I Feel Sorry For Jim Caldwell And The Detroit Lions Fans

Seriously, here is a guy (Jim Caldwell) who has helped coach one of the best QB’s in all of NFL history (Peyton Manning); led the Colts to a Superbowl; and helped turn around a Baltimore season slipping away into another Superbowl appearance AND ultimate victory.

He has also led the Peytonless Colts to a dismal record immediately after going to the Superbowl AND coordinated the Superbowl Ravens to a less than average ranked offense and no playoff appearance.

The question Detroit Lions fans are asking is: which Jim Caldwell are we going to get?

And yet the answer to that question really does not matter.

He will be damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t – and in the case of many Detroit Lion fans; he is already damned before he does anything at all.

If he turns the Lions around and takes that team and organization to the next level, they will say “see I told you so – the QB is great” all his success will be because the talent was “already there”. Just like in Indy.

If he fails, they will say “see I told you so” he can’t lead. Just like in Indy.

But Caldwell now has the chance to do what many have failed to do in the past and that is not only take the Lions to a Superbowl but to take three different teams to the Superbowl.

To bad many Lions fans will never see, or realize, that Jim Caldwell had the talent all along.

If You Ever Think That It Is You Against Everyone Else . . .

It probably is.

Take a look at these fan based maps for this weekends NFL playoffs.

 

Presidential Trends, Stock Charts and NFL Predictions of the Week

Presidential Trends, Stock Charts and NFL Predictions of the Week

– In other words: I have totally neglected my blog.

OK, not quite, however: I have not posted much this week due to work and other life events getting in the way taking precedence.

 

 

So here is a quick catch up:

Presidential Trends:

Obama won the election, and the stock market tanked in fear! – Or depression – or Both.  So what do people do when they are afraid and depressed? 

They drink and buy guns!

When Obama was running and won back in 2008 the gun stocks soared in fear!  Fear that HE was going to take away all our 2^nd amendment rights.  Of course all the idiots were right back then.  And . . .

Well, sure enough, same thing happened again with the 2012 election.

My stock in Smith and Wesson is up over 18% in just 5 days.

Yes, I have absolutely no problem making money off of irrational fear in the stock market.  Especially when in this case, it follows such a predictable pattern.

Stock Charts: (speaking of patterns)

Apple continues to fall!  I made a prediction about how folks were not looking at the big picture when it came to chart pattern investing and Apple stock.   

Throw in the added downward drivers of:

·         Increases in taxes next year – especially on capital gains.

·         Production supply issues.

·         Not exceeding expectations.

·         Uncertain economy.

And you have all the ingredients of a downward trend.

In terms of the head and shoulders pattern, we are now at the second low point level before the right shoulder.

So folks should be looking to get back in and drive the price up soon but, if the overall patter holds . . .

Look for Apple to drop below 500 by late spring or summer!

Do I hear 450 possibly? 

NFL Predictions of the Week:

TacoMan wins again!   The dude cleaned up last week with a 12 – 2 record AND picking the upset of the week (Steelers over Giants)!

So we start off this week with predictions for tonights game.

 

Colts vs Jaguars.

 

TacoMan: Colts 24 – Jaguars 10

SuperCarlos: Jaguars

NinjaSailor: With a last minute text via special assignment – Colts

RedskinDoug: Colts 27 – Jaguars 13

 

So there you have it, another fun filled action packed post encompassing the best of sports, stocks and predictions.

Until next time:

Be Good, Do Well, Have Fun.

The Next Dynamic Duos Of The AFC

Dynamic Duos of the AFC?

For this installment of Dynamic Duos, lets get some things out on the table first.

–          The AFC is full of Rookies and First Timers.  First Timers are almost like rookies except they have experience but are with new teams, new coaches, and new personnel.

–          The AFC is full of teams vying for top position on the Neilson Reality TV Ratings and Headline Media Wars.  It’s like reading a who’s who of upcoming tv shows for the fall season.

 

 

And like my Dynamic Duos of the NFC, I will purposely ignore (some) of the obvious ones.

After all, we are trying to pick the Next Dynamic Duos.

So, who are the contestants?

First up:  NY Jets

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Peyton’s Place

Chances are he is being released and will not retire.  Personally, If he is not 100%, and will chronically suffer from his neck injuries, I think he should retire.  There is a ton of good he can do for a team and the league as a coach or invested owner.

But let us say he is released and ends up free to sign with another team.

What are the possibilities?

 

Media hounds have him going to Miami.  And the media is pretty good at reading rumors so I give this a good shot.  But this is not my pick.

Vegas and a couple other pundits have him going to Arizona.  The thinking is they already have an all-star receiver waiting in the wings and that the organization is already sour on Kolb.  Again, an intriguing possibility that I actually think could happen, but it is not my pick.

Then there is the Jets, but – hey who cares about them and I don’t see Manning being a good fit with their organization.  So, no not my pick either.

Here are two of my scenarios.

1)      Seattle.  They have always been my logical choice, because they need somebody like Manning AND they are more than capable and willing to bring along Reggie too.

2)      And just to humor everyone, though I really don’t want to see this happen, the Redskins!

We all know Danny Boy loves the big names, big splash and to throw around the big money.  In fact, I am sure he already has his private jet primed and ready for take-off.  Shanahan (both of them) also loves to have a big name, big play QB to run their “Playoff Caliber” offense.   However, the last big name QB we chased worked out soooo wonderfully now didn’t it.  Rumor has it that Shanny Jr. did not want McNabb and it appears that he was right in his assessment.   I’m thinking Shanny Sr., as much as he wants to do otherwise, might give Jr. some credit and not go after Manning.  I think Mr. Allen and Shanny Sr. have the right idea and plan in place to build through the draft.  They did wonderfully last season with obtaining key free agents at reasonable prices for key positions and , more importantly, did brilliantly in the draft by getting young impact players AND getting more draft picks all at the same time.  I would love to see this continue.

