If I reach my BMI objective this year (from 32 to 21), I would like to run the Montreal Marathon in 2009. Maybe this year I’ll try to run the 10 km race.
Wouldn’t pool games on tv be way more entertaining if the players were total morons?
Why Atlanta didn’t keep Schaub and turn Vick into a running back always available for trick plays ? And why Texans wanted to get rid of Carr ? He has been sacked 41 times last year. No team with an offensive line giving 40 sacks or more made the playoffs last year. Will Schaub do better ? Maybe. Will it change anything to Texans’ fate ? I don’t think so.
“The referee was staring and pointing. ‘She can’t play,’” said Asmahan, Asi to her friends. “I was like why? Why can’t I play?”
I don’t get it. I really don’t. First, I was disgusted buy the referee behavior, then angry by Jean Charest’s reaction. But then I learn that the referee is Muslim. Why did he ejected the girl ?
Safety issue ? Bullshit.
FIFA rules ? Same. What ? Iran women can play with a hijab but not a little Canadian girl ?
This is weird… Stinky, yeah, but even weirder.
Wow, what a great GM Bob Gainey is. He stole Mike Ribeiro from the Montreal Canadians, giving only Jane Niinimaa in return, causing huge offensive problems for Montreal since then. Maybe the greatest deal of the season.
Oh… wait… Gainey isn’t GM for the Stars anymore, he’s with the Canadians…
By the way, Sheldon Souray, defenseman, is the highest pointer of the Habs. That’s good for the 58th rank of the league.
What about a stat which appears to me as even more relevant: differential ? Mike Johnson is + 15, good for the 34th rank of the league.
How many players of this team who regularly are in the two first lines have a positive differential ? None. Worse: the first line, Koivu, Higgins and Rider, has a total differential of -50. Which is the other player under -10 ? Sheldon Souray…
What about the team ? Only 2 teams, Boston and Philadelpha, has a worse 5 on 5 ratio. Fortunately, the team is second in PP. I really don’t understand that gap. Players planned to work only on PP ?
For many team stats, they are pretty much in the middle. Like their actual rank, 14 on 30.
Week four, with four huge games:
New England (2-1) at Cincinnati (3-0). Can New England bounce back and be dangerous against Cincinnati ? When you look at their stats, New England still looks like a great team. Even if they lost experience at the WR position, I still feel they can get the work done. We can say Cincinnati has a great offense right now but New England has 100 more yards than them so far. I feel like both teams are pretty close in talent. Last week, at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati did enough stupid things to lose the game, but Pittsburgh managed to give even more turnovers. Because this week’s game is at Cincinnati, I’ll pick the home team with a thin, thin margin. Thin.
Seattle (3-0) at Chicago (3-0). Those teams could be the NFC finalists. But for the next weeks, Seattle has to play without Alexander. Fortunately, their MVP running back didn’t play well so far and they won anyway, but Chicago is way better than who they faced so far. Can Maurice Morris give us consistent runs ? We can remember Seattle played most of the Superbowl without Alexander. And they lost. How Hasselbeck is feeling ? He destroyed the Giants last week, but he already has 5 interceptions for 6 touchdowns. Not bad but not good either. On the other side, the running comity of Jones and Benson isn’t that impressive but the offensive line only gave 2 sacks, while Seattle already had 8. The young Grossman is playing well and the defense is still pretty good. With Alexander, I would give the game to Seattle but without him, I think Chicago has what it takes to get out their own field with 4-0.
New Orleans (3-0) at Carolina (1-2). Wow… Who predicted 3 straight wins for New Orleans this year ??? That’s as much as they got in 16 games last year… I think the key factor for this game will be confidence. I’m sure every player of New Orleans feels like the team can win 10 straight Superbowl. On the other side, it took everything for Carolina to win against Tampa Bay, including destroying Simms’s spleen. Even if I (and everyone) think Carolina is better on paper, New Orleans still might be able to think about the division title for a while. I think they are able reach their bye week with 6-0. What a division !!
