MSF Podcast: Roller Derby Girls Gone Wild!

Yesterday I attended one of the most interesting sporting events that I have seen in my life.

It’s something that you MUST check out.

It’s roller derby.

In their first bout of the year, the Naptown Roller Girls hosted the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Afterwards, I sat down with Strawberry Jam of the Naptown Roller Girls to learn more about this entertaining sport that is increasing in popularity.

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4th and Short NFL Picks Podcast for Week 9

Here is a little something to help you get ready for another Sunday of watching NFL football. After a brief hiatus the 4th and Short NFL Picks podcast is back, as Myles and I took some time to break down the eight most important games on the Week 9 schedule for all of you Midwest NFL fans out there.

Among the games discussed: Bengals-Ravens, Colts-Texans, Packers-Bucs, Bears-Cardinals, Titans-49ers, Dolphins-Patriots, and of course the Sunday night and Monday night matchups between the Eagles and Cowboys and the Steelers and Broncos.

Discussion, analysis, and spread picks…all in yet another edition of 4th and Short.

Enjoy, and have a great Week 9 everyone.

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The Debate by the Lake: Browns Fans Disagree on Planned MNF Protest

Before we get into the heart of this post and this week’s podcast, let me just type something that all of our Browns readers can agree on:

Pittsburgh sucks.

Everyone nod in agreement, put down the Stadium Mustard, and now prepare to be separated into two distinct camps (both of which still hate Pittsburgh, no worries there).

In one corner: supporters of Dawg Pound Mike Randall and the walk-in-late protest that he and Mobile Dawg Tony Schaefer are planning for next Monday’s Browns-Ravens game in Cleveland Browns Stadium. If you side here, you most likely think Eric Mangini should have been shown the door with George Kokinis.

In the other corner: supporters of the opinion held by fellow die-hards like Peter Pattakos of ClevelandFrowns.com, who do not understand what will be accomplished by purposefully settling into their seats after kickoff. If you are on this side, you most likely believe that the correct next step for the Browns is something other than a knee-jerk firing of the head coach.

And now we bring you what I am officially dubbing The Debate by the Lake in which Dawg Pound Mike and Cleveland Frown Peter go head to head discussing their beloved Browns.

Two men with the same ultimate goal, but vastly different opinions on what the franchise and its fans should do next in an effort to get there.

Enjoy.

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MSF Podcast with SI’s Jimmy Traina: Meeting Derek Jeter, Chiding Chip Caray, and the Greatest SI Swimsuit Model Ever

Earlier this afternoon Myles and I had the great pleasure to host SI.com’s Jimmy Traina on the latest edition of the MSF Podcast.

We are grateful that he was able to take 30+ minutes out of his afternoon to talk with us, and impressed that he was able to be so composed…what with his beloved Yankees (especially Derek and Minka) preparing for Game 1 of the 2009 World Series tonight.

But I guess when you’ve already won 27 of them and can buy your way into the playoffs every year, it’s easy to stay even keel. (Actually, more on this topic later.)

If you are not familiar with his work, Jimmy Traina runs the Hot Clicks blog on SI.com and is an editor of the always entertaining Extra Mustard section of the site, which fuses sports, pop culture, and humor. Hot Clicks is one of the most visited sports pages on a daily basis, as any publisher knows who has ever received a link from Traina.

Let’s just say it can put a strain on your server.

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MSF Podcast: Deadspin Editor AJ Daulerio on Sex at ESPN and the Decision to Name Names

Though some reasonable people feel that it isn’t a story worthy of discussion, Deadspin’s decision to publish stories about the sexual exploits of certain ESPN employees has been one of the hottest stories in the sports blogosphere over the past 24 hours.

If you’re late to the party, here’s a recap and then some examples of the ensuing reaction to get you up to speed.

We have withheld published judgment to this point, but have been very interested observers at the many angles of this story. One of those angles is what motivated Deadspin editor AJ Daulerio to go ahead with the posting of these stories.

