Concussions ~ Don't play with your health

It's Week 14 of the NFL season and we're still/always talking about concussions.  Here's a quick pictorial that I received from Jen Rhee about concussions.  Fortunately for me, my quarterbacks: Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning are healthy. 

Yes, I am an Indianapolis Colts fan, but I'll always root for Peyton Manning...

Enjoy the infographic.

Please Include Attribution to MastersInHealthcare.com With This Graphic



THE WIRK

Fantasy football is a "full-time job" that can pay real referees for YEARS

As we enter the post-season for baseball, let's not forget about football season.  Yes, the NFL started its action weeks ago, but we've only been blessed with the real referees for a short period of time.  Earlier today, I saw a note from a friend about fantasy basketball.  Seeing as though, basketball is my favorite sport and the season hasn't tipped off yet, you'd think I'd be interested --- but you'd be wrong.

I don't have the time for fantasy sports.  At most I can do a survival football league, but now that I think about it - I wasn't invited to participate this year.  I guess the boys were scared.

I like numbers, but I'm not a stats girl.  The amount of interest in fantasy sports is HUGE.  Don't believe me?  Check out the following graphic that Sarah Wenger created (i.e. and offered to let me share here).

When you take a look at the graphic and recall that wild ending in the Green Bay Packers v Seattle Seahawks game, it makes you think...

Thanks, Sarah.




MBAOnline.com



THE WIRK

I have had NBA TV all along... Who knew?!?!

I've been complaining that I didn't have NBA TV all season.  Um, yeah.  In an effort to escape the NFL lockout coverage, I actually hit my channel guide button and undertook the chore of scrolling through all my channels.  Sure enough, I actually have NBA TV.

Comcast: 1, The Wirk: 0...

I can't believe I could've been watching some of these games and NBA TV's programming all along.  Actually, since I travel frequently, I haven't been home that much.  However, I'm thrilled about my new "find" and even though it's not a barn burner, I'm watching the final minute of the Atlanta Hawks v Chicago Bulls game.  Why?  Because I can!


THE WIRK

Thoughts on the NFL, NFLPA, and the possibility of a lockout

If I was an NFL owner, I'd tell the players to walk. Then I'd wait for the dissension amongst the players... There are not enough players that make a ton of money compared to the ones with lesser contracts or no contract at all... Then again, I like basketball better so I'm biased... 

If I was a player, I hope I saved my money.  It's not as if there are a lot of alternatives, and the disparity between paychecks between the haves and have nots is wide.  Now that the NFLPA is decertifying, I'd be worried, since it's all going to the courts and the attorneys get to play with it...

My only wish is that all the football coverage would move to Court TV...  I doubt I'm that lucky though.  Decertification...  Doesn't sound fun, does it?

I still think there's going to be a lockout. 


THE WIRK

The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV ~ Now what...

The Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV, with a final score of 31-25.  The game was a good one!  As a spectator I was thrilled to have such a great match-up.  I know I wasn't the only one who was worried that the game was going to be a blowout after Green Bay had a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter...  ****  I had flashbacks of the boring Pro Bowl and started to panic. 

My Super Bowl prediction was incorrect.  Oh well.  At least I took a shot!

No, I didn't go to the game this year.  I took a look at StubHub.com and a couple of days there prior to Sunday there were seats for just under $3,000.  When I took another look on Sunday morning, the lowest seat price was $4,000.  At those prices, there was no way I was going to go ~ especially since I'm not a fan of either team.  Last year meant more to me, since I am a Indianapolis Colts fan.

Now that football season is over I can focus my attention on basketball, and of course follow the labor talks for both the NFL and NBA.

As far as I'm concerned it'd be no surprise to me if there is a work stoppage (aka "Lockout") for the NBA.  It looks like the NFL may have a better chance of preventing a work stoppage.  Needless to say, I need to get back on track with the negotiations, once I settle. 

Lastly, I still need to gather my thoughts from the Super Bowl festivities ~ decide what stories to share and leave out, etc.  This may take a minute, so appreciate the patience.  I need to download some pics and gather my thoughts...

