Unforgivable

NFC Championship Game

2012-01-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

I have nothing to say about the Baltimore-New England matchup other than I think New England wins 30-24 and I hope that happens. Moving on.

Giants (+2.5) at Niners

Let's start from square one here. Going into last week's Niners-Saints game, I was nervous, but I knew San Francisco could beat New Orleans. They had a defense that the Saints hadn't seen this season with 11 different ball hawks on the field at all times. They hit hard and are fundamentally sound. They were and are a great defense. But you know what?
They're a pretty good offense too. A lot has been made this season about how the 49ers ground and pound. And by the second quarter last week, I was yelling at a TV in a bar by myself at Harbaugh for not going to the run against a Saints defense that allowed five yards a carry during the year. It wasn't that I didn't have faith in Alex Smith, it's that we had a 17-point lead and we could do the one thing you want to do against Drew Brees: shorten the game. Give him fewer possessions by milking clock and he has fewer chances to hurt you; simple as that.
Well, Harbaugh didn't do that, relying on Smith to try to keep putting up points. And it didn't really work until the last few minutes of the game.
You know the rest: four touchdowns in four minutes with four lead changes. Niners 36, Saints 32.
This week, I have the same feeling as I did against New Orleans: nervous because the Giants do a lot of good things, but confident the 49ers move on to the Super Bowl. My reasons:
1) Home-field advantage. The crowd was outstanding last week, not so much in causing New Orleans' offense to false start, but more so in firing up the team. I'm sure, like me, most of those fans didn't expect getting a home game for the NFC Championship, but they are and will be even louder on Sunday.
2) The forecast. It's already begun to rain and it's supposed to on Sunday, making San Francisco's notoriously slick field that much worse. If the Giants wideouts can't get good footing on their sharp routes, their passing game will not be as explosive as people think. Throw in some wind, which the forecast calls for, and it gets worse. That means the running game will be a big factor and the 49ers have two good ones. New York does as well, but San Francisco owns the best rushing defense in the NFL, so it could be tough for them to move the ball.
3) New York's offense against San Francisco's defense. Last week wasn't exactly the Niners best game and they still forced three turnovers on defense, two on special teams. The two matchups that everyone thought would give San Fran trouble, Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles, didn't until later in the game, but the two were a handful. The Giants don't have those weapons, with Keith Ballard at tight end and Ahmad Bradshaw as their number one running back. Bradshaw is good, but he's definitely not Sproles. Also, New York has three awesome wide receivers in Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham, but San Francisco did well against the Saints' trio of Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem.
4) The 49ers already beat the Giants in San Fran. Yeah, yeah, yeah this is a different Giants team. Well guess what? They were 6-2 when they went into the Bay Area and lost in November. You could argue, and I am, that New York didn't start sliding until after that game. Sure, they were missing Michael Boley in the second half, but the 49ers played the last three quarters without Frank Gore and won in large part to Alex Smith's play.
Of course it's going to be a good game, with both teams having their moments, but I know, once again, San Francisco can win this game.
49ers 23, Giants 20

NFL Divisional Round Preview

2012-01-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

Apologies for taking some time off. I could sit here and make a bunch of excuses as to why I haven't been on here in several weeks... so I will. The holidays, work, high school winter sports and just a smidge of laziness. Oh, and I've been watching Skip Bayless talk about Tim Tebow for the last 60 days. It's a streak that has only been matched by Dan Shaughnessy spending decades talking about his cursed Boston Red Sox. Anyway, onto the matchups:

New Orleans (-4) at San Francisco.
I'm trying not to be biased with this game, but I feel really, really good about the 49ers chances of winning this game. And I have a bunch of reasons.
It's been well documented how the Saints can be a different team on the road, and the stats back it up. New Orleans' four lowest point outputs of the season have come away from the Superdome and those games were against Jacksonville (23 points), Tennessee (22 points), St. Louis (21 points) and Tampa Bay (20 points). Those teams were a combined 20-44 this season and only the Jaguars were among the top 17 in the NFL in total defense. Three of those teams (not the Buccaneers) were ranked ahead of San Francisco in passing yards allowed per game, but the Niners were frequently playing with a lead and a shutdown run defense, forcing their opponents to throw more often. Also, no NFL team was within FIFTEEN YARDS PER GAME of the 49ers rushing yards allowed per game (77.3 YPG compared to #2 Baltimore's 92.6 per game).
Did you know San Francisco has scored more points at home this season than the Saints have on the road? The Niners didn't score fewer than 20 points at home and while the schedule was a bit light, the Giants and Steelers were guests at Candlestick Park, and they possess two notoriously good defenses.
Here are the strengths of the 49ers: run defense, turnover margin, special teams (By the way, this is the most underrated aspect of this game. Drew Brees isn't marching that offense down the field on 90-yard drives five times on Saturday. The 49ers offense is good enough to score points starting around their own 40. I'm not saying this is going to happen, but it has for most of the season and if it does Saturday, San Fran wins convincingly.) and confidence/coaching. Here are the strengths for the Saints: passing, confidence/coaching, punting.
"Oh, but the Niners played in the NFC West. Their schedule was so much easier." Really? The combined record of San Francisco's opponents this season was 115-141 (counting two games against the Seahawks, Cardinals and Rams). The Saints? 113-143 (counting two games against the Falcons, Panthers and Buccaneers). Boom.
Finally, and depending on how you want to look at it, this could be a negative, but the 49ers haven't been here before. Whether that lack of experience works against them remains to be seen, but I think Jim Harbaugh will have that team ready to play and you know the players can't wait to hit the field. For New Orleans, it's somewhat business as usual. Then again, they're 0-4 on the road in the playoffs, so it's not like they have no pressure on themselves either...
The pick: 49ers 30, Saints 20

Broncos at Patriots (-13.5)
A few weeks ago, we saw the Broncos race out to a big lead at home against New England and it looked like Tebow Mania had no boundaries. Then, Tom Brady shred Denver's defense like they were a man down. After a quick 16-7 lead for the Broncos, Brady led his team to 34 of the games last 41 points to win 41-23. Denver clearly didn't have the personnel defensively to match up with Brady and his endless assortment of weapons. So what's going to be different this time around?
Nothing.
The Patriots might spot Denver a quick score, but they could spot the Broncos 20 points and not lose this game. Yeah, I know New England's defense isn't great, good or mediocre, but Bill Belichick usually has an effective defensive scheme ready and it probably won't have to be a great one to earn a blowout here. I think Denver can probably put up a few points, but if the Patriots don't score 50 in this game, I'll be surprised. Take your pick...Gronkowski, Welker, Hernandez, Branch, etc.
The pick: Patriots 54, Broncos 23

Texans at Ravens (-7.5)
The rule with the Ravens has been fairly simple this year. At home, back them. On the road, don't. Well, the Ravens are at home this weekend, where they're 8-0 on the season and have won five of those games by at least 10 points, including a 29-14 defeat of the Texans in Week 6. They're fairly healthy, whereas Houston will be without Matt Schaub and Mario Williams, who have missed the majority of the season. With T.J. Yates struggling, that leaves quite the load to handle for Arian Foster against the NFL's second-ranked run defense. I don't like that matchup for Houston.
On the other hand, the Texans' defense has been great this season and apparently, Joe Flacco is among the worst two quarterbacks in the playoffs this season. Houston is among the NFL's top four in both rushing and passing defense, so if they can find a way to handle Ray Rice, they'll be in it to the end. I like the Texans to cover, but the Ravens to advance.
The pick: Ravens 20, Texans 16

Giants at Packers (-7.5)
I think the Giants need a second bandwagon, because the first is full. Everybody is jumping on them because they beat the Atlanta Falcons at home; a Falcons team that everyone knew could beat bad teams and would lose to good or great teams. Shocking how this turned out.
Meanwhile, the 15-1 Packers lost to Kansas City and everyone thinks that they can't beat a Giants team who always falters when people believe in them? Please. Green Bay already went into the Meadowlands and beat the Giants, albeit in a close game, but now they're getting them at home, in chilly Lambeau.
The Packers might have a defense which yields a ton of yards, but they're a very opportunistic defense, leading the NFL in interceptions. Plus, many of the yards come in garbage time, which I don't expect to change on Sunday.
The pick: Packers 38, Giants 27

I just....don't...get it, do I?

2011-11-21T22:16:00.001-08:00

Great Dr. Evil title, really excited about it. Moving on.

Can somebody please give me a rational explanation as to how Justin Verlander can be named 2011 AL MVP but 1999 Pedro Martinez was only good for second? For all you wise guys, I'm not looking for "He had more voting points."

Don't get me wrong: I believe Justin Verlander deserved to be this year's Most Valuable Player. Honestly. He had a hell of a season, which we'll get to shortly. And, as a Facebook friend pointed out to me, just because they got it wrong then doesn't mean they have to get it wrong now. And I completely agree. I just want answers and I want them from the writer (or writers) who completely left Pedro off their 1999 ballots after arguably the most transcendent pitching season in the history of America's Pastime (yeah, I said it). And there was at least one writer who falls under this category. The sick thing is that George King of the New York Post was one of those writers who left Pedro off, saying pitchers didn't deserve the MVP because they're not everyday players. Yet ONE SEASON before that, King voted for not one, but TWO pitchers in his top 10: Rick Helling (Jesus Christ, seriously?) and David Wells (obviously, he was a Yankee).
Allow me to go a little deeper to really drive the point home:
Pedro in '99: 2.07 ERA
Wells in '98: 3.49 ERA
Helling in '98: 4.41 (!!) ERA

I'll save all my good stats for later.

As soon as whoever tabulates the ballots realized King did what he did, especially as a blatant Yankee homer, he should have been relieved of his duties. I just spent some time trying to discover whether King still has a vote or not, but to no avail, though some signs point to yes. I'll save those words for later and focus on the argument at hand. Aside from voter bias, why would Verlander win the MVP, but not Pedro? I know stats are flawed because you can pick and choose, so let's go primarily with the ones talked about most in the media.

Verlander: 24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250K/57BB, 0.920 WHIP, 24 HR allowed, 8.6 WAR, 6.2 H/9
Martinez: 23-4, 2.07 ERA, 313K/37BB, 0.923 WHIP, 9 HR allowed, 8.4 WAR, 6.8 H/9

Analysis: Very slight edge to Verlander in regards to wins, WHIP, WAR and H/9. Moderate edge to Martinez in ERA. Significant edge to Martinez in K/BB ratio (over 8:1 against less than 5:1) and HR allowed. Both pitchers led their teams to the playoffs. It looks to me like, head-to-head (obviously not the real-life case, but bear with me), Martinez out-duels Verlander by a moderate margin.
One more thing. I know postseason performance doesn't go into the voting and that's fine, but if you don't remember exactly how dominant Pedro was in 1999, check out his three playoff outings (he got injured in Game 1 against the Cleveland Indians, who featured Roberto Alomar and Manny Ramirez. For the record, Alomar and Ramirez tied for third in the AL MVP voting in 1999).
ALDS Game 1: 4 IP, 3H, 0R, 1BB, 3K (Sox lose 3-2)
ALDS Game 5 (In relief): 6 IP, 0H, 0R, 3BB, 8K (Sox win 12-8. That's right, he entered with the game tied 8-8 in the fourth and Cleveland wouldn't get another hit the rest of the season).
ALCS Game 3: 7 IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 12K (Sox win, against Roger Clemens, 13-1. It was their only win of the series).
Add 'em up: 17 IP, 5H, 0R, 6BB, 23K. Fighting injury. Yeah.

Oh, and remember that '99 All-Star Game at Fenway, with the Monster begging the big boppers to knock one out? True, it also doesn't go toward MVP voting, but just for fun, here's what Pedro did:
Barry Larkin, strikeout. Larry Walker (who hit .379 that season), strikeout. Sammy Sosa (who hit 63 bombs that year), strikeout. Mark McGwire (who hit 65), strikeout. Matt Williams then reached on an error. Finally, Jeff Bagwell, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play. Five Ks, six hitters.

Now for the winner in 1999 (Ivan Rodriguez) compared to 2011's runner-up (Jacoby Ellsbury).

[Before I continue, please don't confuse this blog as a pitch for Ellsbury winning this year. If I had a vote, I'd have voted for Verlander. Also, I would have voted for Martinez in 1999. As a 14-year-old.]

Rodriguez: .332 BA, .356 OBP, 29 doubles, 1 triple, 35 homers, 113 RBI, 116 runs, 25 SB, 335 TB, 6.9 WAR, 7 Errors, 20.0 Fielding Rating.
Ellsbury: .321 BA, .376 OBP, 46 doubles, 5 triples, 32 homers, 105 RBI, 119 runs 38 SB, 364 TB, 7.2 WAR, 0 Errors, 15.6 Fielding Rating.

Analysis: Fielding wise, it's tough to say simply because Ellsbury plays a position which lends itself to fewer errors than the catching position (though he didn't commit an error and won a Gold Glove). Rodriguez was renowned for his uncanny ability to throw out base stealers, so I'm willing to concede a moderate edge to Rodriguez. (By the way, I realize this is incredibly abstract, but good luck explaining why I'm doing a worse job than the BBWAA). Rodriguez has a slight/moderate edge in batting average and slight edges in homers and RBIs. Ellsbury has a significant edge in stolen bases, doubles and total bases (OK, they go hand in hand to a certain point), a slight/moderate edge in triples and a slight edge in WAR. I think here, you could make a decent case for either to have had the better season. However, Pudge made the playoffs, Ellsbury didn't.

So, assuming you agree with what I've written (here's hoping), Pedro had a better year than Verlander. Verlander, via winning the 2011 AL MVP, had a better season than Ellsbury. And Rodriguez falls somewhere between Verlander and Ellsbury. In any event, Pedro is tops. Of course.

I understand it's a lot of stats to digest and probably a lot of convolution to go along with them, but it should have been crystal clear to voters in 1999 that Pedro was the best player in the league. Perhaps the best argument for a starting pitcher is that they have a bigger impact throughout the course of a season than position players, fielding notwithstanding. In '99, Pudge faced pitchers 630 times. Martinez faced hitters 835 times. In 2011, Ellsbury faced pitchers 729 times. Verlander faced hitters 969 times. But hey, everyday players are more important, right?

Nevertheless, what's done is done. Pedro won't retroactively win the '99 AL MVP (barring a steroids scandal that tops the Canseco/Greenwell debate).
But good can come out of this. The baseball writer who refused to cast a vote for a pitcher in 1999, yet decided to do so in 2011 should have his privileges revoked. The one thing people seem to want out of the award system is consistency and set guidelines for who, exactly, is MVP during a given season. That's what the award is all about. Unfortunately, there is at least one individual who has not been able to grasp that concept.

Week 11 Picks

2011-11-19T15:19:00.001-08:00

Well, thanks to this guy here, I'm Tebow and one (see what I did there?) with my week 11 picks already. How dare I think that supposedly one of the NFL's best defenses could shut down a guy who completed two passes in week 10. My bad.

Nevertheless, the show must go on. I'm back to my strategy from two weeks ago of making my picks based on where I thought the line would be after my worst week of the season.

Buffalo (+2.5) vs MIAMI
My favorite AFC team this year is quickly spiraling out of playoff contention, while the Dolphins are on a 2-game winning streak, something not seen in South Beach since Lebron's talents were taken there. Yet, I feel really good about this game. The Bills are due for a bounce-back game and Miami is due for a loss, albeit a close one. This is a game Buffalo has to have if they're going to stay alive in the playoff race and I think they know it.
Bills 27, Dolphins 16

Cincinnati (+7.5) vs BALTIMORE
I feel worse about this game than I did after sitting through an episode of The Big Bang Theory. I just want it to be over so bad so I can chalk up my L and move on.
What I don't get is how Joe Flacco can look so good one game and so much like Joey Harrington the next. There's no consistency with him at all. Good against a great Steelers defense, awful against a mediocre Seahawks defense. Flip a coin and hope for the best. I'm thinking he calls it wrong against a decent Bengals D, but he still finds a way to win.
Baltimore 20, Cincinnati 13

Jacksonville vs CLEVELAND (+0.5)
I can't think of anything less interesting to do on a Sunday than watch the Jaguars travel to face the Browns. So let me take a moment to talk about a new thing I've noticed in football.
I've watched both pro and college football since I was growing up. Never before this season have I heard of the "victory formation." I understand what it is (lining up to take a knee, ending the game) but is this a new thing? NFL Red Zone's Scott Hanson says it during nearly every game and the announcers for the Washington-Oregon St. game just dropped it. What was wrong with "So-and-so lines up, takes a knee and that will do it?"
Browns 17, Jaguars 13

Dallas vs WASHINGTON (+7.5)
The Cowboys looked way too good last week and the Redskins usually find a way to play them tough. To be honest, I have no idea who starts between John Beck and Rex Grossman, but either way, I like the defense to keep it somewhat close in this rivalry game. Count on at least two interceptions from Tony Romo.
Cowboys 24, Redskins 20

Carolina vs DETROIT (-6.5)
I know Matthew Stafford has a broken finger on his throwing hand and I know the Lions don't have a running back that has done anything this season, but I also know that they're playing Carolina and the Panthers are terrible. Cam Newton was transcendent in his first few games in the NFL, but he hasn't done much since. The Lions have to have this one and the crowd in Detroit will be ready to rattle the rookie QB.
Lions 34, Panthers 16

Tampa Bay (+14.5) vs GREEN BAY
Tampa is bad, but over two touchdown underdogs? I find that hard to believe, especially considering I'm still not buying the Packers D. The Bucs will be able to move the ball enough to keep the game close and I don't expect the defense to be as absent as it was for the trouncing they received from the 49ers. I just really wish this game was in Florida instead of Wisconsin...
Packers 36, Buccaneers 23

Oakland (+1.5) vs MINNESOTA
How many things go into trying to make sense of THIS game, you ask? Well, a lot.
Minnesota: Getting routinely destroyed lately, but against good teams. Lost to Kansas City. Play well at home. Can't stop the pass.
Oakland: Carson Palmer. Beat Houston. Lost to Kansas City by 28. Beat the Jets. Lost to Denver by 14. Carson Palmer. Good on the road. Carson Palmer.
I'll take the point and a half. I guess.
Raiders 24, Vikings 21.

Seattle vs ST. LOUIS (-2.5)
Hey, it's another game nobody outside of these cities will want to watch! This has Seattle scoring 10 points or fewer written all over it. Call it a hunch and a really good one at that.
Rams 20, Seahawks 9

Arizona (+9.5) vs SAN FRANCISCO
You know me and how I love my 49ers. But I have to stick with the system here. I think the Niners will win this game and with little trouble and I also think Arizona is good for a late touchdown, just to cover. The one thing I'm really interested in is how Jake Skelton (I think that's his name, but like The Rock would say, it doesn't matter what his name is) matches up against San Francisco. He's really thrown the ball well lately, but against the Rams and Eagles, that's not exactly shocking.
49ers 24, Cardinals 16.

Tennessee (+6.5) vs ATLANTA
The way the NFL has gone, nobody not named the Packers, 49ers or Colts have really played consistently this season. That's why I'm terrified of this game this week. Tennessee looked awesome against Carolina, but A) It's Carolina and B) when they don't play the Panthers, all bets are off. Atlanta, meanwhile, has gone loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, win, win, loss.
So really, all I'm asking for here is for these two teams to play like they did last week. One time. Please.
Falcons 27, Titans 23

San Diego vs CHICAGO (-3.5)
Everybody has been saying it all week, but the cold, soft California team is going on the road to face a hot, tough Midwestern team. Everything about this game screams blowout. If you're a fantasy football player and have the Bears defense, you probably have already won. Expect somewhere between three and six turnovers, at least one of which will be returned for a touchdown.
Bears 33, Chargers 10

Philadelphia vs NY GIANTS (-3.5)
I made this pick even before Michael Vick was ruled out and I stand behind it a lot more with Vince Young playing. Young is like Vick, except he's worse at throwing, worse at running and worse at killing dogs. Two of those three things aren't good if you're trying to beat a team that came into your house earlier this season and beat you by 13. And the third, while good, probably won't help you much.
Giants 31, Eagles 20

Kansas City (+14.5) vs NEW ENGLAND
Tyler Palko. Or Balko. Or whatever it is. Anyway, there's worse defenses for someone whose name nobody knows to go up against than the Patriots' D. And that's way too many points for a team to lay when they're only really good on one side of the ball.
Patriots 30, Chiefs 19

Week 10 Picks

2011-11-10T16:51:00.001-08:00

The Thursday night game between Oakland and San Diego begins in 20 minutes from the time I'm writing this sentence, so chances are these picks will be up after the game. (Go Chargers!)
Last week, I did something different with my picks, trusting my gut feelings for each game and betting the lines accordingly. And guess what... I went 9-for-14. I'm back!
Unfortunately, I won't be doing the same thing this week. Gonna implement a different strategy. A good friend of mine and Brandon's, Colin, is visiting and I ran this week's games by him last night. We agreed on most and the few we didn't see eye to eye on, went his way. So with that said, here we go...

Oakland vs SAN DIEGO (-6.5)
If one of Jason Campbell or Darren McFadden were playing in this game, I'd have the Raiders covering. If both were playing, they'd win outright (like they did in both games against the Chargers last season). But with McFadden out and Carson Palmer (who's making Tim Tebow look like a Hall of Famer) in, this game shouldn't, and won't, be close.
Also, because it's my blog and I feel like it, I'm going to predict exact scores. That way, if I ever hit one on the nose, I can gloat about it. And ignore those who tell me about the ones I don't just miss, but butcher.
Chargers 33, Raiders 17.

New Orleans vs ATLANTA (+0.5)
I've said it before, I'll say it again and I said it on the Leader Sports Report (shameless plug): the Saints are mediocre. The offense is really good, but can be stopped (by the Rams) and isn't close to the same level of the Green Bay offense. The defense is awful. And this game probably means more to the Falcons because it's in their backyard and they need it more to stay in the NFC South race than the Saints do.
Falcons 31, Saints 24.

Buffalo (+5.5) vs DALLAS
No, Bills!!!! You're my AFC horse! You can't lose home games like that to the J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! But you did and it was close for a while only because you were playing Mark Sanchez.
This is a great chance to move to 6-3, however. The Cowboys are struggling, looking inept against the lowly Seattle Seahawks. That was a game in which everyone expected them to bounce back after their embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas makes a habit of playing close games against teams who aren't renting the cellar of the NFC West, so either way, it won't be a blowout. Come on, Buffalo!
Bills 30, Cowboys 28.

Pittsburgh vs CINCINNATI (+3.5)
I have several friends who are diehard Steelers fans. If you're one of those reading this, do yourself a favor and skip to the next game because I have nothing nice to say about the black and yellow.
I hate the Steelers now. I rode an 8-game win streak on ESPN's Streak for the Cash into last Sunday night's Ravens-Steelers tilt. I know the Ravens destroyed Pittsburgh in Week 1, but it was Week 1, so discount it a bit, especially since these teams always play close games.
Pittsburgh had every chance to win that game, despite not being able to do anything on 3rd down defense. Even after Ben Roethlisberger tried throwing a touchdown pass to Terrell Suggs, the Steelers still had the lead and the ball late.
But that "vaunted defense" rolled over like a cute puppy and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory (love that saying, it's so insulting). Thrown out the window was my streak, my faith in the Steelers and, later that night, Roethlisberger's date. Unforgivable.
Oh, the Bengals might actually be good too, but this is their first of four tests against the AFC North juggernauts. It's at home, which should help their chances, but I don't know yet if they can win outright. I hope they do.
Steelers 16, Bengals 9.

St. Louis vs CLEVELAND (-2.5)
Trying to figure out whether there will be more points scored in this game or more people watching the game. Really, it's a coinflip. For the record, I liked the Rams here, Colin didn't. But home field advantage can sway me.
Browns 17, Rams 13.

Denver vs KANSAS CITY (-3.5)
Two things you can be sure of: The Broncos (and ~~Praymaker~~ Playmaker Tim Tebow) aren't as good as they looked and the Chiefs aren't as bad as they looked. Also, you know how these AFC West tilts go. Hard fought and nasty. The Chiefs will be in a nasty mood and it'll show.
Chiefs 37, Broncos 19.

Sidenote: Chargers up 3-0 five minutes in. Only 3.5 more points to go!

Tennessee (+2.5) vs CAROLINA
Another game Colin and I disagreed on, though he was quite adamant Tennessee wins this game. Their best chance will be to put the ball in Chris Johnson's hands (yes, I said it!). I don't know necessarily about their run defense, but I do know that they allow the most fantasy football points to opposing running backs, so that can't be good. The Titans can't really stop the run either and are middle of the pack against the pass, so expect a big game from Cam Newton.
This might be the most surprising score I predict, but I think we're looking at a shootout here. I might as well prepare for the onslaught of fun that will be made at my expense in a few days.
Titans 38, Panthers 34

Jacksonville (-2.5) vs INDIANAPOLIS
Whenever you see the Colts in a game for the rest of the season, take the other team, regardless of the line, unless Indy's playing their practice squad.
Jaguars 27, Colts 13

Washington (+3.5) vs MIAMI
Colin and I didn't agree here either. Maybe I should take it easy with Miami a bit, but I think they're flat out better than the Redskins. I know the Fins are shaky at home, but the Skins are shaky everywhere.
Dolphins 21, Redskins 20

Arizona (+13.5) vs PHILADELPHIA
I think it's safe to say the Eagles are not good. They can play offense, but that offense can be stopped by a good defense (which Arizona doesn't have). The defense is so bad, however, that Kevin Kolb might throw for 200 yards on Sunday. The game won't be very close for the first three quarters, but the Cards can score a bit late to cover. By a half a point.
Eagles 36, Cardinals 23.

Sidenote: Just had dinner, so we're later into this Thursday Night game. Michael Bush rumbled in for the Raiders, 7-3 silver and black.

Houston (-3.5) vs TAMPA BAY
I know Tampa Bay isn't exactly Green Bay, but I think this is the tough task Houston needs to prove they're legit. A road test against an NFC South contender will be a good indicator of where Houston stands. Good teams win these games. OK teams lose them by a possession. Bad teams get rocked by 20. We'll know after this game which of the first two categories the Texans fall under.
Texans 23, Bucs 16.

Baltimore (-7.5) vs SEATTLE
Speaking of bad teams, how's it going, Seahawks?! Hey, you hung in there with the Cowboys, I'll give you that much. And for some reason, you play well at home (maybe it's all that fake stadium noise they pump in there to draw false start flags).
But I wouldn't get any ideas of doing what Arizona almost did a couple weeks ago. Or what Jacksonville did earlier this season. You're going down, hard.
Ravens 27, Seahawks 6.

Detroit (+2.5) vs CHICAGO
You think Vegas is making a big deal of the Bears beating the Eagles on the road this Monday? Uh, absolutely they are. And that's weird, because the Bears' opponent's combined record in Chicago's five wins is 16-24. In their three losses, their opponent's records are a combined 20-5. So you're telling me they can beat bad teams, but can't beat good teams? But I don't understand...
Also, Detroit's had two weeks to get ready for this game and I love bye week teams.
Lions 31, Bears 20.

Sidenote: Field goal Oakland, 10-3. This is going exactly how I planned it. I just need San Diego to outscore the Raiders 30-7 from this point on. Sigh...

NY Giants vs SAN FRANCISCO (-3.5)
I know people seem to think this will be a hangover game for the G-Men after their big win against the Patriots, but I'd be shocked if they weren't amped for a 7-1 team. That being said, the 49ers are just better than the Giants. Their coaching is better, the defense is better. Hell, even the offenses are pretty much a wash, considering the Niners have a better rushing attack and don't turn the ball over, while New York can put up big plays more often. It's another big test for the 49ers, let's see what they're made of.
49ers 23, Giants 17.

New England vs NY JETS (-1.5)
The Patriots aren't great at anything anymore. Like with any quarterback, if you can pressure Tom Brady, you can force him into bad throws. The defense can't really make plays and the Law Offices of BenJarvus Green-Ellis (sorry, Bill Simmons, it's too good) might be closed this Sunday.
Meanwhile, you know what you're getting from the Jets more often than not. They can't really move the ball a whole lot, but they'll make sure you don't either.
I have a feeling the Jets are going to come out hungrier. Especially Rex Ryan, because he...well...you know...
Jets 24, Patriots 20

Minnesota (+13.5) vs GREEN BAY
The method of thinking is that home field is "worth three points." Well in Minnesota, the Packers won by six. Take away the Vikings' three points from their first meeting and give them to Green Bay and the Pack should win by 12. Thanks for the one-point safety net!
Packers 36, Vikings 24

Sidenote: Touchdown Raiders, 17-3. Might have to go back to the way I did things last week. I had San Diego -5.5, thus would have taken the Raiders. Dang it.

One more thing: I know not many people read this, but if you ever want to contribute or have your picks posted or whatever, let me know. That way, four people can read two sets of picks.

Week 9 Picks

2011-11-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty awesome, so I'm not used to failure. I had a GPA well north of 3 throughout high school and college. I bowl well. I know how to work a VCR. My Monster Bash skills are immaculate.
So during the last two weeks of NFL picks when I've struggled mightily, I had to look in the mirror and examine what I could do differently to turn my failures into successes, so that my four readers don't abandon my blog.

Well, I came up with a new game plan. Just call me Dick Lebeau. Anyway, every week, I guess the lines with Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal, seeing how I match up with two great football minds. Well, I never win, but I always manage to steal a few of the closest guesses.
So this week, I decided to guess the lines with the guys. But I decided that I'd pick my games based strictly on where I thought the lines would be. If I thought Pittsburgh would be favored over Baltimore by 2.5 and they were actually favored by 3.5 (which is all true), I'd pick Baltimore, since the Ravens were getting an extra point over what I thought the line would be. Conversely, if I thought Atlanta would be favored at Indianapolis by 7.5 and they only had to give 7 (which is also true), I'd take the Falcons. I only hit two games dead on (Miami @ KC, St. Louis @ Arizona) so, technically, I only had to make two real picks. Also, I did stray from my newfound rule for one game. You'll know why when I get there. Onto the picks....

Home team in CAPS

San Francisco (-3.5) vs WASHINGTON

Where I thought the line would be: SF -5.5.
I'm a little surprised by this line, but in a good way. I get to pick my 49ers, who only have to give 3.5 going on the road. Maybe Vegas thinks San Fran will struggle going west coast to east coast for an early morning game, but they've already done it twice this season, beating Cincinnati and Detroit, both by more than 3.5. Both of those teams are better than the Redskins and the way Washington is playing, they should be lucky to get to double digits. After all, they did just get shut out by one of the NFL's worst defenses in the Buffalo Bills.

NY Jets vs BUFFALO (-1.5)

Where I thought the line would be: Buffalo -3.
The general rule of thumb is that if you're at home, you "give 3 points." So, I figured that the Bills and Jets were pretty evenly-matched teams and the Bills, being at home, would be 3-point favorites. Apparently, Vegas thinks the Jets are a point and a half better than Buffalo. Um, no.
Buffalo's offense will challenge the Jets' defense and the Bills' defense, coming off the aforementioned shutout of Washington, should be equipped to slow down Mark Sanchez, at least a bit. I really hope that, after this game, the Bills get some respect from America, because they're good enough to deserve it.

Seattle vs DALLAS (-13)

Where I thought the line would be: Dallas - 10.5.
This is the one game I went against my theory on, but for obvious reasons. The Cowboys destroy bad teams and are going to be looking to make a statement after being embarrassed by division rival Philadelphia. Since my SCLotW is 0-3, I can't officially make this the SCLotW, but I'm making it the SCLotW. I mean, did you see Seattle last week?

Atlanta (-7) vs INDIANAPOLIS

Where I thought the line would be: Atlanta -7.5.
For the record, the line moved to -7.5 by the time I picked the Falcons, but it opened at 7, so I'm sticking by my guns here. Indy is just so bad. If they can't be within 17 of the Titans, how do I think they'll be within 7.5 of a team twice as good as Tennessee?
At the same time, Atlanta seems to be playing better ball and the NFC South door is wide open after the Saints' bad loss to the Rams. This game shouldn't be that close.

Miami (+5.5) vs KANSAS CITY

Where I thought the line would be: KC -5.5.
This was one of my two coin flips, but since the line has moved to KC -6.5 after the Chiefs squeaked by the Chargers, I had to take the extra point. Am I worried that this line is so low because the Dolphins looked so good against the Giants? Absolutely. The Giants aren't that good. Hell, they might not even be regular good. But I have to stick to my convictions. I'm 95% sure Matt Moore is throwing 3 INTs in this game and Miami will lose 31-6, but I need to see this thing through. And I'm sure it'll end like the guy who saw the thing through in Super Size Me.

Tampa Bay (+8) vs NEW ORLEANS

Where I thought the line would be: NO -6.
Even if the line was Saints -4, I'd probably have abandoned my rule to pick the Bucs. These two always play pretty close games, the Saints have been noticeably bad since Sean Payton became the man upstairs (the Colts game doesn't count) and Tampa has had two weeks to get ready. I know New Orleans will be pissed, but I think it'll wear off early and we'll see a close game.

Cleveland (+10.5) vs HOUSTON

Where I thought the line would be: Houston -7.5.
This was the game I missed by the most, pretty much because even after following the Browns-49ers game, I have no idea what to make of Cleveland. And, much like the rest of America, I have no idea what to make of Houston (don't pretend like you do). Nothing outside of a Browns win would surprise me here. Texans by a field goal? I buy it. Texans by 30? Sure, I can see it. I will say one thing: Cleveland's defense is underrated. Hopefully we see that on Sunday.

Cincinnati (+3) vs TENNESSEE

Where I thought the line would be: Tennessee -1.
Remember that rule about home teams getting 3 points? This line basically says the 5-2 Bengals and 4-3 Titans are a push. Except they're not. Cincinnati is noticeably better. They can move the ball and play defense. The Titans can move the ball and play defense...against the Colts.

Denver (+8) vs OAKLAND

Where I thought the line would be: Oakland -5.5.
Tim Tebow isn't a great NFL quarterback. He isn't a good NFL quarterback. He isn't a mediocre quarterback. He isn't a bad quarterback. He's an awful quarterback. And yet, he's much, much better than Carson Palmer. I wouldn't give 8 points with Carson Palmer if they were playing the Denver Nuggets defense.

NY Giants (+9) vs NEW ENGLAND

Where I thought the line would be: NE -8.

