will try to do too much on the road. Giants get back on track.

Washington Redskins 17, Dallas Cowboys 16 - UPSET SPECIAL! The Redskins still play tough defense. Any NFC East game is always up for grabs, and the Cowboys laid an egg last week. Stranger things have happened.

Minnesota Vikings 34, Seattle Seahawks 17 - One of our all time faves Matt Hasselback has what it takes to pull off this upset. He just cannot pull it off on his back. Hawks OLine is shoddy, and the Vikings front 4 is the best in the league. Along with Hasselback's bad back, just a nightmare matchup for Matty.

Indianapolis Colts 27, Baltimore Ravens 14 - Yes, the Ravens won on Monday Night, but by default. They looked flat against the worst team in football. Now, they face the best team in football. Manning sees this secondary and is looking to sew up the MVP right now. Stay thirsty my friends....

Cincinnati Bengals 41, Oakland Raiders 9 - I heard that this could be a trap game for the Bengals. Get real. This coaching staff is too hardcore to let this team think past any other team. Larry Johnson will get action, and could enjoy a decent game against this Raiders rushing defense. Well, that is what we have to offically call it. I call jogging.

St. Louis Rams 23, Arizona Cardinals 21 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! The Rams have been playing good ball the past few weeks, and the offense has awoken. The Cardinals do have a very good run defense, but has that stopped Steven Jackson? Jackson has ran for 100+ yards against the Colts, Saints, Packers, and Redskins.

San Diego Chargers 27, Denver Broncos 18 - We dunno how effective Kyle Orton will be, but the Bolts defense has gotten better throughout the season, applying more and more pressure each week. The LT Revival continues this week.

New England Patriots 41, New York Jets 17 - Now, I am a Jets fan, but there are several things going against them this week.

1. No Kris Jenkins

2. Wes Welker is playing this game.

3. Belichick lost last week, combined with a home game this week (We mentioned this formula already in the past.).

4. The Eff-You Factor. Jets talked way too much trash for the first game. Pats will not take their foot off their throats.

5. Kerry Rhodes had another photo shoot this week, missing another film session. (Ok, this is not true, but you get the idea right?)

Philadelphia Eagles 38, Chicago Bears 20 - Just a bad, bad matchup for the Bears defense. Think what the Bengals did to this secondary, and I raise you Deshaun Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Too much speed for the Bears to contest with. The only reason Lovie Smith will keep his job after this season is because of money owed to him.

This Week : 0-1

Last Week: 10-4

Season: 91-51 (Will not count this week's games until they are all over with.)

College Football Picks of the Week 11/21

2009-11-21T08:15:00.001-05:00

Quick predictions and Heisman Watch.

Started to watch some College Basketball this week, and the Big East is 40-0 combined so far! That is insane.

There is no way Syracuse, who just waxed 12th ranked California and 4th ranked defending champions North Carolina, are the 6th best team in the Conference. The coaches of the Big East predicted that for the Orange. Better chance of finding diamonds in your basement.

Heisman Watch

The field really dwindled after last week. In our eyes, Golden Tate, Case Keenum, Ryan Matthews, and Jimmy Clausen all took gutshots to their hardware dreams. Here is the list of the survivors:

1. Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - 7 yards a pop and is smoking the SEC weekly. Big game against Florida wraps it up for him.

2. Kellen Moore QB, Boise St. - Leads the nation in TD passes and passing eff., Moore becomes the leading QB in this race.

3. Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford - This guy has plowed his way through Top 10 opponents, and into my Heisman Race. Leads the nation with 19 TD's and looks unstoppable now. He will destroy Notre Dame when they play.

4. CJ Spiller RB, Clemson - The guy is doing it all. Last week, ran, caught, and threw touchdowns. The ACC title game could really vault him with a great showing against a medicore Georgia Tech defense.

5. Jerry Hughes DE, TCU - The most disruptive defensive force I have seen in College Football since Charles Woodson. Hughes is a Dwight Freeney clone that just abuses Offensive Linemen.

Honorable Mention: Colt Mccoy QB, Texas, Dion Lewis RB, Pitt, Josh Nesbitt QB, GT.

Picks

Nebraska 16, Kansas St. 6 - Nebraska goes to the Big 12 Title Game, where they will give Texas, and the Networks a serious scare.

Notre Dame 45, UConn 38 - The Irish Boys (Clausen and Tate) make their final stand on Heisman voters with huge days.

Texas 41, Kansas 13 - Colt Mccoy and the Longhorns send Mark Mangino back to the ghetto.

Air Force 31, BYU 27 - Upset Special #1! Air Force wins on a textbook Max Hall pick 6. How funny would it be if the Carolina Panthers drafted this guy to be Jake Delhomme's heir?

Michigan St. 27, Penn St. 21 - Upset Special #2! I just want to see all of these soft 2 loss, Big Conference teams to get smacked up to clear an easy path for Boise St. into a BCS Bowl. This includes Penn St., Iowa, Oklahoma St., and possibly Stanford. Speaking of...

Stanford 45, California 23 - The Cardinal are a juggernaut right now. I loved what Jim Harbaugh did to Pete Carroll. I hope Harbaugh stays at Stanford and now we have a new hated rivalry.

Ohio St. 37, Michigan 20 - I want to know one thing. How can Michigan's defense be so bad, but the consenus is that they have 2 1st round locks on that side of the ball? It boggles the mind. Btw, quick tidbit, these two against one another when one team is ranked and the other is not, the ranked team is only 7-6. Just something to think about.

Clemson 45, Virginia 23 - I just wanted to put this bloodbath in for two reasons. 1. Because CJ Spiller is going to go bananas in this game and 2. As a Jet fan, im awaiting the Al Groh roast, with apple stuffed into his gullet and all the trimmings.

Oklahoma 31, Texas Tech 20 - It is amazing how far the cream has fallen. This time last season, both teams were vying for a spot in the national title game. This season, they are both trying to avoid their 5th loss.

Ole Miss 28, LSU 17 - Upset Special #3! Les Miles, meet Dexter Mccluster. He is the one that is destroying your defense this weekend.

Oregon 34, Arizona 28 - The Ducks wrap up the Pac 10 and head to the Rose Bowl, where they will obliterate Ohio St. Yes, you heard it here first. Rose Bowl, Oregon 41, Ohio St. 17.

Last Week: 8-3

Season: 74-41

The Full Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-11-17T15:03:00.000-05:00

I just got finished watching the Monday Night Football game, and all season long I was wondering what would make Ron Jaworwski and Jon Gruden to get their tongues out of the two teams openings.

The answer was the Cleveland Browns.

Brady Quinn in the pocket shakes as much as a heroin addict in detox, Jamal Lewis hits the hole slower than McLovin without alcohol, and their WR's could not run a paper route, let alone a receiving route.

I cannot even praise the Ravens, they basically won by default. They could not even score on this defense, while not completely inept like the Browns offense, is still ranked in the lower half of the NFL.

Eric Mangini is yelling at his Defensive Coordinator, Rob Ryan on the sidelines. Rob Ryan's defense was the only thing that was respectable on the field for the Browns last night with the exception of a fanbase that is as loyal as a bloodhound. I was waiting for Ryan to deck Mangini on the sidelines.

It would of been the most progress this franchise has made in 18 months.

Roy Williams of the Cowboys cried like another certain WR that was in Dallas last season about getting the ball thrown at him. Williams's cries were answered, as Tony Romo lately has been throwing in his direction more often than Miles Austin.

Hey. Roy? You cried and got your way, and now you are dropping passes with alligator arms and fumbling balls left and right. Be happy, you are NOT a star, but at least you are being paid like one.

I do not want to hear one more New York Jets player talking trash in the media anymore. Enough is enough, you are 4-5 and not making the playoffs. This includes Head Coach Rex Ryan, who is talking like he has even been to the AFC Championship Game already. The two that really need to shut up though are Bart Scott and Kerry Rhodes.

Scott, who is a great defender, has to realize that all he is now doing is giving the opposing team's bulletin board material and making an ass out of himself in the media. Scott is nowhere near close to the worst in this.

That would be Rhodes, who has never even played in a Pro Bowl (Granted, he did get ripped off one year in 2006), has not played remotely close to a Pro Bowl caliber player in two years, and has gotten burnt like toast all 2009 season long. Rhodes does not have an interception, but he was suppose to be the Ed Reed in this Rex Ryan defense. Kerry, it is time to stop messing with Twitter non-stop, and start actually playing like a solid NFL starter, forget about being a star.

I had no problem with the infamous call heard round the world now. Who am I to judge a Head Coach that has won 3 Super Bowls? I can though rip both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady for burning two timeouts so poorly. Besides, I have heard enough of this between, ESPN, CNNSI, WFAN, etc, etc. with all the experts and former players playing Armchair Quarterback. Belichick is the only one that had the minerals to make that call. Let's leave it at that.

I now have a Man-Crush on Bud Adams. He did exactly what all fans do to the opposing fans. We abused them. I remember being in Foxboro for the Jets-Pats Wild Card Game a few years back, wearing my green Jets jeresy, flipping off all the drunken stupor Pats fans when Jerricho Cotchery scored on a 75 TD pass from Chad Pennington. I get it Bud, you wanted a change of QB, you were the laughing stock of the league, and now, you are the one laughing because you were right. Unfortunatley, Roger Goodell does not have a sense of humor. Speaking of...

Bud Adams gets 250 large for flipping double barrel birds, Chad Ochocinco gets 20 large for a joke, but Tom Cable still has a job? Hypocrite.

And in the sense of tough guy coaches, I give it 8 more games, give or take 2 games, that a player completely coldcocks him right in his grill. I am sorry Todd, but you are getting too close to player's faces in a verbal assault. I still think if it were not the NFC Title Game, Anquan Boldin would of sent you into Mid-March.

Chris Johnson is a freak...enough said.

If Ole Miss fed Dexter Mccluster the ball like they have been doing the past few games, Mccluster runs away with the Heisman and the Rebels are playing Florida on December 5th.

TCU can play with the big boys. They just pulverized Utah, who is a top 20 team in terms of talent. Jerry Hughes is a Dwight Freeney clone, and this offense has speed and can score. I feel bad for the Bama-Florida loser. They will most likely play TCU, and get beat by at least 10.

I told you in my College Football Preview that USC would not win the Pac 10. I told you that they had to replace too many starters and that they were not winning anything with a Freshmen QB.

I did not expect them to be a complete sieve on defense though. This is Pete Carroll's worst team in years, and teams can making Carroll know it. Everyone see Stanford go for a 2 point conversion up 48-21? Smack the kingdom while it is down. I love it.

Remember though Stanford fans, USC will be back next year, so do not cry in the upcoming years that Pete Carroll and Matt Barkley ran up the score on your Cardinal. Cry that the Head Coach that put you in this situation, took the Michigan job!

It was nice knowing you Charlie Weis, sorry that you did not win, but please, leave with these parting gifts ($-$-$).

I have killed the SEC officals, so I have to be fair, good job Big East by protecting your jewels. Both calls in the Cincinnati and Pittsburgh games were a joke. Unreal what people and Conferences will do for millions and millions of dollars.

Lebron James said that next season, he will switch his number from 23 to 6 in respect to Michael Jordan. When you first look at that, it seems like a genuine respectful thing, until I realized two things.

1. No one in the right mind would respect Michael Jordan nowadays. He is literally the most abrasive person on the planet.

2. How much money will Lebron James make off the new #6 Cleveland Cavs jeresy?

It is all marketing...

Knick fans jumped off the Williamsburgh Bridge the other night when Bucks PG Brandon Jennings put up 55 points. What has your 1st round pick done so far? Seat warmer? Does the laundry? Is Jordan Hill in the Practice and Shoot-A-Round Hall of Fame? Karma just keeps on throwing dirt on poor Knick fans.

Quick MLB Awards Predictions:

-I had Happ and Bailey as the ROY's.... went 1 for 2.

-Zach Greinke for AL CY (I talked enough about him.)

-Adam Wainwright for NL CY

-Ron Washington and Jim Tracy for Manager of the Year.

-Albert Pujols for NL MVP

-Joe Mauer for AL MVP

Quick Thursday Night Football Prediction:

I will not be here for the rest of the week, so I will hand in my Panthers-Dolphins score.

No Ronnie Brown. The Panthers defense is playing good, and Jake Delhomme remembered what team he has played for. We even saw Steve Smith sighting.

Carolina Panthers 24, Miami Dolphins 19

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-11-16T16:19:00.000-05:00

We started the Weekend Wrap-Up the other night by adding the Cotto-Pacquiao fight to the NFL Picks since it was fresh in the mind. I am convinced Manny Pacquiao is a V (ABC TV show). He cannot be human.

The Wrap-Up will come after the Monday Night Game tonight.

Prediction:

Do I even need to spell this one out? A hungry Ravens team that desperately needs to win to stay involved in the playoff talk, or, the single most pathetic roster of talent in the NFL?

Our boy, and Rutgers alum Ray Rice has his coming out party on National TV tonight. 170 Total Yards and three scores.

Balitmore Ravens 34, Cleveland Browns 9

NFL Week 10 Picks/Cotto-Pacquiao Fight

2009-11-15T03:55:00.000-05:00

Sorry this is coming out late, but I got caught up in the monster performance Manny Pacquiao put on display tonight in Las Vegas.

I thought the fight would be alot tougher than this. The first four round were epic action, with Cotto early hitting PacMan with some bomb left hooks, but the little guy has a chin that is as granite as the handwraps Antonio Margarito used in his gloves.

Pacquiao dropped Cotto in the 3rd, then again in the 4th with a vicious uppercutt. Cotto started backing up instead of being the aggressor. When this happened, the fight was all but over.

I will give Miguel Cotto all the credit in the world. He has always went toe to toe with the best of the best, unlike some other loudmouth Welterweights that TheSportsTown has ripped apart in the past. Cotto came in prime shape, and looked great early, but Pacquiao I do not think is human.

Cotto started bleeding in the latter rounds like Rocky Balboa fighting Drago, adn to his credit again, he kind of wanted to go out on his shield.

In the 12th round, Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight in the first minute of the round when Cotto was getting pounced with combos and backing up constantly. It was the right call by the offical, unlike most BCS Conferences.

Next for the inhumane freak we call PacMan? It has to be Mayweather. I just do not think after Mayweather saw this fight, he would want any part of Pacquiao. I do not blame him, but if he does not take the fight, it will taint his career. Undefeated or not.

Now, onto the NFL Picks. We already are 1-0 for Week 10, as we somehow won that God awful game on Thursday Night. The Degenerates Corner (A special section of SportsTown), had the house riding on the 49ers -3.5.

Did they flinch at the end when the Bears were 10 yards away?

Not for a second. That is how predictable and bad Jay Cutlet is.....

Miami Dolphins 31, Tampa Bay Bucs 13 - The Dolphins are getting a trend that they run the Wildcat like mad men early in games (NO, NE), then slow down as the game goes on. The Bucs rushing defense is so dreadful that Fantasy owners of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will be quite smitten.

New York Jets 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 10 - I do not want to be the team that has to face a Rex Ryan defense after their Bye week and a loss. That defense is going to go nuts.

Kansas City Chiefs 20, Oakland Raiders 13 - I am on record, that this might be the worst NFL ever played in my lifetime. The Raiders are a joke. Their QB looks like a contestant on The Biggest Loser more than a pocket passer. The Chiefs, well just play like (Larry Johnson slur).

(I wish the Browns did not play on Monday Night, otherwise, the last game would of been a good introduction to THE worst franchise in the NFL)

I will have to settle for...

Minnesota Vikings 45, Detroit Lions 10 - Megatron is shooting blanks in Detroit this season. Rumor has it that Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford do not see eye to eye. Meanwhile, the fresh off Bye week Vikes are their opponent. Hide the women and children from this game. Maybe even putting the Direct TV on block for the channel.

Atlanta Falcons 23, Carolina Panthers 16 - How great was it that a Head Coach wants to yell and fight with opponents as much as the players do? I love Mike Smith. I could of played for Mike Smith for sure. Carolina keeps this close, but the always Delhomme Picky 6 awaits, followed by the MMA sanctioned fight between Steve Smith and whoever gets in his way.

Washington Redskins 14, Denver Broncos 10 - UPSET SPECIAL! Yes, I know the Redskins are a bigger mess than Jessica Simpson at the end of the Tony Romo relatonship, but their defense is nails. What has Kyle Orton done against very good defenses? The Steelers in the 2nd half are the blueprint.

Tennessee Titans 24, Buffalo Bills 20 - Chris Johnson already has 125 yards and a TD in this game.... kickoff is not for hours. The Bills have given up a few 300 rushing yard days, and now they have to face Ussain Bolt in pads? Lonnnnnnnng Day coming up.

New Orleans Saints 63, St. Louis Rams 10 - This is more of a mismatch than me setting foot in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson circa 1987. At least I beat Mike Tyson in the Nintendo game. The Rams have a better shot at finding an eskimo to sell ice to.

Arizona Cardinals 31, Seattle Seahawks 21 - I want to pick Seattle, but all I see in my head is the beating the Cards gave the Hawks a few weeks back in Seattle. It was 14-0 before Matt Hasselback got one snap. I cannot see the outcome any different.

Philadelphia Eagles 34, San Diego Chargers 27 - Phillip Rivers, meet the blitz that willmake you not get out of bed Monday morning. The Eagles are due for a big game by their defense. Brian Westbrook will be back, so him and Tomlinson can star in Grumpy Old Men 3: I can still run for 4 yards a carry. Remember, it is a fiction.

Cincinnati Bengals 20, Pittsbrugh Steelers 17 - Kind of an upset, except for the fact that the Bengals won round 1. Big Ben is passing like a wildman, but he is facing maybe the best CB tandem in the league now, consisting of Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph. This would be a massive win for the Bengals and would all but assure them of the divison with the tiebreaker and their remaining schedule.

New England Patriots 34, Indianapolis Colts 31 - The only reason why I am picking The Brady Bunch is because the Colts are on their 13th and 14th DB's this season. If 6 DB's are the dime, then what the bumbleclot is the 13th and 14th? The Peso? Peyton the MVP keeps it close, but finally takes defeat this season.

Last Week: 9-4

Season 81-47

College Football Picks of the Week 11/14

2009-11-13T13:57:00.001-05:00

Before I get into the picks and preview for this week's games, I would just like to congratulate the SEC and their officals for successfully making sure that Florida and Alabama smoothly got into the SEC Title game without any hiccups.

Not only did the officals make sure that the top two teams would remain unscathed, but they also made sure that they had the high ranking competition to make them seem even better to the computers and on paper.

This all started with the LSU-Georgia game, where the refs called an awful excessive celebration call on Georgia, after an AJ Green TD catch. LSU gets prime field position, and they score. What happened two days later? LSU was ranked 4th, and were headed into a showdown with? Florida. Did I mention that CBS had this game on primetime?

Then, the massacare happened that we now call the Arkansas-Florida game, where the referees were really wearing Gator uniforns in the 4th quarter. Urban Meyer needed the help that day, as the Gators squeeked by a hungry Razorbacks team.

In my opinion, the worst one of all came last Saturday, when LSU's Patrick Peterson CLEARLY had two feet inbounds for an interception at midfield late in the 4th quarter. Now, LSU might not of scored, but why should the SEC leave it up to the kids on the field? Somehow, the refs called it incomplete, and then somehow, the booth did as well. That is a catch even in the NFL!!

Yes, the SEC did suspend a referee crew, but after the fact that they were part of two of these instances! How do they even have a job anymore? I will say this, the refs only getting suspended does make sense considering the SEC did not even suspend Brandon Spikes for trying to rip a players eyes out. Oh yeah, Spikes is a Gator. I forgot.

The officating has been so awful, that the SEC has basically put a gag order on the coaches, even smacking Meyer with a 30 large fine.

Well, you cannot fine me SEC, and I will easily trash how bad the officals and Conference has been in reguards to their officals. The title game is set, you guys got your wish, now let the kids play some fair ball!

Big props to Rutgers last night, completely pasting South Florida on ESPN. That is a big win for Greg Schianno's program, as he continues to bring in better recruits. I basically inherited Rutgers since I am from the Northeast, and have no football program to root for. Rutgers is the closest to me, so they are mine to root for now.

Heisman Watch took a shift from last week. Although having a good game in defeat, Jimmy Clausen has to slide. Here is your Heisman Top 5 and Honorable Mentions:

1. Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - I know I just completely trashed the SEC, but the fact is, Ingram is running over the best Conference in the nation. Last week, Ingram ran for 144 yards on a stout LSU defense. He now has 1148 yards, on 6.6 yards per carry. If Ingram has a monster game against Florida, yuo might just have to wrap this baby up.

2. Casey Keenum QB, Houston - I know Keenum is not exactly putting up these monster stats against the best competition possible, but how can you ignore the stats? He has a 28/5 TD/Int ratio, he completes 71% of his passes, and he has thrown for over 500 yards three times this season.

3. Jimmy Clausen QB, Notre Dame - The Golden Boy has a monster game, going for 450 and 2 TD's against Navy. The drop came because of the loss to a bad team and a costly fumble on the goal line. I will not blame Clausen for the Int, since Michael Floyd messed up.

4. Ryan Matthews RB, Fresno St. - With all due respect to Ingram and others, Matthews is the best RB in the nation. Close to 1,500 yards and 14 scores already, Matthews is automatic for 140 a game. He will not win the Heisman, but he has to garner consideration.

5. Kellen Moore QB, Boise St. - The newcomer on this list. Does anyone realize that Moore has 27 TD passes to only 3 interceptions? That is crazy. Moore also is 1st in the nation in Passer Eff. (media darlings Tim Tebow and Colt Mccoy are 9th and 16th respectively).

Honorable Mention: Tim Tebow QB, Florida, Toby Gerhart RB, Stanford, Dion Lewis RB, Pittsburgh, Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame, Jerry Hughes DE, TCU.

Before I get to the picks, I want to know how a daunting powerhouse like Louisiana Tech can schedule LSU, Auburn, and Navy in out of conference, but Texas's non-conf. schedule consists of Louisiana Monroe, Wyoming, Central Florida, and UTEP? How about Florida's schedule of Charleston Southern, Troy, Florida International and Florida St.?

Time for the big boys to schedule like they are big boys. Disgraceful.

Now, to the picks:

Tennessee 20, Ole Miss 16 - Anytime Jevan Snead faced a formidable defense this season, he has laid an egg. Monte Kiffin probaly has been in the office all week, laughing at Snead being a deer in the headlights.

Wisconsin 31, Michigan 20 - What a classic meltdown by the Wolverines this year huh? Rich Rodriguez is in deep trouble here, and for his coaching life.

Ohio St. 16, Iowa 6 - I really wanted to see this game on fair ground. No Ricky Stanzi for Iowa, which will make it hard to score off this stingy Buckeyes defense.

Cincinnati 44, West Virginia 24 - A very good Friday night game on ESPN. This game, along with the potential Pitt. showdown will vault the Bearcats big time in the BCS rankings. Brian Kelly is going with the hot hand of Zach Collaros over the now healthy Tony Pike. I cannot blame him.

Texas Tech 51, Oklahoma St. 44 - UPSET SPECIAL! I lost all respect for the Cowboys when they laid down to Texas. It does not matter who QB's for Coach Leach, as the Red Raider system is a QB's wet dream. Cowboys will not even force one punt.

Pittsburgh 40, Notre Dame 24 - As much as we love Clausen here at Sportstown, he is not the only great QB in this game. Pitt's Bill Stull has been a pleasant surprise, ranked 5th in Pass. Eff. The Panthers are loaded with offensive weapons, and can do more damage than what Navy did last week.

Nebraska 16, Kansas 10 - A once Big 12 North clash, has turned into a medicore game in a 3 week span. Nebraska's defense prevails in this game.

Florida 24, South Carolina 10 - Tim Tebow better have a monster game here, because he really is slipping in that Heisman race. We all know Steve Spurrier will try to win this game at all costs.

Arizona 34, California 16 - No Jahvid Best, no win for the Bears. Nice job by the Wildcats this season as a whole, as they could somehow get into the Rose Bowl. They have Oregon and USC still to come. Speaking of the Trojans.....

Stanford 38, USC 31 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! - USC is toast this season. I am praying that they do not get into the BSC Bowls with 2 losses and stiff a team like Boise St. Stanford is coming off a monster win over Oregon and can run the football on anyone. Bye Bye Petey Carroll. Hope you like the Holiday Bowl. Big game for Toby Gerhart.

TCU 31, Utah 13 - The game of the week. The Horned Frogs will be looking for revenge from last years lost to the Utes in a tough close game. Although, I do not agree with Vegas on this one. Twenty points is too high of an outcome. TCU will solidify there 4th ranking with a solid win here.

Last Week: 7-4

Season: 66-41

Thoughts on Andre Agassi, Cotto-PacMan, Thrusday Night Football Game

2009-11-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

When I was a kid, I thought the sport of tennis was a waste of time. Granted, even as a mighty mite, I loved to hear John Mcenroe mouth off to the officals, but I thought the sport was entirely dull.

