Today Steve Strasburg is scheduled to pitch against the San Fransico Giants. Strasburg is one of the key reasons why the Nationals have the best record in baseball. He doesn't have Verlander type numbers from a year ago, but his numbers nonetheless are impressive. He has a 2.90 ERA. He has a boat load of strikeouts. He has a modest won-loss record. He is a headline grabber and when he pitches, his games are usually an event. The reason why he is in the news so much these days is that his team has him on an innings count and with 133 plus inning thrown this year, he is closing in on the number allotted. Has he had a lot of stressful innings this year? That is a tough question to answer. He is a strikeout pitcher so most of his innings are full of pitches that are fouled off. Curt Schilling said that a stressful inning is in the seventh inning and beyond and you have to make pitches to get outs. Strasburg has not pitched in the 8th inning this entire year. That is astounding. He has had several quality starts(which is 6 innings), but doen not have a complete game or one start last 8 innings. Is he an ace? What is this team doing? Are they helping Strasburg and hurting the team? Why didn't they start him in mid May or even June 1st? Lets analyze this situation.
One of my favorite athletes of all time is Dan Marino. When Marino came into the NFL he set the world on fire. He threw passes into areas that no one thought he could. His release and timing with Nat Moore, Mark Clayton and Duper was impeccable. He went to the Super Bowl inhis second year as a pro and I am certain everyone told him that he would be back again and again and again. He was the most prolific passer in NFL history until recently a lot of his records have been falling, but guess what, He NEVER made it back to the big game again. He never played in the Super Bowl in spite impressive victories and prolific moments in his brilliant career. Steven Stasburg may never get an opportunity to play in the post season ever in his career. Nothing in sports is guranteed or promised. I can name you hundreds of great athletes who have never had a chance to win the big game. I can name you hundreds of athletes who had to go to other teams and take a lesser role to win or play in a title game. Ray Bourque took over 20 years? I fully understand that the Nationals are looking towards the future and since it worked last year with Ryan Zimmerman it will work for Strasburg. What they seem to not understand is how hard getting to the playoffs really is for most teams. Hank Aaron played in how many playoffs and world series? Ted Williams played in how many playoffs and world series games? Not many off the top of my head.
I understand that coming off an arm injury season yes the Nats want to protect their investment. I watched Johann Santana pitch a no hitter and he has not been the pitcher since. He threw more pitches that game than he has in years and he is having an off season. But what was Terry Collins supposed to do? What if Strasburg throws a no hitter today or next week? Are they going to take him out of a game when he hasn't allowed a hit? Also doesn't anyone remember what happened last year in baseball? There are about 40 games left in the season, what if the Nationals start to tank like the Braves and Red Sox did last year? This is a young team with players who do not know how to finish off a playoff race. Injuries happen daily in this game for the dumbest reasons. Players get hurt playing video games, slipping in the shower, running to a base. I know this is not Strasburg's decision or even Davey Johnsons, but you have to seize the day while you can. Remember the Mets? Remember the Mets had all of that young pitching that was going to remind us all of the mets of the mid 80's and we were going to be in the world series yearly. Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher, Kirk Pressley, Bobby Jones. They barely pitched together on the same staff. All of their careers decimated by injuries. It is a tough call, i know, baseball is a cruel game. Strasburg may never be the same pitcher again. Clinch the playoff berth first then shut him done for a few starts. If he does not pitch in September, the Nationals will be at home watching the playoff with me..
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Hail to the true victors of the olympics.. the women
I blogged a few weeks ago about how unenthusiastic i was about the Olympics games about to start. I would like to apologize. I watched more Olympic coverage this time around than iever had and I got to admit that I was enthralled. I learned two things about the Olympics that I should have already known. Number 1, the world really has some extraordinary athletes in all genres. Even the person who came in last place has a story to tell and one would be foolish to ignore the sacrifices made by all to compete for their country. Number 2, Dont mess with Anerican Women in sports. Our womens sports team and individual athletes are the story of this Olympics. They not only won the majority of the medals for team USA, they had unprecedenting performances that should have them as the talk of the world instead Bolt, Phelps, and the "dream team".
The U.S. womens Olympians won 58.5 of our 104 medals. They won 29 gold. They were led by Missy Franklin who won 5 medals. She is only 17. They had a 15 year old named Ladeckey who won a medal. Serena won 2 golds. She absolutely crushed Sharapova and Azarenka en route to her Gold in singles Tennis. Sharapova and Azarenka were ranked 1 and 2 in the world in tennis. Serena then won the doubles with her sister Venus in impressive fashion. The womens' soccer team avenged last years loss to Japan in a spectacular fashion by a 2-1 score. Hope Solo made saves that erased all doubt that she is teh best goalie in the world, and remember the controversy when she whined after she was not in goal after an American team loss? No one will ever talk smack about her again. I have been in L.A. for 16 years and I have heard every story about Allyson Felix that one person can take. She has been lauded, critcized, and scrutinized from every angle possible. I did not realize how young/old she was until this olympic. For her to win three gold medals in the 200, 100 relay,and 400 relay, that has to put her in some select company. She wants to be an elementary school teacher. I need to find out where so my daughter can be taught by her. She is something special. We had a 17 year old boxer win a gold who was female to Keri and Misty winning gold in beach Volleyball against another american team. Rebecca Soni, Sonya Richard Ross, blazing on the track and in the pool. The exciting Carmelita Jeter winning multiple medals in track and field. We had a woman win the long jump for the first time since Jackie Joyner Kersee. We had a woman finish second in the high jump who just started competing on the collegiate scene. Our volleyball team won silver. One of our rowing teams won gold. We have a medal in Judo. All of these achievements by women who are all soooo young.
