Click images for desktop size: "Colored Windows" by Guav The most annoying thing about this week is just how much my puppy and I have enjoyed living with just each other.
We can't afford it.
My High School game was cancelled last night due to weather. Something nice did come out of that. The local paper has consistently made the team the favorite in every single game we have played. This appalls me. We have a freshman QB with limited arm strength, a good RB, and an inconsistent defense. We're 3 - 3. Our opponent last night is ranked 16th in the state! The paper had us as a 1 point favorite . . .
Last night I got to meet the reporter who does the handicapping. I asked him why he always made us the favorite and he said something startling: “Because that O-Line is probably the best I've ever seen.”
I coach the O-Line . . . so I had to remove him from my list of idiots . . . I didn't identify myself to him.
I found out the game was canceled while my puppy and I were in hospital. Nothing wrong just over protective players (and my former players out there know how I feel about that) and a bored paramedic crew who were pleased to have something more to do than sit out there in the rain. I went into hospital and was checked out an hour later.

Money situation is serious but not desperate. I borrowed $50 from a friend so I have food for at least 3 weeks. The bills are paid and I have enough to get through, well, for bus fare at least. Nothing wrong with that.

The film review is getting purchased. Twenty bucks . . . better than a stick in the eye . . . I guess. They want more. I don't have the check yet, but right now twenty bucks feels like a lot. I haven't heard from the other guys I submitted it to . . . think I'll just let it rest.

In the on-line football contest I'm in 37th place . . . which is good enough for nothing - yet!
Last week I was 9-5. I can't see me improving or getting worse this week.
My picks are in bold.

Buffalo at Chicago - I can't understand Rex Grossman, the Bears QB. He doesn't look at all good to me but he gets results. The Bears defense looks incredible. The Bills have been inconsistent, but even their top game wouldn't be enough here.

Cleveland at Carolina - I'm tempted to take the Browns here. They can hang tough enough but there's no credible reason than liking their attitude to select them. The Panthers look astonishingly better with Steve Smith back. For one player to have this much impact doesn't say much for the rest of the team.

Detroit at Minnesota - I like Detroit, but will be stunned when they win a game. They lack almost everyplace except heart. Playing in another dome they stand a chance but the Vikings have some talent and a cagey QB.

Miami at New England - The Dolphins so far are looking like the bust of the year. The way the Patriots ripped thru the Bengals bouncing back from a loss was remarkable. The Dolphins will just be a place for them to rest and experiment, but the Patriots will come through with the big play whenever they need it.

St Louis at Green Bay - this looks like a cruddy game but you can't under estimate Favre. Even if he is just a shadow he's fun to watch. St Louis has been all over the place and clearly lacks a killer instinct.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans - Chris Simms' performance while playing through a burst spleen makes me re-evaluate him as a player. But the Bucs still stink. The Saints are a good team. This could be the week that Reggie Bush gets his first TD. Gruden, Buc's Coach, is arrogant enough to run a base defense without the “Reggie Backer” all the other teams have used to contain Bush, if that happens it could get explosive.

Click images for desktop size: "Hhhmmmmmmm"
Tennessee at Indianapolis - Four years ago this was a stellar match up. Both teams have faded but the Titans have fallen to the very bottom of the pile. The only interesting thing will be seeing how Vince Young fares in his second game starting for the Titans.

Washington at New York Giants - I have to give Joe Gibbs some credit, if he he can keep the Redskin's Mark Brunell playing at the level he has for the last two weeks. Meanwhile the Giants shaky secondary should be addressed, Their front 7 is startling in depth and talent, their front four is amongst the best. They have to play the game but on paper this should be a Giants blow out. It figures to be a lot closer than that.

Kansas City at Arizona - Denny Green continues to prove that he is the worst coach in the league. Throwing the incredible Matt Linehart completely unprepared into this game could destroy the future of the franchise. Matt will produce only slightly more than Kurt Warner and take some serious heavy blows in the process. He won't learn much except bad stuff. Kansas City got hot against the terrible 49ers. You have to figure them to win here but I can't go against Linehart.

New York Jets at Jacksonville - This is my game of the week. I don't care who wins. This will be a symphony, like a Listz Rhapsody. I'm taking the Jaguars because of Jack Del Rio and the fact they're at home.

Oakland at San Francisco - The cruddy game of the week and possibly the year! The only thing of interest here is which team will get the number 1 pick.

Dallas at Philadelphia - This is the most over hyped game of the year. TO getting razzed by the Philly fans. I guess some one cares about that. This is two decent but not great teams. It should be fun but the announcers constant references to Terrell Owens will make this tedious. Watch it with some good music on the stereo.

Pittsburgh at San Diego - A game that might be entertaining. Schottenheimer showed how to coach just well enough to lose against the Ravens last week. The Steelers don't have the tools that the Ravens have. It will be interesting but not that much - Unless you want to see Rivers “manage” a game and Rothlesberger not manage . . .

Ravens at Denver - Playing at Mile High Stadium is daunting. Plummer might play his A game but I don't think that will be enough. The Ravens scream power on D and McNair has them playing as a complete team. Does anyone remember that McNair was Co-MVP with Manning and has always been considered a great team leader? The Ravens will come up with a way to win as long as they can breathe . . . In Mile High that is a serious consideration. Breathing I mean.

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