Sorry there hasn't been a post in awhile, and I hope people are still reading this...when I actually post something.
I turn 33 tomorrow. I'm not looking for presents, e-cards or even cake. I just sat back tonight and thought about some things that I've always taken for granted, and are beginning to slowly go away at this point in my life....
like always having reruns of the Simpsons and Seinfeld available from 5-7 o'clock...here in Cincy, they've been replaced by Raymond, Friends, and other equally mediocre and forgettable shows.
like being able to get out of a chair without 3 different body parts snapping and popping.
like always having a neighbor there for you.
like having people in a small town know who you are and wave out their window toward you as you drive by.
like looking forward to the next 9 at the Creeks, the next G&L dog, or the next Pubfish game.
like knowing that tomorrow you'll get to do what you want to after a long day.
like knowing that you feel younger than you are.
I have tried a lot in my adult life to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate them and a whole lot of people have done great things for me...there's a near-100% chance that if you are reading this, you've done me a favor and helped me in some way get to the point that I am at in my career and my life.
So, my birthday wish for everyone else is to know how lucky I am to have great friends and family and a wonderful fiancee who has been through a TON of crap during our relationship together.
Oh, and the Ocho Cincos are 1-1 to begin the season, thanks to a regrettable decision to sit Ben Roetehosliberger during Week 1.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
RAFFLE draft wrap-up, part II
Here come the other 6, plus my season predictions...why wouldn't you read this?
7--Conklin Chucks (Josh)
Best pick--Marques Colston in 5th round, Isaac Bruce in 10th
What the 6? pick--LJ Smith in 7th Round..got caught up in a TE frenzy
Pivotal player--Tatum Bell...taken in 6th round, but with recent Kevin Jones early comeback news could put a real McGillicuddy into this pick.
Overall--Josh made the Peyton Manning move, taking him with the 7th overall pick. I like that, and I also like the fact that during golfing earlier in the day, he said he wouldn't take him. Well played, my friend! Josh's RB's are Cedric Bensen, Jerious Norwood, Ron Dayne, and Tatum Bell. He may need roughly 2,432 Manning TD's for a 3rd consecutive playoff appearance.
8--Moorland Mounties (dave)
Best pick--Daunte Culpepper in 12th round
What the 6? pick--Where to start...Romo in the 5th, Adam Vinateri in the 10th would be the top 2.
Pivotal player--See Romo, Tony.
Overall--WR's--Javon Walker, Chris Chambers, Terry Glenn, Joe Horn. Yikes.
9--Gooding Avenue Prospectors (Al-imony)
Best pick--Ladell Betts in 6th after getting Portis
What the 6? Pick--Another toughie...I would say Mark Clayton in the 9th
Pivotal player--Travis Henry
Overall--Al is aboard the Denver Broncos RB roller-coaster with Henry, but with Westbrook, Betts/Portis, and D'Angelo Williams, it might not matter. Will need big years out of his WR's (Lee Evans and Hines Ward) to ensure a playoff spot.
10--Bad Newz Kennels (BP)
Best Pick--Matt Leinart in 7th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Reggie Brown in 6th round, DeDe Dorsey (whoops) in 12th round
Pivotal player--Will first-round pick Laurence Maroney stay healthy all year?
Overall--A solid draft from BP, but counting on a lot of young players up and down his lineup. Will need rookies (Brandon Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez) to put together good years, along with 2nd year RB's Maroney and MoJo Drew to make it out of the WMC Brown division.
11 El Ocho Cincos (this guy)
Best Pick--I believe others would say Andre Johnson in the 5th round or LaMont Jordan in the 8th...I'm going to stick my giant head out on the limb as say Roethlischeeseburger in the 13th round.
What the 6? pick--Tony Gonzalez in the 6th round. Should have taken Calvin Johnson.
Pivotal player--Ronnie Brown...Trent Green better stay un-concussed and keep the other team off the line of scrimmage.
Overall--This was the first year that I actually like my team. I'll need Reggie Bush and Brown to be good & Brandon Jacobs to score some TD's....but obviously my season comes down to whether or not it was smart to wait until the 12th/13th rounds to take my QB's.
12--Southern Michigan Stallions (Tim and Wes)
Best Pick--Calvin Johnson in 6th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Plastico Burress in 5th round
Pivotal player--His WR spot (Plastico, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson) seems a bit thin and Michigan-related.
