The Power Alley -- A Blog of All Sports!

Kansas is my No. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:16:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Sure, I'm located down here on Tobacco Road, where North Carolina and Duke — Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski — dominate the headlines.

And, sure, the Tar Heels began this week No. 1 in the national polls. But after watching Kansas decimate Oklahoma Monday night, 85-55, I like Kansas as the best team in college basketball.

In case you're curious, I've got UNC No. 2, Memphis No. 3, UCLA fourth and Duke fifth.

But the Jayhawks are the best team in the land — by a slight margin.

Why is that? Well, they have no weaknesses. The other contenders have a few.

Last season, UCLA battered the Jayhawks in a regional final, which left Kansas demoralized after an otherwise sterling season that included Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles.

The Jayhawks, simply, had no answer for the Bruins down low.

That is not the case this season. A big reason — both literally and figurtively — for Kansas' 17-0 start has been the play of 6-foot-9 forward Darrell Arthur. On Monday, the sophomore used an array of inside moves to score 14 points to go with eight rebounds.

Arthur has give the Jayhawks a low-post presence that they lacked last season. He's more mature and skilled, and if he continues to play this well, Kansas will be hard to beat.

That's because he is surrounded by loads of talent. Frontcourt mate Darnell Jackson (17 points, eight boards Monday) is having a huge senior year, averaging double figures for the first time in his career and providing plenty of muscle in the paint with his 6-8, 250-pound frame.

But the majority of Kansas' talent is where it was a year ago: in the backcourt. Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush (a 6-6 guard with a forward's body), Russell Robinson and Sherron Collins make up a quartet of guards who are experienced, fast, good shooters and good passers.

They love to get out and run and finish in transition, but the Jayhawks no longer struggle in the half-court offense. The biggest reason for this is the development of the big guys. Being able to post up Arthur makes Kansas' offense much more dangerous, because he can score one-on-one or kick the ball out to Kansas' deadly outside shooter when the defense collapses.

Bottom line — this team can score in a variety of ways.

But how is it different from Memphis, which has just as many scorers? Well, the main reason is free-throw shooting. When the games get tight come March, Kansas' late-game free shots — it made 17-of-18 against the Sooners — will make it the better team.

While the Jayhawks aren't a great free-throw shooting team, making 64 percent of their attempts, none of their key contributors are terrible from the stripe like Memphis' Joey Dorsey, who entered the week making a putrid 36 percent of his attempts. Dorsey plays nearly 25 minutes per game and is a big part of the Tigers' success on both ends of the court. But any smart team will go to a "Hack-a-Dorsey" strategy in certain late-game situations.

Free-throw shooting — the small edge Kansas has on Memphis.

The Jayhawks are better than the Tar Heels because of their depth. As good as UNC's Tyler Hansbrough has been this season, can you imagine the Heels without Hansbrough? No, didn't think so. If Hansbrough gets into foul trouble in a tournament game, the Heels would be in big trouble.

Kansas, meanwhile, doesn't have an indispensable player. The Jayhawks have seven players who average between 7.1 and 13.4 points per game. If they lost Arthur for a do-or-die game, they would still have a great chance at winning. The same can't be said for a Heels squad without Hansbrough or starting point guard Ty Lawson now that backup Bobby Frasor is out for the year.

Again, a small advantage, but it makes the Jayhawks No. 1 in my eyes.

Of course, a lot can — and probably will — change between now and March. But if the Jayhawks stay healthy and in form, I'll more than likely pick them as my national champion when completing my bracket.

No one can say there's a clear weakness on this team. Except, maybe, that they haven't been there — that no member of the Jayhawks has made it to the Final Four.

And that's an issue the Jayhawks are addressing right now, playing the best basketball of any team from Westwood to Chapel Hill.

NFL playoffs preview

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:30:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

I can't remember the last time there was as big a favorite entering the playoffs as there is this year.

New England is a 1-2 favorite to win the Super Bowl. The team with the second-best odds is Indianapolis, which has a 4-1 shot.

So, basically, people are pretty high on these Patriots. Guess that's what happens when you go 16-0.

But something tells me that these playoffs are going to be the craziest in quite some time. There will be upsets galore. Crazy weather. Heart-pumping finishes. Not just a unsympathetic romp to 19-0 by another Boston-based team.

I might be wrong. Heck, I'm probably wrong — picking against the Patriots is about as smart as wearing a T-shirt outside in Boston this time of year.

But what fun would it be picking the favorite? With that said, here's my playoffs preview:

WILD CARD ROUND

NFC

(6) Washington 27, (3) Seattle 20: Unlike in sports with longer seasons, such as the NBA, momentum means something entering the playoffs. No team – besides those 16-0 guys — has more of it than the Redskins.

(5) N.Y. Giants 24, (4) Tampa Bay 18: Speaking of momentum, the Giants played their best game a week ago. Now, Eli Manning will step up in the playoffs and finally lead them to the divisional round.

AFC

(3) San Diego 27, (6) Tennessee 10: The teams' first meeting was a battle, but the Titans' injury list is almost as long as their active roster. Plus, the Chargers have won six straight games.

(5) Jacksonville 20, (4) Pittsburgh 14: The Jaguars run the ball well and don't turn it over. That will be enough to win in adverse conditions once again in Pittsburgh. Coming in, the Steelers have not been playing good football.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

NFC

(6) Washington 28, (1) Dallas 27: Remember what happened a week ago? Sure, the Cowboys didn't have T.O., but the Redskins owned Tony Romo and ran roughshed over the 'Boys. It will be closer in Dallas, but the same shocking result.

(2) Green Bay 33, (5) New York 21: I find it interesting how little is being talked about the Packers despite their dominance from week to week. There's no way they're losing at home in January.

AFC

(1) New England 24, (5) Jacksonville 16: Not an easy win for the Patriots, but Randy Moss breaks free for a touchdown and the defense is steady.

(2) Indianapolis 26, (3) San Diego 17: Last time these teams played, Peyton Manning threw six interceptions in the rain. This time, in the dome, Manning is very efficient, and Philip Rivers throws the picks.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

NFC

(2) Green Bay 28, (6) Washington 17: The Redskins lose their magic inside frigid Lambeau Field as the Packers, boosted by that improved running game and the reborn Brett Favre, return to the Super Bowl. The city goes absolutely beserk.

