I was kinda hoping that Lil Wayne was making an appearance on HBO’s dearly departed* First & Ten, but, sadly, no. Instead, the surprise Packers fan (I would have pegged him for a Saints man) recently appeared on ESPN’s 1st and Ten to match wits with the witless Skip Bayless (”I’m about to change your nickname from Weezy to Queasy”; he also fawned over Tha Carter III, comparing it to Purple Rain). The introduction mined new levels of awkwardness, but overall the exchange was fairly insightful, with Lil Wayne offering up his Super Bowl picks and a Tim Tebow impersonation.
As far as the Super Bowl goes, Wayne likes the Baltimore Ravens over the Philadelphia Eagles. Not too shabby. I think both are dark horses right now, and I’ve got a feeling that the Eagles might get it done against the Giants, particularly with Asante Samuel looking like he’s out for blood. The Eagles are playing well right now, but I see them stumbling somewhere along the way, as Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb are wont to do, and I see that stumble coming against Carolina. The Ravens’ defense has covered up some weak QB play from Joe Flacco, and it’s not like Tennessee and Pittsburgh don’t have stout defenses. The Chargers had their moment of achievement.
I say Pittsburgh and Carolina in the Super Bowl with Carolina taking it, but it’s really pretty up in the air. I just wish my beloved Falcs were in there. Sigh.
Where was I? Oh, yeah! Lil Wayne. He likes football. And sportscasters are dorks.
Lil Wayne Makes A Super Bowl Pick, Talks Grillz On ESPN’s ‘1st And Ten’ [MTV]
* This is probably the first place I saw a naked human female breast.
@michaelpop: Ironically, this comments section has more sports discussion than every comment on Deadspin, ever.
@goldsounds: Ya, he’s been banged up all season and they kept giving him carries. I haven’t followed it too closely so I was wondering if they’re just hoping for some of the old magic to return (and it did in Week 17) or if they just don’t trust Sproles to be an every down back?
Even healthy next season, should LT be the no.1 guy? Look what happened in Jacksonville this year. Jackson was meh and then injured and MJD stepped up. It’s a similar situation in San Diego except that the Chargers actually have a passing game.
Sorry that should be Fred Taylor.
@sicksteanein: Sproles could be one of those “holy crap!” epiphanies until everyone starts game-planning for him. That’s my suspicion.
I think the Chargers are going to be skeptical about jettisoning either back after season’s end, not after seeing Michael Turner have such a good year.
They really should start giving teams a 3 year/4,500 yard warranty on “cornerstone” backs. Because the wheels fall of like a Yugo after that point in most cases.
Signed,
Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Terrell Davis, Shaun Alexander and Corey Dillon
@Ted Striker: I like that idea. Can Denver have a 3 game guarantee though?
@sicksteanein:
No dice. Denver’s proven to be plug-and-play with RBs for the past ten years. Lawrence Phillips could’ve rushed for 1500 yds/season at Mile High. With time off for suspensions.
@MayhemintheHood: Glad someone else watched HBO in search of boobs.
Kids from New Orleans in the 90’s couldn’t really get behind the Saints. Playing football in the street, we used to taunt the other team by telling them that’s who they were. I’m a little surprised Lil’ Wayne hasn’t converted but some people just like to root for a winner. I’m sure if the Saints were in the playoffs, he’d be their #1 fan.
I’m a Giants fan, so I’m taking my team. I see us getting it done against the Eagles and the Panthers. From the AFC, I like Pitt but didn’t they lose badly to the Titans, or am I wrong?
@Lucas Jensen: don’t forget the squiggly network!
two days ago I would have disagreed with the Pittsburgh pick as teh Bolts were looking better and better with each game. but with LT out and Vincent Jackson getting arrested for DUI, it’ll be tough for San Diego to put up points.
But I am very much looking forward to seeing Sproles go against Pittsburgh’s D all game. That guy takes a licking every game and never misses a beat. He’s had some already impressive showings but if he can pull this one off, it’ll be his real coming out party.
Question for the football fans here: If Sproles does do well on Sunday, what happens to LT next season? Actually, even if he doesn’t do that well, what happens?
Is there a lot of nostalgia in San Diego for LT? Are they gonna keep giving him the ball next season even if the numbers don’t support him being the no. 1 RB like this season?
@sicksteanein: Hasn’t LT been banged up all season?
I dunno. If the Birds beat the Giants this weekend, I don’t see Carolina or anyone in the AFC beating them. Their defense is on fire (Dawkins is insane) and play calling is more balanced then ever, not to mention the postseason contenders are particularly weak this year.
“Dumbinique”? Oh dear.
Please, ESPN, put Lil Wayne on “Around The Horn” ASAP.
Did Bayless call it “That Carter III?”
@AquaLung: That’s maybe a better album title!
Lucas!! LOL…as soon as I saw you mention 1st and Ten my mind went to the HBO show and how that was where I saw one of my first naked breasts, too(it was either that show, or Revenge of the Nerds)! 1st and Ten: In Your Face.
@Maura Johnston: Snoop Dogg was pretty funny on Around the Horn, and JA Adande probably has a Lil Weezy hookup.
Whoa, Idolspin! As a Steelers fan, they’re obviously my pick for the Super Bowl. From the NFC, I’m taking the Giants. But man, I really freaking hate the Chargers, and the matchup concerns me. I remember the ‘94 playoffs when we were huge favorites and San Diego came to Pittsburgh and somehow the Chargers pulled off the upset. That was the worst.
dwayne have Purp in his cup. give McNabb a drank lool
@MayhemintheHood:
Hahaha, touche. Still, if you want dick jokes, that’s the place to be.
Since my beloved Dolphins turned back into a pumpkin, I’m saying it’s the two best teams all year — the Giants and Titans. I’ll go with the Giants to repeat, though logic dictates that it’s nearly impossible to repeat. (Plus, the Eagles are scary this weekend)
It’s amazing how much more credible Lil Wayne — whose music I don’t check for — seems than Skip Bayless on this show. Wayne even looks pretty damn respectable, no Styrofoam cup to be found. Of course, my opinion of him went through the roof when he was in that LeBron Nike ad.