Billable Hours Down the Drain

Comic Cover of the Week (01/18/09)

2009-01-18T08:24:00.000-08:00

Comic Cover of the Week (01/04/09)

2009-01-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Mike Shanahan?

2008-12-31T06:35:00.000-08:00

The Denver Broncos shocked the sports world yesterday by firing their 14-year coach, Mike Shanahan, after an 8-8 season in which the Broncos lost their last three games, the last game being a "win and you're in" game against the Chargers.

Shanahan's firing changes the landscape of the NFL offseason coaching searches. With Bill Cowher making it clear that he does not intend on returning to coaching in the '09 season, Shanahan is clearly the best coach available.

Simply put, the Lions have GOT to make every effort to hire Shanahan. He is a proven commodity, which is important when you have an unproven GM running the show. And unproven GM and unproven coach will give you the '01 Lions. Granted, that team won two games, which would be an improvement from the '08 Lions, but I don't think that's what we're looking for.

Shanahan knows how to win games. He's a GREAT coach. His recent failures were a result of some poor personnel decisions. Yes, Shanahan made those decisions. But he wouldn't be evaluating talent in Detroit. He would just be coaching. This move would show some real brass by Martin Mayhew. Go out and sign him. Back up a Brinks truck to his house if necessary. Just get him signed. If all Shanahan does is turn the Lions into an 8-8 team, that's a massive improvement over where they are right now.

This Is Why I Skipped MNFBBQ

2008-12-30T06:22:00.000-08:00

See that blue blob wearing a black baseball hat? That's me with my friend Zack (the bald guy - I'm not bald because I've got on a hat). So yeah, I'll take those seats over "Walk Hard" any day.

0-16

2008-12-29T06:12:00.001-08:00

In a day of epic football, the Detroit Lions committed an epic fail and entered the history books. Congratulations Lions fan, you jump to the top of the tortured sports fans pantheon. Your football team is now 0-16. And they did it the old-fashioned way. They sucked in all three categories, offense, defense and special teams. This team had the perfect melding of lack of talent and poor coaching which allowed them to avoid the "Any Given Sunday" mantra of the NFL. In 2008, the Lions motto was "No Given Sunday."

So they're 0-16. And they have to own it. But that doesn't mean the team has to accept it. Sorry Rod, but you've got to go. Today. I don't care personally if Martin Mayhew is going to run the team. He made a good trade for the Dallas 1st round pick and perhaps he could draft the appropriate players this year. So I'll give him a chance. But there have to be wholesale changes made in the offseason. At least a third of these players cannot be on the roster on opening day in 2009. Otherwise, we could be looking at 0-32 over two years.

Comic Cover of the Week (12/28/08)

2008-12-28T07:22:00.001-08:00

0-16 (one week and counting)

2008-12-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

The first player I picked was from the Lions Offense. The second was from Special Teams. In theory, I was going to pick a player from the Lions Defense. But screw that noise. Watching (actually, listening) the New Orleans Saints convert their first 11 third-downs (on the 12th, they took a knee) and score 6 TD plays in a row, I'm beginning to think that the Lions D is simply horrific. So, sorry Ernie Sims but you're gone.

Instead, let's build our running game around Kevin Smith. The quality of his movies may have dropped off in recent years, but he has picked up his running game the last half of the season.

Get ready for it next week fellow Lions fans. You're already part of history (worst NFL start ever). Get ready to become infamous.

Comic Cover of the Week (12/21/08)

2008-12-21T10:43:00.001-08:00

0-16 (two weeks and counting)

2008-12-15T05:49:00.000-08:00

No one gave the Lions much of a chance yesterday. So, of course, they tie the game 21-21 in the 4th after converting for two points. Yeah, that makes sense.

But, the offense must give way to defense and the Lions lost 31-21. Next week's game against the Saints (1-6 on the road and eliminated from playoff contention) is probably the last possible gasp for a victory this year. The Lions have already tied the Tampa Bay Bucs record for futile starts at 0-14. Can they take the lead and become the all-time losers we know and love?

This week's player to hold on to is Jason Hanson. Yesterday he became the NFL leader in most kicks over 50 yards out. He is the only consistent thing the Lions have had since Barry. And how sad is it that a kicker made the list.

Comic Cover Of The Week (12/14/08)

2008-12-14T08:53:00.001-08:00

0-16 (three weeks and counting)

2008-12-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

It's over.

As you can see from the title, I have switched the format to simply read 0-16. After all, that's what the Lions are going to be after losing to the Packers at Lambeau Field in three weeks. So we might as well accept it and move on.

I will spend the next three weeks simply picking the three Lions who should be members of this team for the '09 season.

The first one is pretty obvious: Calvin Johnson is one of the only bright spots in the Lions organization. Back up a frigging Brinks truck and pay that man whatever it takes to keep him here.

Comic Cover Of The Week (12/07/08)

2008-12-07T11:17:00.001-08:00

We All Know Who She Is Now

2008-12-01T07:37:00.001-08:00

I have never understood the phrase "pride goeth before the fall" as well as I do right now.

Comic Cover of the Week (11/30/08)

2008-12-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

0-12

2008-11-28T05:42:00.000-08:00

Let's get the simple stuff out of the way first.

Lions suck. 0-12, with 0-16 looking likely with each passing moment. Humiliating loss. Blah, blah, blah.

What I want to talk about is the chorus of LOCAL media (yes Rob Parker you jackass, I'm referring to you) that wants to see the Lions lose the Thanksgiving game. Why? Because the Lions aren't any good? Did you see the other two games yesterday. They weren't any more compelling.

And that is the essential flaw with the argument being made by the Rob Parkers of the world. Switching the game to other teams doesn't guarantee a good result. You could still end up with a Cardinals v. Eagles blowout game. And you will have gutted one of the truly great Thanksgiving traditions to get that blowout.

0-11

2008-11-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

It is just incredible to watch (or in the case of the recent blackouts, hear) a team consistently find new and unique ways to blow games. To go up 17-0 in the first quarter and then score ONLY 3 POINTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GAME WHILE GIVING UP 38 POINTS takes some talent.

Or lack of talent.

And now 0-16 looms ever so widely over the horizon. The Thanksgiving game will be an unmitigated disaster. The Titans lost their first game this week against the Jets, so they are going to be good and pissed. After that, it's a game at home against the Vikings (loss), at Indy (bad loss), vs. New Orleans (Drew Brees' arm falls off after throwing for 500 yards) and at Green Bay (Lions haven't won there since my first year in college). So congrats Lions fans. As the entire country craps on the auto industry and the entire town in general, the football gods have decided to "pile on" and grant you the shittiest NFL team EVER.

