It's not like I didn't see it coming...
This team was flawed from the beginning of the year, just look back on all the pre-season picks. It was just about anybody but the Mets in this division.
About six to eight weeks ago, Steve Phillips, that failed GM of the Mets past and yes, I'm still holding a grudge for him not signing John Olerud and getting Todd Ziele instead. Phillips made the claim that the Mets wouldn't make the playoffs and the Rockies would be the wild card.
I smirked at the idiot and I still do because he figured it would be the Braves since they mortgaged their future (Salty and the young SS) for a top tier first baseman in Mark Texeria.
Everyone said it gave Atlanta the best lineup in the league, but I didn't agree, especially after Omar went out and got Luis Castillo for a couple of A-leaguers.
That move gave the Mets the most complete lineup, top to bottom with speed, power and more speed.
But while that was a great move for the present and the future (We better resign him!!!), it didn't address the needs of the team and that's why we're at home...
That and the Mets decided they couldn't beat bottom feeders at home in the final week of the season.
It will be a long off season according to oh Captain, my Captain Willie Randolph and believe I stand behind him all the way. He'll get calls for his job, he'll be criticized for decisions and if there is a smart man in that front office, he'll be answering choke questions in Port St. Lucie next March...
Especially since this wasn't his fault.
The disapperance of Jose Reyes was huge. As he goes, so goes the team but he's not in the top three reasons why I'll be at home in late October, avoiding Sportscenter highlights of the World Series. Here are those reasons...
3. Paul LoDucaLast year, Dukie batting primarily in the No. 2 hole and hit .318 behind Jose Reyes. He had 39 doubles and a .355 on-base percentage. This year, he was moved down in the lineup, but I'm not accepting that as an excuse for batting .273 with 18 doubles and a .312 on-base percentage.
But worse than the numbers was his attitude. I'm not in New York, but apparantly he's on WFAN once a week. He's sniped at Willie all year and has complained that he hasn't come out and argued when Dukie doesn't agree with a call.
Yes, he's got fire and passion, but sometimes that can be to a fault. He's in a contract year and hasn't done anything to have fans like me not call for Ramon Castro behind the plate next year.
2. Carlos Delgado
He had surgury in the off season and was just about right at spring training, then his wife gave birth and he missed a week. When he came back, he wasn't the same and every time he gets close, he gets another injury.
The fact he was a career .280 batter that only hit .265 last year wasn't that bad because he had a .548 slugging percentage and knocked in 114 with 38 home runs.
Delgado hit .258, 24 home runs, 87 RBIs and slugged .448. Willie, to his credit, tried to stick with him as long as possible before moving him down in the lineup, but that wasn't going to do much.
He was the left handed bat to slot between Wright and Alou, he was the continuation of the mid-lineup power and when Alou went down (As should have been expected), Shawn Green decided to play average and Lastings Milledge was out for as long as he was, the fact that Delgado stunk up the joint to high heaven showed its painful head.
1. Omar Minaya
I read Buster Olney after John Maine almost made Mets history and he makes a great point. All the moves made by Omar this year have been horrible.
Simple as that.
Any complaints about the bullpen and its use should be directed to Omar. He's the one who let Chad Bradford go and gave Scott Show-in-wise the same loot. Don't think about the trades he didn't make at the deadline, it's the small stuff like Brian Bannister to the Royals that didn't turn out, then averted attention away from where it was needed.
I need Tom Glavine to not be in a Mets uniform next year. I need Paul LoDuca gone and I need Duaner Sanchez to be healthy and help form the bridge to Billy Wagner. I need Jose Reyes to remember what the first half of the year was like and duplicate it and I need the front office to have faith in Lastings and the other young outfielders.
But most importantly, I need the Giants defense to keep playing like they did against the Eagles on Sunday night so I don't have to think about the Mets until the Winter Meetings.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
This one's for you, Kris
As the Mets pound the Marlins on Saturday in SECOND PLACE, here's Kris' favorite new song...
In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if he wrote or produced it. I was looking for the full version, if there is one but I found it here.
In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if he wrote or produced it. I was looking for the full version, if there is one but I found it here.
Beat the Mets, beat the Mets,
Last place teams defeat the Mets.
Hanging sliders, minor-league speed, guaranteed to waste a seven-run lead.
Because the Met bullpen keeps fading away, October baseball won't be at Shea. Mota . . . Sosa . . . every game is now in doubt.
Can anyone who's on this staff get three men out?
Friday, September 28, 2007
On Campus 9/29/07 (and 9/28)
5 Games to Watch
#5 West Virginia vs. #18 South Florida- ***NOTE THIS GAME IS ON FRIDAY NIHJGT ON ESPN2***A BCS bowl bid could easily be on the line in Raymond James Stadium Friday night. Coach Rich Rodriguez leads his high octane Mountaineer offense into Tampa led by QB Pat White. White has been college footballs best player so far this season; completing over 70% of his pass attempts for 6 TD's and no picks, while picking up 70+ yards a game on the ground and accounting for 6 TD's also. White is joined by tailbacks Steve Slaton and Freshmen sensation Noel Devine to provide a stiff test for the Bulls defense. Last season in Morgantown the Bulls slowed White & Slaton down to 60 yards total on the ground to pull off the upset. This season the Bulls have everyone’s attention and deserve their Top 20 ranking. The West Virginia defense can't go to sleep though, because the Bulls bring their own dual threat QB in Sophomore Matt Grothe. Bulls coach Jim Leavitt knows that this game is more then about the Big East title, it could mean a BCS bowl bid and the cementing of his programs among the nations consistent elite.
#21 Penn State vs. Illinois- The Nittany Lions are coming off a disappointing loss last week and they have no time to lick their wounds, they have to go on the road to play a vastly improved Illinois squad. The Flyin Illini are lead by three of Ron Zooks most heralded recruits and are averaging 36 points a game. Junior RB Rashard Mendenhall is coming into his own and coming off a 200 yard performance at Indiana last week. Sophomore QB Juice Williams is still a little inconsistent throwing the ball but his feet allow him to make plays; and lastly Williams is getting accustomed to having a big play weapon on the outside in Freshmen WR Arrelious Benn. Penn State gave up too many yards on the ground last week against Michigan, but the defense usually can dominate smaller offensive lines. Nittany Lion success comes down to one thing, the play of Anthony Morelli. The excuses are over for Morelli he has to lead this team to victory and a loss at a place liek this could seal his fate as one of the most hated Penn State QB's in recent memory.
#23 Cincinnati vs. San Diego State- The Bearcats have been perhaps the most dominant team in the country in their first 4 games. They have outscored their opponents 180-30 and are averaging the 13th most points in the country, all that has lead to their first national ranking in 31 years. But before the get started in Big East conference play they have to travel across the country to play in one of the ultimate trap games. Awaiting the Bearcats is a very mediocre San Diego State Aztec team who is giving up over 30 points per game. The Aztecs lost two big games on the road at Arizona State and Washington State and have a I-AA win, so nobody is really sure how good they are, but this is for sure they always have talent at their skill positions and on defense (don't believe me just check NFL rosters). The Bearcats better be prepared for a hard fought battle in Qualcomm this weekend so they can continue their unbeaten streak.
#6 California vs. #11 Oregon- Everyone seems to think one of these two teams can beat Southern Cal later in the year, but the loser here will be down a game in the Pac-10 race. This promises to be a high octane game with two teams who are int he top 15 in scoring and the Ducks who are 6th in total offense. The main cog int he Ducks wheel is the QB Dennis Dixon who has almost 1300 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns. And if Dixon is struggling he can always turn and hand it off to Jonathan Stewart who is only averaging 7.7 yards per carry. The Cal Bears counter with their own QB Nate Longshore who has thrown for 230+ yards in three of their four games this season. The key factor in the game could be the big play ability of Cal wide out DeSean Jackson, he can change the game with one play.
#23 Arizona State vs. Stanford- Dennis Erickson is leading a rebirth down in the dessert; the Sun Devils are 4-0 and ranked in the top 25. However, they have yet to play a game outside the Tempe city limits. This week the travel up Paolo Alto to take on a revamped Stanford program. Under first year coach Jim Harbaugh the Cardinal have fought hard but suffered tough defeats at the hands of #14UCLA and then #13 Oregon. Cardinal QB T.C. Ostrander has played well this year only throwing 2 picks to go along with 6 TD passes. If he can continue to improve the Cardinal may be able to pull off an upset against a weak Sun Devil defense.
4 Players to See
Cullen Harper, QB Clemson- The big question for Tommy Bowden’s Tigers this season was who would be under center; true freshmen Willy Korn or Junior Cullen Harper who had thrown a total of 22 passes in college. Well so far Harper has not disappointed. Leading his team to 4 wins including a 2-0 start in ACC play Harper has thrown 12 TD’s and no picks, while completing 70% of his passes. This week will be a big test as Clemson travels down to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech and their aggressive blitzing defense meant to take QB’s out of their rhythm. We should see this week just exactly what Cullen Harper can do against a quality opponent
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB Ole Miss- Perhaps the least known commodity in the SEC, Green-Ellis is a bruising back, at 5’10 225 pounds who wears teams down. He has surprising speed in the open field and has ripped off some 20+ yard carries this season. The Georgia defense is susceptible to an effective ground game and Green-Ellis could put together a big day if Ole Miss wants to keep the ball out of the hands of Georgia’s offense.
Limas Sweed, WR Texas- When the Longhorns look for the homerun play it is usually Sweed who they look for. Though slightly injured coming into the year he has caught 15 balls and 3 TD’s. Sweed is big tall and fast and can really exploit the Kansas State secondary for some big plays an perhaps improve upon that 17.8 yards per catch.
James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State- The All-American has led his team in tackles in 12 of the last 16 games. He is the spearhead of a ferocious defensive attack which is yielding only 9 points a game. The Golden Gophers have a strong offense but look for Laurinaitis and crew to zone in on RB Amir Pinnix to slow down the rushing attack of Minnesota.
#5 West Virginia vs. #18 South Florida- ***NOTE THIS GAME IS ON FRIDAY NIHJGT ON ESPN2***A BCS bowl bid could easily be on the line in Raymond James Stadium Friday night. Coach Rich Rodriguez leads his high octane Mountaineer offense into Tampa led by QB Pat White. White has been college footballs best player so far this season; completing over 70% of his pass attempts for 6 TD's and no picks, while picking up 70+ yards a game on the ground and accounting for 6 TD's also. White is joined by tailbacks Steve Slaton and Freshmen sensation Noel Devine to provide a stiff test for the Bulls defense. Last season in Morgantown the Bulls slowed White & Slaton down to 60 yards total on the ground to pull off the upset. This season the Bulls have everyone’s attention and deserve their Top 20 ranking. The West Virginia defense can't go to sleep though, because the Bulls bring their own dual threat QB in Sophomore Matt Grothe. Bulls coach Jim Leavitt knows that this game is more then about the Big East title, it could mean a BCS bowl bid and the cementing of his programs among the nations consistent elite.
#21 Penn State vs. Illinois- The Nittany Lions are coming off a disappointing loss last week and they have no time to lick their wounds, they have to go on the road to play a vastly improved Illinois squad. The Flyin Illini are lead by three of Ron Zooks most heralded recruits and are averaging 36 points a game. Junior RB Rashard Mendenhall is coming into his own and coming off a 200 yard performance at Indiana last week. Sophomore QB Juice Williams is still a little inconsistent throwing the ball but his feet allow him to make plays; and lastly Williams is getting accustomed to having a big play weapon on the outside in Freshmen WR Arrelious Benn. Penn State gave up too many yards on the ground last week against Michigan, but the defense usually can dominate smaller offensive lines. Nittany Lion success comes down to one thing, the play of Anthony Morelli. The excuses are over for Morelli he has to lead this team to victory and a loss at a place liek this could seal his fate as one of the most hated Penn State QB's in recent memory.
#23 Cincinnati vs. San Diego State- The Bearcats have been perhaps the most dominant team in the country in their first 4 games. They have outscored their opponents 180-30 and are averaging the 13th most points in the country, all that has lead to their first national ranking in 31 years. But before the get started in Big East conference play they have to travel across the country to play in one of the ultimate trap games. Awaiting the Bearcats is a very mediocre San Diego State Aztec team who is giving up over 30 points per game. The Aztecs lost two big games on the road at Arizona State and Washington State and have a I-AA win, so nobody is really sure how good they are, but this is for sure they always have talent at their skill positions and on defense (don't believe me just check NFL rosters). The Bearcats better be prepared for a hard fought battle in Qualcomm this weekend so they can continue their unbeaten streak.
#6 California vs. #11 Oregon- Everyone seems to think one of these two teams can beat Southern Cal later in the year, but the loser here will be down a game in the Pac-10 race. This promises to be a high octane game with two teams who are int he top 15 in scoring and the Ducks who are 6th in total offense. The main cog int he Ducks wheel is the QB Dennis Dixon who has almost 1300 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns. And if Dixon is struggling he can always turn and hand it off to Jonathan Stewart who is only averaging 7.7 yards per carry. The Cal Bears counter with their own QB Nate Longshore who has thrown for 230+ yards in three of their four games this season. The key factor in the game could be the big play ability of Cal wide out DeSean Jackson, he can change the game with one play.
#23 Arizona State vs. Stanford- Dennis Erickson is leading a rebirth down in the dessert; the Sun Devils are 4-0 and ranked in the top 25. However, they have yet to play a game outside the Tempe city limits. This week the travel up Paolo Alto to take on a revamped Stanford program. Under first year coach Jim Harbaugh the Cardinal have fought hard but suffered tough defeats at the hands of #14UCLA and then #13 Oregon. Cardinal QB T.C. Ostrander has played well this year only throwing 2 picks to go along with 6 TD passes. If he can continue to improve the Cardinal may be able to pull off an upset against a weak Sun Devil defense.
4 Players to See
Cullen Harper, QB Clemson- The big question for Tommy Bowden’s Tigers this season was who would be under center; true freshmen Willy Korn or Junior Cullen Harper who had thrown a total of 22 passes in college. Well so far Harper has not disappointed. Leading his team to 4 wins including a 2-0 start in ACC play Harper has thrown 12 TD’s and no picks, while completing 70% of his passes. This week will be a big test as Clemson travels down to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech and their aggressive blitzing defense meant to take QB’s out of their rhythm. We should see this week just exactly what Cullen Harper can do against a quality opponent
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB Ole Miss- Perhaps the least known commodity in the SEC, Green-Ellis is a bruising back, at 5’10 225 pounds who wears teams down. He has surprising speed in the open field and has ripped off some 20+ yard carries this season. The Georgia defense is susceptible to an effective ground game and Green-Ellis could put together a big day if Ole Miss wants to keep the ball out of the hands of Georgia’s offense.
Limas Sweed, WR Texas- When the Longhorns look for the homerun play it is usually Sweed who they look for. Though slightly injured coming into the year he has caught 15 balls and 3 TD’s. Sweed is big tall and fast and can really exploit the Kansas State secondary for some big plays an perhaps improve upon that 17.8 yards per catch.
James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State- The All-American has led his team in tackles in 12 of the last 16 games. He is the spearhead of a ferocious defensive attack which is yielding only 9 points a game. The Golden Gophers have a strong offense but look for Laurinaitis and crew to zone in on RB Amir Pinnix to slow down the rushing attack of Minnesota.
Filowitz's Friday Five
1) Is there anyone in the National League that actually wants to make the playoffs? It doesn’t seem like it. Maybe they have a point – neither the Mets nor the Cubs nor the Brewers nor the Diamondbacks nor the Rockies nor the Padres nor the Phillies look capable of beating Boston, New York, Cleveland, or Los Angeles/Anaheim. Might as well not make it instead of embarrassing yourself in front of the nation, I suppose. And you can’t have your hopes crushed if you never had hope in the first place. So maybe Mets and Cubs fans should be grateful that their teams are falling apart worse than a sandcastle built by FEMA.
2) Does anyone know how many games Tom Brady has missed since he became the starter back in 2002? None. For all the talk of geniuses and model franchises and blah blah blah, it sure does help when your best guy playing the most irreplaceable position is never injured, huh? And is that not more than a touch of luck? Let me put it this way – I doubt anyone looks like a genius if Matt Cassel is your starting QB.
3) It is generally disgusting to me that Boston sports is about to have a phenomenal year. The Red Sox win the AL East. The Patriots look like the best team since the Cowboys of the early 90s. The Celtics get KG and Ray Allen. Giving these people, these insufferably arrogant people who whine and cry all the time and talk smack constantly, who lose horribly and win even worse, to give them all this success? Ugh. It’s exactly how I felt after Bush won his second term.
