Former Nets center Jason Williams was sentenced to five years in prison for fatally shooting his driver, five years ago.He'll be eligible for parole, and will probably be out, in 18 months. Plaxico Burress was almost immediately sent to jail for two years for carrying an unregistered weapon. Williams five years for murder, Plax two years for carrying an unregistered weapon. Williams was free for five years after hios crime, Plax was sent to jail a few months after. This is just wrong. I wonder if Williams would've gotten more time if he'd killed his driver with an unregistered weapon.
I don't know why Tiger Woods had to have a press conference on Friday. All anybody needed to hear from him is when he's coming back to golf. That's all that matters to the public. He didn't owe me or anyone else outside of his family and apolagy. He didn't cheat on me. He acted like so many other men do. None of them have to apolagize to everyone.
Knicks fans have real legitimate hope for the first time in years. You'll hear most Knicks fans say that they haven't been this excited since the late 90's when they went to the finals with Houston and Spreewell. That's not true. Knick fans were jumping for joy when the team dealt for Marbury and then again when they signed Larry Brown as head coach. We were wrong then, we might be again.Maybe they don't get LeBron or Wade or Bosh. Maybe they don't get any two max guys. That's not the end of the world. They could sign one max guy and, since their under the cap now, be in a position to relieve another team of a contract. They could potentially trade for Arenas, or be on the other side of the Jeffries trade, where they could basically rob a team of their draft picks in exchange for taking a contract off their hands. We whiffed on Marbury and Brown, but hopefully third time's the charm.
Oh and by the way, when are the olympics over? I'm really missing Thursday night NBC.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cool Runnings
I just can't get into the Olympics. Maybe it's because I watch real sports, I'm not sure. The Games are now just glorafied reality shows. People don't watch because of the competition, they watch necause of the human interest stories. Still, the events that get most watched in America are the ones that involve real sports. Like Olympic hockey and basketball. Outside of a few events, the Olympics are just so people who specialize in activities that will never be mistaken for sports can get a global stage. Like ice dancing, synchronized swimming, cross country skiing, and of course curling.
As ridiculous as those events are, they're no worse than the more mainstream ones. Take Michael Phelps for example. Eight gold medals, all for swimming! He's the fastest swimmer using different techniques, but it's still just swimming. It'd be like Usain Bolt getting gold medals for being the fastest runner, soeed walker, jogger, skipper, and backwards runner. It's all the same, Phelps was the fastest persn in water and should get a gold for that. Not fot being the fastest in different ways.
Also, why the hell do people get so excited about winning silver or, worse, bronze? You're celebrating that you almost won? What about the guy who finished behind Bolt? He wasn't even close to winning, so what's he celebrating. I know people will argue that smaller countries should be able to celebrat an accomplishment on a global stage. I don't necesserily agree, but fine, whatever. The athletes themselves shouldn't celebrate. No athlete worth his weight in farts is happy with second place. That's part of what makes them great at what they do, the drive to be the best. So there's no way they should be happy with third place.
I'm sure the Colts celebrated coming in second place. See? That's another reason why the Olympic events aren't real sports: The losers celebrate the fact that they came in third.
Peace
As ridiculous as those events are, they're no worse than the more mainstream ones. Take Michael Phelps for example. Eight gold medals, all for swimming! He's the fastest swimmer using different techniques, but it's still just swimming. It'd be like Usain Bolt getting gold medals for being the fastest runner, soeed walker, jogger, skipper, and backwards runner. It's all the same, Phelps was the fastest persn in water and should get a gold for that. Not fot being the fastest in different ways.
Also, why the hell do people get so excited about winning silver or, worse, bronze? You're celebrating that you almost won? What about the guy who finished behind Bolt? He wasn't even close to winning, so what's he celebrating. I know people will argue that smaller countries should be able to celebrat an accomplishment on a global stage. I don't necesserily agree, but fine, whatever. The athletes themselves shouldn't celebrate. No athlete worth his weight in farts is happy with second place. That's part of what makes them great at what they do, the drive to be the best. So there's no way they should be happy with third place.
I'm sure the Colts celebrated coming in second place. See? That's another reason why the Olympic events aren't real sports: The losers celebrate the fact that they came in third.
Peace
Monday, February 8, 2010
Super Bowl Monday Afternoon Punter
THAT'S why we watch. After watching hundreds of games for over a decade, after believing I've the game basically figured out I can still be completely shocked by the brilliance of a coach. Did anyone see the onside kcik coming? Indy clearly didn't. That's how you call a game. You go for the win. Not to say an onside kick's always a good idea, but if you think it's necessary and if you think you can execute it, go for it. Sean Payton risked being the goat of the Super Bowl by going for the win. Had the Colts recovered the ball and marched for a quick TD to go up 17-6, Payton would've been hanged by the court of public opinion. He didn't care. He wanted to win. He called last night's game as if he was playing Madden. Just go for the win. Do whatever you can.
Still, he wasn't perfect...
