NFL Picks

PHILADELPHIA -8 vs. Washington
Atlanta -11 vs. TAMPA BAY
San Francisco -10.5 vs. ST. LOUIS
Chicago +1 vs. MINNESOTA
GREEN BAY +3.5 vs. Detroit
NY GIANTS -3 vs. Dallas
NEW ORLEANS -8 vs. Carolina
Tennessee -2.5 vs. HOUSTON
Baltimore -2 vs. CINCINNATI
Pittsburgh -7 vs. CLEVELAND
Indianapolis +4 vs. JACKSONVILLE
MIAMI -2 vs. NY Jets
NEW ENGLAND -10.5 vs. Buffalo
OAKLAND -3 vs. San Diego
Kansas City +3.5 vs. DENVER
Seattle +3 vs. ARIZONA

Last Week: 4-12
Season:  112-116-11

8 Patriots Named to Pro Bowl

The Patriots had eight players named to the Pro Bowl (LINK).

Clippers - Warriors Live Game Diary

I never thought I would be able to sit through an entire Clippers - Warriors game.  Yet here I am writing about one - on Christmas Night.

The game doesn't start for an hour and a half, so I'm killing time with the Bears - Packers football game and an extended pregame notes section (between pieces of pecan pie).

Merry Christmas

Watching the Celtics and getting ready to start the ham at halftime.

30 Thoughts On 30 Teams

I always say that I am a Celtics fan more than an NBA fan.  I'll watch any Celtics game, but probably not any random game on tv.  The Clippers and Lakers are "local" here in Vegas, so those games are on the regional FOX Sports channels.  Will watch some Clippers, probably not the Lakers. 

I like this sort of thing - and since I did one for baseball and football (see the archives), here are random thoughts on all 30 NBA teams.

Atlanta Hawks - Paying Joe Johnson max. money is a mistake they'll be paying for a long time.

Boston Celtics - I don't have a good feeling about this season.  If they make it to the playoffs in one piece, quoting KG, "anything is possible".

Charlotte Bobcats - No idea what is going on in Charlotte.  So Michael Jordan and I have something in common.

Chicago Bulls - Just extended Derrick Rose for max. money.  Should be good for the next half-decade, at least.

Cleveland Cavaliers - Rebuilding.  At least they have the ability to get better.

Dallas Mavericks - Lost a lot off of their championship team.  They could still make changes and get back tot he finals.

Denver Nuggets - Also-rans since losing Carmelo Anthony.  Didn't help that some of their players left for China during the lockout.

Detroit Pistons - Team in disarray.

Golden State Warriors - Should trade Monta Ellis.

Houston Rockets - Devastated by losing Yao and having the Chris Paul to Lakers deal overturned.  

Indiana Pacers - Sleeper.

LA Clippers - Fun to watch.  How good, I don't know (I think good).  Look like they want to throw an alley-oop on every play.

LA Lakers - See Boston Celtics.  Wake me up when the playoffs arrive.

Memphis Grizzlies - Nice run last season.  May not get any better than that.

Miami Heat - Favorites to win it all. 

Milwaukee Bucks - Don't like the look of this team.  Would not want to hang my hat on Brandon Jennings being my go-to guy.

Minnesota Timberwolves - See Indiana Pacers. Sleeper.

New Jersey Nets - They're going to throw money around.  We'll see who takes it.  Good for them (Williams, Howard, shooter).  Bad for them (Not Williams and Not Howard).

New Orleans Hornets - About the only fun thing here will be watching Eric Gordon run amock until  it's his turn to leave town.

New York Knicks - Carmelo is good.  Not sure they can trust Amare to stay healthy long enough to contend.

Oklahoma City Thunder - See Chicago Bulls.  Should be good for the next half-decade, at least.

Seattle Supersonics - Should still exist.  One of the most disgusting things I have seen in sports during my lifetime.

Orlando Magic - Dunno until Dwight Howard situation is resolved.

Philadelphia Sixers - Meh.

Phoenix Suns - Steve Nash, otherwise Meh.

Portland Trail Blazers - Too bad about Brandon Roy...and Greg Oden...

Sacramento Kings - May not be all that good, but at least they'll be interesting.  Jimmer, Evans, Cousins...

San Antonio Spurs - Window closing?  Duncan is one of the best ever.

Toronto Raptors - At least they're in Canada, where I won't be seeing them very often.  

Utah Jazz - Mediocre.

Washington Wizards - Poor man's LA Clippers (yeah that sounds weird).  Wall, McGee,, Crawford and Vesely represent young potential that may or may not ever turn into a winner.

NFL Picks

Thought I may have another good week before Baltimore and Pittsburgh let me down.  I'll take those losses because they mean the Patriots are currently the top seed in the AFC.

Houston -6 vs. INDIANAPOLIS
Oakland +2 vs. KANSAS CITY
Denver -2.5 vs. BUFFALO
TENNESSEE -7 vs. Jacksonville
Arizona +4 vs. CINCINNATI
NEW ENGLAND -9.5 vs. Miami
Cleveland +13 vs. BALTIMORE
NY JETS -3 vs. NY Giants
WASHINGTON -6 vs. Minnesota
Tampa Bay +7.5 vs. CAROLINA
St. Louis +16 vs. PITTSBURGH
DETROIT -2.5 vs. San Diego
San Francisco -2.5 vs. SEATTLE
DALLAS -1.5 vs. Philadelphia
Chicago +13.5 vs. GREEN BAY
NEW ORLEANS -6.5 vs. Atlanta

Last Week: 8-7-1
Season: 108-104-11

College Bowl Picks

Here are the rest of the pre-New Year's Bowls.  The New Year's Bowls through the BCS National Championship game will be posted around December 29.

Marshall +4 vs. Florida International

TCU - 9.5 vs. Louisiana Tech

Boise State -13.5 vs. Arizona State

Southern Mississippi -6.5 vs. Nevada

North Carolina +4.5 vs. Missouri

Purdue -2.5 vs. Western Michigan

NC State -2 vs. Louisville

Toledo -3 vs. Air Force

Texas -3 vs. California

Notre Dame +3 vs. Florida State

Baylor -9.5 vs. Washington

BYU - 2.5 vs. Tulsa
Rutgers -2 vs. Iowa State
Mississippi State -6.5 vs. Wake Forest
Iowa +14 vs. Oklahoma
Texas A&M -10 vs Northwestern
Georgia Tech -3 vs. Utah
Illinois -2.5 vs. UCLA
Vanderbilt -1 vs. Cincinnati
Auburn -1.5 vs. Virginia

Bowls to Date: 1-2
Season: 48-39-2

Holidays in Vegas

I took my camera out to take a few pictures of holiday decorations in some of the strip casinos.

Patriots - Broncos Live Diary

Pregame

What looked like an absolutely wretched group of early games has turned out to be pretty interesting.  I'm watching the Chiefs try to put away the undefeated Packers.  The score is 12-7 and the Chiefs are on the Packers 5 yard line.  They have moved the ball, but not been able to convert to touchdowns.

4:51 - The Packers are in real trouble now.Jackie Battle rushes in from 1 yard for the touchdown.  19-7 Chiefs.

And the Colts are leading Tennessee 20-13.

My predictions from a few weeks ago were that the Packers do not go undefeated (regular season) and the Colts remain win-less.  So I'll be right on GB, wrong on Indianapolis.

1:47 - Packers scored, but now the Chiefs are killing the clock.  TV is reviewing an earlier play by KC that could have been ruled a touchback.  I would have challenged if I was Green Bay.

1:34 - Chiefs have been running all over GB at the end, so the Chiefs should now be able to run out the clock.

