World Series Picks

    If the 2011 MLB Postseason was anything like the last few days of the regular season, then we're in for some great October baseball.

Here's our World Series predictions...

Patrick -  Detroit & St. Louis  (Patrick had Philly, last minute decision)
Ken -  Detroit & Milwaukee

Who do you have?

Three Minutes

by Ken Kay

   I went to bed early last night but I'm glad I stayed awake to witness the best three minutes of baseball I've ever seen.  I hopped in bed just after 10:30 and my wife handed me the remote.  I love when this happens, this means it's time to turn off "Friends" and watch sports before I pass out.  On comes ESPN.

So I'm lying in bed while watching the Red Sox try to close out their game against Baltimore.  There was no doubt in my mind after seeing the look on Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon's face that Boston would live to see tomorrow.  The Red Sox were up one run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.  No one was on base for the O's and there was two strikes on the hitter.  And then $#^T gets crazy.

Chris Davis lines a double into right-center and all of a sudden the winning run for Baltimore is at the plate.  Kyle Hudson came in to pinch run for Davis and then Nolan Reimold smacks a double of his own, scoring Hudson to tie the game at three.

The next batter, Robert Andino, wasted no time at the plate and hits a liner to left field that Carol Crawford couldn't come up with.  The throw home isn't in time and now I've just witnessed the worst choke in baseball history.  The Red Sox were up nine games in the Wild Card when September started and then lost 20 of their last 27 games to destroy their chances of playing in October.

So now ESPN turns to the Rays and Yankees game, live from "The Trop".  As soon as they tune into the game, Tampa Bay Rays slugger Evan Longoria is at the plate in the bottom of the 12th inning.  I hear one of the announcers confirm if the Rays win it here, they are the AL Wild Card winners.  Well, ESPN and the baseball world couldn't time this more perfectly because after one fouled off pitch, Longoria crushes a line-drive home run that sneaks it's way over the wall in left.  Game over.  Rays win.

I couldn't believe it.  I seriously just witnessed one of the coolest three minutes in baseball I've ever seen.  This has movie script written all over it.  Ya know, if in fact the Rays win the pennant and then win their first World Series Championship.

And on top of all of that, the St. Louis Cardinals won the NL Wild Card and the Atlanta Braves lost.  The Cardinals were back eight games behind the Braves a few weeks ago and the Braves let them in the playoffs.  I don't know which team's choke is worse, Boston or Atlanta?

Simply put, the Rays deserved it and the Red Sox didn't.  Same goes for the Cards and the Braves.

I have to end this by agreeing with Stuart Scott and Scott Van Pelt when they opened Sports Center last night.

Stuart Scott -  "This last day in the regular season for baseball had potential drama to be here [waving his hand over his head]....and it quadrupled it!"

Scott Van Pelt - "I say it all the time and this is why I say it, sports is the best,[stuttering, at a loss for words] greatest thing ever at anytime, over everything"

Hawks Win, Smith Knocked Out

by Ken Kay

    As I predicted yesterday, the return of Kane and Hossa helped the Blackhawks beat Detroit, with each of them scoring a goal.  

Rookie Ben Smith also scored for the Hawks and minutes later he was knocked unconscious from a hit to the head by Detroit's Brendan Smith.  Smith was immediately ejected from the game.   Here's the video...(sorry for the poor quality, I recorded it on my TV)

Kane, Hossa Return Tonight

The opening face-off picture I took at the '09 Winter Classic

by Ken Kay

    The Blackhawks will get some fire power back in their line-up when Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa return tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

Kane is coming off of wrist surgery and Hossa returns after celebrating the birth of his daughter and mourning the death of a friend, Pavol Demitra, who died in the Russian plane crash last month.  

With a slow start in the preseason (1-3), it'd be nice to see Kane and Hossa help the Hawks light the lamp a few times tonight at the Madhouse on Madison.   

Kane will play at center and goaltender Corey Crawford is expected to play the entire game.

Since there will be no baseball played in October for the city of Chicago, no Bulls basketball because of the lockout, and a Bears team that hurts to watch sometimes, I'm very much looking forward to another season of Blackhawks hockey!

