Creator clears Pac-Man to play for Bally-Midway

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Pac-Man has been cleared to play for Bally-Midway this season.

The loveable character, originally inspired by a pizza with a slice missing, was suspended all last year by Namco Bandai Corporation, because of an accumulation of arrests and legal problems. Pac-Man was traded to Bally-Midway Industries in April, then allowed in June by creator Tohru Iwatani to join cast members Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde back in the maze. Iwatani, however, was still waiting to decide whether to let Pac-Man play in "live" games fed by arcade quarters or allow him to only appear in demonstrations on arcade machines that were not in operation.

"This is another step in the process," Pac-Man in a statement released by Bally-Midway. "I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I understand my responsibilities to Bally Industries and the entire gaming world. Right now I just want to keep working hard so I can accomplish the goals that I have set for myself both on and off the maze."

One difference in Pac-Man's conditioning and preparation for live, arcade play that was noted by those following Bally-Midway's drills is that "Pakku-Man" is no longer 20 percent slower in simulation mazes where all the dots remain. Instead, arcade media analysts have suggested that Pac-Man is moving through both dots and open ground at roughly the same speed. This is good news for followers of Pac-Man and bad news for the Blinky and his pals.

BUTTA RB Ernie Graham, Why?

Seriously, these are two pictures of Earnest Graham. I tend to like "The Pimp" Ernie opposed to the "running back Ernie". Both are "players" in different ways. And I'm a hater.

So, it comes to my 4th round pick. Ive taken 1 RB and 2 WRs, Something I dont usually do. Now, Im stumped. Dazed and confused. I already went against my strategy. Why? I have no idea. I passed up two guys I really wanted for some reason. All of a sudden Jonny says, "I know who hes taking. You use it in a smore". Yep, Jonny is right. A graham cracker.

So here he is. I have Earnest Graham. This is a my worst pick of the draft and a guy I am willing to trade for a marshmallow or Hershey bar. I just wish it would all go away.

Pre-Season Pain

Sure it sucks losing production from your players when they get injured early in the NFL season. What sucks worse is drafting a player (or team defense) and having a significant injury during the 3rd game of the pre-season schedule. Let's list the casualties over the last 9 days:

• Browns QB Derek Anderson was concussed by, yes, Osi Umenyiora.
• Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew turned an ankle.
• Bengals QB Carson Palmer broke his nose.
• Patriots WR Wes Welker bruised his ribs.
• Redskins DE Jason Taylor sprained his knee.
• Bills QB Trent Edwards sustained a thigh contusion and, then, OT Langston Walker -- the temporary replacement for holdout Jason Peters -- went down with an arm injury.
• News broke that Chargers LB Shawne Merriman's season could be in jeopardy with tears to the PCL and LCL in his left knee.

Oops.

But, at least Kurt didn't sucker us in to Fantasy Olympic Weight Lifting. Yes, had you selected Hungarian Janos Baranyai in the 77-kilogram division, you would have been missing some fantasy weight lifting points.

The Olympic athlete was attempting to life 326.3 lbs., when his elbow popped and his forearm bent backwards. The injured weightlifter fell immediately on the floor shaking and crying out in horrific pain.

Good times.

2008 PastyGangsta Football Schedule

Full Season Schedule
Week 1
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Red Oak Sea Snakes
T-Licious vs Montreal Machine
Joe Louis Lions vs KC Bees
Fun Lovin' Criminals vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 2
Buttafuoco Stallions vs T-Licious
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs North Dallas 40 oz.
Joe Louis Lions vs Montreal Machine
Fun Lovin' Criminals vs KC Bees

Week 3
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Joe Louis Lions
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs T-Licious
Fun Lovin' Criminals vs Montreal Machine
KC Bees vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 4
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Fun Lovin' Criminals
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs Joe Louis Lions
T-Licious vs North Dallas 40 oz.
KC Bees vs Montreal Machine

Week 5
Buttafuoco Stallions vs KC Bees
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs Fun Lovin' Criminals
T-Licious vs Joe Louis Lions
Montreal Machine vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 6
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Montreal Machine
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs KC Bees
T-Licious vs Fun Lovin' Criminals
Joe Louis Lions vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 7
Buttafuoco Stallions vs North Dallas 40 oz.
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs Montreal Machine
T-Licious vs KC Bees
Joe Louis Lions vs Fun Lovin' Criminals

Week 8
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Red Oak Sea Snakes
T-Licious vs Montreal Machine
Joe Louis Lions vs KC Bees
Fun Lovin' Criminals vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 9
Buttafuoco Stallions vs T-Licious
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs North Dallas 40 oz.
Joe Louis Lions vs Montreal Machine
Fun Lovin' Criminals vs KC Bees

Week 10
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Joe Louis Lions
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs T-Licious
Fun Lovin' Criminals vs Montreal Machine
KC Bees vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 11
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Fun Lovin' Criminals
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs Joe Louis Lions
T-Licious vs North Dallas 40 oz.
KC Bees vs Montreal Machine

Week 12
Buttafuoco Stallions vs KC Bees
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs Fun Lovin' Criminals
T-Licious vs Joe Louis Lions
Montreal Machine vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 13
Buttafuoco Stallions vs Montreal Machine
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs KC Bees
T-Licious vs Fun Lovin' Criminals
Joe Louis Lions vs North Dallas 40 oz.

