A-R*d is a CHEAT!

I warn you now... this will be a pretty heated rant. This is a pretty serious subject in my eyes and I have very strong feelings about it. You've been warned.

*Steps on soapbox*

Alex Rodriguez used steroids. Surprise surprise. I mean, I always suspected he used. He is a world class douche bag, so it was logical to assume he was also using steroids. Anyone else see a pattern here? Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez... all enormous douche tools and all of them were users.

I get being an asshole. I am one, but there's a line between being an asshole and a complete ass clown. I also get wanting to be the best at something, but you have to play within the rules. I know what it's like to pound yourself in the gym, run your legs off, practice 'til you pass out, but I have never and would never resort to using steroids. I have seen what it does to people who I have played with and against, and it's just not worth the risk.

Those who take steroids and performance enhancing substances (not pot or alcohol, let's be smart here folks) are cheaters and should be banned for life. I have no tolerance for it. If you can't be the best within the rules, then you don't deserve to play at all. I have no sympathy, no forgiveness, nothing to those who use steroids. I think that everything you did while using should be taken from you along with all the money you made. I think you should be treated like a common criminal for lying, cheating, and stealing.

Anyways back to A-R*d who will now always be looked down upon (even more than he already was) and will effectively end all the talk about how he might end up being the best player in baseball history. He is now in the class with Clemens, Bonds, and McGwire of players whose enormous stats are now tainted with an *. He is now a pariah of baseball.

You know what I say to that?

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

So Alex, I hope it was worth it to you. I hope you go to sleep every night in your bed made of the stacks of money you have extorted from the baseball fans knowing you cheated them. You have to live with that you dickbag.

I hope you get suspended. I hope you get kicked out. I hope the Yankees suck so hard this year that they miss the playoffs again. And I hope you get blamed for it. I hope they treat you like dirt, because that is what you are... dirt on the face of baseball. The man who spoke out against the use of steroids, and who said he would never use... way to go jackass.

Fuck Barry, Fuck Roger, Fuck Mark, and now Fuck Alex. I hope you all burn in baseball hell.

Have a nice day.

*Steps off soapbox*

Congrats Steelers!

Congrats to the Pittsburgh Steelers on winning a record setting sixth Super Bowl, and in such a fantastic fashion. This was one of the best SBs I have ever watched, and I was very impressed with both teams will and fight to not give up. Congrats to both teams for making it to the Big Game.

Now the wait begins for next season.... *sigh*

Super Bowl XLIII

So here we are on the day of the biggest sports event on the American sports calendar. What a match up we have too. The defensively dominant Steelers vs. the entirely improbable Cardinals. I doubt ANY expert picked this SB match up, and if anyone claims to, they are liars.

The Steelers are usually a decent pick for a chance at the Big Game, but the Cardinals are almost never even in the conversation. True, they have made decent strides the past few years, but no one ever saw this coming. They blazed their way to an easy NFC East title, but after that they fluttered. They boasted a 0-5 record on the East Coast and staggered into the playoffs as a probable first round exit. They dominated the likewise surprising Falcons, then went for another expected East Coast beatdown to Carolina. WRONG. They pounded the Panthers and faced another unlikely opponent, the Eagles who upset last years Champs, the Giants. The Eagles thumped the Cards first time around, but this time, Arizona jumped out early and held off the Eagles to make it to the Ultimate Game.

The Steelers destroyed people with their defense, and the good enough offense. They handled the Chargers, then won a physical defensive battle with the Ravens to make it to their second Super Bowl in 4 years.

So who will win this David and Goliath battle? Will the underdog strike big like last year? Will defense dominate a powerful offense? I really don't know. I want to make a prediction, but I Don't really have a good prediction. My head says the Steelers will pull it out, but something still tells me that the Cardinals have a bigger chance than anyone really thinks. This is probably one of the hardest games to predict because it all depends on which Cardinals show up. Is it going to be the Playoff Cards or the Last Quarter of the Regular Season Cards? That is what will determine this game. However, I could be wrong. That powerful team from the past 3 games could show up and the Steelers could still hold them off. Who knows? We will see in a few short hours!

100 years of BEERS!

Shiner Brewery from little Shiner, Texas just celebrated 100 years of brewing some damn fine beer.

Their finest achievement, Shiner Bock, is their staple brew, but they also make special ones like Shiner Cheer, Shiner Black (another fantastic brew), Shiner Blonde, etc. Over the past 5 years they have made special anniversary brews, of which I am ashamed to say I have only tried three: 97 (which, because of its popularity became Shiner Black), 99, and 100.