Nice job Romeo.  Final: Chiefs 19   Packers 14.

Now the question is, could this loss be the best thing to happen to Green Bay?  Maybe.  I don't feel like giving that much thought right now.

Didn't think Buffalo would roll over at home against Miami.  Everything else makes sense.

Patriots - Broncos should be starting in a couple minutes.

For the record, I pick Patriots -7.5.  Patriots 30  Broncos 13.

So let the Tebowing begin...

Football Picks

College Bowls

Temple -6.5 vs. Wyoming
Utah State -2.5 vs. Ohio
San Diego State -4 vs. UL Lafayette

Last Week: 0-1
Season:  47-37-2

NFL

Dallas -7 vs. TAMPA BAY
Washington +6.5 vs. NY GIANTS
Green Bay -13.5 vs KANSAS CITY
New Orleans -6.5 vs. MINNESOTA
Seattle +4 vs CHICAGO
BUFFALO -1 vs. Miami
Carolina +6 vs. HOUSTON
Tennessee -6.5 vs INDIANAPOLIS
Cincinnati -6.5 vs. ST. LOUIS
OAKLAND +1 vs. Detroit
New England -7.5 vs DENVER
NY Jets +3 vs. PHILADELPHIA
ARIZONA -6.5 vs. Cleveland
Baltimore -2.5 vs. SAN DIEGO
Pittsburgh +2.5 vs. SAN FRANCISCO

Scary all the road picks, especially the favorites.  Also all the 6.5 spreads.  They are curent Hilton or MGM Grand lines as of me writing this (Pitt-SF is Bodog).  (LINK)

Was horribly wrong about Thursday Night Football.  To be honest, I changed my mind on the Jags because of what they did to Tampa last week.  Shouldn't have gone against my initial judgment.  So I'm 0-1 this week to date. 

Thursday Night Football Pick

Will do the rest of the NFL and early bowl picks soon.

Jacksonville +12 vs. ATLANTA

Falcons win, but do not cover...

Last Week: 11-5
Season: 100-97-10

Michael Jackson: THE IMMORTAL World Tour

Many people are too young to know, or have forgotten, how brilliant a performer Michael Jackson was in the 70's and 80's.  There was a time when he was the best in the world.  His singing, stage performance, and artistic creativity were brilliant.  Jackson collaborated with the some of the greatest musicians and guitarists to enhance his music.  I, like most people, never saw him perform live.

Over the years, much has tarnished Jackson's legacy.  There are also places where the greatness of Michael Jackson are highlighted and preserved.  I had the opportunity to experience one of those last night.

I went to Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson: THE IMMORTAL World Tour at Mandalay Bay Event Center.  The show opened recently, in Montreal, and will be in various cities before taking up residency at Mandalay Bay in 2013.  I purchased tickets a month ago because I was really excited to see the show.  Since, I have emails for discounted tickets.  My expectations for the show were very high.

Spoiler Alert:  This post contains information and opinions about the performance, as well as a video courtesy of Cirque du Soleil.  I try not to reveal too much.

Football Picks

NFL


PITTSBURGH -14 vs. Cleveland
BALTIMORE -16.5 vs. Indianapolis
Houston +3 vs. CINCINNATI
Oakland +11.5 vs. GREEN BAY
NY JETS -9 vs. Kansas City
Minnesota +8 vs. DETROIT
New Orleans -3.5 vs. TENNESSEE
Philadelphia +3 vs. MIAMI
New England -8 vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta -2.5 vs. CAROLINA
JACKSONVILLE +1 vs. Tampa Bay
San Francisco -3.5 vs. ARIZONA
Chicago +3.5 vs. DENVER
SAN DIEGO -7 vs. Buffalo
NY Giants +3.5 vs. DALLAS
SEATTLE -4.5 vs. St. Louis

Last Week: 8-7-1
Season: 89-92-10


College


Navy -7 vs. Army (at Landover, MD)

Last Week: 4-2
Season: 47-36-2

Top Ten Reasons San Diego State and Boise State are joining the Big East

The media is reporting that The Big East Conference will be adding five schools, including San Diego State and Boise State for football only.

Right off the top, this makes perfect sense.  But all joking in place, here are the Top Ten Reasons San Diego State and Boise State are joining the Big East.

10. Schools hope to supplement current endowment with frequent flyer miles.

9.  San Diego State is tired of all the seventy-degree, cold weather football games in November and December.

8.  Boise State aspires to one day have a "last place in the Big East" caliber basketball program.

7.  Schools get to renew their long-standing football rivalries with Rutgers and UConn.

6.  The SEC would not take them.

5.  Nobody studies geography in college anymore.

4.  Hope to expand current recruiting base to football hotbeds such as Maine and Vermont.

3.  Southwest flies west to most Big East destinations, with only a short layover - in London.

2.  Should feel right at home after the Big East rightfully loses its automatic BCS bid.

and the #1 reason San Diego State and Boise State are joining the Big East is...

1.  Always wanted to compete for a berth in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, against the 8th place team from the Big 12.

College Bowl Match-ups

College bowl match-ups were announced today.  I'll probably break the picks up into before and after New Year's Day games.  Before that, here are a few first impressions from looking at the schedule.

Manning, Luck, and the #1 Draft Pick

The Colts - Patriots game is at 10am Sunday and not on local tv, so no there won't be a live diary this Sunday. I'll probably watch the game at the MGM sportsbook.  I'd have plenty of good material for this game between recent rivals, but instead I'll unload some of it here.

10 reasons to be happy the NBA lockout is over

Most of my comments about the NBA lockout have been disparaging, or basically saying that the NBA can stay away for as long as they want.  I stand by those comments.  I'm a Celtics fan, not really a fan of the NBA.

But now that they're scheduled to begin the season on Christmas, I'll share 10 reasons to be happy the lockout is over.  It's actually a chore coming up with 10 reasons (I scratched out three while I was playing poker yesterday; #'s 2,4,5).  Here goes...

Football Picks

NFL


Philadelphia -3 vs. SEATTLE
BUFFALO -1.5 vs. Tennessee
CHICAGO -7 vs. Kansas City
Oakland +3 vs. MIAMI
PITTSBURGH -6.5 vs. Cincinnati
Baltimore -6..5 vs. CLEVELAND
NY Jets -3 vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta -2.5 vs. HOUSTON
Carolina +3.5 vs. TAMPA BAY
NEW ORLEANS -9 vs. Detroit
Denver +1.5 vs. MINNESOTA
SAN FRANCISCO -13 vs. St. Louis
Dallas -4.5 vs ARIZONA
Green Bay -7 vs. NY GIANTS
NEW ENGLAND -20 vs. Indianapolis
San Diego -2.5 vs. JACKSONVILLE

Last Week: 11-4-1
Season: 81-85-9

College


OKLAHOMA STATE -3 vs. Oklahoma
BAYLOR -2.5 vs. Texas
LSU -13.5 vs. Georgia (at Atlanta)
Virginia Tech -7 vs. Clemson (at Charlotte)
Michigan St. +9.5 vs Wisconsin (at Indianapolis)
Houston -12.5 vs. Southern Mississippi (at Houston)

Last Week: 3-4
Season: 43-34-2

Bobby Valentine to manage Red Sox

The Red Sox will introduce Bobby Valentine as their new manager tomorrow.  Valentine became the favorite to get the job once the Cubs hired (or the Sox failed to hire) Dale Sveum.  I, like many, am surprised that Valentine turned out to be the choice (I may or may not have written "please not Bobby Valentine"), but clearly he is a Larry Luchino guy.

And this article by ESPN baseball writer Tim Kurkjian is enough to convince me that not only is Valentine a good hire, but the best possible choice for a new manager.

