Friday, October 22, 2004
Friday, October 22, 2004
Opening Salvo: Good afternoon to one and all. It appears that my scheme has worked. Pleading and promises to degrade myself were not nearly enough to get me in the Knockout Pool, but the blog did it. You will hear my incoherent ramblings today at 2:45 pst as I attempt to not make a complete jerk of myself and pick a loser on day 1. Fear not, loyal reader, for even if I should go down in defeat, I will continue on, and this blog shall live gloriously into the future. 12:55, and about that time. Got my vitamin water and my balance bar...let's get it on.....
12:59 pm - Let's just recap last night, and lay the ground work for today's show. The Cardinals pulled it out, 5-2, in Game 7 to set up a Boston-St Louis World Series. Game 1 is tomorrow at 7:30 est, and it looks like it will be Wakefield v. Williams. Don't quote me on that. I said Clemens would shove it for 7 and Suppan would get rocked. Didn't happen. Clemens was cruising, but he got two fast balls up in the 6th to Pujols and Rolen, and one landed in front of the fence, and the other landed on the wrong side of the fence. Game over. For some reason, Jeff Suppan turned into Cy Young and shut down everyone. I'd like to give him full credit, but the Astros were pressing, big time. Swinging at garbage breaking stuff in the dirt. They didnt take care of the zone, and allowed themselves to deviate from the formula that got them there. Game 7 pressure can rattle anyone, and it got the Stros yesterday. Meanwhile, perennial scrubs like Roger Cedeno (a poor man's Gary Pettis) and Tony Womack, otherwise known as Punch and Judy, managed to get the key hits in the game. When those guys beat you, you deserve to lose. Also, real quick....Jeff Kent has the range of a lawn chair. That guy can't stop a ball that isn't close enough for him to fall on. I swear, a man buried up to his waist could get to more ground balls. I digress.....
1:03 - Showtime. Ike Hayes startin' it up like only he can. "Yeah Friday!"
1:06 - Should have walked Pujols. Can't let that guy beat you. Rolen is a great hitter, but nowhere near as good as Pujols. Once he got that hit, Rocket got rattled, and he got the next pitch up. Game over. As for this idea of pulling Rocket for Oswalt, Im not seeing it. Oswalt was complaining about dead arm before the game, so you have to think they were handling him with kid gloves.
1:08 - "The two best baseball cities in America," says Erik. Gotta agree. Part of me wanted St Louis to win just because you like to see traditional teams in the Series. I am a huge Angels fan, but when they make the Series, or the Astros, or the Marlins......it doesn't seem right. Boston, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago.....these are who you want see on the big stage.
Background music: Orange Crush, R.E.M. [solid]
1:09 - Erik's Matchups:
Lineups - Edge CARDINALS
Defense - Edge CARDINALS (overwhelming) [*In 10 playoff games, the Cardinals have not commited an error]
Starting Pitching - Edge RED SOX (solid edge)
Bullpen - Edge RED SOX
Key Issues: (1) What does Schilling give you? (2) Will Pedro be able turn it on without facing pinstripes? (3) Who catches Wakefield? (4) Can St Louis win on the road? (5) Can Izzy get it together? (6) Are the Sox better rested, and is that good? (7) Is it fair that the Sox get home field advantage? [I say no, Erik says yes. I think it's a crock. The Cards earned it. Most wins, that's what you do. End of story.]
1:19 - The Knockout Pool starts up again today. Last winner was JB, and he will be back to defend his title. One spot left. Get it right, and you come back next week. Get it wrong, and "You got knocked the **** out man!" Thanks Smokey.....
1:22 - Commercial Break. Thoughts from the game last night: Julian Tavarez is Freddy Krueger, it's not even worth discussing. What is with Oswalt's necklace? Doesn't he know that is played out? Then again, Jerome Williams of the Giants wears pooka shells. John Franco should wear a mood ring and and afro pick. Let's all go retro! If Brad Ausmus and Mike Matheny had a cage match to the death, and all they had were their own bats....it would end in a draw and no one would draw blood. Those guys couldn't hit the ground with a handful of rice....