LETS GO HAWKS!

Hats Off To Buehrle

by Patrick Ronald

  As the White Sox prepare to lead a life without Ozzie, I think they are heading down a similar path with their fast-dealing ace.  I firmly believe that Mark Buehrle, who has been a fan favorite around the major leagues since his debut in 2000, is leaving the Southside for his hometown.  And, I’ve said it for years. 

  

 It’s only fitting that the smooth-throwing lefty pitched seven scoreless innings Tuesday night and was properly pulled at the beginning of the eighth inning to a standing ovation and curtain call.

  

 “Hopefully this isn’t my career here,” Buehrle said in a post-game interview with Ken Harrelson.  “I think everyone knows where my hearts at and where I want to be.”

   

Although he sounded authentic about his future with the White Sox, he should follow his child-hood dream to pitch for his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.  It’s about that time.

   

We all know Buehrle never dominated for an entire season, but we also know he was the man of the hour several times.  He threw a no-hitter against Texas in 2007 and then threw a perfect game against Tampa Bay in 2009.  He is one of only four American League pitchers to achieve two no-hitters.

   

Buehrle even set the ‘Web Gem’ standard on opening day in 2010 with his between the legs flip to Paul Konerko.  ESPN introduced the ‘BuehrleMeter’ for the remainder of the year.

   

He was the face of the White Sox (along with Ozzie) and a household name across the nation.

   

It’s simple.  56 is a stand-up guy and he has a place in every Sox fan’s heart.  If my prediction is in fact correct, there will be a bunch of disappointed, yet grateful fans.

  

It was an honor witnessing him pitch for the southsiders and whether in White Sox pinstripes or Cardinal red, you will still be my favorite pitcher of this generation.

  -         Two-time gold glove winner

-         Four-time all star

  -         One perfect game, one no-hitter

  -         One All-Star game victory

  -         One World Series victory

  -         One World Series save

  -         One World Series ring

THANK YOU OZZIE!

Irish Survive, Bears Embarrass

by Patrick Ronald

    I’m not even mad about the whooping the Packers put on the Bears Sunday afternoon.

As a matter of fact, I couldn’t even reach the angry-tipping-point during the game as I watched the same game you all did.

 

 “Wow.  This is exactly why I’m going to miss the Bulls this year,” one of my good friends said in disgust at some point during the third quarter.

 

 The Bears looked unprepared and sloppy, as defensive backs blew coverages, wide receivers mis-ran routes, quarterbacks air-mailed passes and offensive coaches shied away from the running game, for the second straight week, making the mediocre offense one dimensional, again.

 

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz often refers to Matt Forte as the Bears best offensive player.  I couldn’t agree more.  We all know the kid is a stud, but I find it hard to believe Forte has ONLY 35 carries in the first three games.   


That’s unacceptable, PERIOD.

 

It’s just not the way the Bears win football games, especially when our wide receivers would rather throw punches and look for flags instead of getting back to the huddle and getting ready for the next play.

 

The Bears rushing attack is ranked 31^st in the NFL.  Yes, 53.7 yards per game is pathetic, but it doesn’t mean forget about it.

 

I don’t blame Jay Cutler anymore.  
  
The guy is on his back more often than a drunk-sorority girl on a Saturday night and frankly, I’m almost expecting him to retire at the post-game conference one of these weekends and challenge any one of his critics to jump behind center and watch a wall of defensive players easily attack him, while he runs for his life.

 

I’m not sure if Martz got the memo, but this is a run the ball, smash you in the mouth and wear the other team’s defensive line down type of football city.

 

Lovie said he was ‘dissatisfied with our entire team’ and we are too.  Change up your game plan because this crap you’ve put on the field the past two weeks is unacceptable.  


Remember, I picked the Packers even though I didn’t want to, but unlike Ken, I wasn’t naïve enough to think the Bears stood a chance.  I just saw it coming.  Maybe that’s why I didn’t reach that angry tipping point Sunday.

