As the Winter season is welcomed in Michigan, so is the return of the HR Intern. Plenty has happened since I last touched base with all of you in October and I will touch on many of those things. For those of you loyal readers who wondered where I have been these past few months, there is a simple explanation. As I was preparing my next article, I was sent to cover the Penn State sex abuse scandal. However, in the midst of my coverage I was accused, falsely, of being somewhat involved in that by one Vince Marchese. I have had to lay low to avoid any controversy associated with this false accusation. However, now that the grand jury has begun to rule on all of the ACTUAL criminals in the case, I have been able to resurface. Please direct any/all anger you have towards my absence to Vince Marchese. However, I would like to thank E.Z. Smith and Dick Deepwood for keeping the readers entertained in my absence as well. Nice job by both of my journalistic colleagues.

That being said, let's get to what you've all been waiting for....the Downs for this article.

1st Down & 10: Let's start with the reason for my lengthy absence, the Penn State sex abuse case. It is amazing how something like this could go down but it also shows you just how long it can take for something like this to come to light. The events occurred in 2002 but we are just hearing about it almost 10 years later, of course you can understand that is likely how long it takes the abused child to actually say something about the crimes committed against them. I have no different insight to give you that hasn't been given by every analyst on ESPN, CNN and other news correspondents, however, as a huge fan of college sports I hate to see any proud program fall into infamy so quickly. I would have loved to see JoePa go out on his own terms but that was not allowed to happen. I am not condoning any actions taken, or not taken, by the outlawed Penn State coach but it's just sad to see such a successful career be doomed to the fate that is now doomed to. I spoke to NFLWPT President Andrew Kurpis right around the time of the JoePa firing. He said, and I completely agree, that it was like watching your Grandpa get fired. You felt that bad at the time and, to be honest, my heart still aches now knowing that he is going through chemo for lung cancer. Having his job was likely one of the things that was keeping him alive and going strong...now what will happen without that? Only time will tell.

Pass deep to Calvin Johnson...incomplete.

2nd Down & 10: Speaking of firings, there have been several NFL head coaches that have lost their job since my last article. Jack Del Rio lost his job in Jacksonville after a 69-73 regular season record (1-2 in playoffs). I have always been a fan of Jack Del Rio but regardless, that team had potential but with the unexpected exit of David Garrard, they were left with Blaine Gabbert. Jack had to know his time was limited after that. Tony Sparano in Miami left with a 29-32 regular season record (0-1 in playoffs). The Miami organization gave him a 2 year extension in January of this season and they started off terrible but put together a handful of wins in a row until finally losing one, after which Sparano was fired. I was shocked by the timing and wondered if he wouldn't get until the end of the season to see if he would right the ship. His team had been bitten by the injury bug also. Also fired was Todd Haley in Kansas City (19-26 regular season, 0-1 playoffs) after a blow out loss to the Jets. The Chiefs finished 10-6 last season and are 5-8 so far this year. This is not the end of the world but given what Todd has gone through with losing Matt Cassel, Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles for the year with injuries, I think he has done a decent enough job. Of the three who have been let go this season, thus far, I feel Haley is the least justified.

Hand off to Kevin Smith for a 6 yard gain.

3rd Down & 4: Since all of these coaches are AFC coaches, it is time for my AFC predictions for the 2011-12 season! Just like I did for the NFC a few months back (pretty accurate to this point also, I may add), let's see what the AFC has in store for us the rest of the year:

AFC East
New England Patriots (10-3) - They win this division because, let's face it, no real threat exists this season.
NY Jets (8-5) - This is a disgusting 8-5 record. They have looked just God awful at times and in the competitive AFC, no playoffs for the J-E-T-S team with this kind of record.
Buffalo Bills (5-8) - This team had some potential but Fitzpatrick regressed during the season instead of progressing.
Miami Dolphins (4-9) - As I mentioned, Sparano is gone and so are any chances for the Dolphins season, they may win one more.

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (10-3) - I'm not sold on the offense but the defense has looked impressive, as always. They steal this division.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) - Big Ben is now limping around and that hurts if he can't start. Pitt stays close and gets Wild Card #1.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) - Impressive season for Andy Dalton thus far in his rookie year. Too bad they don't play in NFC.
Cleveland Browns (4-9) - Yuck. Will Cleveland ever get to relevance?

