Randomness and Some Jazz

All right all right, big day tomorrow and after that, unless something very noteworthy occurs (like a Jets loss, cough, cough)...well, you won't see me for a few days until I come back from a wee bit vacation. Me and the girlfriend are going to upstate New York, to a nice cabin for a few and while we do have internet connection--would you work on your blog if up there?

Didn't think so. So, enough about what I'm doing--as excited as I am to go up there for New Year's, let's talk some sports...and in particular, the Utah Jazz. Over the next few weeks, I am going to focus on a particular NBA team that has a chance of winning the championship, and go over their pros and cons--to be followed by the usual random observations.

The Utah Jazz have a definite shot at winning the title because of three key elements:

1. A core group of big men, led by the resurgent Carlos Boozer who is having a monster year. Add a sweet-shooting Okur and the shot-blocking hound dog AK-irelenko, and that spells a lethal front court.

2. Have a great coach in Jerry Sloan, one of five men to win 1,000 games or more. While never winning a title, there is no doubt the man knows basketball. Could this be the year he wins? There have been rumors that Sloan had not been gelling with his young talent, but there are no ill words this year--winning has a habit of silencing tongues all around.

3. they have a solid guard in young Deron Williams. This 6'3 guard is averaging almost 17 points a game with a very healthy 9 assists per, in only his second season.

Leadership is a bit of an issue however. True they have Derek Fischer, but they lack a true star that you can hand the ball off to in the final seconds, down by one, and have them win a game for them (a la Jordan, shoving Byron Russel to throw up the winning jumper, the last time the Jazz were in the finals). On top of leadership issues, they have been prone to injuries (as any fantasy owner of Kirilenko can attest to), but--but--when Kirilenko went down this year for five games, the Jazz won all five...

Are times changing? The Jazz certainly do have history working against them, but they are currently sitting 4th in the good NBA conference, leading the division by a very healthy margin, and looking to climb the ranks. If they can get home-court throughout, that will up their chances considerably (they have the league's best home record, and Salt Lake is a tough place for opposing teams to win in). After suffering through a December, where they were 9-5, they will be looking to make a run for the new year...for they have the championship on their minds...

Now for some randomness, hitting up the Bowl series...

Does anyone really watch those early bowl games? Half the time, I forgot they were on...oh, Northern Illinois and TCU...yawn...great for the home school, but bring on the big games already...unless there were a playoff system and those first games meant a lot more...

How much would it cost me to replace the grass in my backyard with the turf from Bronco Stadium, a.k.a. Boise State's field? My dad takes his lawn very seriously, always has, and if he were to wake up to see that...it would really be priceless.

Can we get Bam Margera or someone from Jackass to do this? I really want to see a person's reaction when their beloved green property turns blue.

This bowl season totally underscores the fact at how boring College Football can be, totally unlike NCAA hoops. I watch every game of March Madness (well, except for the 1-16 and 2-15's, for the most part), because anything can happen and the excitement builds and bursts in such a short time. College Football, however...once the team get's blown out, it's pretty much done...

So enter Texas Tech VS Minnesota in the Insight Bowl, automatic classic. Down by four touchdowns at halftime, the Gophers forget how to play offense and Texas Tech rolls to tie it up in regulation, then win it in overtime. How great a game was that? How great?

But still...the excitement naturally increases within a tournament, because it is win or go home. Most of the minor bowl games, it's like winning a pee-wee league, it's nice, but it's not a real championship...you know?

Okay, how many more arguments for a playoff system can we hear?

And how long is this blog post? All right, screw it. It's a day away from New Year's Eve, there is a ton of sports to cover, I'll do it all when I get back, with a special bowl games post. Until then, stay sharp and play smart--in sports and in life. No drinking and driving, it's just not worth it. Got it?

Got it. Let's go party...

Some NBA/NHL/Other Sports Quick Hits

Turns out I was right about the Mavericks beating the Suns...but with the Suns losing to the Wizards, it took out all the drama of the pick.

Oh well.

How about AI in Denver? It may be snowing like crazy out there, but AI is hot, hot, hot. Three straight double-doubles since joining his new team, there is no doubt that his number one goal is to make everyone in the 76ers organization rip out Chris Webber's heart and eat it. I ask for a co-star and this, this this is who you give me, thanks Billy King.

Though it still remains to be seen how Carmelo will fit in here...

If the playoffs were to start today, all five teams of the Central division in the Eastern Conference would make it.

The Knicks are one game back in the Eastern division. To the Toronto Raptors.

How about that triple-ot game? As long as the Knicks don't wallow on a huge losing streak re: last year (and the concern already expressed in this blog)...Isiah should have a job next year.

Mavericks are our number one overall team. The beginning of the year looked like sloppy leftovers from the Finals last year, but they are back.

And they are good.

Here are my top ten players to have on your fantasy team:
1. Lebron, easy.
2. Garnett, fantasy top-3 stalwart.
3. Jason Kidd, triple-double threat every night now...though the Nets are in some trouble.
4. Iverson, playing like an animal. As usual.
5. Arenas, playing unbelievable.
6. Marion, does a healthy bit of everything.
7. D Wade, it's D Wade.
8. Carlos Boozer, an older Dwight Howard, more assists, less blocks.
9. Dwight Howard, a younger Carlos Boozer, more blocks, less assists.
10. Duncan, the man is a classic fantasy choice.

