Picks Panel: Schagren, Chaudhuri won't be picked on

Second-year picker Jamey Schagren sifted through the remaining morsels of a Big Mac, then said quietly but emphatically - without changing his expression - "It's my time now."

He looked so serious, a McDonald's patron nearby put down his Southern Style Chicken Sandwich and stared at a young man who is no longer content to be an assist man. He's ready to score.

Schagren, the producer of the wildly popular "Sports Page" talk show, has spent much of his career making others - like the volatile Dave Hooker and temperamental Mike Griffith - look good and sound good. Now, he's ready to take the shot himself, rather than pass; carry the ball, rather than block; swing for the fences, rather than sacrifice; take the bride, rather than give her away; drive, rather than ride shotgun; sing, rather than play the drums.

For more trite analogies, go to pickspanelxtra.com and read picks panel feature writer M.C. Adams' unedited, long-winded, mixed-metaphor-laced profile of the McDonald's picks panel's determined young picker.

Schagren isn't the only week-four picker with something to prove. Other than Dr. Udit Chaudhuri, longtime picks panel physician, none of the veteran pickers assigned to the this panel have distinguished themselves.

Chaudhuri was honored last year as the winner of the Benny Adams Memorial Trophy, given annually to the most improved picker. Now, he would like to add the coveted Arf Adams Memorial Trophy to his trophy case. The trophy goes to the picks panel champion.

Like Schagren, the good doctor isn't lacking confidence.

"Last year was just the beginning," Chaudhuri said while savoring a vanilla reduced fat ice cream cone. "My first goal is to make the McOffs. And I'm willing to bet anybody in the room a honey mustard snack wrap that I do just that. Then, I'll go for the championship."

The winners of each panel through the first 12 weeks of the season - plus selected runners-up - will qualify for the McOffs, which will last through the college bowl season.

Readers Write: One McDonald's picks panel fan wrote, "Molly Brian is my favorite picker, and I read somewhere that she's broken up with her fiancee, that British dude. Would you mind giving me her phone number."

Picks Panel Administrator's Response: From our vantage point, there are two kinds of people in the world: celebrities and stalkers of celebrities.

As a member of the picks panel, Molly is a celebrity. You're not on the panel. So what does that make you?

It makes you the potential stalker who won't get her phone number.

More Readers Write: "I saw pickers Jamey Schagren and Josh Ward in McDonald's on Wednesday morning and tried to talk to them. But they just ignored me. Is that the way you want your pickers conducting themselves in public?"

Picks Panel Administrator's Response: For the record, I checked with Jamey and Josh, who were taking advantage of McDonald's Buy One, Get One Free Breakfast Special (featuring the BOGO Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit through Oct. 5). They said they were so enthralled with their meals, they never noticed any picks panel fans hovering around their table. Otherwise, they might have nodded - or not.

Also, for the record - and it baffles me, how picks panel wannabes don't get this - picks panel members are celebrities. They hang out with other celebrities. They don't have a lot of time for average people.

Last Week's Results: Brought to you by McDonald's New Angus Third Pounders.

Who said Jesse Smithey couldn't go to college and be successful? The accomplished high school picker went 13-2 to qualify for the McOffs.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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