Fantasy Football - Collegiate Style

From BCO Pix2

A few ACC Bloggers got together (I missed the draft, guessing others did too and rarely touched their teams after) and had a $EC/ACC college fantasy football season. Quote ...

Champion

Nov. 29, 2009

Gettin' Better 1 Beer @ a Time won the ACC Bloggers Championship by a score of 147 to 91 over Open Fridge. Ryan Williams led the team in scoring in the championship round and he also led the team in scoring for the season. Congrats once again to Gettin' Better 1 Beer @ a Time on a terrific College Fantasy Football Season. Hope to see you all next year!

The guys who made it happen on my team ...
3rd best QB, Ryan Mallet (Ark-&-ass)
1st & 5th best RB's Ryan Williams and Montel Harris (b.c.)
2nd, 6th & 8th best WR's Donovan Varner (doook,) Darvin Adams (Auburn,) & Greg Childs (Ark-&-ass.)
TE & K were revolving
UNC and Klempsum carried my D

I thank them all, specially the best RB in the league ... RMFW.

From BCO Pix2

I'll be back ready to take all comers and I might make the draft this year. Oh, by the way Mallet and Williams were picked up on waivers.

CHECKMATE

From BCO Pix2

I will miss algroh, probably heard he read a poem at his after game press conference, I think it went like this ...

I get up, and nothing gets me down.
You got it tough. I've seen the toughest around.
And I know, baby, just how you feel.
You've got to roll with the punches to get to what's real
Oh can't you see me standing here,
I've got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen.
Oh can't you see what I mean ?
Might as well jump. Jump !
Might as well jump.
Go ahead, jump. Jump !
Go ahead, jump.

Sometimes, you just gotta stick your face in the fan.

HokieJayBee's NFL Week 12

Week 12, NFL season 2009. Quick write up this week on the shortened week for Turkey Day. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[I] 2009 Season Stats

Season Totals:

69.08% straight up picks for your office pool (105-47)

53.45% against the spread this year on recommended plays (62-54)

52.23% over-all including the recommended no-actions (82-75)

*Went (12-4) straight up for your office pool. This might’ve won you your week, as I predict just about everyone missed Cincinnati at Oakland and Pittsburgh at Kansas City – and Carolina/Miami and Houston/Tennessee were coin flips where both road teams won.

*Again, in watching the games on Sunday, man did I think I had a great day brewing against the spread. I had a great day picking the favorites as straight up winners, but dogs to cover, in many of the close games of the day. But I ended up (9-6) against the spread and (6-6) if you take out my NO ACTION games. Ouch. (3-0) in those. Note the SD/DEN game isn’t in the calcs, as there was no line. And I got that one right, dammit.

*I got beat up by those same CINCI, PITT, CAR, and HOU games, and of course the egg the Cowboys laid. Only other spread game I lost is I thought the Vikes were due for a letdown (win but not cover) against the Seahawks. Apparently Matt Hasselbeck had other plans.

[II] Week 12 Picks/Comments – Enginerd Table

GAME		LINE	OFFICE POOL WINNER	SPREAD WINNER	FAVE OR DOG?	ACTION?	HEART / COMMENT	PREDICTED SCORE
1	GB @ DET	GB -5.5	GB	GB	FAVE	YES	Green Bay figured out how to keep Aaron Rodgers off his arse, and they win. Hmm? Detroit played their hearts, knees, and shoulders out to beat the Browns last week and now will pay for it on the short week to prepare and rest up. Green Bay rolls here and gets to eat turkey happy.	GB 24-10
2	OAK @ DAL	DAL -14.5	DAL	OAK	DOG	YES	Dallas wins at home here. But I don’t like -14.5 one bit. Hell, they’ve scored 14 points the past two weeks. And Oakland seemed to get a little boost from the Bruce Gradkowski factor. Dallas wins here no problem, but I’m not seeing blowout. And Tony Romo’s back is a possible issue, so if they do start to pull ahead it’ll be a run-clock-fest.	DAL 23-13 (Oakland cover)
3	NYG @ DEN	NYG -6.5	NYG	DEN	DOG	NO	NO ACTION pick here for a few reasons. I like NYG generally more here with DEN having the Orton-Simms issues and the fact they’ve been getting blown out lately. But NYG has a short week to prepare, to go on the road out west to Denver, in the thin air, at night, and Denver owes us a bounce back, right? I mean, right?	NYG 24-20 (Denver cover)
4	INDY @ HOU	INDY -0.5	INDY	INDY	FAVE	YES	Indy has been scraping by lately (4 wins by a record 10 points). And Vegas is noticing. Only -0.5 on the road at Houston (which is essentially a pick-em game)? Wow, I’ll take that -0.5 and run to the bank. Houston has notoriously given Indy fits, so they’re not looking past them to next week. Manning, Wayne, and Clark get back on track here. Houston had trouble with Tennessee’s D line on Monday night. Now I’d like you to meet Mr. Freeney and Mr. Mathis.	INDY 30-20
5	TB @ ATL	ATL -11.5	ATL	ATL	FAVE	YES	Tampa’s little honeymoon with the new QB didn’t last long. And ATL is in a near-must-win situation here for their playoff chances. -11.5 is a little more than I’d like to see, but ATL won’t be screwing around.	ATL 24-10
6	MIA @ BUF	MIA -2.5	MIA	MIA	FAVE	NO	Going to pansy out here to a NO ACTION pick. Miami is playing well, despite the loss of Ronnie Brown. But they’re notoriously horrible up north in Buffalo. But they’re the better team. But Buffalo has the whole first home game under the new coach thing. But he’s just an interim coach. But……..NO ACTION.	MIA 23-17
7	CLE @ CIN	CIN -14.5	CIN	CIN	FAVE	YES	Brady Quinn officially spent his 2009 load last week in the shootout in Detroit (I can’t believe I just typed that, “shootout in Detroit” re: CLE/DET…) And for his efforts, he gets to go pick himself off the ground 13 times at a pissed off Cinci team after they ate dog shit at Oakland last week. I would have like to see -13.5 and not -14.5. But I don’t think it’ll matter.	CIN 30-13
8	ARI @ TENN	TENN -0.5	ARI	ARI	DOG	YES	Tougher call than I would’ve liked here with TENN going on a little run lately. They should’ve lost to HOU if HOU had a kicker (he didn’t just miss the one at the end of regulation). And I’m seeing the start of the end-of-the-year ‘zona run here at TENN. This would be a decently big road win for them and they’re getting a pick’em game for their troubles.	ARI 23-17 (Arizona outright win)
9	SEA @ STL	SEA -2.5	SEA	SEA	FAVE	YES	Seattle got blown the hell out in Minnesota last week. St. Louis and Kyle Boller are not Minnesota.	SEA 20-10
10	CHI @ MINN	MINN -10.5	MINN	MINN	FAVE	YES	Speaking of not being Kyle Boller. Is Brett Favre really doing this? How long ago should he have had elbow/shoulder surgery? Go check out the different between Jay Cutler and Brett Favre’s TD:INT ratios. Ridiculous. I want to keep worrying about > 10 point spreads for the Favrikings, but won’t doubt them anymore.	MINN 30-17
11	CAR @ NYJ	NYJ -3.5	CAR	CAR	DOG	NO	Which QB will do their best Jay Cutler impression and which team will be able to run the ball well enough to ensure their QB doesn’t do the Cutler thing? I’m going to side with the veteran QB Delhomme not f*cking up as much as the rookie Sanchez who is quickly spiraling into the proverbial tank. NO ACTION here as I wouldn’t bet Canadian money on this game if you paid me to.	CAR 23-20 (Carolina outright win)
12	WASH @ PHI	PHI -9.5	PHI	PHI	FAVE	YES	The ‘skins were *this* close last week to shutting out the Cowgirls in Dallas. That would have been a season changer. Now I fear they’ll be spent emotionally and get blown out in Philly against a team trying to win some homefield playoff dates.	PHI 27-13
13	KC @ SD	SD -13.5	SD	SD	FAVE	YES	Will Jekyll or Hyde show up this week for the Chargers? I think they’ll be ok here, especially with Ladanian Tomlinson being relevant again. KC beat up Pittsburgh last week but has to head on the road here to a hot SD team’s house. -13.5 is a little much for me but I think SD will be pushing to overtake Denver here. Especially since they get to watch Denver on Thursday night and know their fate heading into this game on Sunday.	SD 27-10
14	JAX @ SF	SF -2.5	SF	SF	FAVE	YES	Jacksonville is the other Jekyll and Hyde team in the league right now. And I don’t like them heading on the road out to SF. I see another low scoring affair here for both teams and SF pulling it out in the end. Gross, that came out wrong. Pick up these two kickers for your fantasy teams this week.	SF 23-16
15	PITT @ BALT	BALT -0.5	BALT	BALT	FAVE	YES [LOCK]	Locking up against Pittsburgh. Yep. I think this is a no-brainer this week. Sorry Stiller fans. Big Ben still has thoughts he might be batman, but will play. That D just isn’t the same without Troy, just ask Matt Cassell and company. And the Ravens have got to be pissed after last week’s game where they had the Colts. Pitt can’t protect Ben enough, and now you have an angry Raven D. You won’t like them when they’re angry. Stretchers might be needed often in this bloodbath.	BALT 27-23
16	NE @ NO	NO -3.5	NE	NE	DOG	NO	I am looking forward to this game the most of any college or pro game this weekend. Aside from hoping my Hokies send Al Groh out from UVA with a 63-3 shellacking. I cannot wait to watch this game. You have no idea. Going to be a friggin barn burner. Take the over. I’m laying off NO ACTION here. Saints have an injury or two in the secondary and I think that’s the difference here. I can’t wait. Wes Welker for MVP?	NE 31-30 (New England outright win)

