Alright, not such a great Week 15, going just 8-7. We'll see if I can rebound:
Friday
San Diego 28, TENNESSEE 24
--Two of the hottest teams in football, but San Diego is probably the hottest.
Sunday
ATLANTA 20, Buffalo 10
--Both of these teams are out of the playoff chase, but Buffalo's offense struggles so much. I think this game being in Atlanta on the turf favors the Falcons.
CINCINNATI 30, Kansas City 17
--Bengals are a better team, at home and need the win. I also think they will be inspired in their first home game following Chris Henry's death.
CLEVELAND 20, Oakland 17
--Both teams have played well this month despite the games not mattering. Both will have backup QBs starting, but the game in Cleveland with the positive mojo there may make the difference. Charlie Frye coming back home may put too much pressure on himself.
GREEN BAY 34, Seattle 17
--Seattle was embarassed at home and won't be able to rally in the cold of Wisconsin against a good offense in GB and turnover-causing defense. The Packers need this too after blowing the game at Pittsburgh last week.
PITTSBURGH 22, Baltimore 19
--A tough call here. Both teams know each other so well, but neither defense is what people are used to seeing. My initial reaction was to go with Baltimore, I can't get past the Steelers passing for over 500 yards last week against a good Packers defense.
Houston 28, MIAMI 24
--The Dolphins are playing some good football and Chad Henne has impressed. I like Houston's firepower in this game.
NY GIANTS 38, Carolina 10
--It may be too little too late for the Giants, but I think their pass rush will get to the young Panthers QB and force him into mistakes. Once they get behind to a team like the Giants on the road, it could get ugly.
NEW ENGLAND 23, Jacksonville 14
--Just an ugly football game, but it being in the cold of New England and the veterans they have there, I don't see the Jags getting it done.
NEW ORLEANS 38, Tampa Bay 17
--Brees & Co. will come out aggressive to work out the kinks from the last few weeks and attack TB at the Superdome. Tampa is slowly getting better, but not this good this fast.
ARIZONA 30, St. Louis 16
--St. Louis is heading for the #1 pick in the draft and the Cardinals need this game at it is in Arizona...
SAN FRANCISCO 20, Detroit 17
--I think they Lions hang in there, as they haven't showed quit all year. Something about the 49ers offense doesn't make me think they'll run away with it. I wouldn't be shocked with an upset here.
PHILADELPHIA 31, Denver 27
--The return of Eagles' legend Brian Dawkins is getting a lot of play in Philly, but the Eagles offense is rolling and I think Denver makes one too many mistakes to keep up with them on the road.
INDIANAPOLIS 17, NY Jets 13
--This game all depends on what the Colts do with Manning and their other key starters. The Jets will be fired up after last week's heartbreak, but they have been fired up at other points this year too and didn't get it done then either.
Dallas 33, WASHINGTON 13
--Washington and Jim Zorn have cashed it in for the season and the Cowboys will come into this game with a lot on the line and a ton of confidence.
Monday
Minnesota 24, CHICAGO 10
--The Bears are a mess and Minnesota will be trying to make sure they execute a gameplan similar to earlier this season when they were so efffective. The Bears effort last week vs. Baltimore was a joke.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Weekend thoughts...
Just some things from this weekend I wanted to cover...
Cleveland Browns thoughts:
The Browns have won two in a row! Yes, I know the second win was at the terrible Kansas City Chiefs, but when you are the Browns a win is a win, especially on the road. Now they sit at 3-11 and are pretty much locked into the #5 pick in the draft. That actually in some ways is better than the #1 pick because of salary cap ramifications and the pressure on the top pick. However, it probably mean Ndamukong Suh will not play in Cleveland.
Joshua Cribbs-- What can you say about the man? SI's Don Banks said he is the closest thing in the NFL to a one-man team, Peyton Manning included. That sounds about right. They guy can do it all. He even leads the team in special team tackles. Obviously, he should and will get the contract he has so long desired. I'm not a religious person, but it is cool his initials are J.C.! Sunday he had his seventh and eighth career kickoff returns (100 and 103 yards, respectively) for touchdowns against a Chiefs team that had not allowed a return longer than 37 yards this season to become the all-time NFL leader...in five seasons! Among the names he passed are Dante Hall, Mel Gray, Ollie Matson and Gale Sayers. That's saying something.
Jerome Harrison-- When Harrison was a senior at Washington State in 2005, he led all of Division I with a school-record 1,900 yards rushing. The knock on him was his size and blocking ability, despite his accomplishments coming in a major conference like the Pac-10.
Before this season, his best game was 80 yards on just three carries in a Monday night win last year at Buffalo, the last Browns win of the year. Heck, in that game he had a 72-yard touchdown run, which was the last RB touchdown for the Browns until last week! He had 121 yards in week four this season at CIN, but then disappeared to the bench with highs of just 10 carries and 35 yards since. So what happened vs. KC? He only goes and breaks Jim Brown's 1961 Browns single-game rushing mark of 237 with 286 yards on 34 carries, the third-best rushing day in NFL history! Ummm...I think the Browns should use him a little more in the coming weeks.
Mike Holmgren-- So, it looks like Mike Holmgren is going to take the Browns football "czar" spot that has been long discussed. I guess full control of a franchise and a 10-year, $50 million contract can win a guy over even with his family and house in Seattle. The thing that worries me is I think he wants to coach in addition to his player personnel duties. Not many have been successful doing this. They usually are a great coach or a great personnel guy, but not both. Butch Davis couldn't do it in Cleveland. Mike Shanahan was fired in Denver not because of his coaching, but because of some terrible player moves. Even Bill Belichick had guys like Scott Pioli and other advisors to assist his control of the Patriots. Holmgren has done both before, but it takes away from one another. But I get the feeling he has that coaching itch. I'm not saying Eric Mangini is the answer, but I do like how the players are still playing hard for him and they have a few wins despite very little skill-position talent. We'll see what happens this week. Stay tuned.
