Sunday, May 08, 2011
We Are Back!
Just kidding! Good ole run down memory lane.
Sean Tomlinson abandoned us....shocker....
all 3 of these jerk offs are working at the score now....I'm back in the woods working in the less exciting world of radio...
hopefully this pisses one of them off....preferably Tomlinson, who is all domesticated now.
Watching RBC Cup....wow...2011...time flies....
Sean Tomlinson abandoned us....shocker....
all 3 of these jerk offs are working at the score now....I'm back in the woods working in the less exciting world of radio...
hopefully this pisses one of them off....preferably Tomlinson, who is all domesticated now.
Watching RBC Cup....wow...2011...time flies....
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Toronto Claims Green
The Toronto Maple Leafs have claimed forward Travis Green off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks.
Green will cost Toronto $500,000 against the salary cap, which is not much when you are bringing in a player who has more than 900 NHL games to his credit. This will be Green's second stint with the Blue and White.
Green will add some stability to a depleted Leaf lineup after not being given much of a shot of cracking the lineup in Anaheim. The Maple Leafs have suffered injuries to five of their top eight forwards.
Green has previously played with Anaheim, Boston, Toronto, Phoenix and the New York Islanders. His strengths lie in the defensive forward role; a strong faceoff man and good penalty killer.
Erik Westrum was sent down as a result of the Travis Green aquisition.
Green will cost Toronto $500,000 against the salary cap, which is not much when you are bringing in a player who has more than 900 NHL games to his credit. This will be Green's second stint with the Blue and White.
Green will add some stability to a depleted Leaf lineup after not being given much of a shot of cracking the lineup in Anaheim. The Maple Leafs have suffered injuries to five of their top eight forwards.
Green has previously played with Anaheim, Boston, Toronto, Phoenix and the New York Islanders. His strengths lie in the defensive forward role; a strong faceoff man and good penalty killer.
Erik Westrum was sent down as a result of the Travis Green aquisition.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
McGuire should be in Cooperstown
Infamy is a version of fame.
That's one reason why Mark McGuire got screwed Tuesday when he received only 23.5% of Hall of Fame votes.
Big Mac, by the numbers the seventh best home-run hitter of all-time, is one of the most important parts of baseball history. And while the Hall of Fame is meant to honour the game's bests, it is also supposed to document the history of America's greatest pastime.
That's why Pete Rose should be there. And that's why Mark McGuire can now join him as an outcast.
But Rose was barred from the game, and that's why his name stays separate from the Hall. Now, remind us again, what exactly did McGuire get caught doing?
Nothing.
McGuire is simply a great player, caught up in a sour era, and in the wrong place at the wrong time. He picked the wrong year to retire: just before the rest of the (supposed) juiced sluggers of his generation.
And so the former Cardinal and Athletic, and only player in baseball history to hit 70 home-runs prior to the Barry Bonds fiasco, is the man taking the heat for his peers. McGuire presented the first opportunity for baseball writers across America to condemn the wrongdoers of the steroid era.
But, is that right? I mean, in the eyes of the law it isn't. And, after all, he never failed a drug test.
Well, he actually never had to take one. See Major League Baseball didn't have a steroid policy in Big Mac's days. The drugs were in no way against league rules. And in most countries (and in the United States with a prescription) they were a-okay on "the streets" as well.
So, tell me again. Why should we condemn a "cheater" that was never caught? And even if he did get nabbed, it wouldn't have been against the rules.
And why McGuire? I mean, Gaylord Perry is in the Hall of Fame, isn't he?
Here we are with a man who ADMITTED to cheating, not once, but almost EVERY TIME he took to the mound, right there in the Hall with all the rest of the game's greatest ever.
Perry was loveable, and when he talked about his days of doctoring baseballs, media and fans tended to almost applaud him for it, appreciating his efforts.
Mike Schmidt is in the Hall. He says he would've taken the 'roids in his day if they were available. And who's to say most of the players from the pre-steroid era wouldn't have? It's not like these guys had cleaner souls or pourer consciences.
Likely, many players from the game's past would have juiced if the opportunity was presented.
In fact, most of the greatest players from the sixties and on were popping "greenies" (look it up, they are a form of speed) before each game. Are you going to tell me no Hall-of-Famers hail from that group?
But, like in McGuire's career, substances weren't tested for in the Majors at that point.
The technology has merely changed, and the drugs have become more notable in public discussion. Why should current players (I.e. McGuire) pay the price, while everyone in the past years of baseball gets away scot-free.
It's really as simple as this: the game of baseball has to be correctly documented in the greatest Hall of Fame in sports. And to leave Mark McGuire out would be to neglect an important part of the history of this game.
And as long as the rules of baseball haven't been breached by a player, nobody (especially a sports writer on a clear vendetta) has the right to vote against him based on their personal beliefs.
Sports writers who do this are abusing their privilege, which is to cast an objective vote based on the accomplishments of the player in the game of baseball. If he didn't break the rules, voters really don't have the right to use off-the-field criteria in their judgments.
Heck, Ty Cobb was known as a racist - undoubtedly an off-the-field issue, but his ghost resides in Cooperstown.
Mac didn't break any rules, and we doubt many voters would deem his stats to be un-Hall-worthy.
It has to be remembered that it isn't the Writers' Hall of Fame. Writers are merely the watchers of the game of baseball, with the ability to compare historical stats and accomplishments and determine if a player deserves to be put up there with the best in history.
And, aside from a shaky Grand Jury testimony and some andro apparently spotted in his locker, Big Mac is right there with the best home run hitters ever.
He may go down in the history books as infamous, but his contributions to the game - bringing fans back to the parks for the first time since before the 1994 strike - will surely place him among a select few in regards to impact on the history of Major League Baseball.
That's one reason why Mark McGuire got screwed Tuesday when he received only 23.5% of Hall of Fame votes.
Big Mac, by the numbers the seventh best home-run hitter of all-time, is one of the most important parts of baseball history. And while the Hall of Fame is meant to honour the game's bests, it is also supposed to document the history of America's greatest pastime.
That's why Pete Rose should be there. And that's why Mark McGuire can now join him as an outcast.
But Rose was barred from the game, and that's why his name stays separate from the Hall. Now, remind us again, what exactly did McGuire get caught doing?
Nothing.
McGuire is simply a great player, caught up in a sour era, and in the wrong place at the wrong time. He picked the wrong year to retire: just before the rest of the (supposed) juiced sluggers of his generation.
And so the former Cardinal and Athletic, and only player in baseball history to hit 70 home-runs prior to the Barry Bonds fiasco, is the man taking the heat for his peers. McGuire presented the first opportunity for baseball writers across America to condemn the wrongdoers of the steroid era.
But, is that right? I mean, in the eyes of the law it isn't. And, after all, he never failed a drug test.
Well, he actually never had to take one. See Major League Baseball didn't have a steroid policy in Big Mac's days. The drugs were in no way against league rules. And in most countries (and in the United States with a prescription) they were a-okay on "the streets" as well.
So, tell me again. Why should we condemn a "cheater" that was never caught? And even if he did get nabbed, it wouldn't have been against the rules.
And why McGuire? I mean, Gaylord Perry is in the Hall of Fame, isn't he?
Here we are with a man who ADMITTED to cheating, not once, but almost EVERY TIME he took to the mound, right there in the Hall with all the rest of the game's greatest ever.
Perry was loveable, and when he talked about his days of doctoring baseballs, media and fans tended to almost applaud him for it, appreciating his efforts.
Mike Schmidt is in the Hall. He says he would've taken the 'roids in his day if they were available. And who's to say most of the players from the pre-steroid era wouldn't have? It's not like these guys had cleaner souls or pourer consciences.
Likely, many players from the game's past would have juiced if the opportunity was presented.
In fact, most of the greatest players from the sixties and on were popping "greenies" (look it up, they are a form of speed) before each game. Are you going to tell me no Hall-of-Famers hail from that group?
But, like in McGuire's career, substances weren't tested for in the Majors at that point.
The technology has merely changed, and the drugs have become more notable in public discussion. Why should current players (I.e. McGuire) pay the price, while everyone in the past years of baseball gets away scot-free.
It's really as simple as this: the game of baseball has to be correctly documented in the greatest Hall of Fame in sports. And to leave Mark McGuire out would be to neglect an important part of the history of this game.
And as long as the rules of baseball haven't been breached by a player, nobody (especially a sports writer on a clear vendetta) has the right to vote against him based on their personal beliefs.
Sports writers who do this are abusing their privilege, which is to cast an objective vote based on the accomplishments of the player in the game of baseball. If he didn't break the rules, voters really don't have the right to use off-the-field criteria in their judgments.
Heck, Ty Cobb was known as a racist - undoubtedly an off-the-field issue, but his ghost resides in Cooperstown.
Mac didn't break any rules, and we doubt many voters would deem his stats to be un-Hall-worthy.
It has to be remembered that it isn't the Writers' Hall of Fame. Writers are merely the watchers of the game of baseball, with the ability to compare historical stats and accomplishments and determine if a player deserves to be put up there with the best in history.
And, aside from a shaky Grand Jury testimony and some andro apparently spotted in his locker, Big Mac is right there with the best home run hitters ever.
He may go down in the history books as infamous, but his contributions to the game - bringing fans back to the parks for the first time since before the 1994 strike - will surely place him among a select few in regards to impact on the history of Major League Baseball.
Friday, January 05, 2007
You're Fired Week
The sixth season of Donald Trump's egotistically charged The Apprentice debuts across America Sunday night. Which means the nation will again have the opportunity to see someone feel the wrath of Trump's "You're fired" each and every week.
Ironic that the show kicks off at the conclusion of what could be called "You're fired week" in the National Football League.
The week following the end of the NFL regular season is always interesting for a couple of reasons (other than the obvious anticipation of wild card weekend). First, we can sit back and analyze coach and coordinator dismissals, and try to determine who will fill the vacated spots in each city, and second, we can breakdown who should have gotten the boot, but didn't.
This year was less entertaining than in the past. Thus far, only two coaches have been officially fired (Dennis Green following three lousy seasons in Arizona and Jim Mora after the Falcons missed the playoffs for the second straight year), two have left on their own preference (Nick Saban jumped from the Miami Dolphins to the SEC's Alabama Crimson Tide and it isn't official yet but Bill Cowher looks like he will break from the Steelers after 15 years) and one has "resigned" (Art Shell "decided" - with added emphasis on the quotation marks - to part ways with the Raiders after only one, horribly unsuccessful season).
So we may only see five new head coaches in the league next year. That's if Cowher doesn't accept Saban's old post in Miami and Mora doesn't find work in Arizona.
Time to speculate on who will fill the five empty roles in Pittsburgh (assuming Cowher does in fact leave), Atlanta, Miami, Arizona and Oakland.
Pittsburgh Steelers
This might be the best job to try and fill from within. There's one way to tell: the incredible amount of attention the team's offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt, has already received on the open market. Whisenhunt's name has popped up as a possible candidate for several jobs around the league.
So, why not take advantage of the fact he's already in Pittsburgh? The Steelers may in fact do that, and we think they eventually will. The only way it doesn't happen is if the Cardinals or Falcons fail to land their first options and one of those teams sweeps up Whisenhunt before Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney and G.M. Kevin Colbert can do anything about it.
If for any reason Whisenhunt doesn't get, or take, a promotion, watch for Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera to be the Steelers' man. A hard-nosed defensive guru, and a former finalist for other jobs, Rivera would fit in nicely in Steel town.
Who they should go with: Whisenhunt
Who they will go with: Whisenhunt
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have looked into interviewing Rivera, and apparently have interest in 49ers assistant coach Mike Singletary. Either way, they seem to love the Chicago Bear connection, and that's not a bad way to go. But, we don't think Singletary is ready to be an NFL head coach yet.
Atlanta gave Mora his first NFL head coaching job, and Mora's immaturity proved to be his demise. In light of that, they would probably love to bring in someone with experience, but we wouldn't recommend Dennis Green because, well, by all indication he's lost his mind.
Jim Haslett immediately comes to mind as a guy who has the experience, has many years ahead of him, and knows the ropes of coaching a) in the AFC South, and b) an erratic, pocket-breaking quarterback.
Who they should go with: Haslett
Who they will go with: Rivera (if they can get him)
Miami Dolphins
If Cowher finds his way out of Pittsburgh and into Miami, it won't be without controversy and expectations. The original reason Cowher was expected to step down from the Steelers job following this season was fatigue. The man just needed a break.
But if he jumps to Miami, who may be willing to pay big bucks following the Saban embarrassment, it will prove to Steelers fans and players that money was indeed at the forefront of his departure. The Dolphins would reportedly have to give up draft picks to the Steelers in a John Gruden-Bucs-Raiders-esque situation, but we think they will cave and give it all up to bring in arguably the best coach in the game.
That's how desperate the Fins are, and that's what they'll do.
We can't argue against it. Cowher said he'd listen, and if he'll come to Miami it'd be ridiculous for the Dolphins not to bring him in. The whole situation (debacle) is just a little strange, and we think it will sour Cowher's era in Pittsburgh just a tad.
Who they should go with: Cowher
Who they will go with: Cowher (if he'll do it)
Arizona Cardinals
The Cards are the other team interested in Whisenhunt. They also have interest in, for a reason beyond us, Houston Texans assistant coach Mike Sherman. I guess they already tried the successful old guy, and now it's time to try the unsuccessful old guy? The young Cardinal players would tune out Sherman (just like the Packers did) faster than they did Green.
If Arizona is smart, they'll go after Whisenhunt hard. But we don't think the Steelers will let him get away. We haven't heard this name tied to this team yet, but is seems to make the most sense: Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
Martz, who had one of the more successful seasons of his career despite the Lions bad record, is said to be better suited for coordinator-type jobs because he isn't the best decision-maker and goes a bit nuts upstairs a few times a game. But he'd be a great fit in Arizona, working with one of the most talented young offenses in football and playing his old team, the St. Louis Rams, twice a year.
Who they should go with: Martz
Who they will go with: Sherman (if they do indeed miss out on Whisenhunt)
Oakland Raiders
With word only coming late Thursday Shell wasn't coming back, not much has been put out there in regards to who the Raiders might be interested in bringing in.
Singletary is a Raiders kind of guy, and could jump the pond from San Francisco. We'd imagine the Raiders would give him a call based on reputation, Al Davis loves reputation. But they'll likely go after the best coordinator they can bring in.
Whisenhunt isn't a realistic possibility because he turned the Raiders down last year, and we would understand if that happened a lot again this time around.
Who they should go with: Rivera (it'd have to be one hell of a pitch)
Who they will go with: Haslett (in other words, they'll do opposite what the Falcons do, and possibly reuinite him with ex-Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks)
Now, this is assuming no other coaches get the axe between now and the beginning of next season. You'd think it would be fair to assume every coach with a playoff team is safe, but Tom Coughlin isn't a sure shot to stick around with the limping Giants and rumour has had it Tony Dungy would fit nicely leading his alma mater, the University of Minnesota. Bill Parcells has said he and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will iron things out after the playoffs, and at that point Parcells will know if he will stick around in Dallas or not.
Last season, five coaches lost their jobs during You're Fired Week. So again, this is a tame year. But history shows that when teams want to make changes, they make them right away. We can't imagine any other moves, aside from the three playoff coach possibilities above, will be made.
But how about the lucky ones? How about those coaches that probably should have been let go but survived? We can only spot one this time around.
Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins
They tried. It was cool for a bit, it didn't work. Can't the 'Skins just admit it failed, just like the Steve Spurrier experiment, and move on? Nope. Dan Snyder's ego is too much like Trump's.
Gibbs has gone 21-27 and won one playoff game in three seasons with one of the most talented and expensive teams in football. You'd think Snyder, a guy who puts winning above all else and doesn't tolerate much, would have stepped in after two losing seasons out of three, but Gibbs is still employed despite the struggles. He's 66-years-old, and hasn't really improved the team at all in three years.
To boot, the Redskins have the highest paid (and some would say the best) defensive assistant in the game, waiting to be plucked by one of the many teams that will show interest in him this off-season. Gregg Williams, who has head coaching experience, would be a great replacement for Gibbs.
But, unless Snyder is delaying his decision (possibly to give Gibbs a chance to "walk away" like Shell in Oakland), Gibbs will get a fourth year on the Washington sideline.
The reason so few coaches received pink slips, and only one should have but didn't, is because so many coaches have taken brand new jobs the last couple years. Those coaches inherited, usually, bad football teams. It takes time, and that's why the Gary Kubiaks, Rod Marinellis and Romeo Crennels remain safe.
But watch out Jack Del Rio, John Fox and John Gruden. Your teams are too talented to miss the playoffs another year. And we can pretty much promise it: If your squads aren't playing football in January, 2008, the three of you will be the next to hear those dreaded words.
"You're fired."
Ironic that the show kicks off at the conclusion of what could be called "You're fired week" in the National Football League.