You know what makes me sick? Betting on the Giants under any circumstances, but especially these. However, like I said earlier, I have to see this thing through. You think the Patriots want revenge from the 2008 Super Bowl? You think they want to get the taste out of their mouths from the Steelers loss? You think the Giants defense who got diced by Matt Moore for an entire half can stop Tom Brady? Me neither, but I'm hoping Eli Manning can step up to the plate against a terrible defense and at least make a shootout out of this matchup.

St. Louis vs ARIZONA (-4.5)

Where I thought the line would be: Arizona -4.5.

St. Louis looked too good. Arizona didn't look good at all. Don't be fooled by the score of that Ravens game. I'm pretty sure Joe Flacco was wondering how big a hole his team could dig by halftime and still win that game. He didn't do a great job... it only took until the first play of the fourth quarter for Baltimore to overcome a 21-point deficit.
But playing at home will be enough for Arizona in a matchup of 1-win NFC West teams. I didn't intentionally make this description as bad as this game will be, but it works, right?

Green Bay vs SAN DIEGO (+5.5)

Where I thought this line would be: GB -2.5.
Upset Special! San Diego 38, Green Bay 34. Not that New England did in 2008, but Green Bay doesn't have a good enough defense for an undefeated season. What better time to lose than to the Chargers who, while not great, are good enough to pull off this win. San Diego usually plays a lot better at home than on the road (more breaking news, grass is green). Call me crazy, but I have a sneaky feeling about this one.

Baltimore (+3.5) vs PITTSBURGH
Where I thought this line would be: Pitt -2.5.
The Ravens, while struggling a bit, destroyed the Steelers two months ago, but more often than not, you know you're getting a close game between these two teams. If a field goal decides it, I can't go wrong.

Chicago (+7) vs PHILADELPHIA
Where I thought this line would be: Philadelphia -6.
I probably can't name six Chicago Bears. Yet, I'm gonna go with them. The Bears have had two weeks to come up with a game plan for Michael Vick. They might have wanted to spend the two weeks preparing for LeSean McCoy, but I'm putting my faith in Brian Urlacher, even though any other week, I'd have picked the Eagles. They're clearly hitting their stride.

Week 8 picks

2011-10-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry. To the four of you who read these (and I probably already apologized to), please allow me to explain my 4/13 showing.
As always, I like to have a drink or two when I sit down to do this. As you get later in the picks, you'll see my St. Louis/Dallas and Indy/New Orleans gems. Thanks, Kokanee. Two down, seven to go.
Pardon me for the reigning Super Bowl champions not being able to beat a 1-5 team starting a rookie QB by more than nine and the Ravens laying a stinkbomb on Monday Night Football against a 1-5 team starting a rookie QB. Four down, five to go.
I didn't know Bears-Bucs were playing in London. That's completely on me, but had I known, who knows? Five down, four to go.
The Redskins weren't starting Rex Grossman. What was I supposed to do? Six down, three to go.
A 5-1 team at home against a 3-3 team. I'm not taking it back. Seven down, two to go.
As for the other two games (KC/Oakland, Houston/Tennessee) well, those are entirely on me.
This week, I'm currently on beer one, nobody is playing on another continent and I'm another week wiser, with the fullest of intentions to redeem myself. Here we go.

Home team in caps.

Indianapolis vs TENNESSEE (-9.5)

The battle of the two most underwhelming performances of Week 7! Indy needs to lose out to have a shot at Andrew Luck, a great successor to Peyton Manning with conceivable Favre/Rodgers parallels. The Titans can't lose if they want to stay in the AFC South race. Plus, the Colts' run defense is notoriously bad and Chris Johnson is so past due, he's getting collection notices. Also, Indy gave up 62 points last week, making Tennessee's 41 allowed look stingy.

New Orleans (-10.5) vs ST. LOUIS

To be honest, I still don't think the Saints are that good. I just think Indy's that bad, as evidenced by me taking 9.5 from a team that lost by 34 at home last week. Meanwhile, the Rams are also co-front runners for Mr. Luck. Now, I don't think they'll get him (or even want him... Sam Bradford is still decent), but I still don't see them being competitive here. Worst-case scenario, Saints-Cowboys are virtually a push. Dallas beat the Rams by about 91 last week, so take 3.5 on each side of the home-and-home tradeoff for St. Louis and New Orleans could still lay about 84 to the Rams and cover.

Miami (+9.5) vs NY GIANTS

I'm not falling for it again, Eli Manning. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. You screwed over my survivor pool against Seattle, I won't let you make me look bad again.
I'm probably about four days from regretting this, but we'll see. The Giants are like the Montreal Canadiens. If I pick them, they'll lose and vice versa. But here's the deal.
New York's next six weeks after Miami: at New England, at San Francisco, Philadelphia, at New Orleans, Green Bay, at Dallas. Wow. Pretty easy to overlook Miami with that on deck.

Minnesota vs CAROLINA (-3.5)

The Panthers are better than the Vikings. The only thing they have to do (obviously easier said than done) is slow down Adrian Peterson. And maybe Jared Allen.
Minnesota's job is to slow down Cam Newton, something that hasn't really been done yet. Oh, and the Viking secondary could use a few more guys with their ability to stop teams from passing on them.

Arizona vs BALTIMORE (-12.5)

Don't screw me over again, Ravens. This is your chance to make a New Orleans/Indy type statement.
Because of my logic hanging me out to dry, I'm retiring my Stone Cold Lock of the Week after back-to-back losses. But the logic still works here:
Kevin Kolb isn't getting Arizona to more than, say, 13 points, but it'll probably be closer to six.
Can Baltimore put up about 26 on Arizona's defense. Yes, the Orioles can.

Jacksonville (+9.5) vs HOUSTON

Like New Orleans, the Texans aren't that good. I don't know how their game against the Titans happened.
But Jacksonville might not be awful. And that's a lot of points to give to a not-awful team. The team played inspired ball against Pittsburgh and Baltimore and doing so against Houston easily puts them in line to cover, if not win outright. I'm counting on an inspired Jags team.

Washington vs BUFFALO (-5.5)

It's a good thing the Redskins can't play offense, because the Bills can't play defense. John Beck, Rex Grossman, Chris Weinke, it doesn't matter this week. No Santana Moss, no Tim Hightower. Oh, and Buffalo's offense is pretty good. I think you could double this line and I'd still jump on it. I'd call it the SCLotW, but Washington would win 33-24, so... I won't.

Detroit (-3.5) vs DENVER

OK, America, you can put away your Tebowners anytime now. Why is everyone going crazy for Tim Tebow? Sure, he's fun to watch and it's interesting to see 11 guys huddle to pray instead of call plays, but you realize he had 24 passing yards at one point in the third quarter against the same team that gave up 500 something to Tom Brady, right? And it took his team 57 minutes to score against one of the three worst teams in the NFL? And you'd be hard pressed to name two other starting Denver Bronco offensive players without looking it up? And Detroit was undefeated before two tough losses to pretty good teams?

Cincinnati vs SEATTLE (+2.5)

My favorite part of last week might have been picking the Seahawks to cover 3.5 points (which they did) and still losing (which they also did) in what can only be described as "The Worst Game of the 2011 Season." Cleveland's 6-3 win was highlighted by something, but I don't remember what it was. It may have been a nine-yard rush, I'm not sure.
That being said, Seattle is always better at home. Their fans are amazing (yeah, I'll admit it). They're like a bobo doll. Keep knocking it down, it's getting back up. Sonics, see ya. Mariners, awful since 2001. Seahawks, lost their only Super Bowl appearance since their inception in 1976.
Cincy is good, but definitely a one score, if not one point, game. Come on, Bengals, 14-13!!!!

Cleveland vs SAN FRANCISCO (-9.5)

I'm done betting against my 49ers until they give me a reason to. Jim Harbaugh has had two weeks to get ready for the Browns, who put up six points at home against the Seahawks. I really hope the Niners do what really good teams do in situations like this: win 34-6 or something.

New England (-2.5) vs PITTSBURGH

Two weeks to prepare for a 5-2 Steelers team that has played like it should be 3-4. I like it.
Pittsburgh has struggled with the Pats recently, including a 39-26 loss at home last season (when they went to the Super Bowl). The Patriots are better than they were last season, Pittsburgh isn't. The end.

Dallas (+3.5) vs PHILADELPHIA

Make or break week for the Eagles. They've already lost to the Giants at home, they're a game behind Dallas and two behind New York. Philadelphia has had two weeks to get ready for Rob Ryan's blitzes and aggressive defense, but an always-fragile Michael Vick is just one hit away from leaving the game.
Meanwhile, the Cowboy offense is thriving on momentum gained from throttling the Rams and shouldn't really take a step back against a mediocre Eagle defense. If it's a shootout, Philly might escape with a W, but a few stops against Vick and it could turn into a bit of a rout for Dallas.

San Diego vs KANSAS CITY (+3.5)

I got sucked into the Chiefs being awful thanks to getting annihilated against the Bills and Lions in the first two weeks, then scraping by against the Colts. They've been better recently, evidenced by a shellacking of a Raiders team missing Jason Campbell (oooooh). These teams already met (Week 3, following those aforementioned blowouts) and San Diego escaped with a three-point home victory. Granted the Chargers play poorly in September, but remember: The Chiefs won the AFC West last season. And despite their rough start, KC is only a game out of first place. If they win this game, it's a new season halfway through.
If nothing else, it's gonna be close. But I think the Chiefs want it more. Plus, I'm still not sold on Philip Rivers. Chiefs 30, Chargers 24.

Week 7 Picks

2011-10-22T00:36:00.000-07:00

I didn't do too bad with my debut picks column. To be fair, I gave myself five weeks to analyze the NFL so I didn't come out here on the first week and hit five of 16 games.
Actually, I've been solid this season. On ESPN, I have yet to (knock on wood) be below average for a single week of all entries.
I am ashamed, however, of last week's Stone Cold Lock of the Week.

Don't get me wrong, it looked great when Pittsburgh stormed out to a 17-0 lead before halftime. All they had to do by that point was not get outscored by a terrible Jaguars team at home by more than five points.
Well, they did. You know why? Not because Jacksonville is scrappy or semi-talented, but because Pittsburgh's run of success is all but over. A playoff team this year? Maybe. But they don't have a shot at the AFC North. That distinction goes to this week's Stone Cold Lock of the Week.

Home Team in Caps

Atlanta vs DETROIT (-3.5)

For some reason, everyone is jumping on the Atlanta bandwagon this week. Upset special is being thrown around more than the football in the Lions' offense. Maybe it's because the Falcons covered against the Panthers while Detroit fell at home to my 49ers.
Well, the Falcons' only win away from Georgia this season was a squeaker over the Seattle Seahawks. Atlanta's pass defense is ranked 27th of 32 teams and if the Lions are good, they'll respond in a big way after their first loss in nearly a year. I think Detroit is still legit.

Chicago vs TAMPA BAY (+0.5)

I haven't figured out why the Bears are favored this week. It could be a letdown game for the Bucs, I guess. Sure, Chicago just walloped the Minnesota Vikings, but that's because they're the Minnesota Vikings.
Tampa's 4-2 and while their wins aren't that impressive, they're wins (yes, you come here for that kind of insight). They're just as well off, if not better with Earnest Graham than LeGarrett Blount (5.5 to 4.3 yards per carry) and are tied for the NFC South lead. They need games like this and they know it. And they'll get it because, especially at home, they're better than Da Bears.

Seattle (+3.5) vs CLEVELAND

I don't even really want to talk about this game. It's going to be the worst game of the week and that's saying something with some of the other clunkers on the docket (especially the next one). I'm completely hoping (pick-wise, not real-life wise because I want Gabe to buy all-expenses paid to Qwest next season) that the 'Hawks play like they did against the Giants. You know, where Tarvaris Jackson goes out and Charlie Whitehurst comes in. Yeah, that's the one.
As far as the Browns go, well, I have to be honest. I've seen them run about three plays this season and one was a recovered onsides kick. That can't be good.

Denver (+3.5) vs MIAMI

How many reasons can I come up with in two minutes? Waiting for 12:07am to hit. And GO!
1) Miami is awful at home. 2) They are easily the front-runners for Andrew Luck and need him the most. 3) Their quarterback is Matt Moore, who might double as the Tampa Bay Rays Matt Moore. 4) Reggie Bush will probably spend the first half recording another Pizza Hut commercial. 5) Tim Tebow > Kyle Orton. 6) Denver's defense isn't as bad as you think. 7) Tony Sparano vs John Fox (scratch that) 7) TIME!
Not bad. As far as point six goes, they've given up 49 to Green Bay and 29 to San Diego. I also missed point 8) The Broncos are coming off a bye. And have had two weeks to prepare for point 3.

Houston vs TENNESSEE (-3.5)

I know it's been beaten to death, but "Where have we seen this Houston thing before?" You know, where they start awesome and then stagger the rest of the way. Oh, that's right, both of the last two seasons. Well, it's happening before our eyes in 2011 and it's just going to be worse with Andre Johnson missing time and Mario Williams missing a lot more.
Meanwhile, Tennessee is good. I wouldn't say great, but their offense is borderline dangerous (Chris Johnson is about to get it going, possibly this week), Matt Hasselbeck has been really good (he's third in Total Quarterback Rating behind only Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady) and their defense is top 12 in both rushing and passing defense.

San Diego vs NY JETS (+1.5)

If I had to pick one game I don't feel good about, it'd be this one. The Chargers have had two weeks to get ready, the Jets have been underwhelming (Did you see what their offense did against the Dolphins? You did if you weren't watching the game.), and it isn't September, so San Diego is probably good by now.
But I still believe in Rex Ryan. Especially Rex Ryan versus Norv Turner.
Oh, and I also believe in Darrell Revis.

Washington (+2.5) vs CAROLINA

I have no idea on this, but by Week 7, when was the last time a team with a winning record was an underdog against a team 1-5 or worse?
Well, this is the case here. And until normal, Rex Grossman-like circumstances, I'd probably take the Panthers. But Washington's defense is really good and Cam Newton is really prone to throwing the ball to players on the other team (tied with, who else, Grossman, for the NFL lead with nine interceptions).
Meanwhile, some people (maybe just me, who knows?) thought John Beck would start the season as the Skins' number one QB. Well, it's about six weeks late, but he's gonna get his chance. He can't be worse than Rex, right? Right?

Kansas City vs OAKLAND (-3.5)

I know Oakland's options at QB aren't that great. Or good. Or mediocre. But it doesn't matter because this game will boil down to Darren McFadden against the KC run defense (21st in the NFL). Plus, it's a home game within the division (Oakland was 6-0 vs the AFC West in 2010, even though KC won the division) and the Raiders are still playing for Al Davis. And he's looking up at them, smiling. (That's a joke, super-sensitive people).

Pittsburgh (-3.5) vs ARIZONA

Sigh...I really hope the Steelers barely beating Jacksonville at home last week was a fluke, but they actually might not be that good. Fortunately, the Cardinals are terrible. The matchup to watch is the Steelers 1st-ranked pass defense against Kevin Kolb. Should be a pretty good showing if there's another Kevin Kolb who's actually good at being an NFL quarterback. Or if Kevin Kolb and Tom Brady switched names.
The biggest thing to worry about here is that Pittsburgh goes to face the real Tom Brady next week, which the Steelers are probably looking forward to already. The good news is that, once again, the Cardinals are terrible.

St. Louis (+12.5) vs DALLAS

I haven't quite figured out how the Rams are going to move the ball in this one. They're in the bottom third of the league in rush and pass offense, while Dallas is number one in rushing defense and in the top half of the league in passing defense. Also, Rob Ryan loves to blitz and Sam Bradford is still young and prone to mistakes. So... maybe special teams? Maybe Tony Romo will screw up a few times? I don't know. I just know I can't bet on the Cowboys to blow anyone out. Their five games combined have been decided by 16 points total. And while this is their first game against a really bad team (Jets, 49ers, Redskins, Lions and Patriots previously), we'll see how they handle a Rams team which (common theme) has had two weeks to prepare.
P.S. Last week, I mentioned four bye week teams and went 3-1 in those games (which woulda been 4-0 if Cleveland could have driven for a late TD to cover the 5.5-point spread, which I lost by 1.5 points). So there.

Green Bay (-8.5) vs MINNESOTA

Rivalry game, Christian Ponder, blah blah. Aaron Rodgers vs. a very bad Vikings secondary. Sold.

Indianapolis (+13.5) vs NEW ORLEANS

The Saints aren't that good, people. Really. I promise. Yeah, I know the Colts aren't either, but that's too many points unless you're 100 percent sure a team will cover, which A) I'm not and B) I don't think they will.
I may have done this last week, but if I did, it's worth it to do again. Here's what New Orleans has done this season: loss by eight at Green Bay, win by 17 vs Chicago, win by seven vs Houston, win by 13 at Jacksonville, win by three at Carolina, loss by six at Tampa Bay.
And I know the Colts suck, but throw out that Kerry Collins-led blowout by the Texans and here's what they've done: loss by eight vs Cleveland, loss by three vs Pittsburgh, loss by seven at Tampa Bay, loss by four vs KC, loss by 10 at Cincy. This is my 10+ point spread Lock of the Week!! (Sorry, Rams).

Baltimore (-7.5) vs Jacksonville

I want a mulligan on my Pitt-Jax pick from last week. My "Stone Cold Lock of the Week," as I erroneously put it. I didn't realize Pittsburgh was as bad as they are.
Meanwhile, Baltimore isn't. They're CLEARLY the third-best team in the NFL behind Green Bay and New England. And this week, they get Blaine Gabbert.
There are 32 starting quarterbacks (technically, shut up) in the NFL. Gabbert, by Total Quarterback Rating, is 32nd. Ouch.
If the Ravens and their 3rd-ranked rushing defense can contain Maurice Jones-Drew, they'll need Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and Co. to put up around eight points. Maybe a bit more. I've got Baltimore 37, Jacksonville 7 and I have this game as my (take a deep breath) Stone Cold Lock of the Week.

Week 6 NFL Picks

2011-10-12T00:12:00.001-07:00

(Subject to change...I haven't run them by Brandon yet)

Last week, I thought about my picks a bit, trying to figure out a few things beyond the actual game (Al Davis' death, Philly publicly revoking "Dream Team" status, Seattle not having won on the road since 1994) that might give me an edge over the rest of America. Like the four weeks that preceded them, however, my Week 5 picks were once again average (Week 1: 8/16, average 8, Week 2: 9/16, average 8, Week 3: 9/16, average 8, Week 4: 9/16, average 9, Week 5: 7/13, average 7).
The one thing I noticed about those picks was that I took nearly every favorite. Seriously. After my first draft, I think I picked two teams getting points. Knowing that wouldn't happen, I adjusted a few games and, obviously, broke about even.
This week, we're riding the underdogs. It's pretty clear there are three or four elite NFL teams, three or four awful NFL teams and about 25 that could beat any of the others under the right circumstances (see the Tennessee-Pittsburgh-Baltimore round robin). I touched on it on the blog last night (OK, I spent about two hours on it). San Francisco is good, but how much better are they than Cincinnati? Five points? How about Washington? The Giants? The list goes on. They could just as easily have defeated Dallas in Week 2. Or lost to Cincy and Philly in Weeks 3 and 4. The perfect formula initiated their blowout of Tampa Bay last week (short week for Tampa, big home game against New Orleans in Week 6, San Francisco coming off an emotional comeback against a Super Bowl favorite. You get the idea.

For the first time this season, I'm posting my NFL picks. You can bet your bottom dollar I'll either miss or hit four games. Make or break week and you'll see why:

(Blatantly copying Bill Simmons, home team in caps)

Carolina (+4.5) vs ATLANTA

Part of me is nervous picking against the Falcons at home, but in two Georgia Dome games this season, they eked by a possibly-terrible Tampa Bay team and easily blew a 14-point lead to the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.
The second of those games is the most telling. Atlanta-Green Bay met in the second round of last season's playoffs. Roddy White recently said that the Falcons were a better team than the Packers last year. Well, nothing really changed. The cheeseheads even spotted Atlanta 14 points and the Falcons responded by scoring zero after the first quarter. Not exactly inspiring. Better teams don't lose games like that. Hell, pretty good teams don't lose games that important in that fashion unless the Packers are THAT transcendent, which, I don't quite think they are.
Carolina, meanwhile, goes toe-to-toe week in and week out no matter who stands on the opposing sideline. They've lost by seven (Arizona), seven (Green Bay), five (Chicago) and three (New Orleans). And I'm supposed to be scared of the Falcons. No.

Buffalo (+3.5) vs NY GIANTS

Can we say Buffalo is good yet? Can we? Because they are. Sorry they only have one win against the Patriots and haven't beaten Green Bay, but you can't really pin that on the Bills. Blame the schedule-makers.

Meanwhile, the Giants are coming off an awful home loss to the pathetic Seattle Seahawks. Hell, they weren't even getting the job done against Tarvaris Jackson's Seahawks, much less Charlie Whitehurst's Seahawks. Obviously, they're not that bad, but they're not that good either. Beating St. Louis by 12 and Arizona by three is supposed to impress me? Knocking off a reeling Eagles team is your signature win? Sorry, I'm not buying you.

Indianapolis vs CINCINNATI (-6.5)

The Colts are definitely not getting a win before whenever they play Jacksonville at home. Forget about it. So now the question isn't if the Bengals will win, but by how much? Well, my guess is a lot. Like, around 14. Something in the realm of 24-10. Cincy's defense is third in the NFL against the pass (best of luck, Curtis Painter and the NFL's 25th-ranked passing offense) and seventh against the run (best of luck, three guys who all suck about the same and are collectively 30th in the NFL in rushing offense).
The Bengals don't wow you offensively (24th passing, 18th rushing), but fortunately, the Colts are about as bad defensively (19th vs the pass, 31st vs the run) as they are offensively. Also, the game is in Cincinnati, where the Bengals nearly beat the 49ers and did beat the Bills. Indy's best chance to cover might be a forfeit.

San Francisco vs DETROIT (-4.5)

See two blogs ago. I think San Fran can and will go toe-to-toe with the undefeated Lions. And I hope I'm dead wrong on this pick. But I just can't go all in with the Niners quite yet. Gimme a signature win against a talented team that's playing at their peak right now.
I like San Francisco's revamped secondary, but Megatron is a freak. Without a doubt the best receiver in the game. Three Cowboys couldn't stop him in the end zone two weeks ago and I'm not quite sure if Carlos Rogers has it in him yet.
The one advantage the 49ers might have is that Jahvid Best, despite his big game against the Bears, isn't really a threat against the game's best run defense (not by stats, but trust me on that). That might allow San Fran to drop back in coverage a bit. But with the weapons Matthew Stafford has (Brandon Pettigrew is really good, by the way), it's a tall task for the Niners to go on the road again and beat arguably the league's hottest team.

St. Louis vs GREEN BAY (-14.5)

Pretty easy week for the promotions department at Lambeau Field to plan out. Buy a front-row ticket anywhere in the stadium, get a Packers player to leap into you, FREE!!!

Philadelphia (+0.5) vs WASHINGTON

Sorry, Ryan. It's last-chance weekend for the Eagles to turn it around, not just for my betting purposes, but for their swiftly-fading playoff hopes. I know the Redskins have had two weeks to prepare, but they didn't do anything over that time to upgrade at quarterback from Rex Grossman to Not Rex Grossman. Washington's defense is good enough to create problems for Michael Vick and Co. and Roy Helu could very well run all over the Eagles front seven, eight, nine, twelve, sixteen, whatever they want to throw in the box. The more I write, the more I want to abandon this pick, so I'm gonna stop.

Jacksonville vs PITTSBURGH (-12.5)

If you don't believe me, go back a month to when the Jaguars went to New York to face the Jets. You should have gone into that game thinking "Jacksonville won't get to 10, the Jets will get to more than 20, ready, break!" Final score: 32-3 Jets.
This is like that game, except if the Jets were better. You think the Jags are getting to 10 points? Yeah right. You think Pittsburgh is getting to at least 23? Well, I mean by the end of the game, but if you're thinking second quarter, well, yeah, they'll do that too. This is the stone cold lock of the year. You know, besides the Jacksonville-Jets game.

Cleveland (+5.5) vs OAKLAND

All right, children, open your textbooks to page 1. We're going to discuss letdown games today.

Coming off possibly their most emotional win in team history, the Raiders get a Browns team that's had two weeks to prepare for them. Also, I'm not so sure the Browns are that bad (though their schedule is screaming at me that I'm wrong). Meanwhile, the Raiders have divison-rival Kansas City on deck and haven't won back-to-back games this season. If Oakland can keep the memory of Al Davis going two weeks running, they should win this game. But I also don't think they're six points better than the Browns.

Houston vs BALTIMORE (-7.5)

I understand the Texans losing to the Raiders last week. They didn't have Andre Johnson, lost Mario Williams and Oakland just had to win that game. Makes sense.
That said, I also understand the Texans losing to Baltimore this week. They don't have Andre Johnson or Mario Williams, the Ravens are better, at home and are coming off a bye week.
Houston's rankings across the board are good, but that'll happen when you take on Indianapolis and Miami your first two weeks.
As far as the Ravens are concerned, they're impressive. Borderline elite. Whatever happened against Tennessee was probably the result of destroying Pittsburgh the week prior, but I'm not 100 percent sure yet. If they whip a very beatable Houston team like I think they will, they may be in line for a promotion to elite status.

Dallas (+7.5) vs NEW ENGLAND

I'm all about these bye week teams not named the Rams. I hate the Cowboys, but you think they could come up with a gameplan somewhere along the lines of "Let's throw the ball as much as New England and hope we get the ball last" in two weeks. If anything, New England is coming off a big win over their rivals, the Jets, and Dallas can swoop in and make a game of it. On an unrelated note, I'm really happy I have Tom Brady as a fantasy quarterback this week.

New Orleans vs TAMPA BAY (+4.5)

The perfect way for the Buccaneers to erase the memory of a 45-point loss would be to climb back in the division hunt (albeit temporarily) with a win at home against the Saints. New Orleans hasn't wowed me yet. I'm not even throwing them into the NFL's elite pantheon. Their only decent win is a 17-point beating of the Bears at home in Week 2. Other than that, they lost to the Packers, beat Houston by seven, Jacksonville by 13 and Carolina by three. BFD. This game means much more to the Bucs than it does the Saints and it'll show on Sunday.

Minnesota (+3.5) vs CHICAGO

The Vikings are on the rebound. The Bears are on the debound. Minnesota could easily be 4-1 if they could hold onto 20-point leads and beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, everybody thought the Bears were going to be a player in the NFC North after throttling Atlanta, except now, the Falcons are bad and Chicago hasn't been within single-digits of the Packers, Saints and Lions. Sure, that's a murderer's row of sorts, but only against Detroit was Chicago really threatening. Oh, and the Bears only knocked off Carolina by five at home.
One more thing: If I set the over/under for Jared Allen sacks of Jay Cutler at 3.5, I'd take the under, but only because Cutler's going to be in a hospital bed before halftime.

Miami vs NY JETS (-7.5)

It's too bad the Dolphins and Colts didn't play each other in Week 1 so one team could officially be crowned "Andrew Luck Sweepstakes Champions." Instead, those teams, especially with Chad Henne out, are going to try to out-tank each other down the stretch.
The Jets are coming off three-straight losses and have to have a win to get back into the AFC East hunt. Pretty simple equation here.

High school fantasy draft breakdown. Seriously.

2011-10-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

A few minutes ago, my colleague at the Lake County Leader/college buddy Brandon Hansen told me that tomorrow, him and I will be participating in a high school fantasy sports contest. We haven't quite worked out the kinks or how it will be scored, so really, we don't have a lot to work with yet. But anyone who reads our paper and likes fantasy sports will recognize the names I'm about to break down.

Football

Quarterbacks:

Vince DiGiallonardo, Polson: Very Michael Vick-like with his ability to throw and run. He averages about 2-3 touchdowns a week and can rack up yards all over the board (he's also a kick returner and safety).

Tra Ludeman, Charlo: Similar to DiGiallonardo and embedded in a run-happy offense. That's not to say they won't air the ball out, which they do on occasion. If they do, Ludeman has more weapons than Brad Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith (maybe I'll leave the analogies to Brandon).

Dylan Evans, Mission: While Mission's offense isn't as explosive as DiGiallonardo's or Ludeman's, Evans can rack up yards and touchdowns in a hurry. Depending on the matchup, Evans is in the discussion as one of the areas elite QBs.

Admittedly, I'm not very familiar with the quarterback situation in Ronan or Arlee, which could prove to be a major disadvantage. Those are Brandon's schools to cover, but I'd feel comfortable matching up any of these studs against anyone in Lake County.

Running Backs:

Paul McClurg, Chris Cote, Polson: Both of these guys are big-play capable, but split carries week in and week out. Both have reached the 100-yard plateau during the season, but if either one was a feature back, 200 would be a regular occurrence.

Jacen Petersen, Charlo: Adrian Peterson racked up three first-quarter touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. Jacen Peterson, of the Charlo Vikings, beat him to the punch when he hit pay dirt three times in the first quarter in Charlo's annihilation of Philipsburg on Friday. That's not really a fluke, either. He's that good.

Zach Tameler, Arlee: When Tameler doesn't reach the end zone three times in a week, something went wrong. The kid is virtually unstoppable. Every time the ball touches his hands, you can expect six points to come out of it.

Since we haven't worked out exactly how this fantasy draft is going to work, I can only assume I'll have the chance at two area players. You can't go wrong with any of these guys, but with Charlo racking up close to 50 points a game, you'd be hard pressed to find a better top two picks than Ludeman and Petersen. If Brandon nabs them, however, you can't even consider it settling for the other four. They're just as capable of putting up as many points as the Viking tandem.

Soccer

I'll make this brief. The choices are Riley "The Leg" Lemm and James "The Lawman" Larson, both from Polson. Each has a four-goal game under their belt this season, as well as multiple hat tricks. They could very well be the last two picks of the draft, simply because you'll flip a coin between the two and cross your fingers that they outscore their teammate. The wash of washes in the draft.

Volleyball

I might be at a slight disadvantage here. Brandon covers Polson, Mission and Charlo volleyball teams, while I oversee Ronan and Arlee. I know a bit about Charlo, but near nothing about the Lady Pirates and Lady Bulldogs.

Here's what I do know:

Arlee's Cortney Dix is the best volleyball player in Lake County. There, I said it. No offense to the many talented girls around the area, but Dix does it all. The Scarlets' best setter, Dix is constantly surveying the court, looking for opportunities to sneak sets where the opposing defense isn't. If nothing is there, she's laying up perfect sets for teammates Becca Nelson and Mahalia Hendren. She also has a tremendously consistent serve and is surrounded by enough talent to give her opportunities to thrive. Unfortunately, Brandon knows I'm a huge fan and it wouldn't surprise me if he swooped in to steal Dix.

The aforementioned Nelson and Hendren give Dix a very solid supporting cast and both are very sound volleyball players. It's amazing Nelson hasn't hurt anyone (at least that I've seen) with her spikes, while Hendren finds herself at or near the top of most of Arlee's stats night in and night out. Definitely a trio to look out for in the draft.

Ronan has several talented players, but the problem is that they're an extremely balanced team. Good for real life volleyball, but not so much for fantasy purposes. From game to game, four or five different girls will find themselves in the box score, leading the Maidens in one stat or another.

Charlo is similar to Ronan, with a lot of contributing parts. You can expect Rachel Hoyt or Deondra Brown to lead the team in kills. Cousins Dawn and Kelsie Blevins both play integral roles with the Lady Vikings, as do Kinley Pope and Derika Stipe. All warrant an eye in the draft.

Cross Country

Paden Alexander and Ashley Courville. That's all I know.

Regarding Courville, I'm not sure how this draft is going down (have I mentioned that?) but Courville is one of Lake County's premier two-sport athletes, also excelling on the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team. Considering there are currently no rules, she has to be the number one overall pick, right? She basically gives you a high school fantasy sports power play. You could draft a waterboy and still be on an even playing field.

Going into tomorrow's draft, here's my preliminary draft board:

1) Courville
2) Dix
3) Petersen
4) Ludeman
5) Tameler

Considering Lake County's talent, however, any of those aforementioned names, as well as many others, have the potential to bring home the inaugural High School Fantasy Sports Title. Let the games begin!

49ers: Contenders or pretenders??

2011-10-11T01:29:00.000-07:00

Thank God this is a blog, because I'm about to be all over the map with my thoughts. I didn't exactly lay out a plan of how I wanted to talk about this, simply because it should reflect how I'm thinking. And right now, I'm going back and forth more than an 8-bit Pong game.
About 30 minutes ago, I was sold on my San Francisco 49ers. They're off to a 4-1 start. By my biased logic, three of those are quality wins...but...:

Win 1) 13-8 at Cincinnati. I think the Bengals are decent. Not good, not bad. But it was their home opener (granted it wasn't even sold out) and they have an underrated defense. Add to the mix that conditions weren't ideal and Andy Dalton isn't terrible and there were a couple things to like about that game. The Niners trailed for about three quarters and appeared inept on offense, not crossing midfield until the second half. Nothing new, right? What was new was that San Fran didn't let the game get away from them and, for the first time in seemingly a decade, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a couple late scores.
The defense was awesome. Dalton convincingly marched the Bengals down the field on Cincy's first drive. That was it. Cedric Benson, like about 26 running backs before him, didn't get to 100 yards rushing against the stingy Niner D. Alex Smith just did enough in the nick of time for the win.

Ohbytheway) Cincy needed a late score in Week 5 to beat a terrible Jacksonville Jaguars team, lost to the Cleveland Browns, eked out a win against Kyle Orton's Denver Broncos and beat a Buffalo Bills team who spend the first 55 minutes celebrating their win against the Patriots the week before. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for the quality of a team whose offseason highlight coming off a 4-12 season was that their starting quarterback was in trade-me-or-I-retire mode. Throw in the fact that two big-name players (Benson, Jerome Simpson) were battling legal issues the week of the 49ers game and they still almost won and, well...how crazy can I be about that win?

Overall- Definitely a bigger "we didn't lose" game than a "we won" game. But in the NFC West, a win is 14 percent closer to a playoff spot, so...

