Supreme takes on football

Supreme/Wilson mini football available at Nomad tomorrow morning. Yeah, that's my shit.

NFL Predictions Part VIII: AFC West

It could be a year of change in the AFC West. On the way out are two perennial playoff contenders and rising is a team who has been at the bottom the past few years. One thing is for sure, the west is not the place to be a football fan right now. Both the NFC and the AFC West are arguably the two weakest divisions in football. Wait a minute... no argument. So how is the AFC West gonna turn out, well maybe a little like this.

1. San Diego Chargers 10-6
2. Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
3. Denver Broncos 5-11
4. Oakland Raiders 3-13

The Chargers may be able to keep themselves above water a little while longer before they start losing their grip. LT is out and a new running back has a lot on his shoulders. The Chargers drafted Ryan Mathews out of Fresno State to replace Tomlinson and they better hope he succeeds, especially for the first few games. Dealing with a suspension to Vincent Jackson, Philip Rivers is at a loss for his prime receiver. Floyd will hopefully step up and catch some balls, but there is definitely gonna be a need for some decent runs. After all, by beefing up their offense in the draft they forgot to address their blaring problem at defense. I still see the Chargers making the playoffs in a weak West division.

NFL Predictions Part VII: AFC South

I don't like Peyton Manning. I have respect for his ability, both on the field and as an actor in commercials, but both him and his brother have cause the New England Patriots some hard times as of late. I don't mind Flacco and the Ravens for some reason, even though they knocked the Pats out last year... it's just that smug little look on Peyton's face. Ask Bill Simmons, he knows what I'm talking about. However, despite this dislike, I do believe the Colts and Manning are one of the most talented teams out there. Peyton lead the Colts to a fantastic season in the first year in a while without Tony Dungy on the sidelines. Jim Caldwell seemed to fill in quite nicely and I see big things for the future of the Colts even without Dungy. So... here is how I see the AFC South shaping up.

1. Indianapolis Colts 15-1
2. Houston Texans 9-7
3. Tennessee Titans 8-8
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 6-10

Sure it's boring saying that Indy is going to have another near-perfect season, only losing a couple of games, but hasn't Manning proved yet that that's highly possible year in and year out. He's still got Reggie Wayne to catch the ball, an aging Addai might be replaced by the young Donald Brown to keep the ball moving, and the defense puts up stops when it needs to, which is not even a worry really since Peyton can get the ball and perform a two-minute drill at any point in the game. Just look at their game against the Dolphins last year in which they won 27-23. The Colts had possession of the ball for just 14:58 (compared to Miami's 45:07), but still managed to win the game, achieving an offensive DVOA (if you read Football Outsiders) of 98%! An incredible number. The Colts are simply one of those teams that has what it takes to win.

NFL Predictions Part VI: AFC North

So it all starts tomorrow and after this I only have two divisions left, including one which I believe will have a Super Bowl XLV champ, and the other a pinnacle of mediocrity and disappointment. But until then I have the AFC North, which has two teams which I believe are capable of making a push for the Lombardi trophy. One of those teams made it to the AFC Championship last year, the other one the Super Bowl the previous year. Both are poised to make moves and this is how I see the AFC North ending up.

1. Baltimore Ravens 11-5
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
3. Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
4. Cleveland Browns 4-12

The Ravens had a hell of a year last year, both offensively and defensively. They won games when it counted, but also managed to lose them too. They won by huge margins, and lost close games on bad mistakes, including several errors to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship. Everyone gets bounces and Baltimore was on the wrong end of a lot of them in 2009. They lacked consistency, the ability to get big points in the red zone, and a higher tier wide receiver for Flacco to throw at. Well, now Flacco is a year more experienced and the Ravens have picked up both Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmandzadeh. Will this solve a few problems? I think so; and if it does look for the Ravens to be back in the postseason again this season.

NFL Predictions Part V: AFC East

I like my Pats' chances this year. Brady is healthy again, and I doubt their defense is going to have as sloppy a year as 2009. For Belichick, the defense was not as expected. Hopefully it was one of those transitional years and New England will be back on top of the AFC East, at least hopefully for me. They will have some tough competition though and everyone is definitely wondering what Mark Sanchez will do in his sophomore year. I drafted him in my fantasy football pool last year with my last pick overall and was pleasantly rewarded with a decent backup QB near the end of the seaosn. More importantly though is how the Jets' defense will compare to last year's stellar effort. We shall see, and I see the AFC East ending up something like this:

1. New England Patriots 13-3
2. NY Jets 9-7
3. Miami Dolphins 8-8
4. Buffalo Bills 4-12

Like I said, I really think New England will have their shit together on defense this year. Not only that but I believe the offensive linemen may have taken a year to mature and will also improve in 2010. Belichick always has an ability to find talent in the draft at all spots and that's why this Patriots team has been somehwat of a dynasty over the past decade. They should continue on this season, getting right back on track after an embarrassing loss to the Ravens in the playoffs last year. The only problem is, they might have problems with Baltimore again in the playoffs, and I think they're going to have an even bigger problem facing the Colts and Peyton again, which I'm sure will be a highly possible postseason scenario. For now though, look for the Pats' offense to remain one of the best in the league and have your fingers crossed that the defense can improve.

NFL Predictions Part IV: NFC West

I just couldn't help but post a pic of Glen Coffee, who after a lengthy career with the 49ers totaling 14 games, has retired from football at the old age of 23. So long Coffee, it was a wonderful time. The loss shouldn't be too burdening for the 49ers however, who's schedule this season is the 25th hardest in the league, and who are poised to win the NFC West now that the Cardinals have lost Warner and will be relying on Derek Anderson to throw the ball to Fitzgerald and co. By how much will they win the division? Here's my look at the NFC West.