1:29 - JON MILLER, Voice of the Giants and ESPN Radio Baseball: I happen to like Miller alot. Great voice, great attitude. Then again, Im from the Bay. Jon Miller's favorite WS moment: Worst moment, Willie McCovey lining out to Bobby Richardson. Miller doesn't believe in the "curse" and I can't say I blame him. [but there is something great about a group of people suffering. call it schadenfreud i suppose.] Jon says that Joe Morgan sees alot of Tony Perez in Albert Pujols, and I think that would be selling Pujols short. The guy is 10 times as good as Perez. Miller just did a genius Scully impression. [Vin Scully is the greatest there ever was. He makes Jack Buck and Ernie Harwell sound like two monkeys banging pots. The only guy who can even come close to Vin is Chick Hearn, meaning that the two best announcers are LA guys. How lucky can one state be...]
2:04 - Time for some feetball, JOHN CLAYTON:
*Better chance, 16-0 for NE, or 0-16 for MIA? Miami. They may pick up a win, but not anytime soon. Pats are sure to lose soon.
*Buffalo @ Baltimore: Possible trap game, with Philly up next for Balt. Need to improve their garbage offense. Todd Heap may be back. [not what I heard] Kyle Boller still has a chance to be good. Basically, if you take away receiving threats from a young QB, he is done. When Randy Hymes is your #1 target, it doesn't matter who you are.....times are gonna be tough.
*Detroit @ NY Giants: If the Giants win, book your playoff tickets. If Detroit wins, it tightens up the WC race, but if they lose, it just makes things that much harder. If you think about it, after the division winners, and St Louis, there is really only one spot up for grabs. You can almost book Philly, Atlanta, Seattle, St Louis and Minnesota, which means we could sew up the playoff spots by Thanksgiving.
*Who has the ability to rip off three in a row down the stretch?
Dallas - no. Running game is absolute garbage, and they have no shot.
Washington - Perhaps. They need to get the passing game going, because the schedule is conducive to them making a run.
Green Bay - Difficult. Tougher schedule than the others, and the defense is poop. D-line is getting better, but the O-line took a hit.
Carolina - Forget about it. Its over.
New Orleans - Talent, yes. Liklihood, no. Too much negativity.
*Why isn't Curtis Martin an MVP candidate? John says, gotta come up big this weekend. Tough to overcome the glamour of the QB position.
*Jerry Rice is a good fit for three reasons: (1) He catches the ball, unlike Koren Dropinson. (2) He keeps Engram in the slot, so now you have someone good enough to fill in at split end. (3) Um, John forgot #3. Ill let it slide.
*[Clayton says he would pay to see the Garcia girls fight it out. John, keep that to yourself. That kind of attitude is what got Mike Price in trouble.]
*Why isn't Denver getting more respect? First, the division is so weak, you can't give em too much credit. Also, this team isn't doing what they usually do --> they are winning with Defense, not Offense. Perhaps people just aren't used to it, so hard to embrace it.
2:18 - Talkin bachelor parties. Amina just suggested that women still jump out of cakes. That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard thus far. Amina, you deserve to get roasted on that one. Also, if that guy will get a lap dance from the fattest person at the "establishment", Im sure that means one of his friends. Do that, and you are in brotha....
2:19 - Erik just said "Last call for alcohol." Don't tease me EK! I just ordered three beers and a shot from my manager...you know, knee-jerk reaction.
2:28 - BRUCE FELDMAN, talking college football (get his book, Caine Mutiny)
*USC v. Washington: No case can be made for the Huskies. They suck, and will get crushed.
*Kansas @ Oklahoma: The only way the Jayhawks win is if fat body Mangino engages Stoops in a pie eating contest.
*Miami (FL) @ NC St: Possible upset. State has great speed, and Berlin can blow this game singlehandedly. Lots of D in this one.
*Kentucky @ Auburn: Auburn is the only school in the nation that has not allowed a rushing touchdown. Bruce wasnt sold on Auburn D (after losing their starting LBs, Thomas and Dansby) but they are even faster and more aggressive this year. The D is great, but when all is said and done, they wont be on top (but up there)
*7 undefeateds are left, who is at risk?
-Northwestern @ Wisconsin: TRAP GAME! No Erasmus James, which weakens a strong D. Bruce says Anthony Davis will take this game over, but the Cats have a shot at the upset.
