World Cup Game with Friends

okay, so a friend of mine just introduced me to this cool game you can play while watching the World Cup. If we can get 16 people together this will be a blast, with a pretty good payout.

Basically you throw all 64 teams into a hat, each player gets 2 teams by a random draw. If one of your teams wins the World Cup you win the Pot! i think we'll have smaller payouts too for the following:

$25 for most goals scored combined
$20 for the least amount of goals scored combined
$10 for second place in the Final

We'll say everyone pays in $10 and that way we'll aim for 16 people, $160. the winner of the World Cup will get $100 and the other $60 will be split above.

Player Teams (Total Goals)
DaveM - spain / italy: (0)
NoahV - south korea / chile: (2)
DerekM - nigeria / france: (0)
ScottW - germany / serbia: (4)
GregM - argentina / usa: (2)
BrianL - paraguay / netherlands: (2)
BMer - mexico / brazil: (1)
TravisM - japan / slovakia: (1)
AaronB - algeria / new zealand: ( 0)
Tahoe - ivory coast / portugal: (0)
ChrisC - uruguay / england: (1)
SeanN - greece / honduras: (0)
ScottH - ghana / cameroon: (1)
JeffS - australia / slovenia: (1)
JordanH - south africa / korea dpr: (1)
JoshO - denmark / switzerland: (0)

Josh Cribbs is like Birdman!

So in case you haven't been following the headlines surrounding the Cleveland Browns, our best player Josh Cribbs is asking for a new offer. This started last year after Cribbs established himself as the best kick returner in the league. This season he not only continued that, but he inserted himself into the offense as a WR, and the QB of the Wildcat Offense, showing that he could throw and run the ball in for points. No doubt that Cribbs was the best player on the Browns this season, but i think that is more telling of the lack of quality skill players, not so much Cribbs.

Cribbs is not a good WR, just like Devin Hester of the Bears is not a good WR. Cribbs was the default #2 WR after Braylon was traded because we don't have anyone else, you can't even name the Browns the WR's. Now Cribbs wants a new contract after he signed a relatively cheap one 2 years ago, that goes through 2013. Yes he has outplayed his contract, but what is he worth to the Browns?

I compare this situation to Chris "Birdman" Anderson of the Denver Nuggets. A great story no doubt, recovering from drug addiction (being kicked out of the NBA) and working his way back into shape and returning to his first team, the Nuggets. The Nuggets scored Birdman really cheap from the Hornets and last year he established himself as the fan favorite. He was playing out-of-his-mind for the 2nd half of the season, blocking shots and bringing the energy. After the Nuggets failed to reach the Championship, Anderson was a free agent. Everyone in Denver said to pay the man, but honestly, he doesn't do that much for the team. He doesn't score often, he is an average rebounder, he's slow in defense, and he blocks shots out-of-bounds instead of grabbing the ball for a turnover. But Kroenke and Denver caved and paid him good money. Now this season he's been hurt (he has a history of injuries) and hasn't played at nearly the level of last season.

This is why Cribbs is the new Birdman. Cribbs doesn't have much value. Do you remember want Dante "the X factor" Hall did after being dominate at kick returning for 2 seasons? nothing! What has Hester done in Chicago the last 2 years? nothing. consider this:

Recent history suggests that explosive kick returners (see Dante Hall and Devin Hester) don't maintain their productivity for much longer than three seasons, and Devin Hester's $5.45 million-per-year contract with the Bears has become something of a laughingstock. Hester hasn't returned a kick for a touchdown in two full seasons since signing his new deal. -Cleveland Frowns

Cribbs is "offended" by the Browns offer of $1.4 million, a raise from the $700K he's making now. Consider this from Cleveland radio host Will Burge on Twitter:

Players who made appx $1.4M in 2009:Dwayne Bowe $1.4M, Miles Austin $1.5M, DeSean Jackson $1.1M, Vincent Jackson $900K, Santnio Holmes $1.8M

Now tell me Josh Cribbs worth so much more than ANY of those WR's that the offer is insulting. You just cant do it...

