Picks of the Week

Wow - What a start to the season.  For some of the teams and players at least - and ME!!!  Now way I can keep this pace up, but it sure is good to start off with a BANG!!!  For those that are new to this site, I will select every game against the spread.  I will be selecting one big bet at $250 per, whereas everything else will be $100.  Winners count as winners, whereas, losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.  On to the picks.

Kansas City Chiefs -4 v. Los Angeles Chargers

A very good home team getting points in the opening weekend?  I'll take them.  We saw how that turned out!  Ugh.  Two weeks in a row now.  Maybe it is an omen?

New York Giants -1 1/2 v. Carolina Panthers

I never would have guessed this pick before the season started, but the Giants ran the ball very well last week, and Carolina couldn't stop the run.  Yes, it was the Browns who run the ball at every opportunity, but so can Saquon.

Pittsburgh Steelers +3 v. New England Patriots

Nothing I saw from the Patriots last week makes me think they should be a favorite on the road.  If Belichick wasn't the coach, this would be my big bet.

New Orleans Saints +2 1/2 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Saints have owned the Buccaneers since Tom Brady moved to Tampa.  I know this means the streak will probably stop here, but I have to ride this streak as long as I can.

Cleveland Browns -6 1/2 v. New York Jets

Joe Flacco showed that he can still fling it during a blowout loss.  Let's see if he can do that two weeks in a row.

Baltimore Ravens -3 1/2 v. Miami Dolphins

I have a feeling that this pick could sneak up on a lot of people.  Could be a determinative game for how the season can ultimately go for both teams.  Until Miami proves me otherwise, I am picking the Ravens.

Washington Commanders pick 'em at Detroit Lions

Detroit plays tough, and if DeAndre Swift can be healthy all year, Detroit will win more games than people expect.  But, with Washington, I have to go back to their defensive line with Carson Wentz making just enough more plays than Jared Goff.

Indianapolis Colts -3 at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville played the Commanders close last week, but they could not get off the field on third down, stopping their opponents on that crucial down only 30% of the time.  That doesn't bode well for a team with Jonathan Taylor.  If the Colts stay on the field, he will break one.

Los Angeles Rams -10 v. Atlanta Falcons

Already in the season and we have a double-digit spread.  The Rams will really WANT this win after being decimated by the Buffalo Bills on opening night.  I look for them to score early and often, getting both Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson involved in the passing game.  Is this Desmond Ridder watch on?  No offense to Marcus Mariota, but it should be.

San Francisco 49ers -9 v. Seattle Seahawks

Be careful not to read too much into last week's games.  The weather in Chicago was atrocious.  San Francisco probably will not look that bad again this week.  And, good win by Seattle, but neither the Seahawks or the Broncos actually looked good on Monday night.  Seahawks on a short week, I'll take San Francisco.

Houston Texans +10 at Denver Broncos

Now, here is where I fall into the trap.  Denver did not look good and are on a short week.  Houston didn't look great either, but they played a tough team really tough - and didn't lose.  Makes for an easy bet when it is double digits.  I don't like this bet because Matt Ryan carved up the Texans' pass defense last week, and Russell Wilson did the same to Seattle.  I am taking Houston, but only because it is 10 points.  C'mon Lovie!

Las Vegas Raiders -5 1/2 v. Arizona Cardinals

Raiders looked lively in their week 1 loss to the Chargers, who are an AFC champion-caliber team.  Arizona was annihilated by the Chiefs, which could happen to a bunch of teams this year.  I still think even at full strength the Raiders are better - Davante Adams means that much.

Cincinnati Bengals -7 at Dallas Cowboys

Nobody knows what we are getting from Cooper Rush, but we do know what we are getting from the rest of the Dallas team.  Cincinnati wins going away, despite giving up 4 sacks.

Chicago Bears +10 at Green Bay Packers

Giving up ten points against a division rival, when you have nobody that is able to catch the ball?  A frustrated Aaron Rodgers tour begins.

Buffalo Bills -10 v. Tennessee Titans

Coming off a bad loss to the New York Giants, instead of bouncing back, I think we may be seeing the limitations of this team.  Perhaps Malik Willis starts before Desmond Ridder?

Minnesota Vikings +2 1/2 at Philadephia Eagles

In perhaps the closest game of the weekend, I am just taking points.  No disrespect to the Eagles, but it was that close for me.

Big Bet:

Pittsburgh Steelers +3 v. New England Patriots

Getting points at home against a very pedestrian team.  Can you believe this, two weeks in a row betting big on Mitchell Trubisky?

Last Week's Record:  12-4

Last Week's Big Bet:  1-0

Year-to-Date Record:  12-4

Big Bet Year-to-Date:  1-0
Last Week's Winnings (Losses):  $910 

Year to Date's Winnings (Losses):  $910

Picks of the Week

The NFL is back!!!!  That means that the newest installment of my NFL picks of the week is also back!!!  Yes, this can be humiliating at times, rewarding at others, but for those of you that do or don't like some of my picks, just know it is A LOT more difficult when you force yourself to do EVERY game, and not pick-and-choose the ones you think are the easiest bets.  And with that, I am very much looking forward to this year!!!

For those that are new to this site, I will select every game against the spread.  I will be selecting one big bet at $250 per, whereas everything else will be $100.  Winners count as winners, whereas, losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.  On to the picks.

Los Angeles Rams +2 1/2 v. Buffalo Bills

A very good home team getting points in the opening weekend?  I'll take them.  We saw how that turned out!  Ugh.

Chicago Bears +6 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers

This is not a homer bet.  The Bears don't look to be a very good team by most prognostications, but do we really know what The 49ers have in Trey Lance?  No.  Do we know what the Bears have in Justin Fields?  Also know.  I'll take the almost touchdown.

Detroit Lions +5 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles

I have changed my mind many times on this game.  I think that Jalen Hurts has a chance to be VERY good, and now the Eagles have added A.J. Brown as a weapon on the outside.  But I keep remembering just how tough Detroit has played damn near everyone since Dan Campbell arrived as head coach, and they are at home.  Philadelphia may win, but Detroit keeps it close.

