Friday, November 28, 2008

Friday of feast week

So I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving yesterday. I enjoyed eating lots of food, having a few cold ones, actually I went with whisky and coke but whatever, and watching lots of sports. Mostly I watched basketball, mainly because the football games sucked, but even if they were good, I love basketball, so I am going to watch as much as I can. A few things have happened thus far during feast week, one of the best weeks of the year, that I would like to give my thoughts on.


-MSU will be fine, number one, give Maryland credit they played well, and it seemed like most of the game they couldn't miss. But without Suton, Rowe is not 100% yet, and Morgan in foul trouble, plus shooting bad including from the line, you are not going to win. They are a young team and will be fine. They have a tough schedule but this isn't football and Coach Izzo has shown over and over he would rather be 20-11 and know what his team can do, have a great rotation and peak during March, then go 26-4 and not really know anything about his team, and lose in the second round. Of course they are going to the big dance, and I still think it is between them and Purdue for the big ten title, so they will be fine. Of course it would be nice to win some of these early games, but yesterday just wasn't there day.

-Gonzaga did what they had to do to beat OK state, and know I am looking forward to watching that game here in a little bit today. I like MSU and Gonzaga, so at least now I don't have to pick, I can cheer for the Zags the rest of this tourney.

-Tenn played very well, in a great game with G-town today, they are still going to be tough to beat in the sec.

-UNC is just loaded, I mean ND is a good team, and they got rolled

- I wonder who is going to be the 5th player on the all american team, if I had to pick, the 4 locks are Curry, Blake Griffen, psycho t, and L Harrengody, the question, who will be number 5, Ty Lawson, Pat Mills, Aj Price. What do you think? Right now, I think it is going to be Lawson, he does do so much for that team, I know Price is good, and Uconn will be very good, so it will be hard not too have a huskie on there, but we shall see.

-I just love college basketball, I'm sorry, I want to write more about it right now, but Purdue-OK is on, so I better get going, I don't want to miss anymore of that game.


Real quick, my chippewa football team lost 56-52 to emu today, now a few things you should know, emu is bad, and as now beaten us 4 out of 5 years, it was their last game for their coach, who was fired earlier this week. Our defense is really bad. we gave up 56 points, just so you know, earlier this year, our BASKETBALL team gave up 53 points in a win at Princeton, and really only gives up 60 points or less a game. So our football defense gives up more points then our basketball defense.. never a good thing. The only reason we are 8-4 is one, we play in the mac, lets be honest, and two, our offense is very good, and can score on anyone. Only 17 vs UGA, but that isn't too bad. We should have won today, and were 40 seconds away from beating Purdue, but that is how close you can be from having a great 10-2 season, and having a 8-4 season, that you feel bad about. They have still come a long long way from the time they were 5-7 or 4-8 like they were when I got to school there in the fall of 01 So I do remain a very proud graduate. I just feel bad for the sr's. Especially, those that I know still personally, manily Brain Brunner, our backup qb, who deserved to go out better. In fact the only time we beat emu the last 5 years, was in 06, when he came in and won the game for us. OK, sorry for that tangent, now back to watching college basketball. I'm right, you're wrong.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

NFL week 13 picks

Yes because of the 3 games tomorrow, and one starting early, I thought I would do a special Holiday Wednesday addition of my NFL picks, to give people time to tell me I am dumb. I went 11-5 last week, which makes me 110-66-1 on the year. So here we go, we will start with the 3 Thanksgiving games.


Arz at Phi- If phi wants any chance at the playoffs, they have to win, if the cards want to be taking seriously I think they have to win. They go east, night game, it will be cold. This will be a test for them. I still like the Cards, but I think there is still some fight in the Eagles. Phi wins 21-17

Sea at Dal- How bad are the seahawks, the cowboys are getting more points at home, as the Lions are giving up at home, to the Titans. I didn't see this coming. They suck, the cowboys are back to playing well, damn. Cowboys 35-14

Ten at Det- Sadly the Titans lost last week, and ruined the whole 11-0 vs 0-11, but 10-1, 0-11 isn't much better. So what happens, do the Lions actually put it all together, play with some pride on Thanksgiving and get a win, or does a mad Titans team come to the D and take it out on the Lions. Um, let me think about that one, there are upset picks, and then there is being stupid. Lions keep it close for a bit, and then get blown out. Titans 31-17

ATL at SD- Chargers need a win, they can still win the division because Denver sucks too. I am not giving up on my AFC champs yet. Chargers win 31-21

Car ar GB- Green Bay needs the win more then the Panters right now, and they are at home, that is good enough for me to pick the Packers to win 21-17

Chi at Min- Big division game, I usually give it to the home team, and this is going to be no different. Viks win 24-21

No at TB- Well lets see, the Saints played well last week, so that means they are going to play bad this week right? So far that is how it has worked. but just for fun, lets go with the Saints, 31-24

NYG at Was- Tough road game for my G-men, but they have showed me all year they can win them, and when they are picked to lose road games, they come through. So, I have faith. My Giants will win this game, 24-17

Mia at Stl- Rams will not win, next, Mia 28-14

Sf at Buf- 49ers will not win, next, Bills 24-10

Bal at Cin- Bengals will not win, next, Ravens 21-7

Ind at Cle- So with Brady out, it is back to Anderson. The Colts have looked like themselves the last 5 weeks, and they will keep that up. Colts win 28-17

Den at NYJ- The Jets continue to impress, and surprise me. I was wrong, I am a believer, they will not make the super bowl or anything, I am not that sold, but they will beat Denver at home. Jets 28-21... btw, this does scream let down game, but I am not going to pick it.. just know, I will not be surprised.

Jag at Hou- I am officially off the Jags bandwagon, and have officially given up on them, so much so, I will take the Texans at home. Texans 21-17

KC at Oak- I feel bad for anyone who actually has to watch this game. But because I have to pick a winner, at home, lets go Raiders 17-14

Pitt at NE- At home, the way Cassel has been playing, I am giving it to the Pats. The Steelers are good, and have a great defense, but I think the Pats will be ready. Pats 21-17



Well there you have it. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. If you didn't see the Texas-ND bball game yesterday, I feel bad for you. God I love college basketball, and this is one of the best weeks of the year, when you add college basketball, with some college football, lots of NFL, still got the NBA, and I think the NHL, but I am not sure about the NHL, are they still playing? does anyone know? plus lots and lots of great food, just a wonderful week. I'm right, you're wrong.

Monday, November 24, 2008

weekend wrap up.. non NFL

So OK showed up to play. Are they that good, is Tech not that good, and just got lucky cause all of their other big games were at home? Time will tell, I still think Tech is good, and OK is not that good. Texas is, and should be higher then them, you win on a neutral site, head to head, and have the same record, you should be ranked higher, that is all that needs to be said about that.

