Kickoff 2007

The WORLD CHAMPION Indianapolis Colts kicked off their season at the RCA Dome playing the New Orleans Saints. The Colts pretty much lit up the Saints defense and the Saints offense never got going. Looks like a good start to the season!

Are you ready for some football?

NFL Predictions: Star Wars Style

Tired of the same old NFL predictions for the year? Check out this website that spices up their picks with some help from Star Wars. Below are some of my favorites.

Preseason: Lions @ Colts

Yes I went to a preseason NFL game. Yes I was given the tickets (big thanks to my supplier Jason). Still, $8.50 for a pretzel and Diet Coke is pretty bad. But it was a new experience for Grant Brown. My friend Eric took his son Grant to the game for the first time. At first, Grant was a little overwhelmed (50,000+ people...I'd be overwhelmed my first time too. Fortunately for me, in 1999 when I started going to games there were only 50 people there, counting the security guards and concession workers). Grant warmed up as the game went along. His brand new Marvin Harrison jersey helped a bit too. By the third quarter he was shouting "Defense!" and getting high fives from guys around him when the Colts got a turnover. A fun night for a new Colts fan.

AAFL Draft

On Saturday, August 25, I took park in the draft for the AAFL (Another Attempted Fantasy League, pronounced "awful" as our commissioner pointed out) fantasy football league. So for five hours I sat staring at a computer imagining I could have rich football players working for me. Of course it was fantastic. I didn't quite win the league last year (I came in, well, uh, last...but only because I got some bad calls from the refs...yeah...ok, I was awful). This year, I'm ready to dominate the league. Mike Robinson of the Pottsylvania Creepers had the first pick and went with Peyton Manning. Yeah, like he'll ever win the big one! I went with Drew Brees because, well, if you met me you'd know. Here are some pictures from the event.


On the left is our commissioner Dave trying to dream up ways to convince us Jason Elam shouldn't be picked. Usually Dave spreads the rumor that Elam has leg cancer.


Our 2006 Champion Denis makes a goofy face while displaying his trophy for the last time. He's also doing a commercial for Propel Fitness Water.



Eric sits trying to convince himself that Jamal Lewis was a good pick. Sure, as long as he doesn't get sent away again.



Our reigning champion Tina. Two things about this photo. 1. Yes, all nine guys in the league were beat by a woman. Now you see why we don't play for money. 2. My wife is so jealous of Tina's jersey. Except Rachel wants the "sparkly" one.

Good luck to everyone in the AAFL league this year. Hopefully you'll see pictures of me holding a trophy next year. Or maybe Tina will kick all us guys' butts again.

AAFL Draft Results

Here are the team by team results from the draft.

