Hello Bengals Nation! It's an exciting time, as the fortunes seem to be shining brightly on the franchise. Out went the old, with high expectations and seemingly endless disappointment, and in came the new. Things couldn't have worked out better as the Bengals and the Panthers will each stake claims to getting the best QB in the 2011 draft for some time. However, barring disater, the Bengals always win since the price they paid was discounted to the point that they were able to get someone who will stake a claim as one of the best receivers in the NFL for years to come as well. Just remember, this is a time of promise and opportunity, the rebirth of the franchise. When you're in the midst of spring, enjoy it for what it is. Don't focus too much on summer, it will be here soon enough.

Anyway, I considered putting up several mock draft and off season plans in an attempt to solve all of the Bengals problems should anyone be listening, but that's been done by over 50% of the site anyway, so I figured I would go at it with a different approach. I thought a series examining each perceived major hole in the Bengals roster (guard, saftey, corner, running back and #2 receiver), and alternatives for filling them. I thought the guard situation was a good place to start as there are a wide array of opinions out there on this. Hopefully we can generate some quality discussion around this and glean some insight as to what would be the best way to move forward. Of course no one that matters will listen, but it seems like a much more productive way to spend some of these seemingly countless hours until the real fun begins in March (free agency) and April (the draft). So let's look at the guard position as it pertains to the Bengals roster:

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I know, like we need any more proof.  Let's face it, both sides are earning ridiculous sums of money that come directly or indirectly out of the fans pockets. It's almost astounding that they are basically fighting over it right in front of our faces while turning every once in a while and flashing a fake smile to say "Oh, but we DO care about you". But that's what they are doing. And I've read and posted my fair share about the lock-out and the crap that both sides have pulled, so I know this is nothing new. But what happened today with the Players not voting and the comment made that the 21st wasn't a solid date for them was just a slap in the face. Of course the fans felt it, but what's new about that? I mean we've been dragged through the mud as far as they could take us, what's one more day or so? But the people that I am talking about with the baby powder fresh on their faces are the 7 men being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

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I just read an article on the NFL home page and I'm fucking pissed. I'm so tired of hearing about how far apart the sides are on this and that, but for the love of Jebus I feel like neither side gives a flying crap about the fans and the game as long as their pockets are lined to the max. The quotes that have really fired me up below:

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Some of you may know that I'm a Blazers fan having lived in Portland for a few years and am going to go to grad school there come August, eventually making it my home. But I grew up in Philly, and with the news of the team possibly being sold, it prompted me to come over and see how things are around these parts. Turns out you all seem to be completely wrapped up in getting rid of Andre Igoudala, but at the same time no one likes the options that are out there. As an outsider, here's my take on your situation:

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I love reading mock drafts, but really I only like it to get a valuation of the players. I can't watch college ball easily, and don't study film. I read enough to get an idea of where picks land, but rarely are trades made on mock drafts.  When it comes to the real thing though, trades are made all the time. Like nearly every pick. I'll try and do my best to try and match team need with value, and make sensible picks. The Raiders don't have a first round pick this year, so if ever there's a time to try and use logic to predict what will happen, this year would likely be the one. Of course the whole draft stands on shaky ground due to some of the high profile positions having very unproven commodities (QB, OT). I did use this handy trade value chart when making trades.

After trying to give my best shot, I realize why mocks don't simulate trades. It is tough to keep track of, and people can get jumpy when they think thier prosect is in danger, which is an ugency that I just don't have and requires a lot of extra work that would be difficult to really do correctly. I guess that's why there are simply way more trades in the actual draft than any mocker can reasonably predict. I just don't have the urgency of the stake of a several hundred million dollar franchise on my shoulders when it comes to this either. But I tried...

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 So this game is dragging on for much longer than I thought it would. It started off so quickly, but I guess when it comes down to a bunch of teams you don't care about then there's no point in playing. So I'm changing it up again to keep it fresh and hopefully keep people playing. So from now on everyone has 4 points and you There is no cap on how many shots you can gain. That's right EA, your wish has come true. Of course you can use the points to "Heal" a certain team (that they like) and they will be given a point, or "Kill" a team, and a point will be taken away. You can perform three actions every 24 hrs(now until midnight everyone has a free shot though), but only one of those actions can be a "heal". Once a team is eliminated, obviously you can't vote for them anymore.

