Watch These: TSN Top Tens

     Here are some interesting Top Tens from TSN's Sportscentre (Canada). Some of these plays featured on a Top Ten will be featured again on another, but these plays are worth the price of admission. So here are some interesting Top Tens to check out. Enjoy!!!

• http://youtu.be/u3nMZwNtowo
• http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip779866#clip779866
• http://watch.tsn.ca/sportscentre-top-10/clip790736#clip790736
• http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip791605#clip791605
• http://youtu.be/fgr1YKOxFOg
• http://youtu.be/L0JSNM7g-6I
• http://youtu.be/4dUFgf8ZXrU
• http://youtu.be/PuBwq2hpDxY
• http://youtu.be/Gptm_GhTHl8
• http://youtu.be/n9Dy4L_sseg

Here's My Ghoulish Picks!!

     Halloween's just around the corner, so let's just hope that my picks don't scare me too much this week!! I went 11-0 in my college picks last week, and went 11-2 in my NFL picks last week. So here goes my haunted picks for this week!! I've gone mad and made a bunch of college picks!!

College Football:

• No. 18 Clemson over Wake Forest
• No. 16 Louisville over Cincinnati
• North Carolina over North Carolina State
• Arizona State over UCLA
• No. 2 Florida over No. 10 Georgia
• No. 12 Florida State over Duke
• No. 8 Notre Dame over No. 8 Oklahoma
• No. 1 Alabama over No. 11 Mississippi State
• No. 15 Rutgers over Kent State
• No. 3 Kansas State over No. 14 Texas Tech
• No. 24 Ohio over Miami (Ohio)
• No. 25 Wisconsin over Michigan State
• Ohio State over Penn State
• Nebraska over No. 22 Michigan
• No. 7 Oregon State over Washington

NFL Picks:

• Vikings over Buccaneers
• Seahawks over Lions
• Daaaaaaaaa Bears over Daaaaaaaaaa Panthers in Daaaaaaaaa rout
• Chargers over Browns
• Packers skewer Jaguars
• Patriots over Rams
• Titans over Colts
• Falcons over Eagles
• Jets over Dolphins
• Redskins over Steelers
• Raiders over Chiefs
• Giants over Cowboys 
• Broncos over Saints
• 49ers over Cardinals

Geek Out Stat: Matty Icing 'Em

     Before the NFL season began, I had the Atlanta Falcons as a shoo-in for the playoffs. I expected Julio Jones to step up immensely as a receiver and I expected Asante Samuel to help improve Atlanta's secondary. As a matter of fact, a good majority of NFL fans considered the Falcons to be playoff contenders. But there weren't many football fans that expected a 6-0 start from the Falcons, let alone have their quarterback Matt Ryan as the main reason for the fast start.
     The Boston College alum's numbers for 2012 have been very impressive so far. His completion percentage this season is 67.8%, six points higher than his career average. He's thrown for 1,756 yards and 14 touchdowns through six games and is on pace to throw for 4,683 yards and 37 touchdowns for the year. His current rating is 98.8, currently a career high for Ryan. Indeed, this is turning out to be a monstrous season for Atlanta's franchise quarterback.
     Atlanta's offensive attack has always been anchored by a strong running game, i.e. Warrick Dunn or currently Michael Turner. But Turner only has one 100-yard rushing game this year (Week 4 against Carolina; ran the ball 13 times for 103 yards). Instead, head coach Mike Smith is making the most of Matt Ryan's receivers. Tight end Tony Gonzalez (430 receiving yards, including a 123-yard game against Washington in which he caught a touchdown) and wideouts Roddy White (553 yards) and Julio Jones (376 yards) are all projected to produced at least 1,000 yards receiving this year. All three have been equally targeted as well with each receiver thrown to 53-54 times so far and catching four touchdowns each. If there's one thing about Mike Smith's passing strategy, it's that spreading the production amongst the receivers will make it harder for opposing secondaries to effectively cover all three Falcons targets.
     Ironically, Matt Ryan only has two 300-yard passing games in his six starts this season. As a matter of fact, last Sunday's game vs. Oakland was one of his worst for the year. He went 24 for 37 for 249 yards (with a completion rate of 64.9), but had a rating of 59.4 and threw three picks. Atlanta still won the game 23-20 on a last-second 55-yard field goal from Matt Bryant. But Atlanta still has a few tests to pass this year if they want to end the regular season undefeated.
     Luckily for Atlanta, there's only a few of these tests this season. One of them is in the City of Brotherly Love, where they'll take on Nhamdi Asomugha and the Philadelphia Eagles. Another tough test will come at home against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in week 15. The next week, Atlanta will go on the road to the Motor City for a Saturday Night matinee against the Lions. Matt Ryan might have to become "Mighty Matt Ryan" in these games. But if Ryan goes on playing the way he has so far, then that might not be a problem.

