Let’s try this again/ AGAINST ALL ODDS Week Two

When last we left our hero he was busy going 0-7-1 last week (Thanks Hawks!!!) and wondering if I jinxed myself by starting a column. Well, probably, but that’s not going to stop me from cranking a few words out about the games this weekend.

My hope now is that I continue my winless streak and everyone knows to bet against the Lodge Guru. So as with last week, we’re using the opening lines from this site And picking 4 ameteur and 4 pro games.

You ready Al? (trying the beard this week) Ok let’s go:

College:

Local #2:

Men of Troy(-20.5) at Men of Montlake, after last week and not hitting the spread on the road against UCLA and the D not looking like they’re going to hold USC under 44 either, this could be a long night…still, my heart says Dawgs, but my head says SC….going with the heart….UW+20.5

WSU(+2.5) at The Tuscan Wildcats, not sure why the Cougs are getting points in this one, could be the make or break for Stoops and he’s shown in years past a knack for doing just enough to keep him employed…going with the ‘Cougs +2.5

Top 25 action:

Cal (+4.5) at The Eugene Green Hole of I-5…nicknamed “Can they both lose Bowl 2007”, I supposed someone has to lose and I love the speed of Cal, but not sure they can run consistently to keep UO off the field, end of the day I think Jackson/Longshore are better than Dixon/Stewart…Cal +4.5

Wildcard:

Commander and Chief Trophy

Air Force (+3) at Navy, down year for the Middie’s, giving up a lot of points to bad opponents, always a pride game, with the Falcons on the losing end the last couple of years, like the Academy from Colorado Springs…Air Force +3

Professional:

Hawks(-1.5) at SF…payback from last year, will be the opposite of the open-ended game last week. If the Hawks D can stay off the field and get Smith to throw the football they should be ok, V. Davis is out and Matthew knows this is the “set the tone” game for the division after what happened in Glendale…Hawks -1.5

Denver(+10) at Indy…Colts back in the dome after two good away wins, ‘Cos stuggling and should be 0-3 at this point….P-E-Y-10

Pittsburgh(-4.5) at AZ…a bit of a teaser here…is there some insider knowledge? Not sure it matters, The Steel Nation looks confident via air and land, and QB by rotation is the first step to the unemployment line….Pitt-4.5

MNF:

John Edward Thomas Moynahan’s father(-7) at Bengales…not sure on this one, so I’m going with the o/u, which is set at 52…and I’m going 52+, over…

Hope to be back next week at 0-15-1…

Gooses Take : Shaun Alexander, Its time to draft the future

Ok. So after watch Shaun run even softer over the last few weeks and listening to KJR radio hosts say how "Gutsy" he is for running while hurt. He had altered his running style severely this year to protect his arm. Because we have no depth.

I bring this bit of wisdom to the table. Shaun Alexander needs a challenge.

I dont see Mo Morris as the future.

Its time to do 2 things.

Invest a #1 or #2 pick on a RB to take Shauns place in 2 years.

Sign a veteran RB (Maybe a former starter) as quality depth.

I'm tired of seeing Shaun run protecting his body over getting additional yardage. Im tired of leaning on a back that doesn't block or catch the ball. I think Shaun is still a quality back, not a superstar, but quality. I think getting a young hungry back in here is key. I like the multiple back approach that Indy used. I think different style backs add to a running game. Some have Speed, some are slashers, some are power. Lets sign a vet so that if SA goes down, (He's had two broken bones in less that 14 months) we have a back who can carry 24-100.

I'd like to think SA has a few good years left, however loyal the Hawks may be, they need to prepare for the future. I think a top need next year will be RB. I hope Tim Ruskell see's it my way

Thats Goose's take...Happy Friday all

Ass Flask Reunion: Bottom 5 & Top 5 of the 626

Just got done grubbing on some edamame and walked to class. One of the reasons we picked our apartment was because it's only two to three blocks away from campus. The class I am coming to you from is Urban Studies. I'm wearing baggy shorts... it is possible the professor will mistake me for a city kid. We will see. Of course, there's probably a better chance he's connected to the mafia. According to his website, his grandfather immigrated from Corleone and grandmother from Sambuca di Sicilia to Chicago at the turn of the twentieth century.

