So much for Madden jinxes....
Congrats to Calvin Johnson on breaking my favorite wide receiver's receiving yards in a season - surprised Jerry Rice's record hasn't been broken with how pass-friendly the league has gotten. The only suspense left with him is whether he will get 2,000 yards (needs 108 yards), which with how he has been playing (and how little Detroit has to play for), doesn't seem all that suspenseful. I see him blowing by this record and getting up to about 2,050 yards, setting a record that he (and he alone) will have fun trying to chase for the next 5-10 years.
Also a big congrats to Adrian Peterson, who is within sniffing range of the rushing record thanks to his 212 yard performance in Week 15. He needs 294 yards in his last two games (against Houston & Green Bay) to top Eric Dickerson's 2105 yards, a record set almost 30 years ago. I'd love to see him get it - as far as watching RBs go, Peterson is probably my favorite one to watch (except when he's facing the Niners).
Anywho, onto Week 16 Picks:
Jax +14.5, Phil +6.5, Dal -2.5, SF +1.5
Considering: Ten +12.5, Min +7.5, Cin/Pitt Under 41.5
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
12/15/2012
Week 15 NFL & Y2K update for AP & Megatron
To those that enjoy my writings (sports, gambling, life), I apologize for not writing as much lately. I'll try starting up more in 2013.
An update from last week's blog
Countdown to Y2K - 3 games left:
Adrian Peterson
Season: 1600 yards, 265 carries (6.0 yards/carry), 10 TDs
Last week: 31 carries, 154 yards
Last week: 31 carries, 154 yards
Needs: 400 yards in 3 games (133.3/game)
Opponents: at St. Louis (allows /game), at Houston ( /game), vs. Green Bay ( /game)
Will he get 2K yards? Yes, 2022
Calvin Johnson
Season: 96 catches, 1546 yards (16.1/catch), 5 TDs
Last Week: 10 catches, 118 yards
Needs: 454 yards in 3 games (151.3/game)
Opponents: at Arizona (allows 197 passing yards/game), vs. Atlanta (234/game), vs Chicago (205/game)
Will he get 2K yards? No, just short, 1944
Onward to Week 15...
Atl -1.5 - Falcons not getting the respect they should at home. The Giants' road reputation is part of this line. Atlanta was sleepwalking through the Carolina game and got the wake-up call they needed before the playoffs.
Balt +3 - I know Peyton has been leading the Broncos to their highest levels since Elway, but a letdown is inevitable. Flacco plays well at home. Without Cam Cameron as their offensive coordinator, I expect the Ravens to unleash Ray Rice to his full potential.
Ariz +6.5 - Arizona got waxed last week. Detroit lost their fifth straight, but not as bad as the Cardinals did. This play is pure motivation - Arizona has the only motivation in this game (eager to bounce back from such a shellacking). Meanwhile, the Lions were expected to contend for the playoffs and are long past that goal. It's easy to get up for a road night game against the Packers - I doubt their focus will be as sharp (as if their focus has been sharp to begin with) as Arizona's.
Buf +4.5 - Seattle's best game was last week - they could do nothing wrong. However, they are not the same team on the road. Even though this is technically not Buffalo's stadium (more of a neutral site game), the NFL and I consider it a Seattle road game. A letdown is coming, especially with a big matchup against the Niners coming up next week.
Considering...Houston -10, KC +3, SF +4.5/5
12/08/2012
The Heisman Trophy - A Classic Example of GroupThink
If you give two damns about college football, you'll know what I'm talking about in regards to this title.
Hell, you see a lot of this in your daily lives - people being influenced by the groups around them. It may be a decision that the person in question doesn't really believe in but they make it anyways - at the risk of looking like a dissenter. No one wants to be cast as the outsider who doesn't believe what his or her group is thinking.
And here we are, the topic of conversation: The Heisman Trophy.
I never understood why the Heisman Trophy was so popular - still don't. After all, how often does "the most outstanding collegiate football player" (which is the definition of the Heisman winner) actually win the award? I guess you have to define "outstanding".
Is it "most outstanding" to win a high profile game against Alabama, run up your stats against inferior competition, and struggle against other teams who are considered high profile (LSU/Florida)? If so, the projected winner Johnny Manziel is your guy.
