Movie Stills - Quiz 5

Happy New Years All! The next quiz is up so jump to my blog for the post. I should have just posted the entire quiz on the Pancake to push D Bag Ryan's post down, but I'm not a bad person.

Playoff Fantasy Football Baby!

Okay, here's the league I am in for fantasy football, playoffs style. First I will post the rules of the League, etc. Then, I will jot down the teams according to their draft order with their players drafted numberd and then after their names: position/team...ok, I think that should be simple enough.

Here are the rules: 6 Teams, 16 players. Positions for each team consist of 2 Quarterbacks, 4 Running Backs, 4 Wide Receivers, 2 Tight Ends, 2 Kickers, 2 Defenses. Obviousy once a team is eliminated consisting of one of your players, that player is also eliminated.

This is for the most part a Touchdown League, with all Touchdowns of 50 yards or more being doubled in score. The only time yardage is a factor is if the Touchdown is 50 yards or more and the distance of a Field Goal. You are not penalized for missed field goals.

Rushing Touchdown's are 6 points, Receiving Touchdowns are 4 points, Passing Touchdowns are 4 points.

For Defense or Speical Teams, any type of returned Touchdown is 6 points, with a shutout adding an additional 6 points and 2 points for a safety.

Any 2 point conversion is 2 points, Rushing, passing, or receiving.

For Kickers: Any Extra Point is 1 point and Field Goals are scored as follows: 0-39 yards is 3 points, 40-44 yards is 4 points, 45-49 yards is 5 points, 50+yards is 6 points

And of course, any player returning a kick or punt for a TD is 6 points and doubled if over 50 yards.

For the Draft the order was as follows: 1st pick: Ruskin, 2nd pick: Joe, 3rd pick: Dom
4th pick: Me, 5th pick: My Uncle Ron, 6th pick: My Uncle Bob.

Now these are the team Rosters.

Ruskin: 1. D. WILLIAMS-RB/CAR 2. J. ADDAI-RB/IND 3. E.MANNING-QB/NYG 4. T.HIGHTOWER-RB/ARZ 5. K. WARNER-QB/ARZ 6. K. CURTIS-WR/PHI 7. M. MUHAMMAD-WR/CAR 8. G.RUSSELL-RB-PIT 9. K. BOSS-TE/NYG 10. N.WASHINGTON-WR/PIT 11. D.MASON-WR/BALT 12.INDY DEFENSE 13. N. RACKERS-K/ARZ 14.N.KAEDING-K/S.D. 15.V.SHIANCOE-TE/MIN 16.MIN DEFENSE.

Joe: 1.L.WHITE-RB/TEN 2.L.TOMLINSON-RB/S.D. 3.M.RYAN-QB/ATL 4.L.FITZGERALD-WR/ARZ 5.V.JACKSON-WR/S.D. 6.M.HARRISON-WR/IND 7.R.WILLIAMS-RB/MIA 8.M.MOORE-RB/PIT 9.A.TOOMER-WR/NYG 10.H.MILLER-TE/PIT 11.T.HEAP-TE/BALT 12.R.LONGWELL-K/MIN 13.J.KASAY-K/CAR 14.TENN DEF 15.ATL DEF 16.C.PENNINGTON-QB/MIA

Dom: 1.P.MANNING-QB/IND 2.L.MCCLAIN-RB/BAL 3.CJOHNSON-RB/TEN 4.B.ROETHLISBERGER-QB/PIT 5.A.BOLDIN-WR/ARZ 6.D.CLARK-TE/IND 7.D.WARD-RB/NYG 8.C.BUCKHALTER-RB/PHI 9.J.GAGE-WR/TEN 10.D.HIXON-WR/NYG 11.J.REED-K/PIT 12.J.ELAM-K/ATL 13.BALT DEF 14.M.JENKINS-WR/ATL 15.B.CELEK-TE/PHI 16.MIA DEF

Me: 1.M.TURNER-RB/ATL 2.A.PETERSON-RB/MIN 3.R.WAYNE-WR/IND 4.W.PARKER-RB/PIT
5.R.WHITE-WR/ATL 6.A.GATES-TE/S.D. 7.S.HOLMES-WR/PIT 8.K.COLLINS-QB/TEN 9.E.JAMES-RB/ARZ 10.B.SCAIFE-TE/TENN 11.PHI DEF 12.J.CARNEY-K/NYG 13.T.JACKSON-QB/MIN 14.PIT DEF 15.D.CARPENTER-K/MIA 16.S.RICE-WR/MIN

U.Ron: 1.B.JACOBS-RB/NYG 2.P.RIVERS-QB/S.D. 3.S.SMITH-WR/CAR 4.J.DELHOMME-QB/CAR 5.D.SPROLES-RB/S.D 6.B.BERRIAN-WR/MIN 7.C.CHAMBERS-WR/S.D. 8.J.NORWOOD-RB/ATL
9.R.BIRONAS-K/TENN 10.M.STOVER-K/BAL 11.W.MCGAHEE-RB/BAL 12.S.D. DEF 13.NYG DEF 14.A.FASANO-TE/MIA 15.A.CRUMPLER-TE/TEN 16.S.SMITH-WR/NYG.

U.Bob: 1.B.WESTBROOK-RB/PHI 2.D.MCNABB-QB/PHI 3.D.RHODES-RB/IND 4.J.STEWART-RB/CAR 5.H.WARD-WR/PIT 6.R.BROWN-RB/MIA 7.D.JACKSON-WR/PHI 8.T.GINN JR.-WR/MIA 9.J.FLACCO-QB/BAL 10.M.CLAYTON-WR/BALT 11.D.AKERS-K/BALT 12.A.VINIATERI-K/IND 13.CAR DEF 14.D.MARTIN-TE/MIA 15.D.WILCOX-TE/BALT 16.ARZ DEF

*now when it comes to Quarterback position, we have a rule that you basically draft that teams QB no matter what, i.e. I drafted Tavaris Jackson from minnesota in the 13th round. Now since Minnesota hasn't really said who the starter is going to be, if Frerotte does start in jacksons place, I get the stats put up by Frerotte. Now, if Jackson does start and gets hurt in the middle of the game and Frerotte replaces him through the finish of that game, I get only Jacksons points. If Jackson cannot play for the rest of the playoffs and Frerotte starts the next game, I get all of Frerottes points and so on and so forth if Frerotte were to get hurt, etc.


For the starting lineups, each team must try to fill out a starting roster of 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1Te, 1K, and 1DEF. Of course this gets harder as the postseason progresses.

Starting Line ups for 1st round of the playoffs:

Ruskin: QB:K.Warner, RB:J.Addai, RB:T.Hightower, WR:K.Curtis, WR:D.Mason, TE:V.Shiancoe, K:N.Rackers, DEF:Indianapolis

Joe: QB:M.Ryan, RB:L.Tomlinson, RB:R.Williams, WR:L.Fitzgerald, WR:V.Jackson, TE:T.Heap, K:R.Longwell, DEF:Atlanta

Dom: QB:P.Manning, RB:L.McClain, RB:C.Buckhalter, WR:A.Boldin, WR:M.Jenkins, TE:D.Clark, K:J.Elam DEF:Baltimore

Me: QB: T.Jackson, RB: M.Turner, RB: A.Peterson, WR:R.Wayne, WR:R.White, TE: A.Gates,
K.D.Carpenter, DEF:Philadelphia

U.Ron: QB: P.Rivers, RB:D.Sproles, RB:J.Norwood, WR:B.Berrian, WR:C.Chambers, TE:A.Fasano, K:M.Stover, DEF: San Diego

U.Bob: QB:D.McNabb, RB: B.Westbrook, RB: R.Brown, WR: D.Jackson, WR: T.Ginn Jr.,
TE:D.Martin, K:D.Akers, DEF:Arizona

There it is. I know it's a lot to take in, but if you guys care to read it and put your opinion i'd appreciate it. Plus, offord if you want to keep the stats for me while you're at work I'd appreciate that too, ha! Happy new year!

