NFL Picks

Week 17 and I am over .500 ... a great season by my standards. No rant this week, as for the picks... Buffalo (+8.5) over PHILADELPHIA TAMPA BAY (+3) over Carolina Cincinnati (-2) over MIAMI (LOCK OF THE WEEK) GREEN BAY (-5) over Detroit Jacksonville (+6.5) over HOUSTON CHICAGO (+1) over New Orleans Seattle (-1) over ATLANTA CLEVELAND (-11.5) over San Francisco WASHINGTON (-9) over Dallas Pittsburgh (-3.5) over BALTIMORE Minnesota (-3) over DENVER OAKLAND (+9) over San Diego ARIZONA (-6) over St. Louis NY JETS (-5.5) over Kansas City INDIANAPOLIS (+4.5) OVER Tennessee Last Week: 5-10 Season: 113-101-6 Lock of the Week: 8-8

Random Thoughts; Football Picks

I love that Bill Parcells is back in the NFL. Professional football is a better place with the Tuna prominently involved, even if he quickly becomes a direct enemy of the Patriots. Imagine the AFC East wars that will be fought between Belichick, Parcells and Manweenie... My take on the George Mitchell report is that the guys named -- and even those not named -- who took any form of steroids for any possible reason should come clean. It is becoming evident that the era from 1994-present has been tainted by performance enhancing drugs. Those involved should come clean and move on. They've been caught and the best thing they can do for themselves, for baseball and for their young fans is admit their mistakes... Do the steroid allegations make Pedro Martinez look good or what... I'm not upset with the Celtics loss to the Pistons last night other than three fixable reasons. The first is that Pierce shouldn't have been taking the last shot and only because Ray Allen was having a better night shooting the ball and Pierce was covered by Tayshaun Prince. The second is that Tony Allen is an idiot for biting on Chauncey Billups' shot fake. Allen is not a good player, period. Finally, the C's need a reliable backup point guard behind Rajon Rondo. Eddie House is a scorer but he can't shoulder the load, Ray Allen shouldn't be wasting minutes as a point guard, Tony Allen is a human turnover and Gabe Pruitt is not ready yet (ever?). The C's must find a veteran option behind Rondo in order to be taken seriously come May and June... The Tuna going to Miami definitely cranks up the heat for Sunday's game. The Pats need to go 19-0, if only to shut up Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins... The writer's strike must end just so we can get some new episodes of The Office... Enjoy the Memphis-Georgetown game Saturday... As for the picks... NFL Pittsburgh (-8) over ST. LOUIS CAROLINA (+10.5) over Dallas Cleveland (-3.5) over CINCINNATI Green Bay (-8) over CHICAGO Houston (+7) over INDIANAPOLIS DETROIT (-4) over Kansas City BUFFALO (+2.5) over NY Giants (LOCK OF THE WEEK) Oakland (+14) over JACKSONVILLE NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Philadelphia ARIZONA (-10) over Atlanta SAN FRANCISCO (+7.5) over Tampa Bay NEW ENGLAND (-22) over Miami TENNESSEE (-8) over NY Jets MINNESOTA (-7) over Washington SAN DIEGO (-10) over Denver Last Week: 8-8 Season: 108-91-6 Lock of the Week: 8-7

Blog News

There is a new way to read TheBostonInsider Daily Blog posts, check out the Bleacher Report. The Bleacher Report is a website that publishes amateur sports writers, like myself. The posts on the Bleacher Report will usually be reprints of posts from this blog but I may try and write some original stuff for the BR. My first post on BR was this morning. I'm pretty excited about it -- even though it's pretty much an open forum and I get paid the doughnut -- and make sure to check out both this blog and the Bleacher Report for updates. (By the way, the Texans got me off to a great start in this week's picks. Check in soon for all my NCAA Bowl Picks, coming shortly.)

