57th Edition - 11/30/06

• Hawkeyes: Yes, they have a basketball team ...

Not a very good one though. The Iowa Hawkeyes lost to Virginia Tech 65-69. That drops the Hawks to 2-4 this year. Adam Huluska is the big man on campus this year, and he put in 24 points last night. Unfortunately, there isn't a strong supporting staff and Coach Steve Alford has never proved himself with any talent level as Iowa. The one thing Iowa could count on with Dr. Tom Davis as a coach was a C+ team would play like a B team. But an A- team would also play like a B team.

• Ready for some football?

If you have the NFL network, the football weekend starts tonight, with the Ravens vs. Bengals. I don't, but my good friend "Bar" does. The Bengals are sitting at 6-5 and only 2-3 at home.

• Hall of Fame: MLB

Lee Smith and Andre Dawson are two former Cubs who are on the ballot for the Hall of Fame this year ... and have no chance of getting in.

There are two guarrentees this year. Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gywnn.

After that, things get interesting. Mark McGwire and Jose Cancesco are on the ballot as well for the first time. How both men are voted on will be an indication of how the baseball writers feel about the steriod age. Keep in mind, these are the same writers who didn't investigate the issue when it was happening in the late 90s. So they will either continue to ignore, or attempt to make up for their mistakes at the expense of others.

My thoughts, vote for numbers, or don't vote. Having hunches is not a good enough reason to keep someone out. Even if the hunch seems obvious.

• Stuff

Seeing the newest Danny DeVito flick isn't high on my list ... but seeing DeVito drunk on "The View" -- fantastic. Click here to watch

"Studio 60," for the first time ever, GAINED VIEWERS! They went from 7.31 million to 7.45. Victory.

If you enjoy "The Big Lebowski," then check out the Nintendo Wii remake of the bowling scene (with bad language). Click here to watch

David Caruso is a bad actor. Here is proof, with a montage of Caruso one-liners from "CSI: Miami." Click here to watch (and let me know if you make it through all 7 minutes).

I just started watching "The Wire" this week, starting with season 1 of course. Very strong. Will continue.

56th Edition - 11/29/06

• The Weekly Bull: Heading Home (5-9)

The Bulls used to be 3-3, then they began the seven game road trip (finishing 1-6). Luckily, New York was the last stop so they picked up a victory 106-95. And then New York came to Chicago, and the Bulls now have a two-game win streak.

Besides Ben Wallace having "no regrets" about wearing a headband during a game earlier in the week (a violation of team rules), he also said he had ligament damage and bone chips in his right hand. That is news to the team who said he had a sprained index finger and bruised wrist.

Wallace is consistent in using the word "we" instead of "me," but his actions proved otherwise. If you are willing to run the risk of getting benched by wearing a headband, you are selfish.

Some numbers:
Luo Deng had 12 points last night, after scoring 20 or more three games in a row.
The Bulls are shooting 38% from 3pt range.
Ben Gordon is shooting 29% from 3pt range.
Luo Deng is second on the team in rebounds at 6.0 a game.
Tim Thomas is averaging 8.5 minutes and 2.4 points a game.

The week ahead: Hornets (I predict win), Wizards (loss), Celtics (win).

• NFL

Right now, this is how the seeding for the NFL playoffs would look ...

NFC
1. Bears
2. Saints
3. Cowboys
4. Seattle
5. Panthers
6. Giants
(these are also the only teams with winning records in the NFC)

AFC
1. Colts
2. Ravens
3. Chargers
4. Patriots
5. Chiefs
6. Broncos
(three teams are one game behind the Broncos)

• Stuff

Know someone that loves "The Office" a little too much? Get them this snow globe. Other items are available as well.

And now something that should distract you the rest of the day ... Here are the Top 50 loose ends from "Lost" by the staff at IGN. This actually might be more annoying than entertaining.

55th Edition - 11/27/06

• NFL: It was gross

*Each Tuesday I will update the NFL playoff race since it is starting to make a little more sense.

