Recent Comments by tommybiden

CFL Pickem Week 22: Hello Playoffs

Rogers, the link just shows a blank page for me

For now:
Montreal by 11 (lock)

British Columbia by 11 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 06:47 PM on October 31, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 9: Torn Labrum Fractured Shoulder Socket

My picks:

Ravens by 10 (lock)
Bengals by 2
Lions by 11 (lock)
Packers by 17 (lock)
Chargers by 13 (lock)
Falcons by 2
49ers by 4
Colts by 6
Broncos by 2
Raiders by 1
Rams by 21 (lock)
Bills by 3
Seahawks by 3
Cowboys by 4

posted by tommybiden at 10:27 AM on October 30, 2025

Blue Jays fall to L.A. Dodgers in 18 innings after dramatic Freddie Freeman walkoff homer

I made it to the 15th inning before calling it a night. What a series!

I thought about bed after 11th, 13th, 16th, but dug deep and got the complete game.

For those interested in such matters, Game 4 was 3 hours & 45 minutes shorter (9 innings fewer, as well).

posted by tommybiden at 01:17 PM on October 29, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

I'm sure there's got to be a "actively looking for a new coaching job and when you do get a new coaching job, our payments to you cease" clause in these contracts?

Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll...

From ESPN

$168M in buyouts owed to fired FBS head football coaches

posted by tommybiden at 12:15 PM on October 28, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 21: Mostly Seeded

My picks:

Tiger-Cats by 18 (lock)
Stampeders by 16 (lock)
Blue Bombers by 14 (lock)
Lions by 12 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 02:24 PM on October 24, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 8: Miami Blues

My picks:

Chargers by 7 (lock)
Falcons by 14 (lock)
Bengals by 15 (lock)
Patriots by 10 (lock)
Eagles by 17 (lock)
Bills by 27 (lock)
Ravens by 6
49ers by 3
Buccaneers by 8 (lock)
Cowboys by 5
Colts by 16 (lock)
Packers by 9 (lock)
Chiefs by 19 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 01:40 PM on October 23, 2025

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups charged in illegal poker operation tied to Mafia

The degree of stupid for anyone employed in the NBA to risk careers by gambling is mindboggling to say the least.

posted by tommybiden at 01:14 PM on October 23, 2025

O(htani vs) Canada!

Although if it had been Dodgers - Mariners, there was a guarantee that either team having a victory parade would cause ICE and federalized troops an untold amount of well deserved anxiety.

In Canada we have NICE agents.

posted by tommybiden at 09:53 AM on October 22, 2025

O(htani vs) Canada!

As a Day 1 Blue Jays fan, wow, just, wow.

Seattle are 'our' expansion cousins. I don't think there's any serious animosity between the fanbases, with the possible exception of when Toronto visits every year and Blue Jays fans flood into T-Mobile Park. It was a whale of a series, could easily have gone the other way. Watching Sportsnet this morning, Los Angeles is -210 to win the series, Toronto +175

posted by tommybiden at 11:09 AM on October 21, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Thinking of firing the coach - Billy Napier's gruesome Gators beat Miss. State, making it a bit tougher to pull the plug

He gone.

posted by tommybiden at 02:36 PM on October 19, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 6: Get Up, Trevor, Get Up

My picks:

Eagles by 21 (lock)
Broncos by 10 (lock)
Cardinals by 7 (lock)
Chargers by 12 (lock)
Patriots by 9 (lock)
Steelers by 11 (lock)
Cowboys by 14 (lock)
Seahawks by 6 (lock)
Rams by 13 (lock)
Raiders by 7 (lock)
Packers by 22 (lock)
49ers by 5 (lock)
Chiefs by 2 (lock)
Bills by 15 (lock)
Commanders by 8 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 03:13 PM on October 17, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 20: Playoffs Approacheth

My picks:

Blue Bombers by 11 (lock)
Lions by 14 (lock)
Alouettes by 22 (lock)
Stampeders by 17 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 12:01 PM on October 17, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 7: Don't Sleep on Seattle

My picks:

Steelers by 7 (lock)
Rams by 4 (lock)
Bears by 14 (lock)
Browns by 1
Patriots by 7 (lock)
Chiefs by 20 (lock)
Eagles by 6
Panthers by 2
Broncos by 9 (lock)
Chargers by 5
Commanders by 3
Packers by 8 (lock)
Falcons by 5
Lions by 7
Seahawks by 12 (lock)

rogers, I entered my picks for last week in The Huddle, if you can add them in?
Thanks!!

posted by tommybiden at 10:46 AM on October 16, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

James Franklin fired at Penn State; Terry Smith to take over program for rest of 2025

posted by tommybiden at 06:57 PM on October 15, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

James Franklin is out of a job.

posted by tommybiden at 02:12 PM on October 15, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 18: Happy Early Thanksgiving

My picks:

Roughriders by 21 (lock)
Stampeders by 10 (lock)
Blue Bombers by 11 (lock)
Alouettes by 21 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 03:09 AM on October 09, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Rogers!

