There are three reasons, and only three reasons to ever have a memory about the Detroit Lions. Barry Sanders, Thanksgiving turkey legs, and having a friend you made fun of for years who happeneed to like the Detroit Lions. Those really are my only memories of the Detroit Lions. I never hated the Lions, there was no reason to. They really aren't as much of a laughing stock as people may think. They had a formidable run in the 1990's, perhaps it's because they had the services of a man named Barry Sanders, the greatest running back of all-time. (While we're here lets get one thing clear, Barry Sanders is the greatest running back of all-time. And here's why I choose to say this beyond the fact, it's my humble opinion. Emmitt Smith, who holds the record for career rushing yards, has stated that had Sanders never retired, Sanders would have crushed the record for yards rushing. So there, when the man who has the record knows he shouldn't have it, Barry wins.)
Back to the Lions. Tomorrow is thanksgiving. Throughout the years, Thanksgiving has grown into my favorite holiday, on the large basis of the three F's. Family, food, and football, (sadly I'm not sure which order I prefer most.) For the last three years, my thanksgiving's have been without one thing I have missed so much, it is making fun of the Lions.
Of course I still make fun of them. They find ways to blow games, get crushed by opponents and have quarterbacks named Krieg, McMahon and Harrington. But I miss the kid I used to make fun of them to.
Matt Mikolaichik, was the biggest and well, only Lions fan I ever met. I'm pretty sure he only liked Barry Sanders, but when your 7 years old and your watching Barry Sanders run past what seems like 20 people and spin and juke through 30 more, you'd fall in love with him too. Well Matt fell in love with Barry Sanders, wearing a blue number 20 jersey to Saturday morning bowling on more than 10 occaisions. At this point in my life, I couldn't make fun of Matty and the Lions yet. In 1991, they went to the NFC Championship game, and Barry was leading the league in rushing every year. We had gone six years without seeing each other from first grade untill 7th grade, due to the elementary school split our school had. But when we reunited in the 7th grade, the tables had turned. Barry had inexplicably retired, the Lions stunk again and I could make fun of Matty all the time. And when he chose to make fun of me I usually fired back with a lions remark.
But I spent time commiserating with Matt as well. Telling him things like "Hey I heard Barry might make a comeback!" or "Matt Millen can be a good GM just give him time,". We spent time imitating the faces made by Marty Mohrningwig after an 0 and i can't remember how many losses start in 2001. Nothing topped Christmas eve in 2000, when the lowly Bears and their kicker hit a 50 yarder to eliminate the lions from postseason contention and put the Rams in the playoffs. Even my father took the time to laugh at Matty's expense I think (my dad's a Rams fan).
In October 2003, Matty had died. I had gone through the months, realizing Matty had died but never really latching on to anything and spending more time trying to talk through things then being sad. But on thanksgiving, for the first time in many years, I couldn't dial Matty's number on thanksgiving to let him know how bad hisLions were gonna get beat. Although, that year they didn't lose. The beat the Packers 22-14. I choose to believe that Matt, had quite a bit to do with that.
Since that win, the Lions have lost three straight. But this year, there good. They have offensive weapons for the first time since Barry. And this year, they play the team they beat in '03, The 9-1 Packers.
So this year, I'd say bet the house on the lions. I know if Matt was alive, he would. Matt didnt use much logic, how else could it be explained he picked the lions to be his team in the first place?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tim Tebow for Heisman
Nineteen touchdowns and twenty three touchdowns. I am choosing to write out these numbers because maybe they won't jump off the screen to the eyes. Okay, so now let's try and make them jump off the screen. 19 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS AND 23 PASSING TOUCHDOWNS. A TOTAL OF 42 TOUCHDOWNS. Okay, now that that's out of my system let's break down why it is so exciting.
The above numbers are the touchdown totals of the best quarterback in the SEC and maybe in the country, Tim Tebow, quarterback, Florida Gators. Number 15 is out and out a touchdown machine. And maybe he's more than that. He's a leader, he's a warrior, he's got arms the size of the gators that reign in the swamp. He's something else.
So now that the comparisons to wild animals are gone, let's talk about why he is important. The Heisman trophy. Tim Tebow will come to represent another failure in Heisman trophy's commitment to awarding the most outstanding college football player.
Dennis Dixon, who let's get the record straight right now, is having a fantastic season and is a terrific player. However, he has two things that the media has failed to realize: A potent running back and a dynamic defense that makes the big play when necessary.
Tim Tebow is doing the majority of the work for the Gators. There have been some games where Tebow has not handed it off to a running back. It scares me that he might not make it out of his college career with the amount of abuse he takes on a game to game basis.
While many other points could be made, two numbers come down to it. 1 and 3. 1 is the number of losses that Dixon has, and 3 is the number of losses that Tebow has, and sadly that will affect the race. One test that is always fun to play is the switch. If you put Tebow on Oregon and Dixon on Florida what would the teams look like? I think it's safe to say Jonathan Stewart would be a major factor to helping Tebow. Of course there are numerous factors like the spread option, the swamp, the offensive lines. But in a general sense, It might be safe to say the switch would prove in Tebow's favor.
The last point that should be made for Tim Tebow is the LSU game. Now, Tebow did lose this game. Did he almost have them win? Yes. Did they? no. But watch tape of that game. LSU has the reputation of being the best defense perhaps in the country, with maybe the best interior defensive line anhcored by Glenn Dorsey. But if you watched Tebow run the ball through that line, the line shifted in positive yardage and never did Tebow get put directly on his back. Unbelieveable.
My Heisman vote?
1. Tim Tebow
2. Dennis Dixon
3. Darren "Altered Beast" McFadden
4. Colt Brennan
5. Glen Dorsey
The above numbers are the touchdown totals of the best quarterback in the SEC and maybe in the country, Tim Tebow, quarterback, Florida Gators. Number 15 is out and out a touchdown machine. And maybe he's more than that. He's a leader, he's a warrior, he's got arms the size of the gators that reign in the swamp. He's something else.
