Month: December 2011

Week 16 Review of the NFL

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The most amazing play ever
There have been amazing catches.  Long touchdown runs.  And bone jarring hits.  But there hasn’t been a play like the one in Cincinnati made by Bengals WR Jerome Simpson.  My mind was blown.  I had never seen a more spectacular play.  I’m not going to say that this was the greatest play of all time.  It wasn’t in a playoff game or the Super Bowl, but it’s now in my top 10.  Simpson caught a pass from QB Andy Dalton over the middle of the field. He proceeded towards the endzone where he decided the only way to get into the endzone was to leap over the defender.  He made it into the endzone but he was going to be in for a rough landing, or so I thought.  All of a sudden he begins to turn himself upright in the middle of the air and sticks the landing in the endzone. Touchdown Bengals.  I’m sure it’s all over youtube right now. Either way you have to see it again and again.  It was a once in a lifetime kind of a play.
Showdown for the NFC East
It has come down to the final game of the season for the NFC East. Who could have seen this coming?  The New York Giants weren’t going to let the New York Jets beat them.  But the Dallas Cowboys laid a goose egg in their stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles. Nearly being shutout.  Now with Cowboys QB Tony Romo nursing a bruised throwing hand, the question all week will be about his health.  I would expect the New York Giants to win this game since it is being played in New York.  The Giants did beat the Cowboys a few weeks ago in Dallas.  But I don’t trust either one of these teams.  Just when you think they’ve figured it out, they fall flat on their faces.  Which Eli Manning will show up?  Will the Giants pass rush live up to their potential.  Will the Dallas Cowboys actually play defense for an entire game?  Can the Cowboys run the ball consistently?  Those are the most important questions for both teams.  Whichever team can successfully quell those questions they will have a NFC East title and host a playoff game.
A new record

Probably the one thing that most people love about football is that you don’t have to know a lot about it.  And that’s okay.  Some folks could care less about the historical records and statistical achievements of the games greats.  What Saints QB Drew Brees did on Monday Night Football was one for the ages though.  Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts held the record for most passing yards in a single season with 4,802 yards.  That record lasted for only 3 years until another Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino shattered that record with 5,084 yards.  That record has stood for 27 years.  No one has come close to getting 5,000 yards passing since.  That is until QB Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans.  He came close to breaking it in 2008 when on the last pass play of the season it was an incomplete pass.  This year though he broke the record with one game to spare.  Chances are that this record will never be broken, but with the way the league is heading towards an offensive explosion.  It might not last as long as Marino’s record.  Either way it is quite an accomplishment.  To be only the second person to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season and do it twice is something to be proud of.

Week 15 Review of the NFL

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The AFC is up for grabs
The New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers all clinched playoff spots this past week.  The Patriots clinched their division with their victory over the Denver Broncos. Baltimore and Pittsburgh had playoff spots without even playing their games.  But they both lost.  Thus creating a debate about the AFC’s top team.  I don’t want to crown the Patriots just yet.  When you have Tom Brady the sky is the limit.  I don’t like their defense at all.  If Brady doesn’t get them 30+ points, they will lose.  The Ravens don’t seem to want to play their best game when it matters. And Pittsburgh can only go as far as Ben Roethlisberger’s ankle can take them.  It should be mentioned that I didn’t consider the Houston Texans as a top team once their QB Matt Schaub went down.  They will host a playoff game, but rookie QB T.J. Yates does have his limits.  Then there’s the AFC West. All four teams have a chance at the playoffs.  Honestly I think it’s down to the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos, but those pesky San Diego Chargers figured out that it was December.  Now they’re on a roll.  It figures that they revert back to their old ways.  After seeing how the AFC is panning out you can see why I’m not going to rush to any decision on who will be atop this conference once the playoffs start.
Perfect no more
Did I think the Green Bay Packers could finish the season 16-0? Yes.  Would it have been a good thing going into the playoffs? No. Not in the sense that they were going to run the table.  The New England Patriots went down this path before and didn’t win the one game that mattered.  The Packers could have ended up in a similar scenario.  Now I don’t believe for a second that they wanted to lose a game.  No team wants that.  But I bet you that on the plane ride back home they were all breathing a collective sigh of relief.  Now they can focus on getting that one victory to clinch home field on Christmas day against the Chicago Bears.  But they will need to protect Aaron Rodgers with a banged up offensive line. It’s a tough task, but if any team can do it, the Green Bay Packers can.
They call him ‘Megatron’