Win 2) 24-23 at Philadelphia. If you would have told me the day before it happened that the 49ers won a game against the Eagles in which they trailed 23-3 in the third quarter, I'd have told you it probably happened in like 1984. If you told me it happened in 2011, I'd ask you if we traded Alex Smith to Philly at halftime. Yet, it did happen, Alex Smith still played for the 49ers and he didn't spend time on the bench. The thing about this game was that Michael Vick passed for over 400 yards and the defense didn't really look bad at all. Did the Eagles gift-wrap this game? Yeah. Will I take it? Of course.
Again, the team never panicked. Down 20 in the third quarter, the offense put its nose to the grindstone and found a way to win. The defense locked down and lucked out when it had to. Sure, Philly's rookie kicker Alex Henery shanked two field goals, but the Eagles also had a chance to win on their last drive and Justin Smith stripped Jeremy Maclin. That's skill, not luck. Also, it's a lack of skill on Maclin's part, but I digress. Kinda.

Ohbytheway) Philadelphia didn't have to do anything fancy in the second half to win that game. They have too many weapons for any team (Maclin, Vick, DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, LeSean McCoy, Jason Avant, to name SIX). If Andy Reid was anybody but Andy Reid, a 20-point second-half would be plenty, no matter how bad your overrated defense is. Yet it wasn't. San Francisco doesn't get a loss because they should have lost. Thank God.

Overall- While it's not a win to be proud of, it was definitely an effort to be proud of and it was something to build on. Philadelphia, while 1-4, is more talented than just about any 1-4 team ever. And any time you come back from 20 down to win, it's a testament to coaching and perseverance.

Win 3) 48-3 vs Tampa Bay. Jesus Christ. Where do you start with this game? Alex Smith looked like Joe Montana. First drive, touchdown in triple coverage. Not a lucky throw, either... a legitimate strike to Delanie Walker, and from 26 yards out to boot. After a Frank Gore fumble near the goal line, it was smooth sailing. Sure, the offense stalled (once), but after Carlos Rogers' (aka the offseason pickup of the year) pick-six early in the second, Andy Lee could pretty much call it a day. Pure domination rushing the ball, throwing the ball, stopping the run and stopping the pass. You win those four facets as convincingly as the 49ers did and 48-3 probably isn't such a shock. But still...shocking.

Ohbytheway) Tampa was coming off a short week and they looked mediocre at best against the winless Indianapolis Colts. Sure, they're 3-2, but their win against Atlanta looks bad because Atlanta is bad, they should have lost to Minnesota, they couldn't beat the Lions in their home opener and it really wasn't as close as the score indicated. If Tampa doesn't have 7-9 written all over them, I don't know who does.

I'm not crazy about their first two games, either. I'm convinced they would have lost to Seattle in Week 1 at home had Ted Ginn Jr. not split the Seahawks' special teams unit twice like a bomb was strapped to his chest.

If anything, their Week 2 loss was one of their best-played games this year...at least for the first three and a half quarters. The secondary stopped and nearly murdered Tony Romo and the offense withstood constant pressure from the Dallas pass rush. To think San Francisco is a Harbaugh "taking the points off the board to keep the ball and kill more clock" decision away from 5-0 is hard to believe.

This all brings me back to 30 minutes ago, which is now closer to an hour and 30 minutes ago. I felt great. Why shouldn't I? San Fran's record is 4-1 with two tough road wins and a dismantling of a supposed playoff contender. But is their resume as good as it appears?

Unfortunately, Bill Simmons, Cousin Sal and the rest of America, apparently, think so. During their recent podcast, I thought it was a red flag when Cousin Sal said the 49ers were good enough to not just win one playoff game, but two. In his hypothetical scenario, San Fran hosts a 9-7 Falcons team in round one, then moves on to defeat a second opponent (obviously, it'd have to be New Orleans or Green Bay) to reach the NFC Championship Game. Um, excuse me?
If that wasn't enough, later in the podcast, Simmons is ready to jump all over the 49ers at 30-1 odds to WIN THE SUPER BOWL. By comparison, the New York Jets, who are in the midst of a three-game slide, but reached the AFC Championship game two years running, are also 30-1. Those aforementioned Eagles? The self-proclaimed Dream Team? The team who, before the start of the season, experts proclaimed would be disappointed with anything less than a Super Bowl title? 40-1.
If you thought the San Francisco 49ers, who haven't had a winning season since 2002, would, according to Vegas, have a better chance at a Super Bowl Championship than the Philadelphia Eagles, who have some of the best talent ever assembled by a single NFL football team, by Week 6, well, kudos.

Other ESPN talking heads have gushed about the 49ers performance through five games. Best defense in the league has been thrown around. And while it's good, it hasn't exactly been tested...

...which brings us to the 5-0 Detroit Lions.

Like the 49ers, Detroit has struggled throughout the last decade, enduring an 0-16 campaign along the way. Unlike the 49ers, the Lions came into 2011 with some hype. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh, among others, had sleeper seekers keeping one eye open. This team was on the cusp coming into the season.

Well, by this time, it's safe to say Detroit is off the cusp and in a good way. Season-opening road win at Tampa Bay. Destruction of the reigning AFC West Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Gritty come-from-behind wins on the road at Minnesota and at Dallas. All that followed up by a workmanlike Monday Night Football victory over division rival Chicago. Not the best lineup, but not exactly the bottom three NFC West teams either.

Anytime your team has a wide receiver nicknamed "Megatron," consider yourself a contender. The emergence of Matthew Stafford was only overdue because of his porous, but now improved offensive line. Jahvid Best made the Chicago Bears D look like the Washington State Cougars D (CIRCA ANY YEAR BEFORE THIS ONE!!! GO COUGS!!!). Brandon Pettigrew is the NFL's best-kept secret. It's a test unlike anything Patrick Willis, Carlos Rogers and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has seen in 2011.

Are the 49ers ready? The answer is yes. They're hungry and eager for the challenge. But the ultimate question is: Are they for real enough to compete with a legitimately dangerous Lions team? We'll find out in about five days.

All I know is that if the San Francisco 49ers move to 5-1 on Sunday, Cousin Sal and Bill Simmons might actually be onto something. The NFC West would be all but secured. A first-round bye wouldn't even be out of the question. And my hopes would officially be sky high.

I don't know if I'm ready for it, but as long as the Niners are, I think be fine. I just hope I feel the same way 30 minutes from now.

Hopefully he can read this from way up on his pedestal

2010-11-24T11:58:00.000-08:00

I know more time gets spent on whining about the current BCS system than time gets spent on actually doing something about it, and I hate fueling the fire or spinning the wheels or doing whatever idiom you believe is appropriate, but something needs to be said for the mindless statements made by Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee.

"Well, I don't know enough about the Xs and Os of college football," said Gee, formerly the president at West Virginia, Colorado, Brown and Vanderbilt universities. "I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president and a Big Ten president, that it's like murderer's row every week for these schools. We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day.

"So I think until a university runs through that gauntlet that there's some reason to believe that they not be the best teams to [be] in the big ballgame.

"If you put a gun to my head and said, 'What are you going to do about a playoff system [if] the BCS system as it now exists goes away?' I would vote immediately to go back to the bowl system," he said.

"It's not about this incessant drive to have a national championship because I think that's a slippery slope to professionalism. I'm a fan of the bowl system and I think that by and large it's worked very, very well.
"You know, it's a mystery. We were No. 1, then No. 11, then No. 7 and we ended up playing for the national championship. I think I kind of like that mixed-up mystery."

Let's ignore the fact that the only time in the last five years that Boise State or TCU were given a chance to knock off a power school in a big bowl game was in 2007 when the Broncos defeated Bob Stoops, Adrian Peterson and the Oklahoma Sooners 43-42. Over the last two seasons, BSU and TCU have jockeyed for title of best small-conference school and their reward for being two of the best was playing each other back-to-back seasons rather than a "very fine school."

Rather, let's analyze what Gee had to say to see if it merits any validity:

"Well, I don't know enough about the Xs and Os of college football"

Good start.

"I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president and a Big Ten president, that it's like murderer's row every week for these schools. We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day."

I can't really argue that, in conference, the SEC and Big Ten is like a murderer's row and the schedule is difficult. And I'm not discrediting it because that's life in those conferences... they don't get to choose that part of the schedule. But you'd think such strong words from a university president should be backed up by the part of the schedule which Ohio State does get to choose, right?

2010:

Home vs Marshall (win 45-7)
Home vs #12 Miami (win 36-24)
Home vs Ohio (win 43-7)
Home vs Eastern Michigan (win 73-20)

2009:

Home vs Navy (win 31-27)
Home vs #3 USC (loss 18-15)
Away at Toledo (win 38-0)
Home vs New Mexico State (win 45-0)

2008:

Home vs Youngstown St. (win 43-0)
Home vs Ohio (win 26-14)
Away at #1 USC (loss 35-3)
Home vs Troy (win 28-10)

2007:

Home vs Youngstown St. (win 38-6)
Home vs Akron (win 20-2)
Away at Washington (win 33-14)
Home vs Kent St. (win 48-3)

Three of those 16 non-conference games over the past four seasons were on the road, granted one was in the same state. And 12 of the 16 games were against Little Sister of the Poor schools. Two of the three games against ranked teams were in their own backyard and two of the three they lost (and by the way, the only win of those was against #12 Miami, who isn't a part of the top 25 anymore).

Meanwhile, Boise State does what they can to get big programs on their non-conference schedule. Sure, they have to to have national title aspirations, but it's also a way for them to prove they belong. This season, they went cross-country to defeat Virginia Tech who was #6 at the time and now stands at #13. They also hosted Oregon State (ranked at the time) and defeated them by double digits. Last season, it was Oregon who they took down 19-8. The year before that, they went to Oregon and took down the #17 Ducks 37-32. Oh, and those Ducks teams have a handful of returning players from those teams who find themselves on top of the country as the end of the regular season nears...not quite the Little Sisters of the Poor there, Gee.

"So I think until a university runs through that gauntlet that there's some reason to believe that they not be the best teams to [be] in the big ballgame."

Translation: "I have never sat down and watched Boise State or TCU play a college football game against anyone." I could read box scores of the Carolina Panthers beating a high school team by 50 every week and think that they were one of the best NFL teams, but if I saw them play the Baltimore Ravens, I'd quickly realize that they're not worthy of a Super Bowl shot. Meanwhile, BSU beats the patsies on their schedule by 50 every week, but when they get a shot at a highly-ranked team, not only do they hang with them, but they defeat them. Sounds worthy of a title shot to me if they take care of business.

"If you put a gun to my head and said, 'What are you going to do about a playoff system [if] the BCS system as it now exists goes away?' I would vote immediately to go back to the bowl system."

Funny, someone who promotes the gauntlet that is the Big 10 and SEC is OK with one winner-take-all game. I'd think being in such a tough, rich conference, you'd leap at the prospect of proving your team is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best college football team in the nation. Yet every year, we hear "Sure, Team A won the National Championship Game, but don't you think undefeated Team B could have given them a run for their money if a playoff system was established?" And somehow, Gee is fine with that.

Let's say an 8-team playoff system was in order. The four remaining undefeated teams (Oregon, Auburn, BSU and TCU) are all in... can't fault them for running through their schedule and punishing teams along the way. The last four slots can be filled in via computer rankings. Almost always, this works out, as teams that have lost along the way can only look back to their own inability to win a certain game,which is a more attractive alternative than undefeated teams with no chance to begin with being left out. Assuming OSU takes care of business against Michigan, they would most likely be in, along with LSU, Wisconsin and Stanford.

E. Gordon Gee gets his way because six of the eight schools are rich and obviously have the best teams, so phasing out the poor schools (BSU, TCU) should be easy. Then, the rich schools can play for their national title with an unequivocal victor. BSU and TCU get their way, because they can keep taking down the college football rich kids until everyone realizes they're just as good as everyone else when they're playing each other for all the marbles. Everybody wins!

"It's not about this incessant drive to have a national championship because I think that's a slippery slope to professionalism. I'm a fan of the bowl system and I think that by and large it's worked very, very well.
"You know, it's a mystery. We were No. 1, then No. 11, then No. 7 and we ended up playing for the national championship. I think I kind of like that mixed-up mystery."

Sure, it's worked well for you Gee. Here are all of the BCS Title Games, by conference:

2010: SEC vs Big 12
2009: SEC vs Big 12
2008: SEC vs Big Ten
2007: SEC vs Big Ten
2006: Big 12 vs Pac 10
2005: Big 12 vs Pac 10
2004: SEC vs Big 12
2003: Big Ten vs Big East
2002: Big 12 vs Big East
2001: Big 12 vs ACC
2000: Big East vs ACC
1999: SEC vs ACC

Appearances- Big 12 (7), SEC (6), Big Ten (3), ACC (3), Big East (3), Pac 10 (2), every other conference combined (0).

As far as that mixed-up mystery you like so much where you were #1 until you lost at home to unranked Illinois 28-21, then fell to #7 and amazingly played for the title because everyone in front of you lost? How'd that work out for you when LSU embarrassed OSU with 31 unanswered points in a 38-24, not-as-close-as-the-score-lets-on drubbing? But, hey, as long as a 1-loss rich school is playing for a championship, everything is right in the world. You dunce.

This article cracks my top-5 nightmares list...

2010-07-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Question: Would the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees ever pull off a trade of any meaningful significance? It wouldn't have to be of the Babe Ruth sale magnitude, but we wouldn't exactly be talking a Single-A player swap either.

According to this guy who felt the need to freak me out today, there are a couple deals that would make sense for both sides.

The less scary scenario presented sent Mike Lowell and a pitching prospect to the Bronx for Mark Melancon. It solves the Yanks' DH problems and Boston's bullpen need.

The more scary scenario presented sent David Ortiz, Jose Iglesias and Ryan Kalish to New York for Joba Chamberlain and Jesus Montero.

First, for my own sanity, let's crush these two ideas. If Boston ever sent a World Series hero directly to New York, it would cause a backlash among Red Sox Nation that would make the 2004 Nomar Garciaparra trade seem like nothing more than a murmur. Both Lowell (2007 World Series MVP) and Ortiz (who hit roughly .914 in the last eight games of their 2004 title run) fit the bill there. Papi, even with his struggles over the past two years, is still the most beloved Sox player on the roster.

In the Lowell deal, the Yankees would send just Melancon to Beantown. While the Lowell/prospect combo isn't the sweetest of deals, Melancon has a career ERA of just under 5.00 and is the exact player people talk about when they describe a AAAA player: too good for Triple-A, but not good enough for the bigs. No thanks.

In the Ortiz deal, Boston would also ship Iglesias and Kalish out of town. Iglesias is Boston's long-term solution to their shortstop problems since the departure of Nomah. Since 2004, the 6-spot has seen Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez (twice), Alex Cora, Julio Lugo, Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro for significant periods of time. It makes less than zero sense to both compound those problems and give the Yankees an heir apparent to Derek Jeter.

Kalish is a highly-touted outfielding prospect who could fit in well with Jacoby Ellsbury and a free agent in a couple years, assuming someone like Josh Reddick or Ryan Westmoreland doesn't step up by then. By offering Ortiz-Iglesias-Kalish, Boston would have to get something huge in return.

And technically, they would. Chamberlain is a fatty. Sure, Joba has shown flashes of brilliance, but he's also taken a big step back this season by being inconsistent and unreliable as Mariano Rivera's setup man. Boston needs bullpen help, but bringing in a guy with a 5.66 ERA isn't exactly a good fix. The only good side is that Chamberlain would become a pariah immediately. Heck, he would even replace Bill Hall as my least favorite Red Sox player. Barely.

Montero would be a nice addition and I haven't grown to hate him yet, but even New York's top catching prospect isn't enough to make this a good trade for Boston. He and Iglesias might be a push, which means you're offering Ortiz and Kalish for Joba? I'll pass.

Second, if any talks even surface that a deal is being kicked around, I'll never forgive the article's author for putting the wheels in motion. I can't figure out how a writer for boston.com could find humor in this, as well as not cringe with every word he wrote. Heck, I was cringing writing what I did and I shot down his ideas.

It's just the way it is with this rivalry and to not understand that is idiotic. I know the idea is to build the best team you can, but at the same time, you don't want the team you're chasing in the standings to become better. Especially at the expense of your fan base.

But thanks for the idea, Peter Abraham! Good luck finding a new job!

Show them the money

2010-07-23T00:18:00.000-07:00

It’s not often in sports when a person or team does the right thing when it’s not also the easy thing to do. I would like to applaud USC and new AD Pat Haden in how they handled the recent misdoings in their Men’s Basketball and Football programs. They sent a clear and powerful message to all present and future USC student athletes. That message is that cheating will not be accepted.

USC has removed the Heisman Trophy awarded to Reggie Bush from its trophy case. O.J. Simpson’s Heisman is still there and he is a double murderer. But not only did USC remove the Heisman, they removed all images of Reggie Bush. USC has given the same treatment to O.J. Mayo. Two of the schools top and most celebrated athletes in the new millennium have been given this treatment. If I was an incoming frosh at USC I would be on the up and up.

Pat Haden could have easily pushed these issues to the back burner and give a statement about how “USC is focused on the future” and avoided it all. But he didn’t. He did the right thing and I am sure that many Trojan fans weren’t happy about it. Lane Kiffin, if you read this, be on your best behavior because I have a feeling you have one short leash right now.

The USC issue and the current situation with SEC football players and agents makes me wonder why these guys don’t get paid. I know Title IX would force the women to get paid too and they should. In 2010, the SEC signed a contract with ESPN for the rights to their football and men’s and women’s basketball games. That contract is worth $2 billion. Yah that’s right $2 billion. There are 12 teams in the SEC, so by some simple math that is roughly $11 million a year per school. You’re telling me each student athlete should get at least a small amount of that. I don’t blame the players for taking money from agents, especially with rules forcing players to go/stay in school a certain amount of time. One and doners in college basketball don’t even go to class the second semester. It’s a joke. I don’t care how little the amount is but give the kids some money and a lot of these problems will go away.

Devils' Advocate?

2010-07-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

When this man's contract is up, I'll be 42 years old. I might be married with four kids. I might be writing something like this for a newspaper in Calgary. I might be dead. Who knows? The one thing I do know is that a SEVENTEEN-YEAR CONTRACT IS CRAZY!

Nevertheless, Ilya Kovalchuk secured his future by signing that aforementioned contract, worth approximately $102 million, to play NHL hockey in New Jersey until 2027.

There's a good chance I spend tomorrow gathering random notes, objects and thoughts and creating a time capsule to look back on when Kovalchuk's deal expires. Because, more than anything right now, I'm curious. I want to be in 2027 for a day to see what's new in the world, in my life and in the NHL. Has cancer been cured? Do we have the first female president in the history of the United States? Have the Cubs still not won a World Series? (Just kidding, we know that's a no. Sorry North Side.)

Who wins in this deal, you ask. There's no arguing a few facts. First, Kovalchuk is one of the top-five skaters in the NHL. Second, super-long-term deals have bombed spectacularly in the NHL in recent years (although Rick DiPietro will be fine once someone finds the person responsible for torturing his voodoo doll). Third, Kovalchuk hasn't exactly been a winner in his NHL career. Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, Kovalchuk rejected several other deals (many one-year offers, but at least one 15-year contract from the talent-laden Los Angeles Kings) to remain a Devil. Sure, New Jersey's 2009-10 season lasted one fewer game than LA's did, but the Devils recent history is storied, while the Kings had just their third 40+ win season since 1991.

That last point is crucial. Despite falling short of expectations in last year's playoffs, Kovalchuk must expect long-lasting success in New Jersey, starting with his own play. While the Kings didn't offer as much annual money as the Devils, his one-year offers were lucrative enough to lure him away from Newark, yet he stayed. Also, there's no arguing the talent around him, with stud Zach Parise and the winningest goaltender of all time, Martin Brodeur alongside. But his statement signing could lure free agents now and in the future to New Jersey and potentially create a powerhouse in the relatively weak Eastern Conference.

What remains to be seen could change the landscape of sports as we know it, especially the NHL. Let me lay forth two quick hypotheticals: Kovalchuk averages 90 points a season over the next 15 years while remaining relatively healthy and leads New Jersey to five Stanley Cups. At what point do teams begin thinking, "Hey, this is one of the sport's premier players. He's proven it for almost a decade and if we can lock him up for the rest of his career, we gotta do it." It wasn't long ago Alex Rodriguez signed a similarly staggering 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. If they could have put a team around him, who knows whether he would be donning pinstripes today. The bastard.

Hypothetical two: Kovalchuk bombs, averaging just 20 goals and 45 points over his first five injury-plagued seasons, winning just one playoff series, before he bounces around from team to team like Kenny Lofton (I don't know enough about hockey to make a more appropriate analogy) for a decade after that. With the growing track record of long-term deals not producing, do teams become more hesitant giving out anything more than four or five years like they're the Boston Red Sox?

The answer to the 243 questions I've laid forth: I don't know. The only thing I do know is that I would really, really like to spend a day in 2027 to see how this turned out. Guess I'll just have to wait SEVENTEEN YEARS TO FIND OUT! Sigh...

Musn't See TV

2010-07-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

By Ryan Callahan, guest contributor

I came to a realization last week. It’s one most sports fans come to some time in their 20s. It is a lot like when you first learned that Santa wasn’t real. It’s hard to believe because you never knew any better but in your heart you know it’s true. I’ve been shown the light about All Star Games/Events. They suck; and not NBA regular season suck, WNBA regular season suck.

MLB All-Star week can still be saved with some minor tweaks. The Home Run Derby is a fine event, it just lasts way, way too long. The ‘09 derby lasted three hours. Three hours is too long for anything; I couldn’t watch Blake Lively mud wrestle Jessica Biel for three hours. Just cut the Home Run Derby to two rounds and you have a watchable event. And love it or hate it at least having home field riding on the outcome of the game gives you some reason to watch.

NBA All-Star Weekend has the slightest sliver of hope. It has the best All-Star event, the 3-point contest but it also has the worst, the dunk contest. In homage to Dylan’s post, I give the slam dunk contest the World Cup award. It is something I only need to see every four years. And even then why do you need to have NBA players in it? It’s not like they bring anything special to the table. I want to see the best dunkers in the world not the best dunkers in the NBA. Show me James White, Ziani, John Clark and The Air Up There having a dunk contest. Go to you tube and look up those guys and tell me that wouldn’t be better than what the NBA puts out. The rest of All-Star Weekend can just go. There is no fixing the rookie/sophomore game or the actual All-Star game; they both could go join the dodo bird as far as I’m concerned.

The Pro Bowl is a joke. It can’t even hold the Poinsettia Bowl’s jock. It is the only All-Star Game where the rules are changed and no one is trying. At least in the NBA they keep the same rules. I mean what good is an All-Star Game when all the players from your sports’ two best teams can’t play? I can proudly say I have never watched a Pro Bowl. I will watch my first one after I get done playing one on one with Reggie Lewis.

If you read this and you think I am completely wrong, you probably didn’t notice your mom and Santa had the same handwriting until you were 11.

RIP George Steinbrenner

2010-07-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

Former New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner passed away at 80 this morning after suffering a massive heart attack.

For all the days and weeks I spent, thinking of why I hated him more than anybody else growing up, I am going to kind of miss him. Part of that is due to his character on Seinfeld, sure ("I smell CALZONES! COSTANZA'S in the BUILDING!"), but as a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, I give a large chunk of credit to Steinbrenner for making the Red Sox who they've turned into today.

Growing up in the '90s, I saw Boston play second fiddle to the Yanks year after year. New York's seemingly endless run of World Series championships not only made me hate them more, but made me love the Sox more as well. When the pieces didn't fit for a Yankee team, Steinbrenner's bottomless pockets bought the pieces that did. He is the sole reason the New York Yankees are the most despised team in sports today and I say that as a compliment, not a criticism. The Boss did what he had to do to lead his team to victory and during his reign, he did it well.

What happened to the Red Sox during Steinbrenner's tenure was also momumental. Countless times, the Yankees twisted the knife in the collective back of the Red Sox and their fans when it came to trades and free agency, never in a more bitter fashion than when New York trumped Boston for the services of Alex Rodriguez. After swooping in to nab the most talented baseball figure alive at the time, Steinbrenner had the following to say, in February of 2004, regarding the front office of the Red Sox: "We understand John Henry must be embarrassed, frustrated, and disappointed by his failure in [trading for A-Rod]. Unlike the Yankees, he chose not to go the extra distance for his fans in Boston."

However, with new hotshot General Manager Theo Epstein running the show in Beantown, the Sox approached the trading deadline a bit differently that year, sending one of the most beloved Red Sox ever, Nomar Garciaparra, to Chicago in a three-team swap that landed Boston smaller names in Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. No longer was it about fighting over the biggest and best players position by position. Besides, it was a fight Boston could never win with Steinbrenner anyway. It was about finding chemistry guys that would jell with the guys already in place. And roughly eight months after Steinbrenner's scathing comments landed on the ears of Red Sox Nation, Boston captured their first World Series championship since 1918.

Since that time, the two AL East powerhouses have traded shot after shot, with the Sox winning again in 2007, while the Yankees currently call themselves reigning champions after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009. With Steinbrenner's sons in charge, the rivalry has mellowed out in terms of front-office vitriol, but the desire to win burns as much as ever before. And more of that is due to Steinbrenner than any other figure in the Sox-Yanks feud.

Final World Cup thoughts...

2010-07-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

The 2010 World Cup has come and gone, with Spain defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in a final that no amount of Starbucks could have kept me awake for. In fact, my favorite part of the championship match was the first 90 minutes of scoreless soccer, with my interest peaking in about the 22nd minute, seen here.

In honor of the event, I'm handing out awards named for participating countries based on the good and the bad from the last month in South Africa.

The Cameroon Award (first team knocked out/first thing that I didn't like about the 2010 World Cup): nonstop diving. Reason number 4,310 why hockey is better than soccer: hockey players wouldn't be caught dead pulling some of this stuff off, but if they tried, they'd get two minutes in the penalty box. Soccer players, meanwhile, are scorned, mocked and shamed, but that's about it. If you didn't catch any of the World Cup, or haven't ever seen soccer, I can't really blame you. Some of the acting done by players from the 32 countries was terrible enough to make Brendan Fraser blush. Three honorable mention videos to drive the point home: Keita vs. Brazil, Ronaldo vs. Germany and De Rossi vs. Paraguay. Just terrible.

The Netherlands Award (most underrated aspect of the World Cup): shots of fans crowded in streets from around the globe. For the few fans of soccer reading this, I hope you caught a glimpse of the masses because you will never see anything like this in the USA. Ever. Soccer will never be as big in America as it is around the world and the blocks and blocks of people jammed together like the end of "V for Vendetta" is a testament to that. Cameras in bars around the USA showed reactions of 40 or 50 people when Landon Donovan saved the day against Algeria. Meanwhile, for the World Cup Final against the Netherlands, a shot from Madrid showed thousands of people standing outside, waiting to celebrate Spain's first ever World Cup Championship. The image was unforgettable and unlike anything you would see in any sport in America. If you don't think soccer is the world's most popular game, one look at these crowds would change your mind.

The Argentina Award (most overrated aspect of the World Cup): vuvuzelas. Oh my God, we get it. They're loud. They're obnoxious. They're nonstop. Give it a rest. Personally, I liked them. They gave a constant buzz to the stadium and a sport which has just a few exciting moments over an hour-and-a-half span. You think they're annoying and unnecessary? OK, fine. Can we talk about something else now? Awesome, let's move on.

The North Korea Award (I didn't think that was possible in soccer): two way tie between Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's goal vs. Uruguay and Robert Green's unforgivable goal allowed vs. the USA. This award, in honor of North Korea allowing seven goals in a match vs. Portugal (one fewer than Spain scored in their World Cup title run), was split between Van Bronckhorst and Green in very contrasting ways. Green's goes without saying because at the highest level, netminders shouldn't be allowing goals that high school JV soccer players wouldn't. But Van Bronckhorst's goal from outside the box was far and away the most impressive goal of the 2010 World Cup. How he was able to do what he did combined skill, precision, force and luck into one of the prettiest goals in soccer history. In fact, I just went back and watched it again, mid-paragraph. Wow.

The Spain Award (best team/favorite player): Uruguay's Diego Forlan. The 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner for best player, Forlan was the reason I enjoyed the World Cup as much as I did. A deadly sniper on free kicks, Forlan carried an Uruguay team to the brink of the Finals without their second-best player Luis "The World Cup's most hateable player" Suarez, before falling to the Netherlands. When my good friend Pat Silvey turned on FIFA 2010 during halftime, he played as Atletico Madrid in homage to the World Cup's MVP. And while he fell 3-2 to Real Madrid, it was Forlan who helped rally Atletico Madrid from a two-goal deficit with an assist and the game-tying goal. Not by coincidence, either. "[Forlan] helped Anne lose weight." "Peter, she's anorexic." "Yeah, I know. The guy's really good." Three points in the fake 2010 World Cup standings for identifying that reference.

The France Award (most disappointing performance): World Cup referees. The refs almost got the nod for the Argentina Award because every media outlet around the globe hammered them for blowing just about every meaningful call. It wasn't just the faux (see what I did there?) foul call against the USA either. Goals were allowed that shouldn't have been. Goals were disallowed that should have counted. It's hard not to make the same Jim Joyce joke that has been done no fewer than 71,387 times over the last month, but seriously...you could have sent Jim Joyce to South Africa and improved the quality of officiating.

The France Award Part Deux (most stereotypical team): France. Hey, say what you will about the French, but when their backs were against the wall, they did what they do best: wave the white flag. When Nicolas Anelka was kicked off the team (pun intended), players got together and protested in a way that inspired nobody in France: refusing to practice. Would going about that adversity in a different way been a better way of handling the situation (say dedicating the tournament to Anelka and playing to spite the coach)? Yes. Was it stupid to waste four years of preparation to make a point that could have been made in a more constructive manner? Of course. Did France shame their country with their foolish decision? Oh yeah. Did they disappoint me? Nah, I got a kick out of it. Am I out of rhetorical questions? Yup.

The USA Award (got my hopes up, only to crush them): Spain vs. Paraguay. Easily the most entertaining game of the 2010 World Cup (odd, because it ended 1-0), but the game featured really good chances for both teams, including three penalty kicks in a three-minute span. After Paraguay's miss on a PK, Spain bolted down the pitch and received a PK of their own. Spain converted, but officials ruled a Spanish forward offside, resulting in a re-kick, which Paraguay saved. This was the game that sucked me into the World Cup and had me thinking "maybe this is something I could get into for real..." Unfortunately, I missed the only entertaining game after that (Germany-3, Uruguay-2) and am forced to settle for not watching soccer until 2014.

The Germany Award (team nobody in the USA was rooting for): Germany. Call it lame to give two countries awards named after themselves if you want, but I'm going with it anyway. It's another point that's been beaten into the ground like France's World Cup cameo, but nobody wanted Germany to do well because of the historical implications. The Axis vs. Allied match of 2010 featured Germany and England and didn't quite end as well as World War II did. Germany blitzkrieged the Brits to the tune of two quick goals before England responded with one of their own. With the tide seemingly turning, England scored what appeared to be the tying goal before Hitler...I mean Jorge Larrionda, overturned the call and took the wind out of the Merchant Navy's sails before Germany advanced with a 4-1 win. The Germs proceeded to crush Argentina 4-0 before falling short against Spain and allowing the good guys to collectively exhale before the World Cup final.

Finally, the Brazil Award (looking ahead): 2014 World Cup. Thanks to this year's event, the 2014 World Cup, ironically in Brazil, is looking like it won't completely suck. Soccer players have become more recognized for their headers (led by Puyol's statement goal against Germany) than their headbutting. Surprise teams like Uruguay and the Netherlands (who caught favored Brazil sleeping in their quarterfinal matchup) have given the World Cup parity and a plethora of teams to look out for next year. Even the USA is gearing up, having escaped group play for the first time since 2002.

Am I sucked into soccer now, thanks to Forlan, Spain and Van Bronckhorst's wicked goal? No. But I'll be watching in four years. Until then, bring on something other than soccer, please.

King Sidekick

2010-07-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

By Ryan Callahan, guest contributor

Has anyone ever gone as Robin for Halloween? Did Gatorade have an ad
“I wanna be like Scottie?” Has the President ever left office to
become assistant Prime Minister of Canada? No, of course not. But in
the NBA the so called “King James” has just handed his crown to Dwyane Wade. I guess Skip Bayless was right all along - it was “Prince James.”
Think of the greatest wing players to ever play; they all had the ball in their hand when the game was on the line, they all hit game winners to clinch series or titles. Jordan over Russell, Magic with the running sky hook, Kobe had six just last year and sadly Lebron will never have a defining moment like this. I mean really who would you give the ball to? Someone with a track record of crumbling when it matters the most or someone who on the brink of going down 3 games to 0 in the NBA finals put his whole team on his back. That team had Shaq too so it was a lot of lifting. Wade has a consistent outside game to go along with his tenacity attacking the hoop while Lebron is much more one dimensional with his ability to score. Wade is the closest thing to Jordan the NBA has seen since 1996 and now he finally has his Pippen.
I don’t understand this move; Chicago was a much better fit for Lebron. He would still be the clear cut number one, they have a better power forward in Carlos Boozer who already knows how to be a number two, Joakim Noah who doesn’t need the ball on offense and still scores 10 a game while bringing down 12 boards (AKA the perfect teammate for Lebron), not to mention Derrick Rose and Luol Deng. I don’t understand what Lebron was thinking this offseason. From his choice of team to the way he handled it, it all baffles me. One thing I do know is if I ran a team I’d much rather have my superstar handle things the way Kevin Durant did.

Dramatic turnaround yields nothing but W's for Bad Luck Fan

2009-08-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

It wasn't long ago that Dylan Kitzan couldn't attend a Spokane Indians game without being harassed about being the guy who sealed the Indians' fate before they even stepped on the field.

"It was a tough time for me," Kitzan said. "I didn't like it more than anyone else. But I still enjoyed going to the games, so even if they were seemingly predetermined, I tried to have a good time."

But lately, times have changed for the fan who once drew comparisons to Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman. After Spokane dropped eight of nine games with Kitzan in the stands, the Indians reeled off their fourth consecutive win last night with him in attendance, 6-4 over the visiting Boise Hawks. Timely hitting and solid pitching guided the Indians (31-33) to the victory, though the bigger story was the continued shift in fortunes of Kitzan, who can start to rest easy knowing that the entire season isn't weighing on his shoulders anymore. Last season, Spokane went 1-8 in games Kitzan was at. They went 50-17 in all other contests and won the Northwest League Championship with Kitzan absent for the entire series.

"For a team that was as dominant as Spokane was last year, it was bizarre that they could lose that often when I was there," Kitzan said. "Of course I felt responsible. I wanted to go to the playoff series, but kept myself away from Avista Stadium for the good of the team. What does that tell you?"

