Super Bowl 42 Thoughts

I am sorry but Eli Manning does not deserve to be the Super Bowl MVP. On the game winning drive he threw a pass that absolutely should have been picked off and had two other throws that were up for grabs and could have been picked. If anyone on offence the MVP should be David Tyree for making that spectacular catch that kept the final drive alive. That was the play of the game and it was as good a catch as your ever going to see. Tyree not only kept the ball from being intercepted but managed to hold on despite the defence being all over him. Without that catch, I think it doubtful that the Giants win the game.

Speaking of the other QB; I don't think Brady had that good of a game. He missed throws to open receivers on several occasions. Sure the Giants were getting a fair amount of pressure, but Brady was definitely off his normally dead accurate self.

The Giants defence was really the game's MVP. I have to give the Giants credit, they beat the best team in NFL history when it mattered the most. I am shocked.

The Commercials: I do not think there were any truely outstanding one's. Most were quite forgettable. I think my favorite was the car commercial where the squirrel ran out in in the middle of the road and the squirrel plus many others got wide eyed and wide mouthed at the impending carnage of an on coming car, only for disaster to be averted when the car was able to nimbly swerve out of the way.

Puppy Bowl IV: Did you watch Animal Planet today? If not you missed out on what is now my favorite Super Bowl tradition: The Puppy Bowl. If you haven't seen it, it is a TV show where a bunch of puppies of different breeds are put in a mock up football stadium where they play for the cameras. You can see the "Puppy Players" here. My favorite has to be the biggest puppy of them all, Bruin the Alaskan Malamute.

This puppy just lumbered about compared to all the other puppies running all over the place. Good Fun!

Some New Blogs to Check Out

I am a bass fisherman Yes there is yet another BassNBlogger out there. The blogger goes by the alias BassFishingDem and is out of Shreveport, Louisiana; He is not a tournament angler. From the looks of it this site is dedicated to all manner of bass fishing from BassFishingDem's fishing reports to a plethora of tips and fishing info. The blog started in August of 2007 and garners quite a bit heavier traffic than the BP; Obviously someone that knows something about blogging that I have yet to figure out. I found this blog thanks too:

Penn's Outdoors This is a Hunt/Fish blog from Pennsylvania. He says his favorite fish is the Smallie, so we will put it in with BassNblogs. I found this blog because he commented here at BP.

JoshDouglas.com I found this blog through Hellabass. This guy is in Gopher Bassmasters with Hellabass.

Secret Weapon Another blog found thanks to Hellabass. This blog is for the lure company Secret Weapon Lures.

Boyd Duckett Blog This is the blog of the 2007 Bassmasters Classic Champion. Another blog found thanks to Hellabass.

ESPN Outdoors Blogs- Boyd Ducketts blog led me here. Here you can find access to bassin blogs by Alton Jones, Kevin Short, Ryan Coleman, and Brian&Gregg Watts Brothers.

Getting Reel This is a bass fisherman out of Virgina. Lots of bass topics. Found thanks to Hellabass.

Jeremy Starks Bassmaster This is the blog of another BASS Elite Series Pro. He has not blogged since last August. Also found thanks to Hellabass.

Sport's Outdoors Forum This new MN blog has a lot about Ice Fishing so far. We will probably have to wait to see if this qualifies as a BassNblog. Found thanks to Hellabass.

U2 3D

My older brother Jeff took me to see the U2 3D concert movie at the IMAX for my birthday. WOW!!! Amazing!!! Increadbile!!! Awesome!!! A must see for all U2 fans no matter how casual.

The promotional material claimed the experience was "better than a front row seat" and I would have to agree with that assesment. The 3D really puts you right there in a way a flat screen never could. It would be revolutionary to see a sporting event in this new high res 3D 3ality digital technology. I would love to watch a football or hockey game where you are so close, it's like the action is right in front of you and larger than life. I am sure watching on the big IMAX screen enhanced the experience quite a bit over what you would get in a regular theater. It really was amazing.

Also as a birthday gift Jeff gave me U2 the Joshua Tree (Remastered / Expanded) (Super Deluxe Edition) (2CD/DVD). The first CD is the Joshua Tree remastered, the second is the Joshua Tree B-sides plus Silver and Gold (Sun City) and 4 songs and a poetry reading that I've never heard before. The DVD is the Joshua Tree Tour Paris Concert, Outside it's America-Documentary and two music video's. Plus you get a small book/memior and some U2 prints. Thanks Jeff!

