Slept in this week, so quick picks this time around.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (+8)
With no Leftwich, the Jags will still probably win, but not by 8.
New England Patriot (-6-1/2) at Buffalo Bills
The Pats haved owned the Bills the past 3 years+, they can pretty much close the division out this week with a win.
Denver Broncos (-5-1/2) at Cleveland Browns
Too much Denver denfense and just enough offense. Another 13-3 kind of game.
Arizona Cardinals (-3) at Oakland Raiders
This makes no sense whatsoever. Do the handicappers think that the Bears game will have some sort of hangover effect on the Cardinals? Leinart looked great and the defense played well. The Raiders will lose, and by much more than 3.
Green Bay Packers (+6) at Miami Dolphins
Two bad teams, take the bigger points.
Last Week: 0-5
Season: 11-15-4
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
A letter to Gamestop
As everyone who knows me can attest to I am not a fanboy. I don't pledge my allegiance to any video game company. I own a PS2 and an Xbox. I grew up playing Sega Genesis and Nintendo/Super Nintendo. With the PS3/Xbox 360/Wii on the horizon or already here and me having little money, I had to make a choice. Up until last night I wasn't sure what I was going to do regarding the new consoles. Then I was informed that pre-orders for the Wii were starting this morning, October 13th. My decision was made, I had to go get a pre-order.
I have never waited in line for anything that wasn't movies or food. But after settling on the third Gamestop in Framingham I prepared to wait in line to pre-order a console. Not even buy it, pre-order it. After narrowly getting one of the last three pre-orders I left the Gamestop feeling pretty good. The whole trip only took about an hour and a half so I didn't feel that geeky afterwards. This feeling was short-lived.
Thus this letter was born. What first was a rant turned into a letter of complaint. I decided to send it to Gamestop. Anyone who reads this and pre-ordered a Wii (or PS3, all 5 of you) I encourage you to voice your concern to Gamestop. I doubt anything will change but maybe we can get some answers.
Dear Gamestop Inc.
To me a pre-order is putting money down for something in advance so that you are guaranteed to get one when it comes out. Your company apparently thinks differently. From Gamestop receipt: "As Gamestop cannot control production and shipping issues by the manufacturer, the reservation deposit will only guarantee a spot in line when your reserved product becomes available. The reservation deposit does not guarantee receipt of a system available to purchase at launch." What this basically means is that I put down $50 to what? Guarantee a spot in line? To me this means: "You just woke up early, drove to our store, paid $50 a month before the system comes out so that someone who camps out 48 hours before launch gets it before you." Why did I get a pre-order again?
With most stores getting between 10-25 consoles not a lot of people are going to get them on November 19th. The people who waited in line to pre-order them should be the people who do. I am unsure as to whether or not this is standard procedure when pre-ordering consoles. And by standard procedure I mean screwing the customers who pre-ordered. It is absolutely inane to think that someone who doesn't have a pre-order can get the console before someone who does. Especially when they will be in such short supply initially. I shouldn't have to wait until the next shipment, that's why I paid $50.
Maybe I am overreacting. Maybe I will be able to walk into Gamestop on Sunday and get mine no problem. If so then I apologize. But something tells me that won't be the case. There were 10+ people waiting outside of all 3 Gamestops I went to this morning. I can only imagine what it's going to be like November 17th-19th. Call me crazy but the idea of sleeping outside of a store for 24 hours+ in the freezing cold to get something I pre-ordered a month ago seems a bit unfair. If it turns out that when I go to my local Gamestop on November 19th and leave empty handed, then not only will I never pre-order a console again from your stores, I will boycott Gamestop altogether and encourage all gamers I know to do the same.
Sincerely,
Jason Cook
I have never waited in line for anything that wasn't movies or food. But after settling on the third Gamestop in Framingham I prepared to wait in line to pre-order a console. Not even buy it, pre-order it. After narrowly getting one of the last three pre-orders I left the Gamestop feeling pretty good. The whole trip only took about an hour and a half so I didn't feel that geeky afterwards. This feeling was short-lived.
Thus this letter was born. What first was a rant turned into a letter of complaint. I decided to send it to Gamestop. Anyone who reads this and pre-ordered a Wii (or PS3, all 5 of you) I encourage you to voice your concern to Gamestop. I doubt anything will change but maybe we can get some answers.
Dear Gamestop Inc.
