SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS ARE?

I can’t be more excited to say that the Super Bowl is down here in Tampa, FL this year. The bad part about it is the fact that the economy in the US is falling about as fast as the career of Adam “Pacman” Jones.

I am a moderate Steelers fan and I am of course pulling for them to win the “Big Game”. Nothing against the Cardinals, but I can see them winning it all before the Lions. I have always been able to look at the Cardinals when the Lions disappointed me during the season….now that portion of my therapy may be gone after Sunday’s game.

Big-ups to Kurt Warner, Edge J, Fitz and Bolden for their dream season. Congrats on the run to the Super Bowl AZ! To the Steelers…..Mike (Yes we Can) Tomlin, get those boys ready to take home another one within 4 years….maybe the media will start up those dynasty talks like they always do about this time….

HERE ARE YOUR DETROIT PISTONS

Okay, let’s start by saying that I am not going to kick a team when they are down…..but c’mon. I have said it before and I will say it again because some folks were too scared to post anything but questioned my thoughts about trading to get Al Jefferson and Mike Miller from the T-Wolves back when their record was terrible. All I can say about that is, “How ya like me now!”

The Pistons current roster has (5) players listed at 6-9 (Jason Maxiell isn’t one of them by the way), (2) players at 6-7, (3) players at 6-5, (2) players at 6-0, and then there is Rasheed and Kwame at 6-11. That being said Jason Maxiell makes 1.8 Mill, Walter Hermann makes 2 Mill, and Amir Johnson makes 3.6 Mill….can we offer any of these guys up in a package for a trade. Can we also let Mike Curry go and make a phone call to Avery Johnson like we should have from the very beginning? I know that Mike is a good guy, but if the Pistons sneak into the playoffs at the 8th spot or not at all (currently they are at the 6th spot by the way), then there has to be some heads rolled.

First we had to come to grips with the Tigers, then the Lions, now this! I will not panic yet, but I will say if you are not getting better then you are getting worse….you do the math.

Merry Christmas to all

Okay, never taking a day off....here are my NBA picks for today.

First: Magic vs. Hornets
Look for the Magic to win this game on ESPN. The Magic will make a statement about them being one of the elite teams in thet NBA to everyone watching the game today. Nelson has been tremendous over the past few weeks, nobody is suffering from any injuries, and the Magic are at home. (Oh yeah, SUPERMAN is in the building!)

Second: Suns vs. Spurs
I am going with the Spurs on this one. The Suns could pull this off but I believe the Park/Nash match up will dictate the results of this game. (We all know that Park can be explosive and the Nash has zero defense)

Third: Lakers vs. Celtics
This is going to be a preview of the NBA Championship this year. Last year the Lakers had a few injuries (Bynum, Ariza) Today the Lakers will take it. The Boston steak will end in L.A. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not a Laker fan but I can never rally behind Boston and I know that the Lakers are a better team top to bottom. Lakers win if they step up their DEFENSE!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone and post when you can...

Let The Good Times Roll

Its been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...without a tight blog to read through! (Shot out to Rakim 86/87)

Well, I must say....the Detroit Lions are what we thought they were; sorry! Where do I begin with these guys....oh yeah: new coach, new offensive line, new defensive line, a couple of secondary players and off to the Super bowl we go. See you in two years on that one. Check out the production from the Atlanta Falcons and the Ravens this year....any questions?


Now off to the Pistons...is Iverson the blame? Not really, it is more like Curry and Joe. Face it people, the Iverson trade bring excitement but no ring. For woman, its like being in a good relationship with a man that won't marry you....yeah I said it! Personally, I would like to see Richard Hamilton traded for Rudy Gay right now. Also, give Walter Herrmann, Jason Maxiell, and Amir Johnson up for Al Jefferson and Mike Miller or Al Jefferson and some expiring contract player. Bottom line, in 2010 go after Wade, Bosh, or maybe even Amare Stoudemire. This is the direction I think we should go without much knowledge of how to manage the cap. Here is your (I mean my) Detroit Pistons line-up:

Starters\Bench

Iverson\Stuckey
T. Prince\Afflalo
Rudy Gay\Mike Miller
Al Jefferson\McDyess
R. Wallace\K. Brown

Starters In 2010

Stuckey
T. Prince\D. Wade
Rudy Gay
Al Jefferson
C. Bosh\Amare Stoudemire

My picks for the Rookie of the Year NBA
OJ Mayo or Derrick Rose...that is my story and I am sticking to it. I picked both of these guys during summer camp and I stand by those picks.

