Why I like the Sarah Palin pick …

Let me preface the following post with a few things …
• I liked Obama’s choice of Joe Biden for vice president as well. Biden is energetic, will appeal to most Democrats, and brings the experience that Obama lacks.
• I had never heard of Sarah Palin until this morning.
• I haven’t cared much for the presidential race so far … but I’m coming around.

A day after Obama delivered a pretty good acceptance speech as the Democratic presidential nominee, John McCain comes completely out of left field and chooses a 44-year-old governor of the least-populated state in the nation as his running mate. But this is why I like the choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin ….

1) She’s a woman.
I’ve been saying all along that McCain needed to do something different with his pick. I rolled my eyes at the idea of Huckabee, Romney or (insert Conservative white guy name here) all along. I joked with people that he should pick Condi Rice, if for any reason, to have a bit of the “history” on his side that the Democrats are hoisting on their shoulders.
McCain’s choice may be a relative unknown to the masses, but I think once people read up on her, they’ll be intrigued. Especially Conservatives.

2) It was a news-making decision
Knowing the media like I do (somewhat anyway), they would have yawned their way through a Mitt Romney selection, especially a day after Obama packed a freaking football stadium in Denver and delivered one of the better acceptance speeches in recent memory.
The media will probably rip this selection apart … but guess what, they’ll be talking about it. They’ll be covering it. They’ll be trying like hell to find out more about Sarah Palin … and therefore, it will be news. This will be the most coverage McCain has gotten since he got in the race.

3) Palin should appeal to Conservatives
She’s anti-abortion and she holds the keys to a state where Republicans are eyeing more drilling. Democrats could possibly use that against McCain. According to the Republican nominee, however, she has “challenged the influence of big oil in her state.” I suppose we’ll see if this is true.
She seems to have the same kind of “maverick” persona that McCain and even Bush carry … and unless she sounds like a bumbling fool when she speaks (which we’ll find out very soon), she should bring some much-needed youth and energy to this ticket.

Already, I’ve heard people calling this pick “lunacy” or a sure way to lose. Whatever … I like it so far. Whereas Obama needed the Biden pick to take away some of the “rock star” celebrity from his ticket (which is a small reason why he didn’t pick Hillary), McCain needed somebody to get people interested. Now we’ve got a serious fight for women voters and probably a pretty exciting race on our hands.

Whoever wins … history will be made. Kinda cool, huh?

NFC Preview

So it probably didn’t come as a surprise to anybody in my AFC preview that I picked New England to return to the Super Bowl. It will surprise absolutely nobody — especially those who know me — that I’m picking Dallas to meet them there. It was the same Super Bowl I picked last year … and had Dallas even showed up against New York in the playoffs, I would have been correct.
But what’s done is done … and while Dallas seems to be one of the few locks in the NFC to have a good year, I don’t think they’ll have it easy, necessarily.

NFC East
1) Dallas Cowboys
Record: 12-4
Why they’ll win a playoff game: I know it’s not a big shot I’m picking good things for my Cowboys, but it’s not like I’m going out on a limb here. Last year’s best offense in the NFC upgraded, I think, at running back, letting the mediocre Julius Jones go so Pro-Bowler Marion Barber could start and exciting rookie Felix Jones. The defense got better, too, losing no big names and picking up Adam Jones and Zach Thomas.
The team’s weakness is wide receiver depth, but unless injuries ravage the squad, this won’t be too big (yet). No matter the record, though, the season will be a miserable failure if they don’t win a playoff game.

2) New York Giants
Record: 10-6
Why they’re not going to repeat: Losing their best defender (Umenyiora, injury), a Pro Bowl tight end (Shockey, trade) and a Hall of Famer (Strahan, retirement) isn’t going to help. Add to that this team overachieved last year anyway, and nobody is expecting a whole lot from them.
I do expect, however, a good season from a more confident Eli Manning, and it’s not like this team isn’t talented. Expect them to battle for a playoff spot, and if they get in … well, you never know.

3) Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 7-9
Why this is Donovan’s last stand: I’ll predict it right now … Donovan McNabb will not be the Eagles’ starting QB by year’s end. It may be injury, it may be performance or it may be a trade, but I think McNabb’s on-again, off-again relationship with Philly’s idiot fans will be off at some point in the year, and your starting QB will be Kevin Kolb.
Brian Westbrook’s still a star, and the Eagles added Asante Samuel on defense, so they’ve still got big names. But the wide receiving corp is still weak, and the offensive line is getting old (not good news for Donovan).

4) Washington Redskins
Record: 6-10
Why they’ll take a step back: New coach, new system, young quarterback, weak receiving equals a struggling offense this year. If Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts can stay healthy all year, they have a chance to not stink … but it won’t be easy.
The defense is better with Jason Taylor adding a pass rush, and he’s got Andre Carter bringing it from the other side. Beyond the line though (and with the exception of London Fletcher), the depth is weak and one or two injuries could be devastating.

NFC North

1) Minnesota Vikings
Record: 10-6
Why they’ll make the playoffs: Certainly not because of quarterback. I think Tavaris Jackson is the worst of the league’s 32 starting QBs, and his receiving corp isn’t anything to get excited about.
But maybe they won’t need it. In Adrian Peterson, they have the NFL’s most exciting running back this side of LT, and the offensive line is solid. On defense, the line is by far the league’s best (Kevin Williams, Jared Allen, Pat Williams). Couple a ball control offense and a stingy defense, you’ve got the potential of winning a lot of 17-13, 20-10 games.

2) Detroit Lions
Record: 9-7
Why they’ll best .500: Because Detroit fans finally deserve it. That, and because rookie running back Kevin Smith may finally provide stability in the backfield to go with Jon Kitna and a great batch of receivers — Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Mike Furrey, Shaun McDonald.
Defensively, they’re not great, but they’re not bad. Ernie Sims is a solid linebacker, and the secondary is decent enough. Unlike the Vikings, I expect a lot of high scoring games.

3) Green Bay Packers
Record: 8-8
Why they may boo Aaron Rodgers: Not because he’s going to be bad, it’s just that he’s a first-year starter for a team that overachieved last year because of a great veteran starter at QB. Not having Favre will bring Green Bay back to earth a little this year, but they won’t be bad.
Ryan Grant gives Green Bay its best running back since the 60s, and Aaron Kampman, Charles Rogers, A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett headline a pretty good defense.
Just don’t expect a miracle season in Rodgers’ first go, Packer fans. They’re a year away from the playoffs … give them time.

4) Chicago Bears
Record: 5-11
Why they still stink: Quarterback. Not only are they pretty bad at QB, they’re downright awful. I say Tavaris is the worst, but Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman combined are at No. 31 when it comes to QB strength. And unlike the Vikes, they have nothing resembling a running attack to make up for it. Kevin Jones and the league’s second-best Adrian Peterson won’t give teams reason to not blitz, and other than Devin Hester, they have nothing resembling a passing attack.
The defense will keep them in games, thanks to Urlacher and Lance Briggs. But it won’t be enough … sorry Bears fans.

NFC South

1) New Orleans Saints
Record: 11-5
Why they’re back in the playoffs: They seem to rebound from hurricanes well, and here comes Gustav. Kidding.
The Saints’ down year last year can be attributed to injuries (Duece McCallister) and bad luck. But the offense — which already has Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston and Jamaal Brown — has added Jeremy Shockey, giving New Orleans its first middle-of-the-field threat in a while.
I’m not thrilled about the defense, but it overachieved two years ago and will be better than last year. Luckily, the Saints can simply outscore people, and Sean Payton is one of the league’s top coaches.

