Even Though This Season Was A Waste...

...at least the Cardinals have come back home. This is the best Cardinals news all year.

I've missed "Live at Shannon's" the past few seasons because KTRS was a joke of a radio station to begin with. KMOX comes in fairly well 24/7. KTRS comes in well only during the day. Forget it at night.

On a national level, KMOX is as big as they come. The only states that can't pick it up are Alaska and Hawaii. To maintain a viable national market, the Cardinals had to do this.

Even an organization making such boneheaded moves as trading Ryan Ludwick realized the mistake they had made. Good for them this time.

Although I got a chuckle about this:
"I don't think there are any regrets," DeWitt said about the original decision to leave KMOX."

Really? I can think of millions of people who would disagree with that statement.

NFL Picks Week 1

Hard to believe football is here. In just two months it'll be Thanksgiving!

Last year was one of my best years, in regards to the regular season. I struggled once again in the post-season. I do that so often you'd think Tony LaRussa was managing me.

The week's already started, and with New Orleans' win, I can still hope for an undefeated season.

There are two games tomorrow night and one game tonight. That leaves just 13 games this afternoon. It's going to be awesome.

The Bears have a rough schedule to start, and given their preseason performance, it's surprising to me I had them down with 6 wins. But they should get one today.

All I can say is, it's nice football is back when baseball has been so disappointing.

ESPN expert picks here.

Giants.
Atlanta.
Cleveland.
Denver.
Indianapolis.
Miami.
Chicago.
Tennessee.
New England.
Arizona.
San Francisco.
Philadelphia.
Dallas.
Baltimore- Monday.
San Diego- Monday.

This Is How It Will Go Down

Or not. Which is the most likely scenario.

It's time once again to hold myself up to national ridicule by attempting to prognosticate the NFL. Although it wasn't too bad last year, I did have the two Super Bowl teams not even making the playoffs.

This year I made it even worse on myself by attempting to predict final records, based on each team's individual schedules.

What I came up with surprised even me. There is definitely a disparity of scheduling in the NFL.

There are some great games coming up this year also.

I see Baltimore and San Francisco returning to prominence this year. New Orleans could repeat...or miss the playoffs altogether. They have a tough schedule.

I have the Ravens over the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Which most likely means neither team has a chance.

But you can all come back and laugh at me when it's all over.

NFC EAST
Philadelphia 9-7.
Dallas 9-7.
Giants 9-7.
Washington 7-9.

NFC NORTH
Green Bay 9-7.
Minnesota 8-8.
Chicago 6-10.
Detroit 4-12.

NFC SOUTH
Atlanta 13-3.
New Orleans 10-6.
Tampa Bay 5-11.
Carolina 1-15.

NFC WEST
San Francisco 12-4.
Arizona 12-4.
Seatle 3-13.
St. Louis 2-14.

AFC EAST
New England 13-3.
Jets 11-5.
Miami 9-7.
Buffalo 4-12.

AFC CENTRAL
Baltimore 12-4.
Cincinnati 9-7.
Pittsburgh 8-8.
Cleveland 4-12.

AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis 13-3.
Houston 11-5.
Tennessee 9-7.
Jacksonville 2-14.

AFC WEST
San Diego 11-5.
Denver 8-8.
Oakland 7-9.
Kansas City 6-10.

In the NFC Playoffs, I have New Orleans over Green Bay and Philadelphia over Arizona in the Wild Card Round, San Francisco over Philadelphia and New Orleans over Atlanta in the Divisional Playoffs, and San Francisco over New Orleans in the NFC championship.

In the AFC Playoffs, I have San Diego over the Jets and Baltimore over Houston in the Wild Card Round, Baltimore over New England and San Diego over Indianapolis in the Divisional Playoffs, and Baltimore over San Diego in the AFC championship.

Lots of big games to look forward to this year. The week 11 match up of Indy-New England is always big, and I see Indy still being undefeated until that week.

But all the games should be good. Anybody got Red Zone?

