PugsleySports - A View From the Recliner

2010-09-06T19:13:00.013-04:00

The best time of year for all National Football League fans.

Hope springs eternal and every team is 0-0 and tied for first place.

Looking forward, the NFL average says five new teams make the playoffs each year so these types of predictions are usually null and void before my birthday at the end of September ---quick reminder, I do require a $100 minimum on all gifts ---as the NFL season is always quite whacky.

With that in mind, strap on your seatbelts 'cuz here we go:

AFC East

1 - New England Patriots - Yeah, I thought the dynasty-that-never-would've-happened-if-referee-Ben-Coleman-didn't-have-his-head-up-his-ass (don't know what I'm talking about? see the life-changing picture to the left) was dead last year when the Ravens pounded the Pats in the playoffs. Nope...one more year left in the Pats.

2 - Miami Dolphins - Getting better and Chad Henne looks like a player. The Fish will make the playoffs as the top wild card and nab the 5th seed in the playoffs.
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3 - New York Jets - The best team ever, just ask 'em. The J-E-T-S, JETS! JETS! JETS! are way too full of themselves and are ripe for a letdown. Oh yeah, second-year quarterbacks have a recent trend of taking a step backwards. Mark Sanchez didn't exactly light it up last year, he'll struggle again this year.

4 -Buffalo Bills - A mess and on the clock for the 2011 draft.
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AFC North
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1 - Baltimore Ravens - Getting better as Joe Flacco comes of age. The defense is older, but still as good as any.

2 - Cincinnati Bengals - The Ochocinco-T.O. combo just has to implode at some point. It should be fun to watch calm and quiet Marvin Lewis deal with the personalities, who should play well long enough to get Cincy to the playoffs.

3 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Too many distractions and one too many stupid quarterbacks on the roster will keep the Steelers home for the playoffs.
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4 - Cleveland Browns - The Brownies got hot at the end of the '09 season and likely saved Eric Mangini's job. Big whoop, they still are sans talent and have no shot at getting out of the North basement.

AFC South

1 - Houston Texans - Yeah, the Texans are the sexy (huh-huh, I said sexy) pick this year to make the playoffs so I'll jump on board. This pick makes sense because....

2 - Indianapolis Colts - the team that loses the Super Bowl ALWAYS misses the playoffs. Well, almost always and that is good enough for me. Peyton Manning and the boys are usually good for at least 11 wins but I'm not going to spit into the heavy wind of a constant trend. Indy'll win 9, and miss the playoffs.

3 - Tennessee Titans - Kinda wanted to put them ahead of the Colts, but I'm still a Vince Young hater so I won't go there.

4 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Franchise is busy packing their bags for another locale....L.A. anyone?

AFC West
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1 - Oakland Raiders - Disclaimer #1 - I'm a Raider fan. Disclaimer #2 - The rest of this division sucks. Rolando McClain and Lamarr Houston were the top two draft picks and will solidify a much-improved defense. The offense will forget Mr. Codeine and be efficient enough to win the division.
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2 - San Diego Chargers - That loud sound you heard last January when the J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! were celebrating at midfield of Qualcomm was the sound the the 'Bolts window of opportunity slamming shut. The Chargers missed their chance and need to rebuild.

3 - Kansas City Chiefs - Still terrible, but better than the pungent smell of the team below them.
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4 - Denver Broncos - Josh McDaniels is in way over his head. Drafting Tim Tebow was a waste, trading three picks to draft a guy based on character is down-right stupid.
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NFC East
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1 - Dallas Cowboys - The thought of this team playing in the Super Bowl in the Jerruh-Dome is, in a word, nauseating. They'll win the division but will fail in the playoffs due to having the most overrated player in the NFL (see pic on left).

2 - Philadelphia Eagles - Kevin Kolb needs a year before the Iggles can take back the Eastern crown.
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3 - Washington Redskins - I picked the 'Skins to go to the playoffs last year. I might be dumb, but I'm not stupid. 7-9 for Shanny's boys.
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4 - New York Giants - Last season's gag is still fresh. The coach is on his last legs and the QB is a weenie for a team suddenly very short on talent.
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NFC North

1 - Green Bay Packers - Gonna go with the sexy (huh-huh, I said sexy again) in the NFC and I'm okay with that. Aaron Rodgers should have a huge season - an NFL MVP season - behind a better offensive line.
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2 - Minnesota Vikings - Just a hunch, Brett Favre won't last the season but will hang in there long enough to get the Vikes into the playoffs...if Adrian Peterson remembers how to hold on to the football.
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3 - Detroit Lions - Getting there, especially with my boy Ndamukong Suh anchoring the defense. Having Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson doesn't hurt either as the Lions are a year away from the playoffs.

4 - Chicago Bears - Gonna be hard to win games with Jeff George...er, Jay Cutler as your quarterback. Mike Martz will do something to the offense, what it'll be is what I'm not sure of. Last place.

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NFC South
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1 - Atlanta Falcons - Someone new always seems to win the division. QB Matt Ryan enters

his third year and should have a breakout season. A return to form by RB

Michael Turner will put the Falcons over the top in the divison.
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2 - New Orleans Saints - Still partying in N'Awlins to be sure. The Saints will make the playoffs, but won't be able to duplicate last season's magic, including 26 interceptions by the defense.
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3 - Carolina Panthers - These guys are like your next door neighbor that you can't remember their name and know very little about them. Being average will do that to you and this team is average.....and quite dull.

4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Will resemble the '09 train wreck. A switch back to the old orange unis might spice things up a bit in what'll be an otherwise dreary season in West Florida.
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NFC West

1 - San Franscisco 49ers - Like the bretheren from the Bay Area, the niners should win the

division simply because everyone else is terrible. QB Alex Smith sucks, but RB

Frank Gore is a stud. Coach Mike Singletary is a great coach and has instilled his personality with his club.
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2 - Arizona Cardinals - Derek Anderson? Huh? Gotta be kidding. There is a reason Cleveland got let him go. WR Larry Fitzgerald is still a monster, but .500 would be a miracle.

3 - Seattle Seahawks - Shocker that Pete Carroll left USC and the Trojan program got sacked. Timing is everything in life, I guess. Going to the Great Northwest won't to Carroll any favors in proving that he is a viable NFL coach.
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4 - St. Louis Rams - Poor Sam Bradford. Actually, show some pity to the Ram faithful as the team drafted a QB who rarely took snaps from under center in college. Rarely does that pedigree work out.
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Wildcard Playoffs

AFC - Houston over Cincinnati

Oakland over Miami

NFC - New Orleans over Dallas

Minnesota over San Francisco

Divisional Playoffs

AFC - Baltimore over Oakland

New England over Houston

NFC - Green Bay over New Orleans

Atlanta over Minnesota

Conference Championship Games

Baltimore vs. New England - Like what the Ravens have done in giving Flacco some weapons. The defense will slip a bit, but the offense should be very potent with Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmanzadeh new to the WR corps.

In a result similar to the 2009 Divisional round, Ravens 27, Pats 10.

Atlanta vs. Green Bay

On the frozen tundra, Atlanta pulls the upset behind the running of Turner and the smoothly accurate passing of Matt Ryan.

A satisfying win for the team that has yet to win a Super Bowl.

Atlanta 21, Green Bay 20

Super Bowl 45 (I'm done with the Roman numeral thing)

In a battle of third-year quarterbacks, we'll go with Ryan and the Falcons to claim Super Bowl title #1 for the Peach State.

In a tight struggle with the Ravens, Ryan is the difference and the MVP in this one.

Atlanta 23, Baltimore 13

Tradin' Paint on a Saturday Night

2010-07-10T18:17:00.016-04:00

We gave the World Cup a go a few weeks ago - it feels like six months ago as that thing just won't end - and figure it is time to pony up and catch a NASCAR race.
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I have no clue why NASCAR is so popular, perhaps some insight tonight will help me out here a little bit..

In an effort to fit it, I've googled a pre-race checklist for fans around the globe before they drop the starting flag (I'll admit, I don't know the color of the starting flag and don't care enought to look it up) in approximately 70 minutes.

Let's have a glance at the checklist for tonight's big race, the Lifelock.com 400 from Joliet, Illinois....Lifelock.com 400? Wow, sponsorship must be a bit scarce.

1 - Wash hands in motor oil to create greasy-fingernailed look. Check.

2 - Personal grooming - I showered today...but didn't shave. It'll have to be enough.Who knew?

3- Tin of Skoal and accompanying red party cup to spit in. Check.

4- Soiled John Deere cap, frontwards. Check.

5 - White tank top undergarment, or "wife beater" is on and ready to go. Will put appropriate stain on shirt later tonight. Check

6 - As I possess all of my teeth, I had to blacken out one tooth to meet requirement #6.

7 - Hone skills on southern drawl. ---Git 'er done!; Ya'll; Dam gummit!; Sheeeet!...Check.

8 - Beer. Check.

