The NHL is like a child that elaborately and carefully constructs a sandcastle on an exotic beach. It spends a painstaking amount of time building it into a majestic piece of sandy architecture.
Then, after basking in the glow of its glory and pure aesthetic appeal, the child destroys it with glee while giggling like a schoolgirl.
This certainly feels like the NHL nowadays, doesn't it?
After the crippling lockout of 2004-05, the NHL finally garnered the mainstream attention it attained at its peak in the mid-90s. This current lockout is the destruction of that progress.
And they are forcing their fans to sit and watch.
This Friday, the NHL will most certainly cancel more regular season games. If an agreement is not reached by the end of next week, its signature event, the Winter Classic, will be canceled.
Cancelling the Winter Classic will be like pouring gasoline into the castle's moat and lighting it on fire. Once that happens, the remainder of the castle will gradually burn to the ground.
And it seems as if commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr are content to let it happen.
After a couple of days of hope for a resolution after owners proposed a 50/50 split over hockey related revenue with the players, all optimism eroded after the players' counterproposal was only considered for ten total minutes. The holdup, based on several reports, is based on owners honoring current player contracts. The players are open to a 50/50 split.
So if this is the only major issue holding up negotiations, it is safe to say this lockout is all about ego. The 50/50 proposal is the best owner either side can put forth. Any other proposal at this point is a total waste of time, money, and most of all, the diehard fans' emotions.
Perhaps if NHL sponsors and luxury suite purchasers threaten to boycott the league, both sides will cave and end this nonsense? It certainly seems that egos are more important than the fans, or for that matter, making money off hockey games!
If the league takes the diehard fan for granted, then they most certainly do not care that the casual fan will never return. And the mainstream media, especially ESPN, will play the "who cares about hockey" card with relish and completely ignore the sport, lockout or no lockout.
The diehard fans are screaming in horror, and Bettman and Fehr are giggling like little kids while watching their castle dissolve. The fans can only hope the careers of these two men go up in flames as well once this craziness is resolved.
I still believe we will have a 2012-13 NHL season, even if it starts between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
But rest assured, should this continue beyond New Years, this diehard fan and countless others will stand up and walk away from this great sandcastle demolition.
Bettman and Fehr do not deserve the satisfaction of watching this great game die.
NFL Five Things We Learned From Week 7
1. The Jets will mightily regret their loss to New England. The Pats handed them this game, and they screwed it up.
2. If the Ravens get more performances like Sunday's, especially without Ray Lewis, they are in huge trouble.
3. The Lions define one-dimensional. If Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are not on their A game, they have no chance.
4. Cam Newton is proving he many not be mature enough to handle his sophomore slump and beyond.
5. Eli Manning is the NFL's best 4th quarter quarterback since John Elway.
Plan the Parade We're Going to the Damn Super Bowl pick: Chicago vs New England (no doubt Pats fans will continue to pump their chests despite its teams' massive shortcomings on defense.)
Top 5
1. Atlanta
2. Houston
3. N.Y. Giants
4. San Francisco
5. Green Bay
Bottom 5
32. Cleveland
31. Jacksonville
30. Kansas City
29. Carolina
28. Tampa Bay
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
The ONE THING the Yankees must do this offseason plus NFL Week 6 Five Things
I'm going to be brief with my NFL 5 things this week, because it will take some time and space to rant and/or speculate on the demise of the 2012 Yankees. Actually, demise is putting it nicely. Debacle, disgrace, disaster, whatever D word you want to use is acceptable.
The obvious moves cannot be stressed enough. Re-sign Kuroda and Ichiro, let Swisher walk, trade A-Rod and Granderson, hold off on Cano's big contract.
But this is all beating a dead horse. The Yankees can make all these moves and replace A-Rod, Swisher, and Granderson with three more big boppers in free agency?
The truth is, it won't be good enough to win World Series # 28.
The Yankees have the pitching to win it all, as evidenced by the starting rotation's overall performance this postseason.
On paper, they certainly seem to have the hitting capability as well. Unfortunately, this hitting prowess does not extend to postseason play
So is it the hitters not performing? Probably. Is it just a case of bad luck based on all big boppers going cold at the same time? Maybe.
