Easiest region: Midwest

Hardest region: East

Position I would least like to be in: Illinois.  I’m pretty sure everyone is picking them to lose to 12-seed Western KY, but if the Illini can get past, they likely will face Gonzaga in Portland, and then UNC.  Not sweet.

Final Game prediction: Louisville 72, UNC 70.  Louisville, represent.

FINALLY – somebody has come clean about using steroids.  I’ve previously written on a few occasions how people forgive and forget faster if everything is out on the table.  I’m sure that fans won’t ever fully forgive A-Rod for his steroid use, but A-Rod has certainly put himself in a better position than the positions in which Clemens, Bonds, and McGuire have put themselves.

I also wrote several months ago about how we have to start blaming MLB, and not the players.  The steroid policy that MLB set up in the late 90s and early 2000s was a bunch of crap.  And you know why?  Because it didn’t exist!  MLB didn’t explicitly ban steroids until 2004, or about 6 years after it was painfully obvious that McGuire and Sosa were juicing, or at least on something, during their 1998 home run chase.  How could Bud Selig not know that this was occuring?  Instead, we watched as he laughed all the way to the bank, reaping the rewards of that season.

Because MLB wasn’t testing for so many years, of course there are going to be a large number of players looking to gain that (allowed) competitive edge. Why?  Because it wasn’t against the rules, large contracts and records were up for grabs, and MLB allowed (and, by glorifying the power records, borderline encouraged) it to happen.

When banks offered sub-prime mortgages to consumers who were in no financial position to undertake them, of course the consumers are going to sign on the dotted line.  Why?  Because regulators allowed it to happen, and because hey, now people are able to buy a house!

When U of I works out a deal with Champaign, IL to allow 19-year-olds into the bars, of course the underage students are going to head straight for Kams’ finest Miller High Life.  Why?  Because they were allowed into the bar!  And then the University sits back and complains about underage drinking on campus.

Do you see a trend here?

So how can MLB sit back and allow all the players to be the bad guys, when it should be pointing at itself. Yes, the players are partially to blame, but this mess would have been substantially mitigated had MLB acted sooner than it did.

Okay, sincere apologies for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks.  Being out in DC, I was distracted by some jock named Barack who came rolling through here last Tuesday.  Yes, it’s a new year, and we have a new president and improved morale.  And for some reason, I feel connected to Obama.  Maybe it’s because we’re both a lanky 6’2″, we’re both from Chicago, we’re both left-handed, we’re both lawyers, we’re both Sox fans, we’re both Cubs haters, we’re both Bears fans, and we both recently moved to DC; although, it could be something else.  Let’s get down to business.

While Obama was the big news last week, the big news this week is getting to experience my very first DC snowstorm.  And it was a HUGE one: about 2.5″.  Yeah, big news out here, and with the news came a subsequent shutting down of the city for two days.  During my commute to work the other day, I flipped on the radio and heard the report that pretty much all area schools were closed, some federal businesses were closed, and some Universities were closed.  That last part just makes me mad, because I can’t even begin to fathom how much snow and salt damage my flip-flops endured during my 4 years in Champaign.

The worst part about commuting during a DC “snowstorm” is that nobody knows how to drive in the snow.  For one, people drive about half the speed limit, which obviously slows traffic.  But even worse, people still don’t know how to drive even when they’re going that slow.  They can’t estimate how long it takes to stop, they have no concept of how to handle anti-lock brakes, and SUV owners don’t know that you actually have to switch on 4-wheel drive, thus negating the benefits of having an SUV in the snow.

But, I would take horrible drivers once a winter over Chicago’s winter, AKA three months of temps in the 10s and 20s and Chicago’s snow “removal” department pushing snow to the sides of the roads so it can subsequently mold into a giant block of ice.  In fact, I’m so relieved with the temps out here, that I frequently will wear my workout shorts home after a late workout with a big smile on my face.  People inquire about how I can stand it, and I just tell them that it’s because I’ve been with Del Griffith, and I can take anything.  Some don’t know what I’m talking about, while others will nod in seeming agreement of the annoyances of the shower curtain ring fella’.

Getting back to Champaign, how about the Fighting Illini basketball team?  This is the most excited I’ve been about the team since their remarkable ’05 season.  And yes, that includes ’06 when they still had Dee Brown.  Looking back, it took me at least two years to get over that loss to UNC in the title game.  Let’s just move on.  This year’s team plays vintage Weber ball: speedy guards, great “D”, 3-point sharpshooters, the son of some dude named Michael Jordan, and an insanely ugly and gangly white guy.  And from what I hear, the Illini have some prized recruits coming in that might result in me buying rounds of drinks at Joe’s on Weed in early April, 2011.  Keep up the good work, boys.

Other thoughts from the week:

- What’ s up with Joe Torre selling out and “writing” his new (and only) book, “The Yankee Years”?  Phil Jackson did the same thing with the Lakers a few years back.  Granted, the Yankees probably treated Torre like crap his last couple years as the team’s manager, but I just feel like it’s a sell out, low-blow move.  In the words of the little boy who idolized Shoeless Joe Jackson, and, oh yea, Sarah Palin, say it ain’t so, Joe.

