The Place That We Have Come to Fear the Most, We Fear No More --

I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was April 13^th, 2010; one of the darkest days of my life. It was suppose to be the last professional basketball game ever played in Sacramento by the Kings. The Mayflower trucks were seemingly ready to be filled. The Kings were heading to Anaheim. I had tickets to go to the game (an overtime lost to the Lakers), but I couldn’t bring myself to go. I couldn’t bear being at that game. I didn’t even watch it live, only dvr’ng the game so I could watch when I was ready mentally. And when I watched, I wept; head in hands, like a baby.

The Kings had always threaten to leave town if a new arena wasn’t built to replace the run-down Arco Arena, but Sacramento's city council always called their bluff; and they were usually right, never thinking it would really happen. But on April 13^th, 2010, IT was really happening. At that point, only a miracle would save our team from leaving town. Luckily for us though, we had one in our Mayor, Kevin Johnson. I won’t go into great lengths discussing the course of events that occurred to bring our team back home. From the Mayor flying to NY and meeting with the NBA Commissioner and Board of Governors, and convincing them and the Maloofs to give Sacramento one last chance to put together a financing plan for a new arena, to the HEREWEBUILD, HEREWESTAY, and THINKBIGSACRAMENTO grassroots movement to rally community support; the more things started to fall in the right direction, the more Kings fans started to believe we could save our team, and get this done. Hollywood couldn’t have written a better script. There was just one last piece that needed to fall our way. We had gone from the full-court desperation shot to a free throw, and our Mayor was at the line. A career 84% free throw shooter, could he make it?

I know they say there is no crying at work, but on Monday, February 27^th, 2011, I couldn’t help but shed a little tear in my cubical upon hearing the breaking news from my streaming radio on my computer. On his radio show, Carmichael Dave broke the news to Kings fans that the NBA, the Maloof Family (owners of the Sacramento Kings), and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson had come to a tentative agreement on a financial term sheet for a new Entertainment and Sports Complex. Mayor Johnson sank his free throw, emerging from the meeting saying, “Today is a new day for Sacramento” and also stating “It’s game over!” And for all those nay-sayers who always believed the Kings would move and that the Maloof family never wanted to be in Sacramento, I’ll leave you with this; Sacramento Kings owner Gavin Maloof, tearing up on camera, "I think it's great for our community," "I'm glad it's finally coming to an end after 13 years. It's been a long road." You think owners who didn’t want to be a part of our community have that reaction?

There are still hurdles to jump and we have to temper our excitement, as this is only a tentative deal with many moving parts that have to fall into place. But with projects like a new Entertainment and Sports Complex, the highest hurdle always seems to be reaching a deal amongst the parties. Once a deal is in place, tentative or concrete, they always find a way to get done.

So yes, while it isn’t final and we can’t allow ourselves to get too excited, I find great solace in knowing that I will never feel the way I felt on April 13^th, 2010, ever again. I had so much to say about the night and no one listening that it inspired me to start this blog. My very first entry, which is featured below titled, “The Place That We Have Come To Fear the Most,” was a reflection on how I felt that night, what was suppose to be the last home game for the Sacramento Kings. But after February, 27^th, 2012, the place that we have come to fear the most, we fear no more.

The Place That We Have Come to Fear the Most –

Today is a date which will live in infamy. No, Pearl Harbor wasn't bombed again and FDR is not declaring war on the Japanese, nor is it my intention to compare what I'm writing about to any act or declaration of war. But today, April 13th, 2011, is a date that will live in infamy for all Kings fans and possibly the city of Sacramento.

Tonight in all likelihood was the last professional NBA basketball game to be played in the city of Sacramento, a 116-108 overtime defeat at the hands of the Kings arch rival, the much hated Los Angeles Lakers. Baskets were made and points were scored, but that is not why the game was significant and sold out. Kings fans quickly sought out tickets to be a part of history, as the potential move to Anaheim becomes more and more of a reality with each passing day.