Houston Texans +7 v. Indianapolis Colts

Admittedly this is just a chance to continue the run of selecting home underdogs.  Colts still win, but this game has backdoor cover all over it.

Celveland Browns pick 'em Carolina Panthers

So, some road teams are going to win, right?  Might as well pick the one that doesn't have to give up points!  (And the one that has Nick Chubb AND Kareem Hunt!)  Baker will have a chip on his shoulder, but we won't really iknow what we are getting from Christian McCaffrey coming off his injury, and how Baker is going to gel with the receivers.

Washington Commanders -3 v. Jacksonville Jaguars

Damn it feels good to type that.  Even if it wasn't perhaps the best choice.  It beats having to type "Football Team" as well as "Racists" as in the past.  For that reason alone, and the fact that even with the Chase Young injury Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat make up the fiercest defensive line - meaning the entire line - in the NFL.

New England Patriots +3 at Miami Dolphins

Do I believe that the Dolphins are much improved, especially with the addition of Tyreek Hill?  Yes I do.  Do I also believe that Tuaniggamanuolepola Tagovailoa will also be improved with the confidence of the team and being the undisputed started?  Yes, I do.  Do I believe that these are the type of circumstances where Bill Belichick loves to screw with opposing teams, opposing coaches' minds, opposing fans, and also the betting lines?  Definitely.

Pittsburgh Steelers +7 at Cincinnati Bengals

Yes, Cincinnati is coming off of a phenomenal playoff run.  Yes, the seem to have improved their number 1 weakness from last year, the offensive line.  But, seems doesn't block T.J. Watt, and Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati both times they played last year.  AND, it looks like Pittsburgh will have a more-than-competent quarterback this year.  (Did I just say that about Mitchell Trubisky?)

Baltimore Ravens -6 1/2 at New York Jets

I cannot pick all of the home underdogs, right?  On paper Lamar Jackson is just so much better than the New York Jets.  I mean, it isn't like the Ravens secretary is full of Zach Wilson's mom's friends!  Only question is where is Jackson's mindset after the team and Jackson could not come to terms on an extension.  I think Jackson will be out to prove that he is worth as much as any quarterback in the league.  Think about it, he is the only NFL MVP from the QB position to have won the award before he turned 23.

Atlanta Falcons + 5 1/2 v. New Orleans Saints

This bet seems too easy.  New Orleans all the way.  I hate this bet.  I cannot believe that I am putting it on "paper."  But, I have this feeling we might get to see Desmond Ridder, and Jameis Winston could always thrown 4 or 5 picks.  (He could also throw 4 or 5 interceptions too.)  Home divisional rival getting points.  God do I hate this pick.

Kansas City Chiefs -6 1/2 at Arizona Cardinals

Patrick Mahomes is undefeated in opening games, having thrown 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.  That continues today.  Arizona strengthened its WR corps by adding Marquise Brown, but DeAndre Hopkins is suspended and Rondale Moore is out.  Zach Ertz is also questionable.  Juju Smith-Schuster has an amazing game.

Tennessee Titans -5 1/2 v. New York Giants

Lots of bets against the Giants from me unless and until Saquon Barkley proves he can play a full complement of plays each-and-every game at the original Saquon Barkley level.

Minnesota Vikings -2 1/2 v. Green Bay Packers

What is a Romeo Doubs?  Still, I make this pick with trepidation as you can never be confident betting against Aaron Rodgers.

Los Angeles Chargers -3 1/2 v. Las Vegas Raiders

How many sacks can Joey Bosa earn playing opposite Khalil Mack?  Robert Quinn had 18 1/2 last year.  Chargers are my early pick to win the AFC.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2 1/2 at Dallas Cowboys

I have changed this pick 3 or 4 times.  I don't like the line.  I don't like trying to figure out how Tampa is going to be with apossibly still ailing Chris Godwin and an aging Julio Jones.  I do love the situation Cameron Brate finds himself in, though.  Six or 7 catches for him today!

Denver Broncos -6 1/2 at Seattle Seawhawks

Big number for a divisional rival - wait - they haven't been rivals for a long time.  And Seattle looks like they are going to stink!!!  I have no qualms about picking this road favorite.

Big Bet:

Pittsburgh Steelers +7 at Cincinnati Bengals

So, when selecting a big bet, I always try to find a home team, and either getting points or giving away a small number.  Lots of home teams getting points this week.  But, I found a game getting points on the road, but with a big number that stands out to me.  An intra-divisional rivalry in which the number is inflated because of Cincinnati's playoff run last year.  (They were not the best team in the AFC - they just got hot at the right time.)  And although Cincinnati may have improved, it looks like Pittsburgh did as well.  Watch for George Pickens' to have his coming-out party, if not this week, then soon!!!

Last Week's Record:  6-10

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-1

Last Week's Record:  0-0

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-0

Year-to-Date Record:  0-0

Big Bet Year-to-Date:  0-0
Last Week's Winnings (Losses): 

Year to Date's Winnings (Losses):

Bearing Down on the Draft

Now that the Newness of the 2022 NFL Draft has waned, and the 11 new draftees (plus 16 UDFAs, plus upwards of 40+ camp invitees) have started rookie camp, I decided that it was time to unique reflect on my favorite team's draft.  Instead of just analyzing the draft day selections and trades that gave the Bears 11 picks, instead of the 6 they possessed entering the draft, I am going to choose, in order, my favorite Bears' first-round picks since I have been alive.  This is not my ranking of the best players, although being a great player enhances your chances of finishing high in this list, just my favorite picks.  For the most part, I will offer no analysis, but I might in certain circumstances.

For a time frame, I was born in 1973, however I was born after the draft that year, so this covers only those first round picks from 1974 through last week.  Given that in some years the Bears had 2 first round picks, there are 54 total picks to rank.  Here we go, in ascending order ...

54.  2018 - None (Involved in the Mitchell Trubisky trade, See number 53)

53.  2017 - Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina - So, I think he is a lot better than some players on this list, but as a draft pick?!  C'MON MAN!  DeShaun Watson was the pick!

52.  2015 - Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

51.  2012 - Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State - He is only as high as he is because of the Aaron Rodgers play.