--taking 5 dogs again this week

--3 of the 4 recommended NO-ACTION games are dogs

College Football TV Viewing Guide Week 13 (Rivalry Reek Edition)

Everyone shed a tear ... not for the jerk in hooville leaving but the end of the college football holiday season. Only 2 more regular season weeks left.* Even in a down year filled with less intrigue it's still sad to think it's over. Just yesterday I was walking thru the ATL enjoying the sites, sights and sounds.

From atl

Anyway it's full blown Rivalry week, a few started last week, a couple go next week (highlighted by a possible stellar Civil War) but this is the meat of it. I initially went chalk with all the picks, scratch that, so I made a couple changes. Not like it's going to hurt my stellar winning %'s. Since the ACC is doing so well nationally at the end of the year, 5 ranked teams ... I had to knock us down a peg or 2. I will not knowingly get Lucy'd.

From BCO Pix2

Been awhile since I did not include the Lone Star Showdown, Tejas vs aTm, but the aggies suck too much. Also no "Clean, Old Fashioned Hate", GiT/ugga, who knew the Dawgs would suck ass (being the $ec changes are a coming there.) Some pretty good games otherwise, highlighted by games featuring coaches that might not be long for their jobs ... call again on Monday groh, Weis and maybe Dadgumit while it's possible Meyer or Harbaugh may go take the Notre Dame money.

Last week's picks and to date tally:
straight up 5-3 to date 59-37 --- 61%
against the spread 3-5 to date 43-52-1 --- 45%

i am algroh A.W.F.U.L. but I get to come back next year, you aholes.

This Week's Games:

Friday, November 27th
2bammer (11-0) [-10.5] at Auburn (7-4) 2:30 pm cbs
The Iron Bowl. Part of the Big Rivalry 3 (Army/Navy, tOSU/MissAgain) the annual game that leaves the state of Alabama dumber than when the game started, which one would think is hard they keep finding a way. Brawls, cheap shots, unnecessary comments bout daughters, wives and moms all from the same households at times. Physical, tough, mean and dirty ... pure $EC football. Gonna make for good tv while in my backyard with the cornhole and beer going. Nick Satan is not about to mess up here and the $EC refs will clean up whatever his team doesn't take care of.

From BCO Pix2

9P.I.T.T. (10-1) [-1.5] at w FN vu (7-3) 7:00 pm espn2
The Backyard Brawl. If not for a mental vacation in the 4th qtr vs NCState, the Panthers would be undefeated. Win here, beat Nati next week and this team is going to a BCS bowl. Hell, with 2 losses still might go BCS bowling (take note, State Penn and Pitt play awful scheds ... leads to BCS games?) w Fn vu would like nothing better than to return in kind the regular season ending they received in 07. Let's review, if the neers had beat Pitt, they were going to the Mythical National Championship Game. Even with a bogus Big East fix is in home ref job (above $EC levels,) Pitt beat the shit out of the Pat White and neers. Made em curl up, cry and force DickRod out of town with a trail of shredded documents behind him. The 1 thing holding me picking w Fn vu to do this .... STEWY!!! He's a clown, you can't have an elite program and pay your top guy less than $800k. Mickey Mouse.

From BCO Pix2

Nevada (8-3) at 6Boise State (11-0) [-12] 10:15 pm espn2
The Darlings of the media face a fairly decent Nevada team. Yes, the Wolfpack lost to the Fightin' Irish to start the season, but they've improved and would probably sucker punch the Irish too at this point. If ... IF, BSU takes them for granted Nevada can win. A lot of the football nation will be watching (unless passed out from binge drinking and overeating) as it is the only game in town, not on the NFL Network. BSU can impress and outdo the Horned Frogs with a 3+ td beat down.