You may be wondering why as a die-hard Kings fan I was not at tonight’s home game, potentially the last Kings home game to be played in Sacramento. I will tell you this; it is because I am a die-hard Kings fan that I choose not to attend tonight’s game. I’ve had many great memories in Arco Arena (I refuse to call the building by its current name) watching and cheering on the Kings, that I will keep with me forever. Tonight, I didn’t want to be in that building. I consider myself a prideful man who can withstand all obstacles thrown his way, but tonight…tonight will be something that I know in my heart I just can’t bear. The hurt is too much, the pain too deep. It is a memory that I didn't want to live with me.

Born and raised in Sacramento, the Kings were always a part of my life. As a young child, the thrill of getting to go with my parents to a Kings game and cheering for then what was a mediocre team, would have definitely made my years list of great moments. As my sports appetite matured and the Kings progressively improved into a championship caliber team, the demand and need to satisfy that appetite grow more and more and the demand to attend as many home games as possible was a constant goal. If the Kings were playing, I had to be there. So did the rest of Sacramento, apparently. But on April 13th, 2011, the need to be at tonight's home game wouldn't have satisfied any need, but only add to agony.

It was always an underlining fear for most Kings fans that the Maloof family would eventually move the Kings out of Sacramento, with the destination most likely being Las Vegas. It was something that most Kings fan thought would never actually come to fruition. Well, it did. It's the place that we have come to fear the most.

Mr. Armchair Speaking

Mid-Year Basketball Review –

With the NBA midway through it’s shorten season and college basketball wrapping up their regular season and about to enter conference tournament play and the NCAA Tournament, I thought I would do a 2-1 mid-year basketball review. Now that football is behind us (although the NFL Combine is coming up and with the NFL Network finally coming through my cable box, I’m looking forward to actually watching the Combine this year), I’ve been watching a lot of basketball, both college and pro. I very much appreciate this NBA shorten season as there are multiple, watchable games on almost every night, instead of it just being sprinkled throughout the season. And college basketball this year has been exceptionally good due to some of its stars from last year returning to their respective schools. That, along with an exceptional freshmen class, has created great parody in college basketball this year, making for exciting conference and rivalry games. So let’s take a look at where we are at with basketball so far:

NBA –

NBA Finals Champion Miami Heat? – After watching the Heat thump my Kings last night (although a quick shout out to Isaiah Thomas, who is playing like a man-child on the court and is the only bright spot for the Kings at the moment), it is quite obvious that the Heat are the best team in the NBA at the moment and have the best collection of talent. With a healthy Udonis Haslem, and with relatively consistent point guard play out of Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, the Heat have to be the front runner to win the East and probably the NBA Championship. I don’t see any team in the East, including the Bulls, taking them out in the playoffs. In the west, I think the Thunder have the best shot at overtaking the Heat for the title. They have a similar type of team that the Mavs had last year. The Thunder have a scorer who can carry the team on his back in Kevin Durant, a point guard who can create and hit outside shots in Russell Westbrook, and they have two defensive presences in the paint in Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. At the moment, they pose the only real threat to the Heat and stopping their run for the title.

MVP – LeBron James is averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assist per game so far this season. Really??? Debate over. Ok, serious mode. I know Kevin Durant is also having a nice season, and I know that I have on multiple occasioins on this forum blasted LBJ for being a 3 quarter player and not delivering in the playoffs or last year's NBA Finals; but this is a regular season award, and right now LBJ is the best player on the best team in the NBA.   

Trade Dwight Howard Already – Could it be that the Orlando Magic let two of the most dominating big men of our generation walk, and not get anything in return for them? It was 15 years ago that the Orlando Magic played chicken with Shaquille O’Neal and instead of trading Shaq for young talent to rebuild with, they called his bluff and tried to convince him to stay in Orlando. Obviously we know that didn’t work and he would leave Orlando for the Lakers (coincidentally a team that is on Dwight’s “wish list” to go play for). Will they do the same with Dwight Howard? If the rumors are true regarding some of these trade offers, why wouldn’t you pull the trigger if you are the Orlando Magic?  Lakers offering Bynum and parts for Howard? Clippers offering Griffin and parts for Howard? Warriors offering Ellis, Lee, and parts for Howard? Knicks offering Amare, Chandler, and parts for Howard? Something is better than nothing, right?  But depending on whom you believe or what you hear, this whole scenario may play out like it did 15 years ago and become Shaq 2.0.

