Here’s what I’m thinking this week. The big upset pick is obviously the Bengals at home vs the Pats on Monday Night Football… Insane? Yes, but the Bengals are due to get out of this funk and the Patriotswill not go 19-0.
My pick strategy doesn’t have the science in it that some folks have… I just kind of look at it & go with my gut. While not exactly scientific, I did better than most last year & it’s not like these are “throw a dart”-style picks; they are gut feels based on what I’ve seen recently in the league.
JD and The Diesel are partners in a weekly NFL office pool. Ever wonder how these Boy Wonders have been able to pick 4 out of every 10 games right so far this season? Me neither.
What follows is a peak at the thought processes of two armchair quarterbacks (and Turkey Bowl stars) in the form of an Instant Messenger conversation.
I warn you now, it’s essentially gibberish. And I won’t even get started on the syntax…
As always, all picks are for entertainment purposes only (whatever the hell that means). Go Browns!
JD (9:54:07 AM): lets rock this catbox one more time
The Diesel (9:54:19 AM): shizzle
JD (9:56:52 AM): cowboys seem to be the obvious pick for the suicide
The Diesel (9:56:54 AM): did you get the email?
JD (9:57:18 AM): yeah
The Diesel (9:57:54 AM): thoughts? comments?
JD (9:57:56 AM): im not all about picking a road team for the suicide
JD (9:58:11 AM): but I’d probably take Houston if i was
JD (9:58:27 AM): or Pittsburgh
The Diesel (10:01:00 AM): the big lines are cowboys and chargers
The Diesel (10:01:02 AM): both at home
JD (10:01:23 AM): no chance i’m picking the chargers to beat anybody
JD (10:01:37 AM): actually
JD (10:01:41 AM): let’s go with them
JD (10:01:44 AM): i hate the cowboys
The Diesel (10:02:28 AM): i felt the same about the chargers
The Diesel (10:02:34 AM): except it’s the chiefs
The Diesel (10:02:46 AM): and they’re awful
The Diesel (10:03:07 AM): i also hate the cowboys, but i’m willing to overlook that to win some money
The Diesel (10:03:39 AM): the ravens are only team i refuse to use in any way, be it gambling, fantasy football, or acknowledging their existence
JD (10:03:47 AM): chargers it is
The Diesel (10:03:51 AM): everyone else is fair game if it puts coin in my pocket…
JD (10:03:56 AM): LT scores 2 and his back up scores 2
JD (10:04:11 AM): (b/c i started him in fantasy this week)
The Diesel (10:04:31 AM): i don’t get it…
JD (10:04:32 AM): ok here’s the picks
The Diesel (10:04:32 AM): what?
JD (10:04:37 AM): michael turner
JD (10:04:39 AM): LT’s back up
The Diesel (10:04:45 AM): LT’s backup?
The Diesel (10:04:49 AM): gotcha
JD (10:04:55 AM): is one of my fantasy football starters in the money league this week
JD (10:05:03 AM): so he’ll score 2 times against the miserable chiefs
JD (10:05:04 AM): i hope
The Diesel (10:05:05 AM): i’ve got to start brian russell this week, SJ’s backup
JD (10:05:08 AM): i’m 0-3 in that league
The Diesel (10:05:17 AM): brian leonard
The Diesel (10:05:21 AM): not russell, sorry
The Diesel (10:05:30 AM): ouch
JD (10:05:34 AM): i was gonna say
JD (10:05:38 AM): when did he move from safety?
The Diesel (10:05:51 AM): “excuse my friend, he’s a little slow…”
JD (10:06:19 AM): ok here’s my picks
JD (10:06:23 AM): lets do this one more time
JD (10:06:26 AM): the hell with a coin
The Diesel (10:06:26 AM): no coin flip?
JD (10:06:28 AM): thats no fun
The Diesel (10:06:39 AM): i’m pissy about our performance, though
JD (10:06:40 AM): plus the first couple weeks have been an anomaly
The Diesel (10:06:49 AM): they always are…
JD (10:06:52 AM): whatever, remember last year when i got incredibly good at the end
JD (10:07:01 AM): i am traditionally a slow starter
JD (10:07:07 AM): now lets do this
The Diesel (10:07:12 AM): okay, let’s do it
JD (10:07:14 AM): browns + 4.5
The Diesel (10:07:20 AM): obviously
The Diesel (10:07:28 AM): i think we’ll win this one
JD (10:07:31 AM): TB + 2.5 @ CAR
JD (10:07:46 AM): what do you think
The Diesel (10:08:41 AM): Panthers. i like the home team.
