This is related to sports in that during every broadcast, you see a UPS commercial about 10 times.
"This particular nonperformer—the floppy-haired fellow standing at the whiteboard—is named Andy Azula, and he's actually the creative director on the campaign. Azula conceived of these ads as a refreshing change from typical shipping spots, which show trucks and package handlers and businesspeople meeting deadlines. To give UPS a sense of what he planned, he filmed sample spots with himself as the whiteboard guy and with co-workers from his ad agency behind the camera. He never imagined he'd appear in the final versions, but when UPS tested various other actors (and kept Azula in the mix), focus groups consistently picked him as their favorite. Azula's guess is that while the other actors had more charisma and energy, his low-key, unpolished delivery made him seem less like an annoying pitchman. As an art director who'd made countless storyboards, he also had a knack for fast, fun sketching. (Though a professional illustrator was employed on the set to speed things up by redrawing the whiteboard between takes. "He had to repress his skills to imitate my style," says Azula.)" - Slate.com
Andy Azula has sold out. While I don't doubt that the he actually drew the sketches in the first dozen or so ads, he no longer does - obviously shown in the ad above. But it gets worse.
The ad in which Azula is sketching a big 18 wheeler with a black guy...he doesn't.
The first time I watched it, I thought it looked weird, so I rewinded it and watched it in slow motion. The black guy's arm flashed red twice. But more importantly, even disappointingly, Azula doesn't appear to be drawing at all. Instead the image is computer generated on a green screen. I would post the video for you, but neither YouTube nor UPS Pressroom: Advertising has that ad available.
The stage was set. 16.8 seconds remained on the clock. Davidson was down by 2. Stephen Curry (named Most Outstanding Player of the Midwest Regional after scoring 33 points against Wisconsin and 25 against Kansas) would take the game winning shot.
But he didn't. Instead he passed the ball to Jason Richards who had to take the last shot from a mile away, missing the rim by about a foot. I don't have a problem with the shot selection. I do have a problem with the execution. ''They had a lot of bodies and a lot of athletic guys who could chase me,'' Curry said. ''They did make me work hard, and I had good looks at the end, but they weren't falling like they did all tournament. We can't hang our heads. We had opportunities. We just didn't execute.'' Apparently, Curry did too.
I don't understand why Curry took the inbounds pass. Davidson's offense is a funny thing - not a lot of movement, some post play, but generally it relies on Stephen Curry getting open on screens.
''Kansas had four guards out there and they just switched. It kind of defeated the purpose of the play,'' he said. ''I gave them a pump fake to try to get a look, but I was off-balance when he fell down. So I saw Jay open at the top of the key, so I swung it to him.''
Good coaching change by Self. However, having Curry handle the ball does not really make much sense. In any case, Curry wasn't able to get a good look at the basket. He could have tried jumping into the defender and forcing a foul? Would the refs have called it though? It'd be likely. Curry was graced by the all-star rule, which allowed him to, among other things, travel at his leisure. He trusted his teammmates, which you have to respect.
Fear not Davidson/Curry fans! He'll be back next year.
After "I'm definitely coming back next year," the sophomore said in his team's locker room. "I don't think I'm ready for [the NBA]."
It gets better too. Curry said he will likely play PG next season filling the void left by Richards. That will allow Curry to improve upon his drives, his inside game, as well as his ball handling skills, all of which will make him much improved and complete basketball player - as well as a better NBA prospect. Maybe he'll grow another 4 inches before next season.
This is the first time that four #1 seeds have made it to the Final Four. Memphis looks like a completely different team than they did in the regular season. They're the most athletic team still playing and will certainly give UCLA (the media's lovechild) a run for their money. Kansas...
I also don't really understand what the big deal is that Roy's Boys have to play the Jayhawks.
I hate how baseball highlights take over SportsCenter
I hate how baseball highlights are all the same
The Packers will kickoff the 2008-2009 NFL season against the Vikings September 8 at 7:00pm. Good chance we'll start off 1-0. It'll be the first chance to see Aaron Rodgers as the starting QB for Green Bay. Kinda weird.
1-0: Floyd Mayweather's WWE record. He not only broke Big Show's nose a couple of weeks ago, but he knocked out the 7', 440 lbs behemoth with his right, brassknuckled fist...after beating him with a metal chair.
Floyd Mayweather should stick to boxing or learn MMA.
What a boring weekend. Most of the games were not even close. Aside from Davidson's decisive win over Wisconsin, and Louisville's win over Tennessee, which was hardly an upset based upon the actual talent each team possessed, nothing happened. Did I still enjoy myself? heck yes. Some thoughts:
I am not discussing UNC because everything I say is, in my warped mind, a potential jinx. That said, they've been playing very well. It should be a good game on Saturday. (jinx free statement? i hope so)
UCLA has looked good, but really, have they played anyone that great? I say no. A& M and Xavier were both good teams, but not great. Kansas, aside from Davidson, also did not play anyone that good. UNC and Memphis had strong showings against strong teams, which bodes very well for them (I hope.)
UCLA and Memphis will be an interesting match up just because of the contrast of styles. Memphis is a team of athletic freaks. Derrick Rose is really, really good. UCLA is a more disciplined team, but they can go cold at times. Also, as great an outlet passer as CBS and ESPN insists Kevin Love is, It may be harder for him to get good looks against a team as athletic as the Tigers.
Credit where it is due, Memphis hit their free throws when it counted yesterday. As long as Chris Douglas- Roberts or Rose are the guys shooting, they are in good shape in that department. That's a large caveat for the final four though.
Speaking of Kevin Love, this video of him making full court shots is impressive. But I have never heard such unnecessary fawning over a particular skill as I heard this weekend. Outlet passing, while a nice skill, is not exactly as important as rebounding, dribbling, scoring, running the floor, or many other skills. I've heard enough about it, who cares.
Stephen Curry, as I have said before, is the truth. is performance against Wisconsin was incredible. I understand that he went cold for a while against Kansas, which seemingly dug them into a hole they could not rise out of. And I understand that that last play call made him look awful. But...
Do not blame young Stephen! For starters, he still kept them in the game by playing amazingly for the middle twenty minutes or so of the game. And he hit a big 3 when they needed it most. Kansas did a great job of guarding him, and no one else, with one exception that I'll get to shortly, stepped up. More importantly, everyone else on the team bricked all of their free throws. You cannot shoot 41 percent from the line against a team as good as Kansas, it is just terrible. Moreover, the last play call was pretty terrible. If you are Bo McKillop, and you call a high screen and roll for your best player at the end of the game, you HAVE TO KNOW that the two defenders are going to stay with him. Two options here are to have the screener roll to the basket, which he did not and would have been a bad choice as they needed to go for the win based on depth issues and whatnot, or you have another 3 shooter set the screen. This would force the defense to either not double Curry, or to leave a shooter open. Instead they had Thomas Sander set the screen and despite his earlier 3 pointer, he is not a real shooting threat at that stage of the game. The man they should of had set that screen was...
The White Lobster! As terrible a nickname as any ( He's from Maine and is White! Very Clever!) This kid was deadly from deep against Kansas. he hit 3 big shots in a row, right when Curry was struggling. He was the only non-curry player to step up in this game. I'm a big Jason Richards fan, but he did not do much when the game was on the line against Kansas. Barr stepped up big, and could of opened things up for Curry or hit the shot himself at the end of the game. Instead, he was stuck in the corner. Davidson had a great run and Curry was incredible, but to blame him for this loss, as many have been, is absurd.
I'm too nervous to write anymore about the final four until next week. I'll probably start writing about baseball or something, ugh.
First, let me apologize for my brief hiatus. I know all of you missed my criticism.
Second, June Cleaver never said, "Ward, you were a little rough on the Beaver."
Third, David Carr isn't completely at fault for his many shortcomings, most of which have already been mentioned.
When asked about Matt Schaub, Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson had this to say:
"When you look at, the differences that I see is that with David [Carr] you had to wait on the ball a little bit more. With Matt, he's pretty decisive with what he's doing. He's going to get back in his drop and let the ball go.When you're in your route, you don't have to wait on the ball or anything like that. I think it just helps the offense as a whole a lot, not just me. It was something you had to get use to when he first got here, but we've gotten use to it."
Just based on that comment, you could label David Carr as a first round bust, an incompetent quarterback lacking both the physical skills as well as the talent to play the position....I'll let FizFashizzle finish my list.
American fiction writer Robert Bloch once said, "The man who can smile when things go wrong has thought of someone else he can blame it on."
Dom Capers. Texans head coach from 2002-2005. The first three years of Carr's NFL experience. The three years to groom a rookie quarterback into a starter and a leader in the League. It didn't help that David Carr had to start as a rookie; history shows that should be avoided at all costs. But we must delve to uncover the entire story of David's demise. And to help us out, we once again call upon Andre Johnson. "I think [the problem] was the way he was coached my first couple of years here. He was pretty much just told where to throw the ball. And a lot of people didn't know that. He was never really taught to go through reads and stuff like that" revealed Johnson. "Coach [Gary] Kubiak came in, and that was his big thing - teaching him how to go through reads. So it was like he was taught all over again."
Okay. David Carr still sucks - he threw 42 interceptions in his first 3 seasons. You don't even need a wonderlic score of 4 to know that you should go through your progressions. I mean, David Carr played college football. He wasn't shipped in from Gibraltar and handed a helmet and a playbook. Favre didn't read defenses. He thought Cover 3 meant a WR was triple covered. Favre didn't even know what a nickel defense was. But he did understand how the game worked. He knew how to exploit mismatches and had the arm to get it done. Carr seemed to lack both abilities. But when your first NFL head coach tells you to throw to X, Y, or Z on a certain play, more likely than not you're going to do it. All Carr needed was a little instruction. Some pointers from a veteran. You can't fault Carr for listening to his coaches. Maybe he just listened to closely.
Rationalizing his situation:
At the snap, Carr looks right to Andre Johnson, the WR Capers told him to throw the ball too. Johnson is running a ten yard curl. Johnson is in double coverage. Carr doesn't throw the ball because he sees that it's a risky pass. The game is faster...he hesitates for what seems like a split second, but he gets sacked - 68 times in 2005. A good offensive line would have helped, but that isn't the reason why Carr's performances were laughable.
Superbowl winning head coach Tom Coughlin has recently said, “David Carr is a talented player who came out as the No. 1 pick in the draft. He is a smart and athletic player who has put up some big passing game numbers. We look forward to working with him on the fundamentals of the game. We do have some technical things to work on, but we are anxious to work with him in our program. If we can place him in a positive environment, perhaps he can reclaim some of the things that people saw to draft him in the first round.”
To be honest, I think he's a headcase at this point. He doesn't even know what happened to him. Would I want him to backup my quarterback? Absolutely not. Does he deserve the millions of dollars he'll get over the next couple of years in the league? Probably not. But did Dom Capers completely ruin this kid's chances and destroy his psyche? Without a doubt.
New theory this time. It is, to the best of my knowledge, flawless. Which means someone who reads this will discover a fatal flaw. Call me on it. Do your worst.
So: the fundamentals. Every team starts the season (assuming no injuries) with a neutral Karma-O-Meter. Except for Duke, which starts with mild negative karma because everyone hates them. Throughout the course of the season, various events and games cause the meter to fluctuate one way or the other. As the season gets closer to March Madness, these games and events have more of an impact on the Meter. Upon entering the tourney and throughout, the meter continues to change.
Now. The central premise of this theory: Karma in and of itself does not determine a game’s outcome. BUT. When a team with significant positive karma runs into a team with significant negative karma, it can have a big impact on the game. This is why Georgetown went icy down the stretch and lost to Davidson. This is why Florida won it all last year (I’ll explain). This is why UCLA, Memphis, and Tennessee cannot win the title. This is why Duke ALMOST lost to Belmont and ultimately did lose to WVU.
Before I explain all that, let me list what causes each type of karma:
Positive Karma Causes
Injuries: universally cause good karma, because it is a bad thing happening
David Padgett, Louisville
Ty Lawson, UNC
Darren Collison, UCLA
Losing Close Games: duh.
Davidson a million times
Clemson against UNC, 3 times
Getting Screwed by the Referees
Stanford against UCLA
Cal against UCLA
A&M against UCLA (notice a pattern? But that’s a subject for another post…)
Many, many more
Senior Leadership – don’t ask me why; it just works.
A.J. Graves, Butler
Reserved Coach who Gets It Done
Howland, UCLA
McKillop, Davidson
Negative Karma Causes:
Close wins
Georgetown for the entire second half of the season
UCLA’s 3 of last 6 games
Tennessee toward end of season
UNC over Clemson in regular season
Getting The Benefit of the Call When The Game Is On The Line
Do I need to mention UCLA?
Georgetown
Memphis (see: Miss. St)
Tenn vs Butler (if you want to argue against me on that one, I won’t really fight you)
Having a Loud, Obnoxious Asshole Coach
Bruce Pearl
Coach K (not loud, but a piece of shit)
John Calipari
Having a Goofy Ugly Player Who Wears a Headband
Lorenzo Mata-Real, UCLA
Okay, I made this one up specifically for Mata-Real, because I hate him.
Seriously. How ugly is this guy. -50 on the arbitrary karma scale.
This should all make sense now. For what it's worth, Florida won last year because they returned all 5 starters. Major karma props there for not making the jump to the NBA. Maybe in another post I’ll look at all the Elite 8 teams and rate their karma. But I have too much shit to do right now for that.
While we have some time away from the glorious tournament, I figured I'd post about an issue that has been bothering me for a few weeks now.
The Giants signed this guy:Oh wait, that's not right...
Sorry, the weird white glove confused me.