-UNLV @ Utah: How far can Utah climb? Bruce says this is about it. There are too many good teams ahead of them that will stay ahead even with a loss. The strength of schedule will kill them. Basically, Utah is rooting for Tex A&M for the rest of the year, because every Aggie win gives the Utes legitimacy.
-Fresno St @ Boise St: Fresno just isnt the same since losing RB Wright. Their defense should give Boise some trouble, but the Broncos should pull out.
*Others: Tennessee over Alabama; Purdue over Michigan (in a shootout); Penn St over Iowa
2:52 - KNOCKOUT POOL:
Ok I missed a ton, since I had to go outside to take the call. I work by the airport, and I dont think anyone wants the sound of screeching engines over the radio. From what I can tell, the picks are:
JB - St Louis [trap game. i wanted to pick them, but I didnt]
TJ - Philadelphia [yeah, yeah, its on the road. cleveland hardly qualifies as a 'hostile environment']
Tamara - Baltimore
Nicky - Tampa Bay [terrible pick. go bears]
Dude from Missouri - have no idea....someone help me out
Amina - Seattle
Randy - Philadelphia (brilliant!)
Erik - Indianapolis
3:02 - Damn you commercial break, oh how I loathe thee. Lulling me to sleep, only to be followed by an interview with a fisherman. Pardon me while I see how many paperclips I can shove up my nose....
3:04 - The answer is 21.....but now I can't remember my phone number
3:05 - Took the clips out....feeling light headed. One is missing.....
3:06 - GAME BY GAME ANALYSIS - Erik has facts, but I do too....
*NY Jets @ NE: What? Um, 20 in a row. Next!
*Jax @ Indy: Colts have held opposition under 100 yards rushing three games in a row. In that same time, they have managed to keep the passing yardage under 700. But barely....
*Tenn @ Minn: 6 different players have caught a TD from Culpepper, including, Moss, Burleson, Robinson, Anthony Carter, Ahmad Rashad..........
*Atl @ KC: Last stand for the Chiefs. Falcons gave up 49 TDs last season, only 9 so far this year. Amazing. I like the commercial with the Mike Vick ride. I could only get on the Trent Green ride. It was great. You get strapped in, and then it sits there for 5 seconds, and then it slams you to the ground. Weeeeeeee!
*Chicago @ TB: Im a Bears fan. The Bears are the greatest. They will win by 100. Is Ditka playing? Jonathan Quinn Medicine Woman needs to go though. Bring back Vince Evans for all I care.
*Buffalo @ Baltimore: Erik says the Ravens need the defense to score to win this game. That's like depending on your hockey goalie to score a goal. Sad state if you are praying for a defensive TD
*Dallas @ GB: Packers, 0-3 at home. That is brutal. Favre is 1-8 against the Boys. This is gonna be a close game. Key stat: Packers, 0 turnovers in wins, 14 in losses. Um, so, like, hold on to the ball?
*Detroit @ NY Giants: Tiki has 100 yards rushing in 4 of the first 5 games. And the guy hasnt fumbled yet! This is amazing. This is a guy whose wife wouldn't let him hold the baby. This guy dropped more balls than puberty last year....
*NO @ Oakland: Touchdown, Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraiders! Greg Papa is the man. Too bad he never gets to say that. Kerry Collins is so bad, I am starting to miss Marc Wilson.
*SD @ Car: Brees, 9 TDs, 3 picks. Unbelievable. And this defense is so terrible, but they have 4 straight games without giving up 100 yards rushing. I honestly thought they wouldnt win a game. I looked at their schedule, and the worst team on their schedule was......them!
*Sea @ Arizona: TRAP GAME! Denny Green had a bye week to prep. Could be interesting. Jerry Rice v. Emmit Smith...brought to you by Metamucil! They should just play this game in Miami. The Del Boca Vista Bowl....
*Stl @ Mia: Dolphins have the WORST O line in football. They havent even scored 14 points in a single game this season. My prediction, St Louis shows up late due to weather, and the game starts without them. 7 plays in, Miami crosses the 50, and then the Rams show up.
*Phil @ Clev: Erik says, ya never know. Wrong. I know. Cleveland stinks. Jeff Garcia, aka Boggs from Shawshank will get a visit from the sisters....