NFL - End of Season Rankings, Postseason Awards, and Playoff Predictions

This could be a long one - lots to get through as the regular season wraps up and we prepare for some exciting playoff action. I'll start with the end of the season rankings:

1. Indianapolis Colts - The Best in the AFC and the team to beat for the Superbowl (I think). Proved last week that their backups are better than Tennessee's backups. Could be huge if a massive tidal wave should hit Tennessee in the AFC Championship game and these two teams are playing each other. Not likely.

2. New York Giants - The Best of the NFC. Without Plax they have been struggling in the second half, but it could also be because of injuries and a brutal schedule. I think they will be fine in the playoffs, especially if they have the luxury of playing Arizona.

3. Tennessee Titans - Good, not great. Definitely an enigma entering the playoffs.

4. Carolina Panthers - Huge win over the Saints to lock up a first round bye. They could see Atlanta in the second round for what would make for an exciting game (They split the season series).

5. Pittsburgh Steelers - I don't even know where to start. Should Ben have been playing more than a quarter last week? With his injuries, and tons of experience, I say no. Why would a guy who is throwing to receivers he has been throwing to for at least 3 years need a tune up? All he needs is rest, and that is the opposite of what he got. Blame Tomlin for this one, even though I'm sure Ben was begging to play. He needs to learn to take a step back sometimes...

6. Baltimore Ravens - They just keep plugging along. The fact that this team finished 11-5 with a rookie head coach and QB, you have to put Harbaugh at the top of coach of the year I think. Oh, and they also had the 8th toughest schedule this season, compared to another 11-5 team, the Dolphins, who had the 27th toughest schedule. Doesn't look good for the 'phins in Round 1.

7. Atlanta Falcons - I think Mike Smith finishes second in coach of the year behind Harbaugh. He had more weapons weapons with Ryan > Flacco, R. White > Mason/Clayton, Turner > McClain/McGahee/Rice, and so on. But still, a great job. Their SOS was #29, so advantage Ravens again.

8. New England Patriots - What was a bigger blow to this team this year - Tom Brady's knee, or the tiebreaker system? Boohoo.

9. Miami Dolphins - An amazing turn around from 1-15 to 11-5. It's hard to believe they topped the Pats even with Cassel starting. Thank them for the return of the Wildcat offense...the only play I saw my high school team run that is actually used in the NFL.

10. Minnesota Vikings - Tavaris Jackson spells doom for the Vikes. Unless Adrian Peterson gets 45 carries for 306 yards and 5 tds, that is.

11. San Diego Chargers - The two teams that nobody wants to play right now in the AFC are thankfully playing each other in Round 1. At least only 1 of these offensive powerhouses will be taking on the Steelers...I for one desperately hope San Diego pulls it out, because I'd love to see them get crushed in a cold and windy Heinz Field.

12. Philadelphia Eagles - With all their problems this year - Westbrook injuries, McNabb's benching, Eagle fans - it's hard to believe they were able to sneak in. I hope Tony Romo got a nice Christmas card from Andy Reid and co.

13. Arizona Cardinals - Honestly they could be ranked as low as 21, but they have the potential to get past Atlanta in Round 1. Random note, the cards have only beaten 2 winning teams this season - the Dolphins and the Cowboys.

14. Dallas Cowboys - Something needs to change here. Perhaps expectations, because either they choke from too much pressure, or they choke from not being good. Either way, Wade Philips needs to go. On a side note, the Lions are considering hiring Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator for a team that didn't even make the playoffs, as their head coach. Good luck with that.

15. Tampa Bay Bucs - Uninteresting.
16. Chicago Bears - Ditto.

17a. Denver Broncos - I'm going to come up with a new term - The 2008 Broncos pulled a "Mets".

17b. New York Jets - They didn't quite pull a "Mets", but we're damn close. Sadly, this team would have been better sans Brett Favre. His legacy is dying with every game he plays.

19. New Orleans Saints - At times looked like the team everyone thought they would be, but just not often enough. Next year we'll all be predicting them to be a playoff team again I'm sure. On a side not, did anyone watch the final play of the game? Drew Brees threw probably his worst pass of the season to fall short of Marino's single season record, but I have to give them credit for going for the record instead of winning the game. Besides, if you win you get a worse draft pick, so who cares, right?

20. Houston Texans - All I can say is that I totally called their win over the Bears. Credit Houston with a good season even with a very difficult schedule. If they improve on the road, this is a team that could find themselves at the top of the AFC South in a few years.

21. Washington Redskins - From 6-2 to considering firing their head coach. What more can you say?

22. Buffalo Bills - Awful finish makes you forget they once sat at #4 on the power rankings.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars - It's the little things in the NFL that can change a team from a playoff team one year, to a cellar dweller the next. Vice versa for others, i.e. Atlanta/Baltimore/Miami.

24. Green Bay Packers - Inexplicable how a team with this talent finishes 6-10. When earlier in the year everyone was touting the Favre trade as a win for both teams, now are eating their words. Both teams were made worse...much worse.

25. San Francisco 49ers - I was a Ted Nolan fan, but after he got fired these guys really turned it around. I don't think they are a better team than the Cardinals, but they are pretty dang close. Bring Singletary back next year.

26. Seattle Seahawks - They will be winning a not-so-promising award as you read on.

27. Oakland Raiders - Maybe they do have some offense? Who knows, they are still a mess and will struggle to improve next season.

28. Cincinnati Bengals - Shocklingly, they went 4-3-1 in November and December. Something to build on for next season? Oh, and they had the 3rd toughest schedule. Hmm. With Palmer back next year, and Benson maybe living up to his promise, the Bungals could challenge for the division, or at leat a wildcard. Every year a team or 2 (this year 3) rise from the bottom to make the playoffs. I nominate Cincy.

29. Kansas City Chiefs - I do not nominate the Chiefs. Will somebody please fire Herm Edwards? Why is this guy still coaching in the NFL?

30. Cleveland Browns - Good news Romeo Crennel, you just saved 75% by switching to Geico.

31. St. Louis Rams - The best team in the Western United States this year finished 9-7. Maybe there really is a timezone factor here...probably not though. St. Louis and Kansas City aren't really that far West...

32. Detroit Lions - 0-16. Nice. Will be in a tight contest at the ESPY's with the '09 Pirates for worst team in history.

MVP Race Candidates (don't forget to vote!)
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Michael Turner
3. Kurt Warner
4. Drew Brees
5. Peyton Manning
6. Philip Rivers

Post Season Awards

Team Spent Most at Top: Tennessee Titans

Team at top to end Season: Indianapolis Colts

Team Most at Bottom: Detroit Lions

Team at bottom to end Season: Detroit Lions

Toughest Schedule: Cleveland Browns (.572)

Easiest Schedule: San Francisco 49ers (.447)

Most Disappointing: Seattle Seahawks (dropped 19 spots)

Most Overachieving: Atlanta/Miami (gained 22 spots)

Most Consistent: Cincinnati Bengals

NFL MVP: ?

Round 1 Predictions
Colts over Chargers
Ravens over Dolphins

Falcons over Cardinals
Eagles over Vikings

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to join my ESPN Fantasy Playoff Group!!

Fantasy Football

All you suckers can bow down to the champion of our fantasy football league! I beat Offord in the finals, which means he is probably kicking himself for not sitting his guys against Singer to eliminate me from the playoffs.

