Saturday, October 26, 2013
NCAA Week 9 Picks
Here are our week 9 picks. Boise State got pounded last night, although they tried to come back against BYU.
Friday, October 18, 2013
2013 NFL Week 7 Picks
Who knew Carson Palmer was not much of an upgrade at QB for the Cardinals? Then again, they need to protect him...7 sacks yuck.
Here are the Week 7 picks:
NCAA Week 8 Picks
Sorry to have not posted this online for a few weeks...got kinda busy!
Here are our Week 8 picks:
Here are our Week 8 picks:
Friday, September 27, 2013
NFL Week 4 Picks
Here are the Week 4 picks. Good to see San Francisco show up last night in the Thursday Night opener...
NCAA Week 5 Picks
Overall competition is staying close.
Game of the Week: #21 Ole Miss @ #1 Alabama
Other really good match-ups: #6 LSU @ #9 Georgia, #23 Wisconsin @ #4 Ohio State, #14 Oklahoma @ #22 Notre Dame
Not Game of the Week: Temple (0-3) @ Idaho (0-3)
(someone gets a win!)
The picks are in:
Game of the Week: #21 Ole Miss @ #1 Alabama
Other really good match-ups: #6 LSU @ #9 Georgia, #23 Wisconsin @ #4 Ohio State, #14 Oklahoma @ #22 Notre Dame
Not Game of the Week: Temple (0-3) @ Idaho (0-3)
(someone gets a win!)
The picks are in:
Friday, September 20, 2013
NFL Week 3 Picks
On to Week 3. I'm mostly just looking forward to the Colts playing the 49ers this week and seeing if Trent Richardson will help them out or not!
NCAA Week 4 Picks
Here they are - week 4 picks.
Game of the Week: #23 Arizona State @ #5 Stanford
(by default - it was the only match-up of ranked teams).
Game of the Week: #23 Arizona State @ #5 Stanford
(by default - it was the only match-up of ranked teams).
Saturday, September 14, 2013
NFL - Week 2 Picks
After that pretty good opening weekend, its now on to week 2 of the NFL.
Here are the picks:
NCAA - Week 3 Picks
On to week 3 and the settling into the rhythm of weekly games.
Our Game of the Week is what else but #1 Alabama @ #6 Texas A&M.
Rivalry games include:
#7 Louisville @ Kentucky
Iowa @ Iowa State
Marshall @ Ohio
Here are the rest of our picks:
Our Game of the Week is what else but #1 Alabama @ #6 Texas A&M.
Rivalry games include:
#7 Louisville @ Kentucky
Iowa @ Iowa State
Marshall @ Ohio
Here are the rest of our picks:
Friday, September 6, 2013
NCAA - Week 2 Picks
After the strong start in week 1 by most of us, here are the games for week 2.
The Game of the Week is Notre Dame @ Michigan. It is a rivalry, soon to be suspended after this meeting, and so takes its place as the match-up of the strongest teams at this point with 1-0 records.
An additional Rivalry game in Week 2 is Florida at Miami (FL).
Our picks:
The Game of the Week is Notre Dame @ Michigan. It is a rivalry, soon to be suspended after this meeting, and so takes its place as the match-up of the strongest teams at this point with 1-0 records.
An additional Rivalry game in Week 2 is Florida at Miami (FL).
Our picks:
Thursday, September 5, 2013
2013 NFL Week 1 Picks
The NFL regular season is finally here! No more preseason games to have to figure out depth charts and wade through injuries to see who will be starting for your favorite team.
Anyway - here are the picks from the league for Week 1 starting with tonight's Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos game.
Anyway - here are the picks from the league for Week 1 starting with tonight's Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos game.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
2013 NCAA - Week 1 Picks
We're back and ready to go this year. The group is expanded and should be more competitive than ever!
Each week will feature around 17 games, and is done straight-up (no spreads here). Who wins? Also, we don't take the easy way out, picking a top 10 team playing a cupcake from the FCS as a match-up. Equally spread out, including people's favorite teams, and keying in on the best match-ups and rivalries.
A new feature this year will be to highlight rivalry games as well as a Game of the Week.
Game of the Week
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs @ No. 8 Clemson Tigers (Saturday)
Rivalry Games
Utah State @ Utah (Thursday)
Colorado v. Colorado State [in Denver] (Sunday)
Week 1 Games Full Screen View of Picks
Each week will feature around 17 games, and is done straight-up (no spreads here). Who wins? Also, we don't take the easy way out, picking a top 10 team playing a cupcake from the FCS as a match-up. Equally spread out, including people's favorite teams, and keying in on the best match-ups and rivalries.
A new feature this year will be to highlight rivalry games as well as a Game of the Week.
Game of the Week
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs @ No. 8 Clemson Tigers (Saturday)
Rivalry Games
Utah State @ Utah (Thursday)
Colorado v. Colorado State [in Denver] (Sunday)
Week 1 Games Full Screen View of Picks
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
NCAA season about to begin & Facebook Group
This year we've added a Facebook group as a way to connect, pick, track, and trash talk throughout the season. Find me on Facebook if you want to be added.
Right now we are at 16 players for the season and still growing. Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma are represented states so far. Let's keep that growing too!
Week 1 picks to come soon (tomorrow).
Here is a quick preview - there are a couple of Rivalry games already happening:
Colorado v. Colorado State (in Denver) and Utah State v. Utah.
And, as always:
Right now we are at 16 players for the season and still growing. Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma are represented states so far. Let's keep that growing too!
Week 1 picks to come soon (tomorrow).
Here is a quick preview - there are a couple of Rivalry games already happening:
Colorado v. Colorado State (in Denver) and Utah State v. Utah.