No running game, no problem if you’re the Detroit Lions.  When you have a guy in Calvin Johnson to throw the ball to, QB Matthew Stafford’s job is a lot easier.  Now I don’t know how you could lose Calvin Johnson on the football field, but the Oakland Raiders showed you exactly how to do it.  Calvin had a career game with 9 catches, 214 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game winner. This was a must win game for both teams, but it was made even worse for the Raiders who could have tied with their division rivals, the Denver Broncos for the division lead.  Detroit showed that they are the comeback kids as they have done it before.  Remember their Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys?  They were down 24-3 when Cowboys QB Tony Romo threw back to back interceptions for touchdowns.  Then the Lions scored 17 points in the 4th quarter to complete their come from behind victory.  Calvin Johnson caught two touchdowns in that game as well.  They occurred in the 4th quarter.  Obviously the Oakland Raiders didn’t read or bother to write that in their scouting report for this game. Maybe now the rest of the league will grow wise to this guy nicknamed ‘Megatron’.

2011-12 NBA Season Preview

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* – indicates playoffs
(R) – indicates rookie
# – indicates new to team
MVP – Kevin Durant – Thunder
Rookie – Kemba Walker – Bobcats
Coach – Scott Brooks – Thunder
Defensive Player – Dwight Howard – Magic
Most Improved – DeAndre Jordan – Clippers
Sixth Man – James Harden – Thunder
Executive – Neil Olshey – Clippers
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Finals
Miami vs. Chicago
Heat in 6
Western Conference Finals
Dallas vs. Oklahoma City
Thunder in 7
NBA Finals
Miami vs. Oklahoma City
Thunder in 7
Finals MVP: Kevin Durant 
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat*
2. Chicago Bulls*
3. Boston Celtics*
4. Orlando Magic*
5. New York Knicks*
6. Atlanta Hawks*
7. Indiana Pacers*
8. Philadelphia 76ers*
9. Milwaukee Bucks
10. Charlotte Bobcats
11. Toronto Raptors
12. Detroit Pistons
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
14. Washington Wizards
15. New Jersey Nets
Heat – 1st in Southeast
Starters
C Joel Anthony
F Chris Bosh
F LeBron James
G Dwayne Wade
G Mario Chalmers
Three Man Rotation
F Udonis Haslem, F James Jones, F Shane Battier#
Bulls – 1st in Central
Starters
C Joakim Noah
F Carlos Boozer
F Luol Deng
G Richard Hamilton#
G Derrick Rose
Three Man Rotation
G Ronnie Brewer, F Taj Gibson, G C.J. Watson
Celtics – 1st in Atlantic
Starters
C Jermaine O’Neal
F Kevin Garnett
F Paul Pierce
G Ray Allen
G Rajon Rondo
Three Man Rotation
F Brandon Bass#, G Marquis Daniels, G Keyon Dooling#
Magic – 2nd in Southeast
Starters
C Dwight Howard
F Ryan Anderson
F Hedo Turkoglu
G Jason Richardson
G Jameer Nelson
Three Man Rotation
G J.J. Redick, F Glen Davis#, G Chris Duhon
Knicks – 2nd in Atlantic
Starters
C Tyson Chandler#
F Amare Stoudemire
F Carmelo Anthony
G Landry Fields
G Toney Douglas