JD (10:08:48 AM): ditto
JD (10:09:13 AM): Det +3.5 at home against the bears and new starting qb brian griese
JD (10:09:26 AM): I hate everything about Detroit and the Bears have a good defense
The Diesel (10:09:40 AM): but the bears also have SIX defensive starters hurt
JD (10:09:54 AM): but dallas smoked them
The Diesel (10:10:00 AM): for maybe the first time ever, smart money could be on detroit
JD (10:10:02 AM): i still think they rebound
JD (10:10:10 AM): pick who you want
JD (10:10:19 AM): i see the bears playing good in the first start from griese
The Diesel (10:10:19 AM): let’s go to the coin…
JD (10:10:27 AM): you got one on you?
The Diesel (10:10:30 AM): Bears
The Diesel (10:10:41 AM): i’m prepared
The Diesel (10:10:52 AM): It’s New Hampshire “Live Free or Die”
The Diesel (10:10:55 AM): Hard
JD (10:11:25 AM): haha
JD (10:11:40 AM): remember my titans covering against the colts premonition was right too
JD (10:11:41 AM): if it helps
The Diesel (10:11:47 AM): that is true
The Diesel (10:12:07 AM): so will the cowboys beat the rams by 13.5?
JD (10:12:21 AM): no steven jackson?
JD (10:12:37 AM): i go yes
The Diesel (10:12:51 AM): sure
The Diesel (10:13:02 AM): plus they’re at home
JD (10:13:06 AM): right
The Diesel (10:13:16 AM): packs/viks
The Diesel (10:13:20 AM): will the magic continue?
JD (10:13:23 AM): yeah
JD (10:13:49 AM): actually i don’t know
JD (10:13:54 AM): what’s the tarvaris jackson status
The Diesel (10:14:06 AM): he sucks
JD (10:14:12 AM): pack wins
The Diesel (10:14:23 AM): i’m cool wit dat
JD (10:14:31 AM): texans pick apart the falcons in schaub’s return
The Diesel (10:15:02 AM): yup
JD (10:15:15 AM): broncos beat the spread
JD (10:15:25 AM): shanahan’s a good coach that will establish the run and kill clock
The Diesel (10:15:26 AM): i agree
JD (10:15:31 AM): they’ll lose, but keep it interesting
The Diesel (10:15:48 AM): denver it is
The Diesel (10:16:23 AM): raiders getting 4.5 on the road against miami
JD (10:16:31 AM): and I like the Dolphins at home
The Diesel (10:16:46 AM): btw i also have a raiders logo on my computer desktop right now
The Diesel (10:16:53 AM): never lose a bet to your company’s IT guy
JD (10:17:02 AM): u think raiders?
The Diesel (10:17:07 AM): hell no
The Diesel (10:17:12 AM): go fins!
The Diesel (10:17:23 AM): or is it phins?
JD (10:17:33 AM): it’s who cares
The Diesel (10:17:39 AM): yes. yes it is.
The Diesel (10:18:04 AM): jets -3.5 against the Bills at home
JD (10:18:49 AM): jets give up a ton of points, coming out party for marshawn lynch and lee evans
JD (10:18:55 AM): i like the bills
JD (10:19:06 AM): upset special
The Diesel (10:19:26 AM): i think both teams stink, but i’ll go with the bills
JD (10:20:13 AM): giants at home with momentum getting points against the eagles>
The Diesel (10:20:14 AM): eagles-3.5@giants
JD (10:20:14 AM): ?
The Diesel (10:20:21 AM): hmmm
The Diesel (10:20:32 AM): what’d the giants do last week?
JD (10:21:25 AM): beat the redskins
The Diesel (10:21:41 AM): and eli has stopped sucking?