So now that the comparisons to wild animals are gone, let's talk about why he is important. The Heisman trophy. Tim Tebow will come to represent another failure in Heisman trophy's commitment to awarding the most outstanding college football player.
Dennis Dixon, who let's get the record straight right now, is having a fantastic season and is a terrific player. However, he has two things that the media has failed to realize: A potent running back and a dynamic defense that makes the big play when necessary.
Tim Tebow is doing the majority of the work for the Gators. There have been some games where Tebow has not handed it off to a running back. It scares me that he might not make it out of his college career with the amount of abuse he takes on a game to game basis.
While many other points could be made, two numbers come down to it. 1 and 3. 1 is the number of losses that Dixon has, and 3 is the number of losses that Tebow has, and sadly that will affect the race. One test that is always fun to play is the switch. If you put Tebow on Oregon and Dixon on Florida what would the teams look like? I think it's safe to say Jonathan Stewart would be a major factor to helping Tebow. Of course there are numerous factors like the spread option, the swamp, the offensive lines. But in a general sense, It might be safe to say the switch would prove in Tebow's favor.
The last point that should be made for Tim Tebow is the LSU game. Now, Tebow did lose this game. Did he almost have them win? Yes. Did they? no. But watch tape of that game. LSU has the reputation of being the best defense perhaps in the country, with maybe the best interior defensive line anhcored by Glenn Dorsey. But if you watched Tebow run the ball through that line, the line shifted in positive yardage and never did Tebow get put directly on his back. Unbelieveable.
My Heisman vote?
1. Tim Tebow
2. Dennis Dixon
3. Darren "Altered Beast" McFadden
4. Colt Brennan
5. Glen Dorsey
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Playoffs Part II
Okay, so nothing worse than watching an entire year of Major League Baseball, and none of your predictions are coming true. I really need to start getting used to this, I haven't made correct predictions since like 1998.
Some dissapointments so far: No Cubs Phillies NLCS. This would of been the highest rated NLCS in the last 15 years, no question about it. Two tortured fan bases and organizations remain tortured.
Some pleasant surprises: The Cleveland Indians! Just a badass group who hasn't been afraid for a second in this series. C.C. Sabathia. FAUSTO CARMONA?! HELLO. Everyone said the playoffs would be a whole new game for them, it looked about the same as it has all year to them.
Under the Radar: Curt Schilling. I know, I know, how does Curt Schilling fly under the radar? Well on a sunday afternoon opposite of football in California. Schilling pitched 7 innings of shutout ball, furthering his status to me as the Greatest Big Game pitcher I have ever seen. Please keep in mind I was born in 1987, never saw Bob Gibson (although his highlight reel is sick) Was only 4 when Jack Morris was going at it and really didn't appreciate the likes of Smoltz, Maddux or Glavine when they were stomping my Mets all them years. So theres my reasoning on Schilling being the big gamer. I'm willing to listen to all arguments though.
Something I'm looking forward to: Not Boston and New York. These fan bases are getting exactly what's coming to them. There are your true Yankees and Red Sox fan's. And then there are those who don't realize there are 28 other teams in Major League Baseball. All year, they thought it was coming down to them. It's not. I'm excited to see Boston and Cleveland, although realistically I'm typing this while the Yankees are still alive. So there prolly gonna win and I'm gonna have to eat my words.
Something to really look forward to: Colorado vs. Arizona. Has about the same sex appeal as Britney Spears these days, but on the upside, this is going to be a long exciting series. Arizona has kids, Colorado's got kids. If Arizona only had a guy on their team with an exciting name in their lineup then it'd be exciting. Instead there stuck with guys named Mark Reynolds, Conor Jackson, and Eric Byrnes. If Arizona had Troy Tulitwitzki, now thats another story. Realistically, theres serious young talent in this series. Matt Holliday went from being only known in Denver and by Baseball insiders to being a bona fide superstar with one dive in the dirt. I'll admit it hurts a little to know that the NL will be represented by The Diamondbacks or Rockies (both expansion teams).
Revised World Series Prediction: Cleveland over Colorado in 7.
Let's Go Fausto Carmona!
Some dissapointments so far: No Cubs Phillies NLCS. This would of been the highest rated NLCS in the last 15 years, no question about it. Two tortured fan bases and organizations remain tortured.
Some pleasant surprises: The Cleveland Indians! Just a badass group who hasn't been afraid for a second in this series. C.C. Sabathia. FAUSTO CARMONA?! HELLO. Everyone said the playoffs would be a whole new game for them, it looked about the same as it has all year to them.
Under the Radar: Curt Schilling. I know, I know, how does Curt Schilling fly under the radar? Well on a sunday afternoon opposite of football in California. Schilling pitched 7 innings of shutout ball, furthering his status to me as the Greatest Big Game pitcher I have ever seen. Please keep in mind I was born in 1987, never saw Bob Gibson (although his highlight reel is sick) Was only 4 when Jack Morris was going at it and really didn't appreciate the likes of Smoltz, Maddux or Glavine when they were stomping my Mets all them years. So theres my reasoning on Schilling being the big gamer. I'm willing to listen to all arguments though.
Something I'm looking forward to: Not Boston and New York. These fan bases are getting exactly what's coming to them. There are your true Yankees and Red Sox fan's. And then there are those who don't realize there are 28 other teams in Major League Baseball. All year, they thought it was coming down to them. It's not. I'm excited to see Boston and Cleveland, although realistically I'm typing this while the Yankees are still alive. So there prolly gonna win and I'm gonna have to eat my words.
Something to really look forward to: Colorado vs. Arizona. Has about the same sex appeal as Britney Spears these days, but on the upside, this is going to be a long exciting series. Arizona has kids, Colorado's got kids. If Arizona only had a guy on their team with an exciting name in their lineup then it'd be exciting. Instead there stuck with guys named Mark Reynolds, Conor Jackson, and Eric Byrnes. If Arizona had Troy Tulitwitzki, now thats another story. Realistically, theres serious young talent in this series. Matt Holliday went from being only known in Denver and by Baseball insiders to being a bona fide superstar with one dive in the dirt. I'll admit it hurts a little to know that the NL will be represented by The Diamondbacks or Rockies (both expansion teams).
