It's been a while on this site....
* Sad day as an Eagle's Fan. Donovan's injury ruining the season. The fact that the team had some glaring flaws on run defense and offensive consistancy more troubling than D's injury. The news that Andre "Dirty" Watters took his life shouldn't even be compared. It's gotten to where i don't want the check Philadelphiaeagles.com
* Glimmar of light on a frustrating day. Ryan Howard!
* Rutgers....sigh. So Jersey of them to get our hopes up, only to dash them.
* College Football...I LOVE attending a game. But wake me up when there is a point to the season.
* ODU Hoops -- Taking down the mighty Hoyas of Georgetown on their turf!
* Ravens v. Bears in superbowl...I dream of the matchup!
Hope to update this more in the future.
*
11/20/2006
10/18/2006
College v. Pro
I'm headed to blacksburg this weekend to watch the Hokies.
I'm headed to DC, December 10, in December to see Philly v. Washington
To me there is no competition about whether NFL or NCAA is better.
Until the NCAA has a point to it's season there will be no discussion in my book.
Add to this the superior level of play in the Pro Game and it's not even close.
As for game day? I don't think there is any competition (outside of NFL in Green Bay, Buffalo and other non-pro cities)
1.) Tailgating -- College has a FAR superior tailgate. Tailgates are open fields, with all kinds of divets transformed to old friends from across the state partying together, reminiscing, drinking, eating and doing everything but getting ready for the game ahead. (i think it outshines the game). The Pro tailgate is too often looked down upon by the stadium folk (revenue from food sales inside). The crowd is more locals that see each other during the week. I tjust doesn't have the same magic.
2.) Those in attendance -- Due to ticket cost you just have a very different crowd. Football is blue color. So to have staidums that are set to have as many corporate boxes as possible ie a lot different than the stadium filled with hungover college kids that can't afford a hotdog but got a ticket due to parent's tuition check. Plus the creativity of the students add to the fun for all there to laugh, and again, reminisce.
3.) TV -- not NEARLY as many college games have the TV contracts that stop play after ever few minutes and make them stand waiting for more.
4.) Bleachers -- See my note above. Football is blue collar. We don't need cup holders and folding chairs that are ergonomically designed.
5.) People's reaction -- people get depressed when the home team loses in college. People ge violent when the home team loses in pro (ok this may be a philly anomale).
6.) Bands and pagentry -- NFL just shows jumbo trons full of sponsors. Um, i like marching bands, ROTC servicemen and women in uniform, crazy mascot doing pushups.
I'm headed to DC, December 10, in December to see Philly v. Washington
To me there is no competition about whether NFL or NCAA is better.
Until the NCAA has a point to it's season there will be no discussion in my book.
Add to this the superior level of play in the Pro Game and it's not even close.
As for game day? I don't think there is any competition (outside of NFL in Green Bay, Buffalo and other non-pro cities)
1.) Tailgating -- College has a FAR superior tailgate. Tailgates are open fields, with all kinds of divets transformed to old friends from across the state partying together, reminiscing, drinking, eating and doing everything but getting ready for the game ahead. (i think it outshines the game). The Pro tailgate is too often looked down upon by the stadium folk (revenue from food sales inside). The crowd is more locals that see each other during the week. I tjust doesn't have the same magic.
2.) Those in attendance -- Due to ticket cost you just have a very different crowd. Football is blue color. So to have staidums that are set to have as many corporate boxes as possible ie a lot different than the stadium filled with hungover college kids that can't afford a hotdog but got a ticket due to parent's tuition check. Plus the creativity of the students add to the fun for all there to laugh, and again, reminisce.
3.) TV -- not NEARLY as many college games have the TV contracts that stop play after ever few minutes and make them stand waiting for more.
4.) Bleachers -- See my note above. Football is blue collar. We don't need cup holders and folding chairs that are ergonomically designed.
5.) People's reaction -- people get depressed when the home team loses in college. People ge violent when the home team loses in pro (ok this may be a philly anomale).
6.) Bands and pagentry -- NFL just shows jumbo trons full of sponsors. Um, i like marching bands, ROTC servicemen and women in uniform, crazy mascot doing pushups.
9/16/2006
First weeks results
I've highlighted my performance in my local ESPN radio affiliate's fantasy baseball comptetition. This is all Ryan Howard as picks had to be made in April. A time when only Phillies fans (of which there are a paucity in hampton Roads) would have chosen Ryan. I'm now in first in the league.
I started well with my football league winning with a basic cross section of scoring from all positions.
My survival football league went fine as my pick of Arizona went pretty smoothly (and i'm glad i used them early before Kurt Warner gets hurt).
College pick 'em i've only missed one game in two weeks (i picked PSU over ND so that was quite a miss). But that league is luck for me. i don't know much about college football.
Pro Pick 'em I got demolished. Really bad start there.
Salary Football I also got demolished as i went cheap with players like Walli Lundy and spent money on Randy Moss. Neither worked out.
I started well with my football league winning with a basic cross section of scoring from all positions.
My survival football league went fine as my pick of Arizona went pretty smoothly (and i'm glad i used them early before Kurt Warner gets hurt).
College pick 'em i've only missed one game in two weeks (i picked PSU over ND so that was quite a miss). But that league is luck for me. i don't know much about college football.
Pro Pick 'em I got demolished. Really bad start there.
Salary Football I also got demolished as i went cheap with players like Walli Lundy and spent money on Randy Moss. Neither worked out.
9/01/2006
League of Integrity
Most people have dabbled with the traditional draft based fantasy football. Some active fantasy footballers position themselves in 2,3 or 4 leagues. I admit that this was something I did for a few years. THe problem, however, arose when I would find myself losing in one league because Randy Moss scored a TD. However, in ANOTHER league Randy Moss was on my team so i was happy. This mix was not enjoyable to me.
I also don't enjoy the feeling after positioning yourself for a strong victory in your league only to hear the vanquished owner state. Well, in my OTHER league I .....
For those that enjoy this. Game on.
But to steal from Mike & Mike's jargon on filling out NCAA brackets. I choose to play one league of integrity. I choose one league that is my primary league and I play it. Now I do have another team with some friends to maintain connection there but I will always point to my primary team as my League of Integrity. My fantasy output this year will raise and fall with these players not in my ability to enter enough leagues that i'm bound to win one.
The way i feed my insatiable appetite for more fantasy sport competitions. I play different games. I will highlight them here on this site this week. Salary Cap, Survival, Pick 'ems. Each has a different strategy for victory.
I also don't enjoy the feeling after positioning yourself for a strong victory in your league only to hear the vanquished owner state. Well, in my OTHER league I .....
For those that enjoy this. Game on.
But to steal from Mike & Mike's jargon on filling out NCAA brackets. I choose to play one league of integrity. I choose one league that is my primary league and I play it. Now I do have another team with some friends to maintain connection there but I will always point to my primary team as my League of Integrity. My fantasy output this year will raise and fall with these players not in my ability to enter enough leagues that i'm bound to win one.
The way i feed my insatiable appetite for more fantasy sport competitions. I play different games. I will highlight them here on this site this week. Salary Cap, Survival, Pick 'ems. Each has a different strategy for victory.
8/30/2006
They can't win without a number 1 Receiver
Stop me if you've heard an announcer say that about the Eagle's.
James Thrash / Todd Pinkston ... brought Eagle's to '02 NFC Championship Game
James Thrash / Todd PInkston ... brought Eagle's to '03 NFC Championship Game
James Thrash / Todd Pinkston ... brought Eagle's to '04 NFC Championship Game
Todd Pinkston / Greg Lewis / Freddie Mitchell ... brought Eagles to '05 Super Bowl.
Remind me where the top teir (or even fifth tier) wide receivers are in the above crew?
This week the Eagles traded for Donte Stallworth. IT's not a player that you would call a great receiver, and some might even say he's not even good. But no one can deny he's not better than the above mentioned crew.
So instead of spending 35 mil on a 3rd receiver the Eagle's thought TEAM and got the speed they needed at the X and the hands/route running at the Y. They now can let their rookies develop as the slot receivers. It's a subtle move but a very good one.
The Eagle's problems, if they occur, this year won't have anything to do with the wide receivers (or lack their of). It will be in their defense. An overrated secondary, some outside linebackers that are marginal. Those are the concerns.
P.S. Bye Bye Koy Detmer. It's been a good ride, but quite a random one.
James Thrash / Todd Pinkston ... brought Eagle's to '02 NFC Championship Game
James Thrash / Todd PInkston ... brought Eagle's to '03 NFC Championship Game
James Thrash / Todd Pinkston ... brought Eagle's to '04 NFC Championship Game
Todd Pinkston / Greg Lewis / Freddie Mitchell ... brought Eagles to '05 Super Bowl.
Remind me where the top teir (or even fifth tier) wide receivers are in the above crew?
This week the Eagles traded for Donte Stallworth. IT's not a player that you would call a great receiver, and some might even say he's not even good. But no one can deny he's not better than the above mentioned crew.
So instead of spending 35 mil on a 3rd receiver the Eagle's thought TEAM and got the speed they needed at the X and the hands/route running at the Y. They now can let their rookies develop as the slot receivers. It's a subtle move but a very good one.
The Eagle's problems, if they occur, this year won't have anything to do with the wide receivers (or lack their of). It will be in their defense. An overrated secondary, some outside linebackers that are marginal. Those are the concerns.
P.S. Bye Bye Koy Detmer. It's been a good ride, but quite a random one.
8/24/2006
Phiting Phils
The Phillies have been been a bit of a enigma this season. They go hot and cold quite often. Eventually, for the first time in a long time, the General Manager made a decision and pulled the plug on 4 deals that sold of the various parts ot the team. After giving away some of their veteran starters (and one perenial all-star) you would expect them to curl up and die. The Phitings, however, have done quite the opposite and played together in the kind of way that makes me exited about the team in a way i haven't been in a while.
Things to get exited about
* Chase Utley's hitting streak.
* Ryan Howard's assualt on Mike Schmidt's Philly record for single season HR's
* Young Pitchers (Hamels the shining star here)
* Defense matters (Victorino and Rowand leading the charge)
* Pat Burrell sprinting home on a play. (any time Pat hustles is a moment to notice!)
I don't know if they'll make the playoff but man, it feels great to be a Phillies fan again.
8/23/2006
2006 Draft Day
My primary fantasy football league drafted yesterday...
Here is my review...
Keepers -- Larry Johnson (no brainer) and Cadillac Williams. Cadillac was a last second choice over my favorite player in the NFL (donovan McNabb). I just went with the instinct that donovan will be the pre-TO donovan. Victories but not statistics. Cadillac is also young
Round 1 -- Anquan Boldin ... Thought Donovan might drop to this spot but was picked up one pick earlier. I had planned on cornering two star receivers if i couldn't land donovan or matt hasselbeck. I figured RB's were already monopolized. QB's had about 15 that are all the same. I had about 11 receivers i thought were 'top tier' i decided ahead of time i would try for two of those 11 (we start 3 receivers) at the turn. I like Boldin in a weak defensive division. QB questions though when (not if) Kurt gets injuerd.
Round 2 -- Reggie Wayne -- Got my second star receiver. I choose Wayne with Harrison on the board. Wayne got eh contract for a reason. I thought Colts must know something. Wayne also has been more prominent in pre-season.
Round 3 -- Duante Culpepper -- I knew i'd probably be looking for whatever qb's were left in round 3 and 4. I'm pretty strict about sticking with the value assigned by others (figure i'm too biased). Duante was just next on my list. I don't like him as an NFL qb as i think he makes sloppy mistakes at inopportune moments. Can't discount his rushing TD's (big deal in fantasy)
Round 4 -- Michael Vick... We start two QB's which puts them at a premium (some might say more than RB's with the way they get injured). Similar to Duante i don't like his NFL game (even though i have VA Tech and 757 love for the guy). But also similar to Duante he gets those coveted rushing yards. Had to take him.
Round 5 -- Steve McNair -- This was tough. The receivers were all the same at this point. No quality backup RB was on board..to go there would be a reach. I also worry about health of my starting qb's. So I picked the guy that has looked outstanding all preseason. I love that i have three black qb's...thank you warren moon!
Roung 6 -- David Carr -- I'm wondering how these qb's are dropping. like i said qb's are quite valueable when starting two (turns out two owners didn't know we started 2 qb's). again all WR's the same and no real value in backup RB. Three health risks at QB ...why not grab another? Plus Carr plays ever day.
Round 6 (from a trade) -- Byron Leftwich -- Now it's just getting funny. With no value at RB or WR I figure why not get a ton of qb's and either leverage for trades. Keep them to hurt other teams chances of fielding a starting 2. Play matchups. Again value was just there on this pick.
Round 7 -- Thomas Jones -- At this point i have to find some answer to back up RB. Cadillac is injury prone. Bears are in such a bad defensive division i figure i can corner the two bears backs here and hope one of them establishes as starter.
Round 8 -- Cedric Benson -- I can't stand the guys attitude. But see note above. My back up RB is chicago RB...i have to have both for it to work.
Round 9 -- Muhsin Muhammad -- Time to fill my third receiver (at least temporarily). They all look the same to me. The value on my draft sheet said Mushin. Like with RB's i figure NFC North is so weak on defense he should get some numbers. Now i just hope for clarity in bears QB. This could be a position (3rd WR) that is in constant flux for my team
Round 10 -- Michael Bennett -- Just had to have LJ's backup. KC's running game is to potent to let that drop. Willie Roaf's retirement will hurt bad but i'm hoping he returns
Round 11 -- Vernon Davis -- My plan works again. I'm convinced people read the articles on TE's and overvalue them. Yes it's a position that didn't get points in the past. But recently there has been an influx of scoring TE's and now i think there are at least 10 that are viable fantasy options (similar to SS in baseball) it used to be just cal ripkin (see tony gonzalez) then the rest became active and now there are plenty of SS's to choose from. Heath Miller, Jason WItten and Ben Watson were all still available.
Round 12 -- Ravens D -- they are getting old..but still this is the ravens
Round 13 -- David Akers -- My only Eagle?!? David hasn't missed all pre-season..Eagle's Offense won't be as TD happy but still will move...Can you say FG's?
I feel decent about my draft...happy with my starting line-up. The 5 qb's is a bit ridiculous but it may be a fun asset long term.
Here is my review...
Keepers -- Larry Johnson (no brainer) and Cadillac Williams. Cadillac was a last second choice over my favorite player in the NFL (donovan McNabb). I just went with the instinct that donovan will be the pre-TO donovan. Victories but not statistics. Cadillac is also young
Round 1 -- Anquan Boldin ... Thought Donovan might drop to this spot but was picked up one pick earlier. I had planned on cornering two star receivers if i couldn't land donovan or matt hasselbeck. I figured RB's were already monopolized. QB's had about 15 that are all the same. I had about 11 receivers i thought were 'top tier' i decided ahead of time i would try for two of those 11 (we start 3 receivers) at the turn. I like Boldin in a weak defensive division. QB questions though when (not if) Kurt gets injuerd.
Round 2 -- Reggie Wayne -- Got my second star receiver. I choose Wayne with Harrison on the board. Wayne got eh contract for a reason. I thought Colts must know something. Wayne also has been more prominent in pre-season.
Round 3 -- Duante Culpepper -- I knew i'd probably be looking for whatever qb's were left in round 3 and 4. I'm pretty strict about sticking with the value assigned by others (figure i'm too biased). Duante was just next on my list. I don't like him as an NFL qb as i think he makes sloppy mistakes at inopportune moments. Can't discount his rushing TD's (big deal in fantasy)
Round 4 -- Michael Vick... We start two QB's which puts them at a premium (some might say more than RB's with the way they get injured). Similar to Duante i don't like his NFL game (even though i have VA Tech and 757 love for the guy). But also similar to Duante he gets those coveted rushing yards. Had to take him.