JD (10:21:48 AM): remember the browns put up 50+ then got destroyed by the raiders d
JD (10:21:52 AM): shut down, not destroyed
JD (10:21:54 AM): well both
The Diesel (10:22:09 AM): the browns have been a terrible 1st quarter team
The Diesel (10:22:25 AM): also, mcnabb and curtis are on my fantasy team
JD (10:22:31 AM): ok go eagles
The Diesel (10:22:39 AM): but let’s go new york football giants at home
JD (10:22:52 AM): ok
JD (10:23:11 AM): steelers to cover
JD (10:23:39 AM): well
JD (10:23:48 AM): the cardinals are 1-2, all in 3 point games
JD (10:23:55 AM): including at home against baltimore
The Diesel (10:24:46 AM): i’m also intrigued by their whole dual qb thing…
JD (10:24:54 AM): yeah
The Diesel (10:24:58 AM): let’s go cards with the points
JD (10:25:00 AM): ok
The Diesel (10:25:05 AM): not confident about it, but what the hell…
The Diesel (10:25:15 AM): it’s always fun to root against pittsburgh
JD (10:25:17 AM): sd covers 123
JD (10:25:17 AM): 12
JD (10:25:20 AM): yes it is
The Diesel (10:25:24 AM): chiefs are awful
The Diesel (10:25:36 AM): we did decide on SD as our suicide pick, yes?
JD (10:25:40 AM): seattle at sf by a field goal
JD (10:25:42 AM): yes
JD (10:25:48 AM): on sunday night
JD (10:25:57 AM): sf looked awful last week
The Diesel (10:26:16 AM): works for me. sea it is
JD (10:26:46 AM): pats cover 8 on the road?
The Diesel (10:26:49 AM): now the intriguing pick…
The Diesel (10:27:02 AM): this is a landmine
The Diesel (10:27:21 AM): the vegas over/under is currently 53, so it’s not going to be a low scoring game
JD (10:27:27 AM): nope
The Diesel (10:27:35 AM): the pats have to win by a touchdown plus
JD (10:27:41 AM): but the pats score 38 every game
JD (10:27:45 AM): which leaves cinci with 15
The Diesel (10:28:05 AM): okay, let’s ride the backs of the cheaters… pats -7.5
JD (10:28:09 AM): ok
JD (10:28:19 AM): email those to me if you could
JD (10:28:26 AM): as they are my lbs picks too
The Diesel (10:28:27 AM): yup
The Diesel (10:28:39 AM): i think we should post this IM on the blog
JD (10:28:43 AM): thanks
The Diesel (10:28:43 AM): it could be funny
JD (10:28:51 AM): ok good plan
JD (10:28:58 AM): wrote article # 2 for jcu yesterday
The Diesel (10:29:01 AM): can you do it, since I can’t from work?
JD (10:29:08 AM): its our version of tip of the cap, wag of the finer
JD (10:29:09 AM): finger
The Diesel (10:29:11 AM): make sure our IMs and names aren’t included
JD (10:29:33 AM): ok
The Diesel (10:29:33 AM): and make sure the games are listed with point spreads, so people know what we’re talking about
JD (10:29:46 AM): yeah i dont have time before having to go to ec
JD (10:29:50 AM): but i’ll do it when i get back
JD (10:29:59 AM): when im dying from running with these mf’ers
The Diesel (10:30:01 AM): cool. i can edit when i get home if need be, too
JD (10:30:04 AM): ok
The Diesel (10:30:11 AM): enjoy ec
JD (10:30:13 AM): hey by the way, set up a blog name for our roommate [JB]
The Diesel (10:30:14 AM): i gots to work
JD (10:30:16 AM): call him jb
The Diesel (10:30:22 AM): sure
JD (10:30:23 AM): thanks
The Diesel (10:30:27 AM): send me his email address
JD (10:30:30 AM): also real quick, about the article yesterday
The Diesel (10:30:44 AM): email that to me, if you will
JD (10:30:48 AM): our tip… wag…
JD (10:30:54 AM): we decided on HIGH FIVE, FAUX FIVE
JD (10:31:02 AM): and we did it about first dates
JD (10:31:06 AM): i’ll post it to the blog if you want too
The Diesel (10:31:11 AM): nice
The Diesel (10:31:14 AM): go for it
JD (10:31:18 AM): so it’s gonna be recurring
The Diesel (10:31:27 AM): exxxxcellent
JD (10:31:36 AM): FAUX five!