If players are a little upset or put out by the decision, as has been suggested, that's all the more reason to like it. 

We'll know more once the roster is complete and they start to play the games.

Live Diary: NY Giants at Saints

Pregame

I was going to play poker tonight, but I just ate dinner and decided that I don't really feel like playing now.  My rule is, if I don't feel like playing, then I don't play.  Simple as that.  I have enough opportunity that I don't need to force myself to go play poker when I don't really want to play.

So this will be a little different.  A live diary for a non-Patriots game.  I like football and watch a lot of games.  But a lot of the time it is background noise.  The teams I really follow are the Patriots (watched most every game for 15 years), and seen all but one Arkansas Razorbacks game this season.

I am a big fan of Wendi Nix.  Used to like her on the news and radio in Boston.  Now she does a lot of studio and sideline work for ESPN.  Is on the sideline tonight in New Orleans.  Did not know she used to be married to Ben Cherington.

Chris Berman's voice makes my head hurt.

Trying to save any comments about the Giants and Saints for game action, since I'm not sure if I can pull off a decent commentary on teams I am less familiar with.  Boston teams, no problem.

Let's get this one out of the way.  CBS in Vegas switched off the Patriots blowout of the Eagles in time to show    the Denver Tebows comeback over the Lame Duck Chargers.  I texted a friend when it happened - they did a close-up for about five seconds of the Chargers kicker peeing on the sideline.  Won't link video, but deadspin.com had it up about 10 minutes after it occurred.

Archie Manning is doing the pregame intro.  He played for the 'Aints and his son is the Giants QB.

Neat video on Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and offensive coordinator meeting to discuss play calling the day before game.  It just gets me thinking - you want to know how successful any football team is, watch the quarterback.  Watch how he play calls, controls the action before the snap, makes protection and audible calls, handles pressure with subtle movements like stepping up in the pocket, passes the ball, runs or throws it away if necessary.

Game on.

In hindsight

Was out most of the night playing poker, so I woke up in time to watch the Patriots thump the Eagles.  Here are a few things that I know, wish I knew, or wish I did in hindsight.

1.  Won $150 playing poker.  Wish I left hours earlier when I was up close to $300.  I'm usually good at that, but thought I could make more.  Ended up giving some of it back.

2.  The easiest bet on the board this weekend was Virginia Tech -4.5 at Virginia.  I even helped talk a rich guy from overseas into making a very big bet on the game.  Final score was 38-0.  I did not bet the game, or even include it in my weekly picks.  Dumb.

3.  I've been saying UNLV is good.  Never thought they'd beat #1 North Carolina.  On the other hand, I've lost the ability to argue or surprise people by saying they're a good team because now everybody knows.

4.  Maybe I should have gone to the game.  Oh well.

5.  The NBA Lockout appears to be ending, with games beginning on Christmas.  The Celtics will play the Knicks.  I haven't missed the NBA (and wouldn't if the whole season were cancelled).  I've always been a Celtics fan, but notice I don't write a lot about basketball.  The teams and games boost the economies and many in the community, so for that reason, I'm glad there will be NBA basketball.

6.  Common opinion is that the reduced schedule helps an older team like the Celtics.  We all know the "Big 4", but who else makes up the roster?  FYI - this isn't what it's going to be.

7.  The game I debated the most was Chicago +5 at Oakland.  Ended up being a push.  Wonder what the line will be for the Colts at Patriots next week.  -18 or so?

8.  Bob Costas did a halftime commentary on touchdown celebrations.  To paraphrase (pretty closely), "hey knuckleheads, is it too much to ask that you confine your stupidity to situations that don't end up directly hurting your team" (roll Steve Johnson and DeShaun Jackson highlights).  In my mind, it needs to go one of two ways.  Teams need to tell their players to stop getting 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties when they know they're going to be penalized.  The other solution - allow touchdown celebrations that are not direct taunting an opponent.

9.  I've not shaved in about a month, so I have a little bit of a beard going.  It doesn't look horrible.  I have only trimmed it a little, so that it looks fine.  But I'm not used to it being as long.  In hindsight, maybe I should have shaved.

10.  This isn't hindsight, more a thought.  I wonder if Peyton Manning should play football again.  I am very much not a Colts fan, but that doesn't matter to my opinion.  If he could sustain another significant neck injury, or risk diminishing the quality of his life after football, I'd like to see him retire as one of the best ever and not take that chance.  My guess is that he and his family understand the situation.  I don't know details, but I'm not hearing anything yet that convinces me that he can or should come back.

11.  In hindsight, why am I watching the Steelers - Chiefs game?  This is horrible (changes channel).  I don't like the Cleveland Show (changes channel again).  An ESPN documentary on Herschel Walker (puts remote control down).

12.  I generally don't think twice about holding the door open for somebody when I have the chance.  In hindsight, holding the door open for a prostitute in the middle of the night only led to an unwelcome solicitation.

Football Picks

College


Texas +7.5 vs. TEXAS A&M
Arkansas +13 vs. LSU
MICHIGAN -7 vs. Ohio State
Georgia -6 vs. GEORGIA TECH
AUBURN +21 vs. Alabama
Penn State +15 vs. WISCONSIN
Florida State -2.5 vs. FLORIDA

Last Week: 2-4
Season:  40-30-2

NFL


Green Bay -6 vs. DETROIT
DALLAS -7 vs. Miami
BALTIMORE -3 vs. San Francisco
Arizona +3 vs. ST. LOUIS
Buffalo +8.5 vs. NY JETS
CINCINNATI -7 vs. Cleveland
Houston -3 vs. JACKSONVILLE
Carolina -3 vs. INDIANAPOLIS
TENNESSEE -3 vs. Tampa Bay
ATLANTA -9 vs. Minnesota
Chicago +5 vs. OAKLAND
Washington +4 vs. SEATTLE
New England -3 vs. PHILADELPHIA
SAN DIEGO -6.5 vs. Denver
Pittsburgh -10 vs. KANSAS CITY
NEW ORLEANS -7 vs. NY Giants

Last Week: 7-5-2
Season: 70-81-8

NFL Predictions

Playoffs

NFC:

1. Green Bay Packers
2. San Francisco 49ers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Chicago Bears
6. Atlanta Falcons

AFC:

1. New England Patriots
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Houston Texans
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. NY Jets

Hold on to playoff spots with backup quarterbacks


Chicago and Houston


Step up down the stretch


Dallas, Atlanta, Oakland, NY Jets


Fade down the stretch


Detroit, New York Giants and Cincinnati

Don't do enough to get back into contention


San Diego and Philadelphia


Perfect Seasons

Will Green Bay go undefeated: No
Will Indianapolis go winless: Yes

Awards


MVP - Aaron Rodgers
Defensive Player of the Year - Jared Allen
Coach of the Year - Mike McCarthy (voters could choose be Jim Harbaugh)
Rookie of the Year - Andy Dalton (voters could choose Cam Newton)

What coaches will/should be fired?


Washington - Mike Shanahan
San Diego - Norv Turner
Miami - Tony Sporano
Jacksonville - Jack Del Rio
Indianapolis - Jim Caldwell (I might give him a pass, but a win-less coach has to make the list)

With the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft...


The Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford.

We have a trade...


Who might make a "Godfather Offer" to the Colts for the first pick:  Miami Dolphins or Washington Redskins.

Opinion: Urban Meyer to Ohio State?

If Urban Meyer is offered the Ohio State job, then he'll "have a decision to make".

The only sense I can make of this is that, if Meyer wants to be the next head coach at Ohio State, then he will be their next head coach.

