Well there are only 4 games left in the season and there are 20 teams that either have a playoff spot as of now or are within 2 games of a playoff spot, it should be exciting. So here are my predictions for the 6 playoff teams in each conference, the big time awards, and the Super Bowl. and yes all the playoff predictions are tie breaker accurate.
NFC:
1. NO 15-1
2. Min 14-2
3. AZ 12-4
4. Dal 10-6
5. GB 11-5
6. Phil 10-6
JUST MISSED
NYG and ATL 9-7
AFC
1. Indy 16-0
2. SD 12-4
3. Cin 11-5
4. NE 10-6
5. Balt 10-6
6. Den 10-6
Just Missed
Jax: 9-7
Mia and Pit 8-8
NYJ: 7-9
AWARDS
MVP: Brees
OPOY: Chris Johnson
DPOY: Charles Woodson
Coach: Marvin Lewis
OROY: Percy Harvin
DROY: Brian Cushing
PLAYOFFS
WILD CARD ROUND
AZ over Philly 27-20 A rematch of last years NFC title game ends in a similar manner with the Cardinals just having too much offense for Philly
GB over Dallas 24-17 The Pack's #1 ranked D forces a key turnover to lead the Pack to victory in Dallas
Balt over NE 31-27, the Pats Defense sucks and by this time Suggs and Reed will be back and the Ravens will be seeking revenge
Cincy over Den 24-20 Cincy gets revenge for the week 1 miricle loss by making Kyle Orton beat him, he can't.
DIVISIONAL ROUND
AZ over MIN 31-24 We just saw this game this week and I see Warner outdueling Farve once again.
GB over NO 37-34 The Packers Defense comes up with a key stop and Aaron Rodgers pulls his team from behind to win, the difference will be the fact that Mason Crosby's leg is much stronger then John Carney's.
SD over Cin 31-20 San Diego's balanced attack leads them to victory as Sean Phillips and Shawn Merriman reek havoc on Carson Palmer.
Balt over Indy 34-31, Indy has a habit of sitting their players out if they got everything clinched and usually when the next game they play is after a bye they lose (2000 against the Titans and 2005 against Pittsburgh) also key players like Brown, Garcon, and Collie have no playoff experience so I see one of them making a key mistake to cost them the game.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Packers over Cardinals 34-24: The difference in this game will be Charles Woodson's ability to limit the success of one of the Cardinals WR and the Packers Linebackers controlling Hightower and Wells enough to come away with a tough road win.
Chargers over Ravens 27-17: The Chargers are able to pressure Flacco into a couple of key mistakes as Philip Rivers and the balanced Chargers offense wins the game for them, expect Darren Sproles to make a key special teams play.
SUPER BOWL 44
Chargers over Packers 34-27 The difference in this game will be the Chargers ability to run the ball better then the Pack while Sean Phillips and Shawn Merriman get pressure on Aaron Rodgers all game long. MVP: Rivers
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Bowl Preview
Well after Texas narrowly avoided jaunting themselves out of the BCS title game but they ended up beating Nebraska and the best player in college football Ndamukong Suh and now will play Alabama in the BCS title game. While I do feel, after careful examination, that Bama is well deserving of a spot in the title game I feel Texas is not even the best team in their own STATE that honor belongs to TCU, who should be playing Bama in the title game but if not them Tony Pike and Cincy should be playing for the title.
Heisman Trophy prediction: While i feel Suh is the best player in college football I am realistic in acknowledging the fact that a D-linemen won't win the Heisman. That being the case I think the Heisman should go to Stanford RB Toby Gerhart but I think it will go to the RB for #1 Alabama Mark Ingram.
Top 5 Non-BCS games:
1. Capital One Bowl: Penn state vs. LSU
2. Holiday Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arizona
3. Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pitt vs. UNC
4. Sun Bowl: Stanford vs. Oklahoma
5. Gator Bowl: WVU vs. FSU (Bowden's last game)
Now on to the BCS Bowls
Orange Bowl: GT vs. Iowa: I feel the way to beat Tech is to get out to a huge lead and force them to abandon their option offense I don't think Iowa will be able to do this and Tech will win 24-17.
Rose Bowl: Oregon, and national coach of the year candidate Chip Kelley, have rebounded nicely from the opening night debachle at Boise to make the Rose Bowl where their three headed monster of LaMichael James, LaGarrett Blount, and QB Jerimiah Massoli will carry them to a victory over Ohio State by the score of 31-20.
Sugar Bowl: Tony Pike and the Bearcats came back to win the Big East against Pitt and now faces Tim Tebow and Florida. In this game I see Tony Pike having a great game with Mardy Gilyard making a key special teams play to lead the Bearcats to victory 34-31.
Fiesta Bowl: Suprise, Suprise the two non-BCS party crashers are matched up against each other. This allows the BCS conferences to avoid the emabarassment of what happened last year to Bama and three years ago to Oklahoma by having two non-BCS schools beating BCS schools which would push the record of non-BCS teams in BCS games to 5-1. In this game I see TCU making a late stop to win this game by the score of 27-24.
BCS National Title game: For the second straight year two heisman candidates and two national championship winning coaches meeting in a Big 12-SEC matchup and you can expect the SEC to come out on top again. Texas, will struggle on offense as Bama has no reason to fear their running game outside of McCoy while on offense Alabama will be extremly balanced and end up winning by a score of 27-20.
So we will end the season with 3 unbeaten teams for the second time (2004) and yet two teams will never have the chance to play for the national title so until we have a 8 team playoff we will never have a true national champion.
Heisman Trophy prediction: While i feel Suh is the best player in college football I am realistic in acknowledging the fact that a D-linemen won't win the Heisman. That being the case I think the Heisman should go to Stanford RB Toby Gerhart but I think it will go to the RB for #1 Alabama Mark Ingram.
Top 5 Non-BCS games:
1. Capital One Bowl: Penn state vs. LSU
2. Holiday Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arizona
3. Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pitt vs. UNC
4. Sun Bowl: Stanford vs. Oklahoma
5. Gator Bowl: WVU vs. FSU (Bowden's last game)
Now on to the BCS Bowls
Orange Bowl: GT vs. Iowa: I feel the way to beat Tech is to get out to a huge lead and force them to abandon their option offense I don't think Iowa will be able to do this and Tech will win 24-17.
Rose Bowl: Oregon, and national coach of the year candidate Chip Kelley, have rebounded nicely from the opening night debachle at Boise to make the Rose Bowl where their three headed monster of LaMichael James, LaGarrett Blount, and QB Jerimiah Massoli will carry them to a victory over Ohio State by the score of 31-20.
Sugar Bowl: Tony Pike and the Bearcats came back to win the Big East against Pitt and now faces Tim Tebow and Florida. In this game I see Tony Pike having a great game with Mardy Gilyard making a key special teams play to lead the Bearcats to victory 34-31.
Fiesta Bowl: Suprise, Suprise the two non-BCS party crashers are matched up against each other. This allows the BCS conferences to avoid the emabarassment of what happened last year to Bama and three years ago to Oklahoma by having two non-BCS schools beating BCS schools which would push the record of non-BCS teams in BCS games to 5-1. In this game I see TCU making a late stop to win this game by the score of 27-24.
BCS National Title game: For the second straight year two heisman candidates and two national championship winning coaches meeting in a Big 12-SEC matchup and you can expect the SEC to come out on top again. Texas, will struggle on offense as Bama has no reason to fear their running game outside of McCoy while on offense Alabama will be extremly balanced and end up winning by a score of 27-20.
So we will end the season with 3 unbeaten teams for the second time (2004) and yet two teams will never have the chance to play for the national title so until we have a 8 team playoff we will never have a true national champion.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Ravens, Colts blog
With the Ravens-Colts game this sunday I decided to blog about an issue that means a lot to me and even more to my Dad, and that is the Colts name. For those of you that don't know the Colts were in Baltimore where they won many championships, played in 2 super bowls winning one behind legends like Johnny Unitas, Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Raymond Berry, and Lenny Moore among others. Then in 1983 after a period of losing and John Elway refusing to come here the owner Robert Irsay moved the team in the middle of the night to Indianapolis and took the name with it. This left Baltimore without a team until 1996 when the Ravens came here from Cleavland where they were the Browns.
The major difference between the Colts move and the Ravens move (as well as other moves such as the Titans going from Houston to Nashville) is that we allowed Cleavland to keep their name and history when the Colts took the name and the history with them to Indy. Although my dad told me about this I really did not hit me until I went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio when I was 12 or something and they had an exhibit where they listed all the teams and the hall of famers who played with those teams and I saw Unitas, Moore, Berry, and others listed as the INDIANAPOLIS colts, this really upset my dad. Now I am not blaming the current players, in fact I have a lot of respect for Peyton, Jeff Saturday, Freeney and the Colts stars, I just wish there was some way Baltimore could be given the name back and the history up until 1983 that goes with it.
As far as this weeks game goes I like the Ravens chances for many reasons. First of all the Colts have gotten lucky to win the past 3 weeks from a dropped pass that would have set up an easy TD against the Niners, to a fumble on the 1 and missed game-tying FG against Houston, to the now infamous 4th and 2 against New England. Thus their luck has got to run out at some point why not this week. Also they are extremly hampered in the secondary (3 of 4 starters out due to injury) and at WR (Gonzalez is out and Collie has not been the same recently) so if the Ravens are going to beat the Colts now would be the time. Also since the start of this decade the Ravens have played better as an underdog from going into #1 seeded Tennesse in the playoffs and winning twice, to closing out Texas Stadium with a win, to beating and exposing the then unbeaten Broncos. Furthermore in recent years they have been a second half team (going 6-2 last year) and they need to win this game to regain their status as a super bowl contender. Lastly I see this as Ray Rice's coming out party as he takes advantage of a weak Indy run D and leads Baltimore to victory 27-24.
The major difference between the Colts move and the Ravens move (as well as other moves such as the Titans going from Houston to Nashville) is that we allowed Cleavland to keep their name and history when the Colts took the name and the history with them to Indy. Although my dad told me about this I really did not hit me until I went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio when I was 12 or something and they had an exhibit where they listed all the teams and the hall of famers who played with those teams and I saw Unitas, Moore, Berry, and others listed as the INDIANAPOLIS colts, this really upset my dad. Now I am not blaming the current players, in fact I have a lot of respect for Peyton, Jeff Saturday, Freeney and the Colts stars, I just wish there was some way Baltimore could be given the name back and the history up until 1983 that goes with it.
