Sox are done. Congrats to MLB for having the most moronic schedule ever. Sox Angels played the first two games of their series with first pitch at 6:37 pm Pacific time. Now, after the cross country trip following the Sox doing their Tony Romo at the plate impression (aka, rolling over and playing dead) in the first two games, game three has first pitch scheduled for 9:07 am, Pacific time. That's not a typo, 9 am, on the west coast. 12:07 pm on the east coast. That's so early that Terry Bradshaw won't even have had a chance to say something stupid.
The MLB playoff scheduling is more and more foolish each year. Combine that with today's kids' 0.37 sec attention span and 4+ hour games, and you will have no fans once us oldies die off. Good job MLB. I heard Bud Selig interviewed recently on Boston radio/tv and he had the gaul to respond to questions about the "steroid era" with incredulity. Astonishing. The steroid era, which I consider to be his baby, was cultivated on his watch. With juiced up roid ragers Sosa and McGwire hitting moon shots night after night, his ratings returning, the credibility of his sport being forever tarnished, he beamed. He's a despicable fellow. The incredulity of the "commish" at even the very concept of the steroid era, and he was incredulous with a straight face, is the most stunning falsehood I have ever witnessed. Well, maybe that or a sitting president saying that a $900 billion health care bill will not add one penny to the deficit with a straight face. We try to stay out of politics here, and at risk of losing one half of my readers, no matter which side of the fence you are on, no one can really believes that, not even him.
Yes, Selig the despicable, good job. The Angels fans need to be in front of the tv's at 9:00 am, but the next game today does not have first pitch scheduled for 7 hours later. Maybe a 4pm east coast start, ya think? Idiota. Didn't have time to blog it, so can't call myself prophetic, but this sox team was never going anywhere because they can't hit good pitching and they haven't hit it all year. Ortiz might as well be out there with a toothpick. Mike Lowell looks in so much pain moving around that it makes me feel young. Ellsbury is showing his true colors. The studs, Pedroia and Youkilis, are nowhere to be found. Jason Bay is a fraud. JD Drew reminds of Generation Text, what I call the youths today. Do just enough to earn your paycheck, no more.
Sox are done cause they are old and in part, not that it would matter, but because Terry does not have the stones to bench the artist formerly known as David Ortiz. If you would ever doubt whether he would, read my "Franconomics" blog from a year or so ago. Terry will always "stand by his man", Tammy Wynette style. Don't be shocked to see the Sox take game 3, although I don't see it, due to the ridiculous proposition of having the Angels on the field during breakfast time. But, it's over. If they can wipe the sleepies out of their eyes, they will tattoo Bucholz, which I am too lazy to make sure I am spelling correctly. Good move by the way, Terry, skipping Dice-K for game 4. He was only your best September pitcher, a notorious big game stud, and oh by the way, was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA. I hope the Sox trade him because they treat poor Dice-K like a lepher with swine flu. Much better to have fatigued Lester and Beckett in games 4 and 5, not that you'll make it there anyways. They were so dominant on full rest.
On to the NFL. My two running themes that will continue until I am proven wrong. Aaron Rodgers, ultra trendy preseason MVP pick, continues to underwhelm week after week. Career record, 8-12. With the team that old man Favreau took to the championship game. He's not a winner. But, he will get less and less guff from me each week as Tony "roll over and play dead" Romo / Rolo Tomase continues to show that he is an unabashed and unquestionable gutless, worthless and heartless loser. A piece of garbage. The Cowboys are 2-2 and are 4th in the NFL in offense. Yet, they scored 10 points in Denver last week where Tony single handedly cost the 'Boys their second loss of the season. He's terrified out there and now playing scared, never a good thing. He's completing under 60%, passer rating under 80, has four picks, and a lost fumble and Tony doesn't just committ your average turnover. Tony turns it over, the other team scores touchdowns. He is absolutely killing his team. His team, with a massive Hogs-esque offensive line, are churning up the running yards. The D is holding its own, but Romo is ripping the heart and spirit out of his team. And what has happened to Demarcus Ware? 20 sacks last year and none this year. Nothing will heal that problem like a KC offense.
Tony, you piece of garbage, you make me sick and you are killing the 'Boys. And he is getting less and less accurate each week. I predict that by season's end Romo will have Marsha Brady-ed some poor cheer leader's nose. It's really getting that bad. You heard it here.
32-28, yes our picks stink this year. Home team in CAPS.
min -10 over STL. I know I say it every week, but come on. The Rams, really Spags, that was your choice? Really?
dal -7.5 over KC Even Romo the piece of garbage can't blow it against this team, or can he?
was +4 over CAR I want to know what the ratings for this game on Monday night would be. Who's worserer? (yes I know it's not a word) Romo, Delhomme, or Campbell? I'm officially pining for a Romo for Orton trade. He's the perfect QB for the Boys. You know, doesn't kill a talented team surrounding him, wins, and isn't a sack of crap. How'd I get on Romo again, dammit?
PHI - 15.5 over tb Raheem Morris, come on over and join Romo in the sack of crab section
NYG - 15 over oak OK, Russell is worse than Romo. He's the single worst starting QB ever. Cable must have transferred his QB frustration onto that assistant coach that he gave the Chris Brown treatment to.
BUF -6 over cle I don't get the Bills. 38-7 egg against Chad Henne's first start. But I can't pick a team that has more grievances filed against their coach than scores.
BAL -8.5 over cin Bengals pay for the Ravens' dropped pass on 4th down that was leading to the winning drive over the Pats last week.
pit -10.5 over DET Culpepper is starting. Nuff said.
atl +2.5 over SF Still don't believe in the niners.
ne - 3 over DEN Finally, Denver gets exposed. Brady goes off in the hoodie bowl.
hou +5.5 over AZ Because I like looking stupid each week after picking the Texans.
SEA -1 over jax Matt "my sister in law is more sturdy than me" Hasselback back for a few plays at least.
ind -3.5 over TEN Manning is "en fuego". Yes, I'm old.
nyj - 1.5 over MIA This should be really interesting. Wildcatting fins against the crazed Jets' D.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Tony Romo the Loser
Tony Romo is a complete piece of garbage. A sack of crap. I hope he gets hit by a bus and is uninjured, but unable to ever play again. It hurts when you're hoping for Jon Kitna. Single handedly leading his team to a loss against the massively undertalented Broncos.
Week 4
25-21 through three weeks with a couple missed games. Blame the editor. No time when you are sitting down at 12:34 to write for week 4. Busy busy.
Quick thoughts. Jets D with top two corners down will get torched indoors in New Orleans. Wouldn't be my blog if I didn't spend a few seconds pointing out that Aaron Rodgers sucks ass. Everybody's trendy MVP pick goes to 2-2 this week. His two wins, by the way came against Jay Cutlers 27 INT game and the Rams. He's a Fraud. Steelers go to 1-3 because their O-line stinks and Ben remains the Big Fraud. Ain't so special without a dominant O-line and killer running game are you Benny?
Romo, oh, I'm sorry, I meant Tony "roll over and play dead when it matters" Romo, aka Rolo's implosion on Jerry's stadium opening night may be a blessing disguise. His putrid performance in big games has tricked their sub-idiotic coaching staff to realize: "Hey, we've got a massive, strong O-line and 3 front line running backs (ok 1 and half this week with injuries), why don't we just run all over people." Denver gets exposed as fraudulent beneficiaries of their wussy schedule. Cowboys over 7 yards per carry. Just spice in Rolo throws here and there and they'll be fine. Run the ball, idiots.
That's all the time I have. Picks, home team in CAPS:
HOU -8.5 over oak
ten -3 over JAX
NE -1.5 over bal Brady finally with all weapons will beat the blitz this week.
cin -6 over CLE Browns fan should get some heroin, a spoon, needle, lighter and ease their pain. Don't do drugs kids, this is an adult blog. Don't take everything so literally.
nyg -8.5 over KC Was Pioli just riding Belichick's coattails all these years with Billy making all the big decisions? Hmmmm.
det +9.5 over CHI Just a cover, let's not get crazy,
WAS -7.5 over tb Don't hire unexperienced teens to coach your team and have him fire the offensive coordinator days before the season and leave $100 billion of unspent cap room. Just sad.
IND -10 over sea Manning in league of his own at moment.
NO -7.5 over nyj Brees is SO tough indoors and Jets are missing two of top three corners.
buf +1 over MIA Over under on wildcat with Chad Henne as starter? 20. Bet the over, why not? And how bout Ronnie Brown mixes in a throw, they've been setting this up for weeks.
SF -9 over stl The Rams, Spags, really? That was your choice?
dal -3 over DEN Another 200+ rushing yards for the 'Boys and the Broncos get exposed now that they're finally playing a pro team. Granted Bungles can play this year, but Broncos crazy last play fluked em. Boys by 20+.
sd +6 over PIT Straight up win for Chargers. Steelers are done and the Big Fraud is finally exposed.
MIN -4 over gb Aaron Rodgers, where'd all that MVP talk go?
Quick thoughts. Jets D with top two corners down will get torched indoors in New Orleans. Wouldn't be my blog if I didn't spend a few seconds pointing out that Aaron Rodgers sucks ass. Everybody's trendy MVP pick goes to 2-2 this week. His two wins, by the way came against Jay Cutlers 27 INT game and the Rams. He's a Fraud. Steelers go to 1-3 because their O-line stinks and Ben remains the Big Fraud. Ain't so special without a dominant O-line and killer running game are you Benny?
Romo, oh, I'm sorry, I meant Tony "roll over and play dead when it matters" Romo, aka Rolo's implosion on Jerry's stadium opening night may be a blessing disguise. His putrid performance in big games has tricked their sub-idiotic coaching staff to realize: "Hey, we've got a massive, strong O-line and 3 front line running backs (ok 1 and half this week with injuries), why don't we just run all over people." Denver gets exposed as fraudulent beneficiaries of their wussy schedule. Cowboys over 7 yards per carry. Just spice in Rolo throws here and there and they'll be fine. Run the ball, idiots.
That's all the time I have. Picks, home team in CAPS:
HOU -8.5 over oak
ten -3 over JAX
NE -1.5 over bal Brady finally with all weapons will beat the blitz this week.
cin -6 over CLE Browns fan should get some heroin, a spoon, needle, lighter and ease their pain. Don't do drugs kids, this is an adult blog. Don't take everything so literally.
nyg -8.5 over KC Was Pioli just riding Belichick's coattails all these years with Billy making all the big decisions? Hmmmm.
det +9.5 over CHI Just a cover, let's not get crazy,
WAS -7.5 over tb Don't hire unexperienced teens to coach your team and have him fire the offensive coordinator days before the season and leave $100 billion of unspent cap room. Just sad.
IND -10 over sea Manning in league of his own at moment.
NO -7.5 over nyj Brees is SO tough indoors and Jets are missing two of top three corners.
buf +1 over MIA Over under on wildcat with Chad Henne as starter? 20. Bet the over, why not? And how bout Ronnie Brown mixes in a throw, they've been setting this up for weeks.
SF -9 over stl The Rams, Spags, really? That was your choice?
dal -3 over DEN Another 200+ rushing yards for the 'Boys and the Broncos get exposed now that they're finally playing a pro team. Granted Bungles can play this year, but Broncos crazy last play fluked em. Boys by 20+.
sd +6 over PIT Straight up win for Chargers. Steelers are done and the Big Fraud is finally exposed.
MIN -4 over gb Aaron Rodgers, where'd all that MVP talk go?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
RolloTomasi; NFL Week 3
Tony Romo has finally earned himself a nickname. Rolo. Inspired by the name made up by Guy Pearce’s Lt. Edmund Exley in the brilliant film “L.A. Confidential”. Rollo Tomasi is the name Exley gives to the unknown gunman who shot and killed his father. Rollo Tomasi is the one who got away with it. I’m dropping the second “L” and we are going to officially nickname Tony Romo, Tony Rolo. Yes, partly because he’s the one who gets away with. Gets away with one hideous performance after another in the only games he’s ever played in that mattered. But, more so, because he rolls over and plays dead like the dog he is.
Tony Romo is a loser. He wilts on the big stage under the lights. If there is a big game, you can count on Tony Rolo to roll over and cough that game up. For the record, this is from a Cowboys fan, but it is undeniable. Rolo is a loser. Whenever it really matters, he royally screws the pooch for his team. Often, all by himself. Let’s a take a look at his history. In each of his four years, 2006 to the present, there has been one game that has really mattered to the Cowboys, and Rolo has blown it, each and every time. He’s a bum. A piece of garbage. A snake oil salesman. He ropes you in with big plays and uncanny escapability and improvisations. But’s it all a tease, when it really matters, Rolo will blow it. Without a doubt. And we know this for sure, without question. Because he has always blown it and done it in such a dazzlingly disastrous manner, that it is painful to watch. Let’s go to his history.
In his four years, there has been one game each year that has mattered, and here they are: 2006. Takes over the team and leads them to the playoffs against Seattle. This, by the way, is by far his best performance in a meaningful game. Tony Rolo goes 17-29, 189 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Not bad, nothing special. However, Rolo, aka “bobble boy”, botches the hold on the would-be game winning field goal and the Cowboys lose 21-20. Big stage, big choke. Score one for Tony rolling over.
2007. Following a dominant 13-3 season and home field advantage through out the playoffs, Rolo comes out against the Giants and leads his team to 17 big points. 18-36, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. QB rating:64.7. Just bad enough to lose to a team that the Cowboys massively out-gained and controlled the clock on. This was Rolo’s last playoff appearance, because here comes 2008.
Needing just two wins out of their final four games, Rolo leads the Cowboys to a 1-3 finish to miss the playoffs. 2nd to last game was against Baltimore at home. Romo completes 53.3% of his passes along with 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s in a 33-24 loss. Final week. All the Cowboys need to do is beat the Eagles in Philly. Rolo goes 21-39, 183 yards, no TD’s and one INT. Passer rating: 55.8. Eagles 44 -Cowboys 6. Ouch
The only good news for Rolo is that 2009 is not written yet. In the home opener, in front of 105,000+ crazed fans at Jerry Jones’ behemoth stadium, Rolo turns in his biggest choke ever. 13-29, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT’s. All 3 INT’s led to Giant touchdowns in a 33-31 heart breaking loss. The Cowboys kicked the ever living crap out of the Giants. They ran all over them and the defense was more than holding its own. But, don’t worry Giants fans, Tony Rolo is under center. Against a secondary decimated by injuries Tony throws as many TD passes to Giants as he does to his own team. And all three INT’s lead to Giant TD’s. Rolo completed only 10 more passes to his teammates than he did to the Giants. Any other starting QB in the league would have rode his team’s dominant performance to victory. Not Rolo. It was a big game. It was a meaningful game. So we know what we are going to get from Rolo, a garbage performance. Winners win and losers lose. And then there’s Tony roll over and play dead Romo. If the game matters, you’d be better off putting Ryan Leaf back there. The Cowboys will never win with Rolo as their QB. Sure they’ll tease you and put up some big numbers and maybe even stumble into the playoffs every once in a while. But, once there, you know what’s coming. Number 9 will make sure the opponents win because he is a loser.
QB’s are judged by rings and their performance in big games. Rolo is considered a star in this league and more and more Cowboys fans are wondering why. Without exception, every single big game of his life he has rolled craps. And until he doesn’t, until he wins a meaningful game, he’ll remain a loser. As an undrafted free agent, maybe the big contract and being a starter for the Cowboys is enough. He is too damn happy. Kind of like modern day Brady. Brady used to have the fire and be a crazed helmet head butting psycho on the field and after TD’s. Now he hangs out with celebrities and has his agents shoot at the paparazzi. You need the fire to win. Brady had the fire and we’ll see if it ever comes back. Or are 3 rings, a supermodel wife and countless millions upon millions of dollars too much to overcome.
Tony Romo, you’re a dog and a loser and you make us Cowboys fans sick. You go ahead and rack up some big numbers on Monday night and try to fool us again. You won’t fool me until you win a game that matters. I’ll be waiting for that next big game, Tony, and expecting you to roll over like the dog you are. Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Tony Romo era. Rolo Tomasi indeed.
Picks, last week 8-7, somehow we missed the Bal-SD game. For the season that puts us 16-14, but we’re picking it up starting this week. Home team in CAPS.
NYJ -2.5 over ten
HOU -4 over jax
Start job hunting Jack Del Rio
kc +9 over PHI
no Kolb quarterbacked teams should be giving 9 points, even to KC.
cle +14 over BAL
Mangenius, indeed. Lol.
NYG -6.5 over tb
Bet the farm on this one. Tampa is worst coached team in football with the worst talent.
DET +6.5 over was
Zorn will be joining Del Rio on unemployment soon. Lions break 19 game losing streak here.
gb -6.5 over StL
Everybody’s favorite budding superstar has two TD passes and home loss to the Bungles. Captain Overated Rodgers would be 0-2 if Cutler did not implode on Sunday night in week one.
MIN -7 over sf
Raise your hand if you hate Brett Favre. After going to 3-0 just wait to hear from everyone about Favre “playing within himself” and “managing the game”. He will bring the Vikings down before the season is over, don’t you worry.
Atl +4 over NE
Brady’s not Brady anymore. Belichick has lost his swagger. And the Patriots roster has more holes than a cheese cloth. That’s a throw out to our Food Network viewers. And I want to credit Bill Simmons for this one. The fire is gone from Belichick. How hungry and maniacal can you be after 3 rings and countless millions and undying devotion from your fans. Both Brady and Belichick. The end may be here and Bill Simmons called it.
chi -2 over SEA
Hasselbeck is as sturdy as a house built of toothpicks. I think his sister in law Elisabeth could kick his ass.
no -6 over BUF
Lots of points here, but the Bills just don’t matter.
SD -6 over mia
You can’t recover from that Monday night heartbreaker, fly cross country and compete with a legitimate team.
pit -4 over CIN
Bungles won in GB last week. What additional motivation could they possibly have? Nuff said.
den -1.5 over OAK
The AFC West is so bad it’s hard to know which was is up when they play each other. Could Josh McDaniels really be 3-0?
AZ -2.5 over ind
Kudos to the league’s best wide receiver making clear he would rather have balls thrown his way than win. Thanks twitter and brother Fitzgerald.
DAL -9 over car
This is where Tony “Rolo Tomasi” shines. In the game that doesn’t matter. Monday night. Dreadful Delhomme. For the record, if Delhomme had quarterbacked the Cowboys on Sunday night versus the Giants, the ‘Boys would have won.
Tony Romo is a loser. He wilts on the big stage under the lights. If there is a big game, you can count on Tony Rolo to roll over and cough that game up. For the record, this is from a Cowboys fan, but it is undeniable. Rolo is a loser. Whenever it really matters, he royally screws the pooch for his team. Often, all by himself. Let’s a take a look at his history. In each of his four years, 2006 to the present, there has been one game that has really mattered to the Cowboys, and Rolo has blown it, each and every time. He’s a bum. A piece of garbage. A snake oil salesman. He ropes you in with big plays and uncanny escapability and improvisations. But’s it all a tease, when it really matters, Rolo will blow it. Without a doubt. And we know this for sure, without question. Because he has always blown it and done it in such a dazzlingly disastrous manner, that it is painful to watch. Let’s go to his history.