Is it "most outstanding" to have your team go 12-0 and advance to the BCS championship game as you lead your defense with your tremendous play to the second-best scoring average in college? If so, Manti Te'o is your guy.
Or is it "most outstanding" to be the leader of an offense who scored 37 TDs (passing & rushing) and was a bad game against Baylor away from being in the championship game against Notre Dame? If so, Collin Klein is your guy.
Ever since Manzeil's Texas A&M squad beat Alabama last month, he's been all but enshrined as the 2012 Heisman winner. It's as if his mediocre games against other SEC squads (LSU/Florida) didn't matter or didn't count.
On the opposite end, Klein was the odds-on favorite for a while, and with good reason. A few games away from perfection, Kansas State's loss against Baylor pushed Klein down the Heisman stairs, as if what he did to tear defenses up before then didn't matter one lick.
Te'o is the only guy on an undefeated team in the running, and has been a great player in his own right.
But are any of these guys really the "most outstanding" or are these guys (especially Manziel) the products of "groupthink"?
After all, ESPN and other media outlets shove these guys (like Johnny Football) down your throats, making you believe that the only game he played was against Alabama. And don't get me wrong - he did excellent in that game. But is one game worth a Heisman? It is to the voters, who are suckers to what they've seen most recently, which apparently is the new definition for "most outstanding".
If we're looking at most outstanding, shouldn't we look at what Marquis Lee did for USC? Or does his performance mean nothing because he played on an under-achieving team that was penciled in for a BCS bowl before the season started?
If I were going to vote strictly on the final three candidates, I'd probably go Klein, Te'o and then Manziel. Klein shouldn't be penalized for losing one game (hell, Manziel's squad lost two).
Hell, you see a lot of this in your daily lives - people being influenced by the groups around them. It may be a decision that the person in question doesn't really believe in but they make it anyways - at the risk of looking like a dissenter. No one wants to be cast as the outsider who doesn't believe what his or her group is thinking.
And here we are, the topic of conversation: The Heisman Trophy.
I never understood why the Heisman Trophy was so popular - still don't. After all, how often does "the most outstanding collegiate football player" (which is the definition of the Heisman winner) actually win the award? I guess you have to define "outstanding".
Is it "most outstanding" to win a high profile game against Alabama, run up your stats against inferior competition, and struggle against other teams who are considered high profile (LSU/Florida)? If so, the projected winner Johnny Manziel is your guy.
Is it "most outstanding" to have your team go 12-0 and advance to the BCS championship game as you lead your defense with your tremendous play to the second-best scoring average in college? If so, Manti Te'o is your guy.
Or is it "most outstanding" to be the leader of an offense who scored 37 TDs (passing & rushing) and was a bad game against Baylor away from being in the championship game against Notre Dame? If so, Collin Klein is your guy.
Ever since Manzeil's Texas A&M squad beat Alabama last month, he's been all but enshrined as the 2012 Heisman winner. It's as if his mediocre games against other SEC squads (LSU/Florida) didn't matter or didn't count.
On the opposite end, Klein was the odds-on favorite for a while, and with good reason. A few games away from perfection, Kansas State's loss against Baylor pushed Klein down the Heisman stairs, as if what he did to tear defenses up before then didn't matter one lick.
Te'o is the only guy on an undefeated team in the running, and has been a great player in his own right.
But are any of these guys really the "most outstanding" or are these guys (especially Manziel) the products of "groupthink"?
After all, ESPN and other media outlets shove these guys (like Johnny Football) down your throats, making you believe that the only game he played was against Alabama. And don't get me wrong - he did excellent in that game. But is one game worth a Heisman? It is to the voters, who are suckers to what they've seen most recently, which apparently is the new definition for "most outstanding".
If we're looking at most outstanding, shouldn't we look at what Marquis Lee did for USC? Or does his performance mean nothing because he played on an under-achieving team that was penciled in for a BCS bowl before the season started?
If I were going to vote strictly on the final three candidates, I'd probably go Klein, Te'o and then Manziel. Klein shouldn't be penalized for losing one game (hell, Manziel's squad lost two).