3:27 - BYRON VELVICK, The Bachelor: Im not exactly anticipating this. Fishing is fun. Talking fishing is not. "But wait!," you say, "it's about the Bachelor!" Um, ok, Im starting to miss the fishing talk. The Bachelor was an interesting idea, but in application, it is a disaster. 20 women abandoning their dignity to vie for the attention of a random guy, who has somehow been labeled the most eligible bachelor? I dont care what kind of money this guy has, I will destroy him in a battle of the bachelors!
Picks:
Erik: NY Giants over Detroit; Indy over Jax; Tampa Bay over Chicago; Jets over NE; Minnesota over Tenn
Byron: Detroit over NY Giants; Jax over Indy [den of iniquity?]; Tampa Bay over Chicago; NE over Jets; Tenn over Minnesota
Consigliari (me): NY Giants over Detroit; Chicago over Tampa Bay; Indy over Jax; Minnesota over Tenn; NE over Jets
3:35 - Hockey's still on lockout! (BA BA BA, buh-buh, buh-buh-buh!)
3:36 - FOOTBALL PICKS
Current Record: 16-15 in NFL, 15-9 in College
College Picks: Virginia (-24); Tennessee (-7); Notre Dame (-6.5)
NFL: NY Giants (-6.5); Indianapolis (-9.5); Minnesota (-6.5); San Diego (+3.5)
3:48 - RAPID FIRE, One Question-One Comment, otherwise.....NEXT!
1. If Cards split, do they get it done in 5 or 7? Dont count your chickens, man. You can bank on a home sweep. And I doubt they will split.
2. Ok, dumb question. NEXT!
3. Woo hoo! A Bears question. Why are we going for Couch? Erik: Couch is not right physically. No arm strength. The problem is, can't win with Quinn, so gotta try something. At least Lovie and Angelo are trying to get it done however they can.
4. T or F, ND goes 0-10, does Beano Cook still list them in the Top 5. That's moronic. But Erik's impression of Beano was brilliant.
5. Where is Mo Clarrett? Chilling. See you in the 5th round, sucker.
6. How good is Boise St? Erik: They are at least top 15. The problem is not that they cant beat the good teams, the problem is that people dont respect the fact that these mid majors only really need to get geeked up for like 2 games. In the SEC or the Big 12, every week is a struggle.
7. Comment - Clemens has revamped his image. Damn Cardinal fan, won't say anything bad about any one. Boo!
Randy is Sexual Chocolate and he's out.
Amina is Melo's friend and she's out.
If you don't get any, it aint Barry White's fault.
12:59 pm - Let's just recap last night, and lay the ground work for today's show. The Cardinals pulled it out, 5-2, in Game 7 to set up a Boston-St Louis World Series. Game 1 is tomorrow at 7:30 est, and it looks like it will be Wakefield v. Williams. Don't quote me on that. I said Clemens would shove it for 7 and Suppan would get rocked. Didn't happen. Clemens was cruising, but he got two fast balls up in the 6th to Pujols and Rolen, and one landed in front of the fence, and the other landed on the wrong side of the fence. Game over. For some reason, Jeff Suppan turned into Cy Young and shut down everyone. I'd like to give him full credit, but the Astros were pressing, big time. Swinging at garbage breaking stuff in the dirt. They didnt take care of the zone, and allowed themselves to deviate from the formula that got them there. Game 7 pressure can rattle anyone, and it got the Stros yesterday. Meanwhile, perennial scrubs like Roger Cedeno (a poor man's Gary Pettis) and Tony Womack, otherwise known as Punch and Judy, managed to get the key hits in the game. When those guys beat you, you deserve to lose. Also, real quick....Jeff Kent has the range of a lawn chair. That guy can't stop a ball that isn't close enough for him to fall on. I swear, a man buried up to his waist could get to more ground balls. I digress.....
1:03 - Showtime. Ike Hayes startin' it up like only he can. "Yeah Friday!"
1:06 - Should have walked Pujols. Can't let that guy beat you. Rolen is a great hitter, but nowhere near as good as Pujols. Once he got that hit, Rocket got rattled, and he got the next pitch up. Game over. As for this idea of pulling Rocket for Oswalt, Im not seeing it. Oswalt was complaining about dead arm before the game, so you have to think they were handling him with kid gloves.