Also, Kern, who at the bar informed me that he did not even look at my team after the draft because it did not matter since he would win the league. Well I guess you were wrong on that one.

Actually, it was fun this year, and I actually paid attention to my team all year instead of just giving up. Now I am ready to kick some ass at baseball!

Movie Stills - Quiz 4

This week's movie quiz is up early, so jump to my blog for the stills.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 16

Last rankings before the end of the year, and there are still plenty of exciting matchups to look forward to this year. Here are the games to watch and my predictions:

New England @ Buffalo - I think New England takes care of business, but they need a Jets win or a Baltimore loss to make the playoffs. Patriots 34-10

Chicago @ Houston - If this game was at Soldier Field, I'd say Chicago would dominate. But Houston's record at home is an impressive 5-2 including wins over Tennessee and Miami. Texans 20-17

Oakland @ Tampa Bay - I'm not positive about the tiebreaker with Dallas if both teams win, I'll look it up. Bucs 24-10

Carolina @ New Orleans - Carolina needs to either win, or have Atlanta lose, to win the second seed and a first round bye. Also, Drew Brees needs 402 passing yards to break Dan Marino's all-time single season passing record. I think if he does it he wins MVP, but I think he comes up 50 yards short or so as the Panthers control time of possession with their run game. Panthers 24-17

NY Giants @ Minnesota - Meaningless for one team, meaningful for the other. If David Carr enters the game against a hungry Viking defense, the Vikes should pull it out. If they win and Peterson rushes for over 100 yards, I think he wins MVP. Vikings 17-13

Jacksonville @ Baltimore - Baltimore needs to win, or if they lose needs New England to lose. Jacksonville has given up on their coach though and I just don't see them staying in this game. Ravens 27-10

Miami @ NY Jets - Second most exciting game of the week behind Denver/San Diego, the 'fins head to New Jersey to take on the Brett Favre's. He has been terrible lately in the cold weather, and this game should be cold. Pennington wants revenge, but I think it comes down to the better run game. Dolphins 16-13

Dallas @ Philadelphia - Okay, so Dallas is in if they win. Cowboys 34-17

Denver @ San Diego - Rematch of the Hocules game, winner take all. I think if San Diego had won the first game, this game would be meaningless, but I think they still have enough momentum and talent to pull out the win. Rivers v. Cutler is becoming a very interesting rivalry. Chargers 34-24

Therefore, my playoff predictions are as follows:
AFC
1. Tennessee
2. Pittsburgh
3. Miami
4. San Diego
5. Indianapolis
6. Baltimore

NFC
1. NY Giants
2. Carolina
3. Minnesota
4. Arizona
5. Atlanta
6. Dallas

I'll forego the complete rankings and just rank the playoff teams.

1. Indianapolis Colts - Tough matchup against San Diego on the road, should be an exciting game.

2. New York Giants - Big win over Carolina, looked like the team to beat in the NFC. All Manning superbowl? Looking very possible right now...

3. Tennessee Titans - Steelers handed them that game, but no doubt they are good. Might meet again in the playoffs.

4. Carolina Panthers - On par with the Giants and might see them again in the NFC Championship.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers - All the problems came to the surface in this game...they need to get it together fast or they could be one and done in the playoffs. Luckily they will play Miami if they beat the Ravens, at home. I think they take that game even if they play like crap...

6. Baltimore Ravens - Make it as the last wildcard over New England, which I'm sure we're all crossing our fingers for. I don't care how much the Steelers beat the Pats, no one wants to play Belicheck in the playoffs.

7. Dallas Cowboys - Last team to make it in in the NFC. Wild card teams have won 2 out of the last 3 superbowls...just saying.

8. Atlanta Falcons - Definitely peaking at the right time, and playing like a team with a huge chip on their shoulder. Could pull 1 upset(?) against the Cardinals, but can they compete with the Panthers in the second round?

9. Miami Dolphins - Who would have thought teams #8 and #9 would be in the playoffs??

10. Minnesota Vikings - A dangerous team...sometimes. Which will show up next week and in the playoffs?

11. Arizona Cardinals - Don't deserve to make it, but oh well.

12. San Diego Chargers - Come back team of the year, can they pull the upset over Indy in Round 1?

MVP Watch - Down to 7
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Drew Brees
3. Michael Turner
4. Kurt Warner
5. Peyton Manning
6. Philip Rivers
7. DeAngelo Williams

Next week we'll vote for MVP...

Happy holidays! And don't forget to vote in the polls to the right.

Complex Puzzle

Since next week is Christmas, and most of us will be out and about, and not checking the blogosphere, I decided to post up some trickier riddles or logic problems. I will not put up the answers to the riddles yet, I will do that with the answers to this one.

This first puzzle was told to me by a lady I work with at 5:30 a.m. I figured it out after a few minutes and was running on only a few hours sleep and had just finished working a fun midnight shift. So there is the motivation for you to at least get this one.

1. If you have six men and they each had six baskets. Each basket has six cats inside and each cat has six kittens. Assuming all are whole and healthy, how many legs are there?

2. I know what my job is,
The point has been made.
You say I have a big head,
And you're right, I'm afraid.
Put me in my place,
And then leave me alone.
Is someone to drive me home.

3. There is a town in Texas where 5% of all the people living there have unlisted phone numbers. If you selected 100 names at random from the town's phone directory, on average, how many of these people would have unlisted phone numbers?

4. How many three cent stamps are in a dozen?

5. If you divide thirty by a half and then add ten , what would your answer be?

6. A wealthy man named Richard Ellis had been counting his money.When he finished, he accidentally left a $100.00 bill on his desk. But when he returned for it a short while later, it was gone. Only two other persons could have seen the bill. One was the maid; the other was the butler.

The maid told him that she had hidden it for safekeeping under a green book that was on the desk. But when they looked the bill was not there.

The butler said he had found the bill where the maid had left it. He had placed it inside the book, where he thought there was less chance that somebody would find it. He had written down the page numbers so that he would not forget them. The bill was between pages 35 and 36, he said. But when they looked, there was no money in the book.

After Mr. Ellis had talked to the maid and the butler, he called the police. He was sure he knew who had taken the money. Who was it, and how did he know?

Good luck.

Movie Stills - Quiz 3

I don't want to push Josh's riddles down yet since not everyone has taken it, so jump to my blog for the quiz.

who let the cattle out?

ok. here's something else that pisses me off...

its currently hip, and many actors/actresses (cause they are the best informed people) are intentionally not vaccinating their children. last year there were 135 cases of measles, more than there has been in a single year since the introduction of mmr.

some, like jenny mccarthy, are out there telling people that vaccines cause autism. which is completely unfounded and untrue. its a completely illogical argument. i think believing in god causes aids is an equivalent argument.

there is no relationship between the two. you know where there is a relationship, between not getting vaccinated and getting one of these diseases and dying.

the real problem, is that by not getting vaccinated these individuals increase the opportunity for these diseases to gain a new foothold, mutate, and become a problem for everyone once again.

people should do more research...


also... someone in PA named their child adolf hitler campbell, yet claim that they are not racist.

i'm not even touching that.

Riddles Riddles Riddles

Here are the answers to last weeks riddles. Obviously some of you came up with answers that fit as well.

1. Carpet
2. Fire
3. A cold
4. A nose
5. A match
6. Corn
7. A stamp
8. Towel
9. Darkness
10. Stars
11. A mushroom
12. A sponge
13. A mirror
14. A ring
15. Footsteps
16. Breath
17. Glove
18. River
19. Splinter
20. Light
21. A hole
22. Silence
23. Railroad
24. Four men in a dance band
25. Jack and Jill are goldfish.

