NFL Power Rankings Week 8

What a week Just My Opinion: Just the Facts had! Every team that was ranked last week won except the one team that played another team in the top ten, and the higher ranked team came out on top of that match-up. JMO:JTF was perfect for week 8! There's some reshuffling of the rankings, but, for the first time this season, no one falls off the list:

1)New England (8-0) Last week: 1

This is it. NE vs Indy. Battle of the Titans (no offense TN.) Ares vs Mars, Sasquatch vs Big Foot, Coke vs Pepsi. The winner of this weeks match-up will immediately be the recipient of a miriad of predictions regarding an undefeated season. To be perfectly honest, seeing what NE has done this year (including holding the 'skins scoreless until the final 3 minutes of the game) vs what Indy's accomplished (like beating TN by 2). I no longer see it as a question of who will win. The question I pose now is by how much will the Patriots win? My answer? 20 points.

2)Indianapolis (7-0) Last week: 2

A convincing win over Vinny T and Carolina. After week 9 you shall be among the top ranked teams at 7-1 unless you are able to locate and exploit a weakness in NE that many better minds than my own have been unable to recognize.

3)Dallas (6-1) Last week: 4

You moved up on your bye because someone above you moved down. See if you can stay here next week.

4)Green Bay (6-1) Last week: 3

You only needed one play in over time to beat Denver. Why couldn't you get it done during regulation? You did what Pitt did last week, you allowed Denver to hang around late and it nearly burned you. Not being unable to buck off the Broncos in 60 minutes drops you a notch this week.

5)Pittsburgh (5-2) Last week: 6

Not so much what you accomplished as it is what a team above you failed to accomplish. You did what you should have done, beat a weaker team by at least 10 points. Good job.

6)New York Giants (6-2) Last week: 5

Ok, I understand you had to play football in front of 10,000 people who don't understand it. I understand that you had to play in the rain, and I understand that you had to play in a stadium that's named after a Fraggle. But, come on, you played Miami! You couldn't beat them by more than 3 points?! Be glad you didn't fall more that one spot!

7)Jacksonville (5-2) Last week: 9

Wow. Tampa Bay has been my big "new guy" killer. I put a team on the list and Tampa Bay takes them off. You managed to hold off the curse by defeating them by 1 point. Truthfully, though, they are basically the 11th team on the list so it's no small task to send them home with a loss.

8)Detroit (5-2) last week: 10

Just as the Bears were starting to heat up and you were starting to cool down you hold them to a single score! Granted you only had 16 points of your own, but that's why you only rose to the eigth spot. Still, good win, keep it up.

9)Tennessee (5-2) Last week: 7

Oakland held you to 13 points?! You, who came within less than a field goal of beating Indy, were held to 1 TD by the silver and black? And you only beat them by 4? That'll cost you a few spots on this list.

10)Washington (4-3) Last week: 8

Many will question this ranking. You were beaten 52-7 and yet you get to stay? The problem is two fold, I can't fully fault you that you were knocked silly by a team that's taking their aggression out for the whole Jets filming debacle on everyone they play and I think that you'd beat any team that's not on the list. There's nothing else for me to do but place you at the bottom of the best.

Off: Nobody: I'm still surprised by that. (and I didn't keep Washington on just so I could say it. Which team not on the list would Washington fall to?) What a week, let's see if the list can hold it's own against the constant surprise called the NFL this week!

Still counting down the days till NE v INDY! I can't wait!

World Series : more thoughts

A few further World Series thoughts:

Did anyone else notice how fast the baseball wound up in Jason Varitek's back pocket once the game was over?! I couldn't help but wonder if he had dollar signs in his eyes like Doug Mientkiewicz did after the 2004 championship. Well, showing the class which he is known for, 'Tek has already handed the ball over to the team.

I was thinking today that yesterday I certainly wasn't thinking like a pre-2004 Sox fan. There wasn't any panic when Okejima gave up the two run shot. I wasn't concerned that it was all starting again. Who ever would have thought that I'd be able to be calm (not relaxed, but certainly not frantic) in such a situation. Gone are the days of Buckey Dent, Mookie Wilson, Aaron Boone. Now are the days of Dave Roberts, Jonathan Papelbon, and the World Champion Boston Red Sox. (I just looks so nice!)

