Eric Kay

With six games to go, I'm feeling pretty good about things.

Not about the Redskins, who look more and more mediocre as the weeks go on, but about my Michael Turner-L.T. wager.

Way back when in late August, or maybe it was early September, a buddy of mine from college, Esquire Toledo, and I wagered who would have the better season: LaDainian Tomlinson or his one-time handcuff, Michael Turner?

I took Turner. He took L.T.

The running back who took three of the following statistical categories would be deemed winner, and the loser would have to hand-deliver a bottle of at-least-12-year-old scotch to the victor.

1. 100-yard games
2. Rushing yards
3. Total touchdowns

I figured this was the season L.T.'s body would give out on him. I figured without his trusty fullback, Lorenzo Neal, L.T. wouldn't get those 5-to-7 yard scampers he's accustomed to. I also figured L.T. would continue his evolution into Marshall Faulk, which meant less carries and more receptions.

As for Michael Turner, I figured the Falcons didn't pay him all that money not to use and abuse him. I figured the Falcons' offensive line had the foundation to be a good running team. And I figured new coach Mike Smith would use the Jacksonville model of run, baby, run, to exhaustion in Atlanta.

Really, I figured, wouldn't it be ironic if the grasshopper bested the sensai?

Eleven weeks into the season I'm figuring to be the owner of a bottle of 12-year-old Aberlour Speyside single malt scotch whisky. Either that or a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue, but I'll leave the decision to Esquire Toledo when he brings it to our Fort Lauderdale office.

Here's the breakdown through 11 weeks:

                               100-yard games | Rushing yards | Total touchdowns
Michael Turner:         4 100-yard games | 971 yards | 9 touchdowns
LaDainian Tomlinson: 2 100-yard games | 686 yards | 6 touchdowns

Here's Turner's remaining six games:

Nov 23 Carolina 
Nov 30 @San Diego 
Dec 7 @New Orleans 
Dec 14 Tampa Bay 
Dec 21 @Minnesota 
Dec 28 St. Louis 

Here's L.T.'s remaining six games:

Nov 23 Indianapolis
Nov 30 Atlanta 
Dec 4 Oakland 
Dec 14 @Kansas City
Dec 21 @Tampa Bay
Dec 28 Denver

Turner's are tougher, with only mouth-watering contests vs. New Orleans and St. Louis, but I like a told-ya-so game vs. San Diego and Minnesota could be without its big run-stuffing Williams duo by Dec. 21.

L.T. should thrive against Indianapolis, Oakland, Kansas City and Denver.

But I have a nearly 300-yard head start and two 100-yard rushing games. Plus, the Chargers look like rhymes-with-Mitt and have devolved into a pass-first team. Throw in a loss to Indy next week coupled with a Denver win vs. Oakland and the Chargers could be playing for the draft in two weeks, thereby hampering the need to truck out L.T. week in and out.

Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good about this, but not as good as I'll feel sippin' on some scotch in six weeks. Scotch, scotch, scotch...

---

On to the best CBSSports.com blogs ... around 

At 4-6 the Chargers may miss the playoffs this season. That has Sports Girl hoping the franchise cleans house, starting with a new GM and coach.

Not only should Mark Cuban be concerned about the SEC, his Mavs are in the 20s of two NBA Power Rankings. The Eye of the HurricaneDij has Dallas at 21 and the Guaranteed To Raise Sports IQs has them at 25.

The Rockets are an enigma. Stars are struggling, but role players are keeping Houston above .500. Houston Rockets '08-'09 breaks down the week that was for Yao and friends.

With the Rotten Apple Cup set to determine the worst team in college football, The Greek Speaks highlights the duel and the other infamous eight in The Not So Top 10: Week 12.

---

Klick of the Day 

Kind of like Hitler, but cuter

If this feature were to end today, it would end with this person. When it comes to people who annoy me at the gym, there is no worse violator. It has nothing to do with their attire. It has nothing to do with how they act between sets. This is simply dealing with how they conduct themselves while in an exercise.

This is the most annoying person at the gym, in all my curmudgeonly belief.

FormusBetterusThanMine is this week's People at the Gym who Drive Eric Nuts.

