We had weenies for dinner last night, and there are still a few in the fridge. Which reminds us, readers who play the charity football 'dog game with us need to get their picks to underdog@bojack.org by 10 a.m. Pacific time tomorrow. Only about half our players have weighed in at this writing -- don't forget, players!
Comments (2)
"Mojo's Best Bets"
(Last week, 2-1; to date, 7-5)
1. MINNESOTA (+3) @Chicago -- The Vikes will go "AP AD" (All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson, all day), with some select passing by veteran QB Donovan McNabb, who's finally getting accustomed to his new team & schemes. Vikings have a good pass rush that will terrorize Bears QB Cutler. Chicago's OL is bad, and da Bears once formidable defense is da-lusional this season.
2. BUFFALO (+3) @NY Giants -- Eli Manning and his receiving corps better not have any INTs in this one! The key to this game for the Bills is to stop the Giants running game. Not a Buffalo strength, but if they want to consider themselves legitimate contenders to outlast the Patriots and win the AFC, they must start immediately to plug the gaps and stop the run. Otherwise, they'll just be this year's version of the Cardiac Kids.
Bills' defense defies logic and the odds
"The Bills are on pace to break the team record for points in a season. They lead the league in fewest sacks allowed and they're a perfect 20-for-20 in red-zone scoring. They're first in takeaways and interceptions." http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/jerry-sullivan/article591590.ece
Q: Most over-rated head coach in the NFL?
A: NY Giants' Tom Coughlin.
Q: Top candidate for Coach of the Year?
A: Buffalo Bills' Chan Gailey (Detroit's Jim Schwartz is working with better talent).
3. CLEVELAND (+5.5 @Oakland) -- The Raiders have the #2 ranked rushing offense in the NFL (22nd in passing), but the Browns have outstanding linebackers in D’Qwell Jackson, and Chris Gocong who is explosive and a matchup nightmare to block. Raiders QB Jason Campbell's foot injury may be a significant factor if Oakland falls behind or if this game is close in the 4th Q. The Browns' humble passing offense is adequate enough overcome the woeful Raiders pass defense, ranked 29th and giving up an average of 300 yds/game. Can't wait to see Cleveland superstar Joshua Cribbs in action in this one.
The X-Factor: No, it's not that this is the Raiders' first game at home since their diabolical leader, Al Davis, finally croaked. It's that the Browns' All-Pro RB Peyton Hillis is back from a couple of controversial weeks off from strep throat and Hillis has extra motivation playing against the Raiders star RB Darren McFadden, who took carries away from him when they played together at Arkansas.
"The Upset Special"
(last week, 0-1; to date, 1-3)
DALLAS (+7) @New England -- With 2 weeks to prepare and Romo due to break out of his annual periodic funk, as well as Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's proven ability to counter Belichick & Brady's game plan execution, this sets up as a viable potential upset pick just begging for action. Cowboys No.1 pick WR/KR Dez Bryant is expected back from injured list this week and could be the difference-maker.
"Gamblers Corner"
INDIANAPOLIS (+7@Cinci) is too banged up (no Addai, among many others) to beat the Bengals on the road outdoors, in wind & rain. Bengals are the sleeper team of the league, with the Lions & Bills catching all of the "season's surprise" attention.
JACKSONVILLE (+12.5 @Pittsburgh) might be able to keep it close by running Jones-Drew & Co. 40 times, if they can get away with chop-blocking the Steelers DL as some others have so far this year (Ravens, Texans). But, the Steelers have resolved their OL issues and defensive execution for now, and look to turn loose their offensive weapons in preparation for making a run to catch up and win their division. Mike Wallace might have 200 yards & 3 TDs receiving in this game for Pittsburgh.
HOUSTON (+7 @Baltimore) might appear to be an attractive upset pick, but the Texans (especially including QB Matt Shaub) are crippled with injuries in just about every key position. Ravens are very tough to beat at home.
SAN FRANCISCO (+4.5 @Detroit) is tantalizing, but unless RB Frank Gore has a monster day and the 49ers defense forces some turnovers while QB Alex Smith avoids the same in the face of an intense and punishing pass rush, the crowd noise alone inside Detroit's domed stadium could overcome the SF offense's ability to function adequately enough to accomplish this upset. 49er Head Coach & QB guru, Jim Harbaugh, won't be able to help Smith much once the Ford Field crowd gets revved up.
TAMPA BAY (+4.5 vs. New Orleans), uh, no way, José:
ST. LOUIS (+14.5 @Green Bay), hey that's why they call it gambling. But a Rams team devastated by early season injuries and from an indoor domed stadium, can't be relied on to go up to Lambeau Field and beat the 5-0 defending World Champions.
P.S. ~ Apologies to Seahawks fans for last week ridiculing Seattle's chances before they smashed the Mew Yawk giants in the Big Apple. Sweet!
