The year closed out pretty close to what I thought. Most of the teams had things wrapped up, so there were not much to get wrong, but of course there are some I did. The Chargers lost a terrible game at Cincy and blew their chances. The Bears continued to be stronger than anticipated and got the #2 seed. The Steelers pulled an upset in Baltimore and got the AFC #2 seed. The Rams choked in Seattle and lost the NFC West.
I thought it would go
NFC: Falcons, Packers, Eagles, Rams, Saints, Giants.
AFC: Patriots, Ravens, Colts, Chargers, Jets, Steelers.
It turned out to be Falcons, Bears, Eagles, Seahawks, Saints Packers. 4 of 6 right and 3 of 6 seeds picked correctly.
It is Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Cheifs, Ravens, Jets. Had 5 of 6 but had the seeding wrong.
Here is where we stand now. The Patriots look unstoppable in the AFC. The NFC could have any of 5 of the 6 seeds and it really would not shock anyone (sorry Seattle. You blow)
This is how I see the next month rolling out:
Wildcard
AFC
3. Colts over 6. Jets: 31-20
Rex Ryan doesn't "put the shoe on the other foot", but rather has to pull his foot (fetish) out of his mouth on what has been a disgustingly controversial season.
5. Ravens over 4. Chiefs: 20-13
Ravens get up early. Cheifs get out of their comfort zone and Matt Cassell is not good enough to beat a worse-than-people-realize Baltimore Secondary.
NFC
6. Saints over 4. Seahawks: 34-13
Pete Carroll concedes as the Seahawks kick a field goal to make the score 21-3 instead of going for the TD as the half expires.
5. Packers over 3. Eagles: 37-24
Game of the weekend gets away from Philly when Vick gets banged up again. Aaron Rogers has a field day against a depleted Eagles secondary as the continue to try to blitz him. Kevin "corn" Kolb is not enough to save the season.
Divisional
AFC
2. Steelers over 3. Colts: 24-13
Pittsburgh can do what the Jets couldn't, play offense with balance. Ben "Down To Wed" Roethlisberger uses the play action to exploit a depleted Colts defense. Pittsburgh controls the clock and keeps Manning off the field. The Steeler D is too much for Manning to handle and a late interception ends the Colts chances.
1. Patriots over 5. Ravens: 31-16
Matt Cassell wasn't good enough, but Tom Brady is the best QB in the NFL. Joe Flacco makes a dumb play and throws an INT returned for a TD right before half to make the score 17-6 instead of taking the lead. Brady is surgical in the 2nd half against the Baltimore D and the Patriot Machine rolls on.
NFC
6. Packers over 1. Falcons: 27-24
As I stated before last season (scroll down to the middle), they will be building this up all week as the "next great QB rivalry" between Aaron Rogers and Matt Ryan. It does not disappoint. A game filled with lead changes, big plays and bigger drama, these 2 put on a show. Ryan finishes with 280 yds and 2 TDs. Rogers with 360 and 3 TDs. In a classic, Aaron Rogers completes a TD pass with :20 left (despite Mike McCarthy's consistent ineptness) to put GB ahead for good.
5. Saints over 2. Bears: 31-17
In a rematch of the 2007 NFC Championship game, New Orleans comes to play. Constant pressure keeps Jat Cutler on his toes all game. Despite Mike Martz's late season adjustments, which have been effective, Cutler ends up on his back too much and throws 3INTs. Sean Payton, with his best 2 RBs on IR, scraps the running game against the Bears strong run D and Brees throws for 4 TDs.
Championship
AFC
1. Patriots over 2. Steelers: 34-17
Its the worst possible match-up for Pittsburgh. Brady does what he always does and preforms surgery on the Steeler D. Playing from behind forces Pittsburgh to play pass only and Ben is under too much pressure due to the terrible offensive line. Brady and the Patriot Machine roll on.
NFC
6. Packers over 5. Saints: 34-31
The Saint host the NFC title game for the 2nd straight year, but become the first Wildcard team to ever do it. Brees throws a costly interception mid-2nd quarter leading to a Packer TD and a 21-10 lead. Scoring with only 2:25 to go to cut the lead to 3, Brees and the Saints kick off. Rogers needs 2 first downs to run out the clock. A completion on 2nd down moves the chains but they hit the 2 minute warning. The Saints still have a TO so GB needs 1 more first down. On 3rd and 6 Rogers runs for 10 yards and actually slides to seal the victory.
Super Bowl
Patriots over Packers: 31-20
This game will be better than what the score indicates. Back and forth scoring will keep some drama in it for the first half. What it all boils down to is when the first coaches challenge/booth review comes up and they show the split screen of Bill Belichick and Mike McCarthy. Belichick will have a great game plan for the 2nd half that will just be better than what GB can give them. Brady will put together a long, methodical, precision drive that covers 7 minutes and the 3rd to 4th quarter transition to put the score at 24-13. GB will score a TD and people will think that they can win it, but Brady will score again with under 4 minutes and we will be crowning New England Super Bowl Champs and Brady MVP..... again. Dammit.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
NFL pre Thanksgiving review
As one would expect, there are some things I got wrong in my early projections, and some things I got right. I had some teams being good that aren't (Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, San Diego, Minnesota) but I underestimated more teams (New York Jets, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Chicago).
So lets take a look at some of the projections I made, and where I was wrong.
1. Prediction: Maurice Jones-Drew to be the one to get injured and destroy peoples' fantasy teams
Reality: MJD is quietly having a very good year, and has turned it on as of late. It was Tony Romo and Ryan Matthews who got hurt and killed peoples' fantasy teams
Going Forward: There is still at least 2 major players out there to get hurt and ruin things. I am going with Ladanian Tomlinson as the "good" player, and Michael Vick as the "star" player.
2. Prediction: I had Dallas as the 1 seed, 49ers winning the NFC West and Vikings around 10-6 and getting in the playoffs. Also, Colts and Chargers taking the byes in the AFC and the Dolphins getting in the playoffs.
Reality: The Cowboys, 49ers and Vikings are atrocious, and no-one seems to want to win the NFC West. The AFC byes are going to go to the winners of the East and North, not the West and South.
Going Forward: Dallas, Minnesota and San Francisco will most likely start 2011 with different coaches than 2010. The Colts will probably get a 3 seed and the Chargers will probably make a late surge to sneak in as a 4 seed.
3. Prediction: The Buccaneers, Rams, Panthers, Bills, Browns, Lions, Sehawks, Bears, Broncos and Bengals will be at the bottom of the league this year.
Reality: The Panthers, Bills, Lions, Seahawks, Broncos and Bengals are all at the bottom of the league this year. The Rams, Buccaneers and Bears are in contention to make the playoffs. The Browns have beaten the Saints and Patriots.
Going Forward: The Panthers will be drafting Andrew Luck. The Bills, Lions, Seahawks, Broncos and Bengals, will be joined by the Cowboys, Cardinals, Vikings and 49ers to round out the top 10 of the NFL draft next year. The Bucs and Bears will probably miss the playoffs, but barely. The Rams will make the playoffs as the NFC West champs, but will have a worse record than the Bucs or Bears.
Now lets look at some of what I got right:
1. Prediction: The Bengals and Cowboys locker rooms will implode after 3-5 starts.
Reality: BINGO!!! The only thing I had wrong, was that they would both start 2-7, and the Cowboys fired Wade Phillips when they were 1-7.
Going Forward: Look for Cincy to follow suit, and Marvin Lewis to be selling insurance in Columbus, OH next year.
2. Prediction: Cowboys, Packers, Falcons, 49ers, Vikings, Saints, Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Patriots, Steelers and Dolphins would all make the playoffs this year.
Reality: 7 of the 12 are playoffs teams, and if the Chargers make their usual late season run, it could make 8.
Going Forward: I originally took the Colts over the Packers in the Super Bowl, but both teams have been riddled with injury this year and might not have the strength to make it.
Predictions for the remaining 6 weeks:
Prediction 1: The St. Louis Rams will make the playoffs.
Yes, the St. Louis Rams will actually make the playoffs. Steven Jackson has been as solid as ever, Sam Bradford has been very impressive as a rookie, and they have a pretty easy schedule down the stretch. They will need 9 wins and play @ Seattle (who is only good at home) week 17, so it won't be that easy.
Prediction 2: In an all-time scumbag move, Brett Favre will announce his retirement after week 14. Then attempt to come back 2 days later.
The Vikings play the New York Giants that week, then Chicago the following week. The Giants have knocked out 5 QBs out of games this year. Favre will take an absolute beating by NY and eventually decide trying to play against Julius Peppers the following week is a bad idea.
Prediction 3: Aaron Rogers will go on a 8 game tear like we have not seen before.
Rogers has been crazy good in his last 2 games (49-65, 590 yrds, 7TDs, 0 INTs). They play at Atlanta, SF, @ Detroit, @ NE, NYG, Chicago to close out the season. All 6 teams have had issues against the passing game, and the Packer offense in running on all cylinders. If they win 5 of them they finish 12-4 and will get the #2 seed. Which brings up my next point....
Prediction 4: The Atlanta Falcons will be the #1 seed in the NFC.
I know that is not that bold of a prediction when they have the best record in the NFC, but you need to look at the schedule. If they beat GB this week at home, they still have at Tampa and New Orleans at home as their only remaining difficult games. They are almost unbeatable at home and should be able to get to 12-4 or even 13-3.
Prediction 5: The San Diego Chargers will win the AFC West.
You can just feel them making a run and winning 6 of their remaining 7 games. Denver, @ Indy, Oakland, KC, SF, at Cincy, at Denver. Other than the game at Indy, that is a cakewalk for them. They are very good at home and should finish 10-6. KC is 3-4 in their last 7 and Matt Cassell will probably fall apart down the stretch.
Prediction 6: My playoff predictions.
NFC
1. Atlanta 13-3
2. Green Bay 12-4
3. Philadelphia 11-5
4. St. Louis 9-7
5. New Orleans 12-4
6. New York Giants 10-6
AFC
1. New England 13-3
2. Baltimore 12-4
3. Indianapolis 10-6
4. San Diego 10-6
5. New York Jets 11-5
6. Pittsburgh 11-5
So lets take a look at some of the projections I made, and where I was wrong.