Packers Lose!!!

Congratulations to my sister-in-law Kristen's NY football Giants for their overtime victory over Favre and the Packer Nation in the Ice Bowl 2.

I will be rooting for Randy Moss and Lawrence Maroney in the Super Bowl. As I said before at 18-0 the Patriots have earned the mantle of being the best football team in history. It's doubtful that the Giants will get in the way of the Patriots and that NFL Championship.

The Weather: We are currently in what will probably be the coldest stretch of the winter. It was something like -17 last night. When it warms up I may do something about getting my ice fishing gear together.

Ouch!

Two years from today I'll be 40. Will I make it? Will the blog make it? Will I go ice fishing between now and then?

My older brother Jeff turned 40 New Years Day. To celebrate he took a trip to Sunny and warm Puerto Rico. Actually it is just a really long distance law school field trip. I am sure he will have some fun in between studying. Have a good time bro, you deserve it!

College Bowl Games: Who cares!!!
I will probably watch the national Championship Game. Maybe Ohio State will getter done this year.

Season Over

Once again the Vikes did not show up in the 1st half and it cost em. Not that it mattered because the Redskins won as expected but still. The last game was not a total fiasco thanks to a 4th quarter comeback by Tavaris. Up until the 4th the Vikes were doing their level best to lose. A fumble by Chester Taylor cost a touchdown as did a dropped bomb to Troy Williamson and a saftey for blocking at the face mask. AP couldn't get on track once again, but as a team the Vikes ran well thanks to Chester and T Jack.

Unbelieveably the game went to overtime where the Vikes promptly fumbled the ball and lost. The Vikes were 2 overtime losses from 10-6 this season. Like I said before I consider 8-8 a good season cause I didn't think we would do this good.

I am not sure who I want in the playoffs this year. I don't really think an NFC team has a chance and don't really want the Cowboys or Pack to win it all anyways. In the AFC I like the Pats, Colts, Steelers, Chargers, and Jax. I do not think we should crown the perfect Patriots just yet because I think any of these 5 teams could take it. There should be some great playoff games in the AFC this year.

Question: Does the BP think the Patriots have to win it all to be considered the greatest team in NFL history?

The answer to this question is NO. I think if the Pats win one more game to put their record at 17-0, same as 72 Dolphins, than they should be considered equal with the 72Dolphins. If the Pats go 18-1, I think that is still good enough to make them the greatest team in NFL history. I think if the Pats get win 18 than win 19 is a given.

I got my 2008 BPS catalog in the mail today. It is always interesting to look through the catalog and see the latest and greatest in bass fishing tomfoolery. All those new rods, reels, lures, colors and more. How exciting!!!

White Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve: I went over to M&D's friends Marylin and Lem and had turkey dinner with their family and friends. Marylin has worked with Land O Lakes at FLW events and will be doing it again this year after being away from it for a couple of years. Marylin has given me a bunch of FLW tour DVD's. They open presents on Christmas eve and I even got a couple; it was a surprise to me. Went to 10PM candle light service with M & D. Stayed up late and watched a Christmas Story with Mom.

Christmas Day:
Minnesocold had it's snowiest Christmas since the 1950's. 4"-6" in the Cities It was beautiful and thankfully didn't have any problems with the long drive into the cities and back.

The day started out early cause I woke up at 6:30am and couldn't get back to sleep. No I was not overly excited about presents. I got up at 8 and took the dogs out. Mom was busy preparing Turkey legs and stuffing. Before heading South M, D, and I opened presents up North: I got this cool Wheel of Fortune TV videogame (Could not solve the 1st and only puzzle I tried; I would have won a brand new Cybercar had I solved it) I got a long sleeved Timberwolves shirt and some sweet fleece PJ bottoms. No Christmas Stocking this year. BOO!

