Hopeless Walk On

Post-Failure Thoughts

2010-05-02T18:39:00.004-04:00

Well, I learned a lot from the experience. The whole thing, even these last few days which have...well fucking sucked. I've been eating absolute shit, which has been enjoyable though, I gotta say...ice cream, cookies, pizza, beer...God Bless America...haha...

Still kind of in a state of shock about the whole thing. I know this is called HOPELESS and all, which signifies, you know, a lack of hope, that this thing is completely crazy to do, but a part of me always kinda thought that I would pull it out. I really did. I know it was nuts, but man...I don't know.

I think the hardest part was telling my Dad. I really wanted to tell him I did this, not because he even wanted me to do it in the first place, but he really believed in me, and it sort of made me think of all the people along the way who did the same--initial reaction, WTF Ryan, you're nuts....after a while...hey, he could really do this.

If nothing else, I learned that I can commit to something when I really want to- to be real, I've never really tried like this at anything, and I've generally been pretty successful at stuff without any incredibly outstanding effort- don't get me wrong, I'm a worker, but the work that I put into this was ridiculous. I finally 100% fully apply myself and fail...it really does kinda make sense, when you think about it.

I just put off a lot of things that I should have been doing to try and prepare properly to play, which was stupid. In the end, regardless, I'm not a football player, I'm just a guy, and I should have kept my eye on the real prize, which is kicking major ass at school and becoming the best broadcaster I can possibly be, but what can I say. I don't wade into the pool well...I'm a passionate person. And I went at this thing with a passion- ask anyone who saw me along the way, and fuck it, I'm proud of it. I hate that I failed, but I went down swinging.

I would have been able to help that team, though. Somehow...I know it. But they know better about that sort of thing than I do, so what can I say. It's been a hell of a ride. I'm just sort of trying to re-acclimate myself to society here and figure out where the hell I go and what the hell I do next.

Hopeless Walk On ...does tennis? Volleyball, perhaps?

Oh yeah...and Charlie Loeb has a freakin' cannon for an arm...

In The End...It Really Was Hopeless

2010-05-01T21:01:00.002-04:00

I didn't make it.

The 7 months that I spent training weren't enough. Maybe if I had a little longer. Who knows. It's disappointing, but it is what it is.

I'll have more thoughts about it tomorrow.

Tryouts Are Over

2010-04-29T10:35:00.003-04:00

I find out in a couple days whether I made it or not. I don't really want to get into the tryouts themselves right now, but let's hope everything went well in the coaches eyes and I'll update as soon as I know my fate!

Thank You

2010-04-25T15:57:00.004-04:00

I believe some thank-yous are in order for help along the way to get to tryouts tomorrow. Without you guys, I wouldn't be able to even attempt this, and for that I am eternally appreciative.

In no particular order whatsoever, thank you:

Mom, Dad, Marykay, Matt, Kristen, Josh Hawley (beast), Natalie Daurio, Colleen O'Hara, Chris Jarmon, Rich Teesdale, Jordan Adams, Phil Daughton, Mike Daly, Coach Luther, the guys at WAER, Sham Kala-kadima, Danny Fersh, Daniela Bianchi, everyone at NFL Films, the guy that broke my ankle, Sean Haley, Dr. Puleo, anyone who read the blog at any point, offered me support or advice, and anyone else that I am forgetting THANK YOU!!!

Tomorrow is time to ball..wish me luck everybody.

Last Workout Before Tryouts: Done

2010-04-24T01:09:00.004-04:00

So that's it. It's all over. Nothing to do now but sit around and wait until tryouts on Monday.

7 months of work, and there's nothing I can really do to change anything at this point, and it's strange. I began to plan my day tomorrow a couple different times, and had to stop myself. Kinda funny that it's turned into a bit of a compulsion...not that compulsions are funny in general, just this one...

I hope I'm on the cusp of something great. I know how corny it sounds, but I do believe in miracles.

So it's 1 a.m. and I'm sitting around not going out again all weekend so I'm well rested and stuff. I'll have some more today before tryouts, I'm sure, but right now it's just strange that I'm at this point- you kind of daydream about what it's going to be like down the line when you're doing this, and what you're going to be thinking about, and it wasn't like this...I don't really know what it was like, but it wasn't like this. I guess I kind of figured I would turn into some sort of beast throughout this and be a machine of sorts, and I don't know, I still just sorta feel like me. Beastlier maybe...but just like me.

Not that this is bad...I'm definitely ready to go, although I think I always find problems and holes in what I've done. I'm rambling. I'm going to bed. Tomorrow I'm doing the post-game show for the SU Lacrosse game on WAER as well as an NFL Draft special at 7 as well. Tune in for more coherent, organized ramblings.

7 Days Left

2010-04-18T22:44:00.004-04:00

I've been putting myself through 2-a-days for the most part this past week, since I don't want to skimp on the lifting because we'll be tested on that, but I also need to get in better running shape. I'm exhausted, but I feel good about the progress that I'm making and the effort that I'm putting in.

This thing isn't about playing football anymore, for me. Absolutely, I'm doing this for the love of the game, and I can't think of anything cooler than being able to finish up my time at Syracuse playing football for a team that is going places a lot faster than most people think, don't get me wrong. I want nothing more in the world than that.

But I really, at this point, after months of working for this, (see previous posts) just want to see what I'm made of. Sure, win or lose here, I can walk away proud of what I've done, but I didn't do all this to not make the team. I didn't do it to walk away and say, hey, I tried really hard, but it just didn't work out. This is about setting a goal (even if it's grandiose and borderline bat-sh-t crazy) and doing everything in your power to get to it. It's about second chances for guys that didn't do things the right way when good things were there for them picking themselves up and doing it the right way from there on out. Learning discipline and toughness.

I'll be working myself to the brink this week in final preparation. I know I won't stack up as well as some guys on certain things, but I'll be there from an effort standpoint.

Watching the Spring Game was surreal, exciting, and somewhat infuriating since I wanted to be on the field so bad. We'll find out soon enough whether that will be the case or not.

Priceless

2010-04-18T00:13:00.004-04:00

So I'm in on a Saturday night for the first time in a long time- about to go to bed here nice and early and wake up early for a run. Did the same thing last night, look at me go...

Anyway, in my random Internet searchings to keep me busy this evening I found this priceless bit of humor... priceless if you are familiar with the venerable Emmitt Smith and his on-air strugglings. I was crying from laughing so hard. Enjoy.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2010emmitt.php

Less than 2 weeks to go

2010-04-14T00:24:00.006-04:00

And I am frrrrrrrrrreaking out! In a good way though I guess- my roommate Josh said it best, if you actually feel good about what you're doing, you've probably lost a bit of your edge- it's best to feel like you're failing, so you work harder...that's paraphrased from sweaty gym-talk.

I've heard some things here and there about what happens during the tryouts, and what I would be expected to do in terms of working out, and I gotta be honest, I'm a little nervous. I'm not sure (pretty damn not sure) that I'll stack up well with the other guys, but we'll see.

2 years ago I weighed 135 lbs. 1 year ago I weighed 150. I now weigh 180 and have worked harder at this than anything I've ever worked at before, and I'm not embarrassed to say it. It's not uncool to really try at something, whether it fails or succeeds. Hell, I only started benching 9 months ago, then lost two straight months to the ankle thing, so we're talking about 7 months of benching and I can do a pretty damn good amount for that kind of period. I'm assuming the other guys will have been doing this throughout high school football and the like, so I dunno.

I do know that I'll outwork them if given the opportunity. Why? Because I'm a sick, sick bastard. I love the pain, and I love to work.

I've amped up all efforts for the final push here, then am taking like 2 days off before tryouts to let the body recoup. For example, tomorrow is all-cardio day, and I'm doing two workouts, one after class is over, then one later on at night. To hell with the ankle, which continues to swell and be a pain in the ass. Screw the blood blisters that cover the bottom of both of my feet. It's go time.

Pray for me, I'm gonna need it.

4 Weeks Away...Thoughts

2010-03-31T20:06:00.003-04:00

It's funny how something so far away can still make you nervous. I'm already nervous for these things, but it's only pushing me to work harder. It's a tough time of year, with tons of schoolwork and other things going on, but you better believe I'm hitting it hard.

I started this site to sort of chronicle this journey of mine, and looking back, I don't think I really have done that effectively. I think that once I started actually writing it, I really felt uncomfortable talking about MYSELF all the time. With working for the Syracuse Football team last semester preventing me from commenting on SU sports, I haven't had a ton of material to put out there, and this idea has certainly suffered.

That said, it's been a nice outlet throughout this process, and more importantly, it's been yet another thing to light a fire under my ass. When you know people are watching and reading, it helps you run that extra minute on the treadmill, do that last rep, etc....because you know that if you're out there talking, you had better be able to back it up.

Not that I've talked a whole bunch of game here about how I'm going to be good or anything- I've just sorta made fun of myself for 7 months straight. And I will stand by that- I will probably not be good. Doesn't mean I wont try like hell TO BE good.

I WILL BE POSTING my NFL Draft top 50, so stay tuned for that. Also, more favorite books and other observations to come in these final weeks before tryouts. Mostly I'll just be busting my ass physically, but I'm sure I'll find time for this. You keep reading, I'll keep writing.

TRYOUTS!!!

2010-03-26T10:07:00.003-04:00

The day is upon us...Tryouts are in one month. 4 weeks to finish up the hard work that I've put in for the last 7+ months. Haven't missed a workout. I've worked harder at this thing than anything else that I've ever tried.

ONE MONTH...I am pumped. Win or lose, I'll be ready and in shape. Pray for me, I'm gonna need it.

Back From Break, Random Notes

2010-03-23T23:52:00.004-04:00

Back from spring break. It was a crazy time over spring break, things got pretty out of control...no, no, wait, yeah, they didn't. I went home to the Philly 'burbs and basically worked out, hung out with a few friends, read a lot, and watched a few movies. Did a little shopping for some new sneakers, found nothing I like, but DID come up with a very lifelike Randy Moss figurine in a clearance bin for 5 DOLLARS! I only had 4 dollars in my pocket, and wouldn't you believe the man took it. Now ol' Randy sits on my desk and keeps an eye on things.

I played some ball this weekend in cleats and all, and felt really good. Didn't go quite 100% but didn't totally half-ass it either, and I think I'm coming along really well at this point. I played Sunday and the ankle is still pretty sore, but nothing like it used to be. I squatted today and it's even doing well. I could cut actually pretty well.

Hoping that all is going well for the SU football team in the beginning of spring practices, which according to Syracuse.com started on Monday. I hope to be with them someday, and will continue to work towards that goal. I do not know when tryouts or that sort of thing are, but when they do come- I will be ready. At this point, with cardio and all I'm working out 6 or 7 days a week, depending on the week, and am really coming along. I've said it before- if I don't make this team, it certainly won't be for lack of effort. I will control what I can control, and that is what I put into it.

I'll be updating a lot more soon! I'm also on the radio on 88.3 WAER in Syracuse on the post game shows for basketball and lacrosse. More so lacrosse at this point, but the occasional basketball show as well. Tune in after the games for my ...analysis? Uh oh...

You can also go to http://www.waer.org/ and listen live. Happy Tuesday and back to work.

Update on Yesterday

2010-03-14T23:26:00.001-04:00

It was better today- see? SOME good can come from being an idiot and pushing yourself too hard. It's pretty sore now, but no complaints- I could cut a whole lot better today. Played some football in a light rain and had a blast.

Kicked a couple 40+ yard field goals too...maybe some added value there...

Tomorrow begins a new week, getting better everyday.

Just tried out the ankle with cleats...

2010-03-13T12:32:00.004-05:00

Strapped on cleats for the first time since the old snap crackle pop occurred. Truth be told, I was sort of expecting everything to just be completely fine, and I guess to some extent it was.

I ran some routes at like 70% speed and it definitely hurt, and definitely still felt weak. I was really disappointed, but I dunno...I guess this is to be expected. I don't know. I basically feel like s--t about the whole thing.

So, (and I know Josh will get a kick out of this) I'll be trying it again tomorrow. Because I'm an idiot. And because I dunno, maybe I just need to be more warmed up first. I mean I warmed up, but maybe...not enough. Maybe I just...maybe the ground was too hard. I'm sure I'm fine. Yes, I am totally fine.

So things are good. I'll update you all tomorrow on how it goes, most likely from the ER.

Back On The Horse Tomorrow

2010-03-08T00:28:00.002-05:00

Back to the weights tomorrow- looking forward to it. I'm going to bed in a few minutes and going to wake up early to go before class. I've felt at times lost and confused this week without having a steady gym schedule- my goal has become the center of my life, it seems. Not that anyone that has been near me over the past several months would not agree, but I guess I'm just continuing to notice.

The ankle is finally starting to have some burst in it. I really started to notice this week with all the basketball and stuff. It's starting to show a little life, which is exciting. God, it has been a long, long time I feel like since it was just normal to run, jump, or cut without pain. It's nice. Let's hope it continues, as I still haven't put on cleats and really beat it up, but basketball is a pretty decent indicator I feel like.

As always, I'll keep you updated on how things go...Go 'Cuse in the Big East Tournament.

Hilarity

2010-03-01T18:24:00.001-05:00

IT'S ME!!!!! Only in Nebraska...

A Week "Off"

2010-03-01T00:56:00.005-05:00

Just finished another 6 week program, and with my body breaking down, I'm taking a week off the weights.

Still doing cardio and core stuff, I played some basketball tonight and will be doing that throughout the week. My ankle swells up at turns kinda purple at spots after playing, but the pain level is down.

As tryouts get closer, as I've mentioned, I'll be cranking up the cardio. I figure the one thing I can control about my chances is my conditioning and weight room stuff, so you better believe I'm hedging my bets the best I can by being in impeccable shape when these tryouts roll around.

Which brings me to my next point, no I don't know when tryouts are. I've received a few emails about this and people have asked me in person as well, and to be real I don't even really know when tryouts are or what. Hopefully I'll find out that information this week, I'm going to ask around because I'm sure that time is coming up at some point in the somewhat near future.

Listen this Saturday to Sportsnight on 88.3 WAER, where I'll be on talking about the state of the NFL in relation to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the uncapped year. I'll have some not-so-often talked about points about the state of negotiations and all that crap that very few really care about.

Congrats to SU Basketball on their win on Saturday against my hometown Nova Wildcats. I was there and it was as electric a scene as I've ever seen at a sporting event. We definitely showed 'em who was boss, as we have all season pretty much. That is one unbelievable squad.

More updates to come soon so tell your friends and come back often!

Workout Schedule

2010-02-24T11:14:00.002-05:00

I figured I'd throw up what I'm doing as a workout schedule, as opposed to say I SQUATTED THIS or benched this, because lets be honest, 95% of people reading this don't give a rats behind what I squat or bench or whatever. And quite frankly, it's not that impressive. At all.

Monday: Heavy squat / Leg Day
Tuesday: Chest
Wednesday: Cardio / Ab heavy / Basketball
Thursday: Leg Day
Friday: Chest
Saturday: Cardio / Ab heavy
Sunday: OFF

So there it is. Bam. Man, I've got nothing to write about right now...