Revised World Series Prediction: Cleveland over Colorado in 7.
Let's Go Fausto Carmona!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Baseball Playoff predictions 2007
ALDS
Anaheim over Boston 3-2
New York over Cleveland 3-2
ALCS
New York over Anaheim 4-3
ALCS MVP: Joba Chamberlin
NLDS
Philadelphia over Colorado 3-2
Chicago over Arizona 3-1
NLCS
Philadelphia over Chicago 4-3
NLCS MVP: Chase Utley
World Series
Philadelphia Phillies over New York Yankees 4-3
World Series MVP: Alex Rodriguez
Not one of these will come true. Philly Chicago will be such an exciting series just based on the cities alone. I don't think i can stomach another Boston New York ALCS cause boston sucks. That will prolly happen tho. Wouldn't be shocked if Cleveland made some noise. Sabathia and FAUSTO Carmona are too two dynamite not to get atleast one win in them first two games. The best would be if ARod hit something like .723 with 18 home runs and the Yankees still lost, in which case you'd be looking at your 2008 World Series Champ, ARod, Sweet Lou and Steve Bartman the 2008 Chicago Cubs.
While we're here lets just make a make-shift 2008 Cubs team with ARod
1B- Derrick Lee
2b- Ryan Theroit/Mark DeRosa
SS- Alex Rodriguez
3B- Aramis Ramirez
RF- Alfonso Soriano
CF- Felix Pie
LF- Jacque Jones
C- Jason Kendall? I think I don't know if this is right but it even looks scary.
Lets go Fausto Carmona!
Anaheim over Boston 3-2
New York over Cleveland 3-2
ALCS
New York over Anaheim 4-3
ALCS MVP: Joba Chamberlin
NLDS
Philadelphia over Colorado 3-2
Chicago over Arizona 3-1
NLCS
Philadelphia over Chicago 4-3
NLCS MVP: Chase Utley
World Series
Philadelphia Phillies over New York Yankees 4-3
World Series MVP: Alex Rodriguez
Not one of these will come true. Philly Chicago will be such an exciting series just based on the cities alone. I don't think i can stomach another Boston New York ALCS cause boston sucks. That will prolly happen tho. Wouldn't be shocked if Cleveland made some noise. Sabathia and FAUSTO Carmona are too two dynamite not to get atleast one win in them first two games. The best would be if ARod hit something like .723 with 18 home runs and the Yankees still lost, in which case you'd be looking at your 2008 World Series Champ, ARod, Sweet Lou and Steve Bartman the 2008 Chicago Cubs.
While we're here lets just make a make-shift 2008 Cubs team with ARod
1B- Derrick Lee
2b- Ryan Theroit/Mark DeRosa
SS- Alex Rodriguez
3B- Aramis Ramirez
RF- Alfonso Soriano
CF- Felix Pie
LF- Jacque Jones
C- Jason Kendall? I think I don't know if this is right but it even looks scary.
Lets go Fausto Carmona!
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Mets
Instead of crying and sobbing and whining, and crying and punching holes through walls about the Mets' collapse. I am instead going to inform you and wish that at this time you scroll to the very bottom of this blog and look at the first blog I ever posted. It is about the Mets and Phillies. I wrote that i was scared as hell of the Phillies. I am correct. Doesn't happen a lot, but this time I knew it would happen.
Anyways, The Mets collapse: The Mets were never a good team this year. They played over their head eary in the year, getting ridicoulas performances from John Maine and Jorge Sosa. I said all year eventually The Braves would overtake first place. The thing is, the lead should of somehow never got all the way up to 7 games this late. Give Philadelphia some credit too and the Braves for blowing their games along the way. The blew it along during the season while the Mets remained an even keil. But finally, at just the time where you can't go dead. The Mets did, and that's why they will live in infamy and as the team who had the biggest late season collapse of all-time.
If I sound bitter about the collapse, yeah maybe i am a little bit. But realistically, the Mets never had it throughout the year. They never woulda made a splash in the playoffs.
Maybe I'll flip flop on this, but I'd rather die the slow death with this team, then the sudden death when Carlos Beltran left his bat on his shoulder last October. I'm still missing skin on my knuckles from that one.
Anyways, The Mets collapse: The Mets were never a good team this year. They played over their head eary in the year, getting ridicoulas performances from John Maine and Jorge Sosa. I said all year eventually The Braves would overtake first place. The thing is, the lead should of somehow never got all the way up to 7 games this late. Give Philadelphia some credit too and the Braves for blowing their games along the way. The blew it along during the season while the Mets remained an even keil. But finally, at just the time where you can't go dead. The Mets did, and that's why they will live in infamy and as the team who had the biggest late season collapse of all-time.
If I sound bitter about the collapse, yeah maybe i am a little bit. But realistically, the Mets never had it throughout the year. They never woulda made a splash in the playoffs.
Maybe I'll flip flop on this, but I'd rather die the slow death with this team, then the sudden death when Carlos Beltran left his bat on his shoulder last October. I'm still missing skin on my knuckles from that one.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Undefeated?
Through 3 weeks of NFL, we now know that the New England Patriots are the best team in football and they will go undefeated. I know this because i have their schedule hanging in my living room that i took as a gift from my work (i work at a sports bar). Okay maybe they won't go undefeated but it's fun to think about. They played 2 legit opponents so far, and the Bills, which look to be already getting ready to draft at the number 1 spot. But you could make the case atleast the Jets and Chargers, while both just 1-2 so far, are legit.
Tom Brady is putting up insanely ridicoulas numbers, Randy Moss is doing everything he can do (atleast that we think he can do, until the time comes when i runs the 40 yard dash backwards at like a time of 2.2, which might be possible i dont know). The defense is there, the special teams are there, the mini-drama (cameragate) which is about as big a joke as Michael Vick at this point. But most of all the fun is there.
