Wednesday Taunt XI

'Twas a slow week in Swami-ville. Week the Eleventh provided very little in the way of spark, and trudged its way to a very poor showing with only six participant passings -- shocking for such a late week in the season. We credit the Giants, Steelers, and Lions for winning against the dregs, and thank profusely the Chiefs for at least provided a little in the loss column.

The Twelfth Week is important, as well, because it means there are no more bye weeks. Bye weeks can make it tough, often times we get to the point where we've had enough, so it's time to see them out the door and that ain't no lie. Bye bye, byes.

It can seem, so deep into the year, that teams are beginning to lead you along like a boy band on strings, but that is not the case. If anything, you are more in control of your destiny now than you ever were before ... you know the teams, you've studied their strengths and weaknesses, you know the competition, you know the path before you, and you know exactly what you need to do. That, my friends, is an exciting place. Relish it.

Weekend Statistics

202 participants

18 undefeated at 11-0

44 with one loss, including yours truly

150 deceased

Blessings and thanks are now upon us. Enjoy your day with food and family and some small measure of football, and I will be back on the flip side to dialogue further.

That is all.

Tuesday Taunt II (Wednesday Version)

We bid adieu to five special gentlemen, the first five, heretofore known as the Five Guys. Disclaimer: the excellent burger chain has not sponsored this post in any way, shape, or form, but if you know someone who owns a Five Guys franchise, I am happy to accept sponsorship.

We bid adieu to Lloyd Bridges (looks like he picked the wrong week to stop picking winners) and D-White 03 (just the bronze entry anyway) and Runs Like a Gurley (excellence in namesmanship does not always mean excellence in gamesmanship) and Amazingandre 05 (fifth-most amazing means uno dos, adios) and Bonanza (found a nice large stash of cubic zirconia).

Goodbye, gentlemen. Until next season.

As for the rest, we have found a good deal of success thus far: 148 souls still reside in the land of the unblemished. Only the aforementioned five have crossed over, leaving the remaining 49 living with one foot already in the frying pan. As always, when it comes to movie quotes and metaphors, watch me for the changes and try and keep up, ok?

On another topic, I have long considered adding a sixth rule to the Pool. Ultimately, there is no need, few follow the rules to begin with -- hence the usual devastation and chaos -- but still, I've got a piece to speak, and blow hot or cold I'm going to speak it. One of my own personal informal rules is, never ever never pick the Raiders to win.

And yet ... and yet ... few seem to share this rule.

Thirteen participants, including many a Swami-pool veteran, went with the Raiders this past weekend ... and lo and behold, the silver and black swept them away. Please tell me, at what point over the course of the last decade have the Raiders inspired even an ounce of confidence? I was shocked to see the Raider picks roll in, shocked to see there were double digit numbers, and then not surprised in the slightest to watch them derail. I'm still not adding this as an official rule, five seems a gloriously round number for rules, but feel free to remember this as as a sixth little unspoken rule.

To the statistics:

Weekend Stats - Week Two
202 participants
148 undefeated at 2-0
49 with one loss
30 week two losers
5 deceased via uno dos

Week Three awaits. Remember the rules. One last note: for those who have the Swami Hex upon them, I will extend this one time offer: put your support behind the Beloveds in Week Three, and the Hex shall be removed.

That is all.

The Giving of Thanks Taunt XI

On this evening before we all settle in for the Giving of Thanks, when all tables are set for the feast and a cornucopia of riches surrounds, reflective thoughts bring to mind another cornucopia that is an apt metaphor for this most destructive of Swami Pool seasons.

Of course, I refer to the Hunger Games cornucopia, where all participants gather . . . and most never leave alive. So it has seemed this season, as we all flock to safe harbors only to find no safety nor security whatsoever. 

We are down to nine, nine brave souls who are the only participants left to give football thanks on Thursday's holiday. Like Katniss, they braved the cornucopia and left alive, if moderately scathed, and remain in the woods to fight another week. Nine, and nine only.

Three veterans dropped in Week 11, all three former medal-winners. A few veterans remain, along with some new blood, and we shall see whose blood stays within, and whose shall spill in the Week Before Marino Week.

Week 11 Stats
189 participants
9 with one loss
180 deceased
3 week 11 losers

Happy Thanksgiving to all participants, living and deceased, and may the weekend's non-football bring you much joy and merriment.

That is all.

Tuesday Taunt II

Bigg Doggs and Mad Dogs and Monkeys, oh my!

The Wicked Witches of the Western United States struck, and struck hard this past Sunday, and so at the hands of the Chargers and Cardinals fall the Eagles and Lions, and so in turn pass from our midst, like white mist from the mouth on a cold, cold night, the three participants known as Big Dogg 02, Mad Dog 03, and Monkey 01. Luckily, all three gentlemen have other lives remaining with which to haphazardly bet, throwing caution to the wind, and disregarding all Swami Rules.

For the uninitiated, let us rehash the Three Rules for Staying Alive in Suicide:

#01 - Do not pick a team to win on the road.
#02 - Do not pick a team to beat a team in its own division.
#03 - Do not pick a game in which the Chargers are playing, for or against, before Week 06.

All three of our deceased participants, who have tied together for 158th place, broke one of the above rules, and paid the ultimate price -- along with sixteen other unfortunate souls. 

Week Two Statistics
160 participants
113 undefeated
44 with one loss
3 deceased

Week Three is right around the corner. I expect there to be significant action on one game in particular, and while I am not one to usually fly with the flock, in this case it may very well be unavoidable. We shall see come the Root of the Week.

That is all.