However, this can happen to any team at any time. For the Yankees, since 2001 and except for 2009, this has happened every single season.
So the problem is not the players, its the offensive philosophy.
After losing the 2001 World Series, the blue-collar grinders like O'Neill, Martinez, and Brosius that won four out of five World Series were gone. These guys were replaced with all-or-nothing big boppers such as Jason Giambi, Raul Mondesi, Rondell White, and Robin Ventura, to name a few.
Owner George Steinbrenner, perhaps in a bid to sell more tickets and to promote the new YES Network, decided that the fans only wanted to see home runs. Hey, chicks dig the long ball!
This change in strategy did result in more postseason apperances, but also resulted in epic power outages on offense when placed up against great pitching. This happened, namely, in the 2003 World Series, the last four games of the 2004 ALCS, the 2006 and 2011 ALDS, and especially the 2012 ALCS.
Except for the 2009 postseason, largely carried by pariah A-Rod, gone were the grind-it-out at-bats and key base hits (not homers) in big spots that won ballgames in October. The strategy was and currently is to swing for the fence every single at-bat.
It may work in the regular season. The Yankees struggled their way to an AL East title this season largely due in part to a franchise-record 255 home runs.
But doesn't it seem as if it was the only way they could score runs? In the 2012 Postseason, the Yankees squeaked by the Orioles in five games despite not scoring more than three runs in four of five of them. In the 2012 ALCS, aside from their miracle four-run rally in Game 1, they only scored TWO runs. Yes, TWO.
Yes, they needed home runs from Raul Ibanez to save their rear ends a few times. But where were the grind-it-out at bats that defined the late 90s dynasty? Where were the timely singles and doubles? Was the approach of every single hitter to attempt to hit a 500 foot home run every single plate appearance? It certainly seems that way.
The point is, the home-run-or-nothing mentality has failed.
In the years the Yankees won the World Series under Joe Torre and Joe Girardi, no Yankee hit more than 40 home runs. They didn't outslug their opponents to win them. They used great pitching and timely hitting. The most simple winning formula of all.
For the Yankees to win # 28 next year, they need to return to this strategy. To do so, they must bring in the proper personnel. The Nick Swishers, Curtis Granderson, A-Rods, and Russell Martin's of the world are not those types of players.
They need the O'Neill/Martinez/Brosius types. They need the supplemental types of players, players like Jayson Nix, Brett Gardner, et al, that will swing for a two-run single in a big spot instead of a five-run home run.
General manager Brian Cashman has a very long a difficult offseason ahead. Not only must he bring in the right personnel, but he needs to realize that a 1 through 9 lineup of home run boppers will not breed October success.
They got away with it in 2009. Who knows if they will again? Based on the last two postseason exits, it doesn't seem that way.
They tried for the five-run homer and missed. Now, it's time to try for the bases-clearing double.
Let the offseason begin.
NFL Week 6 Five Things
1. The Packers look like last year's Packers again. Scary thought for the rest of the league.
2. The Giants are better than last year's team. But where have we seen this before? See: 2008 and Burress, Plaxico.
3. The Seahawks don't have the most talented team in the league, but they are certainly the most pesky.
4. The two teams in the most trouble are the Steelers and Chargers.
5. The Ravens are still title contenders, but without Ray Lewis, they DO NOT win a Super Bowl. Period.
Are-You-For-Real Super Bowl matchup: Seattle vs Denver
Top 5
1. Atlanta
2. N.Y. Giants
3. Houston
4. Baltimore
5. Green Bay
Bottom 5
32. Jacksonville
31. Kansas City
30. Cleveland
29. Carolina
28. New Orleans
The obvious moves cannot be stressed enough. Re-sign Kuroda and Ichiro, let Swisher walk, trade A-Rod and Granderson, hold off on Cano's big contract.
But this is all beating a dead horse. The Yankees can make all these moves and replace A-Rod, Swisher, and Granderson with three more big boppers in free agency?
The truth is, it won't be good enough to win World Series # 28.