1:08 - "The two best baseball cities in America," says Erik. Gotta agree. Part of me wanted St Louis to win just because you like to see traditional teams in the Series. I am a huge Angels fan, but when they make the Series, or the Astros, or the Marlins......it doesn't seem right. Boston, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago.....these are who you want see on the big stage.
Background music: Orange Crush, R.E.M. [solid]
1:09 - Erik's Matchups:
Lineups - Edge CARDINALS
Defense - Edge CARDINALS (overwhelming) [*In 10 playoff games, the Cardinals have not commited an error]
Starting Pitching - Edge RED SOX (solid edge)
Bullpen - Edge RED SOX
Key Issues: (1) What does Schilling give you? (2) Will Pedro be able turn it on without facing pinstripes? (3) Who catches Wakefield? (4) Can St Louis win on the road? (5) Can Izzy get it together? (6) Are the Sox better rested, and is that good? (7) Is it fair that the Sox get home field advantage? [I say no, Erik says yes. I think it's a crock. The Cards earned it. Most wins, that's what you do. End of story.]
1:19 - The Knockout Pool starts up again today. Last winner was JB, and he will be back to defend his title. One spot left. Get it right, and you come back next week. Get it wrong, and "You got knocked the **** out man!" Thanks Smokey.....
1:22 - Commercial Break. Thoughts from the game last night: Julian Tavarez is Freddy Krueger, it's not even worth discussing. What is with Oswalt's necklace? Doesn't he know that is played out? Then again, Jerome Williams of the Giants wears pooka shells. John Franco should wear a mood ring and and afro pick. Let's all go retro! If Brad Ausmus and Mike Matheny had a cage match to the death, and all they had were their own bats....it would end in a draw and no one would draw blood. Those guys couldn't hit the ground with a handful of rice....
1:29 - JON MILLER, Voice of the Giants and ESPN Radio Baseball: I happen to like Miller alot. Great voice, great attitude. Then again, Im from the Bay. Jon Miller's favorite WS moment: Worst moment, Willie McCovey lining out to Bobby Richardson. Miller doesn't believe in the "curse" and I can't say I blame him. [but there is something great about a group of people suffering. call it schadenfreud i suppose.] Jon says that Joe Morgan sees alot of Tony Perez in Albert Pujols, and I think that would be selling Pujols short. The guy is 10 times as good as Perez. Miller just did a genius Scully impression. [Vin Scully is the greatest there ever was. He makes Jack Buck and Ernie Harwell sound like two monkeys banging pots. The only guy who can even come close to Vin is Chick Hearn, meaning that the two best announcers are LA guys. How lucky can one state be...]
2:04 - Time for some feetball, JOHN CLAYTON:
*Better chance, 16-0 for NE, or 0-16 for MIA? Miami. They may pick up a win, but not anytime soon. Pats are sure to lose soon.
*Buffalo @ Baltimore: Possible trap game, with Philly up next for Balt. Need to improve their garbage offense. Todd Heap may be back. [not what I heard] Kyle Boller still has a chance to be good. Basically, if you take away receiving threats from a young QB, he is done. When Randy Hymes is your #1 target, it doesn't matter who you are.....times are gonna be tough.
*Detroit @ NY Giants: If the Giants win, book your playoff tickets. If Detroit wins, it tightens up the WC race, but if they lose, it just makes things that much harder. If you think about it, after the division winners, and St Louis, there is really only one spot up for grabs. You can almost book Philly, Atlanta, Seattle, St Louis and Minnesota, which means we could sew up the playoff spots by Thanksgiving.
*Who has the ability to rip off three in a row down the stretch?
Dallas - no. Running game is absolute garbage, and they have no shot.
Washington - Perhaps. They need to get the passing game going, because the schedule is conducive to them making a run.
Green Bay - Difficult. Tougher schedule than the others, and the defense is poop. D-line is getting better, but the O-line took a hit.
Carolina - Forget about it. Its over.
New Orleans - Talent, yes. Liklihood, no. Too much negativity.
*Why isn't Curtis Martin an MVP candidate? John says, gotta come up big this weekend. Tough to overcome the glamour of the QB position.
*Jerry Rice is a good fit for three reasons: (1) He catches the ball, unlike Koren Dropinson. (2) He keeps Engram in the slot, so now you have someone good enough to fill in at split end. (3) Um, John forgot #3. Ill let it slide.
