The Five O'Clock Shadow

Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman - 2/11/09

2009-02-26T23:16:00.001-07:00

One of the most bizarre interviews I have ever seen...

Really CNN? Really? This is NEWS?

2009-02-19T13:05:00.003-07:00

CNN posted this SHOCKING study:

Now don't get me wrong, I love me some women. I don't think women should be treated as objects, and in all actuality I don't think a lot of guys feel that way when they interact with women. This study asked college guys to look at pictures and gauged their answers and their brain activity.

Attractive half-naked woman = reaction of wanting to have sex with viewed half-naked woman. But isn't this obvious? Especially when you are asking 21 year old college men to look at pictures of women in bikini's and women not in bikini's. Did we really need the, "science to back it up" as CNN states.

A useless study. Why can't I get grants to do a "study" How about, "Would I be more productive at work if I worked 12-5 instead of 9-5?" I hypothesize that I would sleep more and be more fresh and work more vigorously in my five hour work day. Even though I would be at work for two hours less (I'm factoring in the necessary hour for lunch at the 9-5, which would of course be abandoned at the 12-5), I would get more done over the course of the week.

Any takers on my "study"? Princeton? Harvard?

Society already knew this bikini thing was true. Watched TV lately? Sexual references and beautiful half naked men and women are more common than the Snuggie commercials (obligatory youtube link)!

This concludes my latest rant. REALLY? will be back when someone else does something REALLY? worthy.

Basketball is hard when ball not go in basket...or so I'm told

2009-02-19T12:42:00.005-07:00

Did this really happen? Penn State 38. Illinois 33. According to the basketball hating gods, it did. I cannot not imagine ANYONE cheering for Illinois last night, had a positive experience....

ISHKABIBBLE says this guy!

ILLINI HQ grades it an "F"

I think anything higher than a "R" is generous. An F would imply they Failed. This was beyond failure. How about a "W" for What the hell was that?

Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said, "We set this (game) back a few years. (James) Naismith probably rolled over several times," When you refer to the creator of basketball as rolling over in his grave a few times, it's got to be ugly.

PS: for anyone who appreciates sillyness and funnidity, this photo was titled "Slamtrunk"

A Scout's Presidential Perspective

2009-02-13T12:50:00.005-07:00

A new addition to the blog, who shall remain nameless until he thinks of a funny handle, put together this phenomenal and timely article about presidents and their NBA comparisons. Enjoy...

With the inauguration of Barack Obama as our nation’s 44th president we were flooded with stories of the President’s love for the game of basketball. In fact, Sport Illustrated even compared Obama to Lenny Wilkins, Hall of Fame coach and player. Which left us wondering, how would other Presidents stack up when viewed through basketball-tinted glasses? We decided to dig deep into our inner- Jay Bilas to evaluate some former Presidents:

Barack Obama

Bio: The junior senator from Illinois has ascended to the highest office in the land. While only in the Senate for a few short years before running for President he impressed his colleagues with his ambition and drive.
Inner Jay Bilas, break it down for us:

Pros: He’s young but he has tremendous upside potential. Scouts are very impressed by his vision and leadership. He will be a great pick up for any team.

Cons: Comes into a difficult situation and is expected to produce immediately. Burden of expectations could be too much to handle on the young guard’s shoulders.

Our Player Comparison: Who are we to argue with Sports Illustrated? Lenny Wilkins. But if we did argue, LeBron James as a rookie!

Bill Clinton

Bio: The former Governor from Arkansas was our leader during the greatest economic upturn of our lifetime. However, his political successes were often overshadowed by personal issues that haunted his second term.

Inner Jay Bilas, your take:

Pros: Unquestionably a great scorer. Guy can really score. I mean, he has all the moves in the book. All the talent in the world if he chooses to use it. Tremendous potential but lacks maturity.

Cons: Character issues could plague his career. Sometimes he settles for poor shots…we’ll call it scoring ugly.

Our Player Comparison: Bernard King

Abraham Lincoln

Bio: The tallest President in our nation’s history at 6 foot 4 inches is also responsible for attempting to keep the nation together before the Civil War, famously stating, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Inner Jay Bilas, give us your thoughts:

Pros: Abe Lincoln is unbelievably long. He’s got great size and tremendous length. He does a great job of keeping a team together and is a great leader. He’s a fantastic glue guy.

Cons: Injury prone…

Our Player Comparison: Penny Hardaway

William Howard Taft

Bio: The nation’s largest President weighed in at more than 350 lbs. No one seems to remember anything else about him.

Inner Jay Bilas, what do you think?

Pros: Great size, physical specimen. NBA-ready body.

Cons: Lacks conditioning, drive to succeed.

Our Player Comparison: Oliver Miller

Pure Gold

2009-02-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

MICHIGAN @ UCONN DIARY

2009-02-07T18:22:00.003-07:00

Michigan @ #1 UConn

Dear diary,

I don't think Michigan stands a chance today. Based on the last few games I have seen, Michigan still takes too many bad three's. It just seems as though they settle too often. Michigan can get a three point shot anytime they want. That's the nature of basketball, the further you are from the basket, the easier it is to shoot. The whole risk/reward theory at it's finest. UConn is too talented to not punish Michigan for their poor shots, UConn's guards will pounce on the long rebounds and get some easy transition buckets.

