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
Monday, November 22, 2010
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%
Monday, April 19, 2010
The drive for .500
In order for the Pittsburgh Pirates to break the longest streak of consecutive loosing season in professional sports history, they need to win at least 81 games. They have started the season 7-5 after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in a 3 game home series. They currently have the best home record in the NL (5-1). They are last in several statistics because they are inconsistent. (have been outscored by 22 runs; bottom half in many offensive and defensive categories.) When they loose, they get blown out. When they win, they win close.
The last few years, the Pirates managed to start the season pretty decent. Usually flirting with a winning record. However, eventually they would hit a wall and loose 25 of 30 or so. If they can manage to avoid having a terrible month like that, they can make it to 81 wins. Let me explain:
As of this post, they have 7 wins. They need 74 more wins out of 150 game to finish at .500. The were great at home last year until they self destructed. As I stated before, they were 28-17 at home as of August 1 last year. They finished 12-24 at home to close out the year though. The 28-17 record was a .622 winning percentage. If they can manage to win 45 of their remaining 75 home games (.600), they will finish with a 50-31 record at home.
All they will need to do is find a way to win 31 roads games then and we get to 81. At this point they are 2-4 on the road. They need to win 29 of the remaining 75 road games or just a .387 winning percentage. They have 44 of those 75 games against the worst 7 teams in the NL (Mets, Nationals, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Astros and Padres). Pittsburgh cannot seem to beat the Brewers, but lets just do the math for now. Milwaukee already is having pitching issues this year, and is currently 5-7 after dropping 2 of 3 to Washington. If Pittsburgh can go .454 in that span of 44 they will win 20 games. This means they will need to win 9 of the remaining 31 games (.290) on the road against the rest of the NL, and their interleague games against the Tigers, Ranger's and A's.
This is not unreasonable. The biggest downfall every year has been that they trade away their best players and self destruct shortly after. This year they don't have any stars to trade away other than McCutchen. If they can manage to keep him, call up Perdo Alvarez and get thier pitching on track, they have a real shot at this.
The last few years, the Pirates managed to start the season pretty decent. Usually flirting with a winning record. However, eventually they would hit a wall and loose 25 of 30 or so. If they can manage to avoid having a terrible month like that, they can make it to 81 wins. Let me explain:
As of this post, they have 7 wins. They need 74 more wins out of 150 game to finish at .500. The were great at home last year until they self destructed. As I stated before, they were 28-17 at home as of August 1 last year. They finished 12-24 at home to close out the year though. The 28-17 record was a .622 winning percentage. If they can manage to win 45 of their remaining 75 home games (.600), they will finish with a 50-31 record at home.
All they will need to do is find a way to win 31 roads games then and we get to 81. At this point they are 2-4 on the road. They need to win 29 of the remaining 75 road games or just a .387 winning percentage. They have 44 of those 75 games against the worst 7 teams in the NL (Mets, Nationals, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Astros and Padres). Pittsburgh cannot seem to beat the Brewers, but lets just do the math for now. Milwaukee already is having pitching issues this year, and is currently 5-7 after dropping 2 of 3 to Washington. If Pittsburgh can go .454 in that span of 44 they will win 20 games. This means they will need to win 9 of the remaining 31 games (.290) on the road against the rest of the NL, and their interleague games against the Tigers, Ranger's and A's.
This is not unreasonable. The biggest downfall every year has been that they trade away their best players and self destruct shortly after. This year they don't have any stars to trade away other than McCutchen. If they can manage to keep him, call up Perdo Alvarez and get thier pitching on track, they have a real shot at this.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Writings on the Reg' 4/15
Today is tax day. If you haven't filed your taxes by today you are lazy and pathetic. On to sports.
The Pirates are playing a sea-saw season so far. At 4-5 they seem to win one, loose one. They have a day off for travel back home and have series against Cincinnatti and Milwaukee. They are good at home so they could win 4 of 6.