I love Cribbs, but i don't think the Browns will break the bank for him, and they shouldn't. Just like how everyone now like coach Eric Mangini after he ended a terrible season winning 4 games in a row (against OAK, KC, JAC, and PIT), but i believe that new team president, Mike Holmgren, is going to still fire him, and he should.

Sentiment doesn't win games, it just costs a lot of money.

Why I Don't Listen to Movie Critics

I've often thought about this theory, but now it has affected me in a new way. I've never thought movie reviews by official "movie experts" were very valuable, they seem to be too close to their product. All they do is watch and critique movies, so they're looking at much more than the average person looks at. they're looking for themes, character development, camera work, plot, etc, whereas i'm usually just looking to be entertained for 2 hours. If i want to know if a movie is worth seeing i'd rather ask a few of my friends about it instead of looking up the review from the LA Times.

It's the same with "expert" reviews of books, food, music, video games, and tons of other stuff. I would rather hear from people who are more like me, the common blogger, message boards, people who enjoy these things as often as i do, rather than some elitist critic who is never happy. but everyone feels this way, why am i blogging about it?

Because i'm now the "expert" rather than the casual fan when it comes to Fantasy Football. I really enjoy fantasy football, i follow about 5 fantasy "experts" on twitter, i read numerous fantasy related articles every week, and i follow team beat writers for numerous teams just to have an edge. i love the information regarding NFL, and i'm more than ready to apply it to my fantasy teams.

I only play in 2 leagues each year, i've learned that having too many teams can ruin the whole season for you, but apparently thats not the only thing that can ruin it. This year i played in my friend Alan's league, which i've played in for the last few seasons. I prep for the draft, making my own lists and spreadsheets, reading everything i possibly can, scoffing at my opponents draft picks, drafting players that are "sleepers" while ignoring the obvious names, and everything else that makes me feel like i'm way ahead of these other dudes. well this season, that didn't work out so well for me.

This past weekend was the last weekend of the Fantasy Season in the "Roethlishotdog" league and after making a league-high 67 moves (picking up players from the waiver-wire, trades...) i finished in 8th place, out of 8 teams. But thats not all, our champion, Pete Deusterman made a league-low 17 moves, scored 1521 points (150 points more than 2nd place) and rolled through playoffs relatively easy. why is that impressive? well he didn't have access to our fantasy website almost all season. he would email me on tuesday morning and ask me if i could look on the page to see whether or not he won his matchup that week. The dude drafted a team of well-known players like Randy Moss and Steven Jackson and stuck with them. Meanwhile i'm drafting sleepers like Matt Forte and Calvin Johnson who were basically worthless this year.

Pete didn't get caught up in all of the hype around the players, he stuck with the players that most people know, his draft was what most average football fans would draft, and he owned our league. he didn't just survive and do alright, he owned us all, and i tried everything. i even offered him a trade that i thought would look good, but turn in my favor eventually, but no, giving up Joseph Addai midseason for T.O. hurt me even more! ouch.

This is a case of me trying to be too close to the product, and not just going with the obvious. it's like ripping Transformers for a lack of plot, yes it doesn't have much plot but hey, i was really entertained, and the movie is a hit!

2009 NFL Playoff Predictions

with one week to go i'm going to put my predictions out there so i can say "i told you so".

I have already made my picks for Week 17, so with that i can figure out who will be in the playoffs (the AFC is really confusing, but i tried my best to figure out the scenarios based on ESPN's playoff breakdown, so hopefully i'm right).

NFC

1. Minnesota
2. New Orleans
3. Philadelphia
4. Arizona
5. Green Bay
6. Dallas

Dallas @ Philly = Philadelphia
Green Bay @ Arizona = Arizona (i'll be rooting for GB though)

Arizona @ Minnesota = Arizona
Philly @ New Orleans = Philadelphia

Arizona @ Philly = Philadelphia (if this game is in Arizona i think i might still take Philly)

so the NFC representative in the Super Bowl is Philadelphia


AFC

1. Indy
2. San Diego
3. New England
4. Cincy
5. Baltimore
6. Pittsburgh

Pitt @ New England = New England (great game!)
Baltimore @ Cincy = Cincy

Cincy @ San Diego = San Diego
New England @ Indy = Indy

San Diego @ Indy = Indy

AFC representative is Indianapolis


Superbowl is Indianapolis vs Philadelphia with Indianapolis taking it all!

just my opinion but i think it'll be pretty close to this!

