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November 30, 2011

Lamb Could Lead UConn to Repeat Title

If you ask teammates and friends about Jeremy Lamb, they will be quick to tell you how nice of a guy he is. I don't doubt that he is, but I also know that he's greedy.

Lamb wants to have a few of those national championship diamond rings before his time at the University of Connecticut is done.

Nobody picked his team to win the Big East tournament, which of course they did, in record-setting fashion. Nobody picked them to win the national championship and bust March Madness brackets across the country. But again, they did.

What made that run more memorable was the number of underclassmen that played huge roles in the team success. Lamb was one of three freshmen who started a number of games.

But last season is a thing of the past. Lamb will be the first to tell you that. The team captain, Kemba Walker, was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats. The scoring load and leadership role fall directly on Lamb's shoulders now.

Even though he is still young and only a sophomore, he is more than ready.

"He is going to be one of the best scorers in the country," said UConn head coach Jim Calhoun.

Calhoun is not alone in that belief.

"His demeanor, his persona, is that of a kid who is kind of laid-back," said Paul Hewitt, the head coach at George Mason and the U19 team. "Take it as it comes. But he dominated the trials; he was clearly the best player there."

If you ask Lamb, he doesn't see himself as being quiet — even though President Obama claimed he was — but Lamb is definitely a fierce competitor.

After winning the Big East championship and a national championship as a freshman, not winning it again would be a disappointment. He doesn't want to see any rival players or teams wrapping their hands around the trophies that he feels belong in his team's possession.

He is greedy.

Even though the team lost Kemba Walker, I think they have enough talent and experience to win it all again. Andre Drummond is a highly-touted recruit that will contribute more as the season goes along and he gets adjusted to the college game.

Shabazz Napier and Roscoe Smith were both part of the incoming freshmen class with Lamb last season. They both played well, and will be able to carry the load with Lamb as fellow sophomores. Alex Oriahki, considered one of the elder statesmen of the team, is only a junior. However, it is Lamb that seems the most determined to make an impact.

After all, Lamb didn't rest after having a successful season last year. He worked hard in the weight room and on the court all summer.

NBA champion and superstar Dwyane Wade is even impressed, but Lamb won't stop now — not without another NCAA championship ring on his finger.

Posted by Megan Brown at 3:31 PM | Comments (0)

November 29, 2011

NFL Week 12 Power Rankings

Five Quick Hits

* Evidently, Jason Witten wasn't feeling the Thanksgiving spirit this year. Decking that cheerleader was an accident, but he didn't seem terribly contrite afterwards, and his cursing at a security guard standing at least 10 feet behind the sideline was uncalled for.

* I hope the Harbaugh family paid NFL Network for all the air time it got. Thursday night, I wasn't sure if I was watching a football game or an infomercial for the Harbaughs.

* What a play by Buffalo wideout Brad "One Shoe" Smith this weekend. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an errant pass, so Smith made like a defensive back and stuck his hand out to break up the interception. When the ball bounced upward, Smith caught it over the defender's shoulder and ran in for a touchdown. He turned a pick into a TD.

* I love that ESPN shows a lot of replays, but please — not at the expense of missing the beginning of the next play.

* Look at the scoreboard, Brandon Jacobs. You can't do a minute-long touchdown dance when you're getting blown out. What a chump.

***

With several teams having lost their quarterbacks to injury, and none of the replacements looking particularly impressive so far, many fans and analysts expect teams like the Bears and Texans to coax an old warrior out of retirement. I suppose it's natural that the focus has so far fallen on Brett Favre. I mean, the guy clearly has no problem with un-retiring eight or nine times. But he's 42, he only had two good seasons in the last six, he was atrocious last year (69.9 passer rating), he's locker room poison, and the media attention is probably more trouble than he's worth. Here are some other ideas:

* Kurt Warner. He has a cushy job at NFL Network and has already proclaimed that he's not un-retiring, but this is a much more appealing avenue than Favre, right?

* Jeff Garcia. He's only a few months younger than Favre, but he was an effective game-manager who limited mistakes, and in his last real season (2008), he threw twice as many touchdowns as interceptions (12-6).

* Chad Pennington. Downright young, at 35, he's not playing because of injuries. But with only five games remaining, I think he makes a very appealing fit for a team like Chicago or Houston, with good running games and defenses. In his last full season (2008), Pennington passed for 3,600 yards and a 97.4 rating. He tore his ACL in March, so I suspect he needs more time, but otherwise, this is the first guy I would look at.

* Jake Delhomme. In the last two seasons, he threw 10 TDs and 25 picks, but he's a respected veteran with playoff experience.

* Trent Edwards. Just 28, and he had his moments with the Bills. I'm skeptical that he's any worse than T.J. Yates.

* David Garrard. Maybe the most obvious choice. He was cut on the eve of the season opener, and Jacksonville's offense — about average in 2010 — has gone down the toilet without him. Garrard's passer rating last season was 90.8. But he had back surgery recently and probably isn't available.

* JaMarcus Russell. Just kidding.

There are other guys out there — Marc Bulger, and a bunch of smaller names.

On to this week's power rankings, brackets show previous rank.

1. Green Bay Packers [1] — On pace to score 556 points, which would tie the second-highest total in history. The Packers have scored a league-high 47 touchdowns this season. That's more than the Browns, Chiefs, and Rams combined. Green Bay's much-maligned defense recorded its eighth multi-interception game of the season against Detroit. No one else has more than five multi-INT games this season. Player availability is a concern, however. Right guard Josh Sitton left Thursday's game with a knee injury, and both starting inside linebackers (A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop) are questionable for Week 13 with calf issues. Meanwhile, outside linebacker Erik Walden was arrested for battery on Friday morning — his status going forward is unclear.

2. New England Patriots [4] — Deion Branch and Wes Welker both gained over 100 receiving yards in their blowout win over the Eagles, and Tom Brady's 28 rushing yards were the 2nd-highest total of his career. On the other sideline, backup QB Vince Young passed for 400 yards, sinking New England's defense even deeper into a statistical black hole. The Patriots rank worst in the NFL in yards allowed — by a lot, almost 200 yards. But it's largely an illusion created by their powerful offense and style of defense. Most teams with dominant offense give up heavy yardage, and New England is among the NFL's top 10 in forcing turnovers. This isn't Bill Belichick's '03 or '04 defense, but it's not nearly the worst in the league.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers [3] — Everyone else ranks them behind Baltimore, since the Ravens swept the series. But the Steelers are 8-3 and have won six of their last seven. The Ravens are also 8-3, with recent losses to the 3-8 Jaguars and 4-7 Seahawks. Troy Polamalu left Sunday's game with an apparent concussion, which I'm sure the team will diagnose as a "stinger." Bob Costas this weekend described Hines Ward as a "perpetual" Pro Bowler. Ward's last Pro Bowl appearance was seven years ago.

4. New Orleans Saints [5] — Won a blowout despite several bad calls going against them, including roughness penalties on Will Smith and Roman Harper. I think Gene Steratore's officiating crew would have been more comfortable reffing 8-year-olds playing two-hand touch. I agree with Jon Gruden's comment following the penalty on Harper: I don't recognize this game the way it's being called. Ron Jaworski said teams have to adapt, but this isn't just a tweak or a rule emphasis, it is a radical reinterpretation of tackle football, that you aren't allowed to hit a receiver until he has established full possession. This is the biggest rule change in more than 30 years, maybe the biggest since free substitution. I'm not exaggerating.

The Saints gained 577 yards against the Giants, boosting their season average to 449.6 per game. The NFL record, which has stood for 50 years, is 450.8, and only one team in recent history has really come close. Best totals since 2000:

1. 2000 St. Louis Rams, 442.2
2. 2004 Kansas City Chiefs, 418.4
3. 2001 St. Louis Rams, 418.1
4. 2007 New England Patriots, 411.3
5. 2008 New Orleans Saints, 410.7

That's the Greatest Show on Turf Rams, the 16-0 Patriots, the Saints a couple years ago, and the '04 Chiefs with at least three future Hall of Famers. This offense isn't scoring at a historic level, but it is poised to seriously challenge a record that I wrote several years ago might never fall.

5. Baltimore Ravens [7] — Tied a franchise single-game record by sacking Alex Smith 9 times. Ray Lewis is a legend, but he's 36 now. Does this defense really look any different when he's not on the field? Ray isn't a bad player, but he's not a difference-maker anymore. It happens to everyone. The Ravens are 6-0 at home, 2-3 away.

6. Atlanta Falcons [9] — Win over Minnesota was close on the scoreboard, but Atlanta gained 10 more first downs and over 100 more yards, with a 9-minute advantage in time of possession. Matt Ryan has come on strong since the Week 8 bye. After a slow first half of the season (222 net yds/gm, 9 TD, 8 INT, 79.5 rating), Ryan was great in November: 294 net yds/gm, 9 TD, 2 INT, 106.7 rating.

7. San Francisco 49ers [2] — They remind me of the 2009 Vikings, who went 12-4 against a very weak schedule (.441). The 49ers will obviously win the NFC West, and they'll probably earn a first-round bye in the playoffs, but they aren't battle-tested. The chop block penalty that nullified Ted Ginn's 75-yard touchdown looked pretty bogus, but San Francisco didn't deserve to win.

8. Dallas Cowboys [10] — Haven't played an opponent with a winning record since Week 6, but they've won four in a row. For the second straight week, though, Dallas escaped with an uncomfortably close victory. It's curious how the "Tony Romo is a choker" narrative persists without any real evidence that Romo plays worse than usual at key moments. Sure, he's blown some games, but he's also performed well with the pressure on. That's true for every quarterback. People just focus on the former because there was that one time he dropped the snap on a field goal in the playoffs. Children, that was six years ago. Let it go.

9. Houston Texans [6] — Matt Leinart reportedly broke his collarbone and will join Matt Schaub on injured reserve, leaving third-string T.J. Yates as the starter for a team with serious playoff aspirations. The Texans trail only Green Bay in point differential (+114), but the offense is handcuffed if Yates doesn't threaten defenses. Arian Foster broke a 43-yard run in the first quarter on Sunday, and his other 21 carries yielded 22 yards. The underrated defense turned in another great game, with 7 sacks, including 4 by Connor Barwin. Houston ranks 2nd in the NFL in sacks (35) and leads the league in passer rating allowed (62.1).

10. Denver Broncos [17] — Passer rating allowed, game by game:

Week 1: 86.4
Week 2: 107.0
Week 3: 119.1
Week 4: 120.5
Week 5: 86.9
Week 7: 92.6
Week 8: 126.0
Week 9: 79.7
Week 10: 73.2
Week 11: 67.9
Week 12: 77.1

Through Week 8, when the Broncos were 2-5, every opponent posted a rating over 85, averaging out to a league-worst 107.2. During Denver's four-game winning streak, no one has topped 80, with an average mark of just 74.3. This defense has undergone a radical turnaround in the last month. That's primarily independent of the offense, but it's not realistic to suggest that the dramatic improvement on defense has nothing to do with the dramatic style change on offense. The Broncos are running effectively and often, controlling time of possession, limiting turnovers. It ain't pretty, but it's working.

11. Chicago Bears [8] — I feel bad for the defense, which held Oakland to a 20% third-down conversion rate and one TD in five trips to the red zone. But I'm also sorry for Caleb Hanie, who finished with 3 interceptions, 4 sacks, a 56.9 passer rating, and a botched attempt to kill the clock. That guy feels worse than Bartman right now. Matt Forte is going to see a lot of eight-man fronts if Hanie doesn't improve. Speaking of which, Marion Barber (63 yards) outgained Forte (59) on the ground this weekend.

12. Cincinnati Bengals [13] — Coming off a 4-12 season and replacing Carson Palmer with a rookie, I expected the Bengals to be pretty awful in 2011. Andy Dalton has exceeded all but the most optimistic expectations. He has 16 TDs, as many as Matt Ryan threw his entire rookie season, and a respectable 81.8 passer rating (17th in the NFL). Even more than Dalton, though, I'm impressed with fellow rookie A.J. Green, whose 51-yard reception set up the game-winning field goal this weekend. Most impressive non-rookie: DT Geno Atkins, who finished Sunday's game with two pass deflections and a sack (he leads the team with 6.5).

13. Oakland Raiders [19] — Sebastian Janikowski booted six field goals for a total of 229 yards, and Shane Lechler bombed a punt 80 yards. The defense embarrassed Caleb Hanie and fullback Marcel Reece stepped up for an injury-depleted receiving corps, catching 5 passes for 92 yards. The Raiders have won three straight, and remain a game ahead of Denver in the AFC West. Every team in the division has been outscored by its opponents this year. Oakland's -14 point differential leads the division.

14. Detroit Lions [12] — I'd like to see Ndamukong Suh suspended at least one game for stomping on Evan Dietrich-Smith. This wasn't as bad as Albert Haynesworth stomping on Andre Gurode's unprotected face, but it has no place in the game. Suh, recently voted the dirtiest player in the league, has previously been fined for unnecessary roughness three times already.

I don't want to defend Suh, but the officials in this game were awful, with most (but not all) of the calls going against Detroit, many of them ticky-tack or imaginary. When the refs over-involve themselves in a game, it tends to get out of hand. Players get frustrated, and the situation escalates, frequently culminating in an ejection. The Lions have been held below 20 points in four of their last six games.

15. New York Jets [15] — Poor defensive performance against the reeling Bills, including an uncharacteristic game from shutdown corner Darrelle Revis. Nonetheless, New York improves to 6-5 and remains very much in the playoff race, just one game behind the Bengals. The Jets are now 5-1 at home this season. They're 1-4 on the road. It seems like more teams than usual show a major home/road disparity this season.

16. Tennessee Titans [16] — Capitalized on Chris Johnson's first 150-yard rushing performance since 2009, overcoming four turnovers and rough weather for their sixth win of the season. The Titans travel to Buffalo in Week 13. A win would knock the Bills out of realistic playoff contention, and keep Tennessee in the mix. With Houston's iffy quarterback situation, and a Week 17 matchup remaining, it's not inconceivable that the Titans could still challenge for a division title.

17. New York Giants [11] — Defensive line was no match for Drew Brees and the Saints' offensive line. When the Giants have been successful, it's been with a dominant D-line getting pressure without blitzes. This season, Barry Cofield is gone, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck have struggled with injuries, and the Giants just aren't consistently dictating to opposing offenses with their front four. I suspect Kenny Phillips will be fined for his hit on Jimmy Graham, which is crap. Phillips had no way of re-directing himself, in a split second, to adjust for the contact from another New York defender. His hit obviously wasn't malicious, and he tried to check on Graham and apologize immediately afterward. The NFL has to draw a distinction between intentionally injuring someone and accidentally hurting them in the course of the game. Phillips drew a roughness penalty, and I don't have a problem with that, but he doesn't deserve a fine.

18. Miami Dolphins [18] — Brandon Marshall has been fairly quiet as a Dolphin, but he's actually 9th in the NFL in receiving yards, and his 35-yard TD reception while being interfered with was a reminder of how amazing Marshall can be at his best. Jake Long was called for offensive holding and three false starts against Dallas. Come on, man, Flozell Adams thinks you're drawing too many flags. The Dolphins went 0/4 in the red zone this week, settling for four field goals and losing by 1. Miami is 3-7, but has outscored its opponents this season (+6).

19. Philadelphia Eagles [14] — Maybe he was just trying to save DeSean Jackson from the humiliation of setting some sort of single-game record for dropped passes, but I don't get Andy Reid benching his star receiver in the fourth quarter. I don't especially like the way Reid handles personnel, but you can get away with that when you go 12-4 and make the NFC Championship Game every year. You can't when the home crowd is chanting, "Fire Andy!" The Eagles are 1-5 at home, 3-2 on the road, and I wonder if the home crowd's negativity doesn't play a role in that. I want Reid canned just because he was calling timeouts at the end of the game.

Reid used his final timeout with :36 left, down 38-13. "In this situation it's silly to run plays. I mean, what are you going to do? Do you have a play that scores 20 points?" That's what John Madden said five years ago in a Cowboys/Panthers game. Ron Jaworski expressed a similar sentiment at the end of Monday's Saints/Giants contest. Down by four scores with under a minute left, the Eagles obviously couldn't win at that point, but they could (1) waste a bunch of time, and (2) get somebody hurt. Two years ago, the Browns were down 16-0 with :20 left. Instead of running one play and letting the clock expire, they ran three plays, including one of those with the crazy laterals. Even if it scored, that's not a 16-point play. You still lose. It didn't score, but Joshua Cribbs was injured on the play, carted off the field, and taken to a hospital. Madden was right, but I'd go even farther. It's irresponsible for coaches to call plays in that situation, and it's disrespectful to the players on both teams to risk their health when the outcome is clearly decided. Fire Andy.

20. Arizona Cardinals [20] — This franchise has existed since 1920. The Cardinals and Bears are the only surviving teams from the original NFL. Actually, the Cardinals are even older than the Bears, tracing their roots back to the Morgan Athletic Club in 1899. The team has featured such stars as Ernie Nevers, Ollie Matson, and Ottis Anderson, John David Crow and Terry Metcalf and Stump Mitchell. And none of them ever did what Beanie Wells did against St. Louis in Week 12, rushing for 228 yards to break the club record held by (of all people) LeShon Johnson (214 at NO, 1996).

Beanie's breakout was well-timed, with QB John Skelton turning in a putrid performance (114 yds, 2 INT, 30.0 rating) that probably guarantees Kevin Kolb will get his job back when he returns from injury. Equally important, rookie Patrick Peterson burned the Rams again, returning a punt for a TD for the fourth time this year, tying the single-season record held by Jack Christiansen, Rick Upchurch, and Devin Hester. Peterson also scored a game-winning 99-yard TD against the Rams in overtime on November 6th. The Cardinals are 2-0 against St. Louis, 2-7 against everyone else.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [22] — Coming into this season, everyone was excited about young stars Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount, and Mike Williams. In Tennessee this weekend, they combined for five turnovers. Next week, they get Carolina at home, their first game since Week 4 against an opponent who doesn't currently have a winning record.

22. Buffalo Bills [21] — First quality performance in a month was ruined by poor red zone defense, with the Jets scoring touchdowns on all four of their trips inside the 20. With Fred Jackson now on injured reserve, Ryan Fitzpatrick was terrific this week, with 3 TDs and a 111.5 rating that could have been higher if Stevie Johnson had soft hands. Johnson reportedly will be fined for doing an impression of Plaxico Burress accidentally shooting himself. I'm the last person who wants to encourage lengthy touchdown dances, but this is why they call it the No Fun League. A dirty hit draws a $10,000 fine. But so do a tasteless TD celebration or wearing the wrong color shoes. Johnson got a 15-yard penalty that may have cost his team the game, he apologized, and Burress said they're cool. Enough already.

Besides, I mean, Plex did pop himself in the thigh, and it's not like he died. A lot of people have made fun of him in the last three years.

23. Washington Redskins [30] — The best interception percentage in the NFL this season, not surprisingly, belongs to Aaron Rodgers (1.1%). Worst INT%, qualifiers only:

28. Ryan Fitzpatrick, 3.8%
29. Josh Freeman, 3.9%
30. Tarvaris Jackson, 3.9%
31. Philip Rivers, 4.1%
32. Rex Grossman, 5.2%

Grossman is on another level. He's tied with Freeman for the worst TD/INT differential in the NFL this season (-4). He's been intercepted in seven of his eight starts, more than once in five of them. He's a turnover machine. But most weeks, he gives Washington a chance to win. John Beck's INT% is a pretty average 3.0%, but Beck didn't make many mistakes because he never took any chances. Grossman creates some positive plays, which I guess makes him a marginally better option. Graham Gano had his fourth and fifth kicks of the season blocked against Seattle.

24. Seattle Seahawks [24] — Speaking of Gano's blocked kicks, both came courtesy of Red Bryant, who now has four blocks this season. The Seahawks, like Philadelphia, dropped out of realistic playoff contention with this week's loss. The teams meet in Seattle on Thursday.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars [25] — Blaine Gabbert apparently remains the starter, but it's sort of magnificent how bad he has been. He dropped back 36 times against Houston, yielding 102 yards — less than three per play — and an interception. For the season, Gabbert ranks last among qualifiers in yards per game (137) and passer rating (62.2).

Update: Apparently the Jaguars have fired Jack Del Rio. Coach signed his walking papers when the team spent its first-round pick on Gabbert instead of someone who could contribute right away.

26. San Diego Chargers [23] — I was going to put them 30th following a sixth straight loss. The team seems philosophically opposed to winning. But all of the losses have been close, and all but one against a team with a winning record. The Chargers aren't getting humiliated, or losing to poor opponents, they just aren't winning. A lot of the blame has to fall on Norv Turner. I've defended him in the past, but this team is obviously in a funk psychologically, and it's the coach's responsibility to reverse that. In overtime against Denver, the Chargers were rolling, driving the ball 45 yards in seven plays. And Turner decided to play for the long field goal. A pair of runs set up 3rd-and-6 at the 31-yard line. That's a 49-yard field goal, no chip shot. Rather than go for the first down, the Chargers ran again. They lost four yards, then missed a kick from 53.

Afterward, Dan Patrick asked the NBC studio analysts what was wrong in San Diego. Tony Dungy launched into a detailed explanation, but Rodney Harrison answered in two words, "Soft, Dan."

27. Cleveland Browns [28] — Scored 20 points on Cincinnati, their highest total since Week 2 against the hapless Colts. Four of Cleveland's last five games are against the Ravens or Steelers.

28. Minnesota Vikings [26] — Toby Gerhart averaged 2.6 yards per carry in place of injured Adrian Peterson. Minnesota's defense, which last year ranked 8th in yardage and 18th in scoring, is allowing a 104.5 rating to opposing passers. It's a horrible commentary on the defensive backfield that a team with such a good pass rush remains so vulnerable through the air. Only Indianapolis has a worse record than the 2-9 Vikings.

29. Carolina Panthers [27] — Steve Smith has slowed down a lot (47 yds/gm the last three weeks), which was probably inevitable, but the Panthers need to develop some secondary targets. Olindo Mare had his third kick of the season blocked against Indianapolis, but he's not going to catch Graham Gano.

30. Kansas City Chiefs [29] — It feels wrong to drop them after a close loss to Pittsburgh, but the Chiefs are one of only three teams outscored by at least 100 points this season (-112), and they've dropped four in a row. You don't want to read too much into Tyler Palko's struggles against a good Steeler defense (3 INT, 40.9 rating), especially since many QBs struggle in their first start. But I suspect we'll see Kyle Orton at some point in Week 13, and it will be interesting to see what he can do.

31. St. Louis Rams [31] — Stop punting to Patrick Peterson already.

32. Indianapolis Colts [32] — I know a lot of people are excited about Andrew Luck's pro potential, but it is stunning to me that people are talking seriously about the Colts trading or cutting Peyton Manning even if he plays next season. Luck has potential, whereas Manning provides proven production. The Colts went 11-5 and won their division last year with a team that was not substantially different than this year's — a group that could go down as one of the worst in history — except for Manning at QB. If the guy wants to play, how do you tell someone who immediately makes you a playoff contender that you'd rather go with an unproven rookie? And how do you let a legend like Manning play for somebody else? That's the wrong move.

Posted by Brad Oremland at 3:16 PM | Comments (1)

MLB's HGH Test More Smoke and Mirrors

Major League Baseball's latest feat of extended "labor peace" with the Major League Players Association was reached on November 22, 2011.

And in this latest Basic Agreement between the parties, which will run five years in duration and expire on December 1, 2016, MLB has apparently won out in its attempt to curb illicit use of human growth hormone (HGH) by its players. However, such a test could prove to be little more than a charade, as it stands now.

The lockouts by both the NFL and NBA this year perhaps did not go by unnoticed by MLB brass in its seemingly under-the-radar collective bargaining talks with the MLBPA this past fall. MLB attempted to show up the other leagues' rather unkempt labor relations.

And MLB Commissioner Bud Selig made it quite clear by way of his public display of self-aggrandizement during the week following a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was reached, that his is the first North American professional sports league to agree to such a test for HGH. And perhaps it was indeed Selig's latest and greatest coup yet, in such a pronouncement, however yet to be realized.

MLBPA Executive Director Michael Weiner, too, celebrated his own Mission Accomplished, having been given high grades by those in the sports industry for his first collective bargaining test with MLB.

Most shocking, perhaps, to those who have followed and have lived through the steroid era in MLB has been the MLBPA's apparent cave in to HGH testing; especially with the speciousness of the current state of HGH testing capabilities. Its accuracy and protocol is still being challenged amongst the science community to date.

While the technology will evolve in time, it is not yet there. It still requires an invasive blood test for such wanted results and not the urinalysis which Bud Selig touted was his desire before MLB ever proceeded with any such HGH test.

Yet, while utilized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) internationally for athletic competition for years, the current test's accuracy specifically for HGH remains under a cloud.

Designer drugs in varietal cocktails made up of many different substances continue to evolve, albeit illegally. And ways of administering drugs have become more and more sophisticated amongst cheaters and those who provide such ways to cheat. The question remains as to whether formidable tests will be able to ever keep up with any due accuracy.

For decades, it was the "amateur" ranks of athletes, primarily in the endurance sports for the Olympics, that initially lead to the testing of steroids, erythropoietin (EPO), blood doping, and now HGH. And as the revenue grew relative to these sports, testing grew commensurate with it.

But much like many competition results of athletes on performance-enhancing drugs became a sham, so too have some of these test results. And now both athlete and tester are in it for same goal: for them both to come out looking better than they really are.

For the MLBPA to cede power over to MLB for HGH testing makes even less sense from a player's standpoint. Michael Weiner even admitted after the new CBA was announced that such a test has its challenges when he stated that, "There's a difference amongst scientists we've consulted."

And given that the test during the first year will only take place during spring training, with no finite plan yet to roll it out during in-season play, may be a clue as to its veracity not yet being ready for prime-time.

But that which perhaps precipitated the apparent rush by MLB and its players to start HGH testing could have indeed been the NFL. As such, the NFL and its players association (NFLPA) included a provision for HGH testing in their new CBA. But to date, it has hit a road block. MLB simply wanted to be first.

Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government reform that led the pack on investigations into steroids in baseball are now breathing down the necks of the NFL players in their impasse to comply with the CBA and the clause requiring HGH testing.

Article 39, Sec. 7(b) of the NFL's CBA states: "The parties confirm that the Program on Anabolic Steroids and related Substances will include both annual blood testing and random blood testing for human growth hormone, with discipline for positive tests at the same level as for steroids."

But now since their CBA was reached in July 2011 and counter to what the Congressional committee wants, the NFLPA has requested that any HGH testing process begin with a population study of all NFL players, to establish a testing threshold or baseline. The theory is based upon more accurately testing the blood chemistry dedicated to that of the NFL athlete as opposed to those in other types of athletic disciplines.

To wit, the argument by the NFLPA is that the blood portfolio of figure skaters or swimmers or cyclists or even baseball players are so different from that of an NFL player that the criteria should be different for testing and be developed over time.

And perhaps the NLFPA is not merely stalling to protect alleged use of HGH by its players, even though it was supposedly agreed upon in the CBA. It could be that the lockout was wearing on a lot of players, and that they thought that they could fix their concerns subsequently, as they are now attempting to do.

But Travis Tygart, CEO of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) — which purportedly will be the testing body for MLB — sounded off on the NFLPA when he said, "It seems clear now they're protecting their dirty players by further delaying the implementation of this test and not honoring the agreement they made to start this test at the beginning of the season."

Meanwhile Victor Conte, a Tygart adversary and notorious founder of BALCO and since serving four months in prison several years back for his participation in supplying performance enhancing drugs primarily to Olympic athletes and MLB players, has a new supplement business.

Conte claims he is now reformed and is an advocate for fighting illegal drugs in amateur and professional sports and is open to giving advice on testing protocols.

Whether or not Conte's new lease on life is believable or not, his knowledge of the use, distribution, and makeup of illicit drugs used by athletes still remains expert. And in order to understand how premature HGH testing is before the science technology is more fully developed, Conte disclosed his concerns to the New York Daily News, after MLB's HGH testing announcement.

"MLB should use a more sophisticated form of detecting testosterone, or its HGH testing won't make an impact, since players often use small amounts of testosterone, in conjunction with HGH," Conte says.

"HGH is not effective unless used with testosterone or other anabolic steroids. Although HGH helps to reduce muscle degradation by itself, HGH has no significant performance-enhancing effects."

Conte goes on to say that, "The 4-1 testosterone to epitestosterone ratio used by baseball and other leagues to detect testosterone use is ineffective."

Moreover, according to Conte, testosterone in the form of gels, creams, and patches leave the system within 48-72 hours after application, and are beneath the present 4-1 ratio that MLB has set up for its testing, and therefore undetectable.

So, therefore, fast-acting forms of testosterone to help with recovery could be within the normal range of the test by the next day.

There is, however, according to Conte, a far better detection test available to MLB, if they were truly serious about utilizing a valid test. But it would be more costly and would reveal perhaps that which MLB would not want known; just how many of their players are still using various composites of illegal substances.

The test Conte cites is the carbon isotope ratio (CIR), which tests for fast-acting testosterone. And it tests the levels of hematocrit, the byproduct of EPO or other blood boosters, which should also be examined in HGH testing. Hematocrit is simply the percentage red blood cells are of whole blood cells. If over 50%, it is a positive test.

MLB and WADA are both in full-spin mode in perpetrating on the players' union, the public, and even the Congress that its HGH testing techniques are accurate. But when it comes to eradicating unhealthy and unsafe practices by athletes, if there is indeed a true effort to clean up drug use, how about if professional sports leagues were to do it the right way, as accurately and as transparently as possible?

But that would most likely be prohibited by the powers-that-be due to cost, time, and a necessary dedication to fairness in sports. Far better to make the public falsely believe that professional sports are being cleaned up and that league commissioners are acting in the best interests of their respective sports.

Yet their dedication to under-developed testing instead will hopefully come back to bite them sooner rather than later.

Let us hope that sports fans of all stripes will still care by then.

Posted by Diane M. Grassi at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)

November 28, 2011

Alabama a Worthy Rematch For LSU

By manhandling Auburn 42-14 in the Iron Bowl, Alabama stated its case why it deserves to play No. 1 LSU in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 9.

The Crimson Tide finish the season at a stellar 11-1. Alabama's Trent Richardson, who had a career-high 203 yards rushing, deserves to be this year's Heisman award winner and deserves to play for the national championship.

If Alabama lost the Iron Bowl to Auburn, then they surely wouldn't deserve to play LSU again, but that didn't happen. It wasn't even a close game. It was a rout. It was a statement making victory for Alabama. The statement being that this team deserves a wholehearted rematch against LSU.

Alabama's only hiccup this season was its devastating 9-6 OT loss against LSU earlier this month. For my money, that was the most exciting college football game this season and I'm praying that the powers that be at the BCS realize that Alabama deserves a shot to be national champions.

The other teams in the BCS rankings don't hold a candle to Alabama, not even Stanford that has Heisman hopeful Andrew Luck as its quarterback. Arkansas had a shot at competing against LSU in the BCS championship, but lost its final game of the season against LSU on "Black Friday."

In my opinion, Virginia Tech doesn't deserve to play LSU for the national title simply because the ACC isn't the SEC. If the Hokies were in the SEC, it would be lucky to be a .500 team, let alone nationally ranked. I don't care what people think, the ACC to me isn't the caliber of college football that the SEC is and never will be.

Oklahoma State is a different story. If the Cowboys hadn't lost to Iowa State, then sure, they'd deserve to play LSU, but they didn't. Stanford's had a great season, but the Cardinal got its wings clipped against Oregon and blew its shot at facing undefeated LSU.

I am definitely no expert at determining what the BCS will decide on Dec. 4. But I do know this: the last ACC team to win a national championship was Miami (FL) in 2001. Before then, Florida State in 1999. The SEC has been the dominant conference winning five consecutive national championships since (Texas) 2005.

That should definitely stand for something when considering Alabama as a worthy opponent in the BCS title game.

Alabama had one bad game this season and has outscored its opponents quite convincingly, except against LSU.

Alabama's only loss this season was in overtime, something the BCS should definitely consider important in determining what team plays against LSU. If the Tigers routed Alabama, sure, Oklahoma State or Stanford could be considered.

"We don't know how it's all going to play out, but we put on a show (against Auburn)," Alabama tight end Brad Smelley said. "I feel like the odds are in our favor."

I couldn't agree with him any more.

I can already hear plenty of people telling me that a rematch between Alabama and LSU will be nothing but a boring defensive struggle. If that's the case, I say bring it on.

The teams first meeting this season was the epitome of smashmouth football and I'm sure if these two teams meet again for the BCS title, it will be one night to remember for a very, very long time to come.

Posted by David Exum at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)

November 25, 2011

Which TV Sitcom is Your QB? (Part 2)

Don't miss Part 1: AFC Edition.

Last time, AFC quarterbacks were subjected to a comparison between their play and sitcoms of the 1980s to the present. Today, it's the NFC quarterbacks' turn for a pseudo-intellectual, utterly inane psychoanalysis vis-à-vis mainstream television.

Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) — "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000-Present, Season 8)

Bill Simmons recently noted (astutely) that it was difficult to imagine Curb getting any better after recent seasons (Rodgers, too, with the 2010 Super Bowl MVP). Then season eight came along (2011). Based solely on listening to announcers praise Rodgers, I would have to guess he's thrown for roughly 18,000,000 yards this season with 1,000 TD and negative 23 INT (checking...) After doing the most rudimentary research, I notice I am slightly off. With two — potentially three — of what Simmons calls "Pantheon episodes" during Curb's eighth season, it was arguably the single greatest season of any sitcom in the history of television (2,800+/28/3/130.7 QBR). As a Bears fan, I can only hope that Rodgers cools off more than Larry David has.

Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) —"Boy Meets World" (1993-2000, Season 1)

When little Corey Matthews (Ben Savage) first appeared on TGIF's Boy Meets World, you knew that after working out the kinks, he was going to be just fine. Christian Ponder's first three starts were against either Aaron Rodgers or Doogie Howser, M.D. (Cam Newton), so it's almost like he was already being compared to seasoned talents (his brother, Fred Savage's show, The Wonder Years). Having said that, he's shown the tools and the poise to indicate the Vikings made the right choice by investing in his future. After getting through Feeny's (Les Frasier) sixth-grade class, Ponder and Percy Harvin (Shawn Hunter) will become a deadly tandem and undoubtedly start to thrive in high school before riding off into the sunset hand in hand with Topanga (Adrian Peterson).

Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears) — "Roseanne" (1988-97, Season 5)

It seems like mentioning the TV show Roseanne elicits nauseous grimaces from a majority of people nowadays. This is the same with uttering Cutler's name. Both are remembered more for rubbing people the wrong way (so to speak) than for their merits — which are many. By season five, Roseanne had already experienced success with a No. 1 Nielsen rating in season two (Pro Bowl in 2008). The fifth season revolved around drama: Jackie dates an abusive man (offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who calls plays that nearly get Cutler killed) until Dan (Lovie Smith) beats him up, Darlene (Matt Forte) gets accepted to an art school (has a breakout season), and Nancy comes out as a lesbian (I feel like there's an offensive line joke in there somewhere). The face of the show may not be likable (Roseanne/Cutler), but by now the success of the product is becoming more evident.

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) — "Archer" (2009-Present, Season 3) "WWE SmackDown!" (1999-Present, Any Season)

I changed my mind last minute on this one. I thought the parallels between Stafford and Archer were uncanny: you never know if either is going to finish the season before cancellation/injury, but when healthy, each puts up solid numbers (20 TD, 8 INT, 89.9 QBR). Then, this happened. I feel like Archer (the show, not the character) would never pull the TV equivalent of ripping an opponent down by the helmet out of frustration (because there is none). Therefore, Stafford gets WWE SmackDown! by default: has had some high ratings here and there, will probably stick around, but suffers from a lack of wholesomeness and class — which is why the only networks willing to air it are the late UPN and SyFy.

Eli Manning (New York Giants) — "Ally McBeal" (1997-2002, Season 4)

As you probably know, Eli Manning comes from a legacy of quarterbacks: brother Peyton and father Archie. As you probably don't know (or care), Ally McBeal spawned from a legacy of David E. Kelley shows: L.A. Law, The Practice, Boston Legal, et al. Though considered to be less of a real threat than his brother (his other shows), Manning won the Super Bowl (Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Comedy) in his fourth season (third season). After making a bold claim that he was elite prior to this season, he has proven as much with stellar numbers (102.3 QBR, 11 TD, 5 INT). Ally McBeal took a nosedive in its fifth season though, so if this analogy is correct, do not pick Eli as your 2012 fantasy QB. You've been warned.

Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles) — "Family Guy" (1999-2001, 2004-Present, Any Season)

Michael Vick and Family Guy both showed flashes of brilliance in their first few seasons; however, Family Guy was ultimately cancelled in 2001 and Vick jailed in 2007. After a few seasons off, Family Guy (Vick) became a cult hit (praised/signed by the Philadelphia Eagles), returned amid some controversy (returned amid some controversy), and performed better than ever (100.2 QBR, 21 TD, 6 INT, 3,018 yards). As time has passed, Family Guy has recycled the same jokes over and over (offensive strategies) and viewers (other teams) have slowly been falling off the bandwagon (kicking the "Dream Team" around). Vick probably has some more good years in him, but he needs to stop relying on awkward interactions between Brian and Stewie (Desean Jackson/Jeremy Maclin) for his humor (wins).

Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins) — "Joey" (2004-2006, Season 1)

In 2006, Sexy Rexy was the leader of the NFC champion Chicago Bears (cast member of NBC hit show Friends). After the show ended, some executives who clearly had a lapse in creativity (and judgment) believed that this man could live on his own if given a new environment. Hence the genesis of Joey (2011 Redskins), a spin-off sitcom starring Matt LeBlanc. The first few episodes earned decent ratings (three quick wins), but once people started viewing Joey for what it really was (an interception machine?), it tanked (lost, and lost, and lost, and threw more interceptions). With 6 TD, 11 INT, and a 65.3 QBR, Rexy and Joey will inevitably be remembered as guys that were fine as part of an ensemble cast, but certainly could not carry a show as the lead role.

Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) — "Married With Children" (1987-97, Any Season)

Married With Children was a show about a dysfunctional family. Romo's Cowboys are a dysfunctional family (and have been for a while). Both Romo and Married With Children were viewed negatively at their inception (undrafted/denied by Big Three networks). Both, for some strange reason, are easy for people to dislike. Yet, Romo and the FOX sitcom experienced undeniable success. With the third highest QBR in NFL history (95.8), critics can say what they want about him, but Tony Romo will continue to have his dysfunctional family renewed year after year.

Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) — "Doogie Howser, M.D." (1989-93, Season 1)

Oh, come on — do I even need to explain? Mature beyond his years, a ratings grabber, and the tools to keep running indefinitely! Unfortunately, those "tools" dried up quite quickly with Doogie, leading to an abrupt cancellation after the fourth season. Carolina fans hope Newton does not follow the same path and mysteriously vanish to NFL Europe (or just Europe, as Howser apparently did in the final episode). Based on early results, Carolina fans have reason to hope.

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) — "The Office" (2005-Present, Season 4)

When drafted by San Diego, people questioned his arm, his height, his NFL pedigree (asking questions like, "can a British comedy really succeed in the U.S.?") The answer is, if you have a cast of characters like Marques Colston (Jim), Darren Sproles (Pam), Jimmy Graham (Kevin), and, previously, Jeremy Shockey (Creed), of course you can! Brees is having another potential record-setting season (3,326 yards, 101.6 QBR) and his team is leading the NFC South as usual (owning the primetime slot for NBC Thursdays). Despite Meredith being run over by Michael Scott's car (Sean Payton breaking his leg after a collision with his own player), Brees still has the Saints in a good position to maintain power in the NFC for several years to come.

Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990-96, Season 4)

Few people realize that when NBC turned to Will Smith and asked if he wanted a pilot show, Smith had been dealing with severe money issues, nearing bankruptcy. Most people, however, do remember that when Freeman was asked to start games for the Bucs, many people believed that— to resort to someone like him — the Bucs must have been dealing with severe money issues, nearing bankruptcy. However, both went on to win over the sentiments of their superiors. By its fourth season, co-star Alfonso Ribiero (LeGarrette Blount) was capturing much of the attention, but Smith stayed strong in the lead. Right now, Freeman is floundering (9 TD, 13 INT, 72.7 QBR), but fans are hoping he can "whistle for a cab" and when it comes near, "the license plate says FRESH and there's a dice in the mirror" … you get the point.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) — "How I Met Your Mother" (2005-Present, Season 5)

An above-average leader (Ryan/Ted) playing alongside a fantastic ensemble cast (Michael Turner, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez/Barney, Lilly, Marshall) in an ideal situation (Georgia Dome/poor comedy climate in 2005 television). This is a formula for success. After a few seasons, though, you wonder if all the "talent" you saw initially wasn't just circumstantial. Season five of How I Met Your Mother felt a little stale; they decided to have Barney date Robin to spice it up. Please. The 2011 season has been the same for Ryan; a familiar formula needing some upgrades (big games from Julio Jones) to stay in the wild card hunt. Please. Then again, if the Lions falter (syndication on TBS, Lifetime, and WGN) as usual, both might live on this season.

Kevin Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) — "Suddenly Susan" (1996-2000, Season 4)

The only reason Kolb had any stock was due to a few successful starts in between Donovan McNabb (Friends, the 8 PM time slot) and Michael Vick (Seinfeld, the 9 PM time slot). He looked great because he had support all around him, but once performing on his own in Arizona, the world saw that Kolb was nothing more than a mediocre QB. Similarly, Suddenly Susan toiled in mediocrity until its cancellation in 2000. Let's just say that if John Skelton had been Brooke Shields' backup, Suddenly Susan might have kept getting opportunities to throw interceptions, too.

Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers) — "Moesha" (1996-2001, Season 5)

"Why is this show still on?!" Well, because Brandy was a successful artist (high school, college quarterback), won a Grammy (drafted first overall), and UPN didn't have anything better (the 49ers don't have anything better). Surprisingly, Moesha actually experienced moderate success — even in its fifth (seventh) season. Smith is currently leading the second-best team in the NFL and is experiencing a better resurgence than Brandy's rap alter-ego "Bran'Nu" could have ever imagined. With subtly impressive numbers (95.8 QBR, 11 TD, 3 INT), Smith might finally be proving that "The Boy is Mine" (err, the job should be his).

Tarvaris Jackson/Charlie Whitehurst (Seattle Seahawks) — "$#*! My Dad Says" (2011)

After an offseason in which the organization signed Sidney Rice (garnered a huge following through a blog then a book), critics were stunned that the Seahawks didn't do more to improve their main position (critics were stunned this show was given an opportunity). Jackson has been bad, Whitehurst worse, and the show absolutely atrocious. Much like the ill-fated attempt at a sitcom, these quarterbacks seem doomed to failure.

Sam Bradford (St. Louis Rams) — "Growing Pains" (1985-92, Any Season)

He plays for the St. Louis Rams. If that doesn't provide growing pains, I don't know what does. I suggest he endear himself to Mike Seaver fans by growing a Permullet (a hybrid perm-mullet).

Feel free to provide feedback as I pontificate where I want to take my next list. Enjoy a week where you're guaranteed not to lose, Colts fans!

Posted by Louie Centanni at 4:18 PM | Comments (2)

November 24, 2011

NFL Weekly Predictions: Week 12

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

Minnesota @ Atlanta (-9½)

The Falcons, 23-17 winners over the Titans last week, are now 6-4 and trail the Saints by a game in the NFC South. Atlanta built a 23-3 lead before holding off a late Titans charge.

"In hindsight," Mike Smith said, "I should have kicked on fourth down and one against the Saints in Week 10. To remind myself that, I haven't stopped kicking myself since making that decision. Losing 26-23 to the Saints also resulted in a sore 'behind.'"

Adrian Peterson went down in the first quarter of last week's 27-21 loss to the Raiders with an ankle injury. He is expected to miss at least one game.

"Anytime a Viking goes down, it's news," Leslie Frazier said, "especially if it's on a boat. Maybe a cruise on Lake Minnetonka is exactly what Adrian needs, because once he gets off, the swelling will subside dramatically."

"In Adrian's absence, Toby Gerhart will see most of the carries. He's Peyton Hillis without the sore throat or the Madden 12 cover. Hillis may be the 'Great White Hope,' but Gerhart is the 'Mighty White of (Stanford) U.'"

Atlanta wins, 30-17.

Cleveland @ Cincinnati (-7)

The Bengals have lost in consecutive weeks to the Steelers and Bengals to fall to 6-4, but still only trail those two foes by one game in the AFC North. They'll host the 4-6 Browns on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

"I don't like them, they don't like me," Marvin Lewis said. "But now that Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco are elsewhere, I can direct my hatred in a more useful manner — towards the Browns. They may have the 'Dawg Pound,' but we have the 'Jungle.' Of course, the only thing 'wild' about the Bengals are our playoff chances."

The Browns beat the Jaguars 14-10 last week in Cleveland, thrilling the Dawg Pound with a goal line stand from the one yard line to preserve the victory.

"At 4-6," Pat Shurmur said, "it's not often we get to boast, but that goal line stand was hot 'stuff.' Our defense did a great job of keeping the offense out of the end zone. Heck, our offense has done a great job of keeping the offense out of the end zone. They average 14 points a game. Even on a good day, our offense is 'average' at best."

Cedric Benson rushes for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the Bengals defense corrals Colt McCoy.

Cincinnati wins, 28-13.

Tampa Bay @ Tennessee (-3½)

The Titans fell to 5-5, two games behind the AFC South-leading Texans, after last week's 23-17 loss in Atlanta, and will face the visiting Buccaneers without quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who sprained his right elbow.

"Jake quickly proved to be our best passer," Mike Munchak said, "and could prove to be our best rusher in even less time. Chris Johnson managed only 13 yards on 12 carries last week. He hasn't 'managed' well all year. I even here he's having a hard time 'managing' to live with himself."

Tampa hung with the undefeated Packers in Green Bay before dropping a 35-26 decision. The Bucs out-gained Green Bay, but were done in by penalties and turnovers.

"We took the Packers to the brink of defeat," Josh Freeman said. "We certainly know how to get there."

LeGarrette Blount out-gains Johnson, on a 27-yard run in the second quarter, but the Titans defense shuts him down thereafter.

Tennessee wins, 27-21.

Arizona @ St. Louis (-3)

Arizona was manhandled 23-7 in San Francisco last week, dropping to 3-7 and 1-5 on the road. A win in St. Louis would keep the Cardinals out of the division basement.

"John Skelton had a 10.5 quarterback rating against the 49ers," Ken Whisenhunt said. "That's just awful, but not as awful as a locker defaced with red-lettered graffiti spelling 'Helton Skelton.' In the sad state of the QB situation in Arizona, a 10.5 rating may earn him the start this week."

The Rams lost to the Seahawks 24-7 and are in last place in the NFC West with a 2-8 record. Sam Bradford was sacked five times and turned the ball over three times.

"I think both of these teams are looking for the same thing," Steve Spagnuolo said. "Consistency at quarterback? No, a replacement for Kurt Warner."

Kevin Kolb returns to the lineup for the Cards, and throws for 2 touchdowns.

Arizona wins, 20-17.

Houston @ Jacksonville (+3½)

The Texans return from a bye week with a two-game lead in the AFC South with a tough trip to Jacksonville upcoming. Andre Johnson is back in the lineup after a hamstring injury sidelined him for five weeks, while Matt Leinart starts in place of Matt Schaub, who is out for the year with a foot injury.

"Leinart's in," Gary Kubiak said. "No, not in 'the hot tub with ten bikini-clad chicks.' But in 'the starting lineup with 10 players who, unfortunately, are expecting a lasting relationship.' How Matt responds to fulfilling the desires of men may very well define our season.

"With Leinart in, we'll have to lean more heavily on our defense, which is ranked second in the league in total defense. With apologies to the Cowboys, 'Big D' is in Houston now."

The Jaguars suffered a heartbreaking 14-10 loss in Cleveland last week, failing to convert on four tries from the Cleveland one-yard line in the final minute. Jacksonville is 3-7, third in the AFC South.

"Luckily," Jack Del Rio said, "we're well-ahead of the 0-10 Colts. Indianapolis has kept us out of first place so often, it's only fair that, now, they're keeping us out of last place. Peyton Manning truly is an ambassador for the game."

Gary Kubiak gives Leinart a playbook he can handle, with lots of run plays, screen passes, and pictures of the Lingerie Football League All-Star team.

Houston wins, 27-9.

Buffalo @ NY Jets (-9)

The 5-5 Jets host the 5-5 Bills in a battle of two teams fading from the AFC East race. The Jets lost their second straight, losing 17-13 in Denver on Tim Tebow's 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium is a must-win game for Mark Sanchez and New York.

"It's hard not to be impressed by Tebow's exploits," Sanchez said, "but I'll try. He's obviously blessed with physical gifts most quarterbacks long for, and others they don't, like the ability to abstain from premarital sex. I'm sure he has tons of women throwing themselves at him. That's just what he needs. More incompletions for which he's responsible.

"Offensively, we are struggling. We have no big play capabilities. Brian Schottenheimer gives me very little to work with. He's said the same of me."

The Bills have lost two-straight and the season's 4-1 start and Week 3 win over the Patriots are fading memories. Since signing a contract extension in late October, Ryan Fitzpatrick has played poorly, and the Bills are 1-3 in their last four games, averaging only 12 points per game.

"Are the Bills having 'second thoughts?'" Fitzpatrick said. "Indeed they are. If we beat the Jets, we'll be in second place.

"I find it funny that it took a $75,000 fine from the NFL for Rex Ryan to shut the 'f' up for saying 'Shut the 'f' up.'"

Jets win, 27-13.

Carolina @ Indianapolis (+3½)

The 0-10 Colts, coming off a bye week, look for their first win of the year, and the 2-8 Panthers, fourth in the NFC South, appear to be possible victims.

"I hear Andrew Luck has decided not to enroll in classes for the spring semester," Jim Caldwell said. "That means Cam Newton won't be the only quarterback who stopped going to class on our minds this week."

The Panthers led the Lions 27-14 at halftime last week, but Carolina fell apart in the second half and lost 49-35. Newton threw four interceptions, a season-high, and the Panthers lost their third straight.

"The Colts lead the 'Occupy Last Place' movement," Newton said. "And they're good at it, because they're not going anywhere."

Carolina wins, 28-16.

Washington @ Seattle (-5)

The surging Seahawks have win their last two, and appear on pace to match last year's 7-9 record, which gave them the NFC West title. 7-9 won't win the West this year, but it will surely be good for second place.

"I doubt the NFL keeps records of this," Pete Carroll said, "but we will surely go down as the team that clinched second place earlier than any team in league history.

"As for Mike Shanahan, he experiences the same problem that I face — a weekly decision of a quarterback that causes daily pains. Here in Seattle, out west, it helps to listen to my favorite Pearl Jam song, 'Better Man,' and think of my favorite actor, Slim Pickens, while making that decision."

Seattle wins, 24-13.

Chicago @ Oakland (-3½)

The Bears turned away the Chargers 31-20 last week, winning their fifth-straight game as Jay Cutler outplayed Philip Rivers. However, Cutler broke his right thumb and may be sidelined for the rest of the season.

"I'm devastated," Cutler said. "This injury may legitimately keep me out of the NFC championship game. I was looking forward to running the AFC West gauntlet. Rivers one week, and Carson Palmer the next. It just doesn't get any easier, until I get Tim Tebow and Denver on December 11th. I have one thing in common with Tebow. I got ran out of Denver. Tebow 'runs out' of Denver, as well."

The Raiders took an important road win, knocking off the Vikings 27-21 in Minnesota. Oakland is now 6-4 and holds a one game lead over the Broncos in the AFC West.

"In light of Cutler's injury," Hue Jackson said, "I give a 'thumbs down' to the officiating crew that called last week's game in Minnesota. They should be demoted. If those same calls were to be made in the Black Hole, the officials, ironically, would be awarded, with police escorts."

Chicago wins, 23-20.

New England @ Philadelphia (+4)

Vince Young, starting for the injured Michael Vick, was the unlikely hero in the Eagles' 17-10 win over the Giants last Sunday night. Young threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Riley Cooper late in the fourth quarter.

"Vince did everything we asked of him," Andy Reid said, "plus one thing we've asked of Michael Vick: win a game in the fourth quarter. In light of Vince's infamous Wonderlic score, he's gone from zero to hero. Vince never retook the Wonderlic. He was 'one and done,' but that won't apply to his quarterbacking duties. Vince will be back."

The Pats pummeled the Chiefs 34-3 last week behind an opportunistic defense and tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had 2 touchdown receptions.

"Gronkowski is my No. 1 receiver," Tom Brady. "I call him 'Pole Position.' I expect a big game from Gronk. I doubt the Eagles have an answer for him, but I bet they have questions, like 'When do you become a free agent, because we'd probably like to make you one of our nine prized acquisitions some day.'"

LeSean McCoy rushes for 124 yards and 2 scores, and Brady's late magic is cut short by an Asante Samuel interception.

Philadelphia wins, 31-27.

Denver @ San Diego (-6½)

Tim Tebow's 20-yard touchdown scamper gave the Broncos a 17-13 win over the favored Jets last Thursday, and now Denver is on the cusp of the AFC West lead. At 5-5, Denver trails the Raiders by only one game.

"There's a lot of former Bronco quarterbacks in the news," Tebow said. "Kyle Orton's been released, and Jake Plummer ridiculed my relationship with Jesus Christ. I would say Plummer's going to Hell. But I think he may already be there — he's been doomed to a life of professional handball. That must be Hell."

Two late Philip Rivers interceptions spelled doom for San Diego in Chicago last week, as the Chargers lost 31-20, suffering their fifth-straight defeat. San Diego is 4-6 and needs a win to have any chance at the division crown.

"Tebow is truly a 'throwback' player," Rivers said. "He's set offense back 20 years. But I think it's time we stop persecuting Tebow and just accept him. Hey, isn't that what they said about Jesus? Give Tebow his due. He's won four of his last five games. I haven't won any of my last five games. I can't guarantee victory, but I can guarantee that we won't be releasing our second-string quarterback."

San Diego wins, 23-20.

Pittsburgh @ Kansas City (+10½)

The Steelers are tied for the AFC North with a 7-3 record, although the Ravens own the head-to-head tiebreaker. After a Week 11 bye, Pittsburgh kicks off the stretch run at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the 4-6 Chiefs.

"I used the bye week to meet with Roger Goodell," Mike Tomlin said, "to discuss what I feel are some unfair fines levied against my players for illegal hits. Instead of shaking the commissioner's hand, I bowed to him. He accused me of leading with my head, and the meeting was over."

The Chiefs took a 3-0 lead in New England last week, then surrendered 34 unanswered points in a 34-3 loss. Kansas City is 4-6, two games behind the Raiders in the AFC West.

"If there is one place it's okay to be 4-6," Todd Haley said, "it's the AFC West. Even in last place, you're well within striking distance. However, as a coach of a last place team, you're well within 'firing range.'"

Pittsburgh wins, 30-10.

NY Giants @ New Orleans (-6½)

If the Giants are to end their two-game slide, they'll have to do so in New Orleans, where the NFC South-leading Saints are 4-0. New York lost 17-10 to the Eagles last week, sliding into a tie with the Cowboys in the East while letting Philly back into the division race.

"We were embarrassed at home," Tom Coughlin said, "and those Eagles scored a cheap shot on Eli Manning that went unpunished. Heck, we can't defend ourselves, much less other teams. I think Victor Cruz said it best when he stated 'I won't stand for that.' Sure, he was hugging the floor because of gunfire, but still, it's a message we can all appreciate."

The Saints lead the NFC South with a 7-3 record, and enjoyed a bye week of rest, relaxation, and fond recollection of the Falcons ill-fated decision to gamble on fourth down.

"We call Mike Smith 'Fourth and Goat,'" Sean Payton said. "One bad decision probably cost the Falcons a game. I'm not sure how many bad decisions it will take to cost the Packers six games, but I'm guessing it's quite a few. That may be the only way we avoid a January trip to Lambeau."

New Orleans wins, 30-27.

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 6:17 PM | Comments (0)

November 23, 2011

NFL Weekly Predictions: Thanksgiving Games

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

Green Bay @ Detroit (+7)

It's Thanksgiving in Detroit, and everywhere else for that matter. The Lions are 7-3 and fighting for a playoff spot. By upsetting the Packers, the Lions would pull to within two of the division lead, as well as significantly improve their wild card position.

"In years past," Jim Schwartz, "opponents observed Thanksgiving as a holiday, because they were playing us. No more. For the first time in awhile, we won't be 'served' for lunch.

"Matthew Stafford passed for 5 touchdowns last week against the Panthers. Will another 5 be enough against the Packers? Probably, if none of those go to the Packers. There's a difference in these two teams. The Packers are potent; we have potential."

The Packers are 10-0 after last week's 35-26 win over Tampa Bay and all eyes, including those of the 1972 Dolphins, will be on their quest for perfection.

"I think it's great that the '72 Dolphins are watching," Aaron Rodgers said, "but I doubt they're hearing. Someone take a picture of those guys. And make sure they say 'cheese,' because that's as close as they'll come to acknowledging the Packers.

"As for the Lions, we expect them to give us their best shot. Hopefully, it will be legal and not upside my head. I'm making this a personal battle between Stafford and I. He wears gloves on his hands. I wear rings."

Thursday's game has eerie similarities to the 1962 Thanksgiving contest in which the Lions handed the Packers their only defeat of their championship season. What's even more uncanny is how the styles of the quarterbacks in that game, Bart Starr and Milt Plum, resemble that of Tim Tebow.

But that was then, this is now. Most quarterbacks can complete an 8-yard out pattern. Stafford and Rodgers can do that and more. Rodgers can do it better, however.

Green Bay shakes off a slow start, and Rodgers throws for 4 touchdowns.

Packers win, 38-27.

Miami @ Dallas (-9)

The Cowboys escaped Washington with a 27-24 overtime win over the Redskins to improve to 6-4, good for a tie with the Giants atop the NFC East. Tony Romo threw for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Cowboys, who have won three straight.

"I've said it once," Romo said, "and I'll say it again: I will lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl win. But not this year. There's no way an NFC East team will win the Super Bowl. Heck, I'm not even sure an NFC East team can win the division. Like my pregnant wife, I'll still be 'due' come February.

"Now we're in a tie for the East lead. If we beat the Dolphins, we'll hold the division lead for at least four days. That's great, but I'd gladly exchange four days in November for one day in January. Everybody knows I operate well from the shotgun, but not from a pedestal."

The Dolphins are no longer pushovers after having won three consecutive games, their latest triumph a 35-8 win over Buffalo. Miami is now 3-7 and pose a legitimate threat to the Cowboys.

"I know legitimate threats," Tony Sparano said. "They usually involve my job. We may be the most feared 3-7 team in the NFL. Who fears 3-7 teams, you ask? Tenured coaches, that's who."

The Dolphins win the opening coin toss and defer to the Cowboys, and Dallas graciously agrees to receive the Miami kickoff, as well as the 'Fins gift of a bag of fake snow and a Leon Lett bobblehead doll. The Dallas captains respond, in kind, with The Sparonos DVD boxed set, a series which ended abruptly after four seasons.

The Cowboys jump on the Dolphins early, building a 10-0 first quarter lead, and hold off a late Miami rally for a 26-20 win..

San Francisco @ Baltimore (-4½)

It's brother versus brother as the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh travel to Baltimore to face John Harbaugh's Ravens on Thanksgiving night. San Francisco improved to 9-1 after last week's 23-7 win over the Cardinals.

"This is the first NFL game featuring brothers as opposing head coaches," Jim Harbaugh said. "Coupled with the game's injury report, this is a case of 'bloods and crips.' I don't expect gang warfare, but I do expect gang tackling, big hits, and physical contact on par with my post-game handshake with Jim Schwartz."

The Ravens bounced back from Week 10's loss in Seattle with a 31-24 win over the Bengals last week, earning a key divisional victory. Joe Flacco led the way with 270 yards passing and 2 touchdown passes.

"I'm not sure if that's Flacco being his 'usual' self," John Harbaugh said, "or his 'unusual' self. I guess we'll find out in the playoffs.

"As for the 49ers, we've got our team leader, Ray Lewis, back on the field calling the defense and calling out the offense. Ray will arguably be the best quarterback on the field Thursday night."

Prior to kickoff, the M&T Bank Stadium speakers blare MC Hammer's "Turn This Brother Out," and Jim Harbaugh can only chuckle while quipping to Lewis, "That's bro,' Raven."

After the kickoff, the teams settle into a defensive stalemate, with yards hard to come by. In the end, David Akers' 51-yard field goal attempt sails wide left as time expires.

Baltimore wins, 16-13.

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 7:09 PM | Comments (1)

NASCAR Top 10 Power Rankings: Week 36

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Tony Stewart — Stewart won at Homestead, his fifth win of the Chase, and took home the 2011 Sprint Cup championship, the third of his career. Stewart and Carl Edwards both scored 2,403 points in the Chase, but Stewart won by virtue of his Chase victories.

"If being a car owner in tough financial times has taught me one thing," Stewart said, "it's how to close the deal.

"I'm going to enjoy a long, offseason celebration, one that may require a rewrite of an infamous Rolling Stone article. My work here is done, and so is crew chief Darien Grubb's. He's looking for a job. Oddly enough, it seems someone counted Darien out too early, as well."

2. Carl Edwards — Edwards was unable to run down Tony Stewart over the closing laps at Homestead and finished second, failing in his bid to win his first Sprint Cup championship.

"Everyone has lauded my graciousness in a losing effort," Edwards said. "So I'm going out like a champion, but not as one."

3. Kevin Harvick — Harvick finished eighth at Homestead, earning his sixth top-10 result of the Chase. He finished third in the standings, 58 out of first.

"Tony Stewart had 'Destiny' on his side," Harvick said, "and probably on his lap late Sunday night. I can only imagine what the victory celebration was like. I can only imagine it because I wasn't invited."

4. Matt Kenseth — Kenseth came home fourth in the Ford 400, posting his fifth top-five result of the Chase and finishing fourth in the point standings.

"My first order of business next year," Kenseth said, "is to exact my revenge on Brian Vickers in a race that matters to him. I vow that I will make sure his go-cart slams the wall."

5. Jimmie Johnson — Johnson ended the Chase For the Cup without a championship for the first time in six years. He finished 32nd, six laps down, and ended the year sixth in the point standings, 99 out of first.

"Congratulations to Tony Stewart," Johnson said, "for synchronizing his best Chase performance with my worst. What's the bigger story here? Stewart's crowning, or my uncrowning? I hate to 'reign' on Stewart's parade, but the end of a five-year run as champion trumps Stewart's third title in ten years."

6. Brad Keselowski — Keselowski finished 20th in the Ford 400, one lap down after a strong qualifying effort of fifth. He finished fifth in the Sprint Cup point standings, 84 out of first.

"NASCAR fined me $25,000 for criticizing fuel injection," Keselowski said. "That's called getting 'throttled.'"

7. Jeff Gordon — Gordon finished strong in the Chase, taking fifth at Homestead for his 18th top-five result of the year. He improved three place to eighth in the point standings, 116 out of first.

"Congratulations to Tony Stewart," Gordon said. "It's amazing that Tony won five of the ten Chase races. And even more amazing that it still took a tiebreaker for him to win the Cup. Ironically, Stewart will have loads of personal appearances to make, so it appears he'll be back in a 'tie' soon."

8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — Earnhardt just missed a top-10 finish at Homestead, crossing the line 11th in the Ford 400. He finished the season seventh in the point standings, 113 out of first.

"My winless streak continue and we made no noise in the Chase whatsoever," Earnhardt said. "If I had to grade my performance, it would be somewhere between a 'D' and an 'F,' which would make it a little 'E.'"

9. Denny Hamlin — Hamlin closed a disappointing season with a ninth at Homestead, ending the Chase For the Cup ninth in the standings, 119 out of first.

"Joe Gibbs Racing faces a long off-season," Hamlin said. "Kyle Busch faces a longer offseason, and a shorter leash. Most of us in the organization will be strategizing for the 2012. We'll put our heads together, while Busch will try to get his together."

10. (tie) Kyle Busch/Kurt Busch — Kyle and Kurt finished 23rd and 34th, respectively, at Homestead to mercifully end a disappointing Chase for both. Kurt finished 11th in the final Chase standings, 141 out of first, while Kyle finished 12th, 16 behind Kurt.

"If there was any doubt as to our kinship," Kurt Busch said, "this should prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are, in fact, brothers. Luckily, our parents still claim us. I wish I could say the same for our race teams. Who did more yelling this year? Me at my team, or Kyle's at him?"

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)

November 22, 2011

NFL Week 11 Power Rankings

Five Quick Hits

* The Hall of Fame has announced this year's semifinalists. My preferences to advance: Steve Atwater, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Paul Tagliabue, Steve Tasker, Aeneas Williams, Ron Wolf.

* My fantasy league is through Yahoo!. Does anyone else think it's bush league that a big corporation like that runs a pop-up ad on logout?

* The low quality of football broadcasts from, of all stations, NFL Network, is puzzling. Show some replays, will ya?

* The Thursday Night announcing team did a nice job this week, except that they have got to stop speaking over referee announcements. We want to hear those.

* Does any player ruin his own best plays more often than DeSean Jackson?

***

We've all seen the Colts fall apart without Peyton Manning this season. But I wonder if we aren't seeing similar, less dramatic, scenarios in San Diego and Jacksonville. Philip Rivers, for the last three years, has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, maybe the best. This year, he doesn't look like the same player, and the Chargers don't look like the same team.

The 2010 Jaguars went 8-8, ranking 15th in offensive yardage and 18th in scoring. This year's Jags, with Blaine Gabbert and Luke McCown instead of David Garrard, are 3-7, 31st in scoring and last — by a huge margin — in yards per game. The winless Colts out-gain Jacksonville by almost 30 yards per game, the punchless Rams by nearly 50. Teams can win without a good quarterback, but a sudden drop in quality at that position has been catastrophic for those teams. Good luck, Bears and Texans. On to this week's power rankings, brackets indicate previous rank.

1. Green Bay Packers [1] — Tramon Williams intercepted 2 passes, but the defense went soft at the end of the game. Josh Freeman in the first half: 132 yards, INT, 72.9 passer rating. Freeman in the second half: 210 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 113.8 rating. Aaron Rodgers is having a year for the ages, but some of the guys around him are pretty good, too. Jordy Nelson is now 2nd in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (9) and 11th in yards (756), basically the same as teammate Greg Jennings (761 yards, 7 TDs). Randall Cobb, who had a 55-yard punt return this weekend, is one of three players with a KR TD and a PR TD this year, the others being Devin Hester and Ted Ginn, Jr. Cobb is averaging 30 yards on KRs and 11.1 on punts.

2. San Francisco 49ers [2] — Lead the NFL in rushing defense and scoring defense, and — unbelievably — still haven't allowed a rushing TD this season. San Francisco also leads the NFL, by far, in turnover differential (+17). The 49ers can clinch the NFC West in Week 12, if they win in Baltimore and the Seahawks lose to Washington.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers [3] — Tied for the worst turnover differential in the NFL, -10. It is stunning that this team is 7-3 despite its failure to force turnovers. The other -10 teams: 0-10 Indianapolis, 3-7 Washington, 4-6 San Diego (combined .233). Last season, the worst turnover differential for any playoff team was -6 (Saints). The last team as bad as -10 to make the postseason was the 2004 Green Bay Packers (-13). Remember when the Packers had a QB who threw a bunch of interceptions?

4. New England Patriots [5] — Another big game from Rob Gronkowski, who gained 96 yards and scored 2 touchdowns, each featuring an impressive run after the catch. Gronkowski now has 20 touchdowns in his young career, 10 as a rookie and another 10 already this season. That stat led to this exchange on MNF:

Mike Tirico: "Now 20 touchdowns in his really just over a year and a half career, 26 games."
Jon Gruden: "Randy Moss didn't even do that."

Wait for it ... yes, he did. Moss scored 23 TDs in his first 26 games, including 17 as a rookie. Gruden's error was never corrected. For better or worse, Gruden is a journalist. ESPN has a responsibility to its viewers to correct mistakes. Look, this is trivial — literally, it's trivia. But this is a pattern for Gruden, making things up and stating them as fact. Every reputable news organization in the world corrects errors. If viewers can't trust everything you say, they can't trust anything you say. It would be awfully easy to set aside 10 seconds after the next commercial break so Gruden could correct the mistake.

Players with 20+ receiving TDs, first 26 games: Bill Groman, Lance Alworth, Bob Hayes, John Jefferson, Daryl Turner, Randy Moss, Gronkowski.

5. New Orleans Saints [6] — Lead the NFL in yards per game, 436.9. The difference between this year's Saints and the '09 Super Bowl team? Turnovers. Two years ago, the champs were 2nd in the NFL in takeaways, with a +11 differential and 7 defensive touchdowns. Last year they were -6, and this year they're -5, mostly because the defense doesn't generate takeaways (9, tied for 29th). It's okay to give up a lot of yards if you have an aggressive defense that forces mistakes, but not if you're just getting burned.

6. Houston Texans [7] — Won their last four games by double-digits, but how much different will the team be with Matt Leinart at QB? Matt Schaub was having a Pro Bowl season before his foot injury. Speaking of which, who's left to represent the AFC in Hawaii? Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger, sure. But then who? Joe Flacco? Matt Hasselbeck? Philip Rivers? Heaven forbid, Greg Landry Tim Tebow?

7. Baltimore Ravens [8] — Intercepted Andy Dalton three times and got a big game from wildly inconsistent rookie receiver Torrey Smith (165 rec yds). In Weeks 3 and 11, Smith had 317 yards and 4 TDs. In the other eight games combined, 273 yards and 1 TD. NBC's highlight show featured two separate shots of Ray Lewis, who didn't play in this game. So did ESPN's Fastest Three Minutes, which showed four plays and two shots of Lewis. Why not skip the shots of Ray and show another play instead? Am I watching sports highlights or Spot-the-Celebrity?

8. Chicago Bears [4] — Devin Hester's leaping attempt to block a long field goal came up short, which was fortunate, since the kick failed anyway and that sort of "field-goal-tending" apparently is illegal. When did that happen? The Colts' R.C. Owens, a former basketball player known for his jumping ability, once blocked a field goal that way. Why prohibit something so cool? Jay Cutler broke his thumb in the game, and reportedly will be out 6-8 weeks — the rest of the regular season. This ranking reflects my lower confidence in Caleb Hanie.

9. Atlanta Falcons [9] — Big games from their stars. Matt Ryan (316 yds, 110.9 rating), Michael Turner (100 yds, TD), and Roddy White (7 rec, 147 yds) all showed up against Tennessee. But head coach Mike Smith still had a hangover from Week 10: you'll go for it from your own 29 against the Saints, but not from the opponent's goal line against the Titans? Cowardice, an overreaction to last week's overwrought criticism. The Falcons have won four of their last five.

10. Dallas Cowboys [12] — Won a back-and-forth overtime thriller on the road against their biggest rival. The game featured a tying touchdown with :14 left in the fourth quarter, a missed field goal to win in overtime, and a strange sequence just before Dan Bailey's game-winning kick. With the play clock down to three seconds, Dallas wasn't ready, so Tony Romo stood up to call timeout. But Dallas was out of timeouts, so the Cowboys were looking at either a delay of game penalty, or a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for calling a timeout they didn't have. Either one might have pushed the team out of field goal range. Instead, Mike Shanahan, in an attempt to waste everyone's time ice the kicker, called his own timeout, and very possibly cost his team the game. Icing the kicker is stupid.

11. New York Giants [10] — The Giants' average yards per rush, by season, in the Tom Coughlin era:

2004: 4.5
2005: 4.7
2006: 4.7
2007: 4.6
2008: 5.0
2009: 4.1
2010: 4.6
2011: 3.2

Ahmad Bradshaw actually has been okay (4.0), but Brandon Jacobs and D.J. Ware are averaging 3.0 each, with 123 carries for just 373 yards. The revamped offensive line, minus Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert, has not been effective. Rushing average is down 30% from last year, and Eli Manning has already been sacked more times (19) than all of last season (16).

12. Detroit Lions [13] — Third 17-point comeback of the season. Kevin Smith (remember him?) came up huge, with 201 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs, while Matthew Stafford played well enough in the last three quarters that people forgot about his interceptions on the first two drives. The Lions are 5-0 against teams with losing records.

13. Cincinnati Bengals [14] — Lost CB Leon Hall last week, and immediately got torched by Torrey Smith on Sunday. The rule that nullified Jermaine Gresham's touchdown is stupid, but everyone knows about it at this point, so my outrage is fairly muted. Good news: four of the last six games are in Cincinnati. The Bengals have lost consecutive games to division opponents, but they're still in position for a wild card berth to the playoffs, a game ahead of the Jets, Bills, Broncos, and Titans.

14. Philadelphia Eagles [18] — Missing Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, they went into the New Meadowlands and beat the Giants, highlighted by an 18-play, 80-yard drive for the winning touchdown. Vince Young threw three interceptions, but he never got rattled and he created some positive plays. Eagles QBs, 2009-11:

The "Rec" category indicates each player's regular-season record as starter. The yardage figure is gross passing, and does not include sacks or rushing. Vick is a dynamic player, but it's not at all obvious to me that he deserves to be regarded as a standout quarterback. Lots of guys look good compared to Kevin Kolb.

15. New York Jets [11] — Much-hyped defense ranks 17th against the run and 18th in points allowed. Much-hyped "ground and pound" rushing attack ranks 29th in yards per carry (3.59). Joe McKnight struggled in pass packages after the Jets lost both starting RBs, and contrary to the hype, McKnight is averaging just 3.2 yds/att, even worse than Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson. Mark Sanchez contributed his third pick-six of the season to the losing effort. The Jets' next three games are all against teams with losing streaks of at least three games (Buffalo, Washington, KC), so a rebound to 8-5 is very much within reach.

16. Tennessee Titans [16] — First-round draft pick Jake Locker (8th overall) led two touchdown drives after Matt Hasselbeck's elbow injury, while Chris Johnson lapsed back into suckdom (12 att, 13 yds). The Titans rank 31st in yards per carry (3.4). Locker's fellow rookie, fourth-rounder Colin McCarthy, had 10 solo tackles, including three for a loss, and a forced fumble filling in for banged-up Barrett Ruud.

17. Denver Broncos [24] — Punter Britton Colquitt downed two punts inside the 10-yard line on Thursday. In a close game, that sort of thing is just huge. Especially when you only gain 11 first downs. Denver's defense, atrocious early in the season, has played better recently. In their first five games, the Broncos allowed 28 points and 386 yards per game. Since the bye, they've improved to 21 points and 327 yards. Von Miller is up to 9.5 sacks, and Andre Goodman's interception return for a touchdown was the critical play in Thursday's game.

18. Miami Dolphins [28] — First three-game winning streak since 2008. Over the last three games, the Dolphins held all three opponents under 10 points, and Matt Moore had 6 TDs, 1 INT, and a 118.6 passer rating. Punter Brandon Fields dropped five punts inside the 20-yard line against Buffalo, with no touchbacks.

19. Oakland Raiders [17] — Twelve penalties for 117 yards and seven first downs. Wait, what? I can't remember another game in which a team gave away seven first downs by penalty. Big game by Tommy Kelly this weekend: 2 sacks, a batted pass, and an interception. Darrius Heyward-Bey left the game with a scary injury, but early indications are that he should be okay.

20. Arizona Cardinals [19] — Loss in San Francisco could have been worse: the 49ers missed three field goals and the Cardinals scored a garbage-time touchdown to spoil the shutout. They were outgained by over 200 yards and their time of possession was just 15:44. Since the bye, though, Arizona is 2-3 and hasn't lost to anyone worse than 7-3, with both of the other losses pretty close. This isn't a good team, but it could be a lot worse.

21. Buffalo Bills [15] — Three straight losses, by a combined margin of 106-26, since their 5-2 start. Ryan Fitzpatrick's passer ratings during the losing streak: 51.9, 46.6, 45.8. The Bills went 0/12 on third downs in Week 11. Already missing standout safety George Wilson, the team also lost starting CB Terrence McGee, who on Monday underwent season-ending knee surgery. Fred Jackson also left with an injury, and his status for Week 12 is uncertain.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [20] — Four straight losses, all against good teams (combined 31-9). The Bucs have actually played six in a row, and eight out of 10, against teams with winning records. LeGarrette Blount has averaged more than 5.0 or less than 3.5 yards per carry in every game this season. Overall, he's a solid 4.6. You'd like to see the Bucs do a better job of keeping him involved. He's only had more than 13 carries three times this season.

23. San Diego Chargers [23] — Still missing offensive linemen Marcus McNeill (who may be out for the season) and Louis Vasquez. Vincent Jackson rebounded from last week's underwhelming performance with 7 catches, 165 yards, and a touchdown, but none of that came in the fourth quarter, when the Chargers ran four offensive plays and gained zero yards. San Diego is 0-5 since the bye, the third-longest losing streak in the NFL.

24. Seattle Seahawks [26] — Have now lost both of their first two draft picks, with James Carpenter (ACL) likely to join fellow offensive lineman John Moffitt on injured reserve. The Seahawks recovered from a slow start in Week 11 to easily defeat the Rams, thanks mostly to a strong defensive performance led by Chris Clemons (3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, batted pass). Seattle's next three games are all at home.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars [22] — Still haven't scored 20 points in any game this season. The '09 Rams and Raiders topped 20 only once apiece, but the only team ever to go 0/16 was the 1992 Seattle Seahawks.

26. Minnesota Vikings [21] — Adrian Peterson left Sunday's game with a high ankle sprain, and it seems unlikely he'll be able to go in Week 12. QB Christian Ponder led the team in rushing (71 yards). Ponder got Percy Harvin involved, Kevin Williams played a nice game, and the Raiders were flagged for 1,000 penalties, but it wasn't enough.

27. Carolina Panthers [27] — Last week I criticized the return units. This week they scored on a 101-yard kickoff return. The Panthers, who boast a 12-game road losing streak, have only two home games left this season. Both of the next two, and four of the last six, are on the road.

28. Cleveland Browns [30] — Rank 5th in fewest yards allowed and 7th in fewest points allowed. That's mostly against a schedule full of cupcakes, though, and the one time they played a top-10 offense, Houston dropped 30 on them. Still, the defense has been doing something right. D'Qwell Jackson is the standout. Cleveland's next three games are all against division opponents.

29. Kansas City Chiefs [25] — False hope from an early 3-0 lead, in an eventual 34-3 defeat. This was the fourth time this season Kansas City has lost by 28 or more. Statistically, the Chiefs have the hardest remaining schedule of any team in the NFL, with every opponent at or above .500. Matt Cassel is done for the season; I hope you liked what you saw of Tyler Palko, Chiefs fans.

30. Washington Redskins [31] — After a 3-1 start, they're 0-6 since the bye. No one's going to be successful behind this offensive line, but Shanahan needs to stop rotating running backs. Commit to someone (probably Roy Helu) and give him a chance to get in a groove. You know who's having a great year, though? Sav Rocca. He's had 20 punts downed inside the 20, with no touchbacks, and he's rocking a career-high 41.3 net average.

31. St. Louis Rams [29] — Remember when the media was raving about what a great quarterback Sam Bradford was? He ranks 29th in the NFL in passer rating (72.6) and the Rams are dead last in scoring. They have scored multiple touchdowns only once all season.

32. Indianapolis Colts [32] — Merciful bye this week. The Colts have been outscored 300-131. They're on pace for a worse point differential, -270, than the winless 2008 Detroit Lions (-249).

Posted by Brad Oremland at 6:42 PM | Comments (1)

NCAA Men's Hoops About to Get Crazy

Ask a diehard NBA fan what the true tragedy of the NBA lockout is, and they'll tell you it comes at the worst possible time. Just as the league is coming off one of its most-compelling seasons in more than a decade, it goes and blows itself up in the name of pride and ego.