This is the person who's doing the same sort of circuit/routine you're working on, but he's doing it better. You're doing deadlifts? He's doing single-leg deadlifts with the grace of Jackie O meets James Bond.

You're doing flies to press. He's doing flies to press, with a little extra twist at the top.

You're working crunches, he's doing bicycles and touching his elbow to his opposite knee every time.

You're running on the treadmill. He's running on the treadmill, but not sweating.

When you boil it down, this person is simply, well, better at working out than I am.

And that's annoying. Really annoying.

Nobody likes to see their better. Nobody.

Now, you may be thinking, "Eric, this isn't a bad situation. Heck, you can probably pick up a thing or two from observing him."

True. That's one way to look at this situation. But I don't see things that way. I see this as a blatant slap in the face from the gym gods.

This is them saying, "Eric, you think you're hot (rhymes with first name of former Massachusetts governor turned one-time presidential hopeful) with your gym goings don't you? Well, look at what I just dropped into your gym? Somebody who lifts more, does it smoother and looks better doing it. Moo-ha-ha-ha-ha."

Let's break it down:

His habitat is ... within a 5-foot radius of you, doing similar exercises.

You may notice him ... doing similar exercises better.

What drives him nuts ... who knows?!

See, the thing about FormusBetterusThanMine is, most of us at the gym are in fact there to self improve. So seeing somebody self improve more efficiently, or stronger, or in any sort of way is a big blow. It's saying, "you here to get better, but the truth is you're not getting the best type of better." And nobody wants to be a second-rate better-getter.

Who drives you nuts at the gym (Maybe it's me, the person observing everybody else at the gym?!)? Next week we'll have another PAGDEN.

---

On to the best CBSSports.com blogs ... around 

Sign Jeremy Affeldt, bring back Jim Edmonds and make a serious run at Jake Peavy. Just few of things Goodfella's blog would do if the blogger was GM of the Cubbies.

"It goes to show that everyone, from time to time, is capable of dismissing a player for the future by how they judge him in the present" -- The Blue Streak on Eli Manning.

What do South Carolina, Colorado, Washington, Houston and California all have in common? They're all pulling upsets this weekend, Thoughts of the Spectator: says.

The Red Sox can't go into another year with Mike Timlin, which is why Outfield Assist is making the pitch: Boston needs bullpen help, and maybe Joe Beimel is the answer.

---

Klick of the Day

 The dangers of judging a chili contest

There's talk about how the Giants are the best team in the NFC.

There's talk about how the Giants are the best team in football.

Both maybe true. But the one thing that is fo-sho, is that the Giants are the best team when it comes to leaping over defenders.

(Eric, I didn't realize that was an accomplishment worthy of praise?)

It sure is. Particularly when two of the biggest offensive skill players for the Giants are doing it.

Kevin Boss, he of 253 pounds, caught a pass in the second half from Eli Manning turned with the ball and saw 206-pound Quintin Mikell.

This is an opportunity 999 out of 1,000 tight ends would use to crush a man 50 pounds lighter. Just ask former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey what he would do.

But no, Boss turned with the ball and hurdled the tackle-attempting, six-year, former Boise State product. And he did it cleanly. Mikell's helmet didn't appear to graze any part of Boss's legs or groin, meaning Boss elevated upwards of 4-to-5 feet off the ground.

Impressive.

But then I come to work, pop open the Giants-Eagles recap and the lead photo is of Brandon Jacobs jumping over another Eagles defensive back, all 5-10, 185 pounds of Asante Samuel. How I missed this during the game, I don’t know, but Brandon Jacobs weighs 79 pounds more than Samuel and is 6 inches taller. Again, primo opportunity to knock the snot out of an Eagles defensive back.

But no. The Giants, a team that's mastered the mechanics of run blocking and pass rushing, is now devoting energy to tackling the laws of physics. That’s the sign of a championship contender, my friends.

(Enter "leapfrogging over competition" line in t-minus 5, 4, 3...)

While the Giants leapfrog the competition figuratively and now, literally, it's important to note that the leapfrog isn't a precursor to any sort of success.

(When was that correlation EVER made?!)