In his four years, there has been one game each year that has mattered, and here they are: 2006. Takes over the team and leads them to the playoffs against Seattle. This, by the way, is by far his best performance in a meaningful game. Tony Rolo goes 17-29, 189 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Not bad, nothing special. However, Rolo, aka “bobble boy”, botches the hold on the would-be game winning field goal and the Cowboys lose 21-20. Big stage, big choke. Score one for Tony rolling over.
2007. Following a dominant 13-3 season and home field advantage through out the playoffs, Rolo comes out against the Giants and leads his team to 17 big points. 18-36, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. QB rating:64.7. Just bad enough to lose to a team that the Cowboys massively out-gained and controlled the clock on. This was Rolo’s last playoff appearance, because here comes 2008.
Needing just two wins out of their final four games, Rolo leads the Cowboys to a 1-3 finish to miss the playoffs. 2nd to last game was against Baltimore at home. Romo completes 53.3% of his passes along with 2 TD’s and 2 INT’s in a 33-24 loss. Final week. All the Cowboys need to do is beat the Eagles in Philly. Rolo goes 21-39, 183 yards, no TD’s and one INT. Passer rating: 55.8. Eagles 44 -Cowboys 6. Ouch
The only good news for Rolo is that 2009 is not written yet. In the home opener, in front of 105,000+ crazed fans at Jerry Jones’ behemoth stadium, Rolo turns in his biggest choke ever. 13-29, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT’s. All 3 INT’s led to Giant touchdowns in a 33-31 heart breaking loss. The Cowboys kicked the ever living crap out of the Giants. They ran all over them and the defense was more than holding its own. But, don’t worry Giants fans, Tony Rolo is under center. Against a secondary decimated by injuries Tony throws as many TD passes to Giants as he does to his own team. And all three INT’s lead to Giant TD’s. Rolo completed only 10 more passes to his teammates than he did to the Giants. Any other starting QB in the league would have rode his team’s dominant performance to victory. Not Rolo. It was a big game. It was a meaningful game. So we know what we are going to get from Rolo, a garbage performance. Winners win and losers lose. And then there’s Tony roll over and play dead Romo. If the game matters, you’d be better off putting Ryan Leaf back there. The Cowboys will never win with Rolo as their QB. Sure they’ll tease you and put up some big numbers and maybe even stumble into the playoffs every once in a while. But, once there, you know what’s coming. Number 9 will make sure the opponents win because he is a loser.
QB’s are judged by rings and their performance in big games. Rolo is considered a star in this league and more and more Cowboys fans are wondering why. Without exception, every single big game of his life he has rolled craps. And until he doesn’t, until he wins a meaningful game, he’ll remain a loser. As an undrafted free agent, maybe the big contract and being a starter for the Cowboys is enough. He is too damn happy. Kind of like modern day Brady. Brady used to have the fire and be a crazed helmet head butting psycho on the field and after TD’s. Now he hangs out with celebrities and has his agents shoot at the paparazzi. You need the fire to win. Brady had the fire and we’ll see if it ever comes back. Or are 3 rings, a supermodel wife and countless millions upon millions of dollars too much to overcome.
Tony Romo, you’re a dog and a loser and you make us Cowboys fans sick. You go ahead and rack up some big numbers on Monday night and try to fool us again. You won’t fool me until you win a game that matters. I’ll be waiting for that next big game, Tony, and expecting you to roll over like the dog you are. Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Tony Romo era. Rolo Tomasi indeed.
Picks, last week 8-7, somehow we missed the Bal-SD game. For the season that puts us 16-14, but we’re picking it up starting this week. Home team in CAPS.
NYJ -2.5 over ten
HOU -4 over jax
Start job hunting Jack Del Rio
kc +9 over PHI
no Kolb quarterbacked teams should be giving 9 points, even to KC.
cle +14 over BAL
Mangenius, indeed. Lol.
NYG -6.5 over tb
Bet the farm on this one. Tampa is worst coached team in football with the worst talent.
DET +6.5 over was
Zorn will be joining Del Rio on unemployment soon. Lions break 19 game losing streak here.
gb -6.5 over StL
Everybody’s favorite budding superstar has two TD passes and home loss to the Bungles. Captain Overated Rodgers would be 0-2 if Cutler did not implode on Sunday night in week one.
MIN -7 over sf
Raise your hand if you hate Brett Favre. After going to 3-0 just wait to hear from everyone about Favre “playing within himself” and “managing the game”. He will bring the Vikings down before the season is over, don’t you worry.
Atl +4 over NE
Brady’s not Brady anymore. Belichick has lost his swagger. And the Patriots roster has more holes than a cheese cloth. That’s a throw out to our Food Network viewers. And I want to credit Bill Simmons for this one. The fire is gone from Belichick. How hungry and maniacal can you be after 3 rings and countless millions and undying devotion from your fans. Both Brady and Belichick. The end may be here and Bill Simmons called it.
chi -2 over SEA
Hasselbeck is as sturdy as a house built of toothpicks. I think his sister in law Elisabeth could kick his ass.
no -6 over BUF
Lots of points here, but the Bills just don’t matter.
SD -6 over mia
You can’t recover from that Monday night heartbreaker, fly cross country and compete with a legitimate team.
pit -4 over CIN
Bungles won in GB last week. What additional motivation could they possibly have? Nuff said.
den -1.5 over OAK
The AFC West is so bad it’s hard to know which was is up when they play each other. Could Josh McDaniels really be 3-0?
AZ -2.5 over ind
Kudos to the league’s best wide receiver making clear he would rather have balls thrown his way than win. Thanks twitter and brother Fitzgerald.
DAL -9 over car
This is where Tony “Rolo Tomasi” shines. In the game that doesn’t matter. Monday night. Dreadful Delhomme. For the record, if Delhomme had quarterbacked the Cowboys on Sunday night versus the Giants, the ‘Boys would have won.
Friday, September 18, 2009
NFL Week 2
(This week we strive to over use the contraction "ain't", just to vex the English teachers)
I can't think of an NFL week one where we learned less than 2009 week one. What did we learn that we didn't already know? The Bengals stink. The Lions really stink. Brett Favre ain't that good. Aaron Rodgers remains Captain overrated. Brady's not quite Brady yet. The Bills will always find a way to blow it. The Chargers are injury prone.
Here's what we did learn though. The Jets defense is nasty. The Texans are an excellent offensive team and they got no offensive points against the Jets and were consistently dominated all over the place. Sure the Texans were down a receiver, but still, this was a drubbing. A road drubbing.
Some of this requires commentary, some is self explanatory. Lions and Bengals. Well, you get the point. Brett "the cancer" Favre. He single handedly destroyed the Jets and Eric Mangini last year. And what does he do this year? Decides that after an off season of throwing back Miller High Life's in his Wranglers, throwing the occasional pass to high school kids, that it's time to come back and ruin another team. This time we have the Vikings. T-Jack may not be able to throw a ball out of a dingy and have it hit water, but Sage Rosenfels is a talented back up who has never been given a chance. At least he knew the offense. Not Favre. Now, I don't think anyone will fight my contention that Favre is a not mensa member. Your QB needs brains in today's complicated NFL. Think Brady or the Mannings. Clearly smart guys processing plays and defenses. Favre, shows up a few weeks before the season and starts flipping through the playbook.
He has the NFL's best running back who carried him to victory in a game in which Favre needed 21 passes to reach 110 yards. That's 5.24 yards per pass. AP averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Favre, genius that he is, completed exactly one of his 21 passes to AP. Good thinking, cancer boy. The picks are coming, it's undeniable. By the way, what a honeymoon for Favre, first the Browns and now the Lions. Who's next, Boise St.? Actually it's SF, followed by the Favre-GB game in which the announcers will use the word Favre so much that he might actually spontaneously combust. Don't worry though, they play St. Louis the week after, so you can pretty much guarantee a 4-1 Minnesota start and one talking bobble head after another fawning over Favre's "transformation" and how he's "staying within himself". These phrases will beat you over the head by week five and probably even by the end of this week.
Just so you know, in the Vikings' first 9 games they play the Browns, the Lions twice, the Rams, and the 49ers. Their other opponents are legitimate so expect 6-3 / 5-4 range. AP is great, but Favre is a liability. He doesn't know the playbook, he doesn't care and he's earning almost a cool million a game. Not to mention the Wrangler money. You gotta love Favre. He has gone from generally beloved, to mildly annoying to unanimously hated by everyone but the starved Viking fans. Don't worry, by season's end they will hate him too and Favre will manage to be hated by almost every single, solitary NFL fan. Way to go, former 3 time MVP. It's hard to remember a time when Favre was good. Maybe his greatness was exaggerated by the low definition television area.
Aaron Rodgers. And no, I will not stop on him until people stop touting him as an MVP candidate. He has never done diddly squat in a game that mattered and just barely beat the Bears last week because Jay Cutler threw more interceptions than you would see at a Jake Delhomme concert. Well, not quite, but close. Win some big games, and then come back and see me. I am so sick of the Aaron Rodgers love train. He'll be 2-0 after beating the Bengals so let the MVP talk continue.
The picks. Last week despite a 7-2 start, we ended up 8-7. Stupid late games. Home teams in caps:
KC -3 over oak
Raiders had some nice moments last week, but they ain't going on the road on a short week and beating anybody. Even the artists formerly known as the Kansas City Chiefs. Remember when they used to have a defense and a running game? I think that was also back in the low def era. JaMarcus Russell's completion percentage in one of his best career games: 40%. Why is it that GM/Scouts and the rest of them don't think it's a problem if a quarterback is massively innacurate? It's a problem and it ain't gonna get much better. If you ain't accurate now, you ain't gonna be accurate in the future. See Tavaris Jackson.
Hou +6.5 over TEN
You either believe in Houston or not. They are the trendy "jump/sleeper" team this year. I'm not really sold. I think they can score and have some nice pieces on defense, but I'm just not buying the whole package. What I am sold on is that Kerry Collins stinks. The TEN defense is not what it was without the "Stomper". (Albert Haynesworth, who we must always remind you engaged in the single most cowardly act I have ever seen on a football field when he spiked \ the top of an opposing player's helmetless head to the tune of mulitple stiches and gushing blood.) $100+ million. Love to see the good people in the world rewarded.
Patriots -3.5 over JETS (or did we? see below)
I think that the Jets' smack talking this week has been intentionally devised by Rex Ryan. He knows the Pats will be amped up and they will be aiming for Kerry Rhodes who made the most incendiary comments this week. That's what the Pats do and the Jets know it, so they will be ready. This doesn't mean they don't score on Rhodes as they did to the Steelers' Smith a few years back who made similarly idiotic comments. It just means the Jets know the Pats aren't the unstoppable juggernaut they once were. They looked very shaky overall in week one and their offensive line was outplayed by Buffalo's and I, frankly, can't believe I just wrote that, but it is undeniably true.
If the Bills can get to Brady, and they did, the Jets know that they can. Now, they know they can't scare or rattle Brady with their comments and that is not the point of them. The point of the comments is to make this very important point. You are no longer a team in a class of your own. You are no longer so superior to the competition that all opponents must walk on egg-shells for fear of becoming bulletin board material. I am not picking the Jets to win or even cover (or am I?), but they will be in this game. They will hit Brady and they will have their chances. This is a shockingly flawed Patriots team at one position after another:
Secondary, almost a joke. Pass rush, even funnier. Tully Banta-Cain, you can get all the late sacks on Trent Edwards that you want in obvious passing situations, but the Bills's O-line is HISTORICALLY bad. And they controlled the Pats' D-line. Wilfork is the ultimate 3-4 nose tackle. He's still above average in the 4-3, but who the heck is he filtering the runners to? Gary Guyton? Pierre Woods? Eric Alexander? This Patriots defense is a disaster. They still win here but this team cannot win with this defense, they simply cannot. Or, do they? (yes i changed my pick after writing this section.)
Another major problem for the Pats' blitzkreig offense: No 3rd receiver, nevermind a 4th. Joey Galloway has been a complete bust. Of Brady's 39 completed passes, not one went to a wide receiver not named Moss or Welker. And Welker is still not up to full speed with his "leg" injury. Love that Patriot secrecy. 24 to Moss and Welker, 8 to the backs and 7 to the tight ends. And if Ben "dropsy" Watson doesn't turn into Jason Witten for the last few minutes of that game AND, the Bills don't fumble with under 2 minutes to go, the Pats are 0-1 with a home loss to the Bills. This 3rd receiver problem is huge. Because you only have to cover Moss and Welker, in addition to covering the tight end seam route. That's it. This is a far cry from 2007's limitless weapon offense.
The O-line is leaking blood like a stuck pig and their leading rusher had 32 yards in week one. Against the Bills. Brady is gonna put up his numbers and be Tom Brady, but this line is going to get him killed and they are dead without a third receiver. For how manys games can 58 year old Kevin Faulk bail you out on third downs?
You know what, screw it, I have talked myself into it. I'm taking the points and the Jets, even with the Rookie QB. I just couldn't live wth a Pats pick if the Jets pull the upset.
JETS -3.5 over pats
Cin +9 over GB
I have no tangible reason for this pick. Alright I have one. Every week there is at least one complete head scratcher of a game. This is it. Not a win for the bungles, but a cover.
min -10 over DET
The let's get Brett Favre reacclimated to the league by starting him out against junior college teams tour rolls on. The cancer might even average 6 or 7 yars per attempt this week.
new orleans even over PHI
Donovan McNabb, you blithering idiot. 31-10 lead. No QB on the other team. And you think it's a good time to start trying to run over defenders at the goal line. I would like to cite a line from "the Rainmaker" here. "You must be stupid, stupid, stupid." What did McNabb get on his wunderlich anyways? Wasn't it one of the lowest scores ever. Yay, Syracuse.
ATL -6.5 car
Poor Panthers fans. Jake Delhomme's one half of glory against the Patriots decimated secondary in the Superbowl has given him a career. For his career he has a QB rating of less than 85 and a career completion percentage of under 60. He ain't good. He was never good. Delhomme and John Fox won't survive the season because Jake Delhomme is going to kill all the Panthers all by himself.
WAS -10 over Stl
Really, Spags, you chose the Rams, really?
ari +3 over JAX
You don't have a home field advantage when your fans don't show up. And why has it been the Jags' mission in life to never have a viable receiver once Jimmy Smith retired?
sea +1.5 over SF
The 49ers are favored here, really? Did Mike Singletary flash his ass at the odds makers, too?
BUF -5 over tb
Poor Bills. They will get this one though.
cle +3 over DEN
When you need a miracle to beat the Bengals and your coach has downgraded your talent by 30% in one off-season, it's not good. Good job, Josh.
pit -3 over CHI
Can idiot boy Josh McDaniel actually be made to look good because Jay Cutler has no receivers and no offensive line and now no Urlacher? Maybe so. Jay's top receiver is a kick returner and former DB. This is not good. Just for the record, the Steelers O-line stinks and will get Roethlisberger killed this season.
nyg+3 over DAL
Come on, really, the 'boys are favored. They gave up 450 yards to TB. A team with no hope whatsoever. They were run all over by the bucs, who are just dreadful. Their offense is fine, but if that running D is any indication, Brandon Jacobs might empty that stadium by the middle of the 3rd. And I'm a Cowboys fan. There I admitted it. Their coaching is awful. Their penalties are always a problem and I'm not sure who those corners are.
MIA +3 ind
This is my opposite gut reaction pick. You gotta throw out the 4 turnover game last week. The Fins remain a hard nosed disciplined team. This might be the year the the Colts finally come back to earth. They have no receivers except Wayne. Joseph Addai looks slow for some reason and the Colts defense is, well the Colts defense. Wildcat away! Pennington to Fasano away!
I can't think of an NFL week one where we learned less than 2009 week one. What did we learn that we didn't already know? The Bengals stink. The Lions really stink. Brett Favre ain't that good. Aaron Rodgers remains Captain overrated. Brady's not quite Brady yet. The Bills will always find a way to blow it. The Chargers are injury prone.
Here's what we did learn though. The Jets defense is nasty. The Texans are an excellent offensive team and they got no offensive points against the Jets and were consistently dominated all over the place. Sure the Texans were down a receiver, but still, this was a drubbing. A road drubbing.
Some of this requires commentary, some is self explanatory. Lions and Bengals. Well, you get the point. Brett "the cancer" Favre. He single handedly destroyed the Jets and Eric Mangini last year. And what does he do this year? Decides that after an off season of throwing back Miller High Life's in his Wranglers, throwing the occasional pass to high school kids, that it's time to come back and ruin another team. This time we have the Vikings. T-Jack may not be able to throw a ball out of a dingy and have it hit water, but Sage Rosenfels is a talented back up who has never been given a chance. At least he knew the offense. Not Favre. Now, I don't think anyone will fight my contention that Favre is a not mensa member. Your QB needs brains in today's complicated NFL. Think Brady or the Mannings. Clearly smart guys processing plays and defenses. Favre, shows up a few weeks before the season and starts flipping through the playbook.
He has the NFL's best running back who carried him to victory in a game in which Favre needed 21 passes to reach 110 yards. That's 5.24 yards per pass. AP averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Favre, genius that he is, completed exactly one of his 21 passes to AP. Good thinking, cancer boy. The picks are coming, it's undeniable. By the way, what a honeymoon for Favre, first the Browns and now the Lions. Who's next, Boise St.? Actually it's SF, followed by the Favre-GB game in which the announcers will use the word Favre so much that he might actually spontaneously combust. Don't worry though, they play St. Louis the week after, so you can pretty much guarantee a 4-1 Minnesota start and one talking bobble head after another fawning over Favre's "transformation" and how he's "staying within himself". These phrases will beat you over the head by week five and probably even by the end of this week.
Just so you know, in the Vikings' first 9 games they play the Browns, the Lions twice, the Rams, and the 49ers. Their other opponents are legitimate so expect 6-3 / 5-4 range. AP is great, but Favre is a liability. He doesn't know the playbook, he doesn't care and he's earning almost a cool million a game. Not to mention the Wrangler money. You gotta love Favre. He has gone from generally beloved, to mildly annoying to unanimously hated by everyone but the starved Viking fans. Don't worry, by season's end they will hate him too and Favre will manage to be hated by almost every single, solitary NFL fan. Way to go, former 3 time MVP. It's hard to remember a time when Favre was good. Maybe his greatness was exaggerated by the low definition television area.
Aaron Rodgers. And no, I will not stop on him until people stop touting him as an MVP candidate. He has never done diddly squat in a game that mattered and just barely beat the Bears last week because Jay Cutler threw more interceptions than you would see at a Jake Delhomme concert. Well, not quite, but close. Win some big games, and then come back and see me. I am so sick of the Aaron Rodgers love train. He'll be 2-0 after beating the Bengals so let the MVP talk continue.
The picks. Last week despite a 7-2 start, we ended up 8-7. Stupid late games. Home teams in caps:
KC -3 over oak
Raiders had some nice moments last week, but they ain't going on the road on a short week and beating anybody. Even the artists formerly known as the Kansas City Chiefs. Remember when they used to have a defense and a running game? I think that was also back in the low def era. JaMarcus Russell's completion percentage in one of his best career games: 40%. Why is it that GM/Scouts and the rest of them don't think it's a problem if a quarterback is massively innacurate? It's a problem and it ain't gonna get much better. If you ain't accurate now, you ain't gonna be accurate in the future. See Tavaris Jackson.
