Another Dolphins Collapse
Hi, it’s Nisa, host of “On The Sportslines”. As many of you know, I am a Miami Dolphins fan. I didn’t think a loss could be any worse than that week 2 game against the Colts, where they blew a lead and an incredible 45-minute time of possession and still managed to lose. But alas, they have topped themselves with an even more ridiculous and unnecessary loss.
In yesterday’s game, to the shock of many, Miami was up 24-3 over the Saints, arguably one of the top 3 teams in the NFL. The Wildcat was clicking. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams were running effectively. The defense was stopping the Saints explosive offense.
And then they let up. The Dolphins apparently forgot that a football game is 60 minutes long, and haven’t learned how to close out a game. You can’t let teams the caliber of New Orleans get back into the game, because they will take advantage of it. But even though they did let them back into it, Miami was still up by 3 points with 13 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. And what, pray tell, do they do? Wouldn’t it be logical to stick with the Wildcat and run the ball? And doesn’t it make sense to run down the clock as much as you can? Well I guess sense and logic went out the window in the 4th quarter, because the Dolphins decided to throw the ball on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd down. And of course, it was a 3-and-out and they had to punt.
I think Tony Sparano and co. were trying to emulate New Orleans’ offense instead of sticking with their own identity and what had been working the whole game. The Miami coaches got scared and confused and they panicked. They were playing like they were down by 10 points when they were up by 3! And once the Saints actually took the lead, it was just too late. Miami tried to force plays and the receivers dropped way too many balls. Yes, Ted Ginn, I’m talking to you! This epidemic of you not being able to make easy catches is unacceptable in the NFL.
Elite NFL teams know how to hold onto a lead and they don’t panic in the face of a little adversity. The Dolphins don’t seem to be there quite yet. They are certainly a good team with potential, but unless something changes, they aren’t going to be a great team anytime soon. Some people are impressed that Miami even put up this decent a fight. You know what, that’s not good enough. It doesn’t mean anything unless you can close out the game and get the W.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Hey this is The Rabbi, video editor of On The Sportslines.
I am a proud Yankees fan who just watched the team clinch Pennant #40. Seriously, I can't believe it's been 6 whole years since the Yankees have been in a world series! More on that in a second, but I felt this should lead to a differently themed edition of....
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED THIS NFL SUNDAY- Start spreading the news edition!
1. Start spreading the news....
So, it's a Yankee-Phillie world series. There have been 4 teams to make multiple world series appearances this decade, and this will be the only matchup to feature 2 of those teams on their 2nd appearance (Phillies 2nd in row obivously, Yankees 3rd). With the dominating win by Andy Pettite tonight, it keeps ALCS MVP CC Sabathia (what, A-Rod didn't hit enough in the clutch for ya), as your game 1 starter. He'll go against Cliff Lee, the man who basically gained CC's spot as Indians' ace once CC got traded (and then got traded himself). Prediction? Not telling you yet. Oh ya, this is a football column.....
2. I'm leaving today....
For the Bucs, who are glad to be leaving London. They're now 5 games away from pulling a Lions (16 losses in a row, dating back to last year the Bucs have 11), and the Bucs clearly don't have too much of it. But note this, Tom Brady's QB rating when actually under center today was 45.5, so maybe this isn't a complete renaissance yet for the 2007 MVP.
3. I want to be a part of it....
I would like to be a part of playing the Oakland Raiders. Every week. One week after having that whole motivation wear off came a loss that was worse than the Giant one two weeks ago, this time the Jets were the agressors. The Jets first road shutout in 8 years was a laugher. Even the bad news (OK, really bad news with Leon Washington being out for the year) was set by the emergence of 2nd rd pick Shaune Greene (144 yards!). Linebacker Richard Seymor said earlier in the week the Raiders would make the playoffs...today he said his team wouldn't have even come through against a local high school.
4. Right through the very heart of it...
To the Bengals, who with all aplogies to the Broncos (yes I know you beat them, but it was fluky), are the surprise of this year. I give Marvin Lewis a lot of credit for taking a QB many people thought would never become elite (Carson Palmer, who threw for 5 TD's), a RB who people thought was done (Cedric Benson, who torched his old team for almost 190 yards), and a laughing stock defense (which held all the opponents they've faced under 30 this year, a plus for them), and put them all at their best. Marvin Lewis gave a team no one looked twice at some heart, and could be a solid choice for Coach of the Year.
5. I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep...
The Saints surely don't sleep through games. In a game many (including yours truly), thought they would be trapped in, the Saints erased a 24-3 lead late in the 2nd quarter like it was absolutely nothing, outscoring the Saints 43-10 after that point, fot a 46-34 win and a 6-0 record. The Saints now host a wounded Falcons team next week, who proved they could play a solid team on the road with this....
6. And find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap.
To the true new #1 reciever of the Boys, Miles Austin. The Chiefs watched him get 250 yards in reception 2 weeks ago and the Falcons did a much better job...by only letting up 179 yards in receptions to Mr. Austin (way to go!). The move to go to Austin even aspired much maligned #3 whine reciever Patrick Crayton to have 2 scores of his own. Hey Dallas, as a Giants fan I hate to say it, but why don't you end the Roy Williams expiriment and go with a Austin/Crayton recieving core?
7. These little town blues....
With the Packers demolishing of the Browns today and Minnesota's first loss to the Steelers, at least now when Brett Favre goes back to Green Bay next week, control of the NFC North will be on the line. Favre had an OK day (334 yards on 51 throws, 0 TD's and 1 INT), but did show signs of wilting, you know that thing he does when the calendar hits November. Next week will be the halfway point game for Brett, and will tell a lot. If Brett can overcome the pressure and play a mistake-free game with a balance of the run and pass, he will have turned a corner. If not, same ol' Brett, and look...it's November 1st next Sunday. The little town blues of Favre leaving Green Bay will be the talk of the whole week.
8. I'll make a brand new start of it....
Three things were started anew in the Niners-Texans game. One, Michael Crabtree's NFL career (5 catches, 56 yards, not terrible). Two, Alex Smith's legitamacy (206 yards, 3 TD's), which was restarted after starter Shaun Hill got benched after a terrible first half. Smith's comeback and the fact he would have probably won the game if he was starting from the beginning is the reason that Alex Smith should regain his starting role. And #3, TE Dominance! Tight Ends have been having an out of this world season...but, 3 TD's for Vernon Davis? 123 yards for big play Owen Daniels? TE's may be picked earlier in fantasy drafts next year...
9. If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere...
To Kurt Warner, who could not make it there in New York in 2004, but came back in 2009, and showed that by making it anywhere (in this case Arizona), he can eventually make it anywhere. It must have been nice for Warner to see the man who unseated him in NY have his worst game in a few years, throwing 3 INT's. Must have been really nice for the Cards though not to even have a 100 yard reciever, and still win their 3rd game out of 18 in the Meadowlands. Oh yeah, speaking of making it anywhere on the road...the Cards won back to back road games for the first time in 8 years.
10. It's up to you New York, New York!
Now for my World Series prediction. As much as I fear Philadelphia cause they can tear the cover off the ball, I look at the fact that their pitching is still a huge question mark. That's the key to the series. Now although Joe Girardi has not publicly discussed a rotation plan yet (going to the same rotation they had in the ALCS would require ALL starters to go on 3 days rest once we hit game 4), I think the Phils are more worried about their starters (Pedro Martinez in Game 2! No really.) When it comes to hitting, I think it's a draw. The top of the order is better for the Yanks, the middle of the order is a wash, the bottom of the order goes to the Phillies. I like the Yankees bullpen, but not by much considering I think the Phils can toy with the Yanks bullpen like they did the Dodgers. Closer...no contest. But it all comes back to the pitching staff, and the fact I think the Phils have seen Pedro and Lee enough times to get through them to the bullpen so.....Yankees in 6.
Now let's see if I'm in this much of a good mood next Sunday night.
I am a proud Yankees fan who just watched the team clinch Pennant #40. Seriously, I can't believe it's been 6 whole years since the Yankees have been in a world series! More on that in a second, but I felt this should lead to a differently themed edition of....
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED THIS NFL SUNDAY- Start spreading the news edition!
1. Start spreading the news....
So, it's a Yankee-Phillie world series. There have been 4 teams to make multiple world series appearances this decade, and this will be the only matchup to feature 2 of those teams on their 2nd appearance (Phillies 2nd in row obivously, Yankees 3rd). With the dominating win by Andy Pettite tonight, it keeps ALCS MVP CC Sabathia (what, A-Rod didn't hit enough in the clutch for ya), as your game 1 starter. He'll go against Cliff Lee, the man who basically gained CC's spot as Indians' ace once CC got traded (and then got traded himself). Prediction? Not telling you yet. Oh ya, this is a football column.....
2. I'm leaving today....
For the Bucs, who are glad to be leaving London. They're now 5 games away from pulling a Lions (16 losses in a row, dating back to last year the Bucs have 11), and the Bucs clearly don't have too much of it. But note this, Tom Brady's QB rating when actually under center today was 45.5, so maybe this isn't a complete renaissance yet for the 2007 MVP.
3. I want to be a part of it....
I would like to be a part of playing the Oakland Raiders. Every week. One week after having that whole motivation wear off came a loss that was worse than the Giant one two weeks ago, this time the Jets were the agressors. The Jets first road shutout in 8 years was a laugher. Even the bad news (OK, really bad news with Leon Washington being out for the year) was set by the emergence of 2nd rd pick Shaune Greene (144 yards!). Linebacker Richard Seymor said earlier in the week the Raiders would make the playoffs...today he said his team wouldn't have even come through against a local high school.
4. Right through the very heart of it...
To the Bengals, who with all aplogies to the Broncos (yes I know you beat them, but it was fluky), are the surprise of this year. I give Marvin Lewis a lot of credit for taking a QB many people thought would never become elite (Carson Palmer, who threw for 5 TD's), a RB who people thought was done (Cedric Benson, who torched his old team for almost 190 yards), and a laughing stock defense (which held all the opponents they've faced under 30 this year, a plus for them), and put them all at their best. Marvin Lewis gave a team no one looked twice at some heart, and could be a solid choice for Coach of the Year.
5. I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep...
The Saints surely don't sleep through games. In a game many (including yours truly), thought they would be trapped in, the Saints erased a 24-3 lead late in the 2nd quarter like it was absolutely nothing, outscoring the Saints 43-10 after that point, fot a 46-34 win and a 6-0 record. The Saints now host a wounded Falcons team next week, who proved they could play a solid team on the road with this....
6. And find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap.
To the true new #1 reciever of the Boys, Miles Austin. The Chiefs watched him get 250 yards in reception 2 weeks ago and the Falcons did a much better job...by only letting up 179 yards in receptions to Mr. Austin (way to go!). The move to go to Austin even aspired much maligned #3 whine reciever Patrick Crayton to have 2 scores of his own. Hey Dallas, as a Giants fan I hate to say it, but why don't you end the Roy Williams expiriment and go with a Austin/Crayton recieving core?