Prediction: UConn 75 Michigan 62

All times are Mountain

4:11 PM About to tip in Storrs, but the MSU-Indiana game has to finish first. Why? I’m not really sure, it’s a 27 point game with 2 minutes to play. Remember the good ol days when they would just leave the bad game and go to the good one
4:12 PM update in the corner of the screen says Uconn 3 Michigan 0. This may be the closest we get all day.
4:13 PM 6-1 uh oh. Is it bad to be this pessimistic one minute into the game?
4:14 PM 8-1 according to the corner of the screen. How about a picture in picture ESPN? Just a small one in the corner? For those of us who aren’t super interested in watching walk-ons vs. walk-ons in a 30 point blow out.
4:16 PM 75-47 MSU wins. What a thriller.
4:17 PM First Impression: Uconn center Hasheem Thabeet is enormous. I have seen UConn a few times this year, but golly. He is gigantic. He reminds me of me in 6th grade. Just uncomfortably bigger than everyone else on the court.
4:18 PM great pick and roll type deal, Harris with a great pass to Sims for the bucket. 12-10 UConn.
4:21 PM the color guy just said “Michigan has been really patient on offense” I have seen a lot of Michigan games this year, and patience has never crossed my mind.
4:21 PM yikes UConn visitors locker room…looks like a high school locker room, only smaller.
4:22 PM holy blocked shot batman!
4:24 PM Sims aggressively to the basket right at Thabeet, gets the foul and misses both free throws. Sigh
4:25 PM Harris great wrap around pass to Sims for the layup. Harris and Sims are the only decisive players out there so far. They aren’t thinking, just reacting properly, Douglass and Shepard look lost early.
4:27 PM SIMS! Great skill move down low! Gets Thabeet up in the air and sneaks under for another layup!!! 14-14!
4:27 PM Michigan isn’t hoisting as many forced 3 pointers, and Sims and Harris are both being very aggressive. Gotta love when Michigan plays this way!
4:33 PM Stu Douglass…for thuuuuureeeee! Timeout UCONN!
4:34 PM LeBron commercial. Could LeBron play in the NFL now? Is it really that far-fetched that he could play for the Cleveland Browns tomorrow? I for one, think it is entirely possible. 6’8” 265!!! What position couldn’t he play? Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan all played baseball and football successfully. I submit LeBron could play in the NFL if he wanted to.
4:36 PM 2 fouls on Sims…can Michigan keep it up without him?
4:38 PM Douglass again for thuuuurrrrreeeee. The replay shows textbook form. It makes me want to go work on my jumper…maybe later
4:45 PM Just saw Ray Allen and Donny Marshall. Then the color guy put up his 5 best UConn greats and that had Donyell Marshall on it. As I recall these are not the same person. Color guy is confused…I’m gonna look it up.
4:46 PM Stu Douglass with another jumper! Dare I say…en fuego?
4:47 PM Michigan up 26-21
4:47 PM Anthony Wright for THUUUURRRREEEE! 29-21. Should Michigan stop the game and take a picture next to the scoreboard? A la Lee Corso and Indiana football against Michigan in 1976.
4:49 PM I was right, color guy was wrong. Donny Marshall and Donyell Marshall are two different people. On the wikipedia page it even says, “not to be confused with Donny Marshall”
4:52 PM I jinxed Douglass, he missed a layup. His fuego is out.
4:53 PM Update: Color guy is Stephen Bardo. He played at Illinois, graduated in 1989. Played a couple years in the NBA.
4:56 PM 31-31 UConn’s guards are really good. Price, Dyson, and Walker are all well-rounded. They can shoot, pass, drive, finish in the lane and defend.
4:57 PM Douglass airball, followed by Douglass thuuurrrreee from “Hartford.”
4:57 PM Thabeet put back slam. This first half has been incredibly entertaining!
4:58 PM HALFTIME
5:16 PM Second half underway!
5:19 PM Novak fouled shooting a three and makes all three free throws. If only he was born earlier, he could have been on Saved by the Bell or something. I could see him being the college kid who comes in for an episode and sweeps Kelly Kepowsky off her feet. Zach Morris would then see Novak kissing some other girl at a party. He would tell Kelly and she would accuse of him of being jealous, and then find out the hard way that Zach was right. Wow sitcom writing is not as hard as I thought.
5:22 PM Thabeet another dunk, 39-39.
5:23 PM I desperately want to talk about the potential tournament hopes of Michigan if they win the game. But I don’t want to jinx it…so I’ll hold back…for now.
5:29 PM Harris finds Sims under the basket for another easy bucket. Michigan up 4, timeout UConn.
5:34 PM Danger zone…Thabeet puts down a huge slam on a great pass from Price. 43-43. The crowd is into it, UConn is feeling superior again. This is make or break time for Michigan. Time to throw a punch, a clutch shot. Who’s it gonna be?
5:37 PM Dyson to rack for 2, Dyson to the rack for 2 more plus the foul. Michigan in jeopardy of going down 5.
5:41 PM Harris gets the bucket and the foul on Thabeet. Explosive to the basket!! Just what Michigan needed. Though making the free throw would have been helpful.
5:43 PM Michigan needs to go on a run while Thabeet is on the bench.
5:44 PM Dyson for 3, UConn up 6. Thabeet checks back in. My hope is slowly turning to despair…
5:49 PM Goodness, another couple blocks for Thabeet.
5:50 PM Michigan down 10
5:51 PM Harris throws up a silly 3 pointer, it goes in.
5:51 PM A stop on the defensive end, and another quick score would give Michigan a shot of momentum.
5:52 PM Douglass from deep!! 57-53
5:58 PM Michigan settling for some poor shots. A couple quick 3’s at a time when Michigan needs a good look at some points.
6:03 PM Another ill-advised 3 point shot followed by an airball 3 pointer. Really poor offense for the last 4 or 5 minutes.
6:04 PM Douglass hits another deep 3. He has 17 points, with 5 three pointers. Besides Douglass, Michigan is 3-19 on 3 pointers…YET, everyone continues to huck!
6:06 PM 1:00 to go, Austrie hits the dagger. 64-56.
6:06 PM Douglass hits ANOTHER 3. 64-59, too little too late I’m afraid.
6:08 PM Harris tries to dunk on Thabeet, Thabeet will allow no such thing. Foul.
6:09 PM 66-61 UConn. 31 seconds left. UConn on the stripe.
6:10 PM Harris misses a 3. That will do it. 69-61 UConn wins.

Great effort by Michigan. But great efforts with an L next to them don’t count when it comes down to tourney time. Hopefully Michigan can pull it together and finish the Big Ten season strong, including a good showing in the Big Ten Tournament.

HIGH LIFE!!!

2009-02-02T13:42:00.002-07:00

This was the best commercial of Super Bowl Sunday.

HIGH LIFE!

BONUS: 1 Second commercials that didn't make the cut...

Pass the Dip

2009-02-01T12:34:00.005-07:00

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us. I hope you have a party to go to. If you do, remember to not show up empty handed. A bag of chips, a fun kind of dip, something. OK?

How much can people talk about the Super Bowl? For 2 weeks straight we have been overwhelmed with Super Bowl coverage, and then on game day there is a 5 hour pregame show? At this point I know every player on both teams and every play each team has ever run. ENOUGH ALREADY.

With the vast knowledge I have now absorbed (read: had thrust upon me) I can make an accurate Super Bowl Prediction.

The Cardinals are on a dream run, somewhat like last year's Giants. I just saw on an ESPN.com poll that 65% of the country thinks the Cardinals will cover the spread (+7). They certainly possess the high-powered offense to put up a ton of points and surprise the Pittsburgh defense. A defense which has been dominant all year. Pittsburgh has the experience and the defensive know-how to limit Arizona's big plays, and I think that will be the difference.

Predictions:

Game MVP: Willie Parker

Final Score: 27-17 Pittsburgh Steelers

National. Invitational. Tournament.

2009-01-29T10:11:00.004-07:00

Hello NIT! After a compelling start to the season, including wins over then #4 UCLA and then #4 Duke, the Michigan basketball team has moved slowly towards an epic collapse. Think 2008 Denver Broncos or 2007 New York Mets.

Last night Michigan lost to Ohio State for the second time in 10 days. The stats were...I want to say ugly, but that is not descriptive enough. Grotesque? Repulsive? Vile?