The two biggest successes however were by the "Fab Five" womens gymnastic team and the "DreamTeam" womens basketball team. I capitalize the womens'"DreamTeam" because they have won 5 consecutive gold medals.They have crushed every oponent in their way. They dont have the fan fare that the mens team get but they are every bit as important as the men. Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore can play with anyone. The scary thing about our womens team is that they did not even have all of the best players on the team. Brittany Griner will be on the team in Rio and wait to you see the scores of those games. Candace Parker is still getting her game back after the birth of her kids. They may never lose again in my lifetime. The gymnastic story is even bigger. Usually most Olympic teams bring back a player or athlete who has been there before and can show their teammates how to handle the pressure of the moments or events. To come to this Olympiad with five new faces and win the team gold is insane. To have the individual all around gold medalist is even crazier considering she is only 16 and wasn't the person anyone expected to medal. I think that is the one thing I will take from the Olympics. Gabby Douglass may not have won on the nights of the individual events, but she led this team to gold when she wasn't projected to be the one.
I have to get a gig so I can work in Rio in 2016. I need to be able to watch greatness up close and personal. Our womens teams should all take a bow for they represented this country with class and dignity. Yes i know about the Lolo Jones controversy and the hair comments about Gabby, but that wont overshadow anything that these ladies have accomplished. I am happy to have a daughter who can look up to some of these ladies in the future. they made and make us all proud to be an American. We may never see another Bolt or Phepls again, but our womens teams will keep raising the bar higher and higher for newer generations to keep the momentum we have created to go on for generation after generations.. A big shoutout to the coaches...
The U.S. womens Olympians won 58.5 of our 104 medals. They won 29 gold. They were led by Missy Franklin who won 5 medals. She is only 17. They had a 15 year old named Ladeckey who won a medal. Serena won 2 golds. She absolutely crushed Sharapova and Azarenka en route to her Gold in singles Tennis. Sharapova and Azarenka were ranked 1 and 2 in the world in tennis. Serena then won the doubles with her sister Venus in impressive fashion. The womens' soccer team avenged last years loss to Japan in a spectacular fashion by a 2-1 score. Hope Solo made saves that erased all doubt that she is teh best goalie in the world, and remember the controversy when she whined after she was not in goal after an American team loss? No one will ever talk smack about her again. I have been in L.A. for 16 years and I have heard every story about Allyson Felix that one person can take. She has been lauded, critcized, and scrutinized from every angle possible. I did not realize how young/old she was until this olympic. For her to win three gold medals in the 200, 100 relay,and 400 relay, that has to put her in some select company. She wants to be an elementary school teacher. I need to find out where so my daughter can be taught by her. She is something special. We had a 17 year old boxer win a gold who was female to Keri and Misty winning gold in beach Volleyball against another american team. Rebecca Soni, Sonya Richard Ross, blazing on the track and in the pool. The exciting Carmelita Jeter winning multiple medals in track and field. We had a woman win the long jump for the first time since Jackie Joyner Kersee. We had a woman finish second in the high jump who just started competing on the collegiate scene. Our volleyball team won silver. One of our rowing teams won gold. We have a medal in Judo. All of these achievements by women who are all soooo young.
The two biggest successes however were by the "Fab Five" womens gymnastic team and the "DreamTeam" womens basketball team. I capitalize the womens'"DreamTeam" because they have won 5 consecutive gold medals.They have crushed every oponent in their way. They dont have the fan fare that the mens team get but they are every bit as important as the men. Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore can play with anyone. The scary thing about our womens team is that they did not even have all of the best players on the team. Brittany Griner will be on the team in Rio and wait to you see the scores of those games. Candace Parker is still getting her game back after the birth of her kids. They may never lose again in my lifetime. The gymnastic story is even bigger. Usually most Olympic teams bring back a player or athlete who has been there before and can show their teammates how to handle the pressure of the moments or events. To come to this Olympiad with five new faces and win the team gold is insane. To have the individual all around gold medalist is even crazier considering she is only 16 and wasn't the person anyone expected to medal. I think that is the one thing I will take from the Olympics. Gabby Douglass may not have won on the nights of the individual events, but she led this team to gold when she wasn't projected to be the one.