1. San Francisco 49ers 11-5
2. Arizona Cardinals 7-9
3. Seattle Seahawks 5-11
4. St. Louis Rams 2-14

So maybe the 49ers don't win 11 games, highly possible, I could be overshooting that number by a win or two, but the point is that the 49ers have one of those schedules that might allow them to do it. Now that the Cardinals' offense has taken a huge hit, two extra wins against Arizona are highly possible. San Fran could in fact easily sweep their divisional games, going 6-0 in the NFC West, regardless of matches against other teams. Their defense improved massively last year, one of the top 3 in the NFL, and their offense kept getting better as 2009 moved along. I mean, it still all comes down to whether Alex Smith is ready to become the franchise QB or not, but this is definitely the season for San Fran to make moves. They have to do it now before the Rams start getting better.

NFL Predictions Part III: NFC South

Matt Ryan. That's right, Matt Ryan. It seems like only yesterday a hell-bent New Orleans team took over the reigns as NFC South champs, led by Drew Brees and his all-over-the-field, mutli-receiver attack. Well it should be a short lived life at the top for Brees and company. This young Atlanta team is ready to make moves and has the playoffs in sight this season, even if it is only wildcard weekend this year. Here's what I see in the NFC South:

1. New Orleans Saints 11-5
2. Atlanta Falcons 11-5
3. Carolina Panthers 6-10
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-13

The Saints put up amazing numbers last year, scoring 510 points over the course of the season, best in the league and 40 points ahead of second place Minnesota, but the big difference last year was their defense. They managed to score 5 touchdowns and accumulate 652 yards off interceptions alone. This statistic alone should raise some eyebrows as something like this is quite difficult to repeat. I still see them winning a bunch of games based on the strength of Drew Brees and his receiving core, but they will have a tough battle for the NFC South title with Atlanta getting better each year. At 11-5 I can still see them making the playoffs, ousting a Dallas team that is declining at a much faster rate, but to repeat as Super Bowl champs? Unlikely.

NFL Predictions Part II: NFC North

While Favre Watch 2010 managed to steal some of the spotlight away from the NBA/WWE free agency extravaganza and its eventual hatred (kinda like when Richard won Survivor), a lot of people were asking the same question: 'what will happen to the NFC North without Brett?' Well, we won't have to answer that question this year as Favre returns to the Vikings for another two games against his beloved Packers. At least for Green Bay fans this may turn out to be sweet revenge as Aaron Rodgers is poised to be this year's top quarterback (yep, over Drew Brees) and the Pack seem bound for the playoffs yet again and, dare I say, Super Bowl XLV.  Here's how I see the NFC North finishing up in a Favrian world.

1. Green Bay Packers 13-3
2. Minnesota Vikings 10-6
3. Chicago Bears 6-10
4. Detroit Lions 2-14

I really think Aaron Rodgers has the tools to lead Green Bay to a great season this year. Greg Jennings had a bit of an off year last year, where aged veteran Donald Driver seemed to pick up the slack when necessary, but don't expect his numbers to be that low again. Jennings came up big several times in 2009, including catching for 130 yards in the highest scoring postseason game of all time. I also see young tight end Jarmichael Finley, a third round draft pick from 2008, becoming a key target for Rodgers. The main issue will be keeping some of its defensive momentum from 2009. I don't see a repeat of the numbers they put up last year, but if they maintain near those levels, the offense should provide the balance that delivers a thirteen win team.

NFL Predictions Part I: NFC East

As I said at the end of the Super Bowl last year, more than a little bit inebriated, "Peyton is going to go for blood next year, Colts over Packers in 2011." I don't know if those were the exact words, but they get the point across: Indianapolis will beat Green Bay in Super Bowl XLV. What will happen elsewhere? Well I'm not quite sure, but I'll try my best this week by outlining how I think each division will turn out. Here goes, starting with the NFC East.

1. Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
2. Dallas Cowboys 10-6
3. Washington Redskins 9-7
4. NY Giants 8-8

OK, so having the Eagles place first in the NFC East might be putting too much faith in Kolb, but really, a lot of the pieces are already in place for Kolb to step into McNabb's shoes and continue the Eagles' postseason adventures. I'm not sure how far this team will make it under the helm of Kolb, but with a receiving core that includes DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, he should be able to make out just fine. Sure they lost Westbrook, who had minimal carries last year anyway, but the addition of Mike Bell should fill in their goal-line gap quite nicely. Also, with a defense that will be building on a solid season in 2009, with the addition of defensive end Brandon Graham and safety Nate Allen, the Eagles seem to have somewhat covered their asses in key areas of poor performance last year. Graham was named co-MVP for the Big Ten conference in 2009 and was a finalist for the FBS Hendricks Award, losing out to Jerry Hughes of TCU. Allen should also fit in quite nicely in a team in need of a decent secondary. Any way you look at it, the Eagles should come out on top of McNabb's new team.

This Particular Saturday

So it's the first big day of college football and a lot of people have done a little research and are eager to get the season started, but there is just so much to watch that I'm here to break it down a bit. And don't forget that Monday night has one of the biggest matchups not only of opening weekend, but of the season! Boise State at Virginia Tech is the Broncos chance to prove that they're worthy of a chance at the National Championship, going up against the Hokies and Tyrod Taylor. Should be the most exciting and meaningful game of the weekend, so enjoy watching that on your Labour Day holiday. As for today, here are ten games to keep on hand.


Weber State @ Boston College

What better way to start a new season than a new start? Mark Herzlich, the linebaker who won the ACC defensive player of the year award in 2008, is back from a year away battling with bone cancer and is eager to go. It is still to be seen whether he will be back on the field after Boston College's defense remained strong throughout the season last year, but just having him on the sidelines should be inspiration enough and worth watching.

pick: Boston College by 20

Jacksonville State @ Ole Miss

Speaking of absent players, former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was kicked off the team last year for various off-field infractions including a (oh no!) marijuana possession charge, will be back on the field in a Rebels (how suiting) uniform this fall. He missed the entirety of spring practices for either team due to the legal trouble, but has been cleared and is ready to start behind center for Ole Miss. Let's just see how his teammates react to his insertion and whether he can recapture some of the spark he had in Oregon.

pick: Ole Miss by 34

Purdue @ Notre Dame

Charlie Weis is out, and so is Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen, but it's not that much of a fresh start for new head coach Brian Kelly. Unfortunately most of the returning players are part of the horrendous defense that the Fighting Irish had on the field last year. Even if Kelly is able to install his spread offense with the new QB, Dayne Crist, Purdue is by no means an easy way to start the year. Lucky for Notre Dame, running back Ralph Bolden might be missing from action, which might give Notre Dame the slight edge.

pick: Notre Dame by 4

Bobblehead Sabermetrics

Back in the Saddle

Football Season is back! And so am I for that matter. I've been absent for awhile but I've had a lot on my plate and really... no football to talk about. It has been a busy offseason, especially with all the rumours of realignment in the NCAA and the various murmurs surrounding Brett Favre's retirement (no not yet), but let's face it, the football offseason was somewhat overshadowed by a ridiculous NBA free agent extravaganza that was practically a shitty reality television show.  But that's all over now and football is back, starting with some college games tonight and leading into the big full day on Saturday. But let's quickly talk about some of the games to watch tonight.