12/07/2012
Yards 2K: Megatron & All-Day Approaching Two Grand Yards - Plus Week 14 NFL
If you pay close attention to the total yards of certain players, odds are you probably have them as a starter in your fantasy league.
I, however, own neither Calvin Johnson nor Adrian Peterson in any of my leagues, although I did try to make a trade for AP in my keeper league. I didn't get the owner to pull the trigger on the deal (thanks a lot Craig), but that hasn't stopped me from paying attention to what he has been doing following his torn ACL & MCL almost 12 months ago.
An injury that usually takes a season or two to shake some rust & rehab, Peterson is having the best season of his career (234 carries, 1446 yards, 8 touchdowns). His average of 6.2 yards per carry is higher than his quarterback Christian Ponder's average yards per attempt (6.0), which is amazing. If he is to average this pace the rest of the year (120.5 yards/game), we're looking at 1928 yards - so to say he could get 2,000 yards isn't out of the question.
In regards to Calvin Johnson, his stats have been just as gaudy. Megatron has 86 catches for 1428 yards (119 yards/game) and 5 touchdowns. Funny - a lot of annoying fantasy owners were complaining that he was having a bad season about five or six weeks back. If Calvin continues his pace, he will set an NFL-record at 1904 yards (Jerry Rice got 1848 yards in 1995). Again, he has a good chance of 2000 this year, especially with how bad the Lions' season is going and this will likely be the only thing they'll have to play for. (The same can be said for Adrian if the Vikings continue to fade out).
The question is - if both guys reach the mark, whose 2K season would be more impressive? A case can be made for both - Adrian having a career year after suffering his terrible CL injuries and running this well despite teams being able to key in on him since the Vikings have an average QB.
However, if you make me choose between the two, I'd go with Megatron's season. Anytime you break an NFL record, I think that has to be considered a tiebreaker that decides all tiebreakers. Either way though, all those numbers will result in no playoff appearances - unless of course you're owning these guys in fantasy football. In that case, good luck this week.
I say Peterson runs for 130 yards and a TD and Calvin goes for 125 and a TD against the Packers.
Other Week 14 Predictions
Min +3 vs. Chicago - Minnesota got crushed by the Bears a few weeks back, but I'm really high on them this week. I think the Bears have peaked this year - they've lost 3 of 4 (all to likely playoff teams) ever since their miraculous defensive TD onslaught dried out. I think you'll see a heavy dose of Peterson, about 30 carries - 24-17 Vikings - they don't need Harvin here.
NE -3.5 vs. Houston - This is as balanced as NE has been in a while - great passing game as always, solid running game and an opportunistic defense this year (24 turnovers forced, best in the league). I think Houston will lose some of their edge given their 11-1 record, and they haven't played as good lately as their record would indicate. I'll take New England here 30-17.
Other Potential Bets:
Ten +5.5, Buf -3, Dal +3
Good luck this week in your fantasy playoffs and good luck to your teams this week.
I, however, own neither Calvin Johnson nor Adrian Peterson in any of my leagues, although I did try to make a trade for AP in my keeper league. I didn't get the owner to pull the trigger on the deal (thanks a lot Craig), but that hasn't stopped me from paying attention to what he has been doing following his torn ACL & MCL almost 12 months ago.
An injury that usually takes a season or two to shake some rust & rehab, Peterson is having the best season of his career (234 carries, 1446 yards, 8 touchdowns). His average of 6.2 yards per carry is higher than his quarterback Christian Ponder's average yards per attempt (6.0), which is amazing. If he is to average this pace the rest of the year (120.5 yards/game), we're looking at 1928 yards - so to say he could get 2,000 yards isn't out of the question.
In regards to Calvin Johnson, his stats have been just as gaudy. Megatron has 86 catches for 1428 yards (119 yards/game) and 5 touchdowns. Funny - a lot of annoying fantasy owners were complaining that he was having a bad season about five or six weeks back. If Calvin continues his pace, he will set an NFL-record at 1904 yards (Jerry Rice got 1848 yards in 1995). Again, he has a good chance of 2000 this year, especially with how bad the Lions' season is going and this will likely be the only thing they'll have to play for. (The same can be said for Adrian if the Vikings continue to fade out).
