Pigskin Pick 'Em - Week 7

Better week this week, as we go 8-5 to bring our total to 59-44 for the season.

What I missed...

Minnesota +4.5 over @Pittsburgh - I thought the Vikes would this game outright, but the Steelers showed up for this one.
@Carolina -7.5 over Buffalo - It really is difficult picking these games between bad teams.
NY Jets -6.5 over @Oakland - OK, I hate the Jets and I thought, just maybe, the Raiders would keep this thing close. Nope.
Atlanta +3.5 over @Dallas - With the Cowboys, it all depends on which Tony Romo shows up. This week, it was the good Romo.......I chose poorly.
@NY Giants -7.5 over Arizona - I got nuthin'. I went back and forth on this game and finally decided to pick the Giants to cover at home. One again, I chose poorly.


Week 8 Picks. (Teams in bold are my picks)

Houston Texans (-3.5) @ Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears (-13.5)
Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys (-9.5)
St. Louis Rams @ Detroit Lions (-3.5)
San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts (-12.5)
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (-3.5)
Denver Broncos @ Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
New York Giants (+2.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles
Jacksonville Jaguars (+2.5) @ Tennessee Titans
Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers (-16.5)
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers (-3.5)
Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals (-9.5)
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (-9.5)

Smoke Free

I have been a smoker for about 25 years and in the past, when I have attempted to quit, I would have a cigarette here and 2 there, before returning to my pack-a-day habit. Six weeks ago, I decided to give it another try. For the first couple of weeks, I would fall off the wagon for a day or 2. But, I have been completely tobacco free for the past 4 weeks. It has been difficult, especially the first week, but it has gotten easier the past week or so. The temptation to walk into a convenience store and buy a pack has diminished. This is probably the longest period of time I have gone without a single cigarette and I have to say, this time, I think I am going to make it happen.

My reason for quitting are many. Health is the obvious one, but the main reason why I had to quit this time was financial. I was starting to have trouble paying bills on time and when I sat down and saw how much I was spending on butts (I've also started bringing my lunch every day. Eating out was also costing a fortune), I realized why I was running out of money every week.

I'm hoping I can make this a life-long lifestyle change. It is hard, no doubt, but if I can go this long, there is no reason why I can't kick the habit for good.

Week 7 Picks

Green Bay -7.5 over @Cleveland
San Diego -4.5 over @Kansas City
San Francisco +3.5 over @Houston
Indianapolis -14.5 over @St Louis
Minnesota +4.5 over @Pittsburgh
New England -14.5 over Tampa Bay in London
@Carolina -7.5 over Buffalo
NY Jets -6.5 over @Oakland
@Cincinnati -1.5 over Chicago
Atlanta +3.5 over @Dallas
New Orleans -6.5 over @Miami
@NY Giants -7.5 over Arizona
Philadelphia -7.5 over @Washington

Pigskin Pick 'Em - Week 6

Crazy week in the NFL this week, as we go 5-9 with our picks. That's 2 straight losing weeks. This makes us 51-39 on the season.

This past weeks bad calls.....

@Cincinnati -4.5 over Houston - I just can't figure these 2 teams out.
NY Giants +3.5 over @New Orleans - I thought the Giants D would be able to get to Brees. Nope!
@Washington -6.5 over Kansas City - These are 2 bad teams and Washington is obviously getting worse by the day.
@Jacksonville -9.5 over St Louis - Got the winner correct, missed on the spread.
@Pittsburgh -14.5 over Cleveland - Same as the Jacksonville game.
@Seattle -2.5 over Arizona - What was I thinking.
Philadelphia -14.5 over @Oakland - Oakland has a pretty good defense, but their offense stinks. It was good enough to beat the Eagles, however.
@ NY Jets -9.5 over Buffalo - Scratching my head over this one. Me thinks the Jets are in big trouble.
Tennessee +9.5 @New England - I originally picked the Pats, then changed it when II heard the forecast called for heavy rain and wind. So I turn the game on and it's freakin' snowing. At that point, it was to late to change it back, which I would of. The Pats are a much better snow team than they are in the rain.

I will post my Week 7 picks a little later.

Pigskin Pick 'Em - Week 5

There is a reason why I don't try to do this prognostication thing for a living. We went 6-8 this past week, bringing our total record to 46-30. Good enough to be in the top 5% on ESPN's pigskin Pick 'Em.

This past week's boo-boos........