Hampton @ Cent. Michigan

OK, so not the craziest game to start out with, but Central Michigan (12-2 last year) are going to have some eyes on them now that Dan LeFevour has split for the Chicago Bears, going in the sixth round. Losing the quarterback with the most total touchdowns in NCAA history might be tough for this MAC team, especially when facing three FBS teams on the road this year. They will have some other guys returning, particularly on offense, but their defense will have to improve and they'll have to find someone to replace LeFevour if they have any hope of returning to a bowl this year. This game is step #1.

Marshall @ Ohio State (2)

This should be a proverbial cakewalk for the #2 seeded Ohio State and a good chance for all of us to see Terrelle Pryor in action for the first time this year. The Buckeyes have some positions to fill, especially on the defensive line, and this game should give an idea of how well those shoes are filled. Ohio State definitely has a chance at winning the Big 10 this year, and might even have a chance at a national title if they manage to keep their season flawless, especially with three tough games coming at the end of the season against conference opponents. All eyes will definitely be on Pryor in the Big 10 this year, and if he can limit his mistakes Ohio State should be the team to beat.

I Stand Corrected

Last week I had the Phoenix Suns ranked as one of the least exciting teams to watch in my NBA/NHL playoff ranking extravaganza. Well, that was before Steve Nash decided to prove how much of a soldier he was and how far he is from being done; this man still wants a championship. This leaves me happy because now that Cleveland is out of the picture, I really have no interest in watching Boston, Orlando, or LA win it all this year. Growing up as a Barkley fan, this makes me even more happy as the Suns' seemingly doomed franchise, after beating their longtime rival Spurs, have a decent shot at the Lakers in an attempt to make the finals. Yay for Steve Kerr!

Watching Nash win game 4 with a busted up eye was really something fantastic, almost the opposite of watching Lebron crumble against the Celtics. It showed unimaginable heart, drive, and also proved that Nash knows the game just as much, if not more, than anyone playing right now.  Think about it for a second. Close one of your eyes and try to throw even a piece of paper into a wastebasket across the room.  Did it go in? If so, congrats. You have probably made that shot before and will continue to make that shot on a regular basis. Did you miss? That's ok, cause your depth perception is completely fucked with one eye closed. Know what? Nash has been making those shots for years. He knows where the basket is relative to his place on the court and can shoot from memory rather than vision. Hell, he could probably close both eyes and keep hitting those three-pointers. He simply knows the game. And now he's on a mission to win it all before he leaves it for good.

So I guess Phoenix is an exciting team to watch this year... I stand corrected.

The Disappearance of Lebron James

You know that line at the end of The Usual Suspects when Chazz Palminteri's character is finally figuring out that Kevin Spacey is the elusive Kayser Soze; the one where the film flashes back to Spacey's description of the larger-than-life Mr. Soze and he blows on his fingertips, extinguishing some imaginary flame, and lets the non-existent smoke dissipate in the air?

"And like that, poof... he's gone"

Well that's how I felt about Lebron James last night, gone in a cloud of chalk, quietly.

Now I'm not about to speculate where James will end up next season, hell I'm not even going to try and figure out how the NBA's clear-cut MVP managed to tank the two most important games of the year, but what I will do is stress how disappointed I was in this vanishing act he pulled. At least give us something to remember. If you're not going to be in Cleveland next year, give the city a wonderful going away present. Play like you've played your entire career, with the heart of a warrior who believes he deserves to win.

Maybe it was Shaq clogging up the lane, maybe it was an injury, i don't know, but it looked like he literally gave up. I sat there mouth agape, unable to fathom what was happening, watching the hated Boston Celtics tromp to an easy victory. What happened to the monstrous Mr. Soze who devoured his opponents like they were steaks, no mercy and no slowing down until home court advantaged was secured for the entire playoffs? I'm not sure, but what I can say is that if Lebron leaves Cleveland, the past two games will go down as one of the most disappointing exits in the history of professional sports. And like that, poof...

he's gone.

Early Surprises

Sure it's still early in the season, but we have seen some slumps and some quick starts that definitely warrant some attention.  I, for example, am stuck watching the top draft pick of my fantasy team, Prince Fielder, squander away with a mild 4 homeruns on the year so far (teammate Rickie Weeks has 5). Ryan Howard is posting equally lonesome numbers, as is Mark Teixeira, who batted .136 through the month of April.  There are those players who tend to get off to slow starts, but there are then those that have fans pulling at their hair waiting for a little sign of life. On the other end of the spectrum however, there are a few new names, and a couple old ones, making some waves early on.  Is it all smoke and mirrors? Only a 162 game season will provide the answer, but here are some notables from early on:

1. Andre Ethier, OF, LA Dodgers

Sure he hit 31 homeruns last year, but who expected him to be leading the majors in batting average (.385) and RBIs (37), as well as the National League in dingers (11).  In fact, only one other player in baseball has hit more round-trippers this season, and he's #2 on this list.  Now if only the rest of the Dodgers can pull up their boot straps.

2. Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox

Sure it's a contract year, but nobody expected this 34 year-old to be leading the league with 13 homers, not to mention a 1.115 OPS (still a little shy of Ethier's whopping 1.182). Add in a .710 slugging percentage, (again, second to Ethier who is batting a .738) and Konerko should be in line for a raise from his measly *cough* 12 million a year if he keeps these numbers up.

