Again the hand-wringing phoney baloney moralizing from the sports talk gets my goat. Bobby Petrino, after a warm vote of confidence from owner Arthur Blank on Monday, quit the Falcons on Tuesday to become the coach of Arkansas. Colin Cowherd raged about too much money in sports, the necessity of integrity in a college coach and compared Petrino to Stave Saban, who more or less did the same thing last year jumping from the Dolphins to Alabama. His guest today was Bob Griese, who waxed rhapsodically about that paragon of integrity, Don Shula. But I found myself thinking, wait a minute, didn't Shula ditch the Colts for the Dolphins. This is from Shula's Wikipedia entry:
After the 1969 season, Joe Robbie, owner of the Miami Dolphins, signed Shula to a contract to become Miami's second head coach. As a result of Shula's signing the team was charged with tampering by the NFL, which forced the Dolphins to give their first round pick to the Colts. The decision was controversial because Shula and Robbie's negotiations and signing were conducted before and after the official NFL/AFL merger, respectively. Had the negotiations been concluded before the merger, while the NFL and AFL were rivals, the NFL's anti-tampering rules could not have been applied.
Actually Shula got the Colts job because Weeb Eubank bolted for the Jets gig in 1963. Are you still convinced Steve Saban invented this? Or was it Rick Pitino? Or Larry Brown?
Yeah, Petrino's a dick and so is Saban and all the rest. But holding up as a model the guy who was the test case for NFL's anti-tampering rules strikes me as disinegenous to say the least. More to the point, when Saban and Petrino have big wins in their new programs we'll forget all about where they came from.
It is our right to sit around and throw mud at those that are able to take advantage of the system we've created but if we really hate it so much why don't we change the system? Or, better still, let's just get used to the fact that this is how it works and always has.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
NFL Week 13
DALLAS 7.0 Green Bay
MIAMI 1.0 New York (NYJ)
MINNESOTA 3.5 Detroit
PHILADELPHIA 3.0 Seattle
TENNESSEE 4.0 Houston
INDIANAPOLIS 6.5 Jacksonville
WASHINGTON 5.5 Buffalo
San Diego 5.5 KANSAS CITY
CAROLINA 3.0 San Francisco
ST. LOUIS Off (0) Atlanta
ARIZONA 0.0 Cleveland
Denver 3.5 OAKLAND
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Tampa Bay
New York (NYG) 1.5 CHICAGO
PITTSBURGH 7.0 Cincinnati
New England 20.5 BALTIMORE
I liked the Packers to keep it close and they almost did. The Cowboys offense is not quite Patriot-like but they're closer than the Colts, Packers or Steelers at this point. I thought Favre tried to do too much, tried to hit home runs instead of sticking to the singles and doubles strategy that Aaron Rodgers was able to score some points with. Dallas seemed like the better team maybe not the difference between Dallas and Green Bay is not 10 points great. (Maybe Rodgers will have his Brady-moment this year: supplanting the veteran, getting on a roll and knocking off the undisputed champs. Nice screenplay, no?)
I like the Dolphins. They're not that much was than NYJ and I liked their new QB Beck against the Steelers.
I think I like the Lions to make one last push toward the playoffs. I don't think they'll get there but they should edge past the Vikings.
I like the Seahawks to finish strong as well. They might get scary come playoff time.
I'm not a big fan of what the Texans are doing but the Titans are flailing right now. I can see the Titans pulling it out late but I'll take those points. I like the Texans.
The Colts need to ramp up their offense and I think a familiar opponent, tough as the Jags are, are just what the Colts need to rev it up to the end of the season.
How does the Sean Taylor factor work itself out: will the Skins be extra-motivated or distracted? Will the Bills smell blood or will they let up a little? I like the Redskins to come out focused and energized and they'll pound on the struggling Bills.
The Chargers have had games where they came out and played hard and others where they looked like they'd rather be somewhere else. I just got a feeling that this will be one of those former games, look for the Chargers to win big.
The Panthers are one of those flailing teams that need to take advantage of every weaker opponent they can find. The Niners are weaker but they won't just roll over and give it away. I think the Panthers can take it.
Even without Bulger I think the Rams are a better team than Atlanta. If they get something rolling, they'll roll all day.
The Cards and the Browns are similarly up and coming teams with exciting offenses and not bad defenses. It's an even-up game, I'll take the home team.
The Broncos seems to be getting back together but I think the Raiders can take them at home. I'll take the Raiders to be within an FG.
The Saints have more talent than Tampa Bay but the Bucs are a playoff team right now and the Saints aren't. Can the Saints take that position from them? I don't think so. I think the Bucs keep them in check.
The Giants are struggling, the Bears have been disappointing, which makes them pretty much even. I'll take the Bears to pull it out late over NYG.
The Steelers will run the Bengals out of the building.
The Ravens just cannot keep up with the Pats. The Ravens D will have their moments (I can see a pick 6 coming), but the offense just will not move the ball on a Belicheck defense. I hate those gaudy odds but I'll take the Pats.
MIAMI 1.0 New York (NYJ)
MINNESOTA 3.5 Detroit
PHILADELPHIA 3.0 Seattle
TENNESSEE 4.0 Houston
INDIANAPOLIS 6.5 Jacksonville
WASHINGTON 5.5 Buffalo
San Diego 5.5 KANSAS CITY
CAROLINA 3.0 San Francisco
ST. LOUIS Off (0) Atlanta
ARIZONA 0.0 Cleveland
Denver 3.5 OAKLAND
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Tampa Bay
New York (NYG) 1.5 CHICAGO
PITTSBURGH 7.0 Cincinnati
New England 20.5 BALTIMORE
I liked the Packers to keep it close and they almost did. The Cowboys offense is not quite Patriot-like but they're closer than the Colts, Packers or Steelers at this point. I thought Favre tried to do too much, tried to hit home runs instead of sticking to the singles and doubles strategy that Aaron Rodgers was able to score some points with. Dallas seemed like the better team maybe not the difference between Dallas and Green Bay is not 10 points great. (Maybe Rodgers will have his Brady-moment this year: supplanting the veteran, getting on a roll and knocking off the undisputed champs. Nice screenplay, no?)
I like the Dolphins. They're not that much was than NYJ and I liked their new QB Beck against the Steelers.
I think I like the Lions to make one last push toward the playoffs. I don't think they'll get there but they should edge past the Vikings.
I like the Seahawks to finish strong as well. They might get scary come playoff time.
I'm not a big fan of what the Texans are doing but the Titans are flailing right now. I can see the Titans pulling it out late but I'll take those points. I like the Texans.
The Colts need to ramp up their offense and I think a familiar opponent, tough as the Jags are, are just what the Colts need to rev it up to the end of the season.
How does the Sean Taylor factor work itself out: will the Skins be extra-motivated or distracted? Will the Bills smell blood or will they let up a little? I like the Redskins to come out focused and energized and they'll pound on the struggling Bills.
The Chargers have had games where they came out and played hard and others where they looked like they'd rather be somewhere else. I just got a feeling that this will be one of those former games, look for the Chargers to win big.
The Panthers are one of those flailing teams that need to take advantage of every weaker opponent they can find. The Niners are weaker but they won't just roll over and give it away. I think the Panthers can take it.
Even without Bulger I think the Rams are a better team than Atlanta. If they get something rolling, they'll roll all day.
The Cards and the Browns are similarly up and coming teams with exciting offenses and not bad defenses. It's an even-up game, I'll take the home team.
The Broncos seems to be getting back together but I think the Raiders can take them at home. I'll take the Raiders to be within an FG.
The Saints have more talent than Tampa Bay but the Bucs are a playoff team right now and the Saints aren't. Can the Saints take that position from them? I don't think so. I think the Bucs keep them in check.
The Giants are struggling, the Bears have been disappointing, which makes them pretty much even. I'll take the Bears to pull it out late over NYG.
The Steelers will run the Bengals out of the building.
The Ravens just cannot keep up with the Pats. The Ravens D will have their moments (I can see a pick 6 coming), but the offense just will not move the ball on a Belicheck defense. I hate those gaudy odds but I'll take the Pats.
Monday, November 26, 2007
2008 European Championship update
The group play has closed and the final 14 are in place.
A -- Poland, Portugal
B -- Italy, France
C -- Greece, Turkey
D -- Czech Republic, Germany
E -- Croatia, Russia
F -- Spain, Sweden
G -- Romania, Netherlands
The only real shocker is that Croatia and Russia edged out England, who ended up with the same record as Israel. Scotland in Group B, Norway in Group C, Denmark in Group F and Bulgaria in Group G all came up just short. They were the heartbroken-est.
Not sure when the tourney starts back up, some time in the spring I suppose, but I'm ready.
A -- Poland, Portugal
B -- Italy, France
C -- Greece, Turkey
D -- Czech Republic, Germany
E -- Croatia, Russia
F -- Spain, Sweden
G -- Romania, Netherlands
The only real shocker is that Croatia and Russia edged out England, who ended up with the same record as Israel. Scotland in Group B, Norway in Group C, Denmark in Group F and Bulgaria in Group G all came up just short. They were the heartbroken-est.
Not sure when the tourney starts back up, some time in the spring I suppose, but I'm ready.
Monday, November 5, 2007
A good Sunday
Man, Sunday was a good day for the sport editor. And, man, I gotta tell you DVR makes it all so much better. Delivered birthday wishes to my favorite 2 year old, ended up mostly playing nerf basketball in the living room (oh yeah, I showed that kid who's boss!). Arrived back home around 2:30 and popped on the Bengals-Bills game.
Normally the sport editor would turn his nose up at such mediocre fare but deep down he is a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan and has to seize this rare opportunity to see his boyhood squad on national TV. Got through the first 3 quarters in about an hour (thank you, DVR). The Bills tore down the field on their opening drive, JP Losman carving up the Bengal secondary like a Rob Zombie villain (or would it be hero?). The Bengals matched the feat on their opening drive, Carson Palmer looking even more impressive flinging confidently down field. Then they both wound down a bit. The Bills were able to knock in 4 FG's over their next 5 or 6 possessions but the Bengals held the halftime lead thanks to a kick return TD. The Bills secondary was flat out more effective than the Bengals, even laying some serious hits on Chad Johnson eventually knocking him senseless late in the game. (Yeah, I know it's utterly tasteless to rag on the guy who got carried off on a stretcher, but isn't he overrated? Seems to me that Houshmanzadeh gets it done while Johnson takes all the pub. I don't mean that Johnson's no good, not at all, he's a fine WR, I'm just suggesting that his mouth has advanced his fame more than his on-field skills) The Bengals D stiffened in the red zone but gave up points more readily than the Bills.
As I got into the 4th quarter, I was approaching live action again, so I switched to Juventus-Inter over on Fox Soccer. This too was aided by DVR action, allowing me to skip the opening blah-blah and get right into the action. If I didn't know I was watching two of the finer teams in Europe, I would've swore I was watching two city park beer league squads having a hack fest. Tenacious D is all well and good but the ref was doing more work than I'd like to see him do. In soccer (and I would suggest similarly in baseball), the ref is all-important in determining the flow of the game. And if the ref loses control then it can descend into nothing but brutality with a little round ball. In this case, though, it was the players who dictated the ref's whistle. They came out sloppy and cruel and the ref had to insert himself early and often. And the side judges too: good god, Inter must've been off-side at least a dozen times in the first half! It was a really frustrating game. Just before half-time, when I had long since assumed Inter would never be on-side, Cruz shook loose and drilled one low and to the left of Juve's keeper, a nice strike.
At half-time, I skipped back over the 4th quarter of the Bengals-Bills game. The Bengals were ahead 21-19 with 8 minutes or so left and they looked poised to squeeze the clock to zero. But the Bills quite effectively used Marshawn Lynch to protect the ball, move forward and eat up some clock. An odd strategy since their passing attack had dominated but it wasn't scoring touchdowns and adding in Lynch's speed to the outside and confidence between the tackles kept the Bengals D backpedaling. And the coup de grace: Lynch with the halfback option pass to reclaim the lead with 5 minutes to go. Good stuff. I figured Carson Palmer had enough time to engineer a drive but the Bengals just couldn't get it done and went 3 and out. Then Lynch, in an attempt to run out the clock, shook off three tacklers in the backfield and broke clean for a 50 yard run up field. As a Bills fan I was pleased, as a spread player I was less so. I had the Bengals -1, I figured their passing attack would make the big statement on Buffalo's workmanlike D. I figured wrong, it was the other way around. The Bengals just don't have much D and the Bills are a little stronger than I gave them credit for.
It was about time for Colt-Pats, the day's tastiest morsel, but I went back to the second half of Juventus-Inter. I hoped that the two squads would've tightened up and gotten back to playing clean soccer but not so much. In fact, the injuries--real injuries, not just the soccer kind--came pretty heavy in the second half. Inter (top of the table in Serie A right now), was the better team, I thought. They defended and turned it and controlled the ball up front well enough to get a handful of shots throughout the match. Juve (currently in 4th in Serie A), on the other hand played hack-y and couldn't maintain possession. But they did get the equalizer on some frantic play in front of the goal. It was a nice strike but I think the keeper would've had it except that it ricocheted off the leg of a defender and took an unnatural hop over his head. It ended in a 1-1 draw which Juve was lucky to have. Though they're only separated by 3 spots in the rankings, I thought Inter looked like the much better team on Juve's home turf.
And that brings us to the Thanksgiving turkey, Colts-Pats. I anticipated a high scoring affair with the home team at least keeping it close, if not pulling out the victory, though honestly I thought virtually any outcome was possible (multiple universes are great for over-imaginative physicists but can be a troubling concept to gamblers). And any outcome would make for an exciting contest. It was more of a defensive contest than I would've thought but still it made for a good game. Samuel's first interference call was a good call but an unnecessary foul; the second one was a horrible call--it should've been offensive pass interference! Both led to FG's and a serious ass-whippin' at half-time, I'm sure. And what was with that interference call on Moss in the end zone? Both defensive lines were excellent. Neither of these QB's have had pressure like that all year long. Man, Addai's TD was a nice run after the catch but, man, that was some horrible tackling, they just never put him down. Addai is a beast, always knew he was good, but he came up huge on this day. I never understood why knocking a guy out of bounds before he gets both feet down is punished. Isn't that good defense? It’s the receiver's responsibility to get 2 feet down, why can't the defender knock him out? On the Pats TD drive in the 4th Stallworth had only 1 foot down and was knocked out and given the catch. But it seems to me Stallworth still had room to get the 2nd foot down, he just didn't. Why is the defense punished for that? I don't get it. Didn't it seem like Tony Dungy was still talking when Belicheck walked away?
Normally the sport editor would turn his nose up at such mediocre fare but deep down he is a long-suffering Buffalo Bills fan and has to seize this rare opportunity to see his boyhood squad on national TV. Got through the first 3 quarters in about an hour (thank you, DVR). The Bills tore down the field on their opening drive, JP Losman carving up the Bengal secondary like a Rob Zombie villain (or would it be hero?). The Bengals matched the feat on their opening drive, Carson Palmer looking even more impressive flinging confidently down field. Then they both wound down a bit. The Bills were able to knock in 4 FG's over their next 5 or 6 possessions but the Bengals held the halftime lead thanks to a kick return TD. The Bills secondary was flat out more effective than the Bengals, even laying some serious hits on Chad Johnson eventually knocking him senseless late in the game. (Yeah, I know it's utterly tasteless to rag on the guy who got carried off on a stretcher, but isn't he overrated? Seems to me that Houshmanzadeh gets it done while Johnson takes all the pub. I don't mean that Johnson's no good, not at all, he's a fine WR, I'm just suggesting that his mouth has advanced his fame more than his on-field skills) The Bengals D stiffened in the red zone but gave up points more readily than the Bills.
As I got into the 4th quarter, I was approaching live action again, so I switched to Juventus-Inter over on Fox Soccer. This too was aided by DVR action, allowing me to skip the opening blah-blah and get right into the action. If I didn't know I was watching two of the finer teams in Europe, I would've swore I was watching two city park beer league squads having a hack fest. Tenacious D is all well and good but the ref was doing more work than I'd like to see him do. In soccer (and I would suggest similarly in baseball), the ref is all-important in determining the flow of the game. And if the ref loses control then it can descend into nothing but brutality with a little round ball. In this case, though, it was the players who dictated the ref's whistle. They came out sloppy and cruel and the ref had to insert himself early and often. And the side judges too: good god, Inter must've been off-side at least a dozen times in the first half! It was a really frustrating game. Just before half-time, when I had long since assumed Inter would never be on-side, Cruz shook loose and drilled one low and to the left of Juve's keeper, a nice strike.
