The NFL playoffs will be starting later today and I'll give you a few thoughts on how I think things will shake out.
Jets vs Bengals
This is the game that has too much working against it.The Jets have the defense and the running game to dominate,but the rookie QB Sanchez is just that....a rookie...and that will work against any team.If they can keep him handing the ball off instead of throwing it deep,it has to increase their chances.
The Bengals have decades and decades of history working against them..they hadn't been to the playoffs since 2005(Palmer knee injury) and hadn't won a playoff game since 1990...yikes..but they have top 10 QB in Carson Palmer,a hard running back in Cedric Benson and an elite(and comical) receiver in Chad Ocho Cinco. I think the run defense could be a bit better but I don't think the Jets will mind but ultimate I think that the Bengals pull it out..
Eagles vs Cowboys
This one will be a tough one..any time division rivals play each other it will get messy, but these teams played last week and the Cowboys smashed them 24-0.I really feel that the Eagles will make the proper adjustments to slow the Cowboys offense down but I think that the lack of running game will hurt more than any pass by Tony Romo.I will take the Eagles but theres a real chance for the Cowboys to win.
Ravens vs Patriots
I like this matchup alot..Tom Brady and Randy Moss vs the Ravens D...while it sounds sexy,the defense for the Ravens hasn't been the memories that we all attach to them. But Joe Flacco is no pushover and the Pats defense hasn't been anything to write about so the game could be closer than most would think.And I think that the loss of Wes Welker will hurt..Tom Brady has had years of spreading the ball around and it wouldn't be much different than that.Pats over Ravens
Packers vs Cardinals
This is the other good matchup..both have potent offenses and active,aggressive defenses.If Anquan Bolden plays I feel that this will give the Cards the edge in the offensive category and I think the key for the Packers is keeping the penalties to a minimum..throughout the year they've shot themselves in the foot in big spots..I will take the Cards
Friday, January 8, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Welcome Back?
386 days later?..hi there..welcome back reading..I haven't done this in a while..well sort of..just individually with people verbally..but this recent Gilbert/gun thing has me crawling out of my own head and here it goes..
Was Gilbert dumb in playing a "joke" on Crittenton?..very
Was he careless in having unloaded guns in the arena or in the DC area?...also very
But don't make it into this super huge thing crossing his personality+the incident+on court performance because it doesn't add up..not all of them..the incident has more to do with his personality than on the court stuff..
His personality is one that is rare in terms of the public visibility..the "off-beat" one..the one who kind of plays by his own rules but not in a threatening to the establishment kind of way..more entertainment than purpose.They don't give you the general cookie cutter answers..they do different things..sometimes refreshing..sometimes frustrating..
Look around the the leagues..they are out there..Gil is one..Clinton Portis..Manny Ramirez...Chad Ochocinco.. Ron Artest...the kind of people you are never really sure if they are completely serious even when they smile..
Now these guys are all well and good..but here's a variable that is like the unwritten rule in any kind of job..salary..Gil signed a 6yr $111-million deal last season..thats a lot of money..and in sports..rare air..
Only the elite(in theory) are signed to $100-million deals..Kobe Bryant money..Kevin Garnett money...Shaq money..Alex Rodriguez money..
Its alot of pressure...as an athlete you are already under tremendous pressure as is..to get a bigger contract..stuff like that..now picture getting what you've worked for all your life...now what?..there aren't too many stories of what to do when you get to the top of the mountain...
Sidebar..still not justifying what he did..just getting all the perspectives out
Now..he has that money pressure to live up to the contract..he's coming back from repetitive knee surgeries..the team was awful last year..the blanket reasoning is because he wasn't there..locked into that money..everything will be fine..right?
All that pressure is there it makes it a little hard to be carefree these days..with money comes expectations and no one is expecting him to be the same guy..the money is there..get serious and get us winning..
That seems rational because any non-rich person given a boatload of money would be the best person to be well adjusted right?..
"Well with all that money,they need to figure it out" they say...it makes zero sense..when has money ever made anything clearer than before?..in history?..very few times..
Perfect example of this that I followed closely is Barry Zito of the SF Giants..he was just like Gilbert..carefree..had his own set of idiosyncrasies playing for the Oakland A's..
then he signed the $126 million deal with San Fran..all that pressure I was talking about earlier..same thing..he lost himself in a way..the people expected it in an indirect way.