Three Man Rotation
G Bill Walker, G Iman Shumpert (R), F Jared Jeffries
Hawks – 3rd in Southeast
Starters
C Al Horford
F Josh Smith
F Marvin Williams
G Joe Johnson
G Kirk Hinrich
Three Man Rotation
G Jeff Teague, G Tracy McGrady#, G Willie Green#
Pacers – 2nd in Central
Starters
C Roy Hibbert
F David West#
F Danny Granger
G Paul George
G Darren Collison
Three Man Rotation
F Tyler Hansbrough, G George Hill#, G Dahntay Jones
76ers – 3rd in Atlantic
Starters
C Spencer Hawes
F Elton Brand
F Andre Iguodala
G Jodie Meeks
G Jrue Holiday
Three Man Rotation
G Louis Williams, F Thaddeus Young, G Evan Turner
Bucks – 3rd in Central
Starters
C Andrew Bogut
F Ersan Ilyasova
F Stephen Jackson#
G Mike Dunleavy#
G Brandon Jennings
Three Man Rotation
G Shaun Livingston#, F Drew Gooden, G Beno Udrih#
Bobcats – 4th in Southeast
Starters
C Boris Diaw
F D.J. White
F Corey Maggette#
G Gerald Henderson
G D.J. Augustin
Three Man Rotation
G Kemba Walker (R), C Byron Mullens#, F Derrick Brown
Raptors – 4th in Atlantic
Starters
C Amir Johnson
F Andrea Bargnani
F Rasual Butler#
G DeMar DeRozan
G Jose Calderon
Three Man Rotation
F James Johnson, G Leandro Barbosa, F Ed Davis
Pistons – 4th in Central
Starters
C Greg Monroe
F Jonas Jerebko
F Tayshaun Prince
G Ben Gordon
G Rodney Stuckey
Three Man Rotation
G Damien Wilkins#, G Brandon Knight (R), F Jason Maxiell
Cavaliers – 5th in Central
Starters
C Anderson Varejao
F Antawn Jamison
F Omri Casspi#
G Anthony Parker
G Kyrie Irving (R)
Three Man Rotation
G Ramon Sessions, G Daniel Gibson, F Alonzo Gee
Wizards – 5th in Southeast
Starters
C JaVale McGee
F Andray Blatche
F Rashard Lewis
G Jordan Crawford
G John Wall
Three Man Rotation
G Nick Young, C Ronny Turiaf#, F Chris Singleton (R)
Nets – 5th in Atlantic
Starters
C Johan Petro
F Kris Humphries
F Damion James
G Anthony Morrow
G Deron Williams
Three Man Rotation
C Mehmet Okur#, G Sundiata Gaines, G DeShawn Stevenson#
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder*
2. Dallas Mavericks*
3. San Antonio Spurs*
4. Los Angeles Clippers*
5. Memphis Grizzlies*
6. Los Angeles Lakers*
7. Portland Trail Blazers*
8. Denver Nuggets*
9. Houston Rockets
10. Utah Jazz
11. Phoenix Suns
12. Golden State Warriors
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
14. New Orleans Hornets
15. Sacramento Kings

Thunder – 1st in Northwest
Starters
C Kendrick Perkins
F Serge Ibaka
F Kevin Durant
G Thabo Sefolosha
G Russell Westbrook
Three Man Rotation
G James Harden, F Nick Collison, G Eric Maynor

Mavericks – 1st in Southwest
Starters
C Brendan Haywood
F Dirk Nowitzki
F Shawn Marion
G Vince Carter#
G Jason Kidd
Three Man Rotation
G Jason Terry, F Lamar Odom#, G Delonte West#

Spurs – 2nd in Southwest
Starters
C DeJuan Blair
F Tim Duncan
F Richard Jefferson
G Manu Ginobili
G Tony Parker
Three Man Rotation
F Tiago Splitter, F Matt Bonner, G James Anderson

Clippers – 1st in Pacific
Starters
C DeAndre Jordan
F Blake Griffin
F Caron Butler#
G Chauncey Billups#
G Chris Paul#
Three Man Rotation
G Mo Williams, G Randy Foye, G Eric Bledsoe