Super Bowl Power Rankings
1.) New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) The Colts WRs were terrible. They had some huge drops. Garcon early in the second dropped a pass that would've converted a third down for a big gain. Indy didn't touch the ball with an eye for the endzone again for over an hour. They got the ball at their own goal line and just tried running out the clock. Then the onside kick after the half. At the point of the Garcon drop Indy was up 10-3 and the Saints showed no signs of being able to stop them.
2.) I thought it was a good move by Payton going for fourth and goal at the end of the half. A FG would've made it 10-6 while a TD would've tied the game. If they failed, Indy would get the ball deep in their own territory. It'd be tough for them to march the field with the time left. What I didn't like, though, was the playcalling. The Saints ran for it on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th and goal. I think third and goal should've been a playaction call. I think Payton ran for it on third because he knew he'd go for it on fourth, so if he didn't get in he'd kill time for the Colts. So if that's the logic, they should've thrown on fourth. Their passing offense is one of the best, take at least one shot.
3.) Payton was bailed out there by Caldwell. You've Peyton Manning at your disposal. A score from your own 2 with unbder 2 left in the half might've broken the Saints' backs. Okay if you didn't want to risk anything you got a big run on second. So throw on third and short to try to get the first and maybe march. A safety's out of the question there. At any rate, they ran it up the middle, got stuffed, punted, let the Saints move , and get the FG they would've gotten had they not gone for it on fourth.
4.) You'll hear today that Gregg Williams made adjustments that threw off the Colts offense in the second half. It's not true. What the Saints did was keep the ball out of Peyton's hands, not exactly a novel approach. In the second half the Colts marched for a TD. Marched again, including converting a fourth down, and settled for a long FG try (should've punted there and pinned the Saints deep). The Colts then marched again until the INT. They then marched to the goal line again. The Saints defense isn't the reason they won the game.
5.) To win a football game a team needs to win with at least two of thier three units (offense, defense, special teams.) This was illustrated again last night. For the Saints to win, they needed to win the special teams battle, not let it be a wash. They did. That was the difference in the game.
6.) Now to another Colts WR: Reggie Wayne. He had an awful game.In the first half he was held to one catch. Then on the fourth down desperation play he made one of the worst plays you'll see a reciever make. He was a decoy on the play, running a slant a yard and a half short of the endzone. His purpose was to draw some coverage up so Peyton could hit someone in the back of the endzone. He ran the route as if he was a decoy. He's clearly not sprinting, watch the replay. He comes out of his break and jogs across the field. The Saints cover up the play leavong Wayne open. Wayne sees Peyton look at him and only then does he pick up speed again. Manning fires the ball towards him, but Wayne, who had mentally checked out of the play from the start, short arms the ball anticipating the hit which would've been later than he expected. Game over. Now you can argue that that play wasn't that big because the chance of a Colts comeback was minimal at that point. That's fair. So lets look at the play that turned the game....
7.) The Colts had marched down the field and were in position for about a 47 yard fg try. With all three timeouts remaining, you obviously kick it and try to get the ball back for the win. On third and short, Indy ran a pass play where on the left side both Wayne and Collie run ins of varying lengths. Wayne got to the top of his route and as he was about to cut, Manning threw where he thought Wayne outght to be. Wayne wasn't there. He ran a weak route with a weak cut. He should've cut in front of Porter, but instead he just reached his arms out while fading away from the ball. Ball goes to Porter, checkmate. Now while Wayne made a bad play there, I'm not exonerating Peyton either. He chose to throw to Wayne on a timing play, where he thought Wayne would be in a position to catch the ball rather than throw to Collie a few yard in, who'd already made his cut and was crossing open. That would've been a first down, or at the least incomplete.
8.) In the last drive, once the Colts burned their first timeout, I don't understand why they went out of their way to conserve their second. On third and goal they complete a pass short of the endzone and rush to the line for a fourth down play. They should've called timeout and calmed everyone down and run a set play. Once the first TO was used, you lose if the Saints get the ball. And the only thing more important than the timeouts and time was that TD. Don't rush it.
9.) Note to the media: Drew Brees was a great QB before the game and Peyton Manning is still the elite QB in the NFL.
10.) Great job, great season for the New Orleans Saints.
Limerick of the Week
The Trace Porter fourth pick
Made every Colts fan totally sick
The season is done
But here's something fun
Only 212 days left till opening kick.
There will be a TARP next week.
Peace
Still, he wasn't perfect...
Super Bowl Power Rankings
1.) New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) The Colts WRs were terrible. They had some huge drops. Garcon early in the second dropped a pass that would've converted a third down for a big gain. Indy didn't touch the ball with an eye for the endzone again for over an hour. They got the ball at their own goal line and just tried running out the clock. Then the onside kick after the half. At the point of the Garcon drop Indy was up 10-3 and the Saints showed no signs of being able to stop them.
2.) I thought it was a good move by Payton going for fourth and goal at the end of the half. A FG would've made it 10-6 while a TD would've tied the game. If they failed, Indy would get the ball deep in their own territory. It'd be tough for them to march the field with the time left. What I didn't like, though, was the playcalling. The Saints ran for it on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th and goal. I think third and goal should've been a playaction call. I think Payton ran for it on third because he knew he'd go for it on fourth, so if he didn't get in he'd kill time for the Colts. So if that's the logic, they should've thrown on fourth. Their passing offense is one of the best, take at least one shot.