9 - Beer gut. Check.

10 - Official merchandise of favorite driver - Don't have a favorite driver so this isn't possible. I root for the 24 car as everyone, for some reason, seems to take a disliking to Jeff Gordon. For purposes of irritating as many people as possible, we'll go with the 24 car.

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I'm ready and I'm focused. 400 miles of thrilling action. Here we go:

6:30 p.m. - I'll skip pre-game show. I have a life.

7:40 p.m. - Where's the action, i thought we had a 7:30 start time. Think I'll watch some baseball while we wait.

8:07 p.m. - We are 37 laps in and I have a headache. It's either my chewin' tobaccuh or i tied my bandana on too tightly. Something's gotta give here.

8:17 p.m. - 11 baseball games on TV and Roy Halladay and Gavin Floyd are throwing peas for the Team Pugsley Baseball Club.

8:18 p.m. - Note to self - They replay all crashes on Sportscenter tomorrow morning, like 28 times.

8:20 p.m. - There is a Tums 00 car...wish I had some, watching this is nauseating.

8:23 p.m. - More left turns

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8:32 p.m. - Look kids ! Big Ben, Parliament.

8:37 p.m. - Random thought....what happens if a driver has to take a whiz? I can't drive down the street to get ice cream without having to go, much less drive 400 or 500 miles.

8:45 p.m. - Cincinnati's Travis Wood is perfect thru 7 against the Phils...back to the race.

8:48 p.m. - McMurray challenges for the lead against Johnson. ACTION! I think i might have wet myself....wait....wait....wait........nope, all clear in my world.

9:02 p.m. - And around, and around, and around they go. On a good note, the baseball games are getting tighter in the later innings.

9:05 - Wood is perfect thru 8, Reds and Phils tied 0-0.

9:06 - Welcome to the Oakland Coliseum for the A's and Angels. Sheets and Kazmir. Go A's.

9:12 p.m. - Am getting the feeling that, by the time this agony ends, I'll have invested three or four hours of my life that I'll never get back.

9:13 p.m. - Have decided that NASCAR is a lot like the NBA, I can catch the last five laps and basically see the whole race.

9:18 p.m. - Wood is heading to the 9th with a perfect game, with the score 0-0. Dude has the biggest zit on his left cheek that I've ever seen on TV.

9:19 p.m. - Carlos Ruiz doubles off Wood to break up the perfecto. Can't help but wonder if the pimple threw off his equilibrium before serving one up to Ruiz.

9:20 p.m. - Am thinking that, with that type of insight, maybe i should blog about baseball.

9:32 p.m. - Checked in on the race, but TNT was in commercial. No update here at this time. I will take credit for at the bare minimum...checking in on the race.

9:37 p.m. - #'s 7 and 21 crash a bit, very minor. almost deflating.

9:52 p.m. - off the phone with my bride, who is out of town this weekend...Looks like 2-4 Gordon has the lead. MY MAN! ''''git 'er done""""".....maybe a reason to keep the race on the favorite channel list...for now.

10:02 p.m. - Raj Davis goes deep for the A's...granny style. Kelly Green & Gold leads the Angels 8-0 in the third.

10:08 p.m. - The Tums car has taken the lead. I'm still nauseated from this attempt to make this sport exciting. Sorry.

10:09 p.m. - 50 laps to go, which is 51 too many.

10:22 p.m. - Tums guy still leads...Gordon fourth with around 20 miles left....Side note: I've gone to the bathroom six times during this race....Kudos to the drivers with more restraint than myself.

10:32 p.m. - Tums double-zero is the hero tonight with the win (yes, it finally ended) at Joliet. Glad I was able to track it..my life may never be the same.

World Cuppin' Saturday

2010-06-12T10:02:00.016-04:00

Home on a rainy Saturday morning with my bride off on her day. Amid some housework, think I'll take in a soccer game while I prep for our evening together tonight.

Who knows, maybe I'm wrong about this "sport". The rest of the globe seems excited, let's give it a go. Maybe, just maybe, I'm on the wrong side of an opinion, which would be a first..

What a week in sports, the greatest trophy in the world (pictured on right), is awarded to the Chicago Blackhawks after a 49-year wait while the non-football playing world competes for the golden paper weight (pictured on left).
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Shouldn't the World Cup trophy be shaped like a foot? Makes sense to me.
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9:55 a.m. - Here come Argentina and Nigeria out of the tunnel! I'm on the edge of my seat as these two foes take the pitch. Wow....Ali-Frazier, Brady-Manning, Hulk-Hogan vs. Ric Flair...I haven't been this stoked since watching the 1988 "friendly" between the Ivory Coast and Honduras.
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10:00 a.m. - Underway in Johannesburg. The pace is slow and methodical. Shocker.

10:02 a.m. - Nigeria #19 gets a good look and boots one from about 20 yards! Wow, he missed the goal by 20 feet, wide right. He could kick for Florida State.

10:06 a.m. - GOOOOOOOAALLLLL..#6 on Argentina......Didn't see it, i decided to mop the kitchen floor. DAMN! 1-nil for the Cali Cartel....or is that Columbia?

10:14 a.m. - Nigeria #15 is down and injured...I THINK HE'S BEEN SHOT! Oh, the humanity. Aren't there any police in Johannesburg?

10:18 a.m. - Whew....#15 looks OK, running like the wind. And here I was nervously worried about his family, watching at home. Miraculous recovery? I'm wondering what meds the docs may have given him? Hmmmm.........Roids? Do they test for that in this sport? Amazing recuperative powers by #15.
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10:27 a.m. - Have made the bed, total productivity out of me today!

10:32 a.m. - What is that damn humming noise in Ellis Park Stadium? Sounds like mosquitos to me. Business at the "Off" warehouse in Johannesburg must be booming. That, or there is going to be a serious malaria outbreak.
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Reason #8,491 that I'm glad I'm in America and not there.

10:45 a.m. - Done with my bathroom break, relieved to find out that neither squad busted out the 2-minute offense in the closing moments of the first half. No Joe Montana, Kenny Stabler, or Tom Brady on the pitch today in South Africa.

10:56 a.m. - What a first half!
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I swept and mopped the kitchen, 3 bedrooms and the front door area with only vaccuming to go on my self-appointed "to-do" list. This soccer thing is a great source of motivation for me. Maybe the boys in blue and green will ramp it up in half #2 and go no-huddle to open things up a bit.
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Given that there are 29 days of this riveting tourney until the finals, I'm thinking I'll have time to build an addition on the house if I keep watching.
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11:25 a.m. - Just woke from my nap, felt like two hours but was really 29 minutes. Anyone know how to remove drool stains from couch pillows? I'll hear about that one.
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11;32 a.m. - They keep yelling the name "Messy", can't be talking about my house. Nope, not today.

11:33 a.m. - In the 75th minute, wondering when Nigeria will pull the goalkeeper for an extra attacker. Only 15 minutes left, not including injury time, whatever the hell that is.
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11:34 a.m. - Oh! Yellow card on Nigeria - no idea what that means. Question, as i think aloud...if they pull out a green card during soccer games on U.S. soil, does that cause panic?

At least in Arizona.
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11:52 a.m. - Final in Johannesburg: Argentina 1, Nigeria nil.
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Can't say I didn't give it a shot 'cuz I did. I came into this thing not liking the sport and that hasn't changed. Perhaps if the rest of the world would hear of a game called "football", this world cup thing would go away.

It is different that basketball, where you can tune in for the last two minutes of a game to see how it ends. In soccer, it is a slow, painstaking, brutally boring exhibition that lasts roughly 120 minutes.

Meaning, this is two hours of my life that I'll never get back. After all, I'm never wrong.

Wanna Play? Just a Few Que$tion$ For You and Your Momma

2010-05-04T18:25:00.015-04:00

This story is starting to die down so someone has to keep it alive.

Sure, Miami General Manager Jeff Ireland was a hair over the line when he asked the newest Dallas Cowboy Dez Bryant if his mother was a prostitute during a pre-draft interview.

Okay, slightly over the line, for most people.

Not me.

Folks, we're talking the National Football League here, not an accounting temp position. We're talking the Big Boy league for some even bigger Big Boy bucks.

You have to know what you're buying. How deep are the skeletons in the family closet? It matters. Were they trying to draw a response to see how he'd handle it?

For that amount of cabbage, there are no boundries.

For $20 million bucks, you can ask me anything you want. Nothing to hide here. Don't worry about my feelings, you can't ask anything that a big, fat signing bonus won't cure.

My childhood? Ask away. Those allegations concerning the 2 chickens and the cow? Just allegations. Convicted? No, never convicted (Winger, John).....That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

When do I get paid? That is the appropriate response.

Remember, the NFL is a tough business. As I've said before, if you can't hack it, go play soccer.

More NFL draft

Haven't been this happy with Mr. Davis and the braintrust in years. Rolando McClain was the guy I wanted and we got 'em. Add Jason Campbell to the mix as my quarterback and I'm downright giddy.

