Blog Outsourcing 12/28

Hello all. I make my Monday return. Last week, I felt really lethargic and it showed until Sparty made the save. Thanks, Sparty. I needed a little pep talk, and I got it, and I thank Sparty for that.

I have had a long 2009, for me, where I live, and for the world in general. One simple thing I want to say, I just want to get 2009 out of my system. But one thing for sure, being officially part of the Sparty & Friends family is one of the highlights. Now onto to the meat.

Fantasy Update: Pending the MNF Game.

Sparty & Friends League: SMTT leading by 4 over JDS. On my end, ALAC leading Hawk 94-70.

Mikey & Friends League: Pat leading Sae 114-98. On my end, ALAC trailing TONS 89-76.

Pick 'Em: Tila Tequila Ate My Balls with a 2-pt lead over Futbol Pick, Where's ManU. On my end, I'm 9th, one pt behind Hawkeye.

Eliminator: I hate you, Tampa Bay. I hate you. Same hate applies to Garrett Hartley.

College Bowl Mania: Let's just say that Johnny, Sae and Rek have the most PPR and the highest Max available belong to Johnny and Rek.

Before I provide the links, here is your mandatory volcanic coverage. Again, I am safe and sound. The volcano is far far away from the place.



Link love:

So, Urban pulled a Donovan. Yes, I think he will be back for Year 1 of the A.T. (After Tebow) Era.

If you miss the no mercy nature of your opponent, go to global hockey.

Saints lost again. Must be bad juju from Tom Benson. Then again, bad juju for the Manning family today. Archie's Saints, Peyton's Colts and Eli's Giants all lost.

Will you vote for Andre Dawson?

Bengals finally win the North. Their reward is a simple flex. Maybe this would be a better farewell to Giants Stadium.

This looks dated, but these happened @ Giants Stadium, considering what happened yesterday will not be counted.

Futbol Update: I missed doing this on my posts. Meanwhile, the other team in Manchester gets a nice win.

While waiting for the Team of the Decade posts of Sparty, do you argue that they are absolute busts?

Case in point why the Bowl System is needed.

You would think they are succeeding, but they just got shut out by a team that is also struggling. Plus when your big buy this year mouths off, you know the end of the Zorn era is near.

I find this map very interesting in trying to track golf.

What if Hendrick Motorsports offered to work on Santa's sleigh?

Yes, I know Paul Pierce is out, but I need to express glee as the Clippers eke one out. Bingo!

Video Slots:
Loving dedicated to (traditionally) the Dallas Cowboys.


I am sure we can all relate to this question:

The Week That Was The NBA a.k.a - TWTWTNBA - December 16

Because of what someone wrote, I decided to make an emergency post instead of what I had in mind for this week. Since I had time (when I would have wanted to be in a conference call that unfortunately I had to miss when I would have preferred not to), I ought to write my own views on this. So let's start.

1. I agree that it will take a miracle for the G-Men to advance. A lot of dominoes have to fall in place, but they need to start to win out first, starting with the Redskins. As for the Spartans, at least it is the college basketball season.

2. The NBA has the least parity. But as long as the bellwether teams are doing mostly alright, things will be fine.

3. As a Clipper fan, I am partially a bit pleased with the T'wolves state of mind. I just need them to keep that up until the time when we have a chance at snagging the top overall pick they might get.

4. This is the complete list of free agents this summer. They key is what will be the cap space for 2010. It is said to be projected at between $50-53 million.

5. Lebron: Let's see what the Nyets can do. And of course, the Knicks. All we know is that he pays homage to Akron, not Cleveland. I would think he would test the market before he responds. He has never been highly recruited, so this is like a first for him.

6. Wade: I think he stays, but the pull of Chi-town is interesting. In addition, the Bulls have a plethora of assets they can move.

7. Amare: He is a huge risky target, with his recent injury-prone tendencies. I still have issues with their penny-pinching owner.

8. Dirk: No way he leaves. There is a reason why the Mavs are constructed the way they are. Besides, the shock it would bring would be like what this is.

9. Jesus Shuttlesworth: Veteran shooter with a ring. I am sure a lot of teams with space for an MLE or a smart winning team with a veteran's minimum would love to have him around.