Tedy Bruschi is an Idiot

In case you missed it (and i did don't worry) the Patriots and Colts played on Sunday Night Football this past weekend. This is the best rivalry in football for the last 10 years, the teams have essentially split the series, playing each other at least once a season, they've both won Super Bowls and MVPs, and they're both playing great football again this season. Sunday night's match up was no different, the undefeated Colts hosting the streaking Patriots.

I watched this game, as a big fan of the Colts, until 6 minutes to go in the game, Manning just threw another interception and the Patriots jumped up to a 17 point lead. NBC showed a stat that the largest 4th-quarter deficit that Manning had overcome was 14 points, so i'm thinking that 17 points by the dominate New England Patriots would be too much.

i was wrong.

Apparently (since i read about it the next day), Manning and the Colts decided to get serious and with cool efficiency brought the team back within reach. The Colts score a TD with 2:23 to go in the game, down 28-34. The Patriots then get the ball back and fail to kill much clock time, leaving them with 4th down and 2, with 2:02 to go in the game on their own 28 yard line. At this point the Colts have scored 21 points in the last 17:00 of the game, so New England coach Bill Belichick decides to go for it, 2 yards, Tom Brady / Wes Welker / Randy Moss, instead of punting and giving Peyton Manning / Reggie Wayne / Dallas Clark a whole 2:00 to move down the field, again, and score the winning TD. His decision was right, although they didn't get 2 yards, and gave the Colts the ball back with a short field.

You can find more reading than you want about this decision and whatnot, you don't need me to point you to articles (first, try Google!). But one article i wanted to call out was former Patriot and now ESPN sellout Tedy Bruschi's.

Tedy says: "As a former defender on that team, I would've cared less about the result of that fourth-down attempt. The decision to go for it would be enough to make my blood boil for weeks. Bill Belichick sent a message to his defense. He felt that his chances were better to go for it on his own 28-yard line than to punt it away and make Peyton Manning have to drive the majority of the field to win the game...Sure, Tom Brady and the offense loved the vote of confidence that their head coach was giving them, but the message sent to the defense was loud and clear. It was a message of doubt."

so what you're saying Tedy is that the defense needed another chance? What about the 17 point cushion that the defense was given (by the offense)? All New Englands defense had to do was stop the Colts from scoring 3 touchdowns. not one TD, but 3. The defense knew that Peyton had to throw the ball, the defense knew they could give up field goals but not TDs, and yet the defense failed. Belichick had seen enough and decided 2 yards would be easier than letting the Colts score again. it didn't work out, but i don't think punting to the Colts and giving them 2:00 to operate would have worked either, it wasn't like the defense was stopping them before.

Tedy Bruschi, you're an idiot.

BMer's Midseason Rant

well, the NFL has reached it's midpoint, a time when predictions should be made, so i'll make mine.

I don't want to get too crazy here, but here are a few things that i'm pretty confident will happen the rest of the way. I'm having a terrible Pick'em year, and my 2 fantasy teams aren't doing much better, so maybe i don't have a good pulse on the league this season, but that won't deter me!

1. State of the Browns: Yes it has been a tough start to the season for my Brownies, but i'm not as discouraged as the most of the Brown Backers. Unlike 90% of the sports media out there i actually watch the Browns games, and i've seen a team that was better than Chicago, should have beat Green Bay, and shut down Minnesota until the 4th quarter. The Browns have 8 games left, 5 home and 3 road games. i predict they will go 4-4. They will go 4-4 with Brady Quinn the rest of the way, ending the season 5-11 and essentially saving Eric Mangini's job (and he won't be fired).

2. As for the AFC North, it feels like Cinci is going to win the division, they've already swept the Ravens and this weekend they will beat the Steelers again to end up 6-0 against the division. shocking, i can't believe it.