*[Clayton says he would pay to see the Garcia girls fight it out. John, keep that to yourself. That kind of attitude is what got Mike Price in trouble.]
*Why isn't Denver getting more respect? First, the division is so weak, you can't give em too much credit. Also, this team isn't doing what they usually do --> they are winning with Defense, not Offense. Perhaps people just aren't used to it, so hard to embrace it.
2:18 - Talkin bachelor parties. Amina just suggested that women still jump out of cakes. That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard thus far. Amina, you deserve to get roasted on that one. Also, if that guy will get a lap dance from the fattest person at the "establishment", Im sure that means one of his friends. Do that, and you are in brotha....
2:19 - Erik just said "Last call for alcohol." Don't tease me EK! I just ordered three beers and a shot from my manager...you know, knee-jerk reaction.
2:28 - BRUCE FELDMAN, talking college football (get his book, Caine Mutiny)
*USC v. Washington: No case can be made for the Huskies. They suck, and will get crushed.
*Kansas @ Oklahoma: The only way the Jayhawks win is if fat body Mangino engages Stoops in a pie eating contest.
*Miami (FL) @ NC St: Possible upset. State has great speed, and Berlin can blow this game singlehandedly. Lots of D in this one.
*Kentucky @ Auburn: Auburn is the only school in the nation that has not allowed a rushing touchdown. Bruce wasnt sold on Auburn D (after losing their starting LBs, Thomas and Dansby) but they are even faster and more aggressive this year. The D is great, but when all is said and done, they wont be on top (but up there)
*7 undefeateds are left, who is at risk?
-Northwestern @ Wisconsin: TRAP GAME! No Erasmus James, which weakens a strong D. Bruce says Anthony Davis will take this game over, but the Cats have a shot at the upset.
-UNLV @ Utah: How far can Utah climb? Bruce says this is about it. There are too many good teams ahead of them that will stay ahead even with a loss. The strength of schedule will kill them. Basically, Utah is rooting for Tex A&M for the rest of the year, because every Aggie win gives the Utes legitimacy.
-Fresno St @ Boise St: Fresno just isnt the same since losing RB Wright. Their defense should give Boise some trouble, but the Broncos should pull out.
*Others: Tennessee over Alabama; Purdue over Michigan (in a shootout); Penn St over Iowa
2:52 - KNOCKOUT POOL:
Ok I missed a ton, since I had to go outside to take the call. I work by the airport, and I dont think anyone wants the sound of screeching engines over the radio. From what I can tell, the picks are:
JB - St Louis [trap game. i wanted to pick them, but I didnt]
TJ - Philadelphia [yeah, yeah, its on the road. cleveland hardly qualifies as a 'hostile environment']
Tamara - Baltimore
Nicky - Tampa Bay [terrible pick. go bears]
Dude from Missouri - have no idea....someone help me out
Amina - Seattle
Randy - Philadelphia (brilliant!)
Erik - Indianapolis
3:02 - Damn you commercial break, oh how I loathe thee. Lulling me to sleep, only to be followed by an interview with a fisherman. Pardon me while I see how many paperclips I can shove up my nose....
3:04 - The answer is 21.....but now I can't remember my phone number
3:05 - Took the clips out....feeling light headed. One is missing.....
3:06 - GAME BY GAME ANALYSIS - Erik has facts, but I do too....
*NY Jets @ NE: What? Um, 20 in a row. Next!
*Jax @ Indy: Colts have held opposition under 100 yards rushing three games in a row. In that same time, they have managed to keep the passing yardage under 700. But barely....
*Tenn @ Minn: 6 different players have caught a TD from Culpepper, including, Moss, Burleson, Robinson, Anthony Carter, Ahmad Rashad..........
*Atl @ KC: Last stand for the Chiefs. Falcons gave up 49 TDs last season, only 9 so far this year. Amazing. I like the commercial with the Mike Vick ride. I could only get on the Trent Green ride. It was great. You get strapped in, and then it sits there for 5 seconds, and then it slams you to the ground. Weeeeeeee!
*Chicago @ TB: Im a Bears fan. The Bears are the greatest. They will win by 100. Is Ditka playing? Jonathan Quinn Medicine Woman needs to go though. Bring back Vince Evans for all I care.