Round 5 -- Steve McNair -- This was tough. The receivers were all the same at this point. No quality backup RB was on board..to go there would be a reach. I also worry about health of my starting qb's. So I picked the guy that has looked outstanding all preseason. I love that i have three black qb's...thank you warren moon!
Roung 6 -- David Carr -- I'm wondering how these qb's are dropping. like i said qb's are quite valueable when starting two (turns out two owners didn't know we started 2 qb's). again all WR's the same and no real value in backup RB. Three health risks at QB ...why not grab another? Plus Carr plays ever day.
Round 6 (from a trade) -- Byron Leftwich -- Now it's just getting funny. With no value at RB or WR I figure why not get a ton of qb's and either leverage for trades. Keep them to hurt other teams chances of fielding a starting 2. Play matchups. Again value was just there on this pick.
Round 7 -- Thomas Jones -- At this point i have to find some answer to back up RB. Cadillac is injury prone. Bears are in such a bad defensive division i figure i can corner the two bears backs here and hope one of them establishes as starter.
Round 8 -- Cedric Benson -- I can't stand the guys attitude. But see note above. My back up RB is chicago RB...i have to have both for it to work.
Round 9 -- Muhsin Muhammad -- Time to fill my third receiver (at least temporarily). They all look the same to me. The value on my draft sheet said Mushin. Like with RB's i figure NFC North is so weak on defense he should get some numbers. Now i just hope for clarity in bears QB. This could be a position (3rd WR) that is in constant flux for my team
Round 10 -- Michael Bennett -- Just had to have LJ's backup. KC's running game is to potent to let that drop. Willie Roaf's retirement will hurt bad but i'm hoping he returns
Round 11 -- Vernon Davis -- My plan works again. I'm convinced people read the articles on TE's and overvalue them. Yes it's a position that didn't get points in the past. But recently there has been an influx of scoring TE's and now i think there are at least 10 that are viable fantasy options (similar to SS in baseball) it used to be just cal ripkin (see tony gonzalez) then the rest became active and now there are plenty of SS's to choose from. Heath Miller, Jason WItten and Ben Watson were all still available.
Round 12 -- Ravens D -- they are getting old..but still this is the ravens
Round 13 -- David Akers -- My only Eagle?!? David hasn't missed all pre-season..Eagle's Offense won't be as TD happy but still will move...Can you say FG's?
I feel decent about my draft...happy with my starting line-up. The 5 qb's is a bit ridiculous but it may be a fun asset long term.
8/10/2006
Mock Regular Season
That was a lot of fun for me...Some things i've noticed...
It's easy to go to extremes. I think the records of teams i think are good are inflated just as records of bad teams are deflated. The real NFL is far more 8-8. I definitely had the NFC East bias going as i had each team with 10 wins. Here are the final divisional standings I had.
NFC East
Washington (11-5) ...week 1 bye in playoffs
Philadelphia (10-6) ... Would be wildcard with 4-2 division record (yes i know bias)
New York Giants (10-6) ... Would be second wildcard with 2-0 record on Dallas
Dallas (10-6) ... I would love if they could miss the playoffs at 10-6!
NFC North
Detroit (10-6) ... Surprising like the Tigers. I think Kitna makes the difference
Chicago (9-7)...One dimmensional
Minnesota (5-11) ... I wish better for Brad Childress
Green Bay (3-13)...I just think they look bad.
NFC South
Carolina (12-4) ... Home field throughout playoffs
Tampa Bay (9-7) ... Victom of tough schedule
Atlanta (6-10)...Vick experiment near over
New Orleans (2-14)...Bum arm on brees turns out bad
NFC West
Arizona (10-6)...All on health of Kurt Warner
Seattle (9-7)... Once again superbowl runner up misses playoffs
St. Louis (5-11) ... Will finish better than this record.
San Francisco (2-14)...May finish worse than this record.
AFC East
Miami (10-6) ...Culpepper looks healthy enough to get job done
New England (8-8) ..age and injuries
New York Jets (6-10) ...more life to them than you expect
Buffalo (5-11)...Need a qb
AFC North
Baltimore (11-5)...McNair is all they needed
Pittsburgh (10-6) ...lose tie breaker to chargers
Cincinnati (9-7)...Offseason takes toll on regular season
Cleveland (2-14)...doomed franchise.
AFC South
Indianapolis (12-4)...Still superior talent
Jacksonville (11-5)...IF Byron stays healthy...Wild Card
Houston (8-8)...Really look good by end of season
Tennessee (3-13)...Experiment with Vince Young
AFC West
Kansas City (12-4)... Roaf may hurt more than i gave credit
San Diego (10-6)...Rivers has rough start but easy schedule. Wildcard
Denver (9-7)...Jay Cutler before end?
Oakland (6-10)..>Great beginning but ends on down note.
It's easy to go to extremes. I think the records of teams i think are good are inflated just as records of bad teams are deflated. The real NFL is far more 8-8. I definitely had the NFC East bias going as i had each team with 10 wins. Here are the final divisional standings I had.
NFC East
Washington (11-5) ...week 1 bye in playoffs
Philadelphia (10-6) ... Would be wildcard with 4-2 division record (yes i know bias)
New York Giants (10-6) ... Would be second wildcard with 2-0 record on Dallas
Dallas (10-6) ... I would love if they could miss the playoffs at 10-6!
NFC North
Detroit (10-6) ... Surprising like the Tigers. I think Kitna makes the difference
Chicago (9-7)...One dimmensional
Minnesota (5-11) ... I wish better for Brad Childress
Green Bay (3-13)...I just think they look bad.
NFC South
Carolina (12-4) ... Home field throughout playoffs
Tampa Bay (9-7) ... Victom of tough schedule
Atlanta (6-10)...Vick experiment near over
New Orleans (2-14)...Bum arm on brees turns out bad
NFC West
Arizona (10-6)...All on health of Kurt Warner
Seattle (9-7)... Once again superbowl runner up misses playoffs
St. Louis (5-11) ... Will finish better than this record.
San Francisco (2-14)...May finish worse than this record.
AFC East
Miami (10-6) ...Culpepper looks healthy enough to get job done
New England (8-8) ..age and injuries
New York Jets (6-10) ...more life to them than you expect
Buffalo (5-11)...Need a qb
AFC North
Baltimore (11-5)...McNair is all they needed
Pittsburgh (10-6) ...lose tie breaker to chargers
Cincinnati (9-7)...Offseason takes toll on regular season
Cleveland (2-14)...doomed franchise.
AFC South
Indianapolis (12-4)...Still superior talent
Jacksonville (11-5)...IF Byron stays healthy...Wild Card
Houston (8-8)...Really look good by end of season
Tennessee (3-13)...Experiment with Vince Young
AFC West
Kansas City (12-4)... Roaf may hurt more than i gave credit
San Diego (10-6)...Rivers has rough start but easy schedule. Wildcard
Denver (9-7)...Jay Cutler before end?
Oakland (6-10)..>Great beginning but ends on down note.
Mock NFL Week 17
NY Giants (10-5) @ Washington (10-5) ... If Brunell is still breathing than I think Wash takes division with the win (Was)
Seattle (9-6) @ Tampa Bay (8-7) ... The curse continues (TB)
St. Louis (5-10) @ Minnesota (4-11) ... Minnesota ends season feeling a lot better about self than beginning (Min)
Carolina (11-4) @ New Orleans (2-13) ... Carolina takes the playoff preperation seriously (Car)
Atlanta (6-9) @ Philadelphia (9-6) ... I don't think Philly gets help it's going to need (Phi)
Oakland (6-9) @ NY Jets (5-10) ... Hometeam is only one with reason to play (NYJ)
Detroit (10-5) @ Dallas (9-6)... Dallas takes the win (Dal)
Green Bay (3-12) @ Chicago (8-7) .. Bye bye brett (CHI)
Pittsburgh (9-6) @ Cincinnati (9-6) ... Pittsburgh's last grasp of breath (Pit)
Cleveland (2-13) @ Houston (7-8).. Houston ends season feeling good about 2007 (Hou)
Buffalo (5-10) @ Baltimore (10-5) .... Division comes with victory (Bal)
New England (8-7) @ Tennessee (2-13) ... NE packs it in early this year (TEN)
Miami (10-5) @ Indianapolis (11-4) ... Indy needs that bye week (IND)
Jacksonville (10-5) @ Kansas City (12-3) ... KC has no reason to play hard (Jax)
San Francisco (2-13) @ Denver (8-7) .... With the first pick in the 2007 draft...(DEN)
Arizona (10-5) @ San Diego (9-6) ... SD needs it more (SD)
Seattle (9-6) @ Tampa Bay (8-7) ... The curse continues (TB)
St. Louis (5-10) @ Minnesota (4-11) ... Minnesota ends season feeling a lot better about self than beginning (Min)
Carolina (11-4) @ New Orleans (2-13) ... Carolina takes the playoff preperation seriously (Car)
Atlanta (6-9) @ Philadelphia (9-6) ... I don't think Philly gets help it's going to need (Phi)
Oakland (6-9) @ NY Jets (5-10) ... Hometeam is only one with reason to play (NYJ)
Detroit (10-5) @ Dallas (9-6)... Dallas takes the win (Dal)
Green Bay (3-12) @ Chicago (8-7) .. Bye bye brett (CHI)
Pittsburgh (9-6) @ Cincinnati (9-6) ... Pittsburgh's last grasp of breath (Pit)
Cleveland (2-13) @ Houston (7-8).. Houston ends season feeling good about 2007 (Hou)
Buffalo (5-10) @ Baltimore (10-5) .... Division comes with victory (Bal)
New England (8-7) @ Tennessee (2-13) ... NE packs it in early this year (TEN)
Miami (10-5) @ Indianapolis (11-4) ... Indy needs that bye week (IND)
Jacksonville (10-5) @ Kansas City (12-3) ... KC has no reason to play hard (Jax)
San Francisco (2-13) @ Denver (8-7) .... With the first pick in the 2007 draft...(DEN)
Arizona (10-5) @ San Diego (9-6) ... SD needs it more (SD)
8/09/2006
NFL Mock 16
Minnesota (3-11) @ Green Bay (3-11) ... Green Bay is playing Aaron Rodgers by now (Min)
Kansas City (11-3) @ Oakland (6-8) ... Home Field throughout playoffs (KC)
Chicago (8-6) @ Detroit (9-5) ... Detroit locks up division with victory (Det)
Tennessee (2-12) @ Buffalo (4-10) ... Buffalo wins the Christmas eve in the snow (Buf)
Carolina (11-3) @ Atlanta (5-9) ... Starters are resting ...(Atl)
Indianapolis (10-4) @ Houston (7-7)...Playoff dream over for Texans (Ind)
Tampa Bay (7-7) @ Cleveland (2-12) ... Keeps playoffs hope alive (TB)
New Orleans (2-12) @ NY Giants (9-5) .. New Orleans has packed it in (NYG)
Washington (9-5) @ St. Louis (5-9) ... Washington needs the W (Was)
Baltimore (9-5) @ Pittsburgh (9-5) ... Pittsburgh can't keep momentum (Bal)
New England (8-6) @ Jacksonville (9-5) ... Jacksonville ends NE's playoff run (Jax)
Arizona (9-5) @ San Francisco (2-12) ... Arizona takes the easy win (Ari)
San Diego (8-6) @ Seattle (9-5) ... Seattle feels year after heat (SD)
Cincinnati (9-5) @ Denver (7-7) ... Denver takes home victory (Den)
Philadelphia (8-6) @ Dallas (9-5) .. I believe in Santa Claus (Phi)
NY Jets (5-9) @ Miami (9-5) ... Miami wraps up division (Mia)
Kansas City (11-3) @ Oakland (6-8) ... Home Field throughout playoffs (KC)
Chicago (8-6) @ Detroit (9-5) ... Detroit locks up division with victory (Det)
Tennessee (2-12) @ Buffalo (4-10) ... Buffalo wins the Christmas eve in the snow (Buf)
Carolina (11-3) @ Atlanta (5-9) ... Starters are resting ...(Atl)
Indianapolis (10-4) @ Houston (7-7)...Playoff dream over for Texans (Ind)
Tampa Bay (7-7) @ Cleveland (2-12) ... Keeps playoffs hope alive (TB)
New Orleans (2-12) @ NY Giants (9-5) .. New Orleans has packed it in (NYG)
Washington (9-5) @ St. Louis (5-9) ... Washington needs the W (Was)
Baltimore (9-5) @ Pittsburgh (9-5) ... Pittsburgh can't keep momentum (Bal)
New England (8-6) @ Jacksonville (9-5) ... Jacksonville ends NE's playoff run (Jax)
Arizona (9-5) @ San Francisco (2-12) ... Arizona takes the easy win (Ari)
San Diego (8-6) @ Seattle (9-5) ... Seattle feels year after heat (SD)
Cincinnati (9-5) @ Denver (7-7) ... Denver takes home victory (Den)
Philadelphia (8-6) @ Dallas (9-5) .. I believe in Santa Claus (Phi)
NY Jets (5-9) @ Miami (9-5) ... Miami wraps up division (Mia)
8/07/2006
Mock week 15
San Francisco (2-11) @ Seattle (8-5) ... Seattle needs the W and cold weather helps the effort (Sea)
Dallas (8-5) @ Atlanta (5-8) ... Atlanta has packed it in at this point (Dal)
NY Jets (5-8) @ Minnesota (2-11)... Minnesota loves the Metrodome (Min)
Philadelphia (7-6) @ NY Giants (9-4) ... Donovan continues Hex on Giants (Phi)
Washington (8-5) @ New Orleans (2-11) ... Washington stays in playoff mix (Was)
Houston (7-6) @ New England (7-6)... NE shows Houston they aren't quite there (NE)
Pittsburgh (9-4) @ Carolina (10-3)...Carolina locks up homefield with the victory (Car)
Tampa Bay (7-6) @ Chicago (7-6) ... Chicago keeps alive in playoff push (Chi)
Cleveland (2-11) @ Baltimore (8-5)...AFC North gets dicey (Bal)
Miami (8-5) @ Buffalo (4-9) ... Hope for snow to remind us of Kelly v. Marino (Mia)
Detroit (8-5) @ Green Bay (3-10)...Detroit is turning into the sport's capital of US (DET)
Jacksonville (9-4) @ Tennessee (1-12)...Upset alert. Tennessee pulls it off (Ten)
Kansas City (11-2) @ San Diego (7-6) ... SD needs it more (SD)
Denver (7-6) @ Arizona (8-5) ... Could this be game of week? Arizona musters a home field buzz (AZ)
St. Louis (5-8) @ Oakland (5-8) ...Home field takes it (Oak)
Cincinnati (9-4) @ Indianapolis (9-4) ...Bye week is up for grabs..Indy claims it (Ind)
Dallas (8-5) @ Atlanta (5-8) ... Atlanta has packed it in at this point (Dal)
NY Jets (5-8) @ Minnesota (2-11)... Minnesota loves the Metrodome (Min)
Philadelphia (7-6) @ NY Giants (9-4) ... Donovan continues Hex on Giants (Phi)
Washington (8-5) @ New Orleans (2-11) ... Washington stays in playoff mix (Was)
Houston (7-6) @ New England (7-6)... NE shows Houston they aren't quite there (NE)
Pittsburgh (9-4) @ Carolina (10-3)...Carolina locks up homefield with the victory (Car)
Tampa Bay (7-6) @ Chicago (7-6) ... Chicago keeps alive in playoff push (Chi)
Cleveland (2-11) @ Baltimore (8-5)...AFC North gets dicey (Bal)
Miami (8-5) @ Buffalo (4-9) ... Hope for snow to remind us of Kelly v. Marino (Mia)
Detroit (8-5) @ Green Bay (3-10)...Detroit is turning into the sport's capital of US (DET)
Jacksonville (9-4) @ Tennessee (1-12)...Upset alert. Tennessee pulls it off (Ten)
Kansas City (11-2) @ San Diego (7-6) ... SD needs it more (SD)
