Being a sports fan is hard these days.  Sports is supposed to be an escape from reality but unfortunately has become reflective of it. 

(1) Plaxico Burress was booked yesterday on gun possession charges.  (2) Starbury has been banned from the Knicks.  (3) Former New York Ranger Sean Avery was indefinitely suspended for inappropriate comments about an ex-girlfriend.  (4) Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weiss is holding on for dear life in South Bend.

(1) Everyone knows that Plaxico was stupid/unwise/whatever adjective you want to use.  The Giants were right to suspend him.  Mayor Bloomberg has threatened to throw the book at him.  He's big on anti-gun violence and is going into an election year for a controversial third term.  I generally have a favorable opinion of Mayor Bloomberg but he should have put the term limits issue to a vote of the citizens, NOT the City Council.  A Burress trial is the perfect non-partisan distraction to the election, economy, and everything else going on. 

(2) The Knicks, their fans, and Starbury are all losers in the Starbury saga. 

(3) Avery's inappropriate comments really hurt the NHL when it needs a lift.  Avery asked if a camera was present and unloaded on an ex-girlfriend.  The NHL should unload on him for a while.  Yeah, see you next season Sean.  He'll probably only get a few games but deserves more.  It's not the first for him.  Martin Brodeur didn't shake his hand after last season's playoffs and I can't blame him.  It's not only waving his stick in front of Brodeur but the trash he unloaded about Brodeur's personal life.  Not cool and I don't like the D*vils.

(4) Notre Dame fans need to take a timeout.  Yes, Charlie Weis hasn't lived up to expectations.  But who do you bring in to replace him?  The Pope?  He's busy and would probably pass on the job if offered to him.  JH, his brother Brendan, and I threw other names around earlier today via e-mail.  I don't think Jim Tressel would ever leave Columbus as he is a native Buckeye.  Urban Meyer is having fun in the sun at Florida.  Nick Saban has rebuilt Alabama quicker than I hoped almost two years ago, January 3, 2007.  Saban has said that the Alabama job is the last job he will take before retiring.  Most importantly, I don't see any of them going to South Bend because they have a better chance of being successful in their current jobs than taking the Notre Dame job.  Why tarnish your reputation? 

Why take the Notre Dame job?  OK, yes, you will make millions.  (The buyout on Weis' mega millions contract maybe the only thing that buys him more time in South Bend.)  But, you have to deal with alumni and fans who think Knute Rockne is still the coach.  The administration watches your every move.  Notre Dame's high academic standards make it hard for them to recruit the student-athlete to come to South Bend.  Let's face it, other top schools have easier academic standards than Notre Dame.  Notre Dame has become a victim of its own success.  The Irish are haunted by a 21st century "Four Horsemen" of alumni, fans, administration, and academic standards.  It results in a plague and pestilence over South Bend.

If Weis doesn't survive, I think current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden will take the Notre Dame job if he wants it.  His main defensive assistant, Monte Kiffin, may go help his son Lane who was announced as Phil Fulmer's replacement at the University of Tennessee.  Gruden literally grew up in the job as a ball boy.  He knows all the glory and pitfalls of the job.  He has a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs.  Returning the Irish to national prominence would cap a coaching career.           

I stepped back to listen to the Knicks game tonight on ESPN 1050.  The Knicks lost but played the Trailblazers tough.  I can live with that.  Sports at last, NOT courtroom, egos, or other drama plaguing the sports world. 

I also listened to the Canadiens-Thrashers game on NHL GameCenter which rocks.  My high school French was a little rusty but it was good to listen the game.  I also texted Steve who was at the game as an after hours conference activity with Richard from the Mount Everest Base Camp trip.  Steve described the game as a "religious experience".  That's what sports should be.  Allez Les Habitants allez!  Go Habs go (Canadiens nickname)!  I'm looking forward to Steve's write-up tomorrow.

Posted by The Tank on the Sports Roller Coaster in NY.          

I was writing a LeBron James article while on the bus back to the City.  But, SATT is on the cutting edge of the sports world.  For instance, Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack reported (via Blackberry Pin) that Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress reportedly accidentally shot himself in Midtown Manhattan.

