Week 15 picks

What a heartbreaker last week, in the past 4 seasons the Cowboys have probably had about 8 losses as bad or worst then that one. This city is cursed, it needs a name though, about the best I can come up with is the Curse of Laura Miller, perhaps a suggestion of names would be nice (or would comments in the comment section be to much to ask?) But hey when your QB can't hit the broad side of a barn and your defense goes into prevent defense at the end of the game, these things aren't unlikely to happen. I absolutely loathe the prevent defense, the only time it is somewhat acceptable is when you're up by 2+ scores in the 4th quarter, til then I want them jamming guys at the line (because the Cowboys suck at zone coverage too)

But I'm proud of this Cowboys defense, Wade Phillips gets a lot of crap as head coach but this defense has been lights out since he's taken over calling plays, and I think tonight they'll bring the heat and get in Eli's face. Brandon Jacobs missing the game is HUGE we have to stuff the run though, Derrick Ward isn't as big as Jacobs but he's quick and shifty, a quality back as is Ahmad Bradshaw. This Cowboys team is so hard to judge, one week you think the offense is back and then they put up a clunker where Romo can't hit the back of his lineman's ass (like last week) The Cowboys desperately need Atlanta to drop one of the next 2 games (vs. Tampa or @ Minnesota) because they close the season against St. Louis, they win those next 2 games they're likely in because I have a hard time seeing the Cowboys win all 3 remaining games.

Before we get to picks, I suggest you go read this hilarious post about 25 'true' stories about Ricky Henderson throughout his career: http://www.faniq.com/blog/The-25-Best-Rickey-Henderson-Stories-Of-All-Time-Blog-15243


Picks:

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Last week the Bucs got ran over on Monday night, one of the most dominant running performances I'd ever seen (consider the stature of the Bucs defense) Both of these teams have been fairly resilient following losses, when in doubt take the NFC south team at home, Falcons, despite the Bucs beating him up the 2nd week of the season.

I have to say though I'm very impressed with how Antonio Bryant has been playing this season, he's always had the talent but his head caused him to slip in the draft and be kicked off 2 teams, last week on Monday Night he may have made the catch of the year though




Tennessee Titans (-3) @ Houston Texans
The Texans went into Lambeau and delivered Green Bay's 5th loss this year by 4 or less points, they're playing like a playoff football team and are a forced to be reckoned with (as they build momentum looking forward to next year) This is a true test today vs. the Titans stingy defense and could be big going forward. The Titans need this game going forward because a win leads to them getting closer to clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs (although a win next week vs. the Steelers would do that too) Texans for the upset

Washington Redskins (-6.5) @ Cincinatti Bengals
The Redskins offense hasn't been impressive in weeks but since the tie 4 weeks ago against Philadelphia the Bengals have allowed 27, 34 and 35 points, somethings gotta give, 'Skins

Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) @ St. Louis Rams
The 'Hawks lost a squeaker at home vs. the Pats last week, they kicked the crap outta the Rams last time they met and I expect much of the same this time.

Green Bay Packers (-2.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Neither team has good records but at least the Packers are playing close every game, GO PACK GO!

San Francisco 49ers @ Miami Dolphins (-6)
Going into this season this may have been penciled in as one of the 5 worst games of the year, but right now both teams are playing tough competitive ball with the 49ers pulling off the upset of the Jets (who are 0-3 when travelling to the west coast this year) while the Dolphins keep on trucking beating the struggling Bills in Toronto. I have to take the Dolphins this game because it's a 1:00 start time and every west coast team that has travelled east to play the early game has lost, Dolphins.

Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts (-17)
I went against the Colts last week figuring they hadn't had but 1 blowout all year, but then they showed they can kick the crap out of absolute suck, and the same will happen this week. Lions

San Diego Chargers (-6) @ KC Chiefs
Another West Coast team having to play the early game, will be interesting to see how the Chiefs play considering they lost the last meeting between the 2 because of a decision to go for 2 (which I thought was a great decision by Herm Edwards, no sarcasm) I'll take the Chiefs to cover

Buffalo Bills @ NY J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS (-7.5)
The strug-a-ling Bills vs. the strug-a-ling Jets who will win this matchup between these 2 strug-a-ling teams? All I know is I could care less about the Jets strug-a-ling. And now for the obligatory Joe Namath drunk video



Jets for the bounceback win, the Bills have fallen off the map.

Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals (-3)
This is a very interesting game right here, the Vikings really need this win, they have a tough tough schedule to finish out the year playing the Cardinals, Falcons and Giants, they lose this game they're tied with Chicago and could be at the outside looking in for the playoffs (though I think they're clearly better then Chicago) The Cardinals have the division wrapped up and at this point are just playing for the higher seed. The Cardinals can slow Adrian Peterson down early and if that happens the Vikings will be in trouble getting down to a dynamic offense like the Cardinals, I'll take the home birds in this one.

Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers (-7.5)
The Broncos have looked better the past 2 weeks and I anticipate this to be a close game, but the Broncos still aren't proven against the run, I doubt the Panthers rush for 300 yards again but if the Panthers control the clock it certainly is feasible. But I like the Broncos on the road here (again going aginst logic)

NE Patriots (-6.5) @ Oakland Raiders
Interesting game today since Matt Cassell didn't practice all week, the last time a QB played the Raiders following there dad's death he put up one of the greatest QB performances of all time, but I doubt we'll see an encore performance of that today. The most intriguing matchup this week will be Randy Moss vs. Nnamdi Asomugha (hey I spelt it right on my 1st try!) The best 2 players at there positions going against each other. The Raiders offense sucks to much to keep them in the game the entire time though

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
2 of the toughest defenses in the league and one of the few instances where I'll take the under (set at 34.5) The loser should go onto win the division while the loser should settle into the 6th wildcard spot. Whichever QB makes less mistakes and is under less pressure, who knows who that will be, both QB's are sorta week to week (Flacco b/c he's a rookie) I'll take the Ravens, they were more impressive the 1st time they played though they lost.

NY Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (-3)
Pretty much a coin flip situation, we have the talent they have the production. Protect Tony Romo we win the game. There defensive line has struggled lately with getting pressure, not sure if that's good but although they clinched the division they'll come out motivated because they want home field. I hope Marion the barbarian is healthy enough to play, we needed him in the 4th last week. This matchup is to tough, it could come down to some fluke play like last week where it was a miscommunication and for the 15th time that day a pass sailed on Tony Romo. I don't even really like to think about it because I hate to think about my Boys losing, screw it Cowboys.

Monday Night
Cleveland Browns @ Philadelphia Eagles (-14)
Now everyone's back on McNabb's jock in Philly (what a bunch of flip floppers. I say this as if half of Dallas didnt jump ship on Romo from this past week) It's time for them to disappoint as the stretch run comes, even if they disappoint this week that should be enough to beat the Ken Dorsey led Browns. Eagles

until next week...

End of the winter meetings...

Lot's happening in the baseball world, although free agency had been going on for several weeks, it didn't feel like it until the start of the winter meetings. Where GM's, agents and hack beat writers all gather at a convention in a city of there choosing. This year it was done in sin city, VIVA VIAGRA! Er I mean viva las vegas, stupid lame commercials.

A lot of speculation on the writers and bloggers part for much of the week as GM's send out rumors through writers or people (like Peter Gammons or Ken Rosenthal) are able to gather up some very interesting tidbits, most of which won't come true but who doesn't like to play the speculation game, nothing ever goes wrong there, all happy thoughts, for the most part. And then there's super agent extroardinaire Scott Boras. He's like Nick Naylor, except instead of convincing you cigarettes aren't bad he's selling you that his players won't underachieve throughout the life of the contract, and it works time and time and time again. Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek and Mark Teixeira may have not signed with anyone yet but they're waiting for the market to set and I can guarantee Teixeira is going to get at least 19 more likely 20 million a year.

But now talking about the deals that went down over the week:

• C.C Sabathia - signs with Yankees 7 years 161 million
• 
  With plenty of salary coming off the books for the New York Yankees you knew they were going to be active, even before the meetings, letting go Andy Pettite, Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu (though they all could be back) re-signing reliever Damaso Marte and acquiring Nick Swisher from the White Sox on the cheap after he had a down year. So as I said, the Yanks had money to spend and there target was #1 free agent and future staff ace CC Sabathia. He signed a 7 year 161 million dollar deal with a clause in his contract that he can opt out of after the 3rd year if he so chooses. This is a very risky move, but could be have a huge payoff if he fetches them a World Series trophy, the Yankees struggled with there young starting pitching and also experiences plenty of injuries too so obviously this was there main priorities.
  
  This entire deal in my opinion heavily favors C.C. instead of being a team friendly deal, if he picks up where he left off and is a top 5 pitcher for the next 3 years, he can opt out and get another 7 year deal (he'll only be 31) plus he has a full no trade clause. Also if C.C. gets injured that's another risk to the deal in his favor, he has thrown nearly 500 innings in the regular season the past 2 years and by the time the playoffs have come around he has been gassed, giving up 20 ER in 4 post season starts. And everyone is always going to be worried about his weight, it's not as big a deal to me as potential arm injuries are but when you weigh over 300 pounds that will be the 1st thing people want to talk about, especially since the media is so weight conscience.
  
  All in all, you figured this deal was going to happen, the Yanks always make the big splash when they see someone they like and he and newcomer AJ Burnett help solidify this rotation with Chien-Ming Wang and hopefully a healthy Phillip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain at the back of the rotation. It's a risky proposition but when you're making the kind of dough the Yankees are pulling in you tend to not worry about such trivial things. Now all they really need to do is get 1 more decent starter for some added depth.
  
