Dave’s Dime
“Because Two Cents Just Isn’t Enough”

THE INTRO

Ladies and Gentleman, I am done with my first semster of the year, and man oh man does it feel good. You know what else feels good? Having 3 of the last 4 Heisman trophies sitting in our Heritage Hall. Huge congrats to Reggie Bush; his accomplishments this season have been nothing short of remarkable, and its been an awesome ride. I’ll jump right into it this week, as I’ve got lots to do; break down the Heisman, complain about the Kings, brag about last week, and give myself something to brag about next week.

HEISMAN REVIEW

#1 REGGIE BUSH:

The Vote – 784 1st place votes, 89 2nd, 11 3rd.
The Season – 1658 yards rushing (3rd best in the nation), 8.9 yards per carry, 15 TDs, 31 catches for 383 yards recieving (2 TDs), 23 kick returns for 391 yards, 2432 all purpose yards.
Why He Won – He was, as the lopsided voting showed, quite simply the best player in college football. There was and should be no controversy about it. What seperated him from the pack was his uncanny ability to have huge games when they mattered most; see Arizona State, Notre Dame, Fresno State, and UCLA. These widely publicized wins made sure to earn him all the credit he deserves.
Notes – 85% of first place votes highest percentage all time, named on 99% of ballots (884 out of 892), highest percentage in history. MY question, who the hell didn’t vote for him in the top 3?

#2 VINCE YOUNG
The Vote – 79 1st place votes, 613 2nd, 145 3rd.
The Season – 2769 yards passing (3rd best in the nation), 63.9% completion percentage, 9.72 yards per completion, 26 TDs, 10 interceptions, 850 rushing yards (6.3 per carry), 9 rushing TDs, 3619 total yards.
Why He Lost – Reggie Bush. That’s it. The guy couldn’t have humanly put together much more of an impressive season than this; and it just came at an inopportune time. Almost any other year, its his.
Notes – Highest percentage of 2nd place votes in history. This guy is the real deal, make no mistake about it. All of us around here are biased towards Leinart, but Young’s super super slight drop off in passing ability is made up for and surpassed with his running game (Leinart only has 34 yards, sorry everyone). He deserved the Heisman Trophy; in a world without Reggie Bush.

#3 MATT LEINART
The Vote – 18 1st place votes, 147 2nd, 449 3rd.
The Season – 3450 yards passing (4th best in the nation), 65% completion percentage, 8.82 yards per completion, 27 TDs, 7 interceptions, 6 rushing TDs, 3484 total yards.
Why He Lost – Opposite reason Reggie won; his poor starts in big games. Yes, he did lead the team to victory, but Bush is dominating the field left and right, and he is overthrowing people, losing his footing, making poor decisions. He was completely overshadowed by Reggie in the big games mentioned above.
Notes – Highest percentage of third place votes in history. Next month’s bowl game will be the first game ever to feature two Heisman trophy winners on the same team. Leinart’s numbers were great, and shouldn’t be taken for granted due to Bush’s success.

#4 BRADY QUINN
The Vote – 7 1st place votes, 21 2nd, 128 3rd.
The Season – 3633 yards passing (3rd best in the nation), 64.9% completion percentage, 8.97 yards per completion, 32 TDs, 7 interceptions
Why He Lost – Just the wrong damn year to be a quarterback. As if competing with Bush isn’t bad enough, try taking on the two undefeated teams leaders as well? Statistically he was great, but there was just no room this year.
Notes – With these kinds of numbers next year, look for Quinn to be back with a vengence in next years Heisman race.

#5 MICHAEL ROBINSON
The Vote – 2 1st place votes, 7 2nd, 49 3rd.
The Season – 2097 yards passing , 51.8% completion percentage, 7.71 yards per completion, 16 TDs, 9 interceptions
Why He Lost – He was just the 5th man. You can see from his numbers that despite his leadership, in a room full of leaders, he stood no real chance at making a splash.
Notes – He has led Penn State through an outstancing season, but he was really just a Heisman filler this year. Whoever voted him in as 1st and 2nd need to be hunted down – there was so much talent in this room.

