Well, as the countdown to Spring Training chugs rather merrily along (tickets and flights already purchased!), we find ourselves looking for more and more distractions to keep us from running our new acquisitions’ minor league numbers for the umpteenth time, or discussing the pros and cons of Barry Bonds in green and gold or Roger Clemens’ last-ditch effort to not end up Mark McGwire. This off-season is especially hard, since we don’t even have the comfort of our beloved television shows, save for American Idol and Lost--which, incidentally, I am immersed in Season 3 of the latter in my effort to catch up by Season 4, at which time I will review each and every DLD from last season to see what I missed from the great minds here at AN.
That rambling paragraph was brought to you by the letters, "S & T", obviously standing for spoiler tags.
Now where was I: oh yes, distractions! Did anyone happen to see the Warriors’ game the other night? That has something to do with A’s baseball, right? Shared parking lot? Anyway, while not really a basketball fan, save for some Lakers-mania a few years ago, I have to admit there is nothing much more entertaining in the Bay Area right now than this team. Good opponent, bad opponent; the Warriors will make a game of it; drawing it out to the last tick of the clock or beyond, as in Monday night’s thrilling overtime win. They play the red-hot Trailblazers tonight in Portland at 7, if you are lucky enough to have it televised.
But on the docket for the weekend is the big guns of football; four powerhouse teams--all slated to win--in their first round of playoff glory. Anyway, while not really a football fan, I miss cheering for something! And after my trip to Lambeau Field this year (photos available on request), when Favre tied the touchdown record, I must admit I’ve may have uttered "Go Pack Go" once or twice since. For practical reasons, of course; my whole wardrobe is already green and gold!
Using the real time zone:
Saturday
1:30 pm: Seattle at Green Bay
5:00 pm: Jacksonville at New England
Sunday
10:00 am: San Diego at Indianapolis
1:30 pm: NY Giants at Dallas
And if you don’t like basketball, football, the Hall of Fame selection committee, American Idol, Lost, baseballgirl’s ramblings, OR Wednesdays, I guess you can discuss puppies in the comments below.
0 recs | 33 comments
first comment
Down with the Pats!!!!kvn - January 9, 2008
I
know its blasphemy to mention these two sports in America, but what about soccer and/or hockey! The only two good distractions I've found... if the Sharks are playing or whatever is on Fox Soccer Channel.
Shut it Down - January 9, 2008
Uh...San Diego?
How come they're not on that "please lose" list? I detest Phillip Big Baby Rivers and Shawneeee Merriman's being drilled by Maurice Jones Drew is still one of my favorite highlights .
Go Indy. After that...meh.
princemilo - January 9, 2008
Probably because they have no chance of winning.
The only question is whether or not they'll get within three touchdowns. Sure, they beat the Colts earlier this year, you say, but that was because of the weather and Vinatieri choking. Not a chance it will happen in the RCA dome.
Now back to my puppy chimichanga...
jeepers - January 9, 2008
Because the point of it
was to choose among the powerhouse big favorites this weekend.
I see NE is winning...People took it as who they wanted to lose..I read it as who do you think has the most chance to lose.
OaktownPower - January 9, 2008
Same here
Which is why I chose the Pack even though I'm rooting for them.
Helloooo 1st - January 9, 2008
Yea....I like them cuz in Lambeau...
I took Dallas based on TO not being 100% and the Giants combo of pass rush and confidence.
OaktownPower - January 9, 2008
Puppies? Say no more.
This handsome young foster pup (9-mos) is available for immediate roster addition.
Answers to "PTBNL"
The Dogfather - January 9, 2008
what about kitties? can we talk about those, too?
Oh, he is a handsome boy. Almost as handsome as my new boy (who is most definitely not a puppy):
Volunteering at the animal shelter may be more dangerous than I anticipated . . .
Celynnen - January 9, 2008
Up next: Cats night at the Coliseum
/I can has all-u-can-eet tikkit?
//should be tried in Anaheim.
The Dogfather - January 9, 2008
I voted for New England.
I actually really admire the organization, and their players (excepting their selectively efforting wide receiver), but the total Boston sports fan meltdown would be epic.
jeepers - January 9, 2008
absolutely
i love simmons, but i'd rather have his next article compare the patriots to other famous meltdowns, rather than GOAT teams.
flipgatey3 - January 9, 2008
Yeah, I really enjoy Simmons also
but it would be really juicy reading him if NE lost. It would be even better if they lost on a "tuck rule" scenario, some weird call that changes the rule later.
china bob - January 9, 2008
I'm beyond tired of the "tuck rule"
A) There's not really a such thing as a "tuck rule" in the NFL rule book. Rather, Rule 3 ("Definitions"), Section 21 ("Pass and Passer"), Article 2, Note 2 states the following: "When a Team A player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his hand starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if a player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble."