2) Carolina Panthers
Record: 9-7
Why they’ll battle for the playoffs: Jake Delhomme is healthy, and if Steve Smith can avoid breaking any more noses, the two will find their groove again and add some pop to an offense that struggled hard last year.
The defense worries me a little, but if Julius Peppers can rebound from a poor 2007, it will be OK. I think Carolina as a whole will be mediocre, but if it can figure out how to win some home games, it will be in the hunt.

3) Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Record: 7-9
Why it will be a down year (and why you’ll see lots of Chucky faces on the sideline): This is an old team — QB Jeff Garcia is 38, RB Warrick Dunn is 33, WRs Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard are 36 and 32, and defenders Derrick Brooks, Kevin Carter and Ronde Barber are 35, 34 and 33 respectively.
Now, I’m 32, and I don’t feel that old … but being in your mid-30s after 10 years of getting the carp knocked out of you in the NFL can take it’s toll (I’m told).
Tampa does have depth at running back — Earnest Graham, Dunn and Cadillac Williams — and Garcia is still a formidable QB … just not one who will dazzle. Plus, he has nobody to throw to. I expect Tampa will be mediocre at best, with the possibility of getting worse.

4) Atlanta Falcons
Record: 3-13
Why the curse of Michael Vick still lingers: Matt Ryan will start the season opener as a rookie, and that’s rarely a good sign. Ryan will take a beating, but maybe it won’t be too bad with Michael Turner coming in from San Diego. If he can handle 25 carries a game (unlike in SD, where he backed up the NFL’s best), then Ryan will be given a chance to learn without having to throw it 40 times.
Even if the offense can find its way, the defense isn’t good enough to stop anybody. It will be a tough year in Atlanta, but hey … at least the future looks bright-ish.

NFC West

1) Arizona Cardinals
Record: 10-6
Why this is the year: Because everybody’s been predicting it for the last three years, so it’s bound to happen, right?
The Cardinals are ready to win now … that’s why Kurt Warner is your starting QB and not the still-developing Matt Leinart. Leinart has the league’s best receiving corps — Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin — and Edgerrin James will be better than last year’s mediocre effort. The defense is good enough to keep them in games … though could be a slight concern.
Also, Arizona plays in the league’s weakest division. There is no team here that stands head and shoulders above the rest … so go Cards … end your 100 years of misery.

2) Seattle Seahawks
Record: 8-8
Why the Seahawks stink: My on-running joke last year was the Seahawks stunk. They wound up having a pretty good season.
So this year, I won’t say they STINK … just stink (lower case). Everybody’s picking them to win the division, but a weak group of receivers, aging running back (Alexander) and mediocre offensive line will give them fits this year. Hasselbeck isn’t an elite QB, and he will struggle this year.
The defense is pretty great … which could be the reason my prediction is off again.
But hey, I’m sticking with it. Seahawks stink (lower case).

3) St. Louis Rams
Record: 5-11
Why it’s a rebuilding year: It shouldn’t be with names like Steven Jackson, Orlando Pace Torry Holt and Mark Bulger, but the Rams have probably the league’s worst defense, and aside from Jackson, the aformentioned names are all getting old. Despite those names (Jackson was injured), the Rams ranked 28th in offense last year … not good when your defense is that bad.
If the offense can find a little of that “Best Show on Turf” magic, they have a chance to battle for a wild card … just don’t count on it.

4) San Fransisco 49ers
Record: 5-11
Why it will be a long season: Their No. 1 pick from a few years back has been benched for J.T. O’Sullivan at QB. Really, do I need to go on?
Frank Gore needs to bounce back from a poor 2007 at RB, and if he can provide stability on offense, the defense is good enough to help win some games.
I’m just really worried about the QB situation. It will be tough for San Fransisco to score 20 points consistently, and that always means a long year.