AFC South
Houston Texans (10-3) - Clinched the division already, so this one is easy, however they won't go far with Yates in the postseason.
Tennessee Titans (7-6) - Matt Hasselbeck has impressed me at times but this team is very up and down. Chris Johnson's season has been nowhere near what he needed to be impactful. However, I think they steal Wild Card #2.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) - Better luck next year Blaine Gabbert. I'll be interested to see who new coach is after Del Rio's exit.
Indianapolis Colts (0-13) - My friend Brandon Larzelere has died a litte inside every week since this season began. Come back Peyton!!! PLEASE!

AFC West
Denver Broncos (8-5) - Tim Tebow...yes, we've all heard it. Eventually this train will derail because once you hit the playoffs, you can't win scoring 10-13 points. They will win this division.
Oakland Raiders (7-6) - As much hype as has come for this season, Oakland needs to take Hue Jackson into the next NFL Draft as their coach and regroup. It's been a difficult year with the loss of Al Davis but in this offseason, learn to STOP getting penalties.
San Diego Chargers (6-7) - Goodbye, and good riddance, to Norv Turner. If only Phillip Rivers could follow.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-8) - Better luck next year, a year that will be much better if you get Brian Billick.

Quick slant to Nate Burleson caught for a first down...flag on the play...pass interference on the offense...accepted by the defense.

3rd Down & 14: I have spoken about this topic in a previous article but I noticed it's presence again at the latest Lions game against the Vikings that I was covering last week. In the third quarter, usually, Ford Field does a "Hometown Heroes" segment where they honor someone from Michigan who has just returned from overseas, serving this great country. Everyone in the stands (for the most part) rises to their feet when this person is introduced and cheers/claps for at least two minutes while Kid Rock's "Born Free" blasts the speakers. I always happen to take a glance at the players on the field and sidelines to see if they stop what they are doing to honor these brave men and women. I caught a few Vikings clapping and some Lions but it was a small number in comparison to the number of players on the field. I'm sorry but you overpaid assholes can't take a few minutes to turn and acknowledge these military veterans??? Fuck you. You should be shaking their hands because these people keeping you safe from terrorism are also the people who allow this country to be free and for you all to get paid inordinate amounts of money for playing a sport. Take a few minutes of your precious time to pay tribute or else I'm going to continue to call you a prick.

Stafford throws over the middle to Titus Young for a 10 yard gain.

4th Down & 4: Switching gears to college football for a few, I wanted to touch base about the fact that college football season has begun officially today!! I know that some of you reading this article are members of the CFWPT so you likely are already aware of this fact but for those of you who are not aware, this is one of the greatest times of the year. College bowl season, beginning with the New Mexico Bowl and ending with the BCS National Championship game provides football almost every day of the week until after the New Years holiday. Even if you don't follow college football, I encourage you to enjoy Bowl season. Some of the matchups that come from these bowls are sure to be instant classics (watch Stanford vs. Oklahoma State on January 2nd and see what I mean). If you are interested in joining the CFWPT, please reach out to Andrew Kurpis or Brandon Larzelere. The league recently gained two new members for the 2012-13 season, Tim Tea and Justyn Bensett, and expansion only makes the league more competitive.

Final play of the game...

5th Down: As the new year comes upon us, it would irresponsible of me to not mention what 2012 will bring us. While I hope it brings you all much love and happiness, one of the tangible items it will be bringing us is a new product called Bud Light Platinum. This is a new slightly sweeter, more alcoholic version of Bud Light (this journalist's personal favorite) which boasts a 6% alcohol by volume (ABV) and, supposedly, has the same drinkability as Bud Light. It will also be in a translucent blue glass bottle. I will report back once I have had my first sip but get hyped everyone!! I don't yet know when this will be released in 2012 but you can be sure that I will be the first to find out.

Until next time...please don't stomp on anyone during the holiday season like Suh. Have a safe and happy Holiday and New Year!

Super Bowl Sunday is finally upon us. I say that statement with excitement but also sadness as we may not be celebrating such an occasion next year. Until we know the answer to that question, however, I am going to enjoy every moment of the football game on Sunday.

1st Down: I've been an advocate of not talking about a lockout because if we don't talk about, it won't happen. When hockey locked out a few years back, it was unfortunate but I didn't lose any sleep. If the NFL locks out, not only do we lose out on the NFLWPT, but every Sunday we find ourselves with nothing to do during the day. Fantasy football goes away and getting the gang together for every Lions game and all other games, including Monday night, will be lost. I don't need to tell any of you readers how much the NFL would be missed. More importantly for the NFL, they would lose out on the cash cow that the NFL is and potentially alienate their fans. That always comes up, alienating fans, but I think the NFL would come back (if locked out) and they wouldn't miss a beat. I just don't want to miss all the good things that come from the NFL. It's very much a lifestyle for those of us who worship the NFL fields the players walk on.

