Really?

I don’t know how many of you still watch Saturday Night Live (it’s usually pretty unbearable), but they have a weekend update segment called, “Really?” The premise of the segment is questioning things that seem to be so obviously stupid and nonsensical that is it surprising that it has happened. Thus the response, “Really?”

An example from SNL, Michael Vick was caught at the Miami airport with a water bottle that had a secret compartment. In the compartment was marijuana residue. Really Michael Vick? You make over $100 million and you are carrying your own weed? Really? You can’t have someone mail it to you? Or better yet you don’t have enough weed in the states, so you have to have a secret water bottle compartment, Really?

So that is how the segment goes, and usually it goes on for a while, berating someone or something.

I decided I am going to do a sports version, for whenever enough stuff comes along that I have enough material to “Really?” So without further ado, the debut of “Really?”'

Remember when everyone was saying that Charlie Weis was a great hire for Notre Dame? Really? A guy who never played football in college, and probably never played anything at a high level besides competitive pie eating. Really? That’s your savior? An NFL offensive coordinator with no head coaching experience. Really? Let’s assume that Notre Dame loses to USC tomorrow, Charlie Weis will have a worse winning percentage than Ty Willingham. That’s what $30+ million buys, Really? Really Notre Dame?

The BCS. The BCS uses a combination of things to decide the rankings. One of the things they use is computer generated rankings. One of those spefic computer rankings is a formula put together by Jeff Sagarin, cleverly names the Sagarin rankings. Looking at any BCS poll you can see his rankings in the computer section under ‘JS’. This weeks Sagarin rankings have James Madison ranked 24…Really? The BCS allows a system where a 1-AA team is ranked ahead of Iowa, South Carolina, Ole Miss, among others. Really? James Madison is 10-1, with the one loss coming to…the perennial ACC powerhouse Duke Blue Devils. Really? James Madison lost to Duke 31-7. Duke is 4-7 on the year, and the BCS takes into account a system that recognizes James Madison as the #24 team? This is a good system? Really BCS?

Allen Iverson misses practice. Really? After all the talk of you being more mature and thankful for the opportunity to win a championship in Detroit, you skip practice. Really? Allen Iverson is a multi-millionaire, couldn’t he have flown his family wherever he was going to be for thanksgiving? Missing practice again, Really Allen Iverson?

That concludes the first installment of, “Really?” Another edition of “Really?” will be coming to the Shadow soon. Really? Your blog is called the Five o’ Clock Shadow? Really?

Michigan vs. Ohio State - Live Diary

I decided that this would be a good event to diary about. I usually channel surf with the the best of em', but I am gonna stay locked in to this game. I don't anticipate Michigan winning this game, but I hope they keep it close. Just a chance to have a game tying or game winning drive would be a win in my book. (The times from the time stamps are Mountain time). Hope for a great game, hope for a competitive game, Go Blue! 

DIARY:

10:07:33 AM “a great day for pneumonia?” hmmmm, interesting way to get the fans ready Brad Nessler.

10:08:57 AM Does Paul McGuire have a contract that CANNOT be terminated? Does anyone think he brings anything of value to the football conversation? He is sitting in an absurd elevated cameraman swiveling chair on the sideline.

10:09:36 AM and we’re off!!!!

10:10:34 AM did anyone think Pryor would be this good this fast? I hate to think what Michigan’s record would be with him, because he is on the other side now and it makes me sad. But honestly, 7-4? 6-5?

10:11:50 AM big third down conversion throw by Pryor, has a Michigan QB made that throw yet this year?

10:12:30 AM WOOO! Just like I said!! I’m glad Pryor isn’t Michigan’s qb! INT by Stevie Brown!!!!!! A touchdown needs to come of this, a field goal won’t cut it.

10:13:44 AM Malcolm Jenkins is a punk, but he’s great and he plays with swagger. Michigan needs someone on offense with some swagger.

10:14:34 AM ugh, 3rd and 10, false start. Awesome.