But I digress. Let's get on with it and make the lists. I'll start off with the Bottom 5, followed by the Top 5. So without further ado... the Bottom 5:

5. Smog
I named my Lodge team name after it. And seriously, it's pretty bad. After rain & or winds, it's not really noticeable. But normally it just puts a haze over the sky. Weird. The smog from downtown and the beach communities moves up to Pasadena due to the city being tucked next to the "mountain range" above LA County.

4. Lack of Quality Pet Stores
Those of you with pets might know about Mud Bay, an amazing pet store in Seattle that specializes in natural foods, treats and bones. In LA... nothing. Not even an equivalent store. The best dog store is not a store but a Three Dog Bakery that makes natural treats for dogs. That place was great but expensive.

3. EarthLink
Yes, the 626 area code might have looked familiar to some of you, because of our unfortunate past working for the same company. Of course, the Lodge never would have been created without that fact. So that counts for something.

Crazy thing I found a blog link from a week ago that mentions that "the company in the midst of transition." Umm... right. Apparently "transition" is a 5 year process for EarthLink execs. B!tches.

2. Cable
We can't get cable in our building. Time Warner apparently services all of LA County except Pasadena. DirecTV is in the buildings workout room & the Dish Network is another option, but not for someone who's apartment faces North and doesn't have access to the roof to point South / Southwest. The good thing is I've already lost double digit weight from watching sports games while working out.

1. LA Attitude
If you are familiar with Curb Your Enthusiasm, you'll know about the LA attitude and everyone's superficial and "I'm better than you" view towards each other. It's just weird. It's who you know, what you do, and how much you make. Hard to explain. But the b!thces are the worst thing about LA.

Top 5:

5. No Work
Having not to work while in school makes the Top 5 for sure. Jenny and I had a month off to move and get adjusted to our new city and it was awesome to take that time off from work. It was a huge blessing being about to relax and recharge during this time of transition in our lives.

4. School
Fuller’s main campus is located in Pasadena. And yes, it’s one of the highlights because I’m able to finish up my Masters in one year. If I survive my heavy class load, I’ll be coming home for 2+ weeks in December, since classes end December 7.

3. The Industry
As much as the LA attitude sucks, with “The Industry” being mostly in Hollywood and it’s surrounding areas, LA has a ton of movie theaters and a ton of opportunity to see entertainment in general. There are 3 movie theaters within 1 mile of our place, carrying both major and independent productions. In addition, Greg mentioned to me before I left Seattle that there are only 2 cities that every musical artist always tours through when touring the States. One is LA. I’m hoping to join a weekly poker game with Clooney in the next few weeks. If he’ll only return my calls…

2. The Beach
And I’m not talking the extremely underwhelming Leonardo DiCaprio movie. But nice beaches about 30 minutes from our place in Pasadena. There’s a great dog beach in Huntington Beach that Gatsby (aka Nate Newton) enjoyed himself to the point of passing out at.

1. 4 hours from Las Vegas
That’s right. Vegas, baby! I bring this up because I’m going to be in Vegas two weekends from now, October 5-7. And if there’s anyplace one can find last minute cheap tickets to, it’s Vegas. I’ve mentioned this to some of you previously, and I know some Lodge members are rumored to be coming out that same weekend for The Dude’s birthday + it’s known that Goose has prior football commitments. But that being said, it would be great to see more of you that weekend.

Jenny is going because of her sister’s birthday and her girlfriend’s birthday being that weekend. So they are going to celebrate by going to clubs and seeing some “shows.” Obviously I’m going to stick to the drinking, gambling & sports books. Jimbo and I might have an “ass-flask” reunion. In fact, that event is pretty much a given. Mark it down in pen.