1. Prediction: Maurice Jones-Drew to be the one to get injured and destroy peoples' fantasy teams
Reality: MJD is quietly having a very good year, and has turned it on as of late. It was Tony Romo and Ryan Matthews who got hurt and killed peoples' fantasy teams
Going Forward: There is still at least 2 major players out there to get hurt and ruin things. I am going with Ladanian Tomlinson as the "good" player, and Michael Vick as the "star" player.
2. Prediction: I had Dallas as the 1 seed, 49ers winning the NFC West and Vikings around 10-6 and getting in the playoffs. Also, Colts and Chargers taking the byes in the AFC and the Dolphins getting in the playoffs.
Reality: The Cowboys, 49ers and Vikings are atrocious, and no-one seems to want to win the NFC West. The AFC byes are going to go to the winners of the East and North, not the West and South.
Going Forward: Dallas, Minnesota and San Francisco will most likely start 2011 with different coaches than 2010. The Colts will probably get a 3 seed and the Chargers will probably make a late surge to sneak in as a 4 seed.
3. Prediction: The Buccaneers, Rams, Panthers, Bills, Browns, Lions, Sehawks, Bears, Broncos and Bengals will be at the bottom of the league this year.
Reality: The Panthers, Bills, Lions, Seahawks, Broncos and Bengals are all at the bottom of the league this year. The Rams, Buccaneers and Bears are in contention to make the playoffs. The Browns have beaten the Saints and Patriots.
Going Forward: The Panthers will be drafting Andrew Luck. The Bills, Lions, Seahawks, Broncos and Bengals, will be joined by the Cowboys, Cardinals, Vikings and 49ers to round out the top 10 of the NFL draft next year. The Bucs and Bears will probably miss the playoffs, but barely. The Rams will make the playoffs as the NFC West champs, but will have a worse record than the Bucs or Bears.
Now lets look at some of what I got right:
1. Prediction: The Bengals and Cowboys locker rooms will implode after 3-5 starts.
Reality: BINGO!!! The only thing I had wrong, was that they would both start 2-7, and the Cowboys fired Wade Phillips when they were 1-7.
Going Forward: Look for Cincy to follow suit, and Marvin Lewis to be selling insurance in Columbus, OH next year.
2. Prediction: Cowboys, Packers, Falcons, 49ers, Vikings, Saints, Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Patriots, Steelers and Dolphins would all make the playoffs this year.
Reality: 7 of the 12 are playoffs teams, and if the Chargers make their usual late season run, it could make 8.
Going Forward: I originally took the Colts over the Packers in the Super Bowl, but both teams have been riddled with injury this year and might not have the strength to make it.
Predictions for the remaining 6 weeks:
Prediction 1: The St. Louis Rams will make the playoffs.
Yes, the St. Louis Rams will actually make the playoffs. Steven Jackson has been as solid as ever, Sam Bradford has been very impressive as a rookie, and they have a pretty easy schedule down the stretch. They will need 9 wins and play @ Seattle (who is only good at home) week 17, so it won't be that easy.
Prediction 2: In an all-time scumbag move, Brett Favre will announce his retirement after week 14. Then attempt to come back 2 days later.
The Vikings play the New York Giants that week, then Chicago the following week. The Giants have knocked out 5 QBs out of games this year. Favre will take an absolute beating by NY and eventually decide trying to play against Julius Peppers the following week is a bad idea.
Prediction 3: Aaron Rogers will go on a 8 game tear like we have not seen before.
Rogers has been crazy good in his last 2 games (49-65, 590 yrds, 7TDs, 0 INTs). They play at Atlanta, SF, @ Detroit, @ NE, NYG, Chicago to close out the season. All 6 teams have had issues against the passing game, and the Packer offense in running on all cylinders. If they win 5 of them they finish 12-4 and will get the #2 seed. Which brings up my next point....
Prediction 4: The Atlanta Falcons will be the #1 seed in the NFC.
I know that is not that bold of a prediction when they have the best record in the NFC, but you need to look at the schedule. If they beat GB this week at home, they still have at Tampa and New Orleans at home as their only remaining difficult games. They are almost unbeatable at home and should be able to get to 12-4 or even 13-3.
Prediction 5: The San Diego Chargers will win the AFC West.
You can just feel them making a run and winning 6 of their remaining 7 games. Denver, @ Indy, Oakland, KC, SF, at Cincy, at Denver. Other than the game at Indy, that is a cakewalk for them. They are very good at home and should finish 10-6. KC is 3-4 in their last 7 and Matt Cassell will probably fall apart down the stretch.
Prediction 6: My playoff predictions.
NFC
1. Atlanta 13-3
2. Green Bay 12-4
3. Philadelphia 11-5
4. St. Louis 9-7
5. New Orleans 12-4
6. New York Giants 10-6
AFC
1. New England 13-3
2. Baltimore 12-4
3. Indianapolis 10-6
4. San Diego 10-6
5. New York Jets 11-5
6. Pittsburgh 11-5
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
NFL Predictions
First I have what my actual predictions for the season are.
Playoff Predictions:
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. New Orleans Saints
Wildcard
Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49ers
New Orleans Saints over Atlanta Falcons
Divisional
New Orleans Saints over Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings
AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Miami Dolphins
Wildcard
Pittsburgh Steelers over New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens over Miami Dolphins
Divisional
Indianapolis Colts over Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens over San Diego Chargers
NFC Championship Game
Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints
AFC Championship Game
Indianapolis Colts over Baltimore Ravens
SuperBowl
Indianapolis Colts over Green Bay Packers
Now for the fun part. This will begin my annual "NFL Awards You Didn't Know Where Actually Being Given Out": preseason addition.
Most likely to be arrested and suspended by mid-season:
Shaun Rodgers DT Cleveland Browns
Something just tells me that if you are stupid enough to bring a loaded weapon through airport security and say "you forgot", you are dumb enough to get into trouble when there is nothing else to do in Cleveland on a Monday night.
Honorable Mention: Santonio Holmes WR New York Jets (He found ways to get in trouble in Pittsburgh, imagine what he will do with 4 weeks off in New York)
Most likely to be injured for the season and screw everyones fantasy team:
Maurice Jones-Drew RB Jacksonville Jaguars
He has had a ton of touches the last few years and is will be force fed the ball early and often. He has a slightly injured knee that Jacksonville is being very shady about. But mainly, there is something about being the 3rd or 4th person drafted every year that says "f*$@ you! I'm taking the rest of the year off because my knee/hamstring/foot/ankle/vagina is going to hurt all year or will simply be destroyed. Congrats on wasting your money in your league." Michael Turner last year. Tom Brady 2 years ago. Dante Culpepper in 2005.
Honorable Mention: Frank Gore RB San Francisco 49ers (He likes being hurt)
Lockeroom most likely to implode when they are 3-5 by week 9.
Cincinnati Bengals
This was the easiest pick out of the categories. Chad Ochodoushebag, Terrell Ownly I should get the ball, Tank "small arms cache" Johnson, Cedric "I'm on a boat Mother F^#%er" Benson, and the king of them all Adam "Pacman gonna make it rain in the club because I am an idiot" Jones, are all on the same team. And that doesn't even include Chris "backseat driver" Henry. I can't wait for it to fall apart.
Honorable Mention: Dallas Cowboys (just like every year)
Most likely to leak a sex tape by mid-season:
Mark Sanchez QB New York Jets
He has been making a killing banging celebrities, and every other XX chromosome loaded thing he can find. He loves the spotlight, and New York can't get enough of him. "Hard Knocks" gave him a "Hard On" for the time he spent on camera. Why not take it into the bedroom and launch yourself into superstardom. Of yeah, you aren't a good quarterback
Honorable Mention: Matt Leinert QB Arizona Cardinal (He has nothing else to do. To be honest, I am amazed he have not seen one yet)
Most likely to be dating Kim Kardashian before end of the season:
Bart Scott LB New York Jets
With how much I have been picking the Jets, you would think I actually like them. Bart Scott got plenty of publicity from "Hard Knocks". Now Kim can make the move over to the other side of the ball after dating a RB (Bush) and WR (Austin). It will give her a chance to go out in the NY club scene constantly and become even more famous for no good reason. Also, Kim loves the dark meat.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Marshall WR Miami Dolphins (There she can work on her tan more, and hang out with Fergie)
Least Valuable Player:
Albert Haynesworth DT Washington Redskins
I really don't think I could find a more useless person on the planet to be paid as much as he is. That's it.
Honorable Mention: Jay Cutler QB Chicago Bears (Can he beat his mark of 26 this year)
Playoff Predictions:
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. New Orleans Saints
Wildcard
Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49ers
New Orleans Saints over Atlanta Falcons
Divisional
New Orleans Saints over Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers over Minnesota Vikings
AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Miami Dolphins
Wildcard
Pittsburgh Steelers over New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens over Miami Dolphins
Divisional
Indianapolis Colts over Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens over San Diego Chargers
NFC Championship Game
Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints
AFC Championship Game
Indianapolis Colts over Baltimore Ravens
SuperBowl
Indianapolis Colts over Green Bay Packers
Now for the fun part. This will begin my annual "NFL Awards You Didn't Know Where Actually Being Given Out": preseason addition.
Most likely to be arrested and suspended by mid-season:
Shaun Rodgers DT Cleveland Browns
Something just tells me that if you are stupid enough to bring a loaded weapon through airport security and say "you forgot", you are dumb enough to get into trouble when there is nothing else to do in Cleveland on a Monday night.
Honorable Mention: Santonio Holmes WR New York Jets (He found ways to get in trouble in Pittsburgh, imagine what he will do with 4 weeks off in New York)
Most likely to be injured for the season and screw everyones fantasy team:
Maurice Jones-Drew RB Jacksonville Jaguars
He has had a ton of touches the last few years and is will be force fed the ball early and often. He has a slightly injured knee that Jacksonville is being very shady about. But mainly, there is something about being the 3rd or 4th person drafted every year that says "f*$@ you! I'm taking the rest of the year off because my knee/hamstring/foot/ankle/vagina is going to hurt all year or will simply be destroyed. Congrats on wasting your money in your league." Michael Turner last year. Tom Brady 2 years ago. Dante Culpepper in 2005.
Honorable Mention: Frank Gore RB San Francisco 49ers (He likes being hurt)
Lockeroom most likely to implode when they are 3-5 by week 9.