2nd Down: The NFL playoffs never disappoint and that didn't change in the AFC and NFC Championship games. I anticipated the Packers vs. Bears to be a bit more competitive and exciting, but of course without Jay Cutler, the Bears were in a bind to get anything done. Now it was made interesting by their third string QB who ended up throwing a TD and getting the Bears to within a score but ultimately the game was always in the hands of the Packers and their game to lose. The Packers are on some kind of roll, the "hot team" that you always see entering the playoffs and, once again, we see a #6 seed enter the Super Bowl and, surprisingly enough, are the odds on favorite to win.

3rd Down: The AFC Championship game was thought by many, including myself, to be over before the first half even concluded. A 24-0 lead by the Steelers made most of the gang at Art & Jakes pack up and leave. Thinking the AFC Championship was all but wrapped up. However, those pesky Jets just hung around and pulled within 5 late in the game. They did not get the two point conversion and ended up losing 24-19 but they nearly pulled one of the biggest comebacks and upsets in the playoffs. Personally, I was happy that the Jets finally lost because I'm not a big Rex Ryan supporter. That brings me to my joke of the week, courtesy of 97.1 The Ticket's Karsch and Anderson. When we were in the middle of the Blizzard of Oz, it was anticipated we would get 12-15 inches of snow. Other places, like Chicago, were expected to get nearly 24 inches. This joke was sent in via Instant Feedback: "I hear Rex Ryan is coming to town. He heard there was going to be two feet." (cue the drums).

4th Down: Congratulations to the Detroit Lions Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh on receiving the AP 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Speaking as someone who attends as many home Lions games as possible, Suh has quickly become a fan favorite. Not that it is surprising in the least. For those who have watched other NFL games you hear the home crowd often cheer when a certain player makes a good play. Example would be Heath Miller in Pittsburgh, when he catches a ball people chant "Heeeeeeeath". That has happened now in Detroit Lions games when Suh makes a play, whether it's a sack or a tackle at the line of scrimmage. "Suuuuuuuuuuuuuh!" is chanted and that is a chant that never gets old. Get to a Lions game and tell me it doesn't make you smile when you get to chant it. He is very deserving of that award and let's hope that one day he gets other awards including that big trophy that the Lions have never hoisted.

5th Down: TIme to predict the NFLWPT Bowl games...

Toilet Bowl - (6) Rick Piemont vs. (3) Keith Larzelere: Neither one of these members wants to be in this bowl. They had much higher aspirations when the playoffs started. Larzelere lost to Mike Hocking and Jason Watson while Piemont lost to Craig Harrison and Vince Marchese. I'm picking Keith Larzelere to win this one by 1 point over Piemont.

Rogers Roost Bowl - (5) Jason Watson vs. (4) Vince Marchese: Soprano talked a lot of smack on his way into the playoffs but made a quick exit against Brandon Larzelere, while Watson was taken down by the odds on favorite Chris Fox. Both of those men now meet in the Qboda Bowl but as for this one, I'm going with Marchese to roll over Watson.

Bud Light Bowl - (6) Mike Hocking vs. (2) Josh Mrenza: The first round bye did no favors to Mrenza as he was taken down by Harrison who is now in the NFLWPT bowl. However, these two members will share a few beers together no matter what the outcome of this matchup. A number 6 seed made the Super Bowl so I'm going to take this 6 seed to win. Hocking wins but it'll be "closer then the experts think."

Qboda Mexican Grill Bowl - (5) Brandon Larzelere vs. (4) Chris Fox: This is a very intriguing matchup and one that both members have discussed and welcome each other's challenge. The proticol son, Chris Fox, needs to fulfill this journalist's proclamation with some sort of victory and what is better than a bowl victory?

Franks Nursery Bowl - (1) Dan Van Dorp vs. (1) Elias Agini: The battle of the top seeds wasn't expected to be in a consolation bowl but here we are. Eli has been the one with the most momentum overall this season but all that was stopped last week against Craig Harrison. I think Dan Van Dorp takes advantage of that and takes the Franks Nursery Bowl.

