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Some interesting decisions went down this week. Here's the bracket (remember, selections were made in order of seeding)
Sunday, 2 p.m. CST, CBS
(2) Wyatt Tyler vs. (4) Ben Worgull
Minnesota Vikings (13-4) vs. New Orleans Saints (14-3)
Saturday, 5:40 p.m., FOX
(8) Jordan Chomko vs. (3) DJ Jarvis
New York Jets (11-7) vs. Indianapolis Colts (15-2)
Here's how I would have picked 'em:
1st PICK
Wyatt picks: Vikings
Though I understand Wyatt's feelings toward the old man playing quarterback, I would have gone Colts here. I have told anybody who'll listen that Indianapolis is going to win that game by three touchdowns. It's like we just forgot about how Peyton Manning hasn't lost a game this year, and how Mark Sanchez went 6-7 in the regular season where the other team was actively trying to beat him. That's right: the 9-7 Jets won the last two against JV opponents, and Sanchez didn't even travel for a win over the lowly Bucs. It's like we just forgot how the Colts have potentially the best quarterback of all-time on their side, and found ways to win games even when they weren't playing their best. Newsflash: Darrelle Revis cannot cover the entire field. Besides, all this fawning over the Jets' running game and defense; if they were so good, how come they lost to Buffalo - Buffalo, for chrissakes! - Miami, Jacksonville and Atlanta AT HOME? And we have the gall to think the Jets are just gonna waltz into the deafening RCA Dome and beat the undefeated Colts' varsity? Can you say EAST-COAST BIAS????????
Apologies to Bill Simmons, but the VP of Common Sense (in training) is coming through. This game won't be close. Brenner picks: Colts 34-13
2nd PICK
DJ picks: Colts
Can't blame DJ here. Smart pick. The only pick. Welcome to the Pick 'em Super Bowl, buddy. (By the way, DJ is our youngest competitor this year.)
3rd PICK
Worgull picks: Saints
Obviously, the only reasonable decision for Worgull here. Last week, I predicted that the Saints would win 28-27. I mean, Drew Brees and the Saints are making offensive football look like a very, very, very easy game right now. Like a kid playing Madden 2010 on Preschool mode. But they haven't seen a defense as aggressive as Minnesota's in a long time. And I can't forget my prediction during Divisional week, which was that New Orleans would shake off that rust for one last great performance at home before faltering. It's time to admit that Brett Favre is playing his best football, perhaps of his career. (Sorry, Green Bay fans. It sucks, I know.) Adrian Peterson is just about overdue for a monster game against the questionable New Orleans run defense, and those receivers are going to have a field day against New Orleans' secondary. Then again, so will the Saint pass-catchers against Minnesota's just-ok defensive backs. I think if Reggie Bush plays like the USC Reggie Bush again, like he did last weekend, then the Saints could ride that home-field advantage to a victory. But I'm going to go with Wyatt and his old man. Brenner picks: Vikings 28, Saints 27
4th PICK
Jordan gets: Jets
Well, it worked out last weekend, buddy. Maybe you'll get another big-time miracle.
Brenner's playoff pick 'em record: 3-5
What a great duo of games ... and just two weeks until Super Bowl weekend. Exciting times, indeed.
-AB
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
My Picks For The Weekend (Part Belated, Part Not)
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Honestly, guys? Honestly? I picked the Colts and Saints. I wouldn't lie to you.
Wish I would have put that up yesterday, but I was cautiously optimistic on New Orleans and fiercely optimistic on Indy. I'm not really surprised by yesterday's results, and I won't be surprised when Minnesota and San Diego take care of business today.
That's right: I'm taking all chalk in the Divisional round. Why's that? Well, I'll explain in a different fashion. In our pick 'em league, I recently adopted a new system where the eight remaining players each have to "draft" a playoff team, in order of their seeding based on the regular season standings. The four players whose teams win move on. Here's how the picks shook out:
1) Ben Voelkel ~ San Diego Chargers
2) Wyatt Tyler ~ Minnesota Vikings
3) DJ Jarvis ~ Indianapolis Colts
4) Ben Worgull ~ New Orleans Saints
5) TJ Clayton ~ Dallas Cowboys
6) Jon Cohen ~ Baltimore Ravens
7) Zach Sundelius ~ Arizona Cardinals
8) Jordan Chomko ~ New York Jets
And here's how I would have selected them for the weekend, in order.
1) Indianapolis Colts ~ Did we forget the Colts went 14-0 before quitting on their fans ... er, stepping off the accelerator? Peyton Manning was 14-0 when he finished games this year. He DIDN'T LOSE. But yeah, sure, Joe Flacco is definitely up to the task of going into Manning's comfort zone and destroying everything the NFL's best quarterback built. Sure. Uh huh. Brenner picked: Colts 28, Ravens 10
(Isn't hindsight great? I swear I said all this before last night.)
2) New Orleans Saints ~ Same philosophy, different circumstances in the Big Easy. We didn't just forget how Brees and Co. got here, did we? Arizona has zero defense. Kurt Warner's great, a Hall of Famer, but just not capable of putting back-to-back unbelievable performances together. Brenner picked: Saints 38, Cardinals 24
I guess it's kudos to the Colts and Saints for putting all that rest-isn't-good talk to, well, rest. But then again, ask the Patriots, Bengals and Eagles how they feel on the subject. Instead of over-analyzing how much rest a team needs, I think it's safer to say that Indy and N'awlins aren't playing on Championship Sunday because their players took a pleasure cruise for a month. They're still playing because they're just better. Their quarterbacks are just better. That's all.
3) Minnesota Vikings ~ I know, I know, Dallas is a trendy upset pick. The Cowboys are playing great. But I'm going to employ my "Did we forget?" strategy one more time. Did we forget that the Vikings have Adrian Peterson and an unbelievable defense? Did we forget that the Metrodome is insanely tough to play in when it's rowdy? And despite a fine performance against rival Philly, did we forget that Dallas has still won ONE playoff game since the Reagan administration? Let's use common sense here, people. Brenner picks: Vikings 31, Cowboys 21
4) San Diego Chargers ~ Now, this game stinks a little, tiny bit of upset to me. And I'm not saying that because I hate the Chargers. Really, I know how good Philip Rivers is. But all the stuff the experts are saying about why the Jets can beat the Chargers? Nothing to do with rest or rust, and only a little to do with how well the Jets are playing and feeling ... more of it has to do with because the things the Jets do well are what could beat the Chargers. Well, it's true. If San Diego can't slow down Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene, if Mark Sanchez can play marginally well without making one or two monumental screw-ups, and if Philip Rivers is standing on the sideline with that douchebaggery look on his face for 40 minutes of gametime ... well, then, yes, of course New York can pull this off. That being said ... Brenner picks: Chargers 27, Jets 24
5) Dallas Cowboys ~ slight nod over the Jets, since that pick is more a hunch than logic. The Cowboys are the most likeable road pick.
6) New York Jets ~ because they're hot and do things well that could beat the Chargers.
7) Arizona Cardinals ~ let's just hope this wasn't Kurt Warner's final game. He's a pleasure to watch and a gas to own in fantasy football.
8) Baltimore Ravens ~ nice demolition of the Patriots, Baltimore. This is the end of the 2009-10 road for you. Oh, and who can't wait to draft Ray Rice in the top 5 next year? (Ooooooooh, me! me!)
-AJ
Honestly, guys? Honestly? I picked the Colts and Saints. I wouldn't lie to you.
Wish I would have put that up yesterday, but I was cautiously optimistic on New Orleans and fiercely optimistic on Indy. I'm not really surprised by yesterday's results, and I won't be surprised when Minnesota and San Diego take care of business today.