To quote Jack, it was a "flesh wound through the soft tissue of the thigh."

Will Burress play again?  According to ESPN, Burress will NOT play in the Giants big showdown at the Redskins.  If the Giants win, they pretty much seal the NFC East as well as #1 seeding and home field advantage through the playoffs. 

How idiotic can Burress be?  Was his weapon registered?  Why doesn't he have private security detail who are probably better trained in weapons and self-defense?

Burress may have cost his or somebody else's life.  Of much less importance, he may have cost the Giants a chance to defend their championship.

Posted by a bewildered Tank in NY.

Last Week's Review: I was 2-1 on the week and 11-6 on the season.  I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong with the Jets upset victory at the previously undefeated Titans.

This Week's Fearless Picks:

The 49ers lose at the Bills.

The Giants win a tough game at Redskins.

The Broncos lose at the Jets.  If the Jets want the #2 seed in the AFC, they can't afford a let down.  Running the table will help secure it as the Steelers have a much tougher schedule down the stretch.

Posted by The Tank.

Today the resurgent Jets lead by Brett Favre defeated the undefeated (10-0) Titans 34-13. The Jets had command of the game, controlling possession and holding the Titans to only 13 points. Favre looked in command, driving down the field in the final minutes for an insurance TD late in the game. That insurance TD not only put the game out of reach for the Titans, it was also Favre’s 20th TD pass of the season, his 14th consecutive season of doing so, an NFL record.

After defeating the Patriots at home last week n a grudge match, the Jets came up big today on the road against the top team in the NFL and increased their playoff chances. A Jet v Giants Superbowl?

Posted by Steve in New York

Last Week's Review: I was 2-1.  The Bills were wide right AGAIN on Monday night with 38 seconds left against the Browns or I would have been perfect.  Darn it!  I am 9-5 on the season.

This Week's Fearless Picks:

The Jets lose at the undefeated Titans.  The Jets will put up a good fight.

The Bills win at the Chiefs.

The Giants win at the Cardinals.  Their Arizona magic continues after this past February's Super Bowl victory.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

The "Heidi" Bowl was 40 years ago today.  The Jets were leading the Raiders 32-29 with 65 seconds left.  NBC decided to cut to the classic movie "Heidi" because of contractual obligations.  During those infamous 65 seconds, the Raiders rallied to beat the Jets 43-32.  Fans were furious at NBC for changing the game to the movie and Jets fans were even madder at the Jets for losing the game.

Wednesday will be 30 years since the "Fumble" for Giants fans and "Miracle at the Meadowlands" for Eagles fans.   The Giants were leading the Eagles.  Jeff Pisarcik fumbled the ball transferring it to Larry Csonka.  Eagles defensive back Herm Edwards scooped up the ball and ran into the end zone for the winning touchdown.  Yes, that Herm Edwards who went onto coach the Jets and currently coaches the Chiefs.  "You play to win the game!" is one of Herm's many great motivational phrases.


Bottom Line:

(1) To avoid another "Heidi" Bowl, network executives think twice before ever cutting away from a game.

(2) To avoid another "Fumble" or "Miracle at the Meadowlands", football teams on all levels who are winning take a knee at the end of the game to avoid a loss.

Posted by a reflective Tank in NY.

Since I don't have the NFL Network, I was psyched that Channel 11 bought the rights to last night's Jets-Patriots game.  WPIX rides to the rescue one more time with great sports programming.  The NFL promotes its Network as must see TV but it's hard to get in cable plans because it's on the Dish Network.  You have to have a Dish and most buildings in the City don't allow Dishes.  Or you have to buy the NFL Ticket TV plan.  Don't expect any help from the cable companies.  That's the Catch 22.  It's time for the SATT Army to take action by contacting your local elected officials.  Many thanks in advance for contacting your representatives and bringing justice to long suffering football fans.

Anyhoo, what a game!  The Jets took a 24-6 lead in the first half and were about to run the Patriots out of their own stadium.  But, the Jets let the Patriots back in the game with a late first half touchdown.  The Patriots chipped away in the second half and tied the game late in regulation at 31.