We hit the road a little after 11am

It was a fun day spent with family down in Bloomington (Older bro Jeff, M & D, Youngest bro Todd, his wife Kristen and the two nieces Isabelle Grace (3) Mallory Joy (1). ) When we first arrived the girls were still at nap time so Todd and I played Wii. Todd made a Mii (a Mii is a we character) of me that was a pretty good likeness. We started out with bowling and once I had a couple of practice frames done. Todd and I played a few games with Todd beating me every time. Wii then moved on to Baseball and I proceeded to beat Todd each game. In one of the games I won by the "Mercy Rule" when I got up 5-0 after a Melinda Doolittle Mii Grand Slam. Todd went to wake up the girls and I tried some Wii golf which was very hard because it seemed like there was no way to hit the ball soft.

Once the girls were up it was play time. Belle excitedly showed the 2 Uncles her new Christmas Toys (A little fort with slide, some wooden food, and a bunch of noise making musical instruments). Mallory and Flash joined in the fun occasionally. We played until Dinner which was a traditional turkey feast with Vegi Queesh for UJ. After dinner we played for about an hour until it was present time. While we were playing a Buck and two Doe's came up in the yard and were right outside the window (Pretty Cool).

Mallory got a noice making thing from GM that she just loved. Belle got a bunch of toys and books and blocks; She didn't know what to do with the $50 dollar bill I gave her except give it to her Dad. I got a $40 Gander Gift Card and $20 bucks. M&D got one of those digital picture frames with 4GB of memory, now that's gonna be a lot of pictures. I really don't remember what anybody else got cause I was so busy watching the girls have fun.

After the frivolity we ate Christmas cookies then said goodbye's around 6PM. Jeff was going to stay later. Our trip back was slow at first, but once we got north of Elk River there was much less snow and things speeded up.

It was really nice Christmas!!!

Vikes -Skins
Post-Game Reaction:
At least the Vikes did not throw in the towel in the 2nd half and end up totally embarrassed. If we did not have that review penalty for 12 men on the field and had gotten that turnover, the game might have gotten interesting. As it was we were never really in the game thanks to that disaster of a first half. As a whole things just didn't break the Vikes way very often today. I don't know if tonights game was just a preview of what we would have witnessed in the playoffs from a Childress team. I don't think we will get the answer to that question this season. I expect Washington to beat the Cowboys who don't have anything to play for and the Vikes won't make the playoffs yet again.

Certainly a lot of fault goes to the offence and Tavaris, but I think for the Vikes to be competitive the defence has to play much better than they did tonight. The Redskins were able to sustain medium length drives, made big plays, and did not turn the ball over. In retrospect I think it was not good that the Skins touchdown was called back on replay, thus leading to that safety. A safety is a turnover plus 2 points. The Skins just had it too easy on offence in the 1st half. If we cut 2 out of 3 of their 1st half touchdowns to fieldgoals, it is a much different game.

The Skins were just the better team tonight and are probably a better team period. Tavaris is still green and our running game with AP/CT is inconsistant (actually close to non-existant in this game). Overall I think this season was a positive one whether we finish 8-8 or 9-7. I thought the team was gonna finish 4-12, 5-11, or 6-10. As it turns out we might end up one missed field goal away from 10-5. Who knows, we might even give the Packers a run for the division title next year or then again we could take a step backward. Hopefully AP will improve rather than the drop off as we have seen since the 49er game.

Liveblogging the Game:
And the choke is on. Tavaris 1st pass for INT. Somehow we get lucky and stop em on 4th down on the inch line thanks to instant replay. So we get the ball on the inch line and proceed to hand off to our fullback Tony Richardson. He doesn't get the ball out of the endzone, Safety. Well 2 points is better than 7. But wait Redskins get the free kick and take it the distance. Skins 9 Vikes 0

Vikes 3nd offensive possession. No where on 1sr and 2nd down. Troy Williamson catches ball 1yard short of 1st. Punt

Stop the Skins deep, get good field position, do nothing thanks to a false start penalty on 3rd down and Tavaris with poor throw on 3rd down. Miss 52 yard fieldgoal so Skins get good FP.

Madden says Tavaris doesn't have NFL mechanics and I think he is right.

Skins get into 51 yard FG range but a bad snap botches that. Vikes with good FP.

We haven't seen much of AP at this point. Only 3 carries for 3 yards. We do make it past mid field but Shencoe fumbles it, Skins ball with good FP!

D holds Skins Punt.