I Didn't Forget

I just couldn't post my pick Thursday because my modem went down in flames.

I'm back up now though, just in time for tomorrow's opening Sunday.

I did have New Orleans, just so you know, although I think just about everyone did.

Not Just Tennessee Tuxedo

Sitcoms have always been my favorite form of TV. I've always been a big fan of Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Andy Griffith, Seinfeld, and Frasier. More recently, I've started watching and liking The Office.

And, of course, there's Lucy. Better not forget that one.

But there is one often overlooked sitcom that has probably made me laugh out loud more than any other. Of course, with Mel Brooks and Buck Henry involved, it had to be great.

I don't know how, but YouTube has done it again. Here is the beginning of the pilot episode in 1965 of Get Smart. I defy you not to laugh at this.



Or this.

Twilight Princess

The only time I could be described as great at video games would have been in the early 1980s when I was in college, had very quick reflexes, and ruled the Intellivision universe.

I played Intellivision until around '91, when I first got a Nintendo system. It was then that I was introduced to the Zelda universe. And although I enjoy playing Mario, Zelda is the crown jewel of the Nintendo game systems. I actually played Zelda II before Zelda I. I can't remember why now, except I think I bought Zelda II by mistake first.

I upgraded in '94 to SNES. I still consider "A Link To The Past" to be the best Zelda game ever. Recently the young Angus bought it at a nice price, and I enjoyed watching him play it. He also got "Zelda" and "Zelda II".

Last Christmas, Santa Claus purchased a Wii and delivered it to our house. With it was a new Zelda game. New to me, that is. Having not played a Zelda game in over 10 years, I was concerned about my playing skills.



I started playing "Twilight Princess" around New Year's Day. It took me approximately 97 hours to finish playing over the past 7 1/2 months, but I have finally reached the end and completed the adventure.

Where would I rank it? A close second to "A Link To The Past". I could have done without the interruptions in play for the little movies to start and stop. That really slowed the game up for me.

I found the bosses to be a little too easy to defeat this time. One of the things I remember about the previous Zelda games was the bosses could do a lot of damage and take a lot of punishment. These bosses could do neither, with the exception of Ganondorf in the finale, who I didn't think would ever die.

The game was visually spectacular. The Hyrule world was a joy to gaze upon. But the fields were way too big for the amount of action that took place in them. Even on horseback, it took a long time to go from one end of a field to another.

I thoroughly enjoyed the new Midna character. It was good to have a travel companion and someone to turn to for help at times. I enjoyed the sarcasm and wit as well.

Some of the side quests did not seem to tie in well to the game itself. The amnesia thing- what was that about? And the Poes? Why bother? I tried a few of the other games within the game, the games of chance, the flying games at Lake Hylia, but was unsuccessful and really didn't want to waste too much time on them. Perhaps if I play again.

Although the bosses were easier to defeat, playing the game required more help. I got stuck more in this game than on any of the previous games. I had to go online to figure out what to do next. I think that is partly due to the fact I'm not as patient as I once was, that I don't have as much time to play as I once did, and that the worlds are so big it just takes forever to explore.

The most enjoyable dungeon to me was in Lake Hylia- lots of puzzles to figure out. The least enjoyable I thought was the Goron Mines. Which is all relative anyway- they were all likable.

I liked the snowboarding and horseback riding. The fishing was something I didn't get into at all. I only caught a few fish.

The music was great. Right on par with "A Link To The Past's" soundtrack.

I found the most frustrating part of the whole game was trying to escort the covered wagon and keep it from burning up. I don't know how many times I did this part of the game until I finally figured out what to do to keep the wagon from turning away and going in circles.

I didn't enjoy the Twilight world as much, either. It has been written that the Twilight world is taken directly from "A Link To The Past". But only the idea, not the execution, due to the fact Link becomes a wolf in this world in this game version. I didn't enjoy playing as a wolf as much as playing as Link, due to not having any weapons.

I didn't find all of the howling stones, either, something I shall try to rectify should I choose to play again.

