Week 11 picks: 8 – 7 – 1

Season total: 79 – 78 – 3

Sports Meister: 83 – 75 – 2

Sports Guy: 92 – 68 – 3

Packers (-12) over Lions

V is for victory.

Raiders (+14) over Cowboys

F is for failure.

Giants (-6) over Broncos

There was a brief moment here where I said to myself, “There is no way I’m picking games again next year.”

Falcons (-12) over Yucks

Matty Ice and Roddy White at home against Tampa is exactly what this Atlanta team needs. I’m not sure where they line up in the playoff pecking order anymore, but I do know they need to be in the discussion.

Bills (+4) over Dolphins

Miami never travels here well and the Bills are playing with some passion under Perry Fewell. I don’t really think Fewell is the longterm solution, but he’s a likable guy and the players work hard for him. Hopefully we still have some cojones and can beat our deepest rival.

Bengals (-13) over Browns

It will be interesting to see how Cincinnati plays here down the stretch. They’re one of the hottest teams in the league, but can they keep it up when the pressure is on? We know Big Ben can. We know Manning can. We know Brady can. Can Carson Palmer finally get over the hump and be an elite closer? That my friends, is why they play the game.

Seattle (-4) over Rams

A few weeks ago, I called Steven Jackson “overrated”. What I meant was the praise of him couldn’t help St. Louis win a game anytime soon. Jackson doesn’t have the national attention of Peterson or CJ, but his ability to combine speed and physicality make him one of football’s better pure backs. That said, he can’t help the Rams win.

Panthers (+3) over Jets

Two teams that I just can’t nail down. If I were to simply guess, I’d say a high percentage of my losses this year came from games with Carolina, New York (both), Arizona, Green Bay, San Diego, Detroit and San Francisco. Just couldn’t find a medium anywhere on their performance. Either too high or too low depending on the team.

Eagles (-9) over Redskins

I’m still buying Philly stock because they still have Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb. They haven’t lived up to my expectations but there is a lot of football to be played. Other note, Bill Cowher told the Bills he wouldn’t interview with any franchise until after the season. Nice answer, my question is, had Dan Snyder fired Jim Zorn before the Bills fired Dick Jauron, would Cowher have met with the Redskins about an opening? Think it over.

Colts (-4) over Texans

The fact that this line is close is a testament to how good Houston is. They haven’t been able to put it all together but they’re a very dangerous team at this point in the season. Can we say enough about the Colts? 10-0. Most winningest team this decade, a MVP frontrunner at quarterback, and a zen like rookie head coach that has ‘Coach of the Year’ written all over him. The quest for 16-0 goes through Kubiak and Co today.

Chiefs (+14) over Chargers

Jamaal Charles has stepped in nicely for Larry Johnson. Chris Chambers seems to have found a nice landing spot with Matt Cassell tossing the rock, and I still really dislike San Diego.

Jaguars (-4) over 49ers

I think the San Francisco playoff talk is just about over. I think Singletary represents a strong future leadership, they have pieces on offense, and their defense will only get better. The Jets, 49ers, Broncos, and maybe Falcons/Texans are all close, but a few years away. I like Jack Del Rio to lead this Jacksonville team on a strong push for postseason contention.

Cardinals (+4) over Titans

Vince Young is 4-0 since returning as the starter and Chris Johnson might be the best back in football, but I’m still selling Vince Young stock. But I’m buying Jeff Fisher and Tennessee stock. The organization is too well run and too talented at key positions to let failure linger too long. They might be able to pawn off Young for some draft picks and go and get their future guy. I think Arizona sends the Titans back to reality a bit this afternoon.

Vikings (-11) over Bears

Brett Favre is approaching 300 straight NFL starts. Yes he is a quarterback and recent rule have changed to really protect the quarterback, but Favre was around far before then. It isn’t easy to stay healthy in this league. Charlie Batch came in for Ben and broke his wrist in a few plays. Favre was 88% last week and in the run for a league MVP award over 10 years after his last one. I wouldn’t really want to have a beer with the guy, but he’s a professional in every sense of the word, and that needs to be respected.

Ravens (-7.5) over Steelers

News that Big Ben was holding himself out of this week’s game due to a concussion last week sent this line up 7 points almost instantly. I love Dennis Dixon and his playing days at Oregon, but this isn’t Stanford, it is Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Good luck kid.

Patriots (+3) over Saints

What a game for Monday Night Football! Without question two of the league’s best teams matchup here. I’m going to go with Belicheck/Brady over Payton/Brees, if only by the slimmest of margins. This could be a potential Super Bowl preview, keep that in mind. Enjoy this and all the games you get to see.

Picking NFL games against the spread is just plain frustrating. I started this year so well, and coupled with relative success in my two fantasy leagues, I was able to enjoy football to a degree despite being a Bills fan (Jauron firing post coming soon). Well, that early picks success has completely eroded and the last few weeks have become a tire-fire of fail. Hopefully I can get back on the winning track today.

Last week: 4 – 10 – 1 (Ouchhh)

Season total: 71 – 71 – 2

Sports Meister: 75 – 67 – 1

Sports Guy: 84 – 59 – 3

Panthers (-3) over Dolphins

Is there a single NFL team harder to figure out in 2009 than Carolina? And how about Ricky Williams? Still doing it folks!

Redskins (+11) over Cowboys

I’m going to radically shake up my picks this week. You’ll see where I’m going here.

Lions (-4) over Browns

Probably the single worst football game in NFL history. There is a rule in life for businesses and sports teams, “If you’re not going to be good, be interesting.” These teams are neither.

49ers (+6) over Packers

Both teams are in a must-win situation if they have any tangible playoff aspirations, common sense says that Green Bay will get the job done in Lambeau, but like I said, I’m shaking things up this week. Coach Singletary FTW.

Steelers (-10) over Chiefs

Kansas City remains winless at home and I’m tempted to take them with the points. Problem is, Big Ben and the Stillers have been airing the rock this year and I don’t think the Chiefs have the personnel to keep up or score the points to stay with Money Tomlin and Co.

Vikings (-11) over Seahawks

I traded Steve Smith of the Giants (Who at the time was #1 in receptions and #2 in yards) for Brett Favre in my fantasy league. I essentially didn’t feel comfortable with Kyle Orton going into the playoffs. Sydney Rice is emerging as an elite NFL talent, #28 in the backfield keeps defenses close, Papa Shiancoe is a reliable outlet for Favre, and their defense led by SwingStock MVP Jared Allen is dirty, especially at home. The Vikings look like the team to beat in the NFC. Sorry Saints.

Falcons (+7) over Giants

I can’t believe Atlanta didn’t beat the Panthers last week, I just can’t believe it. If there was one game I would have bet the farm on, that would have been it. Fortunately I don’t actually bet so the farm is still in tact. BTW, send chickens and I need neighbors! /s

Saints (-11) over Yucks

The Saints need a statement game for people to quit doubting them. A recently victorious Tampa team seems like a good target for Brees and the bunch to really light it up.

Bills (+9) over Jaguars

I can’t tell you how many ways this pick is awful. Buffalo ranks #32 against the run, they’re without their best defensive lineman, and playing against an elite runner in Jones-Drew. Not to mention they have a new coach and a new QB with a wet noodle for an arm. Yeah, this pick is just atrocious. Just so so bad on so levels. It is unjustifiable.

Colts (+2.5) over Ravens

I know Baltimore is a strong team, but a home favorite versus Peyton Manning the rest of the 9-0 Colts? Really? A final word on last week’s great Patriots-Colts game (Which I wrote last week if you were going to watch one game all year, that was it), I have fumbled with an opinion on Belicheck’s decision to go for it on 4th and two. The case against is clear: You make Manning go ~75 yards to beat you. He’d struggled that half and more importantly, it is the normal football decision. But here is the case for going for it where I ultimately stand on the topic: Not enough coaches in the NFL coach to win. It seems like such a basic philosophy but you don’t see it played out too often. Coaches coach not to lose. They play it smart, conservative playcalling, and play the battle of field position. Coach Bil going for it to win the game is a call I love and I wish more coaches would act accordingly. It played out wrong in this one, but the underlying strategy and philosophy makes sense in the long run. “You play to win the game!”

Cardinals (-9) over Rams

Kurt Warner back in St. Louis? On that turf? With those wideouts?

Broncos (+6) over Chargers

Denver needs a win like Ricky Martin need a hit. Ricky and the Broncos are gonna be livin la vida busto.

Bengals (-10) over Raiders

I guess it is time I give Cincinnati some credit where credit is due. I was sure that Marvin Lewis was done and that Carson Palmer coming off an injury coupled with the loss of TJ Whosyadaddy would be a surefire disaster for the Bengals. I was wrong. Their young defense is amongst the league’s best and their veteran QB is guiding them across stormy seas. I have to question why they’d bring in a potential turmoil starter like Larry Johnson when they are riding so high.

Patriots (-10.5) over Jets

Belicheck and Brady are going to take out last week’s disappointment and subsequent week-long media bashing on the Jets this week. Despite Rex Ryan’s defense being a strong bunch (Rhodes, Revis, and Scott are all Pro Bowl talents), the Patriots have a way about them to win games when they need to.

Eagles (-3) over Bears

Maybe I’m wrong about Philadelphia, but I know I’m not wrong about Chicago. The Bears lack an identity this season with Cutler taking away from Forte’s production, no real legitimate downfield targets for Cutler, and a defense that is a poor shade of its former self.

Texans (-5) over Titans

Maybe Bud Adams will flip off the entire city of Houston. Oh, he already kind of did that once. If anyone can bottle up Chris Johnson, the front-seven of Houston may be able to, couple that with pressure on Vince Young and the ability of the Texans to stretch the Titans’ defense? Looks like a win for Kubiak and co. Enjoy the footyball folks, it’s halfway over already.

Last week: 5 – 8

Season total: 67 – 61 – 1

Sports Meister: 68 – 57 – 1

Sports Guy: 76 – 52 – 2

49ers (-3) over Bears

I think I’m finally going to get off the “Chicago Might Be Good” gravy train. They suck. There is an obvious need at WR but the offensive line may be the bigger problem for Chicago. When Devin Hester is your best receiver and Brian Urlacher suffers a season-ending injury, you have the makings of a pretty brutal season going forward.

Titans (-6) over Bills

Do I think Buffalo can stop Chris Johnson? No I do not. Am I surprised that a 2-6 team is laying 6 against Buffalo? No I am not. Trent Edwards has eight games to prove he can be the Bills QB next year. You know it is bad as a Bills fan when I am looking forward to only two things in this game: 1) To see Vince Young play again 2) To see if Jairus Byrd can get another interception.

Saints (-14) over Rams

Basically the ’09 Saints remind me very much of the very talented ’99 Rams. The current St. Louis Ram is a complete mess of a franchise. Just no end of suck in sight. They are top-to-bottom bad and their running back is overrated. Why would Spagnuolo even leave the Giants for this team? Is getting a Head Coaching gig THAT good? Josh McDaniels is the smart one here (That seems to be a trend), he had offers to be a head coach but waited until a respectable and well-run organization came knocking. Coaches, and all of us really, need to evaluate if the grass is going to be any greener on the other side of the fence.

Dolphins (-10) over Yucks

Am I excited about Miami laying 10? No, I don’t care who they’re playing. Stay far away from this game, I don’t care how sure you are that Miami will run all over Tampa, this line is genuinely frightening. Someone is going to lose a house and a marriage over this game.

