Philanthropy (The Picks) *Bowl Game Edition

Philanthropy record at the end of the season stands at 57-34 (63%). Here are the bowl games we are rollin with...
I think it is the first time all year that we have taken 5 favorites, but I going with these 5 defenses to take it home for us. I thought when the bowl games were announced that we could get 4 BCS game blowouts, and I am sticking with that first impression.

USC -8 over Penn St
Alabama -9 over Utah
UConn -5 over Buffalo
Texas -8 over Ohio St
Florida -3 over Oklahoma

Weeping and gnashing of teeth

44-6 with the season on the line?

Time for feelings through art...

Philanthropy (The Picks) *Christmas edition

Christmas came early last weekend as I dropped another 4-1 on that Vegas head. Christmas comes late this week. Philanthropy record stands at 56-30 (65%) for the season ats. Here are the picks...

Patriots/ Bills over 42
Saints/ Panthers over 52
Redskins/ 49ers under 37
Rams/ Falcons under 44.5
Texans/ Bears under 47

Update: These picks are trash

The Greatest Listener contest, Bowden, Goodman (The Audio)

The Greatest Chris Vernon Show listener of 2008 contest was more competitive than we could have ever imagined. Big thanks to all of you that have been extremely dedicated to the show in '08. We attempted to ensure that the winner would be an incredibly dedicated individual. Many of the female listeners of the show were the ones that lasted the longest, and in fact the winner of the contest was a female... Jasmine. She finished everyone off by answering the near impossible question that had ended many a quest to be crowned champion. We will attempt to get a picture of Jasmine. Congratulations to Jasmine, and thanks to all of you that listened this year. If you missed the contest and want to see if you would have won, the audio is below.

The Greatest Chris Vernon Show listener contest 2008.

Terry Bowden joined us on the show to talk about the Auburn job, if Turner Gill didn't get the job because of race, preparing a team for a bowl game, etc.

Terry Bowden on The Chris Vernon Show 12-22-08

Jeff Goodman was on for his weekly segment on Monday and discussed everything college basketball. Jeff Goodman on The Chris Vernon Show 12-22-08

How soon we forget

I thought Pau Gasol should have been booed instead of celebrated in his return to the FedEx Forum and I must tell you that I am more than a bit puzzled that I virtually stand alone in the media with that opinion. In fact, this morning in the paper Geoff Calkins wrote the following...

So Heisley was one of those cheering Gasol during the introductions. There were boos, too. Which was both ridiculous and predictable.
Booing Gasol is like booing class. Like booing intelligence and sportsmanship.
"I will always have great memories of Memphis," said Gasol.
Why would anyone ever boo that guy?

Wow, booing class and intelligence? I am stunned at how absurd this has gotten over the course of time. Let's go to the paper to find out what was written when Pau wanted to be traded...
Calkins wrote...
"As much as anyone else, Gasol is responsible for the Grizzlies' hideous year. He broke his foot playing for Spain in the World Championships. The Grizzlies -- who are paying him more than $12 million this season -- never uttered a critical word. 'You have to understand, Pau loves his country,' West said. 'That's part of what makes him the great player he is.' Pretty darn gracious, eh? But, then, when haven't the Grizzlies been supportive of Gasol?
They hung with him while he learned the league his rookie year. They shipped Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells out because they were too hard on their sensitive star. Then they paid Gasol the maximum allowed by the NBA, a six-year, $86-million contract extension that symbolized their faith in him. 'We believe in Pau Gasol,' said West. And he repays them with this. In the most difficult season the Grizzlies have had in Memphis, at a time when the franchise needs Gasol's leadership more than ever, the only thing he wants to lead is the parade out of town."