Which is most certain to occur should I live long enough. Heck, I even started playing Zelda I again earlier this summer. I just need to wait until I forget how to get through everything. I mean, what's the point of playing a game you already know how to get through?

Final grade of this game- "A".

You Had Your Chance

To say something nice about the Cubs, that is. But now it's time to finish them off.

Go to the final poll at Uni Watch and vote for the best home MLB uniform. It's the Cardinals, Cubs, Tigers, A's, Yankees, Dodgers, Braves, Red Sox and Giants in the final battle.

Quick- Say Something Nice About The Cubs!

And I don't mean complimenting their generosity in trading Lou Brock, or in letting Bruce Sutter walk away.

Although it goes against every fiber of my outward persona, I'm about to give the Cubs a straight up compliment, with no hidden back-handed slap.

Here it is- I have always thought they have nice uniforms.



The great website Uni Watch is conducting a poll- What are the best MLB home uniforms?

Please go there and vote for up to 10 of your favorites. The top 9 vote getters will advance to a playoff round. Voting will continue through next week.

Right now the Tigers lead the Cardinals by 14 votes, which is only .06%! The Dodgers are next only 100 votes back. Your vote could make the difference.

Did I vote the Cubs in the top 10? Of course. Should they be voted ahead of the Cardinals? Only Ocho Cinco knows for sure.


"Child please."

Another Reason I Love YouTube!

'Cause where else can you see Batting Stance Guy?

There is truth in humor, and this is so funny because this guy always nails it so well.

Here he is doing the Cardinals:



Who can ever forget Tom Lawless flipping his bat after homering off of Frank Viola in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series?

Obviously not Batting Stance Guy.

Or Joe Sports Fan, who described that moment as "the equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster popping out of the Mississippi River and eating center fielder Dan Gladden."

My Kind Of Meeting

I hate meetings. In general, I find them a waste of valuable time, tempting attendees to bloviate endlessly about minutiae.

I probably would have liked working with Whitey Herzog.

Here's a great article by Tim Kurkjian about the greatest baseball man alive, Whitey Herzog, who is being inducted into the Hall Of Fame today.

Finally. And I think maybe at my behest, no?

Below is an excerpt from the article:

"I don't remember him ever having a team meeting except for one time, which Whitey had in front of a thousand people," said former Cardinals outfielder Andy Van Slyke, who played for Herzog from 1983 to 1986. "In 1985, we started out 1-6. At the team's 'Welcome Home Luncheon,' Whitey got up in front of the crowd and said something like, 'I know a lot of you thought we had a pretty good club here this year. I thought we did, too.' Then he looked down the line of players at the luncheon and said, 'It's time to s--- or get off the pot.' Then he just sat down. He was talking to players, not the fans. I'll never forget that."

Short, sweet, and to the point, might sum up that meeting. Must have worked, too, as that team won 101 games and the NL pennant that year.

And if you haven't read Whitey's book, you're missing something. There are a lot of such stories in it.

Growing Season

Thanks to a new computer this summer, I've been able to start getting some things done. Like posting more.

One of the things I've been able to accomplish is getting a load of pictures off my camera and into files and then backed up.

This year I've been able to get a lot of plant pictures. I thought some of them turned out nicely, so I thought I'd share some over the next few weeks.

To get things started, I'd like to return us to Spring. You remember Spring, right? It was that few days in between the time it was icy and now, when it is unbearable to stay out past noon.

Spring always means tulips. I've had a bed full of Triumph Red tulips for 5 years now. Which is a long time in the tulip universe, considering all the critters in my backyard who like to make meals of bulbs.

The weird thing this year is that I had one lone tulip, in a sea of red, that came out looking like a candy cane. The only one that wasn't solid red, but red and white.

Here's what I've gotten to look forward to for 5 years. (I've also had a bed of taller yellow Big Smile tulips, but sadly, during the winter, they succumbed to both tree squirrels and chipmunks, so only a few survived).










Now, check this out.



I took this next photo at dusk with a flash and am pleased with how it turned out.



