The Root of the Week VIII

It's a quartet of teams on this, the eve of Hallo's Ween. No one seems particularly comfortable with their pick, given that the big choices are the 49ers (can anyone ever feel comfortable with Alex Smith), Ravens (really, after last week), Texans (up and down all decade), and Giants (already this season's biggest killer), with a smattering of Saints thrown in for good measure.

Only a handful of weeks left before you must begin picking ineligible playoff teams, and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you should've read the rules.

That is all.

Tuesday Taunt VII

Week Seven Statistics

148 participants

21 players at 7-0

67 with one loss only

8 week five losers

60 participants dead

In a week that sees both the Swami and Factor fall, new life is brought forth to keep them happy. Duality, even in football.

Except for El Doctor, of course. No duality there. Every man has a strategy; El Doctor's seems to be the Monday night home default pick. I thought this was the week his reign would end --- the Jags over the Ravens? Really? Yet the wisdom of El Doctor is proven right once again, and he rolls unscathed into Week Eight. 

Along with 20 others, to go with the 67 with one loss, leaving us with a healthy set of piano keys as we merrily continue on our way.

That is all.

The Root of the Week VII

I considered referencing the USC win over the golden dome in this post, to revel in the sweet smell of victory and the absurdity that was the 9 point dog-status of the Men of Troy, but since there are not really any Notre Dame fans in the pool -- or perhaps any left in general, outside the media -- I decided to refrain. Therefore, I shall not mention USC's two touchdown win.

What I will talk about, however, is Week Seven of the NFL season, which sees the vast majority of participants on either the Saints or the Cowboys, and sometimes both. A handful of other choices represent a tiny fraction (Packers, Ravens, Steelers, etc), but if you're rooting, I'd root for the one you did not choose.

As for myself, in the spirit of all things Troy, I shall root for the first time for a team who I've long not thought of with any form of affection, despite a period of time spent in my backyard. However, a few recent changes in management and a significant change under center, and suddenly the squad becomes a whole lot more palatable.

Therefore, on the bandwagon of the Silver and Black I go.

That is all.

Tuesday Taunt VI

Current Statistics

148 participants

22 players at 6-0

73 with one loss only

9 week six losers

53 participants dead

Not much of note in Week Six, despite several different teams on the docket for participants. Two minor upsets with the Saints and Lions took out nine of our faithful participants, seven for good.

This Taunt comes to you live, by the by, from the Labor & Delivery room of [redacted] Hospital, as the Swami's brood prepares to grow. For all you non-parents out there, you might want to watch out for Mr. Stork. He's a persevering chap.

That is all.

The Root of the Week VI

We've got money all over the place as the Suicide Pool makes it rain in Week Six. The big play seems to be the Jets. This is interesting for two reasons in particular: first, it's the Monday night game, which means participants will have to wait until Monday to learn their fate; and second, the Jets play my beloveds.

You know the Swami Rules to Suicide Success. I have outlined them in depth. However, there is another rule I have that goes into play after Week Five, and that is not to pick against winless teams. They are desperate and dangerous, and always win eventually (excepting Detroit circa '09). Additionally, the Fish have burned many participants over the years, and I'm thinking this week they will do the same. Good luck, Jets fans, and sleep soundly tonight knowing it will likely be your last.

As for the rest, the Steelers, Packers, Raiders, Ravens, Patriots, and Bengals all have some action. I'm thinking we won't see a massive loss like last week, but with so much variety, it's almost certain some of the upsets will come home.

Not for Swami, of course. Mark me down for Steel City and I'll see you in Week Seven.

That is all.

Tuesday Taunt V

"I looked, and there before me was a pale horse. Its rider was named Death."

It was carnage, utter and absolute; the single bloodiest weekend in the history of Suicide. 83 participants rode the Giants to their untimely demise, 92 took losses in total, and 37 perished for the second and final time. 102 remain alive, 78 with one loss.

For those keeping track at home, a full two-thirds (66%) lost in Week Five. After five weeks in, only 16% remain undefeated. No one with multiple entries remains unscathed. The theme of the season is destruction, devastation, chaos. If things keep up, I might very well have to offer a separate Second Chance Suicide Pool, just to keep the people happy.

I apologize for even mentioning the Swami Hex. It seems my powers are very great. I shall refrain from mentioning my love of all things carnage, and allow you, my participants, the space to make your own way. At least, for a couple weeks.

It will perhaps act as salve to know that I, too, suffered my first defeat, having placed my faith in Sam's Town when it should've been with Motor City. It will not soothe you to know that El Doctor, sometime contributor to this blog and he of a recently birthed second child, has fallen off the map since getting me his pick in the first week--and has subsequently gone 4-for-4 riding the Monday night home game default pick. He remains undefeated at 5-0, and will undoubtedly try to sell his entry in the near future.

Good luck to everyone this week, and I mean it truly. As much as I love carnage, I don't particularly want the pool to over by Week Ten.

That is all.

The Root of the Week V

Before we touch upon the breaking news, it behooves me to mention that the big bet this week is by far and away the New York Football Giants. For those of you on the Giants, feel free to root against the Patriots.

Now, on to the rest.

It's a sad day in the NFL, despite his naysayers. While I would never root for his team, and in later years he and his organization jumped the shark in ways not considered possible in professional sports outside the realm of Sterling, one cannot argue a legacy of success prior to the millenium turning and an indelible impact on the game. He will be missed by football people much smarter than I for a laundry list of accomplishments, and by the masses if at the very least for his draft day entertainment value. His passing is timely, too, given the selection of the Swami this week.

RIP, Al Davis.

RIP, Raiders.

That is all.

Tuesday Taunt IV

Week Four Stats

148 participants
80 undefeateds at 4-0
9 participants dead

Only eleven brave souls lost their lives in last weekend's action, a sad but not altogether unsurprising turn of events given the heavily favored Bays of Green and Tampa.

However, the Bye Week Window begins this week, which means there will be carnage moving forward. Oh yes, there will be.

That is all.

The Root of the Week IV

Down by Green Bay,
where the cheeseheads grow,
where Pabst Blue flows,
you all will go,
and if you do,
your Swami will say,
"Did you ever see a horse
trample Aaron Rodgers
down by Green Bay?"




Down by Tampa Bay,
where the old folks roam,
where the Rays call home,
you all will go,
and if you do,
your Swami will say,
"Did you ever see a stallion
stomp on a pirate
down by Tampa Bay?"

Down by the bayou,
where the bourbon flows,
where the Mardis grow,
the Swami goes,
and since I do,
the heavens will say,
"Let us all watch a Brees
throwing TD's
down by the bayou."

That is all.