Thank god Michigan's season is over, they will be fine, they are still a top program, and will turn it around... much like IU and Ken basketball, they will be back, and be fine. Ken might make another charge and make the tourny again, IU it will take a year or two, but they have a great coach, and will turn it around.

MSU did what MSU does. If you have seen enough MSU games over the years you know what happens, they beat bad teams, get a nice record, get ranked, get all this hype around them, that they are a big game with a chance to win the big ten, and they lay a egg and get rolled. They played two good teams all year, OSU killed them in E Lansing, and PSU killed them in happy valley. I love MSU but they are not good. Ringer is sick, but you need more then that. They really don't have a good win, they don't, I'm sorry, it's true.

If wmu beats bsu tomorrow, I will be so happy. emu fired their coach today, so now if we don't win on Friday I am going to lose it. I am worried though, because emu always plays us tough, and we really don't care about them ( think msu, uofm, osu, msu cares about the uofm game, when all uofm cares about is osu, that's us, we only care about wmu, and emu cares a lot about us) If bsu wins tomorrow, and cliches the mac west, we would really have nothing to play for, and I could see us laying a egg, I really hope we don't, and no matter what happens tomorrow night, we play with Chippewa pride and win by 20 or more. For the record, I am not cheering for western, I can't do that, I am just cheering for ball state to lose, so we can go back to the mac title game.

I hope FL didn't hurt themselves too much playing the citadel.. re damn dic u lous

OK better watch out, going to Ok state is not a gimme, and I am sure all week in class people tell them how great they are, that will be a tough game. Really Texas has the same thing vs A&M on Thursday night, everyone will tell them they are great, number two in the bcs, right where you want to be, and A&M has nothing to play for, except ruining their season, stranger things have happened. But for the record, I am not picking either to happen.

I think the worst thing that could happen is Texas wins out, and then losses the big 12 title game to Mizzu, then who does the winning of the sec title game play. Can you really put OK, who didn't even make their conference title game in the national title game, I don't think so, so does USC jump back up in to it, does Utah get a chance, does PSU get back in to it, if USC has a close game with ND? Lots of questions yet to be answered, stay tuned, it should be fun.

College basketball is in full swing and I could not be happier. CMU is 2-2 after a nice OT win on Saturday vs Wright State. Very exciting game, as Robbie Harman hit a 3 to send the game to OT, and then hit the game winner down one, to win by two. Down 10 with 4 minutes to go, the Chips showed a lot, battling back and fighting till the end. I really like the way our program is moving forward.

Feast week is one of the best weeks of the year. I'm right, you're wrong.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

NFL week 12 picks

OK, well here we go, it's Thursday, so it's time for my NFL picks.


NYG at ARZ- This would be a big game for the cards to show they belong, and it is at home, but my G-men will prove to be too much for them, Giants 24-14

Car at ATL- I actually like Atlanta in this game, I had them in my preseason picks, and I am going to stick with them, for this game. Day lights coming and you got to dellhome has been playing terrible the last few games, and Matt Ryan, and Burner turner, mac love, have both played much better at home. ATL 21-17

Chi at STL- Where this game is being played does not matter at all. Bears win 17-7

Sf at Dal- Romo's back, and the 49ers are bad, that makes this easy. Dallas 28-10

TB at Det- Bucks 24-7, next

GB at NO- I like the Saints in this one, they need it more, and I think at home, they are going to get it. Saints win 31-21

Min at Jags- Just win a game for me one time Jags, I was way off in how good I thought you were going to be this year, but I am not sold on the viks either, so at home, after giving one away to the Titans last week, I like the Jags 24-14

NYJ at Ten- I will remain firm on how I am not buying the Jets yet, Titans continue to win, 21-10

Phi at Bal- The Ravens defense, at home, and Westbook might not play, and if he does, he will not be close to 100%, for some reason, I like the Ravens, so Ravens win 17-10

Was at Sea- Again normally I would pick the seahawks at home, because it is a tough place to play and they play well there, when they are good.. but they are terrible, I mean, really bad, so redskins win 28-10

Buf at KC- Bills 24-10, next

Cin at Pitt- the game tonight, no ocho cinco, like they had a chance anyway, in Pitt, come on, Steelers roll 31-10

Hou at Cle- I will take the Browns even though I really don't want to. Again, if Andre Johnson could please get 100 yards+ and at least one TD, that would be great, thanks. Browns 24-17

Oak at Den- Um, Den 35-10, next

Ind at SD- The Colts have started to look better of late, the Chargers continue to make no sense. After a tough one last week in pitt, I see them bouncing back, and I will stick with my preseason pick here, and go with SD 31-28

NE at Mia- The Pats need this, and after loosing to them at home, they will go down to Miami and be ready to play. Pats win 24-14



OK, well now that's over, real quick, I will talk about a few more things. First, I will give credit where credit is due, Balls State played a good game last night, and they earned the victory, no question, so I am not taking anything away from them, it was a great football game, between two good teams with two great offenses. I still believe if we played ten times we would each win 5. They were some bad calls, some drop balls and some questionable coaching moves, but we had a nice run, and we still do have a chance to play in the mac title game. The Problem, we have to cheer for our biggest rival, western michigan, to beat balls state on Tuesday, the 25th. I don't know how I am going to be able to do that, I think I can just cheer against Balls State, instead of actually cheering for wmu, but anyway, I hope they beat them. Also the Pistons had a nice win vs the Lebrons last night, and now play the Celtics again in Boston, nice back to back there. If they somehow win, one, I will be really happy, and two, it will be one of the most impressive home/road back to back wins in the NBA in a long time. But the Celtics are a really good team, so it will be tough, so we will see. There is also some college bball to watch tonight, as well as the U and uga tech in college football, so it is a very nice night for sports. Plus it will be a lot warmer watching all the games on my couch with a beer in my hand, then standing outside last night in mid 20 degree temps with some snow. Actually Memphis plays at 4:30, so I am going to end this now, and get ready to watch that. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

NFL wrap up week 11

So after going 11-4-1 this week, I mean, right, I picked phil to win and it was a tie, so that is a tie for me too, right? I am going with it. So anyway, after a 11-4-1 week, I am now 99-61-1 on the year. So lets look at some things from the week.


-The Jags were doing great on my upset pick of the week up 14-3, and then 21 points in a row by the Titans and they lose 24-14, plus all 3 were TD's by Kerry Collins, people forget he knows how to throw. But all this MVP talk can stop, he has 8 TD's and 4 int, that is no where close to mvp numbers, I don't care if they go 19-0 and win the super bowl, which they will not do, he is not the mvp.

