My buddy Darrel, I call him Dub is the one I call when I see things that are crazy in the world of sports. I know when he is surprised about something cause he will double adjective something. Typical conversation:
Bandit: Hey Dub
Dub: Bandit, sup
B: You see that Oklahoma score?
D: Nah, whats the count?
B: Colorado got 'em 27-24
D: For Real? For Real?
Both of us burned up the phone lines this afternoon and evening. This was a Saturday where the upset special was the norm. Lets run down who got bent
#3 Oklahoma fell from ahead 24-10 to get bent by Colorado 27-24
#4 Florida fell behind 2 scores, but shook off an icing attempt to kick a game winning field goal 20-17
#7 Texas got jack-slapped by Kansas State...AT HOME!!! 41-21 in Austin Are you serious???
#10 Rutgers got beat down by Maryland 34-24
#13 Clemson just got flat out shut down by Georgia Tech losing 13-3
Outta breath???? Those aren't all the upsets...
#21 Penn State may be on its way out of the top 25 with it second straight close road loss, this time a 27-20 loss to Illinois in Champaign
#22 Alabama (so sorry Loriebamafan) took a loss to Florida State in a rare, rare meeting between these two deep south football institutions
Is it possible that these upset victims got caught-lookahead-itis? Oklahoma and Texas were a week away from the Red River Shootout. Rutgers has a ranked Cincy that they have a score to settle with coming in next week. Clemson had #17 Va. Tech to look forward to tangling with. All these teams might be looking for bounce back wins next week.
You might be able to blame #18 South Florida for this. They started all this wackiness with a stunning upset of #5 West Virginia on Friday Night. This was the first weekend since October of 2003 that four teams in the top ten all lost in the same weekend
Now make no mistake there were some favorites that won. Though not easily. USC struggled to beat Washington. LSU had its hands full with Tulane in the first half before wearing them down and pulling away. Wisconsin won a shootout with a tough Michigan State as did Cal who went into a raucous Autzen Stadium and won a wild one with Oregon. Ohio State looked almost bored in beating Minnesota (what was up with those ugly unis that the Gophers had on???) My beloved Bearcats validated their #24 ranking with an impressive 52-23 beatdown of SDSU on the west coast. Trust me it wasn't even that close. Cincy had a 42-10 lead at the end of 3 and Coach Kelly sent the scrubs in to finish the game. There will be some moving and shakin in all polls. Check my man ito06's college football poll (which your humble scribe casts a vote for)next week to see how much things will be shookup.
Now to MLB. I think I have written more about baseball in the past week than I have in the past six months. If the Mets recover from their swoon, they might want to give some money or at least send a fruit basket to the Marlins Miguel Olivo. His altercation with Jose Reyes which incited a bench clearing brawl might have woke the slumbering Mets who won 13-0 with John Maine taking a no hitter into the 8th. The Phils now in the unaccustomed position of being the hunted dropped a 4-2 decision to the Nats who have been playing the spoiler role to the hilt. Meanwhile the D-Backs locked up the NL West when the Padres came apart in Milwaukee. The Mets, Phils, Padres and Rockies all could finish with an 89-73 and we would have a four team three day knockout style playoff to secure the two remaining playoff spots. I hope that scenario happens, playoffs before the playoffs. Bonus baseball is never ever bad, and then you would have two more teams with 90+ wins in the playoffs with the D-Backs.
I'll finish my weekend review late on Sunday or early Monday with a review of MLB's final (?) day and week 4 in the NFL. Until Next Post fellow sports fans, I need to catch my breath!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thoughts on the NL's Frantic Final Days
It looks like a photo finish for the NL, but the picture is getting much clearer. The Cubs became the first team to clinch a playoff berth Friday Night as they clinched the NL Central. The Cubs finally turned out the light on a scrappy Brewers squad who couldn't hold up in the pennant race. Don't you feel sorry for Yost and his plucky bunch, they'll be back and better next year. Thats a team built the right way that will contend for years to come. The D-Backs finally cooled off the Rockies and clinched a playoff berth themselves. The Rockies are still in it but need to win and get some help, their late desperate dash may go for naught. The Padres are still very much in control of their destiny won a tense game in Milwaukee and are now the front runner in the Wild Card race and still have an outside chance of winning the NL West.
Meanwhile there is the train wreck that is the Mets, their stunning collapse nearly complete. The Mets, bowed to the Marlins 7-4 and combined with Phils 6-0 whitewash of the Nats, fell out of first place. This was a team that was up 7 games on Sept 12th. 7 up with 17 to play. The Mets lead was so secure it was thought, MLB didn't even bother to include them in any coin flips for possible playoff game scenarios. Now the Mets might not even get any shot at playing for anything, a wild card spot or division title. The Phils went from trying to duel with the Padres for the wild card to having control of the divisional title. The Phils have to keep winning to keep the pressure on the Mets, but they are now writing things. But the Phils have been doing the damn thing as of late. Winning 12 of 14 and making what maybe one of the more historic late seasons charges in MLB history. The Mets shocking collapse may very well cost Willie Randolph, and otherwise capable manager, his job.
The weekend holds so many questions and scenarios. And even then there still might be a four way tie for the playoff spots. With two spots still up for grabs, its anyones guess on how this will turn out. You have the feeling that if the Mets finish their Hindenburg-like crash, they will be placed in the annnal of great collapses. The Mets benefitted from a Cubs collapse in 1969, The Phils were the victim of a legendary collapse in 1964. Karma will come back, it may take awhile but it always does. Hold on tight, fellow sports fans this is gonna be one heck of a finish.
Meanwhile there is the train wreck that is the Mets, their stunning collapse nearly complete. The Mets, bowed to the Marlins 7-4 and combined with Phils 6-0 whitewash of the Nats, fell out of first place. This was a team that was up 7 games on Sept 12th. 7 up with 17 to play. The Mets lead was so secure it was thought, MLB didn't even bother to include them in any coin flips for possible playoff game scenarios. Now the Mets might not even get any shot at playing for anything, a wild card spot or division title. The Phils went from trying to duel with the Padres for the wild card to having control of the divisional title. The Phils have to keep winning to keep the pressure on the Mets, but they are now writing things. But the Phils have been doing the damn thing as of late. Winning 12 of 14 and making what maybe one of the more historic late seasons charges in MLB history. The Mets shocking collapse may very well cost Willie Randolph, and otherwise capable manager, his job.
The weekend holds so many questions and scenarios. And even then there still might be a four way tie for the playoff spots. With two spots still up for grabs, its anyones guess on how this will turn out. You have the feeling that if the Mets finish their Hindenburg-like crash, they will be placed in the annnal of great collapses. The Mets benefitted from a Cubs collapse in 1969, The Phils were the victim of a legendary collapse in 1964. Karma will come back, it may take awhile but it always does. Hold on tight, fellow sports fans this is gonna be one heck of a finish.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Week 4 Picks
Another ten win week for your humble scribe in week 3, and of course the upset did not pan out this week. But the lock remains constant. The first of the bye weeks are upon us, though I think that three weeks is a little too early. Though the Saints might heartily disagree with my assessment; I think that the byes should start in week four, I’m glad that they stopped doing week 1 or 17 byes, that just was aesthetically wrong.
Submitted for your approval and review are this weeks picks, the lines are courtesy of Yahoo Sports and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. I say this to keep someone from trying to hunt me down cause they went with a bad spread, but in any case here are my picks.
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 4 All Times EDT
Note: Jacksonville (2-1), New Orleans (0-3), Tennessee (2-1), Washington (2-1). Have a bye this week.
Sunday, September 30
Ravens (2-1) @ Browns (1-2)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Ravens by 4
Fast Fact- Jamal Lewis in week 2 became the first NFL player to rush for 200 yards for and against the same team.
The Ravens have seemed to have shaken off their opening week loss with a pair of wins, though they should be ashamed for letting a beaten Arizona team back into a rather one sided affair. The Browns lost a toughie in Oakland and the gimmes are few and far between. The Cleveland crowd will be vociferous in their hatred of the Ravens but it will make little matter. The Ravens are still way better than the Browns and Derek Anderson will learn how easy he had it two weeks ago now that he is facing a much much less forgiving defense that the Ravens have.
Pick-Baltimore
Bears (1-2) @ Lions (2-1)
Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Bears by 3
Fast Fact- Jon Kitna threw for a Lions record 446 yards against the Eagles last week.
The Bears have finally benched Wreck Grossman in favor of grizzled vet Brian Griese, I’m not really sure if that is the long term answer to solve the instability that has long plagued that position, but it makes Bears fans happy. The Lions a team that I have long decried a fraud elite team, are trying to recover from the double whammy of the hideous unis and the defensive sieve-like meltdown that happened in Philly last week. Kitna and company will quickly find that though the Bears might not hang 56 on them they will have a hard time matching the 21 that they scored last week as well.
Pick-Chicago
Packers (3-0) @ Vikings (1-2)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Packers by 1.5
Fast Fact- Brett Favre’s next TD pass puts him past Dan Marino for career TD passes.
The Vikings reeling after an inexplicable loss to woeful Kansas City are catching the Pack at the absolute wrong time. Favre has his offense humming and AJ Hawk looks ready to take his place at the linebacker elite. All of this bodes badly for a Vikings team searching for its identity. As much as it pains me to say it. The Vikes are hopelessly outclassed here and the Pack should roll.
Pick-Green Bay
Texans (2-1) @ Falcons (0-3)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Texans by 3
Fast Fact- Matt Schaub completed passes to ten different receivers last week against the Colts.
Playing the rare role of road bully the Texans look to bounce back from a tough divisional loss. The Falcons will prove to be a welcome tonic. Mario Williams has really begun to assert himself as a real defensive stopper. While Matt Schaub is unspectacular but handles the offense with few flaws. The Falcons are not even close to being ready to handle this up and coming team.
Pick-Houston
Jets (1-2) @ Bills (0-3)
Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jets by 3.5
Fast Fact- The Bills are dead last in the NFL in yardage per game (200)
The Jets got a badly needed win against the Fins, and can right their listing ship with a road win over a Bills squad that had much higher aspirations. Simply put the Bills offense is not ready for prime time and JP Losman is quickly losing the confidence of the fans who were willing to wait through his growing pains. They have yet to see a payoff. I want to see an upset here, but with the Bills hit hard by injuries and the Jets gaining confidence with the return of Chad Pennington, I cant bring myself to call it.
Pick- NY Jets
Raiders (1-2) @ Dolphins (0-3)
Dolphin Stadium, Miami 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Dolphins by 4
Fast Fact- Dolphins coach Cam Cameron is off the worst start by a first year Dolphins coach since George Wilson lost his first five in 1966.
The Raiders finally got one to fall their way as they sweated out a tight one against the Browns. The Dolphins are fading fast and keep finding ways to lose close winnable games. Daunte Culpepper gets the start and it may be a good bet to say he wants revenge on the team that in his eyes gave up on him too soon. If the Raiders establish a run game, not an easy task against a still respectable Dolphins defense. They should be able to squeak one out. The Raiders defense should be able to push around the Fins puny offense. Only considered an upset since the Raiders have been notoriously bad road team as of late.
Pick Oakland (Upset of the Week)
Rams (0-3) @ Cowboys (3-0)
Texas Stadium; Irving, TX 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Cowboys by 13
Fast Fact Cowboys looking for their first 4-0 start since 1995, their last Super Bowl Season.
Suddenly the chic pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl the Pokes are piling up the points at a furious clip. They will face little resistance from a Rams team that has no clue offensively. Not the best time to face a team that has scored 45, 37 and 34 point in its last three outings. Commissioner Goddell should be on standby to keep the score from getting too crazy.
Pick-Dallas
Seahawks (2-1) @ 49ers (2-1)
Monster Park, San Francisco 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Seahawks by 2
Fast Fact-Frank Gore’s 39 yards last week against the Steelers was his lowest rushing total as a starter.
The Seahawks come off a tighter than expected home win over the Bengals while the Niners are still rubbing their collective backside after a sobering beat down against the Steelers. The Niners have won the close ones, but have yet to prove that they can win against good teams.
Pick-Seattle
Buccaneers (2-1) @ Panthers (2-1)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Panthers by 3
Fast Fact- Panthers have won seven of the last eight meetings including the last five in Charlotte.
Carolina bounced back nicely to thump a sad sack Falcons teams and the Bucs made a beat down look almost boring and methodical. The two teams meet in a showdown for early control of the NFC South. The Bucs will find out that the Panthers defense will not be as easy to manipulate as the Rams and Saints were. And Carolina though likely tested against the hardy Bucs D should be able to cash in on the inevitable turnovers that the opportunistic Panters D will cause. Jake Delhomme has been hurting but whomever the Panthers start at QB it should be enough to carry the day.
Pick-Carolina
Broncos (2-1) @ Colts (3-0)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Colts by 9.5
Fast Fact- The Colts have won 11 straight in the month of September.
The weeks best match up is in Indy where the Colts fresh off a division reasserting win over the Texans come home to face a Denver squad that it has had no trouble beating in their past meetings. Peyton Manning is already in midseason form and that bodes badly for the Broncos who took a bad loss to the Jags last week when they couldn’t get possession much in the game only having the ball barely 21 minutes. The Colts have the horsepower (pun intended) to run (and pass) the Broncos out. Jay Cutler will find the sledding tougher than against the Jags where he struggled. The Colts at home are fierce and this one should be no different.
Pick-Indianapolis
Kansas City (1-2) @ San Diego (1-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Chargers by 11.5
Fast Fact- The Chiefs lead the all-time series, 49-43-1, but the Chargers have won four of the last six
The Chiefs are feeling good about themselves after an ugly win over the Vikes, but they catch the Chargers at the worst time. Stung after a humiliating loss to the Pats on national TV two weeks ago and a fall from ahead loss to the Pack last week, the Bolts come in mean and mad. The Chiefs one dimensional offense has trouble against athletic fronts like the Chargers and this will be no different. Look for the Chargers to jump out early and pour it on, just so there is no mistaking.
Pick-San Diego (Lock of the Week)
Pittsburgh (3-0) @ Arizona (1-2)
University Of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Steelers by 6
Fast Fact- The Steelers look for their first 4-0 since 1979
Princess Katie asked me if I knew who Kurt Warner was and why he may be starting in place of her favorite QB Matt Leinart. I explained that Warner has more experience. She countered but Daddy, Warner is old…he’s older than you how’s he gonna keep from getting hurt? Ouch. The Cards may have moxie but they won’t beat the Steelers.
Pick-Pittsburgh
Eagles (1-2) @ Giants (1-2)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite Eagles by 3
Fast Fact- Both teams won on the road in their two meetings last year.
The Eagles rolled up the points last week and that may be the key against the G-men. Getting on them early forces Eli Manning to have to try to win the game with his arm, something he seems increasingly incapable of doing. With his top wideout Plaxico Burress hobbled that task is doubly tough. And while its doubtful that the Giants will leave Kevin Curtis as wide open as the Lions seemed to continuously do last week. Donovan McNabb will spread the ball around enough to make life tough on the Giants and get the seat under Tom Coughlin heated again.
Pick- Philadelphia
Monday, October 1
Patriots (3-0) @ Bengals (1-2)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite Patriots by 7
Fast Fact- The Pats have won the last two meetings, scoring 35+ each time.
This game reminds me of when I used to get into trouble when I was a kid and my mom would succinctly tell me that I was “In for it” when she got home from work. I would sit at home, waiting for her to arrive and wait for the butt whooping that I was due. She might wait for a while but sooner or later out would come the belt and I would really get it. Such is the fate of the Bengals this week against the Patriots. The Bengals know that The Patriots are coming and they know what they are going to get. Though the Bengals seem to play better under the lights, the Pats have too many weapons and must be salivating at the chance to torch the Bengals soft defense. The Bengals offense, hampered by Rudi Johnson's absence, is in the unenviable position of having to match the Pats score for score and when they don’t the scale will tip and the Bengals will get buried.
Pick-New England
Last Week 10-6 (upset not correct, Lock Correct)
Overall 34-14 (2/3 upsets, 3/3 Locks)
Submitted for your approval and review are this weeks picks, the lines are courtesy of Yahoo Sports and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. I say this to keep someone from trying to hunt me down cause they went with a bad spread, but in any case here are my picks.