*The Giants had a 21-0 lead in the 4th quarter against the 3-7 Titans. But Vince Young decided to use the skills that won him a National Championship last year and led the Titans to a 24-21 victory.

*The Steelers were in a must-win situation against the Ravens. And they lost 27-0, making the defending champs 4-7 and almost a lock for being out of the playoffs.

*The Bears lost 13-17 to the Patriots. It was filled with turnovers. The Patriots gave it up five times, the Bears four. Actually, I should say Grossman had four. Three interceptions and one fumble caused the Bears to lose. Once again coach Lovie Smith didn't consider benching Grossman for high-paid backup Brian Griese. Once again Smith has said going forward, Grossman is their quarterback. Brady's interceptions were caused by tips or receivers losing their grip. Grossman's interceptions were caused by bad throws.
It doesn't make sense for the Bears to throw it 34 times (completing 15). Both Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson ran the ball very well. Why not let them do it more? Grossman's main asset is throwing it up for Bernard Berrian, Griese could do that just as well. And perhaps run a more ball-controlled game. Perhaps. I don't know. But considering the easy path the Bears have to get to the Super Bowl this year, they should make sure to try everything to get the most out of their team.

The Best
QB
Matt Leinart: 405 yards, 1TD, 2INT - L
Drew Brees: 349, 2TD, 1INT - W
David Carr: 321, 1TD, 1INT - L
RB
Joseph Addai: 171 yards, 4TD - W
Michael Vick: 169 - L
Larry Johnson: 157, 1TD - W
WR
Larry Fitzgerald: 172 yards - L
Devery Henderson: 158, 1TD - W
Anquan Boldin: 140, 1TD - L

• Bulls: Head issues

Ben Wallace is upset because he isn't allowed to wear a headband during games, Skiles benched him twice during a game because he was wearing his headband. It's a team rule. It's also a team rule to tape your ankles and not listen to your music on a speaker in the locker room. Five years, $60 million. This better go away soon. This is not a matter of right or wrong. This is a pissing match between Wallace and Skiles. More on this Wednesday during "The Weekly Bull."

• The Picks (revisited)

j NCAA: 3-3 (21-15-1)
billy z NCAA: 3-3 (25-11-2)
j NFL: 3-3 (17-21-3)
mike d: 4-2 (17-22-2)

Mike had to go and mess up the symmetry of everyone breaking even this weekend. Way to go mike.

• Stuff

Finally - I am all caught up for tonight's episode of "Heroes." Here are my thoughts, it reminds me of the first season of "Lost" only better. Each week someone pretty amazing happens, you don't understand it, the show ends with a "to be continued ..." and then the next episode ACTUALLY EXPLAINS WHAT JUST HAPPENED!! Amazing.
Now, it also reminds me of the first season of "Lost" only worse. I was much more attached to the character in "Lost" than I am with "Heroes." Everyone is just a little annoying. Hiro is almost too childlike, you shouldn't want to put an adult in your pocket cause he's so cute. Peter Petrelli needs to cut his bangs out of his eyes. And Niki Sanders needs to do something interesting. At this point, anyone can die and I am fine with that. Especially FBI agent Audrey (Clea Duvall) -- no offense to her dad Robert Duvall though.

54th Edition - 11/22/06

The Big T-day Extravaganza

OK, my next update will be on Monday, November 27. So I'll make this a long one (in other words, bare with me).

We'll get to the picks (at the end), the movies, some fluff and a little self-promotion ... But since it is Wednesday that means we start with the ...

• Weekly Bull: There's truth in the title (3-8)

Things aren't going well. The good news is that the Bulls just completed their fifth game on the annual circus road trip (the circus comes to town every year and forces the Bulls to have a big road trip). Yes, five games are done, but they have failed to win any of them. 0-5. With two games left at Philly and at NY, hopefully they can manage to finish 2-5.
This trip is a set back for the Bulls who should be one of the elite teams in the East. Now they are going to have to work hard just to get to .500 by the All-Star break (about 30 games away).

