Unwatchable Time of the Year

I have received some e-mails about how this is the absolute worst time of the year for sports because during the week there is NOTHING on TV to watch. I think it is looked at that way not because there is nothing on during the week in sports, but because there is NOTHING worth a crap on TV period. (Before I go any further, I'll take this time of year over February because at least now we have more than just basketball and hockey to watch, in February, thats all we've got...well that and re-runs of Poker on TV which is the equivalent of staring at the toilet bowl and waiting for it to change colors over time) Save your defensive responses for "King of Queens" "Prison Break" and all those other awful shows currently on network TV. I havent discussed this yet in the blog, but let me lay it out for you. NETWORK TV ABSOLUTELY SUCKS!!!!!!

With the exception of a few programs (Sporting Events, Nightly Newscasts and the late night shows) the programming makes me want to vomit. When shows like Dr. Phil, Jerry Springer, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars and all of this other crap that people call good programming are filling up my television like a 400 pound man in a telephone booth, then I know its time to take my viewing elsewhere.

Here's a better question....what happened to the good old fashioned sitcom? Now everyone is so wrapped up in these "reality" shows (which is funny because these shows are further from reality than the Keebler Elves and the Smurfs) that the art of the sitcom has gotten lost like Debbie Gibson. Its to the point now where I cant watch network TV. Just hearing announcers during football games talk about/hype up/preview the upcoming episodes (Insert Pat Summerall's lackluster effort to pump up...MALCOM....IN THE MIDDLE...) makes me want to put a sledge hammer (Triple H style) through my television.

Thats the reason why this is an unwatchable time of the year for us sportsfans. Thank God for ESPN 8 the ocho and the 7 that came before it, a long with the 18 trillion cable stations that help us forget about the crap on network TV. Maybe there isnt as much on during the week yet, but give it a few days, and you'll have more bowl games than you know what to do with, and all will be right with the world until the Super Bowl is over in February (Are you like me? Do you dread this time of the year like Tom Benson dreads a trip to Louisianna?)

NFL Draft updates are coming soon, keep a close eye on this.

NFL PICKS WEEK 14

To my faithful readers, I've been slacking on the posts. Part of that is due to my illness this weekend and others, just plain laziness. I'll get back to a more consistent schedule next week. On we go with the picks. Short and sweet.

Bears vs. Steelers
This winning streak of Chicago's has to end soon. The Steelers threw the ball at will last week, but this is a team in desperate need of a victory. I dont see these guys losing another game, the losing streak ends this week and the Bears winning streak will also come to a halt. Steelers win.

Bengals vs. Browns
These two often split the season series, but this isnt the same Bengals team. Charlie Frye doesnt have many receiving options, and this Cincy Defense can create a lot of turnovers. I dont think this is going to be too exciting, Bengals win #10.

Texans vs. Titans
After watching the end to the last 2 Texans games, I'm convinced that this is one of the worst teams I've ever seen. Maybe they won't win another game this year. The Titans play hard under Fisher, and they'll win against the snakebitten Texans.

Colts vs. Jags
The Jags always play these guys tough. David Garrard's ability to make things happen with his feet will allow him to make plays and fight through the overpursuit of the Colts D-line. Plus Fred Taylor and Greg Jones make a formitable combo in the backfield. Their D will hold the offense in check, and the winning streak comes to and end this week. It had to happen sometime, better now than in the playoffs.

Bill vs. Pats
My pick to win the division at the beginning of the year was the Bills. The Patriots can clinch this weak ass division with a win this week. The Patriots will clinch eventually, but they won't clinch this week as the Bills delay the inevitable one more week.

Jets vs. Raiders
Lamont Jordan would like to prove a point to his former employer. He'll do that in a big way this week. Randy Moss is hurt, but Marques Taasosfajsfdalsfkldj will get the ball to him against this awful Jets defense. Take the Raiders.

Rams vs. Vikings
These teams are headed in opposite directions. The Rams defense cannot stop anybody, Bennett will run circles around them and Brad Johnson will make them look silly. Had this team (Minn.) kept losing, we'd be hearing more and more about this sex ship, but while its being settled, they are winning games, and Tice is doing a hell of a job keeping them focused. The Vikings will win this week and make a push for the division title.

Panthers vs. Bucs
A low scoring affair, take the under in this game. The Bucs didnt score over 10 against the Saints, so what makes you think they'll do more against the Panthers? Carolina is on a roll. They leaped a major hurdle last week against Atlanta, and they'll beat the Bucs with no problem this week.

Giants vs. Eagles
Wow are the Eagles awful. Injury, after Injury has kept this team down. The Seahawks D is far from the 85 Bears, but they looked just as good against the Eagles on Monday night. The Giants have 2 FANTASTIC rush ends who will give McMahon hell all day long, and Eli will light this secondary up. Giants.

Seahawks vs. 49ers
The Seahawks are proving everyone wrong. They have answered a lot of questions and won some big games this year, and they are the best in the NFC right now. The 9ers on the other hand are a team that will be picking at the top of the draft for the next 2 years. Take the Seahawks.