Any quarterback who weighs more than I do shouldn't be a QB. He should be a lineman. JaMarcus, don't let the door hit your lazy ass on they way out.

Tim Tebow? You serious? That pick outdoes makes the Darrius Heyward-Bey pick look like pure genius (not that you asked, but DH-B is gonna have a big year this year.

I couldn't have scripted it better. Timmy Rah-Rah goes to Denver and to seal Josh McDaniels' fate in that craphole.

Uhhhhhhh.............BUST!

Six Down......10 To Go

I'd be remiss if I didn't say I'm enjoying the Bruin's ride through the playoffs.

Happy to see Marc "Vamp" Savard back in the lineup and I needed a reason to mention Tuuuuuuuuukka Rask in this spot for the first time.

Keep it going boys.

D-Bag of the Year nominees - We started with Gilbert Arenas, moved to the brat Lane Kiffin, added Ben Roethlisberger and now are staring at Barber, Tiki, and Carcillo, Dan in our search for the D-Bag of the Year in sports.

Mr. Selfish Tiki Barber was linked to a 23-year old associate while his wife was home pregnant with twins. I'd say I'm surprised but this guy always was a me-first tool.

I hate the Giants, always will, but was happy they won the Super Bowl the year after Tiki let slip his retirement intentions a month into the season in an attempt to give himself a farewell tour.

To get a farewell sendoff, people have to care about you first, idiot.

A special shoutout to NBC ridding my television set of Mr. Barber.

Carcillo, Dan - this tool should be in an exhibit in the Philly Zoo in a cage marked "Dickhead". I'm all for rough stuff on the ice, but Carcillo is a joke. Here's hoping my boy Looch rips his head off before the Bruins excuse the Flyers from the playoffs.

Is it fitting to end the blog that began with Dez Bryant by wishing Momma's everywhere a happy Mother's Day?
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It wasn't the plan, but neither is most of what I do.

MLB Preview, Final Four notes with some Tigger, D-Mac and Big Ben

2010-03-30T17:56:00.020-04:00

Hold on to your seats kids, I'm rooting for Puke U. this Saturday against West Virginia.
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Yup, go Puke.

With the Heels in the NIT and my brackets ruined on the tourney's third day, I'm reduced to cheering for the best story (see Bulldogs, Butler U.).
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Oh the irony....big, bad Puke against the little guy for the title. Remember, the gym at Butler was the one used in the iconic "Hoosiers" film, scene of the greatest upset ever on the big screen and the same court with the foul line that is the same distance as our court back in Hickory.

Still, I'm destined for aggravation this year, Puke over Michigan State in the final.
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Donovan McNabb to the Raiders? I'm all over that one. JaMarcus Russell is one of the biggest busts of all time and, quite frankly, blows. I don't care about his roster bonus due in May, I don't have to write the check. Mr. Davis does.
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San Diego is done and rebuilding behind a QB still in puberty, Denver sucks and Kansas City will need to drop down to the Arena Football League to have a chance at a playoff berth.
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Heard Tigger has another presser coming on Monday.
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Here's a question for him..........Who cares?
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While you owe me nothing, either spill your guts and play some golf OR keep your pie-hole shut and play some golf.
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I'm not interested in another press conference where you say nothing, so I won't waste my time and, lets be very clear - my opinion is the only one that matters here. HA!
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BREAKING NEWS - Ben Roethlisberger has thrown his hat in the ring in the D-Bag of the Year voting, along with Gilbert Arenas and Lane Kiffin.
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Dude, heed this free advice......there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a love machine - yep, hehe - but do it right way. Seriously.
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Opening day in Major League Baseball is just a scant few hours away. After drafting the best team in fantasy baseball history, I'm all over the season this year---post season picks at bottom.
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AL East - The only thing I hate more than the Yankee TV announcers are the Yankee radio announcers so I won't pick them.....Still haven't forgiven the Red Sox for beating my A's in the 1975 playoffs when I was 10 so I hope they suck...Last I checked, Toronto is in another country and I'm still pissed that the skirt-wearing, purse-carrying Sidney Crosby scored the OT winner in the Olympics so they are out of the pool...Balitmore is building a nice, young team but they have no chance.
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I'll take Tampa Bay to win the East. Boston takes the Wild Card as the Yankees get old, fast.
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AL Central - Don't really care enough to waste time ripping these teams....Getting Jake Peavy will turn out to be the best move of the season. As long as he stays healthy, Peavy will be the difference in the Central for the ChiSox as they outlast Minnesota and Detroit.
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AL West - Los Angeles "Don't call me Anaheim" lost a ton of talent and replaced it with nothing....Seattle added Milton Bradley so you know they have no clue and Texas has never found a balance of offense and pitching.

No bias here.....the A's surprise the West with their pitching staff and win the West.
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NL East - Have to like Florida's chances now that the MLB brass and player's union have leaned of them to part with some of their revenue-sharing cabbage....Washington is building but are still far away...Atlanta will go full bore for Bobby Cox in his last year and the New York Mess are awful.
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With Roy Halladay in tow, the Phitin' Phils win another division title, Atlanta qualifies for another playoff berth before another playoff failure.
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NL Central - They need more teams in this division.....Pittsburgh? No....Houston? No...Milwaukee? Not bad, but not enough pitching to win the division....Would root hard for the Cubbies to break the 358-year hex but don't see it happening...Cincinnati might be the sleeper team in baseball but this isn't the year.
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St. Louis has the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday will recover from the fly ball to the cookies in the playoffs and have a huge season in helping the Cards - and my fantasy team.
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NL West - One Dodger owner wants $1 million a MONTH alimony from the other owner. That isn't even funny. Get a job like the rest of us....San Diego has no cash flow and even less talent....San Fran hung in there last year with little talent. They won't do it again....Can't figure out the D-Backs, they should be better but aren't.
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The thinking here is the Rockies will put it all together this year and claim the West.
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Playoff Predictions
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AL First Round - Tampa Bay over Oakland and Chicago over Boston.
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NL First Round - Philadelphia over Colorado, St. Louis over Atlanta.
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AL Champion - Tampa Bay Rays
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NL Champion - St. Louis Cardinals
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World Series Champion - Tampa Bay Rays in six over St. Louis.
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AL MVP - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
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NL MVP - Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado
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AL Cy Young - Jake Peavy
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NL Cy Young - Roy Halladay
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Most importantly.............Tri State Baseball Champ - Team Pugsley 2010

Open Letter To Our Good Neighbors Up North

2010-02-27T09:24:00.005-05:00

Before delving into my Olympic (jingoistic) spirit, let me get a few things out of the way:

Disclaimer #1 - The next time I get labeled an "Ugly American", won't be the first time. And, no, I don't mean my appearance.

I give thanks every day that I was born an American and to a country that allows me to live my life as I see it and where I can spew my opinions in a forum such as this.
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I do, however, and always have, have a soft spot in my heart for our good friends to the north, the Canadian people.

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Disclaimer #2 - I don't mean the French Canadians in the note above, my feud with them will never cease. Ever.

Anyway, the Canucks are very good natured, caring, and giving people. The beer is top notch and "Oh Canada" is one of the best national anthems going.

The story of Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, who skated to a bronze medal days after her mother's untimely death at the Games, is the feel-good story of these Olympics for me.
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Even the panhandlers in Toronto apologized for bothering me as I nudged by them with my shoulder in the summer of 1994. Sorry 'bout that, I didn't have any spare Monopoly money to spare during my weekend jaunt.

You see, I'm not mean spirited when it comes to Canada. Our neighbors from the north are kinda like the kid in the neighborhood who would do anything to hang with pack.

Need a dollar with no intent on repayment? No problem. Need a beer and don't feel like getting up? Just ask the kid who is just glad to be in the room.

.Real quiet, never causes a stir.........reminds me of Canada. Eh?

Tomorrow at 3 p.m. (EST), my goodwill and diplomacy will take a back seat to good 'ole American pride baby.........Big Brother U.S.A, Stars & Stripes, Apple Pie, you get where I'm going.

We'll be hoping the Canadian hockey players gag under the intense pressure of their country.

Yup..............Big Brother vs. Little Brother.

Don Cherry? Luv ya dude but I'm hoping Grapes is a bit sour around 6 p.m. Sunday evening and for millions of Little Brothers to be drowning their sorrows in their Molson Canadiens while Big Brother celebrates all night long.

.We'll cheer for Sidney Crosby to become Bill Buckner, for Roberto Luongo to cave under the pressure of his homestanding fans.

For Ryan Miller, I'll go back to disliking you once you are back in Buffalo, but give me one more all-time effort and I'll boo you slightly less when you are playing my Bruins.

You can do it, you are an American. We're better than everyone, just ask me.

Eh?