Yao Ming deserves to be number 10, but he's hurt. What can ya do...

Top ten hockey list right now, for fantasy and real life purposes
1. Crosby, obvious.
2. Ovechkin, obvious.
3. Selanne, Mighty Ducks skating on the Pond of Life.
4. Marian Hossa, Monster.
5. Jagr, still one of the best without doubt.
6. Heatley, another monster Senators winger.
7. Pronger, best defenseman teamed with second best in Niedermayer.
8. St. Louis, the player not the team, enjoying a healthy rebound from last year.
9. Kovalchuck, still spectacular.
10. Hasek, best goaltender...should probably be higher on the list but I got dazzled by all the goal scoring phenoms, which leads to the top 5 goalies

1. Hasek
2. Brodeur, consistent as always.
3. Giguere, ridiculous season with rest of Ducks.
4. Kiprusoff, showing some chinks in armor, still outstanding.
5. Sharks goalies...if only they could merge, how nasty would they be. They can call the player, Nabala. Sounds like a kick-ass goalie if you ask for my opinion...

Why the sudden top ten lists? End of the year hysteria, I can't help it. I find myself making top-ten lists of the best fast food joints I visited, the top ten beers, the top ten loafing positions, the top ten top ten lists. It gets wild this time of year for people and lists...

So expect some more lists before the year is done...and as the new year begins.

Damn...I keep on forgetting to mention other sports. Does that count as a quick hit?

Power Position Betting Fantasy Football Preview Week 17 (Podcast)

Play along with the Positioning Group in this week's Fantasy Pick Off!

Listen to this week's podcast as Pete Masters, James Sharpe, and CollegeBoy battle for Fantasy Supremacy. Do you think you know more about fantasy football than they do? The only way to find out it to pick with them or against them.

This week's match ups include Frank Gore VS Uber Bell, Tom Brady VS Vince Young, Maurice Jones-Drew VS LJ and many more...

To submit possible questions for next week's episode, either send an email to pete@positioninggroup.com or leave a comment to this post.

The key behind a Sports Investors' success is information, and with the PPB Podcast, we are giving you information that will not only help you in your Fantasy leagues, but in your Sports Gambling as well.

Power Position Betting Week 16 Quick Hits

All right. Much pleased (the day after always seems a bit less happy...getting old CollegeBoy, getting old...) with the Jets victory over the Dolphins. Verrah nice. But could there have been a worse game Monday night? Maybe the Eagles/Cowboys game that preceded it, but punt after punt, no offense (minus a couple runs by Ronnie Brown, or a shovel pass to Leon Washington--the two offensive stars of the game), and not that great defense either. Still, a win is a win and now all the Jets have to do is beat the Raiders. The Raiders. The team everyone makes fun of, that everyone laughs at, that everyone agrees is the worst.

Know what everyone on television is saying? Jets win this easy, which makes me incredibly uneasy. Remember my gambling rule? If everyone says one team will win, strongly consider the other team and I mean strongly. I hate it, especially now, but these are the times to remember it. Sure, Jets could win 23-7 in relatively easy fashion, but I have a feeling it is going to be much closer than people think.

People, it's the Jets here. And the Raiders. The Raiders...

So now the Broncos join the Jets by beating a weak Bay-area team to make the playoffs. Can they do it? Conventional wisdom says yes, but I'm hoping for a Broncos loss. This opens the door for the Titans (assuming they can beat the Patriots...) who then need the Chiefs to win and the Broncos and Bengals to both lose.

Not likely, but we can dream. All in all, it seems as if the AFC is set. If either Denver or the Jets lose, the team does not deserve to be in the playoffs and whichever team wins out will certainly be welcome, especially the Bengals who are always fun to watch.

As much as things seem set in the AFC, they appear even more set in the NFC. A lot of people are down on the Giants, after laying that clunker against New Orleans. Still, after all the Giants have been through these past few weeks, they control their fate. Win, and they get in--the scenario for the Packers to make it with a Giants win is too exotic to even print here, strike that scenario from your minds (though, I must admit, it would be very interesting to observe Giants fans if that were to happen.)

Can the Giants beat the Redskins? Of course they can, and they will. And if for some reason they cannot, I'm all for the Packers beating a resting Bears team and for Mr. Favre to be throwing the ball in January once again. Will the Packers lose the Wild Card game? In all likelihood, yes. But c'mon Giants, if you guys can't beat the Redskins...

I can't even print what that would make you all.

So that's that for playoff match-ups...now for some random quick hits. And I mean quick.

Vince Young = Rookie of the Year, simply amazing to watch, just...makes a person speechless.

Maurice Jones-Drew...wow. Too bad for you, you would have gotten the award if not for Mr. Young.

Um...Ron Dayne just destroyed the Colts runs D. And people want to think of them as a champ? Still, if there is anyway for a team to rise above and to really make a drive for the Super Bowl, it comes post-Ron Dayne explosion.

The Michael Vick experience got his 1,000...too bad they ran into a hot Chris Weinke, who threw all of seven passes to win. If that performance doesn't inspire Americans across the country, I don't know one that will.

