Philadelphians Join New Yorkers Everywhere by Yelling: Boston Sucks! Assist from Joe Prez...

Back in 1982, the Sixers and Celtics had the best rivalry in basketball as division rivals who had been two of the best three teams in the league for at least half a decade, and had beat each other up in epic battles since the Russell/Chamberlain days. As expected the two teams clashed in the conference finals for the right to play the LA Lakers in the NBA Finals. The Sixers jumped out to a 3-1 lead and seemed to be on cruise control. Then, however, fortunes changes drastically as the Celts won game 5 in Boston and game 6 in Philly. With the series tied 3-3 and the deciding game in Boston, it looked like the Celts were going to come back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Sixers in 7 games for the second straight season. But, alas, 1982 would be different, and the Sixers rallied for an amazing 14 point win in the Boston Garden.

As the game neared its end and it was clear that the Sixers would advance to the Finals, the Boston fans showed amazing grace and class, chanting "Beat L.A., Beat L.A." to the victorious Sixers. Just an amazing show of what the Boston fans were made of.

25 years later, the two cities are in remarkably different places. Philadelphia has not won a championship in any of the four major sports since 1983, an unbelievably depressing run of failure and misery. We have lost 7 times in the finals since the 1983 Sixers championship (1983 & 1993 Phillies, 1985, 1987, 1997 Flyers, 2001 Sixers and 2004 Eagles (who lost to Boston!)). What's worse, the Flyers were the worst team in the league last year, the Sixers are predicted to be the worst team in the league this year, the Eagles window seems to have closed, and the Phillies will likely never spend the money needed to get over the hump. Boston, meanwhile, has won three Super Bowls and two World Series titles this decade, and even the Celtics are contenders again with three perennial all-stars on their roster. While the Red Sox look set up for a Yankee like run of dominance, the Patriots are looking to not only win 19 straight, but maybe win all 19 by double figures. It is crazy....

My point in all this is that the Philadelphia fans have none of the grace or class that those Boston fans displayed 25 years ago (could this success be karma?). We are bitter that we have won nothing in a generation. We are angry that we have incompetent management and frugal ownership unwilling and/or unable to do the things necessary to win. And we hate the teams and the cities that have success that should be ours. When it all comes together and a city wins as much as Boston has lately, and it is a city with teams that we do not much care for to start, then our hatred and revulsion reaches a whole new level.

This is not a condemnation on myself or my fellow Philly fans. It is just a fact. It is something that could happen to anyone. It is like when Randolph and Mortimer Duke "took a perfectly useless psychopath like Valentine, and turned him into a successful executive. And during the same time, they turned an honest, hard-working man into a violently... deranged, would-be killer!" Bottom line: present a man with enough heartbreak, and losing, and frustration, and he will crumble. If you don't believe me, ask the fans of fellow loser cities like Cleveland and Buffalo what they think...

My buddy Joe Prez is a typical Philadelphia fan. He is a nice, responsible, hard working, kind generous guy, who used to have some good wheels back in the day but Mr. Prez is just like the rest of us, he now hates Boston and its teams. He openly admits that this is being driven by envy as a disgruntled Philly fan.

Prez, when discussing the current state of Boston teams, always has a zinger to help justify, as that makes us all feel a little better: "Their baseball team, although great, has the 2nd highest payroll in MLB and is beating up on a team that pays its players almost $90Million less. They won the Daisuke sweepstakes by spending $51million outbidding both NY teams and Texas just a year after they bought Josh Beckett. Their football team, has the most talent, won 3 of the last 5 SuperBowls, may go undefeated this year on their way to winning yet another SuperBowl and oh yeah - they cheat."

Prez then goes on to create the beginning of what could grow to be an excellent Top XX Reasons Why We Should All Jump on the Anti-Boston Parade right now:
1 - Mr. clean cut Tom Brady dates his girlfriend for 3 years, gets her pregnant and then leaves her to start dating supermodel Giselle (although I’m not sure any of us can blame him for this one).
2 - The NFL tucks it between their legs and destroys all of the tapes
3 - Two words – Randy Moss
4 - Two letters and a word – J D Drew
5 - Ted Kennedy killed his girlfriend and got away with it.
6 – Dirty old man Bob Kraft invites Kate Hudson in to his owner's suite at the Cowboys game. . . I could see Jerry Jones doing that but Bob Kraft – what the hell was that?
7 – Kraft kills trees to serve his paper empire (it’s all about going green now isn’t it?)

I will get the ball rolling on adding to Prez' list and say #8 should read: "When Boston wins, we are all subjected by even more annoying columns from "sportsboy" Bill Simmons at espn.com about how great all his glorious teams are." Does Bill even care that he has lost his edge, his writing is not nearly what is was 5+ years ago, and that is wife now writes more interesting stuff than he does?

And as it normally does with Philly fans, Prez takes it one step further, urging "the Eagles to put calls in to Buddy Ryan asking come him to come back and coach the team in Week 12 while Andy Reid takes his sons to jail (sentencing day is Nov 1 for both of them). Assuming the Birds are out of the playoff hunt by then (as if they aren’t yet), it might be interesting to let Dawkins and company inflict what damage they can on the Pats playoff health."

Some people might indict him as a bitter, angry, mean-spirited Philadelphia fan whose priorities are way out of line. I would respond to these people by tell them Mr. Prez is a fine example of a true passionate Philadelphia fan who would never, ever chant "Beat LA" to any Boston team.

Week 8 Column: Red Sox, A-Rod, Belichick, Eagles, NBA & College Football

Why is it that I can have the same keychain for the last 20 years straight but my average length of time to lose a pair of sunglasses is 6.4 days?

Baseball is all over. The Red Sox, for the second time in 4 years, and the second time in the last 89 years, brought home the big prize. My 4 year old was happy as he informed me that the Boston Red Sox were his third favorite team. Of course, the New York Yankees are his second favorite team so I am not sure he has a fundamental picture yet of some of the 'do's' and 'don'ts' of sports fandom quite yet. On the flip side, he can tell you who #'s 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 45, 50, 51 are on the Phillies (and he says Adam Eaton sucks so no need to know #23), so that is pretty cool.

The Sawx were a very good team that got incredibly hot when their backs got up against the wall and won their last 7 straight! The unfortunate thing, if you are a Yankee fan, or that of any other team, is that Boston has a huge budget (second to the Yanks but somehow nobody complains about this...if there was a cap, they may not have been able to get past Theo Epstein's crappy moves over past few years) and a ton of young talent in Papelbon, Ellsbury, Pedroia, Bucholz, etc.

A-Fraud is a total scumbag as is his stupid agent who I have hated ever since the J.D. Drew debacle 10 years ago. It is amazing that they had so little respect for the game that they announced he was opting out of his contract during the clinching game of the World Series. I am sure Boars has illegally negotiated a deal for the worst hitter in the playoffs every year like he did last year for J.D. Drew (they are not Drew-ing, they're booing), but it would be tremendous if the purple lipped assface had to take a pay cut because nobody wanted to pay $30 mill for a guy who can't hit in the playoffs. And how could he have so little respect for his own team, who professed a desire to keep him and offer him a nice raise (making his package about $230 million over 8 years), that he would not even grant them a face to face meeting. I hope A-Rod tears his ACL, blows out his rotator cuff, goes blind, and continues to have millions around the country hate his guts. Even Peter Gammons, who never says a bad thing about anyone, blasted A-Rod for his impish behavior. If the Phillies are thinking about spending the money to bring A-Fraud here (which we all know they are too cheap to do), I urge them to leave the cancer for someone else and find some pitching!

Speaking of scumbags, Bill Belichick also has no respect for the game. How he con continue to go for it on 4th down when his team is up 20, 30, 40+ points is amazing to me. Some team needs to run a sweep and take out this guys knees.

However, Belichick has assembled just an amazing team. This team is so good that they are playing a road game against a 7-0 team who won the Super Bowl last year and they are favored by almost a touchdown. And, probably 90% of the betting dollars will be on the Patsies. What a great game this Sunday, we will get into more detail later in the week.

The Birds looked ordinary Sunday (which is a big improvement) and beat a subpar Minnesota team to run their record to 3-4, making the game at home Sunday night against Dallas and their really rich quarterback at least meaningful. McNabb, as he always does when he has people that can get open, looked great Sunday, with over 300 yards and no picks. The Birds even called a running play for $5, which has not happened this year yet, so he must be getting closer to fully healthy.

The NBA starts tonight. No, I am not even kidding. Who knew? Somewhere while awaiting sentencing, Timmy Donoaghy is trying to get some bets in. Unfortunately, the made for TV opener between Portland and San Antonio will not feature Greg Oden, who is out for the year. Kevin Durant will make his debut tomorrow.

The Sixers are being picked basically last in the conference by everybody. This actually surprises me, as this team finished the year playing hard and with fairly successful results after AI got traded. I predict the Sixers will vie for a playoff berth this year and be much better than people think.

Back to the gridiron, college football is setting themselves up for another controversial finish. How can there be a scenario in which there will not be teams snubbed when the BCS bids are announced? I am not sure why the NCAA and the college presidents will not adopt a playoff format. It will make more money and allow all the issues to be settled on the field, where they should be. It will mean more money for the NCAA and the schools, it will be better for the fans, and the argument that it is not good for the student athletes just does not hold water any more. College football is big business. Plus, their is a tournament in every other NCAA sport. Enough already.

The all time choke award goes to Virgina Tech, who shutout BC for 58 minutes only to give up 14 points and lose. At home. Just a terrible job by Beamer and his staff of keeping the kids focused for a full 60 minutes.

Joe Pa feel two wins behind Bowden (if you count Bowden's wins at Samford, which is 1-AA, not sure why they count) for most wins. Who will keel over first?

The best two teams in football are Oregon and LSU. If the BCS stayed as is and pitted Ohio St and Boston College, then the real championship would be if they could get LSU and Oregon to battle it out. Rose Bowl?

And for all you that hate hearing about Duke basketball all season long, the Blue Devils have their first exhibition on Thursday against Robert Brickey's Shaw University squad on Thursday. Look for the Devils to be better and deeper this year. Not sure they will be ready to challenge for a Final 4 berth, but they will be a player again on the National stage this year. Hopefully Brian Zoubek can travel less than 80% of the times he touches the ball this year and provide some post presence. That could be the only missing piece....