Update: Not Much Going On

2010-02-21T09:58:00.002-05:00

Wellllll it occurred to me that I haven't updated this fair site in a long-ass time. Truth be told, there is nothing to update ON. Same old here: working hard in the gym and out of the gym, just kinda going along doing my thing here.

Notttt much to say here. At all. Crazy updates will come closer to tryouts or upon anything, at all, happening. God bless America.

Post-Super Bowl Sadness, Will I make this team?.. etc

2010-02-08T18:27:00.006-05:00

Well it's over. Five plus months, minus the combine and draft of course, of utter football-less misery. It's still snowing in Syracuse and I have a class from 7-9:45 tonight, and I'm in a contemplative mood.

First, the Super Bowl last night was incredible. 3 years in a row of top-notch games to remember, and congrats to the Saints and the city of New Orleans. I picked the Colts to win the game big, so count me on the list of people who were wrong on that one. I question the Colts taking their foot off the gas late in the first half, but ultimately it came down to just a couple plays within the huge game that changed the tides in the Saints favor. Either way, an outstanding game on all fronts, and I can't wait to see what NFL Films does with America's Game to tell this epic story.

In terms of Hopeless Walk On, I've been thinking about how this crazy plan of mine is going to turn out. Thinking about the scenarios, the successful one, and what that would be like, and also failing, and what that would be like. I really hope everything works out, I know that goes without saying, but I was thinking as I was walking home from the gym earlier today how much time and effort that I have put into this, and how badly I want to play football. (and how badly it would suck to fail at trying to play football)

It seems insane when taking a step back to try this hard for a goal that in the grand scheme of things, probably will not do much for my life. It seems as though at this point, I should be focusing more on career-related things and not some pipe dream of playing collegiate football, but I can't avoid it- I want to play. I'm keeping the foot on the pedal, and if I fail, at least I can say I busted my ass every single day to make it happen. Some people just aren't good enough, but I'd like to think that I could be good enough.

I guess I know how much I can learn from this experience from a football standpoint, a life standpoint, and about myself, and how much I have learned about myself already. You learn what kind of grit, commitment, and determination that you have really fast even when training for something like this, and I know if I were to make the team, that this would be the very tip of the iceberg. Let's hope it all works out.

Getting my Legs Right

2010-02-04T20:02:00.003-05:00

Squats, split squats, jump squats, speed squats, lunges, dead lifts, cleans, running, stair machine, basketball, ahhhhhhhhh........

Although on most days I drag my ass around this tundra of a campus, my legs are getting stronger, more conditioned, more in shape, etc. Soon I should be at least reasonably solid in the leg area and I'm still doing the upper body nonsense, so hell I should look like a football player at some point. Now looking and actually being one are two different things, of course, but at least I'm putting the time in. Any new recommendations on leg exercises is always appreciated!

Also, as of now, the ankle is really sore on a daily basis but doesn't cause me any major pain at this point while lifting. It does slow me down during basketball though, but it's definitely coming along and improving. It's just a long, long f--king road, I underestimated how long it would really take to get all the way better. I really doubt it's going to be 100% before I have to try out for the SU Football team.

Coming up on Saturday or tomorrow: a long, drawn out Super Bowl piece. Come back to see who my prediction is, and by how much. I'll say this: the winner is gonna win big.

New Picture, Updates Soon, I suck I know

2010-01-31T10:23:00.002-05:00

As you can see, I added a new picture there on the right to replace the generic SU football helmet. That comes courtesy of Ann Sullivan, a photography major at SU who did a project on me and afterward gave me 300 some odd pictures she took for her project. I think it's pretty cool.

Updates to come soon, I've been slacking big time on site updates but not on the actual goal, where I've been busting my ass, as always.

Dress up parties...really, why?

2010-01-23T22:29:00.002-05:00

A tool of the devil...well no, mostly just something so girls can dress up and feel pretty. Honestly, I'm uncomfortable and awkward before I've even left my house. Haven't even talked to a damn person yet and I'm uncomfortable.

I'm sure there are pretty boys out there who enjoy this sort of thing, but I gotta voice my displeasure here. And I know, you're saying, well stop whining, just DON'T GO. Well you know what smart ass, I promised a friend I would go with him. So now I'm stuck. Now I gotta go. To a dressy ass party with a dude. GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT!

Back in Saddle Again

2010-01-20T21:27:00.002-05:00

A lot going on!

- Started classes this week- taking 17 credits this semester, with some pretty hard classes to boot. Should be my worst semester thus far in terms of workload in college. I'm now a senior though (albeit a 24 year old one, I started school at 21) and there isn't much more to go.

- Started training again. After 9 full days off, I got back on the horse today at the gym. I benched the most that I've ever done and generally felt absolutely incredible- haven't felt that good at the gym in a long, long time. My body needed the rest, and my back was reasonable. I concentrated the entire time on having good form during exercises which could mess with my back and afterward, I iced my back and ankle for 20 minutes. So far, so good, I'm sore back there, but nothing horrible. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, and how this thing progresses. Tomorrow is leg/back/etc day so that's the real killer. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

- I'm going to start really concentrating on getting my ankle and legs right in terms of conditioning. It's time to start being in ridiculous shape on the lower half of my body now that my strength is up- I have to be able to at least outwork the other people trying out.

More updates to come soon now that things are rolling. More and more people have been coming, and I'm appreciative of all the people taking an interest in my crazy journey. Thanks for coming, as always, and keep coming back for more awfulness!

Injury Update

2010-01-14T16:45:00.004-05:00

So my back is getting a little better. I've taken now a full week off from the gym, by far the longest period since I started in September. My body seems to really appreciate it, actually, so I'm hoping this back problem turns into a good thing, but getting some much-needed rest.

I've been going into physical therapy with the whiz therapist herself Colleen O'hara, and coming along pretty decently. Still is pretty painful, though. I slightly under stated the intensity of the pain in the last post about my back, it's been keeping me awake at night, waking me up in the middle of the night, and putting me in agony throughout the day. I couldn't even tie my shoes, but continued to ignore it. It's slightly alleviated, but still pretty f**ked up.

I'm taking a few more days off, then getting back on the grind with much-improved form and less weight on some lifts- gonna have to take it a bit slower than I was. Truth be told I was flying up on weight more than I should have been; I was a bit overzealous. Am a bit overzealous. But going to control it now.

I'm headed to Notre Dame on Monday to give a report for 88.3 WAER in Syracuse on the Notre Dame vs. Syracuse basketball game. Break is just about over and back on the grind come Monday.

Cell Phone Companies Have Some Freakin' Racket Going

2010-01-04T18:30:00.004-05:00

They really do. They lock you into a two year contract, right. Then, they give you a phone. Now, if this phone breaks any time after the 90 day or whatever period where there is a warranty, even if it is completely not your fault and a total mechanical error, you're pretty much s--t out of luck. Unless, of course.....you PAY for the insurance, to insure a phone which should work throughout the contract that they make you abide by.

I figure as long as you're abiding by the contract by paying your bill every month, you should be able to USE the service that you have PAID FOR. Provided, of course, that you did not break the phone due to something that you have done to it. A strict mechanical error should result in them replacing your phone, without any damn insurance number 1 and without paying a 50$ deductible if you have paid for the insurance the whole time. If cell phone companies were a person, I'd probably punch 'em in the face. And I'm not a real rowdy guy either with the punching and all.

What a damn racket. It's ridiculous. It's no way to to do business and is a total rip off. I figure with all the competition right now, some company has to change this to bring in some new customers, because right now they all must have some damn pact to leave it as-is. Verizon Wireless is an evil empire. If this were a Seinfeld episode, I would protest outside some mythical Verizon building with Kramer, a la the Post Office protest episode.

Tendinitis...I hardly knew her

2010-01-04T18:23:00.003-05:00

Just got home from a physical therapy appt with good old Colleen O'Hara of the Rothman Institute in King of Prussia, PA. I've had some back problems, apparently from horrific posture coupled with horrific form while squatting and doing dead lifts, in addition to the good old ankle issues I've come to know and love over the past 6+ months.

Some good and bad news. The good news is that my ankle has excellent range of motion, meaning it moves each way pretty well. The bad news is that I have some tendinitis going up the bottom of my foot, Achilles, and up the side of my leg. No big deal, I have some exercises that I can do to combat it, so it shouldn't be the end of the world.

Same with the back- working on a few things, and I should be pretty good, pretty soon, hopefully. It's good to be back in there and say hello to everyone where I used to work, I even saw a patient that I used to hang out with all the time who is a history teacher at a local high school. I told him he inspired me to be a History minor, and he told me I should be a teacher, then proceeded to laugh his ass off.

Times at NFL Films have been interesting, as always. This has been a lot cooler than a lot of days over the summer, because since we're in the thick of football season, a lot of live TV is being made on the go and I'm lucky to be a part of it. Pretty neat the way everything works, and how smoothly it's set up.

Bah Humbug

2009-12-31T18:57:00.002-05:00

I hate the holidays because gyms are closed and I have to pretend to be festive.

People are creepily nice to you in stores, but really they either want to sell you something or they're normally assholes, but have a little Christmas spirit. They'll be back to being assholes next week.

But in the end, if these holidays are well spent with friends and family which you actually like, there's hope for us all. Even me.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

Gym Updates

2009-12-29T14:58:00.005-05:00

Been working out with a buddy of mine since I got home (miss you Josh baby), introduced him to this high-intensity workout that was given to me. He's taking it like a champ, although he threw up last time we went. I, on the other hand, am kind of plateauing a bit in a lot of ways.

Good times though, thanks Bally's Gym, because every time we go in I'm just like yeah I'm with him, on the guest pass, and they just sorta nod and grunt at me. They just don't care. It's awesome. If I can go this entire break pulling that nonsense, I'll be a happy man with an extra 50 bucks or so in my pocket-- God bless America.

I've also been coming in to NFL Films and helping out every day, so I haven't had a ton of free time to do the things that I wanted- not that I'm complaining, there is coaching tape here that I've stared at whenever possible, mesmerized. Once again, God bless America.

Squat is up to 200 lbs (longggggg way to go) bench is stuck at 175 (3 sets, 10 reps, down to 8 reps next week we'll see where the weight is then. Also only 30-45 seconds between sets). I suck. Just gonna keep on the grind here, like I have been. My weight is a steady 180, hoping to add a bit more weight over this next month. I've also begun jump roping and sprinting.

Lastly, I won my fantasy football league, so I'm walking around with a strong sense of entitlement, like I really knew what I was doing. Hell, I won last year, so lightning DOES sometimes strike twice.

Obligatory Christmas Post, Updates

2009-12-26T13:00:00.002-05:00

So life is good. Just got back from the gym (went with my boy to Bally's, that gym seriously sucks- creepy people there in King of Prussia, PA) and realized that I have nothing else to do for the rest of today. Gotta love it.

Christmas was good- drove up to Long Island to see Mom late the night before Christmas Eve, hung out with her on Christmas Eve night. Good times and all. She woke my ass up early to drive to my brothers somewhere in nowhereville, New Jersey (yeah Ginsberg) where I hung out until 4, when I had to go to work for NFL Films.

There I helped produced the webcast on NFL.com of the Titans vs. Chargers epic beatdown. The Titans live and die by Vince Young, and it shouldn't be that way- not with the way CJ was running last night. Too many drives with three straight pass calls, or two pass calls, hampering the hell out of their offense. I say fuck it, be predictable, run it right at them until they prove that they can actually stop it. Especially when VY was clearly having an off night.

But anyway, Merry late Christmas. I'm not too festive this year. Sort of hate driving around to see all the different relatives and all, and too much to do. I didn't even get to eat Christmas dinner with the fam, so whatever.

And what did I get? Cash, Amazon gift card, and a bottle of Soco from my brother. At least they're all useful. God bless America.

Home Sweet Home

2009-12-21T14:32:00.002-05:00

Got home last night around 2:30 a.m.; decided to drive down around 8 and needed to sift through the hurricane of my room to find enough shit to bring home with me.

Good to hear Mike Missanelli on 950 a few mins ago- that guy, for all his haters out there, is an awesome sports talk host. I interned at 950 over the summer on Danny Schwartzman's show which is right after Missanelli's, and everyone around the station likes the guy, too. I never met him personally.

Missanelli was talking about how this is kind of a shady year for the Eagles in that expectations are down because of the Phillies, which I find ridiculous. For a team that went to the NFC Championship game last year, expectations should be high and fans should be rabid. I know, the Phillies are good. Love the Phillies. That said, lets look at the premier sport in Philadelphia, and it's football. Missanelli is right though, things seem strangely calm this year, even at the Redskins game I went to.

Maybe they have gotten so close, so so close, so so many times, and we're sort of becoming immune to being excited about going to the playoffs. I can't think of another team in history that has come so close, so many times, for so long. You can say the Bills, but that was just a few years of coming SO close. This has been a prolonged period of disappointment.

Let's hope they don't put their heads in their asses come playoff time, because this team is talented. The next few years should be even better as these young guys on offense become a little more seasoned.

Week 15 Picks

2009-12-17T19:55:00.003-05:00

FINALS ARE OVER...as of about an hour ago.......thank god. Let's get down to brass tacks here with the most important stuff- football.

Here are your picks.

Indy over Jacksonville- Jacksonville has to want it more here, so it's tempting to pick the upset. But I won't.

New Orleans over Dallas- Gotta pick them both to stay undefeated, don't ya? Plus it's December, and it's the Cowboys. Have you heard? They really don't do well in December...it's been mentioned on NFL Network and ESPN once or twice.

Pittsburgh over Green Bay- Ugh...Pittsburgh HAS to win this one. They HAVE TO...they are out of the playoffs, but did you see the tears in Hines Ward's eyes? They're gonna raise hell now...but too late.......but Green Bay needs it more. They can't stumble right now in their hunt for the wildcard. So they should win, since Pittsburgh has nothing to gain. This is the game of the week, by far I think.

Titans over Dolphins- Chris Johnson show continues ...

New England over Buffalo- Randy Moss has a career day to silence the Straight Cash haters...

Arizona over Detroit- Arizona rights the ship against the ultimate team to right your ship against...praying Fitz doesn't go wild, he's against me in fantasy football

Philly over San Fran - Trying to go to this. Anyone have extra tickets? Frank Gore gets shut down and Philly continues their march.

Jets over Atlanta - IF MATT RYAN DOESN'T PLAY
Atlanta over JETS- If he does...

Baltimore over Chicago- Baltimore needs to get their act together if they're going to go to the playoffs, and they don't stumble vs. Chicago here.

KC over Cleveland- What you saw last week was an aberration...KC takes a close one in the battle of the bads.

Houston over St. Louis- Your grandmother over St. Louis

Cinci over SD- RIP Chris Henry. He plays one last game here against SD, and Cinci rolls.

Denver over Oakland- Woulda picked Denver if Gradkowski wasn't hurt. They were actually looking decent for a while. Love this rivalry though, one of my favorites. Lost a bit of it's luster though after Shanahan left, but there's still bad blood.

