Wednesday, October 29, 2008

10/29: Oden, Boston, etc.

Here we go...
  • Greg Oden leaves his first game early with a sprained foot....umm....when does this become a trend? I know they have a plethora of young wings...but at what point is Portland looking a little ominous for that selection? Yes, I believe he'll be a dominant defender (at least) but he's gotta be on the floor first....
  • Boston beats Cleveland coming back from the dead....a ho-hum Boston victory as they come from behind late...Lebron still can't shoot FTs.....Boston is really good....You knew all this...
  • LA POUNDS Portland from the tip....this one didn't shock me....but LA's talent is on full display...Luke Walton isn't even in the rotation...read that again....That's sort of unbelievable to me....regardless....so much depth....so much talent....love that team....
  • World Series game 5 may actually be played tonight...on schedule as of now....I have no idea what's gonna happen.... but Peter Gammons has already anointed this the worst World Series ever....yikes....that's a strong statement from somebody who is basically the voice of the game outside of Bud Selig....There better be some fireworks (and hopefully, for viewers, more baseball after tonight....) so go Rays
  • Charlie Villanueva starts and plays 8 minutes...no injury....something told me Scott Skiles would hate him... Ding Ding Ding...

More later

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

10/28: NBA Kicks off! And more...

Just some ramblings....


  • First on my sporting agenda today is the return of the NBA in regular season form....I'm highly excited about the season and even about tonight's slate...TNT features the Cleveland/Boston and Portland/LAL double-header....pretty much as good as they could possibly do as far as intrigue.....the 2 most highly discussed East teams by far and the #1 West team facing the impending juggernaut of Portland (along with it being Oden's debut)....A really nice slate.....

  • For you NBA diehards (cough, Ryan, cough)....you can flick over to WGN to watch Milwaukee @ Chicago...lol....Derrick Rose's debut and the chance to see what in the world Vinny Del Negro is gonna go with that backcourt rotation may be enough to get me to go there on commercials....BECAUSE....

  • The World Series Game 5.5 is rained out....again.....I'm cool with this...but this could be huge depending on how MLB handles the scheduling should the series continue...namely, if Philly loses but can still get Hamels to go in Game 7....That's pretty huge...
  • More NBA news....Eddy Curry won't be in the rotation for New York....People are semi-shocked by this from a standpoint of the fact that he puts up reasonable numbers and makes alot of money...but I agree with Mike D'Antoni...he doesn't fit and they're better off without him playing....
  • Ted Cottrell (Chargers' D Coordinator) fired....About time....this unit has been flat-out dreadful and the media isn't saying this enough....people are still afraid of the Chargers...but I don't see it....worst Pass D in the league (yes, even behind the Lions) so far...ouch....

Enjoy the NBA tonight!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Late football recap....

Sorry for the delay...whirlwind couple of days....here we go

THE PICKS wrap:
YTD (Entering): 28-24-3
  • Kansas -1....uhhh.....loser!
  • Michigan State -4....Winner!
  • Georgia +2....Winner!
  • Ohio State +2.5.....Loser!
  • Dallas Cowboys -2....Winner!
  • Buffalo -1.5......Loser!
  • Baltimore -7....Winner
Ho-hum 4-3 week
YTD (Current): 32-27-3....Still Profit....
  • Texas Tech smashes Kansas....didn't see that coming...especially not by 40+...We know Texas Tech can score....but they played D in this one....nice tuneup for Texas game this week
  • Florida beats Kentucky 63-5....Yes 63-5...Kentucky is supposed to be a legit defense...umm....No thanks...but Florida has looked awesome for the past couple weeks....
  • Pittsburgh goes down to Rutgers....and this is a bad Rutgers team...will ANYBODY stand up in the Big East!? I maintain the Mountain West is honestly better top to bottom.....remove them from the BCS lol
  • I saw the Georgia win coming....and soundly coming at that...LSU isn't the typical LSU this year....I've been preaching this...they have bad QB play....that defense isn't top-10 material and they only get recognized that way because of their helmets....and it showed here....
  • Shocking score of the week to me....Missouri 58, Colorado 0...word? Same Colorado team that beat West Virginia and gave Texas a decent run...yikes...
  • Alabama/Tennessee came and went...yawn...Tennessee is a wreck...Alabama cruises on....2 big games left....LSU and Auburn....ummm....LSU we've discussed...and Auburn is an absolute sinking ship....just saying....
  • Penn State and Ohio State play a classic Big 10 battle...13-6 PSU...well....pencil them in for the undefeated season folks....their toughest remaining game is....ready? @ Iowa.....IOWA!....My goodness
  • Hey Florida Fans....hey Georgia fans....listen closely....if you win out...and there's only 1 undefeated team....you WILL go to the BCS title game....I promise you....so don't freak out...you're passing USC if you win out....Breathe.....
To the NFL....
  • Carolina and Arizona played a good one...that Arizona offense is just putting up ludicrous numbers....and Carolina keeps plugging away....getting it done with the 2-headed backfield and the old school Delhomme to Smith....very intrigued by them
  • Buffalo lays an egg....can't get behind that....Miami is better than you think...but can't blow a 2 score lead like that....and now the old Patriots are tied in the division....Be afraid
  • New Orleans exposes San Diego...in my preview I gave you this one....and it played out exactly as I thought....Brees threw the ball ALL OVER THE FIELD on San Diego's atrocious pass defense...and people will keep doing this....I don't believe in San Diego....at all....frankly, the AFC west is a complete wreck too....
  • Why is it when Brett Favre throws 3 INT it's just him having fun? If Matt Ryan throws 3 INT....stop the presses, he's awful....
  • Speaking of the Falcons....worst call of the week award goes to the phantom muffed punt....if you haven't seen it...check out the highlights on nfl.com....ugly call that cost the Falcons a chance at the win....and maybe the worst announcing blunder in a while...blaming Mike Smith for not having a timeout?! Are you F'ing kidding me Tim Ryan? Go to sleep....
  • Some life for the Seahawks! 8 wins can win the NFC West....I'm still on the wagon lol
  • Game of the week: Giants/Steelers....didn't disappoint....ho-hum 21-14...Both great teams....can't take too much out of it....other than they're both good....
That's all for now...

Friday, October 24, 2008

Weekend football....

Gonna condense the 2 normal columns into one due to lack of time.....Enjoy!

First of all....THE PICKS
YTD (Entering Sat.): 28-24-3
  • Kansas -1 over Texas Tech....Not a believer in the Red Raiders....esp. not on the road
  • Michigan State -4 over Michigan....I'll gladly be wrong...but I don't think I will be
  • Georgia +2 over LSU....Go back and read that again...I picked Georgia and against Michigan....but I really think LSU is a serious "paper Tiger"....
  • Ohio State +2.5 over Penn State....I think Penn State is good....but this is the game they go down....Tressel will have them ready, this much I'm sure....if this is in Happy Valley, I go the other way, but with Pryor at home and comfortable, this is the play
  • Dallas Cowboys -2 over Tampa...I think they get right a little bit here...this isn't an offense that can light Dallas' D up
  • Buffalo -1.5 over Miami...better team....by more than enough to make up for the fact that it's on the road
  • Baltimore -7 over Oakland....Oakland is God-awful on offense....they may not score 7 points total...and I think Baltimore can put up at least 17 at home....Plus the dreaded West Coast team on the east coast 1:00 kickoff.....too many factors....