Overall--Like the first 2 picks (McGahee and Rudi) a whole lot. Looks like Tim wanted to avoid the QB carousel that he was on last year, as he took McNabb and Losman in the first 7 rounds...possibly at the expense of his WRs.
Predictions....let's see how I do.
WMC Brown
I've got the Commish winning the WMC Brown, with Al and......BP coming out of the division. Josh has 2 straight playoff appearances. I can't imagine anyone else in Fantasy Sports possesses the ability to draft while inebriated better than he does... but BP has better RB's on paper. I think Al has the most balanced team in the division, and the Cog will get himself into the playoffs somehow via a favorable ruling from the Ambass. I have a bad feeling that my RB drafting decisions (Bush over McGahee, Brandon Jacobs over Marshawn Lynch, Ronnie Brown over MoJo Drew) will kill my squad this year.
WeWAC Magenta
I like Andy's team. He has the best WR's in the league...but Gore and McAllister at RB may be an injury issue. I see the last playoff spot in the Magenta coming down to the Neil Road neighbors...with Skot edging him out. I think the Ranch Hands are making it to the second season after winning the division, along with....the Stallions!!! I say Tim pressures someone with roughly 52,506 calls to make a key trade to keep the defending champion Snitches out of the playoffs, ensuring that the helmet trophy finds its way into someone else's basement next year.
Good luck to all, stay active, and someone introduce Dave to a computer so that his division doesn't have an unfair advantage of playing against his suck-A team twice.
7--Conklin Chucks (Josh)
Best pick--Marques Colston in 5th round, Isaac Bruce in 10th
What the 6? pick--LJ Smith in 7th Round..got caught up in a TE frenzy
Pivotal player--Tatum Bell...taken in 6th round, but with recent Kevin Jones early comeback news could put a real McGillicuddy into this pick.
Overall--Josh made the Peyton Manning move, taking him with the 7th overall pick. I like that, and I also like the fact that during golfing earlier in the day, he said he wouldn't take him. Well played, my friend! Josh's RB's are Cedric Bensen, Jerious Norwood, Ron Dayne, and Tatum Bell. He may need roughly 2,432 Manning TD's for a 3rd consecutive playoff appearance.
8--Moorland Mounties (dave)
Best pick--Daunte Culpepper in 12th round
What the 6? pick--Where to start...Romo in the 5th, Adam Vinateri in the 10th would be the top 2.
Pivotal player--See Romo, Tony.
Overall--WR's--Javon Walker, Chris Chambers, Terry Glenn, Joe Horn. Yikes.
9--Gooding Avenue Prospectors (Al-imony)
Best pick--Ladell Betts in 6th after getting Portis
What the 6? Pick--Another toughie...I would say Mark Clayton in the 9th
Pivotal player--Travis Henry
Overall--Al is aboard the Denver Broncos RB roller-coaster with Henry, but with Westbrook, Betts/Portis, and D'Angelo Williams, it might not matter. Will need big years out of his WR's (Lee Evans and Hines Ward) to ensure a playoff spot.
10--Bad Newz Kennels (BP)
Best Pick--Matt Leinart in 7th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Reggie Brown in 6th round, DeDe Dorsey (whoops) in 12th round
Pivotal player--Will first-round pick Laurence Maroney stay healthy all year?
Overall--A solid draft from BP, but counting on a lot of young players up and down his lineup. Will need rookies (Brandon Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez) to put together good years, along with 2nd year RB's Maroney and MoJo Drew to make it out of the WMC Brown division.
11 El Ocho Cincos (this guy)
Best Pick--I believe others would say Andre Johnson in the 5th round or LaMont Jordan in the 8th...I'm going to stick my giant head out on the limb as say Roethlischeeseburger in the 13th round.
What the 6? pick--Tony Gonzalez in the 6th round. Should have taken Calvin Johnson.
Pivotal player--Ronnie Brown...Trent Green better stay un-concussed and keep the other team off the line of scrimmage.
Overall--This was the first year that I actually like my team. I'll need Reggie Bush and Brown to be good & Brandon Jacobs to score some TD's....but obviously my season comes down to whether or not it was smart to wait until the 12th/13th rounds to take my QB's.
12--Southern Michigan Stallions (Tim and Wes)
Best Pick--Calvin Johnson in 6th round (dang it!)
What the 6? Pick--Plastico Burress in 5th round
Pivotal player--His WR spot (Plastico, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson) seems a bit thin and Michigan-related.