Denver (7-6) @ Arizona (8-5) ... Could this be game of week? Arizona musters a home field buzz (AZ)
St. Louis (5-8) @ Oakland (5-8) ...Home field takes it (Oak)
Cincinnati (9-4) @ Indianapolis (9-4) ...Bye week is up for grabs..Indy claims it (Ind)
8/05/2006
Mock Week 14
Cleveland (2-10) @ Pittsburgh (8-4) ... Steelers easily (PIT)
Atlanta (5-7) @ Tampa Bay (6-6) ... Tampa stays in it with W at home (TB)
Philadelphia (7-5) @ Washington (7-5)...Washington gets payback for early loss (WAS)
NY Giants (8-4) @ Carolina (10-2) ... Short week takes it's toll on Panthers (NYG)
Indianpolis (9-3) @ Jacksonville (8-4) ... Jacksonville makes things interesting in division (Jax)
Buffalo (4-8) @ NY Jets (4-8) ... Jets win at home (NYJ)
New England (7-5) @ Miami (7-5)...Officially a new sheriff in town (Mia)
Minnesota (2-10) @ Detroit (7-5) ... Surge into playoffs (DET)
Baltimore (8-4) @ Kansas City (10-2) ... so hard to win in KC (KC)
Tennessee (1-11) @ Houston (6-6) ... 5th straight W for Houston (HOU)
New Orleans (2-10) @ Dallas (7-5) ...Can't lose the easy ones in the NFC East (DAL)
Oakland (5-7) @ Cincinnati (8-4) ... Cincy enjoys home cooking (Cin)
Seattle (7-5) @ Arizona (8-4) ... Arizona just not tested for a playoff push (Sea)
Green Bay (3-9) @ San Francisco (1-11)...Niners show some semblance of 'next year' (SF)
Denver (7-5) @ San Diego (6-6) ... Rivers looking much more comfortable (SD)
Chicago (7-5) @ St. Louis (4-8) ... Rams take the monday night fight (STL)
Atlanta (5-7) @ Tampa Bay (6-6) ... Tampa stays in it with W at home (TB)
Philadelphia (7-5) @ Washington (7-5)...Washington gets payback for early loss (WAS)
NY Giants (8-4) @ Carolina (10-2) ... Short week takes it's toll on Panthers (NYG)
Indianpolis (9-3) @ Jacksonville (8-4) ... Jacksonville makes things interesting in division (Jax)
Buffalo (4-8) @ NY Jets (4-8) ... Jets win at home (NYJ)
New England (7-5) @ Miami (7-5)...Officially a new sheriff in town (Mia)
Minnesota (2-10) @ Detroit (7-5) ... Surge into playoffs (DET)
Baltimore (8-4) @ Kansas City (10-2) ... so hard to win in KC (KC)
Tennessee (1-11) @ Houston (6-6) ... 5th straight W for Houston (HOU)
New Orleans (2-10) @ Dallas (7-5) ...Can't lose the easy ones in the NFC East (DAL)
Oakland (5-7) @ Cincinnati (8-4) ... Cincy enjoys home cooking (Cin)
Seattle (7-5) @ Arizona (8-4) ... Arizona just not tested for a playoff push (Sea)
Green Bay (3-9) @ San Francisco (1-11)...Niners show some semblance of 'next year' (SF)
Denver (7-5) @ San Diego (6-6) ... Rivers looking much more comfortable (SD)
Chicago (7-5) @ St. Louis (4-8) ... Rams take the monday night fight (STL)
8/04/2006
Mock NFL Week13
Baltimore (8-3) @ Cincinnati (7-4) ... Short week favors the home team (Cin)
Minnesota (2-9) @ Chicago (6-5) ... Bears try to stay with the Lions (CHI)
Kansas City (9-2) @ Cleveland (2-9) ... Road victory for the cheese (KC)
San Diego (6-5) @ Buffalo (3-8) ... Cold weather is coming in (Buf)
Indianapolis (8-3) @ Tennessee (1-10) ... Long season gets longer for titans (IND)
NY Jets (3-8) @ Green Bay (3-8) ... Jets D takes this one (NYJ)
Tampa Bay (5-6) @ Pittsburgh (7-4) .... Cold weather again (Pit)
Atlanta (5-6) @ Washington (6-5) ... Washington should have the quickness on D (Was)
San Francisco (1-10) @ New Orleans (1-10) ... Saints take one they need (NO)
Dallas (7-4) @ NY Giants (7-4) ... Bledsoe has to be hurt by this point (NYG)
Detroit (7-4) @ New England (6-5) ... Pats take care of home business (NE)
Jacksonville (6-4) @ Miami (7-4) ... Jacksonville's late surge continues (JAX)
Arizona (7-4) @ St. Louis (4-7) ... Arizona tries to keep in front of seattle (ARI)
Houston (5-6) @ Oakland (5-6)... Houston is now officially talk of the NFL (Hou)
Seattle @ Denver (7-4) ... Mile High Victory (Den)
Carolina (9-2) @ Philadelphia (7-4)... If they could do it in an NFC championship game they can win on the road on MNF (Car)
Minnesota (2-9) @ Chicago (6-5) ... Bears try to stay with the Lions (CHI)
Kansas City (9-2) @ Cleveland (2-9) ... Road victory for the cheese (KC)
San Diego (6-5) @ Buffalo (3-8) ... Cold weather is coming in (Buf)
Indianapolis (8-3) @ Tennessee (1-10) ... Long season gets longer for titans (IND)
NY Jets (3-8) @ Green Bay (3-8) ... Jets D takes this one (NYJ)
Tampa Bay (5-6) @ Pittsburgh (7-4) .... Cold weather again (Pit)
Atlanta (5-6) @ Washington (6-5) ... Washington should have the quickness on D (Was)
San Francisco (1-10) @ New Orleans (1-10) ... Saints take one they need (NO)
Dallas (7-4) @ NY Giants (7-4) ... Bledsoe has to be hurt by this point (NYG)
Detroit (7-4) @ New England (6-5) ... Pats take care of home business (NE)
Jacksonville (6-4) @ Miami (7-4) ... Jacksonville's late surge continues (JAX)
Arizona (7-4) @ St. Louis (4-7) ... Arizona tries to keep in front of seattle (ARI)
Houston (5-6) @ Oakland (5-6)... Houston is now officially talk of the NFL (Hou)
Seattle @ Denver (7-4) ... Mile High Victory (Den)
Carolina (9-2) @ Philadelphia (7-4)... If they could do it in an NFC championship game they can win on the road on MNF (Car)
8/03/2006
Mock Week 12
Miami (7-3) @ Detroit (6-4) ... Short week helps detroit as the host team (Det)
Tampa Bay (5-5) @ Dallas (6-4) ... See above (Dallas)
Denver (7-3) @ Kansas City (8-2) ...What a game! New eddition to Thanksgiving will be greatly appreciated! (KC)
Philadelphia (7-3) @ Indianapolis (7-3) ... Cory Simon leads the Colts to victory (Ind)
NY Giants (6-4) @ Tennessee (1-9) ... I'm tempted to go upset here but I think it's Vince Young time (NYG)
Pittsubrgh (7-3) @ Baltimore (7-3) ... Round 1 goes to home team (Bal)
New Orleans (1-9) @ Atlanta (4-6) ... Atlanta takes the W (ATL)
Cincinnati (6-4) @ Cleveland (2-8) ... Cincy keeps eyes on playoffs (Cin)
Jacksonville (6-4) @ Buffalo (3-7) ... Jacksonville continues late surge (Jax)
Carolina (8-2) @ Washington (7-3) ... Possible playoff preview goes to the Panthers (Car)
San Francisco (1-9) @ St. Louis (3-7) ... Rams take the home victory (STL)
Arizona (6-4) @ Minnesota (2-8) ... Arizona starts feeling post-season vibe (ARI)
Chicago (5-5) @ New England (6-4) ... Patriots injuries start to take toll (Chi)
Houston (4-6) @ NY Jets (3-7) ... Texans take 3rd in a row (Hou)
Oakland (5-5) @ San Diego (5-5) ... San Diego takes the home win (SD)
Green Bay (3-7) @ Seattle (6-4) ... Seattle may be shaking post superbowl jinx (SEA)
Tampa Bay (5-5) @ Dallas (6-4) ... See above (Dallas)
Denver (7-3) @ Kansas City (8-2) ...What a game! New eddition to Thanksgiving will be greatly appreciated! (KC)
Philadelphia (7-3) @ Indianapolis (7-3) ... Cory Simon leads the Colts to victory (Ind)
NY Giants (6-4) @ Tennessee (1-9) ... I'm tempted to go upset here but I think it's Vince Young time (NYG)
Pittsubrgh (7-3) @ Baltimore (7-3) ... Round 1 goes to home team (Bal)
New Orleans (1-9) @ Atlanta (4-6) ... Atlanta takes the W (ATL)
Cincinnati (6-4) @ Cleveland (2-8) ... Cincy keeps eyes on playoffs (Cin)
Jacksonville (6-4) @ Buffalo (3-7) ... Jacksonville continues late surge (Jax)
Carolina (8-2) @ Washington (7-3) ... Possible playoff preview goes to the Panthers (Car)
San Francisco (1-9) @ St. Louis (3-7) ... Rams take the home victory (STL)
Arizona (6-4) @ Minnesota (2-8) ... Arizona starts feeling post-season vibe (ARI)
Chicago (5-5) @ New England (6-4) ... Patriots injuries start to take toll (Chi)
Houston (4-6) @ NY Jets (3-7) ... Texans take 3rd in a row (Hou)
Oakland (5-5) @ San Diego (5-5) ... San Diego takes the home win (SD)
Green Bay (3-7) @ Seattle (6-4) ... Seattle may be shaking post superbowl jinx (SEA)
8/02/2006
moving on up
i'm up to number 2
http://www.espnradio1310.com/TonysTales.asp?SectionID=4
i remember my NL picks were
Ryan Howard (biased pick...but turned out well)
Albert Pujols (98% of us playing picked him..what were the other 2% thinking?)
Carlos Lee (I just have liked his stats and now i get him in a better lineup!)
David Wright (Local bias...but most of us in Hampton Roads went with this)
AL I don't remember but i think i went
Vladimir Guerrero
David Ortiz
Alex Rodriguez
Travis Haffner
nothing surprising here but they've all basically lived up to their expectations.
http://www.espnradio1310.com/TonysTales.asp?SectionID=4
i remember my NL picks were
Ryan Howard (biased pick...but turned out well)
Albert Pujols (98% of us playing picked him..what were the other 2% thinking?)
Carlos Lee (I just have liked his stats and now i get him in a better lineup!)
David Wright (Local bias...but most of us in Hampton Roads went with this)
AL I don't remember but i think i went
Vladimir Guerrero
David Ortiz
Alex Rodriguez
Travis Haffner
nothing surprising here but they've all basically lived up to their expectations.
Mock Week 11
St. Louis (2-7) @ Carolina (8-1) ... Carolina gets caught looking ahead two NFC East battles and MNF hangover (StL)
Washington (6-3) @ Tampa Bay (5-4) ... DC travels down and takes care of business amking sure ref can't steal it at end ... (WAS)
Tennessee (1-8) @ Philadelphia (6-3) ... Philly gets last easy W before crazy time (Phi)
Chicago (5-4) @ NY Jets (2-7) ... Jets D takes down Chicago (NYJ)
Cincinnati (5-4) @ New Orleans (1-8) ... The USC veteran takes out the rookie (Cin)
Minnesota (2-7) @ Miami (6-3) ... Miami starts to think post-season thoughts (Mia)
Oakland (5-4) @ Kansas City (7-2) ... Home cooking (KC)
New England (5-4) @ Green Bay (3-6) ... New England goes in and wins on the Tundra (NE)
Pittsburgh (6-3) @ Cleveland (2-7) ... Pit keeps race with Baltimore alive (Pit)
Indianapolis (7-2) @ Dallas (5-4) ... Parcells has them ready to roll...(Dal)
Atlanta (4-5) @ Baltimore (6-3) .... Vick doesn't have a chance (Bal)
Buffalo (3-6) @ Houston (3-6) .. Houston begins feeling a lot better about themselves (Hou)
Seattle (5-4) @ San Francisco (1-8) ... Doesn't get easire for the niners (Seattle)
Detroit (6-3) @ Arizona (5-4) ... Arizona outscores detroit as stadium becomes 3/4 full (AZ)
San Diego (5-4) @ Denver (6-3) ... Rivers is begging for Oxygen at end of this one (Den)
NY Giants (6-3) @ Jacksonville (5-4) ... Jags are able to stop Teek (Jax)
Washington (6-3) @ Tampa Bay (5-4) ... DC travels down and takes care of business amking sure ref can't steal it at end ... (WAS)
Tennessee (1-8) @ Philadelphia (6-3) ... Philly gets last easy W before crazy time (Phi)
Chicago (5-4) @ NY Jets (2-7) ... Jets D takes down Chicago (NYJ)
Cincinnati (5-4) @ New Orleans (1-8) ... The USC veteran takes out the rookie (Cin)
Minnesota (2-7) @ Miami (6-3) ... Miami starts to think post-season thoughts (Mia)
Oakland (5-4) @ Kansas City (7-2) ... Home cooking (KC)
New England (5-4) @ Green Bay (3-6) ... New England goes in and wins on the Tundra (NE)
Pittsburgh (6-3) @ Cleveland (2-7) ... Pit keeps race with Baltimore alive (Pit)
Indianapolis (7-2) @ Dallas (5-4) ... Parcells has them ready to roll...(Dal)
Atlanta (4-5) @ Baltimore (6-3) .... Vick doesn't have a chance (Bal)
Buffalo (3-6) @ Houston (3-6) .. Houston begins feeling a lot better about themselves (Hou)
Seattle (5-4) @ San Francisco (1-8) ... Doesn't get easire for the niners (Seattle)
Detroit (6-3) @ Arizona (5-4) ... Arizona outscores detroit as stadium becomes 3/4 full (AZ)
San Diego (5-4) @ Denver (6-3) ... Rivers is begging for Oxygen at end of this one (Den)
NY Giants (6-3) @ Jacksonville (5-4) ... Jags are able to stop Teek (Jax)
8/01/2006
Mock NFL 10
Cleveland (2-6) @ Atlanta (3-5) ...Atlanta is able to control clock and game (Atl)
San Diego (5-3) @ Cincinnati (4-4) ... Cincy takes the needed W at home (Cin)
San Francisco (1-7) @ Detroit (5-3) ... Mo-town is following yet another team coming back to life (DET)
Baltimore (5-3) @ Tennessee (1-7) ... McNair enjoys his return 'home' (Bal)
Buffalo (3-5) @ Indianapolis (6-2) ... Shouldn't be close (Ind)
Kansas City (7-1) @ Miami (5-3) ... Bandwagon will be going full steam (Mia)
Green Bay (3-5) @ Minnesota (1-7) ... 2 in a row (Min)
NY Jets (2-6) @ New England (4-4) ... Get healthy victory (NE)
Chicago (5-3) @ NY Giants (5-3) ... Giants have the ballance Chicago lacks (NYG)
Washington (6-2) @ Philadelphia (5-3) ... Andy has only lost once after a bye week (Phi)
Houston (2-6) @ Jacksonville (5-3) ... Houston takes surprise victory on road (Hou)
New Orleans (1-7) @ Pittsburgh (5-3)...Defense wins it for Pittsburgh (PIT)
Denver (6-2) @ Oakland (4-3) ... Things get dicey in Denver as they lose two straight (Oak)
Dallas (5-3) @ Arizona (4-4) ... Cardinal receivers see game as chance to show TO (Ari)
St. Louis (1-7) @ Seattle (5-3) ... Seattle is missing something as they suffer the home loss (STL)
Tampa Bay (5-3) @ Carolina (7-1) ... Carolina is talking super (CAR)
San Diego (5-3) @ Cincinnati (4-4) ... Cincy takes the needed W at home (Cin)
San Francisco (1-7) @ Detroit (5-3) ... Mo-town is following yet another team coming back to life (DET)
Baltimore (5-3) @ Tennessee (1-7) ... McNair enjoys his return 'home' (Bal)
Buffalo (3-5) @ Indianapolis (6-2) ... Shouldn't be close (Ind)
Kansas City (7-1) @ Miami (5-3) ... Bandwagon will be going full steam (Mia)
Green Bay (3-5) @ Minnesota (1-7) ... 2 in a row (Min)
NY Jets (2-6) @ New England (4-4) ... Get healthy victory (NE)
Chicago (5-3) @ NY Giants (5-3) ... Giants have the ballance Chicago lacks (NYG)
Washington (6-2) @ Philadelphia (5-3) ... Andy has only lost once after a bye week (Phi)
Houston (2-6) @ Jacksonville (5-3) ... Houston takes surprise victory on road (Hou)
New Orleans (1-7) @ Pittsburgh (5-3)...Defense wins it for Pittsburgh (PIT)
Denver (6-2) @ Oakland (4-3) ... Things get dicey in Denver as they lose two straight (Oak)
Dallas (5-3) @ Arizona (4-4) ... Cardinal receivers see game as chance to show TO (Ari)
St. Louis (1-7) @ Seattle (5-3) ... Seattle is missing something as they suffer the home loss (STL)
Tampa Bay (5-3) @ Carolina (7-1) ... Carolina is talking super (CAR)
7/31/2006
Half Way on Mock Season Update
Here's what i've come up with
NFC EAST
Washington leads at 6-2
Dallas, Philly, & NY are all 5-3.
