Real Men Of Genius - Hopeless Notre Dame Fan

Bashing Notre Dame never gets old. Especially after another 38-0 tit smacking at the hands of USC. This is good times...

Pens Shootout. Winner.

Christensen...


Sykora...


Sid...


Not shown...sick glove save by Dany Sabourin on Ray Whitney at the opposite end for the clincher.

A couple of other observations from our 1st live witnessing of the year...

Sykora. Sniper. Stud.

I rip on Malkin once and awhile for trying for the perfect goal all the time, but Gino's playing well right now. Not sure he even got in the box score Friday night, which is fine, but he had a great game.

Maxime Talbot is one of the best we have on the ice right now. Consistent energy. Our 3rd line has been top notch all year.

Mark Recchi - GREAT effort tonight backchecking. A couple, at least that I recall, plays hustling back on D and breaking up some Carolina scoring chances.

Staal - looks a step slow, like he doesn't have his legs yet. Maybe its just early season stuff, but he looks wobbly on his skates at times. I know he's all tall and shits, but he just looks a little awkward at times.

Our blue-liners stink. Sorry. Ryan Whitney and Mark Eaton were particularly pathetic on this night. The back-pedal, back-pedal, matador style clearly isn't cutting it. Fleury hasn't played that great, but some of the blame needs to be passed on to our Defensemen, no doubt. Sabourin played well after that early Ray Whitney slapper, but if we're gonna do anything this year, we need Fleury to regain his confidence and play like he's capable of playing. That won't happen unless our D-men start to step up a bit.

Asshats Being Asshats

thanks again to my Ass Hat specialist for this one...

Kenny Being Kenny

Let me get this straight. Jason Varitek and Josh Beckett have a problem with the way Kenny Lofton drops his bat after a walk (or in the case of last night, what he thought was a walk).

I've got a hard time making the Red Sox the Respect Police when they employee a high paid clown in LF, who disrespects every pitcher he ever faced.

Also...love the single off the top of the fence. But that's just Manny being Manny.

And Manny doesn't care.

I officially don't like the Red Sox. Which is nice, because now I've got a team to root for.

McCarverisms, What 'Manny Being Manny' means to me

I swear, during Tuesday's 7 run 5th inning for Cleveland, I heard Tim McCarver in his ultimate wisdom (Casey Blake had led the inning off with a HR)...

"One would think, that a lead-off walk would lead to more runs scored, than a lead-off home-run. Not true. This year, there have been more runs scored after a lead-off home-run than a lead-off walk."

Really? That one had me scratching my head. Think about it for a second.

off the subject: Does Mike Lowell look like he's pissed? All the time?

One more from the McCarver files Tuesday...referring to the Indians, leading 7-3, holding the Red Sox in the top half of the 7th, Tim enlightened us mathematically challenged people...

"Right now, the Red Sox have 9 outs to get 4 runs."

Thanks Tim.


A lot of people think Manny's act is cute. Often, it is. But I've come to translate "Manny being Manny" as: Manny's the biggest dildo in baseball.

Chasing 4, about to go down 3 games to 1, Manny proved the only thing he cares about is his own #'s.

Word is that Indians Mgr Eric Wedge warned his players about retaliating. I guess Wedge is a much bigger person than me, because Manny would've been wearing one in his back after his next at bat. I would've plunked the next guy in the line-up as well (Lowell, I believe), because it doesn't appear that any of Manny's teammates care about being embarrassed by him.

I don't care what kind of numbers the guy puts up, he's a dirt bag. And I wouldn't want him on any team I root for. Since I don't have a favorite baseball team, I'm glad I don't have to worry about selling out, and rooting for a classless turd.

Bob in Magnet

Interview with RP in Magnet Magazine

So Long Cincinnati

It was nice while it lasted. You had a little run there for a couple years where everyone thought you were relevant. You had the funny little WR who was worth the occasional sound byte, and did silly little end zone celebrations. Your other WR liked to talk trash and wear a pony tail.

Now it's old hat. Sure, you can score some points once and awhile. Your worth a few headlines with all of the criminals on your payroll. But when it comes to the upper echelon of NFL teams, you are now meaningless.

Your most recognizable accomplishment is a home loss in the 1st Round of the Playoffs two years ago...a loss in which you cried about your star QB getting injured.

Thanks for coming. Have fun imploding the rest of the year.

Inland Empire

Before we kicked off our 31 days of horror last week, we checked out David Lynch's new release on DVD, Inland Empire. I'm still not sure what we watched. And from what I've heard, I'm not sure the actors even knew what was going on. Incredible performance from Laura Dern.