 HERE COME THE IRISH

    On a more positive note, my beloved Irish climbed their way back to a level 2-2 record after a Saturday morning victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers.  


Granted it was anything, but pretty.  Actually, it was quite frustrating.  


With the exception of one lucky 79-yard-touchdown gallop by Jonas Gray and Tommy Rees’ mid-fourth quarter touchdown pass, the Panthers looked like the victor at Heinz Field.

 

Rees looked like a rookie quarterback, while losing a fumble, which led to a Pittsburgh field goal and capping a impressive and lengthy second quarter drive with another interception at the goal line.

 

“There's some frustration when you're not putting points on the board," said Irish junior tight end, Tyler Eifert.  "But at the same time you've got to keep grinding.”

 

However, Rees rose to the occasion throwing 8-for-8 on what proved to be the game winning drive in the fourth quarter.  Eifert caught Rees’ touchdown pass from six yards out and the following two-point conversion.

 

“Our defense stepped up big and our offense scored just enough points,” Eifert added.

 

Eifert caught four passes on the drive, while the Irish star wide receiver and Rees’ favorite target, Michael Floyd, was bottled up and wasn’t much of a factor due to a strong Pittsburgh focus.

 

"You've just got to make the right decisions," Rees said after the game. "We did some good things getting the ball underneath and just kind of chipping away at their defense."

 

Rees finished 24-for-41 with 216 yards, but he delivered when it mattered.

  Bears host Carolina, Sunday at noon

  Irish at Purdue, Saturday at 7 p.m.

Deja Vu

by Ken Kay

    Before I could get myself situated during the Bears/Packers game yesterday, Green Bay was already ahead 14-0.  I couldn't help but notice this game had the same early vibe as last year's "Midwest Superbowl".  Here we go again.

I guess I was naive to think the Bears could hold their own and pick apart a defense that was missing their Pro Bowl safety, but then again everyone on Green Bay looks like a pro-bowler these days.  

Unfortunately for the Bears, things don't get easier in the next few weeks.  Greg Olsen, Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers come to town next week and they are more than ready to get some revenge on their old squad.  Especially coming off of their first win of the season and a rookie QB who looks pretty impressive so far.

The Bears then head to Detroit in two weeks for Monday Night Football at Ford Field and the Lions are definitely not the pushovers they once were.

But I want to get back to Sunday's game that featured the firm of "Rodgers & Finley".  Jermichael Finley is a tight end who can run every route in the book.  With his frame and a Bears defense that relied on Stelz to cover him, Finley was impossible to contain yesterday.  Hence the three touchdowns and a career best game for him.

Oh yea, you're never going to win when you rush the ball a combined 21 times in two weeks.  Mike Martz's arrogance is really starting to piss me off.  If you claim Matt Forte is your best offensive weapon, then give him the damn ball!  Yes, you will be tackled for a loss every now and then but never expect to win when you only hand him the ball him nine times. 

Now lets look forward again to next week when Greg Olsen and company roll into Soldier Field.  You know Olsen is drooling over the fact that the Bears weren't able to cover the TE position at all on Sunday.  Look for Olsen to have a big game.

On a positive note, the Bears O-Line did look slightly better than last week and Cutler looked good I guess.  I just wish the receivers would finish running their routes and catch the ball every once in a while. 

I'm asking the Bears again to prove me wrong and start acting like a contender in a weak NFC.  Right now the door is still open to redeem yourselves but you must act quick before Green Bay and Detroit slam it shut. 

Irish Eyes Are Smiling Again

by Patrick Ronald

The buzz around the stadium was ‘here we go again.’
 

The two old men behind me were close to giving up on this year’s team if Brian Kelly’s squad went 0-3, and the old offensive coordinator in front of me tried to keep hope.

“Our team is up and we’re good enough to turn this season around,” the old OC said under his breathe, but loud enough for everyone to hear. 

It was 14 – 3 Irish after the first quarter, and 28 – 10 after three.  Then Sparty scored a field goal and we felt uneasy.

“I’ve seen this before,” I thought. 

