Thursday, November 29, 2012

Pick ME!!!!

     This week's picks are in!! Last week's picks looked very good (First time in awhile) and hopefully the trend will continue this week. Here they are!!

College Football:
  • No. 8 Stanford over No. 16 UCLA (Pac-12 Championship Game)
  • No. 21 Northern Illinois over No. 17 Kent State (MAC Championship Game)
  • No. 2 Alabama over No. 3 Georgia (SEC Championship Game)
  • No. 12 Nebraska over Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship Game)
  • No. 13 Florida State over Georgia Tech (ACC Championship Game)
  • Nevada over No. 20 Boise State
  • No. 11 Oklahoma over TCU
  • Baylor over No. 23 Oklahoma State
  • No. 6 Kansas State over No. 18 Texas
  • Rutgers over Louisville
  • Tulsa over UCF (Conference USA Championship Game)
NFL Picks:
  • Falcons over Saints in a squeaker
  • Daaaaa Bears over Seahawks
  • Bills over Jaguars
  • Lions over Colts
  • Packers rout the Vikings
  • Texans roast the Titans
  • Panthers over Chiefs
  • 49ers over Rams
  • Patriots over Dolphins
  • Jets over Cardinals
  • Broncos over Buccaneers
  • Browns over Raiders
  • Chargers over Bengals
  • Ravens over Steelers
  • Cowboys over Eagles
  • Giants over Redskins

Monday, November 26, 2012

FireFighter: The Story of Edwin Anzalone

     "J-E-T-S!!! JETS JETS JETS!!!"
     Every New York Jets fan is familiar with that pregame chant. Every Jets fan also knows the man that made this chant famous. Edwin Anzalone of East Rutherford, a.k.a. "Fireman Ed", has been an enthusiastic superfan of the New York Jets since 1975. Unfortunately for Anzalone, he hung up his helmet during a Thanksgiving blowout at the hands of the New England Patriots, stating that he'll no longer lead the J-E-T-S cheer at Jets games.
     The Jets' unofficial mascot wasn't always an uberfan of the Jets. Born on September 19, 1959 in College Point, New York, Anzalone rooted for the Miami Dolphins until the age of 10. Anzalone is an actual firefighter for New York City, but was injured on the job in 2007. He always wore Bruce Harper's jersey to Jets games up until this season. This year, he showed up wearing Mark Sanchez's jersey to show support for the Jets' starting quarterback. Fireman Ed rose to prominence in the New York area by appearing on many local radio shows, showing his diehard support for Gang Green. Jets fans also remember Anzalone shoving a Giants fan who interrupted the pregame chant during a preseason Monday Night game on August 16, 2010. Ironically, the Giants fan was removed from the game. But that's what happens when you mess with an New York firefighter.
     As for the "J-E-T-S" chant, Fireman Ed's led the pregame chant since 1986. However, he wasn't the originator of the chant. The chant was originally led by two retired NYPD Jet fans. The chant alternates from one end zone to the opposite end zone and the chant only happens in the upper deck of Metlife Stadium.
     The reason why Fireman Ed called it quits on Thanksgiving (What a quiet Thanksgiving it must've been at the Anzalone household, I say) was due to the "boorish behavior" of Jets fans regarding Mark Sanchez and his performance this season.
     1"Listen, I've been through the Rich Kotite era--we were 4-28 in that era." Anzalone said. "Any Jets fan knows this isn't the worst of times; it isn't even close. It's been about the nastiness. I just think society in general-you're out in your car and there's no respect at all. I don't want to put up with that from people taking it out on me anymore."
    Fireman Ed has stated that fans have gotten confrontational with him, thinking that Anzalone wasn't a season-long ticket holder, but rather a member of the New York Jets organization. Anzalone has countered by saying that he's "never received a dime from this team."
     2"I decided to leave Thursday because the confrontations with other Jets fans have become more common, even though most Jets fans are fantastic.This is an indication of how society has lost and is continuing to lose respect for one another. The stadium has become divided because of the quarterback controversy as well. The fact that I chose to wear a Mark Sanchez jersey this year and that fans think I am on the payroll--which is an outright lie--have made these confrontations more frequent. Whether it's in the stands, the bathroom or the parking lot, these confrontations are happening on a consistent basis. Although I can 'hold my own', I do not want to lose my temper and make a stupid mistake. I have a responsibility to the families and kids that enjoy the game and Fireman Ed."
     Fireman Ed did conclude that "he'll always love the Jets because they're in my heart", and that "he'll attend games as usual, just not as Fireman Ed. God bless and, as always, let's go Jets!"
     Spoken like a true http://youtu.be/seVkkimXh08 fan.