Dils Win or Die Week 8

Pick Breakdown:


Note: SD should actually be 33 and Indy should be 9....

Individual Picks:

4 Rings 1 NY Giants
Abela 2 NY Giants
A-Hole Jets Fan 1 NY Giants
AJ Fratoni 1 Indianapolis
Akshon Barclay 1 Tennessee
Akshon Barclay 3 NY Giants
Alberto Escobedo 2 NY Giants
Alistair Campbell Tennessee
Amol Dixit 1…NOW ACCASHIAN Chicago
Angel Indianapolis
Anthony Albanese 3 San Diego
Anthony Albanese 4 New England
Bailey/Holstad 1 NY Giants
Bakke 3 NY Giants
Bambi 2…NOW LUPETTI Tennessee
Ben Stewart…NOW McDONALD New England
Bill D'Elia NY Giants
Bill Webster San Diego
Bob Landow NY Giants
Bob Van Nortwick NY Giants
BP 1 NY Giants
Brad Stuart 2 NY Giants
Brian McAndrews NY Giants
Brian Silverio NY Giants
Bryan Sullivan New Orleans
Buck/Kent Tennessee
C Ooyen Tampa Bay
CAM San Diego
Charlie Piccirillo 2 Tennessee
Chris Bassi 2 Tennessee
Chris Dopp 4 Indianapolis
Chris Nangle 1 NY Giants
Chris Parliman NY Giants
Clark/Joffe 2 NY Giants
Coltndarby NY Giants
Connvac 2 NY Giants
Connvac 3 NY Giants
CP 2 San Diego
Craig Borgen NY Giants
Cronin 1 San Diego
D Bank 1 NY Giants
D Froney 1 Tennessee
Dan/Steve Gold 5 NY Giants
Dan/Steve Gold 6 NY Giants
Daniel Hopson 2 Tennessee
Darren Dahlman 2…NOW Axia3 #2 San Diego
Dave Bryla NY Giants
Dave Kay 1 New England
Dave Mehall 3 NY Giants
Dave Silbert NY Giants
David Louis Stitzer Tennessee
Denver Brown 1 Tennessee
Dick A 1 Tennessee
Doug Sargeant 2 NY Giants
DSG 1 San Diego
Duckboy 2 NY Giants
Dunlavy 1 NY Giants
Ed Ramirez 1 New England
Ed Ramirez 2 San Diego
Ed Samocki 2 Tennessee
Ed Welsh 3 San Diego
Ellis NYC 3 Tennessee
Enio Bencosme 2 Cleveland
Eric Haron 2 Chicago
Eric Heuerman 2 Tennessee
Eric Meyers 3 NY Giants
Gabe Bodhi 1 NY Giants
Gabe Bodhi 2 San Diego
Gary Jonas 1 Tennessee
Gatorswonitall 2 San Diego
Getson 1 New England
Goldstein - Levine Tennessee
Greg Heff 3 Tennessee
Greg Marks NY Giants
Gregg 2 New England
Gretchen Liersaph 1 New England
Griffin et al…NOW HOCHHAUSER Tennessee
Griffin/Richmond/Gibbs 1 NY Giants
Howard Goldberg NY Giants
Iceman 5 NY Giants
Iceman 6 New England
Ike Royster NY Giants
J Taylor 2 New Orleans
Jaco 1 NY Giants
Jaco 8 Tennessee
James Mills 2 Tampa Bay
Jay Soroko 1 NY Giants
Jay Soroko 2 San Diego
JD 1 NY Giants
Jeff Resnick 1…NOW KRUG NY Giants
Jeff Resnick 2 NY Giants
Jeff Rich 1 NY Giants
Jeff Saito 2 New England
Jim Foo 2 Tennessee
Jim Rudofker 1 NY Giants
Jimbo Conbo 2 New England
Jimmy Bredt…NOW FALCON NY Giants
Joe Cavucci 2 Indianapolis
Joe David 5…NOW BP Tennessee
Joe Hochauser 3 San Diego
Joe Pucillo 2 NY Giants
Joe Pucillo 4 San Diego
Joseph Beedon 2 San Diego
Juice 2 NY Giants
Juice 3 Tennessee
Juice 4 Tennessee
Juice 5 NY Giants
Juice 6 Tennessee
Juice 7 Tennessee
K New 1 Tennessee
Kay Lee San Diego
Keith Berger 1 Tennessee
Keith Heier…NOW McNUTT NY Giants
Keller 2 Tennessee
Keller 3 NY Giants
Kim P 1 San Diego
Kim P 2 Tennessee
KP Tennessee
Kris Wagoner Pittsburgh
Larry Levin 1 Tennessee
Larry Levin 2 NY Giants
Littman 5 Cleveland
LML NY Giants
Lou Cerota 2 NY Giants
Lubart 3 NY Giants
Lulu Cheng 2 NY Giants
LZHBBS 1 Green Bay
M Lacerenza JPS NY Giants
M Lacerenza M San Diego
Marshall Dostal 3 New England
Matt Biskner 2 NY Giants
Matt Biskner 4 San Diego
Matt Wilson 2…NOW MAROLE Pittsburgh
Max 23 NY Giants
Max Haber 7 Tennessee
May Lee 6 Tennessee
May Lee 7 NY Giants
May Lee 8 San Diego
Michael Koffler 1 New England
Michael Koffler 2 NY Giants
Mike Ferry 2 NY Giants
Mike Hovermann New Orleans
Mike Ryan 2 NY Giants
Mike Tynan 1 NY Giants
Mizerny 2 San Diego
1 NY Giants
2 Chicago
Nelson Ranco Tennessee
Newsome 1 NY Giants
Nickel B Chicago
Nicola Espie 1 NY Giants
Niemeyer 1 Indianapolis
Niemeyer 3 Cleveland
Nina K NY Giants
Nitin Singhal 1 NY Giants
Nomanerz Too NY Giants
Norm Cooper Pittsburgh
Nussbaum/Schmolka 1 NY Giants
Nussbaum/Schmolka 2 NY Giants
PA 1 Tennessee
PA 3 NY Giants
Paul Stitzer New England
Phil Hollrah San Diego
Pierre Brown 1 NY Giants
Raivetz 1 Indianapolis
Randy/John Chicago
Randy/Randy C NY Giants
Ray Attiyah 1 NY Giants
Richard Stanley 3 NY Giants
Rick L 5 Tennessee
Rick L 6 NY Giants
Rick Woods 2 San Diego
Ritter 3 NY Giants
Ritter 6 Tennessee
Rob Kaiser 1…NOW Axia3 San Diego
Rob Kaiser 2 NY Giants
Roger Levine 2 NY Giants
Ron Mexico 1 NY Giants
Ron Mexico 5 Tennessee
Rudo 2 San Diego
Ryan Carey 2 San Diego
Ryan Doheny 1 San Diego
Ryan Doheny 5 NY Giants
Ryan Doheny 6 NY Giants
Ryan Doheny 7 NY Giants
Sam Chevadisaikul 1 Tampa Bay
Scherby 8 Tennessee
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 1 Indianapolis
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 4 NY Giants
Shawn Marshall Chicago
Silver Fox 2…NOW MONKS NY Giants
Sonnenberg 2 Tennessee
Sozbolt Pittsburgh
Stacey Tracton 1 San Diego
Stephen Moss 1 San Diego
Steve Stovall 2 Indianapolis
Steven Immergut 1 NY Giants
Streetsmart Tennessee
Stuart Chase 1…NOW TJ NY Giants
Stuart Erickson 2 NY Giants
Susan Walters Indianapolis
The Bandits New England
The Hanford Dixon Experience NY Giants
The Hanford Dixon Redux NY Giants
Todd & Regan 1 Tennessee
Todd & Regan 3 NY Giants
Todd & Regan 4 New England
Todd Turchin 1 NY Giants
Todd Turchin 4 NY Giants
Tom H 1 NY Giants
Tom Huang 4 Tennessee
Tom Keegans 2 Chicago
Tony Sollenbarger Tennessee
Touchdown Tommy Tennessee
True Dat 1 NY Giants
True Dat 2 San Diego
Val Brochard 4 Tennessee
Von 1 Chicago
Von 3 San Diego
Wayne Kimmel 1 San Diego
Wells/Bartos/Sudman 1 NY Giants
WJO 2 San Diego
WJO 4 NY Giants
Yacker 1 NY Giants

World Series Pick, BC/Va Tech

Well, the World Series starts tonight. The Red Sox are coming off a comeback in which they beat the Indians to a pulp in three straight must win games. The Rockies are coming off winning 21 of their last 22, all in highly pressurized situations. The Rockies have the possible rookie of the year in the NL. The Red Sox have the possible rookie of the year in the NL (I picked both to win in my end of season predictions, meaning they will likely both lose). The Rockies have one of the best hitters of the last decade in Todd Helton. The Red Sox have perhaps one of the best hitters off all-time in Manny. His on-base percentage in the playoffs with an 0-2 count is something like 63. Insane. The Rockies have the guy who should finish second in the MVP voting in the NL this year. The Red Sox have a perennial MVP candidate in David Ortiz. The Red Sox have one of the best pitchers in the league who gets even better in the playoffs in Josh Beckett. The Rockies have a decent pitcher who has turned into Sandy Koufax in the playoffs in Jeff Francis. The Red Sox have probably the best closer in the game today in Papelbon. The Rockies have a potential cheater as their closer who lubricates himself with liquid of some kind and dirt in Corpas. The Red Sox lose a #4 starter to the DL. The Rockies gain a #4 starter from the DL.

Will 8 straight days off hurt the Rockies mojo? Will the Rockies rookie pitchers be able to hold up under the pressure of the biggest spotlight? Will a team that has no World Series experience be able to beat a team that is supposed to win World Series'?

Will a guy that has beaten all the odds and picked 13 straight series incorrectly continue to amaze everyone and do it again for the 14th straight time?

The Colorado Rockies, your 2007 World Series Champions. Troy Tulowitski, MVP.

While Colorado is moving towards a World Series title, their will be a huge college football game in Blacksburg, VA tomorrow night, when the Hokies/Gobblers host the Eagles of Boston College. BC is ranked #2 in the BCS standings, which is not a good place to be. The #2 team has lost each of the last three weeks, and going on the road at night to play the #8 team in the country is no easy task. BC has great experience with 13 senior starters to deal with the crowd, the pressure, and the Hokies, but, alas, it will not be enough. Look for Virginia Tech win by more than a touchdown as they knock off #2.