David Carr and Michael Jackson have more in common than their odd white gloves. Neither of them are good at football. da duh tsk! Thanks I'll be here all night.
In all seriousness, David Carr is a terrible player. He was awful in Houston, but many people gave him a pass because his line was terrible. Then he joined Carolina, where he showed an uncanny ability to hold onto the football for way too long. Perhaps he was once a good quarterback and was damaged by the pounding he received in Houston, but now he is just terrible. he is so bad that the Panthers were forced to bring in 76 year old Vinny Testaverde to play.
Yes, the Giants are only signing him as a back up quarterback, but even that bewilders me. If he clearly cannot play Quarterback in the NFL, why carry him on the roster. If Eli gets hurt and the Giants are forced to play Carr, the Giants are screwed, plain and simple. Just because this guy has starting experience and was a Number 1 pick does not mean he is a serviceable quarterback.
Plainly stated, starting experience is an overrated quality in a backup quarterback. Sure, Carr started, but he FAILED. Just because he happened to be on the field does not make him a better option than a late round rookie or, even better, this guy: That's right, the Hefty Lefty! While I have no illusions that Jared Lorenzen is an NFL starter, he can stand out behind the center and play at a mediocre level just like David Carr, except Lorenzen will, at the very least, entertain me (Fat quarterbacks are funny...). And who knows, maybe he will show some Quarterbacking acumen, which Carr has, in multiple opportunities, exhibited that he lacks.
Tom Brady had no starting experience when he took over for Drew Bledsoe, and he is doing pretty well for himself. If Eli does happen to get hurt, the Giants are screwed regardless. They may as well take a chance on an unproven commodity, or it Lorenzen's case, an entertaining sight. Signing a veteran who has proven he is not a good quarterback is a waste. Plus, David Carr looks like a combination of Steve Lavin and Michael Jackson when he is on the field. Quite frankly, aside from the on the field stupidity of the decision, it is embarrassing, and unbecoming of a champion (which, the GIANTS are) to have such a player wearing their uniform.
Stephen Curry, seen above, is the Truth. Despite only shooting 5 for 15 from deep in the game, he carried Davidson on his shoulders over Georgetown. I was at this game, and from the crowd's perspective, it seemed as though every time he touched the ball, especially in the last 10 minutes, that the ball was destined to find the bottom of the net. It was truly one of the most incredible solo performances that I have ever witnessed in person. That said, the rest of the team played very well, especially in the second half. Jason Richards is a great point guard, Andrew Lovedale was all over the place, and the team's undersized big men did an outstanding job of guarding Hibbert, even inducing two offensive fouls, which kept him on the bench for prolonged stretches. It would be foolish to think that they cannot threaten to upset Wisconsin next week, because they have shown the ability and desire necessary to succeed.
Speaking of Wisconsin, I have to officially apologize to the Big Ten. The presence of two teams in the Sweet Sixteen is two more than I anticipated. Michigan State, in particular, really impressed me with their win over Pitt, which also represented the final, lethal, blow to my bracket. I still don't like the Big Ten style of play, but I suppose I have to acknowledge that it works. Maybe the Spartans can surprise me and beat Memphis.
Memphis is a very talented team, but it would shock me, and most of the people who watch college basketball, if their free throw shooting did not come back to haunt them in the next few games. Villanova showed that it is pretty easy to shut down a team who cannot shoot freebies, and although Memphis is better than Clemson, this glaring weakness will surely punish them before this tournament is through.
As mentioned earlier, my bracket is in shambles. I do not mind though, because of four big factors.
Dook Lost!
Most people's brackets are mediocre at best right now.
My little sister's bracket is in the 98th percentile on ESPN. This sums up everything that needs to be said about College Basketball knowledge relating to bracket success.
UNC is playing ridiculously.
The other game I witnessed was UNC's decimation of the Arkansas Razorbacks. When the Tar Heels destroyed Mt. St. Mary's, I was pleased but I also understood the mediocrity of their competition. Arkansas is a legitimate basketball team, but Carolina made them look like a sixteen seed. The Heels shot almost 68 percent from the field, and the game was over by halftime.
Run away, Razorbacks!
Two encouraging notes from that game. Ty Lawson looks to be back in his pre-injury form. This is great news. He, along with Quentin Thomas, are distributing the ball effectively without turning it over. It appears as if Ty's injury was the best thing that could of happened to the Heels, as 'Q' now appears to be a quality player, which was not the case pre-injury. Also, Deon Thompson and Alex Stepheson combined to shoot 13-13 from the field, and they both played outstanding defense. If these two can contribute at this level, or even close, the Tar Heels appear to be seemingly unbeatable (knocking on wood!). Obviously this weekend poses a more difficult challenge, but as a Carolina student and fan, I could not possibly be more encouraged and optimistic than I am now, after yesterday's performance.
Louisville-Tennessee, Stanford- Texas, Xavier- West Virginia, and even Kansas- Villanova all look like great match ups, and it should be a fun weekend. I am going to abstain from making more picks, as I obviously am inept when it comes to college basketball clairvoyance.
UCLA- Western Kentucky does not appear to be that interesting of a match up, but after UCLA's narrow escape against Texas A&M (Josh Shipp clearly got ALL arm on that last block), it could shape up to be a more entertaining game than expected. We can only hope.
Ok, so I lied. I am going to write one more, short, stupid article on college basketball. It isn't going to say anything special or new or even interesting, but its my blog and really I can do what I like when I like, so here it is. GAY. That's all I have to say about NCAA D1 basketball. Wanna know why? Cause my D3 Wash U Bears are National Champions baby. Thats right, #1 in D3, so SUCK IT. The Bears defeated Amherst on Saturday, and they didn't just defeat them, they OWNED THEM... 90-68. The Bears were missing their starting point guard, who tore his acl in the beginning of the season. The Bears are young too, with their starting five consisting of only 1 senior, 1 junior, and 3 sophomores (with the starting point guard who missed the whole year being a sophomore as well). The Bears ran through the tournament, coming in as an 8 seed, and still were able to beat 3 #1 seeds as they went. So Congratulations Wash U and the National Championship that you just won.
Now, to be completely honest. I did not watch a single game of their season. I was in Louisville during their tournament and only found out they won when someone on the trip with me informed me. I can name just 1 kid on the team, Alex Baron, and thats only because he went to my high school. I'm not trying to take anything away from the kids on the team because it is awesome that they won the tournament and that they are national champions. But really who cares? Its D3, and means nothing to me. Sorry thats just my personal opinion. Even D1 bball means nothing to me anymore. I can't get excited about anything other than baseball and football now adays, and occasionally the NBA, but really its hard to care about a league in which no one plays defense.
UPDATE: Just thought I'd let you know that my bracket for the REAL D1 tourny is worse off than JT's. 3/4 of my final 4 teams are gay and lost, and only North Carolina, my eventually champion, is still around. GAY.
I have not been posting since the tourny started in favor of letting JT and Shenanigans post over and over again about how gay they are for this tourny. I will come back sunday and post on things other than March Madness but since this is the best time of the tourny I feel this page can be dedicated to all those fans who have a team in the tourny, or simply don't care that they don't and still watch each and every game. Good luck to... well I don't give a shit who wins, but since I picked UNC... because they are the best team... good luck to the Tar Heels. I'm going to Louisville now goodbye. (Bracket will be uploaded soon but I have to drive 4 hours to Louisville now, so....)
Obviously no one cares, but I got 13 out of 16 games right yesterday. I am neither elated nor disgusted with this number. One game I got wrong was the 8-9 game between UNLV and Kent State. Oh well, who knew the Golden Flashes would show historically epic ineptitude?
Another game I got wrong was the Arizona- West Virginia game. Credit where it is due, more players than just Joe Alexander showed up to play, although he proved to be a huge thorn in Arizona's side as expected. Arizona showed the same inconsistency that has plagued them all year. Perhaps playing for an interim coach can be blamed for these issues? I really see no other excuse for such talent to achieve such mediocrity.
As for the third game, well, I will let Bob Knight explain:
"Kansas State has not always been a team that comes to play. Tonight they came to play." Well said, General!
Well, shit. I had USC in the Sweet 16, so that sucks. Bill Walker took over in the first half, despite foul trouble. Also despite foul trouble, Michael Beasley put up a Beasley-esque Double Double, mostly in the second half. This combined with some general ineptitude shown by USC players not named Mayo, Jefferson, or Gibson, led to the K-State win. In fact, USC's big three and K-State's big two scored the same amount of points. The rest of K-State, to my surprise, outplayed the rest of USC.
Most of the other games yesterday were mediocre. A & M and BYU played a reasonably close game, as did Marquette and Kentucky. Joe Crawford, who I made a bit of fun of in my South region preview, absolutely caught fire, and scored 33 points. It wasn't enough, as the Golden Eagles prevailed.
Oh yea, Dook almost lost to Belmont. This would have been an epic upset, and was thrilling from start to finish. Every time Dook would start a run, Belmont had an answer. In fact, Belmont even blew some chances to win at the end. Why did no one step in on Gerald Henderson's winning lay up? Why did they fail to execute an out of bounds play so miserably? I cannot even fault them, they are a fifteen seed, and it was an awesome game to watch. I cannot even find the proper words to explain how I would have felt had they won. Orgasmic Elation? Not quite right, but close to that for sure.
Speaking of Dook, I feel extremely uncomfortable having them in the Elite 8. I actually thought they were somehow being underrated in the past week, but now it looks as if they were overrated. West Virginia, Xavier, or even Purdue all have great shots at them now. And even if it causes my bracket to fall apart, seeing them lose would be great and worth it.
One final Dook note: I love Brian Zoubek. He is one of the worst players I have ever seen. I cannot understand why Coach rat face keeps playing him. Just because he is a 7 footer does not mean he is a positive contributor. But by all means, keep playing him. The amusement that i get from watching 6'5" Belmont players reject him, or take him to the hole for an "And 1" layup, is unrivaled. If anyone can find a picture of him getting rejected, it would be outstanding.
Enjoy the games today, I'll be at the Raleigh games this evening to watch UNC and perhaps Indiana. Sweet.
Let's call a spade a spade shall we? The West region is far and away the weakest region of them all. Since some of the games are going on as I type, I'll get right into it.
Xavier, who is currently down in the first half to Georgia, will win this game. Georgia is not actually good. Xavier, while seeded too high as a 3 seed, is still a superior team to the Bulldogs. Drew Lavender and Stanley Burrell are a good back court, and should rally the Musketeers to a victory.
In the second round, Xavier will probably face Purdue. Purdue is a team with a good, young, core, and they will be dangerous in the years to come, as none of their young stars are of the Beasley-leave early caliber. Baylor is a nice story, but they have been unimpressive the latter part of this season. The Boilermakers should defeat Baylor and move on to the second round, where Xavier, who are far more experienced and well balanced, should end their run. Many people are picking Drake to be upset by Western Kentucky. This is misguided. Drake is a good mid-major team from a good mid-major conference, and they have a very dangerous penetrate-and-dish style of play that fits their personnel quite well. Drake will move on to face...
UCONN. UCONN will not have trouble with San Diego. They are far too athletic and large up front with Thabeet and Jeff Adrien. Hey, Did you know one of the San Diego player's is related to a mass-murdering cult leader? What an interesting story! Thanks, sports media! I am sure that Rob Jones just loves that all of America knows his family's dark past. College basketball: It's all about the student-athlete's welfare. Alright, moving on.
UCONN will beat Drake. UCONN is just too athletic and large for Drake, whose cinderella season will finally come to an end.
Programming note: Xavier is down 9 at halftime. I stand by my pick, but uh oh.
The West Virginia is the "sleeper" pick of many people to make the Sweet 16. This is entirely because Joe Alexander is good, and Bob Knight has talked them up. But let's be real people. They would have lost to Providence if the Friars did not brick about 23324243 open lay ups. They are not that great of a team. I have Arizona, who underachieved this year due to injury, beating them handily.
Since Dook was seeded a line too high, many people are down on them. Dook has been a very good team this year, despite the one dimensional nature of their game. Dook should beat Arizona and the Xavier, although both of these games have major upset potential, since Dook is vulnerable against speedy guards (see Wake Forest, Miami), and Jerryd Bayless and Drew Lavender both fit this description. I think Dook is too deep to get beat by either of these teams, and they, annoyingly, will probably advance to the Elite 8. Here is your requisite rat face Coach K picture... Texas A and M against BYU is an interesting match up. Both teams were better earlier this year, and fell off late. Both teams also have good big men, and weaker guards. A and M has more of these good big men, so I pick them to win. It is irrelevant though, as UCLA should tear through either of these teams, despite Luc Richard Mbah a Moute being dinged up.
UCLA against UCONN should be a hell of a game, with tons of great athletes on the floor. UCONN has been more inconsistent this year, while UCLA has been luckier. This game should be close, and can go either way, but UCLA is the pick.
The Regional championship, between UCLA, will not be as close. UCLA will absolutely dominate Dook inside, on the shoulders on Kevin Love. Plus, Dook won't be able to guard all of UCLA's fast little guys. UCLA will advance to the final four. In fact, they will advance to the final, as they should beat Pitt, leading to a UNC- UCLA final. As I said previously, UNC is my homer, and honest opinion, pick. Knocking on wood. Enjoy the tournament everyone, I'll update things after the weekend!
