SportsTalk

Free Agency At a High Price

2011-11-13T21:33:00.001-06:00

Albert's recent visit to the MIA had me thinking, would a player of his caliber be willing to play for a team with a “promising future” as opposed to a team with “glowing future” and “beaming present”?

Fresh off of an 11th World Series title for the storied franchise, St. Louis Cardinals; two of which Albert was in uniform for, Pujols may be taking his talents to South Beach.

Various media outlets detailed the Pujols trip as “promising” for the new Miami Marlins. Whats not to love about the “crust” of Florida? It goes without saying that Pujols would dethrone Rick Ross as the Big Boss, if he chose to migrate south.

A declining Hanley Ramirez, at a very young age I might add, is locked up for some time. Josh Johnson was signed in 2010 for four years, with what's shaping up to be a fantastic deal for the fish. Johnson is tied down for three more years at less then $10 mil a year. Ricky Nolasco is as solid of a number two starter of any other team in the NL East, Philadelphia aside.

Only the Diamondbacks, Indians, Padres, Pirates, Devil Rays and Royals post a lower payroll then Florida. With a new look, stadium, team and manager, the Marlins look to position themselves for a big dive in the murky waters surrounding a team with many highlights in a very short period of existence. New stadium means to new revenue and an anticipated 400% increase in attendance next season.

Florida is also courting Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and others. It is safe to say that at least one of these fellows will end up sleeping with the fishes. My bet is Albert will not be one of them. Pujols has developed a persona, reputation and career as a top, humble performer. Going to Florida would not make nearly as much as sense as going to the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers or the most obvious option, remaining a St. Louis Cardinal.

The Marlins new brand is an immediate hit and merchandise is flying off the shelf. As the Marlins settle in to their new home, away from the once shared stadium with the Miami Dolphins, they will attempt to rebuild their team and regain notoriety that has delivered two MLB titles in a short time. The best way for the fish to make a splash is to go out and grab what many believe, is the best baseball player ever.

There is some obvious appeal and more than one reason for Albert to strongly consider Miami, but most argue that staying in the STL makes more sense in a million ways over.

The very tight relationship with Tony Larussa does not hurt the Cardinals as much as many may think. Tony's resignation will not be as big of a blow for the Bird's chances of re-signing El Hombre. With the recent announcement of Mike Matheny as the new skipper of the 2011 World Series Champions, the uncertainty of who will be covering Larussa's absence has been settled. Matheny and Pujols played together for a few seasons, and by all accounts have a close relationship.

The Cardinals won the World Series, amidst some serious adversity, and were the least likely of the eight that entered the post season, to be the last team standing. Let's look at some reasons why Albert should be happy about 2012 as a Cardinal. The 2010 Cy Young runner up, Adam Wainwright returns. The emergence of David Freese as a superstar. Chris Carpenter is still under contract. Jon Jay is a young, solid ball player with what appears to be a very bright future. Matt Holiday may play defense like Charles Barkley golfs, but handles the bat very well and continues to post .300 + seasons at the plate. Lance Berkman is signed next year and is coming off one of his stronger seasons. The defending Champions still boast the “best fans in baseball”

Albert's home is in St. Louis, as is his charitable foundation. The loss of Pujols would be detrimental to St. Louis area sports. The Cardinals will still post a very potent lineup with or without Albert, but if he signs elsewhere the club takes what looks like a very strong chance of returning to the Playoffs and will need more superstar performances from the unexpected, much like the previous season. If there is one thing that Albert would hate to leave behind in St. Louis, besides his “God-like” status, it's his relationship with his best friend, Yadier Molina. Yadi credits Albert for his stabilized swing, batting stance, level head at the plate and increased offensive productivity,

My predictions are as follows: The Florida Marlins will sign Jose Reyes and Mark Madson. Mark Buerhle will sign with the St. Louis Cardinals if Pujols signs with another team. If Albert does not sign with the Redbirds, he will be a Los Angeles Angel and Buerhle a Chicago Cub if Albert stays put.

David Wright will be a Chicago Cub. The New York Yankees will sign C.J. Wilson and David “Big Papi” Ortiz. That's right, I firmly believe Papi will go to the rival, Yanks and I think have a monster year with the short fence in right field. I like Prince Fielder in a Dodgers uniform, busting baseballs with Matt Kemp, but don't rule out Prince being a king hitting with the likes of Hamilton, Young, Andrus, Kinsler and Nelson Cruz as a Texas Ranger.

A veteran presence for Stephen Strasburg in the rotation is a great reason for the Washington Nationals to pursue Roy Oswalt. Jimmy Rollins will remain in the same division, but as a New York Met, filling Jose Reyes' slippery shoes. A healthy Rollins is a productive Rollins, and when on his game, very good. Clint Barmes will likely sign with the San Francisco Giants. I anticipate Edwin Jackson will sign with the Kansas City Royals.

This year's free agency is loaded with some big ballers at the plate and not a whole lot at the mound, but we will see what unravels.

Pole Position

2011-07-30T01:43:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like the NFL season is upon us. The recent news has dispelled an unsettling feeling of an autumn and winter without pro football; which had all but buckled the casual fan. Most of us stood firm, knowing that the National Football League may have learned a thing or two from the baseball debacle in the 1990's, that led to the dismantling and disappearance of fifty percent of Canada's MLB representation and a steroid tantrum that was necessary to return the sport to greatness.

The National Football League's players and owners were attempting to avoid the nearly five year lull that MLB incurred after the 94-95 strike. Some baseball fans never returned, and many that did, never fully returned; meaning, just because they watched the game, doesn't mean they attended games or purchased merchandise; which after all is where the MLB and big league owners generate the majority of their revenue. (Yankees aside, Say “Yes” to Proposition Retarded, Lucrative TV Contract) We would like it to be just a game, but it will always be a business first.

The word “Kudos” is not likely the best way to describe this, but more like “thanks, I think” probably makes more sense. This was and always has been in easy fix; although I think we've all heard the phrase, “you can't fix stupid” or “stupid is, as stupid does.” The reality here is, the National Football League does stupid with the best of them.

