Wednesday's Provocative Statements

Here are some controversial ideas to help get your brain going today...

• Tom Thibodeau will be the Timberwolves coach before the start of the 2015-2016 season. Flip Saunders will decide to head back up to his nice cushy executive chair. With such a young talent-laden roster I feel Thibs can get them to at least a 7 seed, before he runs them into the ground.
• Golden State Warriors in 7 games!
• The NFL Draft may come to your city next. I think, after going to the Draft and seeing all the different jerseys everywhere, the NFL will decide to take the Draft on the road every year and bringing it back to Chicago or New York every 5 years would be a smart decision.
• 10 years from now, we will be saying that Brett Hundley of the Green Bay Packers will be the best QB of this draft, and that hurt saying as a Vikings fan.
• American Pharaoh will win the Belmont & Triple Crown for the first time in 37 years.

• As I mentioned before, I feel that LeBron should take his talents on the road, become a rent-a-player and win championships for teams that haven't won anything for awhile. Ready to sign up; Utah, Portland, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Toronto, Brooklyn, Indiana, & Sacamento!
• Justice Winslow will be the best player coming out of the NBA Draft, in 3 years.

• Stannis Baratheon will kill Ramsey Bolton in the season finale of Game of Thrones!
• The Detroit Tigers will not win the division, but will play in the play-in game!
• I will place in my age group in a 5K race this year!

Peterson back at the Viking Facility

Adrian Peterson made his not-so-defiant walk back to the Vikings Locker Room. Peterson said he realized how serious Coach Zimmer was on retaining him, it was time to get on the field. With two weeks left of OTAs and a full training camp to go, there's no reason not to think the Vikings are a wild card. See more of thins story at Peterson Returns To Vikings

Tuesday's Top 10... a day late

So I've thought long and hard today to figure out what my Top Ten Sports Rivalries would be. I always hear people talking about what the best matchups are, but never really saw a list. Even though I'm sure ESPN has done a list at some point, I just never saw it. I'm sure some of you may disagree, please do. I've consulted with others to help shape my list and have been advised to stay away from my own bias of rivalries, otherwise we would have Minnesota and Chicago teams littering the entire list.  So I hope you enjoy and debate.

TOP TEN SPORTS RIVALRIES

Honorable Mention: Any In-State Rivalry like Oregon v Oregon St., This list would have been much longer.

10. These are my favorite rivalries including my favorite teams:

• Minnesota Vikings v. Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Twins v. Chicago White Sox
• Chicago White Sox v. Chicago Cubs
• Minnesota Wild v. Dallas Stars
• Minnesota Gophers v. Wisconsin Badgers
• Chicago Cubs v. St Louis Cardinals

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans Football

8. Los Angles Dodgers v. San Francisco Giants Baseball

7. Celtic v. Rangers Football (Soccer)

6. Army v. Navy Football

5. Los Angles Lakers v. Boston Celtics

4. Tom Brady v. Peyton Manning

3. Michigan Wolverines v. Ohio State Buckeyes Football

2. Duke Blue Devils v. North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball

1. New York Yankees v. Boston Red Sox

*NOTE* - I did not watch every one of these, sorry if they aren't the best quality.

Super Bowl XLVIII Matchup

With the matchup all set for New York/New Jersey, we can finally start the fortnight of hype, which I feel I should contribute to. Since both teams are #1 seeds, and were favorite from the beginning, it all makes for a very compelling storyline. Seattle enter the game with the NFL's #1 ranked Defense, while Peyton and the Broncos trot in with the #1 Offense. All I keep hearing are mountains of historical stats on the networks, all that matters is that it should make for a fun football game to watch as well as all the other stuff that will be going on during Super Bowl XLVIII.



Manning's legacy rides on the outcome of possibly getting his second title and matching his brother, Eli. He's a no brainer Hall of Famer, but with Brady in this era with 3, Manning needs to get at least one more. By winning with the Broncos, Peyton would be the first quarterback
to win Super Bowls with two different teams as a starting QB





 Just playing in the game gives the Russell Wilson Brand name and lot more creditbility. It just adds more stats to stuff into his already impressive, yet short resume as a QB. His ability to keep plays alive with his feet have been one of many reasons his team makes it to this point.




