Tuesday, September 30, 2008

9/30: MNF Recap, Twins/White Sox Play-In....

Some Old-school bullets....Here's to the Baseball Playoffs....
  • While we're talking baseball playoffs...they truely start today with the Play-in between the White Sox and Twins....On the record, I'm gonna take the suddenly "hot" White Sox...but really, I'm taking John Danks at home over the inexperienced Nick Blackburn going on the road in a playoff atmosphere....So, there it is...and I'm mildly excited
  • MNF was...interesting?...Yea, that's a good word....Joe Flacco's ups and downs...The Steelers abysmal O-Line (and Ben Roethlisberger's ability to fly by the hip late)....I marginally enjoyed the ugliness even.....All things equal, I still like Pittsburgh...but that O-Line is a huge question
  • Scott Linehan fired as St. Louis Rams Head Coach...no shock to me...they've been abysmal and only getting worse...and he clearly lost his big-money QB...simple math really
  • The Brewers announce...Yovani Gallardo?...as Game 1 NLDS Starter...yes, he's young and has shown flashes...but he's pitched once since May...I guess that's the state of their staff more than anything.....
  • NY Jets Safety Eric Smith suspended 1 Game and fined $50K for his hit on Anquan Boldin....This struck me as an over-reaction...the Boldin injury was more a result of the fact that his body got contorted by the hit by Kerry Rhodes behind him....and while Smith did go helmet-to-helmet, I didn't think it warranted a suspension...just one man's opinion...
More later....including an MLB Playoff Preview to come at some point....

Sunday, September 28, 2008

NFL Week 4 Wrap...

First things first....

THE PICKS WRAP:

YTD (Entering): 14-14-1
  • NYJ -1....Winner!
  • Washington +11....Winner!
  • Green Bay +1.5.....Loser!
YTD (Current): 16-15-1....we're making dough! lol

To the games....
  • Cleveland/Cincy was an absolute trainwreck today....nobody could let me know Carson Palmer was out? And a guy from Harvard is playing QB? Yikes...
  • Jacksonville escapes in OT over Houston despite Matt Schaub's career-best road day....David Garrard was the David Garrard of 2007 today....impressed
  • The Falcons were who I thought they were (thanks Denny Green)....a bad road team with a rookie QB....Oh well, can't hate on 2-2....
  • Um, somebody wake up Denver? I know their run D is bad...but 200 yards to Larry Johnson's corpse? My goodness....I guess the "worst team in the league" discussion is down to Detroit and STL....
  • Speaking of the Rams....The 4-0 Buffalo Bills....take a look at that again...your AFC East favorite Buffalo Bills....win again....ugly this time...but hey, it's a win...and I like Trent Edwards...very underrated....
  • Drew Brees could throw the ball to anyone with 2 hands and 2 feet....
  • NYJ 56, Arizona 35.....Kurt Warner throws for almost 500 yards...and they lose by 21....Brett Favre throws six? touchdowns....including 3 to Laveranues Coles (who I thought hated Favre...another overblown story)....good offense or bad defense? I choose the latter....and It's good to hear Anquan Boldin had movement after the game...that was ugly....Watch out for Steve Breaston in his stead....
  • Matt Flynn won't win you a single game Packer fans...unless you're playing the Lions maybe
  • Best looking AFC team through 4 weeks? Tennessee....didn't see that coming with Kerry Collins at the helm...but he's managing the game....and that D is nasty (Chris Johnson too)
  • Washington beats Dallas in Big D....what is it with Santana Moss and the Cowboys? He disappears against everyone else...inexplicable...Jason Campbell looked good today....and how in the world does Marion Barber get single-digit carries? I don't care what the score is....that shouldn't happen
  • This late game is virtually unwatchable.....(in progress)...Donovan looking bad....Kyle Orton being Kyle Orton...fumbles....bonehead plays...muffed punts....Hurray!
Hope you enjoyed the football weekend...I know I did...

Saturday, September 27, 2008

CFB Wrap-Up....

Wow...sort of a ridiculous day in college football....Let's recap a bit...

To the 2 lead stories....
  • Florida goes down....This one was the true shocker of the day....Tebow coming up inhuman...Dan Shanoff melting down (danshanoff.com for details)....and a blocked XP being the culprit...granted they were outplayed in this one overall (even holding a 17-7 lead at home and blowing it to an offensively-challenged opponent)...but the real x-factor was the "Wild-Rebel" offense that Houston Nutt brought from Arkansas that Florida just couldn't seem to stop.....This doesn't end Florida's season...but serious damage....they have to win out now
  • Alabama takes it to Georgia from the opening kickoff....31-0 at halftime? My god....Nobody expected that...I enjoyed it thoroughly...but I digress....Georgia just got punched in the mouth and by the time they woke up, it was too late....They scored 30...yes, thirty points in the 2nd half....and still came up well short....Time to sure up that defense fellas....and congrats on that blackout...Okay, I apologize for the bias....They just got run over, they actually responded quite well after the early barrage...
Now to the fun stuff.....
  • Ohio State wins easily...Terrelle Pryor should be in Maize and Blue....I hate my life sometimes....UNTIL....
  • Michigan, somehow....comes back from a 19-0 halftime deficit that saw the Victors commit 5 first-half TOs (totalling 11 in a 6 quarter period) and explode for 27 second half points including 20 in the fourth to hold on for a 27-25 home upset over the top-10 ranked Badgers....The Michigan defense is an elite unit IMO...factor the 19 points came directly off the 5 TOs with short fields...and a 2nd half shutout barring the final drive in which the old-fashioned "prevent" was employed...All that said, I'm still skeptical of the offense for obvious reasons, but very encouraged by the glut of young weapons on the outside....I'm rambling now....
  • I can't decide if Arkansas is that bad or Texas is that good....I'm leaning toward the former....
  • Do you remember when people were arguing about whether East Carolina was a top-1o team? Seems like a long time ago for the now 2-loss Pirates....
  • In a game few cared about...Navy took down ACC-favorite Wake forest....show of hands of who even knew this happened?
  • Other top teams that simply took care of business: Oklahoma who easily dismantled a pretty talented TCU team.....Penn State who cemented their status as the Big 10 co-favorites with Ohio State (and they're playing better than the Bucks).....and LSU who survived and advanced against Miss. State
For kicks....

My New (and the debut of) Top 10: For the record, my rankings are based on resume, not who I think would win on a neutral field tomorrow
  1. Oklahoma
  2. Alabama (Best win on anyone's resume that is undefeated)
  3. LSU (Gets the nod over Missou b/c of the Auburn win)
  4. Missouri (Illinois could've helped their SOS)
  5. Penn State
  6. Texas
  7. BYU
  8. South Florida (The prohibitive Big East favorite)
  9. Utah (gets the nod over Tx. Tech because win @ Michigan is significantly better than anything Tx. Tech has done)
  10. Georgia
I did my best to punish USC and Florida....I can't get down with polls that just let the Top 5 teams get some sort of pass for bad losses, not when there are undefeated teams out there, Georgia gets the nod because Alabama is that good....Others receiving consideration: Texas Tech (has beaten who?),USC, Florida, Auburn

And finally....

THE PICKS WRAP-UP
YTD (Previous) 11-12-1
  • Miss. State +24...Winner!
  • Michigan +6....Winner! (somehow)
  • Colorado +6...Loser!
  • Arkansas +27.5.....Loser!
  • Illinois +14.5....Winner!
YTD (Current): 14-14-1....Back to even!

Okay, then....Crazy day...Enjoy the NFL slate....

NFL Preview Week 4

It's NFL time...and yes, I know it's Friday....but hey, who has time when they are immersed in CFB to do NFL previews? That's right....