3.) Payton was bailed out there by Caldwell. You've Peyton Manning at your disposal. A score from your own 2 with unbder 2 left in the half might've broken the Saints' backs. Okay if you didn't want to risk anything you got a big run on second. So throw on third and short to try to get the first and maybe march. A safety's out of the question there. At any rate, they ran it up the middle, got stuffed, punted, let the Saints move , and get the FG they would've gotten had they not gone for it on fourth.
4.) You'll hear today that Gregg Williams made adjustments that threw off the Colts offense in the second half. It's not true. What the Saints did was keep the ball out of Peyton's hands, not exactly a novel approach. In the second half the Colts marched for a TD. Marched again, including converting a fourth down, and settled for a long FG try (should've punted there and pinned the Saints deep). The Colts then marched again until the INT. They then marched to the goal line again. The Saints defense isn't the reason they won the game.
5.) To win a football game a team needs to win with at least two of thier three units (offense, defense, special teams.) This was illustrated again last night. For the Saints to win, they needed to win the special teams battle, not let it be a wash. They did. That was the difference in the game.
6.) Now to another Colts WR: Reggie Wayne. He had an awful game.In the first half he was held to one catch. Then on the fourth down desperation play he made one of the worst plays you'll see a reciever make. He was a decoy on the play, running a slant a yard and a half short of the endzone. His purpose was to draw some coverage up so Peyton could hit someone in the back of the endzone. He ran the route as if he was a decoy. He's clearly not sprinting, watch the replay. He comes out of his break and jogs across the field. The Saints cover up the play leavong Wayne open. Wayne sees Peyton look at him and only then does he pick up speed again. Manning fires the ball towards him, but Wayne, who had mentally checked out of the play from the start, short arms the ball anticipating the hit which would've been later than he expected. Game over. Now you can argue that that play wasn't that big because the chance of a Colts comeback was minimal at that point. That's fair. So lets look at the play that turned the game....
7.) The Colts had marched down the field and were in position for about a 47 yard fg try. With all three timeouts remaining, you obviously kick it and try to get the ball back for the win. On third and short, Indy ran a pass play where on the left side both Wayne and Collie run ins of varying lengths. Wayne got to the top of his route and as he was about to cut, Manning threw where he thought Wayne outght to be. Wayne wasn't there. He ran a weak route with a weak cut. He should've cut in front of Porter, but instead he just reached his arms out while fading away from the ball. Ball goes to Porter, checkmate. Now while Wayne made a bad play there, I'm not exonerating Peyton either. He chose to throw to Wayne on a timing play, where he thought Wayne would be in a position to catch the ball rather than throw to Collie a few yard in, who'd already made his cut and was crossing open. That would've been a first down, or at the least incomplete.
8.) In the last drive, once the Colts burned their first timeout, I don't understand why they went out of their way to conserve their second. On third and goal they complete a pass short of the endzone and rush to the line for a fourth down play. They should've called timeout and calmed everyone down and run a set play. Once the first TO was used, you lose if the Saints get the ball. And the only thing more important than the timeouts and time was that TD. Don't rush it.
9.) Note to the media: Drew Brees was a great QB before the game and Peyton Manning is still the elite QB in the NFL.
10.) Great job, great season for the New Orleans Saints.
Limerick of the Week
The Trace Porter fourth pick
Made every Colts fan totally sick
The season is done
But here's something fun
Only 212 days left till opening kick.
There will be a TARP next week.
Peace
Monday, February 1, 2010
Pro Bowl Week Monday Afternoon Punter
Saw on the news that Bret "The Hitman" Hart's going to appear on Monday Night Raw tonight. Growing up, Bret Hart was my favoirite wrestler (post Hogan). Then he left for the WCW. Before he did, however, he was involved in one of the most controversial moments in pro wrestling history. I refer, of course, to the Montreal Screwjob.
First some back sotry for anyone not familliar with the incident. In the mid 90's, the WWF and WCW were in a bitter struggle. However, as time passed, the WCW began to pull out in front. Ted Turner had more financial power than Vince McMahon at the time. So he'd buy up all the most popular wrestlers. McMahon couldn't compete and the WWF was in serious trouble.
Then in 1998 Bret Hart's contract ws due to expire. So late in 97, the WCW swooped in and agreed to terms with the Hitman. The problem for the WWF was that Hart was the World Heavyweight Champion at the time. Bret Hart still had a couple of months left in the WWF and, as per his contract, had considerable creative control over his character in the end. McMahon wanted Hart to lose the title to rival Shawn Michaels at the next Pay Per View scheduled to take place in Montreal.
McMahon was worried that Hart might defect to the WCW before losing the title. He had reason to worry too. In the early 90s, the then Women's Champion jumped to WCW and, on the air, threw the belt in the trash. The WWF lost their women's division for some time after that. They wouldn't be able to recover if their ultimate title was disgraced like that.
Hart, on the other hand, didn't want to lose to Shawn Michaels (the two didn't really get along ) in Montreal. He was a Canadian hero and felt that it'd be spitting in the face of the Hitman character to lose in his home country. So he suggested that he win that night and give the title to Michaels the next night on Raw befire retiring from the WWF.