Congratulations to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on bringing the Lombardi trophy home.  For the rest of the NFL, there's always next year or is there?!?!


THE WIRK

Brett Favre is fined $50K ~ Can we all move on now?

Brett Favre's $50K fine (i.e. ESPN says it's, 5% of 1 of his game checks) for not being "forthcoming" is weak and stupid.  Why did the Commissioner Roger Goodell even bother?  Favre is going to retire anyway.  Good for Brett.  If I was him, I'd rather pay the NFL's "token fine" and keep my mouth shut.

I'm happy that he let the system run it's course rather than strike some sort of financial deal with Jenn Sterger.  Who cares anymore?  This all happened years ago, right?  If Jenn Sterger really wants "justice", she should use the legal system and not depend on Roger Goodell to hand out penalties.

What I want to know is how many pairs of Wrangler jeans, Favre has to sell to make $50K?

To paraphrase Field Mob and Ciara, "He said/she said/they said/I heard... So what..."


THE WIRK

NFL Sunday Funday and some Temple of the Dog

As of now, I have 10 points for the week in my against the spread (ATS) pool...  I don't think it'll be enough for first place.  If you're not first, it doesn't matter where you fall in the line-up so, "oh well".

I went out for Sunday Funday and met about 10 of my favorites out to watch the New York Giants v Philadelphia Eagles game.  I'm pretty sure the Eagles won, since my friend (i.e. who was giving me a ride home) wanted to leave before the game ended.

Good times with great friends and as usual, when more people showed up they texted other friends and our group grew.

For you music fans out there, here's a funny exchange... 
Jeff to Amy: Did you get my email about "Temple of the Dog"?
Me (interjecting): Did you send it in 1993?

Who knew Temple of the Dog was touring again?  Not this girl...  Anyway, here's "Hunger Strike" for your listening pleasure.  Yes, I pulled it off of Youtube, just for you.



I'd show you a Indianapolis Colts' highlight (i.e. since it's my favorite team) or a Giants' highlight (i.e. since I watched the game), but let's face it...  Both teams lost, so it doesn't matter.  This Sunday was not a good day for the Mannings (i.e. Eli and Peyton), since both brothers had 3 interceptions. 

There's always "next" week.


THE WIRK

My 2 cents: Jenn Sterger meets with the NFL, a slippery slope

Wait a second. Jenn Sterger "gets" to meet with the NFL because she allegedly received inappropriate texts from Brett Favre?  Seriously...  Is this really the path, example, and precedent that the NFL wants to take for their player personal conduct policy?  Does the NFL really have that much time on its hands? 

I'm not one for policing NFL players or trying to monitor any professional athlete's behavior (i.e. if its not criminal) for that matter.  I have bigger fish to fry.  As far as I'm concerned whether or not Favre sent the text messages or left the voicemails is none of my concern.  It's the National Football League, not the National Fidelity League.

Personally, I don't want anyone looking through my phone records, and no one will ever see the texts or hear the voicemails I receive.  Further, from what I understand, if Sterger didn't provide any additional information, the NFL was ready to shelve the case.  Come on...  Am I the only one wondering why all of a sudden, she took a meeting?

Regardless, the last thing anyone needs is a bunch of women parading into the NFL offices with their mobile phones in hand "trying to get" or "waiting for" a meeting.  What's next?  I can see it now..  Before the playoffs or some big game, is some star athlete's former object of attention or affection going to produce cards, texts, and/or voicemails because she was jilted and wants to sabotage him and ultimately a team or fans' dreams?  Sure it sounds absurd, but who knows what can happen if we go down this slippery slope.

When will people learn that it's not smart to take a dirty picture and sext?  Now we're actually singing about it...  Here's "Dirty Picture" by Taio Cruz featuring Ke$ha.  Enjoy.




THE WIRK

Week 9 winner of a NFL Survival Pool ~ 10 correct picks against the spread

Last night the Pittsburgh Steelers played the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium for the Monday Night Football game.  Now, before you start thinking I'm really flighty ~ 1) Yes, I work and 2) No, I didn't go to the game. 