THE PICKS
YTD 11-12-1 (pending CFB this week)
  • Green Bay +1 @ Tampa Bay
  • NY Jets -1.5 vs. Arizona
  • Washington +11 @ Dallas
And now the preview....
  • Atlanta @ Carolina....Matt Ryan scares the (blank) out of me on the road; There's no answer for Steve Smith in the Falcon secondary, and Carolina will put 8 in the box all day long; The pick: Carolina
  • Cleveland @ Cincy...This one is interesting; Cincy looked improved last week in New York and Cleveland is in huge turmoil; I'm gonna say after this one, Brady Quinn is your week 5 starter in Cleveland; The pick: Cincy
  • Houston @ Jacksonville.... Matt Schaub is historically bad on the road and Jacksonville has some momentum from a last-second win last week...this has let-down game written on it, but I can't find a reason to pick Houston; The pick: Jacksonville
  • Denver @ KC....The Chiefs are abysmal....at home, they should, in theory put up a fight behind their best QB actually playing (Damon Huard) and a steady diet of Larry Johnson against a subpar Run D....They'll play better than Weeks 1-3....but...The pick: Denver
  • San Fran @ New Orleans....A Battle of throw-first, run-n-gun teams....Simply put, I'll take the better QB and the home-field....The pick: NO
  • Arizona @ New York Jets....The Kurt Warner road show hits New York....I think the Jets throw it around all day, and force Warner into enough mistakes....The pick: NYJ
  • Green Bay @ Tampa Bay....Brian Griese throws the ball 67 times??! That either won't sustain or if it does, they aren't winning....I think Green Bay looking that bad was more a product of Dallas than Green Bay...and if this game was played a week ago, GB would've been the clear favorite....translation; The Pick: GB
  • Minnesota @ Tennessee.....This may be the game of the week....the league's best Run offense against the league's best run defense....in a purist's dream...and also, a battle of journeymen should-be-backup QB's....8 in the box and Albert Haynesworth in the middle beats Minny; The pick: TN
  • San Diego @ Oakland....San Diego looks to be back on track...Oakland's D is bad against the run and not performing up to expectations against the pass either....SD goes on the road and wins soundly....The pick: San Diego
  • Buffalo @ St. Louis....St. Louis is just as bad as advertised...and Buffalo is better than advertised....Simple right? Well, the Roscoe Parrish injury doesn't kill the Bills as much with Terrence McGee to return kicks instead....Trent Edwards can beat Trent Green...laughter...The pick: Buffalo
  • Washington @ Dallas....I like this Redskin team....but I still don't trust Jim Zorn against a quality opponent and Jason Campbell is hit or miss....Dallas should be able to wing it on Washington and with homefield, this one speaks for itself....The pick: Dallas
  • Philly @ Chicago....This should be a good game...Chicago's D is very, very good...but so is that Philly offense....if Westbrook and McNabb aren't healthy, this could be very close...I'll take Philly with the reservations on those injuries....The pick: Philly
  • Baltimore @ Pittsburgh....Boy, the Pittsburgh O-Line can't catch a break...drawing Baltimore after being battered by Philly....That said, I think they respond a bit...and at no point, will I ever take a rookie QB on the road against a quality defense...that's a rule....sorry Joe Flacco....The pick: Pittsburgh
Fantasy sleeper of the week....Bryant Johnson! (Translation: he was my best bye-week option this week in one of my leagues)

There it is...enjoy the football

Friday, September 26, 2008

USC Goes down....

EDIT: I thought I posted this at 8 am this morning....turns out I just saved as draft? So forgive the lateness

Wow...the favorites go down in a heap....to recap....A 5'4 (my height guess) true freshman RB slashes and gashes the vaunted USC defense....they get shutout for a half for the first time since 2001....and NO one saw this coming.....Because I love good football, I always seem to find a shred of hope for the underdog before big games with top 5 teams (to talk myself into the game)....and for this one? Not a thing....but hey, the Beavers proved me wrong....and opened the door for the 1-loss Big 12 or SEC teams to play....undefeated BYU for the title! I can dream right?

Thursday, September 25, 2008

CFB Weekend Preview....

First, as usual, is....THE PICKS!

YTD: 11-12-1
  • Mississippi State +24 @ LSU.....I'll take the Bulldogs defense....too many points for an LSU offense that is still quite inexperienced at QB...
  • Michigan +6 vs. Wisconsin....Yes, I'm a homer...but Wisconsin is a mediocre road team, and Go Blue should be able to move the ball....
  • Colorado +6 @ Florida State....Colorado beats WV....Florida State scores 3 points vs. Wake....FSU has no QB....I'll take the points please....
  • Arkansas +27.5 @ Texas....Old-school rivalry....TONS of points....Texas isn't the juggernaut they have been in the past....
  • Illinois +14.5 @ Penn State....Yes, PSU has looked great early...but over 2 touchdowns against a real Big 10 opponent good? Prove it....
Okay, that's enough of that....to the action....As always, in order by start time....
  • USC @ Oregon State (Thursday, 9 pm)- Interested to see how USC responds on the road in conference...Oregon State is....bad? terrible? pathetic? Yea...all of those....so a complete beating should be the standard....
  • North Carolina @ Miami (Saturday, Noon) - Somehow this is the best game of the Saturday early slate...Miami is young....so is UNC....it's at Miami...I'll take the home team....but that's all I got
  • Wisconsin @ Michigan (Saturday, 3:30) - First conference game for both....Wisconsin seems to be the Big 10 national hope...I'm skeptical....
  • Tennessee @ Auburn (Saturday, 3:30) - Tennessee is suddenly in huge turmoil...with a real possibility of a 2-4 start and Fulmer's job on the line...It won't get any better here...Auburn's defense will swallow Crompton whole...too much speed
  • Purdue @ Notre Dame (Saturday, 3:30) - No one cares...except I openly root against Notre Dame at all costs....good enough? Curtis Painter throws for 350 and 3 TDs here....
  • TCU @ Oklahoma (Saturday, 7:00) - This is an underrated game...TCU is, as usual, one of the best non-BCS teams...and they have played OU good in the past....but, for that reason, OU will be ready and should take care of business....
  • Alabama @ Georgia (Saturday, 7:45) - This is the headliner...the Gameday game....I think UGA handles business here....as much as I'd love to think otherwise...Alabama has to get pressure on Stafford early and often to have a chance here, and while they are capable, I'll take UGA
  • Illinois @ Penn State (Saturday, 8:00) - Already discussed this one....Penn State, IMO, looks like the class of the Big 10 and should handle Illinois....but that said, the Penn State offense is widely inexperienced, and haven't faced a real unit to this point...should be a good measuring stick for PSU
That's all I got....

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

9/24: Matt Millen, Plax, Starbury....

Greetings...
  • Matt Millen gets canned....hilarity...It's about time...that's really all I got...it won't save them from the inevitable 3-13 this year, but maybe they'll be some actual direction in that franchise....
  • Plax Burress gets suspended for "two" weeks....but only one game....seems sorta convenient to me...they get to say they suspended him 2 weeks without pay, but only lose him one week on the field...."violation of team rules" is one of my favorites too....
  • The Rams continue to overhaul....cutting STARTING CB Fakhir Brown midseason....not benching...outright cutting....Scott Linehan next?
  • Baseball coming to the wire....I'll go ahead and predict the Brewers winning the wild card and the White Sox winning the central....in the only races that are still really popping....
  • EDIT: I'm an idiot and left on Steph Marbury...turns out he'll be in camp after all? Weird...I smell James Dolan...
That's it for now....lots of content coming focusing on the weekend....

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

9/23: MNF Recap, etc.

Just a few things today....
  • San Diego pounded the Jets last night....and it didn't surprise me at all....the Jets defense (save the signing of oft-injured DT Kris Jenkins) didn't change at all from a mediocre unit last year...and Favre looks semi-clueless....
  • Antonio Cromartie is the 2nd-best CB in the league (much love to Champ)....and the most explosive by far....
  • LT just isn't right....but Rivers and Sproles can get them wins until he is....
  • Exhale for Eagles' fans....Brian Westbrook is only day-to-day (boy, that looked bad too)
  • Matt Millen....really? NOW we call for the firing? 3 years too late...
  • Long-time UGA play-by-play man Larry Munson retires....I can't comment fairly, as from an outsider's point of view...he was an insufferable homer who rarely seemed to have a clue, plus I have to factor my disdain for UGA football...but also, I can definitely identify with one team having one voice....and for that, combined with length of service....I understand the nostalgia...respect....
  • Trent Green gets the nod in St. Louis...I know they're a trainwreck...but there's absolutely nothing Trent Green can do that Marc Bulger can't...and it's not like they're giving the young guy the nod here...Green is 38....makes no sense to me at all....
  • Stephon Marbury gets waived from the Knicks....um, finally?....I'd be pretty shocked if nobody went after him....but I wouldn't touch him if I was a GM...
More later...

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sunday NFL Wrap...