While you could sit around in the room and argue that the patroits will go undefeated, you could hear valid arguments for and against. Then there will just plain be some asshole who doesn't wanna see it happen because there heart is black and can't root for anything good anymore. Well, i'm rooting for it. But it'll be fun, because like i said i have the poster of the schedule. It ain't easy by any stretch. Dallas, Indy and Pittsburgh can all lay claim to being the best so far. And they all play New England.
If it happens at the end of the year that the Pats go 19-0, i'll frame the schedule, try to meet Randy Moss (cause he's on my fantasy team), and I'll tell my grand kids about how fun it was to watch a team go undefeated. And i won't be an asshole.
Tom Brady is putting up insanely ridicoulas numbers, Randy Moss is doing everything he can do (atleast that we think he can do, until the time comes when i runs the 40 yard dash backwards at like a time of 2.2, which might be possible i dont know). The defense is there, the special teams are there, the mini-drama (cameragate) which is about as big a joke as Michael Vick at this point. But most of all the fun is there.
While you could sit around in the room and argue that the patroits will go undefeated, you could hear valid arguments for and against. Then there will just plain be some asshole who doesn't wanna see it happen because there heart is black and can't root for anything good anymore. Well, i'm rooting for it. But it'll be fun, because like i said i have the poster of the schedule. It ain't easy by any stretch. Dallas, Indy and Pittsburgh can all lay claim to being the best so far. And they all play New England.
If it happens at the end of the year that the Pats go 19-0, i'll frame the schedule, try to meet Randy Moss (cause he's on my fantasy team), and I'll tell my grand kids about how fun it was to watch a team go undefeated. And i won't be an asshole.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
How Is This Possible?
Sports are great for numerous reasons. But there is a little known reason that sometimes flys under the radar. It has nothing to do with actual performance. It's really more rhetorical questions and arguments that can be brought up. Here is your example folks:
The Florida Gators football team won the National Championship in 2006.
They 2007 Florida Gators footbal team is going to be better than the team in 2006.
Yet The 2007 Florida Gators football team will (probably) not win the National Championship.
Somehow this logic makes me wonder. Shouldn't a team that won it all, and is coming back win the championship again?
I guess things can happen other teams can improve more but something about this type of thing always makes me curious.
And about that Florida team, if I could choose one lifestyle to live, it would be the starting quarterback at the University of Florida. The lifestyle is probably one to brag about. However the last two quarterbacks, Chris Leak, an inwardly shy kid, and Tim Tebow, a devout christian, have really not taken full advantage of this "lifestyle". Little things like that kill me.
The Florida Gators football team won the National Championship in 2006.
They 2007 Florida Gators footbal team is going to be better than the team in 2006.
Yet The 2007 Florida Gators football team will (probably) not win the National Championship.
Somehow this logic makes me wonder. Shouldn't a team that won it all, and is coming back win the championship again?
I guess things can happen other teams can improve more but something about this type of thing always makes me curious.
And about that Florida team, if I could choose one lifestyle to live, it would be the starting quarterback at the University of Florida. The lifestyle is probably one to brag about. However the last two quarterbacks, Chris Leak, an inwardly shy kid, and Tim Tebow, a devout christian, have really not taken full advantage of this "lifestyle". Little things like that kill me.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Donovan
Sometimes, I am more a Donovan McNabb fan than I am an Eagles fan. I feel un-pure saying that, but it might be true. #5 is a Syracuse guy. Watcing him play for the Cuse was an event in my lifetime. He brought the Carrier Dome to a standstill everytime he had the ball in his hands. It's a shame guys get tagged with the can't win the big game title, but Donovan might have that. He never really won a bowl game in College. But he did get Syracuse to two BCS bowls. People forget that. Four NFC Championship games?!?! FOUR?! No one does that. Although maybe there is a difference in getting there, and winning them. I don't know, either way it hurts to watch Donovan McNabb struggle and get hurt and struggle. No one gets as bad a rap as he does sometimes, except for maybe Peyton Manning when he couldn't win the big one. But i think Donovan will come back. He does everytime. No Rush Limbaugh's, no T.O's and no Philly fans have ever stopped him before. If anything's stopped him, it's been him. As a fan of his, i just hope he gets back to his old ways.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Get over it
Steroids in sports is the funniest thing I've ever heard. People are missing the point about steroids. STEROIDS IN GENERAL IS THE PROBLEM. NOT STEROIDS "IN SPORTS". Realistically i've known some people in my life who have taken steroids. They don't play sports, and there excuse for taking steroids is "I want to get big". Clearly, thats the way to go in life. Atleast athletes who take steroids are trying to better themselves in there career. I'd much rather see an athlete do that.
Then again, the thing is steroids are illegal. But not really. Let's run down the list of drugs that are illegal in this country:
Marijuanna
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Alcohol (Under 21)
Now, none of these are used by people right, cause there illegal? My point here is this, people need to get over it. If you are a smart person you know that steroids and drugs will damage and harm your body. Let them be legal. Let the dumbasses of the world figure things out the hard way. The american government makes a half assed effort to go about getting rid of these drugs, so fuck it. Let's stop wasting money on these efforts and focus on new things.
My last point is, about the atheletes who have used steroids. There days will come. Look at the list of pro wrestlers who have deceased because of steroid abuse. Let it be a warning. However to the talking heads who insist that Mark McGwire shouldn't be in the hall of fame because he took steroids? Yeah and you have never cheated on a test at all throughout high school or college to get ahead to the position you have in life now in the newspaper and the media. Give me a break.
Then again, the thing is steroids are illegal. But not really. Let's run down the list of drugs that are illegal in this country:
Marijuanna
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Alcohol (Under 21)
Now, none of these are used by people right, cause there illegal? My point here is this, people need to get over it. If you are a smart person you know that steroids and drugs will damage and harm your body. Let them be legal. Let the dumbasses of the world figure things out the hard way. The american government makes a half assed effort to go about getting rid of these drugs, so fuck it. Let's stop wasting money on these efforts and focus on new things.