During the game, the announcers posed the question of which team was better, the 2004 Sox or the 2007 Sox. (Which the reporter on the feild was stupid enough to ask of 'Tek after the win. It was a crazy dumb question that did nothing but waste our time listening to the answer we knew was coming, "they are so different, you can't compare.") See, but I can. So I thought I'd compare the two teams to come to a conclusion which was better:

Pos...2004.........2007........Edge
1B......Millar..........Youk........2007
2B......Bellhorn......Pedroya...2007
3B......Meuller.......Lowell......Push
SS......Cabrera.......Lugo........2004
C.......'Tek.............'Tek..........Push
CF......Damon........Crisp........2004
RF......Nixon.........Drew........2004
LF......Manny........Manny......Push
DH.....Ortiz...........Ortiz........Push
SP......Pedro..........Beckett.....Push
SP......Schill..........Schill........Push
SP......Arroyo........Dice-K......Push
SP......Wake..........Wake........Push
SP......Lowe..........Lester........2007
CP......Foulke........Papelbon...2007
BP*....See list........See list.......2007
BH^...See list........See list.......Push
TD#...See list........See list.......2004

*BullPen
2004.......2007
Timlin.......Timlin
Embree......Tavarez
Lesckanic...Lopez
Myers.........Delcarmen
..................Okajima
..................Gagne

^Bench
2004.........2007
Reese..........Elsbury
Roberts.......Hinske
Youk...........Kielty
Mirabelli.....Mirabelli
Kapler
Mientkiewicz

#Trades
2004............2007
Gone.............Gone
Nomar..........Minor leaguers
In..................In
Roberts.........Gagne
Mientkiewicz
Cabrera

So there you have it. It looks like the 2007 team just barely edged out the 2004 victors. Of course, this is merely academic as both pulled off amazing feats and will hold a special place in our sports lore for years to come!

Bring on 2008!

Just a minor side note, Scott Boras (A-rod's agent) claims that it was not his intention to over shadow the World Series, that word got leaked to a reporter who announced it. That's why everyone who reported it said that Scott Boras sent an email to the AP, it was an accident...(I can't stand that guy!)

How Sweep it is!

The Boston Red Sox
are 2007
World Series Champions!

For the second time in 4 years the Red Sox are the World Series Champions! Looks like they are back to their winning ways when they won 5 of the first 15 contests of the best.

Like the White Sox two years ago, and the 2004 Red Sox before them, this years champs proved that pitching wins championships! The Sox pitching staff had an ERA of .250 holding the Rockies batters to a team average of .218, while Colorado's pitching racked up a 7.68 ERA and Boston got a hit once every three at bats! Let's not forget that certain bats came alive when they were needed. I don't have the stats in front of me but I know I'm not the only one who feels that David and Manny didn't really do much this series. The Sox relied on the speedy Elsbury, Lugo, and Pedroya (and the big bats of Youk (in Fenway) and Lowell) This just goes to show that this team is the best built team in the majors. David and Manny carried the team through the early part of the post season, then they got to rest and the remainder of the lineup took over (Even Bobby Kielty got in the mix with what turned out to be the game winning home run tonight!)

I'd like to go on the record saying that I still don't agree with Francona's decision to start Ortiz at first at Coors Field. While he didn't prove to be the liability in the field that everyone expected him to be (quite the contrary, truth be told, making several plays that I expected him to be unable to complete, including saving an error when Lugo made a terrible throw in tonight's game.) But his bat wasn't what we expected and Youk was on fire, batting over .400 in the series to that point and better than .350 in the playoffs. Whose to say that the Sox wouldn't have lost had Kevin been at first, but I think he might have been more productive at the plate than David was.

Looking back at the scoring that I had postulated pre-series, it looks like I was a bit off:

Game 1: 5 - 2 Sox
Actual: 13-1 Sox
Game 2: 8 - 3 Sox
Actual: 2-1 Sox (my game 5 happened, with a diff winner)
Game 3: 3 - 2 Rox
Actual: 6-5 Sox (One run...)
Game 4: 5 - 4 Sox
Actual: 4-3 Sox (Hey, 1 run and right team!?)
Game 5: 2 - 1 Rox
Actual: Unnecessary
Game 6: 11- 4 Sox
Actual: Unnecessary

But I'm not complaining!

Before the MVP award was bestowed, I had a list of possible recipients. I'd like to share that now:

Papelbon: Saved 3 out of 4 of the games. All three saves were more than one inning, one was a six out save, something he'd been unable to accomplish during the regular season. Little Pap's ERA for the series? 0.00.

