Jets vs Patriots

Credit where credit is due: Stolen Borrowed from Nigel Buggers on Facebook who probably borrowed it from somebody else who probably . . .



And, I'm still standing by my "P" bowl prediction of no birds and Pittsburgh vs Packers.

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Falling Birds

Call it a sign.











But with all the birds dropping from the skies unexpectedly.

My fumbled prediction is no winning bird teams in the playoffs.

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NFL Chatter

Just in case you have not been overloaded with social media ....

Via Twitters Facebook page...

It’s time for the @NFL playoffs, and they are sure to generate more Twitter conversation than ever before. And, this year, the teams and players, themselves will have lots to say. All 12 playoff teams and a full one-third (200+) of the players in the playoffs have Twitter accounts.

To help you keep up with these teams and players, we created a list of Twitter accounts relevant to the playoffs. You can follow @drewbrees and the @Official_Saints as they try to repeat as World Champions or @MikeVick of the @eagles as he continues his comeback. The list also includes folks like @JimIrsay, owner of the @NFLColts, and @PeteCarroll, coach of the @Seahawks.

You also can receive Tweets via SMS on your phone even if you don’t have a Twitter account or a smartphone. Just text “follow [username]” - for example “follow Packers” - to 40404 in the US.

For a rolled up version of NFL Playoff tweets click here.

But just don't expect to see any activity within 90 minutes of game time. . .

What a stupid rule...

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A Bad Fan

A funny thing happened last weekend. My son and I got into a bit of a fan rivalry even though we are both Redskin Fans.

You see, we were watching the Redskin Dallas game on TV and I was noticeably more excited every time the Dallas defense or kick return team had a good play. I would smile and say something like “yes! Another point for me” and he would moan is disbelief and complain about how poorly the skins were doing.

Dad ! what are you talking about? Are you routing for the Cowboys? How could you?

No son, I am routing for my fantasy football team.

You see, when I heard that Rex the hex was promoted to starting QB and knew that the Dallas Defense was doing well in the sack and turnover department (and oh by the way the skins offensive line is , well offensively BAD!) I picked up the Dallas Defense off of the waiver wire and put them in the starting lineup.

Since we count interceptions, fumbles, sacks, and return yards, I thought it a fairly safe bet. Well, 143 return yards, 2 interceptions, a fumble and 5 sacks later . . . my fantasy team had an impressive 18 points on defense even though the skins scored an impressive 30 points (which did count against the Dallas fantasy point total).

I must admit, that for at least one game, Rex did run the offense better than Donovan. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

But on with my post . . .

With my borderless league playoffs in full swing and my “Fun Bunch” team the last remaining East Coast representative left, the pressure was on for a win and a chance at the title next week.

Was this tactic enough to win?

Well, it helped.

The Dallas D scored 9 more points than Greenbay which I sat on the bench.
My decision to start Kenny Britt (15 points) over Anquan Boldin (0 points) also helped.
And least I forget DeSean’s last second TD return!

That helped too!

Final score:
Fun Bunch 130
Unemployables 118

In my League of Experts my team was also in the playoffs but lost Aaron Rodgers in the first round which gave both of us a major headache. Oh, well. . .

So now it is off to the championship game between my East Coast Fun Bunch and the West Coast Edumucation Team.

May the best my team win.

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MoneysWorth

Well, it is now officially playoff season.

Fantasy Football Playoffs that is.

And I have managed to qualify in both my leagues.

First, in my Borderless League, I limped into the playoffs by loosing my last 2 games by a heart wrenching 6 total points. No matter, even though I had a mediocere 7 - 6 record, I had the second highest point total in the 12 team league. I won my division (the top 3 teams all tied with a 7 - 6 record) because of that high point total. That means I win the division and I get that all important 1st round bye and a guarenteed extra $50 bucks!

In my Fumbled Returns League of Experts I again won my division as well. Though no money was involved, I do get bragging rights! :-)

On the real football front, it appears that the Redskin organization has FINALLY getting around to expelling Sir Albert and attempting to recover some of the insanely high priced salary cap hit they have taken.



















Has this proven to be a distraction?
Yes.
Was signing him in the first place a stupid thing to do?
Yes.
Were Shanny and Allen dealt a bad hand?
Yes.
Now that he is "technically" gone, will this continue to be a distraction?
Yes.

Reports are asking, and will continue to ask every coach and player and fan possible...

Was this a distraction?
Are you glad it is finally over?
Do you think he will be back next year?

We should have cut him before the season even started, or at least put him on the physically/mentally unable to perform list.

