Josh Q. Public:  Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away.

Public Service Announcement:  OK here we go!  NFL: The Day After.  Let’s take a look how things went down in week 3.

Carolina Panthers 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24:  The story of this game is Phil Simms’ son Chris.  Out for the season.  No more spleen.  Do you need a spleen?  I gotta think if you’re born with one, you gotta need it.  Chris doesn’t have one anymore.  Not to sound crass, this may be the best thing to happen to TB.  Simms has been terrible.  Threw an interception on the second play of the game yesterday.  For such a highly esteemed defense, the Bucs sure missed a lot of tackles.  Steve Smith, Deshawn Foster and rookie DeAngelo Williams made them look just silly out there.  Caddy.  On my fantasy team.  Got a TD but, he ran the rock 19 times.  Gained only 48 yards, 11 of which came on one run. The Seville has now run 52 times for 107 yards, or 2.1 yards per carry.  Killing me.  Bad back and all.  The Bucs are done.   Not for nothing, I hope while doctors were removing Simms’ spleen they also removed the tattoo of his boyfriend’s name from his thigh.  Simply embarrassing.

Green Bay Packers 31 Detroit Lions 24:  Brett Favre.  Spread the ball around to the receivers.  Spread the ball around to his running backs.  Spread the ball around to his tight ends. Threw well on the run.  Threw the underneath stuff.   Never forced the issue. Precision passing.  Doug Ross style.  400 career TD passes.  Pretty, pretty good.  But hold your horses.  Remember, this was the Lions the Pack beat.  Don’t everybody start shoving that Styrofoam cheese on your noggins just yet.  The Lions are pitiful.  Yet Kevin Jones was still able to get 81 yards and a TD.  That tells you something.  Neither of these teams is going anywhere.  There is more hope in GB though.  If Koren Robinson isn’t suspended by the NFL for all his boozing, he will be a big lift for the Packers.  Cris Collinsworth’s on Koren Robinson during Football Night In America: “He scores a touchdown…he should go out and have a drink and celebrate!”   All class.

Washington Redskins 31 Houston Texans 15:  Everybody wrote this guy off.  Shannon Sharpe.  John Madden: “The Redskins have the weapons but the quarterback has to get the ball to those weapons. Do they have the right players to run the offense? I think therein lays the problem.”  O’s fan ne Skins fan ne Ravens fan: “The worst QB in the NFL.  Worse than Aaron Brooks.  Worse than Chris Simms.”  What does he do?    Tells everybody to shut their mouths.  BB King style.  22 straight completions.  Coach Joe Gibbs:  “You could tell he set his jaw.”   He sure did.  I know, it was the Texans.  Worst D in the league.  But still.  He was in one of those other worldly zones.  Brunell completed 24 of 27.  Threw for 261 yards.  Put 31 points on the board.  Didn’t throw an incompletion until 23 seconds remained in the third quarter.  He’s baaaack.  Clinton Portis.  Good news for Skins fans and fantasy owners alike.  Quick note:  The Skins have signed 21 ex-Pro Bowlers.  Not one of them has made it back since signing on.  What does that mean?  Who knows?  Still worth mentioning.

Seattle Seahawks 42 New Jersey Giants 30:  Elizabeth Hasselback’s husband’s brother throws for 5 TDs.  Archie’s son throws for 3.  To little too late.  Down 42-3 at one point.  Yikes! Neion Deion clearly opens up the passing game.   Darrell Jackson, Nate Burleson and Bobby Engram all benefit from the upgrade.  Seahawks take their 3-0 record and go to the Windy City for another huge NFC match up.  One might say the game of the week.   The Giants looked bad.  Their comeback attempt not-with-standing.  Jeremy’s Spoken.  See, this is when guys like Shockey, and TO and Kellen Winslow get old.  When you lose.  Their funny comments and kooky antics are a barrel of monkeys when you’re winning.  Start losing.  Like the Giants.  See what happens.  Shockey turns mean spirited.  Turns on his coaches.  Shockey:  “We got outplayed AND outcoached. Write that one down.”   The Seahwaks were in the Super Bowl for a reason.  They’ll be back for a reason.  You weren’t supposed to win this game.  You didn’t.  Now shut up and play football.

Cincinatti Bengals 28 Pittsburgh Steelers 20:  Who Dey.  Who Dey.  Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals! The biggest game of the week.  Carson Palmer.  Heisman Trophy.  Carson Palmer.  First pick overall.  Kimo von Oelhoffen.  Takes out Palmer’s knee.   Carson Palmer.  Payback.  59,000 screaming, towel waving fans go home feeling shame.  Denis Lemieux style.   Ricardo Colclough.  Muffs a punt.  TD Houshmandzadeh.  Ball game.  Not looking at the score you would have thought the Big Cats were getting crushed.  They weren’t.  They won.  Bengals 3-0.  Steel Curtain 1-2.  Who woulda thunk?  Carson Palmer.  Four touchdown passes.  Carson Palmer.  Payback.   After the game.  Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman.  Currently embroiled in a four-game substance abuse suspension.  Crystal Meth no less.  Arrested last night with Chris Henry and another Bengal for drunk driving.  He blew twice the legal limit.  Chris Henry was a passenger and threw up out a window.  Davie Hogan style.  Nothing like a big win to get those juices flowing.