As far as this weeks game goes I like the Ravens chances for many reasons. First of all the Colts have gotten lucky to win the past 3 weeks from a dropped pass that would have set up an easy TD against the Niners, to a fumble on the 1 and missed game-tying FG against Houston, to the now infamous 4th and 2 against New England. Thus their luck has got to run out at some point why not this week. Also they are extremly hampered in the secondary (3 of 4 starters out due to injury) and at WR (Gonzalez is out and Collie has not been the same recently) so if the Ravens are going to beat the Colts now would be the time. Also since the start of this decade the Ravens have played better as an underdog from going into #1 seeded Tennesse in the playoffs and winning twice, to closing out Texas Stadium with a win, to beating and exposing the then unbeaten Broncos. Furthermore in recent years they have been a second half team (going 6-2 last year) and they need to win this game to regain their status as a super bowl contender. Lastly I see this as Ray Rice's coming out party as he takes advantage of a weak Indy run D and leads Baltimore to victory 27-24.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Official blog part 2
I am back with a 2nd blog about the officiating in two more sports: the NFL and College Football, which set an eample for all other sports to follow by suspending an officiating crew in the SEC, other then that their are no major issues. The only minor issue is officials from a conference represented by a team in a non-conference game should not ref those games.
The NFL: The NFL has 3 major issues: overprotection of QBs, rules geared too much towards offense, and the lack of full time officials. Lets start with the overprotection of QBs, mainly Tom Brady and other superstar QBs, this has got to stop because it is ruining the game quarterbacks now can't be touched or its a 15 yard penalty. This is a contradiction because Defensive Linemen get their knees taken out on almost every play. In order to fix this issue the NFL needs to get rid of the Tom Brady rule that bans hits to legs and at least be consistent in calling roughing the passer for all QBs not just superstars. Brady gets touched=penalty David Garard gets piledriven to the ground: no flag. This leads me to my next point the bias toward offense, I know this makes the NFL money, but defenders can't touch a Wide reciever past 5 yards while Offensive players can push off as much as they want with no call. These two rules have made it so we will never see a steel curtain or 2000 Ravens again.
Another issue for the NFL is the lack of full time officials which prevents referees from perfecting their craft and being consistent in their calls so we get games like the 2 ravens and bengals games this year. In the first game Jonathan Joseph launches himself at Todd Heap, who did not have possession of the ball, and makes helment to helmet contact and yet there is no call. On the other hand Ray Lewis lands a similar hit on Chad Ocho Cinco, who had no issue with the hit, and it is a game changing 15 yard penalty. Then last week Chad Ocho Cinco runs into Dawan Landry, catches the pass and fumbles but because he ran into Landry it is a pass interference call negating the fumble but in the 4th quarter in the drive that ended in the missed kick Joseph attempts to pull Derrick Mason's arm off preventing him from catching a TD, no call was made.
These refs need to be made full time so we can get better games and a better sport.
The NFL: The NFL has 3 major issues: overprotection of QBs, rules geared too much towards offense, and the lack of full time officials. Lets start with the overprotection of QBs, mainly Tom Brady and other superstar QBs, this has got to stop because it is ruining the game quarterbacks now can't be touched or its a 15 yard penalty. This is a contradiction because Defensive Linemen get their knees taken out on almost every play. In order to fix this issue the NFL needs to get rid of the Tom Brady rule that bans hits to legs and at least be consistent in calling roughing the passer for all QBs not just superstars. Brady gets touched=penalty David Garard gets piledriven to the ground: no flag. This leads me to my next point the bias toward offense, I know this makes the NFL money, but defenders can't touch a Wide reciever past 5 yards while Offensive players can push off as much as they want with no call. These two rules have made it so we will never see a steel curtain or 2000 Ravens again.
Another issue for the NFL is the lack of full time officials which prevents referees from perfecting their craft and being consistent in their calls so we get games like the 2 ravens and bengals games this year. In the first game Jonathan Joseph launches himself at Todd Heap, who did not have possession of the ball, and makes helment to helmet contact and yet there is no call. On the other hand Ray Lewis lands a similar hit on Chad Ocho Cinco, who had no issue with the hit, and it is a game changing 15 yard penalty. Then last week Chad Ocho Cinco runs into Dawan Landry, catches the pass and fumbles but because he ran into Landry it is a pass interference call negating the fumble but in the 4th quarter in the drive that ended in the missed kick Joseph attempts to pull Derrick Mason's arm off preventing him from catching a TD, no call was made.
These refs need to be made full time so we can get better games and a better sport.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Official Blog part 1
This is my 2nd blog in as many days and this one is about a problem that exists in all sports...Officiating. I will go over the problems with officiating in the 3 major sports and College Football as well as how they can fix it to better the sports, this will be a two part blog with the first part being about the MLB and the NBA and the 2nd part: pro and college football.
MLB: This years playoffs showed us 3 things- how to buy a championship, the greatness of Mariano Rivera (all of the other 7 playoff closers blew at least 1 save), and the need for replay in baseball. From Joe Mauer's double in game 2 of the ALDS to the many blown calls in game 4 of the ALCS including the debacle involving cano and Posada at 3rd base to the two double plays late in Game 2 of the World Series this year's playoffs were filled with blown calls that changed the course of the game, series, and the playoffs. There is one simple solution expanding replay to fair and foul calls and on the bases leave balls and strikes alone. The argument against replay is that it slows the game down and takes the game out of the hands of the umps. This is not valid because your goal is to get the call right no matter what and the time it would take to look at a replay is about the same it takes for a manager to argue a call so baseball adopt replay before you do further damage to your sport.
NBA: The NBA which does have replay needs to expand it slightly to the last 5 seconds of all four quarters. Also the NBA needs to call traveling a lot more and get rid of this new rule which allows 2 steps without a dribble and gives people like Lebron the idea that their "crab dribble" is legal Also they need to follow the NFL and use the rule that if there is no conclusive evidence then a call stands (look at Brad Miller's shot last night)other then that the NBA has good officiating as a whole.
In the upcoming days I will look at NFL and College football officiating.
MLB: This years playoffs showed us 3 things- how to buy a championship, the greatness of Mariano Rivera (all of the other 7 playoff closers blew at least 1 save), and the need for replay in baseball. From Joe Mauer's double in game 2 of the ALDS to the many blown calls in game 4 of the ALCS including the debacle involving cano and Posada at 3rd base to the two double plays late in Game 2 of the World Series this year's playoffs were filled with blown calls that changed the course of the game, series, and the playoffs. There is one simple solution expanding replay to fair and foul calls and on the bases leave balls and strikes alone. The argument against replay is that it slows the game down and takes the game out of the hands of the umps. This is not valid because your goal is to get the call right no matter what and the time it would take to look at a replay is about the same it takes for a manager to argue a call so baseball adopt replay before you do further damage to your sport.
NBA: The NBA which does have replay needs to expand it slightly to the last 5 seconds of all four quarters. Also the NBA needs to call traveling a lot more and get rid of this new rule which allows 2 steps without a dribble and gives people like Lebron the idea that their "crab dribble" is legal Also they need to follow the NFL and use the rule that if there is no conclusive evidence then a call stands (look at Brad Miller's shot last night)other then that the NBA has good officiating as a whole.
In the upcoming days I will look at NFL and College football officiating.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
NFL Halfway report
The NFL season is halfway done as all 32 teams have played at least 8 games and although my preseason predictions are not doing so good I am here to revise my predictions once again for all the playoffs and the awards.
AFC:
1. Indy
2. NE
3. Cin
4. Den
5. Pit
6. Bal
NFC
1. NO
2. Min
3. Dal
4. AZ
5. Atlanta
6. Philly
AWARDS
MVP: Drew Brees QB Saints
OPOY: Brees
DPOY: Darren Sharper, S, Saints
OROY: Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings
DROY: Brian Cushing, LB, Texans
Coach: Marvin Lewis, Bengals
Comeback Player: Tom Brady, QB, Pats
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
Wild Card
Bal over Cincy (yes I know we saw the opposite result but the playoffs are a different animal) 24-17
Dal over Philly 27-20
Pit over Den 20-17
AZ over ATL 34-31
Divisional
Bal over Indy 27-24
NO over AZ 41-34
DAL over Min 31-27
NE over Pit 24-20
Conference Championship
Bal over NE 31-24
NO over Dal 37-34
Super Bowl:
BAL over NO 34-27 MVP: Rice
AFC:
1. Indy
2. NE
3. Cin
4. Den
5. Pit
6. Bal
NFC
1. NO
2. Min
3. Dal
4. AZ
5. Atlanta
6. Philly
AWARDS
MVP: Drew Brees QB Saints
OPOY: Brees
DPOY: Darren Sharper, S, Saints
OROY: Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings
DROY: Brian Cushing, LB, Texans
Coach: Marvin Lewis, Bengals
Comeback Player: Tom Brady, QB, Pats
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
Wild Card
Bal over Cincy (yes I know we saw the opposite result but the playoffs are a different animal) 24-17
Dal over Philly 27-20
Pit over Den 20-17
AZ over ATL 34-31
Divisional
Bal over Indy 27-24
NO over AZ 41-34
DAL over Min 31-27
NE over Pit 24-20
Conference Championship
Bal over NE 31-24
NO over Dal 37-34
Super Bowl:
BAL over NO 34-27 MVP: Rice
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Baseball 2009 post mortum
As you all may know by now the Yankees BOUGHT A World Championship but there are a couple things I need to get off my chest about this season. First I hate Yankee fans especially since they fail to realize they are killing Baseball by making it that fans in cities such as KC, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Washington, Baltimore, Toronto, Cincy, and many others give up on their teams because they realize they can't compete with the Yankees check books. The MLB draft means nothing because most of the teams will lose the players they draft and develop to teams who are willing to spend more. Also this whole #27 thing really annoys me I promise you the 25 men celebrating right now don't care if it is #27, #100, or #1 they just won the world series. I know you guys have the most titles in US sports but there are teams out there such as REAL MADRID who have 31 championships so until you pass them shut up. Furthermore is it just me or are there more Yankee fans coming out of nowhere with no real strong connection to the team and are just fans because they are winning. For the interest of full disclosure I am a Cardinals fan but I have been one since 1998, when I first truly started following and understanding baseball so I am not a fair weather fan like most Yankee fans.
Now there are a couple things baseball needs before it gain even come close to touching football or even basketball in terms of popularity. First as you can probably guess I feel baseball needs some sort of salary cap. If they don't want to go to a complete salary cap like the NFL then go to a system like the NBA where not only is there a larger luxary tax but teams get an advantage in terms of the years and money they can offer to keep their own players this is why legends like Tim Duncan and Karl Malone stayed in small markets such as San Antonio and Salt Lake City and why most people see Lebron and Wade staying put next summer. Furthermore baseball needs to stop awarding homefield in the world series to the all star game winner, it is completly moronic the 3 most important people to the AL's victory this year (Carl Crawford, Adam Jones, and Curtis Granderson) did not even make the playoffs and yet that is why the AL got homefield. Another change baseball must make is to expand replay to the bases and the fair/foul line because the goal is to get the call right. Critics of replay say it slows the game down but not as much as a manager arguing a call or frequent visits by a catcher to a pitcher (posada and Pettite). This brings me to my next point visits by a catcher or another player to the mound need to be limited to 3-4 per inning and only 1 per batter this would speed the game up immensly. One more change is baseball needs to condense its post season schedule it is NOVEMBER 5th and the world series just ended. The Angles and Yankees waited 4 days after the won the ALDS to start the ALCS which is insane and breaks up all momentum a team has. Lastly baseball needs to improve drug testing and make results public especially those 100 names left from the 2003 list to give fans more knowledge and faith in the game and to clear the clean player's name.