To me a pre-order is putting money down for something in advance so that you are guaranteed to get one when it comes out. Your company apparently thinks differently. From Gamestop receipt: "As Gamestop cannot control production and shipping issues by the manufacturer, the reservation deposit will only guarantee a spot in line when your reserved product becomes available. The reservation deposit does not guarantee receipt of a system available to purchase at launch." What this basically means is that I put down $50 to what? Guarantee a spot in line? To me this means: "You just woke up early, drove to our store, paid $50 a month before the system comes out so that someone who camps out 48 hours before launch gets it before you." Why did I get a pre-order again?
With most stores getting between 10-25 consoles not a lot of people are going to get them on November 19th. The people who waited in line to pre-order them should be the people who do. I am unsure as to whether or not this is standard procedure when pre-ordering consoles. And by standard procedure I mean screwing the customers who pre-ordered. It is absolutely inane to think that someone who doesn't have a pre-order can get the console before someone who does. Especially when they will be in such short supply initially. I shouldn't have to wait until the next shipment, that's why I paid $50.
Maybe I am overreacting. Maybe I will be able to walk into Gamestop on Sunday and get mine no problem. If so then I apologize. But something tells me that won't be the case. There were 10+ people waiting outside of all 3 Gamestops I went to this morning. I can only imagine what it's going to be like November 17th-19th. Call me crazy but the idea of sleeping outside of a store for 24 hours+ in the freezing cold to get something I pre-ordered a month ago seems a bit unfair. If it turns out that when I go to my local Gamestop on November 19th and leave empty handed, then not only will I never pre-order a console again from your stores, I will boycott Gamestop altogether and encourage all gamers I know to do the same.
Sincerely,
Jason Cook
The Picks: Week 6
Two wins, two pushes, and one lose. I can live with that. Of course the one time I pick the Colts, they choke. The worst part is they didn't even lose the game. Here we go, on to week 6.
Cincinnati Bengals (-5-1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is terrible against the run, giving up 163 yards per game. Look for Rudi Johnson to have a big game against the aging Bucs defense. Tampa Bay has also had lots of trouble scoring this year, only getting 12 points per game, good for 30th in the league.
Buffalo Bills (-1-1/2) at Detroit Lions
The Lions are amazingly bad and the Bills are better than their record. Detroit does not even try to run the ball, they're 30th in the NFL at 60 yards/game. The Bills D should have a big game against the absent minded Jon Kitna. Especially when they don't have to worry about the run at all.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (-3-1/2)
Without Shaun Alexander the Seahawks are going to have a tough day against a very good Rams defense. Meanwhile the Rams offense is kicking on all cylinders. They rank in the top 10 in both points and yards per game. Rams 27 Hawks 13.
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Atlanta is taking the "run the ball and stop the run" creed to heart. They are number 1 in rush offense (234.3) and number 2 in rush defense (70.5). I look for them to run all over the Giants defense at home.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-15)
At this point it should be illegal to pick against the Raiders, it's just too easy. If they score more than 1 point I will be utterly shocked. Plus the Denver D is really really good.
Last Week: 2-1-2
Season: 11-10-4
Cincinnati Bengals (-5-1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is terrible against the run, giving up 163 yards per game. Look for Rudi Johnson to have a big game against the aging Bucs defense. Tampa Bay has also had lots of trouble scoring this year, only getting 12 points per game, good for 30th in the league.
Buffalo Bills (-1-1/2) at Detroit Lions
The Lions are amazingly bad and the Bills are better than their record. Detroit does not even try to run the ball, they're 30th in the NFL at 60 yards/game. The Bills D should have a big game against the absent minded Jon Kitna. Especially when they don't have to worry about the run at all.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (-3-1/2)
Without Shaun Alexander the Seahawks are going to have a tough day against a very good Rams defense. Meanwhile the Rams offense is kicking on all cylinders. They rank in the top 10 in both points and yards per game. Rams 27 Hawks 13.
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Atlanta is taking the "run the ball and stop the run" creed to heart. They are number 1 in rush offense (234.3) and number 2 in rush defense (70.5). I look for them to run all over the Giants defense at home.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-15)
At this point it should be illegal to pick against the Raiders, it's just too easy. If they score more than 1 point I will be utterly shocked. Plus the Denver D is really really good.