Seattle over Tampa- Seattle is at home where they are wayyy better, and Tampa is terrible...inclement weather...Justin Forsett ...

Carolina over Vikings- THE UPSET! ah, what the hell...

Ginas over Redskins- Turmoil continues in Washington and the Ginas kick the crap out of the Redskins.

That's all folks!

'Tis the Finals Season...

2009-12-14T19:01:00.002-05:00

3 classes down, two to go.

Looking forward to break. Reading the following books:

Paper Lion - This guy basically did what I'm trying to do, only he did it from more of a journalistic perspective than I did. He was always (from what I've read so far) kind of a side-show girly man on the team, while I'm trying to actually make the team. Still, freakin awesome and this Plimpton guy is pretty damn funny.

Truman - A biography on Harry Truman, probably the most underrated president ever.

What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through The Fire - Charles Bukowski poetry. Freakin poetic.

And hopefully one or two more, depending on time. Truthfully, I'm looking forward to break mostly because I have very little to do. I'm going to lift hard, condition hard, and read books basically. Maybe I can even make it to an Eagles game, we'll see. Either way, life is good. Just gotta get through two more finals and it's smooth sailing, baby.

NFL Picks Week 14

2009-12-10T19:15:00.002-05:00

The season is going so fast- soon we'll be relegated to freakin...basketball and crap. Hockey. Ugh.

Indy over Denver- The streak continues- Indy with Peyton always kicks the crap out of the Broncos- yes I know they have a new coach now. Same result, although this sorta smells like a trap game.

Bengals over Vikings- Picking the upset here, and the Vikings lose two in a row- they're just keeping it interesting for themselves until playoff time.

Jets over Tampa- Unless it's the Browns or St. Louis or Detroit, it's whoever over Tampa till they get their s**t together.

KC over Buffalo- I like some of the things that I'm seeing from KC- they play hard. Buffalo, on the other hand, I don't know what the hell is going on there...

Green Bay over Chicago- For the 2nd time this year. The Bears need more playmakers on offense, a line....a lot of stuff. Bringing in a QB doesn't solve everything, because without support you see what happens. I think Cutler will be fine, for the record, provided the franchise puts some players around him. Right now though, he looks broken, both in play and in spirit.

New Orleans over Atlanta- Was really tempted to pick the upset here, but with Matt Ryan questionable....gotta go with the juggernaut. They look like the best team in the league. We'll see come playoff time.

Baltimore over Detroit- They get their swagger back against the league's favorite beating toy, now Stafford-less and thus hopeless. I would know a thing or two about that.

Miami over Jacksonville- How are the Jaguars favored in this? I think Chad Henne is gonna tear 'em up.

New England over Carolina- All this stuff coming out this week about the lax attitude in the locker room, the lack of leadership, all these things. You never hear that stuff about this team. I think Brady, Moss, Welker and co. will take care of their stuff here and do work on Carolina. No way they lose a third straight.

Houston over Seattle- Houston looks like they're getting back to form, albeit too late, and Seattle is so bipolar you can't trust em to pick em.

Titans over Rams- Huuuuuuuuuuge. Chris Johnson show! With or without Vince Young.

Oakland over Washington- Yep....the Raiders look good lately, and the Redskins do too. Still taking the Raiders.

San Diego over Dallas- The December collapse. Really though, I'd have picked this in September, October, or November.

Philly over NY Ginas- I shouldn't even explain this. You know I'm picking Philly.

Arizona over San Fran- Remember a few years ago this was on Monday night on opening night and it had basically no relevance? Both Whisenhunt and Singletary have done great jobs building their programs, and now these will be competitive teams for years to come.

Video Link

2009-12-06T12:21:00.004-05:00

Heres a link to the video of me being interviewed by Danny Fersh for his show "The Fresh Squeeze" on the Daily Orange website.

Last Word(s) on the D.O. Article

2009-12-05T12:07:00.002-05:00

So I just wanted to thank Danny Fersh for writing a nice article for the Daily Orange about me. It was well done, it really was. I did, however, want to address the headline, which he did not pick. The editors apparently pick it.

Hopeless Walk On Continues to Follow His Dreams...wow. Remember last week when I ripped on the Kay Jewelers commercials? That belongs in a goddamn Kay commercial. Like I'm doing this to follow my dreammmmmsss....so beautiful...

No. I wanna play ball. I'm busting my ass to try and do it. They should have made the title "Random Guy Trys His Hand at Football" or "Some Dude Has a Death Wish"...much more appropriate. Just saying.

I don't type on this silly-ass blog to follow my dreams. I do it to point out obvious flaws and ridiculousness in Kay Jewelers commercials. Just to be clear. That's all.

Week 13 Picks

2009-12-03T14:27:00.004-05:00

I think I went 11-5 last week. Not bad. I have a lot of upsets this week so enjoy...feel free to ridicule.

Jets over Buffalo- No question. Don't be fooled by Buffalo's brief resurgence last week.

Denver over KC- initially had picked KC...decided on Denver because Josh McDaniels knows all of Cassell's weaknesses....hes gotta...and it's not like KC is gonna run all over them.

Pittsburgh over Oakland- With or without Big Ben. These guys have to right the ship, and right now. They will make it in as a wild card.

Houston over Jax- They are just a better team. Although they are basically out of the race now, barring some incredible comeback in the standings, they play a respectable game here and take this one.

Titans over Indy- Upsets all over the place here. I think the Titans want and need the game way more than Indy does, and they take this one with Chris Johnson running wild.

Philly over Atlanta- Atlanta is reeling right now, and with Ryan and Turner on the mend, Philly will kick the crap out of their mid 2000's rivals.

Bengals over Detroit - A playoff team versus a perennial failure. Doesn't Stafford look pretty good though? I really hope they can pull it together over in Detroit over the next few years.

New Orleans over Washington- Although Washington nearly beat the Eagles last week (I was in attendance, section 221!) I just don't see them pulling the same thing against New Orleans. Some could say that this is a trap game, I would say that a decimated Redskin team won't be able to pull it off. The run continues.

Tampa Bay over Carolina- Upset day continues. Freeman pulls it together and TB is able to stop the backfield tandem in Carolina just enough to pull off a victory.

Chicago over St. Louis- If there was ever a game to get the entire team back on track, this is it. Cutler gets back on track, which leads Forte to get back on track (or vice versa), and the defense has no problem with Kyle Boller...ha, Kyle Boller.....

San Diego over Cleveland- Yeah right like I'm going to pick THIS upset...I'd be nuts...

San Fran over Seattle- San Fran typically plays very well against Seattle, and I think San Fran holds on to their slight chance at the playoffs but more so Singletary pride, while Seattle is amid departures of front office personnel and questions about the future coaching regime.

Vikings over Cardinals- Should be a great game and could go either way, but who could argue with what Favre has done to that team. If Warner is back, could be the game of the week.

Ginas over Dallas - NY runs the ball well finally and upsets the Cowboys.

New England over Miami- Miami is the unfortunate recipient of an angry Pats team. They kick the crap out of Miami.

Green Bay over Baltimore- Should be one of the best ones of the week. I think the Green Bay offense outscores Baltimore's because of the Ravens issues at corner. They need to reload there with a 1st rounder next year.

I Am Featured in Tomorrow's Daily Orange: Have They Run Out of Things to Talk About?

2009-12-01T22:52:00.007-05:00

The Daily Orange, the Syracuse student newspaper, one of the most renowned in the country, has lowered themselves to featuring me in tomorrow's (Thursday's) paper.

Danny Fersh interviewed me (and two friends, and my Mom!) for the article and I have full faith that he wrote a fair, open-minded article. In other words, he probably ripped me for being a complete retard. I look forward to reading it.

So pick up a copy of the Daily Orange tomorrow wherever you can- hell, it's free, why wouldn't you. I'll post a link to the story on the D.O.'s website tomorrow, when it's up.

UPDATE: http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2009/12/02/Feature/hopeless.Walk.On.Continues.To.Follow.Dreams-3843034.shtml - There's the article...

Why I'm Here, Why I'm Doing This

2009-11-26T00:29:00.003-05:00

It occurred to me tonight that I've talked about what I'm doing, how I'm doing it, and all sorts of other randomness, but I haven't really gotten into WHY I'm doing this.

I was talking to my step dad tonight, and he just couldn't figure out WHY I was doing this. Anything I would say he would say, yes yes, that makes sense, but why do you have to do this?

His confusion makes a lot of sense, really. I think I've sort of internalized what I'm doing and why I'm doing it, and sort of assume that everyone just knows, when in reality everyone is probably like why in God's name is this kid doing this? Well...

I got really tired of waking up every day and not being proud of what I was doing. I was a below average high school kid who took everything for granted. I was a salesman who took everything for granted. I have gone through college working hard and getting good grades, going towards a goal of eventually being a sports broadcaster, but I always felt that I could be doing more. Not more like, oh, I could work more hours at the radio station and hone my craft. I could go the extra mile on this paper or something.

I needed something different, something that would tear through me and see what I was made of on the inside. I have always to a certain extent given up on things. I want to see what kind of person I am. Am I a giver-upper? Because I don't want to be. I know that as a person we can evolve and change, either for better or for worse. But at the core, we sorta are who we are. This is a way for me to find out what I am. I want to be someone who is proud of what they do every day. I want my parents to be proud- and that's not about playing football, it's about being a good person- and I think part of being a good person is giving this world every bit of what you have to give it.

If I fail, I fail. But it won't be for a lack of trying. Failing is not embarrassing to me, but it would be embarrassing if I didn't give it everything I have in the process, because this is what I want to do.

I'm thankful for the opportunities that I have been given. I won't squander them. I'm thankful for my family and my friends. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The Holiday Season's Awful Commercials

2009-11-25T17:18:00.002-05:00

The commercialized holiday season occasionally pisses me off. Particularly, Kay Jewelers commercials. I mean, are you serious? Been watching these bits of nonsense for years and they are progressively getting worse in terms of absolute utter corniness and complete unlike ability of the actors/actresses.

To be specific let me address the current load of crap running on ESPN about every 14 seconds. There is a storm, and this poor woman is so scarrrrrrrred of the storm that she needs to jump into her man's arms. Cute...if this woman was a small child or a DOG. Personally I'd like a woman that isn't deathly afraid of a freakin rainstorm.

Then the guy reminds her that hes....there. Right, good reassurance you idiot. Then...the kicker.

"And I'll ALWAYS be there." (whips out the expensive ass piece of jewelery) This is where Kay looks for the resounding "awwwwwwwww" from people watching. Nope. Not buying it. It's retardation. Worst commercial ever. Just watch for it. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being in love here, but come on let's be a little bit less hokey about it. That commercial makes me want to throw something at my TV.

Let's start a letter writing campaign to Kay demanding a new advertising agency or to ESPN to demand the complete ban of Kay from their airwaves.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnd next week.....breaking down the Jared Jewelers commercials... (it's been a long day at mom's. Nothing to do here.)

NFL Picks - Week 12

2009-11-25T17:06:00.003-05:00

Green Bay over Detroit- Destruction

Dallas over Oakland - Closer than the experts think! Oakland, with just a few more pieces, is actually a decent team. It's just the hardest pieces to get- Coach, QB, quality OT/C, receiver.

Giants over Broncos- The Broncos are crumbling- I just thought they'd crumble all year, and they started out pretty good.

Indy over Houston- The run continues for the Colts and the Texans drop their 3rd straight

Bengals over Cleveland- They redeem themselves for their horrific performance last week against the Raiders. Benson will probably still be out, but the Browns are just BAD...even though they almost beat Detroit last week. What kind of state are you in if one of your best games of the year was when you ALMOST ...BEAT....DETROIT

Minnesota over Chicago- Chicago just won't be able to hang with Minn who is just rolling right now, particularly on offense. Orlando Pace also CANNOT keep up with Jared Allen on the other side of the ball.

Philly over Washington- obligatory every-week Philly pick, added in with the weekly non-pick of Washington, and this was easy.

Miami over Buffalo- On paper, this Bills offense should actually be pretty decent. Maybe last week's breakout by TO was a sign of things to come? Nah..

Titans over Arizona- The Titans keep the run going. This is a good team with Vince Young playing the way he is, along with CJ running wild.

St. Louis over Seattle- The upset!

Atlanta over Tampa- They have to right the ship, and right now. A must win if they want to stay relevant this year.

Jets over Carolina - The Panthers don't have the kind of pass D that will confuse Sanchez much, and the Jets D gets back on track. This is a team that is really hurt by key injuries, particularly at nose tackle on D and they miss the big-play ability of Leon Washington on offense.
San Fran over Jacksonville- San Fran wins a tough game.

San Diego over KC- KC had a storybook win last week, yeah yeah. Let's get back to reality. They get smoked here.

Pittsburgh over Baltimore- Now you have angered Pittsburgh...and they must strike back in revenge.

Pats over New Orleans- Save the best game of the week for last. Can't wait for this one. In the end, NE has more defense.

New Workout

2009-11-23T16:40:00.002-05:00

Ah, things are changing...

My ankle is getting better, and I'm feeling adventurous...so that means a new workout. I've been given a new workout plan by a trainer who knows a thing or two about football training, we'll put it that way.

It's more intensive. More stressful on the body. More badass. More awesome.

Updates to come soon on how this goes- I have no time with going home and all this week to start anew, so I'm doing the current workout over the next few days, but next week I'll be all ready to roll with this.

11-3 so far in my picks this week, even a blind squirrel finds nuts....what?

Class at 6 tonight, then gym afterward. I'll be posting, because I actually will have some time, but Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

NFL Picks - Week 11

2009-11-19T16:55:00.002-05:00

10-5 last week. Lets get it rolling on your week 11 NFL Picks.

Miami over Carolina - I know everyone is picking Carolina. They're at home, and no Ronnie Brown to run the most dangerous part of the offense: the Wildcat. I still think Miami's pass rush will confuse Jake Delhomme just enough...

Cleveland over Detroit- Seriously...the worst game, on paper, that I can ever think of, ever...at least a few years back when it was Houston vs. the 49ers, there was potential...

Steelers over KC- Destruction...especially after the Steelers just lost.

Indy over Balitmore- They gotta lose sometime, and this would be a perfect time for them to do it. But I think Baltimore's crappy corners can't keep up with Indy's receivers. This is not the same D of past years. They are getting by, but there are cracks.

Giants over Atlanta- The week off helps.

Green Bay over San Fran- SF cant keep up offensively with GB's high flying offense. Their D makes as few plays, but A-Rod still does work.

Vikings over Seattle- If this was in Seattle I might....no, no I wouldn't. Minn wins convincingly.

Dallas over Washington- Dallas avenges their loss, and Washington remains terrible.

New Orleans over Tampa- The rookie looks good! A lot better than I thought he would look. Still can't beat NO, no doubt, at least not yet.

Arizona over St. Louis- Ah, the Rams are terrible...but they are slowly improving under Spags.

New England over NYJets- If there's one thing about New England...they don't lose twice to one divisional opponent. And they don't lose two in a row. And BB, Brady and Co. operate best while angry...the perfect storm of Pat dominance...wait that's several things about New England.