The question is - if both guys reach the mark, whose 2K season would be more impressive? A case can be made for both - Adrian having a career year after suffering his terrible CL injuries and running this well despite teams being able to key in on him since the Vikings have an average QB.
However, if you make me choose between the two, I'd go with Megatron's season. Anytime you break an NFL record, I think that has to be considered a tiebreaker that decides all tiebreakers. Either way though, all those numbers will result in no playoff appearances - unless of course you're owning these guys in fantasy football. In that case, good luck this week.
I say Peterson runs for 130 yards and a TD and Calvin goes for 125 and a TD against the Packers.
Other Week 14 Predictions
Min +3 vs. Chicago - Minnesota got crushed by the Bears a few weeks back, but I'm really high on them this week. I think the Bears have peaked this year - they've lost 3 of 4 (all to likely playoff teams) ever since their miraculous defensive TD onslaught dried out. I think you'll see a heavy dose of Peterson, about 30 carries - 24-17 Vikings - they don't need Harvin here.
NE -3.5 vs. Houston - This is as balanced as NE has been in a while - great passing game as always, solid running game and an opportunistic defense this year (24 turnovers forced, best in the league). I think Houston will lose some of their edge given their 11-1 record, and they haven't played as good lately as their record would indicate. I'll take New England here 30-17.
Other Potential Bets:
Ten +5.5, Buf -3, Dal +3
Good luck this week in your fantasy playoffs and good luck to your teams this week.
11/30/2012
NFL Week 13
Lucky number 13.
Week 13 is about the time where the season starts winding down. Some teams have their eye on a bye, others are battling for a chance at the playoffs, and others are, well, Kansas City, Philadelphia & Jacksonville.
Also, if you're lucky, you're competing for a spot in a fantasy football playoff in one of your eight leagues. Lots to look forward to this week in that regard.
I'll approach this week a little differently - going with games I won't touch, games I am considering & games I will bet.
MC Hammer Games (Can't Touch Them)
Dal -10.5 vs. Phil (may bet the total, can't bet the side)
Cle -1.5 at Oak
NYJ -4.5 vs. Ariz (lean Ariz but too hard to gauge this one)
Buf -6 vs. Jax (Jax best efforts have come on the road, still can't bet this though)
Cin -1.5 at SD
Car -3 at KC
SF -7 at StL
Pitt -8 vs. Balt
Hou -6.5 at Ten
Cle -1.5 at Oak
Christian Pondering
Min +8 at GB (I think Min keeps this within a score)
Sea +3.5 at Chi (Gonna be a defensive battle - in these case I usually like the points)
Mia +7.5 vs. NE (likely to pass on this, but this one seems deceiving)
Locking In
Den -7 vs TB (seems like a lot, but TB can't defend the pass)
Det -5 vs. Ind (fool's gold game of the week - I expect Detroit to win by double digits)
Good luck in your picks, fantasy teams and real teams. Have a great start to your Decembers.
Week 13 is about the time where the season starts winding down. Some teams have their eye on a bye, others are battling for a chance at the playoffs, and others are, well, Kansas City, Philadelphia & Jacksonville.
Also, if you're lucky, you're competing for a spot in a fantasy football playoff in one of your eight leagues. Lots to look forward to this week in that regard.
I'll approach this week a little differently - going with games I won't touch, games I am considering & games I will bet.
MC Hammer Games (Can't Touch Them)
Dal -10.5 vs. Phil (may bet the total, can't bet the side)
Cle -1.5 at Oak
NYJ -4.5 vs. Ariz (lean Ariz but too hard to gauge this one)
Buf -6 vs. Jax (Jax best efforts have come on the road, still can't bet this though)
Cin -1.5 at SD
Car -3 at KC
SF -7 at StL
Pitt -8 vs. Balt
Hou -6.5 at Ten
Cle -1.5 at Oak
Christian Pondering
Min +8 at GB (I think Min keeps this within a score)
Sea +3.5 at Chi (Gonna be a defensive battle - in these case I usually like the points)
Mia +7.5 vs. NE (likely to pass on this, but this one seems deceiving)
Locking In
Den -7 vs TB (seems like a lot, but TB can't defend the pass)
Det -5 vs. Ind (fool's gold game of the week - I expect Detroit to win by double digits)
Good luck in your picks, fantasy teams and real teams. Have a great start to your Decembers.