Just ask how Knowshon Moreno how his Bulldogs fared after his famous Chippewa Churdle.

---

On to the best CBSSports.com blogs ... around 

College Football Today is a Ball State fan. Being from the MAC I empathize with his self doubt about the Cardinals and tough-love approach.

The Colts marched into Heinz Field and stunned the Steelers. In Love with the Game, Mom's View (who I owe my wonderful avatar to) says it was the Indy defense that made the difference...

...And that difference may mean the end of any AFC North title hopes for the Steelers, From the Eyes of Jelly Donut reports.

The great state of Washington features the top two schools in The Greek Speaks Not So Top 10. Also making an appearance this week: the now non-bowl-eligible Vols.

---

Klick fo the Day 

Fun with censorship and Sesame Street

It's almost heretical to bring this up in this forum, but everybody has a breaking point. Mine usually comes in mid-June when I see hockey playoff highlights. Then I look out a window and see sunshine. Then I look down and notice I'm wearing shorts.

(Eric you live in Florida, you're always wearing shorts)

True, but I didn't always live in Florida. I used to live in normal places -- places with seasons. Places like Maryland and Ohio. And when I debate with myself, "Eric, should you go outside and enjoy a nice early summer night or stay inside and watch people push around a puck on ice," I always fall victim to the former. Who doesn't? Who spends their summer nights watching hockey?

(Eric, get to the point!)

OK, so after a one-week hiatus the Weekend Debate is back. The question, as posed by one of our curmudgeonly senior editors (who I may add was extra salty this week thanks to that funny thing called an "election") is: Which sport season just goes way too long?

My vote is for hockey, but it's only because I have to pick one. I earnestly believe all sports go too long. Meaningful NFL games shouldn't be played in February. Baseball playoff games shouldn't be played in November (or March). NBA games shouldn't be played in the summer. College football games shouldn't be played in August (or mid-January); do the PGA Tour and NASCAR even have offseasons?

Every league is on a mission to stay relevant 24/7, 365 days a year and that, in my humble opinion, leads to a diluted product. But I leave the debate up for grabs. Is it even possible for a season to be too long? Aren’t more sports always better? Most importantly, which sport, is simply just too darn long?

---

On to the best CBSSports.com blogs ... around

 

Brandon Roy's game-winning three-pointer has the NBA world chirping about the Blazers, but it wasn't enough to overcome the team's glaring need for a true point guard, says The Sports World According to Me.

The Sixers are 2-4, which isn't the start many Philly faithful had after the signing of Elton Brand. Philadelphia Sports breaks down the problem -- ball movement.

After a tough loss to the Bucks the other night, the Wizards are sitting ugly at 0-3. The Truth is bout to be told looks at the good (not much), the bad (some) and the very ugly (lots) of Eddie Jordan's squad.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a sluggish start. Random Thoughts of a Mouse knows what the team has to do to fix it: win the games LeBron and Co should.

---

Klick of the Day

 

BurgerFail

Not to get all demanding on the community (we do ask a lot, but it's only because you're awesome), but here's the pitch (as stolen from Shuless Joe) --

Love warming up to the Hot Stove this time of year? If so, we're looking for you to have a little fun role playing in a new feature we're calling GM for a Day.

With dozens of big-name players and hundreds of others on the move this offseason, tell us how you would fix your favorite team and where players should land.

Like the thought of Jake Peavy in pinstripes? Tell us how the deal with play out. Just like a Scott Boras negotiation, there's nothing out of bounds here. Think the Dodgers can get Manny, CC and still bring back Derek Lowe, tell us how it unfolds.

What to do: Title your blog entry GM for a Day and just start writing. We'll be scanning the blog boards for the best Hot Stove fare and promoting it throughout the site.

Keep in mind, at the start of '09 we'll be going around asking some of our community's best baseball minds to be beat bloggers next season, so this is a good head start for that.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, throw your hat in the ring on this thread, and post a couple good blog entries about anything relating to the Hot Stove. Just title your blog GM for a Day.

Thanks for your time, and now back to my regularly scheduled blogging.

In last week's episode of People Who Drive Eric Nuts at the Gym, we (who is this we? This isn't written by a group of people, you moron!) looked at  WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets.

