Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Its RoundBall Time...

Since its fairly obvious that the Cowboys season will end up in disappointing fashion AGAIN, I thought it was HIGH time to remark on some college hoops.

I wanted it on record that I said in the first week of December that Kentucky will win the National Championship.  In thier current state, I would venture to say that is not true; however, I am sure the players on this team will eventually begin to play like a team as opposed to playing like a bunch of individual super stars.

Three of the starting 5 were in High School last year and those three individuals have been the king of the castle, the ducks nuts, the bees knees, the squirrels scrotum, and the dogs bullocks for the majority of thier basketball career.  For most of their short basketball career everything ran through them.  Now, they have to learn to play as a team.  Defend as  team.  Work together as a team.  And, eventually they will win the big prize as a team.

With thier length, speed, quickness, ability to defend the ball, speed, shot blocking ability, speed, and John Calipari heading up the ship they should be able to wipe the floor with anyone willing to step on it with them.  Given time to gel, this team looks virtually unstoppable early in the season.  It will most certainly take time to get everyone on the same page, but this team looks destined to make a run.

I know its early, but I like Kentucky, Ohio State, Syracuse, and Baylor to be in the Final Four.

Just a short synopsis of the college hoop season 25% of the way through.  There are still miles and miles of roundball to be played and I reserve the right to change my mind, but I simply wanted to get the early word out there.  Now let the fun begin...

FIN

Monday, December 5, 2011

It Must Be December

The December chill has begun to creep in.  I know this is true because the Cowboys have faltered... AGAIN!

When will somebody from this organization grab the bull by the horns and stampede through the month of December and storm their way into the playoffs?  Jimmy Johnson where are you?!!?  This team is the most talented incredibly mediocre franchise the sports world has ever known.  Having won four games in  a row I would think they would know full well how to go on the road and close out a narrow game.  I realize the Cardinals have given the Cowboys fits of late, but the Arizona starting QB has been in the trainers room since late October and to have him come out and lead his team to an overtime victory against the apparent inept Cowboys is a colossal disappointment.  Can you say, LET DOWN?

With the talent the Cowboys have on offense it doesn't make sense why Jason Garrett is so conservative in his play calling.  This team is built to win, score points, and move the ball.  The new D Coord - Rob Ryan - is supposed to be a defensive master-mind.  After watching what the Eagles did to the Cowboys on October 30th, in my best estimation, he is more like a defensive master-bater!

Anyway, they need to start playing to win; instead of playing not to lose.  This isn't tiddly-winks.  Its not "grab-ass."  And is sure as heck isn't under-water-basket-weaving.  It's the NFL, which stands for Not For Long, if Jason Garrett cant figure out how to consistently call plays, get in the end zone, effectively move the ball, run out the clock, and NOT ice your own kicker.  WHO ICES THEIR OWN KICKER?!?!?!?!!?!?! 

Further, this defense needs someone who can cover.  If the Cowboys don't draft both a highly touted defensive back and cover safety in the 2012 NFL draft we might as well write-off yet another football season.  Chalk it up to another year of disappointment based on poor personnel decisions.

The talent is on the field - including Tony Romo; ESPECIALLY Tony Romo - but from the front office, to the headsets on the sideline, to the idiot owner; they need to make changes if they want to get to the Big Dance.  They have to take the diapers off and - as Herm Edwards says - 'play to win the game'. 

They are nothing but mediocre as a result of their coaching style; or lack thereof, and they wont win a playoff game this season. IF they even make it to the playoffs.  That's a big "IF."

I have already begun thinking about the off season and draft day - lets hope somebody with some sort of football acumen within this franchise has already starting tieing up Jerry Jones in a  secluded back room so he can no longer continue to make poor upper management decisions and continue to drag this much ballyhooed team to their demise.

Now that i have that off my chest:  It MUST be December, we have the BCS Bowls set and the two best teams in the country have been slated to play for a second time this season on January 9th.  The only bad part about that is the general public will not be able to determine an official National Title winner because Bama will win this redemption game - the game that matters - and that will mean they have one win and one loss against LSU.  Can somebody say TIEBREAKER?

Since Trent Richardson is the best player on the best team he will ultimately walk away from NY City with the Heisman, much to Russell Wilson's dismay.  Andrew Luck is over hyped, Matt Barkley and RGIII don't get enough TV time to sway voters.  Not to mention, RGIII is nothing but a great athlete.  He doesn't have the mind nor football sense to succeed at the next level the way Russell Wilson does. Montee Ball has had a year to remember, but again, he runs behind the Great Wall of Wisconsin; not to mention, he is constantly put in position to score by the Great Russell Wilson.  Russell Wilson didn't win the B1G QB of the year because of Montee Ball, but Montee Ball needed Russell Wilson to help him have the year he had.  Mr. Wilson put up exceptional numbers AGAIN this year and was the ACC QB of the year without Ball last year.  He just quietly continues to put up great numbers no matter his conference.  Despite his conference change and taking over the helm of a new team this year; he QUICKLY gained his teams trust, immediately took over the leadership role, and lead his team to the Rose Bowl.  Is anybody even watching this kid?  Someone besides me?  ANYONE?!?!

Oops, i just caught myself going off on a quick R.Wilson tangent.  Sorry.

Roll Tide and Roll on Trent Richardson.  Allow me to be the first to congratulate Trent Richardson on his great college career, TWO national titles, and a Heisman Trophy.  Next task: CONQUER THE NFL!

Last, but certainly not least; welcome back Tiger Woods.  Finally, he was able to recoup from his "transgressions" and he  got his putter to work for him. It was so great to see him win in dramatic fashion on the 18th hole. Not to mention, birdying the 17th to tie the leader only to sink the final putt of the round to secure a one shot victory.  Tiger, i have missed your empathic fist pump, crunch-time putting, and that "eye of the Tiger" that made you the man we love to watch dominate the Golf World. I only pray this is a sign of whats to come in 2012.

GO TIGER!  I still believe...

FIN

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Cornucopia of Thoughts Tarrying Round the Tank During this Holiday Season

As we begin to drag the football season by the tail on a downhill pull I wanted to chime in on a few thoughts that are tarrying round the Tank these days.