JD (10:31:41 AM): love it, so funny
The Diesel (10:31:50 AM): ridiculous
The Diesel (10:31:56 AM): i’m pretty happy with these picks
The Diesel (10:31:58 AM): strangely
JD (10:31:59 AM): me too
JD (10:32:00 AM): i know
JD (10:32:09 AM): maybe b/c we took a second to do them
The Diesel (10:32:11 AM): we need gas money for vegas, baby!
JD (10:32:16 AM): vegas baby, vegas
The Diesel (10:32:30 AM): it’ll be here before you know it
The Diesel (10:32:52 AM): oh, as usual, i’m just using the vegas o/u for our total points tie breaker
JD (10:33:04 AM): did u see i beat tommy boy [in fantasy football this week], btw
The Diesel (10:33:33 AM): how’d that happen?
JD (10:33:59 AM): by one point when they adjusted
JD (10:34:00 AM): i don’t know
JD (10:34:10 AM): i think they gave romo one more point
JD (10:34:27 AM): ok im out
JD (10:34:30 AM): see ya
The Diesel (10:34:52 AM): l8r
There is nothing better than Sunday’s in the fall and winter. Being that I’m in college it’s supposed to be the day that I get caught up on all the work that I’m not doing but clearly that is not why God gave us this perfect day. Instead I spend this day with my roommates the way it was supposed to be spent…in rest. We each have our designated couch and we watch football and eat pizza. (I have papa john’s on speed dial).
The thing about these sunday’s is that it’s a non stop back and forth of delicious food and great sports. Around noon i’ll wake up and get out the chips and dip while preparing for the Browns game (usually at 1) and watch pre game shows. The first have of the game is usually reserved for finger foods and around halftime the pizza is ordered. Around 4ish the browns have ended (usually in a loss) and it’s time to turn it to Fox where some random game is on. It doesnt matter who’s playing… just that football is on.
it’s important to note that sunday’s are also usually championship days. thus we spend the afternoon’s flipping back an forth to see some magic by tiger or federer or even some random bowler. Also the indians usually play afternoon games on sunday…which is just an added bonus.
After the four o clock game (…which usually was partnered with a massive sangwhich or chipotle…) it’s time for the simpsons and family guy followed instantly by sunday night football, antacid and probably some ice cream. the evening ends with a game of poker, a few glasses of southern comfort, and probably a late night west coast baseball game.
Just like God intended… Gluttony, sloth, and alcohol…
Remember as much as you hate mondays (and everyone does minus monday night football) Sundays are just that good. so take some time once a week to do nothing at all and eat a lot. you’ll find yourself a lot happier…
“You can’t teach people to be lazy…they either have it or they don’t”
Laughed my ass of upon seeing this on Sunday. Neil Patrick Harris was not at all subtle while checking out Hayden Panatierhot18yearoldchick’s rack while presenting an Emmy. This either proves that even gay men appreciate a nice set of ta-tas, or that Doogie just thought that that dress went very well with those shoes…
Thank You, FOX, for not censoring this moment during the west coast feed with that weird high angle shot like you did with the “fucking,” “holy shit,” and “goddamn” moments.
Today we added the BlogRush widget to our sidebar (look over this way –>). It’s a very new service (just a day or two: we’re bleeding-fucking-edge over here!) that is designed to bring targeted traffic to your blog.
We’ve signed up in the “Humor” category; some would argue that we fit best there. Others would suggest we belong alongside Lemon Party… Either way, check it out & add BlogRush to your site if you’re a fellow blogger!
Here’s an idea for a new feature on the Ironic T-Shirt: NFL Picks for the week. Now, my picks are all straight-up - who wins, who loses - no spread. That said, here’s my take on Week 1.
NO @ IND
DEN @ BUF
PIT @ CLE
PHI @ GB
NO
DEN
PIT
GB
KC @ HOU
TEN @ JAX
ATL @ MIN
NE @ NYJ
HOU
TEN
MIN
NE
CAR @ STL
MIA @ WAS
DET @ OAK
CHI @ SD
CAR
WAS
DET
CHI
TB @ SEA
NYG @ DAL
BAL @ CIN
ARZ @ SF
SEA
NYG
CIN
ARZ
As you can see, I’m already off to a stellar start with that ridiculous attempt at an upset pick for Thursday’s opener. We’ll see how the rest of the week shapes up!
