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Tendown January 31, 2016

Sunday, January 31, 2016

210 is here. This is Tendown 211

I'm away next week; I'll do a non current events related Tendown for Super Bowl Sunday (meaning, I'm putting it together in January).



1. Fighting on the Left.

2. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders

A Half Assed Super Bowl List - The 50 Greatest Players in Super Bowl History

Thursday, January 28, 2016

ESPN is currently doing a list of the 50 greatest players in Super Bowl history.

That's my corner, but I've never done that list.

Another longstanding project of mine is re-awarding Super Bowl MVPs.  Here are my MVPs which are not in my top 50.

Matt Snell
Buck Buchanan
Mike Curtis
Duane Thomas
Ray Wersching
Jim Lachey
James Washington
Rod Smith
Mike Jones
Ty Law
Simeon Rice
Ted Bruschi
Ike Taylor
Dominic Rhodes
James Harrison
Drew Brees
Aaron Rodgers
Joe Flacco
Malcolm Smith
Malcolm Butler
Von Miller
Nick Foles

Okay, here's the 50 best players in SB history.  Again, not in order, maybe next year for that.

Joe Montana (4)
Jim Plunkett (2)
Terry Bradshaw (4)
Troy Aikman (3)
Tom Brady (9)
Eli Manning (2)
Roger Staubach (4)
Franco Harris (4)
Larry Csonka (3)
Emmitt Smith (3)
Terrell Davis (2)
John Riggins (2)
Andre Reed (4)
Jerry Rice (4)
Thurman Thomas (4)
Wes Welker (3)
Deion Branch (3)
Roger Craig (3)
Lynn Swann (4)
John Stallworth (4)
Michael Irvin (3)
Cliff Branch
Max McGee (2)
Art Monk (3)
Isaac Bruce (2)
Julian Edelman (4)
Art Shell
Gene Upshaw
Larry Allen
Rob Gronkowski (4)

LC Greenwood (4)
Charles Haley (5)
Willie Davis
Randy White (3)
Justin Tuck
Rod Martin
Kam Chancellor
Herb Adderly
Manny Fernandez
Joe Greene
Jack Lambert
Harvey Martin
Ronnie Lott
Wilber Marshall
Ken Norton
Reggie White
Ray Lewis
Richard Dent
Rodney Harrison (4)
Stephon Gilmore

(Russell Wilson, Brett Favre, Kurt Warner, James White, Bart Starr, Ricky Sanders, Hines Ward)



January 2016 Athlete of the Month

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The 2015 Athlete of the Year is here.


Von Miller.  Runners-up: Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Cam Newton

And we're underway. The race for the 26th Annual Athlete of the Year Award is on.

January - Von Miller


Super Bowl 50 Pick

Monday, January 25, 2016

Carolina to win the game.

Denver + wherever the line eventually lands.  Let it roll to 6. It won't get to 7. edit, it's at 6 now, so I'll buy.  Not buy much, but pressed to make a pick, I'll buy.

I'm 9-1 straight up in the playoffs after winning both conference title games.  The only game I missed was that Bengal/Steeler game that Cincinnati gave away.

I'm 5-4-1 against the spread.

I'll take Carolina here for the reasons you think; unless Manning's wife gets a couple extra shipments in the dead week, the Denver offense doesn't seem likely to put up enough points, and while Denver's pass rush should be effective (hence taking the points) Newton isn't quite the sitting duck that Brady turned out to be.

Rooting for Carolina.  Picking Carolina.  Taking Denver with the points.

As you can see, I'm pretty on target picking winners this playoff season, less good about the spread, and that's the level of confidence I'd suggest you have with these picks.


Tendown, January 24, 2016

Sunday, January 24, 2016

209 is here. This is Tendown 210.



1. 

2. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote For Bernie Sanders

3. Flint.

4. Flint Plus.

5. 

6.

7.

8.