Again that doesn't translate into on the court success..Gilbert isn't the complete reason why the Wizards are underachieving thus far..people fail to realize that its a team game win or loss..the "star driven" ideology is only set up to sell more tickets because of recognition off of the combination of number and face...ask Alex Rodriguez what the difference of playing for the Texas Rangers then the New York Yankees is like...the checks are the same..his numbers are around the same too..he won the World Series with what team again?
Same with Kevin Garnett..and Kobe Bryant..very very very very rarely can a scrub team be strapped onto a back of one guy..Dwyane Wade this year is a good example of that..Kevin Garnett in Minnesota is another..can't be done often if at all..
So let that idea go..thanks..
Collectively that team is underachieving..Caron is..Antawn is..Brendan is..Nick is..Flip is..Gilbert is..
But since the pay isn't distributed evenly..blame isn't either...that I can understand..but there isn't an relationship between check amount and leadership..that team doesn't have one at all..everyone is at a loss there..but he is their best player...for what its worth..
Guns aren't a joking matter..but...no one knows where the line is not to cross..until after you cross it
I think I covered everything..I feel better now...
Was Gilbert dumb in playing a "joke" on Crittenton?..very
Was he careless in having unloaded guns in the arena or in the DC area?...also very
But don't make it into this super huge thing crossing his personality+the incident+on court performance because it doesn't add up..not all of them..the incident has more to do with his personality than on the court stuff..
His personality is one that is rare in terms of the public visibility..the "off-beat" one..the one who kind of plays by his own rules but not in a threatening to the establishment kind of way..more entertainment than purpose.They don't give you the general cookie cutter answers..they do different things..sometimes refreshing..sometimes frustrating..
Look around the the leagues..they are out there..Gil is one..Clinton Portis..Manny Ramirez...Chad Ochocinco.. Ron Artest...the kind of people you are never really sure if they are completely serious even when they smile..
Now these guys are all well and good..but here's a variable that is like the unwritten rule in any kind of job..salary..Gil signed a 6yr $111-million deal last season..thats a lot of money..and in sports..rare air..
Only the elite(in theory) are signed to $100-million deals..Kobe Bryant money..Kevin Garnett money...Shaq money..Alex Rodriguez money..
Its alot of pressure...as an athlete you are already under tremendous pressure as is..to get a bigger contract..stuff like that..now picture getting what you've worked for all your life...now what?..there aren't too many stories of what to do when you get to the top of the mountain...
Sidebar..still not justifying what he did..just getting all the perspectives out
Now..he has that money pressure to live up to the contract..he's coming back from repetitive knee surgeries..the team was awful last year..the blanket reasoning is because he wasn't there..locked into that money..everything will be fine..right?
All that pressure is there it makes it a little hard to be carefree these days..with money comes expectations and no one is expecting him to be the same guy..the money is there..get serious and get us winning..
That seems rational because any non-rich person given a boatload of money would be the best person to be well adjusted right?..
"Well with all that money,they need to figure it out" they say...it makes zero sense..when has money ever made anything clearer than before?..in history?..very few times..
Perfect example of this that I followed closely is Barry Zito of the SF Giants..he was just like Gilbert..carefree..had his own set of idiosyncrasies playing for the Oakland A's..
then he signed the $126 million deal with San Fran..all that pressure I was talking about earlier..same thing..he lost himself in a way..the people expected it in an indirect way.
Again that doesn't translate into on the court success..Gilbert isn't the complete reason why the Wizards are underachieving thus far..people fail to realize that its a team game win or loss..the "star driven" ideology is only set up to sell more tickets because of recognition off of the combination of number and face...ask Alex Rodriguez what the difference of playing for the Texas Rangers then the New York Yankees is like...the checks are the same..his numbers are around the same too..he won the World Series with what team again?
Same with Kevin Garnett..and Kobe Bryant..very very very very rarely can a scrub team be strapped onto a back of one guy..Dwyane Wade this year is a good example of that..Kevin Garnett in Minnesota is another..can't be done often if at all..
So let that idea go..thanks..
Collectively that team is underachieving..Caron is..Antawn is..Brendan is..Nick is..Flip is..Gilbert is..
But since the pay isn't distributed evenly..blame isn't either...that I can understand..but there isn't an relationship between check amount and leadership..that team doesn't have one at all..everyone is at a loss there..but he is their best player...for what its worth..
Guns aren't a joking matter..but...no one knows where the line is not to cross..until after you cross it
I think I covered everything..I feel better now...