First of all, its nice to see the Cowboys have begun to embark on their 6-7 game win streak as they are two games into it.  Thanks in large part to Tony Romo's healed lung and ribs coupled with the emergence of rookie Demarco Murray.  Demarco looks like he could be a poor man's Adrian Peterson with his hard running and tremendous vision - after all, they are from the same Alma mater where Demarco broke AP's freshman rushing records only to spend the rest of his college career on and off the injury list.  The soft schedule over the last half of the year will hopefully give the Cowboys the confidence and boost they need to make some waves in the playoffs.  The increasingly tough schedule for the Giants should slow them down enough to let the Cowboys catch them within the division.  The December 11th match up should prove to be one that has both teams vying for first place in the NFC East.  Should certainly be an interesting few weeks.

Here is my take on the top teams in each conference:

Dallas wins the NFC East - Giants hit the meat of their schedule and prove to be only mediocre
Green Bay wins the North - they have Aaron Rodgers and 514 people who can catch the ball
New Orleans wins the South - nobody else in the division is willing to step it up.  Going for it on 4th & one in your own territory simply shows the Falcons need a better coach
San Fran runs away with the West - congrats Alex Smith, FINALLY

New England wins the AFC East - who else can do it?
Pittsburgh wins the North - one word: Experience
Tennessee wins the South by default - say goodbye to Kubiak and say thanks to Peyton Manning
San Diego wins the West - Carson who? Chiefs are a disappointment. John Elway, Tebow, and Prayer wont get it done for the Broncos....sorry, Timmy!

Speaking of Tim Tebow...all the guy does is win. Its in his blood.  Its in his pedigree.  And who can argue with a Man of the Cloth.  If his athletic ability fails him; he always has God to help.  Granted his arm is about as strong and accurate as a third grade girl throwing left handed, but he makes those around him better.  He has heart, will, desire, a strong work ethic, and God on his side.  All he does is win and you cant deny victories.  Its all about winning and "what have you done for me lately."  Well, as a starter in the NFL he has shown he knows how to fire up his team, come from behind on the road, and end up on top.  His passing stats are abysmal and his arm is even worse, but until he proves that he can no longer win games you gotta hand it to the guy.  After all, your alternatives are Kyle "Capt. Neckbeard" Orton and Brady Quinn.  Brady who?

Last thought on the NFL - two words: John Skelton.  In two games he has thrown for an average of 270yds & 2 TD's/game with a 2-0 record.  The kid is big, has a rocket arm, and can move around in the pocket.  With the tin man himself at tailback in Beanie Wells; the Cards have to pass as often as possible and I like the poise he has in the pocket.  This kid will overtake Kolb as the starting QB and eventually become a top echelon QB in the NFL. 

A few lingering thoughts in the College Football ranks.  As far as Russell Wilson is concerned the poor guy just wont get his due.  It has absolutely nothing to do with his play on the field, but his lousy sorry excuse for a defense that robbed him of his chance at the ultimate individual college award.  Sadly, the Heisman now goes to the best player on the best team; instead of giving it to the guy whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.

If only the Wisconsin D could knock that pass down at the end of the MSU game. The Badgers most certainly would have won in OT given all the momentum they gained after Russell Wilson brought them back from being down two scores.  And don't even get me started on the horrific play of the defense against the Buckeyes at the end of that game.  If they win those two tilts they are sitting in the top 5 in the country and Russell Wilson most certainly would be on top of the list of Heisman candidates. 

If you look at the top 5 passer ratings in the CFB Russell Wilson sits at the top followed by Case Keenum, RGIII, Kellen Moore, and Andrew Luck.  LUCK IS LAST among this group.  LAST!!  Its just too bad that Andrew Luck was anointed the Heisman right after Cam Newton raised the trophy last December.  I will take Russell Wilson and Case Keenum over Luck any day in the NFL.  Trent Richardson of Alabama is even worthy of Heisman consideration more so than Luck, in my opinion.  Wilson just plays on a team with a crap defense and his Heisman worth has suffered as a result.
Suddenly, it seems as though all eyes are turned to Brandon WeedenBlackmon.  Or, better yet, LSU is undefeated at this point and the best player on their team is Tyrann (the Honey Badger) Mathieu

Just give Russell Wilson the eye test and you will see he is the most deserving of the award for the best athlete in CFB.  He is the closest thing to Bo Jackson since, well, Bo Jackson; I just hope he at least gets a chance to play in the Rose Bowl and really showcase his supreme talents in a BCS bowl. From his poise, to his ability to throw a pretty ball, to his ability to use his legs if needed.  His decision making is spectacular.  25 TD's (5 more TD's on the ground) and a mere 3 INT's in 218 pass attempts is something to take notice of.  He has a 201 passer rating (highest in FBS), a 75% completion percentage  compared to only 70% for Luck who has thrown for ONLY 200 more yards than Wilson in 100 more pass attempts.

Wilson is efficient, he is effective, and he is one hell of an athlete who just wont get his due since his team lost two games because of a horrific defense.  Not to mention, Andrew Luck seemingly has already been awarded the Heisman, #1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and God-like status because of the media-hype. 

Its just too bad the best player in CFB wont win the Heisman this year because of shoddy defensive play and a biased media.  But, in my eyes Russell Wilson is the best athlete whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.

FIN

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The General State of the Dallas Cowboys

Well, looking back on it I guess it is only fair to note that I was not only wrong about the outcome of the Dallas/NE game; but I was a little off on the score and the fact that I thought it would be a high scoring affair.

(But, I was dead-on about the pressure that the defense would put on Brady and the pick that Sean Lee would have as a result)

Through 5 games the Boys are 2-3 (very well could be 5-0, but you are what your record says you are) and they sit alone in third place in the NFC East.  While in third place in their respective division, they are the only team who is undefeated in their division.  In addition, before the season I went through and predicted their overall record choosing which games they will win and which games they will fall short.  At this point in the season they are exactly where I thought they would be losing the games I expected them to lose. 

Panic?  Now?  NO WAY!

In my best estimation they are sitting pretty heading into the second quarter of the season on thier way to a 10-6 record while making the playoffs.

Lest we forget, they had a shortened offseason and it will only take some time to "gel" as a result.  This week should be a sure fire win over a Rams squad at home without Sam Bradford.  Heck, put Sam Bradford in the game and they should still win by 2 TD's.