Fun Facts
1. Pittsburgh is last in the NL in almost every pitching statistic this year
1a. They are last in both the NL and MLB in ERA
2. The Pirates lead the NL in stolen bases (10)
2a. Andrew McCutchen leads the NL in steals (5)
3. Pittsburgh has been outscored by 26 runs so far this year.
4. In their 5 losses this year, Pittsburgh has lost by a combined score of 49-12.
5. Last year, on August 1st, the Pirates beat the Nationals at home, making their home record 28-17 at that point.
6. After that, they went 12-22 at home.
7. Pittsburgh went 22-58 on the road last year.
Current Record: 4-5
# wins needed to get to .500: 77
Garret Jones update:
9 games:
242 avg; 3 HRs; 8 RBI
.375 OBP
.545 SLG
.920 OPS
The Pirates are playing a sea-saw season so far. At 4-5 they seem to win one, loose one. They have a day off for travel back home and have series against Cincinnatti and Milwaukee. They are good at home so they could win 4 of 6.
Fun Facts
1. Pittsburgh is last in the NL in almost every pitching statistic this year
1a. They are last in both the NL and MLB in ERA
2. The Pirates lead the NL in stolen bases (10)
2a. Andrew McCutchen leads the NL in steals (5)
3. Pittsburgh has been outscored by 26 runs so far this year.
4. In their 5 losses this year, Pittsburgh has lost by a combined score of 49-12.
5. Last year, on August 1st, the Pirates beat the Nationals at home, making their home record 28-17 at that point.
6. After that, they went 12-22 at home.
7. Pittsburgh went 22-58 on the road last year.
Current Record: 4-5
# wins needed to get to .500: 77
Garret Jones update:
9 games:
242 avg; 3 HRs; 8 RBI
.375 OBP
.545 SLG
.920 OPS
Major drop off in the numbers. Since hitting his 3rd homerun of the year in his first AB of the 2nd game, Jones has gone 5 for 28 (.178) with 1 double, 6 BB and 2 RBI. (.323 OBP; .353 SLG; .676 OPS) Not the numbers you need coming out of your #3 hitter. He is supposed to be the best hitter on the team.
Amount I am drinking the juice..... 3%
Amount I am drinking the juice..... 3%
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
NHL Playoff preview
The NHL playoffs start tomorrow, and for the 3rd consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Penguins have the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference. A few months ago they seemed destined for the 2 seed, but stumbled down the stretch. Will they have enough to make another playoff run to the finals?
I hate to say it but I have to say no. On February 18th last year, they were 27-25-6 and in 10th place in the East before changing coaches to Dan Blysma. The Penguins then proceeded to go 18-3-3 and entered the playoffs as the hottest team in the NHL. They rode that momentum all the way to the Stanley Cup championship. They just don't seem to have that same spark this year.
This year, Marc-Andre Fleury resorted to his old ways of inconsistency. He can play unbelievable 1 night,
then terrible the next. Nothing showed this more than the shootout loss to Washington on March 24. Fleury played great for the entire game and the first 2 rounds of the shootout building a 2 goal lead. He then gave up 3 goals on 3 straight shots and the Pens only managed to leave with 1 point.
Last years hero, Art Ross and Con Smythe trophy winner Evgeni Malkin, has been quiet this year as well. He only played in 67 games this year and managed only 77 points. The one bright spot is that he managed 4 points (2G, 2A) on Sunday against the Islanders. It is a shame because Sidney Crosby is having the best scoring year of his career, tallying 51 this year and tying Steven Stamkos for tops in the NHL. He managed to finish with 109 points (51G, 58A) this year, 3 points behind Vancouver's Henrik Sedin for the NHL lead.
The question will now be whether or not Pittsburgh can put it all together and make a strong push towards the cup. They did get a good draw in the first round against Ottawa. The Senators have been up and down all year, but good as of late. Pittsburgh has much better depth, especially up the middle and match up well against them. This is the perfect chance for them to get everything right and get the team on the same page.
The biggest obstacle for Pittsburgh will be potential road series against Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo. Pittsburgh finished the year 0-8-2 against Wash and NJ, and was also 0-3-1 against the top 4 teams in the West. That does not look good heading into the later rounds of the playoffs.