I'm off to the wilderness of northeastern Ontario for Thanksgiving weekend shortly.

Not really, to Almonte, in the Ottawa Valley (birthplace of one Dr. James Naismith)

My picks for the CFL & NFL pools are as follows:
Lock everything up! All of 'em!!

Saskatchewan by 21

Calgary by 10

Winnipeg by 11

Montreal by 21

Philadelphia by 21

Denver by 10

Arizona by 7

Pittsburgh by 11

Dallas by 14

L.A. Chargers by 12

L.A. Rams by 13

New England by 9

Seattle by 6

Las Vegas by 7

Green Bay by 22

San Francisco by 5

Kansas City by 2

Buffalo by 15

Washington by 8

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good pumpkin!

posted by tommybiden at 11:17 AM on October 08, 2025

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Franklin should be asked to leave, preferably at the business end of a well-aimed foot

Read in The Athletic this morning that Mr. Franklin's buyout right now is ~$50,000,000

posted by tommybiden at 04:41 PM on October 05, 2025

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Who had a worse Saturday, Belichick & North Carolina or Franklin & Penn State?

posted by tommybiden at 11:26 AM on October 05, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Mark Sanchez has had a weekend.

posted by tommybiden at 09:37 AM on October 05, 2025

Americans increasingly see legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and sports

I've noticed the same thing, rumple.

It is incessant, I agree with you about the alcohol/cigarette ads reference.

Would not bother me in the least if it were banned.

posted by tommybiden at 10:42 AM on October 04, 2025

40 minutes of highlights from the 1962 Giants-Yankees World Series

Very cool. Thanks for this, rumple.

posted by tommybiden at 10:40 AM on October 04, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 18: The City That Fun Forgot

My picks:

Roughriders by 19 (lock)
Tiger-Cats by 10 (lock)
Lions by 17 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 02:37 PM on October 03, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 5: Keep My Name Out of Your Mouth

My picks:

Rams by 13 (lock)
Vikings by 9 (lock)
Colts by 7 (lock)
Giants by 1
Cowboys by 5
Eagles by 12 (lock)
Panthers by 2
Texans by 3
Cardinals by 10 (lock)
Buccaneers by 5
Lions by 19 (lock)
Chargers by 6
Bills by 20 (lock)
Chiefs by 16 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 10:56 AM on October 02, 2025

Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to richest contract in NHL history

McJesus and agent must be drooling; this is an extreme overpay.

On the plus side for Minnesota, they only have four seasons left on the Parise/Suter buyouts.

posted by tommybiden at 01:39 PM on October 01, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

What in heavens name was THAT?

Canada toasts our European friends on their victory.

There is minor chatter about joining the E.U., after all, Canada and France are separated by only ~20km of water (a 1.5 hour boat ride).

posted by tommybiden at 04:23 PM on September 29, 2025

CFL announces changes to playing surface, modified rouge

Why hasn't the CFLPA weighed in on this?

CFL players have complained that they weren't consulted by Johnston on recent rule changes for the future. Clearly, these folks don't pay much attention to the NHL or MLB or other leagues where players are also not consulted on rule changes of any kind. The general managers in hockey suggest rule changes and the matter is then voted on by the Board of Governors. A long-time NHL player once told me that the only decision hockey players should ever make is "window or aisle." ...

The above comment from a rather polarizing columnist with the Toronto Sun, Steve Simmons

posted by tommybiden at 04:39 PM on September 28, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 17: Everybody Rae Dawn Chong Tonight

My picks:

Alouettes by 10 (lock)
Lions by 17 (lock)
Tiger-Cats by 8 (lock)
Roughriders by 13 (lock)

My Costanza is looking slightly less embarrassing.

posted by tommybiden at 05:22 PM on September 25, 2025

CFL announces changes to playing surface, modified rouge

I love the differences in the game from the NFL version.