Overall--Like the first 2 picks (McGahee and Rudi) a whole lot. Looks like Tim wanted to avoid the QB carousel that he was on last year, as he took McNabb and Losman in the first 7 rounds...possibly at the expense of his WRs.
Predictions....let's see how I do.
WMC Brown
I've got the Commish winning the WMC Brown, with Al and......BP coming out of the division. Josh has 2 straight playoff appearances. I can't imagine anyone else in Fantasy Sports possesses the ability to draft while inebriated better than he does... but BP has better RB's on paper. I think Al has the most balanced team in the division, and the Cog will get himself into the playoffs somehow via a favorable ruling from the Ambass. I have a bad feeling that my RB drafting decisions (Bush over McGahee, Brandon Jacobs over Marshawn Lynch, Ronnie Brown over MoJo Drew) will kill my squad this year.
WeWAC Magenta
I like Andy's team. He has the best WR's in the league...but Gore and McAllister at RB may be an injury issue. I see the last playoff spot in the Magenta coming down to the Neil Road neighbors...with Skot edging him out. I think the Ranch Hands are making it to the second season after winning the division, along with....the Stallions!!! I say Tim pressures someone with roughly 52,506 calls to make a key trade to keep the defending champion Snitches out of the playoffs, ensuring that the helmet trophy finds its way into someone else's basement next year.
Good luck to all, stay active, and someone introduce Dave to a computer so that his division doesn't have an unfair advantage of playing against his suck-A team twice.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
RAFFLE wrap-up, part I
Where else can you get objective fantasy draft coverage on a blog but right here?
A team-by team rundown of best pick, the what the 6 pick, and the "Guy who holds the key to your team's soul"
In drafting order...
1--DePorres Dirty Band-Aids (trevor & tommy)
Best pick--LT @ #1.
What the 6? pick--The hip pointer known as Shayne Graham to begin the 8th round. The next kicker was taken 2 1/2 rounds later (by Dave, so that barely even counts)
Pivotal player--Vince Young as their #1 QB, taken in the 5th round.
Overall--1 of 3 expansion teams, the boys began the draft with LT, and then followed up with some picks that were certainly not what many would have done. Will need another record-setting year out of LT in order to find themselves in the postseason
2--Nunica Eisenhower Seagulls (the commish)
Best pick--TJ Houshmanzadahdah in the 4th round, Wes Welker in the 11th
What the 6? pick--Actually a tough call for Helly...I would say Julius Jones in the 2nd, but he has TUP
Pivotal player--Unsure who Helly's flex dude is...let's say DeShaun Foster, who is his 3rd RB, just ahead of Najeh Davenport, who puts the #2 into his #4 RB slot, if you know what I mean, dude.
Overall--The Commish got high marks from many RAFFLE-ians for his draft. Solid picks, but will he regret not getting a 3rd RB earlier in the draft?
3--South Broton Snitches (justin)
Best Pick--I like the Darrell Jackson pick in the 8th round, a solid WR sleeper, along with getting Mike Furrey in the 11th.
What the 6? pick--Bears Defense in the 6th round. Yes, the best defense. Yes, it was too early.
Pivotal player--Carson Palmer. The 2nd QB taken in the draft, could be interesting to see his numbers compared to Brady/Brees/Bulger.
Overall--Defending Champ with a solid draft...will need one of the aforementioned WR's to come through because relying on Randy Moss as his 2nd WR could be dicey.
4--The Amazin Blazin Unicorns (Skot)
Best pick--I like the Marion Barber pick in the fourth round.
What the 6? pick--Jamal Lewis in the 3rd round..with poor QB play in Cleveland, he'll need to have a monster year.
Pivotal player--10-win man Jon Kitna, his 5th round pick.
Overall--I like Skot's draft strategy--took 4 consecutive RB's and then a QB. Will need another good year from Kitna along with another great season from LJ. Will likely scour the waiver wire for another WR...but has plenty of RB's for trading purposes.
5--Finnean's Freedom Fighters (Andy)
Best pick--Andy had a great top-5 of the draft..getting Ocho Cinco in round 3 was a steal.
What the 6? pick--Had a hard time with this one..I'd say Leon Washington in the 6th round.
Pivotal player(s)--slightly injury-prone RB's in first 2 rounds (Gore and McAllister) must stay healthy.
