I just got finished watching the physical and dirty Titans-Texans clash and I had to start off with this game.
First off, excellent clock management by Jeff Fisher and the Titans on that final drive. They were confident in Rob Bironas and just made sure they sucked up the clock.
Secondly, yet again, Gary Kubiak let this game slide between his fingertips because of playcalling. It is excellent inbetween the Red Zones. The Texans can moved the ball up and down the field. When they get there, they have major problems, and this is not the first time I have mentioned it.
The Texans have a 6'3" 230 pound freak of a beast at WR in Andre Johnson. Why is it that I have barely seen the Texans just throw a fade route/jumpball into the endzone for him inside the 10 yard line? He would win that contest 8 out of 10 times against any CB in football. I just do not understand it.
This Texans team should be 7-3 at the very least. They have the talent and the explosiveness. There is just something missing from this franchise, and I think it is the Head Coach's problem.
Last thing about this game. The officiating was awful. They missed a blantant trip against the Texans, followed by a phantom horse-collar tackle on Chris Johnson.
I am starting to believe Barry Melrose when he states that the NHL refs are by far the best officals in the world.
-I am still stunned that the Toilet Bowl game turned out to be the best game of the day by far. The Brownies and Brady Quinn came out with guns blazing. The Lions and Matthew Stafford fired right back. Classic shootout game, but then something special happened.
On the last play of the game, Stafford rolled out, tried to make a play, threw up the Hail Mary and got completely flattened by a Browns linemen. It wound up being pass interference and Stafford, because of a completely boneheaded timeout by our favorite jelly donut Eric Mangini, was allowed to go back into the game, without doctor's approval, and threw the game winning TD pass with what we found out to be a separated left shoulder.
Stafford showed complete moxy and guts right there. If he did not already win over his team and the fans, he did it right then and there. Just awesome. He was like Eric Roberts in Best of the Best, when he continued despite getting hurt. "Pop it Tommy!!!!"
-Last week, I was listening to Mike Francesa on WFAN, and I was actually hearing these dillusional Steeler fans that were stating that Big Ben is better than Dan Marino and Peyton Manning...
Good God are you kidding me? Your boy is a good NFL QB that just happens to ride on the coattails of an excellent defense. Big Ben can make plays, especially outside the pocket, but do not dare compare him to two of the best 5-6 Quarterbacks that ever lived. Francesa was about to knock over his Diet Coke he was so aggitated about these clowns.
Oh and by the way Steeler fans, you should be complaining more about how the lowly Chiefs punched you guys right in the kisser on Sunday and why your Special Teams cannot stop an 85 year old man with a walker.
The same thing goes for the Bengals as well. How the hell do the Bengals and Steelers lose to the Chiefs and the Raiders? Awful, especially that fumble by Andre Caldwell on the kickoff return.
-I dunno who are bigger frauds in East Rutherford. I know the Giants won against the Falcons on Sunday, and Eli Manning looked awesome, but that defense could not stop Matty Ice Ryan at all in the 2nd half.
Francesa made an excellent point on his Miked Up Sunday Night show. The only thing the Giants really won was the Coin Toss before overtime.
The Jets are even worse.
Mark Sanchez after 10 NFL games, does not know how to look off defenders. He stares directly at one receiver the entire time like he was a blonde walking into a bar. The Jets have 6 more games and an offseason to get him out of that habit.
Kerry Rhodes got steamrolled several times by Laurence Maroney. Rhodes, is playing, pardon my french, like he has his giant head and ego up his ass.
I will say it one more time. It is time for Kerry Rhodes to stop making music videos, doing photo shoots, and Tweeting non-stop. It is time to get your head back into football. If you do not realize this soon, you will be cut by a Head Coach that does not tolerate weak play.
-Now, I am done with the NFL, let's talk about the College game, and what a week it was...
The Oregon-Arizona game was a complete classic. It was the best game I have seen all year long. Jeremiah Masoli turned in a Heisman-like performance. Too bad about the Boise St. game.
Arizona is up late, and the students already started to jump from the stands onto the sidelines. I think they put the jinx on.
