Maggie
 
More than 3,000 people viewed Maggie Barlow's guest appearance in this section on Wednesday. And, many have said they would like to see her return to writing. As a matter of fact, when we asked whether or not you'd like to see her return in our daily poll, more than 90% said they would.
 

However, around 10% said they wouldn't.
 

And, that begs the question...if you don't want to see her return...why?
 

I mean...if you don't like the column...or if you're "offended" by it, don't click on it.
 

It's really quite simple.
 

The bottom line is the poll question was stupid. However, when it gets down to it, so was the response of the 10% who don't want to see her return. If she started writing again, you'd never have to worry about it if you didn't like it. All you'd have to do is not read it.
 

This leads me to the initial criticism of the old Morning Grind and now, to a lesser extent since the style of show has now been around for five years, The ITD Morning After. If someone doesn't like the show, just don't fucking listen.
 

This stuff is basic. Yet, for whatever reason, moralists---oftentimes influenced by dogma or the fear of "what would other people think of me"---try to tell others what's right and wrong for them...as opposed to leaving it up to the individual.
 

I sincerely don't get that. I'm not on board with The 700 Club, but I am able to go on about my life without worrying about it...because I don't watch it. Don't like the show? Don't listen. Don't like Maggie's column? Don't read it.
 

Poll Results: And The Cardinal of The Decade Is...
 
...obviously Albert Pujols. Hell, The Sporting News named him the Major League Baseball Player of The Decade yesterday...so he's obviously the Cardinal of The Decade.
 

But, yesterday's poll question asked you who you thought was the Cardinal of The Decade...outside of the obvious answer wearing #5.
 

And, in what I thought was a bit of a surprise not necessarily because of the name chosen...but because of the monster margin...68% of you selected Jim Edmonds. The only person within shouting distance of Edmonds was Chris Carpenter at 20%. I thought for sure Scott Rolen would get a large number of votes, but he finished behind Yadier Molina.
 

Personally, if I were to rank the Top 5 "Cardinals of The Decade," it would look like this:
 
1. Pujols
2. Edmonds
3. Carpenter
4. Rolen
 

And...I'd have a tough decision for #5 between Isringhausen and Matheny, but I think I'd give the nod to Matheny since he was the unofficial captain through leading by example for the first half of the decade.
 

The Cardinal Decade
 
Bottom line: This has been one hell of a decade for Cardinal baseball. Next question is whether or not it's the best one ever? I suppose that question can be answered by what takes place over the next six weeks. The '40's, 60's, and '80's were awfully nice, but in this decade, the Cardinals not only played in the postseason in all but three years, they were in the race in September in every single year.
 

A World Championship makes the Cardinals the team of the decade in Major League Baseball, and considering what the Red Sox and Yankees have done over the last 9 years, that's saying something. But, with 2 World Championships, 3 Pennants, 6 Division Titles, and 7 postseason appearances, the Cardinals would have even the Yankees and Red Sox outclassed.
 

Imagine if Carpenter would've been healthy in 2007 and 2008.
 

My guess is we wouldn't need October 2009 to answer the question as to who the best team of the decade was.
 

Me vs. Producer Joe: Week 3
 
Well, Producer Joe took it up the ass last weekend. Juvenile listeners of The ITD Morning After do what you would like with that line. This time it wasn't Brad or Josh giving Producer Joe the high hard one, it was his picks. After starting out our little contest with an impressive 4-1 record, Producer Joe stumbled to a 1-4 debacle. I went 3-2, so now Producer Joe and I are even at 5-5 through two weeks. The way I look at it is I'm completely fucking guessing...and I don't bet on sports. But, I do fancy myself able to pick a Lock of The Week, so while I'd like to beat my degenerate producer in this thing, my ultimate goal is to give the great Americans who read my column a solid five star lock each week...and KU -23.5 vs. Duke last week delivered that. I'll try and do the same this week, but first...
 

Mizzou -7 @ Nevada
 
Producer Joe: Coming off a very disappointing 1-4 week, I need to get the weekend off to a good start. Friday Night betting allows you to build up a good amount of cash to play with during the weekend games, so I feel pretty good about this one.  Sure its Blaine Gabbert's first true road game, but playing in a stadium that holds less than 35,000 people is a good way to start, as opposed to playing at the Horseshoe.  Nevada has given up back to back games of 35 points each, and although I don't think Mizzou will put up that many, I feel pretty confident they have the offense to cover a TD spread. Plus, Mizzou is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite between 3.5-10.0 & 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite by that same margin. Missouri -7
 
