My fantasy football league draft was Thursday and in the league I run and named after Vince McMahon's XFL, we kicked off our fifth season.With the seventh pick in the draft Steven Jackson fell to me and I gobbled him up. I was actually going back and forth on whether or not to take Drew Brees or Andre Johnson, but I never had to. (BTW those two went 9 and 10 of the 12-team league).
So here's how the rest of the Decatur Staleys ( to pay homage to my Bears) fell.
QB Peyton Manning, IND
RB Steven Jackson, STL
RB Pierre Thomas, NO
RB/WR Felix Jones, RB, DAL
WR Chad Ochocinco, CIN
WR Mike Wallace, PIT
TE Tony Gonzalez, ATL
D/ST Steelers
K Rob Bironas, TEN
Bench
Thomas Jones, RB, KC
Matt Ryan, QB, ATL
Devin Aromashodu, WR, CHI
Nate Burleson, WR, DET
John Carlson, TE, SEA
Mewelde Moore, RB, PIT
Chris Chambers, WR, KC
It's a decent team, we'll see how it works out. I'm going to say my second round pick of Peyton Manning will probably pay the biggest dividend and get me the most points. Has anyone been more consistent or the past few year? And on a team that doesn't even try to mess around with a running game? Yeah, he's that good. I'll keep an eye on the Chiefs and what they do with Thomas Jones. He's been so good the past few years with the Jets, it's going to be hard to see him not start in KC. I'd say he's the starter before long there. If Charlie Weis doesn't find him a role, he's crazy.
I have another draft set for Sunday afternoon. Any tips or guys I should keep an eye on? Any great ideas for a team name revolving around Greg Olsen of the Bears or Jay Cutler? Otherwise I'm going with the Yahoo! brother team to this ESPN franchise.
Alright folks, what does every team need on the sideline? Yep, cheerleaders. Nothing would look better cheering my new team on than some cheerleaders. The Denver Broncos shot their bikini calendar before the start of the season. I'd say things turned out quite well. What do you think?
Well, let me start by saying my Super Bowl XLIV pic was way off. But I like being pleasantly surprised. That's exactly what the Saints did for me last night.
I'll say this, the Saints came out in the second half, after finding a way to get points at the end of the first half, and got it done. That's when games are won and Sean Payton was gutsy as hell. Yes Drew Brees executed the win, but Payton won it. That onside kick takes balls and is amazing. That was one of the most impressive second halves by a team I have seen. As much as you don't want to say it, sometimes confidence and believing you're going to do something can mean so much more than ability. That's what the Saints did. Sean Payton showed those guys they were going for it and they believed in it and got the win. It was damn impressive.
Tracy Porter's pick-six that sealed the win was just the punctuation on a great game. It shifted the discussion on whether Peyton Manning belonged in the big game. Really? The guy is ridiculous. Yes he belongs in the big game. He lost the Super Bowl. One game. Yes it's a big game, but the Saints as a team played great. And that's what beat Peyton in this one.
The scene after the game was great too. How awesome is that photo of Drew and his son? So awesome! That's truly enjoying the moment and his son doesn't know exactly what is happening, but he was having a blast with his father. So great!
Judging by the fact that this was the most watched television show EVER, most all of you watched the game. So I won't bore you with my breakdown of the action. I will leave you with this though.
Of course I will give my take on the commercials. I grew up on the Golden Girls, so seeing Betty White was great. I'm thinking "You're playing like Betty White" might make my sports vernacular. Haha.
Bud Light had a couple funny ones. I like the "House of Bud" and the "AutoTune" How great is T-Pain to make fun of himself? ... And here's the AutoTune!
Of course, I'm also a hawk for ones that feature some of our faves her on "The Way" When I saw my girl Megan Fox in a spot, you can bet I was excited. But take a look when they do a close up of the phone and show her hands. Umm, I know for a fact that's not her hand because her thumbs look like big toes. Here's proof. That doesn't take anything away from the commercial though. So good!
