As previously mentioned, we are going to break down the first round of the NFL draft here at No Owens. Not only with what we think is going to happen, but what should happen given the team's needs and the value of players available. Without any further delay, let's get started.
With the First Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
NO - they need to trade this pick and they need to do it bad. The biggest issue with this draft is that there is no one to spend #1 type money on. I didn't see JaMarcus as being #1 money really either, but he was the right pick. Williams, Bush, Young and maybe even Leinart were worth #1 pick guaranteed cash. So this comes down to business...you can take the best player available...which is anyone...but no one is worth the cash. PS. The Dolphins needs players. They blew the draft last year. They can't screw it up this year. If they can't move the pick, they should take it easy, safe and lock of a left tackle for the next 12 seasons with Jake Long.
MIA - I think they'll end up with Howie Long, Jr. Watch out for the Firestorm.
With the Second Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select:
NO - Marc Bulger can still chuck it. When he's not on his back. The Rams have to address their offensive line and they have to do it now. Linemen can come in and make an impact day one. If Jake Long goes off the board, they should try to trade back to someone looking to get Matt Ryan at the three spot. If Ryan is going to be the sure pick of the Falcons, this second pick becomes more valuable in terms of trade than the first...Ryan can't command the cash that a number one overall can. If Jake Long is available, you wrap him up. If the pick can't be traded down to one of the other OT's in this class, extend out and take Ryan Clady from Boise State, the next best OT on the board. They won't get another shot.
STL - Jake Long
With the Third Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select:
I am not a big Darren McFadden guy whatsoever. I think he's a big risk and I think the back from Illinois is a better prospect given his size and strength. I think McFadden and the struggling Reggie Bush have a lot in common. Most of McFadden's dynamic runs are in space. He has those skinny legs and I don't think I've ever seen him do anything spectacular squaring a college backer up and taking him for a ride. Also, I watched McFadden play a couple of times and not play well. This either means he takes it off when things aren't going well, or he's really only as good as his line if they can get him to level two. All this being said, he's the best raw talent on the board and Atlanta needs a face-guy right now. I think Glenn Dorsey is the better face guy. If I'm the Falcons, I take the good guy not the bad guy.
ATL - Matt Ryan...have fun with that
With the Fourth Pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select:
NO - Dorsey should still be there and without a doubt, he's the best player on the board. But we aren't' talking about a normal team, we're talking about Al Davis. I think Al Davis is going to take a good look at McFadden and that will be that. They need to take Dorsey, but someone is surely going to be happy they didn't.
OAK - Darren McFadden
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ever Heard of the Rays?
No, not the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Tampa Rays. See how long this sticks...kind of like the Toronto Jays. I think that concept flopping can be directly blamed on Eric Hinske.
Why today are we talking about the Rays? Remember the first No Owens post about fantasy sports and its effect on the sporting world? Remember who the focal point was? Yeah, that Carl Crawford...needless to say we haven't referenced a Tampa Bay area baseball team since.
Today, people are trying to stay "hush hush" about talks going on between the Rays and your favorite Home Run King himself, Barry Bonds. I'm not lying to you.
This is the perfect situation for baseball all together...and the worst for the government.
If Bonds goes to Tampa, he goes into the biggest media death trap in baseball. None of us, or you, have to listen to anything about Bonds until legal issues come around. Also, if I'm not mistaken, that Tropicana Field or whatever it goes by these days is a pretty big place, limiting power numbers and making A-Rod's mission a little easier for you A-Rod fans. In return we get Barry Bonds not complaining about really anything, that we know about, getting to DH and again, he falls into a hole that no one cares about.
Except Ray ownership. Like it or not, people want to see Barry Bonds and chances are, given the chance, so do you. Is there a team that needs people in the seats more than the Rays? I mean, there are a solid number of teams that really need fans, but the Rays are really close to being a good team, they are just in the wrong division. Either way, they can get Bonds at a discount, get a solid bat, and put a few more thousand in the seats every day. And that doesn't count the days Scott Kazmir is on the bump.
But, what does Barry Bonds get out of all this? The guy who could some day go to jail for perjury, though he probably never will, will live in Florida. You know that state where OJ lives in a giant compound? Yeah, Bonds conveniently gets to throw a whole bunch of cash into the Florida Homestead Protection that can't be seized should enough legal action occur that puts him into a financial crisis. Barry Bonds couldn't be a happier dude with a big head.
The Rays may very well get the greatest hitter in Major League history. They get what they want, Bonds gets what Bonds wants. Everyone wins right? Everyone except all of us.
Why today are we talking about the Rays? Remember the first No Owens post about fantasy sports and its effect on the sporting world? Remember who the focal point was? Yeah, that Carl Crawford...needless to say we haven't referenced a Tampa Bay area baseball team since.
Today, people are trying to stay "hush hush" about talks going on between the Rays and your favorite Home Run King himself, Barry Bonds. I'm not lying to you.
This is the perfect situation for baseball all together...and the worst for the government.
If Bonds goes to Tampa, he goes into the biggest media death trap in baseball. None of us, or you, have to listen to anything about Bonds until legal issues come around. Also, if I'm not mistaken, that Tropicana Field or whatever it goes by these days is a pretty big place, limiting power numbers and making A-Rod's mission a little easier for you A-Rod fans. In return we get Barry Bonds not complaining about really anything, that we know about, getting to DH and again, he falls into a hole that no one cares about.
Except Ray ownership. Like it or not, people want to see Barry Bonds and chances are, given the chance, so do you. Is there a team that needs people in the seats more than the Rays? I mean, there are a solid number of teams that really need fans, but the Rays are really close to being a good team, they are just in the wrong division. Either way, they can get Bonds at a discount, get a solid bat, and put a few more thousand in the seats every day. And that doesn't count the days Scott Kazmir is on the bump.
But, what does Barry Bonds get out of all this? The guy who could some day go to jail for perjury, though he probably never will, will live in Florida. You know that state where OJ lives in a giant compound? Yeah, Bonds conveniently gets to throw a whole bunch of cash into the Florida Homestead Protection that can't be seized should enough legal action occur that puts him into a financial crisis. Barry Bonds couldn't be a happier dude with a big head.
The Rays may very well get the greatest hitter in Major League history. They get what they want, Bonds gets what Bonds wants. Everyone wins right? Everyone except all of us.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Best Game in a While
Take away any loyalties to teams during Saturday night's showdown in Memphis for a second. That was an unbeleivably good basketball game. When I spoke with my dad yesterday, he was like, "I was sitting at this restaurant eating a salad (yeah, he's gone organic) and drinking a glass of wine. I found myself eating/drinking at the same pace as the first ten minutes of the game was going. I was eating to keep up. I've never eaten a salad so fast in my life."
If you missed it or passed out from excitement, the Vols beat Memphis 66-62 off Beale Street Saturday night in without a doubt the best college basketball game of the year. Basically what happened was the following: Tennessee didn't shoot well, got tough points inside when they needed it, and out coached Memphis. All of those things do not bode well for anyone outside of Knoxville.