4) Yes, I’m a Knicks fan. Yes, I’m following the Isiah trial. No, I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ve got other things to be depressed about, thanks.
5) I know no one cares about anyone else’s fantasy team. But in the Sherman Avenue Block Party league we have going on ESPN, my two starting RBs were Steven Jackson and Deuce McCallister, my QB was Drew Brees, and one of my WRs was Andre Johnson. I’m now left with Brian Leonard, Jerious Norwood, Braylon Edwards, and Chad Pennington. Interns in the back of Stephon Marbury’s truck aren’t fucked more than this team. If I win any more games with this team, I should be arrested for fraud.
2) Does anyone know how many games Tom Brady has missed since he became the starter back in 2002? None. For all the talk of geniuses and model franchises and blah blah blah, it sure does help when your best guy playing the most irreplaceable position is never injured, huh? And is that not more than a touch of luck? Let me put it this way – I doubt anyone looks like a genius if Matt Cassel is your starting QB.
3) It is generally disgusting to me that Boston sports is about to have a phenomenal year. The Red Sox win the AL East. The Patriots look like the best team since the Cowboys of the early 90s. The Celtics get KG and Ray Allen. Giving these people, these insufferably arrogant people who whine and cry all the time and talk smack constantly, who lose horribly and win even worse, to give them all this success? Ugh. It’s exactly how I felt after Bush won his second term.
4) Yes, I’m a Knicks fan. Yes, I’m following the Isiah trial. No, I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ve got other things to be depressed about, thanks.
5) I know no one cares about anyone else’s fantasy team. But in the Sherman Avenue Block Party league we have going on ESPN, my two starting RBs were Steven Jackson and Deuce McCallister, my QB was Drew Brees, and one of my WRs was Andre Johnson. I’m now left with Brian Leonard, Jerious Norwood, Braylon Edwards, and Chad Pennington. Interns in the back of Stephon Marbury’s truck aren’t fucked more than this team. If I win any more games with this team, I should be arrested for fraud.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 3
It was a beautiful Sunday in Chicago. Temperature in the high 70s, no humidity, clear blue skies.
So I figure what better day to go and sit down inside my favorite dark and smoky neighborhood bar to watch my favorite dark and smoky NFL team!
And I don’t just say that for effect – the New York Jets defense should change their name to the Burnt Toasts. The Singed Seven. The Eaten For Breakfast Eleven. The Wouldn’t Even Taste Better With Apple Butter Gang (and I think just about everything tastes better with apple butter, for serious.)
For most of the game, it was like there wasn’t even a defense out there. Ronnie Brown did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. 112 yards rushing, 99 yards receiving, 3 touchdowns. The New York Jets: Your Team’s Running Back Will Have His Career Best Day Against Them, Guaranteed!
Luckily, the offense and special teams decided to play like they had in fact done so before. And, luckily, they got to play the craptacular Miami Dolphins, led by Captain Vinegar-and-Water himself, Cam Cameron.
Leon Washington ran a kick back, and looked great when handed the ball. Thomas Jones and Chad Pennington did the thing everyone thought (and Jets fans hoped) they’d do this year, and led a balanced if conservative offensive attack.
Actually, there was this strange thing going on when the Jets had the ball. You’d have to forgive most Jets fans for looking out there and saying “Run-ning game? What is this run-ning game you speak of, for we have not seen such a thing in many an epoch.” But lo, there it was. A running back getting over 100 yards the old fashioned, hard nosed way. The running game actually outgaining the passing game.
So, luckily, they won. And, luckily, it seems just about everyone else in the AFC except for New England, Indy, and Pittsburgh aren’t overwhelming great, so they could still make the playoffs (only to eventually lose to New England, Indy, or Pittsburgh, but still.)
The consensus seems to be this: Glad to win, not convinced about this team at all. Certainly not if this is how the defense keeps playing. I agree wholeheartedly with the consensus this time around.
One things for sure, though: Marshawn Lynch is due for his best day as a pro next week. And I’m sure Trent Edwards will look like the second coming of Jim Kelly, and maybe the Jets will still win, but no one will be happy when its over.
So I figure what better day to go and sit down inside my favorite dark and smoky neighborhood bar to watch my favorite dark and smoky NFL team!
And I don’t just say that for effect – the New York Jets defense should change their name to the Burnt Toasts. The Singed Seven. The Eaten For Breakfast Eleven. The Wouldn’t Even Taste Better With Apple Butter Gang (and I think just about everything tastes better with apple butter, for serious.)
For most of the game, it was like there wasn’t even a defense out there. Ronnie Brown did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. 112 yards rushing, 99 yards receiving, 3 touchdowns. The New York Jets: Your Team’s Running Back Will Have His Career Best Day Against Them, Guaranteed!
Luckily, the offense and special teams decided to play like they had in fact done so before. And, luckily, they got to play the craptacular Miami Dolphins, led by Captain Vinegar-and-Water himself, Cam Cameron.
Leon Washington ran a kick back, and looked great when handed the ball. Thomas Jones and Chad Pennington did the thing everyone thought (and Jets fans hoped) they’d do this year, and led a balanced if conservative offensive attack.
Actually, there was this strange thing going on when the Jets had the ball. You’d have to forgive most Jets fans for looking out there and saying “Run-ning game? What is this run-ning game you speak of, for we have not seen such a thing in many an epoch.” But lo, there it was. A running back getting over 100 yards the old fashioned, hard nosed way. The running game actually outgaining the passing game.
So, luckily, they won. And, luckily, it seems just about everyone else in the AFC except for New England, Indy, and Pittsburgh aren’t overwhelming great, so they could still make the playoffs (only to eventually lose to New England, Indy, or Pittsburgh, but still.)
The consensus seems to be this: Glad to win, not convinced about this team at all. Certainly not if this is how the defense keeps playing. I agree wholeheartedly with the consensus this time around.
One things for sure, though: Marshawn Lynch is due for his best day as a pro next week. And I’m sure Trent Edwards will look like the second coming of Jim Kelly, and maybe the Jets will still win, but no one will be happy when its over.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Against the ropes
No, this isn't about a bad Meg Ryan film depicting the life of North American boxing promoter Jackie Kallen.
And while this may seem in response to Dan's questions about my feeling at this time, this was something I was thinking about on my own, thank you very much.
With Pedro battling through five innings and more than anything, giving his team a lift like no other in a sloppy 9-6 win over the no-account Florida Marlins, the stage has been set.
Regardless of what the Philthy Phillies have done or will do, this has always been about the Mets collasping down the stretch. Yes, those redheaded children from another mother have won eight straight from the guys in Brooklyn Dodgers Blue and New York Giants Orange.
But this has always been about the boys on the field and the fact they're not performing. I'm not repeating anything anyone else has already said about the subject. The past is the past and let's keep it there, but extract one thing for my final point.
Willie Randolph made a lot of sense when he said the champagne will taste that much sweeter after they get through this. They'll only get through it with better starting pitching and that's why (Drum roll please)
These next two starts for Oliver Perez and John Maine are not only the most important starts of the season, but they're also important for the future of the franchise.
Let that sink in a moment.
What I mean is this: Both Perez and Maine are young starters who were thrust into a primary role last year and were servicable. They've pitched well this year, exceptional to start the year and fading slightly as the season wears on and the innings stack up.
Yes, John Maine has an ERA over 6 since the All-Star break and Oliver can be as frustrating as he is dazzling. However numbers don't lie.
Perez went into today's start with a 14-9 record, 3.43 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 165 innings and only 77 walks, which is huge for someone who everyone talks about BBs being his big flaw.Maine goes into tomorrow's start with a 14-10 record, a 4.04 ERA and 158 Ks in 178 innings. He's also made 30 starts this year, which is 4 more than he's had in his career.
Both are 26 years old and both can, could and should be a big part of the team's future. But if they get bombed and lose this weekend or next week when they face Florida or St. Louis at Shea, the fans, media and management might look in a different direction.
While everyone thinks about who will start in the post season rotation this year, I'm more concerned about next year's staff. We need bullpen help and I would love for Omar Minaya to put on a full search and spend top dollar because he's confident Perez, Maine, Pedro and Mike Pelfry can hold the fort in 08 with three of the four fixed for beyond.
As I write, Perez has given up one run through five innings with six strikeouts and no walks. While David Wright is playing his way out of an MVP award (another error, his 21st of the year), Perez is pitching his way into the postseason rotation and hopefully beyond...
Friday, September 21, 2007
On Campus 9/22/07
5 Games to Watch
East Carolina vs #5 West Virginia- The Pirates may be the best 1-2 team in America. In week one the played the Hokies to a stand still havign a chacne to win the game, then returning home to beat North Carolina and lost a heartbreaker to Southern Miss. Coach Skip Holtz has lost the last two years to West Virginia but nobody has been able to slow down the Mountaineer running attack quite like the Pirates. West Virginia averages 343 yards per game on the ground, but against ECU the last 2 years they have a total of 280 yards. The Pirates will need to keep the ground attack under wraps and unleash their own dual threat QB in Patrick Pinkney. The lower scroing the game the more the Pirates have a chance, keep your eye on this one in the year of the upset.
Iowa vs #9 Wisconsin- The Badgers have not played well this year and neither has Iowa. This is chance for one of them to get a leg up in the Big 10 race and get going in a positive direction. Wisconsin is 3-0 and has a solid ground game lead by PJ Hill and against Iowa's defense they will need him. The Hawkeyes have not allowed a touchdown this year, and have somehow lost a game. In total Kirk Ferentz crew has yielded only 18 total points and 212 yards per game. The Wisconsin offense has been potent averaging almost 450 yards per game, so something here has to give. If Iowa quarteback Jake Christensen can have a breakout game he could be the differnce maker up in Camp Randall Stadium
#12 South Carolina vs #2 LSU- Oh baby this could be the slobber knocker of the week. The Ole Ball Coach traveling down on the Bayou trying to get another huge SEC road win in his time at South Carolina (he has won at Tennessee, Georgia and Arkansas). Weather could be a factor as a tropical storm may be moving in the area which would favor the heavy underdog Gamecocks. Spurrier's team is built on defense and ball control, with running backs Mike Davis and Cory Boyd both averging over 6 yards per carry. The LSU defense is a machine, only giving up one touchdown and not even allowing a field goal attempt. This battle will be won up front between the defensive line of the Tigers and offensive line of the Gamecocks. If South Carolina can keep it close into the fourth quarter I would never bet against the Ole Ball Coach.
Maryland vs Wake Forest- The defending ACC Champs are already down 0-1 in conference and they face a more mature Maryland team who is off to a solid 2-1 start. The Terps lost a Thursday nighter to West Virginia and now have back to back road games, Wake and Rutgers. If they can go into Winston Salem and sneak out a win that would get them to 1-0 in a winnable ACC this year and give them momentum going into New Brunswick next weekend. On the other hand the Deacons need a win, and moreover an ACC win. A loss here would put them in an 0-2 hole in the ACC race, something difficult for them to climb out of. It is time for QB Riley Skinner to show back up and lead this team just like he did last season. If the Deacons get a good performance from their QB they will win, if not look for the Terps to pull of the conference road win.
#21 Kentucky vs Arkansas- This is the contender/pretender match-up in the SEC. Arkansas is coming off what could be a backbreaking loss to Alabama last weekend, losing in the last 30 seconds. The Wildcats are on the other side of that coin, coming off a last minute victory over #9 Louisville, which catupulted them into the national rankings for the first time in 23 years. Wildcat QB Andre Woodson is the real deal and he will be tested in Fayettenam this week, a tough place to win. The Razorbacks need to have McFadden not fade on them with crqamps this week like he did last week in Tuscaloosa, controlling the ball and clock will be key to an Arkansas victory. The Kentucky offense is high octane and can score in bunches. The winner here is going to be a factor in the conference race all season long, and the loser (especially if it is Arkansas who will fall to 0-2 in the SEC) may fade off from serious contention in the SEC.
4 Players to See
Alex Brink, QB Washington State- During his sophomore and junior years as a starter Brink has thrown for almost 6000 yards, 43 TD's and only 23 INT's, and last season ha da pass in the air with a chane at upsetting the Trojans in Pullman. Off to fast start as a Senior, Brink has completed 74% of his passes for 10 TD's and 947 yards in three games. Another big performance and most importantly turnover free performance (only 2 INT's & no fumbles in '07) will be important if the Cougars plan on spoiling the day down in the city of angles.
James Davis, RB Clemson- Still on the national scene this guy is recognized for his brilliant running, now some of that is his fault because he can be injury prone and sometimes struggled in the national spotlight. He is abrusing 205 pound back with good quickness and deceptive speed int he open field, which has lead to his 7 100 yard rushing games in his career and his 5.9 yards per carry through 2 full seasons. While Clemsons ground game has struggled a bit this season NC State has given up almost 700 yards on the gorund in three games so Davis may be able to break loose of this early season slump.
Chase Daniel, QB Missouri- One of the best dual threat QB's in the country, and most certainly the least talked about. In 3 games this season Daniel has completed 93 passes for 10 TD's and an average of 340 yards a game. Take thos numbers and his 4.0 yards per carry for over 100 yards this season and Daniel is 6th in the country in total offense. He has a chance this weak against I-AA Illinois State to have huge game like 400 and 150 which would put him on a bunch of awards list and get the Missouri Tigers to 4-0 for the second year in a row under coach Gary Pinkle.
George Selvie, DE South Florida- As a freshman last season Selvie was thrid ont he team in tackles with 84 and 5.5 sacks. This season he has picked up right where he left off. Despite only playing 2 games so far this season Selvie is among the nations best with 5.5 sacks (matching last seasons total) and 9.5 tackles for loss. The North Carolina line is young and inexperienced and may have trobule keeping Selvie out of the backfield. If he can disrupt the Tar Heels passing game it could be along day in Raymond James Stadium for Butch Davis and company.
East Carolina vs #5 West Virginia- The Pirates may be the best 1-2 team in America. In week one the played the Hokies to a stand still havign a chacne to win the game, then returning home to beat North Carolina and lost a heartbreaker to Southern Miss. Coach Skip Holtz has lost the last two years to West Virginia but nobody has been able to slow down the Mountaineer running attack quite like the Pirates. West Virginia averages 343 yards per game on the ground, but against ECU the last 2 years they have a total of 280 yards. The Pirates will need to keep the ground attack under wraps and unleash their own dual threat QB in Patrick Pinkney. The lower scroing the game the more the Pirates have a chance, keep your eye on this one in the year of the upset.
Iowa vs #9 Wisconsin- The Badgers have not played well this year and neither has Iowa. This is chance for one of them to get a leg up in the Big 10 race and get going in a positive direction. Wisconsin is 3-0 and has a solid ground game lead by PJ Hill and against Iowa's defense they will need him. The Hawkeyes have not allowed a touchdown this year, and have somehow lost a game. In total Kirk Ferentz crew has yielded only 18 total points and 212 yards per game. The Wisconsin offense has been potent averaging almost 450 yards per game, so something here has to give. If Iowa quarteback Jake Christensen can have a breakout game he could be the differnce maker up in Camp Randall Stadium
#12 South Carolina vs #2 LSU- Oh baby this could be the slobber knocker of the week. The Ole Ball Coach traveling down on the Bayou trying to get another huge SEC road win in his time at South Carolina (he has won at Tennessee, Georgia and Arkansas). Weather could be a factor as a tropical storm may be moving in the area which would favor the heavy underdog Gamecocks. Spurrier's team is built on defense and ball control, with running backs Mike Davis and Cory Boyd both averging over 6 yards per carry. The LSU defense is a machine, only giving up one touchdown and not even allowing a field goal attempt. This battle will be won up front between the defensive line of the Tigers and offensive line of the Gamecocks. If South Carolina can keep it close into the fourth quarter I would never bet against the Ole Ball Coach.
Maryland vs Wake Forest- The defending ACC Champs are already down 0-1 in conference and they face a more mature Maryland team who is off to a solid 2-1 start. The Terps lost a Thursday nighter to West Virginia and now have back to back road games, Wake and Rutgers. If they can go into Winston Salem and sneak out a win that would get them to 1-0 in a winnable ACC this year and give them momentum going into New Brunswick next weekend. On the other hand the Deacons need a win, and moreover an ACC win. A loss here would put them in an 0-2 hole in the ACC race, something difficult for them to climb out of. It is time for QB Riley Skinner to show back up and lead this team just like he did last season. If the Deacons get a good performance from their QB they will win, if not look for the Terps to pull of the conference road win.