The Jets won the coin toss in overtime and drove down the field.  Brett Favre played a flawless game and led the Jets to the winning field goal.  I predicted a Jets victory and was really happy about that.  More importantly, the Patriots lost.  The Jets are in first place and the Patriots aren't.  Life is good, touch wood. 

Posted by a psyched Tank in NY.

Veterans Day Remembered:  It is always important to thank all those who have served our country, especially in combat.  For those who have passed in the line of duty, may their memories be eternal.


Last Week Review: 3-0, touch wood, and 7-4 on the season.


This Week's Fearless Picks: Since the Jets are playing on Thursday night at the Patriots, I have to make my predictions earlier this week so you can make money.  Good luck! 

The Jets win at the Patriots.  This is a national NFL Network game with first place on the division on the line.  No Tom Brady for the Patriots and the Jets have Brett Favre.  Yes, the game is in New England but I think the Jets defense will force Cassel to make mistakes.  Given Thomas Jones' success, watch the Jets to try to mix it up with Brett taking chances with some long passes as part of the Mangini-Belichick chess match.  The winner is in the driver's seat to make the playoffs. 

The Ravens lose at the Giants. 

The Browns lose at the Bills on Monday night.

Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.

Last Week Review: I was 1-1 last week.  I am 4-4 on the season.

This Week's Fearless Picks:

The Bills lose at the Patriots.

The Rams lose at the Jets.

The Giants win at the Eagles.

Written by The Tank and posted by Steve in NY.

The Washington Redskins lost at home last night to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football, 23-6.  It was an important game as they are both playoff caliber teams. 

The game was even more important as it is a predictor of who wins the presidential election.  If the Redskins won their last home game before the election, the party in power won.  The opposite was true. 
Therefore, a Steelers win last night pre-sages an Obama victory. 

For data since 1940, please check out the following summary.

During halftime, ESPN anchor Chris Berman interviewed both candidates.  Berman was fair and should be a moderator for a future presidential debate.  You know SATT will carry the day.  Let's hope Steve uses Kathleen's parents' address in New Jersey so we can be constitutionally eligible as both the President and Vice President can't be from the same state.  The most recent example is Vice President Cheney who had to change his residence back to Wyoming when he was living in Texas as the former CEO of Halliburton in 2000.  But, running in 2008 was lots of fun and appreciate the support, especially from Vermont Bill.  

Get out and vote!

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Last Week's Review: 1-2 and 3-3 on the season.  Darn Dolphins (beating the Bills)!


This Weeks' Fearless Picks:

Jets lose a close game at the Bills.

Cowboys lose a must win game at the Giants.  Let's see which Giants team shows up.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Last Week Review: I was 2-1 last week and 2-1 on the season..  The Raiders played better than I thought and the Jets disappointed.


This Week's Fearless Picks:

The Giants lose at the Steelers.  Though Santonio Holmes' season (and career) might be up in smoke, the Steelers are 5-1 and have home field advantage.  Let's see who gets the better of the rivalry between 2004 Draft class quarterbacks Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

The Jets beat the Chiefs.

The Bills beat the Dolphins.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Last year's were solid, touch wood.  I almost went wire-to-wire with the Patriots as I did with the Colts in 2006.  But, I am grateful the Patriots lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl.  I haven't wanted to be so wrong in my life.

After being embarrassed by SATT friend Braylon Edwards and the Browns, the Giants bounce back in a big way and beat the 49ers.

The Jets take care of business in Oakland.  It may not be pretty but a "win is a win is a win".

Bills win a close game versus San Diego.  This is a really tough game to pick as the spread is "pick 'em".

Posted by The Tank in NY.

The Giants went into last night's game in Cleveland on top of the world as the undefeated World Champions at 4-0.  Cleveland was coming off a bye week at 1-3.  Their excellent coach, Romeo Crennel, job was on the line. 

Translation: The Browns were due for a win and the Giants were due for a loss, especially since it was the first Monday night game in Cleveland since 1995.

The Browns won 35-14.  A key play was made by a friend of the blog, Braylon Edwards, who I met at last year's NFL Draft.  Braylon caught an 11 yard touchdown pass to put the Browns up 27-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.  Braylon and I are pictured below.