50.  1998 - Curtis Enis, RB, Penn State - So, Curtis Enis is this low not because he ended up being a horrible player (his career was shortened by knee injuries), but because the Bears already had Raymont Harris and Rashaan Salaam on the roster.  Not great, but way better than a receiving corps consisting of Curtis Conway and Bobby Engram and Ricky Proehl.  Why do I mention wide receivers?  Because Randy Moss was available at this pick!!!  I was actually working at my bar (I didn't own it, but I OWNED it), during the draft, and I disavowed my allegiance to the Bears because of this pick.  Yes, I know, short lived, but still.

49.  2002 - Marc Columbo, T, Boston College - Columbo was a decent player, but this pick was bad because the Bears held onto this pick rather than sending it to the New England Patriots for Drew Bledsoe, who could have led them for a couple of years until the Bears found their permanent QB (which I hope is Justin Fields.

48.  2003 - Michael Haynes, DE, Penn State

47.  2011 - Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

46.  1974 - Dave Gallagher, DT, Michigan

45.  1974 - Waymond Bryant, LB, Tennessee State

44.  2005 - Cedric Benson, RB, Texas - He cried on stage because his dream of being drafted had been fulfilled.  Now, ordinarily I don't care if someone is emotional at an appropriate moment, but Benson knew he was going to not only be drafted, but land somewhere in the top 6 or 8 since the season ended.

43.  1977 - Ted Albrecht, T, California

42.  1976 - Dennis Lick, T, Wisconsin

41.  2008 - Chris Williams, T, Vanderbilt

40.  1999 - Cade McNown, QB, UCLA

39.  1994 - John Thierry, DE, Alcorn State 

38.  1988 - Brad Muster, FB, Stanford

37.  2010 - None

36.  2009 - None

35.  2006 - None

34.  1997 - None

33.  1978 - None

32.  2003 - Rex Grossman, QB, Florida

31.  2001 - David Terrell, WR, Michigan

30.  1988 - Wendell Davis, WR, LSU

29.  1991 - Stan Thomas, T, Texas

28.  2020 - None (Khalil Mack Trade, 2nd number 1 traded)

27.  1995 - Rashaan Salaam, RB, Colorado

26.  1987 - Jim Harbaugh, QB, Michigan

25.  1979 - Al Harris, DE, Arizona State

24.  1992 - Alonzo Spellman, DE, Ohio State

23.  2013 - Kyle Long, G, Oregon

22.  1996 - Walt Harris, CB, Mississippi State

21.  1985 - William Perry, DT, Clemson

20.  2016 - Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia - I LOVED this pick at the time.  Didn't really fulfill his potential in Chicago, but has been better since he left.

19.  1986 - Neal Anderson, RB, Florida

18.  1993 - Curtis Conway, WR, USC

17.  2022 - None (Fields Trade)

16.  2014 - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

15.  1989 - Donnell Woolford, CB, Clemson

14.  2004 - Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma - His 2004 highlight tape shown after his selection at the draft was AMAZING!

13.  1983 - Willie Gault, WR, Tennessee

12.  1980 - Otis Wilson, LB, Louisville

11.  1990 - Mark Carrier, S, USC

10.  1979 - Dan Hampton, DT, Arkansas

9.  1981 - Keith Van Horne, T, USC

8.  2007 - Greg Olsen, TE, Miami - I am a huge Miami Hurricanes fan!!!  G-REG!!!

7.  2000 - Brian Urlacher, LB, New Mexico

6.  2019 - None (Khalil Mack Trade)

5.  1982 - Jim McMahon, QB, Brigham Young

4.  1983 - Jim Covert, T, Pittsburgh - Covert was selected in the great QB draft of 1983 (John Elway [1st - Baltimore Colts], Todd Blackledge [7th - Kansas City Chiefs], Jim Kelly [14th - Buffalo Bills], Tony Eason [15th - New England Patriots], Ken O'Brien [24th - New York Jets], and Dan Marino [27th - Miami Dolphins]).  The Bears were not in the QB market having just selected Jim McMahon in the first round the previous year, but, as in all NFL drafts, they had to do their due diligence on all the QBs.  After watching tape of Dan Marino, head coach Mike Ditka noted that between his quick release and great offensive line Dan Marino never got sacked.  Ditka asked his scouts if any of the linemen were available in the draft.  When told that the left tackle was a senior and highly rated, Ditka reportedly said, "Great!  Let's get him!"

3.  1984 - Wilber Marshall, LB, Florida

2.  2021 - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State - Hopefully he can be great.  Ranked this high on potential, and on the fact that this was the first time since McMahon that the Bears truly addressed their need at QB by trading up to draft Fields.

1.  1975 - Walter Payton, RB - Jackson State - OF COURSE!

Final Four Chronicles - Q&A

 

As we have all ventured home, we felt it appropriate to do some type of wrap-up regarding the first real Final Four since 2019 (2020 being canceled and the 2021 tournament being entirely held in Indianapolis in an NBA-type bubble).  And, due to the tremendous outpouring from our readers, we bring to you the first ever Final Four Chronicles Question & Answer.  The questions were posed to us by various readers of the Final Four Chronicles, who all had questions regarding our trip.  Here we go.

Q:  Is everything we read in the Chronicles real?

A:  Absolutely.  Everything we post in the Chronicles actually occurred or was said.  Items might be edited for space or consolidated so as not to drag on too much, but everything is 100% real, down to the time stamp.

Q:  Who writes the Chronicles?

A:  We all contribute to the content and engage in the editorial process.

Q:  To how many Final Fours have you been?

A:  This was Kev-O's first.  Sinickal has been to approximately 18 or so, whereas Pepster just hit his 11th.  Each of Pepster's 11th has been with Sinickal, including his first in 2003 right here in New Orleans.

Q:  What was the location of your house?

A:  Basically, on the corner of Rampart Street and Governor Nicholl's Street.  Rampart is one of the main boulevards that marks the French Quarter, and if taken to Bourbon Street, Governor Nicholl's would be the 13th street off Canal.  So, close enough to the partying part of the French Quarter to walk, even for Pepster, and not so close as to hear all of the partiers late into the night.