Cincinnati Bengals
This was the easiest pick out of the categories. Chad Ochodoushebag, Terrell Ownly I should get the ball, Tank "small arms cache" Johnson, Cedric "I'm on a boat Mother F^#%er" Benson, and the king of them all Adam "Pacman gonna make it rain in the club because I am an idiot" Jones, are all on the same team. And that doesn't even include Chris "backseat driver" Henry. I can't wait for it to fall apart.
Honorable Mention: Dallas Cowboys (just like every year)
Most likely to leak a sex tape by mid-season:
Mark Sanchez QB New York Jets
He has been making a killing banging celebrities, and every other XX chromosome loaded thing he can find. He loves the spotlight, and New York can't get enough of him. "Hard Knocks" gave him a "Hard On" for the time he spent on camera. Why not take it into the bedroom and launch yourself into superstardom. Of yeah, you aren't a good quarterback
Honorable Mention: Matt Leinert QB Arizona Cardinal (He has nothing else to do. To be honest, I am amazed he have not seen one yet)
Most likely to be dating Kim Kardashian before end of the season:
Bart Scott LB New York Jets
With how much I have been picking the Jets, you would think I actually like them. Bart Scott got plenty of publicity from "Hard Knocks". Now Kim can make the move over to the other side of the ball after dating a RB (Bush) and WR (Austin). It will give her a chance to go out in the NY club scene constantly and become even more famous for no good reason. Also, Kim loves the dark meat.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Marshall WR Miami Dolphins (There she can work on her tan more, and hang out with Fergie)
Least Valuable Player:
Albert Haynesworth DT Washington Redskins
I really don't think I could find a more useless person on the planet to be paid as much as he is. That's it.
Honorable Mention: Jay Cutler QB Chicago Bears (Can he beat his mark of 26 this year)
Friday, August 27, 2010
SuperBowl Teams
Last week I thought it would be Packers over Chargers in the SuperBowl this year. After thinking about it, I decided to do more research. Turns out, there are 16 teams, or half the league, (according to associatedcontent.com) with 30-1 odds or better to win the SuperBowl. Lets take a look at each one and figure out what could either help them or keep them from winning. We will break it down by conference.
AFC
New England
Odds: 10-1
Strength: High powered passing game with top level receivers
Weakness: No running game of consistency or impact
Question: Can they protect Tom Brady enough to throw in 2 feet of snow and 30mph winds in Boston in January?
Most Important Player: Brady; can he get over the 6-year hangover from their last SuperBowl win?
New York Jets
Odds: 20-1
Strength: Confidence in a relentless defense (as long as Revis re-signs)
Weakness: 2nd year QB who threw over 20 INTs last year
Question: Finding a way to turn their arrogance into confidence and win games. What will happen if they start 2-3 or 1-4?
Most Important Player: Nick Mangold; just singed a massive contract to anchor a transitional offensive line that led them to the AFC Championship game.
Cincinnati Bengals
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Young, physical defense that loves attacking the ball.
Weakness: Swirls of controversy and ego. Long arrest record on this team
Question: There is only 1 football. Will there be enough of it to get everyone the touches they need?
Most Important Player: Carson Palmer; since his leg injury in 2006, he has not be the QB he was supposed to be.
Baltimore Ravens
Odds: 15-1
Strength: A balanced offense that got stronger in the offseason
Weakness: Their porous secondary lives and dies by the health of Ed Reed
Question: Will Ray Rice be able to have another 400 touches this year and remain healthy?
Most Important Player: Reed; the defense is in big trouble if he cannot makes plays at 100% all season long
Pittsburgh Steelers
Odds: 10-1
Strength: A healthy Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith along with the return of Bryant McFadden brings the defense back to elite status
Weakness: No Ben Roethlisberger for the beginning of the season and a terrible offensive line
Question: Will the Roethlisberger situation hang a black cloud of distraction over the entire team and season?
Most Important Player: Polamalu; like Reed for the Ravens, he is the life blood of that defense
Indianapolis Colts
Odds: 6-1
Strength: Best QB perhaps in the history of the NFL
Weakness: Worst run game in the NFL
Question: When will Bob Sanders get hurt this year? (O/U is October 1)
Most Important Player: Peyton Manning; the team cannot win without him. It is as simple as that
Tennessee Titans
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Most electric running back in football
Weakness: Try to name 1 person on their defense. Go ahead... I'll wait.
Question: Can they find someone other than Chris Johnson to score points for them?
Most Important Player: Vince Young; everyone says he is a winner, but he is yet to win a single playoff game. Remember when he went AWOL and wanted to kill himself?
San Diego Chargers
Odds: 7-1
Strength: Phillip Rivers throws the best deep ball in the league, and has people that can go get it
Weakness: Norv Turner. Period.
Question: Can this team get it together and actually win some playoff games?
Most Important Player: Rivers; He has to step up like he did in January 2008.
NFC
Dallas Cowboys
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Great balance between offense and defense
Weakness: Aging offensive line needs to keep Tony Romo off his back.
Question: How long until the "Wade Phillips is on the hot seat" rumors start? Week 2?
Most Important Player: Demarcus Ware; needs to be able to pressure the QB without the blitz to help out the secondary
Philadelphia Eagles
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Lots of weapons on both sides of the ball
Weakness: Andy Reid is horrible at clock management, and gets "oh so close" every year.
Question: How short of a leash is Kevin Kolb on, before Philly fans start to boo him?
Most Important Player: Jeremy Maclin; DeSean Jackson will be double covered all year. Maclin will need to step up and make big plays when it matters
New York Giants
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Defensive line. Healthy again, they can cause nightmares for QBs (just ask Tom Brady)
Weakness: Offensive line. It was their best asset when the won the SuperBowl 3 years ago, now it is a liability.
Question: Will they be able to get Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw running again?
Most Important Player: Eli Manning; most predictions are they will not be running well, and will throw even more than last year
Green Bay Packers
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Best young QB in the NFL to go with plenty of people to throw to.
Weakness: Their OL was destroyed by Minnesota last year. They need to keep Aaron Rodgers upright and throwing.
Question: Can the defense force turnovers like they did last year when they lead the NFL?
Most Important Player: Rodgers; they will need him to continue to develop and come up big late in games if they want to win it all
Minnesota Vikings
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Best every down back in the NFL
Weakness: Old QB and several injuries at WR
Question: Will Brett Favre actually throw his arm out of the socket this year?
Most Important Player: Adrian Peterson; people say he has the strongest handshake ever, but he needs to protect the football.
New Orleans Saints
Odds: 10-1
Strength: Have an offensive that is more creative than any other in the NFL, and can score from anywhere on the field
Weakness: Inconsistency in the offensive and defensive backfield
Question: They have ALWAYS played as the underdog. Now they have a target on their chest. Can the live up to the challenge?
Most Important Player: Drew Brees; Saints fans are hoping that despite 10 years of evidence, the "Madden Curse" is a hoax.
Atlanta Falcons:
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Great young offense with a lot of weapons
Weakness: A defense that had lots of trouble stopping people last year
Question: Can Michael Turner stay healthy and carry the load for the entire season?
Most Important Player: Matt Ryan; Can he shave off the stubble from last season and take his team back to the playoffs.
Arizona Cardinals
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Great receivers???
Weakness: Unproven QB. Lost defensive stars. Lack of serious running game.
Question: If Matt Leinart cannot get it together this year, is all lost for him?
Most Important Player: Leniart; he needs to regain his form of 2004-05, when he completely took over college football.
So what does this leave us with? 4 of the 5 teams with the best odds are from the AFC. We have 8 teams from each conference.
The Chargers, Colts and Saints are probably bad bets for it, based on odds and history. Dallas is too high of odds at 12-1. All of the teams at 30-1, except the Giants, seem like a waste of money. I am surprised that the Jets are only 20-1, and Baltimore is only 15-1, with all of the hype that those teams are getting. At this point, I am saying the Packers, at 12-1, are the best bet. Honestly I think they will be the ones to win it all anyways, even without the odds.
AFC
New England
Odds: 10-1
Strength: High powered passing game with top level receivers
Weakness: No running game of consistency or impact
Question: Can they protect Tom Brady enough to throw in 2 feet of snow and 30mph winds in Boston in January?
Most Important Player: Brady; can he get over the 6-year hangover from their last SuperBowl win?
New York Jets
Odds: 20-1
Strength: Confidence in a relentless defense (as long as Revis re-signs)
Weakness: 2nd year QB who threw over 20 INTs last year
Question: Finding a way to turn their arrogance into confidence and win games. What will happen if they start 2-3 or 1-4?
Most Important Player: Nick Mangold; just singed a massive contract to anchor a transitional offensive line that led them to the AFC Championship game.
Cincinnati Bengals
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Young, physical defense that loves attacking the ball.
Weakness: Swirls of controversy and ego. Long arrest record on this team
Question: There is only 1 football. Will there be enough of it to get everyone the touches they need?
Most Important Player: Carson Palmer; since his leg injury in 2006, he has not be the QB he was supposed to be.
Baltimore Ravens
Odds: 15-1
Strength: A balanced offense that got stronger in the offseason
Weakness: Their porous secondary lives and dies by the health of Ed Reed
Question: Will Ray Rice be able to have another 400 touches this year and remain healthy?
Most Important Player: Reed; the defense is in big trouble if he cannot makes plays at 100% all season long
Pittsburgh Steelers
Odds: 10-1
Strength: A healthy Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith along with the return of Bryant McFadden brings the defense back to elite status
Weakness: No Ben Roethlisberger for the beginning of the season and a terrible offensive line
Question: Will the Roethlisberger situation hang a black cloud of distraction over the entire team and season?
Most Important Player: Polamalu; like Reed for the Ravens, he is the life blood of that defense
Indianapolis Colts
Odds: 6-1
Strength: Best QB perhaps in the history of the NFL
Weakness: Worst run game in the NFL
Question: When will Bob Sanders get hurt this year? (O/U is October 1)
Most Important Player: Peyton Manning; the team cannot win without him. It is as simple as that
Tennessee Titans
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Most electric running back in football
Weakness: Try to name 1 person on their defense. Go ahead... I'll wait.
Question: Can they find someone other than Chris Johnson to score points for them?
Most Important Player: Vince Young; everyone says he is a winner, but he is yet to win a single playoff game. Remember when he went AWOL and wanted to kill himself?