  

 I was nervous.  I’ve had my hope high and been let down last week against the Wolverines.  The Irish gave the ball back to Michigan State.  However, the swarming defense featuring Manti Te’o and senior cornerback Robert Blanton forced a punt with less than five minutes left holding a 15-point lead.

  

Then another LIKELY turn of events.

   

John Goodman muffed the football at the Irish 21-yard line and State pounced on it.  Sparty was poised to stun the Irish with another late game heartbreak to start the 2011 season.

   

Although the Irish rushing game featured Jonas Gray and Cierre Wood running 26 times for more than 120 yards, the 15 point barely seemed enough.  No one sat down.  Everyone cheered the Irish to victory and it was quickly delivered to the sold out Notre Dame Stadium.

  

Blanton, who recorded six tackles with a sack and the play of the game, sealed the victory with an interception at the goal line, which he returned 82 yards deep into Sparty’s territory.

   

The final field goal didn’t matter.  We finally earned our first victory and although it wasn’t easy the 31 – 13 final over Michigan State proved to be a pounding.

   

Thank you Mr. Blanton.  The game ball goes to you.

Go IRISH.  Enjoy your day off.  BEAT PITT!!!  10 – 2 is still possible!!!

Let's Go Irish!!!

by Patrick Ronald

 

So I was thinking right now that I’m going to Notre Dame Stadium for the second time this year.  It’s only their second home game.

 

Apparently I love this team.  Maybe more the tradition and the atmosphere than this particular team, but damn, maybe im an idiot.  I probably am.

 

But I’ll be the one in the bad-ass seats behind the irish sideline, under the press box being a real fan.  Either cheering or bitching or moaning or chanting or crying or chit chatting.  I’ll be there.  AGAIN.

 

GO IRISH!!!!!

 

Beat SPARTY for section 27!!!!    

Ozzie's Final Hours

by Patrick Ronald

    I stopped caring about the White Sox weeks ago.  You can call me a fair-weather fan or what not, but when the wheels fell off the Ozzie train this summer I jumped off. 

"Their fight left three days ago," Guillen said on ESPN.com Thursday. 

Really Ozzie, three days ago?

   

The White Sox are 5-9 this month, with six of those defeats to the Tigers.  They trailed Detroit by 5.5 games when they arrived at Comerica Park Sept. 2, but were swept to fall 8½ back.  Then Jim Leyland and company completed ANOTHER sweep of the Sox Wednesday.

  

Now the Sox are 13.5 back.  Apparently ‘their fight’ left at least three weeks ago.

This embarrassment of a season, which was constantly surrounded by the circus known as Chicago’s White Sox media coverage, appears extremely obvious that Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen will never see eye-to-eye again (at least in terms of running a baseball club) and their co-worker days appear to be history by month’s end.

   

So with all that said, THANK YOU OZZIE for everything you’ve provided us White Sox fans.  The quotes.  The rants.  The blowups.  The showdowns.  The twitter posts.  The smiles.  The fun.  The CHAMPIONSHIP.  You’ve sported ‘unlucky 13’ for the Southsiders as a player and manager for more than 20 years and the memories are endless.

   

FOT wouldn’t even touch a top-10 list since it’s near impossible to box only 10 sound bites around you.

I know you’ll be the manager of the Marlins very soon.  That doesn’t upset me and if you leave today I have no hard feelings.

I appreciate you for speaking your mind and thank you for being the stubborn, hard-nosed person, which most South Sideers are.

   

Good luck and leave before the doors slam shut and you’re stuck with millions of Sox fans angrily calling for your head.

   

Right now, it’s whatever, but another year of this bullshit circus would just be a waste of time and none of us want any part of it.

New NFL Kickoff Rule Is Ruining The Game

by Ken Kay

    Ok, this new rule the NFL has enforced this year has got to go.  Please go back to kicking off from the 30-yard line instead of the 35. 

I found myself yelling at Devin Hester during Sunday's game when he took a knee in the end-zone to down the ball, and he was 8 yards in!  I was only doing this because the ball actually had been caught by him instead of sailing over his head and past the back of the end-zone.