Q:  What is the actual name of the Stab-and-Slab?

A:  Key's Food Store, and yes, it was directly across Governor Nicholl's from our house.  Kev-O has a friend Paul whose family is from New Orleans, and he likes Key's.  Apparently it is a known entity.

Q:  Was the fried chicken at the Stab-and-Slab actually that good?

A:  Absolutely.  It is simply the best and most personally destructive friend chicken ever.

Q:  Did Tony ever show up?

A:  No, he did not.  Although we traveled on April 1, this was not some elaborate April Fool's joke played by Tony upon us.  Weather throughout the middle of the country delayed/canceled flights nationwide.  You might remember Pepster and Kev-O had to sit on the runway for an hour due to congestion from flights evading weather, even though there was no weather in Fort Lauderdale.

Q:  Did Allison and Racecar travel with you?  The Arrival post said they did not, but the tags always included them.

A:  No, Racecar and Allison did not attend this Final Four.  We tagged them so they could see exactly what we were up to.  They are always invited, though.

Q:  Did you plan to run into Pepster's friend Matt Young from Florida?

A:  Yes and No.  Pepster did not plan to go to New Orleans with Matt, but they both knew each other were going to the games independently, so it was easy to meet up given modern technology, i.e. cell phone.

Q:  How did Pepster know John and Kendrick?

A:  Although 2 years ahead of Pepster in college, all 3 of them lived in Leverett House for one overlapping year, and all three of them played a lot of hoops together.

Q:  Why did you not run into Will until Monday?

A:  Will, who went to North Carolina, among other places, did not go to the games on Saturday, but once the Tar Heels made it to the finals, he found some friends with an extra ticket and came down to New Orleans from the DC area for the final game.

Q:  In what club are Sinickal, Kev-O, and Will members?

A:  National Golf Club, and yes they do have a hole-in-one service fee.

Q:  For which team do you ordinarily cheer?

A:  For Sinickal, it is Syracuse.  For Kev-O and Pepster, it is Kentucky.

Q:  For which team did you cheer in this year's Final Four?

A:  For Sinickal, it was Syracuse.  ("Let's go O-Range" is probably still echoing around Bourbon Street.)  For Kev-O and Pepster, it is "Anybody but Duke!"

Q:  Who hates Duke the most?

A:  Sinickal hates Duke.  But nowhere near as much as Pepster.  It has to be Pepster.  Or Kev-O.  No, it is definitely Pepster.  Nah, it has to be Kev-O.  Pepster, Kev-O.  Well, we aren't sure.

Q:  Which Duke player do you hate the most?

A:  We assume this question really means "besides Christian Laettner."  So, in no particular order, Bobby Hurley, Steve Wojciekowski, Carlos Boozer, Grayson Allen, pre-Miami Heat Shane Battier, J.J. Redick, any and every Plumlee, Jason Williams (not that one), pre-Syracuse Greg Paulus, and a whole lot more.  Basically, everyone except Grant Hill and Zion Williamson.

Q:  Did Kev-O really buy a house?

A:  Well, he put in an offer on a house.  But, in this current housing market, who knows how that is going to turn out.  [Ed. Note:  We know how this turns out.]  He did not buy a duplex, but we did keep razzing him every day by saying that his wife was making larger and larger purchases each day.  Sinickal did buy a recycling bin.

Q:  What is Southwestern Central?

A:  It is a little NAIA school in Oklahoma.  Its mascot is the Scorpions.  Pepster and Sinickal, along with Hopps and Tony, have some type of loose affiliation with the school.

Q:  Where is Southwestern Central?

A:  Southwestern Central is in the northeastern panhandle of Oklahoma.

Q:  How hard is it to find Southwestern Central?

A:  For Sinickal and Pepster, pretty easy.  For Kev-O, damn near impossible!  Funny thing is the northeastern corner of the panhandle is much like the Bermude triangle.  Does it exist? Sure. Can you quantify exactly where it lies?  No.  There are no cities, towns, nor even a caution light there.  Needless to say, Southwestern Central is more of a state of mind than it is a brick and mortar shop. 

Q:  How many basketball players does Southwestern Central have on its roster?

A:  Southwestern Central currently has the exact same amount of scholarship players as LSU.

Q:  Did those guys at Mulate's really get mad at you about Southwestern Central?

A:  Yes.  Even madder than Kev-O was about the entire concept of Southwestern Central!

Q:  Was this the most exciting final game you ever saw?

A:  Not even close.  This final game only became exciting in the last ten minutes, coincidentally right after last call.  The most exciting final game we ever saw was 2016 in Houston with Villanova defeating North Carolina 77-74 on the Kris Jenkins "Bang" shot.

Q:  Is Bourbon Street back?

A:  Three answers:  Hell yes, kind of, and no.  For the first, it is most definitely back in terms of crowds, partying, street "vendors" and just about everything that makes Bourbon Street the tourist mecca of the city.  For the second, a lot of restaurants closed early, bars opened late, and come Tuesday, a lot of places were just closed to re-stock inventory and to give scheduled employees a break due to staffing issues.  For the third, there is no longer any 3-for-1 Happy Hours, which used to be one of the best things about Bourbon Street.

Q:  What did you do to get kicked out of Coyote Ugly?

A:  Nothing.  we did not get kicked out of Coyote Ugly.  That was San Antonio in 2018, and again, the only thing we did to get kicked out was the manager, "thought we had been there too long."

Q:  What types of traditional New Orleans food did you eat while there?

A:  Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee, Muffaletta, Po-Boys, Oysters, Crawfish, Alligator, Turtle Soup, Beignets, Boudin (although that is more central Louisiana cuisine.)  We missed redfish, but pretty much hit the rest of them.

Q:  What was the best place you ate?

A:  Probably Cafe Sbisa for Sunday Jazz Brunch.  Antoine's was great, but we just hit it for a quick burger since everywhere else was packed.  Dickie Brennan's and Crescent City Steakhouse were great for steak.  And, of course, the Stab-and-Slab.

Q:  What was your favorite bar?