****The picture I'm using in this post is from the New England Patriots v Cincinnati Bengals game in 2007.  I actually took my mom to that game.  It was her first football game ever and the picture was taken from our seats. 

Now, back to the story...  Guess who won the NFL survival pool this week?  THIS GIRL...

I was just on the phone with my friend, Cyrus, and he was yapping about the Cleveland Browns.  He was telling me that the team is looking solid and that he thinks that they might beat the New York Jets this week.  Huh?  I wasn't really paying attention to what he had to say, but the past few weeks do seem to indicate that the Browns are getting their act together.  While Cyrus was going on and on about the Browns, I decided to check my personal email account.

As I was scanning my email account and getting ready to perform a mass delete, I realized that I had a nice little payment sent to me.  Not bad for about 5 minutes of effort.  Turns out that I correctly picked 10 games against the spread (ATS).  The only ones I missed were the New England Patriots v the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets v the Detroit Lions.  Chicago Bears v the Buffalo Bills was a push.

10 games...  Not too bad at all, since I've haven't really been paying attention to football since I've been traveling.

I didn't get the chance to tell Cyrus my good news, but it doesn't matter and I really doubt he cares.  ****  I have known Cyrus since college.  His best friend was my college boyfriend.  I hear from him few and far between, but he'll check in on Facebook.  The only time he calls is when he's commuting home and bored in the car, but I digress...  

Incidentally, I just checked my other pool (i.e. where I'm fighting for the wildcard), and I came in 2nd place last week.  Hmmm...  Looks like I may have found my mojo again...  Woohoo!!!  :-P

In case you'd forgotten, I'm a WINNER. 


THE WIRK

Week 5 ~ Perfect in my NFL survivor pool

Was talking to The Rick earlier today, and he told me something interesting.  Guess who was perfect in her NFL survivor pool last week...  I was!  I think I'm the only girl in the pool, and I bested all the men by picking flawlessly against the spread.  Too bad I was eliminated last week and am competing for a wild card spot now.  Below were my Week 5 picks.

Sunday, October 10

NY Giants (3-2) [34] at Houston (3-2) -3.5 [10] 3 WIN
Kansas City (3-1) [9] at Indianapolis (3-2) -8.5 [19] 5 WIN
Jacksonville (3-2) [36] at Buffalo (0-5) 0.0 [26] 4 WIN
Atlanta (4-1) [20] at Cleveland (1-4) +3.5 [10] 2 WIN
Philadelphia (3-2) [27] at San Francisco (0-5) -2.5 [24] 1 WIN

Results (W-L, Pts): 5-0, 15 pts

Alright, boys.  Maybe this girl is finally getting her groove back!


THE WIRK

Eliminated from NFL survivor pool, chasing the wildcard ~ Week 4

Before this NFL season began, I got an email inviting me into a handicapping survivor pool from Jody (i.e. he's friends with The Rick).  The object of the game is to pick the 5 games you're most comfortable with picking against the spread and then rank them.  If you ask me this season has been strange.  How else can you explain the Kansas City Chiefs being undefeated and other teams (i.e. that traditionally play well) stumbling?  Regardless, no excuses.  My handicapping skills stink and now I have to keep playing to try to earn the wild card.

For people like me that have a general interest in teams and not players, survivor pools are the way to go.  I've received numerous invitations to join fantasy football pools, but there's no way in the world I'd throw my hat into that arena.  The time and effort that fantasy football fans devote to the game is much more than I'm willing to invest. 

According to the St. Louis Business Journal (i.e. in an article it published in 2003), "A recent survey showed that 7.2 percent of all American adults played fantasy sports, with 78 percent of those playing fantasy football. A previous survey showed that the average person plays in 2.4 fantasy football leagues per year and spends an average of $154 on fantasy football. Today's average fantasy football participant has been playing for six years, checks his teams online while at work, spends nearly 3 hours a week managing teams and is more likely to become even more involved in the hobby in the future, the association said."  Are you serious?!?!  This article is from 2003, so I can only imagine how much these figure have grown.  As far as I'm concerned, fantasy football might as well be like the fantasy, roll play games people play with 12 sided (i.e. or however many sided) dice...  I'm never going to play, because I don't understand the appeal.