Miami Dolphins 13 Tennessee Titans 10:  Dolphins win.  Big deal.  Does anybody still believe this a playoff team, never mind Super Bowl Team?  How can they? C-Pep gets lucky.  C-Pep barely beats the worst team in the NFL not in Oakland.  C-Pep gets sacked 5 times.  C-Pep does not throw for a TD.  Nick Saban:  “They played like they did in high school.”  That was supposed to be a compliment.  The interception that set up the field goal?  A mistake.  Zach Thomas was in position to catch the rock only because he was completely blocked on a blitz. ”I got stoned at the line and the ball just came to me.”   Good job Zach.  Ronnie Brown.  Still a clown.  Sure he rushed for 90.  All were meaningless.  Like the rest of the Dolphins season.  As for the Titans, how can they not start Vince Young?  Kerry Collins?  C’mon guys.  The Titans’ longest offensive play this season is a 28-yard pass from Young. Starting quarterback Kerry Collins’ longest pass play: 25 yards.  I know you want to let the guy learn the game, but geez.  Your season is all but over.  Baptism by fire, I say.  Luke style.  I say let Vince “Next Level”  Young play.  He will be as exciting as Reggie Bush.  Better than Michael Vick.  Let him play.

New Jersey Jets 28 Buffalo Bills 20:  Eric the Mangini sure can coach.  If I were a betting man, this is the game I would have bet on.  Jets getting 7?  Stupid, right?  How can the Bills be favored?  Ever?  Jets’ D gives up 475 yards. Jets O couldn’t get a first in the first quarter.  Willis McGahee.  Career high 150 yards.  J.P. Losman.  Career high 328 yards passing.  All for not.  The rest of the Bills are terrible.  Don’t look now, it’s still only September and all, but these Jets are now tied with the Patriots for first place in the AFC.  Miami who?   If Chad can keep himself healthy, this is the team to watch.

Denver Broncos 17 New England Patriots 7:  I had it backwards.  I had the Pats by 10.  Bill outbrained by Mike Shannahan.  Again.  That Bronco D sure looked tough.  Last night makes the Neion Deion decision look like a bad one.  Brady had no one to throw to long.  Not Troy “Football Players Play Football” Brown.  Not Daniel Graham “Crackers.”  Not Ben “Coates” Watson.  Not Reche Caldwell.  Not Doug Gabriel.  If the Raiders are letting a guy go, it must tell you something.  Clearly not Neion Deion Branch.  Maybe when rookie Chad “Action” Jackson comes back, things will be different.  But as they stand, against good defenses, the Patriots passing game has been exposed.  Corey Dillon getting hurt doesn’t help either.  Not for nothing, that Javon Walker character sure looked good.  Didn’t he?  The Patriots web site is selling Pats gear with Chinese writing.  Upcoming game in China and all.  Get yours today while supplies still last!

Baltimore Ravens 15 Cleveland Browns 14:  I thought for sure this game would be a blow out.  It wasn’t.  Kellen Winslow before the game:  “What do we have to lose?”  Kellen, here’s your answer.  The football game.  The game all but over.  Browns up 14-12.  3:28 left.   Keep pounding it.  Eat clock.  Right?  Wrong.  The Cleveland coaching staff allows Charlie Frye to throw on second-and-goal from the Ravens’ 4. Hell, what do they have to lose, right?  Wrong.  Linebacker Bart Scott gets through the line and crashes into Frye from the blind side as he was throwing to Braylon Edwards. Interception.  Ballgame.  Why would anyone listen to Kellen Winslow?  Stupid.   Baltimore 3-0.  This team is thinking Super Bowl.  Not for nothing, did you see Kellen Winslow get stuck hard.  Then fumble.  Who’s he gonna blame for that?

Philadelphia Eagles 38 San Francisco 49ers 24:  Who needs TO?  Not Donovan McNabb.  This guy is making people remember how good he really is.  Nothing like the 9ers to cure all that ails you.  Although this Alex Smith can play.  Made things interesting.  Then the play.  Fantasy hero Frank Gore.  Couldn’t punch it in.  Twice he tried.  Twice he was denied.  Third times a charm, right?  Wrong.  Fum-ble.  Keith Jackson style.  Patterson:  ”I saw the ball, and it was on top of everybody.  I picked it up and ran. I saw two of my teammates running in front of me, and I saw the official running out of the corner of my eye.”  Rumblin bumblin stumblin.  TD.  Ballgame. 

St. Louis Rams 16  Arizona Cardinals 14.  In a game I had absolutely no interest in.  Not fantasy or otherwise, Marc Bulger fumbles and loses the game.  Wait.  Not to be outdone.  Kurt Warner fumbles and loses the game.  Gross.  Two gross teams.  Gross game.  Gross outcome.  Gross.  Gross.   Gross. 

Chicago Bears 19  Minnesota Vikings 16:  Speaking of gross.  Sexy Rexy Grossman getting it done.  Bears win ugly.  Grossman throws an interception for a TD.  But what is more important is that Rex picked himself up,  brushed the dirt off his collar, Jay-Z style, and fired a dead-on 24-yard strike to Rashied Davis on the first play after the 2-minute warning.  Ballgame.  Bears 3-0.  Super Bowl Shuffle?

Side note:  How good did Randy Moss make C-Pep look in Vikingsland.  Would you trade Corey Dillon for Moss.  Would the Raiders do it?  If I were NE, I would.

Public Spectacle:

1.  Jackass- just cause

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Josh Q. Public: Mama Mia, that’s a spicy meatball!

