Prognostications From an Easy Chair

The season has begun - the pads are a-poppin', the f-bombs are a-floppin' --- only on Hard Knocks, never at this house!

I don't need Hank Jr. to ask if I'm ready for some football. I AM! So, with the season one game in, on the eve before the first football Sunday, allow me to toss out there a prediction or so. This may be a Drew Brees razor sharp pinpoint pass, or it may turn out to be a JaMarcus Russell (who?) and be strong but no where near the target. Here goes...

Starting of with the easy ones, NFC South is the Saints - der! however, the Falcons will be a force, a wildcard team for sure.

NFC West is The 49ers to lose - their opponents in that division are all rebuilding and will be lucky get to .500 - San Fran wins out with a 9-7 record.

Now the NFC North is a little tougher to gauge because of the unpredictability of the drama king (Favre) and his guys in Minnesota. However, the Packers look to have all the tools and will control the Nordic division this season.

The pick 'em division in the NFL this season is the NFC East. Arguments can be made for and against all four teams, with the Giants having the most holes. Funny to state that, since Washington won 4 games last season, declaring they could win the division is a stretch. However, the upgrade in coaching and the upgrade at quarterback will bolster those arguments. The Eagles have a solid group, a solid coach, but a new qb - the powers in Philly believe Kevin Kolb is ready. I however believe that the Cowboys will screw this season up somehow, showing the promise and talent they have in glances, yet laying a colossal egg in the most important of games. I say Redskins out of partiality to my coach - Mike Shanahan.

The AFC picture is much more competitive. The AFC South is Indy's to lose, but look for both wilcards to come from this division. If Tennessee or Houston were playing in any other AFC Division, they would dominate.

The AFC West is the weakest in the AFC, and for that reason it will be the Broncos stealing from Mr. Rivers and Jerry Rice's worst coach he ever had - Norv.

The AFC North is going to be the blackest and bluest division with defense all over the place, but I pick Cincinnati to overcome the mouth in Baltimore, as well as the Steelers.

Finally, the AFC East is the prettiest division, with Brady, Sanchez, and Henne, but the football will be rather 'ho-hum'. Look for Billacheat to lose in a heart breaker to the Jets down the stretch.

Marshall is Now a Thinker

Brandon Marshall was a problem child while he was with the Broncos. He showed a prima dona attitude, an immaturity that didn't respect authority, and a such a lack of discipline whenever the wind wasn't blowing his direction. He obviously never listened in team meetings when the game plan wrapped securely around him and his extraordinary abilities, he just heard a little voice saying, "You are the best and with this new guy no one will notice YOU!" Therefore, he acted out multiple times ... all water washed down the street - he is now a Dolphin. This latest brainstorm of his shows he has no concept of current events, ESPN Sportscenter, or the local papers.

If you read the article without any outside influence it is an interesting piece that puts Brandon in a good place. I'm growing up and thinking ahead - I am not just a spoiled, in-the-moment athlete. I have a back-up plan for my life. As I see it, Brandon lives under a rock, or has been watching C-Span (either channel) exclusively for the last six months. Since February the NBA articles have all been about the expiring CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) between the owners and the Player's Union that ends after the 2010-2011 season. So, Mr. Marshall, if your league locks out after the 2011 Super Bowl, you will have no time to do "some training" before the NBA owners will lock out the players and the NBA players will be 'hanging' with you NFL guys.

My cynical and sarcastic mind read this and just laughed. I thought about the possibility that I was making GPS systems for automobiles, and my boss said, "The smart phone is putting us out of business, the plant is closed." So I went looking for a black and white TV manufacturing company to work with in a new career. Nice thinking Brandon.

A Good Thing Done Right

Hazing is a good thing. At times it can be bad when jerks create gross, demeaning, or harmful stunts to perform for the plebe. Carrying shoulder pads, buying and delivering donuts, dressing like a woman and singing at the team meal - these are harmless and fun incidents in the annals of hazing. Check out what Bronco vets did to Tim Tebow's locks --- Friar Tuck with the spiked bangs.

Hey Dez, this is how you handle veterans hazing you - it's only hair --- it grows and gets cut, and grows again.