Okay that's that....Games to watch in CFB....

  • Texas Tech @ Kansas (Noon, ESPN)....Good Big 12 battle and clearly the best of the noon kickoffs...
  • Oklahoma State @ Texas (3:30, ABC or ESPN2)....Game of the day with apologies to the SEC diehards....We don't know a whole lot about Oklahoma State other than they can score at will.....and they WILL put up yards and points in the passing game (Texas's weak link)....but will it be enough?
  • Georgia @ LSU (3:30, CBS)....Good battle here...on record picking UGA....but it comes down to Stafford's play and the ability to shut down whatever semblance of a passing attack LSU tries to trot out there
  • Penn State @ Ohio State (8:00, ABC)....Thoughts above, but this one will be an all-out battle

To the NFL.....

  • Quickly....my winners are....Baltimore, Carolina, Dallas, Washington, Buffalo, NE, New Orleans (upset special), NYJ, Philly, Houston, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh (though wavering now that Holmes is out), Seattle (upset special #2), Tennessee
  • NY Giants @ Pittsburgh...4:15 Sunday....Game of the week without a doubt....Top 3 teams in both conferences meeting....I like Pitt in the game...the Giants defense is in slight turmoil because they can't run the passer all the sudden....Good game here though
  • San Diego vs. New Orleans....live from....London!? WHYYYYY....Never understood this...oh well, to the actual game....New Orleans wins here....San Diego's pass defense is actually God-awful and really, this team hasn't looked good in 5 of its 7 games...and the defense hasn't looked good in 6 of the 7....Brees wings it all over the place
  • Arizona @ Carolina...This suddenly looks like a possible NFC Playoff Divisional game....yawn...I like Carolina in the game...but only b/c Arizona refuses to give the ball to Tim Hightower while Edge James run down the field with a gigantic fork coming from his back....paging Shaun Alexander....

Enjoy the slate everyone

Thursday, October 23, 2008

NBA Season Preview: Rookie Talk, Award Predictions, etc.

The final segment of the NBA preview coming here....Starting with the famous SLAM Magazine "rookies most likely to...." (only 1st rounders will be used for me)
  • Average 20 points- Michael Beasley
  • Average 10 rebounds- Greg Oden
  • Average 10 assists- Derrick Rose
  • Get injured running laps- Kosta Koufos
  • Unfairly get bench splinters- Ryan Anderson, Courtney Lee
  • Throw ridiculous 75 foot laser beam outlet passes (for you Ryan)- Kevin Love
  • Lock you down end to end on defense- OJ Mayo
  • Be out of the league in 4 years- Anthony Randolph
  • Not play a single second this year- JR Giddens
  • Be under-appreciated but contribute on a playoff team- Robin Lopez
  • Lead the league in turnovers- Russell Westbrook
  • Lead the league in blocks- Greg Oden
  • Be the fastest player in the L- Jerryd Bayless
  • Be the receiving end of a poster- Kosta Koufos
  • Make GM's regret not picking him earlier- Nicolas Batum
  • Wish he stayed in school- Donte Greene
  • Lead the league in Bill Russell references- Greg Oden
  • Single handedly make people how forget the Spurs front office has been- George Hill
  • Lead the 2nd rounders in minutes- Chris Douglas-Roberts
  • Do Something that will be labeled freakishly athletic- Jevale McGee
  • Be a top-10 bust- Joe Alexander (Danilo Gallinari is just too easy)
Well that was fun.....laughter...moving on to the awards
  • Most Improved Player- JR Smith
  • Coach of the Year- Mo Cheeks
  • Rookie of the Year- Greg Oden
  • 6th man of the year- Lamar Odom (if he doesn't start reportedly)
  • All-NBA First Team- Yao, Garnett, Lebron, Kobe, Paul
  • MVP- Lebron James
Playoff Predictions....

Western Semis- LA over San Antonio, Utah over New Orleans
Eastern Semis- Boston over Detroit, Cleveland over Philly
West Finals- LA over Utah
East Finals- Cleveland over Boston
The Champs- LA over Cleveland

Have a great season folks


Wednesday, October 22, 2008

10/22: World Series Preview, etc.

A standard ramblings post....enjoy
  • World Series preview...homefield is huge in this series IMO, Tampa is an elite home team obviously and the turf can't be discounted in that their infield knows how to play it, and Philly's infield D is spotty....I like the Rays...in 7...Big start from Kazmir in Game 1 though
  • Kellen Winslow suspended 1 game....guy can play, but he dang sure has some mental issues....Think Cleveland fans have forgotten they passed on hometown kid Ben Roethlisberger for him?
  • Mike Nolan fired....not shocking....take your suit off...Mike Singletary gets the job he should've already had....expect a mild turnaround...and an increase in Frank Gore carries...
  • Rodney Harrison out for the year.....Karma, huh?
Excited alot about world series baseball, basketball kicking off, and full football swing....gotta love it...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

