Random Thoughts

I am on-call this weekend and I am also living out of a suitcase as I am now separated from my wife. Something about getting fed up with simply marking time versus living led to this decision. One of my relationship rules is that you can not simply mark time in a relationship for too long. If you are not living and growing in a relationship then it dies. I just simply had to call the time of death.

I have many bullet points to talk about as I am on-call and could get called out at any point along the way.

** OJ is now going to prison for at least nine years. He told the judge in his sentencing hearing that he was stupid and that he did not know what he was doing was illegal. So holding people up in a hotel room with a gun and not allowing people to leave the room in order to steal "your stuff" back so that the "gold diggers" won't get their hands on it. That can't be illegal. No, not in Vegas. Everything is legal in Vegas. Especially with all those security cameras around trying to stop "stupid" stuff from happening. OJ really thought that he could do anything in Vegas and have it stay there. Of course, he felt the same way about L.A., too. OJ, you are not stupid, you are a thug. Enjoy the meat that will be provided by a disgruntled offensive lineman in the shower in segregation.

** The Lions are on their way to a dream season. I believe that if they dream hard enough. Love themselves hard enough. Try hard enough. Achieve their dreams hard enough. That they can pull off the dream season of 0-16. The schedule is in their favor. Tomorrow they play against the Vikings who need a win to stay in the division hunt. They next go to Indianapolis who also needs to win for play-off considerations. The Saints come to Detroit the weekend before Christmas in order for Brees to throw for 600 yards. The last game of the season is at Green Bay who hopefully will need a win in order to make the play-offs. I am worried about the last two games. If the Packers and Saints are out of contention then their only motivation to win is to not to lose to Detroit (which may not be enough). The sad thing is that Coach Marinelli is a pretty good guy and it might be even a good coach...somewhere else. However, Coach, I want you to not look at any game film. Run the ball 100 straight times into an eight man front. Use your quarterback in the defensive backfield. If you go into overtime and win the toss, please select defending. Do whatever it takes to lose. You will be proud of your accomplishment. This is the worst team in history and you are in charge. Go for it!!! Don't choke and win a game just to win one game. There's no glory in that. The glory is losing all of them. You will make history. That is what it is all about. That and the fact that Detroit is a wasteland.


** Some guy named Plaxico who is a wide receiver in the NFL who never practices (he is in the AI hall of fame) shoots himself accidentally in the leg in a nightclub last weekend. Let's take a look at the logic of all of this. You are in the NYC. It is 2:00 am. Nothing good happens when you are out at that hour. You are carrying way too much cash on you. In NYC at 2 am twenty dollars is carrying too much cash. You have a gun. You have a loaded gun. In your pants. Near your man package. Now, that is OJ stupid. It is so sad when a such a logical mind like Plaxico's goes to waste. He is lucky that he did not blow off his man package and for being so rational he should get whatever he deserves.

** Speaking of AI, he missed a practice!! Shocker!! Call the dogs. He has his own Hall of Fame for missing practices. He told his team, the Detroit Pistons, that he would never do it again. Right. I believe that as much as I believe that Tom Brady will stay down for the rest of the season.

** I am proud of you, Tom. You have heeded my warning and stayed down since Thanksgiving. I really want you to come out into the light. Get out of the S&M chamber that you are being held "captive" in and stand on the sidelines as Matt Cassell takes your Evil Empire team to the play-offs. I am afraid that this might really happen. Can't we have one play-off without the Evil Empire? Please? Just one play-off run is all I ask. My warning still stands for you, Tom. Just stay down. Don't go to any soup kitchens with any cameras around. Don't get in front of any cameras. If you don't heed this warning then I will come right after you. Do you have a fascination with using lunch meat and fruit in your S&M chamber? What about small animals like a hamster or a gerbil? Do you have Richard Gere's number on speed dial?

** Does anyone else think that Nick Saban is the anti-Christ? One hopes that Florida wins this afternoon in the SEC Championship Game against Saban's Alabama team and promptly throws the whole BCS into chaos again. Florida is this year's Georgia from last year. At least in this case, the best team right now (Florida) will get a chance to play in the conference title in order to prove that they belong in the top two in the country. Let us also hope that USC and Oklahoma somehow loses which will make things a little simpler.