The Pick 'Em For This Week

     The good news: Last week's college football pick 'em saw me go 6-3. Something that absolutely shocked me. The bad news: I finished an even .500 for my NFL picks last week. Hopefully, this week will be a little bit nicer of a week for me in terms of NFL picks. So here are my picks for the week!!

College Football:

• No. 3 Oregon over Arizona State in a tightly contested game
• No. 2 Florida over No. 7 South Carolina
• No. 4 Kansas State over No. 13 West Virginia 
• No. 6 LSU over No. 18 Texas A&M in a close game
• No. 1 Alabama over Tennessee
• No. 17 Texas Tech over No. 23 TCU
• No. 14 Florida State over Miami (FL) (Don't be surprised if the 'Canes upset the Seminoles here)
• No. 19 Clemson over Virginia Tech
• No. 25 Texas over Baylor
• Michigan over Michigan State in a close game
• Ohio State over Purdue

NFL Picks:

• 49ers over Seahawks
• Colts over Browns
• Bills over Titans
• Vikings over Cardinals 
• Packers over Rams
• Giants over Redskins
• Saints over Buccaneers
• Panthers over Cowboys
• Texans over Ravens, despite Terrell Suggs being expected to play this week
• Raiders over Jaguars
• Patriots over Jets
• Steelers over Bengals
• Bears over Lions

Funny (And Eye-Catchingly Interesting) Pics in Sports

     I've taken the time to search and seek the funniest (and coolest) photos taken during a sporting event or just some of the most obscure sports pics in all of mankind. I just want to let you know that this wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. A few of these pics are in this post in order to capture the true emotion of a sport and the moment. Here's what I've dug up:

The Picks, They Are A-Here

     I got my picks in, just in the nick of time before tonight's Thursday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans. So here we go!! Wish me luck!!

College Football Picks:

• No. 15 Texas over No. 13 Oklahoma
• No. 23 Louisiana Tech over No. 22 Texas A&M
• No. 7 Notre Dame over No. 17 Stanford
• No. 6 Kansas State over Iowa State
• No. 9 LSU over No. 3 South Carolina
• No. 5 West Virginia over Texas Tech
• No. 24 Boise State over Fresno State
• Arizona State over Colorado
• Northwestern over Minnesota

NFL Picks

• Steelers over Titans
• Eagles over Lions in a close contest
• Browns over Bengals
• Falcons over Raiders
• Patriots over Seahawks
• Dolphins over Rams
• Jets over Colts
• Buccaneers over Chiefs
• Cardinals over Bills
• Ravens over Cowboys
• 49ers over Giants
• Texans over Packers
• Redskins over Vikings
• Chargers over Broncos

A Chip Off the Ole' Block

     Last Friday wasn't just the last game of the Atlanta Braves' 2012 season as they lost the play-in wild card game at home to St. Louis 6-3. It was the last game of a surefire Cooperstown-bound player in third baseman Chipper Jones. As a matter of fact, Chipper is right up there with Hank Aaron, Eddie Matthews and Warren Spahn.
     So what has Chipper Jones done to earn such appraisal not just in this blog, but around the sports community? Well for starters, he's a lifetime .303 hitter. He's also hit 468 home runs (Third all-time in Braves history), 1,623 RBIs (Most all-time amongst third basemen), won the NL MVP in 1999 and back-to-back Silver Slugger awards in 1999 and 2000. The eight-time all-star also appeared in a Wendy's commercial in 1998, won a World Series in 1995 (The year he officially arrived as Atlanta's starting third baseman) and won a NL batting title in 2008. As for hits, he has 2,727 of them lifetime. He's played for the Atlanta Braves his entire 19-year career as well, which draws comparisons of leadership to legends such as Steve Yzerman and Cal Ripken. He also holds the Braves' team record for career on-base percentage with an OBP of .402. Did I mention that Chipper Jones is an avid fisherman?
     Although the scene at Turner Field last Friday was littered with beer bottles and trash after a controversial infield fly call, Chipper Jones left Turner Field to a standing ovation. Granted, it wasn't the made-for-film ending that Larry (Yes, that's his real first name) would've wanted to go out on. But like most things baseball, he handled it with class and dignity. Thanks for the memories, Chipper Jones.

Sources:

• http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/3006/chipper-jones
• http://www.thegoodphight.com/2012/5/2/2994132/celebrating-the-legacy-of-chipper-jones-one-phillies-fans-appreciation
• http://www.chipperjones.com/about.htm

Watch This: Hilarious High School Play Gone Wrong

     All I have to say is this: "GOD DAMMIT LEEROY!!" (Leeroy Jenkins reference). http://youtu.be/zxnKDsymCcs

     I could only imagine what that fullback's coach had to say after that play.