While it loses you halfway through, it's still one of the most beautiful, gorgeously weird movies I've seen in the past year. Definitely check it out. Just don't try to understand it...

Beloved 4-1 at the Break

So I predicted 5-0. I'll take it. More impressive than the 21-Nil whitewashing over that Whiny Walrus-Looking Holmgren and the Cryhawks was the depleted squad the Steelers played with last week. Without their 2 MVP's on the defensive side, Troy and Casey...without the Best CB on the team, McFadden...without their top 2 WR's, Hines and Holmes...the beloved still pummeled Seattle.

Props to Ben, who went 18/22 with a depleted WR corp...as well as Ike Taylor, the 2nd Best CB on team, who got NFL Defensive Player of the Week Honors.

We're the 3rd best team in the NFL right now, and that will become even more obvious after New England beats down the Cowboys in Dallas this week.

I LOVE Mike Tomlin.

Pretty shoddy w/e of football coming up. No Steelers. My European footie sides are off for the International Break. Two games to keep an eye on Saturday...

Penn St v. Bucky

Toronto FC v. LA Galaxy. Live on FSC at 10:30pm Saturday.

Yeah, TFC has long ago been eliminated from playoff contention, but knocking off Turd Box Landon Donovan would be fun.

Bob Shows, it's OFFICIAL!!!!

Bobby Pop playing live:

Friday - November 30th at The Metro, Chicago. GET TICKETS HERE.

Saturday - December 1st at the Southgate House, Newport KY. Coolest venue ever. $10 CHEAP, GET 'EM HERE.

Can't think of a better road trip. Only 2 shows of 2007. This. Is. EVERYTHING.

Speaking of Bob, his 2 latest are out....TODAY! Coast to Coast Carpet of Love / Standard Gargoyle Decisions. Go to Merge Records, and get 'em both HERE.

Here's a couple tracks, one from each:

RP - Current Desperation (from CtCCoL)

RP - Pill Gone Girl (from SGD)

and some video here:

RP - Shadow Port (from SGD)

They will let you down everytime

no Bartman, same story...Cubs lose.

(left click to play; right click to download)

:: Guided By Voices - Key Losers ::

Pens Open Tonight, Essential Football

throw in a few horror movies (which we'll get to next week), and it looks like baseball is the odd man out here. Just not enough time, TV's, and eyes in a day. Essential sports viewing for the weekend...

Pens at Carolina FRI - 7:00pm
Pens vs. Anaheim SAT - 7:30m - HOME OPENER!! So. F&$kin. Pumpt.

Footie, the less boring without commercials version:

SAT - Inter Milan vs. Napoli, 2:30pm - FSC. Inter in fine form now.
SAT - Valencia vs. Espanyol, 4:00pm - GOLTV. Two La Liga also-rans.
SUN - Liverpool vs. Tottenham, 11:00am - FSC. Rafa better make things right.
SUN - Barcelona vs. Athletico Madrid, 11:00am - GOLTV. Ronnie's back.
SUN - Boca Juniors vs. River Plate, 1:00pm - FSC. Super Classico!! Crackin Argentina Footie!!

Speaking of footie...what's the deal with Dida?!? Do these guys not realize they're on TV?!?!? "Not exactly a Mike Tyson haymaker."



And for the 1st time in a LONG time, I can say...

Toronto FC. Winner.

It's DIVISION I FOOTBALL:

RMU Homecoming!! 1:00pm, SAT. Joe Walton Stadium. Bring on Wagner (and the free Hometown Pizza at halftime).

Oklahoma / Texas. Red River Shootout.
Florida / LSU.
Penn St. / Iowa.

SUNDAY...

Steelers. Seahawks. The Puffy Walrus (cover up the buffet table!). Oh...and that whole thing about remaining calm, "all is well" thingy. Forget that. Polamalu and Hampton are probably OUT Sunday. Consider me worried.

Meeting my quota of baseball posts for the month...

One observation from the Cleveland / Yankees series...

Seriously. When Kenny Lofton hits...does it look like he's swinging a purse?

Garrett Anderson plans on playing LF for the Angels tonight...with PINK EYE. As former Pink-Eye guy, I guarantee that's not gonna work too well.

Anyone own a team out there? Jim Tracy is looking for work.

Bad Times for Bucky, Dingle Berries, The Champions

Not a good month for those named Bucky. It'll probably get worse if the Cub should lose to Arizona.