Results:
Offord-12
Adam-16
Greg-14
Josh-14
Gideon-10
Kern-9

I will give Kern credit for 25, since the wording is not quite how I remember hearing it before when I was in school. If I am not mistaken it should go something like this "Jack and Jill are lying on the floor inside the house, dead. They died from lack of water. There is shattered glass next to them, yet the floor is all wet. How is this possible?" No big deal I guess...anyways, on to the second part.

1. Why don't lobsters share?
2. A barrel of water weighs 20 pounds. What must you add to it to make it weigh 12 pounds?
3. Big as a biscuit, deep as a cup, Even a river can't fill it up. What is it?
4. Clara Clatter was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?
5. He has married many women but has never married. Who is he?
6. If a rooster laid a brown egg and a white egg, what kind of chicks would hatch?
7. If you have it, you want to share it. If you share it, you don't have it. What is it?
8. You can't keep this until you have given it.
9. Take off my skin, I won't cry, but you will. What am I?
10. What book was once owned by only the wealthy, but now everyone can have it? You can't buy it in a bookstore or take it from the library.
11. What can go up and come down without moving?
12. What do you fill with empty hands?
13. What do you serve that you can't eat?
14. What do you throw out when you want to use it but take in when you don't want to use it?
15. What goes up and never comes down?
16. What has a foot on each side and one in the middle?
17. What has to be broken before it can be used?
18. What kind of coat can be put on only when wet?
19. What question can you never answer "yes" to?
20. What's the greatest worldwide use of cowhide?
21. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white?" or "The yolk of the egg is white?"
22. You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?

NFL Power Rankings - Week 15

I will make this short and sweet since it's becoming more obvious who the top teams are. For the first time a team other than Patriots, Cowboys, Giants, or Titans gains the #1 spot. This is based on who I think could beat anyone, not record, and the fact that they had already beat the Steelers this season.

1. Indianapolis Colts
2. New York Giants
3. Tennessee Titans
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Carolina Panthers
6. Dallas Cowboys
7. Tampa Bay Bucs
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Minnesota Vikings
10. New York Jets
11. Denver Broncos
12. Arizona Cardinals
13. New England Patriots
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. Miami Dolphins
16. Philadelphia Eagles
17. Chicago Bears
18. New Orleans Saints
19. San Diego Chargers
20. Houston Texans
21. Washington Redskins
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
23. Green Bay Packers
24. Buffalo Bills
25. San Francisco 49ers
26. Cleveland Browns
27. Kansas City Chiefs
28. Seattle Seahawks
29. Cincinnati Bengals
30. Oakland Raiders
31. St. Louis Rams
32. Detroit Lions

Playoff Seed Predictions
AFC
1. Steelers
2. Titans
3. Jets
4. Broncos
5. Colts
6. Ravens

NFC
1. Giants
2. Panthers
3. Vikings
4. Cardinals
5. Cowboys
6. Bucs

MVP Watch
1. Kurt Warner
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Michael Turner
4. Drew Brees
5. Peyton Manning
6. Tony Romo
7. Philip Rivers
8. Jay Cutler
9. Eli Manning
10. DeAngelo Williams

Hot Girl

I have no reason to post this picture other than, look at those boobs. They are a 32G!? What the hell does that even mean. Anyways, carry on with your day.

Random Heroes info

Good news ahead. Perhaps it'll bring people back to the fold.

This post is kind of short, so I'll try to fill it up a bit with... Ninja Kittens


Oh, and don't forget that there are still a few quizzes down below.

Movie Stills - Quiz 2

It's Thursday, which means another installment of movie stills. Standings and answers to last week's quiz are below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11. Bonus point for anyone who can name a movie that was released in the USA the day I was born.

Last Week's Answers: Name of movie along with my top 100 ranking
1. Fargo #76
2. Goodfellas #68
3. The Matrix #3
4. L.A. Confidential #50
5. The Ninth Gate #90
6. Philadelphia #38
7. What Dreams May Come #48
8. Magnolia #34
9. Requiem for a Dream #16
10.A Perfect World #71
11.Agnonized Pirate pitchers: Gorzelanny, Van Benschoten, Snell

Congrats to all, especially those who got A Perfect World. I didn't think it was that well known. Half points to Josh and Ryan on number 11.

Standings
1. Josh 8.5
1. Ryan 8.5
3. Adam 7
3. Gideon 7

No Quiz

Since everyone else is hammering out the quizzes for now, I will just post the results to last weeks. I will take a week off from coming up with one.


1. Tyler Durden-Fight Club
2. Allanon-The Shannara Series
3. Vash the Stampede-Trigun
4. Simon Belmont-Castlevania
5. Gordon Freeman-Half-Life
6. Selina Kyle-Catwoman (Batman Returns, variety of comics...)
7. Aunt Beru-Star Wars-Episode IV
8. William Munny-Unforgiven
9. Mr. Darcy-Pride & Prejudice
10. Starscream-Transformers
11. Deedlit-Record of Lodoss Wars
12. Tom Bombadil-Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (also the Adventures of Tom Bombadil)
13. Susie Derkins-Calvin & Hobbes
14. Roran Stronghammer-Eragon (Inheritance Cycle)
15. Rorschach-Watchmen

Greg and Gideon both tied with 8 apiece. I give the tie breaker to Gideon for creativity on guesses.

Alright, I lied. This is not a quiz, but instead a collection of riddles. Do not cheat, use your brain on these.

1. What goes up and down stairs without moving?
2. Give it food and it will live; give it water and it will die.
3. What can you catch but not throw?
4. I run, yet I have no legs. What am I?
5. Take one out and scratch my head, I am now black but once was red.
6. Remove the outside, cook the inside, eat the outside, throw away the inside.
7. What goes around the world and stays in a corner?
8. What gets wetter the more it dries?
9. The more there is, the less you see.
10. They come at night without being called and are lost in the day without being stolen.
11. What kind of room has no windows or doors?
12. I have holes on the top and bottom. I have holes on my left and on my right. And I have holes in the middle, yet I still hold water. What am I?
13. I look at you, you look at me, I raise my right, you raise your left. What is this object?
14. It has no top or bottom but it can hold flesh, bones, and blood all at the same time. What is this object?
15. The more you take the more you leave behind.
16. Light as a feather, there is nothing in it; the strongest man can't hold it for much more than a minute.
17. As I walked along the path I saw something with four fingers and one thumb, but it was not flesh, fish, bone, or fowl.
18. What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
19. I went into the woods and got it, I sat down to seek it, I brought it home with me because I couldn't find it.
20. What can fill a room but takes up no space?
21. It is weightless, you can see it, and if you put it in a barrel it will make the barrel lighter?
22. No sooner spoken than broken. What is it?
23. Only two backbones and thousands of ribs.
24. Four jolly men sat down to play, And played all night till the break of day. They played for cash and not for fun, With a separate score for every one. When it came time to square accounts, They all had made quite fair amounts. Now, not one has lost and all have gained, Tell me, now, this can you explain?
25. Jack and Jill are lying on the floor inside the house, dead. They died from lack of water. There is shattered glass next to them. How did they die?

Also, I saved the page where I stole these from, which has the answers, but I did not look at them yet. So I too will participate in this one.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 14

Honestly I am more excited about putting up the new movie stills quiz tomorrow, but I have a duty to put up the rankings and I will stick to it. On a side note, my cousin started a Pittsburgh blog that he hopes will become something like Mondesi's House in the future. Here's the link: The Terrible Blog.