AFC

(2) Indianapolis 24, (1) New England 21: Even minus pass rusher Dwight Freeney, the Colts will make Brady n' Co. take sustained drives down the field. There will be no bombs to Moss. Meanwhile, Joseph Addai will repeat his standout performance from the teams' first meeting, and guess who will make the game-winning field goal? Yeah, you guessed it.

SUPER BOWL

... You'll have to wait a few weeks for this. I don't want to embarrass myself too much.

College Basketball Recaps

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:40:00 +0000

The last couple of weeks have seen very few college basketball games, because of schools finals and winter break. The hiatus is over and college basketball resumed today with 20 teams in the top 25 playing. Here is a quick rundown of the action:

Wisconsin vs 9 Texas: The best game of the day so far ended with Wisconsin guard Michael Flowers hitting a 3 pointer to give the Badgers the lead with 2 seconds left and then stealing the ensuing inbounds pass. A huge win for Wisconsin whose only two losses came to ranked teams in Duke and Marquette. These losses had forced the Badgers out of the Top 25 and left them in need of a big-time to win to prove that they were for real. They got that win with the 67-66 victory at Texas today.

American vs 8 Georgetown: Georgetown took care of business today at home versus American winning easily 78-51. The Hoyas dropped in the poles after losing to Memphis last week and they rebounded nicely with this victory. Though up only 10 at halftime, Georgetown put the game away with a 25-6 start in the second half.

Tennessee-Martin vs 15 Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt has had a great beginning to the year, starting 12-0, but I am not convinced. They have not played any good teams yet and have struggled against their opponents. They did beat Tennessee Martin today, but gave up 85 points in the process and only won by 7. This is the same Tennessee Martin who UNLV beat by 28, Maine beat by 4, and Central Arkansas beat by 3. In today’s game, the Commodores shot under 40%, but 10 three-pointers and 13 steals saved them.

Florida A&M vs 11 Texas A&M: A good win for the Aggies as they defeat Florida A&M 83-54. It is their fifth consecutive victory by 20 or more points and they destroyed Rattlers (Florida A&M) in nearly every category. The Aggies should easily defeat Rice in their next game and then LSU in the game after before entering conference play.

Savannah State vs 13 Marquette: A convincing win for Marquette who manhandled Savannah State, holding them under 20 points in both halves for a 77-37 victory. They held the Tigers (Savannah State) to 26% shooting and forced 23 turnovers. The only stat that goes against the Golden Eagles is that they committed 21 turnovers and that will need to improve before Big East Conference play.

Wisconsin-Green Bay vs 7 Michigan State: After pulling off the upset over Texas last week, the Spartans continued playing quality basketball with an 93-75 victory over the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix. Though the Spartans have already proven themselves to be an elite team in college basketball, this game showed a couple weaknesses. The Phoenix shot 50% from the field and the Spartans were never quite able to put the game away. Yet, they beat Texas last week and I’m sure that they will step up their play in Big Ten games.

Samford vs 20 Clemson: Clemson started strong last year as well, but their schedule was incredibly easy and they played teams that no Division 1 school could lose. A lot like Samford… but there is one difference: Clemson is winning this year’s games easily. Last year Clemson struggled versus the bad opponents and fell apart in conference play. A 78-45 victory over Samford today proves that Clemson has improved from last years, specifically on the boards where the Tigers out-rebounded Samford 37-11.

12 Tennessee vs Gonzaga: One of the most intriguing match-ups of the day saw the Tennessee Vollunteers face off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Bulldogs started the year ranked, but losses have knocked them out of the Top 25. Needing a good win to put themselves back in the Top 25, Gonzaga came up short today losing at home to the Vollunteers 82-72. Tennessee solidified themselves as a power in college basketball, holding the ‘Zags to 42% shooting and shooting 49% themselves

Winthrop vs 19 Miami (FL): Miami (FL) is off to a great start this year, but hit a wall today, losing to Winthrop 76-70. Though at home, the Hurricanes managed to shoot only 43% from the field while going 7 for 22 from 3-point range. Winthrop has been good in past years and this win on their resume will help greatly come March. This was the biggest test of the year so far for Miami and they did not come through.

Fresno State vs 22 Stanford: Stanford has played well of late and has worked their way up to a number 22 ranking. Fresno State is a good team and a good test for Stanford. The Cardinals past the test by defeating the Bulldogs 55-48. It wasn’t a pretty game, but the Cardinals’ Brooks Lopez scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to push Stanford to the victory.

25 Rhode Island vs Georgia Southern: Finally in the Top 25, Rhode Island struggled with Georgia Southern, but escaped with the 85-80 win. Up 11 at halftime, the Rhode Island Rams gave up 46 points in the second half and barely held on. Georgia Southern is now 9-3 on the season and will cause teams trouble if they make the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma vs 23 West Virginia: One of the biggest games today was the Sooners travelling to Morgantown to face West Virginia. This game lived up to the hype and the second overtime is just beginning . The Mountaineers have just made their way into the Top 25 and do not want to lost that title today. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has lost to Memphis and USC, but the bad loss was to Stephen F. Austin. No, that was not a mistake. Stephen F. Austin. Winning at West Virginia would be a great step for Oklahoma to regain some respect.

Those are just the games that have or mostly have finished and there are 7 other games being played tonight. The biggest of the game starts at 10 pm et when 18 Arizona visits 2 Memphis. It has been a great day of college basketball and the best game has yet to start.

Lakers overcome distraction, become contender

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:46:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

It was a Christmas Day Miracle, really.

There were the mighty, high-flying, running-and-gunning Phoenix Suns, the lock this season to win the Western Conference's Pacific Division and roll into the playoffs as one of the top few seeds.

But they weren't the miracle. The miracle workers were the guys in yellow jerseys.

There was Kobe Bryant, the subject of trade speculation for the past eight months. In May, he said he wanted to be traded — for sure — then recanted ... then said he wanted out again.

Leading up to the season, all the talk in Laker Land revolved around No. 24 leaving. Chicago? New York? He was bound for the East Coast.

The discussion continued into the regular season, but somehow the Lakers played through it. While the Chicago Bulls couldn't overcome the Kobe Talk to play half-decent basketball, the Lakers managed to play .500 ball.

