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 Monday, December 29, 2008
Not So Deep Thoughts
Posted by Tuff Stuff
First off, hope everybody had a great holiday and here's wishing everybody has a great, but most importantly, a safe New Year's eve. Lot of crazies out that night so drink and be merry, but do so responsibly. After watching more football than is legally allowed in the last two weeks, I  came away with blurred vision and a few thoughts. For starters, how is it possible that the Cowboys and Patriots didn't make the playoffs and the Dolphins did? I've never once seen a team loaded with so many superstars seem so disinterested as the Cowboys looked Sunday in Philly. It seems as though players were waiting for bad things to happen just so they could point the finger and blame somebody else for their shortcomings. Even the woeful Lions looked more competitive than the boys from Big D and as any of the three remaining Detroit fans can attest to, that's saying something. As for Miami, I've never been a big fan of Bill Parcells but you have to give the Big Tuna credit for helping turn around the 1-15 Dolphins in just one year. Miami will likely be one and done in the playoffs but Parcells continues to do what Al Davis hasn't done since the 80s and that's just win baby. Has anybody informed the Jags, Bucs or Browns that the NFL schedule was expanded from 14 games to 16 more than 20 years ago? Because it seems none of the three teams ever got the memo. The Bucs were outscored 85-58 in the last thee weeks and went from playoff lock to just plain locked out, while the Browns were outscored 75-10 over that span and have been phoning it in for weeks. While my playoff predictions from three weeks ago were as off as a Brett Favre screen pass with Dallas missing out and San Diego sneaking in the back door, that won't stop me from giving it another shot. Atlanta 37, Arizona 31 Indianapolis 34, San Diego 30 Baltimore 27, Miami 10 Philadelphia 23, Minnesota 14
Monday, December 29, 2008 9:59:45 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) 
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Beat The Blogger Results
Posted by Tuff Stuff
Despite the holiday, we had a good turnout for this past week's Beat The Blogger contest. With 11 of 16 correct responses Mike Molinaro and Joseph Schuld both Beat The Blogger (10 correct) to each win an authentic signed photo.  With the NFL season winding down, I was forced to come up with another
way for our readers to win some of the great items we have in our prize
vault. For those of you who have been playing Beat the Blogger,
you know the drill. Each week I'll post several games and their
corresponding point spreads. From there, you pick your winners
factoring in those point spreads and sit back and see how many picks
you got correct. If your total is higher than the Blogger's (ie..me)
and is the highest among all of the other entries, you win an authentic
signed 8-by-10 photo featuring stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Gale Sayers, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, DeAngelo Williams and others. While the game has only consisted of NFL matchups in the past, the new version will feature College Bowl games, NBA games, College Basketball, NHL and basically anything else you can wager on. The other new twist is that I'll only list 10 matchups each week. But of these 10 matchups you can designate one matchup as your "Doubler"
with that matchup earning you you a bonus point if picked correctly. So
if for example you pick eight games correct but one is your "Doubler"
you would score a nine for the week. Just remember to designate your
"Doubler" or you won't receive the bonus point. The other new feature
will be if any player can pick all 10 games correctly, they will win
two authentic signed 8-by-10 photos. Each Thursday (Wednesday this week), that week's Beat The Blogger matchups will be posted right here on the 7th Inning Stretch Blogzone. I will always list the start time of the first game of the week so remember to get your selections posted 1/2 prior to the start of the first game to be eligible to win. Then check back to see how you did and if you were able to Beat The Blogger and win.
Monday, December 29, 2008 5:10:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Beat The Blogger With A Twist
Posted by Tuff Stuff
With the NFL season winding down, I was forced to come up with another way for our readers to win some of the great items we have in our prize vault. For those of you who have been playing Beat the Blogger, you know the drill. Each week I'll post several games and their corresponding point spreads. From there, you pick your winners factoring in those point spreads and sit back and see how many picks you got correct. If your total is higher than the Blogger's (ie..me) and is the highest among all of the other entries, you win an authentic signed 8-by-10 photo featuring stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Gale Sayers, Drew Brees, Marshall Faulk, Santonio Holmes, DeAngelo Williams and others.
While the game has only consisted of NFL matchups in the past, the new version will feature College Bowl games, NBA games, College Basketball, NHL and basically anything else you can wager on. The other new twist is that I'll only list 10 matchups each week. But of these 10 matchups you can designate one matchup as your "Doubler" with that matchup earning you you a bonus point if picked correctly. So if for example you pick eight games correct but one is your "Doubler" you would score a nine for the week. Just remember to designate your "Doubler" or you won't receive the bonus point. The other new feature will be if any player can pick all 10 games correctly, they will win two authentic signed 8-by-10 photos.