(They might say it's about equity and creating a sustainable business model that protects idiot owners from being idiot owners, but make no mistake — this is nothing more than a big dick contest.)

But you know what? Fine. Owners want to act like they're a laid-off construction worker trying to make the mortgage payment? Fine. Players want to pretend like they're businessmen and ownership partners, when all they are is well-compensated employees? Fine. Go ahead. I don't give a crap.

And you want to know why?

Because we are three weeks into what's going to go down as a legendary men's college basketball season.

All the elements are there. We've got several of the major powerhouses — North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State — loaded with big-time playmakers.

We've got some lower-tier schools like Iona and Cleveland State with some quality talent, which will almost surely translate into some huge upsets come March Madness.

And there are so many teams loaded with highly skilled young players playing big minutes (Kentucky again, Arizona) that the season promises to feature a steady dose of unpredictability.

If you haven't yet jumped into the season, let me catch you up with some lessons and observations:

* North Carolina is absolutely the favorite to win the championship. They are loaded. And though you can never put it past a John Calipari team to flame out to a disciplined and experience team with lesser talent, Kentucky still has to be considered a strong favorite for a Final Four spot, along with Ohio State.

* Kansas, which lost to Kentucky by 10, will be fine through the regular season, but they are not Final Four-caliber. They don't have the talent inside to deal with the top teams in the nation.

* Florida freshman guard Brad Beal leads the Gators in minutes at over 31 per game, is second in points per game (16.3), third in rebounding (5.0), and second in steals (1.5). Not only that, but he's only committed seven turnovers in 127 minutes of play time. Kentucky's Anthony Davis may be a lock as the first pick in next year's NBA draft (assuming there is one), but Beal will give him a serious run for biggest impact by a freshman in the SEC.

* Michigan State may have gone 0-2 against the Kings of the ACC (Duke and UNC), but those were 80 minutes of invaluable teaching time for Tom Izzo. Keep an eye on how the Spartans develop — this team could be very sneaky come March. Their true road game at Gonzaga on Dec. 10 will provide a good measuring stick.

* Watch out for Arizona in the Pac-12. They've trailed in each of their wins — over Valparaiso, Duquesne, Ball State, and St. John's, but come back in the second half of each. They weren't able to overcome Mississippi State in the finals of the Cancer is Bad Classic, and Sean Miller is still figuring out his rotation without Derrick Williams and LaMont Jones, but when you have a mix of experience and talented young guys, have a half-dozen players who can hit the three, a couple of bangers down low, and have a great teaching coach in Miller, you've got a chance (and a run-on sentence).

(By the way, if you haven't read Dana O'Neil's piece on Kevin Parrom, you should. It's much better than this column.)

* Speaking of teams to watch out for, keep a close eye on Alabama. They blocked 14 shots against a good Wichita State team, then held Purdue to 35% from the floor to win the Puerto Rico Tip-Off title. Anthony Grant's team is no joke.

* It's not unusual for major-conference programs to lose to schools from lower-tier conferences at this time of year (Presbyterian over Cincinnati, anyone?), but UCLA losing to Loyola Marymount and Middle Tennessee — at home no less — borders on the absurd. And now that Ben Howland has suspended star Reeves Nelson for being late to a team meeting, then re-instated him after one game only to have him miss the team flight to Hawaii for the Maui Classic — and then letting him play in the first-round win over Chaminade anyway. He's at risk of totally losing credibility with his team.

Translation: UCLA is screwed. This has the potential to turn into an unmitigated disaster that would cost less well-established coaches their paychecks.

* While I don't think Howland is at risk of losing his job with the Bruins, Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery and LSU's Trent Johnson will be lucky to last the season. The Salukis have lost to Ohio Dominican, St. Louis, and Northeastern, and will be lucky to finish in the middle of a strong Missouri Valley Conference. LSU, meanwhile, has lost to Coastal Carolina and Northwestern, although they at least beat Georgia Tech on Sunday. The Southern Illinois loss to SLU doesn't look as bad in the wake of St. Louis' beat-down of Washington over the weekend (a mild shocker), but there is no reason for either Southern Illinois or LSU to expect anything less than sub-mediocrity for as long as either coach remains at the helm.

* Oh, and since we're on the subject of coaches on their last breath, Southern California's Kevin O'Neill had to be even more apoplectic than normal after the Trojans lost 42-36 to Cal Poly. That was after a double-overtime loss to Nebraska and a two-point loss to San Diego State. There have been a lot of bad losses this year, but Cal Poly 42, USC 36 about as pathetic as it gets. Then again, it's a Kevin O'Neill team. Losing your cool and panicking in a tough spot comes with the territory.

* Other notable mid-major wins: Akron at Mississippi State, Cleveland State at Vanderbilt (Vandy streak of untrustworthiness continues), Pepperdine over Arizona State, Montana State over Utah, and of course Long Beach on the road over Pittsburgh.

* If Creighton makes it out of the Missouri Valley, watch out for them as a double-digit seed making an NCAA tournament Sweet 16 run. This team is straight out of the Butler mold, led by sophomore forward Doug McDermott.

* Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the West Coast Conference looks to be a two-horse race between Gonzaga and Saint Mary's again. It'll be interesting to see if BYU's entrance into the mix makes a difference. Oh Jimmer, where art thou Jimmer?

* Game I really wish I'd seen: Oregon State 100-95 over Texas in overtime. The Beavers got 37 points and 9 rebounds from junior guard Jared Cunningham, who hit 20-of-23 free throws in the effort. With a fairly easy schedule after Monday's last-minute 64-62 loss to Vanderbilt, Oregon State could be looking at heading into Pac-12 play at 11-1.

* St. John's is very talented and athletic, but they play with a lack of control and maturity. Basically, they're Memphis last year, except instead of getting to learn playing a Conference USA schedule, they have to play a Big East schedule. Best case is they get to make a deep NIT run, then get all their guys to come back.

And as for Memphis this year, their 73-61 loss to Michigan on Monday showed precision and execution still beats raw athleticism in college basketball. That game should prove to be a great coaching tool for Tigers coach Josh Pastner. We'll see whether his players have the ability and willingness to learn the lesson.

* Because sharing is caring — NC State had 26 assists on 33 made field goals in a 30-point blowout win over Morehead State, then 14 assists on 20 made field goals in a 77-74 comeback win over Texas on Monday. The Wolfpack have assists on over 66% of their made field goals, and lead the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.4. I'm not saying NC State is going to challenge Duke and North Carolina for the ACC title, but this is a much better team than they're getting credit for (not a single vote in either poll this week).

I know we're in the midst of football nirvana. There's Thanksgiving football, which ranks only second to the first weekend of the NCAA tournament in my rankings of favorite sports days. There's the mad dash to BCS Armageddon starting this Friday with LSU/Arkansas, then continuing on Saturday with Alabama/Auburn and Notre Dame/Stanford. So I can understand if a few early-season college hoops games haven't crossed your sports radar just yet.

But know this — college hoops is off to a great start. And when they put away the footballs after the Super Bowl and there's no NBA to turn to, college basketball will be there to fill the void.

Now there's something to be thankful for.

Posted by Joshua Duffy at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)

November 21, 2011

What a Mess

You know those boring Friday nights when you're sitting at home feeling under the weather and lamenting the lack of any good football to watch as the Nyquil kicks in? Most of you probably do — it's just a fact of life.

What about when that Friday night begins to make you wonder if the Nyquil you bought was some new, faster-acting version? Because there's no way a team favored by four score and seven years (okay, maybe just four scores) could possibly have just lost to an Iowa State team that was just struggling to stay above .500, let alone given that they were down 24-7 in the second half.

Yet as the smoke cleared, something became clear — the BCS just got interesting. Now Alabama, Oregon, and Oklahoma (ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively) were leading a pack of one-loss teams with renewed national championship hopes, and on Saturday, each would have a chance to stake a claim to the second spot in the race for a title.

Oregon was slated to face Pac-12 foe and 18th-ranked USC. Given that the game was at home, not many from Eugene were too worried about this game. But unfortunately for them, Matt Barkley and Trojans weren't ready to let Oregon run away with the Pac-12 crown.

As the clock struck zero, and the result became clear after a missed field goal and a number of defensive lapses, whispers started floating around the nation that an Oklahoma team, whose only loss was Texas Tech a few weeks ago, might be in a tight race with Alabama for that coveted spot behind Les Miles and the LSU Tigers.

As it turns out, Baylor wants to see an all-SEC championship game — they entered Saturday ranked 22nd in the nation, and were far from favorites against the 5th-ranked Sooners. But Robert Griffin III and the Baylor offense exploded for a number of school records, none more important than this. They improved to 1-20 against Oklahoma all-time. They had never beat Oklahoma before Saturday, but this was the tail-end of a roughly 24-hour period that seemed to flip the script in college football, and it got a deserving end.

As fans across the nation woke up yesterday and began to look at the new BCS ranking, what seemed impossible on Thursday night was a forgone conclusion: the top three, in order, was LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas. But while everyone could see this coming as they went to bed on Saturday evening (or more likely, Sunday morning after the Oklahoma and Baylor contest), something still doesn't seem right to the majority of fans.

College football now has six one-loss teams, half of which haven't lost to anyone outside of the top-10, and an undefeated Houston team — leaving eight teams (including LSU) with legitimate claims of a rightful place in the national title game.

So many fans are now left wondering why computers and a bunch of guys who haven't seen many of these teams play on more than one occasion are going to decide which six teams have to sit at home and watch a champion be crowned.

God forbid we should see a playoff, which would look something like this:

(1) LSU vs. (8) Houston
(2) Alabama vs. (7) Boise State
(3) Arkansas vs. (6) Stanford
(4) Oklahoma State vs. (5) Virginia Tech

Seriously, who wouldn't want to see that? Evidently, the people running the BCS don't, and unfortunately, their opinions are the only opinions that matter.

At the very least, the notion of a playoff must at least my entertained, if not immediately implemented. It's the only thing that makes sense to those of us paying for the tickets to watch the games, even if the people taking that money to the bank don't agree.

Posted by Paul Foeller at 5:05 PM | Comments (1)

The Next Tiger?

Tiger Woods' private life dominated headlines for the best part of 2010, and unjustly so. One man was making the headlines on and off the course, leaving journalists little time for anyone other than the international golf icon. And the players felt it, too.

There hasn't been a single player to win more than one major since. Several men have occupied the number one spot in recent times, and sometimes getting there without taking a major. Does this diminish the value of the majors? Does it mean they aren't as important in terms of ranking points? No, of course not. It just means that everyone wants to be the next Tiger, but no one is quite good enough.

Or maybe they are. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is a great young player, and he proved it at this year's U.S. Open. That one should have been his second. He led the previous major, the Masters, on the final day, and by four shots, too, but threw his lead away with a disastrous final round to finish T15 for the tournament.

At the time, people said McIlroy simply didn't have what it took to be a major winner. He had the shots, certainly. He had the skill and talent, but he didn't have it between the ears. Mentally, he wasn't strong enough.

Those thoughts were quickly dispelled as McIlroy banished the regrets of the Masters and shot a 268 aggregate score to finish 16 under par to in a record breaking victory. It was the victory he should have had at the Masters.

But it showed his critics he really does have what it takes, and when he is on form, he is better than the world, and by a long, long way.

At the time of writing, he is No. 2 in the world rankings, after coming fourth in the WCG-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, and he is on the way up. Only Luke Donald of England stands between him and the number one spot. Donald has a great record in smaller tournaments, but has never hit his best form for the majors, as has been the case with so many other players.

McIlroy will be eagerly awaiting the next major — the Masters in Augusta next April — where he will hope to wipe the slate clean and to take the title he should have taken this year. At just 22, he's mature for his age, and with another year under his belt after the biggest throwaway of his career, he know he has what it takes, and he will be confident of keeping a cool head throughout the tournament.

If McIlroy takes the lead in any of the majors in 2012, expect him to hand on to it. He might not end up being as prolific a major winner as Woods, but he's certainly going to dominate the next few years.

Posted by Angus Saul at 2:36 PM | Comments (0)

November 19, 2011

The Next Big Thing

The first recollection most sports fans have of Jason Pierre-Paul was a YouTube video of a 6'5", 270-pound football player doing 14 consecutive backflips in full pads. Going viral shortly before the NFL draft, the video initially viewed more than 500,000 times quickly became a sensation. At that time, the only question was not whether the extraordinary athlete was more a Barnum and Bailey acrobat than the next big thing in the National Football League.

Drafted by the New York Giants in 2010, Jason Pierre-Paul was hardly a sure thing. The son of Haitian immigrants had never even played organized football until his senior year in high school when a serious leg injury forced him to replace his hardwood aspirations for gridiron glory.

With grades an issue and not recruited by any major colleges, Pierre-Paul played at the College of the Canyons in California as a freshman and the following year at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Hardly high-profile football factories, he received little national attention. In fact, his only acclaim occurred at Fort Scott where he became something of a local folk hero.

Sustaining a neck injury during a game and immobilized on a gurney, he was rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Reappearing in the second half with a doctor's note and "put me back in" pleas, he returned to the field breaking two fingers and collecting three sacks in the process. After winning the game, his dumbfounded coach commented "amazing" as little more than what others were already thinking.

After two seasons playing JUCO ball, he transferred in 2009 to the University of South Florida. Arriving on campus two weeks after leaving Fort Scott and missing some practices, he wouldn't start at defensive end until the sixth game of the season. However, what he lacked in playing time he more than made up in impact.

In only his second game starting, a win over Florida State, he burst onto the national scene with 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, a forced fumble, and two quarterback pressures. At season's end, he was named an All-Conference Big East selection and a first team All-American by Pro Football Weekly. Yet in foregoing his final year of eligibility after having played only two months of major college football, conventional wisdom on the eve of the scouting combine still saw him more as Clark Kent than as Superman.

Despite his 35-inch arms, his 81-inch wingspan, and the NFL Network's Rich Eisen gushing "The Legend Continues" after JPP's nearly scatback-fast 4.67 seconds in the combine's 40-yard dash, many saw the "Haitian Sensation" as more style than substance. And when the Giants picked him in the first round of the NFL draft, the doubts grew even louder.

Already stocked with quality defensive ends and coveting linebackers, Giant fans pointed to Pierre-Paul's lack of top-flight collegiate experience as reason to voice "draft bust" predictions. With his pedestrian showing in the combine's bench press test and Derrick Morgan the ACC Defensive Player of the Year still available when JPP was selected, one scribe wrote, "It's hard to see the ... pick as anything other than buying a 55" flatscreen when your fridge is down to pickled watermelon rind and a flat bottle of Fanta."

Even those having little doubt about Pierre-Paul's size, speed, strength, and determination had questions as to how long it would take him to put them all together. And for those so concerned, the answer would be less than a season.

Insisting that Pierre-Paul had "the biggest upside in the draft," Giant GM Jerry Reese also conceded his extraordinarily athletic rookie "had limited background." When defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was asked what JPP did not know that others playing organized football for years knew, he chuckled, "We don't have that long." And without years of practice and film study allowing players to master a professional-level playbook and to react on the field without thinking, Pierre-Paul himself acknowledged a lack of experience "was holding me back."

Without a sack for the first 10 games of the season, even defensive captain Justin Tuck began doubting the wisdom of drafting Pierre-Paul so highly. "In the beginning, he was kind of a goofball. He didn't take things as seriously as we would have liked ... [and] there were times I was thinking maybe we made a mistake with that 15th pick." Then in November after defensive line coach Robert Nunn told JPP that he needed to be the star of the game against the Jaguars, things started to change.

Two sacks against Jacksonville were followed by an equal number against Washington. In recording consecutive two sack games, Pierre-Paul became the first NFL rookie since 2006 to accomplish this feat and the first Giant in history to do so. By season's end, his play had erased whatever draft bust skepticism remained.

And if the eyeball test didn't silence naysayers, comparing Pierre-Paul's statistics to the other defensive ends taken in the first round of the 2010 draft surely did so. For in part-time duty, his 2 forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks were equal to the totals for Brandon Graham, Derrick Morgan, and Jerry Hughes, while his 30 tackles were more than those players combined.

Beginning this year where last season left off, Pierre-Paul produced 2 sacks, 6 tackles, and a forced fumble in a loss to Washington. And what he started against the Redskins has continued. Averaging more than a sack a game through midseason, Pierre-Paul is among the league leaders. What had been flashes of brilliance as a rookie is now far more than that. And when asked about how many sacks he was capable of in 2011, he replied, "unlimited ... I want to get them all."

With little more than a full season playing experience, it is difficult to know how good Jason Pierre-Paul can become. Once considered a high-risk, high-reward prospect, he still is "trying to figure out how high I can get." But more than anything else in describing his upside, teammates, coaches, and media types use the word "freakish."

Indeed, he most often is likened to Jevon "The Freak" Kearse who set the rookie sack record in 1999. But for the "the next big thing" perhaps there is an even better comparison to a retired gap-toothed lineman who also produced 4.5 sacks in his first full season. When drafted by the Giants in 1993, some also considered him a questionable pick. And even without backflips, in wearing No. 92, in playing defensive end for 15 years, and in setting the single-season sack record, we all know how that "high-risk" draft pick turned out.

Posted by Neil Bright at 3:13 PM | Comments (3)

November 17, 2011

NFL Weekly Predictions: Week 11

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

NY Jets @ Denver (+4½)

Tim Tebow makes his first non-Sabbath start as the surging Broncos, winners of two-straight, host the Jets on Thursday night in Denver. Denver whipped the Chiefs 17-10 last week at Arrowhead to move into a three-way tie for second in the AFC West, one game behind the Raiders.

"We're 3-1 with Tim Tebow as the starter," John Fox said. "It's true. Tim is a winner. He makes plays. And by 'plays,' I mean 'two.' We've geared our offense to accommodate Tim's strengths, of which passing isn't one. Tebow's the only NFL quarterback with two, count 'em, two, non-throwing arms.

"As for the Jets, we're looking at Thursday's game as a 'good vs. evil' conflict. Rex Ryan and the Jets put the 'ass' in 'moral compass.' I hear the Jets are doing some soul searching after getting whipped by the Patriots. If it's their souls they're searching, I suggest they look down."

The Jets were pounded by New England 37-16 at MetLife Stadium last Sunday, as the Patriots seized the division lead in commanding fashion.

"Our season just wouldn't be complete without a regular-season spanking from the Patriots," Rex Ryan said. "And speaking of 'complete seasons,' ours isn't done yet. It won't be until we fail to win the Super Bowl again.

"But you've got to hand it to Tebow. He has an inspirational message for us all. He's inspired many not to watch Broncos games. Me? I've got an instigational message. It can be found in the rap song 'Mile High State of Mind' by my good friend Jay-V."

Prior to the game, Ryan, in an "I'm With Stupid" t-shirt, hams it up with Sanchez. Sanchez, in turn, responds with his own t-shirt that reads "I'm Too Sexy For That Shirt, And Too Old For 17-Year-Olds."

The Jets eliminate the Broncos run game, leaving Darrelle Revis on an island with Denver's receiving corps, who are left stranded by Tebow's inaccuracy.

New York knocks the bejesus out of Denver, 27-13.

Carolina @ Detroit (-7)

The Panthers suffered their worst defeat of the season, losing 30-3 to the Titans, who sacked Cam Newton five times. Next up for Carolina are the Lions, who are battling for a wildcard position.

"I'm sure Ndamukong Suh and the Lions will come after me," Newton said. "I'm interested to see what happens first, me 'losing my head,' or a Lion. If he catches me, he'll do something the NCAA couldn't: make me pay."

After a 5-0 start, the Lions are 1-3 in their last four games, their last loss a 37-13 shellacking in Chicago last week. With the undefeated Packers looming on Thanksgiving, the Lions need a win to provide the momentum necessary for any chance against Green Bay.

"I told our guys to play like their old selves," Jim Schwartz said. "But I didn't mean that old. I thought accosting Jim Harbaugh after the San Francisco loss would inspire my team. It did. Now they, like me, can't finish what they started."

Matthew Stafford has a fractured bone in his throwing hand, which is not good news for a team that relies heavily on the pass. That could mean the Lions throw more fits and tantrums than touchdown passes. But the Lions defense steps up, and a Kyle Vanden Bosch sack of Newton seals the win.

Detroit wins, 30-27.

Oakland @ Minnesota (-1)

The AFC West-leading Raiders, fresh off last Thursday's 24-17 win in San Diego, travel to Mall of America Stadium to face Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. Oakland is a game up on the Chargers, Broncos, and Chiefs.

"We're the outright leaders in the AFC West," Hue Jackson said. "But can we maintain it? This is the West, where the division lead is like a hot potato, and each team hates hot potatoes. The Chargers, Chiefs, and Broncos are all 4-5, one game back. So, three teams are in last, and one team won't last.

"I expect a close game, one that may be decided by a field goal. Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 63-yard field goal earlier this year. His range indoors is 70 yards. His range in bars is 17- to 19-year-olds."

The Vikings were Lambeau "lapped" in Green Bay on Monday night, losing 45-7 as Aaron Rodgers passed for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Raiders come to town confident and rested after a 10-day layoff.

"Rodgers had a quarterback rating of 140.3," Christian Ponder said. "My QB rating was 52.3. So, there were 88 points separating us, which would have also been the case had the game gone two quarters longer. Between Rodgers and myself, we made Brett Favre look good and bad. Favre's usually capable of doing that by himself, usually in the span of seconds."

Carson Palmer throws for 2 scores, and the Raiders limit Adrian Peterson to 84 yards on the ground.

Oakland wins, 22-17.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore (-9)

After week 9's huge win in Pittsburgh, the Ravens stumbled in Seattle, losing 22-17 to the Seahawks. After a heroic performance in Pittsburgh, Joe Flacco was so-so in Seattle, going 29-of-52 for 255 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.

"We need Flacco to be like our helmets," Ray Lewis said. "A reliable weapon. Joe goes from 'G.O.A.T.' to goat seamlessly. At this rate, there will be only one way for him to get the monkey off his back: surgery."

The Bengals went down to the wire before losing to the Steelers 24-17. A win over the Ravens would put the Bengals in a tie atop the division with Pittsburgh.

"We plan to come after Flacco," Marvin Lewis said, "and hopefully force mistakes. Flacco blows up more plays than the Ravens defense. In his defense, he does redeem himself. Of course, he's in more positions to 'redeem himself' than any quarterback in the league."

Flacco bounces back, and Ray Lewis and the Baltimore defense send the Bengals home with their second consecutive defeat.

"There's the door," quoth the Raven. "There's the door."

Baltimore wins, 24-17.

Jacksonville @ Cleveland (-1)

The Jaguars are 3-6 after a 17-3 win in Indianapolis last week, and are still theoretically in the AFC South race. Of course, that also means, theoretically, Jacksonville could be Super Bowl champions.

"We are more than just 'theoretically' in the South race," Jack Del Rio said. "We're also 'mathematically' in the race. I think that doubles are chances.

"Beating the Colts was a big win for us, and one we had to have. There are 'must-win' games, and there are 'can't-lose' games. The Indy game was both."

The Browns have lost three in a row to fall to 3-6, last in the difficult AFC North. Victory against the Jags will likely hinge on the Browns ability to contain Maurice Jones-Drew, who is second in the AFC in rushing.

"Indeed," Pat Shurmur said, "there are holes in our defense. Unfortunately, they're being filled by the opposition's running backs. Jones-Drew packs a wallop into his 5'7," 208-pound frame. He's the real 'Smash and Dash.'"

Jones-Drew plows for 126 yards and a touchdown, and the Jaguars snatch a 19-16 win in the Dawg Pound.

Tampa Bay @ Green Bay (-14)

The Packers remained undefeated with a 45-7 win over the offensively-challenged Vikings on Monday night, and now lead the NFC North by three games over the Bears and Lions. While it is still early, many Packers are eyeing a perfect season and the chance to join the 1972 Dolphins as the NFL's only undefeated teams.

"I'd love to play the '72 Dolphins," Aaron Rodgers said. "I have no doubt we'd beat them. And I have no doubt we'd give up about 38 points in doing it. Since we won the Super Bowl last year, we're 'defending' champs. It was finally nice to see our defense do a little 'defending' last week against the Vikes."

The Bucs suffered their worst defeat of the year, losing to the Texans 37-9 in Tampa last week to fall to 4-5 in the NFC South.

"Houston ran us out of Raymond James Stadium," Raheem Morris said. "That's okay, because we were leaving anyway, for a game in Green Bay. I'm sure we'll give up some points, but I expect us to score a bunch, too. I hesitate to call it a 'shootout;' that violates the terms of Aqib Talib's probation. Talib's one of the hottest defensive backs in the NFL. If he's not 'blazing,' he's 'burned.'"

Rodgers lights up the Tampa secondary, throwing for 311 yards and 3 scores, and the Packers roll, 41-20.

Dallas @ Washington (+9)

The Cowboys pummeled the Bills 44-7 last week to improve to 5-4, and with the Eagles and Redskins struggling, the NFC East appears to be a two-team race. Dallas now trails the East-leading Giants by only one game.

"The Bills game was over in the first quarter," Tony Romo said. "Add that to my list of unimpressive accomplishments under 'first quarter game-winning drives.'

"Was a Dallas blowout win over the Bills a surprise? The Bills seems to think so, but only because it didn't end their season."

The Redskins lost 20-9 in Miami last week to drop to 3-6. In their last three games, the 'Skins have scored only 1 touchdown.

"When you can only manage 'six' in three," Mike Shanahan said, "you're lucky to be 3-6. I've seen more 'offense' from Brian Orakpo insulting a caveman.

"But help could be on the way. Rumors are swirling about a trade to bring Peyton Manning to Washington. Early reports indicate it involves three first-round picks, heavy sedation, and handcuffs."

Cowboys win, 23-19.

Buffalo @ Miami (-1)

After starting the season 0-7, the Dolphins have reeled off two straight wins and are the hottest team in Florida right now.

"The calls for my firing have subsided somewhat," Tony Sparano said. "The NBA lockout notwithstanding, there's no Miami 'heat.' Thanks goodness! I was worried that another 'decision' was coming."

The Bills have lost two in a row, and three of their last four, to fall to 5-4. Last week, the Bills fell behind 21-0 in Dallas on their way to a 44-7 loss.

"Dallas obviously has our number," Bills owner Ralph Wilson said. "They also have our letter, which happens to be 'L.'"

Miami wins, 26-20.

Seattle @ St. Louis (-3)

When the Seahawks and Rams last met, it was the final game of the 2010 regular season and the NFC West title was on the line. Sunday's game in St. Louis isn't for the division lead, but, just like last year, it features two teams with losing records.

"The game may feature two teams with losing records," Pete Carroll said, "but the division features three. San Francisco has eight wins, which matches the combined victories of the rest of the division. The NFC West was a joke last year. It's still a joke, and the 49ers find it funniest of all."

Seattle has the famous "12th Man" creating noise and difficult conditions for the opposition. The Rams have their own version, a collection of raucous fans in sheeps' clothing known as "Meet the Flockers." Sadly in St. Louis this year, the home team has done more to quiet the crowd than the visitors. Again, there's precious little to cheer about in St. Louis.

Marshawn Lynch rushes for 123 tough yards, and the Seahawks edge the Rams, 22-19.

Arizona @ San Francisco (-10)

The 49ers beat the Giants 27-20 last week to win their seventh straight and remain in strong position for a first-round bye in the playoffs. San Francisco holds a five-game lead in the NFC West and are on the cusp of clinching the division.

"We're running away with the division," Jim Harbaugh said. "That's mostly because we can't do it 'passing.' We're well on our way to clinching a first-round bye in the playoffs. Trust me, we have no qualms about going to Green Bay for the NFC championship game. We do, however, have qualms about needing tickets to get there. I like our chances in Green Bay. I think we match up well with the Packers, as long as there's 18 inches of snow on the ground."

The Cards are 3-6, good for a tie for second place in the West, to use the term "second place" loosely. In Kevin Kolb's absence, quarterback John Skelton led Arizona to a 21-17 win over the Eagles in Philadelphia.

"That one was for Kolb," Skelton said. "He gets the game ball. That has to be the most satisfying inactive of his career. We're 3-6 with the 49ers far out front. It's time for us to show San Fran that they won't be handed the division, at least not on a silver platter. On Sunday, we'll make our case for the NFC West, or, more realistically, for realignment into the AFC West."

San Francisco wins, 27-20.

Tennessee @ Atlanta (-6½)

The Falcons decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 from their own 29 backfired in overtime last week, and Atlanta lost 26-23 to the Saints after John Kasay's game-winning 26-yard field goal.

"That may have cost us the division," Mike Smith. "My boss, Arthur Blank, was a little more specific in his assessment of the call. He said, 'That S.O.B. may have cost us the division. Atlanta hasn't been burned this bad since the Civil War."

The Titans overwhelmed the Panthers 30-3 last week, but will face a much tougher task against the Falcons. Last week, Chris Johnson rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown, finally breaking out after a season of underperformance.

"I like Smith's boldness," Mike Munchak said. "Apparently, he's got dice for balls. We know all about risk-reward situations. We risked it all signing Johnson to an extension; he's reaping the rewards. Was it 'money well spent?' It's too soon to tell. Right now, we're calling it 'money, well, spent.' We're happy Chris finally cut loose. Because of that, he was the recipient of the game ball, as well as sarcastic cheering, last Sunday."

Matt Ryan throws for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the Falcons win, 31-23.

San Diego @ Chicago (-4)

The Chargers look to end a four-game skid that has dropped them from the top of the AFC West to the bottom of the NFL's most competitive division.

"Some call it competitive," Philip Rivers said. "Others call it weak. In what other division can you lose four in a row and only fall from first to second? We've got to play better. Otherwise Norv Turner will be fired, or worse, retained."

The Bears picked up a vital NFC North division win, blasting the visiting Lions 37-13 last week.

"We're only three games behind the Packers," Jay Cutler said. "We've got them in our sights. Luckily, we have great vision. But all eyes are on the Chargers right now. They've had ten days rest, which means Rivers has gone 10 days without a turnover. Throw out their bye week and that's a season-high."

The Chargers get back on track, with a renewed commitment to the run, and a defense that pressures Cutler. Rivers makes a cameo in the third quarter, tossing a long scoring strike to Vincent Jackson.

San Diego wins, 22-20.

Philadelphia @ NY Giants (-3½)

The Eagles blew another late lead and lost at home to the Cardinals 21-17. Philadelphia lost a fourth-quarter lead for the fifth time this year, and are now 3-6, three games behind the Giants in the NFC East.

"DeSean Jackson was benched for being late for a meeting. This whole team is guilty of missing a meeting — they missed meeting their goals.

"As you know, Michael Vick played last Sunday with two broken ribs. If he can't play, Vince Young will start. We need a big game from Vince. Hopefully, he won't disappear."

The Giants lost a tough 27-20 showdown with the 49ers in San Francisco last week, and their lead in the NFC East was trimmed to one game over the Cowboys. The inconsistent yet dangerous Eagles await, desperately in need of a win to maintain any hope of a playoff berth.

"The Eagles playoff chances are so slim," Tom Coughlin said, "Jim Mora, Sr.'s their biggest supporter."

New York wins, 34-24.

Kansas City @ New England (-14½)

The Patriots regained control of the AFC East with a 37-16 win over the Jets last week. Next up for the Patriots are the Chiefs, who are 4-5 and in a three-way tie for second in the AFC West.

"The West is such an up-and-down division," Tom Brady. "By that, I mean top to bottom, it's bad. But a lot of the credit goes to our no-name defense, which, oddly enough, became less of a no-name defense when Albert Haynesworth was released. Give that man a bra, because he's been a bust in two places."

The Chiefs have lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak offset their 0-3 start. Matt Cassel may be out for the season after sustaining a hand injury in last Sunday's 17-10 loss to Denver.

"Matt's taken a beating this year," Todd Haley said. "Verbally and physically. It's too bad. I was looking forward to Matt's return to New England, ostensibly for more training."

Tom Brady throws for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns.

New England wins, 38-13.

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 7:51 PM | Comments (0)

Assessing the Competitive AFC West

As the NFL regular season enters the final stretch, the divisions have taken shape and the AFC West stands out as the tightest in the league. All four teams are still in with a shot of winning the division and gaining a playoff berth. Which one will come out on top?

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders, as a result of defeating San Diego this past week, currently occupy first place in the division with a 5-4 record. After six games, the Raiders appeared to be going well with a 4-2 record and quarterback, Jason Campbell was putting in some fine performances. Campbell broke his collarbone and left the Raiders with a dilemma. Their solution was to acquire Carson Palmer from Cincinnati Bengals.

Palmer's first two games at the helm ended in defeat, on of which was an embarrassing 24-0 loss to division rivals Kansas City Chiefs. This past week in San Diego, Palmer led the team to his first win for Oakland, yet one concern for the team would be that in his three games he has thrown two more interceptions than he has TDs.

The Raiders, however, come into their own when they utilize their rushing game. They are fourth in the league for rushing yards and it's no surprise given that they have the formidable duo of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush and both have been in great form so far this season.

Predictions for the rest of the season:

@ Minnesota (W)
vs. Chicago (L)
@ Miami (W)
@ Green Bay (L)
vs. Detroit (L)
@ Kansas City (W)
vs. San Diego (W)

San Diego Chargers

Despite the Chargers quarterback, Philip Rivers, coming in for some stick this campaign, his Chargers side is fourth in the league for passing yards. The problem for Rivers isn't getting the ball down the field, it has been maintaining possession. After only nine games, he has thrown 15 interceptions. That is more than he has thrown in any of the last three seasons and equal with his worst season ever since he became a starter. To further compound the problem, he has thrown less TDs than he has in previous seasons.

After five games, the Chargers were 4-1 and looked to be dominating a division that has been theirs to lose for much of the last decade. Things started to go wrong after their bye week and since that break they have a record of 0-4, including defeats to division rivals, Kansas City and Oakland.

Predictions for the rest of the season:

@ Chicago (L)
vs. Denver (W)
@ Jacksonville (W)
vs. Buffalo (W)
vs. Baltimore (L)
@ Detroit (L)
@ Oakland (L)

Denver Broncos

Much like the rest of this division Denver's season has centered around the quarterback position but perhaps no team in the NFL has had a saga quite like Denver's. The Broncos has a horrible start to the season, going into their bye week with a 1-4 record. All of this with Kyle Orton in the starters role, but given the performances, fans were crying out for Tim Tebow to be given the starters role.

The fans' wish was granted and since then Tebow, who had already been utilized in the backfield on various occasions throughout the season, has guided the team to a 3-1 record since the break. He has thrown 7 TDs and only 1 interception, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The jury is still out as to whether Tebow is a viable option as a NFL starter. He has a tendency to take unnecessary hits and despite only throwing 1 pick, he is known for throwing some suicidal passes.

The ideal scenario for Denver would probably be continuing to use Tebow in the backfield as a rusher, since he has averaged 6.7 yards and has 2 TDs. That scenario would, however, require a much better quarterback than they currently have.

Denver's positive this season has been their rushing. Along with Tebow, Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee have been phenomenal. The team is averaged 158.2 rushing yards per game, but Moreno is currently out injured with McGahee questionable for the coming week. Without either of them, the Broncos may be doomed.

Predictions for the rest of the season:

vs. NY Jets (L)
@ San Diego (L)
@ Minnesota (W)
vs. Chicago (L)
vs. New England (L)
@ Buffalo (L)
vs. Kansas City (W)

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are shocking. Despite a four-game period where they won four in a row, they still appear to have no hope. You're no going to win many games when you only average 15.7 points per game. In fact, after nine games, they have scored 10 points or less in four games. One of those games was against an awful Miami Dolphins side, yet the Chiefs only managed to score one field goal.

Matt Cassel at quarterback has been average at best and unlike the rest of the division, they lack that spark in the backfield. Despite being 10th in the league for rushing yards they have only managed three rushing TDs all season. The rest of this season may just be a rebuilding process.

Predictions for the rest of the season:

@ New England (L)
vs. Pittsburgh (L)
@ Chicago (L)
@ NY Jets (L)
vs. Green Bay (L)
vs. Oakland (L)
@ Denver (L)

Final Division Standings

Oakland Raiders 9-7
San Diego Chargers 7-9
Denver Broncos 6-10
Kansas City Chiefs 4-12

Nothing has been said about the teams' defenses because they are all waffle on the defensive side of the ball. They are four of the worst defenses in the league and the division will no doubt be won and lost on which offense is the best. With that in mind, the Chiefs should quickly fall by the wayside, as should the Broncos, but Tebow may well continue to defy everyone and lead the team to a better record than the predicted 6-10. Even if he does, it would be unlikely to see them top the division.

Therefore the division will be a straight fight between the Chargers and the Raiders. In fact, it may well come down to their meeting on the final day of the regular season.

Posted by Luke Broadbent at 12:12 PM | Comments (1)

November 16, 2011

College Basketball 2011-12 Buy or Sell

The college basketball season is now underway and there is a lot of speculation floating around about if certain teams are for real and if early losses or close calls are just flukes. You know, the usual. So I think a little buy and sell is in order. Feel free to comment with your disagreements and reasons for said disagreements.

Mike Krzyzewski is the best college basketball coach of all-time: Sell

He's top five without question, but John Wooden with his .804 winning percentage and his 10 NCAA championships in 12 years is still the best in my book. If Coach K can muster two or three more championships in the more competitive era of today, he'd probably surpass Wooden in my eyes, but not yet.

I think Bob Knight and Dean Smith, deserve to be in the conversation for top five and Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun are on the bubble. But I'd throw in long-time Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp. Rupp won four NCAA championships with the Wildcats and had a winning percentage of .822 over 41 years at Kentucky. To me, it is pretty close between Rupp and Coach K for the number two spot behind Wooden. Edge Rupp, simply because they had shorter seasons back then, which meant less wins to be had. After Coach K finishes season No. 41, we'll talk again.

North Carolina as No. 1: Buy

We don't have to wait long to see the reality of this one. No. 1 North Carolina plays at the current No. 2, Kentucky, on December 3. They have No. 13 Wisconsin in Chapel Hill a few days before that, but that's their only test before the Kentucky showdown. Kentucky gets their first test much earlier (at home vs. Kansas on November 15, which hadn't been played at the time of this article's submission).

Kansas will win the Big 12 championship: Sell

Since the creation of the Big 12 in 1997, Kansas has won the conference title (or a share of the title) 11 times in 15 opportunities. They've won the Big 12 conference tournament eight times. Expect neither this year.

At the end of the 2010-11 season, I would have taken Missouri. They had a very balanced attack with five players averaging 10 points per game or more last season. But the loss of coach Mike Anderson and the loss of Laurence Bowers to an ACL injury will make it tough for Missouri to be consistently good this season.

Some people are big on Baylor to finally live up to their talent, but they are so sloppy. I simply cannot imagine any team that is so prone to turnovers will deal well with the round-robin style of conference play this season. Seriously, last season only one player had more assists than turnovers, 1, that being A.J. Walton. The team averaged 16 turnovers per game compared to 12 assists per game. Their first game of the season didn't show a grand turnaround. As they defeated Texas Southern by 20 points, they still turned the ball over 17 times.

Perhaps if they get hot, Baylor could with the Big 12 tournament and make a run in the NCAA tournament, but they are not disciplined enough to win game in and game out, which is really a shame. They opened the season ranked 12 and I thought that was a bit high considering they didn't even make it into the NCAA tournament last year, but on talent alone, they might be ranked three or four.

I personally like Texas A&M to take the Big 12 in this their final season of Big 12 play. A&M has their top two scorers back in Khris Middleton and David Loubeau, while also adding Elston Turner to the mix, who transferred from Washington. Those three along with Ray Turner, who put up 20-points in each of the Aggies' first two games, should provide some potency as well as a balanced attack.

In the end, I don't think anybody will lose less than three conference games in the Big 12 this season and I think the Aggies will stick it to the Big 12 one last time before existing for the SEC.