At half-time, I skipped back over the 4th quarter of the Bengals-Bills game. The Bengals were ahead 21-19 with 8 minutes or so left and they looked poised to squeeze the clock to zero. But the Bills quite effectively used Marshawn Lynch to protect the ball, move forward and eat up some clock. An odd strategy since their passing attack had dominated but it wasn't scoring touchdowns and adding in Lynch's speed to the outside and confidence between the tackles kept the Bengals D backpedaling. And the coup de grace: Lynch with the halfback option pass to reclaim the lead with 5 minutes to go. Good stuff. I figured Carson Palmer had enough time to engineer a drive but the Bengals just couldn't get it done and went 3 and out. Then Lynch, in an attempt to run out the clock, shook off three tacklers in the backfield and broke clean for a 50 yard run up field. As a Bills fan I was pleased, as a spread player I was less so. I had the Bengals -1, I figured their passing attack would make the big statement on Buffalo's workmanlike D. I figured wrong, it was the other way around. The Bengals just don't have much D and the Bills are a little stronger than I gave them credit for.
It was about time for Colt-Pats, the day's tastiest morsel, but I went back to the second half of Juventus-Inter. I hoped that the two squads would've tightened up and gotten back to playing clean soccer but not so much. In fact, the injuries--real injuries, not just the soccer kind--came pretty heavy in the second half. Inter (top of the table in Serie A right now), was the better team, I thought. They defended and turned it and controlled the ball up front well enough to get a handful of shots throughout the match. Juve (currently in 4th in Serie A), on the other hand played hack-y and couldn't maintain possession. But they did get the equalizer on some frantic play in front of the goal. It was a nice strike but I think the keeper would've had it except that it ricocheted off the leg of a defender and took an unnatural hop over his head. It ended in a 1-1 draw which Juve was lucky to have. Though they're only separated by 3 spots in the rankings, I thought Inter looked like the much better team on Juve's home turf.
And that brings us to the Thanksgiving turkey, Colts-Pats. I anticipated a high scoring affair with the home team at least keeping it close, if not pulling out the victory, though honestly I thought virtually any outcome was possible (multiple universes are great for over-imaginative physicists but can be a troubling concept to gamblers). And any outcome would make for an exciting contest. It was more of a defensive contest than I would've thought but still it made for a good game. Samuel's first interference call was a good call but an unnecessary foul; the second one was a horrible call--it should've been offensive pass interference! Both led to FG's and a serious ass-whippin' at half-time, I'm sure. And what was with that interference call on Moss in the end zone? Both defensive lines were excellent. Neither of these QB's have had pressure like that all year long. Man, Addai's TD was a nice run after the catch but, man, that was some horrible tackling, they just never put him down. Addai is a beast, always knew he was good, but he came up huge on this day. I never understood why knocking a guy out of bounds before he gets both feet down is punished. Isn't that good defense? It’s the receiver's responsibility to get 2 feet down, why can't the defender knock him out? On the Pats TD drive in the 4th Stallworth had only 1 foot down and was knocked out and given the catch. But it seems to me Stallworth still had room to get the 2nd foot down, he just didn't. Why is the defense punished for that? I don't get it. Didn't it seem like Tony Dungy was still talking when Belicheck walked away?
Saturday, November 3, 2007
NFL Week 9
TAMPA BAY 3.5 Arizona
DETROIT 3.0 Denver
TENNESSEE 4.0 Carolina
KANSAS CITY 2.5 Green Bay
San Diego 7.0 MINNESOTA
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Jacksonville
ATLANTA 3.5 San Francisco
Washington 3.5 NEW YORK (NYJ)
Cincinnati 1.0 BUFFALO
CLEVELAND 1.5 Seattle
New England 5.0 INDIANAPOLIS
OAKLAND 3.0 Houston
Dallas 3.0 PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH 9.0 Baltimore
I like the Bucs to bounce back at home against a so-so road team.
The Lions better than the Broncos? I'm not sure that's happened in my life time! So have the Broncos righted their ship? Are the Lions for the real? I think no and no but I'll still stick with the home faves.
Titans-Panthers is a tough one, an overachiever against and underachiever this point in the year makes for a little of bewildered bettors out there. I'll take the road dog, just because I like the dogs in these match-ups.
I thought the Chiefs would be competing for the 1st pick this year, I thought their one-dimensional offense would struggle all year. They haven't been great but they're not bad and in a weak division, they've got a decent shot at hanging the playoff picture til the end. But I think the Packers are a better team and they're rolling pretty good right now. I like the Packers to put a hurting on that KC running game and Brett Favre to sting that soft KC secondary. Take the dog here.
The Chargers are rolling, they're back and the Vikings still haven't figured out what to do with themselves. I like the Chargers big in this one.
Jax is a tricky squad to predict, they looked much better than I thought they would last week at Tampa. Everyone thinks the Saints are ready to dominate again but I'm not convinced. That D doesn't impress me and without Deuce, they'll rely too heavily on Reggie Bush. I like Jax to stick the Saints attack and run the ball effectively. I like Jax to win straight up.
Hmmm, the Falcons are a train wreck but they do have some good players. The Niners are disappointing, especially on the road, but they too have some talent. I'll take the Niners to cover but the Falcons to win, a la a late FG--thank Vegas for that extra half point!
The Redskins got pounded last week in New England and they'll be ready to put that mojo on someone else. And NYJ are a team just waiting to be tattooed. Take the Redskins, give the points and then some. (Danger: wouldn't surprise me to see NYJ rally late to make it look close, beware of the Redskins getting an early lead and easing up in 4Q)
Cincy is better than Buffalo but they're not really playing better than Buffalo right now. The Bills are mediocre but consistent, they'll show up and play as well as they can; the Bengals are talented but schizophrenic, they've got more than enough talent to win in Buffalo but you just don't know if they'll bring it. I think I like Cincy to bring it, this is a team that can lay the wood to and I think struggling teams not every blowout they can get. I like the Bengals big because they won't let up if they get an early lead.
Seattle is a 1.5 point dog at Cleveland. The Browns offense is really hitting full stride (I thought last year that they should've sold the farm to get Reggie Bush--guess they didn't need him), and while Seattle is a tough team on both sides, they don't travel well and they've been inconsistent the last few years. I think I like the dog here, I can see a shoot-out that goes right to the end, I like a close game.
The Colts have a 12 game winning streak, they're the Super Bowl champs and they've defeated the Pats 3 straight. So why are they a 5 point dog at home? I thought this would be closer a spread, 5 points is a lot at Indy. My first instinct is the Pats will roll them just like everyone else. But deep down I think Indy is too good to just get pushed around. This really will be a great game--no matter what happens! If Indy blows them out, it'll be fascinating to watch. If the Pats blow them out, that'll be fascinating too! I'm not sure who I like to win, but I've gotta take the Colts plus 5 at home--you got to!
The Texans haven't stepped forward the way I thought they might've. The Raiders haven't sucked too bad but haven't been any good either. Uh, I'm inclined to take the home team and 3 points doesn't seem too high. If the Raiders can force turnovers, they'll win easily.
Damn, there's a lot of hard games this week! The Eagles have underperformed and they've got some off-the-field issues in their heads this week, I think this spurs them forward. The Cowboys are good but they're not as good as they think they are and I think they're anticipating a winning game in Philly this week. I like the Eagles to win straight up.
The Steelers are good and the Ravens are overrated. Are the Steelers 9 points better on Monday night? I'll say no. I think they win comfortably but not in a blow out, the Ravens keep it close enough.
DETROIT 3.0 Denver
TENNESSEE 4.0 Carolina
KANSAS CITY 2.5 Green Bay
San Diego 7.0 MINNESOTA
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Jacksonville
ATLANTA 3.5 San Francisco
Washington 3.5 NEW YORK (NYJ)
Cincinnati 1.0 BUFFALO
CLEVELAND 1.5 Seattle
New England 5.0 INDIANAPOLIS
OAKLAND 3.0 Houston
Dallas 3.0 PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH 9.0 Baltimore
I like the Bucs to bounce back at home against a so-so road team.
The Lions better than the Broncos? I'm not sure that's happened in my life time! So have the Broncos righted their ship? Are the Lions for the real? I think no and no but I'll still stick with the home faves.
Titans-Panthers is a tough one, an overachiever against and underachiever this point in the year makes for a little of bewildered bettors out there. I'll take the road dog, just because I like the dogs in these match-ups.
I thought the Chiefs would be competing for the 1st pick this year, I thought their one-dimensional offense would struggle all year. They haven't been great but they're not bad and in a weak division, they've got a decent shot at hanging the playoff picture til the end. But I think the Packers are a better team and they're rolling pretty good right now. I like the Packers to put a hurting on that KC running game and Brett Favre to sting that soft KC secondary. Take the dog here.
The Chargers are rolling, they're back and the Vikings still haven't figured out what to do with themselves. I like the Chargers big in this one.
Jax is a tricky squad to predict, they looked much better than I thought they would last week at Tampa. Everyone thinks the Saints are ready to dominate again but I'm not convinced. That D doesn't impress me and without Deuce, they'll rely too heavily on Reggie Bush. I like Jax to stick the Saints attack and run the ball effectively. I like Jax to win straight up.
Hmmm, the Falcons are a train wreck but they do have some good players. The Niners are disappointing, especially on the road, but they too have some talent. I'll take the Niners to cover but the Falcons to win, a la a late FG--thank Vegas for that extra half point!
The Redskins got pounded last week in New England and they'll be ready to put that mojo on someone else. And NYJ are a team just waiting to be tattooed. Take the Redskins, give the points and then some. (Danger: wouldn't surprise me to see NYJ rally late to make it look close, beware of the Redskins getting an early lead and easing up in 4Q)
Cincy is better than Buffalo but they're not really playing better than Buffalo right now. The Bills are mediocre but consistent, they'll show up and play as well as they can; the Bengals are talented but schizophrenic, they've got more than enough talent to win in Buffalo but you just don't know if they'll bring it. I think I like Cincy to bring it, this is a team that can lay the wood to and I think struggling teams not every blowout they can get. I like the Bengals big because they won't let up if they get an early lead.
Seattle is a 1.5 point dog at Cleveland. The Browns offense is really hitting full stride (I thought last year that they should've sold the farm to get Reggie Bush--guess they didn't need him), and while Seattle is a tough team on both sides, they don't travel well and they've been inconsistent the last few years. I think I like the dog here, I can see a shoot-out that goes right to the end, I like a close game.
The Colts have a 12 game winning streak, they're the Super Bowl champs and they've defeated the Pats 3 straight. So why are they a 5 point dog at home? I thought this would be closer a spread, 5 points is a lot at Indy. My first instinct is the Pats will roll them just like everyone else. But deep down I think Indy is too good to just get pushed around. This really will be a great game--no matter what happens! If Indy blows them out, it'll be fascinating to watch. If the Pats blow them out, that'll be fascinating too! I'm not sure who I like to win, but I've gotta take the Colts plus 5 at home--you got to!
The Texans haven't stepped forward the way I thought they might've. The Raiders haven't sucked too bad but haven't been any good either. Uh, I'm inclined to take the home team and 3 points doesn't seem too high. If the Raiders can force turnovers, they'll win easily.
Damn, there's a lot of hard games this week! The Eagles have underperformed and they've got some off-the-field issues in their heads this week, I think this spurs them forward. The Cowboys are good but they're not as good as they think they are and I think they're anticipating a winning game in Philly this week. I like the Eagles to win straight up.
The Steelers are good and the Ravens are overrated. Are the Steelers 9 points better on Monday night? I'll say no. I think they win comfortably but not in a blow out, the Ravens keep it close enough.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
NBA Season foretold
East West
Celtics Suns
Bulls Mavs
Wizards Spurs
Cavs Jazz
Pistons Nuggets
Raptors Rockets
Heat Clippers
Knicks Warriors
Nets Blazers
Magic Grizzlies
Bucks Hornets
Bobcats Kings
Hawks Lakers
Pacers Sonics
Sixers T-Wolves
Cavs over Celtics in 7
Suns over Spurs in 7
Suns over Cavs in 6
MVP: Lebron James, Cavs
ROY: Brandon Wright, Warriors
Coach: Mike Dunleavy, Clippers
Comeback Player: Grant Hill, Suns
(You got to love the sports editor's chutzpah: following a rant about the worthless speculative tendencies of the media with a worthless speculation of his own. Hey, man, Heisenberg told me that's just the way it works)
Celtics Suns
Bulls Mavs
Wizards Spurs
Cavs Jazz
Pistons Nuggets
Raptors Rockets
Heat Clippers
Knicks Warriors
Nets Blazers
Magic Grizzlies
Bucks Hornets
Bobcats Kings
Hawks Lakers
Pacers Sonics
Sixers T-Wolves
Cavs over Celtics in 7
Suns over Spurs in 7
Suns over Cavs in 6
MVP: Lebron James, Cavs
ROY: Brandon Wright, Warriors
Coach: Mike Dunleavy, Clippers
Comeback Player: Grant Hill, Suns
(You got to love the sports editor's chutzpah: following a rant about the worthless speculative tendencies of the media with a worthless speculation of his own. Hey, man, Heisenberg told me that's just the way it works)
An A-bomb from A-Rod
Its my own fault for listening to clowns like Mike and Mike or Colin Cowherd or the PTI guys, but all the hand wringing over Alex Rodriguez's announcement during the World Series, called 'tasteless' or 'crude' or 'disrespectful' from various wags, is my latest peeve. If Mike and Mike thought it so wrong to interrupt the Red Sox victory parade with news of A-Rod, why didn't they just ignore it? 'Its news, we have to talk about it', but so what? It'll still be 'news' tomorrow and isn't the World Series bigger news? If the World Series truly is more important then treat it that way, set everything else aside and talk Red Sox all morning. And if its not, then quit complaining that A-Rod (and his evil mastermind Scott Boras) brought that truth to light.
The difference between the A-Rod story and the Red Sox is that A-Rod is ongoing, it is new, whereas the Red Sox story is completed, it is past. Pat the Red Sox on the back--they were by far the superior team this post-season--and move on. I just don't see how the announcement that could've waited til Monday can be called 'tasteless' or a 'travesty' because honestly it just doesn't matter. These guys seem so offended by something that will be completely forgotten 2 weeks from now.
The real story is that news radio (notice I didn't say 'sports' radio) is all about speculation, its about imaginary news, things that haven't happened and won't happen. Speculation is more fun than reality. I make my NFL picks every week (and have since I was a little kid) because I'm fascinated by predicting the future. I'm usually about 50/50 and that's really about as good as it gets, my best pick' em season ever was about 60%--a ratio that a real honest-to-God gambler would be happy to hit. In the next year or so we'll get 10 tons of political garbage heaped on us from all angles but remember this: we can't predict the future! We can't know in advance who will truly be best able to deal with this country's future because it hasn't happened yet. And we don't know where A-Rod will sign because it hasn't happened yet. But talking about what might happen to Hillary or Guiliani or Kobe Bryant or Britney Spears is more fun though rarely more enlightening than what actually will happen and that's where the media sucks us in: by giving us the fantasy and not the reality. And as Americans are painfully poor with history (and geography but that's a totally separate rant) they never seem to remember how often they themselves have been hoodwinked by empty speculation. Or that getting all huffy over something so insignificant does little more than raise blood pressure for no reason.
Yeah, I know, its time to turn off the radio. But just once I'd like for our cultural commentators to actually give us something useful instead of sucking up to our bad habits and our consumerist tendencies. We like to think as Americans that months and months of public debate will bring us back to what is really important to us but generally it just sets the parameters of the corruption we buy into. And A-Rod's future business arrangements will be as misunderstood in the media-sphere as missile defense or the mullahs of Iran.
The difference between the A-Rod story and the Red Sox is that A-Rod is ongoing, it is new, whereas the Red Sox story is completed, it is past. Pat the Red Sox on the back--they were by far the superior team this post-season--and move on. I just don't see how the announcement that could've waited til Monday can be called 'tasteless' or a 'travesty' because honestly it just doesn't matter. These guys seem so offended by something that will be completely forgotten 2 weeks from now.
The real story is that news radio (notice I didn't say 'sports' radio) is all about speculation, its about imaginary news, things that haven't happened and won't happen. Speculation is more fun than reality. I make my NFL picks every week (and have since I was a little kid) because I'm fascinated by predicting the future. I'm usually about 50/50 and that's really about as good as it gets, my best pick' em season ever was about 60%--a ratio that a real honest-to-God gambler would be happy to hit. In the next year or so we'll get 10 tons of political garbage heaped on us from all angles but remember this: we can't predict the future! We can't know in advance who will truly be best able to deal with this country's future because it hasn't happened yet. And we don't know where A-Rod will sign because it hasn't happened yet. But talking about what might happen to Hillary or Guiliani or Kobe Bryant or Britney Spears is more fun though rarely more enlightening than what actually will happen and that's where the media sucks us in: by giving us the fantasy and not the reality. And as Americans are painfully poor with history (and geography but that's a totally separate rant) they never seem to remember how often they themselves have been hoodwinked by empty speculation. Or that getting all huffy over something so insignificant does little more than raise blood pressure for no reason.