Elsbury: Hit after hit after hit. Moved into the ever important lead-off spot when Youk had to sit in the NL park and shone! Had some game saving plays in the outfield and game winning hits at the plate. Set a record for most hits by a rookie in a World Series Game during game 3.

Pedroya: Willing to move into the #2 spot in the NL park and it didn't affect the effectiveness of the little man's huge swing. Lead off the series with a round-tripper. Gold glove performance in the field and you'd never know he was a rookie when he stepped up to bat. Better be American League Rookie of the Year!

Lowell: When David and Manny's bats cooled off his stayed consistent with key hits and huge RBI's. Unflappable defense (including handling the awkward throw by Lugo to get the lead runner at third yesterday) combined with clutch hitting is why Mike was my choice for MVP so I was thrilled when he was handed the trophy. (I still say that he'll finish third behind A-rod and Ordonez in the AL MVP voting. Though he should be second as A-rod did have a career year!)

Once again, I find myself admitting something a little out of the ordinary. I was ever so slightly hoping that the Sox might maybe possibly lose this game so there would be another one to watch. As I am not a member of cable-nation or satellite-ville it's been quite the treat to be able to watch every game. But the Sox outscored the Rox 25-10 in four straight games to take home the multi-flagged hardware. So really, I'm not complaining!

And leave it to A-Rod to try to overshadow the Red Sox victory. He's opting out of his Yankees contract and, barring some amazing turn of events, he will not be in pin stripes next year. With so few teams that can afford him and with the fans practically demanding that Lowell be signed (He's a free agent), unless the Sox trade Lugo it looks like A-Rod will be a Met next year. Maybe Texas will take him back, at least then they'd be paying themselves 21 million per year instead of the Yankees. (In case you are unaware, the Rangers paid the Yankees $21 million per year to go towards A-Rod's contract. Yeah, go figure!)

So, look for the Yankees to disintegrate this off season and, unless Toronto does something amazing, watch for the Sox to be the AL East champions next year too! Great young talent and talented veterans means that this team should only get better!

On a final note: my brother-in-law purchased a new couch on opening day during a promotion that promise that if the Red Sox won the World Series, all purchases that day were free. Yeah, he just got a free leather couch!

NFL Power Rankings Week 7

Well, I typed this before the weekend but never got a chance to post it... For those who are curious, here are my comments regarding last weeks power rankings after this weeks games. Without further delay, here's Just my opinion: Just the Facts for week seven:

1)New England (7-0) Last week: 1

Next week: 1. The week after: 1. It's like watching the Varsity team intersquad against the freshman, every week! Often, I feel that I can see the weakness in the team that keeps winning and can't understand why others don't exploit it. I have yet to see your weakness. I don't think Washington, Indianapolis, or Pittsburgh will be able to find one either.

2)Indianapolis (6-0) Last week: 2

You may end up with one loss this year, too bad you have to play the Patriots every season. At least you seem to get home field advantage. I just learned that Vinny will be the QB for the Panthers. You'll be undefeated when you match up against the Pat's in two weeks.

3)Green Bay (5-1) Last week: 3

Boring! Bye

4)Dallas (6-1) Last week: 4

You keep winning, but so does your competition! Giants are on a roll, Philly's none too shabby, and Washington's been proving to be pretty tough. Don't get comfortable just because you can roll over Minnesota!

5)New York Giants (5-1) Last week: 7

Five in a row. That's enough to pop you into the top five. Welcome. With this week's game against Miami, it shouldn't be to hard to stay there. Too bad you have to go to London to do it. What, NFL Europe is doing about as well as Euro Disney?

6)Pittsburgh (4-2) Last week: 5

Killer loss to Denver in the final seconds of the game! That's what you get for letting them hang around. Let that be a lesson to you. Though Cinci should be an easy target this week.

7)Tennessee (4-2) Last week: off

welcome back. it's like a sick joke, I add someone to the list, they lose a game they shouldn't the next week. You lost to TB, I added TB, they lost to Detroit. I'll add Detroit, they'll lose to the Bears, just you watch!

8)Washington (5-2) last week: 10

Ok you beat Arizona. And you go up because everybody else lost. You've got NE this week. No one is expecting you to win, but show up to play and you might stay on the list. If New England makes you look like Hobbits (Like they have with everyone else) don't bother checking to see if you made it.

9)Jacksonville (4-3) Last week: 6

Yes, you lost, but you lost to Indy. Can't really fault you for that. It wasn't a killer loss (see Pitt/Seattle or NE/SD). Do better next week and you'll start to climb again.

