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# Monday, December 15, 2008
Not So Deep Thoughts: ESPN is an enabler
Posted by Tuff Stuff

If you read my last blog, you'll know I recently came to the conclusion that TO is a major drama queen who thinks of himself first and his team a distant second. I had for years believed that his many issues were created by him but then blown way out of proportion by the media and that deep espn_top.jpgdown, he was more misunderstood than misguided. His latest drama involving Jason Witten's relationship with Tony Romo is again his own creation and while there is some merit to what TO has said, the way he went about resolving the issue is still TO being TO, which translates into his typical me-first agenda.

But Sunday night's game against the Giants proves my point for me as far as the media being an enabler of TO's drama and self-serving antics. Let me preface the following by saying: I love ESPN, couldn't live without it, and understand why they do what they do. But enough already. During the Sunday night game I switched over from NBC to ESPN to check some scores and lo and behold, guess what the No. 1 source for sports was running on the crawl on the bottom of the screen? The update gave us the score, some of the statistical leaders of the game and then added in a bonus for all of those interested in knowing how the TO/Witten/Romo soap opera was playing out. The crawl also let us know that Witten had two receptions for 31 yards and was the target of four Romo pass attempts, while TO had one reception for 13 yards and was the target on two other Romo attempts. Talk about adding fuel to the fire. Until targets is an official statistical category used in scoring for Fantasy Football, I don't need to know about it and neither do the losers who tuned in to see if the trio would drop the gloves and go at each other on the sidelines. ESPN also carried the post-game interviews live which explains them bleeding the situation for all it was worth, but enough already.

ESPN commentators are then the first ones to rip TO a new one when dissecting the game afterword, but when their own company perpetuates the situation by leading off SportsCenter with the TO saga, their self-serving tactics which apparently now include a never-before-seen "target update" on its ticker, their no better than TO. Like I said, I understand that ESPN does what it does to keep viewers tuned in and to pump up its ratings, but enough already.

You've read my thoughts on the subject, let me know yours and if you write something that inspires me, I'll send you a prize.




Monday, December 15, 2008 9:23:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1]
# Friday, December 12, 2008
Not So Deep Thoughts: Time's Up For TO
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Although I've been giving him the benefit of the doubt for years, I have to finally agree with the masses and say it: Terrell Owens is a little biaaaatch who doesn't get it and likely never will. For several years I have given TO a free pass but I can't come up with any more excuses for this guy and his 12-year-old-like behavior.owenstfc.jpg

I remember reading a story about TO's upbringing which was under the guidance of his mother and grandmother. It talked about how his grandmother forbade him from playing sports until he was in high school and basically sheltered him altogether. Without a male role model in his life, TO was able to manipulate his mother and grandmother in almost any situation and it led to a childhood long on getting his own way and short on discipline.

After reading that story, which also detailed his shy personality and issues making friends, I was always prone to back TO when his NFL issues began to arise but I just can't justify his actions any more. When TO called out former teammate Jeff Garcia and basically questioned his ability to play in the NFL and his manhood at the same time, I chalked it up to immaturity and figured he would learn from it and grow out of it.

When TO later fueded with former teammate Donovan McNabb and questioned McNabb's toughness and ability to play through injuries, I sided with TO because McNabb had developed a reputation of taking plays off and not dedicating himself to getting in the best shape he could. I also believed that McNabb enjoyed being the top dog in Philly and didn't like sharing the spotlight with his outspoken receiver.

But when I heard TO's latest issue regarding Tony Romo and his alleged favoritism toward friend and teammate Jason Witten, I had to draw the line. TO accused Romo and Witten of conspiring to create their own set of plays that would feature Witten and then poisoned a couple of other teammates into believing his paranoid thoughts. It just so happens that the two people TO targeted in his alliance happened to be black. Not sure if TO was trying to bring the race card in the mix or not but just the fact that he went out and recruited others with his allegations was enough for me to finally see the real TO for what he is: a spoiled, paranoid, self-serving, drama queen. Sorry TO, you're one of the best receivers I've ever seen and I was in your corner from the beginning, but your latest tantrum has forced me to throw in the towel.  

Let me hear what your thoughts are on TO's latest drama.





Friday, December 12, 2008 2:43:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1]
# Thursday, December 11, 2008
This week's Beat the Blogger picks
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Here are the blogger's picks for the week so you know what you're up against. Don't forget you need to beat my total and post the highest number of correct picks of all the participants to win the authentic signed photo. Make sure you remember to factor in the point spreads when making your selections and make sure you post your picks before the start of the Thursday night game. Good luck.