LeBron does it again - knocking off a team that has already clinched a playoff berth and is the #2 team in the East
It's a shame we can't see LeBron James take on the Celtics
The game was kind of like the Cold War:
Slow-paced
Uneventful
Drawn out
Not a lot of fireworks
Both teams knew their opponent had serious firepower and feared something similar to mutually assured destruction
Pistons seemed to want to play it slow and delay the King James offensive assault
LeBron only took 19 shots; many of which came in the fourth quarter
LeBron has fallen in love with the 3
Stupid
His drives are unstoppable and result in one of two things
A foul
2 points
But he's LeBron and can do what he wants
I loved the Boobie's Buddies banner hanging from the rafters
Kobe can pass 12 times and gets 8 assists
LeBron has to pass 24 times to get 8 assists
The "Holy Trinity" that is Delonte West, Anderson Varejao, and Wally Szczerbiak took a lot of terrible shots, but made enough of them to make each of them think they were superstars
If there was a black leprechaun, he'd look like Delonte West
The Cavs supporting cast doesn't do just that
Big Z was one of the best players on the court tonight
He had 20 points and 8 rebounds
Did he even miss a shot in the 2nd half?
The Cavs are a completely different team with LeBron running the point
I still don't like Rip's mask
'Sheed played well in the post, but took too many 3's
The Pistons just didn't shoot all that well
"That's the thing - we don't have to play one style," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said after their offensive assault against the Nuggets (who don't even pretend to play defense). "We went out and played San Antonio in a grind-it-out game, and this was a little different. We're not afraid to get out and run. We had 42 assists tonight. That's a lot of assists."
I guess they can't play "Don't waste too much energy until LeBron starts taking over"
Especially when he didn't start his subjugation until late in the 4th
Again, the rest of the Cavs are atrocious
The Cavs website says that "Cavs Send Message with Big Win"
So I told JT about this pet theory I've developed over the last couple years and he told me to post it here for the viewing world to see. Its name is the title of this post, and you may think I am certifiably insane. But. I will prove to you beyond a doubt that Chase Budinger, University of Arizona star forward, is genetically related to F Dirk Nowitski of Dallas Mavericks fame.
First - the obvious. I give you Dirk Nowitski, older brother.
Note the fact that he resembles one of those cavemen from the GEICO commercials.
Now, his younger sibling, Chase:
I'm telling you. It's uncanny. And I didn't even look that hard for good pictures. Add that long goofy wig they use for the commercials and you'll see the same Neanderthal look.
So, superficial appearances aside (not to mention they have identical shooting form), they are both awkward-looking tall white dudes with a whack shot that always seems to go in. Budinger was a freshman phenom last year who carried his team. Dirk is a German phenom who carries his team every year. They both have a knack for dropping large numbers of points on random nights.
But, ladies and gentlemen, here is the kicker: they both evaporate in the clutch. Poof. Gone. This is why Dallas made a run to the NBA Finals a few years ago, then lost after Dirk went 0-for-brick or something ridiculous like that. In fact, Dirk has garnered quite a reputation for being the anti-clutch. Just the other night he missed a 3-pointer to win at the buzzer after singlehandedly clawing the Mavericks back into a game. Budinger, on the other hand... well, there is no other hand. It's the same hand. He is exactly the same way, hence the theory. He scores lots of points when it doesn't matter, then turns into a bricklayer when it does. Case in point: Budinger drops 29 points on USC at the end of January to cap a 4-game win streak, during which Budinger scored more than 20 points in each game. The key: it was January. Toward the end of the season, as Arizona slipped on and off the bubble, good ol' Chase averaged 15 ppg, including a 7-point doozy against USC (yes, that same USC). I wish I had the stats to back this up, but I can recall numerous games where Chase missed - bricked, rather - important baskets down the stretch. This is a trend, folks.
However. The Theory dictates that Budinger will excel when the games are relatively unimportant. This is a major reason why I have Arizona, in a couple brackets, knocking off WVU, Duke, and Xavier to advance to the Elite 8. Why the Elite 8? Everyone sees the Elite 8 games, which means we can expect a whole lot of this out of Budinger:
P.S. Also, watch them play. They both kick back their legs sometimes when they shoot, like little girls do when they jump rope.
Every year this seems to happen. Every single year some player gets ill in the off-season during some kind of conditioning, and year after year, someone passes away. Today, a University of Central Florida freshman wide receiver, Ereck Plancher died during off-season conditioning. The team had spent the morning lifting weights and had gone on a "10 minute run" according to Keith Tribble the Athletic director at UCF. After this the team had a quick little chat, and then Planther dropped to one knee and collapsed. The training staff attended to him, however after providing CPR for the young man, he was rushed to the hospital and was pronounced dead at around noon today. Plancher, who was 5'10 and 184 pounds, was a two time letterman back in high school, in Naples, Florida. He had not played a down for the Knights.
Plancher was a burner. In high school he was the speediest wide receiver on his team. He lived his life fast, according to his high school football coach, Chris Metzger. He was always speeding through life, either working out, taking care of his 10 year old brother, or working on his school work. Metzger called him the type of man you want your daughter to marry. That's pretty high praise. Metzger said that Plancher gave 110% in everything in he did. He never smoke or drank and was well liked by many (http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/mar/18/ereck-plancher-i-have-never-seen-anyone-him/).
This is becoming a trend. According to ESPN, "High-temperature training has become an issue in college football after the 2001 deaths of Eraste Autin of Florida, Devaughn Darling of Florida State and Rashidi Wheeler of Northwestern. Also, South Florida running back Keeley Dorsey fatally collapsed in January 2007 while lifting weights at the school's athletic facility," (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3300159). However, in this case weather was not the issue. It was a beautiful 78 degrees in Central Florida today, and there was not a high level of humidity. However, the weather is not the issue.
The issue, whether its weather related or not, truly is that these teams are pushing their players too hard. From offensive lineman Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, to pitcher Steve Bechler of the Baltimore Orioles in 2003, players are trying to make a name for themselves. They want to become stars and become that go to guy and give everything they have, and in some cases more than they have. Obviously something needs to be done about this. It is hard to say exactly what should be done, but some kind of precaution should be taken to make sure these students/professional athletes are not over exerting themselves in an effort to show off for their teams. Seriously, these players are doing everything they can to stand out to the team and are doing so at the risk of themselves. Teams should be held accountable if a player collapses during a workout or a practice. These players aren't collapsing during every day activities, and so obviously something isn't right.
In the end, today we should remember a young student athlete, whose career had just begun. Plancher's entire life was ahead of him, and now he will never get the chance to graduate from college or have children one day. Sports are fun and entertaining, but we must remember that these atheletes lives must come first, and that every precaution must be taken to make sure that they understand that their personal well-being must ALWAYS come first. RIP Ereck Plancher.
Ah, the South. Where to begin, where to begin? Let's go with the 8-9 match up, and work our way outward. Terrific.
The Oregon Ducks, a school known as much for the ridiculous carousel of uniforms that Nike tests on them as for their production on the football field and basketball court, a school thought by many to be in danger of not making the field at all, is somehow a 9 seed. They go against Mississippi State, a school that hails from the god awful SEC, features the younger, shorter brother of Tyler Hansbrough, and just lost to Georgia on the same they that Georgia, a team with 4 conferences wins all year, just played an overtime game. Needless to say, I have very little faith in either of these teams. I went with Oregon, simply because once upon a time, Malik Hairston was considered a great player. I think he, along with Tajuan Porter, can carry the Ducks over the Bulldogs. It is essentially irrelevant, as Memphis will dispatch whoever wins this game in the next round anyway.
The 7-10 game features Miami and St. Mary's. Miami, like Oregon, was consider a bubble team by many, and they ended up with a 7 seed. They started off the year very well, but struggled some in conference play, excepting, of course, their win over Dook. St. Mary's, similarly, started off the year very well, but ended up on a poor note, with a loss in the WCC semifinals. While Jack McClinton is a good player, and a great shooter, I think St. Mary's is a bit better, and will pull off yet another 7-10 mini-upset. Much like the aforementioned game, the winner off this will probably be cast aside with ease by Texas.
Kentucky is an interesting team as an 11 seed. On one hand, they started off the year atrociously. On the other hand, they played very well in conference play. On the other hand, They play in the Shitty SEC. On the other hand, Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford, yet another Detroit Renaissance High School All- American bust, are both decent players,. On the other hand, Patrick Patterson, their best player, is injured. On that same hand (the bad hand, in case I lost you), they also lost to a garbage Georgia team in the conference tournament. Also on the bad hand, they have this ugly dude on their team:What an athletic looking individual! Anyway, with all that said, I'm taking Marquette and Dominic James in this one.
Michigan State is the 5 seed in this bracket. I, possibly, may have mentioned on this blog that I have very little respect for any of the Big Ten's basketball teams. Additionally, nearly every year some 12 seed beats a 5 seed. This game looks ripe for an upset pick. HOWEVER, Temple is the 12 seed, and I don't think they are that great, so look for Drew Neitzel to lead the Spartans to a narrow victory. For the record, if Nova and Temple switched regions, I would absolutely take them over Michigan State. Oh well.
The top 4 seeds should all move on with ease as well, and I have very little to say about the 13- 16 seeds (Big Red, like the gum? hilarious!). The top 4 seeds should also dispatch of the aforementioned (twice in one post? Amazing.) winners and advance to the Sweet 16.
The 2-3 matchup, Texas against Stanford, is quite interesting. Stanford has the giant Lopez twins, who not only are good at basketball, but are rising media darlings (they like Michael Jackson, Disney, and Comic books! Totally Normal!).
The Lopez's brother Fantasy
Texas, in contrast, is relatively weak inside (Connor Atchley? Come on now), but they have exquisite guard play. In a tight game, it is going to be a lot easier for DJ Augustin and AJ Abrams to take over than Brook and Robin Lopez, especially against Stanford's average-at-best guards. Texas is the pick.
Memphis and Pittsburgh is also a great match up. Memphis has not played anyone decent since they were defeated by Tennessee, while Pittsburgh just won the grueling Big East Tournament. Memphis, talent-wise, is right up there with UNC, Kansas, and UCLA. They cannot, however, shoot free throws. Additionally, I must reiterate that they have not played a quality team in a long time. Also, Joey Dorsey, despite his high field goal percentage, is not that great of a player. One hell of an athlete, but a great player? Nope. Pittsburgh's Dejuan Blair, in contrast, is a good player. Moreover, Pitt is finally healthy, and looks primed to make a run in the Tourney. That's right, it's finally a real upset, as I have Pitt taking down Memphis!
Riding the momentum from the monumental victory, Pitt should be able to out-size, and out-athlete Texas as they roll into the Final Four.
*Final Note: Some of you may have noticed that I pick very few early upsets. That is because the lower seeded teams suck. Picking upsets for the sake of upsets is dumb. Of course, this will inevitably lead to me being beaten in my pool by someone who picks Siena because it sounds like the name of the Minivan they had growing up, but at least I'll have my integrity. I'll finish up with the West Region on Thursday, enjoy.
Today, Ladies and Gents, I'll take a look at the Midwest Bracket, which could also be called the North Bracket, but the geographic region names are generally meaningless after the first seed. Anyhow, let's jump right into it.
The Midwest bracket features not 1, not 2, but 3 of the most intriguing first round match ups that the tournament has to offer. The Davidson- Gonzaga match up showcases two of the top mid-major teams in the nation (Gonzaga resents this distinction, but I truly do not care). Davidson features Stephen Curry, son of former Charlotte Hornet Dell Curry. You may also recognize Dell from the seats behind the bench of his alma mater, Virginia Tech. It is unfathomable to me that Virginia Tech failed to get young Stephen to play for them. There must be some reason that such a talent is at Davidson, If Davidson can beat Gonzaga and Georgetown I may decide to find out what it is. Davidson also features a very good point guard named Jason Richards. This duo makes Davidson a formidable foe against any team, as evidenced by their close losses to UNC, Dook, and UCLA earlier this year. Gonzaga, also known as Davidson before Davidson was Davidson (I think that makes sense...), is also has a formidable back court, featuring Jeremy Pargo and Matt Boulding, among others. Gonzaga also has some good big men, like Josh Heytvelt. This game should be close, but I, along with a surprisingly large amount of other people, am going to pick Davidson in a mini- upset.
Get it?
The second good game in the first round of this bracket features two highly publicized freshman in OJ Mayo (see above) and Michael Beasley (see below).
Michael's sister?
Anyhow, I have USC winning this game, mainly because USC has other good players, namely Davon Jefferson and Taj Gibson, and Kansas State, with the exception of Bill Walker sometimes, does not. As good as Beasley is, the rest of his team sucks enough that USC should win with some ease.
Villanova is a very good 12 seed. They would have been higher had they not forgotten how to play basketball for 2 weeks during the middle of the season. Scotty Reynolds is very good, and if the rest of the Wildcat guards catch fire, as they did in the second half against Syracuse, Clemson could be in trouble. On the flip side, Clemson is a very good team, as evidenced by their ACC tourney performance and close games against UNC throughout the season. Free throws are a huge issue for Clemson, and could end up costing them this game. However, I think they are too talented not to get past Nova. In fact, I see them beating Vandy in the second round as well.
Speaking of Vandy, they are good enough to beat Siena, but, as mentioned previously on this very blog, they are not that great of a team. In fact, the SEC as a whole sucks. As mentioned before, I have Clemson beating them. Clemson's dance ends there, though, because they meet Kansas in the Sweet 16. Kansas will not only beat them, but will advance all the way to the Final Four, where they will play Carolina. Kansas is too deep and talented to lose to anyone in this bracket.
To advance to the Final Four, Kansas will probably play Georgetown. Georgetown can be great on some days, and not show up on others. This could be a recipe for an early exit, but no one on their half of the region is good enough to beat them. Wisconsin, along with the rest of the Big Ten, is mediocre, and I have USC upsetting them in the second round.
The last game i neglected to mention is Kent State- UNLV. I have Kent State, but this game is of little consequence as the victor will proceed on to play Kansas, who will house either team.
Long story short, Kansas to the final four from this region, with some quality, entertaining, games along the way. Huzzah!