NFLWPT Bowl - (3) Craig Harrison vs. (2) Andrew Kurpis: The Stoddard Cup is on the line between the rookie Harrison and the veteran Kurpis. No better script could be written and, in the end, the matchup will live up to expectations. Veteran experience is always important but so is being the person with the most momentum. I mentioned it about the Packers earlier and I think that we are going to see a new name on the Stoddard Cup this season. Craig Harrison pulls off the ultimate upset.

Until next time...see you on Super Sunday!
 

It is hard to believe that we are on Week 8 of the NFL season. This season, like all others before it and all others to follow, have moved so fast that sometimes we need to step back and look at where we thought we would be before the season started and where we are now. More to come on that in a bit.

1st Down: For those of you who have been to Rogers Roost this year, and many of you have, you have met our wonderful and gorgeous waitress Shevon. I would like it to be known that Andrew Kurpis is deeply in love with Shevon for reasons that include, but are not limited to, her hottness. She also loves fantasy football and often discusses it with Kurpis and myself when we arrive at the Roost. If you meet Shevon, please remain calm and do not stare at the two pens that she keeps in her cleavage at all times. Alright, you can look once. Now wipe the drool off of your face and let's move on. Those are Kurpis' boobs to oggle.

2nd Down: Quote of the week #1. Let me set the scene. At the Roost (shocker) where peanuts a-plenty are eaten by Kurpis, Finn, Marchese and Terrell. Well as you would assume, sometimes a few get thrown at one or multiple members of the table. Once such peanut happened to land in Soprano's beer (Coors Light for those of you interested) to which he looked at the culprit and said "You shot a nut in my beer!" After taking a sip of it and carrying on with his life, Cousin Dave chimes in and says "And you drank it anyway!" Classic. Soprano turns a certain shade of red and the laughter ensues.

3rd Down: Quote of the week #2. The conversations that take place at Rogers Roost vary from week to week. This past week, conversation shifted to the "5 celebrities you want to fuck." Well we all have our variety and discussed our #1 picks. Terrell said that he would trade in all of his other four picks for a chance to "do the deed" with his #1, which is Jessica Alba. In order to preserve her innocence, he said that Jessica's baby was an immaculate conception, like a modern day Virgin Mary. We pointed out that if that was the case then he would be the modern day Joseph. Well Terrell didn't necessarily see eye to eye with that because "He just got to be a dad who doesn't even have sex. That's the worst job ever!" Yes, Terrell, it is.

4th Down: This season of the NFL is the most difficult one to predict, from an NFLWPT perspective, since I have been in the league. Usually you can count on several solid winners every week (Indy, New Orleans, Pittsburgh) but this year, that is not the case. I'll look at how I have done with my pre-season picks to this point in the final down but when you look at teams like Kansas City (4-2) and Tampa Bay (4-2) , who you expected to be in the basement, coming out of the gate flying high while teams like Dallas (1-5) and San Diego (2-5), who you expected to be on top, coming out of the gate flat as a punctured tire. Will this parody continue? I'm actually happy to see good teams doing bad and bad teams doing good. After all, isn't that why we love the NFL? Any team can win on any given Sunday.

5th Down: I'm going to look at my pre-season predictions and compare notes from where I thought they would be and where they are now:

PREDICTIONS FOR DIVISION WINNERS:
NFC East - Dallas Cowboys
NFC North - Green Bay Packers
NFC South - New Orleans Saints
NFC West - San Francisco 49ers
Wild Cards - NY Giants and Atlanta Falcons

AFC East - NY Jets
AFC North - Baltimore Ravens
AFC South - Indianapolis Colts
AFC West - San Diego Chargers
Wild Cards - New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals

If the playoffs started today, the Giants would win the NFC East and Dallas would miss the playoffs. Chicago would win the NFC North (how??). Atlanta would win the NFC South. Seattle would win the NFC West (didn't have them in playoffs) and San Fran would miss the playoffs. The Jets would win the division (win a tiebreaker with NE). Pittsburgh would win the AFC North (didn't even have them in playoffs). Tennessee would win AFC South (booo!). Kansas City would win AFC West and San Diego would miss playoffs.  In the grand scheme of things, I would have gotten ONE division winner correct. I don't claim to be the best at picking NFL winners but I sure as hell should be doing better than 1-7. Yikes.

Until next time...Happy Birthday to my best friend and NFLWPT member, Josh Mrenza.