The Cowboys will get it together.  The season is 16 games long and what matters is hitting your stride at the right time.  My hope is that they are able to recognize the flaws/weaknesses in the team early and get hott at just the perfect moment.

As a case in point; look at the Packers last year.  They had a bad five game stretch in the first half of the year where they committed 11 turnovers in those five games while going 2-3 over that stretch.  In the second half of the year they had another 5 game stint where they turned the ball over 7 times during that period and went 2-3 again.

All the teams go through it.  The Packers learned from it; why cant the Cowboys do the same and become a better team because of it?

I have them beating the Rams in week 7, losing to the Eagles on the road in week 8, and then going on a 6-7 game win streak.

Its important that Jason Garrett let his quarterback play.  He is human.  So am I.  So are you.  We all make mistakes and the trick is to delicately balance the good with the bad.  Romo has single handedly lost a game this year (i.e. the Jets in week 1), but he has also single handedly won while not at 100% (i.e. the 49ers in week 2).  You gotta ride #9 all the way into the sunset.  He is the franchise QB.  There is nobody better on the roster and without Romo the team has ZERO chance of making the playoffs.

This team has the weapons on offense but unfortunately that is where the issues lie.  They have to get the ball in the end zone and score touchdowns if they want to beat the good teams in the NFL.  Field goals wont cut it.  Jason Garrett has to let his offense "loose" and believe in them the way I believe in them.  With Felix Jones gone for a few weeks hopefully rookie DeMarco Murray can step up to help get the ground game going.

The defense seems to be healthy again and in fine shape right now and if we can get the offense on track we should be sitting pretty.

Be patient with the Cowboys. Let them work things out.  Believe in them and you will find yourself in the playoffs in a Conference where there is currently only one real team which is 6-0 and seems to be above the rest of the field.

I BELIEVE!

FIN

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A True Underdog Story

So the Cowboys are heading to Foxboro this weekend as a 7 point underdog.

7 points?  Really?!?!

We are talking about the worst defense in the league in New England facing one of the more fomidable offenses in the league in Dallas.  Granted, the Pats have a spectacular offense as well headed up by the Dalai Lama himself, Tom Brady.

Lets consider the fact that the Cowboys finally have a healthy secondary, a healthy wide receiver corps, and a health-IER Tony Romo who has got to be angry and in a rather cantankerous mood after the roller coaster ride that was the first four games of the year. 

Everybody talks about how the Patriots can score points, but the Cowboys can score points too against this swiss cheese defense.  Besides, how can you not love the way the Boys defense matches up against the New England wideouts. 

Noboby is big and gruesome like 'Megatron,' or the Vincent Jacksons and Andre Johnsons of the league.  These are smaller wide receivers who are technically sound with terrific route running abilities, but the athletic secondary of Dallas should be able to contain those guys providing Ware can put some pressure on #12.  Demarcus Ware & Co. will be reeking havoc in the backfield all day; while Sean Lee hides in the lurches waiting for the quick dumpoff only to pick off the presumably untouchable Brady.

If the Cowboys can limit turnovers and find a way to get the run going I think they can eek out a win on the road.  I love the Boys coming off a bye and the schedule laid out before them after this week is more than favorable. 

Its been a few years since the Cowboys were a team to be reckoned with and I feel strongly this is the week that starts the train rolling in a positive direction.

Since Miles Austin is healthy again and with Dez Bryant to compliment him on the other side - while Witten keeps the safeties honest - I really like thier ability to sling it all over the field.

Romo's stat line: 33-44 425yds. 4 TD's

Take the high-powered offense of the Cowboys plus their stingy #2 ranked defense and the sum is greater than the Brady-led offense of the Pats plus thier sapless, feeble, rickety, porous #32 ranked defense.

The total equals Cowboys 37 - Pats 31.

Write it down, take a picture, pass it around, and dont forget who told you. 

FIN

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

You Cant See the Forest For the Trees

At it again; eh, Romo sadists?

It's funny how you can completely berate and hurl brickbat at a guy after one week of football; quickly followed by saying what a tremendous leader and pacesetter he is for his football team the next two weeks, only to cut him down again in week 4.

Yes, in week 4 he threw two "pick 6's" after taking a commanding 24 point 3rd quarter lead and ended up with a total of 3 INT's for the game. 

Those things are true.  But, lets not lose sight of the forest through the trees.

The big picture is this: the Cowboys came out against the Lions and successfully threw on them.  The running game seemed to be stifled right out of the gate, but the pass was working.  At least for one half.  Jason Garrett smelled blood at halftime and wanted to come out and put the final nail in the coffin instead of just running the ball up THREE scores and milking the clock against the formidable and very HOTT Detroit Lions.

I think the real issue is the fact that the Cowboys were unable to score a TD in the first quarter while sitting on the two yard line.  Remember, they went for it on 4th and goal from the 1 yard line and came up short.  If they are able to score that TD then we are not even having this conversation.  Then nobody would be back sipping on the Haterade and throwing poor #9 to the wolves like everyone was so quick to do this week.

The Cowboys MUST run the ball better.  You cant keep putting the ball in Romo's hands asking him to throw the ball to his receiver corps which consists of Kevin "the waterboy," Laurent "the towelboy," and Jesse "I won a TV game show to make it on an NFL roster." Dont forget he is standing behind an offensive line that consists of a center who doesnt know the difference between the sound of thier own QB's voice who is standing BEHIND you vs. the sound of the defensive tackle IN FRONT OF YOU on the opposing team.

Tony Romo has the All-Mighty-and-Powerful Jason Witten who is as consistent as the rain is wett; but beyond him, Dez Byrant is playing at 70% capacity and Miles Austin has hamstring issues of some sort.  It seems as though his hammy is not doing well, but he hasnt tweeted the MRI so no one knows for sure.

So there you have it.  He has a future Hall of Fame tight end and two more wideouts who are great when healthy, but the key here is: GREAT WHEN HEALTHY.  The rest of his receiver corps might as well consist of Marcia Brady, Edward Scissorhands, and Charlie Brown.  His offensive line is young, inexperienced, and seems to have much of the same deficincies of Helen Keller.  Oh yeah, dont forget about his head coaches inability to call a play which will allow them to score from inside the 5 yard line.