  1. (Dyer, Kristina New York Metro)
  2. (Anzalone, Edwin New York Metro) 
Other References:
  • New York Times; 2012, November 26 web. 2012, November 26

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Turkey Picks Are Here!!

     Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!! Here are this week's pick-ems!!

College Football

  • #1 Notre Dame over USC
  • #4 Florida over #10 Florida State
  • Ohio State over #19 Michigan
  • #16 Texas over TCU
  • #24 Arizona over Arizona State
  • #3 Georgia over Georgia Tech
  • #15 Oregon State over #5 Oregon
  • #8 Stanford over #17 UCLA
  • #11 Clemson over #12 South Carolina
  • #13 Oklahoma over #21 Oklahoma State
NFL Picks

  • Texans over Lions
  • Cowboys over Redskins
  • Patriots over Jets
  • Bears over Vikings
  • Bengals over Raiders
  • Steelers over Browns
  • Broncos over Chiefs
  • Colts over Bills
  • Seahawks over Dolphins
  • Jaguars over Titans
  • Buccaneers over Falcons
  • Ravens over Chargers
  • Saints over 49ers 
  • Rams over Cardinals
  • Giants over Packers
  • Panthers over Eagles

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Playoff Machine is Finally Here!!

     Like Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog's Day, the NFL playoff machine comes out once a year to give NFL fans an array of dream playoff scenarios. The ESPN app has made its long-awaited return. Here's the link to the site, so have fun playing out your scenarios!!

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Pick 'Em Style

     Boy, a lot has changed in a week!! We have a new BCS #1 and we got some big matchups this week! Last week I got slaughtered in the NFL picks, but let's hope things can turn around this week.

College Football:



  • #1 Kansas State over Baylor
  • #2 Oregon over #13 Stanford 
  • #3 Notre Dame over Wake Forest
  • #21 Michigan over Iowa
  • North Carolina over Virginia
  • Central Florida over Tulsa
  • Cincinnati over #22 Rutgers
  • #17 UCLA over #18 USC
  • #14 Nebraska over Minnesota
  • #7 LSU over Ole Miss
  • #24 Oklahoma State over #23 Texas Tech
  • Ohio State over Wisconsin
  • #11 Clemson over North Carolina State
  • #20 Louisiana Tech over Utah State
  • #12 Oklahoma over West Virginia
NFL Picks
  • Bills over Dolphins
  • Cowboys over Browns
  • Falcons over Cardinals
  • Packers over Lions
  • Bengals over Chiefs
  • Rams over Jets
  • Redskins over Eagles
  • Panthers over Buccaneers
  • Texans romp the Jaguars
  • Saints over Raiders
  • Broncos over Chargers
  • Patriots over Colts
  • Ravens over Steelers
  • 49ers over Bears 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

What to Watch For: 2012-2013 College Basketball Season

     College basketball is back in session, so you know what that means. The march to March Madness is also underway. In order to whet your appetite for the upcoming season, I've comprised a list of some of the must-see college basketball games to kick off the year. Small note: I did not include conference games for my list.