Well, I picked every game this week....First...the 2 against the lines....
  • Washington -3....Winner!
  • Cincy +13....Winner!
I've gotten a bit of a rhythm going in these picks....now 11-12-1 after a miraculous recovery....

11-4 so far in the debut of the "pick every game" thing...not too bad....only one bad miss in the form of Pittsburgh who looked terrible today....

Some thoughts....
  • Pittsburgh's O-line is...in a word...terrible...I know Jim Johnson is the blitz master...but literally every time Ben was getting smashed and at one point got sacked in 6 out of 7 drops...that's unreally bad...like 2002 Texans with David Carr bad....and Big Ben is the first person not named Tyler Thigpen to get negative points as a QB in my fantasy league...let's just say Sacks are -1 for the QB....
  • Attention Falcons Fans....I know we're already pleased with 2-1....but let's not overreact...we beat 2 of the worst 3 teams in the league....at home....call me when we win a road game...which, btw, I don't think we'll do all year....yes, I said that...The only favorable matchup on the road all year is @ Oakland...and that happens to be a 3,000 mile journey....1-7 at best on the road won't let you win at a real clip....I know I'm being a downer...but just realistic...I'm as excited as you are about 2-1, I promise...lol
  • The miraculous Bills comeback was nothing to scoff at....who could foresee Buffalo throwing to come from behind? Trent Edwards is fairly legit...and the Bills are the league's quietest 3-0....
  • Had a feeling Cincy would hang.....but the end result was there....
  • Ronnie Brown rushes for 4 TD...on 17 carries....most of them from the QB position...and throws for 1 TD....what is this? Arkansas? Get outta here....but hey, it worked....New England looked old, disinterested, and overmatched.....Put an APB on Randy Moss....things could go south....
  • Brian Griese should NEVER...i repeat, NEVER...throw the ball 67 times....especially in a win
  • Let's get the facade over with...Lendale White...should under no circumstances have as many carries as Chris Johnson....
  • Do you think the Vikings would have beaten Carolina with Adrian Peterson rushing for 77 yards and no TDs if Tavaris Jackson was playing? I don't....
  • I'm gonna kill a coach right now...not something I normally do in print...but Sean Payton gets it from me....under no circumstances if you have a QB completing 80+% of his passes for the game should you run the ball (with the tip-toeing Reggie Bush between the tackles twice no less) 3 times and then kick a long-ish FG with the ever-inconsistent Martin Gramatica.....it's just not acceptable....not when you can complete any pass you want at will....
  • I'm intrigued by what Seattle will look like after their Week 4 bye when they have actual NFL receivers....
  • Cleveland smells....bad.....Derek Anderson is a mini trainwreck at the moment...I can hear the calls for Brady Quinn from here....
  • Jack Del Rio tried...hard...to botch the end of the Indy/Jacksonville game....but David Garrard and Josh Scobee bailed him out....3rd and goal from the 5...would YOU run a HB dive with no lead blocker? Jack Del Rio would....
  • I was wrong about Dallas in this case...they looked very good today...especially on defense...the offense looked more pedestrian than normal (and still put up 27) and they took this one easily....impressive....Marion Barber is still underrated too....thought you should know
That's all I got...

To Wrap the day in sports....

Quickly...to get it out of the way for people who don't follow golf....The Ryder Cup was pretty awesome today....US leads 9-7 going to singles tomorrow needing 14.5 to win the cup...I'd say the US is probably like 65/35 to win this thing....I'm excited....ignore me....

THE PICKS WRAP

YTD: 9-12-1
  • Arizona State +7....Loser....The Devils hung around early like I knew they would...but UGA was too much and ASU didn't capitalize early when they had some opportunities....
Other things....
  • Auburn and LSU play a classic Auburn/LSU game....half-way inept offenses and solid speed and defense....man, I hate les Miles....LSU is semi-impressive but the defense didn't impress me that much knowing that Auburn's offense is mediocre at best....
  • Don't look now...Vandy is 4-0 and 2-0 in the SEC....laughter...sorry, I couldn't resist
  • Wake Forest and Florida state combine for 15 total points...my god, what an ugly football game....but Wake, in typical Wake fashion, wins ugly...
  • At press time, Fresno is in OT with Toledo....maybe they aren't better than ECU after all...laughter...I stick by it though...EDIT: Fresno holds on...55-54 btw lol
  • Hey SMU...remember when you bent all the rules...emptied the bank account...and threw everything you could at June Jones? How's a 48-7 beatdown AT HOME TO YOUR RIVAL looking? Ridiculous....
More later...

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Mid-Day CFB Recap....

Let's get to it....

THE PICKS (so far):
  • Mich. State -9....Winner! Even nailed Javon Ringer going over 200 yards....ND looked as bad as I thought they'd look...I continue to NOT see the 8-9 win team that everyone else seems to see....Mich State impressed me though...
  • Navy +5....Winner! Outright even....Rutgers still smells....
YTD: 9-11-1 (the comeback continues)

Other things....
  • Teams that have impressed me today: Alabama (pounding a conf. team on the road), Georgia Tech (continues to look good), Florida (good God, i know Tennessee isn't that good...but that's a huge road win)
  • Teams that underachieved: Missouri (Buffalo threatened for way too long), East Carolina (wave goodbye to your BCS hopes gentlemen), Tennessee (put up a fight at least), Oregon (Roper out...okay, but beaten soundly at home)
  • Well, I think 4 TDs ought to get Terrelle Pryor the nod for the rest of the foreseeable future...they can (and very well should) win the Big 10 with him under center...and that's their goal now anyway...might as well get him the snaps
  • Florida throws for 96 yards...and wins by 24....hilarity
  • BYU (signifcantly) and Utah are both better than East Carolina....and Boise and Fresno are just as good....
  • Tennessee either is just THAT bad....or UCLA has fallen off the map since that win...losing by 21 at home to Arizona today after losing by FIFTY-NINE to BYU....the Pac-10 is looking just as bad as the Big East and ACC (save USC)
Enjoy the big-time night games...


Ryder Cup!

I've been trying to hold off on Ryder Cup talk since no one I know really cares all that much.....but I love it...there's nothing like it in Golf and it crosses sport boundaries because it's a team competition and there's something cool about Boo Weekley pumping the crowd on a golf course, lol....That said, the US LEADS! 5.5. to 2.5 as we speak...with both the US and Europe leading 2 matches in the morning on Saturday....I'd gladly take a split in the morning....and from here on out...

Friday, September 19, 2008

NFL Preview Week 3

Here we are again....I'm leaving tomorrow open for chill so getting this up today (Friday)....