In conclusion the Yankees and their fans fit the description given to the Harley Riders in the most recent episode of South Park, The F word, and baseball needs to make changes to save itself. PS 151 days to Opening Day 2010... GO CARDINALS (HOLLIDAY WILL RESIGN).
Now there are a couple things baseball needs before it gain even come close to touching football or even basketball in terms of popularity. First as you can probably guess I feel baseball needs some sort of salary cap. If they don't want to go to a complete salary cap like the NFL then go to a system like the NBA where not only is there a larger luxary tax but teams get an advantage in terms of the years and money they can offer to keep their own players this is why legends like Tim Duncan and Karl Malone stayed in small markets such as San Antonio and Salt Lake City and why most people see Lebron and Wade staying put next summer. Furthermore baseball needs to stop awarding homefield in the world series to the all star game winner, it is completly moronic the 3 most important people to the AL's victory this year (Carl Crawford, Adam Jones, and Curtis Granderson) did not even make the playoffs and yet that is why the AL got homefield. Another change baseball must make is to expand replay to the bases and the fair/foul line because the goal is to get the call right. Critics of replay say it slows the game down but not as much as a manager arguing a call or frequent visits by a catcher to a pitcher (posada and Pettite). This brings me to my next point visits by a catcher or another player to the mound need to be limited to 3-4 per inning and only 1 per batter this would speed the game up immensly. One more change is baseball needs to condense its post season schedule it is NOVEMBER 5th and the world series just ended. The Angles and Yankees waited 4 days after the won the ALDS to start the ALCS which is insane and breaks up all momentum a team has. Lastly baseball needs to improve drug testing and make results public especially those 100 names left from the 2003 list to give fans more knowledge and faith in the game and to clear the clean player's name.
In conclusion the Yankees and their fans fit the description given to the Harley Riders in the most recent episode of South Park, The F word, and baseball needs to make changes to save itself. PS 151 days to Opening Day 2010... GO CARDINALS (HOLLIDAY WILL RESIGN).
Monday, November 2, 2009
College Football Update
Well the calendar has turned to November meaning we are a little over a month away from finding out who will play in the BCS title game, it won't be my preseason choice of Oklahoma thanks to the injuries to Jermaine Gresham and Sam Bradford. So I will make new predictions for each conference, the BCS games, and rant against the system itself.
ACC: Coastal division Champion Georgia Tech will beat Atlantic Division Champion BC to win the ACC
Big 12: Texas will win the south and beat Big 12 north champion Nebraska to win the Big 12
Big East Champion: After Cincy beats WV, WV beats Pittsburgh it will all come down to December 5th in Pittsburgh where I see Tony Pike leading the Bearcats to their second straight conference title
Big 10: I see Penn State beating OSU and Iowa beating OSU making Iowa the Big Ten champions
Pac 10- Oregon will beat Arizona and win the Pac 10 title, shows how you good Boise State is doesn't it.
SEC- We all know it will be Florida vs. Alabama and I see Alabama beating Florida to win the SEC (even if they lose to LSU this week)
NON-BCS conferences: Boise State and TCU run the table to make the BCS (One of them should be playing for the tile)
BCS GAMES:
Title Game: Texas over Alabama: Colt McCoy who will win the Heisman trophy leads Texas to a victory over Alabama who won't have the offense to keep up
Rose Bowl: Oregon over Iowa: Iowa's luck runs out as Oregon keeps rolling to victory
Orange Bowl: Cincy over GT Cincy gets out to an early lead led by Pike taking GT out of its comfort zone
Fiesta Bowl: Boise over TCU, these two teams will be matched up to avoid the embarassment of 2 non-BCS teams beating 2 BCS conference running the record of non-BCS teams in the BCS to 5-1 but I see Boise State's offense and experience in the big games carryign them to victory.
Sugar Bowl: Florida over USC, a matchup of two of the most dominant teams of the decade will end up being a great culmination of the careers of Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes as the defense will confuse Matt Barkley and win the game
BCS complaint: If any year shows the issues with the BCS and the need for a playoff its this year we could have 4 teams (Iowa, Cincy, Boise, and TCU) finish unbeaten and be left out of the championship game despite having wins including @BYU, @Clemson, vs. Oregon, @ Ohio State, @ Penn State, and @ Pitt. So these teams do whatever they physically can to make it into the title game and don't get in because they were ranked too low in the preseason, seem fair I think not. This would be the 8th time in 10 years that a team who had either beaten a team in the title game or gone undefeated being left out of the title game.
ACC: Coastal division Champion Georgia Tech will beat Atlantic Division Champion BC to win the ACC
Big 12: Texas will win the south and beat Big 12 north champion Nebraska to win the Big 12
Big East Champion: After Cincy beats WV, WV beats Pittsburgh it will all come down to December 5th in Pittsburgh where I see Tony Pike leading the Bearcats to their second straight conference title
Big 10: I see Penn State beating OSU and Iowa beating OSU making Iowa the Big Ten champions
Pac 10- Oregon will beat Arizona and win the Pac 10 title, shows how you good Boise State is doesn't it.
SEC- We all know it will be Florida vs. Alabama and I see Alabama beating Florida to win the SEC (even if they lose to LSU this week)
NON-BCS conferences: Boise State and TCU run the table to make the BCS (One of them should be playing for the tile)
BCS GAMES:
Title Game: Texas over Alabama: Colt McCoy who will win the Heisman trophy leads Texas to a victory over Alabama who won't have the offense to keep up
Rose Bowl: Oregon over Iowa: Iowa's luck runs out as Oregon keeps rolling to victory
Orange Bowl: Cincy over GT Cincy gets out to an early lead led by Pike taking GT out of its comfort zone
Fiesta Bowl: Boise over TCU, these two teams will be matched up to avoid the embarassment of 2 non-BCS teams beating 2 BCS conference running the record of non-BCS teams in the BCS to 5-1 but I see Boise State's offense and experience in the big games carryign them to victory.
Sugar Bowl: Florida over USC, a matchup of two of the most dominant teams of the decade will end up being a great culmination of the careers of Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes as the defense will confuse Matt Barkley and win the game
BCS complaint: If any year shows the issues with the BCS and the need for a playoff its this year we could have 4 teams (Iowa, Cincy, Boise, and TCU) finish unbeaten and be left out of the championship game despite having wins including @BYU, @Clemson, vs. Oregon, @ Ohio State, @ Penn State, and @ Pitt. So these teams do whatever they physically can to make it into the title game and don't get in because they were ranked too low in the preseason, seem fair I think not. This would be the 8th time in 10 years that a team who had either beaten a team in the title game or gone undefeated being left out of the title game.
Friday, October 30, 2009
World Series Experience
As many of my readers may know I went to game 2 of the World Series last night, and despite the fact that I am dead tired it was an amazing experience.
Me, my brother, and my dad took a Mega Bus to New York and midway through we had to make a stop on the turnpike because get this, the door would not close all the way yet the bus was still driveable. After sitting in traffic for the last 30 minutes of the trip we were dropped off in a different spot then we were expecting luckily one of the guys we met during the break helped us get on the right subway line to get the stadium we got there around 6:45-7. Then my dad and my older brother decided to go to a bar to get something to drink and since I am under the age of 21, I was not allowed in so I had to wait outside IN NEW YORK CITY BY MYSELF. After they finished drinking a few beers and buying something we got into the stadium and found our seats, in the 2nd level left field bleachers. Personally I was not that impressed with the stadium and think Camden Yards, Jacobs Field, Bank One BallPark, Fenway, and Nationals Park are all better.
Before the game Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed empire state of mind, it was good but clear that they were lipsynching. Also John Legend sung the national anthem and Derek Jeter was given the Roberto Clemente Award for off the field man of the year, it should have gone to Pujols for a 2nd straight year.
Then the game got started and I was sorrounded by Yankee fans with a few Phillies fans mixed in. Yankee fans really annoy me they complain about everything when Burnett through a ball that ended up near the opposite batters box they booed thinking it was a strike. Also they refuse to give an opponent credit, for example when talking about Game 1 they said Utley's two homers were gifts by CC and Cliff Lee's historically great performance was due to the Yankees not hitting well and a bad ump. Furthermore they need to be more original in their taunts I heard so many cheese steak references when insulting Philly fans and heard tons of "Who's Your Daddy Chants" for Pedro, the opposing pitcher. Ironically Pedro made that statement in September 2004 and less then a month later pitched Game 5 in the Red Sox's historic comeback from 3-0 down to beat the Yankees. On top of all this I heard some Eagles suck chants and the Eagles were not even playing and also made it further then the Giants did last year. I am not saying that all Yankees fans are bad but a few bad apples spoil the bunch.
As for the actual game it was good but dragged on in the beginning but picked up towards the middle with the two Yankee homers. In my opinion there were two key points in the game one was Manuel letting Pedro come back out for the 7th when he looked done in the 6th and the double play in the top of the 8th when Utley should have been called safe thus making it 1st and 3rd for Howard in a two run game instead of him coming up to leadoff the 9th and having no shot of tying the game.
After the game we tried to find some more souveniers but could not get any good deals so we headed for the subway. While waiting in line we met someone who knew one of my brother's best friends and a close family friend (basically my 3rd brother) through college at Delaware she helped us get back to the right place and find a place to eat and kill time. Then we headed back home after stopping in Philly to drop other people off, I got back to Towson around 6. All in all it was an amazing experience and I have to thank my dad, my brother, and all the nice people we met for making it so. My goals now are to see a final four, World Cup, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and Super Bowl as well as a World Series game where either the Orioles make it or my favorite team, the Cardinals make it. I am sticking with my prediction of Philly in 7 but the MVP will be Lee.
Me, my brother, and my dad took a Mega Bus to New York and midway through we had to make a stop on the turnpike because get this, the door would not close all the way yet the bus was still driveable. After sitting in traffic for the last 30 minutes of the trip we were dropped off in a different spot then we were expecting luckily one of the guys we met during the break helped us get on the right subway line to get the stadium we got there around 6:45-7. Then my dad and my older brother decided to go to a bar to get something to drink and since I am under the age of 21, I was not allowed in so I had to wait outside IN NEW YORK CITY BY MYSELF. After they finished drinking a few beers and buying something we got into the stadium and found our seats, in the 2nd level left field bleachers. Personally I was not that impressed with the stadium and think Camden Yards, Jacobs Field, Bank One BallPark, Fenway, and Nationals Park are all better.
Before the game Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed empire state of mind, it was good but clear that they were lipsynching. Also John Legend sung the national anthem and Derek Jeter was given the Roberto Clemente Award for off the field man of the year, it should have gone to Pujols for a 2nd straight year.