I think this is fairly accurate to the talent in this division. THey haven't started beating up on eacho ther quite yet.
NFC NORTH
Detroit & Chicago tied at 5-3
Green Bay at 3-5
Minnesota at 1-7
Detroit is the question here. I'm banking that Martz & Kitna make a significant difference here. This is still a division that teams try to lose more than try to win.
NFC SOUTH
Carolina cruising at 7-1
Tampa at 4-3
Atlanta at 3-5
New Orleans at 1-7
Atlanta and New Orleans are probably better than i have them but the division has the hardship of playing the AFC North. Carolina probably can't run the baltimore, cincy, dallas string that i have them winning ut they will be well ahead at midseason
NFC WEST
Seattle 5-3
Arizona 4-4
SF & St. Louis at 1-7
St. Louis is no where near a 1-7 team but their schedule seams brutal to me. Seattle will lose more as the super bowl looser always does.
AFC EAST
Miami 5-3
NE 4-4
Buffalo 3-5
NY Jets 2-6
this seems right to me for midseason
AFC NORTH
Pit & Bal 5-3
Cincy 4-4
Cle 2-6
The top 3 here are all good. I expect some drop off from pit & Cincy so i won't be surprised if balimtore has more of a lead than this at midseason
AFC SOUTH
Indy 6-2
Jacksonville 5-3
Houston 2-6
Tennessee 1-7
Houston is better than a 2-6 team but again, brutal schedule.
AFC WEST
KC 7-1
Denver 6-2
SD 5-3
Oakland 4-3
Best division in football...KC 's number is very inflated in light of Roaf's retirement this weekend!
NFC EAST
Washington leads at 6-2
Dallas, Philly, & NY are all 5-3.
I think this is fairly accurate to the talent in this division. THey haven't started beating up on eacho ther quite yet.
NFC NORTH
Detroit & Chicago tied at 5-3
Green Bay at 3-5
Minnesota at 1-7
Detroit is the question here. I'm banking that Martz & Kitna make a significant difference here. This is still a division that teams try to lose more than try to win.
NFC SOUTH
Carolina cruising at 7-1
Tampa at 4-3
Atlanta at 3-5
New Orleans at 1-7
Atlanta and New Orleans are probably better than i have them but the division has the hardship of playing the AFC North. Carolina probably can't run the baltimore, cincy, dallas string that i have them winning ut they will be well ahead at midseason
NFC WEST
Seattle 5-3
Arizona 4-4
SF & St. Louis at 1-7
St. Louis is no where near a 1-7 team but their schedule seams brutal to me. Seattle will lose more as the super bowl looser always does.
AFC EAST
Miami 5-3
NE 4-4
Buffalo 3-5
NY Jets 2-6
this seems right to me for midseason
AFC NORTH
Pit & Bal 5-3
Cincy 4-4
Cle 2-6
The top 3 here are all good. I expect some drop off from pit & Cincy so i won't be surprised if balimtore has more of a lead than this at midseason
AFC SOUTH
Indy 6-2
Jacksonville 5-3
Houston 2-6
Tennessee 1-7
Houston is better than a 2-6 team but again, brutal schedule.
AFC WEST
KC 7-1
Denver 6-2
SD 5-3
Oakland 4-3
Best division in football...KC 's number is very inflated in light of Roaf's retirement this weekend!
Phillies & Mock NFL week 9
* Big weekend for the Phitings...Chase gets to 31 in a row (i was sure he'd lose it in the double header yesterday)...They trade Bobby A for spare parts...the only reason i don't like the trade was the inclusion of Cory Lidle. We had to get rid of Bobby and I hope Pat Burrell. This team, as constructed, just wasn't doing it and pat & bobby seemed part of the laid back crowd that didn't react well to Larry Bowa. Let's rebuild around the kids (utley, rollins, Howard)
Mock NFL weeek 9
Atlanta (3-4) @ Detroit (4-3) ... New Detroit offense makes people notice this week (DET)
Cincinnati (4-3) @ Baltimore (4-3) ... Tough test at home but Baltimore's D prevails (Bal)
Dallas (5-2) @ Washington (5-2) ... Washington's Defense is able to get bledsoe (Was)
Green Bay (3-4) @ Buffalo (2-4) ... Buffalo uses homefield advnatage to take this one (BUF)
Houston (2-4) @ NY Giants (4-3)...WIth Giants tough early schedule they HAVE to get W's they can (NYG)
Kansas City (6-1) @ St. Louis (1-6)...Chief fans make trip to root on team to W (KC)
Miami (4-3) @ Chicago (4-2) ....Miami has D AND O ...not chicago (MIA)
New Orleans (1-6) @ Tampa Bay (4-3) ... Tampa grounds it out (TB)
Tennessee (1-6) @ Jacksonville (4-3) .. Jacksonville starts to look like years past (JAX)
Minnesota (0-7) @ San Francisco (1-6)...Minnesota tastes vicotry for first time (MIN)
Cleveland (2-5) @ San Diego (4-3) ... Chargers need the easy ones (SD)
Denver (6-1) @ Pittsburgh (4-3) ... Pittsburgh takes a needed home W (Pit)
Indianapolis (5-2) @ New England (4-3) ... Indy travels and takes the W as vin. hits late fg (IND)
Oakland (4-3) @ Seattle (4-3) ... Seattle shows little sign of the let down (SEA)
Mock NFL weeek 9
Atlanta (3-4) @ Detroit (4-3) ... New Detroit offense makes people notice this week (DET)
Cincinnati (4-3) @ Baltimore (4-3) ... Tough test at home but Baltimore's D prevails (Bal)
Dallas (5-2) @ Washington (5-2) ... Washington's Defense is able to get bledsoe (Was)
Green Bay (3-4) @ Buffalo (2-4) ... Buffalo uses homefield advnatage to take this one (BUF)
Houston (2-4) @ NY Giants (4-3)...WIth Giants tough early schedule they HAVE to get W's they can (NYG)
Kansas City (6-1) @ St. Louis (1-6)...Chief fans make trip to root on team to W (KC)
Miami (4-3) @ Chicago (4-2) ....Miami has D AND O ...not chicago (MIA)
New Orleans (1-6) @ Tampa Bay (4-3) ... Tampa grounds it out (TB)
Tennessee (1-6) @ Jacksonville (4-3) .. Jacksonville starts to look like years past (JAX)
Minnesota (0-7) @ San Francisco (1-6)...Minnesota tastes vicotry for first time (MIN)
Cleveland (2-5) @ San Diego (4-3) ... Chargers need the easy ones (SD)
Denver (6-1) @ Pittsburgh (4-3) ... Pittsburgh takes a needed home W (Pit)
Indianapolis (5-2) @ New England (4-3) ... Indy travels and takes the W as vin. hits late fg (IND)
Oakland (4-3) @ Seattle (4-3) ... Seattle shows little sign of the let down (SEA)
7/28/2006
Pick YOUR Winners
You bored with my opinions at this point?
Think you can pick whose going to win a game or two in the NFL?
I just set up a "pick 'em" challenge game on yahoo. 50 people can compete.
What you do is each week of the season you pick who will win the games (14-16 games each week).
You then put "confidence" points on each game by ranking it 1-16. (For instance when New England plays Minnesota I'll put 16 confidence points that NE wins.)
Time commitment is only once during week for 5-10 minutes as you chose each game.
If you are interested in getting in the league send me your e-mail and i"ll send you the invite.
Think you can pick whose going to win a game or two in the NFL?
I just set up a "pick 'em" challenge game on yahoo. 50 people can compete.
What you do is each week of the season you pick who will win the games (14-16 games each week).
You then put "confidence" points on each game by ranking it 1-16. (For instance when New England plays Minnesota I'll put 16 confidence points that NE wins.)
Time commitment is only once during week for 5-10 minutes as you chose each game.
If you are interested in getting in the league send me your e-mail and i"ll send you the invite.
Mock NFL Week 8
San Francisco (1-4) @ Chicago (3-2) ... Alex Smith just won't be what they hoped (Chi)
Atlanta (3-3) @ Cincinnati (3-3)...Shoot-out game. I want to go ATL on this but have to go home team (Cincy)
Seattle (4-2) @ Kansas City (5-1)...They keep rolling along as LJ tries to go up on Shaun (KC)
Houston (1-4) @ Tennessee (1-5)...Houston has more weapons. (Houston)
Arizona (3-4) @ Green Bay (3-3)...Arizona gets things right after L streak (Arizona)
Tampa Bay (4-2) @ NY Giants (3-3) ... Battle of Pass rush...Eli makes more mistakes than Simms ..by NY is home (NYG)
Jacksonville (3-3) @ Philadelphia (5-2)...Jacksonville need this one bad (Jax)
Baltimore (3-3) @ New Orleans (1-5)...Baltimore rested and ready (Balt)
St. Louis (1-5) @ San Diego (3-3)...Chargers ground this win out (SD)
Pittsuburgh (3-3) @ Oakland (4-2)... Pittsburgh settles Oakland down a bit (PIT)
Indianapolis (5-1) @ Denver (5-1)...Denver's homefield makes the diff (DEN)
NY Jets (2-5) @ Cleveland (1-5)...Homefield is enough here (Cle)
Dallas (5-1) @ Carolina (6-1)...Keyshawn's revenge (CAR)
New England (3-3) @ Minnesota (0-6) ...I like Brad Childress...I really do (NE)
Atlanta (3-3) @ Cincinnati (3-3)...Shoot-out game. I want to go ATL on this but have to go home team (Cincy)
Seattle (4-2) @ Kansas City (5-1)...They keep rolling along as LJ tries to go up on Shaun (KC)
Houston (1-4) @ Tennessee (1-5)...Houston has more weapons. (Houston)
Arizona (3-4) @ Green Bay (3-3)...Arizona gets things right after L streak (Arizona)
Tampa Bay (4-2) @ NY Giants (3-3) ... Battle of Pass rush...Eli makes more mistakes than Simms ..by NY is home (NYG)
Jacksonville (3-3) @ Philadelphia (5-2)...Jacksonville need this one bad (Jax)
Baltimore (3-3) @ New Orleans (1-5)...Baltimore rested and ready (Balt)
St. Louis (1-5) @ San Diego (3-3)...Chargers ground this win out (SD)
Pittsuburgh (3-3) @ Oakland (4-2)... Pittsburgh settles Oakland down a bit (PIT)
Indianapolis (5-1) @ Denver (5-1)...Denver's homefield makes the diff (DEN)
NY Jets (2-5) @ Cleveland (1-5)...Homefield is enough here (Cle)
Dallas (5-1) @ Carolina (6-1)...Keyshawn's revenge (CAR)
New England (3-3) @ Minnesota (0-6) ...I like Brad Childress...I really do (NE)
7/27/2006
Mock Week 7
Detroit (4-2) @ New York Jets (1-5) ... Jets Defense is enough to pull of the W. (NYJ)
Green Bay (3-2) @ Miami (3-3)...Miami takes out frustration of week before on pack (Mia)
Philadelphia (5-1) @ Tampa Bay (3-2)...Tampa is able to ground out a W (TB)
San Diego (3-2) @ Kansas City (4-1) ... KC won't lose this at home (KC)
Carolina (5-1) @ Cincinnati (3-2)...Game of week. Carolina comes in and wins (Car)
New England (2-3) @ Buffalo (2-4)... 3L's and a bye week...Buffalo won't have a chance (NE)
Pittsburgh (2-3)@ Atlanta (3-2)...Great D can hold down Vick (Pit)
Jacksonville (2-3) @ Houston (1-4) ... Jacksonville takes wins it can get (Jax)
Denver (4-1) @ Cleveland (1-4)....Denver keeps rolling (DEN)
Washington (5-1) @ Indianapolis (4-1)...Tight game but Indy takes it (IND)
Minnesota (0-5) @ Seattle (3-2) ... Seattle takes easy wins when they get them (SEA)
Arizona (3-4) @ Oakland (3-2)...I don't like Arizona coming of MNF ...(OAK)
NY Giants (2-3) @ Dallas (5-0)...NY Pass rush crushes the soft Dallas line (NYG)
Green Bay (3-2) @ Miami (3-3)...Miami takes out frustration of week before on pack (Mia)
Philadelphia (5-1) @ Tampa Bay (3-2)...Tampa is able to ground out a W (TB)
San Diego (3-2) @ Kansas City (4-1) ... KC won't lose this at home (KC)
Carolina (5-1) @ Cincinnati (3-2)...Game of week. Carolina comes in and wins (Car)
New England (2-3) @ Buffalo (2-4)... 3L's and a bye week...Buffalo won't have a chance (NE)
Pittsburgh (2-3)@ Atlanta (3-2)...Great D can hold down Vick (Pit)
Jacksonville (2-3) @ Houston (1-4) ... Jacksonville takes wins it can get (Jax)
Denver (4-1) @ Cleveland (1-4)....Denver keeps rolling (DEN)
Washington (5-1) @ Indianapolis (4-1)...Tight game but Indy takes it (IND)
Minnesota (0-5) @ Seattle (3-2) ... Seattle takes easy wins when they get them (SEA)
Arizona (3-4) @ Oakland (3-2)...I don't like Arizona coming of MNF ...(OAK)
NY Giants (2-3) @ Dallas (5-0)...NY Pass rush crushes the soft Dallas line (NYG)
7/25/2006
Notes & Fantasy Week 6
* Tiger crying on 18 (i don't watch golf live..but on the replay) was one of my favorite moments of his. I hate going with the guy everyone loves but i'm on his bandwagon.
* Bad Journalism dept. The guy with the weird head on ESPN says. "Of course TO has gotten to donovan. HE's been working out like never before this offseason and even taken kick boxing classes." Ok, and coming back from an injury that cost him half the season doesn't have anything to do with this?