7. These little town blues....
With the Packers demolishing of the Browns today and Minnesota's first loss to the Steelers, at least now when Brett Favre goes back to Green Bay next week, control of the NFC North will be on the line. Favre had an OK day (334 yards on 51 throws, 0 TD's and 1 INT), but did show signs of wilting, you know that thing he does when the calendar hits November. Next week will be the halfway point game for Brett, and will tell a lot. If Brett can overcome the pressure and play a mistake-free game with a balance of the run and pass, he will have turned a corner. If not, same ol' Brett, and look...it's November 1st next Sunday. The little town blues of Favre leaving Green Bay will be the talk of the whole week.
8. I'll make a brand new start of it....
Three things were started anew in the Niners-Texans game. One, Michael Crabtree's NFL career (5 catches, 56 yards, not terrible). Two, Alex Smith's legitamacy (206 yards, 3 TD's), which was restarted after starter Shaun Hill got benched after a terrible first half. Smith's comeback and the fact he would have probably won the game if he was starting from the beginning is the reason that Alex Smith should regain his starting role. And #3, TE Dominance! Tight Ends have been having an out of this world season...but, 3 TD's for Vernon Davis? 123 yards for big play Owen Daniels? TE's may be picked earlier in fantasy drafts next year...
9. If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere...
To Kurt Warner, who could not make it there in New York in 2004, but came back in 2009, and showed that by making it anywhere (in this case Arizona), he can eventually make it anywhere. It must have been nice for Warner to see the man who unseated him in NY have his worst game in a few years, throwing 3 INT's. Must have been really nice for the Cards though not to even have a 100 yard reciever, and still win their 3rd game out of 18 in the Meadowlands. Oh yeah, speaking of making it anywhere on the road...the Cards won back to back road games for the first time in 8 years.
10. It's up to you New York, New York!
Now for my World Series prediction. As much as I fear Philadelphia cause they can tear the cover off the ball, I look at the fact that their pitching is still a huge question mark. That's the key to the series. Now although Joe Girardi has not publicly discussed a rotation plan yet (going to the same rotation they had in the ALCS would require ALL starters to go on 3 days rest once we hit game 4), I think the Phils are more worried about their starters (Pedro Martinez in Game 2! No really.) When it comes to hitting, I think it's a draw. The top of the order is better for the Yanks, the middle of the order is a wash, the bottom of the order goes to the Phillies. I like the Yankees bullpen, but not by much considering I think the Phils can toy with the Yanks bullpen like they did the Dodgers. Closer...no contest. But it all comes back to the pitching staff, and the fact I think the Phils have seen Pedro and Lee enough times to get through them to the bullpen so.....Yankees in 6.
Now let's see if I'm in this much of a good mood next Sunday night.
Greetings all, Jay from "On The Sportslines" here. It's a little after midnight and I'm basking in the glow of the Yankees 40th pennant. I've said it before on this blog. I've had a feeling all year. Other fans got anxious when the team was treading water in April. Not me. Other fans got nervous when the Yankees lost their first 8 games against the Redsox. Not me. I have taken my shots at the team on the show when things have gone wrong, but I never lost the faith.
People wondered how would the new additions handle the pressure of playing in this city. Not me. CC, AJ, Tex, Swish did what they were brought here to do. AJ and Swish were solid, Tex's glove was golden (his bat eventually showed up) and all CC did was win the ALCS MVP.
People wondered if A-Rod would actually show up in the post-season this year. Not me. I've taken Alex to task for his playoff failures in the past (and I'm still not a big fan), but this year, I had a feeling. This year, Alex seems to have finally understood what Mr. DiMaggio meant when he said "I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee". The home run on his very first swing upon his return in May only reinforced that.
I took Joe Girardi to task for his choices regarding the bullpen on the latest edition of the show, but I never lost the faith. In the end, all he really needed was for two of the "Core Four" to reach back and pull out performances from playoffs past. Andy was Andy, a guy who knows what to do when you're the starter in a series clincher. As for Mo? There aren't enough superlatives in Mr. Roget's Thesaurus to describe the greatest closer in baseball history. All he did was get a 6-out save. And thus Andy, Mo, Jorge and Derek have another chance to get one for the thumb.
The Phillies are a very worthy opponent. Defending World Series Champions with an offense to rival the Bronx Bombers and solid pitching to boot. Are they afraid of the mystique and aura that surround the Yankees? Doubtful. Will they give the Yankees a hell of a fight? Absolutely. Will it matter? Absolutely not.
This Yankee team has won games with dominating pitching, sparkling defense, displays of prodigious home run power and by manufacturing runs via small ball. Whatever style of play is required to win is the style they play.
The last time the team that led MLB in home runs won the World Series was the 1984 Detroit Tigers. The Yankees led MLB with 244 home runs this year. 25 years is long enough, time for that streak to end.
It's been 6 years since the Yankees last played on baseball's biggest stage and 9 years since they last had a parade down the Canyon of Heroes. It's time. Like I said at the top, I've had a feeling all season.
There's a reason Girardi was the uniform number he does. Those of you who follow me on Facebook are familiar with the math I'll use to close this post.
7 wins in the books, 4 more to go. 11=27. World Series here we come.
People wondered how would the new additions handle the pressure of playing in this city. Not me. CC, AJ, Tex, Swish did what they were brought here to do. AJ and Swish were solid, Tex's glove was golden (his bat eventually showed up) and all CC did was win the ALCS MVP.
People wondered if A-Rod would actually show up in the post-season this year. Not me. I've taken Alex to task for his playoff failures in the past (and I'm still not a big fan), but this year, I had a feeling. This year, Alex seems to have finally understood what Mr. DiMaggio meant when he said "I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee". The home run on his very first swing upon his return in May only reinforced that.
I took Joe Girardi to task for his choices regarding the bullpen on the latest edition of the show, but I never lost the faith. In the end, all he really needed was for two of the "Core Four" to reach back and pull out performances from playoffs past. Andy was Andy, a guy who knows what to do when you're the starter in a series clincher. As for Mo? There aren't enough superlatives in Mr. Roget's Thesaurus to describe the greatest closer in baseball history. All he did was get a 6-out save. And thus Andy, Mo, Jorge and Derek have another chance to get one for the thumb.
The Phillies are a very worthy opponent. Defending World Series Champions with an offense to rival the Bronx Bombers and solid pitching to boot. Are they afraid of the mystique and aura that surround the Yankees? Doubtful. Will they give the Yankees a hell of a fight? Absolutely. Will it matter? Absolutely not.
This Yankee team has won games with dominating pitching, sparkling defense, displays of prodigious home run power and by manufacturing runs via small ball. Whatever style of play is required to win is the style they play.
The last time the team that led MLB in home runs won the World Series was the 1984 Detroit Tigers. The Yankees led MLB with 244 home runs this year. 25 years is long enough, time for that streak to end.
It's been 6 years since the Yankees last played on baseball's biggest stage and 9 years since they last had a parade down the Canyon of Heroes. It's time. Like I said at the top, I've had a feeling all season.
There's a reason Girardi was the uniform number he does. Those of you who follow me on Facebook are familiar with the math I'll use to close this post.
7 wins in the books, 4 more to go. 11=27. World Series here we come.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hey, this is The Genius.
Is Joba for real??? i mean seriously...is this guy walking around on the same planet as the rest of us??? O.k. a phenom in college at Nebraska where he helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2005 college world series, going 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA on the year. The Yankees draft him 41st overall in the 2006 draft, and Chamberlain was ranked as the 75th best prospect goin into the 2007 season. When the Yankees finally called upon him, it seemed like this fantastic prospect was the real deal. The talk was, will this be the guy to replace undeniably the best closer in the game in Mariano Rivera. He sure looked like he has the stuff. An over-powering fastball with what looked like impecable control. Ahh but the baseball gods had something else in mind. Somewhere down the road to fame, somebody told Joba that he was a great pitcher, agreed, and should be a starter, disagree. His numbers were lets just say mediocre with a 4.75 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 157 innings in 2009. Now i don't know about you but that doesn't strike me as good numbers, and you can come up with whatever excuse you want as to why he had a bad season, blah blah blah.. In 2007 his ERA was .38 in 24 innings, in 2008 he racked up 100 innings with only 4 wins, and a 2.61 ERA. and now he's up to 4.75??? Numbers don't lie, the kids not a starter, and after watching the disgusting inning in game 3 against the Angels, i wonder whether he can handle the pressure in virtually any situation. I mean come on... Sure pressure affects people in different ways, but what the hell happened between 2007 and now?? How do the Yankees get him back to the stud set up guy who put up some serious numbers? ? ? THATS IT! Make him a set up guy!! Oh wait! The Yankees already have one in Hughes. So now the role that chamberlain was supposed to take is being filled by a pitcher who seems to be able to handle it. Man, this just doesn't seem to be working, and something tells me the Yankee brass is thinking the same thing. With the uneventful year that Chien-Ming Wang had, and Chamberlains struggles, the bottom of the order needs some support. Depending on what Mr. Micro-manage EVERYTHING, Joe Girardi decides what to do with him through the remainder of the playoffs, Joba may be very much expendable after this season. Joba's head is more screwed up than an Ghandi working on the grill at burger king, and at least i feel like his days with the Yankees are numbered. With every opportunity he screws up, he gives another opportunity to someone else, and sooner or later he's gonna run out of opportunities all together.
Is Joba for real??? i mean seriously...is this guy walking around on the same planet as the rest of us??? O.k. a phenom in college at Nebraska where he helped the Cornhuskers reach the 2005 college world series, going 10-2 with a 2.81 ERA on the year. The Yankees draft him 41st overall in the 2006 draft, and Chamberlain was ranked as the 75th best prospect goin into the 2007 season. When the Yankees finally called upon him, it seemed like this fantastic prospect was the real deal. The talk was, will this be the guy to replace undeniably the best closer in the game in Mariano Rivera. He sure looked like he has the stuff. An over-powering fastball with what looked like impecable control. Ahh but the baseball gods had something else in mind. Somewhere down the road to fame, somebody told Joba that he was a great pitcher, agreed, and should be a starter, disagree. His numbers were lets just say mediocre with a 4.75 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 157 innings in 2009. Now i don't know about you but that doesn't strike me as good numbers, and you can come up with whatever excuse you want as to why he had a bad season, blah blah blah.. In 2007 his ERA was .38 in 24 innings, in 2008 he racked up 100 innings with only 4 wins, and a 2.61 ERA. and now he's up to 4.75??? Numbers don't lie, the kids not a starter, and after watching the disgusting inning in game 3 against the Angels, i wonder whether he can handle the pressure in virtually any situation. I mean come on... Sure pressure affects people in different ways, but what the hell happened between 2007 and now?? How do the Yankees get him back to the stud set up guy who put up some serious numbers? ? ? THATS IT! Make him a set up guy!! Oh wait! The Yankees already have one in Hughes. So now the role that chamberlain was supposed to take is being filled by a pitcher who seems to be able to handle it. Man, this just doesn't seem to be working, and something tells me the Yankee brass is thinking the same thing. With the uneventful year that Chien-Ming Wang had, and Chamberlains struggles, the bottom of the order needs some support. Depending on what Mr. Micro-manage EVERYTHING, Joe Girardi decides what to do with him through the remainder of the playoffs, Joba may be very much expendable after this season. Joba's head is more screwed up than an Ghandi working on the grill at burger king, and at least i feel like his days with the Yankees are numbered. With every opportunity he screws up, he gives another opportunity to someone else, and sooner or later he's gonna run out of opportunities all together.