Crosby is known to rise to the occasion in big games, and has been a force this year. The only
way Pittsburgh can repeat as Stanley Cup champions is with increased play by their other 2 big stars, Fleury and Malkin. Fleury has been very solid in the playoffs the last 2 years and will need to be at his best this year. Malkin was a ghost in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs and pulled a disappearing act in the Olympics this past February. He will need to return to his form from last year, where he won the Con Smythe and lead the league in playoff scoring.
I hate to say it but I have to say no. On February 18th last year, they were 27-25-6 and in 10th place in the East before changing coaches to Dan Blysma. The Penguins then proceeded to go 18-3-3 and entered the playoffs as the hottest team in the NHL. They rode that momentum all the way to the Stanley Cup championship. They just don't seem to have that same spark this year.
This year, Marc-Andre Fleury resorted to his old ways of inconsistency. He can play unbelievable 1 night,
then terrible the next. Nothing showed this more than the shootout loss to Washington on March 24. Fleury played great for the entire game and the first 2 rounds of the shootout building a 2 goal lead. He then gave up 3 goals on 3 straight shots and the Pens only managed to leave with 1 point.Last years hero, Art Ross and Con Smythe trophy winner Evgeni Malkin, has been quiet this year as well. He only played in 67 games this year and managed only 77 points. The one bright spot is that he managed 4 points (2G, 2A) on Sunday against the Islanders. It is a shame because Sidney Crosby is having the best scoring year of his career, tallying 51 this year and tying Steven Stamkos for tops in the NHL. He managed to finish with 109 points (51G, 58A) this year, 3 points behind Vancouver's Henrik Sedin for the NHL lead.
The question will now be whether or not Pittsburgh can put it all together and make a strong push towards the cup. They did get a good draw in the first round against Ottawa. The Senators have been up and down all year, but good as of late. Pittsburgh has much better depth, especially up the middle and match up well against them. This is the perfect chance for them to get everything right and get the team on the same page.
The biggest obstacle for Pittsburgh will be potential road series against Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo. Pittsburgh finished the year 0-8-2 against Wash and NJ, and was also 0-3-1 against the top 4 teams in the West. That does not look good heading into the later rounds of the playoffs.
Crosby is known to rise to the occasion in big games, and has been a force this year. The only
way Pittsburgh can repeat as Stanley Cup champions is with increased play by their other 2 big stars, Fleury and Malkin. Fleury has been very solid in the playoffs the last 2 years and will need to be at his best this year. Malkin was a ghost in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs and pulled a disappearing act in the Olympics this past February. He will need to return to his form from last year, where he won the Con Smythe and lead the league in playoff scoring.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Writings on the Reg' 4/8
Welcome back to the Writings on the Reg. A weekly look at all things going on in the world of sports and beyond.
Writing this while watching Pirates-Dodgers on ESPN.com on a 60 second auto refresh I came to a conclusion. I don't know whether I am ready for a good baseball team in Pittsburgh, and I don't think the Pirates are either. Instead of making the decision to build the team with quality young players, they did what they always do. They went out and spent money on mediocre aging players to try to temporarily fill holes in the line-up. They spent $6M on a 36 year old closer (Octavio Dotel) and $5.3M on a 30 year old back-up shortstop (Bobby Crosby). By they way, they are their 2 highest paid players.
The correct way to build a team ,the way the Tampa Bay Rays were able to build an AL Pennant winning team, is with youth and a good farm system. The Pirates have neither.
There is only 1 marquee player in their farm system, 3B Pedro Alvarez. (Expect him to be called up shortly after June 1 if not earlier) Other than that, they do not have a player worth putting hope into the future with. Every year the Pirates make trades to try to get "prospects" and they seem to miss every time. Jeff Karstens was supposed to be a great prospect of a pitcher from the Yankees. In his second start with the Pirates he threw a 1 or 2 hitter. He is now in the minors.
Lets take a look at the other big problem, age. The pirates roster looks like a Dave Matthews Band crowd.
Player ages:
1B - Jeff Clement (26)
2B - Akinori Iwamura (31)
2B - Delwyn Young (27)
SS - Ronny Cedeno (27)
SS - Bobby Crosby (30)
3B - Andy Laroche (26)
OF- Garrett Jones (28)
OF - Lastings Milledge (25)
OF - Andrew McCutchen (23)
OF - Ryan Church (31)
C - Ryan Doumit (29)
Only Milledge and McCutchen are under the age of 26!! If you are building a franchise, you need young talent. Players start coming into their prime at 26, 27, 28. All of these players are peaking or have peaked. The only saving grace is if their starting rotation can pull it together this year and throw all season like they did in the first few months of 2009.