NBA Western Conference Preview

You knew it was on the way....before I start...The East is coming back this year....but the West is still loaded....and this took me forever to put together.....Without further ado...
  1. Los Angeles Lakers- Where do i begin with the defending West Champs....On paper, they are even stronger than a year ago with a supposedly healthy Bynum added to really the exact same core....The advantages are plentiful...from having Kobe Bean Bryant on your roster, to the huge frontline featuring Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and the aforementioned Bynum....to the ridiculously deep bench (10 legit rotation guys before you even get to Sun Yue, who they love reportedly)....I didn't take long to put them in this spot....the issue is really deciding how to use their 3 front-court guys while not burying solid contributors like Luke Walton and the now-healthy (and underrated) Trevor Ariza....but I'm sold on Phil Jackson....I'm sold on Kobe Bean...and I'm sold on the LA Lakers
  2. Utah Jazz- Now this one may shock some people.....Let me break it down.... They led the West in scoring differential last year (yes, that's a Hollinger stat, but that's not where I heard it from), aka they beat people soundly....they were the best Home team in the West by a wide margin.....they bring back the exact same core....who is/was young and is now a year older....What's not to like? There is depth up front with Paul Millsap pushing Okur...Boozer is a legit all-star at the 4 (and top 5 in the NBA at his position)...You have the 2nd best point guard in the world in Deron Williams....I actually don't mind the wing guys (Brewer, Korver, CJ Miles, and Harpring) because they all bring different things to the table....With Korver in the lineup last year, they were fairly dominant, and all indications point to CJ Miles possibly even burying Matt Harpring.....I like this team alot (EDIT: Deron Williams sprains ankle, not serious, but hopefully not pesky)
  3. New Orleans Hornets- This team isn't as good as they were a year ago....there, I said it....and there's a huge depth issue up front....For the Hornets to be a legit Finals contender, they MUST be healthy up front (and obviously Chris Paul too) because their frontcourt depth is pretty awful (sorry Melvin Ely and Hilton Armstrong) unless Julian Wright shows he can be solid (but he's more of a 3).....I didn't hate the James Posey signing because he does what you need in that he defends and knows how to win....Swapping out Devin Brown for Jannero Pargo is a downgrade and while CP3 will make up for most of it, this is a really a 7-man team....and those don't generally work out so well.....Chris Paul is my favorite NBA player, bold statement, but not even he makes this team win the West....
  4. Houston Rockets- First of all, if you were looking for a team that you haven't seen that is the most likely to make a deep run, here they are....on paper, this team looks....stacked? loaded? yea, one of those....Positives first....Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest, Shane Battier, Brent Barr, Luther Head is a pretty darn good wing rotation.....Yao Ming is a top-2 center in the league when healthy (sorry Amare, you aren't a center), and you could do much worse than Luis Scola/Carl Landry giving you what you need at the 4 (energy, defense)....Ron Artest is really, really good at basketball....forget he's crazy for just one minute and look at what he brings....Now to the issues at hand....McGrady and Yao can't stay on the floor....not blaming, just stating...and I can't, in good faith, pick a team to win the West with Rafer Alston, Aaron Brooks, and Steve Francis' corpse at Point Guard...I just can't....but if you can get past it...they have the players
  5. San Antonio Spurs- What can I say that hasn't already been said? This looks a whole lot like the past 2 or 3 year's rosters....you know what you're getting from the big 3 (Ginobili has increasing injury concerns however)....you have the role players up front (Thomas, Oberto) and a rotating door of swingmen....I'm picking this like I know Ginobili is missing 20 games and if he does, where do the points come from? Roger Mason? Ime Udoka? Salim Stoudamire? Pass....They're always a threat....but I don't see the title-winning talent this year...but then again, I'll never doubt Tim Duncan.....ever....
  6. Portland Trailblazers- Well this team is impossible to handicap....I've never seen a roster this deep with young talent....it's ludicrous...they have like 15 players...I've seen them as high as #2 in preseason prognostication...that's too high for me....prove it first....Absolutely unbelievable young frontcourt in Oden, Aldridge, Frye, Diogu and even the Vanilla Gorilla....I love Greg Oden...but please don't tell me he's gonna come out and score 20 a night...he's not...he's a defense-first, rebounding monster that will lock the lane down....The issue for me is in deciding who to play (and who will play effectively) on the wing alongside Brandon Roy....Let me list the options: Nicolas Batum (no one outside of Portland has any idea), Travis Outlaw (can score, most proven of the bunch), Rudy Fernandez (explosive but raw), Martell Webster (can shoot, that's the list).....that's 4 guys....for probably 2 spots in the rotation unless Nate McMillan is on the Doc Rivers plan.....and there's still the Point Guard issue...Steve Blake isn't winning you a title, BUT if Jerryd Bayless can play there....I like the platoon to show him the ropes....
  7. Phoenix Suns- This will be fun....D'Antoni isn't walking through that door...and I don't really know what to make of them...the players are pretty much the same adding in rookies Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic (at key spots) and the veteran Matt Barnes...the roster makeup isn't bad...but Steve Nash can't last forever and Shaq is at the end of his rope...also, they got alot out of Grant Hill and that isn't exactly guaranteed to repeat itself as far as health....lots of questions...but if they put it all together and stay healthy, this is too low for them
  8. Los Angeles Clippers- Here's the dropoff point for me....It's a 7 team conference....LA is deep this year...Kaman and Camby forming the twin towers...Al Thornton/Ricky Davis at the 3.....Mobley/Gordon at the 2....B-Dizzle running things....there's alot to like...but there are numerous injury concerns (BD, Gordon, Camby, even Kaman all have the history), some questionable character guys (Tim Thomas AND Ricky Davis? lol), players generally despise Mike Dunleavy, and without a single legitimate backup to Camby/Kaman there is real trouble if either goes down...but hey...talent is the rule here...once again
  9. Dallas Mavericks- These next 2 are painful for me...I hate their nucleus...but there's a lack options here....Kidd is old...still can be effective in what he does (dish mostly) but he's not an elite guard and giving away Devin Harris for him looks even worse after what everyone saw from Kidd at the end of last year and in the Olympics...Brandon Bass is under-rated but buried behind Dirk...your centers are still Dampier and Diop...I just don't think this is gonna work....
  10. Denver Nuggets- Let me get this straight...you couldn't defend last year...and you gave away a top 5 defender in the league in Marcus Camby for....nothing? That's supposed to make sense? At any rate...we all know what this team is about....lots of shots....no defense...so, given that...I'm going to need more JR Smith...He showed he can score (scoring at a ludicrous 30+ PPG per 48 minutes down the stretch)....so get away from the facade that is Anthony Carter/Chucky Atkins at the point....and play Iverson and Smith together...please....Nene is the key...if he's healthy and effective, there could be a playoff run, but I can't give serious cause to think Kenyon Martin and NeNe can stay on the floor...and there's no depth behind them
  11. Golden State Warriors- Nellie...you're INSANE....there I said it....Word out of GS has Demarcus Nelson getting the starting PG nod...word? The guy who couldn't hold the PG spot in the ACC? lol....Come on....There is oodles of talent on the wing here (Jackson, Maggette, Harrington, Azubuike, Belinelli) but if you don't have a point guard in this system, you're screwed...it's a fact....I think this is a legit top 6-7 team in the West after Monta Ellis gets back...but if you start 10-25 when he's out....you're out of it....and that's where I stand....
  12. Memphis Grizzlies- The young talent is most definitely on display...Rudy Gay made the leap last year and has shed the "lazy" label we all gave him...Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry can both play...and Conley's even been showing off the J in the preseason...scary thought....and oh yea, they had a top-3 pick...OJ Mayo may end up being the ish....but in his rookie year, just look for fairly awesome defense, and too much shooting....That's where it ends though....loaded at the 1,2, and 3....and....not so much up front...I like Hakim Warrick but he isn't a starting NBA 4...and his backup is....Antoine Walker? rookie Darrell Arthur? Ew....and the Center spot is worse... Darko is the penciled in starter...and he'll bring you defense...but that's all....Marc Gasol is the x-factor...if he's as good as reported, this team could excite, if he's average or less....send them to the lottery again
  13. The Team Kevin Durant Plays For- I'm following the lead of Bill Simmons and others....This will be the only time I say the names "Oklahoma City" or "Thunder" in this space....from now on.....Kevin Durant's team or something along those lines....clear? Clear. To the team.... Boy the roster looks similar to last year...trade out Luke Ridnour for lottery guard Russell Westbrook and you're there... Kevin Durant is gonna make the leap this year...but he needs help...I like what Jeff Green gives you, but he's not a 2nd option...or really even a 3rd option...Collison and Wilcox are adequate upfront but no more, and you can't entrust your PG situation to Watson so Westbrook better be good...and I don't see him being good early...too young...not enough PG experience....
  14. Minnesota T-Wolves- On paper, their starting 5 looks...good...Foye/Miller/Brewer/Love/Jefferson are all names you know....Here's the breakdown...Randy Foye isn't a point guard...wasn't they picked him...still isn't...and your other option is Sebastian Telfair...who would be out of the league if his name wasn't Sebastian Telfair....Corey Brewer was...outright awful last year, and while he could definitely be good down the line...his offensive game is very limited....The intriguing piece is Kevin Love....I really enjoy his play...but there are definite athletic question marks with him...there's no mistaking this...and the bench is flat out awful outside of Craig Smith...Rodney Carney? The immortal Rashad McCants? Calvin freaking Booth? lol.....Better luck next year...
  15. Sacramento Kings- I don't even know where to begin....you gave Beno Udrih..yes, that Beno Udrih...lockdown starting PG money....yikes... There are swingmen that I like...Kevin Martin is a legit star...John Salmons and Francisco Garcia are quality players....but up front, you have the worst power forward rotation in the league (Kenny Thomas, Jason Thompson, Mikki Moore), an aging and potentially ineffective Brad Miller, and a promising but under-played Spencer Hawes...that reaks of 20 wins...I feel bad for Kevin Martin....people need to know his name...

