17th Edition - 9/28/07

• The Bandwagon (REVEALED)

After some good thinking, real good thinking, I have decided to jump onto two bandwagon's, but with different weight.
My first (and lesser) bandwagon is the
New York Mets because:
*I had two requests to be a Mets fan
*I am still a sucker for Pedro as a mild Red Sox fan for the past ten years
*David Wright and Carlos Beltran normally set-up in big moments
*It's always better if the Mets win more than the Yankees
*They have a crafty verteran: Jose Valentin - age 37
*They have an ex-Cub: Steve Trachsel
*Plus I hate when a team is TOO GOOD and then somehow forgets how to win. Which might happen to the Mets, so I hope my cheering for them will turn that around.

But my real team, my new favortie all of time (for a couple of weeks):
Minnesota Twins because:
*Small market teams should have a chance
*Joe Mauer could have been a Cub (instead of Mark Prior)
*I went to my first Twins game this year, and they beat the Cubs
*Justin Morneau was on one of my fantasy baseball teams (I had two)
*Rondell White and Phil Nevin were Cubs and everybody knows the more ex-Cubs you have on your team the more likely you are to win
*Johan Santana is so fun to watch right now. He's been in a groove for four months.

So - IF one of the teams is eliminated, all my attention goes to the other.
AND - IF both make it to the World Series, I cheer for the Twins and spit on the Mets (but secretly just wish for seven games of good baseball).

• TO (Terrell Owens)

He reportedly attempted suicide. Then he reportedly didn't attempt suicide. Owens says he was groggy and incoherent when police arrived at his house because of an allergic reaction to painkillers and vitamin supplements. Police arrived because Owens' publicist Kim Etheredge (not many players have publicists) called. Though she doesn't know why the police report said he told authorities he was depressed. Owens doesn't remember anything.

Clearly, either portions of the police report or Owen's statement are misleading. Sure, more will come out on the subject, but we'll never know.

The worst statement came from Etheredge who said, "Terrell has 25 million reasons why he should be alive." That was a reference to the 3-year contract he signed with the Cowboys.

What I find most worrisome is the amount of sports commentators who are saying things like, "When I saw the report, I didn't believe it for a second."

WE don't know Terrell Owens. WE only think we do. I have no clue what actually happened. But, depression can easily be disguised. It is POSSIBLE that Owens, or any professional athlete can be depressed. But the outcome of it is uncomfortable for the public. Fans want to admire, and depression is WAY too confusing to wrap your head around. Especially compared to how this might affect your fantasy football team.

On a side note ... There will be tons of continuing coverage, things will be leaked, 911 tapes will be made available ... and this is all because we WANT to know. This is not information that will help the human race, send a guilty person to jail or protect society ... it's entertainment.

• Baseball (And down the stretch they come)

The Cardinals finally won a game ... and the Astros were losing 6-1. But somehow, someway they came back and beat the Pirates in 15 innings, 7-6. Here's hoping a one-game playoff decides it. Currently the Cards maintain their 1.5 game lead.

• NFL

Quick News
* Odell Thurman of the Bengals is done for the season. Six Bengals have faced charges since December (twice as many wins, but infinite compared to the losses: 3-0). The team finally said enough is enough after Thurman's DUI.
* Shaun Alexander will not play. He had said he was feeling better, but a second x-ray revealed the same bone chip in his foot. This means I still look very smart getting an early bet on the Bears -2.5 this Sunday night vs. the Seahawks.

• Coming Soon (Tomorrow)

As always, the mildly confident picks are coming. Plus a quick review of "School for Scoundrels."