That’s my Heisman wrap-up. I’ll cover the big bowl game when it gets nearer.
THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 10 – 6 – 0 (.625)
Without the spread: 12 – 4 – 0 (.750)
$$Money Picks$$: 5 – 1 – 0 (.833)
^^Zen Picks^^: 2 – 2 – 0 (.500)

Season
With the spread: 104 – 83 – 5 (.556)
Without the spread: 123 – 69 – 0 (.641)
$$Money Picks$$: 26 – 17 – 3 (.605)
^^Zen Picks^^: 17 – 9 – 0 (.654)

LAST WEEK’S RECAP OF DAVE’S BRILLIANCE AND FOOLISHNESS
(Usually Brilliance?!?)

Atlanta 6 7 – 4 (+3.0) @ Carolina 24 8 – 3 (-3.0)
Yeah, just not the right team to pick an upset against.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Atlanta
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Atlanta

Buffalo 23 4 – 7 (+3.0) @ Miami 24 4 – 7 (-3.0)
“Statistically, this game is exactly even.” – It sure was! Too bad I was on the wrong end.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Miami
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Miami

Cincinnati 38 8 – 3 (+3.5) @ Pittsburgh 31 7 – 4 (-3.5)
“I buy into every bit of the hype surrounding the Bengals. They are one of the AFC’s best, and with a win today, they can prove it.” – and they did.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – *Cincinnati

Dallas 10 7 – 4 (+3.0) @ N.Y. Giants 17 7 – 4 (-3.0)
“Should be an absolutely great game, and I’m angry I’m missing it as we speak to type this up. After losing to Seattle and being embarassed on a national level last week, look for the Giants to destroy the Cowboys to try and regain that aura of strength they were walking around with.” – Not quite destruction, but it will do.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^$N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – N.Y. Giants

Green Bay 7 2 – 9 (+6.5) @ Chicago 19 8 – 3 (-6.5)
This was just a stupid pick, and Chicago made me pay for it like I deserved
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^*Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – **Green Bay

Jacksonville 20 8 – 3 (-2.5) @ Cleveland 14 4 – 7 (+2.5)
Vegas must know something I don’t with this spread, but Jacksonville is really strong, and I’m not convinced that Cleveland has the slightest chance of winning this game. Less then a field goal? Very interesting.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Jacksonville

Minnesota 6 – 5 (-3.0) @ Detroit 4 – 7 (+3.0)
Let the good times roll. Minnesota picked the right time for a hot streak as the weak teams keep rolling in.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Minnesota

Tampa Bay 10 7 – 4 (-3.5) @ New Orleans 3 3 – 8 (+3.5)
“Tampa Bay is a much better team than New Orleans, and I think Gruden can keep them focused enough to just come out and beat this team hard.” – Correct
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Tampa Bay

Tennessee 3 3 – 8 (+15.0) @ Indianapolis 35 11 – 0 (-15.0)
Picking against the Colts? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^*Tennessee
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis

Arizona 17 3 – 8 (-3.0) @ San Francisco 10 2 – 9 (+3.0)
Blahhhhhhh
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *San Fransisco
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *San Fransisco

Washington 24 5 – 6 (-3.0) @ St. Louis 9 5 – 6 (+3.0)
“I’ll take the Redskins here since they should be a little hungrier for a win, coming off of a series of tough losses. ” – There you have it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Washington

Denver 27 9 – 2 (-1.5) @ Kansas City 31 7 – 4 (+1.5)
This one really caught me off guard, really great statement game for the Chiefs.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $Denver
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Denver

Oakland 10 4 – 7 (+10.0) @ San Diego 34 7 – 4 (-10.0)
“48 – 10 pops into my mind for some reason” – At least I got the 10 right.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – San Diego

Seattle 42 9 – 2 (-3.0) @ Philadelphia 0 5 – 6 (+3.0)
“Seattle is the best team in the NFC, statistically and literally. They are just too damn good to drop one against emotionally and physically battered Philidelphia this Monday night.” – Yeah, thats dominance.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Seattle

DAMN, I’M GOOD

Houston 15 1 – 10 (+7.0) @ Baltimore 16 3 – 8 (-7.0)
Baltimore is not 7 points better than anyone, I’m sorry. However, they are a few points better, and should get the win.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Baltimore
– I’ve stil got a soft spot for these.

