NFL Week 4 Picks!

Well friends, it’s week 4 and that means that we should be starting to get a better handle on what is going on in the NFL. Week 3 gave me double digits in wins for the first time this year (10) and this week we’re aiming even higher.

There were 2 games that gave me more trouble than the rest... Detroit in Dallas and the New York Jets in Baltimore.

The Dallas game wasn’t just hard to pick because I love the Cowboys. It was hard to pick because Tony Romo is still hurt, the Cowboys didn’t score a single touchdown on Monday night and the passing game doesn’t look especially great. However, they won and they’re at home. Then there’s Detroit. The Lions are 3-0 and look good. Matt Stafford is healthy and he has Calvin Johnson (arguably one of the best receivers in the league) who can run downfield and catch the ball. HOWEVER, I’m taking the home team. #GoCowboys

The other game is a toss up because I’m not sure what to think of either of these teams. The Jets have all of the pieces and I think they could be really good. The Ravens are the same team that they’ve always been and can hang with just about anyone... and because they’re the home team - I’m taking them.

Here’s hoping for good luck on my picks and yours - be awesome!

Hope - #GoHabsGo

I Still Believe In Tony Romo!

Beardy Fitzpatrick!

NFL Week 3 Picks!

Alright boys and girls it’s time to get the picks in for week 3. No more messing around. After a 7-9 week 1 and a 9-7 week 2, you had better believe that I’m ready to knock a double digit win week out.


I’m not sure I have a lot of locks this week, but I do really like Pittsburgh in Indy... sorry Colts fans. I also like New England on the road in Buffalo although it makes me sick to hope that Tom Brady wins football games.


And of course, of course, of course I am taking the Dallas Cowboys at home against the Washington Redskins. I know that Tony Romo suffered that bruised/broken/banged up rib in week 2 - but I believe in Romo!

I’ve also got the Panthers to win at home which would give Cam Newton his first NFL win - I also expect a 3rd straight 400+ yard game. 


Get ready for some football friends - it’s going to be a good weekend. Good luck to you! 

Week 3

p.s. Grilled Cheese sandwiches will be featured on the menu.  

The MLB Play-Offs Are Coming - Get Ready!

The MLB play-offs are almost here and while we still don’t know all 8 teams that will be playing for a chance to hoist the World Series trophy, we do know that it’s going to be exciting. 


I am so sure that it’s going to be exciting that today I made the 1st tentative plan to hang out with a friend and watch some baseball. Sean and I will find a pub, order food that we shouldn’t eat, drink beer that we don’t really need and second guess pitching changes, hit-and-runs and missed opportunities.

If I were to make any guesses right now I would say that you’re going to see the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers face off for a chance to represent the National League. Common sense says that the Phils will win and go on to the World Series, but I’m not always a fan of common sense, especially when it comes to sports.


In the American League I have no idea what to tell you. The Tigers look good - but I’m not sure if they have enough to go all the way - Justin Verlander can’t pitch every day. The Rangers are being chased by the Angels and that means that they aren’t really on a roll right now. The Yankees are a little banged up right now and their pitching isn’t extremely deep. The Red Sox look awful at times and are barely hanging on. And the Rays are driving hard, but do they have enough to get the big job done. Ugh!


There are a lot of maybes left on the board. And we have about 9 days left to figure them all out. 


And when we do, I’ll be ready to sit back and enjoy. If you’re in Toronto and want to hang with Sean and I, just let us know here or on Twitter -> Joshua - Sean.

NFL Week 2 Picks!

Hey kids, it’s week 2... which has to be better than week 1.


Last week was a gong show all over the league. There were records set by Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Sebastian Janikowski, Wes Welker and more. There was the 4th quarter breakdown of the Dallas Cowboys (which hurt as a fan but made my pick come through). There was an opening game on Thursday which set the tone for a great season. 


This week’s schedule looks a lot easier (on paper) for picking. It wasn’t nearly as ridiculous going through the 16 games and trying to figure out where I wanted to take chances. I actually feel good about these picks and will be extremely disappointed if I don’t end up with 11 or 12 wins. 


With that said, take a look for yourself at what I’m predicting and chirp as you see fit. 


Oh, and good luck to you!

Week 2

Week 1 Is Over - What Did We Learn?

So, what have we learned in week 1 of the NFL season?

We learned that I am terrible at picking winners in week 1. For about the 3rd year in a row now I'm below .500. I was close this year at 7 and 9... but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I learned that the Broncos aren't very good. I know that the Raiders beat them twice last year and maybe I should have factored that in more heavily. But I really thought that Denver could find a way to win an interdivisional game at home on Monday Night Football.