10. Tyson Chandler: One thing I know is that if you have a modicum of talent and you are 7'0", you will get paid. Ask Jerome James and DeSagana Diop.

11. Manu: the so-called Bat-killer is not going anywhere. He owes it too much to the Spurs. Reduced salary will help this team rebuild on the fly as the transition of the post-Duncan era continues in its natural pace.

12. RJeff: The interesting thing is, the Spurs have not been the type of team to overspend to keep guys. Pop and Buford sure know what they are doing.

13. Joe Johnson: You better hope J-Smooth, Marvin, Al and Mike find a way to convince him to stay. But they thought of plan B (trading for Jamal Crawford) already in case he leaves. I know going from JJ to Crawford is huge, but that ownership is questionable.

14. T-Mac: This season is a tryout open for everyone to see what he can still pull off. Same for the Answer.

15. Yao: It is unlikely he leaves. There is too much going on. Not his style also.

16. Redd: The successor to Walter Ray in Milwaukee is in the same situation as he is.

17. CB4: I agree, he is the major chip that will likely move. Depends on who offers the most.

18. Amongst the second-tier players mentioned, J-Smooth is locked in the ATL for a while.

19. Again, it is all about the cap space and what the guys do early. I won't be surprised if it will be a thud, but I won't dismiss it that easy.

20. John Wall to the Nyets is nice. Hmmm...

Myself as a NFL Pro Bowl selector (defense / special teams)

It is about that time of year that the ProBowl roster for the NFL will be named. Here are probably the most deserving ones, based on performance. (and possibly reputation)

I selected these people before Week 14 Sunday games and after the Thursday debacle in Cleveland (for Steeler fans). And these were on the ballot during that day. You may freely argue with me over the selections.

And so, here we go:

On the Defensive side of the ball!

select 1 SS

NFC:

Adrian Wilson (Arizona)

AFC:

Brian Dawkins (Denver)

select 3 CB

NFC:

Asante Samuel (Philadelphia)
Charles Woodson (Green Bay)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Arizona)

AFC:

Champ Bailey (Denver)
Darrelle Revis (New York)
Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland)

select 3 DE

NFC:

Jared Allen (Minnesota)
Justin Tuck (New York)
Will Smith (New Orleans)

AFC:

Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis)
Mario Williams (Houston)
Robert Geathers (Cincinnati)


select 3 DT

NFC:

Albert Haynesworth (Washington)
Kevin Williams (Minnesota)
Pat Williams (Minnesota)

AFC:

Haloti Ngata (Baltimore)
Marcus Stroud (Buffalo)
Vince Wilfork (New England)

select 1 FS

NFC:

Darren Sharper (New Orleans)


AFC:

Ed Reed (Baltimore)

select 2 ILB

NFC:

A.J. Hawk (Green Bay)
Karlos Dansby (Arizona)

AFC:

Bart Scott (New York)
Ray Lewis (Baltimore)

select 3 OLB

NFC:

Chad Greenway (Minnesota)
DeMarcus Ware (Dallas)
Lance Briggs (Chicago)

AFC:

Brian Cushing (Houston)
James Harrison (Pittsburgh)
Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati)


select 1 KR

NFC:

Percy Harvin (Minnesota)

AFC:

Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland)

select 1 K

NFC:

Neil Rackers (Arizona)

AFC:

Rob Bironas (Tennessee)

select 1 P

NFC:

Brad Maynard (Chicago)

AFC:

Shane Lechler (Oakland)


select 1 ST

NFC:

Sean Morey (Arizona)

AFC:

Kassim Osgood (San Diego)

Observations:

1. Not much from Pittsburgh and New England. Obviously, both teams have had issues on that side of the ball.
2. Ridiculous depth in the AFC corners.
3. May be shooting blind regarding the front 7. Hope I got it right.

Myself as a NFL Pro Bowl selector (offense)

It is about that time of year that the ProBowl roster for the NFL will be named. Here are probably the most deserving ones, based on performance. (and possibly reputation)

I selected these people before Week 14 Sunday games and after the Thursday debacle in Cleveland (for Steeler fans). And these were on the ballot during that day. You may freely argue with me over the selections.

