Nintendo Classic

I grew up on Nintendo. I am talking the old school 8-bit system which had tons of classic games like Mario Bros 1-3, Legend Of Zelda, Contra, Mega Man, Metroid, and Castlevania to name a few. I was a weird kid I guess because I did enjoy those classic games but my life was changed forever one day as a kid went I remember my neighbors playing this game called Tecmo Bowl. I never knew a game before where you could be the players you saw in real life. I was hanging with my brother and he would be the 49ers. You could have Montana as your QB, then of course they had the Chicago Bears and you could play as the legendary Walter Payton and run all over guys. The game was sort of what launched my love of not only nintendo but video games, namely sports video games.




If I had to pick one game that is my favorite for the NES I always point to Super Tecmo Bowl. Mostly because it expanded on the original game, which only had like 14 teams. The new game had not only more plays (up from the 4 you had in Tecmo Bowl), players (including back-ups like Steve Young), stats (it was the first game I knew of which kept lead leaders in every stat from passer rating to sacks), all 28 teams which were playing at the time, cut scenes, etc. Not to dis the original classic game, it will always hold a place in my heart but Super was well superior in most aspects. I remember I would set records with Barry Sanders or Jerry Rice. One time I recall using a Vinny Testarvde lead Tampa Buccaneers to the super bowl and winning because I wanted to see if I could do it. Ah, the good old days when you had nothing to do as a kid. If you like John Madden football then you should pay homage to a game that made games like that possible, and now there is talks of redoing the series for todays gamers. My only question. What took so long?

Here is a crazy run I found on youtube. Not sure if its altered but it sort of shows a funny aspect of the game and features Bo Jackson who was sort of a Tecmo Super Bowl legend, watch it here:

This is Fresh!

Wow, I must have missed this commerical when I was a kid. HEY! Isn't that the kid from Silver Spoons???

First Trailer- GI Joe

I just saw the first trailer that will air tomorrow during the superbowl, they really show nothing besides a few characters and snake eyes doing some cool shit. not sure what to make of the effiel tower falling down. so far i am not sure what to make of it, but it could be better and also much worse. here it is..

Superbowl Prediction

Arizona 24
Pittsburgh 21


...why the hell not?

Congrats to a Great

I am a San Francisco Giants fan, always have, always will be. I tend to dislike the cross bay rival Oakland A's, especially more recently. Back in the 80's and 90's they were fun to watch and losing to them in a tragic world series 1989 was no fun. I am sure the Giants minds were more concerned with the recent earthquake and not the game, but anyway....I am here to say an Oakland A's player was one of my all time favorites and today he has joined the Baseball Hall Of Fame. So thanks Rickey Henderson, you made baseball fun to watch as a little kid. I will never forget how you would steal a base with such ease. Henderson to no surprise was a first ballot Hall of Famer, announced today. He recieved 94.8% of the votes and goes in with Jim Rice. I loved watching Rickey because he was so fast and always played the game hard. He also looked like a fun guy to be around, someone who enjoyed playing and looked like he was having fun at it. Some of Rickeys accomplishments were: Stole 1,406 bases, 468 more than any other player, and scored 2,295 runs, which also ranks first. He collected 2,190 walks, second on the career list, and had 3,055 hits. As Rickey would say, " Good Job Rickey".... I miss watching you play.

Follow Up On NFL Predictions Pt 2

NFC



East

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Dallas Cowboys 12-4 - Well they could have had this record if it wasn't for Tony Romo getting hurt. They finished 9-7 and could have made the playoffs yet they got slaughtered by the Eagles. I think this team still has a lot of talent and if they work things out they could be a team who makes the playoffs next year.

Philadelphia Eagles 10-6* - I got the loses correct, and if Mcnabb knew what a tie meant then maybe they would have won that game and gone 10-6 instead of 9-6-1. They manhandeled the Cowboys in the final game of the season and willed themselves into the playoffs. I was pretty close with this one (pats himslef on the back)

New York Giants 9-7* - I should take back that pat on the back, now. I am not sure why I thought the Giants would only win 9, they ended up 12-4 BUT at least I said they would make the playoffs. This team should be good for a few years, but I think they might be in line for a new WR?

Washington Redskins 8-8 - WOO HOO! Another exact pick. Redskins finsihed as I said they would. I guess this team just seems to have a lot of good and bad going for them. Jason Campbell played well, but I think if he doesn't show he is pro-bowl type next year then the team should look elsewhere for help. Clinton Portis and Head Coach Jim Zorn seem to have some issues to work out, as does the entire team.



