Monday, October 30, 2006
The Vault
Hope you like the new title to my weekly thoughts. Thought it fit well with The Mansion. Now here are The Jewels (another new name).
1. It is amazing that after 1 week people go from doomsayers to the season is saved. But that is what happened with the Tony Romo incident last night. Romo showed he is not going to get sacked 5-7 times a game. I had to ask myself would Drew Bledsoe had been given the start, would the Cowboys had won the game way in similar fashion? The answer is no. Do you really think Bledsoe could have broken away from Julius Peppers in that scramble? Julius Peppers!
2. Romo gives defenses more of a headache because now they have to worry about his mobility. With Bledsoe, it never came up. Teams just blitzed as though as if it were dogpile on the QB. Now they have to worry that he will break free from pass rush and use his mobility to pick up first downs or to put the coverage teams on guard as evidenced last night during the two-point conversions. Romo is not Michael Vick, but he will get free which will free up receivers or turn a sack of 6 yards to at best a 3 yard gain. Plus the Cowboys can use more quarterback draws, rollouts, bootlegs and have more options to use in short yardage and goal-line situations.
3. John Madden said something interesting last night about Romo reminded him of Joe Montana. It is to early to put Romo in Canton, but to have that kind of compliment from a guy who has seen his fair share of quarterbacks, is saying a lot. Romo does have a swagger that reminds me of Brett Favre, who so happens to be his idol.
4. I still do not feel that the Cowboys will win the Super Bowl because Romo is essentially a rookie QB, and he will make mistakes. Plus I do not feel the Cowboys are strong enough to dethrone the Bears who are playing well. Of course, we will have to see how the seaons progress. Tom Brady went to the Super Bowl in his first year.
5. What was Bill Parcells thinking kissing everybody in sight last night? It happens just when John Madden comments that Parcells is not as angry and mean as he once was.
6. I do not like to write off a teams' season this early such as the Steelers, Eagles and Redskins. A lot can happen between now and then as evidence by the Cowboys turn of fortunes in 1 week. Temas have gotten off to bad starts and good starts only to collapse. 1992 Chargers start 0-4 and win division 11-5 with a playoff victory. 1993 Oilers 1-4 and win division 12-4. 1993 Dolphins 9-2 and miss playoffs at 9-7. 1995 Lions 3-6 and make playoffs at 10-6. 1995 Rams 5-1 and miss playoffs at 8-8. 1994 49ers get ripped 40-8 at home by the Eagles, a media firestorm follows with the benching of Steve Young and the 49ers win the Super Bowl. 1993 Eagles start 4-0 and miss playoffs at 8-8. Hey there are still 9 weeks left in the year and to say that a team is over for the season means that the final games mean nothing. Hogwash.
7. If I were Steelers coach Bill Cowhler, I would bench Ben Roethlisberger for the season. You are probably thinking did I not just say that a team cannot be officialy be counted out. Yes, but at the moment, I feel Charlie Batch gives the Steelers a better chance to win right now than the banged up Roethlisberger. I do not know if he is all there because of the concussion or the ripples of the motorcycle accident are lingering, but there is something not right with Big Ben. You can't win a game to the lowly Raiders who your defense holds to 98 yards of offense? Batch has a better chance of getting a few more wins to salvage the season than Big Ben does. Let Ben take some time off to clear his head and think about stuff other than football.
8. The Jets got screwed at the end of the game. The play was clearly a shove and I don't know why that call cannot be reviewed because it is a judgement call. Aren't all referee rulings judgement calls? That is why they review the play, to contest the ref's judgement towards the teams' judegement. I do not know how I feel about the rule if a player catches a ball is about to land in bound and is shoved at the point to be rules a catch. I have no opinion right now about that but that is the rule and the refs goofed it up.
9. Replay is bad. The college replay has gotten to the same credibility as the NFLs as evidenced by the the Texas-Texas Tech game on TBS Saturday plus the plays reviewd during the Cowboys game.
10. The Bears are looking great but what is Bears coach Lovie Smith doing doing leaving Rex Grossman sol ate in the game when you are up 40+ point on the 49ers. Also, why are you going for it on fourth down when you are up by so many? I know you play to win the game, but think about your starters health. If Grossman gets hurt late in the game, man.
11. What's more, I do not understand why coaches leave their players in the game so late in the game when they have no means of catching up with that team. This was evident by Carolina in the final two minutes of the game and was brought up by John Madden. What if Keyshawn Johnson or Steve Smith get seriously hurt in the those minutes?
12. Speaking of Keyshawn, did you see the interview he did with Bob Costas on Football Night In America? Telling Chad Johnson to calm down and Steve Smith to do the same and for TO to straighten up. And when he had a shot to take against the Cowboys, he downplayed the game and situation. Remember when this guy was the TO of the league? Remember the book, Just give me the Damn Ball! Remember calling Jets receiver Wayne Chrbet a diamond when he compared himself to a star and his middle finger salutes to the New York media cameras when his first game against the Jets while he was with the Bucs? I never thought TO would be the voice of reason over all these new brash of receivers. Hall of Famer on and off field. I miss him playing with the Cowboys.
13. Colts and Broncos, game of the year. Nothing comes close. Not the Steelers-Falcons from a week ago or the Cowboys-Eagles.
14. Fact than may only interest me: Mario Williams sacked Vince Young in yesterdays Texans-Titans game.
15. BS title game looking to be a really ratings grabber. Who would not want to see the Big Ten winner play the Big East winner? My money is on Ohio State-West Virginia. yay
16. Colt McCoy is going to make himself a name in Longhorns history. To be down 21-0 and rally back to win 35-31? And he is only a freshman.
17. Expect another Longhorn comeback next week. The game is on TBS and everytime the Longhorns are on TBS, they always have to rally back, but they win.
18. World Series was one of the lowest rated ever. I watched mostly every pitch. I must have been the only one in my city with the channel on the Series. Extend my congrats to the Cardinals.
19. NBA season kicks off soon. I wonder if the new basketballs are goint to affect the games in any way. What came over David Stern becoming a dictator all of a sudden. Players cannot strip their warmups off on the court and now the ball is being messed with. Plus he is telling players not to carry guns to the arenas. I dno not know about the last one but the warmups part was a good part of the game. Who did not like to see that when a palyer came in.
20. Red Aerubach passed away this eekend at the age of 89 of an apparent heart attack. I am not old enough to have seen him coach but there is no one more influential in the game of basketball than Aerubach. Won 9 titles for a Celitics dynasty. Drafted the first black player, started an all black team in a racially tense city like Boston and hired the first black head coach in Bill Russell. Plus he ran the team as GM and coach with no assitant coaches. Can you imagine a team in the major sports league winning 9 titles in this day an age? The only thing I did not like about Aerubach was how he downplayed Phil Jacksons' accomplishments, saying frequently that Jackson went to where the talent was and did not develop talent. Granted taht was true about Jackson, a bad coach would not have led those teams to 9 titles like Jackson did with the Lakers and Bulls. I do not know if Red was jealous or felt people would forget his accomplishments because of what Jackson did. After seeing the outpour of emotion this weekend, Red they did not forget.
21. Still no NFL Network in my area.
22. I love to hear Mike & Mike in the morning but I have a beef to pick with them. Brad Sham, the Cowboys play-by-play man, wrote on the teams' website that the media was trying to create a controversy last week with a Parcells-Jerry Jones rift that was happening. ESPN including Mike & Mike were playing a soundbyte of Jerry Jones saying that he thought the best chacne of winning was with an experienced QB. They made it out to be like that Jones was saying to Parcells was making the wrong decision. But they failed to air the rest of that quote with Jones saying however the team needed to win games and that Romo's mobility was going to help with some of the problems of Bledsoe's mobility and that it would be a tough decision because they would give up on some experience as well. ESPN and other sports media outlets aired the same soundbyte.
Why do I pick on Mike & Mike? Because not too long ago, they criticized the media for doing the same thing. The two radio hosts criticized a reporter for asking White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to comment on Tigers outfielder and former White Sox Magglio Ordonez saying he hoped Guillen feels the same way he felt the previous year when he watched the White Sox win the World Series. Guillen sounded off the way he always does but that was not the whole quote. The quote was Ordonez hoped Guillen would feel the same way he felt because it ate at him to watch the Sox win without and wondered if Guillen would feel the same way he felt the previous year now that the Tigers were in the playoffs and the White Sox were not.
Mike & Mike criticized the reporter because he phrased the question in a way to get Guillen to blow up like he usually does. Guillen himself said if he had heard the whole quote he would have responded differently. Well did they not cut and paste a quote from Jones to only show the parts they felt were more controversial? Had they read the whole quote in context the whole situation would have been downplayed. I know they have to take orders from their bosses and have got to hype it up because the Cowboys make good TV. But man what hypocrites.
23. Dikembe Mutombo has said that if a fan were to use a racial or ethnic slur against him, he will go into the stands to confront that fan. He says this after an Orlando Magic fan called Mutumbo a "monkey". Granted I am not African-American and I do not know what to be called that would feel like or what kind of emotions that would stir up but if he does go into the stands, he will be suspended and should be. And he has Ron Artest and the melee at the Palace to thank for that. The League cannot have a situation like that again and they need to stick it to the players for doing any kind of action toward the fans, no matter how foolish the behavior is.