Then the game got started and I was sorrounded by Yankee fans with a few Phillies fans mixed in. Yankee fans really annoy me they complain about everything when Burnett through a ball that ended up near the opposite batters box they booed thinking it was a strike. Also they refuse to give an opponent credit, for example when talking about Game 1 they said Utley's two homers were gifts by CC and Cliff Lee's historically great performance was due to the Yankees not hitting well and a bad ump. Furthermore they need to be more original in their taunts I heard so many cheese steak references when insulting Philly fans and heard tons of "Who's Your Daddy Chants" for Pedro, the opposing pitcher. Ironically Pedro made that statement in September 2004 and less then a month later pitched Game 5 in the Red Sox's historic comeback from 3-0 down to beat the Yankees. On top of all this I heard some Eagles suck chants and the Eagles were not even playing and also made it further then the Giants did last year. I am not saying that all Yankees fans are bad but a few bad apples spoil the bunch.
As for the actual game it was good but dragged on in the beginning but picked up towards the middle with the two Yankee homers. In my opinion there were two key points in the game one was Manuel letting Pedro come back out for the 7th when he looked done in the 6th and the double play in the top of the 8th when Utley should have been called safe thus making it 1st and 3rd for Howard in a two run game instead of him coming up to leadoff the 9th and having no shot of tying the game.
After the game we tried to find some more souveniers but could not get any good deals so we headed for the subway. While waiting in line we met someone who knew one of my brother's best friends and a close family friend (basically my 3rd brother) through college at Delaware she helped us get back to the right place and find a place to eat and kill time. Then we headed back home after stopping in Philly to drop other people off, I got back to Towson around 6. All in all it was an amazing experience and I have to thank my dad, my brother, and all the nice people we met for making it so. My goals now are to see a final four, World Cup, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and Super Bowl as well as a World Series game where either the Orioles make it or my favorite team, the Cardinals make it. I am sticking with my prediction of Philly in 7 but the MVP will be Lee.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
NBA Season Preview 09-2010
I am a little hesitant to post my predictions for the brand new NBA season due to my track record but here goes nothing:
Atlantic Division
1. Celtics (#1 seed)
2. Raptors (#7 seed)
3.76ers
4.Nets
5.Knicks
Central Division
1. Cavs (#3 seed)
2. Bulls (#8 seed)
3.Pistons
4. Pacers
5. Bucks
Southeast Division
1. Magic (#2 seed)
2. Hawks (#4 seed)
3. Wizards (#5 seed)
4. Heat (#6 seed)
5. Bobcats
Southwest Division
1. Spurs (#2 Seed)
2.Mavs (#5 seed)
3. Hornets (#7 seed)
4. Rockets
5. Griz
Pacific Division
1. Lakers (#1 seed)
2. Suns (#8 seed)
3. Clips
4. Warriors
5. Kings
Northwest Division
1.Blazers (#3 seed)
2. Nuggets (#4 seed)
3. Jazz (#6 seed)
4. OKC
5. T-wolves
AWARDS
MVP: Lebron
DPOY: Dwight Howard
Sixth Man: Manu
Coach: Flip Saunders
ROY: Tyreke Evans
Most Improved: Courtney Lee
PLAYOFFS
East:
1st round
Celts over Bulls in 5, Magic over Raptors in 6, Cavs over Heat in 6, Wizards over Hawks in 7
2nd round
Celts over Wizards in 6, Magic over Cavs in 6
Conference Finals
Magic over Celtics in 6, the Celtics age catches up to them and the Magic's depth pays off
West:
Lakers over Suns in 4, Spurs over Hornets in 5, Blazers over Jazz in 6, Nuggets over Mavs in 7
2nd round
Lakers over Nuggets in 6, Spurs over Blazers in 5
Conference Finals:
Spurs over Lakers in 7, the Spurs young guys (Hill, Blair, McClinton) will have matured by this point and Timmy and Manu will be very well rested
NBA FINALS
Spurs over Magic in 6 MVP: Tim Ducan
PS I am going to the World Series game tomorrow and I can't wait.
Atlantic Division
1. Celtics (#1 seed)
2. Raptors (#7 seed)
3.76ers
4.Nets
5.Knicks
Central Division
1. Cavs (#3 seed)
2. Bulls (#8 seed)
3.Pistons
4. Pacers
5. Bucks
Southeast Division
1. Magic (#2 seed)
2. Hawks (#4 seed)
3. Wizards (#5 seed)
4. Heat (#6 seed)
5. Bobcats
Southwest Division
1. Spurs (#2 Seed)
2.Mavs (#5 seed)
3. Hornets (#7 seed)
4. Rockets
5. Griz
Pacific Division
1. Lakers (#1 seed)
2. Suns (#8 seed)
3. Clips
4. Warriors
5. Kings
Northwest Division
1.Blazers (#3 seed)
2. Nuggets (#4 seed)
3. Jazz (#6 seed)
4. OKC
5. T-wolves
AWARDS
MVP: Lebron
DPOY: Dwight Howard
Sixth Man: Manu
Coach: Flip Saunders
ROY: Tyreke Evans
Most Improved: Courtney Lee
PLAYOFFS
East:
1st round
Celts over Bulls in 5, Magic over Raptors in 6, Cavs over Heat in 6, Wizards over Hawks in 7
2nd round
Celts over Wizards in 6, Magic over Cavs in 6
Conference Finals
Magic over Celtics in 6, the Celtics age catches up to them and the Magic's depth pays off
West:
Lakers over Suns in 4, Spurs over Hornets in 5, Blazers over Jazz in 6, Nuggets over Mavs in 7
2nd round
Lakers over Nuggets in 6, Spurs over Blazers in 5
Conference Finals:
Spurs over Lakers in 7, the Spurs young guys (Hill, Blair, McClinton) will have matured by this point and Timmy and Manu will be very well rested
NBA FINALS
Spurs over Magic in 6 MVP: Tim Ducan
PS I am going to the World Series game tomorrow and I can't wait.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
World Series Preview
Well unfortunatly we get the Yankees and Phillies in the World Series, and although I am hoping for a swine flu outbreak to force these two teams out of the World Series, I will preview it anyway breaking it down position by position.
Catcher: Carlos Ruiz vs. Jorge Posada: Although Posada has a good experience edge I feel he is past his prime as Ruiz is about to enter his: Edge-Phillies
First Baseman: Ryan Howard vs. Mark Teixeira: A great matchup but the experience edge of Howard from last year and the fact that he is surging while Tex is struggling gives Philly the edge.
Second Baseman- Chase Utley vs. Robinson Cano: A good matchup but Utley is a little better then Cano in every facet of the game giving the Phillies yet another matchup edge.
Shortstop- Jimmy Rollins vs. Derek Jeter: An amazing matchup but picking against Jeter in the playoffs is moronic so the edge goes to the Yanks
Third Baseman: Pedro Feliz vs. A-Roid: Despite the fact Feliz will be playing in his 3rd world series this decade vs. A-Fraud's first I have to give the edge to the former 3 time MVP and NYY.
Right Field: Jayson Werth vs. Nick Swisher- Werth is incredibly hot right now and is a superior defender to the cold Swisher, thus the Phillies have the edge.
Center Field: Shane Victorino vs. Melky Cabrera- A fantastic matchup between two young stars but the experience edge of Victorino gives Philladelphia the edge.
Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs. Johnny Damon- Raul Ibanez had started off hot but has cooled off recently but his far superior defense gives the Phils yet another advantage.
Bench: Dobbs, Bruntlett, Stairs vs. Gardner, Matsui, Hairston The Yankees have a clear edge hear with the speed of Gardner, the power of Matsui, and the versatility of Hairston
Starting pitching: Lee, Martinez, and Hamels vs. CC, Burnett, and Andy P. CC and Lee cancel each other out while Martinez barely edges out AJ and Pettite's experience edges out Hamels so it is a draw.
Relief: Durbin, Madsen, Myers, Park, Blanton vs. Coke, Joba, Hughes, Marte, Gaudin the length and experience edge of the Phillies gives them the edge in this matchup
Closer: Brad Lidge vs. Mariano Rivera- Rivera is the greatest playoff closer ever...enough said
Intangibles: the Phillies and Yankees are very similar in terms of makeup and experience in the World Series so the home field edge gives the Yankees the Intangibles advantage
Managers: Charlie Manuel vs. Joe Girardi- Manuel's experience from last year gives his team the edge.
In the end i see Philly winning this series in 7 thanks to their experience throughout the roster and the depth of their bullpen
Catcher: Carlos Ruiz vs. Jorge Posada: Although Posada has a good experience edge I feel he is past his prime as Ruiz is about to enter his: Edge-Phillies
First Baseman: Ryan Howard vs. Mark Teixeira: A great matchup but the experience edge of Howard from last year and the fact that he is surging while Tex is struggling gives Philly the edge.
Second Baseman- Chase Utley vs. Robinson Cano: A good matchup but Utley is a little better then Cano in every facet of the game giving the Phillies yet another matchup edge.
Shortstop- Jimmy Rollins vs. Derek Jeter: An amazing matchup but picking against Jeter in the playoffs is moronic so the edge goes to the Yanks
Third Baseman: Pedro Feliz vs. A-Roid: Despite the fact Feliz will be playing in his 3rd world series this decade vs. A-Fraud's first I have to give the edge to the former 3 time MVP and NYY.
Right Field: Jayson Werth vs. Nick Swisher- Werth is incredibly hot right now and is a superior defender to the cold Swisher, thus the Phillies have the edge.
Center Field: Shane Victorino vs. Melky Cabrera- A fantastic matchup between two young stars but the experience edge of Victorino gives Philladelphia the edge.
Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs. Johnny Damon- Raul Ibanez had started off hot but has cooled off recently but his far superior defense gives the Phils yet another advantage.
Bench: Dobbs, Bruntlett, Stairs vs. Gardner, Matsui, Hairston The Yankees have a clear edge hear with the speed of Gardner, the power of Matsui, and the versatility of Hairston
Starting pitching: Lee, Martinez, and Hamels vs. CC, Burnett, and Andy P. CC and Lee cancel each other out while Martinez barely edges out AJ and Pettite's experience edges out Hamels so it is a draw.
Relief: Durbin, Madsen, Myers, Park, Blanton vs. Coke, Joba, Hughes, Marte, Gaudin the length and experience edge of the Phillies gives them the edge in this matchup
Closer: Brad Lidge vs. Mariano Rivera- Rivera is the greatest playoff closer ever...enough said
Intangibles: the Phillies and Yankees are very similar in terms of makeup and experience in the World Series so the home field edge gives the Yankees the Intangibles advantage
Managers: Charlie Manuel vs. Joe Girardi- Manuel's experience from last year gives his team the edge.
