And We're Back...

By Dan Rodgers

So it's been a while... I hope everyone enjoyed the Super Bowl a few weeks back. My prediction of the Giants winning outright was correct. We just finished NBA All-Star Weekend, and it kind of sucked in my opinion. The halftime show was good, better than the Super Bowl halftime show.

We are in full-swing in college basketball and NBA seasons. We already have to deal with Joe Lunardi's "first 4 in and last 4 out" every night on ESPN.

We are in the second part of this shortened NBA season, and teams are still trying to get into a grove. I'm going to start doing weekly reviews, and my position on surprise teams and why they're successful. Also, I'll be talking about my fantasy basketball team and how I'm going in my league.

With all this talk about basketball, please don't forget about baseball! Spring training has begun and players are reporting and are beginning team organized activities. I'll also be getting into season predictions, as well as fantasy baseball.

Rodgers That

ESPN Streak for the Cash

By Dan Rodgers

I am sitting at the computer in the house for the people I am dog-sitting for and I feel like you loyal readers deserve a just-for-fun post. (They should all be fun but whatevs)

Myself, my roommate, his little brother and a friend of the brother all compete in a contest that ESPN has called Streak for the Cash. It's a game under the fantasy and games section on the website. The object of the game is to have the longest streak of consecutive games picked correct. The person with the longest streak wins $50K and you win a bonus amount if you reach the mark chosen by the "Streak Master." (W27 [Win 27] for February for example)

ESPN puts up a ton of different choices, mainly just a game and pick the winner of the game. The sports include but aren't limited to: baseball, football, soccer, hockey, basketball, racing, boxing, UFC, tennis, lacrosse and golf. They usually put up really close matchups or games where they think an upset is in the making. They also put up over/unders, horse and NASCAR races, and which player will score more points among tons of other creative things. It's a fun way to get into sports and make typically meaningless games interesting.

For example, the late (11:05 p.m.) pick for tonight was who is going to win straight up between the Montana Grizzlies @ Long Beach State 49ers. The spread was Long Beach St. -5.5, meaning the 49ers were favored to win by 5.5 points. That is above average in terms of a spread in the game when all you have to do is pick the winner. I took advantage and took the 49ers and they are up 14 points with five minutes to go in the game. What looks to be an easy victory...

I'll post more on ESPN SFTC later, including tips on picking and how I'm doing.

Rodgers That

Wall to Washington?

By Dan Rodgers

Tonight is the NBA Draft and it is a fairly exciting time in the Baltimore/D.C. area because the Washington Wizards hold the first overall pick of the draft. John Wall is the projected first pick (even though I disagree), and many people think that the Wiz should take him.

I think a better pick would be Ohio State's Evan Turner. He won the award for the best college player, and I believe he is more NBA ready. Besides, Turner has great size (6' 7") and can play the guard or forward positions. That is a much more pressing need for them assuming Gilbert Arenas reverts back to pre-gunman form. Gil can be a great play-making point guard and even though Wall is a great player, he is going to realize that he can't run over, through, and past everyone in the NBA.

The 76ers have the second pick and what they plan to do is also very interesting. They have Jrue Holiday, a young rising point guard, and Andre Iguodala at the two position (he can play the three). Evan Turner would be a nice addition and upgrade over starting small forward, Jason Kapono. However, if the Wizards draft Turner, is Philly going to draft Wall just because he is the best available?

This should be an interesting night. ESPN @ 7:00 don't be late!

Rodgers That