Then, Andre Agassi came.

Andre Agassi got the general public interested in tennis, because of his brash image. He was the exact opposite of what tennis was basically since time started. He was a rock star(The guy actually messed around with Barbara Streisand. I know that is not exactly most of my generations cup of tea, but for someone of Streisand image to mess around with a guy in his mid 20's? that was impressive), and I was part of the population that got interested in what Agassi had to offer.

So when I found about his new autobiography, "Open, An Autobiography", I was obviously intrigued to read it. Then the topics of the book came out, and the revelation that Agassi was a meth-head, tanked matches, and basically was the kid that was forced to do something until he hated it.

Now, I do not know if Agassi admitted this stuff about his past to finally get his skeletons out of the closet, or that he wants to be on the New York Times Best Seller List, but the backlash Agassi took from former and current players was far too harsh.

Martina Navartilova compared Agassi to Roger Clemens. Are you out of your mind? Name me one person that enchanced anything they did by sucking on a glass dick? Agassi, unlike Clemens, was not asked the question of drug use out in public forum everyday for chunks of his life. That would be the equivlence of someone saying Martina's titles should be tained because she was a lesbian. Yes, it sounds stupid Martina, doesn't it?

Russian tennis player Marat Safin came out and said that Agassi should forfeit his winnings and titles because he lied about using a banned substance. Same answer Safin. Crystal Meth is not steroids, HGH, or even too much caffeine. Matter of fact, if Agassi is not on Meth and tanked matches because frankly, he was a brat, he more than likely has 10-12 Grand Slam titles, and is one of the Top 3 players ever. By the way, this is coming from the most anal crybaby the sport of tennis has ever seen, and that is saying alot.

Do I condone what Agassi did? Not in the slightest, but I just cannot stand has-beens and never-was people jabbing their two cents on an issue because the media has totally forgotten about them. What are these people's opinions on Agassi's charity contributions? In the long run, Agassi has made up for his wrong doings, and then some.

People like Marat Safin have to realize that a huge reason why he is a multi-millionare today, is because Andre Agassi had to go through all the crap with his father, the image, etc. that brought the advertising and sponsor dollars in tennis to all time highs.

I am a bigger fan of Agassi today than ever. People can relate to someone who really was flawed in many ways. I will lean towards the side that Agassi just wanted to finally get this off his chest than selling books. Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf have enough money for 50 lifetimes already.

If that is the case, he is a bigger man to admit his flaws and mistakes than most of us.

-This Saturday night, boxing has it's potential Fight of the Year, when Miguel Cotto puts his Welterweight Title on the line against the public Pound for Pound champion, Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is about a 2 to 1 favorite in the fight, but after watching HBO's 24/7 series, I am kind of leaning towards Cotto now.

Pacquiao did not have the greatest of training camps. The monsoons in the Phillipines, the war between his strength conditioner and his advisor, and even Freddie Roach looking to quit after Pacquiao refusing to leave Manila, all setbacks in this training camp.

Cotto seemed like he had a solid training camp, but could be exposed by the lack of experience his new trainer has, especially by one of the best like Freddie Roach.

I do not think Pacquiao can withstand Cotto's power. He is facing a true Welterweight this time around (Oscar De La Hoya was a shell of his former self, and a complete joke). Cotto wins by unamimous decison.

-Thursday Night Football is here!

Shame some people will not be able to see it because of stupid cable companies and networks crying over cents on the dollar.

When is the last time the Bears went into SF and won a game? 1985? The 49ers usually roll the Bears at home.

The Bears defense is in shambles and they give up 4.5 yards per carry on the ground. Frank Gore is salivating.

San Francisco 49ers 27, Chicago Bears 17

Weekend Wrapup Part II

2009-11-10T19:50:00.000-05:00

Wow, two Weekend Wrap-Ups in one weekend? I am either excited that I am getting better at writing or that I am depressed about a lack of life. Either way, it is your gain!

Let's start off with the Polls. Can we finally get the Coach's ballots out in the open? Until then, I am going to assume that Pete Carroll put USC #2 in his ballot and Oregon off the top 25. There is NO way USC should be ranked ahead of Oregon just a week after getting destroyed by 25+ points in Eugene. Sad part is, even USC has a gripe, because Ohio St. is somehow ahead of them in the polls. Such political bullshit.

We hope here at SportsTown that Cal RB Jahvid Best is alright. That was one of the more brutal falls I have ever seen. It is time for RB's to realize that vaulting 8 feet in the air over defenders is not exactly the best way to get into the endzone.

Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson just got my respect this week. In overtime, going for it on 4th Down and 2, when a chipshot FG ties the game took some serious minerals to do. Billy Raftery was somewhere in the US screaming out "ONIONS!".

The main game of the week was the LSU-Alabama clash that was a good physical game. Alabama was the better team of the two in the game, but Alabama was also very fortunate on two occasions. First, LSU stud CB Patrick Peterson getting hurt. Peterson had Julio Jones on lockdown and there is no way Jones gets the big touchdown if Peterson is on the field.

The second part was the refs blowing a clear interception by Peterson while Bama was driving in the 4th quarter around midfield. Now, we all know that the SEC referees have been working like they take an evelope from some guy in a trenchcoat named Guido, but then the replay Crew did not overturn it. NCAA rules state that one foot has to be inbounds. Peterson got both feet in. At least the SEC cannot fine me 30k for saying outloud how awful their officiating is.

Notre Dame loses to Navy. The lynch mob is back after Charlie Weis's neck. We already heard the Jon Gruden and Brian Kelly rumors, but ND fans should think about one thing. If Weis is canned, kiss Jimmy Clausen goodbye to the NFL. He might bolt to the NFL anyway, but there is no way Clausen sticks around for one season to learn a new playbook. Clausen stays, the Irish are a pre-season Top 5 program.

-Now, onto Week 9 of the NFL season. I have to get one thing off my chest before I get into any of the games, and yes, my hatred will be shown.

The Patriots showed how much of a cutthroat, classless organization they are when they mocked Joey Porter on the big screen at the end of their home game. It is one thing for Tom Brady to grab a mic from Rachel Nichols and trash Joey Porter. It is entirely different when a franchise is alright with publicly displaying how a certain player had a subpar game. An organization has to at least come off as appearing above nonsense like that.

Ladies and Gentleman... I called the Bengals being a tough team from jumpstreet. I did not think they would be 6-2 at the cut off point, but I knew they had a stingy defense that started showing up in the 2nd half of last season. Now, they are 4-0 in their own divison, smacked up the Ravens twice and have a win against the Steelers. Their offense is now rolling to the point where Chad Ochocinco is back having fun on the field. Watch out for this team...

I also said I thought the Texans would be the darkhorse team, and although they really should be, have failed me miserably. This team is actually 2 goal line stands and a missed FG from potentially being 8-1. They are just a team that cannot finish, kinda like Brian Fuentes looking like he just saw Freddy Kruger when taking the hill in the 9th inning of a postseason game.

How scary has this season been when the Giants looked like gangbusters and dropped like a middle aged woman's chest? They have looked awful, but the coaching might even be worse. They miss former Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Tom Coughlin is making some bonehead decisons in the Red Zone.

Hey, look at that, Vince Young is 2-0 as a starter this season. Making the Titans have to make a big decison in the offseason. Stay tuned to this one.

Finally, the game of the week was the Cowboys-Eagles tilt on Sunday Night. Whether the NFC East is perhaps on a down year or not, they always give a smashmouth game. I came out of watching this game thinking three things:

1. Andy Reid is the best dumb coach of all time. It is amazing that he has won this much, with the way he uses clock management, timeouts, and short yardage situations.

2. Tony Romo can win a big game. It looks like without TO, Romo can be himself and spread the ball out. It is working.

3. The Dallas defense is for real. Holding that high powered offense to 16 points on their turf is very impressive.

Weekend Wrap-Up-World Series of Poker Edition-Monday Night Football Prediction

2009-11-09T17:14:00.000-05:00

We usually start with the football weekend, but I have to start off with a quasi non-sports story.

The World Series of Poker held their final table for the Main Event on Saturday night. Now called the "November Nine", you would think that this is where you would find the best skill level involved in the game.

No chance of that.

Long story short, the two players that made the worst moves on the table for 18+ hours, were rewarded by going against one another tonight Heads-Up for the bracelet. Darvin Moon and Joe Cada both literally sucked out and got gifts put into their laps to advance for the multi-million dollar first prize, and immortal fame in the poker world.

Cada, who could wind up being the youngest person to win the Main Event, two times played a hand over-aggressive Pre-Flop, had his tourney on the line against an overpair, and hit his own set. That right there is roughly 60-1 to happen. He also got a gift, from Moon.

Moon, who obviously is the ultimate "dead money" player to ever hit the Final Table, somehow survived in a tourney that is mostly skill and some luck. Well, Moon proved that it can be mostly luck and no skill. Moon's play had most pros shaking their heads, and even got Phil Gordon to say about one of Moon's hands as, "That was a gift.", and others whispering "That's about the worst play I've ever seen".(BTW, excellent coverage by the ESPN.com guys on the blog for the final table.)

Poker hit the mainstream a few years back when a string of ameteurs started to win the Main Event, starting with Robert Varkonyi, and of course, Chris Moneymaker. This is the first year that the WSOP could of really hit a higher level of popularity, if Phil Ivey (The Tiger Woods of poker), was at least heads up in the event or even won it all. It has been awhile since a top pro won it all, and would of given Poker a real superstar, excluding Phil Hellmuth of course, who is the best self-promoter since Muhammad Ali.

Prediction for the Heads-Up? Well, Cada does know how to play the game. He just sometimes is way over-aggressive, which is a trait most online players have. That will also be his major advantage over Moon one on one. Cada also has the chip lead. Barring a meltdown by Cada, I cannot see Moon beating the 21 year old kid on skill alone.

Cada the winner of the bracelet, breaking Peter Eastgate's record from last year.

Monday Night Football Prediction:

I will give the full Weekend Wrapup late tonight, but I had to give the game tonight. Should be a smashmouth game. Both defenses are top 5, and can expose the other offenses weaknesses.

The Steelers should give a healthy dose of Rashard Mendenhall tonight, and make Kyle Orton play from behind.

Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Denver Broncos 13

NFL Picks for Week 9

2009-11-08T07:15:00.000-05:00

I put this up late because I got all caught up and involved with a crazy sports day. Ranked teams in College Football dropping like flies, including 3 Top 10 teams, two good boxing events, and some guy named Fedor beating the snot of another guy on CBS. Then, I doozed off, but the picks are here!

Atlanta Falcons 24, Washington Redskins 13 - The Falcons will bounce back today after a tough loss on Monday Night to the Saints that they stayed in the entire time. I love Washington's defense (3rd in Total Yards, 5th in PPG), but the offense is just ripped apart by injuries, and moronic Quarterback play.

Green Bay Packers 45, Tampa Bay Bucs 13 - We all know that the Pack can ascore at will on a defense as stiff as the Bucs, but does anyone realize that the Packers defense is top 10? They cause a ton of turnovers, which does not bode well for Josh Freeman's first start in the NFL. This WILL get as ugly as a Nick Nolte mugshot.

Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Kansas City Chiefs 20 - Can someone finally hammer Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley for having the 2nd most pathetic playbook in the NFL after Cleveland? Everything is a run or a dump off less than 10 yards. Advice for Haley, you have a physical freak of a WR in Dwayne Bowe. USE HIM!!

Arizona Cardinals 31, Chicago Bears 23 - What an egg the Cardinals put on us last week against the Carolina Pick 6's. Funny thing is, Cards play better on the road, and should expose a poor pass defense of the Bears. Have fun trying to run today Matt Forte.

Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 21 - This Bengal team has me believing. They are good on all sides of the ball. I just cannot see the Ravens losing a revenge game after smacking the Broncos in the mouth like they did last week. That Bye was exactly what the Doctor ordered.

Houston Texans 34, Indianapolis Colts 31 - UPSET SPECIAL!! I was going to predict the Colts by 10, until I saw that most of the Colts secondary is out for this game. Matt Schaub and company can tear apart any secondary in football, especially backups. And to think, if the Kubiak/Jr. Shannahan combo did not have such a love affair for Chris Brown at the goal line, they could of been tied for the divison with Indy after this game.

New England Patriots 41, Miami Dolphins 20 - Hmmm... Belichick after a bye week and at home. That is an equation I want no part of picking against. The weather is suppose to be bad at Foxboro today as well, which would favor the Dolphins run attack. I just cannot see the Pats losing this game, knowing that the schedule after today goes like this: @ Indy, Jets, @ Saints, @ Fins.

Tennessee Titans 23, San Francisco 49ers 20 - Bill Simmons of ESPN hit this comment right on the head. 49ers -4 is the fishiest line of the year. It really does show how scare the oddsmakers are of Chris Johnson, and they have a great deal to be worried about. When in doubt of the game, look at how Vegas figures it. They are the experts.

New York Giants 38, San Diego Chargers 31 - This is going to be a shootout of two teams that had a reputation for defense. It is all a myth now. This is the game Brandon Jacobs runs wild, as the Bolts will sorely miss Jamal Williams in this game. Rivers will carve up the Giants secondary, but it will not be enough.

Seattle Seahawks 34, Detroit Lions 23 - When he is healthy, Matt Hasselback always exposes horrific defenses. Expect a monster day from our favorite bald spokesperson. Lions do get Megatron Johnson back for this game, and they will at elast try to keep it close, but the Lions defense is swiss cheese.

New Orleans Saints 41, Carolina Panthers 17 - Impressive win by the Panthers in the desert last week, but the Saints will put 8-9 players in the box and take away the run game. That will leave Delhommme the Donkey to throw against a secondary that is ballhawk crazy. Over/Under on Delhomme Ints- 2.5, Over/Under on Delhomme Pick 6's- .5. Take the Over on both.

Dallas Cowboys 28, Philadelphia 27 - I really like how the Cowboys have been playing the past few weeks. The defense is playing at a high level, and they are getting big Special Teams play. The NFC always gives us a curveball. This is it. Miles Austin continues his insane play in this one.

Last Week: 9-4 (Also hit the World Series game) Bonus Game: 1-0

Season: 72-43

College Football Picks of the Week for 11/7

2009-11-06T13:54:00.002-05:00

I am laughing at this College Football season. This is the Doomsday scenario for the BCS. Who would of thought that a possible SIX teams could go undefeated(Florida-Alabama are on a collision course for one another).

While I did like SI.com's Stewart Mandel's idea of a Plus-One scenario, even that possibility would be hammered in this season. Mandel's theory would worked fantastic in any other season, but 2009.

This is the perfect year for the arguement of an 8 team tourney for the title. Florida, Texas, Alabama, Iowa, TCU, Boise St., Cincinnati, and Oregon are clearly the top 8 teams in the country, barring no setbacks. A team like Georgia Tech could sneak their way into this if a team like Iowa, TCU, or Oregon fell.

I just love chaos in College Football. To watch all teams, coaches, Universities, fans, etc. cry and plead their cases for an obvious outcome that was premeditated. That is why we have Pre-Season Rankings right?

The Heisman Race is just as messy as the BCS. Instead of eight teams all fighting and presently deserving of a Title Game, there are about a dozen players that have had good seasons, but just cannot pull away from the pack. Here is my first Heisman rankings.

1. Jimmy Clausen, Jr. QB, Notre Dame - He has played the most consistent so far. 19 Touchdowns and only 2 Int's, Clausen has put up big stats against defenses like USC. Even in the Irish's 2 losses, it was not because of lack of offense.

2. Mark Ingram, Soph., RB, Alabama - The workhorse for a contending program. With over 1,000 yards rushing and 11 total TD's against SEC defenses, Ingram is plowing his way to New York City. Ingram also has two monster games left on National TV to showcase. LSU and the possible showdown against Florida.

3. Ryan Matthews, Jr., RB, Fresno St. - He does not get the national recgonition that he deserves, but Matthews is tearing up the country. With over 1,300 yards, Matthews is leading the NCAA in Rushing Yards per Game. Also, do not make the argument that Matthews plays a weak schedule. He ran over Wisconsin (107 yards), Boise St. (234 yards, 3 TDs), and Cincy (145 yards and a TD). Oh yeah, they were all on the road as well.

4. Casey Keenum, Jr., QB, Houston - I just cannot take my eyes off of these stats. Close to 3,300 passing yards, and 25 TDs, with only 5 Ints. He is the lone reason why Houston is nationally ranked. He may not win it this year, but he punched his name as a frontrunner next season.

5. Tim Tebow, Sr., QB, Florida - It pains me to put Tebow on this list. I am tired of hearing how valuable he is and how his fortitude is surpassed by no one, blah, blah, blah, blah! Until last week, his numbers were plain average. The Georgia game was his first real "Tebow-ish" game he has had in the SEC this season. He put one great game together, he will go to NYC if he can string some of them together now.

Honorable Mention: Cincy QB Tony Pike, Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh, Boise St. QB Kellen Moore, Notre Dame WR Golden Tate, and TCU DE Jerry Hughes.

Now, onto the picks:

Kansas St. 41, Kansas 38 - Do you believe that Kansas St. could actually be playing in the Big 12 Title Game? The Jayhawks were destined to be there, but have decided to meltdown the past few weeks. Bill Synder always has had Kansas's number.

Georgia Tech 34, Wake Forest 13 - Wake will be playing without QB Riley Skinner, which is a huge loss. Georgia Tech is the team that could of snuck into a playoff system and given fits to any of the top 8 teams because of their style of play.

Arkansas 31, South Carolina 23 - The Old Ball Coach Spurrier wishes he had a Ryan Mallette to groom and win a SEC Title with. Gamecocks keep it close, but will miss key starters on defense in this game.

Houston 54, Tulsa 51 - Do not blink watching this game, you will most likely miss one of the 15 touchdowns that will be put up in this game. Vegas must be going nuts trying to set the point total on this one.

Oklahoma 24, Nebraska 10 - Could wind up being a defensive struggle. Both teams have very good defenses, but the Sooners can muster enough offense to open the lead late.

Cincinnati 38, UConn 24 - This Huskie bunch will stay in the game, as they play everyone close, but the Bearcats just have too many weapons to burn you with, reguardless of who is playing QB.

Oregon St. 34, California 28 - UPSET SPECIAL! The Beavers always play better in the stretch run, and the Rodgers brothers are just too much for Cal to handle.

Notre Dame 38, Navy 20 - Just when you thought that you can stop Golden Tate, he gets back his partner in crime. Irish WR Michael Floyd will be back and playing. The Heisman Meter on Clausen could be hitting record levels now.

Oregon 42, Stanford 17 - There is no way you can put the Ducks ahead of Boise St., but do you think any team would want to face this team right now? What they did to the Trojans was boarderline criminal. I loved it.

Penn St. 17, Ohio St. 10 - Low scoring game, with two of the better defenses in the nation squaring off. I just cannot see the Lions losing in Happy Valley. Turns out to be a very disappointing season for Jim Tressel and the people of Columbus.

Alabama 20, LSU 9 - Notice that I did not mention LSU as a team that could sneak into a theoretical playoff system? The Tigers could not score off a an inferior Florida defense. Do you think that they could be any different against a better defense? No way. I am foaming from the mouth to see the Julio Jones-Patrick Peterson duel though.

Last Week: 5-5

Season: 59-38

World Series Champs

2009-11-05T15:04:00.001-05:00

People that really know me realize how tough this next article will be for me to write. It is not that I am a Yankees hater, but I am not exactly a fan of their fanbase.

That will be another article, on another date. Right now, I want to congratulate the New York Yankees on their World Series victory.

There is a certain level of congratulating with this roster and personnel of Yankees though. I will point them out right now.

Congrats to:

Phil Coke, Brett Gardner, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Robinson Cano for being mostly homegrown young Yankees that got their first taste of being a champion.

Brian Bruney, for not being punched out by someone on the field this season.

Chad Gaudin and Jerry Hairston, for being the type of pickups the Yankees would of made in the 98-00 Era.

Jose Molina, for becoming the last of the trio of catching brothers to get a ring.

Damaso Marte, for saving his only quality pitching with the Yankees since last July, in the ALCS and World Series.

Eric Hinske, for getting even with the Phillies in the World Series the very next year.

Nick Swisher, for coming in and loosening up a clubhouse that was in much need of exactly that.

CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and AJ Burnett, for living up to the 400 million in contracts they received, and winning in Year One.

Johnny Damon, for the moment that I thought won the World Series. That was one of the best 4-5 at bats I ever seen. Even better than Shawn Dunston's dozen pitch single to lead off the Robin Ventura Grand-Single game. Then coming up with a clutch, hustle play that is usually reserved for Derek Jeter in Yankee folklore.

Hideki Matsui, for abusing Phillies pitching and winning Game 6 by himself in what might be his Yankee swan song.

Alex Rodriguez, for getting that monkey off his back. He is now offically, a real Yankee.

Brian Cashman, for being able to tell Randy Levine where to go now.

Joe Girardi, for being able to get out of that shadow that was Joe Torre.

George Steinbrenner, for one more moment of glory before riding in the the sunset. The best owner sports might of ever seen.

Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, for showing their father that his baby in his in very good hands for a long time.

But, most of all, these four:

Congrats to Jorge Posada, who has gone from a rookie that rarely played for his first ring, and coming full circle as the unoffical Team Captain for his 5th ring.

To Andy Pettitte, for being a slightly lesser verison of Whitey Ford in this era of pinstripes. He might of left for three seasons, but he was always a Yankee. I still feel that the game that really cemented the first dynasty was Pettitte's 1-0 gem against John Smoltz in 96 at 24 years old. This Game 6, on 3 days rest at the now rugged age of 37, might of been the game that catapaulted the Yanks into their next one.

To Mariano Rivera, for being the Grim Reaper to an opposing team at the end of the game. No pitcher ever has put the fear of God into an opponent in the playoffs like you.

And finally, to Derek Jeter, for enchancing your mythical being in Yankee history. Of all the great players and future Hall of Famers on this team (At least 3, Minimum), Jeter is the one that stands out. He is the closest thing to what Mantle, Mays, Snider were in the eyes of how my father and his generation saw ballplayers. They were heroes. Icons. Jeter has that feel to him, and it is the only player in baseball today that comes close to that.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-11-02T17:54:00.001-05:00

Ah, the first week that all four major sports are going at full steam. A sports junkie's wet dream. To be top it all off, it was bad weather around here. Rained all week, so there was no interruptions in my sports frenzy except for sleep.

-I watched the Bucks 1st round pick Brandon Jennings go one rebound and assist short of a Triple-Double in his debut. Then followed that game up with 24 points the next night. This is the same fast, up-tempo point guard that the Knicks passed up in the draft? This kid would of been perfect for Mikey D ball. Knicks figure they could grab John Wall in the next draft. Wait, they cannot? Ouch!

- Carmelo Anthony finally "gets" it. He gets the idea that if he is in top shape, no one can guard him in this league. Small Fowards are too small in frame and Power Fowards are just way too slow. The first three games were very interesting to watch.

-I watched the New York football teams meltdown this weekend, and I am not just talking about the Jets and Giants. Syracuse proved that they are completely inane as well. Jets give up 30 points, on 105 total yards of offense by the Dolphins, which is horrific, but not as bad Giants.

The Giants have shown that they can hammer the creampuffs, but when faced against a real team? They get smacked around like these teams were The Zohan. Eli Manning is throwing wounded ducks like Chad Pennington in the Meadowlands circa 2007. The defense cannot generate a pass rush, forget about trying to stop the pass. CC Brown is putrid! How did this clown even get a job as a Special Teamer, let alone a backup spot?

-Speaking of teams that have beaten the Giants recently, the Cardinals follow up that huge win on the East Coast by getting thumped by the Panthers? What the hell happened here? Cardinals are #1 in the NFL against the run, and the Panthers run roughshot all over them. Kurt Warner channeled his inner Jake Delhomme and tossed around a handful of Int's.

I am sorry, but serious contenders do not get pimpsmacked at home by a team that is incompetent as the Panthers after a road win like that the week before. I do not care if this was a revenge game for the Panthers or not. Zero excuse there.

-Memo to TJ Houshmanzadeh: You are NOT an elite WR that can go to the sidelines and trash your teammates in that fashion. You got that contract based on reaping the benefits of Chad Johnson/Ocho Cinco double teams for years. You have zero speed, and you have a warrior QB that is getting hammered to the ground with broken ribs. Be happy you got rich, and pardon my french, shut the f*ck up! You are getting paid like a top WR, but you have never been near a top WR.

-We all agree that Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the world. Yesterday we saw the battle for #2 in Maurice Jones Drew and Chris Johnson. They combined to run for roughly nine holes of a golf course. Johnson leads the league in rushing, and Jones Drew leads the league in Rush TDs. Fun game to watch. It felt like the US 4x100 relay race.

