Houston 27 @ Buffalo 16 (TO irrelavence tour continues)
Cleveland 9 @ Chicago 28
Seattle 13 @ Dallas 31
St. Louis 10 @ Detroit 21 (both teams might lose to BCS top 5)
San Francisco 17 @ Indianapolis 28
Miami 24 @ New York Jets 13 (Dolphins won with more than just wildcat last time)
New York Giants 20 @ Iggles 24 (possible very ugly game)
Denver 22 @ Baltimore 27 (not much confidence here could go either way)
Jacksonville 17 @ Tennessee 20 (Vince does just enough vs bad team)
Oakland 9 @ San Diego 27
Carolina 16 @ Arizona 24 (this weeks interception bowl)
Minnesota 24 @ Green Bay 27 (Favre will start to wear out)
Atlanta 17 @ New Orleans 31 (Falcons season hangs in the balance)
10/31/2009
10/28/2009
WSOP
This weeks airingof the main event on ESPN took the field from 27 to 18, only 2 tables with 9 more to be eliminated to get to the final table. It looks like the final table will not be live on pay per view. I missedseeing when it was and wish I could this year.
Last nights airing showed how misplaced bravado can cost you. There has always been this feeling below the surface that you aren't a man or you give something away if you double check your cards through the hand. Phil Ivey gave up a 2+ nillion chip pot because of this. He had pocket 8's, one of them a spade. 4 spades wound up hitting the board, the ace on the river. It was checked down which made the other guy show first, A-9, neither a spade. Ivey mucked what would have been a winning flush.
If you have a stone face like Ivey, double checking your cards won't hurt you. I would venture to say it never does. Your reaction to the cards as they come is a bigger tell because people read the board for pairs first.
Last nights airing showed how misplaced bravado can cost you. There has always been this feeling below the surface that you aren't a man or you give something away if you double check your cards through the hand. Phil Ivey gave up a 2+ nillion chip pot because of this. He had pocket 8's, one of them a spade. 4 spades wound up hitting the board, the ace on the river. It was checked down which made the other guy show first, A-9, neither a spade. Ivey mucked what would have been a winning flush.
If you have a stone face like Ivey, double checking your cards won't hurt you. I would venture to say it never does. Your reaction to the cards as they come is a bigger tell because people read the board for pairs first.
10/27/2009
NFL Week 7 Wrap
This week I was 11-2 bringing my overall record to 58-29 since starting on week 2.
Here's what I learned from week 7:
The Niners will have now have a qarterback controversy all year long and this will basically give the NFC West to the Cardinals.
Before starting this blog I predicted to a friend that there could be 10-12 teams with 5 wins or less and this week did nothing to change that opinion. There may be 3 or 4 teams with 2 wins or less.
Don't put too much stock in the undefeated teams no matter how good they look now. If you look back on the past several years, most of the teams to win or get to the super bowl had slow or awful starts and got most of their injuries out of the way early.
New England still hasn't shown me anything. They blew out a team that has given up (Titans) and a team returning to its historical awfulness (Buccaneers). Beat a team that can put pressure on the quarterback and I'll be impressed.
Here's what I learned from week 7:
The Niners will have now have a qarterback controversy all year long and this will basically give the NFC West to the Cardinals.
Before starting this blog I predicted to a friend that there could be 10-12 teams with 5 wins or less and this week did nothing to change that opinion. There may be 3 or 4 teams with 2 wins or less.
Don't put too much stock in the undefeated teams no matter how good they look now. If you look back on the past several years, most of the teams to win or get to the super bowl had slow or awful starts and got most of their injuries out of the way early.
New England still hasn't shown me anything. They blew out a team that has given up (Titans) and a team returning to its historical awfulness (Buccaneers). Beat a team that can put pressure on the quarterback and I'll be impressed.
10/25/2009
Cowboys get it right for 2 1/2 quarters
It took until the middle of the second quarter but Jason Garrett finally got a good rhythm going with play calling. You should note that for the first quarter and a half it was the same symphony of false starts as the rest of the season had been. As soon as the rhythm was established the penalties became less of a factor. Better use of the I formation and power running set up effective play action. Less shotgun meant fewer boom or bust draws and delay hand offs. Most importantly there was a good mix as opposed to spells of all run that then led to longer spells of all pass.
On the other side of the ball the Cowboys controlled the game except for the three scoring drives. The opening drive I can forgive because it just showed what adjustments needed to be made. The other two drives had one thing in common: Bobby Carpenter. All season long I've noticed the team gives up points when he is on the field. Evidently AJ Hawke made him look great at Ohio State.
On the other side of the ball the Cowboys controlled the game except for the three scoring drives. The opening drive I can forgive because it just showed what adjustments needed to be made. The other two drives had one thing in common: Bobby Carpenter. All season long I've noticed the team gives up points when he is on the field. Evidently AJ Hawke made him look great at Ohio State.
10/24/2009
read the next post then come back to this one
Now to finish that thought: the coach that occasionally nearly accomplished something.
Tonight we saw the Texas team everyone thought they were. Except for UL-Monroe the Horns have really had a tougher schedule than you think. Add that to the fact that most of those were teams that will always get up to play Texas.
If there is one thing I've learned about college football it's that all you need to do is survive early and be good late. Late losses hurt more than early losses, no matter who you lose to, because of the polls. The voters can't remember more than two weeks ago. Anything further back than that is just a number in the loss column. Even if that loss is a huge blow out.
Texas has teams that either have talent, will get up for the game or both. So just keep improving so you can make everyone shut up about Tim Tebow in January.
Tonight we saw the Texas team everyone thought they were. Except for UL-Monroe the Horns have really had a tougher schedule than you think. Add that to the fact that most of those were teams that will always get up to play Texas.