Where do you want to start? Let's start with the most important factor of the game. Bruce Pearl out coached John Calipari. The Vols won a game in the 60's. The Vols average some 80 points a night. But their game plan was apparently to beat Memphis in the half court. The Vols showed they can run with anyone, just ask J.P. Prince's six points in 43 seconds. But the key to the game was UT being stronger than Memphis in a fixed situation. They got the ball inside to Tyler Smith and shot well when they needed to. But this was their game plan. Their superior game plan. The Vols showed everyone out there that they can beat you anyway they seem fit...or you see fit. Bruce makes the adjustments. That's how versatile of a team Tennessee has.
Tyler Smith's game winning shot was unreal. Smith, Tyler Smith that is, can make any shot in the paint. Period. Chris Lofton has always been the go to guy for the Vols, but Tyler is so good that when it's time to win the game, you go inside. Wayne Chism played outstanding as well and Brian Williams had a great game on the boards off the bench. But it comes down to the adjustments and going straight at Memphis' NBA sized big men and taking it to them. Not to mention that UT is not a good rebounding team, traditionally. Except they out rebounded Memphis, handedly. Tennessee's depth is extraordinary. Everyone was in foul trouble, but the Vols were so deep that it just didn't matter.
Chris Lofton didn't make a single three point field goal on Saturday. The Vols won. The Vols shot terribly. They won. Again, this goes back to the versatility of the Vols and their exception grit and determination. Lofton's steal and pass from the floor to a streaking J.P. Prince for the dunk was really the turning point in the game. It's about the little things that makes a great team. Tennessee has grinded out a number of big games this year, and might have to do it again at Vanderbilt Tuesday night (anyone have tickets?).
It was pretty great being at the CPM on Saturday night chanting "It's Great To Be A Tennesee Vol" but all things considered, fans of about any other program would agree. That was a high energy, intense basketball game and it was really what college basketball needed as the season has really been lacking a game like this all year. On a personal note, well, you get the point.
If you missed it or passed out from excitement, the Vols beat Memphis 66-62 off Beale Street Saturday night in without a doubt the best college basketball game of the year. Basically what happened was the following: Tennessee didn't shoot well, got tough points inside when they needed it, and out coached Memphis. All of those things do not bode well for anyone outside of Knoxville.
Where do you want to start? Let's start with the most important factor of the game. Bruce Pearl out coached John Calipari. The Vols won a game in the 60's. The Vols average some 80 points a night. But their game plan was apparently to beat Memphis in the half court. The Vols showed they can run with anyone, just ask J.P. Prince's six points in 43 seconds. But the key to the game was UT being stronger than Memphis in a fixed situation. They got the ball inside to Tyler Smith and shot well when they needed to. But this was their game plan. Their superior game plan. The Vols showed everyone out there that they can beat you anyway they seem fit...or you see fit. Bruce makes the adjustments. That's how versatile of a team Tennessee has.
Tyler Smith's game winning shot was unreal. Smith, Tyler Smith that is, can make any shot in the paint. Period. Chris Lofton has always been the go to guy for the Vols, but Tyler is so good that when it's time to win the game, you go inside. Wayne Chism played outstanding as well and Brian Williams had a great game on the boards off the bench. But it comes down to the adjustments and going straight at Memphis' NBA sized big men and taking it to them. Not to mention that UT is not a good rebounding team, traditionally. Except they out rebounded Memphis, handedly. Tennessee's depth is extraordinary. Everyone was in foul trouble, but the Vols were so deep that it just didn't matter.
Chris Lofton didn't make a single three point field goal on Saturday. The Vols won. The Vols shot terribly. They won. Again, this goes back to the versatility of the Vols and their exception grit and determination. Lofton's steal and pass from the floor to a streaking J.P. Prince for the dunk was really the turning point in the game. It's about the little things that makes a great team. Tennessee has grinded out a number of big games this year, and might have to do it again at Vanderbilt Tuesday night (anyone have tickets?).
It was pretty great being at the CPM on Saturday night chanting "It's Great To Be A Tennesee Vol" but all things considered, fans of about any other program would agree. That was a high energy, intense basketball game and it was really what college basketball needed as the season has really been lacking a game like this all year. On a personal note, well, you get the point.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Tobacco Road? Try I-40.
It's pretty sad, really is. I mean, since when has the NBA trade deadline gotten more hype than a matchup of the top two teams in college basketball?
Duke and UNC are not playing tomorrow. Well, they might be. I don't think so, though. But if they are, they wouldn't be matching up as nos 1 and 2. No my friends, two teams from the great state of Tennessee are playing in the, without question, biggest basketball game of the year, pre-tourney.
The thing about this game is that no one really understands how good these teams are. I made a case for Memphis a couple of weeks ago about how they really just take care of business night in and out playing teams that aren't really in their class. But they get it done.
Tennessee, when they are on their game, can beat anyone. They do like to go to sleep mid-game, but just ask Florida what happens when they wake up.
Memphis is a downright terrifying team. And when I mean terrifying, I mean, those guys will kill you if you look at them the wrong way. I love how they play. Fast, physical, in your face. I think I've heard that before.
Tennessee goes into the game with the best shooting backcourt in the nation. Everyone knows Chris Lofton, probably because he's the best pure shooter in the nation. And even I have been turned into a JuJuan Smith believer. The guy just lights it up and plays a lot bigger than he is. Memphis is going to see something that they haven't seen all year; a team that's as fast as they are. Tennessee's game is running all over the court, playing relentless defense, and scoring in chunks. Tennessee can get it done in so many ways and I believe they can match Memphis' inside/outside versatility.
The question becomes, how good is Memphis? How good is Conference USA? How do they prepare for this game? The game is in Memphis, the nation's worst city with the best bar scene, but how much of a factor is that going to play?
Tennessee fans stretch all over the state. I would assume that there are Memphis season ticket holders who are in fact UT grads and will be leaving their blue in the closet on Saturday. The home court advantage is going to be key, but with UT being the flagship university of the state, don't expect it to be as great as anticipated.
It's really funny how well these teams match up. The key is really going to be if UT can stay out of foul trouble. Wayne Chism has to play well, and I mean really well. And not take ridiculous 3's. Duke Crews needs to play well in relief and if UT is going to win, they need to get Memphis into foul trouble early and try to win the game on the free throw line. It's going to be one high scoring game and the little things are going to make the difference.
Anyway you look at it, the CPM will be rockin' on Saturday night. Everyone's in store for an outstanding basketball game and one that will be incredibly exciting. This isn't going to be like 2000 Oklahoma where they won games with 45 points. This is more like Showtime. Put your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride.
Duke and UNC are not playing tomorrow. Well, they might be. I don't think so, though. But if they are, they wouldn't be matching up as nos 1 and 2. No my friends, two teams from the great state of Tennessee are playing in the, without question, biggest basketball game of the year, pre-tourney.
The thing about this game is that no one really understands how good these teams are. I made a case for Memphis a couple of weeks ago about how they really just take care of business night in and out playing teams that aren't really in their class. But they get it done.
Tennessee, when they are on their game, can beat anyone. They do like to go to sleep mid-game, but just ask Florida what happens when they wake up.
Memphis is a downright terrifying team. And when I mean terrifying, I mean, those guys will kill you if you look at them the wrong way. I love how they play. Fast, physical, in your face. I think I've heard that before.