-Congrats to the Green Bay Packers for what it actually looked like bending over for Brett Favre. This is the guy that basically bitchslapped your franchise, employers, and most important, your teammates over the course of a two year saga to get to a divison rival to stomp on your heads.

The defense did not touch him. Some of the players are hugging him like two old lovers having one last one night stand for closure. It made me sick. Only one guy in green last night did not bend over. Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers played like a guy that was dissed by Favre. He did everything humanly possible to mount a comeback, eventhough he was getting creamed by a Vikings defense that was plowing through a lazy, weak Packers OLine. Rodgers got up everytime and tried again. After getting sacked 15 times in 2 games against the Vikes, would any of us flinch or critique Rodgers if he ran into his Left Tackle with his car in the parking garage? I know I would not care.

-Speaking of getting ran over, I told everyone a couple of months ago that USC had no shot in hell in making the Title Game with a Frosh QB at the helm. Now, I know it was not Matt Barkley's fault in this, but what a blowout that game was in the 2nd half. Oregon just crippled a Trojan defense for over 600 yards! BCS has no choice but to drop USC now.

-Now, all of my predictions do not come to fruition. Oklahoma St. took the gaspipe as well. Texas went into Stillwater and clobbered the Cowboys, although at least they were missing Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter. I will hold onto that excuse if questioned!

-The media will never kill the Gators huh? In a day where Tim Tebow finally put it all together and had a Tebow-like game, it really should not be the headlight of that game. Neither should the fact that Florida has a stranglehold on the BCS #1 ranking.

It should be all about how much of a cheap shot LB Brandon Spikes was pulling, when he was literally trying to eye gouge a Bulldog player at the bottom of a pile. This was ten times worse than LeGarrette Blount. At least the Bryon Hout was not pinned down. I am glad that Urban Meyer is going to be strict with his punishment....

Wait a second, ONE HALF!!! Spikes gets to sit for one half of a football game when he tried to rip a player's eyes out? I am begging the NCAA to get involved in this one, and while you are at it, suspend Meyer for a bad joke.

- There are seven undefeated teams left in college. I do not know which Doomsday scenario I want more. All of the teams to somehow lose, or for all the teams to somehow stay undefeated as long as possible. I do know one thing...

Iowa will not remain in this group. After watching Indiana carve up their defense, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that the Hawkeyes go into Columbus and beat Ohio St.

- I have not written much about baseball eventhough it is by far my favorite sport. It is alot easier and more smooth to write about football and basketball, but I have to comment on the greatness of Johnny Damon last night.

First, he is the one that derailed Brad Lidge with a brutally laboring nine pitch at bat, then singling on a good outside corner fastball. Damon just flicked it into Left Field.

Then, he realizes how slow Lidge is to the plate and takes off for 2nd. This I knew was going to be a play before it went off. Now, I take pride in knowing baseball situations, but I had no idea what Damon was doing when he went off for third. I have no idea that teams played Big Tex in the infield like that played Jason Giambi. Damon did not hesitate.

Lidge now could not throw his slider in the dirt, and it cost him when he had to come fat with a fastball to ARod. The rest is history. Yankees up 3-1.

I think the Phillies though bring it back to Yankee Stadium, but the Yankees still win in 6.

Monday Night Game:

Just expect fireworks tonight. Alot of fireworks from both offenses. There will be more less punts in this game than wins by the Detroit Lions.

Saints do not lose at home though.

New Orleans Saints 45, Atlanta Falcons 38.

NFL Picks for Week 8

2009-11-01T06:33:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a nice Halloween. Whether it was taking your kids Trick O Treating, or picking up a slutty nurse wearing fishnet stockings at a costume party, the only thing that counts is if you wake up this morning with a smile.

I am smiling today and do you know why? NFL Sunday is here, and we are offically starting to look at possibilites with teams contending for playoffs spots.

There are also another six or so teams staring at the possibility of the #1 Overall pick in the 2010 Draft. There is especially one game on the slate that will have major implications on that this week.

Without further ado, the Week 8 picks:

Chicago Bears 27, Cleveland Browns 13 - The Bears were not just beaten last week by the Bengals, they were flat out stomped on and embarassed. So what is the best remedy for a defense that could not stop an infant last week? An offense that even the infant could outplay. Mangini's misfits are awful, and led by a QB that would be proud to complete 45% of his passes. Pathetic.

Indianaoplis Colts 34, San Francisco 49ers 17 - Alex Smith last week was a great story, and he will be solid this week in a bad venue for any QB. Smith will not be the reason the Niners lose. This defense has been getting shredded by aerial offenses the past several week, and now head into Peyton Manning's house. That should be a House of Horrors.

Baltimore Ravens 23, Denver Broncos 20 - Junior Belichick has had the Broncos playing near flawless this year, but it is alot to ask a team to go into Baltimore, who should be in HGH mode after the Bye week and losing 3 close games in a row. Nothing against the Broncos, they play valiantly in defeat.

New York Jets 23, Miami Dolphins 16 - Rematch of the Monday Night game that went to the last second, with a ton of trash talking. This game will be on the shoulders of Chad Henne, who looked like a virgin seeing Ron Jeremy naked in the 2nd half against the Saints. The Meadowland will be hostile, and Henne forunately still has the diaper on from last week.

Houston Texans 24, Buffalo Bills 10 - Yes, I am falling for the trap again. As soon as I usually put faith into the Texans, they let me down. I just cannot see a team as awful as the Bills are on offense, score enough. Texans have too much artillery, and will probaly finally give Steve Slaton 20-25 carries this week.

Dallas Cowboys 34, Seattle Seahawks 20 - When did Miles Austin become this generation's verison of Willie "Flipper" Anderson? You remember Flipper right? The WR on the Rams in the late 80's, who's job basically was to run 20+ yard patterns. He still holds the NFL single game record for receiving yards. The way Austin is going, he may break that streak one week.

Speaking of teams that old Flipper tossed a dagger into...

Philadelphia Eagles 31, New York Giants 28 - Flipper killed the Giants in the playoffs one year in the Meadowlands. I bring this up because, the Eagles have someone similar to Flipper Anderson's skill set that will haunt the Giants this week. DeShaun Jackson will score 2 TD's, one of them on a bomb pass. Philly takes round 1 for the day...

New York Yankees 7, Philadelphia Phillies 2 - Is Charlie Manuel really going with Joe Blanton, who's ERA is over 7 in his career against the Yankees? This might be a bloodbath, especially if CC Sabathia bring his A-Game on 3 days rest. Round 2 for the better city!

Detroit Lions 27, St. Louis Rams 24 - The Toilet Bowl! With all these games with potential divison and playoffs implications this week, how did we get stuck with this masterpiece? Hopefully, we will see some things we have not seen yet this season. They are....

1. Steven Jackson finally scores a touchdown.

2. We see a beautiful 75 yard TD pass from Stafford to Megatron Johnson. The first like that of many.

3. Both GM's go onto the field and scout the halftime Punt/Pass/Kick entries.

4. The Rams win...... eh, three out of four is enough.

Arizona Cardinals 40, Carolina Panthers 13 - What a horrible matchup for such an incompetent team like the Panthers. Cardinals are #1 in the league against the run, the Panthers strength. The Cards have opportunistic defensive backs that have taken Int's to the house. Interesting, did anyone tell them that Jake Delhomme somehow still has a job? I swear he has some serious incriminating things about John Fox to still be on the field.

San Diego Chargers 52, Oakland Raiders 17 - The Chargers finally hit their stride last week. Now, they are dangerous until punched in the mouth again. Oakland does not punch teams in the mouth, they get curbstomped. Let's make the Over./Under on Doughboy Russell deer in the headlights stares into the camera at 6.5. He still swears that it was not his fault though...

Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Tennessee Titans 13 - The Titans are coming off bye from the single most embarrassing game of the year, the 59-0 nuking from the Pats. Jeff Fisher gets handcuffed into starting Vince Young, who looks about only one step ahead of our Raider Doughboy in terms of being completely lost in the pocket. I could make a Rush Limbaugh reference here, but I do not want Al Shaprton after my blog. We will leave it at that.

Finally....

Green Bay Packers 31, Minnesota Vikings 28 - The game everyone has marked on the calendar since Days of Our Favre signed with the Vikings. The Cheeseheads in the Lambeau will more resemble the LA Riots. I think the Pack comes up with a severe emotion and will a victory out of this. Aaron Rodgers NEEDS this win to get out of that shadow our soap opera star still casts there.

Before I go, I am still in amazement by the trucking Adrian Peterson put on the Steelers William Gay last week. He literally stepped on Gay after steamrolling him. If you were Gay, do you have no choice but to feel obligated to bow and thank AP everytime he sees him now that he let him live? That was one of those rare signatures moments in a legends career.

Barry Sanders had the run where he sent Rod Woodsen's kneecap into the 14th row. Earl Campbell had his with his jeresy literally exploding. Walter Payton jumping over both Lines, and Emmitt Smith's game against the Giants, where his shoulder was separated just to name a few. AP has his now. Unreal.

Last Week: 7-6

Season: 63-39

Quick College Football Picks on Halloween!

2009-10-31T11:18:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween to everyone.

I will not waste alot of time today, and just give out the predictions.

Ole Miss 34, Auburn 23

Central Michigan 34, Boston College 24- Dan LeFevour kills the Eagles.

Tennessee 16, South Carolina 9- In a battle of two tough defenses, Vols come out on top.

Cincinnati 42, Syracuse 14 - Tony Pike or a backup, same result. Marty Gilyard is still around.

Notre Dame 38, Washington St. 10 - The Jimmy Clausen Heisman Train steams along. This time, in San Antonio for some strange reason.

Kansas 45, Texas Tech 38 - Shootout Central here, as TT use their 3rd QB this season.

SMU 41, Houston 40 - UPSET SPECIAL!!

Florida 27, Georgia 10 - Please, no more Tim Tebow is still in the top 3 in Heisman voting. PLEASE!

Oklahoma St. 31, Texas 28 - UPSET SPECIAL #2. I picked the Cowboys to make the Title game. I cannot go against them now.

Oregon 23, USC 20 - This is not an upset. Two top 10 teams, playing in Oregon's backyard play a tough, physical game that comes down to the final two minutes.

Last Week : 11-1

Season: 54-33

NBA Preview and Predictions

2009-10-30T13:33:00.000-04:00

This is the best time of year for sports. World Series is about to crack, the NFL is in mid-season form, and the NHL roared out of the gate. Now to top it off, we get basketball finally. The NBA is back my friends.

With some new faces in new places, and most of the league either waiting for the Free Agent Class of 2010 or are hemmroging money, it would not be a surprise if we see a chalk NBA playoffs, with little or no surprises.

The usual suspects will be in it. The Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs, and of course, the defending champs LA Lakers. Will anyone else come up to rise? Can the Blazers take the next step? The Bulls perhaps?

Like my opening post on this blog, I am going to write what I think will happen in the NBA this season. 82 predictions, for the 82 game season.

1. Shaq will kill the Cleveland Cavs. He looks like he just eaten an 8 year old child, and will command the ball out of Lebron's hands. This will not be pretty. Trust me.

2. Richard Jefferson was the best addition to any team this season for the Spurs.

3. The Over/Under on how many times Stan Van Gundy dogs Vince Carter about his defense in the media this season is set at 8.5.

4. This '09 rookie crop is better than Jay Bilas, and all the lackies at ESPN predicted they would be.

5. When the Nets are offically bought, they will be renamed the Little Odessa Nets.

6. There will be at least one game this season that the Mavs Josh Howard is not on the injury list, eventhough he is made of brittle.

7. Lamar Odom makes the All Star Team this season, just so everyone see the Kardashian's hanging around All Star Weekend.

8. The Lakers sometime this season, will miss Trevor Ariza, and badly.

9. Rajon Rondo before the end of the season, has a monster game, looks into the stands, finds Danny Ainge, and gives him the middle finger.

10. The Utah Jazz get more and more excited with every Knicks loss for that lottery pick they thieved from them more than five years ago.

11. Chris Bosh is crossing off the days on his calendar until he can leave Canada, which Robin Williams once said, "Is a loft apartment, under a really good party."

12. Memphis Grizzles rookie Hasheem Thabeet breaks Shawn Bradley's single season record of getting posterized by absurd dunks that makes Stephon Marbury cringe again.

13. Speaking of the Grizzles, WWE Monday Night Raw by season's end will have a 3 way matchup for the rights of the bulk of the Grizzles shots, pitting Zach Randolph, Allen Iverson, and eventual winner OJ Mayo, when Mayo decks Iverson with a chairshot.

14. The biggest names to be traded at the deadline will not be Chris Bosh, but Rudy Gay and David Lee. Gay will be dealt for a protected 2024 pick, cash, and the rights to some stiff in Europe. The league finally burns Chris Wallace at the cross.

15. Lee is dealt at midseason to a team that has no shot at the Bigs in the offseason, but could sign Lee longterm (Oklahoma City??). The catch is that the Knicks make them take Jared Jeffries in the deal, and the Knicks finally get the cap space for 2 bigtime free agents.

16. Spurs rookie Dejuan Blair goes into an Eff-You mode this league has not seen from a rookie since Gilbert Arenas in a Golden St. uniform, for being overlooked in Round 1.

17. Greg Oden dunks on an opposing Center, and when he sees a camera, screams out "YOU WANT SOPHISTICATED!!!! I GOT SOPHISTICATED!!!!"

18. Dirk Nowitzki finally just legally changes his last name to Diggler.

19. Kings bench player Donte Greene acutally passes up a shot and passes the ball. (If Greene had the ball, and you put the Great Wall of China around him, he would still try to shoot over it.)

20. Thunder rookie Center BJ Mullens offically becomes the most goofy non-Euro white guy on a basketball court since Greg Ostertag.

21. Someone finally goes Kermit Washington on Sasha Vujacic, and hits him with the 2nd best punch this year behind Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount.

22. Bucks rookie PG Brandon Jennings leaves the court when the Bucks are down in a game by 24, only to come back and make a big stink about it when the Bucks make a run and close to within 7.

23. Tyler Hansbrough is bleeding in some way, shape or form in at least 1/10th of the games he plays in.

24. The most insane dunk this year will be GS Warriors freak Anthony Randolph putting one into Thabeet's gullet. Reminds all of us of Shawn Kemp on Chris Gatling.

25. David Stern finally puts a "hit" out on someone.

26. Eddy Curry plays, go on a court next to Shaq, and looks like hes actually in shape.

27. The Golden St. Warriors score 140 points in a regulation game..... and lose.

28. Brandon Roy starts on his path of being the next decade's verison of Paul Pierce.

29. Dwight Howard grabs 30 rebounds in a game.

30. Chris Paul dishes out 32 assists in a game, and breaks Scott Skiles record.

31. Minnesota GM David Khan starts calling up teams about the value Ricky Rubio would get him in a trade. All the GM's respond in the same manner. "We will call back in three years, when you will pay us to take him."

32. We will realize that Nets rookie Terrence Williams is the bastard child of Denis Rodman and Ron Artest. Defense, rebounding, grit, tattoos, Dora the Explorer backpacks, and a possible Bizarro mind that could cause some fun riots in the NBA.

33. Someone in the media will have the minerals to finally blast Magic Johnson, in writing or on the air, for basically sticking a knife in Isiah Thomas's back.

34. The Indiana Pacers run and gun style becomes the next fun team to watch and becomes auto-Tivo material.

35. Luke Walton finally bags one too many easy celebrities, and catches a STD from Lindey Lohan.

36. The Knicks Danilo Gallinari finally finds Little Italy in Manhattan, gains 30 pounds, and becomes a real offensive force in the NBA. Both inside and out.

37. Gilbert Arenas has an "I'm back" season, and makes the Eastern Conference All- Star Team.

38. Andre Kirilenko is traded to the Nets...... just for irony sake.

39. Mark Cuban amasses over a half a million in fines this season, most of it on abusing the refs like Joe Pesci abused Spider in Goodfellas.

40. Someone will try and shoot Pau Gasol around Thanksgiving, mistakingly thinking he is the tallest turkey in the world.

41. The city of Seattle cries more and more about how they were basically pissed on by David Stern watching the youth blossom in Oklahoma City. Rightfully so as well.

42. We will see Kevin Garnett look like a serial killer at least a dozen times on the basketball court, but his detatched knees will be in the 6th row.

43. Kevin Durant wins the scoring title over Dwayne Wade and Amare Stoudamire in contract years.

44. The Clippers make the playoffs, and become the team no one wants to mess with because they playing with house money.

45. Yao Ming is out for the season, so he does more than one hysterical commerical, hopefully involving live seafood again.

46. Rajon Rondo wins Defensive Player of the Year.

47. Steve Nash snaps during a 6 game losing streak and finally admits to the press how much of a plague Shaq was for the 1.5 seasons in the land of the sun. ESPN jumps all over it like the whores that they are. Consisting of 32% of their coverage.

48. Michael Jordan loses the Over bet in total wins for the Bobcats this season he made in Vegas.

49. We see more Gary Payton on TNT coverage. Kenny Smith looks to hide in a corner.

50. Speaking of TNT, a player finally verbally abuses Craig Sager for those awful suits he wears.

51. Stephon Curry will be a better rookie than Tyreke Evans at Point Guard.

52. Johnny Flynn will be better than both Curry and Evans.

53. Carmelo finally puts it all together and gives us a 26/9/5 season.

54. Danny Granger continues to be the biggest chucker in the NBA, but will never be hammered for it.

55. JR Smith starts getting tattoos on top of his tattoos.

56. Clippers Guard Eric Gordon averages 23 points a game, and becomes the NBA Most Improved Player.

57. The Sacromento Kings become so bad, they offer me a 10 day contract.

58. Carlos Boozer tries to do too much in a lame-duck contract season with the Jazz, gets benched for Paul Milsap and kills his chances are a Max Deal in the offseason.

59. Even Nate Robinson dunks on Thabeet.

60. Michael Beasley stays out of rehab, and has a solid Sophomore season.

61. David West is finally exposed as an overchiever that cannot defend, and becomes overrated.

62. Blake Griffin comes back and goes for 16 points and 9 boards a game, but does not win the Rookie of the Year.....

63. Because Johnny Flynn of the TWolves wins it by going 19 points and 7 dimes.

64. The Atlanta Hawks as a whole will want to kill Jamal Crawford by game 27.

65. Derrick Rose causes another Guard this season to tear their ACL from a crossover.

66. Between Garnett, Doc Rivers, and Rasheed Wallace, the Celtics lead the league in technical fouls.

67. The Pistons do not make the playoffs, and Joe Dumars finally gets killed over his personnel decisons.

68. The All-NBA Rookie Team is Griffin, Flynn, Curry, T Williams, and Blair.

69. The All NBA First Team will be Paul, Kobe, Lebron, Melo, and Howard.

70. Elton Brand will be eventually benched for Thaddeus Young.

71. The first coach to be fired, will be Mike Brown of the Cavs.

72. Nets C Robin Lopez will make the All Star Team.

73. Marv Alberts hairpiece is finally announced as a U.S. National Landmark.

74. The league MVP is Kobe Bryant, but Chris Paul puts up a historic season. 23/5/13/3 steals.

75. The Thunder threaten for a playoff spot, but just miss out...

76. As do the Pacers in the East.

77. The Cavs win their divison, but in utter chaos. Lebron carries the team to the 2nd round. Loses to the Magic, and bails on Cleveland to complete the worst 24 month stretch for a city in sports.

78. The East playoffs teams in order will be: Celtics, Magic, Cavs, Bulls, Hawks, Raptors, Wizards, Heat.

79. The West will be: Lakers, Spurs, Jazz, Mavs, Blazers, Nuggets, Hornets, and Clippers.

80. Celtics over Magic in the Eastern Conf. Finals

81. Spurs over Lakers in the West...

82. Spurs over Celtics in 7 games.

Enjoy the season.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-10-26T17:53:00.000-04:00

Another solid weekend of sports are in the books. We have our World Series matchup, the BCS is already driving fans crazy, and the NFL is, well the NFL. All I have to do in thie blog is not piss Larry Johnson off. I could not survive the Twitter backlash.

Last night, the New York Yankees finished off the Los Angeles Angels in a tough 6 game series to get into the World Series for the first time since 2003.

I found it amusing that Yankee fans react like six years without being in the World Series is the end of the world. Talk about spoiled. Even the Modell's Sporting Goods stores were open throughout the night after the victory for the merchandise. Yes, people were going to a sporting goods place at 4am! I am shaking my head as I type this.

Regurdless, I have the Yankees winning the series in five games. The AL is so much more superior than the NL play. I say the Phillies win Game 3 behind Cole Hamels and that is it. Yankee Stadium has become a huge home field advantage with that crowd right now.

How bad do you feel for Boise St.? They go to Hawaii and destroy them 54-9 in the gambling Bailout Game that must of made Vegas cry until the sun came up, and they drop four spots in the BCS.

Now, I can feel bad for Boise St., but it is justified. TCU went into nationally ranked BYU, and saying they blew them out would not give it enough justice. Iowa plays the toughest schedule of the undefeated. Cincinnati is whitewashing opponents. There is just too many undefeated for Boise St. to stake a claim in a weak conference and schedule. If Oregon beats USC this week though, it really jumpstarts Boise St. in the computers.

I know TCU will not make the National Title game, but I would love to see this defense go up against any of the top 8 in the BSC. They are just as fast as Florida and USC on defense. In my most humble opinions of course, they beat Iowa, USC, Cincinnati on a neutral field. I will not include Boise St. in this, because I know TCU would beat them by at least 10 points. DE Jerry Hughes may not win a Heisman, but what a NFL player is will be.

Alabama dodged a serious bullet on Saturday. That was the definition of a Trap Game. Tennessee off a bye week, giving defensive guru Monty Kiffin two whole weeks to stop that Bama offense. The Tide's title hopes are still alive thanks to Mt. Cody.

Can we offically kill the Tim Tebow for Heisman campaign? I do not care if he were Jesus Christ, no one should win the Heisman with more Int's than TD passes. Although, I did say the same thing about Texas QB Colt Mccoy last week, and he finally went out and had a great game.

Am I the only one that thought the end of the Saints-Dolphins game was the most fishy thing you have ever seen? For those who did not see the game.

It was excellent. Big props to the Dolphins coming out and punching the Saints in the mouth, and to the Saints, for surviving it.
Game is already over, Dolphins are down 12 with 15 seconds left, Chad Henne completes a pass down around the Saints 10 yard line. Everyone gets down there, and the Fins spike the ball with 1 second left.

The refs then huddled up for about three minutes and decided that a Dolphin player was not set properly and they called the game over. Seriously, does this game end this way if the line was not Saints -7 and with 1 second left, the Dolphins can cover?

Think about it for a second. If say for example, the Raiders down 38-0 to the Jets had 1 second left on the Jets 10 yard line, would the refs pull that maneuver? I might be paranoid, but that was awfully fishy.

Brett Favre finally lost!!! Do we have to hear how amazing he is from the press anymore? Although I will say, Favre played well against a staunch Steelers defense, making completions on throws that made my jaw drop. Someone get Chester Taylor some Stick'Em. That was an awful drop and cost the Vikings the game. No Chester, we do not care if your hands look like you just jacked off an elephant. (The Replacements humor).

It was a little ironic that one Bay Area #1 overall pick QB sun was rising, and another one's was setting. In the early games, the 49ers bench QB Shaun Hill after halftime for 2005 #1 overall pick Alex Smith, who lost his job and was going down as one of the all time draft busts. Smith came out in the 2nd half and threw three TD passes and almost pulled out a comeback victory for the 49ers. Meanwhile, in Oakland, the Raiders finally benched Jamarcus Russell after tossing 2 Int's and some other awful decisons with the ball. I know the Raider offense, mainly OLine is brutal, but the way Russell talked and acted after the game just showed all of us how much of a baby is really is. Congrats Russell, you set the Raiders back five years.

Once in a blue moon, you get one of those football games where one team just destroys the other in every single facet of the game. While I could say the Jets did that to the Raiders, I am talking about what the Bengals did to the Bears.

The Bears for years have had the mentality of, win or lose, you are going to have to earn it. Well, the Bengals came out, and kicked the crap out of the Bears on the scoreboard, and physically. That was a statement game for the Bengals, especially Cedric Benson, who smoked his old team for 189 on the ground.

Who do I like tonight? How can I pick for the Redskins in these times? They are a mess. But, how can I pick the Eagles after that pathetic loss to the Raiders? If you bet this game tonight, you are a lemon, and are asking the book to take your money. Eagles I guess cannot afford to lose two in a row.

Eagles 20, Redskins 6.

Last note. Last night, I did the Sports Geeks Fantasy NBA Draft. I suggest that you take a gander on their site. They do solid articles and podcasts.

Anyway, I wound up with the 3rd pick, and I had a hard time deciding whether to take DWade or Durant. I think Durant is going to easily win the scoring title, or I could not pass up on DWade on a contract year.