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Week 15
Week 15 picks...
Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Washington over Cincinnati
Tennessee over Houston
Indianapolis over Detroit
Green Bay over Jacksonville
San Diego over Kansas City
Miami over San Francisco
NY Jets over Buffalo
Seattle over St Louis
Arizona over Minnesota
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Carolina over Denver
New England over Oakland
Dallas over NY Giants
Philly over Cleveland
Tampa Bay over Atlanta
Washington over Cincinnati
Tennessee over Houston
Indianapolis over Detroit
Green Bay over Jacksonville
San Diego over Kansas City
Miami over San Francisco
NY Jets over Buffalo
Seattle over St Louis
Arizona over Minnesota
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Carolina over Denver
New England over Oakland
Dallas over NY Giants
Philly over Cleveland
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Recapped
There is alot to cover...lets see if I can try to do it all..
NBA trades...The Suns trade for Jason Richardson...ship out the unhappy Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to Charlotte..the Suns get the better part of the deal easily..he's explosive and can score alot of points..but it doesnt help me decide what this team is...are they trying to run again?...maybe?..how about shot distribution?..Amare was complaining before..now Jason will command some shots..they have questionmarks still...the Bobcats sidestep with this one...Raja is a decent defender on the wing...but they have a semi logjam with DJ Augustin,Ray Felton,Sean Singletary and Raja Bell..I really think that Ray is the odd guy out here..I expect a few more moves on this roster..
On a point guard shuffle...New Orleans gets Antonio Daniels...Washington gets Javaris Crittenton and Mike James and Memphis gets back a draft pick they traded away a few years back(stop laughing)...I think the real winner is Crittenton in all this..I think he's a good talent(6'5 pass 1st point guard) and Washington needs warm bodies until Gil gets back...Daniels is good for NO as well but he's a little over the hill..but he's better than Mike James..
76ers fire Mo Cheeks...another quick trigger I feel...the team was underachieving yes..I get that..but I dont know how any of these coaches could fix that..the roster is similar to what Phoenix is doing..run?..slow?...whos the guy?...but Mo wasnt the problem...he actually messed with the lineup last year(pre Brand) to get that team to overachieve and make the playoffs..raw deal.
Cowboys are the clear hyped non-story ever...TO is a malcontent..thats just what he is..he's always been that..he's had a well documented track record of messing up bad situations...so why would this be any different?....why is this breaking news?...
Why are the LA Clippers bad?...I still dont get it...
Bill Simmons had a really really good podcast interviewing NBA commissioner David Stern..he talked about alot of little things..but he did get pressed for hard questions..2 things that I noted was regarding Seattle and Vancouver...he said that Seattle would be given another chance to get another team..but its not forseen to be via expansion..so basically another team would be pressed to move..which I dont like..another was him saying that the NBA messed up the situation in Vancouver(the now Memphis Grizzlies) just interesting that he brought that up unprovoked...I would recommend you give it a listen
Yankees have allllllot of money to just pass around huh?....161 million to CC...80-something to AJ Burnett...I wont pile on with everyone else saying it was a bad move blah blah blah..but it was alot of money..thats clear..but with everyone saying they overpaid blah blah blah..if you had a zillion dollars....no salary cap..and glaring holes...wouldnt you do it?..I could understand in other sports how money effects what you can spend on other players..but...not in baseball..there isnt one..I would rather have a GM react to what their team needs and overpay rather than a GM penny pinch and do nothing...make moves to win..thats the goal right?..
NBA trades...The Suns trade for Jason Richardson...ship out the unhappy Boris Diaw and Raja Bell to Charlotte..the Suns get the better part of the deal easily..he's explosive and can score alot of points..but it doesnt help me decide what this team is...are they trying to run again?...maybe?..how about shot distribution?..Amare was complaining before..now Jason will command some shots..they have questionmarks still...the Bobcats sidestep with this one...Raja is a decent defender on the wing...but they have a semi logjam with DJ Augustin,Ray Felton,Sean Singletary and Raja Bell..I really think that Ray is the odd guy out here..I expect a few more moves on this roster..
On a point guard shuffle...New Orleans gets Antonio Daniels...Washington gets Javaris Crittenton and Mike James and Memphis gets back a draft pick they traded away a few years back(stop laughing)...I think the real winner is Crittenton in all this..I think he's a good talent(6'5 pass 1st point guard) and Washington needs warm bodies until Gil gets back...Daniels is good for NO as well but he's a little over the hill..but he's better than Mike James..