So I’d love to place any bets for anybody if need be. I’ll collect money for the bets during Christmas break. Feel free to email me any picks and gambling hints. Goose, I’ll probably need a blackjack 102 post, with a refresher on the basics and some advanced technique since this will be my second visit to Sin City.

Look out coach, there's a bus coming...

I have to admit, today is a HOF nominee for laziest work day of all day, which means a lot of repeat sports clips and this little gem from Hope Solo (great f'n name also), potential starting GK for the Lodge All-Stars, who was benched in the Semi-Final lost to Brazil with the backup giving up 4 goals:

"It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that," she said. "There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. And the fact of the matter is it's not 2004 anymore. ... It's 2007, and I think you have to live in the present. And you can't live by big names. You can't live in the past. It doesn't matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold medal game in the Olympics three years ago. Now is what matters, and that's what I think."

Can't spell tEaM w/o ME, I love this...

Outsourced

This may give us a closer look to Jimbo's travels.

I read about it this morning.

Performance Enhanced?

Who is this? Well, she is a stud when it comes to riding a canoe or a kayak down some big time rivers (as you can obviously see in the pic). She was the youngest to ride the Nile and Zambezi....at the age of 15. She is the current freestyle champion....and she is only 17. It's Emily Jackson....but the secret is out on her fearless approach to the whitewater. Once again...the big guy showing up in a supporting role. It's all Chewbacca knows....how to be there when you are needed and coming through when it counts. I just wonder if the boat smells like a wet wookie....

The Season starts Saturday!!!

This year's season of the NHL 2007-2008 starts on the other side of the pond. The league is trying to broaden their horizons and will start the season in London. The Stanley Cup Champions Anaheim Ducks will take on the Los Angeles Kings. The first west coast Cup champion. since Seattle, will open it's defense this Saturday on our Canadian Television station.

I thought to get you ready, I'd fill you in on some of the things that happened in the NHL over the summer. Jim's Calgary Flames reassigned their coach and hired Mike Keenan. I'm going to spend a minute and talk about this move. Flames fans, I don't know if I'm concerned if I'm the rest of the league or laughing. Keenan is with his eighth team, that is an NHL record. Keenan made a star out of NHL current NHL stars like Scott Pronger (Ducks), Joe Thorton (Sharks), and Olli Jokinen (Panthers). Keenan is sixth all-time in wins and fifth all-time in Playoff wins. For these reasons he should make the rest of the league cringe. However, perhaps Keenan has lost his touch. He has 0.450 winning percentage since 95-96 season. His greatest coaching accomplishment was with the Rangers when he won the cup. He is a coach who likes to get into player's head and will support them the next minute. Keenan is definately a question mark and he will certainly make this underachieving Flames team a bit better this year around. Look for Jerome Iginla to have a big season.

The Free Agent Market has made some teams contenders and others pretender. Teams that improved: The team that made the biggest splash in the pool was the NY Rangers. The Rangers picked up Anchorage, AK native Scott Gomez. It also picked up Chris Drury. Both these players will give Jagr support and Jagr is a star when he doesn't have to be the leader on the team. Look at the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 90's. The Flyers could also be another contender. After a terrible year, they made a trade deadline pick up for a goalie and paid Daniel Briere and Kimmo Timonen to upgrade their offense and defense. Pretenders: The Canucks didn't help their cause by getting some offensive support. We'll see how far the team can travel on Roberto Luongo this season. The Predators are in danger of losing their team to another city; The Sabres are also a team that will be seriously tested with their star centers going to division rivals in the Rangers and Flyers. Time will tell.

I'm not ready to make predictions, that perhaps will be for another weeks post. The last thing for this post: The NHL is looking to changing the schedule next year. Sidney Crosby has never been to Edmonton or Calgary. Starting next year, all the teams will play at least once, but I think they need to have a home and home with everyone and adjust the schedule from there. I do think the divisions play themselves too much but we'll see.