On the night of the Pay Per View, Hart belieced that how he suggested the match to go was hwo it was going to go. During the match, Michaels put Hart into the Sharpshooter, Hart's signature move. Hart was supposed to reverse the hold and take the win. Before he could, however, Vince McMahon told the ref to call for the bell and announce Michaels the winner via submission. Hart was shocked. He spat in McMahon's face and damaged equipment as he stormed out of the arena. He tried confronting McMahon in the back, but he'd locked himself in his office. Hart eventually went to WCW and McMahon and the WWF went on to record success, eventually buying out the WCW.
I contend that, not only did Vince McMahon do the right thing then, but the Screwjob directly lead to the WWf's future success. And it was the best thing that could've happened to Bret Hart.
The worries McMahon had about Hart defecting with the title were real. If that'd happened, the WWF would've been finished. His worries were compouneded when Hart showed some resistance to losing the title. He did the best thing in the interest of his company. Moreover, the incident became public knowledge. Everyone found out what had happened. How Vince had screwed Bret Hart. This spawned the wrestling persona of Mr McMahonm the CEO who goes around purposely bending the rules for his own gain. Before this, McMahon was a background character, doing commentray and things like that. The fact that he was the Chairman was rarely acknowledged. The WWF took the real incident of the Montreal Screwjob and incorperated it into their other storylines, which raised the popularity of McMahon's nemesis, Stone Cold Steve Austion. This sent the WWF to levels it never could've otherwise reached.
As for Bret Hart, the Screwjob was the best way he could've left the WWF. He became a tragic hero. If he'd just left unceremoniously, the WCW fans would've loved him while the WWF fans would've looked at him as a traitor. With the Screwjob, everyone loved him. The incident led to an optimal divorce for both parties. So much so that one would think that perhaps it was contrived. Hmmm....
Finally, on to the MAP
Pro Bowl Week Power Rankings
1.) AFC
2.) NFC
Pro Bowl Week Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) I don't understand why everyone hates on the Pro Bowl. I watch it. I enjoy it. People complain that it's not real football. That the guys aren't trying hard. There's no defense. That's what any All Star Game is like. Take the Pro Bowl for what it is. Some of the best people in the sport just putting on an exhibition of their talents and having fun. If they played 5 on 5 with a lineman counting Mississipi, I'd watch. I loved that it was played during the off week before the Super Bowl. Usually that Sunday's a killer. The only change I'd make is to add some skills competition like MLB and the NBA have. You know, distance throwing, best 40 times, ctaching drills, stuff like that.
2.) Okay, on to the Super Bowl. For the first time for me, I have no team I'm really rooting against or for. I like both teams and I like players on both sides. Just hope we have a good game.
3.) The Saints gameplan on defens will have to be to pressure and hit Peyton. The problem, though, is that that was their game plan last week. So it's fresh on film for Peyton to study.
4.) One of the untalked about odditites of the second half of the season is the disappearance of the Saints' high flying offense. It made a brief appearance against teh Cardinals, but it's been gone for a while.
5.) The health of Dwight Freeney is key this week. If he plays the way he should, I can't see the Saints keeping up with Indy.
6.) They key to the game will be the Saints defense. I don't care how explosive the Saints offense is, if the defense can't get a hold on Manning, the Colts will always have just enough points to be champions.
7.) The Colts will need another big game from their young WRs. Jabari Greer will do a good job on Wayne and they'll roll coverage towards Clark. I could see another huge day for Garcon.
8.) I do expect at least one big play from Reggie Bush. He excels against smaller defenses.
9.) Darren Sharper likes to jump routes at saftey. I'd watch out for a double move on him.
10.) I'll take Indy 31-21.
Limerick of the Week
Why are people talking about the Senior Bowl
When we're six days away from the Super Bowl
Peyton and Brees
Will throw with ease
So please can I stop hearing about Tim Tebow?
Peace
First some back sotry for anyone not familliar with the incident. In the mid 90's, the WWF and WCW were in a bitter struggle. However, as time passed, the WCW began to pull out in front. Ted Turner had more financial power than Vince McMahon at the time. So he'd buy up all the most popular wrestlers. McMahon couldn't compete and the WWF was in serious trouble.
Then in 1998 Bret Hart's contract ws due to expire. So late in 97, the WCW swooped in and agreed to terms with the Hitman. The problem for the WWF was that Hart was the World Heavyweight Champion at the time. Bret Hart still had a couple of months left in the WWF and, as per his contract, had considerable creative control over his character in the end. McMahon wanted Hart to lose the title to rival Shawn Michaels at the next Pay Per View scheduled to take place in Montreal.
McMahon was worried that Hart might defect to the WCW before losing the title. He had reason to worry too. In the early 90s, the then Women's Champion jumped to WCW and, on the air, threw the belt in the trash. The WWF lost their women's division for some time after that. They wouldn't be able to recover if their ultimate title was disgraced like that.