A Few Random Thoughts During My Day Of Leisure

2010-01-23T13:33:00.009-05:00

The day's work is done, the feet are up and my cup is filled with a nice cold beverage. Life is good---but could be better if the Bruins could find some offense 'cuz I don't like what I'm seeing on the tube right now. (More on that later).

A few days ago, I expertly predicted the running attack and top notch defense of the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! would carry Coach Ryan's to their first Super Bowl bid since 1969. Uh, I'm waffling on that now with kickoff a mere 25 hours away.

As hot as the Jets have been, I can't pick a rookie QB over Peyton Manning. Colts 24-19 in a thriller.

Down in 'Nawlins...........this should be a great game as the good folks get an early start to the Mardi Gras celebration.

The Minny D-line is the best in football and they'll have to be as the secondary could be in for a long day against Drew Brees.
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The crowd will be off-the-charts insane as the 'Aints clinch a Super Bowl berth, 38-27.

Early candidate for D-Bag of the Year: see Arenas, Gilbert.

Reason #8,678 that I haven't followed the NBA in a decade.
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To quote George Costanza........Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? I tell you, I gotta plead ignorence on this thing, because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing is frowned upon... you know, cause I've worked in a lot of offices, and I tell you, people do that all the time."

Back to the Bruins......yes, Phil Kessel wasn't big on playing defense and his dedication to the team game sucked, but he could light the lamp. The B's got two top draft choices for him from Toronto and I am patiently waiting for the Bruin brass to deal those picks for a sniper (Ilya Kovalchuck???) or the postseason run will be brief, if they qualify.
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Almost time for pitchers and catchers.....NASCAR is getting ready to rev up the engines for another 82-week season. I like the NBA more than NASCAR, soccer too....I know, I've written that in the past. I thought I'd do it again in case anyone forgot (Mike P., Jim).

Tom Cable is still the coach of the Raiders, for now. I'm checking the internet thrice hourly to see if the madman-who-used-to-be-a-genius has made a move. When you are on the receiving end of a joke by the Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix, you know you are in trouble....I'm loyal to a fault, but the last 7 years have been hell as a Raider fan. ...Any chances JaMarcus Russell and Darius Heyward-Bey are practicing their overthrows and drops right now? Hmmm............

I say we keep the Cable guy but hire an offensive coordinator. Let someone else call the plays. Sad thing is, I don't get a vote, although I deserve one.....Ray Guy got snubbed in the Hall of Famve vote showing the complete stupidity of those involved in the selection process.
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Guy was the best punter in the history of the league. For the naysayers, ever heard of the importance of field position? This guy wasn't an afterthought on the roster, he was a weapon.
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Runner Up for Early Candidate for D-Bag of the Year: see Kiffin, Lane.
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Yeah, that tool will help SC ward off the NCAA vultures with his understanding of rules compliance. Hey, Rocky Top......TOLD YA SO!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Santa, just making sure your list is up to date

2009-12-19T14:05:00.013-05:00

Just the kind of guy I am, always thinking of others and forever giving......I thought I'd help jolly 'ole St. Nick with his Christmas list this year and he readies to pack up the sleigh---secretly hoping he overlooks the "naughty" part of the deal when he stops by my humble abode............

For Ndamukong Suh, a big, fat contract befitting the top pick in the 2010 NFL draft after ignorant Heisman voters placed him fourth in the balloting......To Randy Moss, some heart and desire to offset the declining skill set and horsesh*t attitude....To Fans of the New York Yankees, some humility and the realization the universe does not center around the obnoxiousness emitted by their fans thru the horrific sounds and finger-nail scratching broadcasts of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

To Tiger Woods, a HUGE package filled with some privacy to deal with his family issues (it is none of my business so i won't comment), and a parachute to soften the free-fall of his public persona that can only compare to my friend Gasper's fantasy baseball team every June...For Tim Tebow, a fair and decent shot in the NFL. I don't think he has any shot at success at QB, but he is a class act....A chance at a championship for Roy Halladay and for him to lead Team Pugsley back to TSBF fantasy baseball glory.

To the City of New Orleans,a Super Bowl championship. The memory of Hurricane Katrina will live forever, a Super Bowl title would do wonders for the folks on the Bayou....Fans of the New York Giants, a 2009 season void of the playoffs....Boxer Manny Pacquiao, a win over Floyd Mayweather in March in the Fight of the Century.
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For Raymond Guy, his rightful place in the NFL Hall of Fame...To the Dallas Cowboy organization....some class--i think i requested this last year, Mr. Claus forgot----obviously.....For the NBA, a reason for me to care again after 12 years of ambivalence....A quick maturation period for the 09-10 North Carolina Tar Heel basketball team....A rules manual for Kentucky coach John Calipari.

For our brave service men and women around the world, safety with hopes that all will be home soon. Sadly, there are too many d-bags on the planet to realistically hope for world peace, but I am grateful each and every day for the effort of our true heroes.

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For my bride, a better me this year. The best is yet to come.

For me, the luckiest man in the world, I don't need a whole lot. Although, tickets to the Winter Classic would be nice with a much bigger prize in sight in June for my beloved Boston Bruins.

NFL Predictions 2009

2009-09-10T15:13:00.007-04:00

****I put the beer away since the last posting. While it pains me, Oakland is a year away from challenging San Diego in the AFC West. The Chargers win the division, the Raiders finish second. Denver and Kansas City are going to be horrible, that part wasn't alcohol induced.****

AFC Division Winners
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New England Patriots

Baltimore Ravens

Indianapolis Colts

San Diego Chargers

AFC Wild Card
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Houston Texans

AFC First Round

Pittsburgh over San Diego

Baltimore over Houston

AFC Divisional Playoffs

New England over Pittsburgh

Indianapolis over Baltimore

AFC Championship Game

Indianapolis over New England - Peyton Manning bests Tom Brady in a thriller. The Pats will rue the day they traded Richard Seymour as the move jumps up and bites Bill Belechick in the backside.

NFC Division Winners

Philadelphia Eagles

Green Bay Packers

Atlanta Falcons

Seattle Seahawks

NFC Wild Card

Minnesota Vikings

Washington Redskins

NFC First Round

Minnesota over Seattle

Atlanta over Washington

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Philadelphia over Minnesota

Green Bay over Atlanta

NFC Championship Game

Green Bay over Philadelphia - The Dog Killer of Philadelphia misses the Super Bowl, allowing Roger Goodell to breath easy. Imagine the media frenzy at the Super Bowl around Michael Vick. Then again, don't bother. Dogs everywhere rejoice as Aaron Rodgers exorcises the ghost of Favre and leads the Pack back to the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl 44

Indianapolis 27, Green Bay 17 - I picked the Colts here last year, and they screwed me. Without Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison, Peyton Manning captures his 2nd Super Bowl title.

AFC Preview

2009-09-08T09:23:00.009-04:00

AFC Preview
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Disclaimer – I promise to be unbiased when making these selections, especially in the AFC West….yeah, right.
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AFC East
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1-New England Patriots – Yeah, this pains me but the Pats are the class of the division, even if Tom Brady is, and always will be, a fumbler.
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2-New York Jets – Mark Sanchez will certainly struggle, but the Jets are the best of the rest in the division after the Pats. Besides, my collegiate humor level allows me to laugh every time I write the Jets will be quarterbacked by The Dirty Sanchez.
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3-Miami Dolphins – Heard this tidbit…when Chad Pennington makes 10 or more starts in a season, his team goes to the playoffs. . That tells me that Chadwick has a tough time staying healthy on a consistent basis. Also, the Fish way, way over-achieved last year.
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4- Buffalo Bills – T.O.’s first year in western NY. By the end of it, he’ll be wishing he was back in Philly with his buddy Donovan and the dog killer.
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AFC North
1-Baltimore Ravens – Great defense and a decent young QB good enough not to screw things up.
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2-Pittsburgh Steelers – The defending champs are the most talented team in the division but my 6th sense tells me Big Ben and the Steelers are going to struggle this year. Call it a hunch.
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3-Cincinnati Bengals – Carson Palmer is healthy and Chad Johnson seems to be playing with a purpose. His new moniker is stupid so it won’t be acknowledged in this spot. The best news for the Bengals is that Cleveland is still in the division.
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4-Cleveland Browns – Ugly, ugly, ugly. At least we get to find out if Brady Quinn can play, if Eric Mangini gives him the reigns to the team.