10:15:39 AM Missed field goal. An interception in the early going is exactly what Michigan needed. It was a gift. I wonder if Michigan fans understand how bad Nick Sheridan is…put it this way; did you go to high school? Did your high school have a football team? Pick the quarterback from your high school, and Sheridan is probably a little bit worse. Worse. He was a walk-on from a local school. ANYONE could have been Nick Sheridan.

10:21:33 AM 3 and out OSU.

10:22:09 AM fumbled punt return!!! Martavious Odoms fumbles for the 10th time this year. Giving OSU good field position.

10:29:04 AM OSU went 3 and out after the turnover and now M goes 3 and out right back.

10:29:45 AM Hartline for OSU catches a punt while he is diving, same as Odoms. Difference being Hartline catches the ball. I hope Odoms was watching, it’s evidence that a punt can in fact be caught.

10:32:15 AM Brad Nessler says, “1,2,3…kick!” a whimsical Dancing with the Stars plug.

10:33:45 AM Sack Brandon Harrison! OSU 3 and out again! M defense is playing great, now if only Nick Sheridan was a competent quarterback.

10:35:27 AM Sheridan incomplete, short hop by 3 yards, this is going to be painful…

10:37:27 AM Touchdown Beanie Wells. 59 yard run. Less than five minutes ago I got off the phone with my buddy. I said to him, “this game is going to be something like 21-3. Michigan’s offense will do nothing, and Ohio State will get two or three huge plays against Michigan’s defense.” Well I think we can chalk that up to huge play #1. (What kind of stupid nickname is Beanie?)

10:43:35 AM What a telling season stat, M has 51 three and outs this year, most in the NCAA. Is it time to throw Feagin in there? Did anyone else on Michigan’s team play quarterback in high school? Can we go to a wishbone?

10:52:33 AM Paul McGuire, still useless. He must have some dirt on someone at ABC…I have no doubt at this point.

10:53:24 AM Touchdown OSU. Pryor 53 yard pass to Hartline. Huge play #2…maybe my earlier prediction of two or three huge plays, should have been two or three per half. Great throw by Pryor. Stevie Brown is slow. 14-0 OSU…I am beginning to fear the worst. 38-0 blowout type of fear.

10:59:37 AM Everyone together now, 1, 2, 3…AND OUT! Michigan punts again.

11:09:29 AM 4th and 3, OSU goes deep. Incomplete pass. Can Michigan get a drive together? (chuckle), let me rephrase, can Michigan get a first down?

11:11:52 AM What. A. Gift. 1st down! I’ll take it!

11:14:10 AM 4th down and a foot…first down! Back-to-back first downs, now we are rolling!

11:16:23 AM Brandon Minor for season MVP. I hate to beat a dead horse, but if we are going to keep running the zone read, why not put Feagin in for a “real” quarterback run threat.

11:19:23 AM Minor ran out at the 1 yard line. Now its 3rd and goal from the 7 yard line. Oy.

11:20:14 AM 4th and goal from the 1, going for it, Touchdown Michgan! Brandon Minor. His 11th touchdown of the year. 14-7 OSU.

11:22:20 AM Michigan really needs a big defensive possession here, a three and out or a turnover.

11:26:40 AM three and out, big sack by Tim Jamison. 1:09 to go in the half, one timeout left.

11:29:49 AM Run (?), big pass play (thumbs up), 2 yard bubble screen (?), and then Michigan burns the timeout…color me confused. Punt? That was miserable.

11:32:56 AM Halftime. 14-7 OSU. M still in it!

11:33:29 AM I’m really sick of people dumping on Rich Rodriguez. The “get a life” comment was taken completely out of context. He wasn’t talking to all Michigan fans, he was talking to people who make personal attacks about the players, the people who don’t get it anyway. The crazed fans that don’t understand football or the way things work in the world of college sports. When I see blogs, or facebook posts about “I can’t believe Rich Rod would say that, what a ____” or something dumb like that, it just makes me realize how uniformed and quick to judge some people are. Those people are the ultimate fair weather fans, the classless few.