Hart, on the other hand, didn't want to lose to Shawn Michaels (the two didn't really get along ) in Montreal. He was a Canadian hero and felt that it'd be spitting in the face of the Hitman character to lose in his home country. So he suggested that he win that night and give the title to Michaels the next night on Raw befire retiring from the WWF.
On the night of the Pay Per View, Hart belieced that how he suggested the match to go was hwo it was going to go. During the match, Michaels put Hart into the Sharpshooter, Hart's signature move. Hart was supposed to reverse the hold and take the win. Before he could, however, Vince McMahon told the ref to call for the bell and announce Michaels the winner via submission. Hart was shocked. He spat in McMahon's face and damaged equipment as he stormed out of the arena. He tried confronting McMahon in the back, but he'd locked himself in his office. Hart eventually went to WCW and McMahon and the WWF went on to record success, eventually buying out the WCW.
I contend that, not only did Vince McMahon do the right thing then, but the Screwjob directly lead to the WWf's future success. And it was the best thing that could've happened to Bret Hart.
The worries McMahon had about Hart defecting with the title were real. If that'd happened, the WWF would've been finished. His worries were compouneded when Hart showed some resistance to losing the title. He did the best thing in the interest of his company. Moreover, the incident became public knowledge. Everyone found out what had happened. How Vince had screwed Bret Hart. This spawned the wrestling persona of Mr McMahonm the CEO who goes around purposely bending the rules for his own gain. Before this, McMahon was a background character, doing commentray and things like that. The fact that he was the Chairman was rarely acknowledged. The WWF took the real incident of the Montreal Screwjob and incorperated it into their other storylines, which raised the popularity of McMahon's nemesis, Stone Cold Steve Austion. This sent the WWF to levels it never could've otherwise reached.
As for Bret Hart, the Screwjob was the best way he could've left the WWF. He became a tragic hero. If he'd just left unceremoniously, the WCW fans would've loved him while the WWF fans would've looked at him as a traitor. With the Screwjob, everyone loved him. The incident led to an optimal divorce for both parties. So much so that one would think that perhaps it was contrived. Hmmm....
Finally, on to the MAP
Pro Bowl Week Power Rankings
1.) AFC
2.) NFC
Pro Bowl Week Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) I don't understand why everyone hates on the Pro Bowl. I watch it. I enjoy it. People complain that it's not real football. That the guys aren't trying hard. There's no defense. That's what any All Star Game is like. Take the Pro Bowl for what it is. Some of the best people in the sport just putting on an exhibition of their talents and having fun. If they played 5 on 5 with a lineman counting Mississipi, I'd watch. I loved that it was played during the off week before the Super Bowl. Usually that Sunday's a killer. The only change I'd make is to add some skills competition like MLB and the NBA have. You know, distance throwing, best 40 times, ctaching drills, stuff like that.
2.) Okay, on to the Super Bowl. For the first time for me, I have no team I'm really rooting against or for. I like both teams and I like players on both sides. Just hope we have a good game.
3.) The Saints gameplan on defens will have to be to pressure and hit Peyton. The problem, though, is that that was their game plan last week. So it's fresh on film for Peyton to study.
4.) One of the untalked about odditites of the second half of the season is the disappearance of the Saints' high flying offense. It made a brief appearance against teh Cardinals, but it's been gone for a while.
5.) The health of Dwight Freeney is key this week. If he plays the way he should, I can't see the Saints keeping up with Indy.
6.) They key to the game will be the Saints defense. I don't care how explosive the Saints offense is, if the defense can't get a hold on Manning, the Colts will always have just enough points to be champions.
7.) The Colts will need another big game from their young WRs. Jabari Greer will do a good job on Wayne and they'll roll coverage towards Clark. I could see another huge day for Garcon.
8.) I do expect at least one big play from Reggie Bush. He excels against smaller defenses.
9.) Darren Sharper likes to jump routes at saftey. I'd watch out for a double move on him.
10.) I'll take Indy 31-21.
Limerick of the Week
Why are people talking about the Senior Bowl
When we're six days away from the Super Bowl
Peyton and Brees
Will throw with ease
So please can I stop hearing about Tim Tebow?
Peace
Monday, January 25, 2010
Championship Weekend Monday Afternoon Punter
Championship Week Power Rankings
1.) Incy Colts
2.) N.O. Saints
1.) Midway through the second quarter, it became clear that Peyton Manning had figured out the Jets defense. It was amazing to watch. He seemed to know everything the defense was doing. It was like watching a great Madden player going up against someone who doesn't know how to hide what plays they pick. The Colts would break the huddle, go up to the line, Manning would look around the field, audible, and then complete a 12 yard pass over the middle of the field.
2.) Manning's brilliance aside, bad job out of the Jets coaching staff not changing something up. Something. Anything. Do something that you haven't done before. Something that isn't on tape. It became obvious that their defense wasn't going to stop Indy anymore. This got me thinking...
3.) Every team should have a "Break in Case of Emergency" scheme. Something they practice , but never use until they absolutely need it. Like a 4-3 defense should be able to switch over to 3-4 when the opposition can't be stopped. Something to throw the other team off.
4.) Vintage Brett Favre last night. He went back to his gunslinging ways. With two minutes left in regulkation and the game tied, the Vikings had the ball. I texted Dasser right there predicting a Brett Favre pick. Sure enough...