AFC South
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1-Indianapolis Colts – The chic pick in the division is Houston. Not here. Even without Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison, the Colts are the team to beat until someone beats them.
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2-Houston Texans – While I won’t chug the kool-aid as it pertains to Houston, I’ll take a sip. If QB Matt Schaub stays healthy, DE Mario Williams and the defense will lead the Texans to the playoffs.
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3-Tennessee Titans- How this team won 13 games last year with Kerry Collins at QB is beyond me. Albert Haynesworth has moved on to Washington so the defense is significantly weakened. Collins can’t possibly have another year like 2008 and Vince Young still sucks.
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4-Jacksonville Jaguars- The Jags have fallen like a rock since an impressive playoff run in 2007 and the rip cord on the parachute isn’t working. This is a team headed toward a top-five pick in the 2010 draft.
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AFC West
1-San Di..... – Oakland Raiders – Ha! Didn’t think I was really going to do that, did you? JaMarcus Russell will come of age and Darren McFadden will have a monster year. If Richard Seymour reports, the Raider defense will be significantly improved. Nnamdi Asomugha is a stud in the secondary and Tom Cable will kick any naysayer’s ass. The Raiders head back to the playoffs.
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2-San Diego Chargers – Kudos to Shawne Merriman for keeping his focus on the field and keeping his name out of the news off the field. Ooooops. Sounds like a bit too much Tequila over the weekend, if you know what I mean...allegedly, of course. I know, the Bolts went to the AFC title game, big deal. They didn’t win and that is as far as a Norv Turner coached club can go. LT’s gas tank is running low and the Charger window of opportunity will close this year.
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4a-Denver Broncos – No third place team in this division, both the Broncos and Chiefs are a total disaster and neither is worth the third spot in the division. The Broncos are on the path to their worst season in a long time and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.
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4b- Kansas City Chiefs – See Denver.
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Coming later this week: Playoff and Super Bowl Predictions

NFC Preview - 2009

2009-08-24T06:56:00.011-04:00

After hours upon hours of breaking down film and numerous all-night study sessions that harkens back to my Plattsburgh State days, the 2009 NFC landscape has come into focus for me.
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Here are the in-depth picks, AFC preview to follow soon........
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NFC East .

1-Philadelphia Eagles - Despite having a suspension to serve, Michael Vick's presence should give the Fightin Iggles the "killer" instinct to push the franchise with four NFC title game losses this decade over the top and into the Super Bowl.
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2- Washington Redskins - The surprise team of the conference but mostly anonymous given the off-season news of its division rivals. Just let Jason Campbell manage the game and turn Clinton Portis loose and da 'Skins can prep for the playoffs. .

3-Dallas Cowboys - T.O. isn't around to blame any more, neither is Jessica Simpson. Time for Tony Romo to step up and become the face of the franchise, something he won't be able to do. Jerry Jones will always be the Dallas Cowboys and will never let a player be bigger than him in Big D....Should have spent more cabbage on the practice facility to ensure better safety and cut back a bit on the new digs.

4- New York Football Giants - The best playmaker (Plaxico Burress) is on his way to prison and the G-men awarded Eli Manning with waaaaaaaaaay too much cash in what will go down as the worst contract in sports for the next few years. Eli certainly isn't his brother Peyton, and may very well be the worst QB in the division. Tom Coughlin should've gotten out after the Super Bowl win over New England.

NFC Central

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1-Green Bay Packers - Yep, the legend Favre is in Minnesota, but Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the division. After a down year, the Pack will be back in the playoffs. In fact, we'll call for Rodgers to be the NFC Most Valuable Player this year.

2- Minnesota Vikings - Good move by Minny in bringing in Brett Favre. Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels would've weighed this team down in a big way. Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the NFL and the Vikes can stop the run better than anyone. Those are the reasons, more than Favre's presence, that will allow Minnesota will grab a wild card. .

3- Chicago Bears - The Rex Grossman era is over, the Jay Cutler era is about to commence. Sorry, Bears fans, the agony is going to get worse. This team could easily win the division but won't. Cutler attended Vanderbilt, so he isn't stupid...at least off the field. On the field, he has followed in Jeff George's footsteps as the NFL version of Nuke Laloosh......a million $$$$ arm and a 10-cent head. The next big came Cutler wins for his team will be his first.
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4-Detroit Lions - Hard to do worse than 0-16 so "up" is the only way to go. Matt Millen is mercifully out of Motown and the Matthew Stafford era should begin at some point in October, if not sooner.

NFC South .

1- Atlanta Falcons - Wanted to pick New Orleans in this spot, but can't do it. Second year QB Matt Ryan is the real deal and, combined with RB Michael Turner, will lead Atlanta back to the playoffs.
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2 - New Orleans Saints - Remember those who ripped the Houston Texans to shreds for bypassing Reggie Bush and drafted DE Mario Williams with the top pick in the draft a few years ago? Those critics are quiet now as Williams has emerged as a dominate player and Bush has had trouble shaking nagging injuries. QB Drew Brees is solid, but the Saints will barely miss the playoffs.

3 - Carolina Panthers - You never know what to expect from the Panthers. Lots of D'Angelo Williams will keep Carolina in the playoff hunt but QB Jake Delhomme is inconsistent and that isn't good enough with Ryan and Brees in the division.

4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Yeah, the Bucs got it right by firing the Punk (mr. gruden) but blew it in the draft. After winning the Super Bowl with the team assembled by Tony Dungy, Gruden accomplished nothing in South Florida except load up the roster with old, old QB's. The new regime selected the biggest bust of the first round of the draft - QB Josh Freeman - in a move that will ensure Tampa Bay picking in the top three spots of the 2010 draft.

NFC West

1- Seattle Seahawks - The default pick 'cuz I had to pick someone from the worst division in football. If Matt Hasselbeck is healthy, Seattle claims the division crown at 8-8.

2- San Francisco 49ers - If they had a quarterback, they'd win the division going away. But, they don't....so they won't. Mike Singletary's hiring last year improved the Niners from day one and that improvement will continue this year. Singletary is the most fiery coach in the conference (sorry, Tom Cable allegedly beat up one of his coaches, he gets the top honor until proven otherwise). San Francisco will be much better, but Shaun Hill has no business being a starting QB in the NFL. If Brett Favre can come back, why not Joe Montana or Steve Young?

3- Arizona Cardinals - When the planets aligne and it everything comes together, you'd

better win when given the shot because Super Bowl chances don't come often. Arizona was a few precious seconds from turning the world on its axis with its upset bid over Pittsburgh but the Cards were denied by a great effort by Steeler Santonio Holmes. QB Kurt Warner is a year older and is on borrowed time. Back to reality for Arizona, which means back out of the playoff picture.

4 - St. Louis Rams - New head coach Steve Spagnuolo is a star in the making but this team is horrible. The Rams will battle Denver for the NFL's worst team honor, and the top pick in the 2010 draft.

Cable Bumaye!

2009-08-20T12:37:00.006-04:00

Don't mess with the Oakland Raiders, or their filing cabinets.
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Like the Zaire fight fans in 1974, chanting "Ali Bumaye" (Ali kill him) when Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman to win boxing's heavyweight title, the Raiders took to the chant "Cable Bumaye" when the Cable Guy took the field for last Monday's practice.

I'm gonna need to get me one of the soon-to-be-on-the-market T's for this one.

Did Tom Cable punch assistant Randy Hanson in the mug, or did he merely assist him from his chair and into a filing cabinet?

Don't know, wasn't there.

Don't care, either.

The Raider Nation has been void of grit and passion since the Gruden-era, or the Punk-era if you are a follower of this page. Hoping, no, praying, that this becomes a rallying point for a team in need of a purpose, or at least, something to pull them together for any type of cohesion.

There is nothing wrong with a dust-up in training camp from time to time, although it is usually on the playing field between sweaty men wearing helmets and pads. Boys will be boys sometimes and Raiders will be Raiders.

The NFL league office is going to investigate but the feeling here is they should stick to reinstated dog-killers and making sure guy's socks are at the correct height levels during games.

Leave the Raider situation where it belongs, an internal matter overseen by Mr. Davis and the Cable Guy.

For now, "Cable Bumaye"......................."Raiders Bumaye" to the AFC West.

Big Papi.....Big Phony ?

2009-07-31T06:16:00.008-04:00

The company that brings you "all the news that's fit to print" has come out with a report that David Ortiz is on the list of 104 players that failed a drug test in 2003.
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Surprised? Nothing surprises me any more, at least not on this topic.

If Thursday's New York Times report is true, Big Papi, who earlier this year suggested anyone caught failing a drug test should be suspended for one year, will now be linked forever with A-Roid, Barry Bonds, Sosa, Clemens, Manny-wood......and on and on the list goes and goes as it grows and grows.
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His initial reaction to the news was that he wanted to get some answers before commenting on the topic.
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Okay, I'll give you a pass for a day or so, give you time to circle the wagons and get the PR machine working. Don't wait too long though, the society - the judge and jury in this case -that is still waiting for O.J. to find the "real" killers won't wait forever.
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Here's some advice............if this is true, admit it, say you're sorry, apologize to your legion of fans and show some true remorse.
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This is a forgiving society to its athletes that can still entertain its fans. That is the reason Bonds and Clemens are forever doomed, they are at the end of their careers and this tag will dog them until the end of time.
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For Ortiz, the bomb has gone off. True or not, his name is stained forever. Come clean and come clean now, denial will only make things worse.
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How this news stains the 2004 and 2007 World Series titles for the Roid Sox is a discussion for another time.
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The sad thing about this is, for Major League Baseball, just when the steroid furor seems to die down, another big name comes from "the list" of those who failed a confidential drug test.
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Get the list out in the open, let the discussion go for a short time and move on with it. The longer the question is out there, the longer this ugly topic will remain in the forefront.
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If you've read my words before, you know that I subscribe to the notion that life isn't fair sometimes, but you have to deal with the reality of things.
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Big Papi has to deal with this reality, how he handles it will be his defining moment.