I learned that you're not allowed to say shit on Monday Night Football. But if you do, apologizing on the air is the classy thing to do as proven by Jon Gruden.

I learned that the Patriots are for real. Again. Even without Chad Ocho Cinco.

I learned that I was right about the Colts without Peyton Manning. At least I got something right.

I learned that a blocked punt in the 4th quarter can absolutely ruin your chances of winning on the road. Way to go Cowboys.

I also learned that Rob Ryan really does love coaching defense and I hope that it translates into a strong season on that side of the ball for the 'Boys.

I learned that Michael Vick wants to be a pocket QB even though he is still one of the most explosive dudes in the game of football.

I learned that Cam Newton is NFL ready... even if his team isn't.

I also learned that I need to get smarter when I'm picking games. We want winners!

See y'all before Sunday kick-off!

The New Habs Season Is Coming - And I'm Expecting Big Things!

It seems like it was only days ago that I rocked back and forth, then jumped up and down and then stood in shocked silence as the Montreal Canadiens played their last game of the 2010-2011 season.

However, it hasn't been days, it's been months and now we're getting back into the swing of things with the opening of NHL training camps and the springing hope of a new hockey season this autumn.

As a Habs fan I am always looking for a playoff season. I expect more wins than losses. And this year I also expect some other things.

I expect a solid season from Carey Price. He is another year older and smarter and hopefully steadier. Carey can lead us to the playoffs with consistent game play this season.

I expect a step up from PK Subban. I know that he had a pretty great rookie year. I know that he's skilled, fast and flashy. But now that he's entering his second full season in the NHL I expect him to make the smart plays when needed. I expect him to know when he can and when he can't take big chances. And I expect him to lock it down in the blue paint when our goaltenders are under attack.

I expect a goal from Scott Gomez. Just 1 really. Anything more than that will exceed my expectations.

I expect Andrei Markov to try and stay healthy. He needs to be smart about the plays that he can make safely. I understand that he won't want to change his game but he is much more valuable in uniform and on the ice than he is in a suit on crutches.

I expect that the fans will question Jacques Martin weekly and sometimes more than that.

I expect that the media will blow something up when it really wasn't that big of a deal.

I expect a huge ovation the first time that Max Pacioretty's name is announced at the Bell Centre and again when he scores his first goal.

Overall I expect an excited roller coaster ride of a season that will see me laughing and cheering and screaming and throwing my remote.

But no matter what's going on I will wear my hat and hoodie with pride and have my Habs key chain in my pocket every day.

Get Well Peyton - Good Luck Indy!

So Peyton is still hurt and surgery will keep him off of the field and out of the line-up for 2 to 3 months. That’s not good for the Colts. Not at all. This is a team that has managed to stay competitive and successful over the years because Peyton Manning made the most out of the situations that he was stuck in.

Last season I remarked on a picks vlog that Brad & I were only a phone call away from playing special teams. That’s not good. Again, not at all.

If Manning misses 3 months of the season we are looking at approximately 12 of 16 games… yikes. My guess is that it`s going to take 10 wins to get into the play-offs in a pretty tough division. And if Peyton comes back and wins 4 games at the end of the season they still have to win 6 of 12 without him. I`m not sure that they can.

Maybe this is a good thing for the Colts. It`s been a long time since a QB other than Peyton was important in Indy.

I'm not ready to write him off completely. He's still crazy skilled and the master of his offence. But he's not getting any younger and at age 35 and he's never been fast so he's only getting slower. I don't see that being good for the Colts in the short term or the long term.

In fact, I think it may even be time for the Colts to think about taking a QB in the draft next year.

Side Note: I feel like I should be slapped just for thinking that.

In the end it doesn't matter what I think. Nobody is busting down the door for my opinion. But we will see what the team is going to look like starting this Sunday when the Colts take the field without Peyton and take on Houston.

I'm not expecting much. I don't recommend that you do either.

NFL Week 1 Picks!

It’s here, it’s here!

Finally, after 7 months and a scary work stoppage, we are back to the NFL regular season.

Tonight marks the start of the 2011-12 season with the Super Bowl Champion Packers hosting the former champion Saints. New Orleans is catching up with the rest of America as they start their own post-(Reggy)Bush era and hopes to get back on track after a somewhat disappointing season last year. Meanwhile the Packers are looking to continue the momentum that they had last season and move forward with a more experienced and still very atheletic and talented roster. This was one of the easier picks of the week for me... I’ll take the Packers at home.

The rest of the week 1 picks weren’t that easy... Philly, New England and San Diego came pretty quickly. But in week 1 I’m never sure of how a real team of starting players is going to preform.