Player ages:
SP - Zach Duke (26)
SP - Paul Maholm (27)
SP - Ross Ohlendorf (27)
SP - Charlie Morton (26)
SP - Daneil McCutchen (27)
Duke, Maholm and Ohlendorf have had time to throw and develop. If they can continue to grow and improve, the Buccos have a shot at 81 wins this year.
Record: 2-1
Remaining wins for .500: 79
One other thing about this season is Garrett Jones. I am not convinced yet. As I pointed out above, he is an aging player. He just spent 6-8 years in the minors for a reason. His power came on as he got called up last year.
Current Stats
3 games:
.273 avg; 3 HRs; 6 RBI
.429 OBP
1.091 SLG
1.519 OPS
Off to a great start, but he went 0-3 today with 2 walks. Pitchers will start to throw around him due to lack of protection in the line-up.
Amount I am drinking the juice...10 %
Writing this while watching Pirates-Dodgers on ESPN.com on a 60 second auto refresh I came to a conclusion. I don't know whether I am ready for a good baseball team in Pittsburgh, and I don't think the Pirates are either. Instead of making the decision to build the team with quality young players, they did what they always do. They went out and spent money on mediocre aging players to try to temporarily fill holes in the line-up. They spent $6M on a 36 year old closer (Octavio Dotel) and $5.3M on a 30 year old back-up shortstop (Bobby Crosby). By they way, they are their 2 highest paid players.
The correct way to build a team ,the way the Tampa Bay Rays were able to build an AL Pennant winning team, is with youth and a good farm system. The Pirates have neither.
There is only 1 marquee player in their farm system, 3B Pedro Alvarez. (Expect him to be called up shortly after June 1 if not earlier) Other than that, they do not have a player worth putting hope into the future with. Every year the Pirates make trades to try to get "prospects" and they seem to miss every time. Jeff Karstens was supposed to be a great prospect of a pitcher from the Yankees. In his second start with the Pirates he threw a 1 or 2 hitter. He is now in the minors.
Lets take a look at the other big problem, age. The pirates roster looks like a Dave Matthews Band crowd.
Player ages:
1B - Jeff Clement (26)
2B - Akinori Iwamura (31)
2B - Delwyn Young (27)
SS - Ronny Cedeno (27)
SS - Bobby Crosby (30)
3B - Andy Laroche (26)
OF- Garrett Jones (28)
OF - Lastings Milledge (25)
OF - Andrew McCutchen (23)
OF - Ryan Church (31)
C - Ryan Doumit (29)
Only Milledge and McCutchen are under the age of 26!! If you are building a franchise, you need young talent. Players start coming into their prime at 26, 27, 28. All of these players are peaking or have peaked. The only saving grace is if their starting rotation can pull it together this year and throw all season like they did in the first few months of 2009.
Player ages:
SP - Zach Duke (26)
SP - Paul Maholm (27)
SP - Ross Ohlendorf (27)
SP - Charlie Morton (26)
SP - Daneil McCutchen (27)
Duke, Maholm and Ohlendorf have had time to throw and develop. If they can continue to grow and improve, the Buccos have a shot at 81 wins this year.
Record: 2-1
Remaining wins for .500: 79
One other thing about this season is Garrett Jones. I am not convinced yet. As I pointed out above, he is an aging player. He just spent 6-8 years in the minors for a reason. His power came on as he got called up last year.
Current Stats
3 games:
.273 avg; 3 HRs; 6 RBI
.429 OBP
1.091 SLG
1.519 OPS
Off to a great start, but he went 0-3 today with 2 walks. Pitchers will start to throw around him due to lack of protection in the line-up.
Amount I am drinking the juice...10 %
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Greatest Hockey Game of My Lifetime
I was born in July of 1983. Therefore, I was not born yet when the "Miracle on Ice" occured on February 22, 1980. With that in mind, view my judgement as a collection of games for the last 26.5 years.