And so, here we go:

On the offensive side of the ball!

select 3 QBs

NFC:

Drew Brees (New Orleans)
Brett Favre (Minnesota)
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay)

AFC:

Peyton Manning (Indianapolis)
Tom Brady (New England)
Philip Rivers (San Diego)

select 3 RB

NFC:

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota)
Frank Gore (San Francisco)
Stephen Jackson (St. Louis)

AFC:

Cedric Benson (Cincinnati)
Chris Johnson (Tennessee)
Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville)

select 4 WR

NFC:

Desean Jackson (Philadelphia)
Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona)
Marques Colston (New Orleans)
Sidney Rice (Minnesota)

AFC:

Andre Johnson (Houston)
Randy Moss (New England)
Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis)
Wes Welker (New England)


select 2 TE

NFC:

Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta)
Vernon Davis (San Francisco)

AFC:

Antonio Gates (San Diego)
Dallas Clark (Indianapolis)

select 2 C

NFC:

Jonathan Sullivan (Minnesota)
Jonathan Goodwin (New Orleans)

AFC:

Jeff Saturday (Indianapolis)
Nick Mangold (New York)

select 3 T

NFC:

Bryant McKinnie (Minnesota)
Jermon Bushrod (New Orleans)
Phil Loadholt (Minnesota)

AFC:

D'Brickashaw Ferguson (New York)
Michael Oher (Baltimore)
Michael Roos (Tennessee)


select 3 G

NFC:

Deuce Lutui (Arizona)
Leonard Davis (Dallas)
Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota)

AFC:

Alan Faneca (New York)
Ben Hamilton (Denver)
Brian Waters (Kansas City)

select 1 FB

NFC:

Mike Sellers (Washington)

AFC:

Tony Richardson (New York)

Observations:

1. Leaving Thomas Jones out was hard. Had to give props to Cedric Benson. Ditto with Carson Palmer.
2. Nice WR depth overall.
3. Picking linemen is picking blind.

Blog Outsourcing 12/ 14

Welcome to the Monday edition of the TMA!

It is only 11 days to go before the day most people look forward to. As the days grow closer and closer, the anticipation goes higher and higher, gets even more chilly and the expectation of giving gets even more intense.

Meanwhile, I have been struggling with insomnia. Definitely the after-effects of my graveyard work, I need to gets this addressed when it comes to the weekends. I need to get things re-wired already. Oh well.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the weekend. My relatives who immigrated to Canada are home again, while another international artist comes to my shores.

And so, the let's begin the link love, shall we?


Don Cherry is to blame for the violence?

It must be those uniforms, they look eerily famillar, right?

One sign it is almost the end of the College Football season. We all wait with baited breath for TWTWCFB.

Lane Kiffin News: Compliments, really?

Hecklers, beware of this guy.

The first aftershock of the Tiger Zoo.

Quitters never win, but somehow his team did.

Two things are certain: when it is December, it is good to be a Bolt and bad to be a Cowboy.

21 teams got off less completions than this guy's feat.

Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones to team up again?

Nice way to close out the year for the best.school.ever.

Futbol update: This football game settles who's the best on the field, not by arbitrarily. Also, more issues for these Reds.

Video time:
I like the beat.


More local stuff:


Happy Holidays from the islands!

Blog Outsourcing 12/7

Today is an important day, especially for those of the Greatest Generation. These days, we must not forget those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

I thought about doing a World Cup post regarding the draw, but decided not to since anything can happen from now until June 2010. We all thought that Davies would be a lock for the US National Team, but something happened. Now he's questionable.

Anyhow, I spent yesterday afternoon checking out the trains. Being a photogeek, I took my trusty camera and took shots of the scene. But more important, it is essential that the community know what that it commemorates. And I felt that the objective was made.

And I know that TWTWCFB will cover this, but I just do not like the idea of the minnows facing each other.

Time for some link love:

Never has tying shoelaces been this controversial.

Talk about homerism, i thought the announcers had to be impartial.

This is the last Bowden Bowl.

I never knew that they could be on ice.

I wonder how many of you want to be healed with beer?

Hmmm... Tiger needs to work on his taste. I think I have better taste, take a look at this:



Another reason why smoking is not good for you.

Surf's up, dude. Maybe they can take on these waves.

Personally, I am very very disappointed also for them. They deserve to face the big boys.