TV Games this week:
9/29 Ducks vs Kings on CBC 9 am
9/30 Kings vs Ducks on VS 9 am

I think these teams will split their trip to the east side of the Atlantic pond.

Local shoutout...
The T-Birds start their last year at Key Arena with a couple of NHL draft picks including Thomas Hickey. Birds lost their opener to Kamloops. Everett is 0-2 early on in the year as well.

The Rest of the Hockey League kicks off a week from Wednesday.

Time of Death: 01:23PM

Yesterday, my 12-inch G4 Powerbook died. The hard drive is toast. I have an appointment to try and recover the data (i.e. 50+ gigs of music, school papers, notes, etc.) in the Apple Store on Thursday. But I'm not confident they'll be able to do anything. But we will see.


It's been a good 3 years with the little guy. So today, I put a new 13.3-inch MacBook on my credit card. Now that I'm a full-time student, it's not really an option to write notes (since I can type approximately 8 times faster than I can write) for class. Crazy. I got the white one because the black one is 200 bucks more. 200 bucks for black. B!tches. The differences between the two computers can be seen in the image above.

Slow Monday: Teaser Trailer Time

Initial Public Offering of AGAINST ALL ODDS

Ok, not sure how this format is going to work, so bare with me. For the college games I’m going to pick one top 25 college, both local Washington D1 schools and one wild card. For the pro games you’ll get four or five and always the Hawks.

You can thank USA today for the spreads and Al Gore for viewing it on the Lodge, no frills just me against the spread.

College:

Local #2:

UW+6 at UCLA: these will be the hardest picks all season, but the line moved in UCLA’s direction even with the backup QB getting the start. Rebound game for both teams, not sure UCLA can get off the carpet after what the Mormons laid on them, and Jake doesn’t have to go against the #1 defense in the country this week. Homer call: Huskies +6

WSU-24 at #1USC: stay away from the huge spread, I think the Cougs have enough fire power to stay with the Men of Troy for a least a half: ‘Cougs-24

Top 25:

Oregon-16.5 at Stanford: yes…I’m going with Jim Harbaugh and the Cardinal from Palo Alto, seems like an overlook game, and Stanford gained some confidence pitching a shut out last week: Stanford +16.5

Wild Card:

Northern Illinois-0 at Idaho+0, I like the even spread and the pick ‘em attitude so I will, the Vandals get off the mat from last weekend versus the ‘Cougs: Vandals straight up

Professional American Football:

Local #8:

Bangales+3 at 12th Man: o/u set at 49 for this, might have to go over after seeing the D’s for both teams, but I think the focus returns for at least 40 minutes in this game: 12th Man-3

The Others:

Detroit-6.5 at Philadelphia: really? After what I saw on MNF the Eagles shouldn’t be favored the rest of the year, but there’s something about this Lions team that looks good in September, but will fall apart by November, doesn’t matter I like them now: Lions-6.5

Minnesota+2.5 at KC, yeah, I couldn’t believe this also, taking the visitors despite T. Jackson and his Quincy Carter mechanics…Vikes

MNF:

Titans +5 at ‘Aints, after two horrible road games to begin the season, I don’t see a scenario were they don’t get this turned around, a lot of points in this one: I like the ‘Aints

Cliched? Yes, too long? Maybe…we’ll see how I do on Monday and keep my running tally, although I like being .500 currently.

Season Record: 0-0

Fear the North

As a younger boy I enjoyed exploiting Canada's lenient wacky tobaccky laws, excellent restaurants, and a Low Drinking Age!!! We could easily walk in with $100 and amazingly have $150 to play with in Vancouver. Now I see it was all a ploy. Weaken our youth with pyschedelic substances and bad booze. Exploit our capitalist tendencies with cheap goods and a high exchange rate.

No more. The loonie has reached parity with the dollar. $1 to $1. Canadians are now flocking to take all the cool cheap clothes from our malls, and buy up land around Bellingham essentially converting them to "Loonievilles". Now with our weakened economy and an army oversees they are free to tromp our lands with their maple leaves.