Week 14
Buttafuoco Stallions vs North Dallas 40 oz.
Red Oak Sea Snakes vs Montreal Machine
T-Licious vs KC Bees
Joe Louis Lions vs Fun Lovin' Criminals

JOE LOUIS and BUTTA DRIVING TO DRAFTWEEKEND

Bitter rivals, JOE LOUIS and BUTTAFUOCO are renting a car but not just any car. The two owners will be cruising in a 1975 yellow Ford Pinto. "Enterprise had a sweet deal for us" said Butta, "At $6.95 per day, we are saving a ton of cash.

Brooke Hogan at DRAFTWEEKEND?

It was in the news (CNN) recently that Brooke Hogan is looking for work via her My Space page. Public appearances, horrible singing, stripping...whatever. She is looking for work and you can get more info on her My Space thingy. Anyway, our St Louis host thought that would be perfect for our annual DRAFTWEEKEND especially this year in the Lou. So, fellas....if we can get her at $10,000 for the weekend, we could split it 5 ways. This years 5 DRAFTWEEKEND participants just need to come up with $2000. Just think, she can work our DRAFTBOARD for us during the draft. Think about it, fellas.

ND40 and Brooke drinking rum and cokes together..........

DRAFTWEEKEND UPDATE

Thursday night, August 21st arrive

Friday morning: Golf

afternoon: check into Harrahs. We have 2 rooms booked for 2 nights. We will split all hotel costs.

night: Draft starts when KC Bees gets to Harrahs (probably later than the usual time)

Saturday: Cardinals vs Braves

Sunday: home

Tlicious has details.

2008 Pasty Gangsta Milestones

AP#1 FLC: The pressure is on in '08. It took 9 years, now the League Champ must continue. FLC needs one win for 60 wins overall.

AP#2 BUTTA: America's Team got to the big dance but did not get the 5th ring. "One for the Thumb" is next year rally cry. Butta has 94 wins. Only 6 more for the 100th victory.

AP#3 JOE LOUIS: The 2007 Regular Season Champ learned the hard way in the 1st round of the SB Playoffs. Debuted with a 13-3 record. Not too shabby.

AP#4 KC BEES: Oh, the software will be back in action. Had a dreadful playoff after a fabulous regular season. KC needs 5 wins to hit 70 lifetime.

AP#5 TLICIOUS: The Toilet Bowl Champ gets the #1 pick this year. Needs 8 wins for 90 wins overall.

AP#6 ND40: Now, 0-4 in Toilet Bowls. Had a horrible year but broke out at the end to salvage AP6

AP#7 MONTREAL: Remember, this crazy bunch. Put up mad points all year but lost all the time. Has 46 wins overall. Looking for the big 50.

AP#8 ROSS: Pressure is on big time in Red Oak. ROSS is under the gun. The 2006 dream season is now a distant memory. 61 wins overall.

Report: ND40 COMMITS TO DRAFTWEEKEND2008

(AP) ND40 owner/GM/Coach Kurt Scherf has officially commited to DRAFTWEEKENDSTLOUIS2008 by purchasing his airplane ticket. "We have never missed a DRAFT WEEKEND and we never will" said ND40 in his weekly press conference. "I only paid $89. Nobody gets a deal like that but me." Other who have verbal committments include, Toilet Bowl Champion TLICIOUS (host), Regular Season Champ JOE LOUIS, Supa Bowl Runner Up BUTTAFUOCO and KC Bees.

"The goal of this DRAFTWEEKEND is to make everyone forgot this whole 13 dollars thing. Im sick and tired of it. This year I'm only bringing 20's and 100's." Scherf said with a bit of frustration. Other Pastygangta league members were a bit skeptical after listening to the presser that was televised on ESPN THE QUATRO. "ND40 thinks that one year will erase all the memories. That figures. He has always underestimated us," said TLICIOUS. JOE LOUIS questioned the whole issue. "I dont know this guy and organIzation very well but Im fine with it (the 13 dollar incident). Hell, I once paid $2.50 to see the Lions play," uttered J-LOUIS.

ND40 comes into the season with an overall record of 68-75-1, one SUPA BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP and 5 SCHERF CUPS.

DRAFTWEEKEND starts on Friday August 22.

DRAFT BOARD on order

Got the "mailer" from the DRAFT BOARD people and that big piece of paper is on order