18 first half points
21 turnovers, 11 assists
15-49 shooting, a shade over 30%
Bench? 0-9 from the field, 6 turnovers
Manny Harris had 10 turnovers
Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims shot a combined 20 two-point shots, making 8...the rest of the team took THREE shots inside the arc, making zero
Again, besides the big 2, Michigan shot 5-24
Ohio State shot 57% for the game, defense anyone?

After the hot start, 13-3 overall and 3-1 in conference, Michigan has lost all the swagger we witnessed early in the season. Losing four of the last five games including the two to Ohio State and one at penn state. Michigan now stands at 14-7 overall and 4-5 in the conference. Now comes the difficult part of the schedule...

at #17 Purdue, home Penn State, at #2 UConn, home #9 Michigan State, at Northwestern, home #24 Minnesota, at Iowa, home #17 Purdue, at Wisconsin, at #24 Minnesota

How many wins do you see in there? two? maybe three? So let's assume the best and say they get four. Four of the last ten leaves Michigan at 18-13 overall with a conference record of 8-10. That's not likely to garner an NCAA tournament bid.

Michigan needs to rally and reach the 20 win plateau with a .500 or better conference record if they want to have a shot to end their NCAA tournament drought.

I'm gonna try to stay optimistic, but sheesh...Michigan went from a dark horse contender in the big ten to a team that may struggle to win two more games.

Non-Sports Post...hilarious video...Lawnmower DUI

2009-01-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

The Argument is settled...for now...

2009-01-20T21:08:00.006-07:00

Kobe Bryant is better than LeBron James...for now.

Monday night the two best players in the NBA faced off in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against LeBron James and the Cavaliers. It should be noted that going into Monday night these two teams had the two best records in the league, the Lakers being 31-8 and the Cavs at 31-7.

All the talking heads and headline writers around the country were hyping up this game as Kobe vs. LeBron. And while both players guarded each other for much of the night, the individual matchup left much to be desired.

LeBron finished the game 9-25 from the field for 23 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Kobe went 9-22 for 20 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds. So well both guys had good games, it is hardly what we the people expected. On MLK day, on TNT, two best teams, two best players, I think we half expected 40 points a piece. What we got was two good performances, with a little bit of magic sprinkled in, and that's where Kobe distanced himself from LeBron as the best in the world.

The debate has raged on for a couple years now, as Kobe and LeBron have continued to show the rest of the league why they are head and shoulders above the rest of the field (Dwyane Wade is great, but he's not in this conversation).

LeBron has the physique, the drive, and the raw spectacular athleticism that no one else in the history of the NBA can claim. The ceiling for how good LeBron can be is seemingly limitless, his year-to-year improvement is mind boggling. Just when you think he can't possibly get any better, he improves. His decision making has made tremendous progress, as evidenced by his career low average in turnovers this year. His field goal percentage and free throw percentage are both at a career high level. He is the most physically gifted player in the NBA...but he is not the best...for now.

For now the only answer can be Kobe Bryant. No one has ever had the offensive creativity and confidence that Kobe has. Over the last few years and carrying into this summer at the olympics, Kobe has taken his game to the next level. He now trusts his teammates more so than he ever has. This may stem from the fact that he has a competent cast around him for the first time since Shaq left. Regardless of what the motivation was, Kobe has developed into the cold-blooded game-changing maestro of the game that has him second to no one else in the world right now.

The Monday night game sealed the deal. Playing with a newly dislocated ring finger on his shooting hand, Kobe stepped his game up yet again. As I said before, Kobe didn't have the all-around dominant game that we have come to expect from him, but he stepped up when the situation called for it. I hope you all watched the game...but if not...let me break down a couple of the "Kobesque" moments that led directly to this column. Cut to the 4th quarter, Lakers up 8 with nine minutes to go. Sensing that the Lakers can put the game away with a big run, Kobe puts the team on his back. Also on his back was LeBron James...

Go to the 1:40 mark of the video to make sense of the next two paragraphs.

Kobe backs down LeBron, giving up a couple inches and 30 to 40 pounds, and LeBron is five years younger. Kobe falls away to the baseline and shoots a rainbow fadeaway over the outstretched (very long) arms of LeBron James. Swish...Lakers up 10.

Next Lakers possesion, still up 10, Kobe drives to the left side of the basket right into the body of LeBron James who nary moves an inch. Kobe continues on his newly obstructed path and throws up a running floating 15 foot teardrop type deal while falling towards the out of bounds line. Swish...Tweet...well probably more like Tweet and then Swish. Translation, foul and the ball goes in, foul on LeBron. Lakers up 12. Crowd goes wild, LeBron is perplexed, and all the sudden the complexion of the game is changed. To using a boxing analogy, the Cavs were on the ropes, and it was all thanks to Kobe Bryant's calculated flurry of big time punches.

So for now, the argument is settled. If anyone asks, Kobe Bryant is better than LeBron James...for now.

SUPER BOWL 44! Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizo...this must be a misprint...

2009-01-18T21:02:00.004-07:00

Super Bowl 43, I mean XXXXIII, is set. The Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers won their respective conference championships Sunday to earn the trip to Tampa. Let the media circus begin...

This is a classic battle of Offense vs. Defense. The high-powered passing attack of the Arizona Cardinals is led by Kurt Warner. But the most important part of the Cardinals offense, besides the obvious importance of the offensive line, is Larry Fitzgerald. Does he have a nickname? According to the all-knowing entity that is The Google Search, nothing came up. I hope Chris Berman doesn't take it upon himself to dub him something lame...please have mercy.

The defense is clearly the backbone of the Steelers team, and has been for the last decade or so. They will certainly be challenged by the Cardinals.

The teams played in the 2007 regular season and the Cardinals came out on top 21-14. I would venture that both coaching staffs are rewatching that game as teams don't change that much from year to year, especially ones with the same coaching staff in place.

I learned a long time ago that when a coach goes against the last team he coached for, it is wise to take notice. This situation isn't exactly the same, as Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt didn't coach under or with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. HOWEVA...current Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians was the wide receivers coach under Ken Whisenhunt when Whisehunt was offensive coordinator for the Steelers under Bill Cowher. Are you following? The point is, Whisenhunt probably spent a lot of time teaching Arians. Which would lead me to believe that he has a fairly good understanding of what the Steelers want to do on offense, and what Arians would like to try and accomplish. This philosophy can obviously go both ways, as Arians certainly knows a lot of the ins and outs of Whisenhunt's offense. Advantage? Anyone who followed the last paragraph.

More to come as the game nears.

Lions hire Schwartz...Jim Schwartz

2009-01-15T15:25:00.006-07:00

Before anything else, lets get the obvious Schwartz jokes out of the way...youtube video --> "I see your schwartz is as big as mine! or I hate it when I get my schwartz twisted!"