Yeah, I know, its time to turn off the radio. But just once I'd like for our cultural commentators to actually give us something useful instead of sucking up to our bad habits and our consumerist tendencies. We like to think as Americans that months and months of public debate will bring us back to what is really important to us but generally it just sets the parameters of the corruption we buy into. And A-Rod's future business arrangements will be as misunderstood in the media-sphere as missile defense or the mullahs of Iran.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
NFL Week 8
CHICAGO 5.0 Detroit
Pittsburgh 3.5 CINCINNATI
Indianapolis 6.5 CAROLINA
TENNESSEE 7.5 Oakland
Cleveland 3.0 ST. LOUIS
NYG 9.5 MIAMI
Philadelphia 1.0 MINNESOTA
NYJ 3.0 Buffalo
SAN DIEGO (Pick 'em) Houston
TAMPA BAY 4.0 Jacksonville
New Orleans 3.0 SAN FRANCISCO
NEW ENGLAND 16.5 Washington
DENVER 3.0 Green Bay
Chicago's back, right? Well, I'm skeptical and I like the Lions to keep it close.
The Steelers did not impress last week against the Broncos but I like them to pull it together against a division foe.
The Colts will roll.
The Raiders are a little better than people give them credit for and I suspect the Titans are not quite as good as others say. I like the Raiders to keep it close.
The Rams have been poor all year long but the visiting Browns offer them a shot at a victory, I think this is their week to pull it off.
The Giants have both sides of the ball in good working order and the Dolphins absolutely do not. Look for NYG to roll. (Playing a regular season game across the ocean is a travesty, incidentally. I understand the NFL's desire to go global but as a sports fan I see the NFL as uniquely American. And though I am fascinated by international competition curiously I have no interest in watching other countries play this game. Furthermore, if the NFL is interested in going global, screw Europe, go to Latin America)
The Eagles were my pre-season pick to win the NFC while the Vikings were my pre-season pick to be the out-of-nowhere meteor of the NFC. Both have disappointed but I think the Vikings a little less so--unless they continue to fail to give Peterson more than 12 touches!--so I'll take the home dog.
The Jets are coming apart, the Bills suck but at least they're fully intact. I like the Bills to win outright.
How will the wildfires affect the Chargers? I think they're clearly the better team so how can I hesitate on a pick 'em? I guess I won't.
Jax without their QB seems like ripe picking for the underappreciated Bucs at home.
The Niners and Saints have both flailed something awful this year. The Saints certainly have more explosive talent but I'm inclined to take the Niners at home. I like the home dog to win straight up.
I know the Patriots are better than anyone else around but I cannot stand these massive spreads they're getting. This week it catches up to them. The Pats win but the Skins keep it close (enough).
The Broncos looked pretty good against the Steelers with two banged up corners. But I think the Steelers were itching to lose whereas the Packers have already gotten that giveaway game out of their system (much to Chicago's delight). I'll take the Packers to get the W.
Pittsburgh 3.5 CINCINNATI
Indianapolis 6.5 CAROLINA
TENNESSEE 7.5 Oakland
Cleveland 3.0 ST. LOUIS
NYG 9.5 MIAMI
Philadelphia 1.0 MINNESOTA
NYJ 3.0 Buffalo
SAN DIEGO (Pick 'em) Houston
TAMPA BAY 4.0 Jacksonville
New Orleans 3.0 SAN FRANCISCO
NEW ENGLAND 16.5 Washington
DENVER 3.0 Green Bay
Chicago's back, right? Well, I'm skeptical and I like the Lions to keep it close.
The Steelers did not impress last week against the Broncos but I like them to pull it together against a division foe.
The Colts will roll.
The Raiders are a little better than people give them credit for and I suspect the Titans are not quite as good as others say. I like the Raiders to keep it close.
The Rams have been poor all year long but the visiting Browns offer them a shot at a victory, I think this is their week to pull it off.
The Giants have both sides of the ball in good working order and the Dolphins absolutely do not. Look for NYG to roll. (Playing a regular season game across the ocean is a travesty, incidentally. I understand the NFL's desire to go global but as a sports fan I see the NFL as uniquely American. And though I am fascinated by international competition curiously I have no interest in watching other countries play this game. Furthermore, if the NFL is interested in going global, screw Europe, go to Latin America)
The Eagles were my pre-season pick to win the NFC while the Vikings were my pre-season pick to be the out-of-nowhere meteor of the NFC. Both have disappointed but I think the Vikings a little less so--unless they continue to fail to give Peterson more than 12 touches!--so I'll take the home dog.
The Jets are coming apart, the Bills suck but at least they're fully intact. I like the Bills to win outright.
How will the wildfires affect the Chargers? I think they're clearly the better team so how can I hesitate on a pick 'em? I guess I won't.
Jax without their QB seems like ripe picking for the underappreciated Bucs at home.
The Niners and Saints have both flailed something awful this year. The Saints certainly have more explosive talent but I'm inclined to take the Niners at home. I like the home dog to win straight up.
I know the Patriots are better than anyone else around but I cannot stand these massive spreads they're getting. This week it catches up to them. The Pats win but the Skins keep it close (enough).
The Broncos looked pretty good against the Steelers with two banged up corners. But I think the Steelers were itching to lose whereas the Packers have already gotten that giveaway game out of their system (much to Chicago's delight). I'll take the Packers to get the W.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Red Sox move on
As a lifelong Indians fan I can't say I was too surprised. Even up 3-1 I felt queasy. Hafner never got going, Sizemore just wasn't effective at the top of the order, Lofton was snake bit and Sabathia and Carmona just weren't gonna mow down that lineup with fastballs. Game 7 was all about the micro-climates, as it were, the little pushes of momentum back and forth. Garko's marathon at-bat against Dice-K and Westbrook knocking down 8 straight batters in the middle there gave the Indians some room. But Lofton getting held up at 3rd was crucial, then Blake misplays Ellsworth's grounder and the floodgates opened wide.
What happens to Travis Hafner from here? I say he rests up in the off-season (he was hampered by nagging injuries all season) and comes back strong next year. I think Carmona and Cabrera pick up steam, Sizemore and Martinez and Blake anchor that line-up, the bullpen returns to top form and the Indians kick some ass next year. (I have the strange feeling Peralta doesn't return) I'd like that to be true as a fan, but as a disinterested sports watcher (hard to do both at the same time), I can see it happen. That doesn't necessarily push them through the playoffs but they are my pre-pre-season pick to take the Central again next year.
As for this year, I'll take the Red Sox (the new Yankees) in 6.
What happens to Travis Hafner from here? I say he rests up in the off-season (he was hampered by nagging injuries all season) and comes back strong next year. I think Carmona and Cabrera pick up steam, Sizemore and Martinez and Blake anchor that line-up, the bullpen returns to top form and the Indians kick some ass next year. (I have the strange feeling Peralta doesn't return) I'd like that to be true as a fan, but as a disinterested sports watcher (hard to do both at the same time), I can see it happen. That doesn't necessarily push them through the playoffs but they are my pre-pre-season pick to take the Central again next year.
As for this year, I'll take the Red Sox (the new Yankees) in 6.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
NFL Week 7
Tennessee 1.5 HOUSTON
DETROIT 2.0 Tampa Bay
New England 16.5 MIAMI
NEW ORLEANS 9.0 Atlanta
NEW YORK (NYG) 9.0 San Francisco
Baltimore 3.0 BUFFALO
WASHINGTON 8.5 Arizona
OAKLAND 2.5 Kansas City
CINCINNATI 6.5 New York (NYJ)
PHILADELPHIA 5.5 Chicago
SEATTLE 8.5 St. Louis
DALLAS 9.5 Minnesota
Pittsburgh 3.5 DENVER
Indianapolis 3.0 JACKSONVILLE
I see Houston and Tennessee (sans Vince Young) as relatively equal, so I'll take the home dog.
Tampa Bay has been better than anticipated and Detroit perhaps less so, but they're not that far apart and I'll take the home fave here.
Yeah, yeah, Miami has New England's number and this is the classic trap game and all that, but I'll take the Pats to pummel the Dolphins even on a very bad day.
So are the Saints ready to play again? I guess I'm thinking they are at least ready enough to run it up on a crippled Falcons squad.
I'm not exactly sold on NYG just yet but the Niners on the road are nothing special, so I'll stick with the Eli-Plaxico tandem to be big enough.
I haven't been impressed with the Ravens so far while the Bills remind me of the pre-Vince Titans: they not very talented but they play hard. Frankly, I think this has push written all over it, the Ravens with a late FG to win it.
I'm not sold on the Redskins minus a Felini (8.5--get it?) but the Cards on the road with a 3rd string QB just isn't giving me much reason to take the dog.
Raiders and Chiefs are probably pretty even these days, but I'll take the Raiders D to hold LJ reasonably in check. (And thanks to the bookmakers for avoiding the push by throwing in that extra half point because I can definitely see a last minute FG winning this game either way!)
Bengals-NYJ is a puzzle: both of these teams are collapsing badly. I'm not convinced the Bengals are a TD better even at home, but I do think NYJ is falling apart faster--is that a good reason to give points?
The Eagles at home against a wobbling Bears team should be an easy pick. So why am I going with the Bears? Not sure but the Eagles can throw up 40 or just throw up.
The Rams are not looking good these days, they may not get a W til December. I think the Seahawks are ready to break out and a struggling division opponent might be just what they need.
I like the Cowboys, they're solid and they'll win. But they've farted around much too much the last coupla weeks and I like the Vikings to keep it close.
The Steelers are clearly a much better team than the Broncos. So why only 3.5? I don't get it, this one's too easy.
This is exactly where everyone wants to count out the Colts but I think that's when they're at their best. I like the Colts not to run it up but to jump out early and hold on.
DETROIT 2.0 Tampa Bay
New England 16.5 MIAMI
NEW ORLEANS 9.0 Atlanta
NEW YORK (NYG) 9.0 San Francisco
Baltimore 3.0 BUFFALO
WASHINGTON 8.5 Arizona
OAKLAND 2.5 Kansas City
CINCINNATI 6.5 New York (NYJ)
PHILADELPHIA 5.5 Chicago
SEATTLE 8.5 St. Louis
DALLAS 9.5 Minnesota
Pittsburgh 3.5 DENVER
Indianapolis 3.0 JACKSONVILLE
I see Houston and Tennessee (sans Vince Young) as relatively equal, so I'll take the home dog.
Tampa Bay has been better than anticipated and Detroit perhaps less so, but they're not that far apart and I'll take the home fave here.
Yeah, yeah, Miami has New England's number and this is the classic trap game and all that, but I'll take the Pats to pummel the Dolphins even on a very bad day.
So are the Saints ready to play again? I guess I'm thinking they are at least ready enough to run it up on a crippled Falcons squad.
I'm not exactly sold on NYG just yet but the Niners on the road are nothing special, so I'll stick with the Eli-Plaxico tandem to be big enough.
I haven't been impressed with the Ravens so far while the Bills remind me of the pre-Vince Titans: they not very talented but they play hard. Frankly, I think this has push written all over it, the Ravens with a late FG to win it.
I'm not sold on the Redskins minus a Felini (8.5--get it?) but the Cards on the road with a 3rd string QB just isn't giving me much reason to take the dog.
Raiders and Chiefs are probably pretty even these days, but I'll take the Raiders D to hold LJ reasonably in check. (And thanks to the bookmakers for avoiding the push by throwing in that extra half point because I can definitely see a last minute FG winning this game either way!)
Bengals-NYJ is a puzzle: both of these teams are collapsing badly. I'm not convinced the Bengals are a TD better even at home, but I do think NYJ is falling apart faster--is that a good reason to give points?
The Eagles at home against a wobbling Bears team should be an easy pick. So why am I going with the Bears? Not sure but the Eagles can throw up 40 or just throw up.
The Rams are not looking good these days, they may not get a W til December. I think the Seahawks are ready to break out and a struggling division opponent might be just what they need.
I like the Cowboys, they're solid and they'll win. But they've farted around much too much the last coupla weeks and I like the Vikings to keep it close.
The Steelers are clearly a much better team than the Broncos. So why only 3.5? I don't get it, this one's too easy.
This is exactly where everyone wants to count out the Colts but I think that's when they're at their best. I like the Colts not to run it up but to jump out early and hold on.
MLB Playoffs update
Damn, Josh Beckett is money! The fact that he's got his breaking ball moving in the zone should be enough but his fastball still had major zip well into the 8th. His 2 games against the Indians in this series--the Red Sox only wins so far--have both been very impressive performances. I was disappointed Perez didn't convert that double play in the 7th the other night that would've at least cut down on the Red Sox offensive outburst but it didn't really matter at the time, Beckett was untouchable and the Indians just didn't have it. But it does give guys like Pedroia and Lugo chances to see some action and frankly I preferred those 2 being cold. (Coco Crisp neglected to get in on the action which is fine with me. Man, Shoppach and Marte for him is looking like a good trade for the Indians, no?) Much was made of Manny's comments ('If we lose its not the end of the world') but I thought that made him play too hard: thrown out at home in the 1st, ran into Lugo on Sizemore's bloop, arguing rather than running on his 'home run' (it looked out to me). The Red Sox prevailed so all's well in Manny-land but I thought he got in his own head for a while there.
Game 4 was all about Paul Byrd's kooky style-y and the inability of the role players in that Red Sox line-up to get anything going. Early on Tim Wakefield looked like he had it going on, which is always possible with that guy, but once he wobbled the Indians jumped on him. I thought the home plate ump let the strike zone get away from him at times but in the long run that favored the Indians. Though the frigid Travis Hafner got a coupla K's he didn't deserve and Victor Martinez had at least 1 at-bat go to waste because of the shifting strike zone, Manny grounded into a DP instead of getting the 4 pitch walk I thought he earned, making it all worthwhile in the end.
Game 3 was all about Jake Westbrook bringing the good stuff and Kenny Lofton's veteran (re: lucky as shit) hitting. Many malign Dice-K's performance and while he did get behind a lot of hitters (didn't it seem like he was 3-1 on just about everybody?), he didn't do that bad. I thought his biggest problem was the utter lack of offensive help. I cringed when Varitek hit that 2-run dinger, he's too good to stay that cold for long (that's true of Hafner too, right?). All in all, the Indians rallied behind Westbrook and did what they needed to do.
For the record as an Indians fan I prefer to be up 3-1 but by no means did I think it was over. I knew Beckett would be tough and its hard to imagine Schilling losing twice at home in the same series and I'm not looking forward to Dice-K in game 7. And the Red Sox are notorious for doing this kind of thing anyway. The Indians still seem like the underdog, don't they? They had the same number of regular season wins and they've got a game in hand heading back to Boston but they just don't seem equal. I still think its all about Hafner, the Indians will only finish it when he gets hot.
Oh yeah, and the Rockies swept the Diamondbacks. The Rockies are hot--or they were until they were forced to stop playing for a week and watch the AL work itself out. Hate to go against destiny, especially the fun, telegenic, plucky variety, but I'll take the AL winner over the Rockies in the end.
Game 4 was all about Paul Byrd's kooky style-y and the inability of the role players in that Red Sox line-up to get anything going. Early on Tim Wakefield looked like he had it going on, which is always possible with that guy, but once he wobbled the Indians jumped on him. I thought the home plate ump let the strike zone get away from him at times but in the long run that favored the Indians. Though the frigid Travis Hafner got a coupla K's he didn't deserve and Victor Martinez had at least 1 at-bat go to waste because of the shifting strike zone, Manny grounded into a DP instead of getting the 4 pitch walk I thought he earned, making it all worthwhile in the end.
Game 3 was all about Jake Westbrook bringing the good stuff and Kenny Lofton's veteran (re: lucky as shit) hitting. Many malign Dice-K's performance and while he did get behind a lot of hitters (didn't it seem like he was 3-1 on just about everybody?), he didn't do that bad. I thought his biggest problem was the utter lack of offensive help. I cringed when Varitek hit that 2-run dinger, he's too good to stay that cold for long (that's true of Hafner too, right?). All in all, the Indians rallied behind Westbrook and did what they needed to do.
For the record as an Indians fan I prefer to be up 3-1 but by no means did I think it was over. I knew Beckett would be tough and its hard to imagine Schilling losing twice at home in the same series and I'm not looking forward to Dice-K in game 7. And the Red Sox are notorious for doing this kind of thing anyway. The Indians still seem like the underdog, don't they? They had the same number of regular season wins and they've got a game in hand heading back to Boston but they just don't seem equal. I still think its all about Hafner, the Indians will only finish it when he gets hot.
Oh yeah, and the Rockies swept the Diamondbacks. The Rockies are hot--or they were until they were forced to stop playing for a week and watch the AL work itself out. Hate to go against destiny, especially the fun, telegenic, plucky variety, but I'll take the AL winner over the Rockies in the end.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
MLB Playoffs Update
I did get 3 out of 4 of my playoff predictions (Phillies, you're dead to me now), although curiously enough the only sweep I predicted was the only series that didn't end in a sweep. Okay, now for the next round.