Brady's 2027 State of the Union Address; Football Picks

"Americans, friends, let's take a few moments to look back on the last three years since you voted me to the highest office in the land over Peyton Manning. As a nation we have defeated terrorism, disease and poverty. We have solved the health care problem -- boy was that one easy -- and balanced the national budget. Along with my Secretary of State, Bill Belichick, I have freed America from alliances with foreign nations that forced us into war in the past. Actually, within the next few weeks Vice-President Moss will finalize a deal with the nations of the world to solve all the issues in the Middle East, make cheap oil available to all the citizens of our world and end war for the next 1,000 years. On the domestic front, I want to thank every single one of you for voting positively on my "Bruschi Bill," which ended the so-called "Pussification" of this great country. Due to this landmark piece of legislation, people in this country can no longer act like infant children -- if you make a mistake, own up to it ... if you aren't good enough for something, you sit out ... if you lose, there is a reason other than an excuse. You get the point. Not since the days of the Great Depression and World War II has our country been so tough and so strong. If you'll briefly excuse me, I would like to make a quick remark on my son, John Edward Thomas. Young J.E.T. just led our Michigan Wolverines to the National Championship with a win in the playoff finals --thank god that Mr. Kraft stepped up to the plate and demanded that college football's champion be decided through a playoff. I'm honored my son led my alma mater to the first championship under the new system, I only wish Mr. Kraft were here to see it. In closing, I can say with all honesty that America today is the best nation in the world. It is similar to when I came to the Patriots in 2000 and we changed the nature of one of the worst franchises in all of sports. I remember after winning Super Bowl L in 2016, our sixth Super Bowl, thinking how We, the Patriots, could fix America. We have done it in the same manner we conquered the NFL, through a total team effort that leaves no room for weakness or excuses. As we move forward, and the 2028 election is getting closer, I will close with a remark that came to my mind the other day. When we played the old New York Jets -- you kids today know them as the London Bombers -- during our fourth Super Bowl season in 2007, there was a lot of talk of us running up the score because Eric Mangini had ratted out coac ... err, Secretary Belichick -- I can't believe I still slip up and call him coach -- and said we were cheating. Remember what our response was? We never made an excuse, romped through the NFL proving our greatness and won the Super Bowl. We weren't running up the score, we were just better and we let our actions speak for us. America, that is what our country has been doing since you elected me three years ago and that is how it will continue to run as long as I -- or when Matt Cassel replaces me in 2032 -- am your President. Thank you." As for the picks (All picks are against the spread)... HOUSTON (+3) over Denver SAN FRANCISCO (+10) over Cincinnati NEW ORLEANS (-4.5) over Arizona Atlanta (+15) over TAMPA BAY Baltimore (-4.5) over MIAMI (LOCK OF THE WEEK) CLEVELAND (-5) over Buffalo Green Bay (-10) over ST. LOUIS Jacksonville (+3.5) over PITTSBURGH PATRIOTS (-23) over NY Jets Seattle (-9) over CAROLINA KANSAS CITY (+4.5) over Tennessee Indianapolis (-11.5) over OAKLAND SAN DIEGO (-10) over Detroit DALLAS (-11.5) over Philadelphia NY GIANTS (-6) over Washington Chicago (+11) over MINNESOTA Last Week: 8-6 Season: 100-83-6 Lock of the Week: 8-6

Random Thoughts (December 12, 2007)

Happy Anniversary to Mark Henderson. Henderson gave kicker John Smith a huge assist 25 years ago today, using his snow plow to clear a small patch of turf at the old Schaffer Stadium so Smith could boot the game winning field goal in a 3-0 win over the Dolphins. Henderson, who was serving time for robbery and worked the Patriots games on work release, stuck it to the biggest sore loser ever, Don Shula... Schilling thinks Santana is bound for Boston. Hey, he did break the story of Papelbon returning to the closer job in March... SpyGate meets Bay State, be there Friday night... Bobby Petrino may be a scum bag for jumping ship on the Falcons with three games to play but would Atlanta owner Arthur Blank have been attacked if he had canned Petrino after 13 games? I think not... The Bruins are showing life but I'm not ready to buy in yet... Enjoy the Commonwealth Classic tonight...