Grizzlies – 3rd in Southwest
Starters
C Marc Gasol
F Zach Randolph
F Rudy Gay
G Tony Allen
G Mike Conley
Three Man Rotation
G O.J. Mayo, F Sam Young, F Quincy Pondexter#

Lakers – 2nd in Pacific
Starters
C Andrew Bynum
F Pau Gasol
F Matt Barnes
G Kobe Bryant
G Derek Fisher
Three Man Rotation
G Steve Blake, F Metta World Peace, F Troy Murphy#

Trail Blazers – 2nd in Northwest
Starters
C Marcus Camby
F LaMarcus Aldridge
F Gerald Wallace
G Wesley Matthews
G Raymond Felton#
Three Man Rotation
G Jamal Crawford#, F Nicolas Batum, F Kurt Thomas#

Nuggets – 3rd in Northwest
Starters
C Timofey Mozgov
F Nene
F Danilo Gallinari
G Aaron Afflalo
G Ty Lawson
Three Man Rotation
G Rudy Fernandez#, G Andre Miller#, F Al Harrington

Rockets – 4th in Southwest
Starters
C Jordan Hill
F Luis Scola
F Chase Budinger
G Kevin Martin
G Kyle Lowry
Three Man Rotation
F Terrence Williams, G Courtney Lee, C Samuel Dalembert#

Jazz – 4th in Northwest
Starters
C Al Jefferson
F Derrick Favors
F Gordon Hayward
G Raja Bell
G Devin Harris
Three Man Rotation
F Paul Millsap, F Josh Howard#, G Earl Watson

Suns – 3rd in Pacific
Starters
C Marcin Gortat
F Channing Frye
F Grant Hill
G Jared Dudley
G Steve Nash
Three Man Rotation
C Robin Lopez, G Shannon Brown#, F Markieff Morris (R)

Warriors – 4th in Pacific
Starters
C Andris Biedrins
F David Lee
F Dorell Wright
G Monta Ellis
G Stephen Curry
Three Man Rotation
G Brandon Rush#, G Klay Thompson (R), F Ekpe Udoh

Timberwolves – 5th in Northwest
Starters
C Darko Milicic
F Kevin Love
F Michael Beasley
G Wesley Johnson
G Luke Ridnour
Three Man Rotation
G J.J. Barea#, G Ricky Rubio (R), F Derrick Williams (R)

Hornets – 5th in Southwest
Starters
C Emeka Okafor
F Carl Landry
F Trevor Ariza
G Eric Gordon#
G Jarrett Jack
Three Man Rotation
C Chris Kaman#, G Marco Belinelli, G Greivis Vasquez#

Kings – 5th in Pacific
Starters
C DeMarcus Cousins
F Chuck Hayes#
F John Salmons#
G Marcus Thornton
G Tyreke Evans
Three Man Rotation
F J.J. Hickson#, F Travis Outlaw#, G Jimmer Fredette (R)

Baseball’s Image Crisis

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It seems like I’ve talked about this topic for far too long.  This time instead of a fading superstar going towards the end of his career. An All-Star in the prime of his career has tested positive for PEDs (performance enhancing drugs).  At this point I could care less if it was a supplement that triggered a positive test or an actual steroid. The bottom line with me is that you tested positive.

Brewers OF Ryan Braun, this past seasons National League MVP no less has now been put into a new category.  A performance enhancer.  A cheater.  Whether he can successfully appeal the 50 game suspension coming his way, public opinion will not change.

I find it hard to believe that the majority of fans don’t care about guys testing positive for PEDs.  There was a lot of pressure from the media, congress and fans to clean up the sport.  Now that the sport is testing players, suddenly the fans don’t care if a star player tests positive?

The big picture here is that Ryan Braun is still going to get paid. He’ll be making $127.5 million dollars for the next nine years in Milwaukee.  Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez is still the highest paid player in baseball.  OF Manny Ramirez will be looking for a new team to play for this year.  Heck Mark McGwire was welcomed back with open arms as a hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s not right in my opinion, but it goes with risk now in baseball. You’d have to think that everyone isn’t cheating now.  These guys are being tested through the minor league system before they even get into the majors.  What will be interesting though is how many are using HGH (human growth hormone).  That test won’t go into effect until next season.  Things could get worse.