In the end i see Philly winning this series in 7 thanks to their experience throughout the roster and the depth of their bullpen
Saturday, October 17, 2009
New York Yankee blog
I decided that since my predicitions have not been going so well I wanted to blog about a team that epitimizes everything wrong with sports, the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees and their 200 million dollar payroll are ruining baseball, just look at the fact that in the next 3-4 days Scott Kazmir will be pitching for the Angels, this is the same Scott Kazmir who was the Rays top prospect for years and their ace. They had to trade him because they knew the yankees and red sox would out bid them so they had to trade him and now they are considering trading Carl Crawford for the same reason. This would be like the Falcons being forced to trade Matt Ryan and Roddy White because they are afraid the Jets and Giants would outbid them and sing their players or the Spurs having to trade away Tim Duncan, when he was in his prime, and Tony Parker because they were afraid the Lakers and Knicks would out bid them. This leads to all but 5-8 teams having a consistent chance to compete while the rest of the league has to build for 5-10 years just for one shot like the Marlins of 97 and 03 or Last years Rays.
Also Yankee fans annoy the crap out of me and the fans of the other 29 teams in baseball with their pompousness, their belief that is their god given right to win a world series, their whine when they lose attitude, their belief that they have the best of everything (stadium which I would not even rank in the top 5), and their overall loudness and rudeness. They believe in the ghost of yankee stadium and complain about no TVs in the stadium bathrooms and complain about every single ball/strike call that doesn't go their way like it cost them the world series and their lives
Yankee fans for your information here are a list of fans that can talk shit to you: DBacks fans, Angels fans, Marlins fans (if they exist), Red Sox fans, White Sox fans, Cardinals fans, Phillies Fans you know why because they all have won a world series since 2000, we have seen 2 new presidents be sworn in since then and there are 9 year olds who were alive when they last won a world series so shut up and enjoy watching your team choke away another series lead.
Also Yankee fans annoy the crap out of me and the fans of the other 29 teams in baseball with their pompousness, their belief that is their god given right to win a world series, their whine when they lose attitude, their belief that they have the best of everything (stadium which I would not even rank in the top 5), and their overall loudness and rudeness. They believe in the ghost of yankee stadium and complain about no TVs in the stadium bathrooms and complain about every single ball/strike call that doesn't go their way like it cost them the world series and their lives
Yankee fans for your information here are a list of fans that can talk shit to you: DBacks fans, Angels fans, Marlins fans (if they exist), Red Sox fans, White Sox fans, Cardinals fans, Phillies Fans you know why because they all have won a world series since 2000, we have seen 2 new presidents be sworn in since then and there are 9 year olds who were alive when they last won a world series so shut up and enjoy watching your team choke away another series lead.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
MLB Playoff Preview
Well after last nights thrilling AL Central tiebreaker we have our 8 playoff teams I got 6 of the 8 (missed the Yankees and Rockies had the Rays and the Cubs making it). So I am here to announce my predictions for the post season awards and the playoffs (round by round)
POSTSEASON AWARDS:
AL MVP: Joe Mauer, Joe Mauer basically carried his team to a division title and if he does not win the MVP it will be because of New York Bias and it would be a travesty.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, He was critical in keeping the team in contention until Holiday got there and once Holiday get there he made Holiday better because people would put him on to face Holliday and people pitch differently when runners on and people would not pitch as carefully to Holliday as they would for Pujols. Furthermore Pujols' defense was critical, he set the major league record for assists in a season.
AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke, Yes I know he played for the Royals but with limited run support he got 16 wins and led the majors in ERA and if he would have been on a semi-good team he would have more then 20 wins.
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter, as you probably know by now that you could make a case for Lincecum, Carpenter, or Wainwright but I choose Carpenter because of the fact he only lost four games all year, led the NL in ERA, and had a WHIP (walks and hits/innings pitched) of 1.
AL rookie of the Year: Rick Porcello, he was a great pitcher all season and helped keep his team in contention all year with 14 wins and an ERA under 4, also there is a very weak rookie class.
NL Rookie of the Year: Chris Coghlan, He has been on fire for the entire second half and finished up with a .321 average.
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire, his best power hitter got hurt mid-way through the season and his top two pitchers were Scott Baker and Carl Pavano yet he was able to win a division title and come back from 7 down in September and 3 down with four to play, which had never been done before
NL Manager of the Year: Jim Tracey, he took over a team that was dead in the water and led them to over 90 wins and a playoff berth... enough said.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
ALDS: Yankees over Twins in 5, the Twins will go down 0-2 but will refuse to end their season in the Metrodome and will probably have their two best pitchers in game 3 and 4 but in game 5 CC will come back and win it for the Yanks
Angles over Red Sox in 5, they finally get the monkey off their back and take advantage of the emotion of Nick Adenheart, homefield advantage, and their advantage in pitching and hitting depth to win it
NLDS: Cardinals over Dodgers in 3, thanks to Carpenter and Wainwright the Cardinals will win the first two in Dodger Stadium and then Joel Pinero will close it out in game 3 as the Cardinals beat up on Vicente Padilla and advance.
Phillies over Rockies in 5, the Rockies experienced a major loss with Jorge De La Rosa not being able to go in the NLDS forcing them to start Jason Hammel and Jason Marquis which will cost them the chance to close it out at home after stealing game 2 from Philly and they will lose in 5 with the Phillies closing it out at home.
ALCS: Angles over Yankees in 6 the Angles will be able to steal at least one game in Yankee Stadium and dominate at home winning at least of 2 of the 3 they play there and putting the pressure on the Yankees to win both game 6 and 7 which they wont be able to do. the major advantage in this series will be Mike Scosia managerial edge over Joe Girardi and the inability of the Yankees to control the Angles speed on the bases.
NLCS: Cardinals over Phillies in 5- The fact that the Cardinals swept the Dodgers and the Phillies went to 5 with the Rockies gives the Cardinals the advantage of starting Carpenter and Wainwright in games 1 and 2 while the Phillies would have used Cliff Lee and/or Cole Hamels to beat the Rockies and they would be unavailable for the first two games allowing the Cardinals to steal one if not both of the first two games in Philly and then close it out in St. Louis, thanks to the 2-3-2 format of the LCS and World Series. Also don't forget that there is the chance that Brad Lidge will have to face Albert Pujols in the playoffs and we all remember the last time that happened, that ball from 2005 may still be traveling.
World Series: Cardinals over Angles in 6, Again the Cardinals will be able to throw Carpenter and Wainwright at least a combined 4 times and I see them winning at least 3 that Means that Pinero and Lohse/Smoltz will have to win only 1 of 2 games at home and the managerial advantage the Angles had in the ALCS will swing to the Cardinals and Tony La Russa/Dave Duncan. This victory (their 2nd in 4 years and their 3rd world series appearance in 6 years) make the Cardinals the team of the 2000's, MVP of the World Series: Albert Pujols
POSTSEASON AWARDS:
AL MVP: Joe Mauer, Joe Mauer basically carried his team to a division title and if he does not win the MVP it will be because of New York Bias and it would be a travesty.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, He was critical in keeping the team in contention until Holiday got there and once Holiday get there he made Holiday better because people would put him on to face Holliday and people pitch differently when runners on and people would not pitch as carefully to Holliday as they would for Pujols. Furthermore Pujols' defense was critical, he set the major league record for assists in a season.
AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke, Yes I know he played for the Royals but with limited run support he got 16 wins and led the majors in ERA and if he would have been on a semi-good team he would have more then 20 wins.
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter, as you probably know by now that you could make a case for Lincecum, Carpenter, or Wainwright but I choose Carpenter because of the fact he only lost four games all year, led the NL in ERA, and had a WHIP (walks and hits/innings pitched) of 1.
AL rookie of the Year: Rick Porcello, he was a great pitcher all season and helped keep his team in contention all year with 14 wins and an ERA under 4, also there is a very weak rookie class.
NL Rookie of the Year: Chris Coghlan, He has been on fire for the entire second half and finished up with a .321 average.
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire, his best power hitter got hurt mid-way through the season and his top two pitchers were Scott Baker and Carl Pavano yet he was able to win a division title and come back from 7 down in September and 3 down with four to play, which had never been done before
NL Manager of the Year: Jim Tracey, he took over a team that was dead in the water and led them to over 90 wins and a playoff berth... enough said.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
ALDS: Yankees over Twins in 5, the Twins will go down 0-2 but will refuse to end their season in the Metrodome and will probably have their two best pitchers in game 3 and 4 but in game 5 CC will come back and win it for the Yanks
Angles over Red Sox in 5, they finally get the monkey off their back and take advantage of the emotion of Nick Adenheart, homefield advantage, and their advantage in pitching and hitting depth to win it
NLDS: Cardinals over Dodgers in 3, thanks to Carpenter and Wainwright the Cardinals will win the first two in Dodger Stadium and then Joel Pinero will close it out in game 3 as the Cardinals beat up on Vicente Padilla and advance.
Phillies over Rockies in 5, the Rockies experienced a major loss with Jorge De La Rosa not being able to go in the NLDS forcing them to start Jason Hammel and Jason Marquis which will cost them the chance to close it out at home after stealing game 2 from Philly and they will lose in 5 with the Phillies closing it out at home.
ALCS: Angles over Yankees in 6 the Angles will be able to steal at least one game in Yankee Stadium and dominate at home winning at least of 2 of the 3 they play there and putting the pressure on the Yankees to win both game 6 and 7 which they wont be able to do. the major advantage in this series will be Mike Scosia managerial edge over Joe Girardi and the inability of the Yankees to control the Angles speed on the bases.
NLCS: Cardinals over Phillies in 5- The fact that the Cardinals swept the Dodgers and the Phillies went to 5 with the Rockies gives the Cardinals the advantage of starting Carpenter and Wainwright in games 1 and 2 while the Phillies would have used Cliff Lee and/or Cole Hamels to beat the Rockies and they would be unavailable for the first two games allowing the Cardinals to steal one if not both of the first two games in Philly and then close it out in St. Louis, thanks to the 2-3-2 format of the LCS and World Series. Also don't forget that there is the chance that Brad Lidge will have to face Albert Pujols in the playoffs and we all remember the last time that happened, that ball from 2005 may still be traveling.
World Series: Cardinals over Angles in 6, Again the Cardinals will be able to throw Carpenter and Wainwright at least a combined 4 times and I see them winning at least 3 that Means that Pinero and Lohse/Smoltz will have to win only 1 of 2 games at home and the managerial advantage the Angles had in the ALCS will swing to the Cardinals and Tony La Russa/Dave Duncan. This victory (their 2nd in 4 years and their 3rd world series appearance in 6 years) make the Cardinals the team of the 2000's, MVP of the World Series: Albert Pujols
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
NFL 1st quarter report
Well back again with another Blog and although most of predictions about College and Pro Football are not looking too good right now I have decided to look at the NFL a quarter of the way through the season.
We currently have 5 undefeated teams (Colts, Saints, Vikings, Broncos, and Giants) and 6 winless teams (Panthers, Titans, Chiefs, Browns, Rams, and Bucs) and in my opinion the last unbeaten team will be the Colts and the last winless team will be the Rams. Also the most fradulent of the undefeated teams is the Broncos because they have played no one and we will see how truly good they are in their next 4 games which are the Patriots, Chargers, Ravens, and Steelers. The winless team most likely to turn it around is the Panthers, because they are only 0-3 not 0-4 and if they get back to running the football with Stewart and Williams they can take some pressure of Jake Delhomme by limiting his throws thus limiting his interceptions and turnovers.
