So when do I get to be on Around The Horn?

by Skin Patrol on Aug 29, 2008 10:59 AM EDT

This is a self-important post but anytime I get my name splattered somewhere near actually employed sports writers, it's something of an accomplishment for me. A couple weeks ago ESPN The Magazine contacted me about blurbing on various NFL related propositions. I disagreed with virtually every prop, though in defense against claims of depressing cynicism leveled at me, they were propositions on which we were asked to agree or disagree. I'm a gambler, not an especially good one, and approached the questions as a probability analysis. You hand me a team, any team, and say "This team will win the Super Bowl" and my answer will almost invariably be: I'll take the field. Dynasties aside, the NFL, by its nature, is pretty difficult to predict and on any given year 31 teams have a better chance at beating 1 team for the Super Bowl. NFL propositions that assert ultra specific predictions are almost always wrong.

The trip here is that ESPN The Magazine published the responses of a number of people in a segment they called:

FACT CHECK: THE 2008-2009 NFL SEASON

The predictions below are bound to come true, right? Not so fast.

You can go find out what these propositions are at the site. The great news is that my two answers published happened to find their way immediately under the suffocating opinioning of Jay Mariotti of Around the Horn fame. See for yourself:

THE GIANTS WILL WIN MORE THAN 10 GAMES

"In a rough division, no. The Giants aren't even the best team in Giants Stadium this year." - JAY MARIOTTI, most recently of THE CHICAGO SUN TIMES

"Disagree. I see them as a 7-9 win football team in the regular season. Even if we included the postseason, I'd still be betting on the higher end of expectation and the increased difficulty of a postseason win. If I had to settle on a number I'd say they win 8 regular season games." - WILL ALLENSWORTH, HOGS HAVEN

Tony Reali, I'm available. And by available I mean unemployed.

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Nice!

Good job, now where did this come from?
“The New Orleans Saints. They have a solid QB (which is more than the Vikings can say, another "break-out” contender) and a defense that can’t get any worse. Combine that with a horrid division and a much softer schedule than the one they faced in 2007 and I think the Saints take the South in ’08." – ALLENSWORTH FROM HOGS HAVEN

The NFC south is not as weak as everyone thinks, obviously Atlanta but Tampa, NO and Carolina all have the potential to make the playoffs and I would easily bet Carolina over NO…What is a suprise break out team any way? Almost everyone is in the mix at the start of the season, the Jets could be the big surprise this year….

by dr WNC on Aug 29, 2008 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

Outstanding!

Great get Will, the blogger insurgency into the traditional media continues!

=====Curly R: The Redskins Blog=====

by thatguyben on Aug 29, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

As Jay Mariotti quits his job as a writer

because he believes that the www. is the thing of the future.

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Aug 31, 2008 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions

hello

Hey I havent been on here in awhile due to being busy. But just wanted to let everyone know about a cool new game.

http://www.travian.us/?uc=us2_11237

This game is pretty fun.

by skinsnyankees on Aug 29, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

We are live from our Nation's Capitol....

watching my copy of the 1982 NFC Championship game is a hoot. The overproduction and clearly staged ‘background’ material involving Theismann makes his broadcasting style seem ‘cutting edge’.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 31, 2008 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

7-9? I bid one Quatloo.

The Giants running game, receivers and secondary are better and deeper than they were last year, O-line is in their prime and very good, there’s a falloff in blocking at the tight end position but i think Boss is very good about finding the downfield seams, the LBs are about the same, Yes there is a loss at DE but that was the outlier, how often do 4 DEs peak at the same time? By the way, Tuck is better than Osi, much better. McDougle could be a good addition. But Spags has now had a full year to implement and tweak the D, expect to see Phillips blitzing out of nickel.

So the variable is Eli, and I’m not concerned, he is never going to be a Marino, but he has as many 4th quarter comebacks an Marino, Montana, Peyton and Brady did at the same point in their careers. He is at his best in the 2 minute drill, and I think the coaching staff finally figured that out at the end of the season. Just strip out the chess game BS and let him play.

Sorry, I haven’t had a chance to really follow the skins, How has Campbell been the pre-S? A search of the site didn’t say much after the HofF game. That’s your big variable. And I don’t think Taylor is going to help you much.

Remember, the important thing is to beat Dallas into a bloody pulp, score be damned, and thank the gods everyday we’re not Iggle fans.

by The Pale Scot on Sep 1, 2008 12:14 PM EDT reply actions