Saturday, November 28th
18Klempson (8-3) at Souf Kackalacki [+3.5] (6-5) noon espn
Battle of the Palmetto State. Dabo Swinney's kitties have a bite, while the Game cocks looks like they have already came and went. USC-e will try to make it an ugly $EC affair, cause nowadays that is synomous with the Ole Ball Coach (JUST RETIRE ALREADY!) While Klempson is gonna try and get 1 last push for C.J. Spiller's Heisman campaign. A great game here and he can get a trip to New York ... maybe. The Tigers don't want to lose the week before the ACCCG, especially to their bitter rival, but they don't want injuries either. USC-e has nothing else but some shitty bowl so they got nothing else to play for.

f$u (6-5) [+24.5] at 1UF (11-0) 3:30 pm cbs
The Sunshine Showdown is still midday for Urban Meyer but looks like a quarter to midnite for Dadgumit. UF is going to win, but f$u will score some points. Tebow, like everyone else will make his O look spectacular vs f$u's D. This isn't nearly as fun as the 90's when Dadgumit and the Ole Ball coach were in their primes. Use to get a group of us together, we all picked a side (Go Gators) and after every score, the ones cheering the side scored on would do push ups or run laps or something stupid physically stupid while drunk. I vividly, in my drunken haze remember crab walking a parking lot and jumping in Lake Anna. Good times, I miss this game meaning something. Tebow mania is almost over ... all this for a virgin?

From BCO Pix2

17da U (8-3) at Souf Florida (7-3) [+7] 3:30 pm abc/espn-gp
An ACC/Big East bragging rights game. da U best be paying attn, the Bulls feel like the lil brother and want to show what they can do, reference what they did to f$u. Their D is fast and can play. Their qb is the kind that traditionally give the Hurricane's scheme fits. This is going to be a good one, keep an eye on it. Big East still wanting respect ... 6 years later.

14VT (8-3) [-13.5] at uva (3-8) 3:30 pm espn
The Commonwealth Cup. We all know Beamer will do bout anything for a buck, threaten to go to UNC, shill for Nike, Cadillac and Kroger commercials, a crappy restaurant, etc ... anyone here want to pool our monies together so we can get him to say "Checkmate muthafucka" when he and algroh meet after the game? I loathe groh, his face, his voice, his attire, his convoluted coach speak that only Stiney can understand, his sea of orange, his coattails super bowl ring, really ... I could go on for a bit. I will say 1 thing positive about him, his team NEVER quit. Even in avg to below avg years, they play hard annually .... just not well. Both are a credit to him. The hoos have not beat Tech since my last visit to C-ville for a game (2004.) They want this very badly and will play with nothing (else) to lose. Good thing this game is the game Beamer almost always has the Hokies up for. Let's send algroh out in style, being serenaded by a 20k Hokies as he walks off the field back to the NFL as a position coach somewhere.

From BCO Pix2

ND (6-5) at Stanford (7-4) [-8.5] 8:00 pm abc
The Legends Trophy. Raise your hand if you think this is the face of Legend below! Let's look at the Parcells/Belicheck coaching tree of Losers: Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, algroh and ... Charlie Weis. Hmmmm that's millions and millions of dollars made off the backs of those 2 fellows. They best get a helluva Christmas gifts each year. Hardballs and Toby Gerhart are going to show ND what it's like to be a man. End of an era, an avg era ... lucky for the Irish they are the only premier program with a job opening so they'll get someone good this time and not their 5th choice.

From BCO Pix2

Happy Turkey Day and enjoy the weekend of Rivalry and Hate.


* Army-Navy game now pushed way back for Tv, 12/12.

Special thanks from LSUFreek, he's pretty amazing. His Sporting News collection is here, can also be found on EDSBS.

HokieJayBee's NFL Week 11

Week 11, NFL season 2009. I think I’m done with football until they modify the roughing-the-passer rules. These pansy calls are atrocious. I actually just got a 15-yarder for typing “roughing-the-passer”.

[I] 2009 Season Stats

Season Totals:

68.38% straight up picks for your office pool (93-43)

53.85% against the spread this year on recommended plays (56-48)

51.41% over-all including the recommended no-actions (73-69)

Thoughts for the past week:

*Mid-day Sunday I sure as hell felt like I was having a better day than I was. Then Monday morning when I reviewed the scores and I found I was pretty mediocre. Blah. Surprises: Washington over Denver, Green Bay over Dallas, and Cincinnati over Pittsburgh. Big “wow” to those three.

*I went (9-6) in the straight up picks for your office pool. Well that sucks. You just lost your office pool to the receptionist who picks teams that have a pigment of Red in their uniforms.

*With the books, I stayed flat. Boo. Went (7-7) overall but (5-6) against the spread on the recommended picks. That’s (2-1) in NO ACTION plays. Sigh.

* I’m still positive for the year, barely, depending on the vig you’re paying. I don’t have the feelings for it this year like I used to. I used to be able to pick 6-7 against the spread without blinking, and then research and think about the rest. Split those in the second category for a 10-4 or 9-5 against the spread. No more.

Season 2009, Trains I’m on:

*Peyton Manning

*Drew Brees

*Carson Palmer

*Tom Brady

*Brett Favre?

[the “Trains I’m on” category has been temporarily renamed to the “Veteran White Quarterbacks” category?]

Season 2009, Trains I’m not on:

*Clinton Portis, Jason Campbell, Jim Zorn (I beg of you, beat Dallas)

*Larry Johnson (LOL cut)

*Jay Cutler (try your team’s receivers once, just once)