Tennessee goes into the game with the best shooting backcourt in the nation. Everyone knows Chris Lofton, probably because he's the best pure shooter in the nation. And even I have been turned into a JuJuan Smith believer. The guy just lights it up and plays a lot bigger than he is. Memphis is going to see something that they haven't seen all year; a team that's as fast as they are. Tennessee's game is running all over the court, playing relentless defense, and scoring in chunks. Tennessee can get it done in so many ways and I believe they can match Memphis' inside/outside versatility.
The question becomes, how good is Memphis? How good is Conference USA? How do they prepare for this game? The game is in Memphis, the nation's worst city with the best bar scene, but how much of a factor is that going to play?
Tennessee fans stretch all over the state. I would assume that there are Memphis season ticket holders who are in fact UT grads and will be leaving their blue in the closet on Saturday. The home court advantage is going to be key, but with UT being the flagship university of the state, don't expect it to be as great as anticipated.
It's really funny how well these teams match up. The key is really going to be if UT can stay out of foul trouble. Wayne Chism has to play well, and I mean really well. And not take ridiculous 3's. Duke Crews needs to play well in relief and if UT is going to win, they need to get Memphis into foul trouble early and try to win the game on the free throw line. It's going to be one high scoring game and the little things are going to make the difference.
Anyway you look at it, the CPM will be rockin' on Saturday night. Everyone's in store for an outstanding basketball game and one that will be incredibly exciting. This isn't going to be like 2000 Oklahoma where they won games with 45 points. This is more like Showtime. Put your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Case for Hockey
So last night I was all fired up to watch the Blackhawks play. They were going to be on VS I had everything I needed to have done for the evening. I had myself a Jack neat. Everything was great.
Except for the hockey. Frankly watching the Ovechkin highlights for his game on 3/3 (I don't know what day that is, but I know 3/3) was beyond more exciting than what we saw yesterday. The Blackhawks, like most teams in the NHL, are bad. Hawk fans will tell you things like, "They're just young" and stuff like that. The NHL doesn't need to build for the future, it needs teams to be competitive right now.
Games on VS are a big deal now. I mean, whatever that means. But on the radio here in Nashville, the genius sports talk guys will talk about how the Preds have a big game on VS tonight. I mean, I didn't know that's what this whole hockey thing had come to, but whatever.
The only thing that those who are hockey fans can hope for is that the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup. Why? Because New York needs to be behind something to get momentum stirring, especially something as dead as the NHL. Here's the other thing.
These "young teams" that I see often, like the Hawks. The Hawks come out firing and after about 5 minutes, they are dead. The conditioning in the NHL has been so poor. It's the older guys who have been around for so long that know how to prepare themselves and know how to play the game. You'd think the younger kids would have more energy...
A friend and I were talking about Paul Coffey the other day. It prompted me to check his stats and more often than not, when I look at guys who I remember from when hockey mattered, I see how long they played. Coffey played for 20 years or something along those lines in the NHL, not including his minors stint.
Hockey is such a physically demanding game, the most of any sport probably. These guys play for that long? That punishment? 20 some years professionally? I know hockey players play with more passion than any other sport as well, but the tenures are staggering, and the ability to play at a high level. Maybe the endurance and passion will soon come to the NHL's young players, but we will see. Until then, we can just keep watching Jaromir Jagr.
On another note. In March, No Owens will be playing General Manager for your NFL teams with an extensive break down of the first round of the NFL Draft. Not only what they will do, but what they should do complete with trading possibilities to specific teams. This will require some "hard" work out of No Owens staff members but it will get done. So get excited.
Except for the hockey. Frankly watching the Ovechkin highlights for his game on 3/3 (I don't know what day that is, but I know 3/3) was beyond more exciting than what we saw yesterday. The Blackhawks, like most teams in the NHL, are bad. Hawk fans will tell you things like, "They're just young" and stuff like that. The NHL doesn't need to build for the future, it needs teams to be competitive right now.
Games on VS are a big deal now. I mean, whatever that means. But on the radio here in Nashville, the genius sports talk guys will talk about how the Preds have a big game on VS tonight. I mean, I didn't know that's what this whole hockey thing had come to, but whatever.
The only thing that those who are hockey fans can hope for is that the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup. Why? Because New York needs to be behind something to get momentum stirring, especially something as dead as the NHL. Here's the other thing.
These "young teams" that I see often, like the Hawks. The Hawks come out firing and after about 5 minutes, they are dead. The conditioning in the NHL has been so poor. It's the older guys who have been around for so long that know how to prepare themselves and know how to play the game. You'd think the younger kids would have more energy...
A friend and I were talking about Paul Coffey the other day. It prompted me to check his stats and more often than not, when I look at guys who I remember from when hockey mattered, I see how long they played. Coffey played for 20 years or something along those lines in the NHL, not including his minors stint.
Hockey is such a physically demanding game, the most of any sport probably. These guys play for that long? That punishment? 20 some years professionally? I know hockey players play with more passion than any other sport as well, but the tenures are staggering, and the ability to play at a high level. Maybe the endurance and passion will soon come to the NHL's young players, but we will see. Until then, we can just keep watching Jaromir Jagr.
On another note. In March, No Owens will be playing General Manager for your NFL teams with an extensive break down of the first round of the NFL Draft. Not only what they will do, but what they should do complete with trading possibilities to specific teams. This will require some "hard" work out of No Owens staff members but it will get done. So get excited.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Ten Years Gone
Ten years ago today, something terrible happened. Many of us lost a very, very good friend. Though chances are we never met him, we felt as if we knew him better than most of our friends. 162 times or so out of the year we spent a few hours a day with him and instead of crying, he made us laugh.
Harry Caray died ten years ago today. The thing about Harry was, and still is, that no one is ever made fun of so much, in a way of tribute. Harry was without a doubt the funniest man to announce a baseball game, or any event for that matter, and probably didn't know it. Probably because of the beer.
But anyway, we all have memories of Harry. My favorite which I have spoken of before was his need to tell the world that, "Sosa spelled backwards, is Asos."
It doesn't matter who you are, who you root for or where you live, if you think of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," chances are you think of one guy singing it, and that's Harry.
Cubs fans have pretty much had miserable lives. We are the most loyal fans in all of sports. There are fair-weather White Sox fans who turn up, and White Sox fans that become Cubs fans when the northsiders make the playoffs, but there are more true Cubs fans than any other group of fans in America. We don't win. We know we aren't, but we try to believe. And Harry made everything a lot better. He made our misery easier to take with comedy. I mean, his grandson Chip could have been the worst thing to ever happen to the franchise. Harry took our minds away from the misery. And we are all here to tell the tale.
Some of you probably thought that today's title was going to go straight into the first ever Led Zeppelin post. Though it could have, and writing about Led Zeppelin every day wouldn't be too tough, take a second today to think about the one guy that you remember growing up with...whether it's Harry, Jack Brickhouse, Jack Buck or whoever it may be. But when you do, you'll realize something pretty special...that he wasn't just a guy you listened to while listening to your favorite team...he was your friend.