Each Thursday (Wednesday this week), that week's Beat The Blogger matchups will be posted right here on the 7th Inning Stretch Blogzone. I will always list the start time of the first game of the week so remember to get your selections posted 1/2 prior to the start of the first game to be eligible to win. Then check back to see how you did and if you were able to Beat The Blogger and win.
Monday, December 29, 2008 5:02:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Beat The Blogger Picks
Posted by Tuff Stuff
St Louis +14 over Atlanta
NE -7 over Buffalo
Cincinnati -3 over Kansas City
Detroit +11 over GB
Indianapolis +3 over Tennessee
Minnesota -7 over NY Giants
NO +2.5 over Carolina
Cleveland +11 over Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay -14 over Oakland
Chicago +2.5 over Houston
San Francisco -3 over Washington
Baltimore -12.5 over Jacksonville
NY Jets -2.5 over Miami
Dallas +1 over Philadelphia
Arizona -7 over Seattle
Denver +9 over San Diego
Good Luck
Saturday, December 27, 2008 9:56:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Beat The Blogger Matchups
Posted by Tuff Stuff
Here are this week's Beat The Blogger Matchups. With the holiday week there will likely be a smaller turnout so your odds of winning will be higher so good luck. Make sure to get your picks in 1/2 before the start of the first game to be eligible to win.
St. Louis +14 at Atlanta
New England -7 at Buffalo
Kansas City +3 at Cincinnati
Detroit +11 vs Green Bay
Tennessee -3 at Indianapolis
NY Giants +7 at Minnesota
Carolina -2.5 at New Orleans
Cleveland +11 at Pittsburgh
Oakland +14 at Tampa Bay
Chicago +2.5 at Houston
Washington +3 at San Francisco
Jacksonville +12.5 at Baltimore
Miami +2.5 at NY Jets
Dallas +1 at Philadelphia
Seattle +7 at Arizona
Denver -9 at San Diego
Saturday, December 27, 2008 5:32:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Beat The Blogger winner
Posted by Tuff Stuff
While the Blogger was able to get back on track by picking 9 of 16 correct picks, it wasn't enough to hold off "Sam" who picked 12 of 16 to win this week's Beat The Blogger contest.
The final regular season matchups will be posted on Wednesday so make sure you get your picks posted 1/2 prior to the start of the Thursday night game so you can be eligible to win.
Good luck and thanks for playing.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 5:35:34 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
This week's Beat the Blogger picks
Posted by Tuff Stuff
After my worst week of picking games ever, I'm getting a little bold this week with hopes of turning things around. The following are the Beat the Blogger picks for this week. Remember to factor in the point spreads when making your selections and get your picks posted 1/2 hour before the start of the Thursday night game. Good luck. Indianapolis -6 over Jacksonville Baltimore +4 over Dallas  Pittsburgh -2 over Tennessee Kansas City +4 over Miami New England -8 over Arizona Cincinnati +3 over Cleveland Washington +5 over Philadelphia San Francisco -5.5 over St. Louis Atlanta +3 over Minnesota New Orleans -7 over Detroit NY Giants -3 over Carolina NY Jets -5 over Seattle Houston -7 over Oakland Denver -7 over Buffalo San Diego +3.5 over Tampa Bay Green Bay +4 over Chicago
Thursday, December 18, 2008 4:18:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Not So Deep Thoughts: You Want To Talk About Playoffs?
Posted by Tuff Stuff
Although I've been struggling with my weekly picks the last ... let's just say several weeks and leave it at that ... I've always been known as someone who takes his game to another level when the stakes are raised so you can take the following NFL Playoff predictions straight to the bank.  While I don't condone gambling (actually I'm OK with it as long as you stay within your means) and I'm typically not one of those five-star-lock-of-the-year predictors, I feel so strongly about the following scenarios panning out, I'm going to go ahead and recommend you take note and bet the farm on them. Totally kidding about the farm thing, but throwing a couple George Washingtons down on these winners could help offset that holiday spending spree you went on a few weeks back. Just remember, I'm something like 20-48 vs. the spread in the last three weeks, so proceed with caution. NFC PLAYOFFS No. 1 seed=N.Y. Giants No. 2 seed=Carolina No. 3 seed=Arizona No. 4 seed=Minnesota No. 5 seed=Dallas No. 6 seed=Atlanta Wild Card Round Atlanta over Arizona Dallas over Minnesota Divisional Playoffs Carolina over Atlanta Dallas over N.Y. Giants NFC Title Game Dallas over Carolina AFC PLAYOFFS No. 1 seed=Pittsburgh No. 2 seed=Indianapolis No. 3 seed=New England No. 4 seed=Denver No. 5 seed=Tennessee No. 6 seed=N.Y. Jets Wild Card Round New England over N.Y. Jets Tennessee over Denver Divisional Playoffs Pittsburgh over Tennessee Indianapolis over New England AFC Title Game Indianapolis over Pittsburgh Super Bowl Indianapolis over Dallas There you have it, and remember you saw it here first when it comes to fruition. And if it ends up being a little off, what did you expect, I was 20-48 over the last three weeks. Enjoy the holidays, drink and gamble responsibly, and don't call me when the creditors start calling about foreclosing that farm of yours. Let me know how you think will shake down and post a comment.  