NBA Mock Draft 2010 Part 1

After the relative success of my NFL mock draft (alright, moderate to light success), I have decided to try my hand at an NBA mock draft as well.  It's a great class this year and it reall all comes down to what a team needs.  When all is said and done, it should be an exciting 2011 season with all the new additions.  Here goes:


1. New Jersey Nets

John Wall, PG, Kentucky

The problem with holding this number 1 pick is that John Wall seems too good to pass up. Honestly, with Devin Harris already in the mix, Wall would provide a certain upgrade, but the Nets could really use some help from a strong forward. Unfortunately with Brooke Lopez coming off a career year, I can't see the Nets drafting the PF/C threat DeMarcus Cousins, who would be the only other player in the draft I would take ahead of Wall. They could go with Favors or Monroe, but I don't think they'll be impact players like Wall or Cousins. I like Turner a lot too, but again the Nets have a decent young defensive guard in Courtney Lee, who they acquired for Vince Carter last year. On top of it all, John Wall is just an exciting player to watch and he should be able to sell seats in New Jersey, which right now seems like a primary concern.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State

Turner seems like the perfect fit for a struggling T-Wolves team. Paired up with the #6 draft pick of last year, Jonny Flynn, and Minnesota should have a great one-two punch in their backcourt. They also find themselves a new leader that the franchise hasn't seen the likes of since losing Garnett to Boston. Factor in the recent news that Ricky Rubio has decided to play another season in Spain, and Minnesota will have to find a replacement for Brewer in the number two position. Turner seems like a no-brainer, given his drive and ability to perform in the clutch, which he demonstrated by leading Ohio State to a Big 10 Championship.

Inappropriate Jerseys

After talking about breaking out my Barkley Phoenix jersey to celebrate the Suns appearance in the Western Conference finals, my friend Mark tried to tell me that this was not cool.  He asserted that the player had to be from the current team roster in order to properly display fandom.  I started thinking about this, for example, wearing a Shawn Kemp jersey to support the Thunder or rocking the all-to-common Jordan jersey to cheer for the Bulls, and I decided there are some cases where all is good in jersey-world.  There are however, some instances of jerseys that should be discarded immediately, if not burned (or kept around for irony's sake)  Here are a few examples:

1. Vince Carter: Toronto Raptors

Possibly one of, if not the worst, instance of a player totally screwing over his own team; he literally just decided not to play.  This decreased his trade value, since other teams in the league knew he wanted to leave and his stats were well below what they would have been had he been playing with at least a little effort.  His name just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

2. Gilbert Arenas: Washington Bullets

This one needs no explanation whatsoever. 

Sorry for the long absence

I apologize for being away for so long, but who can blame me? I've been glued to the television from morning to night lately and haven't been able to tear myself away to write anything. Between the NBA playoffs, the NHL playoffs, the MLB season starting, the NFL draft, and many other things (Mosley/Mayweather, Kentucky Derby, Tiger's return to the PGA, upcoming World Cup! Should I continue?), I've been so bogged down with sports I feel almost (key word almost) on sports overload. That being said, I'm going to save myself a little time and combine a couple sports into one list. It's also going to be fun to judge how the NBA and NHL playoffs are stacking up against each other right now. Consider this kind of a TV Guide to sports. If you feel conflicted, simply look at this list and it will tell you who to watch. So what is the basis of the list? Two things...

Fun and Excitement.

After all, isn't that why we watch sports in the first place? Here's who I have enjoyed watching this postseason:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

I know they're supposed to win the East this year, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if they did, but this is one of those teams that everyone just wants to win. It's almost like watching Jordan take the Bulls to their first championships years ago, except there could be a lot more on the line for the Cleveland franchise than their was in Chicago. With a looming free agency, Lebron might have one final chance to win it for his home-state. After that MVP celebration the other day that praised his friends and family more than it did himself, I doubt he's moving, but the idea's still lingering. Factor in Lebron being hands-down the most exciting player to watch right now in any sport, and I've made my choice of who to watch ahead of anything else.

2. Montreal Canadiens

They might end up losing to Pittsburgh this round, but they may not, and the possibility of a Boston/Montreal Eastern Conference final is so mind-blowing that I really hope they can pull it off. They already beat the number 1 seeded Capitals in the first round, thanks to rock-solid performances from Halak (a .931 save percentage) and Cammalleri (8 goals, 13 points), and I really think they are the most driven lower-seeded team remaining right now. Everyone loves hoping for the underdog, but imagine if they manage to upset both the vengeful Capitals and the returning Stanley Cup champions? It would certainly be a year to remember, and not just for Habs' fans.

Chan Ho Park Had Leaky Buns

Elite Eight Pt 2

Ugh, I'm done .  I can't predict anything.  Quickly, here are my picks for today.

Tennessee (-2) over Michigan State

I posted a pic of Lucas to jinx these lucky asses. Ever since the "lane violation" call in the first round, they've been squeaking by. I liked the Vols at the beginning of teh season, and they've really proven me wrong through this tournament. Well, my faith is back in Pearl's squad. Should be a good game.

Baylor (+5) over Duke

I've been on Baylor since the beginning, and this game is going to be huge. Go Bears, the Final Four will be free of # 1 seeds for only the third time in NCAA history (1980, and most recently 2006, did not feature a #1 seed). I just think the crowd in Houston is going to be too monumental for the Blue Devils to win this one. But.. what do I know? I had Ohio State to win it all.

Elite Eight Picks Pt.1

Now that my bracket is completely ruined, here are my picks for the West and East Finals:

Kansas State (-4.5) over Butler

This should be the more entertaining of the two games today, and we'll get to see how much steam K-State has in them after the double overtime marathon against Xavier and Crawford the other night. I still think they should come out of the West, but Butler may prove tougher than expected. I like their drive though,and Pullen is the man right now; I can certainly put faith in this team, and hopefully they'll win this within a reasonable time frame.