MOCK NFL WEEK 6
Buffalo (2-3) @ Detroit (3-2) Kitna starts looking like comeback player of year (Detroit)
Carolina (4-1) @ Baltimore (3-2) One less day to prepare for Baltimore (Carolina)
NY Giants (2-2) @ Atlanta (2-2) Atlanta is coming off their bye week rested (Atlanta)
Housont (1-3) @ Dallas (4-0) Dallas continues there torrid start with a home win (Dallas)
Tennessee (1-4) @ Washington (4-1) Washington's strong start contiues (Wash.)
Cincinnati (3-1) @ Tampa Bay (2-2) Nice ground it out home W for Bucs (TB)
Phil. (4-1) @ New Orleans (1-4) Philly is glad to hit the road after horrible week (Philly)
Seattle (2-2) @ St. Louis (1-4) Long year in St. Louis (Seattle)
Miami (3-2) @ NY Jets(0-5) Upset special as Jets catch Miami celebrating (NYJ)
Kansas City (3-1) @ Pittsburgh (2-2) Kansas City is firing on all cylinders (KC)
San Diego (2-2) @ San Francisco (1-4) ...LaDainian owns this game (SD)
Oakland (3-1) @ Denver (3-1) Let the REAL 3-1 please stand up (denver)
Chicago (3-2) @ Arizona (3-2) I usually go with great defense over great offense (Chicago)
* Bad Journalism dept. The guy with the weird head on ESPN says. "Of course TO has gotten to donovan. HE's been working out like never before this offseason and even taken kick boxing classes." Ok, and coming back from an injury that cost him half the season doesn't have anything to do with this?
MOCK NFL WEEK 6
Buffalo (2-3) @ Detroit (3-2) Kitna starts looking like comeback player of year (Detroit)
Carolina (4-1) @ Baltimore (3-2) One less day to prepare for Baltimore (Carolina)
NY Giants (2-2) @ Atlanta (2-2) Atlanta is coming off their bye week rested (Atlanta)
Housont (1-3) @ Dallas (4-0) Dallas continues there torrid start with a home win (Dallas)
Tennessee (1-4) @ Washington (4-1) Washington's strong start contiues (Wash.)
Cincinnati (3-1) @ Tampa Bay (2-2) Nice ground it out home W for Bucs (TB)
Phil. (4-1) @ New Orleans (1-4) Philly is glad to hit the road after horrible week (Philly)
Seattle (2-2) @ St. Louis (1-4) Long year in St. Louis (Seattle)
Miami (3-2) @ NY Jets(0-5) Upset special as Jets catch Miami celebrating (NYJ)
Kansas City (3-1) @ Pittsburgh (2-2) Kansas City is firing on all cylinders (KC)
San Diego (2-2) @ San Francisco (1-4) ...LaDainian owns this game (SD)
Oakland (3-1) @ Denver (3-1) Let the REAL 3-1 please stand up (denver)
Chicago (3-2) @ Arizona (3-2) I usually go with great defense over great offense (Chicago)
7/22/2006
Mock NFL Week 5 (and other fantasy notes)
* I'm in my first NL only baseball rotis. league. I'm learning there is an art to the waiver wire this time of year. I don't know the average but already there have been 3 signficiant fantasy contributors to switch leagues. (Aubrey Huff, Bob Wickman, Shea Hillenbrand). With rumors continuing on future trades when does one use their waiver spot to pick up a player. Do you waste a high waiver spot now only to find out A-Rod was traded to the Cardinals tomorrow?
* Worst thing about fantasy football? Picking a draft date. Coordinating the schedules of 10 men is not an easy task (especially when many have wives and kids that have you on their hit list). Good thing the result is the best thing about fantasy football...draft day.
Here is the Mock week 5 (and a VERY sad one for me to type as an Eagle's fan)
Miami (2-2) v. New England (2-2)... Miami is so focused on this game...I'm assuming duante is in form by now (miami)
Tampa Bay (2-1) v. New Orleans (0-4) .. I just think this is a good week for that upset that will bring the saints first win...(New Orleans)
Washington (2-2) v. New York Giants (2-1) ...LaVar's revenge comes short. I'm not trusting Eli enough in this one (Washington)
Detroit (2-2) v. Minnesota (0-4) ... Detroit is going to start clicking on offense and continues their roll (Detroit)
Cleveland (1-3) v. Carolina (3-1)...Fairly clean and easy win for the Panthers (Carolina)
Buffalo (2-2) v. Chicago (2-2) ... Buffalo scores negative points in this one (Chicago)
St. Louis (1-3) v. Green Bay (2-2) ... A.J. Hawk begins to lay claim to defensive rookie of year ..(Green Bay)
Tennessee (1-3) v. Indianapolis (3-1) ... Fairly easy job for Colts (Indianapolis)
NY Jets (0-4) v. Jacksonville (2-2) ... Jags needed an easy opponent! (Jacksonville)
Oakland (2-1) v. San Francisco (1-3) ... Oakland takes this 'road' victory (Oakland)
Kansas City (2-1) v. Arizona (3-1) ... Great interconf. matchup. The red teams wins (with yellow highlights)...(Kansas City)
Dallas (3-0) v. Philladelphia (4-0)...Let the hype begin. Unfort it's a dark day as Eagle's fall at home and their 4-0 start feels lik 0-4 to the Philly media. (Dallas)
Pittsburgh (1-2) v. San Diego (2-1) ... Rivers still struggles through the start to season (Pittsburgh)
Baltimore (3-1) v. Denver (2-1)...Mile high in the air Denver is so tough (Denver)
* Worst thing about fantasy football? Picking a draft date. Coordinating the schedules of 10 men is not an easy task (especially when many have wives and kids that have you on their hit list). Good thing the result is the best thing about fantasy football...draft day.
Here is the Mock week 5 (and a VERY sad one for me to type as an Eagle's fan)
Miami (2-2) v. New England (2-2)... Miami is so focused on this game...I'm assuming duante is in form by now (miami)
Tampa Bay (2-1) v. New Orleans (0-4) .. I just think this is a good week for that upset that will bring the saints first win...(New Orleans)
Washington (2-2) v. New York Giants (2-1) ...LaVar's revenge comes short. I'm not trusting Eli enough in this one (Washington)
Detroit (2-2) v. Minnesota (0-4) ... Detroit is going to start clicking on offense and continues their roll (Detroit)
Cleveland (1-3) v. Carolina (3-1)...Fairly clean and easy win for the Panthers (Carolina)
Buffalo (2-2) v. Chicago (2-2) ... Buffalo scores negative points in this one (Chicago)
St. Louis (1-3) v. Green Bay (2-2) ... A.J. Hawk begins to lay claim to defensive rookie of year ..(Green Bay)
Tennessee (1-3) v. Indianapolis (3-1) ... Fairly easy job for Colts (Indianapolis)
NY Jets (0-4) v. Jacksonville (2-2) ... Jags needed an easy opponent! (Jacksonville)
Oakland (2-1) v. San Francisco (1-3) ... Oakland takes this 'road' victory (Oakland)
Kansas City (2-1) v. Arizona (3-1) ... Great interconf. matchup. The red teams wins (with yellow highlights)...(Kansas City)
Dallas (3-0) v. Philladelphia (4-0)...Let the hype begin. Unfort it's a dark day as Eagle's fall at home and their 4-0 start feels lik 0-4 to the Philly media. (Dallas)
Pittsburgh (1-2) v. San Diego (2-1) ... Rivers still struggles through the start to season (Pittsburgh)
Baltimore (3-1) v. Denver (2-1)...Mile high in the air Denver is so tough (Denver)
7/20/2006
Mock NFL Week 4
Indianapolis (2-1) @ NY Jets (0-3) ...The Jets will win this year..just not this week.
New Orleans (0-3) @ Carolina (2-1) ...See above and replace Jets with Saints
San Diego (1-1) @ Baltimore (3-0)...Bye week helps San Diego prep for big W
Minnesota (0-3) @ Buffalo (1-2) ... Buffalo pulls out 2 in a row. Don't get used to it
Miami (2-1) @ Houston (0-3)...I just don't think Miami's QB situation will be ready..Houston
Arizona (3-0) @ Atlanta (1-2)...Arizona hasn't seen a QB like Vick
San Francisco (1-2) @ Kansas City (1-1) ..This could get ugly...KC BIG
Dallas (2-0) @ Tennessee (1-2) .. Dallas looking ahead one week but still wins
Detroit (1-2) @ St. Louis (1-2)...Revenge of Mike Martz...Detroit takes road win
Jacksonville (1-2) @ Washington (2-1)..Tough Start for Jags doesn't get easier...they find a way here.
Cleveland (1-2) @ Oakland (1-1)...Oakland takes the win as Randy shines
New England (2-1) @ Cincinnati (2-1) ...Cincy lights it up on NE
Seattle (1-2) @ Chicago (2-1) ... Chicago gets bested 3-0
Green Bay (2-1) @ Philadelphia (3-0) ...Green Bay hasn't enjoyed visits to PHilly in recent memory.
New Orleans (0-3) @ Carolina (2-1) ...See above and replace Jets with Saints
San Diego (1-1) @ Baltimore (3-0)...Bye week helps San Diego prep for big W
Minnesota (0-3) @ Buffalo (1-2) ... Buffalo pulls out 2 in a row. Don't get used to it
Miami (2-1) @ Houston (0-3)...I just don't think Miami's QB situation will be ready..Houston
Arizona (3-0) @ Atlanta (1-2)...Arizona hasn't seen a QB like Vick
San Francisco (1-2) @ Kansas City (1-1) ..This could get ugly...KC BIG
Dallas (2-0) @ Tennessee (1-2) .. Dallas looking ahead one week but still wins
Detroit (1-2) @ St. Louis (1-2)...Revenge of Mike Martz...Detroit takes road win
Jacksonville (1-2) @ Washington (2-1)..Tough Start for Jags doesn't get easier...they find a way here.
Cleveland (1-2) @ Oakland (1-1)...Oakland takes the win as Randy shines
New England (2-1) @ Cincinnati (2-1) ...Cincy lights it up on NE
Seattle (1-2) @ Chicago (2-1) ... Chicago gets bested 3-0
Green Bay (2-1) @ Philadelphia (3-0) ...Green Bay hasn't enjoyed visits to PHilly in recent memory.
7/19/2006
Mock NFL Week 3
Carolina (2-0) @ Tampa Bay (1-1)...Tampa is able to slow it down enough to win
Cincinnati (1-1) @ Pittsburgh (1-1)...Steelers coming off MNF...Cincy
Chicago (1-1) @ Minnesota (0-2)...Repeat after me...VIkings are NOT good.
Tennessee (1-1) @ Miami (1-1)...Dolphins enjoy the beach after easy W
NY Jets (0-2) @ Buffalo (0-2)...Home field does this for me
Washington (1-1) @ Houston (0-2)..assuming brunell is still breathing this shouldn't be hard (Wash)
Green Bay (2-0) @ Detroit (0-2)... Detroit starts to show effects of new coaching...Lions
Jacksonville (1-1) @ Indianapolis (1-1) ...Home field and Jacks coming off MNF..Colts
Baltimore (2-0) @ Cleveland (1-1)...Ravens keep hot start alive.
St. Louis (1-1) @ Arizona (3-0)...But will fans come to see it? Cardinals
Philadelphia(2-0) @ San Francisco (1-1)...Last place schedules are nice...eagles
NY Giants (1-1) @ Seattle (1-1) ... Giants get payback for tough loss last year.
Denver (1-1) @ New England (2-0)...New England gets the rare home loss
Atlanta (0-2) @ New Orleans (0-2)...CLoser than you think..Falcons
Cincinnati (1-1) @ Pittsburgh (1-1)...Steelers coming off MNF...Cincy
Chicago (1-1) @ Minnesota (0-2)...Repeat after me...VIkings are NOT good.
Tennessee (1-1) @ Miami (1-1)...Dolphins enjoy the beach after easy W
NY Jets (0-2) @ Buffalo (0-2)...Home field does this for me
Washington (1-1) @ Houston (0-2)..assuming brunell is still breathing this shouldn't be hard (Wash)
Green Bay (2-0) @ Detroit (0-2)... Detroit starts to show effects of new coaching...Lions
Jacksonville (1-1) @ Indianapolis (1-1) ...Home field and Jacks coming off MNF..Colts
Baltimore (2-0) @ Cleveland (1-1)...Ravens keep hot start alive.
St. Louis (1-1) @ Arizona (3-0)...But will fans come to see it? Cardinals
Philadelphia(2-0) @ San Francisco (1-1)...Last place schedules are nice...eagles
NY Giants (1-1) @ Seattle (1-1) ... Giants get payback for tough loss last year.
Denver (1-1) @ New England (2-0)...New England gets the rare home loss
Atlanta (0-2) @ New Orleans (0-2)...CLoser than you think..Falcons
7/18/2006
U.S. Sports & Week 2 NFL
Nice article in my morning paper about why the U.S. is struggling on the national stage. It's nice that we don't dominate anymore as it's not in our U.S. concious to root for the bully. We are a country that, at least athlectically, roots for the Rocky's of this world. We haven't been a Rocky Balboa in International Sports for some time. I look forward to this being true again (US Hockey of 1980. Gymnastics of the 90's. Soccer still today). However, becoming the underdog due to hubris or laziness does take something away from the rooting interest....sigh....
WEEK 2 in my mock NFL Season:
Carolina (1-0) @ Minnesota (0-1) ...Road Wins are always nice...Carolina
Buffalo (0-1) @ Miami (0-1)....Miami gets the home fans talking...Miami
NY Giants (1-0) @ Philadelphia (1-0)...Giants haven't beaten McNabb in years..Philly
New Orleans (0-1) @ Green Bay (1-0)...A.J. Hawk crushes reggie bush...Pack
Houston (0-1) @ Indianapolis (0-1)...pain of last week taken out on texans..Indy
Detroit (0-1) @ Chicago (0-1)...Very close but home team wins it...Chicago
Cleveland (1-0) @ Cincinnati (0-1)...Palmer starting to get in groove..Cincy
Oakland (1-0) @ Baltimore (1-0).....Baltimore satisfies home crowd...Baltimore
Tampa Bay (0-1) @ Atlanta (0-1) ...Tampa knows Mike Vick....Tampa Bay
St. Louis (1-0) @ San Francisco (0-1)....St. Louis crashes after last weeks W...SF
Arizona (1-0) @ Seattle (1-0)...Curse of Super bowl runner up remains...Arizona
Tennessee (1-0) @ San Diego (0-1)...San Diego wins a close one ....SD
New England (1-0) @ NY Jets (0-1)...NE...do i need a reason?
Kansas City (1-0) @ Denver (0-1)....KC doesn't do well a mile in the air..Denver
Washington (1-0) @ Dallas (1-0)....Dallas D badgers Brunell....Dallas
Pittsburgh (1-0) @ Jacksonville (0-1) ...Jacksonville gets Monday Night exictement..Jax
WEEK 2 in my mock NFL Season:
Carolina (1-0) @ Minnesota (0-1) ...Road Wins are always nice...Carolina
Buffalo (0-1) @ Miami (0-1)....Miami gets the home fans talking...Miami
NY Giants (1-0) @ Philadelphia (1-0)...Giants haven't beaten McNabb in years..Philly
New Orleans (0-1) @ Green Bay (1-0)...A.J. Hawk crushes reggie bush...Pack
Houston (0-1) @ Indianapolis (0-1)...pain of last week taken out on texans..Indy
Detroit (0-1) @ Chicago (0-1)...Very close but home team wins it...Chicago
Cleveland (1-0) @ Cincinnati (0-1)...Palmer starting to get in groove..Cincy
Oakland (1-0) @ Baltimore (1-0).....Baltimore satisfies home crowd...Baltimore
Tampa Bay (0-1) @ Atlanta (0-1) ...Tampa knows Mike Vick....Tampa Bay
St. Louis (1-0) @ San Francisco (0-1)....St. Louis crashes after last weeks W...SF
Arizona (1-0) @ Seattle (1-0)...Curse of Super bowl runner up remains...Arizona
Tennessee (1-0) @ San Diego (0-1)...San Diego wins a close one ....SD
New England (1-0) @ NY Jets (0-1)...NE...do i need a reason?