More college football, pro football, and Breeders Cup stuff, World Series coverage and who knows what else this week.....

California Fires, Global Warming, Philly Uglies, Why Reid & Getson Cost the Eagles, & Why I should be the Next Manager of the New York Yankees

First of all, to anyone that is being affected by the fires in California, please accept my thoughts and prayers for your safety and the preservation of your homes and belongings. This is an unfortunate reminder that sometimes we have no control over the course of events in our lives. Hopefully everybody comes out unscathed and with an appreciation for the things we all sometimes take for granted.

Maybe this global warming thing is not so bad. It has been in the 70's and 80s the entire month of October. Beeeeeee-youuuuuuu-teeee-full. We should have all been using aerosol sprays a lot earlier on! At this rate, Minneapolis will be the most populated city in the country by the end of this century.

A year ago, I wrote about an outstanding boy's trip in which we went to Tampa for the Eagle/Tampa game and a weekend of debauchery. One of the points that I made was that the women in Tampa, ON AVERAGE, were a lot more attractive than the women in Philadelphia. I even used some visual evidence to prove my point in a statistically significant manner at a 95% confidence level (David E. Williams, how about the market research shtick...). However, a few people were offended, saying that a) I was a pig, and b) I was wrong, they knew lots of pretty women in the city of brotherly shove. Well, a year later, I am vindicated. Click here or here to see Philly aesthetics attacked.

So I spent Sunday at the Eagles game. The first half of the day was outstanding. Nice tailgate, plenty of Captain, good barbecue, a football and plenty of sunshine made for an optimistic group of Bird fans. Then the game started. This team just does not have it. The defense has played solid football the entire season (until the last 1:53 but I will get to that in a minute), but special teams have been poor and the offense simply does not have the tools to score enough points to win in this league. While the fans love to blame McNabb, it is NOT his fault. He actually looks pretty good less than a year removed from major knee surgery. The problem is that he has no receivers that can beat man coverage, and without guys that can get open, it then limits Westbrook's effectiveness. The offensive line has been beat up and not performed well, and clearly they do not have the depth to deal when Runyan and Thomas retire. In other words, this is the beginning of a slide that will take well into the next decade to reverse.

But as poorly as they played, they still put themselves in a position to win, pinning the Bears, with no timeouts and 1:53 to play, back on their own 3 yard line. That is when dumb Brian Getson opened his mouth, saying (and I paraphrase) "with a minute and 53 seconds and no timeouts, we have no chance to lose. It's not like Brian Griese is John Elway or anything." And with that, the game was over. Griese/Elway drove them down for the winning score while the defense stood by helplessly and like Swiss cheese. Ugh. By the way, if you would like to chastise Getson for "singing" and screwing the Eagles, he can be reached at bgetson250@aol.com.

Andy Reid has been a great coach who has done great things for this franchise. That being said, it would be a crime if he is here past this season. This team has been woefully unprepared to play winning football this season. Even if they were prepared, I do not think that Andy Reid the General Manager has done a good enough job of putting the right pieces in place. Bad job by Reid off the field and now on the field. Time to go take care of being a dad.

Speaking of great coaches whose time has come, I think the Yankees made the right move getting rid of Joe Torre (and, clearly, despite that contract offer, the Yankees did not want the skipper back). Joe has done a marvelous job managing egos and this team for 12 straight years, but the fact remains that he sis not win a championship in the last 7 years despite having the highest payroll every year. In New York, the playoffs are not good enough. I urge the Yankees to consider me for the job. I would be the best candidate because:

1. My ability to pick 100% of baseball series incorrectly over the past two years is a skill almost no one else possesses.
2. What other candidate would provide Stitzer with direct access to the manager to discuss strategy, game decisions, etc.
3. Costanza has proven that he can't carry a team on his back through all his failed sitcoms since Seinfeld.
4. With the real estate market tanking, it's not like they would have to buy me out for an expensive gig.
5. I am not afraid to tell A-Rod to take his $50 million demands, .144 playoff average, and dickhead agent to go bring another team down in the playoffs.
6. Most of all, what could be better preparation than watching Charlie Manual every day for the past few years.

Hank, Hal, George, Cashman: Call me!

I will be back tomorrow with a look ahead to the World Series (Gosk, what is it worth to you for me to pick Colorado?) and some other sports mumbo jumbo. Be well until then.

Dils Win or Die Week 7

Win or Die Week 7

4 Rings 1 New Orleans
Abela 2 New Orleans
A-Hole Jets Fan 1 Washington
AJ Fratoni 1 Washington
Akshon Barclay 1 NY Giants
Akshon Barclay 3 New England
Alberto Escobedo 2 NY Giants
Alistair Campbell New Orleans
Amol Dixit 1…NOW ACCASHIAN NY Giants
Angel Washington
Anthony Albanese 3 Seattle
Anthony Albanese 4 New Orleans
Bailey/Holstad 1 Dallas
Bakke 3 Washington
Bambi 2…NOW LUPETTI Washington
Ben Stewart…NOW McDONALD Washington
Bill D'Elia NY Giants
Bill Webster Washington
Bob Landow NY Giants
Bob Van Nortwick New Orleans
BP 1 NY Giants
Brad Stuart 2 Seattle
Brian McAndrews New England
Brian Silverio Cincinnati
Bryan Sullivan NY Giants
Buck/Kent NY Giants
C Ooyen NY Giants
CAM NY Giants
Charlie Piccirillo 2 NY Giants
Chris Bassi 2 NY Giants
Chris Dopp 4 NY Giants
Chris Nangle 1 NY Giants
Chris Parliman Washington
Clark/Joffe 2 Dallas
Coltndarby New Orleans
Connvac 2 Seattle
Connvac 3 New England
CP 2 Washington
Craig Borgen Washington
Cronin 1 NY Giants
D Bank 1 NY Giants
D Froney 1 New Orleans
Dan/Steve Gold 5 Seattle
Dan/Steve Gold 6 New Orleans
Daniel Hopson 2 NY Giants
Darren Dahlman 2 NY Giants
Dave Bryla NY Giants
Dave Kay 1 New England
Dave Mehall 3 Washington
Dave Silbert New Orleans
David Louis Stitzer Seattle
Denver Brown 1 NY Giants
Dick A 1 Washington
Doug Sargeant 2 New Orleans
DSG 1 NY Giants
Duckboy 2 NY Giants
Dunlavy 1 Washington
Ed Ramirez 1 NY Giants
Ed Ramirez 2 Washington
Ed Samocki 2 NY Giants
Ed Welsh 3 NY Giants
Ellis NYC 3 NY Giants
Enio Bencosme 2 NY Giants
Eric Haron 2 NY Giants
Eric Heuerman 2 New England
Eric Meyers 3 Washington
Gabe Bodhi 1 Washington
Gabe Bodhi 2 NY Giants
Gary Jonas 1 Seattle
Gatorswonitall 2 Washington
Getson 1 New Orleans
Goldstein - Levine NY Giants
Greg Heff 3 NY Giants
Greg Marks New England
Gregg 2 New York Giants
Gretchen Liersaph 1 NY Giants
Griffin et al…NOW HOCHHAUSER NY Giants
Griffin/Richmond/Gibbs 1 New England
Howard Goldberg New Orleans
Iceman 5 NY Giants
Iceman 6 Washington
Ike Royster Seattle
J Taylor 2 Seattle
Jaco 1 Washington
Jaco 8 NY Giants
James Mills 2 NY Giants
Jay Soroko 1 New Orleans
Jay Soroko 2 NY Giants
JD 1 Seattle
Jeff Resnick 1…NOW KRUG Washington
Jeff Resnick 2 New England
Jeff Rich 1 Washington
Jeff Saito 2 NY Giants
Jim Foo 2 NY Giants
Jim Rudofker 1 Dallas
Jimbo Conbo 2 NY Giants
Jimmy Bredt…NOW FALCON NY Giants
Joe Cavucci 2 NY Giants
Joe David 5…NOW BP Washington
Joe Hochauser 3 Washington
Joe Pucillo 2 New England
Joe Pucillo 4 NY Giants
Joseph Beedon 2 New England
Juice 2 Washington
Juice 3 Washington
Juice 4 New Orleans
Juice 5 Washington
Juice 6 New Orleans
Juice 7 New Orleans
K New 1 NY Giants
Kay Lee NY Giants
Keith Berger 1 NY Giants
Keith Heier…NOW McNUTT New Orleans
Keller 2 New Orleans
Keller 3 Washington
Kim P 1 Seattle
Kim P 2 NY Giants
KP NY Giants
Kris Wagoner NY Giants
Larry Levin 1 NY Giants
Larry Levin 2 Washington
Littman 5 NY Giants
LML New Orleans
Lou Cerota 2 New Orleans
Lubart 2 Pittsburgh
Lubart 3 Seattle
Lulu Cheng 2 Washington
LZHBBS 1 New England
M Lacerenza JPS New Orleans
M Lacerenza M New Orleans
Marshall Dostal 3 NY Giants
Matt Biskner 2 New England
Matt Biskner 4 NY Giants
Matt Wilson 2…NOW MAROLE New England
Max 23 NY Giants
Max Haber 7 Seattle
May Lee 6 NY Giants
May Lee 7 Washington
May Lee 8 New Orleans
Michael Koffler 1 Seattle
Michael Koffler 2 New England
Mike Ferry 2 Washington
Mike Hovermann NY Giants
Mike Ryan 2 NY Giants
Mike Tynan 1 Cincinnati
Mizerny 2 Washington
1 Dallas
2 NY Giants
Nelson Ranco NY Giants
Newsome 1 NY Giants
Nickel B NY Giants
Nicola Espie 1 New England
Niemeyer 1 NY Giants
Niemeyer 3 Seattle
Nina K New Orleans
Nitin Singhal 1 Washington
Nomanerz Too Washington
Norm Cooper Washington
Nussbaum/Schmolka 1 NY Giants
Nussbaum/Schmolka 2 NY Giants
PA 1 NY Giants
PA 3 Washington
Paul Stitzer New Orleans
Phil Hollrah Washington
Pierre Brown 1 Washington
Raivetz 1 New England
Randy/John NY Giants
Randy/Randy C Washington
Ray Attiyah 1 NY Giants
Richard Stanley 3 Washington
Rick L 5 NY Giants
Rick L 6 Washington
Rick Woods 2 NY Giants
Ritter 3 New Orleans
Ritter 6 Washington
Rob Kaiser 1 NY Giants
Rob Kaiser 2 New Orleans
Roger Levine 2 NY Giants
Ron Mexico 1 Dallas
Ron Mexico 5 Washington
Rudo 1 EAGLES
Rudo 2 NY Giants
Ryan Carey 2 Washington
Ryan Doheny 1 NY Giants
Ryan Doheny 5 New England
Ryan Doheny 6 New England
Ryan Doheny 7 New England
Sam Chevadisaikul 1 NY Giants
Scherby 8 NY Giants
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 1 NY Giants
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 4 New England
Shawn Marshall NY Giants
Silver Fox 2…NOW MONKS NY Giants
Sonnenberg 2 Washington
Sozbolt NY Giants
Stacey Tracton 1 NY Giants
Stephen Moss 1 NY Giants
Steve Stovall 2 NY Giants
Steven Immergut 1 Seattle
Streetsmart NY Giants
Stuart Chase 1…NOW TJ Seattle
Stuart Erickson 2 New Orleans
Susan Walters NY Giants
The Bandits Washington
The Hanford Dixon Experience Washington
The Hanford Dixon Redux Washington
Todd & Regan 1 NY Giants
Todd & Regan 3 Seattle
Todd & Regan 4 New England
Todd Turchin 1 Washington
Todd Turchin 4 Cincinnati
Tom H 1 Seattle
Tom Huang 4 NY Giants
Tom Keegans 2 Cincinnati
Tony Sollenbarger NY Giants
Touchdown Tommy NY Giants
True Dat 1 Washington
True Dat 2 NY Giants
Val Brochard 4 Washington
Von 1 Washington
Von 3 NY Giants
Wayne Kimmel 1 New Orleans
Wells/Bartos/Sudman 1 Dallas
WJO 2 Indianapolis
WJO 4 New Orleans
Yacker 1 NY Giants