A year ago I'd be furious if I seen any return man try and take the punt out of the end-zone if it was more than 5 yards in, but now it doesn't matter because more times than not, the ball never ends up in the return man's hands.  Therefore, I'd rather see him take the ball and run with it rather than take the knee.  Who knows when he'll have another chance during the game to possibly take it to the house.

For most teams, their most "dynamic" player is usually the one returning the kickoffs and punts.  If you take this out of the game, Hester will barely have a chance to change an entire game.  And this goes for every other NFL team who has relied on their return man for a "game changer".

Lets got back a few years to the Bears/Colts Super Bowl.  Even though the Bears lost, "The Hester Return" on the opening kickoff is still talked about amongst Bears fans.  I lost my voice for the rest of the game because of this play.  There was no better way to start a Bears Super Bowl that year.

So, just for argument sake, lets say the Bears and Browns end up playing in the Super Bowl this year.  The most exciting game in sports will probably start with an opening kick that flies over Heter's head, or the Browns' explosive return man Joshua Cribbs.

Wouldn't you want to see the possibility of another exciting opening kick off to start the most watched sports game in television every year?

Now, I know the reason for the change and there's a small part of me that understands why.  But injuries and concussions are going to happen all game long and the only way to prevent this from happening is to not play football.  And I doubt we'll see a $9 billion company shut itself down, again.

I'm begging the NFL to reconsider this rule.  For the players sake, the coaches and the fans.

In the meantime, I'll continue to yell at any return man who doesn't take it out of the end-zone.  Regardless if he's nine yards in.

Fact:  Lambeau Field had 8 touchbacks Thursday Night.  It had 2 all of last year.

Da Bears! And A Very Crazy Week 1 In The NFL

by Ken Kay

    I know I wasn't the only Bears fan who said, 'Wow, Green Bay is probably going to the Super Bowl again this year', while watching the Packers pick apart the Saints last Thursday night.

But don't worry Bears fans, it's cool. We can breathe and feel confident about our team this year after their win over the Dirty Birds. What impressed me the most was their opening drive. The beast known as "Jay-Martz" was released on their first drive and all the way through the fourth quarter.

The only negative I saw from this game was the Sanzenbacher end-around that ended in a loss of yards. But, if you ask the Bears coaching staff, they'd tell you that was a play to set up the Matt Forte screen-pass which resulted in a 56-yard touchdown.

Needless to say, the Bears looked great and even though the enemy from the north arguably looked better in their debut, the Bears are a true contender this year. IF, they can stay healthy.

NFL WEEK 1

  Starting with the first game on Thursday night, the NFL produced one of it's most entertaining and crazy week one's we've ever seen.  

We were all in awe while witnessing the shoot-out between Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees opening night.  They make it look easy. 

The Manning-less Colts are exactly that and it showed on Sunday.

Baltimore finally got to Pittsburgh in the week one rivalry.

Are the Lions for real?  I did see Stafford limping a few times though.

Buffalo had only four wins last year. Tell that to the Chiefs.

Rex Grossman looked good as the new Redskins starting QB!  ...yes, that Rex Grossman.

Phillip Rivers and the Chargers are 1-0.  Superbowl Bound, it's my prediction.

Cam Newton decided he was going to break Peyton Manning's rookie quarterback record.  Who saw that coming?

DA Bears!!  ...the "D" didn't allow an offensive touchdown.  Atlanta was the only team in week one to not score a TD on offense.

Patrick's new favorite team, the J- E- T -S , JETS JETS JETS sneaked by Tony Romo and the Cowboys in an entertaining game on Sunday night.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, they have about 5 starters all getting MRI's later today.

And finally, we witnessed history in the first Monday Night Game last night.  Tom Brady threw for over 500 yards and Dolphins QB Chad Henne threw for over 400 yards.  Their combined passing yards were the most in any game by two opposing quarterbacks in NFL history.  Congrats!    

As a Phins fan, I liked what I saw out of Reggie Bush and how they were using him but I'm a sad fan today...even though Tom Brady got me 50 points in our fantasy league.