College –

Kentucky National Champs? – Is there any team playing better basketball than Kentucky right now? Is any team in the country as talented as Kentucky is right now? Thought so (Syracuse fans, slow your roll with your arguments, I'll get to you)! Right now, Kentucky is my favorite to win the NCAA Tournament. They have been so consistently dominate throughout the entire year, with no bad loses on their schedule (only lose of the season was to Indiana in Bloomington, in no way a bad lose). They have a dominating big man in freshman Anthony Davis, and they have good guard play, which all NCAA Tournament Champion hopefuls need. They’ll get stiff competition from possible teams like Syracuse, Missouri, Ohio State, UNC, Michigan St., Kansas, and Duke (can’t believe I just said that), but right now, Kentucky is playing the best basketball in the country, with Syracuse a close second. The only question is, and it’s always the case with Kentucky, will their immense talent finally overcome their lack of experience?

Now to address Syracuse fan. Yes you are the number #2 team in the nation, and yes you only have one lost like Kentucky does; but I feel you lack the offense firepower needed to win the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse only has two scores that average in dougle figures, and your leading rebounders, Fab Melo and CJ Fair, only average 5.5 rebounds per game. Frankly, I find it hard to believer that you even have the record (28-1) that you have. On a neutral court, Kentucky would roll you guys. 

Race for the National Player of the Year Award – The race for National Player of the Year seems to be a two-horse race with Kentucky’s Anthony Davis and Kansas’ Thomas Robinson; and really, in Mr. Armchair’s humble opinion, this shouldn’t even be close. Anthony Davis should be the clear winner. He is the best big man in the college basketball and best player in the country. He will undoubtedly accomplish a feat that has never been thought of before (see next topic). His stat line isn’t that sexy, averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds; but he is netting a ridiculous 5 blocks a game, and that is even a misleading stat because he alters so many other shots in the pants. Thomas Robinson is a load and hard to handle, Draymond Green is finishing strong, and Harrison Barnes has been consistent; but throughout the year, no other player has been as dominate as Davis.

Completing the Trifecta – Might as well continue the lovefest with Anthony Davis by mentioning that he has an opportunity to accomplish something that has never been done before in NCAA College Basketball history (at least to my knowledge). Anthony Davis has a chance to knock out college basketball’s trifecta: winner National Freshman of the Year, National Player of the Year, and being the first player drafted in the upcoming NBA draft (should he leave school). Add all that to him winning National Defensive Player of the Year and possibly a National Championship, and he will go down as the greatest one-year player in college basketball history. How big is his mantle going to be?

Mr. Armchair Speaks

Mr. Armchair Speaks: I Can’t Help But Love…

Mr. Armchair Speaks: I Can’t Help But Love…: In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would do another gimmick post like I did for Thanksgiving with my “All-THANKSgiving team.” This pi...

I Can’t Help But Love…

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would do another gimmick post like I did for Thanksgiving with my “All-THANKSgiving team.”  This piece is about sports players who I love to watch in varies leagues.  Whether they are on teams I root for or root against, or maybe not the most well thought of players; there are just certain players in sports that you can’t help but love to watch under any circumstances.  These are the players who you target when they are coming into your town to play your team and you pay good money to go see them; or you make it a point to watch their game when it’s on TV.  It could be the way they play their game, with a lot of heart and emotion; or they may be the next phenomenal athlete in their sport.  But there is something within them that resonates with you and makes you watch them.  So here is my Top 10 list of sports figures who I love to watch in the three major leagues. 