@Buffalo -6.5 over Cleveland - Had to have been the most boring game in years.
Pittsburgh -10.5 over @Detroit - I misread this one, but not by much.
Tampa Bay +13.5 over @Philadelphia - McNabb is back and he made me look like a fool.
@Carolina -3.5 over Washington - Missed this one by half a stinkin' point!
@Baltimore -8.5 over Cincinnati - Cincy continues to shock me.
Jacksonville +0.5 over @Seattle - Yeah, not even close.
New England -3.5 over @Denver - Just when I thought the Pats were taking a step in the right direction, boom.
NY Jets -1.5 over @Miami - Unlike the Bills-Browns, this was one of the most exciting games of the year. Unfortunately for me, Miami's late TD ruined my chances at a .500 record for the week.

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Next week's picks.....

@Cincinnati -4.5 over Houston
@Green Bay -13.5 over Detroit
Baltimore +2.5 over Minnesota
NY Giants +3.5 over New Orleans
Carolina -3.5 over @Tampa Bay
@Washington -6.5 over Kansas City
@Jacksonville -9.5 over St Louis
@Pittsburgh -14.5 over Cleveland
@Seattle -2.5 over Arizona
Philadelphia -14.5 over @Oakland
@ NY Jets -9.5 over Buffalo
Tennessee +9.5 @New England
@Atlanta -3.5 over Chicago
Denver +4.5 over San Diego

Pigskin Pick 'Em - Week 4

I started 9-1 on Sunday before losing 3 in a row in the late games, but picked up a win on Monday night to go 10-4 on the week. That makes me 40-22 so far this season.

The misses this past week.

Cincainnati -5.5 over Cleveland - Got the winner right, but failed against the spread.
Dallas -3.5 over Denver - Dallas is a mess.
St. Louis +10.5 against San Francisco - Oops.
San Diego +6.5 against Pittsburgh - Oh so close, but the Steelers pull out the 10 point win.

Week 5 Predictions

@Buffalo -6.5 over Cleveland - This is a big number for Buffalo, but let's go with it.
Pittsburgh -10.5 over @Detroit - Seriously, the number could be 20.5 and I'd still take the Steelers in this one.
@Kansas City +8.5 over Dallas - I think the Cowboys win the game, just not by 9 point.
Minnesota -10.5 over @St Louis - The Rams are a bad, bad football team.
@NY Giants -16.5 over Oakland - The Raiders are a bad, bad, bad.....well, I guess they're a football team.
Tampa Bay +13.5 over @Philadelphia - Look, Tampa sucks, I just don't think they lose this one by 2 TDs.
@Carolina -3.5 over Washington - I got nuthin', just a hunch.
@Baltimore -8.5 over Cincinnati - The Ravens are pissed. Not a good thing if you are a Bengal.
Atlanta +2.5 over @San Francisco - San Fran kicked butt last week, but this ain't the Rams.
Jacksonville +0.5 over @Seattle - Home team favored by less than a point? Take the Jags.
@Arizona -5.5 over Houston - Larry Fitzgerald goes wild.
New England -3.5 over @Denver - I'm a Pats fan, who else am I gonna pick?
Indianapolis -3.5 over @ Tennessee - 3.5? Really? Should be 13.5.
NY Jets -1.5 over @Miami - Hate the Jets. Hate the Dolphins. Jets are a better team.

Pigskin Pick 'Em - Week 3

I've been doing the Pigskin Pick 'Em thing on espn.com for a while now, but for the first time, I decided to try picking against the spread, instead of just winners and losers. I had 9 wins in each of the first 2 weeks and went 12-4 this week.

This weeks misses were...

I took Tennessee and the points against the Jets. I just thought this might be the week the Titans put it together....wrong.

I took Kansas City +9.5 over the Eagles. Donovan who?

I took Houston -3 over Jacksonville. I am now convinced the Texans are the most over-hyped team of the '09 season.

I took Pittsburgh -4.5 over the Bengals. Not only do the Steelers not cover, but Cincinnati wins outright? C'mon, really?

This coming week could be a tough one, with some big spreads on the board. Here are my picks for week 4.