11/23/2012
NFL Week 12
As many of you have already read many times, I went to a Bears game for the second week in a row. Like the week before, I witnessed a pathetic Bears offense and eventual loss - combined losses to Houston & San Francisco by a 42-10 margin.
I promise to all Bears fans that I will not attend any more of their games this year, as I have witnessed 67% of their losses. Do I think they'll bounce back this week? Yes I do. Will I bet it? No I won't. Should I keep asking myself questions and then answering them? I think I should stop.
With only 12 games on Sunday and a dud of a game on Monday, there's not much on the slate that catches my eye. I'll likely be able to catch some/all of the Saints/49ers game, which I believe is the clear afternoon game of the day (Packers at Giants at night is the clear game of the day).
Thoughts on each game:
Oakland +8 at Cincy: Oakland fits the system here - blowout losses against the spread in their last three games & Cincy w/ blowout wins against the spread in their last two. Likely bet on Oakland, even though I picked Cincy in a couple of survivor pools.
Pitt -1.5 at Cle: I like Cleveland here. One of those 2-8 records that really doesn't tell the story on how competitive they've been this year. Probably won't bet it, but it'll likely be Cleveland or nothing here.
Buf +3 at Indy: This is the Fool's Gold Play of the week. Everyone loves Indy here, but they have no defense and I believe Buffalo will be able to move the ball well on the ground against them (Indy allows 4.7 yards/carry - 4th worst - while Spiller leads the league w/ 6.6 yards/carry). Indy is not as good as their 6-4 shows. Buffalo will be a bet
Denver -10.5 at KC: For me here, it's either KC +10.5 or no play. Divisional rivalry game - you can usually throw records out the window. KC sprung an upset last year against GB in a similar spot of the year - be careful backing Denver here.
Ten -4 at Jax: MC Hammer Game of the Week. As in, I can't touch this one on either end. No way can I lay points with Tennessee on the road, but no way I can bet on Jacksonville (again) at home, where they've lost each game by double digits.
Atl -1 at TB: Should be the best of the Noon time games. A Tampa win here could put them in good position for a playoff push for the rest of the year. No leans here.
Sea -3 at Mia: Mia fits the system of a team who hasn't covered in three straight. Likely to take them here. I don't think Seattle has earned the right to be road favorites yet.
Balt (pick'em) at SD: I already bet SD here. Great spot for them (or at least great spot to fade Baltimore). Ravens are in the middle of a Pittsburgh sandwich on their schedule and in the middle is a game thousands of miles away. Big let down spot here.
SF -1 at NO: My only worry here is Kaepernick having a rough go in his first road start in what may be the noisiest stadium in the league, but overall, I believe San Fran should be able to move the ball consistently and slow down NO enough to take this one. May bet San Fran. System play here in effect with NO winning three straight against the spread (which means fade them).
StL +1 at Ariz: Another MC Hammer Game. Arizona hasn't won since starting 4-0. I think they win here, but I sure as hell won't bet on it.
GB +2.5 at NYG: With public perception on the Giants being as low as its been this year since their opener against the Cowboys, this should be a good time to back them, especially after a bye week.
Car -2.5 at Phil: Another ugly game. Can't believe Carolina is a road favorite here, but find it hard to trust Philly. At all. No bet.
Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day. Have a good weekend.
I promise to all Bears fans that I will not attend any more of their games this year, as I have witnessed 67% of their losses. Do I think they'll bounce back this week? Yes I do. Will I bet it? No I won't. Should I keep asking myself questions and then answering them? I think I should stop.
With only 12 games on Sunday and a dud of a game on Monday, there's not much on the slate that catches my eye. I'll likely be able to catch some/all of the Saints/49ers game, which I believe is the clear afternoon game of the day (Packers at Giants at night is the clear game of the day).
Thoughts on each game:
Oakland +8 at Cincy: Oakland fits the system here - blowout losses against the spread in their last three games & Cincy w/ blowout wins against the spread in their last two. Likely bet on Oakland, even though I picked Cincy in a couple of survivor pools.