A Day of Redemption

2009-07-27T18:33:00.003-04:00

Soooooooo...........Michael Vick has been conditionally reinstated by NFL commish Roger Goodell.
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The former poster boy and marketing stud for the league turned convicted felon now has the chance to return to the NFL, if someone will give him a job (and that is going to happen so don't hold your breath that 32 owners will collectively find a sense of morality).
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As much as it pains me to say it, Goodell's decision is the right thing to do.
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What Michael Vick did was heinous, disgusting, inhumane, and much, much more.
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However, Vick has done his time. He was issued a jail sentence for his behavior and has completed it.
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That is how our judicial system works, folks.
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St. Louis Ram DE Leonard Little was involved in an alcohol related accident in 1998 that killed a woman. Little did 90 days in jail, served his probation, was suspended for eight games and returned to the NFL.
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Michael Vick committed a crime and, right or wrong, has paid his debt to society. If Roger Goodell deems Vick suited for his league, the decision should be supported.
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Someone, somewhere, will offer Vick a contract. I'm sure the suitors have already been on the phone. Cleveland, home of the Dawg Pound, is too easy. Oakland is possible if only to make my life miserable. New England has been rumored as the Pats have the organizational leadership necessary to keep Vick in line.
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There will be serious public relations matters and you can reserve a spot in the PETA picket lines now as there will be plenty, but the furor will die down over time.
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Remember, what is fair isn't always right, and what is right isn't always fair.
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Good or bad, that is how this country works.
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Rose to Cooperstown, officially?

Word on the street is that MLB commissioner Bud Selig is reviewing Pete Rose's banishment from baseball.
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Pete Rose knowingly broke the game's most sacred rule....gambling on the sport. He lied for years and has turned a profit for his misdeeds for 20 years.
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That said, I've yet to see evidence that MLB's all-time hit leader ever gambled on the sport as an active player.
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I don't know why that matters to me, but I think Rose deserves enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.

Shoot me, Please!

2009-04-25T17:08:00.004-04:00

I came into Draft Day 2009 hoping Michael Crabtree would become an Oakland Raider.

Looking back, I've been targeting him since the beginning of last season's college football season.

Breaking news : the Raiders just selected Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland with the 7th pick of the draft.

The Raiders have become a fixture in the top seven picks of the NFL draft. It is a status earned by sucking year in and year out.

.Drafting a guy with bad hands but with a quick 40-time over Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin is just plain STUPID and SENILE.

My day is ruined.

I'm turning off the draft. No further draft analysis is coming, the Raiders don't deserve my time.

Being a Raider Fan is hell.

With the 7th Pick of the NFL Draft..........

2009-04-24T06:11:00.006-04:00

.......the Oakland Raiders select Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech University.
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That would get my Saturday off to a rousing start.

Big play WR for JaMarcus Russell is a perfect fit.

Others who'd make me a happy camper:

B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

Trade down, acquire more picks and get WR at that point like Hakeem Nicks or Brian Robiske.

Who would ruin my day:

Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland (If not Crabtree, I'd want a WR in Round 2)

Bust of the Draft:

Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

The Worst Fans in Sports

2009-04-21T14:11:00.004-04:00

New York City? Nope.

Philadelphia? They did boo Santa Claus after all, but they don’t top the list.
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Chicago? Not even close.

English Soccer Hooligans? ummmm, no.

Full disclosure time – Yeah, I’m a lifelong Bruin’s fan and my hostility toward the Montreal Canadien organization and fans is no secret. That, however, is not why I’m unloading today.

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You see, I’m an American. And I’ve been insulted. More to the point, my favorite song was insulted last night in Montreal’s Belle Center.

Monday evening’s game three of the Boston/Montreal series isn’t the first time my good friends from the north have booed the American National Anthem.

Today, I address those people.

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How to do it? That, is the question of the day. .

Hmmm….take the high road? Or, Option 2…..reduce myself to the level of sheer idiocy.
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Sorry Amy, sorry Mom……..but I think you can guess where this one is going. .

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do and some people are too ignorant to rise UP to another’s level of thinking. Those same people are only capable of understanding narrow points of view, and I am blessed with the ability to do both. .

Call it a gift.

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After reading a few reports from folks who were at the game, not all of the fans in attendance were howling the boo-birds during the Star Spangled Banner.

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My words are intended on the morons who were booing.

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I am ultra-patriotic, hence the striking of a nerve. I’ve been to Montreal, and Toronto, and have sung along with “O, Canada” has been played. It is a beautiful song with a 98% (my number) favorable rating for the quality of its people.

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However, and I’m talking to you jackasses who cannot differentiate sports from reality. A national anthem and subsequent flag of a country are sacred symbols.

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Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for free speech, which is what I’m doing right now.

You want to boo something? Boo that horrific hockey team that wears that uniform that you fawn over with that undeserved arrogant, entitled attitude of yours ----for stereotyping purposes, I call it French Canadien-itis.

I know, you’re not France, but you are linked by your language and your arrogance as a society so deal with it. You'll get the connection in a few paragraphs if you smart enough to read these words.

Men and women have fought and are fighting abroad for what that song symbolizes. You boo my national anthem and you tarnish their efforts.

That may not be the intent, but that is the result.

Do I need to bring up the World War I & II? Huh? Wanna go there? Thank you, I think I will.
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If it wasn’t for our boys, French-speaking language would be spoken in one fewer country (i.e.-France) as German would be the preferred tongue and Schnapps would be the beverage of choice.

That happens when you drop your weapons and raise your arms at the mere sight of an opposing army. If it wasn’t for the Allied Forces, you’d be German-Canadiens. How’s that sound, idiots?

And………….if it wasn’t the Germans, the cold-war juggernaut formerly known as the Soviet Union might have been knocking on the western boarder of your fine country during its run as a world power.

Boo us? How ‘bout thanking us, you ungrateful bastards?

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Found this on the internet, kudos to the folks at the “Stanley Cup of Chowder” blog.

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Truer words were never spoken.

On the ice, the Bruins are whipping Montreal’s ass. It has been a long time coming and I’m enjoying every moment.

Seeing how the Montreal fans emptied that out-house of an arena last night brings me great joy.

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As does the anticipation of Wednesday evening’s game four, otherwise known as the Montreal funeral.

I’ll be wearing black tomorrow, with a little gold trim to support the Bruins as the 100th season in Montreal Canadien history is soon to end.

Les Canadiens sont morts (The Canadiens are dead for my English speaking audience).
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Happy 100th Montreal fans, glad we could ruin it for you. I couldn't have planned it better. I hope the next 100 end up just like this one.

Hopefully, you’ll get a shred of class during that time. .

As I search for my broom to celebrate the series sweep, I’ll be humming along to the 1960’s tune from the band, Steam. It goes something like this…….

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Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, hey hey hey, au revoir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Special Weekend - A Tribute to my Grandfather

2009-04-09T19:17:00.010-04:00

The best thing about memories is that they can never be taken from you.

My grandfather taught me to love the game of golf. He taught me to appreciate it.

I learned the hard way as I used to haul his golf clubs up and down a hilly country club course when I was a kid. Yes, the life as a golf caddy.

Fun? No.

Unless you consider carrying the bag under the blazing hot sun for a sum of 56 cents - $10 for the loop- per hole, fun. I had plenty of time to do the math while sweating a ton each Saturday and Sunday morning during my formative summers.
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Would I do it again? In a second.
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He wasn't a big guy, probably 5-foot-6, maybe 160 pounds and was a three-handicap. As his playing partners would be searching for their shots in the woods and the rough, we'd be casually strolling down the fairway toward another well-placed shot.

I'll never forget the Walter Matthau-like voice giving me golf tips, a few of them I even practice, - others I'm not so good at - as we bonded.

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I think of him every time I golf. I still, and always will, use his old golf bag when I play.

His favorite tournament? The Masters.

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His favorite golfer? Who else, Jack Nicklaus.

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As I got older, I made it a point each year to call during the Masters tournament. Each Saturday morning as it was "moving day" at Augusta and it was time for the phone call.

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Who was going to win? Who was going to falter ?

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We spoke on the Saturday morning of the 1996 tourney, one year before a young golfer named Tiger burst on the scene. My grandmother was ill and not doing well at the time, I was hoping our Masters-chat would help him take a few minutes away that reality.

