Bored

You mean the guy who's done multiple SportsCenter commercials and just hosted the ESPYs is one of ESPN's finalists for their popularity contest? I'm shocked.

The massacre of star running backs continues into Week 4. The league's leading rusher Earnest Byner was injured in the Redskins' loss to the previously winless Bengles and Tecmo legend Bo Jackson was also hurt in the Raiders' win over the winless Falcons. Barry Sanders did return to action this week after missing two games and rushed for 179 yards but the Lions still lost to the Colts. In other action the Steelers knocked the Eagles from the ranks of the unbeaten and the lowly Patriots picked up their first win with a stunning blowout of the Oilers. Week 4 Scores Miami 35, Green Bay 14 MIA: 3-1, GB: 1-3 -Miami Defense: 5 interceptions Indianapolis 17, Detroit 14 IND: 2-2, DET: 2-2 -Jeff George: 207 yards passing Dallas 24, Phoenix 7 DAL: 2-2, PHX: 0-4 -Troy Aikman: 220 yards passing Kansas City 17, Seattle 7 KC: 2-2, SEA: 2-2 -Christian Okoye: 171 yards rushing Chicago 42, N.Y. Jets 3 CHI: 2-2, NYJ: 1-3 -Ken O’Brien: 7% comp pct, 34 yards, 4 int Buffalo 28, Tampa Bay 20 BUF: 4-0, TB: 0-4 -Jim Kelly: 196 yards passing Pittsburgh 27, Philadelphia 10 PIT: 2-2, PHI: 3-1 -Bubby Brister: 213 yards passing Cincinnati 21, Washington 14 CIN: 1-3, WAS: 2-2 -Earnest Byner: leaves injured New England 35, Houston 17 NE: 1-3, HOU: 2-2 -Irving Fryar: 6 rec, 157 yards N.Y. Giants 35, Cleveland 10 NYG: 3-1, CLE: 2-2 -Mark Ingram: 4 rec, 145 yards Minnesota 24, New Orleans 16 MIN: 3-1, NO: 2-2 -Saints: 16 yards rushing L.A. Raiders 27, Atlanta 20 RAI: 4-0, ATL: 0-4 -Bo Jackson: leaves injured San Diego 23, Denver 14 SD: 3-1, DEN: 2-2 -Anthony Miller: 4 rec, 109 yards San Francisco 35, L.A. Rams 21 SF: 2-2, RAM: 2-2 -Jerry Rice: 6 rec, 196 yards Leaders thru Week 4 PASSING LEADERS Rating 1. Phil Simms, 213.3 2. Dan Marino, 205.6 3. Randall Cunnigham, 196.8 Yards 1. Joe Montana, 1085 2. Bernie Kosar, 1037 3. Marino, 918 Touchdowns 1. Marino, 14 2t. Montana, 10 2t. Simms, 10 RECEIVING LEADERS Receptions 1. Jerry Rice, 20 2t. Henry Ellard, 14 2t. Anthony Miller, 14 Yards 1. Rice, 560 2. Irving Fryar, 392 3. Ellard, 386 Touchdowns 1. Rice, 6 2t. Andre Rison, 5 2t. Mark Duper, 5 RUSHING LEADERS Yards 1. Earnest Byner, 449 2. Christian Okoye, 360 3. Neal Anderson, 347 Touchdowns 1t. Tom Rathman, 5 1t. Anderson, 5 3. Many with 4 DEFENSIVE LEADERS Interceptions 1. Many with 4 Sacks 1. Lawrence Taylor, 10 2t. Michael Cofer, 7 2t. Simon Fletcher, 7 SPECIAL TEAMS LEADERS Field Goals: Jeff Jaeger, 6 Putning Avg: Mark Saxson, 53.1 Punt Return Avg: Terrance Mathis, 17.5 Kick Return Avg: Chris Warren, 24.0

Tulsa is going to be fine, CFN just tends to rank non-BCS conference teams low as you'll notice there isn't a single BCS conference in the bottom 40. As much as I'd like to hope that Stanford won't be one of the worst teams in the country, reality is they will be and so will Duke. Going by those rankings they actually have Tulsa as the 3rd best team in C-USA going into the season just behind Houston, with Southern Miss being the only team from the conference not in their bottom 40.