Bring on Week 2!

PS - The National Anthem sung by Jim Cornelison on the 10th Anniversary of September, 11, 2001 before the Bears/Falcons game was by far the best anthem ever.  Period. 

God Bless The USA!

God Bless America

by Patrick Ronald

  Well the truth is I’m absolutely furious about the Notre Dame loss last night.  My post was harsh and uncalled for.

  Personally I would like to think my writing style is more mature than dropping so many ‘f’ bombs in anger.

  If anyone read it and was offended, then I’m sorry.

 

  However, it was just my feelings at the time.

  In retrospect, the loss doesn’t matter.  It only seems like it does.  I doubt the players, coaching staff and administration are still salty about it today.

  At the end of the day it is the 10^th year anniversary of the most horrific day most of us ever lived.

  Please remember that we live in the best country on the face of the planet.

  Take a moment today to remember our military, fire fighters, police officers, September 11 victims and simply, our free way of live.

  We live in America.  God Bless the Red, White and Blue.

Irish Lost Four of Last Five To Michigan

by Patrick Ronald

What a difference a week makes. 

 

  Last Friday night I couldn’t sleep and my ‘Irish Saturday’ began at 6 a.m. when I arrived at my aunt’s house for the hearty breakfast she spoils us with before every home game.

 

  The expectations were huge this season.  Most Irish fans expect a double-digit win season and although it’s not time to panic in South Bend, it could be after Saturday night.

 

  After the pathetic effort they put forth against South Florida, the Golden Domers, who are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2007, better bring their most disciplined and exceptional football against the Wolverines.

 

  Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly, who is 3-0 all time against Michigan’s new head coach Brady Hoke, is handing the ball to the sophomore quarterback stand-out, Tommy Rees.

 

  Rees inherited a 16-0 disadvantage last week when he started the second half.  He did not necessarily look like a Heisman Trophy candidate, but he did try to play the Superman role, while passing for nearly 300 yards.

 

  We all know the statistics.  We all know how bad Notre Dame looked in the 2011 premier.  Everyone knows it’s the first night game ever at the ‘Big House’ and everyone knows how deep the rivalry between the two programs is.

 

  The entire world will be watching and it is obvious to Notre Dame nation that this weekend is a must win because 1-1 with a victory over Michigan has a much better ring to it than 0-2.

 

  GO IRISH and Good luck - FOT

Be A Dog!

This is too funny!

Coastal Carolina head coach David Bennett....

Henne Nut Cheerios vs. Lefty From Mulberry Street

Who has the better team?

Ken's “Henne Nut Cheerios”

STARTERS

QB - Tom Brady, NE

RB - Arian Foster, Hou

RB – Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG

RB/WR – Ryan Grant, GB

WR – Mike Wallace, Pit

WR – Marques Colston, NO

TE – Jason Witten, Dal

D/ST – Philadelphia Eagles

K – Jay Feely, Ari

BENCH

QB – Josh Freeman, TB

RB – Reggie Bush, Mia

WR – Malcom Floyd, SD

WR – Mike Thomas, Jac

WR – Davone Bess, Mia

TE – Brandon Pettigrew, Det

D/ST – Dallas Cowboys

Patrick's “Lefty From Mulberry Street”

STARTERS

QB – Mark Sanchez, NYJ

RB – Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac

RB – Shonn Greene, NYJ

RB/WR – Mike Sims-Walker, StL

WR – Andre Johnson, Hou

WR – Dez Bryant, Dal

TE – Kyle Rudolph, Min

D/ST – Pittsburgh Steelers

K – Nate Keading, SD

BENCH

QB – Sam Bradford, StL

RB – Mike Tolbert, SD

RB – Michael Bush, Oak

WR – Sidney Rice, Sea

WR – Plaxico Burress, NYJ

WR – Austin Collie

D/ST – Miami Dolphins

We go head to head in Week 4 & 13 (final week of the regular fantasy season)

"I'm Stacked"

Our 2011 Fantasy Football Draft



The Draft Room

 by Patrick Ronald & Ken Kay

    The pizzas were in the oven, the beers were cold and we had extra laptops 'just in case'.  Yes, it's that time of year again FantasyHeads- Draft Day!