[II] Week 11 Picks/Comments – Enginerd Table

GAME		LINE	OFFICE POOL WINNER	SPREAD WINNER	FAVE OR DOG?	ACTION?	HEART / COMMENT	PREDICTED SCORE
1	MIA @ CAR	CAR -3.5	CAR	CAR	FAVE	YES	Thursday night game. Ronnie Brown out for the year. I guess MIA will run Pat White now in the wildcat and Ricky will be the every down back. Even if D’Angelo is out for Carolina I think James Stewart will be fine. I’m shying away from Flipper here on a short week adjusting to no Ronnie on the road. Would love to see -2.5 and not -3.5 but I’m still on the Panthers at home here.	CAR 23-16
2	WAS @ DAL	DAL -10.5	DAL	DAL	FAVE	YES	As a Redskin fan, surprised by the victory last week, heading into the rivalry game, I *want* to take them here at Dallas – especially getting 10 points. But I can’t. Dallas looked like a bag of cat crap last week and is back down in the playoff bubble. I think Dallas comes out here pissed off and blazing and easily covers the -10.5.	DAL 27-13
3	CLE @ DET	DET -3.5	DET	CLE	DOG	YES	I’m not paying Michael Buffer any royalties. But don’t worry, no one is screaming anything about getting ready to rumble for these two. Here’s some advice. BET THE UNDER. One of those cases where I think it’s bad, real bad, and low. So that extra -0.5 on that field goal makes me sway to the dog.	DET 10-9 (CLE cover)
4	SF @ GB	GB -6.5	GB	SF	DOG	YES	This could be a great defensive battle. Neither offense has been lighting up the scoreboard, or able to protect their QB. Both D’s have been bringing heat on the opposing team’s QB lately. I’m seeing some defensive scoring here. I like GB at home to win no problem; I don’t like the -6.5 though.	GB 24-20 (SF cover)
5	PIT @ KC	PIT -10.5	PIT	PIT	FAVE	YES [LOCK]	Jamaal Charles had a little post-Larry-Johnson coming out party last week. Um, PITT run D > OAK run D. PITT has already made their rougher than normal practice schedule this week public news, after losing at home to CINCI. Unfortunately for KC, they just happen to be next up.	PIT 30-10
6	ATL @ NYG	NYG -6.5	NYG	ATL	DOG	NO	I’ve described before how I usually have my 4 NO ACTION games picked out before I do any line or spread picks. Originally CLE/DET was a NO ACTION game until I saw two different sets of notes I had going for this week – on one set I had reasons written up to take NYG and on the other I had reasons written up to take ATL. Translation: now a NO ACTION pick. If Michael Turner doesn’t play toss this pick out the window.	NYG 24-23 (ATL cover)
7	NO @ TB	NO -11.5	NO	NO	FAVE	YES	I almost took Tampa to cover here. New Orleans didn’t cover at St. Lou last week, and Tampa did against Miami (with Ronnie Brown). Then I didn’t take Tampa to cover. I think I was actually thinking Tampa when I was just typing “N.O. | FAVE | YES” to the left. Who am I kidding? New Orleans has been getting by just-getting-it-done and they’re in the right part of their schedule for it to be this way.	NO 31-13
8	BUF @ JAC	JAC -8.5	JAC	BUF	DOG	NO	I’m totally laying off this game. Even if the Bills didn’t undergo the league’s first coaching change this year and fire Jauron this week, I don’t know how much I would have liked -8.5. I mean, what if they were up 7 late. MJD would just take a knee on the Bills’ 1. Seriously though, don’t know which Bills team shows up with the coaching crap going on. NO ACTION here.	JAC 20-13 (BUF cover)
9	IND @ BAL	IND -0.5	IND	IND	FAVE	NO	Man, Vegas sure knows how to tweak a team’s emotions. This line has got to piss the Ravens off. We think you’re good. We think you can hang with the Colts,……..almost. They’re going to barely beat you in your house here. I’m taking the Colts here in a NO ACTION game. Obviously Peyton vs. Ray and Ed will be fun to watch. I just don’t know if the lately-lowly-Raven-O can score enough to make the Colt-O-slowed-by-Raven-D matter.	IND 30-27
10	SEA @ MIN	MIN -10.5	MIN	SEA	DOG	YES	I’ve got a nasty feeling about a Viking let down here. I mean, I just moved them to #1 on my top 5. Murphy’s law right? I don’t think this game is ever in real jeopardy for the win, but I’m seeing Seattle stay within 10 for some reason. We get to watch another week of 8 in the box for AP, can Favre continue to find Rice and Harvin?	MIN 27-20 (SEA cover)
11	ARI @ STL	ARI -8.5	ARI	ARI	FAVE	YES	After St. Lou covered the Saints last week at home, I first leaned towards them covering again. Then I looked up some stats on the Cards/Rams. Then I remembered it’s Warner vs. his old team. I think the Cards are up here to help Kurt smash them. The Rams can only hope to keep feeding Steven Jackson and keep the Cards off the field, but I see -8.5 easy.	ARI 27-13
12	NYJ @ NE	NE -10.5	NE	NE	FAVE	YES	Everything about this game says closer than -10.5. Divisional game. Jets D improved. Jets not out of playoffs yet. Blah blah blah. Now think about any of Belichick’s career games after a loss. Let alone after an embarrassing loss. It’s a shame the Jets just caught the wrath, bad luck scheduling having the Pats this week. I almost locked this one up. Take the over, the Pats might cover themselves.	NE 41-20
13	CIN @ OAK	CIN -9.5	CIN	CIN	FAVE	YES	Look up “trap game” or “let down game” or “hangover (with respect to football)” in the dictionary and it’s this game. Cinci, coming off the sweep of the Ravens and Steelers, heading out to Oakland to play the hapless Raiders. I was actually contemplating taking OAK to cover until I read about the QB switch. I think that CINCI D is playing well right now and I don’t see Bruce Gradowski changing that.	CIN 27-9
14	SD @ DEN	NO LINE	SD	NO LINE	FAVE	NO	No line out yet with Orton’s ankle injury. Mark me down here, I’m taking SD to win even if Orton plays. The Broncos are turning down, and fast. SD is turning up, and fast. If Chris Simms plays, I’m flying to Vegas specifically to legally bet on SD anywhere up to -24.5. Has to be NO ACTION because of the line L SD would have been an easy cover here.	SD 27-17 (Orton) SD 38-13 (Simms)
15	PHI @ CHI	PHI -2.5	PHI	PHI	FAVE	YES	Philadelphia players will have 29 catches this Sunday night. 26 by the receivers and 3 by the defenders. LOL at Jay Cutler in prime time. Go look up his stat differential on games not in prime time vs. that of his on Thurs/Sun/Mon nights. Atrocious. Oh look, a Sunday night game. I’ll take Philly here, even on the road with the -2.5.	PHI 27-20
16	TEN @ HOU	HOU -4.5	HOU	HOU	FAVE	YES	Probably would have been the 4th NO ACTION game if I didn’t have to make SD/DEN NO ACTION because of the whole no line to bet on thing. TEN has definitely resurged here lately and Vince Young is playing well. To say the least, I’m admittedly surprised by Vince’s play. And that Chris Johnson guy…..wow. I’d love to ride the wave of TEN’s recent successes, but have to lean towards HOU at home here off of a bye. I’d feel better about -2.5, but whatevs.	HOU 29-23

--only taking 5 dogs this week

--only 2 of the 4 recommended NO-ACTION games are dogs

--holy crap I’m taking some road winners, SU and against the spread

[III] 10 or so things I think I think.