Comic Cover of the Week (11/23/08)

2008-11-24T05:36:00.001-08:00

0-10

2008-11-18T06:00:00.001-08:00

I simply have no strength in me to write this post. This "team" is actually sapping my will to live.

Comic Cover of the Week (11/16/08)

2008-11-16T07:11:00.001-08:00

0-9

2008-11-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, the NFL head honchos have protected us from watching this abortion of a football team.

This is just plain-old awful. There is NOTHING competitive about any aspect of this team. Offense, defense, special teams. They all suck. So, you have nothing to look forward to next year. Just the beginning of (yet another) Lions rebuilding process.

The only way anything good comes out of this year is if the Lions go 0-16 (a very distinct possibility) and Mr. Ford, as a sign of disgust, torpedos everyone and starts over brand new. I mean bringing in a competent GM and letting him (or her, I'm not particular at this point) begin the process of creating an NFL franchise. Because right now, the Detroit Lions do not resemble anything close to a competent NFL team.

0-16. It's coming. Believe in Now.

Comic Cover of the Week (11/09/08)

2008-11-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

Is This Country Awesome Or What?

2008-11-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

Time To Vote For Change

2008-11-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

After almost two years of endless campaigning, we have finally arrived at Election Day '08. I don't think that anyone would be surprised to hear that I am voting for Barack Obama. That being said, even if you are a McCain supporter, I beg you to go vote today. Too many young men and women died for your right to go into that voting booth today. Don't ignore this most precious of rights.

Because once every four years, regardless of what calamity is befalling this Country, we vote. We choose our leaders. We get to approve of the job that they are doing, or we get to rebuke them. We do that. not the power brokers. Not the lobbyists. Not the people in dark rooms manipulating events.

And it's time for us to bring change to this Country. Yes, it won't be easy and change will not occur overnight. But we have spent the past eight years moving in the WRONG direction in this Country. And now, in the space of one day, the American people can tell Washington, D.C. that it's time to change course. Let's help the middle class (whatever's left of it). Let's remember what makes us Americans. It's more than just saying we're a Country of freedoms. We have to stand up for those freedoms.

It's time for change.

0-8

2008-11-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

It truly is impressive to watch this Lions team find new and unique ways to blow games.

Whether it's Jason Hansen flubbing the PAT (which ended up forcing the Lions to have to go for a TD at the end of the 4th instead of a field goal) or a late fumble by Michael Gaines, it all adds up to one seriously frustrating Sunday afternoon.

And for those who are excited about the upcoming Culpepper Era, don't be. Old School Daunte is looonnngggg gone and all that's left is a worn-out shell. And we've signed him for two years!!! YAY!!!!!

At this point, the only possible win is the 12/07 home game against the Vikings. The Thanksgiving game against the Titans could result in War Crimes charges. Honestly. It's turning into that frightening of a scenario.

It's the Post-Millen Era! Breathe it in Lions fans!!

Comic Cover of the Week (11/02/08)

2008-11-02T05:12:00.000-08:00

0-7

2008-10-27T11:18:00.001-07:00

This post is blacked out.

Comic Cover of the Week (10/26/08)

2008-10-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

0-6

2008-10-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

I was busy this week, so this post is pretty late.

Hey, at least I showed up in the later half of the week, despite a poor showing in the first half. I feel as though there's a metaphor somewhere in there.

Comic Cover of the Week (10/19/08)

2008-10-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

0-5

2008-10-13T05:37:00.000-07:00

The Lions might have lost yesterday, but I still can't help but feel that they accomplished something.

First, they were competitive throughout the game. When you only lose 12-10 on a last-minute field goal, you managed to keep things close.

Second, the D looked great. Whether that was an anemic Vikings offense or an actual resurgence in Lions defensive pride will be borne out over the next few games.

Third, when you can walk away from a game feeling that the refs cheated you out of a game, then you can at least feel good about having played most of the game in a competitive nature.

And the Lions did get screwed. Two bads calls ended up costing them that game. But, at the same time, a rather unfortunate Dan Orlovsky safety call didn't help.

So, it's another loss. But at least it was the first game the Lions could feel they were in from beginning to end. And while Orlovsky might not be the QB of the future, he didn't make any mistakes and we can now evaluate talent instead of stubbornly insisting that the Lions still have a shot this season. I suspect Drew Stanton will be starting by Week 10.

Comic Cover of the Week (10/12/08)

2008-10-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

0-4

2008-10-06T09:42:00.002-07:00

I am going to put as much effort into this post as the Lions put into that game.

Comic Cover of the Week (10/05/08)

2008-10-06T09:42:00.001-07:00

Bye Week

2008-09-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Post-Millen regime started off with a major success. The Lions didn't lose this week!! Of course they didn't play either, but you've got to take your victories where you can find them.

Next week, the Lions play the Chicago Bears and if you think that things might improve, you have not been following this team for any length of time. The likely scenario is a 2-14 season, with the wins likely coming in weeks 6 (at Houston) and 13 (vs. Minnesota). So, at this point it would make more sense to try out some of these younger players. Drew Stanton should be starting. No offense to Kitna, but it is time to move on.

As for a possible GM move, I am begging, begging the Lions to go outside the organization and snag Floyd Reese, former GM for the Titans. Let him bring in Bill Cowher as a coach and let's (yet again) start the perennial Lions rebuilding process.

Comic Cover of the Week (09/28/08)

2008-09-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

And Lo There Was A Mill-Acle...........

2008-09-24T14:55:00.001-07:00

Though I'm awfully busy today, I just couldn't let the day go by without thanking The One Above (Bill Ford, Jr.) for finally forcing the situation and causing the day we never thought would come to pass to actually happen.

HIRE COWHER!!!!

0-3

2008-09-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, the Lions go into the bye week 4-3. Not bad.

Oh wait, you mean the pre-season doesn't count? Darn.

Comic Cover of the Week (09/21/08)

2008-09-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

0-2

2008-09-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

Blame can get spread around like a nice, warm butter for this abortion of a football game.

First, you HAVE to blame the awful D for giving up 21 points (yet again) in the 1st Half and making a good QB look like a Hall of Famer. In fact, just look at how bad Matt Ryan and the Falcons looked this week after looking like world beaters last week. For any fantasy football owners who have J.T. O'Sullivan as a backup QB, I would suggest starting him this week. I don't care if you have Peyton, Eli or Donavan as your QB. Start J.T. this week.

Second, you have Kitna throwing the team out of the game with those interceptions that were returned for T.D.s. I like Kitna. I think he's been an adequate QB. But he should have managed that 4th quarter a whole hell of a lot more efficiently than he did.

Oh, and before I forget, Fire Millen.

