Filed under: Uncategorized
After starting off the season 1-0 with the Giants/’Skins game, everything fell apart on Sunday, going 4-9. I took a step toward respectability on Monday, going 1-1, finishing Week 1 6-10. Like I said, I am no gambling expert, and I proved that this week!
I’m thinking part of the reason I do so well picking the playoff games is I have a chance to see a season’s worth of competition and have plenty of opportunity to analyze all the teams. In Week 1 of the NFL, it’s a complete toss up and you never know what to expect. For instance, I knew the Falcons would be improved over last year, but I couldn’t have seen the whooping that they handed down. And don’t you think the Pats would’ve covered had Brady not gone down?
I guess 6-10 isn’t awful. I did pick the Bears game correctly (which ended up being the only underdog pick I got correct), which was nice. And I did feel like a bit of a criminal with Broncos -3. That game wasn’t even close.
I’m sure I’ll write another post in regards to my thoughts on the first week of NFL action, but in the mean time, here are the picks I DID get right:
Giants (-4.5)
Saints (-3)
Cowboys (-5.5)
Cardinals (-.5)
Bears (+9.5)
Broncos (-3)
Filed under: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Football, NFL, Sports | Tags: Football, Gambling, NFL, Predictions, Sports
I want to start this off as pronouncing that I am, in no means, a football or NFL expert. Nor am I well experienced or successful with gambling. But you know what? Every post-season I make picks based on the line and I kill it. And I mean kill it.
I partly think this can be attributed to me not making any picks until the post-season, thereby giving myself an entire season to judge all the teams. This argument had some merit, especially with me having the Sunday Ticket.
Well I am here to try to be successful the entire season with my picks. I will pick every game, every week and will monitor and report my continuing progress. Who knows? If I start doing pretty well, maybe a trip to Vegas will be in my plans. But lets not get too ahead of ourselves.
Week 1:
Giants (-4.5)
Bengals (-1.5)
Dolphins (+3)
Patriots (-9.5)
Texans (+6.5)
Jaguars (-1)
Lions (-3)
Seahawks (+1)
Saints (-3)
Rams (+7.5)
Cowboys (-5.5)
Chargers (-6)
Cardinals (-.5)
Bears (+9.5)
Vikings (+2.5)
Broncos (-3)
Notes:
Looks like I’m going with the favorites 10-6 this week. I was really surprised the Packers are favored over the Vikings by that much, even if they are at home. I was also surprised with the size of the spread for the Indy/Chicago and New England/KC games at 9.5 I took Pats and Bears as I think Chicago has a better chance to cover than KC. Two picks that scare me: Dolphins +3 and Lions -3.
Filed under: A-Basin, Colorado, Snowboarding | Tags: A-Basin, arapahoe basin, Colorado, Snowboarding, winter
Last week I got my Epic Pass in the mail and I think that’s when it hit me: summer is over, fall will soon be here, and A-Basin opens in a month and a half.
Sure, attempting to ride the man-made, icy, “white ribbon of death” that only ascends halfway up Arapahoe Basin’s scenic front side comes with it’s fair share of hazards. The conditions are obviously less than ideal, half the front range tries to descend onto one run, and the legs are not fully conditioned to make split second turns at a moment’s notice. Add this to the usual festivities in the parking lot that A-Basin is known for, and one would be tempted just to wait until the “big boys” open a month later.
However, it is the idea that early season at A-Basin represents that drives excitement. The season is almost here. Winter, our White Knight, is imminent. Even when half the mountain is still brown and rocky, you get images in your head of endless powder days. Even when the lift lines are packed, you think of solo weekday runs when you own the mountain. Even when some of your friends decline your offer at early season turns, you remember the camaraderie and experiences shared on the mountain slopes.
It is the idea of what can be attained and what is possible that makes early season so exciting. It is the idea of feeling free while sliding the snow. It is that pure ecstasy that rushes the senses when gravity pulls you downhill. It is the awe that strikes us after every steep line that is attempted.
Early season at Arapahoe Basin is not about the conditions, it is about getting reaquainted with an old friend. And I for one, can’t wait to make up for lost time.
Just a quick post before tonight’s new 24 (which they are advertising as having the most shocking moment in the history of the show, which I don’t buy). I stumbled onto this link from Bill Simmons’ blog on ESPN.com a few weeks back and I was instantly enamored with it. It’s a kill counter for Jack Bauer, featuring who Jack killed, how he killed them, and the video of him doing it. If you are a fan of 24, you can definitely kill a lot of time here, no pun intended.
I’ve already done some preliminary research, such as figuring out Season 4 was Jack’s deadliest (with 44 kills being attributed to Jack), and hour 6 in Season 4 was Jack’s dealiest hour (12 kills). So far I have Nina Myers in Season 3 (much to the rejoice of 24 fans everywhere) and Victor Drazen in Season 1 as my favorites, probably more because of the impact rather than the style in which it was done. Which takedowns do you prefer?
Help me send a message to Congress:
Now is the time to act on global warming.
Follow the link below to fill out a form to send a message to your representative in Congress. On March 21, Al Gore will be testifying about the climate crisis and will personally deliver your message. This is a terrific first step to avoiding global catastrophe.
Dave and Nancy Bergen on the slopes of their new home mountain, Keystone Colorado 2/18/07
Had a fabulous President’s weekend with my parents and Missy in Keystone and Dillon. We came up Friday night after several travel delays, and hit the slopes on Sunday. We looked at a lot of condos, had some great food and beer, and good times all around. My dad and I ended up having some beer at 3 of the 5 breweries in Summit County (in case you are wondering, Backcountry Brewery in Frisco, Pug Ryans in Dillon and Wolf Rock Brewery in Keystone). At some point in this blog, I think I will try my hand at rating beers and breweries. Now will not be the time, and they were all good.