San Diego Chargers
Odds: 7-1
Strength: Phillip Rivers throws the best deep ball in the league, and has people that can go get it
Weakness: Norv Turner. Period.
Question: Can this team get it together and actually win some playoff games?
Most Important Player: Rivers; He has to step up like he did in January 2008.
NFC
Dallas Cowboys
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Great balance between offense and defense
Weakness: Aging offensive line needs to keep Tony Romo off his back.
Question: How long until the "Wade Phillips is on the hot seat" rumors start? Week 2?
Most Important Player: Demarcus Ware; needs to be able to pressure the QB without the blitz to help out the secondary
Philadelphia Eagles
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Lots of weapons on both sides of the ball
Weakness: Andy Reid is horrible at clock management, and gets "oh so close" every year.
Question: How short of a leash is Kevin Kolb on, before Philly fans start to boo him?
Most Important Player: Jeremy Maclin; DeSean Jackson will be double covered all year. Maclin will need to step up and make big plays when it matters
New York Giants
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Defensive line. Healthy again, they can cause nightmares for QBs (just ask Tom Brady)
Weakness: Offensive line. It was their best asset when the won the SuperBowl 3 years ago, now it is a liability.
Question: Will they be able to get Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw running again?
Most Important Player: Eli Manning; most predictions are they will not be running well, and will throw even more than last year
Green Bay Packers
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Best young QB in the NFL to go with plenty of people to throw to.
Weakness: Their OL was destroyed by Minnesota last year. They need to keep Aaron Rodgers upright and throwing.
Question: Can the defense force turnovers like they did last year when they lead the NFL?
Most Important Player: Rodgers; they will need him to continue to develop and come up big late in games if they want to win it all
Minnesota Vikings
Odds: 12-1
Strength: Best every down back in the NFL
Weakness: Old QB and several injuries at WR
Question: Will Brett Favre actually throw his arm out of the socket this year?
Most Important Player: Adrian Peterson; people say he has the strongest handshake ever, but he needs to protect the football.
New Orleans Saints
Odds: 10-1
Strength: Have an offensive that is more creative than any other in the NFL, and can score from anywhere on the field
Weakness: Inconsistency in the offensive and defensive backfield
Question: They have ALWAYS played as the underdog. Now they have a target on their chest. Can the live up to the challenge?
Most Important Player: Drew Brees; Saints fans are hoping that despite 10 years of evidence, the "Madden Curse" is a hoax.
Atlanta Falcons:
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Great young offense with a lot of weapons
Weakness: A defense that had lots of trouble stopping people last year
Question: Can Michael Turner stay healthy and carry the load for the entire season?
Most Important Player: Matt Ryan; Can he shave off the stubble from last season and take his team back to the playoffs.
Arizona Cardinals
Odds: 30-1
Strength: Great receivers???
Weakness: Unproven QB. Lost defensive stars. Lack of serious running game.
Question: If Matt Leinart cannot get it together this year, is all lost for him?
Most Important Player: Leniart; he needs to regain his form of 2004-05, when he completely took over college football.
So what does this leave us with? 4 of the 5 teams with the best odds are from the AFC. We have 8 teams from each conference.
The Chargers, Colts and Saints are probably bad bets for it, based on odds and history. Dallas is too high of odds at 12-1. All of the teams at 30-1, except the Giants, seem like a waste of money. I am surprised that the Jets are only 20-1, and Baltimore is only 15-1, with all of the hype that those teams are getting. At this point, I am saying the Packers, at 12-1, are the best bet. Honestly I think they will be the ones to win it all anyways, even without the odds.
Friday, August 20, 2010
NFL preview 2010
Welcome back. Football season is finally back upon us. We are but only weeks away from meaningful NFL games. I can't help but realize how little I have paid attention to football this year. Usually, by July 4th I am going nuts getting ready for football season. But this year, it was almost as if I didn't even care when it started. I thought about it and there are 6 reasons:
1) The disappointment of the Steelers season last year. They should have finished minimum 12-4, but ended up 9-7 and lost several games they should have won (Chicago, Oakland, Cleveland)
2) The never ending disaster that is Ben Roethlisberger. He got press to the point it was annoying and it gave a grim outlook to this year.
3) Brett Favre
4) The World Cup. It took my attention into the second week of July.
5) I have been busy as hell, and haven't had time to gush over the upcoming season
6) The failures of my fantasy teams last year (A LOT of injuries)
But now we are already 1 game into the preseason, Dennis Dixon looks like a steed and the team actually played well. So I now present my 2010 NFL preview. (divisional order of finish shown)
AFC East
1. New England Patriots - Team has a lot to prove after last years collapse in the playoffs
2. Miami Dolphins - One of the most fun young teams to watch. HBO's favorite mobster and the Tuna have this team going in the right direction.
3. New York Jets - This team has the perfect formula for failure: High expectations. Lots of flash. High priced, big name free agents. This never works
4. Buffalo Bills - Unless they find a way to put Ryan Miller in front of the goaline to keep teams out, it is gonna be another long, cold, snowy winter in Buffalo.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens - A lot of this has to do with the health of Ed Reed, but they finally have an offense to go with that defense
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - They get Tennessee and Oakland in their 3rd place schedule. A healthy Polamalu and a defense playing with a chip on their shoulder. Plus, Bryant McFadden is back.
3. Cincinnati Bengals - See Jets, New York. Plus first place schedule (NE, IND, SD)
4. Cleveland Browns - Name represents the team. shit.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts - Another year, another 12 win season for Peyton and the boys.
2. Houston Texans - 4 games without Brian "more Cushing for the pushing" against a tough schedule. They can put up the points, but can they run the ball?
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jack Del Rio will show just enough promise to hold onto his job... again.
4. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson is going to have a hard time breaking Eric Dickerson's record, when they are going to be behind all the time.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers - Phillip Rivers makes another run at MVP.
2. Oakland Raiders - Jason Campbell is an improvement at QB, and their running game showed flashes of promise. This team has something really going for them.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - This team has a ton of weapons, and the "fat Patriots" of old are back together.
4. Denver Broncos - They will take a step backward after the promise they showed early last year. McDaniels will be under the gun by the end of the year.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys - Still the best team in the best division in football
2. New York Giants - Defensive line is healthy. Eli has the receivers this year to get it done.
3. Washington Redskins - Major recovery from last yer, but still growing.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Kevin Kolb will be booed by Week 4.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers is the best young QB in the league, and their defense forced the most turnovers in the NFL
2. Minnesota Vikings - Team Favre is going to be good again, and I hate them for it.
3. Chicago Bears - They might be better this year, but the rest of the division is too good at the top.
4. Detroit Lions - See Bears, Chicago.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan really breaks out this year, and Michael Turner stays healthy
2. New Orleans Saints - Hangovers last longer at Mardi Gras.
3. Carolina Panthers - Very young team with a lot of growing to do.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Only team in NFC worse is the Rams
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers - Wins games the old fashioned way. Defense, running and special teams
2. Arizona Cardinals - Matt Leinert's coming out party falls a little short, but he still gets 4,000 and 25 TDs
3. Seattle Seahawks - Pete Carroll won't have a lot to pump his fists about this year.
4. St. Louis Rams - They are the Rams
Playoff Predictions:
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. New Orleans Saints
AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Miami Dolphins
This prediction is based on zero physical evidence. I will have a more in depth look at the SuperBowl next week.
1) The disappointment of the Steelers season last year. They should have finished minimum 12-4, but ended up 9-7 and lost several games they should have won (Chicago, Oakland, Cleveland)
2) The never ending disaster that is Ben Roethlisberger. He got press to the point it was annoying and it gave a grim outlook to this year.
3) Brett Favre
4) The World Cup. It took my attention into the second week of July.
5) I have been busy as hell, and haven't had time to gush over the upcoming season
6) The failures of my fantasy teams last year (A LOT of injuries)
But now we are already 1 game into the preseason, Dennis Dixon looks like a steed and the team actually played well. So I now present my 2010 NFL preview. (divisional order of finish shown)
AFC East
1. New England Patriots - Team has a lot to prove after last years collapse in the playoffs
2. Miami Dolphins - One of the most fun young teams to watch. HBO's favorite mobster and the Tuna have this team going in the right direction.
3. New York Jets - This team has the perfect formula for failure: High expectations. Lots of flash. High priced, big name free agents. This never works
4. Buffalo Bills - Unless they find a way to put Ryan Miller in front of the goaline to keep teams out, it is gonna be another long, cold, snowy winter in Buffalo.
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens - A lot of this has to do with the health of Ed Reed, but they finally have an offense to go with that defense
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - They get Tennessee and Oakland in their 3rd place schedule. A healthy Polamalu and a defense playing with a chip on their shoulder. Plus, Bryant McFadden is back.
3. Cincinnati Bengals - See Jets, New York. Plus first place schedule (NE, IND, SD)
4. Cleveland Browns - Name represents the team. shit.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts - Another year, another 12 win season for Peyton and the boys.
2. Houston Texans - 4 games without Brian "more Cushing for the pushing" against a tough schedule. They can put up the points, but can they run the ball?
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jack Del Rio will show just enough promise to hold onto his job... again.
4. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson is going to have a hard time breaking Eric Dickerson's record, when they are going to be behind all the time.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers - Phillip Rivers makes another run at MVP.
2. Oakland Raiders - Jason Campbell is an improvement at QB, and their running game showed flashes of promise. This team has something really going for them.
3. Kansas City Chiefs - This team has a ton of weapons, and the "fat Patriots" of old are back together.
4. Denver Broncos - They will take a step backward after the promise they showed early last year. McDaniels will be under the gun by the end of the year.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys - Still the best team in the best division in football
2. New York Giants - Defensive line is healthy. Eli has the receivers this year to get it done.
3. Washington Redskins - Major recovery from last yer, but still growing.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Kevin Kolb will be booed by Week 4.
NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers is the best young QB in the league, and their defense forced the most turnovers in the NFL
2. Minnesota Vikings - Team Favre is going to be good again, and I hate them for it.
3. Chicago Bears - They might be better this year, but the rest of the division is too good at the top.
4. Detroit Lions - See Bears, Chicago.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan really breaks out this year, and Michael Turner stays healthy
2. New Orleans Saints - Hangovers last longer at Mardi Gras.
3. Carolina Panthers - Very young team with a lot of growing to do.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Only team in NFC worse is the Rams
NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers - Wins games the old fashioned way. Defense, running and special teams
2. Arizona Cardinals - Matt Leinert's coming out party falls a little short, but he still gets 4,000 and 25 TDs
3. Seattle Seahawks - Pete Carroll won't have a lot to pump his fists about this year.
4. St. Louis Rams - They are the Rams
Playoff Predictions:
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Minnesota Vikings
6. New Orleans Saints
AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Miami Dolphins
This prediction is based on zero physical evidence. I will have a more in depth look at the SuperBowl next week.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
27 Wishes for 27
For the second straight year, I have decided to release my birthday day wish list 5 days before my 27th birthday. (which happens to be my father's birthday today). The world once again, will have 5 days to comply with my demands.
1. I wish that LeBron would make a statement with the following: "I left Cleveland because they never gave me the supporting cast I needed to win there. I chose to play with 2 of my closest friends in Miami.... in the winter. I apologize for being such a dick in the way I decided to tell the world."
2. I wish that the World Cup was held every 2 years, alternating against the Olympics. Therefore, have it in 2011, 2013, 2015 an so on. There is enough hype about it to hold it that frequent.
3. I wish they put a shock collar on Roethlisberger, so I wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.
4. I wish Nancy Pelosi would resign from office and move to a remote island, never to be heard from again.
5. I still wish that drinking in public would be more socially acceptable.
6. I wish that fantasy sports wasn't so addictive. Every year I say I am not doing it the following season, but here I am researching in July again.
7. I wish I didn't notice that my hangovers were taking longer to get over as I get older.
8. I wish ice cream wasn't to goddamn addictive.
9. I wish I had some ice cream
10. I wish I had tickets to the Winter Classic.
11. I wish the Winter Classic wasn't played on New Year's Day. I am too hungover for that.
12. I wish the NFL stayed at 16 games. 18 is too many.
13. I wish the NBA, MLB and NHL regular seasons were shorter. They play their championships in the wrong weather.
14. I wish the MLB playoffs expanded to 12 teams.
15. I wish the Pirates would allow members of the public to buy into the team. Like $1,000 a pop. Then every year we could buy into it more and eventually push out the asshole owners.
16. I wish Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag would pull a Romeo & Juliet. A) I am tired of hearing about them... again. B) I have both of them in my celebrity death poll, and it would almost guarantee me a victory.
17. I wish the Super Bowl was played on a Saturday, or they made the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday.
18. I wish Always Sunny came out with new seasons more often.
19. I wish they could drop the F-bomb on cable television.
20. I wish South Park would go back to being a lot more controversial. They were funnier then.
21. I wish 99% of all commercials weren't so annoying.
22. I wish I had DVR for real life.
23. I wish Dave Chapelle would come back and be sane again.
24. I wish that the Pirates will keep Walker, McCutchen, Jones, Tabata & Alvarez and let it grow as they reach their peak in a few years. That team could be good.
25. I wish I would have been come up with the marketing gold idea of the "Twilight" series. So brilliant. (not joking)
26. I wish people would stop saying that certain celebrities are hot.
Zoe Salada: Looks like an alien
Serena Williams: Looks like a dude
Lady Gaga: Used to be a pretty girl, but seems to have aged 20 years in the last 2.
Kristen Stewert: Just plain unattractive
27. I wish "Secret Girlfriend" would come back. That show was awesome.
Thank you world. I expect these tasks to be completed by 12:00am EST on Monday, July 19th.
1. I wish that LeBron would make a statement with the following: "I left Cleveland because they never gave me the supporting cast I needed to win there. I chose to play with 2 of my closest friends in Miami.... in the winter. I apologize for being such a dick in the way I decided to tell the world."
2. I wish that the World Cup was held every 2 years, alternating against the Olympics. Therefore, have it in 2011, 2013, 2015 an so on. There is enough hype about it to hold it that frequent.
3. I wish they put a shock collar on Roethlisberger, so I wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.
4. I wish Nancy Pelosi would resign from office and move to a remote island, never to be heard from again.
5. I still wish that drinking in public would be more socially acceptable.
6. I wish that fantasy sports wasn't so addictive. Every year I say I am not doing it the following season, but here I am researching in July again.
7. I wish I didn't notice that my hangovers were taking longer to get over as I get older.
8. I wish ice cream wasn't to goddamn addictive.
9. I wish I had some ice cream
10. I wish I had tickets to the Winter Classic.
11. I wish the Winter Classic wasn't played on New Year's Day. I am too hungover for that.
12. I wish the NFL stayed at 16 games. 18 is too many.
13. I wish the NBA, MLB and NHL regular seasons were shorter. They play their championships in the wrong weather.
14. I wish the MLB playoffs expanded to 12 teams.
15. I wish the Pirates would allow members of the public to buy into the team. Like $1,000 a pop. Then every year we could buy into it more and eventually push out the asshole owners.
16. I wish Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag would pull a Romeo & Juliet. A) I am tired of hearing about them... again. B) I have both of them in my celebrity death poll, and it would almost guarantee me a victory.
17. I wish the Super Bowl was played on a Saturday, or they made the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday.
18. I wish Always Sunny came out with new seasons more often.
19. I wish they could drop the F-bomb on cable television.
20. I wish South Park would go back to being a lot more controversial. They were funnier then.
21. I wish 99% of all commercials weren't so annoying.
22. I wish I had DVR for real life.
23. I wish Dave Chapelle would come back and be sane again.
24. I wish that the Pirates will keep Walker, McCutchen, Jones, Tabata & Alvarez and let it grow as they reach their peak in a few years. That team could be good.
25. I wish I would have been come up with the marketing gold idea of the "Twilight" series. So brilliant. (not joking)
26. I wish people would stop saying that certain celebrities are hot.
Zoe Salada: Looks like an alien
Serena Williams: Looks like a dude
Lady Gaga: Used to be a pretty girl, but seems to have aged 20 years in the last 2.
Kristen Stewert: Just plain unattractive
27. I wish "Secret Girlfriend" would come back. That show was awesome.
Thank you world. I expect these tasks to be completed by 12:00am EST on Monday, July 19th.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
PED's elected to Baseball HOF
Cooperstown, NY - In a stunning turn of events today, performance enhancing drugs were voted "yes" to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. They will be included in the induction ceremony that takes place on July 25 at the museum in Cooperstown, NY. The decision was made by National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum director Jeff Idelson late last week to hold the vote. "I figured, with how much influence these PED's have had on the sport for the last 20 years, why try fighting it anymore. I mean shit, all the records have been tainted." said Idelson.
Idelson also added, "I decided to have this vote since the only player that was officially elected was Andre Dawson. He wasn't even that great, but we really can't elect anyone from the steroid era in at this point. This will be a pretty shitty induction ceremony if all we elect is a guy that was more know for his womanizing than his play on the field. He is however a first ballot elect in the sleezy Hall of Fame."
The panel has decided they will include anabolic steroids, androstenedione and HGH (human growth hormone) as the 3 recipients. PED's received 405 of the 539 votes yes. Had they received 1 less vote, they would not have made it. (you need to receive a 75% yes vote) It is considered the most controversial vote in the 70+ year history of the museum.
Accepting on behalf of PED's will be Rafael Palmiero and Mark McGwire. "I am just happy to have a chance to stand up there next month." said Palmiero. "Oh yeah" said McGwire, "there is no way in hell we are getting elected on our own." Jose Canseco could not be reached for comment.
Idelson also added, "I decided to have this vote since the only player that was officially elected was Andre Dawson. He wasn't even that great, but we really can't elect anyone from the steroid era in at this point. This will be a pretty shitty induction ceremony if all we elect is a guy that was more know for his womanizing than his play on the field. He is however a first ballot elect in the sleezy Hall of Fame."
The panel has decided they will include anabolic steroids, androstenedione and HGH (human growth hormone) as the 3 recipients. PED's received 405 of the 539 votes yes. Had they received 1 less vote, they would not have made it. (you need to receive a 75% yes vote) It is considered the most controversial vote in the 70+ year history of the museum.
Accepting on behalf of PED's will be Rafael Palmiero and Mark McGwire. "I am just happy to have a chance to stand up there next month." said Palmiero. "Oh yeah" said McGwire, "there is no way in hell we are getting elected on our own." Jose Canseco could not be reached for comment.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The New BCS
A tectonic shift has begun in the world of the NCAA's. Within a 15 months, we will see a New World Order in the way college football and basketball are scripted. The Big-12 and Big East look as if they are about to be liquidated. I have heard plenty of rumors and read several opinions on what will happen. I do not have enough background on the situation to make predictions, so let me tell you what I feel is the best way for the leagues to handle this.
SIDE NOTE: Thursday; 2:15pm It has just flashed across the SI website that Colorado has joined the PAC-10. And I swear on my life, I was just thinking how perfect a fit Colorado is for the PAC-10 no more than an hour ago.
At the end of the 2010 National Championship game, here is how the 6 BCS conferences looked.
Big East (8 teams)
Big-10 (11)
Big-12 (12)
SEC (12)
ACC (12)
PAC-10 (10)
About a month after that game, Big 10 commissioner Jim Delany began courting other teams to join their league, namely Notre Dame. There are really 2 reasons.
1) Bringing in Notre Dame has a huge fan/alumni base (a cash cow)
2) The rule in the NCAA is you must have a minimum 12 teams in your league to hold a conference championship game (also a cash cow).
Notre Dame continues to want to stay independent so they can pick and choose whomever they want to play. I think they are just dumb not to join a BCS conference, especially the Big 10. With the way things are going, it looks as if the Big East and Big-12 are about to be liquefied over the next 2 years in college football (I am not even going to get into the basketball thing right now. That is a huge mess).
I think, with how this looks, the NCAA is going to end up with 4, 16 team super conferences. The ideas I have make too much sense (especially geographically), so of course they are never going to happen. When big changes like this happen, money and ego get in the way, and usually impede progress. With that in mind, lets take a look at the candidates from each conference and where I feel they should end up.
I have chosen 3 factors to evaluate. 1) football 2) basketball 3) academics
(Both the PAC-10 and Big-10 are very big on academics within their schools, and are the 2 conferences that are actively searching for universities to add.)
From the Big 12
Texas
Positives: This is the one EVERYONE wants. And I mean everyone. Last year they raised over $70M in revenue via the football program last year. They are the largest football school in the NCAAs, and will provide a colossal revenue boost to whichever conference they are in. Perennial power in both football and basketball.
