ESPN's 30 for 30 for ALL!!!!

Well maybe not for all but for everyone that has a Netflix account all the ESPN 30 for 30 films are available for streaming.  Apparently as of the beginning of this month they were made available, I must have missed the big announcement.  I would definitely suggest that any sports fan or fan of real life documentaries, opposed to fake life reality shows, sit down in front of your Netflix enabled device (smart tv, bluray player, xbox 360, wii, ps3, smart phone, etc) and enjoy some great short films.  My wife suprised me with the complete set on bluray for my 30th birthday (2011) and I was completely estatic.  While I haven't made it though all of them, all of them that I have seen have been simply amazing.  I'm not one to watch many things over and over, but the films in this series are something that I could watch at anytime. 

Hip-Hop fans will appreciate "One Night in Vegas" as well as "Straight Outta LA". Maryland, DC, and Virginia folks will be forced to reminisce by "The Band That Wouldn't Die", "No Crossover", and "Without Bias". Also if ya'll thought the LeBron "Decision" was a big deal, you have to watch "Kings Ransom" (which has nothing to do with LeBron). One City vs. A Whole Country. I feel like this set of documentaries have something that everyone can enjoy, not just sports lovers.

Here's the Editorial Review from Amazon, the films that are in bold are the ones that I've seen so far.

ESPN Films 30 for 30 Limited Edition Collector Set, includes the complete collection of films from the ESPN award-winning 30 for 30 series. Featuring a remarkable group of directors from Academy Award-winners Barry Levinson and Barbara Kopple to Academy Award-nominees John Singleton, Steve James, Ron Shelton, as well as two-time MVP Steve Nash and legendary rapper Ice Cube, each filmmaker provides their unique perspective to some of the most extraordinary sports stories in the last 30 years. Time Magazine applauds this thrilling collection and The Los Angeles Times calls them some of the best films of 2010. Several films were official selections by the Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Tribeca Film Festivals. The 30 for 30 Limited Edition Collector Set is packaged in a collectible box & contains 30 for 30 Gift Sets Volume 1 & Volume 2 as well as an exclusive retro ESPN hat featuring the companys original logo. The 12-disc set includes all 30 films from the series: Kings Ransom (Gretzky), The Band That Wouldnt Die (Baltimore Colts/Ravens), Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL?, Muhammad & Larry, Without Bias (Len Bias), The Legend of Jimmy The Greek, The U (The University of Miami), Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks, Guru of Go, No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson, Silly Little Game, Run Ricky Run (Ricky Williams), The 16th Man, Straight Outta L.A. (NWA & the Raiders), June 17th, 1994 (OJ & Everything that happened in sports that day), The Two Escobars, The Birth of Big Air, Jordan Rides The Bus, Little Big Men, One Night in Vegas (2Pac & Mike Tyson), Unmatched, The House of Steinbrenner, Into The Wind, Four Days in October, Once Brothers, Tim Richmond: To The Limit, Fernando Nation, Marion Jones: Press Pause, The Best That Never Was and Pony Excess.

Still not convinced? Go to Amazon and read the reviews that everyone else left.

ESPN Films presents an unprecedented documentary series in celebration of ESPN’s 30th anniversary, by engaging some of today’s finest storytellers to create films centered on the last 30 years in sports. Some of Hollywood’s finest directors and producers such as Peter Berg, Barry Levinson, John Singleton, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze and Frank Marshall are among those participating in the “30 for 30” films project, exploring topics ranging from the end of the USFL to the title fight between Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes to the story of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band which continued to march even though the team had moved to Indianapolis. Each filmmaker brings their passion and personal point of view to their film detailing the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009. Whether played out on the field, in the ring or on the court, every great sports drama is ultimately a human tale of conflict, determination, passion, triumph and loss. These films represent an extraordinary and diverse mosaic of the impact of sports on America and world culture.

My Week 10 NFL Picks

 The Return of Thursday Night Football!!!

Ok people its that time of year, we are well into Fall, November is half way gone, the holidays are almost here, and Thursday Night Football is BACK!  Football on 3 nights a week, I love it!!!  So lets do a quick run down of my picks.