And, as always:
Saturday, September 15, 2012
NCAA - Week 3 Picks
Back at it again this week with the picks' post. Last week I was in San Diego for the Army @ San Diego State game. Too bad Army looked so bad...but it was still a great time to get the Army football atmosphere with a cool tailgate, spirit band, cheerleaders, alumni, cadets, and alma mater.
On to picks in week 3. Not too much variation in how people picked this week, which holds up well for our current leader Joe McFarren and those who have put a little distance on the rest of us so far through 2 weeks. It'll get a bit more interesting as we get further into the schedule and more games become a bit closer matched.
Here are the week 3 picks. I've bolded the games that hold intrigue with our picks.
Northern Illinois @ Army
NILL: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Miller
Dusty - I just can't pick Army after last week's debacle.
Teresa - Sorry Rob, I learned from last week!
Army: JoeLac, RMcF, Vander Woude
Rob - Still too early in the year, and the first home game, to go away from showing my support for the Brave Old Army Team.
Wake Forest @ Florida State
WF: none
FSU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - If FSU is going to really be a National Title contender, then this game won't be close.
Dusty - I think the Seminoles win this one easily.
California @ Ohio State
CAL: JoeLac
OSU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - The Buckeyes should continue their winning this week.
Rob - Even if I thought Cal had a good team, the early morning start time (9am inBerkley, CA) does them in.
Texas Christian @ Kansas
TCU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - Big 12 opener for TCU, which will probably battle Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas State for the title.
Dusty - Horned Frogs!
KAN: none
UL-Monroe @ Auburn
ULM: none
AUB: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - I don't see UL-Monroe pulling off the upset 2 weeks in a row.
Rob - The Warhawks go into the land of War Eagle. Does that mean this game will be an aerial battle?
Alabama @ Arkansas
BAMA: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - The Crimson Tide is possibly the best team in the nation.
Rob - Had the Razorbacks not lost, this would have been the hyped game of the week.
ARK: none
Virginia @ Georgia Tech
UVA: JoeLac
GT: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - Could be a toss-up game, so I simply went with the Home Team. Hopefully they don't wear those weird honeycomb uniforms.
Dust - The Yellow Jackets will be too tough at home for the Cavaliers.
Florida @ Tennessee
FLA: Dao, NDust, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, Miller
Dusty - This used to be a great rivalry, but Tennessee isn't the same program it used to be.
TENN: TDust, Eggebeen, Luzadder, RMcF, Vander Woude
Rob - Our first split pick game of the year, with ESPN's College GameDay on site at Rocky Top. I think Tennessee will end up near the top of the SEC East rankings, ahead of the Gators.
Arizona State @ Missouri
ASU: Dao, Luzadder, Vander Woude
MIZZOU: NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller
Rob - I so wanted to pick ASU in this game. One of the better games to watch this week. The home team pulls it out in the second half.
Southern California @ Stanford
USC: Dao, NDust, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - I think the Trojans have a good chance to be undefeated.
Rob - Is it bad if I want to be wrong with this pick? I'll be pulling for Stanford for sure.
STAN: TDust, Eggebeen
Teresa - Go Cardinal! (Rob - to her credit, Teresa's son John is a Stanford alum!)
Rachael - Man, this one is tough to pick!
Ball State @ Indiana
BALLST: Eggebeen, GMcF, RMcF, Miller
Dusty - I like the Cardinals to win in Bloomington this week...Go Cards!
Rob - If I remember right, Ball State won the last matchup. Can a good MAC team beat a bad Big Ten team? Yes.
IU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Lowe, Luzadder, JMcF, Vander Woude
Teresa - hmmm...
Notre Dame @ Michigan State
ND: NDust, TDust, Lowe, Luzadder
Nathan - How bad will loyalty to ND hurt me this week?
Teresa - I doubt I'll pick against my Irish all season, no matter what I really think will probably happen!
MSU: Dao, Eggebeen, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - The game I want to watch today. Sparty is carrying the Big Ten banner, so the pressure is on them.
Dusty - ND looked bad in barely beating a bad Purdue team last week. I don't see them winning on the road.
Utah State @ Wisconsin
USU: RMcF
Rob - I'll go out on a limb and say yes, Wisconsin is in a down year. Firing the O-line coach after two weeks won't cause an immediate turn-around against a quality Utah State team.
WISC: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rachael - I really hope last week's loss was a fluke...holding my breath!
Dusty - The Badgers should recover from a bad performance last week here.
Texas @ Mississippi
TEXAS: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller
Rob - This could turn out to be a good game. Neither team has shown anything great or terrible yet. I'll go for the favorite
OLEMISS: Vander Woude
BYU @ Utah
BYU: Dao, NDust, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - I like the Cougars on the road in this rivalry.
Rob - Utah lost to Utah State last week, now gets the other Utah team. Wait, we are picking all 3 Utah teams in one week? Whats up with that? Oh, yeah, I visited Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Parks in Utah this summer...Utah is an absolutely stunning landscape!!! (not like this has anything to do with football)
Utah: TDust, Eggebeen
Rachael - Working on my Pac-12 love with this pick!
On to picks in week 3. Not too much variation in how people picked this week, which holds up well for our current leader Joe McFarren and those who have put a little distance on the rest of us so far through 2 weeks. It'll get a bit more interesting as we get further into the schedule and more games become a bit closer matched.
Here are the week 3 picks. I've bolded the games that hold intrigue with our picks.
Northern Illinois @ Army
NILL: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Miller
Dusty - I just can't pick Army after last week's debacle.
Teresa - Sorry Rob, I learned from last week!
Army: JoeLac, RMcF, Vander Woude
Rob - Still too early in the year, and the first home game, to go away from showing my support for the Brave Old Army Team.
Wake Forest @ Florida State
WF: none
FSU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - If FSU is going to really be a National Title contender, then this game won't be close.