Bengals over Oakland- Just a better team right now, and won't let the Raiders do anything crazy. The hangover from last week and the road trip scares me a bit though

San Diego over Denver- Denver=overrated. Said it from the beginning.

Philly over Chicago- Donovan and Reid right the ship.

Tennessee over Houston- Tenn will definitely finish out with a winning record. They're way better than their record dictates at this point.

Last Thoughts on the Philadelphia Phillies

2009-11-17T11:15:00.003-05:00

Now that the World Series loss is in the rear view mirror a bit more, a few thoughts on the run that was.

So much heart on that team. An amazing group of guys. When you look at our guys, and where they've been in the past, the struggles they've had, the lack of pedigree on the team, it's really incredible what they have been able to accomplish. Guys like Jayson Werth who have bounced around the league and basically failed miserably. Would Carlos Ruiz make the Yankees? Nope. I wouldn't trade him for both of their catchers though.

Money CAN buy championships. It can. We just saw it. What was it like 400+ million spent on the team in the offseason just on new acquisitions? They bought themselves a pitching staff and a first baseman, and that pitching staff kicked our asses for the most part. CC and Burnett are exceptional pitchers, they did their jobs well and were paid well for their efforts. And the old man came in and did work too.

As a team you can't blame the Yankee players for getting paid a lot of money. Personally, I'd take 100+ mil and go play for the Yankees, live in New York, and live the life. Can't blame the guys. They played their asses off.

They handled themselves for the most part with class throughout. Congrats to the Yankees. (aka F--K YOU, SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! haha)

Awful parade though. Shoulda taken notes from our parade last year...just sayin. Yes, I'm bitter...

Random Wildcat Thoughts

2009-11-17T11:00:00.003-05:00

Thoughts on the Wildcat and where it's going: A lot of people have opined on the Wildcat offense on TV, radio, etc. It's the new hot craze, like Uggz, spandex pants, and Northface jackets on girls...(I'm making fun but really, we all enjoy the spandex pants lets be honest)

That said, I like a few things about it.

1. It's the same blocking scheme as on a normal run play, therefore it requires very little additional preparation by the offensive lineman.

2. It's a buffer for Chad Henne. He is getting better. A lot better. This has been an excellent idea to buffer him while he improves, still playing a lot of plays but is not exactly integral to the gameplan the way he would be without running the Wildcat. It worked the same for Chad Pennington, only not for his development purposes, but not making him the focal point of the offense. The point is, it's an excellent offense if you have beastly backs, but don't have that franchise QB.

3. The threat of the pass needs to be there going forward for it to continue to work. Teams are going to put one high safety to cover that tight end movement and take their chances loading the hell up against the run because they pass out of it so rarely. This is where Pat White will come in. Now, all that said, imagine what a player like Hines Ward could do in the Wildcat. Line him up as an H-back or in the slot and let him stay in and block on the run plays, because the man can block. Then imagine the mismatches if Ronnie Brown decides to roll out and throw the ball.

10 Books Everyone Should Read

2009-11-12T18:26:00.002-05:00

1. Catcher in the Rye - If you weren't forced to read this in high school, or if you lied about reading it while in high school, read it now. I think it's the best book of all time.

2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Just hilarious and so gloriously written. Hunter S Thompson was one of those people that come along once in a generation.

3. The Meat Market- Anyone who has any interest in college football and how these programs work, this is a must read. Bruce Feldman from ESPN.com follows the Ole Miss program for a year of the recruiting process and does a fantastic job of it. Also, I interviewed him for WAER and he's a great guy.

4. Cane Mutiny- Also by Bruce Feldman. About the dominance of the Miami football program. It's crazy what they have been able to accomplish from nothing.

5. On The Road- Jack Kerouac. One of my favorites ever. Semi true story about Jack Kerouac (Sal Paradise) and Neal Cassidy (Dean Moriarty) journeying across the country.

6. The Draft- Excellent look into the NFL Draft process and how it works.

7. Beyond Good and Evil - Nietzsche's best.

8. Post Office - Charles Bukowski is a twisted, hilarious individual. He writes about his 15 years or so working at the post office.

9. Women- Also Bukowski...about his escapades with....yeah.

10. Break on Through - The best book about the life and times of Jim Morrison, who led one hell of an interesting life.

NFL Picks Week 10

2009-11-12T15:12:00.002-05:00

UPDATES are coming over the next few days.

In the meantime, here are the winners for this week.

San Fran over Chicago- San Fran snaps their losing streak.

Jets over JAX- Because I pick everyone over Jacksonsville. Because they kinda suck. Because the Jets are about to snap out of their little funk with a good old fashioned beating.

Washington over Denver- The upset!

Steelers over Cinci- Gotta do it. Gonna be a great game.

Titans over Bills- Chris Johnson show goes wild.

Minnesota over Detroit- Come on now....come on. This is a free win when picking games.

NO over St. Louis- Two gimmies in a row.

Atlanta over Carolina- Something is just missing in Carolina this year. They just disappear for years at a time. It's strange. I think they obviously need a QB, a WR, and a playmaker in their defensive secondary.

Miami over Tampa Bay- The Battle Of Florida, and the young QB's...the rookie looked good last week for Tampa I will say that.

KC over Oakland- KC is a team on the rise, and Oakland....well....they get Run DMC back in the lineup? They really do have decent personnel...

Arizona over Seattle- NFC West showdown, I just have no faith in Seattle this year. Maybe next year...isn't it crazy though how quickly Seattle has fallen to the wayside? It's the Super Bowl loser curse.

Philly over San Diego- I take Philly every week...

Green Bay over Dallas- YES, I said it. Picking against America's team, with America's douchey golden boy Phil Daughton-look-alike Tony Romo.

Pats over Indy- Always a classic. I'll be watching. (not in a creepy way)

Ravens over Cleveland- Not even close...Mangini's ship is sinking...

My ship however is not. Tune in over the next few days for some legit updates. I haven't in a while. I have failed you on updating with my progress. This injustice will not stand.

Busy Busy Busy

2009-11-12T00:03:00.003-05:00

Extremely busy lately. I've been slacking on updating the site. Basically, for anyone who gives a rats ass, I've been working hard in school, and more importantly, on turning myself into a finely tuned athletic machine... (yeah, i said it...)

A few random thoughts:

1. I miss home, I wanna go back to around Philly
2. Cuse weather sucks
3. I really wish I lived closer to campus (goddamn towers need to be built, or a freakin heated monorail system or something. Something heated)
4. Not sure I want to go into broadcasting anymore (full post on this very soon- school ending, finding a job dilemma)
5. Watched a childbirth in Human Sexuality class today. Permanently scarred.

Week 9 NFL Picks

2009-11-05T20:58:00.005-05:00

9-4 last week...it's basically like a drunken chimpanzee picking games here. I'm like Terry Bradshaw getting beaten by the chicken. I AIM FOR DOMINANCE AGAIN! ...right now

Jacksonville over KC- Battle of some crappy teams. Jax is better at this point.

Bengals over Ravens- Going to be a great one, no doubt. I think Cinci is just too consistent across the board at this point, and at least pre-bye week were rolling on all cylinders.

Colts over Texans- Lets not get crazy here. Houston is better than in years past (one where they actually upset the Colts, what was that two years ago?) but they will NOT win this one.

Falcons over Redskins- Because (say it with me now) Washington...is...terrrrrible

Green Bay over Tampa- Aaron Rodgers continues his run of brilliance...just gotta get that ball out of his hands faster.

Cardinals over Bears- This will be a bit of a shootout.

Pats over Dolphins- Consistently (with the exception of 2007) just an awesome game, twice a year. I'll bet that NE has figured out that Wildcat that gutted them last year.

Saints over Panthers- The run continues...Carolina is one dimensional on offense.

Seattle over Detroit- Poor Detroit goes into one of the hardest stadiums to play in, this one is over before it even begun and Seattle isn't even that good this year!

Titans over San Fran- In a close one.

Giants over Chargers- They have to right the ship sometime....right? CA teams playing on the East Coast usually do not fair well.

Philly over Cowboys- Dallas looks for revenge on the Philly team which destroyyyyyed them in week 17 last year to earn an unlikely playoff bid. But it's not enough.

Pittsburgh over Denver- Even a mile high, Pittsburgh is a mile better.

Progress Report

2009-11-02T22:49:00.005-05:00

So while I spend most of my time on here calling myself varying forms of an idiot, I take this little quest of mine extremely seriously. As in, it's basically taken over my life at this point.

I spend my time in the gym, eating reasonably healthy food (the equivalent of going on a calorie count for Shawn Andrews), and thinking about ways that I can get closer to my goal.

One way that I think is a good gauge of how hard I'm working is my progress in the weight room. I've sort of hit a plateau at around 176-178 in terms of my weight right now-hopefully that will change, but I've had some pretty solid gains in terms of lifting.

Chest / Tricep / Front Shoulders workout

Assuming all of these are 3 sets of 8 reps- Bold is new weight

Flat bench 135 lbs --up to 165 lbs
Incline bench 115 lbs--up to 155 lbs
Incline dumbell 55 lb dumbells--up to 60 lb dumbells
Cable fly 75 lbs-- up to 95 lbs
Military Press 40 lbs --up to 50 lbs
Skull crushers- 50 lbs-- up to 65 lbs
Dips - 4x8-- up to 13-15 per set
Tricep Push Downs- 120 lbs-- up to 150 lbs
Scaption (straight arm raise) 20 lbs-- up to 30 lbs
Elbow raises 20 lbs-- up to 30 lbs

Back / Bicep

Lat Pull Downs 105 lbs-- up to 120 lbs
Seated Back Rows 150 lbs-- up to 170 lbs
Bent over rows 50 lbs-- up to 60 lbs
Dumbbell Shrugs 65 lb dumbells- Same
Close grip pull down 105 lbs-- up to 120 lbs
Preacher Curls 75 lbs -- up to 105 lbs
Dumbbell Curls 30 lbs dumbells-- up to 40 lbs
Forearm Curls 45 lb bar-- up to 85 lbs
Isolation Curls- 30 lb dumbells-- up to 40 lbs
Hammer Curls 35 lb dumbells-- Same

So I'm happy with my progress. I've started doing legs and really getting into rehabbing this limb of mine. I'll keep on the grind, you keep coming to read.

Thanks to everyone who has been cheering me on along the way. Love you guys. We're gonna do this thing.

NFL Picks- The big winners

2009-10-29T15:30:00.002-04:00

So I went 8-5 last week. Shameful, for real. I'm embarassed. I'm awful. I know. Thats why this site is called Hopeless Walk On. I'm f--king hopeless. Get over it already.

Uhh...anyway...here are this weeks NFL Picks! Guaranteed as always to be amazing.

Baltimore over Denver- Denver's unlikely undefeated run ends with a long East Coast trip, and Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Haloti Ngata.

Chicago over the Browns- Just because the Browns are terrible. I don't even see the light for these guys at all. They're awful, and show very little potential to be anything else. Even Oakland sorta shows potential at times.

Texans over Buffalo- Buffalo just doesn't have enough offense, and Fitzpatrick (haaaavard) just will check down too much, and the Texans will put up points. Buffalo's home field advantage will not be as advantageous this early in the year when it's not -12349 degrees.

Minnesota Vikings over Green Bay- Again. I really want to pick the Pack here, because something tells me they might win at home, but I can't do it. Minni wins again and Favre haters cry themselves to sleep.

Indy over 49ers- The Niners can't keep up offensively, but their defense does an OK job all things considered against Peyton and Co. I'm excited to see Patrick Willis and Manning's matchup. I DO think that Indy will not be able to run the ball much though.

Jets over Miami- They figure out the Wildcat based on what the Saints did last week, blitzing corners and not respecting the pass.

Lions over Rams- Because....because...hell I don't know. I flipped a coin on this one.

Dallas over Seattle- Seattle, when not at home. sucks. They're gonna get beaten here by a superior team.

San Diego over Oakland- I hate San Diego. Phillip Rivers is my least favorite person in all of sports. He is so arrogant it's infuriating. LT has shown time and time again what a brat he is, even if he's an amazing talent (though diminishing). However...they deliver the beatdown.

Titans over JAX- THEY HAVE TO WIN SOMETIME! Plus I really do think they will right the ship and put together a decent second half, centered around getting the run game going again.

Arizona over Carolina- There really is a divide these days between the good teams, and the bad ones. Carolina's inept (unbalanced) offense will not be able to hang in this one. Beanie Wells has a coming out party.

Eagles over Ginas- BIRDS! Philly wins a close one.

Falcons over Saints- THE UPSET! I honestly think these two teams are sorta equal, and in fact very similarly built teams. I just figured I'd pick the upset.

In other news, Randy Moss for Prez. That is all

I DID LEGS! And, I'm a total absolute Idiot...

2009-10-28T17:55:00.006-04:00

So I just worked out my legs for the first time...ever really. In a weight lifting sense. I've done massive amounts of running, etc playing soccer and other sports all my life, but I just did squats, leg press, leg extension, calf raises, a bunch of time on the stair machine, and abs.

I'm freakin tired- but it feels absolutely amazing to be using my legs again. Moving around and whatnot. Awesome stuff. Wed. is now leg day. So...

Mon- Chest / Tricep / Front Shoulders
Tues- Back / Bicep / back shoulders
Wed- Legs / Cardio
Thurs- OFF for now
Fri- Chest / Tricep / Front Shoulders
Sat- Back / Bicep / back shoulders
Sun- Cardio, sedintary football watching

This is what I'm going with for the next few weeks at least. We'll see what happens.

Waiting around till 7 to go into Human Sexuality class. Why I'm going to that class, missing the first couple innings of the World Series with my beloved Phillies is beyond me. I am truly, pitifully, an idiot. Which brings me to my next point.

I just spilled chocolate flavored protein all over myself. It just blew up out of my shaker after the top came off. In front of a lot of people. And a lot more people to come when I go to class. And a lot of people in the Schine computer lab right now. In a white shirt. I look like a rolled around in the goddamn mud before I came here. Awesome. It's even in my hair, all sticky......

Too easy...

NFL Picks for Week 7

2009-10-22T14:53:00.003-04:00

Oooohh....9-5 this past week. Shameful performance. I'm embarassed. Sort of like the Eagles are no doubt embarassed. Sort of like I'm embarassed to rock Eagles gear around campus this week. It's times like these where you're happy as hell for the WORLD CHAMPION and now in the world series again Philadelphia Phillies.

Anyway, this weeks slate of games. Hopefully I do better than 9-5.

San Diego over Kansas City- Even though it's in loud ass Arrowhead stadium. SD is too good to lose to a team this bad right now. Although that said, I think that KC will be good a lot sooner than most people think. Just not now.

Indy over St. Louis- Destruction...no chance of upset here. If St. Louis wins I'll ...I shouldn't do that...

Bengals (whodey) over Chicago Bears- Should be an excellent one. Jay Cutler and age/injuries on defense is transforming this team from basically the opposite of what they have been in recent years in terms of team identity.

Green Bay over Cleveland- Beatdown.

Pittsburgh over Minnesota- Just because Pittsburgh is at home. Game of the week.