Asking Sarah Palin A Hard Question Is Sexist, But This Isn't Racist.....

2008-09-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Forum sells 'Obama Waffles' with racial stereotype

WASHINGTON -- Activists at a conservative political forum snapped up boxes of waffle mix depicting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as a racial stereotype on its front and wearing Arab-like headdress on its top flap.

THESE are "values" voters? What values????? Southern 1850's values?????????????

Comic Cover of the Week (09/14/08)

2008-09-14T07:05:00.001-07:00

0-1

2008-09-08T06:06:00.001-07:00

Welcome Lions fan to another season of futility.

Boy, the bloom came off that rose real quick, didn't it? Down 21-0 in the 1st quarter, the Lions spent the rest of the 1st half climbing back into the game and by the end of the half, it was 21-14. Maybe they had a chance!!!

Or maybe Michael Turner would continue to humiliate the Lions and the run defense would prove to be as porous as ever.

And the worst part is that this was a "win" game!! How many of you looked at this game as an easy 1-0 start to the season? And perhaps this is the problem. The Lions forecasted certain "win" games when they haven't proven themselves worthy of making such proclamations. So, going forward, this is an 0-16 team until I see otherwise.

Oh yeah, Fire Millen.

Comic Cover of the Week (09/07/08)

2008-09-08T06:03:00.001-07:00

The RNC......This Is The End

2008-09-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

And so we end with a whimper, not a bang.

What a god-awful speech by John McCain. It was boring, redundant and short on policy ideas. Plus, while McCain's past as a P.O.W. is an inspiring and uplifting story, it appears to be the only story he has. Cause we heard it again and again and again over a three-day period.

And I have to (yet again) call "bullshit" on the idea of the Republicans as the party of change. McCain's speech, in effect, argued that we should vote for the Republican Party because they can change Washington after the corrosive effect of....the Republican Party.

One quick side note: I have no problem with protests. I wouldn't even mind a silent protest in the arena during McCain's speech. But I thought that it was EXTREMELY bad form for that Code Pink woman to interrupt McCain's speech. We still have to have respect for one another, even if each side thinks the other is full of lying hypocrites.

One final thought on the RNC. It seemed like there was non-stop coverage of this purported "rift" between the Clintons and Barack Obama (which the polls prove to be untrue). Yet, there was virtually no coverage of the extremely bad "brand" the Republicans have right now. Do you realize how much of the Republican leadership did NOT attend that convention? And what about the thousands upon thousands of Republicans who went to St. Paul, not for the RNC, but for the Ron Paul alternative convention. The Republican Party is extremely fractured right now, but for some reason the "liberal" media only ginned up this non-existent battle between the Clintons and Barack Obama.

So now we enter the final two months of this seemingly neverending political season. I feel very good about the chances of the Democratic Pary to re-take the White House and to get a filibuster-proof majority in Congress. I'm not over-confident. I just feel good. Like real change is in the air.

The RNC.....So Far

2008-09-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

A few quick thoughts on the Republican National Convention this Thursday morning:

1. They say that the best trick the devil ever played was in convincing people he didn't exist. In that regard, would you have any idea that George Bush was President for the past 8 years if you tuned into this Convention? Other than 15 minutes on Tuesday night (combined between himself and his much more popular wife), Bush is a non-entity. Apparently that's what a 29 percent approval rating gets you. And Cheney (Mr. Eighteen Percent) hasn't been mentioned ONCE!!! It's funny. Eight years ago the Republicans fought like mad to get George Bush into office. Now, eight years later, they're pretending that he didn't even get elected. Wait a minute.....

2. I actually liked Fred Thompson's speech. It's almost like he can deliver a good line....and not much else. Joe Lieberman's speech was horrible. And it was full of lies. Barack Obama has reached over party lines on a lot of bills. Plus, for a guy who begged (BEGGED) Obama to come and campaign for him in '06, Lieberman sure has flip-flopped on Obama's capabilities.

3. Last night, you saw why John McCain is the Republican Presidential nominee. Because the other people running were utter morons, incompetents and unlikeable jackasses. Mitten Romney's speech was stilted and boring. And, by the way Mitt, perhaps YOU shouldn't be calling others "East Coast Elites." Also, there's only 5,000 people in Wasilla, Alaska. Joe Biden got more Presidential votes in one state than it was even possible for Sarah Palin to get in her Mayoral race. So that was a lie. Huckabee gave the best speech of the three former candidates last night. However, I don't buy that cheesy story about the teacher. Still, for a intemperate right-wing idealogue, he spoke well. Rudy. Ah, Rudy. I sure enjoyed all those attacks on Barack Obama's lack of executive experience. I enjoyed them more when you made them against John McCain:

"Giuliani, who never served in the military, said McCain “has never run a city, never run a state, never run a government. He has never been responsible as a mayor for the safety and security of millions of people, and he has never run a law enforcement agency, which I have done."

As for Sarah Palin, she spoke well. She continues to lie when she claims she rejected the Bridge to Nowhere. She actually fought FOR it before she was AGAINST it:

"Palin said Alaska’s congressional delegation worked hard to obtain funding for the bridge as part of a package deal and that she ‘would not stand in the way of the progress toward that bridge." Ketchikan Daily News 9/2006.

In fact, Governor Palin was a huge proponent of earmarks, to the point where John McCain cited her several years ago as an example of the abuse of the system:

"In 2001, McCain's list of spending that had been approved without the normal budget scrutiny included a $500,000 earmark for a public transportation project in Wasilla. The Arizona senator targeted $1 million in a 2002 spending bill for an emergency communications center in town -- one that local law enforcement has said is redundant and creates confusion.McCain also criticized $450,000 set aside for an agricultural processing facility in Wasilla that was requested during Palin's tenure as mayor and cleared Congress soon after she left office in 2002. The funding was provided to help direct locally grown produce to schools, prisons and other government institutions, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan watchdog group."

"McCain had criticized earmarks from Palin" L.A. Times, 09/03/08.

One last thing about Sarah Palin. The right wing world is screaming about the "Angry Left's" attacks on her daughter's teenage pregnancy and on the issue of whether a mother of five children should give that up to be Vice President. I have not seen ANY of these so-called attacks. These are strawdog arguments made up by the Right to demonize the Left and shore up a rather shaky VP pick. Yes, leftwing bloggers have discussed Bristol Palin's pregnancy, but only from two positions: (1) showing the outcome of Abstinence Only education and (2) showing how little the "maverick" (who really wanted Lieberman as his VP but caved to the rightwing of his party at the last minute and did only one day of vetting) actually knew of Governor Palin before tapping her as his VP.

And let's not even discuss the claim that the Republican party will be an advocate for children with special needs. To that I say "bullshit."