That may depend on health, family, and NCAA sanctions at OSU.  Meyer's health and family, I know nothing about.  Hopefully their both great.  But why else would this be on the news, reported by his employer, ESPN, when Meyer could simply say, "I have a job. Ohio State has an interim coach.  I have no comment at this time"?

Would he be a candidate for an NFL job?  San Diego?  Jacksonville?

The NCAA sanctions part:  The NCAA should come down hard on Ohio State.  They cheated, have for years, and lied, misled and withheld information from the NCAA in order to keep players eligible and go to the Sugar Bowl.

Ohio State should have reported violations, ruled players ineligible, and withdrawn from bowl consideration.  Jim Tressel protected the program, enabling them to go to and win the Sugar Bowl.  Tressel paid for his transgression, having been fired as head coach.  Terelle Pryor is now on a bench in the NFL.  The university will learn its fate soon.  That fate should include post-season ineligibility, making the job a little less appealing, but perhaps not a deal-breaker for Meyer.

My guess is, Ohio State offers the job. Meyer accepts.  The team is ineligible to play in a bowl next season.

Life goes on, and soon Ohio State will be back to winning conference championships and competing for BCS Championships.

Monday Night Football: Patriots - Chiefs Live Diary

Pregame


The ESPN pre-game show just finished talking about the "best team in the AFC".  The conclusions I draw are that they are all flawed, injuries have made a big difference, and the best team may not end up with the top seed (or even a bye).

I hate listening to Chris Berman.  Please never let him near a baseball commentator's booth ever again.  That being said, he made a comment I very much agree with.  No matter how flawed the Patriots defense is, and that Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Houston may be a better team; the Patriots may end up with the #1 seed in the AFC.  Reason: the schedule is the easiest in the NFL from here on out.

I have a post called, "NFL Predictions" that I have not published.  Part if it is predicting the playoff seeds.  Here is the AFC prediction;

1. New England Patriots
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Houston Texans
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. NY Jets

Monday Notes - AL MVP Award, etc.

Watching Tennessee - Duke in the Maui Classic while I wait for football later on. Tennessee is ahead 25-24 (6:40 left in 1st half), but I fully expect a Duke run.

Justin Verlander won the AL MVP. He's the first starting pitcher since Roger Clemens won the award in 1986. Relievers have also won the award in the past (most recently Eck). Jacoby Ellsbury finished second. 

 I don't have much of an argument with the results. A pitcher should only win the award when he has a transcendent year, and there is not a position player who stands out. Check and check. I agree with Peter Abraham's ballot. He is a Boston writer who voted for Verlander, followed by Ellsbury. 

Abraham writes, "I think in most years, I'd vote for Ellsbury. But Verlander's performance was such that this wasn't most years".  I'm fine with that.

Just a guess, but Ellsbury couldn't have been helped by the Red Sox collapse.  Ellsbury played his best when everyone around him was at their worst.  Whether them making the playoffs would have put him over the top, I don't know.  Detroit doesn't make it to the ALCS without Verlander.  

Pitchers winning the MVP brings back the 1999 AL MVP Race, which should have been won by Pedro Martinez.  I have a clear Boston bias, so let's add in a New York writer's opinion - one where he blasts two colleagues for leaving Martinez off their ballots, costing him the award.  This isn't even the worst example of a sportswriter's personal agenda outweighing common sense.  

Back to Tennessee - Duke.  Tied at 45 with 15:29 left.  It's early, but I have seen them a few times, and to me, they don't look like much more than a Sweet 16 team.  Wait a minute; that's a pretty foolish statement, since it is November, not March.  They have young talent and a great coach, so we'll see where they are at tournament time.

I wonder how many early entrants into the 2011 NBA Draft wish they were still playing for their college team.  Here is a list of some difference makers who could still be playing college basketball.

The JBS

After a weekend of college football upsets, here is how I would rank the top 10:

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Oklahoma State
5. Virginia Tech
6. Stanford
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Houston
10. Boise State

I don't know if this is even possible, based on BCS rules, but here are some guesses on the Bowls:

30 Thoughts on 30 Teams

This was fun to do for the NFL, so here are 30 opinions on 30 Major League Baseball teams:

Baltimore Orioles - The Orioles hired Dan Duquette to be their new General Manager. Duquette was not the Orioles first choice, and he has not been a MLB GM since his stint with the Red Sox 10 years ago. He has, however, proven to be an excellent talent evaluator. We'll see if he learned from his mistakes in Boston, but the Orioles have bigger problems; namely the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays.

Boston Red Sox - I've got this one covered.  Something new: Ok.  Jacoby Ellsbury's contract status is going to become an issue until it is resolved.  I don't know what the right answer is, but if I had to guess, I think they take the Jonathan Papelbon approach for now - avoid arbitration with one year deals, and let him move closer to free agency before making a decision.

Football Picks

College


Nebraska +3.5 vs MICHIGAN
Penn St. +7 vs. OHIO ST.
Mississippi St. +13 vs. ARKANSAS
SOUTH FLORIDA +1 vs. Miami
BAYLOR +15.5 vs. Oklahoma
OREGON -14.5 vs. Southern Cal. (USC)

Last Week: 5-1
Season: 38-26-2


NFL


NY Jets -4.5 vs. DENVER  *line is now -6.5*
ATLANTA -6 vs. Tennessee
Buffalo +2 vs. MIAMI
Cincinnati +7 vs. BALTIMORE
Jacksonville pk vs. CLEVELAND
Oakland -1 vs. MINNESOTA
DETROIT -7 vs. Carolina
GREEN BAY -14 vs. Tampa Bay
WASHINGTON +7 vs. Dallas
SAN FRANCISCO -9.5 vs. Arizona
ST. LOUIS -1.5 vs. Seattle
San Diego +3.5 vs. CHICAGO
Philadelphia +4.5 vs. NY GIANTS
NEW ENGLAND -15 vs. Kansas City
Bye -7 vs. INDIANAPOLIS

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 63-76-6

Thursday Night Football

I almost missed this last week (not that it matters), so here is the Thursday pick.

NY Jets -4.5 vs DENVER

Thank you KSK

I knew you wouldn't let me down.

Let's Try This Again: Patriots at NY Jets

The Patriots are playing the Jets for first place in the AFC East, and I feel like doing another live diary to go along with the game.

The Tim Tebow Experiment

With tongue firmly inserted in cheek..."I think the Broncos have figured out how to effectively use Tim Tebow."  They are leading Kansas City on the road, 10-0 at halftime.

The Red Sox Offseason: Part 1

Now that we've all moved past last baseball season (or not), where do the Red Sox go from here?

For many, the answer is "somewhere else".  Theo is in Chicago. Terry Francona could go to St. Louis (or elsewhere). Jonathan Papelbon is headed to Philadelphia.

Ben Cherington is in as GM. Dale Sveum could be the next manager.  Daniel Bard is the presumptive closer.

Beavis and Butthead

There are new Beavis and Butthead episodes on MTV.  The 5th new episode airs tonight.  I only found them a couple of weeks ago by accident (don't watch much MTV these days).  So now I'm playing catch-up.

Get More: Beavis and Butt-Head, Full Episodes

My favorite part of Beavis and Butthead has always been the commentary on music videos, but now they've got new storylines and commentary on stellar programming such as Teen Mom and Jersey Shore.

Football Picks

Thursday Night Football begins tonight, so I'll try to get all picks in earlier.