Hou +6.5 over TEN
You either believe in Houston or not. They are the trendy "jump/sleeper" team this year. I'm not really sold. I think they can score and have some nice pieces on defense, but I'm just not buying the whole package. What I am sold on is that Kerry Collins stinks. The TEN defense is not what it was without the "Stomper". (Albert Haynesworth, who we must always remind you engaged in the single most cowardly act I have ever seen on a football field when he spiked \ the top of an opposing player's helmetless head to the tune of mulitple stiches and gushing blood.) $100+ million. Love to see the good people in the world rewarded.
Patriots -3.5 over JETS (or did we? see below)
I think that the Jets' smack talking this week has been intentionally devised by Rex Ryan. He knows the Pats will be amped up and they will be aiming for Kerry Rhodes who made the most incendiary comments this week. That's what the Pats do and the Jets know it, so they will be ready. This doesn't mean they don't score on Rhodes as they did to the Steelers' Smith a few years back who made similarly idiotic comments. It just means the Jets know the Pats aren't the unstoppable juggernaut they once were. They looked very shaky overall in week one and their offensive line was outplayed by Buffalo's and I, frankly, can't believe I just wrote that, but it is undeniably true.
If the Bills can get to Brady, and they did, the Jets know that they can. Now, they know they can't scare or rattle Brady with their comments and that is not the point of them. The point of the comments is to make this very important point. You are no longer a team in a class of your own. You are no longer so superior to the competition that all opponents must walk on egg-shells for fear of becoming bulletin board material. I am not picking the Jets to win or even cover (or am I?), but they will be in this game. They will hit Brady and they will have their chances. This is a shockingly flawed Patriots team at one position after another:
Secondary, almost a joke. Pass rush, even funnier. Tully Banta-Cain, you can get all the late sacks on Trent Edwards that you want in obvious passing situations, but the Bills's O-line is HISTORICALLY bad. And they controlled the Pats' D-line. Wilfork is the ultimate 3-4 nose tackle. He's still above average in the 4-3, but who the heck is he filtering the runners to? Gary Guyton? Pierre Woods? Eric Alexander? This Patriots defense is a disaster. They still win here but this team cannot win with this defense, they simply cannot. Or, do they? (yes i changed my pick after writing this section.)
Another major problem for the Pats' blitzkreig offense: No 3rd receiver, nevermind a 4th. Joey Galloway has been a complete bust. Of Brady's 39 completed passes, not one went to a wide receiver not named Moss or Welker. And Welker is still not up to full speed with his "leg" injury. Love that Patriot secrecy. 24 to Moss and Welker, 8 to the backs and 7 to the tight ends. And if Ben "dropsy" Watson doesn't turn into Jason Witten for the last few minutes of that game AND, the Bills don't fumble with under 2 minutes to go, the Pats are 0-1 with a home loss to the Bills. This 3rd receiver problem is huge. Because you only have to cover Moss and Welker, in addition to covering the tight end seam route. That's it. This is a far cry from 2007's limitless weapon offense.
The O-line is leaking blood like a stuck pig and their leading rusher had 32 yards in week one. Against the Bills. Brady is gonna put up his numbers and be Tom Brady, but this line is going to get him killed and they are dead without a third receiver. For how manys games can 58 year old Kevin Faulk bail you out on third downs?
You know what, screw it, I have talked myself into it. I'm taking the points and the Jets, even with the Rookie QB. I just couldn't live wth a Pats pick if the Jets pull the upset.
JETS -3.5 over pats
Cin +9 over GB
I have no tangible reason for this pick. Alright I have one. Every week there is at least one complete head scratcher of a game. This is it. Not a win for the bungles, but a cover.
min -10 over DET
The let's get Brett Favre reacclimated to the league by starting him out against junior college teams tour rolls on. The cancer might even average 6 or 7 yars per attempt this week.
new orleans even over PHI
Donovan McNabb, you blithering idiot. 31-10 lead. No QB on the other team. And you think it's a good time to start trying to run over defenders at the goal line. I would like to cite a line from "the Rainmaker" here. "You must be stupid, stupid, stupid." What did McNabb get on his wunderlich anyways? Wasn't it one of the lowest scores ever. Yay, Syracuse.
ATL -6.5 car
Poor Panthers fans. Jake Delhomme's one half of glory against the Patriots decimated secondary in the Superbowl has given him a career. For his career he has a QB rating of less than 85 and a career completion percentage of under 60. He ain't good. He was never good. Delhomme and John Fox won't survive the season because Jake Delhomme is going to kill all the Panthers all by himself.
WAS -10 over Stl
Really, Spags, you chose the Rams, really?
ari +3 over JAX
You don't have a home field advantage when your fans don't show up. And why has it been the Jags' mission in life to never have a viable receiver once Jimmy Smith retired?
sea +1.5 over SF
The 49ers are favored here, really? Did Mike Singletary flash his ass at the odds makers, too?
BUF -5 over tb
Poor Bills. They will get this one though.
cle +3 over DEN
When you need a miracle to beat the Bengals and your coach has downgraded your talent by 30% in one off-season, it's not good. Good job, Josh.
pit -3 over CHI
Can idiot boy Josh McDaniel actually be made to look good because Jay Cutler has no receivers and no offensive line and now no Urlacher? Maybe so. Jay's top receiver is a kick returner and former DB. This is not good. Just for the record, the Steelers O-line stinks and will get Roethlisberger killed this season.
nyg+3 over DAL
Come on, really, the 'boys are favored. They gave up 450 yards to TB. A team with no hope whatsoever. They were run all over by the bucs, who are just dreadful. Their offense is fine, but if that running D is any indication, Brandon Jacobs might empty that stadium by the middle of the 3rd. And I'm a Cowboys fan. There I admitted it. Their coaching is awful. Their penalties are always a problem and I'm not sure who those corners are.
MIA +3 ind
This is my opposite gut reaction pick. You gotta throw out the 4 turnover game last week. The Fins remain a hard nosed disciplined team. This might be the year the the Colts finally come back to earth. They have no receivers except Wayne. Joseph Addai looks slow for some reason and the Colts defense is, well the Colts defense. Wildcat away! Pennington to Fasano away!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
NFL Preview and Week One
Congratulations to Serena Williams. She of 11 grand slam titles. Serena, who is in the conversation for the greatest female tennis player. For the record, Serena, it does not matter whether you said you were going to kill the Asian linesman or not. You promise to sutff the effing ball down her effing throat would accomplish the same thing. You are a HUGE liar. You don't know what you said, other players get away with this all the time. Where's a South Carolina Representative when you need one? Serena and her supporters have framed this as another case of the man keeping the minority down.
Serena appeared to pretty quickly realize how wrong she was and what damage she has done to her legacy and reputation, even showing a shard of of contrition. However, she and her supporters have made clear their position that had a white player done the same thing, they would not have been penalized. This is such an outrageous position, it is almost laughable. I have watched tennis for almost 30 years and have never, ever seen anything like this. Not even close. Even the nastiest Nastase or McEnroe tyrades never put anyone in fear for their safety. The linesman could be awarded a restraining order under the facts of this incident. Serena, an imposing physical figure, brandishing a racket, screaming and using the balls as props as she indicates her intention to have the linesman involuntarily deep throat the balls. You know what, I was clearly wrong and Serena is clearly right. That happens all the time and the players never get penalized. We all really tune into tennise for the WWE style smack talking.
I have to go and berate my cat.
NFL 2009, Week 1.
Conjuring up the minister from Spaceballs, this will have to be the short, short short version. Between children and wives with head-aches, I just don't have the time that I used to.
Here's what I know. The Steelers offensive line is piece of crap and is going to get Roethlisberger killed this year. Especially since he would rather take a 20 yard sack than throw it away and get a field goal. The Patriots defense will be attrocious. They don't have one secondary player who would guarantee himself a starting spot on another team. One young stud linebacker in Mayo. One talented underachieving linebacker in Thomas. The rest of the linebackers are question marks. They traded away Seymour leaving Ty Warren and Jarvis Green to chip in with Vince Wilfork. And, Vince, buddy, I'm beggin you. Get a spine and hold out for a contract. Does anyone else smell the knee injury coming. Vince Wilfork is playing out the 6th year of the most unfair contract ever. So unfair, that 6 year deals for rookies are no longer allowed. He is a top 3 nose tackle. And the Patriots are not going to pay him because they don't pay anybody.
That's about as far as I can go, much to my miserable chagrin. This laptop is a piece of crap, doesn't even have a word processing program and I can't type on it without my knuckles screaming like Serena after a bad call. I need to do this from my office and I unfortunately have not had time, so that leaves us with season picks and no comments. Happy happy joy joy.
Division Winners:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Ravens
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Chargers
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Vikings (only because Favre will get injured and Sage will take over. You cannot win with Favre, he throws too many to the wrong team.
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: Cardinals
AFC Wildcards: Steelers, Colts
NFC Wildcards: Bears, Cowboys
AFC Championship: Chargers over Ravens
NFC Championship: Vikings over Giants
Superbowl Champs: Chargers
League MVP: AP. (I know, that's going out on a limb.)
Steelers fail because of O-line. Pats lose because their defense stinks and because everyone will blitz them. They will still go at least 12-4/13-3, but will go down in the playoffs. Remember the Giants, Eagles and Ravens in the 2007 season. All of them blitzed the Pats silly and the Pats easily could have lost all three of those games. Ravens are going to be rock solid with budding star Flacco but lack the requisite firepower. Chargers finally have their year, when they will sail completely under the radar and finally get it done.
Week one picks, home team in CAPS:
ATL -4 over mia
BAL -12.5 over kc
phi -2.5 over CAR
CIN -5 over den (Josh Daniels will be fired this year and may not make it through 8 games, at 0-7)
min -3.5 over CLE (despite Favre. Minnesota will win despite Favre until he gets hurt and Sage leads them to Superbowl.
HOU -4 over nyj
jax +6.5 over IND
NO -13.5 over det
dal -4.5 over TB (Bucs should play in orange again this year, they will be that bad)
AZ -6 sf (don't fully trust coaches who show their junk to their teams during tyrades)
NYG -6.5 over was (domenik hixon, remember that name this year, he will be plaxerrific)
SEA -7.5 over stl (Spagnuolo has been coaching offers for a couple years now and he chooses St. Louis. Good luck Spags)
chi +4.5 GB (Packers and Aaron Rodgers are the two most overrated entities this year. watch them flounder. bears fly high with Cutler)
NE -11 over buf (pats have D issues but won't matter here. Would someone please tell Buffalo that when three of your offensive lineman have never taken a snap, that you are all done.)
OAK +10 over sd
Chicago is our upset special. That is all.
Serena appeared to pretty quickly realize how wrong she was and what damage she has done to her legacy and reputation, even showing a shard of of contrition. However, she and her supporters have made clear their position that had a white player done the same thing, they would not have been penalized. This is such an outrageous position, it is almost laughable. I have watched tennis for almost 30 years and have never, ever seen anything like this. Not even close. Even the nastiest Nastase or McEnroe tyrades never put anyone in fear for their safety. The linesman could be awarded a restraining order under the facts of this incident. Serena, an imposing physical figure, brandishing a racket, screaming and using the balls as props as she indicates her intention to have the linesman involuntarily deep throat the balls. You know what, I was clearly wrong and Serena is clearly right. That happens all the time and the players never get penalized. We all really tune into tennise for the WWE style smack talking.
I have to go and berate my cat.
NFL 2009, Week 1.
Conjuring up the minister from Spaceballs, this will have to be the short, short short version. Between children and wives with head-aches, I just don't have the time that I used to.
Here's what I know. The Steelers offensive line is piece of crap and is going to get Roethlisberger killed this year. Especially since he would rather take a 20 yard sack than throw it away and get a field goal. The Patriots defense will be attrocious. They don't have one secondary player who would guarantee himself a starting spot on another team. One young stud linebacker in Mayo. One talented underachieving linebacker in Thomas. The rest of the linebackers are question marks. They traded away Seymour leaving Ty Warren and Jarvis Green to chip in with Vince Wilfork. And, Vince, buddy, I'm beggin you. Get a spine and hold out for a contract. Does anyone else smell the knee injury coming. Vince Wilfork is playing out the 6th year of the most unfair contract ever. So unfair, that 6 year deals for rookies are no longer allowed. He is a top 3 nose tackle. And the Patriots are not going to pay him because they don't pay anybody.
That's about as far as I can go, much to my miserable chagrin. This laptop is a piece of crap, doesn't even have a word processing program and I can't type on it without my knuckles screaming like Serena after a bad call. I need to do this from my office and I unfortunately have not had time, so that leaves us with season picks and no comments. Happy happy joy joy.
Division Winners:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Ravens
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Chargers
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Vikings (only because Favre will get injured and Sage will take over. You cannot win with Favre, he throws too many to the wrong team.
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: Cardinals
AFC Wildcards: Steelers, Colts
NFC Wildcards: Bears, Cowboys
AFC Championship: Chargers over Ravens
NFC Championship: Vikings over Giants
Superbowl Champs: Chargers
League MVP: AP. (I know, that's going out on a limb.)
Steelers fail because of O-line. Pats lose because their defense stinks and because everyone will blitz them. They will still go at least 12-4/13-3, but will go down in the playoffs. Remember the Giants, Eagles and Ravens in the 2007 season. All of them blitzed the Pats silly and the Pats easily could have lost all three of those games. Ravens are going to be rock solid with budding star Flacco but lack the requisite firepower. Chargers finally have their year, when they will sail completely under the radar and finally get it done.
Week one picks, home team in CAPS:
ATL -4 over mia
BAL -12.5 over kc
phi -2.5 over CAR
CIN -5 over den (Josh Daniels will be fired this year and may not make it through 8 games, at 0-7)
min -3.5 over CLE (despite Favre. Minnesota will win despite Favre until he gets hurt and Sage leads them to Superbowl.
HOU -4 over nyj
jax +6.5 over IND
NO -13.5 over det
dal -4.5 over TB (Bucs should play in orange again this year, they will be that bad)
AZ -6 sf (don't fully trust coaches who show their junk to their teams during tyrades)
NYG -6.5 over was (domenik hixon, remember that name this year, he will be plaxerrific)
SEA -7.5 over stl (Spagnuolo has been coaching offers for a couple years now and he chooses St. Louis. Good luck Spags)
chi +4.5 GB (Packers and Aaron Rodgers are the two most overrated entities this year. watch them flounder. bears fly high with Cutler)
NE -11 over buf (pats have D issues but won't matter here. Would someone please tell Buffalo that when three of your offensive lineman have never taken a snap, that you are all done.)
OAK +10 over sd
Chicago is our upset special. That is all.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Celtics-Magic Game 6
One of the coolest things about blogging is that you have your own personal time-stamped perspective out there. So everyone can see precisely how prophetic you were. Or how incredibly wrong you were. Stan Van Gundy is one home loss away from adding to the country’s record unemployment numbers. Did anyone see this coming when the series was 1-1. I did, from last blog, prior to game 3:
This is about the most irritated and personal that I have gotten, but Stan Van Gundy is a fat load of crap and his team hates his guts. Keep on screaming you loon, you’re screaming your team right out of the playoffs and right out of a job. Well, at least there’s that porn thing to fall back on, assuming he can still find it down there.
I’m so pleased with my analysis, I won’t even gloat any further. Here’s why the Magic are cooked. They hate their coach. You can’t be having public apologies and meetings the day before game six to get the coach and star player on the same page. Shaq nailed it when he called SVG the master of panic. He panics, spreads the tension to his team, and then they choke. All he had to do was not be SVG, and this series would be over. The Celtics have played consistently below par, and they are one win away. I would give anything to see Shaq behind the Orlando bench tonight. Doesn’t he live down there?
Here’s why this thing is over in six. 5 for 29. That’s what Ray Allen has shot from 3 point land in this series. It has to end sometime, and that sometime is tonight. Well, that’s part of it. The reality is that there will come a point in the game when the Magic will face adversity and their loony coach will be screaming and flailing his arms and generally doing his enraged Homer Simpson impression. And each Magic player will have some derivative of the following thought: "I’m so tired of this effing imbecile screaming. He’s blown the last two games, if he would just shut the eff up, we’d be in Cleveland right now." And that will be that. You don’t bleed for a guy you hate. You don’t leave it all out on the court.
There will come a point when everything is going wrong that the players will collectively and silently come to the only possible conclusion, which is that "with a new coach, next year, we’ll be unstoppable." And that will be that. I am going way out on a limb here as the Celtics have been unfathomably inconsistent. But, nonetheless, it’s over. SVG finished it.
The Celtics have played with as much heart as any other team in any sport under any set of circumstances. Their bench consists of two points guards and Brian Scalabrine. Nobody else plays. Alright, granted that under 6 foot Eddie House is really a shooting guard, but that obscures the point. They have a back up point guard who has been out of basketball for the better part of two years and an under sized back up shooting guard, PLUS, the white guy with the padded head band to protect from future concussions. This is a truly unprecedented and unparalleled run.
Quick thought on Perkins. He has defensively dominated Dwight Howard. Feed Howard the ball, keep feeding him the ball. And he can keep taking that running left handed ugly-assed hook shot that keeps clinging off the backboard. Perkins’ performance with an injured shoulder has been staggering. He has dominated Dwight Howard. Howard should feel humiliated. Watch the Magic "love" their coach after tonight’s game.
I told my wife before the playoffs that I felt something special might be coming from the Celtics. The 2008 title run was amazing as we watched the Celtics struggle through as they learned how to be a playoff team together. But this year’s Celtics have one thing that the 08 team never had. They are massive underdogs. Most picked the Bulls to beat them. Nearly everyone picked the Magic to beat them. The experts will tell you the Celtics will be lucky to lose by less than 50 per game to Cleveland.
Getting to Cleveland, which is now inevitable, will be an extraordinary achievement for this team. And I don’t want to say the G-word, so I won’t. But let’s just say that if there was zero chance he could come back, he would have already had the surgery. Never say never. It would be as big an upset as I can remember, but that’s wherein the fun lies. How many times do you have to watch a 1-AA team play Michigan, or a 32 point NFL playoff game deficit until the impossible happens? Until Michigan loses or the Bills complete the biggest comeback in NFL history? How many? Just enough times, until you finally see it happen. That’s, in large part, why we watch. And if you watch long enough, you will eventually see the impossible.
I’m not going to go crazy, but I will say this. Cleveland will not have played a competitive game in the better part of a month, by the time the Conference Finals roll around. They have not faced any adversity. They have not been under pressure. Just saying. It ain’t over before they suit em up. LeBron’s foul count is up to 20 in his last 19 games after another 3 in game 4. Try this one on for size. Lebron has had 3 fouls in both game 4's this year. Game 4's in which the series were over and the opponents had already packed. Refs evening up a little after calling almost no fouls for the first three games? Seems so. Throw out those six in two, and Lebron would have 14 fouls in his last 17 games.
There should be an investigation. Where’s Oliver Stone when you need him? Doctor Phil anyways. I think it’s more feelings related. Can’t control the Leb-Lust.
This is about the most irritated and personal that I have gotten, but Stan Van Gundy is a fat load of crap and his team hates his guts. Keep on screaming you loon, you’re screaming your team right out of the playoffs and right out of a job. Well, at least there’s that porn thing to fall back on, assuming he can still find it down there.