The week following the end of the NFL regular season is always interesting for a couple of reasons (other than the obvious anticipation of wild card weekend). First, we can sit back and analyze coach and coordinator dismissals, and try to determine who will fill the vacated spots in each city, and second, we can breakdown who should have gotten the boot, but didn't.
This year was less entertaining than in the past. Thus far, only two coaches have been officially fired (Dennis Green following three lousy seasons in Arizona and Jim Mora after the Falcons missed the playoffs for the second straight year), two have left on their own preference (Nick Saban jumped from the Miami Dolphins to the SEC's Alabama Crimson Tide and it isn't official yet but Bill Cowher looks like he will break from the Steelers after 15 years) and one has "resigned" (Art Shell "decided" - with added emphasis on the quotation marks - to part ways with the Raiders after only one, horribly unsuccessful season).
So we may only see five new head coaches in the league next year. That's if Cowher doesn't accept Saban's old post in Miami and Mora doesn't find work in Arizona.
Time to speculate on who will fill the five empty roles in Pittsburgh (assuming Cowher does in fact leave), Atlanta, Miami, Arizona and Oakland.
Pittsburgh Steelers
This might be the best job to try and fill from within. There's one way to tell: the incredible amount of attention the team's offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt, has already received on the open market. Whisenhunt's name has popped up as a possible candidate for several jobs around the league.
So, why not take advantage of the fact he's already in Pittsburgh? The Steelers may in fact do that, and we think they eventually will. The only way it doesn't happen is if the Cardinals or Falcons fail to land their first options and one of those teams sweeps up Whisenhunt before Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney and G.M. Kevin Colbert can do anything about it.
If for any reason Whisenhunt doesn't get, or take, a promotion, watch for Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera to be the Steelers' man. A hard-nosed defensive guru, and a former finalist for other jobs, Rivera would fit in nicely in Steel town.
Who they should go with: Whisenhunt
Who they will go with: Whisenhunt
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have looked into interviewing Rivera, and apparently have interest in 49ers assistant coach Mike Singletary. Either way, they seem to love the Chicago Bear connection, and that's not a bad way to go. But, we don't think Singletary is ready to be an NFL head coach yet.
Atlanta gave Mora his first NFL head coaching job, and Mora's immaturity proved to be his demise. In light of that, they would probably love to bring in someone with experience, but we wouldn't recommend Dennis Green because, well, by all indication he's lost his mind.
Jim Haslett immediately comes to mind as a guy who has the experience, has many years ahead of him, and knows the ropes of coaching a) in the AFC South, and b) an erratic, pocket-breaking quarterback.
Who they should go with: Haslett
Who they will go with: Rivera (if they can get him)
Miami Dolphins
If Cowher finds his way out of Pittsburgh and into Miami, it won't be without controversy and expectations. The original reason Cowher was expected to step down from the Steelers job following this season was fatigue. The man just needed a break.
But if he jumps to Miami, who may be willing to pay big bucks following the Saban embarrassment, it will prove to Steelers fans and players that money was indeed at the forefront of his departure. The Dolphins would reportedly have to give up draft picks to the Steelers in a John Gruden-Bucs-Raiders-esque situation, but we think they will cave and give it all up to bring in arguably the best coach in the game.
That's how desperate the Fins are, and that's what they'll do.
We can't argue against it. Cowher said he'd listen, and if he'll come to Miami it'd be ridiculous for the Dolphins not to bring him in. The whole situation (debacle) is just a little strange, and we think it will sour Cowher's era in Pittsburgh just a tad.
Who they should go with: Cowher
Who they will go with: Cowher (if he'll do it)
Arizona Cardinals
The Cards are the other team interested in Whisenhunt. They also have interest in, for a reason beyond us, Houston Texans assistant coach Mike Sherman. I guess they already tried the successful old guy, and now it's time to try the unsuccessful old guy? The young Cardinal players would tune out Sherman (just like the Packers did) faster than they did Green.
If Arizona is smart, they'll go after Whisenhunt hard. But we don't think the Steelers will let him get away. We haven't heard this name tied to this team yet, but is seems to make the most sense: Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
Martz, who had one of the more successful seasons of his career despite the Lions bad record, is said to be better suited for coordinator-type jobs because he isn't the best decision-maker and goes a bit nuts upstairs a few times a game. But he'd be a great fit in Arizona, working with one of the most talented young offenses in football and playing his old team, the St. Louis Rams, twice a year.
Who they should go with: Martz
Who they will go with: Sherman (if they do indeed miss out on Whisenhunt)
Oakland Raiders
With word only coming late Thursday Shell wasn't coming back, not much has been put out there in regards to who the Raiders might be interested in bringing in.
Singletary is a Raiders kind of guy, and could jump the pond from San Francisco. We'd imagine the Raiders would give him a call based on reputation, Al Davis loves reputation. But they'll likely go after the best coordinator they can bring in.
Whisenhunt isn't a realistic possibility because he turned the Raiders down last year, and we would understand if that happened a lot again this time around.
Who they should go with: Rivera (it'd have to be one hell of a pitch)
Who they will go with: Haslett (in other words, they'll do opposite what the Falcons do, and possibly reuinite him with ex-Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks)
Now, this is assuming no other coaches get the axe between now and the beginning of next season. You'd think it would be fair to assume every coach with a playoff team is safe, but Tom Coughlin isn't a sure shot to stick around with the limping Giants and rumour has had it Tony Dungy would fit nicely leading his alma mater, the University of Minnesota. Bill Parcells has said he and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will iron things out after the playoffs, and at that point Parcells will know if he will stick around in Dallas or not.
Last season, five coaches lost their jobs during You're Fired Week. So again, this is a tame year. But history shows that when teams want to make changes, they make them right away. We can't imagine any other moves, aside from the three playoff coach possibilities above, will be made.
But how about the lucky ones? How about those coaches that probably should have been let go but survived? We can only spot one this time around.
Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins
They tried. It was cool for a bit, it didn't work. Can't the 'Skins just admit it failed, just like the Steve Spurrier experiment, and move on? Nope. Dan Snyder's ego is too much like Trump's.
Gibbs has gone 21-27 and won one playoff game in three seasons with one of the most talented and expensive teams in football. You'd think Snyder, a guy who puts winning above all else and doesn't tolerate much, would have stepped in after two losing seasons out of three, but Gibbs is still employed despite the struggles. He's 66-years-old, and hasn't really improved the team at all in three years.
To boot, the Redskins have the highest paid (and some would say the best) defensive assistant in the game, waiting to be plucked by one of the many teams that will show interest in him this off-season. Gregg Williams, who has head coaching experience, would be a great replacement for Gibbs.
But, unless Snyder is delaying his decision (possibly to give Gibbs a chance to "walk away" like Shell in Oakland), Gibbs will get a fourth year on the Washington sideline.
The reason so few coaches received pink slips, and only one should have but didn't, is because so many coaches have taken brand new jobs the last couple years. Those coaches inherited, usually, bad football teams. It takes time, and that's why the Gary Kubiaks, Rod Marinellis and Romeo Crennels remain safe.
But watch out Jack Del Rio, John Fox and John Gruden. Your teams are too talented to miss the playoffs another year. And we can pretty much promise it: If your squads aren't playing football in January, 2008, the three of you will be the next to hear those dreaded words.
"You're fired."
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Runaway Sage Coach
Only one year removed from winning a BCS National Championship with his LSU Tigers, Nick Saban was moving on to the big show. Despite his devout-sounding promises he'd be in Louisiana for good, Saban jumped ship when he was offered the chance to step in for Dave Wannstedt and take the reigns of the Miami Dolphins.
Hurricane Katrina forced Saban to return to Baton Rouge one more time. The Saints couldn't play in New Orleans yet in the wake of the destruction, and the Dolphins had to travel to Saban's ex-home stadium October 30, 2005.
Saban wasn't crestfallen, nor were the fans at Tiger Stadium.
Miami beat the Saints 21-6, and the crowd praised Saban most of the way. They cheered him, they kissed him, they hugged him, they even made a sign that read: "Welcome Home Nick."
Maybe we can blame that on Katrina too. Maybe Louisianans had experienced too much pain to jeer a sports figure. Maybe that would seem silly and insignificant in the greater scheme, considering the circumstances many in the state faced at the time, and still face today.
The fans at Tiger Stadium felt proud that day. Surely they missed their coach, but they didn't get mad.
Second chances, however, are easy to grant. It's third ones that are hard to gain. And we doubt Saban will get away with another knee-jerk swap like this in his career.
Saban put on another Oscar-worthy production for Dolphins players, fans and media in the last month of the season. And as the Alabama Crimson Tide continued to get turned down by second-rate coaches, taking reputational hit after hit, Saban's name heated up from simmer to boil in rumour mills and NCAA message boards nation-wide. And as the whispers became screams, and eventually declarations ("Saban or the Highway"), the Dolphins coach stuck with the front stating he was staying put come hell or high water.
Wednesday, two days after the first losing season of his career ended, Saban announced (well, he let his high-and-dry owner, Wayne Huizenga, spill the beans) he was off to Alabama for eight years and $32 million. I suppose that high water did come, in the form of a tide.
Now, it's 'Bama embracing this traitor. But when you play with rattlesnakes, sooner or later you're going to get bit.
Those crimson tides can turn in landlocked Tuscaloosa, it doesn't take much. The bets can start now: How long will Nick stick in The Heart of Dixie?
You can be damn sure 'Bama football fans expect a lot. And, based on history, you can expect Saban will board a jet (maybe for the Jets?) as soon as trouble finds his new program.
Hurricane Katrina forced Saban to return to Baton Rouge one more time. The Saints couldn't play in New Orleans yet in the wake of the destruction, and the Dolphins had to travel to Saban's ex-home stadium October 30, 2005.
Saban wasn't crestfallen, nor were the fans at Tiger Stadium.
Miami beat the Saints 21-6, and the crowd praised Saban most of the way. They cheered him, they kissed him, they hugged him, they even made a sign that read: "Welcome Home Nick."
Maybe we can blame that on Katrina too. Maybe Louisianans had experienced too much pain to jeer a sports figure. Maybe that would seem silly and insignificant in the greater scheme, considering the circumstances many in the state faced at the time, and still face today.
The fans at Tiger Stadium felt proud that day. Surely they missed their coach, but they didn't get mad.
Second chances, however, are easy to grant. It's third ones that are hard to gain. And we doubt Saban will get away with another knee-jerk swap like this in his career.
Saban put on another Oscar-worthy production for Dolphins players, fans and media in the last month of the season. And as the Alabama Crimson Tide continued to get turned down by second-rate coaches, taking reputational hit after hit, Saban's name heated up from simmer to boil in rumour mills and NCAA message boards nation-wide. And as the whispers became screams, and eventually declarations ("Saban or the Highway"), the Dolphins coach stuck with the front stating he was staying put come hell or high water.
Wednesday, two days after the first losing season of his career ended, Saban announced (well, he let his high-and-dry owner, Wayne Huizenga, spill the beans) he was off to Alabama for eight years and $32 million. I suppose that high water did come, in the form of a tide.
Now, it's 'Bama embracing this traitor. But when you play with rattlesnakes, sooner or later you're going to get bit.
Those crimson tides can turn in landlocked Tuscaloosa, it doesn't take much. The bets can start now: How long will Nick stick in The Heart of Dixie?
You can be damn sure 'Bama football fans expect a lot. And, based on history, you can expect Saban will board a jet (maybe for the Jets?) as soon as trouble finds his new program.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Nedved Claimed By Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have reportedly claimed 35-year-old Petr Nedved off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. Early reports had the Senators claiming him, but with the Oilers being lower in the standings, they had the first chance at him.
The Senators are close to getting guys back and healthy anyways so the need was not as pressing in Ottawa as it was in oil country.
The Oilers will only have to pay half of the $2.356 million Nedved is signed to. The other half will be paid by the Flyers.
The Senators are close to getting guys back and healthy anyways so the need was not as pressing in Ottawa as it was in oil country.
The Oilers will only have to pay half of the $2.356 million Nedved is signed to. The other half will be paid by the Flyers.
Monday, January 01, 2007
TFS NFL Regular-Season in Review
Who would have expected the New Orleans Saints to make the playoffs, let alone gain a first-round bye?
Then again, who would have expected Randy Moss to catch only 42 balls? The guy long considered one of the best receivers in the league wasn't even the best on his team.
Who would have expected the 252nd pick of the 255-pick NFL draft to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards?
While we're at it, did anyone think Mr. Yearsawayfromready Vince Young would win more games than the prodigy from five years ago, David Carr? Or the as many as Eli Manning? Young also won, just barely, more games than Tony Romo.
Wait, who the hell's Tony Romo?
Forgotten in 17 weeks are Drew Bledsoe and Kerry Collins, T.J. Duckett and Mark Brunell, Kevan Barlow (for the most part) and Donovan McNabb (due to injury, of course). Yeah, who would've guessed the Eagles would be resting Jeff Garcia in week 17, protecting him from injury so the team could be healthy for their wild-card game? Most people didn't even know Garcia was still in the league headed into the 2006 season.
New on the scene? Marques Colston and the aforementioned Young made waves. Young's fellow first-round quarterbacks, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler, experienced success too. Cutler came close to leading his team to the playoffs.
The Texans went with defense instead of taking Reggie Bush at the draft. Bush arrived. So did that Houston defense (at least the youth). First overall pick Mario Williams was decent, but it was the first pick of the second round, DeMeco Ryans, who made the biggest statement. Ryans led the league in tackles, picked up 3.5 sacks and a pick.
The Raiders are going nowhere fast, but walk away from a 2-14 season with two signs of hope. 1) They were the worst team in the National Football League and are on the clock with the first overall pick in the draft, and 2) they had one of the best secondaries in the league in 2006. The Raiders offense scored only 12 touchdowns in 16 games, but who new Nnamdi Asomugha heading into the '06 season? Anyone? The Pro-Bowl Snub-o'-the-Year was Champ Bailey Jr. Nobody threw Asomugha's way. Nobody. He's only missed two career games, but his interceptions season-by-season in his four-year career: 0, 0, 0, 8.
While we're on rookies, you may not have known them, but now you won't forget Maurice Jones-Drew and Marcus McNeill. In our opinion, that's the battle for the NFL's offensive rookie of the year. Jones-Drew finished 25th in the NFL in rushing despite being the backup in Jacksonville and averaged a league-best 5.7 yards-per-carry. McNeill stepped in to play the most important offensive line position on a decent line, and helped LaDainian Tomlinson have one of the best rushing seasons in NFL history.
Oh, yeah. I guess it's time we touch on that. Just as a side note, LT did score 31 touchdowns, threw for two more, led the league in rushing, and pretty much carried the Chargers to a 14-2 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The craziest part? Not everyone is letting him run away with the league's MVP award.
...Which leads us to: The TFS Awards (Legit NFL ones first, followed by TFS-original accolades)
Coach of the Year: Eric Mangini, New York Jets
Runner-up: Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Payton and Mangini had identical seasons record-wise, but Mangini did it in the tougher conference and with less to work with. The Saints turned things around big time in 2006 thanks to key pieces Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister. The Jets did it with a fragile Chad Pennington (who wasn't even all that good), no true starting running back, and Jerricho Cotchery as their best receiver. The defense was good, but for the most part, Mangini made this work with literally no true stars.
Offensive Player of the Year: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers RB
Runner-up: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB
Although the debate can be made that either could be MVP, nobody is going to argue against LT for offensive player of the year. He, without a doubt, had one of the best offensive seasons ever. He had a total of 2,323 yards and 31 touchdowns without even scoring in the final two games of the season. Oh yeah, and he threw two touchdown passes.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins DE
Runner-up: Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears LB
Taylor's team isn't going to the playoffs. Urlacher's is. But this isn't the MVP and we are basing this decision on stats and dominance. And despite the Dolphins struggles this season, Taylor made a bigger difference on his team's defense than any other player in the league except one: Shawne Merriman.
That's where the debate begins. Some feel Merriman shouldn't have a shot at the award because he had to sit out four games thanks to a steroids suspension. We agree, but don't think a rule has to be set in place by the league. First, because the likelihood of anyone having a good enough season in 12 games to have a shot at an NFL award is very low. Merriman is an anomaly. Second, because we don't feel players should be penalized for behavioural suspensions. Getting into a scrap during a game and receiving a two game suspension shouldn't mean you don't have the right to win an award. Steroids are different, however. Merriman only made a difference for his team in 12 games, because he only played that many. And although he was by far the most dominant defensive player in the league (and we wonder why San Diego is so dangerous?) when he played, we rule him out for simply not playing enough games to be a big enough difference-maker. He almost still was, though, and watch for him next season to be the winner of this and/or more. But, we digress.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Marcus McNeill, San Diego Chargers OT
Runner-Up: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
It is remarkable that Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, etc. don't even get runner-up honours for this award. But it's no knock on them. This was just, simply put, the best year for rookies the league has ever seen.