NFL


Oakland +7 vs. SAN DIEGO
Pittsburgh -3 vs. CINCINNATI
KANSAS CITY -3 vs. Denver
INDIANAPOLIS +3 vs. Jacksonville
Buffalo +5 vs. DALLAS
TAMPA BAY +3.5 VS. Houston
Tennessee +3.5 vs. CAROLINA
Washington +4 vs. MIAMI
New Orleans pk vs. ATLANTA
CHICAGO -2.5 VS. Detroit
St. Louis +2.5 vs. CLEVELAND
Baltimore -6.5 vs. SEATTLE
NY Giants +3.5 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
New England +1.5 vs. NY JETS
GREEN BAY -13 vs. Minnesota
PHILADELPHIA -14 vs. Arizona

Last Week: 8-6
Season: 55-68-6


College


Virginia Tech +1.5 vs. GEORGIA TECH
Michigan pk vs. ILLINOIS
Texas A&M -4.5 vs. KANSAS STATE
Oregon +3.5 vs. STANFORD
ARKANSAS -14 vs. Tennessee
SOUTH CAROLINA -3 vs. Florida


Last Week: 4-2
Season: 33-25-2

NFL Picks

Atlanta -6.5 vs. INDIANAPOLIS
NEW ORLEANS -8.5 vs. Tampa Bay
HOUSTON -10.5 vs. Cleveland
NY Jets +2.5 vs. BUFFALO
KANSAS CITY -5.5 vs. Miami
San Francisco -5.5 vs. WASHINGTON
DALLAS -10.5 vs. Seattle
Denver +7 vs. OAKLAND
TENNESSEE -2.5 vs. Cincinnati
St. Louis +1 vs. ARIZONA
NY Giants +10 vs. NEW ENGLAND
SAN DIEGO +5.5 vs. Green Bay
PITTSBURGH +3.5 vs. Baltimore
PHILADELPHIA -7.5 vs. Chicago

Last Week: 4-8-1
Season: 47-62-6

College Football Picks

OKLAHOMA -14 vs. Texas A&M
ARKANSAS -5 vs. South Carolina
UCLA +8.5 vs. Arizona St.
Boise St. -41 vs. UNLV
PITTSBURGH +4 vs. Cincinnati
ALABAMA -4.5 vs. Louisiana State (LSU)

Last Week: 2-4
Season: 29-23-2

All by myself: Patriots - Steelers Live Diary

This is a big game (bigger for Pittsburgh than NE).  Since I'm at the house, I figure I can watch and type at the same time.  So here is a running diary for the game.

32 Thoughts on 32 Teams

The Patriots play the Steelers in a few minutes.  Besides that, it's a week of pretty craptacular match ups.  So, while I watch the Dolphins - Giants game, here is a thought or two on each NFL team.

NFL Picks

Indianapolis +7.5 vs. TENNESSEE
Jacksonville +10 vs HOUSTON
CAROLINA -3 vs. Minnesota
New Orleans -13.5 vs. ST. LOUIS
BALTIMORE -11 vs. Arizona
NY GIANTS -9.5 vs. Miami
BUFFALO -4 vs. Washington
Detroit -3 vs. DENVER
New England -2.5 vs. PITTSBURGH
Cleveland +9 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Cincinnati -1 vs. SEATTLE
Dallas +3 vs. PHILADELPHIA
San Diego -3 vs. KANSAS CITY

Last Week: 7-5-1
Season: 43-54-5

Here is where I am getting the lines now: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/sportsbook_sniper.html.  I take the Hilton line if there is one.

College Football Picks

Bunch of road favorites to cover, and Michigan State (+165) to win; this is probably a bad idea...

Arkansas -9.5 vs. VANDERBILT
Clemson -3.5 vs. GEORGIA TECH
Georgia -2.5 vs. Florida (at Jacksonville)
Michigan State +4 vs. NEBRASKA
Stanford -7.5 vs. USC
Oklahoma -13.5 vs KANSAS STATE

Last Week: 3-3
Season: 27-19-2

What's New

My life is pretty boring, and I like it to be routine.  For a while I wasn't sleeping well at night, not eating well, and keeping inconsistent hours.  It's my own fault and now I think I've fixed the problem.  I'm back to sleeping better at night and eating more regular meals.  That's not to say I won't stay out late some night playing cards, but I'd prefer to be sleeping at night.

1.  Going to try to get tickets to Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour while I'm at MGM later, or else I'll buy online.  I bet it is an interesting show.

2.  Going to San Diego in December.  Will spend a day or two at the zoo and don't know what else.

3.  There is an Occupy Las Vegas.  They are camped out, on a 30 day permit, about a mile from my house.  Haven't heard anything good or bad.  I know they are not on the strip because it's all private property.  I think they plan to protest at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Paris Casino (represents G20 Summit in Paris, France).  I'm interested to see if these "Occupy" movements accomplish anything, aside from stating the obvious; that people feel taken advantage of by corporations and their government.

4. May take my camera out one night this weekend.  Halloween, Occupy Vegas, and the bull riding championships all going on.

5.  Spent yesterday chasing back my money courtesy of this unfortunate hand:  I raise on the button with AK and get two callers.  Flop is KK2.  Unfortunately, one of my opponents had 22.  Got my money back and more, but it was a longer day than I would have preferred.  Actually, I got to watch Game 6 of the World Series while I was playing, so it wasn't all that bad.

6.  Dear Texas Rangers Fans:  

Welcome to our world.  

Signed: Any Red Sox Fan over 30. 

Weekend Football Picks

College

West Virginia -14 vs. SYRACUSE
Oklahoma State -6.5 vs. MISSOURI
Tennessee +30 vs. ALABAMA
Southern California +9.5 vs. NOTRE DAME
Auburn +21 vs. LSU
MICHIGAN STATE +7.5 vs. Wisconsin

Last Week: 3-3
Season: 24-16-2


NFL


TAMPA BAY +1 vs. Chicago
Washington +2.5 vs. CAROLINA
NY JETS +2 vs. San Diego
CLEVELAND -3 vs. Seattle
Houston +3 vs. TENNESSEE
Denver +2 vs. MIAMI
Atlanta +3.5 vs. DETROIT
OAKLAND +5.5 vs. Kansas City
Pittsburgh -3.5 vs. ARIZONA
St. Louis +13 vs. DALLAS
Green Bay -9 vs. MINNESOTA
NEW ORLENS -14 vs. Indianapolis
JACKSONVILLE +8 vs. Baltimore


Last Week: 4-9
Season: 36-49-4

Note**Good thing I decided betting NFL games was a losing venture after Week 2.

Random Sports Thoughts

Here are a few random thoughts from the weekend.

1.  The Patriots played good enough to win against Dallas.  A few too many turnovers kept the game close, but they came through in the end.

2.  I'm beginning to wonder if Chad Ochocinco will ever play a significant part of the offense, or if he'll just spend one insignificant season in New England.

3.  People will try to place a slogan on the Texas Rangers vs. St. Louis Cardinals World Series.  I'm going with, "the Arkansas is in the way series".

4.  I pick Texas to win.

5.  Did not do baseball picks for this post-season.  I would have picked Philadelphia over Texas.

6.  What a horrible crash that killed Indy Car driver Dan Wheldon yesterday at the Las Vegas Speedway.  I may have gone to the race, had it not conflicted with the Patriots game on tv.  I got an email about complementary tickets the other day.  MGM property guests were offered free tickets with reservations.

7.  Las Vegas made a big deal about the Indy Car race beforehand, with tie-in's to the casinos and events around town.  Now I think they wish it would all go away.  I read that drivers felt uncomfortable with the speeds on that track.  I'll admit that I don't know much about auto racing.  I just figure that because of the nature of the sport, these horrific accidents are going to continue to occur.