And Bryant showed why he's the NBA's best talent, hearing all the whispers in one ear and coach Phil Jackson in the other. On opening night, there he was — almost leading the Lakers back from a 12-point hole in the final minute, 36 seconds.

Say what you want about Bryant's arrogance, his selfishness at times, but you can't say he ever gives up in a game. He didn't on that night, and he hasn't since then.

And while a month and a half ago, I thought the Lakers with Kobe needed another marquee player — such as Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal — to make a serious run in the mighty West, I don't think so anymore. This team, with its current makeup, is capable of challenging the Suns, the Mavericks, the Jazz ... and maybe even the Spurs (OK, probably not the Spurs, but neither can the aforementioned squads).

The main reason: the play of Andrew Bynum, the 20-year-old kid who has grown thick skin and ignored all the clamors by L.A. fans — and the media — that he needs to be traded for a big-name, proven veteran.

On Christmas, the 7-footer was at his best, skying for a slew of easy alley-oops, causing the Suns to play a bigger, slower lineup than usual — and then out-muscling those guys, including Amare Stoudemire, for 12 rebounds. He finished with a career-high 28 points, the dozen boards, four assists and two blocked shots.

And after the Lakers' 122-115 win, don't look now, but ... but ... but a certain team in gold uniforms sits just a game back of the mighty Suns.

And maybe — just maybe — the trade talk has died down for now.

With Bynum averaging 12.5 points, 10.1 boards and 2.1 blocks a game. With Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar anchoring the point guard position, a veteran leading a youngster who will eventually steal all his minutes. With Lamar Odom and Bynum holding strong in the post. With high-flyer Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton — when he returns from injury — providing a variety of skills at the small-forward position. ... these Lakers, at 18-10 and on a three-game winning streak, look like contenders.

Wait — I forgot to mention one player: um, Kobe Bryant?

That's right. When one can talk about the Lakers without mentioning the longest-tenured player in the NBA, you know there's a little talent around him.

In the fourth quarter Tuesday, it was Kobe Time. Bryant knocked down an array of fall-away jumpers from all over the court to score 12 of his game-high 38. He was the center of the show. The player whom kids are trying to emulate on playgrounds all over L.A. today.

But he's no longer the only show in town, folks. Bynum, Odom, Ariza, Fisher...

Learn the names, kids. Because if this keeps up, they'll be making just as much noise as their celebrated teammate well into the spring.

At The Top Of The NBA

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 04:05:00 +0000

With over a month of the NBA season complete, the top of the league is a crowded. The usual Western Conference powerhouses, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Dallas, are all up there, but the Eastern Conference is finally making some noise. Detroit is good as always, but Boston and Orlando have burst on to the scene as title contenders. Orlando center Dwight Howard has become one of, if not the best, big man in the NBA. He averages 23 points and 15 rebounds per game, and his supporting players have picked up their play as well. Rashard Lewis is averaging 18 points per game and Jameer Nelson is averaging 12 points and 6 assists. After a 40-42 season last year, Orlando has jumped out to a 18-10 record this year and is poised to make a run at an Eastern Conference title.

The reason for Boston's success is a mystery to no one. The "Big 3", Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, have been nothing short of spectacular. Garnett became the team leader immediately and made the Celtics the best defensive team in the NBA. Young point guard Rajon Rondo has played well and Glen "Big Baby" Davis, after starting the season getting only a minute or two per game, has played well enough to get some serious minutes. In the most-anticipated game so far this year, the Pistons defeated the Celtics by 2 points, proving that the Pistons still owned the East. Chauncey Billups carried the load and made to clutch free throws with .1 seconds left to get the victory. Rip Hamilton added 21 points and Rasheed Wallace had 13 rebounds. Neither team played particularly well though with Tayshaun Prince adding only 2 points for the Pistons while Pierce was only 5-16 for 11 points for the Celtics. Though Orlando has played exceptionally this season, the Pistons and Celtics have run through their opponents easily and I believe they will they meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Western Conference is a different story, where normal powerhouses are continuing their dominance. Though seeming lackluster at times, the Phoenix Suns are off to an 18-8 start and lead the Pacific division by two games. Nash is having another MVP caliber season averaging over 17 points and 21 assists per game. San Antonio and Dallas are separated by only a 1/2 game in the Southwest Conference with the edge going to the Spurs. Tony Parker's 20 points and 7 assists per game and Tim Duncan's 18 points and 9 rebounds per game have fueled the Spurs to an 18-7 record. In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. With 14 points and 5.5 assists per game, Devin Harris is complimenting Nowitzki perfectly, leading the Mavericks to a 19-9 record. These three teams have been dueling it out the last couple years and I believe Dallas will once again fall short as the Suns and Spurs will meet in the Western Conference finals again.

Pistons remain the beasts of the East

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:49:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
the Sports Columnist

In the early stages of Wednesday's Eastern Conference showdown between 20-2 Boston and 17-7 Detroit, the young point guard was playing better.

He was getting to the basket at will. He was spotting up for mid-range jumpers. He was playing turnover-free basketball, while the veteran — with his new five-year contract — carelessly lost the ball on the other end.

Yes, Boston's Rajon Rondo was the star of the first quarter, helping the Celtics establish a lead they would hold for most of the night.

But the Pistons rarely get blown out, especially in highly-hyped, national-televised games. And such was the case Wednesday.

First, there was 37-year-old point guard Lindsey Hunter harassing Eddie House all the way down the court, creating two turnovers and knocking down a guarded 3 to help Detroit take the lead.

And, finally, there was that veteran PG, the man called "Mr. Big Shot" — a moniker that fit very nicely on this night. After Boston tied the game with two 3-pointers in the final minute, there was Billups, with just a second to get off his shot, giving a most convincing head fake...

And poor Tony Allen. He had no chance. Caught in the air, he fouled Billups at the worst time: with 0.1 left on the clock. Billups is a 91 percent free-throw shooter.

I don't usually pencil in games — especially ones that are tied. But when Billups stepped to the line, I said to my dad — who was on the phone watching from Michigan — "That's the ballgame."

And two free throws later, the Pistons (18-7) remained the Beasts of the East.

Not that any game in December really matters. We all know nothing is proved until May and June. That's why Phoenix could sweep San Antonio during the regular season and I'd still bet my two sofas on the Spurs come the playoffs.

But with both teams playing close to full strength — the Pistons were without rookie guard Rodney Stuckey, who has missed the entire season so far — a lot can be gleaned from the Pistons' 87-85 win.