But now, with the Indians seven games back of the Tri-City Dust Devils for first place in the division, the pressure of a championship run is gone. The reason for that may be because Kitzan hasn't been in the ballpark enough.

"I suppose it was kind of my fault that Spokane struggled with me in the crowd last season," Kitzan said. "So I guess at the same time, if I would have gone to more games this year, Spokane might be in position to repeat."

For Kitzan, though, the Indians winning isn't the highest priority. How could it be when Spokane went through the stretch they did last season?

"It's just nice to be another fan again," Kitzan said. "It's fun to go to the games with friends and have everyone not fearing the worst. I'm not 'that guy' anymore."

Well, maybe he is. But "that guy" has a bit of a different meaning now that the Indians are winning games.

He must be in a Francoma

2009-08-05T01:46:00.000-07:00

Apparently, the BoSox skipper thought it wasn't worth walking Evan Longoria with a pair of open bases and two outs in the 13th inning of a tie game tonight. I wonder where he got that idea. I'm guessing it wasn't from this line:

AB-40
R-11
H-15
2B-5
HR-5
RBI-21
AVG-.375
OBP.426
SLG-.875
OPS-1.301

Let's break it down this way: The guy has more ABs against the Sox than any other team. He has scored four more runs against Boston than he does any other team. He has more hits against Boston than he does any other team. Same for doubles. Same for home runs. He has more than twice as many RBIs against the Sox than he does any other team. His average is second highest against Boston (1st is the Orioles and who doesn't hit them well?). His OBP is 20 points higher vs Boston than any other team which he has at least 20 ABs against. Slugging is second to Baltimore. And the OPS is .008 behind the O's and .312 higher vs. the Sawx than it is any other team with at least 20 ABs (CHW, CLE, KAN, MIN, NYY, OAK, TOR, FLA). This plethora of stats begs the question:

WHAT AM I MISSING?

How do you pitch to him here with the last reliever in your bullpen? Why not take a chance vs. Ben Zobrist or Joe Dillon?

Here's what Terry Francona had to say:

"I wish the ball wouldn't have gone out, but I don't think [walking Longoria] was the right thing to do.''

Well you know what else isn't the right thing to do? Give up 900-foot homers that blow a hole in the roof of Tropicana Field, that's right!

Here's what I would have said:

"Yeah, after we walked Longoria, an obvious move considering his history against us, Zobrist was an easy third out. Fortunately, our bats got going in the 14th and we were able to steal a game that only got this far because Terry pulled Lester too early. Jon threw the ball real well tonight and it was nice to see him bounce back so easily after drilling Pena to lead things off in the 7th and set things up just how we like for our 'pen."

I like my version better. Freakin' Francona...

I'm thankful for David Ortiz! Suck it, every media member!

2009-07-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Allow me to preface this by saying that if I had more time, I would have brainstormed the ideas I'm about to put forth (for anyone looking to recruit me for a potential job opening, I totally brainstormed this. I almost promise).

There's a reason I enjoy reading Bill Simmons' articles more than anyone else's in the world. For as interesting, humorous and accomplished as Simmons is as a columnist, and make no mistake, he's one of the best, he's a fan first and a writer second. That's what I love about him. He writes from a fan's perspective.

That's why I'm thankful for David Ortiz. He's bringing out the fan in me at a time when a diehard Red Sox fan like myself should be on suicide watch. And the fan in me has a few thoughts in times like these.

First, to the media. Hey fellas (this means you Howard Bryant, Dan Shaughnessy, Jay Mariotti, etc.), why don't you give the whole "2004 and 2007 are tainted" claim a break. Yeah, I understand you're desperate for readership and everyone who isn't a Sox fan (and some who are and want to sulk) is going to be on your article like a Yanks fan on "1918" chants in 2003, but that doesn't mean your argument is correct. If you'd like to name me one team that wouldn't have an asterisk next to a World Series title since the turn of the century, I'll be glad to agree with you that Boston should. But since it's generally assumed that just about everybody and their kids were on steroids at some point within the last decade, why does Boston stand out from everybody else? I'm not justifying what Ortiz, or any of the other BoSox did, but let's not be too quick to jump on their championships when we live in a world where no championships would be clean.

Second, to fans of baseball, quit casting stones at players of other teams who are juicing when there's no doubt that every ballclub has someone who's used PEDs at some point in their career. Jose Canseco is quickly being revealed as truthful, as his book's accusations have continually been accurate. He guessed that 80 percent of players were using, though has since adjusted that number to 95 percent (19 of 20 players). Not to toot my own horn (beep beep) but I didn't even jump all over Alex Rodriguez when allegations surfaced about him using steroids. That's because it was only a matter of time before some Sox were alleged to be on the juice. It's so common in the game, that no fans are cheering a squad full of natural-born athletes anymore. Chant "steroids" all you want at opposing players (this includes fellow Red Sox Nation members) but do it only to get inside the heads of the other team. Don't do it thinking your boys are high-and-mighty and play the game the right way.

Finally, to Big Papi himself. Thank you David. You helped bring two World Championships to a city which hadn't seen one in almost 100 years. Sure, you tested positive in 2003, but when penalties became enforced in 2004, you apparently quit, not costing your team games via your suspension. That's something your buddy ManRam can't even say. You have vowed to face this matter head on and despite being faced with the claim an hour before Thursday's game, you managed to keep focused and delivered a huge three-run shot which led Boston to a much-needed win. Thank you, Papi.

As for me, I'm still a fan of Papi. Still a fan of the Sox. Still a believer in our two World Titles. And still a baseball fan. Sure, I grew up in the Steroid Era, but I still love the game. And I'm not putting any asterisk next to that statement.

Dear Roy Halladay, come to Boston.

2009-07-18T00:39:00.001-07:00

Before I begin, let's get one thing straight. The Boston Red Sox don't NEED to make a deal to win the 2009 World Series. With the current roster in place, there is at least a 30% and maybe a 40 or 50% chance for Boston to win their third title in six seasons. They have a top-3 bullpen, top-3 rotation and top-5 lineup. And they have the best home-field advantage in the game. Tough to beat.

And as recently as 10 minutes ago, before I tuned into Baseball Tonight, I was on the "Why would you make a trade? The team is stacked as is!" train. Well, I caught another one. Thanks, Tim Kurkjian.

If Boston was to send Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard north of the border in exchange for perennial All-Star Roy Halladay, it would all but guarantee the Sox the 2009 championship. What lineup, save for the nine greatest position players in history, could go through the righty-lefty-righty threesome of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Roy Halladay? Send up Mantle, Maris and the Bambino in the heart of your order. I don't care. Good luck winning four of seven versus a team you haven't beaten in eight tries this season, especially when they roll out that rotation.

Whether Boston deems that sacrificing the future for Halladay justifies one guaranteed title remains to be seen. But Beckett and Halladay become free agents together after the 2010 season and the Sox will almost be forced to let one go (ideally Halladay based strictly on age), so any potential trade will mean the Sox are looking only to the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Yes, the farm system is stocked, but Boston could get a handful of prospects and/or proven position players for the Bard/Buchholz tandem in another potential deal.

If you asked me on Friday whether I would want the BoSox to make a deal for Halladay, I would have adamantly said 'no.' But with a 3-game lead in the AL East, and a 6.5 game lead for the Wild Card, Boston can clinch a playoff berth and most likely a World Series appearance with a trade for Halladay.

After an 86-year drought for one, a third title in six seasons sounds pretty good. Bring it on and bring Roy Halladay to Beantown.

There goes another overpaid, underachieving SS

2009-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

I might have been Julio Lugo's biggest advocate during his 2+ years with the Boston Red Sox. I endured countless snide remarks about his poor play, both at the dish and in the field. I kept the faith, even when he left me no reason to. I remember the days he hit at or close to .300 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and kept waiting for him to hit like he did then. And kept waiting. And kept waiting.

When Lugo blamed his poor 2008 campaign on being lactose intolerant, I believed him. And I still do. His downfall in 2009 wasn't even so much his own fault - he was hitting a respectable .284 with a home run and three steals in 37 games. He never lost the job. Quite frankly, Nick Green won it.

Green, a veteran journeyman, impressed the team with his performance in spring training and kept it going when given the chance during the regular season. That, couple with last year's emergence of Jed Lowrie, gave Boston three players for two spots.

Lugo stayed on the roster after Lowrie went down with an injured wrist, but everyone knew that Lugo stood as the odd man out when Lowrie was healthy enough to return.

Today, Lowrie returns to the Sox. Lugo does not.

Lugo was designated for assignment today by Boston in a move that allows them to activate both Lowrie and Mike Lowell from the disabled list. The Red Sox have 10 days to trade him or to release him outright, with the latter being the overwhelming probability. In either case, the Sox will be responsible for a few million dollars of Lugo's remaining contract.

Nevertheless, it solves a problem at the shortstop position for the Red Sox. Even as a fan of Lugo's, it was a move which had to happen.

Here's hoping he doesn't get picked up by an AL team and go Ronny Cedeno on the Sox during the last couple weeks of September.

This is what the AL has been reduced to?

2009-07-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

Remember in the 1990s when Home Run Derbies had, you know, quality lineups in both leagues? In 1992, the AL's Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Joe Carter and Cal Ripken Jr. faced off against the Senior Circuit's Larry Walker, Gary Sheffield, Fred McGriff and some guy named Barry Bonds. Two years later, KG Jr. and McGriff returned, alongside Ruben Sierra, Frank Thomas, Albert Belle, Jeff Bagwell, Dante Bichette and Mike Piazza. Men's men.

Heck in 1997, when they expanded to 10 hitters instead of eight, the lineup was still a who's who of Major League sluggers with McGwire, Griffey Jr., Walker and Bagwell, as well as Ray Lankford, Nomar Garciaparra, Chipper Jones, Tino Martinez (who bashed 16 and won the event), Brady Anderson and Jim Thome.

But inexplicably, the event has fallen on hard times. What used to be an honor to participate in is now brushed aside for a day off. As a result, only the National League is stocked with today's best home run hitters. Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder are sure to put on a show tonight at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. In fact, the lineups are so one-sided, that the NL could sweep through to the second round.

On the AL side, fluke seasons from Brandon Inge and Nelson Cruz have been rewarded with appearances in the Midsummer Classic's premier event. Inge has 21 dingers at the break. He had 25 home runs total in 264 games over the last two seasons prior. Cruz one-upped Inge with 22 round-trippers during the first half. Ironically, Cruz's career home run total in 176 games entering the '09 campaign was 22.

After those two is Joe Mauer, known more for his batting average than his power. Mauer has 15 homers this season, despite missing 25 games over the first three months. The 15 is two more than Mauer has hit in any season in his career. In 561 games before this year, the Twins' backstop hit just 44 long balls, which averages just under 13 over every full season. Ouch. On top of that, no catcher has ever won the event. Awesome.

The final hitter for the AL, and the only real hope to do much of anything for the DH-laden league, is Carlos Pena, who only received entry into the event after being named Dustin Pedroia's replacement on the All-Star team. Pena has 24 big flies this year, but is hitting just .228 on the season. In fact, chances are the only reason he was named as a replacement is because the Rays made it to the World Series last year, so Rays manager Joe Maddon will lead the team. Although there's also a chance Bud Selig told Maddon that the AL desperately needed someone to represent them that wasn't a 100-1 shot on Vegas lines.

It's sad that in a league with proven All-Star sluggers such as Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Jason Bay, Justin Morneau, Miguel Cabrera and Paul Konerko, the American League settled for Cruz, Inge, Mauer and Pena. Should be fun watching the National League battle for bragging rights among each other since the superior league has been determined before the hitters step on the field.

I knew I should have pursued sports broadcasting...

2009-07-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

I make it a rule to only watch BoSox games called by the hometown crew for a couple of reasons. One, if anyone is going to be biased and obnoxious, I want it to be the guys pulling for the same team as me. Two, Don Orsillo, Boston's play-by-play announcer, is respected enough to be assigned playoff games by TBS, which is more than most other broadcasters can say for themselves.

If I have no choice, like when ESPN or Fox picks up a game, or the Sox play the Mariners, I'm forced to sit through three hours of Rick Sutcliffe, Jon Miller or Tim McCarver. None of these guys, however, are more painful to listen to than the guy above, Dave Sims.

In fact, I can come of with four reasons why Sims is the worst of the worst. Enjoy.

1) Lack of knowledge. If Boston has runners on the corners with nobody out, Garrett Olson can't escape the inning with a double play ball because, as we all know, there are three outs per inning. Idiot.

2) I don't really know how to preface this, but just because a player has a name like "Gutierrez" does not mean you are required to try miserably to roll the R's in his name. Stop it.

3) He's exceedingly obnoxious. This should count for about seven reasons, but I'll limit it to one. He laughs at jokes which aren't funny. He's more of a homer than Rick Rizzs. Everything is 50 times greater when a Mariner does it. Routine plays are Web Gems. The list goes on.

4) He's in October mode...in July. I understand Seattle makes the playoffs about once a decade and to be within 15 games of first on Independence Day is an achievement in itself for M's fans, but just because you win a road game at Fenway does not mean you've clinched a trip to the World Series. If you were watching last night's game, though, you would have thought the Mariners won Game 7 of the ALCS. Hey Sims, you guys scored twice in the 11th and even when Mark Lowe gave up a bomb to the immortal George Kottaras (his first career blast), you thought it was baseball's greatest and most clutch save of the last 25 years. It wasn't.

Oh, and while I'm here, Theo, feel free to ship Saito anywhere. Maybe you can get a right fielder who swings the bat in return.

Curses or coincidence?

2009-06-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'm a Red Sox fan. If anyone has been bred to believe in curses, it's me. Boston took an 86-year hiatus from 1918-2004 before winning another championship. And never in the 19-years I was alive prior to 2004 did I think Babe Ruth cursed the Sawx.

But I'm slowly nearing a sobering possibility: Perhaps, for some unknown reason, I'm a curse for the hometown short season Single-A Spokane Indians. Last season, the Indians captured the Northwest League championship and did so in dominant fashion. Yet, in the nine games I went to, Spokane was 1-8. They were 50-17 in all other games.

So far this year, the Indians are off to a horrific start at 3-8. I just got back from my third consecutive game at Avista Stadium against the Tri-City Dust Devils and witnessed the beginning, middle and end of a deflating sweep.

I fully expect to arrive at the next game with a wanted poster outside for my immediate removal from the park. Good thing I'm not a season-ticket holder and good thing this...thing...hasn't latched itself on to my appearances at Chiefs games.

Barack Obama is going to the All-Star Game? Whaaaaat?

2009-06-23T23:43:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! Our president, Barack Obama, is taking time from his schedule to attend this summer's Midsummer Classic. Can you believe this? Instead of fixing the economy, figuring out how to get our troops out of Iraq or passing laws, Obama is going to spend three hours at a baseball game. Unreal.

If this isn't absurd enough, he's probably sleeping on the job right now! I know, right? Sure, it's 3 a.m. in Washington D.C. and that's when most people catch some Z's, but he's supposed to be working right now. Being president is a 24/7, 365.25 job and when our leader is spending his time not fixing what needs to be fixed, he's obviously not fit for his position.

If you didn't catch that thinly-veiled sarcasm, I'm sorry, but people who freak out over the president attending a baseball game need to chill out and gain some perspective. It's been a point of contention for McCain supporters and Obama haters since January that Obama is an avid sports fan. He appeared on SportsCenter during March Madness, filling out his bracket (which had UNC winning it all). He plays basketball regularly. And now, Obama will be at Busch Stadium in July to watch the American League All-Stars take on the National League All-Stars. Big whoop.

If you haven't noticed, Obama has been getting work done while doing all of this. The United States' image worldwide is improving in the post-Bush era. The automotive industry has great potential to rebound and hundreds of thousands of jobs are being created throughout all 50 states. Sure, there are a plethora of problems with our country, both big and small, but there always are and there always will be. When's the last time a president fixed every problem and satisfied every U.S. citizen? OK, just checking.

Listen, I'm not much of a political guy, but to jump on the president's case for being a sports fan is wrong. He's still only one man with a wife and kids and has his own life to juggle while being America's Top Dog. Of course he needs to allocate more time to his responsibilities as president than to his free time or his personal interests, but to those on his case for attending a baseball game or shooting some hoops, I say relax and think about it for a second.

For every hour he spends at a ball game, he's probably spending several weeks or months fixing what's wrong with this country. That's more than I'm doing or will ever do. And chances are, it's more than his critics are doing or will ever do.

Maybe those people should spend more time coming up with ways to better their country, or for that matter their community, and less time whining about how the president spends his.

Hey ESPN...

2009-06-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure who's in charge of game previews and recaps, but if their cut-and-paste style doesn't work out, I wouldn't mind stepping in:

ESPN's Wednesday Red Sox-Marlins Preview: Ortiz, though, may finally be coming around. He went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs -- all during a six-run fourth inning -- in Tuesday's 8-2 win over Florida.He is 9 for 23 (.391) with four home runs in his last nine games, also drawing six walks for a .517 on-base percentage over that span."You think about team goals and things like that," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, "but there's no doubt we're pulling for him. We're human, and there's no getting around that."

ESPN's Tuesday Red Sox-Marlins Recap: Tim Wak efield's ninth win moved him another spot closer to the AL lead, and the Boston Red Sox think it might finally be the 42-year-old knuckleballer's chance to make his first career All-Star team. "You think about team goals and things like that," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, "but there's no doubt we're pulling for him. We're human, and there's no getting around that."

Daye of Defeat?

2009-06-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

Most fans of the Gonzaga University men's basketball team might be disappointed about the news that sophomore Austin Daye is passing up on his final two years of eligibility to enter the NBA draft.

I am not most fans. This is great news for the Zags team and program. And awful news for fans of the NBA team which drafts Daye.

Look - Austin Daye is not ready for NBA basketball. He's not even a year away. He's at least two years away from being able to be a 10-15 minute bench guy. And he's about four years away from starting for a mediocre team. That's his ceiling.

Daye is a stone cold lock to follow in Adam Morrison's footsteps as a huge NBA bust. They're both pure shooters with not much inside game. They're both thin as a rail. Both possess great height, but are one-dimensional and don't bring much to the defensive end. What am I missing?

Meanwhile, in Spokane, the Zags will be better off without his presence. When Daye was on his game, he was a great player, but he was cold more often than not last season, when Gonzaga reached the Sweet 16. He was a hothead who clashed with officials and coaches and didn't exactly fit the mold as a true Zag. His length gave the Bulldogs an advantage on the perimeter, especially on the defensive end, but anyone who weighed 180 pounds could post him up and have his way with Daye in the paint.

Heck, Diamon Simpson might be more upset than Zag fans that Daye is bolting. Simpson was a lock for a 20-10 game anytime Mark Few had Daye guarding the St. Mary's forward.

Anyway, the first Gonzaga player to bolt early since Morrison is gone, but not forgotten. Zag fans won't be seeing Daye taking the floor in Spokane in 2009-10, but they'll see him riding plenty of pine in the NBA for years to come.

Time to sweep up some trash!

2009-06-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

That's so wicked awesome, but I don't think that lonely
broom tells the entire tale of 2009 so far...

That's very nice also, but that only speaks for two of the series the Sox and Yanks have played, and haven't they played three so far?

There. Much better.

See you in August, New York!

I may jinx what's happened so far, but I can't resist...

2009-06-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

This is A.J. Burnett. The New York Yankees paid him $82.5 million over five seasons to be a horse behind their prized pitching signing, CC Sabathia, at the top of the Yankee rotation.

Well, $82.5 million apparently doesn't get you out of the third inning at Fenway Park. At least it didn't on Tuesday night when Burnett was pulled 2 2/3 innings in after allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits and five walks while recording just one strikeout. So far this season, Burnett sports a Chien-Ming Wang-like 12.91 ERA versus New York's hated rivals and a very mediocre 4.89 ERA overall. You know how many pitchers in the league have a lower ERA and lower salaries than AJ? Me neither, but I guarantee it's a lot.

However, it would be unfair to Burnett to place all the blame for the Bronx Bombers' struggles versus the Sox on him. After all, he's just responsible for two of New York's six losses in six games to Boston on the season. And this one wasn't wholly his fault. Check out the box score from tonight's game to see what the anti-Burnett, Josh Beckett, did to the vaunted Yankee lineup:

Jeter 0-3, BB
Damon 0-4, K
Teixeira 0-2, 2 BB, K
Roidriguez 0-4, K
Cano 1-4, K
Posada 0-2, BB, 2 K
Swisher 0-3, K
Cabrera 0-3, 2 K
Gardner 1-3

For the record, Nick Green had as many hits as New York tonight.

Anyway, six of 19 games between the teams have been played in 2009 and Boston has (knock on wood) yet to lose to their bitter rivals. They're hitting better, they're pitching better and they're fielding better. Thanks to Baltimore and Minnesota, though, the Yankees are still tied for first in the AL East at 34-24.

But whatever. This isn't about the race for the playoffs - it's still June, by the way. This is about how bad New York is against Boston. The only players on the roster who have played decently against the Sox this season are the long relief pitchers and that's only because they've seen Boston hitters more often than A-Rod has seen Angel Presinal and Yuri Sucart since 2000. The hitters do just enough to lose games. The starting pitching has been atrocious and the Sox haven't even had the chance to knock CC out of a game before the all-you-can-eat-buffets close at 8 p.m. Joba has been beaten. Pettitte has been beaten. Burnett has been torched. Rivera blew a game that Marte took the loss for. Some guy named Jonathan Albaladejo has been beaten. And Phil Hughes also chalked up an 'L' for the Yanks.

Yeah, four of the six games have been played in Beantown, but the Sox have beaten New York with hitting (16-11) and pitching (7-0, 4-1, 7-3). They have beaten Yankee starters (thanks, AJ) and relievers (same to you, Mariano). They've won blowouts (7-0) and nailbiters (5-4, again, thanks Mariano). But most importantly, they've won. It doesn't matter how it gets done, 6-0 speaks for itself.

Tomorrow, Wang (who started the game in which the Yanks lost to Cleveland 22-4) faces Tim Wakefield (always a mystery, but more trustworthy pitching at Fenway Park than at the Yankee Silo) in a game the Yankees might want to win to avoid playing with the pressure of a third consecutive Sox sweep looming.

New York isn't winning, though. I don't care if they knock Wake out in the first. Boston has their number this year. They'll find a way. I'm not saying the Red Sox will go 19-0 versus the Yanks in 2009, but they aren't going 6-13 either. Win number seven on the season comes tomorrow at Fenway.

New York might as well warm up the long relief now. Wang, like AJ Burnett tonight, won't see the fourth inning. And the Yankees won't see their first win of the year versus Boston either.

I could get used to saying that a few more times...

Really? That's what this is like?

2009-06-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

I suppose it all started in 2003 when University of Miami (FL) tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. lost his cool after a game versus the Tennessee Volunteers. In a postgame rant to reporters, Winslow compared a football game to war and claimed "I'm a f---ing soldier!"

There was a lot of outcry regarding the outburst, as the media skewered Winslow for comparing a simple game to a life-and-death matter such as war. Winslow wasn't on the 50-yard line dodging bullets - he was dodging safeties. Just a bit different.

Well yesterday, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded star outfielder Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves for a handful of prospects. This didn't sit well with many Pirates players, some of whom felt that the team was very much still alive for the postseason, despite that they are 6 and a half games out of first in the underachieving NL Central and despite that they are, in fact, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

One of these players, Andy LaRoche, unleashed his feelings about the trade to reporters and must have been speaking from experience, because if he wasn't, may not have the analogy correct.

"There ain't a guy in here who ain't [ticked] off about it," said first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to the report. "It's kind of like being with your platoon in a battle, and guys keep dropping around you. You keep hanging on, hanging on, and you've got to figure: How much longer till you sink?"

So let me get this straight: Losing a player who you'll see on your next trip to Atlanta or their next trip to Pittsburgh is basically the same as your fellow soldiers dying? I understand LaRoche is upset and frustrated, and rightfully so, but there has to be a more appropriate way of conveying your thoughts. Like, say, "It's kind of like being on a Triple-A team, and guys keep moving up to the bigs around you. You keep playing, playing and you've got to figure: How much longer till you move up to the bigs?"

Come to think of it, playing for the Pirates is exactly like being on a Triple-A team. And let's face it - the only way LaRoche and the rest of the Pirates are escaping losing season after losing season is to move up to the bigs. Or in this case, the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox (Jason Bay), New York Yankees (Xavier Nady) or any other team with a legitimate chance of winning at the highest level.

The Pirates organization is synonymous with losing and the problems run much deeper than losing great outfielders. Perhaps LaRoche should recognize that sinking to the bottom of the NL Central is just slightly different than dying on a battlefield.

And Tonight's Guest...

2009-06-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, Aaron here. My man Dylan was kind enough to let me contribute to his fine bloggity blog, so I've decided to celebrate the occasion with a wholesome, nutritious list. Let's call it... "Top 5 Reasons To Hate The NBA After Game 1 Of The Finals." Engage.

1) Orlando Already Won. For the first time since Shaq's Junior season in the mid-90's the Magic are back in the Finals. To get there, they defeated the defending champion Boston Celtics (obligatory asterisk of no KG) AND the heavily-favored Cleveland LeBron James. No one expected them to beat topple those foes, much less the Lakers, and no one is going to be upset with them even if they get swept. They've accomplished far more than they anticipated this season, and it showed in their lackluster defense and general sloth Thursday night.

2) No Ringless Lakers Deserve It. The list of LA Lakers worthy of a title reads: Phil Jackson (9 rings), Kobe Bryant (3), and the case could be made for Derek Fisher (3), who has enjoyed surprising success considering his embodiment of PG mediocrity. Past that, THERE IS NO LIST. Pau Gasol is a post presence in the style of Eric Piatowski. Lamar Odom is the most unreliable player since Brian Washington. Luke Walton is, god forbid, a Walton. Then, I think they have 3 more point guards worse than Derek Fisher and Tracy Morgan standing on Vern Troyer. Not that Orlando fares much better in this regard, but Patrick Ewing is listed on their roster as an assistant coach. He alone is more deserving than the entire Staples Center minus dancers.

3) Violations Are Not Enforced. I have two calls in mind: charging and illegal screens. Charging seems to be called only if a perimeter player is driving the lane or if a post player is battling inside. Why isn't it called when any offensive player dislodges their immobile defender? A topical example is Kobe Bryant backing down whichever poor sap is assigned to guard him, creating a few feet of space to hike up a turn around J. While it looks pretty, the defender's position was clearly manipulated by 24's initiation of physical contact. TWEET. Next up is the screen. I can't quote directly, but I believe a screen is illegal if the screener's movement provides an advantage to the oh-ffensive player. Now, maybe NBA officials are unable to discern movement (it helps explain the continuation rule), but I approximate that 90% of NBA screens feature movement of an illegal fashion. The worst part is, the NBA is teaching generations of children that power forwards operate like offensive tackles and I have to deal with them acting all Antonio Gates-y. That analogy wasn't very strong, but you get the point.

4) Where's The NBA Been For The Last 8 Months? Thanks to an awesome new TV, I was blessed with the gift of free cable for a month before Comcast got wise and shut it off. During that time, I got to watch the NBA basically every night, and could even cycle between a couple different games at times. However, upon rejoining the poor, cable-deprived masses I realized that the NBA does not exist on network television. Even during the playoffs no more than two games per week were shown, and those were always on Sunday. Unless my math fails me, there are 15 best-of-seven series in the NBA playoffs, and of those potential 100+ games I got to see, like, 10. Go to hell. The best basketball of the season has already been played, just ask the Bulls and Celtics.

5) The Van Gundys are Insufferable. Jeff Van Gundy is a so-so coach with an annoying voice and a propensity to make ridiculous statements during games for shock value. I bet if you put him and Bill Walton in the booth together you could a) make a sitcom and b) repel alien invaders. My favorite is when he affirms his affection for the hip-hops because it makes him feel so street. His brother, Stan Van Gundy, is a so-so coach that looks like a porn star, and not the good kind. In fact, he's such a good coach that his assistant had to privately tell him, "Gimme the map, Scott." (Pro Tip: For that last sentence, change "good" to "bad," "assistant" to "star player," "privately" to "in the post-game press conference," "him" to "the world," and "map" to "Goddamn ball"). Put them together and you have a winning recipe for me jumping off a balcony.

Sizing up the Finals: NBA Edition

2009-06-01T23:35:00.000-07:00

I was really hoping to analyze both the NBA Finals as well as the NHL Finals and write lengthy pieces on each. Both plans fell through, however, as I am already two games behind in the Red Wings-Penguins series and any aspirations I had of another 1,000-word Kobe-LeBron blog went out the window with King James' Cavs career.

So rather than delve into how the Lakers can combat Superman or how Kobe will fare after the Magic just stopped one legend in the making, I'm going to see if I can, on a whim, list 10 reasons to get me to watch the NBA Finals. This is completely impromptu, so here goes.

1) Super Bowl-esque commercials. Unless the Niners are playing or I have hundreds of dollars on the line, neither of which have happened in a while, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the Super Bowl are the commercials. If I knew that during the NBA Finals, I would see terrific beer ads or the rare sleeper for a company I've never heard of, I'd put myself through six games of Orlando taking it to the Lake Show. Heck, I don't need nonstop new ads and they don't have to be of Super Bowl quality, but a Sonic or Geico commercial once or twice a game would have me tuned in.

2) Every other channel running an Two and a Half Men Marathon. I don't think I really need to go into depth here, but the only thing worse than Charlie Sheen's Hanes commercials is this show.

3) I'm at Flamin' Joes or Swinging Doors. Sure, both of these restaurants have several TVs tuned in to a variety of stations, but if all I'm forced to pick between are the NBA Finals and the Mariners-Orioles game, I'll watch a bit of roundball. Though, if the Scripps Spelling Bee comes on, I might switch over to that instead. Even on mute. Without captions. I'm not really excited about the NBA Finals.

4) The NBA changing the Continuation Rule before Game 1. Delonte West drove the lane in Game 5, was fouled by Anthony Johnson and then took two complete steps before tossing in a bucket. And one. I can't even think of an equivalent to this in any other sport. I guess it would be like the defense touching up the puck on a delayed penalty in hockey, except if the offense could still play on for two or three seconds to try to get a shot off. That's honestly the closest I can come, which should prove how ludicrous the rule is. But if the NBA announced before tipoff that once the whistle blows, the play is over unless the shooter is in the air, I might be interested, if only to see the players complain about their layin not counting after they were fouled at the elbow.

5) A guaranteed Kobe Bryant face. Yeah, I'm taking a page out of Bill Simmons' book with this one, but if I got to see the Kobe Bryant face (pictured above), I'd be watching. This is the one where he looks at a teammate, or into the crowd, knowing he's better than everyone on the floor, but the rest of his team is too much for him to overcome. He's blaming the rest of the roster with one glare, frustrated that people like Derek Fisher are taking 22-foot jumpers with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, down by two and 20 seconds left on the shot clock. It's inevitable that the face will make an appearance as the Lakers are headed for their second consecutive NBA Finals loss. I might be watching just for that.

6) Rashard Lewis playing for a championship. After playing in relative anonymity in Seattle in the shadow of Ray Allen, Lewis is playing in his first Finals. His play might make or break this series, as Orlando lives and dies by its perimeter play. He's a guy who can look rattled at times, so on the big stage, it could be bust for Rashard Lewis. You can take Rashard Lewis out of Seattle and you can take the Sonics out of Seattle, but you can't take the Seattle or the Sonics out of Rashard Lewis. And yes, this entire paragraph was dedicated to making that joke.

7) The Chick Flick Rule. I'm not ashamed to admit I do enjoy sappy love movies. But I don't enjoy watching them alone, so I don't watch them. It would take a girl to say "Hey, wanna watch The Notebook tonight?" for me to be on board. Well, same with the NBA Finals. Unless a cute girl comes up to me and asks if I wanna watch a game, I don't care enough about it. Call me shallow or a fair-weather sports fan if you want (I'm not sure which insults me more) but that's the way it is with me and the NBA.

8) David Stern bending the rules and allowing the Magic to trade Dwight Howard and Lewis to the Cavs for LeBron James prior to Game 1. If you're Danny Ferry, you have to think there is a decent to strong chance that LeBron is bolting via free agency. Why not get something in return? And if you're Stern, you would what...triple or quadruple your ratings by setting up the Kobe-LeBron feud in the Finals? I don't know enough about the salary cap to know what would be feasible in this situation, but I don't envision most of the other things on this list happening anyway, so I'm going with it. It's my blog, I make the rules - apparently as I go. And that is precisely what Stern should do with the "trade deadline." And you thought I didn't know what I was talking about...

9) A guarantee that the Lakers would exact some revenge for the Hack-a-Shaq strategy the Kings employed several seasons ago. Hedo Turkoglu, who played for Sacramento in the early part of the decade, was part of a team which sent Shaq to the line roughly 3,400 times in their 2002 seven-game series. Well now, Turkoglu plays with Howard, who shoots like Shaq in his prime from the charity stripe. Regardless of how far ahead the Magic may be in any fourth quarter of the series, Phil Jackson may remember what went down in 2002 and spend the last 10 minutes of the game using scrubs Adam Morrison (that felt good) and Shannon Brown to wrap up Howard 40 feet from the hoop. If this happens, I want to see the look on Hedo's face as Howard is 4-18 from the line and a double-digit lead is down to one with 90 seconds left and the ball in Kobe's hands. There will be a lot of 4-letter words roaming around in his head, I'm pretty sure.

10) Phil Jackson and Stan Van Gundy facing off in a Game 7. I'll actually throw an interesting subplot into the mix here. Stan "The Man" Van Gundy has broken out as one of the game's most underrated coaches in this postseason. He led his team to a win in the Garden in Game 7 against the defending NBA Champs (admittedly without KG, but still...), then figured out a way to dethrone the King, and it only took six games to do it. His team fell behind by as many as 22 in the first quarter of the Eastern Conference Finals, but his demeanor and coaching style allowed his players to rally each time, even if they fell to Cleveland twice on the road. His postgame press conferences are candid, entertaining and straightforward. Every talking head in America who watches the NBA loves that the Ron Jeremy lookalike is on the verge of a title. Now, the only coach standing in his way is one of the all-time greats. If this series goes the distance, it will be very interesting to see how Orlando fares in the Staples Center. Surprisingly, the coaching matchup is one reason I love the Magic in this series. Jackson carries a been-there-done-that attitude, which would work if anyone other than Kobe and Fisher have had success in the Finals. But Jackson hasn't won a title unless the greatest player ever or Kobe AND Shaq have taken the court for him. And I expect that trend to continue.