-My Giants are rolling, and I could not be happier. I am still a little worried, but the way they are playing, man, almost too good to be true. With CMU football being 7-2, it has been a really good fall for me, 9-1 and 7-2 for my college and NFL teams, not too bad.

- The Lions are so close, will they win one.. I still say yes

-I also still think the Titans will lose one, at least

-The Jags will not make the playoffs, and I was way wrong, I will continue to admit that, my bad.

-I still think the Saints have a chance, but it doesn't look good.

-I still like the Pats to win the afc east, call me crazy, but I do

-The Panters may be the worst two loss team at this point in the history of the NFL.

-My fantasy teams need to keep wining, I want to make the playoffs, in at least 4 of my 6 leagues, if the season ended today I would, but I have been slipping a bit.... again. Andre Johnson, please go back to catching td's and having over 100 yards receiving a week, thank you.



non football.. if you haven't seen the dunk by the Frenzo state kid in the st Mary's game yet, go on epsn and watch until it comes up, or go online, do something, you need to see it, it was nice. I think he name was Paul George, and it was sick. Tomorrow is the big game, go fire up chips, beat balls state.

One last thing, as I mentioned yesterday was the first day of basketball practice in Michigan for high school and I am an assistant varsity coach, it is always great to watch the guys those first few days, which are of course the hardest, to see who is tough enough to get through it and keep going, and does everything asked of them, and who all of a sudden needs ice for this or that, or isn't feeling well, tweaks a ankle or knee, it is a great way to tell the kind of person they are, and the type of player they are, and the type of team you will have. It is clear who are the tough guys, and who are weak, just wanted to go on that random tangent, sorry.
I'm right, you're wrong.

Monday, November 17, 2008

college football wrap up week 12 and some other things

Well CMU did win Wednesday, and that sets up the big game vs Ball State on Wednesday, again on espn2, check it out, if you want to watch some great football, as the game will decide who wins the mac west, and thus who will win the mac title game on dec 6. Other things that happened this week:

-USC got their payback, but might still not win the pac 10, the beavers need to lose. I really want to see USC play in a big game in a bcs bowl, because they are talented, and they get up for big games.

-FL is sick, how in the blue hell did they lose to ole miss at home. That is the thing, they are so good, and they are just killing everyone now, so how do you let that happen. If you look at the entire season, they still have the worse loss of any of the one loss teams, and most of the two losses for that matter. That was just a bad loss, but they still will play for a national title as long as they win out.

-Texas is good, and can actually get some help from their rival, as long as OK beats Texas Tech.

I would love to see Texas, OK, USC, FL, Bama, PSU, Texas Tech, and Utah in a 8 team playoff.... that would look like this right now.
Tech vs Utah
Bama vs PSU
Texas vs USC
FL vs OK
I think Tech, Bama, USC and FL would win, setting up national semi's that would look like this.
Tech vs USC
Bama vs FL
I think USC would win, and we will find out about FL and Bama on dec 6, the way they are playing right now, I would have to give it to FL. Setting up FL vs USC for the national title, which would be the two most talented teams by far, and should be a great game.... anyway, back to real life

-The winner of the big 12 title game will play the winner of the sec title game, and that is that.

-I hope MSU finds a way to beat PSU this week, but knowing them as I do, and watching them do this for many many years, I really see no chance they are winning this game in happy valley.

-Michigan lost to Northwestern, that is great, 3 wins, wow... I will give everyone some time to laugh...... but, know this,
they will be back, they will be fine, they will get more of rich rod's players in, and guys who can play his system, they are still a top program, they are just down right now, they will be back. It does make me laugh though.

Moving on to other things... today is the first day of high school practice for boys basketball in the state of Michigan, which is great, cause that means I am back to coaching my boys at Mt. Pleasant. We have won 3 district titles in a row, and got to 3 regional finals in a row, loosing to the state champs every year, so we have some work to do, to get back there. But we have the best player in the state, so we have a chance. I just love basketball season. Speaking of basketball.

The Pistons are 7-3 right now, and yes, 3-3 since AI has been playing. But of those ten games, 8, yes, 8 were on the road. So this was a tough start. The bad game vs the Suns last night was not surprising, coming off a big win over the Lakers, 3rd game in 4 nights, all on the west coast, no big deal. Not to mention it is nice to get that trip to LA and to PHX out of the way early. This will only help us later on. We got the Cavs on Wednesday and then the Celtics again this week as well, so these are nice test for us. I am happy with 7-3 right now. The team will continue to gel and be fine. Also tonight CMU basketball has their home opener vs mizzu state, who is coached by the ex Purdue great and former assistant conzo martin, so that should be fun. Hopefully they can get another win, after a nice road win on Friday at Princeton. I'm right, you're wrong.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

CMU-NIU on espn2

I have done this before with my July 4th weekend, also a few Tigers games and with my Chippewas playing on epsn2 last night on prime time, and my wonderful finace working the overnight, I thought what a great time to do a running diary of the game. So the following is my actual recorded thoughts at the time of the game last night, as it happened, I will just be typing fast as I listen back to what I recored last night, so I am sorry for any mis spellings or other problems, I just went with it. there were some ups and downs, so enjoy.