3. The Superbowl will feature Indianapolis. They are the best team in the league this season, and they will win the Superbowl. They'll have to go through New England and Pittsburgh, but i think they handle that.

4. The NFC representative won't be the Saints. I like the Vikings to get to the big game this year, they have good pieces and its seems like Favre's story keeps going his way, going 2-0 against Green Bay, and he seems to be playing better in Minnesota than he did in New York.

5. The Bronco's will win their division as well, but won't make much noise in the Playoffs, going out in the first round. Unlike most of the Denver fan base, i am not unsettled by the last two Bronco games, they played Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the standard for defense in the entire league. they'll be just fine.

6. No team from the NFC East is a contender, they'll beat each other up and none of the teams (NYG, PHI, and DAL) are solid this season. the best 3 teams in the NFC are Minnesota, New Orleans, and Arizona. The prediction? how about no team from the NFC East makes the NFC Championship game.

7. How about some upset picks for the next 4 weeks:

1. Seattle over Arizona (Week 10)
   
2. Kansas City over San Diego (Week 12)
3. Miami over New England (Week 13)

8. and lastly, my lovely wife Kassie will pick more games right this season than i do even though she missed a week when she was giving birth to our little man Mason. right now she's correctly picked 79 games, and I've picked 80 games right. In week 6 Kassie missed getting her picks in and went 1/14 that week. that's pretty incredible that she's still only 1 game behind me, and currently beating a few of my friends (Eli, Big Red, Nuccio, Chase Powers...).

It's almost time for the Browns post-season, which is full of Mock Drafts. Who should the Browns draft next season?

Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin

I'm going to take a cue from my friend Aaron's blog and post something that i read that i felt would be interesting to you guys. This is an entry from the ESPN Tuesday Morning Quarterback, an intricate look at the past weekends football games, with some political/scientific/pop culture entries added in. i totally recommend reading this articles if you get a chance.

anyway, here's an entry about Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton:

What Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Have in Common: Sarah Palin has an instant book out next month, and in keeping with the Unified Field Theory of Creep, it's already on bestseller lists though no volumes actually have been shipped from the warehouse. Is the real reason she quit the Alaska governorship that she wanted to be free to promote the book and keep the royalties? If so, that makes her sound like just another political phony.

Palin is presenting herself as the author of "Going Rogue," though a ghostwriter named Lynn Vincent is the actual author. It is perfectly respectable to use a ghostwriter -- so long as this is disclosed. George W. Bush's "A Charge to Keep" declares on the cover, "by George W. Bush and Mickey Herskowitz." John McCain's several books all prominently declare on the cover that the actual author is his longtime associate, Mark Salter. This is called honesty. To pretend to be the author of something you did not write is deceit, and indicates egotism. Celebrities and athletes pretend to be authors of books actually written by someone else. But they're airheads! People with important roles in public life should be honest.

When Hillary Clinton ran for president, she pretended to be the author of the books "Living History" and "It Takes a Village." The former was actually written by Lissa Muscatine, Ruby Shamir and Maryanne Vollers; the latter was actually written by Barbara Feinman, a fact the publisher even announced! Yet Clinton masqueraded as the author. Even today, Clinton's official State Department biography includes the phrase, "Secretary Clinton is the author of bestselling books, including her memoir, Living History, and her groundbreaking book on children, It Takes A Village." This statement is simply false, and has no business in U.S. government information. That the former governor of Alaska pretends to be something she is not reflects poorly on Palin; that the current secretary of state pretends to be something she is not reflects poorly on her. Both claims cheapen public understanding of the value of writing, and devalue honesty.

Palin handed in "her" manuscript to the publisher in August, three weeks after leaving the Juneau statehouse; Clinton signed to "write" her latest opus just after becoming a senator representing New York. This means that if they actually are authors, then they cheated the taxpayer. No one could possibly write a 432-page book ("Going Rogue") or a 592-page book ("Living History") while carrying out the duties of a governor or senator. To pretend for ego reasons to be what you are not is a worrisome trait in someone at a high level of public responsibility (Clinton) or who seeks an even higher level (Palin). That Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin pulled the same self-aggrandizing stunt is distressing on too many levels to count.