When it comes to the biggest suprise and disappointment, Denver is by far the biggest suprise and the Titans are the biggest disappointment because they have played a weaker schedule then the Panthers and loss less then Carolina.
In terms of awards right now the MVP is Peyton Manning, the Offensive Player of the Year is Drew Brees, the Defensive Player of the Year is Darren Sharper, The Coach of the year is Josh McDaniels, The Offensive rookie of the Year is Mark Sanchez, and the Defensive Rookie of the Year is Brian Cushing of Houston.
Awards at the end of the year: MVP: Peyton, OPOY: Brees, DPOY: Ray Lewis, Coach: Sean Payton, OROY: Moreno DROY: Cushing
Now for my revised playoff predictions:
AFC: 1. Colts 2. Ravens 3. Patriots 4. Chargers 5. Steelers 6. Broncos
NFC 1. Saints 2. Giants 3. Packers 4.Cardinals 5. Eagles 6. Vikings
AFC WC round: Pats over Broncos, Steelers over Chargers
NFC WC round: Packers over Vikings, Eagles over Cardinals
AFC Div round: Ravens over Patriots, Steelers over Colts
NFC Div round: Giants over Packers, Saints over Eagles
AFC Championship: Ravens over Steelers
NFC Championship: Saints over Giants
Super Bowl: Ravens over Saints MVP: Ray Lewis
Tomorrow Baseball playoff preview
We currently have 5 undefeated teams (Colts, Saints, Vikings, Broncos, and Giants) and 6 winless teams (Panthers, Titans, Chiefs, Browns, Rams, and Bucs) and in my opinion the last unbeaten team will be the Colts and the last winless team will be the Rams. Also the most fradulent of the undefeated teams is the Broncos because they have played no one and we will see how truly good they are in their next 4 games which are the Patriots, Chargers, Ravens, and Steelers. The winless team most likely to turn it around is the Panthers, because they are only 0-3 not 0-4 and if they get back to running the football with Stewart and Williams they can take some pressure of Jake Delhomme by limiting his throws thus limiting his interceptions and turnovers.
When it comes to the biggest suprise and disappointment, Denver is by far the biggest suprise and the Titans are the biggest disappointment because they have played a weaker schedule then the Panthers and loss less then Carolina.
In terms of awards right now the MVP is Peyton Manning, the Offensive Player of the Year is Drew Brees, the Defensive Player of the Year is Darren Sharper, The Coach of the year is Josh McDaniels, The Offensive rookie of the Year is Mark Sanchez, and the Defensive Rookie of the Year is Brian Cushing of Houston.
Awards at the end of the year: MVP: Peyton, OPOY: Brees, DPOY: Ray Lewis, Coach: Sean Payton, OROY: Moreno DROY: Cushing
Now for my revised playoff predictions:
AFC: 1. Colts 2. Ravens 3. Patriots 4. Chargers 5. Steelers 6. Broncos
NFC 1. Saints 2. Giants 3. Packers 4.Cardinals 5. Eagles 6. Vikings
AFC WC round: Pats over Broncos, Steelers over Chargers
NFC WC round: Packers over Vikings, Eagles over Cardinals
AFC Div round: Ravens over Patriots, Steelers over Colts
NFC Div round: Giants over Packers, Saints over Eagles
AFC Championship: Ravens over Steelers
NFC Championship: Saints over Giants
Super Bowl: Ravens over Saints MVP: Ray Lewis
Tomorrow Baseball playoff preview
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Boxing vs. UFC/MMA
Whats up I am back again with another blog this time about the two main combat sports in the world, boxing and MMA/UFC, which is incredibly poignant because next saturday the UFC is putting on a PPV in Dallas while on the same night there will be a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez and although I think the UFC card Saturday is weak for recent standards and that the Mayweather fight will have more buys, I still strongly believe that the UFC and MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and has surpassed boxing as the most popular fight sport in the world for a variety of reasons. First of all boxing relies on two active guys to have a big PPV Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao while the UFC has had 8 guys main event cards which have gone over a million buys and gets nearly 600,000 buys for almost all of its monthly pay per views.Next is the fact that the UFC is clearly the king of MMA and the champion in the UFC is in all cases but 1 the consensus best fighter at that wieght class, while in Boxing there are like 10 different organizations each with their own champion so the fans have hard time truly knowing who is the best. Also MMA is bigger then boxing and is one of the 2 most popular sports in countries such as Canada, Brazil, England, Japan, Russia and many more. To prove my point a UFC fighter, Georges St. Pierre, was named the most popular athlete in Canada, by the fans, over the likes of Sydney Crosby and Steve Nash while another UFC fighter, Michael Bisping, was named the most popular athlete in the UK by the fans over the likes of Wayne Rooney and David Beckham. Another fact to back up my point is that a UFC event earned the highest gate in Pennsylvania history over any Steelers, Phillies, Eagles, Penguins, or Sixers game. The Last fact that in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, UFC 100 holds the record for the fastest sell out in the cities history. So no matter which sport you think is bigger and more popular there is one thing we can agree with and that is the UFC and boxing are here to stay.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
NFL Preview 2009-2010
The countdown is on less then 30 hours until the Steelers and Titans kick off the NFL season and I am here with my predictions for every teams record, the major awards, the playoffs, who will win the Lombardi trophy so lets get started.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh 14-2 (1 seed)
2. Baltimore 13-3 WC (5 seed)
3. Cincy 7-9
4. Browns 5-11
That was tough to write being a ravens fan but the Steelers schedule is so much easier then Baltimore's Baltimore plays the Colts and Pats and visits the Chargers and Packers while Pittsburgh plays the Dolphins and titans and hosts the Chargers and Packers
AFC South
1. Colts 12-4 (#2 seed)
2.Texans 11-5 WC (6 seed)
3. Titans 10-6
4. Jags 3-13
AFC West
1. Chargers 12-4 (#3 seed)
2. Denver 5-11
3. Kansas City 4-12
4. Oakland 2-14
AFC East
1. Patriots 11-5 (4 seed)
2.Dolphins 9-7
3. Bills 5-11
4. Jets 4-12
NFC South
1.Panthers 12-4 (#2 seed)
2.Falcons 11-5 WC (5 seed)
3.Saints 10-6
4. Bucs 1-15
NFC East
1. Cowboys 11-5 (4 seed)
2. Eagles 11-5 (6 seed)
3.Giants 9-7
4. Redskins 7-9
NFC West
1.Cardinals 12-4 (3 seed)
2. Seattle 10-6
3. 49ers 5-11
4. Rams 2-14
NFC North
1. Packers 13-3 (1 seed)
2. Vikings 10-6
3. Chicago 3-13
4. Detroit 2-14
AWARDS:
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Offensive POY: Aaron Rodgers
Defensive POY: Ray Lewis
Offensive ROY: Beanie Wells
Defensive ROY: Brian Cushing
Coach of the Year: Norv Turner
Comeback Player of the Year: Matt Schaub
Suprise Team: Green Bay/Houston
Dissapointment: Chicago
Playoffs
Wild Card round
Ravens over Pats 24-20
Chargers over Texans 20-13
Dallas over Atlanta 31-24
Arizona over Philly 34-27
Divisional round
Ravens over Steelers 17-13
Chargers over Colts 31-27
Arizona over Carolina 27-24
Green Bay over Dallas 23-17
Conference Championship round
Ravens over Chargers 20-17
Green Bay over Arizona 27-20
Super Bowl
Ravens over Packers
27-21 MVP Flacco
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh 14-2 (1 seed)
2. Baltimore 13-3 WC (5 seed)
3. Cincy 7-9
4. Browns 5-11
That was tough to write being a ravens fan but the Steelers schedule is so much easier then Baltimore's Baltimore plays the Colts and Pats and visits the Chargers and Packers while Pittsburgh plays the Dolphins and titans and hosts the Chargers and Packers
AFC South
1. Colts 12-4 (#2 seed)
2.Texans 11-5 WC (6 seed)
3. Titans 10-6
4. Jags 3-13
AFC West
1. Chargers 12-4 (#3 seed)
2. Denver 5-11
3. Kansas City 4-12
4. Oakland 2-14
AFC East
1. Patriots 11-5 (4 seed)
2.Dolphins 9-7
3. Bills 5-11
4. Jets 4-12
NFC South
1.Panthers 12-4 (#2 seed)
2.Falcons 11-5 WC (5 seed)
3.Saints 10-6
4. Bucs 1-15
NFC East
1. Cowboys 11-5 (4 seed)
2. Eagles 11-5 (6 seed)
3.Giants 9-7
4. Redskins 7-9
NFC West
1.Cardinals 12-4 (3 seed)
2. Seattle 10-6
3. 49ers 5-11
4. Rams 2-14
NFC North
1. Packers 13-3 (1 seed)
2. Vikings 10-6
3. Chicago 3-13
4. Detroit 2-14
AWARDS:
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Offensive POY: Aaron Rodgers
Defensive POY: Ray Lewis
Offensive ROY: Beanie Wells
Defensive ROY: Brian Cushing
Coach of the Year: Norv Turner
Comeback Player of the Year: Matt Schaub
Suprise Team: Green Bay/Houston
Dissapointment: Chicago
Playoffs
Wild Card round
Ravens over Pats 24-20
Chargers over Texans 20-13
Dallas over Atlanta 31-24
Arizona over Philly 34-27
Divisional round
Ravens over Steelers 17-13
Chargers over Colts 31-27
Arizona over Carolina 27-24
Green Bay over Dallas 23-17
Conference Championship round
Ravens over Chargers 20-17
Green Bay over Arizona 27-20
Super Bowl
Ravens over Packers
27-21 MVP Flacco
Friday, September 4, 2009
September Baseball Preview
There is about a month left in the season and I am back to give you my predictions for the division and wild card races in both Leagues as well as the major awards in both leagues and How I see the Playoffs going.