Kentucky (-4.5) over West Virginia

John Wall and company should be able to walk out of the East quite unscathed. West Virginia will be their toughest competition yet, and it might be an awakening for the Wildcats in preparation for a tough Final Four. They'll definitely have to step up their game in time for Duke or Baylor, and I'm interested to see how they'll handle the Mountaineers. Judging by the season they've been having though, I think it should go quite smoothly.

Sorry for the rushed post, at work and wanted to get my picks in before the games...

March Madness Indeed

So everyone's brackets are busted. Like everyone. Period. If you actually saw these results coming than you are either lucky or crazy, maybe a bit of both. We're down to the sweet sixteen now, and oddly enough, my final four still remain. Yeah, I had Kansas to win it all in a bracket or two, but the one that really matters has Evan Turner and Ohio State winning it all. So what do I predict this weekend? Well, here's a look at the Sweet Sixteen Matchups:

Butler (+7) over Syracuse

I'm surprised Syracuse has made it this far without Onaku, but Butler has also proved me wrong by beating UTEP in the first round. I had UTEP to make it to the West finals, beating Syracuse and taking on Kansas State. That might just be Butler making it instead of the Miners, and i think I smells another #1 seed leaving the tournament.

Washington (+5.5) over West Virginia

Washington has been on a mission, led by the senior with the best name in the tournament: Qunicy Pondexter. I don't see them slowing down, and although I think this game is pretty much a toss-up, I don't see WV covering the spread. I like Washington to win, which poses problems against my pick of Kentucky coming out of the East.

Olympic Hiatus

Wow, the Olympics are really distracting, and time consuming. I have been attached to my TV at the hip for the past week, watching every gasp of every athlete who has either won or failed. So far, I've been quite impressed with our Canadian athletes, and impressed with my own ability to bet on sports I know nearly nothing about (most notably curling). I have gone a marvelous 29/50 in my picks so far these games and have given myself a little pat on the back for betting against Johnny Weir (mens' figure skating) and selecting Christine Nesbitt to win gold for our country.  Other than that, here are a few of my favorite moments from the competitions so far:

1. Alexandre Bilodeau wins gold on Canadian soil

As cheesy ans cliche as it is having this long-awaited event as my favorite moment so far... it is my favorite moment so far.  Not only because we finally won gold at home, but Bilodeau's reaction has to be one of my favorite of all time.  Dude was just sittin there, chillin on a couch, when all of a sudden he's like, 'hey, I won!'  Great celebration and genuinely heart-warming for an entire nation.  Isn't that what the Olympics are all about?

Oh Happy Day!

And so the Saints covered the spread...

Not a bad record for the playoffs. Either way you slice it, I went 7-4. Both in picking the winners and covering the spread. Plus, my prediction for Super Bowl champions at the end of last season came true. Let me gamble again and predict the 2011 game:

Colts vs. Packers*

Colts win. Manning won't let another year slip through his fingers.

*My pick of the Packers is based on the assumption that Favre will not be returning. Please also beware of a Saints repeat and the Titans

Farley!

Makin That Quarterback Money!

With his contract up next year, this season's MVP is looking for a raise. Peyton, by meeting playing time incentives set in his initial contract, has null and voided the final two years of his already healthy salary. What does this mean? Well, Peyton stands to make a shitload of money. His deal this summer, which will be orchestrated by agent Tom Condon, should be the largest in NFL history, worth probably in the ballpark of $18 million a year. So what does this mean around the league? Well, Condon is smiling because one of his other client's contract also expires next season... Drew Brees.

Brees stands to make nearly as much as Manning will, getting a raise from his current $10 million a year salary. Both of these contracts will clearly surpass that of the current highest-paid quarterback, Carson Palmer, who now makes an average $16.17 million a season.  Condon already negotiated a huge deal for Peyton's brother Eli last year, getting him a six-year, $97.5 million dollar contract, and stands to set the benchmark for what star quarterbacks should be paid.  All this is key because next season, Tom Brady also becomes a free agent and will also be after a monster deal, much like Peyton's and Drew's.  Unfortunately, Condon, you're not Brady's agent as well...  Too bad, but you're going to have to let someone else roll in the money for a bit.

NBA's lovliest voice

So the NBA is littered with terrible rappers, but what about singing talent? Well lets take a look.

Lebron James

Not a bad falsetto. Whats that move at :25?

Shaquille O'Neal

Mind of a 10 year old. Fingers always covered in melted chocolate I bet. Feel bad for that bus. Everyone's forced to laugh at his terrible jokes instead of giving him wedgies.

Ron Artest

Another prime example of Ron Ron`s wonderful wonderful insanity. Here`s another. And another.

Greg Oden

Nice to see him upbeat.

Maurice Cheeks

Warms your heart a little bit don't it. Flat out saves the day. The greatest pregame national anthem moment ever in my opinion. This comes a close second. And this a very close third.

Jerry Stackhouse

What a hunk. Stack`s a smoothie with a voice like butter.
We have a winner.

Super Bowl Extravaganza!!

We've been blessed with some great Super Bowls the past few years.  Last year's battle between Pittsburgh and Arizona will go down in history as one of the best of all time.  Eli's last minute efforts against an undefeated Patriots' squad was heart-breaking, but awesome to watch.  Even the halftime shows have been great, with Prince and the Boss both providing spectacular entertainment.  Will we be so lucky this year?  I think so.  I think the Saints will cover, lead for a big chunk of the game, and Peyton will win in spectacular fashion in the final plays (there's my pick, Saints (+6) over Colts).  Of course, I would love New Orleans to win more than anything.  I've never been a Colts' fan and would love to see them crumble at the hands of Brees and the crew, but in all honesty, it's looked the Colts' year.  They look like New England back in 2008, only I think they'll be able to finish things off properly.