10)Detroit (3-2) Last week: off

Ok, you've been on and off and on again. Just please please beat the Bears next week! (for me?!)

Off: Baltimore: You cannot lose to Buffalo and stay on the list. Better luck next week. Off: TB: I did you a favor and finally gave you some respect, what do you do? Throw it back in my face by losing to a team I'd taken off JMO:JTF. It'll be harder to get back on next time!

Counting down the days till NE v INDY! I can't wait!

This post could cost each reader $0.02!

Just a quick rant:

I was reading a headline the other day that stated that the "Wars could cost each American $8,000." Not surprisingly, this really riled me up! Not for the reason that was intended by the headline (Which was obviously designed to burn some britches), but for another, far less obvious reason.

My first point: This is a total cost. You see, the wars are temporary. This is why we can put a price tag on them. So, we've been fighting for 5 years. That's roughly $1,600 per person per year. But the wars will end. We will be able to say, "that war cost the American taxpayer $X Trillion."

My second point: Don't you love it that it costs the "American Taxpayer" so much to fight a war, but when it's something the liberals want the government to "provide" it's "free?" "Free" healthcare. "Free" preschool and kindergarten. "Free" abortions for underage girls. "Free" hypodermic needles for addicts. "Expensive" war. Really? Is the money coming from two different places for these expenditures? No. They both come from my pocket.

My final point: You will never see a headline that says, "Government healthcare program costs each American $9,700." Why is this? Well, for one thing, it's a hell of a lot more expensive than fighting a war. The (approximately) 2.4 Trillion dollars this war has cost is over the course of five years. Any universal healthcare program would certainly cost more than $48 billion per year (the average cost of the war) and it would never end. So instead of reading "cost each American $8,000" any headline would have to read "cost each American $3,500 per year!" And this, of course, is not something the liberals in government or the media want you to consider.

"What liberal Media?" You ask. That one.

2007 World Series Sox v Rox

What an interesting match up the baseball muses have created for us. One team merely 14 years old, the other well over 100. One team has the second highest payroll in the league (and the only of the top 10 to ever win it all), the other is 27th out of 30. One team took the lead early and held on to it the entire season, the other came on very late needing to force a "play-in" play-off just to get to the post season and has won 20 out of the last 21 games. One team finished with the second to worst record for teams in the playoffs, the other with the best. One team was nick-named "kid Rock" and the other has players in their 40's. One team was picked to win it all in April, the other was picked to get a high draft pick. And now they must face off!

It's odd to see the things that the Red Sox used to do happening to their opponents. In 2004 vs the Yanks it was a key ground rule double that prevented the runner on first from scoring preserving a tie game. Against the Cards it was Suppan miss hearing the 3rd base coach and not only not scoring, but being so bamboozled that he was gunned out trying to go back to third by a cannon of a throw from Ortiz! This year it was Lofton's listening to the "Dale Suaine" of the Indians and not scoring on the base hit down the third base line. It feels funny, like the ball went under the 1st baseman for the Mets, or Rivera threw the 11th inning bomb in 2003.

I've been impressed that we've won the games against Cleveland using all of the players in the line-up. When Manny and David couldn't do it, Dustin and Kevin stepped up. Even Jacoby and Lugo got into the mix in game seven. And who can forget J.D.'s heroics along with 'Tek's and Lowell's consistency! Now if our pitching can continue to be lights out, I think we have a good chance.

Colorado is a very young team! One could say that their success in the post season already shows that they aren't easily flappable by the big stage. But they haven't been to the World Series in Fenway yet!

I think that it takes Colorado a few games to settle down, dropping both in Fenway to the Sox. I think they take two out of three in their home park, but drop game six to come in second.

Game 1: 5 - 2 Sox
Actual: 13-1 Sox (Only a huge homer would've guessed that score!)
Game 2: 8 - 3 Sox
Actual: 2-1 Sox (see game 5, with incorrect winner? Schill strikes again!)
Game 3: 3 - 2 Rox
Game 4: 5 - 4 Sox
Game 5: 2 - 1 Rox
Game 6: 11- 4 Sox

Watch for some officiating assistance in game three to ensure that FOX gets at least 5 games out of the series.