Hey, that only took two hours. And it would take two more just to get to 11 reasons. Time to take my Kobe Bryant face off for the night - I could not have done more than I just did.

Learning from Sweet Lou

2009-05-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Between Lou Pineilla and Carlos Zambrano, temper tantrums aren't a rarity in the Chicago Cubs clubhouse. But after a close play at home plate yesterday, Zambrano took flipping out to a new level. If you haven't caught a glimpse of it on SportsCenter or Baseball Tonight, here's a rundown of what happened.

During a 7th inning passed ball, Zambrano was covering home plate to try to tag out Pittsburgh Pirates runner Nyjer Morgan. The bang-bang call went to Pittsburgh, causing Big Z to lose it. Shortly after getting in the umpire's face, Zambrano was ejected.

Now, when I first saw the video, I didn't see what happened. Apparently, following his ejection, he threw the baseball far, far away. I never saw the ball, so when the replay came on, it appeared that Zambrano was ejecting the home plate umpire. I like my version better.

Anyway, Zambrano went on to slam his glove against the dugout fence. He was just getting started.

I'm not sure whose bat he grabbed from the rack - hopefully, it was his own - but he unleashed several swings of fury onto the Gatorade machine in the dugout. The Cubs may suffer from dehydration tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers, because there has to be an "Out of Order" sign taped to that machine. The guys in Office Space were gentle to the copier compared to how Big Z treated the drink dispenser.

Zambrano only received a 6-game suspension, which gives him plenty of time to finish destroying the rest of the clubhouse. If you know anything about the guy, you know he's probably not over this latest tilt.

Do your part!

2009-05-25T16:14:00.001-07:00

Tonight is the night that the war of words between the WWE and the Denver Nuggets centered around. World Wrestling Entertainment was scheduled to have its show in the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO until the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals. The NBA had Game 4 of the series slated to be played tonight. However, the WWE had signed a contract last year to hold Monday Night Raw in Denver tonight as well.

When the NBA released the schedule, the conflict became headline news and Kroenke simply said "see ya" to Vince McMahon and the WWE was forced to scramble and find another place to host the show. Several cities offered, before the WWE settled on Los Angeles.

The entire situation was handled poorly by Kroenke, who could have attempted to reach an agreement with the McMahon family. Instead, his primary concern was his team and his arena.

McMahon fired back admirably, rubbing in the fact that Kroenke didn't have enough faith in his own team to keep that date open. It was awesome.

So what does this have to do with anybody reading this? Well, you can help stick it to Kroenke, even if you don't like the WWE.

At 9 p.m., tune in to USA for Monday Night Raw. If you have DirecTV, do the same, but at 6 p.m. Help boost ratings for the WWE. If you don't want to watch, put it on mute or something. As long as it's on.

Also, pass up on watching Game 4 of the Lakers-Nuggets series. First off, it's not even the Finals. Second off, it's the NBA, which is much less entertaining than the college game. Third, it would stick it to Kroenke. Finally, it's the right thing to do. The WWE had the building reserved and were unceremoniously booted by the guy who owned it, despite having an agreement. There really isn't a great way to voice your displeasure, but the ratings would help reflect the public's sentiment to some extent.

If you feel like I do, whether you like or dislike wrestling, tune in to Monday Night Raw tonight. I'll be working from 6-11, but my TV will be turned to wrestling, even if I won't be watching. Hopefully, you'll be doing the same.

The best sport nobody on this side of the Mississippi knows about

2009-05-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Has anyone besides me watched lacrosse? Maybe it's the similarities to hockey that I love about it (hard hitting, fast, methodical) or maybe it's the fact I haven't seen a lot of it, so the sport is relatively new to me, but I could see myself glued to the tube for a lacrosse marathon if ESPN ever decides to run one.

Right now, Cornell is destroying the top-ranked Virginia Cavaliers 15-6 with just a couple minutes left and have a two-man advantage for 60 seconds. Now, I don't know much about lacrosse, but even I know that Virginia has been awful on both ends of the field for all four quarters of the game.

Lanes have been left open all afternoon for the Big Red to shoot through, while the Cavaliers tallied just one goal in the first 25 minutes of the game. Virginia hasn't been within five goals since about the early part of the second quarter.

Despite the blowout, however, I'm enthralled. The goaltenders record save percentages that would have NHL netminders pulled and released in a matter of minutes, but are All-Stars. There are power plays. Teams can move the ball 80 yards and score in seconds, like Cornell did late in the second quarter. If the ball goes out of bounds on a missed shot, whoever is closer to it where it rolls out gains possession, but if a pass goes out of bounds, it's a turnover.

It can be fast and hectic or slow and deliberate, depending on a team's style of play. Lacrosse has its fair share of highlight-reel goals, but also highlight-reel saves. The players don't really stop moving, whether on offense or defense. And games are fairly high scoring.

A lot of these qualities are what people love about sports, but nobody realizes that lacrosse has them.

Fortunately, I'm here to spread the word. If you get a chance, check out a lacrosse game, whether on TV or in person. If you like speed, hitting and scoring, you won't be disappointed.

It's basically the opposite of soccer in those aspects. You can't go wrong.

I can't believe I'm rooting for the Lakers

2009-05-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

As one of Bill Simmons' readers said, "Rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for the house in blackjack."

Well, this isn't quite on the same level as that, at least in my eyes, but for the next six games (since Game 1 is in the books), I'm rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers to defeat the Denver Nuggets. I know, it's gross.

It's not that I'm upset Denver bounced the Dallas "If I had a favorite team, they would probably be it" Mavericks from the postseason or anything. In fact, the Nuggets torching of New Orleans in Game 4 of their first-round series made me like them more. Except for Kenyon Martin. I hate Kenyon Martin.

But if anything is going to suck me away from the NHL playoffs and attract me to the NBA, and at this point, it may be the only thing that could do it, it would be a Kobe-LeBron finals.

The best thing about the NHL playoffs so far has been Ovechkin-Crosby and all six people who were watching it got to see that matchup seven times. I was one of those people, at least for a few games, and it was as enthralling a series as I've ever seen in hockey, save for the Chiefs-Americans playing five of seven games in OT a season ago, and that still wasn't top-level hockey.

But a Kobe-LeBron duel would top it for several reasons, and these are coming from somebody who doesn't even like the NBA.

First, Bryant and James would be on the court for just about all 48 minutes. Hockey plays in shifts, so when Crosby and Ovechkin are on the ice, it's electric, but only for 60 or 90 seconds at a time. Kobe and LeBron, meanwhile, spend nearly every second on the court. There are no breathers while the clock is in motion, unless one of the coaches wants to throw his team out on the hardwood at a disadvantage. For either team to win, their superstar has to outplay the other for an entire game. In hockey, it simply doesn't work that way.

Second, each player plays both ends of the court. Sure, you hear about the offensive talents of Alex and Sidney, but neither are a huge factor on the other end of the ice. But as good as #23 and #24 are with the ball, they're just as good without it. Both Bryant and James were All-Defensive First Team Selections this season and while it was James' first appearance on the list, Bryant has been a mainstay for the better part of the decade. Since the 1999-2000 season, Kobe has been a First- or Second-Team choice every year except in 2004-05. Amid the points and assists these players would rack up, you'd also see blocks and steals to add to the quality this finals matchup would produce.

Third, this meeting would be for the title. Crosby-Ovechkin was amazing and I don't want to take away from it, but they were only playing for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. After their dramatic Game 7 clash, the victor still had two win two series to hoist the trophy. Kobe and LeBron would be going head-to-head to be crowned champions. A series pitting these two against each other would end the NBA season, so there's zero doubt that absolutely everything would be left on the court and both players would exhaust every ounce of energy to top the other. Is there any doubt this series would go the distance? It would have to.

Fourth, each player is attempting to put their stamp on history. Kobe has a few rings, but it's often noted that he hasn't been able to win one without Shaq Diesel. He failed spectacularly a season ago as the Boston Celtics stomped LA in Game Six in the Garden by 39 and hasn't reached an NBA Finals in any other season without him, while Shaq won a title in Miami alongside Dwyane Wade.

LeBron might be the successor to MJ as "The Best Player Ever" but Air Jordan won six titles. James is still seeking his first. Of course, Michael had a great supporting cast with Scottie Pippen, BJ Armstrong, Toni Kukoc and the best NBA Head Coach ever in Phil Jackson, but critics aren't going to have much sympathy for King James, despite his second best player being Mo Williams and his head coach being the anti-Phil Jackson. Sports greatest players find ways of winning championships (unless their name is Dan Marino). This would be LeBron's second, and best, chance in his young career.

Finally, this would be the optimal setting to finalize the debate about who is currently the NBA's best player. Kobe Bryant won the 2008 MVP. LeBron James won the 2009 MVP. Each are compared to the other at all times during the season and every spors media member has pondered the question at one point or another. A great case can be made for either player, but if they face off in the 2009 NBA Finals, the analysts, writers, spectators will almost be forced to choose the player who leads his team to the title. And you know for an absolute fact that neither wants to be runner-up to the other when they know that everyone who follows sports will be eying this series if it happens.

But that's still a big "if" considering that Denver gave the Lake Show a run for their money in Game 1 and Orlando got the best of the Cavs during the regular season.

I think it's safe to say, however, that I'm not the only one swallowing their pride when I say "Go Lakers."

Oh, and uh...Go Cavs.

The best thing since the NES

2009-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends of All-Time, Aaron May, just proved why he's reached that status, sending me this gem from Thinkgeek.com. It's basically a portable NES system.

About the size of a Nintendo DS, the system allows you to plug in any NES game, while serving as the controller and the television, and take it wherever you'd like.

The gadget also comes with A/V out cables, allowing you to hook it up to your sweet 60" Plasma TV and play RBI Baseball, River City Ransom or Tetris all day long.

In a world with the most realistic video game features imaginable and some of the highest-quality games ever produced, the makers of this product have managed to sneak up on the entire world and take them all down with one 2.4" screen.

Now, all I need is $50 and 4 AA batteries and I'm set for life.

And since I'm on a hockey high...

2009-05-12T23:54:00.000-07:00

ESPN's Poll currently asks which is the best head-to-head rivalry in sports right now?

Roger Federer/Rafael Nadal (30%)

Alexander Ovechkin/Sidney Crosby (27%)

Kobe Bryant/LeBron James (34%)

Tiger Woods/Phil Mickelson (9%)

I'm here to make the case for my vote: Ovechkin/Crosby.

If you want to take the question literally, it has to be Ovie and Sid the Kid. Federer and Nadal haven't met in a tennis final in a while. Kobe and LeBron are still a couple weeks away from being the best of these four. Woods and Mickelson aren't the best, since neither are playing at their best right now anyway.

Ovechkin and Crosby are about to head to Game 7 of their second round series. In Game 2, Washington defeated Pittsburgh 4-3. Ovechkin had a hat trick. So did Crosby. In the series, Alex has 13 points, Sid has 10. Ovechkin has 10 goals in 13 playoff games. Crosby has 10 goals in 12. They've played their best hockey against the other and who knows what lies ahead tomorrow night.

If you want to take the question figuratively, though, it's still the hockey rivalry. What does it matter if Tiger and Phil are battling atop the leaderboard at the Masters if they both falter and neither winds up in contention? And it isn't like they're solely battling one another - they're up against everyone.

Nadal and Federer is good, but with Federer's troubles lately, it's typically a foregone conclusion when the two meet. Even when Roger was the top-ranked player, you knew almost always who would win between the two. On clay, Nadal dominated. On anything else, Federer had the edge. This isn't anything close to Sampras-Agassi and never will be since each has a clear-cut advantage on their surface of choice.

Kobe and LeBron are the two best players in the game without question, but how is it even a rivalry when they meet once a season? It should get better in a couple weeks and over the next few years when they meet in the finals year in and year out. But until that happens, they're playing their own game. Bird-Magic was a great rivalry because the Celtics and Lakers engaged in several NBA Finals appearances, but Bryant and James haven't done that yet.

But Ovechkin and Crosby are the best in the game and they see plenty of each other. Being in the same conference, the Caps and Pens play each other several times in the regular season. They just added seven meetings over the past week and a half. Each are matching the other goal for goal and win for win. Ovechkin is the better goal scorer and physical presence, Crosby the better overall offensive player. And each will bring out the best in the other in Game 7. The game's best player might be judged by many as the one who leads his team to victory tomorrow night. There's your rivalry.

By the way, don't forget to read the blog below this. I posted them within about a half hour of each other, so there are two new ones. Hope you like reading about hockey.

The best postseason nobody is watching

2009-05-12T22:05:00.000-07:00

If the National Hockey League is EVER going to burst back onto the scene in the United States, it will happen after the 2009 playoffs are through. With very few people having Versus (a TV channel) and ESPN bumping most hockey headlines down in the pecking order, how many people aware of what's been happening through the first two rounds?

If something like this was happening in the NBA, we would be getting baseball highlights on ESPN Deportes, because ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic and ESPNU would be flooded with three seventh games, including one between Kobe and LeBron (in this case, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin), the news that the regular season's best team was knocked out by an 8 seed in six games in the opening round and the next two best teams are headed home for a do-or-die Game 7. Instead, only Washington and Pittsburgh will get much air time on Sportscenter, as the major sports networks will likely defer to news about Brett Favre sending medical reports to the Vikings and Manny Ramirez not apologizing to his teammates and give Boston-Carolina and Detroit-Anaheim five total minutes with the token Barry Melrose analysis included.

In the NBA, the storylines revolve around who will be defeated on the road to the inevitable Cleveland-Los Angeles Finals and who was just lost for the season with an injury.

Sure, the Magic and Celtics are heading for a Game 6 in Orlando and likely a seventh game in Beantown, but when they advance to Cleveland, will either have a prayer? Orlando can't beat the Cavs without Jameer Nelson and Boston couldn't defeat Cleveland with KG, so they probably won't win one game without him.

In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets have torched New Orleans and Dallas, but only have a puncher's chance against a team with two superstars and a solid supporting cast. As long as Kobe and Pau Gasol are healthy, the Nuggets can't win. Yeah, they'll win a game or two (maybe three), but Kobe's play will dictate the series and you can bet he'll be salivating over the chance to face LeBron for the title.

And when the Cavs and Lakers face off for the championship, everyone should be amped. It will be a memorable series and a career-defining one for both Kobe and LeBron. But that's still a couple weeks away.

In the NHL, the Stanley Cup is completely up for grabs with seven teams still alive. Boston is the best team remaining, but Carolina has been the hottest over the last few weeks. Washington has the game's best player, but the Penguins have the best 1-2 punch in Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Anaheim has already knocked off the league's best team in convincing fashion, but Detroit is the most experienced team and are the reigning champs. And the Blackhawks have the top young core in hockey, with an experienced netminder and a very capable defense. Plus, they just came off a seven-goal outing against the league's best goaltender, Roberto Luongo, to wrap up their second-round series.

The Hurricanes and Capitals are entering their second Game 7 in as many series, while the Bruins and Red Wings are playing a Game 7 after first-round sweeps.

And a slew of goaltenders are making a name for themselves after a season, or career, spent in relative anonymity, even to hockey fans.

Caps goaltender Simeon Varlamov was in the pipes for six games during the regular season, backing Jose Theodore. But after Theo's struggles in the first game of the first round, Varlamov has taken over and started 13 consecutive games, leading his team to the brink of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Anaheim's Jonas Hiller split time with Jean-Sebastien Giguere during the regular season before bursting onto the scene by knocking off the San Jose Sharks and is on the verge of doing the same to the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. Six seasons ago, Giguere led the Ducks to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and two seasons ago, Giguere won the title with Anaheim. Now, he's taking a seat to the young upstart Hiller.

Vezina Trophy finalist Tim Thomas had never been out of the first round of the playoffs until 2009. The Bruins' 35-year-old netminder played in his first postseason last year, losing a seven-game heartbreaker to the Montreal Canadiens. This season, he led Boston to the Eastern Conference's best record after posting the best goals against average in the league and has maintained his level of play into the Eastern Conference semifinals. His reward, should he defeat Carolina in Game 7? Ovechkin or Crosby.

What's not to love in the weeks to come? The possibility of the upstart Hiller facing some of the best offensive young talent in the league in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks? Or that explosive offense facing another in the Detroit Red Wings?

In the East, the best team could face the best player or best players. Or Carolina, a team which already went through all-time wins leader Martin Brodeur to get to the Bruins, could face one of the best young goalies in Varlamov or another in Marc-Andre Fleury, who's been overshadowed by Crosby and Malkin.

Beyond that, both two seeds could face in the finals or both six seeds could battle. There could be a rematch of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, or the West's lowest seed could go through both conference's top seeds to capture the Cup. There could be an Original Six matchup in the Finals if Boston faces either the Wings or Blackhawks.

The last three times Detroit won the Cup, they defeated the Penguins (2008), Hurricanes (2002) and Capitals (1998). The last time Pittsburgh won, they beat Chicago, which was the last time the Blackhawks were in a Stanley Cup Finals. The last three champions are all still alive.

The possibilities are in anything-can-happen mode.

And everyone is missing it, thanks to none of the major networks airing hockey, except for a game or two on the weekends.

Here's hoping ratings are high on those days. The NHL Playoffs are as good as they've been in recent memory and have the potential to get better in the coming years.

And in the coming series, if you can believe it.

P.S. Don't miss Game 7 tomorrow between Pittsburgh and Washington (sigh...on Versus). If you don't believe what I've written, just watch that game. You will believe me by the time it's over.

It's amazing he isn't in the Big Leagues yet! Oh wait...

2009-05-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Pat Venditte is a minor league prospect in the New York Yankees' system. I'm not being biased when I say he isn't a great right-handed pitcher. But he's a decent right-handed pitcher. And I'm not being biased when I say he isn't a great left-handed pitcher. But he's a decent left-handed pitcher.

That's correct. Venditte is ambidextrous and is dominating the minor leagues. His glove is six-fingered to allow him to switch hands from hitter to hitter. The minor leagues had to implement a rule to prevent switch hitters and Venditte from going back and forth on which side of the plate to hit from and which arm to throw with, causing the game to stall. He has a 0.00 ERA so far this season.

Meanwhile, in the Bronx, A.J. Burnett has a 5.26 ERA. Mark Melancon is at 5.40. Jonathan Albaladejo stands at 6.43. Jose Veras is at 7.20. And then it gets ugly.

Damaso Marte is at 15.19. Chien-Ming Wang more than doubles that at 34.50. And poor Anthony Claggett sports a robust 43.20 ERA, thanks to allowing 8 earned in 1.2 innings.

So what does it say about the Yankees' organization when a guy who can throw with both hands is stuck in Single-A at 23 years old? Either that they're awful at managing their rosters or that the kid is nothing more than novelty.

In the last paragraph of his article, Reilly claims that the kid is still a few years away from joining the Yanks. But the rest of the paragraph is nothing more than a joke.

Red Sox Nation: Is this kid worth worrying about in the near future?

Uh, no.

He probably thought it was a Flintstone vitamin

2009-05-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't Manny Jr. This is what Manny Ramirez looked like as a rookie with the Cleveland Indians in 1993.

Now, I'm not going to sit here and take shots at Manny Ramirez for testing positive for a banned drug. The man was instrumental in securing not one, but two World Series Championships in a Red Sox uniform, so to sit here and drill him while staring at the banners in Fenway Park on NESN (Sox are up 1-0 in the 2nd) would be very hypocritical.

Whether or not he was on the juice with Boston might not be known, though the evidence is mounting that he probably wasn't clean. But really, it doesn't matter. This isn't about the player that he is or was. It's about his legacy in Beantown.

Boston tried desperately to jettison Ramirez over the years, not just through trades, but also through waivers. They never had a taker. And, like I mentioned earlier, they won two titles.

Then, in 2008, with Manny in a contract year, he tanked a couple months, blaming a balky knee (which, oddly enough, hasn't bothered him in LA). Finally, after a seven-and-a-half-year relationship, the Sox acquired Jason Bay in a three-team trade which saw Ramirez head west. For the rest of the season, it turned out to be a win-win for Boston and Los Angeles (Pittsburgh, unfortunately, got Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen from the Sox. Ouch.). Bay and Ramirez torched pitching throughout the rest of the regular season and into the postseason before the Sox and Dodgers were bounced in the ALCS and NLCS, respectively.

In April of 2009, both Bay and Ramirez got off to hot starts. That trend won't continue in May, June and part of July. For the next 50 games, Boston can bask in the fact that they have a left fielder. The Dodgers, not so much.

Sources have claimed the positive test was due to a sexual-enhancement drug. Others have their own doubts. Regardless, it doesn't change anything for me.

I grew up in the steroids era, so I'm pretty indifferent to anybody, even superstars such as Ramirez, being found guilty of steroid use. Call it cheating if you are old school, or because it's fashionable or whatever. By the late '90s, however, virtually everyone was on the same playing field. It wasn't even illegal until recently.

But under the new rules, Ramirez will pay the price and rightfully so. Not only will the 50-game suspension cost him almost $7.7 million, but it will also irreparably damage his legacy in the eyes of many.

When Manny hangs up the cleats for good and is Hall of Fame eligible in the coming years, I may look back on his career and his impact on Boston from 2001-2008 and feel some sort of sympathy for one of the greatest players to don a Red Sox jersey. I hope I do. For now, I don't. The terms under which he left don't help matters, but it's more than that. I guess as long as Jason Bay is being Jason Bay and Manny is wearing another uniform, I can't feel too bad for the guy.

Regardless, I haven't forgotten what he did for the Sox during the prime of his career. I hope that when he does retire, people remember what he helped do for the city of Boston, whether he was on steroids, Viagra or Flintstone vitamins. That, above anything, should be his legacy.

The Spo- prefix

2009-05-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

I hinted that this was coming in my last blog and now I have the time to address it, so here goes...

Can someone explain to me what the allure is to referring to Spokane as Spo- whatever? It may have been cute when it started, but after a good 30 seconds, it had worn out its welcome.

A few years ago, Spokanada and Spokompton broke onto the scene. I could see the parallels regarding both of these to a point - Spokane's weather and winter sports scene is reminiscient of that in Canada (OK, you got me...that's just speculation since I've still never been to Canada...sigh) and Hillyard is most definitely Compton-ish (again, never been to Compton...stay with me).

I kept waiting and waiting for these nicknames to go by the wayside. Years passed. Now, in 2009, their staying power has resembled that of Keanu Reeves' career. It should have ended a long time ago, but for some reason, hasn't.

This trend reached heights it never should have on Sunday morning at Bloomsday when a group of individuals stumping for the legalization of marijuana donned "Spocannibis" T-shirts roadside.

What does that even mean? What's the connection between Spokane and cannibis? I understand the Spokanada and Spokompton monikers even though I don't like them - both are geographical areas with similarities. But Spokane and weed? Really? Both are green, I guess. That's it.

It's been out of control for too long. We already have Spokandy. How long is it before a local store markets Spokan-openers and Spokandles. What if REI manufactures Spokantenes?

I gotta get out of here... I Spokan't take it anymore.

Monkey see, monkey do

2009-05-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Stretching to play the first seven innings, guys?

With Alex Rodriguez out of action for another week or so, somebody had to step up when the game didn't matter as much and choke on the big stage. That's where the Yankees' $180 million man comes in.

After blasting two solo home runs to cut Yankee deficits to the Boston Red Sox tonight, Tex came up with two on and one out in the bottom of the ninth with New York trailing the Sox 6-4. His third home run of the game would have given the Bronx Bombers a dramatic 7-6 walkoff win. Instead, like his injured third baseman, he came up empty in the clutch, striking out against Jonathan Papelbon, who ended the game two hitters later in Boston's 6-4 win.

If New York wants, I know plenty of places where they can find guys who can hit a few homers and do nothing when it matters (like Staten Island and Trenton), but I guess they'd rather shell out hundreds of millions for big names. At least Teixeira and Rodriguez can put people in the seats in the new Yankee Stadium.

Just kidding. That place held more Sox fans than Yanks fans tonight.

I came here to run, not to join the cause

2009-05-03T20:54:00.001-07:00

Another year has passed and another dreadful Bloomsday run is in the books. This year, I broke down near Mile 1 and probably ended up finishing around 1:15. More than ever, Bloomsday 2009 wreaked havoc on my body.

What wreaked havoc on my mind, however, were the attendees roadside who were there for no other reason than to promote their cause. Mile 5 was definitely the worst as Doomsday Hill was lined with individuals looking to get marijuana legalized, looking to get a person elected to office and looking to recruit paintball players (the paintball posse was also located on Miles 1 and 3 of the 12k race). On Mile 7 was a religious group handing out advertisements for their church or organization or whatever. I just saw "Jesus" and "Christianity" and decided not to reach for one of their handouts.

I understand that this is well within their rights and all, but come on ... can't this shameless stumping for one agenda or another happen another time? I also realize Bloomsday is a great way to get tens of thousands of people to glance at whatever you're braving the cold for at 10 in the morning on a Sunday, but these individuals were eye sores in a sea of crazed Spokanites (I can't believe I just used that word...) cheering on friends, family and complete strangers. Which reminds me...

It wouldn't hurt for these crusaders to offer up the occasional "Great job runners!" as people fly by or, in my case, limp by. It would even draw eyes to what you're about (which is the goal, right?). But each time I passed these groups, I encountered marijuana propaganda (Spocannibis? Really? Look for a blog in the coming days about Spo - fill in something that sounds like it has Can in it here.), people staring blankly at passing runners with their arms stretched out (the religious front) or silence (from the people who wanted me to vote for what's her face?). I'm sure these people weren't above rooting runners on from the race's beginning to end, but when I passed, the only "You're doing great's" came from the people there to watch others run a race.

And that's all I wanted to do in the first place: run the race. That is what Bloomsday is about, correct? Unfortunately, maybe not for much longer.

I'm not surprised...I'm a Sox fan

2009-05-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Usually when teams win 11 straight games, they can hang with any team at any time. Even after losing the heartbreaker to the Cleveland Indians which snapped the streak, they came back and won the next night to get back on track. Then they went to Tampa Bay.

If you're not a Sox fan, you don't understand that a series in Tampa is not as fun as it was earlier in the decade. The Rays can play now. They hit well, they field well and they pitch well. Especially against Boston.

In game one, the Sox got as many baserunners in nine innings as Tampa did ... hitting off of Jonathan Van Every. Boston's right fielder allowed a hit and a walk in 2/3 of an inning. Matt Garza allowed a hit and a walk in 7 2/3 innings before Grant Balfour finished the one-hitter. The Rays won 13-0.

Coming back tonight with Justin Masterson on the bump against Andy Sonnanstine, I figured it would be a close contest. And it was. Until the fifth inning. Up 2-0 when the inning began, Tampa cut the lead to 2-1 and had the bases loaded with two outs for Evan Longoria.

Understand this about Longoria (and yeah, I'm writing in the heat of the moment, but I mean every word I'm about to put down). He is the scariest hitter in the game. Not Alex Rodriguez. Not Ryan Howard. Not Albert Pujols. I repeat, not Albert Pujols, just so you know I knew what I was writing. Evan Longoria puts a fear into me that nobody else does. Derek Jeter has hit like .836 in his career against the Red Sox. But Longoria is easily around .900. And he's 23 years old, so unless the Sox pony up a few hundred million in a few years, Boston fans will be sitting through this for a couple more decades.

Anyway, when he came up, two thoughts ran through my head. One is that the Sox should just walk him intentionally, bring in the tying run, and take your chances with Carlos Pena. I understand there were two outs and I understand that nobody since Barry Bonds has been issued a free pass with the sacks full, but I didn't care. That was thought one.

Thought two was that I was following the game on ESPN Gamecast and I didn't even want to look at the screen, figuring I was about to see the equivalent of a bad train wreck. But, like the result of a bad train wreck, I couldn't look away. And on a 2-2 pitch, Longoria, obviously, hit a grand slam, his seventh home run of the season and fourth (in five games) against Boston. To go with that, 13 of his 28 RBIs are against Boston and he's hitting just .455 on the season against the Sox.

In last season's ALCS, Longoria was only 7 for 27, but hit four homers in the series. In his rookie year, he ended with a .272 average, 27 homers and 85 RBIs in being named Rookie of the Year. Pujols was considerably better in his 22-year-old season (.314, 34, 127), but I'm stubborn and am saying that Longoria is the league's best player right now. Even if Pujols is at .356 and nine homers.

As a Sox fan, given the choice, I'd send any pitcher to the mound and would rather face Pujols than Longoria. And if I could have either on my team, give me Longoria.

As far as I'm concerned, that's how I define the game's best player.

A-Rod is a bad, bad man

2009-04-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, Alex Rodriguez is back in the news for bad reasons. This time, allegations surfaced that he used performance-enhancing drugs in high school and during his time with the New York Yankees as well as that he would tip pitches to opposing hitters he was friends with in blowouts so that they would return the favor in similar situations.

Because of the report, ESPN's morning poll asked which was worse: using PEDs or tipping pitches to opponents. And really, the fact that it wasn't 100% one way is alarming, because one is clearly worse than the other.

That one is tipping pitches in blowouts. Heck, that's worse than betting on your own team to win a baseball game and Pete Rose is being banned from the Hall of Fame because of that.

It doesn't matter if the score is 15-0 0r 150-0 with two outs in the ninth inning. Giving opponents an unfair advantage is sickening for several reasons.

First, it violates the purpose of sports. Say what you want about using steroids and HGH, but the players who use them are ultimately doing so to help their team win, even if they're only doing so as a byproduct of getting themselves into the record books. Barry Bonds may have wanted Jeff Kent's head on numerous occasions in San Francisco (and sure, if he had killed him, you could raise the "roid rage" argument to contradict this entire paragraph), but when Bonds was at the plate and in the field, he was helping the Giants win those games. And if Kent was on base when Bonds went yard, that's one more run scored in Kent's career.

But when someone is tipping pitches to their opponents, blowout or not, that player is not just hurting his team, but he's also throwing his pitcher under the bus. How many times did Ryan Drese enter a 10-1 game in the ninth and see his ERA inflated because Player X was sitting on an 0-1 slider?

Second, (I know it's far-fetched to think about, but...) baseball is the only one of the four major sports (yes, I'm including hockey) which isn't timed. It's not like in the NBA, where if a team is down 25 with a minute to play, it's over. In baseball, if a team is down 10-1 in the ninth, there's still a slight, slight possibility that they could rally. It's slight, but it's possible.

The 10-1 thing is just an example, obviously, but teams score nine runs in an inning from time to time. Heck, if you get a guy on the hill who can be rattled by a few baserunners, who knows what could happen? The Cleveland Indians scored 14 in an inning about a week and a half ago. So to tip pitches to an opposing player, especially when you're doing it in a blowout, so they'll return the favor to you in a similar situation (which might be the most selfish act of all time - putting your teammates stats at risk for a chance to increase your own later on) is the lowest of low. Unlike Rose, Rodriguez wanted his team to win, but only if the game was close. If the game was thought to be in hand, A-Rod apparently couldn't care less what happened.

Finally, going forward, how do you trust him as a member of the Yankees? Sure, he's now the third baseman, so the chances of him tipping pitches when he can't see what's being called isn't great, but if he's willing to sacrifice the other 24 guys on the team for his own benefit, what else is he capable of? Would he be a guy to bet on an opposing team, then botch an easy double play ball and give away four plate appearances when New York has been eliminated from postseason contention in mid-September? Why not ... nothing matters at that point in the season anyway. And here's a hypothetical that may never happen, but is definitely a point to ponder regarding his character: Say the Yanks needed a win to get into the playoffs in the final regular season game of 2010. A-Rod comes to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth of a tie game. And say Rodriguez needs just one more home run to tie Bonds' record of 73. Is Rodriguez swinging for the fences instead of trying to put the ball in play to secure a win? Figuring there are two hitters behind him to pick up the slack if he fails, what are the chances A-Rod is taking three vicious hacks at history? Judging by his track record, it's somewhere between 175% and 550%.

So nobody should be comparing his PED use to him tipping pitches. Yeah, steroids are unethical and violate the sanctity of sports, but they don't compromise what professional sports are all about, which is to see which player (individual sports) or team (uh...team sports) is the best. Taking steroids gives someone an advantage(fair or unfair), but playing 26 on 24 is a whole new ballgame.

Hit, check. Throw, check. Catch...uh...

2009-04-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to blame tonight's 9-8 loss strictly on Javier Lopez, though when you botch a play that an 8-year-old could make, you're somewhat to blame. But Boston had several chances to win tonight and failed, snapping their 11-game winning streak.

Brad Penny, who I dropped from my fantasy team during tonight's game, allowed the Cleveland Indians to score in the first, second and third innings immediately after the Sox scored in the first, second and third innings, before Terry Francona mercifully yanked him after giving up seven runs and getting just eight outs.

Mike Lowell threw a ball away, allowing a run to score and another runner to get to third, which led to a sacrifice fly and another run.

Julio Lugo screwed up a double play by attempting to transfer the throw from Dustin Pedroia too quickly, leaving Penny out longer than he should have been. The next batter, Ben Francisco bombed a 3-run shot to left to tie the game.

Takashi Saito, staked to a one-run lead in the seventh, took eight pitches to give that lead back up.

Nick Green, who should have been saved as a defensive replacement for Lopez instead of Lugo, struck out on three pitches with one out and runners on the corners in the ninth inning before Jacoby Ellsbury lined out to leave both runners stranded.

That led to Lopez, who PITCHED well, allowing a bloop single before getting an out via sacrifice bunt and strikeout. But with two outs, Asdrubal Cabrera bounced a ball to Kevin Youkilis' right. Youk did his job, fielding the ball. Lopez, however, dropped the simple flip from his first baseman and instead of going to extra innings, Cleveland prevailed.

Now, I'm not getting paid $1,350,000 and can't pitch as well as Lopez (even though I can probably throw as hard), but if the Sox need someone to teach the guys how to watch the ball into their glove, I think I'm qualified to give lessons.

I mean, I did play tee ball...

Glad I'm not a New Orleans Hornets fan!

2009-04-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

It's not too often that Jason Bay hits another dramatic 9th-inning home run to help the Boston Red Sox win their 11th game in a row and it isn't what I want to talk about most, but what Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets did to the New Orleans Hornets tonight warrants top billing at Unforgivable.