The SI swimsuit issue does get unveiled tonight when the cover model is released on Letterman and tomorrow when it hits newstands. So I have a couple things to get you ready for that. Of course, the lovely ladies of SI Swim were mingling with NFL players last week. Another one of my faves, Marissa Miller, gave Matthew Stafford a thrill. Take a look at this.
That was not today's Nussie Hunter. I'm better to you than that. Last year's cover model was Bar Refaeli. And yes, she's looking good again this year. I'm done talking, just look!
I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of hearing about Dwight Freeney's ankle. He didn't practice today, but I'm not going to read into that too much. It's not a surprise. The build up to this game is the most over done thing of the year to me. It gets rather sickening really. Even I have to get my previews in moderation and have to go dark on the game for a bit. That said, here I am writing about how I think the game will go.
So OK, let's get into the nuts and bolts of this game. The quarterbacks we know so they'll get theirs. I won't spend much time on Drew and Peyton. They could have a hand in the outcome, but it won't be anything that surprises you.
The running backs could be the X-Factor. If Reggie Bush or Joseph Addai can get something established, it might give enough of a wrinkle for his team, it might push them over the top. I actually see the Saints having a better big-play capability with the speed and weapons they have. That's not a shot on the Colts, they are just more of a piece-by-piece offense that is slow and methodical in making a drive down the field.
The Freeney injury could be a difference maker if he can't go. When he's not on the field look for the Saints to run to that side and run screens that way. With Reggie Bush taking those passes, they could be big plays in themselves.
The Saints defense is still probably the most vulnerable after giving up big numbers against the Vikings in the NFC Title game. They could give up equally bigger numbers in this one. If they can make up with that by forcing turnovers like they did to get to this game, I see them having a chance.
I'm hoping for a close game and I think both quarterback will deliver that for us and make this one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory. Are you ready? Here comes my pick... My pick: Peyton Manning is just too good. The Saints might be up early, but as we saw in the AFC Title game, I don't see them burying the Colts too much. That gives Peyton enough time to get his team back in the game for the second half. I see the Colts winning this one by 10 and it might not be as high scoring as people think. The Score: Colts 31, Saints 21. Hoping for a good one and Peyton making his mark as one of the greats.
I love the commercials of the game as much as the next guy. Here are the list of the Top 5 funnest commercials of last year's game. And I've included my two faves. The Doritos one is great.
The Denny's one is funny and yes I took part in the free Grand Slam. So good!
Some of the bests you can place with this year's game are pretty funny too. Of course on the top of THIS LIST is the usual stuff, but scroll down. You can bet on how long Carrie Underwood takes to sing and how many times Archie, Eli and Kim Kardashian are shown on CBS. It is too funny!
A little break from Super Bowl content to talk about the "movie" made by the Buried Life boys from MTV. Their episode this week was to ask out the girl of their dreams, which happened to be Megan Fox (Good taste!). Well, this was pretty funny, too. Enjoy and be sure to check them out Monday night when they deliver a baby! Should be awesome! Whoa!
The Nussie Hunter today wanted to fall in line with the Super Bowl theme and talk about the WAGS of the the Super Bowl. We could talk about the teams' cheerleaders, comparing fan hotness and just comparing WAGS in general. Of course there is only WAG we expect to see during the game and that is Kim Kardashian. Here she is. Remember if the Saints win Reggie is proposing. Good luck with that buddy!
Judging by the ratings Sunday's AFC and NFC title games were some of the most watched non Super Bowl games in 30 years. And with the great story lines coming in, it is hard to argue with that.
I'll say Peyton's great comeback against the Jets was great and was topped by the great game that finished the night. I'll say the Saints and Vikings delivered more twists and turns than Road America race track in Elkhart Lake, Wis. (That means a lot!)
I'll have to say it was right here where I correctly picked the winners of both games. My first perfect week of the playoffs. Yeah, it was a rough one. But when it mattered most I came though.