** It is sad that the only time that the NHL gets any press what so ever is if someone brutally attacks another player on the ice or if someone goes rogue and puts their foot in their mouth. Sean Avery, whose reputation is the same as Rasheed Wallace and Britney Spears on a bad day, was suspended for six games for making comments about "his sloppy seconds." The NHL is a great sport. On TV, it basically sucks. However, it is a great sport with great athletes who do amazing things. There is, in hockey, like in most sports "a code" that players must follow. I am not sure what the "code" is in the NFL where players shoot themselves in the leg and run pot across state lines and horde large cache of arms and commit murder for hire and gamble excessively on cat shows etc. etc. However, in the NHL, you can't talk about things on camera that though they might be true (you are naive if you think otherwise), but should be kept in the locker room. That breaks the "code." The locker room is like Vegas or Lindsey Lohan. What happens there. Stays there. What goes into Vegas and Lohan stays in Vegas and Lohan. Period. So, Avery crossed the "code" and he was punished deservedly so. I just hope that hockey can reach a level that what we hear on the sports radio shows is the great sport on the ice as opposed to thug rogue elements.

My Presidential Endorsement And Mick's Picks

Mick the Cat did better than me in making pro football picks last weekend so he is back to make more picks. He has gotten pretty cocky now and is walking through the house with mass amounts of bling stating he had gotten it all from his "winnings" in Vegas. And the damn cat has never been to Vegas. Insane.

Dippy is out of jail now on some sort of technicality. Apparently he got a ton of evidence thrown out of court as it was gotten illegally. Something about not having a search warrant or something. Chain of custody issues. Whatever. He wants to make some picks on pro football for this weekend, but is not sure he should make too many comments about his state of affairs or any state of affairs. Dippy has had more legal charges than anyone in a pirate bear costume should have. He is the only one who celebrates Halloween everyday...or maybe not.

Then we have the magic that is Mike Singletary. Days after the greatest head coach debut news presser ever in the history of organized sports we find out that 49ers head coach Singletary is basically insane. We find out that during half time of his very first NFL head coaching game he dropped his pants and mooned his own team. Why? To illustrate how the Seahawks were kicking their asses. How did the 49ers play after Singletary literally showed his ass? They played worse. On the list of things not to do as a football head coach at any level (except the CFL) is to show your ass literally to your own team. That ranks on the list around with setting yourself on fire, getting arrested for DUI's, killing your pregnant girlfriend, and selling porn. You just don't. Just don't do it. Take off your pants in your own house. Not in the locker room in front of your players. Not in your car. Not outside in a park. In your own home. At this rate of sanity decline, Singletary will not make it past this season which would be very unfortuneate because he is quite entertaining.

Let me just say that the Presidential election is over. Unless something crazy happens such as Obama being caught on tape with a crack pipe or running from reporters at a hotel where his mistress is hiding their love child then Obama will win the election. There will be some nervous moments until the polls in California close, but it's over. The result of this election really has as much to do with the state of affairs in the country than the candidates themselves. I am reminded of 1992 when Asterisk Sr. was running for re-election during an economic downturn and appeared totally out of touch and a dynamic, younger, image conscious Bill Clinton used the third party candidate and a wave of change talk to win the White House fairly easily.  Times are darker now.  The economy is in a deflation (which is worse than inflation by the way) and is on the verge of a deep depression (not a recession which we are already in, but a depression).  Our military is stretched thinner than Tom Brady's condoms fighting a war that it should have never fought while struggling to keep any gains from the war we should have fought.  At this point, Russia is in better shape than we are.  In 1992, a vote for Asterisk Sr. was a vote for more of the same failing policies that were in place under Reagan and his hand maiden.  Now, a vote for McCain is a vote for more of the last eight years of Captain Asterisk's mad cowboy vision of America that has led us down the rabbit hole into oblivion.  It is also a vote for lowest common denominator of arrogance and ignorance.  This is personified by the GOP Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin who is as appealing as Rosanne Barr singing the national anthem and just as ugly.  Palin represents everything that is wrong with the GOP.  She is trite, out of touch, out of ideas, blind, fraudulent, and boorish.  Though I am not a huge fan of Oprah Obama he does represent at least a different direction...a refreshing change.  He appears to be in touch with what is actually happening at the ground level.  He appears to have a vision.  He appears to have empathy for people.  He appears to be calm and thoughtful under fire.  He has a connection to people and strives for it.  His ideas and policies make more sense in this trying time.  He presents an energy towards going forward as opposed to going sideways.  He's brighter, more energetic, more intelligent, and more in touch with reality.  Sure, he is not that experienced.  I have to ask though.  Do we really need experience?  What has experience gotten us?  Don't we need someone who may have some level of objectivity?  As you can guess I am endorsing Oprah Obama.  This is without any reservations or hesitations.  His election will be a world changing event.  In a flat world, this would cause it to flip...just like Hammer's house.