-I have been killing Colt Mccoy all season long, about how he does not deserve to be considered with his play. Well, I think Mccoy has started to play his way back into the discussion. The stats the past month are insane, but the one thing that would stop me from voting for Mccoy if I had a ballot.
The Longhorns creampuff schedule....
Speaking of creampuff schedules, if the BCS somehow puts Penn St. into a major Bowl game, they should be arrested. It would such a crime, that John Gotti somewhere in hell is laughing.
-Something is very fishy with what is going on in Kansas with Mark Mangino. I understand that he is a half a ton, and is prolly taking that frustartion out on his players both physically and verbally, but I remember playing sports in high school and the coaches being able to verball pound the snot out of us.
What gives here? Is Mangino going over the line, or does someone have a complete hard on for his job? Now, when the Kansas program is on a losing streak, all these players come out of the woodwork. something is not being said about this situation, and it smells like a landfill.
- College Basketball is here, which means two things. Alot more of Dick Vitale and his oil shooting mouth, and no more Charlie Weis press conferences. Oh yes, the latter is coming soon.
- Sports Look-A-Likes: Anyone see that Kurt Busch Miller Lite commerical when he is walking in the bar? He looks identical to Dante from Clerks. I started cracking up as soon as I realized it.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Weekend Wrap Up Part I/Monday Night Selction
We will get the brunt of the Weekend Wrap-Up in after the exciting Titans-Texans game tonight. Before the rest of the weekend action, I want to talk about two sports journalist/personalities that made me really scratch my head this week.
The first being ESPN's newly crowned Stat-Nerd Keith Law, who was one of two people (the other being Will Carroll) to keep Cardinals Ace Chris Carpenter off his NL Cy Young ballot. The latter being NFL Network's Jamie Dukes.
Law, who is a really smart guy (*cough* Egghead *cough*), decided to vote for Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez on his ballot instead of Carpenter. Now, I understand someone offering a different opinion than others, but it is the way he expressed his decision is what really bothers me.
Law explained that there are certain sabermetric numbers, team defense, run support, luck (Yes, Law actually used the term luck),etc. that went into his decision. I agree with him in the most part about this. Those stats should be looked at. There is only one problem.
Law comes off as if these are the only things he looked at. Mr. Law? Did you even watch a baseball game this season? The numbers in baseball mean alot, but when pitcher's have similar stats, what you see with your own eyes factor in as well.
Carpenter and Wainwright, carried their teams into the playoffs with tremendous Post All-Star Break performances. Vazquez did do all he could to get the Braves into the postseason, but the eventual winner, Tim Lincecum, went 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in September when his Giants still were alive for a playoff berth.
I read Keith Law's ESPN Chat that week, and he was barraged with questions over this. He came off arrogant about how he knows the numbers to base his opinion. That is fine, but if you are a voter for a specific baseball award, at least act like you watched these pitchers throw, instead of coming off like you just read a computer or a piece of paper with their numbers on it.
Yes, that is how you come off Mr. Law. The way you argued your stance, you come off in two ways. One, that you are just trying to be different, just to be different. Second, that you made this vote just to prove that the sabermetric (WAR, etc.)numbers mean more than what a person sees.
That is not the case. It is a combination of everything put together. Next time you make a vote like that and you need to argue your stance, use all the angles, because this time, you just sound like a Fantasy Baseball nerd that wanted to make a point.
And I will spare Rob Neyer from ESPN, that tried to defend Law's voting. I will eventually get to that stiff one day, but I have another beef.
That beef is with NFL Network's Jamie Dukes.
Before I make my point, how did this guy get that cushy job? Does he have incriminating photos of the Network President and Rich Eisen doing the nasty? It really is baffling.
Yesterday, around 4pm, I am flipping between the games and the NFL Network. The announcing crew, Dukes, along with Tom Waddell and Fran Charles, were in the midst of talking about the Redskins-Cowboys game when Dukes made this outrageous statement. (Do not remember it literal, but I will try my best.)
That even if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, they made the wrong move with Terrell Owens....
Um, what?
This is not the first time Dukes has mentioned this situation with the Cowboys and TO. When Fran Charles decided to take the stance that the Cowboys are better off without TO, Dukes, as unprofessional as they get could not even look into the camera and argued his point like he was about to get into a barfight with someone and did not want to look them in the eye.