Public Service Announcement:  OK, here we go! I feel horrible.  I’ve been stroking this Malkin kid and neglecting one of my own.  My new favorite hockey player.  Move over Evgeni.  Move over Sidney “Lady Bing”  Crosby.  Move over “El Ocho” Ovechkin.  There’s a new young gun in town.  His name is Phil “the Thrill ” Kessel.  The Boston Bruin’s own Phil Kessel.  The pride of Madison, Wisconsin Phil Kessel.  A natural born scorer.  A Harlem Globe Trotter on ice.  Electric?  Try high voltage.  Maxwell Dillon style. He has explosive speed.  TNT.  Dynomite.  Angus style.  He immediately becomes the best skater on the Bruins.  2004.   World Junior Championship.  Youngest kid on Team USA.  Led the tournament in goals.  Led the USA to a Silver.  2005.  World Junior Championship.  Took every possible honor.  Top scorer by a landslide.  Top forward.  Tournament MVP. 2006.  University of Minnesota.  Golden Gophers.  Inside College Hockey 2005-06 Rookie of the Year.  WCHA All-Rookie Team.  WCHA Rookie of the Year. Led WCHA in freshman scoring, assists and points.  Ranked 11th in the nation among all players in points. 2006.  Should have been drafted first.  Taken fifth by the Bruins.  A steal.  This kid can skate.  This kid can make plays.  This kid can score.  He can pass. He can see the ice.  Think pocket Kovalchuk.  And, he’s only 18 years old.  He’s tearing up the preseason.  Tearing it up at practices.  General Manager Peter Chiarelli gushed at one session:  “He was definitely the best player out there.”  Side note:  Phil’s old man was a record-breaking quarterback at Northern Michigan University. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1981.  Played with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL.  Good breeding.  Elektra style.  Phil Kessel.  Finally something to cheer about at the Bank North Garden.  Go B’s

Public Knowledge:

1.  Phillies still rockin-n-rollin.  Won again today.  9 out of their last 11.  Keeping themselves in it.  How can you not love Ryan Howard.  He is Big Papi, before Big Papi got bitter.  And that sure came fast, didn’t it?  One minute, he’s the darling of baseball.  The next, he’s Archie Bunker.  Losing does that to a fellow. 

2.  University of New Hampshire wide receiver better than Jerry Rice.  That’s right.  David Ball just  caught his 50th TD catch of his career, tying Rice’s Division I-AA mark.  Next stop for Ball, Dancing With the Stars, baby.

3.  Can we win anything anymore?  USA Basketball.  USA Women’s Basketball.  USA Hockey.  USA Baseball.  USA Their Football.  Davis Cup Tennis.  Ryder Cup Golf.  I can’t remember the last time we time we won something.    Miracle on Ice?  Dream Team?  Sugar Ray Leonard?  I can’t remember.

4.  Kicker Adam Vinatieri will miss the first game of his 11-year NFL career because of a lingering groin injury.  Hee hee hee.  Groin injury.  That’s what he gets.  Karma baby, karma.  My name is Earl style. 

5.  The post juice blues.  Yankees say Giambi Juice has a ligament tear in his wrist and will not play this weekend against the Devil Rays. A-Broad’s boy has not hit a bomb in his last 65 at-bats. He’s had only one drought longer in the last seven years.  2004.  70 consecutive at-bats.  Ha ha.  Nelson Muntz style.

6. Cool like Fonzie.  40 40 40 club.  Bombs.  Steals.  Doubles.  Not bad, not bad.  Are you sure he wasn’t available around trading deadline time.  I know one team who could have used him. 

7.  Fanny Ramírez didn’t play again last night. If you weren’t paying attention, that was the 22d game out of 30 Fanny has missed since taking himself out of the last game of the Boston Massacre.  Disgraceful.  He should be embarrassed.

8.  Patriots kill the Broncos.  10 points.  Mark my words.

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Josh Q Public:  On location.  Touring ’round the nation.  Josh Q. Public is always on va-cation.

Public Service Announcement:  OK, here we go.  What’s a guy to do?  It’s play-off time and I don’t have a team to root for.  I gotta pick somebody.  But who?  Well, let’s get to it.  Let’s figure this thing out. Just know, this is not a prediction piece, just a team I can have fun following.  Clearly, the further they go, the more fun it will be, but, well, you know.

New York Yankees:  Absofrickenlutely not.  Do I even have to explain?  OK, moving on.

Detroit Tigers:  I think the best thing I can say is, they’re not unlikable.  They lack Pizzazz.  Panache.  That certain je ne sais quoi.  They do have cool uniforms.  I love their hats, Magnum PI style.  But I don’t know.  As great a manager as Jim Leyland is, I don’t know if I can rally behind him.  I hate post-juice Pudge.  To be honest, I never really liked pre-juice Pudge.  Red Sox connection? They acquired old friend Matt Stairs.  Doesn’t really help their cause here.  I dunno.  I’m just not feeling this team.  No studs.  A Rookie of the Year candidate in Verlander.  I guess, but how excited can I get over Placido Polanco or Curtis Granderson?  Mags is good, but still.  Nope. Tigers are out.

