There have been reports on the NFL Lockout for the last 110 days, which doesn’t include the amount of posturing, hypothesizing, and bickering, that went on before that.

I have stayed away from daily reports about the lockout because, well, all I care about is watching football. There is an obnoxiously jaded quote about boat owners that reads; The two happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells it. While I disagree that someone with the financial means to own a boat is somehow less happy than I am because he has that boat, the sentiment echoes my feelings about the NFL Lockout.

I cared the day they locked out, and I will care the day they get back to work.

All of the rest of it means nothing to me. It’s like the commercials between my favorite show. I know they are eventually going to end, I usually get up to go to the bathroom when they come one, and am really only concerned with when they end so I can get back to watching Mob Wives. Unfortunately there is no big DVR in the sky that allows us to fast forward through the lockout.

Despite trying to leave the room whenever this 110 day old commercial comes on, there is one story that I feel bears repeating.

Having done extensive research on the prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft for www.ultimatenfldraft.com, I found some players who I would be rooting for regardless of the teams that they played on. You can’t spend that kind of time analyzing someone without developing an emotional association. It’s why no one will ever love you as much as a stalker will.

One of the players that I was most impressed with was DT Marcel Dareus out of Alabama. The guy had the size and athletic ability to solidify any defensive front in the league, and he seemed to be a genuinely hard working guy who battled back from injury to be better than he was before. None of that makes me as proud to say I was a Marcel Dareus fan as the fact that he has been spending the lockout cutting grass for his godfather.

The man is worth millions of hypothetical dollars, and instead of bitching about the uncertain nature of his next paycheck, he is out there pushing a mower. The fact that he chose to work, and in doing so, helped out a family member speaks volumes about the kind of man that Buffalo drafted.

As a Patriots fan, there aren’t too many times that I can remember saying this with a straight face, but I’m a little jealous of the Buffalo Bills.

——Corey

A  lot talk surrounding last month’s NFL Draft choices for the New England Patriots, particularly the choice to select Ryan Mallet as he fell to number 74.  The big issue with this choice seems to be the apparent lack of logic surrounding the pick:   The Pats have the leagues best quarterback in Brady and just this past season signed him to a contract making him the highest paid player in the league. So why take Mallet–a QB, and one with documented off the field “issues” at that?

If Brady continues on his current arc of production, he’ll have productive season through 2013.  That being said, what better quarterback t0 learn from than the master himself? Obviously Belichick  see’s something in the young gun slinger worth investing in, worth developing.  Under Brady’s tutelage he could emerge as the heir apparent.  Also,  in the event that Brady suffers another season or careers (gasp!) ending injury, Mallet may just have the physical attributes and football acumen to lead New England ala Matt Cassel circa 2008.  Another hypothetical, but assuming the Pats aren’t ready to be done with Brady, and Mallet succeeds, they might just have a major player to trade for the draft picks Belichick loves so much.

And those so called character flaws their recent acquisition has?  What better place than New England, which has not only the veterans to keep young renegades in line but also a philosophy, proven by the likes of Randy Moss:  Rock the boat and you’re gone.

Confused?  Maybe.  But while we sit here playing checkers (yes, even me the former player) Belichick is out there playing chess.  He’s 2 steps ahead of the crowd and 10 steps ahead of the Secret Service.  All this from a self proclaimed Buffalo Bills fan (yes, there are two of us left).  I only wish the hapless wagon circler’s in Western New York could get a coach with the ability or philosophy of Big Bill.

The bottom line for me is, that at the end of the day, I believe in Belichick—the rings and records speak for themselves.  In Bill I (we) trust.

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With the Super Bowl finished and another NFL season in the books, football fans have a long wait ahead of them before the new season gets underway. Instead of sitting around crying in your beer every Sunday, do what many NFL fans have already done: learn about some of the sportsbetting and fantasy football wagering options available to NFL fans today. Aside from adding a little extra excitement to watching games, signing up at an online sportsbook can also give you access to other casino games like internet blackjack as well as poker, bingo, and more.