This is the best the NFL Network can do? Jamie Dukes is, at best, below average as an analyst. Even Tom Waddell is a stiff, but at least he a professional stiff. This leads me to believe that Dukes has some serious dirt on someone in the higher up to actually have that job. My 14 year old cousin that does not follow football can do a better, more professional job than that crying stiff.
Hey, Mr. Dukes? You should read this blog and not get angry over the truth I mentioned about you, but you should listen to what I have to say and perhaps fix what you do wrong on television.
It is obvious that you will not be fired anytime soon, might as well do your gift job correctly.
Now, onto tonight's game....
The first time the Titans and Texans played this year, it was a complete shootout. The Texans could not stop Chris Johnson, and the Titans could not stop anything about the Texans offense.
I expect some more of the same, but the Titans defense has stiffened up a bit. Steve Slaton will have a hard time running the ball, so it will be up to Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to provide an aerial attack that Afganistan would be freightened over.
The Texans will not be able to stop Chris Johnson. He will get his 125 yards and 2 Touchdowns. They have to makes sure that Johnson does not break those 60 yard runs. Big test for the Texans defense, who has played very well the past month.
Houston needs this game, and somehow pulls it out....
Houston Texans 34, Tennessee Titans 27
(Fun Fact. I actually am in a Fantasy Football league that I am down 49 points going into tonight, with Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson left for me. I am not worried one bit that I will lose. That is sick!)
The first being ESPN's newly crowned Stat-Nerd Keith Law, who was one of two people (the other being Will Carroll) to keep Cardinals Ace Chris Carpenter off his NL Cy Young ballot. The latter being NFL Network's Jamie Dukes.
Law, who is a really smart guy (*cough* Egghead *cough*), decided to vote for Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez on his ballot instead of Carpenter. Now, I understand someone offering a different opinion than others, but it is the way he expressed his decision is what really bothers me.
Law explained that there are certain sabermetric numbers, team defense, run support, luck (Yes, Law actually used the term luck),etc. that went into his decision. I agree with him in the most part about this. Those stats should be looked at. There is only one problem.
Law comes off as if these are the only things he looked at. Mr. Law? Did you even watch a baseball game this season? The numbers in baseball mean alot, but when pitcher's have similar stats, what you see with your own eyes factor in as well.
Carpenter and Wainwright, carried their teams into the playoffs with tremendous Post All-Star Break performances. Vazquez did do all he could to get the Braves into the postseason, but the eventual winner, Tim Lincecum, went 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in September when his Giants still were alive for a playoff berth.
I read Keith Law's ESPN Chat that week, and he was barraged with questions over this. He came off arrogant about how he knows the numbers to base his opinion. That is fine, but if you are a voter for a specific baseball award, at least act like you watched these pitchers throw, instead of coming off like you just read a computer or a piece of paper with their numbers on it.
Yes, that is how you come off Mr. Law. The way you argued your stance, you come off in two ways. One, that you are just trying to be different, just to be different. Second, that you made this vote just to prove that the sabermetric (WAR, etc.)numbers mean more than what a person sees.
That is not the case. It is a combination of everything put together. Next time you make a vote like that and you need to argue your stance, use all the angles, because this time, you just sound like a Fantasy Baseball nerd that wanted to make a point.
And I will spare Rob Neyer from ESPN, that tried to defend Law's voting. I will eventually get to that stiff one day, but I have another beef.
That beef is with NFL Network's Jamie Dukes.
Before I make my point, how did this guy get that cushy job? Does he have incriminating photos of the Network President and Rich Eisen doing the nasty? It really is baffling.
Yesterday, around 4pm, I am flipping between the games and the NFL Network. The announcing crew, Dukes, along with Tom Waddell and Fran Charles, were in the midst of talking about the Redskins-Cowboys game when Dukes made this outrageous statement. (Do not remember it literal, but I will try my best.)
That even if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, they made the wrong move with Terrell Owens....
Um, what?
