Before the 2007 baseball season ends on Sunday, I just wanted to say "thanks" to my beloved, favorite team: the Houston Astros. I was born and raised in Houston and did not leave until I went to college. I moved back to my hometown in January and couldn't wait to recapture the good old days when I would go to 15-20 Astros games a year. The Astros were so exciting this season that I went to a whopping four games.
Since I'm a newlywed and we had our financial strappings after the honeymoon, I want to thank the Astros for forcing me to stay home when I gladly would have blown more money to go see them.
Thank you Astros for making football season start in July. I set up my fantasy league weeks before training camp and followed the Texans throughout camp and even did something I rarely do: watched a down of preseason football.
The Astros have already got me thinking about the Rockets and the upcoming NBA season. Without them, I would have no idea training camp starts on Monday. I've already renewed my mini-plan with the Rockets and can't wait until November!
So, here's to you Astros! I can't wait until February, unless you do absolutely nothing over the next five months. Then, we'll be sucking A-Rod (Cubs), Prince and Pujols' sacks next year when they're all in our division.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Preaseason Picks: Survivor Style
Through Week 3, I still feel pretty good about 11 of my 12 playoff teams. I've decided to do something a little different, I'm going to go Survivor style. I'm going to check back on the "island" every so often if I feel like one of the teams has fallen out of my favor. I have strategically picked a person to represent each team, so we'll see who is left at the end of the season. My wife and I are obvious choices for our respective cities, but you can tell who my favorites are by which team they are matched up with.
Here are my original 12:
NFC:
Dallas - represented by my wife
Philadelphia
Green Bay - Scarlett was dressed too fittingly to put her anywhere else
New Orleans
San Francisco - for Diego, my Colombian friend
St. Louis
AFC:
New England
Cincinnati - Had to throw something for my wife in there, right?
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis
Houston - represented by me
San Diego
The first casuality of the season, the first team to be voted off the island is St. Louis. I will replace them with a team from their own division and the team I should have picked in the first place: Seattle. People will think I'm crazy, but I like black-haired Hilary and black-haired Ashlee better than their blond alter-egos -- it makes them stand out.
On Survivor, you always have those people who are pissing everyone off and are in danger the next week. This week's candidates badly in need of immunity (another win): Cincinnati and Philadelphia. New Orleans gets immunity this week by default, they have a bye. However, their division sucks, so they pretty much have immunity the rest of the season.
Here are my original 12:
NFC:
Dallas - represented by my wife
Philadelphia
Green Bay - Scarlett was dressed too fittingly to put her anywhere else
New Orleans
San Francisco - for Diego, my Colombian friend
St. Louis
AFC:
New England
Cincinnati - Had to throw something for my wife in there, right?
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis
Houston - represented by me
San Diego
The first casuality of the season, the first team to be voted off the island is St. Louis. I will replace them with a team from their own division and the team I should have picked in the first place: Seattle. People will think I'm crazy, but I like black-haired Hilary and black-haired Ashlee better than their blond alter-egos -- it makes them stand out.
On Survivor, you always have those people who are pissing everyone off and are in danger the next week. This week's candidates badly in need of immunity (another win): Cincinnati and Philadelphia. New Orleans gets immunity this week by default, they have a bye. However, their division sucks, so they pretty much have immunity the rest of the season.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Week 4 Predictions
Straight up winner in bold, losers to cover noted after listing (only one this week)
Sunday, Sept. 30
Oakland (+4) at Miami
Houston (-3) at Atlanta
Baltimore (-4.5) at Cleveland
Chicago (-3) at Detroit
Green Bay (-2) at Minnesota
St. Louis (+12.5) at Dallas
New York Jets (-3.5) at Buffalo
Tampa Bay (+3) at Carolina
Seattle (-1.5) at San Francisco
Pittsburgh (-5.5) at Arizona
Kansas City (+12.5) at San Diego
Denver (+9.5) at Indianapolis
Philadelphia (-2.5) at New York Giants
Monday, Oct. 1
New England (-7.5) at Cincinnati -- CIN to cover
Sunday, Sept. 30
Oakland (+4) at Miami
Houston (-3) at Atlanta
Baltimore (-4.5) at Cleveland
Chicago (-3) at Detroit
Green Bay (-2) at Minnesota
St. Louis (+12.5) at Dallas
New York Jets (-3.5) at Buffalo
Tampa Bay (+3) at Carolina
Seattle (-1.5) at San Francisco
Pittsburgh (-5.5) at Arizona
Kansas City (+12.5) at San Diego
Denver (+9.5) at Indianapolis
Philadelphia (-2.5) at New York Giants
Monday, Oct. 1
New England (-7.5) at Cincinnati -- CIN to cover
Week 3 Results
Decent week straight up -- miserable week against the spread. All of the teams I picked to lose but cover were blown out.