October 19, 2009
Steve Ferguson from On The Sportslines here.
THERE'S NO ONE IN THE POST SEASON LIKE MARIANO RIVERA
A few years ago a close friend of mine gushed about the outstanding year that former Houston Astrons' closer Brad Lidge was having and had the NERVE to argue that he was better than Mariano Rivera! That is until Albert Pujols silenced his world with one might swat put an end to that rancid thought. That led to his dismissal to the Philadelphia Phillies eventually.
This year's playoffs further ilustrate the phenomenal consistency of Rivera. Remember these two closers Joe Nathan of the Minnesota Twins and Huston Street of the Colorado Rockies. Nathan who has been second in the league in regular season saves second only to Mariano since 2004 pitched with the conviction of a scared Little Leaguer.
Did anyone catch the almost asthmatic breathing he was experiencing with the Twins having a 3-1 year a couple of Fridays ago in the new Yankee Stadium. I was in shock but my laughter overrode my initial reaction. He even looked SCARED out of his mind in Minnesota two days later when his team was TRAILING 3-1 late in what turned out to be the end of the Twins' great season! That's a stud closer. Uh, absolutely no way! THIS IS A CHOKE ARTIST!
Then we had Huston Street who blew not ONE but TWO games when the Colorado Rockies had the lead in the ninth inning twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in their playoff series. This was the man that they traded for to close games. What a joke!
Add Brian Fuentes of the Anaheim Angels who served up the FATBALL to A-Rod (not fastball) barely whispering in at 90 miles an hour who was not trusted to come in a tie game unlike Mariano Rivera who pitched 2 1/3 innings of 1 hit scoreless relief in a tie game. That's what a closer is supposed to do in post season and no one does it any better than Mariano! Mike Scioscia is no idiot and it's obvious he knows Fuentes is a FRAUD!
As a New York Mets' fan seeing Armando Benitez a man blessed with a strong arm and a 98 mile an hour fastball but with the intelligence of a flea and the courage of a frightened child and you have another CHOKE ARTIST of the '90's!
Next time you want to see a great closer don't think of any of these imposters or even the Los Angeles Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton who couldn't throw strikes to the ancient 40 year old Matt Stairs coming off cold off the bench while dealing 100 miles of heat because he was still seeing him in his nightmares when he took him deep last year in Los Angeles remember why NO CLOSER except for maybe Rollie Fingers is close to Mariano Rivera!
Steve Ferguson from On The Sportslines here.
THERE'S NO ONE IN THE POST SEASON LIKE MARIANO RIVERA
A few years ago a close friend of mine gushed about the outstanding year that former Houston Astrons' closer Brad Lidge was having and had the NERVE to argue that he was better than Mariano Rivera! That is until Albert Pujols silenced his world with one might swat put an end to that rancid thought. That led to his dismissal to the Philadelphia Phillies eventually.
This year's playoffs further ilustrate the phenomenal consistency of Rivera. Remember these two closers Joe Nathan of the Minnesota Twins and Huston Street of the Colorado Rockies. Nathan who has been second in the league in regular season saves second only to Mariano since 2004 pitched with the conviction of a scared Little Leaguer.
Did anyone catch the almost asthmatic breathing he was experiencing with the Twins having a 3-1 year a couple of Fridays ago in the new Yankee Stadium. I was in shock but my laughter overrode my initial reaction. He even looked SCARED out of his mind in Minnesota two days later when his team was TRAILING 3-1 late in what turned out to be the end of the Twins' great season! That's a stud closer. Uh, absolutely no way! THIS IS A CHOKE ARTIST!
Then we had Huston Street who blew not ONE but TWO games when the Colorado Rockies had the lead in the ninth inning twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in their playoff series. This was the man that they traded for to close games. What a joke!
Add Brian Fuentes of the Anaheim Angels who served up the FATBALL to A-Rod (not fastball) barely whispering in at 90 miles an hour who was not trusted to come in a tie game unlike Mariano Rivera who pitched 2 1/3 innings of 1 hit scoreless relief in a tie game. That's what a closer is supposed to do in post season and no one does it any better than Mariano! Mike Scioscia is no idiot and it's obvious he knows Fuentes is a FRAUD!
As a New York Mets' fan seeing Armando Benitez a man blessed with a strong arm and a 98 mile an hour fastball but with the intelligence of a flea and the courage of a frightened child and you have another CHOKE ARTIST of the '90's!
Next time you want to see a great closer don't think of any of these imposters or even the Los Angeles Dodgers' Jonathan Broxton who couldn't throw strikes to the ancient 40 year old Matt Stairs coming off cold off the bench while dealing 100 miles of heat because he was still seeing him in his nightmares when he took him deep last year in Los Angeles remember why NO CLOSER except for maybe Rollie Fingers is close to Mariano Rivera!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Welcome to a little later version of 10 Things we Learned. For the first time in 2 years, I won a football pool last week, when I went 11-3 with my picks. My goal was not to win my pool this week, but have a winning record, and not to go .500 again. I went 6-7. Such a disappointment. Which leads us to this....
10 Things we Learned in Week 6- I was right/I was wrong edition.
1. I was wrong to think any of the "horrible" teams would lay down.
When someone on the Giants (I think it was Justin Tuck?) called the Raiders game a basic scrimmage this week, I knew that they would give a good effort (more on that in a sec), but most of the horrible group (Bills-Rams-Bucs-Chiefs-Raiders), put on performances worthy of....well being NFL teams. Maybe there IS parody in the NFL.
2. I was right to think the good teams would step up though at home.
In specific, the Falcons and the Steelers. Both teams had opponents that were a little trouble (Bears game was to the wire and the Browns were in it for a while), but both stepped up when it mattered the most. The Georgia Dome and Heinz field are difficult places to play when the teams who occupy those stadiums are mediocre....but when they are good, watch out.
3. I was wrong to think the USC QB curse was over in the NFL.
I thought all 3 of the big USC pros in the NFL had turned a corner, but boy did that change Sunday. Carson Palmer got outplayed by Matt Schaub (Texans have basically done by the way the exact opposite of what they've been predicted to do in EVERY GAME this year). Mark Sanchez played one of the worst games a QB can ever play in the NFL (5 INT's, QB rating of ocho point dos. Yes 8.2). And thanks to Kurt Warner 32/41 day, Matt Leinart may be riding the bench forever (although I did notice he got in for garbage time late, yay Matt!)
4. I was right to think the QB position is back baby!
And Warner doesn't make this list! Eight 300 yard passers on Sunday (6 of them won), a ton of 250+, 2 TD's to go with it as well. Unless your name is Sanchez or Manning (I hold my head in shame for NY), lot of QBs are playing the position very well right now to start the season. At times you can't get any better.
5. I was wrong to think the Titans had pride.
Seriously? 59-0 loss to the Pats? I know your secondary is bad, but holy crap! 59-0, with 5 TD passes in the 2nd quarter. Bill Bellicheck must have been having an orgasm as visions of the regular seasom of 2007 were dancing in his head. But why would you keep Brady into the 3rd? Are you asking for trouble? By the way...Vince Young had 2 passes. Think it's safe to say the Titans NEED to look at QB this offseason.
6. I was right to think the Cards did have pride.
27-3 over the Seahawks and a renewed sense of confidence (from me, dunno bout anyone else), that this is the Cardinals division. Now all of a sudden, a bad Sunday night game on paper few weeks ago (Arizona-Giants) is dangerous for the G-Men, not just for Big Blue's secondary issues, but cause that's a trap game from NY (come off demoralizing loss, big divisional game week after versus Philly).
7. We ALL were wrong on Philly-Oakland.
Here is that one game that knocked you all out of your knockout pool (ONLY TAKE A ROAD TEAM IF YOU HAVE TO!). Philadelphia threw it 46 times, and gave it to Brian Westbrook 6 times, typical Andy Reid. When Oakland connected on that 85 yard TD pass to Zach Miller, I don't think anyone needed it more than the Raiders. Speaking of...JaMarcus Russell...17/28! Not too shabby, I can even overlook the 2 INTs.
8. We were all right on how bad the Redskins are.
First team in NFL history to play 6, yes 6 winless teams to start a season, and essentially they were 9 points away from being winless themselves. I thought 6-10 for Washington to start the season, now I may have to adjust that more. I'm never in favor of firing a coach mid-season, but Jim Zorn should give up more than just calling plays.
9. I was wrong on...that #4 guy.
I didn't think the Vikings would need him as much (and I didn't think he would deliver), but Brett Favre, when asked to drive his team down the field for a winning, has already done it twice to start the season. Now yes both were at home, but the teams they played (San Fran, now Baltimore), were halfway decent. With the Vikings (The Vikings!) now 6-0, I think it's safe to say Brett Favre can't even screw this team out of the playoffs this year,
10. I was right to say the best team in the NFL was the Saints.
Wow. I know the Giants secondary is banged up, but wow. That's a woodshed beating there. Said they were the NFL's best through the 1st quarter of 2009 and now no one can disagree. This was a beautiful offensive performance from Start to finish. Absolutely freaking amazing. I have no words to say. I can criticize the Giants not playing together, but that would be unfair. This was all the Saints playing good...on this night.
It's the NFL, I can be wrong in just one week. I'll see you next week.
10 Things we Learned in Week 6- I was right/I was wrong edition.
1. I was wrong to think any of the "horrible" teams would lay down.
When someone on the Giants (I think it was Justin Tuck?) called the Raiders game a basic scrimmage this week, I knew that they would give a good effort (more on that in a sec), but most of the horrible group (Bills-Rams-Bucs-Chiefs-Raiders), put on performances worthy of....well being NFL teams. Maybe there IS parody in the NFL.
2. I was right to think the good teams would step up though at home.
In specific, the Falcons and the Steelers. Both teams had opponents that were a little trouble (Bears game was to the wire and the Browns were in it for a while), but both stepped up when it mattered the most. The Georgia Dome and Heinz field are difficult places to play when the teams who occupy those stadiums are mediocre....but when they are good, watch out.
3. I was wrong to think the USC QB curse was over in the NFL.
I thought all 3 of the big USC pros in the NFL had turned a corner, but boy did that change Sunday. Carson Palmer got outplayed by Matt Schaub (Texans have basically done by the way the exact opposite of what they've been predicted to do in EVERY GAME this year). Mark Sanchez played one of the worst games a QB can ever play in the NFL (5 INT's, QB rating of ocho point dos. Yes 8.2). And thanks to Kurt Warner 32/41 day, Matt Leinart may be riding the bench forever (although I did notice he got in for garbage time late, yay Matt!)
4. I was right to think the QB position is back baby!
And Warner doesn't make this list! Eight 300 yard passers on Sunday (6 of them won), a ton of 250+, 2 TD's to go with it as well. Unless your name is Sanchez or Manning (I hold my head in shame for NY), lot of QBs are playing the position very well right now to start the season. At times you can't get any better.
