Supp-er Signing?

Sorry, that is cheesy. So the Brewers make Suppan the highest paid free agent in Brewer history. I'm okay with the signing, but the real question is will he or Sheets get hurt first? The Brewers website has the starting rotation as 1. Capuano 2. Sheets 3. Suppan 4. Bush 5. Vargas. Is this correct? I think it is but my Dad says Sheets is still #1 and Suppan is now #2?

Things to do before 2006 ends:

Rotz - Read the Blog and make a post
Tim - See Rocky 6
Pelsi - Bowl a 200
Cheek - Acquire Salmonella
Egan - Get Internet

Taco Bell or Olive Garden?

I know this is old news, but sitting at work, just a few hours before leaving for the Packer game I was wondering what would be worse. Getting sick from Taco Bell, or the Olive Garden. I fear that both would be awful, but I just can't tell which one would be worse.

I mean normally one is sick 15 min after a trip to T-bell anyways, but the Olive Garden has some wonderful dishes. I enjoy a nice salad, breadstick and Chicken Parmesean once in a while. But getting sick on something like that would be a nightmare.

T-bell should have a sign on the door, we are not satisfied unless you are sick within 30 min. Or the standard 1 billion Taco's sold, 1 billion cans soiled.

Now this isn't a stupid toilet humor blog, and I know the blog is meant for sports conversations mostly, and the added TV show discussion, it is more of a call to where are some of our favorite places of the past.

With Taco Bell and the Olive Garden getting so much bad press, do you all remember places like Chi-Chi's and the Sizzler. How about Ponderosa and Bonanza. Now these places were the kings of disease, but I still have a fond place in my heart for the good old days.

This message is listed with the fullest intent of spiking my number of blogs and posts in order to save my spot in the group, it is not meant for a realistic assesment of the on going problem with american restuarants and health concerns and certainly not sponsored by the parent companies of Taco Bell which is Pepsico and Olive Garden, which I have no desire to look up and find out.

What beats this?

Forward Brett Wiesner scored five goals as the Milwaukee Wave routed a Premier Arena Soccer League team from St. Louis, 34-6, on Wednesday morning at the U.S. Cellular Arena.A school-day crowd estimated at 3,500 watched as the Wave rolled to a 20-0 advantage at halftime.Midfielder Marcelo Fontana scored three goals, while Marcio Leite and Marcelo Santos each had two goals for Milwaukee. Former Milwaukee Rampage standout Digital Takawira added a goal and an assist. Kyle Trimble played in goal for the Wave.A number of the Wave regulars did not play, including Greg Howes, Todd and Troy Dusosky, Chad Dombrowski, Joe Hammes and goalkeeper Nick Vorberg.The Wave will resume Major Indoor Soccer League play with its annual New Year's Eve game, scheduled at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 against the Philadelphia Kixx at the Arena.

5th seed.

I know it's possible. Here's how.

• Packers win twice
• Philly loses twice (cowboys/falcons)
• NY Giants loses to Saints then beats redskins
• Atlanta loses to Carolina
• Seattle wins once...

That alone would get the Packers the wild card, now to get greedy and the hard part...
From this "good list" 5 more things happen than the "bad list"

• Vikings beat Rams (counts twice towards the five)
• Lions beats Cowboys (counts twice)
• Miami beats Jets
• Miami beats Colts
• AZ beats San Diego
• SF beats Denver
• Lions beat Bears

Bad list (we don't want these things to happen)

• Washington beats Rams (counts twice, although helps other scenarios)
• Tampa Beats Seattle
• Tampa Beats Cleveland
• Houston beats Indy
• Houston beats Cleveland
• Carolina beats New Orleans
• Dallas beats Lions

Packers would finish tied with Atlanta, Philly, NYGiants
NY Giants would beat out Philly (on common games) because ties are broken within the division first.
Atlanta is out for conference record (and anyone else that finishes 8-8 for that matter)
We beat out NYGiants on strength of victory. barely. NY Giants get the 6th spot, so we can play them at Lambeau in the conference finals...

Additionally, we can somehow finish 7-9 and still make it, but I will only pull that out if necessary

Just so you guys know who to cheer for/against on xmas and ny eve...

Playoffs, Playoffs, Playoffs.

Wow, 1 game out with 2 to play, our best chance...