I'd have to say I was pretty happy to see the Saints win probably more than Peyton and the Colts. Almost because that win almost seemed like a no-brainer. But the Saints, with that certain quarterback playing for the Vikings had a bit of a story to go against and a damn good team.
I am alone in being tired of the Katrina story? Now I'm all for getting the city back together and the people being happy, but that was about four years ago. Maybe it's because instead of talking about talent on the team, everything is about the people of the city. I feel like we got to know more about the PLAYERS on the Vikings as much as we did the PEOPLE of New Orleans. Guess that's just a gripe I have with media.
January 26 is also a pretty special day. It is the birthdate of one Bob Uecker, aka "Mr. Baseball" aka the voice of MY Milwaukee Brewers. The man has spent 55 years in baseball. The 2010 season will be his 29th as play-by-play man of the Brewers and turned 75 today.
Yeah, I'd have to say he is back in rare form. I was a bit critical of him a couple years ago. He had been calling such a bad team he just let his stories take over the game. Then when the Brewers started winning, he had to find a good mix. Well, he's figured it out and is back on point.
I'm sorry for doubting you. I loved Mr. Belvadere! Haha. That pic above, by the way, is from a couple years back. There was a furry convention at the same hotel the Brewers were staying at. Comedy ensued on the air that day, too.
A couple rare baseball facts for you, he caught the game that made Warren Spahn the winningest left handed pitcher in MLB history. Also, he's a career .200 hitter. That would be why he jokes about his on-field shortcomings all the time.
He's a good pitchman....
Alright, a bit of a random video here. But hey, this is quite funny. Note to the City of Grand Forks.
Alright, time for the Nussie Hunter portion of the show. Andy Roddick fell this morning in the Aussie Open. With the loss I couldn't help but think of his wife and how much she must feel bad. Yeah, when it's none other than SI swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker, you think about this sort of thing... Check it!
It just might be the great NFL weekend of the year. Four huge games that mean everything for next week's conference championship games is why this is the best.
Last week I went 2-2 in my picks thanks to that wild Green Bay/Arizona game. And I'm back for more to pick this round.
Let's go in chronological order on how these games will go down. So we going to Nawleans first for the Saints and Cardinals.
I'm going to say this, I'm really not sure which Saints team is going to show up for this game. They've been handed their hat in the past few weeks, so they really need to return to October form, as odd as that sounds, to win this game. Can they do it? Sure. Drew Brees is a leader of men and these Saints are not Archie's Saints.
The key is going to be starting strong. it's what got the Cardinals settled in last week against the Packers and let Kurt Warner find a groove. If they can get Warner to have to sling it around the field and put pressure on him both literally and figuratively, they will be able to win this game. But defense will once again be optional, so be ready for the fireworks.
Tomorrow night, Peyton, that's P-E-Y..., and company take on the Ravens. This one is going to be a cat and mouse game all night as Manning tries to outsmart this Ravens defense. It should be fun to watch, but I know he'll find a way to do it.
The key to this one is going to be what Joe Flacco can do against the Colts defense. If the Ravens can get the ball down the field, it makes it a lot easier for the defense to take some chances, obviously, and get to Peyton.
Sunday's fun kicks off at noon with the Vikings hosting the Cowboys. Two of Wisconsin's favorite sons square off as Favre and Romo take the field.
This is another one where the team that is at home limped into the playoffs. Don't be fooled by the Week 17 win by the Vikings. The Giants had cashed out and were just physically in the game.The Cowboys need to play this game like they did against the Saints four weeks ago. That means if DeMarcus Ware can fly around the field on the D-line against what has shown to be a pourus Vikings line, the boys in purple could be in trouble. Vikings will need that defense to step up and make Romo look a little silly, too. These quarterbacks are pretty much the same guy. The team that wins will have the one that makes the fewest and least costly mistakes.
The final game of the weekend will be in Cali where the Chargers host the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS. This one is interesting, too. Can Philip Rivers continue to dominate? Will Darelle Revis show why he should be the Defensive Player of the Year? Can LT run on this defense?