Blogger Picks

New Orleans +3 over Chicagonfl-shield-mark-cl.jpg
Green Bay -2 over Jacksonville
Indianapolis -17 over Detroit
Washington -7 over Cincinnati
Atlanta -3 over Tampa Bay
Miami -6.5 over San Francisco
Seattle -3 over St. Louis
NY Jets -7 over Buffalo
Houston +3 over Tennessee
Baltimore -2 over Pittsburgh
Carolina -7.5 over Denver
San Diego -5 over Kansas City
Arizona -3 over Minnesota
New England -7 over Oakland
Dallas -3 over NY Giants
Cleveland +14 over Philadelphia



Thursday, December 11, 2008 2:36:00 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [16]
# Wednesday, December 10, 2008
This week's Beat the Blogger matchups
Posted by Tuff Stuff

With just three weeks left in the regular season, the time is now to enter and win the Beat The Blogger contest. After struggling the last several weeks, the Blogger bounced back with 9 correct picks last week but it wasn't enough to take down "ejh" and his 12 of 16 total. Please remember to factor in the points spreads when making your picks and get them posted by 7 p.m. on Thursday night to be eligible to win. Good luck.

This week's Beat The Blogger matchups are below but for those of you who need your contest fix right now, click here to play our Expose The Experts contest where one lucky participant will walk away with a $500 prize package of sports memorabilia. It's the readers vs. the Experts in a battle of wits, as we all try to forecast the future of sports and the sports memorabilia industry in a scored survey. Enter as often as you wish and make sure you check back to the www.tuffstuff.com Home page often to see how you're doing.



New Orleans +3 at Chicagohochblog.jpg     You Make The Call
Green Bay -2 at Jacksonville
Detroit +17 at Indianapolis
Washington -7 at Cincinnati
Tampa Bay +3 at Atlanta
San Francisco +6.5 at Miami
St. Louis +3 at Seattle
Buffalo +7 at NY Jets
Tennessee -3 at Houston
Pittsburgh +2 at Baltimore
Denver +7.5 at Carolina
San Diego -5 at Kansas City
Minnesota +3 at Arizona
New England -7 at Oakland
NY Giants +3 at Dallas
Cleveland +14 at Philadelphia

Good Luck




Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:39:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [40]
Not So Deep Thoughts
Posted by Tuff Stuff

OK Billy, your secret is finally out and I'm guessing you feel as though an enormous weight has been lifted from your back. It's probably been tough to keep up this charade for almost 20 years, but talk about locking it up in the vault. Very impressive. I'd feel safe making a mob hit with you riding shotgun because I know you wouldn't squeal until I was long gone. billy_ripken_card.jpg

For those not familiar with the story of the now infamous Billy Ripken "error" card, it goes something like this. Ripken's 1989 Fleer baseball card made its public debut that year with Ripken posed holding his bat, with the photo taken during pre-game warm-ups at Fenway Park. When the 1989 Fleer set hit the public, collectors quickly noticed that the knob on Ripken's bat displayed the words "F*@k Face" and many angry fans and collectors wanted to know why Ripken would be so disgraceful.

Feeling the heat and public backlash (remember this was 1989) Ripken denied any knowledge of the his new signature phrase, explaining that he must have been the victim of a prank by one of his teammates. Fleer reps put their best spin on the situation as well, saying because of time restraints, the image had slipped past its editors and into production with the phrase going undetected. While most within the hobby had little faith in Fleer's explanation (especially when the media got a hold of the story and it created quite a stir not to mention soaring values for the card) most of us did believe Ripken's original version of the story. Until now that is.

Although times were much different 20 years ago and few would bat an eyelash if the story leaked out today, it's hard for me to understand why it took this long for Ripken to come clean. Sure, what he wrote affended a few people and likely taught some youngsters a new word to add to their vocabulary, but isn't it just a funny story vs. being something to feel ashamed of? I guess Billy must have been out in the back yard when Cal senior was giving the "honesty is the best policy" lesson to his brother. Either that, or Billy is just a really slow learner. Either way, thanks for giving us something to chuckle about for the last 20 years.  

To read the entire story, click here.



Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:29:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Beat The Blogger Results
Posted by Tuff Stuff

While the Blogger got back on track with 9 correct picks, it wasn't enough to take down "ejh" who correctly picked 12 of 16 games to win this week's Beat The Blogger contest. For his efforts, "ejh" will receive an authentic signed 8-by-10 photo.EXPOSE EXPERTS LOGO.jpg

This week's matchups will be posted on Wednesday but for those of you who need your contest fix right now, click here to play our Expose The Experts contest where one lucky participant will walk away with a $500 prize package of sports memorabilia. It's the readers vs. the Experts in a battle of wits, as we all try to forecast the future of sports and the sports memorabilia industry in a scored survey. Enter as often as you wish and make sure you check back to the www.tuffstuff.com Home page often to see how you're doing.



Tuesday, December 09, 2008 2:57:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Monday, December 08, 2008
Not So Deep Thoughts
Posted by Tuff Stuff

For my three loyal readers, I apologize for the lack of blog posts last week, but I will try and make it up to you by sprinkling in some comic relief and even a dash of some porn in this entry.

Following the Vikings 20-16 come-from-behind victory over the winless Lions viking2.jpgSunday, Minnesota owner Zygi Wilfe went down to the locker room to present the ceremonial game ball. Wolfe targeted coach Brad Childress' son for the honor, because he was in the military and was about to be sent off to fight in the war. While the presentation sounds great on the surface, it only took a little overexposure to turn a feel-good story into yet another media blackeye for the Vikes.