Kansas City (1-0) @ Denver (0-1)....KC doesn't do well a mile in the air..Denver
Washington (1-0) @ Dallas (1-0)....Dallas D badgers Brunell....Dallas
Pittsburgh (1-0) @ Jacksonville (0-1) ...Jacksonville gets Monday Night exictement..Jax
7/17/2006
NFL Season prognosticating
One again you can see my name in lights. I'm up to 6th place (out of 400) in our local ESPN radio fantasy baseball league: http://www.espnradio1310.com/index.asp?SectionID=5
I'm going to start a new series. I, as well as many, can not wait until the NFL season ahead. I'm going to try something I've always wanted and that is to work through the schedule and predict where teams will finish. Too often our predictions are based upon which teams are good or which teams aren't. I have a hunch, that schedule will play a big role in my predicting the finish of the NFL season. So without further ado ....I give you
WEEK 1
Miami @ Pittsburgh..........................Steelers win as Miami QB situation is still in air
Baltimore @ Tampa Bay...................Baltimore starts their season right with a road win
Atlanta @ Carolina.............................Peppers masters Vick once again
Denver @ St. Louis............................St. Louis...new coach...new attitude..upset of week.
Buffalo @ New England.....................New England...do i need a reason?
Philadelphia @ Houston....................Philly looks to make statement about being back
New Orleans @ Cleveland................Cleveland...NO QB situation still working itself out
Seattle @ Detroit...............................Seattle but closer than most might think
NY Jets @ Tennessee.......................Tennessee as Jets don't have happy QB controversy
Cincinnati @ Kansas City.................Marquee game and Carson is still getting legs back..KC win
Chicago @ Green Bay.......................Green Bay uses ahman for the one game he's healthy
Dallas @ Jacksonville....................... Dallas...TO's comming out show
San Francisco @ Arizona.................Arizona in a romp
Indianapolis @ New York Giants...Giants...pass rush and Colt lack or Run Game
Minnesota @ Washington...............Washington..Minnesota is bad
San Diego @ Oakland......................Oakland ...Philip Rivers has growing pains
I'm going to start a new series. I, as well as many, can not wait until the NFL season ahead. I'm going to try something I've always wanted and that is to work through the schedule and predict where teams will finish. Too often our predictions are based upon which teams are good or which teams aren't. I have a hunch, that schedule will play a big role in my predicting the finish of the NFL season. So without further ado ....I give you
WEEK 1
Miami @ Pittsburgh..........................Steelers win as Miami QB situation is still in air
Baltimore @ Tampa Bay...................Baltimore starts their season right with a road win
Atlanta @ Carolina.............................Peppers masters Vick once again
Denver @ St. Louis............................St. Louis...new coach...new attitude..upset of week.
Buffalo @ New England.....................New England...do i need a reason?
Philadelphia @ Houston....................Philly looks to make statement about being back
New Orleans @ Cleveland................Cleveland...NO QB situation still working itself out
Seattle @ Detroit...............................Seattle but closer than most might think
NY Jets @ Tennessee.......................Tennessee as Jets don't have happy QB controversy
Cincinnati @ Kansas City.................Marquee game and Carson is still getting legs back..KC win
Chicago @ Green Bay.......................Green Bay uses ahman for the one game he's healthy
Dallas @ Jacksonville....................... Dallas...TO's comming out show
San Francisco @ Arizona.................Arizona in a romp
Indianapolis @ New York Giants...Giants...pass rush and Colt lack or Run Game
Minnesota @ Washington...............Washington..Minnesota is bad
San Diego @ Oakland......................Oakland ...Philip Rivers has growing pains
7/12/2006
Dink & Dunk's
Some Random thoughts as i catch up on the blog.
* Zidane doesn't deserve golden ball. If you look at the voting two italians split votes and zidane took the rest. Pooling the italian votes together they would have beaten zidane. His bald bull imitation on Sunday should dismiss him from any awards
* Mediocre final to an otherwise grand Cup.
* Allstar Game. I'm all for one representative from every team going. Sports Talk shows are agast that we would have a no-name royal or devil ray on the all-star team. They are not allstars the hosts bemoan. They keep off other deserving players goes the battle cry. They are correct arguments but are made from teh sport's junkies perspective taht opperates under the assumption that the US wants to watch the best possible game. This, is untrue. I had one concern in the mid 80's. The phillies were beyond pittiful but you better believe i couldn't wait to see Von Hayes or Juan Samuel wave to teh camera as they were shown as the token Phil on the roster. Got me to watch a game i wouldn't have watched otherwise and made me a baseball fan that now concerns myself on what deserving players got shafted.
* Larry Bird exemption -- greatest thing to happen to salary caps.
* Jim Valvano speach at first ESPY's. If you haven't listened to it you have missed something special in life.
* Sports Center made me cry again this week. Kid with sycal cell wanting to coach the Eagle's for a day. His joy, coupled with the class of the Eagle's organization made for a touching moment.
I"ll be back to espy's in near future.
* Zidane doesn't deserve golden ball. If you look at the voting two italians split votes and zidane took the rest. Pooling the italian votes together they would have beaten zidane. His bald bull imitation on Sunday should dismiss him from any awards
* Mediocre final to an otherwise grand Cup.
* Allstar Game. I'm all for one representative from every team going. Sports Talk shows are agast that we would have a no-name royal or devil ray on the all-star team. They are not allstars the hosts bemoan. They keep off other deserving players goes the battle cry. They are correct arguments but are made from teh sport's junkies perspective taht opperates under the assumption that the US wants to watch the best possible game. This, is untrue. I had one concern in the mid 80's. The phillies were beyond pittiful but you better believe i couldn't wait to see Von Hayes or Juan Samuel wave to teh camera as they were shown as the token Phil on the roster. Got me to watch a game i wouldn't have watched otherwise and made me a baseball fan that now concerns myself on what deserving players got shafted.
* Larry Bird exemption -- greatest thing to happen to salary caps.
* Jim Valvano speach at first ESPY's. If you haven't listened to it you have missed something special in life.
* Sports Center made me cry again this week. Kid with sycal cell wanting to coach the Eagle's for a day. His joy, coupled with the class of the Eagle's organization made for a touching moment.
I"ll be back to espy's in near future.
7/07/2006
Record Breaking Performance & Sports Movie
Record Breaking Performance..
Ben Roethlisberger -- Youngest QB to win SuperBowl
Shaun Alexander -- TD's in a season
Mike Metzger -- Bike back flip (longest i think on a motorbike)
Kalen Pimentel -- Little League World Series Strike out record (18)
I don't do motorized 'sports' so metzger is out
ben's was controversial so he's out
shaun's record was only held a few years before he took it and i feel it's more a product of a great line and great system than purely just a great back
I give it to the kid (as long as didn't danny almonte us) who can K 18 in a game.
Sports Move
Dreamer
Greatest Game
Glory Road
Four Minutes
Having seen none of these I vote Glory Road because i loved the movie Glory.
Ben Roethlisberger -- Youngest QB to win SuperBowl
Shaun Alexander -- TD's in a season
Mike Metzger -- Bike back flip (longest i think on a motorbike)
Kalen Pimentel -- Little League World Series Strike out record (18)
I don't do motorized 'sports' so metzger is out
ben's was controversial so he's out
shaun's record was only held a few years before he took it and i feel it's more a product of a great line and great system than purely just a great back
I give it to the kid (as long as didn't danny almonte us) who can K 18 in a game.
Sports Move
Dreamer
Greatest Game
Glory Road
Four Minutes
Having seen none of these I vote Glory Road because i loved the movie Glory.
7/06/2006
Best Comeback & Breakthrough Athlete
Nominee's for Comeback
Teddy Brushci (Pats LB) -- Came back from stroke to play in 2005 NFL season
Roman Toriaf (Lakers/Gonzaga Hoops) -- I think he had a stroke or heart abnormality of some sort came back to play late in seaon
Blake (tennis) -- i dno't really know his story ...i don't do tennis very much
Bruschi all the way on this...He's the poster child for the Pats with Brady...He had a stroke..no one has ever played after suffering a stroke
BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Kimmie Meissner (Skating-Olympics)
Shaun White (Snowboarding -- Olympics)
Chris Paul (NBA)
Alexander Ovelchin (Hockey)
I'm going Ovelchin...Rookie in top 3 in scoring and threatened to win the scoring title for a while. Shaun White will probably get this as the media darling but i hate sports the US throws out there just so we can win some medals.
Teddy Brushci (Pats LB) -- Came back from stroke to play in 2005 NFL season
Roman Toriaf (Lakers/Gonzaga Hoops) -- I think he had a stroke or heart abnormality of some sort came back to play late in seaon
Blake (tennis) -- i dno't really know his story ...i don't do tennis very much
Bruschi all the way on this...He's the poster child for the Pats with Brady...He had a stroke..no one has ever played after suffering a stroke
BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Kimmie Meissner (Skating-Olympics)
Shaun White (Snowboarding -- Olympics)
Chris Paul (NBA)
Alexander Ovelchin (Hockey)
I'm going Ovelchin...Rookie in top 3 in scoring and threatened to win the scoring title for a while. Shaun White will probably get this as the media darling but i hate sports the US throws out there just so we can win some medals.
7/05/2006
Best Moment (ESPY)
This one is tough...
The nominations:
Kobe Bryant -- 81 points in a game. You know when the women teachers at work were talking about the game it was a BIG deal.
Dakoda Dowd -- LPGA...this is the girl whose mother has breast cancer. Her mother always talked about being able to see her daughter play professional Golf. Dakoda did that and played well. It was culminated by a huge hug on the 18th that should be the cover on any Mother's Day card issued.
Jason McElwain -- This is the team manager in new york that is developmentally slow (i think it is autism?). He loves basketball and when he realized he can't play became team manager. Totally excited about everythign the HS team did. The final game the coach let him suit up as a teammate and he got in the game. When he got in the game he didn't just play he was "en fuego" the boy kept chucking 3's and hitting them. Was the leading scorer for the game.
George Mason -- Jim Laranaga's bunch makes the run that defines everything we love about the NCAA tournament. This could have been Hoosiers for college ball. The hotel's where the final 4 was didn't even know that George Mason was a school and not a person booking a room.
When i sit in front of my tv and start to tear up. You know it's over. I was blown away by the Jason McElwain story when they did it on ESPN. I know they are making a movie but i think the real life thing is so much more powerful. This is my vote although i could see any (besides teh Kobe ) getting it.
The nominations:
Kobe Bryant -- 81 points in a game. You know when the women teachers at work were talking about the game it was a BIG deal.
Dakoda Dowd -- LPGA...this is the girl whose mother has breast cancer. Her mother always talked about being able to see her daughter play professional Golf. Dakoda did that and played well. It was culminated by a huge hug on the 18th that should be the cover on any Mother's Day card issued.
Jason McElwain -- This is the team manager in new york that is developmentally slow (i think it is autism?). He loves basketball and when he realized he can't play became team manager. Totally excited about everythign the HS team did. The final game the coach let him suit up as a teammate and he got in the game. When he got in the game he didn't just play he was "en fuego" the boy kept chucking 3's and hitting them. Was the leading scorer for the game.
George Mason -- Jim Laranaga's bunch makes the run that defines everything we love about the NCAA tournament. This could have been Hoosiers for college ball. The hotel's where the final 4 was didn't even know that George Mason was a school and not a person booking a room.
When i sit in front of my tv and start to tear up. You know it's over. I was blown away by the Jason McElwain story when they did it on ESPN. I know they are making a movie but i think the real life thing is so much more powerful. This is my vote although i could see any (besides teh Kobe ) getting it.
7/04/2006
2 for 1 (Best Game & Best Championship Perf)
Best Game (i admit i only saw one of the nominee's)
Agassi v. Blake --- US Open ...i heard great things about this marathon match
Astros v. Braves -- NL playoffs -- i didn't even know this game was good until the nomination
USC v. Texas -- Were you alive last January?
This one is easy for me USC v. Texas.
The hype...lived up to it
Meaning...NCAA championship
CLose....Ultra
Performance....See below
BEST Championship Performance
Vince Young -- NCAA football championship
Venus Williams -- Wimbledon Championship
Sam Hornish Jr. -- Indianapolis 500
Dwayne Wade -- NBA championships
i don't count driving a car as sport...sorry
Venus...great..but i didn't watch it
Vince v. Dwayne....it's really hard to decide...
I'm going Vince Young...he dominated a game they were supposed to lose...No one said ref's purposely helped him succeed (Wade they did)
so this is Vince Young all the time
Agassi v. Blake --- US Open ...i heard great things about this marathon match
Astros v. Braves -- NL playoffs -- i didn't even know this game was good until the nomination
USC v. Texas -- Were you alive last January?
This one is easy for me USC v. Texas.
The hype...lived up to it
Meaning...NCAA championship
CLose....Ultra
Performance....See below
BEST Championship Performance
Vince Young -- NCAA football championship
Venus Williams -- Wimbledon Championship
Sam Hornish Jr. -- Indianapolis 500
Dwayne Wade -- NBA championships
i don't count driving a car as sport...sorry
Venus...great..but i didn't watch it
Vince v. Dwayne....it's really hard to decide...
I'm going Vince Young...he dominated a game they were supposed to lose...No one said ref's purposely helped him succeed (Wade they did)
so this is Vince Young all the time
6/30/2006
Best Manager (ESPY)
Tough pick today!
The Nominee's
Ozzie Guillen -- Chicago White Sox
Bill Cowher -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Billy Donovan -- Florida NCAA hoops
Jim Larronaga -- George Mason NCAA hoops
Pat Riley -- NBA hoops
Pat's the first to go in my mind. I don't respect the way he took over the team this past season and therefore throw him out.
Ozzie's personality is fresh air to me. I love his ability to bring in the Latin community from just being hired players to being in management. However, he's too quick to speak too often and doesn't come across as someone i could respect.
Billy Donovan -- Great job in tournament. Can't argue against him just don't 'feel' it when talking about UF hoops.
Jim Larronaga -- I have deep love for CAA hoops (UR was there when i was in college and now ODU plays in the conference somewhat centered around the non ACC D1 schools in virginia). His coaching job in the NCAA tourny was nothing short of incredible. My problem is they shouldn't have been there. That's not his fault but they took Hofstra's spot in the tournament and played a player (after a 1game suspension) that blatently punched another dude in the groin on the court.
Bill Cowher gets my vote. THis is somewhat a lifetime acheivement award and somewhat gutteral Yell from ame to all NFL teams to notice the power behind STABILITY in management. Hearing Hines Ward talk about his hold out and how Cowher was a main reason he wanted to rejoin the team while I was living through the T.O. soap opera said it all. Cowher bleeds yellow and black. Cowher also hurried back home after the SUPERBOWL to see his daughters compete in atheltics. Great game planning to beat teams that were 'better' on his run.
The Nominee's
Ozzie Guillen -- Chicago White Sox
Bill Cowher -- Pittsburgh Steelers
Billy Donovan -- Florida NCAA hoops
Jim Larronaga -- George Mason NCAA hoops
Pat Riley -- NBA hoops
Pat's the first to go in my mind. I don't respect the way he took over the team this past season and therefore throw him out.