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Greg Norman was never one of his favorites but was having a good tournament. Similar in appearance to the great Nicklaus and, at the time, a threat to join Jack's legacy among golfing elite, he viewed Norman with disdain.

I don't know why he didn't favor Norman, he just didn't. I can understand that, I suppose, it happens in sports.

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At the conclusion of the third round, Norman held a commanding six-shot lead and the tournament was his for the taking. No golfer had ever gagged such a lead at Augusta.

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I was going to make the extra call that afternoon, give him hope that his nemesis would blow it on Sunday.

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I didn't make the call although I wish I had.

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My grandfather passed away that night.

Perhaps it was fitting that Norman posted a 78 the next day and lost the Masters to Nick Faldo.

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I remember my buddy Mike - the future best man in my wedding - saying to me that night that he could've sworn he saw my grandfather kicking Norman's ball into the woods on his way to the Pearly Gates.

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He was trying to make me feel better, and he did. I knew that somewhere, my grandfather was in a better place. My grandmother joined him six weeks later, to the day.

This will be the 13th time I view The Masters without having the privilege to make "the call". I believe his spirit is with me, and that has to be good enough.

Now, I watch the tournament each spring, with a heavy heart and over-active tear ducts, but with the ability to reflect on my memories of what The Masters means to me -a prized possession that will always be inside me.

Rest in peace, ole buddy.

Bracketology 2009

2009-03-16T19:38:00.019-04:00

Fired up and ready here in the Pugsleysports war room.

The internal debate between the multiple voices in my head has subsided. Here are the picks:

Midwest Region
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Upset Alert - Siena returns all five starters from last year's team that knocked off Vanderbilt. Ohio State comes out of the massively overrated Big 10. I know the game is in Dayton and I don't care. Siena gets the win.

First round winners - Louisville, Siena, Utah, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Kansas, Boston College, Michigan State. .
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Second round - Louisville over Siena, Wake Forest over Utah, West Virginia bounces defending champ Kansas and Michigan State.
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Sweet 16 - Louisville over Wake Forest (barely), West Virginia over Michigan State..

Final Four bound - The seedings hold serve, Louisville wins the battle of the Big East and beats West Virginia to head to Detroit.

West Region
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Upset Alert - Based on the seedings, Maryland beating Cal in the first round will be the biggest upset.

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First round winners - Connecticut, Texas A&M, Purdue, Washington, Marquette, Missouri, Maryland, and Memphis.
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Second round - Connecticut, Purdue, Marquette upsets Missouri and Memphis.

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Sweet 16 - Connecticut over Purdue, Memphis in a squeaker over Marquette.

Final Four bound - Connecticut over Memphis

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South Region

Upset Alert - Western Kentucky over Illinois. The Illini return to the dance and are quickly bounced by a Hilltopper team that beat Louisville this year.

First round winners - North Carolina, LSU, Western Kentucky, Gonzaga, Arizona State, Syracuse, Clemson, Oklahoma.

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Second round - North Carolina, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Oklahoma.

Sweet 16 - North Carolina over Gonzaga, Oklahoma over Syracuse....in six overtimes, of course.

Final Four bound - Tyler Hansbrough over Blake Griffin.....North Carolina over Oklahoma. This will be the best game of the tournament.

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East Region

Upset Alert - I'm aching to take Wisconsin over Florida State, but VCU over UCLA is the upset special here. The Rams did it to the Pukies two years ago, now the Bruins feel the wrath.

First round winners - Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Xavier, VCU, Villanova, Texas, Puke (that is not a typo).

Second round - Pittsburgh, Florida State, Villanova, Puke.

Sweet 16 - Pittsburgh over Florida State, Villanova over Puke.

Final Four bound - Villanova, not Pitt, represents the Big East in this side of the bracket.

Final Four - Three Big East teams and the ACC regular season champion Tar Heels.

.Look for Rick Pitino and his Cardinals to get past UConn and Roy Williams and the Tar Heels to beat Villanov and advance to their second title game since 2005..

National Championship Game

North Carolina 77, Louisville 75. Tyler Hansbrough takes home Most Outstanding Player honors and the writer of this blog is very happy.

Just A Few Thoughts

2009-03-13T18:33:00.013-04:00

Couldn't stay awake for the end of the Syracuse/Connecticut game last night......sorry I missed it. It won't matter, West Virginia will beat the Orange tonight in a game that tips in a couple of hours......

Seems as though March Madness is off to an early start this year......Can't wait for the brackets to come out, I'll anxiously await them to come out, feel great about my picks on Monday, and feel like a tool come Saturday morning when the first round is over.

Early thoughts on the tourney
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Underrated: Watch out for Siena in the first two rounds. The Saints have been there and beat Vanderbilt last year. All five starters from last year's team are back.

Overrated : Duke........They suck and will be out by the second round.
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Welcome to Buffalo, Mr. Owens
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How happy am I that T.O. has landed in Buffalo? Glad you ask.......I'm thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis happy (picture Elastic Man's arms at full length). To be fair, the Bills were smart to give this idiot a one-year deal with hopes that he won't rip apart the locker room.....On second thought, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, guess what ? He'll do more harm than good out in Western NY.

Jay Cutler is pissed that the Broncos got a trade offer for him. Grow up........My Bruins are slumping, need the boys in the Hub to get things rolling in the next few weeks. If not for themselves, then for me.

Marty Brodeur is set to pass Patrick Roy as the game's winningest goalie.......good for him. He's been a class act his whole career. So classy, I can't think of a bad thing to say about him and I can usually find a bad thing to say about anybody.

Two weeks until my fantasy baseball draft, this has to be the year for Team Pugsley.......Hope Chase Utley's hip is okay........Prince Fielder is a key to my team. It doesn't help me sleep at night knowing my fortunes might rest on a guy who weighs more than I do....I've been sandbagging on my keepers the entire offseason. I can post that here 'cuz I'm not sure how many of my foes in this 20-year league read this blog.....The ones who do take a peek can't read anyway, they click the link for the pictures.......

Still stinging from that shocker on the Bachelor.......oooooops, wrong blog....

The too-soon-to-make-them-but-I'm-bored-predictions

The Oakland A's will win the AL West. Anaheim is overrated and the A's have improved themselves. While I'm at it, the Red Sox will take the AL East (that pains me), Detroit will take the Central. The wildcard will be the Chisox.

In the NL, Arizona will hit enough to win the West, the Mets won't gag until the playoffs but will make it and the Cubbies will claim the Central. I like LA to win the wild card.

It's early, but we'll take the Cubs over Boston in the World Series although I reserve the right to change that before opening day. It has to happen sometime, doesn't it?

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Bracket projections next week. Have to get the pen and paper ready.

Confessions of a Juicer

2009-03-06T15:04:00.015-05:00

First apology of the column - yes, I am aware it has been 26 days since my last post.
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I've been hesitant, but the time has come.
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I cannot live with this deep, dark secret any longer.

If my heroes, such as Jason Giambi, A-Roid, and Jose Canseco can admit it, so can I.

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Yes, I’m on the ‘roids. The Juice. Gym Candy.

I'd like to apologize to my wife, my family, my friends, all my wonderful fans, and most of all, THE GAME that has given me so much in this life.

I know, you’re shocked. I was always pretty buff (see right)……… but even I had to turn to the dark side.

Be clear (pun intended), it isn’t a cream and my butt hasn’t been injected with anything……ever. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

I take juice the old fashioned way, in the form of a pill. Unlike A-Roid, I’m leaving my cousins out of this one. I got my “helpers” from a legit “doctor”, at least that is what I call him.

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Like Andy Pettitte and many others, I’m on the juice to help rehab from a physical ailment. Seriously.

The dreaded foot infection.

Sure, I’m now able to type 180 words a minute – error free, of course – and my accounting skills have never been better on the day job. Heck, I’ve already closed our first quarter of the year and we still have one month to go before the quarter ends.

The downsides to my new hobby? There are a few but I’m managing to deal with them.

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Roid Rage? No problem. I’m a menace on the roads anyway so what’s the difference ?

True, a coach tried avoiding a direct question after I did a hoop game the other night. I got in his face and got the answers I wanted. I call that “results”.

At the day job, I expend the extra anger the juice affords me by calling deadbeat clients who have a hard time putting the pen and the checkbook together.

Shriveled ‘Nads? Again, no problem. I’m old anyway. It was inevitable.

The lesson? Well, I feel better, almost cleansed in coming out of the 'Roid closet. Where is Peter Gammons? While I don't have a pretty blue sweater like A-Roid, I'd welcome an interview.

Memo to any ALLEGED 'roiders......Roger, and Barry, and you too Raffy and Big Mac among others....... come clean, you might just feel a wee bit better.

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For me, I only have three more days of magic left in my un-refillable bottle.

Wonder if A-Roid’s cousin is available for a phone call?

Is it A-Rod, or A-Roid ?