In the first two games of their opening round series, Denver cruised, winning in the Mile High City by 29 and 15, respectively.

In Game 3, the Hornets responded, squeaking out a two-point win to cut the series gap to 2-1.

But in Game 4, the Nuggets could have spotted the Hornets 57 points and still won. No, I'm not kidding.

The Nuggets 121-63 statement win should count as two and this series should be over, because there is NO WAY New Orleans is coming back from that loss.

The jokes (albeit bad ones) are endless. The Hornets could have had Chris Paul cloned twice, played Denver 7-on-5 and not won tonight. The Nuggets could have been shut out in the second and third quarters and still won 69-63. New Orleans played like they were coached by Byron Scott. Like in hockey, every foul against the Nuggets should have resulted in a 2-minute score-at-will power play for the Hornets and it wouldn't have mattered. Our Hoopfest team could have thrown on Nuggets jerseys for the fourth and still won by double digits.

The embarrassing blowout tied the largest playoff win in NBA history, which happened in the pre-shot clock era. New Orleans had 25 turnovers and 17 field goals. If it weren't for the Hornets going 27-32 from the stripe, who knows if they would have made it to 50 points.

I hate the NBA. But I love novelty. What a spectacular beatdown. If only it would have happened to the Utah Jazz...

Just kidding

2009-04-26T22:48:00.001-07:00

There was no actual commentary from the game at all. It was an inning by inning recap of the game. Oops.

Busting out the brooms?

2009-04-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

For the series finale between the Sox and Yanks, Just South of North's Brandon Hansen, his friend Colin and myself are going to be throwing our two cents about the game on here as it progresses. Hopefully, a lot of cheers follow instead of a lot of curse words.

Boston's top three relievers are unavailable tonight, so hopefully Sox starter Justin Masterson can go deep into the game.
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End Game, 4-1 Sox: Sox have now won 10 straight after SWEEPING the Yankees. Saito made it a bit interesting, giving up a 2-out single and falling behind Johnny Damon 2-0, but Saito rallied to induce the fly out and secure the 9-0 homestand.

End 8th: Hopefully the bottom of the 8th doesn't come back to bite Boston. They loaded the bases with nobody out, but Lowell, Varitek and Green all failed to knock in the runs and the score remains the same with Takashi Saito coming out for the save. 4-1 Sox after eight innings.

Middle 8th: Bowden has been awesome in his appearance tonight, getting Teixeira to fly out, Swisher to ground out and Cano, New York's hottest hitter, to strike out. Now, Boston's 4-5-6 hitters will come up looking to add a couple insurance runs before the 9th.

End 7th: I'd make this as short as the Sox's 7th, but it's already too late. Ellsbury, Pedroia and Ortiz went down on about five pitches. Teixeira, Swisher and Cano coming up in the 8th. 4-1 Sox after seven innings.

Middle 7th: What started off ominously for Michael Bowden in his 2009 debut ended splendidly. Bowden fell behind 3-0 to Berroa before coming back to retire him. Brett Gardner suffered a similar fate, as Bowden fell behind 3-1, but induced a fly out. Finally, Bowden struck Jeter out on a fastball at the knees to keep the three-run lead intact. Top of the order coming up for the Red Sox.

End 6th: Quick inning for Boston, as Lowell and Varitek went down on two pitches apiece. Green laced a single to left, but was picked off by Pettitte, leaving Ellsbury at the plate. Might be for the best as far as Ellsbury making history. He needs to steal third to steal every base possible in the same game. Stay tuned. 4-1 Sox after six innings.

Middle 6th: Well I spent the last five minutes not breathing. After Masterson allowed a pair of baserunners, Francona brought in Hunter Jones for the second time in his career to face two Yankee hitters who represented the tying run. Hideki Matsui hit a laser off Jones, but right at Drew for the second out. Then Jones sat down a hot Melky Cabrera on three pitches to escape the jam. Bottom third of the order due up for Boston.

End 5th: Wow, what an inning. The Sox had one in on an RBI double by Ortiz and the bags loaded with two down for Drew. On the third pitch of the AB, Ellsbury took off and stole home, sending Fenway into pandemonium. A few pitches later, Drew drove a pitch down the right field line for a ground rule double and another RBI before Bay struck out looking to end the inning. 4-1 Sox after five innings.

Middle 5th: Masterson survives a scare from Teixeira who drives the ball to right with two outs and Jeter on first, but Drew made the catch on the warning track to keep the game tied at 1 halfway through (hopefully). Varitek, Green and Ellsbury due up for the Sawx in the home half of the fifth.

End 4th: Pettitte strikes out the side with a walk and stolen base to Bay in between. I don't know how Drew is hitting over .300 against Pettitte in his career, but he's seen six pitches and struck out twice, so... 1-1 after three innings.

Middle 4th: For the second straight inning, New York mounted a threat against Masterson, but with runners on the corners and two outs, Melky Cabrera grounded the first pitch of his at-bat to Pedroia to end the inning. Sox have the middle of the order coming up, which got some runners on against Pettitte in the second.

End 3rd: Sox return the favor, as Ellsbury gets on via fielder's choice, steals second, reaches third on Angel Berroa's second error of the inning and scores on a David Ortiz sac fly before Pedroia is picked off to end the inning. 1-1 after three innings.

Middle 3rd: Yanks took a lead after a clean single, a bad hop, a sacrifice bunt and a sac fly. After a Lowell error, Masterson escaped further trouble by getting the only automatic out not named Angel Berroa in the New York lineup, Mark Teixeira, to fly out on the first pitch. 1-0 Yanks after two and a half.

End 2nd: I thought Varitek made it 3-0 and just about jumped out of my seat. Instead, the ball failed to reach the monster and ended the inning, leaving Bay and Lowell on after they reached with 2-out singles. Pettitte is still getting hit pretty hard by the Sox who swing the bat (hint hint, J.D. Drew). 0-0 after two innings.

Middle 2nd: Another 1-2-3 inning for Masterson, including a strikeout, groundout and flyout. The way this is going, it could be the first Boston-New York game since 1947 which was finished in under three hours.

End 1st: A great start for Boston turns into nothing, as Pedroia follows up an Ellsbury single with a fly out and Ortiz lines into an inning-ending double play. Sox got much better swings off of Pettitte than the Yanks did off Masterson. O-O after an inning.

Middle 1st: Great first inning for Masterson with two ground balls and a strikeout of Mark Teixeira. Time for the Sox to come out swinging against Andy Pettitte in their half of the first.

This is the scene at the new Yankee Stadium

2009-04-24T13:03:00.001-07:00

And they're not even out of the playoff race yet.

Going into the 2009 season, the New York Yankees were coming off their worst season in 16 years. It hadn't been since 1993 (not including the strike-shortened '94 year) that the Bronx Bombers didn't play in October.

But with a new roster, including AJ Burnett, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees were $400 million closer to another playoff appearance. Teixeira, in particular, was a big acquisition not just because of his track record with the Angels, Braves and Rangers, but also because New York was moving to the new Yankee Stadium. The writing on the outfield walls claims it's only 318 feet to the left field fence and 314 to right, but after just a few games, clearly, the new Yankee Stadium plays much shorter than that and for a strong switch-hitter like Tex, he could hit 40 by the All-Star Break. Heck, a drunk Joba Chamberlain could go for 20 and would celebrate by carrying Yogi Berra around the clubhouse like Pedro Martinez did with Nelson de la Rosa.

But despite spending nearly a half a billion dollars on the free agent trio and a staggering $1.5 billion on the new ballpark, the Legends Suite seats pictured above are pretty empty. And no, that isn't the Florida Marlins section of Yankee Stadium.

We are the better part of a month into the 2009 baseball season and the Yankees are leading baseball in home attendance, averaging 44,502 people per contest. The only problem with that number is that the Stadium seats 52,325. So six games in, New York is sitting at about 85 percent capacity.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that those empty seats in the photo above range from $500-$2,625 apiece. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that opponents have scored 50 runs in six games (though to be fair, 32 of those runs came in two games). Either way, when you have 1,895 seats to fill and you're not close to that, something has to change. Doing quick math, the average of the seats (assuming it works out that way, but this is an estimation, so stay with me) is $1,600 and if they sold out, the Yanks would make $3,032,000 per game from those seats. If they were able to sell out every game, that's $245,592,000, or almost what they owe Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett over the next several seasons.

Instead, according to the picture anyway, they aren't selling half of those. Apparently, it's not as enjoyable for New Yorkers to hurl insults at Cody Ransom with A-Rod shelved to begin the season. But there are factors to blame beyond just the price and quality of the team.

Smart fans (fans of the visiting team most likely) sit in the section behind those field seats for $375 a crack. Sure, it doesn't come with all the amenities that the expensive ones do (cushioned seats with teak arms (whatever those are), in-seat wait service, concierge service, private restrooms (and you though that extra $2k was going to waste) and all-inclusive food and beverages), but it's virtually the SAME EXACT VIEW OF THE GAME.

And here's the kicker: "Exclusive access to the bi-level Legends Suite Club and two Legends Suite Dugout Lounges, helps make the Legends Suite the most coveted ticket in sports."

Yeah, that's directly from the site to purchase these tickets.

Most coveted ticket in sports? It's not even the most coveted ticket in its own place!

Talking with Brandon Hansen at Just South of North, he brought up a good point: People are more apt to buy tickets if they think they're exclusive. Seeing hundreds of empty seats isn't going to want to make people pony up thousands of dollars. However, if the seats were constantly sold out, spectators would be more willing to pay more, thinking they were getting in on something great (even though those thoughts would be wrong, since in the end, it's still a Yankees game).

New York management is realizing the same thing and is considering lowering the prices in the section, which would be...sane. Judging by the picture, the Yanks would be lucky if half those seats were filled. Playing ball in a city with so much "mystique" (gag me), you're going to sell out the place unless tickets are so outrageously priced, people can't justify sitting, or can't afford to sit, in the front row.

Not that I want the Stadium to attract fans, because seeing the Yanks fail when it should be so easy to succeed is always nice, but they should have butts in every seat 81 times a year with that roster and that new facility. When they don't, they're doing something very wrong.

Listen: at this point, you could go to Fenway Park, Safeco Field or just about any other park in the country (Toronto included, especially considering the exchange rate) and sit in similar seats for a few hundred bucks, as opposed to New York's $2,625. This means that, while you don't get your own restroom or wait service, you can spring for all the beer and food you want and still walk out with hundreds of dollars more than you would at Yankee Stadium.

And, like at the Stadium, there's a decent chance you're walking out after seeing New York lose.

So after watching the league beat the Yankees 73 times last year and another six to kick things off in 2009, it's a different kind of nice to see them beating themselves, which is exactly what they're doing in their so-called "premium seats."

Is this guy baseball's next .400 hitter?

2009-04-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Maybe, maybe not. But Kevin Youkilis is off to one of the hottest starts in baseball, hitting .469 with three dingers and 10 RBIs through the Red Sox's first 13 games. Sure, that's not that much time, but here are five very good reasons why he could make this happen.

1) He's well on his way. Remember last season when everybody in baseball was beside themselves with anticipation about Chipper Jones hitting .400? After 13 games in 2008, he was at .415, or 54 points lower than Youk. Sure, Jones ended April still on pace (.410) and ended May even better (.417) before finally falling to .394 on June 19 and never recovering, but Youk isn't there yet, so we don't know. All we know is that even with David Ortiz struggling and the rest of the offense either all or nothing, the Sox cleanup hitter is simply stroking (he's got 8 multi-hit games versus 2 no-hit games) and hasn't given anyone a reason, to this point, why it isn't within the realm of possibility.

2) He is an incredibly patient hitter with an even better set of eyes. For you people not obsessed with Boston baseball (I'm sorry too...you're missing out), when Youkilis came up through the farm system, he was heralded for his good eye. In the book "Moneyball" (which I haven't read, but am intrigued by, especially since it has failed spectacularly for Oakland A's GM Billy Beane), Youkilis is referred to as "The Greek God of Walks." In the long run, what this means is that he swings at good pitches to hit. Rarely does #20 stray from the strike zone to chase a bad pitch. Nine years ago, the Sox had a hitter who had the who's who in baseball saying he was the next to hit .400 (Nomah). His problem was that he was a first pitch fastball hitter, so smart pitchers could get ahead of him in the count or get him to put a bad pitch in play. Make no mistake, Garciaparra turned many of these into base hits, but he finished at .372 and walked just 61 times (many of which were, undoubtedly intentional and even that number is a career high). Now, while Youk walked just once more than that in 2008, he is just three years removed from 91 free passes and 77 more in 2007. It's one thing to be a great hitter, but it's another to be a great hitter and work pitchers into throwing what you want.

3) Youk's average has gone up every year he's been in the league. At 30, Youkilis is most likely entering his prime now after not breaking into the majors until he was 25. Now a veteran, he has seen his average climb for half a decade:

2004: .260
2005: .278
2006: .279
2007: .288
2008: .312

Now, .312 isn't .400, or even in the same ballpark (pun intended), but if he continues to get better, who knows what could happen?

4) He's got great hitting behind him. J.D. "If I'm not looking at strike three, I'm raking" Drew and Jason "Manny who?" Bay are good, professional hitters who, when hot, can strike fear into opposing pitchers. If they're at the top of their game, Youk is going to get pitches to hit in front of them and he's shown that he knows what to do with those pitches, especially with the monster just 310 feet away. And even if Drew and Bay aren't producing as much, Youkilis is still a solid enough hitter to the point where he can maintain a great average, especially in the pitching starved AL East (where three staffs, Baltimore, Tampa Bay and, oh joy, New York, are among the nine worst in baseball).

5) He's already smacking pitching from clubs against which he has traditionally struggled. From 2006-2008, Youk hit .297 against the Orioles, .281 versus the Angels, .264 against the A's and .244 versus the Rays. Through one series against each of those teams (hey, I know it's a small sample size, but stay with me) he hit .455 against Baltimore, .364 versus the Halos, .385 against Oakland and .667 versus Tampa Bay. Sure, his averages against Anaheim and Oakland don't meet the .400 benchmark, but he doesn't play them 19 times like he does the other two teams. Against the other two AL East squads from 2006-2008, he hit just .231 against Toronto, but .313 versus the Skankees (third highest of all AL teams, trailing Detroit (.333) and the Indians (.368)).

Will he make it? That, obviously, remains to be seen. But Just South of North's Brandon Hansen and myself have made a pact that our goatees will remain unshaven, in honor of Youkilis, until he falls below that cherished number. I don't think I can grow mine to look like Youk's between now and the end of September, but, like with Kevin Youkilis, we'll just see what happens in that time.

Subway, you know this isn't fair...

2009-04-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

You know the old saying that something is like a train wreck that you couldn't look away from? Well this is like that, except if the train was carrying a delicious variety of sub sandwiches and you couldn't stop indulging.

The "5....5 dollar....5 dollar footlong" commercials were bad enough when they first came out. They got worse as they continued to be produced like the sandwiches they endorse. Recently, Subway just introduced a new advertisement with a montage of different people singing about $5 footlongs. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst of anything Subway has ever done. It's just a matter of time before my mute button is broken from wear and tear, especially considering the frequency of these commercials.

Yet, despite me being overjoyed to see Jay Glazer endorsing Subway (and I really don't care much for him) rather than yet another obnoxious minute of people dancing across from a used car lot because they can buy a sandwich for five bucks, I continue to submit to the temptation. I wish I could boycott the place strictly because of their commercials. But I can't. They're so good. And cheap.

And don't think for a second that Subway doesn't realize this. It's almost like they're upping the degree of difficulty with their commercials to see what they can get away with and still lure saps like me back. So far, so good, Subway. So far, so good...

Taking a page from the Seahawks' playbook

2009-04-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

In an effort to abandon their losing ways and intimidate the powerhouses of the NFC North, the Detroit Lions have altered their logo to make their Lion more fierce. The Seattle Seahawks were the last team to change their logo, doing so in 2002 after moving to the NFC West. In 2001, the Hawks were coming off a 9-7 season. With the new logo, Seattle went 7-9 in 2002.

Now, it might be tough for Detroit to follow in the same footsteps since, mathematically, they can't be worse in 2009 than their 0-16 2008 campaign. But if you're a Lions fan, you shouldn't be comforted by the new image.

There are probably about 34 million bloggers around the country saying, "Remember, they're still the Detroit Lions!" But guess what? The Lions might be turning things around sooner rather than later, even beyond the logo.

This offseason has been one of drastic improvement in the Motor City. Matt Millen is gone. Julian Peterson is signed, along with Philip Buchanan and Anthony Henry. Dan Orlovsky (better known as the QB who ran out of the back of the end zone without realizing it) is outta town and if Detroit wants, they can draft his replacement, or give Daunte "I'm still only 32 years old, guys" Culpepper the job. It was just four years ago that Culpepper lit up the league for 4,717 yards, 39 TDs and just 11 interceptions. Since then, in 23 games, he's thrown for just 4,610 yards, 17 TDs and 26 INTs, but that can be attributed to several aspects, such as injuries and playing for both Matt Millen and Freddy Krueger's twin brother.

Sure, Calvin Johnson is no Randy Moss and he had four receivers with at least 47 catches that year, while Detroit had one with 40 in 2008, but it doesn't mean he can't somewhat return to form. Detroit nabbed Bryant Johnson from San Francisco and can possibly yoink a sleeper in the draft. If they get Johnson any help, Culpepper could be a surprise in the league next season.

I'm not saying Detroit is headed for 16-0 or even 8-8, but their new look, both on and off the field, could sneak up on the league this season.

Moving on in the hockey world...

2009-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well, with the Spokane Chiefs done for the 2008-09 season, I can only get my hockey fix at the top level these days, unless I feel like torturing myself by watching Kelowna take on Vancouver and thinking "This should be us still playing" for the next two weeks. No thanks.

So now, my attention turns to the National Hockey League, which started their postseason last night. Since I don't have a team yet (stay tuned...next season, I'm adopting a franchise, but even I don't know which one it will be) I'm pulling for the Boston Bruins in the East (shocking) and the Vancouver Canucks in the West (because of Luke Van). Yeah, I used parentheses three times in one sentence. I will not be using this piece as a clip for my future journalistic endeavors.

I figure that since my WHL Predictions have been fairly solid through two rounds, I'll take a stab with a league I followed considerably less. I spotted myself four opening games just to try to even things out.

Eastern Conference:

Bruins over Canadiens 4-1
Capitals over Rangers 4-3
Devils over Hurricanes 4-2
Penguins over Flyers 4-1

Penguins over Bruins 4-3
Devils over Capitals 4-2

Penguins over Devils 4-2

Reasoning: Ever since the Pens jettisoned their coach during the regular season, they have been on a ridiculous tear, going from a bubble playoff team to the 4 seed. They won 18 of their final 24 games and ripped Philadelphia in Game 1. Pittsburgh split four regular-season contests with the East's top seed, Boston, and also split in six games versus New Jersey, but defeated both in their season-ending surge, scoring six goals in each contest.

Western Conference:

Sharks over Ducks 4-1
Blue Jackets over Red Wings 4-3
Canucks over Blues 4-2
Blackhawks over Flames 4-2

Sharks over Blue Jackets 4-1
Blackhawks over Canucks 4-1

Sharks over Blackhawks 4-2

Reasoning: San Jose was the NHL's top regular season team, so it would be no surprise to see them advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, especially if Columbus knocks off the Wings (the teams each won three of six meetings). The West is filled with really good teams, but the Sharks are the class of the conference and if they manage to avoid having to face last year's Stanley Cup Champions, should have little resistance in their playoff run.

Stanley Cup Finals:

Sharks over Penguins 4-2

Familiar territory for Pittsburgh as, once again, they just don't have enough to seal the deal. In their only meeting during the season, the Penguins were outshot 34-11 during a 2-1 loss, though in fairness, that game took place prior to the coaching change. There's no denying that the Pens can score, but whether they can limit opponents offensively (12th of 16 playoff teams) remains to be seen.

Sox Wake Up

2009-04-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

After an unforgivable 12-inning loss to the Oakland A's last night, including April appearances by Chris Carter and Gil Velazquez, the Boston Red Sox fell to 2-6. Yes, this is almost the exact same team that was 27 outs away from the World Series six months ago.

Now, being the self-proclaimed biggest BoSox fan in the Pacific Northwest, I'm here to tell the fans of the Sox and the rest of the American League that it isn't quite time to panic and Boston is fine. And I'm not just saying that because Tim Wakefield brought a no-no into the 8th inning this afternoon in an 8-2 blowout, salvaging the final game of the series in the Bay Area.

Boston certainly has their fair share of obstacles to overcome early. Josh Beckett will miss a start due to suspension for throwing a heater in the general direction of Bobby Abreu's head. Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the disabled list because of arm fatigue (I don't understand the necessity of the World Baseball Classic at all, but I don't want to place all the blame on the event for injuries. Can't we figure out a way to incorporate the pros into the Olympics and call it good?). Julio Lugo is out for about a month and John Smoltz is still recovering from surgery

As far as players who aren't suspended or injured are concerned, Jon Lester hasn't been effective at all in two starts (though last season, his April ERA was his second worst month). David Ortiz is another notoriously slow starter, who hasn't hit for a higher average in April than his end-of-the-year total since I was a sophomore in high school. The reigning MVP hit .182 in April of 2007 but finished at .317 in his Rookie of the Year campaign.

Finally, don't forget that Terry Francona still runs this team. No, I don't like this.

So why panic? The bullpen has been awesome, save for Javier Lopez, who elicits more "Well this isn't going to end well" reactions from me than the Heathcliff Slocumb era did, and Hideki Okajima, who is still a solid lefty when used correctly. Ramon Ramirez, the return for dealing Coco Crisp, has been lights out, Jonathan Papelbon is money and Delcarmen is quickly turning the Manny being Manny moniker into a much more welcome saying. Yeah, Takashi Saito and Justin Masterson have been shaky, but both will be clutch relievers for the Sox.

In the lineup, Mike Lowell has been healthy in his return from hip surgery and is leading the team in RBI. Jason Varitek has shown signs of rebounding from the worst offensive season by a catcher since 1844, despite hitting just .200 thus far. Jason Bay is better than Manny Ramirez (yeah, I said it) and Kevin Youkilis is off to a scorching start (.472 average). Sure, he can't keep that up, but in the meantime, he's helped keep the stalling Sox offense produce.

Finally, the rotation is still one of the League's best, as Brad Penny impressed in his AL debut, Wakefield has looked as good as he has in the last several years and the top three will be there by season's end, barring any lengthy setbacks. Even if one was to go down (yeah, Dice, I'm looking at you), Clay Buchholz, the youngster who threw a no-hitter two years ago, is waiting in the wings.

Boston is fine. With the Baltimore Orioles down 10 to the future AL West champion Texas Rangers (and by future, I mean closer to 2020 than 2010), the Sox will only be down three games in the division. Big deal.

So relax, don't freak out on a day-to-day basis like Boston Dirt Dogs and prepare yourselves for an exciting AL East race between the Sox and their bitter divisional rivals.

And no, I'm not talking about the Yankees.

What do you say?

2009-04-14T23:43:00.000-07:00

ESPN's Bill Simmons has written about the grace period before, but for those of you who don't read the greatest columnist on the planet on a twice-daily basis like Just South of North's Brandon Hansen and myself, the theory is simple: If your team has won a championship within the last five years, you can't complain about, be bitter toward or question that team. They delivered when it counted during a time you followed that team day in and day out, so no matter what happens, they gain exemption from any ridicule or hate you might send their way.

But no grace period can spare a fan from disappointment and heartbreak.

As I've written about a time or two on this site, the Spokane Chiefs improbably captured the 2008 WHL and Memorial Cup Championships even though the team was built for 2009. And if it wasn't for a mid-season injury to top defenseman Jared Cowen, who knows what might have happened. No, I'm not making excuses, but it would have been nice to have had him.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting the series between the Chiefs and the Vancouver Giants to go seven games. I predicted six and even that was the optimist in me making that guess. Spokane got stomped twice during the regular season against the Giants, so when they won Game 3 of the series, I was incredibly excited that the series was heading back to Vancouver ... I honestly didn't expect it. Then when the Chiefs captured a 1-0 win in Game 4, thanks to a 41-save shutout by the unofficial WHL Goaltender of the Year Dustin Tokarski, my hopes were up, even though they had to still come up with a way to win on the road.

Well, on Friday night and Saturday morning, the Chiefs spent over six full periods of hockey trying desperately to take a 3-2 series lead and sure enough, in the fourth overtime, Blake Gal/Mike Berube beat Tyson Sexsmith and, with Game 6 coming in the States, Spokane was just 60 minutes of hockey away from improbably advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

By 8:00 on Sunday, the Chiefs were 40 minutes away, leading 1-0 after one. By 8:45, they were 20 minutes away, holding that same lead entering the third. And even when Vancouver responded with two goals in the final stanza's first 11 minutes, Spokane found a way to prolong the contest, thanks to Stefan Ulmer's tally with just under 90 seconds left in regulation and they were one goal away from sending the West's best team home for the year.

Sure, they came out with a loss in double OT when the Giants executed a beautiful 2-on-1 break, but there was always Game 7. They were still just 60 minutes away. Then 40. Then 20. They didn't enter the third with a lead this time, but knotted at zero, they were just as close as they had been Sunday night.

Like in Games 5 and 6, three periods weren't enough to decide a winner. But the suspense didn't last long. Less than two minutes in, a Giants rush paid off when a shot from the top of the slot took a Vancouver bounce and eluded Tokarski. Vancouver- 1, Spokane- 0. Final.

The loss, for lack of a better term, sucked, considering that they were so close. The Chiefs had their chances in Game 6 and 7 and, to an extent, blew some of those. But the finish to the series could have happened to either team. Sure, it was more likely to happen to Spokane, considering the shot total, but it didn't have to.

I'm not mad or bitter. I wouldn't be even if I didn't have the grace period to fall back on. Spokane played an amazing series and put on a show which rivaled last year's tussle with Tri-City in terms of entertainment and excitement. Unfortunately, the grace period doesn't make the loss feel any better.

At least camp is only four months away though, eh?

Best of One

2009-04-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

Just an hour and 20 minutes from now, the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants drop the puck on the biggest game of the season for each team. Game 7 is tonight and one team will celebrate; the other will be done until camp begins in August.

Spokane had their chance to close the series out at home, but couldn't seal the deal in Game 6, falling in double overtime after Trevor Glass abandoned the defense-first mindset to try to move the puck up the boards. All is forgiven though - Glass is one of our top two defensemen and will have to be huge if Spokane is to advance.

The Chiefs' mindset has to be the same as Vancouver's was entering Game 6. Never mind what happened the game prior to this. Game 7 is a second chance to get the job done. Spokane is a veteran team who has been through this before (Kruise Reddick's Game 6 goal in overtime a season ago knotted that best-of-seven series at 3 and forced the Chiefs to win the deciding game on the road ... which they did) so they won't be dwelling on what could have been. Instead, it's what they can do.

Games 2 and 3 were the only contests in this series in which either team hit the 4-goal mark. Higher scoring games should favor the Giants, who like to little the net with shots, while lower scoring contests will give Spokane the advantage, as the Chiefs pride themselves on shutting down their opponents and taking advantage of their mistakes.

Other than that, there isn't much to say at this point. Spokane knows they have to stay out of the box, bring a physical forecheck and have a great game from Dustin Tokarski to win. Vancouver has to dominate puck possession, utilize having the last line change well and shoot a lot to come out on top.

If the game comes down to coaching, believe it or not, I like Spokane. Hardy Sauter has done a much better job than the Mike Krzyzewski of the WHL, Don Hay, in adjusting to what the other team has done, as the series has progressed. A furious third period rally and the bad play by Glass bailed the Giants out in Game 6. But after losing twice to open the series, Spokane has been able to play their style of hockey, save for the Game 4 victory. The Chiefs have frustrated Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Evander Kane, locked down Jonathon Blum since the first two games of the series and has limited one of the league's highest scoring clubs to just six goals in the last 18 periods of hockey (six of which were overtimes).

What struck me as odd was how flat the Giants came out on the road in the opening stanza of Game 6. The Chiefs outskated and outscored them in setting the tone early. If Spokane comes out that flat, they'll be down two or three after 20 minutes. If Vancouver comes out like that again, they'll be lucky to be down just one.

For Spokane and their fans, it sucks to have to go back to a hostile Canadian environment when they could be focusing on the Kelowna Rockets right now. But if they have to make the trip, they might as well come out fired up and ready to play.

At this point, it comes down to experience and who wants it more. Considering the latter will likely be a push, the experience edge goes to the Chiefs.

Spokane- 3, Vancouver- 1.

The Streak (4/13)

2009-04-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

It's too soon for me to go into depth about last night's Chiefs game and what could have been, so tomorrow, I'll break the silence and preview Game 7. In the meantime, I'm eight wins away from a "Streak for the Cash" T-shirt. For the first time, I'm trying not to just pick a game I'm kinda sure of and instead going with games I like to think I know.

However, since I didn't like any other game on the board and I'm too impatient to wait until tomorrow to try to extend my streak, I'm picking the Arizona Diamondbacks to beat the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.

Arizona has Doug Davis on the mound, while the Cards are countering with Todd Wellemeyer. I'm not entirely crazy about the matchup, but the game is in Arizona, Wellemeyer historically struggles in April and against the D'Backs and Davis only struggles with one St. Louis hitter (I know it doesn't sound right, but Albert Pujols hits him well).

A win here extends the streak to 6. Almost halfway there if 'Zona can pull it off.

The win of the year

2009-04-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

One big complaint I have with the WHL web site is that their game recaps are nothing more than that. Scroll down on this link if you want to read a basic overview of the game. Not just that, but the four-overtime thriller wasn't even the top game of Friday's contests, because the Brandon Wheat Kings completed a four-game sweep of the Medicine Hat Tigers that everyone saw coming anyway.

Meanwhile, I didn't sleep well at all last night, partly because I was so excited about the second-longest game in WHL history and partly because my cat never lets me sleep.

The Vancouver Giants and Spokane Chiefs entered Game 5 both desperate to take a 3-2 series lead. Vancouver was coming off two consecutive defeats in Spokane to cough up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven set, while the Chiefs had to have one at some point at Pacific Coliseum and having to win a Game 7 against the Western Conference's top team in their own barn was not the ideal way to do that. Thus, Game 5 was huge.

The Giants came out strong, converting on their first two power plays, which sandwiched a Chiefs power play marker to take an early 2-1 lead. Spokane ended the period with a furious rally, including several scoring chances, but couldn't convert and trailed by one after the first 20 minutes.

Neither team scored in the second stanza, but the Chiefs kept the pressure on, outshooting Vancouver 14-11 in the period.

But 4:25 into the third, that oh-ffensive effort paid off as Drayson Bowman netted his eighth postseason goal from the left circle to tie it at 2. The period ended with Spokane having the momentum, once again outshooting the Giants and holding a 35-31 advantage on the shot clock after regulation.

Little did anyone know that the game wasn't yet half over.

The Chiefs were forced to kill the first penalty of overtime when Ryan Letts served two minutes for a very questionable kneeing call. Letts and Vancouver forward Evander Kane collided near Spokane's blue line and while it looked incidental, the penalty was given to Letts, but nothing came out of it as Vancouver outshot Spokane 14-5 in the first overtime, but couldn't tally.

In the second OT, it was Vancouver's turn to play a man down when Kane hit Bowman along the boards with a high stick. Spokane came close to ending the game multiple times, but couldn't quite hit the tape with passes in front of the net and, despite being outshot 11-7 in the fifth period, seemed to be gaining momentum.

The Chiefs appeared to be the fresher team entering the third overtime, continuing to make Vancouver netminder Tyson Sexsmith come up big, which he did repeatedly. Spokane outshot the Giants 9-6 in OT3 to bring the total shots to 62-56 Vancouver.

The Giants wouldn't get another shot on goal, but the collective hearts of Chiefs fans were racing early in the fourth overtime when Vancouver gained control of the puck in the Spokane zone versus the Chiefs' fourth line. A Vancouver pass from the point found the stick of Kane in the right circle, who lost it thanks to a diving poke check by Kenton Miller. The puck deflected out to Blake Gal who had nothing but ice in front of him. As Gal raced down the boards, Giants defenseman Mike Berube closed in on him before Gal could make a move on Sexsmith. Gal lost the puck in front of the net, but Berube's stick found the puck and he inadvertently slid it into his own net to give the Chiefs a mesmerizing 3-2 road victory.

Both goaltenders were spectacular, with Sexsmith stopping 54 of 57 Spokane shots for second star honors, while Spokane's Dustin Tokarski was huge, making 60 saves on 62 shots in being named the game's first star.

In his last two contests in the series, Tokarski has carried Spokane, allowing just two goals on 103 shots. Overall in the series, Tokarski has given up 10 goals on 208 shots and he hasn't allowed the Giants to score after the first period since Vancouver scored twice in the second in Game 2.

Up 3-2 in the series, Spokane, like the last three contests, virtually faces a must-win situation. Sure, if the Chiefs go back for Game 7, they know they can win on the road against Vancouver, but being at home, where they are 4-1 in the 2009 playoffs, they will have their best opportunity to close out this series.

If they win, it will be the second consecutive year the Chiefs won games 5 and 6 against the Giants to close out the series at the Spokane Arena and move on to the Western Conference Finals. And everyone knows what happened in 2008.

Still some fight left in 'em

2009-04-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Spokane Chiefs played, unquestionably, their best period of hockey of their second-round series with the Vancouver Giants in the opening stanza of Game 3.

They still went into the locker room down 2-1.

The Giants are a team which thrives on sustained offensive pressure and the mistakes of their opponents. By outshooting the Chiefs 10-9 and drawing an unnecessary elbowing penalty on Ryan Letts, Vancouver was able to escape the Chiefs initial push with a lead.

After Letts ended up in the box again for a slash prior to a face-off, he got an earful from Change and I before apparently receiving another one from Mitch Wahl and coach Hardy Sauter. The message got through because he skated the rest of the game collected and wanting to play hockey. Even when prodded by the Giants (once when a Vancouver player on the bench grabbed and held Letts' stick while he was in a play), Letts remained calm and focused on trying to help his team win.

That play rubbed off on his teammates, as the Chiefs thoroughly dominated the final two periods, outshooting Vancouver 19-8 and outscoring them 4-0 en route to a 5-2 victory.