The world of sportsbetting has changed dramatically in recent years, and the days of having to “know a guy” to get a bet in on a big NFL game are long gone. Online gambling is a multi-billion dollar business and like any big business, there are plenty of respectable, licensed, and regulated online sportsbooks to choose from. Any money you deposit is perfectly safe and requests for withdrawals are handled quickly; in many ways being a customer of an online sportsbook is similar to banking online, with your money always available and able to be withdrawn by a few clicks of the mouse or a telephone call.

Betting on NFL games is one of the most popular options at online sportsbooks, so you’ll be able to pick from a ton of wagers for games as well as fantasy football pools and other contests. In addition to traditional bets such as betting on the moneyline, point spread, or total points scored, many books now offer prop and exotic bets on things such as the first half score, the first team to kick a field goal, and other more esoteric stats. More and more sportsbooks are also offering live betting, which lets you place a bet anytime during a game with the odds determined by the score at the time when you place your wager.

Another plus to signing up with an online sportsbook is that you’ll also have access to other games, such as playing blackjack online or competing in poker tournaments with thousands of dollars going to the winners. Nearly every sportsbook also offer an online casino and poker room that give you instant access to tons of popular Las Vegas-style games such as craps, roulette, slots, video poker, and more.

I am going to be objective. I really am. But first, well, I am going to shake out the bias. Here we go….

Hey Cromartie..You have 9 children with 8 women in 6 states. Shawn Kemp may be impressed with those numbers but when you have more baby mommas than interceptions, you may want to refrain from calling anyone an a*#hole.

Hey Sanchez.. I know more than one Jets fan who thinks they have a better shot with Brunell starting at quarterback. You know Brunell right? He’s the silver fox holding the clipboard who wouldn’t let you anywhere near his daughter.

Hey Rex..You’re so fat if you went missing, the Jets would have to use all four sides of the milk carton.

Hey Revis..If I come stay on your island can I expect to grossly overpay for services you are supposed to provide? You know, like running water and electricity.

Hey Mike Tannenbaum..thanks for giving us Goodhead…sorry…Woodhead.

Moving on.

The Jets travel to Foxboro to take on the Patriots on Sunday. The Divisional Round matchup will be the third between the two teams this year. The Jets handed the Pats one of their two losses this year, but that was a long time ago. A lot has happened since then. Including the 45-3 pimp slap the New England handed out on December 6.

The Patriots got rid of Randy Moss to improve chemistry. My parents tried a similar move when I was younger with a rowdy golden retriever named Noel that chased cars up and dug up all the flowers in the garden. At first my parents tried to train her, and then they tried to look the other way. In the end she was creating too many problems, too many arguments. In order to be a happy, functional family they knew what they had to do.

They gave Noel away while I was at school. I was pissed. That was my dog and no matter how badly she behaved I still had some great memories with her. I still loved her. Eventually I realized that my parents knew what they were doing. Getting rid of Noel was addition by subtraction.

A few months later, just like Moss, she was being advertised in the paper. Anyone who wanted her could take her. The dog I had grown to know and love was being given away, again. Eventually, with a new dog who was loyal, too smart to chase cars, and who liked to watch me play basketball, I moved on.

The Patriots moved on and it saved their season. They went from being a good team picked to finish second or third in the AFC East, to an efficient offensive juggernaut rattling off wins. Down the stretch they beat five playoff teams in the last eight weeks. Three of those wins, against the Steelers, Jets, and Bears, were blowouts.

While everyone was writing off Brady and Belicheck, the Jets were many people’s preseason Super Bowl pick. After falling to the Colts in the AFC Championship game last year, they loaded up in the offseason. With Sanchez a year better, and new weapons like LT and Santonio Holmes, the offense looked scary. The defense, with the addition of Jason Taylor and Antonio Cromartie, appeared to be improved as well.

I have been in New York for almost five years so I have become quite familiar with Jets fans. Every August I get bombarded with texts about the impending Super Bowl run. They send exclamation point riddled messages about Brett Favre!! The Sanchise!! REVIS ISLAND!! And so on. And so on. And so on.