1. I think these are my top 5 teams right now:

(After 10 weeks I’m able to start claiming there’s an order here.)

1. MINN – Of the ‘big 3’ (Minny, Indy, Nawlins), I have MINN on top despite having the loss because of the way they’re beating people. I think on a neutral field today MINN would be favored -3 over INDY and NO.
2. INDY – huge win over NEW ENG this past week in 4^th-down-gate. Still undefeated, but not impressing lately. Need a signature win not based on a late call by the other team on 4^th down.
3. NO – still undefeated, but not wowing anyone anymore. All too close of a game at the hapless Rams this past week. The Saints’ games have a ho-hum, just getting by, feeling to them.
4. CINCI – HUGE huge win in PITT last week. Defense really played well and shut Big Ben down. Just think, they’re a freak tipped pass in week 1 (Stokeley, Broncos) from being 8-1.
5. NEW ENG – I can’t drop you off the list for a 35-34 loss to the undefeated Colts. Very abnormal clock management and time out management by a Belichick team, though.

2. I think these are my bottom 5 teams right now:

(After 10 weeks I’m able to start claiming there’s an order here.)

1. DET – Beat CLEV at home this week. Please.
2. OAK – you lost to KC. Jamarcus Russell to Darrius Heyward-Bey? LoLs.
3. CLEV – Beat DET on the road this week. Please.
4. TAMPA – even winning late in the 4^th, not once did I think you had it against Miami this past week. Not once.
5. BUFF – uh oh. Old school TO rears his ugly head. You got blown out in TENN, ……BLOWN OUT. I don’t like the looks of give-up. First coach fired in ’09.
6. Others receiving votes:
1. KC – beating OAK doesn’t clear you off my list.
2. CHI – lose this week at home to Philly? with a couple completions to Philly DB’s?
3. WASH – hail victory? Wow. Surprised me. Grab a win at Dallas this week and Zorn keeps his job?

3. I think the dictionary is funny sometimes.

Brady Quinn [brey-dee] [kwin] – not good in any manner or degree. Of poor or inferior quality, defective, deficient. Inadequate or below standard. Not satisfactory for use. Inaccurate, incorrect, or faulty.

4. I think you should watch the ESPN Monday Night Football pre-game and broadcast [minus the inclusion of one Keyshawn Johnson]. Seriously though. Ditka on the pre-game and Gruden doing the color for the game. They’re both priceless as commentators. Just great great stuff. When asked last week what he thought of the Jacksonville RB coach telling MJD to down the ball at the 1 to run out the clock and kick a field goal (while still losing) without the head coaches’ approval – Ditka said, “He’s fired. Not after the game. Not next week. Fired. Leave the sideline now. No check, no contract clause. He’s fired.” Quality American television.
5. I think I’m going to save you all from reading any more about Belichick’s 4^th down decision and talk more about something else. Like the Bengals. Sweeping through the AFC North. Swept Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Just playing lights out ball right now. I have a lot of respect for their wins this year, some tough hard fought games. But I did hear them get disrespected on a network show last week after their win in Pittsburgh. I don’t think it was meant as an insult or think it was underhanded, but after their win in Pittsburgh, one of the postgame shows said they were playing well, they are playing “Steeler Football”. Ummm, no. This year they’re playing “Bengal Football”. They’re (2-0) against Steeler Football.
6. I think if you ever doubt anyone who questions how there aren’t more than 32 good quarterbacks in the entire league, or in the world, you’re missing something. If you ever have any questions, just look up and watch a tape of the Broncos/Redskins from Week 10, November 15, 2009. Kyle Orton goes down with an ankle injury. Chris Simms comes in to replace him. You know that phrase, “couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn”?
7. I think I heard some interesting stuff on the radio the other morning. It had to do with winning percentages of teams on certain games when they have a 300+ yard passer, a 100+ yard rusher, and/or a 100+ yard receiver. I did a little dabbling research myself and found it to be pretty astounding. I might delve more into it for the rest of this year and maybe last year’s stats too – and maybe get to a real post with a bunch of data. But it was pretty damn telling how important a 100+ yard rusher is WAY more important than a 300+ yard passer, which in turn is WAY more important than a 100+ yard receiver – when looking just at did that player’s team win the game he put up said stats. At first glance it makes sense because if you’re losing you’re throwing more – but not to the winning percentages (or lack thereof) I found in my quick stat look this week – at how blatantly skewed the winning percentages are for rusher > passer > receiver.
8. I think my non-football thought of the week this week is for your TV viewing pleasure. Criminal Minds on CBS is a sick show. Because of the inherent repetitiveness of the CSI’s simply because of the basis for the storylines, I think Criminal Minds has passed the CSI’s in drama/plot lines. If you don’t watch it now, toss Criminal Minds in your DVR queue.
9. This week’s Jerome Bettis Award goes to a now double recipient this season. I don’t know what it is, but I can’t stand the excessive celebrations. [don’t ask regarding my hypocrite tendencies, but Ocho Cinco is ok in my book. Maybe it’s because there’s props or plans or scripts, rather than just getting overly-jiggy with it for celebration of one’s accomplishments] Anyways, this week’s recipient, his second award this year, goes to Donnie Avery of the Rams. The (1-8) Rams. Nice touchdown catch. Your 4^th this year? So if you get 6 points for every score, x 4 = 24 points scored. Yep, you dance for more than a second for each point scored. You’re awesome. Quit the choreography and get back to sideline and help the team be better than (1-8) jackass.
10. This week’s Just Shut Up Award also goes to another multi-time recipient. One Keyshawn Johnson. How does this guy have a paying job that requires him to speak intelligently and with proper pronunciation? How? This past week on Monday Night Countdown prior to the MNF game, Keyshawn repeatedly called the Bengals coach “Marvin Harrison”. Ummm, it’s Marvin Lewis. Then, when trying to explain that something “isn’t that hard” to do, he kept pronouncing it, “isn’t that whored”. So Keyshawn, it’s HARD, sounds like the R sound. Does he mail out birthday cords? Mow his yored?

College Football TV Viewing Guide Week 12 (Never Give Up Edition)

I almost mailed it in ... like the Terps and Jayhawks but I did not. Oh so close to making this a quickie shit viewing guide, but I am going to gut it out. I will say the subpar season and the awful weekly matchup games have made it tough. "The Play" above keeps me coming back for more ... you never know when your heart is going to get ripped out or when your team makes a miracle comeback and shit houses their band for extra salt to the wound.