Overall Pick	AAFL Team	First	Last	Pos	Team	Bye
1	Creepers	Peyton	Manning	QB	IND	6
110	Creepers	Matt	Schaub	QB	HOU	10
145	Creepers	Brodie	Croyle	QB	KC	8
20	Creepers	Marion	Barber	RB	DAL	8
28	Creepers	Deuce	McAllister	RB	NO	4
45	Creepers	Marshawn	Lynch	RB	BUF	6
93	Creepers	Jerious	Norwood	RB	ATL	8
37	Creepers	Larry	Fitzgerald	WR	ARI	8
74	Creepers	Lee	Evans	WR	BUF	6
89	Creepers	Calvin	Johnson	WR	DET	6
128	Creepers	Vincent	Jackson	WR	SD	7
52	Creepers	Vernon	Davis	TE	SF	6
111	Creepers	Greg	Olsen	TE	CHI	9
66	Creepers	Robbie	Gould	K	CHI	9
137	Creepers	Ryan	Longwell	K	MIN	5
8	Da Shizzle	Marc	Bulger	QB	STL	9
73	Da Shizzle	Chad	Pennington	QB	NYJ	10
132	Da Shizzle	Daunte	Culpepper	QB	OAK	5
25	Da Shizzle	Laurence	Maroney	RB	NE	10
32	Da Shizzle	Cedric	Benson	RB	CHI	9
90	Da Shizzle	Warrick	Dunn	RB	ATL	8
108	Da Shizzle	DeShaun	Foster	RB	CAR	7
13	Da Shizzle	Chad	Johnson	WR	CIN	5
46	Da Shizzle	Randy	Moss	WR	NE	10
91	Da Shizzle	Isaac	Bruce	WR	STL	9
117	Da Shizzle	Mark	Clayton	WR	BAL	8
54	Da Shizzle	Kellen	Winslow	TE	CLE	7
125	Da Shizzle	Eric	Johnson	TE	NO	4
69	Da Shizzle	David	Akers	K	PHI	5
146	Da Shizzle	Martin	Gramatica	K	DAL	8
9	Flapjax	Carson	Palmer	QB	CIN	5
75	Flapjax	Jake	Delhomme	QB	CAR	7
140	Flapjax	Jeff	Garcia	QB	TB	10
12	Flapjax	Edgerrin	James	RB	ARI	8
40	Flapjax	Maurice	Jones-Drew	RB	JAC	4
96	Flapjax	LaMont	Jordan	RB	OAK	5
123	Flapjax	Tatum	Bell	RB	DET	6
23	Flapjax	Reggie	Wayne	WR	IND	6
41	Flapjax	Plaxico	Burress	WR	NYG	9
82	Flapjax	Chris	Chambers	WR	MIA	9
119	Flapjax	Braylon	Edwards	WR	CLE	7
58	Flapjax	Chris	Cooley	TE	WAS	4
104	Flapjax	Ben	Watson	TE	NE	10
67	Flapjax	Nate	Kaeding	K	SD	7
141	Flapjax	Joe	Nedney	K	SF	6
80	Hobbits	Matt	Stover	K	BAL	8
115	Hobbits	Josh	Scobee	K	JAC	4
16	Hobbits	Tom	Brady	QB	NE	10
44	Hobbits	Donovan	McNabb	QB	PHI	5
122	Hobbits	Steve	McNair	QB	BAL	8
5	Hobbits	Shaun	Alexander	RB	SEA	8
36	Hobbits	Ronnie	Brown	RB	MIA	9
98	Hobbits	LenDale	White	RB	TEN	4
144	Hobbits	Ladell	Betts	RB	WAS	4
22	Hobbits	Marvin	Harrison	WR	IND	6
63	Hobbits	Andre	Johnson	WR	HOU	10
81	Hobbits	Darrell	Jackson	WR	SF	6
136	Hobbits	Jerry	Porter	WR	OAK	5
59	Hobbits	Alge	Crumpler	TE	ATL	8
107	Hobbits	Heath	Miller	TE	PIT	6
27	Knobs	Philip	Rivers	QB	SD	7
64	Knobs	Matt	Leinart	QB	ARI	8
127	Knobs	Rex	Grossman	QB	CHI	9
4	Knobs	Steven	Jackson	RB	STL	9
17	Knobs	Willis	McGahee	RB	BAL	8
83	Knobs	Michael	Turner	RB	SD	7
118	Knobs	Julius	Jones	RB	DAL	8
35	Knobs	Javon	Walker	WR	DEN	6
42	Knobs	Marques	Colston	WR	NO	4
100	Knobs	Reggie	Brown	WR	PHI	5
135	Knobs	Jerricho	Cotchery	WR	NYJ	10
56	Knobs	Dallas	Clark	TE	IND	6
101	Knobs	Jason	Witten	TE	DAL	8
79	Knobs	Neil	Rackers	K	ARI	8
142	Knobs	Stephen	Gostkowski	K	NE	10
3	Men of Troy	Drew	Brees	QB	NO	4
99	Men of Troy	Jon	Kitna	QB	DET	6
138	Men of Troy	Jason	Campbell	QB	WAS	4