Harry Caray died ten years ago today. The thing about Harry was, and still is, that no one is ever made fun of so much, in a way of tribute. Harry was without a doubt the funniest man to announce a baseball game, or any event for that matter, and probably didn't know it. Probably because of the beer.
But anyway, we all have memories of Harry. My favorite which I have spoken of before was his need to tell the world that, "Sosa spelled backwards, is Asos."
It doesn't matter who you are, who you root for or where you live, if you think of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," chances are you think of one guy singing it, and that's Harry.
Cubs fans have pretty much had miserable lives. We are the most loyal fans in all of sports. There are fair-weather White Sox fans who turn up, and White Sox fans that become Cubs fans when the northsiders make the playoffs, but there are more true Cubs fans than any other group of fans in America. We don't win. We know we aren't, but we try to believe. And Harry made everything a lot better. He made our misery easier to take with comedy. I mean, his grandson Chip could have been the worst thing to ever happen to the franchise. Harry took our minds away from the misery. And we are all here to tell the tale.
Some of you probably thought that today's title was going to go straight into the first ever Led Zeppelin post. Though it could have, and writing about Led Zeppelin every day wouldn't be too tough, take a second today to think about the one guy that you remember growing up with...whether it's Harry, Jack Brickhouse, Jack Buck or whoever it may be. But when you do, you'll realize something pretty special...that he wasn't just a guy you listened to while listening to your favorite team...he was your friend.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Undefeated...
Memphis enters this weekend as the last remaining undefeated team in college basketball. This is to no one's surprise.
Memphis has destroyed opponents all year long. Their list of impressive wins is described as many as weak. I say not so fast.
The following teams have come under Memphis' spell this year: UConn, USC, Cincinnati, Georgetown and Arizona. I'll give you this; UConn was not playing well in the start of the season, nor was USC. A win against Georgetown is a pretty impressive one, especially for Memphis who runs a lot and Georgetown tries to put you to sleep, much like talking to the majority of their students.
For those who say Memphis didn't bring it strong in terms of non-conference wins, I mean, what do you want me to say? When Calipari scheduled these games, pre-season, you'd have to look at those names and think, "Wow, that's a pretty tough road." Two teams struggling to find what their styles are (USC/UConn), a struggling but still capable Cincinnati program and an Arizona team who in the middle of the pre-season lost their head coach for the entire year. I mean, what do you want from Memphis?
The question becomes, are these guys going to run the table? The last team with a shot was Illinois, and frankly this Memphis team looks better than those Illini. Let's assume that Memphis beats Tennessee just off I-55, gets past Tulsa, and finishes the regular season undefeated. This would be the second time this year we have dealt with this concept in major sports. What does this mean?
I think it's harder for the Patriots to run the table. Why? The competition is more level. They are professionals playing professionals week in and week out. Imagine college basketball's top 32 playing each other and only each other. I mean, even if they played 16 games like the NFL...no one's going to finish that season undefeated, pending scheduling of course. Memphis has the ability to take games off and prepare for their next opponents while winning on talent alone. Very un-Herb Brookslike. This is why they are going to be so prepared for Tennessee next Saturday. I ask this question, are the Memphis fans going to be prepared for the crew at the CPM? No one is.
Now, it's time to contradict myself. I don't see Memphis running the table. It's hard, really hard, and though not as hard the NFL, the Patriots had the shot, with two weeks for greatness. They blew it. They could have and should have won. One game, one shot. Losers.
Memphis has to play an extra six games, if they make it that far, to take the title in the post season. Some of those on one day of rest. And there is the March factor where one great player can take you a long way. If a small team has a big guy who gets hot, it's a recipe for disaster for the high seeds. It's so hard to win in March, especially when the talent levels get to high every game. It's draining, and it's the best spectacle in sports.
Will Memphis do this? No. But their regular season is to be commended, but not unexpected. The Patriots regular season? Great, but their season now, a huge disappointment. Remember that Illinois team from a few years back. They were whatever and one, but they got beat by the better team. If Memphis has to play a UNC or Duke, Memphis may lose to the better team. Undefeated or not.
Memphis has destroyed opponents all year long. Their list of impressive wins is described as many as weak. I say not so fast.
The following teams have come under Memphis' spell this year: UConn, USC, Cincinnati, Georgetown and Arizona. I'll give you this; UConn was not playing well in the start of the season, nor was USC. A win against Georgetown is a pretty impressive one, especially for Memphis who runs a lot and Georgetown tries to put you to sleep, much like talking to the majority of their students.
For those who say Memphis didn't bring it strong in terms of non-conference wins, I mean, what do you want me to say? When Calipari scheduled these games, pre-season, you'd have to look at those names and think, "Wow, that's a pretty tough road." Two teams struggling to find what their styles are (USC/UConn), a struggling but still capable Cincinnati program and an Arizona team who in the middle of the pre-season lost their head coach for the entire year. I mean, what do you want from Memphis?
The question becomes, are these guys going to run the table? The last team with a shot was Illinois, and frankly this Memphis team looks better than those Illini. Let's assume that Memphis beats Tennessee just off I-55, gets past Tulsa, and finishes the regular season undefeated. This would be the second time this year we have dealt with this concept in major sports. What does this mean?
I think it's harder for the Patriots to run the table. Why? The competition is more level. They are professionals playing professionals week in and week out. Imagine college basketball's top 32 playing each other and only each other. I mean, even if they played 16 games like the NFL...no one's going to finish that season undefeated, pending scheduling of course. Memphis has the ability to take games off and prepare for their next opponents while winning on talent alone. Very un-Herb Brookslike. This is why they are going to be so prepared for Tennessee next Saturday. I ask this question, are the Memphis fans going to be prepared for the crew at the CPM? No one is.
Now, it's time to contradict myself. I don't see Memphis running the table. It's hard, really hard, and though not as hard the NFL, the Patriots had the shot, with two weeks for greatness. They blew it. They could have and should have won. One game, one shot. Losers.
Memphis has to play an extra six games, if they make it that far, to take the title in the post season. Some of those on one day of rest. And there is the March factor where one great player can take you a long way. If a small team has a big guy who gets hot, it's a recipe for disaster for the high seeds. It's so hard to win in March, especially when the talent levels get to high every game. It's draining, and it's the best spectacle in sports.
Will Memphis do this? No. But their regular season is to be commended, but not unexpected. The Patriots regular season? Great, but their season now, a huge disappointment. Remember that Illinois team from a few years back. They were whatever and one, but they got beat by the better team. If Memphis has to play a UNC or Duke, Memphis may lose to the better team. Undefeated or not.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
11
What does today's title mean? No it's not a Casey Weldon reference, nor Voodoo Phil. Well, not really.
Phil Mickelson, my boy, jacked up an 11, for a sextuple bogey last week on the par 5 14th hole at Pebble Beach last week. This, along with just poor play in general, as well as breathing, caused Phil to miss the cut for the first time in seven years. Here is Mickelson's gruesome sequence at the 573-yard hole: driver in the fairway, second shot out of bounds, third shot penalty, fourth shot out of bounds, fifth shot penalty, sixth shot short of the green, seventh shot missed the green in the mud, eighth shot fat and missed the green, ninth shot on the green, two putts for an 11.