Chicago -10.5 over Detroit
Cincinnati -5.5 over Cleveland
Indianapolis -8.5 over Seattle
NY Giants -9.5 over Kansas City
Tampa Bay +7.5 over Washington
Jacksonville +2.5 over Tennessee
Houston -9.5 over Oakland
New England -2.5 over Baltimore
NY Jets +6.5 over New Orleans
Miami +1.5 over Buffalo
Dallas -3.5 over Denver
St Louis +10.5 over San Fransisco
San Diego +6.5 over Pittsburgh
Minnesota +3.5 over Green Bay

Long Time No Post

It's been quite some time since I last posted in this space, and a lot has happened since then. The Red Sox have not only extended their wild card lead to 8 games, but have made a push for the division. The Patriots are 1-1, and to be honest, have not looked good in either game. Me is worried a wee bit, but me thinks the ship will right itself before too long.

The Sox certainly seem to be peeking at the right time. The season began with a supposedly kick-ass rotation, then the rotation looked like crap, but is now looking like what this blogger expected at the start of the season. The addition of V-Mart seems to have solidified the lineup and A-Gon has returned to once again play a spectacular SS.....Oh, and he has been a surprise at the plate as well. Just 14 games to go, then it's playoff time.

Spent last week in the Bar Harbor, Maine area. It's quite beautiful up there this time of year. Still a lot of tourists up there, which surprised me a little bit, but we still had a good time.

While I have some political musings on my mind, I think I will keep them there for now. I kind of in a good mood and don't want to ruin it by venting them at this moment.

Thank You Tedy!!!

Today, Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement from the New England Patriots and the NFL. I only got the hear the tail end of the press conference and heard the interview on WEEI after wards. I will miss him and his smile on the side lines. I'm sure he realized that his playing time would have been cut drastically and deicided to retire instead of clomming on as an extra.

I respect him for noticing the end is here and that he decided to hang them up. He and his wife sould like very down to earth people and I wish their family all the best.

Headed to Fenway!

Going to Fenway tonight. Looks like the start of the game could be a little wet. Sitting in the Coca-Cola pavillion in the left field corner, upper deck. Told the missus to bring the umbrella.

A Penny Saved.......

Ah, not so much. Brad Penny was released by the Sox of a red color today. You can't imagine how happy I am that this finally happened. Penny probably had 2 decent starts. The rest, just plain sucked. People complain how painful it is to watch Daisuke pitch, but Penny was just as bad, with most of his start going well above the 4 hour mark.

ESPN is reporting that at least 3 NL teams may be interested in Penny and possibly a couple of AL teams, as well. Good luck to the team that does decide to take a chance on him. Of course, if he does go to the NL, he will probably flourish and make us all look bad.

With Death Comes Hypocrisy

Five years ago, when Senator John Kerry was running for President, he and Senator Kennedy petitioned the Massachusetts legislature to change the law that allowed the Governor to appoint a temporary replacement for Kerry if he was elected. It did not take too much convincing, as the Democratic led legislature passed said bill quite easily. Of course, at the time, Massachusetts had a Republican in the corner office. Now that we have a Dem. in the Governors chair they want to change the law back, allowing 'Cadillac' Deval Patrick to appoint a replacement for Senator Teddy. This is political hypocrisy at its worse and comes very close to making me physically ill. Senator Kerry himself almost made me throw something at my 50" Sony, as he spoke on the issue yesterday. How can you look the Massachusetts people in the face and ask us to change the law, when just 5 years ago, you would not allow then Governor Mitt Romney to appoint your replacement? Hypocrisy, hypocrisy, hypocrisy!!!

Guitar Hero I

The original guitar hero, Les Paul died today at the age of 94. Many talk of the influence that the Beatles, Rolling Stones and others have had on rock and roll, but without Les Paul, even they may never have been.

Ortiz, "The List" and The Miserable Week That Was

First, I want to believe Big Papi, but I'm not sure he's being 100% truthful. I really would have liked him to say what vitamins and supplements he was taking in '03 that he believed triggered the positive test. I'm sure the union told him to stay away from specifics.

With that said, I am now officially tired of "The List". I now could care less who is on it and why.

And, with that said, I did some reading on the subject this weekend and listened to the union talking heads. I had a slow day at work today and began to try to unravel this whole mess in my mind.

First lets start with the facts. 1430 players were tested in 2003. So, 5% of players testing positive would would give you 71.5, let's call it 72. We've always been led to believe that 104 players tested positive. But, according to the union, 8 players were confirmed to have received a false positive because of some suppliment that was not banned nor illegal in 2003, so the number in now 96. The union states that they also contest 13 others. OK, we'll give 'em to ya....That makes it 83, well above the 72 needed to trigger the more stringent testing policy. So why in the hell did the morons at the player's association NOT destroy the test results like they were supposed to? Of course, there should have never, and I mean NEVER been any names associated with these "anonymous" tests in the first place. If I am a player, I trust no one with any semblance of power in the union. These players are truly being screwed here.