Okay then, One more preview post....awards, rookie predictions, etc. to come

Monday, October 20, 2008

Weekend Football Wrap....

THE PICKS wrapup comes first....
YTD (Entering): 23-21-3
  • Northwestern -4....Winner!
  • Wisconsin +3.5......Big-time loser!
  • USC -42.....Winner!
  • Kansas +20.....Winner!
  • Michigan +24.5......Dont even get me started on how it's possible that I didn't cover here
  • Buffalo -1....Winner!
  • Miami -3.....Loser!
  • Seattle +10.5.....Winner! Gotta love the late miracle cover...
YTD (Current): 28-24-3...profit...lol
Okay that's out of the way....To my thoughts....
  • Washington State is the worst team in a BCS conference that I can ever....yes, I mean EVER...remember...they haven't been competitive in a game all season....USC could've beaten them by 100...and that's not an exaggeration at all
  • Ohio State looked dominant over Mich. State....Yes, MSU is one-dimensional....but it's a whale of a dimension and OSU dominated....setting up the only relevant Big 10 game all year next week with OSU vs. Penn State....
  • Michigan.....yikes...39 unanswered is all I need to say
  • Texas is awesome....for the minute....no one will ever sell me on a team that is dominant as they seem this year....it's college football in 2008; no one is that much better than anyone else, period, so don't get too hyped
  • Texas Tech=fraud....Oklahoma State and Utah=for real....questions?
  • New BCS is out....no huge complaints...Utah should be higher....Oklahoma State has a better resume than Oklahoma or USC....Florida should be ahead of Georgia (who has Georgia beaten?).....
To the NFL....
  • Buffalo keeps their AFC East dominance rolling...really impressed by them....
  • Chicago and Minnesota played the least offensively dominant 48-41 game I've ever seen...make sense? Let me enlighten you.....How bout 3 defense/special teams TDs for Chicago? 4 INT for Gus Frerotte? 6 total turnovers? Okay...Not alot you can take out of this other than it seems Kyle Orton could actually be good....
  • St. Louis blasts Dallas...umm....It wasn't the offense Jerry....
  • I'll give Joe Flacco a little love...I guess I shouldn't pick against you simply because it's you
  • Indy is done....like I'm getting my fork out.....think it gets easier? @ Tenn., New England, @ Pittsburgh, and @ San Diego in the next 5 games....
  • Janikowski's game winner was good from at least 63 yards....
  • 2 straight uninspiring weeks from the Washington offense...back to earth gentlemen...I like Jason Campbell...but he isn't beating you....stack the line....
  • Was wrong about Carolina's defense....Brees looked as bad as he'll ever look today....and Carolina remains the class of the NFC South IMO
Alrighty then...

Friday, October 17, 2008

Week 7 NFL Preview

Self-explanatory....

THE PICKS 
YTD: 23-21-3 (entering CFB)
  • Buffalo -1 over SD....early kick on the east coast vs. a west coast team...sold
  • Miami -3 over Baltimore....Joe Flacco on the road again (1 TD, 7 INT last 4)
  • Seattle +10.5 over TB...don't know if they win this outright...but too many points even without Hasselbeck
To the games....Quick style
  • Tennessee over KC; the Chiefs are a wreck and LJ is out too
  • Buffalo over SD (see above and Edwards is back)
  • Pitt over Cincy...bleh
  • Chicago over Minny....Minny can be thrown on and hate Frerotte on the road
  • NO over Carolina....big game for Brees here
  • NYG over SF....easily....
  • Houston over Detroit...Lions are the worst team in the league....road...etc.
  • NYJ over Oakland....just throw at D-Hall....
  • Washington over Cleveland
  • GB over Indy....upset special
  • Tampa over Seattle
  • New England over Denver (if they quadruple cover Marshall like they should)

CFB Weekend Preview

A little late on this one...but only one relevant game was played on thursday, and I discussed it....

First...THE PICKS
YTD: 23-21-3.....
  • Northwestern -4 over Purdue....Purdue is quite bad...especially on the road and Northwestern is devalued because, well, they are Northwestern, but this is an 8 or 9-win team I think, lay the 4....
  • Wisconsin +3.5 over Iowa....Yes, I fall into the trap again....Wisconsin can't be as bad as they've played lately....I hope
  • USC -42 over Washington State....wow...you're thinking 42 points? yes....Washington State is the worst major conference team in the country, and they've already allowed 60+ 3 times this year....it's an enormous amount of points...but I'd bet it if it was -48.5....lol
  • Kansas +20 over Oklahoma....Sooners win...but Kansas is good enough where this is too many points to be given
  • Michigan +24.5 over Penn State....before you ask, I know Michigan has no chance to win this game....but 24.5!??!?! Insulting....final score 31-13

Okay, that's that....Some important games to preview....

  • Vandy at Georgia.....Vandy hangs around, but on UGA's homecoming....not letting this one get away....
  • Ohio St. @ Michigan State....gun to my head I take the Buckeyes....Javon Ringer is the extent of MSU's offense, and Tressel can at least contain him I think....The key is Pryor on the road...
  • Missouri @ Texas....upset alert all over this one....angry Mizzou team....great passing offense for Mizzou vs. atrocious pass D of Texas....Let-down game for Texas.....I'm just saying...
  • Georgia Tech @ Clemson (for my readers like Travis and John who are Tech fans...) - Clemson is in utter disarray...starting a freshman at QB, a freshman at RB, a "freshman" in head coaching AND play calling (first game for both), and their O-Line is awful....I'm gonna chalk up the Gardner-Webb debacle to a look ahead game for Tech and I'd let that D-Line loose all day against the inexperienced Tigers.....Tech easy....

Thursday, October 16, 2008

10/17: BYU Goes Down, ALCS...

Leading with the ALCS....
  • Well that was insane...a 7-0 hole for Boston going to Bottom 7....and a 8-7 victory after 2 huge bombs and a JD Drew walk-off hit....I'm gonna say that I think Tampa is in trouble...we've seen this before...the miracle win for Boston....and now they get to see Beckett and Lester....on the positive side for the Rays, they are going home where they've been dominant...but it's a series again...
  • BYU goes down in a heap against a physical and talented TCU team...I can say without question I did NOT see this coming in any way...I had BYU pegged for 11-0 entering the Utah game but they got flat out embarrassed tonight....Wave bye-bye to them....the only hopes for the Non-BCS now falls on Utah and Boise....I maintain that if someone goes undefeated in the Mountain West (Utah), they should be in the BCS Title game IF there is one undefeated Big 6 conf. team or less.....Think of it this way, if Utah was undefeated in the Big East, would they go? I maintain yes....and the Mountain West is CLEARLY better top to bottom than the Big East this year...I frankly don't think it's close....just a statement
  • Jake Peavy hits the open trade market apparently....and the Braves are reportedly interested....umm, yes please! Whatever it takes....go do it....
  • Larry Johnson to miss this week's game for a suspension...violation of team rules....yawn...Tennessee will pound them anyway I'm sure....that said, I'd be giving Jamal Charles carries anyway...
  • Why is Tony Romo trying to play? I really have no idea....sit out a week or 2 at least....Brad Johnson can be okay with all those weapons...hand it off, beat St. Louis and come back next week

NBA Eastern Conference Preview!