Cards vs. Redskins
Warner may have thrown all over the 9ers last week, but this week, ol' cement feet will be running for his life after Greg Williams blitzes the hell out of him. The Cards will have a tough time getting it going through the air early in the game, and their defense will have as much trouble shutting down Portis as the Rams did last week. Take the Redskins.

Broncos vs. Ravens
It will probably be a boring game. The Ravens dont have the stars on defense anymore and their offense is attrocious. The Broncos dont get many sacks, though they do defend the run pretty well. When all is said and done, the Broncos are just a much better team this year, and they have a huge mental edge because they've proven they can win this year, and the Ravens havent. Bottom line. Broncos.

Chiefs vs. Cowboys
The Chiefs played well last week, despite giving up a few big plays against the Broncos. They are a different team on theroad however. Dallas needs a win very badly. I dont think they'll make the playoffs due to their meltdowns the last 2 weeks. However, I do think they'll shock a lot of people and win this week against a suspect KC defense.

Dolphins vs. Chargers
The Dolphins dont have a shot in hell in this game. They pulled that win out of their ass last week. The Chargers run D is very good and they'll force Rosenfels to throw the ball a lot, that said, LT will jam the ball down the throats of the fins, and it will be all over. Chargers.

Lions vs. Packers
DYNAMITE SUNDAY NIGHT MATCHUP!!!!!!!!! The battle for Reggie Bush continues. The Packers will do just enough not to get him. They can trade all 11 starters on offense, but they will not get him. Therefore, instead of being in games until the final minutes, why not blow somebody out? This Lions team is in Shambles, I smell an upset this week. Lambeau has lost its mystique, but the Pack will bring some of it back. What an awful game to watch on Sunday night.

Saints vs. Falcons
Speaking of awful games, this shouldnt be close. The Falcons will run on the Saints 10 times better than the Bucs did last week. There is no stopping these guys on Monday night, against a team that has had to battle several elements. You have to feel sorry for these guys, but the
Falcons won't on Monday.

Those are the Picks, take em or leave em.

NFL Picks Week 13

We will make this short and sweet since the games start in about 12 hours.

Falcons vs. Panthers
I am going with the Falcons because Mike Vick owns the Panthers. He's 9-1 against these guys and the Falcons appear to be back on track after last week's thrashing of the Lions. I know, it was the Lions, but they established the run, and if they run with confidence, they will be VERY tough to stop.

Bills vs. Dolphins
I'll go with the Bills. I predicted that they would win that division. That prediction will probably be wrong but I'm sticking with it. They'll find a way to run on the Dolphins and they'll make Gus Frerotte play like the fire of old.....and that will be enough to win.

Bengals vs. Steelers
The Bengals have a chance to prove their worth in this game. Only one quality win this year (vs. Bears) they have a chance to win a big game and really create some separation in the division. The Steelers will enter bruised after last week's loss, and Cincy will take control early to give themselves a nice lead, forcing an injured Big Ben to make things happen. It won't happen, and Cincy will walk away with a win.

Dallas vs. Giants
The Cowboys needed that win last week. After that loss, I dont know if they'll be able to get into the playoffs considering how well the teams in the south are playing right now. The Giants seem to be so much more in sync offensively at home, which is why I think they'll win this game. Bledsoe has slow feet, and he'll be tested by two of the finer ends in the league, Giants win.

Packers vs. Bears
Brett Favre always plays great against the Bears. He knows just how intense this rivalry is, and he ALWAYS steps up against the Bears. The Packer D will surprise people tomorrow and nuetralize the run, and force Orton into making mistakes. The Bears have to lose sometime, they are good, but they aren't this good........are they? I'm taking the Pack, they'll do just enough to lose out in the Reggie Bush sweepstakes.

Ravens vs. Texans
This Texans offense didnt look too bad last week, but that defense was AWFUL down the stretch. They can score on this Ravens defense, but the Ravens can't really score on anybody, although they did put up some numbers in the 2nd half last week. I'll take the Texans in the "dissapointment bowl". These two teams should be MUCH better.

Jags vs. Browns
In Cleveland, no Fred Taylor who has DESTROYED the Browns in the past, I'll take the Browns. The Jags have lost some big time players on offense. Lefty, Taylor, are the focal points of that offense, and they will play a tough Browns team that is headed in the right direction. Upset pick of the week, as Reuben Droughns finds a way to run vs. the tough Jags D.

Lions vs. Vikings
The Lions are in dissaray. You've got people pointing fingers and throwing each other under the bus, while the Vikings are red hot heading into the final month of the season. I dont think this will be close at all. The Vikings win big.

Bucs vs. Saints
Saints got one against the Jets last week. By the way, shouldnt more have been made last week about the last time the Jets and Saints met on Sunday night?? You know what happened in that game.........KYLE F'N TURLEY RIPPED OFF ROBINSON'S HELMET AND THEN THREW IT!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!! TURLEY!!!!!!! TURLEY!!!!!!!!!! That guy rocks, Bucs win big.