  
• AJ Burnett - signs with Yankees 5 years 82.5 million
• 
  When people say don't give pitchers long term contracts this is what they mean, in 2 years we may look back on this as one of the dumbest moves in the last 5 years when it comes to free agnecy. I'm curious if part of the reason they signed him was because of his recent sucess vs. the Yankees (2007 15 IP 1 ER 13 K's, 2008 38.1 7 ER 43 K's) This guy's always had the stuff and the heat which has what's been attractive about this fireballer but he's constantly hurt, the only 2 times he's gone over 200 IP's were both in contract years. Now aside from his contract years in the past 5 years he's been a good pitcher but he's also going to miss 10 starts a year for various injuries, and I won't be shocked if it happens this year (or any year) as the Blue Jays pitched him a career high 221 innings this past year. If they wanted to sign an oft-injured but effective starting pitcher they could have gone after Ben Sheets, his contract would have twice as short and twice as cheap. Last year at 118 innings he had a 5.23 ERA and his last 100 innings pitched was able to widdle it down to 4.07, now maybe he sorted some things out or it could have been the money motivating him to get his ERA down to respectability.
  
• Francisco Rodriguez - signs with New York Mets 3 years 37 million
• I was shocked that this deal went down so fast, it's like K-Rod took the 1st offer and was fine with that, if you would have told me 2 months ago he would have gotten this deal I would have laughed at you, I was damn near convinced he'd get at least 5 years for around 12 million a year. So in that sense it's a steal, especially given the short coming of the Mets bullpen the last 2 years. But I'm still expecting him to break down, given his already 450 IP as a reliever and he's not even 27, his violent delivery and his K rate falling and his WHIP rising, there just isn't much to like aside from past reputation. He just better not screw up in the 1st month of the season where the fans will be edgy after the last 2 years of September collapses.
  
  
• In a 3 team trade: Seattle trades relievers JJ Putz and Sean Green and OF Jeremy Reed. They received reliever Aaron Heilman, LHP Jason Vargas outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez along with 3 minor leaguers. The Mets received JJ Putz, Sean Green and Jeremy Reed and traded Heilman, Vargas, Chavez and traded RP Joe Smith to the Indians. The Indians received Smith and 2nd baseman Luis Valbuena and traded Gutierrez.
  
  The Mets did a good job reshaping there bullpen this week and provided JJ Putz can stay healthy they come out big in this trade as he could possibly be a top setup man in the game, Reed can provide quality defense (and come in late games) and Green gets groundballs and be a decent guy to come in the 6th and 7th innings.
  
  For the Mariners I really think it's a bunch of mediocrity they're getting back, Gutierrez has a shot to become a solid everyday starter (and he's already an above average defender) But there's nothing special about Vargas utility player Endy Chavez or Aaron Heillman. This just makes me wonder who the closer will be for Seattle because I assume stud pitcher Brandon Morrow is going back in the starting rotation. The minor leaguers are interesting, they acquired 1st baseman Mike Carp who looks like he can step in at the start or middle of next season and be the team's 1st baseman, he's got decent power but nice OBP skills. And then there's 19 year old Maikel Cleto who throws 95 MPH, down the road he could possibly work out as a back end of the bullpen piece.
  
  For the Indians the 2nd baseman appears to be a spare part but Joe Smith is a solid guy for them to plug into the 7th inning. I'd say the Mets come out big winners in this trade and the Indians come out pretty good considering they were the 3rd wheel in this trade. The Mariners finished 3rd with there collection of mediocrity, although if there minor leaguers they got work out they can move up on this list. Interesting trade by there new GM.
  
• Raul Ibanez - signs with Philadelphia Phillies for 3 years 31 million dollars
• 
  This move was just a dumb move, I mean don't get me wrong Ibanez is a good player who's had 20 homers and 100 rbi's the last 3 years, but he'll also turn 37 next June and he's already a terrible defensive player, something you can't hide in the National league. I realize they were hesitant to resign Pat Burrell but he would have been a lot smarter signing then Ibanez, who's also a left hander I might add. So if they go a 3-4-5 of Utley/Howard/Ibanez you have 3 left handers up in a row, not exactly a good strategy. I suppose if Jayson Werth picks up where he left off last year he will hit 3rd inbetween Utley and Howard but that's still 3 out of 4 lefties in a row and 2 of those guys have struggled against lefties. Burrell is younger, has more power and a higher slugging % and gets on base more. It appears whoever signs him will be getting a bargain. He'd be great for a team in need of a DH.
  