Wo...

thanks to footballguys.com for that

How am I supposed to watch baseball when hockey starts this week? With Champions League and other footie action, it's already tuff fitting everything in. This week's meaningful results...

Inter Milan 2-Nil. Winner.
Barcelona 2-Nil. Winner.
Liverpool 1-Nil. Loser. AT HOME?!?!?

go here for updated CL standings.

Benitez better find a line-up that works here pretty soon, and start sticking with it. All these massive changes every night are killing the chemistry these guys had early in the season. I understand the injury situation isn't helping, but we need to get back on track here...NOW! And Sebastian Leto should never see the field again in any type of meaningful game. Sorry.

Remain Calm. All is Well.

So the beloved Black & Gold took a hit Sunday. It was a loss that I'd penciled in as a win. The good news...when you look back at the schedule, some of those L's that I'd penciled now look like potential W's. The supposed tough games now look easier...

Cincinnati stinks. Baltimore stinks. The Jets stink. Denver kind of stinks.

No doubt Arizona was a setback, and there are some concerns, but as I look around the AFC, I don't see anyone better (other than Indy and New England). So I'm sticking by my 12-4 pre-season prediction, which will probably be a #3 seed the way NE & Indy are playing. Here's what worries me / doesn't worry me:

Not worried:

* Big Ben. I'm on record as thinking he's got some personality flaws (putting it kindly). But he's my QB, and I've gotta say he's playing better than last year. I've never doubted Ben's talent, only his willingness to hit the film room, and maximize his physical talent by mastering the mental part.

* The D. We gave up 2 Teeds with Troy on the bench. Prior to his exit, Leinart & Warner couldn't do crap. Per Tomlin's press conference today, he's fine...not even listed on the injury report. With Troy on the field, we are one of the finest D's in the NFL. Also OK per Tomlin, perhaps the 2nd MVP on the DEF...Casey Hampton.

* Tomlin. While this will be the biggest game in his early tenure, you've gotta love the down-to-earth calmness. Mike's not worried. So I'm not worried. A loss was bound to happen. It was a road game, and it's the NFL (as opposed to Division I Football). It is what it is (I hate that saying).


* Kicking game. Looks like drafting a punter in the 4th round was a genius move. Dan Sepulveda is a stud, and may have well been our most valuable player Sunday. Skippy is solid as well.

* Hines Ward. He's day-to-day, and should be back this week. He'll help, yet I don't think his injury was one of the main reasons we lost. Santonio Holmes is the shiznit, yo.

* Willie. See OL below.

* The Division is as good as ours. Book it.

Kinda worried:

* OL. Worst game by far for the O-Line...which was the demise of the offense Sunday. Hopefully, we can chalk this up to the Whisenhunt / Grimm factor on the opposing sidelines. Hopefully. Bottom line...they've gotta be better.

* McFadden. If it wasn't for Ike's bloated contract and Deshea being a veteran, I firmly believe #20 would be a starter. After all, he's the best CB on the team. Now he's out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain. Yes...this has me worried. Get well soon, B Mc.

* Kick coverage. Another lapse in coverage...and it swung the momentum of the game. This can't happen.

* Penalties. Way too many Sunday, most at crucial times. While I like the laid back approach from Tomlin, I hope he'll be able to lay down the law when necessary. Discipline on the road is crucial.

* While we'll still win the division, and perhaps a 1st round playoff game...the AFC Semi-Final at either New England or Indy will be a bitch.

With all that said, we come back home Sunday against another patsy NFC team...the Seahawks and their whining walrus-looking coach Mike Holmgren. Winner.

Elsewhere in football...

Champions League action is back this week kids!! Set the DVR's. ESPN2 and ESPN Classic will be showing matches Tuesday & Wednesday - 2:30pm & 5:00pm. Barcelona / Stuttgart, today at 5:00.

Now that the Dolphins lost a game that Joey Porter guaranteed they'd win, what happens now? By the way...no fault of Joey's on Sunday. He had 4 tackles.

Pretty cool story about my guy, # 8 Stevie G...

Apparently, Gerrard was driving around Liverpool the other day in his Bentley, and he accidentally hit some kid with his car. Gerrard, obviously worried, attended to the 10-year old boy until the ambulance came. It turns out...the kid is a Manchester United fan!! After Gerrard found this out, he called Wayne Rooney, and got a pair of autographed boots to give to him n the hospital. The boy's grandfather said about Gerrard...

"He's a nice bloke very considerate, even if he is a Red."