11:42:06 AM Another thing to note, Rich Rod went 3-8 in his first year at West Virginia. He then proceeded to go 9-4, 8-5, 8-4, 11-1, 11-2, and 10-2. Winning four big east titles. Give the guy a break, how about a chance to show what he can do. If five or six years from now Michigan is still 3-8 then feel free to say that he wasn’t the right guy for the job. But for now, let Rodriguez do his job.

11:59:00 AM Couple first downs in a row by M to begin the second half.

11:59:47 AM Big 3rd down and 7 at the OSU 38. Incomplete pass. Punt. But now M is winning the field position battle. That could be key early in the half.

12:01:33 PM Well that was short-lived, 42 yard run for Wells, puts OSU on Michigan’s side of the field.

12:02:18 PM Wow…that was really short-lived. Dan Herron 49 yard touchdown run. A two play 91 yard drive! 21-7 OSU.

12:04:04 PM Michigan is not a good come from behind team, because they run so much they are limited in their quick strike capabilities. It also doesn’t help that Nick Sheridan has not shown that he can throw a football further than 20 yards.

12:08:35 PM 3 and out. (sigh)

12:09:20 PM Roughing the punter, automatic first down. (sigh?)

12:10:21 PM HEY!! A deep pass! Incomplete, and into double coverage, but hey it’s a start!

12:11:39 PM Sheridan had Matthews WIDE OPEN for a M touchdown. Shockingly Sheridan underthrows it, and Malcolm Jenkins recovers in time to knock it away. (sigh)

12:12:46 PM So M punts again, would that be called a 6 and out?

12:17:36 PM OSU Punts.

12:21:00 PM Big pass play to Stonum! That play has been there all day! (Am I using exclamation points too much?)

12:22:44 PM Another deep pass, this one to Odoms, it was incomplete, but that’s two deep passes on the same drive. Woo!

12:23:25 PM WHAT?!?! 3rd and 15? QB draw??????? And it injures Sheridan??

12:24:24 PM Four Michigan “players” overrun the punt coverage and have no idea where the ball is. Result: 81 yard Punt return by Ray Small to the 8 yard line.

12:25:16 PM Result based on the previous result, touchdown OSU, Robiskie 8 yard catch from Pryor on the first play. 28-7 (double sigh)

12:29:10 PM Feagin is in, and M goes 3 and out. (sigh)

12:29:52 PM If I were a cartoon right now, there would be a thought bubble over my head. And in that thought bubble it would say, “I can’t wait till next year…”

12:32:27 PM Pryor escapes most of the Michigan line, and throws a Sheridan duck, but because his WR is so open, it works anyway. First down OSU. (sigh times 10)

12:33:35 PM Dan Herron down to the 2 yard line. First and goal.

12:34:35 PM End of the third quarter, multiple sighs imminent.

12:39:07 PM Donovan Warren appears to have an interception in the endzone, close call. I think whichever way they called it on the field was going to stand. I assume OSU scores on the next play.

12:40:29 PM Herron touchdown 35-7.

12:44:23 PM Fumble on the kickoff return. OSU ball. (sigh infinity)

This concludes my diary of the game. I don’t want to write anymore. I should do a diary about something with more positive potential next time. While I write this conclusion, OSU scored again 42-7. I hate this. I wonder if this is the real reason Oedipus gouged out his eyes…because I’m getting there.

Michigan v. Ohio State Gameday

I am diary blogging the game. It will be posted as soon as the game is over. Go Blue!!

Week 11 picks...possible stupidity to follow...you've been warned!

Running a little behind on time. So for this week I am going to post my pick, along with a one-word or few words, about why I made the pick. Because of this, look for my picks this week to be, "Juuuuuust a bit outside!"



MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ (-3.5) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Vikings. Adrian Peterson.


BALTIMORE RAVENS @ (-6.5) NEW YORK GIANTS
Giants. Momentum!


OAKLAND RAIDERS @ (-10.5) MIAMI DOLPHINS
Dolphins. Awfullness.


NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ (+4.5) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Saints. Offense.


HOUSTON TEXANS @ (-8.5) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Colts. Home.


CHICAGO BEARS @ (-3.5) GREEN BAY PACKERS
Packers. Cheeseheads.


PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ (+8.5) CINCINNATI BENGALS
Eagles. Westbrook.


DETROIT LIONS @ (-13.5) CAROLINA PANTHERS
Panthers. 0-16!!


DENVER BRONCOS @ (-5.5) ATLANTA FALCONS
Broncos. Coach S.


ARIZONA CARDINALS @ (+2.5) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Cardinals. Fitzgerald.


ST. LOUIS RAMS @ (-5.5) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
49ers. Embarrassing.


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ (-3.5) PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Chargers. Due...?


TENNESSEE TITANS @ (+2.5) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars. Funny feeling.


DALLAS COWBOYS @ (+1.5) WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Cowboys. Yee haw! All hail Romo.


CLEVELAND BROWNS @ (-4.5) BUFFALO BILLS
Bills. Go Buffs.




Last week I was 10-4...yippie!!! But I'm 0-1 so far this week, stupid J-Men. Oh well, 15 more games to get right!


Last Week: 10-4
Season: 30-27

New York J-Men @ New England Pats

First pick of week 11, these Thursday games are messing with my rhythm. The line is NE -4. I'll take the Patriots at home in this one. The J-Men hung 47 on the Rams last week, but I can't imagine anyone was impressed (RANDOM THOUGHT: What would the line on the St. Louis Rams @ Oklahoma Sooners? Oklahoma -7? The Sooners would have to be favored wouldn't they?). Anyway, the Pats have been here before, and they know winning. The Jets, excuse me the J-Men, are not ready to be division leaders. It's a right of passage, and until the Pats don't win the AFC East, I'm not picking anyone else to win that division regardless of the "parity" within it. 

10-4 last week with my picks, moving my season record to 30-26. Hope this week starts 1-0.

Full picks coming in the next couple days. 

Allen Iverson's home debut was Sunday night in Detroit against the Boston Celtics. The result of the game was probably not what Detroit fans wanted to see.  A 12 point loss that could have been much much worse, and in fact was much worse for most of the second and third quarters.  The Pistons were outscored in the second quarter, 30 to 10. 

It was during this game that Iverson could have really shown his worth. Rip Hamilton went 0-8 from the field, and Rasheed went 4-17. Iverson went 4-11. This would have been the perfect opportunity for Iverson to show exactly how he would help the Pistons come playoff time. Detroit needed him to shoot more than 11 shots, Detroit needed him to shoot 20+ shots and get them back in the game. 

The Pistons were a top 3 team in the East before the trade, and they will still be a top 3 seed come playoff time. The real measure of this trade can't be evaluated until after the playoffs conclude. Only then will the world see if Iverson can carry this Pistons team like he carried the 76ers to the finals in the 2000-2001 season. That 76ers team was undermanned and undertalented against the Lakers in the finals. This Pistons team is just as talented as any team in the NBA, and they have plenty of playoff experience. 

Iverson can carry a team, and just like Sunday night, there will be times when he will need to do exactly that. As of tonight, the Pistons and Allen Iverson have 76 more regular season games to figure it out...

WEEK 10 PICKS!

NFL MIDSEASON! The season is halfway over, and some things never change. The Lions are terrible, the Patriots are tied for first place, Favre is still starting, the Steelers have a great defense, etc. 

There are a lot of interesting new things going on in the NFL too. Tennessee is on top of the league, the AFC West is the loser's bracket, Eli is the more successful Manning! 

Lots to watch for the rest of the year, here are the week 10 picks. 

DENVER BRONCOS @ (-2.5) CLEVELAND BROWNS

This game has already been played, and Denver won 34-30. It was a great game to watch, sadly those people who don't have NFL network did not get to watch. I hope that the NFL and the cable companies get all that nonsense sorted out soon. ANYWAY...it really was a fun game to watch. In the interest of 'journalistic integrity' I will tell you what I told a co-worker of mine on Tuesday night about this game:

Doug: Who do you like in the Denver game?

Me: I don't know, it's hard for me to pick the Broncos with all their injuries on defense. 

Doug: I can't pick against Denver, I always pick Denver in my pool.

