2013... And the Football Begins...

Hey, greetings to you, Players in Cadillac Pat's Pool!!!

The pool is open!

You should have recently received an invite in your email.

If your email needs updating, please update it on the Officefootballpool.com website. And you might let me know also, if you get a chance.

Last season was full of highlights....

Ardita had won the Season in 2010 and 2011.... Which, despite all my trash talking, is quite an amazing achievement. Probably never to be duplicated.

I (jokingly) pleaded with you to pick better, and unseat him... Well, I had to do it myself. I am YOUR FEARLESS LEADER for another year.... heavy lies the Crown.

I submit to you, gentle readers, it will be difficult to repeat. I think Ardita will keep that for life.

My research staff (being, me) went back through a few years of records, I couldn't find a perfect paper.... Last year we had TWO!

Week 7, in a highly unlikely development, Patrick686 had a perfect paper....

And in Week 11, the Big Headed Holy Rollers went Perfecto on us.... Nice job. All that Florida sunshine must be conducive to good picks....

Leo Woods won week 8 last year.... Some of you knew that Leo Woods was the "gambling pseudonym" for my neighbor & friend, Erv.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Erv passed away last weekend. He has joined the big football pool in the sky. Erv was a great guy... We had a lot of laughs, talked a lot of trash, talked a lot of sports, and we may or may not have had a few beers from time to time....

For a guy his age, he was still very active until last fall, when some serious problems set in for him.... He'd be out shoveling snow at 6AM, he'd be packing the car in the predawn hours to drive to Green Bay, tailgate, and watch Packer Games... He was a Season Ticket holder for over 50 years. I suppose it's possible there was a bigger Packer Fan somewhere, but I don't know where. He was all about the Packers. He was retired from the United States Army after 28 years of highly decorated service to our Country.

It would be difficult to "sum up" Erv in 50 words or less.... he was one of these "force of nature" guys who was a constant in an ever-changing universe. He had an opinion, and he'd tell you about it, and that may have rubbed some people the wrong way, but he'd never lie to you, and he'd never sugarcoat it. I can't tell you how proud I am to say that he was my friend.

I've met his children, and one of his grandsons, and I know it would mean a great deal to them if you would kindly remember Erv for a second in your thoughts and prayers....

Heh heh Heh!!! Now, if Erv were here, I'm sure he'd say "Ohhh, whatthehellizzat!?!?!? Get rid of that! Just stick to the FOOTBALL!!! I don't want any of that...."

So okay, enough of that!!!!

Actually, my understanding is one of his sons is going to continue in the pool, so you in all likelihood will still see Leo Woods in the standings..... He may have had some ideas while he was entering Erv's Picks for him.... It gets harder when you have to pick them yourself. Fair warning....

Thursday, September 5th, 8:30 Eastern, Ravens at Broncos. The Season will KICK OFF!!!! Get your picks in!!! Set up your autopicks, if you know you'll be busy! Pay someone to pick for you! Do whatever you have to do, but GET YOUR PICKS IN!!!

Sunday, September 8th, 4:25 eastern, Packers at 49ers.... Just what we need, the 49ers.... Didn't we just play them??? Yeah, we did.

Good luck this season, and enjoy!