If there is one thing I've learned about college football it's that all you need to do is survive early and be good late. Late losses hurt more than early losses, no matter who you lose to, because of the polls. The voters can't remember more than two weeks ago. Anything further back than that is just a number in the loss column. Even if that loss is a huge blow out.
Texas has teams that either have talent, will get up for the game or both. So just keep improving so you can make everyone shut up about Tim Tebow in January.
What I Learned About College Football This Week
First I must be clear that the Texas game is the only game I watched and I'll get to that in a minute. I split time between Notre Dame-BC and Alabama-Tennessee. Even though I am about half Irish I hate Notre Dame (but wait, Notre Dame is a french phrase?!?!?) and I don't like much, if anything, about Boston. Boston College let a golden opportunity slip through their hands and wasted a pretty good defensive performance against a team that has shown an ability to score. It's as simple as A B C - Always Be Closing.
I found the Tennesee game frustrating. They seemed to be moving the ball well on the ground but got little out of it. It should not have had to come down to a blocked field goal. Lane Kiffin's coaching legacy seems to be: the guy that sometimes nearly accom
I found the Tennesee game frustrating. They seemed to be moving the ball well on the ground but got little out of it. It should not have had to come down to a blocked field goal. Lane Kiffin's coaching legacy seems to be: the guy that sometimes nearly accom
10/23/2009
EAST COAST BIAS
This is has been a rant of mine for quite some time. East coast or more correctly east of the mississippi media bias.
Today on ESPN's Around the Horn, The Boston Globe's ancient columnist Bob Ryan said the Arizona Cardinals were irrevelant. Granted I have detested this franchise in both cities they have represented during my lifetime, but to say a team that just last year played in the super bowl is irrevelant shows his disdain for over half our country. I find it maddening how he always speaks seriously about all teams in the east, even the Browns who haven't been revelant for over 20 years and weren't around for the whole time anyway. None of the other columnists are quite as bad as Mr Ryan. But the general bias will show its head even more during basketball season with the wealth of discussions about the irrevelant Knicks. In baseballs off season the Yankees and Sox will be a constant topic, even when they haven't made news.
Just be a national network!
Today on ESPN's Around the Horn, The Boston Globe's ancient columnist Bob Ryan said the Arizona Cardinals were irrevelant. Granted I have detested this franchise in both cities they have represented during my lifetime, but to say a team that just last year played in the super bowl is irrevelant shows his disdain for over half our country. I find it maddening how he always speaks seriously about all teams in the east, even the Browns who haven't been revelant for over 20 years and weren't around for the whole time anyway. None of the other columnists are quite as bad as Mr Ryan. But the general bias will show its head even more during basketball season with the wealth of discussions about the irrevelant Knicks. In baseballs off season the Yankees and Sox will be a constant topic, even when they haven't made news.
Just be a national network!
This weeks picks
San Francisco 24 @ Houston 21
Green Bay 27 @ Cleveland 10
San Diego 21 @ Kansas City 16
Brett Favre 24 @ Worthlessberger 27 (either team causes me acid reflux)
New England 42 @ Tampa Bay 10
J E T S just shut up 13 @ shoulda got directtv 10 (very low confidence)
Buffalo 12 @ Carolina 13 (does anyone care)
Chicago 17 @ Ochocinco 28
Atlanta 20 @ Dallas 27 (Jason can you hear me?)
New Orleans 31 @ Miami 20
Arizona 27 @ New York Giants 21 (wheels start to fall off)
I hate any city that would boo Santa Clause and Dr. J 16 @ Worstington 9
There, I've said it!
Green Bay 27 @ Cleveland 10
San Diego 21 @ Kansas City 16
Brett Favre 24 @ Worthlessberger 27 (either team causes me acid reflux)
New England 42 @ Tampa Bay 10
J E T S just shut up 13 @ shoulda got directtv 10 (very low confidence)
Buffalo 12 @ Carolina 13 (does anyone care)
Chicago 17 @ Ochocinco 28
Atlanta 20 @ Dallas 27 (Jason can you hear me?)
New Orleans 31 @ Miami 20
Arizona 27 @ New York Giants 21 (wheels start to fall off)
I hate any city that would boo Santa Clause and Dr. J 16 @ Worstington 9
There, I've said it!
10/22/2009
Current Record
Every Friday or Saturday I will post my weekly NFL picks. I started picking against a friend on week 2. I will give a score but I don't measure against the spread just by win/loss (may not have won any vs spread). So far I am 47-27.
Jason Garrett get off the sideline
The main problem with the Dallas Cowboys this year is Jason Garrett. Far to many times he has shown a lack of preparedness in play calling. Why else have they been flagged for or been close to delay of game. Not to mention wasted time outs. I find this unaceptable for a team with this much tallent and high expectations.
Being solutions oriented I offer these (for starters):
On second down stop being so sensitive to yards to go. He should have the next play ready during or before the first down play. This lack of readiness is causing delays during package changes.
Get off the sideline and into the box. Take away the confusion inherent in being on the sideline and get above the fray. This will get people out of your ear.
Establish a base set for each series for first and second down. When you get a first down then change packages. This can only help to establish a better rhythm. And rhythm is sorely missing from this offense.
More to come and weekly picks too!
Being solutions oriented I offer these (for starters):
On second down stop being so sensitive to yards to go. He should have the next play ready during or before the first down play. This lack of readiness is causing delays during package changes.
Get off the sideline and into the box. Take away the confusion inherent in being on the sideline and get above the fray. This will get people out of your ear.
Establish a base set for each series for first and second down. When you get a first down then change packages. This can only help to establish a better rhythm. And rhythm is sorely missing from this offense.
More to come and weekly picks too!
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