24. The fan that used the slur was ejected from the game and is a season ticket holder for the Orlando Magic. He has written an apology saying he did not know "monkey" was a racial slur and will dontate $5,000 to Mutumbos' favorite charity and will not attend another game until Mutumbo thinks it is okay. I am fine with the apology and I feel it is more than what otehr fans have done, but you do not know that word is a racial slur? Plus, according to otherr fans at the game, they wanted you tossed from the game earlier, calling security earlier to complain about you?
25. NFL commish Roger Goodell has suspended Shaun Rodgers, Shawn Merrimen, Andre Haynesworth and fined an owner, Dan Rooney for criticizing officials. According to Peter King, Rooney was the man who broke the news Goodell was the new commishioner and cried and hugged each other when they were together. Shows that Goodell is not a man to be messed with.
26. I have given up on my fantasy football league. I am not good at it and do not have the patience or the desire to keep up with it. I have not won a game all year.
My time is up. Good night!
1. It is amazing that after 1 week people go from doomsayers to the season is saved. But that is what happened with the Tony Romo incident last night. Romo showed he is not going to get sacked 5-7 times a game. I had to ask myself would Drew Bledsoe had been given the start, would the Cowboys had won the game way in similar fashion? The answer is no. Do you really think Bledsoe could have broken away from Julius Peppers in that scramble? Julius Peppers!
2. Romo gives defenses more of a headache because now they have to worry about his mobility. With Bledsoe, it never came up. Teams just blitzed as though as if it were dogpile on the QB. Now they have to worry that he will break free from pass rush and use his mobility to pick up first downs or to put the coverage teams on guard as evidenced last night during the two-point conversions. Romo is not Michael Vick, but he will get free which will free up receivers or turn a sack of 6 yards to at best a 3 yard gain. Plus the Cowboys can use more quarterback draws, rollouts, bootlegs and have more options to use in short yardage and goal-line situations.
3. John Madden said something interesting last night about Romo reminded him of Joe Montana. It is to early to put Romo in Canton, but to have that kind of compliment from a guy who has seen his fair share of quarterbacks, is saying a lot. Romo does have a swagger that reminds me of Brett Favre, who so happens to be his idol.
4. I still do not feel that the Cowboys will win the Super Bowl because Romo is essentially a rookie QB, and he will make mistakes. Plus I do not feel the Cowboys are strong enough to dethrone the Bears who are playing well. Of course, we will have to see how the seaons progress. Tom Brady went to the Super Bowl in his first year.
5. What was Bill Parcells thinking kissing everybody in sight last night? It happens just when John Madden comments that Parcells is not as angry and mean as he once was.
6. I do not like to write off a teams' season this early such as the Steelers, Eagles and Redskins. A lot can happen between now and then as evidence by the Cowboys turn of fortunes in 1 week. Temas have gotten off to bad starts and good starts only to collapse. 1992 Chargers start 0-4 and win division 11-5 with a playoff victory. 1993 Oilers 1-4 and win division 12-4. 1993 Dolphins 9-2 and miss playoffs at 9-7. 1995 Lions 3-6 and make playoffs at 10-6. 1995 Rams 5-1 and miss playoffs at 8-8. 1994 49ers get ripped 40-8 at home by the Eagles, a media firestorm follows with the benching of Steve Young and the 49ers win the Super Bowl. 1993 Eagles start 4-0 and miss playoffs at 8-8. Hey there are still 9 weeks left in the year and to say that a team is over for the season means that the final games mean nothing. Hogwash.
7. If I were Steelers coach Bill Cowhler, I would bench Ben Roethlisberger for the season. You are probably thinking did I not just say that a team cannot be officialy be counted out. Yes, but at the moment, I feel Charlie Batch gives the Steelers a better chance to win right now than the banged up Roethlisberger. I do not know if he is all there because of the concussion or the ripples of the motorcycle accident are lingering, but there is something not right with Big Ben. You can't win a game to the lowly Raiders who your defense holds to 98 yards of offense? Batch has a better chance of getting a few more wins to salvage the season than Big Ben does. Let Ben take some time off to clear his head and think about stuff other than football.
8. The Jets got screwed at the end of the game. The play was clearly a shove and I don't know why that call cannot be reviewed because it is a judgement call. Aren't all referee rulings judgement calls? That is why they review the play, to contest the ref's judgement towards the teams' judegement. I do not know how I feel about the rule if a player catches a ball is about to land in bound and is shoved at the point to be rules a catch. I have no opinion right now about that but that is the rule and the refs goofed it up.
9. Replay is bad. The college replay has gotten to the same credibility as the NFLs as evidenced by the the Texas-Texas Tech game on TBS Saturday plus the plays reviewd during the Cowboys game.
10. The Bears are looking great but what is Bears coach Lovie Smith doing doing leaving Rex Grossman sol ate in the game when you are up 40+ point on the 49ers. Also, why are you going for it on fourth down when you are up by so many? I know you play to win the game, but think about your starters health. If Grossman gets hurt late in the game, man.
11. What's more, I do not understand why coaches leave their players in the game so late in the game when they have no means of catching up with that team. This was evident by Carolina in the final two minutes of the game and was brought up by John Madden. What if Keyshawn Johnson or Steve Smith get seriously hurt in the those minutes?
12. Speaking of Keyshawn, did you see the interview he did with Bob Costas on Football Night In America? Telling Chad Johnson to calm down and Steve Smith to do the same and for TO to straighten up. And when he had a shot to take against the Cowboys, he downplayed the game and situation. Remember when this guy was the TO of the league? Remember the book, Just give me the Damn Ball! Remember calling Jets receiver Wayne Chrbet a diamond when he compared himself to a star and his middle finger salutes to the New York media cameras when his first game against the Jets while he was with the Bucs? I never thought TO would be the voice of reason over all these new brash of receivers. Hall of Famer on and off field. I miss him playing with the Cowboys.
13. Colts and Broncos, game of the year. Nothing comes close. Not the Steelers-Falcons from a week ago or the Cowboys-Eagles.
14. Fact than may only interest me: Mario Williams sacked Vince Young in yesterdays Texans-Titans game.
15. BS title game looking to be a really ratings grabber. Who would not want to see the Big Ten winner play the Big East winner? My money is on Ohio State-West Virginia. yay
16. Colt McCoy is going to make himself a name in Longhorns history. To be down 21-0 and rally back to win 35-31? And he is only a freshman.
17. Expect another Longhorn comeback next week. The game is on TBS and everytime the Longhorns are on TBS, they always have to rally back, but they win.
18. World Series was one of the lowest rated ever. I watched mostly every pitch. I must have been the only one in my city with the channel on the Series. Extend my congrats to the Cardinals.
19. NBA season kicks off soon. I wonder if the new basketballs are goint to affect the games in any way. What came over David Stern becoming a dictator all of a sudden. Players cannot strip their warmups off on the court and now the ball is being messed with. Plus he is telling players not to carry guns to the arenas. I dno not know about the last one but the warmups part was a good part of the game. Who did not like to see that when a palyer came in.
20. Red Aerubach passed away this eekend at the age of 89 of an apparent heart attack. I am not old enough to have seen him coach but there is no one more influential in the game of basketball than Aerubach. Won 9 titles for a Celitics dynasty. Drafted the first black player, started an all black team in a racially tense city like Boston and hired the first black head coach in Bill Russell. Plus he ran the team as GM and coach with no assitant coaches. Can you imagine a team in the major sports league winning 9 titles in this day an age? The only thing I did not like about Aerubach was how he downplayed Phil Jacksons' accomplishments, saying frequently that Jackson went to where the talent was and did not develop talent. Granted taht was true about Jackson, a bad coach would not have led those teams to 9 titles like Jackson did with the Lakers and Bulls. I do not know if Red was jealous or felt people would forget his accomplishments because of what Jackson did. After seeing the outpour of emotion this weekend, Red they did not forget.
21. Still no NFL Network in my area.
22. I love to hear Mike & Mike in the morning but I have a beef to pick with them. Brad Sham, the Cowboys play-by-play man, wrote on the teams' website that the media was trying to create a controversy last week with a Parcells-Jerry Jones rift that was happening. ESPN including Mike & Mike were playing a soundbyte of Jerry Jones saying that he thought the best chacne of winning was with an experienced QB. They made it out to be like that Jones was saying to Parcells was making the wrong decision. But they failed to air the rest of that quote with Jones saying however the team needed to win games and that Romo's mobility was going to help with some of the problems of Bledsoe's mobility and that it would be a tough decision because they would give up on some experience as well. ESPN and other sports media outlets aired the same soundbyte.
Why do I pick on Mike & Mike? Because not too long ago, they criticized the media for doing the same thing. The two radio hosts criticized a reporter for asking White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to comment on Tigers outfielder and former White Sox Magglio Ordonez saying he hoped Guillen feels the same way he felt the previous year when he watched the White Sox win the World Series. Guillen sounded off the way he always does but that was not the whole quote. The quote was Ordonez hoped Guillen would feel the same way he felt because it ate at him to watch the Sox win without and wondered if Guillen would feel the same way he felt the previous year now that the Tigers were in the playoffs and the White Sox were not.
Mike & Mike criticized the reporter because he phrased the question in a way to get Guillen to blow up like he usually does. Guillen himself said if he had heard the whole quote he would have responded differently. Well did they not cut and paste a quote from Jones to only show the parts they felt were more controversial? Had they read the whole quote in context the whole situation would have been downplayed. I know they have to take orders from their bosses and have got to hype it up because the Cowboys make good TV. But man what hypocrites.