As much as I hate to say it, I think NASCAR has it figured out better than any other major sport (and no the NHL is not considered a “major sport” and hasn't been for thirteen years). NASCAR uses basic principles that appeal to fans, athletes (drivers), managers, and fans alike. These principles are: revenue (profit/loss), appeal, advertising, fairness, consistency, nationally televised for ALL, not just major markets and more importantly an “old trusty/old reliable” approach. You know what you're gonna get with NASCAR and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Granted, NASCAR has become more “sexy” and “marketable” over the last two decades and that goes without saying, much like the PGA, but many if not all things have not changed. The same races that ran last year are gonna run this year. If you qualify and have an operational, good running automobile, you're in. The same races you saw last year, you'll likely see this year. The same drivers will likely be circling the track, they might just substitute DuPont for RC Cola, and for that I commend the sport. I may not be a big fan or enjoy it much but I recognize consistency and a user friendly approach.

On the other hand the National Football League continues to do a lot of things the hard way. Any occupation that pays that well should offer some retirement program, but many would argue any employee that is paid that well should offer some savings in their latter years. Investments, stocks, IRAs, annuities much? Yeah, I guess not. Child support alone could bankrupt many of these cats, when coupled with the excessive, car, house, shoe and apparel game.

I don't think we, as fans should be grateful for this, but more so, “what the hell took so long?” Is trying to get a few hundred millionaires and billionaires to come to terms on a few issues, too much to ask? Maybe it is. At the end of the day, football will be played and seemingly not miss a beat. I guess we really can't complain about that, or can we?

Cheese Bowl

2011-02-06T14:14:00.001-06:00

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you without some wisdom to bet to. The lock of the day has returned and it's quite simple. The Green Bay Packers all day long. Nothing has changed here people. The entire world likes the Green Bay Packers, but I would like to supply you with some concrete reasons why you can hang your hat on Yancey's tell tail.

Let's start at the top... As non-biased as I can be, the Green Bay Packers may be the best professional sports organization in North American athletics. Who doesn't feel that Aaron Rodgers somehow deserves this? CBS has produced twelve seasons of “Big Brother”; Rodgers could have starred in a show by the same name. This show would have debuted on April 23, 2005 when he was taken with the 24th overall pick by the Green Bay Packers, and stood witness to the greatest reality show in the NFL since Ray Carruth.

Aaron Rodgers patiently rode shotgun as Brett Favre spent off seasons debating his time and negotiating his future like a senior member of NATO. Rodgers spent on seasons watching Favre lead the world in turnovers (to clarify I love Brett Favre, even though it may not seem that way) and not taking the Pack where many thought they should be; the NFC Championship game.

The end result is what all of us Aaron Rodgers fans knew he was fully capable of; becoming one of the best quarterbacks in football and positioning the Pack for a Super Bowl run, behind his golden (and green) arm once given the opportunity.

Ben Roethlisberger is a playoff quarterback, this goes without question. Hines Ward is a big game receiver this also requires no crooked punctuation, but the Steelers have yet to line up against a defense like the Green Bay Packers in any of their recent Super Bowl appearances. The 2006 Seattle Seahawks and the 2009 Arizona Cardinals presented nothing remotely close to what the Pittsburgh offense will face today when they line up at scrimmage. Outscoring the Green Bay Packers is likely not optional and a horrible game plan. Rashard Mendenhall will need to be huge in this game for Pitt to keep pace.

The game plan most defensive coordinators have tried this year involves exploiting the lack of a running game by the Cheese heads. Wait for it... Queue James Starks... Oops! Yeah, that guy, kinda sucks for the opposing side, when this random fellow pops out of the backfield and explodes like Roger Craig off of blocks. Remember Ryan Grant? Glad you do, because I don't.

Let's take a look at Green Bay's defense. Staggering, may be an understatement. It's borderline scary. The ageless wonder, Charles Woodson continues to provide wet dreams for all Pack fans, Clay Matthews gets it done time and time again and Tramon Williams is as advertised; a younger Asante Samuel, considering Asante is still pretty solid, should define his caliber to the casual fan. Yes, that good people. Oh and don't forget Jenkins, Hawk and Shields.

With all of that being said, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a playoff squad and will be prepared but the spread is and has been moving in Green Bay's direction for a reason, they're a better team. Period!

End result... Green Bay Packers 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 14

Go Pack Go! Enjoy the game.

Bowl Hopes Not So Super

2010-10-14T21:26:00.000-05:00

So I really liked the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl this year, however a funny thing happened on the way to Dallas, Aaron Rodgers suffered concussion, Jermichael Finley is out for a leap year and the Green Bay Packers handed the Chicago Bears a victory, when we all that they were going to hand them an ass whooping. With that being said, I STILL like the Green Bay Packers to face the New York Jets in Super Bowl XLV. Donald Lee may be older than peanut butter, and just as shifty, but I think he will play a role and be adequate, will he be a younger Antonio Gates, much like Finley is? Of course not, but he will get the job done. Aaron Rodgers is a monster and I don't care how many concussions he has, I think he is the best quarterback in football, when healthy.

Reality tells me the Packers are going to have a heck of a time just making the playoffs, if they can't get healthy. When we examine the road ahead, it is the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL. The Pack will face the Giants, Cowboys, Dolphins, Jets, Falcons, 49ers, Bears, Vikings and Patriots. Yikes! This season will depend on the reliability of Aaron Rodgers and how well he performs. It would also be nice to see the Green Bay defense get back to the solid form that made many experts select them as their pre-season NFC Champions. Time will tell.

Randy Makes you Dandy, Or not...

2010-10-13T19:59:00.000-05:00

Minnesota is all too familiar with Randy Moss, and vice versa. The chances are slim that when the Minnesota Vikings drafted the so called “troubled” receiver with the 21st overall pick in 1998, that they could predict this very unpredictable homecoming. Randy Moss absolutely dominated the National Football League from a receiver standpoint from 1998 – 2003, and still manged to post a 700 yard season in 2004, despite missing five game with a hamstring injury. Moss was very open with his blatant disagreement of his original rookie contract. His seemingly checkered past is the only reason he was drafted so late and thus paid less than players taken above him who, many were far more inferior then him, talent wise. Moss also became famous for the quote, “I play when I wanna play”. Well Randy Moss really wanted to play, because the injury ridden season of 2004 aside and a dreadful 2006, Randy has always produced regardless of what defensive coordinators throw at him; and has gained less than 1,000 yards only twice in thirteen professional seasons.