My team has a nice blend of rookies and seasoned vets. Here is my team, send some comments on how you think I did.

Wade, Nash, Duncan, B. Lopez, D. Harris, Z. Randolph (sucks for real, 20/10 monster in fantasy), J. Green, B. Griffin. A. Randolph (A freak!), J. Richardson, B. Miller, S. Curry, and B. Jennings.

Now, I am hungry and going to go grab a hot dog with Mark Sanchez. Enjoy the game tonight.

NFL Picks Week 7

2009-10-24T04:07:00.000-04:00

I am still baffled about my Eagles 72-0 prediction over the Raiders not coming to fruition. It is amazing that a supposed Super Bowl contender can lose against a team that 7 days earlier, looked as lost on a football field as the Angola National Basketball team in 1992 when they went on the court against The Dream Team.

Should that loss on my overall count as 2 losses? 3? Maybe 5??? Man, that was awful.

Anyway, here are my Week 7 picks:

Indianapolis Colts 54, St. Louis Rams 10 - This is the ultimate Survivor League pick. Whoever already used the Colts is crying on their pillow. Whoever plays Fantasy Football is dreading the idea of their opponents having Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and/or Dallas Clark. Not going to be pretty...

Chicago Bears 24, Cincinnati Bengals 16 - I was severely on that Bengals Bangwagon from Day 1, but two things in this make me lean towards the Bears.

1. I do not see the Bears losing two straight.

2. I did not like how the Texans passing attack just toyed with the Bengals. Jay Cutler has the speed at the WR's to burn them the same way.

New England Patriots 66, Tampa Bay Bucs 10 - On the flight to London this week, I would put hard cash on the line that Commish Roger Goodell was calling Bill Belichick with the following message.

"Pleassse do not run up the score! Make this game look marketable to the Euros. I beg of you, this could set us back five years in Europe."

Think Belichick cares? No, I did not think so. He will probaly give the playcall in the 4th quarter to Tom Brady to run playaction pass, and hit Randy Moss with a 75 yard TD.

San Francisco 49ers 23, Houston Texans 20 - Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win. Guess what comes next for the Texans? The single biggest enigma in the NFL. This team should be 5-1. I also cannot see Mike Singletary off a blowout and a bye get ran off the field again.

Green Bay Packers 49, Cleveland Browns 6 - Do you expect me to predict that the Browns, with all of their dysfunction, moronic Head Coach, and a dozen players probaly out with "the flu" are going to make this a reasonable game? Better chance of looking at your mirror, and Jesus looking back at you.

Kansas City Chiefs 27, San Diego Chargers 20 - Yes, you heard this one here first. The QB on Army can throw against this Chargers defense. Matt Cassel is actually not playing bad at all. On the plane ride home, someone tosses Norv Turner's useless body out the opened door. See ya Norv!

Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Minnesota Vikings 20 - Hmmmm. 24th ranked Pass defense, with their best, and only good DB, Antoine Winfield out, against the 2nd ranked passing offense in the NFL. This is the only stat you need to know that the Steelers are going to win. The margin of victory is because Adrian Peterson is going up against the first ranked rushing defense.

Carolina Panthers 24, Buffalo Bills 9 - Let me get this straight. The Bills gave up over 320 yards rushing last week to the Jets, and they are going to somehow stop D'Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart? They give up 250 more yards on the ground, but this time, the Bills do not weasel out a victory.

Sidenote to Jake Delhomme: Your star WR is about to go ballistic. Either throw him the ball and make him feel like the moronic crybaby superstar that his image makes him believe he is, or keep your helmet on when on the sidelines. Remember, he has a tendency to smack a teammate up.

Dallas Cowboys 24, Atlanta Falcons 17 - The only reason why the pick is the Cowboys is simple. They are home after a bye. Go take a look at the teams records this season when playing after a Bye.....

New York Jets 19, Oakland Raiders 0 - If Mark Sanchez throws the ball more than 20 times this week, the media should be roasting someone. The Raiders cannot stop the run, and that all the Jets did last week.

Does anyone remember a time when a team actually ran for 300 yards on the ground and lost? Sickening.

The Jets defense is pissed as well. They really should make the Jamarcus Russell-Ryan Leaf comparisons alot more interesting after this game.

Miami Dolphins 31, New Orleans Saints 30 - UPSET SPECIAL! Again, a home team playing off a bye. Miami is going to shove the Wildcat down the Saints throats and their best defense will be their time of possession.

New York Giants 38, Arizona Cardinals 17 - There is no way in my mind that the Giants will lose at home, after getting embarassed the week before, playing a soft Cardinals team. Remember the Cardinals traveling to the East Coast last season? They got killed the Jets and Eagles, and lost to the Panthers. Plus, after not touching Drew Brees last week, I suspect Kurt Warner is going to decked about 15 times.

Last Week: 7-7

Season: 56-33

College Football Picks of the Week

2009-10-23T19:32:00.001-04:00

This week, with the World Series on the cusp, the NFL in high gear, and the NHL off to an amazing start, I just cannot help being not interested in College Football this week.

I know that last week had a ton of great games, and that the BCS ranking have come along to spice up our male verison of a soap opera, but I am not feeling it. The only game I remotely want to check out is TCU-BYU, and oh yeah, I can not even see that. Thank you Versus, Comcast, and Direct TV!!!

The entire officiating BS that is going on in the SEC has really left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not know that the Florida-Arkansas Crew were the SAME guys that pulled the Georgia-LSU shenanigans. That is not a fluke, that is what we call, a trend or pattern.

The SEC decided to suspend them for this week. Why just the slap on the wrist? These refs are tainting your beloved football power-divison. By suspendedthe crew, the SEC is already admitting that they basically know something fishy has happened. Why not fire these crooks?

Does the SEC realize now that ANY SEC Conference now, anyone who bets sports will take a look at that game, and try to find out what crew is calling that game now? I will bet my mortage that the most waged game of any college football week for the rest of the season, will be the SEC game that these drones call.

I do not think the SEC even realizes this pattern. No one looks worse than the SEC itself! Bear with me for a moment, LSU is about to lose to Georgia, killing the following week's Super-Matchup between #1 Florida and #4 LSU. SEC did not want that did they?

Now, with Florida on the brink of losing, the refs basically made the game like a 5 on 3 Power Play for the Gators.... for most of the 4th quarter!!!

What is alot of the general public going to think? The SEC wants Florida with a 0 in the loss column, for Alabama.

SEC would of did a good service to themselves by just firing these zebras, that obviously can be influenced easily. That is not my opinion, that is the SEC's opinion after suspending them.

Now, a short verison of this week's predictions:

Penn St. 27, Michigan 20- Penn St. and JoePa get the Big House jinx off their backs.

Georgia Tech 34, Virginia 10

Oregon 41, Washington 24- No Upset Special Stewart Mandel!

Oklahoma 31, Kansas 28 OT- Yes, the first Overtime prediction of the season!

Notre Dame 44, Boston College 23 - Jimmy Clausen for Heisman Wagon is gaining some serious steam in this game.

West Virginia 27, UConn 17 - Big East is going to get interesting this season, with Cincy, WVU, Pitt, and South Florida. The Conference is not as bad as people and paper think, speaking of....

Pittsburgh 17, South Florida 14 - I flipped a coin, could not decide.

Alabama 23, Tennessee 9 - This game is going to be a struggle. You give a defensive whiz like Monte Kiffin two full weeks to plan on stopping a RB, he will find a way. Vols just cannot score on Bama's defense. The St. Louis Rams would have the same problem.

Michigan St. 24, Iowa 20 - Now this is the UPSET SPECIAL! Iowa, on the road in a hostile place to play. This result comes in, it is a breadbasket punch to the entire Midwest that is hoping for a Big 10 Title hopeful.

Texas 41, Missouri 20 - Did I actually hear people in the media this week say that Mizzou has a shot in this game? The same Mizzou team that gave up 28 points to a Nebraska QB that might be benched now? Custer had a better shot at surviving Little Bighorn.

TCU 38, BYU 20 - The Mountain West takes the Game of the Week! Shame I can not watch it, but Jerry Hughes will make BYU QB Max Hall have nightmares from last season's game. TCU, not Boise St., is the best non-BCS team.

Bonus: Boise St. 70, Hawaii 13

Remember in the College Football Preview that I had this game marked down? Well, it is here! Hawaii home game played LATE night, with a national powerhouse? Every single degenerate gambler in the world has been salivating like a dog that has not eaten for three days, chained up, with a raw steak hanging near him that he can not get to.

Last Week: 5-6

Season: 43-32

Change of Plans

2009-10-22T13:53:00.000-04:00

I had this nice and actually fully researched article about Rush Limbaugh getting the kibash on being a NFL owner. If anyone still wants to see it eventually, email me at TheSportsTown@gmail.com, and if by popular demand, I will put the finishing touches on it. As I was finishing this topic up, something happened.

I got a phone call from the future first lady of SportsTown, saying that she went to the doctors, and that she is seeing the first pictures of what will be our first child in seven months. It was too early to tell what the sex was for now, but she told me that it was completely healthy, and kind of looked like the combination of an alien and a tadpole.

After getting this jubilent news, I just could not finish a scathing article about how the NFL, NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith were setting a double standard on how they want Limbaugh out, but all is forgiven with what they do after a suspension, even if you murder someone. I could not finish up the rest of the article, that I have a big problem when politics get involved with any sport. That there were not many people in this country that have kept racism alive more than Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Before finishing this topic, let me make it clear. I do not like Rush Limbaugh. I do not think he should of been able to have his own NFL team. I had NO problem with the fact that the players spoke their minds in an eloquent manner. Just that Limbaugh should of been shot down for NFL ownership the proper way, through the process of the owner's vote.

Anyway, when I got the best news of my life, about four dozen thoughts flashed through my mind. Boy or Girl? Daddy's little girl, or the Catcher of the New York Mets in 2030? Dance recitals or 5am hockey practices? These thoughts go on and on....

My usual saracastic self turned into complete mush. The likes of Limbaugh, Smith, Jackson, and Sharpton, along with other sports topics like the MLB Umpires, the SEC being rigged (Yes, the SEC suspended the ref crew, basically is just admitting that), and Magic Johnson basically blindsiding Isiah Thomas with his new upcoming book. They all get passes from me for now.

My life is about to be flipped upside down, and for the better. I am no longer going to be the single entity, I will part be part of a family. This basically made my 2009, which was not the best of years to begin with, but made it the best of my life.

I promise everyone that it will not effect my writing after this article. I will still be the same sports nutjob. It is just a one, possibly two time thing (when the baby is born), where I will give the sportsworld a pass on crapping on what is wrong with it. Yes, that even means the chance to make two dozen jokes about Isiah Thomas being question sexually by Magic Johnson. I guess Magic thought he always had to watch his back from the little man...

Damn, I could not help it. I just hope there is a little tadpole right now laughing at that last comment. That would make my year.

Weekend Wrap-Up, Prelude to another article.

2009-10-19T17:13:00.001-04:00

I was watching Curb Your Enthusiasm last night during the football game because I realized that the fiction of the TV Show was more believeable than the weekend in sports. Of course, anything with Larry "LD" David is downright hysterical, but when you look at the weekend of sports, it rivals with our boy LD.

The Angels and Yankees played one of the better playoffs games in recent memory in Game 2. Angels thought they had it until ARod decided he wanted to be a hero. The game tying home run in the 11th made the city go nuts. If he did it again in the 12th when he flied out, there would of been a riot in Da Bronx.

It is actually fun seeing this transformation of ARod from he steroids/stripper chasing/Selena Roberts/I love myself so much, let me actually take a picture where I am kissing myself in the mirror guy, to the grounded, soft talking, baseball player. Hearing ARod in an interview nowadays, he does not sound like that self-promoting windbag anymore. I sum this 180 change to one thing.

Kate Hudson.

Ironically, it looks like the movie star, actually grounded the mega-star baseball player. We do not hear about ARod in the media in a negative fashion anymore. No more late night rumors of ARod playing poker in the city. It seems like Hudson actually makes ARod happy, and it shows in his play of late.

Well, it is either all of this nice, sappy stuff, or it is the fact that Kate Hudson's vagina is magic. I will let you decide on your own.

Fox is crossing their fingers and praying for a Yankees-Dodgers World Series almost as bad as David Stern wanted a Kobe-Lebron NBA Finals. It would just be pure poetic justice that Joe Torre came back to NY, with Manny Ramirez to beat the Yankees.

The BCS Rankings finally came out for College Football. I have to hand it to the computers, so far, they have it right on. See, the computer does not magically put teams like USC up 3 places for beating the likes of Washington St.

Alabama is a better team than Texas. USC at 7th is perfect, since they lost to a 3-4 team. The computer helps out Cincinnati and Iowa in a big way. The one problem I have with the computer is Boise St. at 4th. After Oregon, who have they really beaten? Better yet, who have they struggled to beat?

Boise St. without question, will get passed by Cincinnati, Iowa, USC most likely if they get passed Oregon, and even another non-BCS team, TCU. Yes, TCU is the better team, and they actually play a real schedule, in a real conference. TCU beats BYU and Utah, they are without question going to a BCS Bowl, not Boise St.

I do not want to hear anymore about how great Florida is. They just beat an Arkansas team in the final seconds at home, with the refs playing as the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th men on the field for them. The last 9 minutes of that game was a joke. The SEC officiating this season as a whole, has been a joke, starting with the AJ Green excessive celebration penalty in the Georgia-LSU game. Alabama smoked that same Arkansas team, and I believe they did not need the homefield advantage either, and I do not mean the game was played in Arkansas, I mean the SEC officiating home cooking.

I know I will never get what I want with killing the Tim Tebow Heisman talks, but can I offically kill off the Colt Mccoy Heisman and NFL 1st round pick talks? This usually is a stigma for Texas Tech QB's, but Mccoy is a system's QB. Everything is short passes that a Kindergarten kid can complete for 70%. Find me the NFL scout or GM that would say they would take Colt Mccoy in the first round over the likes of Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford, Jake Locker, and Ryan Mallette, and I will show you a scout or GM that will be fired in two years.

Speaking of Clausen, that 2nd half performance had to make him the Heisman frontrunner for now. Clausen, on national television, against a top defense in USC, shredded them for over 200 yards, 2 TD passes, and a rushing TD. Right now, my Heisman ballot would be Clausen, then Bama's Mark Ingram, and Cincy WR Marty Gilyard.

Someone give Jim Zorn the business card to the Federal Agents that smoothly put Braylon Edwards into Witness Protection after yesterday. While you are at it, might as well put Jeff Fisher in it as well after getting abused like an 8 year old trying to guard Shaq circa 1999 in the low blocks.

How do you get beat 59-0, and the score does not show how bad of a beating you just taken? The Pats had 620 total yards!!! Over 430 passing yards, compared to the Titans having negative passing yards!!! I made a bet with my friend Joe at halftime when he said that Brady was done for the day, up 45-0. I told him no chance. Brady will come out in the 2nd half and bomb away. First offensive play of the 2nd half for the Pats? Brady play action passing up 45-0. Good job NFL, the Golden Boy has finally gotten up.

I still am trying to figure out which was more pathetic. The Eagles losing outright to a Raiders team that could of gotten beaten 84-7 last week in the Meadowlands if Eli played the 2nd half, the Redskins offensive playcalling, Seattle getting beat down at home after drilling the Jags 41-0, or the Jets actually losing a home game where they rushed for 300 yards, and Thomas Jones actually ran for 200.

I am going to go with the latter. Football is about dominating at the line of scrimmage. How can you own a game more than running the ball for three football fields in a game? Especially when your opponent has their backup QB playing most of the game? That Jet loss was absolutely dreadful.

Rex Ryan... your new star WR already started dropping passes right in his hands. It is already time to find a nightclub owner so Braylon can get his frustrations out.

Funny thing is, you know it was a bad week in terms of good football being played, when I did not even bring up how awful the Giants played in New Orleans this weekend. It could not even medal on these performances, and trust me, the Giants got sauteed and thrown into the deep fryer like some crawfish down on the Bayou.

There were eight QB's that passed for 300 yards or more this week so far. There is a very good chance that it could be 9 or 10 after the Monday Night game. Phillip Rivers averages over 300 a clip.

Speaking of Monday Night, I just feel that the Chargers are desperate early, and Phillip Rivers loves to play the Broncos. I think this will be a very close game, and if Denver's offense can move the ball, time of possession might be the Broncos best defense tonight. Late FG puts the Bolts on top.

Chargers 31, Broncos 28.

One last thing before I am done today. If you have read this blog, you obviously know I am an avid boxing fan. On Saturday, the best idea in 25 years of boxing started, as the 168 pound divison started a tournament, with six excellent boxers involved, that will span over 18 months to see who the best 168 fighter is. Brillant move.

The first fight, as I though, Authur Abraham did knock out American Jermaine Taylor with just seconds to spare. The second fight is the one that ruined this tourney before it started.

Fighting in England, hometown hero Carl Froch went up against fast rising young American Andre Dirrell, in a matchup that the fighters styles were night and day. Froch is more of a brawler with a granite chin. Dirrell is one of the slickest, fastest boxers I have seen in a long time, but he tends to run more than fight.

Well, to make a long story short, Froch never really hit Dirrell hard during the fight. Dirrell hit Froch whenever he wanted to. Froch tried to make this a dirty fight, by hitting after the ref was trying to break them up, hitting behind the head, hitting Dirrell while he has his hand behind Dirrell's head, etc. Were any points taken away? Of course not.

The ref did eventually take a point away from Dirrell for grabbing. Was it valid? Yes, but not when Froch is doing all of that stuff with just one warning.

The outcome was Froch winning a split decision that he had NO, and I repeat, no business in getting. Dirrell hit Froch more, and even hit him with the heavier punches. This one smelled like a hometown decison, with all European judges for Froch.

Well, does anyone think that now Froch, or even Abraham and Mikkel Kessler is going to get a fair decision in the US against a US fighter?

Those three judges have already tainted, and possibly ruined the best idea boxing has had in a long time. Especially at a time, when boxing could really use the exposure.

This week, I will be writing an article on the whole Rush Limbaugh/NFL situation. There was a reason I have not eve mentioned it yet, and that is because I am actually researching the entire thing before hand.

Hope you enjoy.

NFL Picks Week 6

2009-10-18T01:43:00.001-04:00

I am running late on the NFL article because this Angels-Yankees game is off the charts great. Yankee fans now cheering for ARod like he were a God. Amazing how time changes the mind of the masses. If ARod would of gotten the Game Winning hit in the 12th after the Home Run in the 11th to tie the game, I would of felt a man made 3.4 earthquake here.

I am in a bad mood, so this weeks picks will at least have a bit of flavor to them. Enjoy.

Pittsburgh Steelers 45, Cleveland Browns 0 - Yes, that is right. The Squad-doosh! Why? Because if Derek Anderson goes 2-17 off of Buffalo, what the hell is he going to do against a real defense? Oh yeah, and Troy Polamalu is back for the Steelers.
Browns get embarassed so bad, Eric Mangini fines himself $15,000 for being a horrible coach. He should be fining himself though for signing off on the Mark Sanchez for the Jet scraphead trade, and the Braylon Edwards into Federal Protection trade to the Jets.

Carolina Panthers 24, Tampa Bay Bucs 14 - Game of two teams that do not matter. Bucs will score half their points on a Jake Delhomme Pick-6. I wonder if Julius Peppers actually takes the lawnchair onto the field this week. He might as well.
One more thing about the Bucs. How do you give up on the 4th overall pick in the draft two years ago when he has not had less than 6 sacks in a season? That trade felt more like a Euro Soccer Team giving a young player on loan to another. Horrible management.

Kansas City Chiefs 23, Washington Redskins 19 - I would say this is Upset Special, but let's be serious for a second. The Redskins are trash. My friend is a die hard Redskins fan, and is about to go Waco on Jim Zorn. Memo to Daniel Snyder, you want to get rid of Jim Zorn without having to pay him, hire my friend. He would do the deed gladly.

Jacksonville Jaguars 31, St. Louis Rams 17 - Good news for the Rams. They actually score points this week. The bad news for the Rams. There is about 15 college teams that would be favored in Vegas against them. Stephen Jackson finally gets in the endzone, but Maurice Jones Drew sees it three times. Got to love that little cannonball.

Cincinnati Bengals 31, Houston Texans 20 - My faith in the Texans is offically dead. I have no idea how Gary Kubiak and Kyle Shannahan have not received one quote of flamming from the media on their goal line playcalling and personnel. That is why we have to love ESPN, they protect the people they like..... speaking of players ESPN slobbers over....

Baltimore Ravens 23, Minnesota Vikings 17 - Do you really think the Ravens are going to go into a Bye losing three straight? Ravens defense finally shows up and harasses Brett Favre all day long. After being hit to the ground, Jon Gruden and Jaws will come from off the sidelines dressed in drag, like they were immates at Oz, crying and scared for their God.

Green Bay Packers 48, Detroit Lions 10 - No Stafford, no Megatron, and I do not think Starscream is on the roster. Aaron Rodgers is foaming at the gums like one of Michael Vick's old fighting dogs looking at that Lions secondary. (Bad joke, I know, but I am in a bad mood. Comment if you have a problem.)

New York Giants 27, New Orleans Saints 17 - Take the Super Bowl 2 years ago as the litmus test for this game. High octane offense against a defense that can apply pressure with just the four lineman, and can put seven men into coverage. Drew Brees did not do much against the Bills or Jets defenses, and this defense is better than the others.
I also have to mention, Eli Manning is in Brother Peyton mode. Anyone see that deep throw he made to Steve Smith last week? Unguardable, put it in the perfect spot where only his guy can make a play. Can you name five better QB's in football right now?

Philadelphia Eagles 72, Oakland Raiders 0 - Do I really need to explain this one? Eagles score over 30 a game, plays defense, and are going after a QB that looks like he eats every meal like he was on Death Row. Tom Cable might have to punch a special teams player after this one. Do not worry Raider fans, at the deadline, Uncle Al will deal your 2012 first round pick for Shawne Merriman, minus his knee.

New York Jets 16, Buffalo Bills 3 - Suppose to be a cold, bitter, rainy day at the Meadowlands. I wonder if Rex Ryan and crew want to commit a few Murder-Death-Kills after being humiliated on Monday Night. This is the week where TO deploys his verbal nukes. He has been at Defcon 1 for two weeks now.

New England Patriots 34, Tennessee Titans 9 - I would not want to be any Titan this week. Pats are coming home after a loss. Remember when I mentioned this before the Ravens game? NEVER pick against Belichick at home after a loss. Should be NFL Dogma.

Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 20 - Seattle at home when healthy is awesome. The Cards are lucky to be 2-2 after Kubiak threw them a bone on that god awful playcalling. Hasselback carves up the Cards.

Atlana Falcons 28, Chicago Bears 23 - Wow! I did not know the Falcons had Eff-You mode. They showed it last week, when they went to San Fran, and basically ripped the 49ers hearts out and showed it to them like the bad guy from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Best game of the week, imo. Both NBC and ESPN have been getting some goodies early in the season. It will not end the way it did last season though. Ryan and posse will win this one outright.

Last Week: 8-6

Season: 49-26

College Football Picks of the Week

2009-10-16T16:22:00.000-04:00

This is the week where the men separate themselves fro, the boys. Midway point of the season, and now we can see where the powerhouses truely are, as well as finally getting a real grasp on the Heisman favorites. Before I mention my picks, I need to get this one off my chest.

As of right this second, Tim Tebow is NOT a Heisman candidate! He has done squat on the field so far. I am tired of the media, espeically ESPN, pounding this kid down our throats purely based on reputation. When he starts putting up huge games, then we can discuss him. Until then, no more Heisman talk for Tebow. No one is bringing up Sam Bradford for Heisman on rep are we?

Now, your picks for the week:

Pittsburgh 16, Rutgers 6 - It is going to be cold, windy, and rainy in NJ for tonight's conference tilt. I just do not trust Rutgers after getting waxed by Cincy, then playing an Ultra-Soft Charmin month long schedule.

Texas 28, Oklahoma 20 - Sam Bradford did look good in his return, but like the BYU game, is going to see some serious pressure from teh Longhorn front four against his weak, inexperienced OLine. Colt Mccoy knows he needs this one to become the front runner for the Heisman.

Ohio St. 45, Purdue 23 - Purdue can score, but they could not stop a flag football team from Syosset Long Island.

Iowa 24, Wisconsin 16 - This could be a serious Upset Alert, but I am hoping the Hawkeyes can somehow pull this one out, just like they have been doing week after week. It is not pretty, but it is getting done.

Florida 38, Arkansas 23 - Tim Tebow better have a big game against such a weak defense. He needs one of those 250 yards passing and 3 TDs, with 80 yard rushing and 2 TDs. Although, if he does that, the braintrusts at ESPN might cream in their pants.