Dusty - I think the Seminoles win this one easily.
California @ Ohio State
CAL: JoeLac
OSU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - The Buckeyes should continue their winning this week.
Rob - Even if I thought Cal had a good team, the early morning start time (9am inBerkley, CA) does them in.
Texas Christian @ Kansas
TCU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - Big 12 opener for TCU, which will probably battle Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas State for the title.
Dusty - Horned Frogs!
KAN: none
UL-Monroe @ Auburn
ULM: none
AUB: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - I don't see UL-Monroe pulling off the upset 2 weeks in a row.
Rob - The Warhawks go into the land of War Eagle. Does that mean this game will be an aerial battle?
Alabama @ Arkansas
BAMA: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - The Crimson Tide is possibly the best team in the nation.
Rob - Had the Razorbacks not lost, this would have been the hyped game of the week.
ARK: none
Virginia @ Georgia Tech
UVA: JoeLac
GT: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - Could be a toss-up game, so I simply went with the Home Team. Hopefully they don't wear those weird honeycomb uniforms.
Dust - The Yellow Jackets will be too tough at home for the Cavaliers.
Florida @ Tennessee
FLA: Dao, NDust, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, Miller
Dusty - This used to be a great rivalry, but Tennessee isn't the same program it used to be.
TENN: TDust, Eggebeen, Luzadder, RMcF, Vander Woude
Rob - Our first split pick game of the year, with ESPN's College GameDay on site at Rocky Top. I think Tennessee will end up near the top of the SEC East rankings, ahead of the Gators.
Arizona State @ Missouri
ASU: Dao, Luzadder, Vander Woude
MIZZOU: NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller
Rob - I so wanted to pick ASU in this game. One of the better games to watch this week. The home team pulls it out in the second half.
Southern California @ Stanford
USC: Dao, NDust, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - I think the Trojans have a good chance to be undefeated.
Rob - Is it bad if I want to be wrong with this pick? I'll be pulling for Stanford for sure.
STAN: TDust, Eggebeen
Teresa - Go Cardinal! (Rob - to her credit, Teresa's son John is a Stanford alum!)
Rachael - Man, this one is tough to pick!
Ball State @ Indiana
BALLST: Eggebeen, GMcF, RMcF, Miller
Dusty - I like the Cardinals to win in Bloomington this week...Go Cards!
Rob - If I remember right, Ball State won the last matchup. Can a good MAC team beat a bad Big Ten team? Yes.
IU: Dao, NDust, TDust, Lowe, Luzadder, JMcF, Vander Woude
Teresa - hmmm...
Notre Dame @ Michigan State
ND: NDust, TDust, Lowe, Luzadder
Nathan - How bad will loyalty to ND hurt me this week?
Teresa - I doubt I'll pick against my Irish all season, no matter what I really think will probably happen!
MSU: Dao, Eggebeen, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rob - The game I want to watch today. Sparty is carrying the Big Ten banner, so the pressure is on them.
Dusty - ND looked bad in barely beating a bad Purdue team last week. I don't see them winning on the road.
Utah State @ Wisconsin
USU: RMcF
Rob - I'll go out on a limb and say yes, Wisconsin is in a down year. Firing the O-line coach after two weeks won't cause an immediate turn-around against a quality Utah State team.
WISC: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Rachael - I really hope last week's loss was a fluke...holding my breath!
Dusty - The Badgers should recover from a bad performance last week here.
Texas @ Mississippi
TEXAS: Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller
Rob - This could turn out to be a good game. Neither team has shown anything great or terrible yet. I'll go for the favorite
OLEMISS: Vander Woude
BYU @ Utah
BYU: Dao, NDust, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, RMcF, Miller, Vander Woude
Dusty - I like the Cougars on the road in this rivalry.
Rob - Utah lost to Utah State last week, now gets the other Utah team. Wait, we are picking all 3 Utah teams in one week? Whats up with that? Oh, yeah, I visited Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Parks in Utah this summer...Utah is an absolutely stunning landscape!!! (not like this has anything to do with football)
Utah: TDust, Eggebeen
Rachael - Working on my Pac-12 love with this pick!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
NCAA - Week 1 Picks
The season is now upon us! Please check out this document for updated results and stats on picks (just follow the menu to week 1 for this weeks picks!).
Opening weekend in college football has a lot of great matchups. In order to pare it down to 15 games, some good contests that are definitely worth following had to be cut. This week has several opening the season rivalries (Kentucky v. Louisville, West Virginia v. Marshall, and Colorado v. Colorado State) as well as some premium out of conference matchups (Michigan v. Alabama, Boise State v. Michigan State, Clemson v. Auburn). If I had to attend one game, with all apologies to Notre Dame against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, I would have to say I'd love to attend the Boise State v. Michigan State game this weekend. Both are breaking in new quarterbacks, and both teams are extremely well coached and prepare their teams well. The matchup I included because I think it is an early trap game is Southern Mississippi at Nebraska. Southern Miss actually had the better record last year, and was Conference USA champs. I think this one has all the potential for great viewing this weekend!
Players below are represented by their initials as follows:
Jason Bewley (Bewley), Jeremiah Colon (Colon), Jeremiah Dao (Dao), Nathan Dustman (NDust), Teresa Dustman (TDust), Rachael Eggebeen (Eggebeen), Joanna Lacanlale (Joa Lac), Joe Lacanlale (JoeLac), Dennis Lowe (Lowe), Wes Luzadder (Luzadder), Gary McFarren (GMcF), Joe McFarren (JMcF), Rob McFarren (RMcF), Dusty Miller (Miller), Ed Vander Woude (VanderWoude)
Without further ado, the picks for Week 1 of the NCAA
Thursday, August 30
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt
SCAR - NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I think the Gamecocks will make a run at the SEC championship this year and it starts with beating the Commodores
JoaLac: They have the light blue uniforms right? Hmm...maybe that's North Carolina
Dao: USC Gamecocks all the way! Grew up in the Southern States!