Yes, Tennessee is undefeated at 5-0.  But, New England has lost Tom Brady for the season and San Diego and Indianapolis are not as good as I and others thought.  At 2-3, the Browns' season is not lost and have a chance to make the playoffs.  The Giants better hope that Browns stay hot and do a favor of beating the Redskins on Sunday.  In sports, anything can happen. 

Posted by The Tank in NY.

It hasn't been easy but I am getting back into football.  I watched parts of some good college games yesterday including #5 Texas beat #1 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, North Carolina beating Notre Dame in a barn burner, and then Florida beat up on defending national champion LSU in the night cap.

I watched the Jets beat the winless Bengals today which was a solid win.  But what really got me going was Matt Schaub running into the end zone to beat the Dolphins with about 3 seconds in regulation.  A quarterback draw to win the game.  Yeah, that's football!  Though I kind of felt bad for a dejected Chad Pennington on the sideline but not too bad because the Dolphins are an arch-rival and my brother-in-law's team. 

I needed that to get out of my two week plus baseball funk. 

Posted by an energized Tank in NY.

Wow it's been an exciting few days in sports. PermaGuest Outlaw Jack here. I apologize for not updating the site but work has gotten more hectic than normal and I haven't yet received any updates from the FIGJAM expedition.

 

On to some sports highlights. . .

 

While watching the early NFL games on Sunday, they break in with news and replays showing the Patriots Tom Brady going down with what would become a season ending injury.  I think Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard, who put the hit on Giselle's Boy Toy (another reason to hate Brady) in the first quarter, summed it up the best by saying "He was in a lot of pain. When you hear a scream, you know that,"

 

 

The Jets' new super star QB Brett Farve had a good game. The final score of 20-14 wasn't really indicative of the entire game. Yes recently cut Jet QB Chad Pennington final 3 minute drive into the Red Zone made it a bit of a nail biter, but the Jets pretty much controlled the field from start to finish. Mr. Green’s first TD Pass as a Jet was a 56 yard wobbler to Jerricho Cotchery who reeled it in at the 10 and crossed the line two seconds later. After our kicker Mike Nugent hurt himself on the ensuing kickoff, Coach Mangini had them go for it on 4th and 13 from the 20. Farve under blitz conditions was classic Farve throwing a Hail Mary that seemed like it would only come down when it knew it would hit a jet and it did! Chansi Stuckey anyone? Who is this kid?!  Again due to Nugent's condition Coach had them go for 2, but it was incomplete. Things got interesting then when Jets Punter, Ben Graham had an ugly kick off and they had back up QB Kellen Clemens kicking off a tee into a net on the sidelines. Seems he may have had some experience back in high school a decade ago. . . . oh boy. But with Brady out, I think the Jets have a legit chance at the wild card.

 

Mets Closer, Billy Wagner is done for the season and possibly all of 2009 let alone maybe his career. It was announced on Monday that he would need to go in for Tommy John surgery. With luck and some confidence of what they've done since early August the Mets pen need to hold the line down the stretch to show that they are not the same collapsing team as last year. Though if they did, that may be good for Willie Randolph's legacy as you could say "Look! It wasn't Willie!". Time will tell.

 

 

My Yankees. . . Yeah they bounced back Tuesday night after a crushing 12-1 loss on Monday, riding Rookie Alfredo Aceves, Jr's first Major League start giving up 5 hits and 1 run over 7 strong innings to a 7-1 win. But unless the Rays and the Red Sox start playing .300 ball this will be the first time in 13 seasons we go home after 162 games. Just think, in his entire Major League career to date, Derek Jeter, who passed Babe Ruth on the Yanks' all-time hit list last night, has always played October Ball.

 

Finally 36-year-old Lance Armstrong said he will come out of retirement to go for a record eighth Tour de France win in 2009. Team to be decided.

 

Now I

Wow!  What a day!  We visited some of the holiest places in Buddhism and Hinduism today.  Incredible views of Kathmandu.  I know Bob Seger is smiling somewhere now that I have made it here. 