If I’m right, my choice is Seattle.

But, let’s say I am wrong with Seattle, and go with the Skins.  What are the possibilities?

1)      We get Peyton and keep the QB’s we currently have as backup.  This works as long as Peyton is 100% healthy.  The problem is, our line stinks.  I’m afraid Peyton will not remain healthy as a Redskin starting QB.  Then we are back to square one and out a lot of money.

2)      We get Peyton and RG3!  Now this would be cool.  Again, I hate to see Peyton get hurt but I can not think of a better mentor than Peyton.  But wait, I am sure Peyton has no intention of being a mentor or backup, so I see this as another reason why we will not.

3)      So, how about we get Peyton as trade bait?  There are a ton of possibilities with the upcoming draft and RG3.

• Rams want more than the picks we are willing to part with.  So we throw in 2 first rounders and Peyton.  Probably will not happen since the Rams seem totally against replacing their current QB.  So lets go with plan B.

 

• Rams play hard ball and nobody antes up with what they want.  This means the Rams stay at number 2 and pick an outstanding  OT or WR to complement their QB.  This puts the ball in the Vikings court.  Yes, I know they say they are happy with their QB pick from last year but imagine our offer of a couple first rounders AND Peyton.   Super tempting especially if they can get Blackmon and or a much needed lineman at the sixth pick.  Who knows, maybe the Vikings can get Reggie to come along for the ride too!  Now that would be a team to drool over.  Peyton, Peterson, and Reggie, along with a good WR or OT at number 6, all together on the same team.  That could be enough to make the Vikings stay in Minnesota AND get a new stadium!

OK here is one more . . .

• Take the above scenarios and move it down one more!  Rams stay put.  Vikings stay put.  And it is Clevelands turn in the draft at #4.  We offer them our first rounder (or more) and Peyton for RG3!  Hey, it could happen.

 

We end up getting a good, potentially franchise QB through the draft, who will be around a lot longer than Peyton and not mortgage the future by giving away draft picks.

 

So, what do you think?

Peyton Manning Cleared By Doctor To Start Taking Hits

First up:  Cher!

Please, just do us all a great big favor and retire on top.  Continue your great career and positive influence on the sport of football by coaching or buying part of a franchise. 

The last thing we need is to see something bad happen to you out on the field.

That, and I am tired of hearing about Peyton to Redskins hype.

Quote of the day

Carlos Rogers’s hands are so bad it’s amazing he can feed himself.

Thomas Boswell/Washington Post

What a spectacle !

A record 106.5 million people, watched the game last weekend, according to Nielson media.

The figure tops the 1983 finale of medical drama M*A*S*H which drew 105.97 million viewers.

So, how could a newpaper, a media outlet, embarrasingly enough here in Virginia, print the wrong score?

De Who Dats Will Set the Record…

For most Super Bowl Revenue Generated.

That is my prediction.

The Colts will ultimately prevail winning the actual game. After all, they have proven more than once that they only need 15 minutes to beat anybody.

I give the Saints 30 minutes of life. Tops.

The Colts, just like Gilbert Arenas, have too many weapons…
And the biggest and best is Peyton.

But, with all the hype I’ve seen and heard on the Internet about “Who Dat” and rights, and royalty, and Money, I believe that the Saints fans alone will solely responsible for setting a new revenue record.

The record for “Ad Revenue” (selling advertising slots) is approximately $206 million. Judging by the fact that the networks have had to lower their prices this year, I doubt that will happen.

However, I believe, the $125 million merchandise record is in jeopardy. You see, its not just the “Super Bowl” label, it is the aints New Orleans Saints going to the Super Bowl. Now we are not only talking, and buying, super bowl memorabilia, we are buying collector items.

A quick look on Ebay (EBAY)for “New Orleans Saints” produces over 20,000 items.
Amazon (AMZN) had nearly 14,000.

And this of course does not take count all the official NFL stores, and pop-up merchandise stands now populating the great state of Florida.

Who knows when this will happen again.

So enjoy it, buy the collector items now before the Super Bowl, because they will not be worth quite as much this coming Monday morning.

But hey, I’ve been wrong before, and if by some miraculous chance the Saints do pull this off, the prices and sales will go through the roof and all you true Saints fans better keep an extra collector item or two safely sealed inside the original wrapping.

But most importantly, turn on the game and enjoy the entertainment. If anybody can give the Colts and Peyton a run for their money, it is the defensive genius of Gregg Williams.

And don’t worry about the game being a dud, we all know that the super bowl brings out some of the more creative ads from various companies such as these two finalist clips from Doritos. So grab your drinks, food, and even some good friends, turn on the TV this Super Bowl Sunday and Enjoy!

I know I will be watching.

Life outside of football

Yes folks, there is life outside of football. For all of you misguided football fans out there who are going to have your dreams crushed today, I present to you the world greatest hobby. Saturday (I would not miss football Sunday) the boys and I went to a trade show for model trains, cars and yes, even airplanes. Though the feature was clearly model trains.

William is actually looking at the subway section of one of the larger displays.

If you are interested, this is the longer version of video taken by us at the show…

Good luck to all the NFL playoff football teams and fans playing today and remember…

There is life outside of football so take time to enjoy it.

Until next time…

Be good. Do well. Have fun.