San Diego (2-0) at Baltimore (3-0). San Diego had the opportunity to rest and watch the Baltimore-Cleveland game. I’m sorry, but when you beat Cleveland 16-15, you aren’t a serious playoff contender. Baltimore likes to win on the ground. That’s too bad, San Diego too and they are better at it: 217.5 yards per game for San Diego and 109 yards per game for Baltimore. Both teams played only against bad teams, so it will be their first test. Can the young Rivers beat the old McNair ? So far, he does. I really don’t like how the Baltimore defense played against Cleveland. So, even if I didn’t see them play for a while now, I pick San Diego.
Arizona (1-2) at Atlanta (2-1). This is the kind of game Atlanta must win if they are serious. They have to bounce back from last week defeat in New Orleans.
Dallas (1-1) at Tennessee (0-3). Tennessee may be my pick for the team that will end with the worst standing.
Indianapolis (3-0) at N.Y. Jets (2-1). Just because the Jets share the division lead with New England doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be crushed by Indianapolis.
Miami (1-2) at Houston (0-3). This is the kind of game Houston can win. If anyone out there is interested about winning a football game this year. Also, this stat should mean something.
Minnesota (2-1) at Buffalo (1-2). Whatever.
San Francisco (1-2) at Kansas City (0-2). I like San Francisco and I don’t like Herman Edwards. It seems enough to pick San Francisco. Oh, and Damon Huard is not the best #2 QB is this league…
Detroit (0-3) at St. Louis (2-1). Man, Detroit sucks.
Cleveland (0-3) at Oakland (0-2). I liked what I saw from Cleveland last week. Frye is already good enough to give Cleveland some wins. Not 8, but some, like this week. Even if they have a big RB problem…
Jacksonville (2-1) at Washington (1-2). Last week, it seems like someone at Washington found a switch. Can they be great two weeks in a row ? I don’t think so.
Denver, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay will have the whole week to think about what went wrong so far. All four can do way better than they did on their first three weeks.
Last week, I did even better with my predictions. 11/14 were correct, for 78.57%. So far I’m 28/46 for 61%. Not bad. I pass. Barely.
Too much testosterone can kill brain cells, researchers said on Tuesday in a finding that may help explain why steroid abuse can cause behavior changes like aggressiveness and suicidal tendencies.
Makes sense.
Really guys… This “let’s play like crap for the first three quarters and then try to do a wonderful comeback at the fourth quarter” strategy is not a good idea.
People keeps coming up here searching for the t-shirt fuck Materazzi. Here you go, enjoy. Not as good looking as I expected. So much for France’s haute couture…
Nice article about Russel Martin, the Dodgers catcher from Quebec. The French translation is also available.
Week three already. There are only 14 games this week as Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland and San Diego already gets their bye week. Plenty of time for 3 of these teams to cry and wonder why things went wrong.
Carolina (0-2) at Tampa Bay (0-2). Good thing, one of these teams will win this week. Who will be interested by the third rank of the division ? First, let’s assume Carolina won’t try any dumb play this week. Second, Steve Smith doesn’t seem ready yet. How’s each team running game ? Cadillac Williams gets 2.6 pitful yards every time he runs. Not good. DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams does better together – Williams mostly. Defense ? Carolina got 6 sacks and gave 3 touchdowns so far. Tampa Bay got only 4 sacks and gave 5 touchdowns. Even if Dan Morgan might be out this week after his concussion, I gotta pick Carolina over Tampa Bay.
Chicago (2-0) at Minnesota (2-0). That’s really cool we can enjoy this confrontation right now instead of waiting for the second half of the season. We’ll see the terrific defense of the Bears against the “whatever Minnesota did so far to be 2-0”. Ok, that’s pretty clear, I still don’t get it about the Vikings. Yeah, they have a great offensive line. Yeah, Brad Johnson has a superb career record and a Superbowl ring. Hum, I think I was confusing him with Rob Johnson… Anyway, Chicago will beat Minnesota.