Seriously, we witnessed a Hindu burial today.  It was one of the most moving experiences in my life.  We have a pretty slow Internet connection here so posting photos will come later.  I offered to troubleshoot the issue but it was in a far away place which I could not troubleshoot remotely.  Hey, I'm a geek and that's why I'm on this trip. 

We will hopefully fly to Lukla in the morning.  Exciting stuff.

 

(2) NFL Picks: The NFL Season is about to kickoff in later today.  Wow!  I haven't studied the season much but I have to keep my promise to Buffalo Steve to exchange picks before the season starts.  Here goes nothing:

AFC

Division Winners:

AFC East: New England

AFC North: Pittsburgh

AFC South: Indianapolis

AFC West: San Diego

Wild Card: Jacksonville, NY Jets

Dark Horse: Buffalo, Cleveland, Tennessee

AFC Champion: San Diego

 

NFC

Division Winners:

NFC East: Dallas

NFC North: Minnesota

NFC South: New Orleans

NFC West: Seattle

Wild Card: NY Giants, Tampa

Dark Horse: Green Bay, Philadelphia, Arizona

NFC Champion: Dallas

 

Super Bowl Champion: San Diego

Posted by an excited Tank in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The Tank finally met boyhood idol Joe Namath almost a year ago, Friday, September 7, 2007.  I didn't post it for a long time because I've been busy with work, looking for work, and working on Jets closure.

Joe Namath is why I used to root for the Jets.  This is the final part of my Jets closure. 

Posted by a grateful Tank on the ESPN 1050 Jets Cruise cruising around Manhattan.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you've probably heard about the Brett Favre Soap Opera. 

He retired from the Packers in the winter.  But, he recently changed his mind.  He said he was pressured to retire.

Brett reached out to the Minnesota Vikings, THE Packers' fiercest rival.  But, he used a cell phone the Packers provided him.  Big mistake and the Packers leaked it when Brett tried to use the court of public opinion to force the Packers' hand.

After NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Favre, Brett and his wife traveled to Green Bay over the weekend.  You would have thought the Pope was back in town given the media coverage.  ESPN Radio was giving minute-by-minute countdown as his plane arrived in Green Bay on Sunday evening.  It was too much.  I had to switch to business news on Bloomberg Radio.

Where Do We Go From Here:
Brett returned to his home in Mississippi.  The Jets have offered a fourth rounder to the Packers which goes to a first rounder depending upon the Jets performance according to the FAN.  Ouch!  That's it for a first ballot Hall of Famer who is better than Pennington and Clemens?  The Jets need to show they are doing something but not spend too much.  Who knows where he'll end up?  Jets?  Tampa?  Kids Pee Wee Football League?  Retirement?  

Posted by an exhausted Tank in NY. 

UPDATE: The Jets signed Favre.  Watch this page for more commentary and analysis as the season approaches.

Shock Therapy was an economic theory used by Jeffrey Sachs that shocked former communist countries into capitalism during the 1990s.

It wasn't so much a shock that the  Giants traded Tight End Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for a couple of draft picks.  I was surprised by the timing of it.  I thought Shockey would have been traded before April's Draft.

Shockey is talented but a distraction on the field and off.  The Giants proved that they could win the Super Bowl without him.  Kevin Boss was a great replacement while Shockey was injured.  It's now Eli Manning's team.

Posted by a surprised Tank in NY.

The Giants are Super Bowl Champions and they are sticking their fans with the bill for a $1.6 Billion new stadium opening in 2010.  Don't get me wrong, it's better for fans rather than taxpayers to foot the bill.  I have believed this long before I started running for President.  (Big campaign announcement coming soon.)

That said, the bill is so high that the Giants installed a calculator on their website to calculate payments.  Whoa!  If you want the best seats in the club which is the section closest to the field, your Personal Seat License (PSL) will cost $54,000 for two seats.  Your initial payment is $8,000 in 2008 followed by two payments of $16,000 each followed by a final payment of $14,000.  Ouch!  Go Bills! 