Nebraska 45, Texas Tech 28 - This line went from 5.5 to 11 for a reason. The reason is that the Cornhusker front four can get enough pressure on the Red Raiders that they can sit 7 defensive backs into coverage. Big game for Roy Helu Jr.

Virginia Tech 41, Georgia Tech 31 - I am starting to think that the Hokies are the 2nd best team in the country. All they needed for to open up the offense a bit, and Tyrod Taylor has been playing superb.

Kansas 54, Colorado 23 - Can we please get some Todd Reissing Heisman love somewhere? The guy has been overlooked for three years now. Always in the shadow of Mccoy, Bradford, Chase Daniels, and the Texas Tech QB assembly line. Just go take a look at Reissing's stats the past 3 years.

Alabama 20, South Carolina 10 - I saw this line and said "17 points??" I am going to bite. I do not think Bama can run wild on this good defense. They will win, and it will be a big win, over a ranked team.

Missouri 42, Oklahoma St. 31 - UPSET SPECIAL! No Dez Bryant? No Kendall Hunter? No win against real competition. My national title game team is toast, and we can see the steam in the sky from T. Boone's ears.

And, finally...

Notre Dame 34, USC 31 - UPSET OF THE YEAR! Remember in my orginal College Football Preview that I said I could not wait to see USC just destroy the Irish? Well, I do not think that will happen anymore. Why?

USC is not as good as advertised. They are injured, and they are starting a Frosh. QB that looks very shaky at times. The most important reason I feel this upset coming though is...

This is the game where Jimmy Clausen wins or loses the Heisman. I think he wins it here. Clausen goes bonkers against USC, no Mccoy or Tebow legendary games are going to top this.

Last Week: 7-4

Season: 38-26

LCS Previews

2009-10-15T17:22:00.000-04:00

After all the closer meltdowns and horrific umpiring, we have our verison of baseball's Final Four. We have the defending champ Phillies, the Wall St. Yankees, and both Los Angeles based team in the Angels and Dodgers. Let's take a closer look a the matchups, starting with tonight's NLCS matchup of the Phillies and Dodgers.

NLCS- Philadelphia Philles vs. Los Angeles Dodgers.

Catcher - Carlos Ruiz vs. Russell Martin

Ruiz is a classic defense first, light hitting catcher. Martin became that this season after looking like a budding star in the making. Guess he got off the chemicals...

Advantage: Push

First Base - Ryan Howard vs. James Loney

As good as Loney is, especially on the road, where he tears the cover off the ball, he is no Ryan Howard, who is the biggest game changer in this series. Howard is not even a liability with the glove anymore either.

Advantage: Phillies

Second Base - Chase Utley vs. Ronny Belliard

Belliard is playoff tested, but do I even have to discuss this one any further?

Advantage: Phillies

Third Base: Pedro Feliz vs. Casey Blake

Feliz did not even crack .700 OPS during the regular season, as Blake had a solid season all around, and hit in the Divison Series.

Advantage: Dodgers

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs. Raffy Furcal

Both had subpar offensive seasons, especially Rollins, who could not even crack .300 on base %. Rollins glove is GG caliber every season, but Furcal has gotten hot at the right time, hitting over .500 in the divison series, and hits lefties well.

Advantage: Dodgers

Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs. Manny Ramirez

Let's get one thing out of the way. They are both butchers in the outfield. Ibanez had a career year with the power he displayed, but funny thing is, he had about the same slugging pct. as Manny in an Un-Manny-like season. This is one spot where you go by the reputation.

Advantage: Dodgers

Centerfield: Shane Victorino vs. Matt Kemp

By far, the closest positional matchup there is. Both are All Star caliber, both can do a little of everything. Kemp's bat and power are superior, with Victorino's glove in CF getting the nod. Victorino also hit in the Divison Series with the Rockies and Kemp has started slow.

Advantage: Push

Right Field: Jayson Werth vs. Andre Eithier

Two similar players. Alot of power, do not hit for high average, but hits when it really counts. It is just had to go against Either's four walk off homers here.

Advantage: Dodgers

Starting Pitching:

The Phillies have a very good 1-2 punch of Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee. Phillies after that right now is a grab bag. Ironically, the Dodgers probaly will not even start their best, most talented starter in Chad Billingsley because of his 2nd half meltdown, but they pitched exceptionally well in Round 1. Clayton Kershaw is the wild card here. The 21 year old's potential two starts can be dominant or wild.

Advantage: Phillies

Bullpen:

Not even close. Phillies pen is in absolute disarray, and could easily cost them this series in the longrun. The Dodgers strength is their bullpen. Joe Torre has the luxury of making this a 6-7 inning game with Kuo, Bellisario, Sherrill, and of course, Jonathan Broxton.

Advantage: Dodgers

Bench:

The Phillies bench is not used often, with the exception of Matt Stairs as instant power for late inning heroics like last year's NLCS. The Dodgers bench runs deep, and has multiple uses to them. Jim Thome for power, Juan Pierre for pinch running, hell, they even have All Star Orlando Hudson on the bench now. Talk about depth?

Advantage: Dodgers

Managers: Charlie Manuel vs. Joe Torre

Manuel got a ring last year, but Torre basically sees the postseason annually since 1996. Torre has a deeper bench and pen to play around with as well, and for 13 seasons, has mostly pushed the right buttons.

Advantage: Dodgers

Overall: The Kershaw starts are the key. Tough to predict what a young kid will do in the spotlight. I will safely assume a Kershaw split in Games 1 and 5. Dodgers intangibles are too much after that. Phillies bullpen will be their downfall.

Dodgers in 6 games.

ALCS

Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees

Catcher: Jorge Posada/Jose Molina vs. Jeff Mathis/Mike Napoli

Both teams will possibly use both catchers for certain pitchers. Mathis will most likely catch John Lackey, with Molina catching AJ Burnett. Posada is the real star of this bunch, and is a better hitter than Napoli anyway. Posada also is as clutch as they come.

Advantage: Yankees

First Base: Kendry Morales vs. Mark Teixeira

Pretty even with the bats, as Tex delivered on his big contract, and Morales might have been the key to the Angels season after losing Tex. Tex has the superior glove and just has done this much longer.

Advantage: Yankees

Second Base: Howie Kendrick/Macier Izturis vs. Robinson Cano

Kendrick will get the Lefties and Izturis will prolly start against Burnett. In this section, it does not matter, as Cano is an elite 2B that flat out hits.

Advantage: Yankees

Third Base: Chone Figgins vs. Alex Rodriguez

Closer than most people think because Figgins is the Angels catalyst. ARod though is just in a complete zone right now, and is looking like the best player in baseball.

Advantage: Yankees

Shortstop: Erick Aybar vs. Derek Jeter

Aybar had a career season, hitting over.300 and has a fantastic glove. That being said, he is up against Jeter here. Jeter, is having one of his better seasons ever, and his glove has made a bit of comeback as well. Best clutch player of this generation.

Advantage: Yankees

Left Field: Juan Rivera vs. Johnny Damon

Both evenly matched in the regular season, but Damon has fallen into a funk in the ALDS. Angels finally get one.

Advantage: Angels

Centerfield: Torii Hunter vs. Melky Cabrera

The first real advantage for the Angels. Hunter in 2 seasons has become the heart and soul of this franchise. If not for a stint on the DL, Hunter would of gotten major MVP considerations. Cabrera is solid in what he does, but overmatched against Hunter.

Advantage: Angels

Right Field: Bobby Abreu vs. Nick Swisher

Anyone think Abreu wants some payback here? Abreu left NY and had a typical Abreu season at a bargain salary for the Angels. Swisher has intangibles in this argument. He is the main guy that shifted this corporate clubhouse into a more loose atmosphere this season. The thing that tilts this matchup is Abreu's ALDS series, hitting big in the biggest spots.

Advantage: Angels

Designated Hitter: Vlad Guerrero vs. Hideki Matsui

Most years, this would be a slam dunk in the other direction, but Guerrero has struggled this season, especially with the power. Matsui is just a pro's pro, and hits in the clutch.

Advantage: Yankees

Starting Pitching:

Close. Actually, very close. Game 1 of CC Sabathia and John Lackey is a toss up, because of Lackey's big game pitching. The Yankees might have the better talent in their rotation, but the Angels do have more depth, easily being able to go into Game 4, and feel confident with a rested Joe Saunders.

Advantage: Push

Bullpen:

Angels weak point, against a big strength for the Yankees. The Yanks can shrink a game to 6 innings, with Joba, Hughes, and of course, the best ever, Mariano Rivera...

Advantage: Yankees

Bench:

Big advantage for the Angels, as they as used more in platoons, and Mike Scioscia plays more like a NL team. Yankees will use Brett Gardner in late innings for defense and speed.

Advantage: Angels

Managers: Mike Scioscia vs. Joe Girardi

I personally think this is a major advantage for the Angels. Scioscia has been there before, and he does so much more with less than anyone this side of Ron Gardenhire. Girardi has been already criticized for micro-managing, especially his bullpen. Big thing in this series is, will the Yankee talent outshine the Angels, or will it be close enough that Scioscia will win a chess match with Girardi.

Advantage: Angels

Overall: Tight, close. I think you can flip a coin and you would be as smart as the experts. If the Angels can somehow come away with Game 1 against CC, it could really go far.

Angels in 7.

Let's just hope the umpires do not dictate the outcomes of these series as they have the last round.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-10-12T10:08:00.000-04:00

I dragged my sick body out of bed long enough to vent on what I saw all weekend in sports. I may feel like a leper from Calcutta, but that did not stop me from watching about 75 different games this week. Direct TV is a gift from the Gods. I swear.

Let's start with the baseball playoffs...

The World Series begins this week, as the Yankees and Angels are ready for their showdown that has been destined since the All Star Break. No, that was not a typo, winner of this series wins it all. A National League team has a better shot at seeing Jesus than beating one of these teams.

ARod finally has the monkey off of his back. I will die of laughter if I hear another Yankee fan cry about how ARod does not hit in the clutch. He just won an entire series almost single handedly.

I dunno what was worse, Matt Holliday misjudging a flyball that hit him right in the bullseye, or Jonathan Paplebon going Chernobyl in Fenway yesterday. I have to admit, for the non-Cardinals and Red Sox fans, both were vividly entertaining.

The play Derek Jeter made last night late in the game, is the heads-up plays that legends are made out of. Fundemental baseball is such a lost science.

I will not even comment on the Phillies-Rockies. The game ended past my bedtime, and just watching that game made my sick carcass fetch another blanket.

Next, College Football...

LSU is such a fraud. How in the world was this team ranked 4th in the country? I know why. Two reasons. One, CBS needed to hype the prime-time game between LSU and Florida. Second, the polls are more rigged than an Albanian poker game or a Trotter's race. I will let you decide on that one.

I do not want to hear any "expert" state that Tim Tebow should remotely win the Heisman this season. Sorry, but under 200 yards passing, and just willing your team to victory is not enough. Tell me one good reason why Tebow should win the Heisman over Colt Mccoy, Jimmy Clausen, or Tony Pike?

Speaking of Mccoy, Texas is a boarderline fraud as well. Great teams are not trailing 17-14 in the 2nd half to the likes of Colorado in their own house. If Texas keeps on playing only one half in games, they will get clipped by Oklahoma.

The real great team is Alabama. Their defense is better than at least 10 NFL teams defenses. They have a solid OLine, with a rugged RB, and an All-World talent at WR.

They have everything, but a QB. The Mcelroy kid is a complete deer in headlights. I watched the Ole Miss game on Saturday. Mcelroy did not look off one receiver all game long. Do that against Florida, and they will beat the Tide by 10 like last SEC Championship.

From what I have been watching, the Title Game, should just be a rematch of the SEC Title game. Florida and Alabama are head and shoulders better than everyone else, including Texas.

Although, you know USC will somehow weasel their way into the Title Game. USC and Ohio St. are the two most overhyped programs in the nation. Sickening.

Finally, the sweet National Football League...

Best part of the NFL day? Not only did Josh Mcdaniels the pupil beat his teacher Bill Belichick, he left the grumpy nutjob, and the CBS cameras hanging for the postgame handshake. If you can, take a look at Belichick's face during it all. Priceless. Expect a cutthroat 2007 Pats like eff-you game the next time the Pats and Broncos play.

Gary Kubiak should be shot and buried for the awful playcalling and personnel changes. First and Goal, and you cannot punch it in? That is the second time this season Kubiak lost a game with his backup RB, Chris Brown getting pressure crunchtime carries. Texans should be 4-1.Just awful!

I bet Dre Bly showered and sprinted out of the locker room after losing the ball trying to showboat off an interception when the team is getting slamdanced on. I think it was the shovel, lawn darts, and bag of lye sitting right outside Mike Singletary's office.

Manning brothers 42, Tennessee Raiders 16

While mentioning the Raiders, can we finally call Jamarcus Russell an Offical Bust? He was the third best QB playing in the Raiders-Giants game. Yes, shellshocked David Carr is miles better than Russell, who reacts on the field like he smoked two ounces of weed by himself, on a streak of 72 hours without sleep.

The Browns-Bills game was by far, the worst game of this decade I have seen. I have never seen a team win when their QB was 2-17!!!! Derek Anderson went 2-17. STIFF ALERT!!! That is not a typo. After this game, Terrell Owens should be on Defcon 1.

Ok, we get it media. Brett Favre turned 40 years of age. Now, please stop mentioning every motion that diva makes before I feel compelled to Tom Cable one of you. I dunno what is more pathetic in this NFL season, media's crush on Favre, the Rams, or Tom Brady crying for shadow roughing the passer calls.

I am calling it right now. The Giants next week go into New Orleans and smack the Saints up physically. Giants win that game by at least 10 points. Eli Manning in a rare zone that is usually reserved for big bro.

I think Miles Austin and Roddy White had more receiving yards combined than the Cleveland Browns have had all season. We may need to look that one up.

Monday Night Football Prediction:

Jets get back Calvin Pace, who is their best pass rusher. Dolphins will try and run the ball, but the Jets defense is salavating to let Chad Henne air it out. Close, physical game. Do not expect alot of points.

Jets 20, Dolphins 10

(Apologies for no pictures or images on this post. Blogger is on the fritz, and did not even have the link up for me to have the option. Will be fixed for the future.)

Quick College and NFL predictions.

2009-10-09T15:21:00.000-04:00

I am sorry everyone. I am sick as a dog, missing a wedding, and another party this week. So, I will leave you with the picks so that everyone could bash me for how wrong I was on Monday. At least I have to stay in this weekend, and the Weekend Wrap Up will be entertaining. Burrowed inside for days at a time, plus being pissed off? Could be interesting.

College Football Picks:

Virgina Tech 31, Boston College 13
Ohio St. 23, Wisconsin 20
Michigan 27, Iowa 21 (UPSET ALERT!)
Stanford 31, Oregon St. 28
TCU 27, Air Force 7
Auburn 45, Arkansas 38
Georgia Tech 38, Florida St. 28
Texas A&M 42, Oklahoma St. 24 (Upset Alert Nombah 2)
Alabama 28, Ole Miss 10
Oregon 31, UCLA 19

Finally...

Florida 45, LSU 9 (Yes, Tebow will play and get his Heisman moment.)

Last Week : 7-4

Season: 31-22

NFL Picks:

Buffalo Bills 24, Cleveland Browns 13
New England Patriots 31, Denver Broncos 17
Pittsburgh Steelers 41, Detroit Lions 9
Dallas Cowboys 31, Kansas City Chiefs 20
Minnesota Vikings 27, St. Louis Rams 3
New York Giants 34, Oakland Raiders 7
Philadelphia Eagles 38, Tampa Bay Bucs 17
Houston Texans 31, Arizona Cardinals 28 (Upset Special!)
Atlanta Falcons 20, San Francisco 49ers 16
Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Seattle Seahawks 21
Carolina Panthers 23, Washington Redskins 17
Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 13
Indianapolis Colts 38, Tennessee Titans 23

Last Week: 9-5

Season: 41-20

Be back on Monday for the Weekend Wrap Up.

Monday Night Game, Tigers-Twins Thoughts, and Other....

2009-10-07T12:27:00.000-04:00

The past two evenings have given us some interesting and intense sporting events. Monday Night, we got Packers going into the Baggy Dome to play the Days of Our Favre Vikings. The next night, the Baggy Dome was at it again, this time, the Tigers and Twins in a thrilling extra inning play-in game to face the Godfather Yankees. Think Cable TV ratings have been decent the past couple of days? Here are some thought about both games, starting with the Monday Nighter.

- The Minnesota crowd was deafening. The Baggy Dome, along with the Superdome in New Orleans, are two of the biggest home field advantages once that crowd gets into play like that.

- Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski gushed about Brett Favre so much, I started thinking that they were the kid from Almost Famous that followed around Led Zeppelin. I was waiting for Gruden to scream out, "He touched this pen!!! Yes, he touched this pen!" Gruden and Jaws should be boarderline ashamed of themselves. That was not unbiased broadcasting, that was two groupies drooling over a guitarist.

- Favre all kidding aside, did play great. He did have some extra zip on those passes. The Vikings OLine was like The Great Wall of China. Favre had more time to throw than Obama has to get his Health Care plan through. After that first TD pass by Favre, and he jumped and pointed to the sky, scale of 1-10 on how big of a slap in the face to Packers fans was that?

- Speaking of OLines, as well as the Vikings OLine played, the exact opposite for the Pack. Aaron Rodgers played well, but got sacked eight times, and pressure even more. Jared Allen had 4.5 sacks. Allen basically put a tattoo on Rodger's body that said, "Property of J. Allen."

- If you are a pure football fan, that game you did get to see three of the best Cornerbacks in the game. The Vikings Antoine Winfield, and the Packers Chalres Woodsen and Al Harris. All three play press bump and run coverage just about every down, which is really a lost art in this league now.

- Woodsen and Harris have gotten alot of respect over the years, but I want to talk about Winfield. This guy up until last year, was one of the most overlooked players in football, right up there with MLB London Fletcher. Winfield is a physical CB that can cover any WR in the league, and tackles like a linebacker. There is not 5 better corners in the league today. If you think there is, leave a comment, and we can debate.

- Gruden is still blushing about the thought of calling that game and saying the name Brett Favre 47,612 times.

Now, the Tigers/Twins thoughts:

- The Baggy Dome was even louder for this game. I really do believe that the crowd almost willed the Twins in this game. When the Tigers were up 3-0, the crowd never stopped. Great fans.

- Jim Leyland put 20 year old, and SportsTown favorite Rick Porcello on ther mound with eveything on the line. Think about that for a second. I wrote a small article about how Porcello pitched in a big game a couple of weeks ago. He is now in a play-in game. The sick thing is, Porcello delivered... again. Most kids his age are delivering pizza, hes delivering a quality start in game 163. Porcello has the guts of a burgular, and Leyland has the stones of one for even starting him in this game.

- Magglio Ordonez is still a clutch hitter. Tigers did not lose the divison because of him. He was red hot the final two weeks of the season.

- I still think if the Tigers scored in the 12th, when Delmon Young threw the ball to 3rd to let Dan Kelly get to 2nd base, Ron Gardenhire would of turned into Simon Phoenix from Demolition Man, and performed a Murder-Death-Kill on Young for that stupidity.

- Leyland should get roasted for keeping an average closer, Fernando Rodney in for a 3rd inning. Closers are not made to throw 48 pitches Jimbo. That one is on you. Think about that over your 67th cigarette of the day.

- How funny is sports when a guy can go from the goat to the hero in less than an hour? Well, Twins infielder Alexis Casilla did just that. In the 10th inning, he got thrown out at home when he did not tag up properly, then got the game winning hit in the 12th. This is one of the million reasons I love baseball.

Other random thoughts before we go:

My baseball playoff predictions for the first round:

Yankees over Twins in 3, Angels over Red Sox in 5, Phillies over Rockies in 4, Cardinals over Dodgers in 4.

I will say one thing though about the Yankees. They better win tonight at home, with CC on the mound. The Twins just played a grueling extra inning game for their playing lives, and now have to travel and play again in less than 20 hours? No excuses for the Yankees today. I mean, we do not want Jorge Posada to have to choke a bitch right?

Sadly overlooked with the baseball game last night, was the best sports game of the night. Since half the country does not even get Versus, including Direct TV subscribers, I would say most people did not catch the Capitals-Flyers game. Well, you people missed out. That game is the perfect definition of why hockey can be awesome to watch. Flyers won 6-5 in OT.

Let me get this straight, Braylon Edwards decks a club owner that just happened to be Lebron James's friend, and two days later, Edwards is traded? I have about 15,000 one liners for this, but we will shrink them to five..
1. Edwards was traded to get into Witness Protection.

2. I hope Brandon Marshall was watching, all he has to do to get traded from Denver is to deck Carmelo Anthony.

3. Lebron James is the Godfather of Cleveland.

4. Edwards can come to NY, and deck Eddy Curry. He would be praised.

5. Im shocked Edwards caught the guy's face. First thing he has caught in two years.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-10-05T15:41:00.000-04:00

Is it just me, or does meaningful games in the last weekend of Major League baseball's regular season make it a much better sports weekend?

The Twins, needing to give the Royals the broom over the weekend, which included beating the future CY Award winner Zack Greinke, did so to force a play-in game against the reeling Detroit Tigers. Thanks to the Vikings, and the Days of Our Favre, the game will be Tuesday, which gives the Tigers a bit of an advantage, considering how hot the Twins bats are. We will be watching that one for sure.

Of course, the Tigers would be alot happier if star slugger Miguel Cabrera was not coming home drunk in the middle of a pennant race at 5am in the morning, fighting with his wife until 6 am, escorted out of his house by the police, then have to be picked up by Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski at 7:30am. Cabrera is lucky, if his coach was Tom Cable, he would have alot more than just scratches on his face.

Since the end of the baseball season is here, the Awards goes to:

AL MVP - Twins C Joe Mauer- Imagine what his stats would of been if he did not miss a month?

AL CY - Royals Zack Greinke- Felix Hernandez made it close, but 2.16 ERA and 240 strikeouts on that team is just absurd.

AL Manager of the Year - Twins Ron Gardenhire- About two weeks ago, this pick would of been Rangers Ron Washington, but this stretch run the Twins have put up tipped me over to the other side.

AL Rookie of the Year - Oakland Closer Andrew Bailey - I know relief pitchers do not get much love from this vote, but Bailey was by far the most dominant rookie of this class. The numbers back that up. Beats out Rick Porcello in my eyes, although the media are total victims for the spotlight.

NL MVP - Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols - Do I really need to go into this one? Thank you.

NL CY - Cardinals Adam Wainwright - Alot of good candidates for this one, but Wainwright has the horse that survived the stretch run. Tim Lincecum could not finish strong, same with teammate Matt Cain. Wainwright's teammate Chris Carpenter had a great year, but even he would admit that Wainwright is the man here.

NL Manager of the Year - Rockies Jim Tracy - Took over a cellar dweller mid season, and turned them into a playoff team. When you go 74-40, you are doing something special.

NL Rookie of the Year - Phillies SP JA Happ - This was the toughest decison for me, as Tommy Hanson is unbelieveable, and I hate the Phillies. Overall though, Happ does deserve the award. A sub 3 ERA in that sandbox is pretty damn good.

Finally getting off of baseball, and before we get into the football weekend, just how pathetic is it that NBA TV is showing PRACTICES of NBA teams??? That is right, PRACTICES! The NBA is dull enough until the last quarter, and they are telling me that there is a market for televised practices? Allen Iverson is now wants to go to practice.
It is not fair when Peyton Manning is in Arcade Mode. Watching the Seahawks-Colts game yesterday, it just seemed like before going out in the field, someone would pop a quarter into Manning, and it was like some 12 year old kid running up the score with a joystick. Unreal.

Steve Smith leads the NFL in Receptions and Receiving Yards. He even did it without punching a teammate. Wait a second, wrong Steve Smith. The loudmouth lunatic is not even the best WR with his own name anymore. How the mighty how fallen.

With all the press the New Orleans Saints offense gets, their defense is pretty damn good. They just destroyed one of the better OLines in football against the Jets. They did it with a ton of blitzing. Are you hearing that out in Tennessee? Paging Mr. Cecil!!! Bring more than four men at a time, otherwise, it is your ass.

I still dunno what is the bigger shock to me. The Titans 0-4, or the Broncos 4-0. I think someone put some acid in my Spam.

After getting humiliated by Virginia Tech, the Miami Hurricanes redeemed themselves with a huge win at home against Oklahoma. After those first 4 grueling game, 3-1 is a nice place to be for a program trying to reclaim their old glory.

Congrats to California and Houston. Both programs are the co-winners of the biggest fraud award for this season so far. Cal was suppose to be a powerhouse, and has been pummeled like chopmeat by Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks. Houston was ranked too high for their bridges, but 58 points to UTEP??? The same UTEP team that got hammered by Texas the week before? At least we will not hear the press crying that they are getting overlooked now.