If you click on the pictures, you'll get an even better look.

So next year, I'll be looking for the return of the candy cane. Maybe he'll bring some friends. If he doesn't maybe I'll just call in "The Gunny" again.

Not Really Random Thoughts

I don't do Twitter, but these brief holiday weekend thoughts are probably things I could have twote.

Frustration, humor, and frustration summed up my July 4th weekend.

First was a little frustration.

I was reminded this past weekend that, aside from Halloween and New Year's, Independence Day is about the lamest holiday we have.

Not the idea behind it, but the execution of it.

When else can you get an endless serenade of little neighborhood explosions from the crack of dawn until you're trying to fall asleep that night?

After say, I don't know, the 2nd time you set off a firecracker, doesn't it all just get a little old? Who can sit there all day and light firecrackers? Apparently, some can.

Some of us do not enjoy the seemingly infinite barrage of disruptions in our attempt at a little tranquility. But it never fails to amaze me what entertains people.

I'm not down on fireworks, done professionally in capable hands. I am down on those whose idea of being neighborly is to subject the rest of the neighborhood to what can only be described as disturbing the peace.

Now for a little humor. I have learned to appreciate what a great announcer David Wells is after his performance this weekend.

On Sunday's TBS All Star Selection Show, he attempted to pronounce the name of Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt when discussing Phillies 3rd baseman Scott Rolen's selection to the team.

Only he left out the "m" sound in Schmidt's name. Fortunately, he quickly corrected himself. Since I wasn't sure if I heard what I thought I heard, I hit the rewind button on the DVR a few times, and sure enough, each time I listened I got the same result.

Didn't anyone else hear this?

Thanks for the laugh, David Wells. And big props to him, as well as Dennis Eckersley and Cal Ripken, for not bursting out into laughter.

Finally, back to frustration. Summed up in 3 words. St. Louis Cardinals.

But it was good to see that someone else is fed up with the Cardinals' descent into mediocrity. Boos at Busch? That takes a lot of screwing up.

There. Now I feel better.

Was this too long to be a twit?

I Heard This Song Today

I don't remember a lot about the day other than it was very hot. But in August 1980, incredibly now 30 years ago, I went to see this artist at the Illinois State Fair.

The other thing I remember about that day is stopping by the Republican tent and getting a Reagan for President button to wear.

An Arizona Supporter

No, not that kind.

This kind.


What am I talking about? Read here.

Seems he's also a fan of Glen Beck.

I'm beginning to like this guy.

Disappointment

It's been kind of like the "summer of George." Only I never decompressed.


"Couldn't you have at least played frolf?"

Maybe. But even if I had, this summer would still not be working out as planned.

I've been disappointed in the quality of the TV I've wasted time watching.

Let's start with Design Star. This is a total disaster. The new format is boring and almost unwatchable.

And where the heck is Clive? He was the glue that held that show together.

I'm not the only one who thinks so. Just go to the Design Star message board. Fans of the previous seasons ABSOLUTELY HATE what they've done to this show. It's no longer about watching designers get their plans executed, it's about their personalities. And they are BORING.

This show either needs to come back with the old format or go away all together. It stinks. That pains me to say, because I used to look forward to watching it.

The Cardinals are another sore spot this summer. They have been pretty boring. Because they can't hit. They have 3 of the top pitchers in the NL, but they are struggling to remain in first place because they can't hit/score.

At least there is a chance things will get better.

The Next Food Network Star has had some of the worst on-camera performances of any season I have seen. Is there anyone in this group who can host just a 30 second spot? Who knows what they would do if given 30 minutes?

Hell's Kitchen seems to have nothing but screw ups this year, although the last couple of weeks some have made their way to the front of the pack. Unfortunately, that's not saying much.

The weather has been no bargain, either. It's either hot and humid or straight out of Genesis 7.

I guess it's really too soon to call it "the summer of George" just yet as it's not even the fourth of July.

And there's always the garden. I should be getting some tomatoes soon, some green beans and peppers as well.