— These teams, easily the East's best two squads, will be very competitive the rest of the year and into the playoffs. There are too many big-time players on both teams.

— The Pistons should have posted Billups on Rondo more early and often. Likely because of this advantage, Boston coach Doc Rivers pulled Rondo in the final two minutes for House, who also has 3-point range, unlike Rondo, and hit a big one as part of Boston's comeback.

— Detroit was saved by the 3-point shot, making 9-of-20 from downtown. Boston was the more physical team, outrebounding Detroit 37-34 and getting to the basket more often. The Pistons won't always shoot that well from 3-point range.

— The Pistons were able to slow down Kevin Garnett when they put the physical, bulky Jason Maxiell on him. Although Garnett scored a team-high 26 points, he had just five in the fourth, all of which he had to earn from the free-throw line.

— Another reason Detroit was able to hold the Celtics to just 33 second-half points was Tayshaun Prince's defense of Paul Pierce. While Prince was awful offensively (1-of-10, 2 points), he held Boston's leading scorer to 11 points on 5-for-16 shooting. With Prince on Pierce, Maxiell coming in to bang with Garnett, and Richard Hamilton draped over Ray Allen, Detroit can at least contain the Big Three — although Allen was near unstoppable, hitting 9-of-13 contested shots for 24 points.

— Rondo (14 points, 7 assists, 2 turnovers) was very efficient, but as seen by Rivers' late substitution, the coach still doesn't have complete confidence in the second-year player's ability to make the right decisions at the end of a game. But overall, Rondo was impressive.

So there you have it. Before the game, the Celtics admitted that Detroit is still the team to beat in the East, and Wednesday's result doesn't change that.

When the Pistons are on their game and aren't letting their yapping at the referees — they complain about every stinkin' call — get in the way of their execution, they are hard to beat. They're a great road team that isn't flustered by noisy crowds and fourth-quarter deficits.

And, most importantly, they have Mr. Big Shot. Boston doesn't.

In the course of a game, the Big Three might be more effective than Billups. But if he and his teammates can stay in a game until the end, it is worth betting on Billups hitting the winning shot or drawing the crucial foul in the final seconds.

Wednesday's game was unpredictable for the first 47:59. What occurred in the final second, however, wasn't surprising at all. Mr. Big Shot to the rescue.

What a mess

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:58:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Does anyone even care anymore?

Do modern-day records even have any legitimacy anymore?

Yes, it's gotten to this point.

If it weren't for the Red Sox winning its first World Series in 96 years and the White Sox its first in 98 years, wiping out the past 10 years of baseball wouldn't be a bad idea.

Seriously.

Here's how bad things have gotten for MLB commissioner Bud Selig: Arguably the game's best hitter of all time, Barry Bonds, is generally assumed to have taken steroids and was recently indicted for obstruction of justice and perjury.

And arguably the game's best pitcher, Roger Clemens, looks just as dirty. According to last week's Mitchell report, Clemens had his trainer inject him with Winstrol.

While I'm not jumping to any conclusions, Clemens has done nothing in the week since the report came out to make himself appear innocent. Tuesday, he issued a statement through his lawyer believable as Bonds' countless "I am innocent" statements.

If Clemens were innocent, he would have immediately called a press conference after learning of his name's inclusion in the report. He would have stood up in front of dozens of cameras and told the truth. But, no, instead he said in his heartfelt statement that he will speak at the "appropriate time."

When will that be? Once, of course, Clemens' legal team figures out what can happen to him because of the report's findings.

Whatever.

No matter what scheme Clemens' team puts together, I'm not believing him. He had a chance last week to refute the report. Statements through lawyers don't count. Call me Mike Nifong, but Clemens is guilty.

Which makes him no better than Bonds.

So following that thinking, here we stand in 2007 — with two of the game's greats under a nebulous anvil, not to mention several other high-profile players, such as Andy Pettite who admitted to using HGH twice.

Once, twice, 18 times, it ain't right, Andy. Even if you're supposedly using it to heal from an injury. Yet Pettite's apology, if you can call it that, read (AP), "If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize. I accept responsibility for those two days."

"If," Andy? C'mon. Illegally obtaining HGH from a trainer isn't exactly a good deed. Who are you trying to kid?

Not only are the guilty players unwilling to stand up for their actions and admit they were 100 percent wrong, Selig thinks he tried everything to keep this from happening.

You serious, Bud?

Let's see. Despite that home-run jacking Summer of '98, when Big Mac launched 70 and Slammin' Sammy added 66 — after hitting 36 the previous season. Despite Bonds' jump from 49 dingers in 2000 to 73 to '01. Despite increased long balls from Miami to Seattle, Selig refused to implement a steroids policy until September of 2002.

And despite revisions before the '05 and '06 seasons, it's still as weak my non-existent triceps (see my previous column, "Baseball needs to follow IOC's lead").

Yet Selig, like Bonds and Clemens, refuses to apologize for what the nation's former pastime became.

In an AP story, Selig said: "I'm proud of where we are. We have the toughest testing program in American sports. We banned amphetamines, which were a problem in our sport for seven or eight decades."

Selig went on to say that minor league drug testing has been in place for eight years now

Yay! Good to know we've been catching the guys who we don't care about anyway. It's not the younger players — the minor league players — who have done the most juicing, Bud. It's the older guys who need that boost to make it through the long season.

And as far as baseball having the "toughest testing program in American sports," who cares?

I hate when people defend themselves through comparative means. Sure, baseball has a stricter policy than the NBA. But I'm sure if David Stern smelled a rising HGH addiction among his players, he'd institute harsh penalties. Heck, Stern regularly suspends players for flagrant fouls even when they appear to be going for the ball.

But back to that other sport.

This isn't going away. Not this year. Not in five years. Maybe not in 10 years. The debate will be heated when Bonds and Clemens become eligible for the Hall of Fame. And when, and if, A-Rod approaches Bonds' home-run record.

I've already suggested a lifelong ban for MLB players who are caught taking steroids or HGH. It won't happen. Players, unfortunately, won't be scared to use the next undetectable product on the market. They won't be afraid of getting caught.

At first I thought the Mitchell report was a good thing, which helped to shed light on baseball's Big Problem and submit suggestions for the future.

Now, I don't know. Now, I don't care.