Normally I poo poo all over their hopes. Pointing out that you don’t win the Super Bowl in week 2 by beating the Patriots and telling them to wait until January. Well now it is January. And the Jets, who won last week’s Wild Card Matchup with Peyton Manning, are coming into Foxboro. Instead of just poo pooing, I am going to analyze the New Jersey Jets strengths and weaknesses using, what else, The Jersey Shore.

Let’s start with Rex Ryan, the Jets’ version of The Situation. Ok so there is a slight difference in the abdominal region but hear me out. The Situation talks a good game. He is, all at once, hilarious, crude, and stupid. But make no mistake he is the mastermind. Sometimes you love him. Sometimes you hate him. But you always want to hear what he is going to say next. Look at last week, where he didn’t jump at the chance to sleep with Snookie’s friend. You would expect that to be right in the Situation’s wheelhouse, but he smartly “pressed the eject button”. Rex Ryan has shown the ability to press the eject button as well, surprising fans and opposing coaches and proving he can game plan with the best of them.

Next up we Mark Sanchez as Paulie D. Paulie D is a DJ, responsible for ensuring the party is not lacking in fist pumping intensity. Sanchez controls the Jets offense and makes sure that Ryan isn’t filled with fist pumping frustration. Sanchez is a young kid who just seems happy to be here. Like Paulie D he wants to be out there looking good, having fun, and not ruffling too many feathers. Occasionally responsible for monumentally highs or lows, but normally he just keeps it simple and hopes he doesn’t screw up. He is on the team but you often forget his contributions. In other words if you are saying his name too many times, bad news for the Jets chances and bad news for ratings.

Santonio and Braylon, you are the Jets version of Ronnie and Sammi. You just can’t seem to get right. Like Ronnie and Sammi, when you’re good you’re good, but when you’re bad you are more entertaining. I’m not arguing the talent. Santonio, much like Ronnie’s new Xenadrine commercial, we have seen you shine on the biggest stage. When someone needs to make a big play, or test positive for a banned substance, I expect you to step up. Braylon, like Sammi I think you started off strong in Jersey. Everyone was impressed by your physical skills. Then you started dropping passes like they were The Situation, and everyone realized they wanted to slap you when you opened your mouth. Since you are both relying on Sanchez to get you the ball, I expect you to be nonfactors on Sunday, fading into the background by the second half.

LT and Shonn Green you are my Snookie. You are the most important players on the roster for Sunday’s game. If the Jets are going to have a chance they need to keep Brady off the field. That means running the ball effectively. Any good episode of The Jersey Shore is largely centered around Snookie. She is a little oompa loompa of entertainment. Snookie also makes those around her more entertaining just like an effective LT and Green tandem will make Sanchez, Holmes, Edwards, and Rex Ryan better. Riding her for a forty five minute episode, will give you your best chance of winning. It may also result in a trip to the clinic for all involved. But hey, a win is a win right?

Darell Revis, could you be anyone but JWOWW? At first we were in awe. You had all the tools, and you seemed to back up everything you said. Then, we valued you too high. You got it in your head that you were more important than the rest of your team and you stopped showing up every week. Occasionally you step up, like you did when you shut down Reggie Wayne and punched Sammi in the face last week, but more often than not you are a sad reminder of wasted talent.

The Jets defense is Vinny. Sometimes they inexplicably disappear for a quarter at a time. But when they show up they remind you just how good they are. They tear through offensive lines like they were Snookie’s friends. They are equal parts humble (Jason Taylor) and brash (Bart Scott) and they always seem to balance out the team’s shenanigans. Vinny may not always seem like the most important character, but he is the glue. Without him you just have some tanned meatballs misbehaving. He adds home cooking. He adds soul.

The house at the Jersey Shore is like the Meadowlands. It is the Jets home. It is their comfort zone where they are capable of doing their best, and most entertaining work. This game isn’t at the Meadowlands though. This game is in Foxboro. And I just don’t think they are as good outside of Jersey.

Corey’s Half Assed Prediction: The Patriots at home are too good. Brady spreads the ball around so well he will be able to find holes in the Jets D. Danny Woodhead gets the game ball for scoring the go ahead touchdown pass. After the game he poops in a bag and sends it to Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum. PATRIOTS 27 JETS 20.