First of all, I will say that not missing a cut in seven years is quite an accomplishment. I mean, when you only play a few tournaments out of the year, you best be ready to go. Apparently Phil wasn't ready to go and his "respiratory issue" aka, being out of shape, has caught up to him.
Back to the 11 though. Remember the Carbite putter? The infomercials that came on after the Orlimar Trimetal and Adams' Tightlies spots? Well, they said, "Why spend $400 on a club you only use maybe once a hole?" In my opinion, if you can drive the ball well, it makes everything else a lot easier. But how many disaster holes start out from the fairway like Phil's?
I know today is a short post. But it's to the point. I want you to know that Phil Mickelson is just like you. He through up an 11 jack last week. FYI.
Phil Mickelson, my boy, jacked up an 11, for a sextuple bogey last week on the par 5 14th hole at Pebble Beach last week. This, along with just poor play in general, as well as breathing, caused Phil to miss the cut for the first time in seven years. Here is Mickelson's gruesome sequence at the 573-yard hole: driver in the fairway, second shot out of bounds, third shot penalty, fourth shot out of bounds, fifth shot penalty, sixth shot short of the green, seventh shot missed the green in the mud, eighth shot fat and missed the green, ninth shot on the green, two putts for an 11.
First of all, I will say that not missing a cut in seven years is quite an accomplishment. I mean, when you only play a few tournaments out of the year, you best be ready to go. Apparently Phil wasn't ready to go and his "respiratory issue" aka, being out of shape, has caught up to him.
Back to the 11 though. Remember the Carbite putter? The infomercials that came on after the Orlimar Trimetal and Adams' Tightlies spots? Well, they said, "Why spend $400 on a club you only use maybe once a hole?" In my opinion, if you can drive the ball well, it makes everything else a lot easier. But how many disaster holes start out from the fairway like Phil's?
I know today is a short post. But it's to the point. I want you to know that Phil Mickelson is just like you. He through up an 11 jack last week. FYI.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Congress
I can't tell you how much I don't care about this whole congressional movement against steroids in baseball. I mean, with all of these campaigns running around talking about "unnecessary" spending, you'd think one of these people for change would say something about it. Maybe they can't afford to come out and against baseball. Ah, the changing politicians are still afraid of true change...
This is why this is getting out of control. Everyone's favorite racist closer is now back in the news. Yes everyone, say hello to John Rocker. Rocker is a little irritated knowing that he failed a drug test in 2000, and that Bud Selig knew about it, but did nothing of it. Well, according to the Mitchell report, most everyone in the league failed, or would have failed a drug test in 2000. Again, this means nothing.
Imagine this. Hinsdale Central High School interviewing Madame Cummings and her confessing that I talked my way into getting a B in her class for the second semester of my junior year. What are they going to do about it, go back and change my grade, inform UT of the situation and void my diploma? This is ridiculous. Usually I listen to Mike and Mike in the morning because I am getting to the point where I simply can't listen to the Nashville morning guys anymore, but they spend so much time talking about this, it infuriates me. It makes me so mad that I come full circle and write about it here!
We're even to the point of Mrs. Clemens taking HGH for her SI photo shoot. I mean, HGH did her some good, a lot of good, but from what we the public know about HGH, you'd think she'd come out looking like Serena Williams. One of the first posts has that pic...if you want to check it out, look at the first month of No Owens existence.
This is embarrassing. You're not going to get an asterisk next to records by McGwire or Bonds. Clemens neither, but they all may be held out of the Hall of Fame. Baseball goes through eras. Dead ball eras, big ball park eras, and the steroid era. All things that no one could do anything about at the time but were fixed eventually. This is getting fixed and that's great. But you can't fix the past, you can improve towards the future. Congress is making this whole situation worse by the day. And you can thank Bud Selig for all of it.
This is why this is getting out of control. Everyone's favorite racist closer is now back in the news. Yes everyone, say hello to John Rocker. Rocker is a little irritated knowing that he failed a drug test in 2000, and that Bud Selig knew about it, but did nothing of it. Well, according to the Mitchell report, most everyone in the league failed, or would have failed a drug test in 2000. Again, this means nothing.
Imagine this. Hinsdale Central High School interviewing Madame Cummings and her confessing that I talked my way into getting a B in her class for the second semester of my junior year. What are they going to do about it, go back and change my grade, inform UT of the situation and void my diploma? This is ridiculous. Usually I listen to Mike and Mike in the morning because I am getting to the point where I simply can't listen to the Nashville morning guys anymore, but they spend so much time talking about this, it infuriates me. It makes me so mad that I come full circle and write about it here!
We're even to the point of Mrs. Clemens taking HGH for her SI photo shoot. I mean, HGH did her some good, a lot of good, but from what we the public know about HGH, you'd think she'd come out looking like Serena Williams. One of the first posts has that pic...if you want to check it out, look at the first month of No Owens existence.
This is embarrassing. You're not going to get an asterisk next to records by McGwire or Bonds. Clemens neither, but they all may be held out of the Hall of Fame. Baseball goes through eras. Dead ball eras, big ball park eras, and the steroid era. All things that no one could do anything about at the time but were fixed eventually. This is getting fixed and that's great. But you can't fix the past, you can improve towards the future. Congress is making this whole situation worse by the day. And you can thank Bud Selig for all of it.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Memphis? Not so Fast.
Last night I got back from working out circa 7PM. At that point I thought to myself, "Why am I not going to the bar to watch Duke/UNC?" At this point I started to attempt to convince some of my friends that this was in fact a good call. By 7:30, me and one of my buddies had control of a booth at the Corner Pub - Midtown (CPM), a typical watering hole for our "crew."
First let me say that the Duke/UNC hoops rivalry is the biggest rivalry in college sports, if not America. Traditionally, the winner of this game is going to carry the torch in the ACC and potentially show the country who the premier team is this year. No other rivalry has two teams that year in and year out receive the national attention as Duke and Carolina. They are, arguably, the two biggest names in college hoops. And to top it all off, they just happen to be a what, eight miles apart?
That being said, you have to know that Duke/UNC is the thing to watch right? I mean there is no bigger deal on Wednesday night in February than the greatest rivalry in college sports, right?
So we sit down and we're talking about whatever, some Super Tuesday stuff. And as much as I could throw my political views on you, I will for the most part refrain, but for the purpose of setting the tone, it is necessary. We started talking about our mutual distaste for Barack Obama for a number of reasons. At this point, the fellows to our left, a table in the middle of the room, started to pay attention, give dirty looks and whisper to each other. I knew this wasn't going to be good.
At this point, I become concerned about the TV situation as sizing these guys up, I figure initially that they're Memphis fans. They were also attempting to lay claim to one of the most important TV's in the place.
FYI. The CPM is basically a ex-Greek hangout in Nashville. Walking in, you notice guys who were in other fraternities at UT who you recognize from the bars in Knoxville that may be a few years older than you. Then you have the fans of the respective teams on all of the TVs that day. Throw in some mid-40's couples and you have a pretty cool, laid back, legit and SEC/good sports minded crowd. Good specials pretty much everyday. Everyone wins.
The trashy looking Memphis fan is not something that runs wild at the CPM. Actually, I was far from correct on this one.