8.   Went to the UNLV Men's Basketball scrimmage last night.  They look like a good basketball team, and I look forward to seeing some games this season.  They should expect to get to the tournament and maybe win a game or two.

9.  Next season's team may be even better, given a year of experience under new coach, Dave Rice.  Plus, the player I was most impressed by, USC transfer Bryce Jones, is sitting out this season.  Now I wonder if they could ever land top high school recruit, and local standout, Shabazz Muhammad.

10.  The first BCS standings have been released.  I'm not going to argue with the top 5: LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State.  I'm sure I'll eventually have something to complain about.

11.  Regarding the NBA lockout - they can take the rest of the decade off for all I care.  I only feel bad for team employees and peripheral businesses who depend on the NBA for their income / livelihood.

12.  The Patriots have a bye next week, meaning I need to find something to do Sunday.

 

Dropkick Murphys - Hard Rock Casino 10/14/11

Went to see the Dropkick Murphys Friday night at the pool at Hard Rock Casino.  I enjoyed most everything about the concert, but I'm perhaps unfairly comparing it to the first time I saw them, six or seven years ago at Lupo's in Providence.

50 Cent and the Mountain Dew Motocross and BMX Tour were at other other venues, so it was a busy night at Hard Rock.  I live about a mile away, so I just walked across UNLV to the casino.   I got there as the opening act was playing and was lucky to pull up a seat on a cabana (I'm too old for mosh pits and getting as close as I can to the stage).  A palm tree blocked one of the sides of the stage from view, but that's ok.  I'm still sitting on a cabana at the pool watching the Dropkick Murphys perform.

The Dropkicks did a good job, and have updated their set list with some new songs - replacing older ones that I like as well as the Irish standards they integrated into old albums and shows.  Songs off their new album include the title track, "Going Out In Style", "Cruel", and "The Irish Rover".

They may be best known for "I'm Shipping Up To Boston", aka: that song from "The Departed".

So, it was a good show.  It seemed like about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, including encore.  After that, I grabbed a bite to eat and played poker for an hour or so at the Hard Rock Casino.  I had never played poker there before, but may have to go back because the $1-$3 game was really soft.  I made enough to pay for my ticket, meal, and clear about $100.  All and all, a pretty good night.

Football Picks

I started picking games this last season, just to see how I would do based on what I thought about the match-ups.  Last season, I did well on NFL and poorly on NCAA.  So far, this season is the opposite.  I don't place a lot of sports bets, but I am about even for the season - probably because all of my winnings are invested back into losing parlays.

Weekend Football Picks

College


Southern Cal. -3 vs. CALIFORNIA
Virginia Tech -7 vs. WAKE FOREST
Baylor +9.5 vs. TEXAS A&M
AUBURN +2 vs. Florida
TEXAS +7.5 vs. Oklahoma State
Michigan +2.5 vs. MICHIGAN STATE

Last Week: 4-2
Season: 21-13-2


NFL


St. Louis +14.5 vs. GREEN BAY
PITTSBURGH -12 vs. Jacksonville
WASHINGTON +1.5 vs. Philadelphia
DETROIT -4 vs. San Francisco
ATLANTA -4 vs. Carolina
Indianapolis +7 vs. CINCINNATI
Buffalo +3.5 vs, NY GIANTS
Houston +8 vs. BALTIMORE
Cleveland +6.5 vs. OAKLAND
NEW ENGLAND -7 vs. Dallas
New Orleans -4.5 vs. TAMPA BAY
CHICAGO -3 vs. Minnesota
NY JETS -7 vs. Miami

Last Week: 6-7
Season: 32-40-4

NFL Picks

INDIANAPOLIS -2.5 vs. Kansas City
MINNESOTA -3 vs. Arizona
BUFFALO +3 vs. Philadelphia
HOUSTON -5 vs. Oakland
New Orleans -6.5 vs. CAROLINA
JACKSONVILLE +1 vs. Cincinnati
PITTSBURGH -3 vs. Tennessee
NY GIANTS -9.5 vs. Seattle
Tampa Bay +3 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
NY Jets +7.5 vs. NEW ENGLAND
San Diego -3.5 vs. DENVER
Green Bay -5.5 vs. ATLANTA
DETROIT -5 vs. Chicago

Last Week: 8-8
Season: 26-33-4

Overheard at the Poker Table

Here are a few funny things I've heard (or said) at the poker table recently.

Woman in casino (yells):  "Woooooo!"
Woman at poker table:  "She must be fat.  Fat chicks need attention."
(Even thought her back was turned, she was right about the woman being quite large.)

Same woman at the poker table gets up to leave:
Man: "Where are you going?"
Woman at poker table: "Wherever the f**k I want to go."
Me: "She's going to make someone a very lucky man."

European Man:  "I am not very good at sex."

Man at poker table: "Have a good trip back to France."
Japanese man at poker table: "I'm from Tokyo."

Australian man (sitting between a man from Israel and man from Palestine during a raised pot): "I'm caught between Israel and Ramallah.  I better get the hell out of the way."
(True story: I sat at a table with guys from Israel, Palestine, and Dubai.  None of them knew each other and when they were done playing poker, they went to the club together.)

Dealer: "You definitely want to have a seat in here on Halloween night."
Me: "I bet it's quite a show."
Dealer: "People just wear their underwear around and call it their Halloween costume."
Me" "Isn't it a little cold for that?"
Dealer: "Nope.  They say it's the only night the prostitutes all stay home, because nobody can tell the difference."
Me: "That's good to know, thanks."

I have 5 6 and the flop is 4 7 8.  I bet $12 (pot-size bet) and get three callers.  Turn is Q.  I over-bet the pot (about $75 into $56).  There is a comment or two about my bet as everybody folds.
Me:  "Anyone want to guess what I have?"
Guy next to me: "Straight?"
Me (as I flip over my cards): "Get off my lawn."

Oldie but goodie (from a few years ago):
Man who busted out at Bellagio: "There goes my hooker money."

College Football Picks

Oklahoma -10 vs. Texas (at Dallas)
ALABAMA -29 vs. Vanderbilt
Auburn +10.5 vs. ARKANSAS
Georgia -1 vs. TENNESSEE
VIRGINIA TECH -7 vs. Miami
LSU -13.5 vs. Florida

Last Week: 3-3
Season: 17-11-2

Bruins Stanley Cup Defense Begins Tomorrow

The Bruins regular season begins tomorrow.  Most of the team returns.  I expect the B's to be fighting champions.

In the meantime,

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/gallery/bruins_receive_stanley_cup_rings?pg=7

NFL Picks

Detroit +2.5 vs. DALLAS
New Orleans -7 vs. JACKSONVILLE
PHILADELPHIA -9.5 vs. San Francisco
ST. LOUIS +3 vs. Washington
CLEVELAND pk vs. Tennessee
Buffalo -3 vs. CINCINNATI
KANSAS CITY +3 vs. Minnesota
Carolina +6.5 vs. CHICAGO
Pittsburgh +3.5 vs. HOUSTON
Atlanta -4.5 vs. SEATTLE
NY Giants -1 vs. ARIZONA
SAN DIEGO -7 vs. Miami
GREEN BAY -12 VS. Denver
New England -5 vs. OAKLAND
NY Jets +4 vs. BALTIMORE
Indianapolis +10 vs. TAMPA BAY

Last Week: 6-10
Season: 18-25-4

Terry Francona Leaves Red Sox

It was announced yesterday that Terry Francona will not continue to manage the Boston Red Sox, following a season where the team famously collapsed and failed to make the playoffs.

College Football Picks

Picks were made earlier; just got around to posting.