I find the handicapping side to be much more interesting, even though this year ~ I obviously stink!  I'm heading to Vegas later this month, so I better get my act together soon...

Ugh.


THE WIRK

Why do we even know the names of referees and umpires?

I'm not that old and I'm not that young, but I remember the days when I didn't know the names of the refs or the umpires.  I long for those days...  Through all my years of watching and following sports, I've learned the names of a few - the respected, the notorious, and the history making.

An example of the respected is, Dick Bavetta.  I came to "know" by watching him on TV and seeing him in action.  I've never met him, but I respect the way he carries himself and I was amused with his personality when he agreed to race Charles Barkley up and down the court over All-Star Weekend.  I was in Las Vegas during the race and ALL the TV's switched to the race. It was awesome and I can still hear the crowd cheer when Dick Bavetta dove at the end.  I've never met Dick Bavetta ~ but he seems like a good guy.

Here's a video of the hyping up the Charles Barkley vs. Dick Bavetta race from the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend:



Here's the actual race:



An example of the notorious would be Tim Donaghy.  If you don't know who he is, then you don't follow professional basketball and you should probably click the link.  Now I recognize that with the degree of interaction of among coaches, players and referees that there can be tension.  However, should I really know the names Steve Javie, Joe DeRosa, etc.?

An example of history making referee is Violet Palmer.  She was the first African-American, female to referee an NBA game.

I did a quick google search using the terms: terrible NBA referees and this post by Bill Simmons came up.  In it he mentions Joe DeRosa and Bennett Salvatore.  We all know about Joe DeRosa, since he recently received a one-game suspension after throwing a basketball at a fan.  As for Bennett Salvatore, I'm going to include Simmons' quote here for your convenience:

To quote Bill Simmons' post, "Bennett Salvatore -- Always one of the worst, he took it to another level this season. If you see him on the court at the start of the game, get ready for about six technicals, two near-brawls and both coaches having to be restrained by their assistants at various times."

I realize those are only basketball examples, but we all know there are baseball ones also.  Today I was watching Pardon the Interruption and earlier in the week I was watching SportsCenter.  I keep seeing and hearing about Umpire Joe West, Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, and Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen.  I watched the clip and the Buehrle's move that was called a "balk".  I saw both Buehrle and Guillen get tossed.  Now I'm not going to argue whether Buehrle's move was a balk or not, but I keep asking myself why I even know Joe West's name.  Alright already.  He's an umpire.  Umpires and referees need to do their jobs and stop trying to steal the spotlight and make situations about them.  That's just my 2 cents.

Earlier in the year I went to an NBA game and I saw a ref throwing souvenir balls into the crowd.  This was surprising to me, since I remember the days in the tunnel when the walkways cleared since the refs were going to pass through.  The refs were more or less sequestered in their own locker room like jurors, and I'm sure that helped to maintain their objectivity.  There should be no personal bias between officials and players. 

But hey, that's just my 2 cents...  Seriously?  Are we going to be able to buy officiating jerseys with referee and umpires names on them soon?  Are the referees and umpires going to get trading cards and their own shoes now?  Just saying.  Alright, I'm going to wrap up this post since I want to download all of Cowboy Joe West's music tracks...  What?!?!  You do, too?!?!  Ok - here you go:  http://www.cowboyjoewest.com/

Lastly, if anyone can tell me why the NFL referees sport "candy-striper" (i.e. red and white) uniforms at times, drop me a note.  I'm sincerely interested in the explanation.


THE WIRK

The Wonderlic Test ~ What's in a number?

So I'm reading the book, How We Decide, and I stumbled upon the Wonderlic Test.  Actually, I think I've heard of this before ~ but am curious as to what other people think about it.