18	Men of Troy	Brian	Westbrook	RB	PHI	5
38	Men of Troy	Clinton	Portis	RB	WAS	4
62	Men of Troy	Carnell	Williams	RB	TB	10
120	Men of Troy	Kevin	Jones	RB	DET	6
21	Men of Troy	Torry	Holt	WR	STL	9
47	Men of Troy	Hines	Ward	WR	PIT	6
103	Men of Troy	Derrick	Mason	WR	BAL	8
147	Men of Troy	Ronald	Curry	WR	OAK	5
55	Men of Troy	Jeremy	Shockey	TE	NYG	9
84	Men of Troy	LJ	Smith	TE	PHI	5
76	Men of Troy	Jeff	Wilkins	K	STL	9
121	Men of Troy	John	Kasay	K	CAR	7
68	Mudslingers	Jay	Cutler	QB	DEN	6
85	Mudslingers	Eli	Manning	QB	NYG	9
133	Mudslingers	Trent	Green	QB	MIA	9
10	Mudslingers	Travis	Henry	RB	DEN	6
11	Mudslingers	Frank	Gore	RB	SF	6
50	Mudslingers	Thomas	Jones	RB	NYJ	10
150	Mudslingers	Mike	Bell	RB	DEN	6
29	Mudslingers	Terrell	Owens	WR	DAL	8
33	Mudslingers	Steve	Smith	WR	CAR	7
92	Mudslingers	Bernard	Berrian	WR	CHI	9
129	Mudslingers	Joey	Galloway	WR	TB	10
51	Mudslingers	Tony	Gonzalez	TE	KC	8
114	Mudslingers	Randy	McMichael	TE	STL	9
77	Mudslingers	Shayne	Graham	K	CIN	5
106	Mudslingers	Jason	Elam	K	DEN	6
24	Punt Monkeys	Matt	Hasselbeck	QB	SEA	8
60	Punt Monkeys	Brett	Favre	QB	GB	7
124	Punt Monkeys	JP	Losman	QB	BUF	6
2	Punt Monkeys	Ladainian	Tomlinson	RB	SD	7
19	Punt Monkeys	Reggie	Bush	RB	NO	4
87	Punt Monkeys	Brandon	Jackson	RB	GB	7
95	Punt Monkeys	Ahman	Green	RB	HOU	10
39	Punt Monkeys	Anquan	Boldin	WR	ARI	8
43	Punt Monkeys	Roy	Williams	WR	DET	6
78	Punt Monkeys	Santana	Moss	WR	WAS	4
102	Punt Monkeys	Muhsin	Muhammad	WR	CHI	9
116	Punt Monkeys	Desmond	Clark	TE	CHI	9
139	Punt Monkeys	Owen	Daniels	TE	HOU	10
61	Punt Monkeys	Josh	Brown	K	SEA	8
143	Punt Monkeys	Mike	Nugent	K	NYJ	10
31	Renegades	Vince	Young	QB	TEN	4
109	Renegades	Alex	Smith	QB	SF	6
131	Renegades	Byron	Leftwich	QB	JAC	4
6	Renegades	Joseph	Addai	RB	IND	6
15	Renegades	Willie	Parker	RB	PIT	6
65	Renegades	Adrian	Peterson	RB	MIN	5
86	Renegades	Jamal	Lewis	RB	CLE	7
30	Renegades	TJ	Houshmandzadeh	WR	CIN	5
72	Renegades	Laveranues	Coles	WR	NYJ	10
94	Renegades	Anthony	Gonzalez	WR	IND	6
130	Renegades	Terry	Glenn	WR	DAL	8
48	Renegades	Todd	Heap	TE	BAL	8
113	Renegades	Marcus	Pollard	TE	SEA	8
57	Renegades	Adam	Vinatieri	K	IND	6
148	Renegades	Sebastian	Janikowski	K	OAK	5
34	Steeldogs	Tony	Romo	QB	DAL	8
105	Steeldogs	Ben	Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	6
134	Steeldogs	Tarvaris	Jackson	QB	MIN	5
7	Steeldogs	Larry	Johnson	RB	KC	8
14	Steeldogs	Rudi	Johnson	RB	CIN	5
49	Steeldogs	Brandon	Jacobs	RB	NYG	9
71	Steeldogs	DeAngelo	Williams	RB	CAR	7
53	Steeldogs	Deion	Branch	WR	SEA	8
70	Steeldogs	Donald	Driver	WR	GB	7
88	Steeldogs	Donte'	Stallworth	WR	NE	10
97	Steeldogs	Santonio	Holmes	WR	PIT	6
26	Steeldogs	Antonio	Gates	TE	SD	7
149	Steeldogs	Daniel	Graham	TE	DEN	6
112	Steeldogs	Olindo	Mare	K	NO	4
126	Steeldogs	Jason	Hanson	K	DET	6