#21 Kentucky vs Arkansas- This is the contender/pretender match-up in the SEC. Arkansas is coming off what could be a backbreaking loss to Alabama last weekend, losing in the last 30 seconds. The Wildcats are on the other side of that coin, coming off a last minute victory over #9 Louisville, which catupulted them into the national rankings for the first time in 23 years. Wildcat QB Andre Woodson is the real deal and he will be tested in Fayettenam this week, a tough place to win. The Razorbacks need to have McFadden not fade on them with crqamps this week like he did last week in Tuscaloosa, controlling the ball and clock will be key to an Arkansas victory. The Kentucky offense is high octane and can score in bunches. The winner here is going to be a factor in the conference race all season long, and the loser (especially if it is Arkansas who will fall to 0-2 in the SEC) may fade off from serious contention in the SEC.
4 Players to See
Alex Brink, QB Washington State- During his sophomore and junior years as a starter Brink has thrown for almost 6000 yards, 43 TD's and only 23 INT's, and last season ha da pass in the air with a chane at upsetting the Trojans in Pullman. Off to fast start as a Senior, Brink has completed 74% of his passes for 10 TD's and 947 yards in three games. Another big performance and most importantly turnover free performance (only 2 INT's & no fumbles in '07) will be important if the Cougars plan on spoiling the day down in the city of angles.
James Davis, RB Clemson- Still on the national scene this guy is recognized for his brilliant running, now some of that is his fault because he can be injury prone and sometimes struggled in the national spotlight. He is abrusing 205 pound back with good quickness and deceptive speed int he open field, which has lead to his 7 100 yard rushing games in his career and his 5.9 yards per carry through 2 full seasons. While Clemsons ground game has struggled a bit this season NC State has given up almost 700 yards on the gorund in three games so Davis may be able to break loose of this early season slump.
Chase Daniel, QB Missouri- One of the best dual threat QB's in the country, and most certainly the least talked about. In 3 games this season Daniel has completed 93 passes for 10 TD's and an average of 340 yards a game. Take thos numbers and his 4.0 yards per carry for over 100 yards this season and Daniel is 6th in the country in total offense. He has a chance this weak against I-AA Illinois State to have huge game like 400 and 150 which would put him on a bunch of awards list and get the Missouri Tigers to 4-0 for the second year in a row under coach Gary Pinkle.
George Selvie, DE South Florida- As a freshman last season Selvie was thrid ont he team in tackles with 84 and 5.5 sacks. This season he has picked up right where he left off. Despite only playing 2 games so far this season Selvie is among the nations best with 5.5 sacks (matching last seasons total) and 9.5 tackles for loss. The North Carolina line is young and inexperienced and may have trobule keeping Selvie out of the backfield. If he can disrupt the Tar Heels passing game it could be along day in Raymond James Stadium for Butch Davis and company.
Filowitz's Friday Five
1) I wonder what it's like to be a Mets fan right now. It must be agonizing. It must be this incredible mixture of depression and helplessness, like watching some tragedy from afar where you are rendered unable to do anything about it. It must be like, well, exactly what Martin is feeling right now.
2) Here's something to cheer up Mets fans, and Red Sox fans, too: remember the Tigers last year? They did this exact same thing. They were way ahead of the Central for most of the year. They staged a spectacular collapse, eventually losing the division to the Twins and just barely beating out the White Sox to get into the playoffs. What happened to them? They went to the World Series. Um, and lost, but still.
3) It could be worse - you could be a Cubs fan. They haven't won anything in what may as well be forever. I've never seen a fan base so unwilling to believe in their team, and a fan base with such good reason to feel that way. If they end up losing the division to Milwaukee and only have Rex Grossman to look forward to - well, you don't exactly "look forward" to Rex Grossman, do you?
4) Madlib, Beat Konducta In India (Vol. 3-4) If you don't know, remember who told ya.
5) To all the fantasy owners of Steven Jackson and any member of the Saints offense, let me get Bill Clinton over here: I feel your pain. Oh yes, I feel your pain.
2) Here's something to cheer up Mets fans, and Red Sox fans, too: remember the Tigers last year? They did this exact same thing. They were way ahead of the Central for most of the year. They staged a spectacular collapse, eventually losing the division to the Twins and just barely beating out the White Sox to get into the playoffs. What happened to them? They went to the World Series. Um, and lost, but still.
3) It could be worse - you could be a Cubs fan. They haven't won anything in what may as well be forever. I've never seen a fan base so unwilling to believe in their team, and a fan base with such good reason to feel that way. If they end up losing the division to Milwaukee and only have Rex Grossman to look forward to - well, you don't exactly "look forward" to Rex Grossman, do you?
4) Madlib, Beat Konducta In India (Vol. 3-4) If you don't know, remember who told ya.
5) To all the fantasy owners of Steven Jackson and any member of the Saints offense, let me get Bill Clinton over here: I feel your pain. Oh yes, I feel your pain.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Damned if you do, Damned if your Donovan
I don't always like when people play the race card, but this is still America and racism still exist all over the place. In case you weren't sure just gooogle Jena, Louisiana. It cam as no suprise to me that Donovan McNabb would make such a statement as he did on HBO's Real Sports (still the best sports show on television), what did suprise me was the reaction. Both black and white, media and fans seemed to act as if McNabb was crazy, and how could he say such a thing. Everyone knows the story of Branch Rickey testing Jackie Robinson to make sure he would not act out because he needed someone who wasnt considered an "upity nigger." Well McNabb, Vick, McNair and others like them (meaning black QB's who run and pass) are th first true wave of "black" quarterbacks. Yeah there have been Warren Moon and Doug Williams and even the exciting Randall Cunningham, but Williams and Moon were dropbacks QB's and Cunningham was never really the best QB in the game.
McNabb has been an MVP candidate, the best guy in the league, and has the highest yards per carry average in football history. He has done all of this while being booed by his home fans, called to the mat by teammates, given little help by a cheap ownership and being criticized yearly, and all the while winning football games. But most of all he has done it while taking the high road at every turn, heck in fact half of his criticism has come from taking the high road. Other athletes we admire when they take the high road, we call them classy, McNabb we say he is not outspoken enough. He was criticized by the NAACP for not being a black enough quarterback, what the hell does that mean? Owens said McNabb should have stuck up for him, why exactly, because you treated him like a jerk?
He was criticized for not winning the big one, failing 3 times in a row int he NFC championship game (he was a one man Atlanta Braves team), then he won that game. In winning that NFC Championship game he even outgained Micahel Vick on the ground and out McNabbed him through the air. Through all of the shit McNabb has incredible statistics, throwing 153 TD's and only 73 INT's and throwing for over 2500 yards on 6 occassions. Okay you are a not a stat guy, you want results, sure McNabb has done that too, with a career record of 63-33 and 7-5 in the playoffs. And again through it all McNabb has been criticized, so why is he not allowed to fire back?
Now we look at him and say, how can McNabb say such things. He is such an idiot, every QB gets criticized is what the media keeps saying. Oh yeah, really, this side of Eli Manning nobody takes more shit than McNabb. Recently his performance has gone down, but you earn the right to play even while not being as good as you once were, that is the way it works when you are a star. Now he speaks out and get scriticized when he does, can this guy win? What is it he did to everyone?
All this and more is said much better by the great Jason Whitlock on Fox Sports here: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7241878
And if you chose not to read Whitlocks article I will give you the best line from it: Wow. This dude is as good as it gets. He comes from a great home, wonderful, dignified parents. He's carried himself with class through a ton of adversity. He's a winner. He's exactly what we claim we want pro athletes to be
McNabb has been an MVP candidate, the best guy in the league, and has the highest yards per carry average in football history. He has done all of this while being booed by his home fans, called to the mat by teammates, given little help by a cheap ownership and being criticized yearly, and all the while winning football games. But most of all he has done it while taking the high road at every turn, heck in fact half of his criticism has come from taking the high road. Other athletes we admire when they take the high road, we call them classy, McNabb we say he is not outspoken enough. He was criticized by the NAACP for not being a black enough quarterback, what the hell does that mean? Owens said McNabb should have stuck up for him, why exactly, because you treated him like a jerk?
He was criticized for not winning the big one, failing 3 times in a row int he NFC championship game (he was a one man Atlanta Braves team), then he won that game. In winning that NFC Championship game he even outgained Micahel Vick on the ground and out McNabbed him through the air. Through all of the shit McNabb has incredible statistics, throwing 153 TD's and only 73 INT's and throwing for over 2500 yards on 6 occassions. Okay you are a not a stat guy, you want results, sure McNabb has done that too, with a career record of 63-33 and 7-5 in the playoffs. And again through it all McNabb has been criticized, so why is he not allowed to fire back?
Now we look at him and say, how can McNabb say such things. He is such an idiot, every QB gets criticized is what the media keeps saying. Oh yeah, really, this side of Eli Manning nobody takes more shit than McNabb. Recently his performance has gone down, but you earn the right to play even while not being as good as you once were, that is the way it works when you are a star. Now he speaks out and get scriticized when he does, can this guy win? What is it he did to everyone?
All this and more is said much better by the great Jason Whitlock on Fox Sports here: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7241878
And if you chose not to read Whitlocks article I will give you the best line from it: Wow. This dude is as good as it gets. He comes from a great home, wonderful, dignified parents. He's carried himself with class through a ton of adversity. He's a winner. He's exactly what we claim we want pro athletes to be
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 2
It was your classic Godfather 3 game for the Jets.
“Just when I thought I was out….”
The team couldn’t have looked worse for the first three quarters. Kellen Clemens was beyond awful. He held the ball too long, he couldn’t read blitzes, he overthrew open guys, he got screen passes batted down. The Jets defense made Kyle Boller look like a real QB instead of the disaster he actually is (then again, this defense can make Joey Harrington look good, which they did last year.) Why does every guy have to have his career best against the Jets?
I was watching the game alone at this bar in Chicago. I was texting with my man Greg, lifelong Jets fan, who was watching the game at a bar in Seattle (oh, modern world!)
The gist of the text message conversation was:
DAN: I hate Kellen Clemens. I hate him.
GREG: Well, at least now we know he’s not the answer. Who do we draft next year?
DAN: I don’t even know. The guy from USC?
GREG: What about the guy from Louisville?
DAN: Whoever it is, he’s going to suck for us.
There was nothing to feel good about in the first three quarters, except that Nugent looked pretty good on the 50-yard field goal he hit in the first half. But as Greg said, “It’s pretty sad when your kicker is the best thing on the team.”
“…they pull me back in!”
All of a sudden in the fourth quarter, they start playing like a competent football team. The defense starts to make some stops. The offense makes some big plays, Thomas Jones hitting some holes, Clemens hooking up with Cotchery (who can really play.) They get the score to 20-13. They have enough time to get the ball back and a chance to score. We are in this thing. We have a chance.
Michael Corleone has a heart attack and slumps to the kitchen floor
We all know how this game ended. There were four key drops that killed their chances.
Most of the media only focused on three of the drops, the Coles one that was a tough catch but on his hands, and McCairens having two horrible ones including the last one that bounced off his hands in the end zone and into Ray Lewis’ to end the game.
The fourth drop was also huge, though. After they scored the touchdown to make it 20-13 they tried an onside kick. Nugent hit an absolutely perfect onside kick, as beautiful as I’ve ever seen. He hit the ball directly down off the tee and it bounced high up in the air about 10 or 11 yards away. Brad Smith jumps up with a perfect chance to haul it in, no one from the Ravens up there with him to get in the way. It bounces off his chest and the Ravens knock it away. If Smith catches that, they have great field position with 4 minutes left and a much better chance to score. But it was not to be.
So they were awful. Then they were great. But not great enough. Classic Jets game.
Now what do we know?
We know that Clemens can be a good QB once he gets some more experience. Unless that "holding on to the ball too long" thing is not a correctable problem. Then he will be a very injured QB.
We know that the team did this sort of thing last year in Week 2 against the Pats, and it was a sign of good things to come. This year, we’ll see if the signs of life are fleeting.
We know that their next two games are winnable against Miami and Buffalo.
We know they have to win them both or we know I’ll be thinking about the draft before Halloween.
We know this Miami game is going to be torture. Oh, such exquisite torture.
“Just when I thought I was out….”
The team couldn’t have looked worse for the first three quarters. Kellen Clemens was beyond awful. He held the ball too long, he couldn’t read blitzes, he overthrew open guys, he got screen passes batted down. The Jets defense made Kyle Boller look like a real QB instead of the disaster he actually is (then again, this defense can make Joey Harrington look good, which they did last year.) Why does every guy have to have his career best against the Jets?
I was watching the game alone at this bar in Chicago. I was texting with my man Greg, lifelong Jets fan, who was watching the game at a bar in Seattle (oh, modern world!)
The gist of the text message conversation was:
DAN: I hate Kellen Clemens. I hate him.
GREG: Well, at least now we know he’s not the answer. Who do we draft next year?
DAN: I don’t even know. The guy from USC?
GREG: What about the guy from Louisville?
DAN: Whoever it is, he’s going to suck for us.
There was nothing to feel good about in the first three quarters, except that Nugent looked pretty good on the 50-yard field goal he hit in the first half. But as Greg said, “It’s pretty sad when your kicker is the best thing on the team.”
“…they pull me back in!”
All of a sudden in the fourth quarter, they start playing like a competent football team. The defense starts to make some stops. The offense makes some big plays, Thomas Jones hitting some holes, Clemens hooking up with Cotchery (who can really play.) They get the score to 20-13. They have enough time to get the ball back and a chance to score. We are in this thing. We have a chance.
Michael Corleone has a heart attack and slumps to the kitchen floor
We all know how this game ended. There were four key drops that killed their chances.
Most of the media only focused on three of the drops, the Coles one that was a tough catch but on his hands, and McCairens having two horrible ones including the last one that bounced off his hands in the end zone and into Ray Lewis’ to end the game.
The fourth drop was also huge, though. After they scored the touchdown to make it 20-13 they tried an onside kick. Nugent hit an absolutely perfect onside kick, as beautiful as I’ve ever seen. He hit the ball directly down off the tee and it bounced high up in the air about 10 or 11 yards away. Brad Smith jumps up with a perfect chance to haul it in, no one from the Ravens up there with him to get in the way. It bounces off his chest and the Ravens knock it away. If Smith catches that, they have great field position with 4 minutes left and a much better chance to score. But it was not to be.
So they were awful. Then they were great. But not great enough. Classic Jets game.
Now what do we know?
We know that Clemens can be a good QB once he gets some more experience. Unless that "holding on to the ball too long" thing is not a correctable problem. Then he will be a very injured QB.
We know that the team did this sort of thing last year in Week 2 against the Pats, and it was a sign of good things to come. This year, we’ll see if the signs of life are fleeting.
We know that their next two games are winnable against Miami and Buffalo.
We know they have to win them both or we know I’ll be thinking about the draft before Halloween.
We know this Miami game is going to be torture. Oh, such exquisite torture.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Saturday Nights Alright
Okay people you may need to have some thick skin to read this one, as usual I never apologize for anything I say on this site mainly becuase I take my time to write these things and they are well thought out. That being said there may be some tongue in cheek racism and maybe just some things that sound racist to some, but alas I don't care.
Here is the scene for the day, the University of South Carolina was taking on South Carolina State University for the first time ever in football. Of course this was an historic event especially int he racially divided south where the flagship university would take on an historically black college, something that obviosuly wouldn't have happened in the first 75 or so years of this century. The whole day it was the rednecks and the blacks, an interesting combination. Now while there was no acts of violence there is always tension in the air with an event of this magnitude.
One of South Carolina's favorite sons, and budding NBA journeyman, Renaldo Balkman was back in town doing some PR for an upcoming pre-season NBA game in Columbia. Of course Rey decided to throw himself a party, what else do you do if you are a popular millionaire (hell Wale does this for himself and he isn't a millionaire), and I was on the "guest list." Rey begged me over and over, he wanted me to come to the party have a good time and share some fine adult beverages with him, and as he described it, "they gonna be ho's everywhere!"
Now being a native of Teaneck New Jersey and having witnessed my fair share of days on the Elizabeth Avenue Bridge, THS basketball games, Prom showcases and even a good old fashioned Al Sharpton protest riot I new what this party was going to look like. Being my smart self I decide to ask my friend Whitney if she wants to come with me to the party and she agreed, yes much to my shock too. Now lets make sure we are all well aware of what Whitney is like; she is about 5'4 120lbs from some fairly rural area of South Carolina where she goes home some weekends to ride horses, he favorite TV show is Greys Anatomy and favorite movies include Pride and Prejudice and Sweet Home Alabama. Needless to say the only things her and someone like Renalo Balkman have in common is the both know me. I explain to Whitney what the party is going to be like and she still agrees to go, but I gave her fare warning.