With all this talk surrounding the big game, however, I'm reminded that it really isn't my favorite day of the season.  There's so much build-up and so often the game is a letdown, that I've gotten used to kind of brushing the day off as a day for non-football fans to watch football.  Factor in the week off between the conference championships and the Bowl, and I tend to lose a bit of momentum after steadily watching for nineteen straight weeks.  So what are my favorite days?  Well, I would probably have to rate them something like this:

Arenas' Letter to the Washington Post

Good to see Arenas taking some responsibility for his action.  He's been one of my favorite players for years and is someone who just seems to have fun playing basketball.  Despite the stupidity of his action, I always figured he didn't really understand the severity of what he had done.  So many kids look up to him, and with guns already being such a problem amongst youth in the DC area, he was really just furthering the "cool" image they possess.  Someone like myself can look at the situation and think, "what a stupid thing to do, why would he bring those guns to work," all the while kind of chuckling and chalking it up to another crazy stunt by Arenas.  Younger children may get a completely different impression of the event, however, and it's good to see Arenas recognizing this.  Here's the article he wrote, definitely check it out no matter what your opinions are on the incident.  Very well written and makes me hope his NBA career is far from over.

Arenas Op-ed Piece for the Washington Post

Just Sitting Here, Playing Live, Parts 1 & 2

Part One: Burn Victim Night Terrors



I've been playing NBA Live since 1998, when Tim Hardaway was on the cover. It was back in the day when computer games were packaged in huge cereal-sized boxes, and screen shots bubbled out to showcase the 3-D graphics. I specifically remember Allen Iverson hitting a leaner over a nameless whitey, while Mitch Richmond hoisted a fade away. Most importantly, I recall being jazzed about the graphics, Charles Barkley's face in particular. This was an era of graphics when players had scarecrow bodies and bulbous heads shaped like octahedron. To personalize the athletes, portraits were stretched over each head, and the resulting look was predominantly "burn victim." If you played sports games 12 or 13 years ago, you remember the burn victim era. It haunted me. Hockey games played a big part, and Ray Bourque was the worst. I had many night terrors about burn victim Ray Bourque. He'd skate over my fingers with his cruel and demented scarecrow legs. I did everything I could to cheer him up, but nothing could deter his steely focus. Every night Ray Bourque would appear, and every night he was burnt and angry.

In any case, the reverse side of the box looked promising. Charles' smooth, round, pot roast head was carefully polished, and more importantly, Mitch Richmond was shooting a fade away. Before Live '98, it was apple pie, and Steve Kerr jumpers that resembled set shots. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but when MJ is the dominant player in the game and you can't execute his signature move, it's like having access to a perfect set of tits with missing nipples.

NFL Mock Draft Part 4

Just as a side note: once I finish the first round (I'll try to have that done today), I'll archive all the picks under the first part. That way you can reference the entire thing in one post so you can prove just how off I was. Anyway, continuing on.

16. San Fransisco

Earl Thomas, CB/FS, Texas

San Fran will have a little bit of room to play around with two picks in the first round, and since they don't really need a lot of help up front on defense and their offensive line should be bolstered with an OT taken with their earlier pick, they could stretch down for someone useful in their secondary. Taylor Mays could also be picked here, but his stock has dropped quite a bit over the past year and Thomas has climbed. Anything could happen here, the 49ers have options.


17. Tennessee Titans

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Florida State

There's no question what the Titans will be after with this pick, and it'll probably come down to who the Tennessee organization thinks is the best defensive end left in the draft. Dunlap and Griffen have lost a lot of steam lately, while Pierre-Paul is looking like one of the premium ends in the draft. The Titans could decide otherwise, but you can be certain that a DE will be grabbed to make up for their poor pass-rush performance last year.


18. Pittsburgh Steelers

Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

Pittsburgh's got a pretty strong team as it is and they have a few future-building options here. They could go after Taylor Mays, as they do need help at safety down the road, or they can prepare for Colon's free agency two years down the road when he'll be asking for a gigantic contract and have Bulaga sitting and waiting to take the spot. As far as offensive tackles go, Bulaga is one of the best in the draft and may go earlier if Oakland or San Fran decide on him.

Browns after Vick?

Sorry, just read an article about the Browns' hunt for a quarterback and Michael Vick was mentioned as one of the possibilities. Could not contain the emotions associated with having Vick play for the Dawg Pound. Had to say something...

NFL Mock Draft Part 3

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Although Tebow might not be the best pick at this spot, even if he has come around at the Senior Bowl, the Jaguars need him if they want to stay in Florida. It's sad that the growth of a team is not always what's best, especially when on the verge of relocation. Right now the Jags need a high-profile pick, and grabbing Tebow, already a big name in Florida, will help out their situation. I'm still leery as to whether or not Tebow's game will translate to the NFL. I think on a team like Miami that will run a wildcat offense consistently, he will be a great fit. That's if he can stay healthy, the kid isn't afraid of contact but has to remember to protect his arm.


12. Miami Dolphins

Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

I think if the Fins have a shot at McClain they will be happy to take him over Williams, but their main priority this draft is definitely defense. There are other options here for sure, Dunlap, Griffen, Morgan (a stretch), or Odrick, who is making some waves at the Senior Bowl, but Williams is a good replacement for Ferguson, who is getting up there in years. I don't see the Dolphins going for a wide receiver here, like Golden Tate, but these things do happen.


13. San Fransisco 49ers

Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

This pick simply fills a need the 49ers have, and the other options here are iffy. San Fran doesn't need a lot of help at running back, so top RB prospect Spiller will probably fall down to the Seahawks. The 49ers may also pick one of the many defensive ends still left, like Dunlap or Griffen, or maybe even cornerback Earl Thomas, but with San Fran's need for a right tackle, Willimas will be difficult to pass up and hope he's still around for the sixteenth pick.

Hedo Turkoglu's Exceptional Grasp of the English Language

Armstrong: You came out tonight, early, aggressive. What was different for you tonight in terms of setting the tone with your game in this game?

Turkoglu: Ball.

NFL Mock Draft Part 2

6. Seattle Seahawks

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

If Clausen goes to the Redskins, Seattle could be looking at Bradford as their option at quarterback. Carroll will be in his first draft at the helm of the Seahawks and will look to start building his team around the position. Even with tons of talent still available, it will be hard for him to pass on either Clausen or Bradford. Tebow's too big of a gamble at this high of a pick; after his performance in the Senior Bowl, he looks like he needs a bit of work on his passing game. Haden, Morgan, and McClain, or one of the many offensive tackles still on the board: Williams, Davis, or Campbell, are still all valid options, as are any of the guys who slip down to sixth if Bradford goes earlier. There are option, it just all comes down to how St. Louis decides to start everything off.