McNeill isn't the sexy or popular pick, but made the biggest difference on the best team in the NFL. It's easy for a rook to make a big difference on his bottom-feeder team, but in this case we are talking about a guy who has played in the most important spot on the offensive side of the field in the game of football, aside from quarterback and running back. And as a rookie, his tailback broke records and his quarterback - in his first year as a starter - stayed upright. Philip Rivers was only sacked 27 times in 16 games. By contract, Oakland Raiders quarterbacks Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks were taken down on 72 occasions.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans LB
Runner-Up: Mark Anderson, Chicago Bears DE
There is really no debate here. Anderson and Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk had great seasons, but you could argue Anderson was more a product of the system and fortunate to be part of such a talented defense. Hawk just wasn't as good. I mean, Ryans led the entire lead in solo tackles, think about that. In his rookie season, he mustered 155 tackles and 3.5 sacks on a bad team. He and Mario Williams will be a great defensive combo for years to come.
Comeback Player of the Year: Travis Henry, Tennessee Titans RB
Runners-Up: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals QB; Chad Pennington, New York Jets QB; Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints RB; Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
Why so many runners-up? This is by far the toughest award to call this season. All five of the players listed above deserve a shot at the award, and arguments can be made for each.
Palmer came back from the most grueling injury possible, on shorter than expected recovery time, and barely lost a step. More yards but less accuracy than last year, but Palmer still ended up with 28 touchdowns and 4,035 yards (second only to Peyton Manning). Only one year removed from what was said to be a "devastating and potentially career-ending" knee injury, that's one heck of a season.
Pennington couldn't stay healthy for two years and it was looking like he was one injury-riddled season away from the end of his career. The Jets were even reluctant to give him another shot, and took quarterback Kellen Clemens high in the '06 draft. Penny responded with the best season, yardage-wise, of his career. He still made more mistakes then he used to, but the most important part is Pennington played 16 games for the first time in his career and the Jets are in the playoffs.
Things couldn't have been worse for McAllister at the end of last year and early in the off-season. D-Mac was placed on the injured reserve and missed most of the season with a torn ACL. Then the Saints went and drafted running back Reggie Bush with the second pick in the draft. McAllister stepped up, though. He recovered from the knee injury, and embraced his role as the mentor, pairing up with Bush to make one of the best split backfields in the league.
Taylor returned to form after an injury-plagued 2005 season and put up 1,146 yards. He only scored six times thanks to Maurice Jones-Drew, but showed he can still play at 30 years of age.
We haven't even heard Henry's name mentioned in comeback player of the year talks, but he stands out in both requirements for the award in our opinion. The first requirement: the player's stats must increase dramatically from the season or seasons prior. Henry quietly put up 1,211 yards on the ground without always being the number one option in Tennessee (Chris Brown was still technically the man coming into the year). In his previous two seasons, Henry only managed 661 yards in 20 games. The Second requirement: the player has to have come back from an injury or a circumstance that has forced them to lose a step. Henry missed 12 games in 2004 and 2005. Eight because of injuries and four due to a substance abuse suspension. He bounced back from both speed bumps to have one of the best seasons he's ever had. His 4.5 yards per carry was the best of his career.
Most Valuable Player: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers RB
Runner-Up: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB
Give full credit to Peyton Manning and Brees. Both the Colts and the Saints wouldn't even be .500 without those two quarterbacks. And yes, we agree the Chargers might still be a playoff team without LT. But the Chargers are the best team in the NFL with LT, and there is no way you can deny him the award considering that and the fact he put up all those gaudy, historical numbers. How we need 500 words to breakdown the comeback player of the year and only 90 to justify the MVP is beyond us...
Goat of the Year: Shayne Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals' field goal unit
Runner-Up: Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants DE
Brown doesn't deserve all the heat for ruining the Bengals season, forcing them out of the playoffs when all they needed to do was win one of their final three games to get in. Cincinnati indeed only needed one win. After scoring to bring the Bengals within a point of the Broncos nine days ago, the Bengals field goal team bungaled the extra point as the Brad St. Louis snap missed holder Kyle Larson. Denver 24, Cincinnati 23.
Brown made five of his six field goal attempts in those final three losses. But his miss was a relative cinch, and would have beaten the Steelers and made Bengals fans forget the fiasco at the end of the Denver game. Instead, Graham sliced the hell out of a 39-yard attempt with only eight seconds on the clock in a tie game. The Bengals offense never got the chance to see the ball in overtime. The Steelers won on three plays and the Bengals season came to a halt.
Nothing spells g-o-a-t more than two botched and failed field goal/extra point attempts at the end of back-to-back games when all the team had to do was make one and they'd be playing in January.
The runner-up, Mathias Kiwanuka, plain and simply helped the Giants along (in a bad way) on their dreaded second-half slump. Whether it be Kiwanuka infamously failing to wrap Vince Young up on a late-game drive on an attempted sack that would have sealed the victory for the G-Men, or his failure to hold on to a fumble recovery in a loss to the Cowboys the following week, he was undoubtedly a goat.
Best Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Runner-Up: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Nobody would argue with these guys as one and two. They were simply the best leaders, statistically and morale-wise, in the league this year.
Best Running Back: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Runner-Up: Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams RB
The only debate here would be who the runner up is. Jackson had a ridiculous season, and nobody noticed. He had more total rushing/receiving yards than anyone else in the league, including LT. Larry Johnson deserves credit for another fantastic season, but Jackson had 135 more total yards. With Tiki Barber retiring, and with all due respect to Frank Gore, the clear top three running backs in the NFL heading into next season: Tomlinson, Johnson and Jackson.
Best Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
Runner-Up: Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
After a bad start, Johnson proved how dominant he can be with the best receiving second-half in the league. But Harrison still has the best hands around. Yeah, yeah, he has Manning throwing to him, but some of the grabs this guy makes makes you realize it often doesn't matter who throws him passes. His numbers (95 catches, 1,366 yards and 12 TDs) are only matched by Johnson and Terrell Owens. We already justified his edge over Johnson, and we feel the decision to go with Harrison over T.O. is obvious.
Best Tight End: Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Runner-Up: Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Gonzalez' and Gates' numbers could not have been more identical with exception to touchdown grabs. Gonzalez caught 73 passes for 900 yards and gates caught 71 for 924. But in the TD category Gates won 9-5, giving him the award. However, there is no disputing these two are the best two tight ends in football. Both could be hall-of-famers.
Best Offensive Lineman: Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore Ravens OT
Runner-Up: Walter Jones, Seattle Seahawks OT
Both tackles are considered the best two in the game, and while we left Jones off our starting Pro Bowl roster, we consider this an off-year for pretty much the entire 'Hawks offense. Jones at least relinquished the runner-up spot. But leading the way for Jamal Lewis and keeping Steve McNair healthy were tough tasks, and Ogden did both impeccably to maintain his reputation as the best in the game.
Best Defensive Lineman: Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins DE
Runner-Up: Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers DE
Taylor, our defensive player of the year, is the undisputed winner with 62 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and nine, that's right NINE forced fumbles. Peppers was at one point in a battle with Taylor for this award. But he, and the Panthers for that matter, fell off. Fifty-eight tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles look good nonetheless.
Best Linebacker: Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers OLB
Runner-Up: Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears ILB
Sure, we can deny him an official award (defensive player of the year) based on missing four games because of that steroids suspension. But there is only so much we can do to a guy that puts up 63 tackles, 17 sacks, a pick and four forced fumbles in 12 games. Urlacher was again consistent and dangerous in anchoring the best defense in the NFC, but for the first time in his career failed to register a single sack.
Best Defensive Back: Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos CB
Runner-Up: Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals SS
Nobody was close to Bailey, who despite quarterbacks hardly ever throwing his way had a tied-for-league-best 10 interceptions and made 86 tackles. Wilson is a different kind of player. He is the kind of guy that can do it all, and he did just that this season with 85 tackles, four interceptions and five sacks.
The TFS ALL-Pro Team
Offense
QB: Peyton Manning, Colts
Despite Brees, we'd go with Manning if we had to pick any QB to start for our team in one game for everything. Wouldn't you?
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
That is all.
FB: Lorenzo Neal, San Diego Chargers
He's the best in the game and would obviously know how to work with LT behind him.
WR: Marvin Harrison, Colts; Chad Johnson, Bengals
These two had the best two seasons in the league and would give you a nice mix. One is a prime possession guy and the other goes deep more often than not.
TE: Antonio Gates, Chargers
We already justified Gates over Tony Gonzalez.
OT: Jonathan Ogden, Ravens; Walter Jones, Seahawks
This is becoming more and more obvious as we go.
OG: Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings; Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs
The most mobile and highest touted guards in the NFL. Both led the way for great backs this season, and aside from the Trent Green incident (which had nothing to do with the Chiefs O-line) both kept their quarterbacks healthy.
C: Olin Kreutz, Chicago Bears
You can also make a case each year for Jeff Saturday and Matt Birk.
K: Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens
Despite Robbie Gould and Nate Kaeding getting the Pro-Bowl vote, the 38-year-old Stover had the best season in football, going 28 of 30.
Defense
DE: Jason Taylor, Dolphins; Julius Peppers, Panthers
Nobody, pass-rushing-wise, dominated on the line like these two.
DT: Tommie Harris, Chicago Bears; Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings
Harris is so young, and so good. Williams continues to dominate alongside Pat Williams on the Vikes D-line.
OLB: Shawne Merriman, Chargers; Adalius Thomas, Baltimore Ravens
With Merriman justified, look at the stats Thomas put up in his contract year. He might have been the best player on that Ravens defense. And that's saying a lot.
ILB: Brian Urlacher, Bears
One of the best middle linebackers in football for, what, six years now.
CB: Champ Bailey, Broncos; Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders.
One comes from a good defense, the other a bad one. One has a rep. as the best in the game, the other was until recently virtually unknown. They have come together to be the scariest two corners in the league.
S: Adrian Wilson, Cardinals; Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
Reed had a bit of an off year, and still put up 60 tackles and five picks.
P: Shane Lechler, Oakland Raiders
Best numbers, despite one heck of a season from Brian Moorman in the gusty Buffalo weather.
KR: Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Sorry, Dante Hall, but this was the best kick-returning season ever.
The TFS Top 10 Stories of the Year
1. The New Orleans Saints
What the Saints have done, out of nowhere, at such a time for the city of New Orleans is unbelievable.
When this team started off hot it excited people. Everyone was saying, "Gee, what a nice start. Although we all know it won't hold up, it sure is nice to see them start well! It makes the whole city of New Orleans feel better." Nobody in their right mind thought a team with a linebacking corps made up of Scott Fujita, Mark Simoneau and Scott Shanle was going to keep this up.
They did. And now they're headed to the playoffs with a bye to boot.
2. LT
We've lauded over LaDainian Tomlinson's amazing 2006 season throughout this year in review, but it's what LT's career is turning into that really puts things into perspective.
The 27-year-old Tomlinson is already 24th on the all-time rushing list. Six seasons into his career, he has more yards than Earl Campbell and more touchdowns than O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders.
No running back, except LT of course, has ever scored in 18 consecutive games. Nobody but LT has been able to rush for 9,000 yards in his first six seasons. And no one scored 100 touchdowns faster than the man who can already call himself the San Diego Chargers all-time leading rusher.
We could be looking at the best running back of all-time only entering his prime.
3. The Ravens Defense
Everybody talks about the 2000 season in which the Ravens won it all despite a Trent Dilfer-led offense because the defense was arguably as good as or better than that of the 1985 Chicago Bears.
Well if that D was only as good, this one could be better.
Compare the starting 11 from 2000 to the starting 11 from this year:
Yeah, the 2000 team had Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa stuffing the middle. Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett were only average defensive ends though, and when you compare that line to this year's (Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg) you see the team has simply become more pass-rush oriented on the line. They rely more on the linebackers to stop the run.
That's where things begin to slant towards 2006. Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Adalius Thomas make up the undisputed best linebacking unit in the league. Lewis: 103 tackles, 5 sacks; Scott: 103 tackles, 9.5 sacks; Thomas: 83 tackles, 11 sacks. That is simply ridiculous. The 2000 team possessed a younger and stronger Lewis, alongside Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper. Those guys were good, but nothing close to the Lewis-Scott-Thomas combo.
In the secondary, Duane Starks and Samari Rolle cross each other out as second corners behind Chris McAlister - who has only gotten better with age. That 2000 Ravens also had Rod Woodson, which does speak volumes for its depth. But now the secondary possesses a defensive player of the year winner in Ed Reed and rookie sensation Dawan Landry.
It's close. The 2000 team had a lot of experience, but some of the youth from that squad has become the experienced on this one.
That team gave up only 165 points. This year's squad gave up 201. That's the big difference. We don't give that too much credence. The 2000 Ravens will always have 165. This year's team, however, scared teams to the same extent. They gave up a couple more points a game, but the talent-level is as good if not better.
4. Tony Romo
There was talk in the pre-season that Drew Bledsoe was going to be replaced as the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback by some guy named Tony Romo who had never started an NFL game.
Bledsoe held on to his job going into the opener, and the Cowboys went on to have a successful start to the season, but Bledsoe's numbers weren't good. Sure enough, in week seven Romo stepped in and took over as the Cowboys' new quarterback and the media's new lover.
Romo could do no wrong. And in the quality quarterback-less NFC, he was voted on to the Pro Bowl team. He hit his peak in primetime, a 38-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which he tossed five touchdown passes.
Since then, Romo has thrown six touchdown passes and eight interceptions in five weeks, and the Cowboys have gone 2-3.
The spark has gone out, but for a while there Tony Romo had a nation in love with him.
5. Jeff Garcia
Same thing as Romo, but this time it's a guy with experience who got hot at the right time, and he's yet to get cold.
Garcia stepped in in week 12. The Eagles had just been plowed by the (at the time) lowly Tennessee Titans and lost their franchise player, Donovan McNabb, for the season. Garcia took over and everyone expected the Eagles would again play out the string and hope McNabb recovered in time for training camp.
But Garcia's been nothing short of incredible. Ten touchdown passes and only two picks and 95.8 QB rating in six games, five of them wins. And Philly is off to the playoffs, with Super Bowl hopes in a poor conference.
6. Bengals in Trouble
Eight members of the Cincinnati Bengals were arrested in 2006. Eight.
Normally, the number is zero. But once in a while you'll see one, maybe two guys arrested on a team in a given year.
The infamous Portland "Jail Blazers" from the early part of this decade went through several arrests. But eight in a season is unheard of. Things got so bad commissioner Roger Goodell involved himself, lending support to players.
We guess it isn't a coincidence the Bengals had a bad season while going through this craziness.
Eight arrests, eight wins. Makes sense.
7. Tiki's (and Brett's?) Swansong
Despite being on the top of his game and still in his prime, Giants running back Tiki Barber announced early in the season 2006 would be his last in the NFL.
Despite being washed up and well past his prime, Packers quarterback Brett Favre refused to announce whether or not 2006 would be his last in the NFL.
Then again, we shouldn't be surprised. Barber has a rumoured $10 million TV contract sitting in his lap. In other words, he'll make almost as much money to sit around and talk sports and news, something he's stated he has a passion for, as he did getting banged up and shortening his predicted lifespan on the football field. Sounds like a smart guy to us.
As for Brett...
Who knows. And it's getting to a point that we say: who cares? The networks took the opportunity to soak up the possible goodbyes by airing Favre's last two games, both wins. NBC made a mockery of flex scheduling by picking up a meaningless Packers-Bears game (that will become even more meaningless when Favre announces he's coming back) instead of what could have been a potentially important, playoffs-at-stake game.
Despite the tears, we may see more Brett in '07.
8. TO
We promise not to get into it. Too much TO can be dangerous to one's health. But to outline:
In September, Terrell Owens reportedly attempts suicide when he takes too many painkillers. He goes on to play that week, and his publicist becomes infamous for stating, "Terrell has 25 million reasons why he should be alive."
In December, Owens apparently spit in the face of Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He confirms it in a postgame interview, gets fined $35,000, and denies it.
On several occasions throughout the season, Owens expresses his displeasure with either his quarterback, his coach, his team as a whole, or anything that comes to mind.
9. Parity... well, sort of
It's getting out of control, and it's leaning one way much more than the other. Not only is the AFC ridiculously stronger than the NFC, but the league just doesn't have very many good teams or bad teams anymore. Everyone is just, okay.
Eight teams finished 8-8. One of them made the playoffs. Almost half the league (15 of the 32 teams) finished within one game of .500. Only four teams won 12 games, and only four lost 12.
It is indeed a close league. Anyone can beat anyone on any given Sunday. But what's really remarkable is the difference between the AFC and the NFC.
In the AFC, a 9-7 team missed the playoffs. In the NFC an 8-8 team made the playoffs. That just shouldn't happen. If you argued that Denver, Cincinnati and Jacksonville (probably the best three teams to miss the post-season in the AFC) would be right there with Chicago and New Orleans atop the NFC, not many people would disagree with you.
Like the American League and the Western Conference(s), there is a slant amidst the parity. But this is unlike anything we've ever seen.
10. Fall of Super Bowl Teams Continues
The Super Bowl jinx continues. That's six straight years a team from the Super Bowl has missed the playoffs the next season.