This week's entry has little to do with extended narcissistic breaks between deadlifts or a complete lack of form during group workouts like NoFormusFemalus. Rather, this is strictly a fashion issue. So if we may go Bravo on you for 250 or so words, this week's PAGDEN is FutureMan.

Who is FutureMan? He's the gentleman sporting the latest and greatest in gym attire, and looking oddly futuristic in doing so. This usually involves being covered head to toe in some sort of Under Armour-Nike Dry-Nike Shox-iPod Touch w/sweatproof cover and pedometer mishmash. This individual, inspired by his attire, can be typically seen working on machines lifting light amounts of weight and causing blindness to people who stare too long at the sheen radiating from his body.

But let's break it all down:

His habitat is ... around light weights, usually machines. Checking out the merch for sale at the gym. Sometimes spotted on elliptical machine.

You may notice him ... wearing bright colors, because you can't see any flesh on this breed of human, in skin tight, synthetic clothing.

What drives him nuts ... noticing another FutureMan gym patron with more futuristic attire on.

The deal with FutureMan is that he believes the clothes make the workout man. But there is good to FutureMan. Because sweat simply beads off the man and doesn't collect on his synthetic skin, there's rarely a residue left by him on machines.

Who drives you nuts at the gym (Maybe it's me, the person watching everybody else at the gym!)? Next week we'll have another PAGDEN.

---

On to the best CBSSports.com blogs ... around

The Greek Speaks presents The Best Damn Poll In The Land's Top 25 for week 10. As usual, it's better than anything spat out by a computer.

Random Thoughts about Stuff has some pretty wild thoughts about what the Dodgers should do this offseason, including acquiring Jake Peavy and sending Andruw Jones back where he came from.

It's been nearly two days since the Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups blockbuster wend down. Thoughts of Basketball weighs in, with plenty of criticism for all parties.

Lastly, if you like Minnesota sports, check in on Minnesota Homer, who breaks down all the teams in the Great Lake State.

---

Klick of the Day 

Making the most of having one line on The Sopranos (NSFW: language)

Know thee name: Rock Cartwright.

(Did he have a TV show in the early '90s, Eric?)

No that, was Charles S. Dutton, and the show was called Roc.

Rock Cartwright is the 5-foot nothing, 200-pound nothing from nothing-football-school Kansas State.

(So, uh, what the hell are you talking about, Eric?)

If there's one thing the Steelers have done well this season it's stop the north-south runner.

Clinton Portis, nation's capital man of mystery, averages 5 yards per carry not by running east-west.

Ask Fred Taylor, Jamal Lewis, Brandon Jacobs, Willis McGahee or Cedric Benson, all north-south runners how it is running into Casey Hampton (when applicable) and those linebackers.

That's where backup running back and special teams ace Rock Cartwright comes into the fold.

(Lest we forget Shaun Alexander, he of former MVP fame, Eric?)

Only if we're lucky.

While I don't expect Cartwright to get many, (please don't be an "if any" situation, I can't afford to look dumb again!), I do expect him to be a factor in the passing game. Because that's where the Steelers are vulnerable. Remember offensive lineman-turned-running back Le'Ron McClain catching those screens for 32 yards? Remember Correll Buckhalter catching six balls for 44 yards and a touchdown? Remember Maurice Jones-Drew hauling in six balls? Remember Derrick Ward hauling in five catches for 43 yards? Maybe you don't. But the only thing that's important to note is that in two of those four games the opponent won and in the other two it went down to the wire.

And now, if we may make a loose and non-scientific-based correlation -- success will be dependent on Jason Campbell unloading the ball quickly, and often times to a running back on a flare or screen (well, that won't be quickly). That's where Rock comes into the mix (BTW, he's always Rock. Not "Cartwright," "Rock Cartwright" or "Mr. Cartwright" [that's his father, so he says!]).

He's in on third downs, typically, but I'd expect to see him pop up on a second and long here and there. He's got soft hands and loves the YAC. Plus, he has a little bit of Hines Ward-ian junkyard dog in him.

