2012 NFL season picks... guaranteed and free.

Some of may remember a wee while ago where I, along with my cohort Jamie, made predictions regarding the 2012 NFL Draft. We picked who we thought would go and where in the 1st round. I did better than Jamie.

 

So he wants another go. He wants to predict the 2012 NFL season. Fine. Okay. Double or nothing. I'm in.

 

BUT.

 

If Jamie is to continue to use this blog as an online voice, we must have a way to differentiate his opinions from mine.

 

I think I've found a way.

 

 

Football's finest season....

It's the finest time of the year... (see what I did there?) Yes, it's football season! The best time of the year. Hopefully it also means some of this wretched heat goes away soon.

 

We won't even spoil the mood by mentioning that hockey seems lost until xmas. Nope. Not gonna do it.

 

I'm sure most of you saw the Cowboy's dismantling of the Giants to open the season. No surprise there. All of the well paid experts in print and tv land have picked the Cowboys to win the NFC East. Who am I to argue?

 

Tony Romo was 22 of 29 for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns.

 Jason Witten played the game hurt while recovering from a lacerated spleen. He still managed a couple of catches and threw some key blocks.

 Dez Bryant managed 4 catches for 85 yards while being double covered most of the game.

 and DeMarco Murray ran 20 times for 135 yards.

 Late tonight, the entire planet will be watching some guy in a new uni playing against the leagues top rated passing defence.

Should be a great one. Get your popcorn ready.

And if anyone has busted any 2012 Topps Finest like these fine cards you see here, and have any Cowboys that aren't pictured, I'd be very appreciative if you'd share.

Unlicensed and free!

For those of you here for the ongoing contest, a reminder that the Premier League is on a break this week so players can fulfill international obligations as their respective countries try to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

 

To bring you up to speed, Canada beat Panama 1-0, while the U.S. lost to Jamaica 2-1.

 

A huge win for the Canucks.

 

Check back next Saturday for more Premier League action.

 

As for today, may I present you with a Panini unlicensed Dale Murphy autograph #'d 20/25.

 

Leave it to Panini to come up with a card called Limited Leather and include an auto instead of a glove relic, AND show the player batting instead of fielding.

Ah Panini..... consistancy at it's best.

This auto for the two time MVP came to me gratis via a good friend of mine at last night's trade night.
Thanks bud!

BTW, a little about Mr Murphy here.... some of you may not know that he came into the Bigs as a catcher. The Braves didn't like him there, so they moved him to first base. After a horrible season in which he committed 20 errors in the field, they moved him to center field where he promptly won five straight Gold Gloves.

How often do you hear that? The kid can't hack playing first, so let's hide him in center. Five Gold Gloves and two MVP's later........

Premier League contest, Week 3. Join in the fun.

Ok, before we get to the pictures.... NO SCROLLING! I must remind people to get in their responses BEFORE the monday 3pm MST deadline.
I'll let it slide this week, but not anymore.

On with the fun.

American Keeper Angela Piccolo wants you to know she thinks that the USA is #1!

English left back Jennifer Korbin is just happy to be here.

Brazillian midfielder Miki Twining is unfortunately an only child. We asked.

New Zealand All Black's Captain Zoe Gregory is ready for duty.

and we have our first insert. Hi number Buffy Tyler. Buffy. There aren't enough girls named Buffy.

on to our updated leaderboard... We welcome Jackplumstead to the game.... and notice that dayf is really getting to know all of the Keepers.

Since Reading and Chelsea don't play this weekend, Richard, or any newcomer who wants to follow either of those clubs, just a pick a random game and report that one instead for this week.

If you're new and want to play, choose a favourite English Premier League team, and every weekend post the score of their game, and at least one goal scorer from the match. (either side) IF the match ends 0-0, then give me the score and the names of the two starting Keepers.

ALL BEFORE MONDAY AT 3PM MST.

Adam E - Liverpool - 6pts
Chuck's Used Cards - Liverpool - 6 pts
Dan - Newcastle - 6pts
dayf - Arsenal - 6pts
Kazi - Southampton - 6pts
Play at the Plate - Queen's Park Rangers - 6pts
FanOfReds - Manchester United - 4pt
Richard Nebe Jr. - Reading - 3pts
The Dutch Card Guy - Tottenham - 3pts
Jackplumstead - Fulham - 3pts
Commishbob - Manchester united - 2pt

Premier League contest - Week 2 - You can still sign up ...

Time for Week Two!

 

If you're new to the contest, you can sign up below. After the pictures. There WILL be words after the pictures.

 

For those of you who already have signed up, leave your responses in the comments at the end.