You already know what it is....I can't remember being this excited about an NBA Season....Well let's get to it...here is my projected order of finish in the East (regular season obviously)
  1. Boston Celtics- Well, no surprise here....the defending NBA Champs get my top spot... They return the entire rotation sans James Posey, and while that's a significant loss, they bring in rookie Bill Walker, take a flyer on Darius Miles, and bring in a Project Big Guy in Patrick O'Bryant (I love this move for the record). The Big 3 along with an emerging Rondo, and an ever-improving Kendrick Perkins should take this team back to the playoffs with 60+ wins barring any injury setbacks or a complete collapse from Ray Allen. I don't see that happening....

  2. Cleveland Cavaliers- I'm gonna bite....I like the Mo Williams addition because it provides a legitimate threat in the backcourt for the first time in Lebron's career (sorry Larry Hughes)...the frontcourt is quite deep, and while not supremely talented, I like the mix if they play it correctly (the problem is Mike Brown....yikes).....Lebron is playing at an absurd level, and while it is impossible to expect the sort of defensive effort he was giving in the Olympics, the sign that he can do it intrigues me....

  3. Philadelphia 76ers- Another bite from me....Full disclosure in the fact that I'm a big-time believer in what Elton Brand can bring...Although this was the only move of consequence (other than drafting Marreese Speights who I like alot potential-wise), the other core players are quite young overall....the next step from Thaddeus Young (as well as Louis Williams) combined with an above-average PG in Andre Miller have me seeing this team on paper as a potential contender.....The rotation of Dalembert, Brand, Speights, Young, Iggy, Kareem Rush, Miller, and Lou Will is one that I like alot....

  4. Detroit Pistons- Ah, the standard....this is the deepest team in the conference with 10 legit rotation guys (and, no that doesn't include Kwame Brown)....but I actually see a bit of a fall from the past few year's level....The younger big guys (Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson) are crucial to the team's success, and while Rodney Stuckey showed serious signs of being a player last year, he's still buried behind Billups and Rip....Another solid season..

  5. Toronto Raptors- I actually like the O'Neal signing...he sures up the interior defense and allows Bargnani to remove the pressure from his shoulders...The problem is still in the backcourt with no legit backup to Calderon (who I love) and the Anthony Parker/Hassan Adams duo at the 2....If J O'Neal is anyone near what he used to be (a big IF), this team has a shot at homecourt and maybe more, and although I like the makeup of the team generally, Bargnani and O'Neal are big enough question marks where this is as high as I can go....

  6. Miami Heat- I know what you're thinking...this team was flat-out awful last year....The issue is at the bookends....The PG situation is a bit of a mess with Chris Quinn, Mario Chalmers, and Marcus Banks (ewww) and the center spot is locked by the immortal Mark Blount....That said, Dwyane Wade looked like the D-Wade of old all summer, and the forwards have the look of a top-flight unit with Marion, Beasley, and Haslem....There's a definite ceiling given the roster limitations, but I'm higher on them than most....

  7. Orlando Magic- Here's a team I like less than most....the starting 5 is elite-level quality with really no holes with Nelson-Pietrus-Hedo-Lewis-Dwight....but their 6th man is....JJ Redick? Adonal Foyle? This is the worst bench for a supposed contender in the entire league....and the 3s can't drop every night....Yes, Dwight is there....but I think Hedo comes back to earth a bit and Rashard Lewis is....well, Rashard Lewis....40-45 wins here

  8. Chicago Bulls- Alot of this pick is depth-related....but Vinny Del Negro definitely has his hands full with that guard rotation....Ben Gordon doesn't fit....at all....and yet, he's going to be busy jacking at the same rate....Rose will make rookie errors because rookie PGs nearly always do, but Kirk Hinrich will be solid, and they should get marked improvements from Joakim Noah and Ty Thomas....and I also think Luol Deng is closer to the 06-07 version than the 07-08....just a hunch

  9. Atlanta Hawks- The same roster returns for the most part....enter Maurice Evans for Josh Childress (large downgrade) and Flip Murray for Salim Stoudamire (ehhhh).....Mike Bibby is in the picture for the entire year (unless they flip him at the deadline) and Acie Law should, in theory, make a significant improvement....The season comes down to Marvin Williams IMO in that he must become the solid option they need....I'm gonna say this....This is the 2nd best starting five in the conference (behind Boston), but the bench is such a step-down that unless Acie Law emerges big-time, and some pieces fall into place....back to the lottery

  10. Indiana Pacers- Mucho talent at the 1, 2, and 3 spots....but a pretty huge drop up front with the exception of Troy Murphy....TJ Ford is forgotten about, but is a near top-line PG when healthy and getting starter's minutes and I love everything about Danny Granger....but too much to overcome in the way of front-court depth to make a serious run....maybe Josh McRoberts will have a coming out party? Laughter....

  11. Washington Wizards- Whoa, this seems low right? Ehhh....I'm not sold....Agent Zero could miss half the season and the loss of Brendan Haywood for the majority of the season can't be understated...he played at an extremely high level last year (his best year), and you can't just lose him for that long without notice....JeVale McGee has big-time upside but isn't there yet, and while I like Andray Blatche, he can't be your #1 center right now....and we know nothing about Etan Thomas after an entire year off.....The loss of Arenas is just too much....Yes, yes, I know Jamison and Butler are very talented, but I see the drop off coming... (Caron Butler, NBA All-star isn't a fluke though)

  12. Charlotte Bobcats- Some people are very high on Charlotte....I've seen them as high as #5 in people's projections....don't see it...They seem set on playing Okafor at the 4, which is fine....except when your center rotation is Nazr Mohammed and Ryan Hollins....ouch....The keys, to me, are how the PG situation shapes out with lottery pick DJ Augustin trying to pry minutes from incumbent Ray Felton.....the other is Gerald Wallace...stay on the court for all 82...or at least close to it....Don't forget about Adam Morrison either.....just saying

  13. Milwaukee Bucks- First of all, there is alot of talent on this roster....guys you like....like Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson, Andrew Bogut.....but without a floor leader at point guard (the 3-man swinging door of Luke Ridnour, Tyronn Lue, and Ramon Sessions) and the duo of under-achieving Charlie Villanueva and rookie Joe Alexander at the 4....pass.....Andrew Bogut is an elite Center though....just thought you should know

  14. New Jersey Nets- Let me take a minute to boo Rod Thorn or whoever is running the Nets player personnel....BOOOOO.....okay, done...Bright spots: Devin Harris (love him), Sean Williams....and that's it....Vince Carter isn't the same guy he was.....and he tries even less....the other swingmen are Bobby Simmons, Trenton Hassell, and Jarvis Hayes.....yikes....and the front-court has alot of bodies...but exactly zero of them are proven to have any marketable skills (save Williams' defense)....I'm wildly intrigued by Brook Lopez....their depth chart doesn't even list him in the top 4 players at PF/C....word? He's gotta play....alot...
  15. New York Knicks- Here we go again....You know the story....some pretty good talent....none of which matches together...no leadership....no defense up front....I'm hoping D'Antoni will put David Lee on the court...he's about the only guy who I thinks fit this system....Marbury is done....I do like Chris Duhon as a player...just not as your starting PG....Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford....shoot alot? yea, that...and don't get me started on the sloppy/fat/lazy/non-defending frontcourt duo of Randolph and Curry....5 to 1 says Mike D'Antoni wants to throttle Eddy Curry with a belt within a month..........Was that preview bad enough for you? lol...At least Isiah's gone....