We pull up to the building where the party is and the cars and chains and loud music and flat brimmed multi-colored baseball caps were plentiful. I believe as I pulled up in my car I had Toad the Wet Sprocket playing on the CD, not like I didn't stick out enough driving my lame ass Saturn and bringing in a little white girl. We get out to many stares and walked toward the door, where we encountered a crowd of about 250-300 people all standing around in a mass form, not any sort of line. Of course if you are not used to black people and there penchant for just hanging out leaning on cars and observing this would come as odd to, as it did to Whitney. She aksed me at one point, are all these people invited and trying to get in? I told her most likely not, they just want to be around and check things out.
I make my way toward the door and find the only other white person within 2 miles, one of the security guards. I ask him what is the deal with the guest list, I am supposed to be on it so that I can get into the party. He knows nothing about a list, he is just there for crowd and line control. Another bouncer then tells me that to get in I need to be on this line against the wall and that my feamle friend needs to be on the other side of the door on the female line. This is for two reasons, one they are letting females in handfuls and they are being patted down by a female security guard, while they are only letting males in who pay or who are on the list. I explain to this security guard I am not sending little white Whitney to the end of the hoochie mama line. He agrees with me and says she can wait with me.
We are standing on the fringe of the line kind of in the mass of people who arent doing anything but loitering, if this were outside a 7-11 we would be screwed. Now we have been outside for about 35-45 minutes and the crowd and security personnell are growing more restless by the second. After the guards outside keep instructing everyone to get on line or leave they go inside to get more security. As Gorilla Monsoon used to say, "business is about to pick up." What appeared to be the head security guard came out with an angry look on his face and announced sternly that he was "going to count to 3 and then start spraying."
Well his count was very quick, not like in a Rocky fight. He then did let of a few spurts of pepper spray, of which Whitney and I were about 30 feet away from. We started laughing at everyone coughing and covering their faces, but then as we headed back toward the car, other guards were out int hat direction spraying the hideous gas. So we walkde right into a wall of it and began our own coughing fit. Let me tell you what a direct hit from this shit must hurt like a son of a bitch. My lungs began to burn and then there was a tingling sensation as I started coughing uncontrollably. My eyes were watering as well as the coughing trailed off as we got int he car and inhaled some good air.
Needless to say we left that area and decided not to return. Never have been inside the actual party I can't really tell you how it was, but the parking lot I assume was much the same as the party, excpet there was alcohol inside. So at this point I decided I had showed Whitney one heck of a time; took her to a party witha whole bunch of black people to make her nice and scared, never actually got her into the party, and then got her pepper sprayed. All in all it was a terribly successful evening. Getting pepper sprayed was all I expected and I can't wait for the next time.
Here is the scene for the day, the University of South Carolina was taking on South Carolina State University for the first time ever in football. Of course this was an historic event especially int he racially divided south where the flagship university would take on an historically black college, something that obviosuly wouldn't have happened in the first 75 or so years of this century. The whole day it was the rednecks and the blacks, an interesting combination. Now while there was no acts of violence there is always tension in the air with an event of this magnitude.
One of South Carolina's favorite sons, and budding NBA journeyman, Renaldo Balkman was back in town doing some PR for an upcoming pre-season NBA game in Columbia. Of course Rey decided to throw himself a party, what else do you do if you are a popular millionaire (hell Wale does this for himself and he isn't a millionaire), and I was on the "guest list." Rey begged me over and over, he wanted me to come to the party have a good time and share some fine adult beverages with him, and as he described it, "they gonna be ho's everywhere!"
Now being a native of Teaneck New Jersey and having witnessed my fair share of days on the Elizabeth Avenue Bridge, THS basketball games, Prom showcases and even a good old fashioned Al Sharpton protest riot I new what this party was going to look like. Being my smart self I decide to ask my friend Whitney if she wants to come with me to the party and she agreed, yes much to my shock too. Now lets make sure we are all well aware of what Whitney is like; she is about 5'4 120lbs from some fairly rural area of South Carolina where she goes home some weekends to ride horses, he favorite TV show is Greys Anatomy and favorite movies include Pride and Prejudice and Sweet Home Alabama. Needless to say the only things her and someone like Renalo Balkman have in common is the both know me. I explain to Whitney what the party is going to be like and she still agrees to go, but I gave her fare warning.
We pull up to the building where the party is and the cars and chains and loud music and flat brimmed multi-colored baseball caps were plentiful. I believe as I pulled up in my car I had Toad the Wet Sprocket playing on the CD, not like I didn't stick out enough driving my lame ass Saturn and bringing in a little white girl. We get out to many stares and walked toward the door, where we encountered a crowd of about 250-300 people all standing around in a mass form, not any sort of line. Of course if you are not used to black people and there penchant for just hanging out leaning on cars and observing this would come as odd to, as it did to Whitney. She aksed me at one point, are all these people invited and trying to get in? I told her most likely not, they just want to be around and check things out.
I make my way toward the door and find the only other white person within 2 miles, one of the security guards. I ask him what is the deal with the guest list, I am supposed to be on it so that I can get into the party. He knows nothing about a list, he is just there for crowd and line control. Another bouncer then tells me that to get in I need to be on this line against the wall and that my feamle friend needs to be on the other side of the door on the female line. This is for two reasons, one they are letting females in handfuls and they are being patted down by a female security guard, while they are only letting males in who pay or who are on the list. I explain to this security guard I am not sending little white Whitney to the end of the hoochie mama line. He agrees with me and says she can wait with me.
We are standing on the fringe of the line kind of in the mass of people who arent doing anything but loitering, if this were outside a 7-11 we would be screwed. Now we have been outside for about 35-45 minutes and the crowd and security personnell are growing more restless by the second. After the guards outside keep instructing everyone to get on line or leave they go inside to get more security. As Gorilla Monsoon used to say, "business is about to pick up." What appeared to be the head security guard came out with an angry look on his face and announced sternly that he was "going to count to 3 and then start spraying."
Well his count was very quick, not like in a Rocky fight. He then did let of a few spurts of pepper spray, of which Whitney and I were about 30 feet away from. We started laughing at everyone coughing and covering their faces, but then as we headed back toward the car, other guards were out int hat direction spraying the hideous gas. So we walkde right into a wall of it and began our own coughing fit. Let me tell you what a direct hit from this shit must hurt like a son of a bitch. My lungs began to burn and then there was a tingling sensation as I started coughing uncontrollably. My eyes were watering as well as the coughing trailed off as we got int he car and inhaled some good air.
Needless to say we left that area and decided not to return. Never have been inside the actual party I can't really tell you how it was, but the parking lot I assume was much the same as the party, excpet there was alcohol inside. So at this point I decided I had showed Whitney one heck of a time; took her to a party witha whole bunch of black people to make her nice and scared, never actually got her into the party, and then got her pepper sprayed. All in all it was a terribly successful evening. Getting pepper sprayed was all I expected and I can't wait for the next time.
Touch gloves and come out fighting
I wish I was referring to the fight in either of the teams I root for, but alas it's just another boxing reference - a dead sport to title a rant about teams playing dead.
Since I'm on the theme of death, I'll start with my beloved first place Mets. For the past three weeks, ever since they went to Atlanta after losing four straight and swept the dreaded Braves, I've been thinking about just how I would write the eulogy of Atlanta.
Yes Virginia, the Braves are dead and buried and I'm happy to say that the Metropolotians were the ones to do it.
Yeah, you could blame it on the departure of Maddux, Glavine and Leo Mazzone. You could look back to the lack of premier prospects coming up and making a difference. The days of Rafael Furcal, Marcus Giles, Adam LaRoche, Johnny Estrada, Jason Schmidt, Kevin Milwood and John Rocker (Crazy as he was, the guy was a nasty closer) coming up from the minors and fitting in right away are gone.
I'm in Mississippi, 20 minutes from the home of the Braves Double-A franchise and have watched as Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur (who I just hate to look at with that stupid look on his stupid face), and Salty were here for weeks before heading north. I'm not saying the cupboard is bare, but there's no Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones or Steve Avery brewing down here...
You could just blame it on age. Eventually John Smoltz is going to get old - not this year, but soon enough. The Jones boys are the same way and looking back, I'm amazed to realize how many years it was Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux in this rotation.
It was a great run, a record-setting run. One that desereves its own space and time, but not here and not now is the battle cry. The final wound was a three-game sweep at the Ted, half-empyt as usual for a late-season series against the No. 1 division rival, so much so that as I watched from home, I wondered just how close to the field I could have gotten if I was in the ATL on that day.
But alas, while the curse of the Braves may appear to be broken, it has just switched places to another venue that doesn't fit well with my Mets. What was Andruw Jones patroling center field at Turner Field is now Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins snagging grounders up the middle at that band box of a field Citizens Bank Park.
While the Mets may appear to have sluggers, we're a lineup built for Shea and the 390 gaps to left and right center that turn doubles into triples, that score runners from 1st base, that bodes well for all-around players like David Wright (30 HR, 98 RBIs, 31 steals), Carlos Beltran (29 HR, 99 RBIs, 23 of 25 steals) and Jose Reyes (need I say more?).
Short porches bode well for overpaid losers like Pat Burrell, for fat slow sluggers with emmence talent like Ryan Howard and for the Phillies two best players, Rollins and Utley (either of whom could sneak the MVP award away from Wright, the league's front runner).
Everyone talks about what their eight-game win streak against the Mets will mean if the two teams were to met in the NLCS. To which they usually preface or add later at some point, IF THE PHILLIES MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AND REACH THE NLCS.
I should and do say the same thing about the Mets. I mean, we're a pretty good shot to make the playoffs at this point, but with a stockpile of 6-inning pitchers and little to no confidence in anyone between a great starting rotation (Pedro, Glavine, Maine) and Wagner, we might not make it past whoever unless the Phillies do win the wild card, meaning we would get the NL Central winner, teams we've played well against recently.
You would think it would be a joyous day, the day the Braves died. Instead my worries have only shifted north.
As for the Giants, let me just say this - In my preview, I was torn with the belief that the hands of Thor and Loki would help prevent the defense from looking this bad. I would love to add early, but let's be real. They're going to be this bad all year.
The cornerbacks can't defend anyone and we're not gaining any pressure with a four or five-man rush, so it doesn't matter if we can stop the run if you can throw short, medium and long.
The real question becomes, with a Top 5 pick in next year's draft, does Reece look for a running back like the kid from Rutgers or a linebacker, then hope to sign someone like Ashanti Samuels, who's been dying to play for (Insert your favorite unemployed coach here) all his life.
Since I'm on the theme of death, I'll start with my beloved first place Mets. For the past three weeks, ever since they went to Atlanta after losing four straight and swept the dreaded Braves, I've been thinking about just how I would write the eulogy of Atlanta.
Yes Virginia, the Braves are dead and buried and I'm happy to say that the Metropolotians were the ones to do it.
Yeah, you could blame it on the departure of Maddux, Glavine and Leo Mazzone. You could look back to the lack of premier prospects coming up and making a difference. The days of Rafael Furcal, Marcus Giles, Adam LaRoche, Johnny Estrada, Jason Schmidt, Kevin Milwood and John Rocker (Crazy as he was, the guy was a nasty closer) coming up from the minors and fitting in right away are gone.
I'm in Mississippi, 20 minutes from the home of the Braves Double-A franchise and have watched as Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur (who I just hate to look at with that stupid look on his stupid face), and Salty were here for weeks before heading north. I'm not saying the cupboard is bare, but there's no Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones or Steve Avery brewing down here...
You could just blame it on age. Eventually John Smoltz is going to get old - not this year, but soon enough. The Jones boys are the same way and looking back, I'm amazed to realize how many years it was Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux in this rotation.
It was a great run, a record-setting run. One that desereves its own space and time, but not here and not now is the battle cry. The final wound was a three-game sweep at the Ted, half-empyt as usual for a late-season series against the No. 1 division rival, so much so that as I watched from home, I wondered just how close to the field I could have gotten if I was in the ATL on that day.
But alas, while the curse of the Braves may appear to be broken, it has just switched places to another venue that doesn't fit well with my Mets. What was Andruw Jones patroling center field at Turner Field is now Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins snagging grounders up the middle at that band box of a field Citizens Bank Park.
While the Mets may appear to have sluggers, we're a lineup built for Shea and the 390 gaps to left and right center that turn doubles into triples, that score runners from 1st base, that bodes well for all-around players like David Wright (30 HR, 98 RBIs, 31 steals), Carlos Beltran (29 HR, 99 RBIs, 23 of 25 steals) and Jose Reyes (need I say more?).
Short porches bode well for overpaid losers like Pat Burrell, for fat slow sluggers with emmence talent like Ryan Howard and for the Phillies two best players, Rollins and Utley (either of whom could sneak the MVP award away from Wright, the league's front runner).
Everyone talks about what their eight-game win streak against the Mets will mean if the two teams were to met in the NLCS. To which they usually preface or add later at some point, IF THE PHILLIES MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AND REACH THE NLCS.
I should and do say the same thing about the Mets. I mean, we're a pretty good shot to make the playoffs at this point, but with a stockpile of 6-inning pitchers and little to no confidence in anyone between a great starting rotation (Pedro, Glavine, Maine) and Wagner, we might not make it past whoever unless the Phillies do win the wild card, meaning we would get the NL Central winner, teams we've played well against recently.
You would think it would be a joyous day, the day the Braves died. Instead my worries have only shifted north.
As for the Giants, let me just say this - In my preview, I was torn with the belief that the hands of Thor and Loki would help prevent the defense from looking this bad. I would love to add early, but let's be real. They're going to be this bad all year.
The cornerbacks can't defend anyone and we're not gaining any pressure with a four or five-man rush, so it doesn't matter if we can stop the run if you can throw short, medium and long.
The real question becomes, with a Top 5 pick in next year's draft, does Reece look for a running back like the kid from Rutgers or a linebacker, then hope to sign someone like Ashanti Samuels, who's been dying to play for (Insert your favorite unemployed coach here) all his life.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Week In Review
It's been a busy week here at the Block Party.
Dan introduced two new features that will run weekly:
Here Come The Warm Jets
Filowitz Friday Five
Josh and Martin remember September 11
Kris makes fun of Kanye and continues his On Campus series
Martin bitches about Eli
Plenty more to come - be sure to read it all!
Dan introduced two new features that will run weekly:
Here Come The Warm Jets
Filowitz Friday Five
Josh and Martin remember September 11
Kris makes fun of Kanye and continues his On Campus series
Martin bitches about Eli
Plenty more to come - be sure to read it all!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Sweet Pea jabs
Not to steal Filo's thunder, but...
- This is a pretty cool article about how the two MLB MVP's should be from the city so nice they named it twice.
- And the Eli Manning injury isn't what gets me. It's the fact that he's yanked down BY HIS COLLAR and injures his shoulder. Last time I checked, the horse-collar tackle was outlawed by the NFL because Roy Williams, A FRIGGIN' COWBOY, was grabbing people by the collar.
So that means on Sunday night before a national audience, some shulb pulled off the same move outlawed due to the actions of a teammate on the field at the time and didn't even garnish a replay from Al Michales, John Madden and the crack-production team at NBC.
I'm sure it wasn't that tackle at full-speed and I'm sure that it was Eli's fault and I'm sure that even if the Giants got another chance at that two-point conversion, they would have found a way to blow it and I'm sure that regardless, the defense wouldn't have stopped my mom on a post corner with Tony Romo (who really didn't look that great) dropping back behind a pack full of nuns...
But it still graps my goat, gosh darnit to watch that replay over and over as they tell me how Elisha isn't man enough to start against the Pack this Sunday.
----------------
Now playing: Various - Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun
via FoxyTunes
- This is a pretty cool article about how the two MLB MVP's should be from the city so nice they named it twice.
- And the Eli Manning injury isn't what gets me. It's the fact that he's yanked down BY HIS COLLAR and injures his shoulder. Last time I checked, the horse-collar tackle was outlawed by the NFL because Roy Williams, A FRIGGIN' COWBOY, was grabbing people by the collar.
So that means on Sunday night before a national audience, some shulb pulled off the same move outlawed due to the actions of a teammate on the field at the time and didn't even garnish a replay from Al Michales, John Madden and the crack-production team at NBC.