Yes, they were taking something they probably shouldn't have, but there is still no excuse for having names associated with the tests. And don't get me started on who the hell is leaking information that is supposedly sealed under court order. Unfortunately, 1 or 2 names will continue to leak out every couple of months or so and once again, the media will bombard us with their rants of good and evil.

I just wish it would all go away, so I would not have to spend my slow work days thinking of this shit!

And to top all of this off, the Sox get mini swept by the Rays and bitch slapped by the Yanks, 4 straight. 6 games.......6 losses. And, to top it all off 3 of those games were pitched by either Jon Lester or Josh Beckett (all 3 of those were pitched pretty well, I might add).

I need a drink!!!!

Smoltzy, We Hardly Knew Ye!

It's been reported that John Smoltz has been designated for assignment today, effectively ending his short Red Sox career. After my FB rant last night, I of course am pleased with this decision. The Red Sox have until Tuesday to decide what to do with that rotation slot, but me thinks Michael Bowden will eventually be called on to work on Tuesday (really no other options).

With the Red Sox wasting 5 mil. on Smoltz and another 5 x-tra large on Brad Penny, this past off season is looking more and more like a dismal failure. Throw in Dice-K's meltdown and Wake's back, what looked to be a promising rotation, is now a total mess beyond Beckett and Lester. It's time for Clay Buccholtz to man up and become the pitcher with the no-hit stuff we saw 2 years ago and in Pawtucket this season. I know Buccholtz is young and it took Lester some time to find a command of the strike zone, but Clay is now the defacto #3 starter now and has to pitch better than he has thus far. Time to show us what you really got, kid!

Sports News and Notes.......

So, it's been about 24 hours since the Bruins lost in OT and I have to say, I'm not feeling any better about the horrible sports day that was yesterday.

Big Papi is out of the lineup tonight and I'm thinking......what the heck took so long? The lack of production has been absolutely frustrating. His bat speed just isn't what it used to be.

Lester just gave up a bomb to Ichiro, but he's still pitching well.

Me thinks the Celtics are going to go down on Sunday night. I certainly hope not, but I have a bad feeling.

How would you like to be the guy or gal who has to sew the name Jakubauskas on the back of that guys uniform. I guess it's better than having to sew Saltalamacchia.

Nice job by Joe Nathan, giving up 3 in the 9th to the Yankees, allowing New York to escape with a win............Nice work Joe.

Boston Sportsgasm

This could be a very exciting day in Boston sports, as the Celtics are in Orlando to try to wrap up that series for the right to play the Cavs in the conference final and the Bruins are at home tonight, facing the pesky Carolina Hurricanes in a deciding game 7 for the right to play in their conference final against the Penguins.

Oh, and by the way, the Red Sox are currently playing the rubber game of a 3 game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Amaheim, California, United States of America.


Holy Cow, not looking good. Sox lose, Celts lose and the Bruins are down in the 3rd. Yikes!!!!

Lucic scores!!!! What a pass by Savard!

Ugh, OT. I hate OT!

Like I said, I hate OT!

Sports day from hell!

A Little 'Bout Me and This Blog

Well, a couple of my friends are blogging and figured I might give it a go, since I always seem to have something to say.

So, you may be asking what this blog will be about? It will mostly contain sports stuff, some random thoughts and just about anything that may be on my mind at the time. I will for the most part stay away from politics and religion, but I will discuss them here, to give you a sense of where I stand on those issues.

Politics - I consider myself to be a Libertarian. I believe in a woman's right to choose and I also believe in the death penalty. While I believe some taxes are necessary, I think they should be kept at a minimum. The smaller the government, the better.

Religion - I don't believe in it, period. I don't believe in a god, supreme being or any other cultish crutch. To me, the only difference between any major religion and a cult is the size of the flock. They are one in the same, and neither has any bearing on my life, whatsoever. Now, with that being said, I have no problem with people who do believe in such things, I just choose to channel my faith in other directions.

Sports - I'm a Boston/New England guy all the way. So, you will read a lot about the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins in this space.

That's it for now, more at a later date.