When you are Tony Romo and you are surrounded by the Bad News Bears of professional football you are bound to stumble a bit out of the gate.  The guy is a competitor, a fighter, and passionate leader.  All traits you want in an NFL QB, but lest not forget what he has to work with. 

If Picasso was given a canvas but no paint would he still be one of the best known figures in 20th century art?  If Ward and June Cleaver never had "the Beav" would we have even had one of the best situational family comedies to come from mid-twentieth century?  If Charlie Sheen didnt have liquor, coke, and a whole gaggle of whores would we even know what "winning" really meant?

Much like the aforementioned, Tony needs more help.  He needs a running game.  He needs an offensive line.  He needs somebody healthy to throw the ball to who isnt some washed up dude selected fresh from the local gas station.  And, most of all, he needs someone who can call the plays for him.  Plays that put them in a postion to win.  What he DOESNT need is another critic nor another arm-chair quarterback.

Tony only does what he is told, but the guys "up top" have to do a better job of putting him in a position to win.  Give him the tools necessary to win.  And turn him loose.  Until then, he will continue to do the best he can with what he has and what he has aint much.

So, please!  I emplore you.  Take a step back and look at the whole picture.  For you cant see the forest through all those trees and the ENTIRE blame cant fall on Romo's shoulders. 

Its all about the TEAM.

FIN

Friday, September 30, 2011

Russell Wilson Wins the Heisman and the Badgers go to the Big Easy


This week in Madison, WI Russell Wilson is finally able to get the respect he deserves for the Heisman Trophy candidacy while beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 33-20 as he throws for 2TD’s and rushes for a 3rd.

Although I have heard some (whispers) of Russell Wilson being in the running for the Heisman; I don’t believe he has gotten the credit he deserves with the likes of preseason favorite Andrew Luck off to a nice start this year.  This is the week that everyone starts talking about #16  after a nationally televised game Saturday evening.

This game puts Wisconsin on the map as they carve their own path to this year’s National Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide.  The heady and athletic Russell Wilson will put those badgers on his back with a little assistance from Nick Toon, the O-line, and the talented backfield as they march their way through the Big 10 headed for the Big Easy.

With the taste of the Super Bowl still lingering in the mouths of Wisconsin natives; it looks as though they are poised for yet another helping of ultimate victory.  Only this time, the spoonful will come from the Russell Wilson led Wisconsin Badgers.

FIN
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Dear SportsT4nk,

This just in:

Both Wisconsin and Nebraska are just slightly better than average football teams….nothing more, nothing less

Signed,

Cgretts

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Dear Cgretts,

You are talking about the nationally ranked #7 Wisconsin Badgers and #20 Nebraska Cornhuskers who are HANDPICKED to play on national television at 8pm in primetime this Saturday 10/1/11?  HANDPICKED because they are, as you so stated, “slightly better than average”?  Really? You are trying to say that both are “just slightly better than average football teams…nothing more, nothing less? WOW!!  REALLY??!??!?!??!

Wisconsin has the #2 rated QB in the country, Nick Toon is 4th in the country in receiving TD’s, they have the #5 rated overall offense who are also ranked #13 in the country in rushing yards/game and ranked #4 in the country in total scoring offense.  Nebraska has the #19 & #20 rated rushers in the country who is also ranked #22 in overall offense while they sit comfortably at #7 in the country when it comes to rushing yards/game.

These are two undefeated teams who hail from arguably the second toughest conference in the entire NCAA. 

Given these facts, I am guessing you thought perhaps I was referencing the UW/Eau Claire Blugolds vs. UN/Kearney Lopers.  Allow me to clarify, I don’t claim that Nebraska is headed for a National Title, but they are certainly ranked nationally among over 100 total teams; by my account that makes them better than average.  And, not just "slightly," might I add.

FIN
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Dear Mr. SportsT4nk,

Since you are “chock full o stats”


Why don’t you use your “search engine” to see who these two “slightly better than average teams” have played so far this year…

And please let me know what the final score of the Wisconsin v. Chattanooga College of Arts and Crafts was, I forget….

Thanks

P.S. – super stat guy –Nebraska is #8 in both the AP and Coaches, not #20

P.S.S. – I’ve watched Wisconsin play NOBODY twice this year and watched Nebraska play and STRUGGLE against a completely average Fresno St team AT HOME…you put either of these teams on the field with LSU or BAMA or Oklahoma = massacre….hence = slightly better than average teams playing on National TV this Saturday…oh I’m sorry…HANDPICKED…

Other 8 pm games Saturday:

Florida V Bama (also on Nat’l TV)
UNC V ECU (no one cares, unless you live in North Carolina)
Alcorn ST V Bama St (game with Nat’l Championship implications there)
N.D. V Purdue (I predict 41 turnovers in this game…39 for N.D.)
New Mexico V New Mex St (ALWAYS a classic)
Miss St V Fresno St (like Patriots v Jets rivalry)
UCLA V Stanford (awesome game ….if it was the 70’s)
Oregon St V ASU (two powerhouses here)

With ALL these other AMAZING 8pm games on Saturday night, I can’t see why the Badgers and Huskers were HANDPICKED to play on Nat’l TV….it must be because of how AMAZING both teams are given all the other good games going on…excellent point….

Yours in TOTAL disagreement,
Cgretts
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Dear Mr. Cgretts,

Have you taken the time to read your rebuttal?  Have you?!!?

First of all, thanks for proving my point that Nebraska is a good team.  Not the #20 Nebraska, but the #8 Nebraska…you fell right into that trap.  Point for me.

Secondly, there are two games on Nat’l TV at 8pm.  The Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators and the Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

These two games are HANDPICKED to be on Nat’l TV in PRIMETIME because of the audience they will bring.  They won’t bring an audience because they are “slightly better than average teams.”  But because they are both Conference matchups of teams ranked in the top 10 in the country.  The other ridiculous games you listed that are being played at 8pm won’t even be noticed because, well, they are not broadcasted on national television conglomerates like ABC & ESPN.
 
The last 3 games you list won’t even be on until 2am in the morning on Sunday when the rest of the country will be sleeping after watching two heavyweights slug it out in the Big 10.

Oh yeah, guess what else?  Go ahead, guess?  College Gameday on ESPN…ever heard of it?  Yeah, well, guess where they will be broadcasting this Saturday?  That’s right, WISCONSIN!  Now, why do you think they are not broadcasting the college football Saturday preview from Alabama St?  Well, mostly cause they can’t find it on the map and secondly because nobody cares.