It looked for a while it would again be the Super Bowl loser that would miss out on the post-season. With Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck hurt, it looked like the Seahawks were in trouble. They pulled it out, but the Steelers didn't.
Pittsburgh has seemingly been jinxed ever since they won the Lombardi Trophy last February. Jerome Bettis retired, Ben Roethlisberger almost died, Santonio Holmes got drafted - then arrested. The team had to deal with injury after injury, and never got on track.
The Steelers are the first team since the 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers to fail to make the playoffs after winning the big game. But this is the wild part: The Super Bowl loser, until this year, hadn't made the playoffs since the Tennessee Titans did it, in 2000!
And a regular-season in review wouldn't be complete without some playoff prognostication. The TFS Playoff Predictions tells you who to put your money on and why.
Wild-Card Round
Kansas City, 35 @ Indianapolis 28: The upset of the weekend. There's always at least one and this matchup is a nightmare for the horrid Colts run defense. Larry Johnson will run all over the Indy defense, and the Chiefs - who are peaking at just the right time - will keep the momentum going into the second round.
Dallas, 17 @ Seattle, 20: A close, low scoring game falls the home team's way. The Seahawks, like the Chiefs, are peaking at the right time. Whereas the 'Boys limp into the playoffs, blowing a once comfortable division lead. This will be Terrell Owens' last game as a Cowboy.
New York Jets, 10 @ New England, 27: The Pats at home in January is tough to pick against, especially against a Jets team that is playing above its head. We just don't see Chad Pennington beating Tom Brady in January, regardless of what that defense can do.
New York Giants, 20 @ Philadelphia, 28: Tough Sunday for New York football fans. The Eagles are rolling and the G-Men are not. The 2006 Giants are one of the worst playoff football teams in league history. 28-20 is being nice.
Divisional Playoffs
Kansas City, 21 @ San Diego 42: The Chargers should be juiced to open the playoffs in front of their home crowd and shouldn't have any trouble against a six-seed that they handled in the regular season at Qualcomm Stadium.
New England, 10 @ Baltimore, 24: The Ravens end the Patriots Super Bowl hopes on the power of the NFL's best defense based on two weeks rest and home-field advantage.
Seattle, 10 @ Chicago, 28: The Bears are in the same situation as the Ravens, and win easily at Soldier Field.
Philadelphia, 17 @ New Orleans, 24: This one could be the game of the playoffs, and the Saints - who are clearly the better team - come through at home. Four bye-week teams: four wins.
Conference Championships
Baltimore, 24 @ San Diego, 28: Never mind the game of the playoffs, this is the game of the year. And although we love that Ravens defense, home field could be key for the Chargers. We think LT will do whatever is necessary to win this football game.
New Orleans, 31 @ Chicago, 28: The upset of the year has the miracle Saints coming through in Chicago. This is where we think Rex Grossman blows up, and that ultimately does the Bears in.
The Super Bowl
San Diego, 35 VS New Orleans, 10: The Saints can't get it all, and this Chargers team is just too good offensively and defensively. Realistically, the AFC Championship game acts as the Super Bowl, because LT wins the game MVP and the Chargers trounce the Saints in the first blowout Final since Tampa Bay wiped Oakland four years ago.
Then again, who would have expected Randy Moss to catch only 42 balls? The guy long considered one of the best receivers in the league wasn't even the best on his team.
Who would have expected the 252nd pick of the 255-pick NFL draft to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards?
While we're at it, did anyone think Mr. Yearsawayfromready Vince Young would win more games than the prodigy from five years ago, David Carr? Or the as many as Eli Manning? Young also won, just barely, more games than Tony Romo.
Wait, who the hell's Tony Romo?
Forgotten in 17 weeks are Drew Bledsoe and Kerry Collins, T.J. Duckett and Mark Brunell, Kevan Barlow (for the most part) and Donovan McNabb (due to injury, of course). Yeah, who would've guessed the Eagles would be resting Jeff Garcia in week 17, protecting him from injury so the team could be healthy for their wild-card game? Most people didn't even know Garcia was still in the league headed into the 2006 season.
New on the scene? Marques Colston and the aforementioned Young made waves. Young's fellow first-round quarterbacks, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler, experienced success too. Cutler came close to leading his team to the playoffs.
The Texans went with defense instead of taking Reggie Bush at the draft. Bush arrived. So did that Houston defense (at least the youth). First overall pick Mario Williams was decent, but it was the first pick of the second round, DeMeco Ryans, who made the biggest statement. Ryans led the league in tackles, picked up 3.5 sacks and a pick.
The Raiders are going nowhere fast, but walk away from a 2-14 season with two signs of hope. 1) They were the worst team in the National Football League and are on the clock with the first overall pick in the draft, and 2) they had one of the best secondaries in the league in 2006. The Raiders offense scored only 12 touchdowns in 16 games, but who new Nnamdi Asomugha heading into the '06 season? Anyone? The Pro-Bowl Snub-o'-the-Year was Champ Bailey Jr. Nobody threw Asomugha's way. Nobody. He's only missed two career games, but his interceptions season-by-season in his four-year career: 0, 0, 0, 8.
While we're on rookies, you may not have known them, but now you won't forget Maurice Jones-Drew and Marcus McNeill. In our opinion, that's the battle for the NFL's offensive rookie of the year. Jones-Drew finished 25th in the NFL in rushing despite being the backup in Jacksonville and averaged a league-best 5.7 yards-per-carry. McNeill stepped in to play the most important offensive line position on a decent line, and helped LaDainian Tomlinson have one of the best rushing seasons in NFL history.
Oh, yeah. I guess it's time we touch on that. Just as a side note, LT did score 31 touchdowns, threw for two more, led the league in rushing, and pretty much carried the Chargers to a 14-2 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The craziest part? Not everyone is letting him run away with the league's MVP award.
...Which leads us to: The TFS Awards (Legit NFL ones first, followed by TFS-original accolades)
Coach of the Year: Eric Mangini, New York Jets
Runner-up: Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Payton and Mangini had identical seasons record-wise, but Mangini did it in the tougher conference and with less to work with. The Saints turned things around big time in 2006 thanks to key pieces Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister. The Jets did it with a fragile Chad Pennington (who wasn't even all that good), no true starting running back, and Jerricho Cotchery as their best receiver. The defense was good, but for the most part, Mangini made this work with literally no true stars.
Offensive Player of the Year: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers RB
Runner-up: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB
Although the debate can be made that either could be MVP, nobody is going to argue against LT for offensive player of the year. He, without a doubt, had one of the best offensive seasons ever. He had a total of 2,323 yards and 31 touchdowns without even scoring in the final two games of the season. Oh yeah, and he threw two touchdown passes.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins DE
Runner-up: Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears LB
Taylor's team isn't going to the playoffs. Urlacher's is. But this isn't the MVP and we are basing this decision on stats and dominance. And despite the Dolphins struggles this season, Taylor made a bigger difference on his team's defense than any other player in the league except one: Shawne Merriman.
That's where the debate begins. Some feel Merriman shouldn't have a shot at the award because he had to sit out four games thanks to a steroids suspension. We agree, but don't think a rule has to be set in place by the league. First, because the likelihood of anyone having a good enough season in 12 games to have a shot at an NFL award is very low. Merriman is an anomaly. Second, because we don't feel players should be penalized for behavioural suspensions. Getting into a scrap during a game and receiving a two game suspension shouldn't mean you don't have the right to win an award. Steroids are different, however. Merriman only made a difference for his team in 12 games, because he only played that many. And although he was by far the most dominant defensive player in the league (and we wonder why San Diego is so dangerous?) when he played, we rule him out for simply not playing enough games to be a big enough difference-maker. He almost still was, though, and watch for him next season to be the winner of this and/or more. But, we digress.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Marcus McNeill, San Diego Chargers OT
Runner-Up: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
It is remarkable that Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, etc. don't even get runner-up honours for this award. But it's no knock on them. This was just, simply put, the best year for rookies the league has ever seen.
McNeill isn't the sexy or popular pick, but made the biggest difference on the best team in the NFL. It's easy for a rook to make a big difference on his bottom-feeder team, but in this case we are talking about a guy who has played in the most important spot on the offensive side of the field in the game of football, aside from quarterback and running back. And as a rookie, his tailback broke records and his quarterback - in his first year as a starter - stayed upright. Philip Rivers was only sacked 27 times in 16 games. By contract, Oakland Raiders quarterbacks Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks were taken down on 72 occasions.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans LB
Runner-Up: Mark Anderson, Chicago Bears DE
There is really no debate here. Anderson and Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk had great seasons, but you could argue Anderson was more a product of the system and fortunate to be part of such a talented defense. Hawk just wasn't as good. I mean, Ryans led the entire lead in solo tackles, think about that. In his rookie season, he mustered 155 tackles and 3.5 sacks on a bad team. He and Mario Williams will be a great defensive combo for years to come.
Comeback Player of the Year: Travis Henry, Tennessee Titans RB
Runners-Up: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals QB; Chad Pennington, New York Jets QB; Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints RB; Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
Why so many runners-up? This is by far the toughest award to call this season. All five of the players listed above deserve a shot at the award, and arguments can be made for each.
Palmer came back from the most grueling injury possible, on shorter than expected recovery time, and barely lost a step. More yards but less accuracy than last year, but Palmer still ended up with 28 touchdowns and 4,035 yards (second only to Peyton Manning). Only one year removed from what was said to be a "devastating and potentially career-ending" knee injury, that's one heck of a season.
Pennington couldn't stay healthy for two years and it was looking like he was one injury-riddled season away from the end of his career. The Jets were even reluctant to give him another shot, and took quarterback Kellen Clemens high in the '06 draft. Penny responded with the best season, yardage-wise, of his career. He still made more mistakes then he used to, but the most important part is Pennington played 16 games for the first time in his career and the Jets are in the playoffs.
Things couldn't have been worse for McAllister at the end of last year and early in the off-season. D-Mac was placed on the injured reserve and missed most of the season with a torn ACL. Then the Saints went and drafted running back Reggie Bush with the second pick in the draft. McAllister stepped up, though. He recovered from the knee injury, and embraced his role as the mentor, pairing up with Bush to make one of the best split backfields in the league.
Taylor returned to form after an injury-plagued 2005 season and put up 1,146 yards. He only scored six times thanks to Maurice Jones-Drew, but showed he can still play at 30 years of age.
We haven't even heard Henry's name mentioned in comeback player of the year talks, but he stands out in both requirements for the award in our opinion. The first requirement: the player's stats must increase dramatically from the season or seasons prior. Henry quietly put up 1,211 yards on the ground without always being the number one option in Tennessee (Chris Brown was still technically the man coming into the year). In his previous two seasons, Henry only managed 661 yards in 20 games. The Second requirement: the player has to have come back from an injury or a circumstance that has forced them to lose a step. Henry missed 12 games in 2004 and 2005. Eight because of injuries and four due to a substance abuse suspension. He bounced back from both speed bumps to have one of the best seasons he's ever had. His 4.5 yards per carry was the best of his career.
Most Valuable Player: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers RB
Runner-Up: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB
Give full credit to Peyton Manning and Brees. Both the Colts and the Saints wouldn't even be .500 without those two quarterbacks. And yes, we agree the Chargers might still be a playoff team without LT. But the Chargers are the best team in the NFL with LT, and there is no way you can deny him the award considering that and the fact he put up all those gaudy, historical numbers. How we need 500 words to breakdown the comeback player of the year and only 90 to justify the MVP is beyond us...
Goat of the Year: Shayne Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals' field goal unit
Runner-Up: Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants DE
Brown doesn't deserve all the heat for ruining the Bengals season, forcing them out of the playoffs when all they needed to do was win one of their final three games to get in. Cincinnati indeed only needed one win. After scoring to bring the Bengals within a point of the Broncos nine days ago, the Bengals field goal team bungaled the extra point as the Brad St. Louis snap missed holder Kyle Larson. Denver 24, Cincinnati 23.
Brown made five of his six field goal attempts in those final three losses. But his miss was a relative cinch, and would have beaten the Steelers and made Bengals fans forget the fiasco at the end of the Denver game. Instead, Graham sliced the hell out of a 39-yard attempt with only eight seconds on the clock in a tie game. The Bengals offense never got the chance to see the ball in overtime. The Steelers won on three plays and the Bengals season came to a halt.
Nothing spells g-o-a-t more than two botched and failed field goal/extra point attempts at the end of back-to-back games when all the team had to do was make one and they'd be playing in January.
The runner-up, Mathias Kiwanuka, plain and simply helped the Giants along (in a bad way) on their dreaded second-half slump. Whether it be Kiwanuka infamously failing to wrap Vince Young up on a late-game drive on an attempted sack that would have sealed the victory for the G-Men, or his failure to hold on to a fumble recovery in a loss to the Cowboys the following week, he was undoubtedly a goat.
Best Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Runner-Up: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Nobody would argue with these guys as one and two. They were simply the best leaders, statistically and morale-wise, in the league this year.
Best Running Back: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Runner-Up: Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams RB
The only debate here would be who the runner up is. Jackson had a ridiculous season, and nobody noticed. He had more total rushing/receiving yards than anyone else in the league, including LT. Larry Johnson deserves credit for another fantastic season, but Jackson had 135 more total yards. With Tiki Barber retiring, and with all due respect to Frank Gore, the clear top three running backs in the NFL heading into next season: Tomlinson, Johnson and Jackson.
Best Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
Runner-Up: Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
After a bad start, Johnson proved how dominant he can be with the best receiving second-half in the league. But Harrison still has the best hands around. Yeah, yeah, he has Manning throwing to him, but some of the grabs this guy makes makes you realize it often doesn't matter who throws him passes. His numbers (95 catches, 1,366 yards and 12 TDs) are only matched by Johnson and Terrell Owens. We already justified his edge over Johnson, and we feel the decision to go with Harrison over T.O. is obvious.
Best Tight End: Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Runner-Up: Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Gonzalez' and Gates' numbers could not have been more identical with exception to touchdown grabs. Gonzalez caught 73 passes for 900 yards and gates caught 71 for 924. But in the TD category Gates won 9-5, giving him the award. However, there is no disputing these two are the best two tight ends in football. Both could be hall-of-famers.
Best Offensive Lineman: Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore Ravens OT
Runner-Up: Walter Jones, Seattle Seahawks OT
Both tackles are considered the best two in the game, and while we left Jones off our starting Pro Bowl roster, we consider this an off-year for pretty much the entire 'Hawks offense. Jones at least relinquished the runner-up spot. But leading the way for Jamal Lewis and keeping Steve McNair healthy were tough tasks, and Ogden did both impeccably to maintain his reputation as the best in the game.
Best Defensive Lineman: Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins DE
Runner-Up: Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers DE
Taylor, our defensive player of the year, is the undisputed winner with 62 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and nine, that's right NINE forced fumbles. Peppers was at one point in a battle with Taylor for this award. But he, and the Panthers for that matter, fell off. Fifty-eight tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles look good nonetheless.
Best Linebacker: Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers OLB
Runner-Up: Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears ILB
Sure, we can deny him an official award (defensive player of the year) based on missing four games because of that steroids suspension. But there is only so much we can do to a guy that puts up 63 tackles, 17 sacks, a pick and four forced fumbles in 12 games. Urlacher was again consistent and dangerous in anchoring the best defense in the NFC, but for the first time in his career failed to register a single sack.
Best Defensive Back: Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos CB
Runner-Up: Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals SS
Nobody was close to Bailey, who despite quarterbacks hardly ever throwing his way had a tied-for-league-best 10 interceptions and made 86 tackles. Wilson is a different kind of player. He is the kind of guy that can do it all, and he did just that this season with 85 tackles, four interceptions and five sacks.
The TFS ALL-Pro Team
Offense
QB: Peyton Manning, Colts
Despite Brees, we'd go with Manning if we had to pick any QB to start for our team in one game for everything. Wouldn't you?
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
That is all.
FB: Lorenzo Neal, San Diego Chargers
He's the best in the game and would obviously know how to work with LT behind him.
WR: Marvin Harrison, Colts; Chad Johnson, Bengals
These two had the best two seasons in the league and would give you a nice mix. One is a prime possession guy and the other goes deep more often than not.
TE: Antonio Gates, Chargers
We already justified Gates over Tony Gonzalez.
OT: Jonathan Ogden, Ravens; Walter Jones, Seahawks
This is becoming more and more obvious as we go.
OG: Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings; Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs
The most mobile and highest touted guards in the NFL. Both led the way for great backs this season, and aside from the Trent Green incident (which had nothing to do with the Chiefs O-line) both kept their quarterbacks healthy.
C: Olin Kreutz, Chicago Bears
You can also make a case each year for Jeff Saturday and Matt Birk.
K: Matt Stover, Baltimore Ravens
Despite Robbie Gould and Nate Kaeding getting the Pro-Bowl vote, the 38-year-old Stover had the best season in football, going 28 of 30.
Defense
DE: Jason Taylor, Dolphins; Julius Peppers, Panthers
Nobody, pass-rushing-wise, dominated on the line like these two.