Cleveland State is a legitimate top-25 team: Buy

Cleveland State beat the number 7 Vanderbilt Commodores by 13 points. It really was not that close of a game. Vanderbilt never led, nor were they tied at any point in the game after the tipoff, and Cleveland State retained a 7-point lead or better for the last 10 minutes of the game. The Vikings of Cleveland State simply outshot Vanderbilt. They were 27-for-54 from the field, compared to Vandy's 18-for-51.

Cleveland State plays in the Horizon league, where their main competition is the Butler Bulldogs, who opened up the season with an overtime loss to the Evansville Aces, which seems to leave the Horizon rather wide-open. I'm not saying Butler can't still win the Horizon, but that's not a loss you want to see from a team that was in the national title came the past two seasons.

The Vikings are not scheduled to play another ranked team for the rest of the season. It is anybody's guess how well they can perform throughout the season. The team is loaded with upperclassmen who can lead the team to a potential 30-win season. Pencil them into your bracket to be a No. 10 who makes it to the Sweet 16. They are currently unranked (but technically number 29) in the AP poll. If they keep winning, they should end up in the top 25 sooner or later.

Alabama deserves the No. 16 ranking: Sell

I like Alabama, but No. 16, really? They got snubbed last season for the tournament and ended up losing to Wichita State in the NIT championship game. I like them as more of a dark horse, but dark horses don't get ranked No. 16 after one game. Alabama played well in the conference last year, going 12-4 (why didn't they make the tournament last year again?), but they didn't play well in non-conference play and that apparently cost them.

They should make the tournament this season, but don't by the hype on them making the Elite Eight or Final Four. This team hasn't been to the tournament since 2006 and has only made it to the second weekend once in the past 20 years. They don't have the experience going for them to enable them to deal with the pressures of the tournament. I expect them to get a four or five seed and lose in the opening round.

Arizona will repeat as Pac-12 champions: Sell

While Derrick Williams has fun not playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Arizona Wildcats are simply not as good as last year. Last season, the final AP poll had the Wildcats at 17. The preseason AP poll had them at 16 and they're now at 15. After losing their best player in Williams, the number two overall pick in the NBA draft, how can they move up? I just don't see the logic.

The only thing the Wildcats have going for them is that the Pac-12 is rather weak. Cal and Washington look okay, but who else is going to challenge the Wildcats? UCLA opened their hopeful season with a loss to Loyola Marymount. The Pac-12 is very wide open. Any team that decides to start playing well after Christmas could easily take the Pac-12, including USC or Colorado.

Posted by Andrew Jones at 3:52 PM | Comments (0)

NASCAR Top 10 Power Rankings: Week 35

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Carl Edwards — Edwards chased Kasey Kahne to the finish at Phoenix, but had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Kobalt Tools 500. Edwards remained on top in the Sprint Cup point standings and will take a 3-point lead over Tony Stewart to Homestead.

"I would say the Sprint Cup championship is mine too lose," Edwards said. "That would be inaccurate. It's not mine to lose; it's Jimmie Johnson's. Jimmie had a great run; unfortunately, it's slowed to a 'walk.'

"I could win the Cup without a single victory in the Chase. If that happens, I expect NASCAR to react quickly, and hire meth-head Jeremy Mayfield as a consultant, his job being to 'tweak' the Chase points system."

2. Tony Stewart — Stewart led 160 of 312 laps at Phoenix, but had to pit for fuel with 18 laps to go. He worked his way back to the front and finished third, right behind points leader Carl Edwards in second, to stay three points behind. The Sprint Cup championship will be decided next Sunday at Homestead.

"You've got me," Stewart said, "with four wins in the Chase, against Edwards, with not a single win in the Chase. How am I not in the lead, and how am I 3 points down? How has Edwards pulled that off. I'm mystified. In any case, the Chase For the Cup comes down to 'Smoke' versus 'Smoke and Mirrors.'

3. Kevin Harvick — Harvick finished an uninspired 19th at Phoenix, and remained third in the point standings, 51 behind Carl Edwards.

"I'm out of the running for the Cup," Harvick said. "That's no surprise, because I've been driving like it for nine races.

"But with nothing to race for, I can finally take care of some unfinished business. That would be wrecking Kyle Busch and finally gaining vengeance for the incident in Darlington. Alas, no one cares anymore, especially Busch."

4. Jimmie Johnson — Johnson came home 14th at Phoenix and improved one spot to fifth in the point standings. He now trails Carl Edwards by 68.

"I'm finally giving up the crown," Johnson said. "So expect a 'reign-out' at Homestead. To Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards, I say, 'may the best man win.' But since I've been eliminated from Cup contention, that won't happen. So, 'May the next best man win.'"

5. Brad Keselowski — Keselowski finished 18th in the Kobalt Tools 500, his third straight finish outside the top 17. He improved one spot to fourth in the point standings and is now 68 out of first.

"Expect me to be a fixture in the Chase for years to come," Keselowski said. "I like what we're doing at Penske Racing. Despite my young age of 27, I feel like my presence alone has raised the maturity level immensely at Penske. Between Busch and I, it seems he's the 'baby' of the duo."

6. Matt Kenseth — Kenseth started on the pole at Phoenix and was dominant early before Brian Vickers wrecked him on lap 177. Kenseth finished 34th and is now sixth in the point standings, 70 out of first.

"Somebody give Vickers at mirror," Kenseth said, "because he better 'watch himself' at Homestead."

7. Kurt Busch — Busch led 57 laps at Phoenix, but ran into trouble on lap 279 when he came down pit road for a splash of fuel, but was tagged for speeding. Forced to serve a pass-through penalty, Busch's chances at the win were done, and he eventually finished 22nd, one lap down.

"I was 'officially' eliminated from Cup contention twice in one race," Busch said. "Of course, there's no one to blame but myself, so I'll blame everyone but myself."

8. Kasey Kahne — Kahne captured his first win since 2009, snapping an 81-race winless streak by outrunning Carl Edwards to the line at Phoenix.

"I'll hate to see Red Bull out of NASCAR," Kahne said. "That's a sentiment shared by everyone in the garage, except for Matt Kenseth. Brian Vickers will soon drive off into the sunset. And when I say 'into' the sunset, I mean it literally, because Vickers will probably hit it."

9. Jeff Gordon — Snakebitten first by handling problems, then brake issues, Gordon finished 32nd at Phoenix and was officially eliminated from Sprint Cup title contention. He is now 11th in the point standings, 112 out of first.

"It's been a season I'd like to forget," Gordon said. "Unfortunately, at my age, and even as a four-time champion, now the 'seasons to forget' far outnumber the 'season's to remember.'"

10. Kyle Busch — Busch started from the back at Phoenix after an engine change, but his slide continued when his engine blew on lap 188. Busch finished 36th and is 12th in the point standings, 135 out of first.

"We suspected we may have engine troubles," Busch said. "And we were right. Like my sponsor, my engine gave up on me.

"I may be last in the standings, but I can also be 'first,' to admit that my anger issues need addressing. I think it wise that I should 'seek counseling' for my issues, before my issues force me to 'seek counsel.'"

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2011

NFL Week 10 Power Rankings

Five Quick Hits

* Jason Witten this week passed Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome for third-most receptions ever by a tight end. I don't think people realize how consistent Witten has been, or what a great career he's already had.

* With his three-day goatee, Lions coach Jim Schwartz looks like a Bond villain. "No, I expect you to die, Mr. Harbaugh Bond."

* Denver's defense is quite bad, but rookie linebacker Von Miller is having a nice season, with 8 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

* I like Mike Tirico (best play-by-play man in the NFL), and I know he cares about doing a good job, so it just amazes me every time he adds 17 yards to the spot on the field when calculating a field goal. It's 18, Mike. The snap goes back 8 yards.

* FOX has got to be kicking itself right now for not showing the Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida fight. What a great advertisement for the UFC that would have been.

***

I hate it when television networks move their studio shows to the stadium. I hate it a lot. I have no idea what it's supposed to add to the viewer's experience. The announcers are already there, as well as (usually) a sideline reporter, so why fly your studio team out to somewhere no one can hear them? Doing the whole show on-site just gives drunken homers a chance to shout down the analysts, and guys who make Forrest Gump look like Albert Einstein repeatedly wave or pose for the camera.

NFL Network's live broadcast from San Diego, totally inaudible at times, highlighted all the reasons not to do your show at the stadium. The whole broadcast, actually, was sub-standard, but this nonsense about going on-site has just got to end. Maybe it works in college; I don't know. In the NFL, it's never a good thing. On to this week's power rankings, brackets indicate last week's rank.

1. Green Bay Packers [1] — Aaron Rodgers leads the NFL in passer rating (an obscene 130.7). Tom Brady is second (102.0). Rodgers' lowest passer rating in any game this season was 111.4, at Chicago in Week 3. His worst rating of the season would still rank first in the NFL. This was his third straight week with a rating over 140, a unique accomplishment. Rodgers' TD/INT differential (+25) is equal to that of the second- and third-best QBs combined (Brady, +13, and Drew Brees or Matthew Stafford, +12 each).

2. San Francisco 49ers [3] — Last season, the 49ers ranked 16th in points allowed, 13th in yards allowed, and tied for 25th in takeaways — basically average, despite an incredibly weak schedule. This season, playing an improved schedule, they're 1st, 12th, and 1st. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman rightfully fussed over Patrick Willis on Sunday, but you know who led the Niners in tackles? NaVorro Bowman. How many times did you even hear his name, much less elegies about his speed and tackling? Bowman, who had 11 solo tackles and 4 assists against the Giants, leads the NFC in tackles and leads the NFL in solo tackles. Frank Gore jacked his knee and missed the end of the game this week, but the injury reportedly is not serious, and he's expected to play in Week 11.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers [4] — I agree with Ryan Clark. The NFL's policies on player protection are a joke. If you're really working for player safety, you don't need to look like you're trying to protect players. The NFL is not making an earnest effort in that area, so it frequently takes public action to create the illusion that the league cares. If you care about player safety, the solution is easy: suspend and eject players who commit flagrant offenses, and don't take any action against those who play the way they're supposed to. The fundamental problem is that the league punishes accidental fouls (and occasionally clean hits) the same way it treats deliberate head-hunting. So there's little incentive for players not to go head-hunting: the punishment is the same, and no one gets suspended or ejected for anything short of an actual punch.

If the league is going to fine guys like Clark tens of thousands of dollars for playing football the way it has always been played, he might as well go Jack Tatum in there and aim for the kill. The NFL never takes any meaningful action against dirty players unless they talk to the media about it, in which case threats abound. Pathetic. Everything that comes out of the league office just oozes contempt for the players. The league's supposed safety measures are totally cosmetic, a P.R. exercise by an organization too busy patting itself on the back to actually do anything about a legitimate problem.

4. Chicago Bears [7] — Jay Cutler is obviously pleased to have Earl Bennett back (6 rec, 81 yds), but this win was all about the defense, which created 5 turnovers. Major Wright and Peanut Tillman both returned interceptions for touchdowns, and Devin Hester added another touchdown on special teams, so Chicago's offense (1 TD) won't be bragging in practice this week. The Bears have won four in a row and scored at least 30 points in three of those.

5. New England Patriots [5] — Huge games, obviously, from Andre Carter (4.5 sacks) and Rob Ninkovich (2 INT, TD). But Cris Collinsworth couldn't stop talking about these no-name players showing up out of the blue, and this is what I was talking about when I named Carter the most underrated DE of the last decade. He's in the top 10 among active players in career sacks (75), and with 9 already, he's well on his way to his fourth season of double-digit sacks. I know he's never stomped on anybody's face, or been a healthy scratch because of his bad attitude and poor conditioning, but Carter has had a better career than Albert Haynesworth, who made much bigger headlines when they both left Washington for New England this offseason.

6. New Orleans Saints [8] — Last four games against Atlanta have all been decided by a field goal, twice in overtime. The Saints won their latest meeting partly thanks to an unusual decision by the Falcons (see below), but it's not the first time this series has had a play-call controversy. Last season, in Week 3, there was almost a mirror experience. The game went into overtime, and New Orleans, playing at home, attempted a field goal on first down rather than going for the end zone or trying to improve field position. The kick missed, and the Falcons eventually won. The Saints have a bye in Week 11, then four of the last six games are at home, where the team is 4-0 this season.

7. Houston Texans [9] — I had them ranked 4th before the news of Matt Schaub's injury. Schaub is a top-10 QB, and it's tough to imagine the team will be nearly as effective with Matt Leinart. Yards per completion is a fun statistic that can serve as a general "degree of difficulty" barometer for quarterbacks. It's skewed, of course, by plays like Arian Foster's 78-yard TD, but in general, a high yds/comp figure indicates a quarterback who throws downfield, whereas a low mark suggests that the player throws a lot of those annoying bubble screens along the line of scrimmage. Top 8 yds/comp, 2011 to date: Schaub (13.9), Rodgers, Eli Manning, Kevin Kolb (!), Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Brady, Philip Rivers. Bottom 4: Colt McCoy (10.1), Josh Freeman, Matt Cassel, John Beck.

Houston ranks in the NFL's top 10 in offensive yardage, points, yards allowed, and points allowed. The only other team among the top 10 in all four categories? Dallas. Neil Rackers missed a 37-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked in Week 10.

8. Baltimore Ravens [2] — Bring their best against the Steelers, but now have three puzzling losses to mediocre opponents. The Ravens are 4-0 at home, just 2-3 on the road. Ray Rice, who averaged 80 rushing yards per game in the first five, has averaged just 40 in the last four. Rice only carried 5 times this week, and he just has to be a bigger part of the game plan. Special teams were a problem against the Seahawks, with returner David Reed losing two fumbles and getting called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Even on a good play, a punt that pinned Seattle at the 3-yard line, Edgar Jones desperately groped for the ball while he was in the end zone, which would have created a touchback. Not an impressive week for this team.

9. Atlanta Falcons [12] — I'm a pretty big advocate of going for it on fourth down. I think coaches go with the "safe" option to punt or try a short field goal far too often, settling for close losses when they should go for the win. But I believe Mike Smith made the wrong decision on Sunday. If you don't pick up the first down, you almost guarantee the loss; New Orleans' chance of scoring from that field position had to be over 90%. Even if you get the half a yard, you're still at your own 30-yard line, needing a lot more before you're in position for the win.

I've heard some people compare this to Bill Belichick going for it against the Colts in '09, but I don't buy the comparison. The Patriots were up by 6 with 2:08 left, and the fourth down play ran the clock down to the two-minute warning. You make that first down, the game is over: the Patriots had a lot more to gain than the Falcons did. They also had less to lose. Whereas New Orleans only needed a field goal and was basically in range immediately, the Colts still had to score a touchdown. Turning the ball over inside your own 30-yard line is a much bigger deal when a field goal loses the game. I supported Belichick's decision, but not Coach Smith's.

10. New York Giants [13] — I frequently rip Eli Manning, and the amount of media coverage he gets is totally out of proportion to his actual level of play. But Eli made some great throws on Sunday, including a few that were positively Peyton-esque. Eli is having probably his best season, but the spectre of his annual December collapse looms ahead. I can't think of another player who so reliably regresses in the last month of the season.

11. New York Jets [10] — First home loss of the season. The Jets travel to Denver in Week 11 for Thursday Night Football, and it could be trouble. They're 1-3 on the road, and Denver is not the easiest place for opponents to play, especially on a short week. The limited practice also matters because Denver runs such an unusual offense; you'd like extra preparation. And while the Jets have a reputation as a great defensive team, the reality is that they're only great at pass defense; they're vulnerable against the run, which is all Denver really does. And after the emotion of the Sunday night game against a major rival, what will they have left for the Broncos?

12. Dallas Cowboys [16] — Largest margin of victory in 11 years. This was a dominant win, so it's no good trying to single out the heroes, but Dallas would be crazy to put Felix Jones back in a starring role when he returns from injury. DeMarco Murray should be the featured back, getting 20-25 touches every game. He's rushed for over 600 yards in the last four weeks, topping 130 three times.

13. Detroit Lions [6] — Worst third-down percentage in the NFL (28%). Detroit has lost three of its last four, scoring under 20 points in each of the losses. Calvin Johnson is a phenomenal weapon, but the Lions need more ways to threaten opposing defenses. Matthew Stafford threw as many interceptions (4) in Week 10 as in the previous eight games combined.

14. Cincinnati Bengals [11] — I know they lost, but its remarkable how little people are talking about the beating they laid on Ben Roethlisberger: 13 hits, including 5 sacks. Bad news: CB Leon Hall, who intercepted one pass on Sunday and knocked down two more, left the game just before halftime with what turned out to be a torn Achilles. He'll miss the rest of the season.

15. Buffalo Bills [14] — Lost three of their last four, the most recent both ugly (combined 71-18). Stevie Johnson, who had only 8 yards this week, hasn't had a 100-yard game all season, and only has 1 TD in the last six games. The Bills are 4-1 at home (including 1-0 in Toronto), just 1-3 on the road.

16. Tennessee Titans [23] — Chris Johnson finally had a breakout game, posting season-highs for rushing yards (130) and average (4.8), including a 25-yard run in the fourth quarter. He added 4 receptions for 44 yards. The defense totally controlled Cam Newton and the rest of the Panthers, and Marc Mariani added a 79-yard punt return TD on special teams. The Titans are quietly 5-4 and in playoff contention.

17. Oakland Raiders [21] — Won in the trenches. The offensive line pushed San Diego around all night, and Kamerion Wimbley (4 sacks) just ruined Brandyn Dombrowski after Charger tackle Marcus McNeill left the game with an injury. Carson Palmer seems to be settling into the offense with remarkable alacrity. Statistical oddity: the Raiders have scored exactly 24 points in three of their last four games. They're probably the favorite, right now, to win this unpredictable and unimpressive division.

18. Philadelphia Eagles [15] — Multiple injuries, but a good team doesn't lose to the Cardinals at home, no matter who's hurt. The Eagles are one of three teams that just wrapped up a three-game homestand, the others being Kansas City and Carolina. All three teams went 1-2. It'll be interesting to see what DeSean Jackson's role is going forward. Inactive on Sunday because of on-field performance declines and off-field attitude problems, Jackson needs to step up with Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin both banged up. Jackson is unhappy about his contract, and I don't necessarily blame him, but I wouldn't touch the guy in free agency. He's not reliable.

19. Arizona Cardinals [26] — Played pretty well over the last month, going 2-2 with the losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore. No shame in those. It's tough to tell if John Skelton has provided a spark on offense, or if he's just had favorable matchups against the reeling Eagles and Rams, but certainly he's gotten Larry Fitzgerald involved, and that's something this team has to do. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who came up with his first career interception this weekend, is having a fine season. Campbell has surpassed Darnell Dockett as the premier defensive player on the team.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [19] — Albert Haynesworth started against Houston, registering 4 tackles and an assist, plus blocking an extra point. Not bad, but Tampa still allowed 268 yards before halftime. The Bucs have lost four of their last five, by an average score of 31-14. Josh Freeman threw 3 interceptions against Houston, dropping his passer rating to 72.6 (28th in the NFL). This after last year's 95.9 rating ranked 6th. Freeman's 13 INTs in 2011 are more than twice as many he gave away last season (6).

Tampa is tied for 29th in the NFL in point differential (-77) and could easily rank lower than this.

21. Minnesota Vikings [20] — Did a nice job of getting pressure on Aaron Rodgers, and a poor job of everything else. Christian Ponder showed veteran poise at times, but it's tough to evaluate the kid with such a mediocre receiving corps. Michael Jenkins, the former Falcon, leads Minnesota in receiving yards (411) and touchdowns (3). If Jenkins played for Green Bay, those same stats would rank 4th and 5th on the team, respectively.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars [24] — One of only four defenses allowing under 300 yards per game. The offense is pathetic, Maurice Jones-Drew and a prayer, but this defense is good enough that the Jags can be competitive. Worst sack percentage in the NFL:

1. John Beck, 10.2%
2. Blaine Gabbert, 9.8%
3. Matt Moore, 9.7%

In case you were wondering, David Carr Tim Tebow would be at the "top" of the list (11.8%), except he hasn't thrown enough passes to qualify. Among the 33 QBs with at least 120 attempts, Gabbert ranks last in completion percentage (47.9%), yards per attempt (5.3), and passer rating (63.6). Beck will drop out of the qualifiers next week, so Gabbert will probably take over last place in sack percentage, as well.

23. San Diego Chargers [18] — Mounting injury problems don't excuse their 0-4 record since the bye. The offensive line is a train wreck, and the defensive front seven isn't much better, but everyone has injuries at this point in the season, and not everyone collapses under them. San Diego's offense is playing tentatively, like it's psyched out, and the team doesn't win close games. Almost every year, we hear about the Chargers underachieving, but maybe they're just not very good.

24. Denver Broncos [25] — The last time a team attempted only 8 passes in a game was 2008, when the Patriots and Bills played in winds so severe that neither team threw into the wind in the first half. The last time a team completed only 2 passes was 2009, twice. The Titans went 2-for-14 in their 59-0 loss to New England, and the Browns were 2-for-17 in a 6-3 victory over Buffalo. Eric Crouch Tim Tebow obviously doesn't have NFL skills as a passer, but his decision-making has been reasonably sound, with only one interception in 105 attempts.

25. Kansas City Chiefs [17] — Rollercoaster season: three losses, four wins, two ugly losses. The Chiefs went 2/11 on third downs against Denver. Matt Cassel is expected to miss most or all of the remaining games with an injured throwing hand; Tyler Palko replaces him. For the love of all that is beautiful, don't pick up Palko for your fantasy team.

26. Seattle Seahawks [29] — Kicker Steven Hauschka made five field goals against his former team, and Marshawn Lynch delivered another big week, with 167 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Seattle overcame 13 penalties for 100 yards and 4 Baltimore first downs to break a three-game losing streak. Did anyone else think it was messed up that NBC's Dan Patrick mocked Kam Chancellor after he suffered a concussion? Let's see how you act after one of those, tough guy.

27. Carolina Panthers [22] — On average, they out-gain opponents by 39 yards per game but get outscored by 5.2 points per game. Why? Turnovers (-4) and special teams. The Panthers' return units are terrible, especially Armanti Edwards on punt returns. They can't cover kicks, either, yielding 3 punt return TDs and a 28.3 kickoff return average.

28. Miami Dolphins [28] — Defense has come around since the Week 1 thrashing from Tom Brady, and now allows under 20 points per game, 8th-best in the NFL. Against Washington, Karlos Dansby finished with 9 solo tackles, a sack, a batted pass, and an interception, probably his best game as a Dolphin.

29. St. Louis Rams [31] — Steven Jackson's efforts on a team with no other offense to speak of are pretty impressive.

30. Cleveland Browns [27] — Lined up for a go-ahead 22-yard field goal attempt with 2:13 left, but the snap was bad and the kick sailed, and they lost to the Rams. The Browns host Jacksonville in Week 11. The NFL's last zero-zero tie was Giants at Lions in 1943.

31. Washington Redskins [30] — Arguing about who should start at quarterback is ridiculous. Rex Grossman is worst in the NFL in TD/INT differential (-5) and he repeatedly leads his receivers into nasty hits by the defense. I wouldn't want to catch passes from him. John Beck is worst in the NFL in sack percentage (10.2%) and touchdown percentage (1.5%), his indecision as great a weakness as Grossman's unmerited confidence. Beck went 0-3 as starter against teams with a combined record of 15-12 (.556), Grossman 3-3 against teams who have combined to go 21-33 (.389). I don't think it matters who's throwing the passes; they both stink and the team is awful. Parting with Donovan McNabb was a mistake, and it was cowardly last season to let him be the scapegoat on a team that simply didn't have much talent.

32. Indianapolis Colts [32] — Average time of possession this season is 24:36. Yes, the Colts lose time of possesion by an average of almost 11 minutes.

Posted by Brad Oremland at 4:39 PM | Comments (0)

November 14, 2011

Houston Nutt's Fall: What We Learned

It was bound to happen.

Following a 30-13 beatdown at the hands of hapless Kentucky, Ole Miss announced that Houston Nutt would not return to coach the Rebels in 2012, ending his time in the SEC spotlight. For all those schools with a coaching vacancy, it's time to summarize all we've learned from his last 14 years at Arkansas and Ole Miss.

1) Houston Nutt is a "season-builder"

The best coaches are program-builders. They have a philosophy they believe in strongly, recruit to fit it, lay the foundation early to build on it, despite taking lumps along the way, and build long-term success from it. Alabama's Nick Saban is a program builder. So is Oklahoma's Bob Stoops. Anyone remember Alabama losing to Louisiana-Monroe a few years ago? How about Oklahoma losing to Ole Miss in the Independence Bowl? Both were losses in the first years of Saban and Stoops. Now both are perennial top-10 programs.

Houston Nutt is not a program-builder. Rather, he is a season-builder. Instead of laying down a foundation and recruiting off of it, Nutt takes strong recruits from the previous coach and gains success by rallying those players. Then, he scrambles from season to season to find a "super freak," a player that he can create an offense around. Add in a soft non-conference slate and he tries to scrap a winning season each year.

While at Arkansas, Nutt lucked out with Matt Jones, who carried the Hogs for a few seasons, and then Darren McFadden and company a couple of seasons later. Jones and McFadden were in-state players who would've worn the Razorback jersey no matter who the coach was, and they managed to keep Nutt around Fayetteville for a decade. His time ran shorter in Oxford as he found Dexter McCluster late in his career, then gambled on Jeremiah Masoli next season, but failed miserably and had no options afterwards.

2) Houston Nutt fails as a recruiter

Houston Nutt recruiting reminds me of Chevy Chase at Hoover Dam in National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation. Remember how Clark W. Griswald kept sticking gum in the cracks, yet more cracks kept emerging? That's vintage Houston Nutt. He recruits for star power and not to fill holes in needed positions? Lack depth in the defensive line? Don't worry, in two years, you'll have plenty of depth on the line, but have nothing in the secondary.

This goes back to the first point of Nutt being a "season-builder." Nutt thinks on the short-term. He recruits on what helps him in the now, and not for long-term success.

3) Nutt is an excuse-making machine

Anyone listen to Nutt on the Tim Brando show? To summarize, it was 15 minutes of excuse making by Nutt and kissing up by Brando. Though Nutt claimed "no excuses," he blamed Jevan Snead, the movie "Mississippi Burning," numerous injuries, and anything else he could think of for the failures of his tenure. Instead of playing hardball, Brando kept adding fuel to the fire, suggesting that Nutt's biggest failure was that he gave up play calling duties. This, of course, followed years of comments from the ex-Rebel coach that play-calling "was overrated," then it was "one of the most fun parts of the game," and with Brando, Nutt agreed. The man can flip-flop better than anyone on Capitol Hill.

4) Arkansas fans were right: Ole Miss fans can hope again

As much as Gregg Doyel tried to attack, criticize and demean Arkansas fans, they've proven him to be dead wrong. Don't expect any apologies from Doyel, who is nothing more than a weak imitation of Paul Finebaum (though Finebaum admits when he makes a mistake), but nevertheless the truth still stands.

Arkansas fans were trashed for flying banners, going through cell phone records and doing whatever they could in pushing their school's administration to rid them of a coach who smugly mocked them to the boiling point. They were told they'd never get a coach as good as Nutt. Then they were scolded by the media in getting Bobby Petrino to leave Atlanta for Fayetteville.

"Bobby Petrino and Arkansas, they deserve each other," said ESPN's own Chris Berman shortly after Petrino's hire.

Well, if they do, it's made for a beautiful marriage. The Hogs have won 20 of their last 25 games. Arkansas sits 9-1 this year and No. 6 in the BCS. I'm sure they feel really, really bad about getting rid of Houston Nutt.

And Ole Miss fans, suffering through a miserable season, should be glad Arkansas fans are being redeemed. It will take some serious cash and even more patience, but the Rebels have seen that, with the right type of coach, a true "program-builder," that they can aspire for better days in quick time.

As for Nutt, the future lies ... somewhere outside of the SEC. But for schools interested, you've been warned.

Posted by Jean Neuberger at 6:26 PM | Comments (9)

Federer Conquers Paris, Is London Next?

Roger Federer. Roger Federer. I'll say it again. Roger Federer. Normally by this time of year, Federer has begun the fade that does happen to those who are "older" on the tour. It's a long season, and playing at the top of the game every week takes a lot out of you.

At 30-years-old, Federer is the elder statesman on the tour. In the past couple of years when November hit, he would be tired, and his performance in Paris has always fallen short. That is, until this year. Federer took home his first Paris title with a more-than-convincing win over Jo Wilfreid Tsonga. He looked fresh and he looked eager. I'm sure Roger knows that he is on the downside curve of his career, and his chances to walking home with a season-ending championship are going to be lesser with the passing of each year. So I'm sure he knows his time and chance are now.

The final eight men who will meet in London are truly the top of the men's game in 2011. Along with Federer will be world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 2 Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Tsonga, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, and Mardy Fish. Yep, American No. 1 Mardy Fish finally gets to compete for the Barclay ATP World Tour Finals. Mardy had a great year (for him) and we will get to see him play. Fish has never lived up to the potential, and this year he has proven that he can be on the top of the list of men's professional players.

But back to Federer. He is always a contender, and even this year he had a shot at all four majors. He came up short in all of them, and was especially surprised at Wimbledon by Tsonga. It must have been hard for Federer to forget that he had a two-set lead only to lose in the AELTC to Tsonga in the quarters. Paris was his revenge, and it was fun to watch, but not close. Tsonga hit the Federer Express.

So Federer rides into London with a 12-match win streak and two titles in the past four weeks, with a win in his home country, at Basel, and then the win in Paris. The draw for Paris had all of the final eight qualifiers in it, and all of them made at least the quarters. Not that past events can predict future success, but it sure does make you wonder.

Tsonga took out Djokovic, who has had probably the best single year a player has had since Federer in his prime. Tsonga has aways been the player you least want to face when the pressure is on, as when his game catches fire, he can beat any player in the world. In Paris, that is exactly what happened. It's more than plausible that he can do it again in London.

So I'll say it again. Djokovic has had the year, and will finish No. 1, I'm sure. Roger Federer, however, may end the year on his highest note of the season.

Posted by Tom Kosinski at 11:45 AM | Comments (1)

November 13, 2011

Which TV Sitcom is Your QB? (Part 1)

It took Aaron Rodgers four years of NFL service to earn a starting role. It took Christian Ponder half of one. Similarly, it took Family Guy four years of airing time — including one cancellation — to become a successful television show, while The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air took off right away. Think that's the only comparison between NFL quarterbacks and TV? Here's a list and brief description of each starting quarterback and the TV sitcom to which he most corresponds (as of Friday, November 11th, before Week 10):

Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos) — "Family Matters," Season 7 (1989-98)

How can I compare a second-year quarterback to one of the classic tacky family sitcoms of the '90s? One word: wholesomeness. Both display extreme sincerity in a time when cynicism ran rampant, hope when pessimism ruled everywhere. However, despite seemingly horrendous strategies that inexplicably worked (overturning the show's focus from the Winslow family to the now full-time character Stefan Urkquelle/running the QB option in the NFL and making it work), the general public had already seen enough by season seven (i.e. now). Family Matters was eventually moved to CBS, just like Tebow will probably be traded and given one last shot before reality TV takes over.

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) — "Two and a Half Men," Any Season (2003-present)

Is this really a surprise? You've got a tough, notoriously troubled leader. One bounces back from linemen hits, the other from ... other kinds of hits. Despite the noted character flaws, each man has led a soaring brand for quite some time (Pro Bowl selection in 2007 for Ben, Emmy nominations in '07-'09 for Charlie Sheen). For those keeping track, Charlie Sheen leads in all-nighter drug binges, while Roethlisberger is still ahead in accused sexual assaults. I do not have an Ashton Kutcher analogy yet — any ideas?

Tom Brady (New England Patriots) — "Saved By the Bell," Season 4 (1989-93)

Critics originally hated this show (i.e. drafted it in the seventh round), but by the time it was seasoned, its ratings were impossible to deny. By the fourth season, Tori Scott, a leather-clad babe (Chad Ochocinco) joined the team, but was mysteriously absent and unmentioned in the graduation episode (benched and possibly released by the playoffs). Though this season was a bit cheesy (more INTs than expected), it still got huge ratings (20 TD, 2,703 yards, 100.0 QBR), and was a trend-setting innovator.

Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) — "Saved By the Bell: The College Years," Season 1 (1993-94)

When its predecessor went down (Saved By the Bell/Tom Brady), it used regulars from the previous cast to experience a semi-successful transition (10-6 season for the Pats in 2008). In his first season on his own, though, we saw that the subtraction of major cast members (Lark Voorhies, Elizabeth Berkeley/Randy Moss) would bring Cassel back down to Earth. Though he had a strong 2010 (93.9 QBR), his 2011 season has been largely forgettable — much like The College Years. The major difference is that Kansas City has turned to inexperienced supporting cast, while Saved Ny the Bell went for a washed up defensive lineman (Bob Golic).

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) — "Louie," Season 2 (2010-present)

Much like FX's decision to renew Louie, Fitzpatrick's return to Buffalo's starting lineup was met with lukewarm approval. However, his second year has been promising. With a subtle supporting cast, Fitzy has a 5-3 record, 1,930 yards, 15 TD, 9 INT, and a 92.3 QBR. Louie's second season had highlights and lowlights, but overall both this show and this man are brilliant, promising, and worth renewing for a third season.

Matt Moore (Miami Dolphins) — "Pan-Am," Season 1 (2011)

Watching the previews, you knew Pan-Am was going to flop. But it did have that one really hot chick (Brandon Marshall), so you held out hope. With only 950 passing yards, a 1-1 TD/INT ratio, and a 79.7 rating, people will continue to give Moore an opportunity to prove himself. Having said that, this season might be the last of both Moore and Pan-Am.

Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) — "Wings," Any Season (1990-97)

Both extremely mediocre, Sanchez and Wings rely/relied upon a stellar defense (great lead-in shows: Cheers, Seinfeld) to win games. At least each is founded on fantastic heads of hair for the lead characters (see: Sanchez, Joe/Brian Hackett). If only the Hackett brothers had gone shirtless for GQ.

Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) — "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," Season 1 (2007-present)

Anyone who watched TBS in 2007 knows that Tyler Perry's House of Payne was considered to be the funniest TV show in history even before it aired. At least, that's what the advertisements would have us believe. In Flacco's rookie season, he rode the coattails of Ray Lewis and Co. to an AFC championship loss. This season, he's had a few stellar moments (Week 9's comeback against the Steelers comes to mind), but most viewers still watch him and wonder, “What is all the praise really about?” (9 TD, 6 INT, 76.9 QBR.)

Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) — "Glee," Any Season (2009-present)

You really want to make fun of Andy Dalton — from the way he looks, to the mediocrity of his overall skill set — but he succeeds. Similarly, Glee was originally begging for mockery, but you simply couldn't deny that it was well-produced and entertaining. Dalton's 85.0 QBR will likely increase as he becomes more comfortable and begins releasing absurd amounts of albums covering famous songs.

Colt McCoy (Cleveland Browns) — "Workaholics," Season 1 (2011)

Both have their pluses and minuses. McCoy has the pedigree and the draft status. Workaholics has the quirky, dry humor and — based on a brief cameo — the support of Arrested Development creator Mitchell Hurwitz (huge plus). However, McCoy forces passes downfield like Workaholics writers force jokes and it ultimately leads to turnovers (changed channels).

Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) — "That '70s Show," Any Season (1998-2006)

Both have had great runs as legitimate starters in their respective fields; however, neither has been appreciated as much as it should be. That '70s Show kicked off the careers of Hollywood regulars Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, and Ashton Kutcher; Schaub helped to jumpstart the careers of Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. Schaub is on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards, but may lose out on the Pro Bowl yet again due to excellent seasons by other AFC quarterbacks (the Frasier and Everybody Loves Raymond shows that took the Emmys).

Curtis Painter (Indianapolis Colts) — "That '80s Show," Season 1 (2002)

First off: yes, That '80s Show did exist temporarily. It was a show that tried to play off of previous success (Purdue quarterbacks Drew Brees, Kyle Orton, and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning), but was agonizingly horrible. Much like That 80s Show, I see Painter packing up the long hair and disappearing after one dismal season (1,221 yards, 5/5 TD/INT, 70 QBR).

Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars) — "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," Season 1 (2002-03)

Gabbert was forced into a starting role when David Garrard was abruptly released prior to the season opener and Luke McCown was, well, Luke McCown. Thus, the cards are stacked against him. Similarly, Andy Richter... was given a midseason run, as well, and struggled to garner much of a following. Richter's show displayed true promise (a quasi-Hail Mary touchdown at the half in Week 2 at Carolina), somewhat innovative techniques (imagination presented as reality), but couldn't elicit high enough ratings (907 yards, 60.0 QBR). I'll leave it to you to decipher which parenthetical belongs to whom.

Matt Hasselbeck (Tennessee Titans) — "Daria," Season 4 (1997-2002)

The character Daria was originally a recurring character on Beavis and Butthead (or a backup QB to Brett Favre) and when given a chance to thrive on her own, put together four or five really good seasons (or, when given a chance to thrive on his own, put together four or five really good seasons). In syndication (Tennessee), Daria is largely forgotten and not nearly as poignant as it was during its peak. Also, both were animated (see: clip).

Carson Palmer (Oakland Raiders) — "Bob Patterson," Season 1 (2001)

Bob Patterson was a little-known attempt by Jason Alexander (George Costanza) to return to television shortly after Seinfeld ended. Neither this show nor Palmer had an entire season to do much — and in limited playing time each served its purpose — but ultimately, you can't always take a former star and expect him to re-discover his greatness in a new setting. Palmer will have some solid games (see Thursday night's performance against the Chargers), but after season one, the network (Hue Jackson) will likely see that, in the long-term, the Raiders are better off without Bob Patterson.

Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) — "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," Season 4 (2005-present)

Both came out of nowhere to become stars. However, by season four, something was inexplicably amiss with It's Always Sunny. It's the same with 2011 Philip Rivers. With more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (13), Rivers has all of San Diego wondering what has gone awry. Perhaps his short arm slot (Danny DeVito) is no longer able to succeed under pressure? Neither Rivers nor Sunny are/were at risk of cancellation at this point — and It's Always Sunny has resurrected its place among great sitcoms for the time being, but unless the “writers” make some changes to the Chargers game plan, this might indeed be the beginning of the end for Rivers (see: Mac gaining 50 pounds).

Read Part II: NFC Edition here!

Posted by Louie Centanni at 11:59 AM | Comments (3)

November 12, 2011

Darkness in Happy Valley

By now, you know the story.

You know that a man without conscience terrorized young boys in a building built on what was a foundation of success through honor. You know absolute evil was allegedly seen and done there. And you know that it has shattered the image of a proud program and the fans who basked in its glory.

Among the consistent wave of scandals that have plagued the college football world, one wondered when rock bottom would hit. When a scandal would trump anything we've ever seen. The answer is now. This is rock bottom. This is as bad as it gets.

I've always looked at sports as one of the most positive aspects of society. Most general news today is pessimistic and tells what wrongs have been done. Sports told us the opposite; what triumphs man or woman could accomplish. And I always preferred college sports to pro because there was always something that seemed more pure with college sports. It's about small towns, big crowds, school pride, massive tailgating and, especially if it's your alma mater, a love of a special place rising in unison to support a team.

No story, not even SMU's rampant cheating 25 years ago that led to the death penalty, has tarnished what's great about college sports than this.

Innocent people were brutally wronged. I hope and pray their lives are peaceful and happy ones from this day forward. I also hope and pray that none of their names are ever released. They've been through enough. There is so much anger towards the man who awaits trial for these heinous crimes that I lack the ability to type his name. While the justice process must be completed, after reading the grand jury report, there is nothing I can imagine or think of that is worthy enough of the punishment he deserves.

I'll let a higher power take care of that. As will I when it comes to Joe Paterno.

Paterno has always fitted well into what makes college sports special. He defined "old school." His teams played fundamental football. Despite the wave of Pro Combat uniform changes, he stuck to basic white and blue. He coached and won sons, then coached and won with their sons. He was a walking legend of school and sports history. To a large extent, he was Penn State.

Not anymore. Not now.