N.Y. Jets 3 2 – 9 (+9.5) @ New England 16 6 – 5 (-9.5)
I was thinking the Jets w/ the points, but I remembered that New England just lost to Kansas City, and is going to be hungry as hell to come home and pound the Jets. I can’t see them matching the intensity, and I can see them dropping hard.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – New England
– Big Zen pick here

THE PICKS

* – Indicates Upset Pick
$ – Indicates Money Pick
^ – Indicates Zen Pick

Chicago 9 – 3 (+4.0) @ Pittsburgh 7 – 5 (-4.0)
This has all the makings to be a Zen upset. Struggling team thats lost 3 straight faces seemingly unstoppable team with 8 straight wins at home. Upset written all over it. There’s a problem. Chicago is just flat out better than Pittsburgh. Zen be damned, I’m taking the points and the game.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *$Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Chicago

Cleveland 4 – 8 (+12.0) @ Cincinnati 9 – 3 (-12.0)
While Cleveland does have a pretty good defense and part of me says that they can keep this game close, the (hopefully better) other part of me says that nothing should hold them back from spanking their rivals really good this Sunday.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cincinnati

Houston 1 – 11 (+6.5) @ Tennessee 3 – 9 (-6.5)
Ok, so Tennessee should win this game, at home, against the weakest team (and likely future home to Reggie Bush) in the league, but they are not a touchdown better than anyone. They’ll win, but not with the points. (De ja vu…)
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Tennessee

Indianapolis 12 – 0 (-7.5) @ Jacksonville 9 – 3 (+7.5)
I respect Jacksonville as much as anyone – they are vastly improved and will be a serious contender for years to come. But never have I seen a team that just so systematically annihilates teams the way the Colts do. Last time they won by less then 8? September 25th. This game very well may be close and an upset is not out of the question; but enjoy betting against the Colts. I’ll stick with em.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

New England 7 – 5 (-3.5) @ Buffalo 4 – 8 (+3.5)
Ok everyone, this is revolutionary, as it marks my maturity as a gambler/columnist/whatever it is that I am. Every week I just make a pick because I’m feeling it. And pretty much every week, I’m wrong. I feel that Buffalo is going to win. Know it in my blood. But, the numbers just don’t agree. And so, in a terribly disciplined move, I’m taking the Pats.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New England

Oakland 4 – 8 (-2.5) @ N.Y. Jets 2 – 10 (+2.5)
Every time I make the Raiders a money pick, they win. Well, rejoice Raider fans. Its hard to believe that there is a team more lowly than us, but the Jets are most certainly that. Should be exciting to see Tuiasosopo take some snaps, but the real story to watch is LaMont Jordan, who should enjoy demolishing the team that stupidly let him get away.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Oakland

St. Louis 5 – 7 (+7.0) @ Minnesota 7 – 5 (-7.0)
5 game winning streak for the Vikes?? This is absolutely insane. And whats more insane, its about to be 6. What an amazing jump back into the playoff race by this Viking team. St. Louis’s last ranked defense could do without this game.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Minnesota

Tampa Bay 8 – 4 (+5.0) @ Carolina 9 – 3 (-5.0)
Both of these teams are great, and this should definitely be a good matchup. I do think that Carolina is just a tad stronger, as the record and numbers indicate, and at home should be able to win it in a good one. While I think its gonna be a fieldgoal, I’m gonna give Carolina the benefit of the doubt and give up the points.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Carolina

N.Y. Giants 8 – 4 (-3.5) @ Philadelphia 5 – 7 (+3.5)
This spread is a joke. Not only is New York going to win, but they are going to probably try and top that 42 – 0 Seattle victory on Monday. Zen says that teams coming off huge losses play their hearts out the following week. The problem? This team has no talent left on it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: N.Y. Giants

San Francisco 2 – 10 (+16.0) @ Seattle 10 – 2 (-16.0)
Almost fell into the trap here. Seattle only won their last meeting by two, and their side of the spread is greatly inflated due to the prime time blowout they dished to the Eagles last week. San Fran seems like the right pick here with all these points. But I don’t think they are; Seattle is great, and even greater at home, and a 28 point victory seems perfectly reasonable here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