I say we band together. Unite our towns, from Federal Way to Blaine, from Forks to Monroe, we make a stand and refuse business to these Canadians. We band up, in civil groups, business groups -- a coalition of the willing... organize HOOTING parties, to drive up and down I-5 tracking British Columbia plates. We need a posse to form up where the feds back down.

Who are the Canadians to now have equal footing with us? No one exploits Americans, only we exploit people when situations favor us.

If we don't make a stand now, its only a matter of time before the beaver cap wearing barbarians want a showdown.

Breakfast Of Champions

It's early. It was a late night. Maybe you spent last night having a few too many pints, maybe you were at an all night comic book trading session, maybe you decided to hang out with some ManU studs and throw a little pants party. The point is...you are tired, and when you wake up...do you hope that ther is Folger's in your cup? OK, maybe not Folger's...but the simple fact of the matter is, ever since the middle of the 17th century, coffee has been the morning beverage of choice. (Incidentally, the breakfast beverage of choice before the mid-1600's was actually beer...and it doesn't matter who you are, that is just awesome.) Does it really surprise you that the big guy would be there to support you in your time of need? Holding your piping hot morning beverage of choice...you can always count on him. God bless you Chewbacca. You are there for me every morning and you will undoubtedly be there to help out OJ once again.

Sports Crimes: Benoit

We could be talking about this guy. Except, too bad he's a chump now. Also, the O.J story is filling up way too much media time as of late that could be better used for coverage of more serious things like Britney, TomKat, or the situation with our enemy: Canada.

I prefer today to focus on a bottled explosion from a man known as Chris Benoit. With his diary now surfacing and details of the event from the murder/suicide becoming much more complicated and dramatic than a botched mid-life crisis heist. Chris revealed heartbreak as a friend is recalled in earnest regard: Eddie Guerrero.From a mind torn through body slams, and neural damage from the clothes lines. All this brought to you by the King-man himself and Sanjay EFFIN' Gupta. The story of a maple leaf gone astray in the wind.

Its a much more explicit loss than than high school cleats you sold but miss dearly.

Part 2, Part 3

Weekend Review

I'll take the reigns from Train since he's visiting Will Hunting in the Northeast. Here is a quick recap of what happened over the weekend in the world of sport.

Chelsea drew at Blackburn on Saturday... I actually watched this match while working out. Thank you, SoCal DirecTV. Bad news for the Blues in the coming weeks though... first match in the Champions League has both Drogba and Lampard out. With Pizzaro out also, that leaves Joe Cole starting. Ouch. I'm pretty sure Cole has to have set a record for most Premier League shots without scoring a goal. He should consider kicking in the NFL though, because most of his shots go over the post.

Keeping on the pitch... the 2nd best English Owen is making bold statements for Jimbo's Devils. While Seatown's newly adopted Arsenal club is sitting atop the Premiership table. Serious Ewing Theory potential with Henry bolting for France.

As the pic o' the day indicates... both the Huskies and the Hawks lost on Saturday. Locker looked like a redshirt freshman on his picks. But the Dawgs showed promise playing a solid first half and putting a temporary scare into the ranked Buckeye nation.


The Hawks on the other hand... it's a handoff people! Do we need to get Rex Grossman's 5th Grade Tutors in to teach this fundamental to the Seattle backfield? Wow. Shawn seemed to predict this loss though in his Seahawks preview post. So I'm blaming him.

Seawhawks vs Cardinals

Alright...here's the deal:
A buddy of mine is heading down to Vegas this weekend, and I want to put a bet down on the hawks game. Consulting the lodge worked really well last year, so lets try it again.

Pop quiz hotshot:
The Seahawks are playing in Arizona this Sunday. The current spread has the Seahawks winning by 2.5 points. The over/under is set at 42.5.

What do you do? What do you do?

Why He Gotta Go There?

Click Here for on the spot press box commentary.