It's hard to fit Paterno in this whole mess. Maybe he did receive a generic account from Mike McQueary (whose actions were gutless and lacking of any compassion). Even then, when the school told the monster not to bring kids on campus (again, a gutless move), wouldn't Paterno have put two and two together, or realized this guy was not what the school needed representing them in any form?

I can't get out of my head the point made from an editorial in the Harrisburg Patriot-News:

"Paterno and Spanier both knew that a grand jury was investigating Sandusky for possible sexual abuse. They were called to testify. Yet Sandusky continued to have a private office on campus and access to any building."

As much as the man is revered, it's just hard to find sympathy for a guy who let this happen on his watch. He's paid millions to run the football program. The buck stops with him. For this to happen is unacceptable. For this to happen and not have immediate action take place is completely unacceptable.

But now, the other shoe has dropped. JoePa no longer is the head coach of the Nittany Lions. He has to live with what happened every day for the rest of his life. And while that is nothing compared to what the victims went through, it will not be easy for him. Since we may never know the whole story from his perspective, it feels right to believe a higher power will handle this better than all of us.

Let's hope this dies down quickly. Let's hope that this is something we'll never forget, but that Penn State can clean house and start a new chapter in its history.

Let's hope that truly, the only way to go from here is up.

Posted by Jean Neuberger at 8:30 PM | Comments (0)

Will Big Blue Fool Us Again?

While they are far from the biggest surprise in the league, don't try to tell me you had the New York Giants in first place at 6-2 by the season's halfway mark.

Before the season started, there was much turmoil as tight end Kevin Boss defected to a certain silver and black eye patch organization and slot receiver Steve Smith departed for the bitter rivals in Philly barely a hundred miles away. The attempt to lure back jailed star receiver Plaxico Burress fell flat when quarterback Eli Manning made it clear he wasn't exactly about to massage the big fellow's gunshot wound or his ego. As all this was happening the divisional rival Eagles were winning the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes and building the alleged Dream Team, creating a sense of preseason hopelessness for Big Blue.

All that was before Jake Ballard and Victor Cruz happened.

These two rookie pass-catchers have strikingly similar stories. It becomes difficult to determine Smith and Boss's value over replacement players when these were the two replacement players brought in. Ballard was expected to be merely a blocking tight end with hands like frying pans. Instead, he went and made every big catch you would normally expect of Boss and then some. Cruz, while unpolished, has shocked many with freakish athletic ability and several eye-popping deep catches mixed in with a few rookie blunders.

Instead of falling off as expected, this Giants team hasn't missed a beat. 6-2, right on schedule with the perennial first half success they always experience.

Now hold your breath, Giants fans ... it's about that time of year.

The torment machine that perpetuates this year's second half collapse has been noticed by many observers since the season started. Notable in this case is the fact that few believed the Giants would be good enough by this point for any string of losses to be considered a collapse.

This machine I speak of was meant to subject the Giants to a number of cruel and unnecessarily brutal elements in succession. Surprisingly, the first one, the New England cold weather and surgically precise projectiles from one Tom Brady, proved strangely ineffective. Impressive a feat as that was for Big Blue to turn their Patriot games into one Super Bowl XLII sized re-enactment, last Sunday was merely the opening act.

You may take the 49ers seriously, or you may not. Alex Smith is not a name that strikes fear into defenses, especially one with the brute force of the Giants defensive line, but the team is not 7-1 by accident. Their only loss was an overtime thriller. And yet a man named Frank Gore is fully prepared to create some blood-red gashes in the Giants D. Did I mention Big Blue is 25th in the league in stopping the run?

Following San Fran, they face the Eagles. Hey, who knew Philly could possibly be considered a breather on the Giants' schedule? There's a reason for that. Even as the Bad Dream Team, they're probably not. Divisional rivals, plenty of bad blood, we can assume nothing here.

Then it's the Saints and Drew Brees, then it's the unbeaten Pack and Aaron Rodgers. Don't cringe too much, kids, your neck might lock up that way.

The home stretch then features schizophrenic Dallas twice (a team in a very similar category as Philly), the Redskins (a seemingly weak team that has beaten the Giants), and the Jets (watch out for Plaxico Burress in a potential revenge game).

After so many second-half collapses by the Giants over the past several years, the NFL schedule makers seemed to decide they would have one built in this year. And yet while the Giants have clearly played down to their competition as losses against Washington, Seattle and a mere 3-point win over winless Miami showed, they have also risen to the occasion against the better teams, with thrilling wins over the Bills and Patriots and a comfortable victory over rival Philly in Week 3.

So is it possible that this Giants team can do the unthinkable and play up to that high level week after week without the floorboards giving way underneath them this time? The answer may lie in that New England game.

Last Sunday's thriller was so potent that even former Giant Michael Strahan jumped out of his seat in the FOX studio and did his "Stomping Out" dance to the Pats one more time.

Eli Manning rose to a heavy challenge against an angry Pats team that never loses at home, already coming off a loss. Their top receiver was out and so was their top running back. They gave up a demoralizing go-ahead touchdown with only 90 seconds left in the game and still went down the field and made Tom Brady say, "not again!"

After a win like that and a 6-2 record, how can they not be considered elite? Now a win in San Fran and they could be on the short track to a No. 2 seed. Beat the Pack in a few weeks and they'd have the tiebreaker for the top seed. Who knows...

Then again, most Giant fans would be happy just to see them sneak into the playoffs as a wild card. Some good things followed the last time they did that.

Posted by Bill Hazell at 2:37 PM | Comments (2)

November 10, 2011

NFL Weekly Predictions: Week 10

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

Oakland @ San Diego (-7)

The Chargers have lost three straight, and now find themselves lodged in a three-way tie for first in the AFC West with the Raiders and Chiefs, all at 4-4. The Raiders, losers of two in a row, pay a visit to Qualcomm Stadium as the NFL Network kicks off its Thursday night coverage.

"Despite his fumble and interception issues," Norv Turner said, "I have no intentions of benching Philip Rivers. On the contrary, I'd like for the real Philip Rivers to please stand up, not sit down. However, I do expect Rivers to rededicate himself and start anew. Preferably, the only thing I'd like him to turn over is a new leaf."

Like Rivers, Oakland's Carson Palmer has had difficulty with turnovers. In two games, he has thrown 6 interceptions. He'll have to limit errant throws if the Raiders are to win in San Diego.

"I made it clear I didn't want to play with Terrell Owens," Palmer said. "Despite that, T.O.'s become a major part of my game, anyway. That's 'T.O.' for 'turnover,' and they are equally as grating as Owens."

Encouraged by a fan's sign that reads "No Funking Way," Rivers breaks out of his turnover slump, with no giveaways. He throws for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Chargers head for a 10-day break with a well-earned, and much-needed win.

San Diego wins, 28-24.

Arizona @ Philadelphia (-8)

Philadelphia's two-game winning streak ended last Monday, as the Bears knocked off the Eagles 30-24. Philly fell to 3-5, and now trail the Giants by three games in the NFC East.

"It's back to the drawing board," Andy Reid said, "where our goals for this season are, fortunately, written in pencil.

"What we need to do now is pull together as a team. That's in contrast to what we did this offseason, which was pull together a team."

The Cardinals are 2-6 and out of the NFC West cellar after last week's 19-13 overtime victory over the Rams. Kevin Kolb, who was out last week with a turf toe injury, makes his return to Philadelphia.

"At least the Cardinals think I'm capable of starting in Philly," Kolb said. "Unfortunately, this toe injury will keep me out of the game. So it seems the only 'triumphant return' to be made by a Cardinal happened last week, when Patrick Peterson returned a punt for a touchdown to give us the win."

Kolb sits, but Ken Whisenhunt has a trick up his sleeve, and suits up Kolb look-a-like Josh Duhamel, actor and husband of Fergie. The experiment is short-lived, as Duhamel takes his lumps, his lumps, and is knocked out of the game in the first quarter. John Skelton takes over, and is terrorized by the Philly defense.

Vicks throws for 210 yards and rushes for 74, complementing LeSean McCoy's 125.

Philadelphia wins, 30-17.

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis (+3)

With the Dolphins 31-3 win in Kansas City, the Colts are now the NFL's only winless team, and at 0-9, are unequivocally the front-runners for the No. 1 pick in April's draft. Indy was whipped 31-7 by the Falcons last week; on Sunday, the 2-6 Jaguars, fresh off a bye week, pay a visit to Lucas Oil Stadium.

"If Tony Dungy were to grade our performance on Sunday," Jim Caldwell said, "he would no doubt 'F' that, then excuse himself for cursing. Heck, he has a hard time just saying 'Suck For Luck.' Thankfully, Tony doesn't realize that other teams would gladly do more than just suck for a chance at Luck.

"Anyway, we're that last winless team left. Peyton Manning is 'one of a kind'. Now so are we."

Like the Colts, the Jaguars have handed the reins to a rookie quarterback. Blaine Gabbert was handed the starting job, and has performed decently under difficult circumstances.

"There's nothing spectacular about Gabbert," Jack Del Rio said. "That makes him a perfect fit for the Jaguars. We've had two solid weeks to prepare for the Colts, so we've watched a lot of film of Indy games. We can't help but be overconfident."

Jacksonville wins 24-16.

Denver @ Kansas City (-3½)

The Broncos jumped right back into the AFC West picture, whipping the Raiders 38-24 in Oakland. Denver is 3-5, one game behind the Chargers, Chiefs, and Raiders, all at 4-4.

"Speaking of 'jumping,'" Tim Tebow said, "people are back on the Tebow bandwagon, and I'm right there with them. My vertical leap's never been this good. Tebow may be able to resist temptation, but his fans can't. It's the ultimate in 'on again, off again' relationships.

"If John Elway says Tebow starts, then Tebow starts. Tebow may not stay in the pocket, but I stay in Elway's."

Kansas City's three-game winning streak came to a screeching halt last week, as the previously winless Dolphins pounded the Chiefs 31-3. Matt Cassell and the Chiefs will try to rebound against the Broncos.

"The Dolphins embarrassed us," Matt Cassell said. "I was personally offended by my play, and violated by Miami's.

"If we want to call ourselves contenders, then we absolutely cannot lose to the Broncos. And I can't let Tebow outplay me. I haven't been outplayed by a college quarterback since college. That's not saying much, since that QB who outplayed me was Matt Leinart."

Todd Haley has the Chiefs well-prepared for what they'll see from Tebow, and Haley does so by giving them an earful of what they won't hear from Tebow — obscenities.

After emerging from the tunnel to the sound of Mötley Crüe's "Shout at the Devil," the pumped up Chiefs attack early, on offense and defense, and make Tebow look like an amateur. It's "Pros vs. Tebows" in Arrowhead Stadium.

Chiefs win, 27-13.

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (+3)

If the Bengals are to be considered serious threats to win the AFC North, they must have wins over the Steelers and Ravens. They'll get their shot starting on Sunday, with the first of three games in four weeks against Pittsburgh or Baltimore.

"We have something to prove," Marvin Lewis said. "Usually, in Cincinnati, 'something to prove' involves 'reasonable doubt.' Not in this 'case.' We want to prove we're among the North's elite. If we're to be proven guilty of anything, we'd prefer it to be 'belonging.'"

The Steelers are still seething from last week's 23-20 loss to Baltimore at Heinz Field. The Ravens won it on Joe Flacco's 26-yard TD pass to Torrey Smith with eight seconds left.

"Interestingly enough," Mike Tomlin said, "John Harbaugh and I shared the very same game plan — make Joe Flacco beat us. Likewise, we plan to ask the same of Andy Dalton. Dick Labeau will show Dalton things his virgin eyes were never meant to witness. Sounds like something going down on the Penn State campus, does it not? But no, it will take place in Paul Brown Stadium. We'll come to the Jungle, and we'll bring the fun and games."

With their pride wounded and their wallets lightened, the Steelers come to Cincinnati with the intention of making the Bengals pay. And they do.

Pittsburgh wins, 19-17.

Buffalo @ Dallas (-5)

The Cowboys removed some of the distaste of Week 8's 34-7 loss in Philadelphia with a 23-13 win over the Seahawks last week. Dallas will face a much tougher opponent in the 5-3 Bills, who are tied for second the AFC East.

"The Cowboys are historically known as the 'Team of the '90's,'" Tony Romo said. "However, against the Bills in two Super Bowls, Dallas was known as the 'Team of the 40's,' because that's how many points they averaged in two wins over the Bills.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will look to rebound from an awful outing last week against the Jets in which he threw for only 191 yards, with 2 interceptions and only 1 touchdown.

"I like our chances against the Cowboys in Dallas," Fitzpatrick said, "as opposed to a neutral site, where the Bills odds of winning drop significantly, to zero. Cowboys Stadium is a beautiful facility. It's spacious; the Cowboys themselves? Specious."

As a prelude to Sunday's big game, Jerry Jones organizes a 40-yard dash between Leon Lett and Don Beebe to benefit Jones' charity, himself. Beebe wins at the tape, while a dejected Lett pounces on a blocked field goal.

The Bills celebrate another victory on Sunday. Fred Jackson accounts for two touchdowns, and Buffalo triumphs, 31-30.

New Orleans @ Atlanta (+1)

First-place in the NFC South is on the line in the Georgia Dome, as the 5-3 Falcons host the 6-3 Saints. New Orleans turned back the Buccaneers 27-16 last week to keep Tampa from a share of the division lead.

"We're marching into unprecedented territory," Drew Brees said. "This will be our second consecutive game against a South opponent with the division lead on the line. That's something you don't see everyday, or in the NFC West."

The Falcons are clicking on all cylinders, with a balanced offense and solid defense that has led them to three consecutive wins. With a win, Atlanta would take sole possession of the NFC South lead, and erase the memory of their 2-3 start.

"The Saints and Falcons want the same thing," Mike Smith said. "Unfortunately, it may take a trip to Green Bay in January to get it. And that would be the only instance in which anyone would wish for Brett Favre to be back in a Packer uniform."

Falcons win, 34-31.

St. Louis @ Cleveland (-1)

The 1-7 Rams travel to the Dawg Pound, where the 3-5 Browns await with baited breath and a run defense that was dogged and pounded by the Texans last week to the tune of 261 yards. Steven Jackson has piled up 289 yards on the ground in the last two weeks.

"I made sure I walked under the 'Gateway Arch' before heading to Cleveland," Jackson said, "so I'd know what it's like to run through a hole in Cleveland's defense."

Jackson rushes for 123 yards and a score.

St. Louis wins, 24-21.

Washington @ Miami (-4)

The 3-5 Redskins, losers of four straight, have struggled mightily on offense as of late. After going scoreless in Week 8's 23-0 loss in Buffalo, Washington managed only one touchdown, a meaningless fourth-quarter John Beck TD pass, in last week's 19-11 loss to the 49ers.

"Our offense reminds me of Washington's Super Bowl 7 offense," Mike Shanahan said. "How so, you may ask. Well, our offense is so bad, it may take Garo Yepremian to give this team a touchdown. And what do you know? We're playing the Dolphins."

The Dolphins whipped the Chiefs 31-3 last week to win for the first time this year.

"We finally played like Dolphins," Tony Sparano. "Before, our play resembled another ocean-dwelling organism — the flounder.

"Along with the Rams, we find ourselves the envy of 30 other teams in the league. We're the only two teams that can double our wins in a single game. That's how you motivate a 1-7 team."

The Dolphins knocked off the Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII to punctuate a 17-0 season. And, 27 years later, fans are forced to endure Yepremian, Larry Csonka, and the other grumpy old men bask in that glory, while openly rooting for teams to fall from the ranks of undefeateds. Well, screw the '74 Dolphins, and screw the '11 Dolphins. Go 'Skins, and go Packers.

Washington wins, 23-14.

Houston @ Tampa Bay (+3½)

After last week's decisive 30-12 win over Cleveland, the Texans have won three in a row, and sit atop the AFC South with a 6-3 record. Houston boasts the NFL's second-best rushing offense, averaging 155 yards per game on the ground.

"We plan to stay 'grounded,'" Gary Kubiak said. "Or, as would be appropriate in Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium, home of a pirate ship parked in the end zone, we plan to remain 'landlocked.'

"In any case, all roads lead to a first-round bye, and a divisional-round playoff game at home. And, inevitably, another season without a playoff win."

The Buccaneers are 4-4 and desperately need a win to break a two-game skid, and keep pace with the Saints and Falcons in the NFC South.

"Like Kubiak said," Raheem Morris said, "there's a ship in the end zone at our stadium. That doesn't make us 'C'-worthy; our mediocrity does."

It's a must-win game for the Bucs. Tampa gets an inspiring defensive performance, and Josh Freeman throws for 2 scores.

Tampa wins, 27-24.

Tennessee @ Carolina (-3½)

The 2-6 Panthers and rookie superstar Can Newton host the Titans, led by 36-year-old Matt Hasselbeck, who has found rejuvenation in Tennessee. The outcome of Sunday's game at Bank Of America Stadium will likely hinge on quarterback play.

"I am a one-man wrecking crew," Newton said. "I can, of course, break you with my arm, and also with my legs. Likewise, Chris Johnson is a one-man wrecking crew. His talent is breaking banks."

Johnson rushed for 64 yards last week in the Titans 24-17 loss to the Bengals. He's averaging 3 yards a carry and has only 1 rushing touchdown.

"Sixty-four yards is nearly the length of a football field," Johnson said, "or the length of approximately 384 hundred-dollar bills placed end to end. As my paltry statistics would suggest, it appears as though I'm 'picking up' more $100s than yards."

Hasselbeck and Newton first meet at midfield, where they exchange pleasantries, a handshake, and anecdotes about playing for pay. Before Hasselbeck can call the pre-game coin toss, Cecil Newton snatches the coin from mid-air and adds it to Sunday's collection plate.

Tennessee wins, 25-23.

Baltimore @ Seattle (+7)

The Seahawks are 2-6 after last week's 23-13 loss in Dallas, and Pete Carroll's crew will need an inspired effort to knock off the Ravens.

"I'm confident Seattle's '12th Man' will do their part," Carroll said. "What concerns me is the 11 others doing their part. That would include our quarterback. Neither Tarvaris Jackson nor Charlie Whitehurst has played well. Tarvaris, in fact, threw an interception while trying to throw the ball way. That's Tarvaris for you — even his errant throws become more errant."

The Ravens took over the AFC North lead with a dramatic 23-20 win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh last Sunday night. Joe Flacco was the hero, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.

"It's hard to believe the Seahawks were a playoff team last year," Ray Lewis said. "Don't forget, though, Seattle won a playoff game last year. However, you know you won't be returning to the playoffs when your regular season wins are twice that of your playoff victories from a year ago. And it's Week 10."

After a physical battle in Pittsburgh, and a cross-country trek to Seattle, the Ravens must certainly be tired. So they make quick work of the Seahawks.

Baltimore jumps out to a 14-0 lead and wins, 27-13.

Detroit @ Chicago (-1)

The Lions enjoyed a bye week, and start the second half of the season in Chicago to face the 5-3 Bears. At 6-2, the Lions trail the undefeated Packers by two games in the NFC North, with a Thanksgiving showdown with Green Bay looming.

"We're ready for the home stretch," Ndamukong Suh said. "Personally, I'm loaded for Bear. I recently met with Roger Goodell to discuss the penalties and flags I've incurred over my career. For example, I was flagged just for shoving Jay Cutler last year. Roger and I cleared that one up. We both agreed that Cutler only needs 'pushing' in the second half of NFC championship games."

The Bears beat the Eagles 30-24 on Monday night to improve to 5-3. A win over the Lions would significantly improve Chicago's chances for a potential playoff berth.

"I was voted the NFL's fifth-most disliked player," Jay Cutler said. "I believe I should have been ranked higher, which is probably why people dislike me in the first place, because I believe I'm better than everyone else. I guess I should have campaigned harder."

The well-rested Lions defense comes after Cutler, and sack him four times. Suh records one of those, and, remarkably, is flagged for a personal foul after a shoestring tackle of a scrambling Cutler in the third quarter.

Matthew Stafford throws for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 45-yard strike to Calvin Johnson.

Detroit wins, 27-21.

NY Giants @ San Francisco (-3½)

Division leaders square off in San Francisco as the NFC West-leading 49ers host the NFC East-leading Giants. The G-Men knocked off the Patriots in New England last week, led by 2 Eli Manning touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left.

"Okay, I'll admit it," Manning said. "I'm not in the same class with Tom Brady, because I totally outclassed him last Sunday. I seem to play my best against the Patriots. Finally, I can claim to do something better than Peyton."

With a win over New York, the 7-1 49ers could extend their lead in the NFC West to six games, and could take a major step in securing a first-round playoff bye.

"Manning outplayed Brady?" Jim Harbaugh asked. "Good for him. Out-this. Out-that. This is San Francisco. There's enough outings. What concerns us is wiping the smile off Tom Coughlin's face. And no one does that better than Eli, so we'll make him do it."

The 49ers force 2 Manning turnovers, and Frank Gore grinds out 106 yards on the ground.

San Francisco wins, 26-24.

New England @ NY Jets (-1)

Are the Jets the team to beat in the AFC East? With a win over the Patriots, following a Week 8 win in Buffalo, New York would take over first in the division.

"I stand by everything I've said this year," Rex Ryan said. "I couldn't feel better about my guarantee of a Super Bowl win, Check that. I could feel better about it, if I were coaching the Packers.

"I relish games against New England. The Patriots are like my wife's toes — I like to lick 'em."

The Patriots have lost two in a row, and there once unstoppable offense has scored only 37 points in those two losses.

"We've got problems," Tom Brady said. "One of them being Wes Welker. Not that Wes has done anything wrong. He hasn't. But if he's on pace for 132 receptions this year, then it's obvious we have no downfield threat. I hate to admit it, but I 'long' for Randy Moss."

The Jets rush for 189 yards, and Mark Sanchez plays a nearly error-free game, with his only mistake coming when he asks to pose with Rob Gronkowski in his next candid photo shoot.

Jets win, 28-23.

Minnesota @ Green Bay (-14)

The Packers remained undefeated with a thrilling win in San Diego last week, outgunning the Chargers 45-38, behind 4 touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers.

"We are undoubtedly the NFL's best team," Aaron Rodgers said. "Then, our defense hits the field and things even up considerably. But I have to commend our defense for recognizing their limitations. Last week at San Diego, our defense knew they would give up too many points, so they went out and scored us 2 touchdowns themselves."

The Vikings have found rejuvenation in rookie quarterback Christian Ponder.

"If Tim Tebow is the 'Christian Left,'" Ponder said, "then I'm the 'Christian Right.' Tebow may 'Te-bow' before and after games. Not me. Before and after games, I 'Ponder,' in which I sit, knees bent, hand on chin, in the nude."

Green Bay wins, 31-20.

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 7:57 PM | Comments (0)

On Paterno, McQueary, and the Rest of Us

The strangest part of the backlash of the Penn State scandal is that no one is talking about Jerry Sandusky.

But then again, I guess, what is there to say about him? Assuming he's guilty of what he is accused of, there's not much analysis to be had. He deserves to be locked up forever, and worse. He's free on bail, and frankly, I'm surprised he hasn't committed suicide.

Also not very notable are those that, in connection with the Sandusky case, are being charged with perjury. This is perjury of the sickest kind imaginable. It's bad enough that so many people knew about the allegations, and did no more than what the letter of the law required them to do. Gary Schulz and Tim Curley went one sickening step further, lying to protect a child rapist. In doing so (and I'm certain they realize this), they abetted Sandusky in continuing his depraved shattering of lives.

The other two big players in this sordid tale are Mike McQueary and Joe Paterno. Well, there's also Graham Spanier, the president of the university who has already stepped down, but for this column, I want to focus on McQueary and Paterno.

Mike McQueary is not an unknown name to college football fans, even those of us who are not Penn Staters. He was Penn State's quarterback in 1996 and 1997, and immediately afterwards, joined the Penn State coaching staff, where he has been a fixture ever since and is easily identified by his fiery red hair.

McQueary is a gutless coward of the highest order. How he lives with himself, I will never know. He actually saw the abuse take place. Did he intervene — he, a recent college athlete of the highest order — against a then-58-year-old man doing the unthinkable before his very eyes? He did not. He turned tail and, presumably, the act of rape continued.

Did he at least call the police? No, he called his dad, who advised him to speak to Joe Paterno. Such is the institutional sickness of a place like Penn State and, sadly, countless other institutions and organizations of all stripes and sizes. McQueary's first instinct, his first and overriding consideration, was not to the little boy he saw being abused, but to the institution, and himself, and the best way to protect those things. He then went on to see Sandusky in the facilities of the Penn State campus for years after that, and said no more.

That makes him especially culpable. Others involved in the case, whatever it says about them now, could have refused to believe something that undoubtedly seemed implausible and exceedingly unpleasant to contemplate.

Not McQueary. He saw it with his own eyes. At any time at all in these last nine years, he could have gone to the police, followed up vigorously with authorities at Penn State until they had done the right thing, he could have even called a press conference. That could have backfired and turned him into a pariah, but at least it might have protected other kids from the same fate as the one he saw in that shower.

He did none of those things. He's not going to be charged with any criminal wrongdoing, but I find it unlikely that he will ever be able to find a job in college football again, and he should thank his lucky stars if that's the extent of his tangible punishment.

But of course, the face of the university is Joe Paterno. It's really difficult to convey how deified he is in college football annals, if you don't know. I cannot think of a more respected — revered, even — sports figure than Paterno.

Before this all came about, I was telling my girlfriend that even though I'm an ardent supporter of a Penn State rival (and if you read this column regularly, you know how disdainful and mocking I can be of sanctified institutions), I just could never bring myself to hate Paterno. He's just too nice of a person. Not only has he had tons of success on the field, but he keeps his players (mostly) out of trouble and (mostly) gets them graduating. Before this, Penn State was widely considered the standard as how a major public football program should conduct itself.

And he accomplished this without resorting to the totalitarianism of a Bobby Knight or Mike Krzyzewski. What's more, so very much of his earnings went right back to the university. His donations doubled the size of the main student library.

He wasn't crass and he wasn't aloof. He was, to me, impossible not to like. And again, I'm not even a Penn State fan — far, far from it. So I can't even imagine what the fans and the supporters of the program must be feeling right now.

But, as is the case all too often, we discover in the most jarring possible manner that the emperor has no clothes. He's no hero. He, too, is a coward, a coward who worships at the altar of Penn State, setting it even higher than the altar of a child's innocence.

But what I find most unsettling and even frightening about Paterno's inaction is not what it says about him, but what it says about us.

For it's the bravery and courage to do what's right that is the uncommon trait in all of us. What is common is complacency, cowardice, and looking out for yourself beyond all else. If we can't count on Joe Paterno to do the right thing, who can we count on?

Paterno didn't see the abuse take place and it's safe to assume that Sandusky was a close friend of his for decades. This complicates Paterno's role in this immeasurably in a way that does not apply to McQueary. Did he believe McQueary's distraught allegations? Would you if it was one of your best friends for 30 years?

We would struggle mightily with it, as I'm sure Paterno did. On one hand, (and allow me to speculate pretty freely here) he knows McQueary is not making this up out of whole cloth. On the other hand, when and where would you more desperately seek some plausible deniability? I think it would be very hard to come to grips with this — especially without firsthand knowledge, and very easy to handle the matter perfunctorily. The tragedy is, if there's one guy we thought we could count on to rise above the human condition in all its misery and failure, it's Paterno. It turns out he's no hero at all. Depressingly, he's just like the rest of us.

Drew Magary, the main writer of Kissing Suzy Kolber, encapsulates my feelings on Paterno better than I did:

Blowing the whistle is the exception to the rule. The fact that Paterno, deemed by many to be the Gold Standard for how a football coach ought to conduct himself, isn't immune to it should tell you something. Because I'm fairly certain that despite all this, Paterno remains a good and decent person. It's not like he's gonna rip off a mask to reveal that he's John Wayne Gacy underneath. All the charming things you read about JoePa in the past aren't suddenly all lies.

We'd all like to think we'd do the noble thing when faced with such a seemingly obvious choice. The truth is, we might not. It's impossible to read the Sandusky allegations and not get a vivid mental image of what took place. It's enough to make you want to throw up, and I say that as someone who had a near miss with this sort of thing. It's enough to make you cry out for blood and ask why no one did anything. The outrage comes naturally. But underneath that outrage, there is a real sadness and fear, the idea that "good" people can still be hard-wired for self-preservation, even when faced with the ugliest truths. Even JoePa. Even you.

Posted by Kevin Beane at 6:02 PM | Comments (6)

November 9, 2011

NBA's Gotta Have More Herren

The NBA is on the threshold of its darkest hour. Later today, players must accept a variable revenue-sharing plan that would see them get between 49% and 51% of basketball-related income or have that offer downgraded to 47% by day's end, probably followed by another round of game cancellations. The National Basketball Players Association has threatened to decertify, and that would in all likelihood be the death knell for the season we never knew. Inside reports suggest that some owners don't care if this happens and, even worse, many fans don't, either.

Nobody is talking about the NBA in any positive way. These negotiations are drawing the same mild curiosity that compels us to look at the multi-car wreck on the side of the road into work, but in the end, we pass it and are thankful it doesn't affect us. That's how it is with pro basketball. It is football or hockey or even the NASCAR Chase For the Sprint Cup that most affects us. We are less preoccupied with the hometown NBA team than with getting an early start to our Christmas shopping. The air is so thick with acrimony it's hard to imagine anything regenerative being carried on its winds. And with fans this apathetic, who would be receptive even if there was?

Well, something is. The story of ex-NBA guard Chris Herren first appeared as a blinking light on the fringes of our radar last spring with the release of Basketball Junkie (St. Martin's Press, 275 pages), Bill Reynolds' outstanding chronicle of Herren's lifelong battle with various addictions that took him from depths most of us never reach — he was clinically dead for 30 seconds — to eventual sobriety. Now, with ESPN Films' airing of Unguarded last week, people are perking to his evangelical tale. In communities around his New England home town, they are coming to high school auditoriums and book signings and enrolling their children in his Hoop Dreams programs to find inspiration from his victory.

Two decades after Charles Barkley told fans he was not their role model, Herren has stepped up to the part.

My first impression of Herren was not positive. During his senior year at nearby Durfee High School, he played in a Christmas tournament hosted by my alma mater. The crowd was non-partisan, except when it came to Herren. Some loved him, most hated him, but all were riveted to him. In the closing minutes of the championship game, he spent a timeout searching out the catcalls rather than listening to his coach. Durfee lost, but he made the all-tournament team. He tossed his trophy into the trash on the way out of the gym.

First impressions can be hard to change, and I'm not sure when mine was recast. Living in the same community, word reached me about Herren's substance abuse problems well before the touching press conference at Fresno State in which he announced his departure from Jerry Tarkanian's program. He had a problem, he manned up, and he was going to deal with it. Despite our petty jealousies, we all retain some capacity for compassion to those who seek it. Soon enough, this kid that everyone loved to root against now needed some rooting for. But no one knew the extent of his issues.

In 2004 came news of his arrest after passing out in a Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru that I've taken my own family through on many occasions. There were 18 empty heroin packets next to him. It was eight in the morning. I'm all for a good comeback story, but this guy was beginning to try me. So, when Basketball Junkie came out, I picked it up like so many others, curious to see how a kid with so much talent and opportunity could throw it all away by succumbing to the lures of fame.

Within pages, it hit me: he did not succumb to fame. He achieved it in spite of an innate and crippling addictive personality that began to surface with his first swig of Cold Duck champagne at the age of 12, long before the bright lights of the Boston Garden were anything more than the same schoolboy fantasy we all had at the age of 12. From then on, his life became a personal hell, and reading his account is enough to make you weep for all he could have had but lost. He was a Celtic for an entire season, and how many kids dream of playing for their favorite NBA team?

Today, despite a professional basketball career that saw him play around the world, despite beating addictions on multiple fronts, any of which could have destroyed another man, his is a humble and unassuming manner that belies all he has achieved. In the distinctive Massachusetts accent he has retained since childhood, he regales audiences from adolescent to elder of his addictions and the support system he used to beat them. And as they were in that basketball gym during Christmas of his senior year of high school, everyone is riveted to Herren. You simply do not want to miss a word he says.

ESPN Films captures this in Unguarded. Over a cleverly arranged sequence of clips from at least three different appearances, Herren delivers a homogenous message in a conversational, down-to-earth style that compels his audience to listen, and even brings one woman to tears. Throughout the film, director Jonathan Hock grounds viewers with flashbacks to his playing days — largely at Fresno State and with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics — so as to continuously remind us of how good he was, how great he could have been. You then feel the full price exacted by his addictions, and realize the inner strength he has when he can tell listeners that he doesn't regret a single minute because it made him the husband, father, brother he is today.

When was the last time an ambassador of the NBA brought you to tears for all the right reasons?

A former player standing forth as a pillar of society seems so un-NBA in these uncertain times, but his triumph gives me hope that there can be more silver linings to come as the league endures the most challenging threat to its legitimacy and looks to reengineer itself for a new generation. One thing is clear to me: for it to succeed, the NBA has got to find more Chris Herrens.

Posted by Bob Ekstrom at 6:48 PM | Comments (0)

NASCAR Top 10 Power Rankings: Week 34

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Tony Stewart — Stewart out-dueled Carl Edwards at Texas, holding off his championship rival to win the AAA Texas 500. Stewart led 173 laps on the day, and now trails Edwards by only 3 points in the Sprint Cup standings.

"Last week, I said Edwards should be worried," Stewart said. "This week, tell him 'I'm coming.' He knows where I'm going, and I do, as well, because I've 'been there before.'

"As I've said before, I don't care about second. Second place is for losers. Or is it? I've won four races in the Chase, yet I'm only second in the points. Apparently, second place isn't for losers."

2. Carl Edwards — Edwards finished second at Texas to Tony Stewart, as the two battled over the last third of the AAA Texas 500. Edwards' 8-point lead in the point standings was trimmed by 5, and now he leads Stewart by only 3.

"Who says you need to win races to win a championship?" Edwards said. "Certainly not the NASCAR rule book. So far, Stewart has been 'great' in four races. I've been 'good' in eight. So far, so 'good.' If I win the Cup without a victory, I'll endorse the headline 'My Goodness! Edwards Wins Cup.'"

3. Kevin Harvick — Harvick finished 13th at Texas, and remained third in the point standings. He now trails Carl Edwards by 33 with two races left in the Chase.

"Kyle Busch took stupidity to a new level," Harvick said, "for the third or fourth time this year. Despite having over 100 wins in NASCAR competition, he's still 'lost it' more than he's won. In Texas, NASCAR decided his fate for him. Call it a 'parking lot.' As they say, 'M&Ms melt in your hands, Kyle Busch sits on his."

4. Matt Kenseth — Kenseth finished fourth in the Texas AAA 500, posting his fourth top-five result of the Chase. He moved up to fourth in the point standings and now trails Carl Edwards by 38.

"Kyle Busch is in a class by himself," Kenseth said. "That is, anger management class."

5. Brad Keselowski — Keselowski struggled at Texas, finishing a lap down on his way to a 24th. He fell one spot to fifth in the point standings where he is 49 out of first.

"I'm not counting myself out yet," Keselowski said. "Anything's possible. That is, anything's possible ... with Kyle Busch and Brian Vickers both in the field."

6. Jimmie Johnson — Johnson finished 14th at Texas and remained sixth in the point standings. He is 55 out of first, and will be Sprint Cup champion for only two more weeks.

"So will it be Carl Edwards or Tony Stewart as next Sprint Cup champion?" Johnson said. "If Creedence Clearwater Revival made that query, they would surely say, 'And I wonder, still I wonder, who'll stop the reign? CCR rules. RCR doesn't.

"I'm going to say something that I haven't had to say in half a decade. And that's 'it just wasn't my year.'"

7. Jeff Gordon — Gordon posted his second straight top-10 finish, coming home sixth at Texas after a third at Martinsville. He improved two spots to eighth in the point standings, 81 out of first.

"Much like a Kyle Busch apology," Gordon said, "it's 'too little, too late.' If he continues to go rogue, so will his sponsors."

8. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — Earnhardt finished seventh at Texas and climbed to seventh in the point standings. He trails Carl Edwards by 79 points.

"I didn't make the Chase last year," Earnhardt said, "so this year would have to be considered an improvement. I went from the 'outside looking in' to the 'inside looking in.'"

9. Kurt Busch — Busch finished 30th at Texas, two laps down, and fell one spot to ninth in the point standings. He trails Carl Edwards by 87.

"What's that continuous high-pitched sound heard on the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil radio frequency?" Busch said. "I don't know, but it sounds like a 'whine.'"

10. Kyle Busch — Busch was banned from Sunday's Cup race after blatantly wrecking Ron Hornaday under caution in Friday's trucks race. Busch retaliated after the two trucks made contact when they went three-wide to navigate around a slower truck. Busch is now 100 points out of first in the Sprint Cup standings and has been officially eliminated from championship contention.

"If I had it to do over," Busch said, "I'd do it differently. By that, I'm referring to my career, and not Friday's truck race."

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)

November 8, 2011

Don't Blame Joe Paterno For Scandal

If you Googled Joe Paterno a mere week ago, your search would have returned pages with titles like "Iconic Coach Breaks Division 1 Wins Record," "Paterno: The Greatest Coach of All-Time," or "Joe Pa: The King of Happy Valley." Now, just a few days later, the only two search returns on the first five pages that don't contain a word similar to rape and scandal are Paterno's PSU.edu profile and his (extremely tainted) Wikipedia page.

Today's media is so quick to jump at the opportunity to deface a hero that embellishment and falsifications began before the board room meetings even closed after the Jerry Sandusky story was leaked. When the news broke of Sandusky (you may not have heard his name yet, but he is the alleged pediatric rapist who happened to have worked for the same university as Joe Paterno) being arrested on 40 counts of criminal charges, the media looked right past the words "sexual assault," "deviate sexual intercourse," and "unlawful contact with a minor" and zeroed in on the words "Joe Paterno's assistant."

Luckily, I have been an avid college football fan since birth and I still think, and will continue to think, of Paterno as an icon and a face of honesty in an NCAA world constantly marred by scandals and cheating. It takes a huge story to make the jump from "SportsCenter" to "Dateline," and in this aspect, I am fearful of the non-sports fan's view of Paterno in the weeks to come.

Everyone in America knows that Tiger Woods is an adulterer, they all "know" Michael Vick killed dogs (even though he only ever funded it ... different story, though), and they all know Barry Bonds used steroids. What the "Dateline Sports Fan" couldn't tell you is that Tiger Woods is right-handed, Michael Vick is a great runner, and Barry Bonds weighed 185 pounds and stole a ton of bases when he was first drafted.

I'm not defending any of these individuals because they were all guilty. Paterno is not.

The Sandusky story is a slum journalist's dream. Joe Paterno is to college football as Abe Lincoln was to civil rights in the 1860s. What kind of low-life, money hungry writer wouldn't want to take out Paterno as a short cut to the top? For this reason, I think it is the job of every level-minded football fan to decipher fact from fiction so that the iconic face of college football doesn't join the ranks of the aforementioned heroes-turned-zeroes after the Sandusky story spills over to the everyday media. Let's start with a timeline:

1950: Joe Paterno hired as Penn State assistant coach
Joe Paterno begin's his (unknown at the time) lifelong and illustrious career as a coach of one of the most prestigious football programs in the country.

1963-1965: Jerry Sandusky plays DE for Penn State
As Paterno establishes himself as a likely future head coach, Jerry Sandusky befriends him and establishes a very strong player/coach relationship with Joe.

1966: Joe Paterno is named PSU head coach; Jerry Sandusky is hired as a graduate assistant
Joe Pa's trust in Sandusky continues to grow as he is a graduate assistant to Paterno in his first year as head coach.

1969: Jerry Sandusky is hired as a full-time coach at Penn State
After a two years at other schools, Sandusky returns to Penn State as a paid coach, where he would remain on Paterno's payroll until his retirement in 1999.

1977: Jerry Sandusky creates "The Second Mile"
Fully established as a resident of State College, Pennsylvania, Jerry Sandusky creates a non-profit organization called the Second Mile. The Second Mile is (as per their website) "a statewide non-profit organization for children who need additional support and who would benefit from positive human contact" (wow, yellow light). Sandusky does a great thing for the community and gains more trust and respect from Paterno.