How does this impact the Minnesota Vikings? Does this put the Vikings back in the discussion as contenders? I will say no. I love Brett Favre, but the Vikings defense seems to have lost some intensity. Keep in mind they have yet to play a formidable offense. I say that, because it was apparent in the season opener that Drew Brees and the Who Dat crew were not in top form when they played Minnesota. The Vikings will have to lineup against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers twice. Oh and... The New York Jets, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. If this were the BCS, The Vikings could go .500 and make the title game on strength of schedule alone. I have the feeling that this could be a very bad thing for Brett Favre, who has a tendency to force plays and turn mirages into passes. The Wrangled Bandit likes to create plays that aren't there, and a rejuvenated Favre will target Randy when the target isn't there; which may bring us the Brett of 5 years ago when he lead the continent in turnovers.

Either way, I still like the Vikings to figure out way to reach the playoffs, but not do a whole lot more outside of that, and I contribute that prediction to Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway and Jared Allen, not Randy Moss.

NFL Season Extended?

2010-10-05T22:40:00.001-05:00

Well, the conversation about the National Football League extending their standard 16 game season has been much debated and little exercised, so is a prolonged NFL season a good idea? Well, as a football fan, sure; As a player, probably not. Most NFL players have bonus plans and incentives based upon the current NFL season, and conventional wisdom says that a prolonged season would prorate those existing agreements, thus meaning most ballers would need to stay healthy. Hmm, staying healthy for anyone NOT named Bret Favre, seems like a tough task these days. The National Football League is the most injury prone professional sport because of its brutality during game play and practices can be just as rough. If salaries don't change dramatically, one would have to assume NFL owners would be on-board, and coaches alike. Adding a few games to the schedule is not necessarily tarnishing the game or taking from the history of the National Football League. If Major League Baseball can add the Wild card spot to postseason and allow one league to bat the pitcher, and the other to not, it should not be much of an issue. The problem revolves around compensation and the players that actually play the games. The season would not be lengthened but hardened. One downside for owners, is paying players more money, since the the majority of games will mean much more than ever before. The downside for coaches is the opportunity to gauge what they have in a team in real-time game situations and not having four “rough draft” games to not only evaluate their true talent first-teamers, but also determine backups, third string and even practice squad players in the making. Everything is accelerated. Does this mean the NFL starts training camp earlier than usual? Well of course. Training isn't free, the players are payed for that, as well as the coaches. There are many aspects to look at, but my natural fan instinct says do it, why not? These players know what comes with the territory and should have a full understanding of the game they have chosen to play. Your thoughts?

Locks of The Day (NFL) 9 26 2010

2010-09-26T11:49:00.000-05:00

I have a few games I like this week, more than most weeks. There are some very intriguing match ups to say the least. A lot of teams have a lot to play for early on in the season. Many teams are running the risk of being out of playoff contention, and we're only in week 3.

I like New England to cover (-16). The Pats are motivated and out to make an example of the Buffalo Bills. I also like Cincinnati on the road to cover (-4.5). I think Terrell Owens will officially show up this week. His back injury may hold him back a bit, but something tells me, he will be a difference maker today. My favorite this week is San Diego at (-4.5) on the road. Seattle is a completely different team at home, and has arguably the best home crowd in football, but the crowd will not be enough to keep Rivers and Gates from hooking up quite a bit in this one. I like the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins game to go under, yes I know Darelle Revis is out and Brandon Marshall may end up with 200 yards, but these are two of the best defenses in football. The numbers say take the under at (36). Lastly I like the Green Bay Packers (-4.5). How could you not? This is definitely my most anticipated game of the season thus far. The Packers will step up and show everyone how the future Super Bowl Champions play in a big game.

Locks Of the Day (NCAA)

2010-09-25T11:32:00.001-05:00

I only have two locks that I feel confident in. The two early games I like are Arkansas +8 over Alabama and Penn St. -13 over Temple. Without getting too detailed, there are numerous reasons why I like Penn St. and they will win big. Unfortunately there are not many reasons why I like Arkansas, with the exception of Ryan Mallet. Much like last week's lock, I like Ryan Mallet to take over this game at some point and lead the Razorbacks to the promise land. Despite the fact that Nick Saban's bunch is typically one of the most sure handed teams in college football, I like Arkansas to win the turnover war and ultimately cover the spread, with a strong possibility to win the game at home.

Association Of Guilt

2010-09-24T19:28:00.000-05:00

Let's take a little time and reflect on the human side of athletes. The media blitz on Braylon Edwards is unfair in my eyes. Sure, Michael Vick running a puppy chow UFC camp is wrong, Ray Lewis shanking people in the off season is far from cool and Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little getting so loaded that they take someone's life is wrong; but Braylon Edwards and even Plaxico Burress being portrayed as super humans that are purposely ruining lives is an inaccurate indictment on their character. The fact is that most of us that do not have DWI's/DUI's, just have not got caught yet. I'm sure many of you would agree. There unfortunately are very few of us that drink, that do not at some point operate an automobile over the legal limit. Circumstances and timing usually dictate legal issues for successful, wealthy people. Could Braylon Edwards afford a cab or a personal driver? The answer is an emphatic “absolutely!” However, we do not know the timing or circumstances behind the situation, and we may never know. We can speculate, but it is only speculation unless you were there. Man made the money, money never made the man, thus we are all human. The Jets will rebound and should be fine, especially in light of their impressive victory over the favored New England Patriots. The long and short of the matter is, the public is obsessed with failure, and no one likes a story quite like we as the American public do. No one is quicker to judgment than us, and no one is more willing to play jury regardless of facts than us. This is so very sad, but so very true. Braylon should not have been drinking and driving, that goes without saying, but this distraction is the last thing Rex Ryan needed or wanted after a monster victory. It's a hard knock life for all of us, athletes alike, but let's not lose sight of the fact that athletes are human, thus mistakes are made. That will not change anytime soon.