Overall--Our evening's host got some serious quality in the first 5 rounds. Will need to come up with a solid #3 RB option at some point, especially if his 1 or2 get injured...I'm sure he's hoping either Washington or Reuben Droughns steps up. I believe he had the best draft of the 3 newbies, and should challenge for a playoff spot.
6--Neverland Ranch Hands (nate)
Best pick--Cadillac in the 4th round & Vincent Jackson in the 9th round
What the 6? pick--Torry Holt in the 2nd round...our draft's FIRST WR.
Pivotal player--His RB spot
Natron reached a bit for Holt, but got some very good WR's late (Jackson, Greg Jennings) that could make up for the injured Holt. Will rely heavily on a big year from Addai, a comeback year from Cadillac, and a great rookie season from Marshawn Lynch. If 2 of those 3 things happen, he could be a division winner and challenge for the top regular season spot. If not....he may regret taking Holt that high.
2nd half of the draft and my perfect predictions to come...
A team-by team rundown of best pick, the what the 6 pick, and the "Guy who holds the key to your team's soul"
In drafting order...
1--DePorres Dirty Band-Aids (trevor & tommy)
Best pick--LT @ #1.
What the 6? pick--The hip pointer known as Shayne Graham to begin the 8th round. The next kicker was taken 2 1/2 rounds later (by Dave, so that barely even counts)
Pivotal player--Vince Young as their #1 QB, taken in the 5th round.
Overall--1 of 3 expansion teams, the boys began the draft with LT, and then followed up with some picks that were certainly not what many would have done. Will need another record-setting year out of LT in order to find themselves in the postseason
2--Nunica Eisenhower Seagulls (the commish)
Best pick--TJ Houshmanzadahdah in the 4th round, Wes Welker in the 11th
What the 6? pick--Actually a tough call for Helly...I would say Julius Jones in the 2nd, but he has TUP
Pivotal player--Unsure who Helly's flex dude is...let's say DeShaun Foster, who is his 3rd RB, just ahead of Najeh Davenport, who puts the #2 into his #4 RB slot, if you know what I mean, dude.
Overall--The Commish got high marks from many RAFFLE-ians for his draft. Solid picks, but will he regret not getting a 3rd RB earlier in the draft?
3--South Broton Snitches (justin)
Best Pick--I like the Darrell Jackson pick in the 8th round, a solid WR sleeper, along with getting Mike Furrey in the 11th.
What the 6? pick--Bears Defense in the 6th round. Yes, the best defense. Yes, it was too early.
Pivotal player--Carson Palmer. The 2nd QB taken in the draft, could be interesting to see his numbers compared to Brady/Brees/Bulger.
Overall--Defending Champ with a solid draft...will need one of the aforementioned WR's to come through because relying on Randy Moss as his 2nd WR could be dicey.
4--The Amazin Blazin Unicorns (Skot)
Best pick--I like the Marion Barber pick in the fourth round.
What the 6? pick--Jamal Lewis in the 3rd round..with poor QB play in Cleveland, he'll need to have a monster year.
Pivotal player--10-win man Jon Kitna, his 5th round pick.
Overall--I like Skot's draft strategy--took 4 consecutive RB's and then a QB. Will need another good year from Kitna along with another great season from LJ. Will likely scour the waiver wire for another WR...but has plenty of RB's for trading purposes.
5--Finnean's Freedom Fighters (Andy)
Best pick--Andy had a great top-5 of the draft..getting Ocho Cinco in round 3 was a steal.
What the 6? pick--Had a hard time with this one..I'd say Leon Washington in the 6th round.
Pivotal player(s)--slightly injury-prone RB's in first 2 rounds (Gore and McAllister) must stay healthy.
Overall--Our evening's host got some serious quality in the first 5 rounds. Will need to come up with a solid #3 RB option at some point, especially if his 1 or2 get injured...I'm sure he's hoping either Washington or Reuben Droughns steps up. I believe he had the best draft of the 3 newbies, and should challenge for a playoff spot.
6--Neverland Ranch Hands (nate)
Best pick--Cadillac in the 4th round & Vincent Jackson in the 9th round
What the 6? pick--Torry Holt in the 2nd round...our draft's FIRST WR.
Pivotal player--His RB spot
Natron reached a bit for Holt, but got some very good WR's late (Jackson, Greg Jennings) that could make up for the injured Holt. Will rely heavily on a big year from Addai, a comeback year from Cadillac, and a great rookie season from Marshawn Lynch. If 2 of those 3 things happen, he could be a division winner and challenge for the top regular season spot. If not....he may regret taking Holt that high.