Ozzie's personality is fresh air to me. I love his ability to bring in the Latin community from just being hired players to being in management. However, he's too quick to speak too often and doesn't come across as someone i could respect.
Billy Donovan -- Great job in tournament. Can't argue against him just don't 'feel' it when talking about UF hoops.
Jim Larronaga -- I have deep love for CAA hoops (UR was there when i was in college and now ODU plays in the conference somewhat centered around the non ACC D1 schools in virginia). His coaching job in the NCAA tourny was nothing short of incredible. My problem is they shouldn't have been there. That's not his fault but they took Hofstra's spot in the tournament and played a player (after a 1game suspension) that blatently punched another dude in the groin on the court.
Bill Cowher gets my vote. THis is somewhat a lifetime acheivement award and somewhat gutteral Yell from ame to all NFL teams to notice the power behind STABILITY in management. Hearing Hines Ward talk about his hold out and how Cowher was a main reason he wanted to rejoin the team while I was living through the T.O. soap opera said it all. Cowher bleeds yellow and black. Cowher also hurried back home after the SUPERBOWL to see his daughters compete in atheltics. Great game planning to beat teams that were 'better' on his run.
6/29/2006
Team of the Year (ESPY)
This is one of the hardest categories for me...
nominee's
Lady Terrapins (Maryland women's hoops) -- National Champs with 2 frosh, 2 soph coming out of the incredibly tough ACC.
Chicago White Sox -- MLB World Series Champs. Wire to wire greatness. First championship in almost a century
Texas Football -- Brought down the mighty Trojans on way to NCAA championship
Pittsburgh Steelers -- Improbable playoff run to beat the Colts on way to winning superbowl.
Miami Heat -- Coaching change, aging superstar, emerging young star, NBA champs.
I throw out the Lady Terrapins and Steelers first. Terrapins did not actually win the ACC and just had a good tournament. Likewise the Steelers only had the best playoff run as they did not come in first during the season. These teams had great moments at the end but were not great all season.
I give the Heat a pass on that test because regular season NBA is so meaningless. However, the Heat do get marked off for very favorable officiating in the finals. THe coaching change was also handled poorly. I'm hunting here because all teams deserve it but that's enough to eliminate them.
Both the White Sox and Longhorns were great from beginning to end. Both came as somewhat of a surprise. UT has the benefit of an entertaining last final game while the White Sox kind of coasted through the series. However, I'm giving it to...
Chicago White Sox -- being 2 years removed from the Red Sox championship I think we've become accustomed to the end of long curses. I don't think it can be understated just how long the futility of the White Sox had been evident. A futility not just of losing but also of losing fans/publicity in their own city. The Sox did it the 'right' way with pitching and not just outslugging the others. Scary thing is they are better this year!
nominee's
Lady Terrapins (Maryland women's hoops) -- National Champs with 2 frosh, 2 soph coming out of the incredibly tough ACC.
Chicago White Sox -- MLB World Series Champs. Wire to wire greatness. First championship in almost a century
Texas Football -- Brought down the mighty Trojans on way to NCAA championship
Pittsburgh Steelers -- Improbable playoff run to beat the Colts on way to winning superbowl.
Miami Heat -- Coaching change, aging superstar, emerging young star, NBA champs.
I throw out the Lady Terrapins and Steelers first. Terrapins did not actually win the ACC and just had a good tournament. Likewise the Steelers only had the best playoff run as they did not come in first during the season. These teams had great moments at the end but were not great all season.
I give the Heat a pass on that test because regular season NBA is so meaningless. However, the Heat do get marked off for very favorable officiating in the finals. THe coaching change was also handled poorly. I'm hunting here because all teams deserve it but that's enough to eliminate them.
Both the White Sox and Longhorns were great from beginning to end. Both came as somewhat of a surprise. UT has the benefit of an entertaining last final game while the White Sox kind of coasted through the series. However, I'm giving it to...
Chicago White Sox -- being 2 years removed from the Red Sox championship I think we've become accustomed to the end of long curses. I don't think it can be understated just how long the futility of the White Sox had been evident. A futility not just of losing but also of losing fans/publicity in their own city. The Sox did it the 'right' way with pitching and not just outslugging the others. Scary thing is they are better this year!
6/28/2006
Female Athlete of the Year
I don't think it was a great year for the women this year...(a surprise considering winter olympics usually bring on the women nominee's big time).
The nominee's:
Annika Sorenstam -- Golf
Hannah Teter -- Snowboarding
Sheryl Swoops -- Basketball
Melanie Trexel -- Drag Racign
Ok...so i have to eliminate Ms. Trexel for a variety of reasons. I don't know her and even if i thought of considering driving a sport I certainly don't see racing a straight line a sport.
Hannah Teter competes in a US created sport so any world accolades come with a giant asterisk.
Now I have to choose between the two. I don't follow golf but my understanding is that while Annika is the best in the world she wasn't quite the uber-dominant golfer that she was the year previous.
Sheryl will get my vote this year. Some of this is for her body of work but she did win her 3rd league MVP and led the WNBA in scoring.
(i miss mia, julie, brandy, Brianna & Tiffany)
The nominee's:
Annika Sorenstam -- Golf
Hannah Teter -- Snowboarding
Sheryl Swoops -- Basketball
Melanie Trexel -- Drag Racign
Ok...so i have to eliminate Ms. Trexel for a variety of reasons. I don't know her and even if i thought of considering driving a sport I certainly don't see racing a straight line a sport.
Hannah Teter competes in a US created sport so any world accolades come with a giant asterisk.
Now I have to choose between the two. I don't follow golf but my understanding is that while Annika is the best in the world she wasn't quite the uber-dominant golfer that she was the year previous.
Sheryl will get my vote this year. Some of this is for her body of work but she did win her 3rd league MVP and led the WNBA in scoring.
(i miss mia, julie, brandy, Brianna & Tiffany)
6/27/2006
Best Male Athlete
I think this category is tough this year as none of the atheletes really WOW'd me.
The nominee's are:
Lance Armstrong
Vince Young
Shaun Alexander
Lebron James
Albert Pujols
It's my opinion that this is Lance's award from the get-go. He's hosting the celebration on ESPN. He's the only individual athlete of the bunch which predisposes one to be the best male athlete (the others achievements can be offset by teamates).
I, for one, can't stand Lance. Sorry. I know it's probably unamerican of me. He just comes off as so very conceited. I also think people are quicker to condemn barry bonds and mark mcgwire than they are Lance Armstrong.
Shaun is a RB and i rarely consider RB's great. I figure they are product's of offensive lines.
SO it's Albert, Lebron or Vince. Albert put up crazy number but couldn't win the title. He also had a decent team around him. Lebron was the sole reason Cleveland made such a dramatic swing in performance this year. But I'm going with...
Vince Young. He seemed to be the main reason Texas took home the championship. Many games were won by him alone. I think that is what i'm looking for in male athlete of the year.
The nominee's are:
Lance Armstrong
Vince Young
Shaun Alexander
Lebron James
Albert Pujols
It's my opinion that this is Lance's award from the get-go. He's hosting the celebration on ESPN. He's the only individual athlete of the bunch which predisposes one to be the best male athlete (the others achievements can be offset by teamates).
I, for one, can't stand Lance. Sorry. I know it's probably unamerican of me. He just comes off as so very conceited. I also think people are quicker to condemn barry bonds and mark mcgwire than they are Lance Armstrong.
Shaun is a RB and i rarely consider RB's great. I figure they are product's of offensive lines.
SO it's Albert, Lebron or Vince. Albert put up crazy number but couldn't win the title. He also had a decent team around him. Lebron was the sole reason Cleveland made such a dramatic swing in performance this year. But I'm going with...
Vince Young. He seemed to be the main reason Texas took home the championship. Many games were won by him alone. I think that is what i'm looking for in male athlete of the year.
6/26/2006
ESPY's (Best Play)
Ok so while we gear up for football I'll stay away form more baseball and soccer analysis as so many of you hate the sports.
What better thing for a sport's addict than the awards show for sports. IT's a way to combine reality (based on real stats) with fantasy( how do you compare an olympic snowboarder with an NFL QB)? The awards are July 17 so until then I will average a prediction a day.
Today i do Best Play:
1.) Nathan Vashem -- Longest NFL play. He returned a missed field goal 106 yards. He used blockers amazingly and was a great play. (I barely remember it)
2.) Tyrone Prothro -- Alabama Catch. Won the game with this catch over LSU. He jumped up, reached OVER the LSU defender and ripped the ball out of the other players hands. (Saw tape of it incessently)
3.) David Wright -- one handed catch. He was running away from better and one handed a catch. (BIAS alert -- he's a local hero in hampton roads...I never saw this play on tape or live)
4.) Aaron Rowand -- Recklessly crashed into outfield wall to make catch for Phillies. Play came days after he noted to team how dangerous wall was. Broke his nose and went on DL for the catch. (BIAS alert -- my favorite baseball team)
5.) Reggie Bush -- Punt return. Solidified Reggie's legendary status this year against Washington as he pinballed his way down field on a punt return.
MY CHOICE -- Tyrone Prothro. . To me to win a best play it should be spectacular and have meaning in the game. David Wright, Reggie Bush and Nathan Vashem's were all spectacular but I don't believe they had have overly significant game meaning (I may be wrong). Aaron Rowands catch meant a lot in the game and started a winning streak for the Phils but the outfield wall crash is overdone. Prothro's catch i had never seen before. A guy climbing over another to make a catch out of the others hands. All this to win a game. That gets my vote.
What better thing for a sport's addict than the awards show for sports. IT's a way to combine reality (based on real stats) with fantasy( how do you compare an olympic snowboarder with an NFL QB)? The awards are July 17 so until then I will average a prediction a day.
Today i do Best Play:
1.) Nathan Vashem -- Longest NFL play. He returned a missed field goal 106 yards. He used blockers amazingly and was a great play. (I barely remember it)
2.) Tyrone Prothro -- Alabama Catch. Won the game with this catch over LSU. He jumped up, reached OVER the LSU defender and ripped the ball out of the other players hands. (Saw tape of it incessently)
3.) David Wright -- one handed catch. He was running away from better and one handed a catch. (BIAS alert -- he's a local hero in hampton roads...I never saw this play on tape or live)
4.) Aaron Rowand -- Recklessly crashed into outfield wall to make catch for Phillies. Play came days after he noted to team how dangerous wall was. Broke his nose and went on DL for the catch. (BIAS alert -- my favorite baseball team)
5.) Reggie Bush -- Punt return. Solidified Reggie's legendary status this year against Washington as he pinballed his way down field on a punt return.
MY CHOICE -- Tyrone Prothro. . To me to win a best play it should be spectacular and have meaning in the game. David Wright, Reggie Bush and Nathan Vashem's were all spectacular but I don't believe they had have overly significant game meaning (I may be wrong). Aaron Rowands catch meant a lot in the game and started a winning streak for the Phils but the outfield wall crash is overdone. Prothro's catch i had never seen before. A guy climbing over another to make a catch out of the others hands. All this to win a game. That gets my vote.
6/24/2006
Brett Myers and Interleague
Fantasy -- A quick rule for me in fantasy baseball is to stay away from Philadelphia Phillies pitchers. I'm predisposed to picking them as they are my favorite team. However, they play in a ridiculous hitters park and aren't strong across the board. My one exception is always my favorite pithers in teh bigs Bret Myers. So once again, I have him on my fantasy baseball team.
Friday morning Bret was arested for punching his wife in the face in public. Bret was set to start today against the Red Sox. I am choosing to sit him on the bench on my fantasy team and give up any stats he might acrue today. I don't know how long he'll stay on my bench. I also don't know if I'll feel bad if he's proven to be innocent.
I just know my philsosophy is that fantasy sports, as a hobby, is intrinsically supposed to be enjoyable. My enjoyment does come from winning but even deeper 'liking' the guys on my team. To play a guy that was just arrested for domestic abuse kills the second enjoyment factor.
REALITY -- Interleague play is 10 years old this year. Yet another change to a tradition done with the desire to build revenue. We can't turn back the clock but I haven't discovered a single good thing about interleague play.
Friday morning Bret was arested for punching his wife in the face in public. Bret was set to start today against the Red Sox. I am choosing to sit him on the bench on my fantasy team and give up any stats he might acrue today. I don't know how long he'll stay on my bench. I also don't know if I'll feel bad if he's proven to be innocent.
I just know my philsosophy is that fantasy sports, as a hobby, is intrinsically supposed to be enjoyable. My enjoyment does come from winning but even deeper 'liking' the guys on my team. To play a guy that was just arrested for domestic abuse kills the second enjoyment factor.
REALITY -- Interleague play is 10 years old this year. Yet another change to a tradition done with the desire to build revenue. We can't turn back the clock but I haven't discovered a single good thing about interleague play.
6/19/2006
Bad calls effecting the real and the fantasy
REALITY -- Two major sports had ref issues this weekend. The U.S. soccer team played a match that was marred by horrible officiating. The NBA finals last night had a play where the coach is also claiming the officiating blew it. It lead me to try to find the areas in sports where the ref's have taken over the game.
MLB -- This is too easy. Umps regularly have their 'own' strike zone that can be highly subjective. The two ump issues i recall prominantly is the blown call in the Cardinal v. Royals world series in the 80's. Also the Jeffrey Maeir (sp?) home run in the baltimore yankee series in the 90's.
NFL -- This playoffs seemed marred by dubious officiating. Seahawk fans still feel they got taken in the Super Bowl on the TD run by Big Ben. The Colt v. Steeler game also had some calls (palamaou's INT) that dominated the post game discussion
NBA -- Jordon rules anyone? What other league has the talk of "the fix" more than the NBA.
NHL -- I think of Brett Hull's goal in the crease in the 90's. Swallowing whistles in the finals. Because of power plays an overly officiated hockey game can be very detremental.
FIFA -- Saturday's game says it all.
Gymnastics/Diving/any other 'judged sport -- French judges anyone?
Tennis -- in/out?
Golf -- This is the one i couldn't come up wit anything. I'm no golfer and don't watch much of it so i may be missing something.
FANTASY -- I lost my chance at a fantasy championship this last year on a dubious call by referee's. In my playoff game I lost by only a few points and my oponent had Steve Smith. Steve Smith went airborn before the goal line and tried to reach the ball out to score a TD. This is the rule i call a Mike Vick rule because he's great at getting the ball to 'break the plane' of the endzone while in mid-air out of bounds. Was Steve in? Was it a TD? The debate raged. The ref decided he was and there went my Fantasy Football championship.
MLB -- This is too easy. Umps regularly have their 'own' strike zone that can be highly subjective. The two ump issues i recall prominantly is the blown call in the Cardinal v. Royals world series in the 80's. Also the Jeffrey Maeir (sp?) home run in the baltimore yankee series in the 90's.
NFL -- This playoffs seemed marred by dubious officiating. Seahawk fans still feel they got taken in the Super Bowl on the TD run by Big Ben. The Colt v. Steeler game also had some calls (palamaou's INT) that dominated the post game discussion
NBA -- Jordon rules anyone? What other league has the talk of "the fix" more than the NBA.
NHL -- I think of Brett Hull's goal in the crease in the 90's. Swallowing whistles in the finals. Because of power plays an overly officiated hockey game can be very detremental.
FIFA -- Saturday's game says it all.
Gymnastics/Diving/any other 'judged sport -- French judges anyone?
Tennis -- in/out?
Golf -- This is the one i couldn't come up wit anything. I'm no golfer and don't watch much of it so i may be missing something.
FANTASY -- I lost my chance at a fantasy championship this last year on a dubious call by referee's. In my playoff game I lost by only a few points and my oponent had Steve Smith. Steve Smith went airborn before the goal line and tried to reach the ball out to score a TD. This is the rule i call a Mike Vick rule because he's great at getting the ball to 'break the plane' of the endzone while in mid-air out of bounds. Was Steve in? Was it a TD? The debate raged. The ref decided he was and there went my Fantasy Football championship.