I'm sure it wasn't that tackle at full-speed and I'm sure that it was Eli's fault and I'm sure that even if the Giants got another chance at that two-point conversion, they would have found a way to blow it and I'm sure that regardless, the defense wouldn't have stopped my mom on a post corner with Tony Romo (who really didn't look that great) dropping back behind a pack full of nuns...
But it still graps my goat, gosh darnit to watch that replay over and over as they tell me how Elisha isn't man enough to start against the Pack this Sunday.
----------------
Now playing: Various - Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun
via FoxyTunes
On Campus 9/15/07
5 Games to Watch
#9 Louisville @ Kentucky- This one could be the shootout in the Bluegrass State, the lowest point total for either team this season is 50. Recently Louisville has owned this rivalry for the Governors Cup, but Kentucky is about as good as they have been in the last ten years. The one thing we know is that Louisville is going to score and they will do so on the right arm of Brian Brohm, who has 9 TD's and over 750 yards of offense this season. The Louisville defense has resembled a sive more than anything else recently and Andre Woodson and the Widlcats can score in bunches. This game could easily come down to who has the ball last. The one advantage may go to Kentucky who has the stronger rushing attack lead by the 9.5 yards per carry of Raphael Little and 8.7 yards per carry of Tony Dixon
Florida State @ Colorado- The Seminoles take to the road to see if they can get this season going in the right direction. They will be facing an up and coming Colorado team, which has played well going 1-1 in this early season. Dan Hawkins Buff's are lead by a freshmen QB who just happens to be the son of the Head Coach and in his first home game this year he threw for 200 yards and 2 TD's in a win against Colorado State. The Seminole offense has had its struggles this season but then again so has the Buffaloes defense. This is a classic case of the stoppable force going against the moveable object. For a young Colorado team this is a chance to get off to a good start and for the Noles a loss here could be absolutely devastating to their season and to their longtime coach.
#21 Boston College @ #15 Georgia Tech- A marquee match-up of top 25 teams and for Boston College a chance to get off to a 3-0 start in the ACC. If BC gets a win here they have 4 straight easy out of conference games (Army, BGSU, UMass & Notre Dame) and then a bye week before going to Virginia Tech, where they could come in as a Top 10 team. Georgia Tech already has a big win on the road at South Bend and would love to get off to a 1-0 start in conference play, with the Coastal Division clearly up for grabs. Yellow Jacket running back Tashard Choice is tearing it up again this year but the Eagles defense has been stout only yielding 58 total rushing yards this season. This game could come down to the arm of Tech QB Taylor Bennett who hasn't had to win a game yet, but the BC defense has given up over 300 yards a game through the air. If the Eagles can go on the road and get this win I think they will be playing in Jacksonville for the ACC title.
Pittsburgh @ Michigan State- Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has had back to back 6-6 campaigns, but has a chance to get his Panthers to 3-0 here early this season. His stout defense will be going into a high powered environment where the Spartans have the 19th ranked offense in the country. Michigan State is lead by a pair of Juniors, QB Brian Hoyer and WR Devin Thomas. Thomas has begun to emerge this season going for over 100 yards in each of the first 2 games. The Spartans have the high powered offense that can stretch the field and against the Panthers they will need to. On of these teams will move to 3-0 on the early season and give a young team confidence as they go into conference play; the winner of this game will go on to have a very good season.
#20 Tennessee @ #5 Florida- Always the first marquee game in the Southeastern Conference, the Vols and the Gators. The Gators are coming off a national championship and two easy blowout victories and 2 straight big wins in the series. Tim Tebow has taken over the fulltime QB duties and has shown the double threat ability that he was so highly touted for. The Vols defense will have a hard time trying to control Tebow, but I don't think the Gator defense has an easy task. Senior QB Erik Ainge has continued to improve and has not thrown an interception yet this season. Ainge has found two new targets down field in Junior Lucas Taylor and Sophomore Austin Rogers and against an untested Gator defense they could put some points on the board. I think this will be a high scoring affair and could be a chance for Phillip Fullmer and the Vols to make a statement and say they haven’t faded into oblivion like most fans think
4 Players to See
Kevin Smith, RB UCF- Smith has averaged a little over 1,000 yards each of his first two seasons and this year is poised for a breakout year. Averaging over 6 yards per carry in the early season he will need to continue to carry the load for the Golden Knights. In the seasons only game on the road at NC State he rushed for over 200 yards in a two point victory. In order for UCF to have a chance this week they will need to control the clock and Smith's running will be a key as he goes against one of the most formidable defensive fronts in the country; the Longhorns have only given up 170 yards rushing in 2 games.
Rey Maualuga, MLB Southern Cal- He is one of those guys who they say has a motor that never quits. Well his motor better be revved up and ready to go Saturday because as the MLB he will have a singular focus against the Cornhuskers and that is stop Marlon Lucky. Lucky has racked up over 300 yards and 4 TD’s in two games. Maulaga will have to spearhead the Trojan defense and keep Lucky under control if they want to have a chance in Lincoln this weekend,
Todd Boeckman, QB Ohio State- The Buckeyes have been able to ease Boeckman into the starting job replacing Heisman winner Troy Smith by playing Akron and Youngstown. But now all of sudden Boeckman has to grow up in a hurry on the road going against one of the most improved teams in the country. So far he has been efficient and he will have to be the same in Husky Stadium as the noise level will rise each possession. Boeckman’s poise in this game will show Coach Tressel what he has for the Big 10 wars.
Adarius Bowman, WR Oklahoma State- Bowman has been steady so far but is looking for a breakout game. The Troy defense has given up yards in bunches this year and Bowman is looking to exploit their small unproven secondary. This could be a showcase for Bowman to go for over 200 yards and 3 TD’s.
#9 Louisville @ Kentucky- This one could be the shootout in the Bluegrass State, the lowest point total for either team this season is 50. Recently Louisville has owned this rivalry for the Governors Cup, but Kentucky is about as good as they have been in the last ten years. The one thing we know is that Louisville is going to score and they will do so on the right arm of Brian Brohm, who has 9 TD's and over 750 yards of offense this season. The Louisville defense has resembled a sive more than anything else recently and Andre Woodson and the Widlcats can score in bunches. This game could easily come down to who has the ball last. The one advantage may go to Kentucky who has the stronger rushing attack lead by the 9.5 yards per carry of Raphael Little and 8.7 yards per carry of Tony Dixon
Florida State @ Colorado- The Seminoles take to the road to see if they can get this season going in the right direction. They will be facing an up and coming Colorado team, which has played well going 1-1 in this early season. Dan Hawkins Buff's are lead by a freshmen QB who just happens to be the son of the Head Coach and in his first home game this year he threw for 200 yards and 2 TD's in a win against Colorado State. The Seminole offense has had its struggles this season but then again so has the Buffaloes defense. This is a classic case of the stoppable force going against the moveable object. For a young Colorado team this is a chance to get off to a good start and for the Noles a loss here could be absolutely devastating to their season and to their longtime coach.
#21 Boston College @ #15 Georgia Tech- A marquee match-up of top 25 teams and for Boston College a chance to get off to a 3-0 start in the ACC. If BC gets a win here they have 4 straight easy out of conference games (Army, BGSU, UMass & Notre Dame) and then a bye week before going to Virginia Tech, where they could come in as a Top 10 team. Georgia Tech already has a big win on the road at South Bend and would love to get off to a 1-0 start in conference play, with the Coastal Division clearly up for grabs. Yellow Jacket running back Tashard Choice is tearing it up again this year but the Eagles defense has been stout only yielding 58 total rushing yards this season. This game could come down to the arm of Tech QB Taylor Bennett who hasn't had to win a game yet, but the BC defense has given up over 300 yards a game through the air. If the Eagles can go on the road and get this win I think they will be playing in Jacksonville for the ACC title.
Pittsburgh @ Michigan State- Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has had back to back 6-6 campaigns, but has a chance to get his Panthers to 3-0 here early this season. His stout defense will be going into a high powered environment where the Spartans have the 19th ranked offense in the country. Michigan State is lead by a pair of Juniors, QB Brian Hoyer and WR Devin Thomas. Thomas has begun to emerge this season going for over 100 yards in each of the first 2 games. The Spartans have the high powered offense that can stretch the field and against the Panthers they will need to. On of these teams will move to 3-0 on the early season and give a young team confidence as they go into conference play; the winner of this game will go on to have a very good season.
#20 Tennessee @ #5 Florida- Always the first marquee game in the Southeastern Conference, the Vols and the Gators. The Gators are coming off a national championship and two easy blowout victories and 2 straight big wins in the series. Tim Tebow has taken over the fulltime QB duties and has shown the double threat ability that he was so highly touted for. The Vols defense will have a hard time trying to control Tebow, but I don't think the Gator defense has an easy task. Senior QB Erik Ainge has continued to improve and has not thrown an interception yet this season. Ainge has found two new targets down field in Junior Lucas Taylor and Sophomore Austin Rogers and against an untested Gator defense they could put some points on the board. I think this will be a high scoring affair and could be a chance for Phillip Fullmer and the Vols to make a statement and say they haven’t faded into oblivion like most fans think
4 Players to See
Kevin Smith, RB UCF- Smith has averaged a little over 1,000 yards each of his first two seasons and this year is poised for a breakout year. Averaging over 6 yards per carry in the early season he will need to continue to carry the load for the Golden Knights. In the seasons only game on the road at NC State he rushed for over 200 yards in a two point victory. In order for UCF to have a chance this week they will need to control the clock and Smith's running will be a key as he goes against one of the most formidable defensive fronts in the country; the Longhorns have only given up 170 yards rushing in 2 games.
Rey Maualuga, MLB Southern Cal- He is one of those guys who they say has a motor that never quits. Well his motor better be revved up and ready to go Saturday because as the MLB he will have a singular focus against the Cornhuskers and that is stop Marlon Lucky. Lucky has racked up over 300 yards and 4 TD’s in two games. Maulaga will have to spearhead the Trojan defense and keep Lucky under control if they want to have a chance in Lincoln this weekend,
Todd Boeckman, QB Ohio State- The Buckeyes have been able to ease Boeckman into the starting job replacing Heisman winner Troy Smith by playing Akron and Youngstown. But now all of sudden Boeckman has to grow up in a hurry on the road going against one of the most improved teams in the country. So far he has been efficient and he will have to be the same in Husky Stadium as the noise level will rise each possession. Boeckman’s poise in this game will show Coach Tressel what he has for the Big 10 wars.
Adarius Bowman, WR Oklahoma State- Bowman has been steady so far but is looking for a breakout game. The Troy defense has given up yards in bunches this year and Bowman is looking to exploit their small unproven secondary. This could be a showcase for Bowman to go for over 200 yards and 3 TD’s.
Filowitz's Friday Five
1) Do you think Roger Goodell feels cursed? Tagliabue retires and he gets to deal with Pacman, Vick, and now a paralyzed player and the Patriots spying thing. I'm pretty sure Tagliabue didn't have to deal with anything close to that in the last five years, let alone all in a six month span. Roger Goodell may want to consider going to Haiti and talking to some voodoo people. Soon.
2) All things considered, I'm more psyched for the Kellen Clemens Era than I was for, say, the Brooks Bollinger Experience or the Epoch of Ray Lucas.
3) Pandora.com Get up on some very cool internet radio. Free. You put in a song or artist you like, it plays you other songs or artists that are similar. Did I mention it's free?
4) The Greg Oden injury is really depressing. Really, anything that makes you think of Sam Bowie is depressing. Even if you're in the Bowie family.
5) In honor of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, go eat some apples and honey. All of you, even the goyim. It symbolizes a sweet new year. And it's delicious.
2) All things considered, I'm more psyched for the Kellen Clemens Era than I was for, say, the Brooks Bollinger Experience or the Epoch of Ray Lucas.
3) Pandora.com Get up on some very cool internet radio. Free. You put in a song or artist you like, it plays you other songs or artists that are similar. Did I mention it's free?
4) The Greg Oden injury is really depressing. Really, anything that makes you think of Sam Bowie is depressing. Even if you're in the Bowie family.
5) In honor of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, go eat some apples and honey. All of you, even the goyim. It symbolizes a sweet new year. And it's delicious.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Remembrances in memoriam
I was in Vivian Stringer's office when the towers came down, she was not there, she was on a plane. I was huddled with a group of 4-5 people transfixed to the television watching the world as we knew it change forever. Ill be the first to admit I hate hyperbole but to deny that 9/11 changed the world as we knew it is simply foolish.
I remember being angry, I remember being scared and most of all I remember feeling a real sense of brotherhood.
I remember being glued to the television, watching any bit of news I could find.
I remember heading to the RAC to volunteer since it was designated a triage site and waiting and waiting but no victims appeared.
I remember seeing the Pentagon on fire, then the immediate reports of car bombs throughout Washington and the total feeling of helplessness.
I remember going to the hospital to donate blood and having to wait hours in a cramped waiting room and the nods of acknowledgement shared by all and not one person complaining.
I remember going to school and packing supplies for the firefighters at ground zero and cheering for passing fire trucks.
I remember seeing a smoldering grey cloud of hovering smoke serving as a shroud over NYC.
I remember feeling guilty that I wasn’t doing more to help.
I remember the power of my first trip to Ground Zero. You couldn’t get a cab down there so we walked close to 30 blocks. I was astonished by both the sheer magnitude of the “pile” and the layers of paper, photos and signs affixed to anything that would hold.
I remember the giant American flag unfurled in centerfield at the first Yankee game after the attack, I have no idea who won the game.
I remember heading to Rutgers Stadium for the first football game not because it was an important game but because I needed to be around people. I remember trying to choke back tears listening to a lone trumpet emerging seemingly out of nowhere from the open end of the stadium to play taps.
I remember the Concert for New York and the Telethon. True celebrations of the power of music to foster healing.
I remember candlelight vigils in our neighborhood, people actually standing on their street corners with candles.
I remember calling Kris and one of us saying that for the first time in our life I understand what Pearl Harbor felt like and I would be willing to fight.
I remember being in a dollar store and hearing we had launched bombing strikes in Afghanistan.
I remember finding out that a good friend was supposed to be there.
I remember going to the World Series and while I don’t remember the security measures I do remember the flyover, the eagle Challenger and the red white and blue all over the place and the god bless America at the 7th inning stretch and most of all the Tino Martinez Home Run in the 9th and the Jeter walk-off that seemed to carry the spirit of the city.
I remember seeing my first M-16 rifle, it was strapped to a soldier standing guard in Penn Station.
I remember being scared when I heard the sounds of a plane flying a little too low.
I remember the blue light towers that shined in remembrance of what was once the symbol of lower Manhattan.
I remember the military patrol fly-overs.
I remember the skyline looking very strange and empty.
If you weren’t in New York or DC I don’t know if you truly felt the impact. I am fortunate to not have lost any close friends.
The area was gripped with fear. One of my friends said he expected the tv screen to fade to black and bin Laden’s face to come on and announce a take over.
It’s amazing how different a world we live in today simply from a security standpoint. 9/11 changed that, it changed the way we travel by air, it changed the way we attend big sporting events, it changed the way every explosion is reported.
It was a time when the country truly united. You saw celebrities giving of their time and resources and not for selfish reasons. They were not trying to push albums or upcoming movies. 9/11 was eventually politicized, but at first it was a positive polarization of the country. It engendered a sense of unity which I had not previously seen nor have seen since.
That unity was bolstered by sports, it is unquestioned that New York rallied behind its teams and most of the country threw its support behind New York. The Yankees, Rutgers and the Giants all provided avenues for me to escape the blanket of fear that covered us and for that I am grateful.
Our country never realized the potential of post 9/11 America, the opportunities were boundless to make the kind of change Martin argues for in the post below, but those opportunities were neglected.
I wish nothing but peace and prosperity to those personally affected six years ago and to the far too often forgotten rescue workers who continue to develop debilitating respiratory illnesses with far too little support from our government.
In the end, I don’t think anyone has captured the feelings of New York better than Bruce Springsteen did on the Rising album. I just want to share a few verses:
EMPTY SKY
I woke up this morning
I could barely breathe
Just an empty impression
In the bed where you used to be
I want a kiss from your lips
I want an eye for an eye
I woke up this morning to the empty sky
INTO THE FIRE
The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
THE RISING
Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile line
Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
Wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
YOU’RE MISSING
Shirts in the closet, shoes in the hall
Mama's in the kitchen, baby and all
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
But you're missing
Coffee cups on the counter, jackets on the chair
Papers on the doorstep, you're not there
Everything is everythingEverything is everything
But you're missing
Pictures on the nightstand, TV's on in the den
Your house is waiting, your house is waiting
For you to walk in, for you to walk in
But you're missing, you're missing
You're missing when I shut out the lights
You're missing when I close my eyes
You're missing when I see the sun rise
You're missing
Children are asking if it's alright
Will you be in our arms tonight?