The Detroit Lions have found their next head coach, Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Schwartz kinda looks like a Wally and the Beav type of guy, no? Schwartz has been Jeff Fisher's defensive coordinator with the Titans for the last eight years. From what I remember of the last eight years the Titans have always has a pretty legit defense, so I suppose from that aspect I am intrigued by the selection.

Upon first hearing about the hiring I thought, 'great, another defensive coordinator type, much like Rod Marinelli.' But I decided to hold off too much thought until I did a little homework.

Said homework suggests there is more than meets the eye with Mr. Schwartz. Schwartz was the runner-up to Mike Nolan for the San Francisco 49ers head coaching position in 2005. So that shows that someone else has been high on him, and the 49ers are a pretty well put together organization. Also Schwartz interviewed for the head coaching positions with the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.

Schwartz got his start in the NFL doing research as a college and pro scout for Bill Belichick (as much as I can't stand all the Belichick praise, some of it has to be legit) on the Cleveland Browns staff in the mid-1990s. Someone with a knowledge of player development is desperately needed in Detroit. I would think that his previous history as a scout is possibly what sold him to the Lions.

Anyway, I hope this works out. The Lions have been killing the great sports fans of Detroit for too long. We want to support the team, so give us a chance to support you!

Next on the Lions agenda, who to take at #1 in the draft? thoughts? A post about the potential will be coming up as the draft approaches.

AUTHOR SIGHTING!!!!!!!!

2009-01-15T10:32:00.004-07:00

Vacation is over! Had a lot of changes going on, but I am back to blog. Sorry about the month off. Things will be picking up again. I should be out of the above bathtub and back to my island today. Thanks for everyone's support.

-ABJ

"This game means more to us than it does them, let's play like it!"

2008-12-06T15:23:00.005-07:00

Michigan beats Duke!! This is the second huge win this season for Michigan. UCLA and now Duke. A solid big ten season and Michigan should go dancing for the first time in years.

Michigan was led by DeShawn Sims' 28 points and 12 rebounds. Michigan was better from the field, from 3-point range, from the free throw line, and they hit the glass hard. The story of the Duke game earlier in the season was Michigan's inefficiency overall, and today they came out with confidence and drive. It seemed as though Michigan just wanted this game more. Sims, Harris, and Grady should play 30+ minutes a game, with a compliment of Douglass, Novak, Gibson, Wright, Sheppard.

The last time Michigan beat Duke, Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy later that night. Savior that memory and enjoy the Michigan Basketball win.

I am thrilled that Michigan has a watchable and competitive team again. I look forward to watching and writing more about them this season.

#4 Duke @ MICHIGAN

2008-12-06T14:14:00.006-07:00

32-30 Michigan Wolverines up at the half.

David Merritt gave this incredible sound bite in the Michigan locker room before the game, and it certainly has been ringing true so far through the first half of play,

"This game means more to us than it means to them...lets play like it. Win on three! One. Two. Three. WIN!"

Let's go Blue. Great to see Crisler Arena like this again...

#1 Alabama...#2 Florida...SEC Championship

2008-12-06T13:06:00.004-07:00

As I was deciding to write a little preview before the game, I came across some interesting things. First of all, for all the talk of the SEC being so much better than every other conference, were they not a huge disappointment?

LSU: 7-5 overall, 3-5 in the SEC, losses to Ole Miss and Arkansas
Georgia: Preseason #1, 9-3 overall, 6-2 SEC, loss to Georgia Tech
Tennessee: 5-7 overall, 3-5 SEC, losses to Wyoming and UCLA
Auburn: 5-7 overall, 2-6 SEC, losses to Vanderbilt, Ole Miss

Four of the perennial "powers" in the SEC having hugely disappointing years. Perhaps Georgia at 9-3 isn't hugely disappointing but the fact that they were preseason #1 and are now 9-3 with a regular season finale loss to Georgia Tech has to be classified as a disappointment of some type.

Alabama was expected to be a middle of the pack SEC team and now they sit at 12-0 and are one win away from a national championship appearance. But have the Crimson Tide really been THAT impressive? Beating teams like Clemson, Tulane, Western Kentucky, and Arkansas State in the non-conference, and narrowly escaping disappointing SEC teams like LSU and Kentucky...am I missing something?

Florida has been showing off since their one point home shootout loss to Ole Miss. Beating opponents by 30+ points per game. Tebow's TD:INT ratio on the year is 25:2, slightly better than the Crimson Tide's John Parker Wilson's 9:5 (eek!). Florida is a statistical juggernaut, and based on the numbers, Florida should win big and then win the National Championship for the 2nd time in 3 years...

But this is college football, a world where anything can happen. I hope Alabama comes out big against Florida, and makes this SEC championship game competitive, because on paper, it really shouldn't be that close.

Enjoy the game! Hope for a doozy?

Notre Dame annouces decision to stick with Obeseity

2008-12-03T13:07:00.005-07:00

Notre (spell check doesn't recognize Notre...bravo spell check) Dame announced today that they will retain head football coach Charlie Weis. Despite:

"In Weis' four seasons, only eight of Notre Dame's 28 victories came
against teams that finished the season with a winning record. The Irish have recently gone 1-16 against teams that finished with a winning record."

and highlights like these:

"His only victory against a team that finished a season ranked in the
Top 25 was a 41-17 win over a Penn State squad that finished 2006
ranked No. 24."

Ouch...

As a non-ND fan, I am happy he is sticking around. I predict two more years of relatively non-competitive Irish teams.

Really?

2008-11-28T16:54:00.002-07:00

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

2008-11-22T13:08:00.003-07:00

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

2008-11-22T12:15:00.002-07:00

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!

2008-11-16T09:39:00.014-07:00

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

2008-11-13T14:50:00.002-07:00

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.

2008-11-11T17:34:00.003-07:00

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!

2008-11-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-11-07T13:10:00.005-07:00

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

2008-11-07T10:35:00.005-07:00

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

2008-11-07T10:02:00.004-07:00

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!

2008-11-07T09:39:00.002-07:00

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

2008-11-03T12:20:00.005-07:00

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!

2008-11-01T21:30:00.003-06:00

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!

Phillies are World Champions!

2008-10-29T19:58:00.002-06:00

Congrats Philly. Congrats Philly Phans. Baseball season is over, but the good news for the fans is that spring training starts in a few weeks!! No not really, but it seems like it doesn't it?

NBA STARTS TONIGHT

2008-10-28T16:34:00.004-06:00

NBA season tips tonight with three games, including a double-header on TNT. CAVS v CELTICS followed by BLAZERS v LAKERS. The NBA knows how to present a product, night one and we get Lebron against the defending champs, and then Greg Oden and the upstart Blazers against Kobe and the Lake Show. Yes. Please.

Since I am into making predictions on this blog, I'm gonna take the CAVS in the east and the Rockets in the West. Now to sit back and enjoy...

