NFL Prediction for 2011

It's been a long long time since I made a blog entry. I guess I'll make a more update one about me later in the month, but for now, FOOTBALL is back in 2 days and thought I'd make some bold (or not so bold) predictions for the upcoming season. I had discussed doing this my friend, Lalit Golani (he also has a Blog on this site called "Around the World -2010", its a great read, strongly suggested) almost a year ago so i decided to do one. Let's see what I get right and what I certainly will get wrong:

12 to 16 Correct answers -- Tom Brady introduces me to Giselle and she in turn introduces me to Victoria Secret models....

7 to 11 -- Mark Cuban buys the Baltimore Ravens...assures me Deion will return and will focus on bring Megatron and others to win a Superbowl for Ray Lewis!

4 to 6 -- Aman calls me on my birthday to tell me Kobe has been injured for the season, that I'm 30 and he just won the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.....but before he hangs up, he mentions "oh yeah...3PEAT in Fantasy Football"...what could be worse???

0 to 3 -- Al Davis and Daniel Synder are both FIGHTING to hire me as a coach for their team, making me realize, I must be bad at making any sort of decisions!!

1. AFC North (Order of finish)

Baltimore Ravens -- This team is too good at the key positions. Lee Evans was a great pick up and will take pressure off Boldin. I also think Rice WILL have a monster year.

Pittsburgh Steelers -- I think Tomlin maybe a genius...the team didn't change much and now have a healthier Big Ben.

Cleveland Browns -- Mccoy to Massaquoi will be heard alot this season....Hillis will have to be a workhorse for them to have ANY shot in a tough AFC....actually, AFC North!!

Cincinnati Bengals -- My mom always told me if I can't say anything good, don't say anything at all....

2. MVP Finalists --

Tom Brady -- He's going to be better than last year...which means more than 33TDS, he can't possibly throw less than 4 INTS....can he??

Philip Rivers -- This IS the best offence on paper and by head coach. Norv knows how to move the ball, and Rivers threw for the most yardage last year! A full season with V.Jackson back is scary to think...

Matt Ryan -- I was debating between him or Vick here and I just don't see Goodell allowing the voters to pick Vick. Not to mention, in preseason anyway, Ryan was throwing the ball alot...ALOT. 47 times in 1 half!!! He has the weapons, so if he's puts it together...

Ray Rice -- Like I mentioned earlier, I think he's going to have a MONSTEROUS year. Honestly, think it might resemble the Marshall Faulk one of 1999 (1381 yd Rushing; 1048yd Receiving) or his MVP 2000 season (1359yd Rushing; 830yd Receiving).

Adrian Peterson -- ADP can do anything....I swear I saw him fly once just to save a someone. He may not save the Vikes, but damn he's going to try...and post big numbers along the way...

3. MVP -- Tom Brady

Brady will get his 3rd and the debate between him and Manning will just continue to be fueled...

4. AFC EAST

NE Patriots -- I know what the Eagles did this offseason, but I think the moves the Pats made were more logical. Plus, why would I vote against the MVP.

NY Jets -- I'm not a fan of Rex, but the guy knows how to win...Plax better not shot himself cause I think Ryan WILL kill him....

Miami Dolphins -- They will be competitive, but they'll soon realize Reggie Bush isn't a really HB...

Buffalo Bills -- It's sad that they haven't reached the playoffs in more than a decade now...lots of upside from being that bad for that long....

5. AFC South

Houston Texans -- This is the year. FINALLY!!! They got the right guy in Wade Phillips...because he's coaching the D, not the team...!!

Jacksonville Jaguars -- Why did they release Garrard?? My friend, Rishi, texted me that and I was baffled! They D is solid and is the new guy (I don't even know his name?!?!) is good enough to cut Garrard...I can't write anymore, they're was a week till season began! ......

Indy Colts -- Sorry Em, but Peyton is done! I'm almost 84.5% sure the Colts are lying about this injury and that Manning won't be back for atleast 6 more weeks. In that time, Collins won't be QB and the D will be ranked 31st in the league....

Tennessee Titans -- They're schedule is relatively easy, atleast thats what ESPN tells me, but the problem is....so are they...

6. Dead Coach Walking

Honestly, I think its Tom Coughlin in NYG-ville! We've been hearing it for years and I don't think missing the playoff again for the 3rd year will do in NYC.

Honorable mention: Norv Turner, Chargers - IF the Chargers start 0-3 or something...they just can't keep playing from behind...that being said....

7. AFC WEST

SD Chargers -- What a team!! I just say that cause when November hits, they decide to play! The remind me of my Lakers alot....they have a tough schedule though...again, according to ESPN.

Oakland Raiders -- I'm not crazy, I swear!! Well, maybe a little, I did draft Ray Rice again! I just believe they're offence is good enough. The D is really bad...wait didn't they lose that CB that went to Philly?? Too late, I still believe, as Guido would say!!