*Buffalo @ Baltimore: Erik says the Ravens need the defense to score to win this game. That's like depending on your hockey goalie to score a goal. Sad state if you are praying for a defensive TD
*Dallas @ GB: Packers, 0-3 at home. That is brutal. Favre is 1-8 against the Boys. This is gonna be a close game. Key stat: Packers, 0 turnovers in wins, 14 in losses. Um, so, like, hold on to the ball?
*Detroit @ NY Giants: Tiki has 100 yards rushing in 4 of the first 5 games. And the guy hasnt fumbled yet! This is amazing. This is a guy whose wife wouldn't let him hold the baby. This guy dropped more balls than puberty last year....
*NO @ Oakland: Touchdown, Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraiders! Greg Papa is the man. Too bad he never gets to say that. Kerry Collins is so bad, I am starting to miss Marc Wilson.
*SD @ Car: Brees, 9 TDs, 3 picks. Unbelievable. And this defense is so terrible, but they have 4 straight games without giving up 100 yards rushing. I honestly thought they wouldnt win a game. I looked at their schedule, and the worst team on their schedule was......them!
*Sea @ Arizona: TRAP GAME! Denny Green had a bye week to prep. Could be interesting. Jerry Rice v. Emmit Smith...brought to you by Metamucil! They should just play this game in Miami. The Del Boca Vista Bowl....
*Stl @ Mia: Dolphins have the WORST O line in football. They havent even scored 14 points in a single game this season. My prediction, St Louis shows up late due to weather, and the game starts without them. 7 plays in, Miami crosses the 50, and then the Rams show up.
*Phil @ Clev: Erik says, ya never know. Wrong. I know. Cleveland stinks. Jeff Garcia, aka Boggs from Shawshank will get a visit from the sisters....
3:27 - BYRON VELVICK, The Bachelor: Im not exactly anticipating this. Fishing is fun. Talking fishing is not. "But wait!," you say, "it's about the Bachelor!" Um, ok, Im starting to miss the fishing talk. The Bachelor was an interesting idea, but in application, it is a disaster. 20 women abandoning their dignity to vie for the attention of a random guy, who has somehow been labeled the most eligible bachelor? I dont care what kind of money this guy has, I will destroy him in a battle of the bachelors!
Picks:
Erik: NY Giants over Detroit; Indy over Jax; Tampa Bay over Chicago; Jets over NE; Minnesota over Tenn
Byron: Detroit over NY Giants; Jax over Indy [den of iniquity?]; Tampa Bay over Chicago; NE over Jets; Tenn over Minnesota
Consigliari (me): NY Giants over Detroit; Chicago over Tampa Bay; Indy over Jax; Minnesota over Tenn; NE over Jets
3:35 - Hockey's still on lockout! (BA BA BA, buh-buh, buh-buh-buh!)
3:36 - FOOTBALL PICKS
Current Record: 16-15 in NFL, 15-9 in College
College Picks: Virginia (-24); Tennessee (-7); Notre Dame (-6.5)
NFL: NY Giants (-6.5); Indianapolis (-9.5); Minnesota (-6.5); San Diego (+3.5)
3:48 - RAPID FIRE, One Question-One Comment, otherwise.....NEXT!
1. If Cards split, do they get it done in 5 or 7? Dont count your chickens, man. You can bank on a home sweep. And I doubt they will split.
2. Ok, dumb question. NEXT!
3. Woo hoo! A Bears question. Why are we going for Couch? Erik: Couch is not right physically. No arm strength. The problem is, can't win with Quinn, so gotta try something. At least Lovie and Angelo are trying to get it done however they can.
4. T or F, ND goes 0-10, does Beano Cook still list them in the Top 5. That's moronic. But Erik's impression of Beano was brilliant.
5. Where is Mo Clarrett? Chilling. See you in the 5th round, sucker.
6. How good is Boise St? Erik: They are at least top 15. The problem is not that they cant beat the good teams, the problem is that people dont respect the fact that these mid majors only really need to get geeked up for like 2 games. In the SEC or the Big 12, every week is a struggle.
7. Comment - Clemens has revamped his image. Damn Cardinal fan, won't say anything bad about any one. Boo!
Randy is Sexual Chocolate and he's out.
Amina is Melo's friend and she's out.
If you don't get any, it aint Barry White's fault.