So I alert our waitress to the situation of the majority of TV's being tuned into ESPN2 fro the Texas/someone game. She says she will change the one above us and the one in the corner to ESPN but the one behind us is under request by the Kentucky fans a few tables over. Fine, whatever.
The "Memphis" fans start to get stirred up. The guy wearing the USA jacket gets up to talk to a staff member and the station is turned back to the deuce. Now, we're really confused. A couple more sweet looking people show up and sit at their table as the time comes closer tipoff. 8PM rolls around and what's on the deuce? Soccer.
These guys came in and occupied a key TV in a solid sports bar during one of the biggest college events of the year to watch soccer. They then were upset that the sound was not devoted to this match.
Seriously. Keep your HD soccer games in your house. I was embarrassed to be in a bar, especially one that I frequent, where during a Duke/UNC game, there were soccer fans yelling and screaming. Without question, I love America, but unless your watching a European club match, you're not watching anything legit. USA/Mexico? Seriously. No one cares. Excuse me, 8 people care. I was sitting next to them screaming about "tackling" and "offsides" yesterday. I hate it when soccer fans call slide tackling, tackling. This is America. You tackle in football. Don't try to make your sport sound more intense than it really is.
You know, I try to appreciate sports as much as possible. You all know my feelings towards soccer. I loathe soccer. But I'll watch some World Cup out of principal. But anyone, last night, who tried to tell anyone else that there was something going on more important that Duke/UNC needs to get their act together. I mean, they're lucky there are a number of TV's at the CPM. Otherwise there would have been an issue, going at about 100-8. But as part of that 100, we may have been in some trouble, you know those guys could tackle.
First let me say that the Duke/UNC hoops rivalry is the biggest rivalry in college sports, if not America. Traditionally, the winner of this game is going to carry the torch in the ACC and potentially show the country who the premier team is this year. No other rivalry has two teams that year in and year out receive the national attention as Duke and Carolina. They are, arguably, the two biggest names in college hoops. And to top it all off, they just happen to be a what, eight miles apart?
That being said, you have to know that Duke/UNC is the thing to watch right? I mean there is no bigger deal on Wednesday night in February than the greatest rivalry in college sports, right?
So we sit down and we're talking about whatever, some Super Tuesday stuff. And as much as I could throw my political views on you, I will for the most part refrain, but for the purpose of setting the tone, it is necessary. We started talking about our mutual distaste for Barack Obama for a number of reasons. At this point, the fellows to our left, a table in the middle of the room, started to pay attention, give dirty looks and whisper to each other. I knew this wasn't going to be good.
At this point, I become concerned about the TV situation as sizing these guys up, I figure initially that they're Memphis fans. They were also attempting to lay claim to one of the most important TV's in the place.
FYI. The CPM is basically a ex-Greek hangout in Nashville. Walking in, you notice guys who were in other fraternities at UT who you recognize from the bars in Knoxville that may be a few years older than you. Then you have the fans of the respective teams on all of the TVs that day. Throw in some mid-40's couples and you have a pretty cool, laid back, legit and SEC/good sports minded crowd. Good specials pretty much everyday. Everyone wins.
The trashy looking Memphis fan is not something that runs wild at the CPM. Actually, I was far from correct on this one.
So I alert our waitress to the situation of the majority of TV's being tuned into ESPN2 fro the Texas/someone game. She says she will change the one above us and the one in the corner to ESPN but the one behind us is under request by the Kentucky fans a few tables over. Fine, whatever.
The "Memphis" fans start to get stirred up. The guy wearing the USA jacket gets up to talk to a staff member and the station is turned back to the deuce. Now, we're really confused. A couple more sweet looking people show up and sit at their table as the time comes closer tipoff. 8PM rolls around and what's on the deuce? Soccer.
These guys came in and occupied a key TV in a solid sports bar during one of the biggest college events of the year to watch soccer. They then were upset that the sound was not devoted to this match.
Seriously. Keep your HD soccer games in your house. I was embarrassed to be in a bar, especially one that I frequent, where during a Duke/UNC game, there were soccer fans yelling and screaming. Without question, I love America, but unless your watching a European club match, you're not watching anything legit. USA/Mexico? Seriously. No one cares. Excuse me, 8 people care. I was sitting next to them screaming about "tackling" and "offsides" yesterday. I hate it when soccer fans call slide tackling, tackling. This is America. You tackle in football. Don't try to make your sport sound more intense than it really is.
You know, I try to appreciate sports as much as possible. You all know my feelings towards soccer. I loathe soccer. But I'll watch some World Cup out of principal. But anyone, last night, who tried to tell anyone else that there was something going on more important that Duke/UNC needs to get their act together. I mean, they're lucky there are a number of TV's at the CPM. Otherwise there would have been an issue, going at about 100-8. But as part of that 100, we may have been in some trouble, you know those guys could tackle.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Rock Stars in the Making
Ever wonder why no one can control these college athletes?
It's because they have press conferences during their school day to announce where they are going to play in college.
National Signing Day might as well be a holiday. We should be off work. Today is the day that determines the potential outcome for your favorite college football team for the next few years. How many blue chips did you line up? Are the players you signed going to be coachable? Who's this year's biggest bust?
The fact of the matter is that Terrelle Pryor, considered by most to be the top player in the country, has the ability to go up against Julio Jones, the nation's top receiver, for the best time slot. Who's going to announce first? Better tune in!
This is what makes these kids so ridiculous. At the ages of 17, 18, 19, they have power. Not wealth, but the power of influence. Forty, Fifty, Sixty, and in two cases, seventy/eighty year old men will do whatever they can to sway these guys to their schools. From constant texts to visits, to promises to cash advances, these teenagers have a power that most of us will never have. They have a demand for their specific skill.
There was a demand for Paul Hornung's skills too. The difference is we have a lot more access to these kids than ever before. I mean, I go to Rivals every day...at least once...to see what's going on in the recruiting world. I'm hooked. Chances are, so are you. I have watched tape on about everyone in the Rivals 100. I know who I'd like to have more than others, and who I think is overrated and the vice versa.
These kids have had the power their whole lives. They've always been the first kid taken during recess. They've always been able to get the girls because they were good at sports. Now, they have the ability to command a national attention, and be the big man on campus at the university of their choice. You don't think that goes to an 18 year olds head?
You wonder why these kids have problems...it's because again, we start them. It's because of us that the heads get bigger, and they become the rock stars that they are. I mean, think about the kids that were ridiculously cocky in high school that, well thought they were good at football. I mean, if John Perkowski was one of the top 150 players in the country? Bad news. I am sure that some of you know some of the same.
We love signing day. So the players. They are transformed into rock stars, because we allow them to be. That's why they drink in the wrong places. It's why they get caught smoking the grass. Either way, we will still love them...until they never make it onto the field.
It's because they have press conferences during their school day to announce where they are going to play in college.
National Signing Day might as well be a holiday. We should be off work. Today is the day that determines the potential outcome for your favorite college football team for the next few years. How many blue chips did you line up? Are the players you signed going to be coachable? Who's this year's biggest bust?