My last point is, about the atheletes who have used steroids. There days will come. Look at the list of pro wrestlers who have deceased because of steroid abuse. Let it be a warning. However to the talking heads who insist that Mark McGwire shouldn't be in the hall of fame because he took steroids? Yeah and you have never cheated on a test at all throughout high school or college to get ahead to the position you have in life now in the newspaper and the media. Give me a break.
Monday, September 10, 2007
It hurts to get dumber.
On Sunday, I made an array of comments that could described as dumb. There's really no other way to put it. I like to think that after numerous hits to the head over the years, including my last one which involved me jumping out of a moving boat, that I am getting dumber. I used to be really smart. I was named Student of the Month in October 1999 when I was in the 7th grade. I was going places. As High School went on I regressed. Precalc got to me. My confidence was shaken, I was diminishing in most aspects of my academic knowledge. When it comes to the books, I just have a serious case of A.D.D. and i cannot focus.
I tell my friends that I suffer from post-concussion syndrome. I usually make it a joke but i do wonder sometimes if I actually do. Either way, one thing that has not gone away from my brain is my sports memory. I can still ramble off names and numbers from the games that I love. Until yesterday. I made two dumb statements and two dumb decisions that put me into a near depression by sunday night.
The first one involved the New York Yankees and their proud past. When my friend got home yesterday from his out of town stay, I asked him about his favorite team and player. The New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez. I had mentioned to him that i saw a stat that had something to do with only him and Babe Ruth. That's pretty rarified air. So i thought to myself, what was this stat that they shared. I blurted to my friend "Are they the only two Yankees to ever hit 50 home runs in a year?"
My friend looked at me, paused, and said. "Colin? Are you serious?"
I thought about it and after some deliberation Yankee legends popped into my head as if they were ready to use the same bats they clobbered home runs with to clobber me in the face with. Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Roger Maris. Numerous times have hit 50 home runs in their career. This might be pedestrian information to some. Me, I used to take pride in knowing this stuff.
Dumb statement number 2. As my two friends and I watched the NFL, we pondered how good the New England Patriots could be. We looked at their schedule and I said, "Well them and the Colts could both be undefeated going into week 9. They might both be 9-0 at that time."
"But Colin, they play in week 9, how can they win 9 games? It would only be 8."
I actually argued this fact. Even though it was clear it was only possible that 8 games could be won. That one hurt too. Why would I argue such easy knowledge?
Finally I made two dumb decisions that made me pissed for the night. My fantasy football team, which I had drafted geniusly, would have some tough competition. I say I drafted my team geniusly because I took Randy Moss in the 5th round and Ben Roethlisberger in the last round. If you watched any football yesterday, you would know they were big players of the day. Man did I look like a genius. But, because as the first two paragraphs explained, I am not a genius. And this is because I sat them both on the bench. All their points went to a complete waste. I punched numerous walls and shouted 100 obscenities. By sunday night, I could only think of how dumb I was.
I was cheered up however when my good friends purchased the original Tecmo Bowl game on the nintendo Wii. We played for a few hours. The game came out in 1990. As I watched the video game, i felt like i could name player after player and stat after stat. My knowledge is still there. Maybe it will come and go for the rest of my life, Maybe it's still there and I'm not tapping into it enough. Maybe I just have a strange part in my brain that I'm only allowed to retain knowledge dealing with sports. Maybe, just maybe, I had an off day. And while, it does hurt to get dumber, I'll fight it for a long time. And if you read some of my statements, its going to be an uphill climb.
I tell my friends that I suffer from post-concussion syndrome. I usually make it a joke but i do wonder sometimes if I actually do. Either way, one thing that has not gone away from my brain is my sports memory. I can still ramble off names and numbers from the games that I love. Until yesterday. I made two dumb statements and two dumb decisions that put me into a near depression by sunday night.
The first one involved the New York Yankees and their proud past. When my friend got home yesterday from his out of town stay, I asked him about his favorite team and player. The New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez. I had mentioned to him that i saw a stat that had something to do with only him and Babe Ruth. That's pretty rarified air. So i thought to myself, what was this stat that they shared. I blurted to my friend "Are they the only two Yankees to ever hit 50 home runs in a year?"
My friend looked at me, paused, and said. "Colin? Are you serious?"
I thought about it and after some deliberation Yankee legends popped into my head as if they were ready to use the same bats they clobbered home runs with to clobber me in the face with. Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Roger Maris. Numerous times have hit 50 home runs in their career. This might be pedestrian information to some. Me, I used to take pride in knowing this stuff.
Dumb statement number 2. As my two friends and I watched the NFL, we pondered how good the New England Patriots could be. We looked at their schedule and I said, "Well them and the Colts could both be undefeated going into week 9. They might both be 9-0 at that time."
"But Colin, they play in week 9, how can they win 9 games? It would only be 8."
I actually argued this fact. Even though it was clear it was only possible that 8 games could be won. That one hurt too. Why would I argue such easy knowledge?
Finally I made two dumb decisions that made me pissed for the night. My fantasy football team, which I had drafted geniusly, would have some tough competition. I say I drafted my team geniusly because I took Randy Moss in the 5th round and Ben Roethlisberger in the last round. If you watched any football yesterday, you would know they were big players of the day. Man did I look like a genius. But, because as the first two paragraphs explained, I am not a genius. And this is because I sat them both on the bench. All their points went to a complete waste. I punched numerous walls and shouted 100 obscenities. By sunday night, I could only think of how dumb I was.