It is with out a doubt in my mind, yesterday's Gold Medal Olympic hockey game is the greatest hockey game ever. There was everything you could have wanted in the game. Drama; action; suspense; rivaly; big hits; big shots; big saves; an underdog; a home favorite; a late game tying goal; overtime. There really is not much else that could have been asked for from that game.
You could feel the intensity even in pregame. This game meant more to Canada, than any game has ever meant to that country. Chills run up and down the spine as you watch the insanity of cheers pour out of the Canadian home crowd. They NEEDED this game.
The collection of talent was a good as any NHL all-star game you
will ever see. Each team suited 23 players, and all of them were NHL stars. Canada had 9 current NHL captains, and 2 former captains. The difference with this game over all-star games, is usually they are only playing as an exhibition. No one defends, no one cares who wins, and the final score ends up somewhere around 13-11. This was a complete 180 from that.
Canada started out strong. Making big pushes into the zone with strong forechecking and agressive defense at mid-ice. With a 1-0 lead after the first intermission, they continued to outplay the Americans. Once Canada made it 2-0 you could almost feel the earth shake with how crazy the crowd was going... this was only the beginning.
USA drew a penalty and had a perfect chance to get on the board and make this a 1 point game. Canada dominated them and the puck lasted in the zone for only seconds at a time before it was cleared back down behind American goalie Ryan Miller. Once the penatly ends USA looks drained. Canada took advantage and made a push, but Ryan Miller made a great save. USA rode the momentum and finally got past goalie Roberto Luongo. USA dominated play for the remaining 7 minutes of the period, but trainled 2-1 after 2.
As the 3rd peroid wore on you could feel the air being sucked out of the room as the Canadian fans began to worry. Canada's Sindey Crosby had a chance to ice the game on a breakaway with under 4 minutes to go. However, he was unable to be able get a good shot off and could not convert. Everyone knew Team America had the momentum and enough talent to score the goal to tie the game, it was just a question of whether or not there would be enough time. Sure enough, USA pulled Ryan Miller in favor of the extra attacker and Zach Parise scored with only 24 seconds left.
At this point, we already had the best 2 teams in the world, playing into overtime with a goal in
the last 30 seconds to tie the game. The puck traveled up and down the ice with great plays and great saves to keep the game alive. 7:40 into the overtime Crosby takes a pass of the boards from teamate Jarome Iginla and quickly shoots it under the legs of Ryan Miller to end the game. Canada wins gold!
There was significant pressure on Canada to win gold in the Olympic Hockey Tournament hosted in their home country. After Canada lost to USA on the previous weekend, it cost them a first round bye. Canada had to beat Russia, Solvakia and USA to take the gold and did it. It ended with the best player in the world, beating the best goalie in the world, in the biggest hockey game in the world on the biggest stage in the world... in overtime. That gives us the greatest hockey game of my lifetime.
It is with out a doubt in my mind, yesterday's Gold Medal Olympic hockey game is the greatest hockey game ever. There was everything you could have wanted in the game. Drama; action; suspense; rivaly; big hits; big shots; big saves; an underdog; a home favorite; a late game tying goal; overtime. There really is not much else that could have been asked for from that game.
You could feel the intensity even in pregame. This game meant more to Canada, than any game has ever meant to that country. Chills run up and down the spine as you watch the insanity of cheers pour out of the Canadian home crowd. They NEEDED this game.The collection of talent was a good as any NHL all-star game you
will ever see. Each team suited 23 players, and all of them were NHL stars. Canada had 9 current NHL captains, and 2 former captains. The difference with this game over all-star games, is usually they are only playing as an exhibition. No one defends, no one cares who wins, and the final score ends up somewhere around 13-11. This was a complete 180 from that.Canada started out strong. Making big pushes into the zone with strong forechecking and agressive defense at mid-ice. With a 1-0 lead after the first intermission, they continued to outplay the Americans. Once Canada made it 2-0 you could almost feel the earth shake with how crazy the crowd was going... this was only the beginning.