Negatives: Because they hold all the negotiating cards, they are playing them. They have said they will choose to stay in the Big-12 as long as it is still a competitive league. Also, Texas is saying that they will not move conferences if said conference is not willing to take Texas Tech and Texas A&M.
Texas Tech
Positive: Made a run at the national championship in football in 2008. Improved in basketball under Bobby Knight. Also, you get Texas.
Negative: Not that consistent in either sport. Not a great academic school either. Mike Leach was recently let got as head football coach, so the program has unnecessary publicity, and will be rebuilding some.
Texas A&M
Positive: You get Texas
Negative: Other than 2007 (basketball), has not been very good in either major sport. Not an academic institution.
Oklahoma
Positive: Perennial power in college football. Usually among the top schools in basketball. Large fanbase and athletic department. Great tradition.
Negative: Not exactly an Ivy League caliber academic program
Oklahoma St.
Positive: Usually very good in both football and basketball. Great tradition in both.
Negative: About the same academically as Oklahoma
Baylor
Positive: Academically a great school. Much improved basketball team lost in the regional final to eventual champion Duke
Negative: Terrible football team.
Nebraska
Positive: Huge football program with large fanbase. Good academic standing.
Negative: Terrible basketball school.
Colorado
Positive: Used to be good at football, until they got smacked with major penalties by the NCAA.
Negative: Basketball team is almost non-existent.
Iowa St.
Positive: The Big 10 can get that all important 2nd Iowa school.
Negative: The Big 10 can get that all important 2nd Iowa school.
Kansas
Positive: Top 5 basketball program in the country.
Negative: Despite a good run 2 years ago, generally a bad football team
Kansas St.
Positive: Basketball team lost in the regional final to eventual NCAA runner-up Baylor
Negative: Generally a bad football team, with a few bright spots.
Missouri
Positive: Great academic school. Generally a good basketball team. Recently a good football team.
Negative: Not a power in either sport.
Big East
Pittsburgh
Positive: They hit all 3. Good in football, basketball and a very good academic school.
Negative: Basketball team seems to fall short every year. Football team follows suit.
West Virginia
Positive: Excellent in football and basketball every year
Negative: Not an academic university. Falls short with their standards.
Cincinnati
Positive: Recently became a very good football school, but just lost their coach to Notre Dame.
Negative: Have struggled recently in basketball. Not an academic school.
Syracuse
Positive: Huge basketball school. Great academically. Also, one of the top 2 schools for sports journalism, which creates a great rivalry within the Big 10. Would provide a cut of the New York market
Negative: Hasn't been even a decent football school in a decade.
Connecticut
Positive: Top 5 basketball school. Good academic school as well
Negative: Not a good football school.
Rutgers
Positive: Good portion of the New York market.
Negative: Not good at football, basketball or a academics. Also, know as one of the worst schools for STDs. Hey, this is north Jersey.
Louisville
Positive: A top 15 basketball program.
Negative: Not a good football school.
South Florida
Positive: Great college football city. Good football program.
Negative: Recently let got of football head coach over allegations. Not a good basketball team.
Other
Notre Dame
Positive: The other hot chick at the party. Everyone wants a piece of them. Huge revenue. Great football tradition. Usually good basketball team
Negative: Being a prick doushebag about joining the conference
TCU
Positive: Recent powerhouse in football.
Negative: Little to nothing in basketball.
Now, with those being the schools involved, there are some changes that need to be made withing the conferences as well. There are 2 things that need to be kept in mind here.
1) As much sense as these conference choices make, it will never happen
2) This is not what I think will happen, this is what I think should happen.
3) Not every school will make the cut. That will happen here, and in real life.
4) Sources have said that the ACC and SEC are not going to make moves, but I see it differently.
5) Completely ignore the basketball conferences except for a comment I say about the ACC later.
This is the what we know so far.
1) We already know that Colorado left for the Pac-10, and Nebraska is going to join the Big 10 tomorrow.
2) We know that Texas will not move with its 2 ugly sisters, but the Pac-10 made an offer to Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.
3) The Big 10 and Pac-10 hold high academic standards to their team.
4) Things need to remain within geographic relevance
REMINDER: Please stay open minded to conference and university movement.
1) The Big-12 liquidates. Colorado (already committed), Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. go the the Pac-10. Missouri and Nebraska go the Big-10.
2) Pitt and Syracuse leave the Big East and go to the Big-10.
3) Notre Dame stops being a bitch and joins the Big-10.
4) The Big-10 also picks up Kansas and Kansas st.
5) South Carolina leaves the SEC and moves to the ACC.
6) The SEC picks up South Florida, Louisville and Cincinnati from the Big East.
7) Miami and Florida St. leave the ACC for the SEC.
8) The ACC picks up UCONN, Rutgers and WVU from the Big East
9) Baylor and Iowa St. join Conference USA
Now, those 9 things happen and we have ourselves 3 conferences with 16 teams (Pac-10, SEC, Big-10) and a 14 team conference (ACC). The next set of events.
1) The SEC redraws its divisions, but keeps the names East and West.
2) The Big-10 renames its self the Mid-Western Conference, and creates 2, 8 team divisions; Great Lakes and Appalachian
3) The Pac-10 renames itself to just the PAC. Said as P.A.C. They create 2, 8 team divisions; Pacific and Mountain
4) The ACC redraws its divisions into 2, 7 team divisions: Central and Atlantic
This is how I see them drawing up the conferences:
SouthEastern Conference
East
Florida; Georgia; Florida St.; Vanderbilt; Tennessee; Kentucky; South Florida; Miami
West
Alabama; Arkansas; Auburn; LSU; Ole Miss; Miss St.; Louisville; Cincinnati
Atlantic Coast Conference
Central
Virginia; Virginia Tech; WVU; UNC; Duke; Wake Forrest; NC State
Atlantic
Boston College; Uconn; Rutgers; Maryland; South Carolina; Clemson; Georgia Tech
Mid Western Conference
Great Lakes
Notre Dame; Kansas; Kansas St.; Iowa; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Northwestern; Illinois
Appalachian
Penn State; Pittsburgh; Syracuse; Ohio St.; Michigan; Michigan St.; Indiana; Purdue
Pacific Athletic Conference
Pacific
Washington; Washington St.; Oregon; Oregon St.; Cal; Stanford; USC; UCLA
Mountain
Texas; Texas Tech; Texas A&M; Oklahoma; Oklahoma St.; Colorado; Arizona; Arizona St.
Again, like I said, this will never happen this way. However, I do believe that this is the best possible way to redraw the BCS into 4 power conferences.
SIDE NOTE: Thursday; 2:15pm It has just flashed across the SI website that Colorado has joined the PAC-10. And I swear on my life, I was just thinking how perfect a fit Colorado is for the PAC-10 no more than an hour ago.
At the end of the 2010 National Championship game, here is how the 6 BCS conferences looked.
Big East (8 teams)
Big-10 (11)
Big-12 (12)
SEC (12)
ACC (12)
PAC-10 (10)
About a month after that game, Big 10 commissioner Jim Delany began courting other teams to join their league, namely Notre Dame. There are really 2 reasons.
1) Bringing in Notre Dame has a huge fan/alumni base (a cash cow)
2) The rule in the NCAA is you must have a minimum 12 teams in your league to hold a conference championship game (also a cash cow).
Notre Dame continues to want to stay independent so they can pick and choose whomever they want to play. I think they are just dumb not to join a BCS conference, especially the Big 10. With the way things are going, it looks as if the Big East and Big-12 are about to be liquefied over the next 2 years in college football (I am not even going to get into the basketball thing right now. That is a huge mess).
I think, with how this looks, the NCAA is going to end up with 4, 16 team super conferences. The ideas I have make too much sense (especially geographically), so of course they are never going to happen. When big changes like this happen, money and ego get in the way, and usually impede progress. With that in mind, lets take a look at the candidates from each conference and where I feel they should end up.
I have chosen 3 factors to evaluate. 1) football 2) basketball 3) academics
(Both the PAC-10 and Big-10 are very big on academics within their schools, and are the 2 conferences that are actively searching for universities to add.)
From the Big 12
Texas
Positives: This is the one EVERYONE wants. And I mean everyone. Last year they raised over $70M in revenue via the football program last year. They are the largest football school in the NCAAs, and will provide a colossal revenue boost to whichever conference they are in. Perennial power in both football and basketball.
Negatives: Because they hold all the negotiating cards, they are playing them. They have said they will choose to stay in the Big-12 as long as it is still a competitive league. Also, Texas is saying that they will not move conferences if said conference is not willing to take Texas Tech and Texas A&M.
Texas Tech
Positive: Made a run at the national championship in football in 2008. Improved in basketball under Bobby Knight. Also, you get Texas.
Negative: Not that consistent in either sport. Not a great academic school either. Mike Leach was recently let got as head football coach, so the program has unnecessary publicity, and will be rebuilding some.
Texas A&M
Positive: You get Texas
Negative: Other than 2007 (basketball), has not been very good in either major sport. Not an academic institution.
Oklahoma
Positive: Perennial power in college football. Usually among the top schools in basketball. Large fanbase and athletic department. Great tradition.
Negative: Not exactly an Ivy League caliber academic program
Oklahoma St.
Positive: Usually very good in both football and basketball. Great tradition in both.
Negative: About the same academically as Oklahoma
Baylor
Positive: Academically a great school. Much improved basketball team lost in the regional final to eventual champion Duke
Negative: Terrible football team.
Nebraska
Positive: Huge football program with large fanbase. Good academic standing.
Negative: Terrible basketball school.
Colorado
Positive: Used to be good at football, until they got smacked with major penalties by the NCAA.
Negative: Basketball team is almost non-existent.
Iowa St.
Positive: The Big 10 can get that all important 2nd Iowa school.
Negative: The Big 10 can get that all important 2nd Iowa school.
Kansas
Positive: Top 5 basketball program in the country.
Negative: Despite a good run 2 years ago, generally a bad football team
Kansas St.
Positive: Basketball team lost in the regional final to eventual NCAA runner-up Baylor
Negative: Generally a bad football team, with a few bright spots.
Missouri
Positive: Great academic school. Generally a good basketball team. Recently a good football team.
Negative: Not a power in either sport.