Through Sunday
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 6-8-2
Season totals
Straight up: 33-15 (.688)
Against the spread: 24-19-5 (.552)
Through Sunday
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 6-8-2
Season totals
Straight up: 33-15 (.688)
Against the spread: 24-19-5 (.552)
Friday, September 21, 2007
Random Thoughts From a Boring Friday
I can't remember the comedian, but this joke made me LMAO today: "Comedians feel about Carrot Top the way vampires feel about Count Chocula." (BTW, did anyone else know that Carrot Top was now a 'roided-out drag queen?)
This story made me laugh, because it was originally teased with a picture of Jessica Simpson.
Now on with the musings:
I hope I have a better week with my picks than last week.
I hope the Texans win Sunday without Andre Johnson, so everyone will know they are for real and are going to the playoffs!
I hope my fantasy football team survives without Andre Johnson, because I'm playing my brother and my other receivers and my quarterback scare me right now.
I hope Baylor wins Saturday, because they'll have a hard time winning another game the rest of the season. 2-10 would suck. I hope I'm wrong.
I hope my nephew wins his first football game. I hope my niece hits a softball without flinging her bat as far as she hit the ball.
I hope my other four items sell on ebay.
I hope the HBU and Rice volleyball matches are only three games long. I don't mind them, I'm just tired and want to relax this weekend.
I hope I remember how to hit a golf ball, since I haven't picked up a club in three weeks.
I hope I sleep OK with my wife out of town. I hope she has fun with her friends. (But not too much fun.)
It's almost 5:00!
This story made me laugh, because it was originally teased with a picture of Jessica Simpson.
Now on with the musings:
I hope I have a better week with my picks than last week.
I hope the Texans win Sunday without Andre Johnson, so everyone will know they are for real and are going to the playoffs!
I hope my fantasy football team survives without Andre Johnson, because I'm playing my brother and my other receivers and my quarterback scare me right now.
I hope Baylor wins Saturday, because they'll have a hard time winning another game the rest of the season. 2-10 would suck. I hope I'm wrong.
I hope my nephew wins his first football game. I hope my niece hits a softball without flinging her bat as far as she hit the ball.
I hope my other four items sell on ebay.
I hope the HBU and Rice volleyball matches are only three games long. I don't mind them, I'm just tired and want to relax this weekend.
I hope I remember how to hit a golf ball, since I haven't picked up a club in three weeks.
I hope I sleep OK with my wife out of town. I hope she has fun with her friends. (But not too much fun.)
It's almost 5:00!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
I Still Like Hockey
Last night as I was watching SportsCenter, I saw a score scroll across the Bottom Line: NHL - Blues 5 Stars 6.
I didn't even realize preseason games were starting. No warning. No in-depth season preview. No fantasy draft special. No Barry Melrose making the rounds on ESPN Radio. I love the Stars, but I've been focused on football just like everyone else. It kind of pissed me off, because I still like hockey.
First of all, let me start by saying that the NHL did this to themselves with the lockout a few years ago and they need to accept their share of the blame. The sport was doing well, its popularity was on the rise and at the worst possible point, the players and owners decide to pull the rug from underneath one another.