PLAYOFFS
Wild Cards: NY Giants, Lions
Division Winners: Cowboys, Vikings, Cardinals, Saints

Wild Card Round: Giants over Vikings; Cardinals over Lions
Divisional Round: Cowboys over Cardinals; Saints over Giants
NFC Championship: Cowboys over Saints
Super Bowl: Cowboys

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION: Well … we’ll just see if Dallas and New England make it first … then I’ll predict.

Listen to today’s Rant

CLICK HERE to hear today’s episode of The Rant, our weekly radio show broadcast on WDCC, 90.5 FM in Sanford.
Our guests were Tina Smith and Kim Pritt of Communities in Schools of Lee County.

My AFC preview

Who needs magazines and ESPN when you have me … the guy who picked the NY Giants to finish last in the NFC East last year?
Well, I’m back, and here to give you my NFL predictions. If you liked my picks last year, you’ll like them even more this year … as I’ll give YOU (the reader) a chance to best me in the picks. Each week, I’ll have a special guest picker and we’ll go mano-y-mano for pride. Details to come …

The following is the way I predict the AFC season will go. Enjoy watching me either A) Look like a genius (I did predict a Patriots-Chargers AFC championship last year) or B) Be the same guy who thought the Bengals would win their division last year.

Coming Wednesday: My NFC Preview

THE AFC
AFC East
1) New England Patriots
Record: 13-3
Why they’ll make the playoffs: I seriously doubt the Patriots will follow the trend of Super Bowl losers not making the playoffs the next year. As painful as going 18-1 was last year, they’re still the best team in the NFL … just maybe not as powerful as last year. Brady is limping into the season, and they’re 0-3 in preseason (which means nothing, but still). Expect them to drop one to the Jets this year, and maybe get upset … but they’ll still dominate most games.

2) NY Jets
Record: 10-6
Why they’ll make the playoffs: Brett Favre.
Look, the Jets were not a horrible team last year … they just didn’t have a QB. Pennington is gone and Kellen Clemens is where he belongs (a backup), and now stars like Thomas Jones and Laveraneus Coles have Favre to help them shine. A lot of people are picking 8-8, 9-7 for the Jets … I think they’ll be even better.

3) Buffalo Bills
Record: 7-9
Why they’ll be mediocre: A team of rookies and first-year starters last year surprised everybody, falling in a few heartbreakers (remember the Cowboys game?) This year, they’re less of a surprise and while they may be a little better, they’re still in a division with the Pats, the improved Jets and a Dolphins team with Bill Parcells helping run the show. It’ll be tougher.

4) Miami Dolphins
Record: 5-11
Why they’ll be better than 1-15: Had the Dolphins not won that last game, they would have been the worst team in NFL history. So we can’t expect TOO much this year … though they’ll be better — Pennington’s an upgrade over last year’s carousel at QB, Ricky Williams joins Ronnie Brown in the backfield and Joey Porter can be the leader now on a defense that got rid of Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.

AFC North

1) Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 11-5
Why they’ll make the playoffs: A suddenly weak division. The Browns are decent enough, but the Bengals and Ravens are taking a step back. Cleveland’s closing in, but Pittsburgh still has the better team. I love the pick of RB Rashard Mendenhall to backup Willie Parker, and a stronger Troy Polamalu will shore up the defense. I believe, however, that of the division winners, Pittsburgh is the worst.

2) Cleveland Browns
Record: 10-6
Why they’ll battle for the playoffs: It’s possible the Browns’ season was a fluke last year, but they got better on defense (Shaun Rogers) and QB Derek Anderson enters his first full season as a starter with a wild rookie year under his belt. They have a tough test in the opener at home against Dallas … if they win that, it’ll be a great season.

3) Baltimore Ravens
Record: 5-11
Why they’ll slightly stink: Their best receiver is 35 years old, and Troy Smith, Joe Flacco (who I actually like, mostly because of his name) and Kyle Boller are battling for quarterback. The defense still has Ray Lewis, but it won’t be enough this year.

4) Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 5-11
Why they’re still the Bungles: Wow, what a cruddy preseason … they possibly lose Chad Johnson with a shoulder injury and the team seems to be in disarray. Add to that a pretty bad defense and a quarterback who’s not quite living up to the potential … they either take this huge step back this year or they surprise us all. I’m picking the former.

AFC South

1) Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 13-3
Why they’ll top the Colts: Call this my first out-on-a-limb pick. I think the Jags have the experience, the coaching and the team to take the division from the Colts this year. QB David Garrard doesn’t get the credit Vince Young, Tony Romo or Phillip Rivers get, but he could be as good as or better than all three young guns. The Taylor, Jones-Drew backfield is lethal and with Jack Del Rio coaching, you know the defense is tough.

2) Indianapolis Colts
Record: 12-4
Why they’ll be 2nd: It’s not that they’re necessarily a worse team … I just think the Colts know how to approach a season now, and they’re not afraid to let up on the gas if they know the playoffs are in hand. They’re a Peyton Manning injury from being 6-10, and as we saw with Dwight Freeney’s and Marvin Harrison’s injuries last year, there isn’t a ton of depth behind them and stars like Bob Sanders and Joseph Addai.
That said, once they’re in the playoffs, they’re a force.

3) Houston Texans
Record: 8-8
Why they’re not over the hump yet: They have to play the Colts and Jags twice each, and they still don’t have a running game.
For all the firepower Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson bring to the offense, they’re hurt by having a starter named Ahman Green in the backfield. The defense, anchored by Mario Williams, is better, and there’s the possibility of a Colts upset down the line … but I think Houston’s still a year or two away from that elusive playoff berth.

4) Tennessee Titans
Record: 7-9
Why they’re last in the division: It’s a tough, tough division, and Vince Young may not be what everybody had hoped. The difference maker though (the guy who could make this an 11-5 team) is East Carolina rookie Chris Johnson, who’s looked amazing in the preseason.

AFC West

1) San Diego Chargers
Record: 11-5
Why they’re winning the division: They’re in a fairly weak division with Oakland and Kansas City in rebuilding years, and they’ve still got tons of talent on offense. One of my favorite picks was back-up running back Jacob Hester from LSU, who’s looked strong in the preseason and will be a nice alternative to LT in the backfield. The big question mark is Shawn Merriman’s knee … which that alone could take away a win or two if he’s out.

2) Denver Broncos
Record: 10-6
Why they’re battling for the playoffs: Everything’s on Jay Cutler this year, it seems, and I think he’s good enough to handle the pressure. It will be interesting to see if RB Selvin Young is ready to carry the load, and Bronco fans need to hope the defense improves on its run-stopping ability (30th in the league last year).
They’re not a dominant team, but they’re better than Oakland and Kansas City and should be in it to th end.

3) Oakland Raiders
Record: 6-10
Why they’re better this year: I’ve never been sold on Jamarcus Russell at QB, but I am excited about Darren McFadden in the backfield, which should bolster that offense. If the offensive line can hold up, Oakland will outscore people this year. I don’t know a ton about the defense, and maybe that’s not a good sign (or maybe I just don’t watch much west coast football).

4) Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 4-12
Why they’re worse this year: You’ve got Brodie Croyle throwing to Tony Gonzalez (yay) and Dwayne Bowe and Devard Darling (meh). Larry Johnson suddenly isn’t the dominant force he was, and the defense leaves a lot to be desired.

——————————————

WILDCARDS: Indianapolis Colts, NY Jets
Playoffs
Round 1: Colts over Steelers, Jets over Chargers
Round 2: Patriots over Jets, Colts over Jaguars
Round 3: Patriots over Colts
Super Bowl: Patriots

Wow, Phelps was a jerk …

Disclaimer: My, my … I don’t really think Phelps is a jerk. Also, there’s a middle finger in the video above … so if you don’t like that sort of thing, please don’t watch.