Okay, that's that.....West to come....and Pre-season award/playoff predictions to follow

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Rays/Sox...

Hmm...guess I whiffed on the Wakefield pick.....The Rays are now in full control of this thing....but, as I said before...the big 3 starters from Boston could easily pull this off....but I wouldn't pick it

Baseball thoughts....

Remembered that I neglected baseball in the morning staple.....
  • 3-1 Phillies....well, I didn't see this coming....Joe Blanton beats Derek Lowe? well...it was actually like Phillies bats smash Dodger bullpen, but I digress....I don't think it's over...but it's definitely on the brink....the Dodgers pitching is a bit spotty, and they have to get 3 quality outings in a row....
  • 2-1 Rays....I actually saw 2-1 Rays coming....but not like this...Beckett and Lester both got utterly smashed...and now, I still think Boston wins the series, but they better win both at home or this thing is over....Tonight is a must-win for Boston....Tim Wakefield vs. Andy Sonnanstine sounds....terrible? But if Boston can steal it, they bring back their big 3 for the remainder....I defer to experience tonight and take Wakefield...

10/14: MNF, Roy Williams, etc.

An eventful day....
  • First to Monday Night football....where the previously dominant Giants got pounded by the previously inept Browns....I was semi-shocked but this is the NFL and teams can beat each other on any day...that said, Derek Anderson showed life I didn't think he'd show and it's good to see Braylon Edwards making plays....Don't bury the Giants...every team plays a road stinker or 2 during the year...yawn
  • Tony Romo out a month....yawn again....Brad Johnson steps in...they probably go 2-1, maybe 1-2....still the same team really
  • Roy Williams dealt to the Cowboys for a slew of picks....hmm...typical Jerry Jones really....bring in another high-profile WR when that clearly isn't your problem....he's good though and should help spread the field....think about that offensive personnel now....Top-5-7 QB in Romo.....Top 5-7 RB in Barber.....A top-3 WR in Owens....Another Top-20 WR in Williams, and the best (imo) tight end in the League.....Ridiculous personnel....but you can't trust them....you just can't...
  • And this is why....(and a record 3 straight Cowboy stories)....Pacman Jones suspended....again....why does a team that has so many distractions bring in the 2nd biggest distraction (I maintain TO is worse, not in behavior, but in distraction) in the league?....Because Jerry Jones has an ego the size of Arkansas....
  • Shaun Alexander signs with....the Redskins? Huh? There wasn't a team with a pressing RB need that wanted him? He has to sign to likely be the 3rd-string RB behind Portis and even Ladell Betts? Ewwwww.....EDIT: Betts is actually hurt....but this still can't possibly the best spot for him
  • I'm extremely excited about basketball season....the NBA is back.....Previews to come....

Sunday, October 12, 2008

10/13: Weekend football wrap....

First...the picks wrap....
YTD (entering): 21-16-2
  • Wake -2.5.....Winner!
  • Minnesota +12.5....Winner!
  • Kentucky PK....Loser!
  • Northwestern +1.5....Loser!
  • Arizona State +28....Push!
  • Washington State +30....loser!
  • Wisconsin +6....Huge loser!
  • Houston -3.....Loser! (Spread only, remember)
sigh....YTD (current): 23-21-3

To College....
  • Texas was pretty impressive in disposing of Oklahoma....not ready to write off OU or crown Texas after this one...just 2 very good football teams that went at it....that said, Worst officiating in a spotlight game that I can remember....both late-hit personal fouls were downright awful...and just spotty all around....
  • Vandy loses to a bad Miss. State team.....thanks for stopping by.....You too, Northwestern....
  • Did you know Texas Tech was undefeated? You wouldn't be the only ones that didn't....Probably because they can't stop anybody...but hey, when you have Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree....you're always in it....not a believer though
  • Notre Dame actually impressed me....in a loss.....I think UNC is probably the most complete team in the ACC at the moment (a scary thought)....Notre Dame wins 8 games I think...but only b/c the schedule is downright awful
  • Auburn is a wreck....just so you know....Arkansas is the worst team in the SEC.....goodnight.....and that leads me to....
  • LSU is not NEARLY as good as some people thought....their signature win (Auburn) turns out to be run-of-the-mill....and they got embarrassed in the swamp....no more national title talk please
  • That National title talk....can go to Penn State....48-7? At Camp Randall? Yes, I know Wisconsin isn't flashy and isn't that talented....but that's a team you never see get beat by 41 at home....EVER....Count me impressed
  • And Missouri....For once...it wasn't their defense that failed them....giving up 28 to Oklahoma State isn't a bad effort...but for once, their offense didn't show up.....always been skeptical of them as a top 5 power....and for now, they are out of the conversation....Props to UNDEFEATED Okla. State....they are now a player....
My New Top 10.....Poll Style here (Translation: In terms of resume)
  1. Texas
  2. Penn State
  3. Alabama
  4. BYU
  5. Oklahoma State
  6. Texas Tech
  7. Florida
  8. Oklahoma
  9. USC
  10. Utah
Others on the cusp....Georgia, Missouri, Boise State....but for the record, I'm taking Florida, OU, USC, Georgia over T. Tech and OK State on a neutral field...but hey, they're undefeated

To the NFL.....
  • Have to lead with my Falcons....not even as a homer...but because it was the Game of the Day (apologies to Dallas/Arizona and Houston/Miami).....Jason Elam goes from goat to hero...and the Falcons are 4-2....count me as surprised....and pleased
  • Hey Houston fans....still think Sage Rosenfels should play?
  • Finally good to see the Indy offense join us....and the Baltimore offense be what I thought they'd be....absolutely and utterly abysmal....and it's indefensible to have McGahee go down and give LeRon McClain (who's been quietly very good) TWO carries....
  • 26-30....320 yards....3 TD.....Drew Brees....best QB in the league this year.....
  • Tampa lays the wood to Carolina at home....making a 3-way tie atop the NFC South....and once again, it involves the 4-2 Falcons....Cloud 9...
  • Arizona holds on for dear life in Dallas.....behind a walk-off (excuse the baseball term) punt block TD....Steve Breaston is the man...
  • Denver is back to Earth....not surprised here
  • St. Louis beats Washington? In Washington? Umm....wouldve been the last thing I'd pick today....shows what I know....but good to see Steven Jackson doing work....
  • San Diego baffles New England....Matt Cassel was a semi-wreck and the game was never really competitive highlighted by Vincent Jackson absolutely abusing Deltha O'Neal (and he didn't discriminate against Ellis Hobbs either)....Badddd times if you're a Pats fan
Still with MNF to go....but a very solid football weekend

Friday, October 10, 2008

10/11: Quick NFL Preview....