RMcF: I'll root for Vandy and wouldn't put it past the Gamecocks to underachieve yet again, but it won't be the first game of the year
VANDY - no one?
Eastern Michigan @ Ball State
EMICH - Dao, NDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac
BALLST - TDust, JoaLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: Will the Cardinals get over the hump into legitimate contention for the MAC title and bowl eligibility?
Miller: I have to go with the Cardinals at home to open the season with a win!
Friday, August 31
Boise State @ Michigan State
BOISE - Dao, JoeLac, Luzadder, GMcF
RMcF: (see above). The bottom line for me is Christ Peterson with an entire offseason to prepare. New QB for both teams...underdog status yet again. The Broncos get it done just as they did at Georgia & VT the last couple of years
Miller: It seems that the Broncos go on the road to open each season and they seem to win most of those games, so I will take them to open the season with another victory
JoaLac: Gotta love the blue field
Eggebeen: My love of the Big Ten cannot trump the power of the BSU program
MSU - NDust, JMcF, Vander Woude
Lowe: This should be a pretty good game. Boise State could flex its muscles but I think the Green Beans will pull this off at home. If they were on the blue turf, Boise State would take this game.
TDust: Big Ten all the way!
Saturday, September 1
Notre Dame v. Navy (in Dublin, Ireland)
ND - NDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
TDust: Of course
Dao: Fighting Irishmen
JoaLac: Wouldn't mind going to Ireland
Miller: The new uniforms for the Irish are hideous, but I don't think they will have any trouble disposing of Navy
RMcF: How could I even think about picking against the Fighting Irish in Ireland?
NAVY - no one? yeah, we are a smart league - Go Army Beat Navy!
Northwestern @ Syracuse
NW - Dao, TDust, Egeebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, JMcF
Miller: I will go with the Big Ten here
CUSE - NDust, JoaLac, Luzadder, GMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: Home team wins with equal turnover. This looks like one of the competitions separation games (half and half!)
Marshall @ West Virginia
MARSH - Dao, JoaLac, Luzadder
WVU - NDust, TDust, Egeebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I like the Mountaineers over the Thundering Herd (even if their mascot is much better!)
RMcF: The real question is can West Virginia actually win the Big 12 in their first year? I think they can compete with Oklahoma for sure.
Miami (FL) @ Boston College
MIA(FL) - NDust, TDust, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: I can't even name 1 player on BC, or remember one positive thing said about the team heading into this year
BC - Dao, Eggebeen
JoaLac: Not a Miami fan
Miller: It's hard to win at BC and I don't think the Hurricanes have enough firepower to get it done
Southern Mississippi @ Nebraska
SMISS - Dao
NEB - NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: This game may be closer than many think. Two very quality teams. Will Nebraska step up to the challenge and return to elite level (not pretender elite like last couple of years)? This game will give a good indication of whether that will happen or not
Miller: I like Nebraska to get to the Big Ten championship game this year and I think they will start the season with a non-conference win over a quality opponent
JoaLac: Even though they desert the Big 12
Colorado State v. Colorado (in Denver)
CSU - NDust, Lowe
CU -Dao, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I don't think either of these teams will factor in their conference races, but I think the Buffalos will take care of the Rams easily
RMcF: I remember these games are always close, at least into the 2nd half. Its truly a toss-up, but Colorado being in the PAC-12 now has no excuse to lose.
Clemson v. Auburn (in Atlanta)
CLEM - NDust, JMcF
Dao: Clemson has the orange D; another SC team I grew up with but Go Gamecocks!
Miller: Clemson always seems to start the season strong and I like them to win a big game against a quality opponent here
RMcF: Orange and blue, blue and orange. Just a bit more expectation for Clemson, and they win it (And this is the other separation game)
AUB - TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, Vander Woude
Michigan v. Alabama (in Arlington, TX)
MICH - Eggebeen, Luzadder
Lowe: This year will be Michigan's best chance at a Big Ten title and hopefully the National Championship!! Go Blue!!!
RMcF: A gut pick. I didn't think Alabama deserved to be called National Champs after last year, and lets just knock them down a rung right now. Go Shoelace!
BAMA - Dao, NDust, JoaLac, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I think the Crimson Tide will make a run at the National Championship again this year and I just don't
TDust: Well, Big Ten almost all the way - must be practical!
Toledo @ Arizona
TOLEDO -
RMcF: The Wildcats aren't very good and they lost their QB. Toledo will start off the Rich Rodriguez era with a loss (just like he like to do in Michigan with MAC teams)
Miller: I will take the MAC in this matchup. The Rockets offense will be too strong for Arizona in this one
ZONA - Dao, NDust, TDust, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Eggebeen: Bear down!
Sunday, September 2
Kentucky @ Louisville
UK - NDust, JoeLac
LVILLE - Dao, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: Let's face it, the UK football program could take notes from their basketball program and start paying players to come to their school
RMcF: Louisville expects to win the Big East this year. They can't do that and expect to be ok losing to a bottom feeder in the SEC
Southern Methodist @ Baylor
SMU - Lowe, Luzadder
RMcF: SMU is improved from last year, Baylor lost their entire passing offense. Enough said.
BAYLOR - Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: We shall see just how important RGIII was to the Baylor program.
Monday, September 3
Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech
GT - no one? wow
VT - Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I have to take the Hokies at home here. This is a big game for Virginia Tech and I am hoping they will win a big one early here.
RMcF: The Hokies will contend once again. Will they be able to avoid the early season let-down and be a Top-5 team?