Big East
Pittsburgh
Positive: They hit all 3. Good in football, basketball and a very good academic school.
Negative: Basketball team seems to fall short every year. Football team follows suit.
West Virginia
Positive: Excellent in football and basketball every year
Negative: Not an academic university. Falls short with their standards.
Cincinnati
Positive: Recently became a very good football school, but just lost their coach to Notre Dame.
Negative: Have struggled recently in basketball. Not an academic school.
Syracuse
Positive: Huge basketball school. Great academically. Also, one of the top 2 schools for sports journalism, which creates a great rivalry within the Big 10. Would provide a cut of the New York market
Negative: Hasn't been even a decent football school in a decade.
Connecticut
Positive: Top 5 basketball school. Good academic school as well
Negative: Not a good football school.
Rutgers
Positive: Good portion of the New York market.
Negative: Not good at football, basketball or a academics. Also, know as one of the worst schools for STDs. Hey, this is north Jersey.
Louisville
Positive: A top 15 basketball program.
Negative: Not a good football school.
South Florida
Positive: Great college football city. Good football program.
Negative: Recently let got of football head coach over allegations. Not a good basketball team.
Other
Notre Dame
Positive: The other hot chick at the party. Everyone wants a piece of them. Huge revenue. Great football tradition. Usually good basketball team
Negative: Being a prick doushebag about joining the conference
TCU
Positive: Recent powerhouse in football.
Negative: Little to nothing in basketball.
Now, with those being the schools involved, there are some changes that need to be made withing the conferences as well. There are 2 things that need to be kept in mind here.
1) As much sense as these conference choices make, it will never happen
2) This is not what I think will happen, this is what I think should happen.
3) Not every school will make the cut. That will happen here, and in real life.
4) Sources have said that the ACC and SEC are not going to make moves, but I see it differently.
5) Completely ignore the basketball conferences except for a comment I say about the ACC later.
This is the what we know so far.
1) We already know that Colorado left for the Pac-10, and Nebraska is going to join the Big 10 tomorrow.
2) We know that Texas will not move with its 2 ugly sisters, but the Pac-10 made an offer to Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St.
3) The Big 10 and Pac-10 hold high academic standards to their team.
4) Things need to remain within geographic relevance
REMINDER: Please stay open minded to conference and university movement.
1) The Big-12 liquidates. Colorado (already committed), Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. go the the Pac-10. Missouri and Nebraska go the Big-10.
2) Pitt and Syracuse leave the Big East and go to the Big-10.
3) Notre Dame stops being a bitch and joins the Big-10.
4) The Big-10 also picks up Kansas and Kansas st.
5) South Carolina leaves the SEC and moves to the ACC.
6) The SEC picks up South Florida, Louisville and Cincinnati from the Big East.
7) Miami and Florida St. leave the ACC for the SEC.
8) The ACC picks up UCONN, Rutgers and WVU from the Big East
9) Baylor and Iowa St. join Conference USA
Now, those 9 things happen and we have ourselves 3 conferences with 16 teams (Pac-10, SEC, Big-10) and a 14 team conference (ACC). The next set of events.
1) The SEC redraws its divisions, but keeps the names East and West.
2) The Big-10 renames its self the Mid-Western Conference, and creates 2, 8 team divisions; Great Lakes and Appalachian
3) The Pac-10 renames itself to just the PAC. Said as P.A.C. They create 2, 8 team divisions; Pacific and Mountain
4) The ACC redraws its divisions into 2, 7 team divisions: Central and Atlantic
This is how I see them drawing up the conferences:
SouthEastern Conference
East
Florida; Georgia; Florida St.; Vanderbilt; Tennessee; Kentucky; South Florida; Miami
West
Alabama; Arkansas; Auburn; LSU; Ole Miss; Miss St.; Louisville; Cincinnati
Atlantic Coast Conference
Central
Virginia; Virginia Tech; WVU; UNC; Duke; Wake Forrest; NC State
Atlantic
Boston College; Uconn; Rutgers; Maryland; South Carolina; Clemson; Georgia Tech
Mid Western Conference
Great Lakes
Notre Dame; Kansas; Kansas St.; Iowa; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Northwestern; Illinois
Appalachian
Penn State; Pittsburgh; Syracuse; Ohio St.; Michigan; Michigan St.; Indiana; Purdue
Pacific Athletic Conference
Pacific
Washington; Washington St.; Oregon; Oregon St.; Cal; Stanford; USC; UCLA
Mountain
Texas; Texas Tech; Texas A&M; Oklahoma; Oklahoma St.; Colorado; Arizona; Arizona St.
Again, like I said, this will never happen this way. However, I do believe that this is the best possible way to redraw the BCS into 4 power conferences.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The last game a Mellon Arena
The Pittsburgh Penguins decided last night to hand over the last game ever played at Mellon Arena. The same place that housed some of hockey's greatest players (Lemieux, Jagr) and hosted many more (Gretzky, Brodeur, Yzerman), was given a farewell from its team the equivalent of an uninvited money shot.
After watching the horrid display from last night, and because I am uncreative, I decided to post a mental diary of the game.
At 7:00 pm, my friend Jake and I attempt to walk into Carson City Saloon, but it is so packed the fire marshal should have been involved. Jake and I decided to walk down the street to the ATM, then probably go to a different bar. As we stop so Jake can feed his bad habit (smoking) I receive a text from my friend in Altoona saying "you have got to be shitting me". I knew already they had given up a shitty goal very early into the game.
As we walk into the bar, it is about 5 minutes into the game. (I will display everything in hockey time, counting up from 0:00 through the period)
1st Period
4:59 Halak has just made a long save on an Alex Goligoski shot. My friend and I buy beers and get ready to watch what will become a loooooong slow death.
7:28 Gonchar draws a penalty. The Pens have been very good on the power play this entire post season. This was not a night for that. 1:30 into the power play, they only had 1 shot, turned over the puck and Fleury had to make a save short handed.
14:23 Terrible defense allows for a quick wristshot by Dominic Moore and Montreal is suddenly up 2-0. You could just feel the air get sucked out of the Mellon Arena like MegaMaid from Spaceballs.
(Up 2-0, Montreal is pretty much impossible to beat. They go into a heavily defensive setting. They start launching shots on Fleury from the blue line to force Pittsburgh to push the puck
around behind their own net. They also keep their defensemen back far and play a man at center ice. Every time the Pens try taking the puck into the offensive zone, it gets taken away.)
20:00 Period ends. The place is so quite, you can hear Malkin's parents struggling to speak English.
2nd Period
3:32 Pittsburgh continues put play lifeless. Chris Kunitz turns the puck over. Montreal snaps a quick shot and suddenly its 3-0.
(At this point the bar is in shock. I look at Jake and say "We will do a shot for every Pens goal. It will be perfect, because if they come back and win this, I will need at least 4 shots." )
3:59 Montreal goes to the box for roughing Gonchar. Pens have a fantastic chance to make this a 2 goal game with over half the game left. Plenty of time to make a comeback, especially with their talent. But....
5:14 Chris Kunitz has another terrible turnover leading to a fast break. Travis Moen has a 1 on 3 short handed, shoots a shitty little floating shot at Fleury.... AND IT GOES IN!!! 4-0 Canadians 26 minutes into the game. This is unreal. I have not seem Pens fans this deflated since before the lockout.
(Two things happened here: (1) This is the WORST goal I have ever seen. Ever. It starts out with a bad turnover on a power play they desperately needed down 3-0 in game 7 at home. Then no one pressures the puck as he easily skates in against a 1 on 3. Then the puck just floats into the net. (2) Fleury was absolutely horrible last night. Definitely the worst I have seen him in a while. He allowed 3 really bad goals. I always try to support him, even when he has a bad game, but last night was inexcusable. You wanna have a bad game on December 12th, thats ok. You cannot have a bad game on May 12th, in game 7, at home.)
(The bar is starting to fill up. The people walking in are looking at the screen like there was a natural disaster. )
As we walk into the bar, it is about 5 minutes into the game. (I will display everything in hockey time, counting up from 0:00 through the period)
1st Period
4:59 Halak has just made a long save on an Alex Goligoski shot. My friend and I buy beers and get ready to watch what will become a loooooong slow death.
7:28 Gonchar draws a penalty. The Pens have been very good on the power play this entire post season. This was not a night for that. 1:30 into the power play, they only had 1 shot, turned over the puck and Fleury had to make a save short handed.
14:23 Terrible defense allows for a quick wristshot by Dominic Moore and Montreal is suddenly up 2-0. You could just feel the air get sucked out of the Mellon Arena like MegaMaid from Spaceballs.
(Up 2-0, Montreal is pretty much impossible to beat. They go into a heavily defensive setting. They start launching shots on Fleury from the blue line to force Pittsburgh to push the puck
around behind their own net. They also keep their defensemen back far and play a man at center ice. Every time the Pens try taking the puck into the offensive zone, it gets taken away.)20:00 Period ends. The place is so quite, you can hear Malkin's parents struggling to speak English.
2nd Period
3:32 Pittsburgh continues put play lifeless. Chris Kunitz turns the puck over. Montreal snaps a quick shot and suddenly its 3-0.
(At this point the bar is in shock. I look at Jake and say "We will do a shot for every Pens goal. It will be perfect, because if they come back and win this, I will need at least 4 shots." )
3:59 Montreal goes to the box for roughing Gonchar. Pens have a fantastic chance to make this a 2 goal game with over half the game left. Plenty of time to make a comeback, especially with their talent. But....
5:14 Chris Kunitz has another terrible turnover leading to a fast break. Travis Moen has a 1 on 3 short handed, shoots a shitty little floating shot at Fleury.... AND IT GOES IN!!! 4-0 Canadians 26 minutes into the game. This is unreal. I have not seem Pens fans this deflated since before the lockout.
(Two things happened here: (1) This is the WORST goal I have ever seen. Ever. It starts out with a bad turnover on a power play they desperately needed down 3-0 in game 7 at home. Then no one pressures the puck as he easily skates in against a 1 on 3. Then the puck just floats into the net. (2) Fleury was absolutely horrible last night. Definitely the worst I have seen him in a while. He allowed 3 really bad goals. I always try to support him, even when he has a bad game, but last night was inexcusable. You wanna have a bad game on December 12th, thats ok. You cannot have a bad game on May 12th, in game 7, at home.)