From BCO Pix2

By the way I am still laughing at a couple of things. The first one is how mad Pete Carroll is at Hardballs for going for 2 up 48-21 last week. Umm, this from a coach who RUNS IT UP on ANYONE. Hey Pete, suck it up and STFU. Also from last week, I like the Ole Miss joke about puke Orange's recruiting coordinator and ex-Ole Miss coach, crazy cajun Ed "Wild Boy" Orgeron "He still can't get a win a game in Oxford!" (read that link, funny as hell.) LSUFreek's gif above is amazing as always. Follow him on twitter, a must!

On to this week, the GoW is .... ummmm ... no damn clue. Just keep watching, I am sure 1 or 2 will be great. By the way, who let uva on tv other than Raycom. Sure Clemson needs a win to clinch the ACC Atlantic but the hoos don't deserve tv time, unless they are playing the Hokies obviously.

From BCO Pix2

No Thursday game for the viewing guide, A BCO first, but "I'm a MAN, I'm 40" vs "THIS IS Big12 football, it's NOT INTRAMURALS" makes for a slightly interesting storyline. Then the reality of good players, coaches and homefield advantage will smack the shit out of the Buffaloes in the first 10 mins and we'll all be DVR'ring Californication, Dexter and Curb episodes we have missed.

Last week's picks and to date tally
straight up 5-3 to date 54-34 --- 61%
against the spread 5-3 to date 40-47-1 --- 46%

better, but I suck. Acceptance stage.

The Games:

Saturday, November 21st
UNC (7-3) [+3.5] at b.c. (7-3) noon espn2
Note to self, Never Ever count b.c. out. Lose a coach, no biggie go to the ACCCG. Lose a great QB and all your RB's, no big deal go to the ACCCG, lose another HC, gain an old as shit OC, lose the DPOY, 2 first day NFL draft DT's and have the worst starting QB situation in a BCS conference to start the season ... in contention for another trip to the ACCCG. Big Props. Butch Davis also deserves a mention, he has turned the program around, mid season after a devastating loss to f$u, outstanding D and an improving offense. This game should be a great defensive matchup.

whatagainistheOhioState (9-2) at MissAgain (5-6) [+12.5] noon abc
Rivalry week has begun, well at least for the Big1+10 schools. No one is giving MissAgain much of a chance ... again. Reminds me of VT vs uva. Subplot, DickRod is in some hot water ... how much? Not clear, but likely gets 1 more season. Lets be honest, he's a bad fit at MissAgain, it will not end well. Next stop Miami of Ohio or something like that. However, I do know if he wins vs tOSU, then all is forgiven. tOSU plays like VT, ball control and needs the defense score or set up scores to run it up on most teams. Buckeyes win but likely won't cover. DickRod will pull out all the stops but his D is shit.

From BCO Pix2

OU (6-4) [-6.5] at Tejas Tech (6-4) 12:30 pm fsn
One of 2 matchups between underachieving Big 12 teams. OU looks improved now that Jones is settling in or maybe cause the competition is borderline South Dakota H.S. quality. Ida know. Even if I were home, I would not watch, I just need 8 games for this Viewing guide. Mailed this one in, but hope to snap out of it further down the guide.

LSU (8-2) [+4.5] at Ole Miss (7-3) 3:30 pm cbs
Pop quiz ... which coach has ridden the recruits of his predecessor? If you answered both, you win. Les is well less, but he did get a Mythical National Championship with Nick Satan's bunch (even if those Bayou Bengals were a so-so champion.) Only thing the Nutter has done is get the hopes up of a beleaguered, think they are on the same level as LSU, Bama and UF programs fan base. I like Houston Nutt but maybe I was a bit too high on his coaching ability. Anyone who plays 7 games with an offensive system that makes Bryan Stinespring look like Gus Malzahn before changing it to fit the skill set of his players ... isn't that great. Les in a couple years has proven, he can't bring in as good of talent as Saban, can't keep the team discplined as Saban nor surround himself with as good a lot of assistant coaches as Saban. He however can make almost just as much money as Nick Saban, so my friends ... Les is (worth way) more than you.

From BCO Pix2

NCState (4-6) [+19.5] at VT (7-3) 3:30 pm espnu
It's Senior day, give this lot a big loud ROAR, specially my boy Cody! This game is featuring the best H.S. qb from the state of Virginia in 2006 ... Russell Wilson. Huh? Taylor is the better athlete but as QB, it helps to be able to see the play before it happens, read the defense and deliver in a timely matter. At this point whether by natural ability or schooling (it's not the talent around them, VT trumps State there) Wilson is better. You better be damned sure he wants to show VT they should have recruited him and that he was better than Tyrod. doook and State where his only offers. State has a trash D, like Maryland bad but their O is good and at times very good. Relatively high scoring and entertaining. I'll be there in another epic up and back game, drinking lightly (relatively) and cornholing!

From BCO Pix2

KState (6-5) [+16.5] at Nebraska (7-3) 7:45 pm espn
Ummm .... ummmmm .... ummmmm. Yeah, 2nd one mailed in. Garbage IN ... Garbage OUT.

Oregon (8-2) [-6] at Zona (6-3) 8:00 pm abc/espn-gp
Should be a entertaining game, up and down the field as only the Pac10 can. Oregon can score on anyone not named Boise State and Zona is much improved even in the loss at Cal last week. The Pac10 is easily the most balanced and best conference in CFB, but with no true elite team (ACC '08 like.) If you can watch this game, do so ... Oregon's offense when on is a thing of beauty and easily my favorite offense in college football.

Cal (7-3) at Stanford (7-3) [-7.5] 9:30 pm vs
Another Pac10 gem, Toby Gerhart is a badass mofo. Runs straight, upright and hard. No dancing, man up for him, if you don't you'll get trucked. Another great game and he's headed to NYC. 27 Years ago ... "The Play" top 5 greatest moment in CFB history happened. Think the trombone play still curls up like a bitch when he sees him self Gerhart'd on every replay? Hang onto that Golden Bears, you aren't winning this year. I hope Hardballs runs it up and goes for 2 on Tedford too. Both these teams are pretty good and it's a big rivalry between nerd schools, loser has to give up their interactive Guitar t-shirt and Pokemon collection.

From BCO Pix2

Alright, I need my beauty sleep, got a smoker with wings, oysters, beer and BIG 12 FOOTBALL tomorrow night. Have safe travels all. Made the playoffs in the ACC bloggers fantasy college football group. Need to beat down some b.c. eagle guy to move to the finals. RW, Montel Harris and Auburn QB Chris Todd need to take me to the Championship game.

HokieJayBee's NFL Week 10

What’s up? Week 10, NFL season 2009. This week’s edition is a celebration of the downturn of my season. And the immense, I told you so feeling, I’ve had building for a couple weeks.