First with 2 picks against the spread
YTD: 7-11-1
  • Washington -3 over Arizona
  • Cincinnati +13 over NYG
Quick and easy there; To the games....
  • KC @ Atlanta...I'm taking the Falcons here in 1 of the 2 remaining games they'll be favored in all year lol...Tyler Thigpen on the road in his first start? yikes....I also think Turner, Norwood, and the run game get it going again against a porous run D for KC....
  • OAK @ Buffalo....Give me the Bills....Oakland is still pretty bad...coaching in turmoil...McFadden dinged up....Russell on the road....a recipe for Trent Edwards and Buffalo to get to a 3-0 start...Marshawn Lynch is gonna go huge too...
  • Houston @ Tennessee....Tennessee is the pick....no reasoning lol
  • Miami @ NE....I liked what Belichick and company did to help out Matt Cassel in start #1...very reminiscent of early Brady with all the check-downs....Miami is still pretty bad and going to Foxboro is never a picnic....
  • Tampa @ Chicago....My first road victor here as I take Tampa...Chicago has no playmakers on the outside...I can see them stacking 8 or 9 in the box all day to stop Forte and Orton's not beating them....
  • STL @ Seattle....The Seahawks win!! Breaking news these days...St. Louis has looked every bit as bad as the scores indicate and I think Hasselbeck gets up off the mat....and it still means something to play @ Seattle....
  • Carolina @ Minny.... Alot of this depends on Adrian Peterson...wait...I actually would take the Vikings either way....hear me out...Chester Taylor is a top 20 NFL running back...oh you didn't know? Now you do....I will never trust Jake Delhomme on the road...especially not against this defense...and Gus Frerotte can manage the game enough at home to win....Steve Smith goes off a bit here though
  • Detroit @ San Fran....I like the home team again...Detroit is badddd...especially on defense and San Fran has underrated talent on defense to try and slow the 40+ passes a game offense from Detroit....Kitna/Johnson/Williams get theirs....but JT O'Sullivan (don't laugh in this one) is good enough to beat a dreadful Detroit secondary....
  • Cincy @ NYG....I like the Giants here...but Cincy may actually show up for this game....they know this is big for them...they can't get killed here...or season's over (even though it already is) and they should be able to wing it around a bit on NYG without the same type of pass rush they're used to.....
  • Pittsburgh @ Philly....I'll take my 2nd road team...I love Pittsburgh...on the record....no receivers finally catches up to Philly this week as they're gonna take Westbrook outta the game with that vaunted front 7....Ben Roethlisberger in for a long day against Jim Johnson's defense...but he'll make enough plays....
  • Arizona @ Washington....Not impressed with Arizona....still...won't have as easy a time throwing it against Washington and if you get to Kurt Warner, he WILL turn it over....Washington is the pick
  • Jacksonville @ Indy....Sorry Jacksonville....season is probably over when you lose this one...Peyton and Co. are turning it on offensively and Jacksonville's offense has looked pedestrian at best....
  • Cleveland @ Baltimore....Sorry Cleveland...season is probably over when you lose this one....lol....Don't ask me why I'm taking Joe Flacco...but hey, this might be the game that gets Brady Quinn a starting job....and hey Braylon....use those hands....
  • New Orleans @ Denver....I was realllyyyy tempted to take NO here as this one has all kinds of "letdown" game possibilities...but without Colston, the Saints offense looked a little toned down @ Washington....and that pass D is terrible....coupled with the way Cutler is playing, this could get ugly on that side of the ball...Brees will score, but not enough
  • Dallas @ Green Bay....seems like a game Dallas would lose....and I like Aaron Rodgers...alot...otherwise, tossup?
  • NYJ @ San Diego....Chargers backs are against the wall here....wouldn't put it past Brett Favre to win this one (insert ESPN joke here)....but I'll take SD...too much talent at home
Enjoy the games

Colorado over West VA....

Well that was an interesting game....bad coaching decisions....little offense (including an anemic pass O by WV)...but I win a pick!

YTD: 7-11-1 (and rising)

Look out world...

Thursday, September 18, 2008

College Football Weekend Preview

Well another CFB weekend to get to....and we're off....First with the picks

YTD: 6-11-1...I suck
  • Colorado +3 over West Virginia....The Big East is terrible...WV is down...and that's a long trip
  • Navy +5 over Rutgers...Rutgers smells....and Navy is a historically good home team with an offense that is difficult to prepare for...I'll take the points
  • Michigan State -9 over Notre Dame...don't let the final score fool you, ND was out-gained and generally outplayed by a bad Michigan team...now they go on the road to a better Mich. State team that will run for over 200 yards behind Javon Ringer....
  • Arizona State +7 over Georgia...I don't necessarily think the Sun Devils win this one outright...but Georgia (and most of its players) have never traveled past Louisiana....and Az St. is nothing to sneeze at...Slow start for UGA leads to a cover for ASU
To the games...
  • Ohio State tries to rebound against Troy (Noon, ESPN)...talk of an upset here is pretty ludicrous IMO as Tressel is back at home and I have them winning this game by 20+...
  • Florida @ Tennessee (3:30, CBS)....Coming off an absolute whooping last year, I think Tennessee hangs around here...but if that loss to UCLA (who later lost 59-0 to BYU) says anything...Tennessee will be down yet again....
  • Wake @ Florida State (7:00 ESPN2)....I'm looking forward to this one because we know...nothing? about Florida State and they are somehow a home favorite over ACC favorite Wake....Want to get a look at new QB Christian Ponder too...
  • LSU @ Auburn- GAME OF THE WEEK- (7:45 ESPN)....Well, Auburn scored 3 points last week...and won...so that defense is definitely good...both teams have QB questions, but this could be another single-digit game as both defenses are top-10 worthy....typical SEC slugfest
  • Georgia @ Az. State- (8:00 ABC)....Already spoke on this one...but definitely a big test for UGA, we'll know more about them after this one
That's all I got this weekend...Michigan's off too, sigh....GL all

9/18: Ramblings...

  • A-Rod goes 35 HR/100 RBI for the 12th straight season...breaking Babe Ruth's record....that's very impressive...he's still a monster (albeit a non-clutch monster)
  • Tarvaris Jackson is out in Minnesota....Brad Childress tabs Gus Frerotte the starter "for the rest of the year"....ouch....I'm behind the move but I'd be 100% more behind them going after Jeff Garcia who's clearly on the market....
  • More QB News: Tyler Thigpen to the rescue in KC! If you could've told me where Tyler Thigpen went to college (before Sportscenter this morning), you were in a select group
  • Agent Zero Gilbert Arenas has another knee operation.....he'll never be full-strength at this rate....and he'll miss at least the first month
  • Josh Freeman of Kansas State is listed as a top-5 QB prospect....he was....not abysmal last night vs. Louisville....but not good either...I don't see it...

All I got for now...gearing up for the weekend preview...

Monday, September 15, 2008

9/15: Ned Yost fired, Picks Wrap and MNF Preview

A semi-busy Monday....
  • Ned Yost, Milwaukee Brewers Manager, gets fired in the middle of the wild-card race...yes, they've lost 11 of 14 and just got swept by Philly...but NO one saw this move coming; I'm not totally opposed to it as I usually would be because this is the 2nd year in a row he seems to have lost this team down the stretch and ownership is apparently not gonna stand for it....Remains to be seen how it goes down....
The Picks...are....not going well? 

YTD: 5-11-1 (Yes, I pushed the Chargers when Mike Shanahan went for 2)

1 more pick for the weekend....
  • Philly +6.5....I like the Eagles tonight....and I'm not so much picking them to win the game outright as to keep it close...Donovan is a top-5 QB when healthy and combined with do-everything top-5 RB Brian Westbrook, they'll overcome the lack of WR Depth to put up at least 20 points on Dallas....and that'll be enough to cover....Also, the best trio of CBs in the league get to unleash on TO and Patrick Crayton...my advice? double TO allllll day...as whoever you man up on Patrick Crayton is simply better than he is....just a thought...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Alot of football to recap....

I have so much to mention I can't even begin to get to it all....so bare with me here....

College first:
  • Let's get this out of the way first....Michigan had probably the weirdest performance I can ever remember them having.....Namely 7 fumbles (4 lost) and 6 turnovers in a rain-soaked game that looks as though it's an embarassment....that said, I took more positives than negatives (somehow!?)....How bout over 400 yards of offense from a unit that looked so lackluster that it was laughable in the first 2 games? How bout another solid defensive performance misled by a point total that doesn't state the true facts (only one defensive breakdown all day)? Steven Threet was almost bearable to watch...Sam McGuffie is very, very fast/good....and oh yea....we lost...badly lol....ignore all that...
  • To Friday night...South Florida with a crazy comeback cultivating in a 3 point semi-miracle win (I had the 3.5 pt line...yay)....I think USF is likely the class of the Big East for whatever it's worth....
  • To the Coliseum....if you didn't know...USC is fast....strong....and very, very good...and with the other "contenders" in the Pac-10 being exposed (I have Oregon at #2 in the conference for the record)....I don't think they are losing....It would take a Stanford game-like lack of focus for them to go down....Ohio State...what can you say? embarrassing performance...As soon as they didn't get 7 on their opening drive, I had the sense it would be ugly....just not enough talent on offense (especially without Wells)....I'm not saying they win the game or anything...but I DO think it's more competitive with Wells in there....would've kept their offense off the field, etc....but hey...the score speaks for itself
  • BYU absolutely LAYS THE WOOD to a UCLA team that just beat Tennessee....I haven't seen a score that crazy in a supposedly competitive game in a long time...Big ups to Max Hall who is officially a Heisman contender coming off that 7 TD performance....
  • One game I hit the analysis on was the UGA/So. Car. game....the Gamecocks always keep it close...but too much Georgia late...Stafford played his best late (but was wildly inconsistent all night)....
  • Auburn 3, Miss. State 2.....laughter ensues
  • A big win for Big 10 credibility happened after you were asleep in Fresno, CA....thank God Wisconsin picked up just a TAD for ND, Purdue and OSU....well...not really...but they did break their road losing streak in big games....
There was more here....but moving to the NFL.....
  • Big time trendy picks Jacksonville, Seattle, and Minnesota all go to 0-2....0-2 doesn't mean as much as it used to in the parity-driven NFL....but it's not good....I wouldn't count out Seattle yet (division is too brutally weak and they'll be getting their weapons back in the form of Branch and Engram in the coming weeks) but Jax and Minny have dug some pretty interesting holes.....
  • Green Bay and especially Aaron Rodgers look really good....I'm not overly shocked....except for the shear numbers he's put up thus far....I like that team alot....
  • THERE'S the Darren McFadden I expected....Justin Fargas should never get more than 10 carries in a game from here on...even if his groin is healthy....and that's not a slight to him....I think he's a solid back...but he's not McFadden....
  • Big-time win by Indy....didn't see it coming when they were down 15-0 and sputtering...but what happened to the running game?
  • Congrats to the Bills.....impressive performance....
  • I don't know who's worse...the Lions or the Rams.....or is it the Chiefs? Well, either way...these are the 3 worst teams in the league....so far at least
  • Kurt Warner lives!
  • That San Diego/Denver game was clearly the game of the day....referee-aided drama is never good though...Jay Cutler is emerging....like big-time....The list of guys I'd rather have under center is dwindling....At the moment....Brady (IR and all), Manning, Brees, Romo, Ben....and that might be it? Favre is there...but he hasn't been great...and is old...just some thoughts....
  • Pitt/Cle just played in 30 MPH winds...what a dreadful game....why are the Steelers (and my fantasy QB Ben) involved in these games? Terrible...The first deep ball Derek Anderson threw...was HILARIOUS....the wind combined with the idiocy of the play-call moved me....who throws a deep floater into 30 MPH wind?
Okay, I'm done....