Can we get a Lakers vs. Celtics 2008 NBA Championship with the Lakers winning it all? I welcome all comments on the above information that I have posted.

I am Raising the Bar On This One!

I am going to be brief due to the fact that it has been a long week and I have not been able to post anything until now. The first week I went 9 for 7, the second week 10 for 5, and now for week 3’s picks:

ATL
BUF
TPA
CAR
NE
NYG
TEN
ARI
DEN
SF
SEA
BAL
IND
PHI
DAL
NYJ

I will make four Superbowl prediction scenarios on next weeks blog. It will be my unofficial predictions because I will make one definitive prediction in week 8 of the season.

Okay . . . . I’m Reloaded!!!!

After only picking 9 out of 7 games correct for week 1, I guess I came out of the gate a little rusty. It’s probably because I did not pick in the pre-season. Wasn’t that the excuse used for both Payton Manning’s and Jeff Garcia’s lack luster performances. Anyway, Brady is out for the season; I guess the Patriots are also. The Detroit LIONS played like Kittens. How can a city so gangsta, have a team so soft? Vince Young down again, if I see him get hurt one more time I am going to start calling him Vince Carter. The Raiders suck . . . if I messed up at my job as much as they do on the field, I would have been fired. Look at the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons; as a matter of fact don’t look at either of these teams . . . . it is just week one people. Is John Gruden an offensive coaching guru? Let me quit asking stupid questions on my blog. Lets get on with the task at hand-below are my winning picks for this week:

Tennessee

Green Bay

Oakland (The only team worst than these guys are the Kansas City Chiefs)

NY Giants

Indianapolis

New Orleans (This one is a scary one. Washington could win, but NOT!)

Carolina

Buffalo (J-Ville is having quarter back issues)

Seattle

Atlanta (Jeff Garcia is questionable . . . not because of his ankle injury issue,
but because I question his ability under Gruden)

Baltimore

NY Jets

Arizona

Denver (San Diego is suspect)

Pittsburgh (See you guys in the AFC championship game, barring no serious injuries)

Philadelphia (This game could actually go either way, but I am picking McNabb over Romo)

Here are T4's Picks

This week’s remaining NFL picks are as follows people . . . . .

Detroit over Atlanta

Seattle over Buffalo

Jacksonville over Tennessee

NY Jets over Miami

New England over Kansas City

New Orleans over Tampa Bay

Philadelphia over St. Louis

Pittsburgh over Houston

Cincinnati over Baltimore

Carolina over San Diego (This one is an upset, and I am calling it before the sports insiders)

Arizona over San Francisco

Dallas over Cleveland

Indianapolis over Chicago

Minnesota over Green Bay

Oakland over Denver

Redskins Can't Score?

I am back for the first time people!!!

Didn't we all know that the Giants would win this game (16 - 7) . . . . Redskins have a new coach, they're still working on the QB position, and there would be no running against the Giant defense on 9/4/2008. C. Portis (Redskins Running Back) rushed for 84 yards in 23 attempts, so I think he knows where the Champs defense stand. I am not picking the NY Giants for the Superbowl, but I think Dallas needs to watch out.

T4's Game Picks will be featured in the next blog later today . . . . do I have any challengers. I am a monster! I will put together a stats sheet so that everyone who is playing can track the progress here on the T4-Insight Blogger. I am going to include the link for this spreadsheet in my blog later today as well.

This is just plain foolishness

Can I rant?

I can't believe what I read on ESPN's website. The Pistons and Kwame Brown have a verbal agreement that will have him on the payroll at 4 million per year. By the way, he will be there for two years. Isn't one loser named Kwame in Detroit enough!!!