• Tampa Bay Rays trade SP Edwin Jackson to the Detroit Tigers for OF Matt Joyce
  
  This was a smart move for the Rays, they were in need of another outfielder and needing to get rid of either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson to make room for incoming superstar David Price. Jackson has the upside but with his lack of control Sonnanstine was a safer pick. Jackson was a league average pitcher last year but he was a bit lucky too, with a 1.50 WHIP 199 hits given up and 77 walks in 183 innings. Plus his strikeout numbers decreased by 20 despite throwing 22 more innings, not a great sign for a pitcher who lacks control. But he may be helped by the spacious Comerica Park in Detroit. Matt Joyce on the other hand had a very high slugging % and a .830 OPS in 300 AB's last year as a rookie, he profiles as a platoon player who can hit righties. I'd say the trade is about even with the upside of Jackson possibly swinging in there favor if he ever figures it out.
• Kyle Farnsworth - KC Royals for 2 years 9.25 million dollars
  
  This signing kind of reminds me of Family Guy when Chris Griffin walks out of a movie starring Kevin Costner and he replies, "How does Kevin Costner keep getting work?" Oh what I would give to have a 100 MPH fastball, as long as you have that you will always have a contract (wait for recently released Daniel Cabrera to get snatched up) I'm sure there were cheaper more effective relievers the Royals could have signed but maybe it's because current GM used to work as an asst. in the Atlanta Braves front office (although Farnsworth was only there for half a season) Dumb signing, only positive is this "experiment" can be done in 2 years.
• Kerry Wood - Cleveland Indians 2 years 20.5 million with club option
  
• Fantastic signing by a fantastic GM in Mark Shapiro, Wood was an effective closer for the Cubs last year and as long as he's in relief appears to be able to stay healthy. He had a 3.26 ERA converting 34 out of 40 save opportunities and 84 K's in 66.1 innings. This helps Cleveland adress a major weakness in the back of there bullpen as they look to be contenders next season. And if it doesn't work out, he'll be gone in 2 years anyways, nice signing.
• 
  
• Ramon Vazquez - Pittsburgh Pirates 2 years 4 million
• I'm going to miss this beautiful mustache. He was another success for hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and he was a great #9 hitter for the Rangers this year. He provided some timely hits but shaky defense. He also was the guy who hit a 3 run homer 2 seasons ago in Baltimore to give the Rangers 30 runs, so you have to love him for that. He got a big of a big head at times feeling entitled to playing time despite being a utility player his entire career, almost not being able to accept going back in that role. I wish him the best, cheap but effective signing by a team that doesn't make them that often.
• IF'ers Casey Blake & Mark Loretta - Dodgers Blake signs for 3 years and Loretta for 1.
  
  The Dodgers now found there everyday 3rd baseman in Casey Blake, he'll provide good defense and decent power, offensively he is slightly above average and I imagine those #'s will go down when he plays his games in Chavez Ravine. Loretta is an underrated player, he won't provide much power but the past 4 years he's hit .280 and a .350 OBP, a quality backup who can fill in at multiple positions at this point in his career.
• Baltimore Orioles trade Ramon Hernandez to the Cincinatti Reds for Utility man Ryan Freel and minor leaguers Justin Turner and Brandon Waring
• 
  This trade was done so the Orioles could make room for the best position player prospect in the game catcher Matt Weiters. It works for the Reds as they get rid of the overpaid Freel and fill a position of starting catcher that they had been looking for since last season. Freel had been a decent utility man playing multiple positions but had missed over half the season the past 2 years. He's the type of player fans love to come see for his all out hustle and diving for balls in the outfield. Hernandez I feel is better then this package though, the Orioles last year had embarrassing play at SS and this trade should have been able to provide them either a decent starter at SS or a future piece, and if not that, why not try and get a decent pitcher (like Homer Bailey?) The important thing for them is that Weiters (the early favority for rookie of the year) won't have to split time at the major league level next year and doesn't have to look over his shoulder in case he struggles at the start. He'll be a fantastic catcher sooner rather then later and an MVP candidate in a few years.
• 
  
  After this trade the Reds also signed 37 year old lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes to a 2 year deal, another nice cheap signing for someone who had a bounceback year last season.

Thursday Night Football

I really don't dig the Thursday night game, and it's not because I don't have NFL network, it's just not appealing to me. I don't like how as the end of the NFL season nears you get less and less games on Sunday and more on Friday or Saturday, you just tend to miss more games that way unless you have nothing on your plate. But everyone is always busy around the holidays whether it's shopping or some sort of family or company engagement.

Anyways here's my Thursday night pick:

Nawlins Saints @ Chicago Bears (-3)

Both teams are fighting for there playoff lives, both teams coming off wins and both teams with the same record at 7-6. Neither team plays great defense, at times the Bears play good defense, it helps when they play a team without a passing game (like last week in Jacksonville) that won't be the case this week (although the Saints turned in there best rushing performance of the season vs. the Falcons last week) The weather doesn't look like it will be a huge factor tonight so as long as the wind is fine the Saints are at an advantage. I expect plenty of scoring in this game and the Saints coming out with a victory and suddenly people start looking at them again and getting a little scared.