New England over Tampa- Hahahahahah

San Fran over Houston- Some would say this is an upset. Another outstanding game this will be, and other reason to get NFL Sunday Ticket. Frank Gore is back and they are off a bye week where I'm sure Singletary put the fear of god into his players. This is despite Michael Crabtree playing.

Jets over Oakland- Too much talent, too much fire, too much determination to drop another one. That said, they've surprised me dropping the last three, so ...plus with NT Kris Jenkins out, the only thing the Raider offense has, the run, will be helped out...

Carolina over Buffalo- They got the run going last week, and this continues against Buffalo's shoddy run defense.

Miami over NO- Upset...they control the clock and keep the offense off the field, hurting Brees and co's rythm.

Atlanta over Dallas- Even though they're at home. Even though there will be 100,000+ yelling at Matt Ryan.

Ginas over Arizona- Arizona's top ranked run D will falter a bit, and the better team wins here. Home field helps a lot.

Philly over Washington- I'll cry myself to sleep otherwise.

Doctor Visit ...Greatttt Successss

2009-10-20T12:20:00.002-04:00

So I visited with the doctors during my visit home this past weekend/Monday.

All is going well- very well. I'm more than two months ahead of schedule. I'm supposed to start jogging in February, and I am lightly jogging right now, albeit very slowly and ....lightly...

I was given a huge list of exercises that I can do, with varying degrees of difficulty. I'll be working my ass off on those, and hopefully keep this giant bubble of ahead of scheduleness going. In the meantime, I'm still lifting like a crazy man. My doctor weighed me in at 178, so I don't even know what to think anymore about the weight thing. Who cares, really. Either way I weighed nowhere near that before. so I'm gaining.

Back in lovely Syracuse, where the clouds are always out for your pleasure and enjoyment. Making major gains in the weight room, as well. I'll post where I'm at soon, and compare it with where I was a month ago, as posted on the site. Should be pretty cool.

False Alarm

2009-10-17T12:31:00.002-04:00

So I posted a couple weeks ago that my weight was up to 176. That is a lie. After weighing myself on two other scales, there is good news, however. After the last couple weeks serious eating and lifting I DO weigh in at a whopping 174 now. Just to clarify. As if you care.

I'm like one of these chicks that watch their weight like hawks. I gained 2 lbs today...oh god....even though I probably just left 2 lbs in the toilet....OK too far.

Anyway, that's what this is turning me in to. I'm off for the weekend for lifting, so I'm happy, sore, and going to eat myself senseless.

Monday, I have an appointment with the Physical Therapy people, most notably Colleen the ultimate Physical Therapist at the Rothman Institute just outside Philly. Hopefully she tells me I'm doing awesome because it's starting to feel pretty good down there. Walking isn't that big of a deal now, and I want to start light jogging soon.

NFL Picks

2009-10-15T16:21:00.003-04:00

Although I'm overly cynical I think lately about what people give a shit about reading about on Hopelesswalkon, I still seem to be getting good feedback about the NFL Picks. By good feedback, I mean people actually give a shit.

So with that said, my WEEK 6 NFL Picks

Washington over Kansas City- They get it done. Barely. Somehow.

Bengals over Houston- They're looking like an excellent team. Hopefully the offense starts to go off soon, because I have Chad Johnson on my fantasy team...

Pittsburgh over Cleveland- Big.

Minnesota over Baltimore- Probably the game of the week. Great matchup of two up and coming offenses vs. two badass defenses. I think Minn has the better offense AND better defense.

Jax over St. Louis- This is the #1 game of the week for what I will avoid watching on Sunday Ticket. Good god this sounds horrible. I wouldn't go to this game if someone gave me front row seats.

New Orleans over Ginas- I'm not sure anyone can keep up with New Orleans right now. They are killing it on both sides of the ball. That said, I wouldnt be at all surprised to see the Giants be the ones to knock them off. I think the key match up as usual with the Giants is how their D-line does against the Saints offensive line, particularly with Jamaal Brown out at LT.

Carolina over Tampa- They finally get the run game going a bit.

Green Bay over Detroit- Remember last year when Detroit played GB close? And then GB decided to start playing and scored like 27 points in one quarter? I think GB kicks their ass the whole game.

Philly over Oakland- Philly makes em seem a bit better than they are, due to the long road trip. But we still Fly Eagles Fly

Arizona over Seattle- Zona goes into Seattle and beats them, even though Seattle is damn good at home.

Jets over Buffalo- A beating for this struggling team. Rexy's boys are back in business.

New England over Titans- Wow, what a schedule to start the year for Tennessee. First time I'm picking against them. Which means they get their first win this weekend. Freakin Titans.

Atlanta over Chicago- Matt Ryan vs. Jay Cutler. Should be a solid one.

San Diego over Denver- No question. The buck stops here. San Diego wins this one convincingly.

NFL Pick Results

2009-10-13T16:08:00.002-04:00

9-5 this past week. I'm getting worse. Goddammit.

My ankle feels good today though. Sitting in RTN 364 next to my professor, good times. About to go lift.

Relative Lack of Excitement

2009-10-10T14:32:00.006-04:00

It has occured to me that there has been, well, a lull around here lately. In my life, really. I think that I've been training, lifting, and am just in the groove. The beginning new car smell has worn off and I'm just in the grind of this thing.

My ankle has plateaued a bit, so I'll be visiting a physical therapist as I mentioned, provided I can afford it. Let's hear it for credit cards...

Eating, Gym, Eating, Schoolwork, Eating, Gym...

I invite you to hang in there with me as I progress.

I still want nothing else than to play college football. I realize that might not come across in every post since, on a daily basis, I'm pretty much a goofy idiot. But let it be known that I'm working my ass off.

Goin to the gym now...I've got goals...

NFL Picks

2009-10-08T14:48:00.004-04:00

I've been beastly (see previous posts). I intend to continue the domination, hopefully with a bit more domination.

Andddd the picks ladies and gentlemen (not you Rich, or you Josh)

Minnesota over St. Louis- Do we even need to discuss this? That greybeard is still a beast. I love how everyone hated on him the whole offseason, and when he comes back and actually plays, everyone is back on his jock. I hate the media. They make everyone hate the guy by having "Favre Updates" every 10 minutes, when there is NO NEW STORY. THE GUY SAID NOTHING, and EVERYONE HATED HIM. They always say, man if he just didn't say anything, it would have blown over. He went that route and still got killed. I freakin love the guy.

Dallas over KC- Another not even close one. Boom, F--K you KC.

Carolina over Washington- I'm picking against Wash. every game this year just about, if you haven't figured that out yet. Jason Campbell must go.

Philly over Tampa- A beatdown of epic proportions. Phils and Birds, on the road to vic-tor-yyyyy....

Giants over Oakland- There are some sacrificial lambs this week, Oakland is another one. Jamarcus continues his woeful run.

Buffalo over Cleveland- CLOSER THAN THE EXPERTS THINK...

Cinci over Baltimore- The upset! Gonna be a good one. Can Benson wear down Baltimore D? Can their corners hold up against Chad Ochocinco? I'm guessing it's going to be Foxworth for most of the day.

Pittsburgh over Detroit- Destruction of the Lions. Mendenhall continues his new run of dominance.

Atlanta over San Fran- The GAME OF THE WEEK. Going to be an awesome one. Matt Ryan wins it in the end for the Falcons.

New England over Denver- The master beats another one of his pupils.

Arizona over Houston- Another good game. Who woulda thought 3 years ago this would be a RUNNER UP for this fair sites game of the week? Not me. They're in the big time now. On the real though, who would have thought. Not me.

Jacksonville over Seattle- JAX continues their short run. This is despite the long trip to Seattle and their intimidating home record.

Tennessee over Indy- They gotta win sometime. They're too good to keep losing. I'm going down with the damn ship with these guys. Also, on my fantasy team this week I am starting Kerry Collins, Lendale White, and Chris Johnson...I'm praying for a shootout. On an unrelated note, WHO HAS TWO QB'S WITH BYE WEEKS THE SAME WEEK? Me. I'm an idiot. But we already knew that.

Jets over Miami- The Jets might win the Superbowl next year if "Sanchise" progresses the way he should.

Alright alright!! I eagerly await an unmoving day on the couch this Sunday.

Setback

2009-10-07T23:12:00.003-04:00

After getting rid of the ankle brace for a few days and generally feeling excellent, with tons of progress and the like, I'm pretty banged up.

There is bruising at the bottom of the ankle/heel area, and it's swelled up nicely. I don't know what the hell I did to it. I didn't tweak it at any point, at least that I felt, that stuck out.

More in a couple days. I'm lifting like a champion, eating like a champion, and doing all the right things. But I'm getting frustrated.

I'm like 2 months ahead of schedule. But I'm F--king frustrated, no two ways about it. This has been going on for months already. I'm making a couple calls and I'm going to find a way to pony up a bit of my no money to get some physical therapy. I'm told its next to unheard of to have this surgery and not do physical therapy, so OK MEDICINE, YOU WIN!

NFL Picks, other updates tomorrow and Friday.

NFL Picks- Still Pretty Good

2009-10-06T21:12:00.002-04:00

So I went 10-4, not bad. Reasonable. That puts me at 23-7...solid. More to come Thursday as well as workout update, injury update, etc etc etc tomorrow

Stay Tuned!

Follow Me on ...sigh...Twitter

2009-10-01T17:23:00.001-04:00

Title says it all. I rarely post. I don't even really know how to use the damn thing.

Sean over at Nunes Magician said it would be good for the site. His site is awesome, so I'm just following orders.

That is all. DO ITTTTTT!

NFL Picks- Week 4

2009-10-01T14:03:00.008-04:00

13-3 last week. Let's see if I can repeat this success ...don't count on it. Expect massive, massive failure this week.

That said, maybe I get lucky again. Just maybe.

Houston over Oakland- Jamarcus Russell is just terrible, so gotta go with the up and comers Houston.

Titans over Jax- Tennessee WILL NOT go 0-4... ha ha ha...really though they destroy Jax.

Pats over Ravens- Man...what a game this will be. Rematch from 2007 where they almost killed each other. I'm just picking the Pats because they're the freakin Pats and they're at home.

Cinci over Cleveland- I would pick about 3 college programs over Cleveland right now...

Giants over KC- You saw what the Birds did last week with their backup QB...

Chicago over Detroit- CLOSER THAN THE EXPERTS THINK!

Tampa Bay over Redskins- Zorn's seat gets hotter as TB upsets the mighty Skins...they're terrible. I repeat terrible.

Indy over Seattle- In the Dome? Absolutely. Domination.

Jets over NO- Defense wins ...stuff....this is the hardest game of the week to pick. I really have no clue. I think Rexy's D ends up confusing Breese just enough.

Miami over Buffalo- Even without Pennington. Pennington sucks. There is a REASON why a guy is a COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR so many times. The guy has to go away to come back. He's injury prone. He's terrible. They just upgraded. Maybe Henne can occasionally keep the D honest and throw the ball more than 10 yards.

SF over St. Louis- Singletary's run of dominance continues....one play from beating the mighty Vikings too. Hell of a team here. Look at Vernon Davis go.

Dallas over Denver- NOT AS CLOSE as the experts think. Dallas dominates. Tashard Choice baby.

Pittsburgh over SD- Tough one to pick. Should be an amazing game.

Minnesota over Green Bay- Wow. I FREAKING LOVE FOOTBALL!! I'm rooting for Old Man Wrangler, for the record. And I love the Pack.

Workout by Day

2009-09-30T22:25:00.003-04:00

I know it's painfully boring to hear what I'm doing in terms of reps, sets, and all that crap. Honestly I bore myself while typing it, and don't want to type it anymore.

I can only imagine what reading it must be like. No wonder no one comes here...

Anyway, in case anyone wants to say hi in the gym, ridicule myself or the weight guru himself Josh, I work out on these days, and approximate time ranges

M- Chest/tri/shoulders 2-5:30
T- Back/bi/abs- 4-7
W-abs/rehab ankle
Th-off/rehab ankle
F-Chest/tri/shoulders/abs 4-8
Sat- Back/bi/abs 12-??
Sun-Football-couch- all day--only get up to urinate or eat

Ridicule away!

I'm Going to Jog in 1 Week

2009-09-29T21:03:00.004-04:00

I'm supposed to begin jogging in February. I'm going to try next week. First week in October.

Some might say I'm overzealous. Some people might say I'm ahead of the times. Most would most likely say that this doesn't surprise them at all, because I'm a retard. This does not burst my bubble, although it might burst my ankle upon first trying to jog.

I tried sort of half jogging at the gym today while we were shooting a basketball around pre workout. (stopping the workout updates every week, going to do them once a month, lets face it, they're boring as hell)

Anyway, it didn't really hurt all that bad. So it's on! Wish me luck.

I'm taking off the brace for just walking as well.

In unrelated news, both my parents just began shaking their heads in the "no" motion with a disgusted look on their face, in unison.

Momentary Derailing of My Dreams, Grand Old Flag

2009-09-28T14:07:00.004-04:00

I have some crazy virus which has caused me to vomit and have a horrific sore throat over the last few days. I've also been in a constant state of cold sweat. Because of this, I'm missing some workouts.

In more entertaining news, I tried to go to work today and just pretend that I'm all better. During hour #3, after constant sweating and dizziness, I chose to leave work. On my way out, I suddenly began to hear "Grand Old Flag" in my head on a constant loop. I then passed out.

Good news, I'm no longer passed out, I'm home, and I'm safe on my couch with some frozen pizza, orange juice, and NFL Network.

Shes a grand old flag shes a high flyingggggg flag...

Week 3 NFL Picks

2009-09-24T12:58:00.005-04:00

The big winners. No questions asked. Do not leave anything in the comments, because this is exactly as it will play out. No need to even watch the games. Right..

Tenn over Jets - No way they go 0-3. Won't happen. Too good a team. They will stop the run game and confuse Sanchez in the passing game.

Jax over Houston- Who cares anyway, but Jax finds their way to victory through the run game.

Philly over KC- Even without McNabb. Just a better team. Defense destroys KC's offense.

Ravens over Browns- Closer than some think. Revolt over Mangini afterward...

Giants over Tampa- Again, closer than some think. Tampa puts up more points than some think.

Detroit over Washington- Why not? Washington is not good people. They're not.

Green Bay over St. Louis- Pick of the Week. Green Bay demolishes St. Louis.

Minnesota over San Fran- Game of the Week. This is going to be an amazing one. I think Shaun Hill can't deal with the pass rush in the end.

New England over Atlanta- (NFL Films voice) The return of Tom Brady to hallowed Gillette Stadium as he takes down the young star Matt Ryan...

Chicago over Seattle- Yawn...

New Orleans over Buffalo- NO is practically unbeatable right now. Buffalo looks better than expected though.

San Diego over Miami- Didn't that Fin offense just look awesome on Monday night? Still will fail.

Pittsburgh over Cinci- I know, a lot of people are picking the upset here. It's even in Cinci. Not me though. Big Ben gets it done.

Oakland over Denver- How the hell is Denver 2-0 right now? Failure awaits, in Oak's run game.