Baseball –

Derek Jeter – I can’t help but love Jeter.  Number 2, DE-REK JE-TER, Number 2.  There are just certain guys out there were no matter how hard you try to hate them; you can’t because he does something that you mightily respect.  Whether it’s doing a face plant into a cement wall for a foul ball, and performing the greatest shovel pass in sports history to throw out Jeremy Giambi at home plate and save his team’s season, the guy is a stud. 

Tim Lincecum – I can’t help but love Timmy.  The Freak, The Franchise, a winning pitcher of Game 5!!!!  We waited 56 years for our World Series, and he delivered it to us.  I never miss a Tim Lincecum start.    

Matt Cain – I can’t help but love Cainer.  Probably a better pitching prospect than Timmy, he is the unsung hero of our great Giants pitching staff.  I still remember him coming up to the big league with great anticipation, and then blowing fools up at the plate.  Also never miss seeing one of his starts.    

Ichiro – I can’t help but love Ichiro.  Never been more excited about a guy who hits 200 singles in a season, but I still maintain that if he wanted to, he could hit 25 home runs in a season. 

Albert Pujols – I can’t help but love Pujols.  He will go down as one of the top 10 hitters in baseball history.  I saw him twice when he was with the Cardinals and he hit a towering home run off Cainer.  Damn it was beautiful.  I would actually go to an Oakland A’s game now just to see him play. 

Justin Verlander – I can’t help but love Verlander.  He’s modern days Nolan Ryan.  How can you not want to watch a guy who still throws 100mph in the 7^th inning?  He’s a walking no-hitter. 

Ryan Howard – I can’t help but love Ryan Howard.  Well, I only have him on this list because I love watching him leave the bat on his shoulder at the end of NLCS Championship games.  BOOYA!!!!!! 

Evan Longoria – I can’t help but love Longoria.  No one holds down third base in the game today like Longoria. 

Troy Tulowitzki – I can’t help but love Tulo.  I believe when it’s all said and done and barring injury, Tulo will go down as the greatest offensive shortstop in baseball history.  He is on track to do so.

Mariano Rivera – I can’t help but love Rivera.  He’s the most dominating closer in baseball history.  He may throw only one pitch, but it’s a perfect pitch. 

Football –

Tim Tebow – I can’t help but love Tebowmania.  I’ve said it here on this blog, and I’ll say it again; I believe Tim Tebow will be a Top 10 QB in the NFL someday.  When watching his play on the field, how can you not be impressed with his heart and determination to will his team to victory?  It is something that one has to admire about the guy.  We need more Tim Tebow’s in sports. 

Peyton Manning – I can’t help but love Peyton.  No one controls and takes over an offense like Peyton Manning.  And he perfected the famous, two-handed pump fake. 

Patrick Willis – I can’t help but love P-Willis.  He quickly became a true 49er icon.  49er fans have pinned their Super Bowl hopes on him, as he is the fearless leader of our tremendous defense.

Ray Lewis – I can’t help but love Ray-Ray.  He invented possibly the greatest pre-game rally cry in all of sports.  I love guys who can lay the hat to players yet still help them up off the ground. 

 

Aaron Rodgers – I can’t help but love A-Rod.  GO (CAL) BEARS!!

Calvin Johnson – I can’t help but love Megatron.  He is a freak of nature at the wide receiver position, and always my fantasy football crush.   

Champ Bailey – I can’t help but love Champ.  I mean, I’m naming my first born son after the guy, how can he not make the list?!

Cam Newton – I can’t help but love Cam.  Seriously, the guy is revolutionizing the QB position before our very eyes.  4,000 passing yards and 700 rushing yards; enough said.      

Drew Brees – I can’t help but love Brees.  He’s DREW BBBBBBRRRRREEEESSSSSSS!!! 

Charles Woodson – I can’t help but love Woodson.  I loved him since coming out of college after he won the Heisman.  Closet Michigan fan here in that Ohio State/Michigan rivalry. 