7:55pm- Just got my daughter hailey down for the night, and fatherhood is done for right now, and it is time for my fanhood to start. So I get a cold one and lay down ready to watch my alma mater on epsn2.
8:01pm- S King in the pregame- "ball state gets all the headlines, but you are the champs until someone beats you." amen shawn, I always liked you.
8:06pm- We start on defense, which I like, cause then we just need a stop, and our offense has been rolling. Plus we get the ball to start the second half. SO here we go.
8:08pm- Great tackel by Bellore on a 3rd and 4 to set up a 4th and one, puppies have to punt.
8:10pm- Dan is back in, 1st play from the 37 yard line, is about a 4 yard run by Sneed, not too bad.
8:12pm-It looks like Miller is back in, but at Gaurd and Joe is still at center, Greg doesn't look to be playing, but is dressed, but everyone else looks back.
8:14pm-Jeff Wilson catches his first catch of the year. I have no idea who that is, but he caught it for a first down, it was a nice catch, so nice job. After a bubble screen got away from Dan attended to AB, it is 2nd and ten
8:16pm- After a 10 play drive, it stalls a bit and Agulia hits a fg, 3-0 Chips.
8:23pm- Bellore makes another big tackel on 3rd down to force another punt for NIU, so far the defense is playing well.
8:25pm-A low kick to stay away from Brown, and it hits one of thier guys in the back, giving us good field postions.
8:27pm- As we begin our second drive with a run by Brain Schoner, I get a second beer.
8:29pm- Nothing like having a 2nd and 20 and having a called qb run and pick up 16 yards to set up a 3rd and short. As much as I love you Brain, our back up qb, it's nice to have you back Dan.
8:31pm- On 3rd and ten on the NIU 47 we get a sack, and will have to punt with 4:50 left in the 1st.
8:38pm-On 3rd and 6th, pass incomplete and NIU will have to punt again with 1:47 left in the 1st quarter. Still 3-0 Chipp-e-was.
8:39pm- Sneed nice run on 1st down, picked up 13 or 14 or so, even lowered his shouler a little, so nice job.
8:42pm-End of the 1st, 3-0 CMU, second quarter will start CMU ball and they have a second and 12
8:48pm-Beatiful, beatiful throw down the middle to Antonio Brown for about a 30 yard TD. Great pass inbetween two defenders, prefectally throw ball by Dan. 10-0 CMU
8:53pm- Taylor Bradly, ex high recruted wide out, turned DB makes a great play on a long pass setting up 3rd and 4. Very nice play. Maybe the switch from WR to DB was a good one.
8:54pm-With only a 4 man rush, qb tires to get ride of it, Hits off TK and Sam Williams gets a pick, Great field postion. Lets keep rolling.
8:55pm- well that took all of two plays. As Sneed scores on a beatiful set up screen, 27 yard tdass, Sneed does a nice job setting up his blocks, and then making a move, and then showing so speed. Sneed, I am sorry for doubting you, you are playing well, I take back half the mean things I have ever said about you.
8:59pm- On the kickoff Agulia makes the tackle, too bad it was on the 20. That might be the spark NIU needed, we have been playing really well, and a flag on the play moves the ball to the ten, so we need a big stop by our defense or they are right back in this game.
9:02pm-On 3rd and goal at around the 12, they put 3 guys in the backfield and run play action and get sacked by Zomo and some friends, so even though they started at the ten, they lose 12 yards, and are kicking a 39 yard fg. It's up and good, but a great hold by our defense. 17-3 good guys.
9:10pm- We are running the ball great. Sneed looks great, Dan is running well, close to 100%, we have a chance for both to get over 100 yards. And when Schorder gets a carry or two he has been running hard as well, so this is nice to see.
9:12pm-Cotton gets one carry around the 30 as we are driving and moving the ball great, and he fumbles, they review it, but it stands, NIU ball. Hold on to the ball Paris.
9:14pm-Nick Bellore tackling machine. 7:07 left in the half, 2nd and ten
9:17pm-Gordy misses a catchable pick, as Williams was applying pressure to the qb, and by catchable I mean it hit off his shoulder pads, catch the ball Josh, they do have to punt, so that's good at least.
9:20pm-2nd and 4, 3:30 to go. Dan goes for a deep ball, and even miss timed it, AB ran a wrong route or it just sailed on him. So we have a 3rd and 4, I expect a Dan run or Rockey Weaver to be wide open over the middle. It is a Dan run, and he picks up the first down, and a little more, beatiful.
9:22pm-2nd and 9, Hartline gets beat around the corner for a sack. 3rd and 14. It's time for a Brian Anderson catch. He has been quite with only one catch. Here we go... and it's going to be....Brain Anderson for a first down, ha, I'm awsome. Dan was getting pressured, rolled out to his right, and throws it along the sidelines. Basically just threw it up and BA mad a great catch, keeps both feet inbounds, very nice, 1st down Chippewas.
9:26pm- TD run by Dan on 1st and goal, he now has 93 yards and a TD... rushing, in the first half, plus well over 100 yards and 2 td's passing, it's nice to have him back, it's about to be 24-3 with about 38 seconds left to go in the first half
9:27pm-Agulia for the second game in a row misses a extra point, so it's 23-3, come on.
9:29pm- NIU just runs a qb draw, and we go to half time, it's 23-3 at halftime, thanks to Agulia missed extra point, god stop doing that, but other then that, it's been a good half, and we get the ball to start the second, lets keep rolling.
10:21pm- For 38 minutes I was just talking to Phil, my college roomate at CMU for 4 of my 5 years there, so there is only abnout 3 and a half left in the 3rd. NIU started the half with an onside kick. they recover. We stop them on a three and out, then they run a trick punt, that was actually pretty nice, which they get, and go down, and finially kick a fg. 23-6 we then have a nice drive and move down the field where Dan runs his second rushing td, so now he has two of each, and is over 100 yards on the ground and 200 in the air. Best play was when he fumbled the snap and just calmy picked it up and threw a deep pass to BA, and even though their was pass interfernece so it was a 1st down, it went right though his hands, so Anderson should have caught it. It would have been one of the best plays ever. He has great hands, just for some reason, he choose not to use them there. NIU calls a timeout before a 4th and one to pick what play to run. It is still 23-6, but they are driving.
10:31pm- SO then Stephanie, my beatiful finace calls, so I talk to her for awhile, as I am talking to her, NIU scores, and gets the two point conversaion. so it is 23-14. They run another onside kick, and they get it again. So they have the ball again. We get a sack, and set up a 3rd down play, hopefully we can stop them, and then be ready for any kind of trickeration that they run and get the ball back and go down and score again.
10:40pm- They go down and score, miss the two point conversion, it's 30-20, and we have a ball game, thanks to the onside kicks. So we nee onside kick coverage everytime, since as long as we have the ball they can't stop us. But we are in a battle, this is good for us, nice test. We haven't won at NIU in like 33 years, so they are going to make us work for it.
10:47pm-Harline gets beat again. Really a entire Larry English series, he is a stud, we need to punt again. 10 point game, this is not good, I am not very happy right now, and I am actually very very worried right now, our second punt of the game. Good punt, we get a nice roll, real nice roll, to about the ten, so great punt. But Larry English is killing us. Hartline is my boy, but he needs to step up. We need a stop and a score, cause this is getting close.
10:52pm-1st half our defense played great, 2nd half they are playing like our defense. NIU is moving the ball at will right now, they are at our 15. 9:20 left, 10 point game, we need to pick it up, now.
10:56pm-Fraser gets hurt on a 3rd and one they sets up a 1st and goal. It looks like his right leg. While laying on the ground he looks like he thinks he is done, it looked bad. He puts no pressure on it at all, as they two person buddy carry him off the feild. I hope Eric is alright, but first things first, we need to win this f*cking ball game.
10:58pm-They score again, it's 30-27, yeah 30-27, CMU is still up, but only by 3. We need to score, now, we need a TD, there is still lots of time left. Here we go Dan, show us what's up.
11:07pm- we take about 4 and a half off the clock, get in to NIU's territory, but BA drops a pass on a 3rd down with a lot of help from 33 on NIU, maybe getting there just in time, maybe he was a little early, but we got to punt, and they have lots of time, and a TD beats us, come on guys, here we go.
11:11pm- TK will a big sack. It's 3rd and 18 with a 1:03 to go, just got to hold on, come on baby, one big play, lets go.
11:12pm-OK, here's the game, 48 seconds left, 4th and 18, here it is, right now, please, find a way, they just had a long pass they went through one of their guys hands that should have been caught, so here we go 4th and 18, get a stop, one play, make it happen.
11:15pm-They pick it up, cause you rush 3 and drop everyone back, qb has time to run around, keep the play going, find someone open. NIU has one timeout left, they are at the 30 or so. 30-27, and they are really close to fg range.
11:18pm-They have the ball at the ten with 31 seconds to go, they used their last time out, but now we will be lucky to go to OT. We have to make sure they don't score a touchdown and win, and this would be the biggest callapce and worst game in CMU's football history, Hold the F*cking rope, make a F*cking play.
11:19pm- They throw to the end zone, and it is incomplete, Josh Gordy, kind of made a play, he had converage, no, give him credit it was a great play, but now they are kicking the fg to try to tie the game
11:21pm- And after being up 30-6, it's now 30-30 with 19 seconds left to go in the game
11:23pm-We have the ball on the 30, and just take a knee and play OT. So here we go.
11:26pm-We won the toss, nice job picking Brain, we are on defense first so we know what we need, here we go, OT number one
11:27pm- Passes in the air, and intercepted by Josh Gordy, BIG play by Gordy, defense steps up when they need to, now the offense just needs to score, Josh left his man, and jumped the route, nice play, now we just need to score, come on.
11:30pm-I really don't like the conservative play calling. 3 runs in a row by Dan, don't want to get a turnover, but that was a big chance to win the game, and we didn't even try to move the ball. 40 yard fg is not a chip shot, especailly for Aguila who already missed a extra point. They use their one timeout to ice him.
11:31pm-Perfect kick, right up the middle, way to go Aguila, my boy, 33-30 is all that matters, it's a win, it wasn't pretty, but it's a win and that is all that matters, now we move on the ball state.