"So I got that going for me, which is nice."

But the easiest solution is to just quit watching so much TV...then maybe I can start making more posts here?

It's That Time Of Year Again

Time for Hell's Kitchen and The Next Food Network Star. The former started up again last week and the latter starts tonight.

Then next week is the premiere of Design Star. Going to be another busy summer.

I Heard This Song Today

So I'm putting down a few thoughts, something I've not done in awhile.

I first saw this video just a few months before he died. I was flipping the clicker late one night and ran across it. Scared the crap out of me, especially when I realized who it was. I guess the video won some awards.

The "album" it comes from is American IV, the last one released "pre-posthumously", so to speak, and is one of my favorites.



The last cut of this album is "We'll Meet Again". A particularly meaningful track considering it was the last song on the last album prior to his death. I think of that every time I listen to it.

The Good Friday Feel

I've found a few days of the year have "a feel" to them. By a feel, I mean they don't "feel" like any other ordinary day. They have "a" feel, distinct from any other.

When I was younger, my birthday had a feel to it, but it seems to have lost it as I've grown older. Christmas always has had one, but not as strong a one as it did when I was younger.

As time has passed, the opposite has become true for Good Friday and Easter. Their feels have become stronger. Actually more so for Easter. Good Friday has always had a strong feel to me, even when I was a kid. Maybe it's because it was a school holiday, but there was always a sense of there being something different about this day.

Anyway, I feel it again today. Maybe it's attributable to the familiarity of Holy Week itself that creates this heightened sense of awareness, which carries through the whole weekend. Must be something like that.

If so, then I think the hymns have a lot to do with it. There are definitely a set of hymns that come out this week, from Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and, of course, Easter.

Including my own favorite, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, LW #241. Seems like we always sing it Thursday. Hence, the feel of Good Friday.

"Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descending
Comes our homage to demand.

King of kings yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads it vanguard on the way
As the Light of Light, descending
From the realms of endless day,
Comes the powers of hell to vanquish
As the darkness clears away.

At his feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
'Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, Lord Most High!'"

Here's a particularly beautiful rendition from St. Peter's Catholic Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Thanks again, YouTube.

More Miller Time

I always enjoy Wednesday's with Dennis Miller. The Miller Time segment, during the 2nd half of the Wednesday O'Reilly Factor, is something I always look forward to watching. Rare in the vast wasteland of TV.

This week he unloaded on health care, the intolerance of the tolerance police, f-bombs and Biden.

Opening Day 2001

Another YouTube find posted by someone else. This one is of Opening Day at Busch Stadium in 2001. Thank you quincymike.

What follows is a very interesting video from an historic perspective.

So much has changed in 9 years. Consider that:

- 9/11 was 5 months in the future.

- Old Busch Stadium still stood proud. The new stadium lobbyists were really pushing hard, though. Fools.

- This was Jack Buck's last opening day. He would be dead in 14 months. The sound of his voice over the PA at the beginning of the video is comfortingly familiar yet a little haunting. And his appearance later on shows a very thin man affected by Parkinson's.

- Will Clark had just retired and was asked to throw out the first pitch.

- Mark McGwire was untouchable as an icon of his sport. It was also his last year.

- A young kid named Albert Pujols had surprised everyone and made the club that spring. And he does look like a kid, making his first appearance at just past the 1:00 mark, and being introduced to fans for the first time at Busch Stadium later on.

- A young pitcher named Ankiel was seen taking a few practice cuts. Probably wondering then if he could make it as a hitter in a few years. Remember, he was coming off a disastrously wild 2000 post-season.

- Future Cardinal Larry Walker, with hair, appears at the 3:30 mark. With ex-Card Ron Gant watching.

- Tony LaRussa- okay, he just looks the same.

It's fun to see old faces I had forgotten appear during BP.

Stan the Man was still a vibrant man, playing the Star Spangled Banner on harmonica, with accompaniment.

The first 5 minutes are a little slow, but it's fun to just take in the old stadium once again. So be patient. The video really gets going about the 5 minute mark.