Now your pro football picks:

Houston at Minnesota (-4.5)

Why am I picking this game?  Well, I have a soft spot for Minnesota.  The Vikings have not met expectations this year so far.  It is not too late for them, but when you have Gus as your quarterback I do not know how far you're going to go.  I honestly don't know anything about Houston.  Do they still have a team?  Does anyone watch their games?  Are they still the Oilers?

Take the Vikings.

Dippy:  My gerbil is smarter than any fox I know.  Matter of fact your cat is smarter than any fox I know.  Take Houston.

Mick:  Houston.

Pittsburgh at Washington (-1)

I really like what is happening in Washington.  I hope that it is sustainable.  Has Campbell thrown an interception yet?  They escaped being beaten by a no-loss team in Detroit.  Not sure exactly what your are going to get from this team.  Their games against Cleveland and Detroit were not real convincing.  However, they are 6-2.  A win is a win.  Pittsburgh presents a big test for this team.  It's a test that I don't think they will pass.  Take the Steelers.

Dippy:  Did you notice that as we are writing this stupid entry that your Bulldogs are being killed.  I mean prison raped by Florida right now.  Georgia is the most over-rated team that I ever seen.  They are more over-rated than Spam.  More over-rated than Madonna.  More over-rated than any movie that Richard Gere has been in since 1992.  Take Washington.

Mick:  Washington.

Dallas at NY Giants (-9.5)

The Cowboys are like the Raiders except with more talent.  More talent means that you should win more games.  More talent with a coach who is a marshmallow means unmet expectations.  TO will be doing sit-ups in his drive way by December 1st and this will be his last season in Dallas.  He'll be playing for Atlanta next year.  The point spread for this game is too high.  I think that Dallas will keep it close and eventually lose.  I know how good the Giants are, but they are also over-rated.

Dippy:  Fox, did you ever consider visiting me in jail?  You didn't.  You did not show up.  You were too busy.  You were too busy chasing women and money around.  Too busy making stupid bets on-line.  How much are you down by now?  The Giants are great.  Eli Manning is playing better than his brother.   Coach Tom's head hasn't melted off yet.  Take the Giants.

Mick:  Giants.

Detroit at Chicago (-12.5)

I am pulling for Detroit.  Not to win.  No.  Not at all.  I want them to complete the perfect season.  I want them to lose all 16 games.  I think they can do it.  Sadly, I think they'll actually win their last game of the year against a team that has nothing to play for and will be playing JV high school players.  Nonetheless, I want the impossible dream to happen.  I was broken hearted when Miami somehow beat Baltimore for a win.  I hope to not be so disappointed this time around.  The point spread for this game is also too high.  Detroit has been playing people tough.  I don't think the Bears will cover.  Take the Lions.

Mick:  The Lions.  Of course.

Dippy:  Only a loser would pull for another team to go 0-16.  Take the Bears.  

Atlanta at Oakland (+3)

Beat the teams that are not as good as you and play well against the teams that are better than you.  That is exactly how it has played out for Atlanta.  They have lost to three teams that are way better than they are.  The Falcons have beaten teams that are much worse than them.  The Raiders?  I think that they are in the category of teams that the Falcons should beat.  Take Atlanta.  Take that #47!!!

Dippy:  The Raiders are better than the Falcons.  No, just kidding.  The Florida Gators are.  At least we can say that the Gators are a ton better than the over-rated Bulldog team that have killed today.  I love it.  I love watching your team get slaughtered and burned.  The Falcons will make it perfect weekend for Georgia football by going to Oakland and watch DeAngelo Hall score a pick six off of Ryan.  Take the Raiders.  Is there a pool on the Crypt Keepers death?

Mick:  Raiders.   