With each line outhustling and outplaying their counterparts, Spokane got goals from Levko Koper, Jared Spurgeon, Drayson Bowman, Justin McCrae and Mike Reddington in closing the gap in the series to 2-1.

Unfortunately, this series is very reminiscent of the 2007 playoff series Spokane played versus the Everett Silvertips. After a more talented Everett team won twice on the west side of the state, the Chiefs came home and, clearly wanting the wins more, took Games 3 and 4, but ultimately lost in six.

Fortunately, however, many of the players from that series - Bowman, Koper, Spurgeon, Roman, Wahl, Reddington and Tokarski - have that experience, along with a Memorial Cup ring, under their belts and are better prepared this time around.

As they enter Game 4, which is virtually another must-win game, the Chiefs have the confidence that they can skate with and defeat the team widely considered to be the best in the Western Hockey League. If they play as hard and as smart as they did for most of last night, Spokane is going to give the Giants a major problem going forward in this series.

CC Sabathia's Opening Day Line

2009-04-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 0 K, 4 CB, 2 BG, 1 SP

IP- Innings Pitched
H- Hits
ER- Earned Runs
BB- Walks
K- Strikeouts
CB- Cheeseburgers
BG- Big Gulps
SP- Supreme Pizzas

Rain, rain, go away

2009-04-06T10:52:00.001-07:00

In about 8 minutes, I was supposed to be watching Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox crush James Shields and the Tampa Bay Rays (copyright: WHL) in the season opener for both teams. Instead, Mother Nature had other ideas and I'm stuck here watching the Mets and Reds, waiting for tomorrow.

But I guess this gives me an extra day to preview the Sox (as if I haven't already) as well as the entire American League. After all, ESPN's initial Power Rankings had Boston as MLB's top dog, just a spot ahead of the Rays and two spots ahead of some century-long rivals from New York. But are the Sox really the team to beat in their own division, much less the entire league?

Sox Rotation:

Last season, only the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (LAAA, 47) and, surprise, the Toronto Blue Jays (51), had more wins from their top three pitchers than Boston did (46) of American League teams. With Matsuzaka entering his third season in the States, Lester looking to make some noise in the Cy Young race and Beckett being healthy all spring for the first time since he was 7, the rotation should be even better. Whether that number of wins goes up or down in 2009 hinges on the run production of a lineup which has more boom or bust potential than Seth Rogen's next movie.

Rotation to watch out for:

Now I understand why Bill Simmons is drinking the Kansas City Royals Kool-Aid. Four Royals starters combined for45 wins last season and the fifth (Luke Hochevar) is expected by some to have his breakout year. With an improved lineup which includes former Sox centerfielder Covelli Crisp and minor league stud Ryan Shealy, this rotation could lead the Royals to the top of a fairly weak AL Central.

Sox Lineup:

Like I said earlier, who knows with this lineup? Boston could lead the league in runs and I wouldn't be surprised. They could be in the bottom half of the majors and I wouldn't be surprised. In my eyes, it's simple: Jacoby Ellsbury will make or break the batting order. He needs to get on base, utilize his speed and get pitchers thinking while he's on the basepaths. With the reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, Big Papi and Kevin Youkilis behind him, he will score more often than not when he reaches.

As with other teams, obviously, health is also a big issue. David Ortiz and Mike Lowell are coming back from injuries, Julio Lugo is already shelved, Rocco Baldelli is always a mystery and if anyone else goes down (if I had to bet on the first being either J.D. Drew or everybody else on the roster, I'd probably take J.D.), the Sox might be in trouble.

Lineup to watch out for:

If I asked you to name one of the top four hitters for the A's last season of players who played in 100 games, could you? (Answers: Ryan Sweeney, Kurt Suzuki, Rajai Davis and Emil Brown.) Heck, if I asked you to name three Oakland hitters, could you? It'd be tough, I know.
Their collective .242 batting average from 2008 is gone, however, thanks to a plethora of offseason acquisitions. New faces include Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera and NOMAH! And they still have Eric Chavez, who, when healthy, is a 20-homer guy. Like Boston, if the A's get anything from their table setters, they could be a sleeper in the AL.

Sox Bullpen:

I absolutely love the way the pen is setting up in Beantown. In the Crisp trade, Boston acquired setup man Ramon Ramirez, who can bring heat. They took a low-risk flyer on Takashi Saito, who is getting old, but in his three years in the majors, has compiled a 1.95 ERA and nearly a 5:1 K:BB ratio. Manny Delcarmen is due (I keep telling myself this...though he was fairly solid last season), Hideki Okajima is very reliable, Javier Lopez is OK in the right situations (which means Terry Francona will probably use him against lefties, which shelled him in 2008), Mike Timlin is gone and Paps will be Paps. Also lurking are Justin Masterson (ONIONS!) and Junichi Tazawa, who might not make an immediate impact, but will be heard from by season's end. Boston's bullpen, on paper, is the best in the bigs and if they perform like they should, will carry the team in the late innings.

Bullpen to watch out for:

The Detroit Tigers have a rotation which many teams would love to have, with more young arms than a daycare. Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Rick Porcello, Armando Galarraga and Edwin Jackson all could record 15 wins and a sub-4.00 ERA this season if given the chance. But those who were given a chance, aside from Jackson in Tampa, struggled, while Porcello hasn't proven himself yet. This means that the bullpen must be a strength if the Tigers want to compete in the AL Central.

During the offseason, Detroit nabbed Brandon Lyon from Arizona, who has a successful campaign in 2008, but struggled as a member of the Red Sox the last time he pitched for an AL club. Lyon definitely has the stuff to be one of the league's best closers, but whether he can succeed against better hitting remains to be seen. The Tigers also will benefit from the return of Joel Zumaya, who was injured for the better part of last year, the signing of Juan Rincon and the lively arms of Freddy Dolsi and Fernando Rodney. Finally, they have Zach Miner back there as well, who struggled with control at times, but still compiled a respectable 4.27 ERA last season.

AL Predictions:

AL East:

1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees (Wild Card)
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

AL Central:

1. Minnesota Twins
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Detroit Tigers

AL West:

1. Oakland A's
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners

How the Zags are spending the last weekend of college basketball season

2009-04-02T23:11:00.001-07:00

Tonight, both Jeremy Pargo and Micah Downs participated in the collegiate slam dunk contest, broadcast on ESPN. For some reason, Downs was in the slam dunk contest instead of the 3-point shootout. Apparently, Mark Few was in charge of what his seniors did at the event and yet again, failed to utilize their strengths.

He was also in charge of the dunks the guys performed, as neither Downs nor Pargo made it into the finals. Downs was looking good early until he failed on all three semifinal throw downs, while Pargo did the same after he made the top four. Had I been in charge of the Gonzaga players in the contest, I would have nabbed that Akron guard whom (is that even correct?) Pargo posterized and just had him stand in the lane. Hey, if Nate Robinson can unjustly win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice by jumping over people, Pargo can do it by hopping over some 6' white guy, right?

As for Downs, well, he had no business in the contest to begin with. I love the guy, but come on. Nobody can tell me there aren't eight more exciting players in the nation when it comes to eye-popping slams. However, I would take him in a perimeter shooting contest against eventual 3-point champion Jack McClinton.

Then again, I'd have taken me against McClinton. And I don't care if he scored 22 of a possible 30 in the championship round. I'm the reigning EWU intermural 3-point champion, so...

Link of the Day

2009-04-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Well I know it's April Fools' Day and I thought it was a joke myself when I heard it, but it appears Mark Few could be on his way out of Gonzaga and on his way to the Pac-10 to fill the vacancy at the University of Arizona.

Now, if you're close to Gonzaga University and don't know me, I know you'll be crying yourself to sleep tonight, thinking the best thing to happen to the Zags since John Stockton is leaving. Gonzaga has been to the Dance every year since Few took the reins and his departure raises several questions about the Bulldogs' future.

However, those who do know me know that in my eyes, this news is too good to be true. I'll commend Few for his job here and thank him for the memories, but if he leaves, Gonzaga will be better off for a few reasons.

First, Gonzaga isn't going anywhere under Few's leadership. If you are vehemently pro-Few, you must be satisfied with early-season wins against big-name opponents and winning about 95 percent of games against the rest of the WCC. You must also be satisfied with being knocked out early in the NCAA Tournament year in and year out. I'll admit, this season was different in that North Carolina was just a much better team than Gonzaga, so despite having their best squad, they didn't have their best chance of going deep. That was in 2006, when the Zags squandered a 17-point lead en route to Adam Morrison shedding tears in a loss to UCLA. Other notable Gonzaga losses in March under Few include a first-round loss to #11 seed Wyoming in Dan Dickau's senior season and a second-round rout as the #2 seed Zags fell to #10 seed Nevada in 2004 by 19 in a game which they weren't within eight points in the last 32 and a half minutes.

Second, Gonzaga hasn't been able to play defense with Few at the helm until this season and even that abandoned them in the Tournament. The Bulldogs were second nationally during the regular season in defensive field goal percentage (and because I hate Google more than Few, I can't find the exact number, but it was well below 40 percent) and allowed 61.3 points per game. But in games against Akron, Western Kentucky and North Carolina, Gonzaga allowed an average of 81 ppg and 48 percent shooting. And in regards to 3-point defense, where Few is notoriously awful in his defense, the Bulldogs nearly allowed their opponents to shoot 50 percent in three games (33 for 67), capped by the Tar Heels shooting 11 for 19 in the Sweet 16 shellacking. Ouch.

Third, Few's in-game management of his players contradicts what a coach looking to win games would want to do. I remember my dad mocking Few for removing players who got hot. On the contrary, he remained loyal to struggling stars Josh Heytvelt, Jeremy Pargo and Austin Daye while limiting minutes for dynamic freshman Demetri Goodson and the vastly underrated Micah Downs (though to be fair, Heytvelt was either awesome or awful, while Pargo busted out of his slump, at least somewhat, toward the end of the season). And their tallest player in, oh, I dunno, history, 7'5" Will Foster has spent so much time riding the pine, his seat on the bench comes with a nameplate. In one game against Memphis, Foster got zero minutes, even though the Tigers thrive with slashing guards attacking the rim. No way a 7'5" guy could help stop that, right? His press also has failed to work against any team higher than D-III, but he sticks with it for no real reason. Maybe I'm bitter.

Anyway, if Few goes, the future of the program is up in the air. Whoever takes over probably won't have the big-name status that Few had and recruiting may suffer because of that. If the hire is in-house, the system will likely remain the same, but hopefully the change in coaching doesn't just tweak that system, but reinvigorates the program as well. If the hiring comes from elsewhere, it will be a breath of fresh air for a team which could use one after a decade of mediocrity. The talking heads may say that Arizona is getting a steal by prying Few away from the comfort of Spokane and they'll never admit that the change is good for Gonzaga.

But after watching this team for 10 years with high hopes and, come March, being at least a bit disappointed, I wouldn't be opposed to becoming underdogs again and hoping for a run of upsets like in 1999. And I wouldn't be opposed to becoming a better team because a weak link bolted for sunnier skies.

The Streak (4/1)

2009-04-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Streak is back and better than ever!

I have to be honest. I got way more excited than I probably should have when ESPN announced the new rules for the most recent edition of "Streak for the Cash." The game has changed in multiple ways.

First, instead of needing to reach a set number to win a $1 million, you just want to get the longest streak you can before December 6. The top seven longest streaks by that time will win $10k and a trip to Bristol (ESPN Headquarters) to compete in a pickoff. The winner of the pickoff then wins the $1 million.

The first 10,000 people to reach a streak of 13 or longer win $15 toward prizes at ESPN's Winner's Circle. One of these prizes is a "Streak for the Cash" T-shirt. I would really like this.

Finally, ESPN sponsors will be running more prop bets throughout the contest, which pay $5k.

With the new rules set, let me give you my picks, so you can bet against them and be successful.

I picked Spain in the first game of the morning to win outright. Needless to say, Turkey is leading 1-0 early. Awesome.

Tonight, I like the Atlanta Thrashers to knock off the Buffalo Sabres at home. Atlanta is going for the season sweep and even though Ryan Miller is back for Buffalo, he hasn't been great, allowing three goals in both appearances. The Thrashers aren't a good home team, the Sabres aren't a good road team. C'mon Kovalchuk!

In the nightcap, I'm going with the Houston Rockets to defeat the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets beat the teams they should beat and with Yao Ming down low to neutralize Shaq and Houston's ability to limit teams offensively, I like their chances of coming out with a win.

A Giant Task

2009-03-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Spokane Chiefs, in impressive fashion after suffering a Game 2 loss, won the final three meetings of their opening round series versus the Seattle Thunderbirds to advance in the WHL playoffs. Next for the reigning Memorial Cup Champions is the team they beat in the second round of the postseason a year ago: the Vancouver Giants.

Unlike last season though, Spokane hasn't defeated Vancouver, getting shelled by 4-0 and 5-2 scores. The only two players who have scored against the Giants, Brendan Kichton and Steve Kuhn, weren't Chiefs last season. Jared Cowen played all eight games, playoffs included, against Vancouver last season, but unless he recovers from torn ligaments in his knee in four days instead of four months, will not see action versus the Western Conference's best team in 2008-09.

Spokane does have momentum heading into this matchup, however. The offense has begun to click, scoring 13 goals in the final three games with Seattle. The defense has been just as good, allowing six goals in that same span. Their special teams unit has been solid, with their penalty kill scoring just as many goals as the T-Birds power play in 22 chances (twice) and their power play converting at 20 percent (four for 20). And Dustin Tokarski, Spokane's make-or-break player in the upcoming series, played very well, yielding nine goals in the five games, while being named one of the game's stars in all four of the Chiefs' wins.

Tokarski, along with the rest of the boys, will have their hands full with a team which scored 23 goals in their four-game sweep of the Prince George Cougars. In two games at home, the Giants scored 17 of those goals, a testament to their explosive offense, which lit the lamp 319 times, second-most in the league. The Giants have four lines which can score in the blink of an eye and have 13 skaters who scored at least 30 points on the season. By comparison, Spokane has eight. League-leading scorer Casey Pierro-Zabotel had 115 points, including 79 assists. Spokane's leading scorer, Drayson Bowman, had 83 points total.

So it comes as no surprise that the key to the series hinges on the style of play exhibited by each team. If Spokane's defense steps up and can keep the contests low-scoring, they have a chance to drag the series out and possibly advance. But if the Giants continue to score at will, like they have much of the season, a new team will be dropping WHL and Memorial Cup Champion banners next year.

Prediction: Vancouver in six. The Giants were rock solid at home against Prince George, but won their only two games away from home by 3-2 margins, one coming in overtime. Road efforts like that won't get it done in Spokane. Conversely, the Chiefs played very well in the Emerald City (well...Kent) and if they can steal one north of the border, could make it a very interesting series.

Casual Friday

2009-03-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

Shooting the breeze with Just South of North's Brandon Hansen, he dropped a desire to have a Manny Ramirez jersey sent to him, wear it to work and refuse to do anything. For anyone around the office who was sports-savvy enough to catch on, Brandon could blame his not wanting to work on a bum knee, carpal tunnel or writer's block. When tests for the former two came back negative and the latter not really being a part of his job description, he would then be transferred to another firm, immediately start performing and then demand way more than he's worth, ultimately getting it.

Being unemployed, I figured I could spend a day as Stephon Marbury, convincing everyone I gave a resume to that I was way better at everything than I actually was, get hired, and immediately perform like a low-tier janitor, copy editor or office assistant. Then I would claim I was unhappy with the way the company treated me, sit out until I was transferred, come back and really do nothing for my new firm. Awesome. "Oh, I told you I could type 120 WPM and knew Microsoft Excel like it was the pick and roll? I'm really a 55 WPM employee who can't open a Word document. You're still giving me full-time work or I'm quitting on you."

Since this sounds like the perfect preface to a Top 10 List of Athletes You Could Spend the Day at Work as, here are eight more athletes to show up to work as, complete with how to pull it off.

Lance Armstrong. You think work is an uphill battle for you? Make it even more so and get yourself a yellow biker's jersey and be the best at what you do as long as you're in the building. Sure, people may accuse you of fudging your work to enhance your performance, but as long as they can't prove it, who cares? To really rile people up in the office, retire for a year or two, then come back. People will loathe you, knowing that they immediately just lost any chance they had of retaining their Employee of the Month status and they'll try to have you banned from the premises forever. For those of you who are really dedicated, part with either James Westphal or Dr. Kenneth Noisewater. That's not really necessary, but it shows a lot of ... uh ... character?

Alex Rodriguez. Isn't there an office pariah at all large companies? By wearing a pinstriped #13 jersey to work, you'll be admitting that nobody likes you and you'll pretend like you don't care. Like Armstrong, you'll be one of the best at what you do and, like Armstrong, you may or may not take a little out of the cashier's till when nobody's looking. Unlike Lance, however, you'll lie about it until it's proven in black and white, thanks to a newly-installed security camera, that you did screw the company over. Then you'll offer fake apologies, with zero regret, hoping to brush the incident under the rug. You insist that you haven't done that for years, but your co-workers and supervisors know better. Bonus points to anyone who runs into work and slaps the coffee out of someone's hand.

Kurt Warner. You've been at your current job for a couple of years, but you just took some hot-shot's position and now you make the big decisions. Nobody around you has more than a couple years of experience in your field, but under the guidance of you and Jesus Christ, you can become Scranton to everyone else's Ithaca. Go into work and become a vocal leader, make choices that nobody else can make (deliver mail by air instead of on the ground, maybe buy new office chairs, especially for guys named Matt) and lead by example. If you're scoring some of the biggest clients of the year, eventually you'll make the people around you better and your company will exceed all expectations.

Jean Van de Velde. Get to work and set up an appointment. Try to reel in one of the top four clients in the world. Smooth talkin' and not missing with anything you say or do, you surprise everyone and are in position to seal the deal. After verbally getting the OK and needing just a signature to sign a huge contract, start doing everything in your power to sabotage what you worked so hard for. Insult his tacky tie. Look at a family picture with his 14-year-old daughter in it and tell him you think she's hot. Force his hand to the paper and try to make him sign the contract yourself. Get a hold of yourself and calm down, while another employee comes in to steal it from you. Even though you're both in the room with him, you're screwed and you know it. Just give up and find another profession.

Pete Rose. You need to establish yourself within your company by spending about 15 years at the same place. During the dog days of August, suggest breaking up the monotony of a work week by having an inter-office softball game. As if it's not spiced up enough, find someone who's willing to show you the color of their money to make it more interesting. Never mind that you're one of the highest-paid employees at your firm ... gambling makes everything more fun, even if it is unethical and illegal. Those Employee of the Month awards look good in hindsight, but being immortalized and recognized as one of the most influential people in the history of the industry would be nice too. Don't hold your breath waiting on that phone call though.

Kevin Garnett. That high school diploma is really paying off, until you're stuck as the boss of Minneapolis' best McDonald's for 12 years. However, despite your fierce loyalty to the home of the Big Mac, White Castle comes along and tells you that they just recruited Seattle's best burger boy to go along with their own and the three of you could work together to make the greatest burgers in America (and Toronto). Be like KG and make the jump. It could be the best thing to ever happen to your career. Hey, don't laugh. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!

Any NASCAR driver. (Note: I'm not even going to try to poke fun at one of them. I don't like any of them. If, for some reason, you own a Cheerios-sponsored jumpsuit, don't forget it when you leave your trailer on the way to work. If not, go get one. It's worth it. Almost.) Show up to work at 1 in the afternoon. Sit down on your wheelie chair and make circles around cubicles, always turning left, for about four hours, or 200 laps, whichever comes first. Be sure to have spare screws and wheels on hand for when you have to fix the inevitable loose wheel after taking a turn too wide and ending up in a wall. Once you achieve your goal, awkwardly stand up from your chair, do a backflip from it if you feel inclined, then immediately pour a gallon of milk all over yourself, yelling the entire time. For good measure, on your way back to your desk, spin around a few times before coming to a stop.

John Rocker. Come on ... you weren't hired to make friends with co-workers, rivals, mailmen or supervisors. You were hired to get the job done and that's it. Get to work and get down to business. If anyone talks to you or suggests that you could improve your work, immediately call them a fag or poke fun at their race. As they walk out scarred for the day, flip them off and maybe spit at them. Maintain from that point on that you did nothing wrong and refuse to apologize. After spending a couple years with the company, disappear without a trace. If you're cross-eyed, this works perfectly. If you're a hockey fan, buy a Sean Avery jersey wait another nine months, then re-read this section.

Reason Number 4,336 why I don't ride a motorcycle

2009-03-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Jay Williams was one of the greatest college basketball players of this decade. Sure, he went to Duke and sure, he had to change his name because of the other Jayson Williams (you know, the one who shot and killed a limousine driver), but his potential could have made people forget about his mistake and misfortune.

Unfortunately for him, and anyone who watches ESPN when he's on, Williams was in a motorcycle accident which nearly ended his life, but did end his basketball playing career.

The accident did allow Williams to pursue a broadcasting career as an analyst for ESPN. He reminds me of me in front of a camera. And that's not a compliment.

Williams is awful on TV while proving the point that any professional athlete will be hired by ESPN in some capacity should they apply. He's a wreck with words, even basketball terms which should be second nature to him (transit defense has to do with buses, I'm guessing). His awkward jokes make him even more flustered and he stumbles over his words like he spent the entire afternoon with Johnny Walker.

The fact that he's on the air is a hit to ESPN's credibility. I learned nothing from watching a half hour of him say nothing that hasn't been said by every other media outlet in America regarding the Sweet 16. As someone who has been in March Madness for a big school, I was hoping for a little insight from him that I can't get watching Digger Phelps or Andy Katz. Instead, I heard that Ty Lawson is an integral part of North Carolina's offense. Again.

The moral of the story? Don't become a broadcaster or an analyst with a sociology degree. And don't drive motorcycles into telephone poles.

The weekend in review

2009-03-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well that was fun.

For 96 hours, I sat around, either at home, my parent's house, or the Arena and watched college basketball and hockey. Of the four games that I truly cared about, my team won three of them. And in all of them, there was no shortage of drama.

On Thursday, as I watched my bracket go down in flames, Gonzaga took on the Akron Zips in what was supposed to be a tune-up for their Saturday game. Well, not so much.

The Zags fell behind at halftime and were clearly the lazier team on the court. Akron played like they wanted it and after the first 20 minutes, they had no reason to believe they couldn't win it.

But, true to first-round form, Gonzaga established dominance in the second half. After falling behind 49-43, the Bulldogs ripped off a 31-6 run and advanced to face Western Kentucky.

Now, I watched the Hilltoppers play Gonzaga close last season and I saw them defeat Illinois. If there is one thing that team is capable of, it's hitting the three ball. I'm just a fan and saw this. Surely, HEAD COACH Mark Few knew the same thing. Right?

Well, 94 seconds in, WKU had made two 3's. At the 10:49 mark, the Hilltoppers had made seven shots. Six were from long distance. In all, they nailed 12 to stay close, but it was a tip in with about seven seconds left that tied it at 81.

With senior Jeremy Pargo calling for the ball after the inbound, freshman Demetri Goodson ran the floor, drove the lane and went Tyus Edny on Western Kentucky, hitting a layin with 0.9 on the clock to send the Zags to the Sweet 16 for the first time in three years, 83-81.

On deck for Gonzaga is just the North Carolina Tar Heels, no big deal. Apparently they're pretty good. However, they met two years ago at Madison Square Garden. UNC raced out to a double-digit lead before Gonzaga scored. But in the end, it was the Bulldogs who prevailed 82-74. Sure, the Zags don't have Derek Raivio, who led them in scoring that day, but the Heels don't have Brandan Wright, who did the same for his team. And in the big matchup, Josh Heytvelt dominated Tyler Hansbrough, outscoring him by 10.

It has the potential to be the game's best tournament. If Lawson is 100%, Carolina has the edge. If not, the Zags should prevail.

On the ice, the Spokane Chiefs split their first two playoff games, winning and losing by 2-1 scores. Only the greater one, Drayson Bowman, has scored for the Chiefs, tallying in the second and third on Friday to defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds. On Saturday, he cut the T'Birds lead in half before Spokane ultimately fell.

If Spokane can't get scoring from any of their other skaters, Seattle will advance in five games. Bowman is one of the best players in the league, but he can't win a series on his own. Anytime Ondrej Roman or Brady Calla or Tyler Johnson or Levko Koper or anyone else wants to tally in the playoffs would be great. Thanks, guys!

Game 3, tomorrow in Kent. Go Chiefs Go!

The Streak (3/19)

2009-03-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't put my picks on here for 10 days because I haven't had a streak I needed to jinx. But after going 3-0 today, I'm sitting at a W3 with the tourney on deck.

I'm upset though, because I had a W1 and picked Kentucky over UNLV in NIT action last night, thinking the game was straight up. The Wildcats withstood a rally by the Runnin' Rebels to win, but I failed to notice that the game was "make more 3's" and I lost. Awesome.

So with a W3 instead of a W5, I'm picking Ryuji Imada to have a lower front nine than Sean O'Hair. I know very little to nothing about professional golf at all, but am somehow 6-1-1 in eight games, so hopefully I can pick up the cheap win before the Dance starts.

Once it does, I'm picking Butler to beat LSU. I wanted to pick the Bulldogs to beat UNC in the second round, but am going to have to settle for them defeating the Tigers. Wherever the perception that the SEC and Big Eleven was good came from, I have no idea. But over the first weekend of the tourney, those people are gonna find out that those conferences are awful. It starts with Butler beating LSU.

From there, I'm taking Notre Dame to beat New Mexico. I can't stand the Irish, but they don't lose very often at home, so I like them winning again in South Bend.

Finally, I'm going with the Phoenix Coyotes to defeat the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks won at home in OT tonight against the Nashville Predators, but going on the road, Giguere might be sitting and Phoenix had tonight off. I think they get it done in the desert.

NCAA Upset Watch and a note to the WHL Awards Committee

2009-03-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

Actually, let's do this in reverse order, because I'm about to throw some chairs around the room like Bobby Knight if I don't get this off my chest.

The Western Hockey League named their award recipients for the 2008-09 season. Drayson Bowman was a second team selection, which is understandable considering the firepower the Western Conference had this season.

But Dustin Tokarski joining him on that team because Chet Pickard was a first-team selection, is absolutely awful.

You don't have to be a genius to figure out who was the better netminder. Just take a look at the stats.

Save percentage: Tokarski 93.7% (led WHL), Pickard 92.1% (2nd)
Goals Against Average: Tokarski 1.97 (led WHL), Pickard 2.28 (5th)
Shutouts: Tokarski 7 (T-1st WHL), Pickard 6 (T-3rd, WHL)
Shootout Stats: Tokarski 4-2 (T-1st WHL, wins) 19 saves on 22 shots (1st among goalies facing at least 10 shots), Pickard 3-3 (T-5th WHL, wins) 16 saves on 21 shots (5th among goalies facing at least 10 shots)
Record: Tokarski 34-18 (5th in WHL), Pickard 35-12 (4th in WHL)
Record when team scores at least three goals: Tokarski 32-0, Pickard 30-3-2
Goaltender of the Week Nominations: Tokarski 4, Pickard 1

Oh, and Pickard played Tokarski's backup in the World Junior Tournament, when Canada won the Gold Medal. So what am I missing? Seriously, something is wrong there.

Now, on a much more pleasant note, the NCAA Tournament is less than 24 hours away. And in case you haven't filled out your bracket, I've got a few potential upsets for you to keep an eye on as the Dance plays out.

#13 Cleveland State over #4 Wake Forest

Of every first round game not involving the Akron Zips, this is the one I'm most looking forward to. Wake Forest stormed out of the gate before losing five of their last 12 games to close the season, including a loss to Maryland in the ACC Tournament. Meanwhile, Cleveland State won the Horizon League with a victory over Butler and have already defeated the Syracuse Orange this year. If any 13 is going to beat a 4 (yes, this includes Mississippi State) it's going to be the Vikings.

#13 Portland State over #4 Xavier

That cute transition sentence could be referring to this game as well, as the Portland State Vikings are another 13-seed facing an overrated 4-seed. Xavier has some quality wins this season, but also some bad losses (Duquesne, Charlotte). Portland State defeated Gonzaga (the third four seed in the tourney) and lost to the last remaining 4, Washington, by one point.

#14 North Dakota State over #3 Kansas

I couldn't pull the trigger on this game, but it was one of the last two on my board before I took the Jayhawks. I loved Kansas during the season, and was itching to choose the Bison unless they drew the Zags, but then they matched NDSU up with Kansas and I was lost. I'd have rather them drawn Michigan State and there would have been no hesitation. My concern with NDSU is their lack of defense. But Ben Woodside is a player and if he gets hot, this game could go either way.

#11 VCU over #6 UCLA

The way everybody is talking about this matchup, it shouldn't be an upset if the Rams win, but it's still an 11-6. The Bruins have to travel cross country and take on VCU in the City of Brotherly Love. VCU will have the fans in their corner, UCLA isn't that good, and Eric Maynor has a chance to be this season's Stephen Curry.

#11 Utah State over #6 Marquette

I actually have USU in the Sweet 16 because I hate Missouri and the first two rounds are in Boise. Marquette is scary, but missing Dominic James hurts and since the Aggies are each about 33 years old thanks to their Mormon missions, that veteran leadership should carry them through at least one round and possibly two. Are they this year's George Mason?

No. But only because they got stuck with Memphis instead of Michigan State.

If Seattle Seahawks fans really want referees to whine about

2009-03-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

This opening-round NIT game between Davidson and South Carolina is being atrociously officiated by the stripes. You would hope for a season-ending tournament (albeit the inferior one), you could find a few competent referees. Instead, the trio on the floor are awful and, from the looks of it, Gamecock alumni.

South Carolina's players are flopping around so much, European soccer players would blush. Yet, time and again, the black and white are falling for it and whistling fouls for routine game actions, such as boxing out on a shot. Davidson's top two players, Andrew Lovedale and some guy named Stephen Curry, have combined for five fouls with most of the second half remaining. Maybe one or two of the whistles were warranted, but that's it. And as for the rest of the team?

Brendan McKillop- 3. Steve Rossiter- 4. Max Paulhus Gosselin- 4. With 16 minutes left, the Wildcats have committed 21 fouls, to 15 for USC. Four Davidson players have at least three, while one Gamecock is in foul trouble. Davidson has shot nine free throws, South Carolina has made 16 of 22.

Amazingly, Davidson still has a seven-point lead, thanks to Curry's 16.

Yeah, I'm really pulling for Davidson, since a win for them would mean they face the St. Mary's-Washington State winner. But I'm not exaggerating by much on the foul situation. Let them play and the best team will win.

Amazingly, Davidson

Playoff Time...

2009-03-17T00:36:00.000-07:00

...well, close enough. The Spokane Chiefs still have one virtually meaningless game remaining on the schedule when they travel to Kennewick to face the Tri-City Americans in the regular season finale. By now, I'm sure you've heard that two Chiefs games were postponed over the weekend due to a team-wide case of food poisoning.

It showed tonight, as the Chiefs came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 game versus the Kelowna Rockets; a contest which locked in Kelowna as the Western Conference's third seed, while the Chiefs settle for fourth.

Because of the loss, Spokane will open up the postseason at home on Friday night when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds. The matchup isn't exactly the most ideal for your Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs (copyright: Brad Moon) (copyright for the joke: Bill Simmons), as of the four lower seeds in the west, Spokane's record against the T'Birds is the worst, though still decent at 5-3-1.

Seattle boasts a potentially-explosive offense, led by Greg Scott (32g, 44a) and Prab Rai (25g, 40a) and one of the league's best defensemen in team captain Thomas Hickey (+37 rating; +21 better than the Birds second highest +/- man, Jim O'Brien). Both aspects of their game were on display in their season finale, as Seattle destroyed the Everett Silvertips 10-0.

In net is Calvin Pickard, brother of Tri-City's top goaltender Chet. Pickard has been inconsistent this year, but can be great, as evidenced by a 36-save shutout of the Chiefs less than a month ago. Two days prior to that start, however, he was torched for seven goals in the first two periods, three apiece by Drayson Bowman and Tyler Johnson, in a 7-3 defeat in Spokane.

Also inconsistent in the series has been Bowman, Spokane's top scoring threat. In eight games against the Thunderbirds on the season, Bowman has nine goals and one assist. All 10 of those points have come in four contests, while he's been shut out in the other four. If he's on, it could be a short series.

The key to victory for Spokane is capitalizing on special teams. The power play unit is operating at a 33.3% clip (9 for 27) on the season against Seattle, while the Thunderbirds have two shorthanded goals versus the Chiefs. When Spokane has been in the sin bin, they have actually outscored Seattle on 31 power play chances (Chiefs have three shorthanded goals, Birds have two power play goals).

The Chiefs enter the playoffs with a perfect 40-0 record when they score at least three goals (not including whatever happens Tuesday vs. Tri-City). If they can rattle Pickard, the Chiefs should make quick work of Seattle and advance.

Playoff Predictions

Vancouver over Prince George 4-0
Tri-City over Everett 4-1
Kelowna over Kamloops 4-0
Spokane over Seattle 4-2

Calgary over (insert winner of Prince Albert vs. Edmonton one-game playoff here) 4-0
Saskatoon over Lethbridge 4-2
Brandon over Kootenay 4-1
Medicine Hat over Swift Current 4-3

Vancouver over Spokane 4-2
Kelowna over Tri-City 4-2

Calgary over Medicine Hat 4-0
Brandon over Saskatoon 4-3

Kelowna over Vancouver 4-3
Calgary over Brandon 4-1

Calgary over Kelowna 4-2

And to think this is what I wanted to do as a kid...

2009-03-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

I just spent the last six hours researching the top 63 teams in the NCAA Tournament this season (I don't want to waste any time on the riveting Alabama State-Morehead St. contest). The reasoning for this is because I know less than I thought I did and, going with my gut on my Facebook bracket, ended up picking Villanova to win it all. I love Nova, but I'm not entirely sure they are championship material ... at least not yet.

I just broke down the teams in the following categories: road/neutral court record, leading scorer and the position they play, teams in the tournament they defeated, teams not in the tournament they lost to and tournament teams in the top 30 or bottom 80 of 341 Division 1 teams in steals, field goal percentage defense, 3-point defense, blocks, free-throw percentage, scoring, points allowed, rebounds, field goal percentage offense, 3-point offense, personal fouls and turnover margin.