1999: Jerry Sandusky retires as defensive coordinator from PSU
Penn State notched its only ever bowl game shut-out under Paterno (24-0 over Texas A&M) in the 1999 Alamo Bowl. Sandusky leaves Penn State with his head held high and the trust of the most revered coach in college football.

2001: Jerry Sandusky releases an autobiography
Jerry Sandusky releases his autobiography about his time as a player, coach, and friend of Joe Paterno and Penn State University. The autobiography was titled, "Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story" (you can't make that up).

Now we can fast forward to the first allegations brought against Sandusky.

After his retirement, Sandusky was allowed to use the football team's facilities, and was often seen showing some of his Second Mile Program children around the locker rooms. One night, Sandusky was with one of these children, a young boy, and was seen "horsing around" (as the graduate assistant referred to it) in the locker room by a PSU football graduate assistant.

As in any profession, there exists a chain of command within the ranks of a college football team. If a senior linebacker puts a stink bomb in the freshman kicker's locker and another freshman sees it, it is his responsibility to tell his teammate of the culprit, but the fear of the linebacker is difficult to overcome. If a quarterback knows his running back friend is using steroids, it is his responsibility to tell the coaching staff, but his friendship is something very difficult to put aside. If a graduate assistant sees a man acting inappropriately with a minor, it is his responsibility to tell a coach, even if this man is a former coach and "the good old boys" mentality is looming. And it is that coach's responsibility to tell the school's administration, even if the former coach and coach are friends.

Paterno did just that. Even after a 30-year friendship and working relationship with Sandusky, Joe Paterno swallowed his pride and did the right thing. He reported the graduate assistant's findings to the school's administration. University responsibility fulfilled. The case progressed and when called to testify, Joe Paterno said the same thing he had said to the school's administration. He told them that a graduate student had seen Sandusky "horsing around" in a locker room shower. Legal responsibility fulfilled.

I can't think of what more Paterno was supposed to say at the time. If I was walking out of my front door and a person told me they had seen a man looking in my neighbor's car, all I could do was convey that information to my neighbor and keep an eye out for similar activity (Penn State forbid Sandusky from bringing any more Second Milers into the facility). If my neighbor's car got broken into three days later, I can't think of anyone who would blame me in any way, as long as I fulfilled my obligation to tell my neighbor what the person had told me about someone snooping around. Paterno is in a very similar, yet much more serious, situation.

The graduate student who reported what he saw to the coaching staff called the actions "horsing around." It wasn't until a few days ago, when other allegations were brought against Sandusky, that the 2002 "horsing around" allegations are being referred to as "sexually deviant acts." If the graduate assistant told Paterno that "sexually deviant acts" were occurring in the locker room at PSU, Paterno would have turned the organization upside down until the culprits were found. Instead, Paterno was told of Sandusky and a boy "horsing around" in the locker room (still a bit weird considering his book title, but not a sexually deviant act) and he reported this to his boss. He later conveyed the same information to a jury while under oath.

In the coming weeks, Joe Paterno's wonderful accomplishment of becoming the winningest coach in Division I football history will be shadowed by the horrible acts of another person. Jerry Sandusky has not been tried yet, and therefore I won't give my opinions on him, but I will say Joe Paterno did absolutely nothing wrong and the only reason anyone thinks he did is because members of the media think they've found their Holy Grail.

I grew up 30 minutes from Happy Valley and I have lived in five states since graduating high school. I wear a Penn State shirt every Saturday during the football year and, no matter how bad PSU's record was, no one anywhere ever gave me any real grief. Penn State is in the highest echelon of prestige and tradition, and Joe Paterno is the reason for it. People who know I am a huge Penn State fan have made fun of me for Ki-jana Carter and Courtney Brown being busts, Larry Johnson getting in trouble, Kerry Collins being ancient, but no one, not even the most diehard Buckeye fans, have ever had a single ill-word to say about Paterno.

The man is a class act, an icon, and a hero of mine and I hope in the coming months everyone will only give blame where blame is due. If Sandusky was guilty of the alleged acts, then burn him at the stake, but don't take one of the few true heroes that the sports world has left with him. No one blames USC for O.J. Simpson, and no one should blame Penn State, especially Joe Paterno, for the actions of Sandusky.

Posted by Gary Flick at 10:39 PM | Comments (35)

NFL Week 9 Power Rankings

Five Quick Hits

* Am I the only one who's less likely to eat five-dollar sandwiches and buy old-man jeans because they're endorsed by Apolo Ohno and Brett Favre? Those companies should be ashamed of themselves for finding two of the most narcissistic men on the planet and paying them to support the product. Those ads make me want to wear Levi's to Quiznos.

* Thursday Night Football begins this week, Raiders at Chargers on NFL Network. That's an important game, with both teams tied for the first in the underwhelming AFC West.

* There are several other really big games in Week 10: PIT at CIN, NO at ATL, DET at CHI, NYG at SF, NE at NYJ. All of those teams have winning records, all are intra-conference, and four are divisional matchups.

* Actually, there are no Week 10 games that pair a team with a winning record against a team with a losing record. On paper, you'd expect a lot of competitive contests this week.

* Did anyone else catch Dan Dierdorf excoriating Denver's Ryan Clady for a holding call away from the direction of the play? Did you also notice that Denver used an unbalanced line on the play and Clady was actually at the point of attack? Dierdorf didn't.

***

I've always been an advocate for the NFL's efforts at player protection. Time and time again, I've written in support of rules and directives aimed at limiting and preventing concussions and other head injuries. But when the rules start to interfere with football, make the game unrecognizable, they've gone too far. The current enforcement of the league's "defenseless receiver" rules suck. Defenders can't play football under these rules.

"Player safety comes first." That sounds good to me; again, I'm a huge advocate for player safety. But surely there's a limit to how far you can take that. Outlawing tackles altogether would certainly increase player safety, but surely we can all agree that banning tackles is an overreaction to the problem. Eliminating tackles might not be enough, though. What about all those linemen who suffer horrific knee and ankle injuries when things pile up near the line? A more logical solution would be to prohibit all contact, maybe have the "skill" players go 7-on-7. But you'd still have receivers blow out their knees and tweak their hamstrings making sharp cuts, or maybe a quarterback damaging his shoulder. The best way to ensure player safety is not to actually play at all.

Safety is an admirable, even necessary goal. But there have to be limits to how far the policies will go, and the defenseless receiver rules go too far. At a certain point, we have to accept that there will always be some risks, and let these guys play. Moving on to the power rankings, brackets show previous rank.

1. Green Bay Packers [1] — After the Chargers scored 38 this weekend, Dan Patrick opined, "That Packer defense is not very good." Was he talking about the Packer defense that intercepted three passes and knocked down four more? The one that finished with 159 INT return yards and scored two touchdowns? The one that ranks 6th in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed and leads the NFL in interceptions? The only one to intercept Philip Rivers three times in any of his 99 career games? That not-very-good defense?

Fine, they gave up a ton of points, but they also had four pass deflections, three interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and a partridge in a pear tree. What else is it that goes with that song? Oh yeah, five golden rings.

2. Baltimore Ravens [5] — Where was the offense from that final drive for the first 59 minutes? And the first half against Arizona? And the Jaguars game? Baltimore went 14-of-21 on third down conversions Sunday night, 15-of-22 if you include a successful fourth down. Doesn't it seem like Ray Rice has more big plays called back by questionable officiating decisions than anyone else in the league? The Ravens get so hyped up for Pittsburgh, I hope they don't suffer a mental lapse or letdown in Week 10 the way they did against Tennessee in Week 2.

3. San Francisco 49ers [4] — Did anyone else catch Tony Kornheiser, who knows basically nothing about professional football, claiming this week that Frank Gore had a "lousy" season last year? At the time of his season-ending injury, Gore was fifth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. It is unconscionable that Kornheiser is still given an audience to speak publicly about the NFL. The 49ers still haven't allowed a rushing touchdown this season. If they keep winning, they could clinch the NFC West in two weeks.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers [2] — It seems nothing will discourage Walt Coleman from making untenable replay reversals against both teams. That guy has no idea what "indisputable evidence" means, and it is stunning that he continues to work as an NFL referee. A league that had performance standards would have replaced Coleman years ago. It's laughable that the Steelers described Hines Ward's obvious concussion against Baltimore as a "stinger". Dude was KO-ed. Monster game from James Harrison in his return from injury (3 sacks, 6 hits on Joe Flacco, forced fumble).

5. New England Patriots [3] — Two losses in a row, and they're worst in the NFL in yards allowed. Did you catch all the TV stations talking about how this was New England's first home loss since November 2008, when Matt Cassel was QB? That's only true if you don't count January 16th, 2011, when the Patriots lost at home to the Jets in the playoffs. It is true that this was the first time they'd been shut out in the first half since 2006. I don't think they're going to beat the Jets in Week 10, and I do think I'll drop them out of the top 10 if they fall to 5-4. Poor game from Julian Edelman, who fielded two punts inside the 10-yard line and fumbled another.

6. Detroit Lions [7] — Off-week haiku:

Had a bye this week
I have nothing else to say
Good luck in Week 10

7. Chicago Bears [8] — Got an immediate boost from the return of WR Earl Bennett (5 rec, 95 yds, TD), and did a great job handling Philadelphia's dangerous front four. Jay Cutler, first four games: 871 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT, 77.8 passer rating. Last four games: 923 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT, 93.2 rating. That includes sacks and rushing yardage. Cutler took 15 sacks in the first four weeks, just 6 in the last four. If the playoffs started today, the Bears would get a wild card by virtue of their 30-12 Week 1 win against Atlanta.

8. New Orleans Saints [9] — Lead the NFL in yards per game, but credit the defense for this week's victory over the Buccaneers. Tampa went just 2-of-12 on third down conversions and only scored one touchdown. New Orleans receivers Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem, fantasy gold early in the season, have been rendered worthless by the return of Marques Colston and the emergence of Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles. I wouldn't bother with Henderson or Meachem even in a deep fantasy league at this point. Trade them if you can, drop them if you must, but don't leave them in your lineup.

9. Houston Texans [10] — For the second time this season, Arian Foster and Ben Tate both topped 100 rushing yards. The duo combined for 31 attempts, 239 yards, a 7.7 average, and 2 TDs. Foster also led the team in receptions (5). This seems to be flying under the radar, but Houston held its opponent under 200 for the third week in a row. The Texans lead the NFL in fewest yards allowed, and they're third in fewest points per game allowed. How about some love for new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips? And how scary is this team going to be once Andre Johnson comes back?

10. New York Jets [12] — Lead the NFL in passer rating allowed: 59.4. Basically, everyone who plays the Jets turns into Blaine Gabbert. Darrelle Revis ranks first in the NFL in interception return yardage, second in pass deflections, and tied for fourth in INTs. Best defensive player in the league? Yes. Him or Jared Allen.

11. Cincinnati Bengals [13] — Longest winning streak in the AFC, five straight. Hard to believe this team started 1-2. Tied for first in the AFC North, the Bengals now have four games in a row against division opponents, beginning with a visit to the Steelers in Week 10.

12. Atlanta Falcons [15] — Welcome back, Julio Jones. With 2 TD receptions — a 50-yard bomb into coverage and an 80-yard catch-and-run — it appears that the hamstring injury is behind him. As a defensive coordinator, I wouldn't relish having to worry about Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and Jones while I'm focusing on stopping Michael Turner and the run game. This offense has a lot of weapons. Atlanta has already played most of its road games, and the next three are all at home. The Falcons out-gained Indianapolis by 246 yards in Week 9. Second half time of possession: 23:40-6:20.

13. New York Giants [19] — Opponents are a combined 22-42 (.344). If you've only played two teams with a winning record, does being 6-2 make you elite, or does it just make you average? This team barely got by the Dolphins, lost to Seattle by double-digits, and only beat Arizona because of referee incompetence or corruption. Statistically, the Giants aren't a top-10 offense, and the defense is below average. They've been playing better recently, but seem more like a good team than a great one.

14. Buffalo Bills [6] — Ryan Fitzpatrick, first four games: 1058 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT, 96.9 passer rating. Last four games: 918 yards, 6 TD, 6 INT, 86.5 rating. That's not cause for panic, but I suspect Fitzpatrick's real value is a lot closer to what we've seen in the last month than in September. He's been intercepted in four straight games, and more than once in three of the last six.

15. Philadelphia Eagles [16] — With all the Pro Bowlers on this defense, you expect more from it. The Eagles never gave Chicago any trouble: Matt Forte ran all over them, and they never sacked or intercepted Jay Cutler. Michael Vick (60.5 passer rating) also had a less-than-inspiring game. He's really struggling to get the ball to his wide receivers, though that's as much their fault as his. DeSean Jackson is having the worst season of his career; he's been a non-factor in all but two or three games. LeSean McCoy, who looked great on Monday night, leads the NFL in rushing (825).

16. Dallas Cowboys [20] — Another big game from DeMarco Murray (139 yds, 6.3 avg, 47 rec yds), also a nice performance from the pass defense (3 INT). The Cowboys are only two games behind the Giants, with an easier schedule and both head-to-head meetings remaining. A home win against the Bills in Week 10 would keep the pressure on in the NFC East. Miles Austin reportedly will miss 2-4 weeks with his latest hamstring injury. Laurent Robinson, who had been seeing more work anyway, becomes an interesting fantasy prospect.

17. Kansas City Chiefs [11] — Ended their four-game winning streak with a shocking home loss to the winless Dolphins, the third time this season Kansas City has lost by at least 4 touchdowns. The Chiefs now rank 30th in point differential (-70), ahead of only the Rams and Colts. The team is still tied for the division lead, but the remaining schedule is awfully nasty. Five of the last eight games are against teams with winning records, and the other three are all division rivals (Broncos twice, Raiders).

18. San Diego Chargers [14] — Three straight losses, all by a touchdown or less, and all against pretty decent teams (combined 17-7), but they need to start winning close games. A good team doesn't just win blowouts; you have to close out the tight ones, too. Antonio Gates played his third consecutive game since returning from injury, and looked like his usual self (8 rec, 96 yds, TD).

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [17] — Rank 24th in points per game. Coming into this season, Tampa's offense featured promising prospects like Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount, and Mike Williams, but all have disappointed this year. Even more surprising is that the defense ranks 29th, allowing 399 yards per game. Adding injury to insult, 2010 first-round draft pick Gerald McCoy tore his biceps again, and is out for the season again.

20. Minnesota Vikings [21] — Selecting Pro Bowl running backs in the NFC will not be easy this year. Adrian Peterson probably is a lock, but where do you fit LeSean McCoy (leads NFL in rushing), Matt Forte (leads in yards from scrimmage), Frank Gore (only weapon for the 7-1 Niners), and maybe even Michael Turner or DeMarco Murray? You only vote for three, and I see four you can't leave off. I'd guess Gore is the one who ends up getting shorted, but what more could he realistically do?

21. Oakland Raiders [18] — 15 penalties, for 130 yards and 4 first downs. Carson Palmer made two absolutely beautiful throws, on the touchdowns to Marcel Reece and Jacoby Ford, but Michael Bush was not impressive in place of the injured Darren McFadden. He had a good game statistically (96 rush yd, 33 rec yd, TD), but missed holes and cutback lanes and generally failed to show football smarts. Right when Eddie Royal scored the go-ahead punt return TD, Dierdorf praised Ray Guy and Shane Lechler as the two best punters of the modern era. Lechler is not the best punter of the modern era. He's not second-best. He's not third-best, he's not 10th-best, he's not top-20 and probably not top-40. Lechler has handled 99.3% of the Raiders' punts since 2000. During that time, the Raiders rank:

* 31st in punt return yards allowed. Lechler goes for distance instead of hang time, and consistently out-kicks his coverage. Sunday's return TD came on a 56-yard rocket that left Royal out in the open, with no Raiders nearby. Part of this is on the coverage team, and obviously some credit goes to Royal, but it's mostly Lechler.

* 31st in punt return average allowed. An average punt by Lechler gets returned 11.3 yards. That's higher than the career averages of Eric Metcalf (9.8), Deion Sanders (10.4), Dante Hall (10.5), Josh Cribbs (10.6), Brian Mitchell (10.8) ... Basically, Lechler turns every opposing returner into Bullet Bob Hayes.

* 31st in fair catches. Only the Broncos, who have punted 161 times fewer, have forced fair catches less often than Lechler and the Raiders. Lechler is the only punter in the last decade, probably the only one in modern history, with more touchbacks than fair catches. An average punter has more than twice as many fair catches. The Falcons and Texans have about five times as many.

* 32nd in percentage of punts returned. Of Lechler's 898 regular-season punts, he has 3 blocks, 72 out of bounds, 108 downed by the coverage team, 128 fair catches, 129 touchbacks, and 458 returns. Over 65% of his kicks come back via return or touchback. Over the same time period, 10 teams are below 55%.

* 32nd in touchbacks. The other 31 teams have all punted into between 55-94 touchbacks (the expansion Texans actually just 47). Guess how many touchbacks the Raiders have. Wait, I already said: 129. Nobody else even has 100, the Raiders have 129! I suspect Lechler is the worst punter in the history of professional football at keeping his kicks out of the end zone.

* 32nd in I-20:TB. Probably some of you wondered if Oakland had so many touchbacks just because they punt a lot. Nope. Since 2000, the Raiders have 287 punts downed inside the 20, 129 touchbacks. That's a 2.2:1 ratio, by far the worst in the NFL. Green Bay is next (2.5), and four teams (Falcons, Texans, Giants, Chargers) are at least twice as good. Atlanta's ratio is 5:1 — 276 I-20, 55 TB.

Lechler kicks really far, yes. But he doesn't kick directionally, probably has never heard of coffin corner. He doesn't get any hang time, gives up a ton of return yardage. He's the worst in the NFL at pinning opponents deep, can't or won't keep his kicks out of the end zone. And his averages are inflated because he plays in great weather and for a bad team (74-110). Punters on good teams have to shorten their kicks to keep them out of the end zone. Lechler often has the whole field to work with (or he bombs them into the end zone anyway). Lechler gets enough distance that he's still an above-average punter, but he's certainly not a great one, much less historic.

22. Carolina Panthers [22] — Three players with over 300 yards rushing. Last season, the Panthers ranked 32nd in total offense (258 yds/gm). This season, with Cam Newton at QB, they rank 5th (415 yds/gm), an improvement of over 150 yards per game. DE Charles Johnson quietly has 7 sacks. Since the start of the 2010 season, only six players have more sacks than Johnson (18.5).

23. Tennessee Titans [23] — Lost three of their last four, but all against teams with at least six wins. I recently stumbled across a column from last season in which I wrote that Matt Hasselbeck was "not good enough to start any more." He's obviously not the player he used to be, but I was wrong. Not only in Hasselbeck still good enough to play, he's on my fantasy team. I added him in free agency. It's the sort of move you have to make when you draft Peyton Manning.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars [24] — Average 1 touchdown per game, worst in the league. The Jags have 8, the Rams have 9, and everyone else has at least 12. Jacksonville hasn't scored more than 20 points in any game this season.

25. Denver Broncos [29] — Several times this year, I've praised punter Britton Colquitt, but it is abominable that he was not called for intentional grounding in the second quarter. If that wasn't intentional grounding, I've never seen it. Kordell Stewart Tim Tebow played probably his best game of the season against Oakland, but man, he gets hit a lot. If the kid wants to stay healthy, he has to get the ball out of his hand faster, and maybe slide a little more often.

26. Arizona Cardinals [26] — Won in overtime, when rookie CB Patrick Peterson foolishly fielded a punt on his own 1-yard line, then brilliantly returned it 99 yards for the sudden-death victory. Peterson also intercepted a pass in the first quarter. Backup QB John Skelton led the team in rushing (38 yds), but took two sacks in the end zone. Kevin Kolb is unlikely to be ready for next week's game against Philadelphia, so we'll see how many safeties the Eagles can get out of Skelton. Arizona's next three games are all on the road.

27. Cleveland Browns [25] — Sixth straight game scoring under 20 points, but Phil Dawson connected on 50- and 51-yard field goals, the second week in a row he's hit a 50-yarder. Dawson is 6/6 from 50+, leading the NFL. Oddly, he's just 6/8 from within 50 yards. Cleveland's next two games are at home, against the 1-7 Rams and 2-6 Jaguars. Win both, and the Browns would be 5-5.

28. Miami Dolphins [31] — Whoa, where did that come from? Matt Moore threw 3 touchdown passes and the Dolphins sacked Matt Cassel 5 times in a blowout first victory. Look for a winning streak when Washington comes to town in Week 10. Four of the next five are at home.

29. Seattle Seahawks [28] — Held under 14 points for the fifth time this season, and third in a row since their bye. Marshawn Lynch rushed for a season-high 135 yards, but Tarvaris Jackson had an awful game, and the defense couldn't stop DeMarco Murray and Tony Romo. Sidney Rice, who missed the first two games with a shoulder injury, now leads the Seahawks in receiving yardage. There are not a lot of other weapons here.

30. Washington Redskins [27] — Highlight was Graham Gano's 59-yard field goal, a team record and a stadium record. Running back Roy Helu also set a team record, with 14 catches. It's a little shocking that on a team with four Hall of Fame receivers, Helu now holds the single-game receptions record. Stats aside, Helu was not impressive on Sunday. This whole offense is miserable.

31. St. Louis Rams [30] — Scored two safeties this week, and I love safeties. Nice games in the loss from Steven Jackson (130 rush yards) and Darian Stewart (3 pass deflections, 2 special teams tackles, 1 forced fumble). Their next three opponents are a combined 7-17, so if the Rams don't want Andrew Luck, November is the month to prove it.

32. Indianapolis Colts [32] — Austin Collie led the team with 32 receiving yards. Pat McAfee punted 9 times for 451 yards. They can be mathematically eliminated this week from defending their AFC South title.

Posted by Brad Oremland at 5:48 PM | Comments (4)

November 7, 2011

No Such Luck: Darkhorse Heisman Candidates

If you're anything like me, you're tired of hearing about the same six guys who are in the running for the Heisman.

Yes, it's true that some of these guys are performing very, very well. Stanford's Andrew Luck threw for another 300 yards, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon has caught more touchdowns than half the receivers on the team have caught passes and Trent Richardson is ... well ... Trent Richardson.

But there's more guys out there playing as though they deserve the Heisman than the one's dominating "SportsCenter" highlights. Don't they deserve a fair shake, too?

So, without further ado, I give you the Heisman candidates that no one else is talking about from every conference in college football.

ACC — OG Omoregie Uzzi (Georgia Tech)

Yeah, I'm starting out the list with an offensive lineman. What of it?

Georgia Tech's going to steal the ACC from Clemson and no one seems to care. Clemson's Tahj Boyd is a good quarterback. He's throwing for 250 yards a game and he's got a couple dozen touchdowns, but who doesn't in Division I football?

He's not the best player in the ACC, nor is he even playing on the best team in the ACC.

Did you know that Georgia Tech has the second-best rushing attack in the country? 2,952 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground. Their offensive line is making it look silly out there and right guard Omoregie Uzzi deserves most of the recognition. His traps and pulls to the right side have made the Georgia Tech stat sheet look like it's out of NCAA Football 2012.

With three games to go, there's three guys with more than 500 rushing yards and four guys with at least 4 rushing touchdowns.

More of those yards are coming behind Uzzi than any other member of that standout offensive line. Georgia Tech's going to beat No. 10 Virginia Tech this weekend and then go on to beat Clemson in the ACC title game and fans have Uzzi to thank.

Big 12 — WR Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma)

The best wide receiver in Oklahoma is not named Justin Blackmon.

Enter Ryan Broyles, the saddest kid in the Sooner State. If it wasn't for the Oklahoma wide receiver tearing his ACL last weekend against Texas A&M, Broyles would have finished this season with more catches, more yards, and a better yards per catch average than Blackmon.

He's the all-time NCAA leader in receptions and deserved to leave his collegiate career a little better than on the back of an injury cart. He'll still be drafted in the spring, but his stock has gone way down since Saturday.

I don't think he'll get any Heisman votes, but if he'd stayed healthy it'd be silly not to throw some his way.

Big East — QB Russell Wilson (Wisconsin)

I know, I know, Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson is anything but a darkhorse Heisman candidate, but I can't sit idly by while the rest of the country dismisses the North Carolina State transfer as someone for whom "it's not a given that he'll improve the Badgers greatly."

Well, guess what? He's the most effective quarterback in the nation, throwing for 21 touchdowns, while only giving opposing defensive backs three interceptions. He's a model of efficiency that shouldn't be blamed for either of Wisconsin's losses. A last-second Hail Mary from Michigan State and a 40-yard touchdown with 20 seconds to go from Ohio State? That's on the defense, specifically a secondary that had only been allowing 9.7 points per game until traveling to Ohio State.

With those two wins and a perfect record through the first nine games of the season, I have Wisconsin sitting pretty at No. 7. Now the Badgers will have to win out for a chance to win the Big Ten.

Big Ten — DE Whitney Mercilus (Illinois)

There's a guy named Whitney Mercilus who is leading the country in sacks, but he's on an Illinois team that is currently 6-3 and is fighting for the chance to play in the Obscure Never Heard Of It Bowl.

Sadly, Mercilus' great year has been wasted on most Heisman voters because the Fighting Illini played the first eight games of its schedule against unranked opponents.

It's hard to get recognition when South Dakota State is on your schedule.

Mercilus, however, has gotten most of his 11.5 sacks (which, if I haven't mentioned it already, leads the nation) against quality opponents like Northwestern and Arizona State. In fact, last week against No. 12 Penn State, Mercilus was a force to be reckoned with, collecting 1.5 sacks and 6 tackles (two of which were for a loss).

Illinois has No. 15 Michigan, No. 20 Wisconsin and Minnesota left on their schedule and I guarantee he'll perform against those three. He won't win the Heisman, but he'll keep his hold on the lead for sacks in the nation.

Conference USA — WR Patrick Edwards (Houston)

Who's got the best yards per catch average in the country? It's not Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (11.9), Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles (13.9) or even USC's Robert Woods (12.5).

It's Houston's Patrick Edwards with an amazing 20.5 yards per reception. This isn't just some great year that Edwards plucked out of a mediocre collegiate career. The Cougars all-time leader at wide receiver is just 97 yards shy of 4,000 and currently holds an average of 15.1 yards per reception.

If Cougars quarterback Case Keenum deserves any Heisman attention, then so does Edwards.

Independents — Nobody

When the best player in your "conference" is Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees, you're going to get overlooked. Seriously, there's more likely Heisman winners in the Mid-American Conference than here.

Mid-American — QB Tyler Tettleton (Ohio)

Ohio may be 0-5 in postseason bowls, but I believe that behind new quarterback Tyler Tettleton, the Bobcats stand a legitimate chance to add their first piece of silverware to the awards cabinet.

Tettleton is the MAC's version of Russell Wilson — solid, dependable, and efficient. He's completing 64% of his passes, he's +15 in touchdowns to interceptions and he's averaging 249 yards a game.

Ohio has shown they can hang with the big boys, losing a tight game with Rutgers that was within eight points going into the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats will win the Mid-American Conference, meaning they'll play the eighth-place team in the Big Ten (most likely Illinois or Iowa) in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl. Tettleton is a better quarterback than Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase or Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg and will out-duel either of them in a bowl game.

Mountain West — QB Kellen Moore (Boise State)

I will not say Kellen Moore, I will not say Kellen Moore, I will not say Kellen Moore...

Okay, it's Kellen Moore. But who else can you name from the Mountain West Conference? Heck, can you even name another team in the Mountain West Conference?

Moore has won more games than any other quarterback in the history of college football, moving him ahead of former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. (And if McCoy deserves some Heisman votes, than Moore deserves some!)

He's leading Boise State to within inches of their first national title game and I think they'll get in with an undefeated record. How? Stanford will fall to Oregon this week, Oklahoma State will lose to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, and Alabama will stay at No. 3 because they won't even be in the SEC title game.

... at least, that's what we're all praying for, right?

Pacific-12 — QB Matt Barkley (USC)

Like the Kellen Moore pick a few slides ago, this isn't so much a shocker as it is just trying to give a guy recognition who's being horribly (and unjustly) overlooked in his own backyard.

Every other quarterback in the same conference as Stanford is going to be compared with the Andrew Luck. And sports pundits will find something that makes guys not named Andrew Luck look inferior.

But I believe that Matt Barkley is every good a quarterback as Luck. Barkley's thrown 28 touchdowns, Luck's thrown 26. Barkley's throwing for 289.7 yards per game, Luck's throwing for 269.3.

When the game was on the line in the USC-Stanford game, Luck was bailed out by his defense, throwing for only 42 yards and an interception in the fourth quarter. Barkley? He threw for 83 yards and a touchdown.

SEC — K Caleb Sturgis (Florida)

An offensive lineman and a kicker on a list of players that should be getting Heisman recognition?

Yep.

Florida's Caleb Sturgis has been 17-for-19 this season, going 7-for-9 from beyond 40 yards. He has the second-longest field goal in the country so far (55 yards) and converted every single one of his extra point tries (only three guys in the country have done that).

Sturgis won't be graduating until 2013, but I have him as the highest-rated kicker when he makes himself available to be drafted.

Sunbelt — QB Blaine Gautier (Louisiana-Lafayette)

Like Tyler Tettleton before him, Blaine Gautier is a quarterback that is leading his team through a dramatic turnaround.

Louisiana-Lafayette hasn't won a bowl in recent memory, but if they stay in the top two of the Sunbelt Conference, they're guaranteed a bid. With how the Ragin' Cajuns have been playing, I have them beating Arkansas State at the end of the season, winning the Sun Belt conference and playing Southern Methodist in the New Orleans Bowl.

With the way Gautier is playing, and a home crowd full of fans from the Bayou, Louisiana-Lafayette's turnaround season should end with a bowl victory.

WAC — OG Chris Barker (Nevada)

Nevada has the seventh-best rushing attack in the country. Some may say it's because their schedule has San Jose State, UNLV and two teams from New Mexico.

I say it's because of their offensive line, specifically guard Chris Barker.

Scout.com has Barker rated as the 18th-best guard in college and with another year at Nevada, that ranking could jump before he enters the draft in 2013.

The Wolfpack will end the 2011 season with four running backs with at least 5 touchdowns. Barker's presence in the interior of that offensive line is a big reason why.

Posted by Ryan Day at 6:31 PM | Comments (0)

Breaking Down NHL Attendance Woes

Amid the big stories in the early NHL season — both positive (Toronto Maple Leafs) and negative (Columbus Blue Jackets) — there have also been grumblings about low attendance numbers for some markets. Specifically, teams like Columbus and Dallas have struggled to eclipse the 10,000 attendance figure on various nights, leading to the usual charge about "too many teams" and "not a hockey market."

Such judgments are often applied without the proper context. Let's go back before the lockout, when the Chicago Blackhawks were still in the unfriendly iron grip of Bill Wirtz. The team stunk, popular players departed over money issues, and the team was generally disconnected with the local sports fans. If you tuned into any random Hawks game at the United Center, you saw a dismal half-empty building that barely made a peep. Yet, there was no talk of relocation, poor markets, or other such talk; instead, critics focused on ownership, management, and the on-ice product.

Similarly, the pre-lockout Washington Capitals weren't exactly going gangbusters at the then-MCI Center. The Caps had solid ownership, but were decidedly above-average on the ice — good enough to usually make the playoffs, but not good enough to do much else. The diehards loved their players like Peter Bondra and Dale Hunter, but there weren't enough of those to fill the building, even for playoff games.

Yet, both of those markets are seen as NHL strongholds. What turned them around? The 'Hawks essentially had a management change in the transition from the late Bill Wirtz to Rocky Wirtz — and the younger Wirtz made re-connecting with the fans just as important as the on-ice product. Having bright young star players helped, too. In Washington, the situation was a little less complex — install a once-in-a-generation star like Alexander Ovechkin, transition to a high-flying attack style, and surround him with young talent and suddenly you get a hockey hotbed, so much so that the Caps are now a priority for the DC sports fan.

The idea of "not a hockey market" is an oversimplified black-and-white explanation. In just about every sports team's case, a winning team with a few star players will build a foundation for a fanbase. When you add smart management, strong community outreach, and solid ownership to the mix, you have the blueprint for success over the long haul. There are exceptions to every rule, but non-traditional markets have thrived this way and become NHL strongholds. Look at the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that has traditionally done well in attendance except for the short period when an out-of-their-mind ownership group nearly destroyed the fanbase. Once the team stabilized with a new owner and a better on-ice product, the fans returned.

Are low attendance numbers a concern? Of course. In a gate-driven league, ticket sales are a priority. But there's a bigger picture at play here. The Dallas Stars have been undergoing an ownership change during the post-Mike Modano era, as well as losing the team's best player to free agency (Brad Richards). The Blue Jackets have only made the playoffs once in franchise history, and despite being in an area with a solid college hockey background, have pretty much never accomplished anything to reward fans.

By making judgments over a snapshot of attendance, critics are losing site of the bigger picture. Remember, it's far easier to lose a fanbase than it is to get one. There's a mix of performance, community perception, marketing, player visibility, and other factors at play here. Even during Ovechkin's rookie year, when buzz was growing around his talent, the Caps didn't really see their attendance trend upward until the following season. Factor in a tough economy and the general NHL trend of lower attendance across the board in October/November, and you can see that attendance problems aren't simple one-solution issues — nor are they a true reflection on how "good" or "bad" a hockey market is.

Posted by Mike Chen at 4:23 PM | Comments (0)

November 6, 2011

Leading to Nowhere?

November means that a new college basketball season is at hand. We all rave about the "newness" of everything. We look forward to new expectations, whether they're repetitive from years past or in their "infancy" among a fanbase. We marvel at the new additions of stud freshman and JUCO transfers. And, for a handful of schools, we hold out newfound hope for a new coaching regime.

In my opinion, it's the last ... that's the most important when it comes to college sports. In the pros, you can have 10-, 12-, or 15-year veterans that could possibly send their entire career with the same organization. In college, the basic career gets shoved into a four-year box. The coach makes the engine fire by going on the road, recruiting the students to campus, and fitting the pieces together on the court.

In many cases, the names of the men patrolling the sidelines are more well-known than the majority of the students that excelled for them between the lines. For decades, the torches have been passed from generation (Adolph Rupp and Phog Allen) to generation (John Wooden, Pete Newell, Don Haskins) to generation (Bobby Knight, Dean Smith, John Thompson, Mike Krzyzewski) to generation (Jim Calhoun, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Jim Boeheim).

These days, the mantle of hot new coach has been thrown around from former Oral Roberts coach Bill Self to former Xavier coach Sean Miller to former Jacksonville State coach Mark Turgeon. The search for the next "It Coach" is still on after the emergence of Butler coach Brad Stevens. It's this search that helps keep the lifeblood of college basketball flowing. And it's this search that has me a little more worried when looking at this game's female counterpart.

I enjoy watching women play the game I adore so dearly. However, I can admit that trying to compare the traditions between opposing genders is lunacy. While, in my opinion, the evolution of the women's game has moved it from an infant phase to its current toddler stage, the game must continue to make strides to reach its potential. The question is, who will be there to provide guidance and growth?

Before a couple of months ago, the gatekeepers of college ball were firm in their authority. Geno Auriemma held court in Storrs. Tara Vandeveer kept the fort strong for the West Coast. C. Vivian Stringer basked in the New Jersey glow.

Then, in a fell swoop, the most decorated of them all came out with a shocking declaration. Pat Summitt, the original Queen Bee on the NCAA era, announced that she was diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's Type. At the SEC Media Day this week, I was reminded about the 59-year-old Tennessee coach and her endeavor to stay in front of this disease.

After that, though, I started to think ... "what's next?" The question wasn't for Summitt. Everyone, friend or foe, knows she's a fighter and will continue to exhibit as much. The question was meant for the women's game as a whole, for the coaching fraternity and sorority as a whole. The coaches that have molded the game into the shape its in now are still going strong. However, Summitt's announcement was another reminder that nobody will pace the sidelines forever.

So, who's next in line? Who's the rising star in the coaching world of women's basketball? Who will fill the stoic presence of a Vandeveer? Who will take up the legwork with the grit and guile of a Stringer? Who will be the polarizing staple that Auriemma has become? Who will demand the kind of excellence Summitt does?

I feel that there are contemporaries at the moment. But the Kim Mulkeys, the Sylvia Hatchells, the Gary Blairs, and the Muffet McGraws have built extensive resumes of their own. Sue Semrau of Florida, Sherri Coale of Oklahoma, and Charli Turner Thorne of Arizona State have turned their programs into consistent winners, but they've done it at a more steady pace. And a trend that's now conceivable is for former pros (e.g. Teresa Weatherspoon, Dawn Staley) to go back to their college roots and lead the pros of tomorrow.

But is there someone out there that might make a stratospheric rise to become the new bully on the block? I offer up a few contenders.

Katie Meier has turned a middling program at Miami into an ACC champion in her six seasons with the Hurricanes. She's used to quick turnarounds, though. Her first head coaching experience brought forth three postseason berths in her four-year tenure at Charlotte. If she sticks around Coral Gables, and keeps her team's proverbial nose clean, there's no way to believe she can't coerce championship talent to come to South Beach.

Coquese Washington had the unenviable task of replacing a legend. The Penn State coach was brought in to build on the success the school saw under Rene Portland. The road's been bumpy, but the results started to come through in Washington's fourth season. Last year, she led the squad to a 25-10 record, a second-place finish in the Big Ten, and their first NCAA berth since 2005. In a conference that's always seen as one of the country's best, Washington is in the path to being a step ahead of everyone else.

The best chance at a "rising star" candidate could have just accepted the biggest risk/reward challenge. Nikki Caldwell took UCLA from an afterthought to a Pac-12 power in just three short seasons. Just this past campaign, she took the Bruins to a 27-5 record and a three-seed in the NCAA tournament. Now, the former Tennessee star will see more of her former coach. Caldwell filled the vacancy at LSU, a school with its own base of prestige. Can the student supplant the master and become the mightiest of the mighty?

Who knows if any of these coaches will be the one to usher in the new generation of fans, players, and, more importantly, coaches. There might be some other assistant or lower-division success that may be one call away from providing that spark. But I do think someone needs to strike that match, because once the light dims, it might take a while to reignite it.

Posted by Jonathan Lowe at 5:23 PM | Comments (0)

The Best Worst Game in World Series History

The St. Louis Cardinals overcame heavy odds in winning the 2011 World Series. While Game 7 was the clincher, the previous contest will be remembered as the turning point. Game 6 between the Cardinals and the Texas Rangers has been called many things. The New York Times called it "epic." Time Magazine and CNN.com both called it an "instant classic." Few, though, have used another classification that is just as apt: the worst baseball game in recent postseason memory.

Don't get me wrong: the game was an absolute joy to watch. It provided suspense, drama, and (sweet Jesus!) the excitement! Over the past three or so years of baseball, I find it hard to recall a game I would have rather watched. However, the fact remains, if this game was played at the high school junior varsity level, both teams would've been running like there was no tomorrow afterwards.

Where do I begin?

A combined 5 errors, 4 unearned runs, 2 wild pitches, 3 blown saves, 12e base on balls...

The Cards allowed leadoff base-runners in five of the first seven innings: 2 walks, 2 errors, and a solo home run. The Rangers' pitching staff walked more batters than they struck out. There were four attempted sacrifice bunts in the game — the lone success was literally bunted over the head of a charging third baseman. The list goes on.

And these were the best two teams in the major leagues this year? It wasn't only the physical shortcomings. Strategically and mentally, this game was an absolute disaster.

Why, when the Cardinals had the bases loaded during the bottom of the 8th inning, did three consecutive hitters swing at the first pitch they saw? Yes, Daniel Descalso and Jon Jay singled; however, Descalso's first-pitch swing was a routine groundball that was mentally misplayed by Elvis Andrus, who could have either thrown Yadier Molina out by 15 feet for the force play or quick-released a throw across the diamond to end the inning. (But Ian Kinsler wasn't at the base! They're major leaguers. Toss it over the bag, he was there in time.) Then, with the bases juiced, Rafael Furcal (3-for-24 in the series at that point) hacked at a first pitch slider out of the zone, anticlimactically tapping out to Mike Adams to kill the rally. Smart hitting while in a slump, with your team trailing, and the pitcher backed into a corner.