Being naive is no longer an option. The truth is too transparent.

Baseball, its players, its records and it holy shrine in Cooperstown are all tainted.

And will likely continue to be tainted.

Westbrook's smart move

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:37:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Brian Westbrook is now — officially — my favorite NFL player.

I’ve never pretended that my 6-foot, 161-pound frame could last a second in the NFL. But I’ve always believed that I could assist a team as a game manager. There are so many situations where I look at the TV and wonder, What was he thinking?

Coaches not using their timeouts. Players running out of bounds when they need to keep the clock running. Players staying in bounds when they need to stop the clock. You get the point.

I’ve seen it all, and although I don’t pretend that — in the heat of battle — I would make the right decision, coaches and players sometimes appear, no offense, so dumb. (And, no, it’s not because many players didn’t graduate from college; it’s common-sense dumb.)

But not Westbrook, the Eagles’ durable running back. He made possibly the smartest play I’ve ever seen on a football field in Philadelphia’s 10-6 upset of Dallas Sunday afternoon. A win that keeps the Eagles, at 6-8, on the fringe of the NFC playoff picture.

Leading 10-6 with just over two minutes remaining, Westbrook broke through the Dallas defense and was in the clear. He was racing toward the end zone. He could have pranced into pay dirt, maybe done a little prancing, maybe taunted the Dallas crowd. You know, the usual for NFL players celebrating touchdowns.

And the Eagles would have been up 17-6 with just 2 minutes remaining. They would have been in great shape to finish off the road victory. But it wouldn’t have been over. Not with Dallas’ offense back on the field.

So what did Westbrook do? The unthinkable. He angered fantasy owners across the country by abruptly falling at the 1-yard line. The voluble Cowboys fans in the bar I was in were incredulous. They called Westbrook all kinds of vulgar names.

But they knew. Everyone knew that Dallas, devoid of timeouts, was officially done when Westbrook hit the Texas Stadium turf. After the 2-minute warning, all it took were three kneel-downs by Donovan McNabb, and the clock hit 0:00.

The chance of Tony Romo, even with a bum thumb, leading Dallas to two scores in 2 minutes is much greater than the chance of McNabb fumbling one of three snaps. I feel very, very safe saying this.

Which is why Westbrook’s decision was so brilliant. It, ultimately, ended the game. Kept T.O. — and his popcorn — on the sideline.

I’m not a big “favorites” guy. Too many guys make silly, sometimes game-costing errors at a point during a 16-game season. Placing the “favorite” tag is downright dangerous.

But I feel comfortable calling Westbrook my favorite NFL player. All it took was one acute, selfless play at the end of a long afternoon in Big D.

More than likely, nobody will talk about Westbrook’s decision after the next day or two. That’s fine.

But the Eagles should be comforted that they have a heady player in their backfield.

Remember the NHL?

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:03:00 +0000

Remember that game with ice and pucks? With power plays and goals? Yes that game. The NHL season actually began over a month and a half ago, but how many people actually know that. ESPN pays no attention to the dying sport. The NHL's decision to use Versus to broadcast national games was terrible. Few people know what channel Versus is and those that do hate the station. Had the NHL chosen ESPN over Versus, the sport would have gained much more publicity and increased its fan base. Though its fan base is small, I consider myself one of the lucky ones who watch the sport. The games have been exciting this year with young players such as Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin taking over the sport. Let's take a look at the beginning of the season:

1. Best Team

This choice was pretty simple, but it was not 100% clear either. The Ottawa Senators started the year on a roll, winning fifteen of their first 17 games. All of a sudden, they lost seven in a row, came back to earth, but they have won their last five in a row. The Detroit Red Wings, on the other hand, have played consistently excellent hockey all year giving them a league-leading 49 points. With Ottawa being too inconsistent and having only 45 points, the Red Wings have been the best team so far this season. Left Winger Henrik Zetterberg is having a great season, second in the league in both points and goals (43 and 23 respectively). Goalie Chris Osgood has been phenomenal, leading the league with a 1.76 GAA. Of the 20 players who have played at least 20 games for the Red Wings this season, only two have a negative +/-. The most telling statistic may be average goal differential in which the Red Wings average margin of victory is 1.22 goals per game. The second-place Ottawa Senators average margin of victory is .97 goals per game, a quarter goal less than Detroit.

2. Worst Team

There are many candidates for this award, but the Atlanta Thrashers deserve it more than the rest. Coming into today, the Phoenix Coyotes, Washington Capitols, and Los Angeles Kings all have fewer points than the Thrashers, but the Thrashers just are not a good team. In the goal differential stat mentioned above, they are last in the league with an average margin of victory of -.88 (or average margin of defeat .88). The Oilers are second worst in this category at -.59. The Thrashers have as many players with with a positive +/- as they have with -10 or worse +/- (four). Starting goalie Johan Hedberg is 41st in the league in GAA, ahead of only the Kings' J-Sebastien Aubin. Their penalty kill is 28th in the league and they are tied for last in giving up the most shots per game in the league. A bad offense, a bad defense, and a bad goalie make the Thrashers the worst team in the NHL.

3. MVP

This season has no obvious candidates, not because there hasn't been a great player, but because there are so many great players. Crosby, Ovechkin, Lecavalier, Iginla, and others have had excellent starts to the year, but in terms of valuability to their team, Ottawa Senators' left winger Dany Heatley deserves the award. He is seventh in the league in points with 41 (20 goals and 21 assists) and is 10th among forwards for time on the ice. The stat that makes him the early season is +/- as he leads the league with a 27 +/-, 10 ahead of second place. For Heatley to open up that big of a lead this early in the season, the Senators must play excellent when Heatley is on the ice. Lecavalier leads the league in points, but the Tampa Bay Lightning have only 31 points and are 12th in the Eastern Conference. He is only +7 on the season and has not been as valuable to Tampa Bay as Heatley is towards the Senators.

4. Biggest Surprise

This was an easy decision: the Boston Bruins. For a team most NHL analysts picked to finish last in the Eastern Conference, there doing a pretty good job. Entering the day, they are fourth in the NHL, even with there two biggest stars out. Having lost Patrice Bergeron on a cheap hit by the Philadelphia Flyers' Randy Jones, the team looked like they would fade. Already struggling to score goals, losing their best offensive player in Bergeron should have been a huge blow. Instead, goalie Tim Thomas improved on his already exceptional goal-tending, but then he got hurt. Having already lost their backup goalie Manny Fernandez due to injury, the Bruins went out and got Alex Auld. Through all of this the team has continued its high quality play. Though they only have two players nominated for the All Star Game, the Bruins have come together and played like a team. Coach Claude Julien deserves a lot of credit for turning this haphazard group of players into a winning team.