Indy over Arizona- How is Arizona favored here? Indy dismantles them.

Dallas over Carolina- Until I see reasonable QB play from Jake Delhomme, I'm picking whoever they are playing that is at least a pretty good team. Think last week was reasonable? Fine, let that sort of play guide them to a Superbowl. Stats don't tell the whole story. With that run game, he should be shredddding teams. Williams can't run through everyone...or can he?

5000 Calories per day...Weight Update

2009-09-22T18:43:00.004-04:00

Gross.....by my count I'm eating like 5000 calories a day. I've gained some weight too. 176 according to the scale in the men's locker room at Archbold Gym. If so, that's a freaking huge weight gain. Just left my back/bicep workout, about to eat some food. Story of my life these days...

So the breakdown, using today as an example:

Breakfast: 3 eggs, tons of cheese, margarine, 2 slices white bread - 600 calories

Shake: 1500 calories

Lunch: Chicken tomato wrap thingie, chips, milk- 400 calories

Shake: 1500 calories

WORKOUT

Shake: 500 calories (less weight gainer, more protein)

Dinner: 1/2 lb BBQ pork/pasta, whole milk - 700 calories

Before bed snack: Something with more protein...you get the idea...

I disgust myself. Commitment.....but...so full..

Chest / Tricep Workout 9/21/2009

2009-09-21T21:39:00.002-04:00

No major weight gains...hopefully Thursday I can kick it up. Back/biceps tomorrow...

Flat bench 135 lbs 2 sets 155 2 sets
Incline bench 3 sets @ 115 lbs and 125 lbs 3x10
Incline dumbell 55 lb dumbells 3x10
Cable fly 75 lbs 3x10
Military Press 40 lbs - 4x10
Skull crushers- 50 lbs 3x10
Dips - 4x8
Tricep Push Downs- 120 lbs 3x10
Tricep Push Down Burnout Sets 100lb/80lb/60/40/20 lb 7xea close w/ 20

Walk-On Stuff

2009-09-21T21:34:00.003-04:00

I just learned that the biggest, baddest dude sitting in the room for tryouts this year didn't make the team. The guy is an animal, I mean freakish looking...he could eat me for lunch. ......Gulp.....

I've got a great chance at this...whatever gotta keep the energy level up. Great workout today with Weight Lifting Guru/Ladies Man Extraordinaire Josh Hawley. We also figured out late last night with a few other friends that Josh looks like Wayne Gretzky. Awesome...fodder for the next year...one more Wayne, I thought you were the F--king Great One!! Haha...

In The Air Tonight: Greatest Song of All Time?

2009-09-20T23:35:00.003-04:00

There is a clear answer here. Yes. Absolutely. May I just say that I have 5 versions of this song on my mp3 player, which I occasionally listen to on a constant loop for entire gym sessions.

Obsessive? Sure. Strange? Yes maam. But Phil Collins is a damn animal. Thank you Phil, for numerous pump ups throughout life.

Download Tupac's version...possibly the best....10/4 over and out

I'm a bad blogger; Not a bright person

2009-09-20T23:16:00.004-04:00

So I'm working out like a crazy person, doin work at Syracuse Football, and even eating healthy. I seemingly have forgotten to write anything in the past, well, while.

Let me assure you, I've been living the life. Oh yes, living the sweet life in the lap of luxury.

A few things:

I'll post this weeks workout numbers in a day or two (for the 2 of you out there who give a rats ass). Also, I can't talk about Syracuse Football anymore. It's really a conflict of interest and just not the right thing to do. Regardless if I say nothing that have learned from being inside the program, it's just not the right thing to do. My view is painted.

That said, I'll still be covering random ideas and observations from the NFL. Week 2 observations to come tomorrow! Come back and read them, they will be unique I can guarantee you that.

I'll also obviously still be chronicling my journey to the bottom of the Syracuse Football Roster (if I'm lucky). So in the next few days:

1. Diet update (I'm an eating machine, how to consume more than 5K calories a day)

2. Workout update

3. NFL Week 2 random thoughts

4. Class/school updates

5. Injury Update

If there is anything YOU the reader (singular, there is only one reader) would like to read about, hear about, know about, or anything at all that you think would be a good idea for content email me at rjdoyal@syr.edu and lets talk. Your ideas are clearly better than mine. They have to be. Good god, they have to be.

Got the Job...

2009-09-16T11:04:00.004-04:00

I'll be in the recruiting department helping out. I'm really pumped to be on board. Syracuse Football has just downgraded it's program hiring me. Kidding, of course, as I'm gonna bust my ass in there for them, doing whatever I can to help us win.

Lets go Orange!

Good lord

2009-09-16T10:50:00.003-04:00

My entire body hurts. Life is good, baby. That pain is progress. I wanted to send a shout out to the weightlifting guru himself, Josh Hawley. Although socially awkward, unable to dress himself without dressing like an old man, and completely unable to negotiate, the man is a badass in the gym.

Josh is going to be with me every step of the way training for this thing. Throwing the medicine ball at me, pushing me, and calling me a girly man in an Arnold Swartzenegger ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrBsnsr1e0s&feature=related ) voice, and me responding like Kige Ramsey. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88DX45Ex9yE )

Oh, Kige. I'm basically like Kige trying out for his beloved Kentucky Wildcats. I can't lift my arms....I'm hungry...

Weight Update, Work Update

2009-09-15T22:46:00.005-04:00

Going into the Syracuse Football office tomorrow at 9 AM to meet with the Director of Football Operations. Might have myself an internship in the recruiting office, helping out and further learning how this stuff works. Keep your fingers crossed.

Also, weight is up to 170. 20lbs or so to go.

Back / Bicep Workout 9/15/2009

2009-09-15T22:33:00.004-04:00

Bicep/back workout. Going to post updates on workouts once per week to show gains or lack thereof. It should keep me honest, because somewhere in my convoluted mind I think that anyone actually gives a rats ass what I'm lifting and is reading this. If any (all) of the feedback I've received is true, people want to read the marginally funny stuff about the journey, experience, etc. BUT how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat? (pinkfloyd)

Lat Pull Downs 105 lbs 4x10
Seated Back Rows 150 lbs 4x10
Bent over rows 50 lbs 4x10
Dumbbell Shrugs 65 lbs each hand 4x10
Close grip pull down 105 lbs 3x10

Preacher Curls 75 lbs 3x8
Dumbbell Curls 30 lbs each hand 3x8
Full arm Curls 45 lb bar 3x10
Burnout Curls 75 lbs start, downward from there
Hammer Curls 35 lbs each hand 3x8

Abs

Incline sit ups w/ medicine ball thrown to each side
Leg lifts
Ab Machine

Eating Habits

2009-09-15T00:03:00.005-04:00

Those who know me know of my eating habits. They are infamous. They are known worldwide. I eat shit, basically. (Happy Gilmour anyone?) But now I want to gain weight, and good weight, since I'm one skinny dude.

I post this for a couple of reasons. One, those who know me will laugh their ass off about this. Since those who know me are really the only ones at this point reading this, that comprises 100% hilarity for my viewership. (Mom!!) Two, if I say it here, I kinda have to do it, since it's clearly call-out-able now since I said it in front of everyone.

I really do love me some fast food though. Ronald McDonald is my boy. I ring the Taco Bell numerous times weekly. Burger King has been renamed "Bodes Kingdom" by my roommates, who had nicknamed me Bode a long time ago after a furry little bear on this.....we'll leave that one alone for now. Either way, I visit with The King often.

I want this so bad that I have curtailed my eating habits. I'm containing my fast food addiction to two times per week. That's monumental. Those who know me will not believe this latest development, but let me just say that I bought rice, pasta, fresh meats, green beans, all sorts of crazy crap. Oh yeah. Made some of it today.

A new day has arrived ladies and gentleman...Ryan/Bode/Idiot/Hopelesswalkon has entered the dark (healthy) side...

Chest / Tricep Workout 9/14/2009

2009-09-14T23:59:00.003-04:00

Here is the chest/tricep workout that I'm doing as of today with weights and sets X reps. Call me a girly man if I don't up the weights on this stuff as I go.

I'll be posting a weekly update with exercises done, weight, sets, and reps. 3x10 = 3 sets x 10 reps per set, for example. Back/Bicep workout to come tomorrow.

Flat bench 135 lbs 2 sets 155 2 sets
Incline bench 3 sets @ 115 lbs and 125 lbs 3x10
Incline dumbell 50 lb dumbells 3x10
Cable fly 65 lbs 3x10
Military Press 40 lbs - 4x10
Skull crushers- 50 lbs 3x10
Dips - 4x8
Tricep Push Downs- 110 lbs 3x10

Abs

Incline sit ups w/ medicine ball throw 6x15
Incline leg lifts 6x20
Crunches

Beating it up! All I wanna know...is who's comin with me...

Penn State Beats Down Syracuse, We Don't Mind

2009-09-12T16:32:00.004-04:00

It really wasn't that bad. It wasn't.

They are perenially one of the best programs in the nation. We are perenially awful. They have year after year of 4 and 5 star recruits coming in to replace other 4 and 5 star recruits. We, do not. At all.

And we hung with them. Hell, there were a few plays where we flat out kicked their ass. Our LB's and D-line shut down their run game all day. We held them to 28 points as opposed to 55 last year. Syracuse isn't there yet, but we are coming. Oh, Doug Marrone, drive the car my friend we are coming.

I thought the team stepped up to the plate in front of 100,000+ hostile people in Beaver Stadium and gave a performance not to be proud of, but not to be embarassed about either. Did we move forward today as a team? Thats a tough question. I would say we didn't move at all. This was a game that we just wanted to get through without injury, and move back on to games which we can win.

What this did show is that Syracuse can play with anybody, already. Under this coaching staff, bring 'em on. To be honest, we had no shot at winning this game from the opening kickoff due to the disparity in talent, but we wanted to show up and not back down. We were forced to fight a guy way bigger, stronger, and athletic than us, and we didn't take any sh--.

Sometimes you fight just to show you aren't scared, and won't back down. We looked them in the eyes the whole game, and didn't quit, even late in the fourth quarter. They may have kicked our ass, but we kept getting up and in the end, when it was broken up, we were still ready for more.

We'll see them in a few years.

Injury Update / Workout Update 9/11/2009

2009-09-11T15:27:00.003-04:00

OK brave and clearly bored souls reading hopelesswalkon.com, here is the update regarding my health and how working out is going. It's a good thing that things are going well, because college is not. I'm not very bright. School is hard. The S.I. Newhouse School of Communications needs to lighten up their course load and leave me more time to enjoy NFL Network programming and otherwise BS about sports with my friends. But I digress...

My weight is at 168. The goal is 190 by the tryout at this time next year. I've been working my ass off at the gym doing everything that's possible without using your legs too much. I'll post the workout I'm doing now in a couple days.

In one month I'll be actually doing stuff with my legs in the weight room, and am planning on jogging by November or December, depending on how I feel.

Right now walking is still a pain in the ass. It hurts considerably when it tires out, since I've been walking all over the goddamn Syracuse globe. I figure once those muscles are built back up, I'll be much better off, but it's a long way to go.

To be clear, this is supposed to be the first week I walk. I'm supposed to start jogging in February. I'm sorta speeding up the timetable. Gotta behave like a warrior to be a warrior. I'm not being stupid though and pushing it too hard that I'll re-injure myself, but I'm doing just hard enough. Walking that line.

More updates in the next couple days so stay tuned. Maybe I'll fall down and injure myself again, who knows? You can't gameplan for an crazy idiot, you just can't....

Walk-On Update, Work Update

2009-09-10T14:51:00.003-04:00

So I'm waiting on a call/email from Coach VanDerzee after we spoke on Monday. He said that he MIGHT have an opening in the football program in the recruiting department. Keep your fingers crossed; he said he would get back to me by today or tomorrow.

If that were the case it would give me an opportunity to learn the game even further. Those who know me might mention that I'm already obsessed enough, and know enough about the game, especially from an X's and O's standpoint, but those who really know the game would tell you that by comparison to them, I don't know shit. This would be accurate. I have a long way to go.

That said, I'm not trying to say that I'm just going to try and work with the team. The whole point is to MAKE the team. This is a stepping stone along the way. Hopefully.

Lifting, Injury, Life, etc updates tomorrow.

Paulus' First Outing, Other Thoughts

2009-09-06T13:43:00.003-04:00

Just one more thought on Greg Paulus' first outing as an Orangeman.

I feel like Paulus has been anointed by the fans with the duty of saving the team or something, and that last throw into the end zone was that: him trying to save the day, be the hero, and win the game for his team. Undoubtedly he feels that pressure too, with the articles in the D.O., the national media attention, etc.

Not something that's entirely a bad thing, just a bit misplaced in this case. Maybe I'm over analyzing, but I think that throughout the game he didn't have too many big plays, and wanted to close out the game the right way but on that play the pressure he felt on his shoulders got to him a bit. I think the coaching staff is going to save the program, not Paulus, and he needs to keep that in mind, doing just enough. Getting the ball out of his hands quicker and distributing the football intelligently and effectively, which he can certainly do.

That said, all in all, I'm a supporter. Has to work on the way the ball comes out when he's under pressure, since he didn't square his shoulders and threw a few ducks. But it's going to be a huge step forward this year with him at the helm.

Syracuse Loses Opener, and a Hell of a Game it was

2009-09-05T18:08:00.002-04:00

OK, so we lost. Let's get that out of the way. I'm really not sweating that at all though. It came down to one bad decision (as these close games often do) and Greg Paulus just had a delusion of grandeaur and wanted to win the game on one throw. Dude hasn't played football in 4 years. Keeping that in mind, the guy was excellent. Hell of a leader on the sideline too, from the student section you could see him doing work on the sideline for the most of the game. A few thoughts:

1. Delone Carter had a solid, if unspectacular game.

2. The option stuff we were running worked much better than our normal offense. Why not run it with Paulus in there as well? When Nassib came on, it tips off the D that it's coming. Then we line him up at WR where we could have a better blocker in there for the wide runs.

3. This team is going places. The feeling inside the dome was unbelievable. Best atmosphere since I've been at Cuse and it's not even close.

4. Mike Williams runs a hell of a slant pattern. Also, the touchdown he scored on was a spectacular play call after lulling them to sleep with the run, screens, and short passes the entire game before that. The corner's first step was forward and thats all Williams needed for a giannnnntttt gap.

5. I really freakin hope I can help out this year. I wanted to be standing there on that turf more than anything in the world, even if it's with a goofy polo shirt, visor, and maybe even a goddamn water bottle to squirt in the players mouths.

6. I'm going to be ready for next year. Oh, I'll be small, slow, and so ready to go.

7. Paulus has excellent awareness in the pocket and made outstanding reads the entire day. He avoids the rush well and just seems like he didn't miss a beat. Compare that with what we were watching last year, and it's night and day. He has a long way to go, but wow. Just cool, calm, and collected under fire with the exception of that one last play where he threw into like quadruple coverage. Just gotta get the ball out a little better.

8. Art Jones. #97. 1st round draft pick. No question the best D-lineman in the Big East, and one of the top in the country. He was double teamed on EVERY...SINGLE....PLAY and was still a standout. A manchild.