Oakland at San Diego on Thursday Night Football - As a divisional game this is even more of a wild card, but I will say that both teams have key things missing from their working formulas.  The Chargers obviously are missing a player like Darren Sproles this year, not to mention, I believe that Malcolm Floyd is out for tonights game.  As for the Raiders they are missing the QB that was comfortable running this offense, but he's replaced with another QB who was once one of the NFL's elites.  For now Carson Palmer is still getting used to the offense but he has as much upside as he's shown downside.  The other missing part is Darren McFadden, he has been their work horse and #1 RB, Bush and the other back ups are good backs as well but they just don't seem to compare to McFadden.  Oakland's best bet is to get Jacoby Ford involved in the Rushing Offense, Receiving Offense, and the Special Teams, he's a playmaker and if he can get hot the Raiders have a good chance tonight.  But with that said its Norvember and I'm choosing the luke warm Chargers to get hot tonight and claim the lead in in the AFC West. San Diego Chargers win against the Oakland Raiders in a high scoring event tonight, lets say... 31-27.


Ok, the first pick was a bust...Thanks to Phillip Rivers, but it was great to see Carson Palmer looking like he's on the way to being is pre-injury self.

New Orleans over Atlanta - The only thing that makes me a little weary of this pick is that the game is in Atlanta, but I'm picking this game based on offense because both defenses have yet to be impressive this year.

Pittsburgh over Cincy - This is another tough divisional match up, but I'm picking the Steelers veteran defense having an advantage over the rookie QB.  But I don't see this being a big scoring affair, Cincy also has a great defense, but I think that Big Ben will make the needed adjustments to manage his offense in this Field Goal battle.

St. Louis over Cleveland - Eh... if the Rams that showed up against the Saints play in this game (same jerseys too) then they should be able to get another win this week.

Buffalo over Dallas - Both of these teams seem to have some roller coaster issues, I just flipped the coin on this one.

Indy over Jacksonville - The Colts get their first win today against a team who much like them lack a true identity.  They gotta win sometime right?  This is a perfect team to get one against.

KC over Denver - Once again a decent divisional matchup, KC has shown itself to be a better team.  Denver has been good in spurts but I'm not sure how that will hold up.  I don't really believe in Tebow having multiple good weeks as a starter.

Washington over Miami - Again I'm picking an away team, I think the Redskins are still hungry for a win due to their current losing streak, and Miami is a subpar team while Washington has shown to be a better team than they have looked like lately.

Philly over Arizona - Although dysfunctional the Eagles are a better team than the Eagles, plus I don't see Kolb beating Vick in anything, it didn't happen last year with the starting job and it aint happening this year in a match up.

Houston over Tampa Bay - The Texans are a great team and are playoff bound (thanks to Peyton Manning) I think they will continue to show their high caliber of play throughout the rest of season.  The Buccs don't have enough weapons to offensively compete with the high powered Texans offense.

Carolina over Tenesse - The Panthers are due for another win, the Titans don't really have an identity right now, they are good then bad, then average, but the Panthers have played at a high level against many teams better than the Titans.  Pure up the Cam Juice!

Baltimore over Seattle - This should be an easy win, but Seattle did beat the Giants.  So if the Ravens prepared properly for this matchup they should prove that they are the better team.

Detroit over Chicago -  I'm on the fence about this pick.  But that's just who I picked.  We'll see what happens.  The Bears did look like a very good team against the Eagles on Monday.

San Francisco 49ers over New York Giants - This is the pick that I am supposed to make as a fan and as someone who has watched the 49ers this year I believe that this is a winnable game.  This is a true test of who the 49ers are.  The 2 previous top tier QBs that we have faced have had good games, one lead to a 49ers loss in overtime, the other required the 49ers to work hard to comeback for a win.  The 49ers defense will have to operate on all cylinders today to get a win.  Which means not giving up the deep passes and continuing to stop the run.  Some help from the special teams would be nice too.