A:  Who really knows.  We hit Bourbon House a few times, but that is because it is one block off Canal, so easier access to walk toward the Caesar's Superdome.  With a great bourbon menu (and good food!)  Lafitte's is a classic.

Q:  How much Bourbon did you drink?

A:  A lot.

Q:  Did you have any major revelations about the Final Four or New Orleans?

A:  Cafe Sbisa was a revelation, with none of us having eaten there before.  But, the biggest revelation was exactly how much fun watching and making fun of the entrants in the home run contest at FanFest was.  We were there for way too long.

Q:  I noticed that you three were constantly snapping, whether on each other or other people, do you miss anything?

A:  Ordinarily no.  And Papa Si even stated this exact quote in Scottsdale in 2017, "You all don't miss anything, do you?"  But, we had one major miss this year.  Walking to the Caesar's Superdome for the Finals on Monday, a person on the sidewalk was spouting religion and gets to his point, "Jesus is the Path," paraphrasing John 3:14, "I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  When the guy says, "Jesus is the path," our response of "The path is right here" pointing to the crosswalk, was adequate.  Except, the Superdome was in our sight. "The path ends there," should have been our retort.  We missed it, and we apologize to all of you that expect more from us.

Q:  How long did the fact you missed that one sit with you?

A:  It still hurts.

Q:  What was the worst thing about the trip?

A:  Well, that the Final Four did not fall on Easter weekend.  That, and not having water for the better part of a day.

Q:  Was it worth it?

A:  What is the most emphatic version of yes?

Q:  Where is it next year?

A:  Houston, Texas.

Q:  Will you be going?

A:  That is a long way off, but yes, we plan on attending, and bringing the Final Four Chronicles with us.

Final Four Chronicles - The Departure

Day 5 - Tuesday, April 5

Yes, it is the day of departure from New Orleans, but that doesn't mean there still isn't stuff to do, say, see, or hear!!!!

5:30 - Kev-O arises for his early trip to the airport.

7:00 - Kev-O wheels up to D.C.

8:15 - Pepster arises.

8:30 - Racecar calls Pepster and asks, are you going to any museums or cemetaries?  [Ed. Note - We do love the World War II Museum in New Orleans, we just didn't have the opportunity to see it this trip.]

9:00 - Sinickal comes downstairs.

10:45 - Uber to Sinickal's hotel, the Queen and Crescent (Sinickal's flight out is tomorrow morning.)  As an aside, we did clean up the AirBnB, which was easy to do, but we were amazed at some of the checkout instructions, things like - set thermostat to 70, take all trash to the bins outside, put all dishes in the diswasher, remove all signs and clean up all confetti and glitter.  What did they think we were doing?

10:49 - Song comes on radio and Pepster mutters to Sinickal, "Strong start for a song."  Driver thinks we are complaining so he just changes the station saying, "Is it too early for this song?"

11:02 - To Acme Oyster House for lunch, but Acme Oyster House is closed.  Oh well, next trip.  To Felix's.

11:03 - Enter Felix's.

11:12 - First batch of oysters arrive.

During lunch - lots of talk about Tiger Woods - who stated he was going to play the Masters - and talks of states and various laws pending or being lobbied regarding their age of consent for marriage.  All but 6 allow marriage for girls under the age of 18.  ONLY 6!

13:30 - Walk into Fat Tuesday's as an homage to a previous Key West trip.  We do not want a sugary Fat Tuesday drink, but we can get a beer to go.  Except ...  all tables have been removed as have all beer/wine.  Sugary slushy drinks to go only.  We pass.

13:33 - Enter Cornet's.

 13:41 - This pulls up right outside our window at Cornet's ...

So that he doesn't miss out we send this pic to Kev-O, who immediately texts back, "I wonder where he was January 6!"

14:56 - Couple walks in wearing Kansas gear.  Sinickal asks, "Have they taken away your trophy yet?  It has been 24 hours."  Followed by, "At least Mark Emmert would have gotten the name of my school right."  [Ed. Note - for those that didn't hear, when awarding the championship trophy to Kansas University, the President of the NCAA, Mark Emmert, announced Kansas City University.]  Pepster goes to remark that at least "Emmert might know which state Kansas is in," when we see the guy is wearing a shirt with the phrase "Great State of Kansas" over the outline of the State of Missouri.  Apparently this guy is one of us.

15:01 - Bad Boys on tv at Cornet's - without sound - but we both look up and the "I wanna be, I wanna be like Mike" scene is on.

15:05 - A guy at Sinickal's club gets his first hole-in-one today.  Sinickal mentions that his club has hole-in-one insurance, and everyone in the club is charged $2 each to go toward drinks for the hole-in-oner and his foursome!  

15:09 - Enter Cantina.  BOY IS THIS PLACE LOUD!  

15:10 - Pepster and Sinickal to each other, "What?"  "What?"

15:13 - Leave Cantina.

15:31 - Enter Bandstand.  This place was closed when we passed it earlier.  Glad it is open now.  And it has the champagne of beers!

15:36 - Sweet Home Alabama.  Some band always place this song when we are in Bandstand.  The make-up of this band is a bit different than the last couple of times.

15:51 - A dude in Kansas gear is still celebrating the victory by trying to dance.  It isn't working.

 15:55 - Enter Front Door.  (The name of the establishment, not just the location of the door.)

15:55:10 - 4 for 4 on bartenders.

15:59 - Pepster's flight is delayed from 19:55 to 22:05.

16:00 - Sinickal says, "Good.  Now I have a dinner date."

16:23 - Band plays Dust in the Wind by Kansas.  Dude just yelled out, "You're my boy, Blue!"  As people go to dap him up he admits that he just repeated a line that his girl just told him.

16:57 - Shoes untied.

17:00 - Enter The Beach.

17:01 - A whole conversation over the second person plural as bartender uses ya'll.

17:04 - 4 1/2 out of 5.

17:17 - Three people at the bar do a shot with the bartender and toast, "We should have stayed in school!"

17:20 - People down the bar complain that their beers are not cold.  Bartender comes back to ask if our beers were cold.  They weren't.  After explaining to her that they were not without trying to sound like they are complaining, bartender looks at Pepster and says, "You have a way with words my dude."