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
AL EAST: Yankees (Best record in AL)
AL Central: Tigers (# 3 seed)
AL West: Angels (#2 seed)
Wild Card: Red Sox (#4 seed)
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
NL East: Phiilies (#3 seed)
NL Central: Cardinals (#2 seed)
NL West: Dodgers (Best record in NL)
Wild Card: Rockies (#4 seed)
AWARDS
AL MVP: Derek Jeter
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
AL CY Young: Justin Verlander
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
AL Rookie of the Year: Elvis Andrus
NL Rookie of the Year: J.A Happ
AL Manager of the Year: Mike Scioscia
NL Manager of the Year: Jim Tracy
PLAYOFFS
AL Divisional Series
NYY over Det in 5
LAA over Bos in 5
NL Division Series
STL over COL in 3
PHI over LAD in 7
ALCS
LAA over NYY in 7
NLCS
STL over Phi in 6
WORLD SERIES
STL over LAA in 6 MVP: Pujols
Next Week: NFL Preview
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
AL EAST: Yankees (Best record in AL)
AL Central: Tigers (# 3 seed)
AL West: Angels (#2 seed)
Wild Card: Red Sox (#4 seed)
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
NL East: Phiilies (#3 seed)
NL Central: Cardinals (#2 seed)
NL West: Dodgers (Best record in NL)
Wild Card: Rockies (#4 seed)
AWARDS
AL MVP: Derek Jeter
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
AL CY Young: Justin Verlander
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
AL Rookie of the Year: Elvis Andrus
NL Rookie of the Year: J.A Happ
AL Manager of the Year: Mike Scioscia
NL Manager of the Year: Jim Tracy
PLAYOFFS
AL Divisional Series
NYY over Det in 5
LAA over Bos in 5
NL Division Series
STL over COL in 3
PHI over LAD in 7
ALCS
LAA over NYY in 7
NLCS
STL over Phi in 6
WORLD SERIES
STL over LAA in 6 MVP: Pujols
Next Week: NFL Preview
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
College Football Preview
Im so excited College Football season is right around the corner (Starts Thursday) I am here with a previews and prediction for each conference, the BCS games (including the national championship game), and the Heisman trophy race.
The Big East is the weakest of the BCS conferences with no preseason top 25 teams in the entire conference but I see Rutgers winning the conference because they get most other conteders at home.
The ACC is the most even conference in the BCS with 1o of the 12 teams making Bowls last year and i expect more of the same with Florida State winning the Atlantic and Georgia Tech winning the coastal due to the fact that they host the Hokies and then beating FSU to win the ACC.
The Big Ten will come down to two teams Ohio State and Penn State who meet in Happy Valley on November 7th, where I see Ohio State getting revenge for last year and beating Penn State to win the Big Ten.
The Pac 10, which has been dominated by USC this decade, will see a new king this year as Cal beats USC in Berekly to win the Pac 10.
The Big 12 will again be dominated by high powered offense and the southern division which will be a three team race between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas which I see Oklahoma winning and beating Big 12 North Champion Kansas in the Big 12 title game.
The SEC will be very competitive especially in the West where Ole Miss will beat out Alabama and LSU to win the West and face the SEC East champion Florida in the SEC title game with Florida coming out on top.
Also Boise State will run the table and earn a BCS birth
When it comes to the Heisman I see the three finalists from last year (Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy) being the finalist again with Colt McCoy winning the trophy largely due to the fact that voters have shown a tendency to not want to give some a second Heisman.
The BCS bowls will be as followed:
Rose- Ohio State over Cal
Fiesta- Texas over USC
Sugar- Boise State over Ole Miss
Orange- Georgia Tech over Rutgers
National Championship- Oklahoma over Florida.
Later this Week: Baseball blog
The Big East is the weakest of the BCS conferences with no preseason top 25 teams in the entire conference but I see Rutgers winning the conference because they get most other conteders at home.
The ACC is the most even conference in the BCS with 1o of the 12 teams making Bowls last year and i expect more of the same with Florida State winning the Atlantic and Georgia Tech winning the coastal due to the fact that they host the Hokies and then beating FSU to win the ACC.
The Big Ten will come down to two teams Ohio State and Penn State who meet in Happy Valley on November 7th, where I see Ohio State getting revenge for last year and beating Penn State to win the Big Ten.
The Pac 10, which has been dominated by USC this decade, will see a new king this year as Cal beats USC in Berekly to win the Pac 10.
The Big 12 will again be dominated by high powered offense and the southern division which will be a three team race between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas which I see Oklahoma winning and beating Big 12 North Champion Kansas in the Big 12 title game.
The SEC will be very competitive especially in the West where Ole Miss will beat out Alabama and LSU to win the West and face the SEC East champion Florida in the SEC title game with Florida coming out on top.
Also Boise State will run the table and earn a BCS birth
When it comes to the Heisman I see the three finalists from last year (Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy) being the finalist again with Colt McCoy winning the trophy largely due to the fact that voters have shown a tendency to not want to give some a second Heisman.
The BCS bowls will be as followed:
Rose- Ohio State over Cal
Fiesta- Texas over USC
Sugar- Boise State over Ole Miss
Orange- Georgia Tech over Rutgers
National Championship- Oklahoma over Florida.
Later this Week: Baseball blog
Friday, August 28, 2009
Back to School
I am going back to Towson tomorrow for my sophemore year. I am a little nervous about getting back into the flow of things and doing well in school but I feel like after 2 weeks at the most I will be fine. I am looking forward to reconnecting with some of my friends from school such as DS, Jason, Scott, Ben and many more as well as all my frat brothers and having the freedom that being a college kid affords you.
I have a few goals I hope to accomplish this year namely keeping up my good grades that I had last year. Another goal of mine is to make new friends and strengthen my relationships with my old friends some of whom I mentioned above. One more goal I have is to help my fraternity grow in terms of quantity and quality as well as use my position on exec board at Hillel to make it as strong as possible. Also I hope to get a job either on or off campus to supplement the money my parents are giving to me. Furthermore I want to figure out what direction I want to go with my major, Sports Management, in order to determine what I want to do for my future career. Going along with that idea is that I would like to get a summer internship in the sports industry but if I don't I would be happy to return to Camp Milldale for a 9th summer. The next goal of mine is to travel to places I have not been to like I did last year going to Israel and Argentina. Lastly I hope to enjoy this year as much as I did last year if not more.
I would be lying if I said I am not going to miss my family especially my parents, my bubby, and my brothers they are great and I know they would do almost anything for me. This being case along with the fact that they are only 20 minutes away I know that if I am missing them I will be able to see them on a semi-regular basis and that they are only a phone call away.
Next Week: College Football Preview/Baseball blogs
I have a few goals I hope to accomplish this year namely keeping up my good grades that I had last year. Another goal of mine is to make new friends and strengthen my relationships with my old friends some of whom I mentioned above. One more goal I have is to help my fraternity grow in terms of quantity and quality as well as use my position on exec board at Hillel to make it as strong as possible. Also I hope to get a job either on or off campus to supplement the money my parents are giving to me. Furthermore I want to figure out what direction I want to go with my major, Sports Management, in order to determine what I want to do for my future career. Going along with that idea is that I would like to get a summer internship in the sports industry but if I don't I would be happy to return to Camp Milldale for a 9th summer. The next goal of mine is to travel to places I have not been to like I did last year going to Israel and Argentina. Lastly I hope to enjoy this year as much as I did last year if not more.
I would be lying if I said I am not going to miss my family especially my parents, my bubby, and my brothers they are great and I know they would do almost anything for me. This being case along with the fact that they are only 20 minutes away I know that if I am missing them I will be able to see them on a semi-regular basis and that they are only a phone call away.
Next Week: College Football Preview/Baseball blogs
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Apology/Favre and Vick
first of all I would like to apologize for not writing in a few months but I have been very busy, largely due to working at a summer camp for the past two months, also I have not found anything good to write about until now...Mike Vick and Brett Favre.
When it comes to Mike Vick I think Roger Godell is handling this situation perfectly not because I think Vick doesn't deserve a second chance but because Godell must protect the NFL and its sponsors from crazed protesters and PETA attacking them constantly and hurting their PR. Also Godell was lied to face to face by Vick so even though Vick has said all the right things we need to see if Vick's actions match his words.
Now on the field I think the eagles are good but not great fit for him because I think he is too similar to McNabb and his best asset while he was in the NFL was his running ability and no coach runs less the Andy Reid and they just drafted a running back high in the draft. Also Reid is tied to McNabb and both have a very short window of time left before they are gone so now Vick has a lot more pressure on him.
Teams that I felt would have been better fits for him are Pittsburgh, Green Bay, and Seattle among others. Pittsburgh would have been a great fit because their fans and owner are very loyal and support anyone in black and gold. Also they have an established QB who has rings so there is no expectation of Vick becoming the starter so he can slowly work his way back. Green Bay would have worked because again their fans are loyal and they need two things which Vick could give them a backup QB and help/insurance at running back in case Ryan Grant does not return to 2007 form and there is less media pressure then in Philly. Lastly Seattle would have been another good fit for him because both the coach, Jim Mora jr, and the Offensive Coordinator, Greg Knapp, are familiar with Vick from their time together with Atlanta also the Seahawks need help in the running game as well as insurance just in case Hasselbeck is not healthy and they are out of the media spotlight.
Now I come to Brett Favre and his return to the Vikings. Let me start off by saying that about a year ago I was saying Favre was the greatest QB in the history of the NFL but now he is tarnishing his legacy with this constant flip flopping about retirement. Also I love the convenient excuse he has for his poor play down the stretch last year, his shoulder, which was fine when he beat the titans and patriots but magically was torn against denver, the niners, and seattle.
On the Vikings end of the deal I think there are some major negatives, namely the fact that their team is best suited for a game manager like Trent Dilfer with the 2000 Ravens or Brad Johnson with 02 Bucs, and Favre is far from a game manager. Also their O-line is not going to be as good as it was last year due to the loss of Center Matt Birk. Furthermore they are relying on a rookie WR to be either a starter or a slot guy and I can only think of 3 or 4 rookie WR in the past 10 years who have made a huge impact. Lastly if Favre gets hurt like 18 year veteran QBs do how can either Rosenfels or Jackson have confidence in themselves or their coaches knowing that they were tossed aside so quickly.
Again I apologize for the gap in postings and I promise to write more often
When it comes to Mike Vick I think Roger Godell is handling this situation perfectly not because I think Vick doesn't deserve a second chance but because Godell must protect the NFL and its sponsors from crazed protesters and PETA attacking them constantly and hurting their PR. Also Godell was lied to face to face by Vick so even though Vick has said all the right things we need to see if Vick's actions match his words.
Now on the field I think the eagles are good but not great fit for him because I think he is too similar to McNabb and his best asset while he was in the NFL was his running ability and no coach runs less the Andy Reid and they just drafted a running back high in the draft. Also Reid is tied to McNabb and both have a very short window of time left before they are gone so now Vick has a lot more pressure on him.
Teams that I felt would have been better fits for him are Pittsburgh, Green Bay, and Seattle among others. Pittsburgh would have been a great fit because their fans and owner are very loyal and support anyone in black and gold. Also they have an established QB who has rings so there is no expectation of Vick becoming the starter so he can slowly work his way back. Green Bay would have worked because again their fans are loyal and they need two things which Vick could give them a backup QB and help/insurance at running back in case Ryan Grant does not return to 2007 form and there is less media pressure then in Philly. Lastly Seattle would have been another good fit for him because both the coach, Jim Mora jr, and the Offensive Coordinator, Greg Knapp, are familiar with Vick from their time together with Atlanta also the Seahawks need help in the running game as well as insurance just in case Hasselbeck is not healthy and they are out of the media spotlight.
Now I come to Brett Favre and his return to the Vikings. Let me start off by saying that about a year ago I was saying Favre was the greatest QB in the history of the NFL but now he is tarnishing his legacy with this constant flip flopping about retirement. Also I love the convenient excuse he has for his poor play down the stretch last year, his shoulder, which was fine when he beat the titans and patriots but magically was torn against denver, the niners, and seattle.