The Yankees have the pitching to win it all, as evidenced by the starting rotation's overall performance this postseason.
On paper, they certainly seem to have the hitting capability as well. Unfortunately, this hitting prowess does not extend to postseason play
So is it the hitters not performing? Probably. Is it just a case of bad luck based on all big boppers going cold at the same time? Maybe.
However, this can happen to any team at any time. For the Yankees, since 2001 and except for 2009, this has happened every single season.
So the problem is not the players, its the offensive philosophy.
After losing the 2001 World Series, the blue-collar grinders like O'Neill, Martinez, and Brosius that won four out of five World Series were gone. These guys were replaced with all-or-nothing big boppers such as Jason Giambi, Raul Mondesi, Rondell White, and Robin Ventura, to name a few.
Owner George Steinbrenner, perhaps in a bid to sell more tickets and to promote the new YES Network, decided that the fans only wanted to see home runs. Hey, chicks dig the long ball!
This change in strategy did result in more postseason apperances, but also resulted in epic power outages on offense when placed up against great pitching. This happened, namely, in the 2003 World Series, the last four games of the 2004 ALCS, the 2006 and 2011 ALDS, and especially the 2012 ALCS.
Except for the 2009 postseason, largely carried by pariah A-Rod, gone were the grind-it-out at-bats and key base hits (not homers) in big spots that won ballgames in October. The strategy was and currently is to swing for the fence every single at-bat.
It may work in the regular season. The Yankees struggled their way to an AL East title this season largely due in part to a franchise-record 255 home runs.
But doesn't it seem as if it was the only way they could score runs? In the 2012 Postseason, the Yankees squeaked by the Orioles in five games despite not scoring more than three runs in four of five of them. In the 2012 ALCS, aside from their miracle four-run rally in Game 1, they only scored TWO runs. Yes, TWO.
Yes, they needed home runs from Raul Ibanez to save their rear ends a few times. But where were the grind-it-out at bats that defined the late 90s dynasty? Where were the timely singles and doubles? Was the approach of every single hitter to attempt to hit a 500 foot home run every single plate appearance? It certainly seems that way.
The point is, the home-run-or-nothing mentality has failed.
In the years the Yankees won the World Series under Joe Torre and Joe Girardi, no Yankee hit more than 40 home runs. They didn't outslug their opponents to win them. They used great pitching and timely hitting. The most simple winning formula of all.
For the Yankees to win # 28 next year, they need to return to this strategy. To do so, they must bring in the proper personnel. The Nick Swishers, Curtis Granderson, A-Rods, and Russell Martin's of the world are not those types of players.
They need the O'Neill/Martinez/Brosius types. They need the supplemental types of players, players like Jayson Nix, Brett Gardner, et al, that will swing for a two-run single in a big spot instead of a five-run home run.
General manager Brian Cashman has a very long a difficult offseason ahead. Not only must he bring in the right personnel, but he needs to realize that a 1 through 9 lineup of home run boppers will not breed October success.
They got away with it in 2009. Who knows if they will again? Based on the last two postseason exits, it doesn't seem that way.
They tried for the five-run homer and missed. Now, it's time to try for the bases-clearing double.
Let the offseason begin.
NFL Week 6 Five Things
1. The Packers look like last year's Packers again. Scary thought for the rest of the league.
2. The Giants are better than last year's team. But where have we seen this before? See: 2008 and Burress, Plaxico.
3. The Seahawks don't have the most talented team in the league, but they are certainly the most pesky.
4. The two teams in the most trouble are the Steelers and Chargers.
5. The Ravens are still title contenders, but without Ray Lewis, they DO NOT win a Super Bowl. Period.
Are-You-For-Real Super Bowl matchup: Seattle vs Denver
Top 5
1. Atlanta
2. N.Y. Giants
3. Houston
4. Baltimore
5. Green Bay
Bottom 5
32. Jacksonville
31. Kansas City
30. Cleveland
29. Carolina
28. New Orleans
Monday, October 15, 2012
Calling Out Yankee Fans
I am not going to dedicate this post to ripping apart the underperforming Yankee stars of this postseason.