It just sort of took on the name "tuck rule" by a bunch of people who decided to complain about it without understanding what it was or why it was there (to eliminate referee subjectivity - a good thing).
B) They didn't change the rule. Changes to the rule were discussed that off season, but nothing was changed.
C) I don't really understand why anybody who has no other rooting interest would want New England to lose this season. Isn't one of the reasons we're sports fans so we can witness history? Don't people want to see something nobody has seen before? Isn't that why people sorta wanted to see Bonds break the record even if they hate the man?
Of course, I do have rooting interest. I've been a Patriots fan since the early 90s so, naturally, I voted for Indy in this poll.
thejd44 - January 9, 2008
Tuck Rules
What an awesome ending to a great game - serves you right Al. Go Pats!
DCinWC - January 9, 2008
Why would one want New England to lose?
Four words:
arrogant Boston sports fans.
jeepers - January 9, 2008
Lambeau rules...
What a remarkable place.
OaktownPower - January 9, 2008
Football
I started watching this year and have to admit it's very entertaining. Gives me something to do when I really don't want to do anything else on a lazy Sunday...
I picked Dallas to lose because I really think the Giants will give them a run for their money. I honestly don't think the Patriots will lose (Who does...) and I don't mind them... I really hope the Chargers lose and I'd be okay with a Seahawk upset.
I haven't been paying much attention to baseball this offseason because I was so sick of hearing about the Mitchell report...I absolutely could not bring myself to care enough about it to get riled up.
Squeaky - January 9, 2008
I picked the Pack
Both because I too interpreted as who I thought would be most likely to lose, and I'm also a Seattlite big Hawks fan and I'm tired of the media bias against them. Take to 'em Hawks!
SwisherSweet - January 9, 2008
I sleep well in the wintertime
The NFL and the NBA should be subject to FDA approval as soporifics.
monkeyball - January 9, 2008
Wow...Surprised by that
I see the NFL as the peak of sports excitement..so much action and great drama.
OaktownPower - January 9, 2008
I want Dallas
to lose bigtime. It was long ago now but I still have lingering hatred . I hated those Damn triplets! In fact...all things Texas turn me off because of the Dallas Cowboys.
IM4Oakgal - January 9, 2008
Joe Blanton
Was apparently discussed briefly with the Mariners. Guessed Adam Jones was too much to ask for? Wow.
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/0...
ET90210 - January 9, 2008
I voted for Dallas
I am tired of seeing Jessica Simpson jumping up in down in her pink tony Romo jersey
OaklandADude - January 9, 2008
A's sign Duke
Is is just me or I'm I the first person to post this.
The A's signed Duke for one more year according to ESPN.com
Swisher had a 5 year deal so this doesn't actually mean he'll still be with the team come April.
Mr C - January 9, 2008
Tarheels baby!
My periodic obligatory Carolina hoops post. College basketball is timed perfectly, building excitement to a crescendo just before baseball season starts.
And how about that awesome local team? Anyone checked the RPI lately? It's a Gael warning!
FreeSeatUpgrade - January 9, 2008
Pavlovian, dude
The A's sign "Duke," you fly the baby blue.
monkeyball - January 10, 2008
Any chance he'd be willing to change his name
to Justin Heelschererererer? I'm sure Jennifer'd be willing to get her tattoo corrected.
FreeSeatUpgrade - January 10, 2008
FYI - Big Blue/Dallas
is the early game Sunday - 1 pm EST. To be commentated by none other than the wholly impartial Troy Aikman . . .
AndreafromNJ - January 10, 2008
It's at 430 ET. 130 PDT. Aikman is commentating.
Just an FYI.
A'sfansince1970 - January 10, 2008
Oh and Signing the Duke to one year is brilliant
especially for the low price and when he wins 15 games from the back of the rotation with a 3.2 ERA. Nice work.
A'sfansince1970 - January 10, 2008
I guess I'm the rare Cowboy fan here
I voted for New England, obviously. It's weird that my two favorite sports teams (A's/Cowboys) operate so completely differently.
While I am a fan, I don't think I could be sicker of the Jessica Simpson thing. Not so much that they're dating, but that ESPN turns into TMZ whenever they mention Romo.
JLaff - January 10, 2008
You are not alone
I am a Cowboy fan as well, back when I was a kid and Roger the Dodger and Too Tall were Boys. I hate Jerry Jones, but like Romo a lot.
A'sfansince1970 - January 10, 2008
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