 

I'm disappointed with this first one. I was under the impression that the Premier League and World Cup kits would be authentically represented in painstaking detail.

No one wears pink in the Premier League.

Kathie Smith must be wearing some sort of training kit.

 

 Not only is Allegra Wynne good for your allergies, but your rules interpretation as well.
A Gold Star for those of you who gave young Allegra a Yellow Card for wearing jewellry while on the pitch. (A ring, on her finger. Her finger. By the ball! Never mind...)

 Tamara Witmer has been sent off and will not be allowed back on the pitch until she strips off that torn jersey and replaces it with a fresh one.

 Nothing wrong with Nicole Bennett here... but unfortunately the trainer seems to have shrunken her top. Might be a titch uncomfortable to play in that! Especially during throw-ins.

 Speaking of throw-ins, Jacqueline Finnan shows us the correct form for a proper throw-in. Well done!

Alright. Now onto the contest. To refresh everyone's memory, or to inform those newcomers who wish to participate, I will post a pack of these cards every Saturday during the season. In the comments section, post the SCORE of your favourite team's game, and at least ONE GOAL SCORER from the game, either team. If the game ends 0-0, then instead of one goal scorer, list BOTH STARTING KEEPERS.
Also, if you're new, let me know who your favourite team is. If you don't have one..... go HERE <------Clicky and choose one.
All of the teams have their icon at the top that will take you to their home page. Do a little reading and have fun choosing!

If you post by the deadline of Monday, 3pm MST, and get all three things correct, you will get 3pts. If you mess up on something, I'll probably give you 1pt. Not posting gets you nuthin'.
This is a season long contest, so there's lot's of time to get in and win.

The standings after one week.... as can be expected, are deadlocked. EDIT ALERT!!!: it must be the heat or something.... they are not deadlocked, as bob and Reds did not post the required info by the monday deadline. My bad....

Adam E - Liverpool - 3pts
Chuck's Used Cards - Liverpool - 3 pts
Commishbob - Manchester united - 1pt
Dan - Newcastle - 3pts
dayf - Arsenal - 3pts
FanOfReds - Manchester United - 1pt
Kazi - Southampton - 3pts
Play at the Plate - Queen's Park Rangers - 3pts
Richard Nebe Jr. - Reading - 3pts
The Dutch Card Guy - Tottenham - 3pts


any questions? leave a comment and an email and I'll answer... otherwise get watching and commenting!

2006 Fleer Greats of the Game

One of the card shops here in town has wax specials on their trade night. It's a random assortment of boxes, marked down to yummy low prices.

 

I picked up a box of (if you didn't bother reading the title...) 2006 Fleer Greats of the Game baseball for $20.

 

I could've bought a 2010-11 SPx baseball for $20, a 2011 UD Football for $20, a 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions Hockey box for $30.... and there was another hockey from this year..... but my memory of it eludes me.

 

No matter. You're here for the baseball.

 

One thing, I cracked the box in the store and then foolishly threw away the wrappers and the box. So I have no idea how many cards per pack etc.... but if you know how to work the interwebs, I'm sure you or your 5 year old will be able to find it.

 

The basecards are kinda cool. They give off an oldtimey feel which is what this set is about.

 I meant to show off a couple of base cards featuring players from different eras but screwed the pooch and scanned Will Clark after I had scanned the Crimedog. Oh well.

 The backs are simple, but simple is good. Lotsa stats. Something I like to see with any set, but especially when featuring older retired players.
(BTW, Whitey wasn't injured or in the minors for those missing years kids. Google 'Korean War' to find out more)

 Of course every set needs a pointless parallel. This is no exception. Instead of green borders, we get a pewter border. But at least you get to see a base card with a guy from the '50's. Ever heard of him?

 A few insert sets to chase as well.... Decade Greats featuring the '50's, '60's, '70's and '80's.... Here's Lefty to demonstrate.

 A few teams get to show off some of their Greats. Detroit, St Louis, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Cincinnati. The Bird is the Word.

 Finally, you get 4 hits in each box. Two relic and two autos. I did okay....

Bruce Sutter of the Cubs.

 Yogi Bear's game used bat.

 an Eric Davis auto

 and an auto from the 'Nickname' insert set... Burt Happy Hooton.

A pretty fun break for $20.

and yes, all cards are up for swap. Although I believe the Berra and Hooton may be spoken for already....

Still time to enter the contest.

There's still time to enter the contest! For details, scroll down and read the post below this one.

(ok, after you ogle at the lovely ladies. But you can always come back after you've entered. They'll still be here. Promise.)

Of course I'll allow entries into the contest after today.... but if you want points from this weekend, including the Manchester United vs Everton game this morning... you'll have to post before 3pm MST.