Opening weekend in college football has a lot of great matchups. In order to pare it down to 15 games, some good contests that are definitely worth following had to be cut. This week has several opening the season rivalries (Kentucky v. Louisville, West Virginia v. Marshall, and Colorado v. Colorado State) as well as some premium out of conference matchups (Michigan v. Alabama, Boise State v. Michigan State, Clemson v. Auburn). If I had to attend one game, with all apologies to Notre Dame against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, I would have to say I'd love to attend the Boise State v. Michigan State game this weekend. Both are breaking in new quarterbacks, and both teams are extremely well coached and prepare their teams well. The matchup I included because I think it is an early trap game is Southern Mississippi at Nebraska. Southern Miss actually had the better record last year, and was Conference USA champs. I think this one has all the potential for great viewing this weekend!
Players below are represented by their initials as follows:
Jason Bewley (Bewley), Jeremiah Colon (Colon), Jeremiah Dao (Dao), Nathan Dustman (NDust), Teresa Dustman (TDust), Rachael Eggebeen (Eggebeen), Joanna Lacanlale (Joa Lac), Joe Lacanlale (JoeLac), Dennis Lowe (Lowe), Wes Luzadder (Luzadder), Gary McFarren (GMcF), Joe McFarren (JMcF), Rob McFarren (RMcF), Dusty Miller (Miller), Ed Vander Woude (VanderWoude)
Without further ado, the picks for Week 1 of the NCAA
Thursday, August 30
South Carolina @ Vanderbilt
SCAR - NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I think the Gamecocks will make a run at the SEC championship this year and it starts with beating the Commodores
JoaLac: They have the light blue uniforms right? Hmm...maybe that's North Carolina
Dao: USC Gamecocks all the way! Grew up in the Southern States!
RMcF: I'll root for Vandy and wouldn't put it past the Gamecocks to underachieve yet again, but it won't be the first game of the year
VANDY - no one?
Eastern Michigan @ Ball State
EMICH - Dao, NDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac
BALLST - TDust, JoaLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: Will the Cardinals get over the hump into legitimate contention for the MAC title and bowl eligibility?
Miller: I have to go with the Cardinals at home to open the season with a win!
Friday, August 31
Boise State @ Michigan State
BOISE - Dao, JoeLac, Luzadder, GMcF
RMcF: (see above). The bottom line for me is Christ Peterson with an entire offseason to prepare. New QB for both teams...underdog status yet again. The Broncos get it done just as they did at Georgia & VT the last couple of years
Miller: It seems that the Broncos go on the road to open each season and they seem to win most of those games, so I will take them to open the season with another victory
JoaLac: Gotta love the blue field
Eggebeen: My love of the Big Ten cannot trump the power of the BSU program
MSU - NDust, JMcF, Vander Woude
Lowe: This should be a pretty good game. Boise State could flex its muscles but I think the Green Beans will pull this off at home. If they were on the blue turf, Boise State would take this game.
TDust: Big Ten all the way!
Saturday, September 1
Notre Dame v. Navy (in Dublin, Ireland)
ND - NDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
TDust: Of course
Dao: Fighting Irishmen
JoaLac: Wouldn't mind going to Ireland
Miller: The new uniforms for the Irish are hideous, but I don't think they will have any trouble disposing of Navy
RMcF: How could I even think about picking against the Fighting Irish in Ireland?
NAVY - no one? yeah, we are a smart league - Go Army Beat Navy!
Northwestern @ Syracuse
NW - Dao, TDust, Egeebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, JMcF
Miller: I will go with the Big Ten here
CUSE - NDust, JoaLac, Luzadder, GMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: Home team wins with equal turnover. This looks like one of the competitions separation games (half and half!)
Marshall @ West Virginia
MARSH - Dao, JoaLac, Luzadder
WVU - NDust, TDust, Egeebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I like the Mountaineers over the Thundering Herd (even if their mascot is much better!)
RMcF: The real question is can West Virginia actually win the Big 12 in their first year? I think they can compete with Oklahoma for sure.
Miami (FL) @ Boston College
MIA(FL) - NDust, TDust, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: I can't even name 1 player on BC, or remember one positive thing said about the team heading into this year
BC - Dao, Eggebeen
JoaLac: Not a Miami fan
Miller: It's hard to win at BC and I don't think the Hurricanes have enough firepower to get it done
Southern Mississippi @ Nebraska
SMISS - Dao
NEB - NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
RMcF: This game may be closer than many think. Two very quality teams. Will Nebraska step up to the challenge and return to elite level (not pretender elite like last couple of years)? This game will give a good indication of whether that will happen or not
Miller: I like Nebraska to get to the Big Ten championship game this year and I think they will start the season with a non-conference win over a quality opponent
JoaLac: Even though they desert the Big 12
Colorado State v. Colorado (in Denver)
CSU - NDust, Lowe
CU -Dao, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I don't think either of these teams will factor in their conference races, but I think the Buffalos will take care of the Rams easily
RMcF: I remember these games are always close, at least into the 2nd half. Its truly a toss-up, but Colorado being in the PAC-12 now has no excuse to lose.
Clemson v. Auburn (in Atlanta)
CLEM - NDust, JMcF
Dao: Clemson has the orange D; another SC team I grew up with but Go Gamecocks!
Miller: Clemson always seems to start the season strong and I like them to win a big game against a quality opponent here
RMcF: Orange and blue, blue and orange. Just a bit more expectation for Clemson, and they win it (And this is the other separation game)
AUB - TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, Vander Woude
Michigan v. Alabama (in Arlington, TX)
MICH - Eggebeen, Luzadder
Lowe: This year will be Michigan's best chance at a Big Ten title and hopefully the National Championship!! Go Blue!!!
RMcF: A gut pick. I didn't think Alabama deserved to be called National Champs after last year, and lets just knock them down a rung right now. Go Shoelace!