AJ was kind enough to join us on the podcast this afternoon and to provide his answers to some of the criticism Deadspin has received in the wake of yesterday’s events, as well as some of the general criticism he has received since taking over for Will Leitch as editor.

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Jerod and the ‘Stache: College Football Picks for Week 8, October 24th

Last week, the ‘Stache (aka KVB) went 4-3 picking the most important games on the college football schedule. His biggest disappointment, of course, was Ohio State’s shocking loss to Purdue.

This week, we don’t have marquee matchups like Oklahoma-Texas and USC-Notre Dame, but there are some pivotal games across the country that will go along way towards deciding conference championships.

Among the games Jerod and the ‘Stache look at this week: BYU-TCU, Iowa-Michigan State, and Penn State-Michigan, among others.

In addition, they take a look back at Ohio State’s loss to Purdue and discuss the future of Terrelle Pryor, plus take a look at the opening BCS standings. And Jerod poses an important question: would the ‘Stache, a dyed-in-the-wool Buckeye fan, become a Michigan fan in exchange for a college football playoff.

You’ll have to listen to find out the answer, and to get your college football picks.

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MSF Podcast: BSO’s Robert Littal on “New Developments” in Steve McNair Murder Investigation

Yesterday, I caught the following blurb on Pro Football Talk, in reference to “new developments” that CBS is promising in the ongoing investigation into Steve McNair’s murder:

CBS promises that Keteyian’s findings will expose “critical flaws in the police investigation and raises troubling questions about the events leading up to the two deaths.”

My reaction after reading?

“I wonder what Robert Littal has to say about this.”

And if you want to know why Robert’s name was the first I thought of, take a quick minute to review Littal’s coverage of the Steve McNair murder investigation at Black Sports Online (this post in particular).

So I asked Robert what he thought these “new developments” might be (obvious teaser: the former boyfriend?!?), and he graciously agreed to answer via the burgeoning MSF Podcast, with the resulting insight just a click away.

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Midwest Sports Talk Podcast: ALCS and NLCS Preview

Earlier this afternoon, Myles and I had the pleasure of doing our first Midwest Sports Talk podcast with our guest AJ Kaufman.

AJ, who wrote two excellent previews of the ALCS and NLCS, provided great insight on some of the key matchups and components that will ultimately determine who ends up playing for the World Series.

And Myles and I discussed the question I posed earlier today: does “guy code” dictate that we should all forgive Mike Sim-Walker?

So enjoy the latest edition of the MSF Podcast, and look for more general sports discussion in a similar format each Thursday moving forward.

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MSF Podcast: Week 6 Fantasy Flash with Jerod & Kurt

It’s midweek, which means it’s time for the Fantasy Flash podcast with me and Kurt.

We start the Fantasy Flash last week and got a good response, so it looks like this will become a weekly staple here on MSF.

And in the future, if you have questions that you want us to address in the Fantasy Flash, write them in the comment section of one of our fantasy football posts. In future episodes we will be choosing a couple of the best questions and discussing them during the podcast.

On this week’s Flash, Kurt and I do the usual: predict this week’s top individual scorer, provide three start ‘ems and three sit ‘ems a piece, and then discuss a few sleeper picks and waiver wire possibilities.

Among the players discussed this week: Brandon Jacobs, Jonathan Stewart, Matt Hasselbeck, Donnie Avery, Maurice Jones-Drew, Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley, Jerome Harrison, Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Jamal Lewis, and many, many more.

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4th & Short NFL Picks Podcast – Week 6

Last week we introduced 4th and Short, our weekly NFL picks podcast featuring myself and Big MB.

As promised, 4th & Short is back this week to give you expert point spread analysis for the most compelling games on the NFL Week 6 schedule.

In Week 6, there are clearly three games that jump off the schedule as being the most important games of the week: Ravens-Vikings, Falcons-Bears, and of course, Giants-Saints.

