Week 2 Predictions Recap - 11 and 5
One game better this week. Doing pretty well.
Overall: 21-11
Football Week 1 Predictions Recap - 10 and 6
Not bad for week 1. I would have had my upset special hit (Detriot) if it was not for that horrible call at the end of the game. Oh well, on to next week.
See my Week 1 Predictions.
Football The Amazing, Infamous, and Highly Accurate NFL Predictions
It has been a traditions the last few years that I send out NFL predictions to all my friends so I have it in writing what I think. My accuracy has been fairly high (around 50%) so it has become a higher calling to me in a lot of ways. Now, for this year's thoughts...
Just Finished: A Gentleman's Game by Greg Rucka
Greg Rucka may now be best known for his comic book writing of the new Batgirl character, but it is his Queen and Country comics that first brought his name into my awaremess. The comics detail an extremely accurate look at the British SIS (what we Americans think of as MI6 from James Bond) and one of their top agents, Tara Chase. Chase is a Minder (the analog for the Double 0 agents) and, like all of Rucka's female characters, is extremely well rounded, complex, and real. One of the downsides of the Queen and Country comic collection that I have is that some major events in Tara's life fall outside the comic books...that story is told here.
A Gentleman's Game details the British government's reaction to a bombing by a real-world terrorist group (I recently read about them in Time). This reaction includes complex dealings with the Israeli Mossad and an eventual assassination which forces Chase to go on the run.
I really enjoyed the excellent job Rucka does switching between voices in the novel. Whether it is Chase, her boss Paul Crocker, or the young terrorist on his quest to seek revenge on the Western World, the characters feel real. They are not generic good guy/bad guy architypes and that is refreshing.
The story is fast paced and exciting. Again, like the characters, the plot and operations feel real. Rucka does a good job channeling Tom Clancy and then some.
If I had any criticism for the story, it is that I do not know how well someone who hasn't read the entire Queen and Country series would catch on. I knew the characters very well before starting the book and I do not know whether everyone would catch on as quickly. There are at least two more books that follow Tara Chase and I plan on starting them after I revisit Mr. Clancy again.
Books Just Finished: The Hunt For Red October by Tom Clancy
The first book in the Jack Ryan universe to be published, the third to be written, and the fourth by chronology, The Hunt for Red October is best known as the first film. The book follows the typical Clancy patterns and is similar to all of the books that I have read in pacing and pattern. The big issue with reading the book is divorcing it from the movie that I have watched several dozen times. In comparing them, there are a lot of interesting decisions where thing that never really tracked for me in the movie makes sense now, but those differences create other problems as well. It is almost as if the movie decided to make key changes from the book but left weird, straggling plot thread in that don't make sense in the new context.
Overall, the book is very good. My biggest issue is a plot thread started towards the beginning that never truly made sense to begin with and then is given no resolution and the fact that Jack Ryan dissappears out of huge portion of the book. Several days go by (the chapters are done in days) where Ryan isn't even checked in on.
The intrigue of having the Americans and Russians in such close contact is much deeper in the book and highly enjoyable. The characterizations are very good with a lot of characters thrown in the mix. The October's crew is, however, barely touched on in the book. Several dozen U.S. admirals get much more page time.
I still think I like Patriot Games more than this entry, but it is better than the Red Rabbit. Let the Clancy march continue.
Books NFL Draft 1st Round Reaction
Honestly, this could not have worked out better for my Titans. Consider this...
-The Jags were widely believed to be ready to take C.J. Spiller, which would be bad for Tennessee. The Bills, who know one thought would want him, takes him one pick before Jacksonville. What does Jacksonville do? Select a player who Mel Kiper thinks was taken about 16 picks too soon. Awesome.
-With three great defensive ends available, two are available when the Giants pick, meaning the Titans are ensured a player they wanted. I could not be happier about Derrick Morgan getting selected. He may not be a flashy player like Jason Pierre-Paul, but you know what, we got a great player who will be tough and play well for a long time.
-The Chargers traded up to pick the RB that the Texans were widely considered to be going after. Again, the AFC South is in better shape from the Titans perspective.
-The Ravens, who are my least favorite team, was on the verge of getting Dez Bryant...and then the Cowboys swooped in to steal him. While I hate the idea of the Cowboys getting better, it prevents the Ravens from getting much better very quickly, and for me that is a win.
-Then there is Tim Tebow...wow is all I have to say.
NFL Draft Predictions for the Titans (aka wild guesses)
With the 16th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select...
Who I predict: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan...while I can't stand the thought of picking up a Michigan player, he is probably the safest pick here, and I think that is what the Titans need now on the line, someone they can trust and know what they get.
Who I Think It Could Be: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, University of South Florida...If Graham is gone or if the Titans are super tempted by the getting the next Jevon Kearse (from the first tour of duty), then this could be the pick. Tons of potential, but tons of bust potential as well.
Who It Would Be Awesome To Get: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, University of Texas...I have a feeling Kindle's versatility would make him a huge asset. Plus, I love Texas players in the NFL, especially for the Titans. If I were drafting and he was available, it's who I would take.
Other picks...the Titans don't pick again until the 3rd round with two picks (one of which may be going to Washington for Big Albert Haynesworth). I know they need to pick up a linebacker or corner here, but if Jordan Shippley or Marty Gilyard Jr. are available, the Titans need to take the risk to get a great return guy and a productive WR. The Titans biggest problem last year was their terrible field position created by their terrible punt/KO return game.
The Saints will not repeat...
Drew Brees is the NFL cover athlete for the new version of Madden. Anyone want to take bets on when he breaks his arm? See the IGN story here.
