Here are my random thoughts after Week 4

The New England Patriots look scary good. Right now, they seem like they are the best team in the NFL. Whoever thought Randy Moss was finished was sadly mistaken. And what else can you say about Tom Brady? Personally, I think he is the best QB in the NFL.

The New Orleans Saints, last year’s Cinderella team, seem to be reverting back to their AINTS days. I’m wondering how long it will be before we see the brown paper bags back in the Superdome.

Who would have thought that the San Diego Chargers would be 1-3? I’m sure Marty Schottenheimer is somewhere cracking up.

Brian Griese doesn’t seem to be much of an upgrade from Rex Grossman.

On the other end of the QB spectrum, Tony Romo has proven he is the real deal. It is time for Jerry Jones to lock him up. Finally, the Cowboys search for a franchise quarterback has ended.

It’ll be interesting to see if the NFL reinstates Ricky Williams. If they do, it will be equally as interesting to see who will pick him up.

Devin Hester continues to amaze. Can a pure kick returner make it to the Hall of Fame?

Michael Vick’s lawyers may go down as some of the worst in history. How do you arrange a plea agreement for a Federal charge and neglect to get some sort of protection from State indictments?

As of right now, I would pick the Cowboys and Patriots to make it to the Super Bowl. Their game at Texas Stadium in a couple of weeks should be very interesting.

Here are my Top 5 (in no particular order):
New England
Indianapolis
Pittsburgh
Dallas
Green Bay

The Wizard has spoken

Fall from grace

I must admit, I was a huge Marion Jones fan.

Being that I used to run track myself, I could really appreciate her dominance. She ran so gracefully. It was as if she was floating as she streaked down the track.

Now, that she is reportedly going to admit that she used “the clear”, my opinion of her has changed.

It seems that she has arranged some sort of plea agreement that will limit her jail time to 6 months. Hopefully, she’ll be stripped of her medals and records.

She doesn’t deserve them.

The Wizard has spoken.

ISP Problems and Rolling Blackouts

I’m glad it is over.

The last few weeks have been very frustrating. I’ve been battling ISP problems and rolling blackouts.

But now, all is well in Southern California.

There is so much to talk about and catch up on.

The Wizard has spoken (finally)

The Wiz's NFL Picks - Week 2

Sunday Games
Texans at Panthers - Panthers
Colts at Titans – Colts
49ers at Rams – Rams
Saints at Buccaneers – Saints
Packers at Giants – Giants
Bills at Steelers – Steelers
Bengals at Browns – Bengals
Falcons at Jaguars – Jaguars
Seahawks at Cardinals – Seahawks
Vikings at Lions – Vikings
Cowboys at Dolphins – Cowboys
Chiefs at Bears – Bears
Jets at Ravens – Ravens
Raiders at Broncos - Broncos

Sunday Night Football
Chargers at Patriots - Patriots

Monday Night Football
Redskins at Eagles – Eagles

The Wiz's 2007 Record: 11-5

The Wizard has spoken

Oceans 14

O.J. Simpson is back in the news again – and, possibly, on his way to jail.

It is being reported that O.J. has been questioned and named a suspect in connection with Las Vegas casino break-in.

Apparently, the break-in involved sports memorabilia.

When questioned by the police, O.J. allegedly stated he felt the memorabilia was his.

You would think that O.J. would have learned to just stay home.

The Wizard has spoken.

Spy Games

The sports world just can’t catch a break.

Doesn’t it seem that just as one controversy starts to die down, up pops another one to take its place?

The current hot topic is the New England Patriots and their apparent use of video cameras to spy and steal defensive signals.

Now, this has cast a shadow of doubt over the Patriots and their recent string of successes. And they have no one to blame but their selves. It’s cheating plain and simple.

What I find confusing is the fact that we’ve all heard what a defensive genius head coach Bill Belichick is. So my question is, “If he is so good, why did he have to resort to this?”

This is not to discount the defensive wizardry of Belichick. But, it is a valid question.

Now that NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, has punished the Patriots, what do you think of his ruling?

Was he too harsh, or too lenient?

The Wizard has spoken.

Your Week 1 thoughts

Now that Week 1 is done, what are your thoughts?

What did you find surprising? And who is your Top 5/Bottom 5?

Be gentle.

The Wizard has spoken.

Just a shame

Anyone who watches or plays football knows how violent the sport is. Unfortunately, from time to time, we see just how violent it is.

On Sunday, I just happened to be watching the Denver Broncos – Buffalo Bills game when Kevin Everett was injured and lay motionless on the field.

Sadly, it is being reported that Everett has sustained a catastrophic and life-threatening injury. It is doubtful that he will recover fully. Paralysis is pretty much guaranteed.

It is a shame to see a young man, or anyone for that matter, lose their career in that manner. This was a man who was described as a coach’s dream.

I want to send my prayers and best wishes to Kevin Everett and I hope that he will be able to walk again.

The Wizard has spoken

Week 1 Open Discussion

Post your thoughts here about today’s games.

It doesn’t matter which game you’re watching, just drop by here during halftime, or whenever, and give your perspective.