Now, I say Rock is the key with the full understanding that Rock may not even record a meaningful offensive stat this game. If that's the case, it's likely because Chris Cooley also serves this role, just not out of the backfield. But whoever the player is, the Redskins will need to get the ball out of Campbell's hands quickly in order to succeed and ensure John McCain takes control of the White House.

---

On to the best blogs ... around

The Bengals are finally off the schnide, which makes Who-Dey United a happy blogger. I'm still amazed at the legs of Ryan Vick-patrick. He's averaging 7.2 yards per rush.

After another miserable Chiefs loss, and on the heels of a City of Brotherly Love victory parade Da Dude's Daily Diamond Dialogue examinesjust how bad residents of Kansas City have it.

Who is Derek Stanley? A UW-Whitewater, alum, obviously. But he's also the lone bright spot for St. Louis in Showtime's Week 9 Rams Report.

Just three or so months ago publication after publication projected the Falcons as 1-to-4 win team (ours included). Halfway through the season the Falcons have five wins. Eat that, media, says view from The Branch...

---

Klick of the Day 

The best part about a Texas Tech touchdown

 

This person is usually spotted at the free weights section of your local gym. I notice him while I'm doing squats. Maybe you notice him during bench. It's usually during an intense, large muscle mass-building exercise.

This week's People at the Gym Who Drive Eric Nuts (PAGDEN) is WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets

This individual is defined by his pacing back and forth in between low-rep sets of heavy weight. The exercise is usually something that involves the legs, but WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets can be seen at benchpresses or the cable crossover stations at your gym.

The reason for their seemingly endless pacing is undetermined. The physiological benefit is the pacing allows for the taxed muscles to relax before another monstrous set. But most advise 30 seconds to a minute or two. WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets has been known to spend anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes in between sets.

Other theories exist, notably the one that pegs WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets as using the opportunity to "power up" by looking at himself repeatedly in the mirror.

Co-habituating with WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets requires discipline. While you're pacing yourself during and between sets of what can amount to heavy weights, it's important not to catch WEBS in the corner of your eye for his constant gazes at the mirror may throw you off.

Let's break it all down:

Habitat: Squat cages, bench presses, leg presses, deadlift zones
You may notice him ... walking back and forth, typically where mirrors exist, wearing gloves, and other gym accessories.
What drives him nuts ... is blocking his reflection in a mirror.

The deal with WalkisEndlesslyusBetweenusSets is that he's all about bulk, and the good that comes from low-rep, high-weight sets. He also enjoys marinating in his accomplishments. It's in this marinating process where you need to be careful with wandering eyes. As you go about your business try to stay focused on the task at hand lest you be distracted by the man and his mirror.

Who drives you nuts at the gym (Maybe it's me, the person watching everybody else at the gym!)? Next week we'll have another PAGDEN.

---

On to the best CBSSports.com blogs ... around 

Season after season of mediocrity (at best) has Obama for coach of the Saints!, calling for, well Obama as coach of the New Orleans Saints.

Frank Gore gets an A+ and from there it sort of goes down hill ... quickly. Abaddon's Blog plays professor pigskin to the Niners' first half of the season.

Tommy's Take is the MLB commissioner and offers up a new world order for baseball. However, the blogger is taking suggestions regarding what to do with Tim McCarver.

In Love with the Game, Mom's View looks at the Burning Questions Going into Monday's REDSKINS-Steelers game. And to answer her Hogettes question, I would like to take you back to my senior year of high school. We were at Williamsburg, VA., for a class trip. We were in a courthouse hearing about the gentleman lawyers back in the day and the subject turned to their attire, notably the stockings they would wear. So the lady giving the lecture askedmy class, "does anybody think they have calf muscles that would stand up to somebody's in the 18th century?"

Perplexed looks began followed by awkward silence. Then I stood up, to many's surprise. I said, "I do!" And I showed my classmates and the tour guide my calves, and there was much laughter (or as I like to think of it, rejoicing). Why I say this is, I went on to be donned "Best Legs" in our senior yearbook superlatives and ever since, have had the nickname "Legs." You bringeth up, you asketh for it.

---

Klick of the Day

Joe Six Pack takes on Joe The Plumber