Last Week: 2-1-2
Season: 11-10-4
Friday, October 06, 2006
The Picks: Week 5
I am going home this weekend and I’m too lazy to bring my laptop. I am running low on time so this week’s picks will be quick.
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-2-1/2)
McNabb and co. look great and I am unsure as to why the Cowboys are only getting two and a half.
St. Louis Rams (-3) at Green Bay Packers
How can the Rams, a 3-1 team, be even against the Packers, a 1-3 team? Rams will win by 7+.
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-19)
I think this is the easiest 19 point spread ever.
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers (-3-1/2)
After this week the Steelers can officially pack it in. LT will be too much and the defense will harass a seemingly injured Big Ben.
Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers (-8)
They may not be the Super Bowl team that everyone thought they’d be, but the return of Steve Smith is huge and this team should cruise against the Browns.
Last Week: 2-2-1
Season: 9-9-2
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-2-1/2)
McNabb and co. look great and I am unsure as to why the Cowboys are only getting two and a half.
St. Louis Rams (-3) at Green Bay Packers
How can the Rams, a 3-1 team, be even against the Packers, a 1-3 team? Rams will win by 7+.
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-19)
I think this is the easiest 19 point spread ever.
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers (-3-1/2)
After this week the Steelers can officially pack it in. LT will be too much and the defense will harass a seemingly injured Big Ben.
Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers (-8)
They may not be the Super Bowl team that everyone thought they’d be, but the return of Steve Smith is huge and this team should cruise against the Browns.
Last Week: 2-2-1
Season: 9-9-2
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
MLB 2006 Wrap-Up
I am going to do a real quick post-season prediction/regular season awards thing right now. I will get into more detail later (maybe), but I have classes and other dumb stuff so this'll have to wait. Since the playoffs start in about an hour I have to get these down or risk looking like a chump. So without further ado:
NL Cy Young- Brandon Webb, easy choice, top 5 in almost every major category. No other standouts.
NL MVP- Ryan Howard. Carried a terrible team to an almost playoff berth. Mammoth numbers across the board.
NL Rookie- Ryan Zimmerman. Not too tough a choice here, had a ton of clutch hits, 100 RBI's, played amazing defense and looks like a star-to-be. Honorable mention: Prince Fielder.
AL Cy Young- Johan Santana. They may have to re-name it the Johan Santana award if he keeps this up. Blew everyone else away, won the quadruple crown of pitching, only dominant starter in the playoffs.
AL MVP- Justin Morneau. Very tight here, I bought into this guy because he carried the majority of the load on an offense deficient team. Jeter shouldn't win it (leadoff type guys shouldn't win it unless there are insane circumstances), nor should Ortiz (team didn't make the playoffs).
AL Rookie- Justin Verlander. This was first Papelbons' to lose. Then Lirianos'. They both got hurt and Verlander just kept pitching. Along with other candidate Jared Weaver, there are some great looking young arms in the AL.
Padres over Cardinals in 5
Dodgers over Mets in 5
Yankees over Tigers in 4
Twins over A's in 3
Dodgers over Padres in 6
Twins over Yankees in 7
Twins over Dodgers in 6
NL Cy Young- Brandon Webb, easy choice, top 5 in almost every major category. No other standouts.
NL MVP- Ryan Howard. Carried a terrible team to an almost playoff berth. Mammoth numbers across the board.
NL Rookie- Ryan Zimmerman. Not too tough a choice here, had a ton of clutch hits, 100 RBI's, played amazing defense and looks like a star-to-be. Honorable mention: Prince Fielder.
AL Cy Young- Johan Santana. They may have to re-name it the Johan Santana award if he keeps this up. Blew everyone else away, won the quadruple crown of pitching, only dominant starter in the playoffs.
AL MVP- Justin Morneau. Very tight here, I bought into this guy because he carried the majority of the load on an offense deficient team. Jeter shouldn't win it (leadoff type guys shouldn't win it unless there are insane circumstances), nor should Ortiz (team didn't make the playoffs).
AL Rookie- Justin Verlander. This was first Papelbons' to lose. Then Lirianos'. They both got hurt and Verlander just kept pitching. Along with other candidate Jared Weaver, there are some great looking young arms in the AL.
Padres over Cardinals in 5
Dodgers over Mets in 5
Yankees over Tigers in 4
Twins over A's in 3
Dodgers over Padres in 6
Twins over Yankees in 7
Twins over Dodgers in 6
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