5. I was wrong to think the Titans had pride.
Seriously? 59-0 loss to the Pats? I know your secondary is bad, but holy crap! 59-0, with 5 TD passes in the 2nd quarter. Bill Bellicheck must have been having an orgasm as visions of the regular seasom of 2007 were dancing in his head. But why would you keep Brady into the 3rd? Are you asking for trouble? By the way...Vince Young had 2 passes. Think it's safe to say the Titans NEED to look at QB this offseason.
6. I was right to think the Cards did have pride.
27-3 over the Seahawks and a renewed sense of confidence (from me, dunno bout anyone else), that this is the Cardinals division. Now all of a sudden, a bad Sunday night game on paper few weeks ago (Arizona-Giants) is dangerous for the G-Men, not just for Big Blue's secondary issues, but cause that's a trap game from NY (come off demoralizing loss, big divisional game week after versus Philly).
7. We ALL were wrong on Philly-Oakland.
Here is that one game that knocked you all out of your knockout pool (ONLY TAKE A ROAD TEAM IF YOU HAVE TO!). Philadelphia threw it 46 times, and gave it to Brian Westbrook 6 times, typical Andy Reid. When Oakland connected on that 85 yard TD pass to Zach Miller, I don't think anyone needed it more than the Raiders. Speaking of...JaMarcus Russell...17/28! Not too shabby, I can even overlook the 2 INTs.
8. We were all right on how bad the Redskins are.
First team in NFL history to play 6, yes 6 winless teams to start a season, and essentially they were 9 points away from being winless themselves. I thought 6-10 for Washington to start the season, now I may have to adjust that more. I'm never in favor of firing a coach mid-season, but Jim Zorn should give up more than just calling plays.
9. I was wrong on...that #4 guy.
I didn't think the Vikings would need him as much (and I didn't think he would deliver), but Brett Favre, when asked to drive his team down the field for a winning, has already done it twice to start the season. Now yes both were at home, but the teams they played (San Fran, now Baltimore), were halfway decent. With the Vikings (The Vikings!) now 6-0, I think it's safe to say Brett Favre can't even screw this team out of the playoffs this year,
10. I was right to say the best team in the NFL was the Saints.
Wow. I know the Giants secondary is banged up, but wow. That's a woodshed beating there. Said they were the NFL's best through the 1st quarter of 2009 and now no one can disagree. This was a beautiful offensive performance from Start to finish. Absolutely freaking amazing. I have no words to say. I can criticize the Giants not playing together, but that would be unfair. This was all the Saints playing good...on this night.
It's the NFL, I can be wrong in just one week. I'll see you next week.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Hey this is the Genius and I'm here to talk NBA basketball. First off, I LOVE IT, can't get enough of it. I have a hunger for watching bodies colliding in the post, and crossover dribbles that paralyze the defense. Seeing unbelievable players on a nightly basis who are without a doubt, the world's best. I find it hard to watch sometimes mainly because I am a NY Knicks fan and unless you've been living under a rock for a while, you understand my pain. Something else that typically bothers me no matter what game I'm watching is the officiating. It's appalling! Almost makes you sick to your stomach. And with the recent debate between David Stern and Lamell McMorris the unions lead negotiator for the referees, it seems the lock out of the normally bad officials will continue. Which means when the season starts on Oct 27 we can look forward to even worse officiating by a bunch of schleps oh...excuse me back-up referees. This idea stinks like the back of a garbage truck... So my question to you is "How bad could it be?"
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Greetings All, Jay from On The Sportslines here.
Being stuck home with pneumonia sucks out loud, but when you're not coughing your guts up you do have time to ponder things, sports-related and otherwise. I'll leave the "otherwise" for a different forum. The sports-related stuff I'm going to spew out here. Pun intended.
October is my favorite month of the year. Baseball is in post-season form; the NFL and College Football are well into their seasons; the NHL has just dropped the puck on a new Quest for Lord Stanley's Cup and basketball is just around the corner. Oh yeah, and my birthday happens to be in October.
Said birthday is less than a week away, so in that time-honored tradition of making a wish before you blow out the candles on your cake, I'm going to make some sports wishes. These wishes are along the lines of if I were allowed to be in charge of sports for my birthday and could change one thing, what would I change.
First up, baseball. I LOVE October baseball and if I could make one change I'd have ALL weekend games played in DAYLIGHT on both Saturday AND Sunday. Baseball has money coming out of it's ears and after all, it's the PLAYOFFS! Advertisers will pay WHATEVER baseball wants them to WHENEVER the games run. So, for once, how about we think of the KIDS and play the games while the sun is still up. I'd even go so far as to have Friday night games start at 4pm -again, for the kids. I could go off about how the All-Star game determining home field in the Series is idiotic, but that's something SO idiotic that I won't waste a birthday wish on it.
Second, the NFL. Not much wrong with the NFL these days, Mr. Goodell has done a nice job so far. Being an old QB, I'll never agree with Ray Lewis regarding his stance that the league over-protects QBs. Sorry Ray, QB's are the face of the league, not guys like you. You may be the heart/soul, but not the face and sports leagues need their faces intact. So with that in mind, the thing I'd change would be the No Fun League nonsense. I'm sorry, but Wes Welker shouldn't have been penalized for excessive celebrating for doing a snow angel after scoring a TD in a blizzard in New England last year. Now I'm not going be okay with T.O. and the Star stomping in Dallas, but let these guys have a LITTLE bit of fun. Love him or hate him, Chad Ocho can be entertaining after scoring a TD. Oh, yeah, a caveat, no more of this BULLSHITE "Look at me" celebrating for things like getting 6 yards on a 3rd and 5. Or sacking the QB so that he can't convert that 3rd and 5. Hey, Dumbass WR-RB/DE-LB, that's nothing to dance about, it's called DOING YOUR JOB.
Third, College Football. While I would love to wish the BCS away and replace it with the playoff the sport SO desperately needs, that one also falls under the heading of a rant about something SO idiotic I won't waste a birthday wish on it. So, instead, I'm going to change the rankings. I don't believe in pre-season rankings. How can you rank teams purely using speculation? That said, if you're going to do that, well, then the rankings shouldn't change for at least the first month of the season. Let everyone play 3 games minimum, then rank the teams for real. It's about the ONLY thing the BCS does right - not releasing it's first set of rankings until about mid-season. They'll be out on Sunday, October 18.
Fourth, the NHL. Great season last year, ending with a Stanley Cup rematch. Never been a big fan of the NHL's Commish, but he hasn't COMPLETELY sucked since the lockout ended. I would have the league promote it's best players A LOT BETTER. I know, I know, hockey is traditionally all about the team, but the greatest show on ice should borrow from it's hardwood brothers. Hype Sid the Kid, Geno, Ovie, King Henrik and Jarome, the way the NBA does for Shaq, Kobe, King James, D-Wade and Melo. We may root for laundry, but we also identify with players.
And finally, the NBA. All Hallows Eve usually signifies the tip-off of another NBA campaign. The thing I'd change would be the universe, so that we'd have a season where the stars stay healthy for the entire year. I know the folks in DC and Houston can seriously relate to this one. How about no tricks this year, just the treats of seeing the best players in the world, bringing their A-Game EVERY night. Resolving the ref thing would be nice too, but I'll leave that heavy lifting to Mr. Stern.
As for my personal birthday sports wish, well, I make the same one on my birthday every October the Yankees are in the post-season and USC plays AT the Golden Dome. That unique double hasn't happened in my lifetime. Yet.
Being stuck home with pneumonia sucks out loud, but when you're not coughing your guts up you do have time to ponder things, sports-related and otherwise. I'll leave the "otherwise" for a different forum. The sports-related stuff I'm going to spew out here. Pun intended.
October is my favorite month of the year. Baseball is in post-season form; the NFL and College Football are well into their seasons; the NHL has just dropped the puck on a new Quest for Lord Stanley's Cup and basketball is just around the corner. Oh yeah, and my birthday happens to be in October.
Said birthday is less than a week away, so in that time-honored tradition of making a wish before you blow out the candles on your cake, I'm going to make some sports wishes. These wishes are along the lines of if I were allowed to be in charge of sports for my birthday and could change one thing, what would I change.
First up, baseball. I LOVE October baseball and if I could make one change I'd have ALL weekend games played in DAYLIGHT on both Saturday AND Sunday. Baseball has money coming out of it's ears and after all, it's the PLAYOFFS! Advertisers will pay WHATEVER baseball wants them to WHENEVER the games run. So, for once, how about we think of the KIDS and play the games while the sun is still up. I'd even go so far as to have Friday night games start at 4pm -again, for the kids. I could go off about how the All-Star game determining home field in the Series is idiotic, but that's something SO idiotic that I won't waste a birthday wish on it.
Second, the NFL. Not much wrong with the NFL these days, Mr. Goodell has done a nice job so far. Being an old QB, I'll never agree with Ray Lewis regarding his stance that the league over-protects QBs. Sorry Ray, QB's are the face of the league, not guys like you. You may be the heart/soul, but not the face and sports leagues need their faces intact. So with that in mind, the thing I'd change would be the No Fun League nonsense. I'm sorry, but Wes Welker shouldn't have been penalized for excessive celebrating for doing a snow angel after scoring a TD in a blizzard in New England last year. Now I'm not going be okay with T.O. and the Star stomping in Dallas, but let these guys have a LITTLE bit of fun. Love him or hate him, Chad Ocho can be entertaining after scoring a TD. Oh, yeah, a caveat, no more of this BULLSHITE "Look at me" celebrating for things like getting 6 yards on a 3rd and 5. Or sacking the QB so that he can't convert that 3rd and 5. Hey, Dumbass WR-RB/DE-LB, that's nothing to dance about, it's called DOING YOUR JOB.
Third, College Football. While I would love to wish the BCS away and replace it with the playoff the sport SO desperately needs, that one also falls under the heading of a rant about something SO idiotic I won't waste a birthday wish on it. So, instead, I'm going to change the rankings. I don't believe in pre-season rankings. How can you rank teams purely using speculation? That said, if you're going to do that, well, then the rankings shouldn't change for at least the first month of the season. Let everyone play 3 games minimum, then rank the teams for real. It's about the ONLY thing the BCS does right - not releasing it's first set of rankings until about mid-season. They'll be out on Sunday, October 18.
Fourth, the NHL. Great season last year, ending with a Stanley Cup rematch. Never been a big fan of the NHL's Commish, but he hasn't COMPLETELY sucked since the lockout ended. I would have the league promote it's best players A LOT BETTER. I know, I know, hockey is traditionally all about the team, but the greatest show on ice should borrow from it's hardwood brothers. Hype Sid the Kid, Geno, Ovie, King Henrik and Jarome, the way the NBA does for Shaq, Kobe, King James, D-Wade and Melo. We may root for laundry, but we also identify with players.
And finally, the NBA. All Hallows Eve usually signifies the tip-off of another NBA campaign. The thing I'd change would be the universe, so that we'd have a season where the stars stay healthy for the entire year. I know the folks in DC and Houston can seriously relate to this one. How about no tricks this year, just the treats of seeing the best players in the world, bringing their A-Game EVERY night. Resolving the ref thing would be nice too, but I'll leave that heavy lifting to Mr. Stern.