Mississippi State +6.5 at GEORGIA
Texas A&M -2.5 vs. ARKANSAS (at Arlington, TX)
Alabama -4.5 at FLORIDA
Auburn +11 at SOUTH CAROLINA
Clemson +7 at VIRGINIA TECH
Nebraska +9.5 vs. WISCONSIN

Last Week 4-2
Season 14-8-2

Moneyball

Movie reviews are a dime a dozen, and I don't read them before seeing a movie in the theater (don't want to read any spoilers), so I'll just post a quick opinion.

I liked Moneyball.

Saw it last Friday (opening afternoon).  I read the book when it was released, and was surprised when I heard that it was going to become a major motion picture (from what I've read, so was author Michael Lewis).  The movie is a stylized and basic interpretation of the book, and yes, many "facts" are changed or conveniently overlooked, but that's usually the case when "real life-becomes written word-becomes moving picture".  So, if you can get beyond critically comparing the movie to the book and look at it in comparison to what's been at the theater lately, Moneyball is as good as anything that has come out lately.

If you want the crabby baseball insider's "this movie sucks" review, here you go.

I would not be surprised if Moneyball receives Academy Award nominations for best picture, actor (Brad Pitt), and supporting actor (Jonah Hill).

Weekend Pootball Picks

College


Arkansas +11.5 vs. ALABAMA
Louisiana State (LSU) -5.5 vs. WEST VIRGINIA
Florida State +2.5 vs. CLEMSON
Oklahoma State +4 vs. TEXAS A&M
Missouri +21 vs. OKLAHOMA
SOUTH CAROLINA -16 vs. Vanderbilt

Last Week: 4-2
Overall: 10-6-2


NFL


CINCINNATI -2.5 vs. San Francisco
New England -8 vs. BUFFALO
NEW ORLEANS -4 vs. Houston
CLEVELAND -2.5 vs Miami
Denver +6.5 vs. TENNESSEE
Detroit -3.5 vs. MINNESOTA
Jacksonville +3.5 vs. CAROLINA
SAN DIEGO -14.5 vs. Kansas City
NY Jets -3.5 vs. OAKLAND
ST. LOUIS +4 vs. Baltimore
Atlanta +1.5 vs. TAMPA BAY
Arizona -3.5 vs. SEATTLE
Green Bay -3.5 vs. CHICAGO
Pittsburgh -10.5 vs. INDIANAPOLIS
Washington +6.5 vs. DALLAS
NY Giants +7.5 vs. PHILADELPHIA

Last Week: 7-6-2
Season: 12-15-4

Weekend Football Picks

College


MISSISSIPPI STATE +3.5 vs. Louisiana State (LSU)
Auburn +3.5 vs. CLEMSON
FLORIDA -9.5 vs. Tennessee
Ohio State +2.5 vs MIAMI
Oklahoma -3 vs. FLORIDA STATE
Utah +4 vs. BYU

Last Week: 3-1-2
Season: 6-4-2


NFL


NEW ORLEANS -7 vs. Chicago
Kansas City +7.5 vs. DETROIT
NY JETS -9 vs. Jacksonville
BUFFALO -3 vs. Oakland
WASHINGTON -3.5 vs. Arizona
Baltimore -5.5 vs. TENNESSEE
Seattle +14 vs. PITTSBURGH
Green Bay -9.5 vs. CAROLINA
Tampa Bay +3 vs. MINNESOTA
Cleveland -2 vs. INDIANAPOLIS
Dallas -3 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Houston -3 vs. MIAMI
NEW ENGLAND -6.5 vs. San Diego
Cincinnati +3.5 vs. DENVER
ATLANTA +2.5 vs. Philadelphia
NY GIANTS -6 vs St. Louis

Season: 5-9-2

Why Michael Jackson Was Murdered

It has been over two years since Michael Jackson died, and we are left with a lot questions, controversy and conflicting feelings.  Who was Michael Jackson?  How and why did he die?

Eventually Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, will likely stand trial for involuntary manslaughter.  This relates to the fatal dose of drugs he allegedly provided Jackson.   The CNN article is full of unanswered questions and wild accusations - there's some crazy stuff going on there.  So I figure, why not add my own crackpot theory to the mix?  It's actually a couple of years old.  If the truth happens to be revealed, who knows, I may not be far off.  

So here goes...

Weekend Football Picks

College


Iowa -7 vs. IOWA STATE
AUBURN +7 vs. Mississippi State
Alabama -9.5 vs. PENN STATE
South Carolina -3 vs. UGA
Utah +9 vs. USC
Michigan +3.5 vs. NOTRE DAME


Season 3-3


NFL

GREEN BAY -4 vs. New Orleans
Pittsburgh +3 vs. BALTIMORE
TAMPA BAY -2 vs. Detroit
Atlanta -3 vs. CHICAGO
Buffalo +6 vs. KANSAS CITY
Indianapolis +8.5 vs. HOUSTON
Philadelphia -5 vs. ST. LOUIS
CLEVELAND -6.5 vs. Cincinnati
Tennessee +2 vs. JACKSONVILLE
NY Giants -3 vs. WASHINGTON
Carolina +7 vs. ARIZONA
Seattle +5 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO -8.5 vs. Minnesota
NY JETS -4 vs. Dallas
New England -7 vs. MIAMI
Oakland +3 vs. DENVER

Season 0-0

College Football Picks

Here are the first picks of the college football season.

South Florida (+10.5) vs. NOTRE DAME
Boise State (-3.5) vs. Georgia (in Atlanta, GA)
MISSISSIPPI (+3) vs. Brigham Young
Texas Christian University (-6) vs. BAYLOR
Southwest Missouri State (+40) vs. ARKANSAS
Oregon (-3) vs. LSU (in Arlington, TX)

Season: 0-0

Had a Bad Day

You know it's not your day when this happens to you after calling a raise (with 8 7) on the button...

Odds Calculator at www.cardplayer.com

Random Thoughts

Haven't written anything in a few weeks, so here are some random thoughts.

1.  Cirque du Soliel - Saw Ka and Viva Elvis recently, got a discount for purchasing two shows.  KA, I liked.  Had low expectations from speaking with different people who have seen it, but I thought it was good.  I remember being surprised when I first heard that Cirque du Soleil was going to present an Elvis themed show.  Viva Elvis was less like a Cirque du Soliel show and more like Elvis the Musical.  Perhaps that is why it is being shut down and changed around January.  I enjoyed much of it, but there were times I was puzzled by the performance.  My thought is more cirque, less musical.  Seems like I'm not alone.

2.  Las Vegas Scams - I'm sure there are a bunch.  Four I have been hearing about are taxi drivers driving off with tourists bags, "free promotional cds" that aren't free, club admissions (that don't work), and $1 bottled water (water bottles refilled with tap water and caps glued back on to appear that they're sealed).  Wouldn't interact with any of these sorts.  I had a panhandler ask for change at the 7-11 the other day, but the odd thing was that he named his price, which was $0.15.  Sad in many regards.  No confrontations with street people, although a day doesn't pass when I'm not asked for money.

3.  Seen enough disgusting tattoos to last a lifetime.  Playboy bunny on the back of the head; "You Don't Like Me" tattooed across neckline; stars on face; hello kitty on back of hand, just to name a few.  

4.  Aria sportsbook was a good place to hide out before Viva Elvis.  Other places I like to lay low at are UNLV Student Union (a couple minutes walk), In N Out Burger (ditto), Village Eateries at NY, NY, 2nd floor of World of Coca Cola on the strip (have good rootbeer floats), Tropicana sportsbook, Marilyn's Cafe at Tuscany Casino (cheap eats).