It's all intersting stuff. and should be fun to watch. I say the Chargers offensive line is too strong for the Jets' front seven and finds a way to get LT going . That means a lot of Rivers getting it to Gates in the flat and to Sproles and LT out of the backfield. That makes Revis pretty much moot.
OK, so here's the picks. Straight up, as always:
Saints 38, Cardinals 34
Colts 24, Ravens 14
Cowboys 27, Vikings 20 Chargers 31, Jets 20
Now for some goodness. If you're follwoing this latenight TV fiasco they delieverd some funny last night.
First Jimmy Kimmel was on Jay Leno. He launched jab after jab and Jay being the tool that he is could do nothing. Loved it! (Like Lyle!)
To take things even further against NBC, Conan put the Tonight Show up on Craig's List. Yeah pretty awesome!
Ok, tomorrow is my 27th birthday so I get to pick the Nussie today. The Nussie Hunter told me it was my present. So I was combing Maxim.com and found one of my old favorites Letica Cline. She was on Beauty and the Geek way back when. And she was actually on the Stern Show a year or so ago and rode the sybean. It was damn hot. Just like this picture!
Last night his five touchdown performance and complete dismantling of the once vaunted New England Patriots helped jump Drew Brees to the front of the line as the NFL MVP. Look what Drew Brees has done this year. The man has thrown already for over 3,00o yards and 27 touchdowns in leading his team to an 11-0 record. I'm not saying he'll win the award right now, but he's on the most complete team (when healthy) and is the best player on that team. The way I look at it is this, the award is the Most VALUABLE Player. And right now Drew is the most valuable in the league. He's what makes that entire offense run. If you take him out of the mix, what are the Saints? They are nothing. I will give credit to the other candidates at this time. Brett Favre is most certainly No. 2 on the list at the minute. He has thrown just three interceptions all season and for him that is impressive. The Vikings are the only team that can give the Saints a run to me in the NFC and Favre makes that that much more dangerous. You can't forget about Peyton Manning, either, who has an 11-0 team of his own to lead. With an offense that has no running game to speak of Manning has taken the team on his back and was part of a comeback that erased a 17-0 deficit. He is the most cerebral QB in the game and is just amazing with what he does at the line of scrimmage. Finally, I'd have to say Chris Johnson of the Titans has to be on the list, too. He's on pace to rack up over 2,000 yards this season and has run for over 125 yards in the last five games. That is damn impressive. Add to that Vince Young and the Titans have won five straight games and you can't deny the switch has been flipped for the Titans.
Got a couple other things that we need to take care of today. First off, figured I'd link to you this story in the New York post talking with Rachel Uchitel where she vehemently denies the affair with Tiger Woods.
Now to a wild hockey video. Watch for the goalie who almost gets his head taken off by his own player. Yikes!
Next up we got a couple Victoria's Secret features on the same night as the VS fashion show airs on CBS. Supermodel Candice Swanapoel was on the NFL Today Sunday. Just watch the guys act like school boys. Even Coach Cowher stumbles...
Alright, she wasn't the Nussie Hunter for the day, but rather my favorite VS model of all time. She was a bit of my obsession through college and was a virgin until she recently got married and had a child. Yeah, we're all jealous. I give you Adriana Lima. She is nothing short of perfect if you ask me.
OK spots fans. It's time to begin my division by division NFL previews and we're starting with the AFC South. Here's how these are going to work. I'm going to give a bit of a take on each of the four teams in the divisions, some players to watch and then cap it off by predicting the standings with an explanation. I'm sure you'll disagree, so be sure to comment and bookmark this so you can come back to it during the season to tell me how far off I was. Haha.