I’m so pleased with my analysis, I won’t even gloat any further. Here’s why the Magic are cooked. They hate their coach. You can’t be having public apologies and meetings the day before game six to get the coach and star player on the same page. Shaq nailed it when he called SVG the master of panic. He panics, spreads the tension to his team, and then they choke. All he had to do was not be SVG, and this series would be over. The Celtics have played consistently below par, and they are one win away. I would give anything to see Shaq behind the Orlando bench tonight. Doesn’t he live down there?
Here’s why this thing is over in six. 5 for 29. That’s what Ray Allen has shot from 3 point land in this series. It has to end sometime, and that sometime is tonight. Well, that’s part of it. The reality is that there will come a point in the game when the Magic will face adversity and their loony coach will be screaming and flailing his arms and generally doing his enraged Homer Simpson impression. And each Magic player will have some derivative of the following thought: "I’m so tired of this effing imbecile screaming. He’s blown the last two games, if he would just shut the eff up, we’d be in Cleveland right now." And that will be that. You don’t bleed for a guy you hate. You don’t leave it all out on the court.
There will come a point when everything is going wrong that the players will collectively and silently come to the only possible conclusion, which is that "with a new coach, next year, we’ll be unstoppable." And that will be that. I am going way out on a limb here as the Celtics have been unfathomably inconsistent. But, nonetheless, it’s over. SVG finished it.
The Celtics have played with as much heart as any other team in any sport under any set of circumstances. Their bench consists of two points guards and Brian Scalabrine. Nobody else plays. Alright, granted that under 6 foot Eddie House is really a shooting guard, but that obscures the point. They have a back up point guard who has been out of basketball for the better part of two years and an under sized back up shooting guard, PLUS, the white guy with the padded head band to protect from future concussions. This is a truly unprecedented and unparalleled run.
Quick thought on Perkins. He has defensively dominated Dwight Howard. Feed Howard the ball, keep feeding him the ball. And he can keep taking that running left handed ugly-assed hook shot that keeps clinging off the backboard. Perkins’ performance with an injured shoulder has been staggering. He has dominated Dwight Howard. Howard should feel humiliated. Watch the Magic "love" their coach after tonight’s game.
I told my wife before the playoffs that I felt something special might be coming from the Celtics. The 2008 title run was amazing as we watched the Celtics struggle through as they learned how to be a playoff team together. But this year’s Celtics have one thing that the 08 team never had. They are massive underdogs. Most picked the Bulls to beat them. Nearly everyone picked the Magic to beat them. The experts will tell you the Celtics will be lucky to lose by less than 50 per game to Cleveland.
Getting to Cleveland, which is now inevitable, will be an extraordinary achievement for this team. And I don’t want to say the G-word, so I won’t. But let’s just say that if there was zero chance he could come back, he would have already had the surgery. Never say never. It would be as big an upset as I can remember, but that’s wherein the fun lies. How many times do you have to watch a 1-AA team play Michigan, or a 32 point NFL playoff game deficit until the impossible happens? Until Michigan loses or the Bills complete the biggest comeback in NFL history? How many? Just enough times, until you finally see it happen. That’s, in large part, why we watch. And if you watch long enough, you will eventually see the impossible.
I’m not going to go crazy, but I will say this. Cleveland will not have played a competitive game in the better part of a month, by the time the Conference Finals roll around. They have not faced any adversity. They have not been under pressure. Just saying. It ain’t over before they suit em up. LeBron’s foul count is up to 20 in his last 19 games after another 3 in game 4. Try this one on for size. Lebron has had 3 fouls in both game 4's this year. Game 4's in which the series were over and the opponents had already packed. Refs evening up a little after calling almost no fouls for the first three games? Seems so. Throw out those six in two, and Lebron would have 14 fouls in his last 17 games.
There should be an investigation. Where’s Oliver Stone when you need him? Doctor Phil anyways. I think it’s more feelings related. Can’t control the Leb-Lust.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day quick word
Lebron foul count: With a shocking two fouls on the King in game 3, he is up to 17 fouls in his last 18 games.
NBA to Mavericks after they were cheated out of a possible game 3 victory: Sorry, the refs screwed it up. They didn’t just screw up, they robbed the Mavericks of their entire season, with one awful no-call. At 3-0, the series is over. Sorry, we didn’t call the foul that you were intentionally committing. NBA playoff officiating continues to deteriorate to woeful level. Why do these guys keep getting worse? Lebron commits less than a foul per game and teams are routinely screwed at the end of games. Or in the middle of games. Dwight Howard commits a foul on every screen he ever sets and routinely fouls Paul Pierce going to the hoop, but they never call it. Don't say it is green colored glasses. Watch the tape, these gyus are awful and it goes both ways. How about in game 2 where Baby touched the ball with both feet out of bounds and they still gave it to the Celtics. I loved the announcing team for Bos-Orl game 3 who were routinely stunned at calls or non-calls by the refs.
We’ve reached the point that it is overshadowing the game.
If the refs can stay out the way, look for something special from the C’s tonight.
NBA to Mavericks after they were cheated out of a possible game 3 victory: Sorry, the refs screwed it up. They didn’t just screw up, they robbed the Mavericks of their entire season, with one awful no-call. At 3-0, the series is over. Sorry, we didn’t call the foul that you were intentionally committing. NBA playoff officiating continues to deteriorate to woeful level. Why do these guys keep getting worse? Lebron commits less than a foul per game and teams are routinely screwed at the end of games. Or in the middle of games. Dwight Howard commits a foul on every screen he ever sets and routinely fouls Paul Pierce going to the hoop, but they never call it. Don't say it is green colored glasses. Watch the tape, these gyus are awful and it goes both ways. How about in game 2 where Baby touched the ball with both feet out of bounds and they still gave it to the Celtics. I loved the announcing team for Bos-Orl game 3 who were routinely stunned at calls or non-calls by the refs.
We’ve reached the point that it is overshadowing the game.
If the refs can stay out the way, look for something special from the C’s tonight.
Friday, May 8, 2009
LEB-LUST
NBA PLAYOFFS ROUND 2:
(Fouls called on Lebron in last 17 games: 15)
Before we get down to it, let’s give King James his props, a well deserved MVP. He is the league’s best player and most valuable, without question. I don’t have to like it, but I’m not crazy enough to deny it. This is why it is all the more frustrating that the officials continue to act like American Idol groupies in the face of the King. Including the four game sweep of the Pistons and two game 1/2 of a sweep of the Hawks, the King, has been whistled for a staggering 15 fouls in his last 17 games. And that number is only slanted upwards because after calling only 2 fouls on the King in the first 3 games of the Pistons series, the refs realized it was getting a little silly and tried to even things up by calling 3 fouls on the King in game four.
He is undoubtedly the best player, with unlimited physical gifts. Do we really need to give the extra advantage of him being officiated like Jesus by 3 Bishops? It is just plain silly, and it diminishes him and the sport. A foul is a foul. When you are as big, fast and strong as Lebron; when you are involved in as many physical collisions, it is inevitable that you foul people, at least a few times a game. But not the King. Keep track, going back 11 games into the regular season, when the Lebrons locked up the overall one seed and the MVP for the King, 9 fouls were called. With 6 more in the 5 playoff games, we are up to 15 fouls in his last 17 games. As a service to our readers, we will keep track as often as we can get around to it. I’m begging the officials, stop embarrassing yourselves with your Leb-lust.
One more thing here because I just can’t resist. Lebron is quickly catching up to Tim Duncan with the outraged "are you kidding me, you’re calling a foul on me" face. Yes, King, we know you’re the best and the refs treat you like adolescent girls treat the Jonas brothers. Enjoy it. Don’t embrace and expect it. And don’t make the Duncan face when they make a call on you. You do commit fouls, every NBA player does. Well, almost every NBA player not blessed with official Leb-lust.
Hawks-Cavs:
Is there any way in the world that the Cavs lose this series? I suppose the King could throw his back out slipping on spilt milk at home, but short of that, no. That being said, if the Hawks want to make a series of it, and they do have the talent and athleticism to do so, they can. Assuming they don’t play every other game like complete cow plop as they did against the Heat.
The Hawks have a variety of athletes that can try to slow down Lebron just the tiniest bit. Whether is Joe Johnson or even Josh Smith at times or Marvin Williams. Just stand your ground, give up the jumper and try not to get beat too badly when he goes by.
I wrote this before the Hawks went down 2-0 and turned into a MASH unit, but the rest of this is still 100% applicable, although useless to the artists formerly known as the Atlanta Hawks.
The key to beating the Cavs is to not let the side dishes get you. It’s Thanksgiving, you’re going to gorge on turkey. Don’t fill up on the bread, chips, veggie dips and everything else. Enjoy your turkey and gravy and don’t get side tracked. Ok, it’s a poor analogy. But the mixed greens medley of Mo Williams, Delonte, Szczerbiak, in combination with the foreign specialty Illgauskus/Varejao salad , should not be kicking anyone’s ass. (We will come back to the myth that is the greatness of Mo Williams in a minute). The theme this year has been Lebron’s ascendancy to greatness and the vast improvement of his supporting cast. A cast that is essentially the same as last year’s with one Mo Williams added. Did these guys all get magically better over the summer, or are they about as good as they have always been? You make the call.
Guard your side dishes, let the turkey have his. Don’t double. The Cavs become unstoppable when teams start doubling Lebron. He’s too good a passer. Stay with him. If he scores, 50, 60, even 70, who cares. All the shooting may slow him down, just a hair anyways. You can’t have Illgauskus taking one wide open 15 footer after another. No open threes for Szcerb, Mo, or Delonte. No uncontested dunks for Varejao. Stay with your man. The Cleveland side dishes, not a singe one of them, can consistently create their own shot. Mo Williams, please, we’re coming back to him, don’t you worry. The side dishes have gotten very good and confident knocking down wide open jumpers or dunks. I once made 48 our of 50 foul shots with no one guarding me. These are professionals, why give them the out.
Stay with Lebron. There is this mentality that if one guy is scoring at will, that you need to double him. But when it results in the other 4 guys getting going, it doesn’t help. Not with this team. Stick with Lebron, and keep the side dishes in the fridge. It’s your only chance. Although the Hawks still have no chance, whatsoever.
On to Mo Williams, or as he is known by talking heads and everyone in the state of Ohio, the greatest point guard in the history of the universe. This is a point guard averaging 4.1 assists per game during the regular season and 4.7 in the playoffs. Sure he hits the open 3 and has hit some clutch shots and Lebron picks up the assist slack, but Moe also has never faced true playoff pressure. Mo, talk to me when you can legitimately be in the conversation of top 10 point guards. In no particular order, list of point guards better than Mo the Great:
Williams, Paul, Rondo, Chauncey, Calderon, Nash, Parker, Harris, Rose, Ford, and Miller. Alright, Miller’s a stretch but he was 11, and we’re not even including Duhon and J-Kidd. Mo Williams is the league’s most overrated player today. Mike Bibby will outplay him in this series.
And let's not forget this. The Cavs barely broke a sweat against the Quitters, oops, I mean Pistons and are going for another effortless sweep. These are not your 95-96 Bulls. They are not playoff tested as a group. I'm not saying they can be stopped, but they will be going into the Conference finals without having played a competitive game in more than a month. Think that's not a negative?
THE RAJON RONDO SHOW
How good is Rajon Rondo? Through 9 grueling playoff games, Rondo is averaging 18.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 11.9 assists and 2.7 steals. Assist to turnover ratio: 4.25:1. This is how you gauge how good a player is. If you could start a team right now who would you start with. Number one, Lebron. Number two, Dwight Howard. After that, Rondo. Kobe, please, too old. You want Chris Paul, you can have him. Rondo consistently outplays him. Derron Williams, same answer. D-Wade, lotta miles and injuries on that frame, but he could be three to Rondo's four, I suppose. Rondo consistently outplays every top point guard. He’s 23. In his third year. And he is carrying a decimated Celtics team in this year’s playoffs. He is the single most electrifying player in the league.
Write this down: Rajon Rondo will average a triple double for a season. He’s not even reached his prime. He will average the triple double and he will win the MVP. Call me a fan boy if you will. But, the points and assists will be easy. He just needs to grab enough rebounds to get over the number. Probably not next year. However, when Rondo reaches his prime, 25-28, a season averaged triple double is coming. The Magic are finished. Rondo refuses to lose. In game two, the Magic were blasted with Paul Pierce scoring 3 points. Watch out.
By the way. Dwight Howard. Every pick Howard sets is an offensive foul, watch the tape. Don’t tell the refs, though, they must be having dreamy thoughts about Lebron.
Here is quote from Stan Van Gundy, who I think has just taken the award for the single dumbest pre-game comment, in reference to Alston’s suspension and complaining that Rondo should have been suspended for the Brad Miller foul in game 5 of the previous series. That’s right, the series that the soon to be out of work former porn star was not even a part of:
"The question everybody has is, 'Why when Brad Miller is going to the hoop, can you just take a swing?' You know, the only ones I think that agree that he didn't wind up and follow through were Stu Jackson and David Stern. I think everybody else, including Boston fans, know he wound up and followed through."
Really, Stan, even the Boston fans thought he should have been suspended? What’s your basis for that. Did your crabs tell you that? SVG, why, why are even bringing this up? How dumb are you? That wasn’t even your series. You’re going to compare a hard foul in live play to stop a basket to your slimy player slapping someone upside the head who is facing away from them. It seems pretty clear that Rondo has already taken "the leap", but what do you think he is going to do to your joke of a back court now? Pure, unadulterated idiocy. Is there any doubt that his quote will be on the blackboard in the Celtics’ locker room before game 3 tonight, any doubt at all?
I think there’s only one solution to this. For every game he coaches for the rest of his life, SVG should have to endure an unanticipated slap upside the head from behind, from one of the opposing team’s fans. He won’t know when it’s coming, but at some point in every game, someone gets to smack Ron Jeremy upside the head. We’ll see how he likes it.
This is about the most irritated and personal that I have gotten, but Stan Van Gundy is a fat load of crap and his team hates his guts. Keep on screaming you loon, you’re screaming your team right out of the playoffs and right out of a job. Well, at least there’s that porn thing to fall back on, assuming he can still find it down there.
(Fouls called on Lebron in last 17 games: 15)
Before we get down to it, let’s give King James his props, a well deserved MVP. He is the league’s best player and most valuable, without question. I don’t have to like it, but I’m not crazy enough to deny it. This is why it is all the more frustrating that the officials continue to act like American Idol groupies in the face of the King. Including the four game sweep of the Pistons and two game 1/2 of a sweep of the Hawks, the King, has been whistled for a staggering 15 fouls in his last 17 games. And that number is only slanted upwards because after calling only 2 fouls on the King in the first 3 games of the Pistons series, the refs realized it was getting a little silly and tried to even things up by calling 3 fouls on the King in game four.
He is undoubtedly the best player, with unlimited physical gifts. Do we really need to give the extra advantage of him being officiated like Jesus by 3 Bishops? It is just plain silly, and it diminishes him and the sport. A foul is a foul. When you are as big, fast and strong as Lebron; when you are involved in as many physical collisions, it is inevitable that you foul people, at least a few times a game. But not the King. Keep track, going back 11 games into the regular season, when the Lebrons locked up the overall one seed and the MVP for the King, 9 fouls were called. With 6 more in the 5 playoff games, we are up to 15 fouls in his last 17 games. As a service to our readers, we will keep track as often as we can get around to it. I’m begging the officials, stop embarrassing yourselves with your Leb-lust.
One more thing here because I just can’t resist. Lebron is quickly catching up to Tim Duncan with the outraged "are you kidding me, you’re calling a foul on me" face. Yes, King, we know you’re the best and the refs treat you like adolescent girls treat the Jonas brothers. Enjoy it. Don’t embrace and expect it. And don’t make the Duncan face when they make a call on you. You do commit fouls, every NBA player does. Well, almost every NBA player not blessed with official Leb-lust.
Hawks-Cavs:
Is there any way in the world that the Cavs lose this series? I suppose the King could throw his back out slipping on spilt milk at home, but short of that, no. That being said, if the Hawks want to make a series of it, and they do have the talent and athleticism to do so, they can. Assuming they don’t play every other game like complete cow plop as they did against the Heat.
The Hawks have a variety of athletes that can try to slow down Lebron just the tiniest bit. Whether is Joe Johnson or even Josh Smith at times or Marvin Williams. Just stand your ground, give up the jumper and try not to get beat too badly when he goes by.
I wrote this before the Hawks went down 2-0 and turned into a MASH unit, but the rest of this is still 100% applicable, although useless to the artists formerly known as the Atlanta Hawks.
The key to beating the Cavs is to not let the side dishes get you. It’s Thanksgiving, you’re going to gorge on turkey. Don’t fill up on the bread, chips, veggie dips and everything else. Enjoy your turkey and gravy and don’t get side tracked. Ok, it’s a poor analogy. But the mixed greens medley of Mo Williams, Delonte, Szczerbiak, in combination with the foreign specialty Illgauskus/Varejao salad , should not be kicking anyone’s ass. (We will come back to the myth that is the greatness of Mo Williams in a minute). The theme this year has been Lebron’s ascendancy to greatness and the vast improvement of his supporting cast. A cast that is essentially the same as last year’s with one Mo Williams added. Did these guys all get magically better over the summer, or are they about as good as they have always been? You make the call.
Guard your side dishes, let the turkey have his. Don’t double. The Cavs become unstoppable when teams start doubling Lebron. He’s too good a passer. Stay with him. If he scores, 50, 60, even 70, who cares. All the shooting may slow him down, just a hair anyways. You can’t have Illgauskus taking one wide open 15 footer after another. No open threes for Szcerb, Mo, or Delonte. No uncontested dunks for Varejao. Stay with your man. The Cleveland side dishes, not a singe one of them, can consistently create their own shot. Mo Williams, please, we’re coming back to him, don’t you worry. The side dishes have gotten very good and confident knocking down wide open jumpers or dunks. I once made 48 our of 50 foul shots with no one guarding me. These are professionals, why give them the out.
Stay with Lebron. There is this mentality that if one guy is scoring at will, that you need to double him. But when it results in the other 4 guys getting going, it doesn’t help. Not with this team. Stick with Lebron, and keep the side dishes in the fridge. It’s your only chance. Although the Hawks still have no chance, whatsoever.
On to Mo Williams, or as he is known by talking heads and everyone in the state of Ohio, the greatest point guard in the history of the universe. This is a point guard averaging 4.1 assists per game during the regular season and 4.7 in the playoffs. Sure he hits the open 3 and has hit some clutch shots and Lebron picks up the assist slack, but Moe also has never faced true playoff pressure. Mo, talk to me when you can legitimately be in the conversation of top 10 point guards. In no particular order, list of point guards better than Mo the Great:
Williams, Paul, Rondo, Chauncey, Calderon, Nash, Parker, Harris, Rose, Ford, and Miller. Alright, Miller’s a stretch but he was 11, and we’re not even including Duhon and J-Kidd. Mo Williams is the league’s most overrated player today. Mike Bibby will outplay him in this series.
And let's not forget this. The Cavs barely broke a sweat against the Quitters, oops, I mean Pistons and are going for another effortless sweep. These are not your 95-96 Bulls. They are not playoff tested as a group. I'm not saying they can be stopped, but they will be going into the Conference finals without having played a competitive game in more than a month. Think that's not a negative?