I have to get a gig so I can work in Rio in 2016. I need to be able to watch greatness up close and personal. Our womens teams should all take a bow for they represented this country with class and dignity. Yes i know about the Lolo Jones controversy and the hair comments about Gabby, but that wont overshadow anything that these ladies have accomplished. I am happy to have a daughter who can look up to some of these ladies in the future. they made and make us all proud to be an American. We may never see another Bolt or Phepls again, but our womens teams will keep raising the bar higher and higher for newer generations to keep the momentum we have created to go on for generation after generations.. A big shoutout to the coaches...
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The world of sports is almost right. Dale Jr. has won a race. Alyson Felix finally got her gold in the 200. Lebron James has finally won a title. John Calipari can finally quiet his critics with Kentucky's title win too. There are only a few other finally's that will make the world of sports right. Paqiuao and Mayweather would be one. Dwight Howard getting a team to make the right trade for he and the Magic. Tiger Woods winning a major would supercede them all. The most popular, scrutinized athelete in the world has had a terrific golfing season. He has three wins. He is number 1 in the current Fedex standings. With a win this week would vault into the number 1 position in the world. He is currently number 2 in the world. He has won back a large percentage of his audience. He has put golf back on the television map. This weekend the Olympics wind down, the NFL is offering a slate of games, I wonder what the viewing public will do if Woods is making a charge or is atop the leaderboard on Saturday and or Sunday. We have had two measurable earthquakes here in L.A. over the past three days. I wonder what a Tiger charge would do for the world of sports.
Today Tiger had 6 birdies and three foolish bogeys to open the tournament with a 69. The course is really up in the air because if the wind blows whoever is playing at that time is in for hell. In fact the early round scores have been great. This course has no bunkers and is playing like a links course. Most expect an European player to be in contention and probably win because of the similiar conditions to most courses overseas. Tiger is going to have to hit greens in regulation and put much better than he did last week at Firestone. He currently sits in the 8th position and must not let Rory Mcilroy get too far away from him throughout the weekend.
The world of sports has had a renaissance this year with so many athletes finally getting their day in the sun. Ernie Els was struggling and ended a major championship drought with a win at the British open. Most people thought that he was finished. Tiger woods needs to finish what he starts. He has played well at the U.S. Open and the British. He was on the leaderboard in both tournaments. The Masters however, he shockingly just didn't have his "A" game and the fact that he has three wins this year is a shock to most people. He has won tournaments this year with the best players playing in the field. Jack's tourney, Arnie's and even Tiger's event bring out the best players in the world. Tiger's appearance at an event usually brings out the best in all players in the field. The crowds and galleries are livlier and there is a buzz to a tournament if he is playing and if he is winning or contending, he is must see t.v.
In this Olympic year we have seen the best of the best amaze us with their talents, class, and expertise. Wouldn't it be the icing on the cake to have have this generations best athelete join the ranks of the legendary? Micheal Phelps and Roger Federer have culminated their summer vacations with epic wins and history making perfomances. Tiger has passed Jack on the total wins list this year. Winning the PGA championship would put him closer to the record he covets most. In my mind that would make the sports world whole again. Serena did her thing at both the Oylmpics and the Wimbeldon. It is time for Tiger to assume the crown that fell off of his head two years ago. I crave a world of absolutes. Let's go Tiger.. Get it done!!!
Today Tiger had 6 birdies and three foolish bogeys to open the tournament with a 69. The course is really up in the air because if the wind blows whoever is playing at that time is in for hell. In fact the early round scores have been great. This course has no bunkers and is playing like a links course. Most expect an European player to be in contention and probably win because of the similiar conditions to most courses overseas. Tiger is going to have to hit greens in regulation and put much better than he did last week at Firestone. He currently sits in the 8th position and must not let Rory Mcilroy get too far away from him throughout the weekend.
The world of sports has had a renaissance this year with so many athletes finally getting their day in the sun. Ernie Els was struggling and ended a major championship drought with a win at the British open. Most people thought that he was finished. Tiger woods needs to finish what he starts. He has played well at the U.S. Open and the British. He was on the leaderboard in both tournaments. The Masters however, he shockingly just didn't have his "A" game and the fact that he has three wins this year is a shock to most people. He has won tournaments this year with the best players playing in the field. Jack's tourney, Arnie's and even Tiger's event bring out the best players in the world. Tiger's appearance at an event usually brings out the best in all players in the field. The crowds and galleries are livlier and there is a buzz to a tournament if he is playing and if he is winning or contending, he is must see t.v.
In this Olympic year we have seen the best of the best amaze us with their talents, class, and expertise. Wouldn't it be the icing on the cake to have have this generations best athelete join the ranks of the legendary? Micheal Phelps and Roger Federer have culminated their summer vacations with epic wins and history making perfomances. Tiger has passed Jack on the total wins list this year. Winning the PGA championship would put him closer to the record he covets most. In my mind that would make the sports world whole again. Serena did her thing at both the Oylmpics and the Wimbeldon. It is time for Tiger to assume the crown that fell off of his head two years ago. I crave a world of absolutes. Let's go Tiger.. Get it done!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
the woes of baseball..