This is not the first time Dukes has mentioned this situation with the Cowboys and TO. When Fran Charles decided to take the stance that the Cowboys are better off without TO, Dukes, as unprofessional as they get could not even look into the camera and argued his point like he was about to get into a barfight with someone and did not want to look them in the eye.
This is the best the NFL Network can do? Jamie Dukes is, at best, below average as an analyst. Even Tom Waddell is a stiff, but at least he a professional stiff. This leads me to believe that Dukes has some serious dirt on someone in the higher up to actually have that job. My 14 year old cousin that does not follow football can do a better, more professional job than that crying stiff.
Hey, Mr. Dukes? You should read this blog and not get angry over the truth I mentioned about you, but you should listen to what I have to say and perhaps fix what you do wrong on television.
It is obvious that you will not be fired anytime soon, might as well do your gift job correctly.
Now, onto tonight's game....
The first time the Titans and Texans played this year, it was a complete shootout. The Texans could not stop Chris Johnson, and the Titans could not stop anything about the Texans offense.
I expect some more of the same, but the Titans defense has stiffened up a bit. Steve Slaton will have a hard time running the ball, so it will be up to Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to provide an aerial attack that Afganistan would be freightened over.
The Texans will not be able to stop Chris Johnson. He will get his 125 yards and 2 Touchdowns. They have to makes sure that Johnson does not break those 60 yard runs. Big test for the Texans defense, who has played very well the past month.
Houston needs this game, and somehow pulls it out....
Houston Texans 34, Tennessee Titans 27
(Fun Fact. I actually am in a Fantasy Football league that I am down 49 points going into tonight, with Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson left for me. I am not worried one bit that I will lose. That is sick!)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
NFL Picks for Week 11
It is coming in late, thanks to a classic Oregon-Arizona double OT thriller that I fell asleep right after. We will do a quick predictions and a first, MVP Watch.
MVP Watch
1. Peyton Manning QB, Colts - He is not the MVP of this team. He IS this team.
2. Drew Brees QB, Saints - Holding the 2nd spot strong, even after a few sub-par games for Brees standards. Will hold at spots 1 or 2 as long as the Saints are undefeated.
3. Adrian Peterson RB, Vikings - Eventhough the fumbling is an issue, he is having a monster season and I do not have the stones to put The Days of Our Favre here.
4. Chris Johnson RB, Titans - Tough to put up on here since the Titans have a sub .500 record, but have you seen the stats the past 3 weeks? He should be on this list if you have him in any Fantasy Football league.
5. Steven Jackson RB, Rams - This one must be scratching your head even more, but hear me out. The Rams have zero offense after Jackson. Teams put eight, nine guys in the box to stop him. What is Jackson's stats pro-rated to end the 09 season? 1627 yards rushing on 4.8 per carry. Name another RB in football other than Chris Johnson that could pull that feat off?
Honorable Mention: Tom Brady QB Patriots, Carson Palmer QB Bengals, Jared Allen DE Vikings, Maurice Jones Drew RB Jags.
We lost the Thursday Night game, as Ricky Williams hit the Fountain of Youth and had himself perhaps his best game in his career. Here are the rest of the games:
Detroit Lions 24, Cleveland Browns 15 - What a God-awful game. The Brownies actually played good defense the other night, but does anyone think Brady Quinn can lead this team into the endzone? Neither do I. Stafford to Megatron Johnson for 2 scores, and the Brownies boot 5 field goals.
San Francisco 49ers 23, Green Bay Packers 20 - I have zero faith in Aaron Rodgers right now. Let me rephrase that, I have no faith in his Offensive Line. 49ers will bring some heat, and Frank Gore can run on anyone.
Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Kansas City Chiefs 17 - No Troy Polamalu, which any team can exploit, but do you really think the Steelers are going to lose to a stiff team like the Chiefs after getting their butts kicked last week? There is a better chance of Paulie Shore getting the next acting lead in Ridley Scott's next blockbuster.
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Buffalo Bills 20 - Usually this is where I take the Jags, and they put up a complete egg (See the Seattle game). The Bills just cannot stop the run, and Tiny Jones Drew is a human pinball.