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 4 All Times EDT
Note: Jacksonville (2-1), New Orleans (0-3), Tennessee (2-1), Washington (2-1). Have a bye this week.
Sunday, September 30
Ravens (2-1) @ Browns (1-2)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Ravens by 4
Fast Fact- Jamal Lewis in week 2 became the first NFL player to rush for 200 yards for and against the same team.
The Ravens have seemed to have shaken off their opening week loss with a pair of wins, though they should be ashamed for letting a beaten Arizona team back into a rather one sided affair. The Browns lost a toughie in Oakland and the gimmes are few and far between. The Cleveland crowd will be vociferous in their hatred of the Ravens but it will make little matter. The Ravens are still way better than the Browns and Derek Anderson will learn how easy he had it two weeks ago now that he is facing a much much less forgiving defense that the Ravens have.
Pick-Baltimore
Bears (1-2) @ Lions (2-1)
Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Bears by 3
Fast Fact- Jon Kitna threw for a Lions record 446 yards against the Eagles last week.
The Bears have finally benched Wreck Grossman in favor of grizzled vet Brian Griese, I’m not really sure if that is the long term answer to solve the instability that has long plagued that position, but it makes Bears fans happy. The Lions a team that I have long decried a fraud elite team, are trying to recover from the double whammy of the hideous unis and the defensive sieve-like meltdown that happened in Philly last week. Kitna and company will quickly find that though the Bears might not hang 56 on them they will have a hard time matching the 21 that they scored last week as well.
Pick-Chicago
Packers (3-0) @ Vikings (1-2)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Packers by 1.5
Fast Fact- Brett Favre’s next TD pass puts him past Dan Marino for career TD passes.
The Vikings reeling after an inexplicable loss to woeful Kansas City are catching the Pack at the absolute wrong time. Favre has his offense humming and AJ Hawk looks ready to take his place at the linebacker elite. All of this bodes badly for a Vikings team searching for its identity. As much as it pains me to say it. The Vikes are hopelessly outclassed here and the Pack should roll.
Pick-Green Bay
Texans (2-1) @ Falcons (0-3)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Texans by 3
Fast Fact- Matt Schaub completed passes to ten different receivers last week against the Colts.
Playing the rare role of road bully the Texans look to bounce back from a tough divisional loss. The Falcons will prove to be a welcome tonic. Mario Williams has really begun to assert himself as a real defensive stopper. While Matt Schaub is unspectacular but handles the offense with few flaws. The Falcons are not even close to being ready to handle this up and coming team.
Pick-Houston
Jets (1-2) @ Bills (0-3)
Ralph Wilson Stadium; Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jets by 3.5
Fast Fact- The Bills are dead last in the NFL in yardage per game (200)
The Jets got a badly needed win against the Fins, and can right their listing ship with a road win over a Bills squad that had much higher aspirations. Simply put the Bills offense is not ready for prime time and JP Losman is quickly losing the confidence of the fans who were willing to wait through his growing pains. They have yet to see a payoff. I want to see an upset here, but with the Bills hit hard by injuries and the Jets gaining confidence with the return of Chad Pennington, I cant bring myself to call it.
Pick- NY Jets
Raiders (1-2) @ Dolphins (0-3)
Dolphin Stadium, Miami 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite-Dolphins by 4
Fast Fact- Dolphins coach Cam Cameron is off the worst start by a first year Dolphins coach since George Wilson lost his first five in 1966.
The Raiders finally got one to fall their way as they sweated out a tight one against the Browns. The Dolphins are fading fast and keep finding ways to lose close winnable games. Daunte Culpepper gets the start and it may be a good bet to say he wants revenge on the team that in his eyes gave up on him too soon. If the Raiders establish a run game, not an easy task against a still respectable Dolphins defense. They should be able to squeak one out. The Raiders defense should be able to push around the Fins puny offense. Only considered an upset since the Raiders have been notoriously bad road team as of late.
Pick Oakland (Upset of the Week)
Rams (0-3) @ Cowboys (3-0)
Texas Stadium; Irving, TX 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Cowboys by 13
Fast Fact Cowboys looking for their first 4-0 start since 1995, their last Super Bowl Season.
Suddenly the chic pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl the Pokes are piling up the points at a furious clip. They will face little resistance from a Rams team that has no clue offensively. Not the best time to face a team that has scored 45, 37 and 34 point in its last three outings. Commissioner Goddell should be on standby to keep the score from getting too crazy.
Pick-Dallas
Seahawks (2-1) @ 49ers (2-1)
Monster Park, San Francisco 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Seahawks by 2
Fast Fact-Frank Gore’s 39 yards last week against the Steelers was his lowest rushing total as a starter.
The Seahawks come off a tighter than expected home win over the Bengals while the Niners are still rubbing their collective backside after a sobering beat down against the Steelers. The Niners have won the close ones, but have yet to prove that they can win against good teams.
Pick-Seattle
Buccaneers (2-1) @ Panthers (2-1)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Panthers by 3
Fast Fact- Panthers have won seven of the last eight meetings including the last five in Charlotte.
Carolina bounced back nicely to thump a sad sack Falcons teams and the Bucs made a beat down look almost boring and methodical. The two teams meet in a showdown for early control of the NFC South. The Bucs will find out that the Panthers defense will not be as easy to manipulate as the Rams and Saints were. And Carolina though likely tested against the hardy Bucs D should be able to cash in on the inevitable turnovers that the opportunistic Panters D will cause. Jake Delhomme has been hurting but whomever the Panthers start at QB it should be enough to carry the day.
Pick-Carolina
Broncos (2-1) @ Colts (3-0)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Colts by 9.5
Fast Fact- The Colts have won 11 straight in the month of September.
The weeks best match up is in Indy where the Colts fresh off a division reasserting win over the Texans come home to face a Denver squad that it has had no trouble beating in their past meetings. Peyton Manning is already in midseason form and that bodes badly for the Broncos who took a bad loss to the Jags last week when they couldn’t get possession much in the game only having the ball barely 21 minutes. The Colts have the horsepower (pun intended) to run (and pass) the Broncos out. Jay Cutler will find the sledding tougher than against the Jags where he struggled. The Colts at home are fierce and this one should be no different.
Pick-Indianapolis
Kansas City (1-2) @ San Diego (1-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Chargers by 11.5
Fast Fact- The Chiefs lead the all-time series, 49-43-1, but the Chargers have won four of the last six
The Chiefs are feeling good about themselves after an ugly win over the Vikes, but they catch the Chargers at the worst time. Stung after a humiliating loss to the Pats on national TV two weeks ago and a fall from ahead loss to the Pack last week, the Bolts come in mean and mad. The Chiefs one dimensional offense has trouble against athletic fronts like the Chargers and this will be no different. Look for the Chargers to jump out early and pour it on, just so there is no mistaking.
Pick-San Diego (Lock of the Week)
Pittsburgh (3-0) @ Arizona (1-2)
University Of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite Steelers by 6
Fast Fact- The Steelers look for their first 4-0 since 1979
Princess Katie asked me if I knew who Kurt Warner was and why he may be starting in place of her favorite QB Matt Leinart. I explained that Warner has more experience. She countered but Daddy, Warner is old…he’s older than you how’s he gonna keep from getting hurt? Ouch. The Cards may have moxie but they won’t beat the Steelers.
Pick-Pittsburgh
Eagles (1-2) @ Giants (1-2)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite Eagles by 3
Fast Fact- Both teams won on the road in their two meetings last year.
The Eagles rolled up the points last week and that may be the key against the G-men. Getting on them early forces Eli Manning to have to try to win the game with his arm, something he seems increasingly incapable of doing. With his top wideout Plaxico Burress hobbled that task is doubly tough. And while its doubtful that the Giants will leave Kevin Curtis as wide open as the Lions seemed to continuously do last week. Donovan McNabb will spread the ball around enough to make life tough on the Giants and get the seat under Tom Coughlin heated again.
Pick- Philadelphia
Monday, October 1
Patriots (3-0) @ Bengals (1-2)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite Patriots by 7
Fast Fact- The Pats have won the last two meetings, scoring 35+ each time.
This game reminds me of when I used to get into trouble when I was a kid and my mom would succinctly tell me that I was “In for it” when she got home from work. I would sit at home, waiting for her to arrive and wait for the butt whooping that I was due. She might wait for a while but sooner or later out would come the belt and I would really get it. Such is the fate of the Bengals this week against the Patriots. The Bengals know that The Patriots are coming and they know what they are going to get. Though the Bengals seem to play better under the lights, the Pats have too many weapons and must be salivating at the chance to torch the Bengals soft defense. The Bengals offense, hampered by Rudi Johnson's absence, is in the unenviable position of having to match the Pats score for score and when they don’t the scale will tip and the Bengals will get buried.
Pick-New England
Last Week 10-6 (upset not correct, Lock Correct)
Overall 34-14 (2/3 upsets, 3/3 Locks)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
More random thoughts for Thursday...
Still trying to get around the buzz I'm getting in the house from the tubglaze, the headache of unpaid tickets and rainy days. Your humble scribe still has much to say...
That sound you hear is the Mets collapse almost reaching epic proportions. We're talking '95 Angels, 78 Sox (Sorry Mo and Sully for the painful reference) 69 Cubs and 64 Phils type meltdown. The Mets were 6 games up on the Phillies and were looking like a mortal lock for the playoffs. They had just gotten Pedro Martinez back to add to a solid pitching staff and talk of a World Series in Flushing was a real possibilty.
Then it happened. It wasn't a rash of injuries like the 95 Angels, It wasn't a white-hot Yankees team that kept on coming like in 78, It wasn't a manager raging at his team like the Cubs in 69 or overworking his two aces like the 64 Phils. The Mets have just...come...unglued. Now to be fair the Mets did lose Carlos Beltran for a bit and Carlos Delgado has been so-so, but the pitching especially relief has been caving in. And the Mets got swept by the Nationals...The Freakin' Nats!!! Now the robust 6 game lead has evaporated and the Mets are not only in danger of giving away the NL East to the Phillies team steamrolling at them, but a playoff berth as well. The Rockies and Padres are making a late dash. The Rockies winning a team record 10 in a row at the best possible time. With a scant 4 days left in the season, the Mets are searching for answers. The Phils are trying to make a miracle.
Meanwhile out west the D-backs are trying to stall out the regular season clock themselves, The D-backs are trying to hold not one but two teams off in the NL west. The aforementioned hard-charging Rockies and the injury ravaged Padres who are trying to limp home and ride Jake Peavy to a playoff berth if not an outright NL West pennant. The Pads might fall by the wayside as they have 3 closing games in Milwuakee who are trying to will their beloved Brew Crew into a last gasp closing run to catch the Cubs who are trying to give their division away. Hey dont' bellyache at me Cub fan, your team got the gift of the division lead from a young Brew Crew and your squad trying to give it back would register as inexcusable. If your team gives this lead away you and Met fans can cry in your beer together. Just don't do it around me. You will get no sympathy.
I'm not a real big soccer fan...you read my thoughts on soccer in my profile. But when World Cup comes around for both Men and Women. I'll at least keep abreast of the progress of the US team. The Womens team is ranked #1 in the world, and had reached the semis of the World Cup in China and were set to take on a tough Brazil squad but one that they were expected to beat. That said the 4-0 loss was shocking. The bits I saw had the Brazilians toying with the Americans and why oh why was Brianna Scurry in goal? She looked old, tired and out of step. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the US have a goalie in Hope Solo who was giving away less than Scrooge before the ghost visits? Solo hadn't been scored on in over 300 minutes. So why would you go with someone else. I always believe in that old country axiom with sports. When ya go to a dance, you dance with who brung (sic) ya. Solo got the US to the semis with little or no trouble, it made no sense to switch goalies in such a crucial game. US coach Greg Ryan has a litany of questions to answer. He might have cost himself his job with that goalie switch. It seems that the decision to put Scurry in the game cast a pall on his players. They played listless and the lightning quick Brazilians put on a clinic. The Americans will be lucky to get a consolation game win Sunday against the Norwegians and the Germany/Brazil final would be a solid matchup no matter what the sex of player.
And finally today, a quick addendum to a statement I made earlier, if you had told me before the season that not only would Notre Dame be winless, my beloved Bearcats unbeaten and ranked AND their starting quarterback dropped out to transfer to Cincinnati. I would have really asked you what you were smokin' But Demetrius Jones who had started the Irish''s season opener against Georgia tech and was benched in favor of freshman wunderkind Jimmy Clausen. Jones soon dropped out and reports have it that it looks like he wants to go to Cincy. Oh my, who'da thunk players would be walking away from a supposed powerhouse like Notre Dame to go Cincinnati???
The highly anticipated NFL Week 4 picks will be posted tomorrow, Until next post fellow Sports Fans!!!
That sound you hear is the Mets collapse almost reaching epic proportions. We're talking '95 Angels, 78 Sox (Sorry Mo and Sully for the painful reference) 69 Cubs and 64 Phils type meltdown. The Mets were 6 games up on the Phillies and were looking like a mortal lock for the playoffs. They had just gotten Pedro Martinez back to add to a solid pitching staff and talk of a World Series in Flushing was a real possibilty.
Then it happened. It wasn't a rash of injuries like the 95 Angels, It wasn't a white-hot Yankees team that kept on coming like in 78, It wasn't a manager raging at his team like the Cubs in 69 or overworking his two aces like the 64 Phils. The Mets have just...come...unglued. Now to be fair the Mets did lose Carlos Beltran for a bit and Carlos Delgado has been so-so, but the pitching especially relief has been caving in. And the Mets got swept by the Nationals...The Freakin' Nats!!! Now the robust 6 game lead has evaporated and the Mets are not only in danger of giving away the NL East to the Phillies team steamrolling at them, but a playoff berth as well. The Rockies and Padres are making a late dash. The Rockies winning a team record 10 in a row at the best possible time. With a scant 4 days left in the season, the Mets are searching for answers. The Phils are trying to make a miracle.
Meanwhile out west the D-backs are trying to stall out the regular season clock themselves, The D-backs are trying to hold not one but two teams off in the NL west. The aforementioned hard-charging Rockies and the injury ravaged Padres who are trying to limp home and ride Jake Peavy to a playoff berth if not an outright NL West pennant. The Pads might fall by the wayside as they have 3 closing games in Milwuakee who are trying to will their beloved Brew Crew into a last gasp closing run to catch the Cubs who are trying to give their division away. Hey dont' bellyache at me Cub fan, your team got the gift of the division lead from a young Brew Crew and your squad trying to give it back would register as inexcusable. If your team gives this lead away you and Met fans can cry in your beer together. Just don't do it around me. You will get no sympathy.
I'm not a real big soccer fan...you read my thoughts on soccer in my profile. But when World Cup comes around for both Men and Women. I'll at least keep abreast of the progress of the US team. The Womens team is ranked #1 in the world, and had reached the semis of the World Cup in China and were set to take on a tough Brazil squad but one that they were expected to beat. That said the 4-0 loss was shocking. The bits I saw had the Brazilians toying with the Americans and why oh why was Brianna Scurry in goal? She looked old, tired and out of step. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the US have a goalie in Hope Solo who was giving away less than Scrooge before the ghost visits? Solo hadn't been scored on in over 300 minutes. So why would you go with someone else. I always believe in that old country axiom with sports. When ya go to a dance, you dance with who brung (sic) ya. Solo got the US to the semis with little or no trouble, it made no sense to switch goalies in such a crucial game. US coach Greg Ryan has a litany of questions to answer. He might have cost himself his job with that goalie switch. It seems that the decision to put Scurry in the game cast a pall on his players. They played listless and the lightning quick Brazilians put on a clinic. The Americans will be lucky to get a consolation game win Sunday against the Norwegians and the Germany/Brazil final would be a solid matchup no matter what the sex of player.
And finally today, a quick addendum to a statement I made earlier, if you had told me before the season that not only would Notre Dame be winless, my beloved Bearcats unbeaten and ranked AND their starting quarterback dropped out to transfer to Cincinnati. I would have really asked you what you were smokin' But Demetrius Jones who had started the Irish''s season opener against Georgia tech and was benched in favor of freshman wunderkind Jimmy Clausen. Jones soon dropped out and reports have it that it looks like he wants to go to Cincy. Oh my, who'da thunk players would be walking away from a supposed powerhouse like Notre Dame to go Cincinnati???