I am not going to praise the starting pitching.
I am especially not going to dedicate this post to ripping apart the umpires and plea for instant replay.
Instead, I am using this post to call out YOU, the Yankee fan.
Yes, you. The one that doesn't show up to Yankee Stadium for a playoff game.
In professional sports, there is nothing more embarrasing than a team not selling out a playoff game. It's very rare, but when it happens, it not only generates bad publicity, but it also reduces an organization's credibility.
The New Yankee Stadium holds approximately 50,000. Here is a list of the attendance figures for each postseason game thus far:
ALDS Game 3: 50,497
ALDS Game 4: 49,307
ALDS Game 5: 47,081
ALCS Game 1: 47,122
ALCS Game 2: 47,082
After the first two games sold out, attendance has steadily declined. Attendance for the deciding Game 5, a game which could have been the final game of the Yankees' season, was the lowest attended of the five!
In Game 5, the Stadium was half empty until the fourth or fifth inning. Entire sections were empty for games one and two of the ALCS.
The crowd noise in every single game, save for a few Game 5 moments and Raul Ibanez's home run heroics, was funereal. You would have thought each game was a throwaway game in May.
Why is this happening? Is it a byproduct of today's economic times, just being plain spoiled, or something else?
Well, to be fair to a vast majority of fans, ticket and parking prices are simply too exborbitant for the average fan to afford. Parking near the stadium is going for as much as $50 for postseason. Yes, fifty. You read that correctly. Also, with the economy being the way it is, it probably isn't prudent for a family of four to pay $300-400 for tickets, food, drink, and parking for a baseball game. Especially if you want to sit near home plate.
However, cheap seats sold on Stubhub for each postseason game for as low as $30, which is only $10 more than face value for a bleacher ticket for any given regular season game. No one is forcing you to pay for parking (assuming you take public transportation), food, or drink. A diehard fan like myself would be glad to gobble up that ticket if I lived close to the Stadium.
Or is the Yankee fan too fickle or spoiled to even care?
The high-octane Yankee offense has been anemic so far this postseason, and especially with runners in scoring position the entire year. If not for Raul Ibanez's heroics in Game 3 and the starting pitching, the Yankees team is playing golf instead of baseball right now. Fans that actually attended the games are displaying endless vitriol and hatred toward A-Rod and his ineptitude. And eventually, Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, and Robinson Cano.
Maybe the Yankee fan is bored by the constant postseason appearances, and is just waiting for a World Series game to get loud and proud. In Game 2 of the 1995 ALDS, the old Yankee Stadium shook to its core when Don Mattingly hit a home run. In Game 2 of the 2012 ALCS, Hiroki Kuroda recieved light applause for pitching 5 perfect innings. Performances like those are probably taken for granted.
Whatever the cause may be, it is an embarrassment to the Yankees franchise and Yankee fanbase to have a library-like atmosphere at its ballpark for such important games. In other words, fodder is being fed to the haters at a record rate.
Should the Yankees bring the ALCS back to Yankee Stadium for Game 6, a non-sellout would be one of the great embarrassments of all time.
Does this mean only 45,000 will show up for a Game 7?
Well, maybe if they hate A-Rod enough, 5,000 more will show up just to boo him when he strikes out in a huge spot.
I am not going to praise the starting pitching.
I am especially not going to dedicate this post to ripping apart the umpires and plea for instant replay.
Instead, I am using this post to call out YOU, the Yankee fan.
Yes, you. The one that doesn't show up to Yankee Stadium for a playoff game.
In professional sports, there is nothing more embarrasing than a team not selling out a playoff game. It's very rare, but when it happens, it not only generates bad publicity, but it also reduces an organization's credibility.
The New Yankee Stadium holds approximately 50,000. Here is a list of the attendance figures for each postseason game thus far:
ALDS Game 3: 50,497
ALDS Game 4: 49,307
ALDS Game 5: 47,081
ALCS Game 1: 47,122
ALCS Game 2: 47,082
After the first two games sold out, attendance has steadily declined. Attendance for the deciding Game 5, a game which could have been the final game of the Yankees' season, was the lowest attended of the five!