You could have gotten a lot more money back.

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The New Universal Choking Symbol

Apparently defense does win championships...

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The Real NHL Season Starts Today!

Yes folks, don't be fooled, the previous 82 games were just the preseason.

The NHL playoffs are where championship teams are born. It is not only a test of the most talented, best scoring, best defensive, and yes sometimes even luckiest teams, players and coaches out there; but it is a test for survival.

This year the odds on favorites by many, from bookies to sports experts, pick the Washington Capitals to win the cup. They have, perhaps the most talented group of offensive scorers assembled and finish as top record and point holders for the previous 82 games.

They even won the Presidents Award.

So the bookies have the Caps as favorites to win.
The Caps finish the 82 game season with the best record and the most points.

They are a gimme for the cup right?

WRONG!

First of all, anybody who knows me, I never bet on the favorite person, team or horse to win a race. And the playoffs are just that, a race.

Secondly, if you believe the stats, only 7 of the last 23 President Award winners have gone on to win the cup.

So, in a way, the Caps are the underdogs, so that means I can bet on them to win. Except I rarely bet and most likely will not for the playoffs.

But I can route for them to win it all!










Lets Go Caps!

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Star Gazing...

"Crosby is so far ahead of Ovechkin right now Ovie would need a telescope to see him."

"Crosby has won the Stanley Cup (by going through Ovechkin), the Olympics (again, by going through Ovehckin) and the World Championships."

"I don't believe Crosby ever won a world championship, though he did win a world juniors title. But Ovechkin was part of the Gold-medal winning Russian squad in 2008. So, instead of 3-0, we're now talking about 2-1. Of course, if we're just measuring world titles, Caps winger Jason Chimera seems to have won one in '07."

"Ovie behaved wretchedly during the Games when he shoved the camera of some woman...Ovechkin...is bordering on out of control."

These are just some of the quotes and topics and blog posts literally FLYING around DC since the Olympics.

I actually have to say I like all this a lot! Ovie behaving the way he did with fans and their cameras is totally irresponsible but everything else is great!

Why, because this just adds to the rivalry. Fuel for the fire. Even more hype for the upcoming playoffs and championship run.

I think it will, hopefully, play into the Caps favor and become a real motivational revenge factor.

Three of the soviet Olympic team members are on the Caps. All three have been around for all the losses to Crosby and what ever team he is on.

And let me just say here, they are both all stars. "Beasts" as I have heard that term used a bit too often lately. Of course each, being one player, do not make a championship team. They help of course, but it takes all the pieces fitting together to make a championship team.

Watching Olympic Hockey was really great this year and I totally enjoyed it, even though the USA team lost in OT.

And now, I can't wait for the playoffs to start. To watch Ovie, Semin, and Varlamov take on you know who and, hopefully, wipe them off the 2010 NHL map!

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Ask Brett

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Absolutely no truth

To the rumors that Fox Sports, has contacted me regarding the use of my blog name and their commentary regarding the NFC title game.

Absolutely no truth...

to the rumor that any of the purple pride or vikings mania organizations have contacted me either regarding their protest the current state of Brett Favre's contract.

Or that the Vikings organization is looking to pro-rate Bretts contract...

Or that I have been asked to change my background colors to purple and gold...

Absolutely no truth...

to the rumor that said Brett Favre is teaming up with Prince to write a new theme song... (combination purple and gold and pants on the ground called ball on the ground) with special guest appearances from MC Hammer (can't touch this), 38 Special (hang on loosely), and Simon and Garfunkel (slip sliding away).

Absolutely no truth...

to the rumor that ESPN has removed AP, Brett and Reggie from their fantasy football no cut lists...

Absolutely no truth...

to the rumor that I am holding out for sponsorship of Reggie Bush, who really did fumble a return and can't seem to hold on to anything off the field either...

What IS TRUE...

is the FACT that London Fletcher IS going to the Pro Bowl because the Saints and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma are going to the Super Bowl.

The game was so "gut-wrenching" for Fletcher that he actually turned off the TV when the game was tied at 28-28 in the fourth quarter.

Couldn’t watch it.

“Watching the Saints vs. Vikings game was something that I could not get comfortable with,” Fletcher admitted.

Turns out it was equally as uncomfortable waiting in silence for the final score.

So he turned the TV back on.

It was overtime. Kicker Garrett Hartley, who beat the Redskins in Week 13 with a chip shot field goal, lined up a 40-yard game-winner for the Saints.

The kick sailed through the uprights.

“I did a little sprint around the house,” Fletcher said, laughing.