17:28 - Enter Dickie Brennan's for dinner.  Sit at bar.

17:30 - Rory the bartender introduces himself and asked if we were in town for the Final Four.  He says he was rooting for the blue team.

18:00 - As Pepster orders a twist of lemon with his Buffalo Trace, Pepster and Sinickal remember that the bartender from Bourbon House on Monday evening said, after we ordered Elijah Craig with a twist of lemon, "Oh, you are the twist of bourbon guys!"  [Ed. Note - This is the second consecutive Final Four in which we were somebody's guys.  At Bourbon House in New Orleans we are the "Bourbon with a twist of lemon guys."  At Runyon's in Minneapolis in 2019 we were one waitress' "Jameson Guys."]  Not sure how we forgot to put that in yesterday's blog post.

18:19 - Pepster takes a call from Racecar, who mentions that Tiger Woods is playing in the Masters.  She just starts to refer to him as "Little Big League!"

18:31 - Guy at the bar in a discussion with two other bar patrons says that he is, "Staying at I T O S, or some other hotel that is letters!"

18:34 - Couple next to us talking about George Foreman's names for all his kids and the lady says, "Can you imagine, Angie, Angie, Angie, Angie and Angie?"

18:40 - Another lady at the bar makes the comment that "All wine distributors look alike!".  [Ed. Note - this is the second consecutive Final Four trip that some version of "All ____ look alike " has appeared on our blog post.  In 2019 it was at Gigi's in Minneapolis, when the waitress confused Sinickal and Dr. Pepper.]

18:44 - Lady, who we assume is named Angie from the previous conversation, is a bit confused as to which direction Rory is delivering her appetizers.  "I never know if someone is coming from the back or the front."

18:58 - Lady on the other side is from St. Louis.  She finds out Sinickal is a Cubs fan and says, "Wrigley would be a cathedral of baseball if the would rebuild it like Busch Stadium."

19:35 - I thought you said a plastic fuck.  (Referring to a plastic fork in a to-go order.)

19:38 - Leave Dickie Brennan.

19:57 - Arrive at Queen and Crescent, a Marriott property.  Sinickal's room is not yet ready.  You may recall we arrived there just before 11:00.  Sinickal receives free drinks because of the delay.

18:00 - Free Buffalo Trace's.  Yes with a twist of lemon.

20:20 - While Pepster is outside waiting on his Uber to the airport which is 1 minute away, Earth Wind & Fire's Fantasy is on the airwaves from the hotel.  A great way to end the trip.

21:16 - Guy at the bar outside the gate is talking to a couple saying that he ran into Felix's when they opened at 11:00 today and has been eating and drinking all day.  He had to have seen us there, as we were in the front bar. 

22:11 - Pepster wheels up to FLL.

2022 NCAA Tournament Pool - Final Standings

No prose today, just results.  For information on how the Final Four is going, visit any of the Final Four Chronicles on this site.  For the winners, please give me a couple of days to double check all scoring and then I will contact you regarding how you want payment.

STANDINGS

Remember, please double-check your scores, and let me know if you think I made a mistake.