BAMA - Dao, NDust, JoaLac, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I think the Crimson Tide will make a run at the National Championship again this year and I just don't
TDust: Well, Big Ten almost all the way - must be practical!
Toledo @ Arizona
TOLEDO -
RMcF: The Wildcats aren't very good and they lost their QB. Toledo will start off the Rich Rodriguez era with a loss (just like he like to do in Michigan with MAC teams)
Miller: I will take the MAC in this matchup. The Rockets offense will be too strong for Arizona in this one
ZONA - Dao, NDust, TDust, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Eggebeen: Bear down!
Sunday, September 2
Kentucky @ Louisville
UK - NDust, JoeLac
LVILLE - Dao, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: Let's face it, the UK football program could take notes from their basketball program and start paying players to come to their school
RMcF: Louisville expects to win the Big East this year. They can't do that and expect to be ok losing to a bottom feeder in the SEC
Southern Methodist @ Baylor
SMU - Lowe, Luzadder
RMcF: SMU is improved from last year, Baylor lost their entire passing offense. Enough said.
BAYLOR - Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: We shall see just how important RGIII was to the Baylor program.
Monday, September 3
Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech
GT - no one? wow
VT - Dao, NDust, TDust, Eggebeen, JoaLac, JoeLac, Lowe, Luzadder, GMcF, JMcF, Vander Woude
Miller: I have to take the Hokies at home here. This is a big game for Virginia Tech and I am hoping they will win a big one early here.
RMcF: The Hokies will contend once again. Will they be able to avoid the early season let-down and be a Top-5 team?
Friday, August 24, 2012
NFL - Personal Franchise Rankings - Rob McFarren
A couple of years ago, I ranked all 32 NFL teams in the order that I personally liked them based on all the factors in my head that made me lean towards some teams and not others (players on roster, uniforms, location, childhood favorites, coaches, etc). I thought a good primer for the NFL 2012 season would be to update and publish those. I will also try to get others to do the same for comparison sake. Just know that really I break this down into 4 groups - Favorite team, Teams I like and root for, No strong feelings for either way, Teams I hope lose every game unless its against one of the other teams I can't stand (and then how can they both lose, or which one has the most to lose by losing?). Yeah, its a mouthful. Basically, the question asked is: Who do I want to win the game?
Here are my rankings:
1. Indianapolis Colts - Hometown team, suffered through their struggles and enjoyed the Peyton years. Now looking forward to Luck and company...
2. Denver Broncos - Wife's family team. Lived in Colorado too, and now they Peyton.
3. Arizona Cardinals - I've now lived here longer than anywhere else other than Indiana. If only they had a quarterback they may jump Denver. (and better uniforms)
4. Chicago Bears
5. Detroit Lions
6. Buffalo Bills
7. New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees is my favorite QB, but they drop a bit due to scandal
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. New York Giants
11. Green Bay Packers
12. Seattle Seahawks
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
14. Tennessee Titans
15. Cleveland Browns
16. Atlanta Falcons
17. St. Louis Rams
18. Carolina Panthers
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Houston Texans
21. Baltimore Ravens
22. Minnesota Vikings
23. Cincinnati Bengals
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. Miami Dolphins
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Philadelphia Eagles
28. San Diego Chargers
29. Oakland Raiders
30. Washington Redskins
31. New York Jets
32. New England Patriots
Here are my rankings:
1. Indianapolis Colts - Hometown team, suffered through their struggles and enjoyed the Peyton years. Now looking forward to Luck and company...
2. Denver Broncos - Wife's family team. Lived in Colorado too, and now they Peyton.
3. Arizona Cardinals - I've now lived here longer than anywhere else other than Indiana. If only they had a quarterback they may jump Denver. (and better uniforms)
4. Chicago Bears
5. Detroit Lions
6. Buffalo Bills
7. New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees is my favorite QB, but they drop a bit due to scandal
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. New York Giants
11. Green Bay Packers
12. Seattle Seahawks
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
14. Tennessee Titans
15. Cleveland Browns
16. Atlanta Falcons
17. St. Louis Rams
18. Carolina Panthers
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Houston Texans
21. Baltimore Ravens
22. Minnesota Vikings
23. Cincinnati Bengals
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. Miami Dolphins
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Philadelphia Eagles
28. San Diego Chargers
29. Oakland Raiders
30. Washington Redskins
31. New York Jets
32. New England Patriots
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
2012 - The Players
So as the new season rolls around, its time to introduce the infamous participants: (I guess we need nicknames!)
Joe McFarren - Roanoke, IN
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Ball State Cardinals
Other teams followed: Duke Blue Devils, Butler Bulldogs, Florida State Seminoles, Oregon Ducks
What I do other than pick football games: Active Indiana National Guardsman
Ed Vander Woude - Tucson, AZ
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Diego Chargers
Favorite NCAA team:
What I do other than pick football games: Driver for Shamrock Foods; Married to Rachael!
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Dennis Lowe - Indianapolis, IN
*2011-12 NCAA Bowl Season Champion*
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Favorite NCAA team: Michigan Wolverines
What I do other than pick football games: Police officer for the City of Indianapolis
Teresa Dustman - Bluffton, IN
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team:
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: Circulation Department Head at Wells County Library
Dusty Miller
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Chicago Bears
Favorite NCAA team: Virginia Tech Hokies
What I do other than pick football games:
Jeremiah Colon - Colorado Springs, CO
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: New York Giants
Favorite NCAA team: Syracuse Orange
Other teams followed: Denver Broncos
What I do other than pick football games: Bartender, Personal Trainer
Joe Lacanlale - Seattle, WA
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite NCAA team: Army Black Knights
Other teams followed: Kansas State Wildcats, Washington Huskies
What I do other than pick football games: Project Manager, Army Corps of Engineers; Married to Joanna!