The Houston Rockets are the unanimous #1 team in the NBA Power Rankings. And rightfully so I suppose. They currently have the second longest winning streak in NBA history with 22 wins, only behind the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakes who racked up 33 straight victories. If they win out, they could have a record 38 game winning streak and cement their pace in history. What is most remarkable, is that they are doing it all without Yao Ming. They win ugly. But fact is, they win. Shane Battier has actually become a pretty solid contributor, even without unimpressive statistical numbers, in the NBA (only the 3rd Duke player in history after Hill and Deng?) with great defense and an unselfish mentality. Scola, too, can get the job done. They hustle, they rebound, and they play defense. But are they a championship threat? I don't think so. They're the best team in the West right now, but I don't think they can keep it up. Inspirational bench play only gets you so far. It's too much, too early for the Rockets.
Staying in the Western Conference, the Nuggets beat the Sonics by 52 points, setting a franchise record with 168 points in regulation; they scored 49 fast break points. 8 players scored in double figures and Marcus Camby had a triple double with 13 pts, 15 rbs, and 10 assists, and also added 4 blocks. The Nuggets shot 60.4% from the field, had 44 total assists, had 12 steals, and 10 blocks. Seattle also lost by 42 in February to the Nuggets. The Nuggets currently hold the #9 spot in the West behind Golden State, but face a 5 game road test, starting with the 2nd best team in the East, the Pistons.
I'd love to see the Nuggets add to their 3 game winning streak. They might be the most underachieving team in the NBA. "We're preparing for every game like it's the NCAA Tournament. We can't lose," coach George Karl said. "We know we can probably lose a couple. But our mental thing is, it's a one-game tournament. We've got to win now." They do. Denver is 14-4 when playing teams with fewer than 25 wins (the only problem is that only 5 of their remaining 17 games are against teams with under 25 wins) and are 16-4 when keeping opponents from reaching the century mark.
It looks like Denver is ready to win now. They just picked up Taureen Green, a member of the Florida Gator championship teams. Carmelo is averaging 25.5 ppg (47.7% FG), Kenyon Martin and Kleiza average just under 12 ppg. Camby averages 9.3. My boy Allen Iverson, playing with a fractured finger, adds 26.5 ppg and over 7 assists. He led the 76ers to the NBA finals once. It'd be great to see him lead the Nuggets to a championship in 2008. JR Smith only gets about 18 minutes a game, but averages 11.3 ppg. He also shoots 41% from 3. He could be the key to a deep playoff run, assuming they can get there. The Nugget team shoots an impresive 46.3% from the field. They have all the tools: a capable big man, great guards, All-Star forwards. But, something is missing.
They're an offensive powerhouse when they choose to be. They average 108.9 points per game as a team. A little defense and a little luck will go a long way. If nothing else, they'll be a fun team to watch in the playoffs.
So DJ Hackett has officially joined the Carolina Panthers after he signed a contract, paying him 3.5 million dollars over 2 years, today. I have been unable to find the amount he was paid to sign, better know as the signing bonus, but I am sure it is as modest as his 1.75 million per year that his contract will pay him.
DJ had recently visited the Washington Redskins last week, coming in Wednesday night and leaving Thursday afternoon. DJ did what numerous free agents have not been able to do when visiting the Redskins. Leave without signing a contract. It seems that the Redskins finally made an intelligent decision when it came to free agency. Instead of throwing out millions of dollars at the guy, the Skins made an offer that many claim, wasn't even in the ballpark of what the Panthers offered Hackett. Now I dont know what that means, since the numbers of the Skins offer was never made public, but i can assume that if he signed a 3.5 million dollar deal that the Skins offer must have been for about 1 million dollars a year or less.
That offer would be UNHEARD of in the Washington area. Remember these are the same Skins that offered a mediocre Adam Archuleta a 6 year deal worth 30 million dollars and then gave him 10 million just to sign, thus making him the highest paid safety... EVER. Most of you will remember that Archuleta lasted all of one year with the Redskins and was promptly traded to the Chicago Bears for an awesome 6th round draft pick. Thus, the Skins not offering Hackett millions upon millions of dollars is a big step, in my opinion.
Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins defacto GM, has come out and said that the Redskins will have a new outlook towards free agency this year. He has said "we're not spending because we choose not to spend at the present time. If there would have been somebody out there, or a situation that occurs that warrants us to take a look at it, we would. And if it cost money, we would have looked at an individual who was a high-priced guy if we felt like it was something that made sense for us. In our opinion, there was nothing that we felt we wanted to get into a bidding war over for the Redskins. After our evaluations, what we needed and what was out there really wasn't a fit. Whether it be financially, or whether they [certain players] wouldn't fit in our locker room, there's a lot of issues that have to be evaluated" (Redskins Insider, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/03/wooing_hackett.html).
Unbelievable, the Redskins not stating a bidding war for a player. Almost unheard of. Well, for the first time I think they made the right choice . While no one can deny that Hackett has the physical tools to be a solid NFL wide receiver, the man hasn't been able to stay on the field. The 6'2, 208 pound wide receiver, missed roughly 10 games last year due to an ankle injury and has not played in all 16 games once in his brief 3 year career. Maybe he will find a way to avoid the injury bug now that he's with the Panthers, but is it really worth it? The Skins do have 7.7 million dollars in cap space, from reconstructing numerous veterans deals and cutting pieces of shit like Blloyd. However, wouldn't it make sense to finally build a team the proper way, and use that money to draft the right players and reward them when they live up to their potential?
I finally think the Redskins (and Orioles for that matter, but thats another post) have figured out how to run a franchise. I finally think good ol' Danny boy has realized that his spending ways of the past were in fact a stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, waste of time, idea. This non-signing of Hackett gives me real hope, real hope, that Zorn and Ceratto actually know what they are doing. It makes me think that possibly, just possibly, the Redskins might truly be heading in the right direction. HAIL baby.
Box may have sworn off writing about college basketball, but I have not. In fact, I have decided to ignore less pressing issues, including the acquisition of David Carr by the WORLD CHAMPION New York Giants, and discuss, extensively, the NCAA tournament.
JT said that it is debatable whether one's tournament picking abilities are inversely proportionate to their basketball knowledge. From past experience, I can say that people who know nothing win their pools at alarming rates. Despite the fact that my little sister would rather watch America's Top Model than the ACC championship, it is almost guaranteed that she will get more games right than I will. And this sucks. And it is embarrassing. But sometimes these things are just out of our hands.Pre-Crazy TyraBanks
With all that being said, I am still going to provide a region by region breakdown of the NCAA tournament, which will inevitably be wrong and lead to me finishing 26th in a pool with a bunch of people who couldn't separate the Diebler brothers from the Calathes brothers, or plan on picking Kent State to beat Kansas because surely a Golden Flash is superior to a Jayhawk. What the hell is a Jayhawk anyway? Anyhow, let's begin with...
The East Region!
My Carolina Tar Heels earned the Number One overall seed, which basically means they get to play the winner of the play-in game instead of some other equally inept basketball team. It is also supposed to mean that they are matched up with the worst Number 2 seed. Instead, they were paired with Tennessee, who by most accounts was worthy of a Number 1 spot themselves, or at the very least the top Number 2 seed. Moreover, while arguments can be made for the South or Midwest regions, the East is most likely the toughest region. Having Butler and Indiana as 7 and 8 seeds, respectively, is just absurd. Butler is the #10 team IN THE NATION. It is absolutely ridiculous that they are a seven seed, playing in Alabama against a team from Alabama. Might as well step on their head while they are drowning, NCAA. Indiana is also a ridiculously talented team for an 8 seed, but the Tar Heels should be able to handle them, especially since they are playing in North Carolina.
Many members of the media are claiming that Notre Dame may fall victim to an upset. I disagree, as I think the Fighting Irish are a very good team, who would have done big things had they not drawn a Sweet Sixteen match up with UNC. I have them beating Washington State in the second round, although that should be an entertaining game.
I have all the top seeds advancing in the first round, although I have reservations about the Oklahoma- St. Joes game. Blake Griffin's health will go along way in determining whether the Sooners fall victim to an upset.
While I feel Butler could potentially upset Tennessee, i think the Vols will survive, although I have Louisville knocking them out. The Cardinals are a very good 3 seed, and they are better than their record indicates, as they dealt with many injuries throughout the year. I think the Cardinals, with Padgett, Palacios, Clark, and Caracter, are too big inside for the Vols, and they also have quality guard play to match up with Chris Lofton and the gang.
Finally, I have UNC beating Louisville and advancing to the Final Four, where they should go on to win it all. They are, along with UCLA, Kansas, and Memphis, one of the four best teams in the nation (not necessarily my final four picks!), all of whom happen to be Number 1 seeds, and with good reason. My blatant homerism, the fact that they do not leave the State until the Final Four, their undefeated road record, and the re-emergence of Ty Lawson all influenced my choice. HOWEVER, I am terribly afraid of jinxing them, so I would like to make it clear that i have been knocking on wood throughout this entire post.
Anyhow, return tomorrow for one of the other regions, it'll be a surprise, I guess.
"We've said this before and we'll say it again: College basketball knowledge is inversely proportional to bracket-picking proficiency, the way academic reputation is inversely proportional to the attractiveness of a school's student bodies (sorry, Duke), the way collegiate scoring touch is inversely proportional to the manly fullness of one's 'stache (see Morrison, Adam and Jordan, Michael)." - ESPN.com
Point 1: Debatable Point 2: True Point 3: I guess In any case, there is some method to the madness.
"Expert Picks"
Jay Bilas has a bold Final Four prediction featuring North Carolina, Kansas, Memphis, and UCLA (please note that since the NCAA began seeding the tournament in 1979, four #1 seeds have never met in the Final Four). Kansas beats UCLA to win the National Championship. Remarkable. Digger, too, had all four #1 seeds in the semifinals. Memphis beats UNC to win the national championship.
Hubert Davis has North Carolina, Kansas, Texas and UCLA in the final four, which is a little bit more creative with a #2 seed. Texas, the #2 is then outclassed by the dominant, unbeatable, #1 seed Kansas by biblical proportions. He did have USC playing Kansas in the Elite 8 - way to go out on a limb.
Bob Knight throws a curveball and a chair into the prediction process. He has #4 Pitt in a pool of #1 seeds and then beating UNC in the finals.
Dick Vitale, bracketologist extraordinaire, has the Tar Heels playing the Hoyas and the Longhorns playing the Bruins in the Final Four. UNC beats UCLA to take the 2008 title.
Other commentary...
A #16 seed has never beaten a #1 seed
#1 seeds are 92-0 in the 1st round
The lowest seeded team hasn't beat the top seeded team in 29 years
#1 seeds are 80-12 in the 2nd round
#1 seeds were 17-3 in last year's tournament
#1 seeds who get cakewalks into the Final Four because their school's athletic director was in the selection committee (UCLA) and #1 seeds who had several games gift wrapped for them because of bad officiating (UCLA) are overrated.
#2 seeds Duke and Tennessee are more overrated than some #1 seeds (UCLA)
Watch out for American University. They were good enough to win the Patriot League...
Clemson doesn't actually shoot 62.7% from the line
I'm certifiably insane. Virginia Tech doesn't belong in the big dance.
The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils do.
UGA has a basketball team?
Teams that wear blue are better than teams that wear red.
#6 seeds have made the Final Four 6 times since 1979.
The brackets are out. 65 Teams are in, many others are out. March Madness is all set. For the next month or so, college basketball fans are in heaven. We have 48 games this weekend. 12 games next weekend and 3 games the week after that. It is the best playoff system any sport has ever used, college or pro. 65 teams fighting for a right to make it to the round of 32, sweet 16, elite 8, final 4 and then the national championship. Major league baseball, the national basketball association, and the national football league, along with any other sport may have interesting and intriguing playoffs, but none can COMPARE to the end of the college basketball season. It is pure chaos, with one crazy upset after another.
It is an awesome time of the year, and thus my dilemma. I go to a D3 school, Washington University in St. Louis. A school that plays teams like Carnegie Mellon and Emory, it sucks. I do get to watch my team play in a March tournament, but its in arenas like ours, small and cramped full of students with 4.0's and trust funds. Its stupid, annoying and a waste of my time. Thus I have lost almost all interest in this March Madness bullshit. I, unlike almost all of my friends, do not have a team that can make the tourny. I have the University of Maryland, but really, I couldn't care less about Gary Williams and the Terps. If they make it, great I have a team to kind of root for. If they don't, I really wouldn't really care.
I wish more than anything that I had chosen a sports school. A D1 school with good athletics so I could get wasted and go make a fool of myself at the game. Instead, I get to go to a great academic school, and while that has many perks in itself, like a decent job when I graduate, it also has its pitfalls, like no sports. In the end, life sucks during March Madness for me. I wish I could have a team like North Carolina, or a team like Vanderbilt to root for. Schools I could have gone to had I thought about this when I applied to schools back in 2005. So this will be my one and only March Madness post. I will continue to post articles on football and in the next few weeks articles on baseball as that season begins in late March. JT and Shenanigans will probably post an article after article about this, and good for them as they have a team to root for in North Carolina. I, however, do not.
Gatlin participated in a pro timing event today in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Gatlin's 8 year ban was reduced to 4 years and according to SI.com, Gatlin is appealing the ban in hopes of voiding his first two violations, which would allow him to compete in the Beijing Olympic Games this summer.
This isn't the first time Gatlin has worked out as a WR in front of NFL scouts. After the 2007 NFL draft, he visited the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Tennessee Titans, and the Houston Texans. Gary Kubiak said Gatlin was "very impressive" and went on to explain that, "It was positive. He did a good job. Some of our people were over there watching him and were amazed at how fast he ran. I don't even know if he was full speed at that time. But he did catch the ball pretty good."