When I was a kid I used be a huge fan of the Houston Astros. They had a pitcher named J.R. Richard who could throw a baseball faster than the speed of light. I loved him because being that my name Richard Harris Jr., I always felt that his name was my name spelled backwards or creatively. His career was cut short because of injuries and he ended up homeless living under a bridge in Houston. Drugs got to him and he is a sad tale of the vices that can come about due to no guidance or hope. I bring him up and the Astros because they are in hell. This franchise is one of the few franchises left never to win a world series. They have maybe 1 or 2 hall of fame players. Craig Biggio will be the first Astro player to get in as a bonafide Astro next year. I know Nolan Ryan played for them and so did Joe Morgan but Ryan is more recognized as a Ranger and Met than he is as an Astro. Joe Morgan, do I really have to say what team he is more recognized as?
This current team has literally gutted its roster and got absolutely nothing in return. They have lost or traded away Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, Wandy Rodriguez, Micheal Bourn, just to name a few names and got prospects that could hit water if the fell out of a boat. The Astros have lost games this year that defy logic after they have made comebacks to actually win them. Last night against the Nationals, they fought hard to tie game at 2 and then blow the game in the 12th inning and then get a guy hit a ball 385 feet to the wall on a line and only to have it caught. They have played 11 extra inning games this year and have not scored in extra innings. They do not have a walkoff win this season. The Oakland A's have 13 walk off wins. They are 4-36 since June. What has happened to this team since they went to the World Series in 2005? That team had Carlos Beltran, Andy Petttitte, Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Biggio, Brad Lidge. All of those players were All star quality. They picked up Kaz Matsui from the Mets and he fizzled. I could not tell you a single players name on this current roster. I don't even know who the manager is on this team.. They have literally drained the oil off of this Texas ranch and have left the fans of Houston wondering what the Hell is Going on? How could things have fallen off so badly? This team had Lance Berkman who is now a Cardinal? They had Randy Johnson, Mike Scott, Mike Hampton, Joe Niekro!! The Astros always put out a pretty positive product.
There are no injuries to vital players. There are no super studs coming up from the farm. This team needs a miracle. I look around baseball and I see Cleveland just ended an 11 game losing streak. They have had an excuse. They have injuries to their star players and they literally have not had the lineup that they envisioned staring the season in a while. They have talent to fix some of their problems. San Diego has a triple A club playing in the league right now and they fight hard on a nightly basis. They have given up a lot of its best players but I guess Bud Black really knows how to get the most out of what little he has. They have no player with more than 12 homeruns and they give every team fits. (ASK the METS). Even Minnesota who has players trying to regain some past form, have shown signs of ability and that they will be back next year. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are not playing at 100% yet and when they do, the Twins will be back. Houston has shown a fighting spirit and heart but they just dont have the tools to compete right now in the big leagues. They are on pace to win 51 games which would be the worst record since the 68 season. This is crazy to me. The Nationals, Pirates and Tampa Rays who were perennial cellar dwellers are contending for post season berths and the Houston Astros are contending for the number 1 pick in the draft. Oh have the mighty fallen....
This current team has literally gutted its roster and got absolutely nothing in return. They have lost or traded away Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, Wandy Rodriguez, Micheal Bourn, just to name a few names and got prospects that could hit water if the fell out of a boat. The Astros have lost games this year that defy logic after they have made comebacks to actually win them. Last night against the Nationals, they fought hard to tie game at 2 and then blow the game in the 12th inning and then get a guy hit a ball 385 feet to the wall on a line and only to have it caught. They have played 11 extra inning games this year and have not scored in extra innings. They do not have a walkoff win this season. The Oakland A's have 13 walk off wins. They are 4-36 since June. What has happened to this team since they went to the World Series in 2005? That team had Carlos Beltran, Andy Petttitte, Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Biggio, Brad Lidge. All of those players were All star quality. They picked up Kaz Matsui from the Mets and he fizzled. I could not tell you a single players name on this current roster. I don't even know who the manager is on this team.. They have literally drained the oil off of this Texas ranch and have left the fans of Houston wondering what the Hell is Going on? How could things have fallen off so badly? This team had Lance Berkman who is now a Cardinal? They had Randy Johnson, Mike Scott, Mike Hampton, Joe Niekro!! The Astros always put out a pretty positive product.
There are no injuries to vital players. There are no super studs coming up from the farm. This team needs a miracle. I look around baseball and I see Cleveland just ended an 11 game losing streak. They have had an excuse. They have injuries to their star players and they literally have not had the lineup that they envisioned staring the season in a while. They have talent to fix some of their problems. San Diego has a triple A club playing in the league right now and they fight hard on a nightly basis. They have given up a lot of its best players but I guess Bud Black really knows how to get the most out of what little he has. They have no player with more than 12 homeruns and they give every team fits. (ASK the METS). Even Minnesota who has players trying to regain some past form, have shown signs of ability and that they will be back next year. Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are not playing at 100% yet and when they do, the Twins will be back. Houston has shown a fighting spirit and heart but they just dont have the tools to compete right now in the big leagues. They are on pace to win 51 games which would be the worst record since the 68 season. This is crazy to me. The Nationals, Pirates and Tampa Rays who were perennial cellar dwellers are contending for post season berths and the Houston Astros are contending for the number 1 pick in the draft. Oh have the mighty fallen....