So when the team needed him more than ever, he turned his back on the organization and wanted out? Do I have that right? Sounds like a guy that deserves a tribute! What a freaking joke. And now today it is why would anyone boo Pau Gasol? I feel like I am in an alternate dimension in this town sometimes. How soon we forget. Archives can be a great refresher huh?
The whole event and ridicule of the real sports fans that rightfully booed this bum is shameful and proves that if you are nice to the media, they will always have your back. Even if you turn your back on the team when they need you most (Calkins words, not mine), they will encourage a celebration of your time here. Pathetic and transparent.

I wanna puke

I did not expect the Grizzlies to win the game against the Lakers tonight, and actually I was pretty impressed by the good effort. The game has nothing to do with my disgust.
In the first quarter during the first timeout, the team put up a "Thank you Pau" video with "highlights" of his time in Memphis. It was the most second-rate, bush-league crap I have ever seen in my life. How pathetic is that? It easily topped the stupid Shane Battier poster night, and I more than anyone loved Battier and how he gave it everything he had every single night. Can this organization stop celebrating the opposing team?

Can the Grizzlies decision makers please read the paper? Do we not remember the biggest mistake in Grizzlies history saying the following...
"No matter what, the Grizzlies aren't going to be able to put themselves in position to win a championship. I don't think that's ever going to happen."
and... "I think it's just the way it is. I don't think the Grizzlies will ever have enough to be at that highest level."

What I witnessed tonight with that joke of a video was the lowest moment in Grizzlies in arena "entertainment" history. Unforgivable. And anyone that stood up and cheered is a damn idiot that should never be allowed in that arena again.
"Thank you Pau" For what?
I guess thanks for the laughs as you checked for blood, laid in the fetal position, and made a mockery of the game.
What a low moment. Anyone that has ever lived in another sports town knows how pitiful and ridiculous this was. Celebrating a player that wanted to be traded because the team stunk when the team stunk because it was built around him? I wanna puke.

The Return of the Weenie

Tonight is the night that the most overrated player in the history of the Grizzlies comes back to the place he made home for the first several years of his career. Today on the show will be a tribute to the great moments in the shows history with our favorite player. And for old times...

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Philanthropy record is now 52-29 (64%). The games for this weekend are all totals on Sunday. Here we go...

Patriots/ Cardinals over 45
Vikings/ Falcons over 43.5
Texans/ Raiders under 44
Rams/ 49ers under 43.5
Giants/ Panthers over 37.5

Out Wed-Friday

I will not be on the show Wed-Fri and will return to boo Pau Gasol on Monday. Harry and Jason Smith from the Commercial Appeal will be in studio and they will be getting contributions from Gary Parrish, Geoff Calkins, Scott Caciolla, Chris Herrington, etc. Take care of those guys that are doing the show while I am gone. Thanks for listening and a big thanks to the guys that are keeping the show going while I am out. I'll be back Monday.

A few thoughts (Antonio Anderson, Grizz)

When I was saying that Antonio Anderson probably should have tried the draft, what is happening this year so far is what I was talking about. Would he have gotten drafted? Maybe in the second round, with people thinking he could be a role player. Now the light shines on him as a vet and he is expected to be better than what he is. He is a role guy, and always has been, and role guys stock is dependent on who is on the court with them rather than how good they are individually. If Bruce Bowen were on a different team people would think he is a bum. Anderson has always been viewed as the "guy that doesn't get the credit" type. Not now.

Mike Conley Jr. has been playing much better since Kyle Lowry has been starting games. I get the sense that the other players like Kyle as the starter.
Conley played the first part of the season as the worst pg in the league, now he has been playing like most point guards do when they get minutes. Am I supposed to act like he is really progressing? I guess it is all relative. Great, he is no longer playing like the worst point guard in the association. I am still not sold. The team looks better with Kyle Lowry as the starter, and it is not a coincidence.

Antoine Walker is getting his contract bought out by the Grizzlies. I don't buy for a second that the Grizz should do this for Antoine because he wasn't gonna play and didn't act like a jerk about it. Walker could and would contribute if he were not totally out of shape and totally incapable of giving the team anything. This guy can't play anymore because he wouldn't stay in shape and the Grizz should do him a favor? How about if he would have done the Grizz a favor and not been a total waste? This team would love to have another vet that could play. The reason Walker didn't play was not because of the youth, it was that he sucks because he let himself go. How professional of him. I have no problem with them buying him out, but not because it is the right thing to do by Walker.