CFN is counting down their preseason rankings, here's 119 thru 80. 119. Army 118. Temple 117. Buffalo 116. Utah State 115. Eastern Michigan 114. FIU 113. North Texas 112. UL Lafayette 111. Idaho 110. Florida Atlantic 109. Middle Tennessee 108. Arkansas State 107. UL Monroe 106. UAB 105. Tulane 104. Louisiana Tech 103. Rice 102. Troy 101. Ball State 100. Kent State 99. Akron 98. Air Force 97. UTEP 96. Miami of Ohio 95. Ohio 94. San Diego State 93. UNLV 92. Navy 91. East Carolina 90. UCF 89. Marshall 88. Toledo 87. Bowling Green 86. Northern Illinois 85. Memphis 84. New Mexico State 83. SMU 82. Tulsa 81. Houston 80. San Jose State

Wow I thought he'd at least hit #755 before coming down with a sudden case of "sore legs" for the rest of the road trip. ESPN is gonna be pissed. Speaking of the Giants, I haven't seen mention of the most inexplicable move at the deadline. They traded Matt Morris, not surprising, to the...wait for it...the Pirates!? On top of that the Pirates are picking up all of Morris' remaining salary this year and next. Link

Frank Gore broke a bone in his right hand and might miss the entire preseason. At least it's not his knees so in the long run during the season him missing the preseason might not be a bad thing.

With the sudden desperate need for a healthy starting pitcher the Dodgers are talking to the A's about Joe Blanton according Buster Olney. He is arb eligible after this season but considering the A's can keep him under a controlled price for another three seasons the Dodgers would have to give up some very good talent to pry him away. He's far from a great starter but finding a young, healthy one who can give you 200+ solid innings isn't always easy to find. I think Beane will have to be blown away to do a move here as the A's would have a gaping hole in their rotation next year if they move Blanton as they have no one in minors who can a major difference.

The Bills didn't miss Thurman Thomas for long as he was already back in the line up as they dispatched Jets in easy fashion 31-14. They are one of only three unbeatens left after only three weeks along with the Raiders and Eagles. The Vikings starting quarteback Wade Wilson was knocked out in the second half of their game against the 49ers but back up Rich Gannon led them to a 4th quarter comeback and overtime win, sending the Niners to a dissapointing 1-2 start. Week 3 Scores Washington 35, Phoenix 17 WAS: 2-1, PHX: 0-3 -Earnest Byner: 199 yards rushing Miami 42, Detroit 10 MIA: 2-1, DET: 2-1 -Dan Marino: 330 yards passing Buffalo 31, N.Y. Jets 14 BUF: 3-0, NYJ: 1-2 -Thurman Thomas: returns from injury, 113 yards rushing L.A. Raiders 24, Indianapolis 21 RAI: 3-0, IND: 1-2 -Mervyn Fernandez: 4 rec, 119 yards San Diego 24, Atlanta 23 SD: 2-1, ATL: 0-3 -Billy Joe Tolliver: 157 yards passing Philadelphia 28, Dallas 6 PHI: 3-0, DAL: 1-2 -Randall Cunnigham: 152 yards passing Denver 28, Seattle 17 DEN: 2-1, SEA: 2-1 -Mark Jackson: 4 rec, 114 yards Houston 21, Kansas City 17 HOU: 2-1, KC: 1-2 -Lorenzo White: 149 yards rushing Cleveland 34, Cincinnati 31 OT CLE: 2-1, CIN: 0-3 -Bernie Kosar: 321 yards passing N.Y. Giants 33, Chicago 27 OT NYG: 2-1, CHI: 1-2 -Phil Simms: 211 yards passing Minnesota 27, San Francisco 24 OT MIN: 2-1, SF: 1-2 -Anthony Carter: 5 rec, 164 yards Green Bay 21, Tampa Bay 17 GB: 1-2, TB: 0-3 -Don Majkowski: 239 yards passing New Orleans 35, L.A. Rams 14 NO: 2-1, RAM: 2-1 -Steve Walsh: 250 yards passing Pittsburgh 27, New England 24 PIT: 1-2, NE: 0-3 -Merril Hoge: 125 yards rushing Leaders thru Week 3 Passing Leaders Rating: Dan Marino, 230.6 Yards: Bernie Kosar, 840 TD: Marino, 11 Receiving Leaders Rec: Jerry Rice, 14 Yards: Rice, 364 TD: Many with 4 Rushing Leaders Yards: Earnest Byner, 398 TD: Many with 4 Defensive Leaders INT: Joey Browner; Barney Bussey, 4 Sacks: Many with 6