On the flipside, how could Jason Motte throw a first-pitch fastball down Broadway to Josh Hamilton — a man who swings at roughly 50% of first pitches — in the 11th inning? Did Motte and Molina fall asleep reading the scouting report? It was absurd to give him a hittable pitch in that situation.

On the managing side, riddle me this, La Russa: how can you leave Molina on base in the bottom of the eighth when your team is four outs away from elimination? Had Edwin Jackson or Kyle Lohse been on second when Jay stroked the single to center, the game would have been tied without Furcal's foolish flail. Imagine if the Cards had not fought back in the 9th — it would have cost them the game. The retirement conference for La Russa would have had a few more questions to be answered.

And then came the play that will go down in history: a historic, bases-clearing, 2-out, 2-strike triple by David Freese to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. How can anyone find fault with this play? Let me count the ways:

1) Tony La Russa — Why is Lance Berkman still on first base as the potential tying run? If this ball goes to the gap, he will either be held at third or hosed at the plate. Unless the ball is misplayed...

2) Nelson Cruz — I do not fall into the camp that believes Cruz could have caught this flyball. Replays are inconclusive. What is conclusive to an intelligent baseball player, though, is that Lance Berkman on was on first base. Cruz has a shotgun for an arm — play the ball off the carom, hit your cutoff man, and watch Berkman slam on the brakes or barrel your catcher to end the series.

3) Neftali Feliz — At what point in the at-bat did a grooved, 2-strike fastball seem like the best idea to close out David Freese? The easiest 98 mph pitch to hit (if there is one) is one down in the zone and out over the plate. Had Feliz gone inside or up, this series is over and...

4) David Freese — ...would have been the goat he had prepared himself to be. Only in baseball can the man who nearly cost his team the game return (in an entirely self-created moment) to be the hero. Had he caught the pop-up in the top of the fifth, Cards win this game in nine. As it stands, he's a World Series hero instead.

Now, as an analytical and observant student of baseball, I completely understand that all of my hypothetical "what ifs" would have altered the course of this game profoundly. Perhaps a pinch-runner gets thrown out at the plate to end the eighth. Maybe Freese's error forces the pitcher to focus instead of easing up and dishing out back-to-back homers. Suppose Pujols trotted out to first base twelve seconds later due to Furcal waiting for the second pitch, breaks his ankle tripping over another squirrel, and the morale in St. Louis drops irretrievably low. I get it.

But ultimately, so much about this game made baseball purists cringe.

There's a reason Japan wins the World Baseball Classic each time it's played: fundamentals. They robotically manufacture runs, avoid sloppy defense, and throw strikes. Either team could have taken this Series had they followed that basic formula.

But then again, where would the excitement have come from?

Posted by Louie Centanni at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)

November 5, 2011

An Off-Broadway Play

Nothing's small about Rex Ryan. Hired by the Jets in 2009, his lap-banded profile has only been eclipsed by his grandiose predictions and larger than life ego. As a human lightening rod, supporters envision him a green and white messiah leading them to football's promised land, while detractors see only a saber-rattling, blowhard whose outrageous comments are a recipe for humble pie, a loss of face, and a pride before fall exit.

Yet watching the opening acts of Ryan's off-Broadway play, both characterizations seem inaccurate. The drama beginning three seasons ago depicts neither savior nor fool, neither future legend nor destined-to-fail loser. This seemingly simple man is far more than a novelty act buffoon and far less than Vince Lombardi's second coming.

Yet whoever he is, it is certain that in the unforgiving results-oriented world of the National Football League the "king of hyperbole" has given hope to fans knowing almost none. For despite his obvious foibles, in taking the Jets to the same number of conference championship games in his first two seasons as in its prior 40, Rex Ryan is also a very good football coach.

At the start of this campaign, his regular season winning percentage was .625 and two of every three playoff games ended in victory. He took a team not winning the Super Bowl since Lyndon Johnson's presidency and made them relevant for the first time since Joe Namath wore white shoes, mink jackets, and a "What, Me Worry?" smile. Yet with all of that, his detractors are legion and are not entirely unjustified. And more than anything else, such criticism is based on Ryan's bombastic and self-promoting personality.

Since bursting on the New York scene with all the subtlety of an onrushing locomotive, Ryan's high-wired act has been supremely confident at best and obsessively boastful at worst. For critics believing the latter, validation has come more often than Lindsay Lohan court appearances.

At his first news conference, he played the schoolyard bully in offering that "The Jets are coming ... and I think that's going to be more than you can handle." Shortly thereafter he stated, "I believe our team is better than every (expletive) team in the league."

In referring to Bill Belichick before playing and losing to the Patriots in 2010, he warned: "I came here to kick his ass." And the following month at a mixed martial arts event in Miami, he flipped the bird to thousands of hostile fans after predicting that the Jets would beat the Dolphins twice the following season.

Before losing in the playoffs last season, he boasted, "Regardless of who we play, we think we're better than any team out there." The next month he proclaimed, "There's no way we don't get it done next year" and, "I know we'll win it." That prophecy was followed at the scouting combine with, "I believe this is the year we're going to win the Super Bowl ... I guarantee we'll win it this year."

While confidence is necessary in a head coach, continual claims of superiority without sealing the deal quickly promote "the king has no clothes" perceptions. In not delivering on championship promises, self-assured pronouncements soon become the delusional and desperate rants of a leader lacking that quality. And in endlessly claiming dominance without supporting such assertions, faith in oneself becomes hubris and optimistic predictions become the ignored ramblings of a man crying wolf.

With no end in sight for self-aggrandizing exaggeration, Ryan's only inoculation from the worst results of foot-in-mouth disease is to win early and often. However, should he fail, he risks far more than criticism from fans and the media. He risks quickly losing control of his players and ultimately his job.

While Ryan apologists are quick to refute the notion that his over-the-top comments and frequent guarantees can backfire if wins don't soon follow, critics are notable and vocal. Joe Namath has insisted that Ryan's endless boasts of his team's dominance counterproductively allows players to think "they're better than they are." And for players buying the hype, it is only a small step to "not be preparing quite the way [they] should."

Moreover, Namath has been critical of Ryan's "Mr. Nice Guy" approach. "In bending over backward for the guys to be on their side," the greatest Jet of them all has intimated that such a players' coach in the extreme can lead to undisciplined play and an inmates running the asylum disaster. And in seeking evidence of that, critics look no further than accusations of sexual harassment toward a female reporter in the locker room, a Jet assistant tripping an opposing player during a punt return, and players criticizing members of the coaching staff and each other.

But Namath is far from alone in his criticism of Ryan's shoot from the lip "take no prisoners" verbal approach. Said Bill Cowher, since "reality should be done with your deeds and not your words ... I have concerns [that] at some point ... his words are going to become hollow." And in referring to Ryan's salty language on "Hard Knocks," Tony Dungy chided: "I don't think our young people need to hear that that's the way it's done to be successful." But in criticizing his former coach, Ray Lewis arguably said it best. "The game ain't played in tongues" and the danger of exaggerated talk "is writing a check that you can't cash."

While successful coaches come in all shapes, sizes, approaches, and temperaments, there are reasons why none have resembled Rex Ryan. At the least, in a game where emotional intensity is often the tipping point between wins and losses, it is counterproductive to add any fuel to an opponent's emotional fire through boorish statements of self-promotion and superiority.

The problem with Ryan's coaching approach is that with expectations so inflated, should adversity strike, as it inevitably will, he will be given little support and less time to recover. Victories are his Teflon protection against Schadenfreude-fueled critics who want him to fail.

Continuing his current in your face "I don't care what you think" approach, media, and fan second-guessing will be kept at bay only by heeding the "just win, baby" imperative. Should losses mount, he has little margin for error. And because of this, unless Ryan learns restraint and humility, the off-Broadway play of this very good coach will likely have an abbreviated run.

Posted by Neil Bright at 1:08 PM | Comments (3)

La Russa, Out on Top

It's almost the way you might imagine people to have felt when Casey Stengel retired, except that Stengel went out not with a bang, but with a medical whimper. In his fourth season managing the comic-opera toddlerhood of the New York Mets, Stengel fell from a car, broke his hip, and faced a long recuperation. The greatest manager of his generation, and maybe of all baseball to that point — 10 pennants and seven World Series titles in 12 seasons, including a staggering five consecutive World Series titles in his first five seasons managing the ancient dynastic Yankees.

And he was done. The Ol' Perfesser walked on a twisted cane to a Shea Stadium press conference and field ceremony and said, simply, "If I can't walk out to the mound to change a pitcher, I'm not capable of managin' anymore." They put Stengel's uniform with No. 37 into a glass display case and the man himself into the Hall of Fame shortly thereafter, a special vote waiving the five-year retirement rule to induct him (with Ted Williams) in 1966. But everybody thought there'd be something missing knowing Casey Stengel wasn't out there managing a game, befuddling writers and listeners alike with his virtuosic triple-talk, or keeping them laughing that they might not weep (I been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to lose I never knew were invented yet) over his Amazin' Mets.

It would not be untoward if some people today think the Hall might do likewise for Tony La Russa, who decided to retire when he was at the absolute top of his game, two days after he finished shepherding the St. Louis Cardinals to the unlikeliest World Series triumph of ... maybe ever. Painfully few of the greats call it quits so well, and so triumphantly. And there's already something missing, terribly, knowing that La Russa isn't out there managing a game, or turning a ball game into a chess match, somewhere.

It's hard and often painful enough to see great athletes lingering beyond their prime, looking like sad imitations of themselves. Willie Mays may have looked the saddest of them all in his final four seasons, even though he ended his career in a World Series; Sandy Koufax, by contrast, saddened a world when he called it a career at a mere age 30, after arguably the greatest season of a career that was the very personification of ascension. Mickey Mantle finally looked like the near-cripple his always-testy legs had too long threatened to leave him; Jackie Robinson wouldn't let himself look anywhere near that way, when his battered knees told him to quit. Joe DiMaggio called it a career when he couldn't bear the thought of another season as what his brother said: "He quit because he wasn't Joe DiMaggio anymore."

It's just as painful to see great minds of the games lingering when the games pass them by, or they simply can't walk away no matter how their teams are doing, or they can't let go of the image, the prestige, the money, the whatever. Sometimes, they walk away in disgust when it blows up in their faces. Actually, in one case, Thomas Boswell was moved to lead: "They say you can't fire the whole team, so you have to fire the manager. Nobody told Whitey Herzog." The White Rat, "sick and tired of watching his Cardinals play baseball in a way that offended his sensibilities and injured his enormous pride," took an enormous hike — in early July 1990. Saying he was embarrassed by a team that flat quit on him, though his words were "I can't get them to play," Herzog flew the coop.

Joe Torre, lowballed by the Yankees, decamped for the Dodgers, leading them to a National League Championship Series (a 4-1 smothering by the Phillies) and a National League Division Series (where the Dodgers, with the best record in the league, got manhandled by La Russa's Cardinals), then retired after finishing fourth in 2010 to work in the commissioner's office. Lou Piniella couldn't work his 1990 magic in Cincinnati with later collections of Seattle Mariners (despite a 116-win season), Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Chicago Cubs, and got out in 2010, while the getting was still reasonable, and he had enough of what was left of his sanity. Sparky Anderson, the first before La Russa to win a World Series managing in each league, but disgusted over the 1994 strike, virtually suspended when he refused to manage replacement players to open spring training 1995 if need be, retired after the '95 season.

La Russa didn't wait for any new low. Even this season, he had no further to look than Boston to see what complacency and incohesion could do to an excellent manager. After the Red Sox's stupefying collapse, Terry Francona fired himself before the Red Sox brass could even think about it. La Russa wasn't going to let that happen to him. He brought off arguably the greatest miracle finish in the game's history. Dead and buried at August's end; standing at the top of the wild card heap at September's end; world champions at October's near-end.

"A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns and masks," Don Corleone told his oldest son in The Godfather. La Russa, a lawyer who practiced baseball and rewrote no few of its unwritten laws, stole something neither a lawyer nor a hundred men with guns and masks could steal last week. Barely 48 hours after the triumph that may well remain the first thing noted in future conversations about the man, and a lot of analysts were thinking aloud that the Cardinals might have a shot at getting back to the postseason next year, with or without Albert Pujols, La Russa called it a career before anything or anyone else could call it for him.

La Russa had been one of the earliest managers to determine that statistical analysis was as useful as gut instinct or personality knowledge in making the best of possible matchups. (Davey Johnson, who has just been re-upped to manage the Washington Nationals next year, was one of La Russa's very few like-minded 1980s contemporaries; Herzog, building and winning the Runnin' Redbirds pennant winners of the '80s, didn't talk about stats but sure did anticipate Moneyball with his knack for getting high on-base-percentage men at the front and rear ends of his lineups.) That enabled him to make competitors and a division winner out of the otherwise moribund Chicago White Sox in the early 1980s. It enabled him to keep an often contentious squad of Oakland Athletics owning the American League West in the late 1980s and early 1990s. And it enabled him to keep various and sundry collections of Cardinals competitive, division-winning, and twice world champions from 1996-2011.

He fashioned a remarkable run of success in refining the bullpen mission. He converted a talented but troubled starter named Dennis Eckersley, then just beginning to conquer a longtime battle with the bottle, into an unfathomable ninth-inning stopper; he built bullpens based on his matchup and analysis with arms that were just right for the jobs at hand; he and his longtime consigliori, pitching coach Dave Duncan, had a genius for rehabilitating veteran starting pitchers and turning them from also-rans to near-aces. He borrowed a little of the Stengel book of using all 25 of your men, refined it through his analytical filter, and built teams that either remained pennant-competitive or didn't stay away from it for very long if they fell.

Was he perfect? Even La Russa would admit he was anything but. At times his insistence that his was the right way cost him as much as it profited him. It may have cost him a shot at stopping the upstart Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 World Series. (Twice he had late-inning leads to protect before the ninth inning and refused to think about Eckersley until his regularly appointed round. The A's lost both those games en route the sweep.)

In his very first season managing the Cardinals, it led to estrangement rather than embrace for Ozzie Smith at the end of his Hall of Fame playing career. La Russa insisted Smith's and new acquisition Royce Clayton's springs (Smith's a fine one, Clayton's a weak one) were deceptive enough and Clayton would get most of the playing time in a shortstop platoon, which rankled the earnest Smith, who thought his spring had earned him the starting job and was already under duress from a painful divorce.

And God only knows what La Russa had to overcome following Bullpengate in Game 5 of the World Series. Actually, he didn't have to overcome all that much, once he found a way to think in terms other than how it might have cost him not just a game but a World Series. He merely owned up, closed his ranks, and made bloody well sure that there wasn't a mistake the Cardinals or the Texas Rangers could make in Game 6 that couldn't be overcome by some good old don't-even-think-about-quitting Cardinal baseball.

A man who makes a few mistakes and learns from every last one of them isn't going to miss too many profitable opportunities. Maybe La Russa's most profitable stubbornness was the one that might have gotten him the most broiling, except that it led to a trade which arguably meant the beginning of the impossible resurrection.

Talented but testy outfielder Colby Rasmus — much like another one-time Cardinal before him, Gregg Jefferies — had a serious problem. Like Jefferies in his early and notorious seasons with the Mets, following a phenomenal minor league career, Rasmus seemed incapable of accepting any baseball guidance other than his father's. "[H]e doesn't listen to the Cardinal coaches now, and that's why he gets into his [funks], in my opinion," La Russa told a St. Louis television station. "I actually feel concern for him, because he hears it from so many places, he's got to be confused."

Like Jefferies's Mets, Rasmus's Cardinals could have become a clubhouse divided into pro- and con- factions. At long enough last, and well before it could have helped blow up the team, the way Jefferies had done with the Mets, the Cardinals — who first denied trying to trade Rasmus though they acknowledged his trade request — shipped him to the Toronto Blue Jays before this season's non-waiver trade deadline. La Russa had to downplay talk that he himself had run Rasmus out of St. Louis. "I've heard it said that if you don't get along with the manager in St. Louis you can't play. That's ridiculous," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "If you get on Tony's bad side you're out of here. That's wrong."

Rasmus went to the Blue Jays with three relief pitchers for Octavio Dotel, Edwin Jackson, Corey Patterson, and Marc Rzepczynski. Patterson proved a non-factor but Dotel, Jackson, and Rzepczynski proved important to the Cardinals' improbable stretch drive resurrection and postseason conquests. Some think the trade meant the postseason for the Redbirds, and La Russa might have agreed — if he hadn't had and found ways to use 21 other men.

"Some grown men cried," La Russa acknowledged after telling his players he was finished. "I kind of liked that, because they made me cry a few times."

La Russa had struggled recently with a nasty battle with shingles. He also had one embarrassing DUI incident. He didn't let either of them knock him off task or off message. Twice he had to close his players' ranks in the eye of tragedy — when pitcher Darryl Kile and longtime Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck died in the same week in 2002; and, when pitcher Josh Hancock died in a drunken-driving automobile wreck in 2007. He also had to withstand the heat when some of his most colourful, powerful players over time — Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco — were suspected and exposed as users of actual or alleged performance-enhancing substances. La Russa insisted he had little if any such knowledge, and while he was hammered by many, many others respected him for standing behind his players.

Today McGwire — who owned up to using such substances out of quiet desperation to recuperate from or play through injuries before he was named the Cardinals' batting instructor — is a World Series-winning batting coach respected for his knowledge of the craft. He won a World Series ring playing for La Russa in 1988; he'll be fitted for one shortly coaching for La Russa this season.

McGwire once left millions on the table rather than play at less than his proper capacity. La Russa is leaving likely money on the table in walking out at the top of baseball's least likely beanhill. Certainly, La Russa — whose contract expired after the World Series — could have returned in 2012, writing his own ticket after the Cardinals' surrealistic conquest. But he chose instead to retire when nothing could tarnish his achievement or his career at its finish. Until this season La Russa probably ranked at least in the lower four among the top ten managers of all time. As of Friday night, he's probably shoved himself right there between Earl Weaver and Joe McCarthy, at number five.

So far as St. Louis is concerned, he's number one. Even though, when they retire his uniform number, it'll be a perfect 10.

Posted by Jeff Kallman at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)

November 4, 2011

A BCS Championship Prequel?

Sequels usually stink. This is the lesson the past few years (decades?) of movies have taught us. And yet, even with the college football season's much-anticipated blockbuster finally playing on Saturday, we should start thinking about a January release of LSU/Alabama II.

The road to a rematch is not hard to construct, especially if LSU loses a close game that could be attributed to Alabama's home-field advantage. A quick survey of national sentiment suggests that the Tigers and Tide are clearly viewed as the top two teams in the country. If that is as widely believed as it seems, why should that change if the two teams play fairly evenly on Saturday?

The potential for a BCS championship rematch is even stronger when we examine the other potential participants. With apologies to Oklahoma State, Boise State, and Stanford, this is not a banner year for traditional powerhouses outside the top two.

Furthermore, OSU and Stanford both still have major tests where they will be, at best, slim favorites (vs. Oklahoma and Oregon, respectively). While both games are at home, that will make a potential loss late in the season even more damning to their BCS campaigns.

Of course, we have already seen a season that seemed to setup ideally for a BCS rematch. In 2006, Ohio State and Michigan had their own No. 1 vs. No. 2 game-of-the-century of the year. Interestingly, the Buckeyes pulled out a 3-point home win very similar to the scenario described above for Alabama. However, that season differed from 2011 in several key ways.

First of all, the OSU/UM game was the last of the season for each, giving Michigan no opportunities to demonstrate it still deserved another chance. And while the Wolverines climbed back to the No. 2 position a week later following UCLA's upset of USC, they were vulnerable to the shortcomings of the voters' memories. One week after that, Florida won the SEC title game (more on that shortly), giving the Gators the last word in the debate for No. 2. LSU and Alabama, in contrast, still have three regular season games — including LSU's game with current No. 7 Arkansas — to prove that they belong.

Also in direct contrast to 2006, the LSU/Alabama loser will have the SEC PR complex in its corner. That year, Florida leapt Michigan after a 38-28 SEC Championship Game win best remembered for CBS's Gary Danielson's second-half campaign speech endorsing the Gators' BCS bona fides over Michigan's. Given the amount of research and preparation the CBS crew had clearly done in advance of this scenario, it is hard to attribute the position to anything but CBS's ties to the SEC, the only college football conference it covers on the network. Will Danielson make as strong a case from his seat in Atlanta next month if the alternative to LSU/Alabama II is one-loss Oklahoma or, God forbid, undefeated Boise State?

In 2011, the college football landscape is significantly different. The myth of SEC supremacy has been ingrained in voters by an active streak of five straight BCS champions and the hysterics of Southern football elitists who claim communal glory in the achievements of their league-mates. To summarize a common justification that will be made for the SEC West runner-up, if any league at any time deserved to have two teams in the BCS championship, it is today's SEC.

Immediately following Saturday's game, the winner will essentially be handed an open invitation to New Orleans for January. Barring a colossal upset, the victorious Tigers or Crimson Tide will be able to ignore style points on the way to 13-0 thanks to the shiniest notch of the season on its belt. However, especially if the game is relatively even, the defeated team will instantly have its season reframed into an ice skating routine.

Saturday's loser will have done the equivalent to falling attempting a quadruple axel in its routine's first jump. That team will no longer be unblemished, but if it puts together a stylish high-octane performance to end the season, that might be enough for a chance at revenge on the biggest stage.

At the end of the regular season, we have so few data points for each team that ranking them requires subjective interpretation of each game of significance. Maybe an Alabama or LSU loss on Saturday will cast that team in a better light than a middling win for another. This is the shame of Division 1 college football: the sport's most compelling matchups play out in our imaginations.

In a playoff-less system that drains national relevance from all but the most premiere games, this is the price we pay for sleepwalking through two months to get to this game. There is a good chance we will have to wait another two months for the next game of significance, only to have it crumble under the hype like so many sequels before it.

Posted by Corrie Trouw at 5:11 PM | Comments (0)

WTA Championships at Istanbul: A Success

"Brilliant" was frequently the term used by the commentators on Eurosport, Sam Smith and Chris Bradley, to describe the Sinan Erdem Arena in Istanbul and the atmosphere created in it by the spectators during the year-ending TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships. I can comfortably concur with these gentlemen. The tournament is not yet over at the time of writing this article; Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka have yet to play the final match. However, there is no need to wait for the final match to confirm that from an organizational point of view, the tournament has been declared by all parties concerned as a complete success.

The Turkish Tennis Federation (TTF) and the organizers knew the tall order they would face when they won the bid to host the WTA Championships three years in a row. The problem was not that Istanbul was not used to hosting this type of event. In fact, the same arena hosted the 2010 FIBA World Championships, won by the American team; in 2005, UEFA Champions League final match took place here between AC Milan and Liverpool; Istanbul also hosts a yearly Formula 1 grand Prix event, and a WTA regular tour event. Furthermore, Istanbul is a city with high ambitions: it's bidding to host the 2020 Olympics.

The challenges were of a different nature. How to create a more successful WTA Championships than the previous ones? How to overcome the nation-wide sadness created by the very recent earthquake in the city of Van that killed hundreds of people? How to bring tennis to the front of the sports pages where soccer usually reigns? How to sell tickets in the absence of the Williams sisters? More importantly, how to make this event a success in country where tennis ranks in popularity about where water polo ranks in the U.S.? When I talked yesterday to Erhan Oral, ex-Davis Cup player and ex-Fed Cup coach for Turkey, he was astonished that in Turkey where the term "tennis culture" has not yet "found its true meaning," the event was already sold-out for the weekend matches and that it was averaging over 10,000 spectators per day.

But TTF and the organizers were ready to tackle all issues and committed to offering a top-quality spectacle. Preparations began almost two months prior to the beginning of the event. Sinan Erdem Arena was modified to fit a tennis event, the lighting was adjusted, seating was determined just under 11,000. Hundreds of people were involved in these modifications, and it was a tremendous undertaking that showed that TTF and the organizers were determined to turn this event into a success. Since the event began this week, there has been an army of over 700 people who are employed to make sure that the tournament clicks smoothly on all cylinders.

According to Oral, there is no doubt that the labor brought its fruits. He added that other organizational details such as the VIP rooms, the host hotel and transportation were all at a top quality level. Even drivers for the event were all extremely professional and tam-oriented, and were all proficient in more than one language. He went as far as saying, "I can't think of much as to what could be improved for next year's event."

He was not alone in his praise of the event. The players had positive comments about the tournament throughout the week. Maria Sharapova was impressed when she played on the first evening of the tournament and the arena was nearly at capacity, seating over 10,000 spectators; she called the event "one of the best ones thus far" and added "it feels like people planned and they knew about it [the match schedule]."

The event averaged over 10,000 spectators per day and totaled close to 50,000 people during the first four days, i.e. before the semifinals. This is far more than the same number for the last three three locations that hosted the WTA Championships, Los Angeles (2002-05), Madrid (2006-07), and Doha (2008-10). Add to these numbers the sold-out crowds of the weekend, and you have the kind of attendance that tournament organizers see in their dreams. Marketing obviously had something to do with it. Large banners and advertisements were put all over the city for many months, and even PTT, Turkey's official central postal office, issued series of stamps with the pictures of the participating players.

I will finish with an anecdote that perhaps tells the tale of the success of the event better than anything else. The soccer media who have had the iron rule on sports news for so long in Turkey saw for the first time its power threatened by another sport, one that that they would have never expected. During the week, there was a derby soccer match between two of the three traditionally popular soccer teams from Istanbul. Amazingly, it was in some ways overshadowed by the WTA Championships, at least as far as the population of Istanbul was concerned.

There are some big names in the tennis circle in Turkey who believe that the soccer media were even behind the mud-throwing campaign that took place during the tournament when Sharapova announced that she was pulling out of the tournament after her second match due to an ankle injury. There were news bits in the media that Sharapova claimed in the press conference that she really retired because she could not handle being "in a country where dogs are freely roaming the streets without leashes." Some fell into the trap of this fabricated "fantastic" story, such as the Sports Minister Suat Kilic, who had a sharp reply to Sharapova through the media, an ill-advised move on the minister's part.

Let's set the record straight: Sharapova never said such a thing on that press conference. As I said above, she has already praised the organization prior to that press conference. In fact, she said how she would like to recuperate, have a good 2012 campaign, and come back to Istanbul even stronger next November. Whether the claim that this type of fabricated news originated from the jealousy of the soccer media or not is up for debate. But in any case, sensationalist news reporting exists everywhere, including Turkey; and yes, it does attract attention, even if it's based on a complete fabrication or a lie.

The organizers and TTF deserve a big round of applause for a five-star event, especially considering that it was the first one out of three in a row.

Posted by Mert Ertunga at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)

November 3, 2011

NFL Weekly Predictions: Week 9

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

Miami @ Kansas City (-5)

The Dolphins were valiant in defeat last week, falling 20-17 to the Giants after blowing a 14-3 lead. Miami is 0-7, and, along with the 0-8 Colts, one of the NFL's remaining winless teams.

"I understand Bill Cowher has no interest in coaching in 2012," Tony Sparano says. "I can relate, because there's 'no interest' in me coaching in 2012, either. In fact, there's not a whole lot of interest in me coaching in 2011. I'm not sure who the next coach will be, but I think there's only one word in the English language that would perfectly describe him: 'interim.'"

The Chiefs are playing like the team that won the AFC West last year, and after an 0-3 start, have rolled off four consecutive wins, including Monday night's 23-20 overtime win over San Diego.

"They say Philip Rivers is not himself lately," said Todd Haley, who sports the year's first playoff beard. "If he's not himself, then who is he? I'll tell you who. He's his own worst enemy. Rivers, along with his 10 Charger offensive cohorts, are collectively known as 'Blunder and Lightning.' As for the Dolphins, there's a successful formula for beating them. It's called playing them."

The 'Fins hang tough, and the defenses force a field goal battle between Dan Carpenter and Ryan Succup. Succup wins it for the Chiefs with a late 43-yard kick.

Kansas City wins, 22-19.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans (-9)

The Saints were held scoreless in the first half, and went on to suffer a 31-17 defeat at the hands of the previously winless Rams. St. Louis rushed for 183 yards, 159 by Steven Jackson, while limiting the Saints to 57 on the ground.

"St. Louis turned the tables on us," Sean Payton said. "We played like the winless team; they played like a division leader. On Sunday, we were the 'Aints,' they were the 'Ams.'

"We were two touchdown favorites over the Rams, and I'm sure a lot of gamblers placed money on us to cover, expecting a sure win and a big payoff. It didn't happen. As such, I'm not the only Saints supporter with a broken leg."

The Bucs are head to New Orleans after a bye week that followed their loss to the Bears in London. Tampa beat the Saints 26-20 in Week 6, and a win in New Orleans would give the Bucs a share of the division lead.

"After going scoreless in the first half last week," Raheem Morris said, "we know the Saints want to get on the board early. They have weapons and they'll come out firing. I know Aqib Talib will be ready, but will the rest of our defense?"

The Saints open up an early 13-0 lead. But the Buccaneers stay in it behind a solid day from Josh Freeman. In the end, Brees leads a touchdown drive that gives New Orleans a 30-23 win.

Cleveland @ Houston (-10½)

The 5-3 Texans beat the Jaguars 24-14 last week, improving their AFC South division record to a perfect 3-0. With a win, the Texans would enter their bye week at 6-3 with the comforting knowledge that Andre Johnson will likely return in Week 10.

"I hear that Peyton Hillis is still nursing a hamstring injury," Arian Foster said. "Nursing seems to be the key word. I've missed games because of a hamstring, but never for a sore throat. There's a name for players who miss games just because of an itch in their throats — a 'healthy scratch.'

"Anyway, if Hillis plays, we'll be ready. We're already 1-0 in games against teams with an injured 'Peyton.'"

The Browns are 3-4, holding the bottom spot in the AFC North. They'll need a strong defensive effort against the Houston rushing attack to knock of the Texans.

"The Texans are winning with defense," Pat Shurmur said, "and doing it without Mario Williams, who's out with a torn pec, which is an injury of which I would expect Antonio Cromartie to be afflicted. I'm not sure my offense scares the Texans at all. There used to be a time when saying 'the Colts are in town' sent the Texans running for cover. Not any more. So I doubt telling them 'a Colt' is in town will even register with them."

The Browns put up a fight, but Houston, behind Foster's 125 yards rushing and 1 touchdown, pull away for the win.

Houston wins, 27-21.

Atlanta @ Indianapolis (+9)

One week after losing by 55 points to the Colts, Indianapolis lost by only 17 in Tennessee, falling to the Titans 27-10. Indy remains winless with the 4-3 Falcons visiting Lucas Oil Stadium.

"We'll call that 'progress' and move on," Jim Caldwell said. "Which is exactly what the Colts said when they hired me to replace Tony Dungy. Anyway, Curtis Painter is making progress, as well. Like Peyton Manning, he's taken this franchise to places it's never been.

"Anyway, Matt Ryan's coming to town. So there is a franchise quarterback coming to Indy. We're hoping for a big present delivered to us right around Christmas time, when we'll have the No. 1 pick clinched. Ironically, this Santa Claus rewards you for being 'bad.'"

The 4-3 Falcons are riding a two-game winning streak and are rested and healthy after a Week 8 bye. With a win in Indy, and a Tampa win over the Saints, the Falcons would move into a three-way tie for first in the NFC South.

"Preparing for Painter is a far cry from preparing for Manning," Mike Smith said. "Manning made defenses look bad. Painter makes offenses look worse. Too bad for them it's the Colts offense."

Atlanta wins, 31-17.

NY Jets @ Buffalo (-1)

The Bills took over the division lead in the AFC East, shutting out the Redskins 23-0 in Toronto while the Patriots were knocked off 25-17 in Pittsburgh. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns, just days after signing a six-year, $59 million contract extension.

"Canada loves us," Fitzpatrick said, "and the national anthem in Washington is now '0 Canada.'

"The Jets are on a hot streak and have won two in a row, so I suggest a little cooling off is in order. That's why I invite Rex Ryan to dip his stubbly toes into Lake Erie. If he needs directions, I'll lead the horse's ass to water."

The Jets enjoyed a bye week after a big 27-21 win over the Chargers in Week 7. Rex Ryan has the Jets playing confidently, and Ryan still stands by his guarantee that the Jets will win the Super Bowl.

"Here's another guarantee," Ryan said. "I guarantee a New York team will win this game. It's one thing to rattle the Chargers with trash talk; it's another altogether to attempt it against the Bills. Sure, I could have led the Chargers to a couple of rings, but history has made it clear that nobody can lead the Bills to a title."

With an extra week to prepare, and an extra week of ego-inflation, the Jets are primed to serve the Bills with their first home loss. And they do. Shonn Greene rushes for 98 yards and a score, and Mark Sanchez hits Dustin Keller for a score.

New York wins, 29-23.

San Francisco @ Washington (+4)

The 49ers improved to 6-1 with a 20-10 win over the Browns last week, and now hold a commanding four-game lead in the NFC West. They'll head east to face the struggling Redskins, who have lost three in a row, including last week's 23-0 shutout in Buffalo.

"Sounds like somebody needs a pat on the back," Jim Harbaugh said. "Or, better yet, a kick in the backside. It's called positive and negative reinforcement, and it works. How else could I explain achieving a 6-1 record behind the services of a mediocre quarterback named Alex 'No Montana' Smith?"

The Redskins return to FedEx Field after consecutive losses on the road. They'll certainly need to protect quarterback John Beck better after surrendering 9 sacks against the Bills.

"Oddly," Mike Shanahan said, "it was the Bills defense, and not Beck, running the three-step, five-step, and seven-step 'drops.'

"I'd say this is a must-win game for us. We're hoping the 49ers don't feel the same way. In that sorry excuse for a division they play in, their next must-win game will be in the first round of the playoffs."

San Francisco wins, 24-16.

Seattle @ Dallas (-12½)

The Seahawks are 2-5 after a 34-12 beating at the hands of the Bengals in Seattle last week. They'll face a Dallas team smarting from a 34-7 whipping in Philadelphia last week.

"In Jerry Jones' delusional view of Cowboys football," Pete Carroll said, "that's called playing 'smart.'

"As for us, we looked awful against Cincinnati. I never said this of my teams at Southern California, but we looked like amateurs out there."

The Cowboys were left wondering what happened after the Eagles jumped out to a 24-0 second quarter lead and cruised to the win. Dallas fell to 3-4 and into a three-way tie for second in the East with the Eagles and Redskins.

"I'll tell you what happened," Tony Romo said. "We lost a game in the first quarter, instead of the fourth."

The visiting Seahawks don't have the luxury of their boisterous "12th Man" crowd. Nor do they have the luxury of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the infamous "Fifth Wheel," who does more "glad-handing" that the "12th Man" in full-applause mode.

Jones slinks down to the sidelines from his luxury box after a lackluster first half by the Cowboys. There, his pep talk is met with laughter, which suitably loosens up the Cowboys for a dominating second half.

Dallas wins, 34-16.

Cincinnati @ Tennessee (+3)

The Titans bounced back from a 41-7 loss at Houston to handle the winless Colts with ease, winning 27-10 behind an efficient performance from Matt Hasselbeck.

"Despite rushing for only 34 yards," Hasselbeck said, "Chris Johnson swears he hasn't lost a step. Let's not jump to conclusions. He's still fast. Now, he's fast and overpaid. Chris hasn't lost anything. Then again, he hasn't gained anything either. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Johnson is still holding out.

"Let's be honest. A team should have just as much right to renegotiate a contract as a player does. Chris got his pay raise; now, the Titans are due a pay raze."

The 5-2 Bengals may be the NFL's most surprising team, trailing the 6-2 Steelers by only a ½ game in the AFC North. They'll face a tough test in Tennessee in what will likely be a defensive struggle.

"Carson Palmer is out of Cincinnati," Marvin Lewis said, "and we got two high picks from the Raiders for him. I call that 'good' riddance. I wish Carson nothing but the best, if for no other reason than one of those picks could turn in to a first-rounder if the Raiders win a playoff game."

Johnson is greeted by "boos" by the LP Field fans, as well as a number of signs decrying his undeserved salary. One in particular, reading "CJ2Much," brings a tear to Johnson's eye, which he casually wipes away with $100 bill.

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer devises a unique defense to contain Johnson — it's called "four in the box."

The Bengals defense meets Johnson at the intersection of above-average salary and below-average performance, and suitably holds the gold-toothed and gold-digging back to zero yards.

Cincinnati wins, 23-16.

Denver @ Oakland (-7)

The Lions demolished the Broncos 48-3 last week in Denver, and in doing so, introduced the newest fad, "Te-bunking," which, loosely defined, means "shattering the myth that Tim Tebow is a legitimate NFL quarterback."

"Tebow laid more than one egg," John Fox said. "Enough to make a Denver omelet.

"Tebow has worked a miracle, by making Kyle Orton look like an elite NFL quarterback. Despite that, we're sticking with Tebow against the Raiders. Or, as 31 other teams would describe it, we're stuck with Tebow."

The Raiders will look to bounce back from Week 7's ugly 28-0 loss to the Chiefs with another win over the Broncos. Oakland took down the Broncos 23-20 in Denver in Week 1.

"I feel for Tebow," Palmer said. "I know what it's like to be thrust into a situation you're not ready for. Apparently, though, Tebow's flaws aren't as obvious to Denver fans as they are to everyone else. What's the hottest-selling item in Denver behind Tebow jerseys? Rose-colored glasses.

"I had two weeks to familiarize myself with the Raider play book, and, more importantly, my teammates. It seems they're the ones I'm supposed to throw the ball to."

Oakland wins, 30-20.

NY Giants @ New England (-9)

The Giants travel to Foxboro after a narrow 20-17 victory over the winless Dolphins last Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The win improved the Giants record to 5-2, and they lead the Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins, all at 3-4, by two games in the NFC East.

"Eli Manning didn't turn the ball over once," Tom Coughlin said. "If I had a nickel for every time I said that, I'd owe you money. This is quite an interesting matchup. Not only is it a rematch of Super Bowl 42, but, in light of Rob Gronkowski's pictures with an adult film actress, it's the G-Men versus the 'X-Man.' Talk about a 'spread' offense. I'm appalled by Gronkowski's gumption, but not his taste in women."

The Patriots look to rebound after losing 25-17 in Pittsburgh last week, as Tom Brady was limited to 198 yards passing while Ben Roethlisberger lit up the Patriot defense for 365 yards.

"Indeed, we lost to the Steelers," Brady said. "From that statement, you can surmise two things: 1) It wasn't a playoff game, and 2) I was the only loser going home to a Brazilian supermodel.

"I implore our fans to start drinking early for the Giants game. And to be on the lookout for David Tyree, because he's the only chance the Giants have to beat us. If you don't recognize him, look for the guy with a football stuck to his head."

The Giants have a two-game lead in the NFC East. Those words can be phrased as a statement or a question. Either way, it means there's a loss coming to the G-Men. No team should have a three-game lead over any other team in the East.

Brady throws for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns, and an inspired Patriots defense forces 3 turnovers.

New England wins, 34-30.

St. Louis @ Arizona (-4)

The Rams stunned New Orleans last week, handing the Saints their third loss of the year with a 31-21 victory. The Rams found inspiration in the St. Louis Cardinals, who won the World Series two nights before.

"We figured if the Cardinals could win four of seven," Steven Jackson said, "the least we could do was win one. This is the only game on the schedule pitting one 1-6 team against another. Both teams are looking for the 'single' elimination."

Arizona blew a 24-3 lead before falling 30-27 at Baltimore. Afterwards, Ken Whisenhunt revealed that Kevin Kolb played the game with a painful turf toe injury.

"Sam Bradford is also hurting," Whisenhunt said. "So it looks like Kolb and Bradford are both 'doubtful' or 'questionable.' Everyone else, on both teams, are 'hopeful' or 'wishful,' that Kurt Warner will somehow return."

Arizona wins, 24-21.