The over/under is 46 I'll take the over

Gerald Laird traded to Detroit...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8910862/Source:-Tigers-acquire-catcher-Laird-from-Rangers?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting he's been traded to the Detroit Tigers for 25 year old minor league right hander Guillermo Moscoso and low lever minor league pitcher Carlos Melo.

Moscoso was ranked as the #10 prospect in Detroit's farm system by Baseball America but Detroit is a system that is all tapped out at the moment, due to some trades the past couple years. He had an arm injury in 2005 but this past year he had some very nice #'s for High A and AA.

On the season he made 9 starts and 12 relief appearances and went 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 86.2 innings. He seems to possess pin point control just walking 21 guys and striking out 122 men. He held batters to a .194 average.

And to look up some stats on the 17 year old Melo he played in the Domican Summer League last year and should head to the states this year, here's some stats on him: http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=35991

The only real negative to this trade in my opinion is Moscoso, like Laird is on the 40 man roster and it wouldn't hurt to clear a couple spots on the 40 man so we don't have to cut another player in spring training. But Laird has whined and complained and overstated his abilities his entire time as a Ranger. He's very cocky and arrogant and it really frustrated me that he got playing time (especially later in the season) over Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez. One thing I will miss is his ability to bunt, best bunter in the league, and he was surprisingly speedy for a man of his size. If you weren't watching he'd steal a base on you, at times his defense was good throwing out base stealers but those skills seemed to have regressed last year.

The Winter Meetings for baseball is this week and I won't be shocked if this isn't the only splash the Rangers make, might not be the only catcher that's traded. I'll try and write a review at the end of the week on deals that happen.

picks

Pretty pointless to do picks now but ive done it before and i was annoyed i didnt do it last week, let's get to it

Minnesota Vikings (-10) @ Detroit Lions
Many think this is the best chance for the Lions to get a win, and they will probably come out playing hard because it's probably in the back of there minds. Then they'll proceed to fall flat on there face. Vikings

Cincinatti Bengals @ Indinapolis Colts (-13.5)
Colts have blown out 1 team this season and have had some very fortunate victories, Bengals have played some top talent close but haven't won, the same should hold true today, Bengals to cover, Colts outright

Atlanta Falcons @ Nawlins Saints (-3)
Saints I desparately want you guys to win, the more losses the Falcons get the better, I trust you guys at home today

Philadelphia Eagles @ NY Giants (-6.5)
Now everybody loves McNabb again it's time for a clunker, the Eagles are fully capable of pulling off the upset but I don't think it's gonna happen, Giants. I hate picking them, the O/U is looking mighty low at 40.5

Houston Texans @ GB Packers (-7)
Both these teams have lost there share of heartbreakers and it's why both teams appear to be on the outside looking in for the playoff race, I like what the Texans have been doing and think they're fully capable of pulling off the upset, assuming Matty Schaub isn't rusty to start the game, I like the Texans

Cleveland Browns @ Tennessee Titans (-14)
They kicked the crap out of every other mediocre team they've played. The only reason the spread isn't bigger is because the Titans aren't a dynamic offense but with Ken Dorsey starting for the Browns it is going to get ugly. Cowboys fans look out for a potential Richard Bartel sighting. Titans

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Chicago Bears (-6.5)
Jags suck, DA BEARS

NY Jets (-4) @ San Francisco 49ers
Why are the Jets favored by just 4? I realilze Singeltary has them playing well but I just see them getting destroyed today, O/U is at 45 take the over.

NE Patriots (-7) @ Seattle Seahawks
Another east coast team going out west and another low spread, Patriots have to get out there anger after getting destroyed last week. Oh and I forgot to mention the Jets need to do the same thing this week, what an embarrassment against the broncos

KC Chiefs @ Denver Broncos (-9)
It would be classic if the Broncos lost this week, I mean they're in the playoffs so if they blew this game just to mess with people I'd respect it, how do you get blown out at home vs. the Raiders then win AT the Jets, doesn't make sense. Even though the Chiefs dominated Denver before I expect the good Broncos to come out this week.

*Sidenote* one of my favorite Simpsons moments was when Homer dream is to become the owner of the Dallas Cowboys and then at the end of the episode he becomes the owner of the Denver Broncos and he lets out, "OHHHHHHHHHHH the Denver Broncos" That episode "You Only Move Twice" with Hank Scorpio is probably my favorite episode ever.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (-1)
The Bills are to hard to predict, but they did just embarrass themselves last week, but they're playing there 1st game ever in Toronto so the atmosphere should be raucous. I guess I'll take them

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals (-14)
The Cardinals are back at home after a big layoff and a slaughtering of the birds, this will get ugly though for the Rams

Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)
I think the Cowboys can and will win and it may be stupid especially since Marion Barber is out with his toe. Only thing I'm worried about (and it's dumb to say this as if it's a little thing) is the protection for Tony Romo. Flozell Adams and Marc Columbo have to play there best games of the season. They can't let Woodley and Harrison get free and wreak havoc because that's how they blew out the Patriots last week (along with a specials teams gaffe by the Pats) I'm confident in our corners though and Demarcus Ware to be healthy and even though the Steelers line has been better the last 2 games we need to be in Big Ben's face all day and freakin wrap up a QB for a change. We win this game we will make the playoffs. That whole paragraph wasn't very confident sounding but I'll be a homer and take the Cowboys

Washington Redskins @ Baltimore Ravens (-6)
Washington's playoff hopes are hanging by a thread and it's over if they lose tonight. There secondary is good enough to where it may cause Joe Flacco some problems, especially if there mediocre running game is shut down early. Baltimore needs this game as badly as the 'Skins to get a wildcard spot. They're at home I'll take the Ravens

Monday Night
Tampa Bay Bucs @ Carolina Panthers (-3)
I think the reason I'm somewhat biased against these 2 teams is I don't find them interesting or intriguing at all, and the fact that the Bucs lost to Brad Johnson. There's nothing about these teams that makes me really confident about them, and it's really offensively I speak of because they both possess some really talented defensive players. Oh but you want me to choose the game, NFC South, take the home team. Thems the rules, Panthers


I apologize also to the millions (AND MILLIONS) of my readers for not keeping up with this blog the past month or 2, I had some momentum going but just can't seem to just sit in front of the computer and write on my blog. Perhaps it will change, but let's not bicker about thing i should be doing because I can be here all day. It's probably just best to ignore this half drunken rambling, but yea the quality isn't the best at this point, oh well, whattareyagonnado, read another blog? hogwash

Pick for Thursday...

Tonight's game will be on 3-d in select cities. I'm not sure if I've ever seen any movie or show in 3-d, not saying I refuse to see it because it's a gimmick just stating I haven't.


Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers (-9)
Norv Turner's gotta be gone after this year, right? One of the best offensive coordinators in the game, but not a head coach. Of course you could say they lost there season in week 2 with that crushing blow from Ed Hochuli, just brought the season to a screeching halt. I think they overachieved a bit last year making it to the conference title game, mainly because they've always had a favorable matchup vs. Peyton Manning when they have had a pass rush. They could be back next year, but will LaDanian Tomlinson be back? I'm not completely ready to call him washed up but he hasn't helped his case this season. I think everyone has been waiting on this to happen btu we didn't know when it would happen, because he never plays in the pre season, of course I'm not sure if he's fully healthy. Putting all this rambling aside I'll take the Raiders to cover, Chargers to win outright.


One last thing to add that just drips in irony is from this article I found Sunday in the Miami Herald how the refs made a controversial call in Saturday's Miami Heat/LA Clippers game in which the Heat lost by 1.

Dwyane Wade stole the ball and collide with a referee as he passed the ball to what would have amounted to an easy layup for the Heat, but due to an inadvertant whistle play was stopped and the Heat were given the ball out of bounds and lost.

Wade was furious following the game and had this to say, "We won the game, they took it from us. It wasn't even close to being a call. I don't even know how you can call something like that. We won the game. They took it from us."


This coming from a guy who has a championship ring because of refs and yet he still isn't happy, what more does this guy want? A guy who shot an NBA record 97 ft's in 6 games, didn't even need the 7th game, who nearly outshot the Mavs in the last 2 finals games himself is bitching about the refs, who pretty much made him what he is today, untouchable. He needs to get his priorities checked before Stern finds a new puppet and Charles Barkley kicks him out of his 5.

*Mark Cuban's head exploded upon reading this article.

Just some food for thought (what does this even mean?)

Power Rankings and Week 12 picks...

Before we start this week's column I must ask this question:

Can you find a gayer picture then this? I mean obviously if you look for one you can but can you find a gayer picture then this where guys are not kissing and aren't naked? It might just be the gayest photo ad of all time. Not that there's anything wrong with that (sorry, normally I don't miss the opportunity for a Seinfeld reference) Now you're wondering where I found it, it was one of the ad's on a website I was reading, and I was thinking, really Tom, are you really that desperate to do work for a cologne company? Just was bothering me because it's just so laughable.

Also Thursday's Cowboys game was nice to see for the 1st 20 minutes of the game. The offense looked like it did all last year and the 1st couple weeks of this season. Romo was getting plenty of time and was accurate. Then for about the next 15 minutes of game time the line looked like garbage like in the 2nd half of last year's playoff game vs. the Giants. I don't know why they couldnt keep the Seahawks guys out of Romo's face. DeMarcus Ware made a statement and hopefully put himself in contention for the defensive player of the year. 'Fat' Albert Haynesworth would probably be my pick but Ware would be no lower then 3rd. The only thing I really didn't like from this past week was the pass defense was horrid, I'm not sure if Dallas played a lot of zone and soft coverage or if Mike Jenkins being out made that big a difference but it was a problem, especially with us travelling to Pittsburgh next Sunday. Also I'm more and more impressed every week at how this defense plays when the team gets inside the red zone, they really pick it up a notch. My favorite part of the game was watching Julius Jones running into the back of a linemen's ass, just classic J. Jones.