Washington 6 – 6 (-3.0) @ Arizona 4 – 8 (+3.0)
Yes, Washington is the better team. Yes, Washington will win this game. No, no one will be watching or caring.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Washington

Baltimore 4 – 8 (+14.0) @ Denver 9 – 3 (-14.0)
I want to take the two touchdowns, I really do. But the Broncos just got embarassed last week, and need a really bad team to just beat the tar out of in front of the home crowd. Whats this? Baltimore? Yeah, they should do just fine.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Denver
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Denver

Kansas City 8 – 4 (+3.0) @ Dallas 7 – 5 (-3.0)
Poor Dallas – such a promising start to the season has whittled away, and their steady onslaught of tough opponents continues this week. They will not beat the Chiefs, who are a better team then them, and should be giving up 3 points, not getting them.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *$Kansas City
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Kansas City

Miami 5 – 7 (+13.0) @ San Diego 8 – 4 (-13.0)
San Diego is a serious force, and only a rediculously strong AFC is the reason they aren’t being talked about with serious playoff hopes. Hell, they might not even MAKE the playoffs if they slip up. But, they aren’t going to, not this week anyways.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: San Diego

Detroit 4 – 8 (+5.5) @ Green Bay 2 – 10 (-5.5)
Bleh. No way on earth that ESPN or the NFL could have known the lousiness of this game when they scheduled it way back in September, but this is a Sunday Night Snoozefest. Green Bay should win this one by the necessary TD; they are a better team than the vastly-underachieving-all-season-offensively Detroit Lions.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Green Bay

New Orleans 3 – 9 (+10.0) @ Atlanta 7 – 5 (-10.0)
New Orleans has absolutely nothing to lose here, and I think they are going to do what they do from time to time, and that is suprise spread makers with a decent game. Atlanta should win by about a TD, but I’ll take the 10 points.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *New Orleans
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Atlanta

KINGS HOCKEY

Well, how do you want to spin it? We’ve won 2 of our last 3!! …But lost 5 of our last 7. I blame the King’s struggles on two people; Coach Andy Murray and forward Derek Armstrong.

MURRAY – The team lost two straight, and was having trouble scoring. So what does he do? He breaks up Demitra/Frolov/Conroy, the 2nd or 3rd best and most productive line in hockey, to try and even out the attack. The result? More losses. You don’t break up a line that scores you 3 goals a game because they have an off day or two. This is the only team in the league, in my opinion, that would so readily break up such a perfect line. Fortunately, he remedied this today – only due to an injury. The guy who was with Conroy and Demitra got injured, so Murray reluctantly put Frolov back on the line – and it was productive. The Kings won 3 – 1. Beyond his stupid decision to break these guys up (now mind you, I like the balanced attack theory. But try DOUBLE SHIFTING, or changing personel on the other lines. Don’t break up the one thing that DOES work), Murray’s bigges fault comes in his apparent love affair with one Derek Armstrong.

ARMSTRONG – I don’t question the guys got heart. Or works hard at practice. Hell, I’ve got heart too. You know what else Armstrong and I have in common? Neither of us skate, pass, shoot, stickhandle, or check well. Thats why I played GOALIE. Armstrong, on the other hand, is a pathetic excuse of a forward. Our losing started when he returned from injury. Whatever line he is on is rendered useless; he takes the puck and passes it to the other team, gets checked off of it, falls down. He’s awful. And he’s getting more ice time than the 10 times more talented (and 10 times more bankroll consuming) Jeremy Roenick. Why? Because he has heart? This isnt a ****ing Miss America contest, this is hockey. Put this guy on the fourth line or send him back to the minor leagues where he belongs.

But hey, I’m an optomist. 2 out of 3, right? The cup is MORE than half full!

By the way, Christmas gift idea for all of you; get me an Armstrong jersey, a blow torch, and some protective goggles, and I’d be one damn happy camper.

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For past issues of the DIME, visit my website: Dave’s Dime

MY TEAMS RECORDS
OAKLAND RAIDERS: 4 – 8 – 0
*USC TROJANS: 12 – 0 – 0*
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 18 – 12 – 1

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 600
OPPONENTS 256

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