I won't bore you with more number and figures, but I will leave you with my favorite note that I have come across. This is the first Super Bowl to host two teams west of the Mississippi River, since the San Francisco 49ers beat down the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. SF 49, SD 26

A Look At Week #3 Running

When looking back at Week 3, all I can see are cold runs. Of the four runs I went on. I was snowed on three times. The temps ranged from 19-45 degrees, while my pace averaged out to around 8:17ppm for all my runs. Not great, but not bad after taking a few months off. I'm trying my best to keep up with the mileage while making sure I keep a close eye on any aches or pains that don't go away. I've started slowly lifting again, only in 3 exercise grouping each time I go. I don't want too many muscle area to be sore when I run.




My best run was on Wednesday, in which I set multiple PRs for 1K & 5K.







On Monday when it was 45, I decided to wear shorts and it felt great. The only problem was that the Commissioners Park was full of melted sloppy snow all over the trail.




On my last run on Saturday it was snowing, so I decided to get a short video of the conditions. Here it is:

Meanwhile, on the same run I took pictures of myself at each mile marker to see if there was any snow accumulation, and there was.


Mile 1:


















Mile 2:

















Mile 3:

















Mile 4:



















Here are the maps of the runs this week, with the temp.

A Look Back At Week 3



















A Look Ahead To Week 4

Nike+ Pics:

Championship Weekend Picks!

Now these past few days have been a fun football party. Seahawks and Patriots won in almost blowout fashion, each letting the teams making it interesting in the 4th quarter. The 49ers did the same in the early matchup on Sunday against the Panthers. While it looked to be same formula in the Bronco-Charger game, but Manning managed to hang on. Here are the match-ups for next weekend:

NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

AFC Championship

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

My picks are for the Seahawks & Broncos to meet in 

Super Bowl XLVIII

Week 11 NFL Picks

Fantasy teams all came through, went undefeated this past week in all my leagues. My picks weren't as clean as I hoped but my selections still are hovering over a .500 average. Here they are:

Fantasy teams 3-0, Overall 22-8

My picks were 8-5, Overall 76-55

Confidence Points 73/104, Overall 629/1131 .5562

Week 11 Matchups, Picks & Points

Indianapolis @ Tennessee         Colts.        7. 

Minnesota @ Seattle             Seahawks.    15. 

New York Jets @ Buffalo          Bills.          2. 

Baltimore @ Chicago             Ravens.       8. 

Cleveland @ Cincinnati         Bengals.       1. 

Washington @ Philadelphia    Eagles.        9. 

Detroit @ Pittsburgh                 Lions.        10. 

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay        Buccaneers.     3. 

Arizona @ Jacksonville          Cardinals.     6. 

Oakland @ Houston                Raiders.       4. 

San Diego @ Miami               Chargers.      5. 

San Francisco @ New Orleans   Saints.      13. 

Green Bay @ New York Giants  Giants.     12. 

Kansas City @ Denver            Broncos.     14. 

New England @ Carolina        Patriots.       11. 

Week 8 Power Rankings

Week 7 brought a variety of games. The good was Peyton's return to Indy. The bad was watching the Chicago Bears team's injuries pile up. The ugly was, The Debacle In The Meadowlands, between now 1-5 Vikings losing to the 1-6 Giants. It was a collection of bad offense, average defenses and awful special teams with 3 fumbles, 8 penalties, 3 sacks, an interception thrown and a return touchdown. Here's a look at how I rank all the teams.  Here's ESPN's Power Rankings

1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-0 (#5-week 7) - Best defense in the NFL. Alex Smith is 12-2 in last 14 starts.

2. Denver Broncos 6-1 (1) - Peyton's MVP show, records will fall. 2565 yards, 25 TDs, 123.3 Passer Rating, 71.6 Completion Pct.

3. Indianapolis Colts 6-1 (9) - Lots of Big W's: @SF, SEA, DEN Luck looks very poised, losing Wayne opens a lot of looks for T.Y. Hilton. 

4. Seattle Seahawks 5-2 (2) - Home Field Advantage is an understatement, and Percy Harvin is on the mend. 

5. New Orleans Saints 5-1 (4) - 2nd Best Home Field Advantage. Drew Brees looks in MVP form, too bad there's that guy in Denver. 