- I have to ask: am I the only Andy Roddick fan in this country?  Seems like everyone hates this guy, and I don’t know why.  Not that I really don’t like Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic, but I would much rather see an American take down these guys than see the three of them exclusively rake in the major championships like they have been the last 5 years.  Come on, America!  Yes we can!…cheer for Andy Roddick.

- I have several new obsessions since I last wrote an extensive entry and since I could last enjoy life without worrying about finals (roughly 1995).  Namely, How I Met Your Mother (I’m convinced that I’m a cross between HIMYM’s Ted and Friday Night Lights’ Landry) — hands down the most relevant (to me) sitcom on TV.  Also, Netflix’ partnership with Xbox, which allows me to stream many of Netflix’ titles directly to my TV through my Xbox in HD quality.  Brilliant.  Check out this number: Netflix’ 2008 Q4 revenue increased 45%, shooting the stock up 15% in one day.  With Apple TV, Vudu, Roku, and now Netflix/Xbox (and I think there’s another one out there too), we’re heading towards a combination of on-demand TV/movies and huge home storage platforms, should you want to “keep” a movie.  Moral of story, don’t waste your money on DVDs/Blu-Ray discs, because they’re eventually headed the way of CDs.

- Pearl Jam is re-releasing their first album “Ten” in a couple of months with a bunch of extra material.  I get a little sad thinking about this because PJ was the first band from my generation that I really liked, and now they’re starting to re-release their albums.  So, yes, I’m coming to grips with being old.  Bold/logical prediction alert: Pearl Jam, at one point in the next 30 years, will be considered by most to be the greatest American rock band ever (I’m not counting Springsteen, who, by his fault, I consider more a solo artist).  The only other bands who have a shot are Aerosmith (songs don’t endure well enough), Metallica (too heavy), Van Halen (personnel too inconsistent), Grateful Dead (too jammy), The Eagles (not enough material), Nirvana (see: Eagles), the Doors (just not good enough), REM (too alternative), Journey (too awesome), and DMB (either too South African or too cliché, even though I will argue to the death that they are one of the most talented bands around) and I just don’t see it happening.

- I saw The Godfather for the first time ever a few nights ago (I know, crazy), in its remastered 5.1 audio glory.  Four words: I was missing out.  And now I’m gonna queue up Godfather Part II in my instant Netflix.  Other “I can’t believe you haven’t seen….” movies I still need to check off my list: Pulp Fiction, The Usual Suspects, American History X, Se7en, Princess Bride, Revenge of the Nerds.

- Not sure how I managed to stumble up on this, but before you click on the link, read the whole article and then check out the source of the last quote, near the bottom.

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/reasons-behind-actress-jennifer-love-hewitts-split-revealed/18023?nc

Really?  Does US Weekly have to scrape that far down in the barrel that a quote from the lead singer of LFO actually makes the cut?  I’m very confused … and insulted.  Regardless, the only reason that I, or anyone else, would ever hear of LFO is if you were a teenager in 1999.  Otherwise, you’re asking yourself, “who the hell is this guy?”

- Quick Bears note to mark down: if the Bears miss the playoffs next season, they’re gonna fire Lovie and hire either Cowher, Gruden, or Shanahan.

- Another quick Bears note: in case you haven’t heard, the Arizona Cardinals used to be the Chicago Cardinals, and apparently they had a pretty intense rivalry with the Bears.  I stumbled upon this pretty interesting article: http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/hey_missy/2009/01/go-cards-boo-bears-.html .  The best quote from a guy listing off his favorite teams: “[and for us], it was, and will forever be, the Cardinals and White Sox and whoever plays the Bears and Cubs.”

- Finally, my Super Pick: Arizona (+7) over Pittsburgh

Last Week: 3-1

Baltimore (+3) over TENNESSEE – I just don’t see how the Titans offense (with “superstar” Kerry Collins) are going to get by the Ravens D.  At least Joe Flacco and his unibrow have a chance of putting up some points.  The Ravens win this one.

CAROLINA (-10) over Arizona – I think the Panthers are this year’s Super Bowl champions.

Philly (+4) over NY GIANTS – Is it just me or does it feel like it’s just not the Giants’ year?

San Diego (+6) over PITTSBURGH – I don’t know how, but the Chargers are playing rejuvenated football.  Why can’t the Bears turn Garrett Wolfe into Darren Sproles?

Last year I went 9-2 in my playoff picks.  Let’s see if I can top that.

Atlanta (+1.5) over ARIZONA – there’s not much of a home field advantage if nobody in the home city buys tickets to the game.

SAN DIEGO (+1) over Indy – Call me crazy, but I think Peyton is due for a bad game.

Baltimore (-3) over MIAMI – This Baltimore team could beat the Dolphins without even fielding an offense.

Philly (-3) over MINNESOTA – I will not take Tavaris Jackson in a playoff game, thankyouverymuch.

I finally went back and found the week missing from my running season total (damn you, week 9!).  So in weeks 9, 15, and 16, I went 16-26-2, bringing my season picks total to 112-118-8.