That being said, I hate what ESPN has done to the NHL as well. The network is punishing the league for the lockout and is wielding its power by not covering it. I hate how much influence ESPN has over the sports world -- it has zero competition. Instead, we get more NASCAR, Barry Bonds, Adam Jones, Bengal/Texas Longhorn Criminal of the Week, Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, Yankees-Red Sox, Womens' Basketball, Little League World Series, Spelling Bees and Dog Shows.
Do you remember when there used to be an entire show, like Baseball Tonight and NFL Primetime, devoted to hockey? It was great. More games than you could handle on the network. Now I'm lucky if I get to see the Stars at all. I live four hours from Dallas and I have a better chance of seeing them live than I do seeing them on TV.
NHL, grovel -- do whatever you have to do to get back in ESPN's graces.
I didn't even realize preseason games were starting. No warning. No in-depth season preview. No fantasy draft special. No Barry Melrose making the rounds on ESPN Radio. I love the Stars, but I've been focused on football just like everyone else. It kind of pissed me off, because I still like hockey.
First of all, let me start by saying that the NHL did this to themselves with the lockout a few years ago and they need to accept their share of the blame. The sport was doing well, its popularity was on the rise and at the worst possible point, the players and owners decide to pull the rug from underneath one another.
That being said, I hate what ESPN has done to the NHL as well. The network is punishing the league for the lockout and is wielding its power by not covering it. I hate how much influence ESPN has over the sports world -- it has zero competition. Instead, we get more NASCAR, Barry Bonds, Adam Jones, Bengal/Texas Longhorn Criminal of the Week, Michael Vick, Terrell Owens, Yankees-Red Sox, Womens' Basketball, Little League World Series, Spelling Bees and Dog Shows.
Do you remember when there used to be an entire show, like Baseball Tonight and NFL Primetime, devoted to hockey? It was great. More games than you could handle on the network. Now I'm lucky if I get to see the Stars at all. I live four hours from Dallas and I have a better chance of seeing them live than I do seeing them on TV.
NHL, grovel -- do whatever you have to do to get back in ESPN's graces.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Week 3 Predictions
Picks can be altered up until Saturday.
Sunday, Sept. 23
Indianapolis (-6) at Houston
San Diego (-4.5) at Green Bay
Minnesota (+2.5) at Kansas City
Detroit (+6) at Philadelphia -- DET to cover
Buffalo (+16.5) at New England -- BUF to cover (Have some pride in yourselves, Bills)
Miami (+3) at New York Jets (Toughest pick of the week)
San Francisco (+8.5) at Pittsburgh -- SF to cover
Arizona (+7.5) at Baltimore -- ARZ to cover
St. Louis (+3.5) at Tampa Bay
Jacksonville (+3.5) at Denver
Cincinnati (+3.5) at Seattle
Cleveland (+3) at Oakland
Carolina (-4) at Atlanta
New York Giants (+4) at Washington
Dallas (+3) at Chicago
Monday, Sept. 24
Tennessee (+5) at New Orleans
Sunday, Sept. 23
Indianapolis (-6) at Houston
San Diego (-4.5) at Green Bay
Minnesota (+2.5) at Kansas City
Detroit (+6) at Philadelphia -- DET to cover
Buffalo (+16.5) at New England -- BUF to cover (Have some pride in yourselves, Bills)
Miami (+3) at New York Jets (Toughest pick of the week)
San Francisco (+8.5) at Pittsburgh -- SF to cover
Arizona (+7.5) at Baltimore -- ARZ to cover
St. Louis (+3.5) at Tampa Bay
Jacksonville (+3.5) at Denver
Cincinnati (+3.5) at Seattle
Cleveland (+3) at Oakland
Carolina (-4) at Atlanta
New York Giants (+4) at Washington
Dallas (+3) at Chicago
Monday, Sept. 24
Tennessee (+5) at New Orleans
Monday Morning QB
Man, did I put the hex on McNabb last night or what? I'm going to start establishing some rules around here. Rule #1: I will no longer post about my fantasy league or the friendly office pick 'em before all games are finished ever again. Luckily the rest of my fantasy team stepped up and picked up the slack, but I'm going nowhere without my QB.