Me: Ok Doug, but I gave you fair warning, I like the Browns.

Doug: I'll remember that, thanks.

So yea I took the Browns, I thought their offense would run wild against the banged up Denver defense. For a while that's exactly what happened, the first half was an offensive showcase by Cleveland. I give a lot of credit to Denver though, they got even more banged up, fought through injuries and made big plays when they needed to. Peyton Hillis, the rookie fullback from Arkansas, ended up as the only back available for Denver. A great win for the Broncos, and they are still going to win the AFC Worst at 8-8. 

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ (-1.5) HOUSTON TEXANS

Houston has been playing well of late, winning 3 of 4. The loss was a close loss @ Minnesota last week in a game where Matt Schaub got hurt. He's out again this week, and I think the Ravens put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, forcing some turnovers. Baltimore has won three in a row, after losing three in a row earlier in the year. I like what the Ravens have been doing offensively, keeping a balanced attack. You know the defense is going to show up, but if the offense continues to play well, Baltimore is going to be a dangerous team down the stretch. 

ST LOUIS RAMS @ (-7.5) NEW YORK JETS

The Jets have been sneaking by opponents despite not playing great. Remember two weeks ago when the Rams had just beat Washington and Dallas in back-to-back weeks? I barely remember it also, I think it was a fluke. Steven Jackson isn't playing for StL so I'm gonna take the Jets at home. Can we start calling the Jets the "J-Men"? If the Giants can be the "G-Men" why can't the Jets have an annoying name that Chris Berman can yell too much? 

BUFFALO BILLS @ (-3.5) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

A huge matchup in the AFC East. Buffalo has lost two in a row after starting the season 5-1. The downward spiral continues and the Patriots win a not so close game. People were ready to write off the Pats earlier in the season, but the show just keeps on going. New England may not have their MVP quarterback, but they still have a lot of talent and a lot of experience. In a strong AFC EAST, I think the Pats emerge. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ (-2.5) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

A battle of 4-4 teams in the NFC North. In games like these I give an edge to the home team. NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND. I think the Packers are just a better team at this point. Their last two losses were each by three points, and either game could have been won. This becomes the stepping stone for a the rest of the Packers season. What is Randy Moss was still on the Vikings? Could I quarterback that team? Would there be more than two plays? Hand off to Peterson, bomb to Moss, and...

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ (-8.5) MIAMI DOLPHINS

Funny feeling game of the week, I'm taking the Seahawks in this one. I have no explanation either. The Dolphins are clearly the better team, and they are certainly more fun to watch with their wildcat formation. Don't bet on this prediction, it has little chance of being right, hence it being the funny feeling pick of the week. 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ (+6.5) DETROIT LIONS

Once again, I suppose it's worth repeating, I refuse to pick the Lions under any circumstance against any team, with any line. If you gave me the Lions as 100 point underdog to a Pop Warner, I would take Pop Warner to win by more than 100. If you haven't yet figured it out, I am taking the Jaguars. Hip Hip Horray!

TENNESSEE TITANS @ (+2.5) CHICAGO BEARS

I hear a lot of people are taking the Bears in this one. I don't buy it. I have seen Rex Grossman enough to know what he "brings to the table", and it resembles old stinky fish. The Titans have a great defense and will get to Grossman all day. The Bears still have a good defense, but the Thunder and Lightning combo of LenDale White and Chris Johnson will give the Bears fits. This made me think...is there another version of Thunder and Lightning? I couldn't figure out anything that would be better? Suggestions anyone?

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ (-1) ATLANTA FALCONS

Two dome teams going at it. I think this may be a fun game to watch this Sunday. New Orleans at 4-4 is in last place in the NFC South. I think they were probably picked first in most preseason predictions. Drew Brees has been great, but the defense hasn't. I like the Falcons in this one, mainly because they are at home and Matt Ryan has been solid as a rock. Michael Turner and Roddy White are both headed to the Pro Bowl too, anyone think that would have happened before the season?

