The Show Situation

Dan Caesar of the Post-Dispatch wrote today about the current status of The ITD Morning After at Team 1380 and also the fact that I have an offer from 590. I know many of you who come to insideSTL.com listen to the show, so I wanted to address the situation here as much as I can.


As you can imagine, a lot of this has to be done privately. But, it was getting to the point this week that people were beginning to ask questions about what was going on with rumors of me leaving to go to KFNS.


The truth is I really don't know what's going to wind up happening. When he was interviewing me, Dan Caesar asked what my gut-feeling was as to what's going to happen, and I told him I don't know.


I sincerely don't.


There's a lot going on and a lot more that's been going on for more than 10 months that hasn't been made public. And, that stuff contributes to what will wind up happening.


Anyway, because of the up-in-the-air nature of the situation, I have to tread lightly in what I say publicly. It's business, and while it's nice to have two places be interested, there are positives to both...so it's a tough decision that will have to be made. I wrote the following to Dan...and he used some of it for the quotes in today's article. I wanted to make sure I covered my ass in this spot, so for the purpose of giving the handful of you who care about this the full quote, here you go:


I'm flattered that the new management team at KFNS is interested in bringing me on board. The idea of partnering insideSTL.com with Dave Greene, 590, and St. Louis Sports Magazine is something that I believe would be beneficial to all businesses involved, and that's a big draw.


On the other hand, I can't convey enough how much I enjoy doing The ITD Morning After at 1380, how much I appreciate the manner and class with which John Helmkamp runs the station, how much I like and respect The Cat, Doug, and Producer Joe...and furthermore, how much I believe it's the cast and not one individual that makes it successful. So, ideally, we'd be able to keep the show together. But, I understand that wouldn't be an option at KFNS because of the time slot of what would be a new show.


I didn't leave town when there were opportunities over the last few years, because I've always believed in The Morning Grind and The ITD Morning After's ability to draw an audience and generate revenue. At this point, the show---in its two different versions---has a five-year track record of doing both of those things.


I'd really like it if everything was worked out so we could stay together at 1380, but if not, then at another station. However, the fact that there's a great situation and offer out there from 590 is exciting. My guess is that everything will be worked out over the next week or two. The only thing more shocking than the fact that people actually listen to our show is the fact that there are stations that are really hoping to have this juvenile song and dance on their airwaves.


As I said, I'm not sure what's going to happen. If you could, keep in mind that the details of the respected offers are different...and those are important...and those play a role in the situation. I can't get into the details of the offers and the situations, but it's not as simple as: I love The ITD Morning After...so that's the answer. However, that's a big part of it. It's just not all of it. Like the current situation at 1380, I would have a say in the members of the cast and show content at 590, so it would not be anything like what took place from January 2007 to June 2007 where that situation was out of my hands.


Furthermore, it's not about some monster difference in salaries. There really isn't all that big of one. And, even if there was, that wouldn't necessarily dictate the decision.


If I had it my way, I'd do a show with The Cat, Doug, and Producer Joe for the rest of our careers on some monster signal, have long-term contracts paying *all* of us what we deserve, work for people who just roll the ball out there and let us play, make a bunch of money for our employers, and then go home and play poker.


However, if I had everything my way, I'd be 6'3", likable, and have a symmetrical head full of flowing locks that would make Rod Blagojevich look like Ron Howard.


The bottom line is that---at this point, you'll just have to take my word for it---both situations are great ones...and I'm lucky that that there are people interested in the crap radio that the show provides. No, make that I'm incredibly lucky. Incredibly lucky to work with the talented people that I've worked with...and incredibly lucky to have two opportunities to continue to do what I love to do.


Me vs. Producer Joe: Week 7 Football Picks

The run of decent weeks continues, but the failure with the one pick that I actually take seriously also continues. Last week I went with a friend's "inside" pick on Navy -7...and that didn't work out. Pretty sweet. So, I'm sticking to my own stuff this time. Also, as a side note, I've noticed that when I actually look up the spreads as opposed to the numbers that Producer Joe sends over for our picks, it seems coincidentally that Producer Joe tends to shave a half-point off if he's picking a favorite (see the Colts -13.5 this week when the site I checked had them -14) or add a half-point if he's picking the underdog (see Arkansas this week at +6.5 when the site I check has them at +6). Even with this behavior that's as crooked as my head, he's still struggling to stay above .500. With a push that we'll be taken out of the standings so our totals don't look like an NHL record, I went 2-2, and Producer Joe went 1-3. That brings my season total to 18-11, and it brings Producer Joe to 15-14. Despite the fact that I'm in Las Vegas, I will not be wagering on sports...but I will act like I know what I'm talking about in the following:


Texas @ Mizzou + 13

Producer Joe: Back again and lost people money last week after going 1-3-1(our first push game of the season). I will be the first one to admit that I really liked Mizzou last week, enough to suggest that McKernan should have taken his poker winnings and laid it on the Tigers, but I love them getting 13 points at home after losing a game last week that was honestly there for the taking. We have no idea what Mizzou will get from Blaine Gabbert this week, but I have a feeling that the Pinkel Patrol will be paying a bit more attention to the play calling in key situations, namely 3rd/4th down with an empty backfield.... Also, after watching Texas and Oklahoma last week I am not real impressed with Texas this season. They have the weapons but there is something about them that doesn't feel right this season. In

terms of numbers, Texas is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on grass and 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 as a favorite. I don't know if Mizzou will win outright, but I have a real good feeling about a cover.... oh, and YOUUUU are looking live at Faurot Field on homecoming......Missouri +13