For example:

New York Giants: 8 points

St. Louis Rams: 14 points

Udalango: Save St. Louis and Double Kill New york

New York Giants: 6 points

St. Louis Rams: 15 points 

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This was adapted from SBNation's Music City Miracles, the Titans blog, by natidawg. Credit should be given to him.

This is kind of the evolved game since everyone who is still playing regularly has reached the 3 shot plateau. So from now on everyone has 3 points and you can gain a 4th. Of course you can use the points to "Heal" a certain team (that they like) and they will be given a point, or "Kill" a team, and a point will be taken away. You can perform three actions every 24 hrs, but only one of those actions can be a "heal". Once a team is eliminated, obviously you can't vote for them anymore.

For example:

New York Giants: 8 points

St. Louis Rams: 14 points

Udalango: Save St. Louis and Double Kill New york

New York Giants: 6 points

St. Louis Rams: 15 points

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This was adapted from SBNation's Music City Miracles, the Titans blog, by natidawg. Credit should be given to him.

Basically, each NFL team will be given a certain number of points. Each poster can choose to "Heal" a certain team (that they like) and they will be given a point, or "Kill" a team, and a point will be taken away. You can perform two actions every 24 hrs. You can even "Double Kill" a team if you really, really don't like them for your daily two actions or "Double Heal" a team if you really, really love them (edit below). Once a team is eliminated, obviously you can't vote for them anymore.

For example:

New York Giants: 8 points

St. Louis Rams: 14 points

Udalango: Save St. Louis and Kill New york

New York Giants: 7 points

St. Louis Rams: 15 points

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I have been following the CBA pretty near to obsessive status for a while now, and I just wanted to highlight what seems to be happening what what I am extrapolationg from all of this. I don't really care who's fault all of this is, though it amazes me that both sides are so stuck on thier high horses when they both have such glaring weaknesses in thier stances. That said, this will be a pretty anti owners piece, but simply due to the fact that they have had the biggest shifts in thier position through the course of this process, and through the process they have revealed some pretty shady tactics. But, let's get into breaking down the whole thing.

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So this season I had 6 season tickets on my account. One person bought the entire pair of season tickets straight through me, and another pair of season tickets was divied up pretty well between a number of people, but 2 of the participants took a good chunk of those. This year, all of those people decided for one reason or another that thier priorites had changed. I was considering dropping the seats, and I called my rep to do so. She reminded me that I am getting a solid discount this year, and should I drop the tickets straight up then I would give up that savings. Then, if I added more seats on at a later date I would not be entitled to my seniority even though I am keeping one pair that I split with someone else. Honestly the discount in itself isn't worth it, and even having a fragmented set of season tickets that I had to get rid of on an individual game basis was a lot of work for not much reward. But here I am, offering up my seniority to do the same thing again. Even while I'm writing this I feel as though I am convincing myself that maybe I shouldn't. But in order to keep my options open, I progress...

Basically, if you want Blazers tickets there are a few things I can offer that would be advantageous over buying them right from the Blazers. I have good priority in terms of the select a seat event, so you would be getting a much better choice of seats. I would be willing to split the season with you if you wanted upper levels in some nice purples, reds or tans or possibly even oranges (Seating chart here). I do have a pair in 334 row A that I could work something out if you wanted around 1/3rd of the games. As for picking up your own, you could have your choice of either 2, 3 or 4 as I am contemplaing returning up to a total of 4 tickets to the Blazers. I would give you a good dicount over regular season ticket prices, which we would work out the details about that later. I would also add you as a share partner to my account, so your own seniority would kick in from the day we turned in the paperwork. That's some insurance should we ever part ways and you still want your own tickets, you would at least have something to get started with. I've never given someone the boot that I was splitting tickets with and it's always been a win-win relationship, so it's probably a mute point unless you were intent on getting your own tickets at some point. I've had a lot of experience splitting tickets and am very flexible in many regards. That being said, it's much easier to deal with someone fairly sane somewhat intelligent, which is why I posted this here and not Craigslist or O-live.

As I said, I'm still trying to decide if keeping these is a good idea, but a little push could help get me off the fence. If you would prefer to contact me directly, my email is einman_77@hotmail.com.