It wasn't a great week for picks, but it's Week 2, so it should be the hardest of all. Coming out above .500 is OK with me for this week, but I expect more out of myself (and the Saints, Rams, Eagles and Bengals) for the rest of the season.
It wasn't a great week for picks, but it's Week 2, so it should be the hardest of all. Coming out above .500 is OK with me for this week, but I expect more out of myself (and the Saints, Rams, Eagles and Bengals) for the rest of the season.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Week 2 Fantasy
I usually don't bring up fantasy football unless I'm talking to someone who I know is into it as much as I am. I'm also happy that I only have one team this year, so I'm focused. Yesterday was unlike any other week I've ever had in fantasy football. Just check out my starters:
Shaun Alexander: 75 yards, 1 TD
Marion Barber: 94 yards, 2 TD
Andre Johnson: 120 yards, 2 TD
Donald Driver: 73 yards, 1 TD
Donte Stallworth: 19 yards
Kellen Winslow: 100 yards, 1 TD
Neil Rackers: 3 FG, 2 XP
Pittsburgh: 3 point allowed, 4 sacks
6 players, 7 TDs. Oh yeah, where's my quarterback? Donovan McNabb hasn't even played yet and I'm up by 40.
Shaun Alexander: 75 yards, 1 TD
Marion Barber: 94 yards, 2 TD
Andre Johnson: 120 yards, 2 TD
Donald Driver: 73 yards, 1 TD
Donte Stallworth: 19 yards
Kellen Winslow: 100 yards, 1 TD
Neil Rackers: 3 FG, 2 XP
Pittsburgh: 3 point allowed, 4 sacks
6 players, 7 TDs. Oh yeah, where's my quarterback? Donovan McNabb hasn't even played yet and I'm up by 40.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Week 2 Results
Week 2 did not get off to a good start with Tampa Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco pulling the upsets. I really didn't care, because the Texans won! (And that's all that ultimately matters.) However, TGP had a great recovery in the late games against the spread, picking three losing teams to cover: 5-1-1. What was with Vegas and the 9+ point spreads this week?
On a side note, the Chiefs covering the spread against the Bears was the most gratifying of all my picks this week. One of my friends, who is a huge Bears fan, said they would cover. They didn't and I was right. Here's hoping they have six more losses in them or I won't hear the end of it.
With one more game to go Monday, here are my results:
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-6-1
For the season: 22-10 straight up; 18-11-3 vs. the spread
On a side note, the Chiefs covering the spread against the Bears was the most gratifying of all my picks this week. One of my friends, who is a huge Bears fan, said they would cover. They didn't and I was right. Here's hoping they have six more losses in them or I won't hear the end of it.
With one more game to go Monday, here are my results:
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-6-1
For the season: 22-10 straight up; 18-11-3 vs. the spread
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Interesting...
I was listening to Scott Van Pelt (the most revered and at the same time most hated sports personality in blogdom apparently) on ESPN Radio today and he and Kevin Schaffer were talking about how over the last five years, 30 of the 60 NFL playoff teams did not make the playoffs the year before. They kept asking (without answering, because they just didn't want to take a stab this early) which six teams are going to make the playoffs that did not make it the year before and which six playoff teams will not be back. Of course, this is on average over the last five years so it doesn't mean exactly six either way. Or does it?...
According to my preseason predictions, this is precisely correct:
Six 2006 playoff teams that will be back in 2007: Indianapolis, New England, San Diego, New Orleans, Dallas and Philadelphia.
Six new playoff teams in 2007: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Houston, Green Bay, San Francisco and St. Louis.
We'll see, but after last night I don't feel so good about the 49ers. I bought into it just like everyone else. I did not buy into the Ravens, though, and they showed just why I did not pick them to do well: they're old.