Chances of getting to .500?  Slim.  Serves me right for skimming on them (sorry!).

Week 17:

Oakland (+13) over TAMPA BAY – I think the Bucs still win this one, but has Oakland looked halfway decent these last couple of games?

Detroit (+11) over GREEN BAY – Just doesn’t seem fair that Michigan, of all states, has had to endure the Lions this year.

PHILLY (-1.5) over Dallas – I don’t trust Romo in big games.  Then again, I don’t trust the Eagles in any game.

NY Giants (+7) over MINNESOTA – Dear Tom Coughlin: play your starters.  Thanks, Me.

Houston (-3) over CHICAGO – I’m honestly more worried about the Bears losing than I am the Vikings winning.  Houston has a lot of weapons: Schaub, A. Johnson, Slaton, Owen Daniels.  The Bears have one: Forte.  Orton needs to step it up.

Carolina (-2) at NEW ORLEANS – Watch out for the Panthers in the playoffs.

St. Louis (+14) over ATLANTA – Hey Atlanta, can the Bears switch games with you?

CINCY (-2.5) over Kansas City – It’s the Cedric Benson show down in Ohio.  Say what?

BALTIMORE (-11) over Jacksonville – My recent connection to the Ravens: I drove by their stadium a few weeks ago.

Tennessee (-3) over INDY – Are either of these teams playing for anything? If not, then Dungy does a better job of resting his starters.

PITTSBURGH (-11) over Cleveland – As I was glancing through my previous weeks, I noticed a disturbing trend of me picking the Browns every week, and subsequently losing.  Too little too late?  Yes.

Miami (+3) over NY JETS – What’s the over/under on number of Favre interceptions?  4?

New England (-5.5) over BUFFALO – Has anyone even noticed that the Pats are #1 in scoring offense in the AFC?

Seattle (+7) over ARIZONA – My lock of the week.

SAN FRAN (-3) over Washington – My 2nd lock of the week.  ‘Skins in for a looooooong offseason.

SAN DIEGO (-8) over Denver – Disturbing trend that I noticed #2: I pick (and lose on) the Broncos every week.

GO BEARS!

Wow.  For the first 53 minutes of last night’s thriller of a Bears game, I wasn’t quite sure which team was fighting for the playoff spot.  On one hand, I knew that the Packers would have loved to give the Bears a long offseason, but I didn’t think that the Bears would come out so flat (then again, you can’t have much hop to your step when it’s 0 degrees).  Then, midway through the 4th, Matt “Who are Salaam, Enis, and Benson?” Forte finally ran one around the Packer defense, and the Bears were once again Good as Gould.

The Bears also received some help when the Vikes, Bucs, and Birds, and ‘Boys all lost.  The one win, though, that worries me the most is the Giants’ OT win over the Panthers.  With the victory, Eli Manning and Co. (side note: thanks for all the fantasy “help” the last 4 weeks of the year, Eli!) clinched the #1 seed in the NFC, meaning their next game against the Vikings, a game that the Bears sorely need the Giants to win, doesn’t mean a thing.

However…

The Giants know a thing-or-two about end-of-the-year-play-your-starters Karma.  I point you to 2007, week 17, when the Giants, with nothing to play for, played all their starters against the Patriots, but ended up being the “16″ in the Pats’ 16-0 season.  Of course, the Giants ultimately became the “1″ in “18-1″ following their Super Bowl victory.

Alternatively, the Bears can hope that the Cowboys lose at Philly and the Bucs lose at home to the Raiders, but I’m thinking that one of those teams is going to win.  Which means, assuming the Bears polish off the Texans, I will be on my couch at 3:15 on Sunday, imploring Tom Coughlin to play his starters.

Well, well, well.  What a week I missed back in the I.L.  The guy pictured above: not smart.

We also have the annual Terrell Owens-whatever-team-he’s-on rift.  For as much talent that guy still has, I wouldn’t want him on my team.  And yes, that would include him starting over the Rashied Davis, who almost cost the Bears the game on Thursday (in addition to a few other weeks).

Before I get to my weekly picks where I inevitably finish right around .500, I’d like to point out my college football prediction that I had back on August 29:

“BCS Championship Game: Oklahoma over Florida

Heisman Trophy: Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford”

So yes, I can guess correctly sometimes.

Last Week: 7-9  Season: 96-92-6 (I also think this record excludes a prior week, so I’ll go back at some point and adjust.)

Green Bay (-2) over JACKSONVILLE

Detroit (+17) over INDY

Washington (-7) over CINCY

ATLANTA (-3) over Tampa Bay

San Fran (+6.5) over MIAMI

Seattle (-2.5) over ST. LOUIS

NY JETS (-7.5) over Buffalo

Tennessee (-3) over HOUSTON

BALTIMORE (-3) over Pittsburgh

Denver (+8) over CAROLINA

KANSAS CITY (+5.5) over San Diego

ARIZONA (-3) over Minnesota

New England (-7) over OAKLAND

NY Giants (+3) over DALLAS

Cleveland (+14) over PHILLY