KC Chiefs -- Could win the division, could falter horribly...i'm going with the latter! Charles doesn't get the ball as much as he should and Cassell holds the ball more than he should!

Denver Broncos -- Why do they want to start Tebow so bad?? Was Orton that bad last year, cause I had him on my team and he put up solid numbers. I think the D needs to be re-vamped.

8. NFC NORTH *I'm starting to get tired....I will continue tomorrow.

You won't know it, but i'm back now....well, i guess me telling you would make you know.

GB Packers -- I think the odds on favorite to repeat. Only the Pats have repeated in recent memory...but Pack have the pieces to do it. Pov should be happy, A-Rodg is a sick player.

Detroit Lions -- Yeah, i'm all-in on these guys. I remember texting Lalit sometime in the summer saying "Is it wrong that I think the Lions will be good this year" and he laughed. IF Stafford can stay healthy and Javid Best too, they could play spoiler to many teams in the NFC.

Chicago Bears -- I just don't like Jay Cutler. He's overrated. He's got a strong arm....that's it. I like Forte, but not enough to think he'll make a difference.

Minnesota Vikings -- Donovan is getting, what, his 3rd chance to prove he's elite. I think he's good, i don't know if he's great anymore. ADP will get them some wins, but they are in revamp mode.

9. Comeback Player of the Year

I'd love to say Peyton Manning (now that Aman has told me he's gone for 3 months confirmed) but honestly, I think it'll be Donovan Mcnabb (see how I did the seg-way there :P). I don't think he'll throw for 4500yds or 50tds, but I do think he'll have numbers like 3000-3500yds, maybe 30tds and 15-20ints with a 65% completion. He'll be efficient...

10. Runner-Up

Ryan Matthews will comeback this year from a dismal rookie year last year. He was suppose to rush for like 250atts. NOPE. This year, he will and run for 1200-1500yds. Maybe even some tds if Tolbert doesn't keep stealing them!!!

11. NFC EAST

Philly Eagles -- The Dream Team. The NFL's Miami Heat. Vick will not be a great as last year, almost impossible really, but he won't have to be. The D looks so solid on paper that he may only need to be solid, not spectacular! Guido's going to love this: Mccoy is going to have a BREAKOUT year!

Dallas Cowboys -- I really feel like this is the year they do something or everything just gets dismantled. I also, finally, think Romo is going to be a difference maker and in a positive way. Somewhere, Rishi is smiling :-D

NY Giants -- Eli is not in the same breath as Brady, don't care what he thinks. He does win though, but so does Sanchez!! The D isn't getting better and the Offence is basically the same.

Washington Redskins -- Mike Shanahan has screwed this team up. I only know Santana Moss on this team. Oh wait, they have Daniel Synder too right???

12. NFC South

NO Saints -- They get back to the top here. Have a tough schedule, but they have a great coach who knows how to move the ball around and their D is better than most think. They will actually run the ball really well this year I feel.

Atlanta Falcons -- I thought about putting them 1st, but they have a tough schedule. Offence is better, Julio Jones is a great WR and will likely be ROY. They will make a strong run in NFC.

TB Bucs -- Young great team, with all the upside to over take Atl at #2. They could go 9-7 and still not make it in.

Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton is a great QB. But he's young and in a bad situation. D.Will and Stewart will carry this team to...well, not far unfortunately...

13. NFC WEST

STL Rams -- Worst division in football. Had to be said. The Rams are the best thing in this division. Bradford will be good, real good.

Arizona Cardinals -- Kolb will be better than all the critics think, but not that much better. Kinda makes you realize just how good Warner was!!

SF 49ers -- How is Alex Smith still the QB here? The team actually isn't that bad with a solid WR core and D. The just find ways to lose close...

Seattle Seahawks -- Pete Carroll, you should have never left USC. Lynch was a bright spot last year, especially his playoff run. But this team is very week...

14. NFC Championship Game

Atlanta Vs Green Bay.

Atlanta goes into playoffs hot and run into the beast of GB. Epic NFC game, WHICH goes into over time with the winner being.....

15. AFC Championship Game

Baltimore Vs. NE Patriots.

Baltimore winning the division and getting a 1st round bye makes all the difference here. Brady and co. coast through the season and get to where they wanted!

16. Super Bowl Champs are....

Atlanta Vs. NE Patriots.

Atlanta wins a stunner in OT up in GB. Where as NE beats Baltimore in the 4th Quarter.

The easy pick here is the PATS....so that's who i'm going with.

Brady makes up for last year's lose to the JETS and wins #4!!

The Past Month....