Tatum Bell finds New Job as Luggage Porter

2008-09-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

Sporting News staff reports

When running back Rudi Johnson visited the Detroit Lions on Monday after being cut Saturday by the Cincinnati Bengals, someone stole his bags from outside CEO Matt Millen's office, according to profootballtalk.com.

The perpetrator was Tatum Bell, who lost his job after Johnson and the team worked out a deal, reports PFT's Mike Florio, who also is a Sporting News contributor.

An in-house surveillance system revealed that Bell took the bags, a source told Florio. The source also said Bell took the bags to the home of a female acquaintance and asked her to keep them for a while. When confronted, Bell said he thought the bags belonged to someone he knew.
Johnson retrieved the bags, and Florio reports that no charges will be filed against Bell.

Comic Cover of the Week (08/31/08)

2008-08-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

Comic Cover of the Week (08/24/08)

2008-08-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

Comic Cover of the Week (08/17/08)

2008-08-18T10:57:00.001-07:00

Twelve Years of Wedded Bliss

2008-08-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Noahdaddy always chides me for talking about wholly unimportant issues with this blog. My response is that I'm a wholly unimportant person, so I stick with what I know. That being said, I sometimes put on my "Mature Adult" hat (to cover my bald spot, which is now known as my entire head) and talk about "mature" issues.

With that in mind, I cannot let the occasion of the 12th anniversary of my marriage to Mrs. Noahdaddy to pass by without professing my undying love for the unending pain in my butt (that's alot of pain!!). Yes my friends, Mrs. Noahdaddy constantly drives me nuts about issues which I feel are completely worthless. After all, who cares about me improving myself in the areas of work, family, health and general lifestyle improvements? And she wants me to spend all this time with my family!!!! It's SOOOOO annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!

And in return I treat her like a queen. I let her do anything she wants, so long as it doesn't interfere with her taking care of the kids, cleaning the home, doing well in school and generally waiting on me at every waking moment. But she is free to do whatever she wants between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. What a prince I am!!!

See, I told you I could be serious and mature.

In truth, as I watch the spike in divorces in our community, I'm eternally grateful for the Deus Ex Machina which caused Mrs. Noahdaddy and I to end up together and get married those twelve years ago. We can argue (and we do). We can go through rough times (and we do). But we always come back to each other. Mostly because we both know we can't do any better (kidding!!!).

Comic Cover of the Week (08/10/08)

2008-08-10T06:55:00.001-07:00

Feel The Pride Detroiters, Feel The Pride

2008-08-07T12:10:00.001-07:00

I've been busy today and have only caught bits and pieces of the news. what's this about Kwame Kilpatrick being traded to the Jets?

Please Vote

2008-08-05T08:17:00.001-07:00

Today's primary election might not seem important, but let's not forget that men and women died for our right to vote. I don't care who you vote for (though a vote for the zoo proposal would be nice), just go out and vote.

BRETT FAVRE!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

BRETT FAVRE! BRETT FAVRE! BRETT FAVRE!

BRETT FAVRE!! BRETT FAVRE!! BRETT FAVRE!!

BRETT FAVRE!!! BRETT FAVRE!!! BRETT FAVRE!!!

BRETT FAVRE!!!! BRETT FAVRE!!!! BRETT FAVRE!!!!

BRETT FREAKIN' FAVRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Frustration With Politics

2008-08-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

The shameful John McCain ads which ran this week frustrated me for several reasons. First, since when is John McCain NOT arrogant and a celebrity himself? He hosts SNL, appears in movies, describes himself in press releases as a "political celebrity", yet, it's Barack Obama who gets mocked in a commerical with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton (and by the way, nice way to take a public shit on a family that donated big money to your campaign). Moreover, the ads are racist. Sorry my GOP friends, but it's true. The subtext of "arrogance" is one that I have never seen raised against a white candidate.

The problem is, Barack Obama cannot discuss race and race issues. Each day that he is stuck in that mire is a bad day for him. It is the issues that matter. And that is why John McCain's shameful and despicable campaign knows it MUST keep Obama and his surrogates off of the main issues. Just like Karl Rove managed to keep John Kerry off-focus by discussing the timely issue in '04 of the Vietnam War, so too Rick Davis wants to focus Obama on race issues.

If I was running the Obama campaign, I would come out TODAY an attack McCain as a hypocrite. I would point out that he's one of the biggest celebrity-seeking politicians of the past half-century. I would then point out that these are serious times for serious people, and John McCain is not a serious man. You must shift focus back to the issues, where McCain is extremely soft and has proven himself unable to keep a single vision. Otherwise, George Bush gets a third term (well, actually it would be a second term. The first term was Al Gore's).

Comic Cover of the Week (08/03/08)

2008-08-04T05:29:00.001-07:00

Bye Pudge; Hello Kwame

2008-07-31T05:45:00.000-07:00

Detroit sports fans were treated to two head-scratching moves in the space of 48 hours. First, the Pistons signed Kwame Brown to a 2-year deal. Then, the Tigers traded Pudge Rodriguez to the Yankees for Kyle Farnsworth, straight up.

First, the Brown signing is just plain AWFUL. I know that a lot of people are spinning it as a no-lose situation because you only really signed Brown for one year and hey, if it doesn't work, you can send him packing. But, that argument ignores Joe D's insistence at the end of the season that he was going to make some big moves. So far, the only big moves have been firing Flip and replacing him with Michael Curry and signing Kwame Brown. Can you say that either move has improved the chances of the Pistons advancing to (and winning) the NBA Finals next year?

As for Pudge, I first feel that it's important to give the guy his due. He came to this town after the horrendous '03 campaign and put the Tigers on the winning track. Yes, he was paid a lot of money. But he could have made that money elsewhere and gone to a winning team considering he had just won the World Series with the '03 Marlins. As for the trade, I have no problem with getting rid of Pudge and re-installing Inge as the everyday catcher. In truth, Pudge's numbers at the plate have dropped off big time. My problem is that the Tigers should have insisted on more than just Kyle Farnsworth, an adequate stopper at best. Considering that the Tigers are only 5 1/2 games back with a lot of baseball still left to be played, does this help their chances in a playoff run?

These moves make me wistfully wish for the genius of one Matthew Millen.

Comic Cover of the Week (07/27/08)

2008-07-27T07:02:00.001-07:00

Change We Can Believe In

2008-07-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

I couldn't leave a WNBA post on the top of the blog for more than a day and this picture of Barack Obama speaking in Berlin is so beautiful that I just had to put it up.

CHICK FIGHT!!! CHICK FIGHT!!!

2008-07-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

For three glorious minutes last night, I became mildly interested in the WNBA.