[I] 2009 Season Stats

Season Totals:

69.42% straight up picks for your office pool (84-37)

54.84% against the spread this year on recommended plays (51-42)

51.56% over-all including the recommended no-actions (66-62)

Thoughts for the past week:

*That “I told you so” feeling I’ve had brewing for a couple weeks is because I’ve been treading the line on a lot of big favorite lines. I just couldn’t bring myself to take some of these dogs in these games [extreme lack of parity in the league right now]. But these lines for the favorites have been creeping up, and up, and up. Years past, a -6.5 line was the normal “big” line for the week. It was on the high end for the week. This year, there’s been a consistent level of -13.5’s, -14.5’s, and even a couple -16.5’s. And, the “normal” favorite line has creeped to -9.5 and -10.5, away from the old standard -6.5. And, I predicted correctly. I got hammered this week with a bunch of favorites winning by 3 to 7, instead of 10.

*I went (9-4) in the straight up picks for your office pool. Well that sucks. You just lost your office pool to the receptionist who picks teams based on her feelings that somehow a Cardinal could beat up a Bear. You might be doing well for the whole season, since you get 9 or 10 wins a week, but you haven’t won any weeks.

*With the books, I got hammered. Went (4-9) overall but (2-7) against the spread on the recommended picks. That’s (2-2) in NO ACTION plays. Sigh.

*All these damn big spreads. I hate it.

Season 2009, Trains I’m on:

*Peyton Manning

*Drew Brees

*Carson Palmer

*Tom Brady

Season 2009, Trains I’m not on:

*Clinton Portis, Jason Campbell, Jim Zorn (debacle)

*Larry Johnson (LOL cut)

[II] Week 10 Picks/Comments – Enginerd Table

GAME		LINE	OFFICE POOL WINNER	SPREAD WINNER	FAVE OR DOG?	ACTION?	HEART / COMMENT	PREDICTED SCORE
1	CHI @ SF	SF -2.5	SF	--	FAVE	NO	I can’t even lie to you and tell you I had SF at home here. This game was going to be a NO ACTION game regardless of Thursday game or not. Both of these teams needed a win badly, and both have quarterbacks that have a fondness for giving the ball to the other team. Knew it was going to be close, can’t tell you I would’ve taken SF	--
2	DET @ MIN	MIN -16.5	MIN	MIN	FAVE	YES	Dammit. Another near 17 point spread. I have no fear the Vikings win here. Coming off of a bye, hapless Detroit coming into the Metrodome. But 17? Geez. I’m fearing a 27-13 here. But I can’t take the Lions, I just can’t.	MIN 37-13
3	DEN @ WAS	DEN -3.5	DEN	DEN	FAVE	YES	Denver fell back twice from (6-0) versus the Ravens and Steelers. Not too horrible to worry about yet. I’m seeing a bounce back here, with the Bronco D getting 6+ sacks and 3+ turnovers. It’s just a bad year to be a skin fan. I mean, bad decade.	DEN 27-10
4	TB @ MIA	MIA -9.5	MIA	TB	DOG	YES	I’m thinking Miami doesn’t have any problems here at home for the win. I don’t like the -9.5, though. Tampa was playing inspired ball against GB last week, loading up emotion on the rookie QB Freeman and feeding off his good play. So, I’m picking them to stay within the 9.5 here.	MIA 24-17 (Tampa cover)
5	BUF @ TEN	TEN -7.5	TEN	BUF	DOG	YES	Yuck game, not the blegh game of the week though with KC and OAK squaring off, but close. Tennessee looks like they’ve righted the ship, and like Tampa, feeding off the emotion of the QB switch to Vince Young. Again, I like TENN to win at home here no problem, but I don’t like the -7.5. Buffalo can play boring on O and tight D and stay within the TD here.	TENN 16-13 (Buffalo cover)
6	NO @ STL	NO -13.5	NO	NO	FAVE	YES	Another huge spread. I’m actually glad to see NO closer to 14 than 17 point favorites. Had less to talk myself into staying on a huge favorite. Even with the 13.5 to play with, I can’t take STL here. NO is too good. Which 3 different receivers will have TD’s this week from Brees?	NO 34-6
7	JAC @ NYJ	NYJ -6.5	NYJ	NYJ	FAVE	YES	When I first saw this game, I said to myself I’d be taking the Jets at home, as long as the line isn’t -6 or worse. Then the lines come out. Of course. -6.5. I don’t think the Jets dominate here, but I think coming off their bye week they’ll have enough playing on the defensive side to hold the Jags down. Gonna take the Jets at home here off the bye.	NYJ 27-17
8	ATL @ CAR	ATL -1.5	CAR	CAR	DOG	YES	This game is the one I can’t explain my feelings on it, but for some reason my feelings are strong enough to not make it a NO ACTION game this week. Atlanta won last week, but not looking pretty. Carolina appears to be back on the rise, playing well – and their D is playing nasty. I’m seeing Carolina locking down Michael Turner and Matt Ryan not picking them apart. Game will be close and low scoring.	CAR 20-17 (Carolina outright win)
9	CIN @ PIT	PIT -6.5	PIT	PIT	FAVE	NO	Let me explain this to you. DO NOT BET ON THIS GAME. I like PITT to win at home here. I think the Bengals *can* do it, they’re playing great this year. I just don’t see it happening in Pittsburgh. And I don’t have a problem picking PITT to win at home here, I just don’t like the -6.5 so it’s NO ACTION.	PITT 27-20
10	KC @ OAK	OAK -1.5	OAK	OAK	FAVE	YES	I’m not going to talk about this game. I’d rather eat paper.	OAK 13-10
11	DAL @ GB	DAL -3.5	DAL	DAL	FAVE	YES [LOCK]	Lock it up. Dallas’ D is playing well, and shut down Philly last week. Green Bay couldn’t block the Golden Girls from sacking Aaron Rodgers. I’d love to see -2.5 here instead of -3.5 on the road, but I don’t think it’ll end up mattering as Ware and company will be living in Rodgers’ lap.	DAL 30-17
12	PHI @ SD	SD -1.5	SD	SD	FAVE	NO	Another good matchup I think I’ll avoid as NO ACTION. If this game is in Philly I’d take Philly on an action pick. But with them losing at home last week and now having to travel to the West Coast, I’m thinking the Chargers can cover here at home. Philly has two defensive starters out after the Dallas game, and SD can be big and physical with their TE and WR’s all being 6’4” or bigger.	SD 24-19
13	SEA @ ARI	ARI -8.5	ARI	ARI	FAVE	YES	Some betting advice for this game. Take the over. I originally didn’t like the look of -8.5 here. But after some consideration, I think Arizona puts it on them here at home and they’re going for early nails in the NFC West’s proverbial coffin.	ARI 33-20
14	NE @ IND	IND -2.5	NE	NE	DOG	NO	I wouldn’t bet on this game if you gave me money to bet on it. I’d just keep the gift money. Juggernaut game to decide some playoff home field, and two great QB’s facing off. I think the Colts will be fine at home for a while. But, Brady and company will eventually spread the field and be fine, with the Colts having ¾ of their starting secondary out on injury. With two rookie CB’s starting for INDY, I’m seeing a lot of Moss deep, Welker short mismatches.	NE 30-27 (New England outright win)
15	BAL @ CLE	BAL -10.5	BAL	BAL	FAVE	YES	ESPN is not happy they got this Monday night matchup. More than half of America’s TV’s won’t be watching the second half of this blowout. I don’t like -10.5 on a road team. But it’s at CLEVELAND……Flacco and Ray Rice will have huge days. Brady Quinn will not.	BAL 27-10

