Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

From my family to yours, have a great Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

12 Wins, 3 Losses

Braylon Edwards said that they (the Browns) were coming after the Steelers. Apparently Braylon and the Browns don’t take kindly to having the Steelers come into their house and beat them 41-0. I think Braylon and the Browns should be used to it. Since Braylon Edwards and his 6 career touchdowns entered the NFL the Steelers haven’t lost to the Edwards’ Browns. Hell since New Cleveland came into the league the Steelers are 12-3 against the Browns. Edwards and the Browns are upset over losing and being embarrassed at their house 41-0, they are just getting upset now? The Steelers are 6-1 versus New Cleveland in Cleveland with two shutouts, 41-0 and 43-0. They have outscored the Browns 179-71 in Cleveland. They’ve outscored New Cleveland 377-217 with the average victory being a 27-12 win for the Black and Gold.

This rivalry just doesn’t exist yet except in the minds of the Steelers and Browns fans. We’re remembering the Steelers vs. Old Cleveland rivalry which still exists. In my lifetime (and really doesn’t football start when I was born) the Steelers are 37-23 versus Old Cleveland with 17 of those 29 seasons the Steelers and Browns/Ravens splitting the season match up 1-1. That is a real rivalry, the Steelers and the Browns/Ravens match ups are still always close, still could go either way no matter how good one team is compared to the other, basically great football. The Steelers vs. New Cleveland, that isn’t a real rivalry.

Just to rub it in for Old Cleveland, in those 29 seasons the Steelers are 2-0 vs. Old Cleveland in the playoffs with four Super Bowl appearances to one, three wins to one.

I’m sure the Steelers will eventually start to lose some to New Cleveland but until they do the Browns just need to shut up. A receiver who is averaging only 36 yards per game over the last six games and only have six career touchdown receptions really needs to shut up. Let Reuben Droughns or Willie McGinest talk some smack, they have actually been good for more than three games or so in their career.

I will say one thing, it is good to have something to get fired up over in a dead end 3-6, no playoff season. The two best things in the NFL could happen in one game this weekend, a Steelers win and a Cleveland loss. Bring on those Puppy Dogs!

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Midseason Awards, Playoff Predictions

It is midseason time which means time for all of the experts to give out awards and what not for the 2006 NFL season. I’m not an expert, I just like to talk football.

MVP – Peyton Manning, that is if you like 6’ 5”, 240lb quarterbacks with a laser, rocket arm.

MVP Honorable Mention – Michael Vick, LaDainian Tomlinson, Tiki Barber, and Larry Johnson. LDT and LJ both started slow but have picked it up huge in the past few weeks, if they keep that up they could challenge Peyton. Tiki just doesn’t have enough TDs. Michael Vick is way too inconsistent to win the award but that could change with a consistent second half.

End of Season Prediction – Peyton with maybe Vick. There has only been one 3-time MVP and no matter how hard he tries this will not be Peyton’s best season statistically. If Vick plays close to the way he has the previous two weeks over the next eight he will win.

Defensive MVP – Brian Urlacher, the best player on the league’s best defense. In a 4-3 scheme the biggest key is the middle linebacker and Urlacher is a beast.

Defensive MVP Honorable Mention – Shawne Merriman, Troy Polamalu, Champ Bailey, and Julius Peppers. Peppers and Bailey could win the award, Troy and Merriman will not. Troy’s team is having an awful year and Merriman was suspended for using steroids. Peppers and Bailey just need to keep up the good work and have their team succeed.

End of Season Prediction – Champ Bailey. They aren’t going to want to give the award to the same person two years in a row. The voters do love linebackers but there is debate on who is the best linebacker. There is no debate on who is the best corner in the league.

Best Team – Indianapolis Colts, like Peyton Manning’s team, maybe.

Playoff Team Predictions
AFC North – Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
AFC East – New England Patriots (12-4)
AFC South – Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
AFC West – San Diego Chargers (12-4)
Wild Card – Denver Broncos (11-5)
Wild Card - Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)

Wild Card Round – Denver defeats Baltimore, San Diego defeats Jacksonville
Division Round – Indianapolis defeats Denver, New England defeats San Diego
Championship Round – Indianapolis defeats New England

NFC North – Chicago Bears (13-3)
NFC East – New York Giants (12-4)
NFC South – New Orleans Saints (10-6)
NFC West – Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Wild Card – Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
Wild Card – Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

Wild Card Round – Seattle defeats Dallas, Atlanta defeats New Orleans
Division Round – Chicago defeats Atlanta, New York defeats Seattle
Championship Round – Chicago defeats New York

Super Bowl – Indianapolis crushes Chicago. Actually I feel if Indianapolis ever gets to the Super Bowl they will demolish whoever it is. Peyton will have a Steve Young type experience and just light it up. I also know it is cheesy of me to pick the two best records to make the Super Bowl but I just can’t see New England defeating Indy at home and I can’t make it the Manning Bowl so Chicago has to defeat New York.

As for the Steelers, they stink.

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Business as usual

For those that are worried, well first I appreciate it and second everything seems to be business as normal. I’m referring to the buyout of my portion of RC2 by a private holding company. Obviously there might be some initial hiccups that could be problematic in the short term, stuff like transferring benefits or payroll information. I know that stuff will work out, probably very soon, but we are prepared for any little snags. As for the actual running of the company, it seems right now and for the foreseeable future everything is business as normal. We’ve been aware that this change was coming for a few months now and I’m very relieved that it is finally over with and we can focus on the new company. A few of us are hoping for some changes before too long, we’ll see how that turns out.

Again, thanks for the concern. Over the past four or five days I’ve received a number of phone calls, emails, and IMs with friends concerned on how things were going for me. I appreciate it and things seem to be as usual. One nice bonus to all this was RC2 paid us 5/6th of our bonus now instead of having to wait until March to get it. That wasn’t bad.

Monday, November 6, 2006

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Pretty Bird :)

Sunday, November 5, 2006

6 Turnovers

What the hell. You can't turn the ball over like they have all year and win. I'm going to miss their next two games, maybe that will be better.