That's right: I'm taking all chalk in the Divisional round. Why's that? Well, I'll explain in a different fashion. In our pick 'em league, I recently adopted a new system where the eight remaining players each have to "draft" a playoff team, in order of their seeding based on the regular season standings. The four players whose teams win move on. Here's how the picks shook out:
1) Ben Voelkel ~ San Diego Chargers
2) Wyatt Tyler ~ Minnesota Vikings
3) DJ Jarvis ~ Indianapolis Colts
4) Ben Worgull ~ New Orleans Saints
5) TJ Clayton ~ Dallas Cowboys
6) Jon Cohen ~ Baltimore Ravens
7) Zach Sundelius ~ Arizona Cardinals
8) Jordan Chomko ~ New York Jets
And here's how I would have selected them for the weekend, in order.
1) Indianapolis Colts ~ Did we forget the Colts went 14-0 before quitting on their fans ... er, stepping off the accelerator? Peyton Manning was 14-0 when he finished games this year. He DIDN'T LOSE. But yeah, sure, Joe Flacco is definitely up to the task of going into Manning's comfort zone and destroying everything the NFL's best quarterback built. Sure. Uh huh. Brenner picked: Colts 28, Ravens 10
(Isn't hindsight great? I swear I said all this before last night.)
2) New Orleans Saints ~ Same philosophy, different circumstances in the Big Easy. We didn't just forget how Brees and Co. got here, did we? Arizona has zero defense. Kurt Warner's great, a Hall of Famer, but just not capable of putting back-to-back unbelievable performances together. Brenner picked: Saints 38, Cardinals 24
I guess it's kudos to the Colts and Saints for putting all that rest-isn't-good talk to, well, rest. But then again, ask the Patriots, Bengals and Eagles how they feel on the subject. Instead of over-analyzing how much rest a team needs, I think it's safer to say that Indy and N'awlins aren't playing on Championship Sunday because their players took a pleasure cruise for a month. They're still playing because they're just better. Their quarterbacks are just better. That's all.
3) Minnesota Vikings ~ I know, I know, Dallas is a trendy upset pick. The Cowboys are playing great. But I'm going to employ my "Did we forget?" strategy one more time. Did we forget that the Vikings have Adrian Peterson and an unbelievable defense? Did we forget that the Metrodome is insanely tough to play in when it's rowdy? And despite a fine performance against rival Philly, did we forget that Dallas has still won ONE playoff game since the Reagan administration? Let's use common sense here, people. Brenner picks: Vikings 31, Cowboys 21
4) San Diego Chargers ~ Now, this game stinks a little, tiny bit of upset to me. And I'm not saying that because I hate the Chargers. Really, I know how good Philip Rivers is. But all the stuff the experts are saying about why the Jets can beat the Chargers? Nothing to do with rest or rust, and only a little to do with how well the Jets are playing and feeling ... more of it has to do with because the things the Jets do well are what could beat the Chargers. Well, it's true. If San Diego can't slow down Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene, if Mark Sanchez can play marginally well without making one or two monumental screw-ups, and if Philip Rivers is standing on the sideline with that douchebaggery look on his face for 40 minutes of gametime ... well, then, yes, of course New York can pull this off. That being said ... Brenner picks: Chargers 27, Jets 24
5) Dallas Cowboys ~ slight nod over the Jets, since that pick is more a hunch than logic. The Cowboys are the most likeable road pick.
6) New York Jets ~ because they're hot and do things well that could beat the Chargers.
7) Arizona Cardinals ~ let's just hope this wasn't Kurt Warner's final game. He's a pleasure to watch and a gas to own in fantasy football.
8) Baltimore Ravens ~ nice demolition of the Patriots, Baltimore. This is the end of the 2009-10 road for you. Oh, and who can't wait to draft Ray Rice in the top 5 next year? (Ooooooooh, me! me!)
-AJ
Saturday, January 9, 2010
NFL Wild-Card Round Picks
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No. 6 New York Jets at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals
C'mon, Mark Sanchez is a rookie! Yeah, I know, Joe Flacco did okay as a rookie quarterback since he had a great running game and awesome defense. In fact, the Jets have an awesome running game and a great defense. But still ... the Bengals have got to win one for Chris, right?
The pick: Cincinnati 20, New York Jets 14
No. 6 Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 3 Dallas Cowboys
They say you can't beat a team three times in a season. How about beating them three times in a season, AND twice in two weeks when you just tipped your cards to win the division? JerryWorld isn't that frightening, anyway. The December chokers become the January chokers.
The pick: Philadelphia 38, Dallas 31
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens at No. 4 New England Patriots
Ray Rice is a fricking stud. No doubt about that. I'm super-excited to pick him in the top five in next year's fantasy draft. But Tom Brady hasn't lost a home playoff game in his life. I don't think the 2009 Ravens quite fit the profile of breaking that streak.
The pick: New England 27, Baltimore 17
No. 5 Green Bay Packers at No. 4 Arizona Cardinals
Easiest pick of the weekend. And it's quite a bandwagon pick, too. The Pack are firing on all cylinders, and sometimes, you have to remember that the Cardinals are still the Cardinals ... NFC champs or not.
The pick: Green Bay 41, Arizona 21
-AJ
No. 6 New York Jets at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals
C'mon, Mark Sanchez is a rookie! Yeah, I know, Joe Flacco did okay as a rookie quarterback since he had a great running game and awesome defense. In fact, the Jets have an awesome running game and a great defense. But still ... the Bengals have got to win one for Chris, right?
The pick: Cincinnati 20, New York Jets 14
No. 6 Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 3 Dallas Cowboys
They say you can't beat a team three times in a season. How about beating them three times in a season, AND twice in two weeks when you just tipped your cards to win the division? JerryWorld isn't that frightening, anyway. The December chokers become the January chokers.
The pick: Philadelphia 38, Dallas 31
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens at No. 4 New England Patriots
Ray Rice is a fricking stud. No doubt about that. I'm super-excited to pick him in the top five in next year's fantasy draft. But Tom Brady hasn't lost a home playoff game in his life. I don't think the 2009 Ravens quite fit the profile of breaking that streak.
The pick: New England 27, Baltimore 17
No. 5 Green Bay Packers at No. 4 Arizona Cardinals
Easiest pick of the weekend. And it's quite a bandwagon pick, too. The Pack are firing on all cylinders, and sometimes, you have to remember that the Cardinals are still the Cardinals ... NFC champs or not.
The pick: Green Bay 41, Arizona 21
-AJ
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Big Ten Power Poll (Happy New Decade Edition)
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1) No. 4 Purdue (13-0, 1-0 Big Ten); Last week’s rank, 1
Last week: won at Iowa 67-56, won vs. then-No. 4 West Virginia 77-62
Full steam ahead for the Boilermakers, who made a very big statement on New Year’s Day that any discussion regarding the possible Final Four favorites can and will include a Big Ten team that doesn’t have a single one-and-done product on the roster. Weird as that may sound, in this day and age.
Next up: Tuesday vs. Minnesota
2) No. 17 Wisconsin (12-2, 2-0); LW, 3
Last week: won vs. then-No. 15 Ohio State 65-43, won at Penn State 63-46
Looks like a certain loss in a certain football-happy outpost in Wisconsin lit a fire under the Badgers. They’re on a six-game winning streak, and have won each of those contests by at least nine points. More importantly – and more to Bo Ryan’s liking – four of those losing opponents haven’t reached 50 against the UW defense. No time to pat backs, though. Three of the next four are on the road, and they’re all quality teams.
Next up: Wednesday at No. 10 Michigan State; Saturday vs. No. 4 Purdue
3) Minnesota (11-3, 2-0); LW, 5
Last week: won vs. Penn State 75-70, won at Iowa 86-74
Ah, so the Gophers are finding Big Ten competition to put up a little more of a fight than those stallions at Morgan State and South Dakota State, eh? No matter. Minnesota took Penn State’s best punch and then went to Iowa, ensuring no bitter upset against the conference’s bottom-feeders to start things off. Like Wisconsin, the road ahead is much more treacherous.