Come on Tavaris and AP, we need you to show up now!!!

Tavaris throws up another bad INT and the Skins take this one for 7. Skins 16 Vikes Zip
I hate to say it but I'm faulting the play caller for that INT. On 1st down is a roll out pass that turns into a scramble for 1 yard. Then on 2nd down we pass and that is the INT. 2nd down should have been a run.

Vikes get ball on 12. Make 1 1st and out. AP 1 more carry for nadda.

Redskins make 2 1st downs and it's the 2 minute warning. I have decided NO blogging of the 2nd half. So far the Vikes have way to many mistakes 3 tunovers and 1 fumble that we got back. NOT GOOD.

Skins driving, now in the red zone. NOT GOOD!

Half Back option pass works to perfection. Randle El wide open in the end zone. 22-0!!!

What to say at this point, the queens are getting it handed to them. What a sucky game to watch!!! AP: 5 carries for 4 yards. Tavaris 7/11 which wouldn't be so bad except for 2 INT's. Add Shencoe's fumble and we are lucky it isn't worse.

2nd Half Question: Will the Vikes be embarrassed like the last Green Bay game? It sure is heading that way.

This Sunday in Football:
The Packers and Bears do the Vikes no favors as the Bears crush the Pack at Soldier field. This means that Dallas clinched home field and will not have anything to play for next week against the Redskins, thus the Redskins will probably win this game if the playoffs are on the line.

The NY Giants do the Vikes no favors in beating the Bills and clinching the #5 seed. Had the Giants lost they would have been in huge danger of getting bounced from the playoffs by the Vikes because we owned the tie breaker.

The Saints effectively eliminated themselves from the playoff chase. For them to get in the Vikes have to lose out and the Skins would need to lose to the Cowboys in the last game of the season and the Saints would have to win next week. A very unlikely scenario to fall in place.

Bottom Line: As I stated earlier, the Vikes season really comes down to this game against the Redskins. I am not confident.

Bassfan's Jay Kumar on FLW's Million Dollar Fantasy Bass Fishing

The Wall Street Journal on FLW Fantasy Bass Fishing

From WSJ
The Web site, FantasyFishing.com, was tested last year and attracted several hundred thousand participants.

I'm sorry but that can't be right. I don't think even 5,000 people played FLW Fantasy Bass Fishing Game last year and ESPN's version only gets about 12,000. I think they must have mistaken participants for web hits.

At the bottom of the WSJonline there is linking to blogs on this subject and guess who they linked too?

YOU CAN GET RICH playing FLW Fantasy Bass Fishing

I found out from Hellabass that FLW Fantasy Bass Fishing 2008 is open for registration. Here is the hype:

Easy to play:
All you have to do is pick 10 pro anglers for each FLW Tour event and the Forrest Wood Cup, and you could win upwards of $1.7 million in cash. That's it. It's that simple. In 2008, there are 7 tournaments, and you could win $100,000 at each of those tournaments. Not only that, at season's end, the top player with the most cumulative points will win a record $1 million* in cash - guaranteed. It's that easy, it's free, and it's that rewarding. CONTEST BEGINS JANUARY 15, 2008.

Here are some of the prizes you could win:
$1 Million Grand Prize
7 $100,000 First-Place Prizes
Chevrolet Vehicles
Ranger Boats
Yamaha ATV and Yamaha PWC
Wal-Mart Gift Cards
BP Gas Cards ...and much, much more

Unfortunatly it is not the same game as last year. I don't see the point in having to pick 10 anglers instead of only 5. The scoring is a bit more complicated, but I think I like that aspect.

Also:
LIMIT ONE PRO TEAM/ENTRY PER PERSON/EMAIL ADDRESS PER GAME. Any attempt by any participant to select more than one Pro Team per game by using multiple/different email addresses, identities or other methods will disqualify that participant and void that participant's Pro Teams.

It looks like the Posse is now busted up because I cannot select teams for others. I don't think I want to take any chances with a possible $100,000 or $1million on the line. In the past this prohibition was not in place; you just had to have separate email addresses.

Another change for this year is "Players Advantage." You pay $40 bucks (comes with a $15 Walmart gift Card) and get access to possibly valueable info such as the previously free Pundit Picks and FLW Live. (Is FLW Live really not going to be free this year???) I am sure having this service will make selecting names a bit easier, but I really don't think it will guarentee better line ups for those that have it. I will have to think about whether or not I want the service which rings out to about $3.60 per tournament.