The Biggest Loser

2010-09-20T22:37:00.003-05:00

There has got to be something about a losing team that attracts those on the outside looking in. What made Rick Pitino leave a successful Kentucky basketball program; in which he was paid extremely well, for a seemingly doomed and talent deprived Boston Celtics team in 1997? That is just one example of many coaches that have left cozy gigs for the “big show”. This usually does not work out so well. Charlie Weiss was not necessarily a household name when he helped lead Tom Brady and company to three Super Bowl victories as offensive coordinator, and definitely was not well known when he served as Bill Parcells' Special Teams coach for the Super Bowl XXV Champion New York Giants in 1991. Weiss rejected numerous interviews and offers from other NFL teams to coach Notre Dame University. What a horrible decision that was. The Irish had no fight, the team had no unity and as the schedule got weaker, the team's record got worse over the years. Many of us may not remember, but Notre Dame's first choice was Urban Meyer, not Weiss, none-the-less, many have tried and many have failed. Regardless of what coaches and managers say, they seek the limelight as much as the players, and in some cases more. I can understand the lure to take a team and “turn it around”, especially in big cities. However, I can not think of many other reasons why anyone would want to coach the Chicago Cubs right now, especially if you already have a comfortable job with solid pay and a good nucleus. The keyword is “if”. Now, if you are Joe Torre, Tony Larussa or Joe Girardi why on earth would you want this position? You may make more money and have slightly less pressure, but you will not be managing one of the best players in the game and Ace starting pitchers, as the three managers already have right now. Larussa has the potential to manage the best active player in baseball for his entire career, and when it's all said and done, may be the best ever. That of course is Albert Pujols. Add Matt Holliday, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and young stars Jaime Garcia, John Jay, Colby Rasmus and David Freese, what's not to love? Joe Girardi has some oldies but goodies in Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodriguez, not to mention the younger Brett Gardner, Mark Texeira, Robinson Cano and CC Sabathia. Torre has moved on from the Bronx for the next closest big city in Los Angeles, but obviously Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Clayton Kershaw, Johnathan Broxton and Chad Billingsley just aren't enough to keep him around, despite the fact that all of these guys are young and very talented. If the fire is still there, Joe needs to stay. In a report published by bleacherreport.com, they see a few real contenders for the coveted position, including the likes of Larussa, Torre, Girardi, Sandberg, Bob Brenly, Greg Maddux, Fredi Gonzalez and Alan Trammel. If you're one of the last five guys, then why not, but if you're one of the first three that we've focused on, then why? I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

Locks of The Day (NFL)

2010-09-19T11:50:00.004-05:00

I'll be brief. Take Kansas City, New England and Green Bay. I got KC at +1. Clearly I was a bit overzealous when I made that decision yesterday, because now the line sits at or around +3. Jake Delhomme is by no means a good QB, but definitely gives the Browns a better opportunity to win then Seneca Wallace, who will be starting today. New England has a chip on their shoulder and is likely to play this way all season. Darelle Revis' trash talk only helps fuel the Cadillac that is Tom Brady, and Brady has some Ferraris out there in Wes Welker and Randy Moss. I like New England to take this one on the road at -4 ½. Deep down I feel I should be taking the Jets, but I just can't do it. Green Bay is the best team in the NFC and Buffalo is the second worst team in the AFC. Aaron Rodgers is God, end of story. The Pack Attack covers -13 ½ easily. And for my last trick, I like Baltimore over Cincinnati -2 on the road. This is one I am not as confident in, but I still like the Ravens to cover 2, and I anticipate the turnover battle will favor of Baltimore. These are risky picks. Three road teams, let's see how it plays out.

(Locks Of The Day) Who To Take/Who To Avoid - 9/18

2010-09-18T12:03:00.002-05:00

Today, I like the Arkansas Razorbacks straight up over the Georgia Bulldogs. Quarterback, Ryan Mallet will win this game in a hostile environment and turnovers will be key. I like Arkansas winning the turnover battle and eventually the game. (Too late to get in on this one if you haven't already). I absolutely love Florida and Tennessee over 45 ½. I would also peg Oklahoma State as an easy victory at home against Tulsa, and I think a spread of 8 points is a little light, thus an easy cover for the Cowboys. I like the Texas Longhorns to cover 4 ½ on the road against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech will need a larger than normal bonfire to keep the Horns out of the end zone. I don't anticipate they're will be very much defense; which also makes the over of 52 appealing, but I personally will not be touching that. Lastly, I really, really like the Washington Huskies at home against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at +5. The Huskers still boast a great defense, even with the loss of Ndamukong Suh. The Washington offense is potent when clicking, and a little known fact is Washington's fans are insane to say the least. Nebraska faithful travels better than most schools but the hike from Lincoln to Washington state likely diminshes their presence at game time.

Games I would avoid: Missouri favored by 15 ½ may be a bit extreme, and us locals know this. The Florida Gators favored by 13 on the road also seems like a doable but difficult task against an above average Tennessee team. I would also avoid the Oregan State game. Louisville is nowhere near a good team, but a 21 ½ spread is a bit too lofty for me.