--only taking 4 dogs this week

--differing from my norm, only 1 of those 4 dogs is a recommended NO-ACTION

[III] 10 or so things I think I think.

1. I think these are my top 5 teams right now:

(After 7 weeks I’m able to start claiming there’s an order here.)

1. NO – I don’t have much to say here, and I don’t see it changing this week at STL.
2. INDY – yearly event against New England. Barring a blow out I don’t see either team leaving the top 5.
3. MINN – already in my top 5, coming off of a bye, hosting Detroit. Yum yum gimme some.
4. NEW ENG – see, INDY, above.
5. PITT – gotta be in my top 5 now. Won a huge game at Denver on Monday night. Don’t let it go to your head, lose this week at home to Cinci and it’s those Bungles on this list.

2. I think these are my bottom 5 teams right now:

(After 7 weeks I’m able to start claiming there’s an order here.)

1. WASH – You………..are…………bad. And as Smokey would say on “Friday”, Clinton, you got knocked the F^CK OUT!
2. KC – Bad team. Bad coaching. Bad play. Now, in a purely “classy” move I haven’t decided if I agree with or not, you cut problem child Larry Johnson (probably deservedly) when he is ~85ish yards short of the franchise record for total yards. LOL.
3. DET – Had a better team beat in Seattle this past week. Then Matthew Stafford channeled his inner Mark Sanchez and matched the rookies in now both having a 5 pick game in their opening campaign.
4. OAK – You had a week off to discuss the legal fate of your coach, and work on your rookie QB. And, you get to come out of the bye hosting KC. One of you crotch stains will get a win.
5. CLEV – hosting Baltimore this week on Monday Night Football. I’m taking the old Browns, i.e. the Ravens, to win by 30. Percentage of the crowd in Cleveland in a paper bag mask? 40%

3. I think I talked about it a lot last season. But I can’t get off the subject now, not after watching all the games this past week. They have GOT TO review the roughing the passer rules again. This is tackle football people. If you can’t hit the QB, just put him in a yellow jersey and make a rule that states you can’t hit him. Some of the roughing the passer calls this past week were embarrassing that they’re considered penalties. They hit harder in women’s soccer.

4. I think I’m laughing at the Packers right now. You thought you were good. You thought had a chance at the North division. Then the Minnesota BrettFavre’s swept you. You thought you might have a shot at the wildcard. Then you went and gave Tampa their first win. You suck. And here’s why. You’ve given up 37 sacks already. Aaron Rodgers might be good. But no one gets anything done from their butt on the ground. 6 sacks and 3 picks versus Tampa? Playoffs? Playoffs? You want to talk about playoffs?
5. I think one of the league’s biggest surprises this year, to include surprising me, is Cedric Benson. Good for him. Much maligned out of Texas onto the Bears, and then onto the Bengals. He’s kept his name out of the limelight (no off the field crap, no Terrell Owens crap at practice). And all he’s done is go out and be 2^nd or 3^rd in the league in rushing thus far. And, he’s done it against the Steelers and Ravens too. Over 100+ yards twice against Baltimore. Unheard of. Good for you Ced.
6. I think the Colts need to shut the damn roof for 1:00 games. If you’ve seen either of the last two (home) games for the Colts, you’ve seen some of the worst sunlight affecting NFL games, ever. Missed passes, WR’s not even seeing the ball. It’s been little league. Shut the roof. Play football.
7. I think the NFL needs to hide the fact that the networks and money rule them, a little better. I mean, we all know it does. But hide it a little better. Don’t bend the rules so obviously. The Colt and Pats are about to meet for the 7^th straight year. They are not in the same division. The out of division, in conference, scheduling is supposed to rotational throughout the other divisions. Not 7 straight to one out of division opponent. And, they always play in the first two weeks of November. “Sweeps” weeks for the network TV wars. Shame shame NFL, for allowing the bending of the scheduling rules and TV to run your ship so blatantly.
8. I think my non-football thought of the week this week is: I have two!
1. You need to go to youtube.com and search for “New Mexico Women’s Soccer Fight BYU”. Go watch it. Trust me. Just flat amazing stuff.
2. Sammy Sosa, what…………..the…………………..f^ck? You’re looking rather Caucasian lately.
9. This week’s Jerome Bettis Award goes to Nate Burleson, wide receiver on the Seahawks. A couple things here. [a] you shouldn’t be looking much to celebrate in your game against Detroit, you’re playing the Lions for Chriminey’s sake. [b] you don’t get to celebrate every single catch. You’re a friggin wide receiver in the NFL. You get paid to catch the ball. A 4-yard gain on first down is not reason to dance, it’s merely 2^nd and 6. Stop dancing. Please.
10. This week’s Just Shut Up Award goes to Tony Siragusa, former Raven, commentator for Fox. Speaking of the roughing the passer penalties being levied (again) this year……this week’s JSU Award goes to fat boy Siragusa. In watching the Redskins/Falcons game this past week, there was one of those “roughing the passer” calls when a Redskins’ lineman hit Matt Ryan AS HE WAS THROWING THE BALL. So it wasn’t late. It wasn’t vicious. And it wasn’t a hit led with the helmet. It was literally a plain-Jane-standard NFL hit. And they got flagged 15 yards. And fat boy Siragusa, who is only famous for two things. One, now a commentator, his sideline reviews of the stadium food selection for the city they’re in. And two, knocking Rich Gannon out of the playoffs when Tony’s Ravens knocked the Raiders out. Tony hit Rich late, led with his helmet, drove Rich into the ground and then ended with all his weight (roughly 350 pounds at playing weight?) on Rich. Tony this past weekend on the hit in question, “you can’t drive through the quarterback and put all your weight on him”. Yeah Tony, good call, you can’t. You’re famous for that, you fat piece of crap!