Disclaimer PART II: I’m sorry, I thought for certain everybody would have caught the “tongue in cheek” nature of this post and realized it was a joke. To make it more clear: It is a joke. I’m a huge Michael Phelps fan.

In Sunday’s Herald: Chatham Street

I’ve been working on a feature for Sunday’s Herald on Chatham Street in downtown Sanford … the street with the old Buggy Depot and the new Cafe 121.
I bring this up on this site today because I wanted to write about how impressed and excited I am about this string of buildings (and I can’t really do that in the story, you see). The buildings, which have been mostly empty and rundown since the 90s, are currently undergoing heavy renovations by Progressive Contractors, and director Joni Martin gave me a tour of the buildings to show me what’s been done and tell me what’s coming up.

The results, I think, are going to be huge for Sanford. This is a whole part of downtown that’s gone unused and has, until now, started to become an eyesore. The buildings are visible from Depot Park and serve as the backdrop to several events held in that area. I’ll have more in Sunday’s story, but the large four-story building will be both commercial and residential, and the other buildings — some which have been sold or leased already — will house either commercial or residential as well. Two tenants — Cafe 121 and a new office building — have moved in already.

I’d personally love to see a book store or another restaurant move in. It’s a short walk from an area that attracts a lot of people, and I think it will only do wonders for downtown’s appeal.

So if you’re interested in this kind of stuff like I am, buy Sunday’s Herald. And feel free to comment until your fingers bleed.

Pictured below: Example of one of the buildings photographed before the work began and what it should look like when the work is complete:

Podcast: The Rant

Ahhh, finally!
Click here to listen to Wednesday’s episode of The Rant with guests Matt Garrett and Bud Marchant, the outgoing and incoming presidents of Central Carolina Community College.

The Rant: Aug. 20 Podcast … delayed

So I went to post today’s broadcast of The Rant online, and only the first 15 minutes came through … followed by 2 minutes of skipping dialogue and 43 minutes of dead air.

We’ll get it fixed and hopefully have the full podcast up and running early Thursday.
Thanks for your patience.

In Thursday’s Herald: Football, Football, Football

Eight high schools.
Lots of football.
The Herald’s Alex Podlogar and Ryan Sarda each did a bang-up job on this year’s 2008 Football Preview section … so go out and buy 30 copies and give them to your friends and your friends’ friends.
But don’t give them to your friends’ friends’ friends … they’re idiots.

On my iPod: Siamese Dream

If you go to the Wikipedia page for Smashing Pumpkins’ second studio album, “Siamese Dream,” you’ll learn that the band went through nervous breakdowns, infighting and a lot of other distractions. Lead singer Billy Corgan would play guitarist James Iha and bassist D’Arcy Wretzky’s parts much to their dismay and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin would leave the studio for days to go on drug binges.
Ahhh, sounds like the making of a “Behind the Music” to me.

Well, the result, to me, was one of the Top 5 greatest rock albums of the 90s. I put “Siamese Dream” up there with Radiohead’s “OK Computer,” Pearl Jam’s “Yield,” Live’s “Throwing Copper” and Alice In Chains’ “Jar of Flies,” … all my personal favorites from the flannel era.
It was released in 93, in the middle of the “grunge” era, but to me, this album’s more of a mix of grunge, 70s arena rock and stuff I’ve not heard before or since. It’s an album full of heavy, layered guitars and a great mix of speaker blasting riffs and light “pings,” for lack of a better word.

Songs like “Cherub Rock,” “Today,” and “Disarm” made the Billboard charts, but my favorites include “Hummer,” “Soma” and “Rocket.” There isn’t a bad song in the bunch … and it was one of the few albums I’d just play — many times falling asleep to it in my college dorm room. Ahhh, memories.
Below are a few YouTube clips … their videos kinda stunk at the time, but then again, who cares about the videos?

Soma (Live)

Rocket