AFC South Houston Texans The Texans have gotten stronger and stronger in the last few years and this could be a good year for them. Only problem is, I'm not sold on the durability of Matt Schaub at quarterback. Andre Johnson (and my fantasy team) rely on him being around for the majority of the season. Steve Slaton should avoid the sophomore slump and be a solid piece as the feature back. The only problem is, I'm not sold on the defense being able to stop the other teams in the division (namely Indy and Jax). Couple that with a Shaub injury and Houston could have problems (I avoided the obvious pun on purpose). Most important player: If Matt Schaub can go at least 14 games these team can be a player and try to unseat Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy is gone. So is Marvin Harrison. But Peyton Manning is still around. That's the common theme in everything I've read on this team. It won't be the same Colts team of old, but with Peyton and Reggie Wayne still around, the Colts will still be a force offensively. If the defense partially shows up, they will be a force within the divison. Joseph Adai staying healthy will be key in that, too. As Peyton will probably be asked to hand off more than usual so long as the Colts have the lead. Most important player: Peyton is the obvious choice, but I'm going to go with the entire defense here. With a schedule that plays the AFC East and NFC West this year, they are going to be key in stopping some potent passing games and maybe even help in winning some low scoring games.
Jacksonville Jaguars David Garrard got a big-time passing threat in Tory Holt to go along with Maurice Jones-Drew in the backfield. That could mean big things for Garrard who could make his first Pro Bowl if things go his way. If things go south, Jack Del Rio might join his fellow suit toting coach in Mike Nolan and going home. The offense definitely has some power to compete with the rest of the division and will make things interesting. Most important player: He's not even a player, but a coach. This is a must-win year for JDR. He must make the playoffs to keep his job. With Peyton and Shaub and the power running game in Tennessee, it comes down to how well the defense he's known for performs.
Tennessee Titans Jeff Fischer is the Jerry Sloan of the NFL. Yes that's a compliment, believe it or not. He just finds ways to win. This year is going to be a trying one for the Titans as the loss of Albert Haynesworth might prove too much for their defense to overcome. I love Kyle VanDenBosch, but dude is getting old and not sure they still got what it takes to be the last team without a loss again. Plus, LenDale White dropped 30 pounds this offsseason by not drinking Patron. Not sure that was the best idea for him. Yeah, the same people that were busting on him for being chubby are going to say that was a bad idea. Most important player: With Kerry Collins leading the offense and LenDale's weight setting him back, Chris Johnson will carry the load. He's lighting fast with the rock and will be a force. Plus, he's a viable option out of the backfield to turn his speed on. Could be interesting.
Standings time: Indianapolis 12-4 --Earns bye week in AFC playoffs Jacksonville 10-6 -- Wild Card winner saves JDR's job Tennessee 8-8 -- Loss of Haynesworth too much for the D Houston 7-9 -- Shaub's durability puts Rex Grossman under center (Predictable outcome follows)
There it is. Let the comments and E-mails begin!
Here's the schedule for the rest of the division previews. I'll update with links as time follows. Sept. 1: AFC South (Today) Wednesday, Sept 2: AFC West Thursday, Sept. 3: AFC East Friday, Sept. 4: AFC North Monday, Sept. 7: NFC South Tuesday, Sept. 8: NFC West Wednesday, Sept. 9: NFC East Thursday, Sept. 10: NFC North Friday, Sept. 11: Playoffs and Super Bowl XLIV picks
While we're on the topic of NFL, came across this in my daily reading today. The Vikings No. 4 is the top selling jersy in the NFL. Jay Cutler remains in the No. 2 spot. Take a look for yourself. Even Mike Vick is on the list.
Found this next bit while combing around on Twitter. This video has over 2.7 million views and might be one of the greatest things I've seen. Took 1,500 hours to take all the pics of those Legos. That makes it worth a look.
Now for today's Nussie Hunter. The U.S. Open started this week in New York. Roger Federer is set to steamroll through the men's bracket. And the women's bracket is dominated by the sisters Williams. That leaves it up to the eye candy for fun on the girls side. That's where Russian Maria Kirilenko comes in. She's certainly worth a couple of looks. These from CoEd Magazine aren't bad, either.
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