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Saints and Peyton Manning headline the sports stories of the upcoming season
The NFL opened its slate of preseason football games last weekend and finally we can get our minds wrapped around football. To the chagrin of most people, the two major stories going into this season have nothing to do with Tim Tebow. The two most compelling storyline to follow all season long are the New Orleans Saints and Peyton Manning. Yes Manning was brought in to replace Tebow, but Bronco fans will not be clamoring for Tebow after a few wins by Manning. The New York Giants are the defending champs but even they have to take a back seat to these stories. The Saints have had a hurricaine rip through their organization because of a scandal so foolish that no one understands why they would engage in such tomfoolery. The "bounty" scandal is a juvenile and foolish as this grown man sitting next to me in the library doing moves from a nicki minaj video. He knows that library is supposed to be silent and yet he is blasting his ipod away and dancing. The Saints were warned to not engage this type of behavior and they continued. We will dive into it more in a minute. Peyton Manning wants to get hit so badly that his neck hurts!!! No pun intended but he is so sick of answering questions and cannot wait to play against the Bears on Thursday that I am sure he is bouncing off walls. Lets analyze my points.
The New Orlenas Saints were less than 2 minutes away from hosting the NFC championship game last season. They allowed Alex Smith to drive down the field and win an epic playoff game in San Francisco. There organization has been rocked by scandal and you all know what the punishments are for their actions. Can this team rebound and play an entire season without their head coach and architect of the most prolific offense in football? They still have Drew Brees and he has a ton of weapons to throw to. If Mark Ingram stays healthy they may actually have a running game which would take the pressure off of Brees to make every play. Their schedule is tough but I think more teams are more worried about playing the Saints than the Saints are worried about playing them. The Super Bowl is in New Orleans and the Saints have designs on being the first team to host the big game in their home stadium. The latest drama around this team is simply ridiculous. Jonathan Vilma is suing the NFL for defamation and supposedly the league either is trying strike a deal with him to drop his suit. The league denies there has been no deal made or talks about lessening the suspension. I just want to see the evidence against Vilma. he vehemently denies what he is being accused of and is not going to let his name continue to be destroyed by the league. How do the Saints make it through the season without two such vital parts? They are really going to hope to have an injury free season. An injury to Brees and this season is a wrap. Their defense is not very good on the road anyways so the loss of Vilma weakens them on that side of the ball.The Saints will try to score and score and score. We shall see if Jimmy Graham is the real deal this year.
The Broncos had a good defense last year and if you take away games against New England, Green Bay and Detroit, they would have had an elite defensive ranking. We know that they got rid of two qb's that started last year and have brought in the ultimate weapon in Manning but their schedule is unfair. They play several teams that were in the playoffs last year. They play New Orleans, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, and Cincinnati just to name off of the top of my head. The have to contend with the AFC west that has three other quarterbacks who cna play when healthy. The Raiders will be better now that Plamer is getting a full off season. The Chiefs get back Cassell who played under Crennel in New England plus Jamal Charles is ready to roll. San Diego is on its last legs with the group they have and continue to wonder what kind of team they would if they all stayed healthy for a full season. Peyton Manning is walking into a hornets net without a pesticide. They have the toughest first 8 games to start a season than I have ever seen. They have to play New England as well. What are their goals? They must be at .500 at the bye week and be ready to play Cincinnati after the bye. They maybe they can make a run. They still have to play Carolina and Tampa who are expecting improvement from last season. All in all the Broncos have been set up to fail.
As much as I will be following my Giants I will be watching these two teams to see if the are pretenders or contenders. I am just happy that Peyton is back and the Saints will have a serious chip on their shoulders throughout this season for sure. They even play one another in the first few months of the season. I cannot wait...
The New Orlenas Saints were less than 2 minutes away from hosting the NFC championship game last season. They allowed Alex Smith to drive down the field and win an epic playoff game in San Francisco. There organization has been rocked by scandal and you all know what the punishments are for their actions. Can this team rebound and play an entire season without their head coach and architect of the most prolific offense in football? They still have Drew Brees and he has a ton of weapons to throw to. If Mark Ingram stays healthy they may actually have a running game which would take the pressure off of Brees to make every play. Their schedule is tough but I think more teams are more worried about playing the Saints than the Saints are worried about playing them. The Super Bowl is in New Orleans and the Saints have designs on being the first team to host the big game in their home stadium. The latest drama around this team is simply ridiculous. Jonathan Vilma is suing the NFL for defamation and supposedly the league either is trying strike a deal with him to drop his suit. The league denies there has been no deal made or talks about lessening the suspension. I just want to see the evidence against Vilma. he vehemently denies what he is being accused of and is not going to let his name continue to be destroyed by the league. How do the Saints make it through the season without two such vital parts? They are really going to hope to have an injury free season. An injury to Brees and this season is a wrap. Their defense is not very good on the road anyways so the loss of Vilma weakens them on that side of the ball.The Saints will try to score and score and score. We shall see if Jimmy Graham is the real deal this year.
