Baby, Let Us Begin Again

While returning from a nice trip out to Seattle the other night, I ran out of my own reading material. This does not happen often, and I was forced to make the regrettable choice of reading Sky Mall, conveniently located in my seatback pocket. Somewhere between the inflatable TV's and the Hammacher-Schlemer Marshmallow Shooter, I smacked my forehead. Pretty hard. Partly because of what I'd been reading, and partly because I had just realized that it's August. LATE August. Which means it's time to get Smooved.

The Friends of Smoove B confidence football pool returns now for its 11th season. Just think of how young we all were when this started. Depressed now? Good. Time to channel that pain into something constructive, like gambling.

The rules, dues, website, and the players remain more or less the same as last year. What attrition we have will likely be offset by the addition of a newbie or two, to whom I will give the full spiel as to how this is played.

Those of you who were in this last year don’t need to do anything other than check your account at CBS Sportsline and update whatever needs updating. Those of you who wish to get out, that's fine. Please let me know, but before you do, just remember how much your mother and I have given up for you all these years.

As always, your $50 entry is good for the season. Weekly payouts of $50 for first and a to-be-determined amount for second will be the rule; season-long payouts are determined by player count.

The season begins Thursday night, September 4th, and picks for Week One will therefore be due late Thursday afternoon.

Entry fees will be gratefully accepted when you see me, or at the address in the email I'm about to send you.

Oh by the way, what's all this **** about Brett Favre playing for the Jets this season? Sure be nice if the local news would cover this kind of stuff.

Damn.