9. Cruz, It Won't Surprise You, Likes to Kill People.

10. How About We Double up For Bernie This Week.

And one more..





That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time..

Your pal,

Jim

2016 Royal Rumble Preview

Wednesday, January 20, 2016



The last Star Wars I saw had Ewoks.  So you can't go by me.

My understanding is the new Star Wars is essentially a remake of the first Star Wars (yeah, I don't know which episode that means; I'm a wrestling nerd, it's really all I can manage) with a girl in the Luke Skywalker slot.

There's criticism by some of the hardcores that she gets pushed too hard, right?  That she's too good, does too well - that it erodes the credibility of the world given her lack of flaws.

Is that right?  Is that a good reflection of some nature of the conversation, the truth of the matter asserted notwithstanding?

Roman Reigns = Rey (for the wrestling only reader, that's not Mysterio)

Roman Reigns is about to walk into a Royal Rumble with his title on the line, a Rumble which will be built around everyone trying to eliminate Reigns - and he's going to eliminate, let's say 10 people, he's going to last an hour, he will get the full Superman push, and then he'll get screwed by HHH in a way designed to make him sympathetic.

But because they've just thrown Reigns at us and told us he's the best guy, without his actually being the best guy, that story lacks credibility.  That's why fans still boo Cena, even a decade+ later.  Because he was Rey before Reigns was Rey.  And, I'd argue, despite his being the most popular wrestler in the company over that decade+, he's been the most popular wrestler in a company that has consistently shed viewers.  The story they told with Cena eroded the believability of the universe that they created and it peeled away a level of the emotional attachment that a portion of the fanbase had for the product.  If it doesn't feel real, why watch?

Cena as the best wrestler in the promotion has never felt real, not for a day.  Reigns faces a similar fate.

Here's the card.

1. IC: Last Man Standing: Dean Ambrose v. Kevin Owens
-When last we left, at Survivor Series, Owens was IC champ.  He lost that belt to Ambrose at the December show and they've continued their feud through here.  It's good; WWE does a pretty terrible job differentiating characters or slots outside of Lesnar and Reigns, so they come off as largely interchangeable pieces.

Should be good, given the quality of the workers, although the Last Man stip can be a dud. Assuming it's the end of the program, Ambrose keeping makes sense.  That would also allow the midcard foreign heel stable to be involved in a chase for the title.  Owens winning leading to a Jericho program might make some sense.

20 min, 4 1/4 stars - Ambrose went over, ending the feud. Easily the best match on the show, filled with table breaking violence.  The last man stip did slow things down.

2. US: Alberto del Rio v. Kalisto
-When last we left, del Rio was US Champ; he and Kalisto (whose elevation was a terrific benefit of an injury to his medicore tag partner) have subsequently switched this title between them and back again.  Del Rio is part of the previously mentioned midcard heel stable filled with guys who are just fine but no better than that.  Kalisto's exciting and spot based in a promotion that could use guys who do more spots.  I assume del Rio keeps in a good match, but Kalisto's winning leading to a program with Finn Balor, called up from NXT to lead the group coming in from New Japan would be better.

11:30, 3 stars, Kalisto took and this feud may continue.  It was in the same vein as their prior matches.

3. Tags: New Day v. Usos
-New Day's had the belts since summer; they get a significant chunk of mic time each week to entertain people who are not me.  My expectation is they keep the belts in a good enough match.

11 min, 2 1/2 stars, New Day keeps.  It's what it is.

4. Women: Charlotte v. Becky
-This is most likely a switch in an okay match; Flair got baited into accepting Becky's challenge to Charlotte's title and that probably pays off with Becky's winning the belt.

11:30, 2 3/4 stars - it did not pay off that way, Charlotte kept with her dad's interference and Becky was moved aside postmatch in favor of Sasha.  

Rumble Match
-Hunter wins the title, screwing Reigns out of the belt to lead to the Mania main event that will be 12 minutes too long and way, way too slow.  I'd do almost anything else.