You might recall that I had the D-Backs v. the Rockies in my pre-season picks. Just kidding, I wasn't even close and neither were you. This is one of the outcomes that only a freaked out junkie could've possibly picked at the beginning of the year for a number of reasons: there was no reason to think either of them would be any good in general, there were no stars or experienced managers to point to and, of course, the east coast bias of the media culture. Even now the talk is of Pinella's questionable pitching maneuvers (though that was surely not their only problem), and the disppointing Phillies bats. (Bias aside, the story of the year is still the monumental collapse of the Mets, man, up 7 games with 15 to play and couldn't close it…that's pathetic) Both of these teams are hot and as division foes they're used to each other. I don't know, I'll say Rockies in 6. (D-Backs take 1 & 4; Rockies take 2, 3, 5, 6)
I'm a lifelong Indians fan so this is bound to be disappointing to me. The Red Sox lineup is stacked from top to bottom and they've got killer pitching and a veteran coach. The Indians are getting hot at the right time but I just don't think it'll be enough. The Indians do have their rotation ready to go but I almost feel like performances of Sabathia and Carmona may be wasted in Boston. I feel like it'll take a series of crises for the Red Sox to not win this thing--and they're over their crises now, right? Red Sox in 6. (Indians take 3 & 5; Red Sox take 1, 2, 4, 6)
You might recall that I had the D-Backs v. the Rockies in my pre-season picks. Just kidding, I wasn't even close and neither were you. This is one of the outcomes that only a freaked out junkie could've possibly picked at the beginning of the year for a number of reasons: there was no reason to think either of them would be any good in general, there were no stars or experienced managers to point to and, of course, the east coast bias of the media culture. Even now the talk is of Pinella's questionable pitching maneuvers (though that was surely not their only problem), and the disppointing Phillies bats. (Bias aside, the story of the year is still the monumental collapse of the Mets, man, up 7 games with 15 to play and couldn't close it…that's pathetic) Both of these teams are hot and as division foes they're used to each other. I don't know, I'll say Rockies in 6. (D-Backs take 1 & 4; Rockies take 2, 3, 5, 6)
I'm a lifelong Indians fan so this is bound to be disappointing to me. The Red Sox lineup is stacked from top to bottom and they've got killer pitching and a veteran coach. The Indians are getting hot at the right time but I just don't think it'll be enough. The Indians do have their rotation ready to go but I almost feel like performances of Sabathia and Carmona may be wasted in Boston. I feel like it'll take a series of crises for the Red Sox to not win this thing--and they're over their crises now, right? Red Sox in 6. (Indians take 3 & 5; Red Sox take 1, 2, 4, 6)
Monday, October 8, 2007
Rugby World Cup update
South Africa 37-20 FJI
Argentina 19-13 Scotland
After seeing titans, New Zealand and Australia, go down on the previous day, South Africa didn't take the bait. They went right at Fiji and got it done. One suspects the Springboks know the Cup is theirs for the taking and they're taking it. Meanwhile, Argentina got it done against Scotland, two up-and-comers in the rugby world.
13 Oct 2007
England-France
14 Oct 2007
South Africa-Argentina
I'll go with France over England and South Africa over Argentina. South Africa has the hardware in their grasp.
Argentina 19-13 Scotland
After seeing titans, New Zealand and Australia, go down on the previous day, South Africa didn't take the bait. They went right at Fiji and got it done. One suspects the Springboks know the Cup is theirs for the taking and they're taking it. Meanwhile, Argentina got it done against Scotland, two up-and-comers in the rugby world.
13 Oct 2007
England-France
14 Oct 2007
South Africa-Argentina
I'll go with France over England and South Africa over Argentina. South Africa has the hardware in their grasp.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Rugby World Cup update
England 12-10 Australia
France 20-18 New Zealand
Wow! A pair of shockers on the first day of the quarterfinals. Australia and New Zealand (along with South Africa) have been pounding everyone in rugby for decades now and this has to be considered two of the bigger upsets in this sport in eons. I'd love to see some highlights, until then I can't say much about the games themselves. But the results are stunning. Does South Africa stumble as well or do they see a world championship there for the taking?
Tomorrow's quarters:
South Africa-Fiji
Argentina-Scotland
France 20-18 New Zealand
Wow! A pair of shockers on the first day of the quarterfinals. Australia and New Zealand (along with South Africa) have been pounding everyone in rugby for decades now and this has to be considered two of the bigger upsets in this sport in eons. I'd love to see some highlights, until then I can't say much about the games themselves. But the results are stunning. Does South Africa stumble as well or do they see a world championship there for the taking?
Tomorrow's quarters:
South Africa-Fiji
Argentina-Scotland
MLB Playoffs update
I thought the Phillies were the team to beat in the National League. Well, the Rockies beat them, 3 straight. Can't front on that. The Rockies came in hot and so far they've stayed hot, easily brushing aside the Phillies.
The D-Backs also easily swept aside the Cubs, the team with the bigger payroll and higher expectations. Cubs fans will remember Lou Pinella sitting Zambrano after 85 pitches in game 1 but I suspect everyone else will remember that the D-Backs came ready to play and did the little things like timely hitting and turning double plays that the Cubs just couldn't pull off.
I think both of the West teams lucked out in the sense that the more high profile eastern teams were overrated and are going to pay a higher price for failure in the press than the Rockies and D-Backs would've had to put up with. Screwy, yeah, but hey, that's just how it works. I guess I'm sticking with the Rockies. They've got everything rolling right now and while the D-Backs do too, I think the Rockies play a fuller, richer style of ball. Rockies in 6.
The D-Backs also easily swept aside the Cubs, the team with the bigger payroll and higher expectations. Cubs fans will remember Lou Pinella sitting Zambrano after 85 pitches in game 1 but I suspect everyone else will remember that the D-Backs came ready to play and did the little things like timely hitting and turning double plays that the Cubs just couldn't pull off.
I think both of the West teams lucked out in the sense that the more high profile eastern teams were overrated and are going to pay a higher price for failure in the press than the Rockies and D-Backs would've had to put up with. Screwy, yeah, but hey, that's just how it works. I guess I'm sticking with the Rockies. They've got everything rolling right now and while the D-Backs do too, I think the Rockies play a fuller, richer style of ball. Rockies in 6.
Friday, October 5, 2007
NFL Week 5
TENNESSEE 8.5 Atlanta
HOUSTON 5.5 Miami
Jacksonville 2.0 KANSAS CITY
Arizona 3.5 ST. LOUIS
NEW ENGLAND 16.5 Cleveland
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Carolina
NEW YORK (NYG) 3.5 New York (NYJ)
PITTSBURGH 5.5 Seattle
WASHINGTON 3.5 Detroit
INDIANAPOLIS 10.0 Tampa Bay
DENVER 1.5 San Diego
Baltimore 3.5 SAN FRANCISCO
GREEN BAY 3.0 Chicago
Dallas 10.0 BUFFALO
I think Atlanta will win some games but not til the 2nd half when they can play bottom-feeder and occasional spoiler. Houston is poised for a big win, bet against them. Jax can run the ball and stop the run, they should be able to hang with anyone in the league and KC is looking decidedly one-dimensional. I just got a feeling the Leinart-Warner platoon breaks down this week, I like the Rams to rally behind the back-up. I hate double digit spreads but, man, everything the New England does works, you gotta think they'll roll. The Saints are in free fall but a division opponent is a good place to get back to right. The Giants D showed up big time last week, time for them to disappear again. I think the Steelers are overacheiving a bit and the Seahawks are underrated, actually I think they're similar teams; the Steelers will win but I like the Hacks to keep it close. If Redskins-Lions turns into a shootout, I like the Lions. The Colts have some tough injuries to overcome but so do the Bucs, if you call that even then give the points and take the Colts. The Chargers have yet to get going, I'm thinking that's bad news for the Broncos. I like Trent Dilfer to come off the bench and give his old team, the overrated Ravens, the business. The Bears are reeling and the Packers are on fire, this looks like one of those turnaround weeks but I'll stick with the Packers in a division game. As much as I hate double digit spreads, the Cowboys love to run up the stats and the Bills try hard but got not much going, take the Cowboys on Monday night.
HOUSTON 5.5 Miami
Jacksonville 2.0 KANSAS CITY
Arizona 3.5 ST. LOUIS
NEW ENGLAND 16.5 Cleveland
NEW ORLEANS 3.0 Carolina
NEW YORK (NYG) 3.5 New York (NYJ)
PITTSBURGH 5.5 Seattle
WASHINGTON 3.5 Detroit
INDIANAPOLIS 10.0 Tampa Bay
DENVER 1.5 San Diego
Baltimore 3.5 SAN FRANCISCO
GREEN BAY 3.0 Chicago
Dallas 10.0 BUFFALO
I think Atlanta will win some games but not til the 2nd half when they can play bottom-feeder and occasional spoiler. Houston is poised for a big win, bet against them. Jax can run the ball and stop the run, they should be able to hang with anyone in the league and KC is looking decidedly one-dimensional. I just got a feeling the Leinart-Warner platoon breaks down this week, I like the Rams to rally behind the back-up. I hate double digit spreads but, man, everything the New England does works, you gotta think they'll roll. The Saints are in free fall but a division opponent is a good place to get back to right. The Giants D showed up big time last week, time for them to disappear again. I think the Steelers are overacheiving a bit and the Seahawks are underrated, actually I think they're similar teams; the Steelers will win but I like the Hacks to keep it close. If Redskins-Lions turns into a shootout, I like the Lions. The Colts have some tough injuries to overcome but so do the Bucs, if you call that even then give the points and take the Colts. The Chargers have yet to get going, I'm thinking that's bad news for the Broncos. I like Trent Dilfer to come off the bench and give his old team, the overrated Ravens, the business. The Bears are reeling and the Packers are on fire, this looks like one of those turnaround weeks but I'll stick with the Packers in a division game. As much as I hate double digit spreads, the Cowboys love to run up the stats and the Bills try hard but got not much going, take the Cowboys on Monday night.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
MLB Playoff update
Ah, baseball season is finally getting started! If you don't like baseball then you don't care one way or the other. But real baseball fans know the secret of this game: the playoffs are totally different from the regular season. Every pitch matters, every at-bat must be maximized and every coaching decision will have an impact. Everyone is trying to win every game from here on out--and that doesn't really happen in the regular season. Coaches do a lot of experimenting over the course of 162 games, the players take days off, and the pitchers don't prepare quite like they will from here on out.
Phillies-Rockies is an interesting match-up because these are the two hottest teams going. Also, the potential home field advantages are a little backwards here: Philly fans are as likely to boo the home squad as the visitors and the thin air of Denver may benefit the visitors as much as the homers. (Honestly I can't think of any other home sites that are as potentially hospitable to the visitors in all of sports!) While the Rockies are hot and spunky, I think the Phillies are just a better team. Phillies in 5.
Diamondbacks-Cubs will be the one everyone's watching. There are Cubs fans all over the world and like Red Sox fans they're used to losing. But unlike Red Sox fans, they don't seem to give a shit. Red Sox fans walked around for almost a century lugging a cross upon which they could climb at a moment's notice; Cubs fans are much more laissez-faire about their favorite squad, the Cubs are just an opportunity to get drunk on a weekday afternoon. Also, I've long suspected that if the Cubs ever actually win they'll be the most popular thing on planet earth for 1 year, then they'll just be the Minnesota Twins. If they win the management will turn ruthless, the fans will become greedy, they won't be any fun any more--they'll probably play more night games! While we were all secretly rooting for the Red Sox (and the White Sox) to finally win one, deep down we're secretly hoping the Cubs curse continues. D-Backs in 4.
Indians-Yankees is close to home for me, I'm a lifelong Indians fan. This is one of those kooky sports years: while the Indians just missed having the best record in the Majors this year, in a lot of ways it was a disappointing season. Travis Hafner had a pretty mediocre year, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Garko and Andy Marte didn't progress and Cliff Lee has virtually disappeared. But Victor Martinez had a great year, Fausto Carmona stepped forward into Cy Young territory and Joe Borowski had a marvelous year in the bullpen. These are two teams that can score a lot of runs but I think the Yankee pitching doesn't hold up. Indians in 3.
Red Sox-Angels might make for a classic. The Sox have the best everything in baseball--they had the best record in the league and Manny Ramirez and JD Drew never even got going! But they've been coasting lately, I'm not seeing the urgency you want from a playoff team. But the Angels are banged up and I still just don't see how they score all those runs. I'll take the Red Sox pitching to make the difference. Red Sox in 5.
For now I'm thinking Phillies-Red Sox but I'll revise in the next week or so.
Phillies-Rockies is an interesting match-up because these are the two hottest teams going. Also, the potential home field advantages are a little backwards here: Philly fans are as likely to boo the home squad as the visitors and the thin air of Denver may benefit the visitors as much as the homers. (Honestly I can't think of any other home sites that are as potentially hospitable to the visitors in all of sports!) While the Rockies are hot and spunky, I think the Phillies are just a better team. Phillies in 5.
Diamondbacks-Cubs will be the one everyone's watching. There are Cubs fans all over the world and like Red Sox fans they're used to losing. But unlike Red Sox fans, they don't seem to give a shit. Red Sox fans walked around for almost a century lugging a cross upon which they could climb at a moment's notice; Cubs fans are much more laissez-faire about their favorite squad, the Cubs are just an opportunity to get drunk on a weekday afternoon. Also, I've long suspected that if the Cubs ever actually win they'll be the most popular thing on planet earth for 1 year, then they'll just be the Minnesota Twins. If they win the management will turn ruthless, the fans will become greedy, they won't be any fun any more--they'll probably play more night games! While we were all secretly rooting for the Red Sox (and the White Sox) to finally win one, deep down we're secretly hoping the Cubs curse continues. D-Backs in 4.
Indians-Yankees is close to home for me, I'm a lifelong Indians fan. This is one of those kooky sports years: while the Indians just missed having the best record in the Majors this year, in a lot of ways it was a disappointing season. Travis Hafner had a pretty mediocre year, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Garko and Andy Marte didn't progress and Cliff Lee has virtually disappeared. But Victor Martinez had a great year, Fausto Carmona stepped forward into Cy Young territory and Joe Borowski had a marvelous year in the bullpen. These are two teams that can score a lot of runs but I think the Yankee pitching doesn't hold up. Indians in 3.
Red Sox-Angels might make for a classic. The Sox have the best everything in baseball--they had the best record in the league and Manny Ramirez and JD Drew never even got going! But they've been coasting lately, I'm not seeing the urgency you want from a playoff team. But the Angels are banged up and I still just don't see how they score all those runs. I'll take the Red Sox pitching to make the difference. Red Sox in 5.
For now I'm thinking Phillies-Red Sox but I'll revise in the next week or so.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Rugby World Cup update
06 Oct - 15:00
Australia-England
New Zealand-France
07 Oct - 15:00
South Africa-Fiji
Argentina-Scotland
I'll go with Australia & New Zealand on Saturday--going way out on the limb with those picks. I'll take South Africa over Fiji leaving us with, honestly, the only competitive contest on the docket in Argentina-Scotland. I'll go with Scotland just because...well, I don't know.
In group play, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa dominated as is to be expected. Argentina came to play, didn't realize they were going to hang with the big dogs. France and Scotland, the upcoming Euro powers, were right there as well.
Little surprised Somoa didn't fare a little better, they're well known as a rugby nation. Wales, as well, is a comer in the Euro rugby scene but this is the World Cup.
USA, Portugal and Namibia all put up valiant efforts for dead last--even Japan and Canada eked out draws (granted, it was the same game).
Australia-England
New Zealand-France
07 Oct - 15:00
South Africa-Fiji
Argentina-Scotland
I'll go with Australia & New Zealand on Saturday--going way out on the limb with those picks. I'll take South Africa over Fiji leaving us with, honestly, the only competitive contest on the docket in Argentina-Scotland. I'll go with Scotland just because...well, I don't know.
In group play, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa dominated as is to be expected. Argentina came to play, didn't realize they were going to hang with the big dogs. France and Scotland, the upcoming Euro powers, were right there as well.
Little surprised Somoa didn't fare a little better, they're well known as a rugby nation. Wales, as well, is a comer in the Euro rugby scene but this is the World Cup.
USA, Portugal and Namibia all put up valiant efforts for dead last--even Japan and Canada eked out draws (granted, it was the same game).
The Eagle lands with a thud
Semi-final: Brazil 4-0 USA
Wow, the Brazilian ladies laid a flat-out beatdown on the mighty USA yesterday. On the talk radio USA was referred to as having a 'meltdown'. No, no, 'meltdown ' would indicate that everything was within their grasp and they somehow let it get away. No, no, no. Brazil controlled every second of this match, the only thing USA really did wrong was showing up. The first goal was unfortunate and the second was perhaps a save-able ball. But that just scratches the surface, the Brazilians peppered the goal all night: they hit the post, the crossbar and painted the post wide twice in the first half and at least once more in the second. Brazil could have won 8-0! Dude, after that 4th goal it was show time, the Brazilian ladies tooling around the Americans like cones in the parking lot. This was an even bigger beatdown than Serena laid on Sherapova at the Aussie this year.