The highly anticipated NFL Week 4 picks will be posted tomorrow, Until next post fellow Sports Fans!!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Random thoughts on a rainy day...
The house still stinks from the tub being reglazed and the new counters in the kitchen so I'm still living out of a hotel, but I'm lucky enough to be able to pound some thoughts out at work and post for your review and approval...
We haven't had rain in the Cincinnati Area in a while and we got a sudden downpour and of course folks dont know how to drive in it. So I'm sitting in traffic waiting to get past an accident on the way to the office and I heard some things on the radio today that made me shake my head. Starting with one Michael Vick. You would think that this fool would learn, And you'll understand shortly why I call him a fool.
Vick failed a drug test for weed. Don't you think with all the trouble that he is in he would lay extremely low. Because you know that Vick is still awaiting sentencing and that the sentencing judge is watching this. If I'm in Vick's shoes, I'm not going anywhere. I'm sitting at home, food gets delivered. I take no chances on getting in any trouble. But Vick just doesn't get it. He is in for real, real trouble. He is going to jail and not for something like a week. He's looking at at a minimum of at least 12 months in jail and up to five years...thats no joke. And thats not county the piling on that the state is looking to do. A rational person who is looking at what he's looking at, would lay low do absolutely nothing. Here this fool is smoking weed. Don't you think that he would know that he would get tested??? Just the fact that he threw all that money away trying to "true to the hood." I dont get why people act like if you are from the 'hood and you come into money that you have to prove you are still "hood type" You dont have to change who you are but acting a fool when you have money makes no sense.
The call on Bradley and the Ump...Out! Both of them!
MLB came down hard on the ump who set Milton Bradley off into his yearly conniption fit. Mike Phillips was suspended for the rest of the 2007 season. MLB did not elaborate on what was said between the ump and Bradley. Bradley is his rage tore his ACL when he was trying to be restrained by his manager Bud Black. Bradley is a highly talented player who has had a hard time staying with any one team for a long time, since his highly voliatile temper puts him a situation where he is going off on someone or something. Fans have heckeled him into nearly going into the stands on a couple occasions. Bradley now faces a long rehab and speaking as someone who has had ACL surgery, the rehab sucks. The sad thing is that Bradley didn't hurt himself running the bases, or diving after a ball. He did it trying to jump into an umps face. What a waste...
The wild scramble in the NL continues
The NL continues to jostle and jockey for playoff position. The Cubs are making things interesting, and making their fans panic. The Padres got a badly needed win last night, The Rockies are charging hard down the stretch and need to get as many wins as they can before a ultra critical series with the D-Backs in the final weekend. The Mets are trying their doggedest to give away the East. The Phils are waiting and oh no is that the Braves still there barely hanging on. Eight teams still in it fighting for four spots...The days are dwindiling and the intensity goes up and up every game, soon every inning, every out and every pitch will uber-crucial.
Gundy's Meltdown???
You know the sporting press was gripping hard at Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gandy. After his teams shootout win over Texas Tech this weekend, he took a columist to task over what she wrote about the situation rgarding his quarterbacks. True Gundy mught have reacted like a mother bear protecting her cub. But I liked the so-called meltdown. I think it funny that the sporting media, can blast and call manhood into question at any point. But if you call them on it, they react with a shock and surprise like "Who me?? Who said all that. The athlete is left with the wreckage and the columnist kinda shrugs as if to say "We meant no harm" If you report the facts, get them straight. If you have an opinion, back them up with facts or at least be prepared to defend your words. I think Gundy might have been a bit over the top, but his comments were on the mark. He didn't curse or insult, but he did call the columnist out on her comments. I say bravo.
What are you thinking???
Last today, we come to the one point where someone needs a jack-slap. I'm referring to the curious case of Shawn Marion. The talented swingman forward of the Suns that is reportedly demanding a trade from one of the most high speed entertaining teams to watch. Playing with one of the most pass happy point guards in the game, and he reportedly wants to go the Lake Show. Are you kidding, playing alongside that ball blackhole that is #24. Marion has averaged 18.6 ppg since coming into the league in 99 and whose lowest ppg was 10.2 in his rookie year. Does he really think that he will get that kind of point total playing alongside Ko-Bah??? Pul-leese. Marion's best chance for a ring is to stay alongside Nash, Stoudamire, and a newly acquired Grant Hill, try to make do and shaddap!
On the subject of Namecalling
"Who you callin a b---?" Queen Latifah "U.N.I.T.Y" 1993
That question needs to be asked of Isiah Thomas. The embattled GM of the New York Knicks
under fire for his questionable treatment of a co-worker and his salty language towards her has been the focus of a lawsuit. Statements were taken from individuals like Stephon Marbury (Not the most articulate of individuals) who had been noted using even saltier language in reference to people. The fact that Thomas has long been noted for having a nasty disposition behind the cherub face and decivingly innocent smile and has once again been expose for being a cantankeorous individual. Being a proud father, I know I would knock someone's teeth down their throat if they referred to my daughter as a "b".
The point that I'm trying make here is that one should never be surprised to hear that sort of language, I'm not in any way condoing calling someone out of their name for any reason, beyond good natured knowing teasing. The problem is that you have athletes turned execs and have never gotten out of that locker room mentality. If you have been in a locker room, you know that the attitude is rough and the language would make some of the more hardended folks blush. People who have worked in a office have no clue of this attitude, and when these types cross, it can be a shock to the office type.
Bonds future in question
Barry Bonds is playing his last games this week as a Giant. I think he got a raw deal from the team that he helped build their park and have a run of sellouts. You think that the Giants have not benefitted from Bonds' chasing the single season and all-time HR records. A majority of which were hit in PacBell/SBC/AT&T Park. #300, #500, #660, #661, #714, #715 and #756 were all hit there. As well as the #71-#73. The Giants seemed to say, we've got our fill of you and in a move depressingly similar to Hank Aaron, Bonds will not retire with the team that he hit his historic home runs.
Whats left for Bonds? He is still chasing 3000 hits. As of this post he is at 2,935. He is also still chasing that elusive World Series ring. In his only appearance he came tantilizingly close. 5 outs away from winning it. So the possibilty that he might go to an AL team and DH is a real possibility. I like Bonds the player, he still is one of the most feared sluggers in the game and he is super disciplined at the plate. He's a first class (expletive) off the field and with reporters. That is sad because, I've seen interviews where Bonds is articulate, poignant, thoughtful and a sharp interview. If he was more like that he'd be revered like Reggie Jackson who despite being an occasional polarizing influence was one of the most respected players in the game and was a first ballot hall of famer. Will Bonds be a first ballot. Based on his "pre-steroids" numbers. He's a shoo-in. I'm not getting in to if he has or hasn't since nothing has been proved, I say innocent until you have something concrete. But he was a 400-400 man before any of this started and that should make him in, but his legendary tiffs with the media may keep Bonds waiting...for how long is anyones guess.
I'll be back in time to post my NFL Picks for week 4. Until next post fellow sports fans!
We haven't had rain in the Cincinnati Area in a while and we got a sudden downpour and of course folks dont know how to drive in it. So I'm sitting in traffic waiting to get past an accident on the way to the office and I heard some things on the radio today that made me shake my head. Starting with one Michael Vick. You would think that this fool would learn, And you'll understand shortly why I call him a fool.
Vick failed a drug test for weed. Don't you think with all the trouble that he is in he would lay extremely low. Because you know that Vick is still awaiting sentencing and that the sentencing judge is watching this. If I'm in Vick's shoes, I'm not going anywhere. I'm sitting at home, food gets delivered. I take no chances on getting in any trouble. But Vick just doesn't get it. He is in for real, real trouble. He is going to jail and not for something like a week. He's looking at at a minimum of at least 12 months in jail and up to five years...thats no joke. And thats not county the piling on that the state is looking to do. A rational person who is looking at what he's looking at, would lay low do absolutely nothing. Here this fool is smoking weed. Don't you think that he would know that he would get tested??? Just the fact that he threw all that money away trying to "true to the hood." I dont get why people act like if you are from the 'hood and you come into money that you have to prove you are still "hood type" You dont have to change who you are but acting a fool when you have money makes no sense.
The call on Bradley and the Ump...Out! Both of them!
MLB came down hard on the ump who set Milton Bradley off into his yearly conniption fit. Mike Phillips was suspended for the rest of the 2007 season. MLB did not elaborate on what was said between the ump and Bradley. Bradley is his rage tore his ACL when he was trying to be restrained by his manager Bud Black. Bradley is a highly talented player who has had a hard time staying with any one team for a long time, since his highly voliatile temper puts him a situation where he is going off on someone or something. Fans have heckeled him into nearly going into the stands on a couple occasions. Bradley now faces a long rehab and speaking as someone who has had ACL surgery, the rehab sucks. The sad thing is that Bradley didn't hurt himself running the bases, or diving after a ball. He did it trying to jump into an umps face. What a waste...
The wild scramble in the NL continues
The NL continues to jostle and jockey for playoff position. The Cubs are making things interesting, and making their fans panic. The Padres got a badly needed win last night, The Rockies are charging hard down the stretch and need to get as many wins as they can before a ultra critical series with the D-Backs in the final weekend. The Mets are trying their doggedest to give away the East. The Phils are waiting and oh no is that the Braves still there barely hanging on. Eight teams still in it fighting for four spots...The days are dwindiling and the intensity goes up and up every game, soon every inning, every out and every pitch will uber-crucial.
Gundy's Meltdown???
You know the sporting press was gripping hard at Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gandy. After his teams shootout win over Texas Tech this weekend, he took a columist to task over what she wrote about the situation rgarding his quarterbacks. True Gundy mught have reacted like a mother bear protecting her cub. But I liked the so-called meltdown. I think it funny that the sporting media, can blast and call manhood into question at any point. But if you call them on it, they react with a shock and surprise like "Who me?? Who said all that. The athlete is left with the wreckage and the columnist kinda shrugs as if to say "We meant no harm" If you report the facts, get them straight. If you have an opinion, back them up with facts or at least be prepared to defend your words. I think Gundy might have been a bit over the top, but his comments were on the mark. He didn't curse or insult, but he did call the columnist out on her comments. I say bravo.
What are you thinking???
Last today, we come to the one point where someone needs a jack-slap. I'm referring to the curious case of Shawn Marion. The talented swingman forward of the Suns that is reportedly demanding a trade from one of the most high speed entertaining teams to watch. Playing with one of the most pass happy point guards in the game, and he reportedly wants to go the Lake Show. Are you kidding, playing alongside that ball blackhole that is #24. Marion has averaged 18.6 ppg since coming into the league in 99 and whose lowest ppg was 10.2 in his rookie year. Does he really think that he will get that kind of point total playing alongside Ko-Bah??? Pul-leese. Marion's best chance for a ring is to stay alongside Nash, Stoudamire, and a newly acquired Grant Hill, try to make do and shaddap!
On the subject of Namecalling
"Who you callin a b---?" Queen Latifah "U.N.I.T.Y" 1993
That question needs to be asked of Isiah Thomas. The embattled GM of the New York Knicks
under fire for his questionable treatment of a co-worker and his salty language towards her has been the focus of a lawsuit. Statements were taken from individuals like Stephon Marbury (Not the most articulate of individuals) who had been noted using even saltier language in reference to people. The fact that Thomas has long been noted for having a nasty disposition behind the cherub face and decivingly innocent smile and has once again been expose for being a cantankeorous individual. Being a proud father, I know I would knock someone's teeth down their throat if they referred to my daughter as a "b".
The point that I'm trying make here is that one should never be surprised to hear that sort of language, I'm not in any way condoing calling someone out of their name for any reason, beyond good natured knowing teasing. The problem is that you have athletes turned execs and have never gotten out of that locker room mentality. If you have been in a locker room, you know that the attitude is rough and the language would make some of the more hardended folks blush. People who have worked in a office have no clue of this attitude, and when these types cross, it can be a shock to the office type.
Bonds future in question
Barry Bonds is playing his last games this week as a Giant. I think he got a raw deal from the team that he helped build their park and have a run of sellouts. You think that the Giants have not benefitted from Bonds' chasing the single season and all-time HR records. A majority of which were hit in PacBell/SBC/AT&T Park. #300, #500, #660, #661, #714, #715 and #756 were all hit there. As well as the #71-#73. The Giants seemed to say, we've got our fill of you and in a move depressingly similar to Hank Aaron, Bonds will not retire with the team that he hit his historic home runs.
Whats left for Bonds? He is still chasing 3000 hits. As of this post he is at 2,935. He is also still chasing that elusive World Series ring. In his only appearance he came tantilizingly close. 5 outs away from winning it. So the possibilty that he might go to an AL team and DH is a real possibility. I like Bonds the player, he still is one of the most feared sluggers in the game and he is super disciplined at the plate. He's a first class (expletive) off the field and with reporters. That is sad because, I've seen interviews where Bonds is articulate, poignant, thoughtful and a sharp interview. If he was more like that he'd be revered like Reggie Jackson who despite being an occasional polarizing influence was one of the most respected players in the game and was a first ballot hall of famer. Will Bonds be a first ballot. Based on his "pre-steroids" numbers. He's a shoo-in. I'm not getting in to if he has or hasn't since nothing has been proved, I say innocent until you have something concrete. But he was a 400-400 man before any of this started and that should make him in, but his legendary tiffs with the media may keep Bonds waiting...for how long is anyones guess.
I'll be back in time to post my NFL Picks for week 4. Until next post fellow sports fans!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Mad Playoff Scramble in MLB
Help! I’m a serial blog poster!!! And I’m not ashamed to say it.
Lets turn our focus to baseball for a minute, as the 2007 regular season enters its ultimate week. The AL seemed to be settled, as the Angels and Indians clinched Sunday, and only the placing of the Red Sox and Yankees need to be settled.
But National League as usual is a totally different matter. No divisions have been settled and All three leaders are holding on to tenuous leads. The Mets are trying their best not to meltdown, since the wild card is a morass of teams. (Hey Bob Costas, do you still think the wild card is a useless waste of time?) The Cubs look as if they are coming together at the right time. And the D-Backs are trying to shake the Padres and the hard charging Rockies. I have long maintained that the wild card is not a reserve chute for a coasting divisional leader, It forces teams to win as much as possible to sew up a divisional title. Winning a wild card is respectable in itself. In the AL where I have long maintained that a team needs to play .550 ball (90 wins) or better to be in my eyes a solid team, all playoff bound teams have met that criteria. In the NL, two of the four teams are close to 90 wins while the Central long regarded as the weakest division will finish with at most 89 wins . Take note though the NL Central is where the last three NL champs have come from .
The scramble for the Wild Card is for lack of more apt…WILD! Three teams within 1.5 games. The Padres are leading the pack now and still have dreams and designs on winning the NL West but after a damaging home sweep by the Rockies and a usual meltdown by Milton Bradley may be on shaky ground.. They are being chased by the Phillies, who are still trying to run down the Mets who have been stumbling badly down the stretch. Both these teams are being chased by the white-hot Rockies who are making a last desperate charge, winning 8 in a row. The Braves are still on the fringes but have too many teams to get past and too few games to do it in. Its gonna be a fun week to watch. You have divisions that are not at all settled and a wild card spot that a second place team is not assured of getting, so everyone will play hard. Did I mention that I love this time of the year?
Lets turn our focus to baseball for a minute, as the 2007 regular season enters its ultimate week. The AL seemed to be settled, as the Angels and Indians clinched Sunday, and only the placing of the Red Sox and Yankees need to be settled.
But National League as usual is a totally different matter. No divisions have been settled and All three leaders are holding on to tenuous leads. The Mets are trying their best not to meltdown, since the wild card is a morass of teams. (Hey Bob Costas, do you still think the wild card is a useless waste of time?) The Cubs look as if they are coming together at the right time. And the D-Backs are trying to shake the Padres and the hard charging Rockies. I have long maintained that the wild card is not a reserve chute for a coasting divisional leader, It forces teams to win as much as possible to sew up a divisional title. Winning a wild card is respectable in itself. In the AL where I have long maintained that a team needs to play .550 ball (90 wins) or better to be in my eyes a solid team, all playoff bound teams have met that criteria. In the NL, two of the four teams are close to 90 wins while the Central long regarded as the weakest division will finish with at most 89 wins . Take note though the NL Central is where the last three NL champs have come from .