Baseball needs to follow IOC's lead

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:23:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

While the "Mitchell Report" received several consecutive hours of coverage on ESPN — and many other networks, both sports and news — throughout Thursday afternoon and well into the evening, the saddest story of this depressing last week in sports (think: Michael Vick, Bobby Petrino, etc.) garnered close to no national attention.

Marion Jones, one-time superstar, one-time role model for female athletes, one-time holder of five medals, was forced to return those three gold and two bronze medals and was banned from even attending the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and possibly future Summer Games.

Jones' results from the 2000 Sydney Olympics — and from any event since then — have been scrapped by the International Olympic Committee as a result of her admitting in October that she began using steroids before the Games. Basically, a young girl in 50 years who examines Olympic records and medalists won't even know Marion Jones existed.

That's the way to punish a drug user.

Seriously.

Major league baseball commissioner Bud Selig would be wise to follow the IOC's example. Not that that's ever going to happen.

The fallout from the Mitchell Report will be minimal. Selig said he might attempt to punish players on a case-by-case basis. He'd be wise to simply let what's happened go and, instead, refocus on creating a much stronger policy for both anabolic steroids and Human Growth Hormone (and any new performance-enhancing drug that hits the market).

The current initial punishment for a player who tests positive is 15 to 25 games. A second violation is 25 to 50 games. A fourth — yes, fourth! — positive test is at least a year's suspension.

Are you kidding me? So a major leaguer could test positive for, let's say, the cream not, once, not twice but three times ... and be suspended for 50 to 75 games.

No wonder some 85-plus players were named in Mitchell's 409-page report. If I wasn't against cheating and I was in the majors and needed a boost to get that next contract, uh, it's a no-brainer. Have a trainer stick a needle in my backside every now and then, and watch my numbers soar.

In one sentence, baseball's "crackdown" on performance-enhancing drugs to this point has been a joke.

While it was nice to clarify that bullies such as Roger Clemens were on 'roids, all the report does is tell us what we already know and make baseball purists cringe even more than they have during this Steroid Era. As ESPN's "legal analysts" made painfully clear about 409 times Thursday, there are no cases against the players. Donald Fehr, the executive president of the Major League Baseball Players Association, won't let any of his players go down — for even a measly 15 games — without a few Mayweather right and left jabs.

Plus, several of the named players are already retired — good time, I guess — and others, specifically Clemens and Barry Bonds, are likely done now as well.

The only major effect the report will have on the players mentioned is when their names come up in the Hall-of-Fame conversation. And won't that be fun?

If Selig, or anyone in baseball, wants to make a real impact here, he needs to implement a lifetime ban from baseball for any first-time offender of the league's policy. As crazy as this sounds, ask Marion Jones. I'm sure she'd agree.

Players need to fear for their careers when they make the choice to do 'roids. Players need to question themselves when they inject HGH, even though there still isn't a reliable test for it (although Selig is in favor of implementing a rather new blood test starting in 2008).

Ultimately, players need to be sent a stern message that if they get caught taking any amount of any banned substance, that's it. They're done. Regardless of their names. Regardless of their accomplishments on the field.

Is this realistic? Of course not. Fehr will not comply. The players will rage against it, which, I reckon, says so much — sadly — about the priorities of today's players.

Selig promised Thursday to unilaterally implement all of Mitchell's suggestions for the future that he could, and work with Fehr on the rest. Here's another suggestion for you, Bud: Rid of your weak, 15-game suspensions.

Unless you closely follow the IOC's lead on punishment, the rest of the changes you make won't be very effective.

The Mitchell Report

noreply@blogger.com (Dan) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:56:00 +0000

After completing his twenty-month investigation, former Senator George Mitchell published his much-anticipated report today, naming 77 players, 29 of whom were active in 2007. Mitchell’s proof heavily relies upon the testimony of former Mets’ clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski and Brian McNamee, a former Major League Baseball strength and conditioning coach. For most of the players named, the evidence consisted solely upon the here-say of one of those two men. Before even looking at the names in the report, the question must be asked: Are Radomski and McNamee reliable sources? If the answer is no, then there is no point at even looking at the names. However, both of these sources were confronted by law enforcement and threatened with possible jail time if they did not say names. These men did not come forward on their own to tattle on players. Facing possible jail-time if they lied, we can conclude that neither Radomski no McNamee was willing to risk going to prison and therefore told the truth.

Even as I write that, it sounds weak, as Barry Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg Anderson has spent a lengthy period in prison to protect Bonds. That is the first problem I have with the report: Fans are supposed to assume that these two men, proven steroid dealers, are telling the truth. If Mitchell had backed up the report with positive drug results or other pieces of evidence, it would have made it much more credible. Yet, except for a couple cancelled checks and testimony from a few former players, Mitchell is forced to rely on Radomski and McNamee as the only evidence. The worst case is likely with Brian Roberts. Here is the complete evidence against him:

Roberts and Larry Bigbie were both rookies in 2001. According to Bigbie, both he and Roberts lived in Segui’s house in the Baltimore area during the latter part of that season. When Bigbie and Segui used steroids in the house, Roberts did not participate.

According to Bigbie, however, in 2004 Roberts admitted to him that he had injected himself once or twice with steroids in 2003. Until this admission, Bigbie had never suspected Roberts of using steroids.

In order to provide Roberts with information about these allegations and to give him an opportunity to respond, I asked him to meet with me; he declined.

That is it. Roberts’ image and reputation will be tarnished forever, because of his inclusion in this report. If Mitchell needed that little evidence to include someone in the report, then I would have expected there to be 2000 players in it. Twenty months of investigating and that is the best you could come up? I would have thought a former senator would have known better than to accuse a player of steroid use with that little evidence. Even more so, I would have thought he would have had better judgment than to include him in a public report of this magnitude.