23. Dikembe Mutombo has said that if a fan were to use a racial or ethnic slur against him, he will go into the stands to confront that fan. He says this after an Orlando Magic fan called Mutumbo a "monkey". Granted I am not African-American and I do not know what to be called that would feel like or what kind of emotions that would stir up but if he does go into the stands, he will be suspended and should be. And he has Ron Artest and the melee at the Palace to thank for that. The League cannot have a situation like that again and they need to stick it to the players for doing any kind of action toward the fans, no matter how foolish the behavior is.
24. The fan that used the slur was ejected from the game and is a season ticket holder for the Orlando Magic. He has written an apology saying he did not know "monkey" was a racial slur and will dontate $5,000 to Mutumbos' favorite charity and will not attend another game until Mutumbo thinks it is okay. I am fine with the apology and I feel it is more than what otehr fans have done, but you do not know that word is a racial slur? Plus, according to otherr fans at the game, they wanted you tossed from the game earlier, calling security earlier to complain about you?
25. NFL commish Roger Goodell has suspended Shaun Rodgers, Shawn Merrimen, Andre Haynesworth and fined an owner, Dan Rooney for criticizing officials. According to Peter King, Rooney was the man who broke the news Goodell was the new commishioner and cried and hugged each other when they were together. Shows that Goodell is not a man to be messed with.
26. I have given up on my fantasy football league. I am not good at it and do not have the patience or the desire to keep up with it. I have not won a game all year.
My time is up. Good night!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Picks
Here are my picks. Last week was a bad week, hope I do better. I am 60-26 for the year.
Green Bay over Arizona
Cincinnati over Atlanta
New Orleans over Baltimore
Tennessee over Houston
Philadelphia over Jacksonville
Kansas City over Seattle
Chicago over San Francisco
NY Giants over Tampa Bay
St. Louis over San Diego
Indianapolis over Denver
NY Jets over Cleveland
Pittsburgh over Oakland
Dallas over Carolina
New England over Minnesota
Green Bay over Arizona
Cincinnati over Atlanta
New Orleans over Baltimore
Tennessee over Houston
Philadelphia over Jacksonville
Kansas City over Seattle
Chicago over San Francisco
NY Giants over Tampa Bay
St. Louis over San Diego
Indianapolis over Denver
NY Jets over Cleveland
Pittsburgh over Oakland
Dallas over Carolina
New England over Minnesota
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Weekly Thoughts
A lot to cover this week. I hope I can get it all in.
1. You knew it would be a matter of time before Tony Romo would get his chance. Romo did exactly what I thought he would do. He showed flashes of potential with his mobility, escaping from a few sacks, and showed flashes of inexperience. What was he thinking on that screen pass? Romo is not going to save the day. He is probably the future of the Cowboys, and they have to go with him so they can let him get the experience. But he is not going to go and be a savior. The Cowboys are not going to the Super Bowl with Drew Bledsoe and they will not go with Tony Romo. Romo has the potential to be good. But he needs the experience to establish that tealent into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback. Few quarterbacks have had great first seasons. Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, and John elway had bad seasons while Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Dan Marino had good ones. It is a gamble to go with Romo the rest of the way but the Cowboys need to do this to see if the franchise has any direction. He is essentially a rookie quarterback. He will make mistakes until he matures as a player and passer.
2. The offensive line needs to block for once. Bledsoe made the mistake with his interceptions, but he had no choice on some of those sacks. What were the Cowboys thinking leaving Michael Strahan, Lavar Arrington and OsiUmenyiora going unguarded and taking Blesoe for bait? Why was there no max. protection when Patrick Crayon foolishly let the punt be downed inside the 1 in the first half? The O-line is not going to get better overnight. Bledsoe is the kind of quarterback that needs protection all the time. Every quarterback needs protection, but Bledsoe has no feet, and when rushed, makes stupide decisions. Romo with his ability can avoid some of these sacks because the Cowboys have no choice. Romo can at least scramble out of the pocket and free up some receivers or throw it away. Bledsoe will be flattened quickly and Parcells knows the blueprint is out there on how to beat the Cowboys. Romo gives them the best opportunity to win.
3. Terrell Owens cries everytime the ball is not going his way or when the offense is struggling. But when he drops a critical 4th and 1 pass when he is wide open, he sits down on the bench and doesn't say a word. Hey TO, if you are not perfect, quit the griping.
4. The griping that happened on the sideline was overplayed all night long by ESPN. Andre Gurode was yelling at his position coach after a series but ESPN did not show it. Gurode could throw a towel or gatorade cup at his coach and people still will not care. It is all about TO. Even thought these blowups and shouting matches happen all over the league, his will always be magnified and he and the people involved will have to answer to it.
5. I hear people say that this game was a make or break for the Cowboys. I will admit looking at the rest of the schedule and seeing all the tough road games at Carolina, Washington, and Arizona ahead does not good, but a make or break? This means because the Cowboys lost last night, the season is over? Yeah sure.
6. TO appears to love the idea of having Tony Romo as his quarterback. Just wait Tony. The first time you miss him when he is wide open, you will find out how much he really loves you.
7. Ben Roethlisberger is having one hellish year. I never seen a QB have so much turmoil immediately after winning the Super Bowl.
8. Poor Dennis Green. He sure to be gone at the end of the year. I don't think anyone can win in Arizona.
9. I am not quick to rule out the Redskins for the rest of the year. IT is too early and anything can happen.
10. Hines Ward needs to get over this anger he has for every team that passed over him in the draft. If you are using it for motivation to beat your opponent, fine. But if you are still carrying a grudge, get over it. They passed on you. I never heard Jerry Rice gripe on the teams that passed him.
11. The Super Bowl loss curse seems to be taking affect. Shaun Alexander looks to be out even longer than expected and now Matt Hasselback is going to be out for awhile. Plus there is injury concerens at the receiver position and the Rams look to be serious contenders.
12. Matt Bryant kicking a 62-yard field goal to beat the Eagles. Ugghhhhhh. What was that? Donovan McNabbs' stomach. How sick does it feel how close the Eagles have lost their three games. They don't just lose them but they have lost them with some kind of dramatic story, a hughe comeback, a 8 minute drive and the second longest field goal in history. Ugghhhhh.
13. I had a bad day with my picks. It was bound to happen sooner or later. 6-7.
14. Kenny Rogers had something on his piching hand that caused the umpires to ask him to wah it off. He claims it was dirt, but showing the replays on his previous starts in the playoffs, he had that same substacne on the same location each time. So was it pine tar, or some kind of substance needed to aid with the grip, it was after all a cold night in Detroit. Rogers had two stories when he initially told reporters he was asked to wash it off and then later pulled a John Kerry and said it was his decision and no one told him to wash it off. There is a question on whether or not pine tar aides in the delivery of the ball. Most experts say it does not, just aids in giving a better grip on the ball, but not the delivery. But if a pitcher can get a better grip on the ball because of a foreign substacne, then his delivery will be better, especially with a pitcher with good command of his pitches. So it may not aid with the trajectory of the ball, but the pitcher has a better grip and therefore, no problems with getting piches over the plate the way he wants it. I wondered why a guy with the worst post-season precord in history suddenly is pitching lights out in this post-season. Can you imagine what game 6 will be like?
15. What I want to know is why Tony La Russa did not make an issue of it. If the MLB rules are correct, any kind of foreign substance on the ball or glove is an automatic ejection. If LaRussa had pushed for this, the momentum shifts. You take out the Tigers best starting pitcher, plus mess with his mind because he is emotionally unstable, and the Cardinals have the long relief to work against. Some have speculated that Jim Leyland is LaRussa's friend, and he did not want to show him up. Others are sating that his own pitcher do the same thing and he did not want the Tigers to be questioning his pitchers. If the Cardinals lose this Series, and I think they will, people will look back at this game and wonder if this was the turning point.
16. Cheating is cheating. This should be on the same taboo list as steroids but for some, it does not seem to be much of a big deal. Cheating is cheating. I know Gaylord Perry is in the HAll of Fame after openly admitting to messing with his pitches. Some say that this is part of the game and if you are not cheating, you are not trying. But what about morals? Does any sport have any kind of morals attached to it?
17. Shawn Merriman was suspended for 4 games by the league for a reported steroid subtance he used. His people claim he tested positive for a steroid that was tainted in one of the many supplements he takes everyday. Please. What are the odds of that? Both of your samples came back positive and if you have a question of what you are taking may be illegal, ask your trainer!
18. The NFL does not really get the heat that MLB gets for their steroid policy. But it should. I feel MLB take more heat because of the individuality of the sport. So many records can be broken on an individual basis. Pitchers can pitch in their 40s with a ERA less than 2 and hit 60 or more home runs after 40 as well. The NFL positions that are likely to use steroids are probably located in teh trenches, the offensive and defensive line. So there are not a lot of places to get individual records as much as in baseball becaue of the team concept. But hold on. Let us say that an entire offensive line is juiced up. Now listen to this, they have a star running back who runs for over 2,000 yards and breaks the single season record for yards, touchdowns, and yards per carry. So if the O-line was juiced, should that record have an asterisk beside it. Yep it should. But the NFL will probably never get the heat of MLB. They can claim they test all they want but there are so many ways to cheat plus Human Growth Hormone(HGH) is still hard to detect so it is not full-proof.