Inside the numbers:
Leading scorer - Luol Deng, 17.3 ppg (43rd in league)
Ben Wallace - 10.3 rpg (11th in league)
- 4.8 offensive rpg (1st in league)
Kirk Hinrich - 6.0 apg (19th in league)

• NCAA Basketball: Still a little early

Doesn't feel right talking about college hoops, but with Marquette defeating Duke (73-62) last night maybe I should start paying attention.

Top-ranked Florida is sick (good) right now. I mean, who would have thought they would have beaten power house Prarie View A&M (94-33). After all, Prarie View A&M had already beaten South West Assembly of God (61-57). If you can beat God, shouldn't you be able to beat Florida?

• Cubs: We need a pitcher

The signing of Alfonso Soriano is great. We still need help in the pitching department. One suggestion, Tom Glavine. The Mets have declined to pick him up for next season. He was good, not great, last season. But the Cubs need good pitchers, and after all -- crafty veterans are always a plus.

By the way, the Juan Pierre era is over after lasting just one year. He is signing with the Dodgers.

Also, in an interview yesterday Cubs' GM Jim Hendry said Soriano will play the outfield, but which position is still up in the air. He will be leading off though.

• MLB: The Final Awards

Not that anyone really cares or remembers how they were earned, but here are the 2006 MLB awards.

NL MVP: Ryan Howard
AL MVP: Justin Morneau
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
NL Rookie: Hanley Ramirez
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL Manager: Joe Girardi
AL Manager: Jim Leyland
NL Comeback: Nomar Garciapara
AL Comeback: Jim Thome

• Stuff

Watching Michael Richards rant and rave on stage, showing he is capable of spewing racism is awful to watch -- click here
Watching Michael Richards attempt to apologize on the David Letterman Show is awkward to watch -- click here

• Living in a Fantasy

Fantasy Football: Right now I am one game out of the playoff race, even though I have more points than anyone else in the league. I keep telling myself I'm the best and the competition always tries to rise up against the best ... Then I realize I am wasting too much thought on fantasy football. With three games left before the playoffs I think I need to win two. It's going to be tough.

College Football Pick'em: With two weeks left, I have a three game lead, over mike d. I need this win. For the season so far I have picked 134 out of 244 (all the Top 25 games). 55 percent is pretty good in the world of gambling.

• Quick Movie Reviews

The Fountain
Hugh Jackman carries this film by Darren Aronofsky. I have never been blown away by a Jackman performance until now. "The Fountain" tells the story of one man's journey through a thousand years to try and save his love (played by Aronofsky's real-life girlfriend Rachel Weisz). There are definitely times when you won't fully understand what Aronofsky is trying to say in this film, but the feelings and visually you are left with will more than make up for it.
Grade: B
Blatant Self-Promotion
Click here to read my interview with Darren Aronofsky

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
Plot: Jack Black and Kyle Gass got their start on “Mr. Show with Bob and David” on HBO. Now they have a full-length film which tells the tale of JB and KG hungry for success, and trying to pay the rent. They set off on a quest for the pick of destiny, a legendary guitar pick that has helped many bands become rock legends. Black, Gass and director Liam Lynch (“Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic”) wrote the film, which also features new songs by the band.

Bottom Line: “Mr. Show” was on a decade ago, and this film feels about five years too late. Black and Gass still have good chemistry … but “Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny” hits us over the head that the chemistry is pot. And they probably have a point, the jokes would be funnier with a joint. That’s not a compliment. It starts off strong with Meat Loaf as Black’s father and that is just the beginning of cameos that include Amy Poehler, Ben Stiller, Ronnie James Dio, Tim Robbins and John C. Reilly (as sasquatch). The one truly laugh-out-loud moment came when Black and Gass discover their tattoos and name the band accordingly. The new songs don’t compare to “Tribute,” “F*ck her Gently,” and “Rock Your Socks.” Otherwise, it’s easy to watch and zips along pretty quick, but it’s not the greatest film of all time, as “The D” would have you believe. You would be much better off checking out Tenacious D in concert, buying their self-titled album, and waiting for this film on DVD … And have a burrito close by for when the munchies hit.
Grade: C+

• The Picks

Well, we learned some things last week --
1. I can still win a weekend with the NFL (I went 2-1)
2. billy z clearly learned how to make a post after the games are played (it's the only explanation for him going 3-0 last weekend)
3. mike d should stick to playing fantasy football

With the big t-day weekend upon us, we're going to add some more games to the mix...