Green Bay @ San Diego (+6)

The Packers put their undefeated record on the line against the Chargers, who have lost two in a row after a 4-1 start.

"The Chargers are chronic underachievers," Aaron Rodgers said. "Thus, Sunday's game is the Packers versus the 'Slackers.' The Chargers are calling this their 'Super Bowl. That's probably not wise on their part. Why? Because they can't win the Super Bowl, much less a Super Bowl."

Philip Rivers had 3 turnovers in Monday's 23-20 loss to the Chiefs, eight days after his 2 interceptions helped the Jets turn back the Chargers, 27-21.

"I may be getting booed," Rivers said, "but at least the people on the streets of San Diego now recognize me."

With the Packers trailing 23-20 late in the fourth quarter, Rodgers faces a crucial 3rd-and-12 situation with under two minutes left. Recognizing an all out blitz, Rodgers changes the play, calling the "discount double check down," then hits Jordy Nelson on a crossing pattern. Nelson beats safety Eric Weddle and cruises to the game-winning score.

Green Bay wins, 27-23.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh (-3½)

The Ravens overcame a 24-3 first-half deficit to beat the Cardinals 30-27 last week on Billy Cundiff's 25-yard field goal on the last play of the game. On Sunday, they'll face a Steeler team bent on avenging Week 1's 35-7 blowout in Baltimore.

"I don't think we can expect another 28-point victory," John Harbaugh said. "The Steelers won't allow that, and neither will Joe Flacco. Joe's either good, or he's bad. He's like Roger Goodell — there's no middle ground. Sometimes, I don't know whether Joe's coming or going. Our defense, however, knows that when Joe's got the ball, they'll likely be 'going,' back on the field."

It's a typical hard-hitting Ravens-Steelers affair. Hines Ward and Ed Reed engage in a heated pre-game argument over "The Blind Side," the movie, not Ward's preferred method of delivering a block. Troy Polamalu gets his bell rung after taking on an offensive lineman, then skirts NFL rules by sending a passenger pigeon with a note informing his wife that he's okay.

In the end, revenge motivates the Steelers. Sean Suisham kicks the game-winner.

Pittsburgh wins, 31-28.

Chicago @ Philadelphia (-7)

The Eagles crushed the Cowboys 34-7, and finally looked like the team many expected to see after a flurry of free-agent signings this offseason. With a win over the Bears, the Eagles would even their record at 4-4 and potentially pull within one game of the division lead.

"Call me crazy," Michael Vick, "but we're thinking Super Bowl again. We were the 'Dream Team;' now, we're the 'Dream (The Impossible Dream) Team. The outcome of this game will come down to quarterback play. Our defense won't give Jay Cutler time to do anything, except dump the ball to Matt Forte, who's earned every penny of his salary and about half of Chris Johnson's."

The Bears are 4-3, in third place behind the undefeated Packers and 6-2 Lions in the NFC North.

"I hope to complete an improbable 'double,'" Cutler said. "No, not completing two halves of an NFC Championship Game. But winning in England and beating Ron Mexico in the span of two weeks."

Philadelphia wins, 30-24.

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 7:09 PM | Comments (5)

Alabama's Richardson Should Win Heisman

There is no better running back in college football today than Alabama's Trent Richardson.

Even though No. 1 LSU has the finest defense in the country, I don't see them stopping the likes of Richardson on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.

Richardson doesn't have the thighs of Earl Campbell, but he definitely has the muscle. I wouldn't be surprised if Richardson wins the Heisman this year. He is absolutely worthy.

One thing's for sure, Richardson absolutely understands the importance of this game against LSU.

"We need to play this game like its our last," said Richardson. "It's going to be a very big challenge. They're going to try and hit us, but we're going to try and hit them first. We just can't wait to get out there Saturday and showcase our skills and I know they can't wait, either."

I understand there are other backs in the Southeastern Conference such as South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore, but he doesn't hold a candle to Richardson. Auburn's Michael Dyer has as many yards rushing at Richardson, but he's just not as exciting.

Looking at both team's schedule, Mississippi State gave LSU a scare earlier this season and Alabama faces the Bulldogs on Nov. 12. The next few weeks aren't going to be easy for Alabama, but is the road to a national championship ever easy?

Alabama will show the world why they're the finest team in college football when they defeat LSU and take over the No. 1 spot in the national rankings. Richardson will go on and win the Heisman and Alabama will win its second BCS championship in three years.

Here's an interesting comparison. Wisconsin's Montee Ball leads the NCAA with touchdowns from scrimmage with 21, while Richardson is tied with Temple's Bernard Pierce with 18.

For my money, nothing is more exciting in either college or pro football than to see a player run for a touchdown from scrimmage. I'm not suggesting that catching a football doesn't take just as much athletic ability, I just prefer the smashmouth style Richardson possesses.

Clearly, Saturday's outcome weighs greatly on whether or not Richardson wins the Heisman. If he has a monster game, gains over 100 yards and scores 3 TDs to defeat LSU, there's no reason why he shouldn't be considered for the Heisman.

Richardson didn't have the kind of impact at Alabama until this season. How could he when Mark Ingram was coming into his senior year in 2010 after winning the 2009 Heisman and leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship?

Stanford QB Andrew Luck is by far the class of the Pac-12, but he also doesn't have the athleticism that Richardson has.

Stanford just isn't in the meat grinder that the SEC is, either. If Richardson was playing at Southern Cal or any of the other teams in the Pac-12, he'd surely be No. 1 with numerous Heisman watchers.

Richardson will definitely need Alabama's defense to step up to contain LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee and the Crimson Tide offense must be wary of sophomore Tyrann Mathieu, who is one of the finest defensive players in the country.

LSU is the only team stopping the Crimson Tide from winning another national championship.

Winning a second BCS championship in three years isn't going to be easy. While I have no clue as to whether Alabama would face a Pac-10 or Pac-12 school in the title game, the Crimson Tide still have to face Auburn in the "Iron Bowl" on Nov. 26.

I'm predicting two things will happen Saturday night:

1. Alabama will defeat LSU and claim the No. 1 spot in the national rankings.

2. Richardson will show America why he's worthy of being this year's Heisman Trophy winner.

Roll Tide.

Posted by David Exum at 3:29 PM | Comments (0)

November 2, 2011

Big Ten Tournament Hopefuls

After a dismal 2011 NCAA tournament showing in which the Big Ten had an impressive seven teams represented, they managed to only tally 7 total wins and no single team got past the Sweet 16. But with a plethora of young players developing throughout the Big Ten, this season is shaping up to be a very competitive one throughout. With the potential of higher competition amongst the Big Ten's teams, the midwest's most prolific conference should be able to use that competition to build its teams' character and yield a much more impressive showing come March 2012.

Here are the Big Ten teams that could change the tournament tides for their conference:

1. Ohio State

The Ohio State University is once again ranked far too high in the preseason rankings (No. 3) because their name is Ohio State, but they are still the best team in the Big Ten this year. Jared Sullinger made the right move in returning to the Buckeyes, as he would currently be a bouncer in a Columbus bar if he would have entered the draft. The offense will not only be run through him, but it will more or less be him. If Sullinger goes down, the Buckeyes will be relying heavily on William Buford, as he is the only other returning player with any real experience.

Out of Conference Game to Watch — vs. Duke, Nov. 29th

2. Wisconsin

The Badgers are arguably the most disciplined team in the league. They run a solid offense, play great help defense, and box-out every single play (they led the Big Ten in rebounds last year). Jordan Taylor returns to the Badgers to lead his team for one final run. Taylor lost sidekick Jon Leuer to the draft, sophomore point guard Josh Gasser returns and will take his starting spot. Gasser played very well last year and worked his way into the starting lineup for 30 games as a freshman. With the best backcourt in the Big Ten and the most hustle, perhaps in the country, the Badgers will have a very real shot at taking the Big Ten title from the Buckeyes and making a run for the Final Four.

Out of Conference Game to Watch — at Marquette, Dec. 3rd

3. Michigan State

The Spartans were very overhyped last year and most people who read this will probably accuse me of overhyping them this year. I defend this argument with the fact that Tom Izzo simply will not let hype go to his teams head twice in a row. They picked up a transfer from Valparaiso named Brandon Wood to fill the holes in the backcourt left by the not-so-dynamic duo of Korie Lucious and Kailin Lucas of last year. Michigan State has a great chance of exploding into the rankings as they play North Carolina and Duke in their first two games of the year. I dare to say Izzo and Sparty take one of those two games, if not even both.

Out of Conference Games to Watch — UNC, Nov. 11th and Duke, Nov. 15th

4. Michigan

Both East Lansing and Ann Arbor have teams that could wind up in New Orleans for the final four next year. Michigan was a surprise last year and wound up going 21-14 after losing virtually their whole lineup. Young stars Darius Morris, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Stu Douglass, and Zack Novak all stepped up in big ways last year and though Morris is on to the NBA, the experience of the latter three should propel the Wolverines deep into the NCAA tournament.

Out of Conference Game to Watch — vs. Oakland, Dec. 10th

5. Minnesota

Last year was Tubby Smith's first time not making the NCAA tournament and much like Tom Izzo, he won't be a disappointment twice in a row. I feel some sympathy for the members of his team, because I'm sure it was quite a demanding off =season, but I'm guessing it will pay off and the Gophers will add a few tallies to the tourney win column for the Big Ten.

Out of Conference Game to Watch — USC, Dec. 3rd

The Rest of the Gang

I feel Purdue lost too much when JuJuan Johnson and E'Twuan Moore went on the the Association, but if the team continues to play defense and a few things fall in place, the Boilermakers could win a few tourney games. Penn State lost everything when Taylor Battle graduated and won't end the season above .500. Northwestern played decently enough last year to win a few NIT games, but with their lack of defense most likely returning this year, I think that's all they'll win this year, as well.

Iowa lost everyone to graduation, as well, but last year they returned their whole starting lineup and played so far under their hype that they snuck into the tournament with a nine-seed. They did, however, manage to surprise once again and won a game, so I think, due to their wild card antics, they have the best chance to be the surprise of the Big Ten. If Fran McCaffery is able to replace Taylor Battle as the Big Ten's leading scorer, then the Hawkeys may be able to ride the McCaffery train to the NCAA tournament like the Nittany Lions did with Battle. If he doesn't step up, though, the Hawkeyes won't win 10 games in the Big Ten.

Nebraska may be gaining the respect of its new big brothers in the Big Ten on the football field, but the Huskers don't really have much going for them on the hardwood. A 76-49 stomping by Wichita State in the NIT tournament doesn't give me much confidence in them.

Though the Big Ten's bottom-of-the-barrel teams are not good at all, I think the Big Ten will balance out as a solid conference with wins from their top end teams. The Big Ten will have at least six teams in the tournament (my five picks, plus a wild card) and with thanks to some difficult out-of-conference games and some stiffer competitions in conference, the Big Ten will definitely have some representation in the Final Four and maybe even a national champ from the Buckeyes or the Wolverines.

Posted by Gary Flick at 7:39 PM | Comments (0)

NASCAR Top 10 Power Rankings: Week 33

Note: the quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Carl Edwards — After a tire issue left him floundering mid-pack for much of Sunday's TUMS Fast Relief 500, Edwards delivered a gutsy charge to the front late in the race. He salvaged a ninth-place finish and maintained his points lead, which is now 8 over Tony Stewart.

"So Stewart says I 'better be worried?'" Edwards said. "He's right. I am worried. Worried that I won't be in first place when the Chase ends. But that's better than worrying that I'll still be in second when the Chase ends."

2. Tony Stewart — Stewart nearly fell a lap down midway through the TUMS Fast Relief 500, but battled back and passed Jimmie Johnson on lap 498 to take his third win of the Chase. Stewart now trails Carl Edwards by two points in the Sprint Cup standings.

"The Cup championship is so close," Stewart said, "I can taste it. I'm not sure what it tastes like, but it smells like victory.

"Paul Menard wouldn't push me to the win at Talladega. Ironically, his refusal to do so pushed me to the win at Martinsville. Supposed 'team orders' played no part in this outcome. Last week at Talladega, it was 'team orders' that reeked of 'team odors.' Something is rotten in Denmark, and at Roush Fenway, and at Richard Childress Racing."

3. Kevin Harvick — Harvick finished fourth at Martinsville and clipped 5 points from Carl Edwards' points lead. Edwards lead Tony Stewart by 8, with Harvick 21 behind Edwards.

"That's my sixth top-10 finish in seven Chase races," Harvick said. "Despite those finishes, I still find myself hovering just outside the lead. It seems I'm 'spinning my wheels,' unfortunately not as a result of winning a race."

4. Matt Kenseth — Kenseth finished 31st at Martinsville after slamming the wall on lap 464 after cutting a tire. He later tangled with Brian Vickers, spinning the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota only to have Vickers retaliate later. Kenseth fell from second to fifth in the point standings, losing 22 points to points leader Carl Edwards, who finished ninth.

"Brian Vickers is hell on wheels," Kenseth said. "Red Bull comes in a can. You know what else comes in a can? 'Black Flag.' Oddly enough, I'm jealous of Vickers. Why? Because he did so much 'trading paint' on Sunday that he had new sponsors by race's end."

5. Jimmie Johnson — Johnson led on the final restart with three laps to go at Martinsville, but couldn't hold off the charging Tony Stewart, who slipped by one lap later. Johnson took the runner-up spot and improved one place in the point standings to sixth, 43 behind Carl Edwards.

"Brian Vickers cost me the race," Johnson said. "He just had to retaliate against Matt Kenseth. That caution killed me. Vickers has no business intentionally spinning cars when he can do it just fine by accident.

"As for my title hopes, I'm not conceding anything. Hopefully, something strange will happen. Ideally, something stranger than me not winning the Sprint Cup title."

6. Brad Keselowski — Keselowski saw a sure top-10 finish turn into a disappointing 17th after his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge was collected in a wreck with two laps to go. Dale Earnhardt made contact with Denny Hamlin, sending the No. 11 into Keselowski's Dodge. Keselowski is now fourth in the point standings, 27 behind Carl Edwards.

"Brian Vickers hit a lot of cars on Sunday," Keselowski said, "and it appears he 'rubbed off' on Earnhardt, as well."

7. Kyle Busch — Busch led 126 laps at Martinsville and was headed for at worst a top-five finish before he was wrecked on lap 464 when Matt Kenseth cut a tire in front of the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota. Busch finished 27th, seven laps down, and fell to seventh in the point standings, a distant 57 out of first.

"It's hard to believe I was leading the standings before the Chase started," Busch said. "What's much more believable? That I'm not leading the standings after the Chase ends. I could blame it on luck, or fate, my own deficiencies as a driver, or, better yet, 'un-lead-ed' fuel."

8. Jeff Gordon — Gordon led 113 laps in the TUMS Fast Relief 500, sporting the best car on the track for much of the race. Unfortunately, his handling faded late, and his chance for a win fell to the wayside. He finished third and remained in tenth in the point standings, 76 out of first.

"Apparently," Gordon said, "2011 is not a good season for present five-time Sprint Cup champions, or future five-time champions, for that matter."

9. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — Earnhardt finished seventh at Martinsville, registering only his second top-10 result of the Chase. He is ninth in the Sprint Cup point standings, 73 out of first.

"I'm not ready to call our 2011 season a failure," Earnhardt said. "That is, unless I go four more races without a victory, thereby clinching a winless season. Only then will I call our year a 'total' loss."

10. Kurt Busch — Busch finished 14th at Martinsville, and since winning at Dover on October 9th, has not posted a top-10 finish. He now sits eighth in the point standings, 58 out of first.

"Despite a ho-hum 14th-place finish," Busch said, "there was reason to celebrate. I spun Ryan Newman and didn't get punched."

Posted by Jeffrey Boswell at 11:17 AM | Comments (0)

November 1, 2011

NFL Week 8 Power Rankings

Five Quick Hits

* Will somebody please take those rewindable clickers away from Phil Simms and Tony Dungy before they give someone a seizure?

* Congratulations to Tony LaRussa and the St. Louis Cardinals. It's refreshing to see a legend go out on top, and the Cardinals' late run this season was inspiring, the sort of thing sports fans still talk about decades later.

* Current TV commercials call Calvin Johnson and Brian Orakpo all-pros. Johnson has never been first-team (yet) and Orakpo has never even gotten a vote. The car commercial for Johnson is a little misleading, but the insurance ads with Orakpo are an outright lie.

* Through seven games, Sideshow Chad has 9 catches and no touchdowns. With that level of production, was it worth it to bring this guy into the locker room?

* Maybe this is unfair, but was anyone else alarmed to hear that Ben Roethlisberger wants to be a high school coach? Is it really a good idea for this guy to be back in a position where he's spending time around teenage cheerleaders?

***

I hate to be another writer who won't shut up about Ken Dorsey Tim Tebow, but I thought ESPN's Tom Jackson raised an interesting point on Monday. Jackson suggested that Denver's coaches knew Cade McNown Tim Tebow wasn't ready, and tried to protect him by putting him third on the depth chart. But there were too many Orton-haters, fans who never got over the trade of Baby Jay Cutler, and too many believers: "grass-is-greener" types who always want the backup, and Florida fans, and people who fall for that nonsense about athletes who possess a mystical ability to "just win games" despite their lack of actual talent. I have never, in my whole life, seen an athlete succeed when the crowd is chanting his backup's name, and Kyle Orton was set up for failure.

Few would want to admit it, but many Denver fans didn't want to see Orton succeed. They wanted to win with Tebow, and knew so little about football that they thought they could. To those fans, I say congratulations. You got your wish. You've made your bed, have fun sleeping in it. Sadly, there's a lot more Tebow Talk in the Denver summary, but for now, on to the power rankings. Brackets indicate previous rank.

1. Green Bay Packers [1] — Almost everyone, including me, has focused on Aaron Rodgers' phenomenal start to the season. But no player, no matter how talented, can win by himself when there are 22 men on the field. Greg Jennings has become an elite wide receiver, if he wasn't one already. Jordy Nelson and company are good, and Green Bay's deep receiving corps creates nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators, but Jennings would be a star anywhere. Except Denver. Or Jacksonville. Charles Woodson leads the NFL in interceptions; even at age 35, he's an asset to the secondary. Clay Matthews isn't playing at the level he did early last season, but he remains a dangerous playmaker on a defense that ranks among the top 10 in points allowed and tied for second in takeaways.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers [6] — This is obviously a resilient team, but how many injuries can they withstand? LaMarr Woodley left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, and if he and James Harrison both miss next week's game against Baltimore, it could really be a problem. Woodley recorded his third straight multi-sack game this week, fourth if you count 1.5 as multi. Still on the topic of injuries ... maybe team doctors are so used to Hines Ward lying to them about concussions that they can't recognize one any more. In the fourth quarter, Ike Taylor took a shot to the head and lay motionless on the ground. The Steelers sent him back in a few plays later, calling it a stinger or a shoulder/neck injury. Also, is having Big Ben take sacks really the best way to run out the clock? I'm skeptical.

3. New England Patriots [2] — The Steelers outgained them 2:1 (427-213) and won time of possession by almost as much (39:22 - 20:38). In Tom Brady's first two games, he passed for 470 yards per game, with 7 TDs and a 128.0 passer rating. In Week 3, he tossed 4 interceptions, but still threw for 387 yards and 4 TDs. Since then, he's passing for 259 yds/gm and averaging under 2 TDs, with a rating of 95.4, which is good, but a little lower than Alex Smith's. New England's pass defense is a nightmare, and the running game isn't good enough to take advantage when defenses stack the deck against Brady. The Patriots right now remind me of the Colts in the mid-2000s.

4. San Francisco 49ers [5] — Lead the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 15.3 points per game. They're also second in the NFL in turnover differential (+10), which helps explain why a one-dimensional offense that ranks 23rd in yards per game is averaging 26.7 points (8th-best). Frank Gore has been an elite RB basically since he entered the league, but his health and ability to stay on the field have become major question marks in recent years. If Gore gets hurt, the Niners basically have no offense, and they will plummet in these rankings. For now, though, The Inconvenient Truth has four straight games with at least 125 rushing yards and a touchdown. Alex Smith has done a good job of managing the game, and he seems to be a good fit for this team right now, but Gore is carrying the offense.

5. Baltimore Ravens [4] — Week 9 matchup in Pittsburgh is the game of the week, a rivalry game with major playoff implications. Anquan Boldin put on a show (145 yards) in the big comeback against his former team, as did (yawn) Ray Rice, who rushed for only 63 yards with a 3.5 average, but scored 3 TDs and caught 7 passes. We focus on the offensive stat guys, but Terrell Suggs is having a superb season. He's been the standout player on the league's top-ranked defense, including 4 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this weekend.

6. Buffalo Bills [8] — Won in Toronto for the first time in their four "home" appearances across the border. Fred Jackson gained 194 yards from scrimmage against Washington, putting him over 1,000 for the season and on pace to challenge Chris Johnson's single-season record (2,509). Buffalo's defense dominated in Week 8, holding Washington to 178 yards, 10 first downs, and no points. Standouts: George Wilson (8 solo tackles, INT), Marcell Dareus (2.5 sacks), Dwan Edwards (4 hits on John Beck).

7. Detroit Lions [9] — Calvin Johnson is 3rd in the NFL in receiving yards (804), but he has more touchdowns (11) than the top two guys combined (Steve Smith and Wes Welker, 10). In fact, Welker and Buffalo's Scott Chandler are the only players with even half as many TDs as Megatron.

8. Chicago Bears [7] — Bye this week, but check out the incredible wrongness of this ESPN claim about their former RB Thomas Jones. With about 4:00 remaining in the second quarter of Monday's game, ESPN showed a graphic (which they never corrected) that Jones, from 2005-09, became the "second player in NFL history" with five straight seasons of at least 1,000 rushing yards, the other being Steven Jackson. They forgot about:

Shaun Alexander (2001-05)
Tiki Barber (2002-06)
Tony Dorsett (1977-81)
Marshall Faulk (1997-01)
Eddie George (1996-2000)
Ahman Green (2000-04)
Rodney Hampton (1991-95)
Edgerrin James (2003-07)
O.J. Simpson (1972-76)
Jim Taylor (1960-64)
Jerome Bettis (1996-2001, six years)
Corey Dillon (1997-02, six years)
Franco Harris (1974-79, six years)
Walter Payton (1976-81, six years)
Ricky Watters (1995-2000, six years)
Eric Dickerson (1983-89, seven years)
Thurman Thomas (1989-96, eight years)
LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-08, eight years)
Curtis Martin (1995-2004, ten years)
Barry Sanders (1989-98, ten years)
Emmitt Smith (1991-01, eleven years)

That's 21 players. I assume they meant Jackson and Jones were the only active players with five consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, not the only ones in history, but even that omits Tomlinson. Really pathetic work by their research department. That's a statistic you should know is wrong without even having to look it up. Jones' first two 1,000-yard campaigns, following his disappointing tenure in Arizona and Tampa Bay, both came with the Bears. The statistic was way off, but Jones truly is an accomplished and under-appreciated back.

9. New Orleans Saints [3] — Faced arguably the two worst teams in the NFL in consecutive weeks, with both games resulting in humiliation. The Saints embarrassed the Colts last week, and this week lost to the Rams. Drew Brees took 6 sacks and threw 2 INTs, his fourth multi-interception game of the season. The ground game wasn't any better, yielding 57 yards on 19 carries (3.0 avg), and the defense got shredded by Steven Jackson. New Orleans is undefeated at home (3-0), with a losing record on the road (2-3).

10. Houston Texans [10] — Arian Foster might be the best RB in the NFL, and I understand why Houston is feeding him the ball, but they're going to get this man killed. Since his return from injury, here are Foster's number of carries by game: 30, 22, 15, 25, 33. Several years ago, Jason Lisk identified 25 attempts as the approximate floor for what he termed Increased Risk Games, and Foster's hit 25 three times in five weeks. Now that Houston seems pretty safe in the AFC South, and Andre Johnson is due to return to the lineup, I'd like to see the team ease up on Foster's workload.

11. Kansas City Chiefs [15] — That fumbled snap, with 1:03 left and the Chargers in position for a chip-shot 32-yard field goal, may be Kansas City's version of the Miracle at the Meadowlands. I know it wasn't quite as dramatic, because KC still had to run a minute off the clock and win in overtime, but what an unbelievable turn of events. And what a brilliant game from Tamba Hali, whose 2 sacks don't begin to tell the story of his dominance on Monday night. The shocking finish made up for it, but Alberto Riveron's officiating crew took a lot of the fun out of this game.

12. New York Jets [11] — Average barely 300 yards per game, 29th in the NFL. They rank ahead of the Colts, Seahawks, and Jaguars, but behind the Browns, Broncos, and Rams. The Jets have a critical Week 9 game in Buffalo against the division-leading (!) Bills, followed by a home tilt against the Patriots.

13. Cincinnati Bengals [18] — They've allowed more than 20 points only once all season, to the Kyle Orton Broncos in Week 2. Unsung DB Reggie Nelson leads the team in tackles, with a sack, 2 forced fumbles, and a 75-yard INT return for a touchdown against Seattle. Is any team happier with its 2011 draft, right now, than the Bengals? Andy Dalton has been decent at QB, and surprisingly good for a rookie, while A.J. Green looks like a star. Green is already over 500 yards receiving, and he's tied for fourth in the NFL in receiving TDs (5).

14. San Diego Chargers [12] — Horrific game by left tackle Marcus McNeill, who was called for six penalties, including four false starts. The Chargers ended an amazing nine drives inside Kansas City's 35-yard line: INT, fumble, FG, missed FG, FG, FG, FG, TD, fumble. That's 1 TD, 4 FGs, a missed kick, and 3 turnovers. What's frustrating about the Chargers is that all of their weaknesses seem correctable. This is a team that should be great, but constantly comes up with new ways to lose important games.

Everyone has different definitions of overrated and underrated, but a simple way to look at teams over- or underachieving is to compare their yardage and scoring. San Diego ranks sixth in total offense, but 15th in scoring. They don't turn yards into points. The team ranks sixth in total defense, but 16th in points allowed. Obviously a lot of that is turnovers (-5), but it's troubling that a team out-gaining its opponents by an average of 91 yards a game has only outscored its opponents by 2 points, total. They out-gained the Chiefs by over 100.

15. Atlanta Falcons [14] — Michael Turner's job got a little harder this week, when the Falcons put fullback Ovie Mughelli on injured reserve. Atlanta has to love its immediate schedule: at the winless Colts in Week 9, then three straight home games. The Falcons always play better at home, so it's not crazy to think they could be 7-4 or 8-3 a month from now.

16. Philadelphia Eagles [20] — Left tackle Jason Peters returned from injury, and LeSean McCoy responded with a 185-yard, 2-TD romp over the visiting Cowboys. The Eagles did a great job of adapting their offense to Dallas' gameplan, and the defense played its best game of the season, limiting the Cowboys to 12 first downs. Philadelphia won time of possession by 24 minutes and out-gained Dallas by 228 yards, as Andy Reid improved to 13-0 following a bye.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [17] — LeGarrette Blount may be back for their critical Week 9 game at New Orleans, but probably not at 100%. Backup Earnest Graham is out for the season with a torn Achilles. If anyone was going to reach out to Tiki Barber this season, it would have been Tampa, where his brother Ronde is a team captain and there's a need for healthy RBs. FOX's whole pre-game show is an hour-long attempt to be funny, but the winner this week was Jimmy Johnson. When Curt Menefee asked Johnson whether, with a gun to his head, he would rather sign Terrell Owens or Tiki, Jimmy answered, "Give me the bullet."

18. Oakland Raiders [16] — Still lead the NFL in penalties, even after their bye. It will be interesting to see how Carson Palmer does in silver and black after getting some more time to learn the offense and connect with his teammates. A friendly matchup, home against Denver, should help. With all the focus on their quarterbacking woes, the Broncos' miserable pass defense (107.2 rating allowed) has largely flown under the radar.

19. New York Giants [19] — Another unimpressive victory, but at least they conquered the Mystical Bye-Week-Curse. After going 3-9 the past two weeks, teams coming off a bye went 5-1 in Week 8, with only the Patriots losing. I'm sure you've heard this already, but the rest of the Giants' schedule is just murderous, beginning with consecutive road games in New England and San Francisco. The Giants are 5-2 right now, but I don't think they'll finish over .500. I'm betting on 8-8, but 7-9 wouldn't surprise me.

20. Dallas Cowboys [13] — Being an NFL head coach is a tough job, and plenty of guys struggle with it, but pressed to choose the worst, I might go with Jason Garrett. His play-calling is awful (Martzy, if I may coin a term) and his player management is not much better. I know the Cowboys had some key injuries on Sunday night, but there is too much talent on this team for it to perform so inconsistently. Norv Turner and Philip Rivers think Dallas is underachieving. The upcoming schedule is very soft, though, so it's not too late for the team to turn things around: three of the next four are at home, plus a winnable road game in Washington.

21. Minnesota Vikings [28] — I've always liked Donovan McNabb, but they look better with Christian Ponder. I'm sure there are still teams McNabb could help — the Toronto Argonauts, for instance. Seriously, a team like Jacksonville or Indianapolis would probably love to have McNabb right now. Heck, Washington fans probably want him back now that they've seen the alternatives. But his days as a player of any real importance are over.

22. Carolina Panthers [22] — As a rookie, Peyton Manning finished 3rd in the NFL in passing yards, but threw 28 interceptions. Cam Newton has shown great promise, and on Sunday he passed for 3 TDs and led the Panthers in rushing (53 yds), but he also lost 2 fumbles. Like Manning 13 years ago, he's making great plays and poor ones, and he's learning.

23. Tennessee Titans [21] — I'm tired of noting how poorly Chris Johnson plays, but this weekend he lost playing time to (and was outperformed by) backup Javon Ringer. Matt Hasselbeck had a nice game against Indy's terrible pass defense, and Rob Bironas connected on 50- and 51-yard field goals in a comfortable 27-10 victory. I'm curious what Hasselbeck's numbers would look like if he had anyone to throw to. No one has stepped up to fill the gap left by Kenny Britt's injury.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars [26] — Offense ranks last in both yards and points per game, but this defense is legit. It's true that poor offensive performance tends to artificially inflate defensive stats, because your opponents don't need to pass much or score a lot of points. But in the past three weeks, Jacksonville has contained the Steelers, Ravens, and Texans, losing two close games and winning an ugly defensive battle over Baltimore. In this year's weak AFC South, the Jags would probably be the favorite to win the division if they still had David Garrard.

Blaine Gabbert: 130.8 net yds/gm, 62.0 passer rating
Luke McCown: 111.5 net yds/gm, 29.3 passer rating
Garrard in 2010: 197.1 net yds/gm, 90.8 passer rating

25. Cleveland Browns [24] — Forget dwelling on negatives, let's look at the positive: special teams. Phil Dawson nailed a 52-yard field goal. Brad Maynard dropped four punts inside the 20, with no touchbacks and a 41.0 net. The coverage team did a great job containing San Francisco's Ted Ginn, and Josh Cribbs (who will always be a special-teamer to me) caught a 45-yard touchdown pass. I'd still like to see Cribbs more involved in the offense.

26. Arizona Cardinals [29] — Out-gained 405-207 in their near-upset of Baltimore, but they're moving in the right direction. Three of their seven losses are by a field goal or less, and that doesn't include the outright robbery when referee Jerome Boger bet on the Giants in Week 4 (31-27).

27. Washington Redskins [23] — Neither John Beck nor Rex Grossman inspires confidence, but missing two starting linemen, your best wide receiver, and now maybe tight end Fred Davis (ankle sprain), very few QBs would be successful. Of course, even fewer would get sacked 9 times by the Bills, who had 4 sacks in their first six games combined. Beck, in other words, got sacked 1,350% more often than the Bills' previous opponents. Most of those sacks were Beck's fault, but the offensive line and receiving corps are a train-wreck. Rookie LB Ryan Kerrigan is a bright spot; Washington has a good front seven.

28. Seattle Seahawks [27] — Head coach Pete Carroll admitted, "I was hoping to see that we could rest [Tarvaris Jackson] another week ... It just didn't feel like we were moving anywhere, so what I said to the fellas was, 'Let's put Tarvaris in, let's see what happens.'" Jackson went from getting some rest to 40 pass attempts, 2 sacks, and a rushing attempt. The change from Charlie Whitehurst didn't provide much spark, as Seattle was held below 14 points for the second week in a row. Only Jacksonville averages fewer yards per game.

29. Denver Broncos [25] — Yahoo!'s Andy Behrens on Brad Smith Tim Tebow: "He was awful against Detroit, not even close to NFL starting standards as a passer. No timing, no touch, remarkably inaccurate and indecisive. Tebow was actually much worse than his final numbers indicate, and the stats weren't pretty." First half stats: 4-of-13, 37 yards, 3 sacks for -20 yards. Yep, 16 plays, 17 yards. Add the rushing if you like: 4 attempts, 15 yards. In case you prefer to avoid math, that's 20 plays for 32 yards. Dude, Chris Johnson thinks that's disappointing.

This season, 38 quarterbacks have started at least two games. Among those 38, Antwaan Randle El Tim Tebow ranks 37th in completion percentage (Blaine Gabbert), 36th in yards per attempt (Gabbert and A.J. Feeley), and dead-last in both sack percentage (14.6%) and passing yards per game (82.4). The latter figure is more than 50% behind 37th-place Gabbert, 2.5 standard deviations below the mean (229.1). To be fair, that counts the second half in Week 5 as a whole game — but it also doesn't include the sacks. JaMarcus Russell Tim Tebow has already lost almost twice as much sack yardage (85) as Kyle Orton (49) — his sack percentage with the same offensive line is nearly three times as high as Orton's.

I know he had a genuinely great college career, but someone with Jamelle Holieway Tim Tebow's skill set shouldn't even be on an NFL roster as a quarterback, much less the starter. He's a celebrity, not a pro QB. Yeah, sure, all he does is win games ... and lose them by 5 touchdowns.

30. St. Louis Rams [32] — Upset the Saints, largely on the strength of their pass rush (Chris Long had 3 sacks) and ground attack. Steven Jackson logged his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, breaking out for 159 and 2 TDs. It was Jackson's first 100-yarder since December 5, when he rushed for 102 in a win at Arizona. The Rams sacked Brees six times, doubling his previous season-high (3).

31. Miami Dolphins [30] — Gave up a double-digit lead for the second week in a row, and lost by a field goal or less for the third time this season. The Dolphins are dealing with significant injuries, and they're not as bad as their 0-7 record suggests, but they have got to start closing out some of these winnable games. Greg Gumbel praised Cameron Wake as someone "playing outstanding football," but I just don't see it. Wake makes one or two nice plays a game and disappears for the other 59 minutes.

32. Indianapolis Colts [31] — Collectively, opposing passers have a 111.2 rating against the Colts this year. Everyone knows how the offense has fallen apart without Peyton Manning, but don't underestimate how pathetic the defense is.

Posted by Brad Oremland at 7:33 PM | Comments (0)

The Agony of a Defeat

The end of the 2011 regular season was unlike anything baseball had ever seen. The wild cards in both leagues, once belonging to the Braves and Red Sox with historically impenetrable leads as late as early September, fell in the season's final hours to the Cardinals and Rays. The thrilling conclusion of the 162-game slate was all the more significant as it played out on a Wednesday night instead of a Sunday afternoon dominated by football.

That night, the Rays erased a 7-0 deficit in the eighth inning to win 8-7 in extras. A blown Jonathan Papelbon save in Baltimore just minutes before Evan Longoria's walk-off homer meant Tampa Bay would be headed to October in the most dramatic way possible.

The drama of September felt like a mere appetizer compared to what took place on Thursday night.

Certain contests in sports are so gripping that you don't know where to start, even in analyzing them a few days after the fact. My role as a Rangers fan (which I have written about on a couple of occasions on this site) makes it all the more puzzling to try to break down what we saw that night.

In the immediate aftermath of Game 6, as a fan, I regarded it as something that I wanted to forget. After all, if the Rangers were to win the next evening, the Cardinals' heroics would be remembered like Carlton Fisk's home run in 1975: an iconic part of baseball lore that belonged to the losing team of the series.

In trying to be as objective as possible, Game 6 should be remembered as the most heart-stopping baseball game in history. The fact that the Cardinals prevailed in Game 7 adds to its historical standing. Many have called it the greatest World Series game or greatest postseason game ever. Due to the five errors in the contest, as well as the sub-par pitching, I'm not sure that title can be given.

It was of course a surprise that the Rangers couldn't close the deal after having the Cardinals down to their last strike twice, having a 3-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, and 2-run buffers in the ninth and 10th. Yet it wasn't the absolute shock to me that it might have been to others who haven't been following the Rangers as much.

In both the Division Series and the ALCS, the Rangers bullpen was stellar. But in the middle of the season, the relievers struggled. Manager Ron Washington and team President and CEO Nolan Ryan went so far as to call out closer Neftali Feliz for a lack of focus. At the trade deadline, the Rangers were 11th in the AL with a 4.42 bullpen ERA. Mike Adams and Koji Uehara were acquired to shore up the bullpen.

Even though Uehara struggled after being picked up to the point he wasn't on the World Series roster, the bullpen was much better in the final 60 games and was a key reason why Texas won the AL West by 10 games and had home-field for the first two rounds of the postseason.

Once the World Series started, the bullpen issues seemed to come back. Alexi Ogando, who had been an AL all-star as a starter before moving to the pen in the playoffs and excelling against the Rays and Tigers was figured out by the Cardinals. Feliz was able to finish all three Rangers wins in the World Series without giving up an earned run in those contests, but had command issues that wound up being extremely costly in Game 6. Scott Feldman (another former starter) had been effective, but then struggled in the Series. Adams had generally been good since being acquired, but he too was below his average level against the Cardinals. Plus, at no point with Texas this season was he as dominant as he had been with San Diego. And then there's Mark Lowe, who when Washington put into Game 6, I grabbed my jacket at the bar I was at in anticipation of a likely quick ending.

I'd like to be able to chide Washington for several calls he made in Game 6, including the decision to pinch-hit the awful Esteban German in Feldman's batting spot in the 10th, but I can't do it without sounding too harsh on him. For one, it was probably unrealistic to expect that Washington was going to outsmart Tony La Russa again after outdoing the recently-retired legend in Game 5. Also, Washington has more than proven his worth as a manager after going through a rough patch involving illegal drug usage before the 2010 season. Despite some of his calls, he guided his team to within one strike of a World Championship. At some point, the players have to buckle down and get the final out.

It's easy now in hindsight to say that there was a point where you could see the collapse coming. However, the truth is that I didn't really see it coming until David Freese's fly ball sailed over Nelson Cruz for an incomprehensible triple. But when Allen Craig hit a home run in the eighth to make the score 7-5, doubt started to creep in. By that point, the Cardinals' at-bats still had purpose, while the Rangers had resorted to a baseball version of declaring at the plate.

By contrast, the Rangers appeared to be a broken team when their turn came up in the corresponding innings in Game 7.

In this rudimentary analysis of "How the heck did this happen to MY team?", I wish to take nothing away from the Cardinals. Down more than 10 games to the Braves with only about a month to go and then down to their final strike twice in Game 6, St. Louis showed that they were not to be denied when the chips were down.

If "Legends Are Born in October," as MLB's promotional team kept reminding us throughout the month, Freese's legend was incarnated in a most unbelievable manner. As if his domination of Milwaukee in the NLCS (1.691 OPS) wasn't enough, his Game 6 ranked as the best postseason performance of all-time based on a metric that measures win probability added for the team based on game situation. The fact that he is a bad defensive player, even in the era where defense is better measured and means more to front offices, can be overlooked with such an all-conquering level of skill at the plate.

Before moving to Texas 11 years ago, I was a Braves fan, having grown up within Atlanta's general fan footprint in South Carolina. Now, I wonder if the second team I've called myself a fan of is the 2010s version of the 1990s Braves. Perhaps they are, which means I might have to prepare myself for a couple more World Series losses before the end of the decade. Yet I still have faith that this main nucleus of players with Texas can have a 1995 before everything is said and done.

Posted by Ross Lancaster at 6:14 PM | Comments (0)