i dont't know, guys.
first, i.e., thanks for the expanded info.
personally, my interest in the hilton is one of curiosity, although i may skip what appears to be a stupid pick where i have done no research and the consensus tells me otherwise with a very strong confidence level, not just a top pick.
i pay absolutely no attention to anybody's picks unless they can make a case for it. i will read ocassionally the match-ups at sportsnetw and there is a fellow at db who can write an interesting resume of the games with a limited amount of words. i enjoy both of those, and that is about the extent of my web research for football, with 98% of it coming from right here. oh, i forgot, for amusement, you can't beat the harmon forecast, who will guarantee 75-80% winners, and with a track record to prove it. LOL
do we have fools who follow anyone in the quest for a (COSTLY) freebie or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? absolutely.
i am on record here at both forums as being all over denver and green bay, with a reversal pick on tuesday, from a first impression lean to seattle, to picking oak straight out. that challenge from one of our members, made me do research and reverse myself. so they came in the top 5 at the hilton. ok, it makes me feel good, that is all.
case in point: in the contest, i picked carolina-wk 1 and skipped minny in week 2, both in the hilton top 5, and both heavily favored at our own contest as well.
as far as others coming in to browse here, take a hint from nolan, etc.: i am sure there are some free loaders, but suspect most just want to get a feel for what is going on, much like us regulars who read, post and re-post in the quest for sharpening our skills and picks. say, even russ culver, whom i do not know. before he makes his picks he wants to research, including mj. so what? why should he be chastised for browsing?
i suspect there are many regulars here who have never said a word in the forums. does that make them spies or bad? some people are freaked at the possibility of posting something and being challenged, or even ridiculed, as they perceive it.
does the fact that you may have a service which you don't tout, prevent you from being here and having an exchange with others?
i will say it again: the fact that any known person or service click on to mj with a certain frequency is a tribute to mj and all those who contribute here.
as far as hilton guys, i doubt it. there is too little info posted here before the deadline. with the exception of some of nolan's "early releases" and some posts by myself. anyone who wants to correct me, go ahead, i don't keep tabs on everyone.
btw, there are some cliches that may be repeated by more than one person without having to "steal" it from others, such as:
they are going in opposite directions.
there is value, there is no value.
right place, right time, or the opposite.
there are also a few people, including here, that will emulate the top 5 hilton picks, or select according to the confidence level. they seem to be doing ok, and as long as it works for them, more power to them. they are looking for money and are finding it there.
i suppose that it boils down to having a tremendous variety of people and approaches to the games. i keep telling jack that he should not worry about what others are doing, and if they frequent mj, well, that is the name of the game, more clicks, and more power to the mj website. the question is, how is mj doing, after having said all this?
pep