New England over NYJ - I just can't see the Patriots losing three in a row.  This might be drastic but I'm going to say if the Patriots lose this one then this is the end of their dynasty and they may also miss the playoffs.

Green Bay over Minnesota -  I don't know if the Packers will lose this year or not, but I know that them losing to the Vikings wouldn't even happen if Favre made a come back...  

Week 7 NFL Picks: USC Bowl & Superbowl Rematches

The USC BOWL - If newly aquired Raider Carson Palmer starts on Sunday he will be facing his former backup Mat Cassel, who is pictures on the right as the back up of Matt Leinart.  Carson was at one point mentioned as a top 3 QB in the league, has never seem to fully recovered from his season ending injury a few years back.  Leinart has been to the Superbowl but only as a backup, he has failed to establish himself as a starter.  Cassel on the other hand got the opportunity to shine when Tom Brady missed an entire season and was able to lead the Patriots to a 10 win season, I believe that they missed the playoffs that year.  But that year earned him faith from other teams and the Chiefs made the move to make him their starter and paid him a pretty penny. As a starter for the Chiefs Cassel won his division and took the team to the playoffs.

Can the Raiders be a bounce back team for Carson, I believe so.  They are an established running team and they really just need someone to manage plays. Carson can do that and he can get ball down the field to his young and fast WRs.  I'm picking the Carson Palmer Raiders to beat the Matt Cassel Chiefs on Sunday.  But if Carson doesn't start, I'm not as confident in this pick.

Now for the Superbowl Rematches this weekend. We have The Saints vs. The Colts and The Steelers vs. The Cardinals in Superbowl Rematches, the only issue is the teams that lost these particular Superbowls are also losing a lot of games this year and aren't anywhere near a Superbowl or Playoff quality team.

Pittsburgh over Cardinals - Only this time the Steelers defense won't have to contribute as much to win this game.

New Orleans over Indy - No Special Teams trickery needed just an easy stroll in the park should be enough for the Saints to win this one.

Seattle over Cleveland - I really don't want the Seahawks to win, but I think they are a better team than they appear and I really don't think Cleveland has what it takes to win.

Detroit over Atlanta - The Lions are one of the NFL's toughest teams, great defense and dynamic offense, The Falcons have just been OK this year.

Tennessee over Houston - I'm going with the home team in this divisional battle.  The fact that the Texans are missing a few key players makes this decision easier to make.

Miami over Denver - Miami has to get a win at some point, Matt Moore didn't look terrible against a good defense, so I think he will look better against a subpar defense. He was able to get the ball there but the coverage of the Jets was very good against the pass.  Even though its Tebow Day in Miami, I feel that the Dolphins can win this one.

San Diego over NYJ - This was a tough pick but I think a rested Philip Rivers will do better at leading his team to victory than Sanchez. For the Jets to win this game they would need to do it on the ground and on defense, not just one, but both of those and I don't see it happening.

Tampa Bay over Chicago - Eh.... Who knows, I just picked the underdog in this one, if they stick to their formula and run the ball as well as the Lions did against the Bears, the Buccs can control the clock and win this game.

Carolina over Washington - I really want the Skins to win this game, but I'm looking at the close games against tough team that the Panthers have loss.  They have the ability to put up points, I haven't seen that yet from the Skins.  Hopefully they prove me wrong.  The Skins best bet as winning is to just run the damn ball, the Panthers suck against the run. If they get away from that and attempt to make a name for John Beck, then it will be a long ride back to DC.  Skins Please Prove Me Wrong.

Dallas over St. Louis - The Rams are an average team with a lot of injures which makes them a bad team.  They also appear to have the toughest schedule in the west, this game isn't any easier.  The Cowboys can have multiple turnovers and mistakes, but still win this game.

Green Bay over Minnesota - Neither Ponder or McNabb stand a chance against this unreal Packers team. The Packers score at will, the Vikings aren't able to do that.

Baltimore over Jacksonville - The Jaguars are another team that just don't seem to have it together enough to win tough match ups. The Ravens are one of the top 3 or 5 teams in the league this year, wins like this should be easy.