Two Dynasties:
Penn State women's volleyball-- In case you didn't see it, and most probably didn't, Penn State's women's volleyball team won their third consecutive national title on Saturday vs. Texas, rallying from down two-sets-to-none to win the final three sets. That brought their absurd winning streak to 102 matches! They played 217 sets in the first 100 games of the streak and went 210-7 in those sets. Just giving a little credit in my little world of the blogosphere.
Mount Union football-- The Mount Union Purple Raiders lost to Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday in the Division III title game. The two teams are far-and-away the class of the division, having played the last five years in the Stagg Bowl with Mount Union leading 3-2.
Here's some mind-blowing numbers to consider if you think a place like USC or Florida State's 15-year run are amazing:
Cleveland Browns thoughts:
The Browns have won two in a row! Yes, I know the second win was at the terrible Kansas City Chiefs, but when you are the Browns a win is a win, especially on the road. Now they sit at 3-11 and are pretty much locked into the #5 pick in the draft. That actually in some ways is better than the #1 pick because of salary cap ramifications and the pressure on the top pick. However, it probably mean Ndamukong Suh will not play in Cleveland.
Joshua Cribbs-- What can you say about the man? SI's Don Banks said he is the closest thing in the NFL to a one-man team, Peyton Manning included. That sounds about right. They guy can do it all. He even leads the team in special team tackles. Obviously, he should and will get the contract he has so long desired. I'm not a religious person, but it is cool his initials are J.C.! Sunday he had his seventh and eighth career kickoff returns (100 and 103 yards, respectively) for touchdowns against a Chiefs team that had not allowed a return longer than 37 yards this season to become the all-time NFL leader...in five seasons! Among the names he passed are Dante Hall, Mel Gray, Ollie Matson and Gale Sayers. That's saying something.
Does this man walk on water like another J.C.?
Jerome Harrison-- When Harrison was a senior at Washington State in 2005, he led all of Division I with a school-record 1,900 yards rushing. The knock on him was his size and blocking ability, despite his accomplishments coming in a major conference like the Pac-10.
Before this season, his best game was 80 yards on just three carries in a Monday night win last year at Buffalo, the last Browns win of the year. Heck, in that game he had a 72-yard touchdown run, which was the last RB touchdown for the Browns until last week! He had 121 yards in week four this season at CIN, but then disappeared to the bench with highs of just 10 carries and 35 yards since. So what happened vs. KC? He only goes and breaks Jim Brown's 1961 Browns single-game rushing mark of 237 with 286 yards on 34 carries, the third-best rushing day in NFL history! Ummm...I think the Browns should use him a little more in the coming weeks.
Harrison had a big day despite being a little guy
Mike Holmgren-- So, it looks like Mike Holmgren is going to take the Browns football "czar" spot that has been long discussed. I guess full control of a franchise and a 10-year, $50 million contract can win a guy over even with his family and house in Seattle. The thing that worries me is I think he wants to coach in addition to his player personnel duties. Not many have been successful doing this. They usually are a great coach or a great personnel guy, but not both. Butch Davis couldn't do it in Cleveland. Mike Shanahan was fired in Denver not because of his coaching, but because of some terrible player moves. Even Bill Belichick had guys like Scott Pioli and other advisors to assist his control of the Patriots. Holmgren has done both before, but it takes away from one another. But I get the feeling he has that coaching itch. I'm not saying Eric Mangini is the answer, but I do like how the players are still playing hard for him and they have a few wins despite very little skill-position talent. We'll see what happens this week. Stay tuned.
Butch Davis looked like this a lot while with the Browns.
Two Dynasties:
Penn State women's volleyball-- In case you didn't see it, and most probably didn't, Penn State's women's volleyball team won their third consecutive national title on Saturday vs. Texas, rallying from down two-sets-to-none to win the final three sets. That brought their absurd winning streak to 102 matches! They played 217 sets in the first 100 games of the streak and went 210-7 in those sets. Just giving a little credit in my little world of the blogosphere.
Don't mess with these Lions!
Mount Union football-- The Mount Union Purple Raiders lost to Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday in the Division III title game. The two teams are far-and-away the class of the division, having played the last five years in the Stagg Bowl with Mount Union leading 3-2.
Here's some mind-blowing numbers to consider if you think a place like USC or Florida State's 15-year run are amazing:
- Head Coach Larry Kehres just finished his 24th season and has a 289-22-3 (.929) record with 20 Ohio Athletic Conference titles and 10 national titles in the last 17 seasons.
- Since 1990, they have made 19 playoff appearances and are 259-12-1 (.956) with 10 national titles.
- Since 2000, they are 139-5 (.965). Of the five losses, three have come in the national title game, one in the semifinals and just one has come in the regular season (Ohio Northern, 21-14 in 2005)!
- They also have had 55- and 54-game winning streaks during the dynasty. Just thought I'd shed some light on a 2,200 person school in little Alliance, Ohio.
Larry Kehres may be the best coach in college football
Friday, December 18, 2009
Have we had enough of the '72 Dolphins?
With the Colts and Saints still unbeaten this late in the season, the talk swings back to the 1972 Dolphins undefeated season. What does that mean? Time for the members of that team to start popping up on TV talk shows spewing forth their greatness and rubbing it in people's faces about them popping champagne every year the last unbeaten team drops a game. They have become annoying, crotchety old men and I don't think they deserve the credit they believe they have earned.