Pitt -1.5 at Cle: I like Cleveland here. One of those 2-8 records that really doesn't tell the story on how competitive they've been this year. Probably won't bet it, but it'll likely be Cleveland or nothing here.
Buf +3 at Indy: This is the Fool's Gold Play of the week. Everyone loves Indy here, but they have no defense and I believe Buffalo will be able to move the ball well on the ground against them (Indy allows 4.7 yards/carry - 4th worst - while Spiller leads the league w/ 6.6 yards/carry). Indy is not as good as their 6-4 shows. Buffalo will be a bet
Denver -10.5 at KC: For me here, it's either KC +10.5 or no play. Divisional rivalry game - you can usually throw records out the window. KC sprung an upset last year against GB in a similar spot of the year - be careful backing Denver here.
Ten -4 at Jax: MC Hammer Game of the Week. As in, I can't touch this one on either end. No way can I lay points with Tennessee on the road, but no way I can bet on Jacksonville (again) at home, where they've lost each game by double digits.
Atl -1 at TB: Should be the best of the Noon time games. A Tampa win here could put them in good position for a playoff push for the rest of the year. No leans here.
Sea -3 at Mia: Mia fits the system of a team who hasn't covered in three straight. Likely to take them here. I don't think Seattle has earned the right to be road favorites yet.
Balt (pick'em) at SD: I already bet SD here. Great spot for them (or at least great spot to fade Baltimore). Ravens are in the middle of a Pittsburgh sandwich on their schedule and in the middle is a game thousands of miles away. Big let down spot here.
SF -1 at NO: My only worry here is Kaepernick having a rough go in his first road start in what may be the noisiest stadium in the league, but overall, I believe San Fran should be able to move the ball consistently and slow down NO enough to take this one. May bet San Fran. System play here in effect with NO winning three straight against the spread (which means fade them).
StL +1 at Ariz: Another MC Hammer Game. Arizona hasn't won since starting 4-0. I think they win here, but I sure as hell won't bet on it.
GB +2.5 at NYG: With public perception on the Giants being as low as its been this year since their opener against the Cowboys, this should be a good time to back them, especially after a bye week.
Car -2.5 at Phil: Another ugly game. Can't believe Carolina is a road favorite here, but find it hard to trust Philly. At all. No bet.
Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day. Have a good weekend.
11/21/2012
San Franchised - Jen's 30th Bday in Words & Pics
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| On the Golden Gate w/ my Girl of Gold |
So you're probably wondering how Jen's birthday trip to San Fran was...What's that, you caught all of our pictures and statuses on Facebook? Well...uhm....read this anyways.
Actually, there's a lot more to our trip than what was mentioned on the incessant messages, the latter of which were not replied to for the simple fact that the Niners absolutely Pwned the Bears on Monday Night Football.
(As I was waiting to get me and Jen some In-N-Out Burger, I overheard some idiot Bears fan backing out of a bet he made with a 49ers friend of his which would require him to shave his head since the Bears lost. I absolutely hate...HATE...when people back out of bets - more on In-N-Out later).
Happy 30th to Jen!
Here's some randomness from the trip:
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| The Full House houses (we think) |
- Planes, Trains, Automobiles...and many more forms of transportation were taken on our trip. Starting from our flight to San Francisco, here's how our daily transportation went:
Saturday: Car to Airport, Plane, Shuttle Bus
Sunday: Walk to Golden Gate (about a 3-to-4 mile walk from our place), Taxi (including a free ride down crookedest street of Lombard Street), Boat to Alcatraz
Monday: Walk through Lombard Street, Trolley to Chinatown, Taxi to the Painted Ladies, Bus to the Full House houses and three more bus rides, including a round-trip to/from the Niners game
Tuesday: Shuttle, plane, car back to our Chi-town palace.
Needless to say, we made the most out of every type of available transportation in the past four days.
- Did You Know....That Interstate 80 ends in San Francisco? It feels like I-80 runs through every major city. I wonder how long it would take to drive from one end to the other.