AAFL Schedule

The AAFL has announced the 2007 schedule. I'll have more on the draft later, but here is the schedule. No word on whether the games will be broadcast in HD.

AAFL 2007 SCHEDULE

AMERICAN DIVISION:
Pottsylvania Creepers
Punxatawny Puntmonkeys
Men of Troy
Floyds Knobs
Indianapolis Flapjax

NATIONAL DIVISION:
Wabash Valley Renegades
Sycamore Steeldogs
Da Shizzle
Harrison Hobbits
South Dearborn Mudslingers

S 6, 9-10 Week 1
Creepers vs P'monkeys
MOT vs Knobs
Flapjax vs SDM
WVR vs Da Shizzle
S'Dogs vs Hobbits

S 16-17 Week 2
Creepers vs MOT
P'monkeys vs Flapjax
Knobs vs Hobbits
WVR vs S'Dogs
Da Shizzle vs SDM

S 23-24 Week 3
Creepers vs SDM
P'monkeys vs S'Dogs
MOT vs Hobbits
Knobs vs WVR
Flapjax vs Da Shizzle

S 30, O 1 Week 4
Creepers vs Knobs
MOT vs Flapjax
P'monkeys vs Da Shizzle
WVR vs Hobbits
S'Dogs vs SDM
BYE: JAX, NO, TEN, WAS


O 7-8 Week 5
Creepers vs Flapjax
P'monkeys vs Knobs
MOT vs S'Dogs
WVR vs SDM
Da Shizzle vs Hobbits
BYE: CIN, MIN, OAK, PHI

O 14-15 Week 6
P'monkeys vs MOT
Knobs vs Flapjax
Creepers vs WVR
S'Dogs vs Da Shizzle
Hobbits vs SDM
BYE: BUF, DEN, DET, IND, PIT, SF

O 21-22 Week 7
Creepers vs S'Dogs
P'monkeys vs SDM
MOT vs WVR
Knobs vs Da Shizzle
Flapjax vs Hobbits
BYE: CAR, CLE, GB, SD

O 28-29 Week 8
Creepers vs P'monkeys
MOT vs Knobs
Flapjax vs WVR
S'Dogs vs Da Shizzle
Hobbits vs SDM
BYE: AZ, ATL, BLT, DAL, KC, SEA

N 4-5 Week 9
Creepers vs MOT
P'monkeys vs Flapjax
Knobs vs S'Dogs
WVR vs SDM
Da Shizzle vs Hobbits
BYE: CHI, MIA, NYG, STL

N 11-12 Week 10
Creepers vs Knobs
MOT vs Flapjax
P'monkeys vs Hobbits
WVR vs S'Dogs
Da Shizzle vs SDM
BYE: HOU, NE, NYJ, TB

N 18-19 Week 11
Creepers vs Hobbits
P'monkeys vs WVR
MOT vs Da Shizzle
Knobs vs SDM
Flapjax vs S'Dogs

N 22, 25-26 Week 12
Creepers vs Flapjax
P'monkeys vs Knobs
MOT vs SDM
WVR vs Da Shizzle
S'Dogs vs Hobbits

N 29, D 2-3 Week 13
P'monkeys vs MOT
Knobs vs Flapjax
Creepers vs Da Shizzle
WVR vs Hobbits
S'Dogs vs SDM

D 6, 9-10 Week 14 Wild-Card Weekend
Am 2 vs Am 3
Na 2 vs Na 3

D 13, 15-16 Week 15 Conference Champions
Am 1 vs Am WC
Na 1 vs Na WC

D 20, 22-23 Superbowl XII
NaChamp vs AmChamp

VickCenter

I don't want to turn into VSPN (Vick & Sports Programming Network), but I thought these cartoons were humorous. Enjoy!

Vick's Nightmare

It couldn't get any scary than this for Michael Vick: being tried by a jury of cartoon dogs! Ren looks particulary angry.