Yes, they are the only unbeaten and untied team in NFL history. Yes, I give them credit for being among the best teams in history. Don't forget, they did appear in three consecutive Super Bowls, losing in 1971 and winning back-to-back in 1972 and 1973. However, you can't sell me on that 1972 team being the greatest of all time just because they didn't win a game. Let's take a closer look...
I couldn't remember where I saw the information, so I found it on the internet just to verify (thanks bleacherreport.com!), and the '72 Dolphins played the second-easiest schedule by a Super Bowl champion (.357) next to the 1970 Colts (.352). They also only played a 14-game regular season, so they had less games to play, especially a factor late in the year when teams get injured and as the recent Colts have shown, they may have had clinched their playoff spot by that point and easied off the gas. But that's speculation. Back to the facts.
Here's the 1972 Miami Dolphins schedule with opponents' records and scores, obviously all wins:
at KC (8-6) 20-10
HOU (1-13) 34-13
at MIN (7-7) 16-14
at NYJ (7-7) 27-17
SD (5-9) 24-10
BUF (4-9-1) 24-23
at BAL (5-9) 23-0
at BUF (4-9-1) 30-16
NE (3-11) 52-0
NYJ (7-7) 28-24
STL (4-9-1) 31-10
at NE (3-11) 37-21
at NYG (8-6) 23-13
BAL (5-9) 16-0
What you'll notice is they played just two teams above .500 and both were only 8-6. The Chiefs in week one and the Giants in week 13. Like I said, they were a great team and they did beat a 10-4 Cleveland team at home, a 11-3 Pittsburgh team on the road and then win the Super Bowl (even if it was one of the worst ever) vs. 11-3 Washington. The debate is whether they are the best of all-time because they did not lose or tie a game.
The team from my youth that comes to mind that passes the "eye test" is the 1985 Chicago Bears. That season the Bears dropped a Monday Night Football road game at Miami for the only loss. However, they played SIX regular season games vs. teams with 10 or more wins and two others against 8-8 teams. Let's not for get the did not allow a point to either the 10-6 Giants or the 11-5 Rams in the playoffs before destroying 11-5 New England in one of the biggest championship game mismatches in sports history. Oh yeah, they played two extra regular season games too.
Was that team great? You bet. Would they have beaten the '72 Dolphins? We don't know and that's part of the fun of sports, but don't go waxing poetic about that Dolphin team just because they didn't get a loss. They accomplished something, but best team ever? I only compared them to one team and there's others who make a strong case. So, be proud of your accomplishment, Dolphins of that year, but upon further review it isn't a stand-alone season for the ages. In the meantime, I just hope these '72 Dolphins would just show some class and shut up, because the act is tired.
Yes, they are the only unbeaten and untied team in NFL history. Yes, I give them credit for being among the best teams in history. Don't forget, they did appear in three consecutive Super Bowls, losing in 1971 and winning back-to-back in 1972 and 1973. However, you can't sell me on that 1972 team being the greatest of all time just because they didn't win a game. Let's take a closer look...
I couldn't remember where I saw the information, so I found it on the internet just to verify (thanks bleacherreport.com!), and the '72 Dolphins played the second-easiest schedule by a Super Bowl champion (.357) next to the 1970 Colts (.352). They also only played a 14-game regular season, so they had less games to play, especially a factor late in the year when teams get injured and as the recent Colts have shown, they may have had clinched their playoff spot by that point and easied off the gas. But that's speculation. Back to the facts.
Here's the 1972 Miami Dolphins schedule with opponents' records and scores, obviously all wins:
at KC (8-6) 20-10
HOU (1-13) 34-13
at MIN (7-7) 16-14
at NYJ (7-7) 27-17
SD (5-9) 24-10
BUF (4-9-1) 24-23
at BAL (5-9) 23-0
at BUF (4-9-1) 30-16
NE (3-11) 52-0
NYJ (7-7) 28-24
STL (4-9-1) 31-10
at NE (3-11) 37-21
at NYG (8-6) 23-13
BAL (5-9) 16-0
What you'll notice is they played just two teams above .500 and both were only 8-6. The Chiefs in week one and the Giants in week 13. Like I said, they were a great team and they did beat a 10-4 Cleveland team at home, a 11-3 Pittsburgh team on the road and then win the Super Bowl (even if it was one of the worst ever) vs. 11-3 Washington. The debate is whether they are the best of all-time because they did not lose or tie a game.
The team from my youth that comes to mind that passes the "eye test" is the 1985 Chicago Bears. That season the Bears dropped a Monday Night Football road game at Miami for the only loss. However, they played SIX regular season games vs. teams with 10 or more wins and two others against 8-8 teams. Let's not for get the did not allow a point to either the 10-6 Giants or the 11-5 Rams in the playoffs before destroying 11-5 New England in one of the biggest championship game mismatches in sports history. Oh yeah, they played two extra regular season games too.
Was that team great? You bet. Would they have beaten the '72 Dolphins? We don't know and that's part of the fun of sports, but don't go waxing poetic about that Dolphin team just because they didn't get a loss. They accomplished something, but best team ever? I only compared them to one team and there's others who make a strong case. So, be proud of your accomplishment, Dolphins of that year, but upon further review it isn't a stand-alone season for the ages. In the meantime, I just hope these '72 Dolphins would just show some class and shut up, because the act is tired.
I'm tired of you, Mercury Morris.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Week 15 picks!