According to my preseason predictions, this is precisely correct:
Six 2006 playoff teams that will be back in 2007: Indianapolis, New England, San Diego, New Orleans, Dallas and Philadelphia.
Six new playoff teams in 2007: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Houston, Green Bay, San Francisco and St. Louis.
We'll see, but after last night I don't feel so good about the 49ers. I bought into it just like everyone else. I did not buy into the Ravens, though, and they showed just why I did not pick them to do well: they're old.
Week 2 Picks
Again, straight up picks in bold -- if losing team will cover noted at right
Sunday, Sept. 16
Buffalo (+9.5) at Pittsburgh
Cincinnati (-6.5) at Cleveland
Indianapolis (-7) at Tennessee
Houston (+6.5) at Carolina
San Francisco (+3) at St. Louis
Green Bay (PK) at NY Giants
Atlanta (+10.5) at Jacksonville -- ATL to cover
New Orleans (-3.5) at Tampa Bay
Minnesota (+3) at Detroit
Dallas (-3.5) at Miami
Seattle (-3) at Arizona
NY Jets (+10.5) at Baltimore -- NYJ to cover
Oakland (+9.5) at Denver -- OAK to cover
Kansas City (+12) at Chicago -- KC to cover
San Diego (+3.5) at New England
Monday, Sept. 17
Washington (+7) at Philadelphia
Sunday, Sept. 16
Buffalo (+9.5) at Pittsburgh
Cincinnati (-6.5) at Cleveland
Indianapolis (-7) at Tennessee
Houston (+6.5) at Carolina
San Francisco (+3) at St. Louis
Green Bay (PK) at NY Giants
Atlanta (+10.5) at Jacksonville -- ATL to cover
New Orleans (-3.5) at Tampa Bay
Minnesota (+3) at Detroit
Dallas (-3.5) at Miami
Seattle (-3) at Arizona
NY Jets (+10.5) at Baltimore -- NYJ to cover
Oakland (+9.5) at Denver -- OAK to cover
Kansas City (+12) at Chicago -- KC to cover
San Diego (+3.5) at New England
Monday, Sept. 17
Washington (+7) at Philadelphia
Monday, September 10, 2007
Week 1 Results
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
NFL Week 1 Picks
Here are my picks for Week 1. I will bold my straight up pick and note to the side if I think the losing team will cover the point spread.
Thursday, Sept. 6
New Orleans (+5.5) at Indianapolis
Sunday, Sept. 9
Philadelphia (-3) at Green Bay
Kansas City (+3) at Houston
Denver (-3.5) at Buffalo
Pittsburgh (-4.5) at Cleveland
Carolina (+1) at St. Louis
Atlanta (+3) at Minnesota
New England (-6.5) at NY Jets -- NYJ to cover
Miami (+3) at Washington
Tennessee (+6.5) at Jacksonville -- TEN to cover
Chicago (+6) at San Diego
Tampa Bay (+6) at Seattle
Detroit (+2) at Oakland
NY Giants (+6) at Dallas -- NYG to cover
Monday, Sept. 10
Baltimore (+3) at Cincinnati
Arizona (+3) at San Francisco
Thursday, Sept. 6
New Orleans (+5.5) at Indianapolis
Sunday, Sept. 9
Philadelphia (-3) at Green Bay
Kansas City (+3) at Houston
Denver (-3.5) at Buffalo
Pittsburgh (-4.5) at Cleveland
Carolina (+1) at St. Louis
Atlanta (+3) at Minnesota
New England (-6.5) at NY Jets -- NYJ to cover
Miami (+3) at Washington
Tennessee (+6.5) at Jacksonville -- TEN to cover
Chicago (+6) at San Diego
Tampa Bay (+6) at Seattle
Detroit (+2) at Oakland
NY Giants (+6) at Dallas -- NYG to cover
Monday, Sept. 10
Baltimore (+3) at Cincinnati
Arizona (+3) at San Francisco
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