Rain Rain Go Away

2008-10-28T10:09:00.003-06:00

So baseball didn't get finished last night. The hope is that the game can be finished tonight, but more rain is in tonight's forecast. Score is 2-2 in the 6th inning. It should be interesting tonight in the rain, especially from a pitching standpoint, as in Who? Who is going to pitch when the game resumes, Hamels is obviously not gonna go back out there. Do you throw a starter out there and hope he can go three strong before handing it over? Hmmmm, very interesting indeed.

*********************UPDATE**************************

Game 5 will not finish tonight due to more rain in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. Bud Selig assures us that he will not give up and call it a tie...

Phillies win World Series!!!!!! (I think)

2008-10-27T14:10:00.003-06:00

The game, Game 5, hasn't actually happened yet. In fact, we are roughly four hours away from the first pitch. That being said, I'm taking Cole Hamels and the Phightin's to win tonight. My original prediction was Phillies in 6, but after last night, I think they win at home tonight and let the people of Philly take to the streets!

NFL Picks Week 8

2008-10-24T14:22:00.007-06:00

Doesn't this guy deserve all 8 home games??

Great success!!! I went 9-5 last week in my first ever NFL picks post. Picking against the spread is a unique type of challenge. Sometimes the picks don't have anything to do with the better team over the worse team, but rather the home team or the momentum, or the size of the betting line. Anyway, I hope to keep it up this week and continue to shock the world. Without further ado...

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ (-6.5) BALTIMORE RAVENS

I took the Raiders last week on a gut feeling and not only did they cover the spread, they won the game outright! I don't foresee that happening again, the Raiders got lucky at home last weekend against a confused looking Jets team. Baltimore looked good last week against Miami, and I think they carry that over again. Willis McGahee is starting to play better and Joe Flacco is "managing the game" as the talking heads would say. The Ravens are the pick.

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ (-4.5) CAROLINA PANTHERS

I am gonna stick with defense again here and take the Panthers. I hear Anquan Boldin will probably be coming back this week after getting the bye week to further recover from his sinus injury. Boldin and Fitzgerald are the best receiving duo in the NFL, and they should at least make this game competitive. Fitz is on my fantasy team, so please have him in your endzone prayers

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ (-3.5) DALLAS COWBOYS

Three defensive minded teams in a row...who put these games in this order? I'm not gonna stray from the train now, gimmie the Bucs in this game as the Cowboys continue their skid. Brad Johnson and the offense looked horrible last week in getting roasted by the Rams. Giving up 30+ points to the Rams is not a one week fix, I think the Cowboys are in a dark place right now and I'm not sure what it is going to take in order to right the ship. Overspending on Roy Williams was not the solution. If TO doesn't get enough balls on Sunday...does he pout at the press conference? or does he just go after Brad Johnson on the sideline? Only time will tell, but you can be sure he does something cooky.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ (+7.5) DETROIT LIONS

I cannot take Detroit under any circumstance. No matter how good Calvin Johnson is, I just can't do it. The Redskins wins big. Clinton Portis has been out of this world, and I don't know that anyone could have seen it coming. I still don't love Washington overall, but I'm slowly coming around. The Redskins defense has been very impressive in the few games I have been able to watch. If they can keep it up, they could steal the NFC East! How about the Lions game being blacked out in Detroit? If that doesn't send a message to the organization, what else could? No more being bailed out by company's buying tickets at the last minute, even they won't go near the Lions. I am trying to come up with a one word summary for the Lions, "incompetent" comes to mind first. If you have a better/more funny/more clever word, post it.

BUFFALO BILLS @ (+1.5) MIAMI DOLPHINS

Buffalo has been playing really well, but the low line shows how much respect people have for the Dolphins the year. The crazy wildcat formation with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams has been brilliant, and more and more pro and college teams are starting to use it in some form or another. I like the Bills in a close game, but I would not be the least bit surprised if Miami pulled out an upset victory, especially because the game is in Miami.

ST LOUIS RAMS @ (-6.5) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Another surprisingly low line in my opinion. The Rams have won two straight, but the buck stops here. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't think the Patriots are all the sudden "back" to where they have been, but confidence can be a magical thing. Last week's clinic against the Broncos was something I think they can and will build on. The Patriots win this game and make another statement that they are not going to go down without a strong push to win the AFC East. Cassell and Moss looked to be on the same page on Monday night, and that means trouble for the rest of the teams on the Pats schedule. It wasn't exactly rocket science, throw the ball to the most feared receiver ever, but he seemed to figure it out.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS vs. (+2.5) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

This game will be played across the pond in London, England. Not to be confused with London, Ontario, Canada which is a beautiful little place in its own right. The breaking news today was that Deuce McCallister and Will Smith, among others, are going to be suspended by the NFL for testing positive for a form of water pill steroids. Suspensions before games are always a distraction, regardless of length or violation. I give the edge to the Chargers in this one. I would like to see the Chargers play better, just so the AFC WEst remains interesting. The Chargers and the Broncos play in San Diego the last week of the regular season, and it would be great if it were for the division. Don't get me wrong fellow Denverites, Go Broncos and all that, but winning by default isn't quite as satisfying. You can ask any competitive person about that. Back to the London thing, out of all the teams in the NFL, taking a home game away from the Saints? Really? Really Roger Goodell? The Saints? I hate that the Saints lose a home game, and I am not sure that playing a regular season game in Europe is even a good idea. The NFL makes a KILLING here in the states. The NBA and MLB and NHL all have more of a reason to go overseas, not just because a higher percentage of the league is foreign born, but because other countries like those other three sports. How about not trying to force other countries to like what we like? They (the rest of the world) don't bring the best soccer teams over to the US and force it on us, so why do we do it?

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ (-12.5) NEW YORK JETS

Twelve and a half is a lot of points. The Jets lost to the Raiders last week, and Kansas City really needs an inspiring win. In my opinion...all signs point to taking the Chiefs to cover. So I am taking the Chiefs to cover. Could be a stretch, but I guess I'm bound to make a stretch pick every week.

ATLANTA FALCONS @ (-8.5) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Matt Ryan has been great. Michael Turner has been great. I don't think the Falcons are quite over the hump yet though. The Eagles have been here before, dealing with injuries, and understanding that they play in a tough division where every game is vital to their playoff chances. Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will be ready to go and the Eagles will win big.

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ (-6.5) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

I had all sorts of faith in Cleveland last week after their huge Monday win over the Giants. They only managed 11 points against the Redskins last week. The Kellen Winslow debacle hurts them, and they fall hard this week. Brady Quinn makes an appearance and seals up the starting job for next week. How is that for bold predictions? The Jaguars in a snoozer, 17-10 or something lame like that. The Jaguars are a team that no one wants to play, ever. They control the clock, don't turn the ball over, and play tough defense. They would be a Big Ten team if they were in the NCAA. Very much like a traditional Wisconsin Badger team.