Next up: Tuesday at No. 4 Purdue
4) No. 10 Michigan State (11-3, 1-0); LW, 7
Last week: won vs. Texas-Arlington 87-68, won at Northwestern 91-70
Say what you want about the Spartans’ soft schedule and disappointing results against top-tier adversaries. (I believe, ahem, I’ve done more than my fair share of that so far.) But this team is the definition of balance, even with as many stars as Tom Izzo has to choose from; five Spartans are averaging double figures (Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Draymond Green, Raymar Morgan and Chris Allen). Only Villanova can say that among the fraternity of top ten-ranked teams. However, Tom Izzo’s recent benching of Lucas for lack of leadership is something to keep an eye on.
Next up: Wednesday vs. No. 17 Wisconsin
5) Ohio State (10-4, 0-2); LW, 2
Last week: lost at Wisconsin 65-43, lost at Michigan 73-64
I kind of wish I had made the trek to Madison last week for the game. Not because it was another exciting victory for the Kohl Center’s primary inhabitants. No, I wish I could have been there for the postgame press conference, so I could say to Thad Matta, “You know, Evan Turner looks awfully good in street clothes on the bench, doesn’t he?” Here’s guessing Matta would have wrinkled his nose and replied, “I couldn’t disagree more with that statement.” Translation: THE Ohio State University misses Turner, uh, just a tad.
Next up: Wednesday vs. Indiana
6) Illinois (9-5, 1-0); LW, 6
Last week: won vs. Northwestern 89-83 (OT), lost vs. Gonzaga 85-83 (OT)
You Illini players sure aren’t very nice to your coach. Bruce Weber’s voice is strained as it is after regulation games. Now you’ve got to put him through back-to-back overtime affairs? How is Weber’s larynx doing this morning? He probably wasn’t doing too much shouting at the television during the Bears-Lions game Sunday … not that there was much to yell about anyhow.
Next up: Tuesday vs. Iowa
7) Northwestern (10-3, 0-2); LW, 4
Last week: lost at Illinois 89-83 (OT), lost vs. then-No. 11 Michigan State 91-70
The Wildcats were – and still are – a feel-good story by surprising people with their early success. But defensive shortcomings like allowing Mike Tisdale to drop 31 on you are going to make this a long season for depth-challenged NU.
Next up: Thursday vs. Texas-Pan American
8) Indiana (7-6, 1-0); LW, 9
Last week: won vs. Michigan 71-65
Jeremiah Rivers, the Hoosiers’ third scoring option at guard, is the son of Doc Rivers, the Celtics’ championship-winning coach. ESPN made that abundantly clear when young Rivers had to make a couple of critical free throws against Michigan Thursday, and continued to show Doc’s immediate reactions on replay about 18 times. Rivers missed both (although the Hoosiers still won). Way to put a little pressure on the poor kid, ESPN. You big bullies, you.
Next up: Wednesday at Ohio State
9) Michigan (7-6, 1-1); LW, 10
Last week: lost at Indiana 71-65, won vs. then-No. 15 Ohio State 73-64
The Wolverines continue to be “that” team; that head-scratcher of a team you should never, ever, ever bet on or against (not that gambling, you know, is legal or anything.) They’ve now lost five – five! – games that could have and should have been victories with this roster. But then they go out and knock off Ohio State to send the Bucks to official “reeling” status. Ho hum.
Next up: Thursday at Penn State
10) Penn State (8-6, 0-2); LW, 8
Last week: lost at Minnesota 75-70, lost vs. Wisconsin 63-46
If there’s anything we’ll learn this season from Penn State, it’s that Talor Battle is something of a special player. Granted, it’s not a talented group around him. But he’s leading the Nittany Lions in scoring by a giant margin (his 19.1 points are nearly 2.5 times more than No. 2 man Jeff Brooks), while also topping the team in rebounding and assists. How many players can say that? It’s probably not much consolation to Battle, however.
Next up: Thursday vs. Michigan
11) Iowa (5-9, 0-2); LW, 11
Last week: lost vs. No. 4 Purdue 67-56, lost vs. Minnesota 86-74
Ah, if only games lasted 20 minutes. The Hawkeyes have played a pair of top-five teams this year, and stuck with both for a half (tied at 38 against Texas, leading 27-26 against Purdue.) The book on Iowa seems to be that in the early goings; they’ll play hard enough to keep things interesting for a while, but keep plugging for 40 minutes and the better team should eventually prosper.
Next up: Tuesday at Illinois
1) No. 4 Purdue (13-0, 1-0 Big Ten); Last week’s rank, 1
Last week: won at Iowa 67-56, won vs. then-No. 4 West Virginia 77-62
Full steam ahead for the Boilermakers, who made a very big statement on New Year’s Day that any discussion regarding the possible Final Four favorites can and will include a Big Ten team that doesn’t have a single one-and-done product on the roster. Weird as that may sound, in this day and age.
Next up: Tuesday vs. Minnesota
2) No. 17 Wisconsin (12-2, 2-0); LW, 3
Last week: won vs. then-No. 15 Ohio State 65-43, won at Penn State 63-46
Looks like a certain loss in a certain football-happy outpost in Wisconsin lit a fire under the Badgers. They’re on a six-game winning streak, and have won each of those contests by at least nine points. More importantly – and more to Bo Ryan’s liking – four of those losing opponents haven’t reached 50 against the UW defense. No time to pat backs, though. Three of the next four are on the road, and they’re all quality teams.
Next up: Wednesday at No. 10 Michigan State; Saturday vs. No. 4 Purdue
3) Minnesota (11-3, 2-0); LW, 5
Last week: won vs. Penn State 75-70, won at Iowa 86-74
Ah, so the Gophers are finding Big Ten competition to put up a little more of a fight than those stallions at Morgan State and South Dakota State, eh? No matter. Minnesota took Penn State’s best punch and then went to Iowa, ensuring no bitter upset against the conference’s bottom-feeders to start things off. Like Wisconsin, the road ahead is much more treacherous.
Next up: Tuesday at No. 4 Purdue
4) No. 10 Michigan State (11-3, 1-0); LW, 7
Last week: won vs. Texas-Arlington 87-68, won at Northwestern 91-70
Say what you want about the Spartans’ soft schedule and disappointing results against top-tier adversaries. (I believe, ahem, I’ve done more than my fair share of that so far.) But this team is the definition of balance, even with as many stars as Tom Izzo has to choose from; five Spartans are averaging double figures (Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Draymond Green, Raymar Morgan and Chris Allen). Only Villanova can say that among the fraternity of top ten-ranked teams. However, Tom Izzo’s recent benching of Lucas for lack of leadership is something to keep an eye on.
Next up: Wednesday vs. No. 17 Wisconsin
5) Ohio State (10-4, 0-2); LW, 2
Last week: lost at Wisconsin 65-43, lost at Michigan 73-64
I kind of wish I had made the trek to Madison last week for the game. Not because it was another exciting victory for the Kohl Center’s primary inhabitants. No, I wish I could have been there for the postgame press conference, so I could say to Thad Matta, “You know, Evan Turner looks awfully good in street clothes on the bench, doesn’t he?” Here’s guessing Matta would have wrinkled his nose and replied, “I couldn’t disagree more with that statement.” Translation: THE Ohio State University misses Turner, uh, just a tad.
Next up: Wednesday vs. Indiana
6) Illinois (9-5, 1-0); LW, 6
Last week: won vs. Northwestern 89-83 (OT), lost vs. Gonzaga 85-83 (OT)
You Illini players sure aren’t very nice to your coach. Bruce Weber’s voice is strained as it is after regulation games. Now you’ve got to put him through back-to-back overtime affairs? How is Weber’s larynx doing this morning? He probably wasn’t doing too much shouting at the television during the Bears-Lions game Sunday … not that there was much to yell about anyhow.