This is how much making the Pro Bowl meant to Fletcher.

What IS True...

is the fact that I will always bleed Burgundy and Gold.

Fletcher has not missed a game in his 12 year career. Is one of the most prolific tacklers in the entire NFL and is a true leader both on and off the field.

He is also one of the finalists for the Payton award; the award named for the late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, which goes annually to the player who combines on-field excellence with off-the-field community service.

Best of luck to you London. You deserve it.


Who knew that my blog name sake would be so appropriate for the NFC championship game?

Absolutely no truth...

To the rumor that said namesake is for sale at any price!


under six figures...

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Look it, Step it, Throw it

That is my football QB passing lesson plan.

Actually, it is really Look, Step, Throw. But in a 3 year olds vocabulary it gets translated to Look it, Step it, Throw it.



Notice, I did not say anything about look, step, THROW ACROSS YOUR BODY WHILE RUNNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD!

Obviously I still need to go over the next step of actually catching it, but QB's do not need to catch it, just throw it.

Catching is another football instructional video that only comes with practice.

And after last night, I have thought of a follow on instructional video of "don't fumble it".

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Life outside of football

Yes folks, there is life outside of football. For all of you misguided football fans out there who are going to have your dreams crushed today, I present to you the world greatest hobby. Saturday (I would not miss football Sunday) the boys and I went to a trade show for model trains, cars and yes, even airplanes. Though the feature was clearly model trains.


























William is actually looking at the subway section of one of the larger displays.









If you are interested, this is the longer version of video taken by us at the show...



Afterwards, we purchased some great yet inexpensive toys to commemorate our outing.

We do not have a model train set that we can set up (not for lack of interest, but rather lack of space) so we purchased something else more immediately useful...

(ignore the short attention span neighbor kid talking about dinosaurs)





Good luck to all the NFL playoff football teams and fans playing today and remember...

There is life outside of football so take time to enjoy it.

Until next time...

Be good. Do well. Have fun.

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NFL Playoffs - What we've learned...

San Diego's December hot streaks, as they always do, end in January.















Maybe they just need some pro bowl caliber players...

















Oh wait, they already have at least one...



The Jets believe in Destiny.






















Isn't it ironic that the team the colts fell down to at the end of the regular season and basically allowed entry into the playoffs is now their opponent for the conference championship.

No worries though. Indy has shown, more than once that they only need about 15 minutes of football to beat just about anybody.

Apparently this fan did not get the uniformity memo.


















Something tells me that this is not a Dan Snyder franchise or stadium event....
Hmmmm....


The Saints Smothered the Cardinals.















Fantasy Football fans everywhere are pulling their hair out wondering why Reggie Bush couldn't play like that during the regular season.







If he keeps attacking the line and lanes like that, he just might be a worthy fantasy pick next year.


And it only took Brees 3 quarters of real QB playing time to achieve what most QB only dream about.







He basically just handed the ball off during most of the 4th quarter...

And the Vikings (always the Fashion Divas)
















spanked the Cowboys (who also end tend to end winning streaks in winter)


My prediction for the winners this weekend....

Colts and Saints.

Sorry Sam.

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Running Wild

So by now you all know that there was only one really good and exciting close NFL playoff game on this weekend and it was truly great.

Watching the Cardinals win an offensive shoot out on a defensive play in OT was truly a sight to behold.

In my opinion, there was one other good game on and that was the Baltimore Ravens running over the New England Patriots. It was not even close but I loved it none the less.

Apparently some Baltimore Raven Fans thought it equally exciting and decided to celebrate by running through an electric fence.

Dogs may be mans best friend, but some just happen to be a bit smarter than their owners too!

Enjoy!







HA! a special update...

It seems I made Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard Hot Clicks. Yes it was a shameless attempt at self promotion but hey, I made it on their site. Even though I am all the way at the bottom of the post. But, I really don't mind being on the bottom...

Check it out...

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Ouch

Well, the last couple weeks have been pretty bad for me fantasy football wise and this week was no exception.

It looks like I will only have one team in the playoffs in any of my three leagues and I just barely squeaked in there.

Santa's Little Helpers have lost 4 in a row and went from 2nd to 6th. But anything can happen so hopefully I will be able to pull myself out of this skid.

Last week I had 5 players out! All because of injuries. It was worse than any bye week. Hopefully I will get them back for this week and the upcoming playoffs.

Weekend Warriors lost by a fraction of a point so I am out of the running there.

Pariahs, Well, they are playing up to their namesake.

And I totally, TOTALLY, putz the peter king challenge. What was I thinking...?

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