Let’s open up the mailbag and answer some football fantasy questions:
Tommyboy, I was really excited that I was able to draft Donovan McNabb this year. I love him! Love, love, love him! A lot of people had their doubts about him because of his injury and all that stuff that that nasty TO said about him, but I don’t care. He’s my man and I’m sticking with him. He’s got those strong arms and those big muscles. Tell me you like Donovan McNabb, too. Please? - Walter from Omaha, NE
I do think Donovan McNabb will have a good season - after all he was on pace to be the best quarterback in football statistically last year before the injury. But I do understand when people have their concerns. Injuries always present risk of reoccurring and he’s not really young in football years anymore. His mobility will be limited which will limit some of the plays he creates and he might take some more sacks this year from being cautious. But like you mentioned, his strong arm coupled with a good understanding of the offense should lead to a Top 6 QB season. Just make sure you have a good backup in case the injury reoccurs.
I’m debating whether I should start Peyton Manning or Rex Grossman this week. I know they are both good guys and I like what they do in the community, but Rex is so much dreamier. If I were out in public, maybe at a bar or a malt shop, I would much rather have Rex draped on my arm than Peyton. He’s way cuter, especially when he smiles and he gets those dimples. Oh, just thinking about it, I think I’m starting Rex, but I’d love to hear what your take is. - Steve from Tacoma, WA
Well, Steve, most leagues don’t give points for “dreaminess” because you can’t quantify it, so you have to look strictly at the statistics. And when you look at the statistics, Peyton Manning gives you the best chance of accumulating the most points. He’s far more consistent from week to week, and Rex also faces a tough Chargers defense on Sunday. So in my opinion, start Peyton.
I was lucky enough to get LaDanian Tomlinson in my draft this week, but someone said that I should have gotten Michael Turner as a “handcuff” pick. What is a handcuff? Is it a player I would like to handcuff to my bedposts so I can take advantage of him? In that case, I would have handcuffed Tom Brady! - Carl from Newton, MA
A handcuff is actually the backup to a player on his own team. The rationale behind selecting your star running back’s backup is that if your star goes down, that player will become the starter and you won’t be hurt too bad. I don’t like the handcuff as much as other people. Sometimes it pays off (Larry Johnson a couple years ago) but more often than not it’s a wasted draft pick. And even if that person goes into the starting lineup, there’s no guarantee they will be effective. I would rather load my bench with proven starting running backs so that if my star back goes down, I have proven people filling his spot in the lineup. So even if you didn’t pick up Michael Turner, no problem. And even if you want him later, he will probably be one of the first RBs to go on the waiver wire, especially when teams start having bye weeks.
Hey, Tommyboy, longtime reader. In my league, we start 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DEF, and 1 Flex. I’m assuming that the Flex player is “player I would most like to have sex with my anus.” In that case, I’m having a hard time deciding between Clinton Portis and Joe Jurevicius. What do you think? - Chuck from Arlington Heights, IL
The “flex” player can either be a running back/wide receiver/tight end or wide receiver/tight end. I would check with your league settings. If you have the option of using a running back, always go with a running back, provided you have one that’s getting a decent amount of carries. They get the most consistent touches and have the greatest likelihood of scoring touchdowns. If you don’t have that option, generally go for a wide receiver over a tight end unless the tight end has a much better matchup than the wide receiver. You usually have a greater opportunity to get big yards from your receivers. But, if you have two great tight ends on your roster, why not play them both? On most rosters, the order should be running back, then wide receiver, then tight end.
When Marvin Harrison fell to the third round of my draft and I was able to get him, I got so excited that I ejaculated all over my computer screen. Do you have any recommendations for cleaning my screen? - Dirk from Toledo, OH
I would wipe off the majority of the ejaculate with a soft tissue and then I would use a Windex Glass and Surface, nothing too abrasive, to give a thorough clean. Spray the Windex into a paper towel and gently rub the screen, drying it off with the unused portion of the towel or another paper towel. Good get on Marvin Harrison. People really overemphasize getting running backs early because they minimize risk, but Harrison is a surer bet than Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, or many other running backs taken ahead of him.
Well, that’s it. Thanks for the letters, the photographs, and the stolen jock straps. Have fun with Football Fantasy this year.