Michael Savage - Threat or Menace?

2008-07-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hey, you can listen to whomever you want to in this crazy, mixed-up world of ours. But THIS is beyond the pale (quotes courtesy http://www.mediamatters.org/):

From the July 16 edition of Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation:

SAVAGE: Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I'm not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket. For a long while, we were hearing that every minority child had asthma. Why did they sudden -- why was there an asthma epidemic amongst minority children? Because I'll tell you why: The children got extra welfare if they were disabled, and they got extra help in school. It was a money racket. Everyone went in and was told [fake cough], "When the nurse looks at you, you go [fake cough], 'I don't know, the dust got me.' " See, everyone had asthma from the minority community. That was number one.

Now, the illness du jour is autism. You know what autism is? I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is.

What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, "Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot."

Autism -- everybody has an illness. If I behaved like a fool, my father called me a fool. And he said to me, "Don't behave like a fool." The worst thing he said -- "Don't behave like a fool. Don't be anybody's dummy. Don't sound like an idiot. Don't act like a girl. Don't cry." That's what I was raised with. That's what you should raise your children with. Stop with the sensitivity training. You're turning your son into a girl, and you're turning your nation into a nation of losers and beaten men. That's why we have the politicians we have.

Michael, the best your father could have done for you was force your mother to have an abortion.

Comic Cover of the Week (07/20/08)

2008-07-21T06:06:00.001-07:00

Fanchon Stinger: Unethical, But She's Got Good Taste In Pizza

2008-07-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

Say what you will about the stunningly bad journalistic ethics Fanchon Stinger has shown, you've got to admire her taste in pizza:

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=80B02D99EAE8D3D778D1BCE9A6A45604?contentId=6950534&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

(Sorry, I'm no good at embedding videos)

I wonder if she ordered the Greek Pizza. It's pretty good.

ESPN Killed The Home Run Derby

2008-07-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Let's call the Home Run Derby what it really is, glorified batting practice. That being said, it's fun to watch guys hit dingers. And it was REALLY fun to watch Josh Hamilton, the feel-good story of this year's MLB season, knock 28 HRs in the first round.

But..............he lost the damn derby to Justin Morneau.

Annnddddd..........Chris Berman is so goddamn annoying that he forces me to watch the derby on mute. My lord does he flog that "back, back, back" thing. It's like when a friend of yours hitched onto a "Wayne's World" line fifteen (!!!!) years ago and won't let go of it. Schwing!!!!!

Plus, everything has to be hyped, hyped and overhyped. Nothing is simply as it is. We have to get Babe Fuckin' Ruth shoved down our throats for three hours. There's no subtlety with the Worldwide Leader. It's all in your face again and again and again.

Even this morning, all you can read about on ESPN.COM is Hamilton's 28 HRs. There's virtually no mention of Morneau winning the damn thing. And you can expect that Shwami will be shoving Hamilton down your throats tonight if you watch the All-Star Game.

Enjoy!!!!

Comic Cover of the Week (07/13/08)

2008-07-13T06:22:00.001-07:00

Tigers Win After Signing New American Prospect

2008-07-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

Fun, fun Tigers game last night. I turned it off when the game appeared out of reach at 6-1 and turned back in when it had just been tied up. So, while I missed that 5-run seventh inning rally, I did get to see Carlos Guillen's two defensive plays and, of course, the Cabrera walk-off homer.

Before the game Double-P became a U.S. Citizen along with several other immigrants. U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Rosen conducted the oath. Double-P immediately began bitching about "foreigners" who are taking over the game.

An Open Message to to Mario Impemba

2008-07-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

Let me start off by saying that I like the Tigers TV broadcast team. I know that some people don't like Rod Allen, and the truth is that a little bit of Rod Allen goes a LOOOONNNGGGG way. But, I like Mario and I think they play well off each other.

But, if there's one thing I cannot stand, it's Mario's recent infatuation with pinning Placido Polanco with the nickname "Polly." What the hell Mario?? He's a grown man and a damn good ball player. Polly? POLLY???? Why don't you just start calling him "Nancy" and completely neuter him?

And the worst part is that there are some much better nickname options: Double-P; Plax (oh, that one might be taken); Bobblehead-P or BP; Not Ugie Urbina, etc. Please Mario, I'm begging you. Stop it. We haven't faced such a dire Tigers nicknaming crisis since the CoPa Offensive of '01.

And don't get me started on Mario calling Miguel Cabrera "cabby."

Comic Cover of the Week (07/06/08)

2008-07-07T06:05:00.001-07:00

My Darkest (And Best) Secret

2008-07-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

Those who know me are well aware of my rather eclectic musical tastes. While I love the Foo Fighters, Weezer and the White Stripes, I also have a rather large collection of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin CDs as well.

So it might come as a shocking surprise to people that I grew up as a massive Huey Lewis & The News fan. I owned all their albums. I wore out the tape to "Fore." I vociferously defended "Small World" even though I knew that the album really signalled the end of the band's heydey.

It's been a few years since I have really thought about Huey. In college I moved on to Nirvana and Pearl Jam and that led to the maturing of my musical tastes (though Mrs. Noahdaddy just thinks of me as "old" for listening to Rat Pack music). Well, one of the summer movies I have been looking forward to is Pineapple Express, a doper flick starring Seth Rogen and the underappreciated James Franco. So, you can imagine my thrill to discover that Huey Lewis & The News did the title track to the film. You can listen to it here: http://www.myspace.com/pineappleexpresssoundtrack.

I always knew that "I Want A New Drug" was a classic.

MNFBBQ Report: The First Time in "Stale Buns" New Home

2008-07-01T06:04:00.001-07:00

Last night's MNFBBQ was at "Stale Buns" new home, which is probably the most memorable part of the meeting. The movie was adequate. While "The Onion Movie" was never released in theaters and appears to be nothing more than a series of interconnected jokes, there were a few funny moments, but nothing too memorable. Steven Seagal as "Cockpuncher" was silly enough to make you laugh.

During the whole evening, Zwicker kept us up-to-date on the Tigers-Twins game, though when it became 4-1 in the Twins' favor, the updates stopped. By the way, "No Waitress" and Repair Guy Mark2 were not there. So it was a small group. "No Waitress" had a scheduled (but not excused) absence. We have no idea where Repair Guy Mark2 was last night. We thought he might have been at "Stale Buns" old house, knocking on the door.

After the movie, we watched a little bit of the Tigers game, but it wasn't looking promising. By the time I got home and plopped myself in front of the game, I was able to watch the Tigers make the evening somewhat more memorable.

