I have a confession to make. Before the season started, I bet on the Eagles to win the Super Bowl. I knew that it was not the smartest bet in the world. I knew T.O. was a ticking time bomb. I knew that McNabb, though he had a great 2004, was not a top echelon quarterback, in spite of his rep (he was much more of a solid performer and good leader who depended a lot on his rapidly aging legs to make up for his shortcomings in accuracy). I knew the top teams were all in the AFC. But, my reasoning was that, at the time (August), there appeared to be no one else in the NFC to challenge them. That gave them a great shot at getting to the Super Bowl again, and once there, well, anything can happen, right? They were giving 6 to 1 odds, so I went for it.
All that was one fat juicy rationalization. The fact is, I was in Vegas — the real Vegas, not the one in my head — with a group of friends, a couple of whom were there to renew their wedding vows. We had a great time; shows, clubs, food, drink, poolside cabanas — the works, but by the time we were about to leave it dawned on me that I not done one bit of gambling. Not a single hand of blackjack, never mind poker or craps. That's just wrong. It is a violation of all that is holy and righteous in this world. I felt like I had to do something. How can you spend three days on the Vegas strip and not gamble? So the night before my flight back, I dashed over to the sports book and scanned the football futures bets, and I came up with my bet on the Eagles. I suppose there is always hope, and maybe closure on the whole T.O. episode will help, but as it stands the Eagles are probably not even destined for the playoffs.
By the way, unlike many others, I have no idea whether T.O. is the malevolent, mendacious creature he is made out to be. But I do know that if a request to central casting was made for a character who needed to present a sincere public apology, but who everyone could see was really just too egotistical and manipulative to mean it, they would deliver T.O., and they might throw in Rosenhaus as "shrill, indignant lawyer-looking guy" to declare his undying support for him, just for good measure.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
great story David, really kept my interest though I have barely been following the NFL so far this year, very well written.
I could easily spend three days in Vegas without gambling, though
2 - pimpin critic
TO IS A FUCKING HIPACRITIC AND IS NOT ALL HE CRACKED UP TO BE
3 - CJ3J2005
T.O. IS A NOTHING NOBODY THE ONLY THING IS TO SAY IS HE HAS A NAME T.O. IS A FUCKING HIPACRITICTICAL AND IS NOT ALL HE CRACKED UP TO BE
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
The Eagles aren't finished -- but they were smart pick at the time.
5 - david mazzotta
Correction: In the recap I have KC +2.5 over Oakland. It should be KC +2.5 over Buffalo.
6 - RJ
RESULTS:
Kansas City +2.5 over Buffalo - Wrong
Dallas +3 over Philadelphia - Unknown...
Seattle -6.5 over St. Louis - Right
New York Giants -9.5 over Minnesota - Wrong
Green Bay +9.5 over Atlanta (shudder) - Right
So. 2-2 so far...
7 - David Mazzotta
Yikes. If you had told me that both Green Bay and Minnesota would not only beat the spread, but win outright, I would've backed away from you, very slowly.
Now my fate hangs in the balance on Monday.
8 - Bennett
Great post! Again, I learn so much.
Loved the reference to last week's comments about "Vegas in my mind", that was SO the perfect answer!
"Green Bay +9.5. (Just writing the words is making my jaw tighten enough to crack a molar or two.)"
Awesome! I picked this one wrong and gave 14 points.
Nice call.
9 - David Mazzotta
Talk about squeaking one out! I think I need a vacation. (Maybe Vegas?)
10 - Matthew T. Sussman
I always squeak out my picks, and they just lie on the floor collecting flies.