Is Red Sox Nation Going To Become SantaNation; Football Picks

Now that the New York Yankees are "out of the running" for Johan Santana -- after a self-imposed deadline by Boss Jr., Hank Steinbrenner (who is going to be a joy to torture, he has the old man's love of the spotlight but lacks the brains to be a real threat to the Sox) -- the Sox seem to be hitting the brakes on negotiations in order to get a better deal. It was one thing when Theo Epstein needed to compete with a Phil Hughes/Melky Cabrera/Ian Kennedy package from the Bronx. With the Yankees supposedly watching from the sidelines, Epstein is in no rush to put together a competing package. It may be that the Red Sox reported offer of Jon Lester/Coco Crisp/Jed Lowrie/Justin Masterson has shrunk. We might be looking at a package of Lester/Crisp/Brandon Moss/Kris Johnson instead. The Twins would still be getting players they can play immediately (Lester and Crisp) but not four major league ready talents. And we can thank the Yankees for this. Hank, poor Hank, you made the same mistake Sonny Corleone made with the Turk -- you let the other side know how you felt about a deal. The Twins knew they could hold you for ransom and they did so. And you backed out, opening the ddor for your archrivals to make a deal that doesn't deplete their farm system. "Now pitching for the Red Sox ... Josh Beckett, Johan Santana, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling, Clay Buchholz or Tim Wakefield..." As for the picks... NFL Chicago (+3) over WASHINGTON JACKSONVILLE (-10) over Carolina Dallas (-13) over DETROIT BUFFALO (-7) over Miami NY Giants (+3) over Philadelphia Oakland (+11) over GREEN BAY TENNESSEE (+1.5) over San Diego ARIZONA (+7.5) over Seattle Minnesota (-10) over SAN FRANCISCO NEW ENGLAND (-10) over Pittsburgh (LOCK OF THE WEEK) Cleveland (-3.5) over NY JETS DENVER (-6) over Kansas City BALTIMORE (+10) over Indianapolis New Orleans (-6) over ATLANTA Last Week: 8-7 Season: 92-75-6 Lock of the Week: 7-6

Random Thoughts (December 1, 2007)

Great day of college basketball at the Garden this afternoon. The UConn-Gonzaga game was ugly (too many missed free throws by the 'Zags, too many missed defensive rebounds for Jim Calhoun's boys) but exciting. In the end, UConn lacked the shooting and toughness to get the win. The Boston College-Providence College game looked like a rout in favor of the Friars until Tyrese Rice and the Eagle stormed back. BC held a 76-70 advantage -- after trailing by double digits almost all night -- in the final minute but coughed up the lead and then were blown out in OT. More importanty, the building was rocking for college hoops, something foreign in Boston. Although this particular event will not be in Boston next year, a basketball version of the Beanpot should take place at the Garden every winter. Imagine BC, UConn and PC mixing it up each December -- with a Georgetown, Syracuse or St. John's added in for excitement. It would be a great tradition... Did the Red Sox get involved in the Johan Santana talks just too drive the price up on the Yankees -- in terms of prospects (Philip Hughes, Melky Cabrera) and money (lots, lots of money) -- before moving in on Oakland's Dan Haren? You shrewd bastard Theo... I hear that the BCS in college football is changing its' name to FUBAR. Ohio State versus Georgia for the whole thang, what a nightmare... Tough day for all the fraudulent BC fans. The loss to PC at the Garden came a few hours after the Eagles gave away the ACC Championship Game to Virginia Tech. Hello, Champs Sports Bowl... Even though Navy decisively defeated Army, 38-3, doesn't all of America win when those two schools play each other? Tough kids, good football players, great students and the men of character who defend our great nation. Great job men... Enjoy the shrimp Calvin...