5.) That was the best game I've seen Mark Sanchez play this year. Didn't look like a rookie in a championship game.
6.) Watching the Jets quite a bit this year, it seemed that too many teams didn't believe how good Revis was and would go out of their way to throw at Revis. Yesterday, Peyton played it the way it should be. Manning just threw to the open guy. That sounds simple, I know, but not enough QBs do that.
7.) Can someone on the Vikings hold on to the ball? It was ridiculous. And how do you have 12 men in the huddle AFTER a timeout? THAT set up the Favre pick. They had two conservative plays before that and, probably, would have had another one before the penalty.
8.) Tremendous route by Braylon Edwards on the long TD. First, he sold the run acting like he was blocking. Second, he sold the quick slant. The DB fell for both so badly.
9.) Vikings fans are going to cry about the refs. There was a questionable PI call in overtime. It wasn't the worst PI call I've seen. That's it. The call on the reception couldn't be overturned by replay. The fact of the matter was, the Vikes had plenty of opportunities to win the game, they just fumbeled it away.
10.) I think I found a flaw in having the booth call for replays in overtime. There were more replays in overtime than there were drives. There were as many replays in overtime as there were points. Tough to watch a game like that.
Limerick of the Week
To his critics Brett Favre gives the finger
He will forever in this league linger
But late in the game
It's always the same
He goes back to being the Gunslinger.
Peace
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday Afternoon Reserve Punter
I saw this History Channel show about ancient Egypt and it got me wondering. The show talked about the pyramids, how they were built, but not too much about the inside of the pyramids. That got me wondering, what is fact and what's fiction when it comes to the pyramids? I mean, are the tombs just straight forward, or are there actually mazes, traps, and secret tunnels? I'd like to think it's the latter. If it is the latter, I wonder how all that was done five thousand years ago. I mean, I'm not sure we have the technology to do that now. Anyway, if it is, I wwould love to explore one.
Anyway, on to the WARP.
Divisional Week Power Rankings
1.) Indy Colts
2.) N.O. Saints
3.) Minny Vikings
4.) NYJ
Before I get to the thoughts I think I thought about thinking, an announcement: Starting next week until the end of the season, I'll be posting on Mondays. For a few reasons. First, my schedule on Tuesdays is annoying. Second, and more important, Bill Simmons has started to put out his podcast on Monday nights now and this week he hit on so many points I wanted to bring up. Now, I know that some of the people who read this also follow Simmons so you don't dont' want to hear me repeat something he already said. If I say it first, that's fine though. So rather than spend a lot of time on stuff he already covered, I'll just gloss over what I wanted to say.
Divisional Week Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) Norv Turner was terrible. First, he should've kicked it deep on the last posession. The Jets were set for an onside kick so there wouldn't have been a good return. If they have the ball on their own 20, they're not going for it on fourth down. That way, you get the ball back with a little over a minute to go down by three. That's do able. Also, the onside kick was a great one and SD still scouldn't get it. That only goes to show how tough recovering one is. Also, when NYJ had the ball, SD shoul've call timeout before the two minute warning. Granted, you only save a few seconds and it ended up not mattering, but every second is vital at that point.
2.) The hit on Warner. That's an ugly part of the game that you can't do anything about. The Cardinals can't cry about it because if Brees had thrown a pick and jogged towards the play, Karlos Dansby would've blown him up. That's just what happens.
3.) Great job by the Jets sticking with the run and being patient. They were getting nothing at first. All three and outs. Gradually, the runs became consistantly longer, until Green finally broke a big one.
4.) Thomas Jones ended the season with the third highest rushing total in the league with 1,402. I've never seen someone end a season healthy and statistically in the top three of his position lose his job so suddenly and publicly as Jones is right now to Shonn Green.
5.) Absolutely classless move by the Vikings running up the score on Dallas. Why, why do you have to do something like that? Not only do you go for it on fourth down, you go for it on fourth down twice when the game's already over. Not only do you go for it on fourth down twice when the game's already over but you pass. Not only do you pass, but you run a play action pass! Some people argue that just because the losing team stops playing doesn't mean the winning team has to. That's fair, but the winning team doesn't need to go out of it's way to embarass the loser. I'm not even saying pull your starters. I'm asking you play the way you would had you been up by ten at that point. If AP breaks a second down run for 50 yards, no problem. If Harvin takes a quick slant on thrid and five 70 yards, that's fine. If you pound AP on fourth and 1, okay. But there's no need to run play action fourth and three in field goall territory up by three TDs with under five left. None.
And the reason I won't put this on Childress like I did on Bellechick two years ago is that we found out who actually runs this team a few weeks ago. And Favre love is the reason there won't be such an outrage ove this.
6.) LDT 12 carries 24 yards. Darren Sproles 3 carries for 33 yards. Sproles long 22 yards. LDT long 4 yards. Sproles 3 receptions for 30 yards. LDT 3 receptions for 0 yards. So Sproles touched the ball 6 times and picked up 63 yards. LDT touched the ball 15 times and picked up 24 yards. Nice job Norv.