Friday, September 12, 2008

9/12: Weekend NFL Mini-Preview...

First things first....The picks! YTD: Now 3-9 after USF wins by 3 when I had -3.5 but hey...I definitely picked some CFB and NFL winners....I hope

  • Cincinnati -1 vs. Tennessee.....I just can't pick Kerry Collins on the road
  • Green Bay -3 @ Detroit...Detroit is abysmal...flat-out...
  • San Diego +1 @ Denver....I think Denver is a bit over-valued after last week which had more to do with the Raiders being awful than Denver being great IMO
Games to watch: 

  • 1:00 Games: Indy @ Minnesota gets the gold star and this one is as big for both teams as it could be in Week 2.....We all know (at least you should) that teams that start 0-2 have an abysmal % of making the playoffs and both these Pre-season hyped teams are 0-1.....I'm going with Indy in this one, but it should be entertaining (and Adrian Peterson may go for 200 against a defense that Matt Forte tore apart).....Buffalo @ Jacksonville gets the runner-up and I think Buffalo comes back to earth in this one....I'm intrigued by New Orleans @ Washington too, and the ongoing Jim Zorn face will be in action...I'm taking the Saints
  • 4:00 Games: Obviously NYJ and New England is the hyped game....and I AM intrigued by Matt Cassel's debut....but Denver/San Diego is just as important if not moreso as they are the only 2 teams battling in the AFC West whereas Buffalo is definitely in it in the AFC East....The picks: New York (if this was in Foxboro, I'd believe in Cassel a little more in a debut...but it's not) and San Diego avoids the dreaded 0-2....
  • Sunday Night: Pittsburgh @ Cleveland...Yes, it's on the road...yes, Ben is nicked up....and yes, I'm picking Pittsburgh...I still don't believe in Cleveland (how long before they are chanting for Brady Quinn?) and Pittsburgh is among (if not THE) favorite in the AFC now...
Will hit on the MNF games on Sunday/Monday.....

Enjoy the slate....

9/12: Weekend College Football Preview!

There are some really good games this weekend....
  • USC/Ohio State: First things first....The hated Bucks travel to LA to take on USC....I wouldn't count OSU out even without Wells (wow what am I saying) but USC is clearly the favorite especially when factoring homefield....neutral site, I think this is a near toss-up but you can't discount a 3000 mile trip early in the year....The pick: USC but closer than most think
  • Kansas/South Florida: Yes...this is a battle of top-20 ranked teams...on FRIDAY!? Who plays on Friday? well...nevermind....i'm not a believer in Kansas at all...and especially not this far from home against an athletic USF team....The pick: USF
  • UCLA/BYU: This one pretty much depends on which Kevin Craft (UCLA QB) we see...the one that threw 4 picks in a half or the one who led the comeback to beat Tennessee....I'm going with the first half one as this is on the road and BYU is no slouch...and oh yea, UCLA can't hold them under 30.....The pick: BYU
  • Oregon/Purdue: I love this game....2 fast teams....Oregon is faster...but Purdue is at home and has the underrated senior QB in Curtis Painter....My gut can't allow me to take Purdue in this game...but logic says Oregon's got a long trip and a lack of experience on offense especially....The pick: Oregon (with reservations)
  • Georgia/South Carolina: Okay....A quick Vegas tutorial for you....Georgia is currently -7 in this game @ S. Car.....This means they are a 7 point favorite....you're thinking....only 7 huh? And so am I...but Vegas is smart....and if the whole world is thinking "only 7?" and the line hasn't moved in favor of Georgia...usually that means there's some smart money being put on South Carolina.....These 2 always play ugly games (especially in Columbia) and even though I think UGA escapes....it'll be close....The pick: UGA
  • Wisconsin/Fresno State: Easily the 2nd most intriguing game of the weekend to me....Wisconsin is the 2nd most talented team in the Big 10 and Fresno is the giant killer team that never goes away....but, in a twist...this one is IN Fresno....If this is in Madison, I'm going with the Badgers (Bret Bielema is 15-1 at home) but the long trip (that Big 10 teams generally die in) coupled with Wisconsin's historic indifference on the road....The Pick: Fresno
  • Michigan/ND: WARNING! Bias here.....I'm on record with what a trainwreck Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet have been at QB for Michigan....and the O-Line hasn't been much better...but the defense is allowing 1.1 ypc for the year and is no slouch in the secondary with both corners on All-Big 10 preseason teams....I maintain ND's victory over an abysmal San Diego State team (that lost to Cal Poly SLO the week before...laughter) is a worse sign than if they had lost to a reasonable opponent....they were one goal-line fumble away from losing to a Bottom 5 team in 1-A....I'm gonna go with my gut (and Vegas) and pick Michigan here....but it wouldn't surprise me at all if this is a 10-9 victory for ND....Oh, how the mighty have fallen...but hey, we have a new coaching staff! lol....The Pick: Michigan
Other games of interest:

Georgia Tech over Virginia Tech (for you, Trav)
Auburn over Miss. State
Oklahoma over Washington (but the Huskies hang around)

And the segment you've all been waiting for....THE PICKS! 
YTD: 3-8 (my goodness)

  • Washington +20.5 vs. Oklahoma
  • South Florida -3.5 vs. Kansas
  • Georgia Tech +6.5 @ Va. Tech
2 NFL Picks to come later

To come Friday/Saturday....NFL Week 2 Mini-preview....enjoy the weekend

K-Rod ties the save record....

Congrats to K-Rod for tying (and soon breaking) Bobby Thigpen's record with his 57th...Let me just say the save can and often is a misleading stat....even wildly overrated at times....but with respect to his other numbers being outstanding...I give him the respect....That said, if he played for the Braves...he doesn't have near the saves, so he better take somebody on the Angels out to dinner when he signs his huge free agent deal...

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

9/10: Shawne Merriman, Kobe, Injuries Everywhere!

Slow day in sports....aka the mid-week blues during football season...
  • Shawne Merriman decides to finally make a reasonable decision and decides on surgery....citing he didn't feel the same on the field...oh really? You don't have ligaments attached in your knee...but you don't feel the same? Laughter...
  • Kobe decides NOT to have surgery....doesn't wanna miss any of camp...I'm cool with that if he can maintain the level of play he had throughout the playoffs (after the injury, etc.) but I still would've just gotten it over with....
  • This whole Vince Young saga is getting wilder.....and that's not even mentioning his erratic on-field play...for as much as I've never thought he was a very good quarterback....I'd still like to see him get his head on straight....
  • Beanie Wells WILL play against USC....no surprise here...and I'm betting he'll look near 100%....and 10.5 is just alot of points (if you are playing "recreationally" lol)...I like them more than most in this game....but it's 3000 miles away so that could be a bit of a downfall...
  • The Rays take down Jonathan Papelbon in the 9th last night for a big-time win when they needed it bad....even though they aren't in a lot of danger of missing the playoffs entirely, it had to be big for their confidence to take down the feared Sox closer....good sign of you are a fan of the upstart Rays

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

9/9: MNF Recap, Kobe, Federer, etc.