Then there’s the Indianapolis vs Houston game. I was ready to take Indy, they’re a pretty safe bet most of the time. But then the announcement was made that Peyton won’t start. So I’m taking Houston.

Take a look at the full picks for all 16 games in week 1 and post your picks in the comment section. Let’s see who has a better read on things to start the season.

Good luck!

Week 1

Fall Means Sports - Get Ready!

Hey there sports fans.

It’s September, I’m sure that you noticed. But I’d also bet that you’ve accidentally written August on something in the last 2 days.

I digress... September is here and that means that we are getting closer to a new phase of the 2011 sports calendar. NFL pre-season football is in full swing and we are only days away from the regular season kick-off. (Go Cowboys!) And NHL training camps are getting ready to start which means a whole new season of hope, joy, pain, swearing and high fives is just around the corner. Unfortunately this year it doesn’t look like we’re going to have any NBA games to talk about... but I’ll have an eye on Turkey and Greece to see what the stars are doing.

I love this time of year. In years past I’ve cranked out the Super Sports Pack and done as much damage as possible. This year I think I’m going to take a different, more measured approach. I’ll be looking to keep costs low and see as many quality games as possible.

This means researching the schedule, teams, days of the week, other plans, etc and being prepared. There will obviously be things that I’ll miss with this technique... but that’s why I’m on Twitter. Someone will be talking about a huge comeback or upset or breakdown if and when it happens.

I don’t know about you - but I can feel my blood flowing a little faster when I think about what’s coming. I feel goosebumps when I think about the possibilities. I’m just more excited to live life.

Side Note: I’m pulling for Boise State this season!

I haven’t even mentioned playoff baseball yet. My goodness... that stuff will put me over the top. I love it. The World Series is still huge for me, no matter who is playing. And right now I don’t even know who I want to see playing. If I had to choose right now I think I’d tell you I want to see Milwaukee vs. Texas.

It’s going to be a great fall my friends. Get yourself ready to cheer your teams on. And call me some time - we’ll grab a pitcher and watch a game!

The NHL Loses Another - And So Do We

Disclaimer: I did not know Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien or Wade Belak personally. I also not a health professional of any kind. I am merely a hockey fan with a blog.



The last 4 months have been hard on NHL fans. Particularly fans in Vancouver, Winnipeg, New York, Minnesota, Colorado, Calgary, Florida, Nashville and Toronto as all of those teams and their fans have now lost former players.



Yesterday’s news that Wade Belak was found dead in his downtown Toronto condo was like a kick to the gut. This was a guy that had finished his hockey career. He had plans to go into radio and TV broadcasting in Nashville and he was going to star in the upcoming season of the CBC’s Battle of the Blades. By all accounts this was a man who was always smiling, always upbeat and always ready to make sure that everyone in the room was in a good mood. He was also a husband and a father to 2 little girls who won’t have a daddy to pick them up and spin them around and kiss them on the forehead when they go to sleep at night.



There are a lot of theories right now as to what happened with Mr. Belak. And they are all just that, theories. As of now there has been no proof of contributing factors. Personally I don’t want to put any stock into any of them because I’m scared that my worst fears will be confirmed and this death could have been preventable. The odds that it could have been are overwhelming. That makes me incredibly sad.



Side note: My only personal memory attached to Wade Belak is a fight he was in against someone on the Bruins roster in a game at the ACC sometime in the 2002-03 season. It was my first NHL game and I was there with a Leaf fan ex-girlfriend watching the Habs 2 biggest rivals play. I don’t remember much from that night, but I do remember the way the fans in Toronto cheered for Wade Belak.



The fact that all three of the NHLers that have passed this summer were enforcers may be nothing more than coincidence, but coincidence is rarely without some actual basis. My hope now is that the right people get together and talk about what has happened and try to find a way to make sure that more families aren’t hurt by actions like these in the future.



This may also turn into a rallying point for depression and mental health action - and I welcome that. If those were contributing factors in the death of a man that was loved by his friends and family and adored by hockey fans in the 5 cities he played in and beyond, I hope we are able to point to his passing and tell the world that this doesn’t have to ever happen again.



At this point I don’t know what to say. I came into this wanting to make a quick point that this was a good man that has left us too soon. And then I became emotional. It’s not what I had planned, but that’s the way life goes sometimes.



Please take a moment today to send a positive thought or best wish or prayer to the friends and family of Wade Belak, Rick Rypien and Derek Boogaard. I can only imagine how their loved ones are feeling right now. And that breaks my heart.

Thank you.