Vikings (-17) over Lions

What’d I say last week? I said I was done picking the Lions to cover. Sure enough, I thought I was an idiot per usual when the Lions trailed by 5 and were driving for the win. Oh, and then they realized they were the Lions and Stafford threw a pick six and they lost by 12. They were getting 11 points of course. That my friends is what they call a bad-beat. Score prediction: 52-10 (Note: I just traded for Brett Faveruh at my fantasy trade deadline. Right in time for his late season collapse. I hate myself).

Jaguars (+7) over Jets

How indicative is it of current media’s 24/7 instant rush-to-judgment state when a month ago we were ready to put Mark Sanchez in Canton and now are having discussions if Kellen Clemens should replace him? I just hate the Jets so I’ll pick the road warriors getting seven. MJD vs Bart Scott in an MMA bout would garner 100M PPV buys right? Would it at least outsell Pacquiao vs Cotto? Me thinks yes.

Steelers (-7) over Bengals

I just flipped a coin to pick this game. Both teams are playing really good football and saying, “We are good teams! Pay attention to us!” They are both good teams staying under the radar but have yet to convince people they are the best in the league. The Steelers just have something about them that refuses to lose. There is a point in their games when they turn on the “We’re winning this game” switch and you just have to sit back and let them. Is there a more underrated duo in the NFL than Tomlin/Roethlisberger? I mean, c’monnnn.

Broncos (-4) over Redskins

Denver isn’t elite but they can still cover four versus a dysfunctional Washington squad. If I were a Skins fan, I’d really hate football right about now. Oh yeah, even worse, I’m a Bills fan. Moving along.

Falcons (-2) over Panthers

How in the hell is this line only two points? The Falcons are GOOD. Playoff good. Where’s the respect oddsmakers? Their three losses are against New England, New Orleans, and Dallas! They’re good! Excellent point made by my cousin, “You know how I know Michael Vick sucks as a quarterback? He made Roddy White irrelevant. When Matt Ryan came in, Roddy White became a Pro-Bowler.”

Raiders (-2) over Chiefs

Remember when these two franchises meant something to the NFL? The tomahawk chop in KC versus the loathed silver and black. I’m really glad I don’t have to watch this game. Todd Haley will get it together in Kansas City, he’s a smart guy, but Oakland has to get rid of Cable, who in that front office is actually vouching for this guy? Their fanbase is on the brink, their stadium is less family friendly than even Bills games, and their quarterback is less accurate than a High School backup.

Cowboys (-3) over Packers

I’m not sure but this might be the first time all year I have picked Dallas to win a spread. I’ll get the Elias Sports Bureau on that for you but in the mean time, I must note how much I dislike Dallas. Watching Tony Romo inevitably fail will make the whole NFL season worthwhile. The Packers unfortunately aren’t as good as we (I) thought.

Cardinals (-9) over Seahawks

Two or three points high for my liking but Arizona still has one of the better aerial attacks in the NFL versus a weak Seattle defense. I can’t really figure out either of these teams. All year I’d be sure they’re among many of my wrong picks. I have no feel or expectations week-to-week as to what they’re capable of. If Arizona can get any kind of run game going, they could make a late season run similar to last season.

Eagles (+1) over Chargers

I still really like Philadelphia’s team. I still don’t like San Diego and Norv Turner.

Colts (-3) over Patriots

Without question, the NFL’s best rivalry. Has been for the last ten years. They have been the two best teams in football for a decade with two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. I think Peyton Manning is just about the nicest guy you could ever meet, but something tells me that he hates the Patriots. Remember how intense he was when his brother Eli beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl? You’d think Peyton just won. I think he was more excited to see the Patriots lose than see his brother win. I don’t think the Patriots have the defensive personnel to stop the Colts. Should be a great game, if you’re going to watch any football game all year, this is the one to see.

Ravens (-11) over Browns

I feel for Browns fans. I get it. There is a sense of despair and no real hope for anything to change. There is turmoil at quarterback, a head coach who won’t be around much longer, a beatdown defensive unit, and a struggling fanbase clinging to the last bit of devotion for a franchise they once loved…but enough about the Bills.

We are now halfway through the 2009 NFL season. The NFL moves quickly, which sucks, but is also why it is so popular. It is really easy to be an NFL fan. Games are once a week, short in comparison to other sports, and on Sunday afternoons. Unless you’re a diehard NASCAR fan, you’re probably an NFL fan, or both with dat dang dum dar PIP on dem TV’s nowadays.

When I meet Yankee “fans” (You know who I’m talking about- fitted cap, doesn’t know who our 2nd starter is), I understand because baseball is such a difficult sport to follow unless you really love it. Half the country doesn’t even watch baseball- if you were in California last week, you were watching the Lakers, not Phillies-Yankees. Whereas the NFL is beloved by all, and that’s what makes it so, so great of a game to follow.

1st-half MVP: Peyton Manning

Last week I called him the “Best Quarterback of All-Time”, I’m really ready to start having this argument. He isn’t having a bonkers season by any means but he stands above everyone else especially the way Peterson and Brees have cooled off. Someone will probably emerge late in the season to compete with Mr. Manning.

1st-half Rookie: Percy Harvin

I think it is time to deflect any criticism of college players leaving school early to go pro. I present to you the case of Harvin vs Sam Bradford. Brett Favuruh doesn’t hurt either.

1st-half Coach: Sean Payton

At the helm of the best team in the league. Personally reduced his own salary to bring in Gregg Williams knowing his defense needed work to be an elite team, and the Saints are on cruise control right now. They have a veteran QB, explosive playmakers, are solid in the trenches, and have an emerging defense.

I think there are seven teams that can win the Super Bowl at this point. I’d be really surprised if someone other than these ballclubs win it all: Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens. Not in any particular order that is. Notice I didn’t mention Denver or the Giants.

Week 8 Picks: 5 – 8

Season Total: 62 -53 – 1

Sports Meister: 63 – 51 – 1

Sports Guy: 68 – 47 – 1

Falcons (-10) over Redskins

I think Atlanta is a playoff team. So along with Atlanta, Philadelphia, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Arizona/San Francisco… who’s the last NFC playoff team? Dallas? Zona/San Fran? Giants? Bears? Packers? Conversely, it is pretty clear Jim Zorn won’t be back Washington next season. So who’ll replace him? Holmgren won’t because of how Snyder treated Zorn. Cowher won’t because he is looking at a cushy job in Carolina. Shanahan won’t because he’s reportedly already turned Snyder down twice this season. So who will it be?

Bears (-3) over Cardinals

Arizona has looked good in recent weeks and Chicago needs a statement game at home. Cutler can get it rolling against a soft Arizona secondary and let the faithful at Soldier Field breathe easy heading into next week at 5-3, not 4-4.

Ravens (-3) over Bengals

I just don’t see Cincinnati beating Baltimore twice this year. I said above, the Ravens are one of seven teams right now I think can win the Super Bowl, so I have to pick them.

Texans (+9) over Colts

Really a pickem’ matchup at this line. I have no idea who will cover but I do think that Indy is the better team and will probably win, especially at home. I think Houston is a good team however so I’ll go with them getting the nine.

Patriots (-11) over Dolphins

New England is basically in “eff you” mode right now so I am just going to pick them going forward versus anyone giving up however many points.

Packers (-10) over Yucks

I don’t know if this speaks volumes to how bad Tampa is, but if this game were in Green Bay and not in Florida, I might take Tampa getting the points. Since the game is in Tampa, I know the Yucks have zero chance of containing Driver and Jennings with Rodgers looking for a bounce back game.

Jaguars (-6.5) over Chiefs

At some point this year, Jacksonville is going to play like a team without their collective heads stuffed you-know-where. I don’t know if this is the game, but you have to think they can clear 6.5 at home versus a very bad Kansas City team.

Seahawks (-10) over Lions

I have trusted Detroit one too many times this year already to cover for me and they haven’t been able to pull through. I can’t believe I’m laying ten with Seattle but I am done with Detroit, let’s go Hawks!

Panthers (+14) over Saints

Just a weird gut feeling upset pick. Carolina on turf can score some points, the key is, will they be able to stop the Saints offense…at all? Yeah, probably not, but I’m stupid remember.

Giants (-5) over Chargers

These teams are pretty well-matched. I like Eli > Rivers, and Coughlin > Norv. So there, I rest my case.

49ers (-5) over Titans

Maybe I’m foolish for dogging Vince Young two weeks in a row, but can he possibly play well against San Francisco’s defense? On another note, Chris Johnson is an absolute monster back. The guards are lined up in the backfield. And the quarterback isn’t even there!

Eagles (-3) over Cowboys

I know Dallas is playing well, but I’d take Philly even if they were giving up 8 or 9 in this one.

Steelers (-3) over Broncos

Tomlin and McDaniels might be my two favorite coaches in the NFL but Pittsburgh just has a better team. Enjoy week 9 playas.

Real. Old. Quarterback.

A quick apology to the degenerates out there who were counting on last week’s picks, I was traveling and forgot to post them. But have no fear, week 8 picks are here.

Week 7 picks

49ers (+3) over Texans | Packers (-8) over Browns | Chargers (-5.5) over Chiefs

Colts (-14.5) over Rams | Vikings (+4.5) over Steelers | Patriots (-16) over Yucks

Raiders (+6) over Jets | Bills (-7) over Panthers | Bengals (-2.5) over Bears

Falcons (-4.5) over Cowboys | Saints (-7) over Dolphins | Giants (-7) over Cardinals

Eagles (-8) over Redskins

Week 6 picks: 8 – 6

Through 6 weeks: 49 – 41

Week 7 Picks: 8 – 4 – 1

Season total: 57 – 45 -1

Sports Meister: 57 -42 – 1

Sports Guy: 64 -38 -1

Week 8 Picks

Texans (-4) over Bills

I’ve seen this story one too many times. Buffalo provides a brief glimmer of hope, a spark of excitement that somehow, some way this team can finally reach the playoffs. Playoff teams don’t lose to the Browns. Schaub comes in as the most underrated player of the year and on a team that is getting hot at the right time. If Johnson stays healthy, Slaton holds on to the ball, and the Texans front-seven plays up to their potential, Houston is a team people need to start paying attention to.

Bears (-14) over Browns

I know Chicago has had their fair share of struggles (on both sides of the ball), but there is not better medicine for a slumping team than playing the Cleveland Browns.

Cowboys (-10) over Seahawks

I really want to pick Seattle to cover here. Dallad has looked too good recently and I don’t really know the level they should be playing at. Seattle isn’t a very good team but when Hasselbeck is playing well, they can compete with just about anybody. Stay away from this one.

Lions (-4) over Rams

If I could give you free game tickets, airfare, and lodging in Detroit for this game, would you go?

Colts (-13.5) over 49ers

Big spread but the correct one. San Francisco has come back to reality. They’re a good young team, but they aren’t quite ready for the elite players yet. I love what Singletary is doing and I think Alex Smith is the better option going forward at QB, but this is the Colts at home, against the best quarterback in NFL history. Yes, I said it. I’m willing to defend myself. If you don’t like 6’5 quarterbacks with rocket arms, GTFO.

Jets (-4) over Dolphins

I think both teams are equal on the whole, Miami’s rushing game is arguably the league’s best and New York is another good young team like San Fran that is going to make noise here for the next few years. The game is in the Meadowlands so I’ll go with the J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS.