Next up: Tuesday vs. Iowa
7) Northwestern (10-3, 0-2); LW, 4
Last week: lost at Illinois 89-83 (OT), lost vs. then-No. 11 Michigan State 91-70
The Wildcats were – and still are – a feel-good story by surprising people with their early success. But defensive shortcomings like allowing Mike Tisdale to drop 31 on you are going to make this a long season for depth-challenged NU.
Next up: Thursday vs. Texas-Pan American
8) Indiana (7-6, 1-0); LW, 9
Last week: won vs. Michigan 71-65
Jeremiah Rivers, the Hoosiers’ third scoring option at guard, is the son of Doc Rivers, the Celtics’ championship-winning coach. ESPN made that abundantly clear when young Rivers had to make a couple of critical free throws against Michigan Thursday, and continued to show Doc’s immediate reactions on replay about 18 times. Rivers missed both (although the Hoosiers still won). Way to put a little pressure on the poor kid, ESPN. You big bullies, you.
Next up: Wednesday at Ohio State
9) Michigan (7-6, 1-1); LW, 10
Last week: lost at Indiana 71-65, won vs. then-No. 15 Ohio State 73-64
The Wolverines continue to be “that” team; that head-scratcher of a team you should never, ever, ever bet on or against (not that gambling, you know, is legal or anything.) They’ve now lost five – five! – games that could have and should have been victories with this roster. But then they go out and knock off Ohio State to send the Bucks to official “reeling” status. Ho hum.
Next up: Thursday at Penn State
10) Penn State (8-6, 0-2); LW, 8
Last week: lost at Minnesota 75-70, lost vs. Wisconsin 63-46
If there’s anything we’ll learn this season from Penn State, it’s that Talor Battle is something of a special player. Granted, it’s not a talented group around him. But he’s leading the Nittany Lions in scoring by a giant margin (his 19.1 points are nearly 2.5 times more than No. 2 man Jeff Brooks), while also topping the team in rebounding and assists. How many players can say that? It’s probably not much consolation to Battle, however.
Next up: Thursday vs. Michigan
11) Iowa (5-9, 0-2); LW, 11
Last week: lost vs. No. 4 Purdue 67-56, lost vs. Minnesota 86-74
Ah, if only games lasted 20 minutes. The Hawkeyes have played a pair of top-five teams this year, and stuck with both for a half (tied at 38 against Texas, leading 27-26 against Purdue.) The book on Iowa seems to be that in the early goings; they’ll play hard enough to keep things interesting for a while, but keep plugging for 40 minutes and the better team should eventually prosper.
Next up: Tuesday at Illinois
Friday, January 1, 2010
Colorado Professional Sports All-Decade Teams
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COLORADO AVALANCHE All-Decade Team
COLORADO AVALANCHE All-Decade Team
G - Patrick Roy Some legal troubles after retirement, but St. Patrick brought pair of cups
D - Adam Foote Such a loyal Av, he couldn't stay away when resigning last year
D - Rob Blake The trade to bring "The Butt" to Denver was the difference in 2001
F - Milan Hejduk Consistent over time; will have scored 20+ goals every season since 1999
F - Alex Tanguay Two stints with the Avalanche; his two goals won Game 7 of Cup Finals
C - Joe Sakic Stats speak for themselves: his hand-the-Cup-to-Ray moment is top-five classiest in sports history
DENVER BRONCOS All-Decade Team
WR - Rod Smith A Bronco through and through, for the ages - and with two rings, too
TE - Shannon Sharpe Believe it or not, Shannon's last two bucket list years (2002-03) were both better than anything Putzier, Carswell or Scheffler put up
OL - Ryan Clady What a find this guy was, when he was a Bronc
o of Boise State
OL - Matt Lepsis Was incredible left tackle even before we got Clady
OL - Tom Nalen An absolute rock and the leader of the NFL's best line for years
OL - Ben Hamilton Great draft pick lasted just about entire decade
OL - Cooper Carlisle Makes the list despite signing with Raiders in 2007
WR - Brandon Marshall For all his crybabyness, he's the most talented player Denver's ever had this side of No. 7
QB - Jake Plummer Similar stats to John Elway's successor, but Brian Griese never made an AFC title game
RB - Clinton Portis Never forget that heavyweight belt he donned against Indianapolis
RB - Mike Anderson You'd be surprised to know Mikey had 700 more yards and 7 more TDs than Portis as a Bronco
K - Jason Elam Still a little bitter we gave him away. Mr. 63-yarder deserved better
DE - Trevor Pryce At least 7.0 sacks in six straight seasons, four in this decade
DT - Ebenezer Ekuban Anchored the middle during 2005 playoff run
DE - Reggie Hayward Was a force opposite Pryce for a couple of years
OLB - Elvis Dumervil "Doom" is main reason for defensive 3-4 turnaround in '09
ILB - Al Wilson Look up "heart of a team" in Broncos encyclopedia, see his face
ILB - D.J. Williams 590 tackles in six years; has handled defensive changes supremely
OLB - Ian Gold Old-time Bronco, like Williams, succeeded inside and out
CB - Champ Bailey What's this Revis Island crap? Ain't no messin' with the CHAMP
SS - John Lynch The NFL should regret fining this guy for just hittin' the hell out of people
FS - Nick Ferguson Excellent complement to Lynch in the secondary
CB - Vacant Champ. Is. THAT. Good. Nobody else is worthy of this spot.
P - Micah Knorr Wouldn't mind giving it to Tom Rouen, even though he too was the 90s
DENVER NUGGETS All-Decade Team
G - Chauncey Billups Instant impact on the community. Finally made 2nd round with him
G - Allen Iverson His stint was short but sweet. SO fun to watch (nod to third guard Andre Miller)
F - Carmelo Anthony LeBron's better, but Melo being drafted had greater impact on team
F - Kenyon Martin Tight edge over Nene; K-Mart's slightly more durable, much better defender
C - Marcus Camby You wonder if Denver could've won 2009 title with Marcus in the middle
COLORADO ROCKIES All-Decade Team
C - Yorvit Torrealba Iannetta's got better stats, but Yorvi's been more clutch in October.
1B - Todd Helton Ummmmm ... duh. This one's not quite as close as Yorvi-Netta.
2B - Kazuo Matsui If you're wondering, "RockTober '07'" brownie points being handed out.
3B - Garrett Atkins Was a terrific hitter for four years, before giving way to Ian Stewart
SS - Troy Tulowitzki Bum bum ... bum bum bum ... bum bum bum bum ... TULO!!!
LF - Matt Holliday "The Slide" will be replayed to my grandkids in 2080
CF - Willy Tavares His two big years were more valuable than Juan Pierre's two big seasons.
RF - Larry Walker Won the 1997 MVP, and then continued to dominate in early part of aughts
Util - Clint Barmes Has never really lived up to potential, but still solid middle infielder
Util - Jamey Carroll Why? Fast-forward to the four-hour, 46-minute segment of this clip
SP - Aaron Cook Franchise's all-time wins leader, and the rock of this staff
SP - Jason Jennings Dominant three-year stretch edges Pedro Astacio's in late 90s
SP - Jeff Francis Hopefully he'll be back in 2010 better than ever after empty 2009
SP - Josh Fogg Astacio? Too 90s. Jamey Wright? Meh. Let's go with The Dragon Slayer.
SP - Ubaldo Jimenez It says something that 4/5ths this rotation were Rockies in 2009
RP - Jose Jimenez Crapped out after fantastic three, four-year period as Rox closer
Closer - Brian Fuentes Menacing look helped him to all-time franchise lead with 115 saves
TOP FIVE ALL-COLORADO PLAYERS OF THE DECADE:
5) Marcus Camby, Nuggets.
4) Joe Sakic, Avalanche.
3) Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets.
2) Todd Helton, Rockies.
ALL-COLORADO PLAYER OF THE DECADE: Champ Bailey, Broncos.