Plan B

2010-09-15T12:19:00.003-05:00

At some point over the last decade or so coaches, management and ownership determined that it would be a good idea to employ two potent running back in the National Football League, only if the team has the means and willingness to of course. The higher ups also have to have a strong belief in the two running back system. The term typically coined is the “two headed monster”. I would equate this system to the “Twin Towers” a popular sports term used by the media to describe Tim Duncan and David Robinson when the San Antonio Spurs started two 7 footers, en route to the NBA title. Most NFL teams will run the ball 50% of the time or more, so in a game where decent wide receivers are much easier to come by, wouldn't it only make sense to have a healthy presence at running back? Last year's New Orleans team featured two running backs, both capable of starting; however most Super Bowl winners over the last ten years have only offered one feature back. The New England Patriots have seemingly never focused on the running game much at all, let alone focusing on two marquee running backs. The Pittsburgh Steelers also have not consistently rotated two running backs for any significant length of time, it was more of a passing of the torch. Jerome Bettis to Willie Parker and then Parker to Rashard Mendenhall. New England and Pittsburgh account five of the last ten Super Bowl rings. In 2000, the St. Louis Rams offered the best running back in the business in Marshall Faulk. I would challenge anyone to name his backup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants also did not have a backup of any significant stature. Brandon Jacobs' fill-ins came in to their own after their epic Super Bowl win, so how important is a solid number two or a rotation of quality running backs? Well ask the Green Bay Packers, a team that seemingly has all the pieces to compete for the title and were my early pick to win the Super Bowl, are now facing an entire season with Brandon Jackson as their number one back; quite frankly it's just not enough. The Packers have what many believe may be the best quarterback in the league, an exceptional defense, a good coaching staff, an unreal home field advantage and are coming off an impressive road win against the Philadelphia Eagles and now Ryan Grant is lost for the season. How good is Brandon Jackson? Time will tell, and even though time has told us it has not been necessary in the past to have a stud number two, I have a tough time believing the Packers can win without Grant. I feel the same about other contenders that are not prepared for the worst and I'm sure many would agree with me. We will just have to see how it all plays out, and for the record I still like Green Bay to win it all this year.

Lock of The Night (NFL) San Diego Chargers -5 over Kansas City Chiefs

2010-09-13T21:46:00.000-05:00

Lock of the Night: Going forward I will provide you with the tools and expertise to dominate betting websites and bookies a like. I would like to first provide this disclaimer: I do not nor have I ever condoned or endorsed gambling in any way shape or form. I also am not accountable or responsible for any advice that may lead to your future picks, as I'm sure I will not receive any credit for the ones I get right; therefore would prefer no grief over the ones I get wrong. So, tonight take the San Diego Chargers. I will not get in to too much detail, but the two running backs, Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones means confusion and lack of consistency and more importantly, continuity. I like the Chargers winning big in this win, I would bet by 11. The current Vegas spread is -5. The reason the Chargers dominate here is simple; Ryan Matthews, Antonio Gates and Phillip Rivers. We will see.

National League MVP

2010-09-11T21:33:00.000-05:00

Coming down the stretch in Major League Baseball, the individual accolades are highlighted and the star players narrow the competition for the most prestigious awards in MLB. In the National League there is a tight battle at the top for Most Valuable Player. Perennial favorite Albert Pujols is still a strong candidate, despite his performance over the last three weeks and that of his team's. Joey Votto has been in the MVP discussion for the better half of three months and helped carry the Cincinnati Reds to first place in the National League Central Division. Carlos Gonzalez has exploded on the balloting scene within the last five weeks, and many see him as the favorite. If the Colorado Rockies win the Wild Card and Gonzalez manages to maintain a similar pace, it may be a given. The St. Louisisan in me says Pujols has no help with the exception of Matt Holliday. Sure Yadier Molina, John Jay and Colby Rasmus produce in spurts, but spurts don't catapult teams to titles. If one ball player can manage to keep his team in the race and keep them competitive through the highs and the lows, recognition is deserved and well worth it, but when it really counts and the chips are down and you hit your biggest slump of the season, that will quickly exit you from the MVP discussion, see Albert Pujols. Now the question of the team's record, how much does that come in to play? We all remember Cal Ripken Jr. winning the MVP for a last place team, but we also remember Barry Bonds winning the MVP more than once with a mediocre team that managed to squeeze into the playoffs. Of the men he beat for that award, one of them was Albert Pujols in a year in which Albert and the Cardinals made the playoffs, but many voters felt that the Cardinals would have been an above average team with the likes of Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Larry Walker, Chris Carpenter and company; however the Giants offered little in the way of talent outside of Barry Bonds and that coupled with his impressive statistics helped win him numerous MVP awards. Which begs the question if the St. Louis Cardinals can turn this losing skid around and make it close does Albert deserve the award? The Cincinnati Reds ranks third in Major League Baseball in batting, Colorado ninth and St. Louis tenth and surprisingly, the Philadelphia Phillies rank fifteenth, even with their potent lineup; which many say is a prime reason why Ryan Howard is a serious candidate, especially considering his numbers with injury and the Phillies' standings. The problem for Ryan Howard is the same problem for Jimmy Rollins, Roy Halladay and Chase Utley. There may be too many stars on one team to give one star the ultimate prize. All of this leads me to this, I like Joey Votto for the National League MVP award if the voting was held today. Yes Cincinnati has a talented group of hitters, known or unknown. Granted, Carlos Gonzalez has taken Colorado on a serious ride and has been hotter than African fruit flies, but Joey Votto has had his squad strapped in tight and has not wavered, even after Brandon Phillips put the team in the slow lane and the pace care appeared to pull away and the flags were out, Votto continued to mash Rawlings to no end and has yet to slow down. After fight night; which at the time seemingly gave the Red Birds their wings back, Joey cut their supply of Red Bull, hit baseballs really hard, and led the Reds to where they are now; which is the eventual National League Central Champions.

NFL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS! You Heard It Here First!

2010-09-10T19:52:00.003-05:00

I have yet to determine the order in which the games take place, but I have invested a great deal of time into who will make the playoffs from each conference in the National Football league. I will start by saying that these predictions ARE NOT subject to change. As a man of my word, I will not retract previous statements or guesstimates, even though every ounce of me wants to put New England in the playoff picture. How do you bet against that squad? Well, I'm that guy, and as you will see I have the Pats watching football with the rest of us come playoff time. Let's review my picks for division winners. (See Blog Archive for a detailed breakdown of each division). Starting with the NFC, I like the Minnesota Vikings to win the North with the Cheese heads a close second. Dallas takes the East and New Orleans will Brees to another division title. Arizona will have an outside chance, but I like the San Francisco 49ers pegged to snatch the NFC West with relative ease. The AFC is interesting in the fact that there are three divisions that are really tough to call, unlike the NFC, where I feel the Saints, Cowboys and 49ers win their divisions easily; The AFC South, East and North are not easy to call and could go either way. In the East, I like the J-E-T-S... Jets Jets Jets. I felt that way before Darelle Revis signed and his new agreement only makes the Jets more appealing. Here's the kicker, I like the Dolphins to finish second, not New England, yes I'm serious and I may regret that, but we'll see what happens. The Colts will get a serious run at the title from the Texans, but I like Indi to handle business. Baltimore will win their division, but Cincinnati will be very competitive, just not competitive enough to beat out the Ravens. The no-brainer pick is San Diego. Denver will win a few games but the Chargers will dominate their local opponents with or without Vincent Jackson. Okay, so four division winners times two divisions equals eight playoff teams; which means we have four wild cards, and who might those be? Well... I like Green Bay and Atlanta from the NFC. The reason I choose Atlanta and not the Philadelphia Eagles is the strength of schedule comparison between the two teams and I am more confident in Michael Turner and Matt Ryan than I am in Lesean McCoy and Kevin Kolb. From the AFC, I like Houston and Cincinnati. Everything's bigger in Texas and Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson will ensure huge numbers every time out, no matter what the opposing defense offers. The Bengals are a very good team and as I've said many times, Carson Palmer will have the best season of any forgotten QB in the league, guaranteed. Now, what you have all been waiting for.