Eagles (-2) over Giants

What a ballgame, easily the game of the week. Like Philadelphia and New York needed another reason to hate each other this week? The Giants are really, really bad in the secondary and the Eagles have lots of weapons downfield. The Giants need constant pressure on McNabb and the Eagles D needs to be careful not to get caught on big plays when blitzing. The game is at the Linc to I’ll go with the City of Brotherly Love in what should be a really entertaining game to watch.

Broncos (+3) over Baltimore

For whatever reason, this Denver team plays hard. They might be in over their heads against a good Baltimore team that desperately needs a win, but a 6-0 record and Josh McDaniels get my support in this one. I want to delete this and pick the Ravens. No, don’t do it. HIT ENTER DAMNIT.

Jaguars (+3) over Titans

I can’t pick an 0-6 favorite with Vince Young at the helm. The VP of Common Sense will not let me.

Raiders (-17) over Chargers

Oakland is due for one of their strange good game and San Diego is due for their often letdown performance against an inferior foe. I see some Phillip Rivers’ pouting in the near future.

Cardinals (-11) over Panthers

This one should be the 17 point line. An anemic Carolina offense and wobbly defense on the road against the best arsenal of receivers in the NFL. Daylight come, me wanna Delhomme.

Packers (-3) over Vikings

Highly anticipated game sees Brett Faveruh return the Frozen Tundra, and I simply can’t root for or pick his team in this game. I’m rooting HUGE for Aaron Rodgers to beat his predecessor and set Lambeau on fire with the biggest party that town has seen since their Super Bowl glory. GO PACK GO!

Saints (-11) over Falcons

An eleven point spread versus a great time like Atlanta is a testament to how good New Orleans is. Find me a better team in the NFL, I’ll wait.

LET’S GO YANKEES!

Fresh off Apple’s redonkulous Q3 numbers and their war declaration on the PC industry with new (sexy) iMac’s, me thinks it is appropriate to talk some Apple. In particular, the mythical Apple Tablet.

If you asked me a year ago if the fabled device was real, I would have said that it had a 50% chance of truth. Six months ago? I would have told you 95% true. Today? The Apple Tablet is 100% alive, and I’m 95% sure it is going to market, possibly as soon as Q1 2010.

Here’s some background on the long-debated existence of the device:

• When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, he shelved a proposed PDA type of product because he didn’t see a use for it. Despite how popular those were for a few years, he was right in that they quickly faded.
• For at least a few years, Apple has been researching and developing a tablet of sorts. The project has multiple rumored code names like ‘iPad’, ‘MacBook Touch’, iProd’, ‘Tablet’, etc etc. For all I know, they’re all true or all fake, not important. Apple had a device in the early 90′s (Steve Jobs no longer at the helm) called the “Newton MessagePad” that was essentially a touch tablet writer. It is belived that the iPhone’s development superceded the tablet and the project was again put on the backburned in 2007.
• Going even further back, to 2003, Apple apparently had a tablet built but it had poor battery life, poor graphics performance, and the components alone were too expensive to market with proper margins. Notably Steve Jobs asked, “What good is it except for surfing the web in the bathroom?”
• There have been multiple prototypes designed over the course of 4-7 years with varying code names. The first built model that resembles the one we might actually see was built at the end of 2008.

So let’s flash forward to present day. Information, not official, has begun to leak in sorts about a new device Apple is working particularly diligently on, with Steve Jobs himself apparently spearheading the operation.

Here’s what we think we know:

• There have been at least three prototype devices built. The first one was 7″ and judged to be too small. The latest screen size everyone seems to agree that Apple is set to launch is a 10.7″ screen.
• It runs iPhone OS, a derivative of standard Mac OS X, and in very many ways looks like an iPhone with a curved back and possible Home button.
• It isn’t meant to compete with the popular trend of NetBooks. Instead, it is meant to expand iTunes and the the iPod’s entertainment functionality to movies, books, newspapers, television, etc. At least one version will also have communication (internet, email, etc) functionality as well.
• And boy are they taking that books/print idea seriously! Apparently, Apple has been in active talks with many media companies about a new device they’re working on. And they’re not just going after ebooks and magazines. Apple is going to try to revolutionize print as we know it. Notables leaked are the New York Times, McGraw Hill, and Oberline Press which are all working to move their content over to iTunes. Books, movies, newspapers, and even textbooks.
• There will apparently be two versions of the Tablet; one with a webcam (presumably iSight) and one for educational use. The webcam version would just be a personal model for home; movies, internet, reading, etc. The educational idea gives greater volumes of possibilities. Think of it from two angles, a publisher and a student. When a publisher sells a book, they only sell it once. Whereas that book is then resold multiple times independently without them ever getting residual revenues. What if they could license a textbook to students directly (iTunes) for only a year and then sell that content again the next year? They’d increase revenues, decrease prices, cut out the middle man (book stores), and be able to introduce new versions in a revolutionary way. Now for the students; what student wouldn’t want a single device to carry all their textbooks on? Books would be cheaper, the device lighter on the carrying load, and more portable for use.
• Pricing seems like it will fall between the $599-$999 range, less than the new MacBooks but still double a standard Netbook.
• There have been rumors of discussion with both AT&T and Verizon (interesting) about providing support for the device but there is no consensus on that.

Many thought the project would simply never gain traction at Apple because of the lofty ambitions it carries. But apparently over the last six months, everything has fallen into place. Jobs, who’s overseeing the project from his home, office and hospital beds, has finally achieved that much-sought aura of satisfaction. Look for the announcement as soon as January in their annual keynote (not MacWorld anymore though) and then I’d expect an iPhone like hype with the thing finally being available in June/July of next year.

Will it be as successful as the iPod and iPhone?

Bigger question: Would you buy one?

Last week: 7 – 7

Season total: 41 – 35

Sports Meister: 41 – 31 ????

Sports Guy: 49 – 27

Bengals (-5) over Texans

This has upset written all over it but I’ll finally show some faith in Cincinnati and pick them at home here. Note of interest, Chad Ochocinco partnered with Motorola to buy a few thousand tickets to ensure the game would be sold out and therefore not blacked out on local television. Say what you want about guys like TO and Ocho Cinco, but they’re never in trouble off the field and entertain us on it.

Packers (-14) over Lions

Green Bay at home has a prime chance to show the NFL what they can really do. Plus Megatron is out possibly for Detroit, severely limiting their ability to move the chains down the field.

Vikings (-3) over Ravens

Great game. I’ll go with the undefeated team at home until I’m proven wrong.

Saints (-3) over Giants

Likely vote for game of the year right here. The Saints have had two whole weeks to prepare and are at home. I’ll go with Payton, Brees, and Co.

Steelers (-14.5) over Browns

If Cleveland can only put up 6 points against Buffalo, then I feel bad for any Browns fan this week.

Panthers (-3) over Yucks

Tampa is the worst team in the league. They don’t get any consideration from me until I see a pulse.

Redskins (-6) over Chiefs

Jim Zorn needs a hug. And a win.

Jaguars (-10) over Rams

St. Louis is so terrible. When is the last time in the NFL there were this many atrocious teams?

Cardinals (+3) over Seahawks

We’ll see if Arizona can keep their stride and if Seattle was for real with their trouncing of Jacksonville last week.

Eagles (-15) over Raiders

“Is John Madden available? No? Can we move to Los Angeles? No? Damnit. Can we move to the UFL??” — Al Davis

Patriots (-9.5) over Titans

Tennessee is probably going to be 0-6. Who in the hell saw that coming? Chris Johnson is due to break loose this week.

Bills (-10) over Jets

Why not right?

Falcons (-3) over Bears

I’m picking this solely for Balloon Boy.

Broncos (+3) over Chargers

I believe in Josh McD.

Seems strange right? In a league with the likes of Oakland, St. Louis, Detroit, and Cleveland, that Buffalo could be the single worst organization in the NFL.

I’m a diehard Bills fan, but I’m just broken. I was bent when Miami beat us 38-10 in an abysmal performance last week. But after watching Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Browns at home, I am just broken. As hard as it is, one must ponder, are the Bills the league’s worst franchise?

Where do I start? Where do we go from here? What hasn’t been discussed over this decade long period of complete failure? We have exhausted every possible conversation. The coach, the quarterback, the running backs, lines, defense, scouting department, ownership, strength and conditioning, the stadium, the division, Toronto, being a small market…anything that could have been discussed to figure out this team has been reviewed, in great detail, for far too long.

I write this on a Wednesday afternoon. The Bills are 1-4 and head to the Meadowlands to play the Jets Sunday. I think we’ll be 1-5.

We have a head coach, who just defines failure in every possible way. A coach who was given a contract extension prematurely after a hot start last year and is now due $9 million over the next three seasons. Dick Jauron is a noble man of intelligence and integrity, but the man is simply a terrible, terrible head football coach. Nothing in his career has been good except for a fluke year with Chicago. He’s 58-81 with only one winning season. With Buffalo, he is something like 2-24 against teams with a winning record. His teams are consistently one of the most injured in the entire league because he doesn’t have any contact in training camp. And he doesn’t provide any kind of strategic success or emotional motivation for a team he is supposed to be leading. Somewhere Turk Schonert is laughing. He really looked like Monday at his press conference that he couldn’t believe he still had a job. He was genuinely surprised that he wasn’t fired. He has lost the team and long ago lost the fanbase. I look at the likes of Josh McDaniels, Mike Tomlin, Mike Singletary… coaches that “get it”. The Buffalo Bills and Dick Jauron just don’t get it. Some say Jauron should resign- would you walk away from ~$8 million?

The quarterback is the first place fans usually look for blame. Luckily for Trent Edwards, Jauron is so bad that his punishment hasn’t been as bad as what it could be. I like Trent Edwards, I’ve discussed this many times. And I think he can be a winning quarterback in the NFL. He isn’t going to put up huge fantasy numbers but he can manage a game and lead a successful football team. He has been bad so far, more like terrible, but I really believe Buffalo has a lot more problems to address than quarterback.

Our interior offensive line is fine with me. The problems are that our two tackles are the worst in football. They are all hurt, they were cut by us at one point, have almost zero NFL experience, and are giving Trent about 3 seconds before he is forced to scramble or is sacked. They traded Peters, I didn’t have a problem with it. They cut Langston Walker, I didn’t have a problem with it, but when you realize you are overmatched, you better do something about it. The Bills have done nothing. And that echoes of larger organizational problems.

High school teams have better athletes playing linebacker than the Buffalo Bills have. I know, their starters are hurt, so you go out and get new players! Keith Ellison couldn’t even make another team playing special teams and he is going to be our starting middle linebacker this week. It is really amazing. It is epic how bad we are.

Shawn Nelson could be a future star in the NFL, a 50 catch type tight end, and we have him running special teams! A place where he will probably break a leg and doom his potential success. Another example of how poor Buffalo talent evaluation is.

But back to my original point about being the league’s worst organization.

Detroit? Gorgeous new stadium, not afraid to spend money on a gun-slinging quarterback, a freak talent at wide receiver, and a new head coach that relates to the team and city and shows a pulse on the sideline.

Cleveland? Yeah they suck, but they just beat us didn’t they?

St. Louis and Oakland are probably a step below the Bills. Oakland is run by a ludicrous owner who doesn’t understand the NFL. He drafted a fast player who has more names than catches this year. St. Louis has lost like 15 straight games and is allegedly up for sale, possibly to Rush Limbaugh. They’re worse, but how much worse? We have an owner calling the shots who simply shouldn’t be at this point (Oakland) and a team that will probably be up for sale within a few years (St. Louis). We also have no willingness to spend money, show no dedication to the fans who consistently sell out games, when a 4-1 Cincinatti team faces a blackout this week, while the Bills have lost 8 of 9 at home…all sellouts of course.