The Wonderlic Test is an abbreviated version of the standard IQ test (i.e. 12 minutes long with 50 questions that are progressively more difficult).

Wikipedia's entry on the test, which can be found here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderlic_Test,

This assessment roughly corresponds to examples from Paul Zimmerman's The New Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football.  According to Zimmerman, examples of average scores for each football position are as follows:

• Offensive tackle – 26
• Center – 25
• Quarterback – 24
• Guard – 23
• Tight end – 22
• Safety – 19
• Linebacker – 19
• Cornerback – 18
• Wide receiver – 17
• Fullback – 17 
• Halfback – 16

According to Wikipedia, an average football player usually scores around 20 points on the test.  When the test was administered to people in varying professions, the average participant scored a 24.   Some, examples of scores from everyday professions included:

• Chemist – 32
• Programmer – 29
• Journalist – 26
• Sales – 24
• Bank teller – 22
• Clerical worker – 21
• Security guard – 17
• Warehouse – 15  

**** Also according to Wikipedia and the book, How We Decide, by Jonah Lehrer, Vince Young scored a 6 on his first attempt.

The goal of the test is to predict how well a quarterback will make decisions in the pocket.   I personally don't believe decision making is specifically and necessarily tied to one's cognitive, mathematical, and logical capabilities in all high pressure time sensitive scenarios.  I think instincts kick in and one must also listen to his/her gut.

I have to admit though, I'd be VERY curious to see how NBA super stars and other point guards in the league would perform on such a test.

THE WIRK

Quick thoughts for the day: Hockey, Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Sports Nation

Thoughts for the day:

Olympics

• Hockey will have my attention tonight.  Canada v Russia at 7:30...  I'm not leaving my house until this game is over.

Football

• I saw Ladainian Tomlinson crying (tears running down his face) on TV today ~ his reaction to being let go by the Chargers.  In a world where "Big girls don't cry", I was taken aback to see LT visibly upset
• I don't want to type Ladai..'s name out AGAIN, but let's face it ~ the nickname, "LT" should only be used for Lawrence Taylor .
• On Monday I noticed that LT had been released, and I made the mistake of mentioning it to my friend who used to live in San Diego.  "Can he not play well anymore?" was what I said, and she vehemently came to his defense.  Wow.  If only his many fans had a say in the matter....
• So the NFL wants HGH testing, but the NFL Players Association is against it.  Is anyone really surprised?
• The combine would be more interesting if they'd add events such as arm wrestling, tug of war, etc. then maybe I'd be curious and watch...  Remember the obstacle courses on Nickelodeon's "Double Dare" or the game show "Wipe Out"?  Wouldn't you buy tickets to see the guys perform those types of events ~  and see the speed, strength, and agility that they do/don't have?  I would.  Man...  That'd be great!!!
• I tried to look this up because I distinctly remember watching some show when I was younger where Kevin Willis (i.e. the former NBA basketball player, that I'll always associate with the Atlanta Hawks) had won.  I think the competition was sponsored by Jeep, and was held on the beach and had events like weight-lifting etc.  It was great entertainmet and it was fun to see different athletes compete in different events.

Basketball

• Wizards are playing the Grizzlies tonight.  I thought about going ~ to see OJ Mayo play, but then decided I didn't care enough to spend the money. 
• If anything, if forced to hit a Wiz game this week ~ I choose Friday's match-up v the Knicks.
• The Trailblazers' Marcus Camby sprained his ankle last night...  That means that there's yet ANOTHER injury that needs to be circled on that image of a body during the games...  You know what I'm talking about, right?  Every game I see that has the Trailblazers playing has one of the announcers circling every team injury on that picture.  The poor image looks like the character from the game "Operation"...  Every limb seems to have something circled...  Terrible.  Does Portland even have enough people left to play tonight against the Raptors?  Ok ~ I just checked and it looks like some of the guys are better now, but seriously... 
• Someone in the front office needs to think about changing the uniforms to hospital gowns... 
• According to Michael Lee, the Wizards Insider, the Wizards (i.e. and I) are waiting for Zydrunas to sign the papers for his buyout.  He's expected to pay back between $1 million and $1.5 million of his $11.5 million contract.  He received a trade kicker worth about $600,000 for being part of the trade that brought him to DC.  According to Lee, the "official word" should come out tomorrow but it looks like Zydrunas can re-sign with the Cavs, on March 18. 
• If that's what happens, he'll make his home debut (i.e. at the Q) on Sunday, March 21st against the Pistons.