As for my personal birthday sports wish, well, I make the same one on my birthday every October the Yankees are in the post-season and USC plays AT the Golden Dome. That unique double hasn't happened in my lifetime. Yet.
Baseball's Best
Tonight the Championship Season begins.
Here's my new revised picks (as I only got 2 series right before). I'll start with the American League. My thoughs haven't changed. It feels like a Yankee year. (Again I'm NOT a Yankees fan)They have home-field advantage, they don't have any glaing weaknesses and they have Mo to close. The only difference in this series from the last one, is the Angels are a better team than the Twins.
Prediction: Yanks in 6
Now the National league. I see this as a pick 'em series. The phillies have better starting pitching. But the Dodgers have a vastly superior bullpen. Hitting, defense, coaching, speed & power? A case could be made for both teams. So when it comes right down to it I'm not sure so I'll sort of pick both.
Prediction: Dodgers in 6 - But if the series goes 7 games I flip to the phils.
Iggy
Tonight the Championship Season begins.
Here's my new revised picks (as I only got 2 series right before). I'll start with the American League. My thoughs haven't changed. It feels like a Yankee year. (Again I'm NOT a Yankees fan)They have home-field advantage, they don't have any glaing weaknesses and they have Mo to close. The only difference in this series from the last one, is the Angels are a better team than the Twins.
Prediction: Yanks in 6
Now the National league. I see this as a pick 'em series. The phillies have better starting pitching. But the Dodgers have a vastly superior bullpen. Hitting, defense, coaching, speed & power? A case could be made for both teams. So when it comes right down to it I'm not sure so I'll sort of pick both.
Prediction: Dodgers in 6 - But if the series goes 7 games I flip to the phils.
Iggy
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Hey...there are some college football games this weekend, aren't they?
FIVE, count em, FIVE, big matchups between ranked teams! I'm so excited, I just can't wait...(OK for one I can, get to that in a moment)
#8 Cincinnatti AT #21 South Florida- Tomm., 7:45 pm, ESPN
Gotta love Cincy, the best team you've never heard about. Heck, they may be better than their in state neighbors in Ohio State.....Anyway, in one of the only chances for the Big East to shine, it will be an odd battle of QBs: Cincy QB Tony Pike, who had to go through a load of injuries to get the starting job a season ago, versus South Florida's B.J. Daniels, 2-0 as a starter with a win at FSU. In past years, when the going gets tough in season, South Florida usually goes home. Hate to say it, but if Cincy is gonna get tripped up, it's not here. Bearcats win 35-20.
#20 Oklahoma Vs. #3 Texas- Sat. Noon, ABC
The battle for the Big 12 South!....has lost a little luster. Don't tell that to Oklahoma, who with this game takes control of the Big 12 South, and they can rub it in Texas' face that they beat them this year and should be ranked ahead of them! Yeah! Um...meanwhile Sam Bradford's counterpart will be the versitile Colt McCoy, who while unimpressive has at least replicated the same success he had a year ago. However, a lot of people think Alabama, not Michigan, is the #2 team in the nation, and the BCS standings should show that when they come out Sunday. Not gonna matter in the long run, but that'll make Texas play with a chip on their shoulder. Just like last year, Longhorns win 45-35.
#6 USC At #25 Notre Dame- Sat 3:30 pm, NBC
This is the game that can save Charlie Weis' job. Despite a 4-1 record, people are knocking the Irish for struggling to beat...well their last 3 opponents, all below .500 teams. However, Notre Dame is an improved team from a year ago. No one will care though if Matt Barkley and the USC Trojans put a hurting on the Irish again. Many things on the line in this one: Weis and his future, Barkley's early legacy, Irish QB Jimmy Clausen's Heisman hopes, and USC's National Title hopes. This is Notre Dame's best chance for a win over the Trojans since the Bush Push in 2005. I think they get the win. Irish 23-20.
#4 Virginia Tech At #19 Georgia Tech- Sat 6 pm, ESPN2
Ever since the Hokies lost to the Crimson Tide to start the season, you can argue that Va Tech has the best body of work (minus the duke game, but shhhhhhhh). Va tech took care of one rival in Week 4, Miami, but now to stay on top of the coastal and have a tough lead for other teams in the ACc Coastal to come back from, the Hokies must stop the Option attack of the Ramblin Wreck of Georgia Tech. GT's defense has been subpar this season, and so has their passing. The fact that they have a pair of 500 yard rushers makes up for it. But I can trust a defense that gave up 44 to FSU a week ago! Hokies 41, Yellow Jackets 21.
#22 South Carolina At #2 Alabama- Sat, 7:45 pm, ESPN
So, yeah, what the hell happened to Ole Miss! The Crimson Tide stomped on them defensively last week from start to finish! Now is the next test for the uncrowned #1 team, a date with the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks rank 15th in Division 1 in defense (you know, typical of a Spurrier South Carolina team), but the Crimson Tide right now are hitting on all cylinders. I'm not in favor of them being #1, cause the Gators deserve that title till proven otherwise, but damn if Alabama doesn't flex the muscle right here. Tide 20, Cocks 6.
Let me know your thoughts....this should be a big week for COLLEGE FOOTBALL.
FIVE, count em, FIVE, big matchups between ranked teams! I'm so excited, I just can't wait...(OK for one I can, get to that in a moment)
#8 Cincinnatti AT #21 South Florida- Tomm., 7:45 pm, ESPN
Gotta love Cincy, the best team you've never heard about. Heck, they may be better than their in state neighbors in Ohio State.....Anyway, in one of the only chances for the Big East to shine, it will be an odd battle of QBs: Cincy QB Tony Pike, who had to go through a load of injuries to get the starting job a season ago, versus South Florida's B.J. Daniels, 2-0 as a starter with a win at FSU. In past years, when the going gets tough in season, South Florida usually goes home. Hate to say it, but if Cincy is gonna get tripped up, it's not here. Bearcats win 35-20.
#20 Oklahoma Vs. #3 Texas- Sat. Noon, ABC
The battle for the Big 12 South!....has lost a little luster. Don't tell that to Oklahoma, who with this game takes control of the Big 12 South, and they can rub it in Texas' face that they beat them this year and should be ranked ahead of them! Yeah! Um...meanwhile Sam Bradford's counterpart will be the versitile Colt McCoy, who while unimpressive has at least replicated the same success he had a year ago. However, a lot of people think Alabama, not Michigan, is the #2 team in the nation, and the BCS standings should show that when they come out Sunday. Not gonna matter in the long run, but that'll make Texas play with a chip on their shoulder. Just like last year, Longhorns win 45-35.
#6 USC At #25 Notre Dame- Sat 3:30 pm, NBC
This is the game that can save Charlie Weis' job. Despite a 4-1 record, people are knocking the Irish for struggling to beat...well their last 3 opponents, all below .500 teams. However, Notre Dame is an improved team from a year ago. No one will care though if Matt Barkley and the USC Trojans put a hurting on the Irish again. Many things on the line in this one: Weis and his future, Barkley's early legacy, Irish QB Jimmy Clausen's Heisman hopes, and USC's National Title hopes. This is Notre Dame's best chance for a win over the Trojans since the Bush Push in 2005. I think they get the win. Irish 23-20.
#4 Virginia Tech At #19 Georgia Tech- Sat 6 pm, ESPN2
Ever since the Hokies lost to the Crimson Tide to start the season, you can argue that Va Tech has the best body of work (minus the duke game, but shhhhhhhh). Va tech took care of one rival in Week 4, Miami, but now to stay on top of the coastal and have a tough lead for other teams in the ACc Coastal to come back from, the Hokies must stop the Option attack of the Ramblin Wreck of Georgia Tech. GT's defense has been subpar this season, and so has their passing. The fact that they have a pair of 500 yard rushers makes up for it. But I can trust a defense that gave up 44 to FSU a week ago! Hokies 41, Yellow Jackets 21.
#22 South Carolina At #2 Alabama- Sat, 7:45 pm, ESPN
So, yeah, what the hell happened to Ole Miss! The Crimson Tide stomped on them defensively last week from start to finish! Now is the next test for the uncrowned #1 team, a date with the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks rank 15th in Division 1 in defense (you know, typical of a Spurrier South Carolina team), but the Crimson Tide right now are hitting on all cylinders. I'm not in favor of them being #1, cause the Gators deserve that title till proven otherwise, but damn if Alabama doesn't flex the muscle right here. Tide 20, Cocks 6.
Let me know your thoughts....this should be a big week for COLLEGE FOOTBALL.
Monday, October 12, 2009
I ROOT FOR THE LAUNDRY
Simply put, the Jets needed a WR. There were plenty of talented wideouts available. Plaxico Burress if you wanted to take a shot, Denver's alleged gf beater Brandon Marshall or oops I dropped it again Cleveland's Braylon Edwards. After looking at the options I think the Jets did the right thing by not doing anything. But as you know by now last week the Jets traded 2 players and 2 picks to Cleveland for Edwards. I don't like the deal. I don't like the player. I think he will disrupt the team or worse drop passes and unsettle our young QB. All that being said I will be in front of my TV in a few hours watching the Jets take on the Dolphins. And I will be rooting like hell for Edwards to stretch the defense and make some noise. Why would I do this? Because he's now wearing Jet green. He's wearing the laundry of my team. So after all is said and done he may turn out to be a problem but he's our problem now. J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!
Iggy
Sunday, October 11, 2009
My name is The Rabbi. OK, I honestly should be on top of the world after this weekend. The Giants are 5-0, the Yankees just won their first playoff series in 5 years (I know, surprising to me too when I say that), and New York is really the epicenter of sports these days. But....
My college lost their homecoming game on Saturday. Hofstra University shit the bed, so to speak.
See, that's really one of the only teams I can claim. That truly is MY team, I went to the college. When I see MY team lose 16-14 on 7 (yes 7 turnovers) on Homecoming, with me in attendance, it kinda puts a damper to the weekend. With that being said, it's time to come home to a new Sunday tradition....
10 Things we learned about Week 5- What You See Is NOT What You Get (usually)
1. You CAN win a game without a passing attack.
I'm not talking about my High School team, the North Babylon Bulldogs which won 12-7 over the weekend, attempting 0 passes, I'm talking about the Cleveland Browns. 6-3. They beat the Bills. A whopping 2-17 by Random Brown QB of the week (Don't know if it was Quinn or Anderson, don't care). This season was so bad for Eric Mangini, he said this after the game.
"The way it turned out, I thought it was beautiful,"
I guess when you're the Browns, any win is beautiful.
2. You CAN also win a game without a rushing attack.
But you kinda need both, no. The Eagles won today despite only 18 yards from their leading ruusher Brian Westbrook. Nice job, Donavan McNabb (for once picking up Westbrook when he did it to you all these years), but I gotta believe you both need to be in sync to beat the Giants later in the season.