Minnesota Twins:  I dunno about this team either.  Terrible uniforms.  They did have a great run in the second half.  Overtook the reigning champions.  Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are mainstays on my fantasy team.  Wait, let me rethink this.  They’ve got the studs.  Bonafide MVP candidate in Morneau.  Unfortunately, the fix is in.  Don’t think for a minute that anybody but NY golden boy Derek Jeter is gonna win that award regardless of actual merit.  It’s a god dammed shame.  Sorry.  Got carried away.  That’s another blog for another day.  The Twins.  Right.  I love saying Twinkies.  That’s a plus.  They have the most electric pitcher in baseball.   Great closer in Nathan.  They rank No. 1 in the AL in batting average, No. 2 in team ERA and are tied for second in team defense.  Jay Marriotti picked them to win the World Series.  That’s a negative.  Boof Bonser.  Anyone with the name Boof has to help.  Ok. Ok.  They’re in the running.

Oakland Athletics:  I think I like this team.  When I was little, they were great.  Probably the best team ever assembled.  Reggie.  Vida Blue.  Rollie Fingers.  Catfish.  The original bad boys.  I loved them.  That goes a long way.  This year they quietly handled their business.   Won the West.  Wyatt Earp style.  I love The Big Hurt. Great story there.  I hate Milton Bradley.  Tough to root for that guy.  Chavez killed my fantasy team.  Just horrible this year.  Big Hurt and history make this team a contender.  Plus, great hats.  Red Sox connection.  Jay Payton.  No help there.

New York Mets:  Petey not withstanding, absofrickenlutely not.

Philadelphia Phillies:  Philadelphia runs a close second to New York as most hated city.  That was the Sixers doing but still.  I hate Philly now, and that’s that.  So, absofrickenlutely not.  If they even get in.

St. Louis Cardinals:  They start with one foot in the grave.  I absolutely hate LaRussa.  I can’t respect anyone who loves cats and fights with back flipping Ozzie.  I love Phat Albert.  How can you not love Jim Edmonds and his circus catches?  But the Cardinals are not a cool pick.  They get to much pub.  It’d be like rooting for The Sox, Yankees or Cowboys if you’re not from there.  Front running.  I’m against it.  I love their uniforms.  Red Sox connection.  Jeff Suppan.  The guy they got for Steady Freddie Sanchez.  That can’t help.  Can’t do it.  Cardinals are out.

San Diego Padres:  Not feeling any love for this team.  Tons of Sox.  Boomer.  Cla Aiken Matthews.  Alan Embree.  Rudy Seanez.  Josh Bard.  Bellhorn.  Todd Walker.  Dave Roberts.  Still not feeling it.  I like Trevor Hoffman I guess.  Gross uniforms.  Should’ve stuck with the brown and yellow.  And when they wear the camouflage, they should be embarrassed.   Nothing exciting whatsoever with this team.  They’re out.  Bruce Bochy.  If you never collected baseball cards, you never heard of this guy.  Nope.  Out.

Los Angeles Dodgers:  Their home whites are the best uniforms in baseball.  Great hats.  Nomah.  How can I not be rooting for this guy?  He’s clearly my favorite player still in it.  Greg Maddux resurrected.  Maddog.  The Professor.  Unbelievable story there.  The guy who could put a baseball through a lifesaver.  If this guy doesn’t deserve another ring, I don’t know who does.  I always liked Kenny Lofton.  This may be the team.  No one hatable.  I know, I know, Grady Little left Pedro in too long, but to his defense, I wouldn’t have taken him out either.  He was still hitting 95 on the juggs.  D-Lowe is great to watch in the post season.  He bangs hot Fox newswomen.  A gamer, as we say.  That back to back to back to back game probably sold me.  It’s settled, from here on in I bleed Dodger blue.  How much would it suck if they don’t even get in?  Oh well.  The Dodgers it is. 

Public Knowledge:

1.  According to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Joe Girardi will be out as Marlins manager after just one season.  That’s what you get for telling your boss to sit down and shut up.  Even if you do win Manager of the Year.

2.  Fantasy Owners Alert!  Ron Dayne to start for the Houston Texans.  All you guys with Kevin Jones, get moving while he’s still available. For the record, Dayne has carried the rock 649 times for 2,374 yards and 17 tds. He has appeared in 73 games and started in 14 of them.

3.  Yawn, Big Papi gets 52. I’d prefer a pennant.

4.  Trevor Hoffman within 1 of Big Lee Smith’s record 778 saves.  I remember we had Lee and Crazy Jeff Reardon at the same time.  We kept Crazy Jeff and sent Big lee packing.

5.  It figures.  My boy Evgeni Malkin dislocated his left shoulder during his first preseason game with the Penguins.  He may not play in the 1st game.  it’s always something.

6.  Rocket will start Houston’s home finale against St. Louis on Sunday.  I bet it’s his last game as an Astro.  My money says he signs with Boston or the Yankees next year.

7. White Sox lose.  Again.  Ozzie calls his team pathetic.  Ozzie:  “Right now I feel embarrassed. My team should feel embarrassed. People are paying to watch us play and that was pathetic.  The way we played today was real pathetic.”  Just today?  This team crumbled like a week old cookie.  Go Dodgers.

Public Spectacle:

1. Man getting pleasured at a Nationals game.  Lord knows there’s nothing else going on there in RFK.

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

The quicker picker upper.  -Bounty

Public Service Announcement:  OK, here we go.  I’m officially putting a moratorium on all Red Sox articles until after the World Series. That’s right, no more Sox talk.  There’s nothing nice left to write about. To be honest, I’m barely watching.  So here we go.  No more Sox talk. Right after this.  The All Ex-Sox Team:       Read More »

Josh Q. Public:  The one blog to read when you’re reading more than one.