Baseball

• Can we please stop talking about Mark McGwire? I don't care.  I will not buy the book.  Enough.

Sports Nation

• As bad as I think this show is, today I caught part of again.  Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, today there were guest hosts...  Wow.  Who made the decision to put this show on TV?  Does anyone have/know that person's contact information?  Sports Nation is a discount version of PTI (i.e. Pardon the Interruption), the news segment on Saturday Night Live, and a game show.  It's very strange...

That's all I have.


THE WIRK

Friday before the Super Bowl ~ Vegas, NFL Commish Party/Lockout, Caps, and Go Colts!!!

Today,  I wasn't able to get out since I was jockeying con calls and working.  HOWEVER, I was able to watch a little bit of TV, check some schedules, and gather my thoughts before trekking out to Laudy for the NFL Commish party.

My predictions for the night:
Winners: I liked the Hawks, Pacers, and Nuggets.  I liked the Nuggets even after I heard that Kobe was playing and Carmelo Anthony was out.  It was a hunch ~ but it was dead ON.  Did you see that Nuggets v Lakers game?!  If not, you missed a good one.  Chaucey was shooting the lights out of the arena and left with a career high of 37 points.  I need to get to Denver when they're all healthy and see them play, in person, for myself...
Loser: I also liked the Hornets, even though CP3 wasn't playing, since I read that AI was out also.  No idea what happened with that game, since I was up to my eyes in football stuff, but according to the ESPN crawl, the Philly bench "stepped up"...  Yeah, well you're just as shocked as I am... Who cares ~ you can't predict them all, and that's what you get when you pick a lame game to guess about.

So, what's the verdict?!?  Well, I'm not 100% psychic, but I'm 75% psychic...  I would've gone 3/4...  Can you tell that I'm jonesing for a trip to Vegas?!?! I looked at flights to Atlantis last night and the RT fare was a hair under $200.  I always carry my pasport with me (i.e. since you "never know") and almost bought the ticket to head out there tomorrow, but I held off.  Sure enough when I looked for the same flights on the way to Laudy, they flights were sold out.  Oh well.  It wasn't that serious for me to head out there for THE DAY. 

I wish I had enough time to head to Vegas before the Super Bowl.  I love the Venetian Sportsbook.  Ask anyone who knows me, has spent any amount of time with me in Vegas, or is looking for me when I'm in Vegas and they'll tell you where I am and they'd be willing to bet on it.  I'm a creature of habit.  I like familiarity.  I know the guys there in that book, and they have served me well throughout the years.  I'm superstitious (i.e. just a little),and I study that board (with all the games listed) ridiculously well.  As a gambler, I believe in the streak.  I believe in momentum, and I have a firm grip on the psychology of sports.  I've seen what it's like for athletes to travel, to wake up for film, and to have to go to the arena early for treatment/shoot around.  I've seen how quickly or slowly some bounce back from injury,  I know that back spasms is a fake diagnosis, when listed as an injury, and I also have a clue as to who's a headcase and who has brains.  OK - so maybe I don't KNOW, but I'm VERY confident in my hunches. 

When in the book and in preparation for my trips to Vegas I watch plenty of games, look up the trends, and crunch/examine the numbers just as much, if not more than the investors that watch the companies in their stock portfolios.  I get a little obsessive compulsive.  Instead of buying and selling Coca Cola, I decide whether I want to pick up teams that are improving and try to time it right, as to when to jump off of another team's bandwagon...  My brother looks at health care com[anies/technology etc. for work, and he always tells me he hates gambling.  BULLSHIT.  He's a gambler ~ he does the exact same thing I do.  He just chooses health care related companies, and I'd rather watch sports.  Ever get tickets to go watch Pepsi , Boeing, or Wendy's do anything!?!  Yeah, I didn't think so.