19. The BS rating came out. This one is better. Ohio State and Michigan meetin in 3 1/2 weeks at 1 and 2 respectively. Yummy.
20. Calvin Johnson, the nations number 1 wide receiver from Georgia Tech was held without a catch in the game against Clemson.
21. Troy Smith still has my vote for the Heisman.
22. Charlie Weiss says it would take the lottery for him leave Notre Dame. The Dallas Cowboys look like a good lottery to me.
23. Ron Gardenhire gets an extension even though his team was knocked out in the first round and the team that beats his, the A's, fires their skipper? It doesn't add up.
Nice talking with you guys, gotta go!
1. You knew it would be a matter of time before Tony Romo would get his chance. Romo did exactly what I thought he would do. He showed flashes of potential with his mobility, escaping from a few sacks, and showed flashes of inexperience. What was he thinking on that screen pass? Romo is not going to save the day. He is probably the future of the Cowboys, and they have to go with him so they can let him get the experience. But he is not going to go and be a savior. The Cowboys are not going to the Super Bowl with Drew Bledsoe and they will not go with Tony Romo. Romo has the potential to be good. But he needs the experience to establish that tealent into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback. Few quarterbacks have had great first seasons. Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, and John elway had bad seasons while Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Dan Marino had good ones. It is a gamble to go with Romo the rest of the way but the Cowboys need to do this to see if the franchise has any direction. He is essentially a rookie quarterback. He will make mistakes until he matures as a player and passer.
2. The offensive line needs to block for once. Bledsoe made the mistake with his interceptions, but he had no choice on some of those sacks. What were the Cowboys thinking leaving Michael Strahan, Lavar Arrington and OsiUmenyiora going unguarded and taking Blesoe for bait? Why was there no max. protection when Patrick Crayon foolishly let the punt be downed inside the 1 in the first half? The O-line is not going to get better overnight. Bledsoe is the kind of quarterback that needs protection all the time. Every quarterback needs protection, but Bledsoe has no feet, and when rushed, makes stupide decisions. Romo with his ability can avoid some of these sacks because the Cowboys have no choice. Romo can at least scramble out of the pocket and free up some receivers or throw it away. Bledsoe will be flattened quickly and Parcells knows the blueprint is out there on how to beat the Cowboys. Romo gives them the best opportunity to win.
3. Terrell Owens cries everytime the ball is not going his way or when the offense is struggling. But when he drops a critical 4th and 1 pass when he is wide open, he sits down on the bench and doesn't say a word. Hey TO, if you are not perfect, quit the griping.
4. The griping that happened on the sideline was overplayed all night long by ESPN. Andre Gurode was yelling at his position coach after a series but ESPN did not show it. Gurode could throw a towel or gatorade cup at his coach and people still will not care. It is all about TO. Even thought these blowups and shouting matches happen all over the league, his will always be magnified and he and the people involved will have to answer to it.
5. I hear people say that this game was a make or break for the Cowboys. I will admit looking at the rest of the schedule and seeing all the tough road games at Carolina, Washington, and Arizona ahead does not good, but a make or break? This means because the Cowboys lost last night, the season is over? Yeah sure.
6. TO appears to love the idea of having Tony Romo as his quarterback. Just wait Tony. The first time you miss him when he is wide open, you will find out how much he really loves you.
7. Ben Roethlisberger is having one hellish year. I never seen a QB have so much turmoil immediately after winning the Super Bowl.
8. Poor Dennis Green. He sure to be gone at the end of the year. I don't think anyone can win in Arizona.
9. I am not quick to rule out the Redskins for the rest of the year. IT is too early and anything can happen.
10. Hines Ward needs to get over this anger he has for every team that passed over him in the draft. If you are using it for motivation to beat your opponent, fine. But if you are still carrying a grudge, get over it. They passed on you. I never heard Jerry Rice gripe on the teams that passed him.
11. The Super Bowl loss curse seems to be taking affect. Shaun Alexander looks to be out even longer than expected and now Matt Hasselback is going to be out for awhile. Plus there is injury concerens at the receiver position and the Rams look to be serious contenders.
12. Matt Bryant kicking a 62-yard field goal to beat the Eagles. Ugghhhhhh. What was that? Donovan McNabbs' stomach. How sick does it feel how close the Eagles have lost their three games. They don't just lose them but they have lost them with some kind of dramatic story, a hughe comeback, a 8 minute drive and the second longest field goal in history. Ugghhhhh.
13. I had a bad day with my picks. It was bound to happen sooner or later. 6-7.
14. Kenny Rogers had something on his piching hand that caused the umpires to ask him to wah it off. He claims it was dirt, but showing the replays on his previous starts in the playoffs, he had that same substacne on the same location each time. So was it pine tar, or some kind of substance needed to aid with the grip, it was after all a cold night in Detroit. Rogers had two stories when he initially told reporters he was asked to wash it off and then later pulled a John Kerry and said it was his decision and no one told him to wash it off. There is a question on whether or not pine tar aides in the delivery of the ball. Most experts say it does not, just aids in giving a better grip on the ball, but not the delivery. But if a pitcher can get a better grip on the ball because of a foreign substacne, then his delivery will be better, especially with a pitcher with good command of his pitches. So it may not aid with the trajectory of the ball, but the pitcher has a better grip and therefore, no problems with getting piches over the plate the way he wants it. I wondered why a guy with the worst post-season precord in history suddenly is pitching lights out in this post-season. Can you imagine what game 6 will be like?
15. What I want to know is why Tony La Russa did not make an issue of it. If the MLB rules are correct, any kind of foreign substance on the ball or glove is an automatic ejection. If LaRussa had pushed for this, the momentum shifts. You take out the Tigers best starting pitcher, plus mess with his mind because he is emotionally unstable, and the Cardinals have the long relief to work against. Some have speculated that Jim Leyland is LaRussa's friend, and he did not want to show him up. Others are sating that his own pitcher do the same thing and he did not want the Tigers to be questioning his pitchers. If the Cardinals lose this Series, and I think they will, people will look back at this game and wonder if this was the turning point.
16. Cheating is cheating. This should be on the same taboo list as steroids but for some, it does not seem to be much of a big deal. Cheating is cheating. I know Gaylord Perry is in the HAll of Fame after openly admitting to messing with his pitches. Some say that this is part of the game and if you are not cheating, you are not trying. But what about morals? Does any sport have any kind of morals attached to it?
17. Shawn Merriman was suspended for 4 games by the league for a reported steroid subtance he used. His people claim he tested positive for a steroid that was tainted in one of the many supplements he takes everyday. Please. What are the odds of that? Both of your samples came back positive and if you have a question of what you are taking may be illegal, ask your trainer!
18. The NFL does not really get the heat that MLB gets for their steroid policy. But it should. I feel MLB take more heat because of the individuality of the sport. So many records can be broken on an individual basis. Pitchers can pitch in their 40s with a ERA less than 2 and hit 60 or more home runs after 40 as well. The NFL positions that are likely to use steroids are probably located in teh trenches, the offensive and defensive line. So there are not a lot of places to get individual records as much as in baseball becaue of the team concept. But hold on. Let us say that an entire offensive line is juiced up. Now listen to this, they have a star running back who runs for over 2,000 yards and breaks the single season record for yards, touchdowns, and yards per carry. So if the O-line was juiced, should that record have an asterisk beside it. Yep it should. But the NFL will probably never get the heat of MLB. They can claim they test all they want but there are so many ways to cheat plus Human Growth Hormone(HGH) is still hard to detect so it is not full-proof.
19. The BS rating came out. This one is better. Ohio State and Michigan meetin in 3 1/2 weeks at 1 and 2 respectively. Yummy.
20. Calvin Johnson, the nations number 1 wide receiver from Georgia Tech was held without a catch in the game against Clemson.
21. Troy Smith still has my vote for the Heisman.
22. Charlie Weiss says it would take the lottery for him leave Notre Dame. The Dallas Cowboys look like a good lottery to me.
23. Ron Gardenhire gets an extension even though his team was knocked out in the first round and the team that beats his, the A's, fires their skipper? It doesn't add up.
Nice talking with you guys, gotta go!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Football pickings
Here are some of my football thoughts I forgot to mention:
1. Tiki Barber has decided to retire at the end of the season to pursue off-field pursuits such as maybe working as a morning show host. It is always the running backs that retire early, (Barry Sanders, Robert Smith, Jim Brown). As a Cowboy fan I am happy he is leaving. Of course as a football fan, he needs to be in the game to add excitement. I am not going to criticize him for retiring. Running backs take a brutal beating in the NFL, more than any other position, and Barber proably does not want to wind up like Earl Cambell. If he wants to leave, let him, it is his decision.
2. I do not know what to say about the Cardinals. You blow a lead without your defense giving up any of the scores. Dennis greens' blowup at the end was expected. I don't know how some of these other coaches and players keep their composure after they lose a game. You would expect them to get worked up and the media are just having a field day with Greens' reaction. They are human guys.
3. Green should not fired his offensive coordinator, Keith Rowen. Rowen is not gthe one who fumbled twice and let the Bears get back in the game. Rowen is not the one who has a bad offensive line that Edgerrin James cannot seem to find holes in. The Cardinals should have used some of the free agency money to get an offensive line.