THE RAJON RONDO SHOW
How good is Rajon Rondo? Through 9 grueling playoff games, Rondo is averaging 18.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 11.9 assists and 2.7 steals. Assist to turnover ratio: 4.25:1. This is how you gauge how good a player is. If you could start a team right now who would you start with. Number one, Lebron. Number two, Dwight Howard. After that, Rondo. Kobe, please, too old. You want Chris Paul, you can have him. Rondo consistently outplays him. Derron Williams, same answer. D-Wade, lotta miles and injuries on that frame, but he could be three to Rondo's four, I suppose. Rondo consistently outplays every top point guard. He’s 23. In his third year. And he is carrying a decimated Celtics team in this year’s playoffs. He is the single most electrifying player in the league.
Write this down: Rajon Rondo will average a triple double for a season. He’s not even reached his prime. He will average the triple double and he will win the MVP. Call me a fan boy if you will. But, the points and assists will be easy. He just needs to grab enough rebounds to get over the number. Probably not next year. However, when Rondo reaches his prime, 25-28, a season averaged triple double is coming. The Magic are finished. Rondo refuses to lose. In game two, the Magic were blasted with Paul Pierce scoring 3 points. Watch out.
By the way. Dwight Howard. Every pick Howard sets is an offensive foul, watch the tape. Don’t tell the refs, though, they must be having dreamy thoughts about Lebron.
Here is quote from Stan Van Gundy, who I think has just taken the award for the single dumbest pre-game comment, in reference to Alston’s suspension and complaining that Rondo should have been suspended for the Brad Miller foul in game 5 of the previous series. That’s right, the series that the soon to be out of work former porn star was not even a part of:
"The question everybody has is, 'Why when Brad Miller is going to the hoop, can you just take a swing?' You know, the only ones I think that agree that he didn't wind up and follow through were Stu Jackson and David Stern. I think everybody else, including Boston fans, know he wound up and followed through."
Really, Stan, even the Boston fans thought he should have been suspended? What’s your basis for that. Did your crabs tell you that? SVG, why, why are even bringing this up? How dumb are you? That wasn’t even your series. You’re going to compare a hard foul in live play to stop a basket to your slimy player slapping someone upside the head who is facing away from them. It seems pretty clear that Rondo has already taken "the leap", but what do you think he is going to do to your joke of a back court now? Pure, unadulterated idiocy. Is there any doubt that his quote will be on the blackboard in the Celtics’ locker room before game 3 tonight, any doubt at all?
I think there’s only one solution to this. For every game he coaches for the rest of his life, SVG should have to endure an unanticipated slap upside the head from behind, from one of the opposing team’s fans. He won’t know when it’s coming, but at some point in every game, someone gets to smack Ron Jeremy upside the head. We’ll see how he likes it.
This is about the most irritated and personal that I have gotten, but Stan Van Gundy is a fat load of crap and his team hates his guts. Keep on screaming you loon, you’re screaming your team right out of the playoffs and right out of a job. Well, at least there’s that porn thing to fall back on, assuming he can still find it down there.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Refs in the Tank for Lebron
Columnists and talking heads alike are trying to stir up some discussion as to who will actually be the NBA's MVP. Nice seasons from D-Wade, Howard and Kobe, among others, but this MVP rightfully belongs to Lebron. But we need to take a step back to look at the numbers and to analyze what happens when the refs turn into the equivalent of screaming Jonas Brothers groupies.
Lebron's season has been building to a crescendo all season. Clearly going to end with the best record and overall 1 seed for home court advantage through out the playoffs, all deserved kudos to Lebron. Is he a little irritating? Yeah. Did he steal his whole baby powder in the air before tip-off thing from Garnett, whose was doing when Lebron was just starting to get pubies? Sure, but he's Lebron: adore, admire and adulate. No thinking involved.
Just look at the way the groupy refs have called the games once we reached the latter stages of March. From March 22, 2009 forward, Lebron has played in 11 games. Lebron, a physical player, is involved in multiple plays per game that could be called either way. Whether it is a fight for a rebound, a collision over a loose ball, or a charge/block toss up, he is in a number of plays that could garner him a foul in each game.
Don't tell the groupies though, they are too busy screaming and peeing themselves like 60's Beatles fans. In these last 11 games, when Lebron has locked up the MVP, home court through out the playoffs and is about to tie for the best home record ever, how many fouls do you think have been called on him? 9. That's right, Mrs. Bueller, 9 times. 9 times has the whistle been blown and Lebron been at fault. Not that it has stopped him from crying about every call against him.
9 times, including a 5 game stretch without a foul. 1.7 fouls per game is what Lebron is averaging this year. This number is beyond comprehension for a massive, physical player, who is active on both boards, as well as frequent driver and blocker of shots. 9 fouls in 11 games. That's less than one per game. How many foul shots do you think Lebron took during this period? 96. No joke. 9 fouls called on him. 96 foul shots taken.
With Lebron clearly being the best player in the league, do we really need to give him this much help? This is not some NBA or ABC conspiracy theory. This is just what happens when short little men with the same cognitive processes seen in New Kids on the Block fans, see their hero. They are too busy squealing to blow the whistle. Unless, they are calling fouls on others fouling Lebron.
11 games, 9 fouls called against him and 96 foul shots taken. This is the most absurd result and will tarnish this year's playoffs irreparably if the refs don't stop pissing themselves with jubilation everytime Lebron hacks, runs over or pushes someone out of the way for a rebound. For comparison's sake, Kobe, averaging an entire foul more per game than Lebron, had 25 fouls called on him in his last 11 games. How bout a few more for comparison:
Fouls per game (season): Fouls last 11 games:
Lebron 1.7 9
Kobe 2.7 25
Pierce 2.7 25
Chris Paul 2.7 36
Dwight Howard 3.4 45
D-Wade 2.25 28
Even Jordan in his prime never had a season like this. 1.7 fouls per game. 9 fouls called since March 22, 2009. That's almost a month!?!
Let's not make this whole thing down right silly. The refs either need to stop shrieking like teenage girls at the sight of Lebron, or he will have one severely tainted NBA title in 2009.
Lebron's season has been building to a crescendo all season. Clearly going to end with the best record and overall 1 seed for home court advantage through out the playoffs, all deserved kudos to Lebron. Is he a little irritating? Yeah. Did he steal his whole baby powder in the air before tip-off thing from Garnett, whose was doing when Lebron was just starting to get pubies? Sure, but he's Lebron: adore, admire and adulate. No thinking involved.
Just look at the way the groupy refs have called the games once we reached the latter stages of March. From March 22, 2009 forward, Lebron has played in 11 games. Lebron, a physical player, is involved in multiple plays per game that could be called either way. Whether it is a fight for a rebound, a collision over a loose ball, or a charge/block toss up, he is in a number of plays that could garner him a foul in each game.
Don't tell the groupies though, they are too busy screaming and peeing themselves like 60's Beatles fans. In these last 11 games, when Lebron has locked up the MVP, home court through out the playoffs and is about to tie for the best home record ever, how many fouls do you think have been called on him? 9. That's right, Mrs. Bueller, 9 times. 9 times has the whistle been blown and Lebron been at fault. Not that it has stopped him from crying about every call against him.
9 times, including a 5 game stretch without a foul. 1.7 fouls per game is what Lebron is averaging this year. This number is beyond comprehension for a massive, physical player, who is active on both boards, as well as frequent driver and blocker of shots. 9 fouls in 11 games. That's less than one per game. How many foul shots do you think Lebron took during this period? 96. No joke. 9 fouls called on him. 96 foul shots taken.
With Lebron clearly being the best player in the league, do we really need to give him this much help? This is not some NBA or ABC conspiracy theory. This is just what happens when short little men with the same cognitive processes seen in New Kids on the Block fans, see their hero. They are too busy squealing to blow the whistle. Unless, they are calling fouls on others fouling Lebron.
11 games, 9 fouls called against him and 96 foul shots taken. This is the most absurd result and will tarnish this year's playoffs irreparably if the refs don't stop pissing themselves with jubilation everytime Lebron hacks, runs over or pushes someone out of the way for a rebound. For comparison's sake, Kobe, averaging an entire foul more per game than Lebron, had 25 fouls called on him in his last 11 games. How bout a few more for comparison:
Fouls per game (season): Fouls last 11 games:
Lebron 1.7 9
Kobe 2.7 25
Pierce 2.7 25
Chris Paul 2.7 36
Dwight Howard 3.4 45
D-Wade 2.25 28
Even Jordan in his prime never had a season like this. 1.7 fouls per game. 9 fouls called since March 22, 2009. That's almost a month!?!
Let's not make this whole thing down right silly. The refs either need to stop shrieking like teenage girls at the sight of Lebron, or he will have one severely tainted NBA title in 2009.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Steelers-Cardinals for all the Marbles
My favorite phrase of the last two weeks that has been said 8000 times: Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest QB ever to win the Superbowl. Let us not forget the Big Fraud’s performance in the biggest game of his career. 9-21. 123 yards, no touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. Absent a few fishy calls, namely the phantom offensive pass interference on Seattle’s early touchdown and the Big Fraud is a goat of Neil O’Donnell proportions. But he was rescued in large part because one of his receivers happened to be a more accurate thrower than the BF, with Randle El throwing the Steelers’ only touchdown.
This was one of the single worst performances in Superbowl history and certainly the worst ever performance by a winning QB. Absent Gannon’s five interception disaster, the BF would stand alone holding the honor for single worst ever QB performance in the big game. Do people not remember this when they fawn all over BF, Brett Favre style?
Let’s also not forget that league MVP that year, Gannon, was facing his former coach. Much the same way BF is facing his former offensive coordinator. Think there is any other coach anywhere that might know more about the BF than Ken does? Not bloody likely. The Big Fraud continues to be the most overrated QB in NFL history and now the world will watch as he gets his second shot at the big game.
But none of this stops the media love affair with the BF. An under fifty percent dud two weeks ago against the Ravens when two of the three big plays BF made easily could have been interceptions. He does indeed lead a charmed life as he has for the entirety of his NFL career. Consistently backed by a top defense and running game, no one’s thrown less passes than BF in his early years. And he racks up huge Yards Per Pass stats over his career against nine men in the box defenses stacked up to stop the run. While I give BF all the credit for his agility, strength and ability to avoid the pass rush and extend the play, it does not change one simple fact. He is often not very accurate, the most important trait for a QB. An accurate QB would have blown out the Ravens two weeks ago as evidenced by wide open receivers missed time and time again.
Now BF faces a suddenly energized and ball hawking Cardinals defense that get no respect. Never underestimate the value of being the team no one respects or thinks can win. Ask last year’s Giants and Patriots. Ask Kurt Warner about his Superbowl experience against the Patriots. NFL films put together a wonderful half hour on last year’s Superbowl and there is some telling footage of Strahan pumping up his team before kick off. Ranting about facing the QB that cannot ever be hit. The QB no one can stop. Football is an emotional game and the Cardinals have the emotional edge. They will also have every neutral fan cheering for them, while being greatly out-numbered in the number of fans that have traveled, so they will likely be playing on at worst a neutral field. Don’t be surprised to see this crowd leaning the Cardinals way.
Rod Woodson made clear that this is the worst possible match up for the Steelers’ defense. He essentially said that the way you beat a dominant 3-4 defense is to spread them out and attack the seams. Precisely what the Cardinals do best. Add in a QB who reads defenses and makes decision as quickly as anyone ever has, with his quick release, and the Steelers’ defense might not be so dominant. Warner has also greatly improved his ball security, which will be essential. He will have Harrison and Woodley in his face at times, and his ball security will be imperative to a Cardinal victory. Polamalu is not going to be the mad man around the line of scrimmage that he usually is because the Steelers are terrified of Larry Fitzgerald. As they should be. No receiver has ever put together a more dominant three game playoff run.
A dominant receiver in the zone, clicking with his QB, can be unstoppable. Look at Randy Moss last year and in his 15-1 Minnesota season. Jerry Rice for years. T.O. in his prime. It can be nearly impossible to stop a dominant receiver. Don’t think the Steelers can out tough the Cardinals either. The Cardinals are lead by their QB and WR’s who are three of the toughest players in the league. Boldin playing mere weeks after having his face crushed, Warner always getting back up after every huge hit, standing in there til the last second. And Larry Fitzgerald never shies away from the ball, and why should he, he’s bigger than everyone out there trying to take him down.
The Steelers will be able to limit Fitzgerald to an extent, but he will still make some plays. The Steelers will consistently have both Ike Taylor and Polamalu on Fitzgerald, and at times a third defender. Larry will still make some plays because he cannot be stopped, but this is going to be Boldin’s coming out party. No one has a bigger chip on his shoulder coming into this game than Anquan Boldin. In his mind, he is every bit the receiver that Larry is, with none of the accolades. And he has been bashed by just about every talking head, sports writer and blogger from coast to coast. He’s selfish, he’s a cancer, he’s a bad teammate. All Anquan Boldin did in the Eagles game was have an emotional reaction, in an emotional sport, to not being on the field in the biggest game of his life. For shame Anquan Boldin, what an unforgivable crime. There has not been one iota of conversation about Boldin’s skills in comparison to all the chatter about his sideline argument with offensive coordinator, Haley.
Larry’s absurd three game performance mandates extreme measures will be put in place to stop him by the Steelers, which will open it up for Breaston and Boldin. His hammy should be mostly healed up, and if so, Boldin is a top ten receiver and this is his chance to go from the selfish guy who yelled at his coach in the championship game, to hero. I am predicting Anquan Boldin with a monster game and the MVP trophy in a tough call over Warner. 150 yards and 2 TD’s.
The Steelers will get their points and they will eat the clock as the Cardinals bend but don’t break. Ben will take chances on plays when he breaks the pocket and Adrian Wilson will come up with a big interception. Whisenhunt knows the Big Fraud as well as anyone and there will never be a better prepared defense to face him. The key to stopping the BF is to know that you must never drop your coverage, no matter how long it has been. A number of big plays that the BF has made in his career are due to the DB losing sight of the WR by looking back to Ben because they cannot believe the ball has not been thrown yet. You keep your coverage and look for the ball when the receiver does. If this had happened on the Holmes TD last week, it was an interception. But instead, the DB, who could not believe the play was still going on, looked back at Ben and lost his footing just as he was throwing the ball.
The BF is overrated because he is often inaccurate. And that is a killer for his position. You never see Tom Brady or Peyton Manning consistently miss wide open receivers, but you see it from the Fraud all the time. He will miss some passes because that is what he does. He will break containment and extend some plays with his feet. There will be plays where the coverage breaks down because you can only cover for so long, but the Cardinals will be able to limit these. The Steelers are going to score and there is no getting around that. This game comes down to the Cardinals defense making enough plays to slow the Steelers down, and getting the big turnover. Which they will. The BF’s inaccuracy and consistent habit of throwing to covered receivers as he extends the play, all while facing the offensive coordinator who mentored him, will be too much. The BF will prove everything I have ever written about him and he will still be beloved. It will all be an anomaly due to Whisenhunt’s inside knowledge. He ain’t that good, he never was.
The Cardinals can and will win this game because they have a Hall of Fame QB going against the league’s best defense. This has become a league where the offensives are ahead of the defenses because more scoring equals more excitement and more viewers, at least from the NFL’s perspective. The only way the Steelers win this game is if they are allowed to mug Cardinal receivers on every play, the way the Patriots did a few years ago to the Colts on their way to Superbowl number 2, I believe.
Now, I live in New England where Bill Polian is about as revered as Satan and it is blasphemy to say this, but there is no getting around the fact that the year before the refs started actually calling illegal contact, holding and interference, that the Patriots consistently mugged the Colts receivers on play after play in that playoff game. Belichick quickly realized with the new enforcement of the rules that you could construct an unstoppable offense, which he did. And if the Patriots had not been so arrogant in game planning to attack the Giants’ safeties with down the field passes and instead had relied on short passes, they would have won. But, they were arrogant. They did not believe anyone could apply pressure to Brady. And you can’t really blame them, because no one had. What you can blame them for and it has to be a mark against the single best coach ever, is that Belichick took far too long to make the adjustment to the underneath throws. He continued to try to attack the safeties as Brady was tenderized by the Giants’ front four.
The Cardinals will not make the same mistake as they know that Warner will be under pressure and they will be ready to make the quick read and release. This Steelers defense, which is great and is better than last year’s, still has a fundamental flaw. You can exploit them by spreading them out and attacking with quick passes if you have the QB and weapons to do so. The Cardinals have exactly that. Just like the Patriots did last year to the tune of 4 TD passes and 399 passing yards in a 34-13 drubbing of the Steelers. Again, I grant you that this is a better defense, but it can still be exploited with the right pieces. Which it will be.
Cardinals 31-27. MVP Boldin. From the only person anywhere who picked the Cardinals to win each and every playoff week. One more to go and they will not be stopped.
This was one of the single worst performances in Superbowl history and certainly the worst ever performance by a winning QB. Absent Gannon’s five interception disaster, the BF would stand alone holding the honor for single worst ever QB performance in the big game. Do people not remember this when they fawn all over BF, Brett Favre style?
Let’s also not forget that league MVP that year, Gannon, was facing his former coach. Much the same way BF is facing his former offensive coordinator. Think there is any other coach anywhere that might know more about the BF than Ken does? Not bloody likely. The Big Fraud continues to be the most overrated QB in NFL history and now the world will watch as he gets his second shot at the big game.
But none of this stops the media love affair with the BF. An under fifty percent dud two weeks ago against the Ravens when two of the three big plays BF made easily could have been interceptions. He does indeed lead a charmed life as he has for the entirety of his NFL career. Consistently backed by a top defense and running game, no one’s thrown less passes than BF in his early years. And he racks up huge Yards Per Pass stats over his career against nine men in the box defenses stacked up to stop the run. While I give BF all the credit for his agility, strength and ability to avoid the pass rush and extend the play, it does not change one simple fact. He is often not very accurate, the most important trait for a QB. An accurate QB would have blown out the Ravens two weeks ago as evidenced by wide open receivers missed time and time again.
Now BF faces a suddenly energized and ball hawking Cardinals defense that get no respect. Never underestimate the value of being the team no one respects or thinks can win. Ask last year’s Giants and Patriots. Ask Kurt Warner about his Superbowl experience against the Patriots. NFL films put together a wonderful half hour on last year’s Superbowl and there is some telling footage of Strahan pumping up his team before kick off. Ranting about facing the QB that cannot ever be hit. The QB no one can stop. Football is an emotional game and the Cardinals have the emotional edge. They will also have every neutral fan cheering for them, while being greatly out-numbered in the number of fans that have traveled, so they will likely be playing on at worst a neutral field. Don’t be surprised to see this crowd leaning the Cardinals way.
Rod Woodson made clear that this is the worst possible match up for the Steelers’ defense. He essentially said that the way you beat a dominant 3-4 defense is to spread them out and attack the seams. Precisely what the Cardinals do best. Add in a QB who reads defenses and makes decision as quickly as anyone ever has, with his quick release, and the Steelers’ defense might not be so dominant. Warner has also greatly improved his ball security, which will be essential. He will have Harrison and Woodley in his face at times, and his ball security will be imperative to a Cardinal victory. Polamalu is not going to be the mad man around the line of scrimmage that he usually is because the Steelers are terrified of Larry Fitzgerald. As they should be. No receiver has ever put together a more dominant three game playoff run.