Karma Sucks

Spiritually speaking, I don't believe in karma. Unfortunately, Eldrick does. No longer the superman of the links, the invincible god of golf, his non-sports life turned into a expose that rivals the juiciest Enquirer story, and his golf game in the loo, I feel for him.

I don't know from personal experience what it is like to be an icon, a demigod to mere mortals, but I do know how it hurts to fail. And to fail publicly. Seriously, I pray that Tiger finds more than just Buddistic enlightenment. He needs Jesus. Not to salvage his golf stroke, or help him to reconcile with his wife, but for his eternal soul. God promised, "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow." (Isaiah 1.18 NIV)

His demeanor and his game are evidence of a troubled, troubled soul.

On the edge of my seat for weeks now, I have been all tied up in knots waiting for this day -I should have been preparing for the Harvest Crusade the first weekend of August (Aug. 6-8 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA) but I admit I was conflicted as the Broncos were in talks with their extraordinary 2nd First round draft choice, the polarizing Tim Tebow.

And to top it off, not only do I need a #15 Jersey, but I have to toss my old FOTL's and switch to Jockey tighty whiteys - Tebow's third biggest endorsement deal after Nike and EA sports. Read about his new undies here. Remember, Bronco fans, Elway was not "The Duke" until his third year in the league --- don't expect this young man to walk on water because that just won't happen. He is a winner, and will be a major upgrade in the locker room, on the practice field and to the organization as a whole.

Jimenez Is Very Special

Ubaldo Jimenez is giving NL (and a few AL teams) a big treat this year. He is doing things that many HOF pitchers only thought about. A 15 - 1 record with one more start scheduled before the All-Star break, and ERA of 2.20, and a paltry 1.05 WHIP (walks&hits per innings pitched), and 113 strikeouts in 18 appearances. His opposition is batting a pitiful .198 when he's on the bump, and his 15 wins leads the NL. Jeff Francis deserved the Cy Young back in 2007, and barring a complete collapse Jimenez should have it already sewn up.

The biased east coast writers will give Carpenter (who the Rockies just beat to complete the sweep of the Cardinals) or Halladay the publicity, not to mention some 'Johnny-come-lately' who finishes strong while snubbing Jimenez, I'm sure.

As a devoted and proud Rockies fan misplaced here on the west coast, I revel in the work of the best pitcher in baseball in 2010.

Almost Here Is Nowhere At All

May I be so bold as to say the lead story across the ENTIRE sports landscape, the future basketball home of King James, aka, LeBron, has absolutely no value to me whatsoever. That is my opinion of the NBA. Big Whoop! I love that the FIFA World Cup has been exciting and somewhat contoversial, even though both the USA and Mexico were eliminated early. I truly love baseball season, which doubles as NFL off-season, and the many stories and spectacular highlights from the first half of the year.

Michael Vick is in trouble again - uh, der! With Mike there is the sad saga of Big Ben in Pittsburgh, and Vince was touted as a changed man until, oops - my favorite highlight of the summer is VY going off on those guys at the "club" - and most recently Cedric showed what he is really all about. Did I leave any reprobates out of this list? Probably. Good luck Commish Goodell, there is not enough spin on Madison Ave. to fix this mess.

Has baseball been just awesome this season? Perfect games, should-have-been Perfect game, no hitters up the wazoo, and even A-Rod playing dumb and doing something else that was stupid. It seems that every single division race is still very hot, brimming with stiff competition, promising a fantastic finish ahead. Comebacks from players thought to be done, and rookies that are phenomenal. Just this week my team, the Rockies, have had back-to-back walk-off ninth inning home runs. I'm not saying they are bias, but I'll bet if the Yankees or Red Sox did that ESPN would have preempted this NBA free agency nonsense to show the world (over and over) how awesome they are. but I'm proud of the one highlight and sound bite from Seth Smith and Jim Tracy, and then Chris Ianetta this morning. Good Job guys. If the Padres and Dodgers continue their recent decline after the break, and the Rocks keep up the momentum, the NL West will be as awesome as the AL East, but I'm just saying.

And to top off my week, this week marks the beginning of Little League All-Stars competition for District 24 in Riverside County. My youngest son's team, La Sierra Junior Division play their first game this evening. While my son is a very good athlete, on his team he has a supporting role. I wish him and his teammates all the best.