Comic Cover of the Week (06/29/08)

2008-06-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

Comic Cover of the Week (06/22/08)

2008-06-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

Oh, Were The Boston Celtics In The NBA Championship Round? I Hadn't Heard

2008-06-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Your Wednesday sign of the apocalypse: Doc Rivers, NBA Championship Coach.

Going into this championship round, I was faced with a hobson's choice of which team to root for. I can't stand the Lakers, but I REALLY can't stand the Celtics. So, I'm somewhat upset with the outcome.

It's funny that I have no problem with any of the Celtic players as individuals. I always liked Kevin Garnett's game, even though I found him extremely weird and off-putting. I've always liked Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and their bench players are also nice enough guys.

But they're the Celtics, so fuck them. Fuck Red Auerbach. Fuck the Pawtriats. Fuck Ben Affleck. Fuck the Big Dig and Fuck Sam Adams beer. I hate them all.

Fawkin' Douchebags.

We Have The Technology

2008-06-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Scientists find bugs that eat waste and excrete petrol
Silicon Valley is experimenting with bacteria that have been genetically altered to provide 'renewable petroleum'
(Blatant Content Theft From http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4133668.ece)

Chris Ayres

“Ten years ago I could never have imagined I’d be doing this,” says Greg Pal, 33, a former software executive, as he squints into the late afternoon Californian sun. “I mean, this is essentially agriculture, right? But the people I talk to – especially the ones coming out of business school – this is the one hot area everyone wants to get into.”
He means bugs. To be more precise: the genetic alteration of bugs – very, very small ones – so that when they feed on agricultural waste such as woodchips or wheat straw, they do something extraordinary. They excrete crude oil.
Unbelievably, this is not science fiction. Mr Pal holds up a small beaker of bug excretion that could, theoretically, be poured into the tank of the giant Lexus SUV next to us. Not that Mr Pal is willing to risk it just yet. He gives it a month before the first vehicle is filled up on what he calls “renewable petroleum”. After that, he grins, “it’s a brave new world”.
Mr Pal is a senior director of LS9, one of several companies in or near Silicon Valley that have spurned traditional high-tech activities such as software and networking and embarked instead on an extraordinary race to make $140-a-barrel oil (£70) from Saudi Arabia obsolete. “All of us here – everyone in this company and in this industry, are aware of the urgency,” Mr Pal says.
What is most remarkable about what they are doing is that instead of trying to reengineer the global economy – as is required, for example, for the use of hydrogen fuel – they are trying to make a product that is interchangeable with oil. The company claims that this “Oil 2.0” will not only be renewable but also carbon negative – meaning that the carbon it emits will be less than that sucked from the atmosphere by the raw materials from which it is made.
LS9 has already convinced one oil industry veteran of its plan: Bob Walsh, 50, who now serves as the firm’s president after a 26-year career at Shell, most recently running European supply operations in London. “How many times in your life do you get the opportunity to grow a multi-billion-dollar company?” he asks. It is a bold statement from a man who works in a glorified cubicle in a San Francisco industrial estate for a company that describes itself as being “prerevenue”.
Inside LS9’s cluttered laboratory – funded by $20 million of start-up capital from investors including Vinod Khosla, the Indian-American entrepreneur who co-founded Sun Micro-systems – Mr Pal explains that LS9’s bugs are single-cell organisms, each a fraction of a billionth the size of an ant. They start out as industrial yeast or nonpathogenic strains of E. coli, but LS9 modifies them by custom-de-signing their DNA. “Five to seven years ago, that process would have taken months and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he says. “Now it can take weeks and cost maybe $20,000.”
Because crude oil (which can be refined into other products, such as petroleum or jet fuel) is only a few molecular stages removed from the fatty acids normally excreted by yeast or E. coli during fermentation, it does not take much fiddling to get the desired result.
For fermentation to take place you need raw material, or feedstock, as it is known in the biofuels industry. Anything will do as long as it can be broken down into sugars, with the byproduct ideally burnt to produce electricity to run the plant.
The company is not interested in using corn as feedstock, given the much-publicised problems created by using food crops for fuel, such as the tortilla inflation that recently caused food riots in Mexico City. Instead, different types of agricultural waste will be used according to whatever makes sense for the local climate and economy: wheat straw in California, for example, or woodchips in the South.
Using genetically modified bugs for fermentation is essentially the same as using natural bacteria to produce ethanol, although the energy-intensive final process of distillation is virtually eliminated because the bugs excrete a substance that is almost pump-ready.
The closest that LS9 has come to mass production is a 1,000-litre fermenting machine, which looks like a large stainless-steel jar, next to a wardrobe-sized computer connected by a tangle of cables and tubes. It has not yet been plugged in. The machine produces the equivalent of one barrel a week and takes up 40 sq ft of floor space.
However, to substitute America’s weekly oil consumption of 143 million barrels, you would need a facility that covered about 205 square miles, an area roughly the size of Chicago.
That is the main problem: although LS9 can produce its bug fuel in laboratory beakers, it has no idea whether it will be able produce the same results on a nationwide or even global scale.
“Our plan is to have a demonstration-scale plant operational by 2010 and, in parallel, we’ll be working on the design and construction of a commercial-scale facility to open in 2011,” says Mr Pal, adding that if LS9 used Brazilian sugar cane as its feedstock, its fuel would probably cost about $50 a barrel.
Are Americans ready to be putting genetically modified bug excretion in their cars? “It’s not the same as with food,” Mr Pal says. “We’re putting these bacteria in a very isolated container: their entire universe is in that tank. When we’re done with them, they’re destroyed.”
Besides, he says, there is greater good being served. “I have two children, and climate change is something that they are going to face. The energy crisis is something that they are going to face. We have a collective responsibility to do this.”

Comic Cover of the Week (06/15/08)

2008-06-15T07:02:00.001-07:00

Comic Cover of the Week (06/08/08)

2008-06-08T02:58:00.001-07:00

Wings Shrug Off MNFBBQ Curse: Win Stanley Cup

2008-06-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Now that the Wings have won the Stanley Cup and the Pistons were knocked out of the playoffs, I can focus on the Tigers all Summer. Let me just take a look at these standings right here.....what the hell???????

It's going to be a l-o-n-g summer.

MNFBBQ Report: They Should Have Pulled The Goalie

2008-06-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

You could hear it all day in Detroit. Overconfidence. The sense that the Stanley Cup was going to be hoisted at the end of Game 5. People spoke of it as a foregone conclusion. And, of course, it wasn't meant to be.

But we knew nothing of this when we showed up at Zwicker's home at 8:00 for MNFBBQ. We moved up the normal start time from 8:30 so we can watch the start of the game. And for a period-and-a-half, things looked dicey. Down 2-0, the Wings scored a second period goal and then scored two more in the third period to take a 3-2 lead.