In Game 5, the Stadium was half empty until the fourth or fifth inning. Entire sections were empty for games one and two of the ALCS.
The crowd noise in every single game, save for a few Game 5 moments and Raul Ibanez's home run heroics, was funereal. You would have thought each game was a throwaway game in May.
Why is this happening? Is it a byproduct of today's economic times, just being plain spoiled, or something else?
Well, to be fair to a vast majority of fans, ticket and parking prices are simply too exborbitant for the average fan to afford. Parking near the stadium is going for as much as $50 for postseason. Yes, fifty. You read that correctly. Also, with the economy being the way it is, it probably isn't prudent for a family of four to pay $300-400 for tickets, food, drink, and parking for a baseball game. Especially if you want to sit near home plate.
However, cheap seats sold on Stubhub for each postseason game for as low as $30, which is only $10 more than face value for a bleacher ticket for any given regular season game. No one is forcing you to pay for parking (assuming you take public transportation), food, or drink. A diehard fan like myself would be glad to gobble up that ticket if I lived close to the Stadium.
Or is the Yankee fan too fickle or spoiled to even care?
The high-octane Yankee offense has been anemic so far this postseason, and especially with runners in scoring position the entire year. If not for Raul Ibanez's heroics in Game 3 and the starting pitching, the Yankees team is playing golf instead of baseball right now. Fans that actually attended the games are displaying endless vitriol and hatred toward A-Rod and his ineptitude. And eventually, Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, and Robinson Cano.
Maybe the Yankee fan is bored by the constant postseason appearances, and is just waiting for a World Series game to get loud and proud. In Game 2 of the 1995 ALDS, the old Yankee Stadium shook to its core when Don Mattingly hit a home run. In Game 2 of the 2012 ALCS, Hiroki Kuroda recieved light applause for pitching 5 perfect innings. Performances like those are probably taken for granted.
Whatever the cause may be, it is an embarrassment to the Yankees franchise and Yankee fanbase to have a library-like atmosphere at its ballpark for such important games. In other words, fodder is being fed to the haters at a record rate.
Should the Yankees bring the ALCS back to Yankee Stadium for Game 6, a non-sellout would be one of the great embarrassments of all time.
Does this mean only 45,000 will show up for a Game 7?
Well, maybe if they hate A-Rod enough, 5,000 more will show up just to boo him when he strikes out in a huge spot.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
What We Learned From NFL Week 5
Before I dive into football, I must remind you that the annual A-Rod boo fest will commence tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM in the Bronx, New York.
After his disturbingly cold start to the postseason (yet again, save 2009), imagine the venom that will be directed toward him the second he strikes out or pops out with men on base.
No one wants to hear it, but I'm going to say it. It is NOT his fault this series is tied at one. How about some boos for Nick Swisher, who still can't buy a hit in the postseason, or strikeout machine Curtis Granderson? Oh, okay. Hate away, ignoramuses! The second A-Rod comes up with a huge hit in Games 3, 4, or 5, you will all love him.
More on the Yankees after the series ends. For now, on to some damn football.
This week's five things:
1. Tim Tebow should NOT be the Jets' starting quarterback, but he WILL be soon.
Since opening week, the Jets' offense has resembled the one that could only muster one touchdown in the preseason. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled mightily, only completing close to half his passes. He has made many mistakes, and has lost his most important weapon, Santonio Holmes, for the season. All struggles aside, fan interest is dwindling. Owner Woody Johnson has an ace in the hole. If Tebow starts, and leads the Jets to miracle victory after miracle victory like he did with Denver last season, fannies will be placed in the seats, and the Jets will make headlines. After all, that's what he wants, right? It's inevitable, folks. Even if he goes 7 for 21 for 89 yards every game.
2. Eric Winston is absolutely correct about the Chiefs fans being wrong for cheering Matt Cassel's injury. That said, Cassel must be benched right now.