DT: Tommie Harris, Chicago Bears; Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings
Harris is so young, and so good. Williams continues to dominate alongside Pat Williams on the Vikes D-line.
OLB: Shawne Merriman, Chargers; Adalius Thomas, Baltimore Ravens
With Merriman justified, look at the stats Thomas put up in his contract year. He might have been the best player on that Ravens defense. And that's saying a lot.
ILB: Brian Urlacher, Bears
One of the best middle linebackers in football for, what, six years now.
CB: Champ Bailey, Broncos; Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders.
One comes from a good defense, the other a bad one. One has a rep. as the best in the game, the other was until recently virtually unknown. They have come together to be the scariest two corners in the league.
S: Adrian Wilson, Cardinals; Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
Reed had a bit of an off year, and still put up 60 tackles and five picks.
P: Shane Lechler, Oakland Raiders
Best numbers, despite one heck of a season from Brian Moorman in the gusty Buffalo weather.
KR: Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Sorry, Dante Hall, but this was the best kick-returning season ever.
The TFS Top 10 Stories of the Year
1. The New Orleans Saints
What the Saints have done, out of nowhere, at such a time for the city of New Orleans is unbelievable.
When this team started off hot it excited people. Everyone was saying, "Gee, what a nice start. Although we all know it won't hold up, it sure is nice to see them start well! It makes the whole city of New Orleans feel better." Nobody in their right mind thought a team with a linebacking corps made up of Scott Fujita, Mark Simoneau and Scott Shanle was going to keep this up.
They did. And now they're headed to the playoffs with a bye to boot.
2. LT
We've lauded over LaDainian Tomlinson's amazing 2006 season throughout this year in review, but it's what LT's career is turning into that really puts things into perspective.
The 27-year-old Tomlinson is already 24th on the all-time rushing list. Six seasons into his career, he has more yards than Earl Campbell and more touchdowns than O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders.
No running back, except LT of course, has ever scored in 18 consecutive games. Nobody but LT has been able to rush for 9,000 yards in his first six seasons. And no one scored 100 touchdowns faster than the man who can already call himself the San Diego Chargers all-time leading rusher.
We could be looking at the best running back of all-time only entering his prime.
3. The Ravens Defense
Everybody talks about the 2000 season in which the Ravens won it all despite a Trent Dilfer-led offense because the defense was arguably as good as or better than that of the 1985 Chicago Bears.
Well if that D was only as good, this one could be better.
Compare the starting 11 from 2000 to the starting 11 from this year:
Yeah, the 2000 team had Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa stuffing the middle. Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett were only average defensive ends though, and when you compare that line to this year's (Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg) you see the team has simply become more pass-rush oriented on the line. They rely more on the linebackers to stop the run.
That's where things begin to slant towards 2006. Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Adalius Thomas make up the undisputed best linebacking unit in the league. Lewis: 103 tackles, 5 sacks; Scott: 103 tackles, 9.5 sacks; Thomas: 83 tackles, 11 sacks. That is simply ridiculous. The 2000 team possessed a younger and stronger Lewis, alongside Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper. Those guys were good, but nothing close to the Lewis-Scott-Thomas combo.
In the secondary, Duane Starks and Samari Rolle cross each other out as second corners behind Chris McAlister - who has only gotten better with age. That 2000 Ravens also had Rod Woodson, which does speak volumes for its depth. But now the secondary possesses a defensive player of the year winner in Ed Reed and rookie sensation Dawan Landry.
It's close. The 2000 team had a lot of experience, but some of the youth from that squad has become the experienced on this one.
That team gave up only 165 points. This year's squad gave up 201. That's the big difference. We don't give that too much credence. The 2000 Ravens will always have 165. This year's team, however, scared teams to the same extent. They gave up a couple more points a game, but the talent-level is as good if not better.
4. Tony Romo
There was talk in the pre-season that Drew Bledsoe was going to be replaced as the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback by some guy named Tony Romo who had never started an NFL game.
Bledsoe held on to his job going into the opener, and the Cowboys went on to have a successful start to the season, but Bledsoe's numbers weren't good. Sure enough, in week seven Romo stepped in and took over as the Cowboys' new quarterback and the media's new lover.
Romo could do no wrong. And in the quality quarterback-less NFC, he was voted on to the Pro Bowl team. He hit his peak in primetime, a 38-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which he tossed five touchdown passes.
Since then, Romo has thrown six touchdown passes and eight interceptions in five weeks, and the Cowboys have gone 2-3.
The spark has gone out, but for a while there Tony Romo had a nation in love with him.
5. Jeff Garcia
Same thing as Romo, but this time it's a guy with experience who got hot at the right time, and he's yet to get cold.
Garcia stepped in in week 12. The Eagles had just been plowed by the (at the time) lowly Tennessee Titans and lost their franchise player, Donovan McNabb, for the season. Garcia took over and everyone expected the Eagles would again play out the string and hope McNabb recovered in time for training camp.
But Garcia's been nothing short of incredible. Ten touchdown passes and only two picks and 95.8 QB rating in six games, five of them wins. And Philly is off to the playoffs, with Super Bowl hopes in a poor conference.
6. Bengals in Trouble
Eight members of the Cincinnati Bengals were arrested in 2006. Eight.
Normally, the number is zero. But once in a while you'll see one, maybe two guys arrested on a team in a given year.
The infamous Portland "Jail Blazers" from the early part of this decade went through several arrests. But eight in a season is unheard of. Things got so bad commissioner Roger Goodell involved himself, lending support to players.
We guess it isn't a coincidence the Bengals had a bad season while going through this craziness.
Eight arrests, eight wins. Makes sense.
7. Tiki's (and Brett's?) Swansong
Despite being on the top of his game and still in his prime, Giants running back Tiki Barber announced early in the season 2006 would be his last in the NFL.
Despite being washed up and well past his prime, Packers quarterback Brett Favre refused to announce whether or not 2006 would be his last in the NFL.
Then again, we shouldn't be surprised. Barber has a rumoured $10 million TV contract sitting in his lap. In other words, he'll make almost as much money to sit around and talk sports and news, something he's stated he has a passion for, as he did getting banged up and shortening his predicted lifespan on the football field. Sounds like a smart guy to us.
As for Brett...
Who knows. And it's getting to a point that we say: who cares? The networks took the opportunity to soak up the possible goodbyes by airing Favre's last two games, both wins. NBC made a mockery of flex scheduling by picking up a meaningless Packers-Bears game (that will become even more meaningless when Favre announces he's coming back) instead of what could have been a potentially important, playoffs-at-stake game.
Despite the tears, we may see more Brett in '07.
8. TO
We promise not to get into it. Too much TO can be dangerous to one's health. But to outline:
In September, Terrell Owens reportedly attempts suicide when he takes too many painkillers. He goes on to play that week, and his publicist becomes infamous for stating, "Terrell has 25 million reasons why he should be alive."
In December, Owens apparently spit in the face of Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He confirms it in a postgame interview, gets fined $35,000, and denies it.
On several occasions throughout the season, Owens expresses his displeasure with either his quarterback, his coach, his team as a whole, or anything that comes to mind.
9. Parity... well, sort of
It's getting out of control, and it's leaning one way much more than the other. Not only is the AFC ridiculously stronger than the NFC, but the league just doesn't have very many good teams or bad teams anymore. Everyone is just, okay.
Eight teams finished 8-8. One of them made the playoffs. Almost half the league (15 of the 32 teams) finished within one game of .500. Only four teams won 12 games, and only four lost 12.
It is indeed a close league. Anyone can beat anyone on any given Sunday. But what's really remarkable is the difference between the AFC and the NFC.
In the AFC, a 9-7 team missed the playoffs. In the NFC an 8-8 team made the playoffs. That just shouldn't happen. If you argued that Denver, Cincinnati and Jacksonville (probably the best three teams to miss the post-season in the AFC) would be right there with Chicago and New Orleans atop the NFC, not many people would disagree with you.
Like the American League and the Western Conference(s), there is a slant amidst the parity. But this is unlike anything we've ever seen.
10. Fall of Super Bowl Teams Continues
The Super Bowl jinx continues. That's six straight years a team from the Super Bowl has missed the playoffs the next season.
It looked for a while it would again be the Super Bowl loser that would miss out on the post-season. With Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck hurt, it looked like the Seahawks were in trouble. They pulled it out, but the Steelers didn't.
Pittsburgh has seemingly been jinxed ever since they won the Lombardi Trophy last February. Jerome Bettis retired, Ben Roethlisberger almost died, Santonio Holmes got drafted - then arrested. The team had to deal with injury after injury, and never got on track.
The Steelers are the first team since the 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers to fail to make the playoffs after winning the big game. But this is the wild part: The Super Bowl loser, until this year, hadn't made the playoffs since the Tennessee Titans did it, in 2000!
And a regular-season in review wouldn't be complete without some playoff prognostication. The TFS Playoff Predictions tells you who to put your money on and why.
Wild-Card Round
Kansas City, 35 @ Indianapolis 28: The upset of the weekend. There's always at least one and this matchup is a nightmare for the horrid Colts run defense. Larry Johnson will run all over the Indy defense, and the Chiefs - who are peaking at just the right time - will keep the momentum going into the second round.
Dallas, 17 @ Seattle, 20: A close, low scoring game falls the home team's way. The Seahawks, like the Chiefs, are peaking at the right time. Whereas the 'Boys limp into the playoffs, blowing a once comfortable division lead. This will be Terrell Owens' last game as a Cowboy.
New York Jets, 10 @ New England, 27: The Pats at home in January is tough to pick against, especially against a Jets team that is playing above its head. We just don't see Chad Pennington beating Tom Brady in January, regardless of what that defense can do.
New York Giants, 20 @ Philadelphia, 28: Tough Sunday for New York football fans. The Eagles are rolling and the G-Men are not. The 2006 Giants are one of the worst playoff football teams in league history. 28-20 is being nice.
Divisional Playoffs
Kansas City, 21 @ San Diego 42: The Chargers should be juiced to open the playoffs in front of their home crowd and shouldn't have any trouble against a six-seed that they handled in the regular season at Qualcomm Stadium.
New England, 10 @ Baltimore, 24: The Ravens end the Patriots Super Bowl hopes on the power of the NFL's best defense based on two weeks rest and home-field advantage.
Seattle, 10 @ Chicago, 28: The Bears are in the same situation as the Ravens, and win easily at Soldier Field.
Philadelphia, 17 @ New Orleans, 24: This one could be the game of the playoffs, and the Saints - who are clearly the better team - come through at home. Four bye-week teams: four wins.
Conference Championships
Baltimore, 24 @ San Diego, 28: Never mind the game of the playoffs, this is the game of the year. And although we love that Ravens defense, home field could be key for the Chargers. We think LT will do whatever is necessary to win this football game.
New Orleans, 31 @ Chicago, 28: The upset of the year has the miracle Saints coming through in Chicago. This is where we think Rex Grossman blows up, and that ultimately does the Bears in.
The Super Bowl
San Diego, 35 VS New Orleans, 10: The Saints can't get it all, and this Chargers team is just too good offensively and defensively. Realistically, the AFC Championship game acts as the Super Bowl, because LT wins the game MVP and the Chargers trounce the Saints in the first blowout Final since Tampa Bay wiped Oakland four years ago.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Canada's Juniors Off to Semi's
The Canadian World Junior Team defeated Slovakia 3-0 this morning, making their record a perfect 4-0 and giving them a buy into the semi-finals next week.
Canada has depended on a very diligent defensive game and has had some trouble scoring.
The only team in the tournament with a shot at beating them is the USA. Even though Canada had their way with them earlier in the tournament, we at the Four Seamer still feel they have the defensive game to match Canada and the offense to beat them.
Canada does have the edge between the pipes with Carey Price. Matt Zatkoff has not proven himself yet in this tournament between the American pipes as they lost to the Germans in overtime and then to Canada.
The semi-finals will take place on Wednesday.
Canada has depended on a very diligent defensive game and has had some trouble scoring.
The only team in the tournament with a shot at beating them is the USA. Even though Canada had their way with them earlier in the tournament, we at the Four Seamer still feel they have the defensive game to match Canada and the offense to beat them.
Canada does have the edge between the pipes with Carey Price. Matt Zatkoff has not proven himself yet in this tournament between the American pipes as they lost to the Germans in overtime and then to Canada.
The semi-finals will take place on Wednesday.
Spengler Cup Done, Canada Loses in Final Again
The Spengler Cup is over and Canada lost it on a fluke play in the third period, when Canada’s goaltender, Justin Pogge, gave the puck away to the HC Davos player and found it in the back of his net.
It was an unfortunate break for a Canadian team that had played well all tournament. Mario Scalzo and Stacey Roest impressed with their speed and shooting abilities. Tim Brent was very good on the offence and Dany Syvret played well on the Canada blue line.
The Toronto Marlies let Justin Pogge and Jay Harrison go over and represent Canada. This was a huge step up for Pogge who last year backstopped the Canadian World Junior team to a gold medal in Vancouver.
The team was coached by former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn. Quinn was also the coach for Canada’s Olympic teams in Salt Lake City and Torino as well as for the World Hockey Championships.
Congratulations to the forgotten, Team Canada, from the Four Seamer team.
It was an unfortunate break for a Canadian team that had played well all tournament. Mario Scalzo and Stacey Roest impressed with their speed and shooting abilities. Tim Brent was very good on the offence and Dany Syvret played well on the Canada blue line.
The Toronto Marlies let Justin Pogge and Jay Harrison go over and represent Canada. This was a huge step up for Pogge who last year backstopped the Canadian World Junior team to a gold medal in Vancouver.
The team was coached by former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn. Quinn was also the coach for Canada’s Olympic teams in Salt Lake City and Torino as well as for the World Hockey Championships.
Congratulations to the forgotten, Team Canada, from the Four Seamer team.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Huff Close to Deal With O's
Aubrey Huff and the Baltimore Orioles are close to a deal, reports FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal. The deal is believed to be in the three year, 18 million dollar range.
Huff was traded from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Houston Astros last season so he is very familiar with the pitching in the AL East.
Huff is not a defensive upgrade as he struggles defensively, but his bat is very strong. He will most likely be playing left field and not the regular third base that he has played for years.
He is expected to bat third in the lineup between Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada.
Huff was traded from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Houston Astros last season so he is very familiar with the pitching in the AL East.
Huff is not a defensive upgrade as he struggles defensively, but his bat is very strong. He will most likely be playing left field and not the regular third base that he has played for years.
He is expected to bat third in the lineup between Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada.
Tiger and Elin Are Having A Cub!
Tiger and Elin Woods announced today they are going to have a baby. There was talk after Tiger decided not to play at the Mercedes Championship that something might be up but few expected this.
Woods has announced he will be starting his season at the Buick Championship in late January.
Woods has announced he will be starting his season at the Buick Championship in late January.
Aaron Boone Signs With The Fish
Third baseman Aaron Boone has reached a one-year deal with the Florida Marlins. The deal will pay $925,000 and Boone is expected to replace Wes Helms.
Boone will give Florida some versatility as he can play second base if need be. Look for him to get an everyday job at third base for the Marlins this season. He could be a very important veteran addition to a very young team.
Last year he played for the Cleveland Indians and appeared in 104 games hitting .251 with seven home runs and 48 RBI.
Boone will give Florida some versatility as he can play second base if need be. Look for him to get an everyday job at third base for the Marlins this season. He could be a very important veteran addition to a very young team.
Last year he played for the Cleveland Indians and appeared in 104 games hitting .251 with seven home runs and 48 RBI.
RJ Trade Rumours
The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks are getting closer to a deal that would see 43-year-old left-hander Randy Johnson become a Diamondback once again. RJ still makes his home in Arizona and even though they are a mediocre team at best, it has been said that he would prefer to play there.
The Yankees are said to want two D-Back prospects. Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf seem like the most probable possibilities. They are all highly touted pitching prospects in Arizona’s very deep system.
Johnson will be expected to sign an extension as soon as the trade happens. If that doesn't happen, the deal could fall apart.
Something should be done soon nonetheless.
The Yankees are said to want two D-Back prospects. Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf seem like the most probable possibilities. They are all highly touted pitching prospects in Arizona’s very deep system.
Johnson will be expected to sign an extension as soon as the trade happens. If that doesn't happen, the deal could fall apart.
Something should be done soon nonetheless.
Loretta to the Yanks?
There is talk that the New York Yankees are looking into Former Boston Red Sox infielder Mark Loretta as their utility guy for this season. He would follow the likes of Johnny Damon and Roger Clemens who have donned a Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees jersey.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Ramblings...is back!
The Four-Seamer took some time off to attend the Titans-Bills Christmas Eve game, check out some Toronto Raptors basketball, win (and lose) a few fantasy football championships and enjoy some time away from the world of sports for a few days. Most of the time, we watched looping sports Year-in-Review shows, read sports books given to us on Christmas and watched the World Junior Hockey Championships.