3 1/2 stars - and that's what happened.  

-Somehow, Brock gets eliminated in a way that builds to Mania.  Bray makes sense, I guess, and Brock has to work his way through the entire Wyatt Family to eventually beat Bray at Mania.  That's fine; anything Brock does will be good, but also wouldn't be my choice.

-And that's what happened.

-We may see the debut of AJ Styles, which would be the most exciting thing that will happen on Sunday absent a theoretical Daniel Bryan return.  Many WWE fans have no idea who Styles is - and I am flat telling you if he came in cold, with zero build, and he and Reigns were the final two, the fans would not be cheering for the babyface Superman champion.

-They did this faceoff in the beginning of the match, AJ Styles one on one against Roman Reigns, and the reaction was as predicted.  Reigns is so cold they needed to have him out of the match for half an hour to keep the fans from booing all match long.  He's still winning the main event of WM.

Reigns v. HHH in the main event of Wrestlemania.  This is not for me.  

This is a wrestling promotion employing Bryan, Zayn, Balor, Joe, Cesaro, Itami, and presumably Nakamura.  None of them likely to appear Sunday.  Don't listen to anyone who says with Cena and Orton out that WWE has a talent problem.  WWE has a storytelling problem.  WWE has a problem identifying which should be the star characters and who should be the supporting characters.  Wrestlemania could be...

AJ vs. Joe
Brock vs. Nakamura
Owens vs. Zayn
Balor vs. Neville

Zayn worked the Rumble and eliminated Owens.  They might do that match, in fact.  

And that's assuming injuries to Bryan, Itami, Cesaro.  It could be the greatest WWE card of all time.  Instead, it will be Reigns and Hunter for 30 minutes on top.  That's a choice.  Not a circumstance.

Here's every Rumble match in history ranked.

1.       ’03 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Chris Benoit 20 min 5
2.    '15 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Seth Rollins/John Cena 23 min 4 1/2
3.       ’00 WWF Title HHH d. Cactus Jack 27 min 4 ¼
4.       ’01 IC Ladder: Chris Jericho d. Chris Benoit 19 min 4 ¼
6.       ’04 Rumble Match: (Chris Benoit) 61:30 4
6.       ’92 WWF Title: Rumble Match (Ric Flair) 62 min 4
7.      '14 Bray Wyatt d. Daniel Bryan 22 min 4
8.       ’91 Rockers d. Orient Express 19 min 4
9.       ’95 WWF Title: Diesel draw Bret Hart 27 min 4
10.       ’10 Rumble Match (Edge) 49:30 3 ¾

11.       ’00 Tables Hardys d. Dudleys 10:30 3 ¾
12.   ’94 Tags: Quebecers d. Bret/Owen 16:30 3 ¾
13.   ’04 WWF Title: HHH draw HBK 22:30 3 ¾

14.   ’11 World: Edge d. Dolph Ziggler 20:30 3 ½  
15.   ’02 WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. Rock 19 min 3 ½
16.   ’98 WWF Title: Casket Match: Shawn Michaels d. Undertaker 22 min 3 ½
17.   ’07 WWF Title: Last Man Standing: John Cena d. Umaga 22:30 3 ½
18.   ’99 WWF Title: I Quit Match: Rock d. Mankind 22 min 3 ½
19.   ’93 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Razor Ramon 18 min 3 ½
20.   ’11 Rumble Match (Alberto del Rio) 69 min 3 ½
21.   ’90 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 59 min 3 ½
22.   ’97 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 50:30 3 ½