Some how some way I hope this is a stroke of genius plan by Joe Dumars to package Kwame Brown and a few other household name Piston players for some kind of jaw dropping sign and trade deals with other teams that may be fooled by the Kwame Brown 6-11, 270 lbs. frame. If not, this deal is about as stupid as Isiah Thomas drafting Renaldo Blackman in the 1st round at pick #20 to the Knicks, so that the Phoenix Suns couldn't take him. (As if the Phoenix Suns wanted Blackman)

Let me put things in perspective; Detroit doesn't have the money to throw at a Josh Smith, but they do have the money to throw away at a Kwame Brown. Bottom-line: Emeka Okafor, Luol Deng, Jamaal Magloire, Carl Landry . . . . who are all at least 6'9" or better, but restricted free agents. If this deal doesn't lead to something else in the works before the season starts, I am officially supporting another eastern conference team, ie. the Orlando Magic. What about picking up Bonzi Wells who is unrestricted, trading for Ron Artest, dealing for T-Mac, or something? First we fired Flip Saunders, then we lost out on Barron Davis, Elton Brand, and so on. This type of decision making will make a fair-weather fan outta me.

Magic, Pistons and Cavs oh my!

Where can I start . . . . okay, the Magic. Sources have stated that the LA Clippers 2 guard Corey Maggette is interested in putting on that old Magic Blue/White jersey on again. NICE! I don't know if the Magic can afford to pay him what he is looking for seeing as how he is suppose to make I believe $7 million this year and the Magic have already spent lots of money on Superman, R. Lewis, and others. I would suggest keeping Keyon Dooling if possible, but maybe sending one of their other guards: Evans, Arroyo, Redick, and bigman Adonal Foyle to the Clippers for Maggette on some sign and trade stuff. Here is what the Magic's starting five would look like:

Dwight "Superman" Howard
Hedo Turkoglu
Rashard Lewis
Corey Maggette
Jameer Nelson (The Magic will still need a decent back-up point, and hopefully a taller one)

That line-up doesn't scream NBA Championship, but it does say Eastern Conference Finals for sure.

Okay Detroit, its your move! Barron Davis clearly sounds like he is unhappy in Golden State, and everyone knows you have been talking to both Barron and Golden State, is there any news we haven't heard yet? Well hopefully so, because I don't think the Pistons have the money to out right pay Barron, but maybe packaging Billups with someone like Jarvis Hayes will make Golden State think. Maybe I am just wishful thinking. Also, it appears that Clippers power forward Elton Brand wants to play the free agent field . . . well, I know McDyess and Juan Dixon would love the warm California weather. Again, these are trades that probably will not take place, but if they did the Pistons would look like this:

Rasheed Wallace
Elton Brand
Tayshaun Prince
Rip Hamilton
Barron Davis

Okay Boston, now whats up!

Cavs, Cavs, Cavs, not much for me to say here except that you should go for Vince Carter. If you can get 31 year old Vince from the willing and dealing Nets, you may convince LeBron to stop flirting with NY. Bottom line here is that LeBron needs help in Cleveland. That means that you need to start making things happen this off season before Lebron jumps ship. In 2007 Cleveland actually went to NBA Championship, in 2008 Cleveland took the Celtics (current NBA Champions) to a game 7, so if you have to get Vince Carter and for a Wally Szczerbiak or something . . . you could be in business. I would also look at moving Wallace, Damon Jones, and maybe Varejao to the Clippers for Elton Brand and something if possible. Your starters would be:

Ilgaukas
Elton Brand (If the Piston can't get him of course)
LeBron James
Vince Carter
Delonte West

Just tell the Celtics that you want a re-match if this is the case . . . everyone else can go home at this point.

Free agency starts 7.1.2007

More 2008 Presidential Candidate Flip Flopping

Hey young world . . . .

Take a look at this YouTube cast that was sent to me. If this isn't flip flopping, what is?

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/325.html

Click on the link above!