Professional-style football this time...
First...
THE PICKS
  • Houston -3....Texans are infinitely better at home...Sage Rosenfels isn't playing....there it is
And that's it....wasn't comfortable with any other lines....
To the games...(short and sweet)
  • Oakland @ New Orleans....interesting matchup of 2 teams coming off some disappointment....I like NO in the game at home, but I wanna see what kind of style the new Oakland regime has.....The pick: NO
  • Baltimore @ Indy....Is Indy good? I don't think so....Will I ever bet on Joe Flacco on the road? No....but I'm not betting here.....I'm gonna lean to Indy...but I have honestly no reason to do so....
  • Cincy @ NYJ....Ryan Fitzpatrick gets the starting nod! Translation: if you can avoid watching this game, do so.....I don't think Favre is as good as his last game (clearly) but they win here because Cincy is a wreck
  • Detroit @ Minny...Maybe the Lions will fight off their bye week....eh.....no thanks....A bad run D against the best pure runner in the league, Dan Orlovsky against a quality defense....Minny plz
  • Chicago @ Atlanta....An underrated game actually....I still don't believe in Orton but he's playing well...and the Atlanta secondary is their weakest link....I'm gonna take Chicago because they can stop the run and make Matt Ryan beat them....
  • Miami @ Houston....see above
  • St. Louis @ Washington....nothing can be worse than the Scott Linehan era....that said, Washington rolls at home here....
  • Jacksonville @ Denver....Jax is better than they've played thus far....and I don't trust Denver at all....I'll take Jax on the road despite the numbers pointing the other way
  • Philly @ San Fran....Westbrook is out so this game seems more even....Philly hasn't played lately, but they now have a full complement of WR's (a bad one though), and should be able to handle San Fran's offense (and make JT O'Sullivan turn the ball over)
  • Green Bay @ Seattle.....Here it is....If Hasselbeck plays, I'll take Seattle...if not, I go GB....easy enough?
  • New England @ SD....a battle of teams who aren't as good as they should be or we thought they'd be....I'm gonna pick SD because they have more to play for here....if they lose, turn out the lights....and Matt Cassel simply can't be trusted on the road yet....that said, if they figure out that all they need to do is take 3-4 deep shots to Moss per game....?? 
  • NY Giants @ Cleveland....Cleveland smells.....and yes, I picked that pre-season...I'm not gloating.....This may be the weak they throw in the towel on Derek Anderson....Kellen Winslow likely out too....it's getting ugly and NYG is the best team in the NFL as we speak...no-brainer


Thursday, October 9, 2008

10/9: MLB Championship Series Preview, CFB Weekend....

First things first....
  • Red Sox over Rays in 7....too much experience and Lester in Game 7 will win it....but I think Tampa holds serve at home until that game...
  • Dodgers over Phillies in 5...Derek Lowe beats Hamels in Game 1...Philly wins game 2...and LA sweeps the next 3 at home....that's all I got....
To football...and a HUGE college football weekend....
First THE PICKS:
YTD: 21-16-2
  • Wake -2.5 over Clemson (Thursday)
  • Minnesota +12.5 over Illinois
  • Kentucky PK over South Carolina
  • Northwestern +1.5 over Mich. State
  • Arizona State +28 over USC
  • Washington St. +30 over Oregon State
  • Wisconsin +6 over Penn State
Wow, alot of picks...usually a bad sign actually....

To set your game-watching weekend....
  • Clemson @ Wake Forest (Thursday 7:45, ESPN) - Pretty good ACC game... Clemson has been a huge letdown...I like Wake in this game (sorry, Palmer)....
  • Texas vs. Oklahoma in Dallas (Noon, ABC) - This is clearly the headliner as 2 national title contenders battle in the famous Red River shootout....I like Oklahoma in this game as I am, as usual, not a believer in Texas until they beat a real opponent away from home....a real barn burner though....I can't support the watching of any other noon game...
  • Notre Dame @ UNC (3:30, ESPN family of networks)...I think the Irish are in deep trouble...I really like this UNC team and I'm hoping they make quick work of ND...
  • Michigan State @ Northwestern (3:30 ESPN2)...You're thinking...huh? But yes, this is a good game....Northwestern is undefeated and legit...I actually think they may win 10 games...and even though that's more about them not having to play Wisconsin and Penn State....nothing to sneeze at nonetheless
  • LSU @ Florida (8:00 CBS)....On a normal Saturday, this would be the headliner....2 teams with big-time talent and some weaknesses....LSU is spotty at QB...Florida is spotty on defense and the O-line...I like Florida here....rough QB play on the road can get ugly....
  • Penn State @ Wisconsin (8:00 ESPN)....A nice Big 10 matchup...Wisconsin is a tough place to play and this is the first huge test for sudden National title contender Penn State....
  • Oklahoma State @ Missou (8:00 ESPN2)....If you get bored easily...this is the game for you...the score could top 100 total points...Both of these teams have big-time offenses and spotty defenses....and no one is discussing undefeated OSU....Keep an eye out
Have a good weekend

Monday, October 6, 2008

Weekend Review...

Not an exceedingly huge amount of detail coming...but something....

THE PICKS WRAP
YTD (Entering Saturday): 16-15-1
  • UNC -7.....Winner!
  • Colorado +14....Loser!
  • Ohio State -1.5....Winner!
  • Kentucky +16.5......Winner!
  • Tennessee -3....Push!
  • Falcons +7.....Winner! (Outright even)
  • Patriots +3.5......Winner!
YTD (Current): 21-16-2....and hot.....

To the action....
  • Baseball first....LA sweeps....Well, I picked them....but a sweep? Hm....total domination really and and another implosion by Chicago
  • Philly wins in 4....I based my pick on CC....and CC lost....no needed explanation
  • Boston leads 2-1....And Game 3 was an utter marathon....But LA is breathing...that said, too much pitching for Boston I think...don't see LA winning game 4
  • Tampa leads 2-1...Tampa held serve at home...they are great in that dome....I think they lose Game 4, and come home and win game 5 behind Shields at home
College Football.....
  • Not a single notable upset....and no Vandy doesn't count...Auburn is an offensive wreck and Vandy was the Vegas favorite by gametime...
  • Teams that impressed me: Georgia Tech, UNC, Hawaii (beating Fresno on Land!?!?), Texas, Vandy, Kentucky (yes, they lost)
  • Teams that layed eggs: UConn (justifiable without a QB), Kansas (yes they won), Nebraska, Oregon, MICHIGAN
My New Top 10....
  1. Oklahoma
  2. Alabama
  3. LSU
  4. Penn State
  5. Texas
  6. Missouri
  7. BYU
  8. Texas Tech
  9. Utah
  10. Vandy
There's a theme there....undefeateds only need apply thus far

NFL
  • Teams that impressed me: Tennessee (big road win for Kerry Collins), Atlanta (don't have to be a homer to see this one), The Giants (can't look at their body of work and not say they are #1 in league today), Washington, Arizona, Pittsburgh (looking like the team I liked alot)
  • Teams that layed eggs: Buffalo (I'll blame the cross-country trip and the Edwards concussion but the defense was bad), Kansas City (yikes), San Diego (looking extremely pedestrian), Seattle

Excuse the fast format today....