The two biggest names in the report are of course Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. The evidence against those two pitchers is fairly strong as McNamee used to be the personal trainer for both men and states that he personally injected each of them:

McNamee injected Clemens approximately four times in the buttocks over a several-week period with needles that Clemens provided. Each incident took place in Clemens’s apartment at the SkyDome. McNamee never asked Clemens where he obtained the steroids.

Unlike other reports where McNamee or Radomski claim that they just supplied steroids, here, McNamee is saying that he himself injected Clemens. If you believe that McNamee is telling the truth, the Clemens used steroids. If not, well then whether or not Clemens’ used steroids is still unknown. One would assume that if Mitchell trusted McNamee’s testimony, then it was true, but Mitchell’s poor decision to include Brian Roberts in the report leaves me skeptical about Mitchell’s instincts. If he thought that including Brian Roberts in the report was a good idea, he was wrong. Mitchell could easily have trusted McNamee’s word when other evidence suggested that he was lying. We have no idea whether McNamee is a trustworthy source and therefore, cannot conclude that Clemens or Pettitte used performance-enhancing drugs.

This renders the list of players who used steroids nearly useless, as the evidence against them is equally as inconclusive as it was for Clemens and Pettitte. If we ignore the list of players, than the next question is what does that leave in the report? I think there are two major results from it:

1. It identifies twenty ways that MLB can strengthen its drug-testing program and prevent players from using performance-enhancing drugs. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has already stated in his interview that every one Mitchell’s recommendations would be implemented as long as the Major League Players’ Association agreed. Having already adjusted the collective bargaining agreement twice, it is highly unlikely that the MLBPA will allow Selig and MLB to change it again

2. It may create a little bit of doubt in future players thinking about using steroids. If this many players were accused of using steroids with that little evidence then maybe being able to pass drug tests isn’t enough. You need to cover up any transactions and make sure that your dealer is trustworthy. If all Mitchell needed to accuse someone of steroid use was one person’s word, it greatly increases the risk of being caught and may cause players to choose against using steroids.

Many fans and members of the media have declared this a terrible day for baseball, but I would say otherwise. As said above, the only result from naming players is destroying those players’ reputation and possibly creating some doubt in future players’ decision on whether or not to use steroids. For a twenty-month investigation, I expected more, especially in terms of evidence. Yet maybe that is good. Casual baseball fans will not do enough research to realize the validity (or lack there of) of these allegations, but die hard fans will know that the players named are not definite steroid users. At least after reading this article they will (hopefully). Mitchell’s investigation has created a panic across the sport from players to owners to the commissioner, but now it is over. We can move past the report and try our best to put the steroid era behind us.

The last thing I want to comment on is Selig’s comments that he may punish players’ for accusations in the report. Unless Mitchell is holding back real evidence, suspending players (or worse banning players) with that little evidence would be absurd. Even if he found credible evidence against certain players, it is unfair to punish them, because they were caught. No one will ever know the extent of steroid use, so Selig must realize that he cannot fairly punish any players in Mitchell’s report. Use Mitchell’s recommendations to improve the league’s drug testing policy and clean up the sport. It is time to move on from the past, and focus on the future.

In typical Lions fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:03:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

After I stayed out very late Saturday night, I slept in until 2:48 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Before cursing myself for wasting half the day or trudging to the bathroom to wash my face, I grabbed the bedside remote to check on the Week 14 NFL scores.

The first score I noticed? Detroit 20, Dallas 14 — in the third quarter.

Since I made the Michigan-to-North Carolina jump the first week of October, I hadn't seen one Lions game. Of course, usually that's a good thing, but not when the alternative is watching the dull Panthers. And something told me, after my long hibernation, that this was one Lions game I didn't want to miss.

So instead of reading the Sunday paper or cooking myself some eggs, I bolted out the door and drove the 8.3 miles to Buffalo Wild Wings — the dream spot for NFL fans. When I entered, every early game had its own TV. The Cowboys-Lions battle had gained access to one of the big screens (mostly because of the number of 'Boys fans in attendance).

There was one other Lions fan in the join, and as I took the only available seat and introduced myself to a grizzly, likes-to-swear Giants fan, the other Lions rooter pounded fists with me. Could the 6-6 Lions knock off the NFC's elite, the 11-1 Cowboys? Could thy get that win that might just sneak them in the playoffs?

We wanted to be witnesses. It's not every year a Lions game during the Holiday Season actually matters. Usually by the time my family mounts the tree, the Lions have 11 losses in their back pocket.

So this Sunday was special. Until, that is, the game ended.

In typical Lions fashion.

First there was the missed field goal. Jason "Automatic" Hanson — the MVP of the team for the past 10-plus years — pushed a gimme 35-yard attempt to the right that would have given Detroit a two-possession lead, 30-21.

Then there was the booted fumble. On Dallas' game-winning drive in the waning moments, quarterback Tony Romo was stripped of the ball, which bounced directly toward Lion Paris Lenon. All he had to do was fall on the ball, and the timeout-less 'Boys would be done, sauteed, boiled. But, instead, Leon tried to scoop up the pigskin and kicked it directly to a Dallas lineman. Who knew what to do.

From there, the rest of the Lions' demise was all too predictable. As I sat watching, there was no rally cap, no superstitious move I could make to change the ending. Dallas converted a fourth down. Romo guided them down to the Detroit 16-yard line.

And, finally, he completed the inevitable with a touchdown pass down the middle to super tight end Jason Witten, who caught a team-record 15 balls on the day but somehow raced untouched to pay dirt on game's most important play.

A terrible kickoff return, two incompletions and a sack later, the comeback was complete. Dallas had outscored Detroit 14-0 in the fourth quarter — in Detroit — to win 28-27. This one had to hurt the most of the hundreds of losses the Lions have sustained in recent memory.

In my 2007 NFL Preview, I predicted six wins for the Lions. I didn't, however, expect them to arrive at that number in this fashion. Five weeks ago, after Detroit drilled Denver 44-7, my friend texted me, saying the Lions would make the playoffs. I wanted to agree with him, really did, but I knew this franchise too well.

Now, the Lions are toast. With games at San Diego next week and at Green Bay the season's final week — sandwiched around a home game against the awful Chiefs — there's no way Detroit wins its remaining three games, which is almost certainly what it needs to do to play into January.

It still might surpass my expectation of six wins. And, I must admit, this team has been better on several levels than I expected. Except for a few duds, the offense has been as explosive as advertised. The defense has shown up on occasion. And no "Fire Millen" marches have occurred outside Ford Field.