This information helped me figure out why I hate Michigan State so much. They are in the top 30 in none of the aforementioned categories, but are also not in the bottom 80 in any. So I guess I figured out that I can't figure them out.

The only other two teams in the tournament that pull a Michigan State and aren't top 30 or bottom 80 material are Boston College and USC and, of course, they play each other in the first round. Coin flip, anyone?

So let's play a fun game. Hopefully, more than zero people read this. Here are the stats for six NCAA tournament teams. Decide which profile looks most impressive to you, and don't cheat. Answers at the end of the blog.

Team A: Scoring (#27), steals (#16), personal fouls (#4), turnover margin (#16) --- free throw percentage (#252)

Team B: Scoring (#15), three-point offense (#20), field goal offense (#7), field goal defense (#2), blocks (#25), turnover margin (#14) --- not bottom 80 in any category

Team C: Steals (#8), field goal defense (#19), three-point defense (#16), blocks (#5) --- free throw percentage (#298)

Team D: Rebounds (#1), field-goal defense (#4), personal fouls (#1), three-point defense (#29), blocks (#1) --- steals (#254)

Team E: Scoring (#5), rebounds (#6), field goal offense (#4), steals (#29), field goal defense (#21), three-point defense (#11), blocks (#14) --- three-point offense (#267)

Team F: Scoring (#2), free throw percentage (#11), rebounds (#2), field goal offense (#19), steals (#28), personal fouls (#25), blocks (#15) --- points allowed (#287)

Anyway, tomorrow, I get a chance to actually analyze this information, look up common opponents, figure out which games my gut still likes and maybe fill out a couple of real brackets. Thursday can't get here fast enough - I've never enjoyed waking up at 9 in the morning more than I do on the first Thursday and Friday of the tournament.

Tuesday will be awesome, as well, though. St. Mary's, whose snubbing just about caused Dick Vitale to yell obscenities about Jay Bilas' mother, gets rewarded with a hot Washington St. team in the first round of the NIT. The game is in Moraga, starting at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. If you want to see one of the best NIT games of the tournament, tune in. The Gaels have something to prove to the committee and shellacking a team who defeated Arizona once in two meetings might send a message. Both teams played the Zags, with neither team pulling out a win. Wazzu failed miserably on their own home court, while St. Mary's was a broken hand away from upsetting Gonzaga in the Kennel before dropping a nailbiter in California and being blown out in Vegas in the WCC Championship Game.

On Wednesday, I'll be back with first-round upsets to keep an eye out for. Yes, UCLA, you'll be front and center for that piece. Go Rams!

Trivia Answers:

Team A: Siena Saints
Team B: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Team C: Louisville Cardinals
Team D: Connecticut Huskies
Team E: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Team F: North Carolina Tar Heels

What Madness!

2009-03-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

I said earlier in the week that the Madness had officially started thanks to Illinois State and Northern Iowa. And while I'm not taking that back, all I have to say about last night's Syracuse-UCONN game is wow.

I turned ESPN on about 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the Washington State-UCLA matchup, fully intending to switch over to FSN at 8:30. The Orange and the Huskies were battling back and forth and had the game gone to OT any other way, I would have been watching the Bruins race out to a 23-5 lead and missed one of the historic games of all time.

Fortunately, Eric Devendorf had different ideas.

As you had better have seen by now (and if you haven't, I'm sorry), Connecticut tied the game up with just 1.1 seconds left. The Orange inbounded the ball three quarters down the court, which was tipped by a UCONN player right to Devendorf. He quickly gathered himself and, virtually simultaneously with the clock, drilled a 3-pointer to give the game to the Orange...or so he and the rest of the 'Cuse bench thought.

Initially ruled good, the stripes reviewed the shot and came to the conclusion that the ball was still in his hands when the clock struck 0.0. Jay Bilas would say later that had Devendorf cut his fingernails that morning, the shot would have counted. Normally, I would roll my eyes at his hyperbole. This time, I thought it was a definite possibility. Yes, it was that close.

So at that moment, I was hooked. Six overtimes later, only the last of which the 'Cuse had a lead (which they never relinquished), I had not just witnessed one of the most epic games of all time, but also had time to flip over to FSN and catch the last 50 seconds of the Coug-Bruin game.

And that game could have been a barnburner in itself, which it wasn't, as the Cougs Dance shoes were tossed to the back of the closet, not to be worn this March, but I wasn't flipping the channel after the regulation review.

Syracuse and Connecticut have officially set the bar for the 64 games to be played, beginning Tuesday.

Let March Madness continue.

The Sports Guy and Jack-O

2009-03-10T23:48:00.000-07:00

I just finished a podcast that The Sports Guy (Bill Simmons/die-hard BoSox fan) had with his friend Jack-O (die-hard Yankees fan) about the Yankees and Red Sox, and I have five questions about the upcoming season, complete with my own answers:

1) How is it possible for a true Red Sox fan to be friends with a true Yankees fan?

Answer: Embodied perfectly in the relationship Simmons has with Jack-O, the only real reason to be friends with a Yankees fan is to make fun of that person every opportunity you get. The media has called Alex Rodriguez "A-Roid" "A-Fraud" "Pay-Rod" and plenty of other names over the past year or so, but Simmons' nickname for him is better, and more accurate, than the other two: Mr. May. The Yankees have also won as many World Series since the new millenium as the Milwaukee Brewers. And the Pittsburgh Pirates. And the Spokane Indians. It's great.

2) Are the Yankees primed for a Ewing Theory season with A-Rod already shelved?

Answer: No. Not only, according to Simmons and Jack-O, does the Rodriguez injury even qualify for the Ewing Theory, since nobody is writing off the Yanks because their best player is hurt, but the Ewing Theory can't be applied as much in baseball as it can basketball or football. Players in basketball and football all (or for the most part) have the same goal...score. So when their star goes down, they step up their play. But in baseball, A-Rod going down can only have a Ewing Theory impact on offense. Don't count on Edwar Ramirez and A.J. Burnett filling the void left by #13.

3) Jason Bay: Yea or Nay?

Answer: Yea. I love Jason Bay, no secret there. Simmons is not buying him, partly based on his performance late in the ALCS against Tampa and partly based on the odds of him hitting 20 fewer home runs than the guy he replaced, Manny something. It was said last season and it will be said again this season. Jason Bay is not Manny Ramirez. We get it. But Bay is definitely capable of a .310-25-100 season and from the 5 or 6 slot in the lineup, that's definitely not bad. Hopefully, he's learned to lay off the slider...it's his prime weakness at the plate, especially against righties.

4) Whose rotation is better, Sox or Yanks?

Answer: Slight edge to the Sox. Jack-O is as stoked as I am about C.C. Sabathia, but for much different reasons. He thinks C.C. will be awesome. I think his ERA will be more inflated than his belt line. Our ace is...uh...well, I don't know. For the purposes of the discussion, I'll say Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dice-K is good for six, tops. Sure, his ERA was great, but he walks just about everybody. And I don't trust him against the Evil Empire. Chien-Ming Wang and Jon Lester is a push, since both are realistically, each team's best pitcher. When the stats come out at the end of the season, both will have close to 20 wins and a low 3 ERA...that's just the way it is. A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett are kinda the same way, except instead of 20, it will be 15 for J.B. and 10 for A.J.B. (he's DL-bound by June) and both will have ERAs around 4. Since Beckett should be on the DL two or three fewer times than Burnett, the edge goes to him. In the 4 slot, Andy Pettitte and Tim Wakefield is a push as well, but obviously, the stats continue to get worse. Ten-ish wins for each and ERAs just over 5. Finally, Joba Chamberlain has an edge over (insert Brad Penny, John Smoltz, Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden here). I loathe this guy, but he's good. How he holds up as a starter for an entire season remains to be seen, but the grab bag in the five slot is a question mark already in Boston. I'm pulling for Masterson, who would be solid more often than not, but he's the only one of that group I'm confident in saying that about. Simmons is ogling over Daniel Bard, who has been lights out in spring training, and says Bard will make an appearance for the Sox by the end of the 2009 season. He could turn out to be this season's Masterson, but with the plethora of talent in the bullpen, 2010 seems like a more realistic time for Bard to make an impact with the big club.

5) Who are the team's sleepers?

Answer: Simmons loves Rocco Baldelli because of his concern about Jacoby Ellsbury's progression and J.D. Drew's A.J. Burnett impression. Personally, I'm hopping back on the Julio Lugo bandwagon. The guy found out he was lactose intolerant during last season (no, that's not a joke) and has had a great spring thus far. I'm a huge Jed Lowrie fan, but I'm excited to see Lugo get another shot...remember, he was a .300 hitter with the Rays a few seasons ago. Unless he's got the same problem with knowing his own age as Danny Almonte, Lugo should be a quality player for a few more seasons.

The best baseball prospect ever

2009-03-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

Stephen Strasburg has been called the best baseball prospect ever by one general manager. He's got a 93-94 mph slider and his fastball tops out around 102 to go with an above-average changeup. This is a video of a 23-strikeout game he had with San Diego State in which he throws the ball with more movement than I can put on a wiffle ball (pay close attention to the slider he throws at the 2:05 mark). He's expected to be the first overall draft pick of the Washington Nationals, though if they pass, the Seattle Mariners are waiting in the wings with the number two pick (the best thing Carlos Silva has ever done for the M's).

The only drawback is that he's represented by the Anti-Christ, Mr. Scott Boras, which means he will be receiving a 6-year, $130 million contract before he throws his first MLB pitch.

The Streak (3/9) and the WCC Championship Game

2009-03-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

My overall record is 76-63-2. You'd think by now that I would have reached a W5 more than one time, especially since I've lost three straight five times.

Self-pity aside, I have to bounce back from my L1 and hopefully AGF Aarhus defeats Vejle outright to get the ball rolling.

Later on, I like Charlotte to defeat Richmond in the A10 Conference Women's Championship. The game is in Charlotte, so all other things considered equal, I like the home-court advantage.

For my one other pick on the day, I'm going with Siena to defeat Niagara. The Purple Eagles fought hard to defeat an inferior Rider team in double overtime last night. With the game in Siena's backyard and Siena actually being a better team, it seems like the easy choice.

Unfortunately, the Gonzaga-St. Mary's game isn't on the board. I find that strange for so many reasons (among them that Patty Mills is a complete wild card after his first game back and that Gonzaga played better last night than they had in weeks).

The Zags were ridiculous last night. The game was within five or six late in the first half, but there was still the sense that Santa Clara was way behind. And by halftime, they were.

Everyone was on their game, except for maybe Heytvelt, who didn't have too many opportunities. However, he, along with Will Foster, completely shut down the WCC Player of the Year, John Bryant, who torched San Diego for 27 rebounds the night before.

Downs, Bouldin and even Pargo were lights out shooting the ball. And they didn't even compare to Austin Daye, who went for 28 in his first good game in months.

A couple hours later, Mills made his return for St. Mary's and helped the Gaels to a 71-61 victory over the Portland Pilots. Mills definitely wasn't himself in his first game back, shooting the ball especially poorly, but his presence on both ends of the court clearly made a difference. Now, with one game under his belt, he looks to give St. Mary's an automatic berth into the Dance.

I see it unfolding much like the Zags don't want it to. I think the Gaels are going to come right out and punch Gonzaga in the mouth early. I can see them up something like 18-8 or whatever. The Bulldogs will rally and perhaps tie or take a lead late in the first half, but St. Mary's will go into the break with a four or five point lead. The second half will be a lot of back-and-forth action, but Gonzaga won't be able to get over the hump and St. Mary's wins 74-68.

Make no mistake, I'll be rooting for Gonzaga just as much as always, but I think the third time is the charm with this game. And I'm convinced St. Marys will want it more, because they definitely need it more.

The Streak (3/6) and a couple other things...

2009-03-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

It seems like every time I publish picks on here, I'm wrong. In fact, with me publishing streak games today, I should go back and switch the game I already picked and should go against my gut on the other two games I like in order to keep my win streak going. If I'm you, I'm reading these picks and immediately going to pick the losers in this column.

I did get back to a W2 this morning, thanks to Justin Rose being terrible at golf. For some reason, I'm 6-1-1 in picking golf contests and zero of those have had Tiger Woods beating someone like Justin Rose. Lucky? Oh, absolutely.

So this afternoon, I'm in MVC territory and am going with Bradley to defeat Southern Illinois (sorry mom).

The teams split during the regular season, with each team blowing out the other at home. The Salukis' overall schedule is more impressive, at least with how losses go. They fell to St. Mary's and Nevada, among others, but kept it close.

Lately, however, Southern Illinois has struggled, squeaking by Drake and Wichita State, and losing four in a row before that, two of which were by more than 20 points.

Bradley has won four of five, dropping only a game at Evansville by seven.

The key to the SIU-Bradley game will be the first half, as the Braves have a tendency to fall behind early. If it's close at the half, Bradley should pull it out.

If I can get that win, I'm confident I can be at a W5 by day's end, because of...

Calgary Flames over Carolina Hurricanes. I used to loathe picking the Flames, but with their recent acquisition of Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold, this team is way good. They took two periods off after jumping out to a 4-0 lead against the Flyers last night and might do it again tonight in Carolina.

Dallas Stars over Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim is in a free fall, while Dallas is tied for eighth in the Western Conference with Anaheim and Edmonton. The Ducks are just 14-13-3 at home, including a 5-2 loss to the Stars. They've been outshot 129-94 in four meetings with Dallas this season in splitting four contests. Sure, Dallas has lost six of their last seven games and have won only twice in the second half of back-to-back nights all season. But I'm sticking with 'em.

Now, I need to talk about Terrell Owens and storming the court in college hoops.

I wasn't planning on talking about TO until he latched on to a team, then was prepared to lambaste that team for signing Owens. But SportsCenter just said that two teams who could be interested are the Oakland Raiders and the ... sigh ... San Francisco 49ers.

Now, I'm pretty sure the ownership and fans remember the last time TO was in the Bay Area. For those of you who don't know, Owens said his quarterback, Jeff Garcia, was a homosexual. Who knows what he would think of Shaun Hill.

And that's exactly the thing. Owens can't go to a place without a well-established quarterback. He'll lose his mind. He will be serving a team-levied suspension by November. So, excluding Dallas, obviously, here's a list of places of shouldn't end up:

Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars (screw you David Garrard, you joined Carson Palmer on the "I will never have you on a fantasy football team" team), Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That leaves 15 teams.

Now, here's a list of teams who don't need Owens (I hope you're not sitting in front of this saying "Oh, anyone could use a WR of Owens' caliber." If you are, you're wrong.):

New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints.

That leaves 7 teams.

Here's a list of remaining teams who won't bring back Owens because of burned bridges:

Philadelphia Eagles.

That leaves 6 teams.

Cincinnati won't bring him in because between him and Ocho Cinco, Palmer would fake his next injury to get off the field.

Owens won't go to St. Louis because they won't contend for another few decades and he would have nothing to bring to the ground.

So that leaves the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons.

My cousin Ryan maintains that Atlanta wouldn't be interested after just ridding themselves of one media circus in Michael Vick. Sounds good to me, they're out.

It would be too good to be true if Owens went to the Giants. With Plaxico Burress seemingly on his way out, the G-Men could use another solid WR, but TO would have Eli Manning crying and Tom Coughlin more red than Plax's pant leg by the season opener. I want it to happen, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

I also don't think that Owens will go to Kansas City. Sure, the Chiefs will be better with Matt Cassel, but they're still a year or two away from being serious contenders, even in the AFC West.

That leaves the San Diego Chargers. A solid QB on a contending team, a similar situation to that in Dallas, with one of the game's best tight ends, but no real wide receiving threat and a coach that he can walk all over at any time. The Chargers will be a playoff team and have the talent to win it all, something Owens hasn't been able to do in his career. Signing with San Diego would motivate him and Rivers actually has the backbone to put Owens in his place. It's perfect. If TO ends up a Charger, they're my Super Bowl favorites.

I've got one more thing on my mind: storming the court in college basketball.

Penn State defeated Illinois at home last night on a layin with less than a second left - a win which may secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

First of all, the Nittany Lions already defeated the Illini once this season. Secondly, Illinois is the 20th-ranked team in the nation. Thirdly, Penn State, with another Big Eleven win, will be tied with the Illini in the conference standings at 11-7. Finally, overall, Illinois is 23-8, Penn State is 21-9.

Despite all of this, the Penn State fans stormed the court, celebrating their "huge" win.

It used to be that the court got stormed if a top-5 team went down against an unranked opponent, or if the team who won was like 2-18 and defeated a top-25 team. Now, if you get a home win against a ranked opponent and you're unranked (or if you defeat the #1 team at home as the #4 team), you're entitled to celebrate on the floor.

Stop it.

If you're storming the court, it means that you didn't think your team stood a chance to win, yet the players shocked the world and pulled out a very improbable win. This didn't happen at University Park last night, yet you wouldn't know it by the video.

It used to be special to see students going crazy with the players after picking up the biggest win of the season, and perhaps, the biggest win in years. Now, it's commonplace, even when your team was ONE-POINT UNDERDOGS!

It's only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt and storming the court becomes a thing of the past. And it's likelier to happen sooner than later because of kids abusing the privilege.

Sucks to be hitters facing Paps ... again

2009-03-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

As if Jonathan Papelbon wasn't the best closer in the American League already (shut up, Yankees fans), this season, Paps has added a slider to his filthy splitter and his deadly fastball.

Now, when the Sox are up 1 in the ninth, right-handed hitters are gonna see Paps throwing at them and bail right before he catches the inside corner. Then he'll hit them while they're two seconds behind his fastball. It's going to be great.

Oh, and see ya at the end of May, A-Rod!

The Streak (3/4)

2009-03-04T11:52:00.000-08:00

I promise that on days I don't make picks, I do well. I come back here and you're probably thinking "The guy is 1 for his last 15 with his advice on here ... there's no way he can win two in a row, much less three."

But yesterday, thanks to Arsenal, MSU and Indiana hitting the under and the Stars and Sharks doing the same, I'm sitting pretty with a W3.

I'm hoping to pick up a cheap win in soccer this morning by taking Inter Milan to defeat Sampdoria. It seems like the game on the board which is too obvious, since 97% of the votes went to Inter Milan. Please, don't let it come back to bite me, because later tonight, I really like...

UNC and Va. Tech over 156. Yes, I realize that is a ton of points for a college basketball game, but I can see a couple of things working in my favor here.

First, these two teams can score. Especially UNC ... a lot. It wouldn't surprise me if UNC reached 100, leaving just 56 points on the shoulders of the Hokies.

Also working in my favor is that the game is at VT. The Hokies could really use a win here to boost their resume, so there is a slim chance that the game goes into OT, which would make it a virtual lock at that point to reach the over.

If the game is quick, I also really, really like Oklahoma to defeat Missouri.

Listen: Missouri might be the most overrated team in the nation that isn't named "Michigan State Spartans." Blake Griffin is back and showing no signs of being concussed a couple of weeks ago. This game probably won't even be a single-digit contest ... it's gonna be all Sooners.

Those are the games I like. Could this be the first time I ever see W6 next to my name? Probably not, but I'm gonna hope anyway.

WinCo = Crazy. Spokane = Crazy. Spokane WinCo= ?

2009-03-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

The following story isn't the strangest or most bizarre. It's just a perfect example of what happens when you mix WinCo and the people of Spokane.

I decided to lose my Spokane WinCo virginity today because I needed deodorant and toilet paper, but more importantly, wanted some peanut butter pretzels. I forgo the maps at the entrance, instead letting myself explore the store.

I see aisle 2 and the word "deodorant" and head straight for what I need.

As I'm pondering my choice (usually, I'm a Degree guy, but wanted to see what else was out there), some guy comes up to me and starts talking about what he uses and likes. This is no employee, mind you ... this is just some extraordinary shopper.

As he's pointing out a few of his preferences (some of which work well all day, some of which smell really good, all of which say exactly that on the product), he warns me "Don't buy a powder. They don't work well at all."

He points out a couple more and then says "Gels are no good either. They go on cold in the morning." Awesome.

After recommending a couple more, he points to another and tells me "This one is really good too."

It's a powder. And women's deodorant.

All in all, the man showed me about seven or eight different deodorants before I had to excuse myself from the conversation.

Fortunately, he did not follow me to the toilet paper section.

What a day in the NFC West

2009-03-02T15:06:00.000-08:00

Breaking news on ESPN reports that T.J. Houshmandzadeh is on his way to the Emerald City. The T.J. on Hawks fans' minds stands for "Thank Jesus" though I'd wager that fewer than 1 percent of Seattle fans know what those initials actually stand for. For years, I've made jokes about the receivers that caught the ball like it had a lit fuse. Housh definitely won't be that way, so for Seattle, it's a great pickup. But it won't make them the team to beat in the NFC West.

That team will be the one where Kurt Warner ends up. The guy who led the Arizona Cardinals to a Super Bowl berth this season met with the San Francisco 49ers today regarding a potential signing. If the Niners nabbed Warner, not only would it drastically improve their team, but could also lure other free agents to the Bay Area (Jason Taylor?).

Both San Francisco and Arizona have decent defenses (though I would give the edge to Frisco with Patrick Willis and Nate Clements turning the team D around by season's end, whereas the Cards got hot late in the season, but not often beyond that). Arizona's run game is inferior to the Niners, but their receiving corps gives them a clear advantage over San Fran in overall offense. But if Warner donned the red and gold, he and Isaac Bruce (former teammates in St. Louis) can help young studs Jason Hill and Vernon Davis, among others, progress into better players. And it would make the 49ers the team to beat in the NFC West.

Meanwhile, St. Louis is doing nothing and remains accepting of their role as NFC West doormat.

The Streak (3/2) and trying not to play "not favorites"

2009-03-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

(Note: The Streak should be used for entertainment purposes only.)

I actually had a dream I ran my streak to 12 and was really excited about it. Having played for about five months and never breaking a W5, it may be the closest I get to 12 straight. But the disclaimer is so you don't end up like me and let it consume your life. I'll get to this after the picks.

Soccer: Guimaraes win or draw versus Braga. No, I don't know why. My team is down 1-0 eight minutes in.

I'll only have the opportunity to pick one game on the board after the soccer game thanks to my Monday Night Bowling League (where I look to improve on my 228-225-279, 732 series from last week, beep beep). And I'm going with the 76ers to defeat the Hornets at home.

New Orleans is not the same team they were a year ago. Tyson Chandler is not playing at the level he was. David West's numbers are down from last season. And the team struggles on the road. Plus, NO barely beat the New Jersey Nets last night and might be fatigued.

Moving on...

With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, I usually try to refrain from falling in love with the home teams (Gonzaga, Washington St.). It works pretty well ... usually I have Gonzaga going out fairly early and, to date, I haven't paid for it.

However, the opposite is now true, thanks to the streak game. There are certain teams I hate because they have ruined me on certain occasions (Notre Dame, Providence, the Big 11). And I have to put those feelings aside when Notre Dame inevitably sneaks in to the Dance as a 9 seed (yes, they're beating Villanova at home tonight).

And when they do, I gotta have faith in them, as much as I hate them, to knock off two teams and reach the Sweet 16. Just can't play not favorites...

RIFF!

2009-03-02T00:19:00.000-08:00

God Bless how times have changed.

It's no secret how bad I am at talking and interacting with anyone who has two X chromosomes. Maybe it's because I say things like "It's no secret how bad I am at talking and interacting with anyone who has two X chromosomes." But that's beside the point.

Welcome to 2009. Among the great things it has to offer are DirecTV, the Fine Living Network and one of my new favorite TV shows, Wingman.

I'm 20 minutes into my first episode. The host (a professional Wingman) is dealing with a 22-year-old Yale student who has confidence in some areas of his life, but not when it comes to dealing with girls. He's shy, awkward and a horrible conversationalist. Sound familiar?

(Note: This is the part where Nick Fairfax would make the "See Kitzan? There's someone out there for you right there!" joke. Fortunately, he doesn't subscribe to this.)

Anyway, he introduced the concept of RIFF (Recreation, Industry, Family, Fun) to this guy, who ended up meeting someone. It's a simple enough conversation piece and gets the ball rolling. Looks like half the battle is complete.

The solution to most of my problems aside, this is a great idea for a show. Of course there are tons of people who have problems meeting, talking to or being themselves around the opposite sex. The fact that someone was genius enough to take an everyday role like this and make it a TV show is incredible in so many ways. What else could you, theoretically, make a show out of?

I don't usually get excited about shows like this, I promise. It's cool that it helps people like me (even though it's not cool I have to resort to this ... better than online connections though, eh?) but the concept is even better.

Will I put RIFF into action? I know you're on the edge of your seat ... stay tuned.

The Streak (2/27) and fun with numbers - Chiefs edition

2009-02-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

I've refrained from publishing my streak picks lately, mostly because if you've been heeding my advice, you've been riding a longer "L streak" than the Detroit Lions. However, I'm a rugby match away from opening the day with a pair of cheap wins (the other in golf, where Bill Haas defeated the unstoppable Bo Van Pelt).

So, tonight, if I'm lucky, I'll have the chance to run my streak to 3. And it's unforgivable that I'll be rooting for them, but I'm picking the Lake Show to knock off the Nuggets in Mile High City. Denver got crushed by a KG-less Celtics team the last time I picked them. The Lakers aren't missing anyone. I like their chances.

In WHL action, the Chiefs got handled pretty easily by Vancouver again on Tuesday, this time 5-2. Fortunately, Spokane rebounded the next night, winning 5-2, behind four goals by The Greater One, Drayson Bowman.

The four-goal performance made me curious about a lot of things, so I did some research. Stats are fun:

Bowman has seven goals in his last five games, but hasn't scored in three of those.

Ryan Letts has eight goals in 114 games with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have the following record when each player scores a goal:

Tyler Johnson: 15-2
Mitch Wahl: 19-4
Brady Calla: 7-0
Dustin Donaghy: 7-1
Justin McCrae: 6-0
Ondrej Roman: 8-0
Stefan Ulmer: 7-0
Levko Koper: 12-2
Drayson Bowman: 23-2 (and in both losses, Bowman was the only Chief to score)

And in the "they're not returning to Spokane this season and possibly ever" department:

Seth Compton: 5-0
Jared Cowen: 7-0

Of course, scoring is important, but for Spokane, it will make or break their season. The Chiefs are a perfect 35-0 when they score at least three goals in a game. That's filthy.

Unfortunately, it means they've scored two or fewer 27 times, winning just five of those games. As good of a defense as they have (and they have a great one, even without Cowen), they won't march through the postseason unless they light the lamp.

They've been able to do it against everyone except Vancouver this season, scoring only twice total in two meetings.

The Chiefs will host Portland and Tri-City over the weekend ... two golden opportunities to get the offense rolling. Now would be a good time for them to heat up and stave off the Kelowna Rockets for the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

They're baaaaaaaack...

2009-02-25T14:03:00.000-08:00

Spring training has officially started!

The BoSox defeated Boston College today 7-1 and take on the Minnesota Twins tonight. In the opener, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz and Junichi Tazawa combined for four perfect innings, striking out three between them. The less-heralded group of Chris Carter, Yamaico Navarro and Nick Green led the way for the Sawx, with Green and Navarro going 2-for-2 and Carter clearing the bases with a sixth-inning double.

Irregardless, it's good to have the guys back, even if most of the regulars didn't see action. And it's good to know that April and Opening Day are just a few weeks away!

Really Celtics? Really?

2009-02-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

Before their championship run a season ago, the Boston Celtics reloaded their roster with All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to go along with Paul Pierce. When they ran roughshod throughout the league during the first part of 2007-08, they decided to attempt to self-destruct their team with the acquisition of Sam "I peaked about three teams ago" Cassell. He didn't kill their team and the C's, in spite of him, captured the NBA Championship.

This season, with Boston doing the same thing, they're upping the degree of difficulty on players they don't need.

The New York Knicks are about to buyout Stephon Marbury's contract, which will lead to his signing with the Celtics.

I suppose one headcase worked well enough, but Starbury takes it up a notch. He has been involved in feuds since playing for his first team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Over the last few seasons with the Knicks, disagreements with Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas have helped fuel Marbury's desire to get out of the Big Apple. He's a me-first player who might mesh well because of the personalities already in Boston, but if he doesn't, could be a poison that derails the Celtics march toward back-to-back titles.

He has experience playing with KG and the talent to be a great player in Boston, but from a Celtics perspective, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Rajon Rondo is becoming one of the best point guards in the league. Veteran Paul Pierce recently said something along the lines of "As Rajon goes, we go." And even in the absence of Garnett, Rondo is leading Boston's charge through some of the Western Conference's elite. He had 32 and 10 against a resurgent Suns team and followed that last night with 14-8-8 in a 38-point rout of the Denver Nuggets.

The Celtics were better than they were a year ago, but by acquiring Marbury, anything could happen. Marbury has never reached the second round of the playoffs ... just saying.

The Streak (2/24)

2009-02-24T12:03:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday didn't quite go as planned. Quebec choked in curling versus Alberta and the Nuggets didn't show up at all, even though they were playing at home, against the Celtics.

So, riding an L2, I go into today's games with zero confidence, but a lot of games on the board I like:

7 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche over Atlanta Thrashers

The Avs are a weird team and don't play well on the road. Fortunately, Atlanta doesn't play well at home. Colorado also has their best player, Paul Stastny, returning from injury. If he is even close to 100%, the Avs should pick up a much-needed win in their chase for the postseason.

Penn State and Ohio State 126 or fewer

If there is a Big Ten matchup and it isn't a reflex to pick the under right now, something is wrong with you.

7:30 p.m.

Montreal Canadiens over Vancouver Canucks

Take this pick with a huge grain of salt. Vancouver is 10-0-1 in their last 11 against the Habs, but recently struggled on the road versus a not-very-good Maple Leafs team, while Montreal welcomed back Andrei Kovalev with a romp versus the Ottawa Senators. I hate backing former Tri-City netminder Carey Price against a goaltender like Roberto Luongo, but I think Montreal wins here.

10:30 p.m.

San Diego St. over BYU

I don't know much about this game aside from that BYU edged the Aztecs in Utah a month ago and SDSU is 11-1 at home. So...go San Diego State.

The Streak (2/23)

2009-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

If there is anything in my life that fluctuates more from time to time than anything else, it has to be patience. Some days, I can withstand a lot of anything while keeping my emotions in check. Other days, I'm ready to make my next move before thinking out the repercussions my last move might have on it.

The latter is especially true of my streaks. If I could calmly pick only games I'm 95% sure of, I could probably run up a pretty nice streak. But I would only get to pick once or twice a day and that isn't fun, so I get to four in a row and start picking Big East matchups. Or get to three in a row and not learn from my mistake and pick another Big East matchup.

That was the case this weekend, when my first streak met its demise courtesy of Providence and the second fizzled when Syracuse couldn't win on their home floor versus Villanova.

However, those losses have turned my mindset around with a newly-found one-game win streak.

Just kidding.

I'm putting my 1-0 record in curling contests on the line this morning by picking Quebec to defeat Alberta. Quebec lost this morning to undefeated British Columbia, but at 3-1 overall, should handle 2-1 Alberta.

Following that, I will learn a lesson by staying far, far away from the Louisville-Georgetown game and instead picking the Denver Nuggets to beat the Boston Celtics. Normally, one of the unwritten streak rules would be to never, ever pick against the C's, but with KG out and Denver already having won soundly in the Garden with him in the lineup, I like the Nuggets in this contest.

Note: this wouldn't normally be my pick (I would have squeezed in New Jersey over Philly and Golden State over the Clippers) but my bowling league is tonight and I only have the opportunity to fit one game in before I have to take off, so this is it.

The Streak (2/21)

2009-02-21T10:53:00.001-08:00

You know what's unforgivable? Providence's performance against Notre Dame this morning.

Listen, Friars. You're trying to build your NCAA resume. As a decent Big East team, you need every win you can get, especially at home. On Saturday morning, you welcomed in an underachieving, 2-7 on the road Fighting Irish team who had won five games in conference while imploding on their 2008-09 season. Just play hard and get it done.

Or don't. Instead, give up 103 points. That will usually suffice in a college basketball game, right? Sigh...

So now that my four-game win streak is snapped, I must move on. On a day full of Bracketbusters, my only would-be lock (St. Mary's over Utah St.) is in limbo because of the status of Patty Mills.

But I need a game before that anyway and I don't often get the chance to pick a curling game, so I'm going with Ontario to defeat Newfoundland/Labrador. I did some research on this contest and discovered that Ontario's skip is good looking. She's no Winnipeg skip, but they aren't playing Winnipeg, so Ontario it is.

I don't know how long a curling game goes, but when it's over, I'm either picking the Gaels over the Aggies or Texas Tech over A&M. Both teams I want are great home teams. The A&M Aggies are mediocre on the road, while Utah State hasn't played anyone of St. Mary's caliber, especially when the Gaels are at 100 percent.

In the night game, I want BYU over UNLV. The Cougars are a pretty good road team (7-2) and are riding a five-game win streak. Meanwhile, UNLV lost their last contest. It isn't often I take the road team in a game like this, but I like BYU to run my win streak to three by the end of the day.

The Streak (2/18)

2009-02-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

It isn't every day you see the variety of contests on the board that ESPN presents today. Want an NBA matchup? They have two. Want an NCB matchup? They have three. Want a points game head to head? Harangody vs. Butler. Want a margin game? UNC or Kansas? Over-under? Louisville-Providence? The list goes on...

Unfortunately, there are no great-looking games on the board. I made it to a W2 this morning when USKA Moscow (or something like that...I'm not familiar with my European futbol) defeated Aston Villa. I'm still picking at least one game, possibly two, but am not really confident with extending the streak. Follow my lead at your own peril.

I'm picking Louisville and Providence to score over 147 this evening. The Friars defense is porous, allowing about 75 points per game. I figure at home, the Cardinals could easily score 80 and possibly 90. Louisville has a good defense, but Providence can score in bunches themselves, averaging nearly 80 a game. Hopefully, it goes something along the lines of Louisville 84, Providence 68. That would work nicely.

(Aside: I actually like UNC to defeat NC St. by more than Kansas beats Iowa St., but can't pull the trigger. Both won on the road already against their respective opponents by double-digits, so anything could happen. Common sense would say UNC wins by 31, Kansas wins by 22, so...)

Since I'm going to be at the Chiefs game tonight, I can't squeeze in six goals or more for the Ducks-Kings game, but I like the choice. LA just gave up four to Atlanta in the first earlier this week, while scoring two themselves. They're high-scoring on both ends, so Ducks-5, Kings-3.