What a catch by Georgia WR AJ Green in the 4th quarter of that great game between LSU. The offical that tossed that excessive celebration penalty should never officate another college football game again. That was one case where an offical played God, and dictated the outcome of a game. SEC, do the right thing.

Speaking of shady nonsense in college football, the Polls have Iowa moving up after 1 spot in the AP and 3 in the Coaches Poll after barely beating Arkansas St. Nice work, I would harp on that even more, if not for the fact that Virginia Tech somehow mysteriously leapfrogged Boise St. in the Polls after struggling against Duke. Now, I am a Rutger's football fan, can I cut a check to some of these pollsters and see Rutgers #22 next week? This is not a joke, I think I really could.

Last thing on college football before the Monday Night pick. Is there anymore important game for the Heisman this year than Notre Dame against USC in a few weeks? That is the make or break game for Jimmy Clausen. With a great game, he can become to frontrunner in a star-studded year.

Monday Night Pick of the Week:

The only thing the schedule makers messed up was that this game should of been in Lambeau. Cut the tension with a knife tonight, as The Days of Our Favre finally get a crack at his old franchise, the Packers.

The storyline will be Favre against Aaron Rodgers, but this game will more about if the Packers can stop Adrian Peterson. I do not think they can, but the Packers will be smart to just air it out, and let their best playmaker Greg Jennings try to take over. This has shootout written all over it. Last one with the ball wins.

Packers 31, Vikings 28.

NHL Preview 2009-2010 Season

2009-10-03T14:32:00.000-04:00

I am sorry for being a little bit late on this one. The life was been hetic lately with alot of news.

No hockey fans, I do not diss the puck like everyone else! I promise you, especially with three local teams on all year, and the NHL Open Ice Package ready to go.

The NHL finally got some TV Ratings last season, as the Penguins/Capitals clash, and the eventual Stanley Cup Finals between the winning Pens and the Red Wings got the general public back into watching. As the league is trying to generate some momentum off of that, here are some of the questions leading into the new season.

The Top Ten Storylines for the 2009-2010 NHL Season:

1. Can the Penguins repeat?

The young core is set and will be intact for a long time, consisting of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, and Marc-Andre Fleury. Although they took a big hit on the blueline, losing Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill, the Pens also have veterans that are now willing to take less money to play with this core. Bill Guerin took a paycut to remain in the fold in Pittsburgh.

The real question is, can the Pens be more consistent than last season? If they cannot, they will need to catch fire at the same exact time as they need last season.

2. How much will the Olympics effect teams?

Most teams will be well represented with players from their rosters playing for their National Teams. Some teams will be heavily represent, like the Red Wings, Capitals, Sharks, and Flyers. These teams will not have the luxury of having a break that could be well needed rest.

No team will be effected more by the Olympics than the Vancouver Canucks. Since the Games are being held in Vancouver, the Canucks will have a very lengthy road trip that could spell out diaster for the franchise. If are in a bad funk going into that road trip, they might even miss the playoffs.

3. Just how good is Alexander Ovechkin?

There is no real answer for this. The sky is really the limit. Ovy is just about the complete package. He has an excellent playmaking Center that he is lined with in Nicklas Backstrom. He has a lethal shot, skates like the wind, and unlike most Euro players, he hits like a freight train. Expect 60 goals and 110 points again, like always. If Ovy decides to play with a chip on his shoulder, he is the guy that could possibly catch Wayne Gretzky's goals records for both the season and career.

4. Did the San Jose Sharks finally acquire the missing piece?

Sniper Dany Heatley basically bitched and whined his way out of Ottawa this offseason. He has now landed on a team that can never get over the playoff hump. It is now time to put the pacifier back in your mouth, be quiet, and produce. He should see plenty of goals with Joe Thorton dishing him the puck all season.

This has to be the year for the Sharks. Patrick Marleau is a UFA at season's end, and alot of the good young players will soon be due for hefty pay raises. They are hoping Heatley is the guy that will not disappear in the postseason. That has been a bit of a problem the past few seasons in the Bay Area.

5. Pronger in Philly is understandable, but Ray Emery?

When the Flyers made a draft night deal to acquire physical Defensemen Chris Pronger from Anaheim, it was a move that made a bold statement that they want to win now. Pronger will clear the crease for the Flyers goaltenders.

That is the thing. The Flyers Stanley Cup hopes are on the shoulders of a guy that did not even play in the NHL last season. Ray Emery was basically banished to the Russian League the past couple of seasons. Now, he is back, but is Emery really up to this pressure? Remember, it is Philly, where the media and fanbase eat athletes in situations like these.

6. Did the window finally close on the Red Wings?

Hockeytown took a hit this offseason. The Red Wings lost alot of scoring when Marian Hossa, Mikel Samuelsson, Jiri Hudler, and Tomas Kopecky left the team via Free Agency or bolted overseas. The Wings are relying on kids, Ville Leino, Darren Helm, and others, along with reclammation project Todd Bertuzzi.

Nicklas Lidstrom is turning 40. The goaltending is not exactly top notch. This is the season that the Wings still make the playoffs, but not at the dominanting level they have done it in for the past decade.

7. Welcome back Coach

The New Jeresy Devils brought back former Head Coach and Stanley Cup winner Jacques Lemaire to lead the team behind the bench. The question now is, do the Devils have the personnel that Lemaire requires to play his defensive style of play?

Well, the Devils were more of a scoring team last season, led by superstar in the making Zach Parise. To be at their most effective, Lemaire is going to have to find a median between the two. Marty Brodeur back healthy for a full season will help reguardless of the style of play.

8. The Rebuild/Reloading of Brian Burke in Toronto

GM Brian Burke said he needed to do two things in the offseason. First, was to get more tough and physical. The Maple Leafs got rough up last season, and it was not going to happen two years in a row. So Burke went out in Free Agency and signed D Mike Komisarek and Franny Beauchemim, and RW goon Colton Orr. I do not think many teams will want to mess with the Leafs this year.

Burke's second endeavor was to find a goal scorer, and one that will be a permanent fixture in Toronto for years to come. Burke had one target in mind the entire time, and that was former Bruin Phil Kessel.

Burke was rumored to try and trade for Kessel at the draft and it fizzled out. Two months later, Burke went very proactive, and dealt a boatload of draft picks for the 21 year old sniper. Kessel was immediately signed long term.

Burke accomplished what he wanted in the offseason, now will it be enough to make it back into the playoffs this season?

9. The Rookies

This year's Entry Draft had a Top 3 that could one day rival any other drafts. The New York Islanders selected the well known talent of C John Tavares. The Tampa Bay Lightning immediately snatched up huge D Victor Hedman. Last, the Colorado Avalanche selected all around great talent C Matt Duchsene.

All three have made the Opening Night rosters, and will most likely remain on the club the entire season.

The Islanders hope they finally got the new face of their struggling franchise in Tavares, who Islander fans hope can score goals like former legend Mike Bossy.

Hedman is the type of Defensemen that front offices drool over. Hedman is 6'6", he can skate, and has a bomb of a slapshot. The Lightning envision that he could become their anchor on the blueline in the mold of another Defensemen that should be playing power foward somewhere, Zdeno Chara.

Duchsene is the guy of the three that can become the all-around, gritty two way foward that can one day wear the "C" for a team. Some even questioned if Duchsene should of went 1st overall in the draft over Tavares.

Other rookies to watch out for this 09-10 season is the Flyers LW James vanRiemsdyk, Thrashers C Evander Kane, Blue Jackets LW Nitika Filatov, Red Wings F Ville Leino and Justin Abdelkader, Rangers D Michael Del Zotto, Panthers D Dmitri Kulikov, and Leafs G Jonas Guastavsson.

10. What will happen to the Phoenix Coyotes?

With ownership up in the air, this offseason has been utter chaos for the Coyotes. Canadian tycoon Jim Balsillie offered to buy the Coyotes and relocate them back into Canada, where they first came from. With the NHL rejecting his offer, and now Wayne Gretzky resigning from being behind the bench, the Coyotes are sort of a lame duck this season.

Do you really think the fans want to go cheer on a team that most likely will not be there in 2010-11? How are the players going to react to being in limbo? Yotes Captain Shane Doan takes offense to being overlooked by this, but how do they overcome this mess?

Predictions: (Playoff Seed in parenthesis)

East

Atlantic Divison

1. Philadelphia Flyers (1)

2. Pittsburgh Penguins (4)

3. New York Rangers (7)

4. New Jeresy Devils

5. New York Islanders

Northeast

1. Boston Bruins (3)

2. Buffalo Sabres (6)

3. Montreal Canadiens

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

5. Ottawa Senators

Southeast

1. Washington Capitals (2)

2. Carolina Hurricanes (5)

3. Tampa Bay Lightning (8)

4. Florida Panthers

5. Atlanta Thrashers

West

Central

1. Chicago Blackhawks (3)

2. St. Louis Blues (4)
3. Columbus Blue Jackets (5)
4. Detroit Red Wings (7)
5. Nashville Predators

Northwest

1. Calgary Flames (2)
2. Vancouver Canucks (8)
3. Minnesota Wild

4. Edmonton Oilers

5. Colorado Avalanche

Pacific

1. San Jose Sharks (1)

2. Anaheim Ducks (6)
3. Los Angeles Kings
4. Dallas Stars
5. Phoenix Coyotes

Stanley Cup Finals : Calgary Flames over Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games.

NFL Week 4 Picks

2009-10-02T14:54:00.001-04:00

Last week in this column, I asked for the repeat 12-4 record in the picks. I almost got there, as we went 11-5 in Week 3. Let's not cry over spilled milk. The overall record is now 32-15 for the season.

We have seen the good (Ravens, Giants), the surprising (Jets, Broncos), and the ugly (Raiders, Chiefs). I have to make an entirely new category for the Browns and Rams. I think we will just call those two teams FUBAR. If you do not know what FUBAR means, just look it up, you will be in total agreement with yours truly.

Now, onto the picks:

Houston Texans 24, Oakland Raiders 10 - The Texans, with all that talent on offense, is disappointing to almost tears. Last week, Gary Kubiak should of been shot for taking out RB Steve Slaton for the goal line carries and inserting Chris Brown. Slaton was running rough-shot over the Jags. Boom, fumble, Jags ball, Texans lose. Let's see you try that maneuver again Einstein. In a shocking development, Jamarcus Russell will complete 45% of his passes this game, but its not enough. Why am I not surprised?

Tennessee Titans 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 9 - The Titans are the best 0-3 football I have seen in a long time. RB Chris Johnson is worth the price of admission, tune in your TV to watch this talent. Oh, thats right, this game will probably be blacked out. Maybe Jack Del Rio and David Gerrard should be worried about filling out that stadium than a petty radio show.

Baltimore Ravens 27, New England Patriots 20 - Tough to pick against the Pats at home, especially after how good they looked last week against the Falcons. I just think the Ravens are on a mission, and they will go after Tom Brady. No middle finger 4th quarter bombs for Joe Flacco in this game.

Cincinnati Bengals 31, Cleveland Browns 9 - The Bengals are pretty good. The Browns are Fubar. Eric Mangini just fined me for saying that.

New York Giants 34, Kansas City Chiefs 10 - Even SI.com's Peter King looked at the Vegas Line of this game and said they messed up. Remember Mike Tyson's Punchout for Nintendo? Well, the Chiefs are Glass Joe, the awful mess you fight initially. Well, the Chiefs are not fighting Little Mac, they are fighting Super Macho Man. Hide the children from this massacre.

Sidenote: How funny is the resemblance of Glass Joe, to Owen Wilson? Great call by Danjewish. Read the Casting Call for Mike Tyson's Punchout. It is a riot.

Chicago Bears 23, Detroit Lions 20 - I really wanted to have the stones to call this upset, but I finally see Matt Forte going for 100 and 2 TD's. The Lions can move the ball this season. Matthew Stafford is going to be all right.

By the way, Calvin Johnson's nickname of Megatron is definitely top 5 in sports. I can only think of Pablo Sandoval's Kung Fu Panda and Kobe Bryant being The Black Mamba that top it.

Washington Redskins 21, Tampa Bay Bucs 10 - The Bucs are about three weeks away from being fubar as well. They get a pass because at least the Bucs have a plan. Well, I dunno what it is, but I am sure they do have one. If the Redskins lose this game, Jim Zorn should just pack his bags and walk into the sunset. By the way, Ground Control to Clinton Portis, are you alive?

Indianapolis Colts 27, Seattle Seahawks 20 - For some strange reason, I do not think the Colts are going to run the Hawks out of the stadium. Seattle showed me a lot of grit in that loss to the Bears last week. If you are still alive in a Knock Out Pool, take the Giants, be very weary of this one. Of course, I am not going to pick against Peyton Manning at home though.

New Orleans Saints 23, New York Jets 16 - I originally had the Jets winning this in an upset, but then the news broke wind that CB's Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland are out for the game. Down your 2nd and 3rd CB's against Drew Brees is not a good combination.

Buffalo Bills 16, Miami Dolphins 13 - I rather watch paint dry off my walls than sit down and watch this game for three hours. Trent Edwards is horrible. I hope the media finally stops giving excuses for this victim. Miami is breaking in a new QB. Yawwwwwwwwwwwwn!

San Francisco 49ers 23, St. Louis Rams 13- Tough kick to the chops for the 49ers last week, but they proved to everyone that they are legit. No Frank Gore, no problem, you are playing a team that has not won since Napoleon was a cadet. I feel bad for Steven Jackson. He will probably see nine-man fronts all day.

Dallas Cowboys 24, Denver Broncos 16 - Ok Denver and Mini-Belichick, prove it to me against a decent team. I do not think Kyle Orton plays a mistake-free game this time. Demarcus Ware finally gets his first sack of the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers 19, San Diego Chargers 10 - The Bolts OLine is too banged up for this Steeler pass rush to not salivate. The Steelers should feel desperation right now, and they will come through. They hold the fort and Troy Polamalu is close to returning.

Monday Night game will come in the Weekend Wrap Up article on Monday morning, along with the belated NHL Season Preview.

College Football Picks

2009-10-02T14:53:00.000-04:00

After last week, where the Polls were more volitale than the Nasdaq last year, the college football season is turning into an unpredictable season.

Who would have thought after Oregon got embarrassed by Boise St. opening night, that they would destroy Cal. and beat Utah?

Miami climbing the mountain, then freefalling off of it last week?

Two Non-BCS teams with legit shots at being in the Title Game in Boise St. and TCU.

USC walking on air in the polls for no reason. Ok, so that one is easy predictable. Sue me.

Few good games this week, more than likely a few more surprises in the bag as well. Let's take a gander at them:

Penn St. 27, Illinois 6 - No way Penn St. loses to games in a row. JoePa and team will want to put a hurting on someone, and Illinois is the perfect patsy for that. There is no Fight in the Illini anymore.

South Florida 23, Syracuse 12 - This could be such a trap game for South Florida. After beating Florida St., and the offensive machine called Cincinnati next week, this does fit the bill. There is just no way I see Syracuse pulling this off. QB Greg Paulus has not seen a defense like this since Villanova in the Basketball NCAA tournament.

Tennessee 20, Auburn 17 - No one has been able to stop Auburn's new wild offensive explosion, averaging 45 a clip. I just really like this Tennessee defense. They have the right personnel and coaching in Monty Kiffin. Big day at Rocky Top.

Stanford 23, UCLA 17 - UCLA is such an enigma. Stanford is the model of consistency on both sides of the ball this season. Jim Harbaugh has done a solid job with this program.

Michigan St. 34, Michigan 31 - UPSET SPECIAL! Michigan looked stale last week against Indiana, and Michigan St. does not want to lose to both Notre Dame and Michigan in the same season. Freshman QB Tate Forcier gets his first taste of a hostile crowd, and defeat.

Houston 52, UTEP 21 - I just love watching this Houston offense. They are so unpredictable and exciting. UTEP got buried last week by Texas, expect more of the same.

Arkansas 45, Texas A&M 41 - Arkanasas got throttled last week by Alabama. I do not expect the Razorbacks to be shut down again. The Aggies are putting points on the board as well. Shootout Central, here we come.

Notre Dame 31, Washington 24 - In a game that might possibly have the two best NFL QB prospects in it, I expect Jimmy Clausen and Jake Locker to put on a show. Somehow, Notre Dame, Clausen, and all of his playmakers pull this one out late in the 4th.

USC 31, California 17 - I had Cal winning this game at the same time last week. Then, they went to Oregon and got taken like a young boy in a San Francisco Bath House. USC is banged up, and we wish the best, and a speedy recovery for RB Stafon Johnson, but the Camp Carroll does have an unlimited amount of talent. Sets up the USC-Oregon game for the Rose Bowl. RB Jahvid Best only had 30 yards rushing year against Trojans. Not a good sign.

Oklahoma 28, Miami 17 - I really want to pick the Hurricanes here. I just do not see them scoring enough against this great Oklahoma defense. Virginia Tech last week gave the blueprint on how to beat the Canes. The Sooners just follow it, with or without Sam Bradford.

Georgia 37, LSU 31 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! This game last year was a shootout, with no defense in it. Georgia has not played defense this season since the first game against Oklahoma St., but WR AJ Green is going nuts. LSU should not be ranked 4th. When in doubt though, take the home team. I just hope they do not move up USC to 4th ahead of Boise St. after this game.

Last Week: 7-4 Season: 24-18

Inheriting a New NBA team.

2009-10-01T13:15:00.001-04:00

I grew up a New York Knicks fan. I remember the glory days of Patrick Ewing's drop step drive into the paint, Charles Oakley grabbing every rebound in sight, and Pat Riley's hardcore, do not f*ck with us defense.

But over the past few years, I have come to realize something. I was a Patrick Ewing fan first and foremost before the Knicks.

And when the Knicks sent Ewing packing like he was cheap suit to Seattle years ago, the paint started to chip off my love for the Knicks. The past decade has not helped either.

James Dolan, Scott Layden, and Isiah Thomas have made it unbearable for any Knick fan.

Dolan is the definition of Trust Fund Baby, that is handed a business and buries it into the ground. Ironically, Dolan hand picked Isiah Thomas, after he put a basketball league into bankruptcy!

Layden, made the Ewing deal, that brought over Glenn Rice, but he forgot to acquire his knees in the deal as well. We would also like to mention the following , Shandon Anderson, Howard Eisley, Othella Harrington, the Allan Houston 100 million dollar contract (top 20 worst sports contracts ever), and the Antonio Mcdyess trade, that Layden took Nene 7th overall, and passed on Amare Stoudamire. Lastly, the following seasons top 10 pick... Michael Sweetney anyone?

Should we even mention Isiah's resume? At least he could decently draft, but thats when he did not deal the picks for Eddy Curry. Isiah was also only one of 3 stupid, crazy GM's (the others would be Elgin Baylors corpse, and Laker booster Chris Wallace) to take on Zach Randolph, his contract, and eating habits, not to mention the soap operas he had with Larry Brown, and Anucha Browne. By the way, did I even mention Stephon Marbury?

I have tried to stick with this franchise, but more and more, I have come to the realization that it was not the Blue, White, and Orange I was a fan of. I grew up in an era that the Knicks had a superstar that gave it his all, even if it never materialized into a title.

So, I am offically jumping off the wagon. I do not care if present GM Donnie Walsh is potentially getting Lebron James or not. I want to be a fan of a basketball team again. I have three candidates to choose from, none of them are playoff teams, so I am not trying to ride the wave of another franchise's success.

1) Minnesota T-Wolves

Why?- It is not a perfect franchise by any means, but it has a solid young nucleus that you can root for. Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, and most of all, rookie Point Guard Johnny Flynn.

Now, does the Ricky Rubio Saga scare me off? Not exactly. They will get good value for a guy that cannot even shave yet, but is in a Gillette commerical.

The new GM, David Khan does terrify me. He could easily become Layden/Isiah Redux 2.0.

Flynn is the kicker. I love and watch Big East Basketball, and you have to root for a smallish Point Guard that can run like a deer, jump out of the gym ( see Youtube video of Flynn dunking on Rutgers Mike Rosario), and is as tough as nails. I think he is going to be Aaron Brooks with flash and some attitude.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Why?- You would think the main reason is Kevin Durant right? Wrong

I love how this franchise is ran. GM Sam Presti is the textbook definition of a guy that told managment that if you are patient with me, I will make a potential dynasty. All he did for a few years was dump contracts, and collect draft picks.

Now, Presti has a fantastic young core (Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, James Harden), along with several good role players on the roster. Oh, did I mention that the Thunder will have at the most, 40 million on the books for the 2010-2011 Free Agent Sweepstakes?

That is around 18 million under the cap. Lebron? Bosh? These guys would not be interested in playing with this group?

He is not the main reason, but Durant is a huge reason. Guy is a machine. He is going to win several scoring titles, but the thing that got me about him was 2 things. One, hes a gym rat, and has that MJ/Kobe mentality that he can score 55 in a game, and think he could do more. The second thing was when I heard that he went to Las Vegas for the Rookie League, sat on the bench with his future and potential teammates, and cheered them on. This is the type of heart and soul leader I grew up loving in Ewing.

and finally, and hear me out on this one...

3) Los Angeles Clippers

Why? - I know, Donald Sterling and that Front Office make James Dolan look like Red Auerbach, but there is plenty to like here.

1.- Two young future All-Stars in Eric Gordon and #1 overall pick Blake Griffin.

2.- How can you dislike Baron Davis? Serously.

3.- I am a sucker for the real, true underdog.

4.- Including picking up Mardy Collins option (Who is a stiff.) The Clippers only have 36 million in salaries for 10-11. That is without even taking into consideration the Clips trying to pawn off Chris Kaman's goofy mind and contract, and possibly resigning Marcus Camby.

5- Lebron should be a real possiblilty here. I know Bill Simmons brought this up first, but it really does make sense. Lebron has two potential All Stars, plus another Lottery Pick from this upcoming season to grow old with. Something the Cavs could never offer him. The Cavs also could not offer him the spotlight of actually making a LA market team viable again, and creating a Clippers-Lakers rivalry that The Hebrew Godfather (David Stern) is salavating over.

I know how I have thought this out, now I would like to know your input on it. Clippers? Thunder? T-Wolves? Stay with the Knicks? I have put up a voting poll to see what team I will inherit into SportsTown, and I will gladly take any emails @ TheSportsTown@gmail.com , or dicsuss it on Twitter(TheSportsTown) .

Quick thought about Rick Porcello

2009-09-29T14:40:00.000-04:00

I am watching the Twins/Tigers game right now, and saw a kid that should be a Junior in College pitch in a virtual playoff game.

Rick Porcello may or may not win AL Rookie of the Year (If I had a vote, it would be for Oakland's Andrew Bailey.), but he may just be the most impressive rookie.

What did the 20 year old kid do in the biggest game of his career? 6.1 Innings, 1 Run, 7 Hits, 1 Walk.

He will not win the game, leaving the game with the scored tied at 1, but asking a 20 year old to pitch in a game like this, when most 20 year olds are only worried about what party they are going to on Friday Night, is alot. Porcello kept the Tigers in the game, and in a position to win the game.

Porcello might be 20, but he pitched like a veteran today.

I am confident that there will be a lot more of this to come with the youngster.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-09-28T12:26:00.001-04:00

I was thinking of an opening to start this article, but I could not think of anything better than to continue on the last thing I wrote about in the previous article.

I wished American Heavyweight Chris Arreola good luck in his title fight against Vitali Klitschko. I am a massive boxing fan, but I never seriously thought that Arreola was this country's great big hope in returning to Heavyweight glory. Then, I was watching on HBO, and I heard in a segment about Arreola, that HBO's Larry Merchant called Arreola "The best American Heavyweight prospect since Riddick Bowe.".

Yes, when I heard it, I thought the same thing. This old man finally really lost his marbles, and that Merchant basically gave Arreola the perverbial Kiss of Death.

Merchant did exactly that. Arreola, coming into the fight in better shape than the usual walking torilla machine, was flat out embarassed by the older, more polished Klitschko. It was actually more one-sided than the Mayweather-Marquez fight HBO showed before this live fight. Somehow, HBO's unoffical judge gave one round to Arreola. He must of been having drinks with Merchant all night long to think that.

If this is supposedly the best this country has to offer in over 15 years, will we ever see another great U.S. Heavyweight?

Baseball Thoughts:

-Congrats to the New York Yankees, and their fans for wrapping up the AL East by waterboarding their rival Red Sox this weekend. Now ironically, you have to root for the Red Sox to beat the Angels, who just have your number since early on in the Torre administration. The enemy of my emeny is my frien. Even Shakespeare would be proud of this.

-Zach Greinke wrapped up the AL CY with win #16 and those sick stats. CC Sabathia was just too little, too late, even though he has been awesome the last 6 weeks.

College Football Thoughts:

-We all know that the College Football Polls are as straight and legit as Al Capone's business ledgers. I mean, personally, I knew everyone the week before was overhyping Miami in the polls. I thought that was bad, but this week might be the worst ever. USC going up five spots by beating a bad Washington St. team at home? LSU going up to #4 after almost getting upsetted by Mississippi St.? I actually rather have the hands of the National Title in the computers if this is the crap that will continue to go on.