76ers fire Mo Cheeks...another quick trigger I feel...the team was underachieving yes..I get that..but I dont know how any of these coaches could fix that..the roster is similar to what Phoenix is doing..run?..slow?...whos the guy?...but Mo wasnt the problem...he actually messed with the lineup last year(pre Brand) to get that team to overachieve and make the playoffs..raw deal.
Cowboys are the clear hyped non-story ever...TO is a malcontent..thats just what he is..he's always been that..he's had a well documented track record of messing up bad situations...so why would this be any different?....why is this breaking news?...
Why are the LA Clippers bad?...I still dont get it...
Bill Simmons had a really really good podcast interviewing NBA commissioner David Stern..he talked about alot of little things..but he did get pressed for hard questions..2 things that I noted was regarding Seattle and Vancouver...he said that Seattle would be given another chance to get another team..but its not forseen to be via expansion..so basically another team would be pressed to move..which I dont like..another was him saying that the NBA messed up the situation in Vancouver(the now Memphis Grizzlies) just interesting that he brought that up unprovoked...I would recommend you give it a listen
Yankees have allllllot of money to just pass around huh?....161 million to CC...80-something to AJ Burnett...I wont pile on with everyone else saying it was a bad move blah blah blah..but it was alot of money..thats clear..but with everyone saying they overpaid blah blah blah..if you had a zillion dollars....no salary cap..and glaring holes...wouldnt you do it?..I could understand in other sports how money effects what you can spend on other players..but...not in baseball..there isnt one..I would rather have a GM react to what their team needs and overpay rather than a GM penny pinch and do nothing...make moves to win..thats the goal right?..
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reasonings
Can someone tell me why I've been hearing alot of Plaxico was the reason the Giants lost to Philly on sunday?.....that is the ridiculous thing I've ever heard...so let me get this straight...Plaxico wasnt going to play anyways(remember the hammy injury?)...so..he gets into the trouble...and hasnt been near the team since that incident..and....why again was the entire team flat?...get out of here..no one else is going to say this(now) but...the Giants are going to struggle without Plaxico...they dont have another playmaker at the receiver position...just putting that out there...
Another coach gets the bounced from a bad team....Minnesota T'Wolves fired Randy Wittman...not really sure of the reasoning of why he was fired...but the team is bad..it doesnt matter who's coaching...its nice to see Kevin McHale managing the team that he has "assembled"..go down with the ship..
Raptors also fired their coach,Sam Mitchell(last weekish)....I think this was more of a GM/Coach clashing on the kind of talent they had and how it was being used..he wasnt that good of a coach...but at the same time..to think that this team is going to compete with this talent is a bit lofty..
College football is almost over...Florida and Oklahoma for the national championship?....they kinda got it right..in a...lets pretend that Texas didnt finish with the same record or beat Oklahoma head to head kind of way....
And no...I wont be watching any bowls this year...again...I still feel that the BCS is another way of sidestepping a clearcut champion...instead lets have 5 different champions!...atleast the schools make money off the bowls...I dont care..and since you have a million and one bowls going on...missing them wont mean anything..
Another coach gets the bounced from a bad team....Minnesota T'Wolves fired Randy Wittman...not really sure of the reasoning of why he was fired...but the team is bad..it doesnt matter who's coaching...its nice to see Kevin McHale managing the team that he has "assembled"..go down with the ship..
Raptors also fired their coach,Sam Mitchell(last weekish)....I think this was more of a GM/Coach clashing on the kind of talent they had and how it was being used..he wasnt that good of a coach...but at the same time..to think that this team is going to compete with this talent is a bit lofty..
College football is almost over...Florida and Oklahoma for the national championship?....they kinda got it right..in a...lets pretend that Texas didnt finish with the same record or beat Oklahoma head to head kind of way....
And no...I wont be watching any bowls this year...again...I still feel that the BCS is another way of sidestepping a clearcut champion...instead lets have 5 different champions!...atleast the schools make money off the bowls...I dont care..and since you have a million and one bowls going on...missing them wont mean anything..
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Week 14
Picks for week 14...