ESPN & FOX Games to Poison Our Youth MONDAY Red Sox (Jon Lester) at Indians (Jake Westbrook), 7:00/4:00 PM, ESPN2 Braves (John Smoltz) at Giants (Matt Cain), 10:00/7:00 PM, ESPN2 WEDNESDAY Cubs (Ted Lilly) at Cardinals (Adam Wainwright), 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN2 SATURDAY Padres at Astros, 3:55/12:55 PM, FOX Braves at Diamondbacks, 3:55/12:55 PM, FOX Tigers at Angels, 3:55/12:55 PM, FOX SUNDAY Tigers at Angels, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN

I will not watch Czech break my record in person.

That's what the Red Sox offered and the A's turned it down. Poor Joel Pineiro, A's would rather have nothing than take him on.

Two weeks in, two injured star running backs. In 35-3 blowout win over the Steelers, the Bills last their superstar Thurman Thomas to injury. The Lions so far have survived without Barry Sanders getting off to a 2-0 start after nipping the Packers 14-13. The big game of the week was the Rams upsetting the defending Super Bowl champion Giants 23-20 in overtime, and the Rams are now 2-0. Week 2 Results Seattle 20, N.Y. Jets 14 SEA: 2-0, NJY: 1-1 -Tommy Kane: 4 rec, 131 yards Detroit 14, Green Bay 13 DET: 2-0, GB: 0-2 -Rodney Peete: 167 yards passing L.A. Raiders 28, Denver 24 RAI: 2-0, DEN: 1-1 -Bo Jackson: 117 yards rushing Minnesota 28, Atlanta 24 MIN: 2-0, ATL: 0-2 -Steve Jordan: 4 rec, 106 yards Houston 23, Cincinnati 21 HOU: 1-1, CIN: 0-2 -Curtis Duncan: 5 rec, 117 yards Cleveland 31, New England 14 CLE: 1-1, NE: 0-2 -Bernie Kosar: 313 yards passing New Orleans 27, Kansas City 24 NO: 1-1, KC: 1-1 -Steve Walsh: 220 yards passing Miami 28, Indianapolis 21 MIA: 1-1, IND: 1-1 -Dan Marino: 193 yards passing San Francisco 34, San Diego 14 SF: 1-1, SD: 1-1 -Jerry Rice: 7 rec, 144 yards L.A. Rams 23, N.Y. Giants 20 OT RAM: 2-0, NYG: 1-1 -Jim Everett: 176 yards passing Buffalo 35, Pittsburgh 3 BUF: 2-0, PIT: 0-2 -Thurman Thomas injured Philadelphia 23, Phoenix 17 PHI: 2-0, PHX: 0-2 -Heath Sherman: 4 rushes, 73 yards Chicago 20, Tampa Bay 19 CHI: 1-1, TB: 0-2 -Neal Anderson: 96 yards rushing Washington 31, Dallas 14 WAS: 1-1, DAL: 1-1 -Earnest Byner: 130 yards rushing Leaders thru Week 2 Passing Leaders Rating: Randall Cunnigham, 235.0 Yards: Bernie Kosar, 519 TD: Cunnigham, 7 Receiving Leaders Rec: Jerry Rice, 10 Yards: Rice, 248 TD: Many with 3 Rushing Leaders Yards: Earnest Byner, 199 TD: Many with 3 Defensive Leaders INT: Many with 2 Sacks: Michael Cofer; Al Baker, 5

I would assume any football move to the Big Ten would also mean a move in basketball as well. But again this is all rumors at this point and it would be fairly surprising if Syracuse left the Big East. What I wonder is if the Big Ten grabs someone from the Big East, who does the Big East then pick up for football? Marshall? UCF? They sure as hell wouldn't want Temple back.