• Giants lose to Saints and Redskins


• Rams lose to either Redskins or Vikings


• Falcons lose to either Panthers or Eagles


• Packers beat Vikings and Bears

If the Giants win this week, it's very slim (if not impossible), so go Saints...

We need to summon Nate Poole.

GO PACKERS

Which game would you like to have back?

Saints, Rams, Bills, Seahawks?

Shows that are funny

The Office

Seinfeld

Simpsons

Arrested Development

South Park

Curb Your Enthusiasm

"That's it, that's the list."

Add more to comments, has to be a consensus to be included.

IOWA

Guys.
I have been awful lately, but I wanted to see if we can do an ole fashioned Minor League trip next year. What do you think about one or more of the days during this friday through Sunday series between Iowa and Nashville.

July 20-22.

In Iowa.

This would be awesome. Let me know your thoughts.

That's right, playoffs

rotz isn't here to question it...

• Team.......Record....Prediction........Final
• Chicago.....11-2....TB. W Det W.GB. L.. 13-3
• Saints...... 9-4....Was W NYG W Car W.. 12-4
• Dallas...... 8-5....Atl W Phl W Det W.. 11-5
• Seattle..... 8-5....SF. W SD. L TB. W.. 10-6
• Atlanta..... 7-6....Dal L Car L Phl W... 8-8
• Philly...... 7-6....NYG W Dal L Atl L... 8-8
• NY Giants... 7-6....Phl L NO. L Was W... 8-8
• Carolina.... 6-7....Pit W Atl W NO. L... 8-8
• Vikings..... 6-7....NYJ L GB. L StL W... 7-9
• San Fran.... 5-8....Sea L AZ. W Den W... 7-9
• St Louis.... 5-8....Oak W Was W Min L... 7-9
• Green Bay... 5-8....Det W Min W Chi W... 8-8

It's quite possible the only upset predicted is GB over Chicago in a meaningless game (for them)

I didn't take the time to figure out tie-breakers, I'll take my chances with a 7-5 conference record.

I'll make sure to update next week after the big win over the LIONS.

Guys whose names end with "O"

So we decided to keep Graffinino instead of Cirillo. Lets see, one guy is a Brewer that got traded but returned, the other is just a nomad/renegade/mediocre guy for hire. One can play 3B, SS, and 2B and bat over .300 playing part time. The other can bat .260-.280 and play 2B. Neither guy was in the long term plans. Honestly, this is dumb or am I missing something? I thought we only offered Graffinino arbitration so that we would get picks when he signed with a different team. That must have been a false report.

December 22nd

I will be having a Festivus style party at my home on December 22nd. Starting at 7:30pm running until we pass out. There will be booze, and deep fryed turkey. I hope you can all make it. Please pass this on to our other friends, and family members that may join.

We will also be celebrating the end of Egan's persuit of his MBA.

10 years slowly approaches

August 2007 will mark the 10th year of the group. With that in mind, we should start gathering the classic moments from that year for the eventual 10 year reunion. Possible members to include are the group, Jeff, Adam, John, and Randy. Should we send them the link to the blog so they can add comments?

-Tim calling me in summer '97 to introduce himself
-My 18th birthday and the 18 pack of icehouse my sister got me
-John falling out of the tree
-Tecmo Bowl - Pelsi/Chiefs, Tim/Cowboys, Randy/Eagles, John/Packers (was someone the 49ers)?; Tecmo Super Bowl - Pelsi beats Randy on the flee flicker after Randy kicked field goal?
-NHL '94 - Pelsi, Randy, John, Jeff, Adam - New Jersey Devils?
-Oh, my head
-Kevin
-The Red Couch
-He Got Game, The Big Lebowski, King of New York
-Smack my Bitch and Finals
-Pearl Jam - Yield
-Pops
-Superbowl
-Cameron and the boys (remember when adam lived with that guy)
-Last Seinfeld in Rotz's room
-The Babcock House

Everytime there is something fun or exciting

CBS ruins it. Why can't a man simply sit back and enjoy a Victoria secret fashion show at the advertised scheduled time with quality camera angles? The advertisement was the only good thing I saw on CBS this past Sunday. No, here in Milwaukee, they showed some stupid preacher stuff instead and then aired the show at 12:37am. To bad censors, I have DVR. Then to top that, network CBS had awful camera work. Honestly, who wants to see Justin Timberlake dance around, audience shots of Derek Jeter, or the lingerie outfits?