Bengals Broncos...that ending, wow just wow.

Didn't see that coming.

And how about San Diego? Everyone's favorite favorite, pulling out a last minute win against last year's runner up. Verrah nice...

Positioning Group Wishes All a Merry Christmas

We just want to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays and all that. CollegeBoy is set to do his weekly quick hits NFL column, but is waiting until the day after the Jets game. Right now he's running around somewhere doing his pre-game dance, worrying his ass off. I tell you, there's nothing funnier than a drunk Jets fan the night before a big game. Will we see a Monday Night/Christmas Miracle? For CollegeBoy's sake, let's hope not, but for everyone else's sake, hell yeah... Have a good day everyone, kick back, relax, watch the Heat Lakers game, and then watch some football. Just make sure to have yourself a grand old time.

Some NHL/NBA Quick Hits

How terrible for the Rockets. Again? Yao and McGrady...again? Again?

3 game streak for the Knicks, including wins over the Jazz and a resurgent (and predicted right here) Bulls team that had been riding high. Of course they lost to the 76ers the next day by 20, but there's only so much an 8 man roster can do.

It sort of reminds me of last year (Yao and McGrady...again?) when the Knicks won 6 games in a row (yes, 6!) and Isiah started to smile and strut. What happened next? Oh yeah, 2 wins and 22 losses over the next 24 games. Last year it was at the start of a new year however, this year it's to close one out, so hopefully it doesn't repeat.

Yao and McGrady...again?

The Suns lost...what up with that? They so should have won that game too. Marion goes up too quick, Amare gets a bit lost--plus Marion bumping Arenas on the play before to tie the game in the first place. Oh well, so my prediction for the Mavs Suns game is off the table. Still, hats off to the Suns.

Dallas holds the longest winning streak now...6 games. Eh.

How about Milwaukee? 4 in a row for them. They are getting some outstanding play from Mo Williams (on my fantasy team, thank you, thank you) and are gelling like the Knicks appear to be doing. I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing.

Yao + McGrady = c'mon!

On the rink, what the hell happened to Philadelphia? No, seriously, what happened to that whole city? You lose Iverson, Ryan Howard is still all alone in that lineup, your NBA team is terrible, the Eagles--well...let's just say they ain't winning the Super Bowl, but at least they are worth watching. And the Flyers? The only team to not have double digit wins? Are you kidding me?

The Sabres appear to have floated bacl to earth some, but the Mighty Ducks are still quite mighty.

How great is it to see Crosby leading the league in points, Ovechkin number 1 in goals scored...and then Hasek with the most shutouts and lowest goals against average. That's just great. And he's hardly making any salary too...how did that happen? It's called love people...

Yao and McGrady...again?!?!

Is it right that the Memphis Grizzlies have the third best offense? Shows how valuable that is...

Oh...college bowl games have begun. ALl of you who recieve our newsletters know what I have to say about that.

Um...what else do I have to say?

Right. Yao and Mcgrady...again?

David Lee's Ridiculous Game-Winner

So I'm watching the Knicks struggle against the Bobcats, totally liking what I see in this Charlotte team. They have a bunch of decent talent, young, and all of them still learning the game, and they jump to a 19-point lead against the Knicks. I've seen this happen before, seen the Knicks come back--as if their game plan is to lull the other team to sleep before showing some emotion--and lo and behold, the Knicks drop 34 in the third to take the lead. Which means they have to lose it, and they do, scoring only 9 points in the fourth...luckily, the Bobcats have yet to learn the vicious act of closing a team out, and the resulting quagmire of suckiness that always develops in these situations is the Knicks meal ticket. If you fail to close the other team out, prepare to battle. This should be the motto of every team, stay vigilant. It's insane how many huge leads are overcome in the NBA.

Anyway, the Knicks run the whole, single Jamal Crawford, let him do his thang and watch the ball bounce off the rim routine--once again, for the third time I think this year, Crawford misses the gamewinner at the end of regulation and the first overtime--and we all slip and stumble to the conclusion of the second overtime. This time, however, it's the Bobcats turn to fail miserly. Some small white guy named Carrol loses the ball (Knicks VS Bobcats, a recipie for a great game if I ever heard one), and the Knicks call timeout with .1 seconds remaining.

All right, looks like triple overtime. Walt Frazier maintains that only a tip-in off the inbounds pass will cut it, everyone in the building knows a tip-in is coming, and then in a great scot leap for joy type of way, David Lee makes this crazy across his body slap at the ball win the game move. It was like the basketball version of Diego Maradona's goal, though obviously not as important. I mean, this was Bobcats VS Knicks, still, a cool play is a cool play.

And how about that Blizzard in Denver welcoming Allen Iverson? All I have to say is that, as we all know, things are gonna be mighty interesting in Denver...

Power Position Betting Fantasy Football Preview: Week 16 (podcast)

Play along with the Positioning Group in this week's Fantasy Pick Off!

Listen to this week's podcast as Pete Masters, James Sharpe, and CollegeBoy battle for Fantasy Supremacy. Do you think you know more about fantasy football than they do? The only way to find out it to pick with or against them.

This week's match ups include Ron Dayne (Mr. Thunder back again) VS Addai, a slew of quarterbacks with possible huge playoff implications, and another heavyweight battle involving Tomlinson, this week against Alexander and much more...