7. Cleveland Browns

Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Haden seems like a good score for the Browns, as the fifth-overall ranked college player should slip a few spots due to teams filling their needs. I was really happy with the way the Browns finished up the season this year, finishing with 4 straight wins and close losses against the Chargers and the Bengals the weeks prior. They still need a lot of work but stretching for a quarterback at this juncture would prove fruitless. They'll need to build a defense and Haden seems like a good pick. They'll just need to grab a franchise quarterback at some point down the road before they're ready to make the Dog Pound excited for a trip to the postseason. Haden is the premium cornerback available in the draft, and he'll fill that position for the Browns for years to come, but it's still up in the air as to whether Brady Quinn can really fill out the role.


8. Oakland Raiders

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

With the top quarterbacks off the board, Oakland will try to build around the position by protecting what they do have. Davis is probably the best option here, although Campbell may also be in consideration if Davis is already gone. With the mess in Oakland, no player is going to have an impact right away, but Al Davis would be smart to grab a premium left tackle. There are a few other ways to go, McClain, Dunlap, and Griffen for example, but Davis has improved a lot and seems like the most NFL-ready of the remaining left tackles. Players to avoid: Derrick Morgan and Taylor Mays. Their stocks have been dropping and although the Raiders need help on defense, Dunlap or Griffen would be better picks in my opinion.

NFL Mock Draft

What an exciting draft year! With a new CBA looming and a possible rookie cap, we're seeing a lot of players entering the draft early, and it seems like there's plenty of talent to go around. Ndamukong Suh is pretty much the best player in the draft, but will he go number 1? I'm gonna try to lay it out as much as I can so you all have a little more knowledge for the big day.


1. St. Louis Rams

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

GM Billy Devaney has been heard saying he's a little afraid of taking a defensive tackle as the number one pick, especially when the Rams are in such need of a quarterback. My opinion is either they realize the game-changing ability of Suh and take him in the number 1 slot, or trade a few spots down to allow Tampa Bay to grab the coveted AP player of the year and twice-over defensive player of the year. They don't want to trade down any lower than fourth however, as the Redskins are definitely going to grab a QB and the Rams will want the choice between Clausen and Bradford. There is a slim chance that a trade down will be too tough to orchestrate and the Rams will realize that their need for a quarterback is greater than anything else at the moment, in which case I see them taking Clausen, but I highly doubt it. one thing's for sure, the Lions are hoping the Rams pass on this guy.


2. Detroit Lions

Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

Rated slightly below Suh, McCoy offers another viable defensive tackle option if the Rams take Ndamunkong. The team that really loses out the most is Tampa, who really needs a defensive tackle on their line. Both Detroit and Tampa Bay were pitiful in the sack department last season, and both will be hoping that St. Louis opts for the quarterback option. Either way, I don't see Detroit going with any other position than a defensive tackle, leaving safety Eric Berry on the board. Safeties never go in the top three picks, but that could be changed in the minds of some GMs after watching Pittsburgh crumble this season without Polamalu. Berry could sneak into the top three, especially if both defensive tackles are gone.


3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Russel Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Tampa Bay will have two options at this point, and neither one is the ideal situation. They really fucked things up at the end of the year by winning two meaningless games against the Saints and the Seahawks. Now instead of drafting a franchise defensive tackle, they'll be stuck with the option of offensive tackle Russel Okung or safety Eric Berry. Safeties aren't usually drafted this high, and although Berry might sneak in at this pick, chances are Tampa will go with Okung to protect the young Josh Freeman. Freeman took over at the end of the season last year and had some bright moments. Give him some more time in the pocket and you might see some more results.

Russian Timbits Hockey

What The Hell Is This Shit?

C'mon Prince. You can do better than that...



Prince's Vikings Song

I Wish Basketball Was Still Like This

Finally started Bill Simmons' big book of basketball, aptly titled, and got the urge to see what I could find on youtube. Well, how about the entirety of game 7 from the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. An entertaining watch on this slow day...


Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

NFL Conference Championship Picks

Colts (-8) over Jets

Well the Ravens finally met their end at the hand of the Colts, and I can do nothing but applaud an Indianapolis team that had incredible drive both on defense and offense. Baltimore actually stood strong, holding the Colts to just 20 points, not an insurmountable amount, but the real kudos go to a Colts' defense that hustled over the entire field, covering both the run game and the passing game. Even Reed's interception was foiled by an adamant Garcon who forced a fumble, giving Indy the ball back. This Indy team was just looking too good. So will they be able to beat the surpising Jets...

Last week I knew that these youngins were gonna give the Chargers a hard time, but a victory was unexpected. Kaeding should be taking some time off from kicking a football this offseason and kicking himself instead, missing all three field goal attempts including shorter ones from 36 and 40 yards, but San Diego was just unable to get anything going at all. Jackson and gates combined for 204 of Rivers' 298 passing yards, but neither were able to reach the end zone. With only 61 combined rushing yards between the entire offense, San Diego just couldn't find a balanced attack, a criticism of them all season.

Now the Jets have to face the team with the best record in the AFC that seems set on winning it all this year. Ironically, by sitting all their starters against the Jets in week 16, Indy allowed New York to make the playoffs and now face them in the conference championship. This time around though there will be no letting up and with a tenacious defense and Manning at the helm, a team that only made it into the red zone once last week (Sanchez scored a 2 yard touchdown, which left them 1/1, 100% conversion in the red zone, not bad!) has a very slim chance of winning this game. I would like to think it's gonna be a close game, as there have been so few of those this postseason, but honestly, this might be another blowout. I think I'll have to wait until the Superbowl for another nailbiter.

NFL Picks Divisional Round

3-1. Not a bad start. OK, so I guess I underestimated the Jets but c'mon, did anyone else put as much faith in Warner as I did? Well I think he might meet his match this week against the Saints, and I'm still not sure the Jets have really proven themselves fully, so what will the divisional round have in store? Here's what I think:

Saints (-7) over Cardinals

This should be a tough one for the Saints, especially if Warner has another outing like last week, but Darren Sharper is one of the top defensive players of the year and he should have something to prove. Combine that with Brees' hell-of-a-season (ignoring the last few games played once a playoff spot had been secured) and the Saints should be able to put up a few more stops than the Packers and still score as many points. I'm not 100% sure if New Orleans will cover the spread, but for the outright win I'm taking the Saints. Sorry Warner, I have faith in you, but very little in your team's defense.