At 6'1'' 185, Gatlin runs a 9.76 100 meter dash. That would translate mathematically into a 3.56 40 yard dash - if he were on a track, wearing track shoes, and using starting blocks.
But Gatlin hasn't played football since 10th grade. Should that even matter? Antonio Gates didn't play football since his senior year in high school before he was drafted and hes one of the premier TEs in the league. Favre was only offered a scholarship to play DB and he became one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. Texas Longhorn Jamaal Charles is a four time All-American in track and has won the Big 12 100m dash multiple times. This year he also ran for 1619 yards, 18 touchdowns, and averaged 6.3 ypc. But, I'm skeptical. These guys at least played a sport with a ball. They didn't specialize in running as fast as humanly possible in a straight line.
I can't say that Justin Gatlin isn't a phenomenal athlete. While he would certainly be the fastest player on the field, football is not a track meet. It isn't always about who can run the fastest - that's why teams have safeties. How fast would Gatlin be with a helmet and pads on? He could run a go route great (he would certainly be able to stretch the field), but what about a post corner? Would he be a good route runner at all? Would he be able to take a hit from a LB as he came across the middle? Kubiak said he could catch the ball pretty good, so can millions of other people. A lot of people are fast and suck in the NFL. People like Reggie Bush, Troy Williamson, Matt Jones, and lesser known all-stars like Rondel Menendez, Jay Hinton, Aaron Lockett, Karsten Bailey, and Chris McKenzie.
Honestly, I can't see him being any more than a guy you would throw in there to run a reverse or end around with.
I guess he'd be a pretty scary kick returner though.
There is no question as to who runs the worst nfl franchise. Absolutely no question. Al Davis single handedly has turned the Oakland Raiders into the laughing stock of the nfl, and to be honest, the laughing stock of sports. The man hasn't had a winning season since Rich Gannon was his qb back in 2002. That season his team went 11-5, went on to beat the New York Jets in the divisional playoffs, beat the Titans in the Conference playoffs, and then lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in super bowl 44 by a score of 48-21. In that game, the #1 ranked offense in the nfl (the Raiders) were dominated by the #1 ranked defense in the league. Rich Gannon threw a super bowl record 5 picks, in which 1 was taken to the house. However, somehow the Buc's offense, ranked 18th that year scored a whopping 48 points on the Raiders defense. Meaning that on both sides of the ball the Raiders were owned.
After that loss things became bad for the Raiders. Since then the Raiders have gone a combined 19-61 in those 5 seasons, having won less than 5 games in every season except the 2004 season when they went an awesome 5-11. They even had a year in which they went 2-14, back in 2006. They have been so bad that up until this year most free agents refused to even visit the teams complexes let alone sign with them. Al Davis is a joke, a shell of his former self, and over the last 5 years he hasn't even been able to keep his coaches around. The team has gone through 4 coaches since that super bowl year, not including the coach who coached the super bowl, Jon Gruden, who was traded to the Buc's that offseason for draft picks (I didn't know that was allowed until this trade happened). The team has gone through Bill Callihan, who went 17-18 in his 2 years from 2002-2003. They then had Norv Turner, who himself somehow lasted 2 seasons, even though he went a putrid 9-23. Then came the great Art Shell, who in his first go around, from 1989-1995 went 56-41, but this time was only able to last all of 1 year and put up that awful 2-14 season. Now they have the young Lane Kiffin, who was basically fired in the off-season but was somehow able to stick around and maintain his title of head coach, even though Al Davis has done everything in his power to undermine him. He went a great 4-12 in his only year so far.
Now in this off-season the team has decided that its only hope of regaining its former glory is by singing mediocre free agents to RIDICULOUS contracts. Example A. Javon Walker who signed a 6 year 55 million dollar contract, giving him 16 million just to sign. Remember Walker is coming off knee surgery and has had only 1 decent year since 2005. He also was only able to play in 8 games last year due to his knee. Then we have example B. Tommy Kelly who re-signed with the Raiders for a RIDICULOUS 7 year 50.5 million dollar contract, with 18.125 million just to sign. Kelly himself was only able to play in 7 games last year due to an acl tear, and even with that he has only produced 13 sacks in his 4 pro years, and a total of 166 total tackles. Those are just 2 terrible deals the Raiders have signed, but I think they illustrate the point fairly well.
Now I even have heard a rumor, from profootballtalk.com, that their #1 pick from the 2006 draft, Jamarcus Russell, the man who held out for almost all of training camp and then signed a ridiculous deal (not because the Raiders are stupid but simply because #1 picks always sign RIDICULOUS deals) is getting EXTREMELY FAT, close to 300 pounds. Russell has and will always be a big man. playing weight is 255 pounds meaning that he is a big man. He is probably the 2nd heaviest qb in the nfl to the New York football Giants Jared Lorenzen, who is listed at 285 pounds. This rumor has since been disputed, but not proven false and thus makes me think. There must be no control in this organization. The fact that their qb of the future, the man who is supposed to take this team and make something of it, is getting up in weight, even in the off-season is sad. Someone needs to take control of that man and keep him regimented. Keep him in shape all year round and make sure he is working out as much as he can. In today's nfl, as sad as it is, there is no "off-season." The pro-bowl players are those who workout each and every day and make sure that they aren't losing a step on anyone. Russell cannot become another Tank Johnson a man who just sits there eating all day. He was the #1 pick in the 2006 nfl draft, he should not be rumored, ever, to be weighing 300 pounds. This is just another example of how poor management and organization can ruin a once storied franchise.
Pictured before the weight gain occurred, but in a hilarious getup.
I'm on vacation this week, so this will be my last post until Monday, at which point most of my posts will be about the NCAA tourney. I cannot wait. In the mean time, a few thoughts.
UCLA is a really good team. Clearly one of the top 4 in the nation. As Stephen A. Smith would say, HOWEVA, their past two wins have been entirely, outrageously, shenanigan-filled. The last play of regulation in the Stanford game was clearly NOT a foul. Some have been claiming that their was body contact on the play. I am not stupid or blind. I play basketball. I am fully aware that a defender can get all ball with their hand and still foul a player with their body. This was not one of those plays. It was a clean block, and the Cardinal community should be outraged. Luckily, it probably will not affect their tournament standing, as they will probably be a two seed anyway, but it does rob them of a share of the Pac-10 title, and that sucks. Additionally, UCLA's comeback against Cal, while impressive (although why was Cal beating them like that?), was also filled with nonsense. Kevin Love's 3, while impressive and lucky, but that is part of the game. The ensuing foul on Ryan Anderson was pretty outrageous, but the final shot by Josh Shipp was the proverbial final straw. It was an amazing shot, and I wish there was not a rule that made that illegal, but there is, so it should not have counted. Despite all this, UCLA is still probably a final four team.
I am convinced every team in the Big Ten sucks. Ohio State, as previously discussed on this very blog, sucks. Now they are probably going to make the tournament because they beat Michigan State and Purdue? Let's be real, those teams are pretty mediocre too. Unless they receive some miraculously easy draw, I would not be surprised if the Sweet 16 lacked any Big Ten teams. Seriously.
The SEC sucks too. Kentucky was ridiculously bad in the 2007 portion of the season, and now, because they have been good in conference, they are a tournament team? And they got better without their best player (Patrick Patterson)? While I am willing to believe that they are a decent team due to the senior talent that has underachieved the past 4 years (Bradley and Crawford...), I think their success is more of a reflection on the general mediocrity of the conference.
Speaking of Crawford, he and Malik Hairston played together in High School. They were also both top 10 recruits in 2004. Out of the top 14 recruits that year, 12 of them are currently in the NBA. The only exceptions are these two. Just an interesting note...
Carolina beat Dook. Sure, the officiating was bad, but really, it was bad in both directions. However, based on UNC's style of play, this loose officiating should have been more detrimental to them. But they still won. Needless to say, I am quite pleased with the result.
On a serious note, applause to the Gameday crew, the UNC, and the Duke administrations for their handling of the tragic Eve Carson murder. They handled it respectfully and with class. Even the Duke student body, for the most part, acted with class and dignity. It was a senseless tragedy and my thoughts are with her friends and family.
With that said, I hope everyone enjoys all the conference tournaments, and I shall return once the tournament field is unveiled.
Consider me a believer in Matt Walsh. I truly believe (well really really really hope actually) that he has some kind of evidence. I hope this for a bunch of reasons.
First, the integrity of the game. Everyone knows the Pats cheated. Everyone knows the Pats have been cheating for a long time. Everyone knows the Pats lied about cheating for a long time and said they have only been cheating for a little bit of time (according to Belifag's admittance they have only been doing this since 2006... yea and I'm good at writing...). Yet for some reason Goodell and the NFL have tried to let them off the hook. A quick $250,000 fine to the Pats, which really is nothing. A $500,000 fine to Belifag...again which is nothing, and taking away their 2nd 1st round draft pick, #31 overall, which actually hurts them. Wait, but don't they have another pick and isn't it way better? Oh yea it's #7... so really not THAT big of a loss.
And so after these fairly small sanctions were dealt with all the evidence was destroyed and everyone was supposed to go on with their lives as if nothing really happened. Yet, I don't want that. I don't want them to get off that easy, and so Matt Walsh needs to come forward and tell the world what he knows. He needs to have that walk through practice from the super bowl. He needs to have other tapes showing other evidence of spying so that Goodell has no choice but to suspend Belifag and punish the Pats more. I know Belifag and Goodell and Mr. Kraft are best of buds, but I mean they cheated, how can Belifag be allowed to continue to coach? How can this be swept under the rug to quickly? Arlin Specter, you my friend, are a tool and an ass. But please keep doing what you are doing so we can get justice and save the NFL from a Pats dynasty that only exists becasue they cheat.
Second, I hate the Pats. They really are a gay team, in a gay town full of obnoxious fans who are pompous and annoying. I think Tom Brady is overrated... I admit he has talent, but the man stares down his wrs... throws some stupid throws and gets bailed out by his wrs and his AWESOME oline. He also had a bunch of years KNOWING where the defense was going to be and probably still have a ton of backfiles on hand to check back to, so I mean who really knows how good he is. Also... he was created by a bullshit call in the snow in Oakland, so really he is a product of luck and talent around him. Belifag is a tool. Period. The rest of the team, I mean... Moss is awesome I guess but interferes more than anything I've ever seen. Rodney Harrison is a dirty cheater and Tedy Bruschi is God's gift to human beings and is awesome at everything he does, (half centaur half human, half something else who knows). Really the team is full of tools, a bunch of HUMBLE PIE assholes who are simply sticking their dicks at the league and laughing at it.
Third, for Matt Walsh himself. The man is fucked if he is lying. If he has nothing, or has stupid shit, he is actually really really fucked. His high priced lawyer is trying to get him all the protection he can from the league and from the Pats. And as pft explained today he might be getting something close to his immunity wish. But I can promise you, if it turns out that he is lying, he will not have any kind of protection. The league will fuck him in the ass. The Pats will fuck him in the ass, and knowing Boston, some fans will actually fuck him in the ass. And Arlin Specter will send him to jail, where again Boston fans and other will fuck him in the ass. The man needs to realize that his life is on the line. If he is right, well I dont see him getting anything. But if he is wrong, he loses EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING.
So Matt Walsh for your sake, my sake, the leagues sake, and the rest of the worlds sake, please have some evidence. Please have that walk through. Please have more than that too. Lets bury the Pats, end this dynasty talk, and send the Pats back to the late 1980's and early 90's, where they won a total of 36 games in 6 years. Meaning they won 36 games and lost 75. Thats actually really, really atrocious. 36 wins to 75 loses from 1987-1993. If that happened again that would make me pretty happy. And lets get Belifag out of the league. Suspend that bitch for at least a year and don't let him back in the Pats building ever. Put league insiders inside his office wherever he ends up, and make sure Bitch Tits does not try this again. So one more time, PLEASE Matt Walsh. PLEASE have evidence in this case, and if you don't just make a run for it and disappear, and don't resurface ever again.
That kid is jumping as high as he can, and he is barely reaching the ball which is being held by George.
Who is the tallest person you know? Well i guess a lot of people know guys like Yao Ming who is 7'5 and Shaq who is what like 7'3? I mean those guys are tall, but they look small compared to this college kid. Kenny George stands a mere 7'7 tall. He weighs a paltry 360 pounds and the best thing is that he can dunk without leaving the ground. Thats right he can stand straight up and put the ball in the hoop. No more hanging on the rim i guess. The man has a 93 inch wingspan and has a 28 shoe size. What do you wear?
The kid plays basketball down in north carolina, but not for any of the schools you might of heard of. Not UNC, or Duke, or Wake Forest, or even NC State. No KG part 2 plays for a small school known as UNC Asheville. The man is a giant, to say the least. He is currently a Junior, and has only played 2 years for the bulldogs and if one looks at his stats one may think that he isn't that dominant of a player. For you see, a man 7'7 should OWN his opponents. However there is a problem, a man 7'7 can only play for so long. KG2 can only plays about 20 minutes a game, but during those 20 minutes the man playing pretty good bball. He is averaging 12.4 points, 7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 3.5 blocks. Nothing special, but remember thats only in 20 minutes. Imagine if he could play an entire game... kinda disgusting.
If you watch sports center you might have seen a special done on his the other night, as Unc Asheville was playing some random ass team. Every time George was in the game the other team refused to drive to the hoop. They would drive into the lane, see KG2 and then pass it out or dribble it back out. They relied heavily on the 3 pointer and were pretty much non-existent in the paint. It was pretty comical if you ask me. The man completely changed his opponents game plan. While he can't play a ton of minutes, KG2 is still projected to be a future nba player and will probably be a late 1st round or early 2nd round draft pick, simply because what nba team doesn't want a player that is 7'7? I can't think of any.