Morning is morning, the evening falls I have
Too much room in my bed, too many phone calls
How's everything, everything?
Everything, everything
You're missing, you're missing
God's drifting in heaven, devil's in the mailboxI
got dust on my shoes, nothing but teardrops
I remember being angry, I remember being scared and most of all I remember feeling a real sense of brotherhood.
I remember being glued to the television, watching any bit of news I could find.
I remember heading to the RAC to volunteer since it was designated a triage site and waiting and waiting but no victims appeared.
I remember seeing the Pentagon on fire, then the immediate reports of car bombs throughout Washington and the total feeling of helplessness.
I remember going to the hospital to donate blood and having to wait hours in a cramped waiting room and the nods of acknowledgement shared by all and not one person complaining.
I remember going to school and packing supplies for the firefighters at ground zero and cheering for passing fire trucks.
I remember seeing a smoldering grey cloud of hovering smoke serving as a shroud over NYC.
I remember feeling guilty that I wasn’t doing more to help.
I remember the power of my first trip to Ground Zero. You couldn’t get a cab down there so we walked close to 30 blocks. I was astonished by both the sheer magnitude of the “pile” and the layers of paper, photos and signs affixed to anything that would hold.
I remember the giant American flag unfurled in centerfield at the first Yankee game after the attack, I have no idea who won the game.
I remember heading to Rutgers Stadium for the first football game not because it was an important game but because I needed to be around people. I remember trying to choke back tears listening to a lone trumpet emerging seemingly out of nowhere from the open end of the stadium to play taps.
I remember the Concert for New York and the Telethon. True celebrations of the power of music to foster healing.
I remember candlelight vigils in our neighborhood, people actually standing on their street corners with candles.
I remember calling Kris and one of us saying that for the first time in our life I understand what Pearl Harbor felt like and I would be willing to fight.
I remember being in a dollar store and hearing we had launched bombing strikes in Afghanistan.
I remember finding out that a good friend was supposed to be there.
I remember going to the World Series and while I don’t remember the security measures I do remember the flyover, the eagle Challenger and the red white and blue all over the place and the god bless America at the 7th inning stretch and most of all the Tino Martinez Home Run in the 9th and the Jeter walk-off that seemed to carry the spirit of the city.
I remember seeing my first M-16 rifle, it was strapped to a soldier standing guard in Penn Station.
I remember being scared when I heard the sounds of a plane flying a little too low.
I remember the blue light towers that shined in remembrance of what was once the symbol of lower Manhattan.
I remember the military patrol fly-overs.
I remember the skyline looking very strange and empty.
If you weren’t in New York or DC I don’t know if you truly felt the impact. I am fortunate to not have lost any close friends.
The area was gripped with fear. One of my friends said he expected the tv screen to fade to black and bin Laden’s face to come on and announce a take over.
It’s amazing how different a world we live in today simply from a security standpoint. 9/11 changed that, it changed the way we travel by air, it changed the way we attend big sporting events, it changed the way every explosion is reported.
It was a time when the country truly united. You saw celebrities giving of their time and resources and not for selfish reasons. They were not trying to push albums or upcoming movies. 9/11 was eventually politicized, but at first it was a positive polarization of the country. It engendered a sense of unity which I had not previously seen nor have seen since.
That unity was bolstered by sports, it is unquestioned that New York rallied behind its teams and most of the country threw its support behind New York. The Yankees, Rutgers and the Giants all provided avenues for me to escape the blanket of fear that covered us and for that I am grateful.
Our country never realized the potential of post 9/11 America, the opportunities were boundless to make the kind of change Martin argues for in the post below, but those opportunities were neglected.
I wish nothing but peace and prosperity to those personally affected six years ago and to the far too often forgotten rescue workers who continue to develop debilitating respiratory illnesses with far too little support from our government.
In the end, I don’t think anyone has captured the feelings of New York better than Bruce Springsteen did on the Rising album. I just want to share a few verses:
EMPTY SKY
I woke up this morning
I could barely breathe
Just an empty impression
In the bed where you used to be
I want a kiss from your lips
I want an eye for an eye
I woke up this morning to the empty sky
INTO THE FIRE
The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
THE RISING
Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile line
Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
Wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
YOU’RE MISSING
Shirts in the closet, shoes in the hall
Mama's in the kitchen, baby and all
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
But you're missing
Coffee cups on the counter, jackets on the chair
Papers on the doorstep, you're not there
Everything is everythingEverything is everything
But you're missing
Pictures on the nightstand, TV's on in the den
Your house is waiting, your house is waiting
For you to walk in, for you to walk in
But you're missing, you're missing
You're missing when I shut out the lights
You're missing when I close my eyes
You're missing when I see the sun rise
You're missing
Children are asking if it's alright
Will you be in our arms tonight?
Morning is morning, the evening falls I have
Too much room in my bed, too many phone calls
How's everything, everything?
Everything, everything
You're missing, you're missing
God's drifting in heaven, devil's in the mailboxI
got dust on my shoes, nothing but teardrops
Looking back
Where were you when the planes hit?
Like it or not, that will be the question we ask strangers and long-lost friends at some point in the future. It's the question that will travel with his generation, similar to those alive when the bombs hit Pearl Harbor.
I was in Cameron, Missouri, working as the sports writer for a weekly paper. It was a plush job, covering one high school in a town of about 10,000, 45 minutes north of Kansas City.
I kept college-student hours, working late into the night at times and 'partying' the rest. I was dilligent with my work, but I was asleep while others at my office building were at work when I got the phone call.
I really can't remember who, but I would have to guess it was my sister, who told me to turn the television on. When I did, I was likely like the rest of you, staring in awe as the first tower went down.
I raced to the office (It was a deadline day, but like I said, I worked nights) and noticed on the television in the break room when the second tower was hit. I soon was able to contact my mom, who was living in New York City at the time and remarked how the ash from the downtown district had made its way to Brooklyn and Queens, where she worked, but she was OK.
I thought about all the rest of the friends and family I have and had in the region and I wrote this column. It was edited afterwards and even that version didn't reach many eyes, so I will use this forum to publish it again.
Feel free to comment as you wish, but this was the way I felt at the moment. Would I write the same thing now, that is hard to say...
I was going to talk about the defending NFC champions. I was going to discuss the tradition of my favorite football franchise. How the mantle of the quarterback position has been passed down from Frank Gifford and Y.A. Title to Phil Simms to Kerry Collins. I was going to write about how this year’s defense reminds me of 1986 and the terror and chaos created by Jim Burt, Harry Carson, George Martin and LT. But there are other chaotic things going on in New York, and I don’t mean the subway system…
I have my opinion and I’m entitled to it, but something tells me I’m going to hear about this one.
I can’t listen to the reports of ‘terrorist activity’ on the Eastern seaboard and not feel a rush of confusing adrenaline. I can’t watch footage of planes crashing into building and not gaze in wonderment as people around me emit emotions of sadness and concern. Call it a defense reaction from a scarred boy or a natural reaction from a deranged lunatic, but I can’t hide my feelings.
Yes, I understand that people are dead. I heard that people jumped from the higher floors of the World Trade Center soon after the explosion to avoid the fire and brimstone that awaited them in their office. I’m sure the injuries suffered by the curious onlookers when the buildings collapsed were much higher than they should be because you can’t stop New Yorkers from rubbernecking.
I have family and friends that live and work in New York. I have friends in Washington D.C., although I’m sure they weren’t anywhere near the Pentagon or the White House when explosions caused those buildings to be evacuated.
But I know people everywhere and everywhere, people are dying. Maybe that’s why I can’t get too upset with all this chaos. CNN may spend the next two weeks discussing every possible angle about this day, but they certainly didn’t spend two seconds talking about all the children in Africa that died yesterday from diseases treatable with modern medicine. They spent little time recounting the story of the hundreds of people that are dead today because of drug overdoses. MSNBC has yet to do an hour long special on the inner city youths that were shot yesterday in New York, Detroit, D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston and Chicago.
I recognize the dark humor by whoever decided to do this (and there is one person who spearheaded this entire plan, regardless what the news or government says), picking September 11, or 911. I’m curious as to why President Bush was in Florida and not at home. I wonder why they didn’t try to bomb the Sears Tower or the San Andres Fault. Nevertheless, the fact that they shut down the entire airline industry in less than four hours shows me they knew exactly what they were doing. The question that will be tossed around every water cooler in America is why?
But just because it’s on television doesn’t mean that’s the only thing to worry and talk about. This country has a lot of problems and the events of Tuesday are just one of them. But finding out who did this isn’t going to get the millions of Americans off welfare and put their kids through school. The culprit isn’t going to confess to the crimes and explain how to end homelessness. It’s just another problem for this dying republic to deal with. Except this problem gets national media coverage while the rest gets pushed to the back burner and that’s the truth.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 1
No one understands the real deal with this Jets game.
See, this was obviously all part of Mangini’s plan. He figured they can afford to lose one game. So why not lose a game really badly early on? That way, the expectations are super-low for the team. The guys don’t get too full of themselves. The Daily News isn’t putting them in the Super Bowl after week 2. This way he can have the team’s full attention, and get a lot of credit if the team looks remotely competent the rest of the year.
It’s the same lowered-expectation strategy they used for George W. Bush in 2000 when he debated Al Gore. And look what that did for W. Yeah, that’s it. Mangini is just coaching like Karl Rove runs political campaigns. Next thing Belichick gets accused of fathering a black baby in South Carolina. Ah, that Mangenius. Gotta love him.
Alright, delusional ranting over.
Let’s just get it out there: The Patriots kicked ass. Thoroughly and unquestionably.
Let’s also get this out there: This does not mean that the Jets are a horrible team. They got beat by the best team in the league. This will probably happen to most teams this year.
Generally speaking, I like what the coaching staff tries to do. They are well prepared, they pay attention to detail, and they come up with creative game plans specific to the opposition and designed to maximize what they can do given the talent on the team and the weaknesses of the other team.
Against the Patriots, two things are obvious:
1 – The Patriots don’t have many weaknesses.
2 – The Jets don’t have enough talent to maximize against a team this good. Especially on the offensive and defensive lines.
I’m not going to talk much about the fans booing Pennington (stupid, but they were getting embarrassed at home by their hated rivals, so what do you expect 70k drunk people to do?) or the Patriots getting accused of cheating (virtually irrelevant for a game like this.)
What it comes down to is that the Jets simply are not an elite team in the NFL. An elite team can not play their best and still have a chance to win (see the Chargers against the Bears, for example.) The Jets will beat teams they are supposed to beat. They will be competitive in the majority of games. But if they’re playing one of the elite teams, things have to go absolutely perfectly for them to even be in it.
That to me is the most frustrating thing. For the 20+ years I’ve been a Jets fan, the team has never been one of the elite teams in the league. Even in the best of years, like the 12-4 1998 version that went to the AFC championship game, they weren’t considered elite. I’d like that to happen in my lifetime. I want to know what it’s like to expect my team to win instead of expecting to be annoyed and cursing a lot on Sundays.
This year, I think they’ll be more competitive than they looked against the Pats. They’ll still win 8 to 10 games, and be in contention for the playoffs. But even if they make the playoffs, they won’t win the Super Bowl. They probably won’t even win a playoff game.
So it’s another year of waiting for another year. I’ll keep watching though. Jets fans are nothing if not masochistic.
See, this was obviously all part of Mangini’s plan. He figured they can afford to lose one game. So why not lose a game really badly early on? That way, the expectations are super-low for the team. The guys don’t get too full of themselves. The Daily News isn’t putting them in the Super Bowl after week 2. This way he can have the team’s full attention, and get a lot of credit if the team looks remotely competent the rest of the year.
It’s the same lowered-expectation strategy they used for George W. Bush in 2000 when he debated Al Gore. And look what that did for W. Yeah, that’s it. Mangini is just coaching like Karl Rove runs political campaigns. Next thing Belichick gets accused of fathering a black baby in South Carolina. Ah, that Mangenius. Gotta love him.
Alright, delusional ranting over.
Let’s just get it out there: The Patriots kicked ass. Thoroughly and unquestionably.
Let’s also get this out there: This does not mean that the Jets are a horrible team. They got beat by the best team in the league. This will probably happen to most teams this year.
Generally speaking, I like what the coaching staff tries to do. They are well prepared, they pay attention to detail, and they come up with creative game plans specific to the opposition and designed to maximize what they can do given the talent on the team and the weaknesses of the other team.
Against the Patriots, two things are obvious:
1 – The Patriots don’t have many weaknesses.
2 – The Jets don’t have enough talent to maximize against a team this good. Especially on the offensive and defensive lines.
I’m not going to talk much about the fans booing Pennington (stupid, but they were getting embarrassed at home by their hated rivals, so what do you expect 70k drunk people to do?) or the Patriots getting accused of cheating (virtually irrelevant for a game like this.)
What it comes down to is that the Jets simply are not an elite team in the NFL. An elite team can not play their best and still have a chance to win (see the Chargers against the Bears, for example.) The Jets will beat teams they are supposed to beat. They will be competitive in the majority of games. But if they’re playing one of the elite teams, things have to go absolutely perfectly for them to even be in it.
That to me is the most frustrating thing. For the 20+ years I’ve been a Jets fan, the team has never been one of the elite teams in the league. Even in the best of years, like the 12-4 1998 version that went to the AFC championship game, they weren’t considered elite. I’d like that to happen in my lifetime. I want to know what it’s like to expect my team to win instead of expecting to be annoyed and cursing a lot on Sundays.
This year, I think they’ll be more competitive than they looked against the Pats. They’ll still win 8 to 10 games, and be in contention for the playoffs. But even if they make the playoffs, they won’t win the Super Bowl. They probably won’t even win a playoff game.
So it’s another year of waiting for another year. I’ll keep watching though. Jets fans are nothing if not masochistic.
Kanye the Hack
Martin, I was going to respond to your post the other day when you reviewed the latest album from Kanye West. I myself think they guy is basically a hypocritical hack, but maybe thats just me. Maybe I was just picking on Kanye because I don't like black people or bad musical artists, that was until last evening......
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=274940>1=7703
Mr. West was so enraged that he didn't win a VMA (is this really that tragic) he threw a tantrum (what is he nine) and screamed "give a black man a chance." Oh thats right because MTV is a bunch of right wing nutbags who hate black people. Just for good measure too I took the time to look it up and saw that 7 times a "black man" has won Male Artist of the year and 6 times Video of the Year, two of the categories where Mr. West felt like the "brother" had no chance.
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=274940>1=7703
Mr. West was so enraged that he didn't win a VMA (is this really that tragic) he threw a tantrum (what is he nine) and screamed "give a black man a chance." Oh thats right because MTV is a bunch of right wing nutbags who hate black people. Just for good measure too I took the time to look it up and saw that 7 times a "black man" has won Male Artist of the year and 6 times Video of the Year, two of the categories where Mr. West felt like the "brother" had no chance.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Final Football Thoughts
COLLEGE
- Yes there is room on tha band wagon baby. The South Florida Bulls pulled off yet another upset, like they have each of the last three seasons. However, this was probably their biggest upset in the schools short football history; going on the road into a hostile SEC environment and snagging a victory even with their kicker going 2-6 in the game.
- Speaking of the Bulls and Big East football check the standings the conference is 14-2 right now with Syracuse the only team having a loss. Obiosuly the SEc is the best conference in America and you can argue the Pac-10/Big 12 as the second best but the Big East is making some noise with West Virginia, Louisville, Rutgers and South Florida all being legit top 25 teams.
- Next week the 0-2 Wolverines match-up with the 0-2 Fighting Irish and I couldn't be happier. If Michigan gets crushed again can they just go ahead and get rid of Lloyd Carr now, why wait? And speaking of firing coach's are the Golden Domers going to get rid of the white guy as fast as they fired the brother? One other dig on Notre Dame, from my friend Seth Emersons Blog live from the Sanford Stadium press box on Saturday night "It was kind of interesting to see ESPN analyst Bob Davie during halftime watching the Notre Dame-Penn State game. Davie’s face didn’t give away any emotions, but I have to wonder if he was thinking, "That’s two coaches who haven’t gotten it done since they axed me."
- After LSU creamed Mississippi State on opening night some people were hesitant to give the Bayou Bengals credit saying there were some things that they lacked. Well now they invited the Hokies into Death Valley and beat them like a red headed step child. The Tiger defense swarmed the Hokies all night long, making QB Sean Glennon and RB Brandon Ore look like high school players. And their offense was potent while Matt Flynn is beginning to look like a big time quarterback.