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Brett Favre retired from the Green Bay Packers yesterday after 17 years.  He won a Super Bowl and three MVPs.  I actually remember his first game when I was in college in Buffalo in 1992.  The local radio stations talked about him replacing local player Majikowski from nearby Cheektowaga.  Majikowski was the local Wally Pip.  Brett went onto play 275 consecutive games from that day in 1992.  Wow!  I have graduated college in 1994 and traveled the world. 

Brett is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and owns all major records.  I remember him beating the Raiders after his father's death.  His wife is a breast cancer survivor and he lost a relative in a ATV crash.  His home area of Mississippi was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  He's been through lots and it's time to rest and enjoy the rest of his life. 

Congratulations Brett!  Happy retirement.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Astoria Pete was one of the million of my closest friends to line the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan to celebrate the Giants victory. 

I wasn't able to meet any of the Giants but I found their bus which transported them to New Jersey afterwards for the celebration at the Meadowlands.

Victor made his own Super Bowl trophy. 

The NYPD didn't let me or others east of Church Street at Chambers but I was able to get a photos with the bagpipe players who performed for the crowds in lower Manhattan.

Everyone won on Super Tuesday, even Tiki Barber and Bill Belichick.  They just saved a ton of money by switching to Geico according to the King of Orange County (NY), Dino the Greek. 

Posted by the Tank reporting live from the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.

Most of the gang convened at PermaGuest Outlaw Jack's and Michelle's place in Queens for the Super Bowl.  

Kathleen was the only real Giants fan out of the dozen or so people gathered.  Jack is a Jets fan, Steve is an ex-Jets fan, JH is a Vikings fan, and I am a Bills fan.  You get the idea.  We put our differences aside and all rallied behind the Giants.  JH printed out multiple copies of the Bridget Moynahan mask but I was the only one to wear it.  Linda bought a birthday cake for Jack's birthday on Tuesday the 5th.  That's the real Super Tuesday.  Happy Birthday Jack!          

I explained the Boston Sports Apocalypse to the newbies.  Everyone understood the Biblical and sports implications of this game.  Steve set aside his dislike of Eli as everything was on the line.  "Go Eli!" Steve shouted below.  Steve promised to have a drink every time Eli did something good and he was pretty hammered by the end of the night.  

Steve rooting for Eli is almost as profound as me rooting for Rex Grossman who I am considering suing for accelerating my hair loss after his erratic play screwed up my picks.

Ralph, Hannah, and Juliette were total stangers but we clicked within minutes.  No need for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during the Halftime Show.  We entertained ourselves when Michelle put on the Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon and Bill Gates YouTube videos.  Adam, Jack, Hannah, and Juliette introduced me to the Guitar Hero video game.  Joe was entertaining in his own unique way.

There were lots of ups and downs but we stuck together and rooted the Giants onto the 17-14 victory.  As a New Yorker, I received immense satisfaction from the Giants stopping the Boston Sports Apocalypse which started with the Red Sox winning last year and the Celtics being the best team in the NBA. 
                             
I was right that the Giants would beat the spread but never so happy to be wrong about the Patriots losing though I would have been right in winning wire to wire for the second straight season with the Colts and Patriots, respectively.  I am also happy that Buffalo Steve, his wife Teresa, and their daughters (my Goddaughters) can sleep better at night as they won't have to hear the Bill Belichick being compared to his hero and former Steelers coach Chuck Noll.

Mega thanks to PermaGuest Outlaw Jack and Michelle for throwing a great Super Bowl Party!

Congratulations to die hard Giants fans like Kathleen and her parents, PG, Brooklyn Pete, Queens Pete, David, and Eddie Trunk.  Congratulations to me for winning the free Cold Stone Ice Cream bet! 

Posted by an overjoyed Tank in football Heaven.

Athletes are rarely rattled but there is a way to get under everyone's skin.  Tom Brady is no exception.  Local rock station Q104.3 recently made a great point about trying to get under Brady's skin.

"Tom and Bridget dated for two years, and Bridget got pregnant around the time they broke up -- a split that was curiously close to the time that he started dating Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.  Their relationship has been, well, frosty ever since; Bridget even named their son John Edward Thomas Moynahan, not only leaving out the Brady name but giving him the initials JET! (And you know how the Patriots loooove the Jets...)"