I read in the comments of the "Carson Palmer selling his house" post that some of you would like to start a petition to save next season. Actually, one has already been started. I don't know how much it will affect either side, but this is it. I got blasted on the Eagles site for posting this (despite my skepticism), but it's better than doing nothing so I'm not sure why the outrage. I do think that the Sports fans coalition (the group sponsoring the petition) is doing something good in trying to unify the fans and give them a voice. They are generally very anti-owners though. Honestly I am more leaning that way, but I feel that both sides have lost all perspective. Anyway, go ahead and sign it if you want, tell your friends, whatever. It's something to do other than just watch this circus unfold and pull your hair out.

Here's the link again, in case you missed it the first time.

I'm a reader over at the Eagles site, Bleeding Green Nation, and rencently someone posted a list of available FA corners and thier rankings. Nnadmi was obviously the highest, but #2  in this guy's mind was a bit of a surprise. It was none other than your Richard Marshall. I honestly have never heard of him before, but I haven't really been paying attention to the Panthers of late. Anyway, the author goes on to say that he is one of the up and coming top 5 corners in the league, and gave him a better rating than Grimes, Cromartie and Bailey as a good signing (obviously future considerations are more important than past).  Here is the link to the story. So what do you guys think of Richy Marsh? Comments are more appreciated than votes, but both are welcome. Thanks.

Mostly due to the lock-out and some of the crap that owners pull, I have been following this site that calls themselves the Sports Fans Coalition. They just launched a petition to save next season, which basically demands that both side agree to play the season. Honestly, I'm kind of skeptical about the power that that this type of thing has. I also have heard some questionable funding about the "coalition" but I can understand that they are starting up and need to establish themselves before they can truely be an independent non-profit. Honestly, I don't care too much about their funding if they can actually help to save next season. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about football, and to have it taken away would be beyond disappointing.

One thing I do know is that these type of disputes are getting out of hand. We sit here and watch these guys try and pile more and more money onto these contracts that most people would probably kill to have in terms of the players. The flip side is watching these owners and sipher more and more money in increasingly jaw dropping fashion from fans and the general public. The bottom line is everyone knows that they are both getting all of thier money because ot the fans, but we don't have a voice. So far, Sports Fans Coalition is the only venture that I have seen that is actually trying to organize fans in this fashion, so I thought I would post this and see what others have to say. I definitely would like to be part of something that aspires to fans actually having some say in these matters, as right now I just sit frustrated and dumbfounded about these kinds of situations. It really hit me a few years ago when hockey was locked out, and now football, the king of American sports (and by virue, king of all sports all over the world ever), is headed the same way. Anyway, opinions about this or ideas about other organizations would be helpful.

Also, if anyone is interested, this is probably the most comprehensive article I have read about the situation.

So I turned on ESPN last night to get more coverage about how Brett Favre ISN'T starting a game (did you know that he started 297 straight games? Isn't that awesome?) and the coverage kept getting interrupted by a football game. I came here to find out what you guys were saying, and while you were indulging in all of the Brett Favre banter (like someone WOULDN'T be intersted!), you seemed to be more interested in a football game! That's bananas! I think it was the same game that was cutting in on all the Brett Favre coverage.

So, back to the point, Brett Favre started 297 games in a row. Not only is that the longest streak of all time, it makes him invincible. His coach would get fired before he sits him. The commissioner who runs the league with a iron fist apparently has no power over this streak. He was even able to rise to movie stardom in "There's something about Mary", which is obviously the greatest movie ever simply because it is starring (and rumor has it directed by as well) none other than Brett Favre, during the Greatest Streak of All Humans Ever in the History of Forever. He's just awesome. When he wasn't starting in the game last night, which by the way he did the last 297 games in a row before then, he was doing things like sitting on the bench, wearing t-shirts, sending text messages and talking to teammates who were starting. If he was one of the teammates that was starting, he would have started 298 games. Did you know that?