NEW YORK GIANTS @ (-2.5) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Game. of. the. Week. Pittsburgh is too good. Even with the injuries to their running back core, the Steelers are the best team in the AFC right now. The team defense is extraordinary. If the Cleveland defesne gave Eli and the Giants fits, imagine what Pittsburgh is gonna do to them. I really like the Steelers this week and for the rest of the season, barring any Big Ben motorcycle mishaps. (Random thought: I think the NFC East is falling on tough times, all the hype maybe got their heads).

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ (-4.5) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Have not gotten to watch much of either of these teams. I'll take the Niners because they are at home, and Mike Martz is still a mad scientist of offense.

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ (-9.5) HOUSTON TEXANS

Funny feeling game of the week, give me the Bengals in this one. I have no explanation, and I generally have a lot of positive things to say about the Texans. They are making the right moves in the organization and are taking steps to become a more competitive franchise (taking notes Detroit Lions?). Andre Johnson is showing the world what he is capable of when he is healthy, and...wow. Houston is clearly better, and they are at home, but my gut says Cincy.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ (-3.5) TENNESSEE TITANS

I like when teams have been there before. The Colts have started 9-0, and they know all about pressure to keep winning, and Monday night showdowns. The Titans are too young to understand the situation they are in. It could be a good thing that they are not aware of the moment, but I tend to lean towards the experience factor in games like this. I'm firmly taking the Colts to beat the Titans on Monday night.

9-5 on the season, hopefully more good things to come. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

New Broncos article on CBS4Denver.com

2008-10-23T16:22:00.005-06:00

NEW BRONCOS ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Read!

Post Feedback!

Phillies @ Rays: Game 2

2008-10-23T15:35:00.002-06:00

My prediction for tonight: Rays win 9-3

Short and sweet is the order of day. Enjoy the game.

ALERT: Non-Sports Post Below

2008-10-22T17:35:00.005-06:00

Saw the new Oliver Stone movie 'W.' the other night. It was a unique look at George W Bush's life. The character actors did a really good job. In particular I was impressed with:

Richard Dreyfuss: he did an outstanding job as Dick Cheney.
James Cromwell: also quite impressive, as George H W Bush.
Josh Brolin: had W's mannerism's down perfectly, every wince, shrug, cackle, smirk, and gesture was precisely as W would have done it. Really really impressed.

Go see it! It will get you talking and thinking about George W Bush. If you are expecting the movie to trash Bush, or expecting some kind of political commentary, well, don't. It's a character analysis of George W Bush, life and times sort of thing.

Anyway, I dug it, it was really interesting. I'm glad I saw it.

Fallish Classic begins tonight! Does Florida have Fall?

2008-10-22T14:46:00.006-06:00

In my research leading up to tonight's historic game 1, I found something very interesting. Most gambling sites offer the Phillies as a favorite, a small favorite but a favorite nonetheless. However, there are a couple that are posting the Rays as a small favorite. I asked around to some friends, and I get the exact same result, more people think the Phillies are going to win, but there is some strong belief in the Rays as well.

I think tonight is going to showcase a very interesting pitching match-up, Hamels v Kazmir. Both pitchers are left-handed and both have good hard fastballs. It will interesting to see if each pitcher has his strike-out pitch working early in the game, Hamels his devestating changeup and Kazmir his slider. I think it will be a pretty safe bet that this game will not be high-scoring.

Both teams are batting around .250 against leftys this season, with the Phillies holding a slight edge. Jason Werth will be a guy to watch for the Phillies tonight. He batted .303 against leftys on the year, perhaps not all of his at bats were against a pitcher the caliber of Scott Kazmir or on the stage as larage as the World Series, but .303 is .303 and he could be a game 1 difference maker.

For the Rays, BJ Upton is the guy to watch. He has been on a tear, and his next homerun will tie Barry Bonds' record for most homeruns in a single postseason (Upton and Evan Longoria also have a chance to break Bonds and Rich Auriela's record of most postseason homeruns by teammates). Upton wasn't great against leftys this year batting .269, but his OBP was an impressive .415! Upton's average against right-handers is higher, and his OBP is much lower. Perhaps this is due to the smaller number of at-bats, but more probable I think is that Upton sees the pitches better out of a lefty's hand. Also, Jason Bartlett has been hitting leftys extremely well all year, so it will be interesting to see if that continues against Cole Hamels.

I like the Phillies in this game 5-3. And to win the series in 6.

Who do you like?

PS: For 10 bonus points, can you name the Rays mascot without looking it up...?

Today in my Inbox...

2008-10-22T14:08:00.006-06:00

This little story came through my inbox today. I thought I would share it with everyone, no need to hide the way we all feel.

"Little David tells a tale...


Little David is in the 5th grade. Yesterday morning when the teacher 
asked the children what their fathers did for a living, all the typical
answers came up: fireman, policeman, salesman, etc.  The teacher
noticed that little David was being uncharacteristically quiet and so
she asked him about his father.  "My father's an exotic dancer in a
gay bar and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes,
if the offer's really good, he'll go out to the alley with some guy and do
it with him for money." The teacher, obviously shaken by this
statement, hurriedly set the other children to work on some coloring,
and took little David aside to ask him, "Is that really true about your
father?" "No," said David, red faced. "He plays for the Detroit Lions,
but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids..."

Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiingg!! I love jokes, send me your favorite jokes! Or post them here under comments. Maybe I'll try to post some of the better ones I get.

The Tampa Bay "Don't Call Us Devil" Rays are headed to BIG SHOW!

2008-10-20T10:34:00.004-06:00

Congrats to the Rays. I for one am happy to admit my wrongness about Game 7, I thought they were done after losing game 6. I predicted that they would win game 6, but if they didn't I thought for sure they were doomed by the Baseball (read: Red Sox) Deities. I am so thankful I was wrong. I couldn't imagine having to watch one more game involving Kevin Youkilis. Matt Garza was lights out, and the young Rays got some clutch hitting and late inning pitching. David Price was sensational, and I think he will play a really big role in the World Series. As for predictions...Phillies in 6. Although with no Red Sox or Yankees around, I can sit back, watch, and cheer for great finishes and historic performances, with no ill-will towards either team. I'm gonna side with generic Mom answer on this one, "I wish they could both win, why can't they both win?"

Game 1: Wednesday in Tampa

Enjoy!