In addition to the $1million at the end of the season, you can win up to $5 million for picking a correct Top 7 in order in any one of the 7 tournaments. Of coarse the odds of doing this are well beyond Powerball odds, but it's cool that they are offering it none the less.

This bonus contest is predicated on when you sign up:
Sign up between ...and your bonus for picking the top 7 anglers in the right order is
December 21 and December 28th $5 MILLION*
December 29th and January 5th $4 million*
January 6th and January 14th $3 million*
After January 15th $2 million*

Making it through!

Vikes Win 20-13!!!

The Vikes D came to play in the 2nd half and the Offence managed to get 2 touchdowns, which means the Vikes are now 8-6. Tavaris had 1 INT in the 2nd half, but that was just past mid-field, otherwise his 2nd half play was acceptable. I was quite concerned when the Vikes missed the extra point on their first touchdown, but they managed to make the 2 point conversion on a Kyle Boler (really it was Brooks Bollinger thanks Hellabass) scramble (Tavaris went out for a couple of plays with cramps). AP did not put on nearly the show as he did in the first Bears match-up, but when it counted in the 2nd half he came through big. Chester Taylor also had a decent game running.

Well next game is the most important one of the year.

SKOAL VIKINGS!!!

Halftime

Well I suppose it's a bit of a choke job by the Vikes at this point. 3 turnovers included a totally bone headed interception with under a minute to go that resulted in a Bears touchdown. Somehow we did manage to drive the field and get a last second field goal thus the score is only 13-6 Bears. I suppose it could be a lot worse. The defence is playing quite well and Devin Hester hasn't been a factor. The Vikes have been their own worst enemy on offence. We also have had the bounces not go our way with a Ferguson drop that turned into an INT and AP fumbling the ball when we were deep in Bears territory. The Bears are doing a fair job of holding the running game in check. Tavaris had an OK half until that boneheaded INT.

We get the ball to start the 3rd quarter. The Vikes need to pick it up several notches or else this one's gonna be a loss.

Saints and Skins

With all but the Vikes game in this week, the playoff picture has seeming gotten much clearer. The Vikes competition for the final wild card spot in the NFC is the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins. We currently have a half game lead over both teams, so if we lose to the Bears all three teams records will be tied. From the looks of it, the season is going to come down to the match up next Sunday night vs. the Skins. I would say there is about a 95% chance that the team who wins this game makes the playoffs. If we lose this game there is a possibility 9-7 won't be good enough because the Skins will own the tie breaker.

So basically we have to beat the Skins plus win 1 other game. The Vikes could do it, but I am still not gonna hold my breath. We will just have to see how they play the Bears and espcially the Skins.

GO VIKES!!!

Not that I care but the Timberwolves are once again the Timberpup's. They are once again by far the worst team in the NBA. Could this be our year to secure the #1 draft pick? Meanwhile Garnett is sitting pretty in Bosten.

2 out of 3

Vikes 7-6!!!
Another week and another Vikes victory which really wasn't to much of a surprize over the 49ers. Now is where it really gets down to it. If the Vikes can pull out two of the next 3 they will almost certainly be a playoff team. I think at 9-7 they deserve to get in.

Can we beat Da Bears? Maybe

Can we beat the Skins? Maybe

Can we beat the Broncos? Hopefully it will not matter.

The End

Well Ice has the lakes locked up and there is no more bass fishing to be done. I think I will officially call BP vs. Duffman over at Week 25. Therefore

Summer of 2007
BP 6
Duffman 6

A tie, how lame is that? Beyond that, out of 25 weeks at least one of us hit the water on only 12 of them. If I would have fished like I normally do in the summer I would have blown Duffman away just for the simple fact that he would not be getting out nearly as much as me. I think we only fished head to head one or two weeks; The rest of the weeks it went to who ever went fishing. I think Duffman would have ruled had he not hurt his shoulder. I think Duffman caught the biggest fish, so really he wins.