4. But there is a bright spot for the Cardinals and that is Matt Leinart. He looked good and reminded me of Peyton Manning a bit, as far as how he conducts himself on the field. This is another case for Keith Rowen that LEinart was able to use the schemes designed and penetrate a Bears defense that had been virtually unstoppable. Because of this, the NFL now has a blueprint to beat the Bears, provided they don't turnover the ball. Their looks like hope and lets hope Leinart is the next Manning or Favre and not the next Jim Hart or Neil Lomax or another Manning, Archie.
1. Tiki Barber has decided to retire at the end of the season to pursue off-field pursuits such as maybe working as a morning show host. It is always the running backs that retire early, (Barry Sanders, Robert Smith, Jim Brown). As a Cowboy fan I am happy he is leaving. Of course as a football fan, he needs to be in the game to add excitement. I am not going to criticize him for retiring. Running backs take a brutal beating in the NFL, more than any other position, and Barber proably does not want to wind up like Earl Cambell. If he wants to leave, let him, it is his decision.
2. I do not know what to say about the Cardinals. You blow a lead without your defense giving up any of the scores. Dennis greens' blowup at the end was expected. I don't know how some of these other coaches and players keep their composure after they lose a game. You would expect them to get worked up and the media are just having a field day with Greens' reaction. They are human guys.
3. Green should not fired his offensive coordinator, Keith Rowen. Rowen is not gthe one who fumbled twice and let the Bears get back in the game. Rowen is not the one who has a bad offensive line that Edgerrin James cannot seem to find holes in. The Cardinals should have used some of the free agency money to get an offensive line.
4. But there is a bright spot for the Cardinals and that is Matt Leinart. He looked good and reminded me of Peyton Manning a bit, as far as how he conducts himself on the field. This is another case for Keith Rowen that LEinart was able to use the schemes designed and penetrate a Bears defense that had been virtually unstoppable. Because of this, the NFL now has a blueprint to beat the Bears, provided they don't turnover the ball. Their looks like hope and lets hope Leinart is the next Manning or Favre and not the next Jim Hart or Neil Lomax or another Manning, Archie.
Friday, October 20, 2006
More thoughts
I am putting out more thoughts because so much has happened this week. So here they are.
1. The suspensions handed out by the University of Miami are ridiculous. What kind of message does this send? I do not want to hear that well the Florida International players started it first. Your school has a bad image because of the football team. Tell me what college football fans think of first when you brought up the University of Miami even before this brawl happened. President Donna Shalala says that the punishment sends a clear image that the university will not tolerate that kind of behavior. So kids, if you swing a helmet or step on a persons groin, you will be suspended for 1 game but don't worry, it will be against a doormat opponent like Duke, that way you will not have to make the long trip you don't want to make and be well rested for the tougher part of the schedule, where they need you the most.
2. Saw a headline saying "Shorthanded Hurricanes prepare for upcoming game". Please.
3. I first thought Larry Coker should not be totally held 100% accountable, but after hearing some thoughts on ESPN, I feel he needs to be held more accountable. Some points on ESPN ere brought up that incidents like these would not happen to teams coached by Mack Brown, Lloyd Carr, Charlie Weiss, Joe Paterno, or Pete Carroll. Coker needs to do something about the discipline that is out of control. The university needs to do something.
4. Steve Lyons was fired for his questionable remarks about Hispanics. As a Hispanic man myself, I was not really offended by the remarks, but I can understand why some were offended. Also, Lyons had made some questionable remarks in the past about a disabled person and a Jewish baseball player. I hate political correctness, but if has done one thing right, racist and degrading remarks are so hard to make because of this. So it is much harder to be a bigot in the public eye as opposed to 40-50 years ago. Lyons should have been punished in some way because of his track record and letting him go was probably the best way.
5. Lou Piniella, the guy that was in the booth when Lyons made the remarks, is not the "savior" of the Cubs. Word is that he wants Alex Rodriuguez to join him at Wrigley. This woulod benefit both parties. Alex needs to get out of New York and he would still be in the spotlight for a high-profile franchise. Of course I feel the Cub fans would turn on him just as quick as they turned on Dusty Baker if he goes into a slump. MAybe not as bad as New York but they will still turn on him.
6. The trade will not happen though. The Yankees want a All-Star caliber starting pitcher, probably Carlos Zambrano, and a few other players and prospects. The Cubs are already depleated at the pitcher position. They will not give up waht they are short on. Plusa A-Rod still states through his agent he will not waive his no-trade clause.
7. The White Soz seem to be a better fit and have the players that the Yankees would want for A-Rod without having to sell the whole franchise to get him. Ozzie Guillen and A-Rod together. A-Rod in that clubhouse. Man that would be theater.
8. The Mets did the right thing by keeping their relief pitcher, Aaron Heilman, in the game instead of Billy Wagner. You had no idea if the game would go into extra innings and needed to save Billy Wagner for when you went ahead. If the game had been in St. Louis, I would have put Wagner in though. With the home game, you can still jump ahead. No sense over-managing.
9. Do not be surprised if the Tigers lose the first couple of games in the World Series. The layoff they had will have a huge effect on the team and the team will be rusty. Still, they are a better team than the Cardinals. The Cardinals are probably not even the 5th best team in the AL much less the best in the NL. The Tigers in 6.
10. Back to the brawl. All the major TV networks are criticizing the brawl, saying it is a dispicable act and should not be tolerated. Well if it is so bad, stop showing the broadcast! It does no one any favors or any good that the broadcast is replayed over and over. I know you can not stop some places like YouTube to broadcast it but surely everyone else can curb the game footage. Think of the kids man.
1. The suspensions handed out by the University of Miami are ridiculous. What kind of message does this send? I do not want to hear that well the Florida International players started it first. Your school has a bad image because of the football team. Tell me what college football fans think of first when you brought up the University of Miami even before this brawl happened. President Donna Shalala says that the punishment sends a clear image that the university will not tolerate that kind of behavior. So kids, if you swing a helmet or step on a persons groin, you will be suspended for 1 game but don't worry, it will be against a doormat opponent like Duke, that way you will not have to make the long trip you don't want to make and be well rested for the tougher part of the schedule, where they need you the most.
2. Saw a headline saying "Shorthanded Hurricanes prepare for upcoming game". Please.
3. I first thought Larry Coker should not be totally held 100% accountable, but after hearing some thoughts on ESPN, I feel he needs to be held more accountable. Some points on ESPN ere brought up that incidents like these would not happen to teams coached by Mack Brown, Lloyd Carr, Charlie Weiss, Joe Paterno, or Pete Carroll. Coker needs to do something about the discipline that is out of control. The university needs to do something.
4. Steve Lyons was fired for his questionable remarks about Hispanics. As a Hispanic man myself, I was not really offended by the remarks, but I can understand why some were offended. Also, Lyons had made some questionable remarks in the past about a disabled person and a Jewish baseball player. I hate political correctness, but if has done one thing right, racist and degrading remarks are so hard to make because of this. So it is much harder to be a bigot in the public eye as opposed to 40-50 years ago. Lyons should have been punished in some way because of his track record and letting him go was probably the best way.
5. Lou Piniella, the guy that was in the booth when Lyons made the remarks, is not the "savior" of the Cubs. Word is that he wants Alex Rodriuguez to join him at Wrigley. This woulod benefit both parties. Alex needs to get out of New York and he would still be in the spotlight for a high-profile franchise. Of course I feel the Cub fans would turn on him just as quick as they turned on Dusty Baker if he goes into a slump. MAybe not as bad as New York but they will still turn on him.
6. The trade will not happen though. The Yankees want a All-Star caliber starting pitcher, probably Carlos Zambrano, and a few other players and prospects. The Cubs are already depleated at the pitcher position. They will not give up waht they are short on. Plusa A-Rod still states through his agent he will not waive his no-trade clause.
7. The White Soz seem to be a better fit and have the players that the Yankees would want for A-Rod without having to sell the whole franchise to get him. Ozzie Guillen and A-Rod together. A-Rod in that clubhouse. Man that would be theater.
8. The Mets did the right thing by keeping their relief pitcher, Aaron Heilman, in the game instead of Billy Wagner. You had no idea if the game would go into extra innings and needed to save Billy Wagner for when you went ahead. If the game had been in St. Louis, I would have put Wagner in though. With the home game, you can still jump ahead. No sense over-managing.
9. Do not be surprised if the Tigers lose the first couple of games in the World Series. The layoff they had will have a huge effect on the team and the team will be rusty. Still, they are a better team than the Cardinals. The Cardinals are probably not even the 5th best team in the AL much less the best in the NL. The Tigers in 6.
10. Back to the brawl. All the major TV networks are criticizing the brawl, saying it is a dispicable act and should not be tolerated. Well if it is so bad, stop showing the broadcast! It does no one any favors or any good that the broadcast is replayed over and over. I know you can not stop some places like YouTube to broadcast it but surely everyone else can curb the game footage. Think of the kids man.
picks
I skipped last week and I am sorry. Here are my picks. So far I am 54-19.
Carolina over Cincinnati
NY Jets over Detroit
Green Bay over Miami
Jacksonville over Houston
New England over Buffalo
Philadelphia over Tampa Bay
Atlanta over Pittsburgh
San Diego over Kansas City
Denver over Cleveland
Arizona over Oakland
Seattle over Minnesota
Indianapolis over Washington
Dallas over NY Giants
Carolina over Cincinnati
NY Jets over Detroit
Green Bay over Miami
Jacksonville over Houston
New England over Buffalo
Philadelphia over Tampa Bay
Atlanta over Pittsburgh
San Diego over Kansas City
Denver over Cleveland
Arizona over Oakland
Seattle over Minnesota
Indianapolis over Washington
Dallas over NY Giants
Monday, October 16, 2006
Weekly Thoughts
Well I am sorry I did not pick games for the past weekend. It is a good thing I did not. A lot of the games I was leaning towards picking did not come close to winning. Why did I miss my picks? I attended my very first NFL game as I went to see the Cowboys and the Texans play each other. Before I get into my weekly thoughts, let me share some of what I felt at the game before I start.