McKernan: I've been worried about this game ever since seeing the schedule come out. I stopped worrying about it after Week 1 when Missouri treated Illinois like they batches at The Dome, and Notre Dame treated Nevada like a Lucky Pierre in South Bend. Then, Missouri almost ruined it all by losing to Bowling Green...and I started to worry about Nevada again. As I am every week, I'm torn on Missouri...because I know my heart is playing a role in my pick. But, I'll go back to the thing that I believe totally changes the Tigers this year versus that farce of a defense last year: the two defensive ends, Aldon Smith and Jacquies Smith. They get pressure on QB's...and that allows the linebackers to drop back into coverage...and gone are the horrific blitzes that left WR's wide open last year. So, with that reasoning, I'll say the Tigers hold Nevada under 24, and they put up 30...hence they'll cover. Missouri -7
 
 
Iowa @ Penn State -9.5
 
Producer Joe: SAT Question:  If Big 10 Football is mind numbingly boring, and Joe Paterno has been coaching in the Big 10 since before telephones were invented,  has Joe Pa ever thought about just staying in the locker room at halftime to watch other televised games?  Penn State is probably the best team in the conference, but it doesn't really matter because when they play someone good they will get lit up. Last year Iowa ruined Penn State's undefeated season and I think the Nittany Lions will be looking for some revenge on Saturday Night.  All of the betting numbers favor Iowa in this one, and I mean every single positive number, but I don't care about the numbers here, take Joe Pa and lay the points this weekend. Penn State -9.5
 
McKernan: I have no idea why we're picking this game. Perhaps Producer Joe has some inside word. Or, perhaps he's taunting me for my Week 1 selection of Iowa State over Iowa as the Lock of The Week. Honestly, I know nothing about either on of these operations. But, I do know Producer Joe feels really good about Penn State. Iowa +9.5

Green Bay -6.5 @ St. Louis
 
Producer Joe: Nothing quite hurts like losing a bet against the Rams. You know with almost absolute certainty that they won't beat you outright, but when they find a way to cover it is a real kick in the balls. I didn't think they would do it this week even before the Packers lost at home to Cincy, but now I feel even better about riding the Pack Train.  Green Bay is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on turf, 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 road games, & 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road favorite....and I don't think they were playing any of those games against an offense that has managed 3.5 points per game. Welcome to Lambeau South Rams Fans. Packers -6.5
 
McKernan: I don't know if the Rams will be able to visit the endzone once or twice on Sunday, but I do know that even if Mike McCarthy goes Dr. Tom Osborne on Steve Spagnuolo's Woody Woodienhofer, columns will be written about how things are improving at Rams Park. The bar around here is so low even I can't walk under it. Packers -6.5

Tennessee + 3 @ NY Jets

Producer Joe: Let down game, Let Down Game, LET DOWN GAME!!! I am sure you are tired of hearing about the Jets defeating the Pats last weekend, but I haven't heard one thing about how they only managed to score 16 points against a tired (short week for the Pats) and short-staffed Pats defense that allowed 24 points against the Bills in Week 1.  Tennessee is 0-2 on the season and starting the season at 0-3 would spell disaster.  Hop on the Titanmobile this weekend and enjoy the fact they they are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 following an ATS loss, 4-0 ATS the spread in their last 4 in Week 3, and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 in September. Titans +3
 

McKernan: What the fuck is the Titanmobile, Producer Joe? Is that your 4tehgheys version of the Sybian? You feel free to ride whatever object you'd like Sunday, I'll ride Mark Sanchez. Wait, hold on a second...Jets -3
 

Lock of the Week

Producer Joe: Arizona State @ Georgia -12
 
Oklahoma State, South Carolina & Arkansas > Idaho State & Louisiana-Monroe.  I honestly believe that if the schedule was structured just a little bit differently for the Bulldogs this season and they would have been able to play OK State in Week 3 as opposed to Week 1 the results would have been much different.  Such is life though.  Coming off back to back weeks of scoring more than 40 points against SEC defenses, I don't think Georgia is going to struggle to point up points in this match-up at home.  Who knows about stopping them, but they will be able to score this weekend again. The Sun Devils are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 as an underdog & 8-20 ATS in their 28 road games -vs- a team with a winning record.  Sure 12 points is a lot to lay, but you will feel better about yourself when you cover on Saturday. Georgia -12
 

McKernan: Redskins at Detroit +6.5
 
Yeah...I'm picking the Detroit Lions as my Lock of The Week. Next, I'll be picking Pat Robertson to teach science. But, I went through the college games, and nothing stood out to me...outside of the fact that Duke---a perennial doormat which I picked against last week---is favored by 38.5 points this week against something called NC Central. How fucking dreadful must NC Central be to be a 40 point dog to Duke.
 

I digress...
 

I love home underdogs in the NFL. And, I know the Lions will put up some points. And, I know the Redskins are the suck.
 

Therefore, I lovvvvvve the Lions. Load up on the Lions, Jack. Lions +6
 

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