-At least we found out the serious pretenders in this college season early. That goes to you California, Penn St., and Mississippi. I will not put Miami in that mix. I give The U alot of props for playing that schedule.

-I really do believe Alabama is better than Florida this time around. Round 2 of the new annual SEC Title war is going to be one of the five best football games this year, NFL included.

-USC went to #5 in the polls somehow while I wrote this article...

NFL Thoughts:

-Whoever reads this blog, knows how sick I must of been watching Favre toss that game winning TD pass and basically being carried off the field like Scott Howard after hitting those two game winning free throws in Teen Wolf. Although, even I have to admit, what a pass.

-I wonder if the city of Detroit was more excited about the Lions finally winning a game than about the Tigers in the middle of a divison race. Congrats to the Lions for finally reeling off a W, and good luck to the Tigers. That city needs all the excitement it can muster nowadays.

-I do not know which game was a bigger mismatch. Cleveland-Baltimore, or NY Giants-Tampa Bay. Two rare examples of men playing against boys. Giants just stomped a mudhole into the Bucs, and put up a convincing shutout without their best defensive player in Justin Tuck. Baltimore even threw the Eff-You Bomb in the 4th quarter for a 70+ yard TD. Mangini must of fined his CB for using a fire extinugisher on himself after getting burnt...

-Peyton Manning is a football God. There is much else to say about him. Chris Collinsworth on the Sunday Night game showed and explained how Manning at the line delays until he sees the defense bite on their blitzing, and calls the audibles/hot routes from there. That is why Collingsworth is the best analyst in the game.

Now Chris, please explain to me how Jim Zorn will still have a job this week?

-I cannot wait for the Jets-Saints game next week. The Unstoppable Force against the Immovable Object. Brees against Sanchez, who is becoming the most popular athlete in NYC this side of Derek Jeter and fast. The matchup I really want to see is Saints tall, physical WR Marques Coltson, who might have a chip on his shoulder still from playing at Hofstra, where the Jets use to practice, and being overlooked by them, against Darrelle "Island" Revis.

-I actually Tweeted ESPN guru Adam Schefter if he thought Revis was the early frontrunner for NFL Def. Player of the Year. He immediately replied to me by saying, "So far, hard to think of anyone else more deserving." High praise for a Cornerback.

Monday Night Pick for tonight.

I am in the minority if thinking that the Panthers are not completely done. I think they will play hard in this game. I just do not think it will be enough. Tony Romo puts up a big game, and makes less mistakes than Jake Delhomme. Dallas Cowboys 34, Carolina Panthers 24.

NFL Picks Week 3

2009-09-26T22:10:00.000-04:00

Before I mention the picks for this week, I just woke up from a nap that came out of nowhere, and when I woke up, Saint Tim Tebow was on the ground, barely moving. I was like, WTF just happened? Then I saw the replay, and let me tell you, Tebow got jacked up!! Good job Gators, let your entire program get flattened by a defender untouched.

Now, onto Week 3 NFL Picks. Came back down to earth last week, with an 8-8 record. It is still respectable, but not what we expect here at SportsTown. The overall record lies at 21-10. I feel another 12-4 day coming again, I smell it... or is that what I just put in the oven. Whoops!

Green Bay Packers 38, St. Louis Rams 17 - Let me see, pissed off stud QB? Check. A star WR that got shutout last week? Check? Opposition is one of the worst 3 teams in football? Check. Green Bay is going to remind the Rams fans about The Greatest Show on Turf tomorrow, which is harsh to that fanbase.

Philadelphia Eagles 34, KC Chiefs 20 - No Mcnabb again. The Michael Vick Sideshow is in full blast this week and half the offense is questionable for the game. I do not care if the Eagles practice squad had to play this game. This is the same KC Chiefs team that lost to the Raiders last week when Jamarcus Russell's completion percentage sounded more like DUI than anything else. Russell still has not completed 10 passes all week long, but this dsyfunctional bunch lost. You expect them to win IN Philly now?

Baltimore Ravens 41, Cleveland Browns 3 - This is like if Mike Tyson from 1986 fought Waldo from the Van Halen Hot for Teacher video. It's just not fair, but of course we will watch! This country loves a good old American bloodbath. By the way, I bet 99% of this country's knockout pool pickm is the Ravens this week.

New England Patriots 24, Atlanta Falcons 20 - I love the Falcons. Love everything about this team, to the way it is ran, the coach, and of course, Matt Ryan. They are just not ready to win this type of game on the road, when we all know Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are going to be in complete Rocky in Russia mode after last week.

Washington Redskins 27, Detroit Lions 20 - Everyone and their mother is picking the Lions to finally break the losing streak. I say, prove it to me first. The Redskins have put up points against the Lions in recents years, so I have no idea why people are trying to call out a complete posh pick. Although, if the Lions won this game, Daniel Synder would electricute himself, put on a black hood, put in yellow contacts, and become The Emperor from Star Wars in a fit of rage. Maybe thats reason enough to.... nope.

New York Jets 13, Tennessess Titans 10 - Suppose to rain at the Meadowlands tomorrow, so expect an ugly game. I just doubt that set of hyenas Rex Ryan sends out on defense would let Chris Johnson break one off like he did non-stop last week. This Titans team may become the best 0-3 team of all time.

Minnesota Vikings 21, SF 49ers 17 - I am really liking what Mike Singletary is doing in SF. They will keep this game close, but I just do not see the Vikings losing this game at home. Of course, I am rooting against The Days of Our Favre on a weekly basis though.

New York Giants 31, Tampa Bay Bucs 13 - The Bucs defensive glory is a figment of the past now. If Trent Edwards and Fred Jackson can carve up this defense, what do you think Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs will do? Especially Manning coming off perhaps one of his top 2-3 games in his career.

Houston Texans 38, Jacksonville Jaguars 20 - The aerial show of Houston finally broke out last week. Now, they have to get Steve Slaton involved. Put both together, and you have yourself a real serious offense. Kurt Warner is still completing passes in Jacksonville tonight. I think he is up to 123 comp. in 125 attempts.

Chicago Bears 23, Seattle Seahawks 9 - I cringed last week seeing Matt Hasselback get hit like that. I knew right away he was going to be hurt. I just did not know that when he tried to stand up, he looked like Timmy from South Park. The Hawks are toast without the bald hero. Bears start catching steam.

Buffalo Bills 34, New Orleans Saints 31 - UPSET SPECIAL!! It most likely will not be this score, with rain in the forecast. If Mother Nature decides to be a bitch, and is on the Bills side, I just think the Saints are in deep trouble. Remember, this is the same Saints defense that gave up close to 400 yards passing to Kevin Kolb!

Cincinnati Bengals 19, Pittsburgh Steelers 16 - UPSET SPECIAL part Deux! I am probaly out of my mind with this one. I have definitely had a sip of the Bengal Kool-Aid. I just really like this defense. Big Ben is going to get hit and hit often in this game. Everyone can just kill me on Monday for this pick.

Oakland Raiders 17, Denver Broncos 10 - I just cannot put this horrific Broncos team 3-0. Find a reason to make this pick legit... please.... ok, Darren Mcfadden goes off in this game. I just cannot have this band of misfits 3-0 and the Titans 0-3.

San Diego Chargers 27, Miami Dolphins 24 - Just stick a fork in the Phins. 45 minutes of time of possession and you lose? Phillip Rivers saw that game and must of been salivating. If Dallas Clark is carving those linebackers and safeties for 150+, what is Mr. Gates going to do? Even LT might score in this game from the VIP booth.

Arizona Cardinals 44, Indy Colts 41 - The equivalent to the Texas Tech-Houston game in college this week. This game will be a fantasy football wet dream come true. 800 yards passing, no doubt about it. When it is all said and done, I am just going with the road team, eventhough it is a mortal sin to go against God (Peyton Manning).

Last, I wish Mexican American boxer Cris Arreola tonight in his Heavyweight Championship fight against Vitali Klitschko. I just hope his fat ass realized that this might be his only shot at a belt, and did not come into this fight close to 3 bills. If he does, another Mexican fighter is going to get embarassed like last week.

Sorry for the popshot Marquez, you are still my favorite fighter, but you did get housed last week.

Part 2 of making the Mets relevant again

2009-09-25T14:46:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately for Met fans, I do not think this process will be immediate. There have been too many years, drafts, and 7-figure checks that have passed for that to be a reality. Here is the thing I would do:

-The farm system and scouting basically has to be gutted out completely.

I would be looking at hiring people from several organizations that have had a long reputation for popping out players into the big leagues. Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Florida, Atlanta, Milwaukee and San Francisco (pitching)are organizations that come to mind . All of these franchises have drafted very well and knows how to groom their farm systems in ways the Mets obviously have not been able to. The more ideas and philosophies will only help.

They also know how to evaluate talent. They know which prospects to make untouchable, and which ones to deal off to bring in someone in the winter or around the trading deadline. The Mets have not been able to do this since the Santana deal, mostly because they do not even have the prospects to land a top player. Forget about this current regime knowing when to deal prospects as well. Miledge was the biggest example.

This really starts with the Amateur Draft. In the new regime, it would be taking the best evaluated talent, high school or college players. This also means, having our first round draft picks to stockpile the farm system (See Budget next). Bring in the best talent, even if we have to pay over the slot that MLB has been suggesting. If we are going to spend money, spend it properly, and that means from the ground up.

We also will keep that pipeline opened from Puerto Rico, South America, and Dominican Republic. Anyway or edge we can use to build the system up, we have to do effectively and properly. Sign as many young talents as possible, and eventually, some of them will blossom into major league talent.

-Start to spend money, especially the payroll wisely.

The Mets are able to field a 150 million dollar payroll. They are blessed in this culture of baseball, that we are one of the big boys when it comes to revenue. That does not mean you can spend it foolishly though. It is time to allocate these funds properly. That means, no more recycling washed up players, no more rethread pitchers, and no more trading for 6 million dollar a year set up men with an arm issue that has a black flag on it darker than the ace of spades.

We would take it easy on free agency for the short term. Keep our draft picks, and spend the money within the system. This is not a team that will be a World Series contender if we sign an outfielder with pop and a starting pitcher. If you believe this, then you have no idea what you are talking about.

The next is to learn how to budget the payroll properly. No more trying re-tread pitchers(Livan Hernandez, Tim Redding, Oliver Perez), no more reclamation projects(Jeff Francoeur). To go to an even more extent, no more 8 digit salaries for pitchers that go 1 inning at a time (KRod, Wagner).

The one thing I will give Omar Minaya credit with. He locked up Jose Reyes and David Wright to long term contracts. This is one thing that must be continued in the new regime. Once we get the farm machine running, we need to keep this young player’s long term. Build a core foundation. Only after that, can we start bringing in the Matt Hollidays or John Lackeys of the FA market to put the team over the top.

- Entertain offers for OF Carlos Beltran this off-season.

There may not be a big market out there for a player that was injured more than half the season, but Beltran is still a Five-Tool Outfielder that could warrant interest from contending teams. Now, I am not saying that we just take the best offer, but if a contending team with good prospects (like San Francisco) called us up and put together a good package that would start the process of re-tooling the organization, I would have to take it, and I would personally fly Beltran to JFK myself.

-Get into the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes

Here is the perfect example of what the Mets should be going after. The Cuban defector is a 21 (probably 23 but still) starting pitcher that throws around 100 mph. He is also lefty flamethrower, which is as rare as a Palestinian liking an Israeli.

Chapman will only cost money. No draft picks required. This is the type of talent the Mets do not see in the first round of the amateur drafts. Scoop him up, and hopefully he can eventually come up and learn from the best lefty in the business, Johan Santana.

This is also a move that the fan base of the Mets can get behind. This is the type of move that will make the Met fans anticipate; bringing in a 21 year old lefty that if the franchise gets lucky, can become the young ace for a decade.

- Stop making Citi-Field into a tribute of another organizations history.

This is one is more pointed at ownership. Citi Field is gorgeous. Wilpon got his dream stadium. He just has to realize that the Brooklyn Dodgers were never part of this franchise. While it is nice to remember the past, there is more stuff to honor the Bk. Dodgers at the field than the Mets, who in 40 years do have some good history to honor.

Am I the only one that thinks it is a slap in the fact that there is a Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and nothing for the Met legend himself Tom Seaver? Mr. Wilpon, Seaver, not Robinson is a big reason why this franchise is so loved by the fans that line your pockets in US currency. I am sorry, but kids taking pictures with Mr. Met at a shrine for a non-Met, just does not seem right...

If you disagree with me, email me or leave a comment

College Football Picks for Week 4

2009-09-25T13:18:00.001-04:00

We finally had a solid week, going 7-3 in the picks last week. I am still stunned by the USC upset. I still cannot believe SI.com's Stewart Mandel hit that one big time. That should count as 4 wins on your record there.

Before the picks, another top 15 team falls on a Thursday night ESPN game. This is really becoming the trend nowadays huh? Last night's victim as Mississippi, who could not move the ball on South Carolina. I guess the Old Ball Coach Spurrier still has some magic left in him afterall. Alabama is the big threat to Florida in the SEC clearly now, not Ole Miss.

Now, onto the dreaded picks. SportsTown is 17-14 overall now on the season. It will be a quick rundown this week.

Ohio St. 38, Illinois 17 - Fightin Iliini are just creampuffs.

North Carolina 16, Georgia Tech 10 - Zero confidence in GT after getting embarassed.

TCU 20, Clemson 9 - Big win for the BCS Buster.

Miami Fla. 28, Virginia Tech 27 - Sets up a monster game with Oklahoma.

Alabama 41, Arkansas 28 - Tricky game for The Tide, as Arkansas will keep this one close.

Notre Dame 31, Purdue 27 - I might be running the Jimmy Clausen for Heisman campaign real soon.

Stanford 23, Washington 20 - Back to Earth for the Huskies after last week's miracle.

California 31, Oregon 20 - Speaking of the Heisman, RB Jahvid Best is making a case for it as well.

Georgia 41, Arizona St. 13 - The Bulldogs are scoring big now, I do not see the Sun Devils stopping them.

Penn St. 24, Iowa 10 - JoePa gets his revenge from last season's loss. Vaults Penn St. ahead in the polls.

And, my favorite game of the week....

Houston 52, Texas Tech 45 - This game is going to have an Arena League Football feel to it. 74 is way too low of an Over/Under for this game. The Merry-Go-Round starts at 9:15 pm est., on the ESPN family of networks.

My plan on making the New York Mets a relevant Franchise again Part 1

2009-09-24T08:31:00.001-04:00

I never bring it up, but I am a die-hard New York Mets fan. I have been ever since I was a kid, when the Mets ruled New York, and baseball in 1986. I remember being in the first grade, and my father bringing me to Game 6 as my first baseball game. Imagaine that? Game 6, the comeback. Gary Carter, Kevin Mitchell, and Ray Knight with consectuive 2 out singles with the season on the line. Mookie Wilson's grinding at bat, getting a wild pitch from Bob Stanley to tie the game. Then, the Buckner play, Mets win, force a Game 7.

I still remember at age 6, way beyond my bedtime, as Shea Stadium turned into an insane asylum. It was the first time I realized that the earth can shake from noise. Grown men and women, cheering and even crying in joy collectively.

For Game 7, my mother forced me to go to sleep because it was a school night. I popped a tape into the VHS(It actually might of been Beta!), and recorded the rest of the game. I was so excited the next morning, it was almost like Christmas. I woke up on my own at 6am, skipped breakfast, and ran right to the television, and pressed play. Like, Christmas, I got exactly what I wanted. Orosco striking out Marty Barrett, flips the glove in the air, everyone bum-rushes him at the mound. Mets win the World Series.

I was hooked for life from there.

Looking back at that era now, the Mets had the perfect blend. Yes, they picked up free agents and veterans throiugh trades (Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter), but most of what made those Met teams was through within the system. They knew how to evaluate young talent and either traded for it (Ron Darling, Howard Johnson) or drafted accordingly (Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Kevin Mitchell, Lenny Dykstra).

The Mets back then had a sturdy foundation in the management. Davey Johnson was the manager, Mel Stottlemyer was the head of a loaded young pitching rotation, Frank Cashen, the General Manager, fielded a front office that knew how to scout and draft, but most important of all, the Mets had an owner that truly cared about winning in Nelson Doubleday Jr.

Present day, the Mets have an owner, Fred Wilpon, that is in the newspaper more about being ripped off in Bernie Madoff's ponzie scheme than his frustrations with a subpar Met team and organization. The Mets have a GM that has made two great moves (Delgado and Santana), then tried to patch work everything else up. They have a scouting system that has not carved out anything in years.

Unfortunately, we cannot fire an owner. We can only hope that he changes his attitude and had more passion towards building a baseball organization properly. It is also in his power to clean house and hire the right people to make this franchise respectable once again.

Omar Minaya has become a circus show. From the way he handled the firing of ex-manager Willie Randolph, the entire Tony Benazard saga of attempting to be a hot headed gangster with scouts and minor league players, and how he did not sell at the trading deadline, because the sub .500 Mets were "still in the race", it is obvious that Minaya has lost the grasp to do his job. I will not talk about that again, I will talk about why he should REALLY be shitcanned. Those three reasons are how he handles free agents and budgeting, the farm system and how he drafts, and how he will buy anything from another team to try and attempt to catch lightning in a bottle.

Lets start with the Mets payroll and how they spend money. In 2009, the Mets payroll was anywhere from 145 mil-150 mil, depending on what site you looked at, which was 2nd in the MLB to the Gordon Gecko Yankees.

In some situations, Minaya spent properly (Johan Santana), but the signings and trades have slowly drifted to being mostly bad lately.

Minaya traded his best hitting prospect, Lastings Miledge (more on him in scouting), for a career 4th OF Ryan Church, and an aging, often injured Catcher Brian Schiender. Granted, Miledge has wound up being a bust, but how many people forget that six months earlier, Minaya could of possibly had ace Dan Haren in a deal centering around Miledge and Aaron Heilman? Church and Schiender have/had amounted very little for the Mets, as Church already has been dealt again, and Schiender has been injured as much as he has played. This deal added on roughly 7 million per year on the payroll per year.

Remember how every Met fan collectively cringed when Minaya gave Luis Castillo, a 2B on the other side of 30, with a history of bad knees, a 4 year-26 million dollar contract extension? What part was the worst of it? That the Mets are stuck with Castillo and his albatross of a contract for two more seasons, unless they eat 60-80% of that contract, or that the extension might of been the only reason the Mets could not sign Orlando Hudson? Sad part is, Hudson really wanted to play for the Mets, and his price tag dropped more than the NASDAQ in W. Bush's last year in office.

The 2008 offseason was by far the worst of it all. The three major moves, trading for RP JJ Putz, signing closer Francisco Rodriguez from the Angels, and Oliver Perez.

Those three moves alone put close to 30 million on the payroll. KRod has not been the typical KRod, with 6 blown saves and an ERA over 3 for the first time since he became a closer. Putz at 6 million for a set up man (Jesus) was a bust. Oliver Perez was The Bust.

Minaya gave Perez a 3 year deal worth 36 million, basically bidding against himself, since no team in baseball, in this economy wanted to risk that money on a wild, erratic headcase. Except Uncle Omar of course. Perez's ERA is close to a touchdown with the PAT, his Whip is close to 2, and his mind is more fragile than Ron Artest's sanity. By the way, the Mets couldve had Bobby Abreu, Randy Wolf, and Hudson for one million more a season combined!

Oh, and lets not forget Omar's scarpeheap/waiver wire All Star team of Livan Hernandez, Jeff Franceour, Tim Redding, Ruddy Lugo, Aaron Sele, Jason Standridge, David Newhan, Sandy Alomar Jr., Ruben Gotay, Chan Ho Park, Killer Burgos, Anderson Hernandez, Jorge Sosa, Ben Johnson, Alay Soler, etc. Do I really need to go on with this list of budding athletes? Ok, thank you.

Next, is the scouting department and farm system, which I am being nice when I say it is easily in the bottom half of baseball. The Mets have not brought up a homegrown starter since the Reyes-Wright combo. Starting pitching? Do we even count Mike Pelfrey? I guess I have to since he really is the only Minaya draft pick that really has a secure spot on the Met roster. Daniel Murphy will most likely be an utility/bench guy. Whoopie!

The Mets offically had 4 Top 100 Prospects at the beginning of the 2009 season, according to Baseball America. They were OF Fernando Martinez, SS Wilmer Flores, SP Jonanthan Niese, and SP Brad Holt. None of them were in the Top 25, with Martinez being the top rated prospect, but sliding down the ranking from the year before.

Martinez was overwhelmed by MLB pitching in his call up, Flores right now is more buzz than action, and Niese will be at best, a #4 starter. Of these prospects, only Holt has had a very good season in the minors this season. These are supposedly the best the Mets have to offer, along with 1st round draft picks 1B Ike Davis, and 2B Reese Havens from the 08 Draft.

A big problem in this, is that Minaya usually buys top Free Agents, and loses his 1st round pick in the deal. Uncle Omar has had three 1st round picks since 2005, and two of them were in the same season of 08. Minaya does not get a shot at the prime prospects because of this, then in turn, he attempts to draft college players, that would estimate to be ready for MLB service quicker than some of the more raw, but higher ceiling Prep School players. A great example of this would be Eddie Kunz, who Minaya hoped to be at least in the Met bullpen by now. Keep holding your breath Uncle Omar.

Minaya also goes to the Latin countries and signs young, cheap players that could one day be groomed into players on the roster. I will give Omar credit for this one, he duped the Twins into Carlos Gomez and Deolis Guerra, but who else has come from this grapevine yet?

And what is Uncle Omar going to do in the 2010 offseason? Sign Matt Holliday? Jason Bay? John Lackey? I hope not. It is time to clean house, and stop trying to buy like the Yankees. We are not in competition with the Yankees. We are in competition with the Phillies, Marlins, and Braves. How much of their rosters are homegrown? Hmmm...

This post was about why the Mets need to clean house and fire Omar Minaya, Part 2 will be how I would fix the situation over the course of 3-5 years, both short and long term.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-09-21T07:41:00.000-04:00

Great weekend for sports, I just could not get fully into it though. Unfortunately, life takes precedent over the awesome world of sports.

I did not catch much College Football on Saturday, but I am sure the look on Pete Carroll's face was priceless after USC lost to Washington. See that Pete? Wave goodbye to that. What is it? Oh, that was your shot at the BCS title game. Congrats to Steve Sarkisian, beating USC with Tyrone Willingham's recruits. Thats something Charlies Weis could not do.

Let me get this straight now. Tebow puts up a Fulton St. fish market type of a stinker, and he still should be considered for the Heisman? Right now, I have Jimmy Clausen, Javhid Best, and Jacory Harris over Tebow by a wide margin.

Have to feel for Nebraska. They go out and play a great game on the road against a top 15 team, just to lose it in the final minute. That has to feel like if you opened your bedroom door after finding out you got a promotion at work, just to see your new boss is in bed with your wife. I seriously would rather have what happened to BYU, and that was getting embarrassed big time against Florida St. Point is, I always rather get backhanded that punched right in the gut.

I would please like to have my 60 dollars back, and the three hours of my life that was the Mayweather-Marquez PPV. If you are a boxing fan, and you wonder why MMA is more popular, watch that fight again. Too much BS in the sport that I love, which I have to admit, really is dying.

I do have to thank Shane Mosely, Bernard Hopkins, and an assist to Max Kellerman for basically putting Mayweather in the corner and on the spot in the post-fight interview. It was funny to watch, but classless. Thing is, to get the attention of a classless punk like Mayweather, you have to stoop to his level, and that is all the way down to the curb.

I did get to watch the NFL all day yesterday. I sat on my duff, with a drink and some cookies, and put on the Direct TV NFL Package, and all was better. Best game of the week was the Pats-Jets game, with Ravens-Chargers and Texans-Titans bringing in the silver and bronze medals there.

The Jets might just be the real deal. They talked more smack last week than Muhammad Ali in Manila, but they backed it up. The defense was stifiling, they did put Brady on his back more than six times. The crowd called the plead from Rex Ryan to be loud, and QB Mark Sanchez really showed alot of moxy in the 2nd half. Excellent win.

CB Darrelle Revis might of proved that he is the best CB in football, going on an island and shutting down Randy Moss this week, after doing the same to Andre Johnson last week, who just abused Cortland Finnegan this week. Speaking of...

How fun was that Texans-Titans game? It looked like someone had joystick control of RB Chris Johnson, and the Texans Andre Johnson. Insane.

This is why Norv Turner will NEVER win anything as a Head Coach. Rivers is roasting the Ravens secondary like chestnuts on an open fire around Christmas, and you run right at Ray Lewis on that play? I think even Gomer Pyle would of not done that. What a dolt.