ALL-COLORADO COACH OF THE DECADE: George Karl, Nuggets.
NUMBER THREE COLORADO SPORTS MOMENT OF THE DECADE
June 26, 2003: Carmelo Anthony drafted by Nuggets
NUMBER TWO COLORADO SPORTS MOMENT OF THE DECADE
October 2007: The Month of Rocktober
BEST COLORADO SPORTS MOMENT OF THE DECADE
June 9, 2001: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Ray Bourque wins first, Avalanche win second Stanley Cup
COLORADO SPORTS TEAM OF THE DECADE
COLORADO ROCKIES
2007 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, 2009 WILD CARD CHAMPS
-AJ
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Sportsmen of the Month: Our 100th Post
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Felt it was appropriate to christen the 100th post in the long, storied history of "The Other B.S. Report" with my annual column, in which I basically take Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year pick, rip the decision to shreds, and give my 12 Sportsmen of the Month, from each of the 12 calendar months (duh).
But this year's different. For once, I actually agree with SI's pick. Derek Jeter might be getting this award as somewhat of a 'Lifetime Achievement', but you know what? He had an awesome year offensively, he saved his best for last, he won a championship, and most importantly, he embodies everything that is right with sports - and not to mention, he did it in a near-impossible position to do so, as a prominent figure in New York sports. Can't disagree with SI's call one bit.
But is that gonna stop me from doing the 4th annual Sportsman of the Month column???
Here they are: your 2009 SPORTSMEN OF THE MONTH...
January: Larry Fitzgerald
Five games, including the Super and Pro Bowls. 33 catches. 627 yards. Nine - nine! - touchdowns. And he's a nice guy! See, he's just like Jeter. Without the rings and army of gorgeous babes by his side.
February: Rafael Nadal
He won a scintillating Australian Open men's final against Roger Federer, putting everyone on notice that Federer's pursuit and overtaking of Sampras' 14 Grand Slam titles is much like Barry Bonds in the home run race: yeah, you're now the leader, but don't get too comfortable, because you know A-Rod and Rafa will hold those records before long.
March: Team Japan, WBC Champs
Like Nadal, they also won a great championship victory, this time in the World Baseball Classic against bitter, bitter foe South Korea. Stars such as Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka were rare on a roster with just five MLB players.
April: Crazylegs Classic Record-Setters
Cruddy weather wasn't enough to chase away 18,541 crazy souls ... er, noble men and women who braved the elements and completed the Madison, Wisc. course, one of the great annual athletic events in Mad-town not directly involving a certain group of Badgers.
May: Calvin Borel
It might be freezing in December, but let's not forget that horse racing was the "in" thing last spring. The little man who rides horses fast was responsible for that. Borel won the Kentucky Derby (atop 51-1 underdog Mine That Bird) and the Preakness (riding slightly-less underdogish Rachel Alexandria.)
June: Ed Thomas
A legendary football coach out of Aplington-Parkersburg High in Iowa, Thomas was tragically shot down by a former player in his own weight room, putting a perspective-ridden spell on the entire 2009 football season. Thomas' impact was felt on such a widespread scale that he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated just weeks after his death.
July: Roger Federer
For setting the all-time record with 15 Grand Slams. Until Nadal shows he can stay healthy and win majors consistently the same way Federer has, Roger is officially the greatest tennis player in history. The sickest statistic that people don't know about, besides those 15 titles, is making 22 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals.
Let me repeat that in all caps and bolded font for you. ROGER FEDERER HAS MADE TWENTY-TWO CONSECUTIVE GRAND SLAM SEMIFINALS. That, to me, is even greater than the Yankees' 27 championships or the Braves' 14 straight division titles. Making 22 straight Grand Slam semifinals would be like, I don't know, the Lakers playing in 12 straight NBA Finals, or Tiger Woods placing in the top five in 15 straight majors or Michael Phelps winning eight golds a piece at four different Olympic Games and never losing a single important race. It's that dominant. The tennis world will be shocked the next time Roger loses before the quarterfinals.
August: Danny Macaskill
He just had a sick video. Here, I'll post it again. Needless to say, August was a slow sports month.
September: Jim Tracy
I can't really say it any better than Jayson Stark. Tracy is an absolute savior.
October: Kirk Ferentz
Here was the post-Oct. 3 schedule laying before the 5-0 Hawkeyes: vs. Michigan (Homecoming, night game, national TV), at Wisconsin, at Michigan State, Indiana. Iowa took Michigan's best punch and held on at home, and Indiana gave Iowa fits before the Hawkeyes hung on. But Ferentz gets his due for the two middle games. Who the heck could ever have predicted a team to win back-to-back games in those two environments?
Iowa shook off a 10-0 deficit and thrashed the Badgers at the Camp, then scored a dramatic touchdown at the horn to shock the Spartans in East Lansing - and all of this came with a running game very much in flux (Shonn Greene bolted for the NFL and Jewel Hampton was out for the year with a preseason injury, making that position a revolving door all season). It's no wonder Ferentz is always rumored to be leaving for the NFL, but the kind, gentle guy says he's quite happy in Iowa City, thank you. Hawkeye fans are thrilled for that.
November: Peyton Manning and Drew Brees
Time will tell if the Colts and Saints can hold on for 16-0 regular season records - or, for that matter, if one or both teams even try to do that with No. 1 seeds wrapped up. But both men have played brilliantly all year, making this - along with Brett Favre's resurgence - one of the toughest MVP races I can remember in any sport. Can they just split it multiple ways?
I don't think I'm the only one who hopes Indy and N'awlins hang on for 16-0. Because if they meet in the Super Bowl ... I mean, does that automatically become the most anticipated sporting event of the past 30 years? It's got to be up there.
December: Elin Nordegren
Ha, psych. Just screwin' with you.
December: Hunter Lawrence
I am STILL waiting on an explanation from Colt McCoy. WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. HE. THINKING???? That last-second incompletion was beyond inexcusable. He's a lucky, lucky man. This had better be rehashed when the wave of BCS title storylines come out around New Year's Day.
But amidst McCoy's near screw-up, was every kid's dream coming true. Who doesn't want to score the overtime goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals or hit the winning basket in the NCAA title game or the walk-off home run or 18th-hole putt? Hunter Lawrence lived that dream to a great extent, calmly nailing a long field goal and sending the Longhorns (finally!) back to the title game.
Fortunately, with the Heisman stuff behind us, Colt now has a bunch of time to learn the clock rules.
***********************************************
Felt it was appropriate to christen the 100th post in the long, storied history of "The Other B.S. Report" with my annual column, in which I basically take Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year pick, rip the decision to shreds, and give my 12 Sportsmen of the Month, from each of the 12 calendar months (duh).
But this year's different. For once, I actually agree with SI's pick. Derek Jeter might be getting this award as somewhat of a 'Lifetime Achievement', but you know what? He had an awesome year offensively, he saved his best for last, he won a championship, and most importantly, he embodies everything that is right with sports - and not to mention, he did it in a near-impossible position to do so, as a prominent figure in New York sports. Can't disagree with SI's call one bit.
But is that gonna stop me from doing the 4th annual Sportsman of the Month column???
Here they are: your 2009 SPORTSMEN OF THE MONTH...
January: Larry Fitzgerald
Five games, including the Super and Pro Bowls. 33 catches. 627 yards. Nine - nine! - touchdowns. And he's a nice guy! See, he's just like Jeter. Without the rings and army of gorgeous babes by his side.
February: Rafael Nadal
He won a scintillating Australian Open men's final against Roger Federer, putting everyone on notice that Federer's pursuit and overtaking of Sampras' 14 Grand Slam titles is much like Barry Bonds in the home run race: yeah, you're now the leader, but don't get too comfortable, because you know A-Rod and Rafa will hold those records before long.