After being tipped off that the ceremony would be taking place, Fox TV quickly went to a live look-in of the event but soon got much more than they bargained for. Addressing his team in the locker room, Wolfe can be seen giving a speech to his coaching staff and his players, but as you'll see in the photo, attention quickly turns from Wolfe to TE Vishante Shiancoe. It seems somebody forgot to mention to Shiancoe that when the red light on top of the camera is lite up, the camera is on. Shiancoe can be seen in all of his glory showing off his Viking horn and accompanying family jewels and doesn't appear to be too worried that any cameras were present. And if you thought Miss Jackson's overexposure in her "nip and tuck" Super Bowl performance was distasteful, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Leave it to the Vikings to take a feel-good story like that and turn it into a Russ Meyer film. These are the same Vikings that brought us the "we'll get back to ya" skipped pick of the 2003 NFL Draft and the same Vikings that brought us the infamous "Love Boat Scandal" of 2005. So here are the Vikings, sitting at 8-5 and appearing to be just a win away from clinching the division and a trip to the playoffs, and their distinguished post-game ceremony is upstaged by a full-frontal adult film audition. I don't care if the Vikings don't win it all this year, I just hope they keep winning long enough to give us another episode's worth of comedy.

For all of my female readers and all of you other "sickies" out there, Merry Xmas, here's the video. From what I heard, Shiancoe was no where near the whirlpool before making his way back to his locker if you know what I mean.



Monday, December 08, 2008 8:50:13 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1]
# Thursday, December 04, 2008
Beat The Blogger Picks
Posted by Tuff Stuff

After last week's embarrassing results, I'm looking to bounce back and at EXPOSE EXPERTS LOGO.jpgleast be respectable this time around. Here are the Beat The Blogger picks you'll need to beat to have a chance at this week's prize. Don't forget to get your picks in 1/2 before the start of the Thursday night game. Spread the word about the contest and if you like contests, be sure to play our Expose the Experts contest for your chance at a $500 prize package. To play the Expose the Experts contest, click here.

Blogger Picks
San Diego -9.5 over Oakland
Indianapolis -13.5 over Cincinnati
Chicago -6.5 over Jacksonville
Green Bay -6 over Houston
Tennessee -14 over Cleveland
Detroit -9 over Minnesota
Washington +5.5 over Baltimore
NY Giants -7 over Philadelphia
New Orleans -3 over Atlanta
NY Jets -4 over San Francisco
Miami +1 over Buffalo
Kansas City +9 over Denver
St. Louis +14 over Arizona
Dallas +3 over Pittsburgh
New England -4.5 over Seattle
Tampa Bay +3 over Carolina








Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:46:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [11]
# Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Beat The Blogger Matchups
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Here are the matchups for this week's Beat the Blogger contest. Please make sure you factor in the point spreads and get your picks in 1/2 hour before the start of the Thursday night game. I'll post my picks Thursday morning so you can see what you're up against. Good luck.

Oakland +10 at San Diegohochblog.jpg                                     YOU MAKE THE CALL
Jacksonville +6.5 at Chicago
Cincinnati +13.5 at Indianapolis
Houston +6 at Green Bay
Cleveland +13.5 at Tennessee
Minnesota -10 at Detroit
Washington +5.5 at Baltimore
Philadelphia +7 at NY Giants
Atlanta +3 at New Orleans
NY Jets -4 at San Francisco
Buffalo -1 vs. Miami (at London)
Kansas City +9 at Denver
St. Louis +13.5 at Arizona
Dallas +3 at Pittsburgh
New England -5 at Seattle
Tampa Bay +3 at Carolina

Want another chance to win, play our Expose the Experts and win a prize EXPOSE EXPERTS LOGO.jpgpackage valued at $500. Simply fill out our sports survey and see how you fair against our panel of experts and you could be the winner. It's just that easy. To play, click here.



Wednesday, December 03, 2008 5:18:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [23]
# Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Beat The Blogger Results
Posted by Tuff Stuff

This week's Beat The Blogger contest produced several firsts, including the Blogger failing to reach the .500 mark and a thee-way tie for the top spot. Donald, Art and Sandy each picked 10 of the 16 games correctly to win the week and earn their authentic 8-by-10 signed photos. Meanwhile, The Blogger posted a season-worst 6 correct picks, making it just that much easier to take him down and win the prize.

This week's matchups and points spreads will be posted on Wednesday so EXPOSE EXPERTS LOGO.jpgmake sure you check back to then to see what you're up against and make your selections. Remember to get your picks in a 1/2 before the start of the Thursday night game and good luck.

Also, if you like contests and winning free stuff in general, click here to found out more about our "Expose the Experts" contest we have going on. Simply test your sports knowledge by taking our multiple choice survey and you could win $500 in great prizes. To take the Survey now, click here.



Tuesday, December 02, 2008 3:44:58 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0]