Drum roll please...

NFC Title Games: Green Bay Packers Vs. New Orleans Saints
AFC Title Game: Baltimore Ravens Vs. New York Jets

Super Bowl: Green Bay Packers Vs. New York Jets

Super Bowl Champion: Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl MVP: Aaron Rodgers

AFC West Predictions

2010-09-07T22:31:00.002-05:00

The AFC West is definitely the least entertaining division in the AFC, and would be in football if it weren't for it's NFC counterpart. Vincent Jackson finally established himself as a top tier wide out last season, and now plans on establishing his beer gut as he continues to fight with San Diego ownership over contract negotiations. Brandon Marshall is also no longer part of the division, and probably the toughest thing for me as a sports enthusiast and talent hog is not being able to watch Jamarcus Russell every Sunday. Somehow I get the feeling I will survive. There are some bright spots illuminating from the West. Ryan Matthews will be the best rookie running back in football, and no matter how many touches Jamaal Charles has, Thomas Jones will be a force for KC. Phillip Rivers is a solid Quarterback and will make Malcolm Floyd an even more solid receiver than he already is. The beast that is Antonio Gates, is the reason the San Diego Chargers will win this division again. The Oakland Raiders will not be competitive, despite the many stand out defensive players they offer. Kansas City will do what they have done for years; underachieve and overpay. The Denver Broncos will be adequate, but adequate doesn't win divisions and certainly doesn't win Super Bowls. One prediction that may surprise many is Kyle Orton finishing among the passing leaders in The National Football League. Yes, I did mean Kyle Orton, and if Knoshown Moreno is healthy, and the Denver Broncos defense is as good as advertised, they are the only team that will compete with the Chargers for the division title.

My predictions for the AFC West are as followed...

1)San Diego Chargers 11-5
2)Denver Broncos 9-7
3)Kansas City Chiefs 6-10
4)Oakland Raiders 4-12

When You're A Jet, You're A Jet All The Way

2010-09-06T15:11:00.002-05:00

If any of us were under the impression that Darrelle Revis was not going to sign, well then we're crazy. I will be the first to say that I thought Revis may sit out. His unwillingness to be in the spotlight drew me to the so called behind the scenes negotiations even more. Although I'm not sure how anything is really behind the scenes, when the day to day operations of the New York Jets are televised weekly for the viewing audience. None of us knows what really happens when the cameras are off, but the Jets and Revis' camp did a good job of not making his holdout the staple of the show, unlike previous years. The Hard Knocks show was dominated by Larry Johnson's holdout in it's first year on HBO. Dwayne Bowe also had issues committing to camp and taking what a rookie should get in professional sports. Cincinnati Bengals' Offensive Lineman, Andre Smith held out and his teammates were in mid season form by the time Smith arrived at camp. Andre was ridiculed for his work ethic, John Goodman like stamina, embarrassing figure and agent selection. Smith ultimately signed for a lot less than he thought he was worth, and enters the year essentially as a rookie with a lot to prove and all but forgotten. If the show is truly reality TV, I would have to say the team looks tight and has excellent chemistry, far different from what we saw with the Dallas Cowboys on Hard Knocks. Revis is unlike any other holdout. He refused to communicate with anyone outside of his inner circle. He did not appear to be seeking attention, if he was and from all of those that have ever played with him, is a harsh competitor who just wants to play football but be compensated accordingly. Revis, is reportedly furious with his contract being so public and aside from some horrible acting in his recent Dick's Sporting Goods commercial, no one has heard a word from him. The New York Jets have looked lackluster throughout the preseason, but this is not uncommon for good teams. I still hold firm to my prediction that the New York Jets will take on the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl, and the $46 million dollar “hug it out” between Revis and the Jets only helps reaffirm that.

Cardinals Tickets Raffle Winner,,,

2010-09-03T20:08:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Ryan Chojnacki from Chicago, IL for winning the tickets to tomorrow's Cardinals/Reds game. Thanks for following Ryan and thanks to everyone that follows! I truly appreciate it and it means a lot!

Thanks again,

Joe

AFC North Predictions

2010-08-30T23:13:00.001-05:00

The AFC North offers a lot of changes, what it does not offer is a Super Bowl Champion; but a very strong contender in the Baltimore Ravens. Ray Rice has matured a year. His excellent balance, breakaway speed, quickness and tackle breaking abilities, especially in the open field, have many Fantasy geeks picking him over perennial number one, Adrian Peterson and super back Chris Johnson. This is where fantasy and real life merge and Ray Rice is as advertised, the absolute real deal. Anquan Boldin is still Anquan Boldin; which I for many years have considered the toughest wide receiver in football. Joe Flacco has left the mediocre lobby, and potentially headed for the Stud suite. Terrell Owens is probably not enough to take the Cincinnati Bengals to the next level, but if Chad Ochocinco does not contend with Braylon Edwards for the most dropped balls, the Bengals may be a force. Carson Palmer is my pick for the best season of any forgotten Quarterback in the league. Cedric Benson underachieved so long, that one solid season does not make him a premier running back, just an average back. The Bengals recently cut Antonio Bryant after a fairly lofty contract, similar to what happened the previous season with Laveraneus Coles, why? Clearly those running the team may not be qualified to do so. The NFL does not have a farm system, and the financial decisions made by the organization have a lasting effect. Continuing with the remainder of the division, the Cleveland Browns added Jake Delhomme who is what we as fans call, “garbage.” I'm not quite sure how any QB could make Steve Smith look like a bad receiver, but somehow Jake managed to pull this off the last three years with stunning success. The situation in Cleveland is really quite sad because they have added Chansi Stuckey, who is a decent receiver, and also bolster two of the most highlight driven wide outs in pro football in Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi. The only thing that could be worse is Cribbs breaks a punt return to the house and then stands in the end zone and holds a national press conference called the “End Zone Decision” and announces he's taking his talents to the XFL. Bottom line, Cleveland will not be good. The Pittsburgh Steelers will not be the typical Steelers. Big Ben won't be suiting up for a bit and Santonio Holmes is gone. Hines Ward is old and keeps getting older, but is still effective, but they will not win the division, nor will they have a chance.