I must admit, I'm a little embarrassed to add this, but it must be said: I was ever so slightly minutely minusculy disappointed that the Red Sox won against Cleveland. Watching the losses was so difficult and hoping that they would win was so stressful, that my body was nearly ready for the roller coaster to be over. One can't actually expect a sweep in the series. Both teams are there for a reason and will put up a good fight. Mind you, come the 8th inning of game 7 (once Dustin hit the two run jack) I was very excited that the stress from the ALCS was over and I had a few days of rest before the stress from the WS began.

Here is my line-up card that Terry will never use (along with some of my reasoning on the side)

1st Dustin 2B (ALROY, little man, big swing. Deserves this spot)
2nd Kevin 1B (I'd play him over Ortiz in the NL park)
3rd Ortiz DH (If he's hurt, I drop Lowell into this position)
4th Manny LF (Don't mess with what's working!)
5th Lowell 3B (if he's in for Ortiz, 'Tek here)
6th J.D Drew RF (He's finally hitting here, don't move him now!)
7th 'Tek C (w/Ortiz out, DH Hinske here. Get Tek in all 3 in CO)
8th Jacoby CF (He's got the bat and the glove, use Coco for late D)
9th Lugo SS (Get on base in front of the powerhouse front 5!)

As long as it doesn't jeopardize my marriage, ministry, or mental health (in that order) I will endeavor to watch every inning of the 2007 World Series.

(And don't forget, the last time the Sox won it all, so did the Pats! Will history repeat itself? I sure hope so!)

NFL Power Rankings Week 6

It's like a city bus! Two jump off and two jump on! Or like a variety show: You never know whose going to appear on JMO:JTF! Let's take a look at this week:

1)New England (6-0) Last week: 1

If there was ever any doubt (just for the record, there wasn't any here on JMO:JTF) there can be none now. Or will the Pats-haters say that Dallas isn't really a good team, just like SD wasn't either? Now we can all hold our breath for two weeks when the Pats travel to Indy (please note, the only tough team the Pats got to face at home was SD.)

2)Indianapolis (5-0) Last week: 2

Bye week. Still undefeated. 'Nough said.

3)Green Bay (5-1) Last week: 5

As I look around and see the teams you've beaten (Wash, Philly, NYG) You've actually taken out more big guns than the team that follows you on this weeks edition. Congrats on cracking the top three. By the way: Favre, I've always liked you (except when you were playing against Dallas for the NFC Championship) so feel free to continue making me look like a buffoon for suggesting that you retire (but don't give away any more games like you did against the Bears!)

4)Dallas (5-1) Last week: 3

You didn't look terrible against the Patriots. You showed some good D and some great heart. But you did allow the most points that NE has scored all year and as we look back over your victories (NYG for example, Buff) you do tend to give up a lot of points. Keep winning and cut back on that and you'll regain your previous post in the top three.

5)Pittsburgh (4-1) Last week: 4

Bye

6)Jacksonville (4-1) Last week: 6

Second week in a row at number 6. Do something, will you? I know you can only play your schedule, but show some power. Blow a team out!

7)New York Giants (4-2) Last week: 7

You defeated a team you should have defeated. This is a lesson on how to stay exactly where you were last week. Next time try making it look easy, or try beating a more difficult team.

8)Baltimore (4-2) last week: off

Welcome to the list. You've made it on here, not because of who you've beaten (as you've won over teams you should've lost to and lost to teams you should've beaten) but rather how you've done it. Many of your scores more resemble a baseball game than football. 9-7 over SF (The Red Sox/Indians games 1 & 2 had more points than this one!) and you held St. Louis to just 3!

9)Tampa Bay (4-2) Last week: Off

Here is another team that has found a way to sneak in the back door that's been left open by the absence of such teams as San Diego, Chicago, and Cincinnati. Big wins over TN, CAR, and a tough loss to INDY. You do not have the easiest schedule in the world, that's for sure!

10)Washington (3-2) Last week: 9

Yeah, you lost, but you hung tough against a team that's pretty high in the power rankings. It wasn't enough to drop you from the list entirely.

Notable removals: Tennessee: One word: youlosttoTampaBay! That's why your off the list and they're on it. Cardinals: We all knew it wouldn't last. A loss to Carolina knocks you from the top ten.

Honorable Mentions: San Diego: Another step in the right direction. But still not enough to regain a ranking.

Go Red Sox! 1 down, 2 to go! Take'em one at a time! Remember, you're in Fenway! You don't have to do it on the road like in 2004!