Colts Camp LIVE from Terre Haute

Rachel and I met my friend Jason down in Terre Haute to check out Colts training camp. It's pretty cool to see the WORLD CHAMPIONS up close. Here are some pictures:


Future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison

Dungy asked this kid if Dungy was working the guys hard enough.

Best passing-receiving duo ever.

Reggie Wayne, "from stately Wayne Manor" and Joseph "Live and let" Addai

Pretty good shot of Manning throwing the ball

Dungy already working the refs to get a challenge overturned this season.

Hunter Smith must love training camp; it's one of the few times he actually gets to punt.

Joseph Addai came out for both practices and stood under this goal post while the rest of the team practiced special teams.

My wonder wife Rachel at her Colts camp debut.

Peyton and a bunch of other QBs that probably aren't going to beat him out for the starting job.

Dog Bites Vick

Unfortunately, this is probably not what Michael Vick's sentence will be:

Indians Game

My company had it's annual picnic at an Indianapolis Indians game this past weekend. The weather was perfect, the food was good (and free!), unfortunately the Indians have one of the worst fielding teams I've ever seen. That combined with a horrendous outing from the pitcher (he had a 47.25 ERA for the game. Seriously!) combined for a 12-0 lead by the Durham Bulls in the second inning. We left shortly thereafter not needing to see any more of the beatdown. I almost forgot: we did get free hats as one of the first 4,000 fans. Always nice to get free stuff!

Brees goes to jail

I have to admit, when I saw a link to an article title "Brees goes to jail" it scared me for a second. Fortunately it's just another case of NFL Co-Man of the Year helping out those less fortunate.

From http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/NO/10220570.

Saints QB Brees gives Utah inmates pep talk
NFL.com wire reports

BEAVER, Utah (June 9, 2007) -- Some inmates at the Beaver County correctional facility had a surprise guest speaker when New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees showed up at the southern Utah jail on June 8.

County officials had heard he was coming, but even they were skeptical.

"I was pretty blown away by the idea that somebody like him would come to a small town like Beaver, Utah," Sgt. Curt Heslington of the Beaver County sheriff's department said. "But, lo and behold, Drew Brees showed up today."

Brees spoke to 124 inmates in the Beaver County residential treatment program. In a pair of one-hour sessions, Brees encouraged the inmates with reflections on the trials and tribulations of his life and career.

"What Drew Brees did for us was incredible," Heslington said. "He just basically focused on the highs and lows of life. It was highly motivating, not only for our residents but for me and for the staff."

In his first season with New Orleans, Brees passed for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the Saints to the NFC title game.

Heslington said Brees signed autographs and posed for pictures after his speeches, then left town as quietly as he had arrived.

"I think he made a big impact and had a big influence on everybody," said Wes McMullin, supervisor of the treatment program. "It was a big shocker to see somebody like that in Beaver, and I think that meant a lot to our inmates."

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2007, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Fixed Game in the NBA?

The NBA is caught in a crisis as word comes out that one of their referees, Tim Donaghy, has bet on games and may have shaved points on games. He was involvement with members of the mob and it looks like NBA games that we long thought seemed "fishy" from a refereeing stand point now may have been fixed. Check out this video from Game 3 of this year's Suns-Spurs series. There sure are some questionable calls made during this game that, yes, Mr. Donaghy refereed. See for yourself:



It's a long video. If you want to skip to the "good part," jump ahead to the 5:20 mark.

Stephon's Family Matters

Check out the 7:30 minute mark and listen until 8 minutes in. And extremely creepy Stephon Marbury, referring to his SISTER, says, and I quote, "“When I kissed her, I felt her body and I felt her soul.”. He was either high or he and his family are extremely close. I'm hoping for the former, but let's just never talk about all this again.

Oden vs. Durant

ESPN is already reporting that the Portland Trailblazers will select Greg Oden from Ohio State in the NBA Draft tonight. However, I haven't weighed in with my thoughts, so let me tell you who I would pick.