Pistons need a face lift

Looks like Joe Dumars beat me to the punch on this one . . . . . I was thinking that the Pistons should go after Barron Davis and I should have posted the blog last week. I don't think they should give up Sheed and Billups on this deal, but I would say give up Billups, Cheik Samb and Walter Herrman in a package or some draft picks along with Billups.

I also would package Prince and McDyess together in order to go after T-Mac . . . . then sign Antawan Jamison who is now a free agent. (This is all in a perfect world of course) The line-up would look as follows:

Barron Davis
Rip Hamilton
T-Mac
Antawan Jamison
Sheed
-------------------------------------
Antawan Jamison - (Carlos Boozer would work here as well)

Sheed - (If Sheed has to go, the Pistons should go after Chris Kaman of the Clippers in a trade. This dude is averaging 15 PPG - 12 RBP - 2.8 BPG, plus he makes $4 million less than Sheed) Trust me, I do my homework.

Our expense would be a little hire than the Celtics . . . . about 7 to 8 million, but the reward would be a dynasty. The Celtics would not have and answer for any of my proposed line ups. Plus, T-Mac and Barron will only be 30 yrs old, while Jamison will be 33, Kaman 27 and Rip 31. We could get 3 rings outta this one. Stuckey as back-up Point, Maxiell as 6th man, Amir, Afflalo, and Jarivs Hayes . . . . are you kiddin' me.

Tell Dumars to holla at me!

Voting records speak volumes!!!

Here are some of the issues from both candidate's voting record that I thought were important. Know where your future president stood before the race.


McCain
7/29/05
Vote 213: H R 6: Offered tax breaks and incentives in what supporters said was an effort to spur oil and gas companies to provide innovative wasy to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, conserve resources and reduce pollution.
No


Obama
7/29/05
Vote 213: H R 6: Offered tax breaks and incentives in what supporters said was an effort to spur oil and gas companies to provide innovative wasy to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, conserve resources and reduce pollution.
Yes

Obama
3/10/05
Vote 44: S 256: Made it harder for people to erase debt by declaring bankruptcy.
No

McCain
3/10/05
Vote 44: S 256: Made it harder for people to erase debt by declaring bankruptcy.
Yes

Obama
6/22/06
Vote 182: S 2766: This amendment called on the president to withdraw troops from Iraq, but set no firm deadline.
Yes

McCain
6/22/06
Vote 182: S 2766: This amendment called on the president to withdraw troops from Iraq, but set no firm deadline.
No

Obama
3/15/07
Vote 75: S J RES 9: This non-binding resolution would have revised U.S. policy on Iraq. However, it was defeated 48-50. The measure had directed the president to begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq within 120 days of the resolution’s enactment. The measure’s main sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, sought redeployment by Mar. 31, 2008, of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq. It included exceptions for certain forces charged with protecting coalition members as well as those who support infrastructure, conduct training, equip Iraqi forces and conduct counter-terrorism operations. The resolution also had directed the president to report to Congress on the progress of the suggested plan. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) did not vote.
Yes

McCain
3/15/07
Vote 75: S J RES 9: This non-binding resolution would have revised U.S. policy on Iraq. However, it was defeated 48-50. The measure had directed the president to begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq within 120 days of the resolution’s enactment. The measure’s main sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, sought redeployment by Mar. 31, 2008, of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq. It included exceptions for certain forces charged with protecting coalition members as well as those who support infrastructure, conduct training, equip Iraqi forces and conduct counter-terrorism operations. The resolution also had directed the president to report to Congress on the progress of the suggested plan. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) did not vote.
Not Voting

Obama
8/2/07
Vote 307: H R 976: In this 68 to 31 vote the Senate passed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill also passed the House by a vote of 265 to 159. The bill increases total funding for the program to $60 billion over the next five years and provides health insurance for 9 million currently uninsured American children. The $7 billion yearly expansions were a major sticking point for the White House and ultimately lead to the fourth presidential veto from the Bush administration. The measure is a key agenda item for the Democratic majority in Congress, and Democratic leaders have vowed to push for a veto override, which would require a two-thirds vote. White House press secretary Dana Perino criticized Democrats for sending the president a bill she said they knew would be dead on arrival. “They made their political point,” Perino said. The White House contended that the 61-cent increase in the federal tobacco tax would not be able to recoup the required funds needed to fund the bill. White House officials also argued the measure would push millions of children already covered by private health insurance into publicly financed health care program
Yes