9. Dont know why this is ninth, because for me this was the biggest change from last year to this year that I saw, and there were many (it was like an entirely different place inside the dome) The playcalling was so good. I mean so, so good. The system and playcalling hid the weaknesses of our offense and highlighted the strengths. The only thing we need to do is figure out more ways to get Williams the ball, but I'm sure they're already cooking that up. God, I'm excited. Finally, real football. Basketball, my ass. Here comes Syracuse football, back to kick your ass.

More to come on this game as I digest it a bit more and also more updates on your favorite (only) hopeless walk on soon enough.

Leave your thoughts on the game in the comments!

Walk-on Meeting

2009-09-02T15:35:00.003-04:00

So on Monday I went to the walk-on meeting for Syracuse Football. Clearly I can't play this year, but I wanted to get an idea of what to expect for next year. I also wanted to see if I could do something with the team this year, whether it be helping to cut up film or whatever the hell they need really. I'm going to be in touch with the Kevin VanDerzee, the president of football operations, to see if there is any room for me to help out this year. I'm really hoping there is.

He also said there might be an issue with my eligibility, or lack thereof. Since I started school in 2006, I might not have one more year of eligibility to play next year. If there were the case, there's really no dream, no journey, no blog, nothing. I'll be fucking crushed, I really will, if that's the case.

That said, one of the community colleges I went to for 3 semesters DID NOT have any sports teams, so how can I use up eligibility if I can't even play a sport if I wanted to? Also, I was enrolled part time, since I was working full time. So we'll see whats up. I'll update you as soon as I am updated. Hold your breath for me. Pray for me, if you pray.

Injury Update

2009-09-02T15:33:00.002-04:00

So I'm sitting in Link Hall right now next to some douche who is talking loudly on his cell phone. Common courtesy, brotha, get the hell up and walk outside for a minute.

Anyway, I lifted earlier today, and am pretty much back on the horse. I'm going to start doing some light leg work in 1 month. This is not prescribed by any doctor, but I'm just sorta feeling it. Dr. Doyal. Good lord.

I've been walking all over the free world, since I need to in order to get around. It's hurting like hell and swelling up considerably, but I'm continuing to claim that it doesn't hurt to anyone who asks. Yep, I'm fine. So don't ask. I'm doing great. GREATTTTTTTTT.

I'm going to find a physical therapist around here, but I have to find a way to pay for it. We'll see how that goes.

Abbreviated Workout

2009-09-02T15:24:00.003-04:00

Getting used to life on campus again. Here is my lifting routine that I've been doing, since I can use no legs:

Bicep curls w/ bar
same w/ dumbells at different angle
Scaption
Bench
Incline bench
Cable chest pulls
Downward rows
Sitting down shrugs
Military Press
Tricep push downs
Dips
Ab machine (cant put my feet in the incline bench, sucks)
Leg lifts

That's my abbreviated workout I've been doing. Don't judge me. Any suggestions or recommendations, please let me know. In a month I'll be doing a workout program from a certain D-1 Football program that I was able to get my hands on, so it'll get a lot more serious then. Right now, I'm just trying to get back on the horse basically.

Back At Syracuse, on an Island

2009-09-01T20:07:00.002-04:00

So I'm back at Syracuse. The only bad news is that I'm basically on an island. I'll explain. Our apt currently has no:

1. internet
2. TV
3. couch, or any chairs whatsoever to sit on. there is random shit thrown around the room.
4. microwave
5. toaster
6. broken oven
7. screens on 50% of windows

Right now if I go outside, I can steal a neighbors internet intermittently before it loses it's very weak signal. I am huddled outside doing just that for this covert, rogue update.

So yeah. I apologize for the lack of updates, as I've been living on a f--ing island. Anyway, I will be making a large update w/ several posts tomorrow detailing my progress, including going to the walk-on meeting (can still barely walk, so don't worry, just getting the low down on next year)

so STAY TUNED and keep the love coming. TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Please Comment or Become a Follower, Make Ryan Stop Crying Himself to Sleep

2009-08-24T23:14:00.004-04:00

First of all, thats a lie, I'll still cry myself to sleep...however

Nobody comments. I know it's pretty much just my mom reading this, but MOM, COMMENT! COME ON! somebody......hello? I'm thinking that even Mom is lying to me about reading this, haha...you know it's bad when your Mom lies to you about it....

So the plan is, I'm definitely gonna have like 8 readers built up by next year, a solid 8 hopefully, and when I no doubt get injured doing this, THOSE 8 CAN SPREAD THE WORD OF THIS LEGENDARY STORY...and it's failure...

The injury will no doubt occur in entertaining fashion though, perhaps getting jacked up by a rather large dude, so stay tuned in morbid fascination at least...

Last Week around Philly

2009-08-24T23:00:00.003-04:00

First off, I'm back up to 167...that was fast. Feeling better about myself working out and stuff, went to physical therapy again today and I'm coming along really well. Still can't really walk correctly, but am limping along, little worried about Syracuse ice f'ing my day up, but lets hope for a temperate Syracuse winter....HAHA

Some random thoughts:

-I'm filming a faux highlight and standup tomorrow back at Films for my demo reel thingie. Slightly nervous to be in those sweet studios on camera, but nobodys watching anyway (kinda like hopelesswalkon.com, where nobody is reading, so who cares anyway) ...dance like nobodys watc......no, no no...stop that

-In the Air Tonight...isn't it just timeless?

-Goin to the Mike Vick Debut...really looking forward to the people protesting and whatnot, it's going to be riotous and entertaining, no doubt. I'm rooting for the guy, not because I like him, but because he represents the anti-hero at this point, against all the sort of douchebags that I hate trying to dictate someone else's life. It's gone too far, Mikey (see previous posts) Show em all up, please.

-I got some football cleats, since previously in my vaunted flag football days I was using soccer cleats, and these were on sale and pretty damn cheap. I stare at them often.

-I'm looking forward to getting back up to 'Cuse and getting a look at our team. There is a walk-on meeting this week, which I will be going to, even though I clearly can't play this year. I'm going to see if I can get involved though in some capacity this year, whatever they need.

-Comments on the Ben Roethlisberger case to come tomorrow most likely. And more stuff. Come back and read. Please....please come back....

-Feeling good tonight, another good workout today. 10/4 over and out

Last Day at NFL Films, moving forward

2009-08-22T10:08:00.003-04:00

Definitely was weird leaving NFL Films today. I worked my ass off at that place all summer. I hope that I made some sort of impact, I really do. There are a lot of great people there and it's just a class organization all the way. I was lucky to have interned there. I'm gonna miss it. Maybe some day I'll be back, who knows.

Some notes about whats going on in the life of your favorite (only) hopeless walk on:

-Leaving for Cuse on Friday -classes start Mon.

-Gotta buy a bed, and all other applicable furniture during next weekend. Anyone have a bed for cheap? I do mean cheap. I'm cool with peed on stuff.

-Have tickets to Birds preseason game vs. Jacksonville on Thursday (thanks Lindsay) and if anyone is going and wants to tailgate........I'll be tailgating........oh I'll be tailgating

-Working out again today (day 3 in gym) as well as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning before I leave for school. Making minor progress, not being able to lift while standing or do any legs stuff is hurting me badly.

-In terms of my health I'm walking around a tiny bit more, gimping, and it still hurts like hell. Not much to report in terms of a serious breakthrough I CAN USEEE MY LEGGGSSS AGAINNNN........not just yet. stay on the line

Gym Round 2 and Eagles vs. Colts

2009-08-20T14:53:00.003-04:00

Leaving NFL Films a bit early today to make sure I have time for the gym before Eagles vs. Colts tonight at 8.

Gonna try a few more things than I did on Monday. I'm still completely sore but I'm just gonna man up on this one. Still all upper body stuff, not taking any chances with my legs.

Leaving for school next week. Last day at NFL Films tomorrow. There is a lot going on and a lot of changes. I'll post thoughts tomorrow.

20 Rookies to Watch in 2009

2009-08-20T10:22:00.002-04:00

One thing that I'm actually half decent at for some reason is picking rookies that will have successful first seasons. I'll list 20 that I think will break out in their rookie seasons.

In no particular order...

1. Paul Kruger- OLB- Baltimore Ravens

Should get plenty of opportunities to rush the passer, especially on 3rd down. 6-7 sacks as a rookie. A big, tough dude.

2. Jarius Byrd- S/CB - Buffalo Bills

Dude is a straight up playmaker. Might not have the pure speed to play CB, but mark my words he will be a baller somewhere on the field.

3. Duke Robinson- G - Carolina Panthers

Carolina lacks depth on the interior line. After an injury or two, the Duke will shine.

4. Everette Brown- DE - Carolina Panthers

I thought this guy was going top-10. He'll struggle at times, but end up with 8+ sacks.

5. Alex Mack- C - Cleveland Browns

Getting your ass kicked around all of training camp by Shaun Rogers will get you good and ready, if you weren't already.

6. James Davis- RB- Cleveland Browns

Guy has early round talent, the fact that he went in the 6th was a steal. He'll spell Jamal Lewis and be beastly.

7. Alphonso Smith - CB- Broncos

Nickel Corner right now, I think he'll start opposite of Champ Bailey by the time the season is out.

8. Louis Delmas -FS- Detroit Lions

He's so fast. He reminds me of Bob Sanders, only bigger. I think he's gonna be the best player on this defense as a rookie, and this includes Ernie Sims.

9. B.J. Raji -NT/DE- Green Bay Packers

They are trying to get him on the field with Ryan Pickett right now the starter at NT, by putting Raji at DE in their new 3/4. That is a good sign. He'll be dominant at DE from day 1.

10. Fili Moala - DT- Indianapolis Colts

He's the big body the Colts have really needed in the middle for a long time. I think he'll fill what they were looking for with Corey Simon a while back.

11. Rashad Jennings - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars

Anytime Jones-Drew comes off the field, expect Jennings to shine. Why he lasted until the 7th round I will never understand.

12. Sean Smith -CB- Miami Dolphins

A 6' 4" cornerback? What the hell...imagine him going up against Straight Cash Moss twice this year. What a country. Oh, he just won the starting job too over Vontae Davis...

13. Percy Harvin- WR/RB - Minnesota Vikings

The guy, if he can stay healthy, is my pick for Rookie of the Year. He is just such an obscene athlete and has awesome instincts too.

14. Darius Butler - CB - New England Patriots

They have very little depth at corner, so look for him to see the field and excel, also due to the Pat's pass rush.

15. Malcolm Jenkins CB/FS - New Orleans Saints

Just returned a 60 yard pick in practice off Drew Brees. This guy was highly touted, highly regarded, and well deserving of all of it. I don't care if he's at FS or CB.

16. Clint Sintim -OLB- NY Giants

Another ridiculous pass rusher for the Giants, awesome...my only question is how many snaps he's going to get with the talent they have from a pass rushing standpoint.

17. Lesean McCoy -RB- Philly Eagles

He'll get plenty of time behind Westbrook, and he's the real deal. Amazing burst and cutting ability, and top end speed is reasonable enough.

18. Glen Coffee -RB- San Francisco 49ers

They will run a run-heavy attack, and Gore cannot handle every carry. They will have an excellent ground game to compliment an awful passing game, so look for Coffee to get passes out of the backfield as well as plenty of carries.

19. Jared Cook -TE- Tennessee Titans

He has probably the most ridiculous body and measurables of anyone in this past year's draft. He also has giant hands and plays hard. I expect him to be a top 5 TE in the next 2 years.

20. Kenny Britt - WR- Titans

If he can stay healthy, he is going to be a steal at the bottom of the 1st. With a non eye-popping receiving core, he'll get his chances.

Back to the Gym

2009-08-19T11:11:00.003-04:00

So I lifted on Monday, the first day I tried to walk. On this day of first-in-a-whiles, I drove for the first time (not supposed to for another 5 weeks), walked for the first time (not supposed to for another 2 weeks), and lifted weights (god knows). I also went to physical therapy for the first time, with the greatest PT in history Colleen O'Hara.

I'm a retard because I did all this the first day I tried to walk, I think I got all excited about it and went a little far because I'm hurting pretty bad still, and it's Wednesday. I felt alive again though for the first time in a while and lifted pretty well, considering. I was putting up a lot less weight than I was doing before I left though.

So FOR THE RECORD, this is the starting pont. I weighed in at 160 lbs. I was 174 before the injury, so I'm hoping to get those pounds back on pretty quickly.

My entire upper body has that first-time-lift-in-awhile pain, and I can barely half crutch around and can I just say I feel fucking incredible. It's on....slowly.

NFC Predictions and Players to Watch

2009-08-19T09:55:00.003-04:00

ANDDDDDDDDDDDD your NFC predictions. Keep in mind these are 100% factual and WILL happen, especially considering my track record picking games. I'm basically a guru. Enjoy.