You can’t assume anything anymore in baseball.  I admit that this news isn’t shocking to me anymore.  You’re always wondering if that once in a lifetime season was done without any help from PEDs.  It’s unfortunate, but it has become the reality.  I love this sport, but I also know that in the post steroid era we are going to have more guys testing positive.  Even if it has nothing to do with steroids.

Week 14 Review of the NFL

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Two more teams are in the playoffs
Just a few weeks ago it seemed as if the Houston Texans were dead in the water.  They had lost their starting quarterback Matt Schaub and their backup quarterback Matt Leinart in consecutive weeks.  In steps 5th round pick QB T.J. Yates.  In his first two starts he’s up against the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals.  All that’s on the line is a playoff berth.  The first in franchise history.  No problem.  Yates threw a TD pass against the Falcons, but the Texans defense stepped up and held the Falcons to only 10 points.  In Cincinnati though it was a different story. Houston was down by 9 going into the 4th quarter.  The Texans running game was being shutdown all day long.  Yates lead the Texans to a come from behind victory throwing for 300 yards and 2 touchdown passes.  Amazing to think that Houston will be hosting a playoff game with a rookie QB getting them to that point.
The New Orleans Saints didn’t make it easy for themselves in Tennessee.  But QB Drew Brees makes it look too easy and lead the Saints to another playoff berth.  With their division rival Atlanta Falcons coming from behind to beat the Carolina Panthers, the Saints will have to wait another week to see if they can clinch the division title.  Assuming the Saints beat Minnesota at the Metrodome and the Falcons beat Jacksonville in the Georgia Dome.  It will set up a fantastic Week 16 Monday Night matchup between Atlanta and New Orleans at the Superdome.  I’m really hoping for that outcome.
The reason the Cowboys struggle
It really isn’t that obvious, but it was after watching them play this past Sunday against the New York Giants.  Dallas’ problem is expectations.  Owner Jerry Jones has put far too much pressure on this team to win a division title every year.  Finish with at least 12 wins.  And always play for a championship.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not working with these Cowboys.  I believe QB Tony Romo can win in this league, but not with the Cowboys. It won’t happen.  Why?  The players around him don’t know how to handle the pressure.  You mean to tell me that WR Miles Austin after playing in that new billion dollar stadium for a couple years now can’t find the football in the lights?  Pretty lame if you ask me. What happened to that spectacular defense we were going to see from the Cowboys new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan?  It shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone knowing that Ryan’s two previous jobs as defensive coordinator were with the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders.  Ryan’s defenses have been ranked in the top 10 only one time; 2006 in Oakland.  The rest of the time they’ve been ranked near the bottom.  Also head coach Jason Garrett seems to be wilting under the pressure as well. Time after time he has made some boneheaded decisions that have cost his team wins and it could cost him his job as well.  Put it to rest once and for all.  The Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t be counted on to be Super Bowl contenders unless they prove it otherwise.
It’s not all about one guy

I know I’ve talked about Broncos QB Tim Tebow a lot this season. Rightfully so.  He’s a unique individual and a unique quarterback. And I do know that he isn’t doing everything to help the Denver Broncos win.  Their defense has done so much this season to put Tebow in position to win the game for them in the 4th quarter.  Or to tie it and then win it in overtime.  Also the other teams have done their part as well.  Case in point this past week when Bears RB Marion Barber runs out of bounds with a minute to go.  That gave the Broncos time with no timeouts to drive down the field and tie the game at 10 going into overtime.  Then in overtime Barber fumbles the football giving the Broncos another opportunity to win the game, which they did.  Get ready to see the Denver Broncos hosting a playoff game this year.  Because I don’t see the Oakland Raiders waking up anytime soon.