A flower by any other name wouldn't play as well

I haven’t posted any random thoughts recently, so here’s some of the stuff that’s been bouncing around my brain, followed by Week 9 NFL picks.

-Did I nail that World Series pick or what? Look at my arguments in the October 22 post. I said the Phillies lineup was better (Tampa hit .212 with four homers and 12 RBI in the Series; Philly’s numbers were .262, nine and 23), that Cole Hamels would be untouchable (1-0, 13 innings, four runs allowed) and that having Lidge as close would be a huge edge (Seven playoff saves, zero earned runs in the WS). I even got the number of games correct. See you next February baseball.

-The Bulls opening night win was fun to watch, for a few reasons:
(Here’s Rose’s highlights from game one for those who didn’t see it))
1) It was great to finally see Derrick Rose in a game that mattered. True, he did have a turnover on the very first play of the game and he made some rookie mistakes along the way. But he did show some flashes of brilliance. His speed is un-describable (watching Luke Ridnour try to stay in front of him was like having Refrigerator Perry take down Barry Sanders in the open field) and his defense is surprisingly good for a 20-year old.
2) Tyrus Thomas made the biggest improvement over the summer, at least from what I saw on Tuesday. His offensive game has expanded, he still can block shots (his timing for that still hasn’t improved, as he had two goal tending calls against him) and his ally-oop with Rose was the play of the game. An improved Thomas gives the roster a whole new look, because he can be a versatile player both on offense and D.
3) It was fun seeing the Bucks coaching staff of Scott Skiles (who I really don’t have a problem with at all, I though he was a good leader for the Bulls who the players eventually just got tired of), Jim Boylan (the worst basketball coach not named Tim Floyd I’ve ever seen) and Kelvin Samspson (still an enemy of mine from his time at IU) on the losing end of the opener while new Bulls head coach Vinny Del Negro got the W. The Bucks are not at all a Skiles-type team, since nobody on that squad plays any lick of defense. It will be interesting to see if he can turn them around.

-Elsewhere in the NBA, I think two days into the season I’m already regretting not picking the Lakers. They are ridiculously deep and talented, and when they need to, they can always give the ball to Kobe and get out of the way. They still need to prove that they’re not the same team Boston dominated last year in the Finals, that is, a team that chokes when a good defense clamps down. Still, through 1/41 of their season, LA looks good.

-Turning to football, this weekend the Bears get another bye, which is strange, because they had last week off as well. Oh wait, never mind, that's not a bye, those are the Detroit Lions. If the Bears don't win easily, consider all playoff talk to be over.

-The biggest pigskin game's of the weekend will be played on Saturday, with two big college matchups on tap. In the Big XII, undefeated squads Texas and Texas Tech go at it, while down in the SEC, Georgia squares off with my beloved Gators in the Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. In the Lone Star battle, I like the Longhorns for two simple reasons. One, there offense is better and two, there defense is better. Expect a high-scoring affair, but I go UT 38, TTU 28. And in the neutral site game between the Gators and 'Dawgs, well, you already know who I like. But to explain myself, I think Florida has too much speed on offense for Georgia to contain, and I think that if UF forces UGA quarterback Matt Stafford to throw, they should be able to control the game. Gators 45, Georgia 31

-Finally, Happy Halloween

Week 9 picks, with my winners in bold

New York Jets at Buffalo

Detroit at Chicago

Jacksonville at Cincinnati

Baltimore at Cleveland

Green Bay at Tennessee

Tampa Bay at Kansas City

Arizona at St. Louis

Houston at Minnesota

Miami at Denver

Atlanta at Oakland

Dallas at New York Giants

Philadelphia at Seattle

New England at Indianapolis

Pittsburgh at Washington

Last week: 9-5
Season to date: 63-53