I was cheered up however when my good friends purchased the original Tecmo Bowl game on the nintendo Wii. We played for a few hours. The game came out in 1990. As I watched the video game, i felt like i could name player after player and stat after stat. My knowledge is still there. Maybe it will come and go for the rest of my life, Maybe it's still there and I'm not tapping into it enough. Maybe I just have a strange part in my brain that I'm only allowed to retain knowledge dealing with sports. Maybe, just maybe, I had an off day. And while, it does hurt to get dumber, I'll fight it for a long time. And if you read some of my statements, its going to be an uphill climb.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
NFL Predictions 2007
The NFL is one of my favorite leagues and sports in the world. Football to me is number 1 and always will be. Sometimes baseball brings me in, but it's always football. However me and predicting the NFL don't go hand in hand. EVERYTHING ALWAYS CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. NFL predictions preseaosn are pointless for me but for fun i'll give it a go anyways.
Predictions
NFC
East- Philadelphia (2)
North- Chicago (3)
South- Carolina (1)
West- St. Louis (4)
Wildcard- New Orleans (5)
Wildcard- Dallas (6)
AFC
East- New England (1)
North- Pittsburgh (3)
South- Indianapolis (4)
West- San Diego (2)
Wildcard- Cincinatti (5)
Wildcard- Denver (6)
Wildcard
NFC
Dallas 21 def. Chicago 20
St. Louis 33 def. New Orleans 23
AFC
Pittsburgh 24 def. Denver 21 (OT)
Indianapolis 35 def. Cincinatti 32
Divisional
NFC
Carolina 24 def. Dallas 10
Philadelphia 28 def. St. Louis 21
AFC
New England 19 def. Indianapolis 3
San Diego 28 def. Pittsburgh 24
Championship
Philadelphia 23 def. Carolina 17 (OT)
New England 27 def. San Diego 17
Super Bowl
New England 22 def. Philadelphia 15
Predictions
NFC
East- Philadelphia (2)
North- Chicago (3)
South- Carolina (1)
West- St. Louis (4)
Wildcard- New Orleans (5)
Wildcard- Dallas (6)
AFC
East- New England (1)
North- Pittsburgh (3)
South- Indianapolis (4)
West- San Diego (2)
Wildcard- Cincinatti (5)
Wildcard- Denver (6)
Wildcard
NFC
Dallas 21 def. Chicago 20
St. Louis 33 def. New Orleans 23
AFC
Pittsburgh 24 def. Denver 21 (OT)
Indianapolis 35 def. Cincinatti 32
Divisional
NFC
Carolina 24 def. Dallas 10
Philadelphia 28 def. St. Louis 21
AFC
New England 19 def. Indianapolis 3
San Diego 28 def. Pittsburgh 24
Championship
Philadelphia 23 def. Carolina 17 (OT)
New England 27 def. San Diego 17
Super Bowl
New England 22 def. Philadelphia 15
Why Not Talk More about Michigan and App. St.?
At this point and time, if you haven't been stuck under a rock, You now know that Appalachain St. of Division IAA defeated The Michigan Wolverines, arguably the most proud college football team of all-time. Yes everyone as thrown their two cents in so far and I hate over talking stories when they should be done discussing. But their's a few things I want to comment on
1. Michigan lost this game at home. Wow? The big house is supposed to be one of the hardest places to play. I guess not so much.
2. Chad Henne, Jake Long and Michael Hart, all seniors, came back to win a National championship in their senior year. They all could of left for the draft. Rarely do you hear about a guy who shouldn't have come back to school. Maybe after week 1, they're regretting their decisions?
3. Is it bad that I still think Michael Hart is amazing? And I still want him to win the Heisman? And I still hate Syracuse football for not being able to keep this guy at home and play for them?
4. Lloyd Carr. Rarely am I right. But this time I am. One of my best friends is an enermous Michigan fan. And he was pumped for this year, he said they were gonna win it all. I looked at their talent and team and said yup it's all there. And I said "But you'll never win another national title because a guy named Lloyd Carr coaches your favorite team." It's one thing to blow a game against Ohio St. But App St.? Yikes. Hate to say I told you so, I do believe I told you so...
1. Michigan lost this game at home. Wow? The big house is supposed to be one of the hardest places to play. I guess not so much.
2. Chad Henne, Jake Long and Michael Hart, all seniors, came back to win a National championship in their senior year. They all could of left for the draft. Rarely do you hear about a guy who shouldn't have come back to school. Maybe after week 1, they're regretting their decisions?
3. Is it bad that I still think Michael Hart is amazing? And I still want him to win the Heisman? And I still hate Syracuse football for not being able to keep this guy at home and play for them?
4. Lloyd Carr. Rarely am I right. But this time I am. One of my best friends is an enermous Michigan fan. And he was pumped for this year, he said they were gonna win it all. I looked at their talent and team and said yup it's all there. And I said "But you'll never win another national title because a guy named Lloyd Carr coaches your favorite team." It's one thing to blow a game against Ohio St. But App St.? Yikes. Hate to say I told you so, I do believe I told you so...
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Preseason NIT of Football 2007
Since so many people are begging for College Football to assume a playoff, let's do a 1 through 8 seeding of the preseason polls and play it out tournament style. Of course I am not for a playoff, anyone with a heart should enjoy Bowl Games, it makes the regular season more important and it's tradition. Sadly, we live in a world where no one is ever happy with the current format no matter what, and these people also don't cherish a Rose Bowl game that has been played for almost 100 years.
People want to say let them play it out on the field. Well if you think you get arguments for who's number 1 vs. number 2, do you really feel like the numbers 9 through 12 teams who don't get into the 8 team tournament won't have a fit? You're crazy. And after all these kids are only amateurs in the first place, I don't care if their 14 national champions. Let em have it, these are the same kids who may never play a down in the NFL, let them have a trophy.
Either way, I like to predict tournaments anyways so lets take the USA Today/Coaches poll as the basis for our top 8. It goes like this...
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Michigan
6. West Virginia
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
Let's play the quarterfinals at Four different sites of the lesser bowl games...
1) USC vs. 8) Oklahoma @ The Gator Bowl
Prediction: USC rolls over a decent OU team 39-13. Booty man passes for 300 some odd yards and the Trojans advance to the next round.