People began showing up at the house about an hour and a half before the scheduled draft time.  It was enough time to snack, throw back a few cold ones and stare at our computer screens while we waited for the draft order to be announced an hour prior to the first pick.  We all waited patiently for 6:30.

As soon as the draft room opened the trash talking began.  If you haven't experienced a draft room chat room, you must.  Someone threatened to tear a persons limbs off and mail them to his girlfriend's house and others were already demanding the prize money because "no one else stood a chance".  We even had one confident jackass claim if they had the number one pick, they'd pick Rex Grossman or a kicker to give the rest of us a handicap.   

Bring it!

ON THE CLOCK

It didn’t come as much of a surprise that ‘Slob on my Kolb’ didn’t waste one, single second to select Minnesota’s premium running back, Adrian Peterson, with the first overall pick Tuesday night.

   

Just like that our 2011 fantasy season was under way.

   

“I knew I was picking AP for the last hour,” ‘SOMK’ said to his three friends, who sat quietly around the kitchen table plotting and studying their first few picks.

Maybe the biggest surprise of the draft was Jamaal Charles’ selection at two and Arian Foster fell to Ken Kay’s ‘Henne Nut Cheerios’ squad at eight.

 

Patrick's picks for ‘Lefty from Mulberry Street’ were nine and 12.  He was wishful that Aaron Rogers would fall to him, but that wish was quickly put to rest when the Green Bay quarterback landed in the three slot to the ‘Tail Gators.’

   

With the ninth pick Pat landed Maurice Jones-Drew, who he has in both leagues, and then he took the athletic wide out from Houston, Andre Johnson at 12.

   

He had plenty of time before his next two picks at 29 and 32.

   

The quarterbacks began to fall in the second round with Ken Kay snatching up Tom Brady at 13.

 

Then the rest followed - Phillip Rivers, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan were all selected.

‘Lefty from Mulberry Street’ decided to jump on the QB bandwagon with Mark Sanchez at 29. 

“I like that pick, Pat,” SOMK said.  “I have high hopes for (Sanchez) this year.”

   

Time marched on and every guy in the league was full of optimism.

  

“I’m stacked,” ‘Tail Gator’ said as he surveyed his new team, which was led by Rogers, Stephen Jackson and Roddy White.

   

‘SOMK’ wrapped up the draft with San Francisco’s defense.

  

“Singletary,” he chanted.  “I’m stacked,” he said to ‘Tail Gator’ with a grin.

‘I’m Stacked’ could possibly be the most overused, and popular phrase out of every fantasy draft.

   

“Everything is speculation,” ‘SOMK’ said with confidence in the draft room.  “It’s a tricky puzzle to put together.”

  

The season begins Thursday and the whole fantasy world will be watching because everyone is ‘STACKED.’

Briggs Defends His Trade Demands

by Ken Kay

    Like a gnat that wont leave you alone, Lance Briggs is still asking for the Bears to "hear him out".

The 6-time Pro Bowl linebacker began demanding he be traded if the Bears didn't re-negotiate his contract this season.  He's set to make $3.65 million in 2011.  According to interviews with ESPN, Briggs felt he had to demand something in order to get the Bears to talk to him.

"The main ingredient here, based off my decision, is to get something," Briggs said on Monday. "To have management even be willing to talk. Whether it be, let's deal with it at the end of the year, let's deal with it after the season, then I have something to work with. But when the organization or management says we're not talking now, we're not talking ever, that puts me in a position where I know my days are numbered."

Personally, I think most of these thoughts are coming from his agent because we all know sports agents don't work for free.  Brainwashed Briggs is hearing things similar to, "Hey, do you know you've made six strait pro bowls...#54 hasn't even accomplished that,  And he's BEEN getting paid!  Where's yours Briggs?  Now is your time.  They are $19 million under the cap right now, go ask them, I'm sorry, demand for more money."