  • Wake Forest vs. Connecticut; November 16, 2012. The game's one part of the Paradise Jam at Saint Thomas, which takes place in the Virgin Islands (Birthplace of current Spurs center/forward and Wake Forest Alum Tim Duncan). Having stunned #6 Michigan State in the opening game of the 2012 season 66-62, the Huskies are hoping to return to their status as a basketball powerhouse with Jr. guard Shabazz Napier. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons look to prove that they're another March Madness team from Tobacco Road.
  • UCLA vs. Georgetown; November 19, 2012. The Bruins boast one of the strongest classes of 2012 with players such as five-star small forward Kyle Anderson (From St. Anthony High in Jersey City, #5 in ESPN150; 97 overall), four-star center Tony Parker (From Miller Grove High in Lithonia, Georgia; #26 in ESPN150; 96 overall), and four-star small forward Jordan Adams (From Oak Hill Academy in Lawrenceville, Georgia; #41 in ESPN150; 95 overall). They'll get their first major test in the Progressive Legends Classic in Brooklyn against Georgetown, who boasts a 2012 four-star player of their own: Oak Hill Academy's (Indianapolis, Indiana) own D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. Smith-Rivera's ranked #58 in the ESPN150 with a overall score of 94. He's a versatile player and can also play any position on the perimeter.
  • Creighton vs. Wisconsin; November 23, 2012. This game's a part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic. It's also a potential preview of a March Madness matchup. How will the Jays fare against Bo Ryan and his defensive squad?
  • North Carolina State vs. Michigan; November 27, 2012. A battle of two teams with lofty expectations this season. All eyes will be on Michigan guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke and NC State forward Scott Wood. The Wolverines must not get burned by Wood's catch-and-shoot three balls all night.
  • North Carolina vs. Indiana; November 27, 2012. Two of last year's more explosive offenses go at it in Bloomington. The Tar Heels will have their hands full trying to contain both Hoosier forward Cody Zeller and Hoosier guard Jordan Hulls. It is advised not to miss this game as it could be a prelude to a potential NCAA championship matchup. This game's also a part of the annual Big 10/ACC Challenge.
  • Ohio State vs. Duke; November 28, 2012. Another possibility for the NCAA Championship game or a Final Four matchup, this game pits Thad Matta's Buckeye squad against Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils. How will Deshaun Thomas and Ohio State do in an environment chock full of Cameron Crazies?
  • Kentucky vs. Notre Dame; November 29, 2012. The defending champs will head down to South Bend against Jack Cooley and the up-and-coming Fighting Irish. Note that No.1 Syracuse lost here last season, so John Calipari's crew better be careful.
  • Detroit vs. Pittsburgh; December 1, 2012. Will the Pittsburgh Panthers be able to hold off the upstart Titans, who are led by Jr. guard and former McDonald's All-American Ray McCallum (15.4 ppg last season)?
  • Louisville vs. Memphis; December 15, 2012. A great battle of forwards, pitting Louisville's Chane Behanan vs. the Tigers' 6'9" forward Tarik Black. This is also a perfect opportunity for Memphis to pad their resume with an upset over Rick Pitino's squad. Keep an eye out for Cardinals guard Russ Smith, who's Louisville's top returning scorer (11.5 ppg).
  • Kansas vs. Ohio State; December 22, 2012. A Final Four rematch from last season that could provide for more fireworks. Great coaching battle between Thad Matta and Bill Self, too.
     Other games to watch for this season:
  • Michigan State vs. Miami (FL); November 28, 2012.
  • Vanderbilt vs. Xavier; December 6, 2012.
  • Harvard vs. Connecticut; December 7, 2012.
  • Colorado vs. Kansas; December 8, 2012.
  • Florida vs. Arizona; December 15, 2012.
  • Indiana vs. Butler; December 15, 2012.
  • Baylor vs. Gonzaga; December 28, 2012.
  • Missouri vs. UCLA; December 28, 2012.
  • Kentucky vs. Louisville; December 29, 2012.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