An Interesting Horseracing Proposition, Cooper (ha!), NFL & NCAA Picks, and Win or Die Week 6 Picks

If anyone is going to the Eagles/Jets game, let me know. Stitzer and I will be tailgating with a crew of hooligans and I would love a chance to say hello...


Ralph DeMicco, Jr. and Joe Hochhauser have an interesting idea. They started R & J Horses, a company developed with the idea of giving the little folks like you and me (this sport is known as the Sport of Kings for a reasons) a chance at affordable thoroughbred horse ownership. With an investment of as little as $1,000, they are offering shares (2.5% and up) of different level horses. After your initial investment, you own that percentage of the horse for life AND never have to spend another dollar. R&J taks care of all the training, feeding, lodging, etc. And they pay for it using a percentage of the proceeds that their stable wins, with 30% of the prize money being paid to the owners. They have had a lot of early success, and Ralph has a great training pedigree. If you would like more information of how to become a minority owner in a racehorse, and who knows, maybe end up sipping Mint ulips on the first Saturday in May, click here to visit the R&J web site.

One of my favorite commercials was that old Expeida commercial starring Cooper as the obnoxious office guy who drove his co-worker crazy on a business flight. Finally, I found the spot on youtube. If you are an idiot like me and remember and have any interest in that spot, here it is.

Onto picks. By the way, yes I realize I should no longer pick baseball games or college football games. However, picking against me at this point could be a nice source of income for those smart enough to realize my lack of talent, so I will continue for the good of the peeps. Here goes for this weekend.

NCAA (Last Week: 2-6; Season: 11-21, a whopping 34.4%)

One interesting note before we get to the picks...they are up and arms in Chapel Hill this week because Steve Spurrier is bring the Shamcocks to town. As if the rarely played South Carolina/North Carolina tilt was not enough to stoke the competitive fires, it seems that UNC is still extremely upset about what happened in 1989. Spurrier, then the coach at Duke, beat UNC 41-0 at Keenan Flagler Stadium (is that where they play?) on its way to an ACC Championship and a rare bowl appearance. Then took a team photograph right underneath the scoreboard. And you wonder why you love Spurrier if you are with him and hate him if yuo are against him. Excellent stuff. Go Shamecocks.

Virginia Tech (-14) at Duke. Bad matchup for the Devils. They will not be able to run their consecutive cover streak to 6.

Louisville (+10) at Cincinnati. Louisvile stinks, but they have enough offense to keep this ni single digits.

Wyoming (-3.5) vs. New Mexico. Rocky Long's boys do just not have the talent to stay close to the Cowboys in Laramie.


Miss St (+7.5) vs. Tennessee. What a disappointment the Vols have been, and Sylvester Croom is slowly, slowly turning the Bulldog program around.

No pick on the Penn St/Wisconsin game this week, but doesn't that line (7) seem way to high to you? Beware of taking Wisconsin and the points. Feels liek a trap.


Iowa (+4.5) vs. Illinois. Classic letdown game for a good but inexperienced team going on the road against a bad team after two straight huge wins at home. I actually love Iowa here! Use that information however you will....

Cal (-14) vs. Oregon St. The Beavers stink, Cal is ranked 2nd in the country and at home. They should crush teh Beavers. This line feels weird to me, so I will make it a small opinion, but cannot completely get away from the Bears.

Arkansas (-3) vs. Auburn. This line would be 8 had Florida beaten Auburn at home. This is a gift.

Virginia (-3) vs. UConn. The Nation's worst unbeaten team (including Kansas) loses to my other alma mater.

NFL (Last week: 4-2; Overall: 15-14, 51.7%; That's right baby! Over .500)

Cincinnati (-3) at Kansas City. Smart. Take a 1-3 road favorite. Just can't help it. Cincinnati is more talented than Kansas City, and if they have any shot at makig a run, it starts with a win against a abad team that they have had two weeks to prepare for.


Tennessee (+3) at Tampa Bay. Tampa has zero running game. Tennessee is getting better all the time. They get it done in the Big Sombrero.

Arizona (-4.5) vs. Carolina. Any time I see that potential quarterbacks are a banged up David Carr, a 43 year old, and a rookie from Oregon State, I go the other way and hop on the Kurt Warner rejuvenation machine.


New England/Dallas UNDER 53. Playoff atmosphere. I think these teams spend a quarter feeling each other out (better than feeling them up), and they may turn on some offense late but not enough to get to the number.

Oakland (+10) at San Diego. Okaland is looking pretty competitive. San Diego has looked porous other than last week. I think Oakland keeps it close.

Win or Die Week 6 Picks:

Pick Breakdown (click to enlarge):

Individual Picks:

4 Rings 1 Baltimore
A Keiser Chicago
Abela 2 Baltimore
Abshear 2 Seattle
A-Hole Jets Fan 1 San Diego
A-Hole Jets Fan 4 Seattle
AJ Fratoni 1 Baltimore
Akshon Barclay 1 San Diego
Akshon Barclay 3 Baltimore
Alberto Escobedo 2 San Diego
Alistair Campbell Baltimore
Amol Dixit 1 San Diego
Angel Baltimore
Anthony Albanese 3 Baltimore
Anthony Albanese 4 Cleveland
Bailey/Holstad 1 San Diego
Bakke 3 San Diego
Bambi 2 San Diego
Ben Stewart…NOW McDONALD San Diego
Bill D'Elia Baltimore
Bill Webster Baltimore
Bob Landow Baltimore
Bob Van Nortwick San Diego
BP 1 Baltimore
Brad Stuart 2 San Diego
Brian Fitzgerald Arizona
Brian McAndrews San Diego
Brian Silverio Baltimore
Bryan Sullivan Baltimore
Buck/Kent Baltimore
C Ooyen San Diego
CAM Baltimore
Charlie Piccirillo 2 San Diego
Chris Bassi 2 Cleveland
Chris Dopp 4 San Diego
Chris Nangle 1 Baltimore
Chris Parliman San Diego
Clark/Joffe 2 San Diego
Colleen Miller 2 Arizona
Coltndarby San Diego
Connvac 2 San Diego
Connvac 3 Baltimore
Coop 1 Chicago
CP 2 EAGLES
Craig Borgen Baltimore
Cronin 1 Baltimore
D Bank 1 San Diego
D Froney 1 San Diego
Damon DeVito Seattle
Dan/Steve Gold 5 Cleveland
Dan/Steve Gold 6 San Diego
Dan/Steve Gold 7 Chicago
Daniel Hopson 2 Baltimore
Darren Dahlman 1 Chicago
Darren Dahlman 2 Baltimore
Dave Bryla Baltimore
Dave Kay 1 Baltimore
Dave Mehall 3 Baltimore
Dave S 2 Seattle
Dave Silbert Baltimore
David Louis Stitzer Baltimore
Denver Brown 1 San Diego
Dick A 1 Baltimore
Dirk 1 Chicago
Dirk 8 Chicago
Doug Sargeant 2 Baltimore
DSG 1 Baltimore
Duckboy 2 Baltimore
Dunlavy 1 San Diego
E Haber 3 Cincinnati
Ed Ramirez 1 Baltimore
Ed Ramirez 2 Cleveland
Ed Samocki 2 San Diego
Ed Welsh 3 Baltimore
Ellis NYC 3 Cleveland
Emory 1 Chicago
Enio Bencosme 2 San Diego
Eric Haron 2 San Diego
Eric Heuerman 2 Cleveland
Eric Meyers 3 San Diego
Falcon 1 Arizona
Falcon 6 Washington
Fenlin/Stern 2 Seattle
Frank G 2 Chicago
Gabe Bodhi 1 San Diego
Gabe Bodhi 2 Baltimore
Gary Jonas 1 EAGLES
Gatorswonitall 2 NY Giants
Getson 1 NY Giants
Goldstein - Levine San Diego
Grant K Seattle
Greg Heff 3 Jacksonville
Greg Marks San Diego
Gregg 2 EAGLES
Gretchen Liersaph 1 Baltimore
Griffin et al…NOW HOCHHAUSER Baltimore
Griffin/Richmond/Gibbs 1 Baltimore
Harris Roth 4 Seattle
Harris Roth 5 Arizona
Howard Goldberg San Diego
Iceman 5 Baltimore
Iceman 6 Jacksonville
Ike Royster Baltimore
Izak Ondre 2 Seattle
J Taylor 2 NY Giants
Jaco 1 San Diego
Jaco 8 Baltimore
James Mills 2 Baltimore
Jay Soroko 1 Baltimore
Jay Soroko 2 San Diego
Jay Soroko 4 Seattle
JD 1 Baltimore
JDMS 2 Arizona
Jeff Resnick 1…NOW KRUG Baltimore
Jeff Resnick 2 Baltimore
Jeff Rich 1 Baltimore
Jeff Saito 2 Baltimore
Jeremy Hare 1 Chicago
Jim Foo 2 San Diego
Jim Rudofker 1 Baltimore
Jimbo Conbo 2 Baltimore
Jimmy Bredt Baltimore
Joe Cavucci 2 San Diego
Joe Dansky 3 Chicago
Joe David 5 Cleveland
Joe Hochauser 3 Baltimore
Joe Pucillo 2 San Diego
Joe Pucillo 4 Baltimore
Joseph Beedon 2 EAGLES
Juice 2 Baltimore
Juice 3 Baltimore
Juice 4 Baltimore
Juice 5 Jacksonville
Juice 6 Jacksonville
Juice 7 San Diego
K Moran 4 Chicago
K New 1 San Diego
Kaplan - Levine 2 Arizona
Kay Lee Baltimore
Keith Berger 1 EAGLES
Keith Heier EAGLES
Keller 2 Baltimore
Keller 3 Baltimore
Kelly Krenger 2 Chicago
Kelly Lanham 1 Chicago
Kim P 1 Baltimore
Kim P 2 San Diego
KP Baltimore
Kris Wagoner Cleveland
Larry Levin 1 San Diego
Larry Levin 2 Baltimore
Littman 5 Baltimore
Liza K Chicago
LML Baltimore
Lou Cerota 2 Baltimore
Lubart 2 EAGLES
Lubart 3 NY Giants
Lulu Cheng 2 Baltimore
LZHBBS 1 Baltimore
M Lacerenza JPS Baltimore
M Lacerenza M Baltimore
Marshall Dostal 3 San Diego
Matt Biskner 2 Baltimore
Matt Biskner 4 San Diego
Matt Wilson 2…NOW MAROLE San Diego
Matthew Kunkel Chicago
Max 23 Baltimore
Max Haber 7 San Diego
May Lee 6 San Diego
May Lee 7 Cleveland
May Lee 8 Baltimore
Michael Koffler 1 San Diego
Michael Koffler 2 Baltimore
Mike Ferry 2 San Diego
Mike Hovermann Baltimore
Mike Ryan 2 San Diego
Mike Tynan 1 Jacksonville
Mizerny 2 Baltimore
1 Jacksonville
2 San Diego
Neil Weiner 1 Arizona
Neil Weiner 3 Cincinnati
Nelson Ranco San Diego
Newsome 1 San Diego
Nickel B San Diego
Nicola Espie 1 Baltimore
Niemeyer 1 Baltimore
Niemeyer 3 San Diego
Nina K San Diego
Nitin Singhal 1 NY Giants
Nomanerz Too Cleveland
Norm Cooper NY Giants
Nussbaum/Schmolka 1 San Diego
Nussbaum/Schmolka 2 Baltimore
Old Home 2 Chicago
PA 1 Baltimore
PA 3 Cleveland
Paul Stitzer San Diego
Pete Lupetti Chicago
Phil Hollrah Baltimore
Pierre Brown 1 San Diego
Raivetz 1 NY Giants
Randy/John San Diego
Randy/Randy C San Diego
Ray Attiyah 1 Baltimore
Richard Stanley 3 EAGLES
Rick Kaiser 1 Cincinnati
Rick L 5 San Diego
Rick L 6 Jacksonville
Rick L 7 Seattle
Rick Woods 2 Baltimore
Ritter 3 San Diego
Ritter 6 Baltimore
Rob Kaiser 1 Jacksonville
Rob Kaiser 2 San Diego
Robin Mitchell Arizona
Roger Levine 2 San Diego
Ron Mexico 1 Baltimore
Ron Mexico 5 San Diego
Ross Novie 1 Seattle
Rudo 1 San Diego
Rudo 2 Jacksonville
Ryan Carey 2 Jacksonville
Ryan Doheny 1 Cleveland
Ryan Doheny 2 Arizona
Ryan Doheny 3 Arizona
Ryan Doheny 4 Chicago
Ryan Doheny 5 Baltimore
Ryan Doheny 6 San Diego
Ryan Doheny 7 San Diego
Ryan Doheny 8 Chicago
Sam Chevadisaikul 1 San Diego
Scherby 8 Cleveland
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 1 Baltimore
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 4 San Diego
Scott Lease 2 Seattle
Scott Lease 3 Arizona
Shawn Marshall Baltimore
Silver Fox 2…NOW MONKS Baltimore
Sonnenberg 2 San Diego
Sozbolt Baltimore
Stacey Tracton 1 Baltimore
Stacey Tracton 3 Arizona
Stephen Moss 1 Baltimore
Steve Stovall 2 Baltimore
Steven Immergut 1 San Diego
Streetsmart NY Giants
Stuart Chase 1 EAGLES
Stuart Chase 3 Arizona
Stuart Erickson 2 Baltimore
Susan Walters Baltimore
Sword Seattle
Ted Price 3 Seattle
The Bandits San Diego
The Hanford Dixon Experience San Diego
The Hanford Dixon Redux San Diego
Timmy Gatz 1 Chicago
Todd & Regan 1 San Diego
Todd & Regan 3 Baltimore
Todd & Regan 4 Jacksonville
Todd Turchin 1 San Diego
Todd Turchin 4 Baltimore
Tom H 1 San Diego
Tom Huang 3 Arizona
Tom Huang 4 Baltimore
Tom Keegans 2 San Diego
Tony Sollenbarger Baltimore
Touchdown Tommy San Diego
True Dat 1 San Diego
True Dat 2 Baltimore
True Dat 3…NOW BARNES Chicago
Val Brochard 4 Cleveland
Von 1 San Diego
Von 3 EAGLES
Wayne Kimmel 1 Baltimore
Wells/Bartos/Sudman 1 Baltimore
WJO 2 Baltimore
WJO 4 San Diego
Yacker 1 San Diego

Baseball, One College Football Prediction

I will be back tomorrow with a more lengthy post including the week 6 win or die picks, but time does not wait for my blog so I thought I better get my baseball predictions up so everybody can go and unload on the other sides. Here we go...

Arizona over Colorado. Colorado has been unbeatable for about 3 weeks now. That being said, Arizona has a huge advantage at the #1 pitcher spot (Webb over Francis) and more experience at the other slots. In addition, not only is 17 of 18 an almost impossible streak to keep going (check out how many really hot teams made the World Series), but they have had 4 days to cool off since they finished off the Philberts in 3 quick games.

This next one is just for you Gosk, as I am having a tough time figuring out the AL series (at least I admit it this time). With Sabathia and Carmona pitching lights out all year, and both having done very well against the Sox in their last starts, I will take the Tribe in a close series, despite the fact that this is one of the few series when Terry Francona has a clear managerial edge over Eric Wedge. The Indians seem to win in spite of this guy's lack of having any clue as to what he is doing out there. Gosk, you owe me one, Tribe in 6. (By the way, how could anyone pick Cleveland in 7 games. That is saying you think Westbrook is going to win Game 7 in Boston. Puh leaze. If you are going to pick Cleveland, it has to be in 5 or 6).

Wake Forest beat Florida St 30-0 in Tallahassee last year. This year the game is in Winston Salem. So naturally, I will take Florida State laying 5.5. I just think Xavier Lee gives this Florida State team a much better chance to win than the horrible Drew Weatherford did. Between that, the revenge factor, and the fact that Wake's defense is just not the same this year, I will take the Noles.

Back tomorrow....

Week 5 Column: Baseball's Final 4, NFL ReCap, and Lots of Other Stuff

This is when the tons of research I do comes in handy for you, my loyal reader. I am sure that you have not heard about this, but TBS is launching a new late night show starring Frank Calliendo called Frank TV. He does impressions. You know, you would think they would use the large audience they are getting for the baseball playoffs to publicize this new show. They really missed the boat on that one....

Speaking of over saturated advertising, I am willing to kick in $100 to John Cougar to write a new song for Chevy advertising. Hasn't that dumb song hit "wear-out" status by now? Anybody else want to start a grass roots campaign to get a new diddy...

In case you actually read and were interested in my Ken Follett book review in August (Pillars of the Earth), today Follett releases his long anticipated sequel to Pillars, called World Without End. For a review of that book and a little insight and background on Follett, click here.

In case you did not notice (and I know you did Gosk), my picks to win the divisional series won 1 games out of 13 played, losing all four series decisively. By the way, I am now taking bids from fans of the four remaining playoff teams to pick against them in the League Championship Series.

The Phillies hit a hefty .172 in getting swept by the Rockies in three straight. In a symmetrical note, they ended the season the same exact way they started it, with three straight losses. In between they battled with great heart and determination. The Phillies had some fatal flaws that were the result of a General Manager in Pat Gillick who did a poor job getting the right pieces in place. They simply did not have the pitching depth, on either the starting staff or in the pen, to win a championship. Ironically, it was their hitting (or lack thereof) that pulled the plug on this season.

In the other National League series, Arizona continues to slide under the radar and just keeps winning, sweeping the highly publicized Cubs in three easy games. Do not underestimate the Baby Back, even if the star of their divisional series is related to that swine J.D. Drew.

The Yankees did not win the World Series for the 7th straight year. The good news is that A-Rod had more RBI's in this series than he did in his previous two playoff campaigns combined. That bad news is that he only had 1 RBI, hit .267, and probably ensured his exit from the Bronx in the offseason. In his last three seasons in the playoffs, A-Fraud is hitting .159 (7-for-44), with 4 runs scored, 1 home run, and 1 RBI. At $25 million a year (no matter who is paying it), that is simply not enough. I am not saying that A-Rod was the reason they lost. In fact, far from it. Jeter was not his usual clutch self. The Yankees as a team were horrible with runners in scoring position (and they did not get that many there in the first place), and Chien Ming Wang was awful in both starts. It seemed to me his stuff was nowhere near where it was last year at this time, when he was basically unhittable. Ultimately, it is time for Torre to go. He has been a great (not good) manager that fit the Yankee team perfectly, but this team has lost its last four postseason series (including losing the 3-0 lead to Boston in 2004) and with their talent and payroll, that is just not good enough. A-Rod, too should go. He has not delivered when it has mattered most, and the Yankees would be better off taking the $30 million Scott Boras will want for him to stay and getting a front line starter (Johan Santana?) and a very good 3rd baseman.