Joanna Lacanlale - Seattle, WA
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: ?
Favorite NCAA team: Kansas State Wildcats
Other teams followed: Washington Huskies, Arizona Wildcats
What I do other than pick football games: Married to Joe!
Wes Luzadder - Coldwater, MI
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Other teams followed: Arizona Cardinals, Washington Huskies
What I do other than pick football games: Technology Specialist
Nathan Dustman - Kabul, Afghanistan
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: US Army Officer - Company Commander
Jason Bewley - Laughton, OK
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite NCAA team: Ohio State Buckeyes
Other teams followed: Cleveland Browns
What I do other than pick football games: Former Army, Lowe's Associate & video game junkie
Jeremiah Dao - Phoenix, Arizona
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: New England Patriots
Favorite NCAA team: South Carolina Gamecocks
Other teams followed: Carolina Panthers, North Carolina Tarheels, Texas Longhorns, Boston College Eagles
What I do other than pick football games: Student at Glendale Community College & baller
Rob McFarren - Avondale, AZ
*Defending 2011-12 NFL season champion*
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Army Black Knights
Other teams followed: Purdue Boilermakers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Boise State Broncos, North Carolina Tarheels, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Drew Brees' team
What I do other than pick football games: Watch football games
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Ball State Cardinals
Other teams followed: Duke Blue Devils, Butler Bulldogs, Florida State Seminoles, Oregon Ducks
What I do other than pick football games: Active Indiana National Guardsman
Gary McFarren - Keystone, IN
NFL & NCAA picks
*Defending 2011-12 NCAA season champion*
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Ball State Cardinals
Other teams followed: Purdue Boilermakers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: Newly retired
Rachael Eggebeen - Tucson, AZ
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Green Bay Packers
Favorite NCAA team: Wisconsin Badgers & Arizona Wildcats
What I do other than pick football games: Church Administrator & more; Married to Ed!
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Diego Chargers
Favorite NCAA team:
What I do other than pick football games: Driver for Shamrock Foods; Married to Rachael!
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*2011-12 NCAA Bowl Season Champion*
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Favorite NCAA team: Michigan Wolverines
What I do other than pick football games: Police officer for the City of Indianapolis
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team:
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: Circulation Department Head at Wells County Library
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Chicago Bears
Favorite NCAA team: Virginia Tech Hokies
What I do other than pick football games:
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: New York Giants
Favorite NCAA team: Syracuse Orange
Other teams followed: Denver Broncos
What I do other than pick football games: Bartender, Personal Trainer
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite NCAA team: Army Black Knights
Other teams followed: Kansas State Wildcats, Washington Huskies
What I do other than pick football games: Project Manager, Army Corps of Engineers; Married to Joanna!
Joanna Lacanlale - Seattle, WANFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: ?
Favorite NCAA team: Kansas State Wildcats
Other teams followed: Washington Huskies, Arizona Wildcats
What I do other than pick football games: Married to Joe!
Wes Luzadder - Coldwater, MINFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Other teams followed: Arizona Cardinals, Washington Huskies
What I do other than pick football games: Technology Specialist
Nathan Dustman - Kabul, AfghanistanNFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What I do other than pick football games: US Army Officer - Company Commander
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite NCAA team: Ohio State Buckeyes
Other teams followed: Cleveland Browns
What I do other than pick football games: Former Army, Lowe's Associate & video game junkie
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: New England Patriots
Favorite NCAA team: South Carolina Gamecocks
Other teams followed: Carolina Panthers, North Carolina Tarheels, Texas Longhorns, Boston College Eagles
What I do other than pick football games: Student at Glendale Community College & baller
Rob McFarren - Avondale, AZ*Defending 2011-12 NFL season champion*
NFL & NCAA picks
Favorite NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite NCAA team: Army Black Knights
Other teams followed: Purdue Boilermakers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Boise State Broncos, North Carolina Tarheels, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Drew Brees' team
What I do other than pick football games: Watch football games
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Its hard to let Peyton go from fan allegiance
I just ran into this story on ESPN about Peyton Manning. Peyton called up Colts reporter Phil Wilson (and others that haven't reported on it?). This is what made the separation between the Colts and Peyton so difficult for so many of us fans. I'm from Indiana and have always pulled for the Colts. But it isn't every day, or even every decade, that you run into a superstar that remains classy like this. Peyton was a competitor, and definitely demanded a lot of his teammates. But those demands were also placed upon himself, so I don't see that as a negative. The winning legacy is intact.
So while I still long that Peyton would have finished his time in Colts blue, I get the "business" side that has caused the team to go in a new direction. So, a Colts fan I remain. I'm actually excited about the Colts putting things together and hopefully begin winning now. Several of their moves have been solid in the transition to a new system and coach. It'll be fun to watch them. They remain my team.
Yet, I will still pull for Peyton. I do think its a couple of years from the Colts being Super Bowl contenders, and so the Broncos should win it these next couple of years! It helps that my wife's family is all from Colorado Springs and I lived there before Phoenix, so I can say the Broncos are my third/second favorite team (cause I'd put the Cardinals in the same camp with them...pull for them both, but if they played each other who would I root for?) Well, that answer right now seems to be shifting to the Broncos simply because of Peyton. He's that class of an act, and it would be awesome to see him win 2 straight Super Bowls in Denver colors...but yes, he will be a Colt in the Hall of Fame, even with a couple more Super Bowls!
So while I still long that Peyton would have finished his time in Colts blue, I get the "business" side that has caused the team to go in a new direction. So, a Colts fan I remain. I'm actually excited about the Colts putting things together and hopefully begin winning now. Several of their moves have been solid in the transition to a new system and coach. It'll be fun to watch them. They remain my team.