At least in the case of Belliard he's making so little ($3 million for two years) that if he ends up being terrible next year they can release him without having too much dead salary on their payroll. The deal with Young though is so stupid that it can only be done by Jim Bowden. Young is the ideal player you try to trade at the deadline as his value right now is higher than it ever will be again. The rumor is they plan on playing him in leftfield next year which will provide a lot of entertainment. The only way keeping Young makes any bit of sense is if the hip problem that has now popped up for Nick Johnson marks the end of his career.

Apparently the reason Jim Delany wants to add a 12th team to the Big Ten isn't only to get a conference championship but also to expand the number of cable providers for the Big Ten Network. To do this they are going to look for a school that isn't in a state that the Big Ten has a school in already so that would eliminate Iowa State and Pittsburgh, but would leave open Missouri. The popular speculation though right now is they are looking at Syracuse or Rutgers. Man, everyone always going after the Big East.

About four years out of Boredom I went on a binge of downloading roms to play old NES games. It was fun for a little while but playing on the keyboard got old fast. One of the games I downloaded of course was the favorite childhood video game of many men my age, Tecmo Super Bowl. A couple of weeks ago I finally had the itch again to play TSB but again playing on the keyboard just isn't nearly as fun as playing the original on the NES. So I decided for my next series of blog entires was to simulate a TSB season and track it here on my blog. Yes I'm officially out of ideas. Anyways I'll just be doing the quick simulation of each game. I thought about sitting through computer vs. computer games but that would take too damn long and get boring. Besides the computer can play really fucking stupid, like ignoring the wide open receiver streaking 50 yards down the field and throwing to tight end underneath who is covered. Maybe when I get to the playoffs I'll do that and add some screen captures. For Week 1 the big game was obviously the rematch of the 1990 NFC Championship between the Giants and 49ers. Giants blew a 21-0 lead here in the 4th but prevailed in overtime 24-21. The big news of the week though is an upset win over the Redskins, the Lions lost Barry Sanders to injury. Randall Cunnigham, or better known as QB Eagles, went off against the Packers with 348 yards passing and 5 touchdowns. Week 1 Scores Seattle 27, New Orleans 21 -John L Williams: 5 catches, 121 yards L.A. Rams 24, Phoenix 21 OT -Henry Ellard: 5 catches, 147 yards Philadelphia 38, Green Bay 24 -Randall Cunningham: 348 yards passing San Diego 21, Pittsburgh 20 -Anthony Miller: 6 catches, 106 yards N.Y. Jets 31, Tampa Bay 28 OT -Jets: 176 yards rushing N.Y. Giants 24, San Francisco 21 OT -Phil Simms: 154 yards passing Indianapolis 19, New England 14 -Steve Grogan: 16% comp pct, 46 yards Denver 38, Cincinnati 14 -Bobby Humphrey: 14 rushes, 116 yards Buffalo 24, Miami 21 -Thurman Thomas: 191 total yards L.A. Raiders 30, Houston 21 -Oilers: 12 yards rushing Detroit 17, Redskins 14 -Barry Sanders: 106 yards rushing, leaves injured Dallas 24, Cleveland 10 -Jay Novacek: 4 catches, 102 yards Minnesota 30, Chicago 17 -Wade Wilson: 204 yards passing Kansas City 38, Atlanta 0 -Falcons: 64 total yards, 3 first downs Leaders thru Week 1 As I get later into the season I'll add expanded leaders. I've never quite figured out what the hell formula Tecmo used for passing rating on the game as it is obviously not the standard NFL version. Passing Leaders Rating: Randall Cunnigham 302.0 Yards: Cunningham 348 TD: Cunnigham 5 Receiving Leaders Receptions: Art Monk; Anthony Miller, 6 Yards: Henry Ellard; Fred Barnett, 147 TD: Many with 2 Rushing Leaders Yards: Bobby Humphrey, 116 TD: Many with 2 Defensive Leaders INT: Many with 2 Sacks: Richard Dent; Lawrence Taylor; Al Baker, 3

Your "HA HA" Transaction of the Week: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-p...p&type=lgns Aww, at least now he has his wish of playing on a team that will play him everyday.