Big MB and I look at these three games, plus five more, and determine which teams will cover the spread and which teams will come up short.

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College Football Picks Podcast – Week 7, October 17th

Once again, I am proud to be announcing a new regular feature here at MSF: the College Football Picks Podcast with Jerod and the ‘Stache.

(Note: I didn’t come up with the name until after we’d recorded the first episode — and after I found two funny pictures to photoshop together —  so bear with me. Next week’s episode will reflect the “official” name. As if you care.)

Each week, our very own KVB (aka The ‘Stache) will be joining me to dissect and pick the biggest games on that week’s college football schedule. And despite KVB’s aversion to the point spread, I was able to convince him to pick against the spread.

We also discuss KVB’s thoughts on whether money truly determines everything in college football. KVB isn’t so sure that the conventional wisdom on this issue is correct.

Among the games we look at and pick against the spread this week: Cincinnati-South Florida, Oklahoma-Texas, Ohio State-Purdue, Iowa-Wisconsin, Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech, South Carolina-Alabama, and USC-Notre Dame.

And take note of this: so far during the NFL season, we are 43-31 picking against the spread. Not bad.

Enjoy.

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MSF Podcast: Interview with Blogging Fitness Author Kimberly Westphall

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing one of our newest writers here at Midwest Sports Fans.

In this latest edition of the MSF Podcast, I interview Kimberly Westphall on a wide range of topics, including her goals for the new regular feature column she will have here on the site: Blogging Fitness.

In addition to discussing Blogging Fitness, and Kimberly’s obsession with kickboxing workouts, we discuss the subjects of the other articles that she has contributed to MSF thus far.

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Monday Night Football: Jets-Dolphins Preview, Analysis, and Prediction

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Baked Beans

Each week, you can also listen to the MSF Monday Night Football Podcast, brought to you by Sadler’s. Follow the link to listen to the MSF Podcast on iTunes, or use the in-page player below to listen while you read.

Jets-Dolphins MNF Preview Podcast presented by Sadler’s

(FYI…audio player may take a second or two to load)

 
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4th & Short Podcast: Spread Picks for Key Week 5 Matchups

Earlier today, Big MB and I recorded the first edition of a new weekly podcast that will be called 4th and Short. In it, we will each be providing four “locks” against the spread for the upcoming NFL week.

Among the games that we discuss this week: Colts-Titans, Browns-Bills, Ravens-Bengals, and — of course — Broncos-Patriots.

We had been doing this segment after our Monday Night Football Podcast, but obviously spread picks do you know good once the week is over. Hence, why we’ve decided to split that podcast into two.

So whether you want our advice as actual guidance (full disclosure: neither of us actually bets on the NFL), or simply for entertainment purposes, hit play below, grab the mp3 directly, or listen to us on iTunes.

MSF Podcast: Week 5 Fantasy Flash

I am proud to have a new weekly feature to unveil this week for everybody: the Fantasy Flash, a weekly podcast during which Fraschetti and I discuss start ‘ems, sit ‘ems, and sleepers for the current fantasy football week.

Among the topics discussed in this week’s Fantasy Flash:

• The top overall scorer may very well come from Sunday night, but will it be Peyton Manning or Chris Johnson?
• The Giants are playing Oakland this week: should you start all of New York’s offensive players?
• Are there actually some Cleveland Browns offensive players to recommend this week?
• What do you do with Donovan McNabb know that he’s back?

Kurt and I both give our prediction for the week’s top scorer, as well as provide two start ‘ems, two sit ‘ems, and two sleepers a piece.

For the record, I tried not to just regurgitate the same information I provide in this week’s start em, sit em post. So even if you read that post, the podcast is still worth listening to.

Here it is. Enjoy:

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Note: If you have any problems with the player above, here is a link to mp3 file and you can also download the MSF Podcast on iTunes.

And please use the comment section if you have additional start ‘em, sit ‘em questions or to provide feedback on the podcast and features you’d like to see for the future.