Kansas City has invested a lot in Cassel since his unexpected success in Tom Brady's absence in New England in the 2008 season. Since then, he has brought the Chiefs to the playoffs once, but regressed ever since. The anger from long-suffering Chiefs fans has reached a fever pitch, and a change at QB must be made before it gets worse. The Chiefs are 1-4, and Brady Quinn may start in favor of a concussed Cassel this Sunday. Cassel has thrown 5 TD passes and thrown 9 interceptions. He is allowing a lethal running game from Jamaal Charles go to waste. It's simply not working for Cassel in KC, and if the Chiefs want to salvage their future, they need to at least take a look at Quinn.
3. If Michael Vick is benched, it will signal the beginning of the end for Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
Vick's case of fumbilitis has now reached epidemic proportions. He fumbled at the goal line in a key spot in Pittsburgh this past Sunday, and lost another one. He has lost three total this season, and thrown six interceptions. Other than the poor protection from his offensive line, Vick has made many questionable decisions this season. His team can easily be 0-5 right now if not for a couple of one and two point victories. Coach Andy Reid, already on the hot seat, has put a ton of faith in Vick. If he is forced to bench him. he may run out of all credibility to his players and the front office.
4. Andrew Luck grew up as an NFL quarterback Sunday. And this one was with feeling.
With ailing coach Chuck Pagano watching from an Indianapolis hospital bed recovering from chemotherapy treatments, he witnessed his young star QB become Peyton Manning. Or something close to it. Against a tough Green Bay team at home, Luck threw for 362 yards and two TD passes, and led his team on an epic last minute drive (with a little help from Reggie Wayne) to go ahead 30-27. The Colts knew what they were doing drafting Luck and letting Manning walk, and their faith has been rewarded thus far. And how good did it feel for owner Jim Irsay to present the game ball to Pagano at the hospital?
5. Cam Newton is officially in a sophomore slump.
Was last year's epic rookie season a fluke? Or is it a sign of immaturity or overconfidence? I say a little bit of both. Of course, there is no way Newton can top his performance from last season, but he has looked mediocre at best this season, and has made egregious mistakes. After a good opening week performance in a loss to Tampa Bay, he has not completed more than 16 passes in a game since. He was benched in the middle of the Panthers' blowout loss to the Giants, and he was infamously seen sulking on the sideline. He has not thrown for more than 253 yards, and has thrown only four touchdown passes. If he doesn't grow up soon, the Panthers are in huge trouble.
Gobble up your tickets, this is our year-but not really Super Bowl Pick: Indianapolis vs New Orleans. Yes, New Orleans. If Sean Payton shows up at the stadium every game, maybe the Saints will be inspired to run the table and host a home Super Bowl?
Top 5
1. Houston
2. Atlanta
3. San Francisco
4. Baltimore
5. New England
Bottom 5
32. Cleveland
31. Jacksonville
30. Tennessee
29. Kansas City
28. Oakland
After his disturbingly cold start to the postseason (yet again, save 2009), imagine the venom that will be directed toward him the second he strikes out or pops out with men on base.
No one wants to hear it, but I'm going to say it. It is NOT his fault this series is tied at one. How about some boos for Nick Swisher, who still can't buy a hit in the postseason, or strikeout machine Curtis Granderson? Oh, okay. Hate away, ignoramuses! The second A-Rod comes up with a huge hit in Games 3, 4, or 5, you will all love him.
More on the Yankees after the series ends. For now, on to some damn football.
This week's five things:
1. Tim Tebow should NOT be the Jets' starting quarterback, but he WILL be soon.
Since opening week, the Jets' offense has resembled the one that could only muster one touchdown in the preseason. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled mightily, only completing close to half his passes. He has made many mistakes, and has lost his most important weapon, Santonio Holmes, for the season. All struggles aside, fan interest is dwindling. Owner Woody Johnson has an ace in the hole. If Tebow starts, and leads the Jets to miracle victory after miracle victory like he did with Denver last season, fannies will be placed in the seats, and the Jets will make headlines. After all, that's what he wants, right? It's inevitable, folks. Even if he goes 7 for 21 for 89 yards every game.
2. Eric Winston is absolutely correct about the Chiefs fans being wrong for cheering Matt Cassel's injury. That said, Cassel must be benched right now.
