Hall of Famer Ward? Hines looking at retirement

by | Jan 9, 2012 | Hall of Fame, NFL Random Thoughts

This could be turning into a pretty good year for big-name retirements. There’s Jason Taylor for sure. Seems LaDainian Tomlinson is considering hanging it up. And if reports from around the Interwebs are true, Steelers wideout Hines Ward is about to say goodbye to the NFL, as well. (EDIT: Or perhaps not …)

Taylor and Tomlinson would seem to be sure thing inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at this point. But Ward is an interesting case. He’s close — right on the borderline either way. His numbers were very, very good, but was he that good? Or did he benefit from playing in the NFL as the game — and the long-time run-heavy Steelers — transitioned more and more toward the pass? (more…)

Boser talks fantasy football: closing 2011, opening 2012

by | Jan 8, 2012 | Fantasy Football

Unless you’re in a playoff league your fantasy football season ended sometime in the last couple of weeks. Maybe you’re probably a little bit burned out and ready to set the competition aside for a couple weeks. But if you’re like me, you never really stop trying to glean that last piece of knowledge that will give you the edge you need to win your league(s).

So, to start your reading entertainment for the week, we’ve again contacted Ryan Boser, a sports blogger and staff writer for Bruno Boys, for his thoughts on the end of the 2011 fantasy season and on what might happen in the year ahead.

We’re jumping the gun here, without a doubt, since the real playoffs just got underway and the draft and free agency are still several months away. But it’s never too early to start thinking about next year.

Here’s what Ryan had to say:

Zoneblitz: Michael Vick in 2011 became the most recent poster child for chasing one really good season in fantasy drafts. Whose 2011 stat lines will you not be chasing in 2012? (more…)

NFL Best Bets 2011 season, Wild Card weekend

by | Jan 5, 2012 | 2011 season, NFL Gambling, NFL Random Thoughts

I opened last week’s betting post by saying week 17 was going to provide a difficult slate of games to predict, given the varying motivations teams had entering their games. That was the only guess I got right. After a sizzling hot six week stretch put me five games over .500, I ended the season with a 0-4 thud, dropping my record to 34-33-1. That isn’t going to satisfy bettors anywhere, though I can’t complain too much given how poorly I started out. I at least maintained enough of a bankroll to have something left for the playoffs.

My brother, on the other hand, needed a 3-1 week 17 to improve to 31-37 for the year, a mark so low he ran out of money for the rest of the season. So, while he participated in our straight-up picks on who would win the games, he’s sitting out the point spread segment for the playoffs. Here are my best guesses for what this week’s wild card weekend will have in store.
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NFL Picks, 2011 Wild Card playoffs

by | Jan 4, 2012 | 2011 season, NFL Picks, NFL Random Thoughts

Well, for the first time in several years we actually made it through a season making picks every week. And with a 12-4 record in week 17, I conquered my brother, who made some obviously grasping picks during the season’s final week in an effort to overtake my lead. His 10-6 record brought his season total to 169-87, three games behind my 172-84. For these efforts I win … bragging rights, I guess.

So, we’ve decided to take this show through the playoffs. The format will change a bit. We’re going to not only provide our pick for who will win the game but some meaningless thoughts about why, as well. So sit back and enjoy.  Or something. (more…)