And, you want to talk about who these teams played so far.  Well, this just in All-Star; they haven’t played anyone to speak of yet because top teams in the country NEVER PLAY ANYONE TO SPEAK OF IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE YEAR.  They do that on purpose.  However, take Wisconsin for example; they have scored no fewer than 35 points this year and in 3 of their first 5 games they scored 50+ points while allowing a combined total of 34 points.  So, although you are right about who they have played; you must also take into account that they beat those teams quite handily – AS THEY SHOULD.

In addition, Nebraska has played some teams from the Pac-12 thus far while having a total point differential of +83 and scoring no fewer than 38 points in any of their first four games.  Oh yeah, they did this with starters DT Jarred Crick, LB Levonte David, and CB Alfonzo Dennard on the bench. 

So while both teams have yet to play any real tough competition they have both won all of their games while doing so handily; even though Nebraska has been without 3 big time starters on defense.

FIN
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Ahhhh….SportsT4nk,

Falling into the trap:

You BELIEVING that preseason rankings mean ANYTHING in CFB (those are where these two teams started and are currently)  Oregon was #3 (not anymore) Florida St started #5 (now has two losses)  Ohio State, Notre Dame, Miami, USC, Mich St ALL in the preseason top 25 but not anymore,  SO being ranked #8 does NOT make you a good team, it simply means you haven’t played anyone yet..(see my earlier email)  but excellent point again….(point for me)

#2 – My point was the ONLY reason they are on Nat’l TV is because of a lack of a better alternative, NOT because they are great teams…which was further proved by saying they were on TV because of the audience they bring (YOU said that), NOT how good they are…(point for me)

Last year gameday was at Columbus for OSU vs. Miami for two HIGHLY ranked powerhouses early in the year….OSU went on to lose to Wisconsin as the #1 team in the country and Miami finished 8-4.  The rankings make the COVERAGE but in no way does that mean the teams are GOOD – man, I am completely baffled that you don’t understand this concept….

College Gameday this year:
LSU V Oregon = Oregon DRILLED
Mich V N.D. = great game, NOW one team is unranked and the other is #19
Okla V FSU = TWO top 10 teams who had “YET TO PLAY ANYONE AND DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN THEIR EARLY GAMES” – YET NOW ONE HAS LOST THE #1 RANKING AND THE OTHER LOST THEIR NEXT GAME TO CLEMSON AND IS ON A TWO GAME LOSING STREAK AFTER BEING PRESEASON #5….

Awesome example about college gameday…hello?!..McFly?!…it’s about RATINGS, not how great, or in this case, NOT great…the teams are…man, I am truly baffled…Hey buddy, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you!!!! LOL.
“Well, this just in All-Star; they haven’t played anyone to speak of yet because top teams in the country NEVER PLAY ANYONE TO SPEAK OF IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE YEAR.  They do that on purpose” – OK

LSU V Oregon week 1?
LSU V WVU at WVU last week?
Oklahoma V FSU at FSU week 3?
Bama V PSU at PSU Week 2?
OKLA St V Texas AM at Texas A&M last week?
Boise St V Georgia at Georgia Dome week 1?


ANOTHER great point…FYI…the teams above LSU, BAMA, OKLA, OKLA St and Boise ST are #1-6 in the rankings (excluding Stanford at #5)…ALL played big games so far…so be fair and be accurate and simply say “Nebraska and Wisconsin haven’t played anyone yet, not “all the top teams”….

Wow…SILLY of you to argue CFB with me…absolute sillyness and an exercise in futility…..

Signed,

I have better things to do with my time
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Dear Mr. Your Village Just Called, They're Missing an Idiot,


I feel as though you have done gone and strayed from my original point...

Allow me to reiterate. 

Point being:  Russell Wilson is the best QB nobody knows about, YET.  You can talk Andrew Luck, you can talk Case Keenum, you can even talk Kellen Moore or Robert Griffen III, but soon all the talk will be about Russell Wilson and the unbelievably balanced attack of the Wisconsin Badgers.

What are you going to do?  Double cover Nick Toon?  Blanket every Badger receiver like bread on toast?  Fine.  #16 will run it.  Oh, you don’t want #16 to run it.  Fine.  He will hand it to one of their 27 running backs and let them do the work behind an offensive line larger than the Hoover Dam.

Look, all I am trying to say is that the Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding athlete who epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.  How can anyone overlook my boy, Russell Wilson?  It takes hard work to be the #2 ranked QB in college football, it takes athleticism to be drafted by the Colorado Rockies, and it takes perseverance to switch schools, conferences, and ultimately a lifestyle.

Give Russell Wilson his due, give the Badgers their Big 10 title, and book their ticket to the Big Easy!

Nobly yours,

The SportsT4nk

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Grandios Delusions of a Disgruntled Stupid Dolphin Fan

Dear SportsTank,

Jeesh….apparently it’s time to give this good-for-nothing quarterback, Tony Romo, some well deserved credit for doing….nothing.  I would not call him “Captain Comeback” at all in this instance.  Fitzpatrick was this week’s Captain Comeback.  Why is it that Dallas gets so much press attention!??! 

The real story this week should be the disappointing football played by the Dallas team on Monday night when they should have had their T’s crossed and I’s dotted.  There were more miscues than a night out playing billiards with Charlie Sheen after drinking a barrel of rum.  I am not saying Romo played like complete garbage.  The only way to think about it is by envisioning a garbage bag…a big dirty garbage bag with all the garbage in it….The Cowboys (most of the team) would be that wet part that leaks out of the bag and is some kind of off color with no idea what contributed to it’s wet sticky disgustingness.  Romo I envision as a piece of wrapper thrown at the top of this bag of garbage.  In the end, it’s still trash, but not sticky gross trash, just trash.

I hate reading about this sorry team and I beg the sports writers to stop being biased towards the mass fan-base and focus on the real stars of the first three weeks.  This includes but is not limited to Detroit, Buffalo, Packers, and many other teams on the cusp of making this season a fun one.

Yours Truly,
CJ

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Dear CJ,

I feel as though this uneducated ignorant rambling diatribe was merely an attempt to poke and prod, yours truly.