The Buffalo Bills are real content to lay low and cash Mr. Wilson’s checks. Same goes for the players who praise Jauron because he doesn’t bench anyone, fine anyone, criticize anyone, or make anyone actually work hard in training camp. And from top-to-bottom, no one stands up to Ralph because he is the “decider”, the fickle owner who could change his mind at any point. I love the man. His commitment to football in Buffalo is an accomplishment that deserves the highest of praise.

But let me point something out. When Yankee’s owner George Steinbrenner began showing signs of the aging process, the organization didn’t let him linger with their on-field product. Cashman, Levine, and his sons sprang to action quickly and respectfully for a power shift within the organization that ensured a continued competitive product and a quiet shift that dignified “The Boss”.

There was a really great article in the Buffalo News that compared the Buffalo Bills to General Motors. Everyone says that GM went bad because their cars sucked right? Well the article brilliantly argues the cars were simply a byproduct of GM management. So as fans look at the on-field Bills product, we complain that the players are the problem. Maybe we should look at management that brought them here instead?

Here is how this is going to play out. The Bills will either fire Jauron soon and replace him with Bobby April in the interim basis. I think they will keep Dick, just because the season is a wash anyway, and he might as well go down with the ship, and all the games are basically sold out anyway. So Buffalo will fire him in the offseason and try to bring in a new coach. Cowher won’t come because he will have a cushy job waiting for him in Carolina. Shanahan is a longshot but the Bills could be the type of team he takes on in a challenge if the money is right (It won’t be). Gruden is a logical replacement because the fans here would love him and with his huge ego he would own this town, plus his asking price would be doable for Ralph. Then the Bills will use their high draft pick on an extremely marketable college player that will sell tickets. So Bills fans will come back for another year and sell out every game based on the prospects of a new coach and new star rookie (Tebow?).

Here’s how it should play out. The Bills should fire Jauron yesterday. Trade Terrell Owens and someone like Roscoe Parrish and you have already covered Jauron’s salary over the next three years while acquiring a couple draft picks for those players. How about that ~$70 million from the Toronto deal? FORBES indicates an operating income of ~$40 million… we really can’t part with 8 mil to get rid of an inept head coach? Next, immediately promote Bobby April to interim head coach. Fans will rejoice Jauron being gone and maybe we can even string a few wins together to make Buffalo fans at least feel a little better. Fans like April’s enthusiasm and will give us something to watch for the rest of the year. There is no way the Bills don’t have a top-10 pick. If the Bills play great under April, consider making him the full-time head coach, at least let him interview for the position. Fire all scouting personnel (You suck Modrak), fire all strength and conditioning coaches, fire all defensive and offensive coaches, and branch out to a Mike Shanahan or Bill Cowher or Mike Holmgren to run football operations, and actually coach if they want to. Make Russ Brandon the organizational director in charge of the business side (completely replacing Ralph). Get that big name coach to bring in his own staff. Spend that high draft pick on the best offensive tackle available. Spend some money on free agents and try to at least bring back some vitality to the organization.

2009 is a failure. 2010 is an uncapped year, and Buffalo probably won’t spend the money to be able to compete, and then in 2011 the NFL is looking at the very real possibility of a lengthy lockout. Jerry Jones has already said publicly revenue sharing will be decreased or phased out as bigger markets want to improve their organizations without carrying the likes of the Bills and co. Ralph Wilson is 91 this week, human mortality can’t guarantee his ownership forever. His family intends to sell the team when his time comes, and then it is up to some brave soul to pony up the ~$1 billion to keep the team local. Jim Kelly claims he has a group, I think that’s him trying to stay relevant and optimistic. I can’t see him having a group with a billion ready to go. Tom Golisano probably would be an option but he would have to sell the Sabres (which would be next to impossible to do) and bring in additional investors because even he can’t afford the $1B tag an NFL franchise goes for. Of course there will be others willing to spend the money with the intention of moving the team but I don’t even want to consider that possibility at this point.

All I know is that the Buffalo Bills, a once-proud organization, have turned into a pathetic excuse of a relevant franchise. They have no direction or plan, unlimited questions, shaky financial foundations, and increasingly hostile fan relations. For the first time, I am not optimistic on the franchise’s future. And for the first time, I view the Buffalo Bills among the worst organizations in the entire league.

"Why are you always telling me to go f@#* a goat, man?"

A quarter of a way through the season already. I have 12 teams out of contention…leaving 20 teams playing for 12 playoffs spots.

Best 4-0 team: New York Giants

Best 3-1 team: New England Patriots

Best 2-2 team: Green Bay Packers

Best 1-3 team: THE BUFFALO BILLS!

Best 0-4 team: Tennessee Titans

1st Quarter MVP: Peyton Manning

1st Quarter Rookie: Mark Sanchez (Michael Oher deserves praise)

1st Quarter Coach: Josh McDaniels (Sorry Singletary)

Last week: 5 – 9 (Yikes)

Season total: 34 – 28

Sports Meister: 34 – 26 (Your site is fugly & you’re 2 games off…nice)

Sports Guy: 39 – 23

PICKS!

Bills (-6) over Browns

When is the last time a 1-3 team coming off a 28 point loss has been a 6 point favorite the next week? The Bills make up records to break. I think about 40% of Bills fans want to lose this game to be a final exclamation point that Dick Jauron should be fired. I agree that he needs to go, but it is only week 5. At this point last year, Bills fans had Super Bowl aspirations. We’re only a quarter of the way through, I think we can still turn it around. Or we might really suck as a team but can at least beat Tampa and Cleveland, IMHO the worst two teams in the league. Interesting point of note here, Ralph Wilson will be honored at halftime for his Hall of Fame induction and if the Bills are losing at halftime, could he possibly get booed? Seriously, after a morning of Blue’s and a first half of possible frustration, it may happen. If you’re going to the game, don’t you dare be one of those people. Mr. Wilson’s commitment to Buffalo football overrides our recent frustrations (and his senility).

Lions (+11) over Steelers

Upset special? Maybe. I like Detroit’s young offense and they may be able to keep it close at home this week. Probably not.

Chiefs (+9) over Cowboys

Another scene where I think the home underdog could surprise a team that is overlooking them. Not to win, but to cover. The Chiefs offense has to get going at some point right? RIGHT??

Vikings (-11) over Rams

Remember when I said Tampa and Cleveland were the two worst teams in the league? Let’s replace the Browns with the Rams there. Which probably means the Bills will lose. Bobby April in the interim and Jon Gruden next year. Done and done.

Raiders (+16) over Giants

Why not right? Manning is  little banged up and the Raiders defense isn’t the worst. I’m just going to pick anyone this week getting more than 10 points. (Ed. note- Please don’t bet based on Dan’s idiotic picks)

Eagles (-16) over Buccaneers

Yeah, scratch that theory. Side note, for whatever reason I benched Desean Jackson in fantasy in favor of Lee Evans (I know, I know) when he went off earlier this year. Now that he is back in my lineup, I can almost guarantee he gets about 30 yards on 2 catches while Lee has a 75 yard touchdown. Ok I convinced myself, Evans again it is!

Panthers (-5) over Redskins

I think it is time for Carolina to put a decent game together. Too much firepower on offense to be this bad for this long. Washington is the most unhappy 2-2 team I’ve ever seen.

Ravens (-8.5) over Bengals

Really struggled with this choice (meaning I spent more than 10 seconds thinking about it). Cincinatti has been tough in every single game and the Ravens aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut. I just think that Ravens defense will slow Carson and Ochocinco down this week. 85 has promised a “Ricky Bobby” celebration if he scores a touchdown. Yes, I’m interested and yes, I hope it happens.

Falcons (+3) over 49ers

Coming off a bye week, look for Atlanta to surprise the upstart 49ers with a nice little smack back to reality. Oh, there goes Rabbit, oh…nevermind.

Jaguars (+2) over Seattle

Weird line. Too weird. Let’s just move on.

Cardinals (-5.5) over Texans

This is the week Arizona finally looks like the team that went to the Super Bowl last year. A nice bounce back at home versus a hard to figure Houston team will put them back on the NFL map.

Patriots (-3) over Broncos.

I am just done picking against New England. Just done with it. Coach William insists Josh McD is smarter than him. I’ve read The Art of War Bill, don’t bullshit a bullshitter.

Colts (-5) over Titans

Tennessee is bound to play well sooner or later right? I mean, 0-4, really? At what point do they let Vince Young do his thing to see if he can be their future QB? Is there any pressure on Jeff Fisher or is he just too trusted to feel the hot seat? Weird situation.

Jets (-2.5) over Dolphins

The Jets are for real and Miami is not. Enjoy your football and your Autumn week.

A couple points:

• The NFL is putting up insane, just insane, ratings thus far into the early ’09 campaign. The Sunday night game is pulling American Idol finale like ratings. Dick Ebersol has got to be walking on air these days. Think about Monday night’s ratings with Favre vs the Packers. Maybe it is because the baseball playoffs have been decided for six weeks or people are watching games at home instead of going out, but it’s just mind-bottling.
• There are ten teams that are dead in the water already. 22 teams now vie for 12 playoff positions.
• I think Adrian Peterson needs to start running smarter or he simply won’t stay healthy. He’s reckless with his shoulders and puts his helmet down far too often. Note to AP, you can just run out of bounds!
• There are some coaches in football, actually some organizations in general, that simply don’t understand today’s NFL. The Bills are one of these teams. Sean Payton went for it on 4th down multiple times last week, even in the first quarter. Whereas Dick Jauron punts on 4th and 1, down ten points, with seven minutes to go in the 4th quarter. TO raised his arms saying, ‘What the hell?”, 60% of the fans simply walked out, and the defense simply gave up because Jauron was clearly not trying to win the game. I love Ralph Wilson and his commitment to Buffalo football, but he shouldn’t be the one making football operations decisions. He cut Langston Walker to save money, stays with Dick Jauron because he is cheap and won’t question his actions, and gives Russ Brandon no power to do anything other than approve marketing decisions. I think Russ Brandon is a really smart guy. I want the Bills to retain him because he is one of those people that you know will go on to having success with another organization. He is just not empowered to move Jauron. That’s it. I’m not writing off the Bills, far from it, they could very easily be 5-3 at their bye due to a favorable upcoming schedule, but everything I’ve seen in these three games still screams vanilla. Same Jauron, same Bills, same 7-9 mediocrity. I really hope I’m wrong.

Last Week: 11-5

Overall: 29-19

Sports Meister: 26-22

Sports Guy: 34-14 (Just a stupidly luckily start Simmons)

PICKS PICKS PICKS PICKS!

Ravens (+2) over Patriots

Betting against New England? At home? ANARCHY! I even think this is a little nuts but the Ravens have looked like a Super Bowl team and the Patriots have simply looked like a playoff team. Joe Flacco is really coming into his own as an NFL quarterback and can exploit the holes in New England’s very average defense. This should be a great game and may finally tilt the balance of power in the AFC. Maybe.

Redskins (-7.5) over Yucks..er, Bucs

If Washington can’t cover 7 over the league’s worst team, Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn might be stuffed in a suitcase and shipped to Tanzania via a Daniel Snyder chartered jet.

Titans (-3) over Jaguars

This whole division is just plain wacky thus far. I look for Tennessee to get off the schnide, on the road, as a favorite – I’m so stupid.