1.  Dawn Lamb (Keith) - 136 - KANSAS

2.  Jeff Plamondon 1 - 128 - KANSAS

3.  Ron Stewart - 121 - KANSAS

4.  Chris Simmons - 116 - KANSAS

5.  Steven Usma 4 - 115 - KANSAS

6.  Braeden Helland 3 - 114 - KANSAS

7.  Mark Holbert - 113 - KANSAS

     Chris Kroesen - 113 - KANSAS

9.  Bubba Zdrowak - 111 - KANSAS

10.  Dawn Lamb (Colbie) - 109 - KANSAS

       Brandon Satterwhite - 109 - KANSAS

12.  Annette Pritchard - 108 - KANSAS

13.  Gracie Kroesen - 107 - KANSAS

       Dawn Lamb - 107 - KAN1AS

       Sean McInerney 3 - 107 - KANSAS

16.  Day Yi 1 - 105

17.  George Walks 3 - 100 - KANSAS

18.  John Hopps - 96

19.  Allison Parker - 95

20.  Jeremy Spuhler - 93

21.  Javier Rodriguez 2 - 91 - Gonzaga/Arizona

22.  Bill Ganoe 3 - 87 - Arizona/Gonzaga

       Sean McInerney 1 - 87

24.  George Fox 1 - 84 - Gonzaga/Iowa

25.  Annette Pritchard 2 - 80

       George Walks 2 - 80

27.  Sean McInerney 2 - 79

       Katie Zdrowak - 79

29.  Rich Samuels 1 - 78

       Jonathan Wasserman - 78

       Justin Yung - 78

32.  Dan Laishley - 77

       Colonel Kareem Montague - 77

       Josh Zdrowak - 77

35.  Scott Bieterman 1 - 76

       Alvaro Gonzalez - 76

       Alyssa Hopps - 76

       Arlene Amo Hopps - 76

       Scott Kroesen - 76

       Jessica Samuels - 76  

       Mike Wolff - 76

42.  Bill Ganoe 1 - 75

       Biscuit Zdrowak - 75

44.  Justine Frank - 74

       Emily Lawson 1 - 58

       Silas Nichols - 74

       Ryan Rodriguez - 74

       Steven Usma 1 - 74

49.  Brent Bellinger 2 - 73

       Mac Kroesen - 73

       Steven Usma 3 - 73

52.  Guy Hughes - 72

       Blake Jackson - 72

54.  Quinn Jackson - 71

       Brian McMahon - 71

       Dave Piasecki 1 - 71

       William Pujals - 71

       George Walks 1 - 71

59.  Javier Rodriguez 3 - 70

60.  Rachel Bornn - 69

61.  Paul Cummings 1 - 68

       Larry Green - 68

       Kevin Kroesen - 68

       Hannah Sosa - 68

       Steven Usma 2 - 68

       Amy Zdrowak - 68

67.  Carolyn Fowler & Jane Reynolds - 67

       Jacey Fowler 1 -67

       Kline Kroesen - 67

       Glen Merchant - 67

       Javier Rodriguez 1 - 67

72.  Bill Ganoe 2 - 66

       Steph Stewart - 66

74.  Jen Armstrong - 65

       Rich Samuels 4 - 65

       Jamie Toole - 65

77.  Brian Hinaman - 64

       Philip Kroesen - 64

       Rich Samuels 3 - 64

       Keith Zdrowak - 64

81.  Kisha Marzouca 1 - 63

       Barkley Sosa - 63

       Pepe Sosa 2 - 63

84.  Brent Bellinger 1 - 62

       Matt Hopps - 62

       Edith Pecan - 62

87.  Braeden Helland 1 - 61

       Braeden Helland 2 - 61

       Ty Leatherman - 61

       Sasha Moon - 61

       Pepe Sosa 1 - 61

       George Walks 4 - 61

93.  Scott Bieterman 2 - 60

       George Fox 2 - 60

       Adam Jorgensen - 60

       Jeff Kroesen - 60

       Amanda Staudt - 60

98.  Paul Cummings 2 - 59

       Marcus Jackson - 59

       Emily Lawson 2- 59

101.  Dawn Lamb (Mitch) - 58

         Kisha Marzouca 3 - 58

103.  Daniel Barsky - 57

         George Fox 3 - 57

         Eric Inge - 57

         Dave Marzouca 2 - 57

         Nancy McInerney - 57

108.  Jenna Finkelstein - 56

         Hilary Kroesen - 56

         Martha Kroesen - 56

         Emily Lawson 3 - 56

112.  Jim Coleman - 55

        Carolyn Fowler - 55

        Jane Reynolds - 55

115.  Kisha Marzouca 2 - 54

116.  Jonathan Cox - 53

        James Garvin - 53

        ShaneDog Millionaire Jernigan 1 - 53

        Katie Kollmeyer - 53

        Ashley Poer 2 - 53

121.  Dave Piasecki 2 - 52

         Carl Walker - 52

123.  James Davis - 51

        Miles Jackson - 51

125.  Jacey Fowler - 50

         Chris LaForte 1 - 50

127.  Dave Marzouca 1 - 49

         Matt Nieman - 49

129.  ShaneDog Millionaire Jernigan 2 - 47

         Chris LaForte 2 - 47

         Brittany Sosa - 47

132.  Rich Samuels 2 - 45

         Jason Spuhler - 45

134.  Dave Marzouca 3 - 44

         Jeff Plamondon 2 - 44

136.  Scott Bieterman 3 - 43

         Kingfish Parham - 43

138.  Randy Pacheco - 34

139.  Ashley Poer 1 - 33

140.  Dawn Lamb (Quarter) - 30

141.  Day Yi 2 - 28

Final Four Chronicles - The Finals

 Day 4 - Monday, April 4

Championship Sunday!  Let's get after it!

7:55 - Sinickal arises.

8:15 - Pepster arises and comes downstairs.

9:15 - It's time for Winning Time.  Two episodes.

10:22 - Kev realizes the water is out.  Property management group tells us it is due to some construction up the block, but should be back on in an hour or so.

11:29 - While on the front porch, Kev-O almost witnesses a shooting.  A car pulls out of the Stab-and-Slam and almost hits a bicyclist that is clearly driving on the wrong side of the road.  Guy in car yells, "Wrong side of the road" to the bicyclist, who dismounts and walks toward the car.  A car door opens for someone to exit and Kev-O comes inside, "so he doesn't catch a stray!"

11:42 - Start walk to Acme Oyster House.

12:04 - Way too long a line at Acme Oyster House.  We need to find somewhere else to eat.  Lots of restaurants, but harder than you would think to find one.  Some are way too busy, some are closed on Mondays.

12:37 - Sinickal asks, "How much exercise is too much.  I am going to have to work off this exercise with some food!"

12:43 - A little wait at Crescent City Brewhouse.  We want to check to see if the bar has availability so we go inside what is apparently not an entrance.  Guy immediately rushes over and ropes-off the area in which we entered right behind us.

12:53 - Waitress with apparently some managerial authority is talking to the bartender about some problem table.  She tells him what to do (take care of all his other tables/bar customers first, then go to the problem table - apparently they just jumped the waiting list and sat down on their own, so the staff said they would have to wait a bit to be served.)  Waitress said, "We are not gonna get our panties in a bunch!"  Saw that we could hear the conversation and looked at us and said, "We are going to need them for the rest of the day!"

12:58 - The shucker isn't working at Crescent City Brewhouse.  So what started out at as lunch at Acme Oyster ends sadly with - no oysters.

13:08 - Boudin balls and alligator.  Still Louisianaing it up!

13:39 - We decide the beer is not very good.

13:42 - Nobody is buying our spare ticket.  We decide we should e-mail Coach K, as he doesn't have one for tonight!

13:56 - Will, a fellow member of Sinickal and Kev-O's golf club, joins us.  He came in last night just for the Final game.  He went to North Carolina and is decked out in Carolina blue.

13:44 - Kev-O asks us if we saw the bartender and the rooftop bar in the Virgin hotel on Saturday night be escorted out by management.  We did not.  Apparently the bartender might have been on something, and decided to get into it with a Duke fan.  Twice.  

14:14 - Apparently Tom Lennon is the bar manager at Crescent City Brewery.

14:26 - We explain Southwestern Central to Will.  Kev-O is still flabbergasted.  (This discussion lasts for quite some time0)

14:34 - Will decides he wants to try to get us actual coaching jobs at other schools.

14:37 - Will wants us to be on Last Chance U.

14:38 - Will is a great hype man.

14:39 - Kev-O still angry about Southwestern Central being in the northeastern panhandle of Oklahoma.

14:54 - Discuss the hog festival that was apparently in town this weekend.  We think it might have had bacon and ribs, but we don't know because we didn't go.

15:35 - Will is energized talking about playing in a golf tournament with a former member of their club also named Silas.  Apparently this Silas has some length in his golf game and plays at a +6.  Will says, "Yes, I know that you hit that drive 337 yards!  You know what is 337 yards away?  Those people's yard!!!

15:38 - "You smoked the ball, yeah, but IT'S OUT-OF-BOUNDS!"