Social media reaction is extremely negative towards these actions.

Apparently this is a 'commissioner only' project, players, team management were not consulted.

posted by tommybiden at 04:35 PM on September 24, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 4: Out Like a Lamb

My picks:

Cardinals by 2
Steelers by 3
Chargers by 21 (lock)
Texans by 7 (lock)
Commanders by 5
Bills by 21 (lock)
Eagles by 6
Lions by 21 (lock)
Patriots by 8
Rams by 5
49ers by 11 (lock)
Ravens by 6
Raiders by 1
Packers by 9 (lock)
Dolphins by 2
Broncos by 8 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 04:31 PM on September 24, 2025

Bernie Parent Dead at 80

Parent, one of the greatest ever, certainly, that I ever had the pleasure to watch.

Did you miss Eddie Giacomin?

That's 3 HoF goaltenders in a little over a week.

Bob Goodenow (72) passed away last week as well, former head of NHLPA.

posted by tommybiden at 03:52 PM on September 22, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 16: Argo Naut Yourself

Revised picks:

Tiger-Cats by 14 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 06:01 PM on September 18, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 16: Argo Naut Yourself

My picks:

Argonauts by 10 (lock)
Lions by 12 (lock)
Blue Bombers by 10 (lock)

I Argo Naut'ed myself once, it was painful.

posted by tommybiden at 06:00 PM on September 18, 2025

Monday night magnified Tom Brady's conflict of interest

Is it true that all attendees to the tournament will receive bandsaws or just the journalists?

Honestly, how much money is enough?

posted by tommybiden at 01:13 PM on September 18, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 3: Travis Kelce is Mad as Hell and is Not Going to Take It Anymore

Fixed now (or my computer was glitching!)

posted by tommybiden at 10:04 AM on September 17, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 3: Travis Kelce is Mad as Hell and is Not Going to Take It Anymore

rcade, the link to the standings appears to be broken.

posted by tommybiden at 09:44 AM on September 17, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 3: Travis Kelce is Mad as Hell and is Not Going to Take It Anymore

My picks:

Bills by 13 (lock)
Packers by 13 (lock)
Colts by 9
Bengals by 2
Steelers by 1
Eagles by 5
Buccaneers by 7
Commanders by 4
Falcons by 8 (lock)
Texans by 6
Chargers by 12 (lock)
Seahawks by 11 (lock)
Cowboys by 8 (lock)
Cardinals by 2
Chiefs by 13 (lock)
Ravens by 5

posted by tommybiden at 09:43 AM on September 17, 2025

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Eddie Giacomin, New York Rangers Hall of Famer, dead at 86

posted by tommybiden at 05:41 PM on September 15, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 15: Everything's Coming Up Saskatchewan

My picks:

Blue Bombers by 10 (lock)
Lions by 20 (lock)
Argonauts by 15 (lock)
Alouettes by 10 (lock)

You can ship the Costanza any time, rcade!

posted by tommybiden at 12:16 PM on September 12, 2025

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

The Hockey Canada players who were acquitted this summer are eligible to return to the NHL as of December 1, 2025.

posted by tommybiden at 06:22 PM on September 11, 2025

NFL Pickem Week 2: Wake Up, Al!

My picks:

Commanders by 10 (lock)
Bengals by 10 (lock)
Cowboys by 10 (lock)
Lions by 10 (lock)
Rams by 10 (lock)
Dolphins by 5 (lock)
49ers by 5 (lock)
Bills by 10 (lock)
Seahawks by 5 (lock)
Browns by 14 (lock)
Colts by 5 (lock)
Cardinals by 10 (lock)
Eagles by 5 (lock)
Falcons by 5 (lock)
Texans by 5 (lock)
Chargers by 10 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 02:05 PM on September 11, 2025

Report: Wild's Kirill Kaprizov rejects NHL-record contract offer

I'm beginning to get the idea Kirill does not want to be long for Minnesota.

posted by tommybiden at 07:42 PM on September 10, 2025

What We’ve Learned About the Kawhi Leonard Situation—and What We Haven’t

As a Raptors fan, I was disappointed when Kawhi left, and it's been a bumpy road as the club rebuilds.
However, as time has gone on, so thankful MLSE didn't get him signed.

