Hard to Disagree With Howie (even though he's a raider)

I have watched the NFL from the time Nitschke and Butkus would tear off your head and spit down your neck - when the Purple People Eaters and the Fearsome Foursome would hit you until and even after the whistle. I can remember a time when the ground COULD cause a fumble. I have been a card-carrying orangemaniac, Broncoholic since I was 5. I used to lament every year that Denver didn't trade for Joe Namath, Carl Eller, Butkus, or Merlin Olsen.

This is all prelude to say that the hypocrisy of the NFL, fining John Lynch for a hard hit that was clean, while allowing bigger and dirty hits that don't even draw penalty flags to go unnoticed. Also, putting a DVD of great hits on sale, while fines are levied against the stars of that video, allowing ESPN to have a "Jacked Up" segment on their Monday Night pregame, and finally preaching safety and health from the NFL offices and planning for a longer season of 18 games to yield to the greed of every NFL team owner.

Sunday morning on the FOX pregame, I heard the most eloquent rant to match my own ire. Former Raider Howie Long, who is also father of current Rams defensive lineman Chris Long spoke on the "Fired Up" segment. How ironic that my hated rival all those years is the best voice against the greed and hypocrisy of the Commissioner and ownership.

Rangers?

Okay, I admit I didn't call it right so far in the AL, but tonight was nice to watch the Yankees get drubbed for the second time in the late innings. I don't like the way the League office allowed them to trade and sign high salary players while teams with prudent payrolls had to pass, but putting that aside it is fun to watch those guys play baseball. Speed, base hitting, and great defense are their pillars - and still they have serious pop with Hamilton, Guerrero, Cruz, and Kinsler. Why do I despise the Yankees so severely? Because the playing field is never level, and when you poach year after year off of the less wealthy teams, morally I personally slide into a cheating mentality. There are many great people and players on the field, yet it is a good feeling to cheer for Josh Hamilton and Vlad - two guys who were all but kicked to the curb for different reasons, yet given up on none the less.

The network is going to be hating life if neither the Phillies or Yankees make it further. I will watch every pitch - no matter what.

What Do You Know?

You can go home again, with a new qb and coach - same tired act!

Playoff Prognostication

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls (I know that three of those groups have never seen this blog) - here are my picks:

The American League half of the playoffs is by far more competitive and will be more compelling to watch. Both of the series in the Senior Circuit have definite underdogs and favorites, a five game series is pretty much a lock with Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamel. The same can be said for Lincecum and Cain, even though Sanchez has stumbled large down the stretch.

Rays over Rangers - let fiscal responsibility and "cheaters never prosper" be the lessons here --- Twins over Yankees (unless C.C. pitches every game for New York) --- Rays over Twins ---

Philly will destroy the Reds --- and the Giants over the valiant Braves (bye bye Bobby) --- San Fran will take out the Phillies ---

Rays in six over the Giants