USA drew a penalty and had a perfect chance to get on the board and make this a 1 point game. Canada dominated them and the puck lasted in the zone for only seconds at a time before it was cleared back down behind American goalie Ryan Miller. Once the penatly ends USA looks drained. Canada took advantage and made a push, but Ryan Miller made a great save. USA rode the momentum and finally got past goalie Roberto Luongo. USA dominated play for the remaining 7 minutes of the period, but trainled 2-1 after 2.
As the 3rd peroid wore on you could feel the air being sucked out of the room as the Canadian fans began to worry. Canada's Sindey Crosby had a chance to ice the game on a breakaway with under 4 minutes to go. However, he was unable to be able get a good shot off and could not convert. Everyone knew Team America had the momentum and enough talent to score the goal to tie the game, it was just a question of whether or not there would be enough time. Sure enough, USA pulled Ryan Miller in favor of the extra attacker and Zach Parise scored with only 24 seconds left.At this point, we already had the best 2 teams in the world, playing into overtime with a goal in
the last 30 seconds to tie the game. The puck traveled up and down the ice with great plays and great saves to keep the game alive. 7:40 into the overtime Crosby takes a pass of the boards from teamate Jarome Iginla and quickly shoots it under the legs of Ryan Miller to end the game. Canada wins gold!There was significant pressure on Canada to win gold in the Olympic Hockey Tournament hosted in their home country. After Canada lost to USA on the previous weekend, it cost them a first round bye. Canada had to beat Russia, Solvakia and USA to take the gold and did it. It ended with the best player in the world, beating the best goalie in the world, in the biggest hockey game in the world on the biggest stage in the world... in overtime. That gives us the greatest hockey game of my lifetime.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Super Bowl Preview
First off, I would like to point out (because I am a prick) how close I was on the Championship Weekend predictions.
Jets @ Colts
Mine: 27-10 Colts
Actual: 30-17 Colts
Jets @ Colts
Mine: 27-10 Colts
Actual: 30-17 Colts
Vikings @ Saints
Mine: 31-27 Saints
Actual: 31-28 Saints
Ok. I just had to get that out of my system. Lets take an advanced look at what should be an awesome Super Bowl.
6:25 EST
New Orleans Saints: 15-3 vs. Indianapolis Colts: 16-2 (-5)
Outlook: It doesn't take Tom Jackson to figure out that this will be a high scoring game. Both teams are elite at QB and have tons of weapons to get the ball to.
Biggest question mark: How much blitzing will Greg Williams do?
Drew Brees is good against be blitz but Manning is better. Brees also can be rattled by a good defense end (see Ware, DeMarcus). The Saints don't have an elite 4 man rush so they will need to bring 5-6 players consistently. Manning eats up the blitz better than any QB in the NFL though (see Jets, New York)
Key Matchup #1: Jonathan Stinchcomb vs Robert Mathis
With Freeney's looming ankle injury, it will be up to Robert Mathis to aplly pressure on Brees and squeeze the pocket. No one in the NFL is better at stepping up in the pocket and making throws than Brees. Also, New Orleans will attempt to run underneath the speed rushing Mathis, and Stinchcomb will need to push him around.
Key Matchup #2: Peyton Manning vs. Darren Sharper
2 of the best at their position in the NFL in a non-stop chess match that will last all game. Sharper is known for his ability to read quarterbacks and ball hawk as good as anyone. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. However, keep in mind that Manning threw 16 INTs the season and was intercepted twice by Ed Reed in the Divisional Round win over Baltimore (only 1 couted, the other was called back by a penalty). If Manning can keep Sharper guessing wrong and get behind him, goodnight.
Possible deciding factor #1: Special Teams
Pop quiz: Who is the kick and punt returner for Indianapolis?? Now how about New Orleans???
Yeah. New Orleans definitely has the advantage here. Despite his short comings as an every down back, Reggie Bush is explosive when you give him space (i.e. punt return). In week 16, Brad Smith of the jets took a kick return 106 yards and set an NFL record. If New Orleans can swing field position in their favor, or take one back, they will have a lot better chance of winning.
Possible deciding factor #2: The Final Countdown
There were no teams better in the last 2 minutes of each half of putting points on the board then Indy and N.O., nor were there 2 better QBs than Manning and Brees. This game has the "team to score last wins" tag written all over it.