Basketball –

Chris Paul (CP3) – I can’t help but love CP3.  He single-handedly took Wake Forest to a #2 seed as a freshman.  I had that team making the Final Four that year.  If he had any support behind him, it would have happened.  The best pure point guard in a point guard driven NBA, his command of the court is uncanny.  His combination of court vision and scoring ability is fun to watch. 

Steve Nash – I can’t help but love Nash.  He made it because every time I see him I still remember the time when we shared drinks and hung out together at Mandangoes.  Grey Goose and Cran for Mr. Nash!!!  Put it on my tab!!!  Still has to be one of the greatest nights of my life.  (Footnote:  Amare Stoudemire was there as well and I offered to buy him anything he wanted at the bar.  Dude wanted me to buy him an Amstel Light.  Really Amare, Amstel Light??  I guess he did me a solid, but needless to say, he missed the cut.)         

LeBron James – I can’t help but love LBJ.  I guess??? 

Dwayne Wade – I can’t help but love D-Wade.  He’s a package deal with LeBron.  A better watch though than LeBron. 

Kevin Durant – I can’t help but love Durant.  If Russell Westbrook would ever pass him the ball, I think he could probably average 40 points a game.

Kevin Love – I can’t help love K-Love.  No throws a better chest pass than Kevin Love.  I still think he is worthy of a max contract.  He’s a walking double-double. 

Stephen Curry – I can’t help but love Steph.  Here you go Warriors fans!!!  Hate to admit it, but I actually like watching Steph play, when he is actually playing. 

Derrick Rose – I can’t help but love D-Rose.  He’s so fast up and down the court that I have a hard time watching him.  Dude is carrying the Chicago Bulls. 

Jimmer Fredette – I can’t help but love Jimmer.  The homer that I am can’t do this piece without throwing a Kings’ player on here.  It is only a matter of time before they finally realize that Jimmer is our point guard of the future and move to a 3-guard lineup or move Tyreke to s point-small forward / no-tippin Pippen position.  Jimmer is an above-average passer and surprisingly has good court vision.  

Jeremy Lin – I can’t help but love LINsantity, or LINING, or whatever “LIN” nickname you want to give him.  Because I can’t get away from it, I might as well embrace it.  The guy just continues to ball a la Tim Tebow.  And as a Chinese American like Linsanity, it’s nice to see this unfold.  It’s also nice to see that those years of playing Asian League Basketball weren’t all for not.  I’m going to enjoy the hype while it last; because it may not be here too much longer.           

Mr. Armchair Speaking

Mr. Armchair Speaks: Super Bowl Wrap-up – The Game, The Analysis, The P...

Mr. Armchair Speaks: Super Bowl Wrap-up – The Game, The Analysis, The P...: I must admit, this was the least excited for a Super Bowl I’ve ever been. The two long weeks leading up to the Bowl seemed like the game wo...

Super Bowl Wrap-up – The Game, The Analysis, The Prop Bets

I must admit, this was the least excited for a Super Bowl I’ve ever been.  The two long weeks leading up to the Bowl seemed like the game would never come.  The daily reports on the Gronks ankles, the consistent breaking news of the Jim Irsay / Peyton Manning saga, all made the two weeks between Championship Week and the Bowl unbearable.  I thought maybe that once Sunday came and the Bowl was actually here I would get amped up for it.  But unfortunately, knowing that my 49ers were supposed to be in Indy and playing in the game didn’t help in getting the juices following.  Nevertheless, it wasn’t going to stop me from watching the game.  It is still the Super Bowl, America’s greatest game, and a perfectly good reason for me to put down a jalapeno popper, or four. 

The Game – The game itself felt like it went by rather quickly.  Normally the Super Bowl tends to drag on and wears you down; but this game seemed quick, even though there wasn’t a whole lot of excitement to it early on.  I thought the Madonna halftime was about average at best, although I do have a soft spot in my heart for “Like a Prayer.”  And yes, I am one of those who watch the Bowl for the commercials, with my favorite being a tie between the Fiat car commercial and the careerbuilder.com monkeys.  I also can get enough of the Coke polar bears.  But overall, I felt it was a good Super Bowl.  When you have no rooting interest, all you can hope for is an exciting 4^th quarter and ending, and we got that.    