Cincinnati (2-0) at Pittsburgh (1-1). Ok. Pittsburgh won over Miami because Culpepper sucked hard. It was harder against Jacksonville and maybe Roethlisberger wasn’t ready to play. Is he now ? I’m also really concerned about Willy Parker. Sometimes he’s awesome (even if being awesome includes luck, like his 70 yards run at the Superbowl), sometimes he seems too weak for the job, like against Jaguars. Right now, their number two RB – in stats – is Charlie Batch. Not good. Right now, everything leads us to think Cincinati will win this one. But let’s say this is a long season. Steelers will find way to improve (prayor) and get their revenge against Cincinati. But with the Ravens playing this good, I just hope the Steelers will stay in the race for the playoffs. Because Jacksonville will be.
Jacksonville (2-0) at Indianapolis (2-0). I don’t know why but the AFC South is my least favorite division. Maybe because we all know Indianapolis will win the division and crumble in the playoffs. But maybe Indianapolis won’t get the division. Last year, Jacksonville was only 2 victories behind. They lost their 2 games against Indianapolis with a total margin of 15 points. But bad news for Jacksonville: Joseph Addai is growing into a nice leading RB. Even if the dynamic Dwight Freeney shouldn’t be there Sunday, I think Indianapolis still have what it takes to beat Jacksonville.
N.Y. Jets (1-1) at Buffalo (1-1). Ok, that’s not the Superbowl but both team suck less than I thought. Can any of these team worry the Patriots ? Or be a factor in the Wildcard race ? We may have a clue this week. When you look at the stats, you see Buffalo already conceded 200 offensive yards to its opponents while the Jets took more than they gave so far. Buffalo needs more air in its air offense or more commitment in its running game. The Jets will prevail against Buffalo.
N.Y. Giants (1-1) at Seattle (2-0). Seattle sure didn’t like what the Giants did in the fourth quarter last week. Manning and his men will come at Seattle with a high level of confidence. On paper, I really like these Giants. Shaun Alexander status is probable and his stats so far don’t sound like MVP: 3.1 per carry. Maurice Morris, Mack Strong (a FB !!) and Bobby Engram (WR) have a better carrying average than him. I wasn’t impressed by the 9-6 win of Seattle over Detroit on week 1 but I was even less impressed by the lack of opportunism of the Giants on their fist 7 quarters this season. Should one quarter change my mind ? I will go for the home team and their noisy crowd. They won every home game last year in Seattle. So Seattle over Giants.
Green Bay (0-2) at Detroit (0-2). Two games and they are already out of the race for the division title.
Tennessee (0-2) at Miami (0-2). How lower can Miami get ?
Washington (0-2) at Houston (0-2). In 2005, Washington won 10 games. Houston only two. We all hope Houston will get at least 50% more wins this season but maybe not this week. Well, if Washington can’t beat Huston, the team can start to think about 2007.
Baltimore (2-0) at Cleveland (0-2). Jamal Lewis is out but Mike Anderson is there to do the job.
Philadelphia (1-1) at San Francisco (1-1). Oh… Westbrook is questionable and Kearse is out ? Hum. It would still be huge is San Francisco gets this one.
St. Louis (1-1) at Arizona (1-1). I still think St. Louis has a great team. This is the kind of game they shouldn’t lose.
Denver (1-1) at New England (2-0). Awkward replay of the 2005 playoff confrontation as both teams are struggling.
Atlanta (2-0) at New Orleans (2-0). It would be huge if Atlanta can win its six division games.
Last week, I did quite better with my predictions. 11/16 were correct, for 68,75%. So far I’m 17/32 for 53%. Maybe I would have done better with head or tail…
Surprising teams
Buffalo (1-1): I thought they would suck badly. Who knows, they might have a chance to win the division.
N.Y. Jets (1-1): ok, beating the Titans is not a sign of success but at least they won it. And they were pretty close from the (struggling) Patriots. They shouldn’t make the playoff but they will get more victories than last year (4). Maybe 8 or something ? Getting Mangini instead of Edwards was their best off-season move.
Baltimore (2-0): wow, they are back ! Now that this team has a decent QB (sorry Boller and Dilfer) those ol’Ravens are going to do damages. This AFC North division will really be something.
