PRESS PIGSKIN PROGNOSTICATORS

Bonus round: Another brand of playoff

By MIKE PATRICK

PPP Commissioner

The new year is finally here, so you know what that means.

No! Not just NFL playoffs: Elections. Playoffs of political games.

While you readers peruse the standings inside today’s Sports section, your all-star Press Pigskin Prognosticators have some extra homework this week since they’re only guessing on four games. And here it is:

Nominate one of your fellow prognosticators for an elected position, and briefly explain your choice.

That’s it. Simple, huh? Far easier than handicapping the Seahawks at Eagles, anyway.

To give our intrepid 11 a hint and a head start, The League would proudly nominate Sammie the World’s Greatest Cat for dog catcher. Rescue kitty Sammie has been doing the picks for Press columnist Steve Cameron all season long, yet gets no credit outside his humble litter box. Election to dog catcher would give Sammie some of the well-deserved recognition that Steve hogs instead.

Green light still not coming on? (Prognosticators often need more than one nudge.)

The League would further nominate Buster for sheriff. CDA Police Chief Lee White’s huntin’, sniffin’ and whizzin’ Boxer Extraordinaire would brook no crap from nobody, not even his newly elected dog catcher. And he’s had a good whiff of law enforcement, seeing as how the man of the house has wholeheartedly followed the trail blazed by his idol, Barney Fife.

Next week we’ll share with you whatever political hairballs the prognosticators cough up.