Much will be made of the coach's decision to change goalies, which I agree is odd but hardly unprecedented. An easy scapegoat, I suppose, but that was not the problem. The Americans were outclassed and outpaced at every single position on the field. Hope Solo's unfortunate tirade to the media after the game will be her epitaph, I'm afraid. I agree wholeheartedly with her criticism of the coach but taking a shot at Brianna Scurry, a hall of famer, is indefensible and just not very politic. And if Solo thought she would win the game by herself--braaa haa haaaaa! I don't think so!
The Brazilian women have been one of the better ladies' teams out there for a decade or so but USA has been the mighty mistresses of this sport since its inception in the late '80s. Until now. This was a statement game--think of the Pats beating the heavily favored Rams signaling that the greatest show on turf was about to give way to sweatshirt artistry or Jordan's Bulls finally dispatching Isiah's Pistons, this is that kind of sea change in the game, I suspect. USA has long ruled by their superior training and teamwork. Now the flair Brazilians have long had for this game has finally come to the ladies' pitch and they will take a few more of these Cups in the near future.
Semi-final: Germany 3-0 Norway
I failed to watch the Germany-Norway semi-final though I did TIVO it. I intended to give it an eye but when I heard Germany won I lost my interest. I did skip forward and watch the goals: an own goal shortly before a half time, a flukey deflection goal about 20 minutes of the 2nd half and a lazy defense goal to cap it with 10 minutes or so. All pretty weak (that third one was a fine finish but a lame goal--does that make sense?) and it unfortunately mars what should've been a fine contest. Norway and USA both got bounced hard, should make for an interesting bronze medal match.
Bronze match: USA 4-1 Norway
This was the way USA expected to play in the previous round. They controlled the ball from beginning to end, nullifying the Norweigan offense by simply never giving them the ball. Norway faltered in the 2nd half against Germany and again to USA, as the Americans piled on 3 quick goals to finish it. USA and Norway have been mainstays in this game since its inception and I reckon they'll be strong in 2011.
Final: Germany 2-0 Brazil
I missed the final but I was surprised by the final line. Germany struck me as similar to the Americans, I thought the Brazilians would tool right through them. But their finishing touch abandoned them (a missed PK in a World Cup final?) and I take it Germany must've done a good job of interrupting the flow. Germany has now won back-to-back World Cups but I'm still convinced the Brazilians will be back in 2011.
I'll go ahead and make the prediction that the final four (Brazil, Germany, Norway, USA) will be the same 4 years down the line.
Wow, the Brazilian ladies laid a flat-out beatdown on the mighty USA yesterday. On the talk radio USA was referred to as having a 'meltdown'. No, no, 'meltdown ' would indicate that everything was within their grasp and they somehow let it get away. No, no, no. Brazil controlled every second of this match, the only thing USA really did wrong was showing up. The first goal was unfortunate and the second was perhaps a save-able ball. But that just scratches the surface, the Brazilians peppered the goal all night: they hit the post, the crossbar and painted the post wide twice in the first half and at least once more in the second. Brazil could have won 8-0! Dude, after that 4th goal it was show time, the Brazilian ladies tooling around the Americans like cones in the parking lot. This was an even bigger beatdown than Serena laid on Sherapova at the Aussie this year.
Much will be made of the coach's decision to change goalies, which I agree is odd but hardly unprecedented. An easy scapegoat, I suppose, but that was not the problem. The Americans were outclassed and outpaced at every single position on the field. Hope Solo's unfortunate tirade to the media after the game will be her epitaph, I'm afraid. I agree wholeheartedly with her criticism of the coach but taking a shot at Brianna Scurry, a hall of famer, is indefensible and just not very politic. And if Solo thought she would win the game by herself--braaa haa haaaaa! I don't think so!
The Brazilian women have been one of the better ladies' teams out there for a decade or so but USA has been the mighty mistresses of this sport since its inception in the late '80s. Until now. This was a statement game--think of the Pats beating the heavily favored Rams signaling that the greatest show on turf was about to give way to sweatshirt artistry or Jordan's Bulls finally dispatching Isiah's Pistons, this is that kind of sea change in the game, I suspect. USA has long ruled by their superior training and teamwork. Now the flair Brazilians have long had for this game has finally come to the ladies' pitch and they will take a few more of these Cups in the near future.
Semi-final: Germany 3-0 Norway
I failed to watch the Germany-Norway semi-final though I did TIVO it. I intended to give it an eye but when I heard Germany won I lost my interest. I did skip forward and watch the goals: an own goal shortly before a half time, a flukey deflection goal about 20 minutes of the 2nd half and a lazy defense goal to cap it with 10 minutes or so. All pretty weak (that third one was a fine finish but a lame goal--does that make sense?) and it unfortunately mars what should've been a fine contest. Norway and USA both got bounced hard, should make for an interesting bronze medal match.
Bronze match: USA 4-1 Norway
This was the way USA expected to play in the previous round. They controlled the ball from beginning to end, nullifying the Norweigan offense by simply never giving them the ball. Norway faltered in the 2nd half against Germany and again to USA, as the Americans piled on 3 quick goals to finish it. USA and Norway have been mainstays in this game since its inception and I reckon they'll be strong in 2011.
Final: Germany 2-0 Brazil
I missed the final but I was surprised by the final line. Germany struck me as similar to the Americans, I thought the Brazilians would tool right through them. But their finishing touch abandoned them (a missed PK in a World Cup final?) and I take it Germany must've done a good job of interrupting the flow. Germany has now won back-to-back World Cups but I'm still convinced the Brazilians will be back in 2011.
I'll go ahead and make the prediction that the final four (Brazil, Germany, Norway, USA) will be the same 4 years down the line.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Women's World Cup update
I had been looking forward to getting into this year's Women's World Cup but the gods have endeavored against me: I got a freakin' job! But I will make an effort to watch the games from here on out.
I noticed that neither Germany and Brazil were scored on in group play so though USA and Norway are the perennial juggernauts in this sport, its setting up to put them in the bronze medal round. We'll see if the traditional male powers, Brazil and Germany (2002 World Cup final) can step forward in the ladies game. For now I'll stick with the traditional powers, USA and Norway.
• Germany vs. Norway - (Wednesday, 8 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
• USA vs. Brazil - (Thursday, 8 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
I noticed that neither Germany and Brazil were scored on in group play so though USA and Norway are the perennial juggernauts in this sport, its setting up to put them in the bronze medal round. We'll see if the traditional male powers, Brazil and Germany (2002 World Cup final) can step forward in the ladies game. For now I'll stick with the traditional powers, USA and Norway.
• Germany vs. Norway - (Wednesday, 8 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
• USA vs. Brazil - (Thursday, 8 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
NFL Week 3
Indianapolis 6.0 HOUSTON
NEW ENGLAND 16.5 Buffalo
NEW YORK (NYJ) 3.0 Miami
PHILADELPHIA 6.0 Detroit
PITTSBURGH 9.0 San Francisco
TAMPA BAY 3.5 St. Louis
San Diego 5.0 GREEN BAY
BALTIMORE 8.0 Arizona
KANSAS CITY 3.0 Minnesota
OAKLAND 3.0 Cleveland
SEATTLE 3.5 Cincinnati
DENVER 3.0 Jacksonville
Carolina 3.5 ATLANTA
WASHINGTON 3.5 New York (NYG)
CHICAGO 3.0 Dallas
NEW ORLEANS 4.0 Tennessee
(Home team in caps, my pick in bold)
8 dogs, 8 faves, a balanced week. Indy tends to fart around with bottom feeders but I think this early in the season they'll bring the wood. Ditto New England. Not sure why Philly's getting 6 against a Lions team that looks like they can score. Hard to tell if the Steelers are as good as they look, strangely enough SF is a good test for them. Still waiting for the Rams to get it right, got to feel like this is the week. I think the Packers are looking pretty good, I like the Chargers to get the W but not to cover. Not sure why Baltimore is giving 9, they're not exactly an offensive machine. I have the kooky feeling that the Vikings could be the surprise team of the year. Oakland might've found someone they can beat, hard to imagine the Browns putting up fitty again this week. Seahawks-Bengals may be the best match of the week: these are 2 squads struggling for some identity, we'll see who gets it. Broncos-Jags may be the most frustrating match of the week: ditto the identity-less squads, but this one could get ugly. If the Falcons win at all this year, the schizo-Panthers may be their best shot. Curious to see if the Redskins can actually string together a coupla good games. Who gets the 'overrated' tag all next week on talk radio, Cowboys or Bears? C'mon Saints, you're supposed to be America's team, so start scoing some points or Vince Young will clown you on national TV!
NEW ENGLAND 16.5 Buffalo
NEW YORK (NYJ) 3.0 Miami
PHILADELPHIA 6.0 Detroit
PITTSBURGH 9.0 San Francisco
TAMPA BAY 3.5 St. Louis
San Diego 5.0 GREEN BAY
BALTIMORE 8.0 Arizona
KANSAS CITY 3.0 Minnesota
OAKLAND 3.0 Cleveland
SEATTLE 3.5 Cincinnati
DENVER 3.0 Jacksonville
Carolina 3.5 ATLANTA
WASHINGTON 3.5 New York (NYG)
CHICAGO 3.0 Dallas
NEW ORLEANS 4.0 Tennessee
(Home team in caps, my pick in bold)
8 dogs, 8 faves, a balanced week. Indy tends to fart around with bottom feeders but I think this early in the season they'll bring the wood. Ditto New England. Not sure why Philly's getting 6 against a Lions team that looks like they can score. Hard to tell if the Steelers are as good as they look, strangely enough SF is a good test for them. Still waiting for the Rams to get it right, got to feel like this is the week. I think the Packers are looking pretty good, I like the Chargers to get the W but not to cover. Not sure why Baltimore is giving 9, they're not exactly an offensive machine. I have the kooky feeling that the Vikings could be the surprise team of the year. Oakland might've found someone they can beat, hard to imagine the Browns putting up fitty again this week. Seahawks-Bengals may be the best match of the week: these are 2 squads struggling for some identity, we'll see who gets it. Broncos-Jags may be the most frustrating match of the week: ditto the identity-less squads, but this one could get ugly. If the Falcons win at all this year, the schizo-Panthers may be their best shot. Curious to see if the Redskins can actually string together a coupla good games. Who gets the 'overrated' tag all next week on talk radio, Cowboys or Bears? C'mon Saints, you're supposed to be America's team, so start scoing some points or Vince Young will clown you on national TV!
Random thoughts
Seems like forever since I've posted but I've got a new late night job and my hours are still screwy. After many many years of getting up by 8am, its going to take more than few weeks to get used to going to bed at that time.
Tiger trounced everyone in the Fed Ex Cup, which was to be expected. The players may not care much for the scheduling or the pay out, but you damn sure know Tiger's not gonna let someone else win the inaugural playoff. He only needed 3 events to do it and while shlubs like Rory Sabatini complained, I say: hey, man, if Tiger needed 4 tourneys to beat you then that's what he would've done but he didn't need it so your opinion has been duly noted... and ignored.
Jose Maurinho has been forced out of Chelsea by the megalomaniac Russian mobster that owns the place. Apparently Maurinho wasn't into a yelling match with a guy that buys auto companies with his spare change. I don't blame him and while soccer coaches are notoriously useless, Maurinho was one of the few coaches out there that really does bring a calming presence to the sideline, a Parcells influence, a Phil Jackson influence, an air of winning about him keeps everybody focused. That said, they've still got plenty enough talent to win the Premiership and do some damage in Europe.
I noticed Wofford beat App. State this afternoon. Why isn't anyone calling that the biggest upset in the history of sports? App has won 20 straight or something, back-to-back champions in their league and they just scored a massive upset over Michigan--can't we call these guys the Michigan of 1-AA? Isn't App going down to lowly Wofford (the archrival of my piddly alma mater many years ago) an even bigger upset?
My Kentucky Wildcats are 4-0 and headed for the top 20 in the first time since anyone can remember. I'm still trippin' that they won a bowl last year! What's going on around here?
The Indians, Red Sox, Angels and Yankees have punched their tickets to the post-season, just remains to be seen how they rank when its all over and done with. The Mets are trying to blow their mid-Septemeber 7 game lead but I've got a feeling they'll pull it together. The White Sox had a September swoon 2 years ago and comfortably plowed everyone in the post-season, ditto the Cards last year. If this trend holds, then look for the Mets to rally and go all the way. It could happen.
That's all for now. I'll be back with some NFL later on.
Tiger trounced everyone in the Fed Ex Cup, which was to be expected. The players may not care much for the scheduling or the pay out, but you damn sure know Tiger's not gonna let someone else win the inaugural playoff. He only needed 3 events to do it and while shlubs like Rory Sabatini complained, I say: hey, man, if Tiger needed 4 tourneys to beat you then that's what he would've done but he didn't need it so your opinion has been duly noted... and ignored.
Jose Maurinho has been forced out of Chelsea by the megalomaniac Russian mobster that owns the place. Apparently Maurinho wasn't into a yelling match with a guy that buys auto companies with his spare change. I don't blame him and while soccer coaches are notoriously useless, Maurinho was one of the few coaches out there that really does bring a calming presence to the sideline, a Parcells influence, a Phil Jackson influence, an air of winning about him keeps everybody focused. That said, they've still got plenty enough talent to win the Premiership and do some damage in Europe.
I noticed Wofford beat App. State this afternoon. Why isn't anyone calling that the biggest upset in the history of sports? App has won 20 straight or something, back-to-back champions in their league and they just scored a massive upset over Michigan--can't we call these guys the Michigan of 1-AA? Isn't App going down to lowly Wofford (the archrival of my piddly alma mater many years ago) an even bigger upset?
My Kentucky Wildcats are 4-0 and headed for the top 20 in the first time since anyone can remember. I'm still trippin' that they won a bowl last year! What's going on around here?
The Indians, Red Sox, Angels and Yankees have punched their tickets to the post-season, just remains to be seen how they rank when its all over and done with. The Mets are trying to blow their mid-Septemeber 7 game lead but I've got a feeling they'll pull it together. The White Sox had a September swoon 2 years ago and comfortably plowed everyone in the post-season, ditto the Cards last year. If this trend holds, then look for the Mets to rally and go all the way. It could happen.
That's all for now. I'll be back with some NFL later on.
Monday, September 10, 2007
US Open update
Roger Federer breezed to his 12th Grand Slam bouncing Djokovic in straights. Similar to the Roddick match, Federer was pushed but passed all tests with flying colors. I thought Djokovic had a decent shot at getting him this time because Federer played some of his worst tennis in a long while against Davydenko in the semis. Davydenko had his chances and couldn't convert and neither could Djokovoc. The Federer train rolls on.
Justine Henin defeated both Williams sisters and breezed to her latest Grand Slam taking out Kuznetsova in straights. (Serena lost in the quarters but couldn't bring herself to acknowledge that she lost to a superior opponent, what a typical suburban American brat!) Sherapova stumbled early on, Kim Clijsters retired early and unless the Williams sisters feel like truly dedicating themselves again, I'd say Henin has a decent shot at a Grand Slam next year.
Justine Henin defeated both Williams sisters and breezed to her latest Grand Slam taking out Kuznetsova in straights. (Serena lost in the quarters but couldn't bring herself to acknowledge that she lost to a superior opponent, what a typical suburban American brat!) Sherapova stumbled early on, Kim Clijsters retired early and unless the Williams sisters feel like truly dedicating themselves again, I'd say Henin has a decent shot at a Grand Slam next year.
U-17 World Cup update
Nigeria staved off Spain in PK's, which I didn't get to see because the DVR doesn't do overtime (yeah, I know its my fault, but damn man, this technology gets right to the edge of being perfect and then nickel-and-dimes then final step, you know?). Damn, man, Nigeria won every game they played and beat France, Japan, Colombia, Argentina, Germany and Spain--not an easy road! Interestingly enough, I would've considered Nigeria's triumph an upset but perhaps not. This is actually Nigeria's 3rd U-17 World Cup while Germany has won zero.
I did get to see all of Nigeria's match with Germany (Nigeria 2-1 Germany), a good one. Felt bad for Germany's keeper: both of Nigeria's goals went right through his hands. They were both bullets from outside, the first led to a rebound when the keeper couldn't corral it, the second was a bit of a fluke that touched off the keeper's hands right into the goal. I saw a bit of Spain's semi-final tussle with Ghana, I thought they were evenly matched, Spain's goalie came up big.
All that said, this was a sloppy tournament: sloppy play, sloppy officiating, sloppy television coverage. Its nice to catch the future stars but I'll like all these kids better when they're in the majors.
