MORE '09 PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS, DODGERS AVOIDING ARBITRATION, AND MY PICKS FOR THIS WEEKENDS NFL CONFERENCE TITLE GAMES

The fact that the Dodgers have avoided arbitration by agreeing on one or two year contracts with several players, including Kemp, Ethier, Martin , Billingsley, Loney, Kuo , and Sherrill, is a good thing.  At least we know they wont be holding out from Spring Training.  Now if we can only shore up the back end of our rotation and solidify our bench.  Unfortunately Joel Pinero is out of the free-agent running, having been picked up by our neighbors down south.  Perhaps right now, our hope in terms of the back end is to , AGAIN, hope that Russ Ortiz can be another one of those reclamation projects that holds his own until July, and hope that James McDonald can prove he's ready to fulfill the role as a starter.  And of course, perhaps come the non-waiver deadline in July, find another ace from a team out of playoff contention and work out a blockbuster trade.  And of course, all this is just hope.  I stated it before and I'll state it again, we're not that far away from our first fall classic trip since '88.  No one in the NL West has really done much to improve themselves, the Giants may have the best starting pitching in the division and maybe the league, but their lineup still doesnt match up to ours, The Rockies, we'll see if they can continue their run from last season, they may be the biggest threat.  Arizona has formidable pitching, but like the Giants, some offensive issues.  And the Padres, though they showed signs of life at the end of the season, may still be a year or two from seriously contending. 

OK, switching gears, here are my picks for this weekend

AFC TITLE GAME

Colts over the Jets

The Jets have shut up all doubters ( Including this one ) who said they benefited from playing two playoff resting teams during the final two weeks of the season, one which included a road win at Indy, preventing the Colts from an undefeated season.  However, Peyton Manning did not play in the 2nd half, and he should be able to take apart the vaunted Jets defense this time around.  Colts 24 Jets 10

NFC TITLE GAME

Saints over the Vikings

Both these teams are coming off impressive wins and this game should feature a lot of offense.  Saying that, I'll go with the home team here as the Saints win a close one on their way to their first big dance, thwarting Favre's chance to lead the Vikes.

Saints 37 Vikings 31

And finally, more of my pics from last year, from the month of June

From the field level, 6/8/2009 Padres vs. Dodgers

Casey ( Blake ) at the Bat...... And there's Big Dre in the dugout observing

Another Dodger win !!!!  I LOVE L.A. !!!!

My buddy Art and his kid Angel, 6/27/2009.  This was Angel's first baseball game, and he's still talking about it.  Something tells me he'll be going to more.  WELCOME TO OUR TOWN !!!!

DODGERTOWN !!!!  THIS IS OUR TOWN !!!!!

Here I am, by the Mariners on-deck circle after the game.  ( Hey, the Dodger on deck circle was packed.  And hey, wouldnt you want to stand on the on-deck circle that Ken Griffey Jr. stood on less than an hour ago ? )  And speaking of Junior....

KENNY GRIFF

One of the best outfielders to play the game.......

Here again is Art and Angel, with my buddy Josh, before Angel got to run the bases

Yet 'Dre was far from through in '09.......

The standings as of 6/27/2009