Cincinnati (2-0): it may be unfair to call their victory surprising but the team had some troubles during the offseason while Palmer was trying to get back. I thought they were going to struggle after their Cinderella year. But they seem to be serious. Ok, beating KC and Cleveland isn’t a big deal… We’ll see what they can do with more serious teams.
San Diego (2-0): they were off my radar. Completely off. Maybe because they are far and their logo stinks. But they are good. Uh… at least, good at beating bad teams (Oakland and Tenessee)… The way Denver is playing, the division may be accessible.
Chicago (2-0): I’ve never been a fan of Rex Grossman. I am now. If they keep this level of play, they may get to the Superbowl.
Minnesota (2-0): I though that after losing Culpepper and Randy Moss, this team was a harmless victim. Ok, Carolina gave them the game this week… They seems able to do as good than last year (9-7) but right now I don’t believe they will give trouble to Chicago.
Atlanta (2-0): last season, Vick had this terrible second half and the team ended 8-8. Many were concerned about the level of play he would bring this year. Who is concerned now ? What a running game ! Last year, the strategy against Vick was to stop the run to make him throw. We’ll see if anybody will be successful doing it this year…
New Orleans (2-0): well, the team plays a lot better without hurricanes ! Another win and they will have as much than last year. I can’t wait to see this team against its division. Ok, they aren’t awesome but we never now. The second rank of the division seems accessible now.
Jacksonville (2-0): they aren’t really a surprise because they were 12-4 last year. But maybe because they were crushed by the Pats in the playoffs last year, I thought they weren’t that good. Well, they are good enough to beat Dallas and Pittsburgh…
Deceiving teams
Miami (0-2): to repeat myself, Charlie Batch would have been a better acquisition than Culpepper. They will struggle for the 3rd division place instead of the 1st.
Indianapolis (2-0): ok, they are winning, but they won’t get pretty far with their running game. At least, this essential part of the game improved against the pathetic Texans…
Carolina (0-2): it may be unfair to call them deceiving with Steve Smith injured, but the team claimed they would have a more complete offense this year. We’re still waiting. Oh, and please, coach Fox… Forget about this play…
Tampa Bay (0-2): damn, it thought Simms was about to know a great year with Cadillac Williams and the terrific defense they have. Not so far.
Denver (1-1): they don’t play like an AFC finalist. And, more concerning, they don’t play like they are able to.
Kansas City (0-2): ok, they are getting old. KC traded to get Herman Edwards from the Jets (4-12 last year) and Edwards achieved to turn a great team with a bad defense into a bad team. Bravo.
Washington (0-2): they hit the playoff last year with their 10 victories. Good thing: their #1 RB will join the team soon. Bad thing: their #1 QB is already on the team.
Intriguing teams
N.Y. Giants (1-1): are they good or not ? Will both Manning and the defense make plays when it counts ? I watched the 3 first quarters of Sunday’s game. They were playing like Care Bears. And when I get back to the game, they are in overtime after scoring 17 unanswered points !
Philadelphia (1-1): how could they lose after doing so good against the Giants ??? Which team will we see now ? This incredible defeat was part bad luck, part stupidity. Even more bad luck: stupidity can’t be cured.
Detroit (0-2): I know, they were flagged as a bad team. Like last year and the year before… But… I don’t know… I thought they were going to turn things around. And there are a lot of starting QB worse than John Kitna in this league…
Green Bay (0-2): the biggest intrigue is about Favre. Will he get traded ? Benched ? And I don’t know… This team has some talent… I would trade Favre to a team like Washington and try to turn things around.
Arizona (1-1): some thought they were better, some they were worse… They won against a bad team and lost against a good one. Pretty inconclusive… They will do better than their 5-11 last year, but how much better ?
St. Louis (1-1): I was stunned by their defense on week 1, maybe it was just Jake Plummer playing like crap… But I was concerned about their offense. When your kicker scores six field goals in seven attempts, it means you screwed a lot of opportunities. And now they lose against… San Francisco ??? What’s wrong guys ? Bulger is good, Jackson is good, the defense is good… What are you waiting for ?