Like Mock Draft 1.0, this mock draft assumes there will be no trades.
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan The Dolphins have clearly tried to fix their defensive line problem in the off-season, signing NTs Randy Starks from the Titans and Jason Ferguson from the Cowboys. The Fins will take the #1 rated offensive line prospect in the 2008 Draft. Matt Ryan is overrated, so John Beck will get another shot as signal caller next season. Long will help out in both the passing and rushing attack - an immediate help for a terrible offense.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
The Rams offensive line was in shambles last year, mostly due to injury. They signed Tennessee Titan OG Jacob Bell to a one year contract which adds some depth to their line. With their top prospect off the board, the Rams will take the other Long. Adam Carriker doesn't have the speed to turn the corner in the NFL, but he did a pretty good job playing NT in his rookie season. Long will benefit from the attention that will likely be given to Glover, Carriker (who will be able to make more plays in his sophomore season) and Leonard Little at LDE.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC I saw the Falcons drafting Rashard Mendenhall with the 3rd pick in the draft, but they recently bought Michael Turner, who will be effective, but not earn his paycheck. Although they released Warrick Dunn, they won't take a RB with Norwood and Turner in the backfield. The Falcons cut DT Rod Coleman and Ellis will be the perfect replacement in the interior defensive line. Like I have said before, Ellis can be just as much of a disruptive force as Glenn Dorsey, but he has more burst and is more athletic. Ellis is 6'1'' 305 and an absolute beast.
4. Oakland Raiders: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
It would be a reach to draft a WR at #4 to give JaMarcus Russell another weapon on offense, and with the running game averaging 130.4 yards per game (6thin the league); the Raiders will look to strengthen their defense. Glenn Dorsey will fill the giant void left by Warren Sapp's retirement. They allowed an average of 145.9 yards per game on the ground in 2007 (31st) and having to play LT, LJ, and the Broncos twice, the Raiders are going to need some help up front. Although Al Davis loves to sign a big name, they can't justify taking McFadden because they have a surplus of running backs - Fargas did well for himself last year. Clearly the Raiders have no problem giving guys with bum knees boatloads of money. Hello Oakland, Glenn.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State The Chiefs gave up 55 sacks last year, were ranked last in the league rushing and second to last in both yards and points per game. The Chiefs, like the Rams, had serious issues with their offensive line and with Jake Long off the board, Ryan Clady is a solid pick and is the second best OT in the draft.
6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, HB, Arkansas The Jets suck. They need help everywhere. Thomas Jones - you know you should think about retiring when Reggie Bush averaged more yards per carry than you did. That's pathetic. Leon Washington is a burner, but he's a better return man than a RB. The Jets tried to fix their OL in free agency by signing Woody and Faneca. They also added ex-Viking Tony Richardson as their new FB. It looks as if the Jets are getting their offense ready for their new franchise back. McFadden made himself a couple of extra million dollars by running an impressive 4.33 40 at the combine. He silenced a lot of critics in February and will be an upgrade, if nothing else, to an awful running game in Jersey.
7. New England Patriots: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie The Patriots lost their starting CBs and their #2 WR to the bidding war that is free agency. They need a CB. Because they lost out on the really old, bruised white linebacker sweepstakes (Dan Morgan, Zach Thomas) the Patriots will take a page out of Rodney Harrison's playbook and inject some youth into their secondary. Rodgers-Cromartie had a great Senior Bowl and a better combine. He runs a 4.33 and has good closing and recovery speed and consistently makes open field tackles. He is an aggressive CB who increased his draft status after a great Senior Bowl and would be a welcome and necessary addition in New England.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy I can't wait for the QB position battle this fall! Kyle Boller vs Troy Smith. Any chance they can throw Trent Dilfer into the mix? Defense wins championships. The Ravens will take the #1 rated CB in the draft. Chris McAlister (who finished the year on IR) and Corey Ivy (who is atrocious) are in their 30s. Plain and simple, the Ravens need a new CB. McKelvin showed his showcased his athleticism in both Senior Bowl workouts and in the combine. He posted a 38 inch vertical. He can also be a factor in the return game. Ravens fans will have to wait another year for a functional offense.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State Dorsey and Ellis are off the board at this point and it would be too early to draft Keith Rivers or Dan Connor to help out their miserable LB corps. Marvin Lewis keeps drafting defensive players who make little or no impact. Lewis recently said, "We have to take a hard look at rushers on defense," Lewis said. "That has to be a priority. You've got to be able to affect the football game by knocking the quarterback around and pressuring the quarterback." Merling is one of the fasting rising pass rushers in the 2008 draft. If it's possible, the Bengals defense got worse since free agency started. DE Justin Smith is now a 49er and S Madieu Williams is a Viking. Although they signed Antwan Odom, the Bengals still don't have one of those fabled pass rushers Lewis has been talking about. Gholston, like McFadden, helped his draft stock a lot with his combine performance. He tied Jake Long for the strongest player in the draft with his 37 repetitions of 225. Gholston also ran a 4.67 40 and had a 35.5 inch vertical. Gholston will help the Bengals. Anyone would help, really.
10. New Orleans Saints: Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State Well done New Orleans. Randall Gay will be a huuuuuuuuuuuge upgrade over Jason David. Dan Connor is better in pass coverage than Keith Rivers. He is a great tackler who has great speed, tenacity, and will improve a Saints LB corps that is almost as bad as the Bengals'.
11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma The Bills solidified their defense with the additions of Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell. So they will use the draft to give Trent Edwards some help. Lee Evans is 5'10'', Josh Reed is 5'10'' and Roscoe Parrish is 5'9''. Malcolm Kelly is 6'4'' 219 and has a 38 inch vertical. Kelly is big, fast, and can rack up yards after the catch.
12. Denver Broncos: Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt The Broncos' OT Matt Lepsis retired and they will need to find a capable replacement to protect Jay Cutler's blind side as well as a huge body (6'6'', 339 lbs) to keep Shanatan's running game productive. The WR class in 2008 is pretty deep so there is no need to reach for a skill position player at pick 12.
13. Carolina Panthers: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt Muhsin Muhammad signed with the Panthers and at 34, he is still faster than Dwayne Jarrett. According to Panther insiders, the offensive line could have a different starter at every position in 2008. They signed a G away from the Cardinals, but an OT is still needed. The Panthers also have needs at LB, RB, and DE, but ignoring the offensive line would be a huge mistake. We'll find out if DeAngelo Williams can carry the load next season.
14. Chicago Bears: Rashard Mendenhall, HB, Illinois
The Rex Grossman rollercoaster is actually NOT over. He signed a one year deal with Chicago. I'm assuming that Kyle "Neckbeard" Orton will get to compete for a starting spot in 2008 as well. He should try playing drunk. Maybe they both should. Cedric Benson is best described as a disappointment. The Bears will take my top rated RB prospect with the 14th pick. Mendenhall doesn't have much wear on his tires, is fast for his size, is very agile and is not afraid of contact. Mendenhall rushed 262 times for 1681 yards (6.4 ypc) and 17 tds. He also caught 34 passes for 318 yards and 2 tds. He has never fumbled. And against one of the best teams in college football in USC, he carried 17 times for 155 yards, averaged 9.1 yards and scored a td. He was one of the best players on the field that day.
15. Detroit Lions: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina They lost their best defensive player at DT, an offensive G, and their 2nd best LB in free agency. Well done Detroit. Initially I had Mike Jenkins of USF here, but the Lions signed Travis Fisher. While they could take an OL, look for the Lions to replace Shaun Rogers with Kentwan Balmer. Balmer is a relentless pass rusher who can play both DE and DT. He is a disruptive force who is generally in the right place on defense.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Stewart, HB, Oregon The Cardinals were one of the worst rushing teams in the league last year and while Edgerrin James' numbers were a bit better last season, he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry and he fumbled 5 times. Stewart averaged 6.2 yards a carry for the Ducks in '07. At 230 lbs, Stewart not only has the size to play in the NFL, but also the speed, having been timed at 4.34 in the 40 yard dash. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield and would be a great compliment to an effective passing game. If the Cardinals are able to keep Fitzgerald in the desert, they could have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL.
17. Minnesota Viking: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson I'm well of the QB free fall in this draft, but I don't see the Vikings drafting a QB here either. Harvey is one of the best pass rushers in the 2008 draft. DE Kenechi Udeze is battling leukemia and DE Ray Edwards only had 5 sacks last season. Merling would compliment what may be the best pair of DTs in the league.
18. Houston Texans: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas The Texans are now about as stable as Dunta Robinson's knee at CB with the Jacques Reeves signing. Their secondary is still suspect, though. While not the fastest CB, his size and athleticism make up for it. Talib is 6'1'' and recorded a 38 inch during the Combine. He is not afraid of a physical challenge.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Branden Albert, G, Virginia The Eagles signed Chris Clemons, who like Fargas, was productive in the black hole that is Oakland. I think the Eagles will give him a shot at DE to replace the ineffective Kearse. With that said, the Eagles will add depth as well as youth to their fossilized offensive line. Albert has great leverage and positioning and can match up against both speed and bull rushers. This 6'7'' 317 lb lineman will be capable of playing with G and OT in the NFL.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College There.
21. Washington Redskins: James Hardy, WR, Indiana With the West Coast Offense coming to DC, the Redskins will want another receiving threat. Hardy is 6'5'' 217 lbs and runs a 4.48 40. He is a fast possession receiver that caught every ball thrown to him in the Combine. He catches the ball away from his body and would have about half a foot height advantage over the other Redskin starting WRs.
22. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, HB, Arkansas Felix Jones is the lightning to Marion Barber III's thunder. Barber is a tough, punishing runner but doesn't have the breakaway speed and Jerry Jones doesn't seem to believe that Barber can carry the load by himself, otherwise he wouldn't have played Julius Jones as much as he did. Felix Jones is the home run threat that the Cowboys are lacking. If Jones can show a willingness to run between the tackles and not rely on his speed to beat defenders to the outside, which he did in college, Jones could be special. With Barber and Felix Jones in the Dallas backfield, their running game will be more productive; certainly more explosive.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College The Steelers need to improve their offensive line. Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 47 times in 2007. Faneca is a free agent who the Steelers are not willing to resign. Cherilus has great leverage and positioning and can match up against both speed and bull rushers. Cherilus is massive and has the awareness to recognize and pick up blitzes. He moves very well for his size and he has the strength to wear down defenders.
24. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas Vince Young seemed to have had a role in the firing of offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Since being drafted, Young has not had the weapons he needs to be effective in the passing game. And when he began to develop chemistry with some of his WRs, injuries prevented further improvement. Eric Moulds is no longer a real threat, Brandon Jones is pretty good, but not a #1 WR, and Roydell Williams and Justin Gage are effective cogs in the Titans football machine. Who better to have catching Vince Young's passes but Limas Sweed, his favorite target when he played for the Longhorns. Sweed adjusts to the long ball very well, is effective against zone coverage, can win jump balls consistently and can make defenders miss after the catch.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Fred Davis, TE, USC See Dollars for Algernon. Davis is the best TE in the draft with exceptional speed, athleticism, and toughness.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
The Jaguars have spent too many first round draft picks on WRs who have not produced numbers to match their salaries, so look for the Jags to address other needs. Harvey is 6'4'', 250 lbs, and runs a 4.65 40 yard dash. He has a good initial burst and can beat blockers to the point of attack with his effective pursuit angles.
27. San Diego Chargers: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Chargers LBs are very solid and Shaun Phillips has really elevated his game. Jamal Williams is 31 and is coming off of a knee injury, but with many of the top prospects already off the board, the Chargers will fill Drayton Florence's spot at CB. He is very athletic, pretty fast, and at 6'0'' he is taller than most CBs in the NFL. He can develop into a quality starter opposite Antonio Cromartie.
28. Dallas Cowboys: DeSean Jackson, WR, California Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are 34 and 33 years old respectively. Terry Glenn pretty much missed the entire 2007 campaign due to injury and has lost a couple of steps. TO still has a couple of years left, but Patrick Crayton isn't more than a stop gap as a starter. Crayton is 28 too. DeSean Jackson is the best vertical threat in the draft, running a 4.33 40 yard dash. Jackson doesn't run the cleanest routes, but he certainly has the biggest upside. He can make an impact on special teams from day 1. He is not afraid to run routes across the middle of the field and is willing to compete for the ball in the air.
29. San Francisco 49ers: Early Doucet, WR, LSU The 49ers are atrocious and their offense is embarrassing. They had the worst passing attack in the league, ranked near the bottom in the run game, last in yards, and dead last in points. Somehow they managed to win 5 games. Alex Smith is a huge tool and somehow he hasn't yet worn out his welcome as the starting QB in San Fransisco. Shaun Hill, 28, played well when he stepped in as the starter, completing 68.4%, throwing 5 tds and only 1 int. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis were the 49ers leading receivers and both missed games due to injury. That's pathetic. Darrell Jackson just isn't a good receiver anymore. Doucet is deceptively fast, is hard to bring down, and has the ability to run any route asked of him. He is also a willing blocker and will add some intensity to a dull, lethargic 49er offense.
30: Green Bay Packers: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Charles Woodson is 31 and Al Harris is 33. Will Blackmon is incredibly athletic, but cannot stay healthy. Tramon Williams played pretty well as the nickelback and could develop into a starter, but it is too early to tell. Jarrett Bush can dance, but he just doesn't cut it as a starter. Flowers is a very physical CB. He is quick to read and react against the run and is a very good tackler. Although a bit undersized at 5'10'' 200 lbs, he is one of the most athletic CBs to come out of college this year.