6. New England Patroits 5-2 (3) - Who's Brady throwing to this week? I'll call them "The Questionables" Gronk? Edelman? Amendola? Hoomanawanui !?!

7. San Francisco 49ers 5-2 (6) - Which 49ers team will show up this week? Kaepernick has been improving the last few weeks. 

8. Cincinnati Bengals 5-2 (12) - Big week by Andy Dalton = Big Week for AJ Green = Wins

9.  Green Bay Packers 4-3 (7) - If injuries don't mount up, they'll make a run. Rodgers still has Jordy Nelson to throw the deep bomb to. For now. 

10. Dallas Cowboys 4-3 (13) - New look D, makes Cowboys division standouts. As long as Romo doesn't blow it. 

11. Detroit Lions 4-3 (10) - Reggie Bush looks amazing at home, not so much elsewhere.

12. Philadelphia Eagles 3-4 (17) - Chip Kelly's offense could be something if his QBs weren't dropping like flies. 

13. Chicago Bears 4-3 (8) - Injuries to Cutler & Briggs may have cost Bears season. Holes too big to fill.

14. San Diego Chargers 4-3 (18) - Can Rivers and Bolts make another run in Nov/Dec??

15. New York Jets 4-3 (16) - For all we know, Geno Smith could be the QB that none of us thought he would be. 

16. Baltimore Ravens 3-4 (15) - If Ray Rice can get healthy, the champs have a shot in this bad division. 

17. Miami Dolphins 3-3 (11) - Tannehill & the Fins are the best team in Florida. Not saying much? 

18. Tennessee Titans 3-4 (14) - My sleeper team this year, won't make playoffs, but will cost someone the postseason. 

19. Atlanta Falcons 2-4 (22) - Underacheiving is the most common word in ATL, at least Steven Jackson comes back from injury this week. 

20. Buffalo Bills 3-4 (24) - Fred Jackson is playing like everyone thought CJ Spiller would. 5 TDs, 380 rush yards, 25 receptions for 215 yards.

21. Carolina Panthers 4-3 (26) - Finally above .500, strong defense needs to be paired with a better than average Cam & Co. 

22. Arizona Cardinals 3-4 (21) - "Carson Palmer, is not who we thought he was!!" -Dennis Green, somewhere. 

23. Cleveland Browns 3-4 (20) - I have no idea what to think about the Browns. They could be good, but they are the Browns!

24. Houston Texans 2-5 (25) - Injuries, Pick 6s, this team is a long way away from preseason Super Bowl contender picks. 

25. St. Louis Rams 3-4 (19) - Bradford's done. If Favre said, "No Thanks" now what? Season's over!

26. Washington Redskins 2-4 (27) - RGIII had his "first game back" against the Bears. I'm optimistic. 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-4 (28) - No run game, old defense. It's opposite year in the Steel City. 

28. Oakland Raiders 2-4 (23) - Terrelle Pryor is the bright spot in the Black Hole that is the Raiders. 

29. New York Giants 1-6 (30) - Turnovers are killing them. Eli has 

15 INTs!

30. Minnesota Vikings 1-5 (29) - Who's the QB this week?? Once they figured that out, 5 wins is a possibility. 

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-7 (31) - The sad things is they aren't the worst team in Florida. Schiano will be gone before season's end. 

32. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-7 (32) - 11pts scored in 12 quarters at home. Enough said. 

Biggest Jump - Colts, Up 6

Biggest Drop - Dolphins & Rams, Down 5

NFL Week 8 Picks

Epic Fail!

This past week was a disaster. My picks for the year have been awful so far this year, at least I'm over 50%. But my picks were no match for how terrible the Vikings were on Monday Night Football against the Giants. Freeman's overthrows and lack of an offensive line push for Adrian Peterson. It was hard to watch. 