North

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Minnesota Vikings 10-6 - Yep Got this one exactly right too. I am pretty happy with this pick since not everyone had them as a lock to win the division but alas I was right! I think this team has some growing to do and needs a QB who will be a good starter for a while, besides that all the pieces are in line for another playoff run next year.

Green Bay Packers 8-8 - They went to the NFC championship game last year and fell to 6-10, wonder what their record would be with Favre at QB? Aaron Rodergs did step up and have a good year and the team has loads of talent on offense and defense. Not sure why the took such a dip, but they did battle a lot of injury and consistency problems. I think they can bounce back and make a good run at the playoffs next year.

Chicago Bears 6-10 - I wasn't sure what this team was, besides their excellent D. Kyle Orton and Rookie RB Matt Forte did play well and helped what I thought would be a terrible offense score some points. They were great at stopping the run but not the pass on D and could be a contendor, they finished 9-7 and were in the playoff run until the last day.

Detroit Lions 6-10 - Wow I said 6 wins, they had 0. They suck, moving on.



South

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New Orleans Saints 9-7 - Saints had a very hard time in 08, they would win some games they shouldn't and lose games they should have won. I think they found out Reggie Bush is not a premier back, but does have a lot of talent. Pierre Thomas could be a superstar in this offense and Drew Brees was 15 yards shy of breaking the all time passing yardage by a QB. They finsihed 8-8 on the year.

Tampa Bay Buccanners 8-8 - Tampa Bay had a good going early in the season and then sort of fell apart. They had a lot of injuries, what do you expect they are a sort of old team? But they seem to have just a lot of good players on offense yet no stand out players. The D is what kept them in many games and even they had some struggles this year, they finished 9-7 and lost to the raiders (at home) in the last game on the season to crush their playoff hopes.

Carolina Panthers 7-9 - Carolina sure proved me wrong, they had a great year with the emergence of DeAngelo Williams at RB. They had enough talent on offense to score and the D was much improved from last year. They easily went 12-4 and could go far in the playoffs. They sure surprised me this year.

Atlanta Falcons 5-11 - Ok, this was out of freakin nowhere type season. They made the right moved by drafting a franchise QB Matt Ryan and picking up RB Michael Turner. Turner turned out to be a stud and threw up some crazy numbers. They had great play on offense as well as on D. They won 11 games, and shocked anyone they played. No shock Mike Smith won coach of the year, kudos to him and this team.



West

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Seattle Seahawks 9-7 - I guess I didn't see the writing on the wall. They had a shaky offense and everything that went wrong did. They were 4-12 with two of their wins coming over a terrible St Louis team. I think Mike Holmgren sort of just went with it all since he knew it would be his last year. I think it could be a few more years until this team has a playoff run in them.

Arizona Cardinals 7-9 - They won the division. I was pretty shocked but they played well enough to get some close wins and have some calls go their way. I was even more surprised that they won a playoff game. They have just an awesome offense that is fun to watch, they pass they ball is easily and can pound the ball with the run. They have some playmakers on the D and could easily win a weak division again next year. They went 9-7.

San Francisco 49ers 7-9 - See, I know my team. I picked them correctly, but whatelse would you expect? I think the team played much better in the second half and shows singns of improvement. I think depending on how the offseason goes they could make a run at winning the division, but only because its a weak NFC West. I do not think they could make it as a wildcard. But I do fait in Mike Singeltary and all Shaun Hill does is win. They need a passrush, haven't really had one of those in a long long time. I am hoping they go after a top saftey or wide reciever in the draft if so available. I think 8 or 9 wins could be do-able next year and maybe a run at the division.

St. Louis Rams 5-11 - This team was bad, and had only 2 wins. The weird thing is that they ended up beating two pretty good teams in the Cowboys and Redskins. They need to do a huge overhaul, and get rid of a lot of guys who once looked good but now, not so much. I think Bulger should be gone and they need a whole new defense. This team was just bad! I think the Lions could have even beaten them.

*- Wild Card Team

Fllow Up On My NFL Predicitions

AFC


East

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New England Patriots 14-2 - I think we all know why this was off, Tom Brady! Matt Cassell did fill in well but it took him a while to get comfortable. Last I heard they were going to place the franchise tag on Cassell but mostly depending on the the health of Brady. Last I heard Brady is doing worse then they thought and could miss some of the 2009 season. They did finish 11-5 and should have made the playoffs, but alas did not.

New York Jets 10-6* - I thought Farve would be much better, should have followed the Madden curse! Farve is the a lot of the reason they lost some of their games. I mean come on they were like 8-3 at one point. I was one game off in my pick as the team went 9-7 and has since fired their head coach, too soon I say.