I had never been inside Texas Stadium except for the tour and that is a very different feeling than going there for a game. Some of what I saw during the game were this:
1. Bill Parcells is not as overweight as he looks on TV. Maybe the camera does really add more weight.
2. The Texans fans sitting near me cheered loudly everytime MArio Williams made a tackle no matter how little the loss on the play. I just don't feel the Saints fans are cheering everytime Reggie Bush runs for a no gain. People, please don't make him feel better because you feel your pick was a bust!
3. $33.00 for popcorn, pizza, BBQ sandwich, and three cokes. Please! The pizza was second rate, a brand label that you can buy from the local supermarket. My local hospital serves better popcorn than the Cowboys do. Now I know how Jerry Jones makes money.
4. I thought TO would celebrate a little more than what he did. Maybe he did not want to bring the wrath of Parcells on him if he was flagged for a taunting penalty. Surprised he handed the ball to a fan after the third touchdown. Keyshawn Johnson did that often when he was a Cowboy. Hmmmmmm.
5. People, when you get tickets, read carefully the seat, section, and row! Maybe I am so used to reading sections at sporting events that I do not get confused but how hard is it to find a section? Also, how hard is it to read the number! I am sure this happens everywhere and all the time but man I hate it.
6. Cowboys fans were cheering everytime they showed the Saints score. The Saints were beating the Eagles. Now it could be becasue the Eagles are division rivals but they did not cheer when the Redskins were losing to the Titans. Sympathy for the Saints? Or were they trying to make the Texans fans remmeber the draft?
7. Could feel the bad vibrations from the Drew Bledsoe mistakes. Overall, the feel was the fans like bledsoe, but man he does things that make fans say "What was he thinking?". And if Romo is the future, just go ahead and put him in. That was really the sense I got.
8. More restrooms for the new Stadium Jerry Jones. Please.
9. Overall there is nothing like going to an NFL game. It will always be a memory. I truly enjoyed the experience.
Here are my other thought:
1. TO showed that he can readjust his routes to make a catch. Bledsoe gambled and threw to him on the second TD in double coverage and it was caught. Of course if it was itercepted the fans would be saying why did he throw in double coverage and TO would be whining, that it was uncatchable and poorly thrown.
2. Steelers had a good bounce back win.
3. Randy Moss just does not look like the receiver as a Cowboy fan that I knew would burn us at every time he was thrown to. Either he is not playing hard or his skills are diminished. I lean more towards the not playing hard.
4. Stupid penalty on roughing the passer at the Bucs-Bengals game. Saw it in real time and it was not even close. I know the QB is protected too much and the refs position is when in doubt, throw the flag but man, how can a defensive player even play in todays game? Bob Lily, Deacon Jones, Mel Renfro, Dick Butckus, Joe Greene and Jack Lambert would not be able to do naything in this game.
5. The Miami-Florida International brawl was sickening. I mean someone needs to lay the hammer down on this one. Miami has had a reputation for being a group of thugs and this does not help. What is even worse is Lamar Thoms, an analyst for the game starts ranting about that you can not mess with Miami or they will beat you up and they don't take anything. it is this gangster mentality that has corrupted the program and not to mention the nation. I give credit for the station for letting him go.
6. Larry Coker can only have so much control and I don't think he should be the fall guy for this. Having said that, I feel he will be let go. That team may need a cleansing or detox of the situation similar to the one when Butch Davis took over. I don't think Coker should be held 100% accountable for the brawl but something needs to be donw.
7. So why do I not bash Florida International? They deserve the same amount of blame. But I highlight Miamis' because they have a reputation for being a thug-like institution.
8. The new BS rankings came out. I don;t likethe system but overall I have to say this first poll is not bad. Texas should be ranked higher like around 6 instead of 9 and I don't think West Virginia should be ranked as high because who have they played? Plus they are in the Big East. Enough said.
9. The Tigers look unstoppable.
10. I know Ranger fans do not like seeing Rogers doing so wll in the postseason, but I can tell you who is really feeling bad about his success, Larry Rodriguez, the camera man that Rogers had his fiassco a year ago. I see all these stories about redemption and turnaround for Rogers and I am sure this makes Rodriguez feel sick.
11. I still think the Mets will pull out the series.
12. Matt Millen needs to go for the Lions. Three of your first round picks are gone? (Joey harrington, Charles Rodgers, and if rumored to be true Mike Williams) That is awful. And now Joey Harrington is startign for another team? And looking rather decent, which is more that what he looked for the Lions.
13. Cory Lidles' death was obviously a tragedy. ESPN did a lot of coverage of the story but considering it did, why did 2 of ESPNs' shows, Around the Horn and PTI, not even cover a little part of the story the next day? The only one that did was Rome is Burning.
14. Deadspin has cited a report where ESPN sent out an e-mail to ESPN Radio stating that obtaining information from "underground" sites such as Deadspin and other blogs was strongly discouraged. Think they are acting towards Chris Bermans interests with the YWML remarks? Some of the best information you can get is from the blogs.
15. The A's fired Ken MAcca. You got to be kidding. Unless there are other issues at play here, you do not fire a manager who wins a playoff series after not winning one for several years.
I had never been inside Texas Stadium except for the tour and that is a very different feeling than going there for a game. Some of what I saw during the game were this:
1. Bill Parcells is not as overweight as he looks on TV. Maybe the camera does really add more weight.
2. The Texans fans sitting near me cheered loudly everytime MArio Williams made a tackle no matter how little the loss on the play. I just don't feel the Saints fans are cheering everytime Reggie Bush runs for a no gain. People, please don't make him feel better because you feel your pick was a bust!
3. $33.00 for popcorn, pizza, BBQ sandwich, and three cokes. Please! The pizza was second rate, a brand label that you can buy from the local supermarket. My local hospital serves better popcorn than the Cowboys do. Now I know how Jerry Jones makes money.
4. I thought TO would celebrate a little more than what he did. Maybe he did not want to bring the wrath of Parcells on him if he was flagged for a taunting penalty. Surprised he handed the ball to a fan after the third touchdown. Keyshawn Johnson did that often when he was a Cowboy. Hmmmmmm.
5. People, when you get tickets, read carefully the seat, section, and row! Maybe I am so used to reading sections at sporting events that I do not get confused but how hard is it to find a section? Also, how hard is it to read the number! I am sure this happens everywhere and all the time but man I hate it.
6. Cowboys fans were cheering everytime they showed the Saints score. The Saints were beating the Eagles. Now it could be becasue the Eagles are division rivals but they did not cheer when the Redskins were losing to the Titans. Sympathy for the Saints? Or were they trying to make the Texans fans remmeber the draft?
7. Could feel the bad vibrations from the Drew Bledsoe mistakes. Overall, the feel was the fans like bledsoe, but man he does things that make fans say "What was he thinking?". And if Romo is the future, just go ahead and put him in. That was really the sense I got.
8. More restrooms for the new Stadium Jerry Jones. Please.
9. Overall there is nothing like going to an NFL game. It will always be a memory. I truly enjoyed the experience.
Here are my other thought:
1. TO showed that he can readjust his routes to make a catch. Bledsoe gambled and threw to him on the second TD in double coverage and it was caught. Of course if it was itercepted the fans would be saying why did he throw in double coverage and TO would be whining, that it was uncatchable and poorly thrown.
2. Steelers had a good bounce back win.
3. Randy Moss just does not look like the receiver as a Cowboy fan that I knew would burn us at every time he was thrown to. Either he is not playing hard or his skills are diminished. I lean more towards the not playing hard.
4. Stupid penalty on roughing the passer at the Bucs-Bengals game. Saw it in real time and it was not even close. I know the QB is protected too much and the refs position is when in doubt, throw the flag but man, how can a defensive player even play in todays game? Bob Lily, Deacon Jones, Mel Renfro, Dick Butckus, Joe Greene and Jack Lambert would not be able to do naything in this game.
5. The Miami-Florida International brawl was sickening. I mean someone needs to lay the hammer down on this one. Miami has had a reputation for being a group of thugs and this does not help. What is even worse is Lamar Thoms, an analyst for the game starts ranting about that you can not mess with Miami or they will beat you up and they don't take anything. it is this gangster mentality that has corrupted the program and not to mention the nation. I give credit for the station for letting him go.
6. Larry Coker can only have so much control and I don't think he should be the fall guy for this. Having said that, I feel he will be let go. That team may need a cleansing or detox of the situation similar to the one when Butch Davis took over. I don't think Coker should be held 100% accountable for the brawl but something needs to be donw.
7. So why do I not bash Florida International? They deserve the same amount of blame. But I highlight Miamis' because they have a reputation for being a thug-like institution.
8. The new BS rankings came out. I don;t likethe system but overall I have to say this first poll is not bad. Texas should be ranked higher like around 6 instead of 9 and I don't think West Virginia should be ranked as high because who have they played? Plus they are in the Big East. Enough said.