The scramble for the Wild Card is for lack of more apt…WILD! Three teams within 1.5 games. The Padres are leading the pack now and still have dreams and designs on winning the NL West but after a damaging home sweep by the Rockies and a usual meltdown by Milton Bradley may be on shaky ground.. They are being chased by the Phillies, who are still trying to run down the Mets who have been stumbling badly down the stretch. Both these teams are being chased by the white-hot Rockies who are making a last desperate charge, winning 8 in a row. The Braves are still on the fringes but have too many teams to get past and too few games to do it in. Its gonna be a fun week to watch. You have divisions that are not at all settled and a wild card spot that a second place team is not assured of getting, so everyone will play hard. Did I mention that I love this time of the year?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Weekend In Review....some quick takes
Quick Takes
Michigan looks like it may have saved its season with a gutty win over a no-joke Penn State team. Oh and where is your love for App. State now? They took an L to...Wofford?
If you had've told me say ten or twelve years ago...hell ten or twelve months ago for that matter, that my beloved alma mater UC would be 4-0 and ranked and at same time Notre Dame would not only be unranked but winless. I'd have asked you how long had you been doing crack. UC meeting up with a Rutgers team who wants revenge for a 30-11 upset win that cost them a BCS berth will be an interesting matchup. Notre Dame...could well be 0-8 when Navy comes to town and they might even be an underdog for that
I'm a bit salty that I was a Brett Favre drive and a sorry Vikings offense from nailing each of the early picks...Not that I'm bragging...
The Skins should be ashamed, not only of those hideous unis, but of having the ball at the one with 4 cracks to win it and failing (Where was Clinton Portis???). Tom Coughlin gets at least a weeks reprieve from the temperature going up on his already scalding seat
The Eagles might petition the league to wear their hideous throwbacks more often after rolling up the points on a Lions squad that I warned you would be a fake.
By the way, DMcNabb showed stones after standing by his comments and putting up the digits. Though my thoughts on his perspective have been documented here, you gotta give him dap for playing 5-Star.
The Bengals are the most puzzling squad in the NFL, they should be 3-0 and in the same breath as the Colts, Pats and Cowboys but they are 1-2. Neither the offense or defense shows up at the same time. Last week the Offense put up eye-popping numbers and lost this week the defense played tough but the offense seemed sluggish. Thats not a good combination for a team with deep playoff aspirations and guess whos coming to dinner next Monday? Give you a hint they like to score 38.
Bama rallied to lead Georgia in OT, but couldn't hold it. It was a tough loss but the fans throwing stuff on the celebrating Georgia squad was classless. I know Bama fans aren't all like that, but it was a black eye on an otherwise thrilling game.
Phat Dap to the Angels and Indians who clinched their divisions before happy home crowds on Sunday. The Red Sox are playoffs bound too but the Yanks are closing fast on the division. The Sox made need that extra home game in the playoffs and for all of you east coasters that think a Red Sox-Yankees ALCS is a foregone conclusion...DO NOT sleep on the Angels and/or Indians who could be well rested for the divisional series that starts next Tuesday or Wednesday and have the pitching and offense to wreck that supposed scenario.
I am a proud University of Cincinnati alumus, and when it comes to sports most people think of former coach Bob Huggins and the basketball team, the team has fallen on hard times but I'm confident that they will be back strong and soon.
The forgotten stepchild on campus is the football team, now they aren't as bad a say Temple or Buffalo. But no one will mistake them for USC or LSU. They are a midsize D-1 school that moved up to the Big East when BC, VTech, and Miami bolted for the ACC.
The Bearcats with a 40-14 thrashing of Marshall before a sellout crowd Saturday night and improved to 4-0 their best start since 1954 when a guy named Sid Gillman was coaching them (Yeah that Sid Gillman) and are nationally ranked (AP #24) for the first time since 1976.
The sky's the limit for the Bearcats, now I'm not saying that the Cats will contend for a BCS title anytime soon but a big name bowl could realistically be in their future. For someone that has followed them since I got to college and remember when they would play at old Riverfront because Nippert Stadium was condemned for repairs and get waxed on a regular basis, I couldn't be prouder.
Until the next post, fellow sports fans...
Michigan looks like it may have saved its season with a gutty win over a no-joke Penn State team. Oh and where is your love for App. State now? They took an L to...Wofford?
If you had've told me say ten or twelve years ago...hell ten or twelve months ago for that matter, that my beloved alma mater UC would be 4-0 and ranked and at same time Notre Dame would not only be unranked but winless. I'd have asked you how long had you been doing crack. UC meeting up with a Rutgers team who wants revenge for a 30-11 upset win that cost them a BCS berth will be an interesting matchup. Notre Dame...could well be 0-8 when Navy comes to town and they might even be an underdog for that
I'm a bit salty that I was a Brett Favre drive and a sorry Vikings offense from nailing each of the early picks...Not that I'm bragging...
The Skins should be ashamed, not only of those hideous unis, but of having the ball at the one with 4 cracks to win it and failing (Where was Clinton Portis???). Tom Coughlin gets at least a weeks reprieve from the temperature going up on his already scalding seat
The Eagles might petition the league to wear their hideous throwbacks more often after rolling up the points on a Lions squad that I warned you would be a fake.
By the way, DMcNabb showed stones after standing by his comments and putting up the digits. Though my thoughts on his perspective have been documented here, you gotta give him dap for playing 5-Star.
The Bengals are the most puzzling squad in the NFL, they should be 3-0 and in the same breath as the Colts, Pats and Cowboys but they are 1-2. Neither the offense or defense shows up at the same time. Last week the Offense put up eye-popping numbers and lost this week the defense played tough but the offense seemed sluggish. Thats not a good combination for a team with deep playoff aspirations and guess whos coming to dinner next Monday? Give you a hint they like to score 38.
Bama rallied to lead Georgia in OT, but couldn't hold it. It was a tough loss but the fans throwing stuff on the celebrating Georgia squad was classless. I know Bama fans aren't all like that, but it was a black eye on an otherwise thrilling game.
Phat Dap to the Angels and Indians who clinched their divisions before happy home crowds on Sunday. The Red Sox are playoffs bound too but the Yanks are closing fast on the division. The Sox made need that extra home game in the playoffs and for all of you east coasters that think a Red Sox-Yankees ALCS is a foregone conclusion...DO NOT sleep on the Angels and/or Indians who could be well rested for the divisional series that starts next Tuesday or Wednesday and have the pitching and offense to wreck that supposed scenario.
I am a proud University of Cincinnati alumus, and when it comes to sports most people think of former coach Bob Huggins and the basketball team, the team has fallen on hard times but I'm confident that they will be back strong and soon.
The forgotten stepchild on campus is the football team, now they aren't as bad a say Temple or Buffalo. But no one will mistake them for USC or LSU. They are a midsize D-1 school that moved up to the Big East when BC, VTech, and Miami bolted for the ACC.
The Bearcats with a 40-14 thrashing of Marshall before a sellout crowd Saturday night and improved to 4-0 their best start since 1954 when a guy named Sid Gillman was coaching them (Yeah that Sid Gillman) and are nationally ranked (AP #24) for the first time since 1976.
The sky's the limit for the Bearcats, now I'm not saying that the Cats will contend for a BCS title anytime soon but a big name bowl could realistically be in their future. For someone that has followed them since I got to college and remember when they would play at old Riverfront because Nippert Stadium was condemned for repairs and get waxed on a regular basis, I couldn't be prouder.
Until the next post, fellow sports fans...
Friday, September 21, 2007
Week 3 Picks
Hold on a minute, let me adjust my hearing aid and you know my lumbago and senility are starting to get the best of me. Most folks complain loudly about getting older. Me, I'm sharper at 35 than I was at 21. And my picks are still pretty sharp too. These picks will be the first I make on the back side of my thirties and should be just as good.
Last week while respectable at 10-6, was full of picks that could have easily went the other way. Shame on the Rams, Vikes and Saints for losing winnable games and the Bengals I'm not even sure what happened there. But while so many picked the Bengals as a lock. I knew better. And sooner or later when I pick the upset, you'll listen and just so you don't forget I'll let you know with the designation upset special. This weeks games have plenty of flava to them...
(Lines provided courtesy of USA TODAY Sports weekly and are for comparison and entertainment purposes only, so don't come crying to me if you get took to the cleaners on the lines!)
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 3
Sunday, September 23 All Times EDT
Cardinals (1-1) @ Ravens (1-1)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Ravens by 10.5
Fast Fact-The Number 20 means a lot to these two 1-1 teams The Ravens have scored 20 in both games and the Cards have allowed 20 in both games
The Cards are bound and determined to run the ball. Good luck with that philosophy against a run-stingy Ravens D. The Cards need to get a quick lead and take the crowd out. If Matt Leinart has to roll the dice against Ed Reed and company he might very well come up snake eyes. The Cards are a young team on the rise, but they are not near as ready to go into a tough venue and win.
Pick-Baltimore
Bills (0-2) @ Patriots (2-0)
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA 1:00 CBS
Patriots by 15.5
Fast Fact The Pats have a six game home winning streak against the Bills
A study in contrasts, the Bills have struggled with an offensive that is not holding up its end to complement a sturdy defense. Don't let the score in against the Steelers last week fool ya. The Bills hung tough in the Steel City before fading late. The Pats on the other hands seem to have found their stride early as identical 38-14 beatdowns of the Jets and Chargers have shown. The Bills defense will again play tough only to watch their offense do nothing and get beat late
Pick-New England (Lock Pick of The Week)
Lions (2-0) @ Eagles (0-2)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 1:00 FOX
Favorite-Eagles by 7
Fast Fact-The Lions have not won in Philadelphia since 1986
You are a stone cold lie if you said you thought that the motor city kitties would be the 2-0 team in this matchup. The Illadelph is in full panic with two painful losses and DMcNabb is doing them no favors with his pointed critcism. As much as I would love to call this the upset. I'll hold off on the Lions for one more week and say the Eagles get a badly needed win.
Pick-Philadelphia
Colts (2-0) @ Texans (2-0)
Reliant Stadium, Houston 1:00 CBS
Favorite Colts by 5
Fast Fact The Texans were the last team to have beaten the Colts in a regular or postseason game. (27-24 in week 16 last year)
The biggest game so far in the Texans short history, they are feeling oh so good about themselves after a stunning rout of the Panthers last week. The learning curve gets a lot steeper and dont think the Colts are mindful of the aforementioned fast fact so they will be on guard. Without Andre Johnson the Texans are without a key offensive cog and you need everyone you have to keep up with the Colts highpowered offense. The Texans aren't ready to make that step to the big time yet.
Pick-Indianapolis
Dolphins (0-2) @ NY Jets (0-2)
The Meadowlands; East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jets by 3
Fast Fact The Jets have won five of the last six meetings
Though Kellen Clemens was decent in rallying the Jets to a near upset in Baltimore, he's not ready to lead the Jets just yet. The men of Gotham/East Jersey need Chad Pennington to be under center. Meanwhile the Dolphins are a mess, and their offense is going nowhere with no real gamebreaking receivers to take the pressure off of a slow starting running game and lets not start on the Fins suddenly suspect defense who has taken a steep fall from their respectbale showing of a year before. If the Jets can get their running game on track, the game is very much theirs for the taking.
Pick-New York Jets
Vikings (1-1) @ Chiefs (0-2)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City 1:00 FOX
Favorite Chiefs by 2.5
Fast Fact The Vikings have lost their last seven games played outside
The Chiefs and Vikes have two of the most stagnant offenses this side of Notre Dame, whichever team can establish a better ground presence will slug out the win. I'm gonna go against my gut here, since the Chiefs are usually very strong in front of the loyal loud crowd. The Vikes steal this one.
Pick-Minnesota
Chargers (1-1) @ Packers (2-0)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay 1:00 FOX
Favorite Chargers by 4
Fast Fact This is the Chargers first trip to Green Bay since 1996
After catching a serious beatdown on Sunday Night in New England the Chargers have another tough roadie in Green Bay. Brett Favre may not like having to keep an eye on the kids, but his young offense played well last week rolling up over 400 yards against the Giants and the defense has been solid in two outings giving up 13 points in each game. That said the Pack have their work cut out for them, this will be the best offense that they have dealt with so far and that young Pack offense had best be advised to keep tabs on Shawne Merriman leading a volitale pass rush that could make the afternoon long for Favre. The Chargers offense and LT are overdue for a breakout game.
Pick-San Diego
49ers (2-0) @ Steelers (2-0)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Steelers by 8.5
Fast Fact The Steelers are 11-1 against the NFC the past three years
Both these teams are unbeaten but in very different ways. The Steelers have yet to be really challenged in routs of the Browns and Bills. The Niners are a couple of plays from being 0-2 as they rallied to beat the Cards and Rams. The Steelers new look offense has Big Ben throwing all over the place, the Niners had best get a lead. Alex Smith can not be trusted to rally a team from behind on the road just yet and in a hostile venue like Pittsburgh it simply can not be done.
Pick-Pittsburgh
Rams (0-2) @ Buccaneers (1-1)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Buccaneers by 4
Fast Fact-The Rams and Bucs have played in each other twice in the playoffs with the Rams winning both times to advance to the Super Bowl
Many pundits looked at the Rams as a dark horse for the NFC West title but their offense is coming apart fast with injuries on the offensive line. Steven Jackson cant get yards and Marc Bulger cant go downfield if they are picking themselves off the ground behind the line of scrimmage more often than not. Look for the Bucs to pick on the Rams weak secondary and get a lead, the Rams while offensively gifted at the skill positions will be betrayed by their weak line
Pick-Tampa Bay
Bengals (1-1) @ Seahawks (1-1)
Qwest Field, Seattle 4:05 (CBS)
Favorite Seahawks by 7
This is the Bengals first appearance in Qwest Field and their first trip to Seattle since 1999
The Bengals are still reeling from their 51 point defensive diarrhea against the Browns who probably wont score 51 in their next four games. A 401 yard 6 TD performance by Carson Palmer was wasted as was a sparkling 11 catch 209 yard day by Chad Johnson. The Bengals offense looked good, their defense needs to tighten up and not let Shawn Alexnader get heated up, he can break a big run off at anytime. The Bengals are notoriously bad on the road and Qwest Field gives the Seahawks a marked edge. In a bizzaro season so far, this looks like another game that should go one way that goes so much in the opposite.
Pick-Cincinnati (Upset Special of the Week)
Browns (1-1) @ Raiders (0-2)
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland 4:05 CBS
Favorite-Raiders by 3
Fast Fact-The Browns have won the last three meetings
Derek Anderson torched the Bengals for 328 yards and five scores last week. He wont have as easy a time against a good Raider defense. Though the silver and black have struggled offensively they gave the Broncos all they could handle in Denver losing a tough OT decision. The Browns offense wont put up the kind of numbers that they did last week and the honeymoon for Anderson will be a short one indeed as Brown fans will renew their calls for Brady Quinn after this week.
Pick-Oakland
Jaguars (1-1) @ Broncos (2-0)
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver 4:05 (CBS)
Favorite Broncos by 3
Fast Fact-The Broncos were the first team since 2004 to win back to back decisions on the games final play.
Both teams are searching for their offense. David Garrard is still looking over his shoulder and his play has reflected it. Jay Cutler has made good plays but has had some Homer Simpson-like moments, but he doesn't beat himself and the Broncos are starting to trust his leadership. That said the Broncos can ill afford to let the combo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew gobble up yards like LaMont Jordan did for the Raiders. The Jags running game has the tools and talent to make it a long afternoon. The Broncos have always played well at home and the Jags are not the best of road teams. The Broncos will continue to live on the edge but wont get burned this week.
Pick-Denver
Panthers (1-1) @ Falcons (0-2)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite-Panthers by 4
Fast Fact The Panthers have won three of the past four meetings
The Panthers, stung by a wholly unexpected beatdown from the Texans look to take it out on a woefully offensive inept Falcons squad. Look for the Falcons to try to keep the game low scoring to have any kind of chance, but if Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith get on a roll, look out.