Is it official?

Is Hockey not a major sport anymore? It's been awhile since it's been recognized by us. I don't know, I don't watch sportscenter at all, but coverage anywhere has pretty much disappeared.

Obviously this hasn't happened overnight, but it's great news.

I used to have an email folder...

Called the list, and here is some unfinished business

From the movies (combination of the three movies, yeah I watched all 3 in the past two weeks)
Rotz - Scott Summers aka Cyclops
Tim - Logan aka Wolverine
Pelsi - Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler
Cheek - Peter Rasputin aka Colossus
Egan - Hank McCoy aka The Beast

From the comics (the second genesis, the all new all different team which is the most well-known and the best)
Rotz - Scott Summers aka Cyclops
Tim - Logan aka Wolverine
Pelsi - Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler
Cheek - Peter Rasputin aka Colossus
Egan - Sean Cassidy aka Banshee

Solution, Pelsi

I wrote that solution up a little quick in the comments. I have LSU in two places.USC has to be in there somewhere.

At larges, by rule would still have to be Michigan, LSU, Boise. (2 of these)

• One rule says top 4 are automatically in.
• One rule says top 12 from mid-major have to be in.
• Of course both rules refer to a situtation with 10 slots, and my solution only has 8 slots.

I'd say a 4-team playoff would look like...

• OSU v. LSU
• Florida v. Michigan
• Louisville gets screwed

8 team playoff would look like

• OSU v. Wake Forest (1 vs lowest)
• USC/LSU v. Louisville (4 vs. 5)
• Florida v. Okla/Boise St. (2 vs next lowest, my TV screen would blow up with the colors if it was UF v. BSU)
• Michigan v. USC/Oklahoma (3 vs 3rd lowest eligible)
• Either LSU or Boise St gets screwed, so does Wisconsin.

16 team playoff, all conference champs get in, 5 at-larges

• 1.OSU v. Middle Tennessee St.
• 8.Wisconsin v. Notre Dame (wisconsin bumped to avoid rematches in first 2 rounds)
• 4.LSU v. BYU
• 5.Louisville v. Wake Forest
• 3.Michigan v. Houston
• 6.USC v. Auburn (auburn bumped to avoid rematch w/LSU)
• 7.Oklahoma v. Boise St.
• 2.Florida v. Central Michigan
• Arkansas, West Viriginia, Texas all get screwed among others.

I agree that this last format would "ruin" bowls but who cares at this point

I've got citrus in my eye

I think the Badgers got worse case scenario out of this mess, but they can still make the best of it. Ideally, we would have got to play a team better than Arkansas, and been the underdogs. If they beat the hogs, they were supposed to. I was hoping for LSU or Florida (obviously before Florida clinched BCS)

Best case scenario. OSU beats Gators, Michigan beats USC, Wisconsin wins.
Except, I don't think the pollsters will put Wisconsin above the LSU/ND winner no matter what, which is crap. I also don't see Louisville losing and/or dropping below Wisconsin. I am worried Oklahoma could pass us too, we'll see.

Top 5 finish is still outstanding, unfortunately if they lose, they'll probably be seen as paper lions and fall pretty significantly. Again, that's why I'd prefer to be the underdog in almost situations going into a bowl game.

Pelsi, alot of attention to the individuals in this game, why? College football it don't matter.

Sweaterfest 2006

FYI, my brother is throwing a holiday party on Saturday, December 9th where everyone is suppose to arrive wearing their best/worst Christmas sweater. The party will include good friends, holiday cheer, & a contest for the most outrageous, gaudy, flashy, extravagant, loud, colorful, dazzling, showy sweater. If you are in the Milwaukee area that night, let me know and I will provide you with the details to arrive at the party with the greatest collection of holiday sweaters ever! Here is an example of some great holiday sweaters.

It's hard to believe Rotz can't

Eat peanuts. My life is so much better because of peanut butter sandwiches and mixed nuts.

Can't the boosters afford an X-Box?

According to DeKalb Police:Ikegwuonu, 20, was arrested with his brother, Bill Ikegwuonu, a reserve strong safety at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.The brothers apparently broke into an apartment and tried to steal an Xbox player. Bill Ikegwuonu was caught by police and arrested. Jack Ikegwuonu eventually surrendered to police.Residential burglary is the more serious charge and a Class 1 felony in Illinois. If convicted of that charge, the brothers face a minimum of four years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

What's Brewing?