The end of the first football weekend of the year is upon us....
  • First off, I went 2-3 with picks this weekend....yikes....now a dreadful YTD of 3-9....Thank goodness this is for enjoyment only...laughter
  • The Packers looked very good in their opener and everyone's "sleeper" Minnesota left alot to be desired.....Aaron Rodgers looked very good (not surprised) and so did Adrian Peterson (not surprised), but Minnesota needs better out of Tarvaris Jackson....and he contines to be the reason why I don't see why people like them.....I am mildly surprised by the way Green Bay controlled the clock, and was even successful on the ground against that vaunted Vikings run D....to the other game.....
  • Denver....pounds? destroys? embarrasses? Yea...I'll go with that one....Oakland in a big way....More of the same for an Oakland franchise that most expected to rebound a bit, but let's just say it didn't start well.....Jamarcus Russell looked a bit lost, and I'll credit that to lack of receiver play....but only a little bit, I'm still not convinced that he has the mental capacity to be a top-level NFL player...he showed it in college....just mental mistakes/lacking the ability to find the open receiver quickly....I know Justin Fargas is now the story of the game for Oakland last night (It helps that Denver's Run D is quite bad), but he was by far the inferior back on his team last night....You can just see the difference between him and McFadden...Fargas will hit a hole nicely, and get tackled by the first guy in the hole....while McFadden will create yardage from nothing at time....It's just the eye test...but it's something....
Other things....
  • Kobe Bean Bryant finally agrees to have that pest of a pinky repaired surgically.....6 weeks seems like alot....but that's barely into camp....no problems here
  • Roger Federer returns to the national landscape...but he did so without facing/beating Rafael Nadal...so the story isn't really as big as it could've been....congrats on the US Open win though
  • Let the hype machine begin! Ohio State and USC in the Coliseum on Saturday.....I'll hold off for now...but I'll have a pick here...
  • An NBA trade rumor! Hurray....It involves the troubled Zach Randolph to Memphis for Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric...I don't like the Randolph fit in Memphis from the fact that all their young guys are very up-tempo, and he's....well, not....but in looking at their frontcourt personnel, it's a bit of a gaping hole....and if the Knicks could unload his deal, they'd love to....and Jaric fits D'Antoni's offense well....
  • MLB: The Angels magic number is 2....already....they need more love...smashing their division like few have....Tampa seems to be in turmoil and their lead is evaporating....can't say I'm shocked, but I wish them well...I'm really interested to see who wins the NL Cy Young....I think Cliff Lee has the AL pretty well locked....but between CC Sabathia's story (and ridiculous performance) in a half-season...it will be an interesting debate between him, Tim Lincecum, Brandon Webb, and company....Billy Wagner to miss the rest of the year AND 2009? wow....that's a bit strong...but they've gone without him this long....
  • RIP Don Haskins...His impact on the college basketball landscape is undeniable for his racial integration (covered loosely in movie form, read about him for a better look), X's and O's implementation, and coached at a high-level for decades....Much respect Mr. Haskins....
Later..

Monday, September 8, 2008

Colts/Bears...

Well that game didn't play out at all like I had envisioned....was impressed by Matt Forte but I had liked him in preseason as well....Kyle Orton is what he is...he won't kill you like Rex will...but he'll never dazzle you...and they still don't have a single credible WR.....Peyton Manning looked like himself but something was a bit off...and Addai seems to always be knicked up....by the way...Has anyone brought up that whole Marvin Harrison/shooting thing? Seems to be the biggest story I've ever heard of that simply just went up in thin air....just a thought...Let's just say the AFC is completely upside-down (as much as 1 week could do) with the Pats in shambles without Brady...and the Colts and Bolts (see what I did there? lol) both losing at home....Should be an interesting storyline at least

Sunday, September 7, 2008

NFL Mid-day (late-day really) recap....

Things that impressed me today.....
  • Matt Ryan, The Falcons O-Line and Michael Turner....Yes, I lead with my team...but what do you expect? Was not necessarily surprised with Norwood....but all the other things semi-shocked me....BUT I wouldn't go crazy just yet...Detroit's run D is pretty atrocious...but nonetheless a positive day....
  • Willie Parker.....Yes, he starts hot every year...but 3 TDs beats his entire last year total....lol
  • Chris Johnson....If they keep giving Lendale White carries, insanity.....This is the guy
  • BUFFALO....All caps for Bernie...But really...they did impress me....that was a sound whooping they put on Seattle (sorry, Ryan)....and Trent Edwards looked good....
  • Donovan McNabb...every time he goes for one of these ridiculous 360 yard games (with NO receivers no less) he sucks me back in...Good luck DMc....stay healthy for once.....Desean Jackson looked nice too
Things that did NOT impress me today.....
  • Derek Anderson....boy....I was with them letting him go (rather then throwing a ton of money at him) BEFORE the year...and then he threw up a classic stinker at home today....doesn't Brady Quinn look like an equally good option at half the cost? How are those draft picks you used to trade for Quinn looking?
  • Kurt Warner...I remembered what he is today...good arm....will put up some numbers...but complete and utter statue...and turnover prone
  • St. Louis as a team....really 3 points? They semi-sucked me in....I was thinking respectable again this year....guess not
  • Jacksonville's running game....There is no excuse for this team to have under 50 yards rushing total....not with those backs....any time Matt Jones has more receiving yards than you have total rushing....issues.....Tennessee semi-owns them
  • Carson Palmer....how the mighty have fallen...once the consensus #3 QB behind the big 2....he's fallen so far off the map it's scary....culminating in 10/25 for 99 yards today....with those receivers....goodness....
And a big story....obviously...as I write this....Yahoo reporting a torn ACL for Tom Brady....well, that pretty much ends my Super Bowl prediction right here in week 1....Expletive....Well, my heated debate with Ryan at dinner about how Matt Cassel was the worst starter OR backup in entire league...well, that'll be tested.....hey, it's not every day you never started a COLLEGE game...and now you start for the Patriots throwing to Moss and Welker.....Paging Laurence Maroney....

Well that underwhelmed me....

Miami dies late...not shocking from a young team with a timid, predictable OC in Patrick Nix...Gotta love Urban Meyer kicking the field goal with under 30 sec to go...classy... To bed we go...but looking forward to NFL sunday tomorrow....Take us there, Matt Ryan

Saturday, September 6, 2008

CFB Update....

Well it's been an eventful day....1-2 in the picks (Ohio wins easy, Cincy hangs around but gets outlasted, and Oregon State gets pounded)...and some good games...

  • I'll touch on Michigan first....another dreadful offensive performance frankly....Sheridan looked pretty decent in limited action, but Threet really can't hit an open target....most throws are high, but he doesn't discriminate lol....I like Sam McGuffie alot though...true freshman playing important minutes....weird....On the bright side for next week....
  • Notre Dame looked worse....almost losing to an absolutely abysmal San Diego State team....so next week's ND/Mich clash looks more promising than it did earlier....
  • The early season story is East Carolina...beating Virginia Tech last week...and a top-10 West Virginia today...and it wasn't close....the Pirates utterly lit them up...holding Pat White completely in check and holding WVU without a TD for the first time since 2001....wow....
  • The other big story today was the LUDICROUS officiating mistake at the end of the BYU/Washington classic....Jake Locker scores as time expires and is called for a celebration penalty....and you're thinking "He probably went insane right?"...umm...no? Looked pretty normal to me...no dance....no taunting....officials deciding games makes me angry....always...no matter what sport/who's playing....and the funniest thing is...it was a Pac-10 crew...in Washington...This could be a job-loser for Ty Willingham too...tragic...
  • As we speak....Florida is being tested by a solid, but young Miami team....but Ohio State REALLY got a scare today...Ohio U took them pretty deep into things with a lead....and that doesn't really bode well for next week...but I'm figuring they'll be more ready than most people will give them credit for in the Coliseum....more talk about that later.....
Off to watch Miami/Florida......