OK, admittedly I didn't pick against the spreads last week but still went 11-2. Not too shabby! Let's guve this another try:
Thu, Dec 17
Indianapolis 27, JACKSONVILLE 17
--If Indy plays their starters and this game like the previous 13 as stated, they should win this one just like those.
Sat, Dec 19
NEW ORLEANS 30, Dallas 28
--I think this game could even be a Cowboys upset because I was not impressed how the Saints played Atlanta last week. Was that a letdown vs. an inferior opponent? Will they be better at home and up for the challenge of taking on "America's Team"? I say the latter, but close.
Sun, Dec 20
Cleveland 19, KANSAS CITY 13
--Maybe a bit of a homer pick on my part, but I like that the Browns are still playing hard and finally will have a little bit of momentum. Lots of field goals in this one. Will the Browns add the extra dimension of the pass to Cribbs in the wildcat?
Houston 35, ST. LOUIS 14
--Houston plays well when it doesn't really matter...and the Rams stink.
NY JETS 24, Atlanta 13
--The Jets are coming off a nice road win and Atlanta did hang in there at home last week vs. the Saints, but the question will be whether Matt Ryan is ready to go. I see a Falcon letdown on the road in the cold of the Meadowlands.
Miami 23, TENNESSEE 21
--One of the best games of the week. I really like where Miami is right now with Ricky Williams running hard and Chad Henne running a solid offense. Vince Young's hammy and knee are a problem.
PHILADELPHIA 31, San Francisco 20
--Philly's offense is too good and won't give the 49ers seven turnovers like Arizona did. The 49ers having to go cross country after a big win on a short week won't get it done.
New England 26, BUFFALO 13
--Buffalo isn't that good and the Pats will be out there with a chip on their shoulder.
Arizona 38, DETROIT 14
--My "lock of the week." Arizona won't make the errors of Monday night and will score a bunch on the turf in Detroit.
BALTIMORE 28, Chicago 17
--Baltimore is at home and can smell the playoffs. The Bears smell the offseason.
DENVER 31, Oakland 13
--Denver at home vs. an Oakland team that may have to go back to JaMarcus Russell...
SAN DIEGO 30, Cincinnati 21
--San Diego is on a role and Cincinnati's offense isn't. Carson Palmer with 95 yards last week? Not going to get it done cross country vs. Rivers, Tomlinson, Gates & Co.
SEATTLE 20, Tampa Bay 17
--What a doozy of a game. Both teams are struggling, so I'll go with the home team.
Green Bay 24, PITTSBURGH 21
--I think the Steelers are on the verge of quitting on this season and re-grouping for 2010. Ryan Grant and Aaron Rodgers are moving the ball and they have the #2 defense in football...and the Steelers were sacked eight time last week by the Browns!
Minnesota 33, CAROLINA 17
--Favre and the Vikings play well on Sunday night and Carolina hangs in there for a little while before Percy Harvin and company take care of business.
Mon, Dec 21
NY Giants 34, WASHINGTON 24
--The Giants have to have this game and the offense is rolling. Washington is playing better, but not well enough.
Thu, Dec 17
Indianapolis 27, JACKSONVILLE 17
--If Indy plays their starters and this game like the previous 13 as stated, they should win this one just like those.
Sat, Dec 19
NEW ORLEANS 30, Dallas 28
--I think this game could even be a Cowboys upset because I was not impressed how the Saints played Atlanta last week. Was that a letdown vs. an inferior opponent? Will they be better at home and up for the challenge of taking on "America's Team"? I say the latter, but close.
Sun, Dec 20
Cleveland 19, KANSAS CITY 13
--Maybe a bit of a homer pick on my part, but I like that the Browns are still playing hard and finally will have a little bit of momentum. Lots of field goals in this one. Will the Browns add the extra dimension of the pass to Cribbs in the wildcat?
Houston 35, ST. LOUIS 14
--Houston plays well when it doesn't really matter...and the Rams stink.
NY JETS 24, Atlanta 13
--The Jets are coming off a nice road win and Atlanta did hang in there at home last week vs. the Saints, but the question will be whether Matt Ryan is ready to go. I see a Falcon letdown on the road in the cold of the Meadowlands.
Miami 23, TENNESSEE 21
--One of the best games of the week. I really like where Miami is right now with Ricky Williams running hard and Chad Henne running a solid offense. Vince Young's hammy and knee are a problem.
PHILADELPHIA 31, San Francisco 20
--Philly's offense is too good and won't give the 49ers seven turnovers like Arizona did. The 49ers having to go cross country after a big win on a short week won't get it done.
New England 26, BUFFALO 13
--Buffalo isn't that good and the Pats will be out there with a chip on their shoulder.
Arizona 38, DETROIT 14
--My "lock of the week." Arizona won't make the errors of Monday night and will score a bunch on the turf in Detroit.
BALTIMORE 28, Chicago 17
--Baltimore is at home and can smell the playoffs. The Bears smell the offseason.
DENVER 31, Oakland 13
--Denver at home vs. an Oakland team that may have to go back to JaMarcus Russell...
SAN DIEGO 30, Cincinnati 21
--San Diego is on a role and Cincinnati's offense isn't. Carson Palmer with 95 yards last week? Not going to get it done cross country vs. Rivers, Tomlinson, Gates & Co.
SEATTLE 20, Tampa Bay 17
--What a doozy of a game. Both teams are struggling, so I'll go with the home team.
Green Bay 24, PITTSBURGH 21
--I think the Steelers are on the verge of quitting on this season and re-grouping for 2010. Ryan Grant and Aaron Rodgers are moving the ball and they have the #2 defense in football...and the Steelers were sacked eight time last week by the Browns!