3. However, when your passer and rusher is Shaun Hill and Glen Coffee....
You lose! Atlanta exploded on the NFC West leaders San Fran (which kind of makes me think that the Vikings aren't that good given their last second win), and they scored 45 points, had a 300 yard passer and an almost 100 yard rusher. The boo birds were out loud for the Niners, who by the way, are the leaders of an NFC division. Parody does exist kids!...so does mediocrity.
4. Then there's the team that doesn't qualify for any of these categories....
How bout them Cowboys! More like, what the hell are these Cowboys? I mean is Tony Romo a good QB? (he threw to Miles Austin for 10 catches and 250 yards for godsakes) Should Marion Barber give up carries to Tashard Choice? (Barber is a better 3rd down runner and was at his best as a late game back, and you still have Felix Jones) All I know is, the old Jerry Jones that wasn't focusing on his new stadium would not accept multiple years of 9-7 and 10-6, he wouldn't.
5. Speaking of the Cowboys....
Finally had time to watch the pregame shows, CBS in particular. Shannon "mushmouth" Sharpe basically bashed Tony Romo as an above average QB. But later when he said the Broncos were for real...everyone mentioned his Romo point back to him. I, probably for the only time (as a bitter Giants fan who saw Sharpe win his 3rd Super Bowl win against the G-Men), agree with Sharpe. We were touting Cowboys-Broncos as a big game last week, so they are for real when they win that game. Now that they've once again beaten the Pats in Denver...they're for real! Um....that is till their big Monday night showdown next week vs. San Diego.
6. Baseball Break!
Sorry Red Sox, you were flawed this year and the Angels did exactly what people thought they should do for the last 4 meeting vs you guys in the postseason...wear out your starters, get to your bullpen. THAT EASY. Now Sox fans can watch as the Yankees probably get run over (for at least one game), by the Angels. But, more on that next week. Final note: isn't it nice to see the legend of Papelbon be scored upon. If he ever compares himself to the Great Mariano ever again, PLEASE show them that tape of this Game 3.
7. Carson Palmer, unlike Papelbon is a closer.
So, you got the TD in the last minute against Denver (yes it was moot but Palmer led him there). There was the TD in the final minute to beat the Steelers. The TD in the final 2 minutes against the Browns to send the game into OT. And of course today when Carson Palmer got past the vaunted Ravens D to score the game winning TD and get the upset 17-14. I know he's no Brett Favre (and frankly, who is...excuse me while I roll my eyes). He's not John Elway, but Carson Palmer is not only BACK, he's one of the 5 QBs you want at crunchtime.
8. A note of sorry....sort of.
I've always made fun of the Lions, you gotta truly feel for them. Tough schedule (NFC North and AFC North makes up half the schedule), 3/4 of the frackin crowd were Steelers fans (hello Super Bowl 40), and injuries in back to back weeks to their #1 QB, and their #1 WR. Jim Schwartz, as a reward, I'm leaving you out of Question #9.
9. Who's really the worst?
Let's discount the Lions and figure out the worst team in the NFL. I have it down to 4: Bills, Browns, Chiefs, and Raiders. The Bills looked good at the start of the season, but they lost to the BROWNS. The Chiefs are winless, but they started the season without Matt Cassel and lost against the Raiders without him, they're out. I'd count the Bills or Browns, but let's truthfully put the Raiders in their rightful place here. I saw them in a 3rd and 22 situation on Defense and laughed when I said " of course this is an easy conversion!". The Giants got 34 on a SCREEN. Unacceptable. I know you won a game boys, but you will always be last in my hearts...bringing me to...
10. Who's really the best?
Giants? Nah, they are playing the best right now, but that's just taking care of buisness. They just beat Dallas at the gun, which is nice, but that last 3 weeks schedule is kinda deterent to me. They're still #3. Colts? Love to, but I keep thinking about all their early season success (sans a year ago). These wins are great, but it's just way too early. They've been impressive but haven't beaten an impressive team yet...so the answer (for now) is the Saints. They've won the high flying offensive way (vs Philly) and the really defensive way (vs the J-E-T-S.). They have the biggest variety of the wins, so they're top dog. That is till next week. Giants will be coming to town.
You know with Angels-Yankees starting Friday, that game may be under the radar...just how the G-Men like it. See you next Sunday night.
My college lost their homecoming game on Saturday. Hofstra University shit the bed, so to speak.
See, that's really one of the only teams I can claim. That truly is MY team, I went to the college. When I see MY team lose 16-14 on 7 (yes 7 turnovers) on Homecoming, with me in attendance, it kinda puts a damper to the weekend. With that being said, it's time to come home to a new Sunday tradition....
10 Things we learned about Week 5- What You See Is NOT What You Get (usually)
1. You CAN win a game without a passing attack.
I'm not talking about my High School team, the North Babylon Bulldogs which won 12-7 over the weekend, attempting 0 passes, I'm talking about the Cleveland Browns. 6-3. They beat the Bills. A whopping 2-17 by Random Brown QB of the week (Don't know if it was Quinn or Anderson, don't care). This season was so bad for Eric Mangini, he said this after the game.
"The way it turned out, I thought it was beautiful,"
I guess when you're the Browns, any win is beautiful.
2. You CAN also win a game without a rushing attack.
But you kinda need both, no. The Eagles won today despite only 18 yards from their leading ruusher Brian Westbrook. Nice job, Donavan McNabb (for once picking up Westbrook when he did it to you all these years), but I gotta believe you both need to be in sync to beat the Giants later in the season.
3. However, when your passer and rusher is Shaun Hill and Glen Coffee....
You lose! Atlanta exploded on the NFC West leaders San Fran (which kind of makes me think that the Vikings aren't that good given their last second win), and they scored 45 points, had a 300 yard passer and an almost 100 yard rusher. The boo birds were out loud for the Niners, who by the way, are the leaders of an NFC division. Parody does exist kids!...so does mediocrity.
4. Then there's the team that doesn't qualify for any of these categories....
How bout them Cowboys! More like, what the hell are these Cowboys? I mean is Tony Romo a good QB? (he threw to Miles Austin for 10 catches and 250 yards for godsakes) Should Marion Barber give up carries to Tashard Choice? (Barber is a better 3rd down runner and was at his best as a late game back, and you still have Felix Jones) All I know is, the old Jerry Jones that wasn't focusing on his new stadium would not accept multiple years of 9-7 and 10-6, he wouldn't.
5. Speaking of the Cowboys....
Finally had time to watch the pregame shows, CBS in particular. Shannon "mushmouth" Sharpe basically bashed Tony Romo as an above average QB. But later when he said the Broncos were for real...everyone mentioned his Romo point back to him. I, probably for the only time (as a bitter Giants fan who saw Sharpe win his 3rd Super Bowl win against the G-Men), agree with Sharpe. We were touting Cowboys-Broncos as a big game last week, so they are for real when they win that game. Now that they've once again beaten the Pats in Denver...they're for real! Um....that is till their big Monday night showdown next week vs. San Diego.
6. Baseball Break!
Sorry Red Sox, you were flawed this year and the Angels did exactly what people thought they should do for the last 4 meeting vs you guys in the postseason...wear out your starters, get to your bullpen. THAT EASY. Now Sox fans can watch as the Yankees probably get run over (for at least one game), by the Angels. But, more on that next week. Final note: isn't it nice to see the legend of Papelbon be scored upon. If he ever compares himself to the Great Mariano ever again, PLEASE show them that tape of this Game 3.
7. Carson Palmer, unlike Papelbon is a closer.
So, you got the TD in the last minute against Denver (yes it was moot but Palmer led him there). There was the TD in the final minute to beat the Steelers. The TD in the final 2 minutes against the Browns to send the game into OT. And of course today when Carson Palmer got past the vaunted Ravens D to score the game winning TD and get the upset 17-14. I know he's no Brett Favre (and frankly, who is...excuse me while I roll my eyes). He's not John Elway, but Carson Palmer is not only BACK, he's one of the 5 QBs you want at crunchtime.
8. A note of sorry....sort of.
I've always made fun of the Lions, you gotta truly feel for them. Tough schedule (NFC North and AFC North makes up half the schedule), 3/4 of the frackin crowd were Steelers fans (hello Super Bowl 40), and injuries in back to back weeks to their #1 QB, and their #1 WR. Jim Schwartz, as a reward, I'm leaving you out of Question #9.
9. Who's really the worst?
Let's discount the Lions and figure out the worst team in the NFL. I have it down to 4: Bills, Browns, Chiefs, and Raiders. The Bills looked good at the start of the season, but they lost to the BROWNS. The Chiefs are winless, but they started the season without Matt Cassel and lost against the Raiders without him, they're out. I'd count the Bills or Browns, but let's truthfully put the Raiders in their rightful place here. I saw them in a 3rd and 22 situation on Defense and laughed when I said " of course this is an easy conversion!". The Giants got 34 on a SCREEN. Unacceptable. I know you won a game boys, but you will always be last in my hearts...bringing me to...
10. Who's really the best?
Giants? Nah, they are playing the best right now, but that's just taking care of buisness. They just beat Dallas at the gun, which is nice, but that last 3 weeks schedule is kinda deterent to me. They're still #3. Colts? Love to, but I keep thinking about all their early season success (sans a year ago). These wins are great, but it's just way too early. They've been impressive but haven't beaten an impressive team yet...so the answer (for now) is the Saints. They've won the high flying offensive way (vs Philly) and the really defensive way (vs the J-E-T-S.). They have the biggest variety of the wins, so they're top dog. That is till next week. Giants will be coming to town.
You know with Angels-Yankees starting Friday, that game may be under the radar...just how the G-Men like it. See you next Sunday night.
Greetings all, Jay from "On The Sportslines" here. Like the rest of the OTSL team I will be posting to this blog when the sports world inspires or irks me. Here we go.
The Yankees have just swept the Twins and will be taking on one of their "favorite" post-season foils - the California Angels (give me a break with this Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim crap) in the ALCS. Any other year, this might fill me with some SERIOUS trepidation, but not this year.
Maybe it's the new stadium. Maybe it's the way the big free-agent acquisitions have done their jobs both on the field and in the clubhouse - pie anyone? Maybe it's Joe Girardi having a clue in year two. Maybe it's A-Rod FINALLY realizing he should just shut up and play (Kate, if you're responsible for getting him to see the light, BLESS YOU!)
This year things just seem different. So this year, the Angels go down, the NL opponent to be named as World Series victim goes down and the Yankees end Year One at the new digs with title #27. I've had this feeling ALL season. The slow start didn't shake it, A-Rod's dramatic return didn't cement it.
Now everyone knows I am an unabashed Yankee fan, but my OTSL colleague Steve Ferguson (an unabashed Met fan) will tell you, I'm also VERY objective. So for all you haters who say "Well, if the Yankees win the Series it's because they went out and bought it like always." Here's some objective reality for you: the Yankees spending sprees have NOT always produced titles.
This year it might, but hey, Tex, CC & AJ didn't HAVE to come here. Not EVERY free agent wants this intense scrutiny and the pressure to live up the ALL the history. As for the money? What? The Yankees AREN'T supposed to use it to get the best players they can? Unfair advantage you say? So what? From Opening Day till the last day of the season - whenever that is - in between those white lines baseball is a game where fair is fair and foul is foul and all the teams play by those rules. As it should be, it's what makes baseball great.