The fact of the matter is that Terrelle Pryor, considered by most to be the top player in the country, has the ability to go up against Julio Jones, the nation's top receiver, for the best time slot. Who's going to announce first? Better tune in!
This is what makes these kids so ridiculous. At the ages of 17, 18, 19, they have power. Not wealth, but the power of influence. Forty, Fifty, Sixty, and in two cases, seventy/eighty year old men will do whatever they can to sway these guys to their schools. From constant texts to visits, to promises to cash advances, these teenagers have a power that most of us will never have. They have a demand for their specific skill.
There was a demand for Paul Hornung's skills too. The difference is we have a lot more access to these kids than ever before. I mean, I go to Rivals every day...at least once...to see what's going on in the recruiting world. I'm hooked. Chances are, so are you. I have watched tape on about everyone in the Rivals 100. I know who I'd like to have more than others, and who I think is overrated and the vice versa.
These kids have had the power their whole lives. They've always been the first kid taken during recess. They've always been able to get the girls because they were good at sports. Now, they have the ability to command a national attention, and be the big man on campus at the university of their choice. You don't think that goes to an 18 year olds head?
You wonder why these kids have problems...it's because again, we start them. It's because of us that the heads get bigger, and they become the rock stars that they are. I mean, think about the kids that were ridiculously cocky in high school that, well thought they were good at football. I mean, if John Perkowski was one of the top 150 players in the country? Bad news. I am sure that some of you know some of the same.
We love signing day. So the players. They are transformed into rock stars, because we allow them to be. That's why they drink in the wrong places. It's why they get caught smoking the grass. Either way, we will still love them...until they never make it onto the field.
Monday, February 4, 2008
An Age Old Saying...
With :35 left on the clock, there was only one thing I could think about...
"When Vince Young scored the last touchdown against USC...I was still scared..."
Thirty-five seconds seemed like an eternity for the Patriots. Then Brady got thrown to the floor for the fifth time and you knew that it just didn't matter. Yesterday the Patriots were out classed. The two best teams met, and at this stage of the season, the best team won, regardless of what Wade Phillips thinks.
As most of you know, there aren't many folks who are as anti-Tom Brady as me. I hope you all saw how normal the Giants made him yesterday. For now, I want you to think about how Tom Brady did nothing spectacular yesterday. He led the Pats down to take the lead on a typical, boring Patriots drive. Just so you know, he did nothing but throw dink passes all down the field and let Wes Welker run around like the little white guy he is. He hit Moss when the receiver fell down. Best ever? Thanks.
Here's what I want to talk about quickly about Brady because I have a lot to get to. I can recall two times when Brady missed a wide open receiver and he just yelled at that guy. Once it was Moss and the other Welker I believe, going to our left on the far sideline. I mean, Brady missed him badly, and we all saw him yelling. Hey Tom, you made a bad pass, own it. Point is, Brady doesn't have ice water running through his veins. The Giants d-line owned him...not only physically but mentally. I will give Brady props for coming out and giving a classy interview...but from that interview, I don't know about any of you, but I saw a guy who's won three titles and was content leaving the field with them. I didn't see any emotion out of him. Yeah, he was politically correct as usual, but sometimes when you are a leader of a team you need to be a little more publicly disappointed than he was. He put his suit on, got in his limo, and went and hung out with Gisele before someone told him that his Stetson commercial never aired which he probably was more visibly upset about. America may love Tom Brady, but I'm going to continue to give you, whoever you are, the angles I see and maybe someone will start to feel the same way I do.
I can sit here and talk about Bellicheck all day, but I won't. He's not worth it. He's a great football coach with no class. You should be used to it by now. But I've been saying all year that he and his team were going to get theirs for running the score up on all of those average teams they played in the middle of the season. People who do bad things get what's coming to them eventually. Fortunately it happened at the best time, for me at least.
What was the deal with Bellicheck calling the challenge with the twelve men on the field deal? I've never seen that one before and what does this mean? Here's what I want to know about that...they reviewed a play that was over, to go back and get a penalty called. Does this mean that a coach can say..."Hey 65 was holding 76...I'm throwing a challenge flag go back and look at it and give me my ten yards!" I don't know what that was but it was classic.
We saw all of the people in their boxes yesterday from the owners to celebs. All of these folks had massive and completely trashed bars behind them. Hey, cool. But Peyton Manning sat there in a corner watching the game with a bottle of water, focused on his brother. Many of you give me grief about not giving Peyton his dues as a college quarterback. Deal with it. But yesterday, Peyton was a brother, a big brother who cared about nothing but seeing his little brother win the biggest game of his life. The emotion of Peyton had to make everyone feel good watching on TV. I am truly happy that Peyton was so grateful for Eli.
The Giants were the better team yesterday. Fact. When that pass when off Steve Smith's hands and was intercepted, I couldn't help but think "God, the Patriots are still just going to get all the breaks today..." But the defense bounced back, and Eli bounced back. We all knew the Giants wanted to run the ball, and they did a lot without any success really. But they put their season and title hopes on the shoulders of a guy who has gotten more negative publicity than anyone else at the quarterback position throughout the course of his career. Eli managed the game so well, and made the right throws all day. He forced a couple of throws that he got away with...most noticeably the ball down the middle to David Tyree on the game winning drive. I said it and I don't think I've ever said anything like this about anyone...but that was Favresque. For someone has taken the heat that Eli has, seeing a guy play that well when it counted was unreal and really great for football.
Eli's going to get so much of the credit, and rightfully so. But this was about the defense. This was about the Strahan, Tuck, Osi and the secondary. The Patriots offensive line was out matched and they paid for it. They got to Brady and they flustered the timing of that offense. There's a reason that Wes Welker had so many catches running over the middle...it's because the secondary took the outside threats of the Patriots out of the game. Randy Moss was a non-factor for the most part. Dante Stallworth was a non-factor. Where was Ben Watson?
The Giants proved the age old saying...Offense Wins games, Defense Wins Championships. Congratulations to Tom Coughlin's team, they did it the right way and they deserved it.
"When Vince Young scored the last touchdown against USC...I was still scared..."
Thirty-five seconds seemed like an eternity for the Patriots. Then Brady got thrown to the floor for the fifth time and you knew that it just didn't matter. Yesterday the Patriots were out classed. The two best teams met, and at this stage of the season, the best team won, regardless of what Wade Phillips thinks.
As most of you know, there aren't many folks who are as anti-Tom Brady as me. I hope you all saw how normal the Giants made him yesterday. For now, I want you to think about how Tom Brady did nothing spectacular yesterday. He led the Pats down to take the lead on a typical, boring Patriots drive. Just so you know, he did nothing but throw dink passes all down the field and let Wes Welker run around like the little white guy he is. He hit Moss when the receiver fell down. Best ever? Thanks.