- It feels like big upsets in sports occur whenever I'm on vacation and I can't watch them. Oregon loses to Stanford (which I heard the end to in the shuttlebus radio), Baylor destroys Kansas State, which moves Notre Dame to the #1 spot for the first time in 400 years*. I'm not sure which upset I'm more surprised with, but anyone who watches college football knows that November is a great month for these upsets of previously unbeaten teams. It's so so hard to play a great game for all 12/13 games before the Bowl season comes around. Even though Matt Barkley is out this week, I wouldn't be shocked if Notre Dame lost this week - just so hard to win week in/week out.
*slight exaggeration - Jen had a great birthday trip here, except...for her experience at Candlestick. And no, I'm not just talking about the drubbing that her Bears took. I was not aware of the Stick's hostile treatment of visiting fans until earlier this year when reading about some Saints' fans experiencing some harassing douchebags. When she went to go get some food during the game, Jen experienced some of this as she was waiting in line and was right near some idiots who were fighting. Also, some guy was giving her a hard time for wearing her Peppers jersey and was questioning her knowledge of what the GSH initials were in reference to (she correctly said George Halas, while the idiot thought it may have been for Gale Sayers).
I know all teams have their share of assholes at games, but I felt bad that Jen had to experience this, especially with me not being there at the time to help her out of the situation. - As always, the best parts of any trip are the ones you don't expect or plan...and this trip was no exception. It's hard for us to determine what spontaneous moment we liked the best from our trip. There was the moment where a homeless guy scared the crap out of Jen by hiding behind a tree branch full of leaves that he was holding, only to pop out and scare her. There was also our cab driver who was a delight and stopped our taxi meter about 10 minutes before we got out of the cab - during that time, he drove us down the crooked part of Lombard Street (the crookedest street in the country/world). If you have the chance to go to San Fran, you should see this street.
- People watching at Monday Night Football. Our great seats at the game allowed us to see a few celebrities walking the sidelines before the game. Among them were Jeremy Piven (actor), Drew Rosenhaus (NFL Super Agent - think new age version of Jerry Maguire) & the ESPN crew (Trent Dilfer and old 49er Steve Young among them). Oh yeah, and there were the cheerleaders dancing in front of us. Yeahhhhh...
- San Fran is so damn expensive. It's not normal to want to go back to Chicago because the prices are cheaper, but that's the case when comparing the Gold Rush city to the Windy one. It felt like everything was Chicago prices multiplied by an additional 20%. I'd love to live in the city if it wasn't for the damn prices.
- You know you're a fatass...when you're charging Diet Cokes that you are buying from a vending machine at your hotel. I can't believe my first ever use of EasyPass was to buy cold carbonated beverages for me and Jen from a Coke machine. I can hear all of you shaking your head...and I don't blame you.
- No matter whether Cutler played or not, the Bears would not have won the game we went to. If you're not a football fan, you may not know Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears starter) missed his first game of the year due to a concussion, leaving them with backup Jason Campbell to face a San Francisco 49ers defense whose mouth was foaming at the possibility of facing the Bears' weak offensive front and slow-footed backup. Cutler would have done better (I hope), but he hasn't really done anything this year to make me think he would have been able to match Colin Kaepernick's offensive output.
- If you're a fan of historical stuff, there's no question that you should visit Alcatraz. I believe Jen's favorite site on the trip was visiting Golden Gate Bridge, which is an excellent choice and a must-do for anyone visiting the city. However, the one thing I didn't do on my trip in January was the one big thing missing from my San Francisco experience - visiting Alcatraz. Getting to hear the history of the prison, including how the US government helped form the island into an inescapable (supposedly) fortress, was an amazing story. Hearing of all the escape stories from the island made me realize just how clever criminals can be - if only they applied that same reasoning and intelligence in the real world as upright citizens. I read the book about some of these escapes on the flight home - loved it. As far as anyone knows, no one has ever successfully escaped Alcatraz (many have drowned or died from hypothermia since the San Francisco Bay are so cold - some folks were never found and are assumed dead).
- In-N-Out Burger was ok...but definitely not better than Five Guys. Yeah, I said it. Me and Jen both devoured our double double's, don't get me wrong. They just weren't the high quality burger that we've grown to love from Five Guys. If you disagree, you are wrong. Way way wrong.
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| The cheerleaders came by to say Hi (and then left really quick after that) |
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| Jen trying not to show her disappointed face |
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| Fitting location for this Alcatraz Pic |
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