2) LSU vs. 7) Wisconsin @ The Holiday Bowl
Prediction: LSU gets a close call from a well coached Wisconsin team. LSU wins 21-18 as Wisconsin gives them big trouble down the stretch with big runs from PJ Hill. LSU's talent prevails, but only for now.
3)Florida vs. 6) West Virginia @ The Cotton Bowl
Prediction: THE FIRST UPSET! Only by seeding though. Florida's inexperienced defense is no match for the Pat White and Steve Slaton show. Tim Tebow helps Florida put some points up, but The Mountaineers sing Country Roads all the way to a 41-28 Shootout victory.
4) Texas vs. 5) Michigan @ The Fiesta Bowl
Prediction: The last time these two played it was a classic, this time? Eh, not so much. Michigan's offensive experience is the difference but Colt McCoy gives UM all they can handle. Final Score- Michigan 28- Texas 24
Semi-Finals
1) USC vs. 5) Michigan @ The Rose Bowl
USC's dominance continues against ol' Lloyd Carr and the Henne bunch. Mike Hart does all he can, but the linebacker trifecta of Keith Rivers, Rey Maulauga(Bad spelling) and Brian Cushing shut him down. Booty shines again USC wins 31-17.
2) LSU vs. 6) West Virginia @ The Orange Bowl
Les Miles claims that the SEC is the toughest conference are turned away by the Big East warriors West Virginia. Glenn Dorsey has a fantastic game against the White-Slaton combo. But in the end it's Owen Schmitt who gets into the end zone to give West Virginia a 35-34 OT win.
National Championship game @ The Sugar Bowl
1)USC vs. 6) West Virginia
A great game in every sense of the word. USC tries to maintain that they are the best team, West Virginia tries to prove the Big East is no punching bag. Both teams do their conference and school pride in this one, so because I like both teams i'll take the easy way out and say it came down to a very controversial referee's decision. Higher seed prevails USC 30 WVU 23.
People want to say let them play it out on the field. Well if you think you get arguments for who's number 1 vs. number 2, do you really feel like the numbers 9 through 12 teams who don't get into the 8 team tournament won't have a fit? You're crazy. And after all these kids are only amateurs in the first place, I don't care if their 14 national champions. Let em have it, these are the same kids who may never play a down in the NFL, let them have a trophy.
Either way, I like to predict tournaments anyways so lets take the USA Today/Coaches poll as the basis for our top 8. It goes like this...
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Michigan
6. West Virginia
7. Wisconsin
8. Oklahoma
Let's play the quarterfinals at Four different sites of the lesser bowl games...
1) USC vs. 8) Oklahoma @ The Gator Bowl
Prediction: USC rolls over a decent OU team 39-13. Booty man passes for 300 some odd yards and the Trojans advance to the next round.
2) LSU vs. 7) Wisconsin @ The Holiday Bowl
Prediction: LSU gets a close call from a well coached Wisconsin team. LSU wins 21-18 as Wisconsin gives them big trouble down the stretch with big runs from PJ Hill. LSU's talent prevails, but only for now.
3)Florida vs. 6) West Virginia @ The Cotton Bowl
Prediction: THE FIRST UPSET! Only by seeding though. Florida's inexperienced defense is no match for the Pat White and Steve Slaton show. Tim Tebow helps Florida put some points up, but The Mountaineers sing Country Roads all the way to a 41-28 Shootout victory.
4) Texas vs. 5) Michigan @ The Fiesta Bowl
Prediction: The last time these two played it was a classic, this time? Eh, not so much. Michigan's offensive experience is the difference but Colt McCoy gives UM all they can handle. Final Score- Michigan 28- Texas 24
Semi-Finals
1) USC vs. 5) Michigan @ The Rose Bowl
USC's dominance continues against ol' Lloyd Carr and the Henne bunch. Mike Hart does all he can, but the linebacker trifecta of Keith Rivers, Rey Maulauga(Bad spelling) and Brian Cushing shut him down. Booty shines again USC wins 31-17.
2) LSU vs. 6) West Virginia @ The Orange Bowl
Les Miles claims that the SEC is the toughest conference are turned away by the Big East warriors West Virginia. Glenn Dorsey has a fantastic game against the White-Slaton combo. But in the end it's Owen Schmitt who gets into the end zone to give West Virginia a 35-34 OT win.
National Championship game @ The Sugar Bowl
1)USC vs. 6) West Virginia
A great game in every sense of the word. USC tries to maintain that they are the best team, West Virginia tries to prove the Big East is no punching bag. Both teams do their conference and school pride in this one, so because I like both teams i'll take the easy way out and say it came down to a very controversial referee's decision. Higher seed prevails USC 30 WVU 23.
The Greatest Saturday Morning of your life
Friday night is going to be a pretty big night. Everyone is back at school and probably gonna go to a party or two and maybe get pretty intoxicated. For me, the next Saturday morning will be the best saturday morning in a long time.
College football is back. Which means when I wake up on saturday morning, I'll change the channel to ESPN and see Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, aka, the great ensemble of pregame show in any sport. From Fowler's straightforward on top-of things approach, to Corso's "YO!" and "NOT SO FAST!" to Kirk's insight's, this group is the best. Why else do college kids storm the College Gameday set, when it's on their campus. I'm sure a little of it has to do with the chance to maybe see themselves get on camera and be on TV, but i'm gonna choose to go with the fact that they wish to see Lee Corso around 11:58 AM right as they are about to go off-air, put on their mascot's headgear and make his pick for the nights game.
Waking up on Saturday morning is tough, last night's memories slowly come back to you, you have already had your 8th bottle of water trying to rid yourself of a hangover. But when Chris, Kirk and Coach are on TV, it makes it all better. Plus you know that as the day goes on you get to watch college football games.