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (2)
"Mojo's Best Bets"
(Last week, 2-1; to date, 7-5)
1. MINNESOTA (+3) @Chicago -- The Vikes will go "AP AD" (All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson, all day), with some select passing by veteran QB Donovan McNabb, who's finally getting accustomed to his new team & schemes. Vikings have a good pass rush that will terrorize Bears QB Cutler. Chicago's OL is bad, and da Bears once formidable defense is da-lusional this season.
2. BUFFALO (+3) @NY Giants -- Eli Manning and his receiving corps better not have any INTs in this one! The key to this game for the Bills is to stop the Giants running game. Not a Buffalo strength, but if they want to consider themselves legitimate contenders to outlast the Patriots and win the AFC, they must start immediately to plug the gaps and stop the run. Otherwise, they'll just be this year's version of the Cardiac Kids.
Bills' defense defies logic and the odds
"The Bills are on pace to break the team record for points in a season. They lead the league in fewest sacks allowed and they're a perfect 20-for-20 in red-zone scoring. They're first in takeaways and interceptions." http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/jerry-sullivan/article591590.ece
Q: Most over-rated head coach in the NFL?
A: NY Giants' Tom Coughlin.
Q: Top candidate for Coach of the Year?
A: Buffalo Bills' Chan Gailey (Detroit's Jim Schwartz is working with better talent).
3. CLEVELAND (+5.5 @Oakland) -- The Raiders have the #2 ranked rushing offense in the NFL (22nd in passing), but the Browns have outstanding linebackers in D’Qwell Jackson, and Chris Gocong who is explosive and a matchup nightmare to block. Raiders QB Jason Campbell's foot injury may be a significant factor if Oakland falls behind or if this game is close in the 4th Q. The Browns' humble passing offense is adequate enough overcome the woeful Raiders pass defense, ranked 29th and giving up an average of 300 yds/game. Can't wait to see Cleveland superstar Joshua Cribbs in action in this one.
The X-Factor: No, it's not that this is the Raiders' first game at home since their diabolical leader, Al Davis, finally croaked. It's that the Browns' All-Pro RB Peyton Hillis is back from a couple of controversial weeks off from strep throat and Hillis has extra motivation playing against the Raiders star RB Darren McFadden, who took carries away from him when they played together at Arkansas.
"The Upset Special"
(last week, 0-1; to date, 1-3)
DALLAS (+7) @New England -- With 2 weeks to prepare and Romo due to break out of his annual periodic funk, as well as Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's proven ability to counter Belichick & Brady's game plan execution, this sets up as a viable potential upset pick just begging for action. Cowboys No.1 pick WR/KR Dez Bryant is expected back from injured list this week and could be the difference-maker.
"Gamblers Corner"
INDIANAPOLIS (+7@Cinci) is too banged up (no Addai, among many others) to beat the Bengals on the road outdoors, in wind & rain. Bengals are the sleeper team of the league, with the Lions & Bills catching all of the "season's surprise" attention.
JACKSONVILLE (+12.5 @Pittsburgh) might be able to keep it close by running Jones-Drew & Co. 40 times, if they can get away with chop-blocking the Steelers DL as some others have so far this year (Ravens, Texans). But, the Steelers have resolved their OL issues and defensive execution for now, and look to turn loose their offensive weapons in preparation for making a run to catch up and win their division. Mike Wallace might have 200 yards & 3 TDs receiving in this game for Pittsburgh.
HOUSTON (+7 @Baltimore) might appear to be an attractive upset pick, but the Texans (especially including QB Matt Shaub) are crippled with injuries in just about every key position. Ravens are very tough to beat at home.
SAN FRANCISCO (+4.5 @Detroit) is tantalizing, but unless RB Frank Gore has a monster day and the 49ers defense forces some turnovers while QB Alex Smith avoids the same in the face of an intense and punishing pass rush, the crowd noise alone inside Detroit's domed stadium could overcome the SF offense's ability to function adequately enough to accomplish this upset. 49er Head Coach & QB guru, Jim Harbaugh, won't be able to help Smith much once the Ford Field crowd gets revved up.
TAMPA BAY (+4.5 vs. New Orleans), uh, no way, José:
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees faces a familiar victim in Tampa Bay Buccaneers http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/new-orleans-saints-quarterback-drew-brees-faces-a-familiar-victim-in-tampa/1196939
ST. LOUIS (+14.5 @Green Bay), hey that's why they call it gambling. But a Rams team devastated by early season injuries and from an indoor domed stadium, can't be relied on to go up to Lambeau Field and beat the 5-0 defending World Champions.
P.S. ~ Apologies to Seahawks fans for last week ridiculing Seattle's chances before they smashed the Mew Yawk giants in the Big Apple. Sweet!
Posted by Mojo | October 15, 2011 12:31 PM
Fresh article on Oakland, Cleveland & Dallas star RBs:
Arkansas' 2007 backfield excelling in NFL
Vittorio Tafur, SF Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2011
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/14/SP8Q1LHBDI.DTL
Posted by Mojo | October 15, 2011 12:37 PM