In NFL news, it appears Plax is done for the season, including playoffs. Many do not believe it will be as easy for the Giants to shake off the loss of one of the most productive receivers in the league, but we will see. Every team goes through a controversy at some point in the season, and this is theirs. Will they overcome?

Let's take a look at some of the QB's that will be in the playoffs: Brett Favre, Kurt Warner, Kerry Collins, and Gus Frerotte. That's a third of them, and they are all gristled veterans who many thought at one point in time they were past their prime, if not completely washed up. And then there are possibles Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. Was there ever a greater age discrepency between quarterbacks than the possible first round matchup of Favre and Flacco, or even Frerotte and Ryan? We will see.

For the first time since week 1 of the season, the top 12 teams in the rankings and the 12 teams I predict will go to the playoffs. Maybe Arizona and Denver aren't so bad afterall.

Onto the rankings:

1. Tennessee Titans - Back on top, and clinch at least a tie for most times at #1 in this poll. Pretty impressive considering how mediocre this team was last year.

2. New York Giants - A bad loss to an average team could not have come at a worse time. With the Burress mishap and the loss of momentum, things might be more difficult in the playoffs for the G-Men. Could Dallas really upset them?

3. Indianapolis Colts - Who would have thought they would be here after falling to #15 in the poll in Week 7? Well, me. A bum knee can't hold Peyton back all season. Look out for them in the playoffs.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers - They are definitely not winning pretty, but they are starting to heal up and look like a team that could make a run at the Super Bowl.

5. Carolina Panthers - I am a believer. DeAngelo Williams is a stud and Jonathin Stewart will be. Once Delhomme works out the kinks, hopefully in the next 3 weeks, the Panthers will be a tough team to beat.

6. Tampa Bay Bucs - Carolina made their run defense look ugly, but they should be able to rebound with a heavy veteran roster.

7. Baltimore Ravens - Every ounce of me wants to keep the Ravens out of the top 12, but somehow they keep on winning with an old washed up defense, mediocre running game, old receivers, and a QB with almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. Oh, and add in one of the toughest schedules in the football. How does this happen??

8. Dallas Cowboys - I don't know what to make of this team, but it sure seems like they lack heart and team chemistry. If they miss out on the playoffs I think Wade Philips misses out on a job.

9. Arizona Cardinals - Arizona at #9? What am I thinking...All I know is I would be fine with the Steelers trading away some mainstays for Larry Fitzgerald...

10. Denver Broncos - Really?? #10?? I can't justify the last 4 teams. Maybe the league is just not very deep in good teams this season.

11. New York Jets - Fluke? I wasn't sold on them to begin with, add in losses to Oakland and San Francisco and no one can't help questioning their ability.

12. Minnesota Vikings - Now here's a team on the rise - 8 spots in 4 weeks and show no signs of slowing up (besides only beating Detroit by 4, but a win is a win is a win).

13. New England Patriots - It's becoming obvious that this team does not know how to run the ball, and this was overshadowed by Tom Brady and the record breaking passing attack they had last year. This season, it is a glaring problem and even the great Matt "the King's" Cassel can't overcome it.

14. Atlanta Falcons - I really want to believe they will make the playoffs this season, but with 2 teams better than them in the NFC South it will be difficult. Their fate hinges on Dallas most likely.

15. New Orleans Saints - Too little too late for the Saints, but if they can get off to a better start next year I think they will replace the Bucs near the top of the division.

16. Miami Dolphins - This is their highest ranking of the season. That's all I really have to say.

17. Philadelphia Eagles - Here's a poll for you: which team is the least consistent this year - Eagles, Broncos, Packers, Bears, or Jets? I have to go with the Broncos, but the Eagles are darn close. They could lose to anyone any week.

18. Washington Redskins - It's been a long fall from the top, and Clinton Portis' recent remarks to coach Jim Zorn are not easing the pain.

19. Chicago Bears - Another inconsistent team, but Matt Forte and a decent O-Line ensure they will be competitive for years to come.

20. San Diego Chargers - Tomlinson may be done. How much does this organization want Michael Turner back right now?

21. Houston Texans - Steve Slaton is an exciting back, and with Mario Williams, Matt Schaub (a HEALTHY Matt Schaub), Andre Johnson, and even Andrew Walter, look out for these guys as the Colts begin to age in the coming years.

22. Green Bay Packers - There's always next year...

23. Buffalo Bills - Like I said in last week's post, this team is simply not that good.

24. San Francisco 49ers - They are unfairly giving fans false hope. Just lose already and look towards next year.

25. Cleveland Browns - The Ken Dorsey era has begun with a bang. Didn't he win a Heisman or something with the U? I don't remember...

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Have lost 6 of 7, and every week is a new humilation.

27. Kansas City Chiefs - Larry Johnson sucks and is ruining my fantasy team...well 1 of them. Speaking of, congrats to Josh on claiming the last spot in Ryan's league. Good thing I whooped up on Singer for you.

28. Seattle Seahawks - Deion Branch is back! He made his old team look like they made a mistake not resigning him, but then the Pats won the game and realized they have 6 more wins than Seattle. Oops.

29. Oakland Raiders - A random stat I heard the other day. If you combine all of the Raider's wide receivers' statistics they would only have like 750 yards and 5 td's; Not even enough to start on a fantasy football team.

30. Cincinnati Bengals - Nothing much to say except they are consistent. They could teach the Broncos a few things. They have moved the least amount of spots on this poll with a margin of only 4.

31. St. Louis Rams - If you were a fan of these teams, would it be like what the Pirates' fans go through in about August? That is, do you completely give up caring and stop watching the games?

32. Detroit Lions - On the other hand, if I was a Detroit fan I would be watching every week to see if they can get their first win. Being the worst team in history is not something this organization needs - even though it might be true.

Playoff Predictions

AFC
1. Titans
2. Steelers
3. Broncos
4. Jets
5. Colts
6. Ravens

NFC
1. Giants
2. Panthers
3. Cardinals
4. Vikings
5. Bucs
6. Cowboys

MVP Watch
1. Kurt Warner
2. Drew Brees
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Michael Turner
5. Peyton Manning
6. Jay Cutler
7. Tony Romo
8. Eli Manning
9. Philip Rivers
10a.Brian Westbrook
10b.DeAngelo Williams

Hollywood Remakes - Stolen Quiz #1

I really did have some quizzes ready to go, unfortunately I didn't actually write anything down; choosing instead to keep all the info in the ol' noggin. That never works. So instead of doing something original I'll steal a quiz I found online. Hopefully people haven't done it already. If you have, just know that my score was probably better than yours.

Hollywood Remakes of Foreign Films

1. Boudu Sauve des Eaux
2. Cousin, Cousine
3. Il Mare
4. Infernal Affairs
5. La Cage aux Folles
6. La Femme Infidele
7. La Jetee
8. La Totale
9. Le Retour de Martin Guerre
10. Nikita
11. Open Your Eyes (Abre los Ojos)
12. Profumo Di Donna
13. Ringu
14. Seven Samurai
15. Wings of Desire
16. Yojimbo

Movie Stills - Quiz 1

Since quizzes are so fun and I figured you can never have too many, I decided to post stills from my top 100 movies. I will try to do 1 each week for 10 weeks and then tally up who has the most points...assuming some people actually participate. These should be a lot easier than Josh's...


1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.


11. Bonus point to anyone who can name the theme of my profile pics and the name of each three.

STANDINGS

NFL Power Rankings - Week 13

For all those our there like me who thought it seemed like the NFC was better than the AFC this year for the first time in a long time, you would be right. The NFC currently leads the AFC with 97 wins compared to 94. I bet if you looked back at the stats over the last 10 years that wouldn't be the case very often.