Kansas City has invested a lot in Cassel since his unexpected success in Tom Brady's absence in New England in the 2008 season. Since then, he has brought the Chiefs to the playoffs once, but regressed ever since. The anger from long-suffering Chiefs fans has reached a fever pitch, and a change at QB must be made before it gets worse. The Chiefs are 1-4, and Brady Quinn may start in favor of a concussed Cassel this Sunday. Cassel has thrown 5 TD passes and thrown 9 interceptions. He is allowing a lethal running game from Jamaal Charles go to waste. It's simply not working for Cassel in KC, and if the Chiefs want to salvage their future, they need to at least take a look at Quinn.
3. If Michael Vick is benched, it will signal the beginning of the end for Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
Vick's case of fumbilitis has now reached epidemic proportions. He fumbled at the goal line in a key spot in Pittsburgh this past Sunday, and lost another one. He has lost three total this season, and thrown six interceptions. Other than the poor protection from his offensive line, Vick has made many questionable decisions this season. His team can easily be 0-5 right now if not for a couple of one and two point victories. Coach Andy Reid, already on the hot seat, has put a ton of faith in Vick. If he is forced to bench him. he may run out of all credibility to his players and the front office.
4. Andrew Luck grew up as an NFL quarterback Sunday. And this one was with feeling.
With ailing coach Chuck Pagano watching from an Indianapolis hospital bed recovering from chemotherapy treatments, he witnessed his young star QB become Peyton Manning. Or something close to it. Against a tough Green Bay team at home, Luck threw for 362 yards and two TD passes, and led his team on an epic last minute drive (with a little help from Reggie Wayne) to go ahead 30-27. The Colts knew what they were doing drafting Luck and letting Manning walk, and their faith has been rewarded thus far. And how good did it feel for owner Jim Irsay to present the game ball to Pagano at the hospital?
5. Cam Newton is officially in a sophomore slump.
Was last year's epic rookie season a fluke? Or is it a sign of immaturity or overconfidence? I say a little bit of both. Of course, there is no way Newton can top his performance from last season, but he has looked mediocre at best this season, and has made egregious mistakes. After a good opening week performance in a loss to Tampa Bay, he has not completed more than 16 passes in a game since. He was benched in the middle of the Panthers' blowout loss to the Giants, and he was infamously seen sulking on the sideline. He has not thrown for more than 253 yards, and has thrown only four touchdown passes. If he doesn't grow up soon, the Panthers are in huge trouble.
Gobble up your tickets, this is our year-but not really Super Bowl Pick: Indianapolis vs New Orleans. Yes, New Orleans. If Sean Payton shows up at the stadium every game, maybe the Saints will be inspired to run the table and host a home Super Bowl?
Top 5
1. Houston
2. Atlanta
3. San Francisco
4. Baltimore
5. New England
Bottom 5
32. Cleveland
31. Jacksonville
30. Tennessee
29. Kansas City
28. Oakland
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
What we learned from NFL Week 4
Okay, are we all back to hating the real refs yet? I thought so. Yeah, you can put your hands down now, Packer fans.
I have to admit now, the replacement refs, save for the Seattle disgrace, made for good entertainment. Especially based on the reactions from ESPN and social media to every single blown call.
So, can we still question the NFL's legitimacy if the regular refs are blowing calls?
You know what? The fans will always be angry at the refs, whether they have day jobs at McDonald's or Goldman Sachs.
Anyway, here's the Week 4 "5 Things":
1. The Saints are done. D.O.N.E.
I don't care if they go 8-2 for the remainder of the season. You simply do not recover from an 0-4 start in the NFL. It never equals a Super Bowl win, even in an era of parity. No coaching structure, no continuity, no wins.
2. The Vikings are better than we all thought.
Give Christian Ponder credit for showing some growth in his second season in the NFL. No one thought he would step up his game to the level he has, but he has the men in purple believing. A 20-13 victory in a tough environment such as Detroit is a big step forward. Oh, and having Adrian Peterson back healthy helps, too.