Boston Red Sox fans tried to distract my buddy A-Rod with masks of a blonde similar to the young lady that he was hanging out with in Toronto last year.  This is New York's turn to return the favor. 

To do so, please go to the following links: http://www.q1043.com/pages/images/BridgetMoynahan.pdf  If you're going to the game, please wear the mask.  If you are within earshot of Tom Brady, please ask him about his illegitimate son.  This technique worked once before when I asked Chipper Jones in Game 4 of the 1999 World Series at Yankee Stadium about his illegitimate son and we all know who won that World Series in a four game sweep.  

Go Giants!  Bridget, If you are still single, so is The Tank. 

Posted by The Tank in NY.

Two Weeks Ago: I was 1-1 in the Conference Championship games and 34-14 on the season.

Super Bowl Prediction: The Pats were my Super Bowl pick going back to the NFL Draft and my pre-season picks.  I normally like being correct.  I want and need to be wrong as the Boston Apocalypse is upon our door.  World peace and harmony hangs in the balance.

However, I have to be intellectually honest to you, my dear readers.  After much deliberation, I think the Patriots will win 27-17 but there is some consolation for the gamblers that the Giants will cover the 12 point spread.  I have a free Cold Stone ice cream riding on the line.  The Giants are such under dogs that I will get a free Cold Stone ice cream if the Giants win.  If the Giants lose, I owe the bettor nothing.  Talk about an underdog. 

How can the Giants win?

(1) Soften up the Patriots defense with Bradshaw the speedester and Jacobs the bruiser.  This keeps Tom Brady and the potent Patriots offense off the field.

(2) Give Tom Brady different looks.  Yes, Tom Brady is a very smart quarterback.  White Fedora Mike and I suspect that last week's leg boot was a ruse.  BUT, just maybe, a rush can slow him down or make him make an uncharacteristic mistake. 

Keep the faith!  Go Giants!

Posted by a prayerful Tank in NY.

David Wright, Steve's favorite player, was in New Hyde Park, Long Island, yesterday for a charity event.  He was asked by WNBC Channel 4 in New York about a variety of topics including steroids and the Super Bowl.  When asked who he is rooting for, David joins Steve and The Tank in rooting for the Giants.
                      
Will the Giants set a precedent for the Mets success this year?  For instance, the 1986 Mets World Series victory may have given momentum to the Giants who won the Super Bowl a few months later.  Will the Giants return the favor to the Mets in 2008?  Time will only tell.  Stay tuned to Steve and The Tank.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

You were warned months ago about the pending Boston Sports Apocalypse where the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics win their respective titles in the same sports year.

Steve and The Tank were recently joined by ESPN.com in describing Boston sports teams recent dominance. 

Whatever your faith, please repent and pray that the Giants beat the Patriots.  Go Giants!  May God/G-d/Allah/Buddha/Creator be with you. 

Posted by a repenting and prayerful Tank in NY.

 

The New York Giants shock Green Bay and take an improbable ride to the Super Bowl. While Eli looked better than normal, the Giants defense came up big as well. This is going to be the key to defeating the Patriots, the Giants need to blitz Brady. The Chargers made Brady look vulnerable yesterday in the AFC Championship game. The Patriots can be defeated, the Giants proved that in the last game of the season. A rematch of week 16 in two weeks. The Patriots are favored by 14 points against the Giants at Las Vegas sports books already.

All of New York will be rooting for the Giants, even Jets fans, since we are now united by a hatred of the Patriots who are going to their 4th Super Bowl in 7 years. It is now New York vs the Boston sports machine.

Posted by Steve in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Warmer than both New York and Green Bay)

Last Week's Picks: I was 2-2 last week and 33-13 on the season.

This Week's Fearless Picks: 

The Patriots beat the visiting Chargers: This is already a tall mountain to climb, higher than Everest Base Camp that Steve and I plan to climb this later year (touch wood).  It will be even higher as the Chargers best players (Gates, Rivers, LT, etc.) are injured or out.  That said, I plan to root for the "San Diego Super Chargers".  This is a reference to the fight song from the great Charger teams of yesteryear.  The best game I ever watched on TV was the Chargers losing at the Dolphins in the early 1980s.  Kellen Winslow Sr. blocked a field goal, caught passes, and had to be carried off the field from exhaustion. 