A dominant receiver in the zone, clicking with his QB, can be unstoppable. Look at Randy Moss last year and in his 15-1 Minnesota season. Jerry Rice for years. T.O. in his prime. It can be nearly impossible to stop a dominant receiver. Don’t think the Steelers can out tough the Cardinals either. The Cardinals are lead by their QB and WR’s who are three of the toughest players in the league. Boldin playing mere weeks after having his face crushed, Warner always getting back up after every huge hit, standing in there til the last second. And Larry Fitzgerald never shies away from the ball, and why should he, he’s bigger than everyone out there trying to take him down.
The Steelers will be able to limit Fitzgerald to an extent, but he will still make some plays. The Steelers will consistently have both Ike Taylor and Polamalu on Fitzgerald, and at times a third defender. Larry will still make some plays because he cannot be stopped, but this is going to be Boldin’s coming out party. No one has a bigger chip on his shoulder coming into this game than Anquan Boldin. In his mind, he is every bit the receiver that Larry is, with none of the accolades. And he has been bashed by just about every talking head, sports writer and blogger from coast to coast. He’s selfish, he’s a cancer, he’s a bad teammate. All Anquan Boldin did in the Eagles game was have an emotional reaction, in an emotional sport, to not being on the field in the biggest game of his life. For shame Anquan Boldin, what an unforgivable crime. There has not been one iota of conversation about Boldin’s skills in comparison to all the chatter about his sideline argument with offensive coordinator, Haley.
Larry’s absurd three game performance mandates extreme measures will be put in place to stop him by the Steelers, which will open it up for Breaston and Boldin. His hammy should be mostly healed up, and if so, Boldin is a top ten receiver and this is his chance to go from the selfish guy who yelled at his coach in the championship game, to hero. I am predicting Anquan Boldin with a monster game and the MVP trophy in a tough call over Warner. 150 yards and 2 TD’s.
The Steelers will get their points and they will eat the clock as the Cardinals bend but don’t break. Ben will take chances on plays when he breaks the pocket and Adrian Wilson will come up with a big interception. Whisenhunt knows the Big Fraud as well as anyone and there will never be a better prepared defense to face him. The key to stopping the BF is to know that you must never drop your coverage, no matter how long it has been. A number of big plays that the BF has made in his career are due to the DB losing sight of the WR by looking back to Ben because they cannot believe the ball has not been thrown yet. You keep your coverage and look for the ball when the receiver does. If this had happened on the Holmes TD last week, it was an interception. But instead, the DB, who could not believe the play was still going on, looked back at Ben and lost his footing just as he was throwing the ball.
The BF is overrated because he is often inaccurate. And that is a killer for his position. You never see Tom Brady or Peyton Manning consistently miss wide open receivers, but you see it from the Fraud all the time. He will miss some passes because that is what he does. He will break containment and extend some plays with his feet. There will be plays where the coverage breaks down because you can only cover for so long, but the Cardinals will be able to limit these. The Steelers are going to score and there is no getting around that. This game comes down to the Cardinals defense making enough plays to slow the Steelers down, and getting the big turnover. Which they will. The BF’s inaccuracy and consistent habit of throwing to covered receivers as he extends the play, all while facing the offensive coordinator who mentored him, will be too much. The BF will prove everything I have ever written about him and he will still be beloved. It will all be an anomaly due to Whisenhunt’s inside knowledge. He ain’t that good, he never was.
The Cardinals can and will win this game because they have a Hall of Fame QB going against the league’s best defense. This has become a league where the offensives are ahead of the defenses because more scoring equals more excitement and more viewers, at least from the NFL’s perspective. The only way the Steelers win this game is if they are allowed to mug Cardinal receivers on every play, the way the Patriots did a few years ago to the Colts on their way to Superbowl number 2, I believe.
Now, I live in New England where Bill Polian is about as revered as Satan and it is blasphemy to say this, but there is no getting around the fact that the year before the refs started actually calling illegal contact, holding and interference, that the Patriots consistently mugged the Colts receivers on play after play in that playoff game. Belichick quickly realized with the new enforcement of the rules that you could construct an unstoppable offense, which he did. And if the Patriots had not been so arrogant in game planning to attack the Giants’ safeties with down the field passes and instead had relied on short passes, they would have won. But, they were arrogant. They did not believe anyone could apply pressure to Brady. And you can’t really blame them, because no one had. What you can blame them for and it has to be a mark against the single best coach ever, is that Belichick took far too long to make the adjustment to the underneath throws. He continued to try to attack the safeties as Brady was tenderized by the Giants’ front four.
The Cardinals will not make the same mistake as they know that Warner will be under pressure and they will be ready to make the quick read and release. This Steelers defense, which is great and is better than last year’s, still has a fundamental flaw. You can exploit them by spreading them out and attacking with quick passes if you have the QB and weapons to do so. The Cardinals have exactly that. Just like the Patriots did last year to the tune of 4 TD passes and 399 passing yards in a 34-13 drubbing of the Steelers. Again, I grant you that this is a better defense, but it can still be exploited with the right pieces. Which it will be.
Cardinals 31-27. MVP Boldin. From the only person anywhere who picked the Cardinals to win each and every playoff week. One more to go and they will not be stopped.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Conference Championship Follow-Up
Couple quick thoughts following championship Sunday. Apologies to my erroneously calling Jim Johnson Joe Johnson. This is what happens with no editor.
Best sign of all time goes to the Cards fan with the "We are who we thought we were" sign. You can't beat that.
Well, we got one right and one wrong. We’ll take 4-2 (both against the spread and with outright winners) in the last six playoff games. Better than just about every “expert” out there. Ravens were very much in that game and things could have been very different if Polamalu did not get the pick six, doing his Ed Reed imitation. Roethlisberger clearly outplayed Flacco, much to my chagrin. However, the gushing about the Big Fraud remains greatly misplaced. Yes, he is excellent at avoiding the rush and extending the play. Yes, he made three big plays that produced points. Passes of 65, 45 and 30 yards to Holmes, Ward and Miller respectively. However, two of these passes easily could have been intercepted.
The opening drive pass to Ward was into blanketed double coverage and was a hair away from being intercepted by Ed Reed. On the TD to Holmes, the receiver was blanketed and it likely would have been an interception if the defender did not fall down after BF’s wobbly, fluttering pass was thrown. The one to Miller was, admittedly, very nice by BF. However, of his 255 yards, 110 of them came on those two passes that were very nearly interceptions. As for the rest of his performance: under 50% completions and bad throw after bad throw to wide open receivers. BF badly missed on at least 10 throws, and if had not missed open receiver after open receiver, this game would have been a drubbing. With Leftwich at QB, this game would have been a blow out. BF’s inability to hit open receivers kept the Ravens in the game.
It’s all about accuracy when you are a QB. Look at the Eagles-Cardinals games. If Donovan McNabb was not erratic and inaccurate (Tavaris Jackson-style), the Eagles win. When McNabb is good, he’s very good. But when he’s bad, he’s awful. He, like the BF, missed open receiver after open receiver and easily could have turned the game his way with some accuracy. His completion percentage: 59.6%. Warner’s: 75%. Think that wasn’t the difference in the game?
As for Flacco’s uneven performance, you have to give credit where credit is due and the same with blame. Pittsburgh’s defense is unreal. As good as any I have seen. I cannot compare it to the ‘85 Bears since I was 9 years old that season. But I have not seen a better defense and that includes the 2000 Ravens. Defensive line: dominant. Linebackers: terrifying. Secondary: unbelievable. Flacco had time on a number of occasions and everyone was blanketed. However, he gets his share of blame for locking on to receivers and telegraphing passes. Admittedly the Raven’s receivers are sub-par, but that was an absolutely dominant and smothering performance by the Steeler’s secondary. Flacco will be back though and in five years he will be a far superior QB to the BF, because he has a stronger arm and is more accurate.
As I proclaimed prior to this game, Larry Fitzgerald is the NFL’s best receiver and he made sure to prove it. More yards than Jerry Rice in a single post-season, staggering. With his Superbowl performance to come, he will set a mark that may never be broken. I had the displeasure of listening to some Patriot fan loonies claiming that Randy Moss is better this morning. Their position was that the very idea that Fitzgerald was better was ridiculous and absurd. Up here in Patriot land, the fans are a little biased, to say the least. That is a laughable proposition. Larry is head and shoulders the best receiver in the league. His last five games including 3 playoff upsets, 650 yards, 8 TD’s on 31 catches. That’s 21 yards per catch. He was also covered by a top 3 (if not the single best) cornerback in Asante Samuel and he absolutely torched him. Randy Moss largely disappears (particularly in recent years) with double coverage. With Larry, it doesn’t make a difference, just throw it up. Cardinals only let the Eagles back in the game by not throwing to Larry for most of the 2nd half. I don’t care if he’s covered or even if you can’t see him. Just throw it in his general direction and he’s going to go up there and get it. Randy Moss was almost a complete non-factor in the Patriots Superbowl loss. Sub Fitzgerald for Randy and the Patriots would have been 19-0.
Aside from his rookie year and the year he struggled with injuries, every year (and there’s only three since this is his fifth year) he’s gone for over 1400 yards and double digit touchdowns. He has just under 6000 yards and 46 touchdowns in the regular season. That does not include the playoffs and leaves him just 28 shy of breaking into the top 25 all time receiving TD leaders. And he’s in his 5th season. If averages just the 9 touchdowns that he has been for his career so far, for another 5 years, he will be in the top 10. This is an all time great receiver and he is far better than anyone in the league at the moment. He has the best hands and leaping ability of any receiver all time, and he is deadly after the catch. These playoffs have been his coming out party and the Superbowl will be his ultimate stage to shine. Larry Fitzgerald vs. one of the best defenses of all time. If he does it again, no one will ever again be able to credibly question his greatness.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Conference Championship Weekend
How come the morons that are in charge of the major sports can’t make a decision that makes sense, might be in the interest of people’s safety, or, heaven forbid, might increase viewership? World Series games end well after midnight, with a short game. NBA Finals games start after 9 pm. Obviously, we are talking east coast here, you know, only the place where the vast majority of the country’s population lives. The NHL sold their major tv deal to a channel no one has ever heard of or can find. Can anyone name for me a single "Versus" show? I just googled them and I saw something about bull riding, so obviously, they know what they’re doing.
The NFL manages to avoid these disasters and actually have their marquis games on when people who have jobs or go to school can actually watch them. Note to the three major sports not raking in money NFL style. If you don’t hook em as kids, you’re never gonna get em. However, in one of their more foolish moves, the NFL has completely blown it this Conference Championship weekend, by throwing all reason and logic out the window. Alright, we have two games. One at 3:00 pm and one at 6:30 pm, both times Eastern. One in the warm desert. One in the frigid and snowy northeast. One in the Eastern time zone. One in the Pacific time zone. This means the 3:00 pm kickoff takes place at noon in the Pacific time zone. So, what would make more sense? Have the game in Arizona be the late game or have the late game in Pittsburgh? Have the Steelers fans out in the elements until after 10:00 pm? Or give them the early game and reduce the likelihood of drunken hypothermia? Have the Cardinals playing at noon local time or 3:30 local time?
You, of course, know the answer. The Cardinals have the early game and the Steelers the late game. This would be a moot point if the Giants had won and both games were on the east coast, but that is precisely what the problem here is. The Giants, a shadow of their former selves without as Plax (precisely as predicted here, mind you) got embarrassed and the Cards get the home game. Yes, the CBS and FOX schedules are set in advance, but are you really telling me they can’t make the switch? It is pure and unadulterated foolishness. And with all the more time to get good and liquored up with a 6:30 start at Pittsburgh, are we really going to be surprised by the multiple people sent to the hospital from the Pittsburgh game due to exposure? Shame on you NFL, this was an easy and logical fix. Steelers play at 3:00, west coast game at 6:30. It’s not rocket science.
On to the games.
Ravens +6 over STEELERS
Six points against the Ravens defense and the weather is too much. Especially since the Ravens are going to win outright. Two best defenses in the league. The winner of this game will be the team that avoids the turnovers. Fast Willie will not look so fast against the Ravens warp speed defense. Expect neither team to have much success with the running game. This game comes down to the QB’s. Roethlisberger vs. Flacco. A no brainer right? Not so fast. You have the unflaccable Joe Flacco against the Big Fraud. QB rating this year. Flacco: 80.3. Big Fraud: 80.1. Surprised?
This is territory that we have covered before, but until the truth is known, we will continue to shout it from the hilltop. The Big Fraud is the single most overrated player at the QB position, ever. BF has been insulated by a top 3 offensive line and top rated running game every year of his career, except this one. Well below the league average in pass attempts per game. And what was the result? 8-9 men in the box stacked up to stop the run, play action passes, and big plays downfield. All inflating his quarterback rating, yards per attempt and TD/INT ratio. But, unfortunately for the BF, the honeymoon is over. No more impenetrable O-line, no more unstoppable running game. The BF now faces the same level playing field that the rest of the league’s QB’s do.
The result? 17 TD’s, 15 INT’s and a lower QB rating than his counterpart in today’s game. How bout a closer look at the numbers? Third down passer rating: 73.5. Fourth down: 0.0 That’s 4 passes, no completions and 3 interceptions. Flacco. Third down passer rating: 86.3 Fourth down: 111.7. That’s five attempts and four completions. The higher the stakes, the better Flacco has done. Flacco has the NFL’s strongest arm (athough it is very close between he and Cutler) to cut through the wind and snow. He beat the Titans with 2 huge throws. He’s seen the Steelers twice already this year and should not be surprised by the speed. Be ready to hit the hot route and watch out for Woodley and Harrison.
The unflappable rookie versus the overrated veteran. I’ll take Joe to do it again and the Big Fraud to throw the pick six to Ed Reed. Big Fraud proves everything I have ever written about with him with 2-3 turnovers in this game. Steelers best chance to win this game is if something happens to the BF and Leftwich ends up under center. The train wreck is coming. Wait for it.
Ravens 23-15
CARDINALS +4 over Eagles
Anyone talking about Brian Westbrook being an unstoppable force has not been watching the games. 2 games, 74 yards rushing and one big screen play with all of the Vikings stuck upfield. He looks like what he is. A banged up running back averaging under 2 yards per carry in the playoffs. Throw out that one screen play and he has 96 total yards in the playoffs. How many touches? 42. He’s a non factor against a defense that completely shut down 2 of the 3 best running attacks in the NFL the first two weeks of the playoffs. McNabb has been alright in the playoffs, 2 TD’s 3 INT’s. But he is now facing a ball hawking Cardinals defense who have it all coming together at the right time.
Never underestimate the "everybody thinks we stink" mentality. The Cardinals have been wholly disrespected all season long and being a 4 point home dog is only furthering that perspective. The Eagles and Joe Johnson’s crazy blitzing defense are going up against the wrong guy. Nobody makes quicker decisions than Kurt Warner. And he gets the ball out fast, fast, fast. He’s throwing to the NFL’s best receiver in Larry Fitzgerald and it seems like Boldin will be back on the field. And you could argue Boldin vs. Fitzgerald. Loss of the tight end does concern me here, but you can’t stop Kurt. He’s going back to the Superbowl.
Warner is not the guy to Blitz. Remember how Belichick stopped the greatest show on turf. He blitzed only about 5 times in that game, kept the receivers in front and punished them. Not saying that would work here (receivers are bigger than the defenders), but you don’t blitz Warner when he has these weapons or he will burn you. And Joe Johnson can’t not blitz (excuse the double negative). People underestimate the importance of who you’re throwing to. If Eli had Plax on the field last week, he gets some big plays on those blitzes and we’re having an entirely different discussion.
Cardinals also continue to work in the run nicely. The Eagles have had a long tough road to get here. Don’t underestimate the miles they’ve traveled and the emotional frenzy they got into to face the champs last week. They can’t be as up for the Cards, even in the conference championship game. Everyone has been telling them all week that it will be a cake walk. They already slaughtered this team by 28 points this year. But, these are not those same Cardinals. They are now a run stuffing, ball hawking defense. A balanced and explosive offense with a QB who has won the big game. Expect to see this game end with McNabb vomiting and out of breath in the last few minutes as he tries to run the hurry up. It will be too little too late. And he doesn’t have T.O. to carry his jock as he did in the Superbowl. This time, he’s got the injured running back and the receiver so stupid that he has gone into the end zone to score multiple times in his career without the football.
Cardinals 38-27.
The NFL manages to avoid these disasters and actually have their marquis games on when people who have jobs or go to school can actually watch them. Note to the three major sports not raking in money NFL style. If you don’t hook em as kids, you’re never gonna get em. However, in one of their more foolish moves, the NFL has completely blown it this Conference Championship weekend, by throwing all reason and logic out the window. Alright, we have two games. One at 3:00 pm and one at 6:30 pm, both times Eastern. One in the warm desert. One in the frigid and snowy northeast. One in the Eastern time zone. One in the Pacific time zone. This means the 3:00 pm kickoff takes place at noon in the Pacific time zone. So, what would make more sense? Have the game in Arizona be the late game or have the late game in Pittsburgh? Have the Steelers fans out in the elements until after 10:00 pm? Or give them the early game and reduce the likelihood of drunken hypothermia? Have the Cardinals playing at noon local time or 3:30 local time?
You, of course, know the answer. The Cardinals have the early game and the Steelers the late game. This would be a moot point if the Giants had won and both games were on the east coast, but that is precisely what the problem here is. The Giants, a shadow of their former selves without as Plax (precisely as predicted here, mind you) got embarrassed and the Cards get the home game. Yes, the CBS and FOX schedules are set in advance, but are you really telling me they can’t make the switch? It is pure and unadulterated foolishness. And with all the more time to get good and liquored up with a 6:30 start at Pittsburgh, are we really going to be surprised by the multiple people sent to the hospital from the Pittsburgh game due to exposure? Shame on you NFL, this was an easy and logical fix. Steelers play at 3:00, west coast game at 6:30. It’s not rocket science.
On to the games.
Ravens +6 over STEELERS
Six points against the Ravens defense and the weather is too much. Especially since the Ravens are going to win outright. Two best defenses in the league. The winner of this game will be the team that avoids the turnovers. Fast Willie will not look so fast against the Ravens warp speed defense. Expect neither team to have much success with the running game. This game comes down to the QB’s. Roethlisberger vs. Flacco. A no brainer right? Not so fast. You have the unflaccable Joe Flacco against the Big Fraud. QB rating this year. Flacco: 80.3. Big Fraud: 80.1. Surprised?
This is territory that we have covered before, but until the truth is known, we will continue to shout it from the hilltop. The Big Fraud is the single most overrated player at the QB position, ever. BF has been insulated by a top 3 offensive line and top rated running game every year of his career, except this one. Well below the league average in pass attempts per game. And what was the result? 8-9 men in the box stacked up to stop the run, play action passes, and big plays downfield. All inflating his quarterback rating, yards per attempt and TD/INT ratio. But, unfortunately for the BF, the honeymoon is over. No more impenetrable O-line, no more unstoppable running game. The BF now faces the same level playing field that the rest of the league’s QB’s do.