I did get to see all of Nigeria's match with Germany (Nigeria 2-1 Germany), a good one. Felt bad for Germany's keeper: both of Nigeria's goals went right through his hands. They were both bullets from outside, the first led to a rebound when the keeper couldn't corral it, the second was a bit of a fluke that touched off the keeper's hands right into the goal. I saw a bit of Spain's semi-final tussle with Ghana, I thought they were evenly matched, Spain's goalie came up big.
All that said, this was a sloppy tournament: sloppy play, sloppy officiating, sloppy television coverage. Its nice to catch the future stars but I'll like all these kids better when they're in the majors.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
US Open update
Federer smooshed Roddick last night like an ant. Federer is the best I've ever seen, he's a machine. Roddick had his big booming serve going but if you can't take the tiebreaks, you ain't beating Federer. Tennis is a funny game like that: it looks like Federer smoked him straight sets but it was actually an extraordinarily even match-up. Federer didn't get any break points on Roddick until the middle of the 3rd set! Roddick had more winners than errors! When two guys both play at this high level, it’s the tiniest moments that make the difference and Federer took them all. He's a great champion, I think he showed that against Nadal at Wimbledon. You got to remember Federer rarely gets challenged by anybody, he only gets pushed by the best in the business and when he does, he beats them.
Pete Sampras made the comment last week that Federer doesn't have as much competition as Sampras did, and thus Sampras was a better champion. I understand his point: Sampras had Edberg, Becker, Courier, Agassi, Connors, Lendl, Chang, Ivanesevic, Rafter, and others up to and including Federer, Roddick and Safin. Federer has really only had to deal with Agassi, Roddick, Nadal, Hewitt and Safin and that's pretty much it--and that's a mixed bag at that. Safin never came close to his potential, Agassi was on the way out during Federer's rise, Nadal is unbeatable on clay but beatable otherwise, Hewitt's peak period was not that long and has long since passed and Roddick just can't break through.
So while I agree with the 1st half of Sampras's thought ('I had tougher competition'), I don't think I buy the 2nd half ('Therefore, I was a better champion'). The reason Federer has no competition (other than Nadal in Paris) is because he's killing people, he's crushing careers around him, he does not let the other guys win. There is no competition because Federer doesn't allow it.
Federer's career reminds me of Mike Tyson. When Tyson burst onto the scene Ali was long gone and Holmes was hanging around getting old. Tyson made his name by brushing aside all the old guys and then he dominated for 4-5 years. He ushered in the next generation and then dominated it. That's what Federer has done: he chased off Sampras, Agassi and Kafelnikov, then he outlasted Hewitt and Safin, suffocated Roddick and his only real challenger is Nadal. I suspect Federer will get old and retire rather than go to prison like Tyson. On Charlie Rose the other day he suggested that he was aiming for 2012 Olympics in London as potentially his grand hurrah, which I'd say is within his grasp. So that means he's got his eye on 20 majors, 2 gold medals and 3 or 4 Davis Cups. I bet he takes most all of those.
Pete Sampras made the comment last week that Federer doesn't have as much competition as Sampras did, and thus Sampras was a better champion. I understand his point: Sampras had Edberg, Becker, Courier, Agassi, Connors, Lendl, Chang, Ivanesevic, Rafter, and others up to and including Federer, Roddick and Safin. Federer has really only had to deal with Agassi, Roddick, Nadal, Hewitt and Safin and that's pretty much it--and that's a mixed bag at that. Safin never came close to his potential, Agassi was on the way out during Federer's rise, Nadal is unbeatable on clay but beatable otherwise, Hewitt's peak period was not that long and has long since passed and Roddick just can't break through.
So while I agree with the 1st half of Sampras's thought ('I had tougher competition'), I don't think I buy the 2nd half ('Therefore, I was a better champion'). The reason Federer has no competition (other than Nadal in Paris) is because he's killing people, he's crushing careers around him, he does not let the other guys win. There is no competition because Federer doesn't allow it.
Federer's career reminds me of Mike Tyson. When Tyson burst onto the scene Ali was long gone and Holmes was hanging around getting old. Tyson made his name by brushing aside all the old guys and then he dominated for 4-5 years. He ushered in the next generation and then dominated it. That's what Federer has done: he chased off Sampras, Agassi and Kafelnikov, then he outlasted Hewitt and Safin, suffocated Roddick and his only real challenger is Nadal. I suspect Federer will get old and retire rather than go to prison like Tyson. On Charlie Rose the other day he suggested that he was aiming for 2012 Olympics in London as potentially his grand hurrah, which I'd say is within his grasp. So that means he's got his eye on 20 majors, 2 gold medals and 3 or 4 Davis Cups. I bet he takes most all of those.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Fed Ex Standings
1 Tiger Woods 30,574
2 Vijay Singh 19,129
3 Jim Furyk 16,691
4 Phil Mickelson 16,037
5 K.J. Choi 15,485
6 Rory Sabbatini 13,548
7 Zach Johnson 13,341
8 Charles Howell III 12,126
9 Brandt Snedeker 11,870
10 Adam Scott 11,196
11 Scott Verplank 10,691
12 Steve Stricker 10,621
13 Sergio Garcia 10,547
14 Woody Austin 10,483
15 Hunter Mahan 10,185
I wasn't able to catch much of Mickelson dueling Tiger over the weekend but its nice to see Phil back. Funny to suggest that he's had a bad year since he's still in 4th--ahead of Choi, Sabbatini and Johnson, who've all had impressive seasons--but he hasn't had much impact in the majors this year and that's the sign of a bad year. I'm not really rooting for anyone but when the best are at their best then that's what best.
2 Vijay Singh 19,129
3 Jim Furyk 16,691
4 Phil Mickelson 16,037
5 K.J. Choi 15,485
6 Rory Sabbatini 13,548
7 Zach Johnson 13,341
8 Charles Howell III 12,126
9 Brandt Snedeker 11,870
10 Adam Scott 11,196
11 Scott Verplank 10,691
12 Steve Stricker 10,621
13 Sergio Garcia 10,547
14 Woody Austin 10,483
15 Hunter Mahan 10,185
I wasn't able to catch much of Mickelson dueling Tiger over the weekend but its nice to see Phil back. Funny to suggest that he's had a bad year since he's still in 4th--ahead of Choi, Sabbatini and Johnson, who've all had impressive seasons--but he hasn't had much impact in the majors this year and that's the sign of a bad year. I'm not really rooting for anyone but when the best are at their best then that's what best.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
U-17 World Cup Update
Quarterfinals
France U17 P 1 - 1 P Spain U17
Ghana U17 2 - 0 Peru U17
Argentina U17 0 - 2 Nigeria U17
England U17 1 - 4 Germany U17
Interesting to see the African teams knock out the South Americans. Wouldn't call it a surprise to see Germany get past England but, man, that's quite a beatdown.
Wednesday
Spain-Ghana
Thursday
Nigeria-Germany
Can the Africans keep it going and knock out the Europeans next? I'll go with Germany and Ghana, though I didn't do so hot in the last round: 'I'll take Spain, Peru, Argentina and England'
France U17 P 1 - 1 P Spain U17
Ghana U17 2 - 0 Peru U17
Argentina U17 0 - 2 Nigeria U17
England U17 1 - 4 Germany U17
Interesting to see the African teams knock out the South Americans. Wouldn't call it a surprise to see Germany get past England but, man, that's quite a beatdown.
Wednesday
Spain-Ghana
Thursday
Nigeria-Germany
Can the Africans keep it going and knock out the Europeans next? I'll go with Germany and Ghana, though I didn't do so hot in the last round: 'I'll take Spain, Peru, Argentina and England'
FIBA update
Championship
USA 118-81 Argentina
3rd place
Puerto Rico 111-107 Brazil
Got to be honest: never figured out how this tournament worked. And even though the stars finally showed up for some reason the talking heads yawned their way through it instead of getting into it. The games were all on at weird times and I was only able to catch random pieces of a handful of games but if given the chance I could've been totally into this. Our greatest--most watchable--stars coming together to whomp the shit out of our neighbors? Dude, why does no one want to see this?
I love international play. As fans we're supposed to be peeved that David Beckham flies to England to play (though no one seemed to mind that his Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan played in Sweden the same day) and that Carmelo Anthony should forego playing for his country to save himself for the Denver Nuggets (yeah, who could pass that up?). But I say fuck all that nonsense! Ignore the sports talk clowns! Look, its more games with a whole new array of the stars you already know and love--why wouldn't we want that? It's freakin' awesome!
USA 118-81 Argentina
3rd place
Puerto Rico 111-107 Brazil
Got to be honest: never figured out how this tournament worked. And even though the stars finally showed up for some reason the talking heads yawned their way through it instead of getting into it. The games were all on at weird times and I was only able to catch random pieces of a handful of games but if given the chance I could've been totally into this. Our greatest--most watchable--stars coming together to whomp the shit out of our neighbors? Dude, why does no one want to see this?
I love international play. As fans we're supposed to be peeved that David Beckham flies to England to play (though no one seemed to mind that his Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan played in Sweden the same day) and that Carmelo Anthony should forego playing for his country to save himself for the Denver Nuggets (yeah, who could pass that up?). But I say fuck all that nonsense! Ignore the sports talk clowns! Look, its more games with a whole new array of the stars you already know and love--why wouldn't we want that? It's freakin' awesome!
First day of school
App St. beat Michigan over the weekend and the talk is that this is one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Biggest upset in sports history? Gimme a break--you're comparing this to the Miracle on Ice? You crazy! Isn't it much more likely that Michigan's just overrated? Look, App State has won back-to-back Championships--a lower division, yes, but clearly they're used to winning games--they've got the longest winning streak in the nation. It doesn't strike me as that amazing that App won a game as an underdog. And the flip side: last year Michigan inched toward a national championship, then fell flat on their asses and hasn't done anything since. Why are we so amazed by this result?
Michigan is currently ranked #33; the last 1-A team that App St. beat was Wake Forest, currently ranked #39. Michigan was ranked #5 but upon seond thought they are now ranked #33--where they apparently belonged all along! They're marginally ahead of Wake Forest, a fellow losing contestant of mighty App St. Is this that big of a deal? This is bigger than Buster Douglas beating Tyson? Bigger than the Red Sox coming back from 3-0 on the Yanks? Dude, I'd put McEnroe beating Borg ahead of this!
Now consider the vicissitudes of college football. Now that Michigan has completely dropped out of the top 25, they have no shot of getting back in the championship race at all. They still have to play Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin (the only noteworthy teams on their schedule) and even if they beat them all, they're still out of the race. Okay, but if they'd been ranked #32 in the pre-season and beat all of these teams, they still would have been out of the race. Even with those 3 solid wins, from #32 they would have had to leap frog so many teams that it simply wouldn't have happened for them. (And of course, for those 3 squads to all lose to the #32 team, they would invariably have lost other games which would make them worthless victories and thus Michigan wouldn't have gotten any credit anyway!) The real upset here is that Michigan was ranked where they didn't deserve to be from the git-go.
The only thing that made the Michigan Wolverines a 'good' team is that they were ranked #5 without ever having to play a game. Now they're no longer a 'good' team even if they run the table from here. App State on the other hand is looking at a 3rd straight championship--doesn't strike me as that great of an upset. I understand the oddsmakers have been trumped, but I dare say this ain't this biggest upset in the history of sports!
(Incidentally, I heard App's division referred to as 'formerly known as 1-AA' on numerous occasions over the weekend. So what is it currently known as and why are we still calling it by the old name?)
Michigan is currently ranked #33; the last 1-A team that App St. beat was Wake Forest, currently ranked #39. Michigan was ranked #5 but upon seond thought they are now ranked #33--where they apparently belonged all along! They're marginally ahead of Wake Forest, a fellow losing contestant of mighty App St. Is this that big of a deal? This is bigger than Buster Douglas beating Tyson? Bigger than the Red Sox coming back from 3-0 on the Yanks? Dude, I'd put McEnroe beating Borg ahead of this!
Now consider the vicissitudes of college football. Now that Michigan has completely dropped out of the top 25, they have no shot of getting back in the championship race at all. They still have to play Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin (the only noteworthy teams on their schedule) and even if they beat them all, they're still out of the race. Okay, but if they'd been ranked #32 in the pre-season and beat all of these teams, they still would have been out of the race. Even with those 3 solid wins, from #32 they would have had to leap frog so many teams that it simply wouldn't have happened for them. (And of course, for those 3 squads to all lose to the #32 team, they would invariably have lost other games which would make them worthless victories and thus Michigan wouldn't have gotten any credit anyway!) The real upset here is that Michigan was ranked where they didn't deserve to be from the git-go.
The only thing that made the Michigan Wolverines a 'good' team is that they were ranked #5 without ever having to play a game. Now they're no longer a 'good' team even if they run the table from here. App State on the other hand is looking at a 3rd straight championship--doesn't strike me as that great of an upset. I understand the oddsmakers have been trumped, but I dare say this ain't this biggest upset in the history of sports!
(Incidentally, I heard App's division referred to as 'formerly known as 1-AA' on numerous occasions over the weekend. So what is it currently known as and why are we still calling it by the old name?)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
U-17 World Cup update
Round of 16
Spain 3-0 North Korea
Tunisia 1-3 France (OT)
Peru (PK's) 1-1 Tajikistan
Ghana 1-0 Brazil
Argentina 2-0 Costa Rica
Nigeria 2-1 Colombia
England 3-1 Syria
Germany 2-1 USA
I watched USA's match with Germany. The American youngsters are typical of how the USA national team used to be: mediocre skills up front, no creativity in the midfield and a defense capable of stiffening when need be but utterly useless at transitioning to counter attack. I sure hope they improve, they're the future of American soccer.
This was a predictable outcome, the American kids are all fine athletes, they're good runners, but the German kids are soccer players and it was just a matter of time before they put it in the back of the net. Not to say that Germany was overly impressive, I kept waiting for a playmaker to emerge from the midfield and he never appeared. Their scorer, Sukuta-Pasu, had some skills but he was really the only one on the team that stood out, which is surprising. I would expect German teens to be as good as anyone in the world and, while they were better than the Americans, it wasn't a thrashing by any means. USA did scrounge together a goal, a nice unexpected poke by Mykal Bates in extra time. But it was too late, as USA had just surrendered a 2nd goal (nice finish by Sukuta-Pasu but it was horrible defense that led to the score).
I thought the ref and the linemen had pretty poor performances; they didn't particularly favor one side over the other, but they were overly sensitive at times and then let them beat the crap out of each other at others. One unfortunate blown call: just before halftime an American was absolutely plowed in the box, a clear penalty call which would've given USA their best chance all day. I'm not sure why the ref didn't blow the whistle. It looked like a foul live but, man, on the replay it was an easy call, a brutal hit from behind. Oh well.
Round of 8
Saturday, Sep. 1
Spain-France
Peru-Ghana
Sunday, Sep. 2
Argentina-Nigeria
England-Germany
There are some good looking match-ups there. I have no real perspective from which to judge but just for my own amusement I'll take Spain, Peru, Argentina and England. We'll see.
Spain 3-0 North Korea
Tunisia 1-3 France (OT)
Peru (PK's) 1-1 Tajikistan
Ghana 1-0 Brazil
Argentina 2-0 Costa Rica
Nigeria 2-1 Colombia
England 3-1 Syria
Germany 2-1 USA
I watched USA's match with Germany. The American youngsters are typical of how the USA national team used to be: mediocre skills up front, no creativity in the midfield and a defense capable of stiffening when need be but utterly useless at transitioning to counter attack. I sure hope they improve, they're the future of American soccer.
This was a predictable outcome, the American kids are all fine athletes, they're good runners, but the German kids are soccer players and it was just a matter of time before they put it in the back of the net. Not to say that Germany was overly impressive, I kept waiting for a playmaker to emerge from the midfield and he never appeared. Their scorer, Sukuta-Pasu, had some skills but he was really the only one on the team that stood out, which is surprising. I would expect German teens to be as good as anyone in the world and, while they were better than the Americans, it wasn't a thrashing by any means. USA did scrounge together a goal, a nice unexpected poke by Mykal Bates in extra time. But it was too late, as USA had just surrendered a 2nd goal (nice finish by Sukuta-Pasu but it was horrible defense that led to the score).
I thought the ref and the linemen had pretty poor performances; they didn't particularly favor one side over the other, but they were overly sensitive at times and then let them beat the crap out of each other at others. One unfortunate blown call: just before halftime an American was absolutely plowed in the box, a clear penalty call which would've given USA their best chance all day. I'm not sure why the ref didn't blow the whistle. It looked like a foul live but, man, on the replay it was an easy call, a brutal hit from behind. Oh well.