5.  Poker is going well.  Still need to avoid the ups and downs (at least the down part).  I'm adjusting a few things that should make a difference in that regard, specifically being more aggressive so people don't chase and catch cards against me.  Nothing is more frustrating than letting a chaser catch their hand, then paying them off.  

6.  Patriots played terribly yesterday, but that's ok.  It's just the preseason.  They'll still win 12-13 games, make the playoffs and be a Super Bowl contender.  I am interested in seeing the cuts and roster moves they make before Week 1 (and after, when a veteran contract is no longer guaranteed).  

7.  It's still hot here.  About 105 every day.  But no earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding, so I guess that's alright.

8.  Will post some new pictures soon.

What's New?

Not much new here.  Did not play cards last weekend and only for about 2 hrs. today.  Won a big pot because I caught a flush when two people flopped straights.  Sure, I had to catch a card to win, but a 40% chance at tripling up is an easy decision to make.

Here's the hand.  I was in the small blind and limped with two suited cards (Kc, 6c), checked the flop, and then all hell broke loose.  Nobody is going to fold in this scenario, and all the money's going in.  Turn was another J, opening up full house possibilities, river was 3C, for the flush.  Ship it.

Odds Calculator from www.cardplayer.com

Considering going to a baseball game tomorrow night.  Have some pictures on the camera; I'll upload sometime.  Want to write a post about current trends I have noticed since I have been here, but just haven't gotten around to it.  If Tiger wins the PGA, I will cash a 20/1 ticket.  Not holding my breath on that one.  It's at the Atlanta Athletic Club.  Used to drive by there on the way to work and kayak by some of the holes on the Chattahoochee River.    

New Photos 7/29/11

100 photos taken 7/29/11. Mostly Bellagio Botanical Garden, gallery next to O Theatre, and Caesars Palace.  "Is this hotel pager friendly?"

New Photos: 7/25/11

18 pictures taken 7/25/11.

New Photos: 7/21/11

24 pictures taken 7/21/11.

New Photos: 7/20/11

40 pictures taken 7/20/11.

INXS At The Palms - 7/23/11

If they haven't played my favorite song, that means there's going to be a second encore, right? - me at the end of the concert last night.

INXS was phenomenal last night, Not sure where I heard it, but best I can say is that they are a professional rock and roll band.  Terrific concert.  Looked for youtube video, only one video uploaded now, I'm sure there will be more.  May edit later with video link.  Hope the people in front if me upload all their pics. and video.  And yeah, somehow they missed 'Elegantly Wasted'.

Had never been to the Palms before and was disappointed with the casino and poker room - the Pearl theater is a nice small venue in the main casino.  Got there in the afternoon, planning to play some cards before the concert.  The poker room was not good, and they had a couple of strange house rules that I won't go into.  Was dealt a hand, and before I looked at my cards, I noticed a big crease in one of them.  Turns out I had AA and won an ok pot when every bet I made was called by a local with a lot of chips in front of him (less when I got done with him).  After the hand, I showed the dealer the damaged ace of hearts and the deck was replaced.  Shortly after, I went to the sports book and watched the Red Sox game.  Don't think I'll go back unless there is another concert I want to see.

Back to my main point, INXS was awesome; JD Fortune, although not Michael Hutchence, is a very good front man for the group will hopefully continue to sing with the band.

Today is a day off and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself, besides find something to eat soon.

I Guess It Beats Losing

Spent most of yesterday evening chasing my money back after getting down as much as $300 (that can be summed up as a combination of someone catching their flush on a 50/50 hand, having to lay down a big hand when it was no longer good, and not folding JJ when I should have).  Ended up bringing it back and making a tidy profit of $16, or somewhere around $2.50 / hr. on a Friday night, which is disappointing.  I guess it beats losing, and there is some satisfaction in being able to pull yourself out of a deficit.  Done it plenty of times, and that can feel pretty good, depending upon how I played.  Yesterday wasn't the greatest.

May play for a few hours at the Palms and then going to see INXS tonight.  I generally take Sundays off from the tables, at least until football season.

Gone to Vegas

Here are a few random thoughts on the first three weeks in Las Vegas.

1.  It is hot, often about 105 during the day.  The motor on the AC unit at the house broke yesterday, so when I got home after midnight, it was 92 degrees indoors.  It's fixed now, but last night was not fun.

2.  I have done a good job focusing on work and staying away from all the wildness of Vegas.  Off-strip is like anywhere else (well, sort of) and I'm trying to come up with other ways to occupy my time and not playing too much poker.  The Humane Society never contacted me after I inquired about volunteering a couple of mornings a week.  I don't think I'll go there if they do call.  There is a pretty good pub about 10 min walk from the house.  In N Out Burger is 5 mins. Jimmy Johns 5 mins.  UNLV across the street.

3.  I am playing very well.  Was inconsistent for a couple of weeks, up and down, made some bad decisions, but now things are going as expected.  My reads are excellent.  My game is different from when I played five years ago, and it's different playing here, as opposed to when I was at Foxwoods.  I am playing relatively low risk tourist game, which is much easier than the $2-$5 at Foxwoods, which I regularly beat for about two years.  And I'm not paying $10-$12 / hr. to the house, like it was at Foxwoods.

4.  My Bruins Stanley Cup Champions hat plays well with the many Canadian tourists.  Honestly, I was looking forward to that.

5.  The most popular breakfast item in LV is the $4.99 New York strip steak.  You get what you pay for...

6.  Lions in the wild sleep about 90% of the time.  I caught these on their up-time.  This is right next to the MGM poker room.

7.  Have stayed away from blackjack and sports betting.  I need to never go to the blackjack tables and not bet on sports until football season.  Believe it or not, I have a budget and I'll need to work that in.  July has been difficult because of moving and additional overhead, but I should be able to meet or exceed goal.

Things I want to do:

See all the Cirque du Soleil shows, Absinthe, Jersey Boys, Purple Reign, Le Reve
Going to INXS Saturday night
Visit California (especially SD and SF), maybe Hawaii if I have a really good month
Visit the Grand Canyon
Dropkick Murphys in October
UNC Basketball games in November
Volunteer somewhere
Play the WSOP next year

Use this blog again
Get some better pictures

NFL Picks

Sure, I bet against Green Bay in each of their playoff games, but a 57% win rate on NFL picks is pretty good.

Season: 126-91-3

Super Bowl Pick

Pittsburgh +2.5 vs Green Bay

Last Week: 1-1
Season: 126-90-3

NFL Championship Game Picks

PITTSBURGH -3.5 vs. NY Jets
CHICAGO +4 vs. Green Bay

Last Week: 0-4
Season: 125-89-3

NFL Playoff Picks

Let's get these in early.


Seattle +10 vs. CHICAGO
NEW ENGLAND -8.5 vs. NY Jets
Baltimore +3.5 vs. PITTSBURGH
ATLANTA -2 vs. Green Bay

Last Week: 2-2
Regular Season: 125-85-3

NFL Wild Card Picks

SEATTLE +10.5 vs. New Orleans
INDIANAPOLIS -2.5 vs. NY Jets
Baltimore -3 vs. KANSAS CITY
PHILADELPHIA -2.5 vs. Green Bay

Last Week: 8-8
Regular Season: 123-83-3

Sepp Blatter to create FIFA anti-corruption committee

Sepp Blatter to create FIFA anti-corruption committee

"I will take care of it personally, to ensure there is no corruption at FIFA," Blatter said.


Does this mean you're going to quit?  


Otherwise, this has to qualify as a useless statement, seeing as Sepp has presided over FIFA corruption for years.  Soccer thrives in spite of FIFA making most every decision contrary to common sense (Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022) and officials being corrupt at all levels.


Nice to know that at least now they don't deny it.