March: Team Japan, WBC Champs
Like Nadal, they also won a great championship victory, this time in the World Baseball Classic against bitter, bitter foe South Korea. Stars such as Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka were rare on a roster with just five MLB players.
April: Crazylegs Classic Record-Setters
Cruddy weather wasn't enough to chase away 18,541 crazy souls ... er, noble men and women who braved the elements and completed the Madison, Wisc. course, one of the great annual athletic events in Mad-town not directly involving a certain group of Badgers.
May: Calvin Borel
It might be freezing in December, but let's not forget that horse racing was the "in" thing last spring. The little man who rides horses fast was responsible for that. Borel won the Kentucky Derby (atop 51-1 underdog Mine That Bird) and the Preakness (riding slightly-less underdogish Rachel Alexandria.)
June: Ed Thomas
A legendary football coach out of Aplington-Parkersburg High in Iowa, Thomas was tragically shot down by a former player in his own weight room, putting a perspective-ridden spell on the entire 2009 football season. Thomas' impact was felt on such a widespread scale that he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated just weeks after his death.
July: Roger Federer
For setting the all-time record with 15 Grand Slams. Until Nadal shows he can stay healthy and win majors consistently the same way Federer has, Roger is officially the greatest tennis player in history. The sickest statistic that people don't know about, besides those 15 titles, is making 22 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals.
Let me repeat that in all caps and bolded font for you. ROGER FEDERER HAS MADE TWENTY-TWO CONSECUTIVE GRAND SLAM SEMIFINALS. That, to me, is even greater than the Yankees' 27 championships or the Braves' 14 straight division titles. Making 22 straight Grand Slam semifinals would be like, I don't know, the Lakers playing in 12 straight NBA Finals, or Tiger Woods placing in the top five in 15 straight majors or Michael Phelps winning eight golds a piece at four different Olympic Games and never losing a single important race. It's that dominant. The tennis world will be shocked the next time Roger loses before the quarterfinals.
August: Danny Macaskill
He just had a sick video. Here, I'll post it again. Needless to say, August was a slow sports month.
September: Jim Tracy
I can't really say it any better than Jayson Stark. Tracy is an absolute savior.
October: Kirk Ferentz
Here was the post-Oct. 3 schedule laying before the 5-0 Hawkeyes: vs. Michigan (Homecoming, night game, national TV), at Wisconsin, at Michigan State, Indiana. Iowa took Michigan's best punch and held on at home, and Indiana gave Iowa fits before the Hawkeyes hung on. But Ferentz gets his due for the two middle games. Who the heck could ever have predicted a team to win back-to-back games in those two environments?
Iowa shook off a 10-0 deficit and thrashed the Badgers at the Camp, then scored a dramatic touchdown at the horn to shock the Spartans in East Lansing - and all of this came with a running game very much in flux (Shonn Greene bolted for the NFL and Jewel Hampton was out for the year with a preseason injury, making that position a revolving door all season). It's no wonder Ferentz is always rumored to be leaving for the NFL, but the kind, gentle guy says he's quite happy in Iowa City, thank you. Hawkeye fans are thrilled for that.
November: Peyton Manning and Drew Brees
Time will tell if the Colts and Saints can hold on for 16-0 regular season records - or, for that matter, if one or both teams even try to do that with No. 1 seeds wrapped up. But both men have played brilliantly all year, making this - along with Brett Favre's resurgence - one of the toughest MVP races I can remember in any sport. Can they just split it multiple ways?
I don't think I'm the only one who hopes Indy and N'awlins hang on for 16-0. Because if they meet in the Super Bowl ... I mean, does that automatically become the most anticipated sporting event of the past 30 years? It's got to be up there.
December: Elin Nordegren
Ha, psych. Just screwin' with you.
December: Hunter Lawrence
I am STILL waiting on an explanation from Colt McCoy. WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. HE. THINKING???? That last-second incompletion was beyond inexcusable. He's a lucky, lucky man. This had better be rehashed when the wave of BCS title storylines come out around New Year's Day.
But amidst McCoy's near screw-up, was every kid's dream coming true. Who doesn't want to score the overtime goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals or hit the winning basket in the NCAA title game or the walk-off home run or 18th-hole putt? Hunter Lawrence lived that dream to a great extent, calmly nailing a long field goal and sending the Longhorns (finally!) back to the title game.
Fortunately, with the Heisman stuff behind us, Colt now has a bunch of time to learn the clock rules.
***********************************************
This is the part where I'm supposed to pick my Sportsman of the Year. Honestly? I don't have a problem whatsoever with Jeter winning. Verducci's story sold me. It's a little Lifetime Achievement-y, but that's fine. Jeter played awesome in the postseason, his team removed a rather large monkey from its back, he plays in the most impossible of spotlights and does it all with a genuine smile on his face. He's a true role model in a world with few. So, for the first time in the history of this column, I second SI's motion for Derek Jeter as Sportsman of the Year. Congratulations to the magazine and even more so to the Yankee shortstop.
-AJ
Monday, November 23, 2009
FINAL Big Ten Power Poll
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These will be my final Big Ten football rankings of the year. On Dec. 1, I’ll unveil my initial hoops rankings of the 2009-10 season.
1) No. 10 Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten; last week, 1)
And they’re off to the Roses! You can imagine that Saturday’s win over “that team up north” was anything but meaningless to Ohio State.
2) No. 11 Iowa (10-2, 6-2; last week, 2)
Got to see the Hawkeye defense in person for the second time this season on Saturday. What a terrific, terrific unit that is. Iowa will be a tough out for any bowl opponent, whether in the BCS or another prestigious New Year’s Day game.
3) No. 13 Penn State (10-2, 6-2; last week, 4)
Well, the Nittany Lions may have earned themselves a BCS bid after all. Helps to win on the road, by 28, against a decent program (albeit the Spartans are playing poorly), in one of those nationally-televised afternoon time slots. Iowa fans should be nervous.
4) Northwestern (8-4, 5-3; last week, 5)
What a fine three weeks Northwestern put together: beating ranked powers Iowa and Wisconsin, and cooling down a hot Illinois squad. The ‘Cats put themselves in fine position for either the Outback or Alamo Bowl.
5) Wisconsin (8-3, 5-3; last week, 3)
I warned you, Badgers. So much for entering the BCS conversation … now that Alamo assignment everyone wanted last season may be arriving a year late, unless the Outback people decide they do want Wisconsin’s fans over Northwestern’s bandwagon.
6) Minnesota (6-6, 3-5; last week, 7)
Was that really a former all-Big Ten second-team quarterback I saw out there at Kinnick Stadium, Adam Weber? Fierce Iowa defense or not, you’ve got to complete more than 35 percent of your passes.
7) Michigan State (6-6, 4-4; last week, 6)
So much for a top-three finish in the conference, as was predicted in August. The Spartans might not even leave their own state to go bowling. Hello, Little Caesars.
8) Purdue (5-7, 4-4; last week, 9)
Finished an up-and-down year with a win at rival Indiana. Not a terrible debut season for Danny Hope.
9) Illinois (3-7, 2-6; last week, 8)
Idle this week, with two games to go at Cincinnati (BCS buster buster?) and then home for Fresno State. Good thing the Illini aren’t 4-6, or that could seriously mess up the Big Ten’s bowl situation, since they still would have been eligible.
10) Indiana (4-8, 1-7; last week, 10)
Almost put the Hoosiers above Illinois, since IU did beat UI. But losing five straight, and eight of nine, isn’t very convincing.
11) Michigan (5-7, 1-7; last week, 11)
Just two years, but is Rich-Rod’s seat already getting toasty? What a dreadful season for Big Blue.
Sorry I haven't been posting more often. I will try to be better about it in December.
-AJ
These will be my final Big Ten football rankings of the year. On Dec. 1, I’ll unveil my initial hoops rankings of the 2009-10 season.
1) No. 10 Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten; last week, 1)
And they’re off to the Roses! You can imagine that Saturday’s win over “that team up north” was anything but meaningless to Ohio State.