31: New England Patriots: Pick forfeited because Bitch Tit Bill doesn't know how to play fair.
32: New York Giants: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC The Giants' offense is well balanced with both an effective running game and solid receivers (Burress, Toomer, Smith and the best receiver of all time David Tyree). After Eli's final drive in Super Bowl XLII his position is set even though his play, in general, hasn't been that spectacular. Kiwanuka is not a good LB and Kawika Mitchell will likely be a victim of free agency, so the Giants need an OLB. Rivers is an elite LB who reads and reacts to plays very quickly and has great speed as a LB. He is a powerful hitter and an impact player on defense.
I am not a packers fan, and to be honest I couldn't care less about Green Bay, however with the retirement of Brett Favre the entire nfl lost a great player. Favre has been apart of the nfl for 17 years now, dominating other teams and putting on an offensive show each and every week.
At age 38 this past season Favre was still able to throw for 4,155 yards, putting him 4th overall in the nfl. AT 38. He was also able to throw 28 tds putting him at 6th place. He had a completion percentage of 66.5 % and had a qb rating of 95.7. He was great this past year leading the youngest team in the nfl to a 13-3 record and to the conference championship game. Had it not been for a untimely interception against New York/A its likely he would have played in the super bowl and in my opinion would have won it.
He was a great player and a great man. For his career, favre threw for 61,655 total yards, 442 tds, he completed over 61 % of his passes and had a career qb rating of 85.7. He also threw 288 interceptions, as Favre was never afraid to take a chance in a game. He holds the record for most mvp awards with 3 (all in consecutive seasons 1995, 1996 and 1997), most consecutive starts by a qb with 253 (275 if you include the playoffs), he has the most wins for a qb with 160. His 442 tds are a record, and he also holds the record for most passes attempted with 8,758 and most passes completed with 5,377. His 288 interceptions is also a record, as is his 63 games in which he threw for 3 tds or more. He was also voted to play in the pro bowl 9 times.
He dominated the game taking the packers to the playoffs in 11 times and won the super bowl once back in 1997. He played in 1 other super bowl, where the packers lost to the denver broncos in 1998.
Favre will be greatly missed not only in Green Bay but around the entire world. Everyone was used to turning on the tv and seeing #4 leading the packers. He was an icon around the league and was the definition of what a leader should be. He willed the packers to the playoffs many times and placed the team on his shoulders on numerous occasions. Brett Favre thank you for 17 years of excellance and I hope you have as much fun in your post football years as you did in during them. Good luck.
It's March, and that means the long college basketball season is reaching its culmination. For a lot of America, it means it is time to start watching college basketball in general. Not for yours truly, however. I've been watching since day 1, and I have some thoughts:
Sure College Basketball Means Dick Vitale and Billy Packer... It also Means Erin Andrews!
The three best teams are, in no particular order, North Carolina, UCLA, and Kansas. My UNC homerism aside, these three teams are able to combine talent and depth, and do not really have an alarmingly glaring weakness aside from the occasional inconsistency, and it figures that such let down games will not resurface now that tournament time is here.
Duke, Memphis, and Tennessee are all good teams, but I cannot put them in the same tier as the top 3. As mentioned before on this blog, Tennessee's weakness is that they can go cold from the line or from downtown, Memphis is absurdly awful from the line, and Duke has no inside presence and lives from three point range. If they go cold and start turning over the ball, they become quite beatable. All three of these teams are excessively talented, but in tournament time it is very tough to win when you have such glaring weaknesses.
Other probable/ definite tournament teams wish they only had the problems of the aforementioned teams. Frankly, Vanderbilt and Kansas State suck. Michael Beasley is the truth, and is easily the most skilled player in the nation. Hell, even Bill Walker is talented sometimes. But the rest of Kansas State's team is so horrendous, I honestly feel they could legitimately go winless if they did not have those two players. And Frank Martin is an awful coach. I have seen games where large stretches of time have passed without Beasley touching the ball. Beasley double teamed is still a better option than the rest of Kansas State's crap Smörgåsbord. Vanderbilt has similar problems with suckitude. They have two good players- Ogilvy and Foster. If you lose to Vanderbilt (Talking to you Tennessee), it is because you failed to shut down these two individuals. The rest of this team is simply mediocre. Plenty of other potential tournament teams are not good, but these two happen to stick out.
Two weeks ago, some people were arguing that Texas should be a number one seed. Sure, they are talented. They also lost to Texas Tech. Not only did they lose to the Red Raiders, but they lost to them between two games in which Tech lost by over 100 points combined. There is no way a team can be taken seriously as a contender when they lose to a team that got housed by Texas A & M, who in turn was housed by Oklahoma. Basically, everyone in the Big 12, except Kansas, are OK teams at best.
Speaking of Texas A & M, I saw them play at the Preseason NIT, and they looked fantastic. Now? Not so much. I really cannot explain how a team with such talent up front can collapse so heinously. How do you go over 16 minutes without a point when you have DeAndre Jordan? It is inexplicable.
The team the Aggies looked so good against earlier this year? Ohio State. The Buckeyes are probably on the outside of the bubble looking in right now, but they are also the 5th best team in the Big Ten. I bring this up because the Big Ten sucks. Wisconsin just clinched at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title, and they are not good. I was at Cameron Indoor to witness them getting absolutely decimated by Duke. Good teams do not get crushed like that. Moreover, the Big Ten style of basketball works against some teams, but quality athletic teams, like the teams of the ACC, Pac-10, and some of the Big East, dispose of such teams with ease. Maybe one of the Big 10 teams can make a run, but I highly doubt any of them can get past the Sweet Sixteen, let alone the Elite Eight.
Plenty of more College Basketball thoughts will come as march progresses, don't fret!
Randy Moss is arguable one of the best wrs of all time. He has the prototypical size at 6'4 210 pounds. He can jump over 4 feet in the air and can run the 40 yard dash in 4.25 seconds. The man is a freak athlete who is basically uncoverable (especially when he is pushing off the db). The man is insane, and i would say that he is better at football, when he wants to be, than Lebron is at basketball. Thats a tough thing to prove, but I'm willing to say it and stand by it. This past season he went off for 23 touchdowns, had 98 receptions and a ridiculous 1498 yards. The man is insane, but yet not very smart.
Randy has always been known to be kind of spoiled brat and a child when it comes to him getting what he wants. Looking back at his college days, moss was expected to play for Notre Dame, but was caught in a fight and was sentenced to some jail time. Then he was going to play for florida state, but was caught smoking pot while serving his jail time. He has gotten in trouble with the law many times and has done many stupid stupid things. See walking off the field back in the season finale in 2005 while playing the redskins, then going on to moon the packer crowd at lambeau field during the next game (no less the first round of the playoffs). He is a whiny punk when he wants to be, see the 2 years he spent in oakland where he had a total 102 receptions for 1558 yards and only 11 tds in those 2 years... Meaning that in 2 years with oakland he caught only 4 more passes... 60 yards and 12 less tds than he did in the past year with NE... Thats kind of sad... pathetic...embarrassing if you ask me.
However thats not really what this article is about. It is obvious that Moss is kind of stupid and doesn't really think things through, and so I am wondering if he thought through the contract that he just signed with the Pats. The contract was for 3 years for a total of 27 million dollars with 12 million just to sign. Now thats a lot of money... 9 million a year and hes going back to team where he set an nfl record and all that shit... yea i know. But did he really think it through. Did he realize that he could have easily gotten more money out of another team. I mean wasn't moss well known for his line "straight cash homey?" The man is the best ever... or at least best in todays game and should have easily gotten insane money from a team... like oh the eagles, who offered a longer contract with more guaranteed money and more money to sign.
But money isn't the only reason why i have to question his decision. Does he realize that he is rejoining a team that just lost its top 2 defensive backs. A team that has more linebackers over the age of 34 than under, and a team that already lost 1 1st round draft pick and might lose even more. A team that might even lose its coach? Thats right, Belifag will be suspended when Matt Walsh finally grows a pair and testifies against his former employer. When he does spygate will be even bigger and everyone will know just how gay the pats really are. Goodell will have no choice but to suspend Belifag and thus end the pats season. I understand moss thinks he can win a championship in NE, and he thinks that by taking a pay cut to stay that it might happen next year. A recent ESPN.com article states that moss stayed with the pats because of their "intangibles." The friendships he had made, the fact that the team won 18 games in a row, and the fact that like Tom Brady he probably knew exactly where the defense was going to be, thanks to Belifags massive backfiles on each coach in the league. The "intangibles" made all the difference to him. I hope he actually thought about this contract before he signed it, because it might just come back to bite him in the ass.
Yes, Eric, my heavily biased blog posts will continue. And this one is also about how LeBron James is the man. I understand that he was playing the Knicks, but he was 42% of the Cavaliers offense tonight. He scored 50 points (52 points if you are CBS Sportsline), had 10 assists, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. 16 of those points came in the 4th quarter. LeBron shot 53.3% tonight, including a 38 foot jumpshot for 3 to end the first half. It wasn't a hopeful heave. It was a jumpshot. The Knicks were up 7 with time winding down in the 3rd quarter. While the Cavs lead by 1 going into the 4th, LeBron made the difference in the closing minutes. He dodged, he dished, he dunked. LeBron was a shooter tonight.
He is an unstoppable force. He kills opponents' momentum. He is the MVP.
I'm a witness.
UPDATE: Tonight was only the third time in the past 20 years that a player has put up 50 points and 10 assists. My guess is that he will take Tedy Bruschi's title as American of the Century.
Some of you may not have realized this, but JT is a huge Packers fan. Shocking I know. Because of this, he sometimes gets a tad carried away in his assessment of the Pack, specifically the men who occupy their Quarterback position. Recently, on this very blog, Brett Favre has been referred to as the "best qb of all time," while Aaron Rodgers has been compared to Steve Young, using fancy mathematical logic symbols to boot! Let us take a moment to analyze these respective claims.
Brett Favre = Nolan Ryan
=
Brett Favre is surely an accomplished Quarterback. He holds numerous records, including the Career Touchdowns and Career Passing yards records. Obviously, he is, excuse me, was a Great Quarterback. Nolan Ryan was a Great Pitcher. He holds the records for most career Strikeouts, fewest hits per 9 innings, and career No- hitters. He too, was obviously a great pitcher. Favre also holds the record for most career interceptions and passing attempts, while Ryan holds the record for career Walks and Wild Pitches, while ranking second in Career games started. Both were great at what they did, but are either the best at what they did? I say no. The fact that they both hold the record for the top positive and negative categories at their respective positions indicates longevity more than positional dominance. Yes, longevity in itself is an impressive attribute for a professional athlete, and both of these athletes rank among the all time greats, but it is difficult to claim that either was the best at what they did when they have such glaring negatives on their resumes. Favre may be great, but to say that he is superior to players like Elway, Montana, Marino, and even Peyton Manning, is a significant stretch. Marino, for example, has a touchdown- interception ratio and career Quarterback rating that compare favorably to Favre, while throwing for less than 300 yards less than Favre on less passing attempts. Obviously, the fact that Favre can even be compared to Marino signifies his greatness, but to argue that he is better is just incorrect. And the Super Bowl argument is ridiculous, as if Greatness was measured by Championships, Trent Dilfer and Jeff Hostetler would be better Quarterbacks than Marino, and Mark Madsen would be a better basketball player than Charles Barkley or Karl Malone.
Moving on, The claim that Aaron Rodgers will be like Steve Young is plainly ridiculous. Sure, Steve Young was written off as a bust after two atrocious years in Tampa Bay, and some are claiming that Aaron Rodgers is a bust right now, but the similarities end there. Steve Young was a dominant college football player, who finished second in the Heisman voting, was a First team All- American, and is a College Football Hall of Famer. Aaron Rodgers can only get into the College Football Hall of Fame by paying the $12 admission fee. Sure, he has numerous Cal Passing records, congratulations. That makes him better than Kyle Boller, Craig Morton, and Steve Bartkowski. Steve Young also received a 40 million dollar contract from the USFL and was successful in that league as a starter before the league went defunct. He was even the first Player to ever pass for 300 yards and run for 100 in a professional game. Sure Young had it rough in Tampa Bay, but even Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman were 3-13 and 1-15 respectively in their first years in the NFL. Point is, Young had a history of success and had experience before he took over for Montana. Aaron Rodgers has completed 35 passes in his 3 years as an NFL quarterback. I am not saying that Aaron Rodgers cannot be good, because he surely can, and showed flashes of skill this past season before getting injured, but we should all let him, perhaps, START A GAME before we compare him to any great quarterbacks. I will now return to monitoring the Kellen Clemens/ Chad Pennington quarterback controversy. god dammit.
Pretty much everyone has decided that Kobe is the better player. Both are in a league of their own, but LeBron is better. In Bryant's 5th year, he shot 46.4% from the field and 30.5% from 3 point range. He shot 85.3% from the free throw line, which is the second highest average in his career. He also had 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, 5 assists, and 28.5 ppg. Experts would agree that Kobe is the better shooter and the better defender.
Year 5 LeBron (this year) is shooting 48.6% from the field, 30% from beyond the arc, and 70.9% from the free throw line. James' FG percentage is higher than Kobe has EVER SHOT in his entire career. LeBron has also improved his shooting from his rookie season by 6.9%. Interestingly enough, both Kobe and LeBron shot 41.7% from the field in their rookie seasons. LJ is also averaging 2 steals, 1 block, 7.5 assists and 30.3 points per game - better than Kobe in every category. Keep in mind that Kobe was also playing for a Laker team that won 3 NBA titles in 3 consecutive years and LeBron, more or less, has to carry the Cavs on his shoulders.