Pick-Carolina
NY Giants (0-2) @ Redskins (2-0)
FedEx Field; Landover, MD 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite-Redskins by 3.5
Fast Fact The Giants swept the season series with the Redskins in 2006
The G-Men are a rout away from full meltdown. The Skins dont have the offense to roll up the points but do have a solid 1-2 running game punch with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. Jason Campbell is learning how to manage a game and has done so with aplomb. That seat is starting to sizzle under Tom Coughlin and a loss to their long time rivals will cool it none.
Pick-Washington
Dallas (2-0) @ Bears (1-1)
Soldier Field, Chicago 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite-Bears by 3
Fast Fact These two teams will appear on primetime a total of 12 times this season.
The Pokes offense has been humming, though the Bears present more resistance than the Giants or Dolphins have in the past two weeks. Wreck Grossman is doing his usual self destructon and it will undoubtedly cost the Monsters of the Midway a game or four. Mistakes can not be made against the Cowboys who will take advantage of any miscue and turn it into points. That is something that the Bears can't produce in large quantites under Grossman's offensive stewardship.
Pick-Dallas
Monday, September 24
Titans (1-1) @ Saints (0-2)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite-Saints by 5
Fast Fact-The Saints have the NFL's worst record on Monday Night (7-15)
The Titans are quickly becoming a handful as they nearly stole one from the Colts last week. Vince Young has not played spectacular but has played good enough to keep the Titans in the ballgame. The Saints meanwhile are reekling after two shocking blowouts on the road. The Big Easy has waited a while to welcome their feelgood story back home. I should know better, but I think a bit of home cooking will be just the tonic to get a better than they have looked Saints squad off the mat.
Pick-New Orleans
Last Week 10-6 (Upset Picked Correctly)
Overall 24-8 (2/2 Upsets)
Last week while respectable at 10-6, was full of picks that could have easily went the other way. Shame on the Rams, Vikes and Saints for losing winnable games and the Bengals I'm not even sure what happened there. But while so many picked the Bengals as a lock. I knew better. And sooner or later when I pick the upset, you'll listen and just so you don't forget I'll let you know with the designation upset special. This weeks games have plenty of flava to them...
(Lines provided courtesy of USA TODAY Sports weekly and are for comparison and entertainment purposes only, so don't come crying to me if you get took to the cleaners on the lines!)
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 3
Sunday, September 23 All Times EDT
Cardinals (1-1) @ Ravens (1-1)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Ravens by 10.5
Fast Fact-The Number 20 means a lot to these two 1-1 teams The Ravens have scored 20 in both games and the Cards have allowed 20 in both games
The Cards are bound and determined to run the ball. Good luck with that philosophy against a run-stingy Ravens D. The Cards need to get a quick lead and take the crowd out. If Matt Leinart has to roll the dice against Ed Reed and company he might very well come up snake eyes. The Cards are a young team on the rise, but they are not near as ready to go into a tough venue and win.
Pick-Baltimore
Bills (0-2) @ Patriots (2-0)
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA 1:00 CBS
Patriots by 15.5
Fast Fact The Pats have a six game home winning streak against the Bills
A study in contrasts, the Bills have struggled with an offensive that is not holding up its end to complement a sturdy defense. Don't let the score in against the Steelers last week fool ya. The Bills hung tough in the Steel City before fading late. The Pats on the other hands seem to have found their stride early as identical 38-14 beatdowns of the Jets and Chargers have shown. The Bills defense will again play tough only to watch their offense do nothing and get beat late
Pick-New England (Lock Pick of The Week)
Lions (2-0) @ Eagles (0-2)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 1:00 FOX
Favorite-Eagles by 7
Fast Fact-The Lions have not won in Philadelphia since 1986
You are a stone cold lie if you said you thought that the motor city kitties would be the 2-0 team in this matchup. The Illadelph is in full panic with two painful losses and DMcNabb is doing them no favors with his pointed critcism. As much as I would love to call this the upset. I'll hold off on the Lions for one more week and say the Eagles get a badly needed win.
Pick-Philadelphia
Colts (2-0) @ Texans (2-0)
Reliant Stadium, Houston 1:00 CBS
Favorite Colts by 5
Fast Fact The Texans were the last team to have beaten the Colts in a regular or postseason game. (27-24 in week 16 last year)
The biggest game so far in the Texans short history, they are feeling oh so good about themselves after a stunning rout of the Panthers last week. The learning curve gets a lot steeper and dont think the Colts are mindful of the aforementioned fast fact so they will be on guard. Without Andre Johnson the Texans are without a key offensive cog and you need everyone you have to keep up with the Colts highpowered offense. The Texans aren't ready to make that step to the big time yet.
Pick-Indianapolis
Dolphins (0-2) @ NY Jets (0-2)
The Meadowlands; East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jets by 3
Fast Fact The Jets have won five of the last six meetings
Though Kellen Clemens was decent in rallying the Jets to a near upset in Baltimore, he's not ready to lead the Jets just yet. The men of Gotham/East Jersey need Chad Pennington to be under center. Meanwhile the Dolphins are a mess, and their offense is going nowhere with no real gamebreaking receivers to take the pressure off of a slow starting running game and lets not start on the Fins suddenly suspect defense who has taken a steep fall from their respectbale showing of a year before. If the Jets can get their running game on track, the game is very much theirs for the taking.
Pick-New York Jets
Vikings (1-1) @ Chiefs (0-2)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City 1:00 FOX
Favorite Chiefs by 2.5
Fast Fact The Vikings have lost their last seven games played outside
The Chiefs and Vikes have two of the most stagnant offenses this side of Notre Dame, whichever team can establish a better ground presence will slug out the win. I'm gonna go against my gut here, since the Chiefs are usually very strong in front of the loyal loud crowd. The Vikes steal this one.
Pick-Minnesota
Chargers (1-1) @ Packers (2-0)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay 1:00 FOX
Favorite Chargers by 4
Fast Fact This is the Chargers first trip to Green Bay since 1996
After catching a serious beatdown on Sunday Night in New England the Chargers have another tough roadie in Green Bay. Brett Favre may not like having to keep an eye on the kids, but his young offense played well last week rolling up over 400 yards against the Giants and the defense has been solid in two outings giving up 13 points in each game. That said the Pack have their work cut out for them, this will be the best offense that they have dealt with so far and that young Pack offense had best be advised to keep tabs on Shawne Merriman leading a volitale pass rush that could make the afternoon long for Favre. The Chargers offense and LT are overdue for a breakout game.
Pick-San Diego
49ers (2-0) @ Steelers (2-0)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Steelers by 8.5
Fast Fact The Steelers are 11-1 against the NFC the past three years
Both these teams are unbeaten but in very different ways. The Steelers have yet to be really challenged in routs of the Browns and Bills. The Niners are a couple of plays from being 0-2 as they rallied to beat the Cards and Rams. The Steelers new look offense has Big Ben throwing all over the place, the Niners had best get a lead. Alex Smith can not be trusted to rally a team from behind on the road just yet and in a hostile venue like Pittsburgh it simply can not be done.
Pick-Pittsburgh
Rams (0-2) @ Buccaneers (1-1)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Buccaneers by 4
Fast Fact-The Rams and Bucs have played in each other twice in the playoffs with the Rams winning both times to advance to the Super Bowl
Many pundits looked at the Rams as a dark horse for the NFC West title but their offense is coming apart fast with injuries on the offensive line. Steven Jackson cant get yards and Marc Bulger cant go downfield if they are picking themselves off the ground behind the line of scrimmage more often than not. Look for the Bucs to pick on the Rams weak secondary and get a lead, the Rams while offensively gifted at the skill positions will be betrayed by their weak line
Pick-Tampa Bay
Bengals (1-1) @ Seahawks (1-1)
Qwest Field, Seattle 4:05 (CBS)
Favorite Seahawks by 7
This is the Bengals first appearance in Qwest Field and their first trip to Seattle since 1999
The Bengals are still reeling from their 51 point defensive diarrhea against the Browns who probably wont score 51 in their next four games. A 401 yard 6 TD performance by Carson Palmer was wasted as was a sparkling 11 catch 209 yard day by Chad Johnson. The Bengals offense looked good, their defense needs to tighten up and not let Shawn Alexnader get heated up, he can break a big run off at anytime. The Bengals are notoriously bad on the road and Qwest Field gives the Seahawks a marked edge. In a bizzaro season so far, this looks like another game that should go one way that goes so much in the opposite.
Pick-Cincinnati (Upset Special of the Week)
Browns (1-1) @ Raiders (0-2)
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland 4:05 CBS
Favorite-Raiders by 3
Fast Fact-The Browns have won the last three meetings
Derek Anderson torched the Bengals for 328 yards and five scores last week. He wont have as easy a time against a good Raider defense. Though the silver and black have struggled offensively they gave the Broncos all they could handle in Denver losing a tough OT decision. The Browns offense wont put up the kind of numbers that they did last week and the honeymoon for Anderson will be a short one indeed as Brown fans will renew their calls for Brady Quinn after this week.
Pick-Oakland
Jaguars (1-1) @ Broncos (2-0)
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver 4:05 (CBS)
Favorite Broncos by 3
Fast Fact-The Broncos were the first team since 2004 to win back to back decisions on the games final play.
Both teams are searching for their offense. David Garrard is still looking over his shoulder and his play has reflected it. Jay Cutler has made good plays but has had some Homer Simpson-like moments, but he doesn't beat himself and the Broncos are starting to trust his leadership. That said the Broncos can ill afford to let the combo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew gobble up yards like LaMont Jordan did for the Raiders. The Jags running game has the tools and talent to make it a long afternoon. The Broncos have always played well at home and the Jags are not the best of road teams. The Broncos will continue to live on the edge but wont get burned this week.
Pick-Denver
Panthers (1-1) @ Falcons (0-2)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite-Panthers by 4
Fast Fact The Panthers have won three of the past four meetings
The Panthers, stung by a wholly unexpected beatdown from the Texans look to take it out on a woefully offensive inept Falcons squad. Look for the Falcons to try to keep the game low scoring to have any kind of chance, but if Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith get on a roll, look out.
Pick-Carolina
NY Giants (0-2) @ Redskins (2-0)
FedEx Field; Landover, MD 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite-Redskins by 3.5
Fast Fact The Giants swept the season series with the Redskins in 2006
The G-Men are a rout away from full meltdown. The Skins dont have the offense to roll up the points but do have a solid 1-2 running game punch with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. Jason Campbell is learning how to manage a game and has done so with aplomb. That seat is starting to sizzle under Tom Coughlin and a loss to their long time rivals will cool it none.
Pick-Washington
Dallas (2-0) @ Bears (1-1)
Soldier Field, Chicago 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite-Bears by 3
Fast Fact These two teams will appear on primetime a total of 12 times this season.
The Pokes offense has been humming, though the Bears present more resistance than the Giants or Dolphins have in the past two weeks. Wreck Grossman is doing his usual self destructon and it will undoubtedly cost the Monsters of the Midway a game or four. Mistakes can not be made against the Cowboys who will take advantage of any miscue and turn it into points. That is something that the Bears can't produce in large quantites under Grossman's offensive stewardship.
Pick-Dallas
Monday, September 24
Titans (1-1) @ Saints (0-2)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite-Saints by 5
Fast Fact-The Saints have the NFL's worst record on Monday Night (7-15)
The Titans are quickly becoming a handful as they nearly stole one from the Colts last week. Vince Young has not played spectacular but has played good enough to keep the Titans in the ballgame. The Saints meanwhile are reekling after two shocking blowouts on the road. The Big Easy has waited a while to welcome their feelgood story back home. I should know better, but I think a bit of home cooking will be just the tonic to get a better than they have looked Saints squad off the mat.
Pick-New Orleans
Last Week 10-6 (Upset Picked Correctly)
Overall 24-8 (2/2 Upsets)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Does being a black quarterback mean anything now?
(Sigh) I just turned 35 and I start with more comments about racism.
I'm a black man, if you didnt know and very proud of my heritage and very aware of the struggle that my people have had to get to where they are. Its not a black-white thing mind you, my girlfriend is white. My daughter is half-Mexican. I'm not at all biased on color but thats not the point, My point is about the continual harping on race.
Donovan McNabb is as about as an articulate athlete as you can find. His interview with James Brown on Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports has stirred up the race question once again.
Everyone knows that it took a while for a black man to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Names like Merlin Briscoe and Joe Gilliam may not ring a bell to you but they were trailblazers. You just didn't see black quarterbacks in the NFL. Doug Williams was the lone exception and he often struggled to hold his starting job in Tampa. I was 12 before I saw a black quarterback, Warren Moon play. I did not know that he had been a star in Canada for six years before coming to the NFL in 1984, he played a dozen more years and rightfully has a bust in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Doug Williams though not a hall of famer has his place in NFL annals for being the first black QB to not only start but win a Super Bowl. Only Steve McNair and McNabb have gotten there since. Is it harder for the black quarterback? Maybe, not from the cerebralness of the position but maybe for the elevated expectations. There is a stereotype of the black quarterback being a scrambler, more athlete than field general. While the white quarterback is more the opposite. I've read way too many times that Michael Vick when he was playing should just be a running back instead of working to be a better passer.
I feel the need to smash that stereotype. I'll give you Steve Young and Fran Tarkenton, both hall of famers and great QB's Young was well known for his 49 yard dash in a game where he eluded a number of defenders. Tarkenton was well known for his scrambling ability and his ability to escape pressure and still make the timely throw, his 47,000 passing yards were until just a few years back an NFL record.
White QB's who were known as scramblers, no one tried to make the running backs.
Now look at James Harris, Doug Williams and Byron Leftwich all three good QB's who could stand tall in the pocket and deliver throws. All three have won and Williams has a Super Bowl ring and MVP all three were pocket passers.
My point here is that a black QB isn't neccesarily a scrambler, though there are those that are. Being a white QB doesn't make you a stand up passer. I would like to think, however naively that we are getting past the black/white QB thing and concentrate on which QB is winning games your favorite team. Me, I'll cheer my favorite team and curse their mistakes no matter who is at the helm.
I'm a black man, if you didnt know and very proud of my heritage and very aware of the struggle that my people have had to get to where they are. Its not a black-white thing mind you, my girlfriend is white. My daughter is half-Mexican. I'm not at all biased on color but thats not the point, My point is about the continual harping on race.
Donovan McNabb is as about as an articulate athlete as you can find. His interview with James Brown on Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports has stirred up the race question once again.
Everyone knows that it took a while for a black man to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Names like Merlin Briscoe and Joe Gilliam may not ring a bell to you but they were trailblazers. You just didn't see black quarterbacks in the NFL. Doug Williams was the lone exception and he often struggled to hold his starting job in Tampa. I was 12 before I saw a black quarterback, Warren Moon play. I did not know that he had been a star in Canada for six years before coming to the NFL in 1984, he played a dozen more years and rightfully has a bust in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Doug Williams though not a hall of famer has his place in NFL annals for being the first black QB to not only start but win a Super Bowl. Only Steve McNair and McNabb have gotten there since. Is it harder for the black quarterback? Maybe, not from the cerebralness of the position but maybe for the elevated expectations. There is a stereotype of the black quarterback being a scrambler, more athlete than field general. While the white quarterback is more the opposite. I've read way too many times that Michael Vick when he was playing should just be a running back instead of working to be a better passer.
I feel the need to smash that stereotype. I'll give you Steve Young and Fran Tarkenton, both hall of famers and great QB's Young was well known for his 49 yard dash in a game where he eluded a number of defenders. Tarkenton was well known for his scrambling ability and his ability to escape pressure and still make the timely throw, his 47,000 passing yards were until just a few years back an NFL record.
White QB's who were known as scramblers, no one tried to make the running backs.
Now look at James Harris, Doug Williams and Byron Leftwich all three good QB's who could stand tall in the pocket and deliver throws. All three have won and Williams has a Super Bowl ring and MVP all three were pocket passers.
My point here is that a black QB isn't neccesarily a scrambler, though there are those that are. Being a white QB doesn't make you a stand up passer. I would like to think, however naively that we are getting past the black/white QB thing and concentrate on which QB is winning games your favorite team. Me, I'll cheer my favorite team and curse their mistakes no matter who is at the helm.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
What can one say about OJ???
On October 3, 1995, A year to the day before my daughter was born, OJ Simpson was acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole and Ron Goldman in spite what many media pundits and a lot of America thought. Many folks thought OJ got away with it and treat him like a criminal and a pariah. Simpson has done himself no favors by being in and out of trouble for various minor brushes with the law. This time around it seems he won't be able to outrun or dodge this crime.