This weekend presents a few intriguing matchups, none more than the #12 vs. #15 battle on ABC's Saturday Night football (Which, if you don't get the chills when the commercial comes on and the music is playing in the background, and you call yourself a college football fan? Stop Pretending.) between California and Tennessee. It's a revenge game for Cal who got swamped last year and it's a chance to see to very good quarterbacks in Nathan Longshore for Cal (Who I believe is overrated) and Erik Ainge for UT (Who I really have no idea who to gauge after his up and down seasons).
Alright enough ranting, lets do some predictions about the seaon...
Heisman Trophy- John David Booty (And let's remember that the Heisman goes not to the best player on the field, but the QB for the #1 rated team by the time voting is done.)
Best Player- Tie: Darren McFadden and Colt Brennan
National Championship Matchup- USC vs. West Virginia
Surprise Team (Good)- Hawaii (Not exactly sneaking up on anyone with Brennan but I believe they will be this year's Boise State)
Surprise team (Bad)- Ohio State (I really don't have a reason here.)
Game of the Year: Notre Dame vs. USC in South Bend. USC Will win and Notre Dame will be bad. But ND will give USC all they can handle.
College football is back. Which means when I wake up on saturday morning, I'll change the channel to ESPN and see Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, aka, the great ensemble of pregame show in any sport. From Fowler's straightforward on top-of things approach, to Corso's "YO!" and "NOT SO FAST!" to Kirk's insight's, this group is the best. Why else do college kids storm the College Gameday set, when it's on their campus. I'm sure a little of it has to do with the chance to maybe see themselves get on camera and be on TV, but i'm gonna choose to go with the fact that they wish to see Lee Corso around 11:58 AM right as they are about to go off-air, put on their mascot's headgear and make his pick for the nights game.
Waking up on Saturday morning is tough, last night's memories slowly come back to you, you have already had your 8th bottle of water trying to rid yourself of a hangover. But when Chris, Kirk and Coach are on TV, it makes it all better. Plus you know that as the day goes on you get to watch college football games.
This weekend presents a few intriguing matchups, none more than the #12 vs. #15 battle on ABC's Saturday Night football (Which, if you don't get the chills when the commercial comes on and the music is playing in the background, and you call yourself a college football fan? Stop Pretending.) between California and Tennessee. It's a revenge game for Cal who got swamped last year and it's a chance to see to very good quarterbacks in Nathan Longshore for Cal (Who I believe is overrated) and Erik Ainge for UT (Who I really have no idea who to gauge after his up and down seasons).
Alright enough ranting, lets do some predictions about the seaon...
Heisman Trophy- John David Booty (And let's remember that the Heisman goes not to the best player on the field, but the QB for the #1 rated team by the time voting is done.)
Best Player- Tie: Darren McFadden and Colt Brennan
National Championship Matchup- USC vs. West Virginia
Surprise Team (Good)- Hawaii (Not exactly sneaking up on anyone with Brennan but I believe they will be this year's Boise State)
Surprise team (Bad)- Ohio State (I really don't have a reason here.)
Game of the Year: Notre Dame vs. USC in South Bend. USC Will win and Notre Dame will be bad. But ND will give USC all they can handle.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies
After last night's loss, the Mets lead over the Phils has been reduced to a frightening 5 games. I am a Mets fan and the Phillies scare the living crap out me. I think it's fair to say the Mets have the better team overall, except for the right side of the Phillies infield. First Basemen Ryan Howard, and 2nd basemen Chase Utley. Now for some creative thinkning lets walk out the combination of of the right side of the Phils infield and the left side of the Mets infield.
1B- Ryan Howard 6
2B- Chase Utley 26
SS- Jose Reyes 7
3B- David Wright 5
Pretty impressive don't you think? Now lets create a roster of this inifeld and the starters in the outfield for these two teams along with 5 bench players I think it will look something like this...
LF- Aaron Rowand
CF- Carlos Beltran
RF- Endy Chavez
Catcher- Paul Lo Duca
Bench:
Pat Burrell, OF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Lastings Milledge, OF
Luis Castillo, IF
Carlos Delgado, 1B
Let's set the lineup
1. Reyes-SS
2. Utley- 2B
3. Wright- 3B
4. Howard- 1B
5. Beltran- CF
6. Rowand- RF
7. Lo Duca- C
8. Chavez- RF
Now I know this team is missing Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Alfonso Soriano. But realistically this is a team that could play an AL team in some sort of all-star exhibition. Atleast lineup wise, maybe the pitching wouldn't be so spectacular and maybe it will be awful. But that is a lineup and a half.
Back to reality, if the Mets and Phillies both make the playoffs which i believe will go something like this...
East- New York
Central- Chicago
West- Arizona
Wildcard- Philadelphia
These two teams could potentially meet in the NLCS. I am terrified of this Phillies team. Maybe Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could get suspended for steroids or something I don't know.
1B- Ryan Howard 6
2B- Chase Utley 26
SS- Jose Reyes 7
3B- David Wright 5
Pretty impressive don't you think? Now lets create a roster of this inifeld and the starters in the outfield for these two teams along with 5 bench players I think it will look something like this...
LF- Aaron Rowand
CF- Carlos Beltran
RF- Endy Chavez
Catcher- Paul Lo Duca
Bench:
Pat Burrell, OF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Lastings Milledge, OF
Luis Castillo, IF
Carlos Delgado, 1B
Let's set the lineup
1. Reyes-SS
2. Utley- 2B
3. Wright- 3B
4. Howard- 1B
5. Beltran- CF
6. Rowand- RF
7. Lo Duca- C
8. Chavez- RF
Now I know this team is missing Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Alfonso Soriano. But realistically this is a team that could play an AL team in some sort of all-star exhibition. Atleast lineup wise, maybe the pitching wouldn't be so spectacular and maybe it will be awful. But that is a lineup and a half.
Back to reality, if the Mets and Phillies both make the playoffs which i believe will go something like this...
East- New York
Central- Chicago
West- Arizona
Wildcard- Philadelphia
These two teams could potentially meet in the NLCS. I am terrified of this Phillies team. Maybe Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could get suspended for steroids or something I don't know.
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