posted by tommybiden at 07:10 AM on September 10, 2025

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

US Open ask broadcasters not to show any booing of Trump at Sinner vs Alcaraz

posted by tommybiden at 08:08 AM on September 07, 2025

Play SportsFilter's NFL Pickem

My picks:

Eagles by 15 (lock)
Chiefs by 3
Falcons by 3
Bengals by 5
Dolphins by 10 (lock)
Raiders by 2
Cardinals by 21 (lock)
Jets by 3
Commanders by 11 (lock)
Jaguars by 6
Broncos by 10 (lock)
49ers by 3
Lions by 9 (lock)
Texans by 1
Bills by 6
Bears by 5

posted by tommybiden at 05:33 PM on September 03, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 14: The Other Saturday Football

My picks:

Lions by 17 (lock)
Tiger-Cats by 14 (lock)
Blue Bombers by 16 (lock)
Stampeders by 15 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 05:28 PM on September 03, 2025

Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons to Packers

Considering the situation seemed completely irreparable, is the return for Parsons awful?

It seems 'okay' to me.

posted by tommybiden at 07:30 AM on August 29, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 13: Happy Labour Day

Revised picks:

Elks by 8 (lock)

It's Road Warriors Labour Day Weekend

The Banjo Bowl

The Battle of the Q.E.W.

The Labour Day Classic

posted by tommybiden at 05:34 PM on August 28, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 13: Happy Labour Day

My picks:

Blue Bombers by 8 (lock)
Argonauts by 8 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 05:32 PM on August 28, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Amazing photo, Ufez

posted by tommybiden at 02:21 PM on August 27, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Blue Jays fans break another Loonie Dog record at Rogers Centre

posted by tommybiden at 02:20 PM on August 27, 2025

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

rcade, I'll be away from technology for most of the rest of the week, here are my picks, if we CFL Pick'Em this week

Winnipeg by 10

Ottawa by 3

B.C. by 10

Saskatchewan by 10

Lock 'em all

posted by tommybiden at 09:03 AM on August 19, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 11: The Week of Blown Locks

Tim Horton's is in Georgia?

Tim's is awful.

posted by tommybiden at 06:05 PM on August 16, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 11: The Week of Blown Locks

Tim Horton's is in Georgia?

Tim's is awful.

posted by tommybiden at 06:05 PM on August 16, 2025

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Alejandro Kirk does it all as Blue Jays win comeback thriller to open series against Texas including his 1st career stolen base!

posted by tommybiden at 09:40 AM on August 16, 2025

CFL Pickem Week 11: The Week of Blown Locks

My picks:

Argonauts by 10 (lock)
Roughriders by 10 (lock)
Lions by 10 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 05:45 PM on August 15, 2025

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

I see Tom Dundon is leading a group purchasing the Portland Trail Blazers.

Is this a good thing for the franchise and its fanbase?

posted by tommybiden at 02:34 PM on August 13, 2025

Ottawa Senators, NCC complete sale agreement for 11 acres at LeBreton Flats.

Though, the Ottawa PWHL club's facility is scheduled for renovations, shrinking capacity by over 2,000 seats.

The club regularly sells out or nearly so.

Oy.

posted by tommybiden at 07:52 PM on August 11, 2025

Ottawa Senators, NCC complete sale agreement for 11 acres at LeBreton Flats.

Uhhhhhh, haha, the transit system in Ottawa is a work in progress. The powers that be rolled it out live likely a full year before they should have.

They seem to be working the bugs out slowly but surely.

The L.R.T. system has been plagued by glitches, literal freeze ups and accidents over the past number of years. The Senators plan to remain in the west end for ~5 more years. Hopefully the city will have extended (as is planned) stations to the far west end of the city by then. The biggest bus (OC Transpo, which according to family observations, is good) issue is the city/region has only one expressway, which is completely clogged on a daily basis. There are dedicated H.O. & Bus lanes, which help but not amazing.

The Senators are moving towards far more fans than they're moving away from. To the west, north, south of Kanata, there are bedroom towns, but no major population centres until you hit Kingston, ~200km away.

posted by tommybiden at 04:02 PM on August 11, 2025

Ottawa Senators, NCC complete sale agreement for 11 acres at LeBreton Flats.

As a Maple Leafs fan with Senators fans in my family, fantastic news. Solidifies the Ottawa franchise in the nation's capital. A much more centrally located arena, allowing the club to draw fans more easily from western Quebec.

posted by tommybiden at 03:17 PM on August 11, 2025