Friday, October 3, 2008

10/3: Division Series stuff, NFL Preview

To review....
  • Rays go up 1-0 at home....This is why they were rooting for Chicago...the Sox looked disoriented and have shown themselves over the course of the year to be an awful dome team....Evan Longoria is a beast btw...
  • Dodgers up 2-0 on the Cubs....I picked the Dodgers in the series....but wasn't expecting this...I expected Derek Lowe to win...but wow....Implosion in Chicago
  • Boston leads the Angels 1-0....Jon Lester continues to impress....Vlad still isn't producing in the playoffs...needs to turn it up...and I have no idea what he was doing on the bases....
  • Philly leads the Brew Crew 2-0....well they beat Sabathia....that pretty much turns the lights out when you see the rest of Milwaukee's rotation...enjoy your offseason...
To the NFL....First...THE PICKS
YTD (Pending more CFB): 16-15-1
  • Titans -3 over Ravens....Tennessee is clearly the class of that division all the sudden...and they will out-defense Baltimore....
  • Falcons +7 @ over Packers....Do the words "Matt" and "Flynn" mean anything to you? Yes, I'm on record hating the Falcons on the road...but I hate the potential of Matt Flynn at home even worse....
  • Patriots +3.5 over Niners.....I don't care who's playing QB...this line is too low.....
To the rest (abbreviated this week)
  • Green Bay over Atlanta (close if Rodgers Plays) OR Atlanta over GB (if Flynn Plays)
  • Tennessee over Baltimore (reasoning above)
  • Carolina over Kansas City....nice to see Larry Johnson is back....it ends a bit here...
  • Detroit over Chicago (upset of the week)...Chicago's pass D is 28th in the league...Detroit can throw it around and have the bye week to get healthy....A limb here...
  • Indy over Houston....Almost went the other way here....and this is an either-way game somehow
  • San Diego over Miami...Time for the Chargers to turn it on....Chad Pennington has a good game here tho
  • New York Giants over Seattle....One more week for the Seattle receivers to get healthy....jump on the Hasselbeck wagon now...while there is room
  • Philly over Washington....I like what Jason Campbell is doing...but if Westbrook plays (he should)...the nod is Philly
  • Tampa over Denver...I still don't fully believe in Denver...and Tampa can run the ball on them and control the clock....
  • Buffalo over Arizona....lots of Marshawn Lynch and a few Kurt Warner INT/Fumbles....Watch out for former Wolverine Steve Breaston likely starting in place of Anquan Boldin...
  • Dallas over Cincy....next....
  • NE over San Fran....short passing and defense....and JT O'Sullivan
  • Pitt over Jacksonville....could go either way here too....but thinking Ben and the WRs turned the corner late against Baltimore
  • New Orleans over Minnesota....I'll take the home underdog...Drew Brees will be WINGING it...and the NO run defense isn't as bad as the pass defense...
Enjoy it..

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

10/1: CFB Weekend Preview....

Well here we are again for another college football weekend that is upon us....First things first...

THE PICKS
YTD: 15-14-1
  • Pittsburgh +13.5 @ South Florida....funny things happen on thursday night...That's all I'm sayin....
  • Utah -11.5 vs. Oregon State....classic let-down game for Oregon State...and Utah is very good
  • North Carolina -7 vs. UConn.....UConn's Star QB out 8 weeks...UNC is already better....at home....
  • Colorado +14 vs. Texas....Texas is much better at home...they aren't at home...Colorado will surprise...may win outright
  • Ohio State -1.5 @ Wisconsin...better team wins here....
  • Kentucky +16.5 @ Alabama.... Another letdown game...Alabama won't lose...but Kentucky's defense is very good, and this is a big number
Okay enough of that...I'll set your CFB watching weekend now....
  • Pitt @ South Florida....7:30 Thursday ESPN....Game could go a long way in deciding the Big East..I'm on record picking USF to win the conference...time to stand up
  • Penn State @ Purdue....Noon ESPN.....I really like this Penn State team....first true road test against a very good Senior QB in Curtis Painter....best of the early slate
  • Kentucky @ Alabama....3:30 CBS....Spoke about this one above...but a close game is what I envision...
  • Illinois @ Michigan....3:30 ESPN2....maybe I'm the only one that cares....but these are 2 bowl teams playing and there's a lack of quality games in the timeslot
  • Auburn @ Vandy....6:00 ESPN...THIS is the gameday game? Why yes...yes it is....Vandy is much improved and could really win this game..Auburn's offense is in shambles and Vandy is defending home turf....
  • Oregon @ USC...8:00 ABC/ESPN2....Pac-10's 2 best teams....enough said? Well, in case it's not....Oregon's got NFL talent in the secondary and USC is...angry....
  • Ohio State @ Wisconsin....8:00 ABC/ESPN2....Game of the week IMO....2 of the top 3 teams in the Big 10 battling....Ohio State is still good....I'm sorry if you disagree...but it's a top 5 roster in terms of talent and with Pryor at the helm...the offense is suddenly must-see-TV...
Well there you have it....a sort of a "down" slate of games this week...but it's still college football people...tune in

10/1: Chi Sox/Twins...MLB Playoff Predictions

Some bullets before the Playoff stuff....
  • John Danks was brilliant in beating Minnesota and sending the Sox to the playoffs....but 1-0? Geez...somebody score some runs...
  • Brian Cashman gets a 3-year deal to stay Yankees GM...hmm....I thought Hank Steinbrenner was doing personnel now? lol...
  • How perfect is the Bengals signing Cedric Benson? They have no running game....he's a felon....perfect! That said, he wasn't good in Chicago...can't see him being good there either
  • Ricky Williams admits pot was a temptation during his bye week....since he is addicted to the stuff...this...isn't news? yea...I'll go with that....
To the predictions....

American league
  • White Sox over Rays in 4 (Young teams usually have trouble their first trip); Red Sox over Angels (Lackey and the rest of the rotation have been sputtering, Put an asterisk next to this prediction if Beckett is out)
  • Red Sox over White Sox in 7.....I have no justification here other than that I'll go with the team that has better talent...flat-out
National League
  • Brewers over Phillies in 5 (Yes, I realize this means they win in Philly....but it'll be CiCi on the mound in Game 5....he wins twice and they steal one elsewhere); Dodgers over Cubs in 4 (This is my favorite first round series...I like Torre, Manny, Derek Lowe, their bullpen....there it is)
  • Dodgers over Brewers in 6.....If CiCi goes in Game 5 of the NLDS, he can't go til Game 3 of the NLCS...meaning he only goes once in this scenario....sorry Brew crew...
World Series
  • Dodgers over Red Sox in 7....
Please note that I'll never be right with these....and if you can't tell...I like first round upsets...