15:39 - Will is having some type of Nam-like flashback over this tournament.

15:43 - Leave Crescent City Brewhouse.

15:49 - Will heads back to his hotel, we continue to our spot.

16:15 - Back at the AirBnB, we still don't have water.  Property Manager Nicole meets us at the property.  She says she is there to investigate.  Talks to the contractor down the street.  It'll be one more hour.

16:40 - Pepster takes a 20 minute nap.

17:15 - Still no water.  Gonna clean up as best we can, apparently.

17:37 - WE HAVE WATER!

18:00 - Head out into the mix.

18:04 - Carolina fan on one of the balconies yelling a little too hard at a Kansas-jersey wearing fan on the street.  About the Carolina fan Sinickal says, "He was hitting it a little too early for a 8:20 tip-off!"  Kev-O replies, "He looks like he will tell you his daddy is a lawyer!"

18:25 - Arrive at Bourbon House.

18:47 - Will rejoins us.

19:05 - Lady next to us puts salt and pepper in her cocktail sauce, for her raw oysters.  Doesn't she realize that the cocktail sauce and the horseradish combined add the spiciness for the oysters.  I mean, what is she doing!  She hasn't even tasted it yet. Pepster is way too angered about this than he needs to be.

19:09 - Ambulance right outside the restaurant on Bourbon Street.  Bartenders begin to ask, "what happened?"  Kev-O says, "Coach K's back must be hurting again!"

19:22 - Start walk to stadium

19:28 - See a young woman in a tight pink dress on a corner of an intersection by herself.  Nothing only looks about of place, but something seems amiss.  The light turns in her favor and she starts sashaying across the intersection.  And we see there is a guy on the other corner filming her walk.  Damn tik-tokkers.

19:36 - Stopped by the light and another intersection and a guy with a microphone is preaching.  As the light turns in our favor he gets to, "Jesus is the path!"  We tell him that, "The path is right here," and continuing walking.

19:47 - Enter stadium.  [Ed. Note - Entering the stadium was incredibly easy.  I don't know if it was because they had a number of entrances to spread out the crowd or some other factor(s), but ingress both nights was quick and easy.]

19:55 - Arrive at our seats!

20:08 - Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing the National Anthem!

20:20 - Tip-Off; radio silence.

20:58 - Sinickal and Kev-O go to the bathroom.  [Ed. Note - We don't always go to the bathroom in pairs, but stadium rules prohibit more than 2 drinks per person, so to buy 3 beers 2 people have to go in pairs.]  While Kev-O is washing his hands, a guy steps up next to him and proceeds to wash his hands down to the elbow, like he is prepping for surgery.  Another guy in ostrich boots and looks like he plays in a band says, "You are a thorough sumbitch!"

21:19 - Halftime performance by the Human Jukebox - the Southern University band.  [Side note, during the semi-finals Kev-O thought it was a missed opportunity that the Southern band did not perform.  Now we know why they didn't!]

22:39 - Dajuan Harris, Jr. stepping out-of-bounds is some Chris Webber-level mistake!

22:45 - Kansas wins!

22:47 - We change locations so we have: (a) a better view of One Shining Moment; and (b) easier egress afterward.

23:13 - One Shining Moment

23:18 - Make our way out of the stadium.

23:38 - Stop off at the Roosevelt Hotel Bar.  There is 1 bartender.  Place is relatively small, but packed.  She is working, but there is no way she can keep up with this crowd.

23:42 - Sinickal jawing with a good-natured Kansas fan by saying, "At least we got to keep our trophy!"  Kansas fan agrees this could be a good point.  [Ed. Note - For those that don't know, Kansas is under investigation by the FBI and the NCAA for potential criminal charges and other violations.  Sinickal's comments were spurred by a tweet he saw at halftime that read, "Bill Self is coaching like he wants to lose the game so that his championship doesn't get vacated next year!"

23:44 - Sinickal tells Kansas fans that they are going to have to return the nets also.

23:52 - Charles Barkley enters the Roosevelt Hotel Bar.  People are gawking, taking pictures, trying to talk to him.  All he is trying to do is walk to the bar to get a drink.  Sinickal remarks, "I would go say hi but I actually know him.  [Ed. Note - Sinickal does know him.  They have played golf together several times and run in similar circles in Scottsdale.]  Barkley immediately leaves because it is too crowded.

23:56 - Lone bartender yells to the doorman - "Don't let anybody else in!"

23:58 - Exit the Roosevelt Bar and enter Bourbon street for the trek home.

00:00 - See a guy wearing a shirt that says, "2-0 curveballs are why I have trust issues!"

00:04 - Sinickal strikes up some smack-talk with a girl wearing Kansas gear.  He tells her not to get too comfortable with the trophy as the championship isn't going to last long.  She says that she actually goes to Clemson so she is used to things not lasting long.  Sinickal responds, "That sounds like an indictment of the men on your campus!"

00:07 - Enter Le Bayou for a drink, some A/C, and really because Pepster needs a break from all this walking.

00:18 - See a couple at a table decked out in Kansas gear.  He is sweating profusely.  Kev-O remarks that "This is supposed to be the best meal of their life.  I wonder why the sauce is so spicy!"

00:19 - We decide they are just eating alfredo!

00:20 - Sign in the men's room warns of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.  THE MEN'S ROOM!

00:27 - Begin the sojourn back down Bourbon.

00:38 - "Who invited the guy from Street Fighter 2.

00:41 - Contemplating the 3-piece chicken from the Stab-n-Slab as we walk past NOLA Poyboys.

00:42 - Enter NOLA Poboys.  No chicken tonight.

00:45 - Couple in line behind us in Kansas garb, so Sinickal starts talking about the possible sanctions and vacating the title - "We don't actually care, we just picked a team."  She says that he actually went to Oregon State.  Sinickal, "Oh, no wonder you need to pick a winning team!"

01:10 - Arrive back home, PoBoys in hand.  Kev-O went with the shrimp PoBoy, while Sinickal and Pepster ordered the "Da Yat", which is a shrimp PoBoy smothered in gumbo!  These hit the spot.

01:28 - Off to sleep!