Who's In?

Pre-season football has already begun. Soon the start of the NFL season will be here. One question: Who's in?

Sources have confirmed that John Couch, last year's champion, is leaning toward a one-year hiatus. The reason given was busyness due to university courses and Halifax Mooseheads season tickets. However, one source suggests John is looking for the "Favre treatment."

If John does not join the pool this year, it would be the second straight year that the pool champion did not defend his crown. (Word is that Bert is enjoying his time away from the pool but could possibly be coaxed out of retirement if Joel issued an apology for not officially recognizing his championship title.)

There were rumors that Commissioner Joel, more elusive than Bigfoot, was in Atlantic Canada recently. This writer did not see him and is starting to wonder if he's still alive. Probably, though, we'll finally hear from Joel two minutes before kickoff.

Questions

Throughout the ages, men have wrestled with many perplexing questions. For example, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

A new question has entered into the minds of men--especially two men: Bert Kuehner and John Couch.

"If Commissioner Joel doesn't announce the winner of the Football Pool, does anyone actually win?"

For two years in a row, no one has heard from the reclusive Joel after week 17 of the NFL season. What are we to think of this? Is the Commissioner shirking his duties? Is this the real reason for Bert's retirement? Ah, questions, questions, questions.

***UPDATE***

Bert responded via his Facebook page.

"I think you've done a good job bringing much needed attention to a serious defect in the pool's management system. I don't understand why we go through the stress of competing for 17 grueling weeks only to have things end as though they didn't even transpire."

Week 17 - An Exciting Finish!

Week 17 Results

Jarrett - 12-4 (+3)
Bob - 11-5 (+0.6)
Jeremy - 11-5 (+0.6)
Joel - 11-5 (+0.6)
Jonathan - 11-5 (+0.6)
Patrick - 10-5
Roger - 10-5
John - 9-7 (+0.5)

Jarrett won the battle of week 17, but it was John who won the war, taking home his (third?--I still don't have the 2009 results) Pool Championship Trophy. Commander Couch dominated for the first three quarters of the season, building a big enough lead to withstand a strong final push by Patrick. In the end, only 1.83 points separated John and Patrick.

According to our math (which might not be very good), John's loner pick of Kansas City was the key pick of the week--and perhaps the season. Going against Tebow, his favorite athlete, was unchristian gutsy. If Denver had won, Patrick would be the champ instead.

Final standings: (1) John, (2) Patrick, (3) Jonathan, (4) Bob, (5) Joel, (6) Jeremy, (7) Roger, (8) Jarrett.

Last season, Jonathan prevented a Kuehner sweep of the medal podium by vaulting into second place in week 17. This year, the Minister of Prognostication held off Bob in week 17, allowing the Forest Hills Boys to take home all of the medals. It has not yet been confirmed whether or not John, Patrick, and Jonathan will be wearing their medals in this Sunday's worship service.

Joel made a nice chart showing the wins of each pool participant compared to John as the season progressed. The chart shows that John was trending down during the final quarter of the year. What would have happened if the season had been 18 games?

But let's not take anything away for John's victory. Congratulations, John!

Now... anyone up for playoff picks?

Playoffs? PLAYOFFS!?

Coming soon: the 2011 Football Pool Awards!

--Jonathan

Couch Is King

Total Points
1. John - 195.60
2. Patrick - 193.77
3. Jonathan - 186.67

Total Wins
1. John - 175
2. Patrick - 173
3. Jonathan - 172

Total Bonus
1. Patrick - 20.77
2. John - 20.60
3. Bob - 14.85

Total PF-PA
1. Jonathan - 6418-4941
2. Patrick - 6366-4963
3. Bob - 6310-5006

Pool Participant Profile: John Couch

A warm sweater is always a practical Christmas gift

Birthplace: 48.424181,-89.269656

Current residence: 44.608011,-63.479921

Profession: http://www.forces.ca/en/job/navalcombatsystemsengineeringofficer-82.

Wife: http://www.facebook.com/johnandstephaniecouch.

Children: 2.28 (Daniel, Hannah and ?).

Church: http://www.fhfbc.org.

Nickname: Sofa. [Editor's note: Also known as "Commander Couch" around these parts.]

Number of years as pool champion: Two, as far as I can recall.