Anyways, I wanted to say Thank You to the brewers of Shiner Beers for their fine work and for giving me a damn fine beer to drink! And another thanks to my SISTER for handing me a bottle with a yellow label and a ram on it and telling me to drink it. I owe you so much!



That is my collection of Shiner bottles... all the types I have tried... There is only one that is currently brewed that I haven't tried, and that is Shiner Light... which I am questioning whether I ought to try, but I am thinking... why not, if only to add another bottle to my collection. And so you know... they are all empty. Do you really think I would waste good beer? Shame on you...

A SHOCKER

I just watched, what was arguably the best, and the most shocking Super Bowl in history. The then 18-0 Patriots could not rewrite the history books completely as the Giants defeated them in a huge game. I shall proceed to eat my words on my prediction.

I am impressed. Simply impressed by the way the Giants weathered the game and made plays when they needed to. They outlasted the best team in football history.

Congrats to the Giants for winning such a big game. Congrats to the Patriots for doing so much this year and it's a shame they couldn't cross that final hurdle.

As well as both teams played, especially New York, the Patriots gave them the game. They missed so many opportunities that would have put the game away. But on the other hand, the Giants made several awesome plays to take the game. It was simply one team wanting it more. Don't take this as me bashing on the Giants, they played a hell of a game, but they know they escaped with that win, but they also know they outplayed the best team in NFL history.

In all the history-making the Pats did this year, it was the Giants making the final marks in the history books. For the first time in history two brothers not only took their teams to the Super Bowl, but also won it, and picked up the MVP trophy as well. I don't think Eli is going to be the laughing stock of the Mannings anymore.

One thing is for sure... I think all star quarterbacks who have celebrity girlfriends, will tell them to STAY HOME from now on. Sorry Gisele.

Anyways, I want to again say congrats to the Giants for a remarkable game and season. Who would have thought that an NFC East team other than the Cowgirls would have a chance and actually win the Super Bowl? (besides me that is...)

So this is the end of the 2007 football season... *sigh*... I can't wait for next season already!

Super Bowl Sunday!

It's time for everyone's favorite unofficial Holidays, Super Bowl Sunday! For the first time in a while, I am actually excited to watch this game.

The Pats vs. the Jints. The consummate favorite vs. the consummate underdog. Tom "Hollywood" Brady vs. Eli Manning a.k.a. The Other Manning.

After much consideration, I think the Pats will win 35-24. The Giants will do enough to cover the spread, but not enough to ever really challenge the Pats. New England will make history by being the first team to go 19-0, win their 4th SB in 7 years, and Tom Brady will win his 3rd (should be 4th but whatever) Super Bowl MVP award.

The commercials, I HOPE, will be better this year than the last few, and the halftime show should be exponentially better. Tom Petty!

Anyways, I'm off to watch the Mythbusters Marathon and drool over Kari until the Super Bowl comes on!

~Ian

Super Bowl XLII: The New England Patriots vs.... The New York Giants?

I know I am slightly late with this, but after I got done with my community service stuff last night, and just resting today... I wasn't up to writing until now.

Anyways, I suffered my first mis-pick of this season's playoffs. I figured the Green Bay Packers could beat the G-Men in Lambeau... WRONG. It seems like both teams were doing everything to lose... and kicker Lawrence Tynes was literally this " " close to getting shit-canned for missed two potential game-winning field goals, before finally making an almost impossible 47-yarder. Of course I have to defend the fact that the one at the end of regulation wasn't his fault... the bad snap screwed up his kick.

But thats why I love football... because sometimes, the team you really don't expect to win does so. And for the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, two quarterbacking brothers have played in consecutive Super Bowls, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, and NY's Eli. And amongst all the Patriots record setting, NY also won 10 road games in a row... the most in history.

So the showdown in the desert features the history making Pats, and the improbable opponent, the Giants. While some people think this game will be a blow out, including the oddsmakers who have the Giants as 13 1/2 point underdogs, it seems like everyone has forgotten the regular season finale when the Pats barely beat the Giants 38-35, and trailed much of the game. Personally I hope for another thrilling game between two of the hottest teams in the league. The "road warrior" Giants against the "history changer" Pats.

The Patriots looked very lack-luster yesterday... but did what they had to to win. Their defense was stellar in the red zone, and Lawrence Maroney is finally becoming the running back they need. All of that combined with Tom Brady being halfway consistent gave them the win. Brady didn't have a good day, but against the team with the most takeaways... it could have been much worse. Remember, the Pats aren't a team that relies solely on one person, but a "team" concept. When one player is down, others step up to fill the space. It was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless, and in 2 weeks they can complete the first ever 19-0 season.