- Psssst...........someone tell the Hurricanes they aren't any good. The Sooners put it on them all day long on Saturday and showed they have one of the best defensive teams in the country.
- Don't look now but the Washington Huskies lead by Tyrone Willingham are 2-0 and are looking pretty good. Sophomore QB Jake Locker and the Huskies welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes into town next weekend and it could be a chance to make a statement.
PRO
- Oh Norv, you gave us every chance to have your Chargers to lose at home on opening day, but because of a lucky special teams play you were able to pull it out. I hope I get to watch a lot of the Chargers this season just to see how Norvulous can screw it up, somewhere Pat Phillips is stabbing himself because Norv got another job.
- Congratulations to Brett Favre who tied John Elway for most wins all time by a quarterback, now he just has to catch Marino in yards and touchdowns which should happen this year.
- For anyone who was unsure on how things were going to work out for the Patriots I think they answered those questions. They went into the meadowlands and dismantled a good Jets team. And speaking of the Patriots, in typical Pats fashion some dude named Ellis Hobbs set the record for longest kick return for a touchdown, and I have no idea who he is at all.
- I am going to go ahead and let the Jon Gruden watch officially begin, he is 0-1 and one week closer to being unemployed.
- The NFL bandwagon I am on is the Houston Texans, mostly because of my Matt Schaub man crush. That being said the Texans played a very solid game, though it was against a relatively weak Kansas City Chiefs squad, Schaub looked sharp, the runnign game with Ahman Green & Ron Dayne was effective, and defensive end Mario Williams started the season off with a bang; with 2 sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
- Other units that looked impressive in week 1; Cotls Offense, Cowboys Offense, Lions Offense, Packers Defense, Panthers Defense, and Chargers Defense.
- Martin reading over your Giants oreview you didn't spend nearly enough time talking about how awful this defense would be, they suck balls!!!
- Yes there is room on tha band wagon baby. The South Florida Bulls pulled off yet another upset, like they have each of the last three seasons. However, this was probably their biggest upset in the schools short football history; going on the road into a hostile SEC environment and snagging a victory even with their kicker going 2-6 in the game.
- Speaking of the Bulls and Big East football check the standings the conference is 14-2 right now with Syracuse the only team having a loss. Obiosuly the SEc is the best conference in America and you can argue the Pac-10/Big 12 as the second best but the Big East is making some noise with West Virginia, Louisville, Rutgers and South Florida all being legit top 25 teams.
- Next week the 0-2 Wolverines match-up with the 0-2 Fighting Irish and I couldn't be happier. If Michigan gets crushed again can they just go ahead and get rid of Lloyd Carr now, why wait? And speaking of firing coach's are the Golden Domers going to get rid of the white guy as fast as they fired the brother? One other dig on Notre Dame, from my friend Seth Emersons Blog live from the Sanford Stadium press box on Saturday night "It was kind of interesting to see ESPN analyst Bob Davie during halftime watching the Notre Dame-Penn State game. Davie’s face didn’t give away any emotions, but I have to wonder if he was thinking, "That’s two coaches who haven’t gotten it done since they axed me."
- After LSU creamed Mississippi State on opening night some people were hesitant to give the Bayou Bengals credit saying there were some things that they lacked. Well now they invited the Hokies into Death Valley and beat them like a red headed step child. The Tiger defense swarmed the Hokies all night long, making QB Sean Glennon and RB Brandon Ore look like high school players. And their offense was potent while Matt Flynn is beginning to look like a big time quarterback.
- Psssst...........someone tell the Hurricanes they aren't any good. The Sooners put it on them all day long on Saturday and showed they have one of the best defensive teams in the country.
- Don't look now but the Washington Huskies lead by Tyrone Willingham are 2-0 and are looking pretty good. Sophomore QB Jake Locker and the Huskies welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes into town next weekend and it could be a chance to make a statement.
PRO
- Oh Norv, you gave us every chance to have your Chargers to lose at home on opening day, but because of a lucky special teams play you were able to pull it out. I hope I get to watch a lot of the Chargers this season just to see how Norvulous can screw it up, somewhere Pat Phillips is stabbing himself because Norv got another job.
- Congratulations to Brett Favre who tied John Elway for most wins all time by a quarterback, now he just has to catch Marino in yards and touchdowns which should happen this year.
- For anyone who was unsure on how things were going to work out for the Patriots I think they answered those questions. They went into the meadowlands and dismantled a good Jets team. And speaking of the Patriots, in typical Pats fashion some dude named Ellis Hobbs set the record for longest kick return for a touchdown, and I have no idea who he is at all.
- I am going to go ahead and let the Jon Gruden watch officially begin, he is 0-1 and one week closer to being unemployed.
- The NFL bandwagon I am on is the Houston Texans, mostly because of my Matt Schaub man crush. That being said the Texans played a very solid game, though it was against a relatively weak Kansas City Chiefs squad, Schaub looked sharp, the runnign game with Ahman Green & Ron Dayne was effective, and defensive end Mario Williams started the season off with a bang; with 2 sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
- Other units that looked impressive in week 1; Cotls Offense, Cowboys Offense, Lions Offense, Packers Defense, Panthers Defense, and Chargers Defense.
- Martin reading over your Giants oreview you didn't spend nearly enough time talking about how awful this defense would be, they suck balls!!!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
On Campus 9/8/07
5 Games to Watch
#19 TCU @. #7 Texas- The Horned Frogs are th ebets team int he country that nobody talks about. They have won 11 games in 3 of the last 4 seasons and right now hold a 4 game winning streak against Big 12 opponents. They have a potent offense and a defense that can rival anyone in the country. Defensively they have speed at every position and going against an inexperienced Texas offensive line could spell trouble for Colt McCoy. Lastly, TCU is playing with a huge grudge on their shoulder after Texas Coach Mack Brown failed to put them in his final season poll Top 25 last year.
#10 Cal @ Colorado State- The Bears come off a huge win against Tennessee last week, but going to Fort Collins could be a trap. CSU lost a heartbreaker last week to arch rival Colorado, but they are still a good team. They have a super tailback in Kyle Bell who missed last year with an injury, and a solid senior leader in QB Caleb Hanie. Rams coach Sonny Lubbeck always has a trick up his sleeve andpulls off an upset or two when he has his most veteran teams. Nate Longshore will need to continue to improve and play mistake free football if he wants to lead his Bears to another big victory.
South Florida @ #17 Auburn- Anyone who knows me knows at this point that I have a huge man crush on the South Florida football program, Coach Jim Leavitt and most especially Matt Grothe (who is my 2008 Heisman Trophy Winner). This team has a devestating defense which can take Auburns mediocre offense and make it look downright bad. The Tigers are not as talented as the used to be on either side of the ball and they will have to rely more on the raucous SEC crowd to help will them to victory. The Bulls have a chance in front of a national television audience to prove that they have what it takes, adn this could be the coming out party for Grothe and the crew.
Missouri @ Ole Miss- Missouri has a chance to open up the season 2-0 on the road against two BCS conference teams, albeit Illinois and Ole Miss, that would still be impressive. QB Chase Daniel picked right where he left off last season throwing for over 300 yards and 3 TD's. Ole Miss is a program that is still running in place with Coach Orgeron and this is a chance for them to get their first big win in years. The Ole Miss defense will need to be up to task to stop the high octane Missouri offense. If the Rebels defense struggles it could be a long afternoon for the people down their int he Grove and I wouldn't be suprised if grumblings about Orgerons's future are being heard.
South Carolina @ #11 Georgia- Down between the hedges the Bulldogs and Gamecocks lock horns in their seasonal Week 2 match-up. This game usually shapes both teams season, especially the Gamecocks. This is a chance to get off to an early 1-0 start in conference play. Coach Spurrier leads the Gamecocks into Athens with more questiosn than answers; his defense which was supposed to behis team stength gave up 250 rushing yards and missed a bunch of tackles versus Louisiana-Lafayette last week and 5th yr Senior QB Blake Mitchell was suspended, so this will be his first start. Georgia on the other hadn played a solid game against Oklahoma State and QB MAthew Stafford looks poised for a big season.
4 Players to See
Glenn Dorsey, DE LSU- He is one of the best Defensive Tackles in the country and he has a chance to be the difference maker today agaisnt Virginia Tech. The Tech line last week couldn't stop the front seven of East Carolina, which should have Dorsey licking his chops. Dorsey could havea field day today and live int he Tech backfield making things difficult for Sean Glennon to pass and even harder for Brandon Ore to get anything going onthe ground.
Kirby Freeman, QB Miami- The Junior signal caller won the job fair and square in fall camp but looked unimpressive in the season debut last week, going only 9-21 and leading his team to 24 points (one defensive TD) against Marshall. Freeman leads his men into hostile territory today in Nroman Oklahoma, where the Sooner defense is ready to reclaim its position as one of the nations best. Freeman will have to play mistake free and complete more passes if Miami has any chance to wint his ballgame.
Ben Olson, QB UCLA- The 24 yr old Junior has been through a lot in his college football life including starting school orginally at BYU, this weeks opponent, before going on a mormon mission and ending up transferring to UCLA. Last season started off with a lot of promise for Olson before an injury. He is back and looking sharp this season throwing 5 TD passes in his first start. Look for Olson to have a big game against his former team.
Louis Rankin, RB Washington- Last week Rankin torched the Syracuse defense up and down the field, averaging over 8 yards per carry and three touchdowns. This week the Huskies welcome Boise State to town, everyones darlings. The Broncos defensive line isn't as good as it was last year and Rankin could have another big day. Last season Rankin rushed for 112 yards at Oklahoma but was slowed by injury. This season healthy he could havea 1500 yard year and another big game against Boise State will put him on track for just that.
#19 TCU @. #7 Texas- The Horned Frogs are th ebets team int he country that nobody talks about. They have won 11 games in 3 of the last 4 seasons and right now hold a 4 game winning streak against Big 12 opponents. They have a potent offense and a defense that can rival anyone in the country. Defensively they have speed at every position and going against an inexperienced Texas offensive line could spell trouble for Colt McCoy. Lastly, TCU is playing with a huge grudge on their shoulder after Texas Coach Mack Brown failed to put them in his final season poll Top 25 last year.
#10 Cal @ Colorado State- The Bears come off a huge win against Tennessee last week, but going to Fort Collins could be a trap. CSU lost a heartbreaker last week to arch rival Colorado, but they are still a good team. They have a super tailback in Kyle Bell who missed last year with an injury, and a solid senior leader in QB Caleb Hanie. Rams coach Sonny Lubbeck always has a trick up his sleeve andpulls off an upset or two when he has his most veteran teams. Nate Longshore will need to continue to improve and play mistake free football if he wants to lead his Bears to another big victory.
South Florida @ #17 Auburn- Anyone who knows me knows at this point that I have a huge man crush on the South Florida football program, Coach Jim Leavitt and most especially Matt Grothe (who is my 2008 Heisman Trophy Winner). This team has a devestating defense which can take Auburns mediocre offense and make it look downright bad. The Tigers are not as talented as the used to be on either side of the ball and they will have to rely more on the raucous SEC crowd to help will them to victory. The Bulls have a chance in front of a national television audience to prove that they have what it takes, adn this could be the coming out party for Grothe and the crew.
Missouri @ Ole Miss- Missouri has a chance to open up the season 2-0 on the road against two BCS conference teams, albeit Illinois and Ole Miss, that would still be impressive. QB Chase Daniel picked right where he left off last season throwing for over 300 yards and 3 TD's. Ole Miss is a program that is still running in place with Coach Orgeron and this is a chance for them to get their first big win in years. The Ole Miss defense will need to be up to task to stop the high octane Missouri offense. If the Rebels defense struggles it could be a long afternoon for the people down their int he Grove and I wouldn't be suprised if grumblings about Orgerons's future are being heard.
South Carolina @ #11 Georgia- Down between the hedges the Bulldogs and Gamecocks lock horns in their seasonal Week 2 match-up. This game usually shapes both teams season, especially the Gamecocks. This is a chance to get off to an early 1-0 start in conference play. Coach Spurrier leads the Gamecocks into Athens with more questiosn than answers; his defense which was supposed to behis team stength gave up 250 rushing yards and missed a bunch of tackles versus Louisiana-Lafayette last week and 5th yr Senior QB Blake Mitchell was suspended, so this will be his first start. Georgia on the other hadn played a solid game against Oklahoma State and QB MAthew Stafford looks poised for a big season.
4 Players to See
Glenn Dorsey, DE LSU- He is one of the best Defensive Tackles in the country and he has a chance to be the difference maker today agaisnt Virginia Tech. The Tech line last week couldn't stop the front seven of East Carolina, which should have Dorsey licking his chops. Dorsey could havea field day today and live int he Tech backfield making things difficult for Sean Glennon to pass and even harder for Brandon Ore to get anything going onthe ground.
Kirby Freeman, QB Miami- The Junior signal caller won the job fair and square in fall camp but looked unimpressive in the season debut last week, going only 9-21 and leading his team to 24 points (one defensive TD) against Marshall. Freeman leads his men into hostile territory today in Nroman Oklahoma, where the Sooner defense is ready to reclaim its position as one of the nations best. Freeman will have to play mistake free and complete more passes if Miami has any chance to wint his ballgame.
Ben Olson, QB UCLA- The 24 yr old Junior has been through a lot in his college football life including starting school orginally at BYU, this weeks opponent, before going on a mormon mission and ending up transferring to UCLA. Last season started off with a lot of promise for Olson before an injury. He is back and looking sharp this season throwing 5 TD passes in his first start. Look for Olson to have a big game against his former team.
Louis Rankin, RB Washington- Last week Rankin torched the Syracuse defense up and down the field, averaging over 8 yards per carry and three touchdowns. This week the Huskies welcome Boise State to town, everyones darlings. The Broncos defensive line isn't as good as it was last year and Rankin could have another big day. Last season Rankin rushed for 112 yards at Oklahoma but was slowed by injury. This season healthy he could havea 1500 yard year and another big game against Boise State will put him on track for just that.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Final NFL Previews & Awards
I have been charged with rounding up the final two divisions as well as summing up the playoff picture for our NFL and handing out awards. As they say…..HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WE GO
AFC SOUTH
Well the one thing good about doing no research for my divisions is I have the easiest two in all of football.
The Indianapolis Colts are clearly the class of this division, and in case anyone wasn’t still sure of that, the complete ass raping of the New Orleans Saints should have reaffirmed that notion. The Colts offense is just so methodical and solid; Joseph Addai is the real deal and Peyton’s weapons are unlimited. The defense makes the plays it needs to, yes some times they can give up a lot for rushing yards, but any defense that has bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney is good enough for me.
Well the secret is now out of the closet if you have seen any of my fantasy teams, I have the hugest man crush on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. I truly think he has big time talent, like Top5 QB’s in the league. In about 2 years Falcons fans are going to start hurling themselves off the CNN Center thinking that this guy was sitting behind that clown Michael Vick. Coach Gary Kubiak knows how to coach a ground game, with an improving offensive line a stud wideout in Andre Johnson and now a big time QB I think the Texans can make that jump. Their defense is solid and I think Mario Williams will develop into an elite pass rusher especially with the additions they made this off-season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are like the Blue Jays of football. Every year a bunch of different analysts say watch out for the Jags this year and nothing ever happens. Hwo can you have one guy as your starter all through training camp and then magically decide a week before the season to cut him and go with his back-up? I love Jack Del Rio and still think he is the toughest guy in the field most days he coach’s but seems to me like this team can’t really compete with the big boys.
Everybody loves the Tennessee Titans and the great Vince Young, well everyone except me. Yeah it was cool to watch him run all over the place and surprise people and win games, but those days are over. Teams will be well prepared for his scrambling, believe me some video schmuck had to sit in a room and breakdown every single time Young dropped back to pass and scrambled instead, and coach’s then poured over that film. When they stuff his scrambling he will have to throw the ball, and this I have learned QB’s who complete only 50% of their passes and throw more INT’s than TD’s usually lose.
AFC WEST
This division is about as easy to predict as the South. Oakland stinks, Kansas City is okay, Denver is young and improving, and the Chargers are awesome, but they have Norvulous Turner as their head coach.
Mike Shannahan and the Denver Broncos are a team on the rise. They have very good young QB, a running back who averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year (and yearly the most potent rushing attack in the game regardless of the back), a fully healthy and 100% Javon Walker and newly singed Brandon Stokley on the other side. Couple that with a savvy coach and veteran offensive line and you will see good production. Defensively their secondary is sick and they are led by MLB DJ Williams the least talked about good young player in this league. I like the Broncos to possibly win 11-12 games this season.