On ice fishing: I had a dream last night that I was ice fishing. The electronics showed fish suspended, but I didn't catch any. I was unable to make the December meeting of the Fishers of Men club this week, therefore I did not have the chance to get to Vados to buy me some maggies. Without maggies I am hesitant to go out. Also the weather is cold and I don't have things rounded up. Snow on the ice is another factor that will make fishing unlikely for now. We probably won't have safe Ice for driving until around Christmas and the snow will make driving out difficult. Also the Explorer isn't working well and needs to be fixed. Oh well.

Vikes at .500
Well the Vikes destroyed the hapless Lions. It was a very good all around game for the squad and Tavaris actually looked competent. Will the roll continue? The Vikes should be able to beat the 49ers who have a poor run defence and lousy passing game. I think the Vikes season will come down to those next two games vs. the Bears, then Redskins. Both the Bears and Skins are in the wild card chase. The Bears will be out for revenge especially against AP who ran for 200+ vs the Bears in the first meeting. The Redskins have a stout run defence but it should help that this game is at the dome. I think if the Vikes can win 3 out of the next 4 that their playoff chances are pretty good.

If the Vikes actually make the playoffs, I could see them winning a game. Another shot at the Packers would be sweet. However, I am still on the pessimistic side reguarding our playoff chances.

Vikes Win in NY (really NJ)!!!
Could the Vikes actually make the playoffs? I'm not gonna hold my breath but at 5-6 they are in the race for a wildcard berth. Four of their last five games are against opponets with losing records (Bears, 49ers, Denver, Redskins) and the fifth game is this week against the Lions at home; The Lions have a 3 game losing streak. Three of the last five are home games. It's hard to believe but the Vikes could conceivably win out and be 10-6. I am guessing that 9-7 will be good enough for the playoffs. Like I said, I won't hold my breath even with AP coming back this week.

Ice Update:Ice is on Platte and Bulldog(???), however I am in no hurry to go out and test it. It's conceivable that I will be out within the next 2-3 weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving All!
Especially to family and the U.S. Armed Forces.

For the record: Thanksgiving 2007 was quiet with the Dinner being me, mom, Dad, and older brother Jeff. We all took an after meal nap. Todd and the girls were in Hoboken and Steve and the girls were in Florida. The food was excellent, Mom cooked a small turkey. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, the Packers kicked Lion tail, the Cowboys kicked Jet tail, the Colts kicked somebodies tail that I didn't see cause it was on NFL network. The big news of the day was the Gander Mtn was open today, Tori Hunter signed a 90million $ deal with the Angels, and Jay Leno had to show last years Thanksgiving program due to the writers strike.

Also of note is that on November 20 was my 3rd Blogirthday or Blogiversary. You can check out the past 3 years in the archives which are down aways on the right colomn.

The return of Daunte...

Vikes Win!!!

Well Daunte Culpepper was back in Minnesota for a football game today. I was a big Culpepper supporter up until the point he gave up on the Vikes. At that point I joined the "Chokepepper" bandwagon and wished him nothing but failure. Failure is exactly where Dante landed, first with the Dolphins, now with the Raiders. I really could care less what happens to Dante from now on, I'm over it. It was however good to see the Vikes beat Daunte in there first meeting since the falling out.

It's kind of sad to say but Culpepper would be an upgrade from anything we have at the QB position right now. I just don't think Tavaris has it in him to be a big league quarterback.

It's really to bad that Adrian Peterson got injured last week, cause I think he would have had a shot at 200yards vs. the Raider run defence. Sure Chester did a great job with 164 and 3 TD's, but I think Adrian would have done even better.

As for the blowout by the Packers last week, that was just a pathetic performance by the purple. If I were Chilly I would have kicked the field goal rather than get the doughnut. It sucked that Mewelde Moore got in and had the ball bounce off his hands for a turnover in the red zone. After this game, I'm not so sure that coach Chilly should get a 3rd year.

BP vs Duffman Weeks 22-25

The ice is not on the lakes yet, so there is still time for Duffman or me to pull ahead. I did get some Mille Lacs Oct. full moon walleye fishing in, but didn't manage to bag any smallies.

Week 22
BP 0
Duffman 0

Week 23
BP 0
Duffman 0

Week 24
BP 0
Duffman 0

Week 25
BP 0
Duffman 0

Summer 2007
BP 6
Duffman 6