So in two weeks, we get to witness a Super Bowl that more people will tune into watch just because they might witness the greatest history in football.

1) a 19-0 season.

2) the first time in history a team has won 4 super bowls in the same decade.

3) and for once a non-shitty halftime performance (TOM PETTY BABY!)

I'm excited, and you should be too.

Here's my prediction for the game: Patriots 35, Giants 24

So be one of the MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS that watch the game, and enjoy it. Also enjoy the commercials that companies pay millions to have shown. Hopefully the quality of the commercials will be better than the last couple of years...

A special thank you to San Diego and the Giants

I want to thank the San Diego Chargers and NY Giants for ridding the playoffs of Indianapolis and Dallas. Because of you, Brett Favre can play one more game in a Snowy Lambeau Field, and the Patriots pretty much wrap up a trip to the Super Bowl for a possible replay match-up of Super Bowl XXXI (Green Bay and New England).

Anyone who knows me, knows I hate the Cowboys, in fact there are only two other teams I hate more, OU and Texas A&M. So to see them stumble and fall in their first playoff game... again... against a team they beat twice in the regular season, was sweetness.

Indianapolis is just a team I don't like, and I dunno why. I just do not like the Colts. I used to hate Peyton because he had a habit of blaming everyone around him, but he finally grew out of that, so there's really no reason why I shouldn't like them, but oh well.

In all honesty, I should have been cheering for them, because San Diego plays in the same division as the Broncos, and I HATE Phillip Rivers (he's a big headed prick who thinks his shit doesn't stink) and Shawne Merriman (he's a cheater, asshole, and a thug), but I would rather the Pats play the Chargers, because they will maul them, and not just merely eke out a win like they would against the Colts.

Anyways, another week another round of losers going home. So far my hopes have come true to this point in the playoffs. In fact I boast a perfect score on my selections. Here are my picks for the final three games.

New England over San Diego (AFC Championship)

Green Bay over New York (NFC Championship)

New England over Green Bay (Super Bowl XLII)

Here are some pointless fun facts for your enjoyment.

Fun Fact #1- All of the teams remaining are ones with Two-word cities or locations, Green Bay, New England, New York, and San Diego.

Fun Fact #2- Eli Manning, and not Peyton is the one who led his team to the Conference Championship round. Maybe baby brother is all growed up.

Fun Fact #3- 3 out of the 4 remaining teams are from cold weather places. So there is a 75% chance of two cold-weather teams playing in sunny and warm Arizona.

Anyways, there was some fine football on this weekend, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing two of my most hated teams take a tumble. And next week, weather permitting, we might get to see two blizzard games. Won't that be fun?

Predictable? I think not...

The 2007 season of college football came to an end last night in historic fashion. LSU beat Ohio State 38-24 to make them the first team to win the BCS National Championship twice, and also the first 2-loss team to win a BCS National Championship.

That's only the ENDING to the madness of this season. Let's recap shall we?

There was not a single team that was ranked no. 1 or 2 that DIDN'T lose while being ranked in that position. 20 different teams held the no. 1 or 2 spot this season, the highest amount in history.

The only team that went undefeated during the regular season, Hawaii, only got to no. 10 because of their weak schedule then got embarrassed by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl 41-10.

Only 6 of the original top-10 teams were ranked in the final 10, and only Chokelahoma at no. 8 and Virginia Tech at no. 9 were ranked in the same position.

USC- Preseason rank: 1, Final rank: 3 (11-2)

LSU- Preseason rank: 2, Final rank: 1 (12-2)

West Virginia- Preseason rank: 3, Final rank: 6 (11-2)

Texas- Preseason rank: 4, Final rank: 10 (10-3)

Michigan- Preseason rank: 5, Final rank: 18 (9-4)

Florida- Preseason rank: 6, Final rank: 13 (9-4)

Wisconsin- Preseason rank: 7, Final rank: 24 (9-4)

Oklahoma- Preseason rank: 8, Final rank: 8 (11-3)

Virginia Tech- Preseason rank: 9, Final rank: 9 (11-3)

Louisville- Preseason rank: 10, Final rank: Not ranked (6-6)

The other 4 teams that made their way into the final top-10 rankings were Georgia, Missouri, Kansas, and Ohio State.

Georgia- Preseason rank: 13, Final rank: 2 (11-2)

Missouri- Preseason rank: NR, Final rank: 4 (12-2)

Ohio State- Preseason rank: 11, Final rank: 5 (11-2)

Kansas- Preseason rank: NR, Final rank: 7 (12-1)

How crazy is that? There was so much drama and shake up this season, that you never knew who would win from week to week. Missouri gets beaten in the first week by Appalachian State, a Div. 1AA school. USC gets beaten by Stanford, a 41-point underdog, at home. This pattern goes on and on and on.