House of the Rising Sun Belt

     Normally when you think of a "BCS Buster", you think of a school from the Western Athletic Conference (Hawaii or Boise State) or from the Mountain West Conference (Utah or TCU). But who would've thought that the Sun Belt Conference would be giving college football's BCS conferences, more notably the SEC, a good scare?
     It all started in the opening weeks of the college football season when Louisiana-Monroe upset #8 Arkansas on the road in overtime 34-31 on September 8th. Quarterback Kolton Browning was the catalyst for the upset, throwing for 412 yards and three touchdowns while running for one touchdown. The next two weeks, the Warhawks played Auburn and Baylor close, losing both games by a combined eight points. But Louisiana-Monroe isn't the only Sun Belt team that's giving the big boys a big scare.
     It took a blocked punt return for a touchdown with two seconds left to play for #6 Florida to avoid being upset at home by the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. Middle Tennessee, who's 6-3 this year and is second in the Sun Belt, beat Georgia Tech on the road on September 29 by a score of 49-28. Blue Raiders running back Benny Cunningham ran for 217 yards on 27 carries and five touchdowns in that game. A week before, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers narrowly beat Kentucky, an SEC team, on the road by a score of 32-31. The Hilltoppers won on a trick play in which quarterback Kawaun Jakes threw a lateral to running back Antonio Andrews, who threw it back to Jakes to successfully convert a two-point conversion in overtime. The Troy Trojans nearly upended Mississippi State the week before, losing at home 30-24. The Trojans also took Tennessee to the wire on November 3rd, losing on the road in a shootout 55-48.
     Even the lower rung of the Sun Belt has gotten in on the action. On September 22, Florida International almost pulled off an upset on No. 20 Louisville at home. They lost 28-21, losing the game on a call of roughing the kicker in the fourth quarter when they tried to block a Louisville punt. Louisville quarterback and Heisman candidate Teddy Bridgewater had a rough game, completing 19 of 36 passes and throwing for 194 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
     Once the laughingstock conference of college football, the Sun Belt conference is quietly becoming a force to be reckoned with. They only have two tie-ins to bowl games: The New Orleans Bowl and the GoDaddy.com Bowl. But don't be surprised if the Sun Belt gets more bowl bids in the future.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Weekly Picks Are Here!! They Are...

College Football:
  • No. 10 Florida State over Virginia Tech
  • No. 2 Kansas State over TCU
  • No. 1 Alabama over No. 15 Texas A&M
  • No. 7 LSU over No. 21 Mississippi State
  • No. 16 Nebraska over Penn State
  • Michigan over No. 24 Northwestern
  • No. 14 Stanford over No. 11 Oregon State
  • Nevada over Fresno State
  • Oklahoma State over West Virginia 
  • No. 19 USC over Arizona State in a tight game
NFL Picks:
  • Colts over Jaguars
  • Lions over Vikings in a squeaker
  • Bears over Texans
  • Seahawks over Jets
  • Steelers romp the Chiefs
  • Giants over Bengals
  • Dolphins over Titans
  • Patriots r-r-r-romp the Bills 
  • Falcons over the Saints in a tight contest
  • Buccaneers over Chargers
  • Broncos over Panthers
  • Ravens over Raiders
  • Eagles over Cowboys
  • 49ers plow through the Rams

Monday, November 5, 2012

The Election Day Blog: A Look at the Finest Moments in DC Sports

     Election Day is tomorrow and like every other preceding Election Day, it has massive implications. Will we vote for Obamacare or will we repeal by electing a new president in Mitt Romney? Tomorrow has everything on the line for everyone. Either Obama or Romney will be making their residence next January and someone is not going to be satisfied with the end result. Anyways, here's some of the best sports moments in the history of D.C. sports:


Thursday, November 1, 2012

You Be Pickin' 'Em

     What's this?! We got a BCS Championship rematch? We got Pac-12 Championship and BCS implications on the line with USC and Oregon? No. 2 Kansas State against No. 24 Oklahoma State?? My oh my, what a big week!! My picks for this week are in!!

College Football:
  • No. 5 LSU over No. 1 Alabama
  • No. 2 Kansas State over No. 24 Oklahoma State
  • No. 4 Oregon over No. 17 USC
  • No. 6 Georgia over Ole Miss
  • No. 11 Oregon State over Arizona State
  • Duke over No. 13 Clemson
  • No. 12 Oklahoma over Iowa State
  • No. 7 Florida over Missouri
  • No. 16 Texas A&M over No. 15 Mississippi State
  • No. 18 Texas Tech over No. 23 Texas
  • No. 20 Nebraska over Michigan State
  • No. 21 West Virginia over TCU
  • No. 19 Boise State over San Diego State
  • UCLA over No. 22 Arizona
  • No. 25 Louisiana Tech over UTSA
  • Miami (FL) over Virginia Tech
  • No. 3 Notre Dame over Pittsburgh
NFL Picks:
  • Chargers over Chiefs
  • Lions over Jaguars
  • Broncos over Bengals
  • Packers romp the Cardinals
  • Bears over Titans
  • Ravens over Browns
  • Redskins over Panthers
  • Texans blow out the Bills
  • Colts over Dolphins
  • Buccaneers over Raiders
  • Seahawks over Vikings
  • Giants over Steelers
  • Falcons over Cowboys
  • Eagles over Saints