Previous Standings:
j NCAA: (19-12-1)
billy z NCAA: (22-8-2)
j NFL: (14-18-3)
mike d NFL: (13-20-2)

j NCAA
Boston College -4 over Miami
Texas -13 over Texas A&M
LSU straight up over Arkansas
Tennesee -19 over Kentucky
Oklahoma -5.5 over Oklahoma St
USC -7 over Notre Dame

Last year, I went 3-0 on my Thanksgiving Day parlay. And since n=1, I will always go 3-0 on my Thanksgiving Day parlay. That's how gambling works, right?
j NFL
t-day games:
Dolphins -2.5 over Lions
Buccaneers +11 over Cowboys
Chiefs +1 over Broncos
Sunday games:
Steelers +3 over Ravens
Bengals -3 over Browns
Bears +3 over Patriots

That's it. That's enough to keep you full until next Monday. As always, look for billy z and mike d to add their picks in the comments section.

53rd Edition - 11/20/06

• NCAA Football - Good game, good game.

Ohio State 42, Michigan 39
It was the most watched regular season college football game since Florida State at Notre Dame in 1993.
The rest of the year is still a bit confusing, with strength of schedule changing a couple more times ... the only thing that seems to be a guarantee is Ohio State playing USC, if USC beats Notre Dame and UCLA. Though, as of right now, Michigan is still #2 in the BCS standings.
Current BCS Standings

The Iowa Hawkeyes started the season in the top 15. They finished 8th in the Big Ten after a 24-34 loss to Minnesota. Insanely, they still get to go to a bowl game. Perhaps Detriot's Motor City Bowl is a callin'. So sad.

• Chicago Cubs: Damn, they are REALLY trying

Cubs sign Alfonso Soriano to an 8-year, $136 million contract.
Here's the thing I have finally realized. Contracts in baseball don't matter. There is no limit for teams like the Cubs, Yankees, Red Soxs. They can just spend. So simply getting the player is all that matters, not whether or not you will have enough left over to get a pitcher (which the Cubs need).
Reportedly, Soriano will be playing center field (he has a good arm, but only one season of experience in the outfield). He'll also be leading off. Last year he had over 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Cubs will win more than the 66 games they did in 2006. I don't love him leading off, and he's not a proven winner, but I love his talent.

• NFL: Ouch

The Colts lost to the Cowboys. Brett Farve hurt a nerve in his arm. Donovan McNabb is out on a season-ending injury for the third time in five years. LaMont Jordan is probably out for the year. And my two fantasy running backs (Kevin Jones and DeShaun Foster) left their games with injuries.
Luckily, out of it all the Bears improved to 9-1, with a 10-0 defeat of the J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! This win proved the Bears could win with great defense, running the football, and not turning the ball over.

The Best
QB
Drew Brees: 510 yards, 2TD, 3INT - L
J.P. Losman: 340 yards, 3TD, 1INT - W
Carson Palmer: 275 yards, 3TD, 1INT - W
RB
Frank Gore: 212 yards - W
Larry Johnson: 154 yards, 2TD - W
Travis Henry: 143 yards, 1TD - W
WR
Lee Evans: 265 yards, 2TD - W
Chad Johnson: 190 yards, 3TD - W
Devery Henderson: 169 yards - L

• The Picks (revisited)

j NCAA: 0-3 (19-12-1)
billy z NCAA: 3-0 (22-8-2)
j NFL: 2-1 (14-18-3)
mike d NFL: 0-3 (13-20-2)