23.   ’01 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. HHH 24:30 3 ¼
24.   ’13 WWF Title: Rock d. CM Punk 23:30 3 ¼  
25.   ’93 IC Shawn Michaels d. Marty Jannetty 14:30 3 ¼
26.   ’05 Edge d. Shawn Michaels 18:30 3 ¼
27.   ’09 WWF Title: Edge d. Jeff Hardy 19:30 3 ¼
28.   ’12 Rumble Match (Sheamus) 55 min 3 ¼
29.   ’05 Rumble Match (Batista) 51:30 3 ¼
30.   ’03 Rumble Match(Brock Lesnar) 53:30 3 ¼
31.   ’00 Rumble Match(Rock) 52 min 3 ¼
32.   ’01 Rumble Match(Steve Austin) 62 min 3 ¼
33.   ’06 Rumble Match (Rey Mysterio) 62 min 3 ¼
34.   ’07 Rumble Match (Undertaker) 56:30 3 ¼     
35.   ’89 Rumble Match(John Studd) 64 min 3 ¼
36.   ’98 Rumble Match (Steve Austin) 55:30 3 ¼
37.   ’08 Rumble Match (John Cena) 51:30 3 ¼
38.       '14 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min 3 1/4 
39.   ’10 World: Undertaker d. Rey Mysterio 11 min 3 ¼
40.   ’11 WWF: Miz d. Randy Orton 20 min 3 ¼  
41.   ’05 World: HHH d. Randy Orton 21:30 3 ¼
42.   ’07 Hardys d. MNM 15:30 3 ¼

43.   ’12 WWF Title: CM Punk d. Dolph Ziggler 14 min 3
44.   ’01 Tags: Dudleys d. Edge/Christian 10 min 3
45.   ’08 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Jeff Hardy 14 min 3
46.   ’92 Owen/Anvil d. Orient Express 17 min 3
47.   ’95 Tags: Bob Holly/123 Kid d. Tatanka/Bam Bam Bigelow 15:30 3
48.   ’02 Rumble Match(HHH) 69:30 3
49.   ’94 Rumble Match: (Bret/Lex) 55 min 3
50.   ’93 Rumble Match: (Yokozuna) 66:30 3
51.   ’91 Rumble Match (Hulk Hogan) 65 min 3
52.   ’96 Rumble Match(Shawn Michaels) 59 min 3
53.   ’99 Rumble Match (Vince McMahon) 56:30 3
54.   ’95 Rumble Match (Shawn Michaels) 39 min 3
55.   ’09 Rumble Match (Randy Orton) 58:30 3
56.  '14 Rumble Match (Batista) 55 min 3
57.   ’13 Rumble Match (John Cena) 55 min 3
58.  '15 Rumble Match (Reigns) 59 min 3
59.   ’88 Rumble Match (Jim Duggan) 33:30 3
60.   ’02 IC: William Regal d. Edge 10 min 3
61.   ’04 Eddy Guerrero d. Chavo Guerrero 8 min 3
62.   ’13 World: Last Man Standing: Alberto del Rio d. Big Show 17 min 3
63.   ’09 ECW: Jack Swagger d. Matt Hardy 10:30 3
64.   ’96 Tags: Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas 11 min 3
65.   ’03 Tags: Dudleys d. Regal/Storm 7:30 3
66.   ’97 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Sid 14 min 3
67.   ’89 Haku d. Harley Race 9 min 3
68.   ’97 IC: HHH d. Goldust 17 min 3