So what would they call the conference? Can't call it the Big 12. Maybe just THE Big Conference? Of course they've had 11 teams since 1993 and haven't bothered to change the name so might as well just leave it the Big Ten with 12 teams. Of course Notre Dame would have no interest but I can't really see the Big Ten settling for plucking a team from the MAC though either. Iowa State would make some sense which that move would lead to a major re-shuffling across several conferences like when the ACC raided the Big East just a few years back. Unrelated, here are more conference preseason media polls: Pac-10 1. USC 2. California 3. UCLA 4. Arizona State 5. Oregon State 6. Oregon 7. Arizona 8. Washington State 9. Washington 10. Stanford SEC East 1. Florida 2. Tennessee 3. Georgia 4. South Carolina 5. Kentucky 6. Vanderbilt West 1. LSU 2. Auburn 3. Arkansas 4. Alabama 5. Mississippi 6. Mississippi State MAC West 1. Western Michigan 2. Central Michigan 3. Toledo 4. Ball State 5. Northern Illinois 6. Eastern Michigan East 1. Ohio 2. Kent State 3. Akron 4. Miami of Ohio 5. Bowling Green 6. Temple 7. Buffalo

Conference media days are going on so here are some conference preseason media polls that have been released. ACC Atlantic 1. Florida State 2. Boston College 3. Clemson 4. Wake Forest 5. Maryland 6. N.C. State Coastal 1. Virginia Tech 2. Georgia Tech 3. Miami 4. Virginia 5. North Carolina 6. Duke Big East 1. West Virginia 2. Louisville 3. Rutgers 4. USF 5. Cincinnati 6. Pittsburgh 7. Connecticut 8. Syracuse Big XII North 1. Missouri 2. Nebraska 3. Kansas State 4. Kansas 5. Colorado 6. Iowa State South 1. Texas 2. Oklahoma 3. Texas A&M 4. Oklahoma State 5. Texas Tech 6. Baylor Conference USA East 1. Southern Miss 2. East Carolina 3. UCF 4. Marshall 5. Memphis 6. UAB West 1. Houston 2. Tulsa 3. SMU 4. UTEP 5. Rice 6. Tulane Moutain West 1. TCU 2. BYU 3. Utah 4. New Mexico 5. Wyoming 6. Colorado State 7. Air Force 8. San Diego State 9. UNLV Sun Belt 1. Troy 2. Middle Tennessee 3. Arkansas State 4t. Louisana-Lafayette 4t. Louisana-Monroe 6. Florida Atlantic 7. North Texas 8. FIU WAC 1. Hawaii 2. Boise State 3. Fresno State 4. Nevada 5. San Jose State 6. New Mexico State 7. Louisiana Tech 8. Utah State 9. Idaho

ESPN & FOX Games to Poison Our Youth MONDAY Giants (Tim Lincecum) at Cubs (Rich Hill), 7:00/4:00 PM, ESPN WEDNESDAY Tigers (Andrew Miller) at Twins (Scott Baker), 8:00/5:00, ESPN SATURDAY White Sox at Red Sox, 3:55/12:55 PM, FOX Giants at Brewers, 3:55/12:55 PM, FOX Mets at Dodgers, 3:55/12:55 PM, FOX SUNDAY Cardinals at Braves, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN

Surprsied no mention of this yet. Scott Olsen is lucky the cops didn't shoot his dumbass. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...olsen_0722.html

Darren McFadden's whip

My favorite team needs to build a time machine, go back to the 2005-06 offseason, and trade Bobby Crosby and Rich Harden for an ass load of prospects.

I'll put you down as an alternate since I've filled the available slots. Currently seven holdovers still haven't signed up and they have until August 11th. If any drop out or don't show up, your in.

Back in.