Minnesota 33, CAROLINA 17
--Favre and the Vikings play well on Sunday night and Carolina hangs in there for a little while before Percy Harvin and company take care of business.
Mon, Dec 21
NY Giants 34, WASHINGTON 24
--The Giants have to have this game and the offense is rolling. Washington is playing better, but not well enough.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Week 14 NFL Picks
OK...I'm going to take my shot at predicting some NFL games. I'm not worrying about point spreads, but I will give scores. As with the nature of the NFL, these are only guesses! Home team in CAPS.
New Orleans 34, ATLANTA 17
--A turf-toe injured Matt Ryan, even if he plays, isn't going to derail the Saints on turf.
Green Bay 24, CHICAGO 13
--Green Bay seems to be hitting an offensive stride and the Bears are a mess.
NY Jets 17, TAMPA BAY 13
--Thought about picking the upset here, but these are too bad teams battling it out
Miami 24, JACKSONVILLE 20
--The Jags always hang in there, but they are so mediocre. Miami won't have much road trouble with the in-state trip.
BALTIMORE 27, Detroit 10
--Culpepper won't get much done on the road and Baltimore must have this game.
HOUSTON 31, Seattle 21
--I don't see Seattle going that far and pulling this out. Plus it isn't a team Houston normally chokes against.
INDIANAPOLIS 31, Denver 24
--Denver has been up-and-down and probably will hang in there for a bit, but on the road vs. Manning while the Colts still need this game means they won't get it done.
Buffalo 17, KANSAS CITY 13
--Ugh.
MINNESOTA 24, Cincinnati 17
--Cincy's defense is underated, but their offense has struggled lately. It'll be tough on the road to outscore Minnesota.
NEW ENGLAND 35, Carolina 17
--A must-have game for the Patriots who will be fired up vs. a Carolina team with a backup QB
OAKLAND 20, Washington 17
--Washington has to go cross country following such a tough loss and the Raiders have some mojo and a good defense right now.
TENNESSEE 27, St. Louis 13
--St. Louis stinks other than Steven Jackson. Not enough to get it done on the road in a game Tennessee must have.
San Diego 31, DALLAS 27
--San Diego is playing really well right now and won't overlook Dallas like they did Cleveland. The pressure on the Cowboys to win this game at home with their December reputation will be too much.
Philadelphia 24, NY GIANTS 20
--Should be one of the better games of the week, but a beat-up Eli won't be able to top the Eagles weapons.
MNF
Arizona 34, SAN FRANCISCO 20
--Arizona's offense is on a roll as long as Kurt Warner can stay on his feet and SF doesn't have the offense or defense to get it done.
New Orleans 34, ATLANTA 17
--A turf-toe injured Matt Ryan, even if he plays, isn't going to derail the Saints on turf.
Green Bay 24, CHICAGO 13
--Green Bay seems to be hitting an offensive stride and the Bears are a mess.
NY Jets 17, TAMPA BAY 13
--Thought about picking the upset here, but these are too bad teams battling it out
Miami 24, JACKSONVILLE 20
--The Jags always hang in there, but they are so mediocre. Miami won't have much road trouble with the in-state trip.
BALTIMORE 27, Detroit 10
--Culpepper won't get much done on the road and Baltimore must have this game.
HOUSTON 31, Seattle 21
--I don't see Seattle going that far and pulling this out. Plus it isn't a team Houston normally chokes against.
INDIANAPOLIS 31, Denver 24
--Denver has been up-and-down and probably will hang in there for a bit, but on the road vs. Manning while the Colts still need this game means they won't get it done.
Buffalo 17, KANSAS CITY 13
--Ugh.
MINNESOTA 24, Cincinnati 17
--Cincy's defense is underated, but their offense has struggled lately. It'll be tough on the road to outscore Minnesota.
NEW ENGLAND 35, Carolina 17
--A must-have game for the Patriots who will be fired up vs. a Carolina team with a backup QB
OAKLAND 20, Washington 17
--Washington has to go cross country following such a tough loss and the Raiders have some mojo and a good defense right now.
TENNESSEE 27, St. Louis 13
--St. Louis stinks other than Steven Jackson. Not enough to get it done on the road in a game Tennessee must have.
San Diego 31, DALLAS 27
--San Diego is playing really well right now and won't overlook Dallas like they did Cleveland. The pressure on the Cowboys to win this game at home with their December reputation will be too much.
Philadelphia 24, NY GIANTS 20
--Should be one of the better games of the week, but a beat-up Eli won't be able to top the Eagles weapons.
MNF
Arizona 34, SAN FRANCISCO 20
--Arizona's offense is on a roll as long as Kurt Warner can stay on his feet and SF doesn't have the offense or defense to get it done.
Browns Deliver a Gift to the Needy
As the winter holidays arrive, many people turn their attention to the poor and needy in America, particularly with the current state of the economy. Salvation Army bell ringers are at almost every local grocery store and the NBA keeps pumping the "NBA Cares" program to show you the token time each year the players pass out food at a food bank or Shaq is handing out tukeys or hams. These needy people should be the focus this time of the year, but there's another group of needy folks that just were given the gift of hope (even if it is a slight glimmer)...those who are fans of the Cleveland Browns.
I am not sure there is another fan base who has gone through what Browns fans have since the last of the glory days with Jim Brown in the early-to-mid 1960s. Other than a brief window in the mid-1980s when the Kosar-led Browns went to three AFC title games, this team has been awful for the most part (oh, and in two of those AFC title games, fans had their hearts ripped out, so it wasn't all that amazing). But the team belonged to the fans and the city...a HUGE football city in the heart of where the game was founded. Is it any surprise that the short-lived "Sidelines" series on ESPN had higher ratings in Cleveland than any other city? Then, Art Modell, a man who was too poor and too stubborn to own a modern-day sports franchise, sold his soul and stole the team to Baltimore. Of course, the Ravens would go on to win the 2000 Super Bowl...