Everyone knows the San Diego Chargers are just oozing with talent, but NORV FUCKING TURNER is their head coach. HELLO??? IS ANYONE HOME????? I don’t care what team you are or how good people think you are but when you lose your head coach and both coordinators the chances of your team being as good the next season are pretty slim. And those chance decrease when you replace your head coach with NORV FUCKING TURNER!!!!!!! Bonus question; for $100 name one receiver on the Chargers off the top of your head?
You play to win the games, ain’t that right Herm Edwards? Well your Kansas City Chiefs are going to play to hopefully be close enough to maybe have a chance to win some games. They have the vaunted QB tandem of Brody Croyle and Damon Huard, which is equivelant to having a starting rotation of Andy Hawkins and Dave LaPoint (oh shit, the Yanks actually had that one season).
The Oakland Raiders, yes they have a team.
PLAYOFFS AND AWARDS
After muddling throught my colegues analysis and seeing my own terrible picks, I think I have a clear understanding of our playoff picture,
“AND IT GOES A LITTLE SOMETHING LIKE THIS”
“HIT IT”
NFC Division winners are Eagles, Rams, Saints, Bears and I will say the wild cards go to the Lions and the 49ers
Eagles over the Lions
49ers upset the Bears
Eagles over the Rams
Saints over the 49ers
In a shocker I will take the Eagles to stun the Aints and McNabb maybe finally gets some credit, until the Super Bowl of course.
AFC Division winners are Ravens, Patriots, Colts and Broncos and Wild Cards are the Chargers and Texans.
Broncos over the Texans (teacher/pupil match-up)
Chargers stunt he Ravens
Pats and Colts win and have a showdown once again, this time Brady emerges victorious, bans out a few super models during the halftime special and wins the MVP
Your SuperBowl match-up is a repeat and the Pats win again.
Offensive Rookie: Marshawn Lynch, RB Buffalo Bills
Defensive Rookie: Patrick Willis, LB San Francisco 49ers
Offensive Player of the Year: Stephen Jackson, RB St. Louis Rams
Defensive Player of the Year: Ed Weed, S Baltimore Ravens (yes it says Weed and not Reed on purpose, he went to The U)
MVP: Andrew Zoltans favorite son (not JP Losman) Peyton W. Manning
AFC SOUTH
Well the one thing good about doing no research for my divisions is I have the easiest two in all of football.
The Indianapolis Colts are clearly the class of this division, and in case anyone wasn’t still sure of that, the complete ass raping of the New Orleans Saints should have reaffirmed that notion. The Colts offense is just so methodical and solid; Joseph Addai is the real deal and Peyton’s weapons are unlimited. The defense makes the plays it needs to, yes some times they can give up a lot for rushing yards, but any defense that has bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney is good enough for me.
Well the secret is now out of the closet if you have seen any of my fantasy teams, I have the hugest man crush on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. I truly think he has big time talent, like Top5 QB’s in the league. In about 2 years Falcons fans are going to start hurling themselves off the CNN Center thinking that this guy was sitting behind that clown Michael Vick. Coach Gary Kubiak knows how to coach a ground game, with an improving offensive line a stud wideout in Andre Johnson and now a big time QB I think the Texans can make that jump. Their defense is solid and I think Mario Williams will develop into an elite pass rusher especially with the additions they made this off-season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are like the Blue Jays of football. Every year a bunch of different analysts say watch out for the Jags this year and nothing ever happens. Hwo can you have one guy as your starter all through training camp and then magically decide a week before the season to cut him and go with his back-up? I love Jack Del Rio and still think he is the toughest guy in the field most days he coach’s but seems to me like this team can’t really compete with the big boys.
Everybody loves the Tennessee Titans and the great Vince Young, well everyone except me. Yeah it was cool to watch him run all over the place and surprise people and win games, but those days are over. Teams will be well prepared for his scrambling, believe me some video schmuck had to sit in a room and breakdown every single time Young dropped back to pass and scrambled instead, and coach’s then poured over that film. When they stuff his scrambling he will have to throw the ball, and this I have learned QB’s who complete only 50% of their passes and throw more INT’s than TD’s usually lose.
AFC WEST
This division is about as easy to predict as the South. Oakland stinks, Kansas City is okay, Denver is young and improving, and the Chargers are awesome, but they have Norvulous Turner as their head coach.
Mike Shannahan and the Denver Broncos are a team on the rise. They have very good young QB, a running back who averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year (and yearly the most potent rushing attack in the game regardless of the back), a fully healthy and 100% Javon Walker and newly singed Brandon Stokley on the other side. Couple that with a savvy coach and veteran offensive line and you will see good production. Defensively their secondary is sick and they are led by MLB DJ Williams the least talked about good young player in this league. I like the Broncos to possibly win 11-12 games this season.
Everyone knows the San Diego Chargers are just oozing with talent, but NORV FUCKING TURNER is their head coach. HELLO??? IS ANYONE HOME????? I don’t care what team you are or how good people think you are but when you lose your head coach and both coordinators the chances of your team being as good the next season are pretty slim. And those chance decrease when you replace your head coach with NORV FUCKING TURNER!!!!!!! Bonus question; for $100 name one receiver on the Chargers off the top of your head?
You play to win the games, ain’t that right Herm Edwards? Well your Kansas City Chiefs are going to play to hopefully be close enough to maybe have a chance to win some games. They have the vaunted QB tandem of Brody Croyle and Damon Huard, which is equivelant to having a starting rotation of Andy Hawkins and Dave LaPoint (oh shit, the Yanks actually had that one season).
The Oakland Raiders, yes they have a team.
PLAYOFFS AND AWARDS
After muddling throught my colegues analysis and seeing my own terrible picks, I think I have a clear understanding of our playoff picture,
“AND IT GOES A LITTLE SOMETHING LIKE THIS”
“HIT IT”
NFC Division winners are Eagles, Rams, Saints, Bears and I will say the wild cards go to the Lions and the 49ers
Eagles over the Lions
49ers upset the Bears
Eagles over the Rams
Saints over the 49ers
In a shocker I will take the Eagles to stun the Aints and McNabb maybe finally gets some credit, until the Super Bowl of course.
AFC Division winners are Ravens, Patriots, Colts and Broncos and Wild Cards are the Chargers and Texans.
Broncos over the Texans (teacher/pupil match-up)
Chargers stunt he Ravens
Pats and Colts win and have a showdown once again, this time Brady emerges victorious, bans out a few super models during the halftime special and wins the MVP
Your SuperBowl match-up is a repeat and the Pats win again.
Offensive Rookie: Marshawn Lynch, RB Buffalo Bills
Defensive Rookie: Patrick Willis, LB San Francisco 49ers
Offensive Player of the Year: Stephen Jackson, RB St. Louis Rams
Defensive Player of the Year: Ed Weed, S Baltimore Ravens (yes it says Weed and not Reed on purpose, he went to The U)
MVP: Andrew Zoltans favorite son (not JP Losman) Peyton W. Manning
Houston, we have a problem
As one of our esteemed readers brought up in response to the Kanye West piece, Allan Houston has signaled to ESPN that he is 90-95% ready to return to the hardwood, but, and here is the key, he doesn't expect to return to the Knicks. Allan Houston is my least favorite Knick of all time. I do not count the Knicks who arrived with or since Isiah because that era simply doesn't exist for me. I choose to remember the Knicks of the late 80s through the exodus of Spree only.
As Ewing's tenure was winding down the Knicks were faced with several choices on how to transition, they could trade Ewing for 45 cents on the dollar to escape his balloon payment contract or let his contract finish and then get under the salary cap, they also had to choose between which type of team they wanted to have. The choices were simple, keep Vanilla Allan Houston and build around a sharp shooting soft as a Dairy Queen parfait non-defending 2 guard or pick a maniacal, yacht driving, computer geek, lock down defending swing man in Latrell Spreewell. Compounding this was the growing rift between the GM and Coach Van Gundy who favored an attacking offense and a strong physical defense. As with most Coach GM battles, the owner chose the GM, the Knicks got rid of Camby and Spree and banked on Houston, Charlie Ward, Howard Eisley Shandon Anderson, Antonio McDyess and Kurt Thomas among other superstars.
Maybe Houston has what it takes to return, but keep this in mind, the NBA instituted a rule allowing teams to cut an injured player and not have to absorb the cap number just for Allan Houston. Forget about his soft play, its been a long time since Houston contributed in any meaningful way, can his body take the pounding of an NBA season, does he really have the desire to play again? Only time will tell, but at least he is not the Knicks problem any longer.
As Ewing's tenure was winding down the Knicks were faced with several choices on how to transition, they could trade Ewing for 45 cents on the dollar to escape his balloon payment contract or let his contract finish and then get under the salary cap, they also had to choose between which type of team they wanted to have. The choices were simple, keep Vanilla Allan Houston and build around a sharp shooting soft as a Dairy Queen parfait non-defending 2 guard or pick a maniacal, yacht driving, computer geek, lock down defending swing man in Latrell Spreewell. Compounding this was the growing rift between the GM and Coach Van Gundy who favored an attacking offense and a strong physical defense. As with most Coach GM battles, the owner chose the GM, the Knicks got rid of Camby and Spree and banked on Houston, Charlie Ward, Howard Eisley Shandon Anderson, Antonio McDyess and Kurt Thomas among other superstars.
Maybe Houston has what it takes to return, but keep this in mind, the NBA instituted a rule allowing teams to cut an injured player and not have to absorb the cap number just for Allan Houston. Forget about his soft play, its been a long time since Houston contributed in any meaningful way, can his body take the pounding of an NBA season, does he really have the desire to play again? Only time will tell, but at least he is not the Knicks problem any longer.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
How the West Will Be Won
The West is a difficult division to figure out. All 4 teams are seemingly on the rise, but is that truly possible? You could make a case for all of them to make the playoffs or for only one to make the playoffs. The big problem is the unknown, while Arizona and San Fran have seemingly upgraded themselves who knows how the young QBs will perform. What we do know is that there is a myriad of skill position talent in this division and they all play relatively easy schedules.
Seattle
2006 Finish 9-7
2007 Schedule Strength 24th
Games against playoff teams 4
Biggest addition: Patrick Kerney
Biggest Question: How much is left in the tank
Seattle returns most of their starters from a team that underachieved in the wake of the post Super Bowl euphoria. They may have the most talent in the league but they just aren’t fun to root for. Seattle also possesses one of the best home field advantages in football which should be good for at least 1 extra win. Shaun Alexander returns as a man on a mission, claiming to be ready to break Tomlinson and Dickerson’s records. He may have the ability to do that but will that upset the necessary balance Holmgren’s West Coast Offense craves. You have to give the personnel staff credit for adding in places of need. They upgraded the pass rush with Kerney and solidified the secondary with Deon Grant. Besides bolstering a defense boasting the talented Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu, both Kerney and Grant will provide hungry, veteran leadership and character. Absent injury this is a team that based on talent should be there in the end.
St. Louis
2006 Finish 8-8
2007 Schedule Strength 27th
Games against playoff teams 5
Biggest addition Adam Carriker
Biggest question: Can they stop the run
St Louis is the team I am most looking forward to watching. The Giants will rue the day they took a possession receiver over Brian Leonard. There may not be an offense with better weapons. Bulger, Holt, Bruce, Randy McMichael and Stephen Jackson are as dynamic as any group in the league. Add to that the versatility of Drew Bennett and Leonard and this team will certainly put up points. Defense is the question. The Rams were 31st in the league vs. the run last year. They believe to have plugged the hole with freakish manchild Adam Carriker. All reports from camp are that Carriker is a beast. The line is not the Fearsome Foursome but will be improved. As with any team injuries will be the key, if they can keep Bruce healthy and productive they will be in the hunt. Their schedule is deceptively difficult as they travel to New Orleans, Cincy and Baltimore. If they can get 1 of those 3 they will be fine.
San Francisco
2006 Record 7-9
2007 Schedule Strength 30th
Games against playoff teams 5
Biggest addition: Nate Clements
Biggest question: How will Alex Smith develop
The Niners also possess potentially exciting offensive weapons. Frank Gore is a game wrecker but also is an injury magnet. Vernon Davis is a specimen at TE and they have somewhat solidified their WR with Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle. The team will rise and fall upon the shoulders of Alex Smith. If he can progress maybe they improve 2 games and get into the playoffs. The defense is fierce with the addition of Clements, Tully Banta Cain and rookie Patrick Willis. The defense will keep them in games, if Gore stays healthy enough to control the clock at the end they may sneak up on people. Beware, the Niners are the chic sleeper pick and thus are set up for a horrific season unless the spirit of Bill Walsh can carry them.
Arizona
2006 Record 5-11
2007 Schedule Strength 32
Games against playoff teams 4
Biggest addition: Ken Whisenhunt
Biggest question: too many to ask/answer
The Cardinals are always an enigma wrapped in a riddle. They too have an embarrassment of riches at the skill position. They will start Leinart, Fitzgerald, Boldin and the Edge, all of whom are pro bowl caliber players. The problem is the game is won in the trenches and that is where they are lacking. They sought to address this deficiency in the draft but it will take time to rebuild. They will win a game they shouldn’t and lose some they shouldn’t. They will be fun to watch but are still at least a year away from making real noise.
Seattle
2006 Finish 9-7
2007 Schedule Strength 24th
Games against playoff teams 4
Biggest addition: Patrick Kerney
Biggest Question: How much is left in the tank
Seattle returns most of their starters from a team that underachieved in the wake of the post Super Bowl euphoria. They may have the most talent in the league but they just aren’t fun to root for. Seattle also possesses one of the best home field advantages in football which should be good for at least 1 extra win. Shaun Alexander returns as a man on a mission, claiming to be ready to break Tomlinson and Dickerson’s records. He may have the ability to do that but will that upset the necessary balance Holmgren’s West Coast Offense craves. You have to give the personnel staff credit for adding in places of need. They upgraded the pass rush with Kerney and solidified the secondary with Deon Grant. Besides bolstering a defense boasting the talented Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu, both Kerney and Grant will provide hungry, veteran leadership and character. Absent injury this is a team that based on talent should be there in the end.
St. Louis
2006 Finish 8-8
2007 Schedule Strength 27th
Games against playoff teams 5
Biggest addition Adam Carriker
Biggest question: Can they stop the run
St Louis is the team I am most looking forward to watching. The Giants will rue the day they took a possession receiver over Brian Leonard. There may not be an offense with better weapons. Bulger, Holt, Bruce, Randy McMichael and Stephen Jackson are as dynamic as any group in the league. Add to that the versatility of Drew Bennett and Leonard and this team will certainly put up points. Defense is the question. The Rams were 31st in the league vs. the run last year. They believe to have plugged the hole with freakish manchild Adam Carriker. All reports from camp are that Carriker is a beast. The line is not the Fearsome Foursome but will be improved. As with any team injuries will be the key, if they can keep Bruce healthy and productive they will be in the hunt. Their schedule is deceptively difficult as they travel to New Orleans, Cincy and Baltimore. If they can get 1 of those 3 they will be fine.
San Francisco
2006 Record 7-9
2007 Schedule Strength 30th
Games against playoff teams 5
Biggest addition: Nate Clements
Biggest question: How will Alex Smith develop
The Niners also possess potentially exciting offensive weapons. Frank Gore is a game wrecker but also is an injury magnet. Vernon Davis is a specimen at TE and they have somewhat solidified their WR with Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle. The team will rise and fall upon the shoulders of Alex Smith. If he can progress maybe they improve 2 games and get into the playoffs. The defense is fierce with the addition of Clements, Tully Banta Cain and rookie Patrick Willis. The defense will keep them in games, if Gore stays healthy enough to control the clock at the end they may sneak up on people. Beware, the Niners are the chic sleeper pick and thus are set up for a horrific season unless the spirit of Bill Walsh can carry them.
Arizona
2006 Record 5-11
2007 Schedule Strength 32
Games against playoff teams 4
Biggest addition: Ken Whisenhunt
Biggest question: too many to ask/answer
The Cardinals are always an enigma wrapped in a riddle. They too have an embarrassment of riches at the skill position. They will start Leinart, Fitzgerald, Boldin and the Edge, all of whom are pro bowl caliber players. The problem is the game is won in the trenches and that is where they are lacking. They sought to address this deficiency in the draft but it will take time to rebuild. They will win a game they shouldn’t and lose some they shouldn’t. They will be fun to watch but are still at least a year away from making real noise.
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