CAROLINA PANTHERS @ (+8.5) OAKLAND RAIDERS

The Raiders have been frustrating, they are a team in a dark place...a dark dark place. The Panthers are playing great football, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers take it to the Raiders, and show them how to look and play like a real football team. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ (-14.5) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

14.5? Wow. In the NFL, the lines don't get much higher than 14.5. Let's look back at Kansas City's losses, lost by 7, lost by 15, lost by 24, lost by 34, lost by 24, lost by 4, lost by 3. So they got hammered for a few games, and now maybe they found their pride? I love the Chargers in general, and cannot for the life of me understand why they aren't 6-2. As it stands they are 3-5, and the Chiefs are 1-7. 14.5 is a big line though, and I think pride continues to play a role, and they lose by less than 14.5, anyone for 14 even?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ (-2.5) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

This will be a great game also. Offense versus defense. I always lean towards defense in these, so I guess there is no reason to waste space, Steelers are the pick. 

NEW YORK GIANTS @ (-2.5) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Another entertaining conference game, this one in the NFC East. The Giants just keep on rolling along. This is a pick em in my head, so I am picking the Giants. Eli Manning just keeps on getting it done, sometimes its very ugly, but wins are wins. When you are accustomed to winning, no situation seems to daunting. Maybe the Eagles players are still celebrating the Phillies world series win, and they come out a little flat at home. Maybe the Eagles players are jealous of all the nice things the Philly people are saying about the Phillies, and thinking if the Phillies can do it 'why can't us?' (that joke makes sense if you click here)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ (-9.5) ARIZONA CARDINALS

Got this message in my fantasy football league, and I think it sums up the Arizona season pretty well, and how most people feel about it:

In case there is a degenerate gambler in anywhere in you. Arizona is 10-1 to win the NFC title. Right now they have a 3 game lead in their division and are 1 game behind Carolina for the #2 seed (aka first round bye). 

They're deep, talented and with a favorable schedule. They have 2 close loses at Carolina and Washington as a blow out by the NY Jets. 

They look like a lock to host a playoff game...with some health and luck probably a 2nd round game. It would be an easy hedge to bet against the Cardinals in the playoffs to secure yourself a handsome profit no matter the outcome. 

It went on and on. Bottom line about my friend, Smart Guy. I'm taking the Cardinals.

Last week: 6-8

Season (3 weeks): 20-22

The OTHER former West Virginia coach has a team in Ann Arbor too!

Michigan basketball is starting up soon, so get ready for lots of three-point shooting and even more zone defense. Beilein's Bunch should be much improved. 

Michigan is picked to be in the middle of the Big Ten, which is about where I think they will finish. The potential is certainly there for Michigan to turn some heads this year. The backcourt duo of Manny Harris and Kelvin Grady impressed last year. Granted, it was hit or miss with most of the team the whole year, but I am expecting some more consistency this year. 

Three Guys to watch:

Manny Harris returns after a year in which he led the team in scoring, and he perhaps may of led planet earth in turnovers. When he gets that under control, he will take the next step towards becoming a star in the Big Ten. Kelvin Grady can be equally as frustrating as Harris, but what I love about both of them, Grady especially, is that they play hard. Grady is one of those guys that every coach would love to have, and every opponent hates to play against. He needs to be the catalyst for the Wolverines this year, the proverbial "engine" that makes Michigan go. If Grady plays well, that means everyone is involved, he is penetrating into the lane, and kicking it out to open shooters. Shooters like Stu Douglass, the freshman from Indiana. Guy can stroke, Douglass is going to shooting mostly three-pointers, and is a perfect fit it Beilein's offense. 

If these three backcourt guys play well early and often, it will give Michigan a lot of momentum throughout the season. Hopefully these guys play well, and that opens up shooting lanes for our big men, Zack Gibson, DeShawn Sims (sorta big), and freshman Ben Cronin. I envision someone stepping into and holding down, the Kevin Pittsnogle role at some point in the year. At this point though, no one has distanced themselves from the competition. 

Excited for the 2008-2009 hoops season. Quick prediction on Michigan after looking at the schedule, I think 17ish wins is very realistic. 