But during the offseason baseball IS A BUSINESS. And business has different rules. Sometimes those rules screw over smaller business trying to compete with the Big Boys. Is that fair? Absolutely not, but fair or foul, the rules are the rules and ALL baseball teams play by these rules too.
The Yankees have always been willing to pay the largest percentage of the money that goes into MLB's revenue sharing pot. It doesn't bother them, they will take the hit in the pocketbook if it means the hits Mark Teixeira sends out of the park happen with him in pinstripes. If your team can't or won't go with that strategy, don't hate on the Yankees.
Every business has a strategy for success that maximizes their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses. The Yankees are no different. They are allowed to use all assets at their disposal to gain a competitive advantage so long as they do it within the rules. When they do, I applaud them. When they don't, I have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER tearing them a new one.
Bottom line. Once you make it to the post-season, David has JUST as much chance to beat Goliath as the Evil Empire has of defeating the Rebel Alliance. Yeah, I just mixed the bible with Sci-Fi to make a sports point. Those of you who watch the show shouldn't be surprised. But back to said point. From Aaron Boone in 2003 to those Idiot Redsox in 2004, once you get to October, ANYTHING can happen.
Just not this year. 3 wins in the books, 8 more to go. 11=27.
The Yankees have just swept the Twins and will be taking on one of their "favorite" post-season foils - the California Angels (give me a break with this Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim crap) in the ALCS. Any other year, this might fill me with some SERIOUS trepidation, but not this year.
Maybe it's the new stadium. Maybe it's the way the big free-agent acquisitions have done their jobs both on the field and in the clubhouse - pie anyone? Maybe it's Joe Girardi having a clue in year two. Maybe it's A-Rod FINALLY realizing he should just shut up and play (Kate, if you're responsible for getting him to see the light, BLESS YOU!)
This year things just seem different. So this year, the Angels go down, the NL opponent to be named as World Series victim goes down and the Yankees end Year One at the new digs with title #27. I've had this feeling ALL season. The slow start didn't shake it, A-Rod's dramatic return didn't cement it.
Now everyone knows I am an unabashed Yankee fan, but my OTSL colleague Steve Ferguson (an unabashed Met fan) will tell you, I'm also VERY objective. So for all you haters who say "Well, if the Yankees win the Series it's because they went out and bought it like always." Here's some objective reality for you: the Yankees spending sprees have NOT always produced titles.
This year it might, but hey, Tex, CC & AJ didn't HAVE to come here. Not EVERY free agent wants this intense scrutiny and the pressure to live up the ALL the history. As for the money? What? The Yankees AREN'T supposed to use it to get the best players they can? Unfair advantage you say? So what? From Opening Day till the last day of the season - whenever that is - in between those white lines baseball is a game where fair is fair and foul is foul and all the teams play by those rules. As it should be, it's what makes baseball great.
But during the offseason baseball IS A BUSINESS. And business has different rules. Sometimes those rules screw over smaller business trying to compete with the Big Boys. Is that fair? Absolutely not, but fair or foul, the rules are the rules and ALL baseball teams play by these rules too.
The Yankees have always been willing to pay the largest percentage of the money that goes into MLB's revenue sharing pot. It doesn't bother them, they will take the hit in the pocketbook if it means the hits Mark Teixeira sends out of the park happen with him in pinstripes. If your team can't or won't go with that strategy, don't hate on the Yankees.
Every business has a strategy for success that maximizes their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses. The Yankees are no different. They are allowed to use all assets at their disposal to gain a competitive advantage so long as they do it within the rules. When they do, I applaud them. When they don't, I have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER tearing them a new one.
Bottom line. Once you make it to the post-season, David has JUST as much chance to beat Goliath as the Evil Empire has of defeating the Rebel Alliance. Yeah, I just mixed the bible with Sci-Fi to make a sports point. Those of you who watch the show shouldn't be surprised. But back to said point. From Aaron Boone in 2003 to those Idiot Redsox in 2004, once you get to October, ANYTHING can happen.
Just not this year. 3 wins in the books, 8 more to go. 11=27.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
To anyone who cares:
Here's my picks for the MLB postseason:
phillies over Rockies - 4-0 Boy it hurts to say but the phils will win. It won't matter that the bullpen is horrible in this round.
Cardinals beat the Dodgers - 4-2 Sorry Joe, but you don't have the starting pitching you had in NY
Yankees sweep the Twinkies - Thanks for a great play in game guys. But you just don't match up to the billion dollar pinstripers.
Red Sox sneak by the Angels - 4-3 - For no other reason than, well let's face it everyone wants to see NY vs Bos.
Then the good part: The Cardinals to beat the phillies - 4-2 - Offense only can only get you so far philly.
Yanks defeat The Sox - 4-2 - The Yanks are really well rounded and it feels like it's their year
The World Series Champions for the 27th time is The NY Yankees. Who will deal the Cards a bitter defeat in 7 games.
BTW- I'm a diehard (some years more than other) Mets fan. So there is no Yankee bias. I just calls them as I sees them. Let me know why I'm right or wrong.
Iggy
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Hey, my name is The Rabbi, and this is the first official post of the On The Sportslines blog. On The Sportslines is a bi-weekly show that can be seen live every other Thursday's at 9 in the Manhattan area on Time Warner Cable on Ch. 36 or can be seen that weekend on youtube.com/onthesportslines.
I and others will try to contribute here, starting with this (hopefully) regular feature I will post every weekend during the football season, titled 10 things we learned. 10 things that highlighted the Sunday slate of games in the National Football league. Here goes nothing....(by the way, the list is not a Top 10 list, so it's just going from 1 to 10).
Each week I will try to have a theme. This week, a show on ESPN2 called Sportsnation inspired me for this list. This upcoming Monday they plan to do a show where they will break the World's record for mentioning Brett Favre's name the most number of times in an hour. So, I will try to break the world's record for a blog post and not mention Favre's name from NOW till the end of the blog. So here we go.....
10 Things We Learned from Sunday In Week 4- The NON #4 edition
1. Donavan McNabb is not alone.
Sure I can mention the exciting Battle of Ohio that went down today between the Browns and Bengals (where Cincy won 23-20), but I really don't wanna talk about that. I'd rather tell you about this quote from the guy who was color commentator for the game, former NFL QB Rich Gannon. Here's the situation, it's overtime, and we're down to the final :7, when Bengal coach Marvin Lewis calls a timeout in order to have time to set up a field goal inside the Brown 20. Gannon immediately criticizes the decision, saying you're giving Cleveland's return man Joshua Cribbs time to return the ball for a Touchdown if Bengal Kicker Shayne Graham makes the FG. Apparently Gannon had a slip of the toungue considering the GAME would END if Graham nailed the kick. Unlike McNabb though, Gannon apologized immediately and realized what he did was just a slip of the toungue (see McNabb said after a game, ironically against the Bengals last year, that he didn't know regular season NFL games end in ties.) This makes the Browns not be the most embarassing thing about a Browns game on this day.
2. Despite a win however, Jim Zorn is still very much alone.
Yes, the Skins may be 2-2 after taking out the Bucs, AT HOME, 16-13. Problem is, when your team:
A. Get sacked twice and lose a fumble first two minutes of the game AND
B. Let a QB making his first NFL start throw a TD first PLAY on offense AND
C. Win the game only due to a blown coverage by Buc CB Aqib Telib, who did have 3 INT's in the game.
I don't think Redskin fans are doing cartwheels in the streets. Two wins at home, by 5 points total, over 2 winless teams, does not bode well for the future. Luckily for the Skins they get another winless team next week, in Carolina. Which leads me to #3...
3. It could be worse for the Skins, they could be the 0-4 Tennessee Titans.
Now, I can be real nice and put the focus on the Jaguars, a team who has won 2 straight and was 2 points away from beating the undefeated Colts in Indy....
But I'm being negative, so let's focus on the losers.
Tennessee is done. Their Defense, a rock a year ago, has basically let them down in key spots this year. Whether it be giving up every lead known to mankind to Houston, or letting a stagnant offense in the first half like the Jets look like world beaters in the 2nd half, to today's 323 yard, 3 TD performance from David Gerrard, it's looking a lot like the Titans are THE disappointment of 2009 in the NFL. The Pass defense is 29th in the NFL in yards allowed, and the Titans just don't have a good enough Offense to match up to that D. Oh and that 323 yd-3TD performance was BEFORE a Sunday night death sentence scheduled next week at home against Peyton Manning. Manning is the biggest QB star in the league. NO QB gets mentioned more than he does. (Except.....nevermind)
4. Speaking of Peyton, is he bored yet?
Remember those close first 2 games he had against Jacksonville and Miami? Yeah, neither does he, cause the last 2 weeks Indy has essentially took advantage of the strong NFC West by beating the preseason picked Top 2 teams in the league, Seattle and Arizona, 65-27. 6 Touchdowns also in that span. Next 3 weeks for Indy they play the aforementioned winless Titans, they get their bye, and then play the dreaded St. Louis Rams on the road. Wake them up in Week 8, when they play the NFC West leaders, San Francisco, who may be bored with the NFC West by then too, after the drubbing they put on the Rams today, 35- Nil. (Remember that one loss that San Fran had last week? Remember the final seconds of that game? That catch by Greg Lewis! Incredible! Let's not talk about the pass though....)
5. Speaking of teams who are bored....
You get the feeling the Giants are bored right now? Dominating win versus Tampa Bay last week, ho hum victory versus KC today (where the game STARTED with a fumbled kick off), a game against the 1-3 Raiders next week, where they may or may not need QB Eli Manning, who left the game early in the 4th with a bruised right heel. Maybe Oakland keeps it close, but you gotta feel like the game is a warm-up almost for the possible NFC Game of the Year: Giants at Saints in 2 weeks at the Superdome. (And no, i'm not counting tomorrow's game.....)
6. Speaking of the Saints, who is this team?
OK, you take the Week 2 drubbing of Philly by the Saints as typical New Orleans offense overpowering a down Philly team. You take Week 3's quiet performance by Drew Brees as a way for the Saints to show off their running attack. However, today the Saints made Jet QB Marc Sanchez not look just like a rookie to the NFL, but to a rookie of all of football, by exploiting every one of his mistakes. Two of his mistakes (a fumble in the end zone and a 99 yd TD returned), accounted for the margin in the game. The Saints DEFENSE (yes DEFENSE), was the reason they won today. Almost reminds me of when the Colts weren't great defensively 3 years ago, but they forced turnovers like you wouldn't believe. With another +3 turnover margin today, I'd say the Saints are well on their way to staking a claim to best in the NFL.
7. The Jets aren't easily gonna go back to their winning ways next week.
That's cause they're at Miami next Monday night. In the year when being a Michigan QB is cool again (thank you Tate Forcier), Chad Henne won his first start in the NFL. (You know what QB did that in his first start? Matt Ryan and countless others!) He did that thanks in part to a rushing attack for 250 yards (200 from the combo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown). The Dolphins looked completely dominant today against a team that they were actually underdogs against, which makes me wonder if the Dolphins have enough tricks up their sleeves to make a run at it aginst the Jets next week. Now THAT will be a Monday night game i won't get sick of.
