Like Mike

“Who are you, Barry Sanders?? Nobody retires in their prime!!”
     -John Wilson, avid Cheap Seats reader and hated Red Sox fan
 
After long deliberations, having to answer pesky questions, and getting interrupted from writing my life memoirs, I am making my triumphant return back to the Cheap Seats.  Taking a baseball road trip to Baltimore and Pittsburgh with some friends and family a few weeks ago made me realize that I do love hot dogs, and I could spend 15 minutes a month writing for my beloved Cheap Seat fans.
 
So I’m back, dadadada, from outer space….
 
So, what’s on my mind, you ask? Well, you could say that I’m fairly pissed off about the whole NHL lockout. The rumors are leading everyone to believe that there will be NO NHL hockey this year, as many NHL’ers are hightailing to Europe. What really pisses me off is that I can’t decide whose side I’m on, the owners or the players. I do not believe that a Salary Cap is needed in the NHL -- at least not one as ridiculous as 31 million dollars. But the owners are saying that they are losing money, which one can believe due to near bankruptcies over the last few seasons. But it is the owners who have escalated the salaries of players, not the players themselves. As far apart as each side seems to be, the fans are the losers. NHL fans live and breathe hockey, and here is one fan that will not take his money and time to the NFL or NBA. I will sit here, be bummed and unhappy, but will be overjoyed once they figure this thing out, so that I can watch hockey again. Let us pray that a whole season eliminated by squabbling millionaires does to ruin the sport. Nationally, not many people really seem to be caring. But go to an NHL city, and you can feel the emptiness. Maybe by October 2005, we will be able to drop the puck on the next NHL season.
 
Not that I am trying to promote Nike, but click on this link for a great commercia they came up with dealing with the lockout:

http://www.nike.com/canada/nikehockey/lockout/
 
As we drove thru Pittsburgh on our way to a Pirates game, we went right thru the tailgating mess of the NFL’s opening weekend. The Steelers had just beaten the Raiders when we arrived at PNC Park, and the streets were shutdown due to drunks hanging out. This made me realize that I must give my loyal fan base my thoughts on the upcoming season:
 
 
AFC East

A no-brainer here: The Patriots could very well go undefeated. Adding a running game like Corey Dillon to a potent offense is just sick.

Patriots 14-2
Jets 6-10
Bills
5-11
Dolphins 5-11
 
AFC South

Colts and Titans battle it out all year as the top Dogs in the AFC. Peyton will finally shine though.

Colts 13-3
Titans 12-4
Jaguars 6-10
Texans 4-12
 
AFC North

On any given week, the best team in this division changes. Even trying to pick a winner ends up in a tie.

Bengals 8-8
Steelers 8-8
Ravens 8-8
Browns 7-9
 
AFC West

Another 2-horse division where offense is the big show. Time for the Priest to exercise some demons.

Chiefs 12-4
Broncos 10-6
Raiders 4-12
Chargers 4-12
 
AFC Playoffs

No big surprises here. Look for the Colts and Patriots to duke it out in the AFC Championship. Tom Brady has dominated the Colts of late, but the defending Super Bowl MVP throws a late interception that sets up a game winning field goal by Mike Vanderjagt.
 
NFC East

Now that TO is an Eagle, Donovan and Co. might finally get to the Super Bowl.

Eagles 13-3
Cowboys 9-7
Skins 6-10
Giants 4-12
 
NFC South

Defending NFC Champ Panthers will have their hands full, especially if Mike Vick stays healthy.

Panthers 11-5
Falcons 10-6
Saints 9-7
Buccs 5-11
 
NFC North

The upstart Lions get some good experience under their belt, but Harrington’s offense isn’t enough for vets Favre and Culpepper.

Vikings 11-5
Packers 10-6
Lions 9-7
Bears 4-12
 
NFC West

The 49ers are the worst team in the NFL. The Rams find a way to contend and share a title with the perennial favs Seattle.

Seahawks 10-6
Rams 10-6
Cards 5-11
49ers 4-12
 
NFC Playoffs

Green Bay and Atlanta’s wild card seasons end early, but nothing is sweeter than Philadelphia, as they finally get over the hump, and get to the Super Bowl.
 
 
Super Bowl

Eagles v. Colts
 
Great matchups all around; McNabb v. Peyton; Marvin v. TO. Look for this Super Bowl to be hyped up as great one. But once the coin is flipped, the Colts dominate the field and cruise to a 31- 14 victory over the flightless Eagles.
 
 
 
Weiner watch:

That’s right boys and girls, its back also! Why? Because up in Baltimore, they are serving a $5 monster sized dog that is deeeeeee-licious. It’s bigger than the bun, and can come loaded with goodies. I like my plain though. Camden Yards is full of good eats, but you’ll need to jump out of Boog’s BBQ and run over to grill to grab yourself one of these beauties!
 
And so I have returned. Not a lot of hubbub, as I try to get back to some good old fashioned Cheap Seat-ness.

~~~~~

Cousy is back, and better than ever. But what will he do without his precious hockey? Tune in next month!