Friday, September 5, 2008

9/5: Vandy, The Giants, Chad Ocho Cinco, and the Weekend Picks

An interesting football night last night....
  • Vandy takes down South Carolina at home....I'm leading with this because it's a bigger surprise than anything that could've happened in the NFL game...But yet, not a surprise? South Carolina does this all the time (both Pre- and Post-Spurrier) and it should be expected at this point...props to Vandy on a nice win for that program....
  • The Giants dismantle Washington.....sort of.....The Giants came out with guns blazing and really should have put this one completely out of reach, until they inexplicably got extremely conservative offensively....but that was my only complaint with them....The 'Skins on the other hand....were a trainwreck offensively....no tempo whatsoever, ridiculous time management practices from the Zorn/Campbell combo at both the end of the half and end of game....Down 2 scores and huddling with under 4 minutes? just a microcosm of what went down....Yes, I hear you...it's a new offense...but common football sense knows you gotta speed up the tempo down 2 scores late...and there was no urgency....On a side note, Washington kept rolling their protections to the point where Chris Cooley was singled up on Justin Tuck at least 5 or 6 times....laughter.....
  • Congrats to the Pro Basketball HOF inductees...including Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Pat Riley, and Dickie V......
  • A semi-somber note....Daunte Culpepper retires...was always a big fan of his....that said, I think somebody in desperate need comes after him and he plays again...I think he's still better than half the guys (at least) on NFL rosters....
Now to the weekend....
  • Games that I have interest in: Miami/Florida, Oklahoma/Cincy, Michigan/Miami of Ohio (this one for me only), East Carolina/WVU, Georgia/Central Mich (and Dan LeFevour) and Oregon State/Penn State.....
  • I don't really see any "upsets" on the board this week....East Carolina/WVU is about as close as I get to picking one...but that'd be a bit cliche after last weekend for ECU....I do like Cincy to hang around with Oklahoma for a while...but I'll get to that in...
THE PICKS! YTD: 1-5 (.166)
  • Ohio U +33.5 @ Ohio State....This number is just too big..especially with Ohio State knowing what looms next week...I see a late garbage TD and a relatively close cover for Ohio U
  • Cincinnati +21.5 @ Oklahoma.....More of the same here...Cincy is a well-coached (I wanted Brian Kelly at Michigan), disciplined team that isn't afraid to play OU....and OU is notorious for slow starts popping out of nowhere...I'll bank on that here
  • Oregon State +15.5 @ Penn State....Yes, All 3 of my CFB picks are big dogs....but here's why...Penn State is a bit overrated in my estimation anyway, and they have 3 suspensions (including an impact DL) so I'm going to with the Pac-10 squad....
  • Cincinnati Bengals -1.5 @ Baltimore....My first NFL pick of the year....2 words: Joe Flacco....
  • Green Bay -2.5 vs. Minnesota.....This comes down to QB play again....I'll take Aaron Rodgers over whoever Minny puts out there....and I think the world is a bit too infatuated with the Vikes this year....Thinking Vegas weighs that a bit....
Have a great weekend...I'll put up some updates I believe

Thursday, September 4, 2008

NFL Preview Part 9: Awards/SB Pick...

To wrap up my NFL Preview....I'll give you this....

NFC Playoff Predictions:

Wild Card Round: 
Seattle (West Champ) over NY Giants (Wild Card)
Minnesota (Wild Card) over Carolina (South Champ)

Divisional Playoffs:
Green Bay (North Champ) over Seattle (West Champ)
Dallas (East Champ) over Minnesota (Wild Card)

NFC Championship:
Dallas over Green Bay


AFC Playoff Predictions: 

Wild Card Round:
Indianapolis (South Champ) over Cleveland (Wild Card)
Pittsburgh (North Champ) over Jacksonville (Wild Card)

Divisional Playoffs:
New England (East Champ) over Indianapolis (South Champ)
Pittsburgh (North Champ) over San Diego (West Champ)

AFC Championship:
New England over Pittsburgh


SUPER BOWL PREDICTION: Scroll down.....Got ya....


MVP: Tony Romo, Dallas QB
Coach of the Year: John Fox, Carolina
Rookie of the Year (AFC): Darren McFadden, Oakland RB
Rookie of the Year (NFC): Desean Jackson, Philly WR
Defensive player of the year (AFC): Demeco Ryans, Houston LB
Defensive player of the year (NFC): Patrick Willis, San Fran LB

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION: New England over Dallas....Shocking right?

Enjoy the season!



NFL Preview Part 8: NFC West

And the last division....
  1. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Seattle is really the only relevant team, IMO, in this division....the loss of Shaun Alexander won't really be felt as he was wildly ineffective last season....Matt Hasselbeck continues to fly under the radar, but is a consistently viable top 10 QB option in this league yearly...the WR corps is currently decimated by injuries, but when healthy the Engram/Branch/Burleson trio is very solid....the running game is questionable...but they won the division without any sort of options last year...and they'll do it again if necessary....the defense is very good (my target D/ST in fantasy leagues btw) led by Patrick Kerney and Lofa Tatupu...the unit is balanced, and there's really no weakness....the LB unit is very underrated as Leroy Hill and Julian Peterson are much better than anyone really gives them credit for....
  2. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - Well, Arizona definitely has talent to work with....so many Top-10 draft picks on this roster it's scary....Kurt Warner gets the nod under center and will work with a top-flight WR combo with Boldin and Fitzgerald....the running game is very suspect as I think Edge has already seen his best days, and will soon be out of a job....but the offense has never really been the issue here...There is all kinds of talent on defense with Karlos Dansby, Bertrand Berry, Adrian Wilson, and the like....but they've yet to put it together when it counts....I'll say they are respectable this year...but not enough to overtake Seattle....
  3. St. Louis Rams (6-10) - I think they'll be much better as last year was decimated by injuries....Steven Jackson is back healthy and should go for near 2,000 total yards if they'll throw him the ball out of the backfield....Marc Bulger is literally incapable of being healthy, but if they get 12 games out of him, they'll probably take it....Torry Holt is back and still a top-flight guy, but Drew Bennett is a step-down from their usual #2 option....O-Line play is the key here, and although health is the big factory, Orlando Pace and Alex Barron could form a very good tackle combo...newcomer Chris Long should help the defensive unit...but there are some holes especially in the linebacking corps...I think they'll be in a big hole early...potentially starting 2-5 or 1-6 after a brutal 7 game stretch to start the year including 5 playoff teams from last year including both Super Bowl teams from last year
  4. San Francisco 49ers (4-12) - I haven't seen anyone rate them as low as I will...but I just don't see it...JT O'Sullivan? Bryant Johnson and a near-40 Isaac Bruce? Yikes....Yes, I know Frank Gore is there, but he's never reached 10 TDs and is an injury risk....same goes for Vernon Davis, who everyone thinks is about to make the leap...but has never been a consistent option outside of his freak-ish athletic stats....the D has some stars in Patrick Willis (maybe the best LB in football these days), Manny Lawson, and highly-paid Nate Clements...but as a unit...subpar is the word I'd use....In short, I just don't think this is the best team on the field most weeks....and the schedule is not easy....