Suffice to say we can't escape the world of sports. Be it Christmas morning (on the west coast at least) or the night before (on the east side) sports surround us even at the times we are supposed to take a rest. Indeed there remains one day each year - the day after the MLB All-Star Game - that abducts sports from North Americans... and we like it that way! On with Ramblings.
Suffice to say we can't escape the world of sports. Be it Christmas morning (on the west coast at least) or the night before (on the east side) sports surround us even at the times we are supposed to take a rest. Indeed there remains one day each year - the day after the MLB All-Star Game - that abducts sports from North Americans... and we like it that way! On with Ramblings.
- The Memphis Grizzlies are, at least based on the standings, the worst team in the NBA. Which means it shouldn't be shocking the club fired head coach Mike Fratello Thursday. While we know the Griz' aren't the worst in the league (the Sixers and Hornets wouldn't be close in the western conference) they've been dreadful in a year that wasn't supposed to be all that bad. You have to feel for any team having to deal with Dallas, San Antonio and Houston in the southwest, but Memphis' starting five shouldn't produce only six victories. They are young, but they are talented. And Fratello had to do better than that. Watch for "The Czar of the Telestrator" to be back in the broadcast booth real soon.
- Contrary to what The Four-Seamer predicted and expected to happen, free-agent giant Barry Zito has signed a giant deal with the San Francisco, err, Giants. Zito gets the exact same dollar value as baseball's most previous big-name sign, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells. We don't rule out the possibility that Zito's agent, Scott Boras, was sure to use the Wells deal as leverage. After all, V-Dub hasn't won a Cy Young! It's possible that one day we'll see Zito - like many pro athletes - in another walk of life, perhaps as an old man, retired and maybe in broadcasting or something. There, we fully expect to hear Zito reiterate the fact he indeed won the Cy Young in 2002. And we fully expect that will be the best story he'll have, that that indeed was the pinnacle of his career. Unbelievable isn't it? How far one year can bring you? Congrats on the payout, Barry. It will be your last.
- One thing seems certain in the Randy Johnson trade sweepstakes: The Big Unit is headed back home. Whether it be Seattle, where Johnson began his career, or Arizona, where he currently resides, or New York, where he has lived for two years while playing for the New York Yankees. In other words, Johnson will either be dealt to a loser with little chance to win, a loser with little chance to win, or stay put. Who can complain if he heads to Seattle? The Mariners proved this off-season they can't compete with the big boys. Despite seemingly being involved in every off-season rumour, the M's landed only Jose Vidro and Miguel Batista. Johnson, who is 43-years-old, won't make a difference. In Arizona, the Diamondbacks are coming off a bad season, finishing fourth in a weak division. The D-backs are young, and again, would provide no opportunity for Johnson to win another title. Red Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles fans should welcome the possibility of either of these deals. Because the Yanks won't get face value for a 43-year-old from two teams that are filled with under-developed youth. The whole situation still fails to make sense.
- Congratulations to the Rutgers football program, bowl-game victors for the first time in the school's history. Ray Rice rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown to lead the Scarlet Knights over Kansas State 37-10 in the Texas Bowl. It wasn't the bowl they wanted to be a part of. At one point this year, they were riding high, unbeaten and looking primed for a BCS shot. Regardless, it's rare for a New York-area NCAA football team to experience close to this much success.
Zito Gets A Giant Contract
Barry Zito has finally found a new home. The former Oakland Athletics ace has reached a preliminary agreement with the San Francisco Giants on a seven-year, $26 million deal with an option for an eighth year at $18 million.Zito will be a nice replacement for Mike Schmidt, who also found a new home this off season when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is the fourth 100-million dollar plus deal this winter and only the 14th in league history.
The Texas Rangers were said to be the favourites in this thing, but yesterday said their offer would be withdrawn at the end of the week if they had not heard from Zito and his agent, Scott Boras.
The Mets, Yankees and Mariners were also said to be very interested.
A physical has been scheduled for tomorrow and a formal announcement should be made Monday.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Bosh Eyeing New Year Return
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh is setting a return date of January 3, 2007.
This news is coming on the heels of the Raptors taking over first place in their division without their all-star power forward.
Bosh was told by a team "vet" to not resume playing on the road. Word is guard Darrick Martin gave CB4 the advice.
Bosh will have missed 12 games by the time he comes back.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Suppan Joining the Brew Crew
Jeff Suppan has finally found a home and he will be looking to ‘brew’ up some wins this season in a new jersey.
Last year's National League Championship Series most valuable player will be joining the up and coming Milwaukee Brewers this season and for the next three.
The deal is also structured so that there will be a team option for the fifth year.
With 44 wins over the past three seasons, the Brewers are getting a solid number three or four pitcher who does not get injured very often.
Financial terms have yet to be released and when they are we will have a better gauge on whether this is a good signing or not.
Last year's National League Championship Series most valuable player will be joining the up and coming Milwaukee Brewers this season and for the next three.
The deal is also structured so that there will be a team option for the fifth year.
With 44 wins over the past three seasons, the Brewers are getting a solid number three or four pitcher who does not get injured very often.
Financial terms have yet to be released and when they are we will have a better gauge on whether this is a good signing or not.
Leetch to Atlanta?
The Atlanta Thrashers have reportedly talked with Brian Leetch’s agent, Jay Grossman, on a possible deal to return to the NHL in an Atlanta Thrashers jersey.
Leetch was rumoured to be looking into either returning to New York or joining the Boston Bruins defense corps.
It was widely speculated that he was only interested in joining an eastern conference team because he still resides in New York.
Leetch was rumoured to be looking into either returning to New York or joining the Boston Bruins defense corps.
It was widely speculated that he was only interested in joining an eastern conference team because he still resides in New York.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Peca's Injury Serious
After colliding with Blackhawks defenceman Jim Vandermeer last night in Chicago, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mike Peca fell to the ice screaming and clutching his knee.
We all feared and expected the worst and a source familiar with the situation has informed Sportsnet that Leafs fans fears have indeed been realized. Peca is said to have torn his MCL and fractured his tibia in multiple places.
This is horrible news for a Toronto team that has really shored up its penalty kill thanks to Peca. Young players like Matt Stajan and Alex Steen are really going to have to step it up.
We at the Four Seamer feel the Leafs could be calling up a guy like Boyd Devereux from the farm to fill in for Peca. Devereux played in more than 500 NHL games so he should be able to fit right in.
The hope is Peca heals quickly like his good friend Mats Sundin because the Leafs will need him back in the lineup if they want to make a playoff push.
Friday, December 22, 2006
WJHC Predictions
The 2006-2007 World Junior Hockey Championship will be taking place in Sweden and two-time defending champions, Canada, are the favourites once again. We are predicting that they will win their third straight gold medal this year.
The main competition will come from the United States and Finland, who Canada downed Tuesday night 7-2 in an exhibition game.
We believe the dark horses this year will be the Russians as almost everybody is counting them out, but we feel they can never be counted out at the World Juniors.
No matter what, this has become a Christmas tradition for many Canadians and hopefully our country will once again showcase our talented junior hockey players.
Canada's Players to Watch:
Bryan Little
Andrew Cogliano
Steve Downie
Brad Marchand
Marc Staal
Carey Price
It should be a great tournament. Canada kicks round robin play off Boxing Day at 12:30 pm ET on TSN. TSN will also be streaming the games live on http://www.tsn.ca/.
The main competition will come from the United States and Finland, who Canada downed Tuesday night 7-2 in an exhibition game.
We believe the dark horses this year will be the Russians as almost everybody is counting them out, but we feel they can never be counted out at the World Juniors.
No matter what, this has become a Christmas tradition for many Canadians and hopefully our country will once again showcase our talented junior hockey players.
Canada's Players to Watch:
Bryan Little
Andrew Cogliano
Steve Downie
Brad Marchand
Marc Staal
Carey Price
It should be a great tournament. Canada kicks round robin play off Boxing Day at 12:30 pm ET on TSN. TSN will also be streaming the games live on http://www.tsn.ca/.
NHL Rumblings
- Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexei Ponikarovsky has been bitten by the injury bug once again.
The Leafs will be without arguably one of their best players tonight in Chicago and for the next two to three weeks, according to Maple Leaf doctors.
Ponikarovsky has a slight separation of the shoulder. The good news? At least he can still skate so conditioning should not be a huge problem.
Forward Kyle Wellwood will also not be suiting up for the Blue and White tonight in Chicago as he continues to nurse a groin injury which occurred in one of Maurice’s “competitive practices” on Wednesday.
- Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza has been diagnosed with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of the Sens lineup for the next four to six weeks.
An MRI was performed today, but Ottawa coach Brian Murray would not disclose the results to the media prompting speculation it could be worse than originally suspected.
The Senators were hoping to climb back into a playoff spot, but the task will be much more difficult without one of their top point producers.
- Following a sucker punch thrown last night by Nashville Predators forward Scott Nichol, the NHL has decided to throw one of their own right back at him, by announcing today Nichol will be suspended for Nashville’s next nine games.
Nichol will give up US$25,267.41 in salary after a ruling handed down by Colin Campbell via a conference call conducted today.
Good call, Rod
Toronto Blue Jays fans might remotely remember Rod Barajas. He was the team's new catcher, but then he wasn't. Just like that.
Barajas, a free agent who spent the last three seasons with the Texas Rangers, was all set to board a flight and head to Toronto to finalize a two-year, $6 million contract. It seemed like a bargain for Toronto. Three million a year to fill the starting catcher spot with a more than adequate offensive and defensive catcher.
Well, someone must have told Barajas he was in fact taking a pay cut, as he abruptly fired his agent, cancelled his flight, and backed out of the deal.
For a few weeks we didn't hear from Barajas, figuring he was selling himself to other clubs to get a more satisfactory deal. Until he signed Wednesday with the Philadelphia Phillies for... one year, and $2.5 million?
No word on when he plans to fire this agent. But I think the Jays are saying good riddance. Anyone who turns down $6 million in favour of $2.5 million can't be the best of decision makers.
Not that he knew or anything. But the deals don't exactly sweeten as the winter goes on.
Maybe Barajas should have taken a page from Barry Bonds' book and just showed up at the winter meetings to peddle his services...
Barajas, a free agent who spent the last three seasons with the Texas Rangers, was all set to board a flight and head to Toronto to finalize a two-year, $6 million contract. It seemed like a bargain for Toronto. Three million a year to fill the starting catcher spot with a more than adequate offensive and defensive catcher.
Well, someone must have told Barajas he was in fact taking a pay cut, as he abruptly fired his agent, cancelled his flight, and backed out of the deal.
For a few weeks we didn't hear from Barajas, figuring he was selling himself to other clubs to get a more satisfactory deal. Until he signed Wednesday with the Philadelphia Phillies for... one year, and $2.5 million?
No word on when he plans to fire this agent. But I think the Jays are saying good riddance. Anyone who turns down $6 million in favour of $2.5 million can't be the best of decision makers.
Not that he knew or anything. But the deals don't exactly sweeten as the winter goes on.
Maybe Barajas should have taken a page from Barry Bonds' book and just showed up at the winter meetings to peddle his services...
Breaking down the Sixers-Nuggets deal
It took 12 agonizing days, and the recurring theme is the Sixers got ripped!
Amidst rumours he was headed to Charlotte, Boston, Dallas, Denver, heck even Toronto, 76ers disgruntled guard Allen Iverson was finally dealt to the Denver Nuggets along with rookie forward Ivan McFarlin (future trivia question?) for guard Andre Miller, forward Joe Smith and two first-round picks in 2007.
Early reaction to the deal has been critical of the trade from the Sixers perspective. We think that criticism is exactly the problem with the way fans and analysts look at the NBA these days. Star power always wins out, even if it doesn't always win on the hardwood.
There's no doubt A.I. is the best player in the deal, and there are those who feel the team that gets the best player in the trade wins it. But we think the Nuggets gave up far too much for a player they knew was going to have to be dealt sooner or later anyway.
Big mouths that feel that need to form an opinion one way or another (see: Bill Simmons). Simmons claims Miller is "a decent point guard" proceeding to knock him down a peg based on the fact he has played for four teams and because he's 30-years-old.
OK, here's the punch line: Andre Miller was as, if not more, valuable to the Nuggets than Allen Iverson will be.
Miller is 30-years-old, eh? Uh oh...
Wait, how old was Steve Nash when he won his first MVP? That's right, 31.
Four NBA teams, huh? Quite the journeyman. He must not be very good then...
Wait, Nash is technically with his third team (he has had two stints with Phoenix), so is Jason Kidd. Those two are widely considered the best point guards in the world right now. He doesn't play the point, but Tracy McGrady is playing with his third team - at only 27 years of age. Last we checked he was one of the best all around players in the game. Joe Johnson, Baron Davis, Shaquille O'Neal. Three teams, three teams, three teams.
The point? The amount of teams you play for has absolutely no bearing on your past and present success. Never has, never will.
In fact, all it proves is teams still have enough interest in you to acquire you.
So please, Mr. Simmons, spare us the rhetorical arguments.
Being 30-years-old? Another non-factor. Miller is still in the prime of his career. Oh yeah, and Iverson is 31.
So let's take a look at the stats from the start of the 2006-07 season:
Iverson: 31.2 PPG, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 turnovers
Miller: 12.7 PPG, 9.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 turnovers
There's no doubt Iverson has an edge, but the difference isn't as large as most would think. That's because most have a bias leaning towards scoring. Points equal popularity, and A.I. epitomizes flash and offense. He is a sexy basketball player. Miller is not.
But Denver doesn't need to be sexy. They already have the hottest girlfriend on the block. Her name is 'Melo.
Comparing Iverson and Miller is without a doubt comparing apples and oranges. But why take another apple if you already have one? Miller was the orange that complemented the apple - Carmelo Anthony.
Who? Yeah that guy. The one who leads the NBA in scoring, and has put up more shots this season than anyone else in the league. Guess whose number two in that category?
The answer? The Answer. That's right. The Nuggets will now have the top two scorers in the league, and the top two shot-takers in the association.
Miller and Anthony were working. Denver was 13-9 and in sixth place in the tough western conference with that combo. Word is they aren't going to be able to overtake Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Utah or the Lakers anyway, so how will this deal help exactly?
Never in the history of the NBA have two more shoot-first scorers been teamed together. It just doesn't work. Both Iverson and Anthony are going to be fighting for the ball all game long, and there aren't enough shots in a game to satisfy them both. Neither is afraid to speak out when things aren't going their way. This spells disaster.
The Nuggets had one of the best quarterbacks in the league and one of the best wide receivers to complement him. And they just dealt that receiver for another quarterback. Two guys can't throw passes at the same time, let alone two egos.
Miller is still one of the best point guards in the league, and at only 30, he and Anthony had many years ahead. This apparent "quick fix" is being applied to something that ain't broke.
Oh yeah, and we forgot to mention. The Nuggets threw in TWO first-round picks for next season (Philly now has three) and a serviceable power forward in Joe Smith.
So, tell me again. Who got ripped?
Amidst rumours he was headed to Charlotte, Boston, Dallas, Denver, heck even Toronto, 76ers disgruntled guard Allen Iverson was finally dealt to the Denver Nuggets along with rookie forward Ivan McFarlin (future trivia question?) for guard Andre Miller, forward Joe Smith and two first-round picks in 2007.
Early reaction to the deal has been critical of the trade from the Sixers perspective. We think that criticism is exactly the problem with the way fans and analysts look at the NBA these days. Star power always wins out, even if it doesn't always win on the hardwood.
There's no doubt A.I. is the best player in the deal, and there are those who feel the team that gets the best player in the trade wins it. But we think the Nuggets gave up far too much for a player they knew was going to have to be dealt sooner or later anyway.
Big mouths that feel that need to form an opinion one way or another (see: Bill Simmons). Simmons claims Miller is "a decent point guard" proceeding to knock him down a peg based on the fact he has played for four teams and because he's 30-years-old.
OK, here's the punch line: Andre Miller was as, if not more, valuable to the Nuggets than Allen Iverson will be.
Miller is 30-years-old, eh? Uh oh...
Wait, how old was Steve Nash when he won his first MVP? That's right, 31.
Four NBA teams, huh? Quite the journeyman. He must not be very good then...
Wait, Nash is technically with his third team (he has had two stints with Phoenix), so is Jason Kidd. Those two are widely considered the best point guards in the world right now. He doesn't play the point, but Tracy McGrady is playing with his third team - at only 27 years of age. Last we checked he was one of the best all around players in the game. Joe Johnson, Baron Davis, Shaquille O'Neal. Three teams, three teams, three teams.
The point? The amount of teams you play for has absolutely no bearing on your past and present success. Never has, never will.
In fact, all it proves is teams still have enough interest in you to acquire you.
So please, Mr. Simmons, spare us the rhetorical arguments.
Being 30-years-old? Another non-factor. Miller is still in the prime of his career. Oh yeah, and Iverson is 31.
So let's take a look at the stats from the start of the 2006-07 season:
Iverson: 31.2 PPG, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 4.4 turnovers
Miller: 12.7 PPG, 9.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 turnovers
There's no doubt Iverson has an edge, but the difference isn't as large as most would think. That's because most have a bias leaning towards scoring. Points equal popularity, and A.I. epitomizes flash and offense. He is a sexy basketball player. Miller is not.