What about rebounds? LeBron is averaging 8.1 per game. Kobe averaged 5.8. Statistically speaking, LeBron is a better player than Kobe was during his 5th year. He is also the League's best scorer in the 4th quarter...ahead of Kobe by about 90. LeBron is also #1 in player efficiency rating, while Kobe is 6th
LeBron's deflated career averages, for the most part, are also better thank Kobe's averages this season - a season where the media has all but crowned Bryant the MVP.
You could argue that Kobe is a better scorer than Jordan. And it would seem that an easier argument to make is that Kobe is a better player right now than LeBron James. I have to disagree. Kobe is graceful, he is a great driver, he can shoot the lights out...I mean he scored 81 points against the Raptors. But you cannot. Stop. LeBron. The dude can fly. If he decides to dunk it, you're going to get posterized. If he wants to shoot it, he'll do it better than Kobe. "Hibachi," Gilbert Arenas would say. He has willed the Cavs to 4th place in the Eastern Conference. Kobe's Lakers are in 2nd place in the West. Everyone knows the Western Conference is better...just like the AFC is better than the NFC...and that's why the Patriots blew out the Giants.
It seems like such a great idea. Signing other teams starters to massive contracts seems like it will instantly fix the wholes on your roster. They always seem to an instafix, and yet for some reason it doesn't pan out. The players these teams bring in never truly succeed like they did in the past and the team always ends up in some kind of financial trouble.
Example A. The Washington Redskins. For years the skins were the champions of the off-season. They would bring in star after star, from Deion Sanders to Bruce Smith to Dana Stubbfield, the redskins did everything they could to bring in veteran guys to save their team. They would trade draft picks to bring in guys like Chad Morton, or Lavernues Coles, or maybe even John Hall. All of these guys were bought and brought in, expecting to duplicate their prior success with their old teams. However the Redskins never seemed to get over the hump. They were 8-8 and 8-8 and 6-10 and 5-11. The long exception was 2005 and 2007, each times where the redskins did little to overhaul their rosters. 2005 the biggest player the Redskins brought in was center Casey Rabach from the baltimore ravens. They brought in some role players like Pearson Prioleau and Warrick Holdman, and did a decent job in the draft bringing in cb Carlos Rogers, an immediate starter and now starting qb Jason Campbell. The team then went out in 2006 and brought in Brandon Lloyd, Antwaan Randle El, biggest bust ever Adam Archuleta. Lloyd and Archuleta are no longer on the team, and Randle El has played alright, but has not been the same player he was for the steelers back when he won a superbowl back in 2005. Now while most of these players have been released the cap situation left behind from these failures has been terrible. Only two teams this past year were above the 116 million dollar salary cap, and the Washington Redskins were by far the most over. When the season ended they were roughly 22 million dollars OVER the cap... the next closest team was Indianapolis Colts.
However the skins seemed to have learned from their past mistakes. In 2007 the redskins only brought in 2 free agents of note, one bring London Fletcher, and the other being Fred Smoot, neither were big names and neither demanded gigantic contracts, like Archuleta and lloyd. Then this off-season, the redskins have yet to bring in a single free agent. Vowing to build their team through the draft and not waste money.
Now it seems the the Oakland Raiders and New York/B (Jets) have taken up where the skins left off. The raiders have spent a shit ton of money on fa this off-season, starting with their own franchised player, cb Nnamdi Asomugha, who will be either be signed to a long term deal or will be forced to sign a 1 year tender at roughly 9.8 million dollars (Asomugha cannot sign with other teams as the Raiders slapped him with the exclusive franchise tag). The raiders went from there and signed another one of their free agents 1,000 yard rb Justin Fargas to a 3 year contract worth roughly 12 million dollars. The giants then went out of signed Gibril Wilson, formally of New York/A (Giants) to a contract for 6 years worth 39 million dollars with 16 million dollars guaranteed. They also just recently went out and hired former packer/bronco wr Javon Walker to a RIDICULOUS contract, 6 years at 55 million with 16 million guaranteed. They also went out and signed Tommy Kelly to another RIDICULOUS deal, giving the man 18 million guaranteed. Both Kelly and Walker are coming off TORN ACL's and neither really seem to be worth even half of what they were paid. I can keep going for about 5 more players but i think you get the point. The Raiders have decided to go out and buy a championship and so far have spent over , however if history tells us anything, its that the Raiders are likely looking at a 6-10 season at best.
Then we have the Jets. A team that no veteran player wants to play on. The Jets have gone out and spent almost as much as the Raiders. They went out and bought arizona lb calvin pace, detriot guard Damien Woodly, they traded for aging panthers dt kris jenkins, signed another aging player in steelers guard alan fanaca, signed some random cb in Andre Woolfolk, who was a former first round draft pick of the titans but who didnt play at all in 2007. All of this has lead the jets to spend more than 67 million dollars in guarantees this off-season and they spent a total of 137.75 million dollars over their free agent signees. Its ridiculous money for a team that still does not have a qb with any experience (Kellen Clemons) or arm strength (Chad Pennington), and still has no running game. Mangenius realizes that he is on the hot seat but just cant seem to get it right.
Free agency is a trap, and the raiders and jets have fallen into it. They think they have brought in veterans who will bring their teams back to respectability, but in reality all they have done is screw themselves down the road. They will have massive cap problems in a few years when all these free agents deals hit the middle of end of their length and the teams will be forced to cut numerous veterans and start all over.
It's a vicious cycle that the team can never win. You sign and sign and never seem to get any better. In the end, the DRAFT... once again... the DRAFT is the only way to build a proper nfl franchise.
After his performance in the Cowboys game this season, my friend Mark and I were talking about how Aaron Rodgers could become a great starting quarterback in the NFL. Mark said that Brett Favre was Joe Montana and that Aaron Rodgers will become Steve Young. I could not agree more. He showed a great sense of timing, was accurate, and was able to make a good amount of plays with his feet. He went 18-26 (69.2%), for 201 yards, and 1 td. That gave him a 104.8 passer rating for the day. He also contributed 30 yards on the ground on 5 attempts, including a couple of first downs.
That game Favre went 5 for 14, for 56 yards, and 2 interceptions...an 8.9 passer rating. There is no doubt in my mind that if Favre would have stayed in the game, we would have gotten blown out.
Sure, the Cowboys prepared for Favre and did a great job on defense while he was in the game, but he also forced throws into double and triple coverage, when replays showed 1, 2, or 3 receivers wide open. That was typical Favre - sometimes it worked, sometimes it cost us games. But Rodgers hit those open receivers and helped bring the Pack within 10 before halftime.
I have confidence in Rodgers. McCarthy has said that Rodgers is ready to play now.
"You know, it's funny how things work out," Aaron Rodgers said in August." I was such a huge Joe Montana fan growing up. And when Joe left for the Chiefs and Steve (Young) took over, I hate to say it, but I really wasn't a 49ers fan anymore. But since I've been in the league, I've become a big Steve Young fan. I always respected his talents, but now that I can really understand what he had to go through as a player and a person."
A-Rod will probably be good for the Packers. They are the youngest team in the NFL and will now be lead by a young QB. If you think Rodgers doesn't have the fire or a love for the game, you're mistaken. I have been one of Favre's biggest fans; I even wished that he would come back, even after his 29 interception season. My dad and I used to watch Favre play when I was a little kid in India, cheeseheads on at 4 am. He is one of, if not the greatest quarterback to have ever played the game of football.
The Packers are still in good hands. A-Rod has had 4 years to learn the NFL game behind Favre. Aaron Rodgers: "[a] Composed, confident player...continues to grow as a leader, particularly leading the charge in the Packers' offseason program...Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the team's offense and a stronger arm than he has been given credit for.1" Dark days are not coming to Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Hank Steinbrenner needs to shut up. Sure, his father was a man who America loved to hate due to his large mouth and frequent spats with managers over the years. His father's teams also won a bunch of world series titles. Hank has not done squat, and he is not his father. He is just annoying and making the Yankees more annoying to the general population of America than they already are. New York is starting to earn some good will from the nation because the Red Sox/ Pats fans are so insufferable, and it seems as though Hank is trying to ruin this. Hank, the Red Sox have 2 more titles in the past 5 years than we do, so maybe you should focus on bringing in some pitching and shut the fuck up. Right now you seem like Reggie Warrington, and John Henry seems like Buddy Love. It's embarrassing. Bring the Yankees back to glory and then you can spout off all you'd like.
STATEMENT FROM PACKERS GENERAL MANAGER TED THOMPSON:
Brett Favre has informed us of his intention to retire from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. He has had one of the greatest careers in the history of the National Football League, and he is able to walk away from the game on his own terms - not many players are able to do that.
The Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. He has given Packers fans 16 years of wonderful memories, a Super Bowl championship among them, that will live on forever. Brett's many accomplishments on the field are legendary. He leaves the game holding virtually every career passing record, plus his consecutive starts streak, which may never be duplicated.
The uniqueness of Brett Favre - his personality, charisma and love of the game - undoubtedly will leave him as one of the enduring figures in NFL history.
Since last week, plenty has transpired in the sporting world. The NFL Free Agency period has been particularly active. Some thoughts:
Move over Bruce, There is a new Boss in Jersey
So Dewayne Robertson is officially a bust. He got traded for a 4th and a 5th, when the going rate for D- Tackles, as established last week, was a 3rd and a 5th. Although if he does not renegotiate his contract, this trade is off, and the Jets will probably be forced to cut him and his absurd contract.
Shaun Rogers to the Bengals fell through, and now he, along with Corey Williams, will give the Browns a good, and fat, pair of D- Tackles in the middle of their Defense. They have done a lot of good work in the past week, hopefully this looming Quarterback Controversy between a player with one decent season of experience and an overrated 2nd year player with no experience will not derail what can potentially be an exciting season for them.
The Jets signed Alan Faneca (another fat guy, but less fat than the other men I have mentioned), to a huge contract. This gives them a solid left side to their offensive line, which hopefully can translate to a Minnesota-esque offensive resurgence. And like Minnesota, it seems like they have no talent at Quarterback, although hopefully Kellen Clemens can ignore his father's legal troubles and become a good Quarterback.
In other Jets news, they traded Jonathan Vilma to the Saints for what will be a 3rd or a 4th rounder. I'm disgusted with how the Mangini era has played out for Vilma, Let's move on.
More about the Jets, sorry. Marcus Stroud, who by all accounts is better than Kris Jenkins, got moved to the Bills for the same price as the Jets paid for Jenkins. This is not pleasing to me, but maybe Jenkins will be a better fit in the 3-4 than Stroud would have been. Maybe. Ugh.
I don't really care who Randy Moss signs with, but if it could be a team that is not located in Dallas or New England I would surely be thrilled.
The Giants are evidently listening to offers for Jeremy Shockey, but not actively shopping him. This will surely elicit its own post one day, but for now I'll just say, if they can somehow get a 1st rounder for him ( The Saints evidently have offered a 2nd), the Giants should not hesitate. Eli Played far better without Shockey, and Kevin Boss played brilliantly in Shockey's stead.
According to PFT, "There are highly unsubstantiated Internet rumors of a trade that would send Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor to the Packers for a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick." Taylor is averaging 12.17 sacks over the past 3 years. Now, although he is 33 years old, he is still in great physical shape and I would say he has at least 4 productive years in the NFL left in him. Strahan, at 36, is still making an impact playing for the New York Football Giants, while only averaging 7.83 sacks over the past 3 years. At present, everyone is gay for DEs and great, aggressive defensive lines, after what the Giants did to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Packers were 8th in the league in sacks during the regular season with 36. The Packers have a solid DT rotation, even with the loss of Corey Williams to the Browns, and DE Aaron Kampman has averaged 11.33 sacks per year since the 2005 season. Teams wouldn't be able to double team Taylor with Kampman on the left side and a good interior defensive line, making his job relatively easy. KGB is no longer a real threat; Cullen Jenkins should be moved permanently to DT. With the addition of Taylor, the Packers would have maybe the best defensive line since Lamar Lundy, Deacon Jones, Rosey, and Merlin Olsen ("Fearsome Foursome") wreaked havoc on offense lines during the 1960s. It would probably cost a 2nd and 4th round pick, but Woodson and Harris would benefit from more consistent (and blitz free) pressure on QBs.
Randy Moss - physically, the best WR to ever play the game - has not yet resigned with the Patriots (who are on the decline) and will not give them another discount in 2008. Adam Schefter reported that Favre is still trying to make a decision whether to walk away from football or come back for his 18th season. Most so called experts now believe that he is planning on retiring. One player who would bring Lord Favre back is Randy Moss - who is willing to visit other teams and weigh his options. Favre would love the chance to play with Moss. And Moss is a huge fan of Favre. Randy is only 29...the two years he spent Oakland don't count. He had one of the best seasons of his career in 2007 scoring an NFL record 23 touchdowns. Imagine the Packers with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings - a second year player who scored 12 tds last year, James Jones - who had a productive rookie campaign, former 1st round pick Koren Robinson - who broke many of Torry Holt's records at NC State, and RANDY MOSS. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Best WR corps of all time. No question. Ted Thompson...please spend of the $24 million we have in cap room on Taylor and Moss. Please. Favre and Super Freak have played in Pro Bowls together. Brett is 39 and the Pack is ready to win a Super Bowl Now. Randy is well worth the risk, especially since we have the cap room. If Tom Brady can throw 23 tds to Moss, imagine what Favre could do.
It seems like such a great idea. Signing other teams starters to massive contracts seems like it will instantly fix the wholes on your roster. They always seem to an instafix, and yet for some reason it doesn't pan out. The players these teams bring in never truly succeed like they did in the past and the team always ends up in some kind of financial trouble.