NFL Preview Part 7: NFC South

Well this one is gonna be interesting....
  1. Carolina Panthers (9-7) - Well, here we are in the biggest crapshoot division of all....I'll take Carolina...but I don't know why....Jake Delhomme is back and although I've never been a big fan, he's been semi-effective when healthy....the RB tandem should be solid/effective with rookie Jonathan Stewart and vet Deangelo Williams....the WR corps on paper is better but with big injury risks with #1 and #2 Steve Smith and DJ Hackett...it could almost be a trainwreck....Honestly, the biggest reason why I even have a team in this division over .500 is because the entire division plays the AFC West...and get to see the Falcons twice....The defense is solid but not spectacular...but Carolina will do just enough to win the division
  2. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - This is the only team with any offensive explosion in this division...especially in the passing game...Drew Brees attempted the most passes in the history of the league last year, and that will have to change in order to provide more balance, but I'm a Brees fan....between Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and the Deuce...somebody has to be consistent between the tackles...and I don't think it's Bush....the WR corps is good led by Colston, and figurative rookie Robert Meachem could surprise....The run D should be acceptable helped by new rookie DT Sedrick Ellis and a (at times) very good D-Line including Charles Grant and Will Smith...the pass D was, in a word, atrocious last year...mostly due to Colts re-tread Jason David giving up a myriad of big plays...if he sures it up a bit, that unit will be improved....but the defense isn't good enough to sustain a division-winning effort
  3. Tampa Bay Bucs (8-8) - The Bucs and Saints are a dead-heat in my mind...but are very different teams...Tampa is still reliant on ball control and defense and with exceptional game manager Jeff Garcia behind center, they shouldn't miss a beat...I'm a big fan of Earnest Graham, and with any sort of similar effort to last year, he'll approach 1500 total yards with the starting spot being totally his now....WR is a weakness but the never-aging Joey Galloway leads the way....The defense is the best in the division with a balance that is unmatched...Ronde Barber and Philip Buchanon form a solid CB tandem and with one of the best LB corps in the league, this unit is very solid....I just don't see the firepower on offense to do much damage in the long run....
  4. Atlanta Falcons (4-12) - Forgive me if I get carried away here...as this is "my" team....There is one area in which the Falcons could be above-average this year, and that is in the running game....with the inside/outside duo of Michael Turner and Jerrious Norwood, they could make noise here....elsewhere...below average-to-bad is the norm....Matt Ryan is a work in progress obviously as every rookie QB in the last 10 years has been quite suspect (Ben Roethlisberger not withstanding), but some flashes of greatness would be enough to satisfy me....The defense is an entirely different animal....the defensive tackle spot is likely the worst in the entire NFL with exactly one near-quality option available (Grady Jackson) and he can only play in run situations....The Linebackers are the strength with Michael Boley, Keith Brooking, and rookie Curtis Lofton...Brooking could return to Pro Bowl form going back to his favorite place at WLB....but this secondary has the potential to be a trainwreck....former Practice squad wonder Brent Grimes will start alongside Chris Houston at corner to form likely the worst duo in the league...and although the safeties are universally respected, Lawyer Milloy is unreliable in coverage, and is really best used as an 8th man in the box at this point....All that to say...6 wins would be exceeding expectations, and they won't win less than 2...so I'll split the difference and go with 4....

NFL Preview Part 6: NFC North

Almost there....
  1. Green Bay Packers (11-5) - I sort of agonized over this one...but I'll go with the team that I've seen do it...Favre-less or not....I'm actually an Aaron Rodgers fan...I thought he was the guy for SF when they picked Alex Smith, etc....Yes, he's injury-prone, but very talented and can run this offense....Ryan Grant was good-to-exceptional last year in his starts and the entire WR corps returns led by Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and under-rated James Jones...The defense is very, very good and very balanced...there's no weakness on this side of the ball with possibly the best CB tandem in the league in Woodson and Harris and stars elsewhere like AJ Hawk, Aaron Kampman, and Nick Barnett....I'll take the Cheeseheads by a nose...
  2. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Well, it comes down to one thing for this team...and that just happens to be the most important position on the field....whether is Tarvaris Jackson or the journeyman Gus Frerotte, I just don't trust this spot for the Vikings....and that's where they get relegated...the run offense is very good with AP and the very under-rated Chester Taylor, as well as likely the best run-blocking line in all of football....and that's just half the story...this defense is utterly LOADED this year....How bout Chad Greenway, Kevin Williams, and E.J. Henderson to name a few?...Not good enough? I'll throw you Madieu Williams, Darren Sharper and Cedric Griffin too....on paper, this may be the most talented unit in the league....but until a QB shows anyone anything...they get the Wild-Card spot...
  3. Chicago Bears (6-10) - Ah, yes...same story for Chicago...QB questions abound...I will say this, I would've gone with Orton a long-time ago and he's clearly the best option...but he still isn't setting the world on fire....I'm a big fan of what I've seen from rookie RB Matt Forte, but the WR spot is pretty bad when Devin Hester may start after never really playing any offense....I do like rookie Earl Bennett though....The defense is fairly talented, but a step slower these days with some serious age on it...Urlacher and Tommie Harris are fantastic still...but guys like Mike Brown have definitely slowed...Not enough points being scored for this team to sustain much success...
  4. Detroit Lions (6-10) - Yes, these teams finish with the same record...I really like this offense...Kitna has always been a favorite of mine and he has a top 4 WR duo in Williams and Johnson (alongside Chad/TJ, Fitz/Boldin and Moss/Welker if you were wondering)....Kevin Smith leads the running game this year and that's a bit of a question mark...both the RB unit and the O-Line play....and this defense is utterly...mediocre? Yes, that's the word....they were flat dreadful in pass defense last year, but the addition of Leigh Bodden should help out back there...the run D is respectable and Ernie Sims is a rising star at LB, but another slow year for Detroit fans....

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

NFL Preview Part 5: NFC East

Here we go....
  1. Dallas Cowboys (13-3) - On paper, this is the clear favorite in the NFC....talent abounds on both sides and especially on offense....Tony Romo has made the leap to Top-5 QB status even if some of us (namely me) aren't totally sold....The RB combo of Marion Barber and Felix Jones could be dynamic and they still have TO and Jason Witten (and underrated Patrick Crayton) to throw to...The question mark for Dallas is in the secondary...the Pass defense was very questionable and though they added Pacman Jones, they still have the non-covering Roy Williams in back....all that said, I'm taking Dallas....
  2. New York Giants (10-6) - The schedule is fairly easy for a defending champ...but without Strahan and Umenyiora the defensive strength could be limited....the secondary is much improved with shear experience and the additions of Sammy Knight and rookie S Kenny Phillips....Oh yea....Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, and Plax Burress are back to and this time returning as the Champs....I don't love this team, but I didn't last year either and it worked out....I don't see a deep run this year simply from the inevitable complacency that sets in after a title run....but a good team nonetheless...Watch for rookie WR Mario Manningham as a deep threat alongside Plax...
  3. Washington Redskins (10-6) - I like Washington alot....for the defensive side of the ball...especially in Pass D...They have 3 legit cover guys in Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot and Carlos Rogers....plus a very good safety in Laron Landry...This offense has some question marks though...Jason Campbell is developing but he doesn't have a ton of help at WR...bigger names than the production they get out of Santana Moss and Randle El....Chris Cooley is underrated and effective and if they get a full season out of Clinton Portis, this team could end up with 12 wins...but they won't...he'll miss 3 or 4 games and they'll win 10....
  4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - It's weird that 9-7 may be last place in this division...but that's what I think....The offense has firepower at QB and RB with the usual suspects...but the WR was bad before injuries...and now it's "league worst" dreadful...DeSean Jackson is a rookie and no matter how explosive, he's still a rookie...and that's really about it....LJ Smith? lol....I have no idea...the defense added Asante Samuel and returned most of the rest of the unit that was pretty good last year...Watch out for unheralded LB Chris Gocong...a former D-2 standout that they are raving about....just saying....

9/2: New Poll, Cliff Lee, etc.

Just some ramblings today....
  • The new CFB polls are out...and USC is on top....as they should be...any time you go 3,000 miles from home and play a BCS-conference opponent and win by 45....I'm impressed...even if Virginia isn't very good...Georgia is in a bit of turmoil...losing another big time lineman for the year (this time DT Jeff Owens) and Ohio State has its own big problem with the foot of Beanie Wells....Interesting times at the top...
  • Cliff Lee is out of control....20-2 with 20 wins on a team with only 66 total wins....I don't care how bad his team is...he's the Cy Young winner in the AL....no question...
  • Donyell Marshall signs with Philly...apparently this is front-page ESPN.com news...don't ask me how?
  • Man, that UCLA comeback was something serious.....but people that are completely down on Tennessee now should think twice....try going all the way to the West Coast for your opener with no tune-up and playing a game Pac-10 squad....
  • I still don't believe that Tom Brady is hurt...but that's just me...
  • The Baltimore Ravens are in DEEP trouble...Joe Flacco will start the opener...with a backup to be named later (such as Joey Harrington or Chris Simms, ewww)....Good luck to their fans....
More later

UCLA mounts the comeback...

Wow...UCLA mounts a crazy comeback after one of the all-time stinker performances by QB Kevin Craft in the first half....and in the process, get me my first win on my picks! laughter....

YTD: 1-5 (.166)

In addition, I'd like to claim my allegiance to the Buffalo Bills....in order to sustain free housing (ask me later)