NFC North: Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions

I really thought long and hard (about 30 seconds) about whether to put the Pack on top or the Vikings. Certainly the Favre storyline, although really a dead horse at this point, will be actually exciting once the games actually start. I just think that with the addition of The Great One (not Gretzky), you would be nuts to not pick the Vikings to win. Whether it turns out that way is anyone's guess. I think Aaron Rodgers is going to have a monster season, and establish himself as a top 5 QB without question. My only issue with the Packers is their switch to the 3-4. In one season, can they have the mastery of the scheme, as well as the correct personnel to execute it? I doubt it. They're gonna give up some points, even with the quality starters that D has. The Bears pretty much suck, in my opinion. Even with my boy Cutler. The Lions will improve vastly this year, and I really do mean that. I have a lot of faith in Jim Shwartz, and I expect a lot from their rookies too, which I'll talk about later.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB AP, QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Greg Jennings, WR Jordy Nelson, NT Ryan Pickett, MLB Larry Foote, TE Greg Olsen

NFC South: Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Bucs

I picked the Falcons because I think Matt Ryan is the next superstar QB and that he can will that team to victory. With the addition of Tony G I think that they will be a dynamic offense. Their D will be just good enough. Next, I have the Saints. I think their D will be much improved and Brees will do his thing, as usual. Will Jesus in Cleats, Reggie Bush, actually perform this year? Who knows, but the Saints O is too much to keep down this year. Everyone else seems to be picking the Panthers to win this division, but I have them third because of questions about their interior D-line and their QB situation. Their running game will be sick, but in this tough division it will be good for second or third. Lastly, the Bucs, with their new head coach and young roster, are just too inexperienced to take this one. Their running game should be excellent, however, and I think Earnest Graham is a beast. Whether it's Freeman or Leftwich or whoever under center, they're just not good enough, and the D is young and talented, but not good enough right now.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: LT Donald Penn, RG Davin Joseph, RG Jahri Evans, CB Tracy Porter, LB Jonathan Vilma, QB Matt Ryan, CB Chris Houston, LB Jon Beason

NFC East: Eagles, Giants, Cowboys, Redskins

In the interest of full disclosure, I fucking love the Eagles. That said, I think the Birds will win the division because they are the most complete team in the NFC East. My only question is the pass rush, which will be solved by blitzing (RIP Jim Johnson) and like every year, Donovan McNabb. The losses suffered in training camp thus far will be overcome, and the Eagles win the division barely over the Giants. The Giants are arguably just as complete as the Eagles, this ones really a crap shoot. Eli is overrated but solid, and their young receiving core will get some well deserved credit this year after stepping up in the wake of Plax's departure. They just have SO MANY good pass rushers, it's frightening. They can keep a ridiculous rotation and have everyone in there be excellent. The Cowboys are lacking in receivers (imagine saying that same thing at the beginning of last year) and in the secondary. Their corners will get torched, mark my words, torched, if Newman goes down with injury like he has in the past. Even with him, it won't be pretty. They better pray Demarcus Ware has a monster season rushing the QB. Lastly, the Redskins just aren't good. They're not. They have the players to do it, but they won't do it. They just won't. Jason Campbell is average, unimaginative, uncreative, boring, and not gonna get the job done.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: TE Jason Witten, FS LaRon Landry, WR Desean Jackson, SS Quintin Mikell, DT Broderick Bunkley, DE Marcus Spears, DE/DT Chris Canty, WR Steve Smith

NFC West: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, Rams

The Cardinals get it done again. They are far, far more complete than any of the other teams in this division. Their pass rush only improves with their young front 7 gaining a year of playoff experience. Normally, I would pick them to finish at least second due to the Superbowl loser stigma, which has the Superbowl loser sucking it up the next year almost always, but this division just lacks the talent to have someone take it from them. Also I have faith in Fitz and the Whiz. The 49ers challenge for the division, but the offense holds them back. Their D, however, kicks some ass this year. The Seahawks run game improves immensely, but they just don't have the talent anymore. Walter Jones is old, Hasselbeck is injury prone, and Deion Branch was a bust of a trade. Housh will not provide the big-play threat that one would expect from a contract of his magnitude. The Rams, although improved, have a longgggg way to go (kind of like me trying to make the Syracuse team) before they can be competitors. Their new head coach, Steve Spagnuolo, will do a fine job, however, and I expect quality in a year or two as their WR's mature.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR Donnie Avery, CB Tye Hill, TE John Carlson, T Levi Brown, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, WR Josh Morgan, DE Kentwan Balmer

Walking

2009-08-19T09:43:00.003-04:00

"...And as I come, you see no fear in my eyes, for I have nothing to lose, and my heart is full"
-Allen Kirk

So on my third day of walking (gimping), albiet with a crutch on one side, I feel renewed energy to fight, not only to play ball, but to wake up for work, to not settle, to live hard, to not quit. There are too many days of wasted youth, potential, and opportunity in my rearview mirror.

But there are plenty of good ones ahead.

AFC Predictions, NFC, rookies, and Big East to come later

2009-08-18T08:58:00.005-04:00

So every goddamn news outlet and their mother predict the results of the year in football. I will quickly do this for the AFC and NFC separately, as well as my predictions for the top rookies in another post. I'm tempted to offer no explanations for my picks, a la Kige Ramsey ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtoF0BReRNc )but although hilarious to offer no explanation for picks, I will explain anyway.

AFC East: Pats, Jets, Dolphins, Bills

The Pats will be dominant once again. Straight Cash Moss on the loose. My only issue with this squad is their corners, who are young, but come highly drafted and highly touted. They have gotten by with next to no corners for years and been fine though. Their ILB depth is improving and getting younger. Look for Mayo to have a breakout season. The Jets will play looser and better on defense with Rex Ryan, who I believe is a truly excellent coach, but a rookie under center in a tough division will make it difficult to leapfrog the Pats this year. The Dolphins will continue to run the option (wildcat) with success, with Pat White getting his feet wet, along with Ronnie Brown having a monster season. They found an equalizer to let them compete against far more talented teams last year with this scheme, but what will they do this year to compete again? The roster is slowly getting upgraded, however (Tuna!). Lastly, the Bills just don't have the offensive line to compete against the monster Jets and Pats lines, and face a tough schedule and sure implosion from TO.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ronnie Brown, Sean Smith (CB), Jerod Mayo, Terrance Wheatley, Leon Washington, Marcus Stroud

AFC North: Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns

Pittsburgh overcomes a porous (though improved) offensive line to kick the shit out of the entire division. Tomlin is the best young coach in the league, by far. The guy was born to coach. The team also lost almost no one after their Super Bowl win. There will be no hangover with this team. The Bengals, if Palmer can get over his ankle issue and whatever the issue of the day is thereafter, have the talent now on both sides of the ball to be impressive. I'm predicting a big year for them. The Ravens have lost too much personnel wise on defense to win this division, and with Rex Ryan gone as well, that D will not be as dominant as years past. Can I just say that Ray Lewis is downright fat now? The dude is a shadow of his former self. Just because he can still talk the talk doesn't mean that he is the same player he once was. He had no business at the Pro Bowl last year. Not saying that he isn't probably the best motivational leader on the field in the last 10 years, but still. Don't act like he's Jesus on the field still. Lastly, the Browns. Oh, the Browns. Mangini now, too. Ha, ha ha. I will say that their 3-4 has the potential, and SHOULD improve greatly this year under Mangini.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Braylon Edwards will be back, Cedric Benson, Shaun Rogers, D'Quell Jackson, Jared Gaither.

AFC South: Titans, Colts, Texans, Jaguars

The Titans take this division because their personnel at this point far exceeds that of the Colts. The Titans will run the ball effectively all year, particularly the zone cutback run they did all of last year. My pick for MVP is Chris Johnson, and I think Lendale will have himself a huge year as well. Add in super rookie Kenny Britt and it's gonna be lights out. The Colts flounder with the regime change and changing of the guard at receiver with Manning's timing off. He will carry the team, but it won't be enough. Donald Brown does not have the giant season that many talking heads are predicting. The defense gets shredded. The Texans are good, but not good enough. Mario Williams destroys people all year. Lastly, the Jaguars will simply be held back by QB play. They have way more talent than most give them credit for, but I think Garrard will hold his team back this year in a tight AFC South. Torry Holt just won't be enough to fix the problem.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rashean Mathis' return to the top of the CB ranks, Derrick Harvey (DE), Mario Williams (DE), Frank Okam (DT), Gary Brackett (LB, Chris Johnson (MVP), the Titans O-line.

AFC West: Chargers, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs

I actually think the Raiders have a shot to win the division if Russell plays even marginally OK. Or if they put in Garcia. I think they have 3 of the dirtiest running backs in the league in Fargas, McFadden, and Michael Bush. Fargas is underrated, but if it were me I would trade him if at all possible to get value for him, to get Michael Bush more time. I'm just really excited about the Raider run game. When it comes down to it though, the Chargers have entirely too much talent and will take this one. The Chiefs and the Broncos will be two of the biggest embarrassments in the league and warrant no further mention. Glenn Dorsey is now in entirely the wrong scheme for him, so I'll be interested to see if he can adapt or how they will use him.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, Nnandi Asomugha, Larry Johnson, Mike Goff, DJ Williams

NFC to come later, as well as my favorite, rookie predictions, and a BIG EAST PREVIEW

Vick Substitution......

2009-08-17T13:02:00.002-04:00

OK so realizing that like half my posts thus far have been about Michael Vick, and that the first one was that I was tired of talking/hearing about him, and I continue to talk about him, I have a quick point on Mike Vick with regards to substituting him into the game. (It's a FOOTBALL thing at least)

To clarify the rule for one of my most devoted readers, (dad) if Vick was listed as the 3rd QB behind McNabb and Kolb/Feely, he would not be able to enter the game for a series, or a play or two without forcing the Eagles to keep him in the game until the 4th quarter. This is because of a little-known NFL rule which says that if the 3rd QB enters (3rd QB decided by what is turned in prior to the game by the team) then the starter and backup cannot return until the 4th quarter.

So if the Eagles intend to use Vick, which they obviously intend to do, then he will most likely have to be listed as a WR on the gameday roster.

Last Week at NFL Films, ETC

2009-08-17T09:16:00.002-04:00

I've had the opportunity to intern at NFL Films this summer, and it's been an equally surreal and humbling experience. I've learned a ridiculous amount. I'm staying on this one extra week to help train the new interns who will be replacing me.

As I sit in the Playbook war room, my home for the past 3-4 months (minus the time I was in the hospital, doctors offices, and staring at my ceiling at home in recovery) I'm thankful.

Just a few short years ago I was not where I should be in life, and although theres a longgggggggg way to go, it feels good to be moving in the right direction.

In a health update, I'm walking around without crutches today. By walking, I mean really, really slow limping, a la Frankenstein. It hurts like hell but I just can't stand the crutches anymore. I'm gonna try to do half the day like this (already been a few hours) and maybe crutch later on.

So, after an uncharactaristicly serious moment here at hopelesswalkon, let us get back to our regularly scheduled idiocy, with a story about falling down in the shower a couple weeks ago.

It's true, I tipped over in the shower while still in the cast, banging the top of my forehead into the wall as I was trying to get in. I really wanted to sort of hop over the edge of the shower, and I'm a retard because I tried it sort of nonchalantly, and in my nakedness at 6:30 AM ate shit against the wall of my shower. I've only told one or two people of this nugget of idiocy, so enjoy my misery.

I say this in celebration because I STOOD IN THE SHOWER TODAY...what a country, what a world, I stood up in the shower like a normal person again and man I am not 84 years old anymore baby!!

More updates to come about me falling over in various other situations.

Injury Update

2009-08-15T21:25:00.002-04:00

So I've been bebopping around without my cast, having a good old time. I'm a fucking healing beast. No actually it's been pretty painful, and swells up everyday, but with the aid of crutches still I'm sorta walking around. I'm pretty much spiting my body and just trying to walk on it a bit. It's hard not to when there's no cast there.

I'm wearing a supporter boot kind of thing. My foot can be shoved into a shoe, but it looks all fat, like the leg and foot belong to a 400 pound guy who had to squeeze into the shoe. This entetains me and I sometimes make BUM BUMBUM noises as I walk around, like Godzilla or something.

One day at a time. Soon enough I'll be running around...did I mention the doctor said that I could expect to begin running by the spring? Like Februaryish? Thats laughable. November. Or maybe my trying to run by November is laughable...whatever. We'll see what happens.

BUM BUM BUM BUM BUM..Godzilla out...

1st Half Eagles Thoughts + Mike Vick? What?

2009-08-13T21:04:00.004-04:00

Some first half thoughts on the Birds/Pats game and thoughts on the Mike Vick signing.

First, Vick. It's a 2 year deal, good call by the team. They can trade him after this year and get ridiculous value for him if he stays on the right side of the law this season and shows that he is the same athlete he once was. Giving up nothing and getting possibly as high as a first round, though more likely a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick is pretty damn good value. Also, whatever team who trades for him, assuming this scenario happens, will not face nearly the firestorm that the Eagles will, since this will have all basically died down by then.

However, for this value that the Eagles are getting, they must endure:
1. Losing a few fans (who needs those fans anyway, get over it, see previous Vick post)
2. National media partial firestorm
3. Going with that, a media circus at camp and during the season for AT LEAST his reinstatement game.

Not a big deal, really, considering how many distractions the Birds have dealt with in the last several years. Also, the Eagles enjoy a fanbase which is dedicated basically no matter what, so this signing will not affect popularity of the team. They have a lot more to gain than to lose. They are one of those franchises which is just money in the bank right now, no matter what. There's like a 20 year wait for season tickets.

I'm just in shock, basically. I'm not anti-Vick, as my earlier post said, or pro-Vick. Actually, thats a lie, I'm trying to become pro-Vick as we speak now. But moving on... (for now...god I'm tired of this Vick business and BAM we sign em, naturally)

1st half thoughts:

1. Jason Peters sucks right now. He needs more reps in practice.

2. Our revamped/now injured line sucks right now. They need more reps in practice. Actually these guys just need to get healthy so they can freakin all play together for 5 minutes. Winston Justice, haha, same old guy. Terrible. I really hope he can get his act together, I cheered when we picked him initially. Thought he was a steal in the second. Silly, silly me.

3. Desean Jackson is going to have a monster year. He ran just a gorgeous slant under the safety which Dmac hit him perfectly on, and looks to be improving his route running in general.

4. The Pats will have 2007 all over again. They will own the NFL again. God, I hate them, mostly because I want to be them. Straight Cash Randy Moss is still obscene, and apparently ageless.

5. I wonder if we're going to run some option with Vick in. Him, McCoy, and Westy in the backfield at the same time, or with DMAC back there with Westy and Vick. Oh, the possibilities. I wouldnt put it past Reid to run some crazy spread option business once in a while. I'm rambling now. Back to the game.

Hopeless Walk On

Post-Failure Thoughts

In The End...It Really Was Hopeless

Tryouts Are Over

Thank You

Last Workout Before Tryouts: Done

7 Days Left

Priceless

Less than 2 weeks to go

4 Weeks Away...Thoughts

TRYOUTS!!!

Back From Break, Random Notes

Update on Yesterday

Just tried out the ankle with cleats...

Back On The Horse Tomorrow

Hilarity

A Week "Off"

Workout Schedule

Update: Not Much Going On

Post-Super Bowl Sadness, Will I make this team?.. etc

Getting my Legs Right

New Picture, Updates Soon, I suck I know

Dress up parties...really, why?

Back in Saddle Again

Injury Update

Cell Phone Companies Have Some Freakin' Racket Going

Tendinitis...I hardly knew her

Bah Humbug

Gym Updates

Obligatory Christmas Post, Updates

Home Sweet Home

Week 15 Picks

'Tis the Finals Season...

More Shameless Self Promoting Video

NFL Picks Week 14

Video Link

Last Word(s) on the D.O. Article

Week 13 Picks

I Am Featured in Tomorrow's Daily Orange: Have They Run Out of Things to Talk About?

Why I'm Here, Why I'm Doing This

The Holiday Season's Awful Commercials

NFL Picks - Week 12

New Workout

NFL Picks - Week 11

Last Thoughts on the Philadelphia Phillies

Random Wildcat Thoughts

10 Books Everyone Should Read

NFL Picks Week 10

Busy Busy Busy

Week 9 NFL Picks

Progress Report

NFL Picks- The big winners

I DID LEGS! And, I'm a total absolute Idiot...

NFL Picks for Week 7

Doctor Visit ...Greatttt Successss

False Alarm

NFL Picks

NFL Pick Results

Relative Lack of Excitement

NFL Picks

Setback

NFL Picks- Still Pretty Good

Follow Me on ...sigh...Twitter

NFL Picks- Week 4

Workout by Day

I'm Going to Jog in 1 Week

Momentary Derailing of My Dreams, Grand Old Flag

Week 3 NFL Picks

5000 Calories per day...Weight Update

Chest / Tricep Workout 9/21/2009

Walk-On Stuff

In The Air Tonight: Greatest Song of All Time?

I'm a bad blogger; Not a bright person

Got the Job...

Good lord

Weight Update, Work Update

Back / Bicep Workout 9/15/2009

Eating Habits

Chest / Tricep Workout 9/14/2009

Penn State Beats Down Syracuse, We Don't Mind