Now we can start to look at Ball State, and what will be the biggest game in K/s history, wining goes to the MAC title game, and will win, no question about it, this game is for the MAC title. Can we win our 3rd in a row, or will BSU keep thier undefeated season alieve. Wednesday, espn2, 7pm, at always sunny, ha, it will be cold, windy and maybe even some rain and snow, Kelly Shorts Stadium. D.O.T...defend our title... again. I'm right, you're wrong.

NFL week 11 Picks

Yes it is Thursday folks, and now we are in to it. All the byes are done, and it is crunch time in the NFL. So now that I am 88-57 on the season, lets try to keep it going with my week 11 NFL picks.


ARZ at Sea- Man have the seahawks looked bad, and the Cards are playing good. Normally I would pick Seattle at home, but they are just bad this year, so, I am changing my preseason pick and going with the cards. Cards win 31-14

Den at ATL-Atlanta has been playing well, especially at home, so I am thinking about changing my preseason pick on this game as well. But I will stand strong. Denver will find a way to win. Denver 28-24

Det at Car- Panters 35-14. next. That's really all that needs to be said.

Chi at GB- Since it is at GB and they lost last week to the Viks and need the win more, I am sticking with them. Go pack go, at least in this game. Packers 21-17

Dal at Was- Romo looks to be back and the Cowboys need to win if they have any chance of making the playoffs. That being said, I think they will find a way to do it. I just hope they don't, I don't like either of these teams but I hate the cowboys way more then I just don't like the skins. Cowboys 31-28 in the "I hope I'm wrong game of the week."

Min at TB- The viks got a nice win last week at home, and now they go to TB, who needs to find a way to win if they want to get back in the playoff hunt in their much better then expected division. I think they will. Bucks win 24-14

NO at KC- The Saints need to, and will win this game. Saints 35-21

Bal at NYG- The Ravens have been playing better then expected and playing well. However, my Giants have been playing great. Plus the game is at home. G-men win 24-10

Phi at Cin- The Bengals are not good, the Eagles need a win, badly. Phili wins 28-10

STL at SF- Wow this one fans should not have to pay to watch. The 49ers did look better on Monday night, and I do like Mike, but the Rams have been playing a lot better, until last week, when they didn't show up and lost by 44, so what gives. Well Rams, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...... 49ers win 21-17

Cle at Buf- The Monday night game has Brady Quinn's first road start in a tough place to play on Monday night. He looked good in his first game, but they couldn't get the win, this time, he doesn't look good, and they still don't get the win. Bills win 28-14

Hou at Ind- The Colts need to win, the Texans are going down hill. Colts win, but Andre please score a TD and have 10 catches for 110 yards. thanks. Colts 31-14

Ten at Jax- Ok, here it comes, the moment you all have been waiting for. This week's UPSET OF THE WEEK PICK. Yeah, I am dumb, I am going to keep riding the Jags until they are mathematically out of the playoffs. They need to keep wining, and what a better time to do it then give the Titans their first loss. I really think they are going to. Del Rio will have them ready to play a physical football game and Jones Drew will get me more fantasy points in the 3 leagues I have him in. Jags win 24-21

Oak at Mia- The Dolphins win this game, and the Raiders will continue to look less and less like a pro football team. Mia 24-10

NYJ at NE-Here is the first game of the week, tonight's game. well the Pats won in New York, will the Jets return the favor. um, let me think....... nope, Pats win 28-21. Farve 1 td and 3 picks.

SD at Pit- The Steelers have fallen off a little, and last week I picked them to lose at home to the Colts, which they did, now in my preseason picks I also have SD doing that this week, but I have to be honest I had the Chargers wining a lot of games in my preseason picks, so what to do, what to do. The Chargers need this win, but really so do the Steelers. I need LDT to start playing like his old self. So in my own self interest of what I hope to have happen. SD wins 24-21.

Well there they are, my week 11 picks.. enjoy. I'm right, you're wrong.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

30, 7 and 9

Thanks AI. It was nice to get a win. And AI showed why he can be so good for this Pistons team. We don't need everyone to score 12-15 points, cause AI can still take a game over. I know this was against the Kings, without their best player, but a win out west is a win out west. This is a nice little trip with gs, the suns, and lakers still on the trip, before heading back east to play in Boston. Not a easy schedule. That is why I really feel getting these games out of the way while AI is still getting use to playing with the guys is great. It is early, and we will have lots of time to go on a nice 7 or 10 game win streak later on in the year if we need it. plus we are still 5-2 right now, so even loosing to the Lakers, and maybe even the Celtics again, we out score GS and the Suns, and we are 7-4. We also have the Cavs coming up, and Lebron has been dominate so far scoring 41 in 3 of the last 4, but I still think the Pistons will be there at the end. Maybe they will not win the east, but they will be no worse then a 3 seed, I think 1 or 2, and they will get back to the eastern conference finals.. again. Each game they play together they will just get better and better.