Favorite NFL team: No firm allegiances (Bills 1988-1993, Packers 1993-1999, Browns 2000-2010ish). [Editor's note: Looks like John is once again looking for a new favorite team.]

Most hated NFL team: No reason to hate anyone.

Favorite NFL studio personality: Chris Berman.

Most annoying NFL studio personality: Michael Irvin.

Favorite sport: Hockey.

Favorite athlete: I like Joel’s Tebow pick, anyone singing “Our God is an Awesome God” during warm-ups is worth cheering for.

Christmas wishlist: Anything practical.

Favorite movie: Life is Beautiful.

Favorite TV show: Arrested Development.

What three items would you want if you were stranded on a deserted island? Bible, emergency position-indicating radio beacon, and do we have advance notice as to the expected climate? Should it be an Arctic climate, I’m going with extreme cold weather clothing. For temperate and tropical climates, I will chose a knife as my third item.

What would you do if you won this year's pool championship? Haven’t quite decided what I am going to do, probably nothing dramatic, maybe retire. [Editor's note: Bulletin board material for Patrick? He said, "what I am going to do," not "what I would do."]

Why does e=mc(squared)? Because we don’t yet have a better way to account for energy-mass equivalence.

Week 13 - Patrick Strikes Back

Week 13 Results

Patrick - 13-3 (+3)

Jonathan - 12-4 (+2)

John - 12-4 (+1.5)

Jarrett - 9-7

Bob - 9-7

Jeremy - 9-7

Joel - 8-8

Roger - 8-8

Just when everyone thought John was going to run away and hide, the Mighty Morand responds by putting 16 big points up on the board, narrowing the gap between him and Commander Couch. With four weeks to go, everything is setting up for an epic struggle between two of the pool's Forest Hills Boys. As HNIC's Bob Cole might say, "EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING!" The third Forest Hills Boy, Jonathan, presently sits in fourth, 0.92 points behind Bob. Jonathan's goal is now to finish in third, which would give the Forest Hills Boys a clean sweep of the medal podium.

The Forest Hills Boys: Jonathan, Patrick, and John

You may have noticed that two "participants in training," Connor (Jonathan's 11-year-old son) and Gillian (Patrick's 7-year-old daughter), have started making picks. Last Sunday Connor boasted, "You could just make random picks and do better than some people." However, Connor's picks were not completely random in week 13. He has stated that he will always pick the Patriots (not forced by Jonathan). And he was also counselled by his father to consider win-loss records. The result: a 10-6 record--better than Jarrett, Bob, Jeremy, Joel, and Roger. On Monday morning, when Jonathan informed Connor, "You did better than some of the guys in the pool," Jonathan's other son, six-year-old Cohen, asked, "What guys in the pool?" If this football thing involved a swimming pool, Cohen was ready to sign up.

The Football Pool Blog is presently trying to substantiate rumors of a Sunday evening Kuehner family conference call. One source claims that reigning pool champion Bert scolded his two sons, Jeremy and Joel, for their weak 2011 performances. If true, Christmas with the Kuehners could be a bit awkward this year.

Week 13 notes: (1) John is now 7.17 points ahead of Patrick--certainly not an insurmountable lead. (2) John is third in points for/against (behind Patrick and Jonathan) but has 6 more wins than Patrick and 9 more than Jonathan. (3) Jarrett (despite missing 2 weeks of picks) is now closer to Jeremy, Joel, and Roger than those three are to John. (4) Gillian (perhaps foolishly) has more faith in her father's favorite team, picking the Jaguars to win in the Monday night game. (5) Jonathan is now tied with Bob in wins.

Will John enjoy a smooth ride to the championship? Or are there bumps ahead?

--Jonathan

Well, needless to say, week 13 was essential for Patrick. If he wants any hope of catching John, he needed week 13, and he needs at least a couple more of them. Of course, it would be better for him if John had relented a little, allowing his complacency to take over. But the entire Dartmouth trio was strong this week, thanks to Jonathan's after-the-fact "Oh yeah, by the way, I picked Seattle." Dismal week for me; I'm still barely in 4th. Poor week for Bob as well, but he's still holding onto 3rd by a hair over Jonathan.