McKernan: Great to hear about Texas record against the spread over their last six games on grass, fucktard. Since Missouri plays on field turf, that has about as much relevance as, say, a Saturday soccer show. This may be me thinking with my heart, but I think the Tigers pull off a big surprise Saturday. As odd as it is, I feel like we learned Missouri is a good team Saturday night at Oklahoma State. Gabbert's health is the key. But, I believe in the defense...and I believe the coaching staff learned from the awful play-calling in Stillwater. Missouri +13


Oklahoma -7 @ Kansas

Producer Joe: I really liked Oklahoma last week right up until Sam Bradford ended his season against the Longhorns. I still like Oklahoma as a football team. There, I said it. Landry Jones is once again prepared to start with a full week of practice and I think Kansas sucks. Mangino & Co. found a way to lose to a team that has lost to Toledo this season. I have a hard time believing that any Bob Stoops team will be under .500 after 7 games, therefore I am going to ride Boomer Sooner this week and the numbers back it up: Oklahoma is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 on turf & 6-1 ATS in their last 7 as a road favorite, while Kansas is 7-18 ATS in their last 25 as a home dog & 1-4 ATS in their last 5 conference games. Oklahoma -7

McKernan: Tough to figure this one. OU won't have Bradford. KU doesn't have a pass defense, but they can put up points. When in doubt, bet against Lawrence JuCo. Oklahoma -7


Colts -13.5 @ Rams

Producer Joe: There is nothing to support the notion that the Rams could possibly win this game. Every person in the Dome this week will only be wondering if the Rams can keep the beatdown under 20 points. Peyton Manning is having a MVP season, the Colts are undefeated and will leave St. Louis undefeated, but Peyton may not have to play after the first quarter. The funny thing about that is I have zero confidence the Rams can do anything to keep the score close even if that is the case. The worst thing about this game is the fact that the people of St. Louis will be stuck with it on TV as opposed to getting another game to watch that might be relatively interesting. The Colts are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record, 4-0 ATS in their last 4 overall, and 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games. The Rams have nothing positive to report.....and that is what happens when you haven't won a game in over a year. Colts -13.5

McKernan: I still am of the opinion the Rams have a decent defense. If you look at their blowout losses, the defense has been decent, but the point totals get out of hand because the offense or special teams gives away points and/or the game...and then all hell breaks loose and snowballs into a big point total. Therefore, I think they'll put up 14 to 17, and I think they can keep the Colts under 30, so I'll take my chances with The Fighting Rammies. Rams +13.5


Minnesota + 4 @ Steelers

Producer Joe: Last week I ran down all the reasons why Minnesota would cover a game and then they blew it for me. Won't happen again this week. They are just too good to not cover two weeks in a row, even on the road against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Sure the Steelers are 4-2 on the season, but lets see who they have beaten: a winless Titans team, Cleveland & Detroit who have combined for 2 wins this season, and a Chargers team that looks about 2 years past it now. So if you are doing the math, the Steelers have 4 wins against teams that have a combined record of 4-19. Don't ask me to explain it, but I also believe that AP breaks out this week against the 2nd best rushing defense (largely inflated based on the teams they have played....)The Vikings are also 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games & the Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite and overall. Vikings +4

McKernan: Producer Joe lists all the soft wins for the Steelers, which is a valid point, but the Vikings have some soft wins as well...along with some near-deaths against the 49ers and Ravens. I'm not as sold on them as my landing-stripped friend. Furthermore, I think the spread is suspicious. And, when that's the case, you know the move: go opposite: Steelers -4


Lock of the Week

Producer Joe: Arkansas +6.5 @ Ole Miss
Last week the Hogs were my lock of the week and in all honesty should have won the game in the Swamp outright. I still hate Bobby Petrino, but he has the same make-up of Pete Carroll, terrible NFL Head Coach, but great college coach. This week Petrino gets a chance to go on the road and face former Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt where the best looking women in the world reside: Oxford, MS. I would love to pontificate about how these two teams match-up, but the only thing I really care about is plenty of crowd shots in the Ole Miss student section. Seriously, if you haven't made a trip to the Grove on a game day, put it on your Sports Bucket List. The amount of beautiful tail is second to none. Anyway,

Arkansas covers again this week and then steals a few women to bring them back to Fayetteville so they start breeding something attractive in Arkansas.
Arkansas +6.5

McKernan: Illinois @ Purdue -11
Yeah...enough. I can't keep resisting it. They're just too fucking terrible. I think Purdue could be favored by 21 and I'd put this down as a lock. Yeah...there may be that letdown effect on the Boilermakers after upsetting Ohio State last week, but that doesn't take out the fact that Illinois is just dreadful.
Purdue -11


Your Daily insideSTL.com Halloween Party Promotion For The Festivities At Helen Fitzgerald's Halloween Night

insideSTL.com is pleased to announce our first Halloween Party at Helen Fitzgerald's (3660 Lindbergh). The fun and games take place on Halloween night at 9 p.m. until close. We're giving away $1,000 for most creative costume...and then $1,000 for the sexiest costume. Joe Dirt will be playing at the First Annual Halloween Bash at Helen's, and you can get tickets in advance for $10 at Helen Fitzgerald's or at the door on the night of the event.


This should be one hell of a cocktail party. It's all Halloween Night at Helen Fitzgerald's, and it's all made possible by Monster Energy Drink , The Tan Company, Halloween Thrills, Eureka Butcher Haunted House,  and Red's Corn Maze Massacre.


Leading up to the event, we'll be displaying costumes from one of our sponsors, Halloween Thrills located at 14918 Manchester Road in Ballwin. You can give them a call at (636) 527-7131.