3. The Cowboys should hold off on giving Tony Romo his huge contract for much longer than a few days.
Say what you want about Romo's 5 interception performance and how his recievers haven't helped him out. The truth is, Romo has never proved he can win a big game, much less perform at an elite level in a primetime game. Last night's debacle reenforced this. I guess having good looks and playing for "America's Team" gets you glam no matter how good or bad you are. But Jerry Jones needs to think long and hard about this one. Is Romo really the long-term answer? He hasn't been for the past five years.
4. The Falcons are showing signs of maturing as a team.
Games like Sunday's against Carolina truly test the will of a good team. The Panthers just kept clawing away and clawing away after their no-show last Thursday against the Giants. But the Falcons didn't panic after getting down 28-24. They get two late Matt Bryant field goals to cap two gritty, clutch Matt Ryan drives give this team massive confidence going forward. We'll see if this translates to bigger and better things. Like a postseason victory.
5. Other than maybe Atlanta, no team comes close to being complete more than the Houston Texans.
Four dominating wins. They have to be licking their chops for next Monday night against a beyond depleted and shaken Jets team. The AFC South (and #1 seed) is theirs to lose. Schaub, Foster, and Johnson have looked great. Mario Williams is NOT missed on that defense. This is looking like a special season.
Overreaction Plan the Parade Route Super Bowl pick: Minnesota vs Cincinnati
Top 5
1. Houston
2. Atlanta
3. Arizona
4. Baltimore
5. New England
Bottom 5
32. Cleveland
31. New Orleans
30. Jacksonville
29. Miami
28. N.Y. Jets
I have to admit now, the replacement refs, save for the Seattle disgrace, made for good entertainment. Especially based on the reactions from ESPN and social media to every single blown call.
So, can we still question the NFL's legitimacy if the regular refs are blowing calls?
You know what? The fans will always be angry at the refs, whether they have day jobs at McDonald's or Goldman Sachs.
Anyway, here's the Week 4 "5 Things":
1. The Saints are done. D.O.N.E.
I don't care if they go 8-2 for the remainder of the season. You simply do not recover from an 0-4 start in the NFL. It never equals a Super Bowl win, even in an era of parity. No coaching structure, no continuity, no wins.
2. The Vikings are better than we all thought.
Give Christian Ponder credit for showing some growth in his second season in the NFL. No one thought he would step up his game to the level he has, but he has the men in purple believing. A 20-13 victory in a tough environment such as Detroit is a big step forward. Oh, and having Adrian Peterson back healthy helps, too.
3. The Cowboys should hold off on giving Tony Romo his huge contract for much longer than a few days.
Say what you want about Romo's 5 interception performance and how his recievers haven't helped him out. The truth is, Romo has never proved he can win a big game, much less perform at an elite level in a primetime game. Last night's debacle reenforced this. I guess having good looks and playing for "America's Team" gets you glam no matter how good or bad you are. But Jerry Jones needs to think long and hard about this one. Is Romo really the long-term answer? He hasn't been for the past five years.
4. The Falcons are showing signs of maturing as a team.
Games like Sunday's against Carolina truly test the will of a good team. The Panthers just kept clawing away and clawing away after their no-show last Thursday against the Giants. But the Falcons didn't panic after getting down 28-24. They get two late Matt Bryant field goals to cap two gritty, clutch Matt Ryan drives give this team massive confidence going forward. We'll see if this translates to bigger and better things. Like a postseason victory.
5. Other than maybe Atlanta, no team comes close to being complete more than the Houston Texans.
Four dominating wins. They have to be licking their chops for next Monday night against a beyond depleted and shaken Jets team. The AFC South (and #1 seed) is theirs to lose. Schaub, Foster, and Johnson have looked great. Mario Williams is NOT missed on that defense. This is looking like a special season.
Overreaction Plan the Parade Route Super Bowl pick: Minnesota vs Cincinnati
Top 5
1. Houston
2. Atlanta
3. Arizona
4. Baltimore
5. New England
Bottom 5
32. Cleveland
31. New Orleans
30. Jacksonville
29. Miami
28. N.Y. Jets
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