Best pick of the week: Seahawks over Eagles. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Worst pick of the week: Jaguars over Chargers. Why did I rationalize over my gut?

Critical game of the week: Panthers at Bucs. If you got that right, you got points.

Most suspicious pick of the week: Seahawks over Eagles.

--Joel

Week 12 - John Sails to Victory Once Again

Week 12 Results

This week's winners:

  

John - 14-2 (+3)
Bob - 13-3 (+1)
Joel - 13-3 (+1)
Roger - 13-3 (+1)
Jarrett - 12-4
Jeremy - 11-5
Jonathan - 10-6
Patrick - 10-6

See what I did there? John...sailing...he's in the navy. Pretty clever, huh?

Following a couple of poor weeks earlier in November, John had been complaining that his navy duties were affecting his picks. But now after a strong week by Commander Couch and a poor week by Patrick, John is once again comfortably in first. It was thought that Patrick might pose a challenge to John, but, as Dennis Green might say, it seems he is who we thought he was.

A few notes: (1) Bob is now only 3.33 points behind Patrick. (2) Joel has surpassed Jeremy for Kuehner family bragging rights. (3) Roger is now tied with Jeremy in sixth place. (4) When interviewed, Jarrett thought he had missed only one week of picks instead of two.

The McLeod brothers might not be doing too well in the pool, but at least their Patriots are having another fine season. (Hey, wasn't there someone in this pool who kept saying the Jets were going to win the AFC East?) Unfortunately, the other favorite teams of the pool participants aren't doing so well (Jaguars, Bills, Browns, Eagles). And what's going on with Joel's Lions? After a Suh-weet start, their season is turning sour.

Here's a question for you: would you rather have your favorite team with the Super Bowl or you win the pool?

If John puts as much thought into his weekly picks as he did to construct the above apparatus, it's no wonder he's doing so well this season!

--Jonathan

Mr. Complacency no more. John pounds the mouse and thumps the keys to take solo first place in week 12. John's picks were the same as mine, except he picked BAL over SF. His picks were the same as Bob's, except he picked NYJ over BUF. John was right on both accounts.

In case no one noticed, Bob is now in second place in terms of Right-Wrong picks, with 118 to Pat's 117.  Roger also pulled off another strong week. Jarrett had a pretty good week as well, but will it be too little too late?

Best pick of the week: Broncos over Chargers. Kudos to the Tebow believers.

Worst pick of the week: Colts over Panthers. I said before that any Indy pick automatically gets worst pick of the week.

Critical game of the week: Niners at Ravens.

--Joel

Current Standings

Week 7 - [Insert Clever Title]

Week 7 Results

This week's winner:

John - 10-3 (+3)
Jeremy - 9-4 (+2)
Patrick - 8-5 (+1)
Jarrett - 7-6
Joel - 7-6
Jonathan - 7-6
Roger - 7-6
Bob - 6-7

Well, positions one through eight remain unchanged after week 7, but John's lead continues to increase. How far is John ahead? If John didn't make his picks for the next two weeks, he still would remain ahead of Joel!

In the battle for the silver medal, Jeremy is less than one point behind Patrick.

Joel's love affair with Arizona continued. When will he come to his senses and permanently break up with the Cardinals? Adding to Joel's misery was a second straight loss for his Lions.

"What? John picked us, and Joel picked Arizona? YEAH! Looks like a win for us!"--Lamar Woodley

--Jonathan

Current Standings

Week 6 - Sofa So Good for Couch

Week 6 Results

This week's winner:

John - 11-2 (+3)
Jeremy - 10-3 (+0.75)
Joel - 10-3 (+0.75)
Jonathan - 10-3 (+0.75)
Roger 10-3 (+0.75)
Bob - 9-5
Jarrett - 8-5
Patrick - 8-5

I repeat: SOMEBODY STOP JOHN!

Once again, John is this week's winner. Somehow the crucial games always seem to go his way. What's his secret? Superior prognostication skills or his collection of four-leaf clovers and horseshoes?

Roger almost served a second straight ace. Meanwhile, Jeremy is quietly inching his way toward second place. Patrick needs to return to his early season form. Perhaps he should make more use of his Sunday Ticket package ("I've got all the games!") and turn his rec room into a film room. What about Bob? Unfortunately for him, he was on the wrong side of both of the crucial games.