But I figured this week I'd try and take a crack at doing some power rankings, all the big time affiliates have them and well I'm pretty big time myself, I may have 10 readers soon, so let's get to it. I'd also like to point out these are my opinions and some of it may not be based on records:

1. New York Giants - Pretty obvious pick, if I wasn't so anxious to knock this team down a peg or 2 I'd say it would take a lot to remove this team from a fairly secure spot.

2. Tennessee Titans - Really here because of there record. I believe they lost last week because they fell down early against a good team. The week before they fell down to a bad Jacksonville team and came back to win. Against a good team like the Jets that's not going to happen because they're a run heavy team and when they're forced into obvious passing situations Kerry Collins will be ineffective, it's not his style and it's not the Titans style. They're built to play with a lead or close 1 possession games and rely on there defense to make plays, that's why they lost to the Jets. These type of teams are always susceptible to upsets in the playoffs.

3. New England Patriots - This might look crazy considering the Jets just beat the Patriots but if they play the Jets again there is no doubt in my mind they will prevail, they win the coin toss agains the Jets in there last meeting and they're most likely the victors and sitting atop the division.

4. New York Jets - They're in prime position to win the division title with Miami and Buffalo at home and Seattle and San Francisco on the road. I feel that Brett Favre may screw up once the playoffs get started though.

5. Dallas Cowboys - May be overreacting but they're starting to get it together (and as it happens injuries occur) But I really think they can go into there next game and upset Pittsburgh especially if they get after Big Ben and his porous offensive line.

6. Indianapolis Colts - The reason they aren't ahead of the Cowboys is they're having to many close calls, I want to see a blowout or 2 everyonce in a while. 6 of there wins have been by a total of 23 points. They could be higher come playoff time and going into the final week vs. Tennessee they should have 8 wins in a row (they play Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinatti and Jacksonville)

7. Pittsburgh Steelers - There schedule is a hell of a lot harder then the Ravens, if they lose against New England Sunday, I don't think they're making the playoffs. It's a shame either them or the Ravens can't take the AFC West's playoff spot.

8. Baltimore Ravens - After this week's gimme vs. Cincinatti they play Washington, Pittsburgh then @ Dallas and close out against Jacksonville. They go 2-1 (or beat Pittsburgh) in that 3 game stretch they should clinch a playoff spot.

9. Tampa Bay Bucs - I've seen other publications rank them higher, and frankly I had them lower when I started this. I just don't see this team going far in the playoffs, they're like a poorer version of the Titans, that suck on the road. I just am not that impressed by them, in fact aside from the Saints (and the Falcons at home) I don't think either team has a chance to go places, though some places really like the Panthers.

10. Atlanta Falcons - They get this spot because they proved to have recovered nicely from the loss against the Broncos the previous week. Guess they are a legit team who will be in it til the end, but now they're gonna have to prove it on the road (@ Nawlins, Minnesota and San Diego) Ultimately with that schedule they're going to miss the playoffs.

11. Carolina Panthers - They beat the Falcons last week and they're a lot higher, they only have 2 home games the rest of the year. They play on the road against Nawlins, the Giants and Green Bay all tough places and Tampa whupped them earlier this year at there place they need to rebound this week or they'll be on the outside.

12. Washington Redskins - Big game vs. the Giants this week. There 1st matchup was embarrassing, the 'Skins looked like they had no idea what to do offensively. Defensively after the 1st couple drives Eli looked awful against them. If they force them to pass this week they can pull off the upset and not fall back a game in the division and go up a game on Dallas in division games.

13. New Orleans Saints - Say what you want about Kurt Warner but Drew Brees has been for awhile my MVP, it is scary what he could with Warner's weapons maybe over 75% completion percentage. I can't give up on this team as long as he's healthy and I would hate to meet up with them in the playoffs. The more I look at there schedule it actually looks somewhat favorable for them, as long as they dont screw up.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

15. Arizona Cardinals - They can't play past East of the Mississippi, luckily the rest of the division can't play in the entire continental US

16. Minnesota Vikings - I think they may be the best team in the division but there schedule (I may be overplaying the schedule factor, a tad) is the hardest, it's there own fault there record isn't better though.

17. Chicago Bears - Week 16 showdown vs. the Pack could decide the division

18. Green Bay Packers - I still think letting Aaron Rodgers start was the right move even if he was part of the reason they lost last week vs. the Saints, but if it makes them feel better, Drew Brees does that to about every team he plays.