San Francisco (1-1): many flagged them as bad. I was curious if they could improve and give us at least 6 wins. It’s looking good.
New England (2-0): they still didn’t lose and they still have Brady… Will they find a way to have another great season or crumble against the first dangerous team they’ll face ? Well, the first half of their calendar isn’t scary at all…
Dallas (1-1): what’s the point of hiring TO when your QB is Drew Bledsoe ? I don’t like what I see but at least they won against Washington.
Pittsburgh (1-1): we have to concede Culpepper helped them a lot on week 1. Maybe Willy Parker isn’t strong enough to carry their rushing offense. With the good starts of Bengals and Ravens, they can’t lose too many games… Even more in their own division. Next week, they welcome the Bengals but I think we will have to wait week 12 when the Steelers will visit the Ravens to see what this team can do this year…
Teams doing just as expected
Cleveland (0-2): we knew they would struggle and they do.
Houston (0-2): same thing.
Oakland (0-2): see previous.
Tennessee (0-2): same than above.
Seattle (2-0): what curse ? They were good and they are still.
11 NFL teams didn’t win at least one of their two first games.
Which team will end the 2006 regular season with the worse record ?
a) Miami
b) Cleveland
c) Houston
d) Tennessee
e) Kansas City
f) Oakland
g) Washington
h) Detroit
i) Green Bay
j) Carolina
k) Tampa Bay
Could it be possible to see a 0-16 this year ?
This first week was something. Many quarter-backs played like crap, blowing up any chance of victory for their team: Culpepper for Miami, Plummer for Denver… */&($&%
And what about the Panthers ? A week ago they seemed like the best team this year. And now ?
Let’s look this week schedule:
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia. New York lost against the excellent Colts (even if their running game without James sucked) and Philadelphia won over the not very excellent Texans. I want New York to win this game but I think an healthy McNabb will win it. So Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta. Second division game for Atlanta already and they might be 2-0. Their running game was terrific last week. Warrick Dunn temporarily leads the league for rushing with this 132 yards performance. Vick himself got 48 yards and another RB 66 yards. Tampa Bay achieved to be shutout at home by the old Ravens last week. Not impressive. They will do better this week but not enough. Atlanta over Tampa Bay.
Arizona at Seattle. Surprising result last week when it took everything to Seattle to barely defeat Detroit 9-6. Hasselbeck did OK. But not Shaun Alexander. Only 51 yards in 19 attempts. I wouldn’t have get more yards than him but I’m a lazy ass, not an athlete. In the other hand, Edgerrin James got the same lamentable average against the 49ers, 2.8 yards per carry. If Seattle didn’t use last game as a wake up call, this one might be pretty close. Even so, I think Seattle will beat Arizona.
Buffalo at Miami
Carolina at Minnesota
Cleveland at Cincinnati
Detroit at Chicago
Houston at Indianapolis (duh)
New Orleans at Green Bay
Oakland at Baltimore
St. Louis at San Francisco
Kansas City at Denver (don’t fuck around again Plummer !)
New England at N.Y. Jets
Tennessee at San Diego
Washington at Dallas
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville
Last week, I sucked hard with my predictions. 6/16 were correct, for 37,5%. Ouch. Even the Pats almost let me down against the Bills ! My rate will increase this week or my self-esteem is going to decrease… !
I first thought this FIFTEEN YEARS contract the NY Islanders just gave to the 25 years old Rick DiPietro an humongous stupidity. But when you think about the amount, 67,5 million, that’s not that dumb. OK, we are speaking about hockey, a poor professional sport, but being engaged to give 4,5 million a year for 15 years is not like giving 20% or more of a team money to only one player. With the actual salary cap, it will be about 10% of the roster money for one guy. That’s not awful.
But as far as I know, Rick DiPietro can now slow down, eat daily at McDonald and party all night for the next 15 years because no matter how bad he will play, he’ll get the money.
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