Public Service Announcement:  OK, here we go.  I hate to do it.  I have no choice.  The 2004 Boston Red Sox.  Champions of the World.  Curse Busters.  Toasts of the town.  What in God’s name happened?  In two short years, we went from heroes to goats.  In two short years we have become irrelevant.  In two short years we have become crybabies.  I, for one, am disgusted.  The Boy Blunder should be ashamed of himself.  I hope he’s happy now.  No free rides in this town.  Your time is running out.  Patience is wearing thin.  Theo Ball.  Get rid of proven winners.  Get rid of clubhouse guys.  Get rid of depth.  Get rid of pitching.  Get rid of respectability.  Get rid of Pedro, the heart and soul.  Get rid of Pedro, who will now be pitching in the World Series.  Get rid of Johnny.  King Idiot.  Get Rid of Johnny, leading a new team to the Promised Land.  Get rid of Johnny, perhaps the most unsung player in baseball.  Get rid of Johnny, sleeper MVP candidate.  Get rid of D-Lowe.  Big game pitcher extordinaire.  Winning pitcher in each of the Red Sox post-season series winning games.  Will be pitching in this post-season.  Get rid of Kevin Millar.  Professional hitter and professional clubhouse guy.  Get rid of Orlando Cabrera.  Rent-a-wreck?  A-Gone?  Get rid of Bill “the Killer” Miller.  Batting champ.  Gold Glove quality third baseman.  Get rid of Dave Roberts.  Catalyst.  Get rid of Bronson Arroyo.  Get rid of Mike Myers.  Get rid of Scott Williamson.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I understand losses of personnel are inherent to the business.  But when those losses are not replaced, trouble is looming.  The chickens will come home to roost.  And roost they did.  There is absolutely no depth what-so-ever on this Red Sox team, as displayed once players started to fall like dominos.  When you lose guys like Millar, Pedro and Damon, a leadership void is created that Manny can never fill.  That is not measured by OBP or dollars.  When you have no lefty reliever in your bullpen, you cannot expect to get key guys out.  When your only bench player who can hit a lick is Wily Mo, you cannot expect to win.  When you start a season with the useless Keith Foulke as your closer you cannot be thinking clearly.  When you trade away your future, you cannot expect hope.  Heads should roll this off-season.  No excuses.  Play to win, or don’t play at all.  The David Ortiz bellyaching is a symptom of a much bigger problem.  It’s a symptom of losing.

PS: The only reason for watching Red Sox baseball at this point is lovely Hazel Mae.

Eb-dee Eb-dee Eb-dee, that’s all folks.  I’m too disgusted to write anymore.

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Josh Q. Public:  So you wanna be a rock superstar, and live large.  A big house, 5 cars, you’re in charge.  -Cypress Hill

Public Service Announcement:  Ok here we go.  My thought process goes as follows: The guy signed a contract.  He should honor it.  That’s the end of my thought process.  The T.O. comparison is unfair.  Branch is no Terrell Owens.  Not on the field, not off.  However, it still bugs me.  He’s not out on the street panhandling.  His kids are not starving, Latrell Sprewell style: “I’ve got my family to feed.”  He doesn’t need new underwear.  Honor your contract.  What Deion Branch is worth, is not the issue.  That conversation should take place when it’s time.  When the contract is actually up. I know, I know, this football business is a mean, cruel, cutthroat business.  No doubt about it.  No guaranteed contracts.  Players are not protected.  But those are the rules.  Deion knew them coming in.  He signed a contract.  He should have honored it.  Whenever something like this happens, my brain immediately goes to the sound byte of Mo Vaughn: “It’s not about the money.”  We all learned then, and we all know now, it’s always about the money.  Will the Patriots miss Neion Deion?  Absolutely. Sorely.  Rookie Chad Jackson.  Reche Caldwell.  Doug Gabriel.  Football players play football Troy Brown.  None of them a legitimate #1. Troy Brown was once.  He’s not anymore.  Did the Pats get value for Branch?  Certainly.  Curly Howard style.  But not if you want to win today.  And I guess that’s what bothers me most.  I want to win today.  Maroney looks like the real deal.  Dillon is healthy.  Tom Terrific is still here.  Ben Watson the next Ben Coates.  But the Pats are no better today than they were yesterday. In Bill we trust.  Go Pats!

Public Knowledge:

1.  The Big Papi thing.  Just gross.  What bothers me most is he knocks his teammates.  Peyton Manning style.  That’s why I love Tom Brady.  He blames nobody but himself.  Ever.  Go Pats!

2.  Talk about stabbing your teammate in the back, er leg. The backup punter at Northern Colorado has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing his teammate, the starting punter, in the kicking leg.  How about that?

3.  Ken Dryden and Serge Savard will have their jerseys retired by les Habitantes this season.  My only question is:  How are they not retired already?  Stupid.  Dryden was a Bruin killer.  Actually, he was an everybody killer.  The backbone of six Stanley Cup championships with Montreal in the 1970s. Won Smythe, Calder and Vezina Trophies and recorded miniscule 2.24 goals-against average in 397 N.H.L. games.  Yowza.  Serge Savard may be the drunkest driver in hockey, but he also may be the 2nd best defenseman ever.  First one to ever win the Playoff MVP.

4. The fantasy find of Week 9 of last season, could be the fantasy find of Week 2 this season.  Sam Gado.  Just traded from the Pack to the Houston Texans.  He will start.  Maybe not this week, but definitely next.