Did I really have to stay up to see the Cowboys score 9 points in the last 20 seconds to beat Buffalo? Yuck. And to watch Jerry Jones and his plastic surgery jump up and down like a five year old, double yuck. It is good to see that T.O. still knows how to drop passes with the best of them.

I may have no clue what I am doing when picking baseball games, and no idea who will win college football games (I used to, I swear!), but at least my NFL picks are back over .500 with another solid 4-2 week.

It is time to narrow the goalposts in the NFL to about half of their current width. Field goal kicker have simply gotten too good, and the existing dimensions are obsolete. Carolina, Houston, and Dallas won their games as time expired with 52, 57, and 53 yard field goals. 50+ field goals are not even that big a deal for a decent kicker any more.

Brett Favre aged about 12 years at halftime the other night. He went from being the Brett Favre of the early to mid '90s back to being the Brett Favre of 2007 during the break. They looked awful in the second half, and it will be interesting to watch how the next week or two go for the Packers. Do not be surprised if it all starts to fall apart.

In other news, it was nice to see a Tar Heel exposed as a liar, a cheater and a fraud when Marion Jones admitted to using steroid, although of course she never knew it and was not aware it was happening! Way to represent your country, Marion, now go live the rest of your life in shame.

Don't look now, but October 15th is next Monday, and that means college hoops is right around the corner....

Philthys, NCAA & NFL Picks, Week 5 Win or Die Picks

The Phillies first foray into the playoff world has not gone according to plan. In a nutshell, they have been a complete disaster in the first two games. If their plan was to put their backs up against the wall because that is where they play their best ball, then mission accomplished. A few observations from the ballpark yesterday:

• J-Roll came up big, homering on the first pitch of the game to cut Colorado's lead to 2-1, then hitting a 2-run triple in the second inning to give the Phillies their only lead of the series.
• Charlie Manual did a great job over 162 games, keeping spirits up when the Phils got out of the gate slowly and keeping everyone believing. But his lack of strategic and tactical ability is so evident in a playoff situation where every move is magnified, I just think you cannot bring him back if your goal is to win a championship. For example:
• You can't walk an 8th place hitter with 2 outs and a runner on because a) it will make Colorado take a pitcher out that you have hit, and b) you let them turn their lineup over.
• You cannot take out your starting pitcher, your second best pitcher all year, with a 3-2 lead in the 4th inning to bring in your 3rd best starting pitcher, who is not used to coming in with men on base. Just horrid. Grand slam.
• The by product of all this of course is that then you have to bring Jose Mesa into a game that is still up for grabs. Mesa, who has a 13.50 ERA over his last 15 appearances, is not a good answer in a game that is still up for grabs. 4 runs later, game over.
• Why does Carlos Ruiz never get pinch hit for? Down 5 runs in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and 2 out, how do you not let Chris Coste hit for Ruiz (since he used up all his other pinch hitters earlier)? Isn't that why you carried three catchers on the roster in the first place?

(Note: Good news: I went to see Springsteen last night. Solid show. Not his best ever, but solid as always. Bruce mentioned the Phillies and he said "I predict they will rise again, but I cannot guarantee it." I feel much better now...)

In other baseball, it looks like I am well on my way to predicting all four series wrong. The Cubs are down 0-2 to Arizona after losing to soft tossing Doug Davis last night. The Yankees got smoked 12-3 by Cleveland last night. Is it just me or is Wang just a different pitcher than he was at the end of last year, when he was basically unhittable? Look for Pettitte to pitch a good one today in Cleveland, and the Angels will be counting on Kelvim Escobar to come up big for them and to even the series against Boston. (Interesting stat from Stitzer, the winner of the last 7 Yankee first round series has been the team that lost Game 1! 4 times, Yanks, 3 times opponent).

As far as my football picks go, it looks like maybe I am picking it up a bit. Let's see if I can keep things going this week.

NCAA (Last Week, 7-2; Overall, 9-15, 37.5%)

Wisconsin (+2.5) at Illinois. I am aware that picking against Illinois at home last week was one of my two defeats, but I think Wisconsin is better and more consistent than the Nittany Lions, and I do not think the Illini can do it again.

Indiana (-13.5) vs. Minnesota. Indiana is playing good ball this year, and the Gophs are almost as atrocious as those all yellow unis they wore last week.

Duke (+7.5) vs. Wake. Duke played Wake very tough last year, losing by a point in Winston Salem. Duke is better this year while Wake is not as good, and the game is in Durham this year. Duke has also covered every game this year except the opener.

Kansas St (-3.5) vs. Kansas. This line concerns me after K-St's big win over Texas last week, but I just think they are better than the Jayhawks, especially in the Little Apple. Keep it light though as the line looks screwy.

Oklahoma (-11.5) vs. Texas (in Dallas). This series has produced many blowouts in recent years, and not too many close games, so the trick is to pick the winner and not worry about the points. Oklahoma is the better club this year, and look for them to win big over the 'Horns.

Purdue (+7.5) vs. Ohio State. People will start noticing the Boilers if they pull this off. I think people will start noticing.

LSU (-7) vs. Florida. Just too good, at home, and coming off a lackluster performance. This game smells ugly to me. Look for a big win for the Bayou Bengals.

New Mexico St (+25) at Boise State. The Aggies have the offense to keep it close on the blue turf, and not sure that Boise has the secondary, especially at the safety position, to slow down Mumme's offense.

NFL (Last Week: 4-2; Overall, 11-12, 47.8%)

New Orleans (-3) vs. Carolina. I feel strongly about this one. Carolina is not good. They have QB issues/injuries. New Orleans has had a week to right the ship and their whole season is on the line. Go with the team that made George Rogers the #1 selection in the 1981 NFL draft.

Jacksonville (-2.5) at Kansas City. I guess the theme this week is take the team coming off the bye....

NY Jets (+3.5) at NY Giants. A clear hangover for the Giants. They are not close to as good as they looked last week.

Indianapolis (-10) vs. Tampa Bay. The Bucs have been impressive in the early going, but they are in way, way over their heads this week.

Chicago (+3.5) at Green Bay. This line should be 7. Call this a gut play. I have a feeling Chicago will play much better this week and may win this baby outright.

Buffalo (+10.5) vs. Dallas. Could Dallas be looking ahead to the showdown against the Pats next week? Hmmm. I think the Bills play a great game on Monday night and Trent Edward may make J.P. Losman the next Wally Pipp.

Win or Die Picks - Week 5

Pick Breakdown:

Arizona 5
Baltimore 1
Dallas 16
Green Bay 3
Houston 9
Indianapolis 48
Kansas City 1
New England 70
New Orleans 3
NY Giants 8
Pittsburgh 2
Tennessee 119
Washington 1

Individual Picks:

4 Rings 1 Tennessee
A Keiser Indianapolis
Abela 2 Tennessee
Abshear 2 Tennessee
A-Hole Jets Fan 1 Indianapolis
A-Hole Jets Fan 4 New England
AJ Fratoni 1 Tennessee
Akshon Barclay 1 Indianapolis
Akshon Barclay 3 New England
Alberto Escobedo 2 Indianapolis
Alistair Campbell Indianapolis
Amol Dixit 1 Tennessee
Amol Dixit 4 Green Bay
Angel New England
Anthony Albanese 3 New England
Anthony Albanese 4 Tennessee
Bailey/Holstad 1 Indianapolis
Bakke 3 Indianapolis
Bambi 2 Indianapolis
Ben Stewart Baltimore
Bill D'Elia Tennessee
Bill Webster New England
Bob Landow New England
Bob Van Nortwick New England
BP 1 Tennessee
Brad Stuart 2 Tennessee
Brian Fitzgerald Tennessee
Brian McAndrews Tennessee
Brian Silverio Indianapolis
Bryan Sullivan Tennessee
Buck/Kent New England
C Ooyen Tennessee
CAM New England
Charlie Piccirillo 2 New England
Chris Bassi 2 Tennessee
Chris Dopp 4 Tennessee
Chris Nangle 1 Tennessee
Chris Parliman New England
Clark/Joffe 2 Tennessee
Colleen Miller 2 Tennessee
Coltndarby New England
Connvac 2 Houston
Connvac 3 Tennessee
Coop 1 Indianapolis
CP 2 NY Giants
Craig Borgen Tennessee
Cronin 1 Tennessee
D Bank 1 Indianapolis
D Froney 1 Indianapolis
Damon DeVito Tennessee
Dan/Steve Gold 5 Tennessee
Dan/Steve Gold 6 New England
Dan/Steve Gold 7 Indianapolis
Daniel Hopson 2 Arizona
Darren Dahlman 1 Indianapolis
Darren Dahlman 2 Tennessee
Dave Bryla Tennessee
Dave Kay 1 Tennessee
Dave Mehall 3 Tennessee
Dave S 2 Tennessee
Dave Silbert Tennessee
David Louis Stitzer New England
Denver Brown 1 New England
Dick A 1 Arizona
Dirk 1 Tennessee
Dirk 8 Tennessee
Doug Sargeant 2 New England
DSG 1 Tennessee
Duckboy 2 New England
Dunlavy 1 Tennessee
E Haber 3 New England
Ed Ramirez 1 Dallas
Ed Ramirez 2 Tennessee
Ed Samocki 1 Green Bay
Ed Samocki 2 New England
Ed Welsh 3 Tennessee
Ellis NYC 3 Tennessee
Emory 1 Tennessee
Enio Bencosme 2 Arizona
Eric Haron 2 New England
Eric Heuerman 2 Dallas
Eric Meyers 3 Indianapolis
Falcon 1 New England
Falcon 6 Houston
Fenlin/Stern 2 Tennessee
Frank G 2 Tennessee
Gabe Bodhi 1 Indianapolis
Gabe Bodhi 2 Indianapolis
Gary Jonas 1 Houston
Gatorswonitall 2 Houston
Getson 1 Tennessee
Goldstein - Levine Dallas
Grant K Tennessee
Greg Heff 3 New England
Greg M 1 Kansas City
Greg Marks Tennessee
Gregg 2 Indianapolis
Gretchen Liersaph 1 Tennessee
Griffin/Richmond/Gibbs 1 Tennessee
Griffin/Richmond/Gibbs 2 New England
Harris Roth 4 Houston
Harris Roth 5 Tennessee
Howard Goldberg Tennessee
Iceman 5 New England
Iceman 6 Tennessee
Ike Royster Dallas
Izak Ondre 2 New England
J Taylor 2 Tennessee
Jaco 1 Houston
Jaco 2 New Orleans
Jaco 8 Tennessee
James Mills 2 Tennessee
Jay Soroko 1 New England
Jay Soroko 2 Dallas
Jay Soroko 4 Tennessee
JD 1 Tennessee
JDMS 2 New England
Jeff Resnick 1…NOW KRUG Tennessee
Jeff Resnick 2 Indianapolis
Jeff Rich 1 Tennessee
Jeff Saito 2 Tennessee
Jeremy Hare 1 Indianapolis
Jim Butler Green Bay
Jim Foo 2 Tennessee
Jim Rudofker 1 Tennessee
Jimbo Conbo 2 Tennessee
Jimmy Bredt Tennessee
Joe Cavucci 2 New England
Joe Dansky 3 New England
Joe David 5 NY Giants
Joe Hochauser 3 Tennessee
Joe Pucillo 2 Dallas
Joe Pucillo 4 Tennessee
Joseph Beedon 2 Arizona
Juice 2 Tennessee
Juice 3 Dallas
Juice 4 New England
Juice 5 Tennessee
Juice 6 Indianapolis
Juice 7 New England
K Moran 4 Tennessee
K New 1 Tennessee
Kaplan - Levine 2 Tennessee
Kay Lee Indianapolis
Keith Berger 1 Tennessee
Keith Heier Tennessee
Keller 2 New England
Keller 3 New England
Kelly Krenger 2 New England
Kelly Lanham 1 Indianapolis
Kim P 1 Tennessee
Kim P 2 Indianapolis
KP Tennessee
Kris Wagoner Tennessee
Larry Levin 1 Tennessee
Larry Levin 2 New England
Littman 5 Tennessee
Liza K Indianapolis
LML Indianapolis
Lou Cerota 2 Tennessee
Lubart 2 NY Giants
Lubart 3 Arizona
Lulu Cheng 2 Tennessee
LZHBBS 1 NY Giants
M Lacerenza JPS Tennessee
M Lacerenza M Tennessee
Marshall Dostal 3 New England
Matt Biskner 2 New England
Matt Biskner 4 Tennessee
Matt Wilson 2…NOW MAROLE New England
Matthew Kunkel Tennessee
Max 23 New England
Max Haber 1 New Orleans
Max Haber 7 New England
May Lee 6 Houston
May Lee 7 New England
May Lee 8 Tennessee
Michael Koffler 1 Dallas
Michael Koffler 2 New England
Mike Ferry 2 New England
Mike Hovermann Indianapolis
Mike Ryan 2 Tennessee
Mike Tynan 1 New England
Mitch Watson New Orleans
Mizerny 2 New England
1 Tennessee
2 New England
Neil Weiner 1 New England
Neil Weiner 3 Indianapolis
Nelson Ranco New England
Newsome 1 Tennessee
Nickel B Tennessee
Nicola Espie 1 Tennessee
Niemeyer 1 Tennessee
Niemeyer 3 NY Giants
Nina K New England
Nitin Singhal 1 Dallas
Nomanerz Too Houston
Norm Cooper Tennessee
Nussbaum/Schmolka 1 Tennessee
Nussbaum/Schmolka 2 New England
Old Home 2 New England
PA 1 Indianapolis
PA 3 Dallas
Paul Stitzer Indianapolis
Pete Lupetti Tennessee
Phil Hollrah NY Giants
Pierre Brown 1 Indianapolis
Raivetz 1 Tennessee
Randy/John Tennessee
Randy/Randy C Indianapolis
Ray Attiyah 1 New England
Richard Stanley 3 Dallas
Rick Kaiser 1 Tennessee
Rick L 5 Indianapolis
Rick L 6 Tennessee
Rick L 7 Washington
Rick Woods 2 Tennessee
Ritter 3 Tennessee
Ritter 6 Houston
Rob Kaiser 1 New England
Rob Kaiser 2 Tennessee
Robin Mitchell Tennessee
Roger Levine 2 Pittsburgh
Ron Mexico 1 New England
Ron Mexico 5 New England
Ross Novie 1 NY Giants
Rudo 1 Tennessee
Rudo 2 New England
Ryan Carey 2 Tennessee
Ryan Doheny 1 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 2 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 3 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 4 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 5 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 6 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 7 Indianapolis
Ryan Doheny 8 Indianapolis
Sam Chevadisaikul 1 Tennessee
Scherby 8 Dallas
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 1 Tennessee
Scott & Jay Goldsleger 4 Indianapolis
Scott Lease 2 Dallas
Scott Lease 3 New England
Shawn Marshall Tennessee
Silver Fox 2…NOW MONKS Tennessee
Sonnenberg 2 Tennessee
Sozbolt Tennessee
Stacey Tracton 1 Dallas
Stacey Tracton 3 New England
Stephen Moss 1 Indianapolis
Steve Stovall 2 Tennessee
Steven Immergut 1 NY Giants
Streetsmart Tennessee
Stuart Chase 1 New England
Stuart Chase 3 Tennessee
Stuart Erickson 2 Tennessee
Susan Walters Tennessee
Sword New England
Ted Price 3 New England
The Bandits Tennessee
The Hanford Dixon Experience Indianapolis
The Hanford Dixon Redux Indianapolis
Timmy Gatz 1 Tennessee
Todd & Regan 1 New England
Todd & Regan 3 Indianapolis
Todd & Regan 4 Dallas
Todd Turchin 1 New England
Todd Turchin 4 Tennessee
Tom H 1 Indianapolis
Tom Huang 3 New England
Tom Huang 4 Tennessee
Tom Keegans 2 New England
Tony Sollenbarger Tennessee
Touchdown Tommy Tennessee
True Dat 1 Indianapolis
True Dat 2 Tennessee
True Dat 3 New England
Val Brochard 4 Pittsburgh
Von 1 Tennessee
Von 3 New England
Wayne Kimmel 1 New England
Wells/Bartos/Sudman 1 Indianapolis
WJO 2 New England
WJO 4 New England
Yacker 1 Tennessee

The Phillies....Ugh

There is not much to say after yesterday's debacle.

Depressing.

Their best players came up so small when it counted most. Disappointing, although based on our city's track record, not all that surprising.

What odds would Vegas have given you that Chase Utley would go 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts, on only 13 total pitches?

They could not hit a guy they have owned in the past.

They had only two different innings where they collected any hits at all, and one of those innings was simply an innocent single from the pitcher.

The good news is, the Phillies have put their backs up against the wall, which seems to be when they perform at their best. They have to win 3 of the next 4 to advance, a monumental task against a team that has won 15 of its last 16.

And today they send a rookie out to the hill with the season on the line. I do not think it is hyperbolic to say this is the biggest start of Kyle Kendrick's life. The youngster is 7-1 in the familiar surroundings of Citizen's Bank Park, and has shown no deer in the headlights looks or behavior all year, so just maybe....

I will be at the yard today, wishin' and hopin' and prayin'..... and drinkin'.....

Let's Go Phils!

Week 4 Column: Johnny Drama supporting the baseball winners, Sam Kinison, Baseball Playoff Predictions, Managers of the Year, NFL & College Football

For the fans of the 8 teams that made the playoffs and especially Phillies fans, enjoy a Johnny drama moment by clicking here!

I was listening to Howard Stern on Sirius on Friday when they replay classic shows that he has done in the past. They were replaying a show from 1990 and the thing I immediately noticed was that Sam Kinison was on the show that day. There was clearly never a comic like Kinison. He was absolutely hilarious and brilliant. If you are interested, here is Kinison's first appearance on Letterman, and here is the tribute song that Stern and Fred Norris did a few days after Kinison's death in 1992.

In case you missed yesterday's post, click here to see what I had to say about the Phillies and Eagles Sunday along with my picks for baseball awards.

I forgot to mention in my column yesterday my Managers of the Year. In the American League, I give the nod to Eric Wedge with Joe Torre coming in second. Torre did an exceptional job managing the Yanks this year although he likely won't get much credit. In the National League, I pick Bob Melvin, who managed a team that NOBODY (even Ari) expected to be any good to the best record in baseball. I have Jolly Chollie second for overcoming Pat Gillick's incompetence and a slew of injuries, with Clint Hurdle of the Rockies third.

My divisional playoff picks are as follows:

• Los Angeles Angels 3, Boston 1. The Red Sox were the best team in baseball for much of the season, but I think their rotation is not as strong as LA's, and their bullpen has major question marks right now. I think the Angels sneak a split in Boston then win both in Anaheim where they are tough to beat.
• New York Yankees 3, Cleveland 1. I know that Cleveland had a great year. And I know that they are a much superior team to the one that lost all 6 to the Yankees early in the season. And I know the Yanks did not face Sabathia in any of those 6. But the Yankees have been the best team in baseball over the past 100+ games, and they have Cleveland's number. Plus, the biggest question of the playoffs is what will happen with A-Rod. He had one of the best seasons in recent memory this year, and he has flopped dismally in the playoffs the last two years. I think A-Rod busts out and has a big October. If I am wrong, and the Yankees lose, he will be booed right out of town.
• Chicago 3, Arizona 1. Arizona has had a fantastic year, but I think overall Chicago has more talent and has been playing better over the second half of the season.
• Philadelphia 3, Colorado 2. Well, you know if the Phils win it will go 5, because nothing is ever, ever easy in this town. But I think overall the Phillies have the more balanced team right now. Plus home field. And while Colorado has been smoldering winning 14 of their last 15, the Phils won 13 of their last 17 as well. The key to this series is for Cole Hamels to set the tone with a dominant game 1 against a good but not fantastic Jeff Francis. If Hamels pitches as he is capable (and it probably helps that Colorado did not see him when they played 2.5 weeks ago), the Phils will win the opener and have the advantage. By the way, did the schedulers want to ensure that the Phillies had the worst time slot every day (3:00 for first two games on weekdays, then 9:30 and 10:00 pm for games 3 and 4).