****Side note: If UNC doesn't win the National Championship...all Tar Heel fans should be hugely disappointed. UNC is, in a word, LOADED.****

Pistons "ANSWER" about trade comes tonight

Clever title huh? I mentioned this before but I strongly believe this trade is a win for both teams and all the players involved. 

AI will make his Detroit Piston debut tonight as the Pistons travel to New Jersey. If you get a chance, read Jemele Hill's article about the trade, I think she does a great job explaining how this COULD work for Detroit (here is the link: ESPN PAGE 2).

The Pistons will be a better team because of this trade. Maybe they won't score more points, maybe they will. Maybe they give up more points, maybe they don't. When crunch time hits in the 4th quarter of an important game, we will ALL take notice of just what Allen Iverson brings to a team. As a Pistons fan I am certain you remember many of the times in the last few years when our team went ice cold, out mid-range jumpers weren't falling, Sheed was in foul trouble or his inside turnaround was off, Rip couldn't buy a bucket, Chauncey wasn't hitting the outside shots, etc. These things don't happen to Allen Iverson. Iverson is such a unique talent, that he cannot be defended for a full game. He has CAREER averages of almost 9.5 free throws attempted per game! And in the playoffs for his career he has averaged 45 minutes per game! 

For everything Mr. Big Shot did for the Pistons, these are qualities Billups did not possess. I don't mean to sell Billups short by any means. He did great things for the Pistons, and was the backbone of our winning tradition over the last six or so years, but the time came for change. I hope the Nuggets have a great season, and I hope Billups revitalizes the local fan base (He chose #7 because the last Denver legend wore #7. Not Chucky Atkins...John Elway). 

Billups is Denver's native son, graduating from George Washington High School in Denver as a four time All-State pick, three time Colorado Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. Playing at the University of Colorado, when he could have chosen to go anywhere, he led them into the NCAA tournament. In 2004, Billups had his number retired by CU. 

This trade is a rare case in which both teams are better off because of it. I am not sure if the Win-Loss records will be drastically different, or even any of the statistical analysis, but the players on both teams will be rejuvenated and two of basketball's best will be teaching along the way. Billups can and will help Carmelo and JR Smith become better players. Iverson will mentor Stuckey and even Hamilton and Prince in ways I'm not sure Billups could. 

I am thrilled to watch Iverson in Detroit and Billups in Denver. The impressions of this trade will be felt for years to come, on many different levels.

If that's not a win/win, I don't know what is.

MICHIGAN IS WHERE I'M FROM

For those of you who don't know, this is the state flag of Michigan, my home state. Today, while I blog all day, is going to be Michigan heavy. You have been warned...

Maybe some NFL picks today too? We'll see, "I Gotta go to Home Depot get some wallpaper, maybe some flooring. Maybe go to Bed Bath and Beyond...not sure we'll have enough time." (Obscure Old School reference anyone?)

I'm BACK!

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last few days, I have been busy with work stuff and I also volunteered my services at CBS4 on Tuesday night for Election Night. Which is the subject of this short post. 

I spent the first few hours of Tuesday night at the assignment desk in the newsroom, answering phones, connecting our on-site reporters to various directors and producers throughout the station, while also trying to keep track of the local school board races for our scrolling information on the bottom of our broadcast. 

I then got a chance after the election had been called, roughly 8pm Denver time, to go out with a reporter on site. We went to a Denver neighborhood in the five points area where a bar/club/cafe type place was hosting an Obama party. The crowd both inside and outside was cheering loudly and chanting. The excitement could be heard from down the street. The gathering of people was diverse, and seemed to all have different backgrounds. If I could have I would have liked to ask each person why they were there, because I can't imagine that an 80 year old african-american man would have had the same back story as the 25 year old dreadlocked white woman. But there they both were, celebrating, hugging, chanting, and dancing in the streets. It was a truly unique experience, that I won't soon forget. 