The Broncos had a good defense last year and if you take away games against New England, Green Bay and Detroit, they would have had an elite defensive ranking. We know that they got rid of two qb's that started last year and have brought in the ultimate weapon in Manning but their schedule is unfair. They play several teams that were in the playoffs last year. They play New Orleans, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, and Cincinnati just to name off of the top of my head. The have to contend with the AFC west that has three other quarterbacks who cna play when healthy. The Raiders will be better now that Plamer is getting a full off season. The Chiefs get back Cassell who played under Crennel in New England plus Jamal Charles is ready to roll. San Diego is on its last legs with the group they have and continue to wonder what kind of team they would if they all stayed healthy for a full season. Peyton Manning is walking into a hornets net without a pesticide. They have the toughest first 8 games to start a season than I have ever seen. They have to play New England as well. What are their goals? They must be at .500 at the bye week and be ready to play Cincinnati after the bye. They maybe they can make a run. They still have to play Carolina and Tampa who are expecting improvement from last season. All in all the Broncos have been set up to fail.
As much as I will be following my Giants I will be watching these two teams to see if the are pretenders or contenders. I am just happy that Peyton is back and the Saints will have a serious chip on their shoulders throughout this season for sure. They even play one another in the first few months of the season. I cannot wait...
Thursday, August 2, 2012
This years Hall of Fame class is more about who did not get in than who got in..
Twice a year, I rant and complain about how wrong Hall of Fame balloting is and this actually might be the third time this year. The NFL is about to induct 6 men into footballs hallowed hall and I could not disagree more with its selections. Willie Roaf is the only Hall of Famer on this list. Dawson was good, but he was no better than Bart Oates, Mark Stepnoski. Cortez Kennedy was oft injured and though quite talented never left an impact on the game as a Mean Joe Greene, Randy White, did. Chris Doleman was no different a player than a Pat Swilling, Charles Haley, Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd. They were all Lawrence Taylor wannabees and none of them could even compare. Curtis Martin? He has one achievement that is hall worthy. He won a rushing title at age 31. He played in one Super Bowl and he was not the reason the Jets won or loss or the Patriots. Martin is in over Bettis? I don't much about the other guy so I will spare him but what is going on here?
The Hall of Fame is supposed to be a place for the cream of the crop. The players, coaches, NFL personnel that made the game better. The NFL has several candidates who are more Hall worthy than the players enshrined this weekend. Will Shields was the best offensive guard in football for the last 15 years. He made pro bowl after pro bowl and was on the all decade team. Charles Haley was the second most feared defender in football behind Lawrence Taylor. He has 5 SUPER BOWL RINGS!!!!! Ask Jim Kelly, Phil Simms, Steve Young about the impact on a game that Charles Haley had. Ask Jimmie Johnson and George Seifert about the Value of having a Charles Haley on their defenses. His snub is the most glaring because HE HAS 5 RINGS and he was a vital contributor to the success and failure of his teams. Bill Parcells is not in the Hall of Fame. What a joke that is. He led the Giants to the Super Bowl twice. He took the Jets to the championship game with Vinny as his qb. He took the Patriots to the Super against the Packers. He has a better resume than Marv Levy who he defeated in his final Super Bowl win. What about Cris Carter? He has over 1,100 catches in his career. Tim Brown who has over a thousand catches in his career? Andre Reed? These men were on par with Micheal Irvin. Brown and Reed were the top 2 receivers in the AFC. Marvin Harrison who is a first ballot guy also deferred to these guys before his career took off.
Is the vote that difficult to make? Everyone thinks they are a football expert but very few have a clue as to what is smart, right or wrong? Jerry Kramer is not in the Hall of Fame. He was voted on to the NFL 50th anniversary team. There are only 25 spots on that team and he is not in the Hall of fame? Is it ego? Is it a control thing? I realize that the finalist are presented by a sports writer who makes a case for his guy and then there is a vote. I wish someone can tell me what memorable thing each of the six enshrinees did in their career to make them Hall worthy. I remember Willie Roaf for his glasses and the game on Monday night football when he chased down a Dallas Cowboy who was running back an interception for a touchdown. I remember Curtis Martin scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Packers and then Desmond Howard returning the kick back for a touchdown. I remember Cortez Kennedy always hurt and sacking Phil Simms once in a game. Dermonti Dawson making a block for Jerome Bettis. Wow those were Hall of Fame moments. I am really at a loss on this one. I can't wait to see the speeches on Saturday. I can't wait to see how many rabid fans are going to show up to honor these men. Roaf is lucky that the Saints are playing in the game. Maybe Toni Braxton will show up for Curtis Martin. The hall got this one wrong.