The Giants lose at the Packers: This promises to be a classic in historic Lambeau Field.  From the weather reports this week, I thought I was watching the Weather Channel.

The Giants have to run the ball effectively to set up the pass.  Eli has to adjust to wearing a glove on his left and non throwing hand.

The game will probably come down to a slip or fall on a key play on the snowy and cold turf of Lambeau Field.  It maybe one of the banged up Giants defensive backs but life is rarely fair.

The Giants can win this game by blitzing Favre.  Speaking of the gunslinger, I am rooting for Favre to ride out into the sunset on his horse.        

I agree whole heartedly with Steve, football should be played outdoors (AND on grass -- not astroturf), baseball should have retractable roofs for rain delays (like Seattle -- note to Yankees and Mets).          
            
Posted by an excited Tank in Football Heaven.

One thing you need to know about Steve and the Tank, we like underdogs. (This explains why Steve roots for the "subpar" (in his sister's words) teams: The Mets, Jets, etc.)

It was a great weekend for the underdogs, the Giants sneaked past the Cowboys (and TO cried like a baby) and the Chargers stunned the world by beating the Colts.

Steve will be rooting for the Giants against Green Bay (and Steve never roots for the Giants) and the Chargers against the Death Star from New England.

A Giants-Chargers Super Bowl? That would be great for the game, great for the fans, and great for the world. It would be even better if the Chargers win, since we would like to see Eli beaten by the team he shunned and would not play for.

Posted by Steve in New York

Last Week's Record: A perfect 4-0, touch wood.  I am 31-11 including the regular season.

This Week's Fearless Picks:  Sorry for the delay but I've been busy this week.

The Seahawks lose at the Packers.  Snow showers are forecasted at Lambeau Field.

The Patriots hold off the strong Jaguars.  The Boston Sports Apocalypse unfortunately continues for another week.
                  
The Chargers lose at the Colts.  LT is on turf but Marvin Harrison is back.  Expect the crowd in the RCA Dome to be loud.

The Giants lose to the Cowboys this season in the Jessica Simpson Bowl.  How healthy is Terrell Owens' ankle?  How rusty is Terry Glenn?  How does the banged up Giants secondary respond?  Say what you want about TO, he is a gamer, especially playing on a broken ankle for the Eagles in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago against the Patriots.                    
    
If the Giants do win, I will look forward to my buddy and Giants fan extraordinaire Eddie Trunk playing at least part of a Jessica Simpson song as part of his promise on his hard rock and heavy metal show next Friday night on Q104.3.  Will Ed's sometime co-host "Metal Mike" Piazza stop by the studios next week to witness the madness? 
          
Posted by The Tank in NY.

Last Week: I was 3-0 last week and 27-11 for the regular season.
              
This Week's Fearless Picks:
                                         
Sorry Buffalo Steve, Jacksonville wins at the Steelers.

The Chargers beat the Titans at home.

The Seahawks beat the Redskins at home.

The Giants win at the Bucs.  Avoid picking this game because I don't know which Giants team will show up.  The Giants are injured but pumped after playing the Patriots hard last week.  Eli Manning has to manage the game and let the running game win the game. 

Posted by The Tank in NY.

The Patriots are on a historic mission to go undefeated.

This is part of the Boston Sports Apocalypse that I have long rued.

The Giants are 3-4 going into this game and 7-1 on the road.  One of the Giants players remarked that they play better on the road and there are many Patriots fans here who make it feel like Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts instead of Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

The Giants were 3-5 last season at home so recent history doesn't help the Giants.  Giants Stadium doesn't offer lots of advantage as the Ghost of Jimmy Hoffa (GoJH) blows at unpredictable times.  Bay Ridge Bob and I saw Bruce Springsteen in the summer of 2003 and the GoJH was a nice cooling breeze on that warm summer day. 

Different story on a winter's day