Neil Best cheating scandal takes another bizarre turn
Last week, Best put on one of the most shameful performances in sportswriting history.
As soon as we came out with our initial picks for wild card weekend, Best (who is really Uncle Leo from Seinfeld - but don't tell him that because it drives him insane) thought he'd be a wise guy and pick the exact opposite, just for giggles. As it turned out, I went 0-4 with that set of picks and Best went 4-0.
But lo and behold, Best picked the Chargers against the Colts, and then turned around later in the week and predicted that the Colts would go on to play the Giants in the Super Bowl. He was called on the carpet by Charlie Chilkoot, but instead of apologizing, Best rationalized that making picks is akin to getting multiple Bingo cards. In other words, what's the big deal about making one set of picks one place, and another set somewhere else.
Now, it turns out, our good friends at WhereIStand.com (hey, we got an e-mail from thesite's chief cook and bottle washer yesterday, so in the Internet world, that means we're good friends), Best is atop the list of football luminaries that include Cris Collinsworth, Keyshawn Johnson, Mike Golic, Brian Baldinger and Chris Mortensen. The standings show that he's 4-0, the only predictor with a clean slate. (Collinsworth went 3-0, but declined to pick the Cardinals-Falcons game because he worked the broadcast.)
And we're 0-4, tied for the bottom with former Vikings receiver and now ESPN announcer Cris Carter.
In other words, Best declined to correct the mistake and inform WhereIStand.com proprietor Geoff Decker that he should actually be 3-1 and tied with about 30 other guys for second place. Nor does Best point out that my actual pick for the Cardinals-Falcons game was the Cardinals, which made me 1-3. Even Mantz accepted this.
I've included Decker's standings below, so please check them out.
In the meantime, I'll say to Best what I have said to my children shortly after they learned to speak: Cheaters never win, and winners never cheat.
MIA-BAL SD-IND MIN-PHI ARI-ATL Record
Neil Best (Newsday) BAL SD PHI ARI 4-0
Cris Collinsworth (Inside the NFL) BAL SD PHI *** 3-0*
Arnie Spanier (Sporting News) MIA SD PHI ARI 3-1
Brian Baldinger (Sporting News) BAL SD PHI ATL 3-1
Dan Shanoff (Sporting News) BAL SD PHI ATL 3-1
Dennis Dillon (Sporting News) BAL SD PHI ATL 3-1
Chris Mortensen (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ARI 3-1
Eric Allen (ESPN) BAL SD PHI ATL 3-1
ESPN BAL IND PHI ARI 3-1
Jason McIntyre (The Big Lead) BAL SD MIN ARI 3-1
Keyshawn Johnson (ESPN) MIA SD PHI ARI 3-1
Mike Golic (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ARI 3-1
Seth Wickersham (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ARI 3-1
Phil Simms (Inside the NFL) *** SD MIN ARI 2-1*
Bill Simmons (ESPN) BAL IND MIN ARI 2-2
Clark Judge (CBSSports.com) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Clifton Brown (Sporting News) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Greg Cosell (Sporting News) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Greg Cote (Miami Herald) MIA IND PHI ARI 2-2
King Kaufman (Salon) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Mark Schlereth (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Merril Hoge (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Mike Ditka (ESPN) MIA SD PHI ATL 2-2
Peter King (Sports Illustrated) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Ron Jaworski (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Tom Jackson (ESPN) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Warren Sapp (Inside the NFL) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Pete Prisco (CBSSports.com) BAL IND PHI ATL 2-2
Dave Richard (CBSSports.com) BAL IND MIN ATL 1-3
David Fleming (ESPN) BAL IND MIN ATL 1-3
Hank Gola (NY Daily News) MIA IND PHI ATL 1-3
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) MIA IND PHI ATL 1-3
Bob Glauber (Newsday) MIA IND MIN ATL 0-4
Cris Carter (ESPN) MIA IND MIN ATL 0-4
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Comments (11)
Way to take the high road. When I noticed you tied with Carter I was afraid you would follow him down this path:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/30/cris-carter-should-quit-talking-about-guns/
At least you're tied with Carter.
Its a good thing Bob Mantz is not on that list...
Bob,
I'll bet you never thought that our chop busting would
actually help you...but we have the photographic proof
that you need. You are not 0 - 4. 1-3 is the correct tally.
http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/2009/01/neil-best-cheating-scandal-takes.html
My stipulation is that we stick with the line at the time that
either you or I make our initial picks. So we go with my
line for this week.
Mantz:
Ravens +3.5 over the Titans
Cardinals +10 over the Panthers
Eagles +4.5 over the New York Giants
Steelers -6 over the Chargers
Glauber (official)
Titans -3.5
Panthers -10
Giants -4.5
Steelers -6
Or, as we pointed out last week...all the favorites again.
Bob
Bob...LOL...your Uncle Leo (aka Neil Best) is priceless...perhaps you should consider a stand-up comedian gig !
Hey, I'm 37 1/2 and the only reason I'm still not talking high school Spanish is because I cheated. I also cheated on my SAT's. (Only two questions)
College I cheated all the time. So I think that cheaters sometimes win.
I'm going with Best on this one.
You're going to start your Sunday stuff anytime now, right?
That video is absolutely hilarious (no offense Neil). Bob, what's wrong with 0-4? All the cool kids are 0-4... hahaha...
E. Boland: The Sunday stuff is nearly done, but thanks for asking.
Mad Dog Mascaro: Here's your assignment for today. I read an item on Deadspin.com about a Tennessee Titans cheerleader who is working in a science lab as a full-time molecular neuroscience researcher while working toward a career in medicine.
Hop to it, young man.
Richie G.-
But did you get caught?
Marasco-
Don't forget associated pictures with BG's suggestion.
Islander505-
Any perspectives or rhymes you care to share on the eve of the Giants playoff game? (and others).
No rhymes.....just a thought...
The Gints begin Round 2 tomorrow in their drive to become the greatest dynasty of the 21st Century, the 1st pro USA team to win 4 Championships in a Row since a certain hockey team did it in the early 80's.....and in fact surpass that feat and DRIVE FOR FIVE...
Lofty objective?
Sure....absolutely....no one has walked on the moon either...
Am I nuts?
Irrelevant....
BUT WHYTF NOT?????
No would said the Isles could win 4.....or 3.....or even 2.
All starts tomorrow.....
Giants 31-3.
Just my opinion.....