This is it!!!! The Wings are going to win!!!! It's all over!!!!!!! Or at least, it WAS all over until the Pens scored with 34 seconds left in the game, sending Game 5 to overtime. After the first overtime, I left along with "No Waitress" (who spent the whole night advocating for both sides to pull their goalie). "Stale Buns" had left at the end of the second period.

So I stayed up to watch the whole game and, as we all know, the Pens scored in the 3rd overtime to send the game to a Game 6 Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. So, not only was last night's MNFBBQ the longest meeting we have ever had, it was also the most futile. Congratulations Zwicker, you suck.

Pistons Postmortem (2008)

2008-06-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

Tell me if this one sounds familiar: The Detroit Pistons go into the Eastern Conference Finals and look impressive in the early going, but end up losing the series 4-2. It should sound familiar, because it's the third year in a row in which that scenario played out.

I love the Pistons. And I love most of these players. But it is time to shake things up. In the past, I have always admired the hell out of Joe Dumars' ability to ignore the calls for shake-ups and trades. But he can't ignore it this time. The Pistons need a major shake-up or they are D-O-N-E.

First step? It's time to say good bye to Flip. He seems like a good man and I hate advocating for someone to get fired. But he simply isn't a good coach and his players have tuned him out. Grab Avery Johnson or promote Michael Curry. Get someone in there who the players will listen to.

Second step is to trade Rasheed. However, I am not advocating a trade of Rasheed because he's a loud mouth. In fact, I love that about him. I would suggest trading him because his value is high right now. He's entering the last year of his contract and he can still play. So, get rid of him now and trade for some needed pieces.

Third step is to get rid of Antonio McDyess. It pains me to say this, cause he's a genuinely good guy, but it's time to get younger and Jason Maxiell is ready to take that starters role.

Finally, while I don't think its crucial to take this step, trading Rip for some value and inserting Rodney Stuckey might not be a bad idea, though I have some concerns we are over-inflating Stuckey's value at this point because he had a good run in the playoffs.

Regardless, if the Pistons go into the 2008-09 season with these same pieces, you might as well get ready for a 4-2 Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Washington Wizards.

Comic Cover of the Week (06/01/08)

2008-06-01T06:27:00.001-07:00

Comic Cover of the Week (05/25/08)

2008-05-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

This Is Only The First Step

2008-05-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

Last night's win in Boston was great. It was awesome. It was fun to watch. But what it was not was the series winner. The series is only tied 1-1. If the Pistons want to go to the Finals, they need to keep their feet on the collective throats of the Celtics and win both games at home. They need to send the series back to Boston up 3-1. A loss in Detroit reverts home court to the Celts.

But, for a moment, let's just point out how friggin' awesome it was watching Rodney Stuckey school the Celtics last night. I loved this kid from the moment they drafted him and now everyone else can see why. Think about this guy coming off the bench the next year or so and then transitioning into a starting position.

But don't think about the next year too soon.

Comic Cover of the Week (05/18/08)

2008-05-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

The Ironing is Delicious

2008-05-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

Last year, the Pistons traded Darko Milicic to the Magic, in effect, for a first-round draft pick. The Pistons selected Rodney Stuckey. Last night, in a closeout Game 5, Rodney Stuckey ended the season for the Magic.

With Chauncey out for the second game in a row, the rookie came in and was masterful, even after early foul trouble. Setting aside the points scored or the assists, it was the ZERO turnovers that impressed me. Though what impressed me most was the pass pictured above. while Tayshaun is getting a lot of love this morning for his block (and deservedly so), this pass through the arms of poor, poor Hedo Turkgolu was just F-U-N.

So goodbye Darko. Goodbye Magic. Hello Eastern Conference Finals.

Finish It

2008-05-13T06:08:00.000-07:00

When you have your foot on the opponent's neck, you keep it on there. The Pistons are up 3-1 in their series against Orlando. No other team can say that right now in the NBA playoffs. In fact, in this second round, the Pistons are the only team to win an away game.

So now, whether Chauncey plays tonight or not, let's finish it. Dominate at home and put the Magic on the golf course tomorrow morning. Get some rest and wait for Boston or Cleveland.

That is all.

Comic Cover of the Week (05/12/08)

2008-05-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

Don't Panic

2008-05-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

For all the Pistons faithful whose hearts seized up when Chauncey did that little ballet move three minutes into the game, my advice is simple. Don't panic. Don't worry. The Pistons are still up 2-1. They still have homecourt advantage. They still managed to climb back into a game in which they had NO BUSINESS being competetive, being down only four points at the end of the 3rd.

The problem for the Pistons last night was that Rashard Lewis went OFF. The Pistons couldn't stop him. That is always bound to happen. But, after a horrendous 1st quarter, the Pistons shrugged off the loss of their All-Star point guard and climbed back into the game. Rodney Stuckey scored 19 points. So don't tell me the Pistons can't win without Chauncey. And, by the way, even though if you read the Orlando papers they are gleeful about the injury, it appears that there's a good chance Chauncey will play in Game 4.

But here's my prediction: Even if Chauncey sits out the remainder of this series, I still believe the Pistons win it in six. I think that the Pistons can make the necessary adjustments and beat a Magic team that still does not have the advantage in guard play.

Pistons in six, even if Chauncey is out. I'm out on the limb. Feel free to join me.

MNFBBQ Report: Where 60.1 Seconds Happen

2008-05-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

I knew it.

When Chauncey hit that 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter and it became clear that the shot should not have counted, I knew that it would become the big story.

I guess I should back up for a moment. Last night, MNFBBQ met at the home of "No Waitress". Leading up to last night's meeting, there was some discussion about whether we should watch a movie or the Pistons-Magic game. With the game starting at 7:00 and MNFBBQ not meeting until 8:30, it was possible that the game (which would have been in the 3rd quarter) might have been a blow-out at that point. So, we warned "No Waitress" to have a backup movie in case the game was unwatchable at half-time.

Well, the Pistons were up by 10 points at the half, but with a 3-point shooting team like Orlando, that kind of deficit can go away pretty quickly. And it did. The Magic were "lights out" in the third. And with 5.1 seconds left in the quarter, the Magic had turned than 10-point deficit into a 1-point lead. The Pistons brought out the ball, but the clock froze at 4.8, so when the ball was passed to Rodney Stuckey for the last shot of the quarter, he went up to shoot and saw 4.8 seconds remaining. So he passed the ball to Chauncey, who shot a three and made it, putting the Pistons up by one point. However, the shot should not have counted, as the TNT crew later showed that the shot went out of Chauncey's hands after 5.22 seconds, which would have been after the clock expired.