Texans (-8.5) over Raiders

I am staying firmly put on the Houston bandwagon, I don’t care how fickle or inept they seem to play. They’re at home against the league’s worst organization versus the league’s worst starting quarterback. Send a message Schaub!

Bears (-10) over Lions

Chicago at home should roll over a very poor Detroit defense.  Detroit is taking big strides on the offensive side of the ball, but that won’t help them stop Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. Note to Forte; wake up this week, fantasy owners are counting on you.

Bengals (-6.5) over Browns

Thought about making this my upset of the week and then I realized the Bengals have a very underrated defense and a healthy Carson Palmer.

Colts (-11) over Seahawks

What the hell is up with these huge spreads? Go with Peyton Manning (my NFL MVP frontrunner) at home over a suddenly crappy Seattle team.

Giants (-10) over Chiefs

Another monster spread. If KC could get some weather interference, some fan enthusiasm, a good day out of Cassel, and well played defense, they could probably only lose by 20 or so.

Jets (+8) over Saints

Don’t call it an upset. The Jets defense is forrealz and they are going to make sure everyone knows it this week when they shut down the NFL’s best offense. If the Bills can slow down Drew Brees and Co, Rex Ryan sure as hell can too.

Bills (-1.5) over Dolphins

I am almost insulted that this line is so close but it echoes the national sentiments around this Bills franchise. By all realistic expectations, the Bills should win this game by 20 points, especially with Pennington out. But we’re the Bills, and this could be a classic trap game. If we lose this game, Western NY is going to riot and panic to extreme lengths.

Cowboys (-3) over Broncos

I no longer believe in Josh McD. This Denver team, is without question, the single worst 3-0 team in NFL history.

49ers (-10) over Rams

“Taste it. Chew on it. Digest it.” — Coach Singletary

Chargers (-7) over Steelers

Upset alert. Panic button in Steel City?

Packers (+4) over Vikings

I think the Vikings will cover, but I can’t in good faith make that kind of deal with the devil (Favre). Go Rodgers, and GO PACK GO!

In a sensational article from TIME a few months ago, Kurt Anderson wrote, “But now everything really has changed. More than a year into the Great Recession, we still aren’t sure if there’s a bottom in sight, and six months after the financial system began imploding, it’s still iffy. The party is finally, definitely over.”

America has defined excess for too long. We were all at the party of irresponsibility and unaccountability. Some may have been drinking skunky beer, and some were drinking Dom, but we were all at the party. Thankfully the bloat is over and we can begin anew with a focus on efficiency and discipline.

A great way to begin with this new theory of thought is to wage war against stuff, or better put, crap.

There was a time when I believed the exact opposite. Kids in our generation all wanted the 5000 SF waterfront spread with a luxury yacht and private jet. It is just fact. Blame it on the media, movies, TV, magazines, whatever. We all wanted to be obscenely rich with tons of crap to fill all that space.

We have a weird feeling toward “stuff”. We show off our stuff, feel a sense of pride on in our stuff, enjoy that we paid money on that stuff, and put a false sense of happiness into that stuff. How much do you actually need? Really.

This school of thought leans most strongly to minimalism. It can be applied to almost every facet of our daily lives and I strongly urge you to consider some of its principles. Why?

1. It is more appealing. Think of your own experiences. What looks nicer, a cluttered wall and room or a bare minimum room with a very few awesome features?
2. It is cheaper. Buying less stuff means more money in your pocket.
3. It is less stressful. Less stuff to clean, less stuff to protect, less stuff to organize, and less stuff to worry about. Less stuff = less stress.
4. It is environmentally friendly. Less stuff = less consumption.
5. It is organized. Some people simply have trouble staying organized. I am too organized personally, I take too muck time organizing, that’s a flaw. Having less stuff in a more coordinated way means easy filing and easy reference.
6. Quality always beats quantity. One really nice table is nicer than six pieces of IKEA pressboard.

The major misconception of minimalism is that you have to live poor. Quite the opposite actually. We have this ingrained notion that wealth is measured by what we have. Your true wealth will accumulate exponentially the greater you minimize.

So how does one go about fighting stuff? It can be very difficult. Those from backgrounds with lesser economic means tend to cling to possessions extremely tight. This trait is not easy to break but can be worked on. Others simply can’t break from objects that they spent their hard-earned money on. Also a fair and prevalent ideology, especially when we tend to have a psychological attraction to items we’ve bought. Here are some tips to help you break the love of stuff.

1. Start where you live. Clear surfaces (Except for a very few accent pieces you love). Store stuff out of sight. Clear your walls (Only permit one or two art pieces). Have an assigned place for everything. This isn’t easy, and may not be for everyone, but the benefits will set in very quickly.
2. Look at your wardrobe. Consider simplifying what you wear. Start shopping with the intent of buying items for more than one outfit. How many pants can you wear that audacious top with? Look for clothes that can be a part of many different outfits. That said, how many clothes haven’t you worn in the past year? Really. It is time to get rid of them. It only hurts at first, like a tight band-aid. But as soon as you pull it off, you will wonder what took you so long. There are tons of great consignment shops across the country. You can even try to sell your clothes at places like Plato’s Closet but I definitely urge you to consider donation. Places like St. Pauly in Rochester are a great place to start.
3. Get rid of one thing, then another. Go to a room, or your desk, or your bookshelf. Find something in some area to get rid of. Then, immediately, or a day later, or a week later…get rid of something else there. You’ll be amazed how quickly you want to clear stuff away.
4. Sell something you don’t use. Turn to eBay or Craigslist to sell something of value that you no longer use or care for. You’ll feel like a genius for clearing out the item and cashing in on it. And I bet you’ll do it again.

I’m not encouraging you do start eating granola only and begin living in a tent. Just think about the physical items around you in your life and ask what purpose it is serving. If you don’t use those items, don’t see the message in that wall art, can’t remember where you bought it or why, it is time to consider getting rid of it. A complete abandonment of possessions isn’t called for but we do need to change our way of thinking in a new world. As that TIME article I opened with also states:

We have to adjust the way we think of ourselves. The same goes for our individual senses of lifestyle entitlement. During the perma-’80s, way too many of us were operating, consciously or not, with a dreamy gold-rush vision of getting rich the day after tomorrow and then cruising along as members of an impossibly large leisure class. Now that our age of self-enchantment has ended, however, each of us, gobsmacked and reality-checked by the new circumstances, is recalibrating expectations for the timing and scale of our particular version of the Good Life.

Last week: 9-7

Season Total: 18-14

SportsMeister Season: 15-17

Sports Guy Season: 24-8

On to the picks…

Redskins (-6) over Lions

Despite a heavy feeling Detroit will cover, and maybe even win, I have to think Washington is feeling a serious sense of urgency. If they lose this game, their Head Coach may get fired next week. It is that serious. They need this one, full-on desperation mode already.

Packers (-6) over Rams

This is a few too many points than I’d like to see on the road for Green Bay coming off an inexplicable loss to Cincinnati, but I look for the Pack to rebound and get back some of that momentum they relinquished last week. GO PACK GO!

49ers (+7) over Vikings

Maybe San Francisco is for real, I doubt it, but maybe. They have a really solid young defense and Singletary has them playing super aggressively. Like Jamie Gold WSOP aggressive. Just unabomber aggressive. This game depends on how well Favre does, plain and simple. BTW, that new Adrian Peterson Nike commercial straight creeps me out.

Patriots (-5) over Falcons

Brady and Belicheck coming off a loss? At home? Getting Welker back? This may not be the dominant Patriots of yesteryear and their defense isn’t very good, but they’re still a playoff team folks.

Jets (-2.5) over Titans

J-E-T-S, Suck Suck Suck! Sorry, inner Bills fan monologue. The Jets might be the best team in the AFC, there I said it. Their defense is just freakishly awesome and their offense has the tools to be able to do just enough for a really successful year. If they get past this test against a desperate Titans team, Rex Ryan becomes the frontrunner for Coach of the Year.

Eagles (-9) over Chiefs

This line is just enough of a tease to make you want to run with Kansas City, which makes it a very good line. Even without McNabb, I look to Philly to recover from that Saints debacle and get back on track with a convincing win at home.

Giants (-7) over Buccaneers

Tampa has been smoked through the air via Dallas and Buffalo and Eli Manning coming to town isn’t going to help their cause, especially with the breakout performances of Mario Manningham and Steve Smith. It is looking like it is going to be a real long season for the Yucks.

Browns (+14) over Ravens

Fourteen points. Seriously, this is a professional game. If Brady Quinn and Mangini can’t cover 14, I just don’t know what to think of the Browns franchise.

Texans (-4) over Jaguars

As bad as Houston looked in Week 1, I think we just need to chalk that up to playing a ridiculous Jets defense. Houston looked great offensively last week versus Tennessee and I’m back on their playoff bandwagon!

Bears (-3) over Seattle

So much for my Seattle sleeper pick, they are just not very good. Especially with Hasselback hurting and Chicago coming off a huge win against the defending champs, this game could get ugly.

Saints (-6.5) over Buffalo

I don’t think this game will be a blowout, and I really believe Buffalo can not only cover, but win this game. New Orleans is really banged up on offense, the weather is calling for rain and wind, and Buffalo can score on the Saints’ defense. Maybe I”m crazy, as Drew Brees is, well, Drew Brees. I think it’ll be close and high-scoring, very fun game to watch. This game doesn’t matter much to Buffalo anyway, their focus should be on divisional games in the following weeks.

Steelers (-4) over Bengals

Pittsburgh needs to get it going with their run game or they will run into problems all year. The Bengals are better than I thought but I have to give Big Ben and Money Tomlin the benefit of the doubt.

Broncos (+2) over Raiders

I believe in Josh McD. “STOKLEY! DOWN THE SIDELINE! WOWWW!”

Chargers (-6) over Dolphins

Rivers will be without LT2 again this week, and they need a win after a tough loss in week 2. Look for them to recover against a pretty bad Miami team and easily cover this spread.

Colts (+3) over Cardinals

I’ll take Peyton Manning over a Arizona team with a lot of question marks early in the season. Should be a fun primetime game to watch.

Panthers (-9) over Dallas

Both of these teams need to win this game. The Cowboys could very well win this game 35-3, Carolina is just no good, but I’m banking on some desperation heroics to rejuvenate their season. That, and I hate Dallas with the fire of 1000 suns.

Having used Twitter for a few months now, I have some preliminary opinions and analysis of the site.

Twittah is currently  a media darling and the subject of numerous acquisition rumors. The latest venture round puts the valuation around $1 billion. One billion dollars. And even at such a number, there are sources that say the company wouldn’t even sell at that pricetag. Yeah right.

First, the site is an amazing tool. Once you begin using Twitter as a real-time search mechanism, Google (and Bing) will feel downright slow. Twitter is the instant news and opinion across the entire planet. This functionality makes perfect sense, as it has been revealed that the site’s internal strategy is to be “The Pulse of the Planet.”

It is an impressive technology and I like the way things are being run, but I’m here to talk about the site itself.