9. The Tigers look unstoppable.
10. I know Ranger fans do not like seeing Rogers doing so wll in the postseason, but I can tell you who is really feeling bad about his success, Larry Rodriguez, the camera man that Rogers had his fiassco a year ago. I see all these stories about redemption and turnaround for Rogers and I am sure this makes Rodriguez feel sick.
11. I still think the Mets will pull out the series.
12. Matt Millen needs to go for the Lions. Three of your first round picks are gone? (Joey harrington, Charles Rodgers, and if rumored to be true Mike Williams) That is awful. And now Joey Harrington is startign for another team? And looking rather decent, which is more that what he looked for the Lions.
13. Cory Lidles' death was obviously a tragedy. ESPN did a lot of coverage of the story but considering it did, why did 2 of ESPNs' shows, Around the Horn and PTI, not even cover a little part of the story the next day? The only one that did was Rome is Burning.
14. Deadspin has cited a report where ESPN sent out an e-mail to ESPN Radio stating that obtaining information from "underground" sites such as Deadspin and other blogs was strongly discouraged. Think they are acting towards Chris Bermans interests with the YWML remarks? Some of the best information you can get is from the blogs.
15. The A's fired Ken MAcca. You got to be kidding. Unless there are other issues at play here, you do not fire a manager who wins a playoff series after not winning one for several years.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Weekly thoughts
Well here are my thoughts for the week:
1. It is easy to say Tony Romo should be starting over Drew Bledsoe and all would be solved. Would it? I am not excusing Bledsoe, he played like crap, but Romo is essentially a rookie starter, having not taken a meaningful snap in the NFL. What makes these Cowboys fans think if he is put in that they could run the table? You think Romo could have broken free from those blitzes the Eagles unleashed on Sunday? Nope.
2. Now the whole NFL has a blueprint on how to beat the Cowboys. Thanks a lot guys.
3. TO can complain all he wants. You want Bledsoe to throw to you TO? Practice with him so he knows your timing! Remember what all that training camp time was for? Oh I forgot you were not there.
4. Interesting insight on the TO situation by SI's Peter King. King says that TO will not dismantle the Cowboys the way he did the 49ers and the Eagles. Why? TO had friends on those teams and on the Cowboys, it appears he is on an island. King referenced two Cowboy players pretending to be in a coma after finding out TO was doing fine from his OD the previous week. Perhaps Parcells had a meeting with the team before The Player arrived.
5. Michael Irvin needs to be let go from ESPN. I am a Cowboy fan but his analysis is based on nothing but him rambling on and on about the same subject. The others with him probably have had it with him too. I have more football intellect than this guy. His defending of TO is just ridiculous. He and another former Cowboy, Deion Sanders, are quick to blame Bill Parcells, Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb for not getting the ball to TO and TO can do no wrong. Divas have a habit of backing each other up.
6. Still no NFL Network in my area.
7. What is more likely to happen? The Bears go 16-0, or the Raiders 0-16?
8. It looks more and more like Ohio State and Michigan will meet undefeated. Now if only Michigan can go up in the rankings and be the No. 2 team when they meet.
9. Why is Notre Dame still ranked high and Florida ranked where they are at?
10. Tommy Tuberville can say all he wants about the SEC not having a chance, just don't lose to Arkansas right after you say this.
11. I went 12-2 with my picks and am 54-19 for the season. And I pick all the games, not like these other experts who only pick so many.
12. Daunte Culpepper sit the season? Fighting with Nick Saban? Maybe Brad Childress is right. There is a little TO in him.
13. You think the Cowboys have issues? What about the Steelers? Defending Super Bowl champions start the season 1-3. Ben Roethlisberger has had to throw the ball more than 30 times in each of his 3 games. Maybe he was a little overhyped.
14. Colt McCoy passed a big test beating the Sooners on Saturday. He looks more like Major Applewhite than Chris Simms.
15. The Yankees not only got beat by the Tigers, they got whooped. You get beat by the worst post-season pitcher in history and by a rookie pitcher who pitches 6 perfect innings towards you? Plus the payrolls between the 2 clubs is bigger than the state of Texas?
16. Firing Joe Torre was not going to solve the problems of the Yankees. Would Lou Piniella have gotten farther than this with the same roster. Good move keeping him.
17. I think it is more of should the Yankees get rid of A-Rod. The team has changed dramatically from the team that won 4 World Series titles in the ninties. That team had very few superstars and was comprised of role players and players brought up through the farm system. Now the team is just loaded with superstars who are to busy worrying about stats and if they can rise up to the occasion than they are about winning.
18. A-Rod will not be traded. It would first be an admission that the failed in New York, even if he wins 5 World Series rings with another team. He will use his no-trade clause and his contract is still an issue with some clubs. But someone needs to tell this guy to relax.
19. Would have loved Joe Torre to have managed the Texas Rangers. One of the complaints of Buck Showalter was that he told players what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to hear. Torre is often accused of being too honest.
20. Hate to have seen Showalter go. He was always prepared for the game. The only reason I see for him to go was he could not be trusted by the players. He reminded them of the Jon Hart era, the former GM who is hated by players, fans, and media alike. The move to fire him was a bold move by GM Jon Daniels, because it tells players and others that he and not owner Tom Hicks is in charge.
21. Not one Ranger came to Showlaters' defense after the firing or had praise for him. Several Yankee players came to Torre's defense when it was rumored he would be let go. Shows a lot.
22. Rangers' hitting instructor said he does not want to manage but to remain the hitting coach for the Rangers. Then why did you apply for the Mets' managerial position two years ago Rudy? Are you sure you are not holding out for greener pastures?
23. Don't know who I want for the Rangers manager. Whoever it is has to be the opposite of Buck Showalter, a guy that the players can relax and warm up to.
24. I am not buying the fact that everytime Showalter was fired, the team he managed won the World Series the following year. The Rangers need a lot of pitching and hitting help to get there.
25. Tigers in 6. Mets in 6. Why is Joe Buck not doing the MLB playoffs? You need that voice for the games. Give Dick Stockton the job of play-by-play for the NFL until Buck is back. We need his voice.
26. Pacers guard Stephen Jackson was probably within his right to shoot a guy who was assaulting him and tried to run him over. He fired the gun into the air allegedly. But what are you doing at a strip club at 3 in the morning? Your team has had enough image problems, is trying to get over them with an assertive offseason advertising campaign and you this just before your first preseason game? Trouble seems to follow this guy around. Remember he was a big part of that brawl at the Palace.
27. A rumor the NHL season started. Can't find any evidence of it though.
1. It is easy to say Tony Romo should be starting over Drew Bledsoe and all would be solved. Would it? I am not excusing Bledsoe, he played like crap, but Romo is essentially a rookie starter, having not taken a meaningful snap in the NFL. What makes these Cowboys fans think if he is put in that they could run the table? You think Romo could have broken free from those blitzes the Eagles unleashed on Sunday? Nope.
2. Now the whole NFL has a blueprint on how to beat the Cowboys. Thanks a lot guys.
3. TO can complain all he wants. You want Bledsoe to throw to you TO? Practice with him so he knows your timing! Remember what all that training camp time was for? Oh I forgot you were not there.
4. Interesting insight on the TO situation by SI's Peter King. King says that TO will not dismantle the Cowboys the way he did the 49ers and the Eagles. Why? TO had friends on those teams and on the Cowboys, it appears he is on an island. King referenced two Cowboy players pretending to be in a coma after finding out TO was doing fine from his OD the previous week. Perhaps Parcells had a meeting with the team before The Player arrived.
5. Michael Irvin needs to be let go from ESPN. I am a Cowboy fan but his analysis is based on nothing but him rambling on and on about the same subject. The others with him probably have had it with him too. I have more football intellect than this guy. His defending of TO is just ridiculous. He and another former Cowboy, Deion Sanders, are quick to blame Bill Parcells, Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb for not getting the ball to TO and TO can do no wrong. Divas have a habit of backing each other up.
6. Still no NFL Network in my area.
7. What is more likely to happen? The Bears go 16-0, or the Raiders 0-16?
8. It looks more and more like Ohio State and Michigan will meet undefeated. Now if only Michigan can go up in the rankings and be the No. 2 team when they meet.
9. Why is Notre Dame still ranked high and Florida ranked where they are at?
10. Tommy Tuberville can say all he wants about the SEC not having a chance, just don't lose to Arkansas right after you say this.
11. I went 12-2 with my picks and am 54-19 for the season. And I pick all the games, not like these other experts who only pick so many.
12. Daunte Culpepper sit the season? Fighting with Nick Saban? Maybe Brad Childress is right. There is a little TO in him.
13. You think the Cowboys have issues? What about the Steelers? Defending Super Bowl champions start the season 1-3. Ben Roethlisberger has had to throw the ball more than 30 times in each of his 3 games. Maybe he was a little overhyped.
14. Colt McCoy passed a big test beating the Sooners on Saturday. He looks more like Major Applewhite than Chris Simms.
15. The Yankees not only got beat by the Tigers, they got whooped. You get beat by the worst post-season pitcher in history and by a rookie pitcher who pitches 6 perfect innings towards you? Plus the payrolls between the 2 clubs is bigger than the state of Texas?
16. Firing Joe Torre was not going to solve the problems of the Yankees. Would Lou Piniella have gotten farther than this with the same roster. Good move keeping him.