I do miss the old place. Which is why I finally ordered this.

So Where've I Been, You Ask?

Okay, I'm sure you've all been wondering why I haven't been around in awhile.

Well, I've been pretty darn busy in my new modeling career.

In case you haven't seen, I was recently on the cover of National Wildlife.

It was a tough shoot.

I don't care for their politics much. But that Ranger Rick's a gas.

Pick up an issue, please.



It's tough having two careers, but I'll probably stick with it.

Innsbruck 1976

Lake Placid was pretty cool, but for some reason this was my favorite Winter Olympics. I'm sure it has something to do with this legendary downhill gold medal performance that emerges from my memory vault every 4 years.

And By The Way...

The list grew shorter this year. I was right about New Orleans.

And then there were four. Who will be the next team to get out?

I'd have to say Houston.

How Bad I Did

Yes, I'll point out, unless anyone has forgotten, that in September, right before the start of the football season, I tried to Carnac how the teams would do.

And yes, it is true that I picked the Colts and the Saints, the two best teams this year, to finish 3rd in their respective divisions.

And yes, I picked the Bengals to finish last. But who could have seen that one coming?

I did pick 3 division winners right. Of course, there were 8 division winners total, but is that really important?

I also got the entire NFC West and AFC East correct.

I also picked 16 out of the 32 teams to finish in their correct standing slot, which is up significantly from last year.

So I guess, despite a couple of embarrassing moments, I did okay.

Things Not Appreciated

When it first aired, I watched Hee Haw for the comedy. I'd leave the room when a song started and come back when it was over. Or at the very least, try not to pay attention. Unless there was a cartoon dancing pig or farm animal band.

Even though I still laugh at the jokes and surreal twist on country life, now that I'm watching episodes again after 40 years have passed, I'm amazed at the musical talent on the show. I've probably watched 15 episodes from the years 1969 to 1971, and so far the guests have included Charlie Pride, Waylon Jennings, Roger Miller, Tammy Wynette, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Loretta Lynn and George Jones.

And that doesn't count Buck Owens, Roy Clark, Grandpa Jones and Stringbean being on every week.

Here's a clip of Grandpa, String, Roy and Bobby Thompson from Hee Haw.



It's interesting to note how different their playing styles are.

I'll never forget riding to school one day, when I was in 5th grade, and learning Stringbean had been murdered. Sadly, because I didn't watch many of the musical acts back then, all I knew about him until recently was that he was on Hee Haw and he was killed at his home by armed robbers.



Thanks to reruns and YouTube, I have learned what a great talent he was. It's like watching a great guitarist.



There's so much of this stuff out there to enjoy. Beats anything on TV now, most assuredly.

Super Bowl Pick

It's been so long, I've forgotten how to make a post.

Anyway, the long two weeks ends today. For the year, I'm 178-88 in my picks, my best season in years. In the playoffs, I'm 5-5, which actually is pretty good for me.

In the recent past I've gone with the underdog in the Super Bowl, at least the last two years. I'm still pretty impressed by my picking the Giants two years ago, but it was just more of a hunch than anything. I usually pick from my gut, and find over-analysis bad for my picking health.

Last year, I went with my gut again, and almost got another upset.

Both times, I picked the team I was going to root for. As I also noted in the past, that is not a good thing. I usually pick a loser to root for in this game.

But this year is different. No matter how I slice it, I can't see the Colts losing. I'm not rooting for them, obviously, but I can't pick against them.

I find it a rather easy pick, actually.

Baltimore--ERRRRR--Indianapolis wins today, in a game that won't be too close.

And that's all I got for this season.

Adieu, until September, NFL.

NFL Conference Finals

There is a story behind every team this year. The Jets brashness and inexperience. The Colts corporateness and lack of desire to be the best they can be. Brett Favre (sorry Vikings, you're just windowdressing for Brett's story). The Saints seeking to deliver a first championship to a desolate city.