Oh yea, and one more thing: Good for you Torre for not taking what would've been the worst deal in baseball! A pay cut and incentives only if you take the team all the way?! Well, when you leave and A-Rod, Posada, Rivera, and Petit do the same, I'd like to see how the next manager fares! (more like fails!) Hold your head hi Joe, I'm with you!

NFL Power Rankings Week 5

What a year it's been already! So many teams climbing on and so many falling off! Just My Opinion: Just the Facts may set a record this year for most different teams listed in a single year! (And the list isn't even using any performance enhancing drugs!) Here are this weeks top 10:

1)New England (5-0) Last week: 1

It'll be very difficult for you to play the "no respect" card this year. While the win over Cleveland wasn't perfect, it was still a win, and still a convincing win at that. Second big test (SD was considered a test at the time, even though they've tanked since) is next week in Dallas. Someone has to walk away with a loss!

2)Indianapolis (5-0) Last week: 3

Classic Indy. Early lead + no mercy = Colts win. But one must admit, you've got a very easy schedule. You're first big test isn't until the Patriots visit the dome in two weeks. Even then, you've got them at home.

3)Dallas (5-0) Last week: 2

I really wrestled over where to rank you this week. 9 points in the last 40 seconds could be deserving of a #1 spot for resilience and ability under pressure. But the fact that you needed to score 9 points in the last 40 seconds in order to sneak a win past Buffalo is what ended up dropping you to 3rd. A win next week could catapult you to #1. A loss with a good showing could keep you at #3. I can't wait for that game!

4)Pittsburgh (4-1) Last week: 6

Handing out the first shut-out of the season brings you back into the top five. Especially since it was against a team that made it into the power rankings last week (you'll note their conspicuous absence this week!) Strong D so far this season. And we all know it's the Defense that wins championships. The question is: can it get you to the post season?

5)Green Bay (4-1) Last week: 4

I wanted to send you farther than fifth for the game you handed to Chicago (which wasn't Favre's fault, by the way. It's tough to make a difference in a game when your offensive Co-coordinator won't let you throw the ball, but would rather run using a talentless back running against a D that hasn't allowed it all game) but I couldn't determine who to put above you. Even though you lost a game you should have taken easily, you're still a very talented team. Still in JMO:JTF's top five.

6)Jacksonville (3-1) Last week: 8

Held KC to seven points: Respectable. Only scored 17 against them: somewhat troubling, but the victory moves you up the ladder.

7)New York Giants (3-2) Last week: 10

Another come from behind win. Playing in the only NFL game where both teams are the home team you managed to over come a late deficit to the Jets (who are none too shabby.) Welcome to the highest you've been on the list since week 1.

8)Tennessee (3-1) Last week: 9

You didn't climb like Jacksonville because you had way more trouble with Atlanta than you should have. But, in the end a win's a win and it ticks you up one notch.

9)Washington (3-1) Last week: Off

You've one loss, and it's to division rivals the Giants. You easily defeated Detroit (another JMO:JTF dropout), not to mention a victory over NFC east enemy Philly. You're not looking to bad right about now.

10)Cardinals (3-2) Last week: Off

What a year! The Cleveland Browns have been on this list. The Detroit Lions have been as high as #7. I was totally wrong about Favre. Now the Arizona Cardinals are in the top 10 of the NFL. I checked your schedule. You've beaten some tough teams (Seattle and Pittsburgh) and, at least for right now, you deserve it. (Don't make me regret it by losing to St Louis or anything like that!)

Notable removals: Detroit: What is up?! One week you lose by a land slide to Philly, then you beat Chicago like they are a Powder Puff team, then you lose to Washington like you needed a map to the end zone? Inconsistent play does not warrant a spot on the list! Seattle: Don't I have egg on my face. And it's Seahawk egg. The week after I induct you onto the power rankings you go and get shut out by a team I'd ranked lower than you!? How could you do this to me? Now straighten up and flight right!

Honorable Mentions: San Diego: Wow, you looked like your old self again! But one good win does not a season make. You shall have to spend another week in shame on the sideline. Chicago: Well, you took advantage of GB's game plan of "we're not trying to win, we're trying not to lose." Which never works. But that doesn't mean we should let you back on the list with your friends. Let's see another big win and then we'll talk about it. Maybe.

Don't forget: Red Sox try to take the first game of the series against Cleveland on Friday!

Sox in, Yanks out!

The Yankees Loooose! Theeeeee Yankees Lose!