69.   ’06 Jr.: Gregory Helms d. Kash, Funaki, Noble, Nunzio, London 7:30
70.   ’88 Jumping Bomb Angels d. Glamour Girls 14 min
71.   ’89 Hart Foundation/Duggan d. Dino Bravo/Rougeaus 16 min
72.   ’96 WWF Title: Undertaker d. Bret Hart 29 min
73.   ’08 World: Edge d. Rey Mysterio 12:30
74.   ’88 Ricky Steamboat d. Rick Rude 17 min
75.   ’00 Taz d. Kurt Angle 3 min
76.   ’02 Ric Flair d. Vince McMahon 15 min
77.   ’98 IC Rock d. Shamrock 11 min
78.   ’05 WWF Title: JBL d. Big Show/Kurt Angle 12 min
79.   ’06 WWF Title: John Cena d. Edge 14
80.   ’97 Vader d. Undertaker 13 min
81.   ’13 Tags: Hell No d. Rhodes Scholars 9:30
82.   ’93 Steiners d. Beverlys 10:30
83.   ’07 World: Batista d. Ken Kennedy 10:30
84.   ’90 Ronny Garvin d. Greg Valentine 17 min
85.   ’10 ECW: Christian d. Ezekial Jackson 12 min
86.   ’88 Islanders d. Young Stallions 14 min
87.   ’02 Tags: Taz/Spike Dudley d. Dudleys 5 min
88.   ’12 World: Cage: Daniel Bryan d. Big Show/Mark Henry
89.   ’00 IC: Chris Jericho d. Chyna d. Bob Holly 7:30
90.   ’08 JBL d. Chris Jericho 9:30
91.   ’10 US: Miz d. MVP 7:30
92.   ’97 Garza/Aguayo/Canek d. Estrada/Metal/.Guerrera 11 min
93.   ’04 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Bob Holly 6:30
94.  '15 Tags: Usos d. Miz/Mizdow 9:30
95.   ’03 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 6 min
96.   ’99 Euro: Sean Waltman d. Gangrel 6 min
97.   ’98 Vader d. Goldust 8 min
98.   ’95 IC Jeff Jarrett d. Razor Ramon 18 min
99.   ’99 IC: Ken Shamrock d. Billy Gunn 14:30
100.   ’04 Jr. Rey Mysterio d. Jamie Noble 3:30
101.   ’91 Boss Man d. Barbarian 14 min
102   '14 Brock Lesnar d. Big Show 2 min
103.   ’92 IC: Roddy Piper d. Mountie 5:30
104.   ’08 Ric Flair d. MVP 8 min
105.   ’98 Mini/Mosaic/Nova d. Battalion/Torito/Tarantula 8 min
106.   ’97 Ahmed Johnson d. Farooq 9 min
107.     ’96 Ahmed Johnson d. Jeff Jarrett 6:30
108.      ’10 WWF: Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12:30
109.       ’07 ECW: Bobby Lashley d. Test 7:30
110.                        ’04 Tags: Evolution d. Dudleys 4:30
111.                        ’03 World Title: Scott Steiner d. HHH 18:30
112.                        ’09 World John Cena d. JBL 15:30
113.                        ’99 Boss Man d. Road Dogg 12 min
114.                        ’90 Hacksaw Duggan d. Big Boss Man 10:30
115.                        ’91 Ted DiBiase/Virgil d. Dusty/Dustin 10 min
116.                        ’00 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Acolytes 2:30
117.                        ’94 Tatanka d. Bam Bam Bigelow 8
118.                        ’94 IC: Razor Ramon d. IRS 11:30
119.                        ’96 IC: Goldust d. Razor 14:30
120.                        ’89 Rockin Robin d. Judy Martin 6:30
121.                        ’11 Women: Eve d. Natalya/Layla/Michelle McCool 5 min
122.            '15 Bellas d. Page/Natty 8 min
123.                        ’12 Bellas/Beth/Natalya d. Kelly/Eve/Alicia/Tamina 5:30
124.                        ’02 Women: Trish d. Jazz 4 min
125.                        ’09 Women: Melina d. Beth Phoenix 6:30
126.                        ’92 Tags: Natural Disasters d. LOD 9:30
127.                        ’98 Tags: LOD d. New Age Outlaws 8 min
128.                        ’91 Mountie d. Koko 9
129.                        ’05 Casket: Undertaker d. Heidenreich 13:30
130.                        ’91 WWF Title: Sgt. Slaughter d. Ultimate Warrior 12:30
131.                        ’06 World: Kurt Angle d. Mark Henry 9:30
132.                        ’93 Bam Bam Bigelow d. Big Boss Man 10 min
133.                        ’95 Undertaker d. IRS 12:30
134.            '15 Ascension d. New Age Outlaws 5:30
135.                        ’01 Women: Ivory d. Chyna 3:30
136.                        ’99 Women: Sable d. Luna 4:30
137.                        ’12 Brodus Clay d. Drew McIntyre 1 min
138.                        ’06 Boogeyman d. JBL 2 min
139.                        ’90 Bushwackers d. Rougeaus 13:30
140.                        ’12 John Cena draw Kane 11
141.                        ’90 Brutus Beefcake draw Lanny Poffo 11 min
142.                        ’92 Beverlys d. Bushwackers 15 min
143.                        ’10 Women: Mickie James d. Michelle McCool :30
144.                        ’03 Torrie Wilson d. Dawn Marie 3:30
145.                        ’06 Women: Mickey James d. Ashley 7:30
146.                        ’94 WWF Title: Yokozuna d. Undertaker 14:30








