Mr. Weed’s Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Now we all know that Valentine’s Day can be sort of tricky for some of us fellas. Fortunately, I’ve had some luck over the years in getting some presents for my lady that I’m happy to share with all of you. What are friends for if they’re not going to help out in a time of crisis? And believe me, I know some of you all are in crisis mode this week. So without further a due, here are my top Valentine’s Day gifts for your lady in 2009:

1. C3 Compact Lithium 1/2 in. Reversible Drill/Driver – I know what you’re saying. “I do all the drilling in my house.” Fair enough. But why not let the little lady have a little fun around the house too while you’re watching the race on Sunday. You might be surprised what she can do. And this drill is the perfect starter for her. Plus, what’s she going to do with an angle grinder anyway?

2. West Virginia Chocolate Deer Drop Cookie Mix – Sometimes a box of chocolates just isn’t enough. And when it’s not, what is a man to do? Chocolate Deer Drop Cookie Mix is what. They taste even better than they sound. Check them out. She’ll love you forever.

3. Ugly Stik Fishing Rod – Does your lady give you a hard time about fishing too much? Then, take her with you and get her this nearly unbreakable rod. You really can’t beat this rod for the price, and it’s the perfect rod for her. If she gets to be a lot more experienced she might want a rod with more sensitivity, but for this special day, nothing says “I love you” like an Ugly Stik rod.

4. Bottle of Jeremiah Weed Bourbon Liqueur – Did you really think I could leave this off the list? I mean, what would Valentine’s Day be without sharing an evening with your lady and a bottle of JWB. Valentine’s Day will never stress you out again.

Destiny vs. Defense: Who Wins Out?

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Current Line:  Pittsburgh by 7

After a wild and unexpected NFL season and playoffs, we are left with two teams in the Super Bowl that got here two very different ways. I’ll break it down here and tell you which way it’s going to go. Then, as you probably guessed, I’m going to get straight to preparing one of my famous turduckens for Sunday’s game according to mama’s recipe (check the site for the recipe). But for now, here’s how it’ll play out:

The Arizona Cardinals – a team that no one thought would be here at the beginning of the season – seem like a team of destiny as veteran quarterback Kurt Warner somehow got his sluggish team to peak just in time for the playoffs to get them to Tampa. Warner has put up some of the best stats in playoff history as has his freakish wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has already passed Jerry Rice for most yards in a postseason in NFL history. Anquan Boldin has had 2 weeks to rest his injured hamstring and should be close to full strength. Edgerrin James has found new life and is running better than he has all year. The Cardinals have been clicking, that much is obvious. Whether the Steelers can trip them up is the question.

Pittsburgh, as usual, has relied on its impressive defense to plod impressively through the regular season and playoffs. Even though they benefited from a depleted Ravens secondary in the AFC Championship game, Pittsburgh did their job in proving they are the best team in the AFC this year. Ben Roethisberger has been even a better leader than during the Steelers’ Super Bowl season a few years ago, and Willie Parker, much like Anquan Boldin, should be close to 100% after struggling with injuries this season. The Cardinals had trouble with the run on the edges, and Parker should find some space there to keep the Steelers offense respectfully moving. All of this is to say that the Steelers’ offense is poised to keep the ship steady so that their defense can dominate. So will they?

Even though the Steelers seem like the better team on paper, few have noted that they only played 7 teams with winning records this season, compared to the Cardinals who played 8. You might also be interested to know that Big Ben’s TD to INT ratio is close to 1:1 whereas Kurt Warner’s is 2:1. Not to mention that this will be Warner’s third Super Bowl appearance. Besides the misconceptions on which team is actually stronger on paper, the Cardinals are riding high. Warner, the ultimate underdog, leading an underdog team, seems like they are playing with some sort of magic ingredient that can defy what any defense can throw at them, even the Steelers. But will the real Cardinals please stand up? Like the team that lost to the Patroits 47-7 in late December? The Cardinals have been up and down all season, which means we are due for a dip. The Eagles exposed the Cardinals and gave their confidence a big chink in the armor during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship. The Steelers defense will take up right there. And Troy Polamalu is a difference maker. The Steelers aren’t afraid to blitz and keep Warner guessing, and we saw what happened when the Eagles finally rattled him. No, the dream is over for the Cardinals, although it’s hard not to root for this storybook ending. But we don’t root, we predict. And the Steelers win.

Steelers defeat the Cardinals, 26-20

NFL Playoff Predictions and Analysis

Just like many of you, I can’t wait to watch this weekend’s NFL Conference Championship games. And keeping with tradition, I’m preparing one of my famous fried turduckens and giving you my annual predictions. Let’s dive right into this weekend’s games, shall we?

Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Current Line: Pittsburgh by 6

The weather forecast for Pittsburgh calls for mid 20s and snow showers. Perfect weather for a physical, ugly third meeting between two teams that do not like each other. Pittsburgh won both earlier meetings in close and controversial contests that many thought Baltimore would have won without the help of some creative officiating (I mean REALLY creative). Correct call or not, Baltimore will be playing with a chip on their shoulder which will make this even better for our purposes. This could end up being one of the grittiest, most physical games we have seen in many years.

It’s no secret that both teams have great defenses as both are ranked at the top of the AFC in that respect. That’s what we’ve come to expect from these two teams over the years ­ smashmouth football. What’s been surprising has been the play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco for the Ravens who has come of age and stealing a page out of Ben Roethlisberger’s book after his remarkable rookie season with the Steelers. The way Flacco is playing now, he’s right there with Big Ben in his ability to lead his team. And is anyone feeling a little déjà vu, as in the sort of 2001 Super Bowl underdog Ravens kind? Back to that in a second.