1. There is a belief that Twitter is more “adult” than other tech companies. I personally don’t see it. There is research that confirms the “Teens Don’t Tweet” philosophy. Yet there is new data that reflects young people are racing over to Twitter. I don’t see a young/old rift as much as I see other bigger problems.
2. Why doesn’t Twitter make an official iPhone app? There are an abundance of good third party apps (I use and recommend TweetDeck), but why nothing official from the source?
3. There is a HUGE problem with Twitter that needs to be addressed very soon. That would be anonymity. But Dan, anonymity is partly what makes Twitter so great! If you want to require identity use Facebook! I hear ya, but anonymity is killing Twitter. If you search for anything close to trending, you’re going to have to cipher through spambots, pornbots, marketers abusing hashtags, etc. If Twitter required an email confirmation process, or even a first name, or initials, that would go a long way in stopping the spread of the crap on Twitter. We all saw what the anonymity of user names did to MySpace, Twitter can’t allow their product to go down that road.
4. There is a following dilemma that could create disinterest down the road. Twitter unlike Facebook, creates non-linear relationships, meaning on Facebook you friend somebody and are therefore linearly connected. You both ‘follow’ one another. On Twitter, you choose who to follow, and once that happens, there is no guarantee they’ll follow you. While your tweets are still universally search-able and part of the “pulse” that makes the site so cool, there will come a point where people feel like their tweeting is pointless at a small direct audience. Why tweet if no one is paying attention? There is a lot of white noise to send your message through. Will it be heard?
5. Where will the functionality of this open technology take the Twitter platform? As of now, the site is relatively static, you tweet and people read. You take a picture and people view it. The simplicity of Tweeting will expand the platform sooner or later, and third parties would be wise to capitalize on this potential with their own ideas based on Twitter’s openness. Semi-example of what I’m talking about would be sites like Tweetmeme.com and Retweet.com that measure the popular links being spread.
6. Businesses would be wise to start utilizing social media more frequently. Digsby recently @mentioned me when I linked a site about their revenue model. Smart move, I read what they sent, and further digested my opinion. I respect any company smart enough to embrace the power of “now.” Seth Godin, whose blog is amazing if you haven’t heard of it, just launched a company that focuses on the brand management/customer service that Twitter offers companies. Smart, smart, smart.

There is some splooge and some rant within my sentiments toward Twitter, but the upsides still outweigh the downsides. Real-time is here, and it is only going to get bigger and faster. It is an amazing time to be alive folks. As a society we are on the cusp of great change in the way in which we live our lives. Twitter is a big first step in that process.

"Yall gonna be tellin your kids about me!"

The NFL season is upon us, after one week you feel one of these emotions; panic, victory, disgust, sadness, or elation. Normally, I would tell you such erratic thoughts would be foolish after only one week of games, but this is the NFL. Every week means something. Take for example the so called parity in the NFL, bullshit. There are five really good teams, six or seven good teams, and then an abyss of suck. There are already twelve teams you can eliminate from playoff contention. Teams that are 0-1 NEED to win this week. Since the salary cap was instituted, of every single team that started 0-3, only two made the playoffs. Two teams. And they both lost in the first round of the playoffs. There is an immediate need to start well in football, so this should be a pressing week for any fan of a bubble team.

That said, fantasy football sucks, the Bills probably won’t make the playoffs (again), I may have been wrong about the Texans, the Jets scare the shit out of me, and picking football games with a line is not an easy task, that’s why they call it gambling!

Week 1 Picks: 9-7

Season Picks: 9-7

SportsMeister Season: 7-9

Sports Guy Season: 11-5

Patriots (-3.5) over Jets

I love the Jets, and they are at home, and New England didn’t look great on Monday night. But if you’ve been watching football this decade, you know Belicheck and Brady can clear 3.5 on the road versus the Jets.

Saints (-3.5) over Eagles

A tough game in Philadelphia only swings to the Saints (An early NFC frontrunner) because Donovan McNabb is out. And Andy Reid may not have properly game-planned because he was too busy dueling n00bs in Stormwind City.

Rams (-9) over Redskins

Seriously, how much longer can such a blatant racist team name continue? Anyway, I’m rooting for the Rams to at least cover in out nation’s capital versus an overrated Washington team.

Cardinals (-2.5) over Jaguars

The Cardinals need to be in full panic mode that I even thought about this pick. I, like most, was shocked that San Francisco beat them. Going into Jacksonville may prove a vital point in their season.

Falcons (-4.5) over Panthers

The Falcons at home with the return of the Dirty Bird and Matty Ice at the helm, what’s not to love? Personally, with slight bias, can we get Roddy White the ball this week? Thanks.

Vikings (-7.5) over Lions

Second week in a row the oddsmakers are dogging Minnesota. I don’t get it. A potential NFC champion versus the Lions, winless close to 20 straight regular season games. A note on Peterson; this is a really special runner. If he stays healthy, and that is a big if with his running style, we could be looking at one of the greats. Sayers vision, Brown’s intensity, Sanders’ agility, Walker’s acceleration, Peyton’s smoothness, and Emmitt’s instincts. All of those people did their specialty better than AP, but I haven’t seen a better runner do them all together so well since Bo Jackson. Guy is a STUD.

Packers (-9) over Bengals

I flirted with the points, but Cincinatti just sucks too much to root for. Do you hear that? No, not Gus Johnson’s lingering sportgasm from last week, it is the Green Bay bandwagon.

Texans (+7) over Titans

And here you were thinking I was jumping off of Houston already! Here is your upset of the week. For the sake of fantasy, I mean competition, Houston wins this one! Right?

Chiefs (-1.5) over Raiders

Essentially a pick’em game, I have no idea or any real opinion on how this one shakes out. Despite Oakland looking good last week, we know this franchise is more of a mirage than a real team. Take KC with the points at home, regardless of who is playing QB.

Bills (-5) over Buccaneers

Buffalo? A favorite? And I can pick them?!? YES! Look for Buffalo to roll huge in this one. Tampa sucks and I think TO goes for a huge game here. Side bet: If Buffalo loses, Jauron is out by Tuesday.

Seattle (-3.5) over 49ers

I like Seattle more than most, and I think San Francisco, while improving, simply got lucky last week abridging this line. Seattle here.

Chargers (+2.5) over Ravens

San Diego is an underdog? At home? Versus the Ravens? Check please.

Pittsburgh (-2.5) over Bears

Not sure why this spread isn’t larger. I’d be tempted at 6-7, not anything less. Big Beg takes the second city by storm.

Broncos (-3) over Browns

I’m taking Denver two weeks in a row, not to cover, but to win. In Josh McD I believe.

Cowboys (-3) over Giants

Dallas at home in their new stadium in primetime versus a huge rival? Have to take them. I hate the Cowboys with every fiber of my being. Go Giants.

Colts (-3) over Miami

SQUISH THE FISH!

No one in the ever expanding world of technology likes to applaud Microsoft. But with the still rock stable XP OS on my desktop, the awesomeness of Bing.com (And surging market share), and my recent xBox 360 experience, Dan Driffill gives MSFT a nice…slow…clap…clap…clap.

Over the summer, my xBox 360 began getting very loud when in use, this is a common problem due to poor cooling in the console, leading to the dreaded ‘Red Ring of Death’. The hardware is so bad, some reports put the xBox 360′s failure rate over 50%. Astonishingly high for such a mainstream product. But the platform is great for developers, generating superior games, and has a greater online interface and activity.

So I simply stopped using the gaming console because I didn’t want to have to deal with customer support and the aggravation of getting the system fixed. I even thought of just buying another one. Finally I got the determination to just take care of it already, as it was serving as no more than a paper weight, and went online to figure out the process. To my surprise, actually my astonishment, the whole warranty claim system was automated online; the support’s site knew my device’s problem, told me where to ship the device, gave me a prepaid shipping label, and all for free.

They didn’t provide any packaging, but luckily I still had my box from my MacBook Pro laptop, shhh! So I shipped the console and was surprised that in just 10 days the system was returned in perfect working condition. I don’t know if they ‘fixed’ my device or sent me a diferent refurbished model, but who cares?

I thought the simplicity of the process and efficiency of their logistics deserved praise. So one point to Ballmer and the rest at Microhoo. Keep it up.

The Buffalo Bills, a team in which I am a diehard fan of, lost another game tonight in the most improbable of ways.

For many minutes after the game, I sat quietly questioning whether this kind of loss was even possible. Questioning how I am going to sleep tonight. Questioning every single play in the game and every single player. Questioning whether the universe is actually against this franchise.

Seriously. The Bills have literally invented ways to lose. How many times can this happen before we turn the tide?

By now you know the story, I’m not here to talk much about the game. Bills fans know the misery all too well. It is almost masochist at this point to be a Bills fan. I want to assess the Bills franchise and their season going forward, this game is over, you move on like anything else in life. As Yankees manager Billy Martin once said, “When you’re a professional, you came back no matter what happened the day before.”

When the Bills scored on a Freddy Jackson touchdown with five minutes left, giving the Bills an 11 point lead, I started getting a flood of emails, texts, and calls. I ignored all calls (sorry to all), but read all the texts and emails. I responded to a few, only saying there was a lot of football to be played. Truth is, when Jackson scored, my Dad and I barely cracked a smile, we were already thinking what every other Bills fan was thinking, “How are we going to screw this up?”

My girlfriend called me right after the game, her flight jut landed and she was home. I accidentally ignored her call…actually twice (sorry J). I felt like an infant unable to raise my head, let alone check my iPhone (Which was dinging and chiming at an unprecedented rate). When I finally called her, I managed a meak, “Hey”, to which she just said, “Would you get over it? They suck!” Serious ouch, serious serious ouchies. But it is undeniable.

If you’re not a Bills fan, it is really hard to explain, there is nothing else in life like fan loyalty. If your car sucks, you buy a new brand. If you have a bad meal, you don’t go back to the restaurant. In sports, you’re stuck with what you’ve got, unless you’re some kind of jackass and change teams. But you can see from the outpouring of sympathy for Bills fans on Facebook and Twitter that people genuinely feel bad for fans of Buffalo. They’re like that car accident up ahead that you just can’t help but glance at when you drive on by. As Jay-Z profoundly noted, “People would line up to see the Titanic sinking.”

So the game is over, we lost. We all expected to lose. The line went from 10.5 to 13.5 today because so many people thought the game was a foregone conclusion (I took Buffalo with the +10.5 BTW). It was a terrible way to lose. Gut-wrenching. Heart-breaking. You pick your cliche.

But I’m going to try to offer some perspective. I’m someone who doesn’t get too high or get too low. The Bills just almost beat a team that many “experts” have winning the Super Bowl. If we play like we did last night, all season long, we have a legitimate chance at a Wild Card position.

"Yo Federer, I'm happy for you, but the Bills had one of the best losses of all-time!"

Some notes of interest:

For those calling for Leodis McKelvin’s head, please just stop. The guy is on the verge of superstardom in this league and can be one of the anchors of our defense for the next decade. Randy Moss was absolutely torching Terrence McGee all night and when the coaches FINALLY moved McKelvin onto Moss, he shut him down. He is a bonafide shut down corner and one of the league’s better returnmen. And you know what? I love that he took the ball out of the end zone. He was able to get out farther than the 20 and got the clock past the two minute warning, which would have given the Patriots a free timeout. He fumbled the ball, all on him, and he took blame. Don’t blame the coaches because someone fumbled, a fumble can’t happen, and that is all on him. So when McKelvin makes the Pro Bowl, remember you told him to die and wanted him to be cut. Perspective folks.

Shawn Nelson needs to be the every down tight end. He is a great blocker and has the ability to be a 40-50 catch guy.

Trent Edwards played the game he needed to. No mistakes, stellar accuracy, quick release, confidence in his receivers, and mobility in the pocket. Similiar kudos to Alex Van Pelt for wisely calling a game in which the Bills took what the Patriots would give them, it almost worked.