5.  Abreu. A bomb, a double and 7 RBIs last night.  I can see why the Sox didn’t go after El Comedulce.  Go Pats!

6.  First Jerry, now Emmitt.  Dancing With the Stars.  Just embarrassing.  I hope Mario Lopez kicks his ass.  Will Emmitt Lambada, the Forbidden Dance, or will he Macarena?  Inquiring minds want to know!

7.  Oh great.  Now Deadspin’s biting off my Herve Villechaize.  Have you no shame?

8.  Bye bye Braves.  Omar Minaya’s boy, Bobby Cock, and the Atlanta Braves finally end their record streak of 14 consecutive division titles.

9.  Everybody saw the battle Royal last night but I have to mention it.  Baseball fights are wack.  Give me Stan Jonathan any day.

10.  I can’t follow the NL wildcard race.  Far too confusing.  Does it matter?  Wake me when it’s over.

11.  Justin Morneau doubled home a pair of runners in the eighth as the Twinkies beat the Athletics 7-5.  Thanks Chompers.

12.  Hey Jaime, why can’t the Sox play the O’s every night?  I have tickets to the game up in the Bronx Sunday.  I’m gonna go and get berated.  Sounds like fun, don’t it?  Go Pats!

13.  I love Chad Johnson’s Mohawk.  Second only to Travis Bickle.  Honorable Mentions:  Joe Strummer and Riggo.  Lighten up, Sandy baby.

14.  The Celtics signed Kendrick Perkins to a four-year extension.  Smart.  That’s how you do it.  Are you paying attention Charles Wang?

15.  Is anybody besides me and Mrs Q. watching Prison Break?  If you are, doesn’t this whole Utah thing make you think of It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World?  Under the big W style?  “Cause t’s all I think of.

Public Spectacle:

1.  Karl Hobbs from my good ole GWU.  When you turn 40 you get a finger up your bum.  Them’s the rules.  Got the whole fist up there doc? Mr. Babar style.  One B. 

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Josh Q. Public:  The blog that made Hoboken famous.

Public Service Announcement:  I have seen the future of NFL football and its name is Reggie Bush.  Bruce Springsteen style.  Reginald Alfred Bush III.  St. Reggie.  St. Reggie didn’t gain 100 yards.  St. Reggie didn’t score a touchdown.  St. Reggie didn’t bust one out for 65, USC style.  St. Reggie did return three punts for 22 yards.  St. Reggie did catch eight balls for 58 yards.  St. Reggie did run the ball 14 times for 58 yards.  St. Reggie simply did it all.  Marshall Faulk style.  This guy is the new Mr. Excitement.  The new Mr. Electricity.  He has you riveted to the TV screen the way only special players do.  I couldn’t wait for the Saints to get the ball.  I couldn’t wait to see what St. Reggie was going to do next.  Was he gonna line up in the slot?  Was he gonna line up split wide?  Was he gonna run a screen?  Was he gonna run a reverse?  Was he gonna return a punt so I could hear Boomer say. “He..could…go…all… the…way!”  I could not stop watching this kid.  The way I couldn’t stop watching LeBronze his rookie year.  Bush:  “I felt like I was close to breaking a big one.”  He was.  Every touch.  It’s only a matter of time.  Joe Horn:  “Reggie is a beast.”  Yes he is Joe, yes he is.  Just wait till he gets good.

Public Knowledge:

1.  Mario Williams?  Are you out of your godammed minds?

2.  The Pats won ugly.  I don’t care.  Just win baby!

3.  Rick DiPietro gets 15 year contract with the Islanders.  This team is one blunder after another.  DiPietro’s deal is believed to be second only in length in North American sports to the 25-year pact Magic signed with the Lakers in 1981.  Rick DiPietro?  Are you kidding me?  This team is doomed.  Fire Neil Smith and hire Garth Brooks?  Stupid.  The new Mr. Wang, No Offense is a dunderhead.  Before you can say Alexi Yashin, he does this.  Good luck.  At least no one is watching or cares about this team.  They won’t for a while.  When Smith was hired, there was glimmer of hope.  Now all is dark out on the Island.

4.  Big Ben wants to play Monday night.  Of course he does.  Charlie Batch looked great Thursday.  Is Roethlisberger’s success merely a result of the Steeler system? Ben does not want anyone asking.

5.  When asked about Papi’s bitching about his chances to be the American League MVP, Jeter said at least the Yankees still have “something to play for.”  Jeter’s right.  I still want Papi up when it counts.  So you tell me who’s the MVP.  All in all though, I wish Papi just kept his mouth shut.  Bad form.  Let me be the jerk.  You be the hero.

6.  The San Francisco Chronicle reported on its Web site that crybaby Jerry Porter was seen laughing and pumping his fist on the sidelines when Raiders teammate Aaron Brooks was sacked for the seventh time.  If I were Porter’s teammate, I’d throw him an ever-loving beating.  What a jerk.  He’s already benched.  I’d get rid of him.  Wait, I did.  I cut him from my fantasy team.  See. The Public practices what he preaches.

7.  Dave Cowens to join the Pistons staff.  Lets hope the big redhead doesn’t leave this team to drive a cab.

8.  Toni Kukoc to call it quits.  I didn’t even know he was still playing.

9.  Neion Deion to Seattle.  He’s good.  Not that good.  Not Hines Ward good.  Super Bowl MVP and all.  Still better than anyone the Patriots have now.  I don’t know how many more guys like this we can afford to lose.  McGinest.  Law.  Milloy.  Vinatieri.  Only time will tell. 