Hey there Jets Nation. I watched the game the other night, and couldn't help notice something that, correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't seen brought up here this week. Several times when the Jets were on the verge of field goal range, and thus too close to the end zone to punt the ball, Rex continually went for it on 4th down. It became apparent that he was scared to kick the field goal. Now there are arguments for and against changing kickers, but once the head coach loses so much faith in a kicker that going for it on 4th and 5 is seen as a better option than giving your kicker a shot, that is when it is time to let the guy go, and that was the case this week. This wasn't just a once in a while thing. This was every time they were where most teams would consider good enough yardage to have a decent percentage shot. His closest field goal was 42 yards, but Rex has no confidence in him beyond that, despite getting stopped on 4th down every time the Jets tried. He is a liability in the coach's eyes, and the fragility of the offense is even more apparent now. Most of the kickers have been scooped up, but Brown is still out there. I think the change in itself would represent the posibility of trying a kick vs the coach going for it due to a percieved lack of options.

The Jets obviously have a very good defense. That alone can win games in January. But you have to be able to put points on the board. Getting 3 points out of a drive vs letting it fizzle is going to be huge for this team, as getting 3 points against you is not the easiest task.

So what do you think?

Hey there Blazer faithful. I haven't been commenting much around these parts lately, but I still read just about everything Dave posts and try and keep up on the recommended readings and comments. So yes, I am watching you.

But today I am here with my annual problem that I am hoping you can help me out with. You see, I am a season ticket holder and I have been for a while now. However, as I am still not in the Portland region (or the America "region") I am not in a very good position to use them. So, I am offering them up again like I did last year and the year before to the Blazers faithful on this site. This will likely be my last year though as I am aiming to be back in town in either April or definitely by the summer of 2011.

Now, I have had some people who buy tickets in chunks off me every year, and they had first crack at it. Still, being that I have 2 completely different pairs of season tickets, I have far too many tickets. Obviously being out of the country, it's just difficult for everyone involved if I have to pawn these off one at a time through the course of the year. So I put what I have left up here at face value so you can get tickets to the games that you want, and it saves me and my family the stress. Plus you guys get tickets that half-season ticket holders weren't even allowed to touch even when strip clubs and reefer were the only real motivation behind the players being on the floor, not to mention saving services fees for getting not so good seats from the box office. Basically, I have a pair of Upper levels and lower levels. So here's what's left of my 118 row C stash:

A (goes with D tickets)

Denver 11/18, Utah 12/30,  Denver 2/25, Dallas 3/15, Thunder 4/1

B (goes with C tickets)

NO 11/26, NY 1/11, Houston 1/2, Chicago 2/7, Houston 3/1

C (goes with B tickets)

Golden State 12 /18 (sat),  Sac. 1/24, NO 2/16, Atlanta 2/27, Golden State 4/5

D (goes with A tickets)

Minnesota 12/17, Minnesota 1/17, Clippers 1/20, Cleveland 3/17, Washington 3/22,

So the price at the gate for these type of tickets, except with that variable pricing scheme they have going, are $75. In case you might have missed my post last year, here's how it works; I have done my best to try and divide the games up into different tiers depending on competition, date and time factors. You have to match one of the upper tier games with the corresponding lower tier and you get both games at face value. Tier A goes with tier D, B goes with C. So, for instance if you want to see the Dallas game you would have to take a Minnesota game as well (or Cleveland or Washington). If you were after say a Denver game, you would have to match that with the Sacramento game or the like.

I've also had upper level season tickets for a while. I have split the season with someone since just about the get-go, know the neighbors and I have more ties to those seats, so they are chewed up pretty good before you get a shot at them. They are section 334 front row aisle, and they are right behind the Blazers bench. They are $55 a ticket and this is what I have left:

A

Orlando 12/9, Utah 12/30, SA 3/25

B

Denver 11/18, Houston 1/2, NO 2/16, Denver 2/25

C

Suns 12/7, Golden State 12/18, Sac. 1/24, Golden State 4/5

D

Toronto 11/6, Minnesota 1/17, Cleveland 3/17

This is the Blazers 3D Seat Viewer if you want to check out the seats.

If you are looking to go to a bunch of games in future seasons, but don't like the options that that are here then let me know and I'll try and put somethign together if there is enough interest. I have pretty good priority, so I can add decent seats farily easily for future years. a few other people would have to be into it too. You could let me know at einman_77@hotmail.com or discuss in the comments seaction. I'll let anyone who emails me know if there's enough interest to move forward with something. We can work out a fair arrangement with playoffs, better choice of tickets (draft style or any other ideas you may have) and price breaks similar to what the Blazers offer if you're interested in a set. Obviously can't give such options to someone just grabbing 2 games off of me. Sorry to those of you just grabbing 2 games off of me. So back to the here and now...