It's been a good while between my last 2 postings, almost a good month and alot has happened in that time. I've been in 6 significant poker games, let my mind wander alot and watched alot of football and drank....a little :). The idea for me with these blogs is to give my thoughts on things, whether right or wrong and discuss things I either feel passionately about or just generally rabbling about. Hope you enjoy this weeks blog, it's going to be a mess :)

Poker isn't a sport. It's a subtle form of gambling. It's actually just gambling anyway you look at it. This is my thought anyway, if you don't agree, write your own blog! I love it, but I love to gamble. I was very active this month playing poker. My net winnings this month were $1135. Thats not bad. I lost the first two tournaments I played this year, finishing 7th and 10th respectively in house games. I played terrible. Everyone does now and then, it can't be avoided. In my last 4 games however, I've really picked it up, playing much more solid. I finished 2nd in a 15 player tournament recently, finished a 3 hour session at the casino up $550 and placed 2nd in their $80/40 player tourney. That was a nice $590 as well. Nothing to significant to mention in any of these tournaments, cracked aces, kings, got lucky and played well when I wasn't getting that luck. I did hit a 4 card flush on my friend when we were both holding pocket 10s and that was funny only because I likely agree with him now that he does have some bad luck when it comes to cards. I'm going to say more in coming weeks about poker as I love it, but just this mini-update has gotten quite long.

Um, so its been much more challenging ending my treatments then I thought it was going to be. I didn't realize I would worry as much as I do. I touch my neck all the time making sure none of my 'nodes are enlarged etc. It's not healthy and I'm learning to cope with it. It hasn't been fun though. I have started going to the gym now, as I write this, i've been going to the gym reguraly for over 2 weeks now, I started up hockey again last week and played fairly well for everything considered. Felt good getting that first goal, felt great actually! In a month or so, i'm going to train myself to get back in to basketball. I'm hoping for an April return. My mind is starting to accept my limitations as much as I hate it. I realize more and more that I can get to a certain threshold, but I can't go beyond that. I never had that mentality before and its a hard thing to accept now. The thing that I can say now that I couldn't just 2 weeks ago is that i'm feeling better and less stressed. Its all I can do for now.

The superbowl will feature the Indy Colts vs NO Saints. I'm taking the Saints, no questions asked. I'm not a Colts fan nor a huge Manning fan. He's awesome, but I don't enjoy watching him play, he's very mechanical. The Saints are an Offensive juggernaut and I don't see the Colts D stopping them, but I can see them scoring alot. Just not as much as the Saints :P.

CBPT Final Table

On Dec.27th 2009, Cool Beans Poker Tour has its final game. A final table that resembles the WSOP final table. It's an exciting event and a great accomplishment for those who qualified. The Tour's founder's Pov Minhas and Andrew Tobalt have put in alot of work to make a successful and fun atmosphere. All the participants have shown their gratitude for this hardwork with various wall posts on Facebook.

To the matter at hand, however, the Final Table. Much more chips will be in play for this unique structure. The basic idea is this: the better you did during the season, the more chips you will for this Final Table. In order of chip stacks, here are the Final 8:

1st- Brandon: 30,000; 2nd- Pov: 25,000; 3rd- Spencer: 24,000; 4th- Tobalt: 21,500; 5th- Sunny: 21,500; 6th- Jacob: 19,500; 7th- Randalf: 18,500; 8th- John: 15,500

It promises to be an exciting game, no matter the outcome, however, some outcomes would be more compelling than others. For example, could John come back from being a low stack and win his 1st tourney? What a story that would be. Or can Jacob regain form from the beginning of the season and have a great send off? Would be epic. My money would be on Brandon because of his stack, but, its poker and anything can happen. It usually does, so i will sign off by saying i look forward to Sunday. Its promises to be something very exciting for those involved and for those watching if they have interest in poker. Good Luck to all and Merry Christmas.

2 years later....

So this is my first blog entry ever, anywhere. Its seems fun. I'm going to try and do this once a week atleast. If you do sign up or decide to follow my page, please comment, I would love some feedback and hopefully will respond quick enough. Along with writing my book, I should be fairly busy just writing things, but i see the blog as more of my thoughts and opinions as to the weeks events in my life. I'm going to give my football picks, poker strategies, place I enjoy eating and just anything that comes into my head. Should be fun :)

This blog entry is going to be a serious one. On Dec.31st/07, I began my defense of cancer by starting chemotherapy in the Royal Victoria Hospital. It was tough, very tough and nearly fatal in March, but I survived it. I began Radiation on July 15th/08 and ended that 3 weeks later. Much easier than chemo, but still a drain at the end. On August 22nd/08, I began the long maintenance cycle to prevent this cancer from coming back. A little more than a week ago, I ended this run of chemo after being clearer of cancer for a 5th time in 2 1/2 years. Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a rare cancer that effects few. I was special. I've lost alot, but I've also gained so much. It's the unfortunate truth of any disease. You don't realize those losses while you're losing them and appreciate everything you still have to a greater degree. I will never forget this and it was always stay with me. I love everyone who stood by me, who spoke to me, who prayed for me. I'm here because of these things. I read this quote by a cancer survivor the other day and even though I don't agree with it fully, there is some truth to it, "you don't appreciate life until it is almost taken away from you". I love life :)