MARTYEWR

Some Blue Jays news. C Ken Huckaby and RHP Pete Walker have returned to the team, via minor-league contracts: http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=110766 And reliever Billy Koch has returned to the team's bullpen, after stints with the A's, White Sox, and Marlins: http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=110749

Shit, Al, sounds an awful lot like the Ice Storm of 1997, as someone already mentioned. Sorry to hear, but glad to hear you're alright.

You even shortchanged yourself a bit there, too. Don't forget Sting and Brian Pillman, although Pillman in the upper card is debatable. I'm only referencing him due to the US Title shot he received at Halloween Havoc against Lex Luger.

Houston can definitely mix into the rotation, given the stadium they have.

Most of ESPN's NFL guys are morons? That a good defense? Is it just me or is Michael Irvin just about the best thing on NFL Countdown these days? And no, I don't think that's a good thing, even though I find him entertaining.

I'm scared to ask, Loss, but where do you think Jericho's headed as far as WrestleMania goes?

I can't think of any team that played the Super Bowl in their home stadium (even the 70s Dolphins never did that), but for what it's worth, the Los Angeles Rams played against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV (1980) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. That's the closest I can think of a team playing in its own location. I can't confirm that fully, because it's a bitch to find a chart on the web that lists all the Super Bowl results with the location as well. Even pro-football-reference.com has no such chart. I should also mention to Positively Kanyon that the regular sites for the Super Bowl consist of Pasadena (California), San Diego, New Orleans, Miami, Tempe (Arizona), and Atlanta (I think that's all of them). This is the first year it's in Jacksonville, but since they're in Florida, it might become a regular site too, or at least will be there once in a while, like Tampa. It's rare that the Super Bowl goes into the Northern regions of the States, unless there's a dome handy, like in Detroit (which it will be in next year) and Minnesota.

NFL MVP: Peyton Manning Def Player of Year: Ed Reed Offensive Player of Year: Peyton Manning Defensive ROY: Johnathan Vilma Offensive ROY: Ben Roethlisberger Coach of Year: Bill Cowher Comeback Player: Jerome Bettis Most Improved: Drew Brees

The blurring of logos isn't a problem for them. What's the big problem is how often the actual initials "WWF" are mentioned. I recently watched the X-7 Rock-Austin match, and I lost count on how many times JR and Heyman said "WWF". That's the big problem with reproducing THAT match (as an example).

The Trish one is fine, as has already been covered. The Lesnar one is probably for Lesnar fans only, although the matches are solid choices, particularly because when you watch them in order, you can see how much the Rock and Undertaker matches did more for Lesnar than the WrestleMania XIX Angle match did.

Depends if you're a fan or not. I have Trish Stratus' DVD and it's definitely a fun DVD if you're a fan. The match choices are alright, but the selling point is there's more of a human side of Trish displayed than what you'd expect from a WWE release. Anyways, since it's been a bitch to get the Rise And Fall Of ECW DVD up here in Canada, the only WWE DVD I've received lately is the Hall Of Fame 2004 DVD. Not the best, but definitely not the worst either. A lot of the inductees' speeches are fine (Graham's, Race's, Slaughter's and Ventura's) but Bobby Heenan's 20-minute rant on anything that hit his mind was the hottest part of the ceremony, and the set as a whole. The match choices are not for everyone and questionable at times, but if you're a fan of WWF old school, the DVD is a pleasant waste of time.

Ah, I see. Thanks Tune.

It's definitely worth a rental. Mandy Moore was great in her role. I wouldn't call the movie outstanding, but it's worth a look.

The 67s are on every Friday at the very least. They are also on quite a bit on Sundays. Although they are off all weekend because of Christmas. The next televised game is against Oshawa on Tuesday Dec 28th. *is going to next Tuesday's game between the 67s and Generals at the Civic Centre*

Well, needless to say, the Bills SHOULDN'T be eliminated after this weekend. Now, we just need some help from the Titans, Steelers, and Texans.

Lots of people have already covered the different pace of college football and basketball, so I'll make another point: If you're a fan of pro sports, what makes following college sports fun is knowing how good "the next ones" really are. Of course, you can only watch so much, but if follow it well enough, when NFL Draft Day comes, you'll have a better idea of who's coming in than the average NFL fan, since more fans follow pro sports than college. In fact, you might know certain players well enough that Tom Jackson's or Ron Jaworski's or whoever's opinion on ESPN on Draft Day (or whenever) is mediocre compared to yours. Point being is you'll have a nice heads up on the future of your favourite sport, especially if it's football or basketball.

I actually caught bits and pieces of the Iraq Smackdown. First Smackdown I watched in ages. Question: What the fuck happened to Kurt Angle's arms????

I normally don't begin birthday threads, but I have to send my best wishes to a guy who's always helped me out in the past answering questions for others regarding EWR. Cheers to you, Flik, hope you have a great one. I couldn't have provided as much help to others with EWR without your assistance. Rock on, man!

There's also a junior tournament coming up, starting on Christmas Day. If the guy's Canadian, I'm sure he'll enjoy it.

Count me in with the bunch who wants to see Shaq put Kobe in his place. Raptors are 2-2 since the Vince Carter trade.

With some extra cussing on the side, too.

And Victoria hasn't shown a willingness to screw anyone (aside from MAYBE Steven Richards) and instead chooses to abandon a goth nature for a shake-yer-money-maker lifestyle. She is therefore a face.

I don't know if NO ONE in the NFC could challenge the Eagles. I think the Falcons can, because they possess the necessary qualities it takes to win in the NFL: a strong running game (if and when TJ Duckett returns) and a great defense. The Falcons have more weaknesses than the Eagles, especially at quarterback (I think McNabb is more refined and has more fundamentals at the position than Vick), but the Falcons could give the Eagles a challenge for those reasons. And what's up with YOU talking about football???

I guess you're not upset over the sponsorship scandal at all, are ya?

This is kinda reverse shameless shilling, but does anyone else remember the Rock's appearance on That 70s Show? He, of course, played his father, Rocky Johnson, who was wrestling when Red took Eric to the local wrestling matches. Their conversation afterwards went something like this: Rocky: "Very cool of you to take your son here. I have a son, too, and someday, he's going to become the most electrifying man in sports-entertainment!" Red: "Well.....good luck with that!" Rocky: "Thanks....thanks."