Quick LIONS rant

2008-10-20T10:29:00.002-06:00

I am a Lions fan, but can we be honest about where the organization is right now? We finally fired Millen, which was a great step in the right direction, but there is still a lot more to do. Trading Roy Williams and getting multiple draft picks is exactly what the organization should be doing. Matt Millen must have always had a false sense of closeness, and by closeness I mean he thought the Lions were a couple players away from being competitive. Clearly that is/was not the case. If it takes 0-16 this year to go 12-4 sometime in the next five years, I'm on board. Getting the #1 pick in the draft would be nice. Since we are rebuilding, we should TRULY rebuild, not fake rebuild with Kitna and Roy and other mid-life crisis veterans. The future is Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson, Ernie Sims, DeWayne White, Daniel Bullocks, etc. I'll be watching as intently as ever for the rest of the season, hoping that no one gets hurt, hoping that the young talent plays well and develops, hoping the coaching staff shows some savvy in key moments, but as for wins and losses...I'm over it, don't really care about this year anymore. I'm thinking about the future, which is what the organization should have been doing three years ago.

Agree? Disagree?

So far, So good

2008-10-20T09:49:00.003-06:00

Through the first 13 games of the NFL weekend I have been quite successful in my picks. 8-5, with a couple near misses (Tampa won by 10, line was 10.5, I took Tampa). Vegas knows all. I will try to have my week 2 picks up Friday, so be on the look out for those. I also missed on the Lions game, line was Houston by 8.5, and they only won by 7. At least the dream of 0-16 is still alive!

Michigan Kryptonite = Coming Out for the Second Half

2008-10-18T17:16:00.004-06:00

Michigan's second half possessions went something like this: Safety. Shanked Punt. Blocked Punt. Fumble. Three and Out. Three and Out. Token meaningless last drive of game, three first downs. Final score, 46-17. Penn State scored 39 unanswered points. Michigan had 185 yards of total offense in the first quarter...and finished with 291 for the game...and in the last drive they had 40ish. That about sums it up.

Two Side Notes:

-So everyone who was sweating the PSU 23.5 spread in the first half, or even at halftime, is now cackling with glee. This is why gambling is an emotional roller coaster.

-Looks like the Michigan bowl streak is most likely going to end at 34 straight years, heck of a run though. Still proud to be a Michigan fan.

ALCS Tonight

2008-10-18T16:08:00.003-06:00

James Shields (above) gets the start for Tampa Bay. If you wanna play a fun drinking game with your friends, drink every time someone on TV references James Shields as "Big Game James". If anyone decides to count this occurrence, please post the final count. Josh Beckett is starting for the Red Sox. I think Tampa gets it done tonight to go to the world series to face Philly. That being said IF Boston wins, I think we all understand that game 7 wouldn't even need to be played, Boston would roll. Should be entertaining, come for the James Shields drinking game, stay for baseball!

Go BLUE anyone?

2008-10-18T15:52:00.004-06:00

Michigan beating #3 Penn State 17-14 at the half. Brandon Minor has two touchdowns and according to Rich Rod, "Brandon has really practiced well the last couple weeks" and, "we needed his physical presence." Michigan has ZERO turnovers, and has looked like a totally different team today so far in the first half. I don't think that Michigan is going to all the sudden be the team to beat in the Big Ten, but on any given saturday anyone in the Big Ten can beat anyone else in the Big Ten. Second half should be exciting, if for no other reason than we will see which Michigan team shows up...

Best. Sign. Ever.

2008-10-16T23:23:00.001-06:00

Good for you buddy! Not so good for your Rays.

RED SOX WIN IN DRAMATIC FASHION

2008-10-16T22:18:00.002-06:00

Rays led Red Sox 7-0 through 7 2/3 innings...then hell froze over and the Red Sox scored 8 runs in the next 2 innings...headed back to Tampa for Game 6. Josh Beckett against James Shields. Can the young Rays overcome the momentum that the Red Sox have clearly stolen away? Tune in Saturday night.

I smelled an upset, and it came true!

2008-10-16T21:50:00.003-06:00

TCU upsets BYU...just as I predicted...I'm batting 1.000 on the season, I may quit now...

#9 BYU v TCU tonight

2008-10-16T16:28:00.005-06:00

Undefeated BYU goes on the road to TCU tonight. I smellllllll upset! Do you think BYU players trash talk? Anytime BYU plays someone isn't it pretty much like small school 10th grade team playing an all-star 6th grade team? BYU players are all married with kids and like 26 years old after doing their mormon missions, other schools are primarily 19-22 year old regular college kids. Wouldn't you frown on a team of 10th graders yelling at some 6th graders? Just food for thought. Young legs reign supreme tonight!

NFL Picks Week 7

2008-10-16T12:32:00.004-06:00

My first ever NFL picks post. These lines are based on the Thursday morning lines, so they still could change.

TENNESSEE TITANS (-8) @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

I'm taking the Titans in this one. I don't think anyone expected the Titans to 5-0 at this point, especially after Vince Young got all emotional and reportedly "suicidal." I wonder if the fact that Vince got a '6' on the Wonderlic test had anything to do with that. In an old ESPN article on the Wonderlic test, the founder of the company said that a score of '10' was literacy...6? I know we have been down this road before, but 6? Anyway, Kerry Collins got a 30, which compares to a chemist according to the Wonderlic people. I am confident Kerry Collins can figure out that KC has the second worst defense in the AFC. A chemist could figure that out right?

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (PICK EM') @ BUFFALO BILLS

I was thoroughly impressed with the Chargers last week. (Random Thought: The Patriots mystique is clearly over, which means that even when Brady comes back next year, the mental edge that the Pats had over everyone is significantly diminished.) I am gonna go with the Chargers based on that performance last week, and the fact that the AFC West is so bad right now that the Chargers know they can take the division with a couple good weeks. The Bills have been a huge surprise in the AFC, and I think they have a real shot at winning the AFC East, but even at home I don't think they get it done. I think San Diego gave themselves enough of a confidence boost last week to carry over to this week. It should be noted that I have Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson on my fantasy team, so my mind may be subconsciously making picks that would help my fantasy team...thanks mind, you're always looking out for me.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-9.5) @ CINCINNATI BENGALS

How much time do I really have to dedicate to this space to explain how bad the Bengals are? Because the game is in Cincy, and this is a rivalry type game, I'm tempted to say the Bengals keep it close...but no, I can't do it. Pittsburgh is the pick. How's that for economical space saving?

BALTIMORE RAVENS (+3) @ MIAMI DOLPHINS

A battle of one-sided teams. The Ravens defense has been spectacular this season, with the notable exception being last week's 31-3 drubbing by the Colts and the Peyton Manning of old. The Dolphins lost a heart-breaker to the Texans last week 29-28. Who has more to prove? Who has more pride? I fully expect this to be the most entertaining game of the weekend, especially for diehard football enthusiasts. How is Baltimore going to combat Miami's wildcat formations? Is the Ronnie Brown show going to continue this week? This game interests me immensely. I'm going to take Baltimore because I think Ray Lewis will have the troops ready to go.