Emmy in a Box

Lodge 'force' has prevailed in the 2007 Emmy's. Andy Samberg + Justin Timberlake = Crazy Delicious.

The song, about wrapping a part of the male anatomy and presenting it as a Christmas gift in a box, won the prize for best original music and lyrics. BBC Source

Andy Samberg definitely one of the best choices Lorne Michaels has ever made for SNL.

Not to be left out, another Lodge favorite struck Emmy Gold with South Park episode "Make Love, Not Warcraft".

For those who know someone afflicted with WC addiction please direct them here and here, for temporary gameplay rest.

M.I.A.?

Have we seen you? While you might initially think 'no...not in awhile', it turns out the answer should be 'yes' if any of us had been watching the news lately. Just when you thought the big guy was laying low on a nice long hiatus sipping margaritas on his favorite tropical beach somewhere, he pops up once again to deliver Luke Skywalker's original lightsaber to NASA for a trip into space. Rumors of a proper 'space burial' had surfaced with the weapon being jettisoned into space...but don't worry geeks, turns out it will eventually be returned to Lucasfilms after going on display before and after the trip. I wonder what a weary eyed TSA agent would think of that thing in somebody's carry-on bag?

The Goose Report : Charlie Frye

On Tuesday the Hawks acquired Charlie Frye from the Cleveland Browns for a 5th round Draft pick



Charlie Lester Frye
Height: 6-4 Weight: 217 Age: 25
Born: 8/28/1981 Norwalk , OH
College: Akron
Experience: 3rd season
High School: Willard HS [OH]

Games Played/Started:
2005 (7/5); 2006 (13/13)
Career Totals
20 games, 18 starts

Pro Career Highlights
Started 13 games in 2006 (4-9 record) and had the second-highest completion percentage in a single season in franchise history by completing 64.1% of passes (252-of-393)…Had a career-high 3 passing TDs at Oakland on Oct. 1, 2006, in a 24-21 road victory…In his first NFL start vs. Jacksonville on Dec. 4, 2005, established a franchise single-game rookie record with a 136.7 QB rating on 13-of-20 passing for 226 yards and 2 TDs.

College Stats.
Threw for over 11000 yds and 64tds with only 32 picks. Spent 4 years at Akron in a pro style offense under Lee Owens. Ran the ball well. MVP of Senior Bowl. Threw for 3500yds and 22TD's as a Junior

Intangibles. Tall, Strong Arm, Accurate and smart. Right Handed QB. Decent Mobility.

Goose's Take
So here is my 2 cents on the Charlie Frye Trade. Getting a young QB who was a starter for a 5th round pick is in itself a good deal. Frye has the physical skills to be a QB. However he has spent the last 3 years in the Browns, with 3 different Offensive Coordinators and has never been in a true "West Coast Offense" Has this trade been made in April, I would have been pretty stoked. I have a hard time seeing Frye pick up Homlgrens west coast offense in two or three weeks. I have a hard time believing that this move will help us this year, however if he can pick up the Holmgren offense quicker than most, then you have a solid Backup QB.

Thats the Goose Report for today

Midweek Report, Still no frill, no gimmicks or secret spy cameras

“Who’s your Daddy?

Cue the sweet Hunt for Red October soundtrack….

The Russian military has successfully tested what it described as the world's most powerful non-nuclear air-delivered bomb, Russia's state television reported Tuesday.

God I miss the cold war…

Who’s got a fork?

Cause the Mariner’s are done… This comment is long overdue.

In your best Comic Book Guy voice…. “Worst Movie Title EVER”

The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones saga will be titled Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The original title was planned to be Indiana Jones and the Temple of Viagra but they couldn’t secure the naming rights.

Just good news…

Doctors have told the media that Bills TE Kevin Everett will walk out of the hospital. Kevin is now able to move both arms and legs.

EURO 2008

All the resident Lodge fans know the match ups. Reports out of England state Roman Abromavich has promised to pay the Russian players 40K if they beat England today. “Give him his money!!”