Therefore, given the fact that a sad sorry Dolphins fan wrote this weak attack on the Dallas Cowboys and, ultimately, yours truly; I am going to go out on a limb and say that it is just the bitterness seeping out of him like the unidentified discolored liquid seeping from the busted garbage bag as mentioned in the aforementioned unsolicited broadside.

The real fact of the matter here is not that Americas Team is getting all the attention.  Anybody who watches football or ESPN knows that all the world is a-buzz about the Buffalo Bills (the REAL NY team), the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, and the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.  The issue lies in the fact that the Dolphins are getting ZERO attention due to their utter and complete lack of competitive play within the National Football League. 

Lets face facts: St. Vincent St. Mary’s School for the Blind would have a better chance of beating an NFL team than the Miami Dolphins.  The only thing people are talking about in Miami are the hot cheerleaders on the sideline, Kim Kardashian, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, the volatile Atlantic Ocean, and how terrible retired citizens are behind the wheel of an automobile.

Nobody cares about the stench that is coming from the rotten bag of garbage.  The stench that is the Miami Dolphins and nobody cares about a disgruntled Miami fans irrelavent opinion.

FIN!

Ungratefully Back atcha,
SportsTank

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Dear Mr. SportsTank,

Although I understand your insatiable appetite to always get the last word in, I will grace you with one rebuttal before your eventual inevitable “last word” post on your “blog,” Mr. SportsT4NK!  First off let me tell you that the initial e-mail sent was in no way out of the blue nor ignorant rambling.  It was backed by three weeks of unsolicited fantasy and football picks advice.  Some of this unsolicited advice I did indeed take. 

Let me break it down metaphorically again for you since you had no trouble deciphering that garbage montage from before.  I like to think of the advice you offered me in these past weeks like a rotting sandwich.  The first bit of advice I decided to chew on and eventually swallowed was to pick up Nate Burleson.  We will consider him the bottom bun of this decaying sandwich.  I swallowed it to the tune of 1.2 points posted this week.  Apparently the entire Lions team is doing well with the exception of your ingenious pick.

The second part of this sandwich and the top bun is Roy Helu.  The decision to pick him up from the free agent pool and rot away on my bench much like this metaphorical sandwich.  Roy posted a whole 4.2 points this week via Yahoo. 

Now let’s get to the meat of the sandwich and the true reason I am angry.  This sandwich is a Wide Receiver special.  Combined between the two moldy buns of Roy Helu and Nate Burleson, lies a wide receiver meat sandwich from my ESPN league.  I simply uttered to you my disapproval of my current receivers to which you once again came through in the clutch with some have-to-have names.  What did I do……you guessed it…..ate it up to the tune of Arrelious Benn and Anthony Armstrong.  These two sat on my bench this week waiting to see if I should take your unsolicited advice or not.

Well let me tell you something I discovered about your advice:  You just enjoy handing out fake advice almost as much as you enjoy handing out candy from your cube van to the children of the neighborhood every weekend.  As for that sandwich we described?  I did indeed eat it, I chewed it up for a day or so and then swallowed these rancid picks as I added them to my fantasy teams. 

Do not think for a second that the previous story about your Dallas Cowgirls is by any means a relation to the demise of the Miami Dolphins football team.  Any true Dolphins fan knows that the team is disappointing.  I mean look at the owners:

Gloria Estefan and Emilio, J. LO, Fergie, Marc Anthony, and the Williams sisters.  The last time I checked; all these people are starting to become washed up.  If the owners are switching over to the B-List don’t you think the team would soon follow?  So it was not my Miami Dolphins and illusions of grandeur I had, but rather your ability to provide unsolicited terrible advice on fantasy football.  I will now need to spend the remaining week before week 4 emptying my bowels of this advice I decided to trust you on. 

Signed Your Ungrateful Ungracious Pal,
CJ

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Dear Mr. Stupid Dolphins Fan,

Speaking of “rambling;” HOLY COW! 

I feel as though I should charge for my advice.  My advice is Gold and your nonsensical, rambling, pointless, meaningless tirades are much like your lower intestine – stinky and loaded with danger!

Secondly, please allow me to clarify that my advice was in no way “unsolicited” as you so wrongly state; however, it was purely solicited and sought after by our angry, bitter, woeful Dolphins fan who is clearly unable to come up with his own opinion. 

In addition, I am no doctor, nor did I even lay to rest at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I have found why your lower intestine is so stinky and full of danger.  It is not due to the phony bologna rotten advice sandwich you have eaten, but the sandwich of lies, un-grandeur, and slander that you have eaten.  Anybody who so wrongfully accuses another man of providing “unsolicited” “terrible” advice is bound to choke on his own sandwich of pure and utter excrement with a light coating of idiocy, sprinkled with defamation.

Now, allow me to defend myself, AND, quite unnecessarily I might add.  Here is a clue, oh un-wise one: Fantasy football is a fickle bitch. 

One week you can get 435yds passing & 4 TD’s from Tom Brady; while the next week you may get 250yds, 3 TD’s, & 4 INT’s a fumble, and a torn ACL.  I can’t account for what matchup is better for the players on your roster because I am not the “team owner”.  Here’s another word you should add to your vocabulary sooner rather than later if you want to even have a chance in your league: MATCHUP.  Say it with me; MATCHUP!

You have to pay attention to who your players are matched up against in order to do well.  The first two weeks Burleson averaged 7 points in standard scoring leagues, but apparently you chose to wait until week 3 when the matchup was less than favorable to play Mr. Burleson.  I can’t account for your sheer stupidity and lack of overall football knowledge.  If you want me to manage your team then you should be willing to split your winnings with me 60:40.  I do the majority of the work; therefore, I get the 60% share.  Seems fair in most courts of law within this here wonderful U.S. judicial system.

Shall we discuss Roy Helu?  The guy is a rookie and a backup behind Tim Hightower who seems to have the proverbial Hot Hand right now in a RUN FIRST OFFENSE coached by the zoneblocking guru, Mike Shanahan.  However, even as the #2 back he is getting carries and looking VERY good only a mere 3 weeks into the season.  Unfortunately, again, you forgot to pay attention to matchups.  Roy just faced the very formidable and #2 ranked rush defense in the entire league in the Dallas Cowboys; OF COURSE he didn’t fare well this week.  DUH!!?!?!