DALLAS COWBOYS (-7) @ ST. LOUIS RAMS

Looks like Tony Romo is gonna give it a whirl, but as this is the NFL, that could change at any moment. I don't particularly think it matters who lines up under center for the Cowboys, they are significantly better and more talented than the Rams. The Rams got their first win of the season last week against the Redskins, but I don't see them being much of a threat to anyone the rest of the season. The Rams offense is ranked dead last in the NFC and the defense is giving up more yards than any team not named the Lions...I smell trouble. Dallas wins/covers handily, TO is a monster, Marion Barber is a monster, and all is well in the Cowboy South.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+3) @ CHICAGO BEARS

No idea what to expect from either of these teams. The Vikings should be much better than they are, and so should the Bears. Both teams are 3-3 and continuously defy logic with their sporadic play week-to-week. Adrian Peterson set the rushing record against the Bears last year, and don't think for one second that everyone on that defense remembers it. These teams are very similar, they both have 'eh' quarterbacks and receivers and solid defenses. In fact, they are so much alike I'm just going to flip a coin to decide who to pick. If it's heads I'm taking the Bears and if it's tails I'm gonna go with Chicago. Here we go..............(coin is flipping through the air).......TAILS! Chicago is the pick for this week, boy was that intense, hope I never encounter indecision like that again.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (+3) @ CAROLINA PANTHERS

I'm pretty surprised that the Panthers are favored in this one. Maybe because Reggie Bush is questionable? New Orleans has a prolific offense led by the not quite midseason league MVP Drew Brees, and they have won two of their last three. Carolina has won two of three also, but got blitzed (I hate using 'blitzed' in a football post, but I wanted to write this explanation so I am going to keep it in, one time only) last week by Tampa Bay. Carolina has found the defense of old, old being two years ago, but they have only been a franchise for twelve years-ish, so a two year window is roughly 16.6% of their existence!! I am going with the Panthers, I convinced myself that the offense of the Saints will not be up to the challenge against the Carolina defense.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (+10.5) @ NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants were awful on Monday night. Eli was bad, the defense was bad, everything just looked bad. That being said the Giants still have the #1 offense in the NFL right now, statistically speaking. The Niners have been scoring a lot of points, but they have also been giving up a lot, so logic suggests the Giants score a lot and Niners score a lot, and the Giants finish with a higher number of points than the Niners. Works for me, Giants cover ad win by 13.

DETROIT LIONS (+8.5) @ HOUSTON TEXANS

The Lions are unwatchable. I am at the point where unless I have a fantasy player going AGAINST the Lions, I cannot bare the pain of their football infidelities. At least this new GM has some savvy, getting four picks, two on the first day for Roy Williams was a steal. I hope he does more more dealing. Another thing, ENOUGH JON KITNA, WE GET IT, YOU FEEL CHEATED, YOU LOVE GOD, BLAH BLAH BLAH. Going on and on about how the Lions are trying to make him look selfish, no one is trying to make you look selfish, you just said that if they wanted to go in a different direction that they should have traded you in the offseason, well the Lions didn't know that you were gonna be so bad! You want out when you start to suck more than usual, THAT'S BEING SELFISH!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

To recap, I like Houston this week. (I would love to go on about Orlovsky scrambling out of the endzone, but no need to beat a dead Lion).

NEW YORK JETS (-3) @ OAKLAND RAIDERS

I like the Raiders in this one. Something about this game feels fishy to me, the Raiders have looked pretty lifeless all season and last week was certainly no different, but something doesn't feel right. Favre has been great all season, the Jets are competing in the AFC East and they look like a real threat. I know it goes against all forms of logic and sensibility, but I'm sticking with the Raiders.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (+7) @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The Redskins getting a touchdown on the Browns? Maybe I'm a fool for taking so much head in momentum, but Cleveland was terrific on Monday night, and the Redskins lost to the Rams...I suppose this is make or break time, sink or swim, live or die, come or go, any other cliche I'm missing? I think something clicked with the Browns and they will go on a run, maybe not to the playoffs, but another mildly successful year. The Redskins are going to keep pace in the "toughest division in football" (fee fi fo fum, we are the NFC East!) But honestly I like all the other three teams in the division better. I'll take the Browns.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-1) @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

This should be another great game to watch. If you have directv (RT: that always bothers me by the way, doesn't everyone say DIRECT TV, but really it's DIREC TV, I know they are combining the two words to be cool or whatever, but it really bugs me) you can watch the Ravens/Dolphins game I touted earlier, and than tune in to this one. You can thank me later. While we are talking about games on TV, are there 1000 other things you would rather do than watch Seattle/Tampa Bay in the Sunday night game? I cannot wait until whatever week it is that the games are chosen, what a smart move by the NFL. They finally did something right! So Colts Packers, back on track, this will be great to watch, both of these teams always play focused and intense every week. These are NFL teams, teams you would be happy to pay to watch. Unlike a certain team in the Motor City...I should have never started talking about the Lions, now it's all I can think about. FOCUS, FOCUS Big fella.....there, that's better. The Packers have lost three of four, but could have just as easily won three of four as they had a couple close games (Atlanta, Tampa Bay). I generally side with the home team in games like this, but the Colts looked great against the #1 rated Ravens defense last week, I think they build on that momentum. Colts win.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+10.5) @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

I really don't know much about either of these teams. Seattle is disappointing, Tampa Bay is overachieving. Perfect. That was easy. I pick Tampa to win 13-2. If that actually happens, send your lottery number requests to Andrew Joynt, Genius Enterprises, Denver, CO 80203.

DENVER BRONCOS (+3) @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Another wishy washy type game. The Broncos have been awful on defense, giving up 393 yards per game, worst in the AFC, but they have been super on offense putting up 399 yards per game, best in the AFC. So where do we go with this team? Being in Denver I get a lot of Bronco coverage, and I admit, I am becoming a bit of fan. Brandon Marshall is the future of the NFL, say what you want about Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson, Shawn Merriman, and other young NFL talents...Brandon Marshall has the potential to the best wide receiver in the NFL for the next ten years. It helps that Jay Cutler trusts him to a fault, and will throw it to him regardless of down, distance, coverage, situation, etc. But this guy is special, if you haven't seen him play, take special time out to watch him on Monday night. All that being said, I hear the Patriots are practicing day and night after last week's debacle against San Diego. Coach Hoody has them ready to play (Can you imagine if Ray Lewis was on the Pats? Belichick and Lewis would have Pats players selling their souls for wins!) and the Patriots win.

Wow, that wasn't so bad. Please feel free to email me: joynt@colorado.edu and comment on the posts. I will not be held responsible if you bet your life savings on my picks because they were presented in such a eloquent and humorous fashion...they are just words my friends.

Phillie Phanatic going to the World Series!

2008-10-15T21:59:00.008-06:00

More information than you ever thought possible about aforementioned monster...

wiki phanatic

Pat Sajak is a concerned Dodger fan...

2008-10-15T21:40:00.000-06:00

Maybe fox would have made a bigger deal about this if Vanna White was there?