New Orleans Saints 37, Tampa Bay Bucs 27 - Herm Edwards of ESPN predicted the monster upset here, espeically if the Bucs are wearing the creamsicles (Love those Unis!), but I do not have the minerals to make that selection. Saints running game should feast no the Bucs.
New York Giants 31, Atlanta Falcons 20 - The Giants are back after a much, much needed Bye Week, and they will finally have starting CB Aaron Ross back. No Michael Turner for the Falcons, meaning that Matt Ryan will try to do too much on the road. Giants get back on track.
Washington Redskins 17, Dallas Cowboys 16 - UPSET SPECIAL! The Redskins still play tough defense. Any NFC East game is always up for grabs, and the Cowboys laid an egg last week. Stranger things have happened.
Minnesota Vikings 34, Seattle Seahawks 17 - One of our all time faves Matt Hasselback has what it takes to pull off this upset. He just cannot pull it off on his back. Hawks OLine is shoddy, and the Vikings front 4 is the best in the league. Along with Hasselback's bad back, just a nightmare matchup for Matty.
Indianapolis Colts 27, Baltimore Ravens 14 - Yes, the Ravens won on Monday Night, but by default. They looked flat against the worst team in football. Now, they face the best team in football. Manning sees this secondary and is looking to sew up the MVP right now. Stay thirsty my friends....
Cincinnati Bengals 41, Oakland Raiders 9 - I heard that this could be a trap game for the Bengals. Get real. This coaching staff is too hardcore to let this team think past any other team. Larry Johnson will get action, and could enjoy a decent game against this Raiders rushing defense. Well, that is what we have to offically call it. I call jogging.
St. Louis Rams 23, Arizona Cardinals 21 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! The Rams have been playing good ball the past few weeks, and the offense has awoken. The Cardinals do have a very good run defense, but has that stopped Steven Jackson? Jackson has ran for 100+ yards against the Colts, Saints, Packers, and Redskins.
San Diego Chargers 27, Denver Broncos 18 - We dunno how effective Kyle Orton will be, but the Bolts defense has gotten better throughout the season, applying more and more pressure each week. The LT Revival continues this week.
New England Patriots 41, New York Jets 17 - Now, I am a Jets fan, but there are several things going against them this week.
1. No Kris Jenkins
2. Wes Welker is playing this game.
3. Belichick lost last week, combined with a home game this week (We mentioned this formula already in the past.).
4. The Eff-You Factor. Jets talked way too much trash for the first game. Pats will not take their foot off their throats.
5. Kerry Rhodes had another photo shoot this week, missing another film session. (Ok, this is not true, but you get the idea right?)
Philadelphia Eagles 38, Chicago Bears 20 - Just a bad, bad matchup for the Bears defense. Think what the Bengals did to this secondary, and I raise you Deshaun Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Too much speed for the Bears to contest with. The only reason Lovie Smith will keep his job after this season is because of money owed to him.
This Week : 0-1
Last Week: 10-4
Season: 91-51 (Will not count this week's games until they are all over with.)
MVP Watch
1. Peyton Manning QB, Colts - He is not the MVP of this team. He IS this team.
2. Drew Brees QB, Saints - Holding the 2nd spot strong, even after a few sub-par games for Brees standards. Will hold at spots 1 or 2 as long as the Saints are undefeated.
3. Adrian Peterson RB, Vikings - Eventhough the fumbling is an issue, he is having a monster season and I do not have the stones to put The Days of Our Favre here.
4. Chris Johnson RB, Titans - Tough to put up on here since the Titans have a sub .500 record, but have you seen the stats the past 3 weeks? He should be on this list if you have him in any Fantasy Football league.
5. Steven Jackson RB, Rams - This one must be scratching your head even more, but hear me out. The Rams have zero offense after Jackson. Teams put eight, nine guys in the box to stop him. What is Jackson's stats pro-rated to end the 09 season? 1627 yards rushing on 4.8 per carry. Name another RB in football other than Chris Johnson that could pull that feat off?
Honorable Mention: Tom Brady QB Patriots, Carson Palmer QB Bengals, Jared Allen DE Vikings, Maurice Jones Drew RB Jags.