2015 Conference Championship Picks

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

I went 4-0 straight up last week.

7-1 during the playoffs, the only loss being that Bengal game.

1-2-1 against the spread last week, so some room there.

Carolina over Arizona
Denver over NE

Coming into the playoffs I went the other way, I took Arizona/New England to make the Super Bowl; the switch here is based, really only based, on home field - the games look even to me, so I'll take the one clear advantage each game presents.

I'll take both dogs.  Denver's getting 3 so obviously I'm taking that number; and I've had Arizona as the best team in football most of the season, so I'll take the 3 available in that game also.


Tendown, January 17, 2016

Sunday, January 17, 2016

208 is here. This is Tendown 209.


1.

2. One of my most fevent beliefs, everyone has the right to die on their own terms.

3. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders

4.

5. Why is the Presumpive Democratic Nominee Against Single Payer?

6.

7. 

Cowardice
Are you serious?
Apologies for freedom
I can't handle this!

When freedom rings
Answer the call
Stand up tall!

Freedom's on our shoulders
USA!

Enemies
Of freedom
Face the music
Come on boys
Take 'em down!

President Donald Trump knows how
To make America great
Deal from strength or get crushed everytime!

Over here
USA
Over there
USA
Freedom and liberty everywhere

Oh say can you see
It's not so easy
But we have to stand up tall
An answer freedom's call

USA, USA
USA, USA
Land of the free and the home of the brave
USA
The stars and stripes are flying
Let's celebrate our freedom
Inspire proudly freedom to the world

Ameritude
American pride
It's attitude, it's who we are
Stand up tall

We're the red, white and blue
Fiercely free
That's who
Our colors don't run, no sirree

Over here
USA
Over there
USA
Freedom and liberty, everywhere

Oh say can you see
It's not so easy
But we have to stand up tall and answer freedom's call


8.

9. How to Think About Chip.

10. Cruz's College Roommate
And finally...



That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time...if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Halfway Through - 2016 NBA All Star Selections - Final Build

Friday, January 15, 2016

Halfway through the 2016 NBA season.  Using the most advanced of metrics, here's my final selection for All Star Rosters.


East

Starters

Center
A.Drummond Det 

Forwards
L.James Cle   MVP - 4
P.Millsap Atl   

Guards
K.Lowry Tor  MVP - 5
J.Butler Chi  

Reserves
F C.Bosh Mia 
F P.George Ind 
G I.Thomas Bos 
F C.Anthony NY 
G D.DeRozan Tor  
C A.Horford Atl 
C P.Gasol Chi 

Alternates
G R.Jackson Det  
C G.Monroe Mil 
F K.Love Cle
G J.Wall Wash 
F J.Crowder Bos
C H.Whiteside Mia 



West

Starters

Center
D.Jordan LAC   

Forwards
K.Leonard SA  MVP 3rd
K.Durant OKC  

Guards
S.Curry GSW MVP 1st
R.Westbrook OKC MVP 2nd

Reserves
G J.Harden Hou 
F D.Green GSW 
G C.Paul LAC  
C D.Cousins Sac 
F A.Davis NO 
F B.Griffin LAC  
G D.Lillard Por  