Greg Oden is the clear choice for the number pick. Now Kevin Durant from Texas is a great scorer and athlete. Durant may indeed, as Bill Simmons puts it, be a player we have never seen before. That's just a guess though. Durant seems like a deer in headlights in front of the media and has shown the tendency to not be able to carry his team in big games (see this year's NCAA tournament). Durant didn't play in a big-time league like the Big Ten or even the ACC. His quality of opponents just wasn't NBA caliber. He's flashy and definitely can score, but I'm not sure why you'd want to build a franchise around him. At least not a franchise that hopes to win the NBA title. Durant reminds me of Tracy McGrady: a good scorer who's dunks will end up on a lot of posters and sell and lot of jerseys, but will never win. Durant is immaturity physically as well as mentally is going to lead to a lot of problems in trying to carrying his team, especially at the defensive end.

Greg Oden is ready to come in and play TODAY. He has what analyst call an "NBA body." Oden may not be the most polished offensive player at the beginning of his career, but he can come in and play defense and rebound. Those are two key elements that any championship team needs. Oden seems mature (I won't make a joke about his age) and comfortable with the media. He's played in the best college basketball conference in America and helped his team go all the way to the championship game of the NCAA tournament.

There's no way of knowing how good either of these guys can be. People in the media like to call the NBA draft a crap shoot, but I prefer to think of it as poker. Greg Oden is like having a pair of queens suited. Sure, it's not the best hand, but you've already got a high pair and a chance at a flush. Durant is like having ace-jack off suit. Sure you've got a high card and chances at a straight, but if the right cards don't come up, you've got nothing. That's the way I see Oden and Durant. Durant has a bigger, as Hubie Brown would say, upside, but also the bigger chance at a flop. Take the sure thing. If you're Portland or Seattle you're already a bad team in a tough Western Conference, so take Oden and help yourself immediately.

This post will self-destruct like Sam Bowie's legs if Oden turns out to be a total flop and Durant wins six titles.

Split Personality

Up until now, my blog has been a hodgepodge of sports, ramblings, and family events. Starting today, I'm splitting them up. My old blog, Troy's Cube, will remain to contain family pictures, vacation stories, and random thoughts on life. My new blog, tentatively title Stiffler's Sports Cube, will contain thoughts on sports including AAFL fantasy football details. So for those who only want to see pictures of Brian and Grant, keep your web brower tuned to Troy's Cube, but for those of you who want to know what I think of Purdue basketball and football, the Colts, other sports teams, and, yes, perhaps even the Pacers, as well as complete AAFL details, stay here on Stiffler's Sports Cube.

Colts Get Bling

My birthday is next month and just in case you were wondering what to get me...

The Colts received their Super Champion Rings. Priced at "only" $5000, this would make an excellent gift. If only they were for sell to the general public. Rachel has a coworker who's brother works for the Colts who might have got a scaled-down version. I'm hoping he gets short on cash some day and has to hawk in for money.

Congratulation Colts!



Here's the Indy Star and Colts.com articles.

High Class Peyton

Among the dignitaries for Queen Elizabeth's white tie state dinner were Indianapolis own, Peyton Manning and his wife. They wife had the honor of going to the White House, again (I wonder if he feels like Forrest Gump?).Jim Nance even reported on Tony Kornheiser's show that Ashley Manning sat at the head table. Not bad. I wonder if the Queen had come last year if Ben Roethlisberger would have been invited?

Half-Grass, Half-Clay

Isn't this one of the weirdest sights you've ever seen? It's just bizarre and when I first saw it I thought it was trick photography or Photoshopped. Nope. It's a real tennis court: half-grass, half-clay. Rafeal Nadal played Roger Federer to see who was the best: the clay court specialist Nadal or the grass court expert Federer. Nadal won, but I'm not sure that settles anything. Can't wait for this phenomenon to reach the states so I can play on it.

Boo Cam Cameron

Ladies and Gentlemen of Miami, your head coach Cam Cameron!





Yes, Cam Cameron in his first public appearance following the 2007 NFL Draft gets booed before he even gets to the podium. I'm not sure, but from the chants of "Brady...Brady...Brady!" I think the Dolphin fans wanted Brady Quinn. I would have at least picked some quarterback since the Dolphins' incumbent QBs are Daunte "I was just gambling" Culpepper and Cleo Lemon.