Some other things that are on my mind today, number one, CMU will be playing NIU tonight on epsn2 in a game that we need to win to make next week at home vs Ball State the biggest game in k/s history. But first things first, we need to win tonight. I think we will, in fact, 31-17 is my score pick. Our offense is very good, and all signs look like we will have our starting qb back. If not, Brain our backup is more then ready, threw for 485 yards and 4td's plus ran for one, in out win at IU last Saturday. As long as our defense gets a few stops we will be fine. We can score with almost anyone. Other then sitting at home with a cold one watching my Chippewas tonight, Saturday night is a UFC ppv with Randy vs Brock, can't wait for that, having a night out with the boys at the bar, should be fun. Plus a lot of big football games this weekend, and on Monday practice starts at the high school for my boys, so I get to start coaching again, which is great. Also Monday night CMU basketball host Mizzu state at 7pm, so it will be a basketball filled day, which are my favorite kind. Go Central pound the puppies. I'm right, you're wrong.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

NFL wrap up week 10

So another 8-6 weeks leaves me at 88-57 on the year. Lets talk about a few things that stand out from the games this week.

-My Giants are good, really good, and they are scaring me. I sent a text to a friend of mine while they were up 17-7 that said. "they are playing really well, and I am worried, they are getting my hopes up." I am not sure why I am like that with them. I am a glass half full fan, except with the Giants. I think it is because they were the first team I started following, I was literally like 3 or 4, so I have been though a lot of wins, and then a lot of let down losses. And since I care about them so much, maybe I like to keep my expectations low, so I do not get too upset. With the Pistons and Tigers I am always up beat, but with the Giants, who have had the most success in my life time of the teams I cheer for, I am always worried. I am just crazy like that. I also stopped talking to another friend because during our conversation during the game on Sunday night the Giants had a turnover and then gave up a TD, so I told him, he was bad luck, and hung up. I know, I need help. Back to the team, as long as they don't turn the ball over, I really think this team can win the Super Bowl again. They play good defense, have a great running game, and good wide outs, plus, I never thought I would say this, a quality starting qb. They do have a tough schedule left, since every team they play not in their division is either 1st or second in their division, but they have just won at phili and at pitt, plus a home game vs Dallas in there the last three weeks, so I am now confident they can beat anyone, anywhere. They really are a team that you can't beat. They have to beat themselves. Usually beating yourself is fun, but not in this case... sorry, moving on.

- The Lions are going to win a game. In fact, knowing them, they will mess up, and win two and the Bengals will still get the 1st pick.

- The Saints are not helping me, I know think they are done, and have no chance of making the playoffs.

- The Jags need to keep wining, I don't want to be wrong about their playoff pick... but they basically need to win out, so that will not happen.

-I was right about the Colts and Pats, who are both playing well, and will both make the playoffs

-I was way way way way way way wrong about the Rams upsetting the Jets. I mean weather man are not even that wrong without loosing their jobs. My bad.

-I am off the Texans bandwagon, in case anyone was wondering. And Andre Johnson please start getting 100 yards+ and at least one TD a game, my fantasy teams need it.

-Speaking of fantasy I made a bad trade, that really came back to hurt me this week. I traded Warner, Addaui, and Roy Williams for JT, LDT, and Calvin Johnson a few weeks ago. Well this week I was playing the person I traded them to, my friend Doug, and it was for first place in our division, I was up 45 points going in to Monday night. He had Gore, who got him 9.9 no problem there, and Bolden, who got him 20+, that one wasn't my fault, and then Warner who had over 30, and he ended up beating me by about 25. I will admit, I made a mistake. I went by name along, and thought, man, here is a chance to get LDT for not a lot. Adaui hasn't really done anything, and I still have good rb, jacobs, jones drew, and bush, when he is healthily. Roy for Calvin, really was a good trade for me, as Calvin is better to get, but now with JT not playing, because Shane Hill is, It went from being a differences in the qb spot from maybe 23 to 30 to 30+ to 0. That is where it hurt me the most. I just hope I can regroup and still make the playoffs, and make a little run. I do have 6 teams, which is way too many, never again, and I am hoping to make a run in at least one league. I am close to last in two, first in another, and then the other three I am either tied for second or third, which isn't bad, but I can't keep loosing close ones, I need some wins. I would love to win a league this year, especially one of my three paid leagues I am in, one I am in last place, so it will not be that one, but the other two I have a chance. Especially after wining my paid baseball league, it would be nice to keep the money coming in.

-Rex didn't play that bad, but the Titans are good. The Bears may actually win that division, but I still like the Packers or Viks more. I think it is just because I never have really liked the Bears. I have no reason not too, I just don't like them. I mean 85 was a long time ago, and my Giants got payback and beat them and won it all in 86, so again, I have no reason not to like them, I just don't.

- I like the Cards but they will not win a playoff game, sorry. They have no running game and that will come back to hurt them. Of course, the chances are good they might have a home playoff game, so maybe take back what I just said, they would have a good chance to win a home playoff game, but no chance if they had to go on the road for their second playoff game. I am not a total believer yet.

Well there you have it. The NFL season is more the half done. All the teams have had their byes and we are in the home stretch. Lets all hope for a Giants repeat. I'm right, you're wrong.

Monday, November 10, 2008

college football weekend wrap up week 11

CMU doesn't play till Wednesday, vs NIU on espn2 btw, so they will not be number one, in fact, I don't know if I will come up with ten, so lets just start and see how many we get.

1) Psu-Iowa- Well everyone is now happy, besides psu fans. We will not get to see a big ten team in the title game for the 3rd year in a row. This is great, thank you Iowa. PSU is not a bad team, in fact they are really good, but they are not great, and I would much rather see bama, texas tech, texas, Fl, USC or OK in there before I saw PSU.

2) Texas Tech-OK State- Tech is good. I mean really good. I am a believer now. I will admit I was not crazy about them at first. Thought as soon as they play the tough part of their schedule they would start loosing, but first Texas and now OK State, they are the real deal. Yeah both games were at home, but still, those are two big wins. That offense can score against anyone. I would love to see them play Bama or FL. Really I would love to see them vs USC's defense in a big game, where they actually play well, because we all know USC plays a lot better when they know they need to, ie big games and bowl games, then they do the rest of the year.

3) Bama-LSU- LSU made it close, since it was at home, and they are not bad, by far the best 3 lost team in the nation, by far, but Bama showed something to me at least. They were actually behind and came back and then held on to win. They had only trailed for like 90 seconds all year before this game, so this was good for them. Them and FL in the SEC title game, dec 6th I believe, will be a wining goes to the BCS title game, no question in my mind. Of course watch Fl lose to FSU or something and ruin it all, then they beat FL, and then PSU might just be back in the title game, unless the BCS would put two big 12 schools in, which they wouldn't.