My predictions for this division are as followed....

1)Baltimore Ravens – 12-4
2)Cincinnati Bengals – 10-6
3)Pittsburgh Steelers – 8-8
4)Cleveland Browns – 3-13

NFC West Predictions

2010-08-25T21:06:00.003-05:00

The NFC West looks a lot different than previous years. Kurt Warner has moved on, Larry Fitzgerald has a reported “minor” MCL sprain, if there is such a thing, and Anquan Boldin has moved on to greener pastures, and by greener I mean more money and a better team in Baltimore. The rumor is Baltimore QB, Joe Flacco and Head Coach, John Hardbaugh are completely fine with this. The other rumor is, Arizona's Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt is not, especially with the possibility of Steve Breaston being the number one receiver going into week one and potentially longer. For the last five years, any team that was willing to even compete if nothing else, had a chance to win. We all know this has been by far the weakest division in the big boy circuit for the better half of a decade. I have to like San Francisco, but don't ask me why. OK, actually ask me... Well, Frank Gore is solid, a healthy Bryant Westbrook is money, even if at 80%. Michael Crabtree was worth the holdout and the money. Alex Smith is talented enough to get it done in this low budget division. Josh Morgan is a monster and one of the most underrated wide outs in the league. He will remain that way and finish the year with 1,200 yards because of all the attention Crabtree and Tight End, Vernon Davis attract. The Niners are looking good in my book. In that same book, you'll find the table of contents has no mention of defenseless sheep, that being the Rams. As much as I want to see them do well, it just isn't going to happen. Sam Bradford will need Randall Cunningham feet, a Dan Marino release and Peyton Manning intuition to get this team remotely close to .500. Oh and yeah he will need someone better then Donnie Avery as his number one receiver, and the Dallas Cowboys early 90's offensive line would also be helpful. It's not looking good for the hometown squad. The Seahawks aren't going to turn any heads, but will be ready for action. Unfortunately for them, they will not be competitive enough for any one outside of Seattle to really care.

My predictions for the NFC West are as followed...

1)San Francisco 49ers – 10-6
2)Arizona Cardinals – 8-8
3)Seattle Seahawks – 6-10
4)St. Louis Rams - 3-13

Top NFL "Clutch" Players of The Last 30 Years

2010-08-23T20:39:00.000-05:00

If one position would point to “clutch” in the National Football League, I think many would say the quarterback, and I would agree. Let's just assume that QB's will dominate this top ten, but there may be a few surprises in store. I know you guys are just shaking with excitement and anticipation. Well here's the thing, my number one is everyone else's number one and two through ten may also look similar if you were ranking these yourself. Let me just briefly explain the thought process behind the fellows I have chosen and then we can proceed with the rankings. Deal? Perfect... I looked at guys that seemed to make things happen when no one else could. I looked at guys that put the team on their back and made plays when plays seemed impossible. I looked at guys that seemed to elevate their game when the chips were down, and that's how I chose my top ten. Obviously, Joe Montana and company get some props. Regardless of what the Giants did against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, Tom Brady is still a stud, and a stud when it counts. Jim Kelly does not deserve to be left out, but since he could not get it done, he's not. Never mind the clutch performances he engineered to even reach four Super Bowls. The long and short of it is, winners are clutch in Pro Football and losers are not, so you may notice one quarterback that is noticeably absent, but his failure to win the big game left me no choice. There are so many players that deserve to be here if we were examining players beyond the last thirty years, but we're not. Let's get to it!

The top ten clutch NFL players of the last thirty years in order are...

1)Joe Montana
2)John Elway
3)Brett Favre
4)Tom Brady
5)Peyton Manning
6)Jerry Rice
7)Ben Roethlisberger
8)Steve Young
9)Adam Vinatieri
10)Kurt Warner

Honorable Mention: Dan Marino, Roger Craig, Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Terrell Davis, Walter Peyton, Reggie White, Otis Anderson, Desmond Howard, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, Isaac Bruce, John Taylor, Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms, Shaun Alexander, Otis Anderson, Donovan McNabb, Lawrence Taylor, Warren Moon, Antonio Freeman

Top MLB "Clutch" Players of The Last 30 Years

2010-08-22T21:08:00.002-05:00

Measuring “clutch” players in baseball is not an easy chore, and it becomes less easy with every important pitch and at bat. The odds are just not in the batter's favor. Field goal kickers make more than half of their kicks, quarterbacks complete more than half of their passes and the receivers that haul them in, hang on to more than half of the balls thrown their way. NBA players can easily shoot 50%, NHL players finish a fair chunk of breakaways and the odds of a soccer player executing a penalty kick are through the roof. Now, on the other hand if a batter hits .400 with runners in scoring position he has a forty percent chance of reaching base with a hit; now factor in the heightened anxiety, the crowd; be it hostile or favorable, the drama, the timing and everything a big at bat entails. Most sports experts think the hardest thing to do in sports on a consistent basis is hit a baseball. This is why it is so difficult to determine the clutch players of our generation. There are some obvious candidates, but you may be surprised with the list I have selected, and even more surprised with who tops the list. All the reasons it is hard for batters to be considered clutch players, the same reasons hold true for relief closing pitchers. One blown save in a key situation can ruin a player's entire season, and maybe even career. Just ask Mitch Williams. I looked at a player's role in clutch situations, whether or not they played for winning teams, how often they produced in tough spots relative to the rest of their team and league over the last thirty years. There are many players that would easily find themselves on the list if we were going back later than thirty years. Reggie Jackson, Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Babe Ruth, Carl Yastrzemski, Ty Cobb and others all had a flair for the dramatic. Reggie Jackson did play in the 80's but was toward the end of his career and most of his magic happened in the 70's with the Yankees. This same scenario holds true for Tony Perez and Dusty Baker. Tony was an ultimate pro and an excellent clutch hitter, but retired in 1986. Tony is tied with Andre Dawson for third with 20 walk off hits. Dusty Baker comes in second with 21, and Frank Robinson is the all time leader with 26. Bill Buckner's defensive blunder in the 1986 World Series is one thing that kept him off the list. Clutch is a matter of offense and defense; this is why Jim Edmonds was a strong candidate, because of all the games he has won with his glove. Andre Ethier almost made the list in one season, but just doesn't have enough career at bats under his belt. Ok, enough talking, drum roll please..........