I don't think other fans truly understand the pain. Baltimore Colts fans can, but not many others. Seattle Supersonic fans or even hockey-loving towns like Winnipeg who lost their teams certainly felt the hurt, but none of those teams had the history and ties like the Browns. It would be like the Green Bay Packers or Boston Red Sox leaving their cities, things people couldn't even wrap their heads around.
The NFL saw the crime in it all but were powerless to do anything about it after Al Davis won his lawsuit in the early '80s that allowed him to move the Raiders from Oakland to Los Angeles. Why do you think almost as soon as the news was announced the Browns were leaving the NFL stepped in and said they were going to put a team back in Cleveland with the same colors, history, etc.? They saw a town that sold out a crappy stadium to watch a mediocre franchise, but loved every minute of doing so. Heck, the NFL even paid for most of the new stadium!
So, in 1999 the "new" Browns (or as the TMQ on ESPN.com says, Cleveland Browns 2.0) joined as an expansion team. Fans were realistic and knew that not much was expected because of the start-up nature of the team (and because the NFL owners didn't want the Browns to win immediately like Jacksonville and Carolina did in their second seasons, so they made the rules tougher). The team wasn't all that good, but even made the playoffs in 2002. What a tease. The new team has been terrible. So tough to watch, so tough to support.
Butch Davis had to rip up the team due to the salary cap and multiple GMs, coaches and bad draft picks later and you have the 2009 Browns who entered Thursday's game vs. the Steelers with a record and statistics that rivaled the 1999 expansion team. If you don't think that's bad, look who the leaders were on that squad...Travis Prentice?? Kevin Johnson?? Darrin Chiaverini?? Tim Couch?? Wow...
Admittedly, the Steelers were coming in on a four-game losing streak, but this was still the defending Super Bowl champs and a nemisis who had beaten the Browns 12 straight times playing a 1-11 Cleveland team who had NO RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS BY A RUNNING BACK! Expectations were at an all-time low. Apathy was great. Fans had gotten to the point of just hoping for competitive games, let alone wins.
And they won.
It wasn't pretty, but Browns fans didn't care. 13-6 might as well had been 44-6. Joshua Cribbs, the only true skilled-position player on the team, had a terrific game and the defense had eight sacks. And for one fall weekend, Browns fans could smile and hold their heads a little higher and didn't have to hear it from their neighbors from Western PA. It was the type of unexpected gift that brightened a whole fan base and gave them the hope that after all of the Eric Mangini crap this year and all of the terrible games, that maybe, just maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Only time will tell if it really will make a difference, but for one great gift of a win a loyal and hurt fan base can smile this holiday season.
Monday, December 7, 2009
BCS, Browns and the Heisman
A little house cleaning from the last few days...
BCS: This is not a fresh thought...but it is a joke. The reasons against a playoff run hollow.
It makes the regular season more important: They like to say the current system makes each week like a playoff and that is true, to an extent, but it isn't fair. A key injury on a given week or a blip the first week of the year can ruin an entire season. Look at Oregon. They are a machine right now, but lost in a mid-week kickoff classic to Boise State in the very first game of the college season so no shot for them. Are you telling me anyone would want to play them in a playoff right now? That's my other point...an eight-team playoff still would make each regular season game important! The fight for being in the top eight at the end of the season would gain just as much interest, like NASCAR's chase for the top 12 spots.
It is too much of a stress academically: Really? Funny how every other division of college football can play playoffs, including the NON-SCHOLARSHIP Division III kids who pay their way to some very expensive schools for an education and they happen to play football too. Wouldn't it be more of a concern to them?
It preserves the sanctity of the bowls: I think that sanctity is already gone. How many people care about the other games besides the BCS title game? Does anyone care about Iowa vs. Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. No. Football fans and fans of those schools will watch, but there is no majesty to it. Now, with a playoff using the high-ranking bowls as the different rounds, everyone would watch and everyone would care.
ESPN's Jay Crawford tweeted: who wouldnt watch every play of every game 1 bama vs 8 osu. 2 texas vs 7 oregon. 3 cincy vs 6 boise st and 4 tcu vs 5 fla. then rd 2?!?!
And he's right! The interest in those games and not just the title would be amazing. Remember, television pays the bills and these ratings would be better than they currently are, which would mean a higher contract for the next round of TV negotiations!
Other points:
Every other collegiate sport has a true champion and some claim this is the "pureness" of college football (here's looking at you Bill Plaschke). I'm sure that's what Penn State thought when they went undefeated twice without a shot at a national title and what Boise State, Cincinnati and TCU think this year. I'm sure it is what the various split-titles in the '80s and '90s had in mind too.
Finally, the folks who say it takes away from the minor bowls, I say get your head out of your butt. I am an Ohio University alum. I'm thrilled they are going to a bowl game...any bowl game! Those kids are still being rewarded for a great year, just the same as the current system. The minor bowls will barely know the difference with a playoff.
On to the Heisman...
If I had a vote, it would be: 1. Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska, DT), 2. Toby Gerhart (Stanford, RB), 3. Mark Ingram (Alabama, RB).
Suh is a monster. I can only wish the Browns take him in the top three picks of next year's NFL draft. I'm one to give defensive players their due and what many around the country saw vs. Texas was what he has been doing all year. He led the Cornhuskers in tackles...as a DT!! That's amazing.