The result? 17 TD’s, 15 INT’s and a lower QB rating than his counterpart in today’s game. How bout a closer look at the numbers? Third down passer rating: 73.5. Fourth down: 0.0 That’s 4 passes, no completions and 3 interceptions. Flacco. Third down passer rating: 86.3 Fourth down: 111.7. That’s five attempts and four completions. The higher the stakes, the better Flacco has done. Flacco has the NFL’s strongest arm (athough it is very close between he and Cutler) to cut through the wind and snow. He beat the Titans with 2 huge throws. He’s seen the Steelers twice already this year and should not be surprised by the speed. Be ready to hit the hot route and watch out for Woodley and Harrison.
The unflappable rookie versus the overrated veteran. I’ll take Joe to do it again and the Big Fraud to throw the pick six to Ed Reed. Big Fraud proves everything I have ever written about with him with 2-3 turnovers in this game. Steelers best chance to win this game is if something happens to the BF and Leftwich ends up under center. The train wreck is coming. Wait for it.
Ravens 23-15
CARDINALS +4 over Eagles
Anyone talking about Brian Westbrook being an unstoppable force has not been watching the games. 2 games, 74 yards rushing and one big screen play with all of the Vikings stuck upfield. He looks like what he is. A banged up running back averaging under 2 yards per carry in the playoffs. Throw out that one screen play and he has 96 total yards in the playoffs. How many touches? 42. He’s a non factor against a defense that completely shut down 2 of the 3 best running attacks in the NFL the first two weeks of the playoffs. McNabb has been alright in the playoffs, 2 TD’s 3 INT’s. But he is now facing a ball hawking Cardinals defense who have it all coming together at the right time.
Never underestimate the "everybody thinks we stink" mentality. The Cardinals have been wholly disrespected all season long and being a 4 point home dog is only furthering that perspective. The Eagles and Joe Johnson’s crazy blitzing defense are going up against the wrong guy. Nobody makes quicker decisions than Kurt Warner. And he gets the ball out fast, fast, fast. He’s throwing to the NFL’s best receiver in Larry Fitzgerald and it seems like Boldin will be back on the field. And you could argue Boldin vs. Fitzgerald. Loss of the tight end does concern me here, but you can’t stop Kurt. He’s going back to the Superbowl.
Warner is not the guy to Blitz. Remember how Belichick stopped the greatest show on turf. He blitzed only about 5 times in that game, kept the receivers in front and punished them. Not saying that would work here (receivers are bigger than the defenders), but you don’t blitz Warner when he has these weapons or he will burn you. And Joe Johnson can’t not blitz (excuse the double negative). People underestimate the importance of who you’re throwing to. If Eli had Plax on the field last week, he gets some big plays on those blitzes and we’re having an entirely different discussion.
Cardinals also continue to work in the run nicely. The Eagles have had a long tough road to get here. Don’t underestimate the miles they’ve traveled and the emotional frenzy they got into to face the champs last week. They can’t be as up for the Cards, even in the conference championship game. Everyone has been telling them all week that it will be a cake walk. They already slaughtered this team by 28 points this year. But, these are not those same Cardinals. They are now a run stuffing, ball hawking defense. A balanced and explosive offense with a QB who has won the big game. Expect to see this game end with McNabb vomiting and out of breath in the last few minutes as he tries to run the hurry up. It will be too little too late. And he doesn’t have T.O. to carry his jock as he did in the Superbowl. This time, he’s got the injured running back and the receiver so stupid that he has gone into the end zone to score multiple times in his career without the football.
Cardinals 38-27.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Divisional Playoff Weekend
Picks (Home team in CAPS)
I’ll kill the suspense and lay it all out on the table from the outset. The four divisional winners this weekend will all be road teams. How can this possibly happen? 3 severely flawed home teams and one lightning in a bottle road team that cannot be stopped.
We’ll start with my favorite to pick and my favorite quarterback to heap on.
Chargers +6 over STEELERS
Chargers are the AFC’s unstoppable team of destiny this year. With Manning out of the way, the 3 remaining AFC teams not from Southern California have utterly mediocre offenses. No big play ability. Also ran QB’s. (All due respect to future star Joe Flacco, but he is not there yet.) Let’s talk about Roethlisberger, aka, the Big Fraud. His first year without a dominant offensive line that protected him like a porcelain doll and forced 8 defenders in the box to fight an unstoppable running game. Their best lineman gone to the Jets, this Steelers O-line is a shell of its former self. The Fraud has a made a career out of down the field plays against run suspecting defenses. This year, for the first time in his career, the Steelers running game is not terrifying anybody. The result, a level playing field. You know, what Manning, Warner, Brady and just about every other QB in the league has had to face every week. Defenses not selling out 100% for the run.
And how did the Big Fraud do. Under 60% completions. 17 TD’s, 15 INT’s and barely an average of 200 yards per game. He ain’t that good, he never was. Chargers defense is rounding into form nicely at the perfect time. In the Fraud’s four regular season losses this year, to the Eagles, Giants, Colts and Titans the Fraud threw 10 interceptions compared to his 3 touchdowns. What does this tell you? None of you should be surprised about what is coming here. The Chargers are road playoff tested and have already played in Pittsburgh in front of the rabid hanky waving yahoos. Not going to phase him one bit. Norv Turner is going to get out of his own way and not send LT out there with his walker. Sproles, or as I like to call him, Speedy Gonzalez, cause he’s not only that fast but just about that big is a unique weapon. Do not underrate how important the "we can’t frickin see the guy" factor is.
Get ready to feel sad again Steelers fans. It’s coming. This will not be easy and it will be close with the Big Fraud wasting as good a defense as we have seen this decade. But by avoiding the big mistake, the Chargers will prevail due to the inevitable Big Fraud brain farts. The Big Fraud will show his true colors. The concussions have dumbed him down to a Brett Favre level. And you know what that means. Big mistakes in big games. And by the way, the Big Fraud led the league in lost fumbles this year.
I’ll kill the suspense and lay it all out on the table from the outset. The four divisional winners this weekend will all be road teams. How can this possibly happen? 3 severely flawed home teams and one lightning in a bottle road team that cannot be stopped.
We’ll start with my favorite to pick and my favorite quarterback to heap on.
Chargers +6 over STEELERS
Chargers are the AFC’s unstoppable team of destiny this year. With Manning out of the way, the 3 remaining AFC teams not from Southern California have utterly mediocre offenses. No big play ability. Also ran QB’s. (All due respect to future star Joe Flacco, but he is not there yet.) Let’s talk about Roethlisberger, aka, the Big Fraud. His first year without a dominant offensive line that protected him like a porcelain doll and forced 8 defenders in the box to fight an unstoppable running game. Their best lineman gone to the Jets, this Steelers O-line is a shell of its former self. The Fraud has a made a career out of down the field plays against run suspecting defenses. This year, for the first time in his career, the Steelers running game is not terrifying anybody. The result, a level playing field. You know, what Manning, Warner, Brady and just about every other QB in the league has had to face every week. Defenses not selling out 100% for the run.
And how did the Big Fraud do. Under 60% completions. 17 TD’s, 15 INT’s and barely an average of 200 yards per game. He ain’t that good, he never was. Chargers defense is rounding into form nicely at the perfect time. In the Fraud’s four regular season losses this year, to the Eagles, Giants, Colts and Titans the Fraud threw 10 interceptions compared to his 3 touchdowns. What does this tell you? None of you should be surprised about what is coming here. The Chargers are road playoff tested and have already played in Pittsburgh in front of the rabid hanky waving yahoos. Not going to phase him one bit. Norv Turner is going to get out of his own way and not send LT out there with his walker. Sproles, or as I like to call him, Speedy Gonzalez, cause he’s not only that fast but just about that big is a unique weapon. Do not underrate how important the "we can’t frickin see the guy" factor is.
Get ready to feel sad again Steelers fans. It’s coming. This will not be easy and it will be close with the Big Fraud wasting as good a defense as we have seen this decade. But by avoiding the big mistake, the Chargers will prevail due to the inevitable Big Fraud brain farts. The Big Fraud will show his true colors. The concussions have dumbed him down to a Brett Favre level. And you know what that means. Big mistakes in big games. And by the way, the Big Fraud led the league in lost fumbles this year.
Chargers 20-13
Ravens +3 over TITANS
The old adage is that defense wins championships and it was never more true than last year with the Giants stunning Brady and Co. But you do not win titles without an offense that can score and big play ability. The Titans have neither. Scraping by in close game after close game all year. Depending on their stupendous defense and excellent running game. The problem here, they’re a poor man’s Ravens. Ravens defense is better and while Ravens will have just as hard a time running, is there anyone out there that thinks the Titans can actually run at all in this game? Ed Reed is the equivalent of a heat seeking missile in finding opposing QB passes over the last 8 or so weeks. The chances Kerry (Strug) Collins doesn’t throw at least one INT to Reed? Somewhere between slim and none and you know where Slim is.
The Titans were +141 points-wise on the season. Throw out the +61 against the Lions and Chiefs and you get a better measure of where this team was all year. Just scraping by, particularly against good teams. They are the single least intimidating 1 seed of all time. A three point favorite means this would be an even line on a neutral field. And we all know how intimidating Nashville in January is.
The Ravens have the better QB, by far, and the better defense. This equals road win number two for the Ravens. Good riddance to Jeff Fisher’s Titans. They’ve been boring for as long as I can remember and I enjoy picking against them almost as much as I do pointing out the real skill level of the Big Fraud.
Ravens 20-6
Cardinals +9.5 over PANTHERS
The premise here is that the NFC South was terribly overrated this year. Buccaneers, meh. Falcons, nice story but a year away. And the big bad Panthers with their intimidating 8-0 home record. What exactly made up that 8-0? Well, obviously the three division wins. A 27-23 toss up to these very same Cardinals. The other 4 you ask? Chicago, KC, Detroit and the end of season Broncos, also known as Quitty McGee. No player has ever gotten more bump out of a single game than Jake Delhomme did out of his Superbowl loss to the Patriots. Jake with his 15 TD’s and 12 INT’s in '08. For his career, below 60% completion and under 86 QB rating. Again, he ain’t that good. He’s never been that good. And since no one ever seems to remember this, when he went crazy in the 2nd half of the Superbowl against the Patriots, the Patriots had lost player after player in the secondary and Delhomme put up his 300+ yards against a bunch of nobodies. This was so troubling to Belichick that he taught WR Troy Brown how to play defense the next year. And he’s been living on that single half ever since.
The running game of the Panthers you say. How can it be stopped by lowly Arizona? Panthers did have the number 3 running offense in the league this year. You know who was number 2, the Falcons, who the Cardinals completely stuffed last week. So don’t buy into the Cardinals can’t stop the run argument. They stopped a better run offense last week with a better QB. And the key to beating the Panthers is just keep Steve Smith double covered. You either just shut him down, or, if you’re lucky, he blows his stack. He has to be one of the most praised head cases in the history of the league. No, he didn’t just punch out a teammate and get suspended by the team this year. He has taken himself mentally out of many and games even gotten himself tossed in a huge Cowboys game last year as he flipped out on an official.
The Cardinals have been pacing themselves. Their division was wrapped up about six weeks in. They mailed in the end of the season and came out rejuvenated against the Falcons. They are reveling in the "everybody thinks we stink" mentality. They have a legitimate, prime time QB. Boldin not going would be a blow, but they have other weapons. Edgerrin is fresh and rested for the playoffs, and most importantly, getting the ball. The team nobody respects will beat the team that nobody ever watches. Unfortunately, this will be the lowest rated Saturday night playoff game ever. But it will still be an exciting upset. The weather at kickoff, 52 with scattered showers. While the Cards have been horrendous going east all year, there’s a difference between coming east in the middle of the grinding and exhausting regular season and going east for one game to go to the Conference championship.
Cardinals 27-24.
Eagles +4 over GIANTS
Both teams have speedy, talented crazy blitzing defenses. Playoff tested and experienced QB’s and coaches. Division rivals who know each other inside and out. Neither will be intimidated. Eagles have already won at the Meadowlands this year. Eagles are peaking like last year’s Giants. The difference that will tip this game to the Eagles can be summed up in one word: Plax. Or the absence thereof.
Giants gave this diva a huge contract and expected him to stop behaving like a selfish ass. And they were so scorned by his refusal to do so and idiotic behavior with weapons that they shut him down for the season. We’re the Giants, the world champs. We have the best running game, Superbowl MVP QB, best defense coordinator. We don’t need him. The problem for the Giants is that this is not last year’s defense. Missing significant pieces of last year’s Brady stymieing defense. Giants blitzes will inevitably lead to Brian Westbrook in a favorable matchup and he will make them pay.
Add Plax into this equation and the Giants win hands down. Plax makes the Giants offense nearly unstoppable. Plax prevented teams from stacking up to stop the run. He’s gone and in his place are 13 year veteran Amani Toomer (getting slower with every step) and the also-rans. It changes the entire way in which the Giants can attack, and are accordingly defended. You blitz Manning with Plax out there and he just tosses it up for grabs and it is a first down or better. You blitz him now with below average receivers and you are looking at another Asante pick six.
Eagles 27-21
Four road winners. You only heard it here.
Ravens +3 over TITANS
The old adage is that defense wins championships and it was never more true than last year with the Giants stunning Brady and Co. But you do not win titles without an offense that can score and big play ability. The Titans have neither. Scraping by in close game after close game all year. Depending on their stupendous defense and excellent running game. The problem here, they’re a poor man’s Ravens. Ravens defense is better and while Ravens will have just as hard a time running, is there anyone out there that thinks the Titans can actually run at all in this game? Ed Reed is the equivalent of a heat seeking missile in finding opposing QB passes over the last 8 or so weeks. The chances Kerry (Strug) Collins doesn’t throw at least one INT to Reed? Somewhere between slim and none and you know where Slim is.
The Titans were +141 points-wise on the season. Throw out the +61 against the Lions and Chiefs and you get a better measure of where this team was all year. Just scraping by, particularly against good teams. They are the single least intimidating 1 seed of all time. A three point favorite means this would be an even line on a neutral field. And we all know how intimidating Nashville in January is.
The Ravens have the better QB, by far, and the better defense. This equals road win number two for the Ravens. Good riddance to Jeff Fisher’s Titans. They’ve been boring for as long as I can remember and I enjoy picking against them almost as much as I do pointing out the real skill level of the Big Fraud.
Ravens 20-6
Cardinals +9.5 over PANTHERS
The premise here is that the NFC South was terribly overrated this year. Buccaneers, meh. Falcons, nice story but a year away. And the big bad Panthers with their intimidating 8-0 home record. What exactly made up that 8-0? Well, obviously the three division wins. A 27-23 toss up to these very same Cardinals. The other 4 you ask? Chicago, KC, Detroit and the end of season Broncos, also known as Quitty McGee. No player has ever gotten more bump out of a single game than Jake Delhomme did out of his Superbowl loss to the Patriots. Jake with his 15 TD’s and 12 INT’s in '08. For his career, below 60% completion and under 86 QB rating. Again, he ain’t that good. He’s never been that good. And since no one ever seems to remember this, when he went crazy in the 2nd half of the Superbowl against the Patriots, the Patriots had lost player after player in the secondary and Delhomme put up his 300+ yards against a bunch of nobodies. This was so troubling to Belichick that he taught WR Troy Brown how to play defense the next year. And he’s been living on that single half ever since.
The running game of the Panthers you say. How can it be stopped by lowly Arizona? Panthers did have the number 3 running offense in the league this year. You know who was number 2, the Falcons, who the Cardinals completely stuffed last week. So don’t buy into the Cardinals can’t stop the run argument. They stopped a better run offense last week with a better QB. And the key to beating the Panthers is just keep Steve Smith double covered. You either just shut him down, or, if you’re lucky, he blows his stack. He has to be one of the most praised head cases in the history of the league. No, he didn’t just punch out a teammate and get suspended by the team this year. He has taken himself mentally out of many and games even gotten himself tossed in a huge Cowboys game last year as he flipped out on an official.
The Cardinals have been pacing themselves. Their division was wrapped up about six weeks in. They mailed in the end of the season and came out rejuvenated against the Falcons. They are reveling in the "everybody thinks we stink" mentality. They have a legitimate, prime time QB. Boldin not going would be a blow, but they have other weapons. Edgerrin is fresh and rested for the playoffs, and most importantly, getting the ball. The team nobody respects will beat the team that nobody ever watches. Unfortunately, this will be the lowest rated Saturday night playoff game ever. But it will still be an exciting upset. The weather at kickoff, 52 with scattered showers. While the Cards have been horrendous going east all year, there’s a difference between coming east in the middle of the grinding and exhausting regular season and going east for one game to go to the Conference championship.
Cardinals 27-24.
Eagles +4 over GIANTS
Both teams have speedy, talented crazy blitzing defenses. Playoff tested and experienced QB’s and coaches. Division rivals who know each other inside and out. Neither will be intimidated. Eagles have already won at the Meadowlands this year. Eagles are peaking like last year’s Giants. The difference that will tip this game to the Eagles can be summed up in one word: Plax. Or the absence thereof.
Giants gave this diva a huge contract and expected him to stop behaving like a selfish ass. And they were so scorned by his refusal to do so and idiotic behavior with weapons that they shut him down for the season. We’re the Giants, the world champs. We have the best running game, Superbowl MVP QB, best defense coordinator. We don’t need him. The problem for the Giants is that this is not last year’s defense. Missing significant pieces of last year’s Brady stymieing defense. Giants blitzes will inevitably lead to Brian Westbrook in a favorable matchup and he will make them pay.
Add Plax into this equation and the Giants win hands down. Plax makes the Giants offense nearly unstoppable. Plax prevented teams from stacking up to stop the run. He’s gone and in his place are 13 year veteran Amani Toomer (getting slower with every step) and the also-rans. It changes the entire way in which the Giants can attack, and are accordingly defended. You blitz Manning with Plax out there and he just tosses it up for grabs and it is a first down or better. You blitz him now with below average receivers and you are looking at another Asante pick six.
Eagles 27-21
Four road winners. You only heard it here.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Wild Card Weekend and a Brief Gander Backwards
*This is no longer a Blog. It is officially a Blago in honor of the greatest American hero, Rod Blagojevich. He is my hero for one simple reason. He is not going to pretend that this an anomaly, the exception to the rule. His take, we’re politicians. This is what we do and I’m not going to pretend this is anything other than par for the course in the world of politics and government. God love him.
The 2008 NFL season had all kinds of happenings. 3 rookie no name coaches in the playoffs. The single worst coaching job in the history of the NFL. Brady’s knee snapped. Cassel guaranteed himself $50+ million. Brett Favre destroyed his legacy and two football teams. The fiction that was the Patriots good season. Crazy owners fired good coaches and didn’t fire the worst coaches. Joe Buck realized that it’s only an event if he is broadcasting it. Tony Siragusa taught me that blood can actually flow out of my ears with no physical injury. And most importantly of all, we all learned that you cannot call Brian Baldinger, Brian, or Baldinger, but that he can only be referred to as "Baldy". These things are important.
On the short list of things I was right about, we will start with Aaron Rodgers, or as he was known two weeks into this season, the single greatest quarterback ever to lace them up. He goes 2-0 with big numbers against two horrendous pass defenses and the talking heads were gushing like Keith Olberman about anything really far left of center. For the record, after that stellar beginning, Aaron won 3 games the rest of the season against teams not from Detroit. Yet, he is still blameless, it was the defense. Green Bay’s roster is not significantly different from the team that was so close to the Superbowl last year before Brett Favre felt cold and decided it was time to get back in the locker room. In the final 14 games of the season, Aaron managed just 5 games without an interception. Everybody’s fault but his. Yes his numbers are decent, but they are just numbers often racked up in games with deficits and prevent defenses. He’s no more than a poor man’s Matt Schaub.