So yes, the Magic got jobbed on that one play. But for the Magic to blame their eventual loss on that play would ignore the remaining 12 minutes in the game. The Magic would also have to ignore the fact that they were up by 4 points at one point in the 4th quarter and that they squandered that lead with poor defensive plays (dead ball foul anyone?), silly shots (Hedo contested 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in the game and the Magic only down by 2) and poor, poor decision making. Also, the Magic would have to ignore the fact that they lost the game by more than those three points!!!! So, the Pistons go up 2-0. And the Magic go on whining.

By the way, the burgers and dogs were good. "No Waitress" also served salami, but after I had a poor reaction to some salami over Pesach, I decided to take a pass.

Comic Cover of the Week (05/04/08)

2008-05-04T07:21:00.001-07:00

Answering the "Goddamn Batman" Question

2008-05-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

For those who asked about the "goddamn Batman" reference several posts ago, this is the infamous (and yet at the same time AWESOME) sequence on which it is based.

Well, That Was Fun

2008-05-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday night is my favorite night of the week. You're going into the weekend. There are some decent TV shows on (The Office, 30 Rock, CSI) and its Spinach Pie night at home.

But last night was THE BEST THURSDAY NIGHT EVER!!!!! Besides watching all those regular shows (I had to tape CSI on the DVR and save it for another night) and eating Spinach Pie after a one week Passover hiatus, I was flipping between three fun Detroit sports team games.

The Tigers completed their three-game sweep of the Yankees by blasting Ian Kennedy 8-4. After starting 0-7, the Tigers are now 14-15. Not bad.

The Red Wings, though not that interesting to me and I cannot say I did much other then occasionaly flip over to the game, aboslutely CRUSHED the Avalanche 8-2 to win their series 4 games to 0.

Finally, the Pistons proved me wrong and finally took care of business against the Sixers. This game was over quick. The Pistons scored the first 10 points of the game and never looked back. They go on to face an Orlando team that is better than the team the Pistons swept in the first round of the playoffs last year. Chauncey and Rip are the keys in this series, which is a winnable series.

So, all in all, even though Friday nights are always enjoyable and relaxing, it'll be a bit of a letdown tonight. I'll have to make up for it by eating an extra meatball at dinner.

Where Underdogs Happen

2008-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Golden State Warriors made it possible.

After the '07 Warriors, a number eight seed, beat the number one seeded Mavericks, NBA fans began to realize that anything is possible now in a seven-game series. So, as the two top seeds in the East find themselves tied at 2-2 this morning, who is in greater trouble? I find myself saying that the Pistons are probably looking at a larger problem, having appeared lethargic at times and having lost on their own home court. However, Boston was the "annointed team" this year and has lost two games in a row to the Hawks.

Do the Pistons and Celtics win these series? I'd like to think so. But, if they can't, the NBA will have produced a scenario in which its fans can go into any playoff series and say "what if?"

Where All Bets Are Off Happens.

Comic Cover of the Week (04/27/08)

2008-04-28T11:03:00.001-07:00

I'm The Goddamn Batman!!!!

2008-04-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

With all of the "Iron Man" hoopla, we tend to forget that the new Batman film comes out this Summer. As the new film poster demonstrates, there will be a rather decent level of kickassery involved.

Righting the Ship?

2008-04-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

When the Pistons-Sixers series was set, I told people that this was a Sixers team that concerned me. They are young and athletic, the exact type of team that could give the Pistons fits. And when the Pistons lost the first game, I felt pretty bad about being right.

Fast forward to last night. Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs is a little too early to pull out the "must win" cliche. But, last night was a "must win." Thankfully, the Pistons cruised to an easy victory. The question is this: Was last night's win a mere blip in which a disinterested Pistons teams decided to put their foot on the pedal, but subsequent games will revert to the "Bored Pistons" we've grown accustomed to, or was it the beginning of a new focus? Game 3 is Friday night. Let's see which team shows up.

Comic Cover of the Week (04/20/08)

2008-04-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Sports Odds & Ends: The Return

2008-04-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

MLB: The Tigers won last night by putting on yet another eighth-inning beatdown. Are the Tigers turning a corner? After starting 0-7, they are now 4-3 in the past seven games. Yes, it give them a rather shoddy record of 4-10. But.....they're only 4 1/2 games out of first place and climbing.

NBA: IT'S PLAYOFF TIME!!! I've stayed relatively quiet on the NBA front because I felt I was jinxing the Pistons in the past with some of my posts (ah, the narcissistic way of a fan). But, now the Pistons are about to play the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. I have to tell you, I'm a little concerned. The Sixers are loaded with young, athletic players. These are just the type of players who give the Pistons fits. Flip would be well advised to utilize the bench judiciously.

NFL: The '08 schedule is out and I count only three victories: Week 1 at Atlanta; Week 3 at San Francisco and Week 7 at Houston (this is the one "what the hell?" game of the year you can always count on from the Lions). Someone else in my office also counted three wins, though we only matched up on that San Fran game. Regardless, we felt that the Lions were nothing more than a three-win team.

NHL: The Wings are up 2-1 against the Predators in the first round of the NHL playoffs. This hereby exhausts my NHL knowledge.

Comic Cover of the Week (04/13/08)

2008-04-13T06:06:00.000-07:00

Bless You Boys?

2008-04-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Roller Coaster made it interesting last night, but the Tigers finally won their first game of the 2008 season, beating the Red Sox 7-2.

So what is going on with the Tigers? A strong pick for World Series contenders, they have gotten off to a horrendous start. Hitting has been virtually non-existent, especially from the big bats like Cabrera, Sheffield and Guillen. Who knew that Clete Freakin' Thomas and Brandon Inge would be the powerhouses on the team? Pitching has been stable, if not great. The pen looks as dicey as we expected.

So is this the fate of the '08 team? A team that was picked to win it all, but can't even win a game? I think not. I truly believe that the bats will turn it around and, when Curtis Granderson comes back, things will really pick up. Will the Tigers win the World Series? It's too early to tell. But they can't keep losing, can they?

MNFBBQ Report: I'm Making It Up As I Go

2008-04-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

MNFBBQ was at my house yesterday and I can describe it as "hit and miss." I thought the burger and dogs were pretty good, but I have a bunch of leftovers today so I might be fooling myself. Apparently going with asian burger (peanuts and soy included) didn't thrill people's taste buds the way they did mine.

The movie selection was different, but I'm simply too geeked up about the upcoming Indiana Jones film not to show Raiders. In retrospect I should have shown Blades of Glory, which was sitting in my DVR. I'm not saying that Blades is a better movie. It isn't even in the same league. But it might have been more conducive to an MNFBBQ meeting. Oh well, live and learn.