Anyway... Enough about that.

So today was Roger Goodell's State of the NFL press conference and his Super Bowl party...  I missed the press conference.  I told you I was working...  Anyway, the gist of it is this.  I firmly believe there will be an NFL Lockout next season in 2011, and I'm not in the minority.  Why?!?  Because everyone wants to get paid and $8 billion in gross revenue is plenty of money to fight over.  (Shoot, I'll lock you out of my car for $20...  I can't even fathom what I'd do if I had to fight for a cut of $8 billion...  But I digress... ) Another reason I think a lockout will happen, is because I've seen it happen in basketball.  I've seen what happens when the bluff is called.  I remember when my ex had to go workout with the college kids at Cleveland State or the Cleveland Indians, since the Cavs facility was off-liimts.

I mentioned the strong possibility of no football in 2011 to my brother at the Commish's party.  "There going to strike?!?" was his reply.  No, Grasshopper ~ let me school you and any other person with incorrect ideas about this issue.  The players aren't going to strike.  The owners will lock them out ~ hence, LOCKOUT.  Just like in basketball...  Don't believe me?  Here.

According to Wikipedia ~ A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.

As a fan, a lockout would be terrible.  I've seen the movie "The Replacements".  It was good, but that's a movie.  I was having drinks with my friends yesterday and my friend MW had me laughing.  He pointed to his 3 friends and said, "They're going to put us in uniforms, give us helmets, and call us the Dallas Cowboys!"  How can you not laugh at the thought?!?!

We also talked about the Pro Bowl and the movement of the game to the week before the Super Bowl.  Consensus at the table and the ratings showed me that this was a good move.  Although, I'm not sure that anyone of us actually watched the game.  Sure, fan attendance was better ~ duh, has anyone compared airfare price differences between a trip to Honolulu v. a trip to Miami?!?!  The argument is that people need something to fill the void preceding the Super Bowl.  Yeah ~ but does anyone even know who won the game?!?!  I think it was the NFC...  Dammit ~ just checked it, and I was wrong ~ the AFC won.

Oh well, if you would've asked me to put in order the musical performances at the Grammy's I could've done that quicker.  I actualy ended up DVR'g the Grammy's and waching 2 crappy ACC basketball games that Sunday ~ but let me tell you, that if I had to do it all over again, I still wouldn't want to watch the Pro Bowl.  I've never been to the event, but any event that the PROFESSIONAL athletes are given the PRIVILEGE to play ~ and the athletes bow out ~ well, why should I watch?!?!  The player himself doesn't want to play...  What is that even about?!?!?  If anyone honored me enough to pick me to represent whomever/whatever in the internet shopping and text message olympics I'd be there with bells on.  I just don't understand it. Some people want to play, some people don't.  It all boils down to this ~ if you're not psyched about your own gig/product, how am I supposed to be psyched about your gig/product?!!

One last thng, and I realize that this is selfish ~ I met my last fiance during the NBA Lockout so who's to say an NFL Lockout would be so bad?!?!  Just saying...  Haha :-P

Anyway...  Enough about that.

The Caps have won 13 in a row.  The record in hockey is 17...  I say the Caps go for at least 18!  Let's go Caps!!!

I can't think of anything else right now.  So that's all I have for now.  Time to light a candle and pray for Dwight Freeney's ankle.  GO COLTS!!!

Wait...  Speaking of the Colts check out the pics from the NFL Commish party today.  I'm a Colts fan so I'm partial to the Unitas pics...  Incidentally, Unitas was Lithuanian..  Hahaha:-P

Tickets to the party looked like credentials...

The Pointer Sisters ~ Jump was the last song they sung.

The Vince Lombardi trophy

Unitas' helmet

Unitas' game jersey from the Super Bowl

THE WIRK