Anyway, this week I will give my rankings along with my prediction for each team's final record.

Onto the rankings:

1. New York Giants (15-1) - I just don't see anyone beating these guys the rest of the regular season.

2. Tennessee Titans (13-3) - The Jets revealed vulnerabilities, and even though they crushed the hapless Lions on Turkey Day, I think they will accumulate 2 more losses this season.

3. Tampa Bay Bucs (11-5) - Still not totally sold on these guys, but with their current record I think they squeak their way to the division title.

4. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - Favorable schedule the rest of the way, and I think they will take down the Titans in week 17 since the game will be meaningless for Tennessee.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - I think Dallas will come to Heinz Field and defeat them, but they will come back strong against Baltimore and Tennessee.

6. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) - Tony Romo is up there with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Brian Westbrook in terms of value to his team. If he gets hurt again they are done.

7. Carolina Panthers (10-6) - Very inconsistent and I think they could beat or get beat by any team week to week.

8. New York Jets (11-5) - Who is their QB if Favre goes down or retires next year? That's right, Kellen Clemens. Let's hope those things don't happen.

9. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - Have a great shot of making the playoffs, but with Joe Flacco running the show, they probably will be 1 and done...at least this year.

10. Atlanta Falcons (10-6) - Who would have thought they would go from 4 wins to 10 wins after losing their franchise QB? Not I.

11. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - I think they will falter down the stretch, culminating with Mike Holmgren and the Seahawks ending his tenure with a big victory over the Cards in a game where Matt Lienart will likely be starting.

12. Denver Broncos (10-6) - No team has been more up and down this season, except maybe the Packers, on this poll than the Broncos. This is partially due to me always believing they were better than their record, and partly because they play a 0-0 defense. Random stat of the day: 7 - the number of times Jay Cutler has been sacked this year, compared to 33 on Roethlisberger. Maybe all teams should adopt zone blocking?

13. Washington Redskins (9-7) - Started out 6-2 in their first 8 games and will likely finish 3-5 in their last 8. Rookie head coach Jim Zorn will get consideration for coach of the year.

14. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - They are peaking at the right time and built for cold, late season weather - albeit they will most likely play in their dome in the first round of the playoffs, then in a warm weather city Dallas/Carolina/Tampa Bay/Arizona in the second round, but they may end up facing the Giants in the NFC Championship.

15. New England Patriots (10-6) - Down but not out. Cassel looked average if not below average against the best defense in the league - but that was the best defense in the league. Will need help to make the playoffs, though - who would have thought I'd be saying that before the season started?

16. New Orleans Saints (9-7) - Losing Reggie Bush and Colston was a tough break for this team, but I have a feeling the Reggie Bush injury woes are far from over. I see Brian Westbrook II in his future.

17. Chicago Bears (8-8) - Defintely exceeded most people's expectations, but seriously how long did you think they could last on top of their division with Kyle Orton and a rookie running back?

18. Miami Dolphins (9-7) - From 1 win to 9 wins. Very impressive, and they are a defensive star and young QB prospect away from being a serious contender.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7-1) - The tie may come back to haunt them, but I doubt it. I don't see them making the playoffs even with that win.

20. Green Bay Packers (9-7) - The Pack continue to break my heart almost every other week. Everytime you think they will coast to the division title, they put up a stinker like the last 2 weeks. Maybe I should wait to invest in an Aaron Rodgers jersey...

21. San Diego Chargers (7-9) - Ouch. No way Norv Turner comes back next year. On the bright side, I think they will beat the Broncos in week 17 in a revenge game where Denver plays exactly 1 starter.

22. Buffalo Bills (8-8) - 8 wins is largely a product of an easy schedule. In the NFC East, I think they go 4-12, maybe.

23. Houston Texans (6-10) - They are better than this record, but 6 wins is 6 wins.

24. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Too much to even say about this team, but their GM is pretty darn entertaining. He actually emailed a Browns fan who was criticizing him to "go root for Buffalo-f*&% you"

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) - How did this even happen?

26. San Francisco 49ers (5-11) - How long will Shaun Hill be a starting QB? If he's anything like the past SF QB's since Steve Young, not long.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) - Have some building blocks for the future, but not many.

28. Seattle Seahawks (4-12) - Too little too late for these guys. They are a much better team now than they were in week 1, but this just wasn't their season.

29. Oakland Raiders (3-13) - If they had Detroit's offense and Detroit had Oakland's defense, maybe they would combine for more than 3 wins...Their secondary is above average so that's at least something to brag about. They had enough good players to drop one of the leading INT cornerbacks.

30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-13-1) - Unlike the Eagles, the Bengals don't have to worry to much about what would of happened had they won that game...

31. St. Louis Rams (2-14) - After a few promising weeks, they are back in the cellar. Can you believe they beat the Cowboys?

32. Detroit Lions (0-16) - 4 games left to try to win one...even if they do they probably will get the #1 draft pick...unless they trade it away for another overratted young WR.

PLAYOFFS
AFC
1. Titans
2. Steelers
3. Jets
4. Broncos
5. Colts
6. Ravens (in the 2nd tiebreaker over the Patriots)

NFC
1. Giants
2. Bucs
3. Vikings
4. Cardinals
5. Cowboys
6. Panthers (in the 5th tiebreaker over the Falcons)

MVP Watch
1. Kurt Warner
2. Drew Brees
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Tomy Romo
5. Michael Turner
6. Peyton Manning
7. Jay Cutler
8. Aaron Rodgers
9. Philip Rivers
10. Eli Manning

Character Quiz

Alright, this week's quiz is all about different characters. I will name the character, and you must tell me what he/she/it is from.

1. Tyler Durden
2. Allanon
3. Vash the Stampede
4. Simon Belmont
5. Gordon Freeman
6. Selina Kyle
7. Aunt Beru
8. William Munny
9. Mr. Darcy
10. Starscream
11. Deedlit
12. Tom Bombadil
13. Susie Derkins
14. Roran Stronghammer
15. Rorschach

Good luck to everyone. Here are the answers to last weeks quiz.
1. Joshua James Croyle
2. Brown/Brown
3. Captain & Coke (unfortunately, I get drunk and crazy after too many, so I stick to Miller Lite)
4. Mountain Dew
5. Our Lady Peace
6. Fight Club
7. The Gunslinger (Book 1 of Dark Tower series)
8. baseball, wrestling, golf, basketball
9. Jackson, Justin, and Brian
10. Yes, I broke my hand a few years ago. Did not need a cast, just a small brace because while I was drunk I set the bone myself.
11. Jordan, Egypt, Canada, and Mexico.
12. Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies
13. Hey, hows it going? I am Josh, I will be your server tonight (or this afternoon), can I start you off with a refreshing iced-t, tasty pepsi, or how 'bout an exciting caramel latte?
14. I did not count our little fights as small children, so since adulthood, we are 1-1.
15. boxer briefs.

I have to give Kacie the edge in this one, her and Adam were both very close.

Conspiracy Theory

Since no one really posts anything aside from Offord and I, it looks like I might as well write something. After work last night I came home and stumbled upon a bunch of 9/11 conspiracy theory debunking sites. I would link to them, but it really is not that important.

Who are these people who believe that 9/11 was a cover-up and that it was pulled off by the government? The same government who let CNN or some other news agency reveal the bombing plans for Iraq. I think these people should be beaten to death with a 13-inch dildo.

If you ever watch the Loose Change video, it seems to provide pretty compelling evidence. Or very clever editing. I will give those guys credit, they should join with Michael Moore to make documentaries. No truth involved, lots of falsehoods and assumptions...