IVERSON TO MOTOWN

Allen Iverson is going to wear #1, because his life long number, 3, is currently being worn by Rodney Stuckey. Iverson brings his career 28 points per game (3rd best in NBA history) to Detroit. This is a great trade for both teams. The Pistons lose their leader and crunch-time leader in Chauncey B-B-Billups, but they gain a leader and fellow proven crunch-time performer in Iverson. Chauncey gets to head back to his hometown in Denver, and McDiggity used to play out there also. So it is a reunion of sorts for the both of them. Chauncey will continue to be one of my favorites players in the L, and I'm glad he is going to be in Denver, where I will have a chance to watch him on a nightly basis. He will make Melo play twice as hard as he is now. I can't wait to watch the first game of each of these teams with their new guys. 

Does this make the Nuggets more of a threat in the West? Are the Pistons now the team to beat in the East? 

Also, this trade for Detroit is about the future. Iverson comes off the books next year, and now Billups and McDiggity are gone. This opens up a ton of cap room for the summer of 2010...the summer of LeBron James, D Wade, and Chris Bosh to name a few. Joe Dumars does it again, a savvy move while considering every possible scenario, both long term and short term. 

WEEK 9 PICKS!

Hmmmm, 9-5 two weeks ago, 5-9 last week, 14-14 on the year. Because of Halloween weekend and the college football schedule on Saturday I wasn't able to write an official preview of each game explaining why I made the pick I did. So I just have my picks in a short sweet fashion, complete with my "funny feeling" pick of the week which is now 1-1 on the year. And awayyyyyy we go...

NEW YORK JETS @ (-5.5) BUFFALO BILLS

I like the Bills at home in this AFC East game. Too much of Buffalo's offense.

DETROIT LIONS @ (-12.5) CHICAGO BEARS

0-16 dream is still alive, and I can't take the Lions to do anything but get blown out. Bears are the pick.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ (+7.5) CINCINNATI BENGALS

The 7.5 lines are impossible to deal with. I loathe them...I hope the Jaguars  make me look smart because I am picking them.

BALTIMORE RAVENS @ (-1.5) CLEVELAND BROWNS

I always like to think the Browns are going to wake up and be more like last year's team, but so far it hasn't happened, save for that Monday night game against the Giants. I like the Ravens in a closeish game. 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ (+7.5) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Another 7.5 point spread. These really bother me. Did I mention that yet? I'll take the Chiefs?

HOUSTON TEXANS @ (-4.5) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Love the Vikings in this one, coming off a bye week at home. Go AP, he's on my fantasy team!

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ (+2.5) ST LOUIS RAMS

I like the Cardinals in a shoot out. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ (-5.5) TENNESSEE TITANS

Last week I thought the Colts were gonna hand Tennessee their first loss of the season, and that didn't work out for me...or the Colts for that matter. So this week I'm gonna hop on the bandwagon, Titans are the pick.

MIAMI DOLPHINS @ (-3.5) DENVER BRONCOS

I know that Denver is an explosive offensive team, but with a defense as bad as they have been and playing without Champ Bailey...I can't pick them. Dolphins win!

DALLAS COWBOYS @ (-7.5) NEW YORK GIANTS

The Cowboys have been playing poorly, but I have a feeling they right the ship a little bit this week. This game is a gut check for the entire team. I'm picking the Cowboys.

ATLANTA FALCONS @ (+2.5) OAKLAND RAIDERS

The Raiders have been playing well at home this year, but I never know which Raiders team is gonna show up. I hope the Raiders give me my second "funny feeling" win of the year. 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ (+6.5) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 

Eagles win.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ (-5.5) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

This game has lost a little bit of the luster that it has had in previous years, but it should be another great match up. I'm thankful that NBC now gets to pick the games they are going to show on Sunday nights, no more Seattle vs. Tampa Bay!! I like the Colts at home, especially because Bob Sanders and Joe Addai are expected to play. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ (-1.5) WASHINGTON REDSKINS 

This should be another great game. I have been high on Pittsburgh all year, and I have been critical about Washington's performance. Jim Zorn has been doing a great job in Washington and I think that continues and Washington continues to surprise. Redskins put on a great show Monday night. 

I am 14-14 on the year...I think this is going to be another strong week though. Bounce back November!