2) No. 11 Iowa (10-2, 6-2; last week, 2)
Got to see the Hawkeye defense in person for the second time this season on Saturday. What a terrific, terrific unit that is. Iowa will be a tough out for any bowl opponent, whether in the BCS or another prestigious New Year’s Day game.
3) No. 13 Penn State (10-2, 6-2; last week, 4)
Well, the Nittany Lions may have earned themselves a BCS bid after all. Helps to win on the road, by 28, against a decent program (albeit the Spartans are playing poorly), in one of those nationally-televised afternoon time slots. Iowa fans should be nervous.
4) Northwestern (8-4, 5-3; last week, 5)
What a fine three weeks Northwestern put together: beating ranked powers Iowa and Wisconsin, and cooling down a hot Illinois squad. The ‘Cats put themselves in fine position for either the Outback or Alamo Bowl.
5) Wisconsin (8-3, 5-3; last week, 3)
I warned you, Badgers. So much for entering the BCS conversation … now that Alamo assignment everyone wanted last season may be arriving a year late, unless the Outback people decide they do want Wisconsin’s fans over Northwestern’s bandwagon.
6) Minnesota (6-6, 3-5; last week, 7)
Was that really a former all-Big Ten second-team quarterback I saw out there at Kinnick Stadium, Adam Weber? Fierce Iowa defense or not, you’ve got to complete more than 35 percent of your passes.
7) Michigan State (6-6, 4-4; last week, 6)
So much for a top-three finish in the conference, as was predicted in August. The Spartans might not even leave their own state to go bowling. Hello, Little Caesars.
8) Purdue (5-7, 4-4; last week, 9)
Finished an up-and-down year with a win at rival Indiana. Not a terrible debut season for Danny Hope.
9) Illinois (3-7, 2-6; last week, 8)
Idle this week, with two games to go at Cincinnati (BCS buster buster?) and then home for Fresno State. Good thing the Illini aren’t 4-6, or that could seriously mess up the Big Ten’s bowl situation, since they still would have been eligible.
10) Indiana (4-8, 1-7; last week, 10)
Almost put the Hoosiers above Illinois, since IU did beat UI. But losing five straight, and eight of nine, isn’t very convincing.
11) Michigan (5-7, 1-7; last week, 11)
Just two years, but is Rich-Rod’s seat already getting toasty? What a dreadful season for Big Blue.
Sorry I haven't been posting more often. I will try to be better about it in December.
-AJ
Friday, November 20, 2009
Power Rankings
Big 12:
1) Texas: Obvious choice, although I see them getting smoke by either SEC team and I think TCU gives them a run for their money.
2) Nebraska: Two bad losses and the rest of their resume looks really good.
3) Oklahoma State: Overcome injuries and suspension for a pretty good season.
4) Oklahoma: Looked bad against the Cornhuskers... then demolish the Aggies. Could jump to #3 with win in Bedlam game.
5) Texas Tech: Pirate should do well in a bowl game.
6) Missouri: Rollercoaster season for Pinkel.
7) Kansas State: Surprise story of the season. Just a few games could of gone the other way and this team could have won the north!
8) Iowa State: Kept most games close just couldnt finish most of them.
9) Kansas: A bad season got worse this week. I just hope Mangino doesn't eat anyone.
10) Aggies: Sure why not! Baylor and Colorado you can go fight for the title of Big-12 cellar team.
NFL:
1) Colts: Undefeated and you cant give the ball to Payton with 2 minutes left..... EVER
2) Vikings: Most complete team in the league with just one blemish (some awful officiating)
3) Saints: Undefeated but injury bug is killing them.
4) Cincinnati: I cant believe I just made the Bengals a top-5 team.... but they deserve it.
5) Pittsburgh: A lot of teams at 6-3... gotta break the tie with the champs.
6) New England
7) Dallas
8) Chargers
9) Cardinals
10) Baltimore
Stay Classy,
B-Dubs
1) Texas: Obvious choice, although I see them getting smoke by either SEC team and I think TCU gives them a run for their money.
2) Nebraska: Two bad losses and the rest of their resume looks really good.
3) Oklahoma State: Overcome injuries and suspension for a pretty good season.
4) Oklahoma: Looked bad against the Cornhuskers... then demolish the Aggies. Could jump to #3 with win in Bedlam game.
5) Texas Tech: Pirate should do well in a bowl game.
6) Missouri: Rollercoaster season for Pinkel.
7) Kansas State: Surprise story of the season. Just a few games could of gone the other way and this team could have won the north!
8) Iowa State: Kept most games close just couldnt finish most of them.
9) Kansas: A bad season got worse this week. I just hope Mangino doesn't eat anyone.
10) Aggies: Sure why not! Baylor and Colorado you can go fight for the title of Big-12 cellar team.
NFL:
1) Colts: Undefeated and you cant give the ball to Payton with 2 minutes left..... EVER
2) Vikings: Most complete team in the league with just one blemish (some awful officiating)
3) Saints: Undefeated but injury bug is killing them.
4) Cincinnati: I cant believe I just made the Bengals a top-5 team.... but they deserve it.
5) Pittsburgh: A lot of teams at 6-3... gotta break the tie with the champs.
6) New England
7) Dallas
8) Chargers
9) Cardinals
10) Baltimore
Stay Classy,
B-Dubs
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Who's it gonna be ... Phillies or Yankees?
.
So instead of B-dubs or me writing 6,000 words on the Fall Classic (shouldn't that be the Winter Classic?), I took a sampling from a few people who know things.
First, some quick-hit thoughts ... Who will win the World Series?
Matt Brenner: Phillies, cuz the Yankees suck. 6 games.
Jordan Schelling: Yankees in 4
Michael Bleach: Yankees in 5 ... Cliff Lee will win a game for the Phillies
Dan Brenner: Well, I'm not a psychic or anything, but the Yankees will win in five games. But I'm rootin' for the Phillies.
Carlyn Burris: Where's the NL spirit?!? Phillies sweep. (Won't actually happen but one can hope)
Mike Lemar: Yankees because I said so. They'll probably win it 4-2.
Then, our good friend Joseph Rower chimes in with a little more...
Joseph Rower: Yankees in 7.
"When have we seen a postseason where no series had any sort of "do-or-die drama, game 7 winner moves on" magic? Well, it hasn't happened yet (I mean, you really thought the Angels were going to force game 7 against Andy Pettitte?), so I'm thinking now is the time.
"On paper, the teams are evenly matched. Lee vs CC, the great Pedro vs Burnett, Hamels vs Pettitte. If each of those pitchers pitches as they're capable, it is going to be a long series for the hitters. If they're a bit off, well, they're are enough hitters on both sides to make them pay. Who is more fearsome than Jeter, Damon, Tex, A-Rod ... only Rollins, the Flyin' Hawaiian, Utley, and the Big Dog Ryan Howard? You throw Matt Stairs into the mix in Yankee Stadium and the Phils lineup looks as good as any AL team's.
"Obviously the Yanks have a better 3B and catcher offensively, but the Phils OF is more dangerous than the Yanks. Phils win the managerial war, and I think that buys them an extra game. Girardi just isn't seasoned enough. Bullpen success will be dependent on the managers ... as Jim Tracy did so well this year, success is so often about putting your players in a position to succeed rather than fail. Lidge looks like October reminded him what he is capable of, and so the 9th inning looks solid for both clubs. I'm not sure which way to go in the intangibles ... both play in hitters' ballparks, both have rabid fans, Phils were here last year, Yanks act like this is their birthright. Each game is going to be competitive, close, and intense.
"I'm seeing game 7 coming down to a 2-1 Phils lead going into the bottom of the 8th against the top of the Yanks order...A-Rod hitting a bomb to put the Yanks in the lead and the great Mo coming in to close it out.