To submit possible questions for next week's episode, either send an email to pete@positioninggroup.com or leave a comment to this post.

The key behind a Sports Investors' success is information, and with the PPB Podcast, we are giving you information that will not only help you in your Fantasy leagues, but in your Sports Gambling as well.

Power Position Betting Week 15 Quick Hits

The sad truth of the NFL year is that right about this time, a lot of teams fade from public consciousness, which is one of the benefits of fantasy football. While normally no one outside of the city limits would care about a week 15 Packers/Lions game, fantasy football players across the nation are agonizing as Brett Favre throws yet another int. Fantasy dreams were made and broken this week, and here at the Positioning Group, we're no different. But let's stop talking fantasy football, and start talking about the only fantasy that matters now, one where for six teams, this fantasy becomes a reality.

The Playoffs.

Instead of the usual quick hits routine of a run-down on all the highlights throughout the league, we're going to talk right now about the playoff implications of this weekends games, beginning in the stronger of the two conferences, the AFC.

Okay, San Diego, Indianapolis (thank you for beating the Colts, my favoritism for the Jets never fails to shine through my words), Baltimore, and New England--no worries, you are the top four seeds, all that matters now is home-field. The way the Chargers are playing, they pretty much have the top slot and the Colts should take number 2. This was a big win for them over the Bengals, and look for Baltimore to host and lose in the first playoff round. New England, you guys will advance to at least the second round no matter who you play. Unless, of course, the refs mess with you again...

Now for the wildcard. The best bets for the last two spots (and the teams we will focus on) are teams who have 8-6 win/loss records, being: the Bengals, Broncos, Jaguars, and J-E-T-S! The Bengals, fresh off their loss to the Colts, now have to play Denver, in Denver, and then a resurgent Pittsburgh team fighting for a spot. Things do not look good in Cincinnati right now, and by the time the year is done, there may be a few more players taking pictures for the police.

Things appear the easiest for the Jets, who have to face the Dolphins on Christmas and then a Raiders team that hopefully just wants to end the year. However, knowing the Jets and being the typical Jets fan that I am, you can safely count them out.

So indications point to Denver and Jacksonville, two teams led by a shaky quarterback. Are these squads willing to trust their playoff hopes on the arms of Cutler and Garrard? Can these QB's lead them? I have a fair share of doubt. While Cutler had a decent game against the Cardinals--the key word being the Cardinals--Garrard looked pretty terrible against the Titans, tossing up 3 interceptions returned for touchdowns, making everyone in the Jacksonville-area froth at the mouth.

How great would it be if Vince Young and the Titans made it? With games at Buffalo and New England (NE at home at least), it doesn't seem likely. Nor does it for Buffalo, the team who appear to be the prodigal too-good-too-late team hoping for a miracle.

So who makes it? At this point, fan allegiance aside, I have to say the Jets have the easiest road, and joining them will be the Bengals. Maybe it is blinded by team allegiance--for if the Bengals knock off Denver, it opens the road for the Jets--but I really feel they do have the best shot outside of the Jets for making it. The way they are playing the game (unlike how they played a few hours ago, where they tossed out their style of play and tried to imitate the Jaguars), they'll bounce back from this defeat in Indianapolis and roll into the playoffs with their heads held high--and if not, their heads will be held high for the mug shot.

Moving on to the NFC, I'm going to be more brisk. In a conference where 5 6-8 teams still have a shot, however remote, of making it, it is prudent to wait one more week. However, let's assume--of course, assuming everything that assume signifies--that the Seahawks round out the top 4 teams, ending up as 1. Chicago, 2. New Orleans, 3. Dallas, and 4. Seattle. Of course if the Eagles beat Dallas, that opens a host of possibilities, but let's just leave it like that and talk about the final two spots.

By virtue of record, and the fact that the Eagles play Dallas on Christmas (how great did that scheduling job work out, two huge games on Christmas), the Eagles and Cowboys can flip flop for a home-field-first-round spot and the first wildcard. Regardless, I like Dallas most because they play the Lions in Week 17, while the Eagles are playing a Falcons team that will fight hard to make the playoffs. So even if the Eagles beat the Cowboys, I like Dallas to still win the division.

The Giants and Falcons each then hold their destiny in their own hands. Giants have to play the Saints and then a weak Redskins team. Falcons have Panthers, a historically difficult team for them, and then the aforementioned Eagles squad. Two important factors come into play here, however. The Giants are home against the Saints, who may be looking for revenge for the last time that they played in Giants stadium, after Hurricane Katrina. Then, the Giants are on the road in Washington. The Falcons are home against the Panthers, which will be a huge help, and then on the road against the Eagles. I like the Falcons here.

Plus, the Giants, for all of their talent, have a habit of choking. So, who gets the two last spots then? Well, at this early point, way too early--like I said, this is all still too much fantasy to really discuss--but it seems to point to the Falcons and the Eagles. Now, who doesn't want to watch Vick back in the playoffs? And what if Garcia does what McNabb couldn't?

I think all of Philly would burn down in disbelief.

And these are the things I want to see...but then again, that's what fantasy means. Which means, of course, expect the Chiefs and Steelers to make the wildcards in the AFC and the Vikings and Packers in the NFC.