As for how the transaction would take place, basically leave the games you want in the comments section. First come first serve (but you have to match it like I stated or it is an invalid pick). Also leave your email address. I would get your address, send you the tickets and then you pay. Of course I can cancel the ticket if you don't buck up. Then, if you try and use the tickets and someone else does as well, security gets involved, the cops get called and someone has problems. I actually was busy last year during playoff season this past year with moving. I sent playoff tickets last minute to someone I found on this site, on faith and through my own volition, after talking with them for some time about splitting one of my season with me. They never even tried to reimburse me for the playoff game. Obviously I'll be a little more guarded about such a thing this year, but I don't think one bad apple should stop me from offering this since that was the only problem I had in 2 years. I've also run into some really good people who I work with year after year and hopefully will get to share a beer with at some point in the not too distant future as well through this. 

Any questions or problems, just let me know. I try and be flexible, but at the same time still reasonable. I'll also do my best to update this somewhat regularly. Other than that, have at it.

In the Wake of this whole Cedric Benson episode, one thing has become readily apparant. It is the attitude of Steelers fans. Now over on BTSC they are saying how they shouldn't kick this team when it's down, how they are better than that. But then there are a bunch of them who disregard that "standard", come over here and do just that. They are absolutely classless and have the nerve to think they are above all of that, that the situation warrants it. Well, regardless of what happens with this, I think the Steelers fans will be having plenty of time to learn humility.

The Steelers have had thier fair share of problems this off season to say the least. The QB been suspended for the first quarter or more of the season, and has drawn the ire of nearly all NFL fans and likely a lot of the players too. Holmes has been shipped out. Their stars are fading all across the board. Now, starting RT Willie Colon will be down for the season. If the line becomes an albatross on an already poor offense, then there really isn't much of a foundation left. Now, normally I'm not happy about injuries no matter who they are. I feel for this guy and I wouldn't actually wish injury upon anyone. I've torn my ankle playing absketball and know how much it sucks watching games you wish you could be playing in. But when it comes to the Steelers fan base, I think they are the most arrogant group of fans on the planet. They aren't my most hated group of fans (that would be the Dallas fans who live in Philly who have never even been within 500 miles of the state of Texas. The easiest way to piss 98% of the people in Philly off is to say you're a Dallas fan, which obviously they chose to do through the course of thier life because that is the type of person they are. It's amazing how often that theory holds true and that type of attitude permates through into nearly all topics of conversation), but I don't think another organization deserves to fall and stay down for a long, long time as much as the Steelers do.

Through out the NFL, most fans will recognize that their team sucks when they do. Of course Eagles fans may be a little overreactive in that they sometimes think the team sucks before they actually do, but I've met people who are fans for nearly every team. And if things aren't right, they will tell you. There are those few exceptions with every fan base, and I don't normally fault that. Usually I just have to laugh and let it be. But the Steelers fans seem to breed this type of attitude. Being on the other side of the state, going to school litterally 10 minutes south of the Pa/WV border and 70 miles away from black and piss HQ, I've met a ton of them. And just about every single fan I've met can't admit that they suck even when they are obviously terrible. I just think that they really have to be down and out for a long period of time before they ground themselves a little bit. Then see how they like when fans come on to thier blog with every mistep and tell them how happy they are that the team keeps messing up.

I hope in the end Colon comes back as strong as ever... with a brand new team. I also hope all of these setbacks are the impetus to the wheels coming completely off the bus with that team. I hope the Bengals, Lions and of course the Eagles all win SBs before the Steelers even sniff one again. The Ravens and Bengals are building up young, talented squads (of course there is that MaLoR guy, but he seems more like an exception and the Ravens fans really don't have much negative to say on this site outside of him). And the Browns might actually be not bad in a few years. Anyway, I hold comfort in the fact that all of this could be the begining of a much needed downward spiral.

