Monday's NFL Hangover - And Other Monday Business

Hey Peeps, and anyone else checking in - from the peeps and semi-regulars to those of you that may have gotten here for the first time, like the newest member of the "Peeps" Renee. Monday's entries take a look back at some of the more notable performances in the world of sports...with particular focus on the four major sports - European Soccer being the fourth...we don't do basketball here at "Thoughts of Hazel Mae" unless it impacts Hazel directly (ie like if someone spots her at the game). So before I start, as always, a special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

So how did you like that NFL Weekend? A few blowouts and a reasonably close one - I can't say that I was disappointed, having picked New England on Day 1 and Carolina on Day 2 of the suicide pool. The pool that started with 54 entries is now down to 19... as of today, I'm leaning towards New England on Saturday and the Colts on Sunday. I think that Big Ben is counterfeit...and if Manning and the Colts go up on Pittsburgh...they'll eat Ben up with that ferocious pass rush. But, its only Monday and that means that Hazel has five days to chime in with her input or picks. Speaking of Hazel (when don't I on this blog?) if you are a member of the yahoo site...new poll posted, please register your opinion or informed guess if you have one.

THIS WEEK'S HAZIES

NFL

HOW YA LIKE ME NOW?
LaVar Arrington of the Redskins, thought to be expendable earlier this year, gets the nod in Skins/Bucs game from Saturday afternoon. Arrington had 7 tackles, 1 INT and 1 forced fumble, and was a huge factor in why Washington won the field position battle. The game didn't have any notable performances on offence - did you see Mark Brunell? YUCK! It will be nice to see Washington's season end this weekend in Seattle.

THE BRADY BUNCH
The Patriots did it again - as I knew they would. As much as I would like to say "Tom Brady, with 3 TD passes, you are this week's winner of The Hazie!" - I can't. Brady is so damn good that even a very good game doesn't get him anymore Hazies. No, this week's winner is Ben Watson, the Patriots' tight end - that TD catch and run was worth the price of admission if you are a Pats fan...it killed the Jags.

Willie McGinest also gets a Hazie, for his 4.5 sacks and moving into first place on the all-time playoff sacks list. McGinest was a one man wrecking crew and was primarily responsible for the Pats being able to deny Jimmy Smith the ball - the dude was unstoppable. Asante Samuel gets honourable mention for his INT for a TD.

"RUN FOSTER RUN"
DeShaun Foster of the Panthers had a great game against the hated Giants. While Foster didn't get a TD, he did manage to run for 151 yards on 27 carries...many of them very tough yards to bail Carolina out of some bad field position. Plus, I can't stand Steve Smith - so even though Hazel might see eye to eye with Smith, he doesn't get one. The Hazie goes to DeShaun Foster.

EYE OF THE TIGER??
Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers gets the nod for this week's Hazie for leading them to a victory over the Bengals. Ben was 14/19 for 208 yards and 3 TDs - meh.

Honourable mention goes to Carson Palmer who, facing an off-season with surgery and rehab, refused to say that Kimo van Oelhoffln's was dirty. I think it was borderline...ah, it was cheap!

NCAA FOOTBALL
Vince Young of the Texas Longhorns led his team to a National Championship last week against the USC Trojans. Young threw for 267 yards and ran for 201 more - 468 yards of total offence...Reggie Bush had to be saying "Damn! That's good."

NHL
Mikael Tellqvist of the Leafs gets a Hazie for his game against Edmonton on Saturday night. Time after time he stoned the Oilers, and was the main reason the Leafs beat "The Oil". I know Hazel would want to give a shout out to the Leafs! We aren't going to trade Eddie anytime soon...but Telly is a damn good number 2.

Bryan Berard of the Columbus Blue Jackets had three goals last night. New England hockey fans have to be pulling for Berard - the guy almost loses and eye, and comes back a few years later to play some pretty damn good hockey. From all of Leaf Nation I say "Thank alot Hossa...you stupid jerk!" Way to go Bryan.

It was a slow week in European Soccer...so, we give a Hazie out to Portuguese Internation and Captain...Luis Figo. Just because he is the MAN!

So while we congratulate all of this week's winners...you know there has to be some who didn't quite make the grade. I'd like to call them runners-up, but that would be too nice - I'd like to call them something worse - but my man Adam will tell me that its not the way to go. So I call them simply..."the Not-So-Heroic".

THE TRIPLETS - MY HINEY
The New York Giants trio of Eli Manning, Tiki Barber and Plaxico Burress get the nod this week. Manning for the obvious - 3 INTs and 1 Fumble lost...Tiki Barber for running like a guy half his size, instead of twice his size as he had done for most of the year...and Plaxico Burress for being quitter and a fat ass half way through the game. Steelers' fans have long criticized him for not showing up in big games...he didn't disappoint (he won't be on Hazel Mae's Cowboys protected list next year).

MUD IN YOUR EYE????
Sean Taylor of the Redskins crossed the one line that professional athletes won't allow. He spit in the face of Michael Pittman of the Bucs. Taylor has been in and out of trouble all year...this doesn't look great on him (bet it didn't look great on Pittman either). The spitting incident puts Taylor in the category of a jerk - especially denying it, and leaving Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams to stick up for him.

SPEAKING OF TROUBLE
Marcus Vick, a.k.a here as Ron Mexico Jr., where do you start with this guy? You could start with his past trouble (underage girls and alcohol), you could go to his foot-stomping routine during a game, or you could go to him being asked to leave Virginia Tech (bet if Michael wasn't a booster...Marcus would have been kicked out) - or now...you could just go to him POINTING A FREAKING GUN AT SOMEONE!!!!!!! Vick pulled a gun on three teenagers during an altercation in a parking lot. This guy is going to make Kellen Winslow Jr. look like a genius...Sorry, I had to get one last shot at Kellen Jr.

MILLER TIME?
Bode Miller - U.S. Ski racer told 60 Minutes he has competed drunk and hungover...I don't have to say anything else. Arrogant is putting it mildly.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. I was going to include Ilya Kovalchuk and Sidney Crosby in this week's edition...for that pathetic performance last week - the diving and finger pointing...but when compared to the rest of the aforementioned clowns...they didn't deserve it.

Have a great one peeps...if you are checking in....please go to Yahoo site to check out poll. If nothing else, the discussion between our new queen of Hazelspeeps "Renee" and our resident smart ass/wanna be sargeant at arms "DJames" promises to be worth a laugh or two. Memo to Adam and "ww20" (you know who you are) check in via email...need your advice on some administrative issues on site.

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...I hope your week is going great. Check in with your NFL picks sometime...the clock is ticking.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for this week's winners of the Hazies...especially unlikely winners like LaVar Arrington (who the Redskins didn't think much of), to Vince Young (who didn't win the Heisman but won the National Championship), to Mikael Tellqvist (who has been a bit of a whipping boy for Leaf Nation) to Bryan Berard (whose comeback was seen as a mistake)...betcha most of you haven't heard this one...

How Ya Like Me Now - Kool Moe Dee

Peesth Out!