7.) Tony Romo and Wade Phillips should thank Nate Kaeding for taking them off the hook.
8.) CBS has to be thrilled with the title games. No matter what, they get a good Super Bowl. They'll get either New Orleans or Brett Favre ahainst New York or Peyton Manning.
9.) Jets @ Colts. The Jets are similar to Baltimore: great running game, good defense, shaky QB. The difference is, The Jets are much better against the pass than the Ravens. Peyton wan't great against the Ravens, he'll need to be against the Jets if they want to win. Indy's defense won't do the job they did against Baltimore. The Jets run game will make at least one big play and NYJ has superior special teams. Plus, the Jets are so ridiculously reminiscent of the 07 Giants. I'll take the Jets.
10.) Vikings @ Saints. Favre in his home dome will be different from Favre in a road dome. Minny's line better get to Brees quickly because their DB's can't stay with the Saints' receivers. The Vikes will need a big special teams play from Harvin, otherwise they won't be able to keep it close. Either way, the Saints are my pick.
Limerick of the Week
We ate almost done with all the waiting
As the football season is quickly fading
The Jets are still in it
Thought they'd be out in a minute
I really hate kickers the choke like Nate Kaeding.
Peace
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Wild Card Week Tuesday Afternoon Reserve Punter
Went to go see Avatar yesterdat in IMAX 3D. Before I get to the movie, let me just say that I'm not a movie critic. I'm generally easy to entertain. There aren't that many movies out there that I totally hate. Minus Bubbleboy, of course.
With that said, Avatar was a really good movie. It was thoroughly enjoyable. The special effects were fantastic. Going to see it, I expected a movie whose only redeeming factor was the special ffects. I thought that was the main reason to watch it. I was totally wrong. I was surprised with how legit and well executed the story was.
My only beef with the movie, and it could be a big one depending on your point of view, was that it wasn't the most original story ever. The basic story has been done before, so it was pretty predictable. Still, it was well execute and very fun. I would recommend it.It was worth the, well actually Dasser had these movie passes so we got in free, but would have been worth the money spent getting in.
We got to the theater a bit late so we missed all the previews. The last preview, for Shrek 3D was just ending when we got in. We found our seats and sat as the movie had just begun. Dasser, however, missed the first five to ten minutes of the movie. I guess since there was now announcement saying "And now our feature presentation" and nor were there any opening credits, Dasser got a bit confused. After about 10 minutes in, he turns to me and asks, "This is a preview, right?" Turns out he'd spent that time playing with his 3D glasses seeing what kind of difference they made.
Anyway, on to the TARP
Wild Card Week Power Rankings
1.) S.D. Chargers
2.) Indy Colts
3.) N.O. Saints
4.) Dallas Cowboys
5.) Minny Vikings
6.) NYJ
7.) Arizona Cardinals
8.) Baltimore Ravens
Wild Card Week Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) The Jets and Ravens won their respective games with running and defense. Who knew that still worked?
2.) I do not understand how, three times this year, the Cowboys shut down DeSean Jackson. Now, more than ever, I wish I had coach's tape, and the abillity to understand coach's tape, just to try to understand what they did to stop him.
3.)Packers fans need to stop crying about the refs. It happens. Like when the Giants blew a huge lead against the Niners and then on the last play of the game they botched the snap on the potential game winning field goal only to have the holder roll out and throw a perfect pass to a lineman deep downfield who was then flagged for being an intelligible reciever downfield only that he had actually lined up as an elgible reciever so instead pass interference shoud have been called on the defender who tackled Seubert who was an eligible reciever and the Giants should have gotten another shot from inside the ten but they didn't because the refs decided to call inelligable reciever down field on A GUY WHO WAS FREAKING ELIGIBLE DAMMIT!!! STUPID REFS, GET YOUR CALLS RIGHT! KNOW WHEN A GUY'S ELIGIBLE AND NOT ELIGIBLE!!! ... AHem. So as I was saying, Packers fans, get over it.
4.) Wow, thank God the Packers made that comeback. Otherwise this might have been the worst playoff weekend ever. Outside of the weekend when the Giants played the Niners and the Giants had a big lead and...
5.) I think the Eagles shoud keep McNabb, but it doesn't look like they will. And as a Giants fan, I'm glad to see him leave the NFC East. He will, of course now, go to the Redskins.
6.) Wow, 1-3 last week. Just the kind of accurate analysis you've come to expect from the TARP. And on that note...
7.) Cards @ Saints. This is a fascinating matchup. The Saints offense isn't what it was earlier this year. I'm not sure what happened to it. I'm guessing Brees is under more pressure than he was before. I do think the Saints turn it around this week and their defense outplays the Cards' D. So the Saints for the win.
8.) Ravens @ Colts. Coming into the playoffs, I didn't think the COlts would win a single game. Now, however, they've gotten a good matchup. I think Peyton'll put up points and Joe Flacco won't be able to keep up. Colts take it here.
9.) Cowboys @ Vikings. I'm so annoyed that we no longer have a shot at a Packers - Vikings matchuip. The Cowboys are hot. They've looked ridiculously impressive the past few weeks. Still, you have to take this with a grain of salt. The Cowboys have the Eagles' number. They 're just a bad matchup for Philly.Still, I think the Vikings are ready to be picked off here. Cowboys take it.