Now, that, that would really be a fantasy.

15 Games for Anthony

I must admit that I am somewhat surprised by Anthony's 15-game suspension. I had been hoping for 10 and thought that would never happen. Obviously David Stern wants to show that he has the cajones to punch Melo in the face, exactly opposite what Melo did in the Garden last Saturday. (So it's agreed then, Melo got extra games because he is one, big, pussy-cat) Good job Mr. Commissioner, I'm not sure why I doubted you. The right suspension, bringing the old ball back, good move and good move sir. You stated that the league would not tolerate this, which is why there are so many technical fouls, and then you backed up your claim. There's a lesson in this for all you sports investors out there--you make a plan, and then you stick to it.

Even if it means suspending the league's leading scorer for 15 games.

Brawl in the Garden

Earlier tonight, the Nuggets and Knicks game ended in a brawl with all ten people on the court ejected, several of whom may be expecting suspensions in the upcoming 48 hours. A hard foul on J.R. Smith sparked the melee, with Nate Robinson instigating the whole fracas in the true spirit of Napoleon (have I mentioned how much I love this kid? For all his faults, and there are a lot, he just has so much beast in him).

My question. Did anybody see the pussy punch Carmelo threw? He half punched-half slapped some scrub on the Knicks, and then ran away. Little Nate ran up to him and stopped when he saw Carmelo running away even more. Isn't Carmelo supposed to be some sort of tough guy, don't snitch on anyone in the hood type of character?

Seemed very tough tonight, I must say.

And what was up with that anyway? The only thing that would have made the night perfect for me would be Carmelo ripping some shoulder muscle and having to sit for a month. That would teach Coach Karl over there to leave his grudges at home when playing a game. Pissed about the way your friend Larry Brown was handled? Oh, how about I leave in all my starters and kick the crap out of a piss-poor Knicks team.

Revenge sure must feel good...huh? Beat them Knicks pretty good, did we, hmm? Congratulations, man. Congratulations. Earlier in pre-season, my grandma's seniors only team beat the Knicks--though to be fair, Grandma did keep all of her starters in to the last whistle too. But when Grandma threw a punch, she threw a punch.

Anyway, here's hoping Anthony gets ten games. He'll probably get 5 though, at most.

Positioning Group Presents: CollegeBoy NBA/NHL Thoughts

All right, who is not talking about the Suns streak? They're two games away from tying their franchise mark, and not only will they win their next two games, but they'll surpass that mark by at least three or four games. They don't have a challenge until Dec. 28th in Dallas, and I must say that you heard it here first--the Suns streak ends in Dallas. If I were you, I would bet your whole retirement savings on the game. Since I am CollegeBoy, however, I would strongly recommend for you to not do that--nor would I ever recommend you to do that. 20/20, or one of those investigative shows, did a program about scams and how easy it was to get people to give away all of their life savings. Personally, it makes no sense to me. The scams they profiled were all such bogus scams, all sent over email, from the likes of Nigerian drug runners, Steve Irwin's widow, the King of AbuDabi, etc. Right. I'm gonna believe that, but people do.

Listen people, if you're gonna lose your life savings, you might as well go to Vegas and gamble it all away on drugs and whores--because, hey, you never know. But even this is highly ridiculous. Listen to our catch phrase people, play smart and stay sharp. That's the way we run our ship. Giving all of your money to people who contact you over the internet, well, that's the exact opposite of staying sharp and playing smart. But where the hell was I?

Right, the Suns. December 28th. Mark your calendars. The Suns will lose.

So Richard Jefferson has some skeletons in the closet, huh?

And someone, I am begging the NBA gods, please, please, please force a trade for AI already. Anywhere. Trade him to Europe. I'm tired of having my video game be the only place to see AI rip it up on the court. How terrible.

Terrible like the Eastern Conference? Um...I think that's a toss-up.

Am I the only one who really likes what's happening in Charlotte? If I lived down there, I'd be going to all of their games. They have an exciting team, young, and while they are still trying to figure out how to mesh and play ball, I think in two or three years (as a lot of people think), we're gonna be seeing a new Eastern Conference power emerge.

Which isn't saying much, if you think about it.

How awesome is Boozer? And the Jazz. Exciting times again in Utah.

And the Lakers. I must admit, I'm mildly surprised. I figured they would improve on last year, but this has been much better than expected. Of course, 16 games at home VS 7 on the road may help with that, so don't be too happy just yet.

Lakers VS Suns, first round. Do it, NBA gods.

Yao Ming. All your fantasy owners say a big old "xie xie."

I hope that's Chinese for thank you.

And switching over to some random NHL observations...

Sidney Crosby is just flat out ridiculous. Of course, he's no Gretzky, but who is. After seeing some of his highlights, though, this is exactly what the NHL needs. A bunch of young talent ripping it up. That strike truly did hurt, but the thing is, humans have a tendency to forget. No hockey was played two years ago? Now 3? Now 4? Now 5? It wasn't a big deal, and it didn't really hurt the league. While an NFL strike would cripple America (slight exaggeration there, but seriously, it is "the sport"), hockey is more of a window dressing sport. We all love to see crazy highlights--that is, not true fans of hockey--and are we ever getting them.