Anyways, after reading all that stuff, I began to think about some of my favorite shows to watch. Stuff like Monster Quest. I do not believe in any of those things, but I enjoy watching those programs and seeing how they film it. Or how they make the scientists seem crazy, and the people with no credibility seem very sane.

My favorite is any Bigfoot show. I love when they get the biomechanics professors to analyze the video from the '60s of a Bigfoot. They try to say that you can seem from the way it moves that there is no way it could be a human in a furry suit. That cracks me up because the video is so grainy, I honestly believe they are seeing things where there is nothing. Also, has anyone ever seen the Bigfoot picture from Ridgeway, PA? Every expert who looks at it says that it is a bear with a case of mange. But no, the Bigfoot folks will draw lines and say that a bear cannot move that way. Actually here is a picture of what was captured, then a video analyzing the limb ratios. Aside from the fact that the photo is horrible and gives us no depth or perspective, how can anyone tell anything about the animal?


This is just one of those things that crack me up about people who get into this crap. There is no Bigfoot, no Loch Ness Monster, and no Chupacabra.

Me Quiz

This weeks quiz is a bit different. It is all about myself, what do you guys know about me? Let us begin.

1. Full Name?
2. Hair/Eye Color?
3. Favorite Alcoholic Beverage?
4. Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beverage?
5. Favorite Band?
6. Favorite Movie?
7. Favorite Book?
8. Name all the sports I played from 3rd grade to my senior year.
9. Who lived with me at State College Park apartment 352?
10. Have I ever broken a bone?
11. What foreign countries have I been to?
12. What was my major in college?
13. When I was a server, what was my introduction to tables?
14. What is my record in fights against my brother?
15. What kind of underwear do I wear?

Have fun with this one guys. Here are the answers from last week:
1. Mexico-Mexico City
2. Canada-Ottawa
3. United States-Washington D.C.
4. Panama-Panama City
5. Jamaica-Kingston
6. Jordan-Amman
7. Iraq-Baghdad
8. Egypt-Cairo
9. Albania-Tirana
10. Latveria-Doomstadt
11. Madripoor-Madripoor
The previous two are countries in the Marvel Universe, Latveria is the kingdom where Dr. Doom rules with an iron fist. Madripoor is a tiny island that resembles Singapore and usually is a place where villains tend to live.

12. The Persian Empire-Persepolis
13. Ireland-Dublin
14. Kazakhstan-Astana
15. Earth-haha, Adam got that one, E, that comes from a joke when we were younger, my dad asked him what the capital of Russia was and Adam replied "R." I did not think he would remember that...

I was surprised with how knowledgeable Adam and Offord are at geography. Offord scored 8 right, plus gets a bonus for actually knowing a city in Kazakhstan. Adam also scored 8 and gets the capital of Earth, which gives him 9, but that should not really count since it was an inside joke. So, I will call it a tie and just say that I am very impressed. If you are wondering, the only two I did not know were Albania and Kazakhstan.
This is the flag of Albania, which looks pretty cool to me.

What Must Transpire

For most of you Penn State fans out there, you are probably asking yourself the question, how did we lose to Iowa? We would definitely be playing for the national title, but could that still happen? It would be one of the largest long shots ever, but crazy things happen this time of year. Allow me to explain.

First off we need Alabama to beat Florida in the SEC Championship game. Why? Simple, Penn State needs to move ahead of the other one loss teams without playing a game, how can that happen? By them losing. Florida would have two losses and would drop from the top three.

Second, we need the Big 12 teams to beat each other, which they have done all year. Texas A&M beating Texas would be great, but unlikely. Oklahoma could lose to Oklahoma State, which would be fantastic. If none of those things happen, we need to cheer for Missouri in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma.

Third, we must pretend that USC has a chance of losing. If Notre Dame could somehow upset the mighty Trojans, especially after getting beat by Syracuse, that would be incredible. Cannot see it happening, but one can dream. Plus they have their heated rivalry game with UCLA, which can always be interesting...

The Big 12 scenerio really comes down to the South champ losing to Missouri because if any of the other teams in the South have one loss, it would not make sense to have them play in the national championship game, but not be the conference champ. Yes, strange things happen involving the BCS.

Basically what I am saying is that these upcoming weeks may seem meaningless to PSU fans, but we need to put our rally caps on and hope for some big upsets. Also, Alabama needs to beat Florida...

New Quiz Day

It's new quiz day here at the pancake. What shall the topic be? Since it is vacation week, I will stay with that theme. I will name a country, you gotta name the capital. NO CHEATING JERKS! And by the way some of these countries are fictional comic book cities and some are ancient empires...

1. Mexico
2. Canada
3. United States (that's a freebie)
4. Panama
5. Jamaica
6. Jordan
7. Iraq
8. Egypt
9. Albania
10. Latveria
11. Madripoor
12. The Persian Empire
13. Ireland
14. Kazakhstan
15. Earth

Last weeks answers:
1. Superman-Clark Kent
2. The Flash-Barry Allen/Wally West/and for a brief time Bart Allen (from this picture I would guess this is the Wally version, but I could be wrong.)
3. Green Lantern-Hal Jordan
4. Batman-Bruce Wayne
5. Wonder Woman-Princess Diana (sometimes uses Diana Prince)
6. Booster Gold-Michael John Carter
7. Animal Man-Buddy Baker
8. Batgirl-Barbara Gordon
9. Captain Atom-Nathaniel Adam
10. Blue Beatle-Ted Kord

Greg won the epic battle with 11 points over Ryan's 7 1/2...that is something to brag about.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 11

This week in the NFL gave us our first tie since 2002, and the first 11-10 game in history. Yes that's right, in case you didn't hear the first 842 times the media said it, the 11-10 finish was the first in history. That will go down as the most useless random statistic ever talked about for more than 5 seconds. Anyway, in light of Josh and Gideon's amazing trip - from what I've read at least - part of this week's rankings will be vacation themed - i.e. who is going, where, and why.

Onto the rankings:

1. Tennessee Titans - Vince Young. The "poster child" mobile quarterbacks are having a rough go at it: Culpepper, Tavaris Jackson, DeMarcus Russell, VICK, Young, etc. Of those who are still managing to start, their teams are 2-18. Throw in an aging McNabb who has probably 1 season left and David Garrard who can't bring the Jaguars over .500, and all you're left with is Chad Pennington, the slowest of unathletic QBs. IMO, the excitement surrounding the "slash" QB is quickly fading as coaches are learning that 1. NFL defenses are better than college defenses, and can easily contain running QBs, 2. QBs are meant to be PASSERS, so you better have a good arm and vision, and 3. QBs in college that dominated because of both their legs and arms aren't used to the change of pace in the NFL. Nearly every major prospect quarterback coming out of college next year is a pure passer (except Tebow), and I believe this may be a sign of things to come. That said, Vince needs to take a trip to Edmonton to get to know the locals, because that's where he'll most likely be playing 5 years from now.

2. New York Giants - Plaxico Burress. Anyone remember the Simpsons where Mr. Burns got a bunch of ringers for the company softball team, but inexlicably almost every player couldn't play, including Ozzie Smith who fell into a bottomless pit? Does anyone have directions to said pit?

3. Carolina Panthers - The entire organization. Charlotte. Wait, you're already there? Quit calling yourselves the "Carolina" Panthers. Let the baby Carolina get their own team...

4. Tampa Bay Bucs - The entire team. They already live in Tampa, do they need a vacation?

5. Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning. Playboy Mansion. How hilarious would it be to see Peyton on the Girls Next Door??

6. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ben Roethlisberger and the offensive line. A team-building retreat ala the Office, because if Ben loses one more game because of 13 deflating sacks, he may pull a gun on his line.