My Top Ten “Clutch” players are as followed in this order.

1)Mariano Rivera
2)Derek Jeter
3)David Ortiz
4)Albert Pujols
5)Eddie Murray
6)Curt Schilling
7)Ichiro Suzuki
8)Larry Walker
9)Andre Dawson
10)Tony Gwynn

Honorable Mention: Andre Ethier, Carlos Beltran, Mike Schmidt, Carl Crawford, Joe Mauer, Keith Hernandez, Eric Davis, Ozzie Smith, Ken Griffey Jr, Todd Helton, Terry Pendleton, George Brett, Joe Carter, Jim Leyritz, Kirk Gibson, Paul Molitor, Jim Edmonds

Top NBA "Clutch" Players of The Last 30 Years

2010-08-21T14:00:00.002-05:00

There are a couple of no brainers when evaluating the best clutch players in the NBA. Kobe Bryant and a fellow named Michael Jordan have had their share of clutch shots. Larry Bird was one of the best to ever do it and Robert Horry made a living ripping the hearts out of opponents when it really counted. Some others that may not be looked at as clutch performers but are seriously that and then some; Derek Fisher (as much as I hate to say that), Tim Duncan (as much as I love to say that), Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Dwayne Wade, Vince Carter and even Lebron James may make an appearance. This is a much easier sport to gauge from a “clutch” player standpoint then the NHL. I looked at the amount of buzzer beater wins, the importance of the game, whether or not it was a game with playoff implications and does the same player typically have the ball in his hands when it counts; and more importantly, does he miss more than he makes. This seems to be the best way to select the top ten, if there is such a thing as a best way to select a top ten. If Kobe Bryant has the ball in his hands every time the Lakers trail in the closing seconds, and he only sinks the shot 30% of the time, I'm not sure that's a good thing. Hence the difficulties measuring one player from the next. Keep in mind, being a clutch player does not solely revolve around buzzer beating baskets, but a player's overall play when the game is on the line. Other tangibles also play a roll, defense, assists, steals, blocks, boxing out, getting back on defense, controlling the clock, calm under pressure, the basics. Does the player elevate his game when the situation calls for it? The only reason guys like Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Bob Cousy, George Gervin, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Jerry West, John Havlicek and others are absent is because we covered last thirty years, nothing beyond.

My list in this order is as follows...

1)Michael Jordan
2)Larry Bird
3)Kobe Bryant
4)Reggie Miller
5)Magic Johnson
6)Robert Horry
7)Chauncey Billups
8)Isiah Thomas
9)Tim Duncan
10)John Stockton

Honorable Mention: Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, John Starks, Karl Malone, Gilbert Arenas, Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, Ben Gordon, Allan Houston, Clyde Drexler, Lebron James, Gary Payton, Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Carmelo Anthony, Karl Malone, Terry Porter, Dan Majerle,

Easy at the top and much tougher to rank near the bottom. At least 5 honorable mention could have been ranked in the top ten, but this is they way I see it, your thoughts?

Top NHL "Clutch" Players of The Last 30 Years

2010-08-21T12:55:00.003-05:00

Today I will list my favorite “clutch” players in a few select sports, primarily focusing on the last three decades, and since I am in my early thirties, anything beyond that would be someone else's opinion, versus my own. The hardest major sport to select TOP clutch players in, is hands down Hockey. I can recall many great players, but in a sport where scoring is limited, it's a tough to pick a few great clutch players. My first thought when I decided to write this blog was Brett Hull, and upon some research, Brett Hull has the second most game winning-goals in NHL history. To my surprise Wayne Gretzky ranks thirteenth all time and leading the list is Jaromir Jagr. To no one's surprise the Great One has a stranglehold on the game-winning assists statistic. If one non goal scorer would top this chart it would be Patrick Roy, and for many reasons. Not only is Roy the best goalie in NHL history, but a large portion of Roy's breathtaking saves have happened in huge moments, with the game on the line. For the sake of time I am not listing every players attributes and talents, but rather a top ten in the order in which I would rank them. Call me crazy or call me a genius. If you agree or disagree I would like to see your list. These are players I remember making magical things happen in key moments. Yes, Crosby scored one of the biggest hockey goals in history, but I don't think he's done enough just yet to make the list and Wayne Gretzky not being first, despite his body of work may surprise a few people,but it's my list. Grant Fuhr's rocky finish to an otherwise brilliant stint in Edmonton; which included many allegations of drug use may be the only thing that kept him off the list. OK, enough... read for your self.

My list in a particular order reads...

1)Patrick Roy
2)Wayne Gretzky
3)Brett Hull
4)Dominic Hasek
5)Jaromir Jagr
6)Mario Lemieux
7)Mark Messier
8)Sergei Federov
9)Al Mcinnis
10)Steve Yzerman

Honorable Mention: Theo Fleury, Mats Sundin, Grant Fuhr, Brendan Shanahan, Luc Robitaille, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Sakic, Teemu Selanne, Mike Madano, Mark Reechi, Jari Kurri, Dave Andreychuk, Mike Gartner, Chris Chelios

Top clutch players for MLB, NFL and NBA will follow shortly