10.) NYJ @ SDC. The Jets are starting to scare me. They've got the smell of last year's Cardinals. Of all the teams left, they've got the most "Nobody believed in us" potential. I'd like to see Sanchez win a game for them before I begin to believe. If they were playing Indy, I might have picked them. But the Chargers are a buzzsaw right now. I don't see them losing this quickly. Chargers are the pick.
Limerick of the Week.
After this weekend thereis a gaping hole
In the very center of my suffering soul
The Boys won a game
The Jets did the same
I will now go lick a frozen flag pole.
Peace
With that said, Avatar was a really good movie. It was thoroughly enjoyable. The special effects were fantastic. Going to see it, I expected a movie whose only redeeming factor was the special ffects. I thought that was the main reason to watch it. I was totally wrong. I was surprised with how legit and well executed the story was.
My only beef with the movie, and it could be a big one depending on your point of view, was that it wasn't the most original story ever. The basic story has been done before, so it was pretty predictable. Still, it was well execute and very fun. I would recommend it.It was worth the, well actually Dasser had these movie passes so we got in free, but would have been worth the money spent getting in.
We got to the theater a bit late so we missed all the previews. The last preview, for Shrek 3D was just ending when we got in. We found our seats and sat as the movie had just begun. Dasser, however, missed the first five to ten minutes of the movie. I guess since there was now announcement saying "And now our feature presentation" and nor were there any opening credits, Dasser got a bit confused. After about 10 minutes in, he turns to me and asks, "This is a preview, right?" Turns out he'd spent that time playing with his 3D glasses seeing what kind of difference they made.
Anyway, on to the TARP
Wild Card Week Power Rankings
1.) S.D. Chargers
2.) Indy Colts
3.) N.O. Saints
4.) Dallas Cowboys
5.) Minny Vikings
6.) NYJ
7.) Arizona Cardinals
8.) Baltimore Ravens
Wild Card Week Thoughts I Think I Thought About Thinking
1.) The Jets and Ravens won their respective games with running and defense. Who knew that still worked?
2.) I do not understand how, three times this year, the Cowboys shut down DeSean Jackson. Now, more than ever, I wish I had coach's tape, and the abillity to understand coach's tape, just to try to understand what they did to stop him.
3.)Packers fans need to stop crying about the refs. It happens. Like when the Giants blew a huge lead against the Niners and then on the last play of the game they botched the snap on the potential game winning field goal only to have the holder roll out and throw a perfect pass to a lineman deep downfield who was then flagged for being an intelligible reciever downfield only that he had actually lined up as an elgible reciever so instead pass interference shoud have been called on the defender who tackled Seubert who was an eligible reciever and the Giants should have gotten another shot from inside the ten but they didn't because the refs decided to call inelligable reciever down field on A GUY WHO WAS FREAKING ELIGIBLE DAMMIT!!! STUPID REFS, GET YOUR CALLS RIGHT! KNOW WHEN A GUY'S ELIGIBLE AND NOT ELIGIBLE!!! ... AHem. So as I was saying, Packers fans, get over it.
4.) Wow, thank God the Packers made that comeback. Otherwise this might have been the worst playoff weekend ever. Outside of the weekend when the Giants played the Niners and the Giants had a big lead and...
5.) I think the Eagles shoud keep McNabb, but it doesn't look like they will. And as a Giants fan, I'm glad to see him leave the NFC East. He will, of course now, go to the Redskins.
6.) Wow, 1-3 last week. Just the kind of accurate analysis you've come to expect from the TARP. And on that note...
7.) Cards @ Saints. This is a fascinating matchup. The Saints offense isn't what it was earlier this year. I'm not sure what happened to it. I'm guessing Brees is under more pressure than he was before. I do think the Saints turn it around this week and their defense outplays the Cards' D. So the Saints for the win.
8.) Ravens @ Colts. Coming into the playoffs, I didn't think the COlts would win a single game. Now, however, they've gotten a good matchup. I think Peyton'll put up points and Joe Flacco won't be able to keep up. Colts take it here.
9.) Cowboys @ Vikings. I'm so annoyed that we no longer have a shot at a Packers - Vikings matchuip. The Cowboys are hot. They've looked ridiculously impressive the past few weeks. Still, you have to take this with a grain of salt. The Cowboys have the Eagles' number. They 're just a bad matchup for Philly.Still, I think the Vikings are ready to be picked off here. Cowboys take it.
10.) NYJ @ SDC. The Jets are starting to scare me. They've got the smell of last year's Cardinals. Of all the teams left, they've got the most "Nobody believed in us" potential. I'd like to see Sanchez win a game for them before I begin to believe. If they were playing Indy, I might have picked them. But the Chargers are a buzzsaw right now. I don't see them losing this quickly. Chargers are the pick.
Limerick of the Week.
After this weekend thereis a gaping hole
In the very center of my suffering soul
The Boys won a game
The Jets did the same
I will now go lick a frozen flag pole.
Peace
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