It looks like Jarrett is already in desperation mode, but I think it's a bit early to be throwing Hail Marys. Personally, I'm trying to remain patient. John's due for a couple of bad weeks in a row, right? RIGHT?

Inspired by John's mini-rant on Joel's "Joel recap," some of the pool members had a little fun with Joel's spreadsheet. Perhaps Joel felt the rebuke was warranted since he has not yet deleted the comments.

Is this picture a foreshadowing of the season-ending exchange between Joel and John, if John wins? (I said "if.")

--Jonathan

Well, I thought I was doing well in week 6. The difference between me gaining on John and John gaining on me was a late Fitzpatrick pick. But that's what John gets paid the big bucks for--he knew the pick was coming; I didn't.

Best pick of the week: Niners over Lions.

Worst pick of the week: Vikings over Bears.

Critical game of the week: Bills at Giants.

I got to see the Lions, Niners and Bills play this week. One thing I observed: these teams have pretty good records, but I think that's got to be because all of the other teams are getting worse. I didn't see any of them play particularly well--certainly not well enough to warrant their nice records.

--Joel

Current Standings

Week 5 - Somebody Stop John!

Week 5 Results

This week's winners:

  

He could...go...all...the...way!

At one point during the early games it looked like I might gain a few points on John. Then everything fell apart. Well, at least I got the San Francisco pick right.

Question: Why are the late games so much easier to pick?

--Jonathan

Well, I think I did it! I think I pretty much picked all of the teams that would be trailing after three quarters! At least my Lions are providing me some joy this season.

Best pick of the week: Raiders over Texans.

Worst pick of the week: Bucs over Niners (and John still won the week).

Critical game of the week: Cardinals at Vikings.

--Joel

Current Standings

Week 4 - Off the Couch and into the Lead

Week 4 Results

This week's winners:

 

I believe the goal this season is to pick who will be trailing after 3 quarters.  If you can figure that out, then you assume that team will be the winner.

As Jonathan says, we have a new leader.  Congratulations to John.  However, Patrick's still right there, and he had another solid week.  He's yet to have a vintage Pat week in which he forfeits his entire season's gains.

Best pick of the week: Titans over Browns.

Worst pick of the week: Broncos over Packers in cheese town.

Critical game of the week: Giants at Cardinals.  I know that's probably a bit biased, but if that game had gone the way it was supposed to, without the refs blowing a call, I'd have beat y'all.  (Of course, I always say you can't blame a game's outcome on a single call.)

--Joel Kuehner

Current Standings

(Here's the video of the "fumble.")

Week 3 - The Forest Hills Boys

Week 3 Results

This week's winners:

  

Well, week 3 went pretty much as the previous weeks for Patrick and John. It also unfortunately went about the same as previous weeks for me. Bob had his first poor week. Jonathan got his first bonus points.
There were 3 players each with two loners, each of whom got one loner right and one loner wrong. A lot of games this week were actually very tight, such that really there were no particularly bad picks. If you look at the PF-PA for the week, it was really tight. Actually, Roger did the best in that category thanks to his Giants pick.

Best pick of the week: Raiders over Jets (maybe Giants over Eagles).

Worst pick of the week: Jaguars over Panthers.

Critical game of the week: Redskins versus Cowboys.

Looks like the Lions/Bills Super Bowl is shaping up.

--Joel Kuehner

Week 2 - More Morand

Week 2 Results

It's not midnight yet, is it?

Here are the week 2 results.

Patrick is making Roger try a little harder to keep up this year.

Best pick of the week:  Bucs over Vikings.

Worst pick of the week:  Chiefs over Lions.

Critical game of the week:  Cowboys at Niners.

--Joel Kuehner

Questions from Last Season's Football Quiz

In case you were curious, here are the questions from last season's McLeod NFL Playoff Party Football Quiz. All of the questions involved either the Seahawks or the Bears because the quiz was administered during the halftime of the Seahawks/Bears playoff game. Since the previous post, Patrick has been complaining on Twitter about how I handicapped the quiz to benefit John. (See slide 2 of the presentation.) To read more of Patrick's complaints, go to his Twitter page. Here is my reply and John's comeback.