Round of 8
Saturday, Sep. 1
Spain-France
Peru-Ghana
Sunday, Sep. 2
Argentina-Nigeria
England-Germany
There are some good looking match-ups there. I have no real perspective from which to judge but just for my own amusement I'll take Spain, Peru, Argentina and England. We'll see.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Little League World Series wrap-up
International Championship
Curacao 4-7 Tokyo
A walk-off grand slam--can't front on that sweet action.
United States Championship
Lubbock, TX 2-5 Warner Robbins, GA
The heavy hitters turned in a pitcher's dual in the American final.
Consolation Game
Lubbock, TX 1-0 Curacao
Another pitcher's dual. Man, those kids can really sling the ball in there.
World Series Championship Game
Tokyo 2-3 Warner Robbins, GA (8 Innings)
Great finish! Great game! In a weekend dominated by Mike Vick, its nice to know sports can still be fun.
Curacao 4-7 Tokyo
A walk-off grand slam--can't front on that sweet action.
United States Championship
Lubbock, TX 2-5 Warner Robbins, GA
The heavy hitters turned in a pitcher's dual in the American final.
Consolation Game
Lubbock, TX 1-0 Curacao
Another pitcher's dual. Man, those kids can really sling the ball in there.
World Series Championship Game
Tokyo 2-3 Warner Robbins, GA (8 Innings)
Great finish! Great game! In a weekend dominated by Mike Vick, its nice to know sports can still be fun.
FIBA Americas Update
I haven't watched much because while the highlights have been well-hyped, the games themselves have been at awkward and inaccessible times. I think we all know that when the Americans put their minds to it, they are hands-down the best. But, like Brazil in soccer, their minds don't often match their talent. This time around though it appears that USA has dedicated themselves to being better than everyone else and hopefully that will get it done at Beijing 2008. For now USA still has to win 2 more games to guarantee themselves a ticket to China.
Monday, Aug. 27
URU vs CAN 12:30
ARG vs VEN 15:00
BRA vs PUR 17:30
USA vs MEX 20:00
Uruguay has gutted out 3 wins but I'll take Canada. Argentina left their stars at home but are still expected to finish 2nd, I'll take Argentina over Venezuela. Peru is one of the countries that traditionally pesters Brazil in soccer, but in b-ball, I'll take Brazil. I'm a little surprised how well Mexico has done, not known for being a hotbed of b-ball talent, stick with the USA.
Monday, Aug. 27
URU vs CAN 12:30
ARG vs VEN 15:00
BRA vs PUR 17:30
USA vs MEX 20:00
Uruguay has gutted out 3 wins but I'll take Canada. Argentina left their stars at home but are still expected to finish 2nd, I'll take Argentina over Venezuela. Peru is one of the countries that traditionally pesters Brazil in soccer, but in b-ball, I'll take Brazil. I'm a little surprised how well Mexico has done, not known for being a hotbed of b-ball talent, stick with the USA.
U-17 World Cup update
I haven't been paying too much attention to this because watching high schoolers play soccer--even world class high schoolers--can be an excruciatingly dull affair. And the 1 match I did catch was a none-too-pleasant viewing experience: Tunisia 3-1 USA. The match featured three PK's, a garbage time goal and tons and tons of sloppy play. I'd say the ref had a bad day but frankly the camera work was so bad you couldn't really tell if they were good calls or not! USA looked pretty awful and the media coverage wasn't much better.
That said, its down to the sweet 16 so I'll at least keep up with the scores from here on out and hopefully I'll see some USA action (though I'd take Germany kids over American kids any day, so I'm guessing USA's time is at a close). I haven't seen anybody play but my gut tells me Argentina, Brazil and Germany are the faves, with Spain, England and Nigeria as the dark horse picks. I have no clue but we'll see.
Round of 16
(Wednesday, Aug 29)
Spain v North Korea
Tunisia v France
Peru v Tajikistan
Ghana v Brazil
(Thursday, Aug 30)
Argentina v Costa Rica
Nigeria v Colombia
England v Syria
Germany v USA
That said, its down to the sweet 16 so I'll at least keep up with the scores from here on out and hopefully I'll see some USA action (though I'd take Germany kids over American kids any day, so I'm guessing USA's time is at a close). I haven't seen anybody play but my gut tells me Argentina, Brazil and Germany are the faves, with Spain, England and Nigeria as the dark horse picks. I have no clue but we'll see.
Round of 16
(Wednesday, Aug 29)
Spain v North Korea
Tunisia v France
Peru v Tajikistan
Ghana v Brazil
(Thursday, Aug 30)
Argentina v Costa Rica
Nigeria v Colombia
England v Syria
Germany v USA
Friday, August 24, 2007
Little League World Series update
A coupla extra-frame thrillers in the international semis. It ends up with Japan taking on Curacao in the international final, the early game on Saturday. (Latin America was laying some beatdowns on people, a little surprised to see them come up with so little offense in the big game but that's baseball)
Latin America 2-4 Caribbean (7 Innings)
Japan 4-3 Asia-Pacific (10 Innings)
Warner Robbins, GA, advances to take on Lubbock, TX, in the American final, the late afternoon game on Saturday.
Southwest 8-2 Northwest
Southeast 16-6 West
Latin America 2-4 Caribbean (7 Innings)
Japan 4-3 Asia-Pacific (10 Innings)
Warner Robbins, GA, advances to take on Lubbock, TX, in the American final, the late afternoon game on Saturday.
Southwest 8-2 Northwest
Southeast 16-6 West
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Little League World Series update
Latin America 11-1 Mexico
Caribbean 6-2 Canada
West 9-2 Midwest
I must admit I don't quite understand how all this stuff works. It looks like typical international group play but with weird twists to it, like the random cancellation of games. Here are 2 matches that won't get played:
Japan-Transatlantic
Southwest-Mid-Atlantic
Caribbean 6-2 Canada
West 9-2 Midwest
I must admit I don't quite understand how all this stuff works. It looks like typical international group play but with weird twists to it, like the random cancellation of games. Here are 2 matches that won't get played:
Japan-Transatlantic
Southwest-Mid-Atlantic
USA in the land of Abba
Caught USA's friendly with Sweden yesterday, a pretty boring match. I thought the ref had a poor game, he allowed a lot of physical play and favored the home squad at that, and really lost control, not that it broke into fisticuffs or anything. Perhaps he thought he was allowing a European style of intensity but considering that almost all of the Americans out there play in Europe now and still looked off-balance, I think he was just a homer.
That said, the Americans were clearly the 2nd best team out there, no one had a good game, no one shined out and while they all played hard, no one played particularly well. The Swedes didn't exactly knock me out, with the exception of Kallstrom's goal (a bullet just inside the near post) and the pesky play of Ibrahimovic, a world class striker. USA's performance was certainly uninspiring but it was a friendly far ahead of any meaningful international competition, so nothing to really worry about, I'd say.
That said, the Americans were clearly the 2nd best team out there, no one had a good game, no one shined out and while they all played hard, no one played particularly well. The Swedes didn't exactly knock me out, with the exception of Kallstrom's goal (a bullet just inside the near post) and the pesky play of Ibrahimovic, a world class striker. USA's performance was certainly uninspiring but it was a friendly far ahead of any meaningful international competition, so nothing to really worry about, I'd say.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Little League World Series update
Japan 7-1 Canada
Great Lakes 1-6 Northwest
Latin America 21-2 EMEA 2
Southeast 8-1 New England
Asia-Pacific--Mexico (Postponed by Rain)(To be played Wed 8/22)
Yipes! Check out that pounding Venezuela laid on the Netherlands.
The winners on Tuesday all look set in the pitching department. Shaping up for some nice battles in the next round.
Great Lakes 1-6 Northwest
Latin America 21-2 EMEA 2
Southeast 8-1 New England
Asia-Pacific--Mexico (Postponed by Rain)(To be played Wed 8/22)
Yipes! Check out that pounding Venezuela laid on the Netherlands.
The winners on Tuesday all look set in the pitching department. Shaping up for some nice battles in the next round.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Little League World Series update
West 1-5 Southwest
New England 0-1 Northwest
EMEA 1-11 Asia-Pacific
Caribbean 2-0 Transatlantic
Midwest 4-3 Mid-Atlantic
1-hitter for Vincent Anthonia (Caribbean).
New England 0-1 Northwest
EMEA 1-11 Asia-Pacific
Caribbean 2-0 Transatlantic
Midwest 4-3 Mid-Atlantic
1-hitter for Vincent Anthonia (Caribbean).
Vick pleas, pleas, pleas
Micheal Vick has apparently agreed to a plea deal according to CNBC (still waiting for ESPN News to pick up the story--oh, there it is), although there are no details at this point. I would think between 12-15 months in prison and a 2-year suspension from the NFL. Then what?
The other day John Clayton and Merril Hoge were on the radio and Clayton suggested Vick would end up in the Arena League which Hoge continually derided suggesting that Vick simply doesn't fit the Arena game. I agree with both of them. I, too, had been thinking that Vick would end up in the Arena League, as wrestling wouldn't welcome him (lot of dog lovers in that target audience) nor would Canada (still too radioactive, probably too expensive for a guy who will have been out of the game for a coupla years), so I think Clayton was on the right track. That said, Hoge is right that the game doesn't suit Vick. The Arena league is a precision league (Hell in a Very Small Place to borrow from 'Nam parlance) not a game for renegade athletic types.
Upon further thought, I think the only way he comes back is in the Arena League as an RB. His completion percentage and his field vision just aren't good enough for the high speed Arena game and his footwork is just a detriment. The only place his athleticism becomes useful is if the ball is in hands and he's moving forward. Or perhaps he could play safety.
On the legal side, I'd say Vick's better off taking the deal. If he went to trial and all those details came out, people would hate him forever. Now, there's a chance that he disappears for a while and comes back as a harmless laughing stock. I know there will always be people willing to take a chance on talent but I'd say his NFL days are probably already over: he was not exactly widely hailed as a success as a QB and a position change would just be goofy. Dude, you were the #1 pick, how could you fuck up this bad? What were you thinking?
The other day John Clayton and Merril Hoge were on the radio and Clayton suggested Vick would end up in the Arena League which Hoge continually derided suggesting that Vick simply doesn't fit the Arena game. I agree with both of them. I, too, had been thinking that Vick would end up in the Arena League, as wrestling wouldn't welcome him (lot of dog lovers in that target audience) nor would Canada (still too radioactive, probably too expensive for a guy who will have been out of the game for a coupla years), so I think Clayton was on the right track. That said, Hoge is right that the game doesn't suit Vick. The Arena league is a precision league (Hell in a Very Small Place to borrow from 'Nam parlance) not a game for renegade athletic types.
Upon further thought, I think the only way he comes back is in the Arena League as an RB. His completion percentage and his field vision just aren't good enough for the high speed Arena game and his footwork is just a detriment. The only place his athleticism becomes useful is if the ball is in hands and he's moving forward. Or perhaps he could play safety.
On the legal side, I'd say Vick's better off taking the deal. If he went to trial and all those details came out, people would hate him forever. Now, there's a chance that he disappears for a while and comes back as a harmless laughing stock. I know there will always be people willing to take a chance on talent but I'd say his NFL days are probably already over: he was not exactly widely hailed as a success as a QB and a position change would just be goofy. Dude, you were the #1 pick, how could you fuck up this bad? What were you thinking?
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Unexpected thoughts on Galaxy-Red Bulls
So David Beckham started and played 90 minutes for the first time in the MLS. How was it? Honestly--and I certainly didn't think I would have this reaction--easily the best MLS game I've ever seen! I've only been vaguely paying attention to the MLS since it started back in 1996 and my sudden interest is actually entirely coincidental to Beckham's arrival. As I wrote back on January 12: 'Will he make soccer relevant in America? No. But for those of us that already love soccer, he'll improve the quality no doubt.' (I love being able to quote myself, I'm like George Will now or Ricky Henderson!) That is precisely what happened last night in New York. Has soccer arrived? Well, if you're expecting it to be bigger than the NFL, uh, no, that's not going to happen with or without Beckham. But is it more sustainably popular going into the future? I think so and I hope so. They had 66,000 at the game last night when the Red Bulls generally average around 11,000. If 12,000 show up for the next game that Beckham isn't playing, then Beckham has done his job. And that's just the money side.
On the quality side, man, I'm telling you, it was the best American soccer I've ever seen! Normally what happens in MLS is the speed of the game invariably gets beyond the meager abilities of the players and there are long stretches of people just chasing a bouncing ball. This is why Americans can't stand soccer: they don't see great players controlling the ball because our best athletes aren't playing soccer. If they saw confident possession and competent forward progress and got into the excitement of watching superior athletes at work, they would forgive the lack of scoring. Jeez! We assume the problem is the lack of scoring, meanwhile we're in awe of Brandon Webb's scoreless streak!
But last night Beckham's mere presence elevated everybody's game. Everyone stepped up, they controlled the ball, they pushed forward, there were many, many rips at the goal, a lot of great saves (man, for giving up 5 goals, I thought Joe Cannon was pretty awesome last night), and it was an exciting game from beginning (Angel scored 4 minutes in) to the very end (Angel capped the scoring in the 88th minute). Beckham was terrific in the first half, faded in the second, he's still not game fit just yet. But Angel, Altidore, Mathis and Richards for New York were all stellar; Donovan, Martino, Roberts, Pavon and Buddle all made good contributions.
I've been rather lukewarm about Beckham's arrival. The expectations are too large and wildly unrealistic and American commentators are so embarrassingly ignorant of soccer that its all been much ado about nothing. But now we've seen what can happen and now I'm super fucking excited about the quality of play in the MLS and I hope Beckham is able to keep it going! Will he make soccer bigger than football? No, but I never needed it to be.
(A coupla more random thoughts to tack on at the end: Where were Xavier and Albright last night for the Galaxy? When will Benfica poach Altidore to go alongside Freddy Adu?)
On the quality side, man, I'm telling you, it was the best American soccer I've ever seen! Normally what happens in MLS is the speed of the game invariably gets beyond the meager abilities of the players and there are long stretches of people just chasing a bouncing ball. This is why Americans can't stand soccer: they don't see great players controlling the ball because our best athletes aren't playing soccer. If they saw confident possession and competent forward progress and got into the excitement of watching superior athletes at work, they would forgive the lack of scoring. Jeez! We assume the problem is the lack of scoring, meanwhile we're in awe of Brandon Webb's scoreless streak!
But last night Beckham's mere presence elevated everybody's game. Everyone stepped up, they controlled the ball, they pushed forward, there were many, many rips at the goal, a lot of great saves (man, for giving up 5 goals, I thought Joe Cannon was pretty awesome last night), and it was an exciting game from beginning (Angel scored 4 minutes in) to the very end (Angel capped the scoring in the 88th minute). Beckham was terrific in the first half, faded in the second, he's still not game fit just yet. But Angel, Altidore, Mathis and Richards for New York were all stellar; Donovan, Martino, Roberts, Pavon and Buddle all made good contributions.
I've been rather lukewarm about Beckham's arrival. The expectations are too large and wildly unrealistic and American commentators are so embarrassingly ignorant of soccer that its all been much ado about nothing. But now we've seen what can happen and now I'm super fucking excited about the quality of play in the MLS and I hope Beckham is able to keep it going! Will he make soccer bigger than football? No, but I never needed it to be.
(A coupla more random thoughts to tack on at the end: Where were Xavier and Albright last night for the Galaxy? When will Benfica poach Altidore to go alongside Freddy Adu?)
Little League World Series update
Transatlantic 5-13 Canada
Mexico 11-1 EMEA
Mid-Atlantic 6-16 West
Midwest 0-6 Southwest
Great Lakes 10-2 Southeast
Garrett Williams of Southwest faced 20 batters, gave up 3 hits and got 17 K's. Holy crap!
Mexico 11-1 EMEA
Mid-Atlantic 6-16 West
Midwest 0-6 Southwest
Great Lakes 10-2 Southeast
Garrett Williams of Southwest faced 20 batters, gave up 3 hits and got 17 K's. Holy crap!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Little League World Series update
Great Lakes 2-3 New England
Caribbean 3-10 Japan
Latin America 2-1 Asia-Pacific
Southeast 9-4 Northwest
Caribbean 3-10 Japan
Latin America 2-1 Asia-Pacific
Southeast 9-4 Northwest
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Back and forth between Indians-Tigers and Reading-Chelsea
Fausto Carmona looked sharp for the Tribe, 10 K's, can’t front on that. Speaking of looking sharp, what's up with Chelsea's coach Jose Mourinho's Inspector Gadget look? The Tigers scored the first run from a walk Carmona shouldn't have given up followed by a flukey infield play that Garko should've finished off. Meanwhile, Reading went up 1-0 in the first half on a flukey goal of their own, Chelsea's goalie getting pulled into no man's land and leaving his right flank wide open. The Indians were able to jump ahead on a 2 run dinger by Gutierrez. Frank Lampard put Chelsea on the board with a coupla nice touches in the box, thought the keeper came out a step late. Grady Sizemore tripled and then came home on a double play ball by Hafner (who looked uncomfortable the whole game). Didier Drogba drilled a goal--a brilliant shot, as them Euro commentators would say--from about 20 yards out, just curling it inside the post. The Tigers scored another run on Granderson's triple--Sizemore just missed it and he might've had a double play at that!--but Borowski was able to nail it down after blowing the save the night before.