On the Vikings end of the deal I think there are some major negatives, namely the fact that their team is best suited for a game manager like Trent Dilfer with the 2000 Ravens or Brad Johnson with 02 Bucs, and Favre is far from a game manager. Also their O-line is not going to be as good as it was last year due to the loss of Center Matt Birk. Furthermore they are relying on a rookie WR to be either a starter or a slot guy and I can only think of 3 or 4 rookie WR in the past 10 years who have made a huge impact. Lastly if Favre gets hurt like 18 year veteran QBs do how can either Rosenfels or Jackson have confidence in themselves or their coaches knowing that they were tossed aside so quickly.
Again I apologize for the gap in postings and I promise to write more often
Monday, May 11, 2009
First Sports Blog Post
Now that my week of Drunk Driving Posts are over I have decided to share my opinion on what is going on in the world today, this post is about the world of Sports, I will look at the three major sports playing right now as well as other sports which I like.
MLB: Manny tested positive for a female fertility drug (i don't need to add a punchline that is a good one). With all of these players such as A-fraud and Manny testing positive it gives me new found respect for guys like Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn as well as modern day stars like Albert Pujols who have proven, so far, that they are or were clean. The Blue Jays, Royals, and Rangers are all suprise division leaders and i see the Royals and Jays being there till the end. The Yankees pitching sucks, like I said it would, and they won't make the playoffs. Here are my picks for the 8 playoff teams 1/5 of the way into the season: AL EAST-Red Sox, AL Central- Tigers AL West- Angels WC-Rays, NL EAST-Marlins, NL Central-Cardinals, NL West-Dodgers, WC-Cubs.
NHL: The League's dream series (Caps-Pens) will go 7 with the Caps winning, The Canes close out the Bruins in six, the Wings and Blackhawks both advance. The caps will meet the Blackhawks in the cup finals with the Caps winning in 6.
NBA: Kobe is a dirty player with the flaling of his arms after shots, cheap elbows (ask Artest), and the NBA should have suspended him but the want cavs lakers so badly, too bad neither of them will make it, it will be Nuggets vs. Magic (Magic in 7).
MMA: For those of you who don't know me I am a huge MMA (UFC) fan and can't wait for UFC 100 and 101 (I hope to go to 101 in Philly). This is the fastest growing sport in the world and is swallowing Boxing because unlike boxing it does not have to rely on two or three guys to carry the sport.
MLB: Manny tested positive for a female fertility drug (i don't need to add a punchline that is a good one). With all of these players such as A-fraud and Manny testing positive it gives me new found respect for guys like Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn as well as modern day stars like Albert Pujols who have proven, so far, that they are or were clean. The Blue Jays, Royals, and Rangers are all suprise division leaders and i see the Royals and Jays being there till the end. The Yankees pitching sucks, like I said it would, and they won't make the playoffs. Here are my picks for the 8 playoff teams 1/5 of the way into the season: AL EAST-Red Sox, AL Central- Tigers AL West- Angels WC-Rays, NL EAST-Marlins, NL Central-Cardinals, NL West-Dodgers, WC-Cubs.
NHL: The League's dream series (Caps-Pens) will go 7 with the Caps winning, The Canes close out the Bruins in six, the Wings and Blackhawks both advance. The caps will meet the Blackhawks in the cup finals with the Caps winning in 6.
NBA: Kobe is a dirty player with the flaling of his arms after shots, cheap elbows (ask Artest), and the NBA should have suspended him but the want cavs lakers so badly, too bad neither of them will make it, it will be Nuggets vs. Magic (Magic in 7).
MMA: For those of you who don't know me I am a huge MMA (UFC) fan and can't wait for UFC 100 and 101 (I hope to go to 101 in Philly). This is the fastest growing sport in the world and is swallowing Boxing because unlike boxing it does not have to rely on two or three guys to carry the sport.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Reflection
Over the past week I have had to reflect on a very touchy subject for me, dunk driving and drunk driving accidents. From going through the celebrities who died due to drunk driving to reflecting on a drunk driving accident involving my family and all the trauma it brought to me. But now it is not up to me alone it is up to all of us. We need to educate our friends and pass on this information to them and prevent them from becoming another statistic or story. Tell them it does not only hurt them but it also hurts their family much worse. So please if you or your friends have a problem please get them help ASAP
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Where to get help/videos of accidents
If you think this is all a joke and it can't happen to you take a look at these videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9393Rjqr2VE
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N05UVP2lbHI&feature=PlayList&p=6C5A62BA7807DDB1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=49
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-10p1ylZhJM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O244vaDCzfc
If you dont want that to happen to your friends here is what you do:
•If you are going out with friends make sure you choose a designated driver
•If some of your friends want to leave the party/bar early call a cab to take them home
•As the host of a party stop serving alcohol an hour before you plan to end the party
•The host should start serving sweets once they stop serving alcohol
•When drinking with co-workers offer to split appetizers and drive any drunk co-workers home
If you think you have a problem and you want to get help here is what you do:
•Talk to someone you (if you have the problem) or your friend (if they have the problem) trust
•If that does not work get Medical help
•If that does not work go to or send your friend to rehab or Alcholics anonymous
Or you can call these numbers:
•Addiction Help Services-toll free at (877) 554-7308
•Alcoholics Anonymous: 212-870-3400
•1st Alternative Counseling 410-356-9466
•Towson Addictions Center: 410-337-8193
•Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program of Baltimore 410-328-0126
•Partners In recovery Towson: 410-296-9747
Follow these steps don't be in one of those videos and be smart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9393Rjqr2VE
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N05UVP2lbHI&feature=PlayList&p=6C5A62BA7807DDB1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=49
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-10p1ylZhJM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O244vaDCzfc
If you dont want that to happen to your friends here is what you do:
•If you are going out with friends make sure you choose a designated driver
•If some of your friends want to leave the party/bar early call a cab to take them home
•As the host of a party stop serving alcohol an hour before you plan to end the party
•The host should start serving sweets once they stop serving alcohol
•When drinking with co-workers offer to split appetizers and drive any drunk co-workers home
If you think you have a problem and you want to get help here is what you do:
•Talk to someone you (if you have the problem) or your friend (if they have the problem) trust
•If that does not work get Medical help
•If that does not work go to or send your friend to rehab or Alcholics anonymous
Or you can call these numbers:
•Addiction Help Services-toll free at (877) 554-7308
•Alcoholics Anonymous: 212-870-3400
•1st Alternative Counseling 410-356-9466
•Towson Addictions Center: 410-337-8193
•Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program of Baltimore 410-328-0126
•Partners In recovery Towson: 410-296-9747
Follow these steps don't be in one of those videos and be smart.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Time to get personal
Drunk Driving and drunk driving accidents don't just effect the people involved they impact the families. First of all families have to pay for all the hospital and legal bills which really can cripple them financially. Also, the emotional damage is so severe it still hurts some of the family members of drunk driving victims 35 years later. One more way drunk driving accidents impacts the families of the victims is there is a feeling of regret and guilt as some family members and friends feel they could have the changed the outcome.
For me there was one time where a close family member was involved in a drunk driving accident. It was five and a half years ago when was a freshman in high school and. He had some of his friends over before a dance and they drank some hard liquor before going to the dance. About two hours later I see two of his close friends carrying him in my house and laying him down on the couch, he was unconscious. After more of his friends arrived we went out to see his car, he had been in an accident and the front right side of his car was destroyed. He woke up two and a half hours later when the cops came, luckily he was not arrested and neither were my parents. He did in get trouble and almost had a lot of opportunities taken away but he still got into his top college. Since then I can't go a week without thinking about it and how lucky I was that he survived.
To drive this point home I want you to read this poem I found: http://www.scribd.com/doc/20023/Poem-Against-Drunk-Driving
For me there was one time where a close family member was involved in a drunk driving accident. It was five and a half years ago when was a freshman in high school and. He had some of his friends over before a dance and they drank some hard liquor before going to the dance. About two hours later I see two of his close friends carrying him in my house and laying him down on the couch, he was unconscious. After more of his friends arrived we went out to see his car, he had been in an accident and the front right side of his car was destroyed. He woke up two and a half hours later when the cops came, luckily he was not arrested and neither were my parents. He did in get trouble and almost had a lot of opportunities taken away but he still got into his top college. Since then I can't go a week without thinking about it and how lucky I was that he survived.
To drive this point home I want you to read this poem I found: http://www.scribd.com/doc/20023/Poem-Against-Drunk-Driving
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Statistics, laws, and penalties
Numbers can tell us a lot so take a look at these numbers and think about what they mean:
•In 2006 there were 13,470 deaths in accidents which included a drunk driver
•In 2006 306 children under the age of 14 were killed in accidents involving a drunk driver
•62% of the time the drunk driver in these fatal crashes was in their 20s
You may think you know the laws and penalties that go along with drunk driving but you don't know the whole story:
•In the United States you have to be 21 to purchase or consume alcohol
•If you are above the age of 21 a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 makes you legally drunk
•If you are under the age of 21 a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02 makes you legally drunk
•It is illegal in most states including Maryland to have an open container of alcohol in the car
The penalties for violating these laws are scary just take a look:
•In Maryland: 1st offense: license suspended for 60 days
•2nd offense: license suspended for 120 days and mandatory jail time
•Most states deem a 3rd offense a felony and is punished as such
•Drunk drivers who cause accidents that result in fatalities or injuries are held financially responsible and must fully compensate the victims
Don't let this happen to you or your friends be smart, don't drink and drive it will ruin your life or possibly end it.
•In 2006 there were 13,470 deaths in accidents which included a drunk driver
•In 2006 306 children under the age of 14 were killed in accidents involving a drunk driver
•62% of the time the drunk driver in these fatal crashes was in their 20s
You may think you know the laws and penalties that go along with drunk driving but you don't know the whole story:
•In the United States you have to be 21 to purchase or consume alcohol
•If you are above the age of 21 a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 makes you legally drunk
•If you are under the age of 21 a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02 makes you legally drunk
•It is illegal in most states including Maryland to have an open container of alcohol in the car
The penalties for violating these laws are scary just take a look:
•In Maryland: 1st offense: license suspended for 60 days
•2nd offense: license suspended for 120 days and mandatory jail time
•Most states deem a 3rd offense a felony and is punished as such
•Drunk drivers who cause accidents that result in fatalities or injuries are held financially responsible and must fully compensate the victims
Don't let this happen to you or your friends be smart, don't drink and drive it will ruin your life or possibly end it.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Dont Join this List
We all would want to be included on a list with a bunch of celebrities, but there is one list of celebrities we don't want to join. This list includes Olympic gold medalist Jack Shea, NHL hall of famer Tim Horton, Pitcher Nick Adenhart, Comedian Sam Kenison, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez of the R&B group TLC. What these people have in common is that they all died in drunk driving accidents. Please be smart, watch after your friends, and don't drink and drive. Throughout the week I will post more blogs about this topic and please take note and be smart.
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