I will be away from the show on Wednesday through Friday, but the show will still be live with a lot of show contributors teaming up to fill in.

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Philanthropy season record is now 50-26 (65%), after going 11-4 the last three weeks. Here are the games for this weekend...

Baltimore/Pitt over 34
Titans -3 over Houston
Redskins/ Bengals under 36.5
San Diego/ Chiefs under 45.5
Panthers/ Broncos over 48

CVERNON.COM EXCLUSIVE: Q. ROSS WILL REMAIN GRIZZLY

I just confirmed that Quinton Ross will not be waived by Monday and his contract will be picked up through the rest of the year. Not a surprise, considering the Crittenton trade, but good news anyway.

Clark Kellogg and Chris Wallace (The Audio)

CBS basketball analyst Clark Kellogg joined us on the show on Wednesday to talk about the college basketball season and the Memphis/Gtown game he is calling this weekend.

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace joined us for the weekly segment to talk about the Critt trade, the team, and the type of guard they are looking for to pair with Mayo.
Both interviews are loaded.

Small update on Critt...

Crittenton is not with the team in Oklahoma City. He was held out of practice this morning before the team left. The deal is expected to happen tomorrow.

CVERNON.COM EXCLUSIVE: CRITTENTON TRADED?

I do not have all of the details, but I was told that Javaris Crittenton is being traded to the Wizards and the deal includes picks coming back to the Grizzlies. Like I said, I do not have details, but will get them as soon as I can.
Maybe they are getting back the pick they sent in the JCN trade?

Also, Herrington and I were talking about this and he brought up a good side note to this, which we had also talked about at the game last night... (The Q. Ross contract status)

Maybe Wallace moved Critt with no players coming back so that he would not have to fight to keep Ross next week when a decision has to be made on his contract. Losing Critt and not replacing him with players would mean they are at the league min. and would have to keep Ross no matter what.

Philanthropy and Denunzio (The Audio)

Philanthropy record for the season is now 46-26 (64%) for the year. Here are the picks for the weekend (all NFL)...

Titans -13.5 over Browns
Saints/ Falcons over 51
Cardinals/ Rams under 48.5
Patriots/ Seahawks under 43
Colts/ Cincy under 41.5 (i like best)

Jimmy Denunzio (The World's Greatest Handicapper) could hardly make it through the segment (classic performance). We found out about his new job and got the picks for the weekend...

Geoff and Gary coming back...

Geoff Calkins and Gary Parrish are going to be back on 730 and will start the show on January 5th. The show will run 11a-1p, M-F. Obviously, I am thrilled to have them back. Mediaverse wrote an article about their return. Here it is.

Announcement on the show at 4

There will be an announcement on the show today regarding the programming of 730 Fox Sports, and some changes at the start of the year.

The Audio

I loaded the weekly segment with Chris Wallace from Wednesday. We talked about coaching for the most part, and listeners called in to talk to the GM.

You know you are a Tennessee homer...

if you were impressed by Lane Kiffin's opening press conference. The only thing missing was actual urine running down his leg. It reminded me of when I was in 7th grade and the teacher made the shy kid get up in front of the class to speak. I wish the guy the best, but if you thought that was anything other than an uncomfortable joke, you my friend are officially incapable of being objective regarding this subject. He may turn out to be great, but the presser was just another red flag to me. Gotta give it to him on the wife though, he obviously can recruit.
Delivery- F
Content- D-
Inspirational meter (Houston Nutt is an A)- F
Corny Jokes- F- (not one moment of humour intentionally created)
Bravado (false or real)- F- (no stones, he even laid the Florida prediction on Hamilton)
Wife- A