NFL Pick'em

SEASON CHAMP: Captain Ted Janicki (janickit)

Prize: Hitachi 50" Plasma HDTV

Captain Ted Janicki (right) and MSgt. John Brinchi climb the Ghar Summit near Kabul, Afghanistan, to show off their Pittsburgh pride. Both Airmen currently are stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB after growing up in Pittsburgh, PA. The climb to the top of the mountain was 7700 ft.

Q & A With Captain Ted Janicki

Dates Service: Oct. 19, 1993 – Present

Branch: Air Force

Unit: Joint Forces Command SJFHQ 

Where Stationed: Navel Station Norfolk, Va.; Camp Blackhorse, Afghanistan; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; Pittsburgh ARS, Pa.; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Lackland AFB, Texas

Positions: Medical Lab Tech, Medical Service Corp Officer, Communications Officer

Comments About Military: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 14 years in the service. Each and every assignment has been a significant building block of my life. I’ve made great friends and have had great experiences. I’ve worked for and with all of the branches of service.  I appreciate each and every one of the US Service members that comprise our great nation's military.

Comments About Winning: It was a nail biter all year. The top players (sbt6450, aminnesotamom and typoking699) where all neck and neck all year. We would swap the top spot week after week. I was glued to my computer the last 3-4 weeks of the season monitoring their picks against mine. The championship was not actually decided until the final Sunday night game (no Monday Night game week 17). Lucky for me Tennessee toppled a depleted Indianapolis team for the Pick'em championship. It is difficult to explain in words the excitement of watching the regular season finally end.  I am usually a month away from football withdrawal, but in this case the excitement will carry me through until a chance to defend the title, although I feel my Pick'em skills will be in decline. I just cannot figure out how I will ever leave the new Hitachi 50" Plasma HDTV to do my pregame research. Thanks VAJoe!  You have a great website.

Pick'em Secrets: I simply cannot bring myself to divulge the ultimate secret to picking NFL games. I’ll just say thank you to VA Jon for the gameday breakdown posts.

Perfect Pick Raffle Winner: Click Spin to see the Winner

Prize: $500 Best Buy Gift Card

Q & A With Jose Juarez (jbraves24)

Dates Service: August 1995 – Present

Branch: Army

Unit: 1/325; 2/235 82nd Airborne; EACH, 115th Field Hospital; RACH; Patch Barracks; USASD; Cameron ROTC 

Where Stationed: Ft. Bragg, N.C.; Ft. Carson, Colo.; Ft. Sam Houston, Texas; Ft. Polk, La.; Ft. Sill, Okla.; Stuttgart, Germany; Lawton, Okla.

Positions: Team Leader, Squad Leader, PSG, Platoon Leader; Medical Lab NCOIC; Medical Lab Student Coordinator

Comments About Military: In my military experience I have been to both sides of the spectrum twice. I started my career as an infantry soldier then reclassified into the medical field. After being in the medical field for a while I decided to go Green-to-Gold. Therefore I have grown up through the enlisted ranks but will soon be an officer. Being in the military I have seen and done many things, good and bad, that otherwise I would have never experienced.

Comments About Winning: Just enough money to buy my sons an Xbox 360.

Pick'em Secrets: Analyze, listen, have the time and most of all some luck.