The Analysis – Let’s move onto the actual game.  I thought the Patriots were going to win this game.  I believe the Patriots should have won this game (for those of you who weren’t within 20 feet of a TV or radio, or you are Mrs. Armchair, the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17).  I believed that Belichick would find a way to neutralize the Giants pass rusher and that the fire burning inside Tom Brady from the Giants ruining the Pats perfect season in 2007 would compel Brady to get his team the victory.  For the most part, Belichick and Brady lived up to those beliefs; but unfortunately, the Pats receivers let them down.  As Mrs. Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, said to a hackling NY Giants fan “My husband cannot f&^*ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.  I can’t believe they (Pats receivers) dropped the ball so many times.”  To her credit, she is right.  If Wes Welker catches that ball on that 2^nd and 10 go route with 4:05 left in the 4^th, or if Deion Branch just sits in the open pocket in the middle of the field on the next play, we have a completely different outcome to this game and I’m writing a blog post about how the golden boy (Brady) has comfortably placed himself on the Mount Rushmore of QB’s and solidified his legacy in the NFL.  Don’t get me wrong, Brady is still an all-time great QB, but we would be looking at Brady and talking about him in a different light if he has four Super Bowl notches on his belt rather than the three he already has with two bad, loses.

For the Pats to win this game, they had to find a way to neutralize and contain the Giants pass rush.  I thought they would accomplish this by keeping Brady in three or five step drops and having the receivers run shallow routes so that Brady could make quick reads and get the ball out of the pocket before the rush got to him.  The Giants pass defense has been suspect all year long and I felt that if the Pats implemented this offense game plan, the intermediate passes would be there for them and the Pats could not only move the ball down the field, but they would also be controlling and eating away at the game clock, dominating the ball.  I think it was Keyshawn Johnson or Cris Carter on ESPN’s Sportscenter after the game that made the point (negatively) that a Pats receiver didn’t average more than 9 yards a reception.  But see, it’s ok to average 9 yards a reception if you are getting a high volume of them.  I felt in the first half and that first drive in the second half, the Pats were implementing my game plan, and it lead them to a 17-9 lead in the middle of the 3^rd quarter.  They went away from the Mr. Armchair game plan and tried to throw the ball deep downfield, and that is when the wheels started to fall off and the game got away from them. 

I also believed that the Pats defense would play better in this game than they had all season.  I thought Championship week hero, Sterling Moore, despite getting beat on a perfect throw and a perfect catch by Eli Manning and Mario Manningham, played a solid game.  He was laying the wood to the Giants receivers, he broke up two passes in the second half on key drives, and he also forced a fumble on Victor Cruz that was recovered by the Pats, but unfortunately due to a stupid 12-man on the field penalty, the Pats had to give the ball back to the Giants.  The Pats defensive line also got good pressure on Eli, sacking him 3 times and getting 6 hits on him.  But unfortunately, when it mattered the most, the Pats defense faltered, and allowed Eli Manning and the Giants to march down the field for the winning score.

And how can we not talk about the catch?  That throw by Eli Manning and that catch by Mario Manningham may have been the best throw and catch I’ve seen this season, maybe in the last few years.  For Eli to put that ball where he did so that Manningham can catch it and then Manningham’s ability to not only catch the ball but keep his feet inbounds as he is getting tackled was awesome to see.  I can’t determine which was better.  The more I see it, the more I’m impressed by it.  Some will argue that the route should have never been there as the safety rolled over late in the Cover 2; but it did happen, and it was spectacular.  I don’t care who you are a fan of, any football enthusiast enjoyed that play.  And it ultimately won the Giants the game and supplanted Eli as an elite quarterback who can make the big time throws.  I won’t be one of those who say that he is better than Peyton now, but the debate of whether or not he is an elite quarterback should be put to bed.           