Simpson was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, he allegedly broke into a hotel room commando style in an attempt to recover memorobilia that once was his. Now I'm not one to judge, I let the law take its course. If he is found guilty and the evidence is pointing strongly to the affirmative then he should be punished. My beef is with the hype and hoopla around it and the shameless media plays by the families of the 1994 murders. Especially Fred Goldman who brazenly told The Early Show "Its justice 12 years too late." First of all, why is this man still relevant and two why should anyone give a damn what he thinks about a criminal case wholly unrelated to him other than the accused in both cases being the same.
I have equal beef with the family of Nicole Brown, who seem to pop up on talk shows from time to time to lament about the death of their sibling. Now make no mistake what happened to both people were brutal, undeserved and tragic but the continual harping on the case 13 years after the fact and 12 after the acquittal is uneeded and stupid. Since one cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) both families went after OJ in a civil suit and won $33.5 million of which a fraction has been paid. Of course with a civil trial the burden is less on the plantiff and more circumstanial. In any case the Goldman and the Brown family have both stated that they want any and all proceeds from any memorbilia sold, like vultures hawking on a dead carcass, both families seem to want only the proceeds.
Simpson is a sad pathetic character. His cavalier attitude and moronic actions, including this latest run in with the law, are just more fuel for those that would seek to paint all men of color that have any kind of wealth or stauts with the same criminal brush.
Me personally, I'm glad I can remember the date October 3rd a bit more fonder and for other more obvious reasons.
Simpson was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, he allegedly broke into a hotel room commando style in an attempt to recover memorobilia that once was his. Now I'm not one to judge, I let the law take its course. If he is found guilty and the evidence is pointing strongly to the affirmative then he should be punished. My beef is with the hype and hoopla around it and the shameless media plays by the families of the 1994 murders. Especially Fred Goldman who brazenly told The Early Show "Its justice 12 years too late." First of all, why is this man still relevant and two why should anyone give a damn what he thinks about a criminal case wholly unrelated to him other than the accused in both cases being the same.
I have equal beef with the family of Nicole Brown, who seem to pop up on talk shows from time to time to lament about the death of their sibling. Now make no mistake what happened to both people were brutal, undeserved and tragic but the continual harping on the case 13 years after the fact and 12 after the acquittal is uneeded and stupid. Since one cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) both families went after OJ in a civil suit and won $33.5 million of which a fraction has been paid. Of course with a civil trial the burden is less on the plantiff and more circumstanial. In any case the Goldman and the Brown family have both stated that they want any and all proceeds from any memorbilia sold, like vultures hawking on a dead carcass, both families seem to want only the proceeds.
Simpson is a sad pathetic character. His cavalier attitude and moronic actions, including this latest run in with the law, are just more fuel for those that would seek to paint all men of color that have any kind of wealth or stauts with the same criminal brush.
Me personally, I'm glad I can remember the date October 3rd a bit more fonder and for other more obvious reasons.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Its Bizzaro Time
The Texans are 2-0...
The Browns scored 51 points in a game...
The Saints are 0-2
The Bucs scored 33 points in a game...
The Cards won an upset victory as predicted...
Carson Palmer threw 6 TD's, Chad Johnson had 210 receiving, the Bengals scored 45 points AND LOST!
The Colts and Patriots have not played well...
Okay, that last one is really off the wall and not true, but the first 6 statements happened. My head is still spinning. The Texans looked like they are coming together, which should not be a real surprise. The Browns after looking totally lost in a weak effort against Pittsburgh torched the Bengals who were coming off a superior effort. The Saints who many saw as a sleeper Super Bowl pick are 0-2 and looked lost and listless in getting pasted by the Bucs who after getting mauled in Seattle didnt look like they'd put up much of a fight. The Cards showed some heart in a stunning rally to beat the Seahawks and the most bizzaro thing off all. If you told me Carson Palmer would throw for 401 yards, I wouldn't have been surprised. If you told me he would throw for six scores, I would have been pleasantly surprised but it would have not been totally unexpected, especially if his main accomplice would have been Ocho Cinco, but if you told me that they lost.. after scoring 45???
I need to go to bed, hopefully I'll wake up from this bizzaro world...and only the Cards upset will be the truth...
The Browns scored 51 points in a game...
The Saints are 0-2
The Bucs scored 33 points in a game...
The Cards won an upset victory as predicted...
Carson Palmer threw 6 TD's, Chad Johnson had 210 receiving, the Bengals scored 45 points AND LOST!
The Colts and Patriots have not played well...
Okay, that last one is really off the wall and not true, but the first 6 statements happened. My head is still spinning. The Texans looked like they are coming together, which should not be a real surprise. The Browns after looking totally lost in a weak effort against Pittsburgh torched the Bengals who were coming off a superior effort. The Saints who many saw as a sleeper Super Bowl pick are 0-2 and looked lost and listless in getting pasted by the Bucs who after getting mauled in Seattle didnt look like they'd put up much of a fight. The Cards showed some heart in a stunning rally to beat the Seahawks and the most bizzaro thing off all. If you told me Carson Palmer would throw for 401 yards, I wouldn't have been surprised. If you told me he would throw for six scores, I would have been pleasantly surprised but it would have not been totally unexpected, especially if his main accomplice would have been Ocho Cinco, but if you told me that they lost.. after scoring 45???
I need to go to bed, hopefully I'll wake up from this bizzaro world...and only the Cards upset will be the truth...
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Thoughts on Spy-Gate, A-Rod and the joy in a loss
Glad to hear that Bills TE Kevin Everett is making some progress from his injury, best wishes from this end of the world for a recovery.
If you read this blog you know I detest Notre Dame, I think it was from back when I was a kid and Gerry Faust was the coach, folks used to talk so much about how great Notre Dame was and they really weren't I have friends who are Notre Dame apologists adn who were quick to remind me how many Heisman trophy winners and national championships that they have. My lothing reached a peak in the late 80's and early 90's after they won a national championship in '88 and the whole Catholics vs Convicts thing was in full effect. I used to hate hearing Lou Holtz whine that despite being 24 point favorites against Navy that they were in deep trouble and would be lucky to steal a one point win. Then after they blasted some hapless opponent Holtz would act like they were so fortunate. When an opportunity came up for Notre Dame to join the Big Ten, I was actually very much in favor of it, have them join the Big Ten who had just recently added Penn State and call it the Great Midwest (The name Big 12 was already taken) but Notre Dame turned them down, thought they had been a member of the Big East in all other sports. Irish fans bleat about how their football team is a national team and play who they want to. They play Big Ten and Pac Ten teams, but they also have their fair share of patsies on their docket.
Being partial to Michigan, I was always happy to see the Blue beat the Irish and I was never more than I was yesterday to see them hand out a 38-0 drubbing. The Irish looked inept and lost. I was happy to see the chickens finally coming home to roost. The Notre Dame fans ran a good coach in Ty Willingham out because he hadn't brought a national title in two years and it should be noted that Charlie Weis started fast using Willingham's players. Now Weis has his players and the Irish are bad, and the apologists have nothing to say. You think NBC is looking to get out of having to broadcast weekly beatings and the Irish will pay for its long standing arrogance. Uh-Oh, there are no patsies on this schedule either at least not in the forseeable future. Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, and BC are all lined up and aside from UCLA who took a puzzling rout from Utah, all are rough tough and waiting to take their pounds of flesh. Oh and who comes to town on the 20th??? USC who is looking quite frightening. Look for Navy to have their first real shot at beating the Irish for the 1st time in 44 years.
OK, now some quick hits: A-Rod to Yankee Nation. "Please love me now???" He is the runaway choice for AL MVP his numbers as of Sunday 52 HRs 141 RBI's and a crisp .314 batting average. In any other city, A-Rod would be rightly lionized. But in NYC where he will always be second fiddle to Yankee captain Derek Jeter who rightly so is the megastar. And the thing that Jeter will have that A-Rod does not is four World Series rings and he has performed in October. The Yankees have been pulled from the depths of mediocrity due to A-Rod's clutch play, but if he has another forgettable October he will get blasted...again. And anything short of winning the World Series in New York is a failure, the only way the A-Rod gets a pass is if he plays great and the Yanks meltdown but he still will be labeled unfairly a loser.
Finally, lets take a look at the whole tape-gate, spy thing that Belichick and the Pats are still recovering from. The pundits are trying to question how much the Pats benefited and are questioning the integrity of their wins. I say, let it go. The Pats were and still are a good team, their players are top notch and I'm tired of hearing opposing teams whine if some of their wins should be vacated. The Pats players are what got them the wins, the coaches can only do so much. Stop whining. I'm not a Pats apologist, and I think that Bill Belichick should have been made to serve a multi-game suspension for his part in it, but whats done is done.
If you read this blog you know I detest Notre Dame, I think it was from back when I was a kid and Gerry Faust was the coach, folks used to talk so much about how great Notre Dame was and they really weren't I have friends who are Notre Dame apologists adn who were quick to remind me how many Heisman trophy winners and national championships that they have. My lothing reached a peak in the late 80's and early 90's after they won a national championship in '88 and the whole Catholics vs Convicts thing was in full effect. I used to hate hearing Lou Holtz whine that despite being 24 point favorites against Navy that they were in deep trouble and would be lucky to steal a one point win. Then after they blasted some hapless opponent Holtz would act like they were so fortunate. When an opportunity came up for Notre Dame to join the Big Ten, I was actually very much in favor of it, have them join the Big Ten who had just recently added Penn State and call it the Great Midwest (The name Big 12 was already taken) but Notre Dame turned them down, thought they had been a member of the Big East in all other sports. Irish fans bleat about how their football team is a national team and play who they want to. They play Big Ten and Pac Ten teams, but they also have their fair share of patsies on their docket.
Being partial to Michigan, I was always happy to see the Blue beat the Irish and I was never more than I was yesterday to see them hand out a 38-0 drubbing. The Irish looked inept and lost. I was happy to see the chickens finally coming home to roost. The Notre Dame fans ran a good coach in Ty Willingham out because he hadn't brought a national title in two years and it should be noted that Charlie Weis started fast using Willingham's players. Now Weis has his players and the Irish are bad, and the apologists have nothing to say. You think NBC is looking to get out of having to broadcast weekly beatings and the Irish will pay for its long standing arrogance. Uh-Oh, there are no patsies on this schedule either at least not in the forseeable future. Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, and BC are all lined up and aside from UCLA who took a puzzling rout from Utah, all are rough tough and waiting to take their pounds of flesh. Oh and who comes to town on the 20th??? USC who is looking quite frightening. Look for Navy to have their first real shot at beating the Irish for the 1st time in 44 years.
OK, now some quick hits: A-Rod to Yankee Nation. "Please love me now???" He is the runaway choice for AL MVP his numbers as of Sunday 52 HRs 141 RBI's and a crisp .314 batting average. In any other city, A-Rod would be rightly lionized. But in NYC where he will always be second fiddle to Yankee captain Derek Jeter who rightly so is the megastar. And the thing that Jeter will have that A-Rod does not is four World Series rings and he has performed in October. The Yankees have been pulled from the depths of mediocrity due to A-Rod's clutch play, but if he has another forgettable October he will get blasted...again. And anything short of winning the World Series in New York is a failure, the only way the A-Rod gets a pass is if he plays great and the Yanks meltdown but he still will be labeled unfairly a loser.
Finally, lets take a look at the whole tape-gate, spy thing that Belichick and the Pats are still recovering from. The pundits are trying to question how much the Pats benefited and are questioning the integrity of their wins. I say, let it go. The Pats were and still are a good team, their players are top notch and I'm tired of hearing opposing teams whine if some of their wins should be vacated. The Pats players are what got them the wins, the coaches can only do so much. Stop whining. I'm not a Pats apologist, and I think that Bill Belichick should have been made to serve a multi-game suspension for his part in it, but whats done is done.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Week 2 Picks
I like to start off strong and a good deal of my picks were right on the money, no thanks to the Rams who took a puzzling loss at home or the Eagles or who had no business losing in Green Bay. Ya'll laughed at me when I picked the Texans (Yes you did, don't lie!) but the Chiefs-Raiders game may be a battle of the beatens when the meet up next month. Except where noted all lines courtesy of USA Today Sports Weekly and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only.
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 2
Sunday, September 16
Falcons (0-1) @ Jaguars (0-1)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville 1:00 FOX
Favorite- Jags by 10.5
Fast Fact- First meeting for these two teams in Jacksonville since December 1996
The Jags were embarrassed at home by a Titans team that they were supposed to manhandle. Pity the poor Falcons, they are catching them at the very worst time. You think that Bobby Petrino wished he stayed at Louisville? If the Falcons keep this up, Petrino might be reunited with his protege Brian Brohm.
Pick-Jacksonville
Bills (0-1) @ Steelers (1-0)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Steelers by 9.5
Fast Fact-The Bills never have to adjust to any time change, all 16 of their games are in the Eastern time zone
The Steelers fresh off a bye week...errr thumping of the Browns get a Bills team, still struggling with the injury of Kevin Everett, in their home opener. The Bills let a prime upset chance get away last week, I doubt that they will be that close in this one. If JP Losman can stay upright against the Steelers strong pass rush, he might be able to pick on the Steelers weak corners. I doubt that he will.
Pick-Pittsburgh
Bengals (1-0) @ Browns (0-1)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Bengals by
Fast Fact-The Bengals 30-0 shutout of the Browns was their first shutout since blanking the Browns 21-0 in 1989.
The Bengals defense shined on Monday Night, ballhawking and bighitting their way to a gutty, gritty win over division rival. They hope for no sort of let down when they travel north to battle their in state, in division rivals. The Browns are a mess and Derek Anderson will have a long afternoon.
Pick-Cincinnati
Packers (1-0) @ Giants (0-1)
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Even (Line courtesy of Yahoo Sports)
Fast Fact Packer QB Brett Favre has guided the Pack to an NFL record 148 wins matching the total of Bronco QB John Elway
The Pack was the gift recipient of one of the two shouldn't haves last week. The G-Men are already in midseason meltdown form already. Look for "The Pack is Back!" talk to start anew as Favre gets another win he doesn't deserve. With Manning and the G-Men a hot mess, Tom Coughlin's already warm coaching seat will start to scald.
Pick-Green Bay
Texans (1-0) @ Panthers (1-0)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC 1:00 CBS
Favorite- Panthers by 6.5
Fast Fact-The Texans are sporting their franchise's first three game winning streak, winning the last two to end 2006.
The Texans are feelin' their oats after playing and fulfilling the unexpected role of favorite and bully in beating a hopeless Chifs squad last week. The curve gets a bit steeper as they face a Panthers team that pulled an unexpected thumping on the Rams. I cant see the Texans, who are starting to shed their pushover status, giving the Panthers anymore than token resistance. If the Panthers get the twin running threat of DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams rolling, the Texans will have a tough go.
Pick-Carolina
Colts (1-0) @ Titans (1-0)
LP Field, Nashville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Colts by 7
Fast Fact The Colts have a three game losing streak against the AFC South
A funny thing happened to the Colts on their way to their Super Bowl win, they seem to get tripped up on the road in Nashville. The Titans want to pound the ball and force the Colts into impatience. The formula worked well last year. The Colts looked crisp and efficent in their opening night thrashing of the Saints and despite Vince Young's rapidly maturing game should be able to dictate the pace of this one.
Pick-Indy
Saints (0-1) @ Buccaneers (0-1)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Saints by 3
Fast Fact-The Saints were the first team the Bucs beat as they broke an NFL record 26 game losing streak in 1977
The Saints are hopping mad as they were humilated by a 31 point second half blitz by the Colts. The Bucs are not that good, as a sad sack game in Seattle proved what many thought, no offensive weapons give them little chance to win. Look for the Saints to bounce back and punish the Bucs.
Pick-New Orleans
49ers (1-0) @ Rams (0-1)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Rams by 3 (Line courtesy of Yahoo Sports)
Fast Fact The Rams have won seven of the past eight meetings in St. Louis
The Rams were a sleeper pick in their division and sleptwalked through a listless 27-13 loss to a Panthers squad that they should have clobbered. The Niners rallied to beat the Cards late Monday and are fast improving to sleeper status themselves. I'll give the Rams one more shot. An 0-2 start with both coming at home, would bode badly.