4) FL-Vandy- Being at Vandy I thought this might actually be a closer game, not that Vandy would win, but give the Gators a game. Yeah, not so much. That was a butt kicking if ever there was one. Fl is good, I mean really good, it makes you wonder, how in the blue hell did they ever lose to ole miss at home. Since they still have the worse loss of all the top one loss teams.

5) MSU-Purdue- If only MSU can beat PSU, they will win they big ten. But we already saw what happens to MSU in big games, OSU killed them. So as long as they win out, PSU will still go to the Rose Bowl. MSU is having a nice year, and they are moving in the right direction.

6) Uofm-Minn- Even when Michigan is bad, and Minn is actually ranked, and going to go to a bowl, Michigan still beats them for the little brown jug. Michigan has never lost in the dome, and this was their last chance to do it, so there you go. Even in their worst year, they are still good enough to win a road game in the big ten.

7) WMU-ILL- I don't like western Michigan, ok, I hate them, but this was a nice win, so I must say... MAC LOVE. The Mac has now won 4 games over the big ten this year. That tells you all you need to know about the big ten. They are 4-5 vs them in 9 games, but 8 of them were at the Big ten school, and the other one was a "nutual" site game at ford field between ILL and WMU. But that tells you all you need to know about the big ten this year. So I will say it again, MAC LOVE... oh, btw, WMU did get 6 votes in the AP top 25 poll, my Chippewas got 5, why is that a problem, well, we have both lost two games, but one of theirs was to us, by 10, when we were playing with our backup qb, and another was to Nebraska. We lost to UGA, and Purdue, who we were up with 40 seconds to go, and should have beaten. I know it doesn't matter, so I am really just bitching, but still. Bottom line, we need to beat NIU on epsn2 on Wednesday, and then beat BSU on epsn2 next Wednesday, and we will be ranked.

I think that is all I want to talk about right now, I am sure I forgot some things. So I only got to 7, not quite 10, I could add some more, but I don't want to. Let me know what I should have mentioned.

real quick non college football related. Yes it is true my Pistons are 0-2 with AI this year and 4-0 without him. But this is why the trade happening early is so great, it gives us lots of time for them to get use to each other. As for last night vs the Celtics, 1) the Celtics are a great team, 2) we shot really bad, that happens, 3) Eddie House went off, and 4) like I said, it was AI's second game, give him time, they will be fine. Everyone can clam down I'm right, you're wrong.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Week 10 NFL picks

Wow, week ten already, the season is flying by. And with it being Thursday, we all know what that means, it is NFL pick time. This is the first week that I needed to do the picks on Thursday, since for now on, there will be at least one game on Thursday, one reason why I did them on Thursday from the start, and not Friday or Saturday. So here we go, NFL picks for week 10.


Byes: Dal, Was, TB, Bal

Sf at Arz- this is actually the Monday night game, enjoy. Thank god for Prison Break, Cards will win this game, and it may not be close. Cards win 31-14

NO at Atl- Coming off the bye week this is a MUST win for the Saints, and I think they will get it. The Falcons have been playing well, but the Saints have enough offense to win this one. NO wins 24-21

Car ar Oak- what is one team you don't need a bye week for, when you play the Raiders, and the Panthers got a bye anyway. This game will not be close. But to make things better, at least the Raiders don't have the highest payroll in the league... oh wait, they do. Panters 28-10

Ten at Chi- This one might be a first team to double digits win. Run the ball and stop the run, that is all this game will be, who ever does it better wins. I like the Bears at home, but with rex playing, that goes out the window. Titans win 14-10

Jax at Det- Again thank god for home blackout rules so people like me in Michigan will not have to see this game. It will not be a sellout, in fact there is a movement around local talk radio and some web sites for NO ONE TO SHOW UP, a total boycott, of course some will come, but not enough to keep the game on TV, so I get to actually watch two NFL teams on Sunday, instead of one and the Lions. The Jags gave the Bengals their first win, they will not do the same for the Lions, Jags win 28-10

GB at Min- Big division game here. I first picked the Viks during my preseason picks, but you know, I have changed my mind. Packers win 24-21

NYG at Phi- I am a homer, it is true, but I also want to pick games right. Since this game is at Phili and since they are already 0-2 in the division this is a must win game for them. I think they will find a way to win, I hope I am wrong. I hope my Giants can continue their great play, especially against the Engels who they did beat twice last year, but I will stick with my non homer pick, Phi wins 28-21

STL at NYJ- The Jets need to win this game, if they have any chance of making the playoffs. So you know what. I will go against my preseason picks, and right now, call this.... THE UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK. Rams find a way to win, mainly cause of Farve's 3 picks, and the Rams win 24-17

Sea at Mia- In the preseason I thought the seahawks would be ok, and the Dolphins would not be so I did pick the Seahawks to win this game, but the problem, the Dolphins have been ok, and the Seahwaks have been really bad, so I will go with the team that is actually playing well this year. Mia wins 28-10

Buf at NE- Being 0-2 in the division this is a big game for the Bills. They need to win it to have a chance at the playoffs. The thing is, I don't like their chances of wining this game on the road. So I am picking the Pats, 21-17

Cin at Hou- Texans win, A Johnson please get me 10 for 120 and at least 1td, thanks. Texans 28-17

Den at Cle- As for the first game of the week, the game tonight, I like the Browns at home, and the debut of Brady Quinn to go well. Browns win 31-28 in a shoot out

Ind at Pitt- This is another game the Colts really do need to win. The Titans are running away with it, and the Colts only chance seem to be a wild card. The Problem the Steelers are playing great, especially at home, and their defense has looked great... until, the Colts come in and beat them 31-21 this week... yeah I said it.

KC at SD- The Chargers are coming off a bye and need a win, the Cheifs, well, they will also be there. SD wins 31-10

ok, well there you have it. A few upsets this week, so lets see how it goes. Let me know what you think. I'm right, you're wrong.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

weekend football wrap up

I am sorry, I would have done the college wrap up on Monday, but I had to talk about the AI trade, so I didn't get to it, and then yesterday, between voting, and mowing the lawn, and some other things, I just didn't get to my NFL one as well. So here we are, on Wednesday, I will first go with my pro picks. This week I went 8-6, which makes me 80-51 on the year. SO lets look at a few things from the NFL from this last Sunday.


-The Jags are in serious trouble now, and even more so, I picked them to be really good, and I was wrong, dead wrong. Sorry.

-The Colts will make the playoffs

-The Titans will lose at least 3 games, but they are very good.

-The Lions will win at least one game, I just can't see which one

-The Raiders are really bad, and I know they won 2 games, but they just get killed, I mean the Lions at least lose close games, and the Bengals lost some close ones, before finally getting a win this week, but the Raiders just get killed. Which makes me laugh

-My Giants have done what they needed to do so far, but with phili next there is still plenty of tough games left, but they are playing well, which is making me happy.