Too many infielders
Too many outfielders

Yikes, don't know where to start.
Odds that they are Brewers in April 07 (purely from my head)

In the "Who else is gonna take them" category...

• Jenkins -60%
• Mench -50%
• Pitchers- Turnbow -60%

In the "We just got them, so for that reason alone, they might keep them" category...

• Nix -80%
• Graffanino -10%
• Counsell -80%
• Estrada -95%
• Pitchers -Vargas-95%, Aquino -50%

In the "We might need crafty veterans around" category...

• Koskie -30%
• Cirillo -40%
• Clark -30%
• Miller -75%
• Gross -80%
• Pitchers -Shouse-95%, Wise -25%, Bush-95%, Cordero -95%

In the "We can keep bragging about AAA playoffs" category...

• Braun -40%
• Hardy -85%
• Gwynn, Jr -85%
• Hart -99%
• Rivera - 20%
• Rottino -15%
• Pitchers-Sarfarte-65%, Capellan-80%, Villanueva-85%, Jackson -20%, Hendrickson -10%

"Should be the face of the franchise" category...

• Hall -90%
• Weeks-99%
• Fielder -100%
• Pitchers, Sheets -99%, Capuano -99%+,

So, this adds up to about 22-23 players, so I think the Brewers will make a trade or two to add the last 2-3. Note: I didn't include all the 40 man roster (+Braun), everyone else is 10% or less, although I'm sure I missed someone.

Craig Counsell???

NO, NO, NO

This did not just happen again.

I just don't like it, I just don't like .250 hitters being paid 6mil for 2 seasons. I just don't like it.

Winning is easier with 18 players on your team

If I did my job as bad as those officials, I would expect to be fired. Instead, I'm sure the NFL, ESPN, NBC, CBS, and FOX will give them a big bonus for keeping the NFC playoff picture together. I retire with Brett and never plan to watch a game again.

BCS Standings in the NFL

So I keep having to hear how great the Bears are from my ex-manager at Deloitte. He tells me that losing to a "top rated" AFC team on the road and coming behind on the road against "the Cardinals" them makes them second to the Colts? I say Tom Brady running by their best linebacker on third and long shows they still crack under pressure. I still stand by the fact that they are overrated and that their record looks good due to the poor quality of teams in the NFC.

So lets say they ranked all the NFL teams like they do in football. Where would the Bears lie?

Still At Work

It is 11:30pm on Saturday Nov. 25th. I am still at work.
I will be at work for at least another hour. Then I will be working tomorrow from 12pm until 5pm when I get to go to the UWM game.

Right now I am multi tasking, and with my new computer, I am actually able to be working on a project I have tried so hard to finalize for so long. Once this project is completely I know the blog will be happy.

Back to work,

I think we need to discuss unrealistic work hours as a good topic.
So please Discuss.

Return of the Braves Catchers

Ok this trade needs some group analysis. My first reaction was "another Braves catcher"(although he did not come directly from the Braves)? They do always give us one okay year before they are too old and slow to contribute. If Milwaukee is so desperate to get the Braves back or at least an ex-Brave catcher once they reach 30, why not make Javy Lopez a back-up (not sure if he is even playing anymore)? My real hope out of this trade is a cheezy CHiPs cut scene with Johnny and Capuano either on the big screen or before a game on FSN. I took a quick look at the pitchers we obtained as I have never heard of them, and based on stats alone, they seem like quintessential Brewers pitchers: mediocre.

It kind of sucks to see Krynzel go as I feel like he never got a real shot to show us what he has, but I guess since we have the Ranger version of Dave Krynzel in Lance Nix, there was no overall change from the beginning of last season. A starter needed to leave so I guess it was Double-D's time. Granted he was never outstanding, he was solid so I am kind of sad to see him go. I am neither for nor against Dana, and will side with the Brewers trading him based on the fact his first name has one too many "a's" and his last name is missing a "Cl".

Thoughts?