10.  Harold Reynolds on XM radio:  1) He had no idea why he was fired, and no one ever told him.  2) He denied the whole Outback Steakhouse story.  3) He knew nothing about any prior incidents.  Sgt. Schultz style.  Harold  Reynolds is not only a pervert, it appears he’s a liar to boot.

11.  Anibel Sanchez tosses a four hitter.  Great.

12.  The Big Hurt hit a home run for the sixth consecutive game.  Ay caramba!

13.  The Big Eunuch got career win No, 280.  Robinson Carew doubled in three runs in the seventh.  Derek Jeter got two hits to extend his hitting streak to 21 games.  Go Pats!

Public Spectacle:

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Here comes the king, here comes the big number one.

Public Service Announcement:  Take that Sports Illustrated.  That’s what you get.  That’s what you get for picking the Dolphins.  There’s your first place.  There’s your Super Bowl.  That’s what you get for selling the Patriots short.     Read More »

Josh Q. Public: Sweeping the nation with my guns and ammunition.

Public Service Announcement: OK, here we go.  I know.  As I soon as I open my yapper, an 8-1 shellacking. The worst part?  During the debacle, they kept cutting over to the Anibal Sanchez no hit game.  You remember him.  Traded to Florida with Hanley Ramirez for Boom Boom Beckett. Great.  Nothing like adding insult to injury.  In the midst of the beating I had to endure that.  Thanks Theo.  Dear Red Sox Nation:  Please excuse Theo for trading away the future.  Signed, Epstein’s Mother. 

OK.  Enough.  Keep Hope Alive and all that.  The reason we are here today:  I have come to praise Omar Maniacal, not bury the Red Sox.  If this guy does not get Executive of the Year, there is no justice.  Mets fan should adore him.  A local kid.  Where’s all that conversation about an all Spanish team today?  Hey Mad Dog, how you like Los Mets now?  Hmmm?  Winning seems to squelch that kind of talk.  It was Omar who signed Pedro for 4 years.  Stupid right?  He’ll never make it, right?  Wrong.  He’s just laying in wait for the playoffs.  Do you want to face him then?  And do not sleep on the fact that the rest of these guys do not come to Shea if Petey’s not in the bag.  It was Omar who signed Carlos Beltran.  Waste of money, right?  Not worth it, right?  MVP candidate.  Hitting the feathers off the ball.  It was Omar who signed Sandman #2.  He’s no good, right?  Another Loopy Looper, right?  35 saves and counting.  It was Omar who traded for Carlos Delgado.  Oh great, another Latin guy.  Over the hill. Right?  36 bombs and 100 RBIs.  It was Omar who traded for Lo Duca to replace Sam Champion’s boyfriend.  It’ll never work, right?  He’ll fall apart after the All-Star break, right?  Batting .314.  What about the Kaz Matsui experiment.  It was Omar who ended it.  Brought in Jose Valentin.  As brilliant a move as the big guns.  Solidified the weakest spot on the team.  Down goes Floyd.  What now?  It was Omar who went out and got Endy Chavez.  The gut has a .791 OPS for crying out loud.  Then Shawn Green?  Genius.  Kwame style.  This guy hits.  Yesterday’s doubleheader: 6 for 8.  Two bombs.  Four runs.  Three RBIs.  Almost single-handedly led the Mets to a series-ending sweep of the Braves.  Oh, you need help getting to Wagner?  No worries.  It was Omar who signed these guys:  Guillermo Mota, Roberto Hernandez, Pedro Feliciano and Chad Bradford.  Let’s throw Oliver Perez in the mix for good measure.  Looked like a star yesterday.  The kids?  It was Omar who convinced ownership to lock up Reyes and Wright, and build on them. Maniacal: “To get Jose and David signed in the same week makes this a very special week for the Mets.  We have stability with a core group of players.”   That’s an understatement.  Two MVP candidates themselves.  And let’s not forget, it was Omar who hired Willie.  Rumor has it, Willie was a little too black for some other teams.  Not the Mets.  And it’s paying off.  He should get Manager of the Year with the job he’s done.  Tonight the Mets play Brad Penny and the stumbling LA Dodgers.  I picked the Dodgers to reach the World Series.  I’ve been known to be wrong.  Keep Hope Alive.

Public Knowledge:

1.  Scary times for fantasy owners.  You were warned.  Listening Chompers?  Panthers All-Pro receiver Steve Smith missed practice again yesterday and remains questionable for the season opener against Atlanta.  Now what?

2.  Do I or don’t I start Reggie Bush Sunday?  The smart money says no.  I’m doing it.  He’s gonna bust out.  I just know it.

3.  Marion Jones’ backup sample turned up clean.  I say she’s still dirty.  Pigpen style.  But in these times, we’ll never really know if our favorite athletes are juicing.

4.  Kobe Bryant:  “If there is no chemistry, it’s going to be tough to beat all those talented teams.”  If Kobe’s talking about team chemistry, we’re in trouble.  Robert Oppenheimer style.

5.  Former NBA player Ralph Sampson will serve two months in jail for mail fraud.  As much as Red loved this guy, I always thought he was a fraud.  Never won a damn thing.  Twin Towers.  We smashed ‘em.  He was one of only two players in the history of college basketball to receive the Naismith Award 3 times. Bill Walton the other.  Never won a damn thing.