Titans vs. Colts
I'd love to see the Colts go unbeaten, I dont think they can, but it would be fun to see it happen. While I do think they'll lose, I dont think they'll lose this week. This team actually seems as though they get BETTER every week. Its scary, I think the only team that can beat the Colts is......well, the Colts. Titans will be with them for 3 quarters because Jeff Fisher won't let them run away, but the Colts will win by a couple of scores.

Cards vs. 49ers
The 49ers just dont have much talent. I see this being a shootout. Kurt Warner is quietly having a pretty nice year. The 49ers wont have an answer for that aerial attack, therefore I am picking the Cardinals to win.

Rams vs. Redskins
Rams are down to the 3rd string QB who got it done against the Texans last week, but the Redskins are a totally different defense. Gregg Williams will blitz the $#!T out of him and he will have nightmares of Arrington and company when its all said and done. Oh yeah, Clinton Portis will run circles around that defense, Skins win.

Broncos vs. Chiefs
The Broncos just don't play well against the Chiefs in arrowhead, that it is damn near impossible for anyone other than the Chiefs to win in Arrowhead in December. The last team to beat them there in December was Colts back in 1996. Call me crazy, but I just don't see Denver winning this game. This game means more to the Chiefs than it does to the Broncos. A win for Denver would pretty much give them the division. I like the Chiefs, going against a trend is never a wise decision.

Jets vs. Patriots
I was all set to pick the Jets in an upset, but now it looks like both Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk are going to play. Who knows just how great they will be, but they'll take just enough pressure off of Tom Brady, so he won't make the mistakes that he made last week. Plus, the Jets like other teams have endured several key injuries that may prevent them from winning another game this year. I'll pick the Pats.

Chargers vs. Raiders
The Raiders are another team that has underachieved this season. This offense puzzles me, for whatever reason, they havent put up big numbers like I thought. That could be a lack of balance. Just last week they started to run the ball a little more. The Chargers do a great job of defending the run, and that will force Collins to go to the air a little more than he'd like. Plus their defense won't be able to stop Tomlinson and Brees, so they'll be playing from behind. I dont see this being close, take the Chargers.

Seahawks vs. Eagles
The Seahawks typically havent caught any breaks in the past, but this year, they are catching every break under the sun. The Eagles.......T.O., McNabb, not so much. They have not caught the breaks this year. I dont know that they'll be able to do much against a Seahawks team that has been able to rise to the occasion and win some big games. The Eagles aren't so good at stopping the run, and the Seahawks have a pretty darn good running back in Mr. Alexander who is going to make A LOT of money next year. Take the Seahawks.

I need to make up 21 points on the points leader, and I need a head to head victory in order to walk away with some money in fantasy football. Lets make it happen. Have a great day.

Random Rants

Pasquarelli on Baseball??

Today Len Pasquarelli of espn.com broke the Kyle Farnsworth story, announcing that he is going to sign a lucrative deal with the New York Yankees to be their set up man. I thought that Len Pasquarelli was strictly an NFL reporter for espn.com, when did he get into baseball? Maybe I'm alone here, but does this strike you as a Geico commercial? Play it out, Pasquarelli walks into George Bodenheimer's office (he is the president of espn), Bodenheimer welcomes him in and he is expecting him to have some kind of big story on Terrell Owens going to the Dallas Cowboys. So Bodenheimer says ok, what do you have on T.O.? Pasquarelli then responds with, well, sorry boss, I've got nothing on T.O., but I've got really good news....instead of telling him he saved a bunch of money on his car insurance he says....I just heard that Kyle Farnsworth signed with the New York Yankees to be their set up man. Imagine the look on Bodenheimer's face. Did Pasquarelli eat Buster Olney or something? When did he start to report on baseball? Pasquarelli is a great reporter no less.

Boxin' Babies

Ohhh Boxing, is there a bigger joke today in the world of sports? Boxing has fallen farther and farther down the colletive sports interest tree, and now its sitting below the branches of the WNBA and Slamball, basically, its just above the stump. Lets just come out and say it, Boxing is fixed, and its just as big a show, well no, its not as big a show as professional wrestling. Honestly, wrestling is more entertaining, and instead of having Don King promote these fights, lets have Vincent Kennedy McMahon get involved and really make things interesting. This whole crybaby angle between Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor is pathetic. I'd rather watch a bunch of seniors bump and grind to Bing Crosby at the Intermission on Bingo night. Instead of bringing in Elvis or calling each other crybabies, Vince McMahon would play a different angle. He'd have Jermain Taylor bring in a guy that made Bernard Hopkins his bitch when he was in prison and Hopkins could counter by walking down the isle with the army known as Evander Holyfield's illegit to quit squad. You get the idea, boxing needs Vince McMahon, and they need him fast. Speaking of needs, I need a better week in my nfl picks, but I need a real big week to finish off the fantasy football season. The NFL picks will be up in the next 2 days, have a great day.