To add to the mayhem, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, last year's Heisman runner-up is told he didn't win because he was a sophomore, then he proceeds to have a better year than last season, and has to watch Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a sophomore, win the Heisman. How fucked up is that? Personally, I wanted Tebow to win, because he is the best player in college football hands down, but I felt bad for McFadden who was a victim of circumstance.

As a Big 12 fan, I was so happy to see 4 teams from the conference ranked in the top-10: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. For all those assholes who talk about how the Big 12 is a weak conference, and how the SEC and PAC-10 are better, here is retribution. The Big 12 and SEC are tied for most teams ranked in the top 25 with 5. Let's see what people say next year about the Big 12.

I'm really not going to go into the amazing player stories and fiascoes of this year right now, because that will require a much longer post, and perhaps more than one, whenever I get around to it. So heres my overall team/season wrap up for 2007.

This season proved that you always expect the unexpected. Never get used to the way things are because they will always change on you. National powers like Notre Dame fall, and new powers like Missouri rise. So in my opinion, the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Oscar for Best Drama should go to the NCAA. They kept us on the edge of our seats all season, and make us excited for next season's craziness.

This is why I love football.

~Ian

Desert Blues

I bet OU doesn't want to play in the Fiesta Bowl ever again. After Boise State used three trick plays to beat the Sooners last year, West Virginia ran up and down on OU this season, to hand them their 4th straight BCS loss. Don't you love watching the Chokelahoma Sooners lose big games? I sure do.

Major props to the Mountaineers, playing under then-interim head coach Bill Stewart after Rich Rodriquez split for Michigan, and playing without Steve Slaton, and still being able to absolutely flatten OU.

So to all of those annoying, overbearing, idiotic Sooners fans, here's to you and a New Years constant... OU choking it in a big game.

To all of the West Virginians... here's to you for kicking that ass.

Who thinks it's time for an NCAA playoff?

16 and OH!

It's not often you get to see football history in the amounts I've seen lately with the New England Patriots. Now before anyone hauls off calling me a bandwagon rider, lets get the facts straight. I like the Pats, not my favorite team, but a team I do like, respect, and like to see succeed.

Unlike the numerous haters and lovers that have come out this year, my stance on the team remains unchanged. I have liked them since Tom Brady became their QB and like to watch them win, unless they play the Broncos. I will always pick the Broncos over the Pats, even if I know it's hopeless, but that's being a true fan for ya.

Anyways let's get to my assessments.

I think Tom Brady is the best QB in the league and has a chance to be the best ever.



He came in his first year as a sixth-round pick and led the underdog team to an improbable victory. In the 5 years following, he has led them to two more Super Bowl victories, a perfect season, and a shot at an unprecedented 4th SB in 6 years. Tell me he's not the shit.

Bill Belichick makes me laugh. Yes he is an asshole. But you cant deny his ability to coach, and create a TEAM out of superstars. Not a single Patriot talks about themselves as better than the team, and always talk about what the other players are doing while downplaying their own accomplishments. Did Belichick cheat with that whole Spygate scandal? I don't know, and frankly I don't care. Every team steals signals, so give it a rest.

Now let's have a rundown of what New England did this year.

1) First time a team has gone 16-0 during the regular season. The Dolphins went 14-0 in their undefeated season.

2) Broke the single season scoring record with 589 points. The old record was 552.

3) Brady threw 50 TDs, 23 to Randy Moss, both records. (49-Peyton manning, 22-Jerry Rice)

4) 19 straight regular season victories.

Tell me that isn't amazing. Tell me in the era of individuals, cheating, and scandal, a team accomplishment like this isn't huge. Tell me that with a straight face and the chance of eternal damnation.

It also seems the Pats are poised to deliver Beantown its second championship of the season, with the Red Sox delivering earlier this year. If things keep progressing the way they are, the Celts may deliver number 3, earning a city 3 major sport championships in one year for the first time in history. (I think. I will check my facts) The NE Revolution was in the MLS Cup this year as well, but couldn't pull off the win. If only the Bruins woke up from sucking, then it would be the first time a city has won or been in the championship game in every major sport in history... wow right? Of course this is all based on the Pats and Celts doing the probably inevitable, and the Bruins doing the improbable.

As an avid SPORTS fan, such things rarely happen, and witnessing them in my lifetime is amazing. I congratulate the Sox for being baseball's best team and the Pats for making history. Keep up the good work fellas.