I know the seat was already warm, but Dick Jauron should be on a very hot seat now. If it was really his decision to cut Langston Walker, because he felt Demetrius Bell was ready to play, then he is simply an idiot coach and an even worse evaluator of talent. If the cut came from Ralph to clear money, fine, we’re no stranger to that. But the way it sounded was the Bills thought Bell was simply better at this point, and he was the worst player on the field. He allowed multiple sacks, was called for multiple holds, and pressure off his side constantly forced Trent to be on the move.

Reggie Corner is good enough already to be the #2 cornerback. Maybin looked game speed ready but needs to vary his techniques in the pass rush, way too predictable for a line as smart as New Englands.

Our offensive line looked great! Seriously, what a major concern lifted. If the line plays with that kind of intensity and strength every game, we’re going to surprise people this year.

Keith Ellison, while scrappy and determined, just simply lacks the physical tools to be an every-down player in the NFL.

Next week we get Tampa at home, I’ll be there, and I’ll like the Bills to beat down on a very bad Tampa team to get their record to .500 early. From there, it is a matter of how cohesive the offensive unit becomes and how healthy we stay on defense.

I know it is getting harder, but keep Billievin. When this team wins it all, and it is damn sure going to happen one day, you will enjoy it all the more knowing you were here for these tough times. In the NFL, there is no yesterday, we gave New England a hell of an effort, but let’s build on the positives and move on to what is ahead of us. Billieve.

I have always wanted to try this type of recurring column throughout the NFL season and figure this is the year I will do so. My inspirations for this solely come from @sportsguy33 and his first picks column and my very talented brother Matt @sportsmeister and his initial pick column. BTW, if you’re on Twitter and like sports, you owe it to yourself to follow both of these men. Introductions aside, on to the picks!

Pittsburgh (-6) over Tennessee

I made this pick before the game and would have struggled to justify a winning pick after the fact, but them losing and me admitting can add to my credibility, right? Big Ben looked great, Chris Johnson looked great, rookie WR Kenny Britt looks like he’s on the verge of Lance Mooreism, and Troy Palamalu looked great early but left with what looked like a bad knee injury. I know football, it is the only sport I can speak with great confidence on…the hit looked like a ligament tear. At very best it is sprained, which would be a 2-6 week injury, and at worst, it will be season ending surgery. It looked bad, and looks like the Madden curse has struck again, which is a shame for such a class act like Polamalu. Either way, I’m 0-1 on the year.

Denver (+4) over Cincinnati

Everyone can talk down Denver and talk up Cincinnati all they want, I’m not buying it. It comes down to Josh McDaniels vs Marvin Lewis, I’m taking the rookie coach. Carson Palmer may be fine, Ochocinco may be invigorated, but I’m not buying the resurgence. I like Denver in an upstart role this year to a degree.

Houston (-4.5) over New York Jets

I am allllll over Houston this year. They are my darkhorse, sleeper, whatever you want to call them in the entire NFL. Plus, I have Slayton in both of my fantasy leagues, and the Jets are a Bills rival. Texans are the easy choice here, and their stadium is awesome.

Minnesota (-4) over Cleveland

Brett Favre vs Brady Quinn? -4? Really? I like Mangini, and I love Quinn, but really? Minnesota is one of the better teams in the NFC and Cleveland is one of the worst in the AFC…-4? Really? Thanks for the free money bitch.

New Orleans (-13) over Detroit

That is a lot of points, but then again, it is a Sean Payton offense at home with Drew Brees against a team that was winless last year. Hmmm, 13 may not be enough of a teaser after all.

Indianapolis (-7) over Jacksonville

Quite simply, I am higher on Indy than I am on Jax. I don’t like MJD. I like Manning. I don’t like Garrard. I like Reggie Wayne. “Experts” say I am wrong, we’ll see.

Kansas City (+13) over Baltimore

At home, new quarterback, new coach, getting 13, I’m in. I don’t care how good Baltimore’s defense is, I have Cassel in one of my fantasy leagues and I need to give him some positive karma. You play to win the game!

Dallas (-6) over Tampa Bay

I think Dallas will underachieve this year. Romo will be terrible and Witten will have more receptions than Roy Williams, but I think Tampa will be even worse, possibly one of the worst in the league. Dallas all day in this one folks.

Philadelphia (-2) over Carolina

Great week 1 game. This is based solely on the fact that I believe Philly is aging better than Carolina. Both teams have been consistent forces in the NFC for years but Carolina is getting older faster than Philly.

New York Giants (-6.5) over Washington

I just trust the Giants more than Washington. That simple. It is week 1 folks.

Seattle (-8.5) over St. Louis

I think Seattle will be better than people think and I think St. Louis will be worse than people think. Simple.

Arizona (-6.5) over San Francisco

I imagine this will be a popular last man standing pick this week. Next?

Atlanta (-4) over Miami

I think Miami will take a big step back this year and I think Atlanta, while not being as good as many project them to be, will be a competitive NFC team.

San Diego (-9) over Oakland

I think Roger Goodell is two or three more bad draft choices/trades by Oakland, tempted to absorb the team by the league for the sanctity of competition. As much as it pains me, Oakland fans have nothing to root for until Mr. Davis kicks, as morbid as that sounds. I don’t think SD is the Super Bowl team as many project them to be, but they can still beat the Raiders by nine.

Green Bay (-3.5) over Chicago

Intriguing matchup and intriguing line. Green Bay is a popular sexy pick this year, I”m down with that. I think Aaron Rodgers is the real deal and never doubt GB at Lambeau versus anyone, anytime.

Buffalo (+10.5) over New England

My upset of the week! You may think getting 10.5 is no upset, but you probably haven’t been following football recently. It is very fair to think the Pats win this game by thirty, but it is week 1, and again, I’m drinking the Buffalo Bills kool-aid. Who wants a glass?

No, I’m not advocating you take the fight against socialism to your nearest town hall meeting with the rest of the mob with torches and pitch forks (and assault rifles). I’m advocating you stop using the word itself; try to completely remove the word ‘socialism’ from your vocabulary. Why?

If you remember, I discussed this word shortly after President Obama’s inauguration. The word has forever lost all usefulness in intelligent conversation. Since McCarthy somehow linked the word to godless commie bastards, Americans have feared the very word to the most evil uprisings in world history. In fact, America is probably the only place in the world where ‘socialism’ has negative connotation.

This recent red scare is fueled by the flames of national health care reform. Conservative pundits are arguing against such reform, most simply, because it will raise the federal deficit. Something they didn’t seem to mind in George W. Bush’s eight year administration, but I digress.

But I don’t want to discuss the logistics of the actual debate, I just want to tell people to start behaving like adults instead of bickering children. We can have an intelligent national debate on what the future of health coverage can be in America without calling Obama ‘Hitler’ and without disrupting our elected representatives with silly nonsense. I wish more of our representatives would be so blunt as Barney Frank is with this woman.

I know going political will get me nowhere, but think about this, in 2003 liberals marched peacefully in Washington to protest an unjustified American war. In 2009, Republicans are encouraging bringing guns to town hall debates on health care reform. Democrats are encouraging town halls as part of the democratic process of such possible reform, where conservatives went straight to war without public consensus. And the difference? Democrats are trying to give health care to OUR citizens, whereas conservatives were sending OUR citizens to possibly die in battle overseas. Does that sound extreme? Sure it does, but it isn’t a fabrication of the facts.

Now we have people like Glenn Beck telling you that the “best healthcare system in the world will be destroyed” with this reform, when just shortly ago during his hospital stay, he complained that our healthcare system was a mess (Full coverage of this lying propaganda here).

My belief is that our country should be open to extensive health care reform. And I think it really should be discussed with more than a dollars and cents approach. The leading cause of personal bankruptcy in this country is medical bills, even for those with health care insurance. Both of my parents have undergone treatment for cancer in the past couple of years and their medical bills are astronomically high. Thankfully, we are lucky enough to have excellent medical coverage and our side of the bills have been manageable.

There are millions upon millions of people that are uninsured right now in this country. Our neighbors, family, and friends included therein. That number increases with continuing unemployment across the nation and as corporations cut employee coverage to manage expenses and appease stockholders. Small businesses are already struggling to stay afloat as it is in this economic climate and can’t even think of expanding health coverage for employees because the cost is simply too high.

So to me, the issue isn’t simply fiscal, it is a moral dilemma. In my head, I can’t understand why so many people are against expanding coverage for our fellow man? Our country was built on the equally balancing principles of individuality and community for all citizens. I really believe a successful nation must be a mutual undertaking to remain sustainable. And I also believe there can be efforts toward the benefit of the commonwealth without inhibiting individual success and accomplishment.

So okay, fine it is ‘socialism’, or socialized medicine anyway. Our entire society will share the cost. Is that enough for you to be okay with Americans having to choose between a mortgage payment or a needed surgery? You will still be able to choose your private doctors and choose your own insurance policies, so why the hate people? Selflessness is often preached but not practiced in today’s world. Give a little bit of your positive doing back to the world around you without asking for anything in return.

So stop spreading the lies about health care reform, and for the hope of sanity, stop screaming the word ‘socialism’. Because guess what? We are already a highly socialist country when you pay attention to your daily life.

We wake up to an alarm clock powered by a public energy monopoly, shower and shave with water provided by the municipal water authority, turn on the television to FCC monitored stations to see the weather forecast from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration from satellites designed, built, and launched by NASA, then eat your breakfast of US Department of Agriculture inspected food, and take your drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Then you get into your National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved vehicle and set out to work on roads built by local, state, and federal Departments of Transportation, possibly stopping to buy fuel overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, using publicly issued legal currency from the fed, and dropping off the days mail at the US Postal Service and then your kids at public schools.

Then you return to your home that remains safe and intact due to fire marshall codes, building inspections, and your local police department, before finally logging on to the internet (developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration) to Fox News’ message forums to yell that we’re all screwed if government interferes in medicine because the government can’t do anything right.

So stop claiming that government ruins all that it touches and that socialism will take us to the Third Reich. Use reason folks.

“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.” — Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Once upon a time in a land called teh interwebs, there existed two titans of industry called Apple and Google. These behemoths of their craft often collaborated to not infringe upon each others colossal steps, for they shared a common enemy, the great beast Microsoft.

Google and Apple agreed not to steal employees from each other, Apple gave Google Maps a default app on the iPhone, Safari uses Google as its standard search engine, and even Google’s CEO served on Apple’s board of directors.

But the cushy relationship between the two tech giants may be hitting some turbulence. Their progressive tactics and thoughts toward innovating were bound to grind up each other eventually like two massive platelets below earth’s surface.

First Google announced their Android mobile software (direct threat to the iPhone), then GOOG announced a new web browser (direct threat to Safari), then a shocking announcement of a new Chrome operating system (direct threat to OS X), then came a rejection of Google Voice from the iPhone app store, and finally the resignation of Google CEO Eric Schmidt from Apple’s board.

Schmidt’s resignation seems in many ways a call to arms in the valley. The announcement led Apple CEO Steve Jobs to release his first statement in months, due to a liver transplant, saying, “Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished.” Oooo, that’s gotta burrrrnnn.

In many ways (revenue growth, press love, stock success), Apple and Google are two of the most influential companies, across any industry, of the past decade. A gloves off rivalry could potentially change tech as we know it.