"In short:
The Phillies spend like few other NL teams, but the Yanks make them look like a cheapy market team. The offseason duo of CC and Tex come up big for the Yanks, and a close Series ends in a dramatic game 7 with the Yankees being given the title they paid for last winter."
Now, we've got two special guests with us today. The first is Stephen Watson, UW athletic communications extraordinaire and true-blooded Phillies fan.
S-dub writes the following:
"We have some big names, but we don't have bona fide superstars, or a special set of rules for certain players. Everyone here is the same, from Ryan Howard to Antonio Bastardo. Or they're treated the same. The expectations are the same. And because of that, you know where you stand every day."
-Jimmy Rollins
I think that speaks perfectly to the Phillies. They have a swagger about them that I just love and it makes them a threat. They are a team, not just an A-Rod or a Jeter or a Sabathia.
Also, the Phillies hit 10 homers by 6 different players against the Dodgers. They scored at least 8 runs in three of the five games (something they will need to do to beat the Yankees).
I know that CC is not pitching with the Brewers behind him anymore, but the Philles did a good job against him last postseason (5 runs in 3 innings). And lets be honest, the Phillies offense is exponentially better than last year.
CC has been Superman for the Yankees, but they are finally going to play a 7-game series in 9 days. They recently played 9 games in a span of 22 days, so I think that will wear down their pitching staff. The Phillies have been able to adjust to that schedule already.
As the Phillies proved in both series thus far, they can battle back from pretty much any series. Even if our starting pitching falls through, our offense can bounce back and get some runs late in games (ex. 3 runs in the 9th, 2 of which with 2 outs in game 4 of the NLCS).
So that's my argument. Am I nervous? Of course, it's the Yankees. With a payroll that high, they should be the best team. But I love this Philadelphia team and I think they have great charisma that could provide an upset.
Our second guest? My very own uncle, Dennis Rabida, who likes only a good horse race more than his beloved Yanks.
Yanks in 6. Three simple words: CC, A-Rod, and Mo.
Succinctly said, Uncle Buck.
Oh, wait, wanna know what I think? I'll channel my inner Rower and try to see my way through the series. I see Cliff Lee continuing his dominance in game 1, shocking the Yankees and triggering 58 hours of "uh oh, the Yanks might choke" programming on ESPN. Then NY will take game 2, showing Pedro once and for all who his daddy is. The Phillies will then proceed to take 2 out of 3 back in the CoBL, capped by one more dominating performance by Lee in game 5, making it look very much like we'll be seeing the rarest of rarities in a repeat champ.
And then the series will go back to New York, and their bevy of stars will show what they're made of. Which is more than just hundred-dollar bills.
The pick: Yankees in 7.
(Oh, yeah, and GO NUGGETS!!!!!!)
-AJ
So instead of B-dubs or me writing 6,000 words on the Fall Classic (shouldn't that be the Winter Classic?), I took a sampling from a few people who know things.
First, some quick-hit thoughts ... Who will win the World Series?
Matt Brenner: Phillies, cuz the Yankees suck. 6 games.
Jordan Schelling: Yankees in 4
Michael Bleach: Yankees in 5 ... Cliff Lee will win a game for the Phillies
Dan Brenner: Well, I'm not a psychic or anything, but the Yankees will win in five games. But I'm rootin' for the Phillies.
Carlyn Burris: Where's the NL spirit?!? Phillies sweep. (Won't actually happen but one can hope)
Mike Lemar: Yankees because I said so. They'll probably win it 4-2.
Then, our good friend Joseph Rower chimes in with a little more...
Joseph Rower: Yankees in 7.
"When have we seen a postseason where no series had any sort of "do-or-die drama, game 7 winner moves on" magic? Well, it hasn't happened yet (I mean, you really thought the Angels were going to force game 7 against Andy Pettitte?), so I'm thinking now is the time.
"On paper, the teams are evenly matched. Lee vs CC, the great Pedro vs Burnett, Hamels vs Pettitte. If each of those pitchers pitches as they're capable, it is going to be a long series for the hitters. If they're a bit off, well, they're are enough hitters on both sides to make them pay. Who is more fearsome than Jeter, Damon, Tex, A-Rod ... only Rollins, the Flyin' Hawaiian, Utley, and the Big Dog Ryan Howard? You throw Matt Stairs into the mix in Yankee Stadium and the Phils lineup looks as good as any AL team's.
"Obviously the Yanks have a better 3B and catcher offensively, but the Phils OF is more dangerous than the Yanks. Phils win the managerial war, and I think that buys them an extra game. Girardi just isn't seasoned enough. Bullpen success will be dependent on the managers ... as Jim Tracy did so well this year, success is so often about putting your players in a position to succeed rather than fail. Lidge looks like October reminded him what he is capable of, and so the 9th inning looks solid for both clubs. I'm not sure which way to go in the intangibles ... both play in hitters' ballparks, both have rabid fans, Phils were here last year, Yanks act like this is their birthright. Each game is going to be competitive, close, and intense.
"I'm seeing game 7 coming down to a 2-1 Phils lead going into the bottom of the 8th against the top of the Yanks order...A-Rod hitting a bomb to put the Yanks in the lead and the great Mo coming in to close it out.
"In short:
The Phillies spend like few other NL teams, but the Yanks make them look like a cheapy market team. The offseason duo of CC and Tex come up big for the Yanks, and a close Series ends in a dramatic game 7 with the Yankees being given the title they paid for last winter."
Now, we've got two special guests with us today. The first is Stephen Watson, UW athletic communications extraordinaire and true-blooded Phillies fan.
S-dub writes the following:
"We have some big names, but we don't have bona fide superstars, or a special set of rules for certain players. Everyone here is the same, from Ryan Howard to Antonio Bastardo. Or they're treated the same. The expectations are the same. And because of that, you know where you stand every day."
-Jimmy Rollins
I think that speaks perfectly to the Phillies. They have a swagger about them that I just love and it makes them a threat. They are a team, not just an A-Rod or a Jeter or a Sabathia.
Also, the Phillies hit 10 homers by 6 different players against the Dodgers. They scored at least 8 runs in three of the five games (something they will need to do to beat the Yankees).
I know that CC is not pitching with the Brewers behind him anymore, but the Philles did a good job against him last postseason (5 runs in 3 innings). And lets be honest, the Phillies offense is exponentially better than last year.
CC has been Superman for the Yankees, but they are finally going to play a 7-game series in 9 days. They recently played 9 games in a span of 22 days, so I think that will wear down their pitching staff. The Phillies have been able to adjust to that schedule already.
As the Phillies proved in both series thus far, they can battle back from pretty much any series. Even if our starting pitching falls through, our offense can bounce back and get some runs late in games (ex. 3 runs in the 9th, 2 of which with 2 outs in game 4 of the NLCS).
So that's my argument. Am I nervous? Of course, it's the Yankees. With a payroll that high, they should be the best team. But I love this Philadelphia team and I think they have great charisma that could provide an upset.
Our second guest? My very own uncle, Dennis Rabida, who likes only a good horse race more than his beloved Yanks.
Yanks in 6. Three simple words: CC, A-Rod, and Mo.
Succinctly said, Uncle Buck.
Oh, wait, wanna know what I think? I'll channel my inner Rower and try to see my way through the series. I see Cliff Lee continuing his dominance in game 1, shocking the Yankees and triggering 58 hours of "uh oh, the Yanks might choke" programming on ESPN. Then NY will take game 2, showing Pedro once and for all who his daddy is. The Phillies will then proceed to take 2 out of 3 back in the CoBL, capped by one more dominating performance by Lee in game 5, making it look very much like we'll be seeing the rarest of rarities in a repeat champ.
And then the series will go back to New York, and their bevy of stars will show what they're made of. Which is more than just hundred-dollar bills.
The pick: Yankees in 7.
(Oh, yeah, and GO NUGGETS!!!!!!)
-AJ
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