Alternates
F G.Hayward Utah 
F D.Nowitzki Dal 
F D.Gallinari Den 


1st Team All NBA
C Jordan
F Leonard
F James
G Curry
G Westbrook

2nd Team
C Drummond
F Durant
F Green
G Lowry 
G Harden

3rd Team
C Cousins
F Millsap
F Bosh
G Paul
G Thomas

4th Team
C Horford
F George
F Anthony
G DeRozan
G Jackson


2015 NFL Division Round Picks

Monday, January 11, 2016

I went 3-1 in the Wild Card Round. That's both straight and against the spread.

No spread picks yet, see you later in the week.

I'm going chalk for the straight picks.

AFC
New England over KC
Denver over Pittsburgh

NFC
Carolina over Seattle
Arizona over GBay

The only result which would surprise me is if the Packers beat the Cardinals; other than that, I'm amenable to either team winning.  For that reason, I'm going to take all 4 dogs against the spread.

KC+5
GB +7
Sea +2.5 (but try to find 3)
Pit +7




Tendown, January 10, 2016

Sunday, January 10, 2016

207 is here. This is Tendown 208.



1. Muslim at a Trump Rally.
2. The political parties aren't moving left.
3. Pierce on Oregon.
4. 
5. Working Families Party
6. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote For Bernie Sanders
7. Fascist tears.
8. Gun Jurisprudence
9. Stuff to Look at From the New York Public Library
10.

And one more...







That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim


2015 NFL Playoff Predictions

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

In the pre-season, I picked Packers/Colts for Super Bowl 50, so there's that.  I did however have my Niners going 5-11.

Let's start with this weekend's games.

AFC
KC over Houston
Cincinnati over Pitt

Thoughts: The Bengal quarterback spot is still up in the air; I'll revisit once that decision is made.

                 Right now, Houston's getting 3 and the Bengals getting 2.5, were I picking against the spread, I'd take both dogs.

NFC
Sea over Minn
GB over Wash

Thoughts: The Packers are getting 1, so were I picking against the spread, I'd take them.  The Vikes are getting 6, and I would also take that number.

So, ATS, all dogs.

That would leave us with...

AFC:
KC at Denver
Cincinnati at NE

NFC:
Seattle at Carolina
GB at Arizona

I'll be taking the Chiefs in that scenario.  I'd love to take the Bengals, and if Dalton's back I might, but from here I'll take NE.

That would mean Kansas City at New England in the AFC Championship game.  And goddamit, I'm taking New England.

In the NFC, that Seahawk/Panther game is just big on big, I'll probably take Seattle.

And Arizona, without any concern, in their half.

From here, I'll take the Cards; I'm likely to do that anyway, but given that Seattle/Carolina is a coin flip and Arizona should walk to the conference title, that's the pick.

So, my Super Bowl pick is New England vs. Arizona.

I'm picking the Cardinals.


Who To Root For as a 49ers Fan - 2015 NFL Playoffs

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Not a prediction - it's who I will be rooting for, in inverse order, as a Niners fan.  Enjoy the hate.

12. New England
-I'm in the Glory Days Protection Business (even more important now that the current Niners have cratered) so I primarily root against those who claim the Crown of Montana.  Top on that list is Brady, I will root against the Patriots in every conceivable matchup.

11. Seattle
-The rivalry is dead; a year ago I rooted for the Patriots with the desire to avoid back to back Seahawk titles; those equities shift today.

10. Denver
-This is actually a variable prediction, absent Peyton Manning the Broncos wouldn't be on my radar, but I'd rather keep his SB wins locked in place.  If he is the starter, a Seahawk/Broncos SB is actually a tough call, two years ago, even after our NFC Title game loss in Seattle, I rooted for them to beat Denver.  If Manning is the QB, this is a challenging potential root.

