Archive for January 6th, 2010
Local Celebrity NFL Jeopardy #4
Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know — sorry). This time I’ve decided to poll the vast Manitoba celebrity community. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 National Football League post season games to cover. Shouldn’t be that hard to find 11 people, should it? We will see, I guess. Please note: On the off-chance these people don’t reply to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections (or responses) may not actually be from them. For the final wild card contest, here’s Barry Shenkarow — someone who knows a thing or two about Arizona and packing it in:
Green Bay (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. on FOX
Previous meeting: Green Bay 33, Arizona Bench 7
Packers road record: 5-3
Cardinals home record: 4-4
The spread: Packers +1
The money line: Packers +100
The over/under: 47.5 points
First off, your introduction was very unfair. I tried to make it work in Winnipeg — you know that, everyone knows that. The costs of doing business in the National Hockey League in a small-market city with an aging building were astronomical. And then some guy threw the popcorn on the ice and the Oilers win the series. The next thing you know, the organization is bleeding red ink and everyone is smashing their piggy banks in a symbolic gesture to save the team. Bottom line: Small market clubs don’t have a chance in this day and age. Green Bay? Give me a break. I don’t care how they make it work right now — eventually the economics will catch up with you. How’s that uncapped season going to treat ‘em? That’s why I’m going with the Phoenix Arizona Cardinals. They’re a team on the move!
Local Celebrity NFL Jeopardy #3
Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know — sorry). This time I’ve decided to ask the vast Manitoba celebrity community who they like in the National Football League playoffs. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 NFL post season games to cover. Shouldn’t be that hard to find 11 people, should it? We will see, I guess. Please note: On the off-chance these people don’t respond to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections may not actually be from them. For the best match-up of the weekend, let’s turn it over to former Winnipeg coaching legend Mike Kelly:
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) at Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Saturday, 7 p.m. on NBC
Previous meetings: Dallas 20, Philly 16; Dallas 24, Philly zero
Eagles road record: 5-3
Cowboys home record: 6-2
The spread: Eagles +4
The money line: Eagles +175
The over/under: 44.5 points
Who do I like? Oh man, now you’ve gone and done it. Where to start? OK…Andy Reid. Fans who support the team with blind faith. Walnut Street. Broad Street. The Broad St. Bullies. BROADS! Pat’s Steaks. Gino’s. Any and all cheesesteaks. Rittenhouse Square. Johnny Brenda’s. Good Dog. Iron Hill. Yards. Flying Fish. Hating the New York Giants. Liberty bells. That market that’s always crowded. The Rocky statue. Temple University — but not those uppity jerks over at Penn. Didn’t even look at my resume. The Schuylkill River. Rolling Rock. Reminiscing. Pretending I’m not from Connecticut. Ankle biting. Messaging. And Andy Reid. He deserves a second mention.
Local Celebrity NFL Jeopardy #2
Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know — sorry). This time I’ve decided to ask the vast Manitoba celebrity community who they like in the National Football League playoffs. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 NFL post season games to cover. Shouldn’t be that hard to find 11 people, should it? We will see, I guess. Please note: On the off chance these people don’t respond to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections may not actually be from them. We now turn it over to speed skating super hero Cindy Klassen for her pick:
Baltimore Ravens (9-7) at New England Patriots (10-6)
Sunday, noon on CBS
Previous meeting: New England 27, Baltimore 21
Ravens road record: 3-5
Patriots home record: 8-0
The spread: Ravens +3
The money line: Ravens +160
The over/under: 43.5 points
Both teams are really great teams and they both deserve to be here. I know they’re both going to try really hard and not let any negative thoughts enter their minds. Both teams have solid coaching and both teams will try very hard to build on past successes. You have to just go out there and give 110 percent. If you do that, then everything will work out. I’m just really happy to be here among such great athletes and in such a great atmosphere. Thanks again. This is really exciting. Thank you.
Local Celebrity NFL Jeopardy #1
Usually I just pick teams out of a hat (you didn’t know — sorry). This time I’ve decided to ask the vast Manitoba celebrity community who they like in the National Football League playoffs. OK. It’s not that vast. But lucky for us there are only 11 NFL post season games to cover. Shouldn’t be that hard to find 11 people, should it? We will see, I guess. Please note: On the off chance these people don’t respond to the pick requests that I probably won’t get around to sending them in the first place, these selections may not actually be from them. First up, Winnipeg Mayor, his worshipfulness, Smilin’ Sammy Katz:
New York Jets (9-7) at Cincinnati (10-6)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. on NBC
Previous meeting: New York Starters 37, Cincinnati Indifference 0
Jets road record: 5-3
Bengals home record: 6-2
The spread: Jets +2.5
The money line: Jets +115
The over/under: 34.5 points
Helicopter! Helicopter! Helicopter! Oh, sorry. I thought this was something else. CARMEN! GET IN HERE! I see. Well, I have to be honest with you here, I’m not much of an NFL fan. Having said that, I have looked at it and I do like any team named the Jets moving forward. I think Winnipeg sports fans would really welcome a return of the Jets. But like the Bengals in the AFC, I’m from the North (End). I grew up on Cathedral and it was tough, so I’ll take Cincinnati — they seem tough, too. But only if I can sell their nickname. I’m thinking the Cincinnati Fountain Tires. I like that Ochocinco character, too. He seems pretty colourful. Not as vibrant as my jackets, of course, but just as concerning. Helicopter!
Hump Day
Adventures in Babysitting was on the other night. Or maybe it was the other week. Not this week, but another week. I’m sorry to report that the movie is 23 years old. I looked it up. Released in 1987. I was introduced to the skateboard that summer. The year of the Variflex. Green. There was an old woman who lived in a Shue.