Pre-NFL Draft Titans Season Predictions
It is early still in the off season with the NFL Draft happening later tonight and a lot of time for trades, cuts, signings, and injuries, but as of today, this is my prediction for the Titans season:
Week 1 - Raiders at Titans - The Titans tend to struggle early and have always struggled against the Raiders no matter how bad they are, but this is a perfect Week 1 game. The Raiders will not be ready for a Week 1 surprise victory, so lets call this a win: Titans - 24-9
Week 2 - Steelers at Titans - Well, Big Ben has been bad, and for me that is good. With Ben out and Holmes in NY, this should be an easy home win for the Titans: Titans - 17-3
Week 3 - Titans at Giants - Memories are still fresh for me of VY getting the Titans 24 in the 4th quarter to beat the Giants four years ago. Fisher doesn't lose to Tom Coughlin: Titans 27-17
Week 4 - Broncos at Titans - Since this is in Nashville, I gotta pull for my boys. I think there is too much turmoil for the Broncos to do well, especially without Brandon Mashall who killed the Titans three years ago: Titans 17-14
Week 5 - Titans at Cowboys - Everything about this game screams trap game for Tennessee. There is no reason that they shouldn't win, but I feel like this is one of those games where Romo plays great despite his terminal suckiness. Cowboys - 24-21
Week 6 - Titans at Jaguars - Everything is right again in the AFC South, and by that I mean the Titans dominating the Jags: Titans 20-13
Week 7 - Eagles at Titans - Per my previous post, I do not have faith in Kevin Kolb. I just don't see the Eagles being good this year, so even though this scares me, I have faith that VY will create enough issues to win the game: Titans 21-17
Week 8 - Titans at Chargers - The Chargers seem to have the Titans number year after year. While I am hopefull they break the trend, I am not confident: Chargers 28-17
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - Titans at Dolphins - I think Miami is going to have a solid year, but I do not think their defense is set up to stop CJ running the ball: Titans 24-9
Week 11 - Redskins at Titans - I am planning on attending this game, so I had better be right. I was at their last meeting in DC which was Vince's first NFL victory. I see a repeat: Titans 31-21
Week 12 - Titans at Texans - Vince Young...in Houston...playing football...a high scoring, exciting win for VY: Titan 34-28
Week 13 - Jaguars at Titans - Again, Fisher is back to doing what he does best, beating up the Jags: Titans 27-17
Week 14 - Colts at Titans - A Thursday night prime time game. The Titans lost the last national meeting against the Colts, it is revenge time in a close one: Titans 24-21
Week 15 - Texans at Titans - Can't win them all and for some reason the Texans have started playing very well in Nashville: Texans - 31-28
Week 16 - Titans at Chiefs - Usually a trip to Arrowhead is a scary prospect, especially in December. It is not anymore. CJ and Lendale White destroyed them two years ago, I see a repeat: Titans 28-3
Week 17 - Titans at Colts - I think both teams will be play-off bound, so with nothing at stake, the Colts will take a snoozer: Colts - 21-10
To recap: Titans 12-4.
NFL Off Season Thoughts
Wow, what a busy off season. Usually, the time betweeen the Free Agent signing period beginning and the NFL Draft is very dull, but this season has certainly stayed lively. Here are some of my thoughts on what has gone down so far pre-draft: McNabb - While all my Redskins fans are hesitant on this one (Redskins giving up more draft picks for old players), I think this is a win-win for Washington. First, McNabb still has at least 3 more good years in him. He may be injured for a few games here and there, but this is no doubt an upgrade. Second, I think Kevin Kolb is a servicable quarterback...but if they think he is the guy that puts them back in the Superbowl, boy are they wrong. Andy Reid is showing his arrogance at its highest level. All the ills the Eagles have experienced I blame fully on Reid and this will be the final straw that breaks the massive camel's back.
Football Just Finished: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
A few years ago, Seth Grahame-Smith made a huge name for himself with the release of his living-dead take on Jane Austin with Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. While I have heard great things about the book (even from dedicated Jane Austin nuts), not being a fan of that genre of literature, I decided to pass. However, when Grahame-Smith decided to take a stab (pun intended) at American history, I was on board. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter follows the story of a young Abraham Lincoln dedicating his life to avenge the death of his mother at the hands of vampires. The story chronicles his loves (both won and lost), his early career, and eventually his presidency and fills in all the gaps we never learned in school. For example, vampires heavily inhabit the American South due to the easily obtained supply of food that no one cared if something happened to it: slaves.
Without ruining too many details of the story, this book does an excellent job of detailing Lincoln's journal through the use of direct quotes (some real, most invented for the book). Grahame-Smith does a great job of making the quotes sound like something you would hear in a Ken Burns Civil War documentary. Everything feels very authentic and that is where the books sucks you in. By feeling like a real biography, the reader's suspension of disbelief is upheld throughout the story. When you read about Abe's motivation, training, and feelings, they are all very real and organic. So, when a vampire ends up showing up, it flows very naturally. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Lincoln's life was filled with so many tragedies, the reader very quickly believes that there must be a supernatural cause.
By speaking with Lincoln's "voice," Grahame-Smith's book is a huge success for fans of the historical fiction genre. If I had any complaints, it would be that the denouement does not match up with the opening of book and adds nothing to how excellent everything in between was. Despite this, with only two or three pages being disappointing, the book is well worth the read.
Books Let's Gooooo...Mountaineers!
Under the leadership of Huggybear, the WVU Mountaineers are advancing to the Final Four after defeating the #1 seed Kentucky Wildcats. This was a great game that featured great play from WVU with the gift of horrible 3-point shooting from UK. This is a huge victory from a program that, until recently, hasn't been relevant since the 60s. Let's hope the next game goes just as well against Duke. Finally, I am given a reason to be interested in basketball.
WVU