Pick-St. Louis
Cowboys (1-0) @ Dolphins (0-1)
Dolphins Stadium, Miami 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite- Cowboys by 3.5
Fast Fact-First meeting of these teams since 2003
The Pokes are full of vigor after rolling up a frightening offensive show on a national stage last Sunday, the Fins offense cant seem to get out of its own way, letting a winnable game slip away in Washington. The devil in me wants to say that the Pokes wither in the south Florida heat, but I know better. The Fins don't have the horses and while the Boys might not drop 45 this week, they have enough to make a lead stick.
Pick-Dallas
Vikings(1-0) @ Lions (1-0)
Ford Field, Detroit 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Lions by 3.5
Fast Fact The Vikings have yet to be beaten by the Lions at Ford Field, winning all 5 meetings and have not lost to the Lions since 2001.
The Lions got to play bully to the one team that they know they could and should beat. The Vikes used a big play ballhawking defense to pound the Falcons. The Vikes have a budding star in Adrian Peterson. The Motor City Kitties have a bad habit of playing flat after a good performance. This game will be no exception.
Pick-Minnesota
Seahawks (1-0) @ Cardinals (0-1)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ-4:05 (FOX)
Favorite- Seahawks by 3
Fast Fact Someone in the Seahawks front office must have made the schedule maker mad, the Seahawks make four trips to the Eastern time zone and will log better than 33,000 travel miles.
The Seahawks rolled to a rather easy ho-hum win against a sorry Bucs team. The Cards let a winnable game get by them. As much as the fates tell me that the Cards will come home and be flat. I smell an upset here, the Cards have long stopped being a pushover and a home crowd fast gaining a noisy rep will be just enough of an edge.
Pick-Arizona (upset pick of the week)
Chiefs (0-1) @Bears (0-1)
Soldier Field, Chicago 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite- Bears by 12.5
Fast Fact-Chiefs first trip to Chicago since 1999
That whimpering you hear is from the Chiefs who got pounded by the Texans and have to face a very angry Bears squad who got punched in the mouth by the Chargers. The Chiefs will get hammered, period. The Bears will be in no mood to feel sorry for anyone and do not want to spot any of their divisional foes a two game lead. This game will get ugly and not even Wreck Grossman could mess this one up.
Pick-Chicago (Lock Pick Of The Week)
NY Jets (0-1) @ Ravens (0-1)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Ravens by 10
Fast Fact-The Ravens have won the last four meetings.
The Jets are a mess (as usual) and looked like it in a sorry performance against the Patriots. The Ravens nearly pulled off the win in Cincy and are not the type of team a QB making his first start needs to face. This will be another late day thumping
Pick-Baltimore
Oakland (0-1) @ Denver (1-0)
Invesco Field @ Mile High, Denver 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite- Broncos by 9.5
Fast Fact Daunte Culpepper starts for his third different team in three seasons.
The Raiders looked pathetic against the Lions, and while the Broncos didn't play like world beaters in stealing one in Buffalo, they have more than enough to beat the Raiders. The Silver and Black's defense may keep it close for a while. But the Broncos would love nothing more than to bury their hated rivals in their home opener.
Pick-Denver
Chargers (1-0) @ Patriots (1-0)
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite- Patriots by 3.5
Fast Fact The Chargers are 3-2 on the road against east coast teams in the past two seasons.
The Pats, stung by their league rebuke for their tape-gate scandal face the Chargers in the weeks best matchup. The Chargers need for all-everything LB Shawne Merriman to wreck havoc and keep Tom Brady from picking on their secondary much the same way he did in the Pats playoff win last January. The Pats need a solid game from Laurence Maroney to further control the clock and keep LT off the field. This game is too close to call but will be good one to watch. Flip a coin and take the home team
Pick-New England
Monday, September 17
Redskins (1-0) @ Eagles (0-1)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite- Eagles by 7
Fast Fact The Skins have 25 wins on Monday night, the Eagles 24.
The Skins stole a tight one at home while the Eagles looked lost in a puzzling loss. Needless to say Philly fan will be at full throat and should Gang Green start slow be extra nasty. The Eagles should bounce back strong in front of their home crowd. The Skins won't make it easier and should Clinton Portis open things up for a fast WR combo of Santana Moss and Brandon Lloyd it could get interesting. But I'm nowhere near sold on Jason Campbell. This is a road test he won't pass.
Pick-Philadelphia
Last Week and Overall 14-2
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 2
Sunday, September 16
Falcons (0-1) @ Jaguars (0-1)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville 1:00 FOX
Favorite- Jags by 10.5
Fast Fact- First meeting for these two teams in Jacksonville since December 1996
The Jags were embarrassed at home by a Titans team that they were supposed to manhandle. Pity the poor Falcons, they are catching them at the very worst time. You think that Bobby Petrino wished he stayed at Louisville? If the Falcons keep this up, Petrino might be reunited with his protege Brian Brohm.
Pick-Jacksonville
Bills (0-1) @ Steelers (1-0)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Steelers by 9.5
Fast Fact-The Bills never have to adjust to any time change, all 16 of their games are in the Eastern time zone
The Steelers fresh off a bye week...errr thumping of the Browns get a Bills team, still struggling with the injury of Kevin Everett, in their home opener. The Bills let a prime upset chance get away last week, I doubt that they will be that close in this one. If JP Losman can stay upright against the Steelers strong pass rush, he might be able to pick on the Steelers weak corners. I doubt that he will.
Pick-Pittsburgh
Bengals (1-0) @ Browns (0-1)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Bengals by
Fast Fact-The Bengals 30-0 shutout of the Browns was their first shutout since blanking the Browns 21-0 in 1989.
The Bengals defense shined on Monday Night, ballhawking and bighitting their way to a gutty, gritty win over division rival. They hope for no sort of let down when they travel north to battle their in state, in division rivals. The Browns are a mess and Derek Anderson will have a long afternoon.
Pick-Cincinnati
Packers (1-0) @ Giants (0-1)
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Even (Line courtesy of Yahoo Sports)
Fast Fact Packer QB Brett Favre has guided the Pack to an NFL record 148 wins matching the total of Bronco QB John Elway
The Pack was the gift recipient of one of the two shouldn't haves last week. The G-Men are already in midseason meltdown form already. Look for "The Pack is Back!" talk to start anew as Favre gets another win he doesn't deserve. With Manning and the G-Men a hot mess, Tom Coughlin's already warm coaching seat will start to scald.
Pick-Green Bay
Texans (1-0) @ Panthers (1-0)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC 1:00 CBS
Favorite- Panthers by 6.5
Fast Fact-The Texans are sporting their franchise's first three game winning streak, winning the last two to end 2006.
The Texans are feelin' their oats after playing and fulfilling the unexpected role of favorite and bully in beating a hopeless Chifs squad last week. The curve gets a bit steeper as they face a Panthers team that pulled an unexpected thumping on the Rams. I cant see the Texans, who are starting to shed their pushover status, giving the Panthers anymore than token resistance. If the Panthers get the twin running threat of DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams rolling, the Texans will have a tough go.
Pick-Carolina
Colts (1-0) @ Titans (1-0)
LP Field, Nashville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Colts by 7
Fast Fact The Colts have a three game losing streak against the AFC South
A funny thing happened to the Colts on their way to their Super Bowl win, they seem to get tripped up on the road in Nashville. The Titans want to pound the ball and force the Colts into impatience. The formula worked well last year. The Colts looked crisp and efficent in their opening night thrashing of the Saints and despite Vince Young's rapidly maturing game should be able to dictate the pace of this one.
Pick-Indy
Saints (0-1) @ Buccaneers (0-1)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Saints by 3
Fast Fact-The Saints were the first team the Bucs beat as they broke an NFL record 26 game losing streak in 1977
The Saints are hopping mad as they were humilated by a 31 point second half blitz by the Colts. The Bucs are not that good, as a sad sack game in Seattle proved what many thought, no offensive weapons give them little chance to win. Look for the Saints to bounce back and punish the Bucs.
Pick-New Orleans
49ers (1-0) @ Rams (0-1)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Rams by 3 (Line courtesy of Yahoo Sports)
Fast Fact The Rams have won seven of the past eight meetings in St. Louis
The Rams were a sleeper pick in their division and sleptwalked through a listless 27-13 loss to a Panthers squad that they should have clobbered. The Niners rallied to beat the Cards late Monday and are fast improving to sleeper status themselves. I'll give the Rams one more shot. An 0-2 start with both coming at home, would bode badly.
Pick-St. Louis
Cowboys (1-0) @ Dolphins (0-1)
Dolphins Stadium, Miami 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite- Cowboys by 3.5
Fast Fact-First meeting of these teams since 2003
The Pokes are full of vigor after rolling up a frightening offensive show on a national stage last Sunday, the Fins offense cant seem to get out of its own way, letting a winnable game slip away in Washington. The devil in me wants to say that the Pokes wither in the south Florida heat, but I know better. The Fins don't have the horses and while the Boys might not drop 45 this week, they have enough to make a lead stick.
Pick-Dallas
Vikings(1-0) @ Lions (1-0)
Ford Field, Detroit 4:05 (FOX)
Favorite-Lions by 3.5
Fast Fact The Vikings have yet to be beaten by the Lions at Ford Field, winning all 5 meetings and have not lost to the Lions since 2001.
The Lions got to play bully to the one team that they know they could and should beat. The Vikes used a big play ballhawking defense to pound the Falcons. The Vikes have a budding star in Adrian Peterson. The Motor City Kitties have a bad habit of playing flat after a good performance. This game will be no exception.
Pick-Minnesota
Seahawks (1-0) @ Cardinals (0-1)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ-4:05 (FOX)
Favorite- Seahawks by 3
Fast Fact Someone in the Seahawks front office must have made the schedule maker mad, the Seahawks make four trips to the Eastern time zone and will log better than 33,000 travel miles.
The Seahawks rolled to a rather easy ho-hum win against a sorry Bucs team. The Cards let a winnable game get by them. As much as the fates tell me that the Cards will come home and be flat. I smell an upset here, the Cards have long stopped being a pushover and a home crowd fast gaining a noisy rep will be just enough of an edge.
Pick-Arizona (upset pick of the week)
Chiefs (0-1) @Bears (0-1)
Soldier Field, Chicago 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite- Bears by 12.5
Fast Fact-Chiefs first trip to Chicago since 1999
That whimpering you hear is from the Chiefs who got pounded by the Texans and have to face a very angry Bears squad who got punched in the mouth by the Chargers. The Chiefs will get hammered, period. The Bears will be in no mood to feel sorry for anyone and do not want to spot any of their divisional foes a two game lead. This game will get ugly and not even Wreck Grossman could mess this one up.
Pick-Chicago (Lock Pick Of The Week)
NY Jets (0-1) @ Ravens (0-1)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite-Ravens by 10
Fast Fact-The Ravens have won the last four meetings.
The Jets are a mess (as usual) and looked like it in a sorry performance against the Patriots. The Ravens nearly pulled off the win in Cincy and are not the type of team a QB making his first start needs to face. This will be another late day thumping
Pick-Baltimore
Oakland (0-1) @ Denver (1-0)
Invesco Field @ Mile High, Denver 4:15 (CBS)
Favorite- Broncos by 9.5
Fast Fact Daunte Culpepper starts for his third different team in three seasons.
The Raiders looked pathetic against the Lions, and while the Broncos didn't play like world beaters in stealing one in Buffalo, they have more than enough to beat the Raiders. The Silver and Black's defense may keep it close for a while. But the Broncos would love nothing more than to bury their hated rivals in their home opener.
Pick-Denver
Chargers (1-0) @ Patriots (1-0)
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite- Patriots by 3.5
Fast Fact The Chargers are 3-2 on the road against east coast teams in the past two seasons.
The Pats, stung by their league rebuke for their tape-gate scandal face the Chargers in the weeks best matchup. The Chargers need for all-everything LB Shawne Merriman to wreck havoc and keep Tom Brady from picking on their secondary much the same way he did in the Pats playoff win last January. The Pats need a solid game from Laurence Maroney to further control the clock and keep LT off the field. This game is too close to call but will be good one to watch. Flip a coin and take the home team
Pick-New England
Monday, September 17
Redskins (1-0) @ Eagles (0-1)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite- Eagles by 7
Fast Fact The Skins have 25 wins on Monday night, the Eagles 24.
The Skins stole a tight one at home while the Eagles looked lost in a puzzling loss. Needless to say Philly fan will be at full throat and should Gang Green start slow be extra nasty. The Eagles should bounce back strong in front of their home crowd. The Skins won't make it easier and should Clinton Portis open things up for a fast WR combo of Santana Moss and Brandon Lloyd it could get interesting. But I'm nowhere near sold on Jason Campbell. This is a road test he won't pass.
Pick-Philadelphia
Last Week and Overall 14-2
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Rick Ankiel: The Feelgood story that went bad?
Barry Bonds has to be one of the most disliked figures in baseball if not all sports. Short of the fragile overpaid, overhyped David Beckham few people in American sports get more negative press. The cloud that hangs over Bonds after his succesful pursuit of Hank Aaron's home run record is due to the questions of was his pursuit fueled by illegal performance enhancing drugs. Now comes the curious case of one Rick Ankiel. I'll give you the condensed version of his story. Ankiel came on the scene in 2000, a whiz kid pitcher who had 11 wins and a solid 194 strikeouts for the Cards. He could even swing the bat a fair piece with a pair of home runs to his credit that year. One would think that a promising career beckoned That is why his meltdown in the playoffs was stuff of legend. Not only could he not throw strikes, he couldn't throw to the catcher. It was mindboggling and a bit sad. One could have chalked it up to stage fright, Steve Blass disease or yips. He could not find the plate and had five wild pitches...in one inning! Ankiel didn't pitch again that postseason and a couple attempts in subsequent seasons both died out quickly, baseball scribes and fans both shrugged it off as a case of a kid with potential gone bust.
Ankiel however remade himself, always handy with the bat he worked at being an everyday player and worked his way back through the Cardinals system as an outfielder. Always the humble sort, he earned his promotion back to the major leagues and proved that he was the real deal: His .353 batting average, 9 home runs and sparkling defense in the field opened a lot of eyes and have rallied the defending World Series Champs back into contention for the NL Central pennant.
All of which makes the allegations that Ankiel took performance enhancing drugs (HGH to be specific), all that much troubling, but ah there's a catch: Ankiel allegedly took these drugs in 2004, before they were put on the banned substances list by MLB and while he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He had a prescription The media has pounced on this story and whined that their feelgood story has been ruined and have cynically offered Ankiel up as another reason we should feel like them about sports in general, cynical and jaded. Writers like Jayson Stark are a notable exception. Read Stark's column http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3009424&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1 and you'll agree with him and your humble scribe here that there is a double standard, and how we are so quick to try to explain away what he did, if he did it. Counter this with the vitirol that is spewed at Bonds despite the lack of any positive test for a banned substance or documentation beyond allegation in the press and books by players like the disgraced Jose Canseco continues to be adjudged a cheater and how his marks should be stricken from the record, given an asterisk or placed in some sort of exception category for the era. I think Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players to play the game, but make no mistake I'm not an apologist for him by any stretch. But he, like Rick Ankiel should be given the benefit of the doubt until it is concretely proven that he did something wrong. There should be no double standard on that.
Ankiel however remade himself, always handy with the bat he worked at being an everyday player and worked his way back through the Cardinals system as an outfielder. Always the humble sort, he earned his promotion back to the major leagues and proved that he was the real deal: His .353 batting average, 9 home runs and sparkling defense in the field opened a lot of eyes and have rallied the defending World Series Champs back into contention for the NL Central pennant.