The highlight of the weekend probably came on the drive to the airport, when my dad got the call from his realtor that his offer on a townhouse in Keystone had been accepted. We decided to celebrate, so Missy and I joined my parents for drinks in the Sam Adams bar at DIA before they went through security.
The new part time Summit County residents have a lot to look forward in their mountain setting and I’m excited for them. Of course, to be honest, I’m pretty excited myself. I’m looking forward to exploring more of Keystone’s three mountains, the nightlife at The Snake River Saloon and The Goat, as well as notching more night riding runs. Most of all, I’m looking forward to being able to see my parents more frequently.
Congrats Mom and Dad, you’re going to love it up here.
After being on the air for almost 20 years, the Simpsons have finally decided to take a stab at the big screen. I originally saw the trailer on this past Sunday’s new episode of the Simpsons, and man does it look epic. Check it out yourself, here is the link to the sneak preview on Yahoo.
http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/thesimpsonsmovie.html
Enjoy.
The Cubs continued their streak of 14 years without going to arbitration by agreeing to terms with ace Carlos Zambrano shortly before the two sides would’ve had to appear before an arbitrator. According to Cubs.com:
The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano reached agreement Tuesday on a one-year, $12 million contract and avoided arbitration.
This is a great move on a number of different levels. For one, the Cubs only had to pay around a million dollars more than their original offer. Secondly, the two sides didn’t have to get nasty inside an arbitration meeting, possibly souring relations beyond repair. Lastly, now the Cubs can concentrate on what’s really important, signing Big Z long term. If I were Jim Hendry, I would offer a 5 year, $90 million extension.
The Cubs opening day starter is now paid and happy. Congratulations Carlos, you earned this pay raise. Now just stop referring to yourself in the third person. It’s a little too “Keith Hernandez”ish for me.
My friend Steve Lippo once told me a story. A few years back he was substitute teaching in the Chicagoland area. One February morning, one of the bright-eyed youngsters asked him, “Mr. Lippo, do you know what tomorrow is?”
Confused yet intrigued, Steve searched the archives of his brain to find the significance of this random February day. Then it hit him. “Yes, pitchers and catchers report for spring training.”
Equally as confused, the youngster replied, “No, it’s Valentine’s Day!”
Steve’s response shouldn’t surprise anybody who knows him (he’s a producer for WGN Sports now). The funny thing is, that ever since I heard this story, Valentine’s Day has taken on a completely different meaning for me. I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s not a real holiday. It was created by the corporations (namely Hallmark) as a way to sell more cards, candy, stuffed animals, flowers, and otherwise useless crap. I don’t need a corporation to tell me when and how to be nice to my wife, I’ll decide on my own. That way, it’s actually special and not forced. Anyway, time to get off my soapbox.
Valentine’s Day, for me, marks the unofficial start to the baseball season. It a time for boundless optimism, position battle debates, amateur prognosticating, and endless hope. Cubs fans know all about optimism. Every year when spring rolls around, we get excited about our new free agent signing, or the new rookie with great potential, or simply just the hope of another season. Traditionally, we’ve been tragically disappointed (2003) at the seasons end. Then when spring comes again, we try to protect ourselves from becoming too involved and attached, as to prevent repeated heartbreak. But we don’t allow ourselves to become too disconnected. We can’t. As the Cubs faithful, we can only suppress our pessimism for so long before it erupts and the excitement overtakes us. We’re tired of “waiting ’til next year.” Next year is here, and we’ve spend a TON of money (over $300 million if I’m not mistaken). Money doesn’t always translate directly into the white “W” flag flying more frequently, but after a 96 loss season, you figure the only way to go is up. Warranted or not, optimism is in the air.
I should have put this link up on Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t get around to it. My good friend Dave Ide sent me this article writen by ESPN’s Jim Caple about spring training and his love for baseball. It’s a good read.
I’ll be putting in my two cents regarding the Cubs and spring training periodically, so check in from time to time. How do you think the Cubbies are going to fare this year? What do you think of new Skipper Lou Piniella? Will Prior and Wood be healthy this year? Leave me some feedback, and maybe we can get some type of interactive discussion going here.
Cubs in ‘07!
Yeah, I know it took me a few weeks to write this. What did you expect me to do? Hop online as soon as the game was over? I had to wait until I was prepared to write this. I didn’t want this post to be hallow. So here are my thoughts:
Rex didn’t lose the game for us. At the time of the INT for TD, we were running the ball effectivley. There was no reason to start passing. I blame the coaching on this one.
The Bears D did not blitz Peyton Manning nearly enough. Just like Cincinnati did, they dropped back and let Manning pick them apart. I blame the coaching.
Devon Hester is amazing.
As talented as Cedric Benson is, I’m going to miss Thomas Jones next year, if, as expected, the Bears trade him.
The Bears better franchise Lance Briggs.
In the playoffs, I went 5-2 with my picks and 4-3 against the spread. It may not be spectacular, but it’s a winning record.
Peyton Manning, you’re a great QB, congrats, you earned it, yada yada yada. I dare you to make it to the Super Bowl again next year so we can beat you down.
That’s it. I don’t want to spend any more time dwelling in the past. We had a terrific year. Thirty teams don’t make it to the Super Bowl. We did, and came up a little short.
My attention will now shift back to baseball, where the Cubs are undefeated. Cubs in ‘07!