But Denver doesn't need to be sexy. They already have the hottest girlfriend on the block. Her name is 'Melo.
Comparing Iverson and Miller is without a doubt comparing apples and oranges. But why take another apple if you already have one? Miller was the orange that complemented the apple - Carmelo Anthony.
Who? Yeah that guy. The one who leads the NBA in scoring, and has put up more shots this season than anyone else in the league. Guess whose number two in that category?
The answer? The Answer. That's right. The Nuggets will now have the top two scorers in the league, and the top two shot-takers in the association.
Miller and Anthony were working. Denver was 13-9 and in sixth place in the tough western conference with that combo. Word is they aren't going to be able to overtake Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Utah or the Lakers anyway, so how will this deal help exactly?
Never in the history of the NBA have two more shoot-first scorers been teamed together. It just doesn't work. Both Iverson and Anthony are going to be fighting for the ball all game long, and there aren't enough shots in a game to satisfy them both. Neither is afraid to speak out when things aren't going their way. This spells disaster.
The Nuggets had one of the best quarterbacks in the league and one of the best wide receivers to complement him. And they just dealt that receiver for another quarterback. Two guys can't throw passes at the same time, let alone two egos.
Miller is still one of the best point guards in the league, and at only 30, he and Anthony had many years ahead. This apparent "quick fix" is being applied to something that ain't broke.
Oh yeah, and we forgot to mention. The Nuggets threw in TWO first-round picks for next season (Philly now has three) and a serviceable power forward in Joe Smith.
So, tell me again. Who got ripped?
Thursday, December 21, 2006
MLB Rumblings
- Reds acquire Conine- The Cincinnati Reds acquired first baseman/outfielder Jeff Conine from the Phillies for outfielder Javon Moran and third baseman Bradley Key.
- Padres sign Giles- The San Diego Padres signed second baseman Marcus Giles, who had been with the Braves, to a one-year contract with a club option as 2008. He will now team up with brother, Brian.
- Cubs set to sign Floyd- The Chicago Cubs are close to signing free agent outfielder Cliff Floyd to an incentive-laden deal.
- Mariners meet with Zito- In addition to the New York Mets, the Seattle Mariners also met with pitcher Barry Zito in California this week, visiting him on Monday. The M's claim they're serious about signing Zito.
- Twins re-sign White- The Twins are close to re-signing outfielder Rondell White to a one-year contract with an option for 2008.
Delhomme still not healthy
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is still not healthy enough to practice as he missed another day today.
It is becoming more likely that he will miss his third straight game after straining a ligament in his thumb in a December game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Panthers are also adding more people to the injury reports as quarterback Chris Weinke has been listed as probable with a sore chest. Weinke did take to the practice field today.
Carson Palmer was a full participant in today's Cincinnati Bengals practice and it looks like he will be ready to go this weekend.
It is becoming more likely that he will miss his third straight game after straining a ligament in his thumb in a December game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Panthers are also adding more people to the injury reports as quarterback Chris Weinke has been listed as probable with a sore chest. Weinke did take to the practice field today.
Carson Palmer was a full participant in today's Cincinnati Bengals practice and it looks like he will be ready to go this weekend.
Ponikarovsky/Wellwood up in air for Friday night
Maple Leafs forward Alexei Ponikarovsky left practice today in a sling after hurting his arm when falling on a player. With forward Kyle Wellwood having strained his groin yesterday, the last two days of practice have been tough on the team.
As a result the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled forwards Aleksander Suglobov and Ben Ondrus from the Toronto Marlies this afternoon. Wellwood is believed to be traveling with the team and Ponikarovsky is staying behind.
Losing two top players is going to hurt, with forward Nik Antropov already out of the lineup. We think the first line could be Mats Sundin between Darcy Tucker and Alex Steen. This was a line combination used in the earlier games when Ponikarovsky, Wellwood and Antropov were playing well together.
The Leafs are travelling to Chicago for this first time since 2003 to take on the Blackhawks Friday night. Face off is at 8:00 p.m ET.
As a result the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled forwards Aleksander Suglobov and Ben Ondrus from the Toronto Marlies this afternoon. Wellwood is believed to be traveling with the team and Ponikarovsky is staying behind.
Losing two top players is going to hurt, with forward Nik Antropov already out of the lineup. We think the first line could be Mats Sundin between Darcy Tucker and Alex Steen. This was a line combination used in the earlier games when Ponikarovsky, Wellwood and Antropov were playing well together.
The Leafs are travelling to Chicago for this first time since 2003 to take on the Blackhawks Friday night. Face off is at 8:00 p.m ET.
Pens Off the Market, Looking for New Home
Mario Lemieux has taken the Pittsburgh Penguins off the market. Lemieux is said to now be talking to cities looking to bring in an NHL franchise. He is leaving the door open for an arena to be built in Pittsburgh. Winnipeg is said to be very interested in an NHL franchise as well as places such as Las Vegas, Kansas City, Houston, Portland and Hamilton. We feel that Kansas City is the most likely destination, although it does not seem like the hockey hotbed that Hamilton and Winnipeg would be/have been.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Vote For Rory!!!!
The “Vote for Rory” movement now has some steam after results were just released showing Vancouver defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick is only trailing Anaheim defenseman Scott Neidermayer in voting.
Fitzpatrick has 428,832 votes, trailing only Niedermayer who has 447,502.
Fitzpatrick has not yet recorded a point this season in the 19 games he has suited up for, but he is beating Chris Pronger, and Nik Lidstrom in voting.
You can vote for Rory too by clicking here.
Fitzpatrick has 428,832 votes, trailing only Niedermayer who has 447,502.
Fitzpatrick has not yet recorded a point this season in the 19 games he has suited up for, but he is beating Chris Pronger, and Nik Lidstrom in voting.
You can vote for Rory too by clicking here.
Isle of Capri Unsuccessful
The Isle of Capri casino has lost out on its bid to obtain a gambling license in Pittsburgh. The Penguins were banking on them winning the bid and building them an arena free of charge. This may be the straw that breaks the camel's back as it is well known Kansas City is looking for another major sports franchise, be it NBA or NHL.
Only an ownership group including flamboyant Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban can save the team now.
The shoe certainly will drop soon, but in losing Jim Balsillie's bid the NHL lost what could have potentially been the best owner in the NHL, with deep pockets, a love for the game, a great business mind and an all round nice person.
Hopefully Mario Lemieux can get out soon because you can really see how emotionally drained he is.
Toronto area business man Frank D’Angelo and his billionaire partner Barry Sherman are also saying that they are interested.
Only an ownership group including flamboyant Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban can save the team now.
The shoe certainly will drop soon, but in losing Jim Balsillie's bid the NHL lost what could have potentially been the best owner in the NHL, with deep pockets, a love for the game, a great business mind and an all round nice person.
Hopefully Mario Lemieux can get out soon because you can really see how emotionally drained he is.
Toronto area business man Frank D’Angelo and his billionaire partner Barry Sherman are also saying that they are interested.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Brad Gagnon's 2006 Pro Bowl starting lineups
The NFL will announce the starting Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday. Brad Gagnon has his teams picked.
AFC
RB: LaDainian Tomlinson - No comment necessary.
FB: Lorenzo Neal - Send LT with his lead man.
WR: Chad Johnson, Andre Johnson - You could make the argument for BOTH Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and Laveranues Coles and Javon Walker will make a push, but the best numbers - especially when needed - lie here.
TE: Antonio Gates - Numbers couldn't be more identical to Tony Gonzalez, except the eight touchdowns.
OT: Jonathan Ogden, Shane Olivea - The beast Ogden is obvious. Olivea has been helped by LT, but he's still leading the way at most important line position for the most productive back in the game. Proof he matters: the numbers put up in garbage time by backup Michael Turner. Oh yeah, and Philip Rivers has only been sacked 24 times.
OG: Alan Faneca, Will Shields - Like Ogden, the sheer presence of Faneca (who can also play tackle if need be) gets him by. Shields led the way for LJ all year despite the loss of some of the most important parts to that KC line.
C: Jeff Saturday - Best part of a great offensive line in Indy.
K: Matt Stover - 23-25 speaks for itself.
Reserves at skill positions
QB: Carson Palmer, Tom Brady (sorry Rivers)
RB: Larry Johnson, Rudi Johnson (sorry Willie Parker, I'm filling this team with Johnsons)
WR: Coles, Harrison (Sorry Wayne, Walker, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Lee Evans)
TE: Gonzalez
Defense
DE: Jason Taylor, Aaron Schobel - The league's sack leaders. Both been money for years, the latter just hasn't been noticed yet.
DT: John Henderson, Vince Wilfork - With Marcus Stroud missing a chunk of the year, Henderson stepped up and helped the Jags defense to smother running backs all year long. Wilfork is simply a star for the Pats.
OLB: Shawne Merriman, Adalius Thomas - Merriman was incredible despite missing four games due to a steroids suspension. Thomas stood out on an already ridiculous defense in a contract year.
ILB: DeMeco Ryans - You might not have heard of him yet, but look at the stats! Maybe my choice for rookie of the year, too.
CB: Champ Bailey, Rashean Mathis - The biggest names put up the biggest numbers and gave up barely any big plays.
S: Ed Reed, Deon Grant - Grant has capitalized on a rough year from Troy Polamalu and the Steelers defensively.
P: Shane Lechler - If not for the secondary showing some strength, he'd be the only Raiders representative.
KR: Justin Miller - Two touchdowns and tied for the league-high in average yardage.
NFC
Offense
QB: Drew Brees - Almost less of a debate than the LT claim.
RB: Steven Jackson - Tiki Barber will be in this spot, but Jackson's productivity has been better.
FB: Mack Strong - The one constant in a rough year for Seattle's offense.
WR: Terrell Owens, Steve Smith - Donald Driver, where'd you come from to make it close?
TE: Alge Crumpler - Despite the three first-round picks, Crumpler has been the Falcons best receiver this season.
OG: Steve Hutchinson, Chris Samuels - Hutchinson needs no explanation, and did the job for Chester Taylor and, to a lesser extent, Brad Johnson that he did for Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle. As for Samuels, he led a Redskins attack that, despite losing star back Clinton Portis for the season, was one of the best rushing teams in the league.
OT: John Tait, Jammal Brown - Tait, paired with the man directly under this, was the key to keeping Rex Grossman alive (which, for some Bears fans, is a good thing). Brown will not be voted a starter, but the Saints line has been almost perfect at both protecting Brees and paving the way for Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. Brown, who had to make the transition from right to left tackle before the season, has been a huge part of the success, and deserves to represent the surprising group in Honolulu.
C: Olin Kreutz - Like Saturday, will be a Hawaii constant for some time still.
K: Robbie Gould - Slowed down as of late, but still had a quite a streak going and leads the league in points (among kickers, something we have to clarify nowadays the way LT goes).
Reserves at skill positions
QB: Marc Bulger, Tony Romo (that's how bad NFC quarterbacks were this season)
RB: Tiki Barber, Brian Westbrook (really really really sorry Frank Gore, but Jackson, Barber and Westbrook are not guys that can be left off the list. Gore will be the snub of the year)
WR: Driver, Torry Holt (no problems there)
TE: Jeremy Shockey
Defense
DE: Julius Peppers, Will Smith - Don't tell me Aaron Kampman or Leonard Little put the fear into opposing quarterbacks like these guys do.
DT: Tommie Harris, Kevin Williams - I don't care how many games he missed because of the hamstring injury, Harris downright dominated and stood out on the Bears defense. Pick a Williams, either Williams. Either way, Kevin and Pat deserve to be there for the Vikings.
OLB: Lance Briggs, Lofa Tatupu - That's three straight 100-tackle seasons for Briggs. Tatupu has had a bit of a down year after that spectacular rookie season, but he's here by default.
ILB: Brian Urlacher - He may never win it, but is consistently a major part of MVP debates. This year is no exception.
CB: Lito Sheppard, Ricky Manning - Sheppard has missed some time, but has been one of the best players on the field when healthy in that Eagles secondary. Manning is, of course, the token Bears representative. If he's not here, expect Charles Tillman to be.
S: Adrian Wilson, Dwight Smith - Roy Williams is still the hardest hitting safety and has five picks in Dallas, but Wilson's numbers have been simply incomparable in Arizona. Smith has been the bright spot on one of the league's worst pass defenses.
P: Mat McBriar - The best total and net average in the NFL.
KR: Devin Hester - The best season for a kick returner ever. Period.
AFC
Offense
QB: Peyton Manning - Even Palmer's numbers and Brady's mystique don't get them past this obvious choice.RB: LaDainian Tomlinson - No comment necessary.
FB: Lorenzo Neal - Send LT with his lead man.
WR: Chad Johnson, Andre Johnson - You could make the argument for BOTH Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and Laveranues Coles and Javon Walker will make a push, but the best numbers - especially when needed - lie here.
TE: Antonio Gates - Numbers couldn't be more identical to Tony Gonzalez, except the eight touchdowns.
OT: Jonathan Ogden, Shane Olivea - The beast Ogden is obvious. Olivea has been helped by LT, but he's still leading the way at most important line position for the most productive back in the game. Proof he matters: the numbers put up in garbage time by backup Michael Turner. Oh yeah, and Philip Rivers has only been sacked 24 times.
OG: Alan Faneca, Will Shields - Like Ogden, the sheer presence of Faneca (who can also play tackle if need be) gets him by. Shields led the way for LJ all year despite the loss of some of the most important parts to that KC line.
C: Jeff Saturday - Best part of a great offensive line in Indy.
K: Matt Stover - 23-25 speaks for itself.
Reserves at skill positions
QB: Carson Palmer, Tom Brady (sorry Rivers)
RB: Larry Johnson, Rudi Johnson (sorry Willie Parker, I'm filling this team with Johnsons)
WR: Coles, Harrison (Sorry Wayne, Walker, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Lee Evans)
TE: Gonzalez
Defense
DE: Jason Taylor, Aaron Schobel - The league's sack leaders. Both been money for years, the latter just hasn't been noticed yet.
DT: John Henderson, Vince Wilfork - With Marcus Stroud missing a chunk of the year, Henderson stepped up and helped the Jags defense to smother running backs all year long. Wilfork is simply a star for the Pats.
OLB: Shawne Merriman, Adalius Thomas - Merriman was incredible despite missing four games due to a steroids suspension. Thomas stood out on an already ridiculous defense in a contract year.
ILB: DeMeco Ryans - You might not have heard of him yet, but look at the stats! Maybe my choice for rookie of the year, too.
CB: Champ Bailey, Rashean Mathis - The biggest names put up the biggest numbers and gave up barely any big plays.
S: Ed Reed, Deon Grant - Grant has capitalized on a rough year from Troy Polamalu and the Steelers defensively.
P: Shane Lechler - If not for the secondary showing some strength, he'd be the only Raiders representative.
KR: Justin Miller - Two touchdowns and tied for the league-high in average yardage.
NFC
Offense
QB: Drew Brees - Almost less of a debate than the LT claim.
RB: Steven Jackson - Tiki Barber will be in this spot, but Jackson's productivity has been better.
FB: Mack Strong - The one constant in a rough year for Seattle's offense.
WR: Terrell Owens, Steve Smith - Donald Driver, where'd you come from to make it close?
TE: Alge Crumpler - Despite the three first-round picks, Crumpler has been the Falcons best receiver this season.
OG: Steve Hutchinson, Chris Samuels - Hutchinson needs no explanation, and did the job for Chester Taylor and, to a lesser extent, Brad Johnson that he did for Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle. As for Samuels, he led a Redskins attack that, despite losing star back Clinton Portis for the season, was one of the best rushing teams in the league.
OT: John Tait, Jammal Brown - Tait, paired with the man directly under this, was the key to keeping Rex Grossman alive (which, for some Bears fans, is a good thing). Brown will not be voted a starter, but the Saints line has been almost perfect at both protecting Brees and paving the way for Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. Brown, who had to make the transition from right to left tackle before the season, has been a huge part of the success, and deserves to represent the surprising group in Honolulu.
C: Olin Kreutz - Like Saturday, will be a Hawaii constant for some time still.
K: Robbie Gould - Slowed down as of late, but still had a quite a streak going and leads the league in points (among kickers, something we have to clarify nowadays the way LT goes).
Reserves at skill positions
QB: Marc Bulger, Tony Romo (that's how bad NFC quarterbacks were this season)
RB: Tiki Barber, Brian Westbrook (really really really sorry Frank Gore, but Jackson, Barber and Westbrook are not guys that can be left off the list. Gore will be the snub of the year)
WR: Driver, Torry Holt (no problems there)
TE: Jeremy Shockey
Defense
DE: Julius Peppers, Will Smith - Don't tell me Aaron Kampman or Leonard Little put the fear into opposing quarterbacks like these guys do.