Prediction: Saints 34-30; I just have this feeling that the Saints will ride the energy of this game early and jump out to a 24-10 lead at the half. Manning is the best at adjusting in the NFL. Down 30-27 with a hair over 2 minutes left, Brees will rally and score a TD to win 34-30 and give the city of New Orleans a well deserved Super Bowl.
MVP: Brees 27-38 362 yrds 3 TDs
Mine: 31-27 Saints
Actual: 31-28 Saints
Ok. I just had to get that out of my system. Lets take an advanced look at what should be an awesome Super Bowl.
6:25 EST
New Orleans Saints: 15-3 vs. Indianapolis Colts: 16-2 (-5)
Outlook: It doesn't take Tom Jackson to figure out that this will be a high scoring game. Both teams are elite at QB and have tons of weapons to get the ball to.
Biggest question mark: How much blitzing will Greg Williams do?
Drew Brees is good against be blitz but Manning is better. Brees also can be rattled by a good defense end (see Ware, DeMarcus). The Saints don't have an elite 4 man rush so they will need to bring 5-6 players consistently. Manning eats up the blitz better than any QB in the NFL though (see Jets, New York)
Key Matchup #1: Jonathan Stinchcomb vs Robert Mathis
With Freeney's looming ankle injury, it will be up to Robert Mathis to aplly pressure on Brees and squeeze the pocket. No one in the NFL is better at stepping up in the pocket and making throws than Brees. Also, New Orleans will attempt to run underneath the speed rushing Mathis, and Stinchcomb will need to push him around.
Key Matchup #2: Peyton Manning vs. Darren Sharper
2 of the best at their position in the NFL in a non-stop chess match that will last all game. Sharper is known for his ability to read quarterbacks and ball hawk as good as anyone. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. However, keep in mind that Manning threw 16 INTs the season and was intercepted twice by Ed Reed in the Divisional Round win over Baltimore (only 1 couted, the other was called back by a penalty). If Manning can keep Sharper guessing wrong and get behind him, goodnight.
Possible deciding factor #1: Special Teams
Pop quiz: Who is the kick and punt returner for Indianapolis?? Now how about New Orleans???
Yeah. New Orleans definitely has the advantage here. Despite his short comings as an every down back, Reggie Bush is explosive when you give him space (i.e. punt return). In week 16, Brad Smith of the jets took a kick return 106 yards and set an NFL record. If New Orleans can swing field position in their favor, or take one back, they will have a lot better chance of winning.
Possible deciding factor #2: The Final Countdown
There were no teams better in the last 2 minutes of each half of putting points on the board then Indy and N.O., nor were there 2 better QBs than Manning and Brees. This game has the "team to score last wins" tag written all over it.
Prediction: Saints 34-30; I just have this feeling that the Saints will ride the energy of this game early and jump out to a 24-10 lead at the half. Manning is the best at adjusting in the NFL. Down 30-27 with a hair over 2 minutes left, Brees will rally and score a TD to win 34-30 and give the city of New Orleans a well deserved Super Bowl.
MVP: Brees 27-38 362 yrds 3 TDs
Last Week:
line 1-1
picks 2-0
Playoffs:
line 1-5
picks 4-2
Tebow to provide greatest Super Bowl Halftime ever
MIAMI, FL -
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seemed to not have done his research before he made his decision on the Super Bowl Halftime Show this year. If you have not heard, The Who will be preforming at Halftime of Super Bowl XLIV this Sunday. Goodell thought this choice would manage to follow the theme that the NFL has followed since the infamous Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" of Super Bowl XXXVIII of "safe" and "conservative". What
Goodell didn't realize is that Pete Townshend of The Who was on the "Watchdog" list for the UK for 5 years from 2003-2008, due to child pornography being found on his computer. Townshend claimed it was in research of a book he was doing. Now, a local child advocacy group is passing out fliers among 1,500 homes near Dolphin Stadium to warn the local people of an arrested pedophile being there. In light of the situation, Roger Goodell has decided to change his plans for the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The new plan is to highlight someone that has not received enough media attention, Tim Tebow. Tebow spent all of last week at the Senior Bowl practices, showing of his skills for NFL scouts. Despite already being claimed as a saint in the state of Florida, some critics feel he does not have all the necessary skills to play as a pro QB. One team scout said, "Tim reads defenses slower than a 2-year would read The Wallstreet Journal... cover to cover."