-The Cowboys playing so bad is also making me happy, it is really starting to look like they will not make the playoffs.

-At the mid point, if I got to pick again, my playoff teams would be:
AFC: Pats, Titans, Chargers ( I still see them holding off Denver) Pitt, with the Colts and Bills win the wild cards
NFC: Giants, Cards, Packers ( would have been Bears before Orton's injury) Panthers, Skins and Saints will be the wild cards


As for college, I will not do ten things, just a few.

- Northwestern-Minn- Congrates to Min for adding a new chapter in the book "how to lose a game" that was great. Tied game, they have the ball on their own 30, 27 seconds left, they are in the shot gun, trying to make something happen and get in fg range. They are at home, and they throw a pass, that hits off the wr shoulder and in to a Northwestern defender, who runs it back about 45-50 yards for a TD and the Gophers lose. Priceless.

-FL-Uga- Wow, the Gators are looking good, you would have to think, right now, they could beat anyone else in the nation

-Texas-Texas Tech- What a game, wow, I mean, that was great, Got to love college football. Tech will lose at least once, if not twice, since they still have a lot of work to do, but a great game.

MSU-Wis- They are down the entire game, but MSU was ahead the only time that it mattered, at the end. Nice fg to win it, and as long as they take care of Purdue, which they should win, and then it sets up a big one vs PSU. The problem, it is at Happy Vally, so I give them about a 5% chance of winning.

-CMU-IU- The big ten curse is over. Yeah it was just Indiana, but it had been since 1992 that CMU football has beaten a BCS school, and a big ten school, it was MSU in 91 and 92. But after a close call this year vs Purdue, when we took the lead with less then a minute left, only to give it up, we found a way with my friend and back up qb Brain Brunner to win 37-34 on the road. Brunner set a single game record for the school with 485 yards passing, not too bad, he also had 4 passing td, and a the go ahead rushing one. Great win. NIU and BSU play tonight, who are the next two teams we play, on the next two Wednesdays. We have NIU on the road next week, and then as long as we take care of business the Ball State game becomes so big, on Nov 19 at k/s stadium. Go fire up chips. I'm right, you're wrong.

Monday, November 3, 2008

A.I. welcome to the D

I was all ready to do my normal Monday college football wrap up, but with the trade news coming out, it is going to have to wait. Now it isn't totally official yet, but I am going to act like it is, when writing this. If you haven't heard the trade is Billups and Antonio to the Nuggets for AI. Now my first thought was, Why? The timing of it, is wired, two games in, and after a entire off season of talks will the core group of Pistons stay together, nothing was done, and they did. Now after two wins, they are broken up. I didn't like it, I thought AI would not fit here, he doesn't play enough defense, he likes to have the ball in his hand, and he likes to shoot a lot. I wasn't happy. Then I relaxed, talked to a few people, most of them being Piston fans, and then one who isn't, and then I started to like it. On paper, it really should work. AI is the type of guy who can take over a game, you have to fear him, he is cold blooded, he wants to take the big shot, and more often then not, he will find a way to get the job done. Also it creates cap space, AI is a free agent after this year, so his contract will come off the books, while Billups has, I think, two more years after this one, at around 11 mil a year. So that part is good. Stuckey has been playing great, and this opens up a lot more playing time for him, and basically making him the starting point guard. With AI, rip, and Stuck any of those three guys can be in at the two guards spots and you don't miss a beat, you have two guys who can push the tempo, AI and Stuck, two guys who can are at least good jump shooters, AI and rip, two guys who can handle the ball, AI and Stuck, two guys who can get to the basket, AI and Stuck, two guys who can play good defense, rip and Stuck, plus AI off the ball shooting lanes, two good FT shooters, AI and rip, and all three guys who want to win, and two who don't have rings yet, and want one, AI and Stuck. So it can work, and you still have TA TA you can handle the ball as well, if you want to have both AI and rip coming off screens, or AI at the one, and either Stuck or rip at the two, or Stuck at the one, and either AI or rip at the two. So plenty of options, plus it frees up cap space. Not to mention it looks like Antonio might just be cut, and could come right back to the Pistons. So it is a good trade. As for Denver, they get the home town kid, Billups, who is still a good pg in this league, and someone who is stronger at running a offense then AI is, to set up Melo, and let him become more of a complete player. Maybe he can even teach him how to play defense.

The timing of the trade is also good, because having 80 games left, even if it takes awhile for AI to get use to playing here and fit in with everyone, and everyone use to their new roles, there is time to do all of that, and still have lots of time to get on longer win streaks once everyone is on the same page. I mean even if it takes 20 games, and even if the Pistons went 500 in those games, that would put us at 12-10, with 60 games to play. Lots of time to turn it around. So maybe the timing was right. There really isn't a bad part to this trade, say they don't win a title, or even make it back to the ecf, which there was no guarantee they would have anyway, AI's contract comes off the books, you use that money, plus your draft picks, to keep retooling, and Stuck, AA, Amir, and some younger free agents, and draft picks, are your new core, to start another run. There was a rumor that Jason might be in the trade instead of Antonio. Now that would be a much worse trade for the Pistons, since of course Jason, is young and athletic, but it still wouldn't be the end of the world, because he appears to be a energy guy off the bench, and he may never be a star, so he could be replaced, I just hope we don't have to, I hope he isn't in the deal, and I hope he stays a Piston for the next decade. If anything, it will be fun to watch, and it is exciting to think of what could be. This doesn't automatically make the Pistons the champs, but it doesn't take them out of the playoffs either. My guess they will still be at least back to the conference finials, and they freed up cap space. All in all a good move. And after I thought about it, Joe D has made another great move, and this gives the Pistons not only a bigger chance to win a title this year, it gives them more of a chance, to not miss a beat, and to stay a elite eastern conference team for another 6 or 7 years. So may I say, welcome to the D AI, enjoy, have fun, and bring us another title, and you a well deserved first.

Also, real quick, it was also announced that Fulmer will not be back as the Vols coach next year. I wish I could care. I don't like Tenn Football, though I do like coach Pearl and their basketball team. Michigan fans hate him because of the 98 season and his vote basically coasting them a outright national title, I don't really care about that, I just don't like him, and don't like the volvs, so bye. In more MAC news Toledo Tom is also stepping down at the end of the year, I guess the Rockets food budget will now go down, since they don't need to buy that man meals anymore. In 8 years he did get them to 4 bowls, so congrats on that. I wish the big man well. I will do my normal college wrap up in a little bit, or if not today, tomorrow, but I will try my best to do it later. Since there was some things that happened that I need to talk about. I'm right, you're wrong