Lastly, as for Benn and Anthony Armstrong – both of them are “deep sleepers” and since Benn is coming off a season ending ACL injury last year coupled with an abbreviated offseason; it’s obvious to those with any sort of football acumen that Benn will surely start out slowly.  As for Armstrong, well, he is in his second year and coming off an 800+yd rookie season with 40+ catches – certainly a worthy sleeper.  Keep in mind the operative word here is SLEEPER.

Again, I think it is quite clear that the issue here does not lie with the man providing the SOLICITED advice; but the issue lies with the unknowledgeable, inexperienced, lesser man who SEEKS the advice.

Allow this to be a lesson to you, young grasshopper.  Two words that you must promptly add to your vernacular are: MATCHUP and PATIENCE. 

Gotta be mindful of your ability to be patient, gotta pay attention to your matchups, and now you gotta pay the man who you seek advice from.  From here on out no advice you seek shall be given gratuitously, but each player I shed light upon will have a soon to be determined tariff along with it.

Your honor, I rest my case and I will rest easy tonight knowing that your slander and sheer attempts at defamation have also been laid to rest and so very eloquently debunked.

FIN!


Thursday, September 15, 2011

A Letter to The Romo Sadists

Dear Romo Sadists,

To be fair, I should make it known that I am a HUGE Cowboy fan.  Been so since I can remember.

That being said, I am also one of the biggest critics on the planet when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys. 

I wanted to make it known how upset I am that all you paid NFL "analysts/critics" and "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" are unfairly critcizing Tony Romo.

We've ONLY yet completed but one NFL game so far in this here 2011/2012 NFL season and it seems as though you critics/football fans; nay, VULTURES,  just want to perch yourselves on the most obscure branch while eagerly and impatiently waiting for Tony Romo to make a mere mistake.

I'm gonna go so far as to call said VULTURES, "Romo Sadists."

'Oh look, Tony threw an imcompletion.  Let us stone him!'
'Hey, look, Tony got a delay of game penalty.  Bench him, I say!'
'Oh my God, Tony got a cup of Gatorade on the sideline...does somebody need to tell him that he is playing a NFL football game and there is no time for quenching of thine thirst?  Where is his head?'

Allow me to stand up and shout, PUT DOWN THE HATERADE and GET OFF HIS BACK!

Now, I would be lying if I said I wasnt incredibly disappointed that he fumbled the ball at the 2 yard line and threw a most innoportune I.N.T.  late in the fourth quarter after having a chance to go up against the NY football Jets by 14 points ON THE ROAD...on Sunday Night Football...after playing only 5 games in 2010 due to a season ending broken collarbone during this historic, momentus, heart wrenching 10th anniversary of 9/11 just outside our beloved NY City. 

However, the last time I checked there are 11 guys on a football "team;"  not just one. 

Granted, it didnt help the "team" win when Tony threw the pick and fumbled the ball at the 2 yard line. 

But it didnt help the Cowboys win when they chose to start 3 rookies on the offensive line against the immensely feared, oft bally-hooed, aggressive Rex Ryan Jet defense.  It didnt help them win when the very same young offensive line missed blocking assignments resulting in a blocked punt which ended in a TD.  It didnt help that they acquired a new defensive coordinator in the offseason and had VERY little time to become acclimated to the new leaders complicated scheme before the start of the regular season.  On top of THAT, it didnt help them win with a completely decimated secondary.  It didnt help that the very same secondary was seemingly confused on pass plays; pointing and screaming, yelling out assignments, still scrambling to get into position as the ball was being snapped.  All whilst trying to master and grasp the scheme of thier newly found defensive coordinator despite enduring a lockout resulting in a shortened offseason and training camp.  It didnt help that their best wide receiver and offensive weapon, Dez Bryant, was hurt in the first quarter after making a mere 3 catches AND A TD only to play the rest of the game at 50% capacity.

But, hell, forget all those impeding elements.  

All you "Romo Sadists" want to condemn Tony Romo and burn him at the stake.  Dont worry about all the aforementioned constituents that allowed the Jets to stay in the game.  Just find Romo, find the nearest Great Basin Bristlecone Pine Tree, the strongest rope, and string his ass from the highest branch.

Here's what I know:  The QB is viewed as the most valuable part of the football team; however, the operative word here is: Team......TEAM, dammit!

You win as a team, you lose as a team.

If you want to talk about Romo, here is what else i know:  he has a  95.6 career QB rating which is ranked 4th ALL-TIME.  Among active QB's; Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Big Ben have lower QB ratings than Tony. Only Aaron Rogers and Philip Rivers have a higher rating.

Yet, all you "Romo Sadists" insist on violently and visciously shoving his head in the FISH T4NK and never letting him up for air until the violent squirming and muffled desperate screams for help subside - just like something out of your favorite mob movie.  Sad!!

Brady, Manning, Brees, and Big Ben all have Super Bowl rings. 

Here is what else they had when they won the big prize: a better organization around them, and, further, better coaches (namely, Bill Belichik)! 

You cant win Super Bowls if you dont have the right pieces in place; from the front office, to the scouts, to the coaches and thier schemes, right down to the players on the field. 

Just ask Dan Marino, Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton, Dan Fouts, or Jim Kelly.  All Hall of Fame quarterbacks!

Let's face facts, Tony hasnt had a good coach for the bulk of his career as a starter. He had Bill Parcells who drafted him, believed in him, worked him slowly into the lineup after a few years, only to leave the organization because of the idiot billionaire owner and his ego. 

That left him with Howdy Doody for four years! Uh um, sorry, Wade Phillips for crying out Pete's sake!!

Now he has Jason Garrett, and, frankly, its too early to know exactly how he will turn out as the head coach.... but the early prognosis sure is good.

Not to mention, there is STILL the very same egostistal oil tycoon and NFL team owner who has billions of dollars in his pockete - yet no real football acumen - who also insists on running the organziation on the field as well as in the front office.  We ALL know that doesnt help.  It's an NFL no-no.  A feaux-pas, if you will.  I dont have to tell you that. 

Fact: IT ALL STARTS FROM THE "TOP".

Despite all this, Romo is still 39-22 in his career as a starter with a 2:1 TD to INT ratio.  And, YES, he did finally get a playoff win.  This is an undrafted Division 1-AA Walter Payton Award (division 1 version of the coveted Heisman Trophy) winning QB from Eastern Illinois whom we are talking about.  It took him time to get his shot in the NFL and it may take him some time to get his Lombardi Trophy. 