While baseball heads into the playoffs, the NFL is at the 1/4 pole. Here are my assessments of the divisions:

• NFC East. Dallas has done what they have been supposed to do: win 4 games in which they were better than their opponent (their opponents have won a combined 4 games). That being said, they looked probably better than expected in all of them (they covered all 4), and their offense looks to be the class of the NFC. The rest of the division is terrible. Washington and the Giants are mediocre at best, and the Eagles have been about the worst team in football with the exception of the aberration against Detroit. Dallas will easily win the division and be the only playoff team.
• NFC South. New Orleans has been a big surprise to the downside (I guess Sean Payton had a one year contract with the devil) while Tampa Bay has been better than anyone thought. Atlanta is awful as expected, and Carolina is not going to be very good. It will be interesting to see if Tampa Bay can keep it up after losing Cadillac Williams and a starting tackle in Luke Petitgout last week. Do not count New Orleans out yet, as they still may be able to make noise and win this division.
• NFC North. Green Bay is far and away the biggest surprise in football, and Brett Favre is playing like he is 25 years old. Detroit is not far behind at 3-1, with the Bears and Vikings bringing up the rear at 1-3 each. I am still not sold on Detroit because, let's face it, any team that gives up 56 points to the Eagles does not have the defense to take them a long way. Chicago is done, as they have turned the page on the Rex Grossman era and are now relying on Brian Griese (and probably soon Kyle Orton) to get them back in the race. After a one year hiatus, the trend of the Super Bowl loser not making the playoffs the following year will be re-born.
• NFC West. Seattle still seems to be the class of the division, with Arizona still a year away under Whisenhunt and Matt Leinart. San Francisco looked good winning their first two games but has now reverted to form in the last two weeks. Plus, who thought the 49ers would be bummed if Alex Smith got hurt. His absence further hurts this teams playoff chances.
• AFC East. Patriots, Patriots and more Patriots. The Jets are disappointing and Stitzer thinks it is time to usher in the Kellen Clemons era. Buffalo may be the second best team in the division, and Trent Edwards looks like he could be a long-term answer at QB. Finally, Miami looks lost.
• AFC South. Indy Colts, Indy Colts, Indy Colts. Jacksonville continues to be an enigma. Houston has been a great surprise, although they clearly cannot win without their best player, Andre Johnson on the field, and he appears to be out for two more weeks. Finally, Vince Young and Tennessee are for real. In fact, I believe they are the 3rd best team in the AFC right now, behind the two juggernauts and just ahead of Pittsburgh. Vince Young may well win a Super Bowl in the nest 3-4 years.
• AFC North. Despite a loss at Arizona last week (revenge game for Whisenhunt and Grimm against Tomlin), Pittsburgh appears to be the best team in the division...by a lot. Cleveland and Baltimore seem like they can both win and home and not the road, and Cincinnati appears as if they are going to be horribly disappointing. One question: how does Marvin Lewis still have a job?
• AFC West. Could Oakland win this division? I mean these are all bad teams. The Chargers may be the most disappointing team in the NFL right now, and that is saying something when the competition is the Eagles, Bears, and Saints. The guy who is stealing money more than anyone else in the NFL is AJ Smith, Chargers General Manager, who should be fired immediately for firing a 14-2 coach after both coordinators left and replacing him with Norv Turner, who is an imbecile, all because said coach and said GM did not get along. What a putz.

While the NFL has been entertaining (while depressing for Eagle fans), college football continues to be amazing. 6 of the top 13 college football teams lost last weekend, and they are giving new meaning to the term "and given Saturday..." South Florida is this year's version of Rutgers or Wake Forest from last year, and the Bulls have already beaten Auburn (who won at Florida this weekend) and West Virginia this year. Can South Florida go undefeated and play for a National title? Stay tuned.

Speaking of National Championships, my friend J. Patrick Lashinsky is going crazy as his Berkley Bears scored 21 4th quarter points to win on the road at Oregon this past weekend. Cal could be a win against USC (at Cal) of playing for a National Championship themselves.

And if you want to see a great quarterback and a surprising team, tune into ESPN Thursday night and watch Andre Woodson lead his 8th ranked Kentucky Wildcats (no this is not basketball) as they visit Columbia, SC and my buddy George Rogers' alma mater, the South Carolina Gamecocks. Woodson is completing 67% of his passes and has a fairly decent 16:1 touchdown to interception ratio.

Phillies Magic, MLB Awards, Eagles (Ugh!)

First, some housekeeping: I have a long 25+ minute segment on the Gasoline Radio show today with some good Eagles and Phillies stuff among other things. If you are interested in listening to me, you have two options:

• You can listen at 12:00 Noon Eastern time at: www.wolt-fm.com OR
• You can listen at 4:00 pm Eastern time at: www.talk103.com

I should be on right at the top of the hour……..

Wow! Quite a weekend. There is almost too much to talk about but I will try to get to most of the important stuff.

To start, Greg Biffle had a great day in Kansas and won Nascar's.....just kidding. I am not really going to talk about Nascar with all that is going on!

Well, the Phillies did it. They completed the biggest September comeback in major league history yesterday, overcoming a 7 game deficit with 17 to play to win the NL East. As is well documented, this is the Philberts first trip to the beyond in 14 years. Many Phillies fans (GROSSY!) would love it if I used this space to taunt the Met fans, but that will not happen here (except maybe in the comment section). I offer my condolences to the Mets fans (even you Flummer). As Philadelphia sports fans, we have been in similarly painful situations many times in the past couple of decades, and it sucks. Plus, let's face it, Philadelphia still has not won a championship in anything since 1983.

But today is a day to enjoy and relish for Phillies fans. This team showed tremendous heart and "bouncebackability" by leading the league in both key injuries and come from behind wins. They have spirit, and heart, and they never ever gave up this season. This is the most likable team that has worm the pinstripes since that '93 team that captured our fancies while advancing all the way to the World Series before Joe Carter broke their hearts. They did it behind the incredible leadership of Jimmy Rollins. Ryan Howard, despite some thinking he is a vastly overrated media creation who will be out of the game in 3 to 5 years, stepped up big time when it mattered most with 7 home runs and 16 RBI in the last 10 games.

The Phillies still do not know who they will be playing in the divisional series because of two things: 1) The Colorado Rockies tremendous finish, losing once in the last two weeks, and 2) the biggest bonehead decision in recent memory by a manager. Bud Black, SD manager, bypassed Jake Peavy, the NL Cy Young award winner to be, on three days' rest to go with a fully rested Brett Tomko. When it is the last day of the season, and you need a win to clinch a playoff spot, and you are playing on the road against a team who is 20 games over .500 at home, you do not throw Brett Tomko. Tomko was 4-12 this year with an ERA over 5.50. No way you ever allow him to take the mound when you have Jake Peavy available. Period.

My end of the year awards are as follows:

• AL Comeback Player of the Year: Mike Lowell
• NL Comebcak Player of the Year: Rick Ankiel
• AL Rookie of the Year: Dustin Pedroia
• NL Rookie of the Year: Many people will probably pick Ryan Braun for his 34-97-.326 campaign. But to me, Troy Tulowitzky had an even better year. He hit almost .290, had 24 home runs and 98 RBI. He also plays much superior defense to Braun (11 errors as a shortstop versus 26 as a 3rd baseman), and came up huge for the Rockies down the stretch. I would make Kyle Kendrick of the Phillies my 3rd place choice.
• AL Cy Young Award: I give the nod to C.C. Sabathia over John Lackey and Josh Beckett (barely) with Carmona, Bedard and Wang all pretty close behind. This should be a very close vote, but ultimately I think Sabthia has been a horse (241 IP) and the most consistent throughout the season
• NL Cy Young Award: Jake Peavy in a landslide. Brandon Webb a distant second.
• AL MVP: A-Rod in a landslide. Magglio Ordonez second. His season would be good for MVP most times (but who else besides me will be glued to A-Rod in the postseason to see if he comes through?).
• NL MVP: Jimmy Rollins. I know there are some people out there who think Matt Holiday (my second choice) should win, but I think it will be a landslide vote for J-Roll and rightfully so. First, he is the unquestioned leader of this team. He made bold predictions in March then carried the team on his back to make it come true. I promise you this team finishes a distant third without J-Roll. He was one of 2 players in the National League to start every single game (at the most important position). He played gold glove caliber defense at shortstop. He was the 4th player in MLB history to have 20 home runs, doubles, triples and stolen bases in a season. He was the 18th player in the past 10 years in MLB to have a 30-30 season. He led the NL with 139 runs. He has 212 hits and 41 steals. As a leadoff man, he had 30 home runs and 94 RBI and a .531 slugging percentage. His season was simply sensation from every angle. Matt Holliday had a great year and I would vote him second, followed by Prince Fielder 3rd.

Back tomorrow with more baseball. In the meantime, let's discuss the Birds for a moment. Either the Gods decided that the Phillies had provided the city with more than enough joy for one day, or the Eagles truly suck. I say it is unfortunately the latter. Let's look at some evidence:

• They have been awful, horrible and putrid in three of their four games this year. They were completely unprepared to play winning football against Green Bay, Washington, and New York.
• The game last night was the single worst performance by an Eagle team this decade, including the debacle at Seattle a couple years ago.
• The Giants offensive line completely dominated us in the trenches. The Eagles got ZERO pressure on Eli Manning.
• The Giants defense, which has reminded many of rotten swiss cheese for most of this season, held a team that scored 56 last week to 3.
• Oh, and I guess, in a nutshell, Winston Justice is the worst offensive lineman in the NFL today. Who knew I would appreciate Tre (I will not call him William) Thomas so much after he missed a game? The Giants defense got pressure on McNabb more or less every single play.
• And once it became evident after about two plays that Justice was completely over matched by Umenyoura, how about giving him a little help and putting a tight end over there to help block?
• Kevin Curtis evidently had a one week aberration last week, and once again, no receivers on this team have any ability to get open against NFL caliber defensive backs.

For the first time since his regime began, I am questioning whether Andy Reid is the right person to lead this team back towards a Super Bowl Championship. His teams have been woefully unprepared and he shows no ability to get them there before or during games. It was a telling sign at the Philadelphia Zoo yesterday when Phillies merchandise outnumbered Birds merchandise by a factor of about 15. That is a first!

Back tomorrow with college football, more NFL, and some baseball playoff analysis and predictions....