DT: Tommie Harris, Kevin Williams - I don't care how many games he missed because of the hamstring injury, Harris downright dominated and stood out on the Bears defense. Pick a Williams, either Williams. Either way, Kevin and Pat deserve to be there for the Vikings.
OLB: Lance Briggs, Lofa Tatupu - That's three straight 100-tackle seasons for Briggs. Tatupu has had a bit of a down year after that spectacular rookie season, but he's here by default.
ILB: Brian Urlacher - He may never win it, but is consistently a major part of MVP debates. This year is no exception.
CB: Lito Sheppard, Ricky Manning - Sheppard has missed some time, but has been one of the best players on the field when healthy in that Eagles secondary. Manning is, of course, the token Bears representative. If he's not here, expect Charles Tillman to be.
S: Adrian Wilson, Dwight Smith - Roy Williams is still the hardest hitting safety and has five picks in Dallas, but Wilson's numbers have been simply incomparable in Arizona. Smith has been the bright spot on one of the league's worst pass defenses.
P: Mat McBriar - The best total and net average in the NFL.
KR: Devin Hester - The best season for a kick returner ever. Period.
Ramblings
- The ALCS Champs are showing they want to keep winning. The Detroit Tigers signed 24-year-old star pitcher Jeremy Bonderman to a four-year, $38 million contract extension that will keep him in the motor city until at least 2012. Great move. Bonderman's still green enough that he can't demand too much, well, green. But he will be worth a hell of a lot more than 9.5 million a year come 2013, and Detroit will get to ride that wave right until then - when Bonderman will be 30. The numbers don't lie, and outside of a disastrous rookie season in which he lost an amazing 19 games (remember: the Tiggies lost a historical 119 that summer) Bonderman has had a very consistent career. At 24, it should only get better.
- The consistency of suspensions in professional sports just hasn't held. Seven players were suspended by the NBA Monday following the brawl between the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets Friday night at Madison Square Garden. The biggest name of the group took the brunt of it, as Denver forward Carmelo Anthony was handed 15 games... for slapping, that's right slapping (look closely). 'Melo has the right to appeal because the suspension is more than 10 games. Starting with Todd Bertuzzi's clobbering of Steve Moore and the Malice at the Palace, recent pro sports suspensions seem to be out of control. We say, it's nothing more than commissioners trying to leave their mark on eras. Look no further than Boston Bruins great Terry O'Reilly. In 1979, also at MSG, he and some teammates decided to climb into the crowd and take on fans. The result: O'Reilly had to sit out eight games! If Clarence Campbell wasn't two years removed from work, we'd swear it was nothing more than an attempt at avoiding another "Richard Riot". But we digress...
- Last time we heard from Barry Zito and his galling agent, they were in Texas trying to make Zito the next Rodriguezesque member of the Rangers. Now the two are back in California, dealing with a more obvious suitor: the New York Mets. Scott Boras already got his deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka, what is he waiting for? We're sure they've had offers, and we're sure the Mets pitch is the best. The inevitable is indeed being delayed, and we are losing our patience, as news of "meetings" between the parties take up headline space in place of more up in the air possibilities.
- Happy trails, Brad Radke. The 34-year-old's shoulder was telling him to call it quits. And tomorrow at a press conference he will comply.
Heard it here first!
As The Four-Seamer said before the Vernon Wells deal was signed (which, by the way, was confirmed in a press conference today) the deal puts Blue Jays corner outfielders Reed Johnson and Alex Rios on the market. And almost as soon as word got out Wells was signing (but not until after we said so!) Alex Rios trade rumours began swirling.
Unfortunately for the Jays, Rios makes the most sense. Only because he is young and extremely talented, looks to have found, for the first time in his career, his home-run power, and has the mobility to hit one through nine and play all outfield positions.
Before he went down with a staph infection last season, the American League All-Star reserve was ripping the ball, and near the top of the league in batting.
Word on the street is the going rate for Rios is a fourth starter. Ahem. Excuse me? A FOURTH starter? For the guy many thought the Jays would let Wells go because of, knowing he could move into Wells' center field spot without losing a step? This is a guy many think could be BETTER than Wells in the coming years.
If the Blue Jays settle on Rios for a fourth starter, and are forced to use Matt Stairs in right field all season, they will be making a gigantic mistake.
A trade may be in the works, but not for an everyday, middle-of-the-pack fourth starter. The guy (or guys) the Jays get in return may be fourth in the rotation (as ESPN's Buster Olney put it, the phrase "fourth starter" may be being used in a more quantitative form than qualitative) but he will have the talent of a third. So, assuming Gustavo Chacin is the Jays third man, this newbie would become the fourth guy in order, despite having the talent of a third.
Still following?
Our bet? Watch for the Florida Marlins.
The Fish are in search of a man to play center field, and as we said Rios can do just that. And how about that staff of young, talented pitching?
Rotoworld reports the Jays tried to deal Rios for Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm last winter. Boy would they regret that now. But with a young player with the skills of Rios, we feel the team is bound to be regretful of any deal they make while he is still "becoming" a top end player. Isn't it a consensus that four years from now, when Rios is a free agent, he will be worth much more than a fourth starter? Of course. So, don't do it for a quick fix.
Unfortunately for the Jays, Rios makes the most sense. Only because he is young and extremely talented, looks to have found, for the first time in his career, his home-run power, and has the mobility to hit one through nine and play all outfield positions.
Before he went down with a staph infection last season, the American League All-Star reserve was ripping the ball, and near the top of the league in batting.
Word on the street is the going rate for Rios is a fourth starter. Ahem. Excuse me? A FOURTH starter? For the guy many thought the Jays would let Wells go because of, knowing he could move into Wells' center field spot without losing a step? This is a guy many think could be BETTER than Wells in the coming years.
If the Blue Jays settle on Rios for a fourth starter, and are forced to use Matt Stairs in right field all season, they will be making a gigantic mistake.
A trade may be in the works, but not for an everyday, middle-of-the-pack fourth starter. The guy (or guys) the Jays get in return may be fourth in the rotation (as ESPN's Buster Olney put it, the phrase "fourth starter" may be being used in a more quantitative form than qualitative) but he will have the talent of a third. So, assuming Gustavo Chacin is the Jays third man, this newbie would become the fourth guy in order, despite having the talent of a third.
Still following?
Our bet? Watch for the Florida Marlins.
The Fish are in search of a man to play center field, and as we said Rios can do just that. And how about that staff of young, talented pitching?
- Lefty Scott Olsen is 22-years-old, and struck out 166 batters in 188.2 innings last season, winning 12 games as a rookie.
- 22-year-old rookie Josh Johnson went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA
- Also 22 and a rookie, Anibal Sanchez pitched a no-hitter, en route to a 2.83 ERA and a 10-3 record
- 24-year-old rookie Ricky Nolasco won 11 games and struck out 99 in 140 innings
That's right. Three 22-year-olds, one 24, all rookies, all double-digit game winners.
Olney feels the New York Mets are a possibility, with arguably the highest touted prospect in baseball Lastings Milledge being the prime bait alongside pitcher Aaron Heilman. If this deal is on the table, take it. Why not? Milledge has more upside and time before free agency than Rios, and Heilman has been talked about as one of the best relievers in the game. His numbers, albeit in relief, with the Mets tower over those put up by big name free agents "big names" Gil Meche and Ted Lilly. In fact, it's not even close.Rotoworld reports the Jays tried to deal Rios for Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm last winter. Boy would they regret that now. But with a young player with the skills of Rios, we feel the team is bound to be regretful of any deal they make while he is still "becoming" a top end player. Isn't it a consensus that four years from now, when Rios is a free agent, he will be worth much more than a fourth starter? Of course. So, don't do it for a quick fix.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Rumblings
- Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive officer of Research in Motion, the creators of the Blackberry has backed out of a deal that would have seen him buy the Pittsburgh Penguins. Reports say that with the uncertainty of a new arena getting built and the NHL weary on letting him move the franchise to a different location he has decided that it would be in his best interest to not buy the franchise. The Penguins are in shambles off the ice, but on it they have four of the best young players in the game in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury.
- According to the Toronto Sun, Kevin Weekes is expected to get the start tonight for the New York Rangers as they play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs who have won their last two after losing seven straight. They played in Carolina last night and skated to a hard fought 4-3 victory and look to repeat that tonight.
- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have agreed on a contract with import third baseman Akinori Iwamura. It is expected to be a three year deal with Iwamura making $1.8 million in 2007, $2.4 million in 2008 and $3.25 million in 2009.
- Beckham to the MLS in January? Reports are saying that David Beckham will join the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS in January when he is allowed to transfer from superpower Real Madrid. Beckham has always said he was interested in coming to North America. If this is the case he will make an appearance in Toronto to play the newest MLS franchise, Toronto FC.
- Troubled Chicago Bears nose tackle Tank Johnson was at a nightclub early Saturday morning when a man who called himself the player's bodyguard was shot to death. Johnson’s home was raided earlier in the week and he and his bodyguard were arrested on gun charges. The Bears D continues to take hits with both defensive tackles now out. Arguably the brightest star on their defense, Tommie Harris, is done for the year with a hamstring injury. We think this could be crippling for the Bears, and look for the Dallas Cowboys and/or New Orleans Saints to give them a run for their money in the NFC.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Vernon Wells-Toronto Agree To Terms
Vernon Wells and the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly agreed to the previously described seven-year, $126 million dollar contract. The contract does have an opt-out clause in it after the fourth year, meaning the Jays are guaranteed to have him for the next five years at the very least.
Wells has been quoted as saying that family comes first and that this deal will allow him to help many generations of his family. The great thing is that Vernon was true to his word and really did want to stay in Toronto.
It is in our opinion that this is the best off-season move the Jays have made. Locking up the face of the franchise with this sort of contact is a sure sign that Ted Rogers and the Blue Jays are serious about winning now and in the future.
The Blue Jays' 2007 payroll is also expected to be announced soon, according to Godfrey.
This deal has not been made official yet. That is expected to be done at a news conference Monday.
The Jays still have their starting pitching to address and since there is not much left on the free agent market, the Blue Jays are said to be looking at the trade route. With the signing of Vernon Wells, we believe that either Alex Rios or Reed Johnson could be shopped around.
Wells has been quoted as saying that family comes first and that this deal will allow him to help many generations of his family. The great thing is that Vernon was true to his word and really did want to stay in Toronto.
It is in our opinion that this is the best off-season move the Jays have made. Locking up the face of the franchise with this sort of contact is a sure sign that Ted Rogers and the Blue Jays are serious about winning now and in the future.
The Blue Jays' 2007 payroll is also expected to be announced soon, according to Godfrey.
This deal has not been made official yet. That is expected to be done at a news conference Monday.
The Jays still have their starting pitching to address and since there is not much left on the free agent market, the Blue Jays are said to be looking at the trade route. With the signing of Vernon Wells, we believe that either Alex Rios or Reed Johnson could be shopped around.
Canada's World Junior Team Announced
Canada's 22 man World Junior team roster was announced today. With 11 returning players from last year's team they are surely the favourites to bring home their third straight gold medal. Five of the returning players will be coming back to the defense corps that allowed the fewest goals last year in tournament history. Couple that with savvy 19-year-old netminders Carey Price and Leland Erving and Canada will have no trouble stopping teams from scoring. The real concern is on the offensive end. Andrew Cogliano and Jonathan Toews will be counted on to bring the offense for team Canada. The Canucks are the favourites again this year, but Finland and the USA are also said to be contenders. Canada will face off against Sweden on Boxing Day to open up the round robin tournament.
Captain: Christopher Letang
Assistant: Steve Downie
Assistant: Jon Toews
Assistant: Marc Staal
Assistant: Tom Pyatt
Captain: Christopher Letang
Assistant: Steve Downie
Assistant: Jon Toews
Assistant: Marc Staal
Assistant: Tom Pyatt
Mora controversy in Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora said today he was kidding. We at The Four-Seamer don't buy it.
Mora went on a Seattle sports radio show Thursday and sprouted his passion for coaching the University of Washington Huskies football team, despite his team being in the thick of the playoff race in the NFC.
In fact, he went on to say he would leave the team in the midst of a race to join the Huskies staff.
Mora's claim that the comments were made tongue in cheek seems far-fetched. If he was being fictitious, he might want to consider a future career in acting, because nothing sounds that dead-pan serious that was meant to be a joke.
Regardless, we felt Mora's job was in trouble headed into the season. This incident, combined with what might very well be the second straight year that a team with a surplus of talent has missed the playoffs and Mora's own father saying phenom Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was a coach killer, should mean Mora will be looking for a new job come January.
Based on his more-than-hinting comments about Washington, we would argue Mora already has a pretty good impression of his fate.
Mora went on a Seattle sports radio show Thursday and sprouted his passion for coaching the University of Washington Huskies football team, despite his team being in the thick of the playoff race in the NFC.
In fact, he went on to say he would leave the team in the midst of a race to join the Huskies staff.
Mora's claim that the comments were made tongue in cheek seems far-fetched. If he was being fictitious, he might want to consider a future career in acting, because nothing sounds that dead-pan serious that was meant to be a joke.
Regardless, we felt Mora's job was in trouble headed into the season. This incident, combined with what might very well be the second straight year that a team with a surplus of talent has missed the playoffs and Mora's own father saying phenom Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was a coach killer, should mean Mora will be looking for a new job come January.
Based on his more-than-hinting comments about Washington, we would argue Mora already has a pretty good impression of his fate.
All's Wells with contract offer
Done deal? Not yet, but it appears the Toronto Blue Jays will indeed come to terms with outfielder Vernon Wells on a seven year deal worth $126 million. Wells has confirmed the sides are close in negotiations.
Also of interest is that Wells told The Associated Press he was at a time tempted to head home to Texas, where the ballpark is 20 minutes from his home.
The sixth richest deal in baseball history, and quite possibly the biggest in Canadian sports history, could be made official any minute now.
This goes against our suggestion yesterday that, despite our bias, V-dub should decline and opt to play the field next winter. Ultimately, and this is quickly evident in the AP story, Wells wanted the security and comfort of his new home... and right now.
Also of interest is that Wells told The Associated Press he was at a time tempted to head home to Texas, where the ballpark is 20 minutes from his home.
The sixth richest deal in baseball history, and quite possibly the biggest in Canadian sports history, could be made official any minute now.
This goes against our suggestion yesterday that, despite our bias, V-dub should decline and opt to play the field next winter. Ultimately, and this is quickly evident in the AP story, Wells wanted the security and comfort of his new home... and right now.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Ramblings
- The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Vernon Wells both admit an offer for about $126 million over seven years is on the table. The contract, as mentioned earlier on The Four-Seamer, would be one of the biggest in the history of professional sports. Bigger than the deal the New York Mets gave Carlos Beltran two years ago and bigger than the deal received last month by Alfonzo Soriano (ironically, all outfielders). But, Rotoworld thinks Wells could be offered $20 million-type numbers if he waits one more season and becomes an unrestricted free agent. Will he take the quick money and insurance for the next eight years (would last until he is 36 years-old), or risk trying to up his stock for another year? Time will tell. But in baseball's continually inflated market that deepens in terms of its insanity winter-by-winter, the smart decision might still be to wait.
- Not often things break to the media this way, but Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro claims he's been dealt to the Seattle Mariners (is it me, or have the M's been at least weakly a part of EVERY rumour this off-season?) for outfielder Chris Snelling and relief pitcher Emiliano Fruto. Snelling and Fruto are younger and arguably have much more upside. The flame-throwing Fruto could be a future closer in D.C. and Vidro makes a hell of a lot more money. Funny, the Nats stood their ground and forced Soriano to play a new position because they were adamant about leaving Vidro as their second baseman. Now Soriano's gone, and they deal Vidro? I guess the offer was just too good to be true. Save salary and bring in some talented youth.
- In the face of "block-from-the-Bombers" conspiracy theories, the Boston Red Sox locked up pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka for the first six years of his major league career. It only cost them $103.11 million. After paying $51.11 mil for his rights one month ago, the Sox spent $52 million more today, to ensure the gyroballer plays in Beantown until at least 2012. Matsuzaka will be 32 years-old and possibly still in his prime when the New York Yankees pick him up for the 2013 season...
- Never mind being a glorified running back, at one point today it appeared Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick would give tailback a try this weekend if the team's two feature backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood (down with calf and knee injuries respectively) weren't able to go. It now appears Dunn, and maybe even Norwood, will have a shot at playing Saturday night when the Birds host the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, Atlanta signed former NFL back Jamal Robertson in case of emergency. Fullback Justin Griffith also showed Sunday he can step in and handle the duties. Vick said later he's a quarterback, and only a quarterback (even if he's not a very good one).
- Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby now have something in common. They had, thus far, the biggest nights of their respective careers Wednesday night. Bargnani hit five three-pointers and led all scorers with 23 points as the Raps upset the Magic in Orlando. Crosby netted six points to lead the Pens over the lowly Philadelphia Flyers 8-4.
- Rest in peace, Mr. Lamar Hunt. The AFL's founder and one of the main reasons why the NFL is what it is today, died Wednesday night at age 74.