Sorry to take up space about something not Blazers related, but there seem to be a few people who know the game really well on this site and I thought I would pose a challenge. I'm in Japan, and on a basketball team. We have a tournament this month and need to learn a few basic plays that we can use as our bread and butter. First though, I feel I should give you some background. 

Now, in Japan the kids spend hours a day basically honing shooting and passing skills (ie games or lay-up/3 on 2 drills, etc.) but never try and draw up a play, and this carries over into thier adult life. In fact most of them don't know how to use a srceen, let alone set one. They don't really practice fundamentals either, as when if a shot goes up, I am surprised if someone actually tries to box me out. The nice thing is that most teams are run the same way until you get to the semi-pro teams, which if we get that far in the tournament would be an absolute win. So really, I need very basic stuff that works.

Our team has 18 people, so we are sending 2 teams to the tournament. They decided to make one "strong" team and one "fun" team and are letting people decide which team to be on. I am going on the fun team, as there are going to be less players and more time, and I am the 2nd best "center" on the team. Anyway, here's the hitch. A lot of girls are going to this team, and girls get 2x the points per bucket except foul shots, which they shot 2x the amount of. A few of them can catch and shoot, and one of them has a very solid 3 ball as well as a good drive and finish [as long as there's not a hulking (read 5'10 and over) center standing over her]. Also, there will be at least one other American who knows how to set a screen, though he would likely be a wing. It seems like the best shot is to set plays where the girls can get open and drain money balls and hopefully play solid enough defense to at least hold the lead. I'm not being sexist there, these are Japanese girls that maybe weigh 100 lbs. soaking wet. I am thinking of implimenting a (very) basic motion offense and going with a 2-3 or even 3-2 zone, but I've never really coached before and these are just some thoughts off the top of my head. Any offensive or defensive knowledge you could drop would be helpful.

Hello all. I'll start off by saying I'm a Flyers fan. I know I'm in enemy territory here, but I think this is the best place to get the help I need. I know you guys don't like us very much, but I know you hate the other guys quite a bit more, so hopefully I can gain your begrudging acceptance for a minute. Anyway, the reason I think you may be able to help is because your city lives and breaths Hockey as well as fosters quite an international community. I am now living in Japan, and can't really watch any of the games. Between the rare broadcasts in country and following game threads and write-ups and a few other ways, I have been able to keep up with the Flyers. Now though, being as far as they are, I want to watch every single game. And I can't. All through the Playoffs this has been a burden, and the first 2 series I would have loved to have seen (as an understatement). I searched for over 5 hours for anything to see game 7. I was determined, but came up empty handed. Dissapointment doesn't come close to how I felt. I absolutely can't miss watching any more games. I would pay $, but NHL.com doesn't offer the service in the off season due to every game being televised nationally, as in both America and Canade have the national broadcasts(which doesn't help me being in Japan). I have only found one site that I can even get the game after the fact, but I don't have an existing membership and can't get in. I just want to watch the games and I'm just running into one dead end after another. If there is any way that you know of that I can get to watch games after the fact (I am usually working during the games and the filter blocks nearly everything but SBN), I would very much appreciate that. You would instantly be my and my girlfriend's new hero (took her to Philly in March to watch the late season smackdown against the Devils, and she instantly became a fan and brought back a poster for our apartment). If you know anything that could help me out, it would be greatly appreciated. You can email me at einman_77@hotmail.com if you would prefer. Thanks for your help.

Hello Flyers fans. I'm a huge fan who had season tickets back in the Hitchcock era (greatest series ever vs. the Leafs, last ECF we went to, was there for all of it). However I am now living in Japan. Recently, between the rare broadcasts in country and following game threads and write-ups and a few other ways, I have been able to keep up with the Flyers. Now though, being as far as they are, I want to watch every single game. And I can't. All through the Playoffs has been a burden, and the first 2 series I would have loved to have seen (as an understatement). I searched for over 5 hours for anything to see game 7. I was determined, but came up empty handed. Dissapointment doesn't come close to how I felt. I absolutely can't miss watching any more games. I would pay $, but NHL.com doesn't offer the service in the off season due to every game being televised nationally (which doesn't help me being international). I have only found one site that I can even get the game after the fact, but I don't have an existing membership and can't get in. I just want to watch the games and I'm just running into one dead end after another. If there is any way that you know of that I can get to watch games after the fact (I am usually working during the games and the filter blocks nearly everything but SBN), I would very much appreciate that. You would instantly be my and my girlfriend's new hero (took her to Amrica in March to watch the late season smackdown against the Devils, and she instantly became a fan and brought back a poster for our apartment). If you know anything that could help me out, it would be greatly appreciated. You can email me at einman_77@hotmail.com if you would prefer. Thanks for your help.