Packers - Vikings Game (12/21/06)

As you guys are all aware, the Packers-vs-Vikings game on December 21st is set to air on the NFL network, however because of contract disputes between the NFL and the various major cable providers, only a handful of markets have the NFL network available in their cable service. The biggest concern I have heard though is about this game not being available to all markets within the states or regions a team contains a fan base for. According to Bob Wolfley's SportsDay column in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on November 23, 2006 titled, Bad News for some Packers fans, he informs readers that the Madison market will not get to view this Packer Game on any over-the-air stations, unless a viewer has a satellite package containing the NFL Network, because Madison is not considered a home market for the Green Bay Packers with the NFL. So for Rotz & Tim's sake, I hope you guys have a way to watch this upcoming Packer game! This sounds like some bad planning by the new NFL commissioner.

2006 - The Year of the Blog

In the words of Pelsis, "I am a really big fan" of the blog. I can check in whenever I have time and catch up on all of the great discussions of the week. After Marquette beat Duke in the CBE Basketball Classic and if the Badgers win the South Padre Tournament, their meeting in December will have to be considered one of the best college basketball games of the season. Early talk is both teams will be ranked in the top 10 when the play in Milwaukee in two weeks. I hope that Rotz and Cheek convert into using the blog for further discussions about sports, Pelsis' political career, and polls about which is the best DeGreef. Other thoughts, I love the ability to post pictures, so in honor of this I have posted the picture of shirtless John. Long live the blog!

Vacation

I'm off to Florida tomorrow night. This will be a true test on whether this blog can work, as I won't be contributing until next week. It may have to be sold to the highest bidder who will surely relocate it.

Replacements?

At what point do we start to look for replacements for Rotz, Cheek, and Matt on the blog? Do you think Randy could fill in for any of the above. Not that he's the best option, but maybe he would jump at the chance of being in the group. Let me know if I should start an exploratory committee.

Reasons for non participation

As far as I can tell, here are the reasons why only Tim and I participate:

Rotz - Site is blocked by employer
Tim - N/A The Founder
Pelsi - N/A The First Contributor
Cheek -Too busy with work transition
Matt (no last name) - Site is blocked by employer

Man it felt good to put items in a list format, just like old times.

Jerk store called

Ted, the jerk stored called, they ran out of you. Get your helmet off Brett's.

Didn't really think it was a bad shot in regular speed. But this looks incriminating.

Why is the Delaware State v. Badgers game at the Kohl Center part of the So. Padre Invitational? (So, was the Southern game)

Rodgers OUT

Unbelievable, Favre has not been able to finish only 6 games in the 231 that he started because of injury, this is the 3rd time the backup has got hurt.

TJ Rubley incident in 95. (detmer got hurt)
Nall against Giants in 04 (pederson got hurt) Favre came back in for one play and threw a TD even though he wasn't supposed to go back in.
Yesterday, Rodgers hurt on the last play of the game. Now it looks like he's out for the year.

He also got hurt in 94 and Brunell came in (minnesota)
In 2000 Hasselbeck came in against Tampa
In 2002 Pederson came in against the Redskins.
These last two the Packers actually still won.

Still not saying anything about Favre, next week...
I'm guessing he'll shake it off.

Thanksgiving

Good times last night for the thanksgiving dinner.

OSU/Michigan/Wisconsin still in line for 1-2-3 in the final poll.
USC will beat ND
Ark will either lose to LSU or Florida
Florida will either lose to Arkansas or will lose bowl game. (sugar, possibly Rose)
WVA will get crushed in bowl game (orange)

OSU will beat USC (they are gonna pass Mich in BCS next week)
Michigan will win Rose Bowl
Wisconsin will win Citrus. (LSU, Florida or Arkansas)

Packers 10-6...

Man, where is my Pats shirt?

Not that I wanted the pressure of the first post, but we needed something on here. I just slept/was passed out for the last 12-14 hours (matt - thanks for the ride). I have not been to the KK since Kevin's 21st birthday after I got kicked out of Wando's, but that place still sucks. The bouncer actually got mad at me when he let in these high school kids because I said "those kids are barely 16" (just to some chick, not to them). I asked them later and they were all 17. When I was a younger man I probably would have bought them a shot.

So the Badgers are on there way to the Capital One bowl again, I currently am upset with the Office (although Tim calmed me down a little), and I had nothing to eat for breakfast this morning, so I just ate a cheese sandwich.

Packers 11-5
Badgers 12-1
Bucks 41-41
Jim back with Pam - February 07 Sweeps