*On a side note, I plan on using the weekends to build posts and won't usually post a "real entry" unless it's called for like in this case. I just wanted to let you guys know. And also thanks for reading, and for not giving up on me after such a long layoff. I promise to be more consistent from here on out. Please let your friends know about this site and lets get the Word of the Wolf out to the masses. ~Ian*

Hi, my name is Ian, and I am addicted to football...

There I admitted it. The first step to recovery is accepting that you have a... wait a hot minute... who said I wanted to recover? And who drank all the damn gatorade?!

I love football, and I'm ok with this. I have a job specifically designed where I can sit around and talk/write about it. How cool is that? For me its a dream come true... well sort of. I would rather still be playing, but my body said NO, so I'll do what I can to stay "in the game".

I played football for 15 years. Yeah, thats about 2/3 of my life. And I have the scars and injuries to prove it. Why would anyone put themselves through that kind of punishment? LOVE.

As they said in Varsity Blues, "Football isn't a game, it's a way of life". And that's true. Ask anybody who played the game beyond a junior high level. That's when football was more than just a game. It was a JOB. It was the kind of job you wanted to show up for. The kind where you would work your ass off to get that promotion. People (including myself) would go out there and kill themselves in pursuit of what the unknowing simply call a "kids game".

Football is the National Pastime. All of you baseball fans can kiss my ass, because you cant deny the drawing power of the gridiron. When 70,000 people sit in snow flurries to watch two teams battle, that's passion for the game. When 100,000 people wear one color to support their team and psyche out the other team, thats passion for the game. When a whole STATE rallies behind a team because they embody the rebuilding effort that is going on, i.e. the New Orleans Saints last season, thats passion for the game. When MILLIONS tune in around the world, and companies pay out the nose for advertising time just to see which team lifts the Lombardi Trophy, thats passion for the game.

I already failed in my attempt to watch every Bowl game this year, but doesn't mean I wont see all of the ones I can. I watched every second of the Holiday Bowl (after I got home from the movies), and even after the game had been decided, I still watched. I watched the highlights AFTER the game. Yes, the highlights of the game i JUST WATCHED. Then I read the articles for the game the verysame night. Read more this morning. Some might call that obsession, but I call that being a fan, a LONGHORN fan at that.

Also, being a TRUE fan entails one thing: being a constant fan. Pick a team and stick with them, through good and bad. I HATE fair weather fans. When the Longhorns won the National Championship, there were ASSLOADS of Horns fans all the sudden. Now that the Cowboys are good again (puke) there are million of fans coming out of the woodwork. It happens every year when a team gets good. As a true fan, I hate when people's allegiances shift so easily. Pick it and stick with it.

So here a re a few guidelines for Football Fanhood.
1) Pick a team and support them at all times, no matter what. There are cases where you can revoke your support, but it must be an eternal revoking, such as I used to be a Cowboys fan, until they fired Jimmy Johnson, and I remain a stout hater of the Cowgirls.
2) You must know no less than 10 things about your team that might come up in trivia questions. Such as: Did you know that the Longhorns have the current longest streak in the NCAA for ten win seasons at 7?
3) You must know (at least) the starters for your team(s), and any major player who has been on your team. Example: Jamaal Charles is the starting running back for the Horns, and plays a position that was once home to Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, and Cedric Benson, Cot McCoy plays quarterback, and succeeded Heisman runner-up and National Chamionship MVP VInce Young, who left a season early to play in the NFL (Tennessee Titans).
4) You must wear team colors on game day.
5) Whether by an inch or a mile, a win is a win, and it is totally fine to rub it in the faces of fans of the beaten team. In fact it is obiligatory.
6) It is ok to be a sore loser, because it shows true fanhood.
7) yell at the TV, radio, or at the game. It doesn't matter if they can hear you or not, it's the thought that counts.
8) Getting hammered after a win or a loss will happen. The outcome will determine the drink, pace, and depth of the hammering.
9) Blaming the refs for a bad call is ok. Blaming the refs every time your team loses is not. Sooners fans take note of this rule.
10) Lastly, in a life or death situation, it is NOT ok to claim another team or forsake yours. Just remember, you have to pay for your sins in the afterlife, and welching on your team at any time is a hellworthy trespass.

So now you know what it takes to be a true fan. Now you realize the depth of the National obsession. I as well as millions of others, love football. If you haven't had a chance to get in on the fun, I suggest you try. You'll find that it's one of the best ways to spend your time, and it doesn't require medication, rehab, exercise, or anything more than a passion for it.

So to the rest of the true fans out there, especially the Longhorns and Denver Broncos fans... HERES TO YOU!