(The bar is starting to fill up. The people walking in are looking at the screen like there was a natural disaster. )
5:14 Fleury gets pulled.
(The bar erupts in applause. This is the first clapping I have heard since I got there. Not a good sign)
6:08 Brent Johnson makes a save and the crowd gets excited.
(People begin talking about other things. The focus goes off the game, but the whole bar has a tension. Like something could happen any minute and the Pens could make a run.)
7:41 After 2 quick shots on net by the Penguins there is a stoppage in play and a TV timeout.
(The energy in the bar is growing and you can feel Mellon Arena waking up.)
8:36 Letang missed the net wide, the puck rolls to the left side and... BOOM! Chris Kunitz finally gets one past Halak.
(The bar erupts! I have never seen a place more excited to be down by 3 goals. We are all saying the same thing, "Pens need one more before the end of the period. If they get that, they are definitely in it!")
12:06 The Penguins are gaining momentum. There is an icing on Pittsburgh that bring it back down to their end.
13:31 Brent Johnson makes another save and freezes the puck.
(The noise grows.)
13:49 Roman Hamerlik is whistled for holding.
(The crown approves.)
14:09 Blocked shot
15:03 Blocked shot
15: 46 Gonchar blasts a shot from the point. Halak makes a good save, but you can just feel a goal coming.
16:30 Shot from the point is redirected by Jordan Stahl... GOAL!!!!
(We have ourselves a game folks. Mellon Arena is rocking and Pittsburgh has all the momentum now.)
16:48 Brent Johnson makes a huge save.
(The crowd continues to roar.)
17:47 Goligoski ripped a slapper from the point. Halak makes a save. The crowd is going
absolutely insane. Lets go to commercial.
(This was by far the best part of the game. When they return from commercial, they show Malkin's dad, standing up, waving a white towel like a mad man and screaming "LETS GO PENS!". So is the entire crowd. The place is absolutely bonkers.)
19:00 Tyler Kennedy and Mike Cammalleri get into a scuffle and each get 2 minutes for roughing. 4 on 4 hockey, where Pittsburgh excels.
(Everyone again is saying, "If we can get one more before the end of the period we can win this game!")
19:50 Pascal Dupius gets cross checked and draws a penalty. Pittsburgh is about to get 1:30 of 4 on 3. This is the time to strike.
20:00 They loose the faceoff, and the period ends.
3rd Period
0:00 Pittsburgh is riding high off of the 2nd period.
0:27 Slapshot by Malkin; saved!
0:28 Crosby rebound, saved again!
(Halak has returned to being a brick wall at this point. He has let 2 in, but has also made several big saves. These start to push the momentum back to Montreal.)
6:40 Hal Gill FINALLY gets called for holding on Crosby. It is kind of a ticky tacky call, but this was a "make up call" for the last 20 periods of hockey they have let Gill molest Crosby.
6:50/6:51 Malkin has back to back slap shots that are saved by Halak. (The crowd is going nuts.)
8:40 The Pens played their first PP line for the full 2 minutes of the man advantage in desperation. (Other than game 5, this is the first time Pittsburgh has showed any desperation in the playoffs. This was the turning point of the game though.) Montreal makes a push and forces a tired line to play defense for another 15 seconds until...
8:58 Pens finally clear the zone, while lazily changing lines, it happens. TOO MANY MEN ON THE ICE.
(We now have 11 minutes left, and the Pens are going on the penalty kill for the worst possible reason. If it would have been a big hit or a fight, this gives them momentum. But an undisciplined penalty from a tired shift just kills them.)
10:00 Montreal gets traffic in front and makes a great play. Brian Gionta pops one in from the left side and it is a 3 goal lead again for Montreal.
15:31 Pens get another PP, and for the next 2 minutes the Pens launch pucks at the net, but nothing gets past Halak. We are now at 17:31 as the penalty ends and this is no longer a feasible come back.
We watch the last 2:30 of hockey ever to be played at Mellon Arena with a sinking feeling in our stomachs. "Is this really how it is going to end? This bad?" The pucks passes up and down the ice and the Pens get nailed for another too many men on the ice penalty.
19:56 Pascal Dupuis slaps an 80 ft slap shot saved by Halak and with 4 seconds left it is officially over.
Now all we can look for is our campaign to have Jean Claude Van Dame be the one to push the button to implode Mellon-Civic Arena.
(The bar erupts in applause. This is the first clapping I have heard since I got there. Not a good sign)
6:08 Brent Johnson makes a save and the crowd gets excited.
(People begin talking about other things. The focus goes off the game, but the whole bar has a tension. Like something could happen any minute and the Pens could make a run.)
7:41 After 2 quick shots on net by the Penguins there is a stoppage in play and a TV timeout.
(The energy in the bar is growing and you can feel Mellon Arena waking up.)
8:36 Letang missed the net wide, the puck rolls to the left side and... BOOM! Chris Kunitz finally gets one past Halak.
(The bar erupts! I have never seen a place more excited to be down by 3 goals. We are all saying the same thing, "Pens need one more before the end of the period. If they get that, they are definitely in it!")
12:06 The Penguins are gaining momentum. There is an icing on Pittsburgh that bring it back down to their end.
13:31 Brent Johnson makes another save and freezes the puck.
(The noise grows.)
13:49 Roman Hamerlik is whistled for holding.
(The crown approves.)
14:09 Blocked shot
15:03 Blocked shot
15: 46 Gonchar blasts a shot from the point. Halak makes a good save, but you can just feel a goal coming.
16:30 Shot from the point is redirected by Jordan Stahl... GOAL!!!!
(We have ourselves a game folks. Mellon Arena is rocking and Pittsburgh has all the momentum now.)
16:48 Brent Johnson makes a huge save.
(The crowd continues to roar.)
17:47 Goligoski ripped a slapper from the point. Halak makes a save. The crowd is going
absolutely insane. Lets go to commercial.(This was by far the best part of the game. When they return from commercial, they show Malkin's dad, standing up, waving a white towel like a mad man and screaming "LETS GO PENS!". So is the entire crowd. The place is absolutely bonkers.)
19:00 Tyler Kennedy and Mike Cammalleri get into a scuffle and each get 2 minutes for roughing. 4 on 4 hockey, where Pittsburgh excels.
(Everyone again is saying, "If we can get one more before the end of the period we can win this game!")
19:50 Pascal Dupius gets cross checked and draws a penalty. Pittsburgh is about to get 1:30 of 4 on 3. This is the time to strike.
20:00 They loose the faceoff, and the period ends.
3rd Period
0:00 Pittsburgh is riding high off of the 2nd period.
0:27 Slapshot by Malkin; saved!
0:28 Crosby rebound, saved again!
(Halak has returned to being a brick wall at this point. He has let 2 in, but has also made several big saves. These start to push the momentum back to Montreal.)
6:40 Hal Gill FINALLY gets called for holding on Crosby. It is kind of a ticky tacky call, but this was a "make up call" for the last 20 periods of hockey they have let Gill molest Crosby.
6:50/6:51 Malkin has back to back slap shots that are saved by Halak. (The crowd is going nuts.)
8:40 The Pens played their first PP line for the full 2 minutes of the man advantage in desperation. (Other than game 5, this is the first time Pittsburgh has showed any desperation in the playoffs. This was the turning point of the game though.) Montreal makes a push and forces a tired line to play defense for another 15 seconds until...
8:58 Pens finally clear the zone, while lazily changing lines, it happens. TOO MANY MEN ON THE ICE.
(We now have 11 minutes left, and the Pens are going on the penalty kill for the worst possible reason. If it would have been a big hit or a fight, this gives them momentum. But an undisciplined penalty from a tired shift just kills them.)
10:00 Montreal gets traffic in front and makes a great play. Brian Gionta pops one in from the left side and it is a 3 goal lead again for Montreal.
15:31 Pens get another PP, and for the next 2 minutes the Pens launch pucks at the net, but nothing gets past Halak. We are now at 17:31 as the penalty ends and this is no longer a feasible come back.
We watch the last 2:30 of hockey ever to be played at Mellon Arena with a sinking feeling in our stomachs. "Is this really how it is going to end? This bad?" The pucks passes up and down the ice and the Pens get nailed for another too many men on the ice penalty.
19:56 Pascal Dupuis slaps an 80 ft slap shot saved by Halak and with 4 seconds left it is officially over.
Now all we can look for is our campaign to have Jean Claude Van Dame be the one to push the button to implode Mellon-Civic Arena.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wirtings on the Reg/ Drive for .500
After defeating the Cubs last night, they Pirates are still tyring to right the ship after an ass whooping they recieved since my last post. In the next 7 games, they lost all 7 by a combined 72-12. Did I curse them. No, they just suck.
They did however pull themselves together enough to win at Milwaukee for the first time in almost 2 years. Then flew to LA, took the first game but got rock for the last 3 of the 4 game series again the Dodgers. They have won the last 2 nights, and their pitching is starting to show signs of life. Lets hope they can keep it together.
Fun Facts:
1) The Pirates are a -86 run differntial this year. The worst in the MLB bt 35 runs.
2) No team other than the Cardinals has a winning record in the NL Central.
3) The Cardinals the the largest lead in the majors of second place( 4 game)
4) Andrew McCutchen has only 1 stolen base in the last 12 games.
5) Garrett Jones has only 1 HR and 11 RBI since April 7.
6) Jones is batting .333 batting 3rd, but .218 batting 4th.
Pirates record: 12-15
Wins needed for 81: 69
Amount I am drinking the Pirates Kool-aid: 7%
They did however pull themselves together enough to win at Milwaukee for the first time in almost 2 years. Then flew to LA, took the first game but got rock for the last 3 of the 4 game series again the Dodgers. They have won the last 2 nights, and their pitching is starting to show signs of life. Lets hope they can keep it together.
Fun Facts:
1) The Pirates are a -86 run differntial this year. The worst in the MLB bt 35 runs.
2) No team other than the Cardinals has a winning record in the NL Central.
3) The Cardinals the the largest lead in the majors of second place( 4 game)
4) Andrew McCutchen has only 1 stolen base in the last 12 games.
5) Garrett Jones has only 1 HR and 11 RBI since April 7.
6) Jones is batting .333 batting 3rd, but .218 batting 4th.
Pirates record: 12-15
Wins needed for 81: 69
Amount I am drinking the Pirates Kool-aid: 7%
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