You turn on the TV and there are dramas all over, from soap operas to Lost, there are always people who have gotten buried up to their necks in do-do and we can't wait to find out how they get out of it or if they sink deeper. In a sick way, I think most people want them to sink. Then you turn to ESPN and you see other flailing, miserable stars. Much more is made of Jamarcus Russell and his failings, where he ranks on all time busts, and Cushing who there is judgement laid upon without convincing evidence either way. I'm not trying to stir debate about that, just laying background. And then there are the Bengals. Carsonorbust wrote a post that highlights some of the unfair treatment that the Bengals get. But I don't think the way that the team is portrayed is an accurate perception of what is happening within this organization at all. I will use the pointless jump in the fanpost section, but you can just scroll down for further reading.

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Actually, this really isn't about a group, it's actually about one person. I've been meaning to write this before, but haven't really had much time. But after last night's performance I think it's a good time to get a snippit of trivia about Marcus Camby, or more specifically the meaning of his tattoo.

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Hey there Blazerland, It's been a while. I guess between there not being much going on in the world of basketball and the mods killing the last 2 things I put a lot of work into I guess I started to view this site as quite literally a waste of time (please don't delete this post for saying that). Anyway, I have a problem that I am hoping you can help me out with. You see, I am a season ticket holder. Have been for a while now. However, as I am still not in the Portland region (or the America "region") I am not in a very good position to use them. So, I am offering them up again like I did last year to the Blazers faithful on this site. After I put what I had up on this site at this time last year, I found someone who ended up splitting an entire season with me. Still, being that I have 2 completely different pairs of season tickets, I have far too many tickets, and obviously being out of the country puts a burden on my family if I have to sell the remaining 80 pairs on a case by case basis through the whole year. So I put them up here, save you the cost, me and my family the stress and you guys get tickets that even half-season ticket holders couldn't get thier hands on even when strip clubs and reefer were the only real motivation behind the players being on the floor. Yeah, they're good seats.

Now, all the tickets here are for face value. In case you might have missed my post last year, here's how it goes. I have done my best to try and divide the games up into different tiers depending on competition and date and time factors. You have to match one of the upper tier games with the corresponding lower tier and you get both games at face value. For instance, if you want to see the Boston game you would have to take a pre-season game as well. If you were after say a Spurs game, you would have to match that with say the Bucks game.

Now, I've had upper level season tickets for a while. I have split the season with someone since just about the get-go, know the neighbors and I have more ties to those seats, so they are chewed up pretty good before you get a shot at them. They are section 334 front row aisle, and they are right behind the Blazers bench. They are $49 a ticket and this is what I have left:

Tier A (E inverse)
Utah 1/27,  Utah 2/21

Tier B (C inverse)
OK City 4/12, Golden state 4/14
 
Tier C (B inverse)
LA Clippers 12/30, Indiana 3/03, Washington 3/19
 
Tier D (A inverse)
Milwuakee 1/13,

The lower level seats (118 row C) are $75 a piece. The ones I have left are:

Tier B

Denver 12/25, San Antonio 2/4

Tier C

Philadelphia 12/28, Utah 1/27

Tier D

Atlanta 11/03, OK City2/9, OK City 4/12,

Tier E (D inverse)

Detroit 11/18, Miami 12/1, Golden state 4/14

Tier F (C inverse)

Tier G (B inverse)

Memphis 11/27, Sacramento 12/15, Memphis 1/5

This is the Blazers 3D Seat Viewer to check out the seats.

On a side note about the lower level seats, the guy that went in on the half season on these may also be getting his own seats this next season. It's not for sure and he obviously would have first option to keep them if he doesn't get what he wants, but if you would be interested in going in on something like this you could let me know at einman_77@hotmail.com and I'll let you know what happens after he takes a look around in the open house come the end of the season. Obviously there would be benefits to going in on a half season that I can't give to someone just grabbing 2 games off of me. Anyway, back to the here and now...