I will be here during the halftimes of games posting my thoughts on various games.

Enjoy the games.

The Wizard has spoken.

Got to give the man his due

I know I don’t talk about tennis a lot on this blog. I do occasionally watch the sport. But, I have to give Roger Federer his due.

This man has totally dominated the sport. And currently, he may be the most dominant athlete in professional sports.

Even more so than Tiger Woods. And that is saying something.

Today, he will be going for his 4th US Open in a row. If he loses, it will be a huge upset.

The argument can definitely be made that Federer is the best tennis player ever in the sport.

He is just that good.

The Wizard has spoken.

The fall of the Powerhouses

The University of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Miami all used to be synonymous with winning.

They all used to be college football powerhouses.

Now, they look like doormats.

Michigan was among the preseason favorites to win the National Championship.

Those dreams vanished quickly after their defeat by Appalachian State last week. Most experts expected the Wolverines to bounce back and have a big game against the Oregon Ducks. Not so, the Ducks destroyed the Wolverines and sent them to their first 0-2 start in recent memory.

Notre Dame is 0-2 also, after being embarrassed in their first two games. And the “U” just got their butts handed to them by the Oklahoma Sooners.

Who would have thought that all of these “powerhouses” would be struggling like this?

Luckily for Notre Dame and Michigan they play each other next week. So, someone will finally get their first victory.

There is no guarantee for either of them after that.

No one will be intimated by them.

They are definitely beatable.

The Wizard has spoken.

The Wiz’s NFL Picks – Week 1

Sunday Games
Falcons at Vikings – Vikings
Chiefs at Texans – Chiefs
Panthers at Rams – Panthers
Eagles at Packers – Eagles
Patriots at Jets – Patriots
Broncos at Bills – Broncos
Dolphins at Redskins – Redskins
Titans at Jaguars – Jaguars
Steelers at Browns – Steelers
Bears at Chargers – Chargers
Lions at Raiders – Raiders
Buccaneers at Seahawks – Seahawks

Sunday Night Football
Giants at Cowboys – Cowboys

Monday Night Football
Ravens at Bengals – Ravens
Cardinals at 49ers – 49ers

The Wiz’s 2007 Record: 1-0

The Wizard has spoken

Hail To The Victors!!!

By General Lee Speaking

Is it so bad that I feel so good about U of M losing? I don't think so.

As a graduate of Michigan State University, I think that I am entitled to laugh and be happy about this MOLLYWHOPPING that Appalachian State put on Michigan. Michigan is almost as overrated as Notre Dame is...maybe even more. Everyone was saying this was the year that they were going to do it all. Mike Hart would win the Heisman, they'll beat Ohio State because all of their big name players were drafted and they’d go to the BCS Championship game. Now whom do we face first? Ah yes...ASU.

From Boone, NC, Appalachian State came into the Out House...I mean "Big House" and arguably pulled off the biggest upset in sports history! Maybe second to the United States beating the Russians in Hockey in 1980. But man! Just seeing the hopes and dreams of U of M football fans shattered in the first game is priceless. Well U of M, there's always next year. HA!

By the way, Michigan State beat UAB, a Division-I team 55-18.

GO STATE!

Tough Start

Well the NFL season kicked off last night and the Indianapolis Colts looked like a championship team. On the other hand, the New Orleans Saints looked like a team that needs more work.

But, it is only the first game of the season.

The Saints should bounce back. I find it highly unlikely that Drew Brees, Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, and Marques Colston will continue to be that ineffective.

One person though who definitely needs a pick-me-up is Saints cornerback, Jason “Toast” David, who left the Colts during the off-season. Apparently, the Colts knew how to attack him. Manning and company simply torched him all night.

Hopefully, the games this weekend will be a little more competitive.

Still, it’s great to have football back once again.

The Wizard has spoken.

Dog fighting vs. Hunting

Before I get started, let me preface this post by saying that I am not a supporter of dog fighting, cock fighting, or hunting.

I do like to fish sometimes. But that is for another discussion.

The idea for this post came to me after I read some comments made by Terrell Owens, who compared dog fighting to hunting. While most media types tried to make some minor controversy out of his comments, I decided to really think about it. And I came up with the following conclusion. Terrell may have a point.

Here is why I say that.

First, let’s get this out of the way. I do realize that dog fighting is illegal and hunting is not.

Now, many people were angered when they heard the gruesome details surrounding the Michael Vick case. They spoke about how inhumane it was to pit two dogs against one another for sport. And I support that. My question is, is it any less inhumane to shoot and kill an animal for sport?

Personally, I don’t think so.

We also heard about the killing of underperforming dogs and the burying of their carcasses, which was truly nasty stuff. But again I ask, is it any worse than having heads stuffed, preserved, and hung up on walls as trophies?

Again, I don’t think so.

The truth of the matter is that cruelty to animals is cruelty to animals. And again, I’m in no way trying to protect Michael Vick or any other person who engages is dog fighting. It is illegal, thus it shouldn’t be done.

This was just food for thought.

The Wizard has spoken.