To Generation Y (My Generation): It's Time to Grow Up

     The millennial generation is upon us. Many of these millennials walk around with saggy pants, a hoodie and an bitter attitude towards the business world and Republicans. Many of these millennials also had one of the best childhoods where everything that they wanted was given to them and they had so many memories. This generation also emphasizes the importance of friendships and relationships by integrating their social lives into their work lives. But according to http://generationopportunity.org/go-register, the unemployment rate amongst our youth (age 18-29) is at 11.8 percent, which is four percent higher than the national unemployment rate. So I think that it's time to tell Generation Y the hard truth: It's time to grow up.
     I should know. I'm a part of this "Peter Pan" generation. I'm a part of a generation that was a major catalyst in helping Barack Obama secure the White House in 2008. But seeing how atrocious our economy has become (And from the looks of it, it's only going to get worse), there really hasn't been a lot of "Hope" and "Change". This generation also continues to demand so much from employers that it's become frustrating for these businesses. Instead, we only care about what stupid things that Lady Gaga's doing or we get our political expertise from a bad actress like Eva Longoria. We don't know how the real world operates and are too busy "party rocking" instead of chasing after our dreams. 
     I guess that part of my frustration with my generation is that my generation wants world peace and globalization more than anything else. We are a tech-savvy group that has mostly a left leaning in terms of ideology. Most of my generation thinks that globalization has only pros to it without regards to the cons (Because of our anti-corporate attitudes, obviously). Well, I got some bad news for many of you youngsters seeking global unity: As much as globalization is progressing (We know that Europe loves this idea), it has some realistic disadvantages. Globalization has only made the rich richer and the poor more impoverished. It's perfect for investors and managers, but disastrous for workers and nature. As a matter of fact, it makes it easier for rich companies to act with less accountability. I like seeing a country's unique culture, but that's being endangered by globalization as well. This movement is also leading to the incursion of communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS. So be careful what you wish for. 
     There's always going to be war and strife in the world. That's the reality of things. There's also going to be nothing that's handed to you, so don't wait for the opportunity to come to you. I just became a small business owner in hopes of making my dreams a reality. But I've had a hard time taking off because some of my potential clients, who are a part of this generation, don't see it as being as important as their social lives. Another point that I want to make is that the generation before us provided us with the best lives growing up. That's because they had to work for what they wanted. They had to pay their dues and scrape their boots just to get by. When I was four years old, my mother had to make pizzas at a party store while she was raising me and my sister and living with my grandmother. My mother did this just to pay for her schooling in hopes of becoming a teacher. It turns out that she became so much more; my mother was the principal of Eisenhower High School a few years ago. So I leave my generation with this piece of advice: Love isn't going to make your dreams come true. Hugs and kisses won't pay your bills, so it's time to reserve your childhood for another day, quit worrying about your social lives and drama, face reality and GROW UP!

Source: http://www.manufacturing.net/articles/2010/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization

Here's My Picks for the Week!!

     Here's another week of pick 'em for me!! Only suffered one loss in the college football pick 'em last week, but I didn't fare as well for the NFL pick 'em... Anyway, here are my picks!!

College Football:

• No. 18 Stanford over Arizona
• No. 13 USC over Utah
• No. 4 LSU over No. 10 Florida
• No. 8 West Virginia over No. 11 Texas
• No. 16 Oklahoma over Texas Tech
• No. 12 Ohio State over No. 21 Nebraska
• No. 9 Notre Dame over Miami (FL) in a tight battle
• Illinois over Wisconsin
• No. 22 Rutgers over Connecticut
• No. 2 Oregon over No. 23 Washington

NFL Picks:

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

The Best Golfer to Never Win a Major?

     One of the most popular topics that many avid PGA fans like to argue about is who's the best PGA golfer to never win a major. Often times, Sergio Garcia is a name that's associated with this category and with good reason; he ranks tied for 25th all-time on the European Tour list in wins with ten and has 23 professional wins in his career.
     But there's one PGA golfer that often gets overlooked is Lee Westwood from England. The former No. 1 golfer in the world from England is well-known for his consistent play and was named player of the year for the 1998, 2001 and 2008 seasons. Westwood has 39 career wins, 22 of which were from the European Tour (ninth all-time), and has won tournaments on every continent. Westwood also won the 2000 European Tour Order of Merit and the 2009 Tour of Dubai (which it had been renamed to).
     Westwood's best results in each major championship are:

• Master's Tournament: Second place (2010)
• U.S. Open: Third place (2008), tied for third place (2011)
• The Open Championship: Second place (2010)
• PGA Championship: Tied for third place (2009)

      So in spite of not winning a single major PGA tournament in his career, Lee Westwood has often come close. But he has only two PGA Tour wins, so his worldwide success isn't recognized by many people of the western world. However, you can expect Lee Westwood to be in the hunt during a major championship.