Brett Favre. What is his actual IQ? I have been wondering this for a while. His mom would have to do the principal Sally Field style just to get him into the regular school. Alright, that’s going a bit far. But what brains are in there appear to have been crushed by his galactic sized ego. Hey, Favreau, your old team, with the fans that adore you. The franchise you helped revive. They didn’t want you because you throw too many brain dead interceptions in big games. They’d rather go with the kid because at least he’s not going to arbitrarily throw three huge picks in a playoff game. The media creation of Favre as an all time great is purely fiction. One Superbowl victory, a 14 point win in a game with two kick returns for TD’s by Desmond Howard. If you look closely at every playoff game he has ever been in, his failure rate is staggering. Look it up. And kiddies, this is a good lesson for all subjects: It ain’t true just cause the media says it is.
Brett Favre eviscerated a very well put together Jets team. Great O-line, defense coming along, excellent RB’s, top notch WR’s. And what does Favre do? He comes in, never learns the play book and throws interceptions like Congress doling out bailouts. His teammates hated his guts. He spent half his time in a private office. Where I imagine him talking to his agent about more Wrangler commercials. It is so perfect that this happened because it has opened the eyes of at least a few as to the fraud that is the legacy of Brett Favre. Sure, he’s a hall of famer, but he should never be discussed among the all time greats. Don’t tell the media though, it might make them sad.
The ego. It’s a riot. He single handedly destroys the Jets, gets the coach fired and has had more bad things said behind his back than any player I can ever recall. And what does he say after the season, he’s gonna take some time to figure out if he’s retiring or not. Brett, you couldn’t pay a team in this league to let you be their QB next year. And the fact that he is in the Pro Bowl with his 81.0 rating and 22 interceptions, while Phillip Rivers with his 105.5 rating and 34/11 TD/INT season is reason enough to overhaul the system. Too bad the fraud has a boo boo on his arm or he could set a Pro Bowl record for INT’s and mutinying teammates.
Kudos to the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens for thinking outside the box and hiring head coaches who stirred up funeral level excitement from the fan bases. Three no name rookie coaches all in the playoffs. With any luck, this will mean the end of the retreads. Too bad this came too late for Jerry Jones. Jerry, your roster is stacked with talent. Dominant (at times) offensive line, play-makers all over the offense. Superstar Demarcus Ware leading the league in sacks, while his team did the same. Three talented RB’s. And what does this get you, 9-7 and no playoffs. The most humiliating loss in the history of the franchise, 44-6 to the Eagles. Your defensive captain getting into a fracas with a forlorn fan in your parking lot. All leading into the new Texas Stadium next year.
Since Wade Pillsbury Phillips was handed the well oiled and stacked machine that Parcells handed him, he has quickly run it into the ground. After starting out 12-1, Wade is 10-10 with that talent. Far and away led the league in penalties. And by the end of this year were a team that wilted in the face of any blitz. The QB and WR had no idea what to do in the face of a blitz. I have never seen more mishaps on blitzes. I have never heard players calling out their coaches and calling the system flawed. Clearly it was, but I’ve never heard it. This was the single worst coaching job in the history of organized sports. Wade Phillips has murdered the Cowboys and Jerry Jones doesn’t seem to care.
This is a coaching league. More than any other sport, it is about coaching. And Wade Phillips has always been a failure. This year was humiliating. The penalties, turnovers, wrong routes, special teams embarrassments. Let’s not forget that this team out gained the Giants 336-230 in last year’s playoff loss. They had a 120+ yard running back and did not turn the ball over until the game’s final play. Time of possession: Cowboys 36:30, Giants 23:30. People don’t remember this stuff. So, how did they lose, you ask? 11 back breaking penalties for 84 yards compared to the 3 Giant penalties. It’s that simple. And this year, they were more undisciplined, had more penalties. And Jerry doesn’t appear to have any concern. The only hope for the Cowboys is that during Jerry’s next face lift, they figure out that they had a few too many ill placed sutures where his neck connected to his brain. They loosen his neck from his brain and then he wakes up and realizes this team is the best in the NFC with Mike Shanahan as their coach and an instant contender. Jerry, don’t let the Pillsbury dough boy continue to kill this team.
And while we’re on firings. Mangini is out, Shanahan is out and Marvin Lewis and Wade Phillips are gainfully employed. I don’t get it.
And on a completely unrelated and wholly uncouth matter. You’ve been warned. There was a very peculiar image of Romo on the bench all by himself early in the Eagles game. He took a long slow whiff of his finger as he gently brushed the length of it by his nostril and got the strangest half drunk little smirk. Whatever could he be smelling and smirking about. It could only be Jessica. Pull out your tivo, I swear to you it is right there plain as day. Let’s just say I didn’t feel real good about the Boys chances in that game after that disturbing image.
The fiction that was the Patriots great season. Yes they had a lot of injuries. Yes Cassel played great as the season went on. Yes they won 11 games. However, can you please tell me just one quality win that the Pats had? You can’t, because there was not one decent victory out of the 11. Don’t believe me. Let’s have a look see. The Pats split with the Dolphins and Jets, so you could call the Pats drubbing of the Fins in the Miami a quality win, but that’s the only one and it’s borderline at best. The Jets were Favred and that loss, which would have put them in the playoffs, is now just humiliating. Other than that, they beat an Arizona team in a blizzard that had quit before their plane touched down at Logan.
So, against playoffs teams (throwing out the AZ snow quit game) the Pats were 1-4. Split with Miami, waxed 63-20 by Pittsburgh and San Diego, and a loss to the beginning to get going Colts. Not very impressive, by any standards. They did manage to go 8-0 against KC, SF, St. Louis, BUF, SEA, OAK and AZ. Again, it ain’t true just cause they say it is.
The games (home team in CAPS):
CARDINALS +1 over Falcons
Cardinals play good ball at home and Falcons do not have enough fire power for a high scoring affair. That and every one in the world has picked the Falcons. I like the Falcons, Matt Ryan is incredible, but they need another receiver. They are solid. Cards will have fire in their bellies as a home underdog. Matt Ryan is so good as a rookie it is almost incomprehensible. If Boston College didn’t consistently have the least talented wide receivers ever, imagine what he could have done. He did it with no receivers, not one pass catcher that would even sniff an NFL practice squad. He has every throw there is in his arsenal and reads defenses like a grizzled veteran. He has guaranteed his BC coach an NFL job in the future. The future may be now as the Jets are interviewing him. Not this year though, Matt, your ride is over.
Colts (pk) over CHARGERS
I don’t get this line at all. How can the Colts not be favored? Rivers had the best year of any NFL QB, however, the Chargers cannot get into the playoffs without both LT and Gates injured. Every year, they are game time decisions on playoff day. The Colts are on fire, 9 in a row, and Manning is playing as well as he ever has. Chargers cannot stay close with dinged up weapons.
DOLPHINS -3 over Ravens
I thought the predictions on the Falcons game were one sided. I cannot not find anyone in America who has picked the Dolphins. The chance to be that right is just too much to pass up. This game is far from a foregone conclusion. As good as the Ravens defense is (and it is not as good as 2000 nor as good as the Steelers this year) they are still the Ravens. They can and will struggle to score points quite frequently. The Dolphins, oh those tricky Dolphins. Pennington is deadly accurate and not easily fooled. Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Ted Ginn, there are weapons. Is it so out of the realm of possibility that the Fins can put some points on the board, even if they need to get tricky to do so? Fins defense has been anything but consistent, but these are still the Ravens and a rookie QB not half as good Matt Ryan. Flacco is going to be excellent, but Matt Ryan will be an all time great. *
(Here’s what I wrote about Joe way back on October 4, 2008.) * Joe Flacco is unflaccable. I’m coining that phrase. Arm strength, poise. Terribly impressed with this guy who no one ever thought would be starting early on in his career. Out of Delaware. He’s got a cannon, and his head and heart appear to be in the right place. He could be a top 10 QB within 5 years. You heard it here first. And when you have to do it with the Ravens’ receivers who like to be known either as Wingus and Dingus or the Mandrell sisters, that’s all the more impressive.
What Matt Ryan’s doing already is just plain silly.
Dolphins can and will win this game. This was a toss up for me, but with so many integral parts of the Ravens having attended the University of Miami or as I call it, the University of Thuggery, that tipped the scale for me. They refer to it only as "the U" because half their players couldn’t spell or pronounce it in full. All these thugs back in their old stomping grounds. They’ll be lucky if no one ends up killed or in jail. I’m sure they had some fun with their old cronies last night. I feel safe in assuming it was a better than average night for Miami area strippers.
Eagles -3 over VIKINGS
This one will not be close. Vikings and T-Jack will be flummoxed by Phili’s crazy blitzing defense. Eagles are the team hitting on all cylinders at the right time in the NFC. They will be in the Superbowl. The Giants are not the same without Plax. The Panthers are as weak a 2 seed as there has ever been. McNabb and Reid needed to feel so unappreciated that they got into "we’ll show those effers" mode and it’s working.
The 2008 NFL season had all kinds of happenings. 3 rookie no name coaches in the playoffs. The single worst coaching job in the history of the NFL. Brady’s knee snapped. Cassel guaranteed himself $50+ million. Brett Favre destroyed his legacy and two football teams. The fiction that was the Patriots good season. Crazy owners fired good coaches and didn’t fire the worst coaches. Joe Buck realized that it’s only an event if he is broadcasting it. Tony Siragusa taught me that blood can actually flow out of my ears with no physical injury. And most importantly of all, we all learned that you cannot call Brian Baldinger, Brian, or Baldinger, but that he can only be referred to as "Baldy". These things are important.
On the short list of things I was right about, we will start with Aaron Rodgers, or as he was known two weeks into this season, the single greatest quarterback ever to lace them up. He goes 2-0 with big numbers against two horrendous pass defenses and the talking heads were gushing like Keith Olberman about anything really far left of center. For the record, after that stellar beginning, Aaron won 3 games the rest of the season against teams not from Detroit. Yet, he is still blameless, it was the defense. Green Bay’s roster is not significantly different from the team that was so close to the Superbowl last year before Brett Favre felt cold and decided it was time to get back in the locker room. In the final 14 games of the season, Aaron managed just 5 games without an interception. Everybody’s fault but his. Yes his numbers are decent, but they are just numbers often racked up in games with deficits and prevent defenses. He’s no more than a poor man’s Matt Schaub.
Brett Favre. What is his actual IQ? I have been wondering this for a while. His mom would have to do the principal Sally Field style just to get him into the regular school. Alright, that’s going a bit far. But what brains are in there appear to have been crushed by his galactic sized ego. Hey, Favreau, your old team, with the fans that adore you. The franchise you helped revive. They didn’t want you because you throw too many brain dead interceptions in big games. They’d rather go with the kid because at least he’s not going to arbitrarily throw three huge picks in a playoff game. The media creation of Favre as an all time great is purely fiction. One Superbowl victory, a 14 point win in a game with two kick returns for TD’s by Desmond Howard. If you look closely at every playoff game he has ever been in, his failure rate is staggering. Look it up. And kiddies, this is a good lesson for all subjects: It ain’t true just cause the media says it is.
Brett Favre eviscerated a very well put together Jets team. Great O-line, defense coming along, excellent RB’s, top notch WR’s. And what does Favre do? He comes in, never learns the play book and throws interceptions like Congress doling out bailouts. His teammates hated his guts. He spent half his time in a private office. Where I imagine him talking to his agent about more Wrangler commercials. It is so perfect that this happened because it has opened the eyes of at least a few as to the fraud that is the legacy of Brett Favre. Sure, he’s a hall of famer, but he should never be discussed among the all time greats. Don’t tell the media though, it might make them sad.
The ego. It’s a riot. He single handedly destroys the Jets, gets the coach fired and has had more bad things said behind his back than any player I can ever recall. And what does he say after the season, he’s gonna take some time to figure out if he’s retiring or not. Brett, you couldn’t pay a team in this league to let you be their QB next year. And the fact that he is in the Pro Bowl with his 81.0 rating and 22 interceptions, while Phillip Rivers with his 105.5 rating and 34/11 TD/INT season is reason enough to overhaul the system. Too bad the fraud has a boo boo on his arm or he could set a Pro Bowl record for INT’s and mutinying teammates.
Kudos to the Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens for thinking outside the box and hiring head coaches who stirred up funeral level excitement from the fan bases. Three no name rookie coaches all in the playoffs. With any luck, this will mean the end of the retreads. Too bad this came too late for Jerry Jones. Jerry, your roster is stacked with talent. Dominant (at times) offensive line, play-makers all over the offense. Superstar Demarcus Ware leading the league in sacks, while his team did the same. Three talented RB’s. And what does this get you, 9-7 and no playoffs. The most humiliating loss in the history of the franchise, 44-6 to the Eagles. Your defensive captain getting into a fracas with a forlorn fan in your parking lot. All leading into the new Texas Stadium next year.
Since Wade Pillsbury Phillips was handed the well oiled and stacked machine that Parcells handed him, he has quickly run it into the ground. After starting out 12-1, Wade is 10-10 with that talent. Far and away led the league in penalties. And by the end of this year were a team that wilted in the face of any blitz. The QB and WR had no idea what to do in the face of a blitz. I have never seen more mishaps on blitzes. I have never heard players calling out their coaches and calling the system flawed. Clearly it was, but I’ve never heard it. This was the single worst coaching job in the history of organized sports. Wade Phillips has murdered the Cowboys and Jerry Jones doesn’t seem to care.
This is a coaching league. More than any other sport, it is about coaching. And Wade Phillips has always been a failure. This year was humiliating. The penalties, turnovers, wrong routes, special teams embarrassments. Let’s not forget that this team out gained the Giants 336-230 in last year’s playoff loss. They had a 120+ yard running back and did not turn the ball over until the game’s final play. Time of possession: Cowboys 36:30, Giants 23:30. People don’t remember this stuff. So, how did they lose, you ask? 11 back breaking penalties for 84 yards compared to the 3 Giant penalties. It’s that simple. And this year, they were more undisciplined, had more penalties. And Jerry doesn’t appear to have any concern. The only hope for the Cowboys is that during Jerry’s next face lift, they figure out that they had a few too many ill placed sutures where his neck connected to his brain. They loosen his neck from his brain and then he wakes up and realizes this team is the best in the NFC with Mike Shanahan as their coach and an instant contender. Jerry, don’t let the Pillsbury dough boy continue to kill this team.
And while we’re on firings. Mangini is out, Shanahan is out and Marvin Lewis and Wade Phillips are gainfully employed. I don’t get it.
And on a completely unrelated and wholly uncouth matter. You’ve been warned. There was a very peculiar image of Romo on the bench all by himself early in the Eagles game. He took a long slow whiff of his finger as he gently brushed the length of it by his nostril and got the strangest half drunk little smirk. Whatever could he be smelling and smirking about. It could only be Jessica. Pull out your tivo, I swear to you it is right there plain as day. Let’s just say I didn’t feel real good about the Boys chances in that game after that disturbing image.
The fiction that was the Patriots great season. Yes they had a lot of injuries. Yes Cassel played great as the season went on. Yes they won 11 games. However, can you please tell me just one quality win that the Pats had? You can’t, because there was not one decent victory out of the 11. Don’t believe me. Let’s have a look see. The Pats split with the Dolphins and Jets, so you could call the Pats drubbing of the Fins in the Miami a quality win, but that’s the only one and it’s borderline at best. The Jets were Favred and that loss, which would have put them in the playoffs, is now just humiliating. Other than that, they beat an Arizona team in a blizzard that had quit before their plane touched down at Logan.
So, against playoffs teams (throwing out the AZ snow quit game) the Pats were 1-4. Split with Miami, waxed 63-20 by Pittsburgh and San Diego, and a loss to the beginning to get going Colts. Not very impressive, by any standards. They did manage to go 8-0 against KC, SF, St. Louis, BUF, SEA, OAK and AZ. Again, it ain’t true just cause they say it is.
The games (home team in CAPS):
CARDINALS +1 over Falcons
Cardinals play good ball at home and Falcons do not have enough fire power for a high scoring affair. That and every one in the world has picked the Falcons. I like the Falcons, Matt Ryan is incredible, but they need another receiver. They are solid. Cards will have fire in their bellies as a home underdog. Matt Ryan is so good as a rookie it is almost incomprehensible. If Boston College didn’t consistently have the least talented wide receivers ever, imagine what he could have done. He did it with no receivers, not one pass catcher that would even sniff an NFL practice squad. He has every throw there is in his arsenal and reads defenses like a grizzled veteran. He has guaranteed his BC coach an NFL job in the future. The future may be now as the Jets are interviewing him. Not this year though, Matt, your ride is over.
Colts (pk) over CHARGERS
I don’t get this line at all. How can the Colts not be favored? Rivers had the best year of any NFL QB, however, the Chargers cannot get into the playoffs without both LT and Gates injured. Every year, they are game time decisions on playoff day. The Colts are on fire, 9 in a row, and Manning is playing as well as he ever has. Chargers cannot stay close with dinged up weapons.
DOLPHINS -3 over Ravens
I thought the predictions on the Falcons game were one sided. I cannot not find anyone in America who has picked the Dolphins. The chance to be that right is just too much to pass up. This game is far from a foregone conclusion. As good as the Ravens defense is (and it is not as good as 2000 nor as good as the Steelers this year) they are still the Ravens. They can and will struggle to score points quite frequently. The Dolphins, oh those tricky Dolphins. Pennington is deadly accurate and not easily fooled. Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Ted Ginn, there are weapons. Is it so out of the realm of possibility that the Fins can put some points on the board, even if they need to get tricky to do so? Fins defense has been anything but consistent, but these are still the Ravens and a rookie QB not half as good Matt Ryan. Flacco is going to be excellent, but Matt Ryan will be an all time great. *
(Here’s what I wrote about Joe way back on October 4, 2008.) * Joe Flacco is unflaccable. I’m coining that phrase. Arm strength, poise. Terribly impressed with this guy who no one ever thought would be starting early on in his career. Out of Delaware. He’s got a cannon, and his head and heart appear to be in the right place. He could be a top 10 QB within 5 years. You heard it here first. And when you have to do it with the Ravens’ receivers who like to be known either as Wingus and Dingus or the Mandrell sisters, that’s all the more impressive.
What Matt Ryan’s doing already is just plain silly.
Dolphins can and will win this game. This was a toss up for me, but with so many integral parts of the Ravens having attended the University of Miami or as I call it, the University of Thuggery, that tipped the scale for me. They refer to it only as "the U" because half their players couldn’t spell or pronounce it in full. All these thugs back in their old stomping grounds. They’ll be lucky if no one ends up killed or in jail. I’m sure they had some fun with their old cronies last night. I feel safe in assuming it was a better than average night for Miami area strippers.
Eagles -3 over VIKINGS
This one will not be close. Vikings and T-Jack will be flummoxed by Phili’s crazy blitzing defense. Eagles are the team hitting on all cylinders at the right time in the NFC. They will be in the Superbowl. The Giants are not the same without Plax. The Panthers are as weak a 2 seed as there has ever been. McNabb and Reid needed to feel so unappreciated that they got into "we’ll show those effers" mode and it’s working.
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