Very few people thought the Jets would make it this far, so naturally they're all now on the bandwagon. Makes no sense to me. I'll root for them with every fiber of my being, but I just don't see them taking down the Colts.

The Saints have had a nice year, but it's going to end this weekend. They've never made it to the Super Bowl, one of the few teams left that haven't. The Vikings pass rush will get to Drew Brees a lot today and advance.

Which could end up being bittersweet for Minnesota, because should they win today and in 2 weeks, it will mark the franchise's first Super Bowl victory in 5 tries. Their first loss still plays in my head at times.

But the story will be Brett Favre and will always be Brett Favre for the rest of history. And that will be just fine with Brett Favre. Minnesota will just be the vehicle of the Brett Favre story. An "oh yeah, by the way, the Minnesota Vikings won it all that year" footnote to his story. That's just the way the media and history will play it.

Indianapolis.
Minnesota.

NFL Divisional Playoffs

This is always a great football weekend. Four games over two days. And the four games are all good matchups. I'll be glad to split them, as I did last weekend.

I am still rooting against the Colts, which means I'll be for the Ravens. It feels strange to root for an east coast team against a team 150 miles from my house, but I still feel betrayed by the Colts. I was rooting for them to go 16-0, and they didn't give it their best shot. I guess I should just get over it. Especially because I think they'll win.

The early game today features the two most explosive offenses, New Orleans and Arizona, so it should be a track meet, probably the funnest game to watch this weekend. I almost typed St. Louis instead of Arizona. I'm stuck back in the '80s.

Tomorrow we get the game the experts are anticipating the most- Minnesota v. Dallas. I think the winner of this game will get to the Super Bowl. Funny how Dallas went from ridicule to favorite in a matter of 3 weeks.

The last game has the most swagger- Jets v. Chargers. Both teams think a lot of themselves. I'll again root for the underdog but pick the favorite.

Arizona.
Indianapolis.
Minnesota.
San Diego.

NFL Wildcard Weekend Picks

Last week I finished the season 13-3, so that made my overall record 173-83. Not too shabby. I finished behind only Hoge. But I struggle usually during the playoffs.

I've never seen a year where three of the four opening round games are repeats of games the previous weekend. Very strange. The only difference is Cincinnati plays at home against the Jets this time.

I would love it if the Jets won and got to play Indianapolis again. The only reason they are in the playoffs is because of the Colts playing dead for them two weeks ago. It would be sweet poetic justice if the Jets played the Colts again and knocked them out.

However, I don't think that is going to happen.

I'm tempted to pick every team that lost last week:
Philadelphia, because it is hard for any team to beat another three times in one year.
Arizona, because they can't play that poorly again.
Cincinnati, because they are playing at home this week.

This round is a crapshoot anyway, so what the heck. I'll just go for it.

Cincinnati.
Philadelphia.
Baltimore.
Arizona.

NFL Picks Week 17

Hard to believe, but the excitement of the season is about to end. Football, not the holidays. Final games today. For the first time all year, all 32 teams play today.

Last week I finished 10-6, so that made my overall record 160-80. I'm 3 games out of first, as far as the humans are concerned, so I need a big week to win. I'm actually tied for second, which isn't bad. ESPN Experts' picks and records here and here.

I'm utterly confused and disgusted with the Colts. Their decision to tank their game last week against the Jets was criminal. A lot of money, as well as the fate of other teams in the playoff hunt, were riding on that game, and in the spirit of fair competition, they should be held in the utmost contempt.

Even if they win the Super Bowl, I think their organization (not the players, who had no part in this decision) will not deserve respect for disrespecting the competition of the league. What a sham.

As you can tell, I'll be rooting hard for someone to knock them off now. And I won't be foolish enough to pick them again.

Lots of toss up games. I could pull this off.

Buffalo.
Jacksonville.
Chicago.
San Francisco.
Pittsburgh.
Minnesota.
Atlanta.
Carolina.
Houston.
Arizona.
San Diego.
Tennessee.
Baltimore.
Dallas.
Denver.
Jets.