In 17 previous seasons here on The Friday Page our reasonably happy marriage of meticulous research and utter guesswork has birthed a career winning percentage of .637 overall and .506 vs. the point spread. Friends of mine who have their bookie on speed-dial tell me plus-.500 against the Vegas number picking every game every week every year is impressive. That's why they're my friends.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The Dolphins are not only going to upset the Jets on Sunday, but they also are going to be .500 this season, finish second in the AFC East and only miss a wild-card berth by one game. Meaning, with a break here or a fortuitous bounce there, the team that ended last season 1-15, cloaked in shame, could actually make the playoffs.
FANTASY FOOTBALL
If there is one lesson to be learned from my drafts, it's this: Never partner with a team that puts personal animosities over draft picks.
The NFL's August fakery is done and now King Sport launches its 89th season for real Thursday night as the champion New York Giants face the Washington Redskins following a bombastic ''Kickoff Weekend'' concert headlined by either Keith Urban and Usher or Keith Usher and Urban.
It was a chess set, a beautiful one. And Williams knew someone who would treasure it. On the other side of the world, weeks later, one of football's legends received a gift from a friend, a person no one had heard from in some time. Jim Brown, the greatest running back to play the game, was touched.
FANTASY FOOTBALL
The more I analyze the draft board, the more I like being in the middle of a snake draft. The problem is the lack of stud wide receivers. I'd rather have Marion Barber or Clinton Portis (mid-to-late first-rounders) paired with one of the elite wideouts (presuming Tom Brady is off the board or you're holding out on quarterbacks).
FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Chatter on several looming Dolphins decisions: Starting battles: Three or four remain in play, with safety and running back the most intriguing. Of the Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown battle, coach Tony Sparano said Tuesday, ``I need to see more of Ronnie before I make that decision. If I don't see a whole lot more Ronnie, then Ricky will start.''