Alright, that's out of my system! And thank goodness I no longer have to hear "An A-bomb, from A-Rod," "theeeeee pitch," and "There's a strike." Not to mention that Susan is the Madden of baseball! Some select quotes: "They're losing because they are swinging at pitches that they aren't hitting." Because that never happens in baseball. "It's Mientkiewicz's job to determine if the pitch is going to be a ball or a strike, because you don't want to swing at it if it's a ball." Really? Wow, no kidding. Who is she broadcasting to? Preschoolers? Aliens? Cricket-lovers? Yeah, that and she was crying in the clubhouse after the game. I'm sure we all know: "There's no crying in baseball!" I hope one of the Yankees off season moves is to trade her for an announcer to be named later.

Further Yankees thoughts: It's been rumored that if the Yankees lost in the first round that it would end Joe Torre's relationship with the Evil Empire. As a Red Sox fan, I'm thrilled about this. There is no manager that I fear or respect more than Mr Torre. As a sports fan, however, I have to say this is probably one of the stupidest things I've heard in a long time. Torre has been with the team for twelve years. During his tenure, they've had twelve post season appearances (that's 100% for those not paying attention), they've won the division ten times, they've had eight ALDS victories, six world series appearances and four championships. If that isn't a manager who needs to be fired, I don't know who is! (Dungy and Belichick better watch out, they're next!) He dealt with injuries, slumps, and inconsistent players and still managed to bring the team to the playoffs yet again! But this idiocy is all part of Steinbrenner's lunacy and lust for power. Let him make the mistake. Maybe Lou Panella or Ozzie Guillen will be available!

How'd the AL MVP do in the series? Well, he was 0-5 in the first two games. Went 2-4 with a 1B and a HR tonight. Sounds like typical A-Rod October ball.

Hey Roger: Why'd you go to New York, again? The chance to win it all, right? Oooo, so sorry. Why don't you retire again for about eight months and then come back and earn 15 mill for four months of work? Sounds like a plan. Oh, one more thing, don't call us, we'll call you.

Ok, now that the ALDS's are over, baseball is no longer just for the elite! (I can actually catch some games now!) What the heck was MLB thinking putting all of the games on TBS?! Not only did this alter the way the games were called (Game two of the Yankees/Indians matchup was running long, so suddenly everything became a strike. It was either TBS putting the pressure on the umps, or the man behind the plate had a roast in the oven!) but it meant that your blue collar fan (the "average American" baseball is supposed to be aimed at) couldn't watch his team unless he subscribed to a cable package that offered TBS. The SuperStation must have paid a SuperFortune for MLB to have made as SuperHuge of a SuperBlunder as they did. I'm SuperIrked! Go FOX!

So we have the next step of the playoff picture in view: Boston vs Cleveland and Arizona vs Colorado. Colorado is on fire, winning 18 of their last 20 (which means it's gotta end eventually, I see Arizona taking this series in 5). Boston took the regular season series against the tribe and I expect them to take this one as well. Watch for Boston in 6.

Now for some straight Boston thoughts: If there ever were a time for Manny and David to find their groove it's now! I swear, Mike Lowell has been carrying the power load for this time all season and now he's got some help! Cleveland may have Sabathia, but Boston has Becket, Dice-K, and Schilling (who ever would have thought that Schilling would be the third pitcher for the Sox!) Then who? Lester? Four and oh. Buchholz? No-hitter. Wakefield? 18 wins. I'm not cocky, I'm not even confident. I am very very hopeful.

The "S-Chip"

The record truly must be set straight regarding this despicable political situation. President Bush recently vetoed the "S-chip" bill that was designed to provide health care for our nation's children.

SNL tonight on their "Weekend Update" segment spoofed that the President vetoed the bill because "he hates children."

It is hard for me to describe just how mad I am regarding this turn of events. I hope you'll join me in my outrage.

Am I mad that the President killed the "bi-partisan" bill? No. I am mad that the bill passed in the first place and I'm even more livid that it's been labelled as being "for the children."

This bill is nothing less than an attempt to take the first step to a national healthcare system.

I'm crazy, you say? Ask yourself this: If you were designing a bill that was to provide "free" healthcare coverage for the nation's neediest children, what stipulations would you put on it? Age restrictions? Good. Income restrictions? Excellent. Citizenship requirements? Certainly. I'd probably craft a bill for children 18 and under coming from low income families of citizens or legal immigrants living just above or below the poverty line. I think that sounds reasonable to ask the American tax payer to pay for (as nothing the government does is truly free. It's just paid for in your pay check, or, if you don't get a paycheck (or if you don't pay your taxes) your services are paid for by your neighbors.)