Don't worry, NHL fans. The league is just fine.

For NHL standards, that is.

When did Nashville get good? Was I awake for that?

And when was St. Louis good? I seriously can't remember. I sort of remember Brett Hull and Curtis Joseph doign all right over there, but the memory is fuzzy.

See what I was saying?

A couple good years in St. Louis, and this will all be a bad dream.

Maybe.

I hate Robert Luongo. I'm going against him in my hockey league, and yes I play fantasy hockey, and he just went off. What an ass.

I still maintain my stance that the Devils are winning this year.

Trust me.

Only team that can beat them is the Ducks, and I have a feeling the Ducks aren't making the finals.

Would I bet my life savings on it?

I would strongly consider it. While strongly not recommending it.

But I would drop a couple sawbucks on it if I could. Any takers out there in the blogosphere?

Hello. Is anybody out there?

I feel like I'm at a Devils game sometimes. How terrible is it when a home stadium is just, well, not good. That's the best adjective I could come up with, not good. Lately, there seem to be more and more not good stadiums. Sure they look fine, sure they have every possible modern convenience built into them, but they're still not good.

You can't build a good stadium. It has to grow.

That's the problem with a lot of the world these days, and not just in sports. People are afraid to let things grow. Well, that's a talk for a whole 'nother day. For now, and I repeat, stay sharp and play smart.

Power Position Betting Fantasy Football Preview: Week 15 (Podcast)

Play along with the Positioning Group in this week's Fantasy Pick Off!

Listen to this week's podcast as Pete Masters, James Sharpe, and CollegeBoy battle for Fantasy Supremacy. Do you think you know more about fantasy football than they do? The only way to find out it to pick with or against them.

This week's match ups include Ron Dayne (yes, Ron Dayne) VS Corey Dillon and three heavyweight status bouts: Westbrook VS Tiki, Palmer VS Peyton Manning, Tomlinson VS LJ, and more...

To submit possible questions for next week's episode, either send an email to pete@positioninggroup.com or leave a comment to this post.

The key behind a Sports Investors' success is information, and with the PPB Podcast, we are giving you information that will not only help you in your Fantasy leagues, but in your Sports Gambling as well.

Positioning Group Salutes Hester LT!

We just wanted to get a quick post here thanking LT and Hester for wonderful performances this year. Want to boil down the season in a nutshell? Look at highlights for these two kids, who both broke records (both not longstanding, but mighty impressive) this weekend.

Expect a breakdown on NFL Playoffs soon, and until then, keep on keeping on.

Power Position Betting Week 14 Quick Hits

I've already stated this on the blog, but I have to repeat it once again. In my pre-season draft guide, while everyone was caught up in LJ hoopla, I stated my case for LT as number 1 and I stuck to it--sure LJ is a great back, but LT is "the" back. And now, he holds the record for most touchdowns in a single season, with three more games to play. Three more games to play. 29 touchdowns. This is simply phenomenal, the greatest performance by a running back, ever.

Three touchdowns against the Broncos...I still can't believe it. All right, all right--enough love for LT and the suddenly everyone-says-they-are-winning-the-super-bowl Chargers (which we'll discuss in a couple days), let's take a look at the rest of the league's action, starting off with...

The perennial regular season champion completely demolished, just run into the ground--I imagine the Colts as if they were in one of those slapstick movies. There goes Taylor, Colts heads spin...there goes Jones-Drew, Colts head spin...there goes Alvin Pearman, Colts heads spin. 375 yards rushing for the Jaguars as they demolished the Colts, 44-17. There was so much rushing, Peyton decided to run for a td himself.

Everyone says running the ball and stopping the run win in January...and if this game means anything, it means the Colts lose and the Jaguars win. Big.

The Dolphins blanked Brady and the Patriots--another perennial power house enjoying a quiet ride home. I didn't expect this from them, I knew Brady and the rest of them always had trouble in Miami, but this kind of trouble? Jaw-dropping. I mean, we expected the Steelers to bash the Browns, the Bengals to bash the Raiders...but the Dolphins. That hurts.

Everybody see how excited Favre was after Driver actually made a play for him? You're telling me he wants to hang up his cleats? Nope...Favre-bean is staying, and he's gonna love every minute of it.

Who is the more streaky team? The Giants or the Falcons? Both put in strong efforts in their respective wins today, but the Giants were much more impressive--either that, or the Panthers are just terrible. What's up with Carolina? Sad times...

But nowhere near as sad as Houston. Vince...Young. Phenomenal. Vince...Young. Rookie of the Year? Very possible, this kid wins game--and he stuck a dagger in the heart of Texans fans who watched as he ran 10, 20, 30, 40 yards for the overtime scamper, reminiscent of a certain Vick play from not too long back. These guys are exciting. Vince Young is exciting, three weeks in a row he puts on magnificent heart pounding entertainment. You just do not know what to expect, and this was easily one of the better finishes in what has been a truly phenomenal NFL season.

I almost don't want to talk about anything else from Week 14. Between Vince Young and LaDainian Tomlinson, who else is there?

Jeff Garcia? Stepping in for McNabb and possibly leading the Eagles to the playoffs? Eh. I smell a rat, I don't trust him.