We lost the Thursday Night game, as Ricky Williams hit the Fountain of Youth and had himself perhaps his best game in his career. Here are the rest of the games:
Detroit Lions 24, Cleveland Browns 15 - What a God-awful game. The Brownies actually played good defense the other night, but does anyone think Brady Quinn can lead this team into the endzone? Neither do I. Stafford to Megatron Johnson for 2 scores, and the Brownies boot 5 field goals.
San Francisco 49ers 23, Green Bay Packers 20 - I have zero faith in Aaron Rodgers right now. Let me rephrase that, I have no faith in his Offensive Line. 49ers will bring some heat, and Frank Gore can run on anyone.
Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Kansas City Chiefs 17 - No Troy Polamalu, which any team can exploit, but do you really think the Steelers are going to lose to a stiff team like the Chiefs after getting their butts kicked last week? There is a better chance of Paulie Shore getting the next acting lead in Ridley Scott's next blockbuster.
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Buffalo Bills 20 - Usually this is where I take the Jags, and they put up a complete egg (See the Seattle game). The Bills just cannot stop the run, and Tiny Jones Drew is a human pinball.
New Orleans Saints 37, Tampa Bay Bucs 27 - Herm Edwards of ESPN predicted the monster upset here, espeically if the Bucs are wearing the creamsicles (Love those Unis!), but I do not have the minerals to make that selection. Saints running game should feast no the Bucs.
New York Giants 31, Atlanta Falcons 20 - The Giants are back after a much, much needed Bye Week, and they will finally have starting CB Aaron Ross back. No Michael Turner for the Falcons, meaning that Matt Ryan will try to do too much on the road. Giants get back on track.
Washington Redskins 17, Dallas Cowboys 16 - UPSET SPECIAL! The Redskins still play tough defense. Any NFC East game is always up for grabs, and the Cowboys laid an egg last week. Stranger things have happened.
Minnesota Vikings 34, Seattle Seahawks 17 - One of our all time faves Matt Hasselback has what it takes to pull off this upset. He just cannot pull it off on his back. Hawks OLine is shoddy, and the Vikings front 4 is the best in the league. Along with Hasselback's bad back, just a nightmare matchup for Matty.
Indianapolis Colts 27, Baltimore Ravens 14 - Yes, the Ravens won on Monday Night, but by default. They looked flat against the worst team in football. Now, they face the best team in football. Manning sees this secondary and is looking to sew up the MVP right now. Stay thirsty my friends....
Cincinnati Bengals 41, Oakland Raiders 9 - I heard that this could be a trap game for the Bengals. Get real. This coaching staff is too hardcore to let this team think past any other team. Larry Johnson will get action, and could enjoy a decent game against this Raiders rushing defense. Well, that is what we have to offically call it. I call jogging.
St. Louis Rams 23, Arizona Cardinals 21 - UPSET SPECIAL #2! The Rams have been playing good ball the past few weeks, and the offense has awoken. The Cardinals do have a very good run defense, but has that stopped Steven Jackson? Jackson has ran for 100+ yards against the Colts, Saints, Packers, and Redskins.
San Diego Chargers 27, Denver Broncos 18 - We dunno how effective Kyle Orton will be, but the Bolts defense has gotten better throughout the season, applying more and more pressure each week. The LT Revival continues this week.
New England Patriots 41, New York Jets 17 - Now, I am a Jets fan, but there are several things going against them this week.
1. No Kris Jenkins
2. Wes Welker is playing this game.
3. Belichick lost last week, combined with a home game this week (We mentioned this formula already in the past.).
4. The Eff-You Factor. Jets talked way too much trash for the first game. Pats will not take their foot off their throats.
5. Kerry Rhodes had another photo shoot this week, missing another film session. (Ok, this is not true, but you get the idea right?)
Philadelphia Eagles 38, Chicago Bears 20 - Just a bad, bad matchup for the Bears defense. Think what the Bengals did to this secondary, and I raise you Deshaun Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Too much speed for the Bears to contest with. The only reason Lovie Smith will keep his job after this season is because of money owed to him.
This Week : 0-1
Last Week: 10-4
Season: 91-51 (Will not count this week's games until they are all over with.)
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