Schmidt’s resignation was overdue and more surprising than shocking. What should be read from Mr. Jobs saying, “see ya wouldn’t want to be ya” is where the two companies will be crossing paths in the near future. It is easy to point to SEC and FCC investigations into the two companies but let’s look at operations conflict, not external matters.

Obviously Android has tremendous appeal. It is an open operating system with third party application development without Apple’s tightly monitored app approval process. Plus, Android’s ability to operate many mobile devices will be a direct threat to Apple’s mobile market share. App developers could simply grow weary of Apple’s obsessive regulations and start coding for a different platform. That is entirely possible with some of the iPhone’s app stores many developer problems.

Step up 2 the streets bitch

Another obvious dilemma is Chrome OS. Apple has essentially made its comeback to relevancy based on the iPod and OS X. The latter the direct results from Steve Jobs’ past company, NeXt. Mac users are willing to pay more for their operating system. Surveys and market research have proved this again and again. If Google were to release an OS, that was indeed a solid alternative to Windows for non-Mac owners, Apple would have a serious threat on their hands, especially in a value conscious economy.

Open world vs tight environment is worth discussing. Google wants everything to be open, practically free, available to all, and have demand marketed by the masses. Apple is overly regulated. Secrecy rivals the CIA. They don’t even let you remove your batteries from their devices anymore. They have this confidence that they can tell you what you want regardless of what you say. And it is working well for them coming off their best non-holiday quarter ever. They have somehow been able to foster an environment of demand for their products that almost defies logic.

Cloud computing is also worth nothing for both, as it is undeniably the future of the internet, and only the biggest companies will be able to offer it well. Apple is building a huge data center, maybe to offer MobileMe free or cheaper, and it is no secret of Google’s love for cloud.

And maybe this is all hogwash and meme nonsense. Schmidt’s departure makes sense for both companies and may not signal all out war after all. But I can say this with full confidence and take it for what you will; Mobile internet is the immediate future of revenue streams and market share desire in technology. And Apple and Google have always sidestepped each other to hit Microsoft when they could, but now they are both large enough to pass MicroHoo and hit each other.

Game on holmes?

I’m not the biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) fan in the world but I have always kept an ear to the sport and am getting better at understanding the science of the emerging phenomenon. I’m not a complete nOOb, I remember the vicious nut punching at UFC 4, the Sen. McCain vs UFC saga in which he deemed the sport as “human cockfighting”; which led to new rules to keep fighters safe, and the Ken Shamrock/Dan Severen cross into the WWF which further expanded the sport’s appeal.

While MMA is growing at an incredible rate, not everyone has accepted the sport yet. It is still looked at as barbaric, violent, and unsuitable for children. With anything, if you take the time to understand it while putting prejudices away, you can at least come to grips with it. MMA is a science of sorts. A tactical human chess match between two competitors with mutual respect for one another. In fact, the civility and humility of MMA is what, in my opinion anyway, has led the public to embrace the sport.

The UFC is the premier brand in MMA. Call it the NFL of football or the WWE of professional wrestling, it just is what it is regardless of your liking. So for this list, most of the fighters are currently signed to the UFC brand. I don’t know if that means UFC simply has better fighters or ignorantly shows my still low level knowledge of the sport. But anyway, and this is by no means a scientific assessment, on to my opinion of the top 10 pound for pound fighters in the sport today (only includes the five main weight classes of UFC, thus excluding featherweight and bantamweight competitors from other brands).

Honorable Mention: Jon Fitch, Josh Barnett, Dan Henderson, Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, and Eddie Alvarez.

10) Shinya Aoki

Currently ranked as the #1 lightweight in the world by MMA Weekly, Shinya is perhaps the greatest submission force in MMA, but is lacking with his striking game. Sporting a 21-4 record in the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA), the BJJ fighter once fought #1 ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko in an exhibition bout but lost.

I have Aoki back at #10 because I simply think BJ Penn has faced better competition in his career, making the two the only lightweights in my top 10. It is a down division in UFC and seemingly around the world. Could Aoki sign with the UFC one day? Perhaps. And he would probably get a title shot, but don’t count on it anytime soon.

9) Thiago Alves

You can make a really good point that this spot belongs to Jon Fitch. After all, Alves just came off a convincing five round loss to St. Pierres at UFC 100 leaving Fitch ahead of him in line for a title shot, but this list isn’t about title shots, it is best pound for pound fighter. Truly, I think Alves is even better than #9.

Carrying a 16-4 MMA record, Alves is at a tough place in his career. He struggles making weight at 170 and just proved he probably can’t beat GSP, so he is going to need to decide how he wants to advance his career. His is brutally strong and fundamentally superior to his peers but his options are limited. I’m interested to see where he goes from here.

8 ) Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

After shockingly losing his title belt to Forrest Griffin, he now needs to get his personal life straightened out. A weird car chase and accident incident lingers over his head outside the octagon. Inside the octagon, there isn’t much to dispute. Rampage has beaten some of the best fighters in the world in UFC’s deepest weight class.

Sporting a 4-1 record in his last 5 fights against top 10 ranked light heavyweights, Jackson has beaten both Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine since losing the belt. Next up is Rashad Evans after they coach in this season’s The Ultimate Fighter 10 and a win there gives him a title shot that he probably should have had a lot sooner. Rampage isn’t the most technically sound fighter there is but there may be no one in MMA with as much endgame power. Not to mention his howling can be a wee bit intimidating.

7) Brock Lesnar

Typical pound for pound rankings reward lighter divisions but Lesnar is a brutal MMA force. I don’t particularly like Lesnar, I think his attitude and approach to “entertaining” the fans is disrespectful to the UFC, his opponents, and the sanctity of MMA. That said, the current UFC heavyweight champion is probably the most widely recognizable face of the sport and his impressive victories over legend Randy Couture and seasoned veteran Frank Mir can’t be ignored.

As much of a jerk as Lesnar comes off as, his WWE villain gimmick may be a great thing for MMA. He expands brand appeal and brings in PPV money. Problem is, there is no one else to fight after Mir in heavyweight’s weakest division. Fedor refused to sign with UFC last week denying MMA fans their dream match, so the likely course of events for Lesnar is a rubber match with Mir for a hopeful big payday.

6) Rashad Evans

Evans’ first defense of the UFC light heavyweight belt in May was a disaster, as he was dominated from bell-to-bell by Lyota Machida. Evans will have the chance to fight for the title again if he’s able to beat Rampage when the two face off in a great matchup after TUF 10.

Evans, with a career MMA record of 13-1-1, gets my nod over Rampage because I think he is a more complete fighter. With that, I also think he’ll be able to beat Rampage because of his superior ground game. I assume Machida will still be the light heavyweight champion which sets up a HUGE title rematch.

5) Fedor Emelianenko

Dana White threw the bank at Fedor when he became a free agent this past month which would have given Fedor, by far, the biggest contract in MMA history. White knew his heavyweight class was weak and the demand for a Lesnar-Fedor fight would have been massive. But alas, Fedor signed with Strikeforce, a lesser brand with lesser talent. The problem I have with Fedor is this: He is widely considered not only the best heavyweight in MMA, but the best pound for pound fighter in MMA. Thing is, he doesn’t have that many great wins over great competition. Watch his fights on YouTube, he’s undoubtedly technically sound, but where is the greatness that being ranked #1 comes with?

Maybe I am just one of the many Fedor doubters that doesn’t quite have the appreciation of MMA, but until I see him fight and beat a great heavyweight (That is in their prime), Fedor goes no higher than #5.

4) BJ Penn

The “Prodigy” may be the most naturally gifted fighter on this list. He showed exactly why the MMA world anointed him from day one, as he put on arguably his most consummate performance as a prizefighter, manhandling Kenny Florian at UFC 101 for 15 minutes before finishing him with a beautiful rear naked choke. To his credit, Florian looked great and put up a decent fight, but Penn just has too much talent.

If Penn stays at the lightweight level, as everyone but Penn wants, I don’t see anyone beating him. His next challenger would probably be Diego Sanchez, another great fighter that probably would ultimately just come up short to Penn’s greatness. Penn draws the ire of some for his almost mocking of opponents but I chalk it up to supreme confidence. His record is deceiving because his losses always come from higher divisions, sometimes giving up as much as 30 pounds to an opponent. Penn is just simply bored in the lightweight division because there is no one that can touch him. Losses to GSP and Machida should almost be ignored. With his natural talent and flexibility, it is a reach to say anyone can compete with him at the lightweight level, let alone beat him. And he jumped out of a pool!

3) Lyota Machida

When Machida shocked many by beating Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight title, he delightfully exclaimed, “Karate is back!” The undefeated champion reigns over UFC’s best weight class like a watchful predator keeping eyes on his prey. Next up is Shogun Rua at UFC 104, and then likely a title fight against the Rampage/Evans winner or a dream match against his pal, middleweight Anderson Silva.

Machida takes little to no damage in his fights and has pin-point accuracy in his strikes along with a sound jiu-jitsu game. The problem for Machida is that a lot of fans don’t like his cautious, defense-oriented style. Which in turn limits his exposure, as Dana White wants to put PPV sales as his top priority. Fortunately, as MMA fans became more educated in the sport, they learn to appreciate Machida’s style as graceful and elegant. As difficult as his division is, I really think Machida will retain the title for many fights going forward.

2) George St. Pierres

GSP is simply the best athlete in MMA. He has taken on all competition and disposed of them all, most recently the amazing Thiago Alves at UFC 100. He has beaten BJ Penn, Jon Fitch, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, Josh Koscheck, Sean Sherk, you freakin name it. The guy is simply a beast and until last Saturday was my #1 fighter. He boasts a current 6-fight win streak and dominates the welterweight division.

For now he awaits his next challenger. It could be the winner of Swick-Kampmann at UFC 103. It could be Dan Henderson coming off a devastating KO of Michael Bisping at UFC 100. Or it could be the mother of all fights and decide MMA’s pound for pound king, a bout against Anderson Silva, provided they can make weight one way or the other. It seems like GSP is hesitant to deviate from his weight class though and remains keen on defending his title, and that is all well and good. We are watching one of the greatest ever when GSP fights.

1) Anderson Silva

What makes Silva number one is his pure domination of his weight class and ability to move up and still dominate. After lackluster efforts in his middleweight title defenses against Cote and Leites, Silva drew the scorn of fans, fighters, journalists and even UFC President Dana White. However, last Saturday at UFC 101, Anderson Silva went up in weight class to fight a former light heavyweight champion in Forrest Griffin, and simply embarrassed Griffin in historically brutal fashion.

His display against Griffin was astounding. Brilliance in motion. A cerebral assassin picking apart an over-matched opponent. Griffin is done in the UFC as a real threat. He can make some cash against Tito Ortiz or something like that, but the way he bailed out of the ring before the official decision and skipped the post match press conference was pathetic.

Silva finds himself on a record 10 fight win streak in the UFC. He has repeatedly shown that he just is not going to lose in his weight class. He has recently beaten Rich Franklin (twice), Dan Henderson, James Irvin, and obviously Griffin, all convincingly.

So what’s next for the Spider? There is talk of a dream match between light heavyweight champ Machida but Silva will probably not fight his good friend. They know each other too well as both spar and train together often, not to mention Machida presents real problems for Silva. There is hopes of a match against GSP but the logistics might be too tough for either to contend with. There are continued rumors that Silva is content staying in his division from now on and just beating any challenger that comes forward for his belt. And there are also rumblings that Silva may simply give up his middleweight title and try to focus on the 205 weight class, which would further cement his legacy as the world’s best.