2009-02-08T16:39:00.008-05:00

Is it A-Rod, or A-Roid?
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It appears as though there is an answer to that question as, according to Sports Illustrated, it appears that Alex Rodriguez failed a steroid test in 2003.
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And I thought there wouldn't be anything to talk about with the Super Bowl complete and March Madness being six weeks away.
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Yes, I must admit, ripping A-Rod is a favorite hobby of mine. I think he comes off as a phony and he seems to have a difficult time handling the adverstiy that comes with making more cash during than the entire Florida Marlins team.
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I enjoy his annual October failures more than most and I'm eagerly awaiting a statement on this report that has merit. His inital response of "You'll have to talk to the union" isn't good enough.
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In the court of public opinion, anything other than a denial is an admission of guilt. Since I'm a member of the court of public opinion, and this is my blog, I'm annoting myself as judge and jury, I'm going to believe the SI report that was verified by four sources.
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The other part of this is that I don't think Rodriguez has the intestinal fortitude to come out and admit it. He won't face jail time and the failed test was prior to Major League Baseball instituting its testing policy.
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Jason Giambi came clean, so did Andy Pettitte and others. Society is forgiving to those who show remorse. They have gone on with their careers.
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Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have been defiant, look where they are right now. Mark McGwire didn't want to talk about the past and Rafael Palmeiro lectured legislators before failing a test later that season.
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Chances are, none of those listed above will see the Hall of Fame. The early thought out there now is that neither will Rodriguez.
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It wasn't all that long ago that Jose Canseco came out and name A-Roid as a steroid user. Rodriguez denied the charge.

In his time since leaving the big leagues, Canseco has said many things. At the time, most were viewed as self-servent and as an outrageous attempt to peddle his books and make some coin.
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As time goes forward, Jose Canseco sounds more and more like the only guy with enough guts to tell the truth.
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Is It That Time Already????.

So, I'm at work the other day when the email arrives.........yes, it is time for the annual NASCAR pool at my place of employment, free of charge.

.Fifty-One weeks of fun with hard-driving cars making left turns, revved up engines and tons of chewing tobacco and motor oil.

I couldn't have deleted the offer quick enough.
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Instead of trying to figure out why this sport ---I'm not even sure this qualifies as a sport any more --- is so popular, I'm not going to bother showing an interest. I just don't care.
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In that spirit, I'm deciding where NASCAR fits in my viewing plans when going over options of sports that I'd prefer to view.
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NFL Football? Check.
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Baseball? Check
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Hockey? Check
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College Hoops? Check
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College Football? No Brainer
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Golf? Yep, like to watch that one also.
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Tennis? Don't really care but I'd put it over NASCAR....NFL Pro Bowl? I'm checking in on that along with watching an NBA game over the Daytona time trials so I guess those two items are higher.
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Curling? Yep....underrated and up and coming sport. Women's soccer? Yeah, but its close.

Okay, now we know where the line is. I'd rather watch NASCAR than men's soccer and WNBA.
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Check back next year motorheads, we'll see where your sport ranks then.

The Cable Guy Gets the Gig

2009-02-04T20:50:00.003-05:00

The news that everyone expected is finally official and the term "interim" has been removed from Tom Cable's job description as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
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I'm happy the long-awaited news is now here. Tom Cable seemed to sincerely embrace the opportunity afforded him during the season and wants to be the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
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Let's face it, despite being one of 32 head coaching jobs in the NFL, there are many that would not want this job.
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Of those rumored, the pickings were slim.
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Jim Fassel wanted the job, Mr. Davis didn't give him a look.
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Kevin Gilbride ? Hey, I live in New York and barely noticed that he was the OC for the G-Men. To me, he is still the guy who's jaw got in the way of Buddy Ryan's fist when they were coaching up the Houston Oilers a few years back.
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Winston Moss? Intriguing, has been a Raider but not ready for this gig although he fulfilled the Rooney Rule requirement.
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Jim Harbaugh ? Would've been a nice idea, given his brother's success in Baltimore but it didn't happen. Enjoy 6-6 next year on the Farm.
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Tom Cable? The man wanted the job. He coached up the Raider Nation to wins in their last two games and showed a little Pride and Poise in knocking the Punk and the Bucs out of the playoffs.
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He is the right man for the job for now. Let's hope Mr. Davis is as committed to Tom Cable as Tom Cable has been to the Oakland Raiders.

Super Bowl XLIII Preview & Prediction

2009-01-29T22:42:00.008-05:00

The greatest holiday of the year is upon us.
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While mulling over which song The Boss is going to open the halftime show with, I'm wondering how I want to see Super Bowl XLIII unfold.

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The thing that gets me geared up for events like the Super Bowl are the "moments" that occur in the game. The out-of-nowhere play that takes an anonymous player and forever etches his name in Super Bowl history - (See David Tyree, New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII).

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Not being a fan of either team, I obviously want a close game. Blowouts in the Super Bowl are a major letdown. For me, it is all about the action on the field. Surely in the minority, commercial breaks are still made for trips to the bathroom, not viewing commercials.

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For Pittsburgh to Win: Play the same type of physical defense that has suffocated opponents all season. The Steelers are the toughest bunch around and have the ability to impose their will on opponents.

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An early Pittsburgh lead will be fatal for Arizona.

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I'm expecting Pittsburgh to come out aggressive, throw the ball around to Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward with a few early trick plays. Roethlisberger was horrible in Super Bowl XL against Seattle, they'll want to get him off early. Arizona has not been here before - not even close - so the Steelers may have the opportunity to catch a big play early if the Arizona defense is in awe of its surroundings.

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With its great defense, Pittsburgh has the luxury of taking a few early chances before settling into the ground attack with Willie Parker.

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On defense, Pittsburgh is going to turn it loose. D-coordinator Dick LeBeau is the greatest DC in NFL history. He has two weeks to prepare for this game. That isn't a good thing for Arizona.

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For Arizona to Win: The Cards have to get the offense cranking early, mixing run with pass.

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The Steelers are going to blitz early and often so Arizona will need to toss in a few screen passes to the RB's and use some misdirection to slow down the Steeler defense.

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Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are going to get hit early and often. How they handle the physical beating by the Pittsburgh secondary will speak volumes as to Arizona's chances of pulling the upset.

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More than all, other factors, Arizona has to get the lead and play with it. If Pittsburgh jumps out and turns the Cardinals offense one-dimensional, the game will be over. Kurt Warner is an immobile QB and could get buried under an avalanche of Steeler blitzes.

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The Arizona defense will play well and should hang in there with a Steeler offense not known for its explosiveness.

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Prediction: It has been a great run for Arizona and they are the
Cinderella story.

However, when a high-flying offense meets a prolific defense, the defense wins every time.

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Roethlisberger will atone for his bad performance three years ago and will be the MVP. .

The Steeler defense will turn the game with a few turnovers and turn the game a bit ugly.

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Final Score - Pittsburgh 30, Arizona 13

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On to the NFL draft............still praying for a Michael Crabtree sighting in Oakland.

Jon Gruden Fired By Tampa Bay! My Lucky Streak Continues!!!

2009-01-16T23:07:00.006-05:00

That sounds oh sooooooo good, I think I'll say it again.

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John Gruden fired by Tampa Bay.
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Good Riddance.

(Photo By Associated Press).

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***Disclaimer - Yeah, I know, Gruden beat my boys in the Super Bowl. I'll never forget it nor will I get over the embarrassment even though he did it with a team put together by Tony Dungy. That said, I enjoyed knocking the man I affectionately call the "punk" out of the playoffs and helping end his tenure in Tampa. Cut me some slack, I have so little in life to get excited about...........hehehehehehehehehehehehe.*******

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It was said in this spot that it would be fitting that Gruden be giving his walking papers following the Bucs collapse, which culminated in a home loss to the Raiders on the last day of the season.

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And now, it has happened.

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Wow, I should play the lottery or something.

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Seriously........the Bruins are the best team in the NHL, Tar Heel hoops is solid, Denver, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and New England all missed the playoffs and the G-Men choked in the first round of the playoffs.

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And..........most shockingly, I've survived over seven months of marriage without getting booted out of the house.............I'm on a serious roll here.

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Maybe my fantasy baseball team can win its first title since '93, when I was young and naive and Bill Clinton was in his first term.

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Jon Gruden fired by Tampa Bay. Yep, it still sounds good.

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****Disclaimer #2 - Um, Chucky, as of this writing, we in the Raider Nation are still without a coach. We had a good thing in Oakland when you were here until your massive ego got in the way and you acted like a child to force your way out of town. Time heals all wounds (sometimes). You can bring Bruce Allen with you, he did a good job here. Just remember to leave your ego in Florida and just coach some football******

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Predictions - While I'm busy hoping this sudden run of good luck culminates in Michael Crabtree becoming a Raider on draft day, here are the picks for this week's championship games:

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Philadelphia 27, Arizona 24

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Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 9

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Jon Gruden fired by Tampa Bay.........Had to say it just one more time

Life is good