I caught most of Reading's draw at Man U over the weekend, a gritty performance in hostile territory against a superior squad. Reading started their season at Manchester and at home to Chelsea? Jeez, who's banana ya gotta peel to get a break over in England? They play tough but the final touch always seemed to get away from them. They were in over their heads against Chelsea and in the second half that became clear. These will probably be the only two Reading matches I see all year, I'd say they're not a relegation candidate but they're clearly a bottom half of the table team.
The Indians drew back into a tie atop the AL Central with the Tigers, with tonight's rubber game determining who jumps ahead from here. Sizemore hasn't been hot lately and Hafner is clearly hurting, so I discount the Indians' chances from here on out. If the Yankees stay hot I think they'll take the wild card--although its certainly not a done deal. In April everyone wrote off the Yankees, in August everyone's assuming they're the greatest in the world again. I didn't buy it then and I'm not buying it now. If the Yankees do take the wild card it'll have more to do with Cleveland's injuries and Seattle's general lack of depth than with the conventional wisdom.
I caught most of Reading's draw at Man U over the weekend, a gritty performance in hostile territory against a superior squad. Reading started their season at Manchester and at home to Chelsea? Jeez, who's banana ya gotta peel to get a break over in England? They play tough but the final touch always seemed to get away from them. They were in over their heads against Chelsea and in the second half that became clear. These will probably be the only two Reading matches I see all year, I'd say they're not a relegation candidate but they're clearly a bottom half of the table team.
The Indians drew back into a tie atop the AL Central with the Tigers, with tonight's rubber game determining who jumps ahead from here. Sizemore hasn't been hot lately and Hafner is clearly hurting, so I discount the Indians' chances from here on out. If the Yankees stay hot I think they'll take the wild card--although its certainly not a done deal. In April everyone wrote off the Yankees, in August everyone's assuming they're the greatest in the world again. I didn't buy it then and I'm not buying it now. If the Yankees do take the wild card it'll have more to do with Cleveland's injuries and Seattle's general lack of depth than with the conventional wisdom.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Lucky 13
Sunday at the PGA was all set up to be a prolonged victory lap for Tiger. Stephen (No) Ames just never finishes. He's always close, no matter where he is on the course he'll get right up to a birdie and then halt. I didn't have much faith in that guy. Woody Austin is a guy I'd never heard of but he sure seemed like a wacko, the kind of guy you get behind just because you feel a little sorry for him. I was skeptical as to whether he would hang, though I suspected he would've been better off paired with Tiger, he might've drawn some real inspiration in the shadow of pure discipline. These were the only challengers it seemed and both seemed like long shots at best. Tiger doesn't get beat in majors and after the clinic he put on Friday, it felt like he might well be on a record-setting pace.
Early on it certainly appeared that Tiger would ride his 3 stroke lead to an easy-going station-to-station kind of day, letting his opponents absorb all the pressure. Then out of the blue, some excitement developed! Ernie Els--where the hell did he come from?--kicked out the jams knocking down birdie putts all over the place. Els looked better than I've seen him in eons, its been a while since he's been a factor on Sunday. Woody Austin decided to bring some noise of his own, chipping in left and right. Meanwhile, Tiger failed to pull away. Els and Austin did their best work in the middle holes (8-12) and I figured Tiger would respond and knock down a bird or two but he didn't. Tiger was fairly lackluster through the middle, playing them like the horse latitudes when everyone else was gambling and winning.
But in the end, Els bogeyed on 14 and Austin, fine as he played, just couldn't birdie every hole. And Tiger, indeed, stayed to his game plan and maintained. He rarely let his driver really rip, playing it fairly respectful rather than shining out. The drama was a bit illusory but there was more than was foreshadowed and that made for a pleasant surprise.
Early on it certainly appeared that Tiger would ride his 3 stroke lead to an easy-going station-to-station kind of day, letting his opponents absorb all the pressure. Then out of the blue, some excitement developed! Ernie Els--where the hell did he come from?--kicked out the jams knocking down birdie putts all over the place. Els looked better than I've seen him in eons, its been a while since he's been a factor on Sunday. Woody Austin decided to bring some noise of his own, chipping in left and right. Meanwhile, Tiger failed to pull away. Els and Austin did their best work in the middle holes (8-12) and I figured Tiger would respond and knock down a bird or two but he didn't. Tiger was fairly lackluster through the middle, playing them like the horse latitudes when everyone else was gambling and winning.
But in the end, Els bogeyed on 14 and Austin, fine as he played, just couldn't birdie every hole. And Tiger, indeed, stayed to his game plan and maintained. He rarely let his driver really rip, playing it fairly respectful rather than shining out. The drama was a bit illusory but there was more than was foreshadowed and that made for a pleasant surprise.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Steroids? Gimme a break!
Did Barry take illegal substances? I suppose he probably did, though its certainly not as obvious as som
e would make it seem. He has yet to fail a drug test--oh, there are conspiracy theory explanations for that, of course conspiracy theories are all based on the lack of evidence as evidence. Work-out regimens and diets for bulking up are far more prevalent than at any time in history and I guarantee there are plenty of people out there who have put on more muscle than you would've thought possible without taking any drugs at all. Go back and check out Shaq's physique when he was at LSU or Patrick Ewing at G-town--they were skinny little runts compared to their pro days and no one points accusing fingers at those guys. Furthermore, I doubt Bonds did any drugs that were uncommon to the average athlete.
Lots of guys have taken illegal substances over the years--how many homers did the Babe hit hungover from binge drinking during the Prohibition?--and none of them got to 756 home runs. Interesting to note that the pitcher that served up #755, Clay Hensley, did a suspension for getting busted for steroids. And for those that claim that in the old days everybody was pure, well, how do you know? Did Willie Mays ever piss in a cup? In Ball Four Jim Bouton talks about all kinds of chemical inducements players used in the '60s--why do we assume that the search for performance enhancers is something new? Is it because its easier to aim a pitchfork at Bonds than to make the painful realization that athletes have been cheating since games began?
Mostly this is all the work of sportswriters who are in the business of pointing out the flaws of others to distract from their own petty worthless lives--dude, I hope Mitch Albom gets an eternity of Barry Bonds in heaven. The writers play the 'public safety' card as if those guys do anything but suck up to the most inane and pathetic parts of our own culture.
I can dig that you don't want to encourage youngsters to use these supplements because are dangerous. But the way we go about trying to disincentive this activity is all wrong! We hold up Mark McGwire as a scapegoat which tacitly tells to the kids 'if you do steroids you'll hit 500 home runs!' Far from the truth, incidentally. Taking steroids won't make you any good at anything, it just expands your muscles--and shit, man, that alone doesn't even imply strength! Its just the increase of muscle mass not strength! If we were serious as a culture about discouraging this kind of drug use we wouldn't be casting stones at Sammy Sosa, we'll be holding worthless shlubs like Clay Hensley up as the real role models.
'If you do steroids you're no more likely to win 300 games than you are of being the answer to a trivia question!'
Am I Barry Bonds fan? I don't particularly think one way or another about him. But I do know this: if Barry Bonds wants to shoot heroin into his eyeballs during the 7th inning stretch, that's fine with me. If he wants to drug himself to an early grave for a little glory that's his business--football players have been doing it for decades and no one seems to care. Women in America have fought for decades to control their bodies, not sure why baseball players aren't afforded the same rights.
e would make it seem. He has yet to fail a drug test--oh, there are conspiracy theory explanations for that, of course conspiracy theories are all based on the lack of evidence as evidence. Work-out regimens and diets for bulking up are far more prevalent than at any time in history and I guarantee there are plenty of people out there who have put on more muscle than you would've thought possible without taking any drugs at all. Go back and check out Shaq's physique when he was at LSU or Patrick Ewing at G-town--they were skinny little runts compared to their pro days and no one points accusing fingers at those guys. Furthermore, I doubt Bonds did any drugs that were uncommon to the average athlete. Lots of guys have taken illegal substances over the years--how many homers did the Babe hit hungover from binge drinking during the Prohibition?--and none of them got to 756 home runs. Interesting to note that the pitcher that served up #755, Clay Hensley, did a suspension for getting busted for steroids. And for those that claim that in the old days everybody was pure, well, how do you know? Did Willie Mays ever piss in a cup? In Ball Four Jim Bouton talks about all kinds of chemical inducements players used in the '60s--why do we assume that the search for performance enhancers is something new? Is it because its easier to aim a pitchfork at Bonds than to make the painful realization that athletes have been cheating since games began?
Mostly this is all the work of sportswriters who are in the business of pointing out the flaws of others to distract from their own petty worthless lives--dude, I hope Mitch Albom gets an eternity of Barry Bonds in heaven. The writers play the 'public safety' card as if those guys do anything but suck up to the most inane and pathetic parts of our own culture.
I can dig that you don't want to encourage youngsters to use these supplements because are dangerous. But the way we go about trying to disincentive this activity is all wrong! We hold up Mark McGwire as a scapegoat which tacitly tells to the kids 'if you do steroids you'll hit 500 home runs!' Far from the truth, incidentally. Taking steroids won't make you any good at anything, it just expands your muscles--and shit, man, that alone doesn't even imply strength! Its just the increase of muscle mass not strength! If we were serious as a culture about discouraging this kind of drug use we wouldn't be casting stones at Sammy Sosa, we'll be holding worthless shlubs like Clay Hensley up as the real role models.
'If you do steroids you're no more likely to win 300 games than you are of being the answer to a trivia question!'
Am I Barry Bonds fan? I don't particularly think one way or another about him. But I do know this: if Barry Bonds wants to shoot heroin into his eyeballs during the 7th inning stretch, that's fine with me. If he wants to drug himself to an early grave for a little glory that's his business--football players have been doing it for decades and no one seems to care. Women in America have fought for decades to control their bodies, not sure why baseball players aren't afforded the same rights.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Rory's story
Rory Sabatini was looking pretty good, a stroke up on Tiger going into the final round at the Bridgestone Invitational the other day. Unfortunately, Tiger had his game going while Rory dropped like Bear Stearns. But on the back 9 a heckler from the gallery called out to Rory, 'You still think Tiger is beatable?'--a reference to Sabatini's comments (around the Masters, if I'm not mistaken) that he relished the opportunity to play with Tiger on Sunday because he thought Tiger was 'beatable'. Not only did Sabatini not beat Tiger on Sunday (5 over to Tiger's 4 under), he had that heckler physically removed from the course. This guy had a ticket to the match and got removed for 'hurting the feelings' of Rory Sabatini? You must be joking!
Wow! Rory Sabatini is officially the biggest pussy I've ever seen in my life. Buddy, if you can't handle the fans, then why are you dissing on Tiger Woods to reporters, jackass? You need to shut your hole and knock down some birdies. For all those people that are tired of obnoxious athletes, it's worthwhile to note that golfers can be just as classless and gutless as those others guys.
Wow! Rory Sabatini is officially the biggest pussy I've ever seen in my life. Buddy, if you can't handle the fans, then why are you dissing on Tiger Woods to reporters, jackass? You need to shut your hole and knock down some birdies. For all those people that are tired of obnoxious athletes, it's worthwhile to note that golfers can be just as classless and gutless as those others guys.
Clipper makes good
I caught a movie, Rescue Dawn, the other day at my local cinema, a good flick. Not exactly a date flick, it’s the tough true story of a pilot shot down over Laos and his endurance in a vicious prison camp deep in the jungle. I was struck by one of the names in the long list of producers: Elton Brand. Yeah, its that Elton Brand, guess he's in the movie producing biz now. Wait, he started his movie producing career off with a Werner Herzog jungle movie? Yipes, either he's got supreme confidence or he's unfamiliar with Herzog's maniacal approach (up to and including eating his own shoe). And since Brand apparently won't be playing any ball for a while, he's got plenty of time to make masterpieces. Good luck, Elton, you're off to a good start.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Asian Cup update
Wednesday July 25, 07
Iraq P 0 - 0 P Korea Republic
Japan 2 - 3 Saudi Arabia
Iraq squeaks through on PK's (resulting in euphoria in the streets of Baghdad, unfortunately quickly turning to panic). Saudi Arabia comes with the big offense to knock off Japan. Saudi Arabia-Iraq in the finals.
Sunday July 29, 07
Iraq 14 : 35 Saudi Arabia
I've got to go with Saudi Arabia here, these are neighboring countries whose soccer histories go back a long way--and Saudi Arabia is generally the better team. I might've taken Iraq over Japan even though I think Japan is the better team simply because when shocking competitors like Iraq make it this far they usually ride the luck all the way to the end. But only if they're playing an unexpected opponent, not a neighbor. Go with Saudi Arabia over Iraq in the finals.
Iraq P 0 - 0 P Korea Republic
Japan 2 - 3 Saudi Arabia
Iraq squeaks through on PK's (resulting in euphoria in the streets of Baghdad, unfortunately quickly turning to panic). Saudi Arabia comes with the big offense to knock off Japan. Saudi Arabia-Iraq in the finals.
Sunday July 29, 07
Iraq 14 : 35 Saudi Arabia
I've got to go with Saudi Arabia here, these are neighboring countries whose soccer histories go back a long way--and Saudi Arabia is generally the better team. I might've taken Iraq over Japan even though I think Japan is the better team simply because when shocking competitors like Iraq make it this far they usually ride the luck all the way to the end. But only if they're playing an unexpected opponent, not a neighbor. Go with Saudi Arabia over Iraq in the finals.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
How radioactive is Mike Vick right now?
When a big celebrity is involved in some crisis for all the world to see the first outcome is usually an ABC Movie of the Week. But how do you set up the narrative and take an audience inside the seamy underbelly of dog fighting? You can't. It just ain't happening.
Think about it: what if Vick killed somebody? Or turned out to be a major drug dealer? Or was into child pornography? Could they make a TV movie out of those subjects? Oh, hell yeah they could! But not dogfighting, the action is utterly repellant and there are no good guys, no heroes. Everyone is a villain and the victims are the dogs, not much room for a sappy love story in there. When you're too taboo for network prurience then you're out there on an island all by yourself. Good god, even R. Kelly is back in the mainstream! And Kobe Bryant, Martha Stewart, Marv Albert, Henry Blodgett, Dick Morris, Ray Lewis, etc.
And at this point even if he's completely cleared--even if this is all some crazy witchhunt and he gets out of it 100% innocent!--he's never going to be the star he was. This is Fatty Arbuckle territory here.
Think about it: what if Vick killed somebody? Or turned out to be a major drug dealer? Or was into child pornography? Could they make a TV movie out of those subjects? Oh, hell yeah they could! But not dogfighting, the action is utterly repellant and there are no good guys, no heroes. Everyone is a villain and the victims are the dogs, not much room for a sappy love story in there. When you're too taboo for network prurience then you're out there on an island all by yourself. Good god, even R. Kelly is back in the mainstream! And Kobe Bryant, Martha Stewart, Marv Albert, Henry Blodgett, Dick Morris, Ray Lewis, etc.
And at this point even if he's completely cleared--even if this is all some crazy witchhunt and he gets out of it 100% innocent!--he's never going to be the star he was. This is Fatty Arbuckle territory here.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Tour de France update
OVERALL STANDING BY POINTS
Result after stage 15
Total distance covered: 196 km
RASMUSSEN Michael 69h 52' 14"
CONTADOR Alberto 69h 54' 37" + 02' 23"
EVANS Cadel 69h 56' 14" + 04' 00"
LEIPHEIMER Levi 69h 57' 39" + 05' 25"
KLÖDEN Andréas 69h 57' 48" + 05' 34"
SASTRE Carlos 69h 59' 00" + 06' 46"
ZUBELDIA Haimar 69h 59' 41" + 07' 27"
KASHECHKIN Andrey 70h 00' 08" + 07' 54"
KIRCHEN Kim 70h 00' 38" + 08' 24"
ASTARLOZA Mikel 70h 01' 35" + 09' 21"
Result after stage 15
Total distance covered: 196 km
RASMUSSEN Michael 69h 52' 14"
CONTADOR Alberto 69h 54' 37" + 02' 23"
EVANS Cadel 69h 56' 14" + 04' 00"
LEIPHEIMER Levi 69h 57' 39" + 05' 25"
KLÖDEN Andréas 69h 57' 48" + 05' 34"
SASTRE Carlos 69h 59' 00" + 06' 46"
ZUBELDIA Haimar 69h 59' 41" + 07' 27"
KASHECHKIN Andrey 70h 00' 08" + 07' 54"
KIRCHEN Kim 70h 00' 38" + 08' 24"
ASTARLOZA Mikel 70h 01' 35" + 09' 21"
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