Chicago over Jacksonville
Minnesota over Detroit
Green Bay over Houston
Indianapolis over Cincinnati
Atlanta over New Orleans
NY Giants over Philly
Tennessee over Cleveland
Miami over Buffalo
Denver over Kansas City
NY Jets over San Francisco
New England over Seattle
Arizona over St Louis
Pittsburgh over Dallas
Baltimore over Washington
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Enjoy
Chicago over Jacksonville
Minnesota over Detroit
Green Bay over Houston
Indianapolis over Cincinnati
Atlanta over New Orleans
NY Giants over Philly
Tennessee over Cleveland
Miami over Buffalo
Denver over Kansas City
NY Jets over San Francisco
New England over Seattle
Arizona over St Louis
Pittsburgh over Dallas
Baltimore over Washington
Tampa Bay over Carolina
Enjoy
Monday, December 1, 2008
Around the Leagues
Here are my pressing issues...
Does anyone else think that Amare is seeming like a malcontent?....he wasnt happy with Joe Johnson there..wasnt happy with Shawn Marion there nor Mike D'Antoni...now he's complaining about touches and new coach Terry Porter's slower offense...he's making a real bad case for himself over the years....I dont think anyone critcizes like he should be though...not yet..
Is the Marbury situation resolved yet?.....no?....okay moving on....
Can all the 2010 talk chill out until...like...a year from now?...if its this summer cool...everyone is going to be bouncing around(in theory)..but not only is it not this year...its not next year either...like 2 NBA champions will be crowned by then....let that sink in...just chill..
Um...Plaxico Burress...I dont have much to say about it...stupid?....oh yeah..you have no business having a gun in a club..and if you think he did...he doesnt need to be in that club...someone could have been really hurt in his carelessness...but the NY mayor is talking some really big stuff like fullest extent of the law...no one wants to hear that...for anything...if you heard his press conference..you'd be a little scared lol...as his football goes..I'd be really shocked if he'd suit up for the Giants next year..he's been a bit of a headache this year before this...and if they do anything without him...doesnt look good.
Portland is 7-0 at home...just thought I should point that out early...
Tampa Bay is the most intriguing team in the playoff picture...they dont score alot..but their defense isnt like the Ravens or Titans..but its not terrible..its really good...how they generate their points offensively is very very odd to me..so I cant get a read on them like everyone else.
Devin Harris is more than likely going to take someone's all star spot..you dont drop 47 on Steve Nash and go unnoticed...so far he's the most improved player...
76ers...Clippers...both are underacheiving...I mean I didnt think the Clippers would make the playoffs or anything...but 3-13 isnt good...Sacramento has more wins than them..76ers are still lacking a go to guy on the wing...Igoudala just doesnt want to step up and take over..maybe its because he's playing the 2 instead of the 3...but 7-10 isnt going to cut it.
Does anyone else think that Amare is seeming like a malcontent?....he wasnt happy with Joe Johnson there..wasnt happy with Shawn Marion there nor Mike D'Antoni...now he's complaining about touches and new coach Terry Porter's slower offense...he's making a real bad case for himself over the years....I dont think anyone critcizes like he should be though...not yet..
Is the Marbury situation resolved yet?.....no?....okay moving on....
Can all the 2010 talk chill out until...like...a year from now?...if its this summer cool...everyone is going to be bouncing around(in theory)..but not only is it not this year...its not next year either...like 2 NBA champions will be crowned by then....let that sink in...just chill..
Um...Plaxico Burress...I dont have much to say about it...stupid?....oh yeah..you have no business having a gun in a club..and if you think he did...he doesnt need to be in that club...someone could have been really hurt in his carelessness...but the NY mayor is talking some really big stuff like fullest extent of the law...no one wants to hear that...for anything...if you heard his press conference..you'd be a little scared lol...as his football goes..I'd be really shocked if he'd suit up for the Giants next year..he's been a bit of a headache this year before this...and if they do anything without him...doesnt look good.
Portland is 7-0 at home...just thought I should point that out early...
Tampa Bay is the most intriguing team in the playoff picture...they dont score alot..but their defense isnt like the Ravens or Titans..but its not terrible..its really good...how they generate their points offensively is very very odd to me..so I cant get a read on them like everyone else.
Devin Harris is more than likely going to take someone's all star spot..you dont drop 47 on Steve Nash and go unnoticed...so far he's the most improved player...
76ers...Clippers...both are underacheiving...I mean I didnt think the Clippers would make the playoffs or anything...but 3-13 isnt good...Sacramento has more wins than them..76ers are still lacking a go to guy on the wing...Igoudala just doesnt want to step up and take over..maybe its because he's playing the 2 instead of the 3...but 7-10 isnt going to cut it.
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