As for how the transaction would take place, basically leave the games you want in the comments section. First come first serve (but you have to match it like I stated or it is an invalid pick). Also leave your email address. I would get your address, send you the tickets and then you pay. Of course I can cancel the ticket if you don't buck up by emailing them to someone else. Then, if you try and use the tickets and someone else does as well the cops get called and someone has problems. Everyone who got seats from me last season had no problems (your comments would be appreciated if you liked the games) and I don't see any reason to not offer them up again in the same fashion. I just included that bit for anyone listening to the devil whispering in their ear after reading that you won't have to pay anything until after getting the tickets.

If you want any of the bottom 2 tier games without a top tier, go ahead and take it. You can also take a lower tier than I have matched if that works better for you. I'm sure I messed up somewhere since I haven't seen more than a few games on anything other than a grainy pirated link since Garnett was on the Timberwolves. Anything else, just let me know.

**This list was updated up to Big Swoopa's comments.

Hello Bengals fans. I'm an Eagles fan, but I got into talking with one of my friends, a Seahawks fan, and he said that the Seahawks will make the biggest jump this year from last year's record. I told him I doubt it because I wasn't really impressed with their off season moves too much (although they built for the present rather than the future. I guess I was just in a disagreeable mood). He told me to name one team that will make a bigger leap. I, not being one to back down on a challenge, fired off the Bengals and a couple of others (Chiefs, and Jags specifically). We decided to place a bet for $200, and I had to pick one team. I chose the orange and black. Now I could care if you think I'm right or wrong, analysts always crack me up with thier predictions because it is the same regurgitated crap that comes out of everone else's mouth. An injury here, a surprise break-out player there and boom! Then they start talking about how this and that and logically this team is set for a great run like they knew the whole time. The offseason drives me crazy honestly. That being said, I did pick the Bengals because I think they do actually have the best shot at turning thier ship around, regardless of what division who is in. But now I have a solid reason to cheer for the Bengals this year. Anyway, I came here to do a little research and saw you guys talking about "The God of the Golden Arms". Gotta ask, is that an Ochocinco thing, or did it just pop up on here?

I've never posted here before, nor am I even a Lions fan. But I was over at the Cardinals website (not a cards fan either), and got caught up in the discussion of Warner resigning. I argued that they essentially chose Warner over Leinart, in that Leinart will be 28 years old and his contract will expire by the time Warner's does, and that if he doesn't play a down of meaningful football between now and then he could stand to lose tens of millions of dollars and a boatload of career stats. Now, it was pointed out that you guys have 2 first round picks, but the thought there is that you would be unwilling to trade your 20th overall pick for him without taking a nice pick back. I think that seems absurd. I think he's a serious upgrade to any of the QBs in the draft. You would get to choose a franchise tackle and be able to pick up a quarterback who can start from day 1 and probably continue to do so for a long time. Of course no one has seen the kid play except for 1/2 a season his second year in the league as a part time starter, and he didn't look that impressive. The coach chose the best quarterback in the league last year over him, and that looked bad on him, despite the play of Warner. So the percetion is that you wouldn't do it straight up for your #20 pick. Am I way off in responding with 'They would in a heartbeat'?

So every day I find myself wasting time NOT relevant to the Blazers. Lately I have been playing some settlers (cities and knights) online. My name is Rip City 4 real, and not so coincidentally I meet a lot of Blazers fans when they see my name. I should be studying Japanese, but that's not as fun. I just got kicked off BE at work, so I guess that's where I'll be doing my studying now. I really miss kayaking in Oregon. There are so many great places around, and so much beauty out there. I've been playing basketball a little, but I am a much better spectator. At least I'm a lot bigger than the Japanese, so I can act like Joel out there. You know, a mini Joel playing against the mini Warriors every night. So what do you do to waste time? How much time do you spend on BE? I'm not sure who spends the most time on this site, but I think a few people just sit around and wait for new posts/comments nearly all day long.

Anyway, back to my Settlers addiction, if anyone reading this knows the site I am talking about (or want to know) and wants to jump in a Blazers fans clan (they have a Raptors fans clan, we gotta be represented) let me know and I'll email you. So, who spends the most time on this site?