19. Denver Broncos - Had they not been absolutely embarrassed last week at home they could be about 6 spots higher, but jesus there defense is abysmal, what's even more sad is they'll get a home playoff game. That's a rule that needs to be fixed this off season, a team does not deserve a playoff game vs. the wildcard team if there record is worse (and this year they may be 3 games worse then there opponent)

20. Miami Dolphins - No surprise they lost last week, excuse me while I pat myself on the back. They should get to 9 wins though playing StL this week and playing San Fran and KC at home. If they can win at Buffalo that would give them 10 wins, which would make them the 2nd worst 10 win team Parcells has built this decade.

21. Houston Texans - They'll be better heading into next year, I'm liking what I see for them now and they should get a win Monday on there 1st ever MNF game.

22. Buffalo Bills - They've fallen on tough times, but they take care of San Fran this week and they have a season deciding showdown against the Jets on the road. Playoffs are still a long shot though. They're probably ranked a little low.

23. San Diego Chargers - Again maybe to low, it's sad that there division is still attainable, I find it hard to believe Norv will be back, but if he's gone he'll latch onto another team and make there offense great and maybe sucker an owner 1 more time into being a head coach.

24. Cleveland Browns - So much for Brady Quinn getting experience. Just promise me America gets to keep seeing his sculpted chest each week as he runs the hurdles and drinking those energy drinks.

25. Oakland Raiders - I didnt get to see any of this game I just want to know if Jamarcus looked as good as his stats may have indicated, I was shocked that they beat the Broncos like that.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - I hate when I make a pick thinking some team will be great and they totally crap on your heart, shame on you Jacksonville.

27. San Francisco 49ers - I hope Mike Singeltary will always have a job.

28. Kansas City Chiefs - Well Tyler Thigpen looks legit there defense though is as bad as anyone's in the league.

29. Seattle Seahawks

That's all I really have to say about the Seahawks. Goo goo g'joob g'goo goo g'joob

30. Cincinatti Bengals - If there owners weren't so cheap Marvin Lewis and Chad Johnson would have been gone a long time ago, instead this off season they'll lose there best WR TJ Houshmanzadeh.

31. St. Louis Rams - They have 1 more win but ever since barely losing to New England they've fallen on terrible times, nothing else to say.

32. Alabama Crimson Tide - # 1 until beaten, and nobody thinks they can beat Florida either. They're the Tennessee Titans of football, great defense and run game with average at best QB's. Only real difference is Julio Jones.

33. OU Sooners - It's almost a bad thing that they beat T. Tech by 40+ because now everyone is bitching about UT not getting into the Big XII title game. Everyone now just brushes Tech by like they've wanted to the entire time. I think OU's schedule is better and are more impressive then UT (and I realize they lost to them, I've heard that enough this week) None of the 3 teams deserve to bitch about the final verdict since they all lost though.

34. Florida Gators - I hate Florida and hope Tebow sucks in the SEC title game (for Bama's sake)

35. Texas Longhorns - Already adressed there situation, I also doubt they'll have a rematch against OU in the title game. Here's what would have to happen: Florida loses to FSU, then beats Alabama. Then I expect USC to jump ahead of the horns, so you'd have to have them lose. Also OU would have to win Bedlam and there conference title. And even if all that happened Utah might jump Texas if voters really dont want an interconference title game.

36. USC Trojans - I think there might be overhate for SC, I dislike them but nobody I know wants them in the title hunt but want them to face a legit BCS opponent. I think everyone is annoyed that they'd have the nerve to lose with all that talent on there team especially since the Pac 10 isn't that great (though I think overall the NCAA isn't what it's been in the past) Oh well if Oregon State wins Saturday then we'll probably see a Texas vs. USC game somewhere.

37. Utah Utes - I really wish the WAC and the MWC and maybe even C-USA would combine there best team to form a BCS conference, they deserve it this year as much as the ACC or Big East. Especially the top 3 in the MWC this year.

38. Acapella music - some guy on a forum I frequent was talking about it the other day and I can't get enough of this style of singing, here's a couple video's











39. Detroit Lions - they can't even sit atop the BCS rankings! How the mighty have fallen, oh wait they were never mighty.


9897987988787. Jonas Brothers - I never heard them before and prior to Thursday the only time I noticed them was when they were talking to Leno and they were on mute. Even then I waas hoping Ron Howard (who was sitting next to them) would take a fork out of his pocket and stab one in the eyeballs. They're the latest product of the Disney hype machine and my god they're horrible, are kids really this stupid. Obviously but my god there's a new low reached by disney every year. If I have a kid where do I have to go or who do I give my soul to that will allow me to exploit my kid and damaging his future to allow myself to get rich all while brainwashing kids with this filth?

9897987988788. Carson Daly - an all time douchebag. It takes a lot to go lower then him, about the only guy I can definitely say is lower then him is Skip Bayless.

Until next week, where I'll be typing to a few (loyal?) readers