I was arrested for public intoxication when I was in college. I had drank an entire bottle of Southern Comfort and gotten into a fight. So as unjust as it seemed to be arrested a stone’s throw away from my apartment, I deserved it.

Once I was in cuffs the officer found some contraband in one of my cargo pockets. My attempts to hide it in the cushions of a couch at the Richland County Detention Center were in vain. They took my belt and my shoe laces. Apparently a lot of people arrested for public intoxication were suicidal. Or I was deemed so dangerous, that I would have overpowered the guards if allowed the use of my belt.

I spent the night curled up on the cold concrete floor of the drunk tank, holding onto my baggy shorts for dear life.

When it came time to go to court I was confident I could talk my way out of the public intoxication charge. Since the ticket didn’t include the aforementioned contraband, I wasn’t concerned that it could be used against me.

I was wrong.

The arresting officer informed me that if I refused to take PTI (pretrial intervention), which consisted of a fine and community service, he was going to scrape the contraband and charge me with simple possession.

According to my limited knowledge of our criminal justice system, based on hours spent watching Law and Order reruns, this wasn’t allowed.

“You can’t do that.” I waved my ticket in his face to reinforce my point.

“Watch me.” I began to formulate a vehement, yet eloquent objection that Jack McCoy would have been proud of.

“Ok. I’ll take the PTI.” McCoy occasional took one on the chin. He would understand.

I should have told the judge that I didn’t do anything wrong, explaining that I was guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and nothing else. My word would have been enough to persuade him to ignore the arresting officer and any eye witnesses.

After explaining that I was really, really, really sorry, that I allowed myself to be in this predicament, I would have been free to go.

Unfortunately I’m not Ben Roethlisburger.

Speaking of Roethlisburger, his Steelers host Ray Lewis (another fan of the “I didn’t do anything…seriously…I didn’t” defense) and the Ravens in the opening game of the Divisional Round of the playoffs this weekend.

BREAKDOWN:

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco, despite bringing the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, relies heavily on his supporting cast. In last year’s beat down of the Patriots in Foxboro, Flacco went 4-10 for 34 yards and an interception and his team still won by 19.

Last week Flacco showed flashes of brilliance against a Chief’s team that packed it in early on. It should be tougher sledding against the Steelers, who allow less than 15 points a game, and held opponents to under 63 rushing yards per game. The secondary is the one potential weak spot to the Steelers D, and Flacco will need to be more effective throwing the ball downfield for his team to put points on the board.

On the other hand, Roethlisburger, an unproven deviant, is a proven winner. More importantly, he has shown he knows how to beat the Ravens. He is not a traditional drop back passer but he plays big in the biggest moments, and he is tough to bring down. With the exception of Troy Polamalu, no one is more important to the Steelers chances of advancing to the AFC Championship for the fifth time in the last ten years.

Edge: Steelers

Wide Receivers/Running Backs

Baltimore has surrounded Flacco with an explosive arsenal of offensive weapons. Ray Rice might not be effective running the ball against the Steelers, but he should be able to find space in the passing attack. If Baltimore can get the screen game going it will open up some space for Anquan Bolden and Derrick Mason. Todd Heap and TJ Houshmandzadeh are both reliable options as well.

Pittsburgh is not as deep at the skill positions. Rashard Mendenhall emerged as a top running back this year. However he faded a bit down the stretch and will have a hard time finding room to run against Baltimore. He is also not much of a threat coming out of the backfield, with only 23 catches on the year. Back up RB Isaac Redman could be a difference maker if the Pittsburgh needs a change of pace. Mike Wallace, the Steelers leading receiver with 60 catches, is lightening quick but with Hines Ward’s production dropping off, he is going to draw a lot of attention from the Raven’s secondary.

Edge: Ravens

Defense

The Steelers ranked number 2 in total defense and were first in points allowed. Pittsburgh had 48 sacks this year, 21 more than Baltimore.  The Ravens finished the season with the 10th overall defense and were 5th in points allowed.

These defenses are like twin brothers. They are built the same way. They both like to hit you in the mouth and create turnovers.