Morning Round up… No frills, no links… just news

Monday Lodge Topics:

Big Defense gives Hawks the edge in home opener:

The offense looks a little rusty to start things off. Shaun looks as if he can’t remember how to hit a hole. The defense plays hard and knocks the wheels of a Cadillac. Nate B reminds us why special teams are so important.

I sense a theme:

Big D powers UDUB to dominating win over BSU:

Jake throws for one and runs for another TD, the D puts the handcuffs on a potent BSU offense. Can the boy in purple keep the momentum up in their showdown with Ohio State?


63 at Cog Hill gives Tiger his 60th career PGA win. Roger Federer wins the US Open. He know has 12 Grand Slam Singles titles.

These men are not human!

M’s come home broken and bruised after a long road trip.

They now play 14 of their final 21 games at home. Do they have enough in the tank to grab the wild card?

England wins 3-0 against Isreal. They now have a must win match on Wednesday.

Gerrard is match fit. England is scoring goals again. Is it enough to make EURO 2008?

By The Time I Get To Arizona

"I'm countin' down to the day deservin' fittin' for a king, I'm waitin' for the time when I can get to Arizona"

No need to read between the lines here....this is the 2007 Seahawks prediction show with our special guest, Mr. Chuck D. (For those of you that didn't realize until now....SB XLII will be played in the lovely Glendale, AZ...and if you have the means, turn on a little PE while you read on...) Sit back and relax, because we're touching each game on the Seahawks schedule. We've had some pretty good analysis of the 'Hawks offseason acquisitions, so there is no need to re-hash anything there. In fact, I'm not really looking for too much "analysis" per se....because I'm a homer, and I'm the first to admit it.
Let it be known that I am so excited for this season to begin that I can hardly sit still. I feel like it is the day before Christmas and I am positive that the large box under the tree is my very own Sega Genesis complete with Bill Walsh College Football. That being said, I'm going to err on what I feel is the conservative side of things when going through the Seahawks schedule. I think that what follows are reasonable expectations...anything below is a disappointment and anything that exceeds....well, y'know.

Game 1 vs. Tampa Buccaneers - I really think that no matter what you want to say that is positive about the Bucs....there simply may not be a worse team in the league this year. I think they are rebuilding nicely with some youth on the offensive line and defense...but I think they may struggle to improve on their 4 wins from last year. Chalk up home victory #1; Seahawks record 1-0.

Game 2 @ Arizona - I see this as a potential let down game for the team. Expectations running high after a thumping of Tampa. Lest we forget that we lost at Arizona last season...and unless we can sack Matty L about 7 times, there will be a lot of pressure on our young corners. 'Hawks lose a tough one on the road. Seahawks record 1-1.

Game 3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Oh the Bengals....good offense, a suspect defense and a boatload of bad chemistry/criminals. This is not the recipe for success my friends...and especially not on the road against the 12th man. Seahawks record 2-1.

Game 4 @ 49ers - Here we go with the first payback game of last season. I think that the Seahawks have a pile of chips on their shoulders after last years ass-whooping by these guys. The Seahawks will elevate their game and play old school smash mouth football on the road....and take D-Jack and Frank Gore completely out of the game. Hawks win in a walk. Seahawks record 3-1.

Game 5 @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Another big 'statement' type game for the Seahawks here. The Steelers could be great...and they could also suck....who really knows? The 'Hawks will want to prove so badly that they are the better team here....but trying to win this game on the road will be a repeat of SB XL, and we will undoubtedly end up shitting down our leg. Seahawks lose an early season heartbreaker. Seahawks record 3-2.

Game 6 vs. New Orleans Saints - (Note: see Game 3 vs. Cincy - good offense, suspect defense) In addition, it's primetime Sunday night football on NBC...and the 12th man goes completely apeshit. Seahawks record 4-2.