7. Arizona Cardinals - Edgerrin James. Heaven, because his career is dead. Or for those atheists out there, a local moritorium.

8. Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo's pinky. Unknown location overseas. It better hide if that finger causes them to miss the playoffs...I can think of another place it could hide but you can just use your imaginations.

9. Washington Redskins - Jim Zorn. Tahiti. Spend your fat future contract somewhere nice Mr. Zorn.

10. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers. Anywhere warm. I mean, hasn't he earned that?

11. New York Jets - Brett Favre. Next year's cruise with Josh and Gideon, because doesn't he just seem like a fun guy to go drinking with?

12. Denver Broncos

13. New England Patriots - BenJarvis Green-Ellis. I don't know, but I mention his name any chance I get.

14. Baltimore Ravens

15. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan. Michael Vick's prison cell, so he can thank him personally for handing the team and the title of "savior" of the city of Atlanta over to him.

16. Philadelphia Eagles - The team. Anywhere, because who the hell wants to be in Philadelphia?

17. Miami Dolphins

18. New Orleans Saints - The entire organization. London. They are undefeated there, and last time I checked, hurricanes are considered less hazardous.

19. Chicago Bears - Rex Grossman. Detroit. They need a quarterback, right?

20. Minnesota Vikings - Tavaris Jackson. Any other Canadian football team that Vince Young won't be on, unless Jackson couldn't even land a starting gig there either, then they could be buddies.

21. San Diego Chargers - Norv Turner. Anywhere a team needs an offensive coordinator, because time and again he's proved that's all he's good at.

22. Cleveland Browns - Romeo Crennel. A weight loss clinic. Did you see him trying to jump after they beat the Bills? I swear the guy has a negative inch vertical.

23. Buffalo Bills - The Entire Organization. Oh Canada, my something something something...

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

25. Houston Texans

26. Kansas City Chiefs

27. Seattle Seahawks - Mike Holmgren. Canton, Ohio. Just call it a career already and quit while you're still barely ahead...

28. San Francisco 49ers - Alex Smith. Wait, is he even on the 49ers anymore?

29. Cincinatti Bengals - The whole team. Disney World, because they are undefeated in November!

30. St. Louis Rams

31. Oakland Raiders - Al Davis. 4 feet deep in the Mojave Desert. I'm sure most of Oakland would love to drive him there.

32. Detroit Lions - Calvin Johnson. Hawaii, because they should just let him relax until next season. He's the only good player on the team and the last thing they need is an injury...

MVP Watch
1. Kurt Warner (Clear cut favorite)
2. Drew Brees
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Clinton Portis
5. Peyton Manning
6. Aaron Rodgers
7. Michael Turner
8. Philip Rivers
9. Jay Cutler
10. Kerry Collins

while ngewo and the dizzle are out on the ocean...

those guys are out enjoying the sea, a trip i wish i could be on. too bad i can't take any vacation yet... if only they went over something like thanksgiving...

anyway... some funny stuff out there in the news world i'd like to share. In England, "Garden gnomes banned from church cemetery because they are 'unnatural creatures.' " Which is a great headline. they also banned teddy bears. here's the site... link this if you can anyone...

'unnatural creatures'

i love the reasoning here. they skipped the obvious reason you wouldn't allow them in a cemetary... they are creepy, and remind allison of me. you'd think that would be a sure fire winner. instead, they banned them because they are unnatural... which is ironic, considering the multitude of unnatural biblical creatures floating about in sacred texts. someone should put up a leviathan statute... and i'm not talking thomas hobbes. but that might be pretty cool.

also, on the whole unmarried people and adoption thing... Arkansas adopted by proposition a new law that prevents straight and gay unmarried couples from adopting. this is sort of amusing for several reasons. first, the state has a backlog of kids needing homes. they have something like 3 times the number of kids needing homes as they do available families as it is, without restricting people who choose or are not able to marry from adopting. hey, better to have kids have the kids move around in foster homes than risk them being liberal or gay. or worse yet, an atheist libertarian... people really need to sit and think this stuff through.

i'm not a big fan of all this intervention and moral clarity. as a skeptic and atheist, i think that calls of moral clarity and meaning should be examined extraordinarily carefully because of the implications these claims carry. maybe we should examine why we believe what we believe a lot more carefully. there are too many questions we are not brave enough to ask.

NFL Power Rankings - Week 10

Short and sweet this weekend as not too much has changed at the top or at the bottom.

A few notes from the week: PLAY CALLS - it's easy to second guess play calls after the game, but I can recall some absolutely terrible ones this week - yes I'm talking about you Mike Martz/Singletary. That Arizona/49ers game was just downright terrible. Don't get me wrong, it was an exciting end, but it was more of which team will play worse. On the other hand, Kurt Warner once again played great and saved them from an embarrassing loss. More play call foolery took place in Kansas City where some sort of ugly bootleg ended the game for the Chiefs. I mean come on, you have ONE play to make a statement and win a huge game for your franchise, and that is what you call? Sheesh, I could draw up a better play in my sleep. The Steelers game was terrible as well; when they had the lead they should have ran the ball more and took the game out of Ben's hands. Once it was in his, it was over. Never in a season have I noticed more goal line stands, and I have to believe it has a lot to do with the play calls. Coaches, go play some Madden and get it right next time...

Onto the rankings:

1. Tennessee Titans
2. New York Giants
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Washington Redskins
5. Tampa Bay Bucs
6. Indianapolis Colts
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Arizona Cardinals
9. Philadelphia Eagles
10. New England Patriots
11. Baltimore Ravens
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Atlanta Falcons
14. Chicago Bears
15. Green Bay Packers
16. Denver Broncos
17. New York Jets
18. San Diego Chargers
19. Minnesota Vikings
20. Miami Dolphins
21. Buffalo Bills
22. New Orleans Saints
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
24. Cleveland Browns
25. Houston Texans
26. Seattle Seahawks
27. Kansas City Chiefs
28. St. Louis Rams
29. San Francisco 49ers
30. Cincinatti Bengals
31. Oakland Raiders
32. Detroit Lions

MVP Watch
1. Kurt Warner
2. Drew Brees
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Clinton Portis
5. Philip Rivers
6. Brian Westbrook
7. Peyton Manning
8. Aaron Rodgers
9. Jay Cutler
10. Matt Ryan

Fun With Links - 11/7

The Neal Huntington Era officially begins:

Not the U.S., not Latin America, not Japan, but...

Derek Bell x 100...but not really

How many years did we hold on to Aramis Ramirez?

But on the bright side...



...I'll try to have some fun link-themed posts in the future

i hate to move the quiz down...

i hope you all still read about the quiz. but this i have to share. it may be the best news story ever. read it for yourself, it won't take long. then come back and share. of all the accidents i've ever wanted to see...

Wheels gone wild*

you are going to have to cut and paste that unless josh can make it a link.

enjoy.


*Linktified

DC Comics Quiz

This weeks quiz deals with comic book characters from the DC Universe. To throw out a twist though, you get 1/2 a point for naming the character and 2 points for naming the secret identity. No cheating. Good luck.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Answers to last week:
1. Iron Man, Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr.
2. Dazed and Confused, Mike, Adam Goldberg
3. Se7en, David Mills, Brad Pitt
4. 300, King Leonidas, Gerard Butler
5. Sideways, Jack, Thomas Hayden Church
6. Unforgiven, William Munny, Clint Eastwood
7. Knocked Up, Pete, Paul Rudd
8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Dennis, Michael Palin
9. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jay, Jason Mewes
10. Poolhall Junkies, Johnny, Mars Callahan

Congrats to my brother for know almost all of them.