Brad Johnson? He beat the Lions. Eh.

Leinart and company beating the Seahawks? Sure. The Cardinals are an insane team, and I feel so bad for their fans. Two quality wins after a month or two of putrid play, where was it? Where were these players? Were their bodies snatched? This team has talent, Edge is finally showing up--or the O-line is finally blocking for him, either or--and now they decide to play when everyone wants them to lose and get the highest draft pick.

Well, I want them to win, as a Jets fan. We have the second round pick of the Redskins this year, and the more games Arizona wins, the higher we go. And speaking of the Jets...

What game were they playing? Here they are, needing a win in the worst way...and they don't show up. McGahee killed them yet again, and the Jets find themselves on the outside looking in come January...but we'll talk playoffs in a couple days.

This is time to talk about Vince Young and LaDainian Tomlinson, two splendid players. Congratulations both of you, and thank you for the memories.

Two things to look for in tonight's game:
1. Brees has Colston back, does it matter? I hope so, I have Colston on my fantasy team, and all I gotta say is hook a playa up...
2. Romo. A bad game has to come soon, right? He started to slide against the Giants...

And on Monday...it's all about Rex Grossman.
Does he keep his job? Rams have a tough secondary...but they have been playing pretty bad lately. We'll see, we'll see...

And we'll see LT (conveniently up against LJ) and VY next week.

Streaking Bulls and two other streaks

Seems as if the Bulls have finally figured out to play as a team. Six in a row, and I'm ready to jump on the bandwagon. After their performance last year, I expected them to improve and was disappointed that they started off 3-9, but their streak has them at .500 and things are looking on the up and up.

The Suns own the longest win streak in the NBA right now, though we here at the Power Positioning Group have always been impressed with the high-scoring Suns tendency to go on long runs throughout the season...and it appears as if Amare is slowly becoming, well, Amare.

A sad streak to report is that the Knicks have the least amount of wins at home. Fan or no fan, it's a sad sight to see the Garden so disrespected...though if I was a ballplayer, I certainly would enjoy playing away from home a lot more...

Power Position Betting Fantasy Football Preview: Week 14 (podcast)

Play along with the Positioning Group in this week's Fantasy Pick Off!

Listen to this week's podcast as Pete Masters, James Sharpe, and CollegeBoy battle for Fantasy Supremacy. Do you think you know more about fantasy football than they do? The only way to find out it to pick with them or against them.

This week's match ups include a tag team matchup between Drew Brees and Tony Romo, Randy Moss VS Chad Johnson, and Mr. McGahee and the Buffalo Bills Rushers VS the J-E-T-S trimuverate backfield, and more...

To submit possible questions for next week's episode, either send an email to pete@positioninggroup.com or leave a comment to this post.

The key behind a Sports Investors' success is information, and with the PPB Podcast, we are giving you information that will not only help you in your Fantasy leagues, but in your Sports Gambling as well.

Power Position Betting Week 13 Quick Hits

Reggie Bush has arrived, and he's trying to make the Rookie of the Year a three-way competition, and as long as the initial galloping away with the award stud Colston stays maimed on the sidelines, this is becoming a two horse race between Bush and Joseph Addai--who followed each other with 4 touchdown performances.

Last week we all remember Addai exploding for four scores and a bunch of yards, but the Titans held the Colts running back to a paltry 56 yards on the ground and no scores. But Addai's semi-struggles were nothing compared to the struggles of a Colts team that entered yesterday's game with only one loss. Tony Dungy lost a 14 point lead for the first time ever, and for the second week in a row--another rookie looking to complicate the field--Vince Young led his team to victory. After a terrible start, the Titans have righted their ship, and if Young can finish above .500, it will be a hard argument to not honor him with the award.

And what's with these heart-stopping finishes? They just don't stop. Chalk up another 60 yard game winning field goal this year, and pat Bironas on the back.

And how about the pat that Parcells is going to give Martin Gramatica? What a crazy game this was, back and forth and another mistake by rookie DE Matthias Kiwanuka who fumbled an interception trying to switch the ball from one hand to another. This led the Cowboys to tie the game, and set up the rest of the game--anything could have happened, including some monster plays by Jacobs, phantom penalties, and some more drops for TO.

But how about Gramatica? Signed for this game, after not kicking at all--if you want to call what he did for the Patriots kicking--to come and win this game for the Cowboys, just amazing.

For his health, though, he better keep it up. There's a reason why kickers fail in Texas, and that's because the Tuna down there is not that conducive to mistakes.

Still, kickers are supposed to be professionals, right?

And professionals take care of business.

Jaguars handled the Dolphins, the Steelers took care of business against Tampa Bay (who kicked a late fourth quarter field goal to avoid the shutout), the Saints handled the 49ers, the Falcons--after a 14-0 scare--downed the Redskins and last but not least, the Jets--after a third quarter semi-scare--took care of business in Green Bay.

The Chargers, only winning by 3, made it interesting but not too interesting. The only thing the Bills accomplished with their late touchdown was to ruin the spread and to show off an interesting onside kick--cool to look at, but terrible in practice.

A lot of onside kicks Sunday, actually. The best was by the Vikings, absolutely beautiful, not that it helped them. The Bears defense lived up to its name, Grossman lived up to his, and the fans in Chicago are beginning to rumble again, proving once and for all that yesterday truly was and is just a dream.