All of which makes the allegations that Ankiel took performance enhancing drugs (HGH to be specific), all that much troubling, but ah there's a catch: Ankiel allegedly took these drugs in 2004, before they were put on the banned substances list by MLB and while he was still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He had a prescription The media has pounced on this story and whined that their feelgood story has been ruined and have cynically offered Ankiel up as another reason we should feel like them about sports in general, cynical and jaded. Writers like Jayson Stark are a notable exception. Read Stark's column http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3009424&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1 and you'll agree with him and your humble scribe here that there is a double standard, and how we are so quick to try to explain away what he did, if he did it. Counter this with the vitirol that is spewed at Bonds despite the lack of any positive test for a banned substance or documentation beyond allegation in the press and books by players like the disgraced Jose Canseco continues to be adjudged a cheater and how his marks should be stricken from the record, given an asterisk or placed in some sort of exception category for the era. I think Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players to play the game, but make no mistake I'm not an apologist for him by any stretch. But he, like Rick Ankiel should be given the benefit of the doubt until it is concretely proven that he did something wrong. There should be no double standard on that.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Week 1 Preview
Has it been seven months since, Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy got the collective monkey off of their backs after beating Chicago 29-17 in the 41st Super Bowl? Now the destination for the 32 teams in the NFL is Glendale, Arizona. Specifically University of Phoenix Stadium site of the 42nd Super Bowl. Some teams have a more realistic shot than others. But no one knows who will blow up big and what team will simply blow up. 17 weeks, 32 teams 256 games. Lets get started.
Odds provided from Yahoo Sports and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. So if you get housed by the numbers don't come looking for me.
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 1
Thursday, September 6
Saints (10-6 in 2006) @ Colts (12-4 in 2006)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis 8:30 (NBC)
Favorite-Indy by 6
As defending NFL champs the Colts get the plum date of the NFL opener against last years cinderella team. The Colts still have the explosive offense, and the Saints have plenty of weapons of their own, this looks to be a shootout, but the Colts will be riding high from the emotion of being in front of their fans in game that count.
Pick-Indy
Sunday, September 9
Falcons (7-9) @ Vikings (6-10)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Vikings by 3
The Falcons now begin the post Michael Vick era with more questions than answers, a lot of the dilemmas that Vick would pose are gone, The Vikes have a decent defense but their offense save the promise of hot rookie Adrian Peterson. The Vikes play good at home and get the slight edge, not because they are still this humble scribes favorite squad.
Pick-Minnesota
Panthers (8-8)@ Rams (8-8)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Rams by 1
The Rams have the potential to put a bundle of points on the board, while the Panthers boast a solid if unspectacular defense. This will look to be a close one.
Pick-St. Louis
Broncos (9-7) @ Bills (7-9)
Ralph Wilson Stadium Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Broncos by 3
The Broncos have a solid running game with the latest Shanahan insert running back here to gain a thousand yards. The Bills have cast their lot for better or worse with JP Losman. Broncos QB Jay Cutler has a distinct advantage with having Travis Henry as opposed to unproven rookie MarShawn Lynch having to replace Willis McGahee
Pick-Denver
Chiefs (9-7) @ Texans (6-10)
Reliant Stadium, Houston 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Texans by 3
The Chiefs have LJ and thats about it and he cant carry the ball 70 times. They barely have a defense...and this was a playoff team last year! I'm gonna hate myself when Matt Schaub proves why he was a perennial backup. But I cast my lot this time with the Texans
Pick-Houston (upset pick of the week)
Dolphins (6-10) @ Redskins (5-11)
FedEx Field, Landover, MD 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Redskins by 3
Remember when this would have been an elite matchup? Both teams have QB questions and both teams have decent defenses that are overworked since their offenses are so inept. I'll bank on Clinton Portis being able to keep the Skins defense off the field long enough to force the Dolphins weak offense to try keep up
Pick-Washington
Patriots (12-4) @ Jets (10-6)
Meadowlands Stadium East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Patriots by 6.5
The last time the Jets saw the Pats they were getting run out of Foxboro in the wild card weekend. Whats changed since then? Um...the Pats have a better offense, better than the Pats squad that hung 37 on the Jets last January. This Mangini bowl may get ugly early.
Pick-New England
Eagles (10-6) @ Packers (8-8)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Eagles by 3
Favre's last stand? He gets to face a fast furious Eagles team that has something to prove. The problem the Packers day care camp...err youthful squad has is that the Eagles are a veteran team hungry for a fast start. They'll get it
Pick-Philly
Steelers (8-8) @ Browns (4-12)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Steelers by 4.5
Hey no fair! The Steelers rookie coach gets the closest thing to a gimme. Facing a weak Browns team with a QB identity problem. Jamal Lewis is not the feared RB that he once was and that bodes well for Mike Tomlin, the Steelers roll
Pick-Pittsburgh (Lock of the Week)
Titans (8-8) @ Jaguars (8-8)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jags by 6.5
The Jags rock 'em sock 'em D has the first opp to try to corral the irrepresible Vince Young. I think this game will be closer than the odds makers want you to believe. This is David Garrard's team now, lets see how he handles it.
Pick-Tennessee
Bears (13-3) @ Chargers (14-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite Chargers by 5.5
Two of the leagues best from '06 lock horns in one of the best games of the week. Can LT do to the Bears what he did to them in the commercial. He could very well do that and more. This game will be too close to call, give it to Chargers at home.
Pick-San Diego
Lions (3-13) @ Raiders (2-14)
McAfee Stadium, Oakland 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite Raiders by 1.5
Meanwhile 600 miles to the north, one of the biggest snoozers is also on the docket. Jon Kitna is under the delusion that the Lions can win ten. The Raiders have a stud defense but the offense is a joke. Even more so without Randy Moss or any semblance of a running game. Kitna can live in his fantasy world for at least another week as he has more options at offense that the Raiders defense can handle.
Pick-Detroit
Buccaneers (4-12) @ Seahawks (9-7)
Qwest Field, Seattle 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite Seahawks by 6
The Bucs are still trying to figure on who will run their offense, Jeff Garcia has the helm for now, but the Hawks no-joke defense will give the Bucs trouble from the word go. Look for Shawn Alexander to get his and more.
Pick-Seattle
Giants (8-8) @ Cowboys (9-7)
Texas Stadium Irving, TX 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite Cowboys by 5.5
The Pokes get the night game and Eli and the G-Men are already at midseason bickering form. Can Brandon Jacobs be the running force that Tiki Barber was? The short answer is no. TO has been quiet and he has bragged that he may score 13 times, he may get a couple toward that on this night.
Pick-Dallas
Monday, September 10
Ravens (13-3) @ Bengals (8-8)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 7:00 (ESPN)
Favorite Bengals by 2.5
The Stripes host their divisional nemesis in the first of two Monday night affairs. The Bengals have the offense, and they will have to contend with Ray Lewis and the usual suspects in a Ravens D that is its usual miserly self. The Ravens have a decent RB in Willis McGahee and the Bengals troubles with solid RB's are legendary. I should know better, but the Bengals seem to play over their heads when the primetime lights are on and it will happen again.
Pick-Cincy
Cardinals (5-11) @ 49ers (7-9)
Monster Park, San Francisco 10:15 (ESPN)
Favorite- Niners by 3
The opening weekend closes by the bay, the Niners are a sleeper pick for big things. But I'm still not sold on if Alex Smith and Frank Gore can take that next step. The Cards have soooo much potential, but that defense is weak and the Niners will exploit it.
Pick-San Francisco
Last Year 155-101
Odds provided from Yahoo Sports and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. So if you get housed by the numbers don't come looking for me.
NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 1
Thursday, September 6
Saints (10-6 in 2006) @ Colts (12-4 in 2006)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis 8:30 (NBC)
Favorite-Indy by 6
As defending NFL champs the Colts get the plum date of the NFL opener against last years cinderella team. The Colts still have the explosive offense, and the Saints have plenty of weapons of their own, this looks to be a shootout, but the Colts will be riding high from the emotion of being in front of their fans in game that count.
Pick-Indy
Sunday, September 9
Falcons (7-9) @ Vikings (6-10)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Vikings by 3
The Falcons now begin the post Michael Vick era with more questions than answers, a lot of the dilemmas that Vick would pose are gone, The Vikes have a decent defense but their offense save the promise of hot rookie Adrian Peterson. The Vikes play good at home and get the slight edge, not because they are still this humble scribes favorite squad.
Pick-Minnesota
Panthers (8-8)@ Rams (8-8)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Rams by 1
The Rams have the potential to put a bundle of points on the board, while the Panthers boast a solid if unspectacular defense. This will look to be a close one.
Pick-St. Louis
Broncos (9-7) @ Bills (7-9)
Ralph Wilson Stadium Orchard Park, NY 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Broncos by 3
The Broncos have a solid running game with the latest Shanahan insert running back here to gain a thousand yards. The Bills have cast their lot for better or worse with JP Losman. Broncos QB Jay Cutler has a distinct advantage with having Travis Henry as opposed to unproven rookie MarShawn Lynch having to replace Willis McGahee
Pick-Denver
Chiefs (9-7) @ Texans (6-10)
Reliant Stadium, Houston 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Texans by 3
The Chiefs have LJ and thats about it and he cant carry the ball 70 times. They barely have a defense...and this was a playoff team last year! I'm gonna hate myself when Matt Schaub proves why he was a perennial backup. But I cast my lot this time with the Texans
Pick-Houston (upset pick of the week)
Dolphins (6-10) @ Redskins (5-11)
FedEx Field, Landover, MD 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Redskins by 3
Remember when this would have been an elite matchup? Both teams have QB questions and both teams have decent defenses that are overworked since their offenses are so inept. I'll bank on Clinton Portis being able to keep the Skins defense off the field long enough to force the Dolphins weak offense to try keep up
Pick-Washington
Patriots (12-4) @ Jets (10-6)
Meadowlands Stadium East Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Patriots by 6.5
The last time the Jets saw the Pats they were getting run out of Foxboro in the wild card weekend. Whats changed since then? Um...the Pats have a better offense, better than the Pats squad that hung 37 on the Jets last January. This Mangini bowl may get ugly early.
Pick-New England
Eagles (10-6) @ Packers (8-8)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite Eagles by 3
Favre's last stand? He gets to face a fast furious Eagles team that has something to prove. The problem the Packers day care camp...err youthful squad has is that the Eagles are a veteran team hungry for a fast start. They'll get it
Pick-Philly
Steelers (8-8) @ Browns (4-12)
Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Steelers by 4.5
Hey no fair! The Steelers rookie coach gets the closest thing to a gimme. Facing a weak Browns team with a QB identity problem. Jamal Lewis is not the feared RB that he once was and that bodes well for Mike Tomlin, the Steelers roll
Pick-Pittsburgh (Lock of the Week)
Titans (8-8) @ Jaguars (8-8)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Jags by 6.5
The Jags rock 'em sock 'em D has the first opp to try to corral the irrepresible Vince Young. I think this game will be closer than the odds makers want you to believe. This is David Garrard's team now, lets see how he handles it.
Pick-Tennessee
Bears (13-3) @ Chargers (14-2)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite Chargers by 5.5
Two of the leagues best from '06 lock horns in one of the best games of the week. Can LT do to the Bears what he did to them in the commercial. He could very well do that and more. This game will be too close to call, give it to Chargers at home.
Pick-San Diego
Lions (3-13) @ Raiders (2-14)
McAfee Stadium, Oakland 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite Raiders by 1.5
Meanwhile 600 miles to the north, one of the biggest snoozers is also on the docket. Jon Kitna is under the delusion that the Lions can win ten. The Raiders have a stud defense but the offense is a joke. Even more so without Randy Moss or any semblance of a running game. Kitna can live in his fantasy world for at least another week as he has more options at offense that the Raiders defense can handle.
Pick-Detroit
Buccaneers (4-12) @ Seahawks (9-7)
Qwest Field, Seattle 4:15 (FOX)
Favorite Seahawks by 6
The Bucs are still trying to figure on who will run their offense, Jeff Garcia has the helm for now, but the Hawks no-joke defense will give the Bucs trouble from the word go. Look for Shawn Alexander to get his and more.
Pick-Seattle
Giants (8-8) @ Cowboys (9-7)
Texas Stadium Irving, TX 8:15 (NBC)
Favorite Cowboys by 5.5
The Pokes get the night game and Eli and the G-Men are already at midseason bickering form. Can Brandon Jacobs be the running force that Tiki Barber was? The short answer is no. TO has been quiet and he has bragged that he may score 13 times, he may get a couple toward that on this night.
Pick-Dallas
Monday, September 10
Ravens (13-3) @ Bengals (8-8)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 7:00 (ESPN)
Favorite Bengals by 2.5
The Stripes host their divisional nemesis in the first of two Monday night affairs. The Bengals have the offense, and they will have to contend with Ray Lewis and the usual suspects in a Ravens D that is its usual miserly self. The Ravens have a decent RB in Willis McGahee and the Bengals troubles with solid RB's are legendary. I should know better, but the Bengals seem to play over their heads when the primetime lights are on and it will happen again.
Pick-Cincy
Cardinals (5-11) @ 49ers (7-9)
Monster Park, San Francisco 10:15 (ESPN)
Favorite- Niners by 3
The opening weekend closes by the bay, the Niners are a sleeper pick for big things. But I'm still not sold on if Alex Smith and Frank Gore can take that next step. The Cards have soooo much potential, but that defense is weak and the Niners will exploit it.
Pick-San Francisco
Last Year 155-101
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Supa Stunna: Appalachan State Shocks Michigan
I saw the score and my jaw dropped.
Appalachan State 34 Michigan 32 Final
Damn
Though I have mass love for my alma mater Cincinnati, they are a mere neophyte in the world of college football. The Bearcats make headlines from time to time when they spring an upset on an unsuspecting ranked opponent. Wisconsin came in to Nippert Stadium in 1999 and were expected to thrash the Bearcats who were coming off a loss to then Div 1-AA Troy State. I was there to see a 17-12 upset by the Bearcats and watched as the masses tore the goalposts down and then marched them around the neighborhood.
The Bearcats were better last season but Rutgers was the highest ranked team to come into Nippert Stadium that late into the season. #7 Scarlet Knights got taken to the proverbial woodshed from the word go and the Bearcat fans poured onto the field again in joy as the Bearcats won 30-11. Again I was there to witness and I couldn't have been prouder.
The point of these antecdoes is that an overconfident team got ambushed on the road by a team with nothing to lose. This time Michigan got beat...at home...by a 1-AA team
Damn
The Wolverines had national title aspirations...
Those are gone...
Damn
Had Michigan made the last second field goal (that was blocked to seal the game) the Big Blue faithful would have grumbled heavily and been thankful to get away alive and Mountaineer fans would rue their chances. But the Mountaineers sprung the shocking, stunning upset in front of nearly 110,000 apoplectic Michigan Fans and countless others watching.
I'm rarely one that calls for someone's job...but Lloyd Carr has to go. 1997 National Championship be damned. That was so so long ago, and to not have your team ready for a game no matter what the opponent is inexcusable.
If the Wolverines win the rest of their games and beat Ohio State it'll take a lot of the sting out, but it will still be a black mark on what should have been a great season.
Damn.
Appalachan State 34 Michigan 32 Final
Damn
Though I have mass love for my alma mater Cincinnati, they are a mere neophyte in the world of college football. The Bearcats make headlines from time to time when they spring an upset on an unsuspecting ranked opponent. Wisconsin came in to Nippert Stadium in 1999 and were expected to thrash the Bearcats who were coming off a loss to then Div 1-AA Troy State. I was there to see a 17-12 upset by the Bearcats and watched as the masses tore the goalposts down and then marched them around the neighborhood.
The Bearcats were better last season but Rutgers was the highest ranked team to come into Nippert Stadium that late into the season. #7 Scarlet Knights got taken to the proverbial woodshed from the word go and the Bearcat fans poured onto the field again in joy as the Bearcats won 30-11. Again I was there to witness and I couldn't have been prouder.
The point of these antecdoes is that an overconfident team got ambushed on the road by a team with nothing to lose. This time Michigan got beat...at home...by a 1-AA team
Damn
The Wolverines had national title aspirations...
Those are gone...
Damn
Had Michigan made the last second field goal (that was blocked to seal the game) the Big Blue faithful would have grumbled heavily and been thankful to get away alive and Mountaineer fans would rue their chances. But the Mountaineers sprung the shocking, stunning upset in front of nearly 110,000 apoplectic Michigan Fans and countless others watching.
I'm rarely one that calls for someone's job...but Lloyd Carr has to go. 1997 National Championship be damned. That was so so long ago, and to not have your team ready for a game no matter what the opponent is inexcusable.
If the Wolverines win the rest of their games and beat Ohio State it'll take a lot of the sting out, but it will still be a black mark on what should have been a great season.
Damn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