Thursday, December 18, 2008 3:33:50 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
This week's Beat the Blogger matchups
Posted by Tuff Stuff
Here are the matchups for this week's Beat the Blogger contest. Please remember that the point spreads below need to be factored into your selections. The Blogger picks will be posted tomorrow so you can check back to see what your up against. Whoever has the highest total for the week and beats the Blogger's total, wins the weekly prize. Remember to get your picks in 1/2 hour before the start of the Thursday night game to be eligible to win. Good luck.  YOU MAKE THE CALL Indianapolis -6 at Jacksonville Baltimore +4 at Dallas Pittsburgh -2 at Tennessee Miami -4 at Kansas City Arizona +8 at New England Cincinnati +3 at Cleveland Philadelphia -5 at Washington San Francisco -5.5 at St. Louis Atlanta +3 at Minnesota New Orleans -7 at Detroit Carolina +3 at NY Giants NY Jets -5 at Seattle Houston -7 at Oakland Buffalo +7 at Denver San Diego +3.5 at Tampa Bay Green Bay +4 at Chicago
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 3:33:33 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Not So Deep Thoughts: Tiger knows the Drill
Posted by Tuff Stuff
Let me preface the following by saying that I am fully aware that no athlete is perfect and the ones that appear to be the closest thing we've got to being perfect, are usually the ones who are the exact opposite.
Take for example, Michael Jordan. While Jordan was undeniably the best player I've ever seen and is regarded by many as the best to ever lace'em up, he was anything but a model citizen off the court. He had his share of extra-marital affairs that ultimately cost him his marriage not to mention the hundreds of thousands he won and lost on illegal gambling ventures, but he knew how to play "the game."
The game I'm referring to basically boils down to surrounding yourself with image-restoring experts and advisers who can make sure your private affairs stay just that, and if some secrets do leak out, they provide you with a way to come across in the best light possible and move on.
Another person who knows that mega-stardom comes with a hefty price tag is Tiger Woods. Arguably the best golfer ever, Woods might just be more adept off the links than he is on them. Anybody who thinks Tiger is as perfect as he comes across during post-round interviews has never seen him whip a club in frustration or curse out a camera-clicking member of the gallery. But instead of adding fuel to the fire and further tarnish his image after an incident like that, Tiger recalls the tips his advisors have drilled into his head since he was 12, and extinguishes the flames before they spread like a T.O. wildfire.
Tiger's longtime caddie Stevie Williams recently made some harsh remarks about Woods' rival Phil Mickelson.
Williams was quoted as saying: "I wouldn't call Mickelson
a great player, cause I hate the p---k."
It's well known that Tiger and Phil aren't the best of friends and while neither has made that a secret in the past, both are quick to pull out the superlatives when referring to the other and deflect any questions regarding their relationship along the way. In typical Woods fashion, and much like Jordan would do back in the day when asked about his relationships with Bird or Magic, he took the high road and quickly turned what could've turned into a media frenzy that would've likely been fanned at every PGA stop they participated in and put it out before it spread.
Woods reaction: "I was disappointed to read the comments
attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect.
It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with."
Watch as the ever-present, non-relenting media will try and fan the flames again and again with this one, but also watch how Tiger is always quick to switch the topic back to golf and avoid any further damage. While I'm sure Tiger and Williams giggled behind closed doors about Stevie's comments, I'm also guessing Williams got a slap on the wrist for his comments.
Maybe in the future Jordan, Woods and a few of the other athletes who "get it" can hold a "Spin Doctoring 101" class and foot-in-the-mouth, speak-before-thinking specialists like T.O., Barry Bonds and Bobby Knight can sign up and learn a few tricks of the trade.
Some guys just get it and others don't and probably never will.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:29:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
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