6.  Fantasy thoughts.  Domanick Davis owners are pissed.  Clinton Portis owners are nervous.  Hines Ward owners are skeptical of Charlie Batch.  I don’t get the Reuben Droughns thing.  In my mind, he just stinks.  The whole Thomas Jones/Cedric “the Entertainer” Benson  mess is gross.  I have Benson on my team.  I wish I didn’t.  Bell or Bell in Denver?  Neither.  Wali “Triple” Lundy.  No way. I don’t care if he does start.  I told you I have Reggie Bush.  Would you still respect me if I also told you I secretly wish Deuce McAllister would break his leg?  TO?  No worries, on the field, that is.  I wish I had Cory Dillon on my team.  I did last year.  That was a mistake.  He’s healthy now though.  Kevin Jones is an unsung hero.  Watch.  I have Jerious Norwood.  I’m also secretly waiting for Dunn to blow out his knee. 

7.  Everyday Eddie out for the year.  Ligament-replacement surgery on his left elbow.  I just like to say Everyday Eddie.

8. Detroit Lion assistant coach Joe Cullen was arrested for driving in the nude.  Yup it’s true.  Driving in the nude.  He sure was.  Arrested. And nude.  Joe Cullen.  Porky Pig Style.

9.  Jason Isringhausen is officially done.  Another blown save.  He is just awful.

10.  Shockey who?  Ben Watson.  This guy is for real.

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!

Josh Q. Public:  We gotta win that fight.  I’m gonna get EVEN with those little Yankees! Let’s do it for Johnny, man. We’re gonna do it for Johnny!

Public Service Announcement:  Is there life? Is there life after death?  Lazarus style?  Do you believe?  Was I premature in my eulogy?  Did I speak to soon?  Papi back.  Manny back.  A-Gon back.  Trot back.  Varitek back.  No tear in Papelbon’s shoulder.  Dare I say it?  Are we back in it?  Kason Gabbard pitching lights out against Guillen’s World Champion Go-Go White Sox yesterday.  Julian Tavares Monday.  A chance to sweep tonight.  4-2 in their last six. Showing a little gumption. A little pride.  I believe in miracles.   If the Twinkies struggle down the stretch, say, going 13-12 in those games, the Sox would need to finish 18-5, and that’s assuming Minnesota doesn’t overtake the Tigers.  But hey, crazier things have happened.  I remember being down 3-0 in the playoffs, and winning a World Series.  A six game lead is nothing.  A drop in the bucket.  Let’s not forget, a four game series against the Bombers is looming.  Looming large.  One-two sweeperoo and we’re right back in it.  Right back in the thick of things.  Big Papi up to bat when things matter again.  That’s all we need.  Mike Timlin:  “Our race is not over.  We know it.  Everybody in town knows it.  Everybody in other towns knows it. We just have to take care of business.”  BTO style.  I say, why not?  Keep Hope Alive.

Public Knowledge:

1.  Giambi Juice’s steroid wrist still keeping him of the line up.  Mired in an 0-18 slump.  Keep Hope Alive. 

2.  Omar Maniacal knows what he is doing with Pedro.  Let the guy rest.  Keep him healthy for the play-offs.  Smart.  Save those bullets.

3.  This from Grimace:  Listening to the Bomber game on the radio Saturday.  Ball fouled back to the press box.  Sterling to Suzyn Waldman:  “You sure got out of the way in a hurry.”  Waldman: “Ya, I get under the table faster that anyone you know.”  Monica Lewinsky style.  Just ask Conesy and Boggsy.

4.  Watched Agassi’s last match.  Very anti-climactic.  His farewell address was embarrassing.  He should have just gone to the locker room.  The best part of the whole match was a highlight shot of Brooke Shields going nuts in the stands.

5.  Johann Santana becomes first pitcher to hit 17 wins.  He is the best in baseball. No question about it.

6.  Bears vs. Redskins.  Brawl.  Assistant coach.  Smashes player to the ground.  Did I mention this was a Pop Warner game?  12 year-olds.  What are people thinking?  The coach/parent is being charged with child abuse.  Good.  I hope they throw the book at him.  What a dope.

7.  Branch vs. Patriots.  Sources close to the four-year veteran said this week that Neon Deion hopes for an expeditious ruling in the cases because he is anxious to return to the field. They reiterated, however, that he does not plan to return to the Patriots anytime soon, and maintained that his plans are to sit out until the final six games of the year.  I’m confused.  Which is it?  Expedious return to field, or sit out half the season? Win or go home!

8.  Steroids in the NFL.  How come no one cares?  It appears just about the whole Carolina Panther team was on the juice.  It got them to the Super Bowl.  Where’s the outrage?  Where’s the, “hang’em from the nearest yardarm,” language.  Barry Bonds style.  Baseball numbers are holy.  Everyone knows them.  They matter. Who cares if a lineman’s on the juice? What record is he going to break?  Let’s see if the NFL cares.

9.  Colt McCoy.  Best name at Texas since Major Applewhite.  I hope this guy makes it.

10.  LeBronze James.  Nuff said.

11.  Your boy, Jeter, struck out with the bases loaded to end the game last night.  Ha ha ha.  The little things, baby, the little things.  Keep Hope Alive.

12.  Sam Champion’s boyfriend hit his 417th career home run last night.  Atta boy.

Public Spectacle:

1.  In case you missed it.  Here’s that nut job parent decking junior in a Pop Warner game.

Peace out homies.  Six Two and Even!