These teams are evenly matched, so this one is going to be close and down to the wire even though the line currently has Pittsburgh by 6. The Ravens are a team on a mission, similar to 2001, and believe they are the better team. They are confident. Really confident. The two close and controversial loses have the Ravens motivated more than the Steelers, and it’s hard to beat a team three times, especially a close rival that is evenly matched. Yes, the magic continues for the underestimated Ravens and rookie Flacco. It’s back to Tampa for the Ravens and another playoff upset. With the way this year has gone, I don’t think anyone believes the top seeds were actually playing the best football. Déjà vu anyone?

Ravens win, 13-9

Philadelphia at Arizona
Current Line: Philadelphia by 3.5

Um, wait. Who’s playing again? So it is. Not exactly what we expected, but we’ll play it anyway. The two old leaders of these squads, Donovan McNabb and Kurt Warner have both been here before. We just didn’t think they’d be here this time ­ with mediocre teams and with Donovan being benched mid-season and Kurt taking over from Matt Leinert.

So what happens on Sunday? Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald ripped apart the Panthers’ secondary last week, but the Eagles’ Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson seems to be at the top of his game. Don’t expect the Eagles to allow Fitzgerald to run around unguarded like the Panthers did. Even with the success the Eagles have had with their zone blitz, Warner is in the zone and in incredible sync with Fitzgerald. They’ll continue to be successful, although it won’t be as easy as it was last week.

So how about the Eagles offense? Brian Westbrook reinjured his knee against the Giants and rumors are that it is really hampering him. And although McNabb has had a couple of magical games, do we really believe that he’s not due for a disaster? He is.

University of Phoenix Stadium provides the electric backdrop for one of the most improbable Super Bowl runs in recent NFL history. At least since the 2001 Ravens. Or 2009 Ravens. Arizona and Baltimore? Believe it.

Arizona wins, 37-20.

Check back next week for my Super Bowl predictions and post your own thoughts in the jeremiahweedbourbon.com forum, here on my blog, or at my Facebook page.

NASCAR to RACE WRONG WAY AROUND TRACK in 2009

With all the attention on NASCAR here at the end of the 2008 Season, I’ve been taking quite a bit of heat regarding my comments on the 2009 NASCAR season.  The controversy ensued when I was asked by reporters to comment on Jeremiah Weed Bourbon Liqueur’s NASCAR tire air sponsorship for 2009 (Here is the video in question).  In those comments, I proposed that NASCAR should do a few races (or maybe all races in 2009) that would require the drivers to drive the wrong way around the track.  I have been surprised at the great debate that has ensued.  Either people think it’s a great idea or the worst idea ever.  I happen to think it’s great.  You can vote on what you think over there at the site (JeremiahWeedBourbon.com).  Let me know what you think.  The 2009 Season is just around the corner.

Sincerely yours,

I remain,

Mr. Jeremiah Weed

Deer Hunting in the Fall

As you all know, now and again I take some time with my labor of love, Jeremiah Weed Bourbon Liqueur, to take a little holiday.  Some of which you can read on my fishing section of this site, such as my trip to Florida.  Now that I am back and had my fill of fishing, and with Fall approaching, my thoughts have turned to hunting again.  After a very successful squirrel season I have put up my squirrel gun and started to sight in my deer rifle.  Ahh…deer season.  As much as I look forward to chasing those chattering little creatures during squirrel season, I truly love the hunt for Whitetail deer.  I think it is more the time of year between the cool crisp mornings, the turning of the leaves and the smell of Fall I find alluring.

 

The hunt itself is also much more challenging.  Soon I will be in the woods scouting my favorite area for rubs and scrapes, for trails and beds and all the other tell-tale signs of this icon of American hunting.  But for now I am breaking out my gear from the long winter storage.  And, first things first, sighting my rifle, which leads me to my particular thought today.  As my friends are so fond of pointing out, I tend to fall in love with my hunting weapons.  I have my favorite bird gun, my favorite squirrel gun and of course my favorite deer rifle.  After coming back from Florida and my fishing adventures, I find myself of the mind to retire this old girl and search for a new deer rifle. 

 

 

Being that I have favorites, and I really do not keep up with the latest gadgets and guns, I would like to throw out to my readers a question:  What is your favorite weapon and why?  I am very curious to see what my comrades are using which may help me in my choice for this coming season.  So please feel free to expound on your choice.

I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Mr. Jeremiah Weed

 

NASCAR’s Chase For the Cup – 2008 Prediction

With one more race to go before the Chase for the Cup, it is about time that I come out with my 2008 prediction. Jimmie Johnson was incredibly impressive this past weekend at the Pepsi 500. He had the most dominant car in the field by far. If he can keep his car running like it did on Sunday, watch out Kyle Busch. It was good to see Jr. clinch a spot in the Chase – I look for his rise back to the top to continue next year… but not in ’08. Carl Edwards? Well, it would certainly be fun to watch Busch and Edwards ruffle each other’s feathers down the stretch, but I don’t see that happening either. Tony Stewart? Jeff Gordon? Not their year. Nope, this is Kyle Busch’s title to lose, and lose it he will. Jimmie Johnson is a late season driver and Busch is tanking here at the end. Johnson’s team is hitting on all cylinders and his car is superior to any other out on the track. This train’s gonna keep on rollin’… right to victory lane at the end of the season.