The Hall of Fame is supposed to be a place for the cream of the crop. The players, coaches, NFL personnel that made the game better. The NFL has several candidates who are more Hall worthy than the players enshrined this weekend. Will Shields was the best offensive guard in football for the last 15 years. He made pro bowl after pro bowl and was on the all decade team. Charles Haley was the second most feared defender in football behind Lawrence Taylor. He has 5 SUPER BOWL RINGS!!!!! Ask Jim Kelly, Phil Simms, Steve Young about the impact on a game that Charles Haley had. Ask Jimmie Johnson and George Seifert about the Value of having a Charles Haley on their defenses. His snub is the most glaring because HE HAS 5 RINGS and he was a vital contributor to the success and failure of his teams. Bill Parcells is not in the Hall of Fame. What a joke that is. He led the Giants to the Super Bowl twice. He took the Jets to the championship game with Vinny as his qb. He took the Patriots to the Super against the Packers. He has a better resume than Marv Levy who he defeated in his final Super Bowl win. What about Cris Carter? He has over 1,100 catches in his career. Tim Brown who has over a thousand catches in his career? Andre Reed? These men were on par with Micheal Irvin. Brown and Reed were the top 2 receivers in the AFC. Marvin Harrison who is a first ballot guy also deferred to these guys before his career took off.
Is the vote that difficult to make? Everyone thinks they are a football expert but very few have a clue as to what is smart, right or wrong? Jerry Kramer is not in the Hall of Fame. He was voted on to the NFL 50th anniversary team. There are only 25 spots on that team and he is not in the Hall of fame? Is it ego? Is it a control thing? I realize that the finalist are presented by a sports writer who makes a case for his guy and then there is a vote. I wish someone can tell me what memorable thing each of the six enshrinees did in their career to make them Hall worthy. I remember Willie Roaf for his glasses and the game on Monday night football when he chased down a Dallas Cowboy who was running back an interception for a touchdown. I remember Curtis Martin scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Packers and then Desmond Howard returning the kick back for a touchdown. I remember Cortez Kennedy always hurt and sacking Phil Simms once in a game. Dermonti Dawson making a block for Jerome Bettis. Wow those were Hall of Fame moments. I am really at a loss on this one. I can't wait to see the speeches on Saturday. I can't wait to see how many rabid fans are going to show up to honor these men. Roaf is lucky that the Saints are playing in the game. Maybe Toni Braxton will show up for Curtis Martin. The hall got this one wrong.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Were talkin baseball
The trade deadline is gone. Today is August 1st. The first place teams are the Yankees, Reds, White Sox, Giants, Rangers, and the Nationals. The only real surprises in that grouping are the White Sox and Nationals. Will there be a summer swoon that hits all of these teams? I think so. The Yankees have lost four games in a row and they have a ton of injuries that could affect their chances of winning a title. The Nationals and White Sox have pitchers who are treading in waters that they have never been in and already have shown signs of fatigue and breaking down. Chris Sale for the White Sox is being rested for arm fatigue and he is their best pitcher. Steven Strasburg got bombed last night by the Phillies and his inning ceiling is getting closer. The Reds have a history of slowing down in August and then ramping it up again in September. The dog days of summer take their toll when the temperature is over 100 in Ohio. The Rangers have played in consecutive World Series but are now facing team turmoil as the not has the injury bug bitten them in their rotation but they are messing with Josh Hamilton by moving him around in the lineup because his number have come back to earth. The Giants don't make earth shattering moves and believe in their pitching to catapult them over the Dodgers. Recently however, the Dodgers embarrassed them in San Francisco by shutting them out in back to back games and sweeping a pivotal series. I wonder how many people think that a world champion will come from these 6 teams.
The team that is playing the best baseball right now has to be the Oakland A's. They have just completed a month where they went something like 20-4. They had 7 plus walk off wins in July. They swept the Yankees in Oakland for the first time in years. They are within four games of the Rangers for the division and history says that August is their month. You saw moneyball right? Their only problem is that the team that they are also chasing has probably the A.L. MVP on it and a former 3 time N.L. MVP in Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. The Angels made a great move in getting Zack Greinke to bolster their rotation and getting Vernon Wells back as a spot player and DH, theyhave so many ways to beat people. I just wish they would leave Trumbo in one place in the lineup and let him eat. Trout has been spectacular and the home run he hit last night is still travelling. No one is talking smack about Pujols as his number are starting to catch up. He still is due a two week homer binge and after hitting two last night he could be ready to take off. The Detroit Tigers are also lurking. They have the lineup to compete with anyone but don't have the consistent staring pitching after Verlander. Verlander lately has not been great and he is struggling against the good teams. Cabrera is doing what he normally does but he needs Delmon Young to wake up. The Rays need Longoria back for their lineup has gone stale. They made no moves at the tradeline believing that they have enough to at least get in to the wild card. Boston also needs to consistency and to have their full lineup for about two weeks just to see if they can make some noise. Don't sleep on the Red Sox. The Yankees could have buried them last weekend and may have given them life.