9. Pittsburgh
-Roethlisberger is unlikely to ever be seen on the same tier as Montana, but I'd like to avoid another ring for Ben nonetheless.  If there's no Manning, the Denver's preferable to Pittsburgh.

8. Green Bay
-I like Rodgers as a a guy and he has a long way to go to threaten Montana, but given the rest of the options on the board, I'll slot him here.

7. Washington
-This is just a vote against Dan Snyder.

6. Carolina
-Had they remained unbeaten they'd be more of a priority; if they had lost more than a game I wouldn't care about them at all.  I'd rather not see another team go 18-1.

5. Arizona
-I'm a USC guy and like Carson Palmer, so even though the Cards are in the west and therefore nomina rivals, I can't say it would bother me to see them win the SB. I'm unsure how I'd actually feel about a Cardinal/Viking game.

4. Houston
-We have no relationship with Houston at all; I have a general dislike of Texas.  Probably, if they make a SB game against Arizona I find myself rooting for the Cardinals.

3. Minnesota
-My top ranked NFC team, despite Adrian Peterson's stuffing leaves into his kid's mouth while he beat him.  Those old Viking teams are really underrated historically given those terrible SB performances, and a title would be a good makeup.

2. Cincinnati
-A Bengal SB appearance in the 49ers home stadium means a lot of talk about those two Super Bowls and that would be entertaining; I've got lots of residual Sam Wyche related good feelings about the franchise as some sort of third cousin to ours.

1. Kansas City
-Alex Smith.  And they were cool to Joe when he was there for a couple of years.

So, for me, a SB IV rematch would be ideal.  Go Chiefs.

2015 NFL All Pro Team - Final Build

Monday, January 4, 2016

Okay, here's my first and second All Pro Teams for the 2015 NFL season.

1st Team

QB - Carson Palmer Ari    MVP
RB - Doug Martin TB
RB - Jonathan Stewart Carol
WR - Antonio Brown Pit
WR - Julio Jones Atl
TE - Rob Gronkowski NE
C - Travis Frederick  Dall
G - Marshal Yanda  Balt
G - Richie Incognito  Buf
T - Joe Thomas  Cle
T - Tyron Smith  Dal

DE - JJ Watt Hou
DE - Khalil Mack  Oak
DT - Aaron Donald StL
DT - Geno Atkins Cin
OLB - Von Miller Den
OLB - Anthony Barr Minn
ILB - Luke Kuechly Carol
CB - Chris Harris Den
CB - Richard Sherman Sea
S - Tyrann Mathieu Ari
S - Harrison Smith Min



2nd Team

QB - Tom Brady NE
RB - DeAngelo Williams Pit
RB - TJ Yeldon Jax
WR - AJ Green  Cin
WR - DeAndre Hopkins Hou
TE - Delanie Walker Ten
C - Ryan Kalil Carol
G - Zach Martin Dall
G - Trai Turner Carol
T - Terron Armstead  NO
T - Andrew Whitworth  Cin

DE - Cameron Jordan NO
DE - Oliver Vernon Mia
DT - Ndamukong Suh Det
DT - Kawann Short Carol
OLB - KJ Wright Sea
OLB - Justin Houston KC
ILB - Jerrell Freeman Ind
CB - Patrick Peterson Ari
CB - Darius Slay Det
S - Eric Berry KC
S - Earl Thomas Sea


Tendown, January 3, 2016

Sunday, January 3, 2016


206 is here. This is Tendown 207




1, How many people did the cops kill this year?
2. 

3. Here's What Will Buy You a SWAT Raid.

4.

5. What Happens in a Plutocracy

6. The best part is the post from the State Rep. Guess which party.

7. Guantanamo Forever

8. Cable News. 2015

9. Armed Muslims take over a federal building.  One of those words isn't true.

10.  The Year in Trump Tweets.

And one more...


That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim




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