Last Weeks Results:

• Fantasy Football Teams 1-2,  Overall 15-6 (still 7-0 in Flooring league)

• NFL Picks 7-8, Overall 49-43

• Confidence Points 65/120, Overall 411/845 .486

Here are my Week 8 Picks

Carolina @ Tampa Bay • Panthers • 5

Miami @ New England • Patriots • 6

New York Giants @ Philadelphia  • Eagles • 8

Buffalo @ New Orleans • Saints • 11

San Francisco @ Jacksonville • 49ers • 13

Cleveland @ Kansas City • Chiefs • 10

Dallas @ Detroit • Lions • 1

Pittsburgh @ Oakland • Steelers • 3

New York Jets @ Cincinnati • Benglas • 2

Atlanta @ Arizona • Falcons • 4

Washington @ Denver • Broncos • 9

Green Bay @ Minnesota • Packers • 12

Seattle @ St. Louis • Seahawks • 7

NFL Week 7 Picks

So I know my picks aren't anything anyone wants to take to Vegas, they are about as bad as the Houston fans cheering Schaub's injury. 

At least my fantasy teams are doing well. I can't say the same for my pitiful Vikings. There is a new glimmer of hope for Minnesota fans with Josh Freeman taking over as QB. Let's hope that his NFL worst completion percentage is left in Tampa Bay as well as all his off the field problems. 

Here's how the season has gone for me. 

-Fantasy Football Teams 2-1, Overall 14-4

-NFL Picks Week 6 went 8-7, Overall 49-43

-Confidence Points 68/147, Overall 346/725 .477

Week 7 Picks

Seattle @ Arizona                  Seahawks          13

Chicago @ Washington         Bears                  8

Buffalo @ Miami                    Dolphins              4

New England @ NYJ             Patriots              14

St. Louis @ Carolina              Rams                  3

Dallas @ Philadelphia            Cowboys             5

Cincinati @ Detroit                 Lions                  7

San Diego @ Jacksonville      Chargers            15

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta             Falcons              9

San Francisco @ Tennessee   Titans                1

Cleveland @ Green Bay          Packers             11

Houston @ Kansas City          Chiefs               10

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh           Ravens               6

Denver @ Indianapolis            Broncos             12

Minnesota @ NYG                  Giants                 2

Week 6 NFL Picks

With my Vikings on a Bye last week I didn't have to watch them lose, but I did get to see my fantasy teams go undefeated over the weekend. I know some of you are waiting for my video blogs for my leagues which I'm gong to work on over the weekend. I will try to have those done as soon as possible. Now here is a look at how my predictions have gone so far. 

-Fantasy Football Team 3-0, Overall 12-3

-NFL Picks 7-7, Overall 41-36

-Confidence Points 55/105, Overall 278/578 .481

Week 6 Picks

 

NYG @ Chicago                      Bears            6

Carolina @ Minnesota              Vikings          9

Cincinati @ Buffalo                   Bengals         1

Detroit @ Cleveland                 Browns          5

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay       Eagles           2

Oakland @ Kansas City            Chiefs          13

Pittsburgh @ NYJ                     Jets              8

Green Bay @ Baltimore             Ravens        4

St. Louis @ Houston                 Texans        12

Jacksonville @ Denver               Broncos      15

Tennessee @ Seattle                 Seahawks   14

Arizona @ San Francisco           49ers          7

New Orleans @ New England    Saints         3

Washington @ Dallas                 Cowboys     10

Indianapolis @ San Diego          Colts          11 

NFL Week 5 Picks

Well my Vikings managed to finally grab an elusive victory. Now I get to wait through their bye week until I get to see them start the softer part of their their schedule. As for my fantasy teams, I'm just thankful I have Peyton on one of my teams, should have drafted him in all of them. Happy football everyone. 

Fantasy teams went 1-2, overall 9-3

NFL Picks 7-8, overall 34-29 

Confidence Picks 68/147, overall 223/473 .493

Week 5 Matchups                                          Confidence Pts

Buffalo @ Cleveland               Browns                  3

Seattle @ Indy                        Seahawks              5

Jacksonville @ St. Louis         Rams                     9

Philly @ NYG                          Giants                    1

Kansas City @ Tenn.               Chiefs                    6

Baltimore @ Miami                  Ravens                   7

Detroit @ Green Bay                Lions                     2

New England @ Cincinati        Patriots                 11

New Orleans @ Chicago         Saints                    10

Carolina @ Arizona                  Cardinals               3

Denver @ Dallas                      Broncos                12

San Diego @ Oakland              Chargers              14

Houston @ San Fran                Texans                   4

NYJ @ Atlanta                          Falcons                13