17. I think it is more of should the Yankees get rid of A-Rod. The team has changed dramatically from the team that won 4 World Series titles in the ninties. That team had very few superstars and was comprised of role players and players brought up through the farm system. Now the team is just loaded with superstars who are to busy worrying about stats and if they can rise up to the occasion than they are about winning.
18. A-Rod will not be traded. It would first be an admission that the failed in New York, even if he wins 5 World Series rings with another team. He will use his no-trade clause and his contract is still an issue with some clubs. But someone needs to tell this guy to relax.
19. Would have loved Joe Torre to have managed the Texas Rangers. One of the complaints of Buck Showalter was that he told players what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to hear. Torre is often accused of being too honest.
20. Hate to have seen Showalter go. He was always prepared for the game. The only reason I see for him to go was he could not be trusted by the players. He reminded them of the Jon Hart era, the former GM who is hated by players, fans, and media alike. The move to fire him was a bold move by GM Jon Daniels, because it tells players and others that he and not owner Tom Hicks is in charge.
21. Not one Ranger came to Showlaters' defense after the firing or had praise for him. Several Yankee players came to Torre's defense when it was rumored he would be let go. Shows a lot.
22. Rangers' hitting instructor said he does not want to manage but to remain the hitting coach for the Rangers. Then why did you apply for the Mets' managerial position two years ago Rudy? Are you sure you are not holding out for greener pastures?
23. Don't know who I want for the Rangers manager. Whoever it is has to be the opposite of Buck Showalter, a guy that the players can relax and warm up to.
24. I am not buying the fact that everytime Showalter was fired, the team he managed won the World Series the following year. The Rangers need a lot of pitching and hitting help to get there.
25. Tigers in 6. Mets in 6. Why is Joe Buck not doing the MLB playoffs? You need that voice for the games. Give Dick Stockton the job of play-by-play for the NFL until Buck is back. We need his voice.
26. Pacers guard Stephen Jackson was probably within his right to shoot a guy who was assaulting him and tried to run him over. He fired the gun into the air allegedly. But what are you doing at a strip club at 3 in the morning? Your team has had enough image problems, is trying to get over them with an assertive offseason advertising campaign and you this just before your first preseason game? Trouble seems to follow this guy around. Remember he was a big part of that brawl at the Palace.
27. A rumor the NHL season started. Can't find any evidence of it though.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Picks week 5
I have stopped picking the college games because it was pretty hard to pick which games were considered high priority but here are my NFL picks for week 5:
Chicago over Buffalo
Carolina over Cleveland
Minnesota over Detroit
New England over Miami
St. Louis over Green Bay
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
Indianapolis over Tennessee
NY Giants over Washington
Kansas City over Arizona
JAcksonville over NY Jets
San Frnacisco over Oakland
Dallas over Philadelphia
San Diego over Pittsburgh
Baltimore over Denver
Chicago over Buffalo
Carolina over Cleveland
Minnesota over Detroit
New England over Miami
St. Louis over Green Bay
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
Indianapolis over Tennessee
NY Giants over Washington
Kansas City over Arizona
JAcksonville over NY Jets
San Frnacisco over Oakland
Dallas over Philadelphia
San Diego over Pittsburgh
Baltimore over Denver
Monday, October 02, 2006
Weekly Thoughts
Here are my thoughts on the wekend activities:
1. Andre Haynesworth should be suspended for the year w/o pay and have charges brought against him. He was not even provoked in anyway and even if he was, it does not warrant this type of behavior.
2. I have a feeling Haynesworth will be the next Kermit Washington for the NFL.
3. Terry Glenn is the Cowboys #1 receiver, don't let anyone else let you think otherwise. The connection he has with Drew Bledsow is beyond explanation.
4. Chicago looks more like the Super Bowl favorite every week.
5. The Texans fans gave Mario Williams a standing ovation for his first career sack. Huh? You know the fans are trying to convince themselves that their number 1 pick was not a bust.
6. From having a 10 plus game leas in the season to now getting in the playoffs as the wild card will be a huge letdown for the Detroit Tigers. Hopefully that feeling won't carry over.
7. It's October and you know what that means....time to check if A-Rod will actually do anything to help his name. Relax man.
8. If Jets coach Eric Mangini had gone for the field goal, people would have criticized him for playing to conservately and playing not to lose. So shut up critics!! This is not Barry Switzer back in 1995.
9. I had flashbacks of Cal-Stanford at the end of the Jets-Colts game.
10. I cannot stand the Ozzie Guillen commercial with ESPN and Neil Everett. I don't know why but it just gets on my nerves. It was funny at first but I cringe now when I hear it.
11. What I hate even more than that commercial is the commercial for the poker game that is being advertised where the voice goes "Oooooooohhhhhaaaa!" I hate that!
12. Vince Young showed he was inexperienced but showed flashes of his talent. Let's just hope he can have the mental toughness not to have the seasons of Heath Shuler or Ryan Leaf.
13. Cowboys Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer I feel will be the front runner for the Texas A&M job this offseason if it become available and after that loss against Texas Tech, it looks more like Dennis Franchione will be gone. Zimmer's contract has not been extended and I do not feel he would be offered the Cowboy job if Parcells retires so, college is another option. He was in competition for the Nebraska job a few years ago.
14. John Smith can slap himself all he wants but there is a shadow that looms in the background.....Steve Mariucci. Another front-runner waiting in the wings.
15. Rutgers is us undefeated and Miami (Fl) is unranked. What are the odds?
16. Kansas Jayhawks football team has been very competitive, losing its only two games in OT. Why is this impressive? Did you ever think the JAyhawks would be competitive?
17. Roger Clemens, Andy Petitte, Miguel Tejada, David Segui, were some of the names released in the documents gathered as a result of the raid on former MLB pitcher Jason Grimsleys' house. Does this prove anything? Yes. That everyone is under speculation. You cannot trust anyone who played baseball in the last ten years or so.
18. How good would it be if Ohio State (ranked #1) would face Michigan (ranked #6 currently), if Michigan went up in the ranking to #2? The best rivalry in college football at its climax.
19. Yankees in 4 over the Tigers. Twins in 4 over the A's. Mets in 5 over the Dodgers and Cardinals in 5 over the Padres.
20. I do not feel there is a clear-cut favoirte in the MLB playoffs. The Yankees have the best record but they are not all together dominant.
21. I suck at fantasy football.
22. See the ending to Desparate Housewives? I could not stop laughing!
See ya!
1. Andre Haynesworth should be suspended for the year w/o pay and have charges brought against him. He was not even provoked in anyway and even if he was, it does not warrant this type of behavior.
2. I have a feeling Haynesworth will be the next Kermit Washington for the NFL.
3. Terry Glenn is the Cowboys #1 receiver, don't let anyone else let you think otherwise. The connection he has with Drew Bledsow is beyond explanation.
4. Chicago looks more like the Super Bowl favorite every week.
5. The Texans fans gave Mario Williams a standing ovation for his first career sack. Huh? You know the fans are trying to convince themselves that their number 1 pick was not a bust.
6. From having a 10 plus game leas in the season to now getting in the playoffs as the wild card will be a huge letdown for the Detroit Tigers. Hopefully that feeling won't carry over.
7. It's October and you know what that means....time to check if A-Rod will actually do anything to help his name. Relax man.
8. If Jets coach Eric Mangini had gone for the field goal, people would have criticized him for playing to conservately and playing not to lose. So shut up critics!! This is not Barry Switzer back in 1995.
9. I had flashbacks of Cal-Stanford at the end of the Jets-Colts game.
10. I cannot stand the Ozzie Guillen commercial with ESPN and Neil Everett. I don't know why but it just gets on my nerves. It was funny at first but I cringe now when I hear it.
11. What I hate even more than that commercial is the commercial for the poker game that is being advertised where the voice goes "Oooooooohhhhhaaaa!" I hate that!
12. Vince Young showed he was inexperienced but showed flashes of his talent. Let's just hope he can have the mental toughness not to have the seasons of Heath Shuler or Ryan Leaf.
13. Cowboys Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer I feel will be the front runner for the Texas A&M job this offseason if it become available and after that loss against Texas Tech, it looks more like Dennis Franchione will be gone. Zimmer's contract has not been extended and I do not feel he would be offered the Cowboy job if Parcells retires so, college is another option. He was in competition for the Nebraska job a few years ago.
14. John Smith can slap himself all he wants but there is a shadow that looms in the background.....Steve Mariucci. Another front-runner waiting in the wings.
15. Rutgers is us undefeated and Miami (Fl) is unranked. What are the odds?
16. Kansas Jayhawks football team has been very competitive, losing its only two games in OT. Why is this impressive? Did you ever think the JAyhawks would be competitive?
17. Roger Clemens, Andy Petitte, Miguel Tejada, David Segui, were some of the names released in the documents gathered as a result of the raid on former MLB pitcher Jason Grimsleys' house. Does this prove anything? Yes. That everyone is under speculation. You cannot trust anyone who played baseball in the last ten years or so.
18. How good would it be if Ohio State (ranked #1) would face Michigan (ranked #6 currently), if Michigan went up in the ranking to #2? The best rivalry in college football at its climax.
19. Yankees in 4 over the Tigers. Twins in 4 over the A's. Mets in 5 over the Dodgers and Cardinals in 5 over the Padres.
20. I do not feel there is a clear-cut favoirte in the MLB playoffs. The Yankees have the best record but they are not all together dominant.
21. I suck at fantasy football.
22. See the ending to Desparate Housewives? I could not stop laughing!
See ya!