Your Pro Football Picks With Mick The Cat

So far this NFL season at wagerline.com I am standing at 47% with my picks and I am 6,000 "units" in the hole. I pick both the spread and the over/under on each game of the week. I do absolutely no research. I go only by instinct. Except that my cat can do better. So to prove my point I will compete against my house cat on five games. The cat will pick by the first team name he touches when the match-up is held up. Now this cat is not declawed and probably is rabid so this might be difficult.

Oakland at Baltimore (-9)
By the luck of the draw I was able to watch the last of the Raiders-Jets match-up from last Sunday. This was one of the worst games I have ever seen. Both teams were worse than putrid. They were as fresh as garden salad left on the counter for three weeks with no air conditioning...in Nevada. Favre looked like he was hurt. The Raiders do not know concepts like a snap count and how many people belong on the field. The showed a shot of Raiders owner Al Davis in his box and he looked like the Crypt Keeper. Somehow the Raiders kicker (shouldn't he be in jail due to multiple DUIs?) ended this game and the Raiders actually won. I felt cheated that we did not get a shot after the game of the Crypt Keeper celebrating the win. They won't win this week. They never play well after a win at home and then traveling cross country. Terell Suggs will have another bounty...er...contest...er...friendly banter against the Raiders. Take the Ravens. Though Flacco is the worst name for a NFL quarterback ever.
Mick The Cat: Ravens.

Seattle at San Francisco (-5)
Why am I picking this game? No one under 12 should be allowed to watch this game. These two teams deserve to end in a tie. That is how bad they both are. I am interested to see how Mike Singletary does as a head coach. I loved him as a player and I suspect that players will be willing to play hard for him. Sadly, Nolan picked Alex Smith as his franchise quarterback and look how well he's doing now. He looks real good carrying a clipboard watching a guy that no one ever heard of start for his team. Seattle coach Craig Stadler is doing real well in his last season. Stick to your day job Stadler. Take the 49ers.
Mick The Cat: Seattle.

Washington at Detroit (+9)
i am having a real struggle with this game. The Redskins should not have lost at home to St. Louis. They gave that game away. The Lions are worse than the Rams and they are playing in Detroit. Last week the Redskins should have won by at least ten points or more against Cleveland. I just can't take Washington at Detroit with a point spread of nine. Detroit is not going to win, but this point spread is too high with a team that no one can really predict what they will do. Detroit, it is.
Mick The Cat: Washington. Meow.

Atlanta at Philadelphia (-9.5)
I know that everyone has jumped on my case for not believing in my beloved Falcons. If you have been a fan of the Falcons you would understand that nothing is ever as good as it appears and that at the end of every rainbow there is a pile of crap. Today I saw Matt Ryan's jersey being sold at the mall. Now it is the beginning of the end. Actually, no. I believe in Ryan. I think that he is the real deal. His mental game is excellent which will prove him well as his career progresses. The only thing stopping him are injuries and/or team management ineptitude by not surrounding him with good players. I refuse to have high expectations of the Falcons until the management shows that they know how to surround their franchise quarterback with good players. However, I am the most hopeful I have been about the future of an Atlanta quarterback since...ever...and that includes Vick/Mexico and Bartkowski. It will be a tough game for Ryan in Philly, but I think Atlanta will keep it close and I am not sold on the Eagles anyways. Atlanta.
Mick The Cat: Eagles.

Arizona at Carolina (-3)Why hasn't Kurt Warner gotten hurt yet? I have been waiting all year to see everyone's favorite beer bong sucking statutory rapist Matt Leinart play. Warner was one step away from retirement after Bouldin almost got his face snapped off against the Jets. I am waiting though. I wonder how ready Leinart is to come out if Warner breaks his pinkie or something. Is he on the sideline all hung over praying that Jenny from the whirl pool at the Holiday Inn will get her monthly friend to come in on time? Also, I am sick of hearing about Tony Romo's pinkie. That pinkie has had so much power over the Cowboys season and the air waves that I can't stand hearing about it anymore. The pinkie needs to talk about Tom Brady's knee which is getting also over-exposed. So, I need to pick one. Arizona does not travel to the East Coast well either. They will get rolled. Carolina is quite good and if the Cowboys don't get their act together Carolina has a chance at a high seed in the play-offs....if they can only compete with Tampa...ugh. Take Carolina.
Mick The Cat: Carolina. Of Course.