In order to shed some positive light on Tebow, the NFL thought it could show his other attributes in order to increase his likeliness of being drafter early. Tebow had planned to have a anti-abortion commercial shown during the Super Bowl, but several liberal groups are STRONGLY urging CBS not to show it. Since the commercial might not air, the NFL jumped into action. Goodell said, "He (Tebow) is a fan favorite and the media orgasms every time they talk about him. We need to keep him relevant as long as possible. His college skills have little to no transfer ability into the NFL, so we hope to fool a bad GM into drafting him in the 1st or 2nd round. That way we will be able to get plenty of media attention going his way."
Goodell claims that the goal of the halftime show is to "Show off all of the other skills Tebow has that have nothing to do with being an NFL QB". It is scheduled to include an interpretive dance to show off Tim's intangibles, him reading a children's book to kids to show his ability to read a defense, a live circumcision of a Haitian refugee to show good hands, and then Tebow will instruct a group of boy scouts on how to tie knots to show is amazing leadership skills.
In an exclusive interview with an enthusiastic Tebow, he stated, "Yeah this should be great. I hope after I finish
this presentation, scouts will be able to look past my awful footwork, atrocious mechanics and delivery, and my terrible accuracy. I promise you one thing, a lot of good will come out of this. You will never see a person in the country work as hard as I will on this. You will never see someone push those kids to tie knots during this competition as hard as I will. God bless."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seemed to not have done his research before he made his decision on the Super Bowl Halftime Show this year. If you have not heard, The Who will be preforming at Halftime of Super Bowl XLIV this Sunday. Goodell thought this choice would manage to follow the theme that the NFL has followed since the infamous Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" of Super Bowl XXXVIII of "safe" and "conservative". What
Goodell didn't realize is that Pete Townshend of The Who was on the "Watchdog" list for the UK for 5 years from 2003-2008, due to child pornography being found on his computer. Townshend claimed it was in research of a book he was doing. Now, a local child advocacy group is passing out fliers among 1,500 homes near Dolphin Stadium to warn the local people of an arrested pedophile being there. In light of the situation, Roger Goodell has decided to change his plans for the Super Bowl Halftime Show.The new plan is to highlight someone that has not received enough media attention, Tim Tebow. Tebow spent all of last week at the Senior Bowl practices, showing of his skills for NFL scouts. Despite already being claimed as a saint in the state of Florida, some critics feel he does not have all the necessary skills to play as a pro QB. One team scout said, "Tim reads defenses slower than a 2-year would read The Wallstreet Journal... cover to cover."
In order to shed some positive light on Tebow, the NFL thought it could show his other attributes in order to increase his likeliness of being drafter early. Tebow had planned to have a anti-abortion commercial shown during the Super Bowl, but several liberal groups are STRONGLY urging CBS not to show it. Since the commercial might not air, the NFL jumped into action. Goodell said, "He (Tebow) is a fan favorite and the media orgasms every time they talk about him. We need to keep him relevant as long as possible. His college skills have little to no transfer ability into the NFL, so we hope to fool a bad GM into drafting him in the 1st or 2nd round. That way we will be able to get plenty of media attention going his way."Goodell claims that the goal of the halftime show is to "Show off all of the other skills Tebow has that have nothing to do with being an NFL QB". It is scheduled to include an interpretive dance to show off Tim's intangibles, him reading a children's book to kids to show his ability to read a defense, a live circumcision of a Haitian refugee to show good hands, and then Tebow will instruct a group of boy scouts on how to tie knots to show is amazing leadership skills.
In an exclusive interview with an enthusiastic Tebow, he stated, "Yeah this should be great. I hope after I finish
this presentation, scouts will be able to look past my awful footwork, atrocious mechanics and delivery, and my terrible accuracy. I promise you one thing, a lot of good will come out of this. You will never see a person in the country work as hard as I will on this. You will never see someone push those kids to tie knots during this competition as hard as I will. God bless."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