8. I know you're sick of running, so let's talk some wide recievers!
OK, you give me one guy who I want as my wide reciever at crunch time, give me Brandon Marshall. No, I'm serious, I'll take Brandon Marshall over anyone else. I'm gonna give you 5 reasons why this is the case:
a. Did you SEE that catch he made versus the Cowboys in the final 2 minutes today?
b. He makes Kyle Orton not just respectable as a QB, but above average at times.
c. His catches mean something, almost every time.
d. He's playing cool in the clutch, even though he hates his coach (reportedly, through what we heard every 4 seconds in preseason)
e. Seriously, did you SEE that run after that catch! He basically burned an entire secondary with it!
Denver's defense may be playing like a Top 5 one in the league, but if you're gonna go undefeated, you have to have an offense with it. Mission accomplished just cause of Marshall.
9. Rashard Mendenhall and Brandon Marshall have something in common.
Both have made their coaches unhappy this year, but both have come back in Week 4 to have some spectacular peformances. But seriouslty, WHERE DID MENENDHALL'S PERFORMANCE COME FROM? Lost in the 38-28 shootout in which the Steelers beat the Chargers for the 3rd time in 11 months (which for about half the 4th quarter was a game where Steelers fans put their hearts in their throats), Mendenhall became the first back to go from no playing time due to a horrible week of practice one week, to starting, 168 yards, and 3 Touchdowns the next week. A nice way for the Steelers to perform in a game where they almost HAD to win in order to get back in the AFC North race. Speaking of the Broncos, the Chargers are now 2 games behind them in the AFC West. Yup, just as all had predicted to start the season.
10. We learned something from the OTHER AFC Game of the Week.
Actually 2 things: Baltimore is...almost there and New England is not dead yet, especially when you play them at home. Despite not trailing for most of the game, you never got the feeling the Pats would dominate the Ravens and 2nd year QB Joe Flacco like the may have in the days when they won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. Tom Brady had an efficient 258 yards and a TD (with no running attack, but when you play Baltimore what's new), but the Ravens made Brady earn every yard. Joe Flacco was almost as efficient (264 yards- 2 TD's - 1 INT), and he would have probably been a winner had Wide Reciever Marc Clayton not dropped a SURE first down on the Pats 10 with under 30 seconds to go. The Pats are hard to beat at home, even in a time when they've thoroghly been unimpressive in their wins, but the Ravens almost got them. Now there are only 5 unbeaten teams left in football: the Colts, Broncos, Giants, Saints, and Vikings (with #4 Brett Favre leading the way into their showdown Monday night).
Damnit. I guess it's ALMOST a Favre free list. See you next Sunday night.
I and others will try to contribute here, starting with this (hopefully) regular feature I will post every weekend during the football season, titled 10 things we learned. 10 things that highlighted the Sunday slate of games in the National Football league. Here goes nothing....(by the way, the list is not a Top 10 list, so it's just going from 1 to 10).
Each week I will try to have a theme. This week, a show on ESPN2 called Sportsnation inspired me for this list. This upcoming Monday they plan to do a show where they will break the World's record for mentioning Brett Favre's name the most number of times in an hour. So, I will try to break the world's record for a blog post and not mention Favre's name from NOW till the end of the blog. So here we go.....
10 Things We Learned from Sunday In Week 4- The NON #4 edition
1. Donavan McNabb is not alone.
Sure I can mention the exciting Battle of Ohio that went down today between the Browns and Bengals (where Cincy won 23-20), but I really don't wanna talk about that. I'd rather tell you about this quote from the guy who was color commentator for the game, former NFL QB Rich Gannon. Here's the situation, it's overtime, and we're down to the final :7, when Bengal coach Marvin Lewis calls a timeout in order to have time to set up a field goal inside the Brown 20. Gannon immediately criticizes the decision, saying you're giving Cleveland's return man Joshua Cribbs time to return the ball for a Touchdown if Bengal Kicker Shayne Graham makes the FG. Apparently Gannon had a slip of the toungue considering the GAME would END if Graham nailed the kick. Unlike McNabb though, Gannon apologized immediately and realized what he did was just a slip of the toungue (see McNabb said after a game, ironically against the Bengals last year, that he didn't know regular season NFL games end in ties.) This makes the Browns not be the most embarassing thing about a Browns game on this day.
2. Despite a win however, Jim Zorn is still very much alone.
Yes, the Skins may be 2-2 after taking out the Bucs, AT HOME, 16-13. Problem is, when your team:
A. Get sacked twice and lose a fumble first two minutes of the game AND
B. Let a QB making his first NFL start throw a TD first PLAY on offense AND
C. Win the game only due to a blown coverage by Buc CB Aqib Telib, who did have 3 INT's in the game.
I don't think Redskin fans are doing cartwheels in the streets. Two wins at home, by 5 points total, over 2 winless teams, does not bode well for the future. Luckily for the Skins they get another winless team next week, in Carolina. Which leads me to #3...
3. It could be worse for the Skins, they could be the 0-4 Tennessee Titans.
Now, I can be real nice and put the focus on the Jaguars, a team who has won 2 straight and was 2 points away from beating the undefeated Colts in Indy....
But I'm being negative, so let's focus on the losers.
Tennessee is done. Their Defense, a rock a year ago, has basically let them down in key spots this year. Whether it be giving up every lead known to mankind to Houston, or letting a stagnant offense in the first half like the Jets look like world beaters in the 2nd half, to today's 323 yard, 3 TD performance from David Gerrard, it's looking a lot like the Titans are THE disappointment of 2009 in the NFL. The Pass defense is 29th in the NFL in yards allowed, and the Titans just don't have a good enough Offense to match up to that D. Oh and that 323 yd-3TD performance was BEFORE a Sunday night death sentence scheduled next week at home against Peyton Manning. Manning is the biggest QB star in the league. NO QB gets mentioned more than he does. (Except.....nevermind)
4. Speaking of Peyton, is he bored yet?
Remember those close first 2 games he had against Jacksonville and Miami? Yeah, neither does he, cause the last 2 weeks Indy has essentially took advantage of the strong NFC West by beating the preseason picked Top 2 teams in the league, Seattle and Arizona, 65-27. 6 Touchdowns also in that span. Next 3 weeks for Indy they play the aforementioned winless Titans, they get their bye, and then play the dreaded St. Louis Rams on the road. Wake them up in Week 8, when they play the NFC West leaders, San Francisco, who may be bored with the NFC West by then too, after the drubbing they put on the Rams today, 35- Nil. (Remember that one loss that San Fran had last week? Remember the final seconds of that game? That catch by Greg Lewis! Incredible! Let's not talk about the pass though....)
5. Speaking of teams who are bored....
You get the feeling the Giants are bored right now? Dominating win versus Tampa Bay last week, ho hum victory versus KC today (where the game STARTED with a fumbled kick off), a game against the 1-3 Raiders next week, where they may or may not need QB Eli Manning, who left the game early in the 4th with a bruised right heel. Maybe Oakland keeps it close, but you gotta feel like the game is a warm-up almost for the possible NFC Game of the Year: Giants at Saints in 2 weeks at the Superdome. (And no, i'm not counting tomorrow's game.....)
6. Speaking of the Saints, who is this team?
OK, you take the Week 2 drubbing of Philly by the Saints as typical New Orleans offense overpowering a down Philly team. You take Week 3's quiet performance by Drew Brees as a way for the Saints to show off their running attack. However, today the Saints made Jet QB Marc Sanchez not look just like a rookie to the NFL, but to a rookie of all of football, by exploiting every one of his mistakes. Two of his mistakes (a fumble in the end zone and a 99 yd TD returned), accounted for the margin in the game. The Saints DEFENSE (yes DEFENSE), was the reason they won today. Almost reminds me of when the Colts weren't great defensively 3 years ago, but they forced turnovers like you wouldn't believe. With another +3 turnover margin today, I'd say the Saints are well on their way to staking a claim to best in the NFL.
7. The Jets aren't easily gonna go back to their winning ways next week.
That's cause they're at Miami next Monday night. In the year when being a Michigan QB is cool again (thank you Tate Forcier), Chad Henne won his first start in the NFL. (You know what QB did that in his first start? Matt Ryan and countless others!) He did that thanks in part to a rushing attack for 250 yards (200 from the combo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown). The Dolphins looked completely dominant today against a team that they were actually underdogs against, which makes me wonder if the Dolphins have enough tricks up their sleeves to make a run at it aginst the Jets next week. Now THAT will be a Monday night game i won't get sick of.
8. I know you're sick of running, so let's talk some wide recievers!
OK, you give me one guy who I want as my wide reciever at crunch time, give me Brandon Marshall. No, I'm serious, I'll take Brandon Marshall over anyone else. I'm gonna give you 5 reasons why this is the case:
a. Did you SEE that catch he made versus the Cowboys in the final 2 minutes today?
b. He makes Kyle Orton not just respectable as a QB, but above average at times.
c. His catches mean something, almost every time.
d. He's playing cool in the clutch, even though he hates his coach (reportedly, through what we heard every 4 seconds in preseason)
e. Seriously, did you SEE that run after that catch! He basically burned an entire secondary with it!
Denver's defense may be playing like a Top 5 one in the league, but if you're gonna go undefeated, you have to have an offense with it. Mission accomplished just cause of Marshall.
9. Rashard Mendenhall and Brandon Marshall have something in common.
Both have made their coaches unhappy this year, but both have come back in Week 4 to have some spectacular peformances. But seriouslty, WHERE DID MENENDHALL'S PERFORMANCE COME FROM? Lost in the 38-28 shootout in which the Steelers beat the Chargers for the 3rd time in 11 months (which for about half the 4th quarter was a game where Steelers fans put their hearts in their throats), Mendenhall became the first back to go from no playing time due to a horrible week of practice one week, to starting, 168 yards, and 3 Touchdowns the next week. A nice way for the Steelers to perform in a game where they almost HAD to win in order to get back in the AFC North race. Speaking of the Broncos, the Chargers are now 2 games behind them in the AFC West. Yup, just as all had predicted to start the season.
10. We learned something from the OTHER AFC Game of the Week.
Actually 2 things: Baltimore is...almost there and New England is not dead yet, especially when you play them at home. Despite not trailing for most of the game, you never got the feeling the Pats would dominate the Ravens and 2nd year QB Joe Flacco like the may have in the days when they won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. Tom Brady had an efficient 258 yards and a TD (with no running attack, but when you play Baltimore what's new), but the Ravens made Brady earn every yard. Joe Flacco was almost as efficient (264 yards- 2 TD's - 1 INT), and he would have probably been a winner had Wide Reciever Marc Clayton not dropped a SURE first down on the Pats 10 with under 30 seconds to go. The Pats are hard to beat at home, even in a time when they've thoroghly been unimpressive in their wins, but the Ravens almost got them. Now there are only 5 unbeaten teams left in football: the Colts, Broncos, Giants, Saints, and Vikings (with #4 Brett Favre leading the way into their showdown Monday night).
Damnit. I guess it's ALMOST a Favre free list. See you next Sunday night.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
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