Yet, I will still pull for Peyton. I do think its a couple of years from the Colts being Super Bowl contenders, and so the Broncos should win it these next couple of years! It helps that my wife's family is all from Colorado Springs and I lived there before Phoenix, so I can say the Broncos are my third/second favorite team (cause I'd put the Cardinals in the same camp with them...pull for them both, but if they played each other who would I root for?) Well, that answer right now seems to be shifting to the Broncos simply because of Peyton. He's that class of an act, and it would be awesome to see him win 2 straight Super Bowls in Denver colors...but yes, he will be a Colt in the Hall of Fame, even with a couple more Super Bowls!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Peyton Manning & the Colts
Of course, I had been hoping against all the media signs pointing to the recent separation of Peyton Manning and the Colts. There are so many articles that have been published to this point as well, both in remembering everything Peyton has done as well as speculation as to where he will go. So I don't want to go into all of that again...but simply offer up a couple of thoughts.
1. I get that he is supposedly preferring to go to an AFC team, since those are the teams that he has mostly scouted and better understands already. Manning's game is as much mental as it is physical, and his scouting and film preparation would be best suited in staying in the AFC.
2. So of the AFC teams - what is the best situation for Peyton?
Miami does make sense with Brandon Marshall (if he willingly submits to Peyton's level of intensity), Reggie Bush, and the ties that make Reggie Wayne a viable signing as well - even if I don't like them.
I know the Broncos want him, but honestly what about that offense excites you? Willis McGahee? Demarius Thomas? Don't see the pieces to make the Broncos attractive - even though I do like the Broncos. Plus, remembering some of the Colts over Broncos playoff games...
The Chiefs make some sense, with franchising Dwayne Bowe and having some other receivers as well. Their defense seems to be decent...I see it as an option!
The Jets - no way. Not happening.
3. Personal Favorite. I have to pull for an NFC team still - the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, it has a lot to do with the fact I live here in AZ, so I want to see Peyton play out his career and follow/watch it closely! Also - I do think that Peyton could probably throw it to Larry Fitzgerald every single play and they would connect on 70% of the passes. Of all the Wide Receivers out there, Manning to Fitzgerald most excites me. The Cardinals have young pieces in place on both sides of the ball - and all they have to do is give up on Kevin Kolb. I'm good with that.
4. What actually happens? I don't know - I'm going with hoping for the Cardinals even if that is a long-shot!
----
So on to the Colts - what about them? They are definitely changing regimes. I think all we know is that there is a lot of change in roster personnel. Here is what to look forward to:
1. Andrew Luck - he's going to be QB, so I just hope he stays healthy. He seems like he will be good.
2. Robert Mathis - glad he's be resigned. He could be the veteran cornerstone of this defense.
3. Anthony Castonzo - Hoping for the year 2 leap in getting the game. Stay healthy and he will be a solid LT.
4. RB? Donald Brown showed something. Will Addai be there?
5. Pat Angerer is set. Everyone is saying Gary Brackett might be out, but if they are really swapping to a 3-4, that would be a pretty solid middle 2 LBs in my humble opinion.
6. Get some support around Antoine Bethea in the secondary.
7. Who is going to play WR?? Seriously, how did this go from a strength to an absolute mystery overnight?
UPDATE (3/9/12 3:35 MST) - Just saw this article on ESPN...so lots of familiar names are now GONE. Another sad day.
1. I get that he is supposedly preferring to go to an AFC team, since those are the teams that he has mostly scouted and better understands already. Manning's game is as much mental as it is physical, and his scouting and film preparation would be best suited in staying in the AFC.
2. So of the AFC teams - what is the best situation for Peyton?
Miami does make sense with Brandon Marshall (if he willingly submits to Peyton's level of intensity), Reggie Bush, and the ties that make Reggie Wayne a viable signing as well - even if I don't like them.
I know the Broncos want him, but honestly what about that offense excites you? Willis McGahee? Demarius Thomas? Don't see the pieces to make the Broncos attractive - even though I do like the Broncos. Plus, remembering some of the Colts over Broncos playoff games...
The Chiefs make some sense, with franchising Dwayne Bowe and having some other receivers as well. Their defense seems to be decent...I see it as an option!
The Jets - no way. Not happening.
3. Personal Favorite. I have to pull for an NFC team still - the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, it has a lot to do with the fact I live here in AZ, so I want to see Peyton play out his career and follow/watch it closely! Also - I do think that Peyton could probably throw it to Larry Fitzgerald every single play and they would connect on 70% of the passes. Of all the Wide Receivers out there, Manning to Fitzgerald most excites me. The Cardinals have young pieces in place on both sides of the ball - and all they have to do is give up on Kevin Kolb. I'm good with that.
4. What actually happens? I don't know - I'm going with hoping for the Cardinals even if that is a long-shot!
----
So on to the Colts - what about them? They are definitely changing regimes. I think all we know is that there is a lot of change in roster personnel. Here is what to look forward to:
1. Andrew Luck - he's going to be QB, so I just hope he stays healthy. He seems like he will be good.
2. Robert Mathis - glad he's be resigned. He could be the veteran cornerstone of this defense.
3. Anthony Castonzo - Hoping for the year 2 leap in getting the game. Stay healthy and he will be a solid LT.
4. RB? Donald Brown showed something. Will Addai be there?
5. Pat Angerer is set. Everyone is saying Gary Brackett might be out, but if they are really swapping to a 3-4, that would be a pretty solid middle 2 LBs in my humble opinion.
6. Get some support around Antoine Bethea in the secondary.
7. Who is going to play WR?? Seriously, how did this go from a strength to an absolute mystery overnight?
UPDATE (3/9/12 3:35 MST) - Just saw this article on ESPN...so lots of familiar names are now GONE. Another sad day.
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