Gerhart was consistent all season long and showed up big in the biggest of games. Ingram deserves a lot of credit for having such a productive year in the best conference in the country.
And the Browns...
Once again, I am left asking myself why I am a fan of this team?? I know it is from birth, which is the ONLY way a Browns fan is developed nowadays. Yesterday was one of the better days of the season and that was with a game that was totally uncompetitive and uninteresting for two quarters but at least gave them a last gasp shot, which most other games (they all seem 31-3, right?) just don't have.
They showed some things, but made the mistakes bad teams make. Phil Dawson misses a 43-yard field goal (he made a longer one later) and they give up an unexplicable sideline reception right before the half to allow the Chargers a cheap field goal. So instead of it being 10-10 at half, it was 13-7 and the Chargers took it to them in the third quarter to seize control of the game. Yes, Brady Quinn did ok against the San Diego defense when they started allowing underneath throws, but when you average 6.0 yards per throw you aren't going to win many games. Did you know the Browns don't have a touchdown on a run by a running back this year?? Sigh...and next up is the Steelers on a Thursday night national game. I don't care the Steelers have lost four straight, they aren't going to lose a fifth. I don't know why I still care.
Alright, I promise I'll start getting to some fun on this blog and some interesting interviews in the next few posts to come. I just had to get somethings off my mind.
BCS: This is not a fresh thought...but it is a joke. The reasons against a playoff run hollow.
It makes the regular season more important: They like to say the current system makes each week like a playoff and that is true, to an extent, but it isn't fair. A key injury on a given week or a blip the first week of the year can ruin an entire season. Look at Oregon. They are a machine right now, but lost in a mid-week kickoff classic to Boise State in the very first game of the college season so no shot for them. Are you telling me anyone would want to play them in a playoff right now? That's my other point...an eight-team playoff still would make each regular season game important! The fight for being in the top eight at the end of the season would gain just as much interest, like NASCAR's chase for the top 12 spots.
It is too much of a stress academically: Really? Funny how every other division of college football can play playoffs, including the NON-SCHOLARSHIP Division III kids who pay their way to some very expensive schools for an education and they happen to play football too. Wouldn't it be more of a concern to them?
It preserves the sanctity of the bowls: I think that sanctity is already gone. How many people care about the other games besides the BCS title game? Does anyone care about Iowa vs. Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. No. Football fans and fans of those schools will watch, but there is no majesty to it. Now, with a playoff using the high-ranking bowls as the different rounds, everyone would watch and everyone would care.
ESPN's Jay Crawford tweeted: who wouldnt watch every play of every game 1 bama vs 8 osu. 2 texas vs 7 oregon. 3 cincy vs 6 boise st and 4 tcu vs 5 fla. then rd 2?!?!
And he's right! The interest in those games and not just the title would be amazing. Remember, television pays the bills and these ratings would be better than they currently are, which would mean a higher contract for the next round of TV negotiations!
Other points:
Every other collegiate sport has a true champion and some claim this is the "pureness" of college football (here's looking at you Bill Plaschke). I'm sure that's what Penn State thought when they went undefeated twice without a shot at a national title and what Boise State, Cincinnati and TCU think this year. I'm sure it is what the various split-titles in the '80s and '90s had in mind too.
Finally, the folks who say it takes away from the minor bowls, I say get your head out of your butt. I am an Ohio University alum. I'm thrilled they are going to a bowl game...any bowl game! Those kids are still being rewarded for a great year, just the same as the current system. The minor bowls will barely know the difference with a playoff.
On to the Heisman...
If I had a vote, it would be: 1. Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska, DT), 2. Toby Gerhart (Stanford, RB), 3. Mark Ingram (Alabama, RB).
Suh is a monster. I can only wish the Browns take him in the top three picks of next year's NFL draft. I'm one to give defensive players their due and what many around the country saw vs. Texas was what he has been doing all year. He led the Cornhuskers in tackles...as a DT!! That's amazing.
Gerhart was consistent all season long and showed up big in the biggest of games. Ingram deserves a lot of credit for having such a productive year in the best conference in the country.
And the Browns...
Once again, I am left asking myself why I am a fan of this team?? I know it is from birth, which is the ONLY way a Browns fan is developed nowadays. Yesterday was one of the better days of the season and that was with a game that was totally uncompetitive and uninteresting for two quarters but at least gave them a last gasp shot, which most other games (they all seem 31-3, right?) just don't have.
They showed some things, but made the mistakes bad teams make. Phil Dawson misses a 43-yard field goal (he made a longer one later) and they give up an unexplicable sideline reception right before the half to allow the Chargers a cheap field goal. So instead of it being 10-10 at half, it was 13-7 and the Chargers took it to them in the third quarter to seize control of the game. Yes, Brady Quinn did ok against the San Diego defense when they started allowing underneath throws, but when you average 6.0 yards per throw you aren't going to win many games. Did you know the Browns don't have a touchdown on a run by a running back this year?? Sigh...and next up is the Steelers on a Thursday night national game. I don't care the Steelers have lost four straight, they aren't going to lose a fifth. I don't know why I still care.
Alright, I promise I'll start getting to some fun on this blog and some interesting interviews in the next few posts to come. I just had to get somethings off my mind.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The World's Biggest Toy...the 2010 World Cup draw!
Today, the folks at FIFA held the draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and for once the United States caught a break. As you know, soccer/football is the biggest of all sports in the world and the World Cup is its biggest event.