Both have great playmaking safeties. Ed Reed is a ball hawk, leading the league with 8 interceptions, while Polamalu, more effective in the box finished with 7. Neither is afraid of contact but Polamalu, the most disruptive force in football, is actively looking for it on every play.

Both feature scary line backing corps. They are freakish athletes who knock the snot out of you on one play, then make a one handed interception on the next. Pittsburgh’s linebackers are a quieter bunch, going about their business in a workmanlike fashion and rarely making mistakes.  Baltimore, with Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs leading the way, are walking sound bites.

Watching the Ravens D take apart the Chiefs was impressive. Scary impressive.

But that was Matt Cassell and the Chiefs. Going into Heinz field against a playoff tested quarterback is a horse of a different color.

Also, Baltimore has racked up 31 more penalties than the Steelers, never a good stat for a road team.

If it’s the Ravens D on the road against the Ben Roethlisburger or the Steelers D in front of a fired up home crowd against Joe Flacco then…

Edge: Steelers

Corey’s Half Assed Prediction: Baltimore jumps out early behind a couple of big plays to Bolden and Rice. Pittsburgh forces Flacco to make mistakes in the second half and comes back to tie the game late in the 4th quarter. In the end, the Steelers playoff pedigree is too much for the Ravens to overcome. Flacco will eventually learn to beat the Steelers, just not this year. STEELERS 26 RAVENS 23.

courtesy Deadspin; a la 2010 playoffs

Deadspin – Jan 22, 2010 – Just got an email from Major League Eating president Rich Shea. If the Jets win Sunday, Eatapus Rex will get a seat in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. This is all the motivation Ryan needs.

Technically this is from the 2010 playoffs when the Colts skunked the Jets (10-7) …too soon for “insert foot in mouth” dig?

Cuz [JETS BEAT COLTS : 17-16] in the 2011 AFC Wildcard Game.

>>> mutha fka’s!

Bill Belichick leads his squad into Monday Night’s matchup tied with the Jets at 9-2 atop the AFC East.

Happy Thirsty Thursday party goers.  We’ve got a great weekend of football coming up – with the Huskies playing on the road against South Florida. The biggest game in school history. An opportunity to win the Big East and a chance at a BCS bid is on the line. Talk about progress - this in only their ninth season as a Division I program.

But, let us remind our blog readers that this is an NFL blog – and we have a huge game coming up Monday night between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. Fun Rex vs. Boring Bill. 

Don’t get me wrong. I understand why people love Bill Belichick. He’s hard nosed and he gets the best out of his players. Hell, he’s one of the top coaches in the NFL. People respect him and he gets the job done. But, good lord he is boring. Ever hear a press conference? It is as dull as can be. He’s focused on the game at hand however – and that’s respectable. He doesn’t want to have to deal with all of the other bologna that comes along with being in the spotlight.

People like him that way.

I personally, don’t. I’d rather have the flavor that Rex Ryan brings. Have a little interaction. Have some fun. The media, after all, are the ones that portray you to the public. They can write anything they want – and if you have a little fun with them – they’ll be on your side. Bill Belichick gives one sentence. Rex Ryan – paragraph on paragraph. And it’s fun!

Oh well, that’s just me. But take it or leave it – the two teams are 9-2 and this one in Foxboro is a big one. I think it is safe to say both are in the midst of the playoff conversation, both teams doing it their own way.

We shall see.

Rex Ryan takes a much different approach than Belichick. Different styles - similar results. The two will square up on Monday Night Football.

Anyway, back to those of you in Storrs. How will the Husky faithful respond to this big game on Saturday night? Well, I hope the students will get after it. That is a challenge. This is the biggest game in school history – make the campus rock. Big East Championship on the line. BCS bowl bid on the line. Get it done Huskies.

So, we will start the pregame tonight at our favorite bar in Storrs. Theodores. It is nickel night after all. And you can ask Ryan McDonald, the owner of this famous establishment, that I never did miss a nickel night. How could you? But, let us get the party started. Tonight, you will receive free cover into Ted’s, if you mention these three letters to the bouncer: BCS.

Because the Bowl Championship Series is where the Husky football team is heading, if they can get past a scrappy South Florida squad.

Can the Huskies pull it off?