Game 7 vs. St. Louis Rams - I'll admit...the Rams scare me a little bit...but only a little bit. We get up big for the Rams games in the past couple years...and this is no exception. However, I think the Rams get up big to play the Hawks. Do we always need a late Josh Brown field goal to beat these guys? This time the answer is 'no'. Seahawks record 5-2.

Game 8 @ Cleveland Browns - Fresh off the bye week, the Seahawks go on the road to face Cleveland in Brady Quinn's first start in the NFL. He is subsequently eaten alive by Julian Peterson and Patrick Kerney and the Seahawks win big. Seahawks record 6-2.

Game 9 vs. 49ers - It's Monday Night Football in the Emerald City, and the 'Niners are looking to get back into the divisional race. Too bad D-Jack is on the bench nursing a sore hammy and Alex Smith is victimized by the current NFL leaders in team sacks. Seahawks record 7-2.

"I got 25 days to do it if a wall in the sky just watch me go thru it 'cause I gotta do what I gotta do. PE number one gets the job done..."

Game 10 vs. Chicago Bears - Man oh man....if there is one game that I would love to see the Seahawks win it's this one. I travelled my ass out to Chi-Town last year sporting my Steve Largent jersey and watched our team fold up the tents before halftime and get clocked by the Rex Grossman express. I worry though, that the Seahawks are riding a high at this point in the season, and they believe that they can cruise through a home game against this team with the crowd and some sense of entitlement due to last years pair of losses. I think this may be the only blemish on the Seahawks home season.....but it's a barn burner. Seahawks record 7-3.

Game 11 @ St. Louis - See Game 7 prediction. This time...we aren't in field goal range. Seahawks record 7-4.

Game 12 @ Philadelphia - As much as I hope to see a repeat performance of the 2005 game in Philly...I think that with Donovan McNabb healthy, the Eagles are going to be tough, tough, tough. If McNabb is still in the lineup...I think the Seahawks drop their 3rd straight...and all of the naysayers start popping up about how they "told you so...this team sucks...blah, blah, blah". Eff off. We are still leading the division. Seahawks record 7-5.

"This ain't no damn dream gotta know what I mean, it's team against team catch the light beam..."

Game 13 vs. Arizona - In my mind....this could be the biggest ass whooping we see all season. By now, everyone's manhood has been called into question due to the 3 game skid and we are back at home ready to avenge a divisional loss from earlier in the season. The Cardinals are subsequently relegated to D-1A. Seahawks record 8-5.

Game 14 @ Carolina Panthers - Another tough game on the road. Another tough one to predict give all that happens in 3 months of NFL action. Will Delhomme be at QB? Will they have a healthy RB? Let's assume so...and another tough road game goes in the wrong column. Seahawks record 8-6.

Game 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens - Don't get me wrong...the Ravens are solid. BUT...I am not sold on the durability of Willis McGahee as your one offensive weapon outside of Todd Heap. In addition to the fact that they somehow got 17 games out of Steve McNair last year....I just don't see the level of success that everyone assumes the Ravens attain every season. The bionic man falters, Ray Lewis loses a step and McGahee can't find any room with 8 in the box. Seahawks record 9-6.

Game 16 @ Atlanta Falcons - You will get no Vick dogfighting quips here....I'm over it. Aside from the fact that the Falcons could be this years Saints (because nobody gave the Saints a chance at the beginning of last season)....I just don't think that they will be in a position to compete this late in the season, while the Seahawks could find themselves playing for a playoff spot. Hawks win and get themselves a home playoff game. Seahawks record 10-6.

"When the blind get a mind better start and earn while we sing it. Now there will be the day we know those down and who will go...go...go...go...go..."

So there it is....10-6. Four consecutive division titles. A home playoff game....and a nice win on the road. Who knows...maybe even an NFC title game in Seatown? Believe it. This team went 9-7 last year and everything went wrong. We made some key additions to shore up the 'D'....we are back, we are rested and we are hungry. Everyone should go ahead and enjoy the ride we are about to go on here fellas....'cause it's gonna be B-E-A-utiful. GO HAWKS!