McCain
8/2/07
Vote 307: H R 976: In this 68 to 31 vote the Senate passed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill also passed the House by a vote of 265 to 159. The bill increases total funding for the program to $60 billion over the next five years and provides health insurance for 9 million currently uninsured American children. The $7 billion yearly expansions were a major sticking point for the White House and ultimately lead to the fourth presidential veto from the Bush administration. The measure is a key agenda item for the Democratic majority in Congress, and Democratic leaders have vowed to push for a veto override, which would require a two-thirds vote. White House press secretary Dana Perino criticized Democrats for sending the president a bill she said they knew would be dead on arrival. “They made their political point,” Perino said. The White House contended that the 61-cent increase in the federal tobacco tax would not be able to recoup the required funds needed to fund the bill. White House officials also argued the measure would push millions of children already covered by private health insurance into publicly financed health care program
No

I am just putting this information out there for those of you who are interested.

T4's opinion on oil prices in the US

C.O.N.S.P.I.R.A.C.Y

Ya boy has been doing some reading that will possibly make some of our home grown auto workers upset as well as our government officials. Well here it is . . . our government has been telling us the same story over the past few years "America is addicted to oil", oh yeah, well our very own government certainly is not. Honda has produced a Civic that allows you to use electricity and compressed natural gas as a fueling method instead of oil. WHY HAVE OUR VERY OWN GM and FORD not done the same. Instead GM produces HYBRID vehicles, E85 vehicles (Ethanol vehicles), and electric vehicles that only allow you to run 40 miles on battery but still uses gasoline. They also have fuel efficient cars that hardly average very little miles per gallon more than their old non-fuel efficient vehicles. ( . . . please stop advertising the freaking highway mpg when you are selling the cars, start tell me the city mpg. Its not like most of my driving is done on the highway)

Lets cut to the chase . . . . GM is not the problem, our government is the problem. They almost appear to want us to depend on gasoline. In the state of Florida, the only compressed natural gas fuel stations that are available are both privately owned and only accessible by guess who . . . our wonderful government. Basically, they are using compressed natural gas for something and we are not allowed too. It is interesting to know that they have more fueling options than the citizens of the very country they are responsible for (the addicted ones). The same can be said for the foolish Ethanol project . . . within a 200 mile radius of one particular area in Florida, there are only two Ethanol fueling stations and they are privately own by the government as well. That is a good thing to know when you are purchasing that new GM car in which you can't find any economically friendly E85 prices in your area because your government has them all. So the key word for today is, (WHY). Why are we still talking to the middle east about fuel? Why are we not allowing our auto makers to produce non oil dependant vehicles? Why are we not using hydrogen when our planet is 75% water (remember that number from science class)? Why does it seem as though our government is trying to develop ways to stop our oil dependency, but there is never any indication that our auto makers are a part of that discussion?


Disclosure:

My opinion is not to make anyone anti-government; it is to make us think. It is to make us question the motives behind the decisions that our government officials make. It is to get us more involved in the decision making process. Ask yourself, what is really goin' on?

T4-Insight

It is the return of the NBA Playoff Classic Match-Up tonight with the Detroit Pistons vs. the Boston Celtics . . . .

Detroit must close this thing out tonight in order to move on to the (GAME 7 Boston Beat Down) that I am more than anticipating. We need Sheed to play down low, Mr. Big Shot to knock em' down from the outside, Rip to do what he can with the shady elbow, T-Prince to slash and shutdown PP#34, and everyone else to step up.

Don't forget about our Bench Mofia (Bumpy Knucles "McDyess", Young Gun "Stucky", "J. Hayes" Capone, and Babyface "Hunter", Stay up fellaz . . . . .


Go hard or Go home baby!