Ravens (+7) over Colts

I'm gonna continue on with my love of Baltimore, especially when you give them a 7 point spread. That being said, if anyone can beat the Colts right now, I truly believe it's the Ravens, and I think they will. Ray Rice has been a beast as of late, and although Flacco had an off game, he's capable of throwing for 200+ yards (threw for 256 against the Colts in week 11). The question is does he need to have a great game when playing against a mediocre Colts' run defense? My one worry is pairing Manning up against a weakened Ravens' secondary. Their defense shone last week against New England, but let's be honest, Indianapolis is a tougher challenge. This could be a nail-biter, and Baltimore's record in those games this season is not stellar, but I still like them as the upset.

Cowboys (+3) over Vikings

Remember a few weeks back when Favre and Childress had that little spat? Well it really screwed things up as far as team-building goes, and since then the Vikings haven't been doing so hot. They still have a great team, great receiving, great run game... but are all those pieces going to fall together again for this game? It's gonna be tough especially when facing the hottest team in the NFL right now. Dallas has dominated the past few weeks and going up against a flawed Minnesota secondary that supplies multiple targets for Romo could be the death of the Vikings. I don't see Dallas slowing down anytime soon, and if they get another strong performance from guys like Felix Jones and Roy Williams, this could be another big victory for the Cowboys and Romo's reputation.

Jets (+8) over Chargers

Let me start by saying that I'm not jumping on the Jets' bandwagon, I actually think the Chargers are gonna win this one, but the Jets are looking fantastic right now. This game is going to be a lot closer than I originally thought, looking at the numbers and the matchups, but I still think Rivers and Jackson are going to be too much for New York to handle. I also like the dual rushing/receiving threat of Sproles to cause some trouble for the Jets. All things considered, New York is going to need another superhero-style performance from their defense. It's going to have stand tough against the Chargers' passing game and Sanchez will have to have another stellar game, which is very possible headed back home to southern California. San Diego has had some close games, and this should be another one, but I think they should be able to pull out a victory.

Memories

Found a pack of Skybox basketball cards from 1990 at the hardware store today for a couple bucks. Was pretty excited, got Clyde the glide, Bill Laimbeer, and Glen Rice, among others. The icing on the cake however was this Chuck Daly card. Oh memories. R.I.P. Chuck.

Scottie Pippen hates Little People

Scottie Pippen, a seven-time NBA All-Star and a member of six NBA title teams, today issued the following statement regarding his role in the movie "Midgets vs. Mascots":

"Given the recent controversy surrounding Gary Coleman, the fact that I've been repeatedly asked questions about my small part in the movie 'Midgets vs. Mascots,' and a related video posted online which shows me being assaulted by a group of Little People, I want to clear up any misunderstandings.

"In 2008, I agreed to play a cameo role in a movie titled 'A Tribute to Big Red' (now titled 'Midgets vs. Mascots'). My role was scripted, and the first two scenes went off without any problems. During the third scene, I was told that four Little People, along with actor Gary Coleman, were going to become angry with something I said and storm off as the scene ends. Instead, they basically attacked me, with Gary Coleman apparently climbing on a chair behind me to hit me over the head with a phone (twice).

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scottie-pippen-issues-statement-regarding-midgets-vs-mascots-movie-80986382.html

NFL Playoff picks

In short, Dallas is playing extremely well, the Jets are overhyped, the Cardinals are pissed, and Baltimore is just as good as everyone thought they were at the beginning of the season. With all the speculation going into wild-card weekend, I'm leery of jumping on ramshackle bandwagons with teams whose stats the past few weeks have been over-inflated. I have to look at the whole season and hence my picks for the opening round:

Bengals (-2.5) over Jets

Has any team built up more hope in their fans than the Jets these past few weeks? Coming out of nowhere to make the playoffs in the final game of the regular season. Fantastic stuff. Unfortunately that is all gonna come crumbling down when they actually have to face the Bengals' starting lineup. Cincinnati has had too good of a season to have it taken away by a young and shaky New York team in the first round.

Ravens (+3) over Patriots

I love the Pats, they're my team, but they kinda gave their fans the middle finger this season and my other team, the Ravens, are looking like a stronger pick this year. Baltimore was one of my favorites to win the Super Bowl at the beginning of the season, and they were a couple last minute plays away from 11 wins, and I have a lot more faith in them to win this one against "crazy old Bill Belichick." I really think he's gonna find someway to mess things up, and the loss of Welker is huge. Let me repeat that HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGEEEEE!!! Where else can Brady throw except Moss, who's gonna have coverage on him so heavy he won't be able to see his own hand in front of his face? Combine that with New England's awful defense this season and the Ravens should win this in high-scoring fashion.

Cowboys (-4) over Eagles

I still have little faith in Donovan McNabb and a whole lotta love for Romo. The dude is inconsistent as all hell, but with back-to-back shutouts, he should have a little more courage throwing the ball knowing his defense has been standing strong lately. This should be a close one, as should all of these games actually, and it's not going to be a washout like the season ending pummeling the Cowboys handed the Eagles last week. There will be a little bit of revenge, but I don't think the Eagles will get up to much this game.

Cardinals (pick) over Packers

I have no idea what the Packers achieved last week by running up the score against a resting Cardinals team besides making themselves overconfident and Arizona mad. Not angry, mad. We all remember what the Cardinals did last year when no one had faith in them, and with a receiving core that is one of the best in the NFL, it's hard to write them off even if Green Bay does seem like the dominant team right now. That being said, the Packers are looking great right now and Rodgers is on fire. I really think that they could be Super Bowl bound, if (a big if) they can beat the Cards. It will be one of their toughest tests and if they can pull it off they could gain the momentum to take them to the big game. I just don't think they'll win though.