Sunday, July 23, 2006

Superbowl Predictions

As many of the sports mags and websites present their NFL previews and trainging camp “insiders,” it’s time to unveil my Superbowl pick.
First off, the division and league champions:

AFC North – Have to stick with the Steelers. Although the loss of Bettis will hurt them more than most people seem to think, they’ll pull out the division title over the Bengals.

AFC South – No Contest. The Colts will run away with the division.

AFC East – Here’s my surprise pick of the year. The Dolphins. Yes, I am picking them over the Patriots. They won their last six games and Nick Saban is building a winner. He is also my pick for Coach of the Year.

AFC West – A very tough call, but I pick the Broncos in what is arguably the toughest division when you look at all four teams.

NFC North – I pick the Vikings to take the division. Made some great pickups, like Hutchinson from Seattle, and the Bears are just too weak on offense. Great defense, but Grossman and company will not be able to score enough points. Teams will copy the Panthers’ blueprint from last year when Carolina pounded the Bears in Chicago in the playoffs.

NFC SouthPanthers. Great defense and solid offense anchored by the ground game. Steve Smith will not have as good a year as last year, but he won’t have to.

NFC East – Everyone loves the Cowboys but the Giants will win the division. Bledsoe is a sitting duck in the backfield for Dallas, and although T.O. will behave himself for most of the year, he will blow up at least once on the sideline. Dallas will also find out why the Colts got rid of Vanderjagt when he misses a game winner. Eil Manning for the Giants looked incredible last year and I look to him for further improvement.

NFC West – The Rams and especially the Cardinals have improved, but the Seahawks are still the best team in the division. Give the Cardinals one or two more years and they will win the West, but not this year.

Conference Champions:
AFC – Indianapolis over Miami.
NFCCarolina over New York.

My Superbowl pick:
Although history shows the two losing teams from the conference championships of the previous year almost never both make it back, I am picking the Colts and Panthers to face off in Superbowl XLI. And in one of the best moves of the offseason, the Colts’ Adam Vinatari shows once again he is worth his weight in gold, or in this case Vince Lombardi-trophyesque-silver, as he kicks a game winning field goal.
Colts 28 – Panthers 26.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Summertime

Summertime: Everytime I hear the word I can’t help but think of the song Summertime by Sublime. Fantastic beat for a cold one, the water, and some friends.

Great vices for the Summertime:
Cigars: Want a good smoke? The Myers house cigar is a Belinda Black Cubano. I personally love it for the taste and the price. But with the recent arrival of JR Cigar’s catalog and the August edition of Cigar Aficionado, I can’t wait to try an Oliva Serie G. Also want to try an Excalibur 1066 either the Dark Knight or the Merlin. Yes part of that is the name/English teacher combo, but I've read great reviews too.
A great little write-up in Cigar Aficionado about the Seersucker Suit. I already know what you’re thinking, just read it and then, like me, you’ll be thinking, “Hmmm, maybe I need to try one on.”

Beer: What a great word. Say it out loud. No, this time say it out loud. See what I mean? Great word. If you still don't agree drink one then say it. Repeat if needed.
Two beers for you to try. At a recent Myers cookout the Redhook Blackhook Porter disappeared in twenty minutes. Excellent taste and an American brew. Yes it’s a dark beer but even if you don’t like dark beers, this one is worth a try. If you like coffee and/or chocolate I think you’ll like this Porter. If not, give the rest of the six-pack to someone who does. You’ll make someone very happy and raise your friendliness rating. What a win-win situation. As the Guinness guys would say, “Brilliant!”
By the way, the Redhook website is fantastic. In all of my surfing I find it’s the breweries that seem to have the most interactive websites.

2nd beer: Yes, this one is dark too, but for a different crowd. The Bridgeport Black Strap Stout is an American brew that rivals the finest stouts of old world Europe. The “Black Strap” refers to the molasses used in the recipe. If you love dark beers like Guinness, you’ll love this one. I discovered it on the shelf in Lowes Foods and served it at the cookout and a card game amongst friends. When we play cards it’s low stakes, lots of laughs, and even more drinking. Bottom line, the only Bridgeports left in the cooler were bottlecaps.
Okay all this beer talk is making me thirsty…

In summation:
Don’t like dark beers, the Redhook Porter may change your mind.
Like dark beers, treat yourself to a Bridgeport Stout.

With the recent celebrations of Flag Day and July 4th, and the growing anti-American attitude of the world, I’m personally looking more and more at breweries owned by American companies. Both of these fit the bill. Americana baby, get with it!!!

Baseball – The sports that passes the time as we wait for football. Watched the All-Star game last night. A very entertaining and quick game. If regular games were over in just over 2 and ½ hours maybe they’d be easier to watch. Unless of course you’re playing beer-baseball, then time really doesn’t matter, but I digress. Couldn’t believe the NL blew it in the ninth. As much as I am an NL fan versus an AL fan, I do love Ozzie Guillen of the White Sox. That guy will tell you exactly what he thinks. It’s gotten him into trouble, but he’s a proverbial breath of fresh air in our uber-cliché world. Did you hear what he told the AL players before the game? He said if you don’t get in tonight, too bad, try to make it back here next year. How awesome is that? I remember just a couple years ago the mentality was every person had to play. Not with Ozzie, he just wants to win.
It is still completely idiotic of Bud Selig to grant home field advantage in the World Series to the winner of the All-Star game, but what do you expect from Selig? He is a man that seems to grasp at greatness and strength while sitting in the corner with a large pointed hat on his head.

Another baseball note: I learned this last night, 20 of the 32 teams are within 6 games of 1st place in their respective divisions. A blip of excitement awaits for the second half of a 162 game season. Every game counts? Only in football.

Football baby, football. Less than two months away!