6/16/2006
Football Helmets and Franchis Opportunity
REALITY -- I'm late on this story as the end of school took over. Let me opine about Big Ben's Bad Bike.
For those who don't know the Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback got himself into a motorcycle wreck while not wearing a helmet. It doesn't look like he'll lose any playing time so the whole sports argument is steeped in what COULD have happened. This isn't sports first interaction with motorcylces as a top 10 draft pick a few years back screwed himself up to the point of not being able to play from a bike wreck. A dodger second basemen spent time on the DL for the same reason.
I am just as frustrated as the next person. How can someone so rich doing the job that so many of us would give anything to do be so reckless. Doesn't the team deserve more than that? I wanted them to sue Ben for his entire signing bonus and this year's salary.
Upon further review, however, I don't think they can, or should, do a thing. Can my school system take money from me if i do something promoting lack of intelligence (like watching american idol on tv?)? Can a coke executive have money taken from them if they are caught going to a dallas cowboys game (highly sponsored by Pepsi)?
It's just our idolotary of sport's atheletes that lets us say it's not fair they could do something dumb. Yes, sports fans, athletes are allowed to be stupid. They are paid much more than most of us for playing a kid's game but they still deserve fairness.
Ben, stop riding your bike without a helmet (shoot stop riding your bike entirely). But Steelers be concernced for his well being and let it go.
FANTASY -- I comission a fantasy football league that is this side of ridiculous in it's form. We have the normal head to head league of 10 teams. However, we also add in the banter of ultra-competitive owners, seasonal awards, weekly power point recaps and predictions, a record book across the seasons. Obsessed? Probably (i do have a sport's blog don't I). But we are in need of a few new owners. If you'd be interested in talking about it. Please leet me know.
For those who don't know the Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback got himself into a motorcycle wreck while not wearing a helmet. It doesn't look like he'll lose any playing time so the whole sports argument is steeped in what COULD have happened. This isn't sports first interaction with motorcylces as a top 10 draft pick a few years back screwed himself up to the point of not being able to play from a bike wreck. A dodger second basemen spent time on the DL for the same reason.
I am just as frustrated as the next person. How can someone so rich doing the job that so many of us would give anything to do be so reckless. Doesn't the team deserve more than that? I wanted them to sue Ben for his entire signing bonus and this year's salary.
Upon further review, however, I don't think they can, or should, do a thing. Can my school system take money from me if i do something promoting lack of intelligence (like watching american idol on tv?)? Can a coke executive have money taken from them if they are caught going to a dallas cowboys game (highly sponsored by Pepsi)?
It's just our idolotary of sport's atheletes that lets us say it's not fair they could do something dumb. Yes, sports fans, athletes are allowed to be stupid. They are paid much more than most of us for playing a kid's game but they still deserve fairness.
Ben, stop riding your bike without a helmet (shoot stop riding your bike entirely). But Steelers be concernced for his well being and let it go.
FANTASY -- I comission a fantasy football league that is this side of ridiculous in it's form. We have the normal head to head league of 10 teams. However, we also add in the banter of ultra-competitive owners, seasonal awards, weekly power point recaps and predictions, a record book across the seasons. Obsessed? Probably (i do have a sport's blog don't I). But we are in need of a few new owners. If you'd be interested in talking about it. Please leet me know.
6/12/2006
Czech Nightmare and Summer Months.
REALITY -- Rough day for the US. My fears going into the cup were confirmed. I had watched a few US matches over the last month and felt we had taken great strides offensively and were stronger up front than before. However, it seemed our defense had taken some significant steps backward. This seemed all to apparant in the loss this afternoon. The Czech didn't have a lot of strong possessions but the few they had were potent. On the flip side, we had many possessions and decent setups. However, once with the lead the Czech defense closed in well and we never saw a clear shot on net within shouting distance of the 18. Our only 'real' chances were shots like Reyna's that hit the post in the first half. We move on to Italy on Saturday. Oi Vei!My favorite match to this point has been the Swedish v. Trinidad match Saturday afternoon. THe cynic comes with the same quotes of 0-0 ties that you hear every soccer discussion. To which i saw possessions in the first minute mattered as much as possessions in the 90th minute leaving hte entire game crucial. Unlike NBA or NCAA hoops where what happens up to the last five minutes is only important in that neither team starts to put a lead together of more than 10.
FANTASY -- With summer comes the reality check for many a fantasy baseball player. Micromanagers (the antithesis of strong fantasy baseball managers) now get to see how their trades and waiver picks on hot spring players show up in the summer months. The balls start to fly out of the park on your ace pitchers. Your Detroit Tigers remember that they are Detroit Tigers. Your mind starts to drift to the real fantasy jewel, the NFL, as training camps open in August. It's a great time for good fantasy baseball owners to make shrewd moves and stay consistent to sneak up and steal a league or two from the early braggadocious in the division.
6/07/2006
NHL Playoffs & McNair
REALITY -- We've all seen the numbers. NHL is once again getting obliterated in it's T.V. ratings. Interest has dropped off the face of the earth. I'm fairly certain that if the NHL hasn't been able to interest me (who would watch competitive snail smushing if it existed) then it's really lost any ability to win over anyone outside of Canada or the city of Detroit.
Most say the downfall came with the lockout two years ago. I don't downplay the negative outcomes of that lockout but we need to realize that each of the other major sports have recovered from similar work stoppages. Fans can be forgiving. There is something more rotten in the NHL barrel.
It's my contention that the style of the game has a lot to do with it. LIke the NBA the NHL is a playoff sport. Teams kind of slowly pace their regular season to just get by. Once in a while there will be a dramatic game but mostly it's just positioning for the playoffs. (Note my fear that the NFL is risking becoming more this way if they add 2 more playoff teams as KC and others would like). Once in the playoffs, however, the NHL seems to say nothing matters but one thing: the HOT goalie.
More than any other sport i know the entire teams ability or ineptitude can be compensated by the play of a HOT or cold goalie. This is disinteresting to me as it seems to fly in the face of a team concept. the hot starter in baseball is huge (see Schil of 2 years ago) as is the hot hand in basketball (#23) but in each circumstance there was some semblance of a supporting cast.
I may be out to lunch here but it's an issue that, until corrected, will leave me treating NHL much like vanilla ice cream...sure it's nice if i'm given it but i'd never ever choose it.
FANTASY -- The implications of todays Steve McNair trade to Baltimore are significant in my mind. Baltimore has seemed to be a team that needed a QB that was at least serviceable to succeed (See Dilfer of 5 years ago). Their D is old but still on their game. They have the runner and wides to make things go. So I think Baltimore's offense will greatly improve from McNair's addition. However, even improved Baltimore's offense doesn't make me move anyone's stock off the charts, except, their RB. Billick will enjoy running behing his massive OL now that he has at least the threat of the pass. So excuse me while i pass on Steve on draft day but trade up for whoever their 1 back is.
Tennessee? Who cares as there are way too many issues there to start wondering if their QB will put up numbers.
6/05/2006
Copa Mundial & Soriano
My name in lights: www.espnradio1310.com/TonysTales.asp?SectionID=4 it's the local ESPN radio station's fantasy baseball league. (each person picked 4 hitters in the NL and AL)
REALITY: This is not a 'you should watch soccer' or 'soccer will take over america' type post. This is just a moment where I get to look forward to a sport's spectacle that makes march madness look like a a playground pick-up game. I understand soccer is a niche sport in the US and that's fine. I just want to offer some thoughts/suggestions if you should choose to try a game on for size.
* The game is about momentum, energy. Consider it much like a game of risk. Do you bunker down in Australia, play it safe, only to hope the other attackers wear themselves thin and you have a chance for taking it at the end. Or, rather, do you try to conquer europe and show your power claiming the momentum that comes from the bonus armies you receive each round.
* U.S. has a very good squad (as evidenced form the last cup) but their chances of getting out of group (a 4 team round robin to start the tourny) are slim. They have the proverbial death group with Italy (world powerhouse smarting from a point shaving scandal) The Czech's who have one of the world's best Keepers (next to Italy's Buffin and U.S.'s Keller its a stacked group for GK). Finally the best African team is in the group. For the first time the US squad will play an offensive oriented game as their strength in is in their attack (and goalkeeping of course).
* Traditional powers reign. Again, you will see Brazil, England, Italy, Spain, France and host Germany in the final rounds.
Hope the Cup goes well and the ball bounces the US's way so they can get out of group (only to have to face brazil in the second round....gulp!)
FANTASY: I am playing fantasy World Cup but I don't have near the knowledge to compete. I'll keep you posted. My thoughts today have been around the NL only baseball league I play in. What do you do with Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is gold in the world of fantasy. He is putting up offensive numbers second only to Albert PUjols. Soriano, however, is second base eligible (note the difference between fantasy and reality). There are only 2 other second basemen that are even reliable fantasy hitters let alone the stud Alfonso is. However, Soriano is playing out a contract for a mediocre to bad baseball squad. There also happens to be a team that has a few pinstripes on their uniform in need of an extra outfielder.
You can not get value for Soriano in a NL only league. There is no trade that could be done. The only one would be Pujols and even with the injury that owner wouldn't pull the trigger. So do you take less than value for the corner of your franchise. Or risk waiting it out and losing him outright with a trade to the AL in a few weeks.
My vote. You ask for Jake Peavy, Pedro or Chris Carpenter and pull the trigger.
REALITY: This is not a 'you should watch soccer' or 'soccer will take over america' type post. This is just a moment where I get to look forward to a sport's spectacle that makes march madness look like a a playground pick-up game. I understand soccer is a niche sport in the US and that's fine. I just want to offer some thoughts/suggestions if you should choose to try a game on for size.
* The game is about momentum, energy. Consider it much like a game of risk. Do you bunker down in Australia, play it safe, only to hope the other attackers wear themselves thin and you have a chance for taking it at the end. Or, rather, do you try to conquer europe and show your power claiming the momentum that comes from the bonus armies you receive each round.
* U.S. has a very good squad (as evidenced form the last cup) but their chances of getting out of group (a 4 team round robin to start the tourny) are slim. They have the proverbial death group with Italy (world powerhouse smarting from a point shaving scandal) The Czech's who have one of the world's best Keepers (next to Italy's Buffin and U.S.'s Keller its a stacked group for GK). Finally the best African team is in the group. For the first time the US squad will play an offensive oriented game as their strength in is in their attack (and goalkeeping of course).
* Traditional powers reign. Again, you will see Brazil, England, Italy, Spain, France and host Germany in the final rounds.
Hope the Cup goes well and the ball bounces the US's way so they can get out of group (only to have to face brazil in the second round....gulp!)
FANTASY: I am playing fantasy World Cup but I don't have near the knowledge to compete. I'll keep you posted. My thoughts today have been around the NL only baseball league I play in. What do you do with Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is gold in the world of fantasy. He is putting up offensive numbers second only to Albert PUjols. Soriano, however, is second base eligible (note the difference between fantasy and reality). There are only 2 other second basemen that are even reliable fantasy hitters let alone the stud Alfonso is. However, Soriano is playing out a contract for a mediocre to bad baseball squad. There also happens to be a team that has a few pinstripes on their uniform in need of an extra outfielder.
You can not get value for Soriano in a NL only league. There is no trade that could be done. The only one would be Pujols and even with the injury that owner wouldn't pull the trigger. So do you take less than value for the corner of your franchise. Or risk waiting it out and losing him outright with a trade to the AL in a few weeks.
My vote. You ask for Jake Peavy, Pedro or Chris Carpenter and pull the trigger.
6/03/2006
Monarch Football & Rookie Pitchers
REALITY -- Old Dominion University held a press conference on Thursday announcing the start of a football program (still three years away). As a new student at ODU, and as one that has really enjoyed their basketball program I am looking forward to this new addition to west Norfolk.
ODU will be joining the new CAA football league (division I-AA). The CAA was made famous this spring in the success of the George Mason Patriots on the hard court. It's a conference that's origin was in the second tier division one schools in Virginia and North Carolina. Schools that wanted to play at a division one level but weren't able to (and weren't interested in) putting the resources together that would allow them to compete with the big dogs of the ACC. During the late 90's and early 2000's though the CAA lost some important participants (east carolina and my alma mater University of Richmond). In an effort to increase revenue for this non football playing conference they quickly lost their original identiry and added teams in NYC (Hofstra) Philly (Drexel) and Atlanta (Georgia Southern).
The naysayers correctly point to the fact that I-AA football never makes money. It also may sap resources from the STRONG mid major basketball programs at ODU. I'm one that thinks there is hidden revenue that isn't charted. Current ODU alumni are distanced from their, then, commuter school ODU. Host a real homecomming and tailgate before saturday football? My guess is the larger amount of alumni returnin to campus will see the 'new' ODU (monorail and all) and open up a bigger checkbook. This may not be on the ledger for the I-AA football but it's football revenue all the same to me. The only question I have about the start will be what sweatshirt I wear the first time UR Spiders travel to Norfolk to play the Monarchs.
FANTASY -- I am currently leading my primary fantasy baseball league by a very slim margin. I did the very hard thing this week of trading away a player I also happen to root for in real life. Justin Verlander pitched for ODU and I took great pride in following his QUICK assension up the minors and to the Detroit Tigers. He's been light's out this spring and has joined the Tigers in a resurgent success. However, fantasy is fantasy and the reality is rookie pitchers are generally NOT ready for the rigors of a 162 game magor league schedule (minors play about 140 and college dramatically less). It is my guess that Justin will hit a wall at some point and either get injured or wear out letting people start hitting his fastball. Add to that the fact Detroit is playing over themselves (even though a quality team) and it was the right time to trade him for max value. Tune in in September to see how this worked out...
FANTASY to REALITY
Welcome to Fantasy to Reality.
My REAL sports addiction developed during my 7th and 8th grade years at Moorestown Middle School. As I began the awkward process of figuring out what it was to be a young man I decided that I needed to study the sports section of the local paper so that I wouldn't look odd when the other guys at lunch would talk. Little did I know that simple act of pre-teen social conformity would lead to such an addiction.
My FANTASY sports addiction developed my second year in Fredericksburg (1997). I joined a fantasy football league with some friends as a natural extention of my sport's addiction. This has developed into a deep love of mine that occupies a considerable amount of my free time.
However, as in real life fantasy and reality are very different animals and it's the downfall of many a fantasy sport's player. For instance, Michael Jordon would not be considered in the top 10 of fantasy basketball performers (his shooting percentage was way to low). Fantasy can not take into account the importance a Tom Brady (also a traditionally low scorer) brings into a game. Taking on it's own, however, Fantasy sports are fun!
This is just an attempt by yours truly to ruminate and muse on each of the two areas of the sports/entertainment arena.
My REAL sports addiction developed during my 7th and 8th grade years at Moorestown Middle School. As I began the awkward process of figuring out what it was to be a young man I decided that I needed to study the sports section of the local paper so that I wouldn't look odd when the other guys at lunch would talk. Little did I know that simple act of pre-teen social conformity would lead to such an addiction.
My FANTASY sports addiction developed my second year in Fredericksburg (1997). I joined a fantasy football league with some friends as a natural extention of my sport's addiction. This has developed into a deep love of mine that occupies a considerable amount of my free time.
However, as in real life fantasy and reality are very different animals and it's the downfall of many a fantasy sport's player. For instance, Michael Jordon would not be considered in the top 10 of fantasy basketball performers (his shooting percentage was way to low). Fantasy can not take into account the importance a Tom Brady (also a traditionally low scorer) brings into a game. Taking on it's own, however, Fantasy sports are fun!
This is just an attempt by yours truly to ruminate and muse on each of the two areas of the sports/entertainment arena.
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