The Prop Bets – Now, the best part of the Super Bowl is all of the betting that you can partake in so that watching the game is more enjoyable, especially when you have no rooting interest.  There are many prop bets that you can place, both related to the play on the field and those not-so related.  I do consider myself a betting man; therefore, here were my prop bets, and real bets, made on the Super Bowl:

-  Pats -3, $50.00 to win $47.62  LOST

-  Giants +115 (money line) and Under 53.5, $30.00 to win $93.14  WIN

-  Super Bowl MVP Aaron Hernandez +1200, $1.00 to win $12.00  LOST

-  Color of Gatorade dumped on coach – Blue +1000, $1.00 to win $10.00  NO ACTION

-  Color of Gatorade dumped on coach – Red +800, $1.00 to win $8.00  NO ACTION

-  Who will the winning Super Bowl coach thank first – Coaching Staff/Owner +400, $2.00 to win $8.00  LOST

-  Who will the winning Super Bowl MVP thank first – Teammates +200, $2.00 to win $4.00  WON

-  Will Madonna wear an NFL Jersey or shirt at any point during halftime show – Yes +300, $2.00 to win $6.00  LOST

-  Will Madonna wear fishnet stockings at any point during halftime show – Yes -115, $2.00 to win $1.74  WON

-  Will Kelly Clarkson be wearing a dress during the Singing of the National Anthem – Yes +140, $2.00 to win $2.80  WON

-  How long will it take Kelly Clarkson to sing the Anthem – Over 1 minute 35 seconds -130, $2.00 to win $1.54  LOST

-  Will the Patriots score a rushing TD – No +150, $1.00 to win $1.50  WON

-  Will the Giants convert a 4^th down attempt – Yes +150, $1.00 to win $1.50  LOST

-  Will the Giants score a first half rushing TD – Yes +130, $1.00 to win $1.30  LOST

-  First turnover of the game will be – Fumble +130, $1.00 to win $1.30  WON

-  Will there be a successful 2 point conversion – Yes +350, $1.00 to win $3.50  LOST

-  Will there be a defensive or special team TD – Yes +150, $1.00 to win $1.50  LOST

-  Will there be overtime – Yes +650, $1.00 to win $6.50  LOST

-  Will there be a safety – Yes +750, $1.00 to win $7.50  WON

-  Team to score last in the 1^st half – Patriots -125, $1.00 to win $0.80  WON

-  Team to commit the 1^st penalty – Patriots -even, $1.00 to win $1.00  WON

-  Jersey number of the player to score the first TD – Under 80.5  -even, $1.00 to win $1.00  WON

-  Team to use coaches challenge first – Giants -115, $1.00 to win $0.87  LOST

-  Distance of first punt of the game – Over 44.5 -125, $1.00 to win $0.80  LOST

-  Will both teams made a 33 yard or longer FG – Yes +140, $1.00 to win $1.40  LOST

-  Shortest TD of the game – Over 1.5 yards +115, $1.00 to win $1.15  WON

-  Will the first kickoff result in a touchback – No +150, $1.00 to win $1.50 WON

-  Team to receive the opening kick – Patriots +200, $1.00 to win $2.00  LOST

-  Team to win the coin toss – Patriots -105, $1.00 to win $0.95  WON

-  First score of the game – Any other score beside TD +155, $1.00 to win $1.55  WON

-  Team to score first – Patriots -115, $1.00 to win $0.87  LOST

-  Coin toss result – Tails -101, $5.00 to win $4.95  LOST

So now we are on the watch, not knowing what to do with ourselves for the next 6 months.  Currently, we have bad NBA basketball and March Madness on our horizon.  The glimmer of hope is that pitchers and catchers are to report to Spring Training in about 2 weeks, and the rest of the players will report at the end of the month, so baseball is right around the corner.  But for now, post February 5^th, my weekends and I are at the mercy of Mrs. Armchair.  Goodbye, Football.  Hello, Macy’s, The Limited, Express, Trader Joes, Michaels, and Costco. 

Mr. Armchair Speaking