Followers of the "beautiful game" in the US have increased the last several years due to the success of the 2002 World Cup, in which the US made it to the elimination stage, and the success of last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa when they made the finals (their first ever of a major FIFA event) after snapping Spain's record-unbeaten streak. Then, you have the people like me who grew up playing the game and feel it is important as a well-rounded sports fan to follow the game at the highest level internationally.
OK, enough of the intro material...what a lucky draw! Many expected the US not only to get one of the guaranteed "seeded teams," but also one of the major European teams that weren't seeded. Instead they got England, Algeria and Slovenia. Wow.
A breakdown:
England (FIFA ranking 9th): The seeded team in the region and the fathers of soccer are the Group C favorites, but are one of the beatable seeds for the US. This is no Brazil, Netherlands or Spain. Plus, it sets up seven months of lead-up talk between two closely-related countries. The 1-0 US win in the 1950 World Cup, the last time these teams met in a World Cup, is considered one of sports biggest upsets. In addition, you have the David Beckham-Landon Donovan rivalry and the fact that people in England think soccer is their birthright and that they should win any World Cup they qualify for...despite not winning the title since 1966.
Algeria (28th): Algeria makes its first World Cup appearance since 1986 and was the third-lowest ranked of the eight teams in Pot 3, which was the African/South American teams. To qualify, they needed a huge playoff upset of Egypt. The US got a break from powers Cameroon (11th), Ivory Coast (16th) and Chile (17th).
Slovenia (33rd): In Pot 4 of European teams, the US feared it would get powers Portugal (5th), France (7th), Greece (12th) or Switzerland (18th). Instead, they got the second-lowest ranked team of the Pot. Now, Slovenia did upset power Russia to make the World Cup, but they are not the other teams listed in the possible draw.
All-in-all, the US (14th) should aim for a tie vs. England, but a win is possible. Any sort of point(s) in that game will set them up nicely for the other two games. They should advance to the knockout round where anything can happen. Stay tuned...June should be fun!
Followers of the "beautiful game" in the US have increased the last several years due to the success of the 2002 World Cup, in which the US made it to the elimination stage, and the success of last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa when they made the finals (their first ever of a major FIFA event) after snapping Spain's record-unbeaten streak. Then, you have the people like me who grew up playing the game and feel it is important as a well-rounded sports fan to follow the game at the highest level internationally.
OK, enough of the intro material...what a lucky draw! Many expected the US not only to get one of the guaranteed "seeded teams," but also one of the major European teams that weren't seeded. Instead they got England, Algeria and Slovenia. Wow.
A breakdown:
England (FIFA ranking 9th): The seeded team in the region and the fathers of soccer are the Group C favorites, but are one of the beatable seeds for the US. This is no Brazil, Netherlands or Spain. Plus, it sets up seven months of lead-up talk between two closely-related countries. The 1-0 US win in the 1950 World Cup, the last time these teams met in a World Cup, is considered one of sports biggest upsets. In addition, you have the David Beckham-Landon Donovan rivalry and the fact that people in England think soccer is their birthright and that they should win any World Cup they qualify for...despite not winning the title since 1966.
Algeria (28th): Algeria makes its first World Cup appearance since 1986 and was the third-lowest ranked of the eight teams in Pot 3, which was the African/South American teams. To qualify, they needed a huge playoff upset of Egypt. The US got a break from powers Cameroon (11th), Ivory Coast (16th) and Chile (17th).
Slovenia (33rd): In Pot 4 of European teams, the US feared it would get powers Portugal (5th), France (7th), Greece (12th) or Switzerland (18th). Instead, they got the second-lowest ranked team of the Pot. Now, Slovenia did upset power Russia to make the World Cup, but they are not the other teams listed in the possible draw.
All-in-all, the US (14th) should aim for a tie vs. England, but a win is possible. Any sort of point(s) in that game will set them up nicely for the other two games. They should advance to the knockout round where anything can happen. Stay tuned...June should be fun!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Department Opening!
Way back in history when newspapers were once read, the sports section was commonly referred to as the "toy department." The sports section was one of life's great enjoyments and was certainly less serious than reading about depressions, wars and social issues the other sections covered. I remember reading it while eating breakfast first thing in the morning.
As writing and the sports world evolved, we find ourselves facing the reality of the whims of the internet and I feel that this blog has something to contribute. I think sports should be both thought-provoking and fun. I am as big a fan as anyone and as knowledgeable as they come, but I want to use this forum to both discuss serious issues and to illustrate that sports are meant mostly for enjoyment and entertainment. As an adult, the closest thing to a toy store is a Best Buy or Amazon but sports is a universal no matter the age, nationality or teams followed.
I have seen the other side of the curtain that most of the public never gets a chance to see during my 10 seasons with the Atlanta Braves as well as my time in women's pro softball, minor-league baseball and freelance gigs covering everything from the NBA to the NFL.
So, swing by and check out this forum from time to time. I think I may have some interesting topics and fun bits...as well as some interviews and other things from the world of sports!
As writing and the sports world evolved, we find ourselves facing the reality of the whims of the internet and I feel that this blog has something to contribute. I think sports should be both thought-provoking and fun. I am as big a fan as anyone and as knowledgeable as they come, but I want to use this forum to both discuss serious issues and to illustrate that sports are meant mostly for enjoyment and entertainment. As an adult, the closest thing to a toy store is a Best Buy or Amazon but sports is a universal no matter the age, nationality or teams followed.
I have seen the other side of the curtain that most of the public never gets a chance to see during my 10 seasons with the Atlanta Braves as well as my time in women's pro softball, minor-league baseball and freelance gigs covering everything from the NBA to the NFL.
So, swing by and check out this forum from time to time. I think I may have some interesting topics and fun bits...as well as some interviews and other things from the world of sports!
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