What about the bill? According to this bill that is "for the children," a child is anyone age 25 and younger. You didn't read that wrong, and I didn't mistype: 25 Twenty-five! And the income restriction? Couples making $80,000 per year would qualify. (that's correct too, Eighty Thousand Dollars) And citizenship restrictions? None.

So, here is a young, married, illegal couple, making $78,000 per year. They are both 24 years old. They would get free government healthcare! But clearly, this bill is for the children!

If this were to pass, it wouldn't be very difficult to slowly increase the age of eligibility and income limits. Before you know it, we'd have free healthcare for everyone!

Why is this even desired? When was the last time a government "service" actually worked? Social Security? Medicaid? Medicare? How about Welfare? Isn't there a constant discussion on why all of these government programs need to be "revised?" Do we really wanna give the government another essential service to screw up? And think of how happy we are when we have a service where we don't get any competitive choices! Auto Insurance in MA, anyone? Cable? Phone? Electric? Are we all thrilled with our service from these companies? Or do we wish we had some competition that we could choose from?

The politicians who want the government to run healthcare don't hate "big business." They just want the government to be the only "big business." After all, it's the one they are employed by! Imagine how Pepsi would fare if Coca Cola could make laws that they had to abide by!

I'm more than glad the "S-Chip" bill was sent packing. Not sure what it even stands for, but my guess is "Screw Citizens However Indelibly Possible." Buy, hey, that's just my opinion.

NFL Power Rankings Week 4

It's nearly unrecognizable from when it started. But JMO:JTF is about the facts, not about trying to look like a preseason prophet! Here are your top 10:

1)New England (4-0) Last week: 1

Dominating the league by scoring an average of 37 points per game, out scoring your opponents by an average of 25 points per game, and holding the highest net points at +100! The real tests are coming up next week at #2 Dallas and two weeks from now in the dreaded dome of #4 Indy! If you start 6-0 people will begin to speculate about a perfect season.

2)Dallas (4-0) Last week: 2

Powerhouse of the NFC! TO looks like a new man (except for the same old celebrations) Romo looks like a mobile Aikman and your D continues to stop explosive offenses. What a great match up this week as you take on NE at home!

3)Indianapolis (4-0) Last week: 3

Still not looking like the Indy of old. Looking more like the Patriots of the past, doing just enough to win. It served NE well, but can you keep it up?

4)Green Bay (4-0) Last week: 4

I've learned my lesson: never doubt your elders. I ragged on Favre because of his age, saying he should have retired two years ago. Now that he holds the career marks for wins and TD passes, I understand why he didn't. And it's looking like it wasn't entirely selfish. The Packers are off to a perfect start as they've sent every opponent packing! No one is more surprised than I am!

5)Seattle (3-1) Last week: 9

You finally beat a semi respectable team! Sending the 49ers packing got you a spot in the top 5. Can that Campbell's soup carry Hasselbeck through the rest of the season?

6)Pittsburgh (3-1) Last week: 5

Now the true colors start shining through. A loss to Arizona doesn't look very good on your resume. With the schedule you've had you should easily be 4-0. The 3-1 start has you out of the top 5.

7)Detroit (3-1) Last week: off

I'm a touch reluctant to add you to the list after you got slammed by Philly last week. However, with an impressive win over a preseason favorite (and current season dud) Chicago has you joining the power rankings.

8)Tennessee (2-1) Last week: 8

You can't climb on a bye week, and you can't drop unless another team truly surprises my socks off. Didn't happen and so here you stay at number 8.

9)Jacksonville (2-1) Last week: 9

See my thoughts on #8 Tennessee. The only reason you're at 9 and they're at 8 is they beat you.

10)New York Giants (2-2) Last week: 10

So Umenyiora beat the Eagles. I guess that makes your record 1-2 & Umenyiora 1-0. Hey McNabb, try putting a running back on your left, or a tight end, or double team him! How difficult can it be. Coaches always talk about adjusting so they don't lose more ground. I guess Philly uh just wanted their QB on the ground! Eli, you failed to take full advantage of the myriad of opportunities you were given! Hence your 16-3 win over Philly keeps you at 10!

Notable removals: Houston: Losing to Atlanta you look like the Texans of old. Remember the Alamo? You lost there, too. I don't have a ton of faith in you, so it'll take some key wins to stay on the list. You're gonna have to sit this one out.