...Good things take time.  Rome wasnt built in a day.  All good things come to those who wait [and work hard]. 

Romo is a terrific NFL QB, scratch golfer, frequent pickup basketball and soccer player, and great overall athlete. 

Most of all, he is a competetitor.  All competitors compete.  And compete he will.

He will fight, scratch, kick, claw, and scrape his way to that final whistle.  Putting it all on the field before he makes that last stroll to the locker room.  The reality is: its not whether you get knocked off the horse in the heat of battle before you fade into the lockerroom, but whether you live to fight another day.  You gotta stand back up, dust yourself off, and climb back up on that sum bitch.  Grab er by the mane, slam Percy in her playpen, and ride her screamin into the sunset.  We all fall down from time to time, but its those who dont get back up on that horse that we forget about.  This Cowboy will be back on that horse for this weeks road tilt at San Francisco.  He will bounce back.  He will live to fight another day. And this Cowboy may not get his trophy this year, but its not too far away. 

Sometimes you gotta fight and dig your way through a pile of crap to get to the shimmering pot of gold. 

That will quiet all the unsubstantiated allegations against our beloved Tony Romo. Eh?

Signed,

Matt Mon-ROMO

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Fantasy Football

Well, it seems like a good time to start talking about fantasy football.

Week 3 of the preseason is almost complete and it seems like many fantasy leagues are in full swing, if not, they will be drafting soon.  With that said, this year I decided to keep it simple.  For once, since the very first fantasy league I have participated in 6 years ago, I have decided to pull back the reins and only join one league this year.  I am tired of the stress, anxiety, and inner-turmoil of having multiple leagues.  My blood pressure needs a break - a reprieve - if you will.

As a Cowboy fan, how can I root against my own team?  How can I continue to frantically saunter around the television channels to find out how various players faired against thier respective opponent?  It's just TOO much when you are managing 12 teams!  What sane man can deal with that?  Thats the kind of thing that soaks the sanity right outta you.

Much like most red-blooded Americans, I, too, am simply unable to NOT subject myself to both the torment and excitement of our favorite fall/winter pasttime: FANTASY FOOTBALL.

Since I am only in one league - a keeper league - I have no choice but to continue to bear the strife and dilemmas that face all Franchise managers.  This will be my third year with these guys.  A seasoned and experienced group of Fantasy participants who seem to really put thier all into thier lineup.  Week in and week out.  If I am to win this year I feel it is my duty as a team manager to truly make a move that will shake things up.  Its early.  We have only merely completed our 3rd week of preseason and there is no time like the present to play the part of fantasy "suicide bomber" and make a move unlike any other.  Really blow the rest of the teams out of the water, nay, this is the time to blow them 'Outta the Tank'.

This is MY tank, dammit!

I chose to go outside of the box and offer up my "keeper" elite running back from 2010 on the trading block, Arian Foster. 

Naturally, and as expected, I immediately received a few offers; none of which caught my eye.  I wanted - check that - I NEEDED a top wideout to inject into my lineup that I TRUST will post big numbers for me.  A guy who can catch a 100 balls in a PPR league.  A guy who can kick, fight, scrape, scratch, claw, and dash in to the endzone on a consistent weekly basis.  That player is the much bally-hooed Dez Bryant.  He's nothing if not controversial, but, dammit, this guy has some UNBELIEVALBE potential.  But we all know potential is just that, Potential.  Aint nobody won a 12 team fantasy league based on potential.  Potential is a light switch in the "off" position.  Until you "hit" that light switch its pretty damn tough to read in the dark. Trust me.

...alas, I received an offer for Dez, but it wasnt quite the complete package I was looking for.  I then couteroffered and the trade deal was up for league vote:  Dez Bryant and Freddie Jackson for Arian Foster and my other sleeper hopeful, Brandan Tate.

Now it may seem strange.  Call it a hunch, but I dont think Foster will have the year he pulled out in 2010.  This is his third year, and as an undrafted free agent in 2009, it is rare to have a breakout year in your second full season only to back it up with yet another COLOSSAL year. 

Its a gamble.  Hell, it may even be flatout, over-the-top, insane.  He is injury prone (that is just my own justifacation, but certainly not a tought that is shared by most).  He was on the sideline in week 1 of the preseason only to come out in week 2 to run for 2 TD's.  Not to mention, his rookie season was hampered with hammy issues.

...And, NOW, in the middle of the 3rd preseason game he walked off the field with a strained hammy. 

Lets face it: ITS FANTASY FOOTBALL.  Last I knew this was America.  We won the War.  I can do whatever the hell I want and if I want to win this year I need to make some proverbial waves.  I gotta get my guy, Dez.  Buy LOW, sell HIGH. 

Dez is bound for a breakout year and Arian is bound to break something...maybe a limb, perhaps a ligament, an achilles, maybe even the all-time rushing record? 

But, its "FANTASY" football.  That means its NOT real. 

Its a fantasy, for crying out Pete's sake.  Its solely unicorns and centaurs.

At the end of the day its only $50 and 17 weeks of my life.

Unfortunately, I dont have $100 billion to buy the Dallas Cowboys.  Truth be told, I dont even have $100 to buy the Cincinatti Bengals.  Fantasy is supposed to be fun.  Thats why it's fantasy.

I'm just a guy who is bored and flat out soaked in "Irene."  Irene is a fickle bitch and so is weekly football.  A man who ran for 250yds in week 1 isnt immune from blowing out a knee in week 2 and wearing a knee brace for the remainder of the 2011/2012 football season.

With that thought in mind, I have gone "all in."  I have put my chips to the middle of the table and said to my fellow league managers, "go ahead, just TRY to beat my 'cards.'"

I will either be the biggest idiot in the history of fantasy football, or the biggest genius that nobody believed in.  Can you say, Christopher Columbus?

I guess thats why they play the game.  Monday Morning QB's are NEVER wrong.  Its not Monday yet and the regular season has yet to arrive.  We/I dont know how this will play out, but it will sure be fun to find out.

Afterall, its FANTASY football, it's supposed to be fun, and with risk comes reward. 

...C'MON, Reward!!!!!!!!!  I'm waitin' for ya......