The National League is less complicated than the American League. The Dodgers made smart moves to help an offense that can't score runs. Hanley ramirez and Shane Victorino are proven offensive stars and if the can catch lightning in a bottle for three week maybe they can surpass the Giants and get in a s the division winner. Arizona was floundering like they are now last year and then got real hot and wound up in the playoffs. They have won the last two against the Dodgers and have that look in their eyes again like they want a piece of the N.L. pie. The Pirates have quietly come back to earth. A.J. Burnett near no hitter last night shows me that he is for real this year and I bet the Yankees wish they had him now. The Pirates dont have enough offense and should look into getting Andrew McCutcheon some help at some point. The Braves are trying to do it for Chipper. I need another week before I can assess them. Ben Sheets has been a god send. Tim Hudson has found his split and sinker. They scare me for some reason. The Cardinals are too injury hit and really are unpredictable. I wont dignify the Mets or Phillies issues. The Brewers and Marlins are baseballs biggest disappointments.
So who do I think is going to be the five teams in the post season from each league? The A.L. will have Yankees, Tigers, Angels as division winners. Oakland and Boston will be wild cards. That's right Texas fans, your Rangers are going to fade away as these other teams get healthy and better. In the National League I think it will be Washington, Cincinnati, L.A., and the wild card will be Atlanta and San Francisco. I will do my awards before the season ends but right now the Cy young award are Weaver and Dickey. The MVP's are Trout and McCutcheon. Manager of the year would be Davey Johnson and Mike Scosia. Trout and Harper rookies of the year. Comeback player of they year is A.J Burnett in the N.L and A.L I would give it to Justin Morneau. Tim Kurkjian last night said the World Series would be between the Dodgers and Angels. That would be a a spectacle. As I evaluate who I think will be in the post season, I dont think that that is a bad selection of teams. I agree the World Series based on today will be Dodgers and Angels....
The team that is playing the best baseball right now has to be the Oakland A's. They have just completed a month where they went something like 20-4. They had 7 plus walk off wins in July. They swept the Yankees in Oakland for the first time in years. They are within four games of the Rangers for the division and history says that August is their month. You saw moneyball right? Their only problem is that the team that they are also chasing has probably the A.L. MVP on it and a former 3 time N.L. MVP in Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. The Angels made a great move in getting Zack Greinke to bolster their rotation and getting Vernon Wells back as a spot player and DH, theyhave so many ways to beat people. I just wish they would leave Trumbo in one place in the lineup and let him eat. Trout has been spectacular and the home run he hit last night is still travelling. No one is talking smack about Pujols as his number are starting to catch up. He still is due a two week homer binge and after hitting two last night he could be ready to take off. The Detroit Tigers are also lurking. They have the lineup to compete with anyone but don't have the consistent staring pitching after Verlander. Verlander lately has not been great and he is struggling against the good teams. Cabrera is doing what he normally does but he needs Delmon Young to wake up. The Rays need Longoria back for their lineup has gone stale. They made no moves at the tradeline believing that they have enough to at least get in to the wild card. Boston also needs to consistency and to have their full lineup for about two weeks just to see if they can make some noise. Don't sleep on the Red Sox. The Yankees could have buried them last weekend and may have given them life.
The National League is less complicated than the American League. The Dodgers made smart moves to help an offense that can't score runs. Hanley ramirez and Shane Victorino are proven offensive stars and if the can catch lightning in a bottle for three week maybe they can surpass the Giants and get in a s the division winner. Arizona was floundering like they are now last year and then got real hot and wound up in the playoffs. They have won the last two against the Dodgers and have that look in their eyes again like they want a piece of the N.L. pie. The Pirates have quietly come back to earth. A.J. Burnett near no hitter last night shows me that he is for real this year and I bet the Yankees wish they had him now. The Pirates dont have enough offense and should look into getting Andrew McCutcheon some help at some point. The Braves are trying to do it for Chipper. I need another week before I can assess them. Ben Sheets has been a god send. Tim Hudson has found his split and sinker. They scare me for some reason. The Cardinals are too injury hit and really are unpredictable. I wont dignify the Mets or Phillies issues. The Brewers and Marlins are baseballs biggest disappointments.
So who do I think is going to be the five teams in the post season from each league? The A.L. will have Yankees, Tigers, Angels as division winners. Oakland and Boston will be wild cards. That's right Texas fans, your Rangers are going to fade away as these other teams get healthy and better. In the National League I think it will be Washington, Cincinnati, L.A., and the wild card will be Atlanta and San Francisco. I will do my awards before the season ends but right now the Cy young award are Weaver and Dickey. The MVP's are Trout and McCutcheon. Manager of the year would be Davey Johnson and Mike Scosia. Trout and Harper rookies of the year. Comeback player of they year is A.J Burnett in the N.L and A.L I would give it to Justin Morneau. Tim Kurkjian last night said the World Series would be between the Dodgers and Angels. That would be a a spectacle. As I evaluate who I think will be in the post season, I dont think that that is a bad selection of teams. I agree the World Series based on today will be Dodgers and Angels....
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