So, Briggs did what he thought he had to do for himself, and the Bears called his bluff.

"What he's doing is not something that hasn't been done here in Chicago and around the league," Bears GM Jerry Angelo said Monday at a season ticketholders event. "We feel very, very confident that Lance's focus is going to be on the season and having a great year, and we'll just take care of our business when that time comes. And that'll be at the end of the year."

Briggs then went on to say he has a right as a player to demand a raise, or at least "flip his years" in his contract so he'd be making more money this year than the last year of his contract.

I don't blame the Bears for wanting to talk at the end of the season, especially when Briggs missed most of the preseason with a knee injury we don't know much about.   There's no way I'd give anyone a raise after they couldn't play in the preseason due to injury.  We haven't seen him play this year and the Bears are suppose to give him more money? 

The Bears gave in to his demands years ago when this same situation came up and now they're making sure history isn't going to repeat itself.  Angelo said they will evaluate everything at the end of the season.  

Maybe if Briggs makes his seventh strait Pro Bowl appearance this year, which he is only one of four linebackers in franchise history to make six strait Pro Bowls, then Angelo might consider "re-evaluating".  Until then, the Bears, Briggs and his agent, all agreed to stop talking and focus on the season.  

Don't hold your breath.

(credit to espn.com) 

Irish Disappoint Against South Florida

by Patrick Ronald

 

  The anticipation surrounding Notre Dame Stadium Saturday morning was unreal.

 

  Ten’s of thousands of Irish fans gathered at the first tailgate parties of the season and many sported their new Irish gear including the new blue 2011 Notre Dame alumni shirts.

 

  “The expectations are high this year,” my uncle told me as we threw bags outside of the stadium.  “I don’t see why we can’t go 11-1 this year.”

 

  I agreed, but I thought 10-2 was more realistic.

 

  However, after watching a shit-poor football game 10-2 looks like a wish that will never be granted.

 

  The first drive was phenomial.  Dayne Crist and company drove it down South Florida’s throat only to have #25 Jonas Gray drop the ball inside the one-yard-line. 

 

  South Florida’s defensive back picked up the ball at the four and ran it back 96 yards for the game’s first score.

 

  It was 6-0 the wrong way and Notre Dame Stadium went quiet.

 

  Maybe that’s why butterfingers only started one game in his four-year career at Notre Dame and only has 75 carries for 309 yards entering his senior season.

 

  I would prefer if he never touched the football again.

 

  Crist looked like a senior bust after throwing an interception in the end zone after another positive drive that lead Irish fans down the hopeful scoring path again.

 

  It was 16-0 in favor of the Bulls at halftime and the stadium was evacuated due to severe weather.

 

  So many fans left the stadium in shock and disgust.  It was ridiculous to watch the 16-ranked Irish literally ran out of the stadium, fans included.

 

  After a two-hour delay and the second half finally started, the defense looked impressive and the fans stood tall and loud.  There wasn’t a fan sitting in the stadium and everyone was excited for the comeback.

 

  South Florida punted and Sophomore Tommy Rees, who threw for close to 300 yards, proudly ran onto the field to a roar of cheers from the Irish faithful.

 

  Michael Floyd was Rees’ favorite receiver finishing the game with 12 catches with 154 yards and two touchdowns.  Cierre Wood looked good with 21 carries and 104 yards with a touchdown.

 

  The Irish fell short Saturday with the 23-20 loss.  They committed five turnovers and didn’t force one.

 

  The biggest kicker was the lack of a big play.  It was a sad day to go to South Bend and I hope the team gets their shit together before next week’s game in Ann Arbor since I have to many friends that proudly sport Michigan’s blue and maze, who would love to rub it in our 0-2 faces.

 

  I predicted 10-2 and winning 10 in a row could be a problem and a small-bowl-game on December 26 will just straight up be unacceptable to this humble Irish fan.

 

  Let’s stand strong Irish nation and hope they turn it around.  A loss to South Florida doesn’t feel good, but we all know a loss to Michigan Saturday will be miserable and we won’t hear the end of it until next fall.

 

  Good luck.  PR.