Such as the Cardinals being a bad team. Does a bad team beat the Rams in St. Louis? Maybe, but not the Arizona team from just a few weeks ago that looked terrible, terribler, terriblest. But yesterday is yesterday, and these Cardinals played by professionals--it would have been nice to see Edge get at least one of Shipp's touchdowns, but I'm sure Arizona friends aren't complaining too much.

Then there are Texans fans. -5 passing yards...but we won the game...but Carr threw for 32 passing yards...but we won the game...but Carr fumbled twice...but we won the game. Well, can't argue with that logic, a win is a win...

And the Browns are ecstatic with what they did. Excuse me, Chiefs. Larry Johnson...who is he again? Oh yeah, an absolute animal who demands you to feed the ball to him. Look, what Green did was great, everyone is happy to see him back and connecting again with Tony G., but the simple fact is: you have to feed your animals. The Chargers did that to the Bills, and LT won the game for them. Chiefs forgot, and they lost a huge game.

Not that I care, the loss was good for the Jets, and it gave me another opportunity to boo at Herm Edwards...from my room, with three of my friends...but still. Boo, Herm, BOO!

Oh well. Tomorrow on Monday Night we get to see another rookie in the spotlight, for the panthers, and I see big things for this kid. At least a touchdown, a bunch of yards--both receiving and rushing--should be good times, but not too good.

After all, there are only so many rookies who can honestly talk about as ROY...too many, and our heads may explode from such a great infusion of fresh talent. Until next week, go rookies, boo Herm Edwards, feed LJ, LT needs 2 more to tie Alexander and end up on the cover of Madden (where I still maintain that he will be the one to break the curse), and look for Colston to return and make sure that yesterday was not just a dream, but something very real.

Power Position Betting Presents CollegeBoy: Fantasy Idiot

Just a quick word on my fantasy woe.

I'm a fantasy baller, I play it all--well not Nascar or golf, those seem kind of silly. But the big three and hockey, I'm all over it.

How did I do?

I won my baseball league. I'm the defending champ in my basketball league, but currently I'm in third place. And I'm also the defending champ in my hockey league, currently sitting pretty in first and looking just swell.

All good, right?

Wait. Where is the end all be all of fantasy sports? Where is the greatest fantasy sport, the one that put all fantasy sports on the map. Sure baseball was probably first, but who wants to seriously play that much fantasy baseball, something like 162+ games for the fantasy season, no thank you. No, how are you in football CollegeBoy? How are you?

STOP! Please, don't bring that up.

How are you in football, CollegeBoy! CollegeBoy, CollegeBoy, CollegeBoy! Na-na-na!

STOP! Please, I'm begging you. Don't make me tell you.

Tell us CollegeBoy, tell us how much you suck at football. Your favorite sport, the one sport where you actually know how to sort of play and analyze, the one sport where you can sit in front of the television with a couple beers and the game of Madden and actually make some sense talking about a sport, the game where you can call the plays and feel that you can do a better job than half the idiots coaching now (and especially in Oakland, but hey. If a bed and Breakfast guy became coach, there is hope for all of us.) Tell us CollegeBoy, TELL US!

I suck.

I draft the best team in my league, then I single-handedly sink it. I drafted McNabb. Everything went perfect, better than planned--and, just as he reached his obvious peak, I said to myself, hey, CollegeBoy. Trade him. Get someone with some good value. Trust me. And I started to work on a couple of deals, but the more I looked, the idiot in me rose up. Hey, it whispered. Look at his numbers. Who are you gonna get? Your not going to get Tomlinson, you already have LJ. Shh. Keep him. Ride him to victory.

But, but, I think he's at his peak. It's almost too obvious.

Shh, keep him, CollegeBoy. Keep him.

A couple average games later, he's out for the rest of the season. And what else is great? The game he got hurt in, there was a touchdown to Westbrook overruled. No big deal, but then he went down. That same week, I lose Favre. I lose Colston. And Randy Moss did absolute squat--which I expected, but I was so sure that I was gonna win, I didn't really care. Know how much I lost by? One point.

Oh yeah, and that was the week when the Rams, and my kicker Jeff Wilkins, were shutout. Sounds like the god damned story of my life--when it comes to fantasy football, that is.

One point.

Long story short? I have the most points in my league, we do head to head, but I'm second to last. What more can I do?

Oh yeah. Not make stupid mistakes. Like my latest one.

A lot of people are down on D. Mason, WR on the Ravens. I pick him up. Say, let's see what happens. Okay, so Thursday comes and it's time to submit lineups. Mason or Jamal Lewis. I want to start one. So, here is what I do. I ask my friend, who says sit him (which is my initial answer as well), who then says since he is usually wrong about these things, I should start him. (That was my initial reaction to my initial reaction). I flip a coin, four times. Four times it says, sit Jamal Lewis. So...I start...

Jamal Lewis.

Mason was a 20. Jamal Lewis was a 5 in my one league.

I ask myself, how come you can't take your own advice? If someone had asked me, who should they start? I would have said Mason. But I didn't do it. Why?

Cause the answer is simple. I'm an idiot.

That's why.