2nd half of the draft and my perfect predictions to come...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
One-(AA) and done
503. 439. 388.
Those aren't the last 3 area codes that I have lived in. Rather, those are the total net yards that the Wolvies have allowed in their last 3 soul-crushing, heart-breaking, Lloyd Carr-threatening games dating back to last year's OSU debacle. What an incredible game it was to watch. According to ESPN, it is the first time EVER that a 1-AA team has defeated a ranked 1-A team.
It's too bad that most of the nation doesn't have the Big 10 network, because sophomore (yes, soph) QB Armantie Edwards gave the nation a perfect game plan to beat the Wolvies...don't make mistakes and get the ball to the fast dudes on the outside. He was Vince Young-like, passing for 224 and 3 scores and running for 64 yards and another TD. Michigan seemingly had figured out how to repair the hole by blitzing a ton of guys in the 3rd quarter...but failed to make any adjustments in the fourth quarter, as the Mountaineers threw numerous slants and outs to WR's who were seemingly much quicker than their defensive counterparts.
Lloyd decided to go for 2 in the third quarter....under much confusion, Henne fumbled the snap. Later, on another 2-point conversion, the handoff was fumbled. His decision to kick the first FG that was blocked in the fourth quarter led to great field position for App State. Toss in a pair of blocked FG's a key Henne INT deep in ASU territory, and a number of false start penalties, and it should be an interesting week leading to a game against a fiesty Oregon squad.
As a coach, I feel for Carr. They have a seemingly loaded roster, especially on offense, and just played like crap in the first half. The defense looked poorly prepared and slow against the quick spread offense, and after taking the lead following an incredible run by Hart, they couldn't make adjustments late and App State quickly advanced the ball against their porous pass defense. This would never be said, but the play on the field seemed to indicated that the Wolvie players felt as though they would have no problems in Michigan's FIRST-EVER game against a 1-AA team. Throw in last seasons' 2 losses to end the year, and he has a potentially long road ahead of him in the weeks to come.
Lastly--the new nomenclature for 1-AA is the Football Championship Series, or FCS. That is completely stupid. 1-A is to be called the Bowl Championship Series, or BCS.
Those aren't the last 3 area codes that I have lived in. Rather, those are the total net yards that the Wolvies have allowed in their last 3 soul-crushing, heart-breaking, Lloyd Carr-threatening games dating back to last year's OSU debacle. What an incredible game it was to watch. According to ESPN, it is the first time EVER that a 1-AA team has defeated a ranked 1-A team.
It's too bad that most of the nation doesn't have the Big 10 network, because sophomore (yes, soph) QB Armantie Edwards gave the nation a perfect game plan to beat the Wolvies...don't make mistakes and get the ball to the fast dudes on the outside. He was Vince Young-like, passing for 224 and 3 scores and running for 64 yards and another TD. Michigan seemingly had figured out how to repair the hole by blitzing a ton of guys in the 3rd quarter...but failed to make any adjustments in the fourth quarter, as the Mountaineers threw numerous slants and outs to WR's who were seemingly much quicker than their defensive counterparts.
Lloyd decided to go for 2 in the third quarter....under much confusion, Henne fumbled the snap. Later, on another 2-point conversion, the handoff was fumbled. His decision to kick the first FG that was blocked in the fourth quarter led to great field position for App State. Toss in a pair of blocked FG's a key Henne INT deep in ASU territory, and a number of false start penalties, and it should be an interesting week leading to a game against a fiesty Oregon squad.
As a coach, I feel for Carr. They have a seemingly loaded roster, especially on offense, and just played like crap in the first half. The defense looked poorly prepared and slow against the quick spread offense, and after taking the lead following an incredible run by Hart, they couldn't make adjustments late and App State quickly advanced the ball against their porous pass defense. This would never be said, but the play on the field seemed to indicated that the Wolvie players felt as though they would have no problems in Michigan's FIRST-EVER game against a 1-AA team. Throw in last seasons' 2 losses to end the year, and he has a potentially long road ahead of him in the weeks to come.
Lastly--the new nomenclature for 1-AA is the Football Championship Series, or FCS. That is completely stupid. 1-A is to be called the Bowl Championship Series, or BCS.
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