Really, Marco Scutaro is the guy that can help the Sawx?

Sparty, care to fill in the details for this? Cashman being cryptic.

Maybe he could succeed Bud in 2012.

Get well soon, Ej. Third major injury in the past few days.

Army vs Navy has huge stakes for someone.

CGB: What can you say about Mike London at Charlottesville? Hope it can avert something like this...

Futbol update: Better start to get to know some World Cup studs.

The Answer is to start. He is on one of my teams, and I need him to start clicking right from the get go.

I hate to be Shaun Suisham right now.

In order to succeed greatness, one must show respect to greatness.

Last thing:

Because you can hear this song in the Vatican playlist:


I love the Transformer concept... Let's dance, shall we...

NBA update so far (Thanksgiving edition)

Welcome to the 2nd TWTWTNBA. I have decided to make it a bi-weekly format for the interim, since after all, it is way too early. This time, since it is Thanksgiving, I would answer this question, Why I am thankful for?

First things first, my thoughts on the Answer's retirement. I think he is the poster child of the mid-90s to pre-Lebron era, when cornrows and thuggery was the norm, when Portland was known as the Jailbrazers. It's sad that he went out this way. I wish some team can figure this out right. Paging some Eastern Conference team...

As for the latest news on Lawrence Frank, I wish him well. He is the obvious scapegoat. I think Chris Paul and the dribble-drive offense would be a good fit.

And here we go:

Atlanta: That we have the best record in the Eastern Conference right now. (this was written before the Orlando game)
Boston: That GITC finally got in a Paul Pierce Stud sighting (or 2). But i would like to see a Sheed that is in shape and motivated and a KG that is fully healthy.
Charlotte: That Stephen Jackson has not blown up on them.
Chicago: That Joakim Noah is making the leap of being a serviceable center.
Cleveland: we have Lebron not making any more weird statements. But I would rather have a guarantee he would be staying.
Dallas: That they are atop the Southwest Division with the player with the 2nd most assists in history.
Denver: That Ty Lawson might be the successor to Chauncey Billups.
Detroit: Will Bynum being a quality 6th Man of the year and MIP candidate.
Golden State: That they have the endurance to play 48 minutes without subbing. But I would like to have less dysfunction.
Houston: That they have not fallen out of the race without Yao and Tracy.
Indiana: That they have the Colts to take the headlines (for now).
Los Angeles Clippers: That Chris Kaman may be the best low post presence in LA.
Los Angeles Lakers: That Ron Artest has not yet gone bad crazy. And that no one has punched the Neckbeard in the throat yet.
Memphis: That the Iverson experiment ended already. We already have enough ballhogs.
Miami: Michael Beasley is in his good graces.
Milwaukee: That Brandon Jennings is a stud. Also being 8-5. But I wish they can shoot FT's better. (3rd worst in the NBA)
Minnesota: For that one win, even though it came at a buzzer beater.
New Jersey: Is thankful for the "injury" excuse, because Lawrence Frank would have been fired already.
At least we still have Jay-Z as an owner. And Brooklyn beckons. UPDATE: Coach Frank has been fired.
New Orleans: That we have a nice gem of a find in Marcus Thornton. But I would much much rather have Chris Paul healthy again.
New York: That the Yankees won their 27th title and that their leadership will be going for some guy in the offseason.
Oklahoma City: That Kevin Durant fell into our laps. But I'd rather have the franchise another way other than taking it from the Sonics.
Orlando: That i have a deep lineup that can cause havoc in the East. But i would like a less whiny Dwight with a retinue of post moves.
Philadelphia: that they are the most ideal situation for some guy who was said to be "forcibly retired."
Portland: For the continued development of Greg Oden.
Phoenix: the SSOL is back, revving up and having the best record in the League.
Sacramento: That we have eight wins (and at .500) already for a team considered to be the worst in the League.
San Antonio: That the usual cruisin portion of the season has already netted 5 straight wins.
Toronto: That Andrea Bargnani is finally getting it. And that they are the second best team in their division.
Utah: That Jerry Sloan has no plans on retiring, ensuring stability on the floor.
Washington: for the goodness of Abe Pollin. Good luck, Ted Leonsis.

(Belated) Happy Thanksgiving.