Here's what I want to talk about quickly about Brady because I have a lot to get to. I can recall two times when Brady missed a wide open receiver and he just yelled at that guy. Once it was Moss and the other Welker I believe, going to our left on the far sideline. I mean, Brady missed him badly, and we all saw him yelling. Hey Tom, you made a bad pass, own it. Point is, Brady doesn't have ice water running through his veins. The Giants d-line owned him...not only physically but mentally. I will give Brady props for coming out and giving a classy interview...but from that interview, I don't know about any of you, but I saw a guy who's won three titles and was content leaving the field with them. I didn't see any emotion out of him. Yeah, he was politically correct as usual, but sometimes when you are a leader of a team you need to be a little more publicly disappointed than he was. He put his suit on, got in his limo, and went and hung out with Gisele before someone told him that his Stetson commercial never aired which he probably was more visibly upset about. America may love Tom Brady, but I'm going to continue to give you, whoever you are, the angles I see and maybe someone will start to feel the same way I do.
I can sit here and talk about Bellicheck all day, but I won't. He's not worth it. He's a great football coach with no class. You should be used to it by now. But I've been saying all year that he and his team were going to get theirs for running the score up on all of those average teams they played in the middle of the season. People who do bad things get what's coming to them eventually. Fortunately it happened at the best time, for me at least.
What was the deal with Bellicheck calling the challenge with the twelve men on the field deal? I've never seen that one before and what does this mean? Here's what I want to know about that...they reviewed a play that was over, to go back and get a penalty called. Does this mean that a coach can say..."Hey 65 was holding 76...I'm throwing a challenge flag go back and look at it and give me my ten yards!" I don't know what that was but it was classic.
We saw all of the people in their boxes yesterday from the owners to celebs. All of these folks had massive and completely trashed bars behind them. Hey, cool. But Peyton Manning sat there in a corner watching the game with a bottle of water, focused on his brother. Many of you give me grief about not giving Peyton his dues as a college quarterback. Deal with it. But yesterday, Peyton was a brother, a big brother who cared about nothing but seeing his little brother win the biggest game of his life. The emotion of Peyton had to make everyone feel good watching on TV. I am truly happy that Peyton was so grateful for Eli.
The Giants were the better team yesterday. Fact. When that pass when off Steve Smith's hands and was intercepted, I couldn't help but think "God, the Patriots are still just going to get all the breaks today..." But the defense bounced back, and Eli bounced back. We all knew the Giants wanted to run the ball, and they did a lot without any success really. But they put their season and title hopes on the shoulders of a guy who has gotten more negative publicity than anyone else at the quarterback position throughout the course of his career. Eli managed the game so well, and made the right throws all day. He forced a couple of throws that he got away with...most noticeably the ball down the middle to David Tyree on the game winning drive. I said it and I don't think I've ever said anything like this about anyone...but that was Favresque. For someone has taken the heat that Eli has, seeing a guy play that well when it counted was unreal and really great for football.
Eli's going to get so much of the credit, and rightfully so. But this was about the defense. This was about the Strahan, Tuck, Osi and the secondary. The Patriots offensive line was out matched and they paid for it. They got to Brady and they flustered the timing of that offense. There's a reason that Wes Welker had so many catches running over the middle...it's because the secondary took the outside threats of the Patriots out of the game. Randy Moss was a non-factor for the most part. Dante Stallworth was a non-factor. Where was Ben Watson?
The Giants proved the age old saying...Offense Wins games, Defense Wins Championships. Congratulations to Tom Coughlin's team, they did it the right way and they deserved it.
Friday, February 1, 2008
I Really Don't Care
You know, the Super Bowl is on Sunday. Honestly, I am less motivated about this Super Bowl than any other game before. As you know, I am not a Tom Brady fan. I guess the Giants are a great story and I promise that my lack of interest does not stem from a bitterness about the Packers loss in the NFC Championship game.
So what is today? Tiger is leading in Dubai, go figure. Dubai is where cool people hang out by the way...just ask Tiger and Federer.
No, there is a big story going on that should terrify people. If the Mets and Johan Santana agree on a deal, we have some serious issues in the National League.
The Mets continue to baffle me. They have the best all around player in the game (Carlos Beltran) and a young leader with a great bat in Dave Wright. Jose Reyes is the most dynamic leadoff man in the game, pending your thoughts on Ichiro. They have Moises who is as solid as it gets for a bat, when healthy and Billy Wagner to close it out. Luis Castillo is a perfect fit in the two hole for them. They have so many strong spots with great role players...it's sick.
The question has always been their starting pitching. Pedro has out almost all of last year. John Maine is a stud in the making, and after that? I mean, do you want to give the ball to Oliver Perez is a must win game? What about El Duque?
Adding the best pitcher of this decade to their team could be major. Or it might not matter. Think about last year and the debacle that was the Mets. I don't remember the lead they had, but it was huge going into the last month, creating the biggest choke arguably of all time. I mean, they didn't even make the Wild Card...and they want to talk about pitching?
That was bad. That's a streak that you just can't fix. Guys get so beat up, look around the locker room and think to themselves, "Here we go again." Is it the manager's fault? Yeah, maybe. I think Willie should have been given the hook immediately. What do I know though?
Looking back to how that team finished, Johan Santana, Alex Rodriguez, or Walter Johnson would not have helped that team. They were doomed. So you have to look ahead to this year and any GM is going to put the best team on the field possible. Are they doing the right thing by trying to sign Santana? Absolutely. On paper, you're looking at their 1,2,3 being Santana, Pedro, Maine...with Perez as a 4. I am a lot more comfortable with Perez as a 4, aren't you? But given their recent history, assuming the Santana deal gets done, is it really going to help? How is Santana going to help their dead bats in September? Maybe he can hit too.
So what is today? Tiger is leading in Dubai, go figure. Dubai is where cool people hang out by the way...just ask Tiger and Federer.
No, there is a big story going on that should terrify people. If the Mets and Johan Santana agree on a deal, we have some serious issues in the National League.
The Mets continue to baffle me. They have the best all around player in the game (Carlos Beltran) and a young leader with a great bat in Dave Wright. Jose Reyes is the most dynamic leadoff man in the game, pending your thoughts on Ichiro. They have Moises who is as solid as it gets for a bat, when healthy and Billy Wagner to close it out. Luis Castillo is a perfect fit in the two hole for them. They have so many strong spots with great role players...it's sick.
The question has always been their starting pitching. Pedro has out almost all of last year. John Maine is a stud in the making, and after that? I mean, do you want to give the ball to Oliver Perez is a must win game? What about El Duque?
Adding the best pitcher of this decade to their team could be major. Or it might not matter. Think about last year and the debacle that was the Mets. I don't remember the lead they had, but it was huge going into the last month, creating the biggest choke arguably of all time. I mean, they didn't even make the Wild Card...and they want to talk about pitching?
That was bad. That's a streak that you just can't fix. Guys get so beat up, look around the locker room and think to themselves, "Here we go again." Is it the manager's fault? Yeah, maybe. I think Willie should have been given the hook immediately. What do I know though?
Looking back to how that team finished, Johan Santana, Alex Rodriguez, or Walter Johnson would not have helped that team. They were doomed. So you have to look ahead to this year and any GM is going to put the best team on the field possible. Are they doing the right thing by trying to sign Santana? Absolutely. On paper, you're looking at their 1,2,3 being Santana, Pedro, Maine...with Perez as a 4. I am a lot more comfortable with Perez as a 4, aren't you? But given their recent history, assuming the Santana deal gets done, is it really going to help? How is Santana going to help their dead bats in September? Maybe he can hit too.
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