I hope Giants All Pro DE Justin Tuck is not badly injured after Dallas T Flozell Adams cheaply tripped him. That was completely bush league, by an overrated, has-been, fat, overweight, and lets not forget about lazy player. Only reason why that was a close game last night was because as soon as Tuck as out, the Cowboys went nuts on the running game. Tuck is probably the best DLineman in the league because of the way he plays the run.

Now, tonight's game. I really believe that the Dolphins defense can give Peyton Manning and the Colts fits. If the Fins offense can eat up the clock and keep Manning off the field for large stretches, this game could be very interesting. Indy will not be able to run the ball on this defense either.

Dolphins 17, Colts 13.

Two more weeks for the NHL opener. Bring on more sports!

NFL Week 2

2009-09-19T11:45:00.000-04:00

Week 1 in the NFL had alot of cupcake matchups, hence the reason we went 13-2 on the predictions, only missing on the Texans getting whored out in their own building by the newly crowned "Sanchise" and the Jets, and because of that miracle grab for Denver that made Gus Johnson have a 6.3 Richter Scale like orgasm.

Week 2 is a bit different, with several prime time matchups and a bare mininum on the blowout specials, this week's action will be as fat as Floyd Mayweather at his weigh-in.

Atlanta Falcons 27, Carolina Panthers 17 - As much as Jake Delhomme got a case of amnesia and melted down last week, what stood out to me more was how Matt Ryan effciently carved up a pretty good Dolphin defense through the air. Ryan has a good game, Delhomme helps out with a Lotto Pick 6. Steve Smith may decide to deck teammate #3 by the end of this game.

Buffalo Bills 20, Tampa Bay Bucs 13 - TO can take the pacifier out of his mouth now, the Bucs pass defense was a launching pad last week. Owens and Evans will have a field day. I just hope Trent Edwards has the arm strength for this game.

Minnesota Vikings 34, Detroit Lions 14 - CNNSI.com's Peter King must of smoked the same weed Stewart Mandel did. Mandel picked Washington over USC, and now King is picking the Lions in this, which would basically eliminate 2/3rds of all Survivor Pool entries in America. No way, no how. Adrian Peterson goes Bo Jackson/Tecmo Bowl nuts this week.

Green Bay 23, Cincinnati Bengals 16 - This game will be closer than most realize. The orange cats can play some defense, that miracle catch last week was just that, a miracle. They just cannot keep up with Rodgers and Jennings.

Tennessee Titans 23, Houston Texans 12 - Titans are pissed off after having the Steelers in their grasps. Got a long week off as well. Houston got embarrassed at home to the Jets. Actually an early important game for both. Titans just punch them in the mouth on the Lines.

Kansas City Chiefs 27, Oakland Raiders 23 - This pick is based on Matt Cassel being under center. I just think the Raider letdown from Monday Night will still linger. Dwayne Bowe and Mr. Nnamdi Asomugha will be a tough, physical battle on the line of scrimmage.

Jacksonville Jaguars 24, Arizona Cardinals 20 - Upset Special! Yes, we are going to pick on the Cardinals, and do you know why? The ancient law of West Coast team, playing on the East Coast, at a 1pm est. start. It was basically foolproof last season. Take the East Coast team at home until proven otherwise.

Washington Redskins 23, St. Louis Rams 3 - Good news for the Rams, they finally put some points on the board this season. The bad news? The Redskin defense is basically Clubber Lang in Rocky 3 this week, and the prediction is for PAIN!

New Orleans Saints 38, Philadelphia Eagles 20 - The Donovan Mcnabb injury is basically the outcome. I do not think he will play. Why do you think the Eagles brought in Jeff "Huckleberry Hound" Garica in immediately? Drew Brees finally cracks this Eagle defense late and pours it on.

New England Patriots 17, New York Jets 14 - How fun has the mind games and trash talking been for this game during the week? Rex Ryan came in knowing that the Jets HATE the Pats, and he rubbed salt to the wound right away. BTW, someone should tell Rodney Harrison that he is now a member of the press, and part of being the press, is to not associate yourself in a Twitter War defending your old team, like you still played! The Vegas line is FISHY. Pats pull out a nailbiter.

Cleveland Browns 19, Denver Broncos 16 - Although they won last week basically by the hand of God, I have zero confidence in Denver. Orton is a stiff, and that defense really can not stop Scooby Doo and the gang. Brady Quinn looks sharp this week, just a gut feeling.

Seattle Seahawks 27, San Francisco 49ers 23 - Got to give the 49ers props for making my Upset pick last week come through. They could easily win this game as well, but I do not think the 49ers have an answer for TE John Carlson. As long as Matt Hasselback is healthy, he is only going to improve each week.

Baltimore Ravens 17, San Diego Chargers 9 - No Tomlinson in this game. Does that hinder or improve the Bolts offense? Im not sure, LT looked as slow to hitting the hole as me running in quicksand. Ray Lewis and friends eat up the Bolts this week, who are also without C Nick Hardwick.

Chicago Bears 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 16 - Jay Cutler will bounce back, and I would like to give him a pointer in this clash with the champs. No Troy Polamalu = post routes with Hester and use Greg Olson in the middle of the field. Bears are desperate for a win, and claw one out.

New York Giants 27, Dallas Cowboys 20 - Everyone has Dallas winning this game, and they looked sharp in the first Post TO era last week. I just have no idea how the Boys are going to handle that physical defense, especially that front four. Got to prove you can beat a heavyweight Dallas. Sorry.

Last prediction:

Juan Manuel Marquez def. Floyd Mayweather by decison.

This prediction is coming more from the heart than on paper. Mayweather is the bigger, stronger, and faster fighter. I just cannot see Mayweather shake off 21 months of ring rust that fast against the smartest, technical fighter he has ever faced in his career.

By the way, nice one Mayweather for not making weight. The conspiracy theories are already going full-blast, but it comes down to one of two things. One, he just could not make weight.

Or, he did not want to make weight, knew Marquez would settle on the side for compensation, and did not have to dehydrate himself in training and will come into the fight stronger.

Either way, I hope Marquez knocks the punk out. I will settle for Mayweather being embarrassed after hearing the scorecards from Michael Buffer.

We will predict the Monday Night game next article, tomorrow.

College Football Picks of the Week

2009-09-18T19:00:00.000-04:00

After a horrendous 4-7 first week, we got back on track slightly to have a 6-4 week, and are now 10-11 overall. I wish we picked College Football like we do the NFL. (Little hint, alot of bragging on the NFL picks).

A couple of big games this week, as Nebraska clashes Virginia Tech, Florida St. tries to right the ship against darlings BYU, and Texas has a shot at their revenge from last year against Texas Tech. All are good matchups, but the most anticipated game of the week is Tennessee-Florida.

After all the hand grenades that were tossed between the sides in the offseason, now the Volunteers, and new Head Coach Lane Kiffin has to go into The Swamp, and mess with Urban Meyer's dynasty. I have a funny feeling that Coach Meyer is going to have the Gators foot on the Vols throat by the 2nd quarter... and he will not let it go until after the final whistle is blown. Gotta love potential video game football!

This might be the closest parody to The Karate Kid Part 2, when Daniel is supposedly fighting to the death with Sato's nephew, has him by the back and of the head, and gives him choice of living or dying. Only in this reality, Meyer would be Daniel, and he would not just honk Lane Kiffin's nose, it would more resemble a Mortal Kombat fatality move.

Now, on to the picks of the week:

Boise St. 45, Fresno St 17 - No, it is not on the blue grass, but no one in the WAC can really handle Boise this fall. An imporvement for Fresno St., after last season's ambush.

California 38, Minnesota 21 - After their cross-country loss last year at Maryland, Cal. came into Minnesota earlier in the week to adjust to the time zone. Shame Minnesota will not be able to adjust to RB Jahvid Best.

Oregon 28, Utah 17 - Yes, the winning streak ends in Eugene. If Utes RB Matt Asiata were playing, my pick might of been a bit different. I also just cannot see the Ducks getting slapped around by two BCS Busters in a month.

Texas 51, Texas Tech 34 - Think Colt Mccoy and company want this game? The Red Raiders essentially cost the Longhorns a shot at Florida last year. Mccoy and crew will get their revenge, and then some.

USC 27, Washington 9 - I read CNNSI.com's Stewart Mandel's picks and he has Washington pulling off the uber-upset. I usually like and respect Mandel's work, but he went Waco on this prediction. Keep up the good work though.

Nebraska 24, Virginia Tech 17- Here is my upset pick of the week. The Cornhuskers, and basically the entire Big 12 can score. They will play just enough defense to win this game. I just have no confidence in Va Tech's defense after Bama shredded it.

Cincinnati 38, Oregon St. 31 - Have you seen the Bearcats offense? It is no-huddle madness! QB Tony Pike and WR Marty Gilyard will hook up plenty of times in this game, and that will edge what OSU RB Jacquizz Rodgers will do. Big win for the Big East and Cincy.

Notre Dame 45, Michigan St. 20 - Poor Michigan St., they get smacked at home last week to little brother state school Central Michigan, now they get a pissed off Irish offense that can score on anyone. QB Jimmy Clausen is going to pad some Heisman stats in this game.

BYU 27, Florida St. 13 - I know the Seminoles most likely have more talent, and could easily win this game, but I just cannot see them scoring much on a defense that basically shut down Sam Bradford. BYU continues on the BCS march.

and, finally....

Florida 63, Tennessee 10 - Like I said earlier, foot to the throat for the entire game. I would not be shocked if Tim Tebow is doing play-action pass bombs in the 4th quarter of this game. Welcome to the SEC Lane Kiffin. Next time, keep your mouth shut.

Tomorrow, the NFL picks (cough, went 13-2 last week, cough).

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

2009-09-17T12:45:00.009-04:00

A few days ago, on the cusp of his comeback fight from a 21 month layoff, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was not talking about his fight with top 5 Pound for Pound fight, Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather was doing what he does best, and that is talking about himself, mentioning that he gets unfair treatment from the media and public. This is nothing new from Mayweather, except the last point he brought up in the rant.

Mayweather took out the race card.

"If you're rich, you're a rich n-----," he said. "If you're poor, you're a poor n----. If you're smart, you're a smart n-----. At the end of the day, they still look at me as a n-----."

Yes, Mayweather finally went there in Ali fashion.

Someone has to tell Mr. Mayweather that the general public does not treat him unfair because of the color of his skin. If he were white, or latino for that matter, since he mentioned Oscar De La Hoya's name as well, and acted the way he does, he would still get roasted for it.

The public is "unfair" to you because you come off, basically as a phony.

I am not talking entirely about Mayweather's boxing career either.

Yes, Mayweather is one of the Top 40 boxers to ever grace a ring. He has the skill set that is very rare in a fighter. In the ring though, who is that signature all-time win against a top level opponent that history can talk about for years?

Oscar De La Hoya? Please, we found out through the years that he was not as good as advertised, and that he became a whore for money and promoting instead of truly trying to become one of the greatest.

Ricky Hatton? Again, not a chance. There was a reason Hatton was a 3.5-1 underdog as an undefeated fighter going up against Mayweather. He was exposed. Good job Floyd. I got to give you credit for that one.

Diego Corrales? He was about to go to prison. Chico was also a fighter that never used his jab.

The public's perception is that Mayweather cherry picks his fights. He will get into the ring with Carlos Baldomir for 8 million, but not Antonio Margorito or Shane Mosely. Why not? Because Baldomir was simply the much easier fight.

There are quite a few instances in Mayweather's career like this, including fighting Juan Manuel Marquez this upcoming Saturday, having Marquez move up nine pounds heavier than he has ever fought at. For non-boxing fans, that is like attempting to bench press 250 pounds, when the max you have ever done was 180.

That is one reason the public and media treat Mayweather unfairly. Here is the main reason though.

Mayweather is an egomaniac. He flaunts his lifestyle right in everyone's faces. Tossing one-hundred dollar bills at a camera is just one prime example of this behavior in the past. Matter of fact, the entire premise of HBO's 24/7 series, basically started with Mayweather's behavior. Remember Floyd, most of America dislikes Donald Trump for basically the same reason. It is not a race issue.

It is not hard to see that Mayweather is a different person with the camera on him, and when it is off of him. Mayweather off camera, is being sued by a bank for an unpaid loan for a half a million dollar luxury car. With the camera on Mayweather, he is giving food out to the homeless of Las Vegas. Off camera, the IRS is on Mayweather's back for over six million in unpaid taxes, on camera, he is mocking the IRS, saying, "I got a good relationship with the IRS; they ain't took nothing away from me." On, camera, he is taking his daughter skating and having a good time. What happened off camera ? Mayweather's two cars, two guns, ammo, and a bulletproff vest were seized from Mayweather's home in the investigation of a shooting, yes, right outside of that skating rink he brought his daughter.

Mayweather also opens his big mouth when he has no idea what he is talking about. Talking about the announcer for the upcoming fight, Mayweather said, "Larry Merchant don't know nothing about boxing," Mayweather said. "What's that other guy's name [at HBO]? [Emanuel Steward]. He's an Uncle Tom.

Now, all boxing fans know that Larry Merchant is a drunk fossil. The only reason why Merchant is still around is because he has been there for 30 plus years, but the Steward quote? Are you out of your mind Floyd?

Emanuel Steward for years has trained mostly black fighters into elite boxers, and groomed them as men. I would've loved to seen Floyd Mayweather say that with Thomas Hearns in the same room, I would bet my mortage that The Hitman's old right hand would of taken Mayweather's head off clean.

These are the reasons why the media and public treat Mayweather this way. It was not unjust, Mayweather puts his own foot in his mouth, never takes responsibility for it, then cries out about it afterward.

Want to know how to stop this perception Floyd?

Basically, stop your crying . Take care of business on Saturday, and for the rest of your career. You have the American Dream already. Just live it out and have fun in doing so.

Can your ego handle that? We will see.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-09-14T07:01:00.001-04:00

I just got finished watching the Chicago-Green Bay game. Damn I am happy that the NFL is back. Waking up in the morning, getting your bagel and coffee, with the Sunday newspapers, (Yes, I still read stories print on paper with ink. I still live in the stone-age, and I love it.), waiting in anticipitation of the Pre-Game shows. Seriously, does all these Pre-Game shows needs 5+ people at the studio desk? With another 5-10 reporters in studio/on the sidelines of the games showing their faces as well. It is overkill people, especially by ESPN. There is no need to have that many in-studio. Just finally tell the Godfather of ESPN, Chris Berman, and his sidekick Tom Jackson that it is time to retire.

Back to the Chicago-Green Bay game. Was it just me, or did Jay Cutler look an awfully like Kyle Orton, or perhaps even worse, Rex Grossman? I saw Cutler throw into triple coverage about 5 times off the top of my head. Hey Jay, you do not have Brandon Marshall anymore that can outjump everyone. Time to learn how to play the QB position.

By the way, that game winning touchdown by Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers? To quote the best sports analyst in the world, Bill Rafftery, that playcall took "Onions!!!". 3rd and 1 with less than two minutes left, and you pull the change up on the Bears and hit the bomb. Way to be gutsy.

Speaking of onions, how about the Redskins? Down 17-0 at Giants Stadium, just before halftime, the Skins line up for a chip shot FG, and they pull a successful fake, and put 6 on the board instead, when their Punter ran it in. Thats not just "Onions", thats a "Double Order!".

If this is how the Jets plan to play all season, they are going to be dangerous. That defense was more intimidating than realizing you are about to get into a barfight with Kimbo Slice. The defense smothered a very good Texans offense, especially Andre Johnson, who needed to call a locksmith after the game to pry CB Darrelle Revis off of him.

New York's new Prince, Mark Sanchez looked pretty good yesterday, pret-ty, pret-ty good. Who said a rookie starting QB needs time to learn?

Well, if you watched the track meet that was the Saints-Lions game, the 40 Million Dollar Man, Matthew Stafford looked like a deer in the headlights, tossing up 3 freebies. Hey Stafford, wait until you have a real defense. You're in trouble! At least Stafford was not the worst QB of the day...

That would be Carolina's Jake Delhomme, who seems like he went colorblind or something along those lines. Jake, you do realize that you throw the ball to the guys that wear the same uniform you do right??

Great win by San Francisco going into Arizona and getting the job done. Yes, I want to pat my own back, awesome call on the upset here!

Memo to Michael Crabtree. This team does not need you. You need them much more. They are the ones that will make you a millionare. The 49ers will make you more money in endorsements deals of basically being the next Jerry Rice. You need them, because if you are that big of a moron, you will become Mike Williams.

Remember Mike Williams? He was the last great college football WR, that was tall, fast, and physical at USC. He did not play for a whole year and what happened? He got lazy, gained weight, lost a step or two, dropped from being an automatic top 3 pick, to #10. I believe he is out of the league now. Put the ink on the paper Crabtree.

In tonights two games, I will not even waste both of our times trying to analyze them. The Pats and Chargers are going to bury the Bills and Raiders. Both games will be like the 1992 Dream Team playing against a CYO 7th Grade team from Syosset, Long Island. Lights out. Pats 44, Bills 13 and Chargers 38, Raiders 10.

Now, onto a few non-football things:

When the hell did Pedro Martinez start hitting 92 mph again, let alone in the 7th inning? It is amazing what the chemicals will do for you huh...

I do not want to hear another person preach to me that anyone, other than Zach Greinke or Felix Hernandez can win the AL CY Award. No, Justin Verlander cannot, neither could CC Sabathia. I also do not want to hear another Yankee fan mention that Mariano Rivera should win it, because there is no clear winner and it would be like a lifetime achievement thing. The two guys I mention have ERA's over a run lower than 97% of the pitchers. It is one of them, otherwise we know that the voting is more rigged than a Trotter's horse race.

I really thought I would be smashing Serena Williams to death after the stunt she pulled the other night at the US Open, but then what Kayne West pulled took the cake.

What Kayne West did was classless. If he really had a problem with the outcome of a certain award, all he had to do was wait until after the show, and announce to the hundreds of media whores that hound every single any celebrity spews out of their mouths, and he would've been just some guy voicing his opinion. What you did was ruin a young girl's moment in the sun.

Kayne West just showed his true colors, and that is that he is a classless thug. Sick thing is, no one is loving this more than Jay Leno, since he has Kayne on his opening night.

Let me make this clear though Serena. You are not off the hook for threatening a judge, then lying that you did not, when hundreds in the stands heard you with no problems whatsoever. Serena should be suspended, because that slap on the wrist 10k fine was babyfood. Worst part about this, Serena could not acknowledge that she was at fault at all, and had to downplay losing to Kim Clisters. Just suck it up and admit that you got your ass whooped by a housewife on the comeback trail.

Week 1 NFL, College Football Wrap Up.

2009-09-13T00:52:00.002-04:00

Wow! What a day of football.

Starting from noon Eastern Standard Time, until way past midnight, you have had nail-biters in College Football tonight.

I was suppose to have this post put up a long time ago. The NFL picks should have been up sometime this afternoon, but the games sucked me in today, especially Notre Dame-Michigan and USC-Ohio St. Just a great product put out there today all around. Even the fact that my dumbass prediction of Oklahoma St. in the title game got stomped on like Edward Norton in American History X, not even that could put a damper on my excitement with the games today. (They still have an outside shot at the Title Game. Beat Texas, run the Big 12 table, etc. I also have an outside shot of finding diamonds in my backyard, but I will not hold my breath.)

Few things about these games today.

First off, Charlie Weis should be fired just based on his playcalling with less than 3 minutes to play. The Irish are up 3, they have the ball, and are THROWING!!!! Two incomplete passes later, the clock stopped twice, Michigan didn't have to burn timeouts, and the Wolverines got the ball back with 2:20 to play. That fantastic strategy Hungry Hungry Hippo.

Jimmy Clausen is going to be a good NFL Pro Quarterback. He convinced me.

Georgia and South Carolina could not score to save their lives last week. This week? They were running up and down the field like there was two opened trucks filled with electronics in each end zone. Damn!

USC grinded out a tough, tough win at the Horseshoe against Ohio St. Mark it on your calendar when USC and Cal hook up. It may just be to play in the National Title Game.

Florida St. is an embarrassment right now. Did you really almost lose to Jacksonville St.?? Down late in the 4th quarter? At home? (Shaking my head.) Oklahoma St. getting spanked by Houston at home, like the way Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder describes how to spank an actor when they behave badly is almost as embarrassing.

Now, onto Week 1..... the.....

N...F...L is here!

Atlanta Falcons 23, Miami Dolphins 16 - Lofty expectations in Atlanta this season. Tricky, tough first game, but the Falcons just have too much firepower to be stopped all day long. Atlanta has to keep Matt Ryan on his feet though, as Miami will blitz and pressure him all day.

Baltimore Ravens 38, Kansas City Chiefs 9- This game is just not fair. Remember the movie Necessary Roughness from the 90's? Texas State's opening game, when the Coach benched Scott Bakula, and the backup QB was in screaming to the refs to blow the whistle? Well, that esstentially sums up this game. And to top it off, Matt Cassel might not even start. Big game by RB Ray Rice.

Philadelphia Eagles 27, Carolina 23 - This might be the game of the week. Two evenly matched teams, both with explosive offenses and physical defenses. I just think the Eagles are a little more explosive on the offensive side, because of Donovan Mcnabb.

Cincinnati Bengals 20, Denver Broncos 16 - People forget because they were an offensive laughing stock of Pop Warner Pee Wee Football levels last year, the Bengals defense was staunch in the 2nd half of last season. They also open up against the NFL's verison of Lindsay Lohan right now as well. The Broncos are a mess. Brandon Marshall will play after Daddy lightly tapped his ass and pretended that it was an actually smack after the crap he pulled in practice, but it will not be enough.

Minnesota Vikings 24, Cleveland Browns 6 - Speaking of messes, the Browns offense had less life than a corpse last year. And to top it off, The Mangenius kept everyone up in the air about who will play QB. Usually not a good omen to a season. Adrian Peterson will run wild, and I hope Brett Favre shatters his torso in the process.

Houston Texans 27, New York Jets 16 - I really do love the Texans offense if they can stay healthy this season. The Jets have a very formidable defense, but I think that it will take a few games to adjust and get use to the new players, and starting DE Shaun Ellis is suspended for this game. QB Mark Sanchez's debut will be a down one. Check out the matchup of WR Andre Johnson against CB Darrelle Revis. It does not get better than that.

Indianapolis Colts 28, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 - The Jags usually give Peyton Manning and crew a hard time, but this is a bit of a rebuilding year down in Florida. Manning starts his campaign to keep his MVP.

New Orleans Saints 41, Detroit Lions 31 - If RB Pierre Thomas were playing in this game, I would of said the Saints break 50. In the dome, the Saints will go marching all over the Lions defense. The Lions are improved, and yes, they will score on the Saints, its not hard to score when you could tell a rookie QB in Matthew Stafford to throw the ball as high and far as he could, and have the human freak, WR Calvin Johnson just outjumped everyone.

Dallas Cowboys 16, Tampa Bay Bucs 3- Low scoring affair, as it was last season. I just cannot see how the Bucs, with new offensive players all over the place, to keep the stingy Cowboys D off guard. OLB Demarcus Ware should have a field day. Watch out for RB Felix Jones.

San Francisco 49ers 31, Arizona Cardinals 24- UPSET ALERT! I remember watching the last time these two teams played last year on Monday Night Football in a bar, with a young kid that just placed a complete Bride-Jumping bet on the 49ers. (Too much money to say, on the 49ers Money Line +350.)
The 49ers lead most of the way, but lost at the end. I came out of that experience thinking two things. One, Mike Singletary will make the 49ers a tough team, and lastly, never bet an amount of money and be in public that when you lose the insane bet you made, it makes the rain fall down from your eyes.

New York Giants 17, Washington Redskins 10 - Two tough hombres going at it in the trenches. Expect this game to be a slightly lesser verison of Tennessee-Pittsburgh from Thursday night. We may see a QB on a stretcher this game, perhaps even lose a limb. The NFL is back! Got to love it!

Seattle Seahawks 38, St. Louis Rams 14 - The Seahawks are my Super Bowl pick. Did you really think I was going to pick against them? Not a snowballs chance in hell. Matty Hasselback is healthy, and is ready to roll through. Let's just hope the Rams RB Stephen Jackson does not get a rug burn on the carpet, and goes on IR for 5 games.

Green Bay Packers 31, Chicago Bears 23 - I know I picked the Bears to win the divison, but do not expect them to beat the Packers opening night in the hostile envoirment of Green Bay. I do not know how the Packers defense will adjust to the 3-4, but I do know that both teams have QB's that could hit a 747 out of the air with a throw if they wanted to. Expect long deep bombs.

I will pick the two Monday Night games tomorrow night, along with some highlights of what I saw while being pegged to my couch, watching the Direct TV's NFL Package all day long. I am telling you, Direct TV's NFL Package is in the top 10 greatest inventions of all time, inbetween the wheel and duct tape.