Buffalo Bills 6-10 - I should have said 7-9, since they have finished their the last 3 years now. They had a great early going but it all fell apart near they end. They seem to be one of those "we'll get em next year teams", they are just missing something to get them into the playoffs. If they find what it is, they could be a team to watch out for in 09.

Miami Dolphins 5-11 - Well, If you flip the record I got it right, I in now way expected them to be THAT good, but props to them for making wise choices on and off the field. Tony Sparano and Chad Pennington both turned this team around. I think they were the best/boringest team to watch. I wasn't surprised to see them get knocked out of the playoffs. But kudos on a great turn around.



North

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Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6 - They had a really tough schedule and finished 12-4, lots of close games and injuries but they held it together. Many people pick them to go to the superbowl but I am not so sure. They seem like a team that will be good for a while.

Cleveland Browns 9-7 - Well they had a lot of problems, injury problems too. They started the season with a Pro Bowl QB and then went to a golden boy QB and by the end were starting Ken Dorsey and Bruce Gradkowski. No shocker they had a very bad season and went 4-12. They might want to get younger at the RB position and improve that defense.

Cincinnati Bengals 8-8 - Another team that played most of the year without its QB, Carson Palmer. This team is very disfuntional and in need of a big change they finsihed 4-11-1. Maybe they should look for a head coach who can better discipline its team. Getting rid of their #1 RB right before the season also was a weird move, but Cedric Benson did step it up near the end, but now he is a Free Agent.

Baltimore Ravens 6-10 - Well I didnt know Joe Flacco was going to be the man. But seriously this team is mostly defense, good running game, and stays mistake free. Their D was huge this year and they could go far in the playoffs if they get good enough offensive play. They finished 11-5 and won the first round of the playoffs, is more to come? Or will the rookie QB Flacco fall apart?




South

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Jacksonville Jaguars 11-5 - Probably the biggest disapointment of the NFL was this team. They had a bad start to the season with a player shot and now unable to walk. The team just was off, yet I think they can rebound and be a playoff team next year. They finsihed 5-11 and seemed like an entirely different team from last years bunch who went far in the playoffs. I think maybe getting more options for the offense might be good.

Indianapolis Colts 10-6* - This team started off 3-4 but managed to reclaim its glory and eaily made the playoffs. They finished 12-4 and lost as a wild card team to San Diego. Payeton Manning won the NFL MVP and showed how valuable he was. I thought they would be a good team and they fought through many injuries to show how good they were. I think as long as they have Manning at QB they have a great chance.

Tennessee Titans 9-7 - Another suprising team. Finished an NFL best 13-3 and all while being lead by Kerry Collins not Vince Young. They did sort of tail off near the end of the season, but they also had a lot of guys resting and were not playing for as much as they were earlier when they went undefeated for a long time. I am eager to see how they will do in the playoffs. They have an amazing D and a great running game that features the rookie Chris Johnson and the second year man LenDale White, they can be good for many years. Will Vince Young me the QB next year?

Houston Texans 6-10 - They have an amazing offense. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson seem like they can be a juggernaut for years to come and they found a good RB in rookie Steve Slaton. They team just lacks consistency and has many things to work on, but hey 8-8 is not to bad in very tough division.



West

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San Diego Chargers 12-4 - Ok so they should have been 9-7 but went 8-8, won the division on the last game of the regualar season and won their first playoff game over the Colts. This is the definition of a roller coaster season. They have some of the best talent in the NFL but it took monster slide by the Denver Broncos to get them into the playoffs. They could be a surprise team to go far in the playoffs. I think Norv Turner should be gone but hey all he does is win when he needs to.

Denver Broncos 8-8 - A total and utter collapse to end the season, but hey I got the exact record right!! Hells yah! Anyway all that lead to the firing of mainstay coach Mike Shannan. Kind of sad to see it happen but they did it to themselves. Started out so hot with that offense but too many injuries to the running backs, i think they were down to Tatum Bell near the end.

Oakland Raiders 6-10 - Raiders continued their losing ways and went 5-11. No shocker, they let go of Lane Kiffin who had the team playing alright. Al Davis has many things to work out. They let go of a few high priced free agents midway through the season, this team should have been even worse. They did play better near the end though.

Kansas City Chiefs 5-11 - This team went 2-14 but played very well though most of their games. They seemingly found a franchise QB in Tyler Thingpen who was terrible at first but proved he should be the QB of the future. I think this team will be much better next year and I liked what I saw, I think they still need a lot of work but they played much better then 2-14. That loss to San Diego will haunt them for a while though.