But there are no moral victories in the NFL. The bottom line is how many games you win. And for the eighth consecutive season, it appears the Lions are headed for familiar territory — a seat in front of the TV during the playoffs.

As I left "B-dubs" late Sunday afternoon, with the North Carolina sun beginning to set, I could only shake my head and smile. Why, I wondered, did I squander the first two hours of my day to watch the same old story?

Not to mention have to listen to the cigarette-wielding, voluble Giants fan spout off about Plaxico Burress until I had to turn my chair.

Successful farm system has paid huge dividends for Tigers

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:01:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch deserves a new Porsche for his willingness to continually increase the Tigers' payroll the last few years in a valiant effort to push his team to its first World Series title since 1984.

With the addition of All-Stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins Tuesday, Detroit's payroll — once the new additions are secured through long-term contracts — will likely exceed $115 million. In 2003, when the Tigers hit rock bottom with 119 losses, their payroll was $49,168,000.

Yes, Ilitch must have won the lottery between then and now — or just become a much more willing spender. Of course, the greatly increased attendance (and, now, raised ticket prices) helps. But his open wallet has been a big key in Detroit becoming one of the American League's elite teams.

However, money doesn't make trades happen. It only attracts dollar-seeking free agents. And if you look at the Tigers' now-explosive lineup, several of the big hitters have been acquired through trades.

How have the Tigers made these trades? By giving up prospect after prospect from a highly successful farm system that continues to develop sought-after players.

Here's the projected lineup for 2008 (not necessarily in the right order): CF Curtis Granderson, 2B Placido Polanco, 3B Miguel Cabrera, RF Magglio Ordonez, DH Gary Sheffield, 1B Carlos Guillen, SS Edgar Renteria, LF Jacque Jones, C Ivan Rodriguez.

Granderson is the lone player in that lineup who came up from the Tigers farm system. Ordonez (2005) and Rodriguez ('04) are the two players Ilitch snagged in free agency by offering big money.

The remaining six players, five of whom have been All-Stars at some point during their careers, all came to Detroit via trades. And for the most part, the teams that dealt them weren't ripped off. They received several promising players in return.

In 2004, the Tigers received Guillen from Seattle for Ramon Santiago and minor league shortstop Juan Gonzalez. At the time, Guillen was an average shortstop. Since then, obviously, he's become an All-Star.

In one of just two moves that didn't involve minor leaguers, in 2005 Detroit acquired Polanco from Philadelphia for closer Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez. That deal has turned out to be completely one-sided as Polanco might be the league's best second baseman while neither player acquired by the Phillies still plays for them.

After the magical 2006 season, Detroit didn't relax, trading three highly touted minor league pitchers — Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett — to the Yankees for Sheffield. While Sheffield had a difficult time playing hurt down the stretch last season, when he's healthy, his bat is as dangerous as anybody's.

Then immediately after missing the playoffs in 2007, the Tigers went to work on filling their holes. With Guillen moving to first, they needed a top-notch shortstop, so they parted with very promising young pitcher Jair Jurrjens and highly touted minor league outfielder Gorkys Hernandez to land Renteria from Atlanta.

Then, less than two weeks later, Detroit traded utility player Omar Infante to the Cubs for Jones.

And finally, there was Tuesday's mega deal. There hadn't been any talk whatsoever of the Tigers going after Cabrera, but in swooped general manager Dave Dombrowski, sending six players to the Marlins for the All-Star third baseman and Willis, a 20-game winner in 2005.

The deal was huge for the Tigers because it erased their one tangible weak spot in the lineup. Brandon Inge was a great defensive third baseman, but he struggled mightily at the plate for the Tigers. Cabrera, just 24, is a huge upgrade at the position.

Willis, 25, who has had two down years since that dominant 2005 campaign, will feel the burden of being a No. 1 lifted from his shoulders as he'll be placed in the middle or even at the back of a Tigers rotation that — barring injury (always a big concern) — could have a huge season.

So how did Detroit get this deal done in a matter of nanoseconds? All it had to do was offer its prized prospects to the always-rebuilding Marlins. Detroit parted with lauded outfielder Cameron Maybin as well as ultra-talented pitcher Andrew Miller. Gone also are backup catcher Mike Rabelo and three lesser-known minor league pitchers.

Some are questioning whether the Tigers gave up too much in the deal. And I hear their concerns. I felt the same way a year ago after the Sheffield trade. But the bottom line is that Detroit continues to grow potential All-Stars in the minors, whom it is able to trade for proven All-Stars.

And it's not as if the well's now completely dry. Let's not forget about last year's draft choice Rick Porcello, a very talented pitcher whom other teams weren't willing to fork over the big bucks to like the Tigers did immediately after making the selection (a record $7.3 million over four years).

Now it's up to the players to get the job done. Ownership and management have done everything a manager could ask for to build this team into a championship-caliber club. The lineup is stacked. The starting pitching is stacked. The closer, Todd Jones, has been re-signed (probably for too much money, but it had to be done considering the injury to Joel Zumaya).

The pieces are in place for a memorable 2008.

Jim Leyland and his players can address their Christmas cards to Ilitch, Dombrowski and the coaches in the minor leagues who helped the growth of all the trade bait used to bring this All-Star cast to the Motor City.

What a wild, juicy ending

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 07:11:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Caution: The following sentence contains several colorful adjectives, one made up.

This has been the most crazy, nutty, delirious, exciting, stupefying, unpredictable, exceptional, incredulous, rollercoaster-riding college football season.

Ever. Period. I feel confidant saying this, despite the fact that I wasn't on this earth for the first, oh, 100 years of college football.

This year tops them all. I guarantee it.

And now the politicking begins. After No. 1 Missouri and No. 2 West Virginia became the final top teams to have their hearts broken Saturday, we are left with the following.

Barring an uprising by voters, No. 3 Ohio State will be in the national title game for the second consecutive year. People said the Buckeyes didn't have a chance after losing to Illinois three Saturdays ago. I just laughed. There remained plenty of football to be played. The best thing happened to OSU the following week after its win over Michigan. Its season ended.

The longer teams played, the more pitfalls they faced. Last season, the Big Ten's Michigan paid for finishing its season early, as Florida continued to impress for two additional weeks and leaped the Wolverines. This year, the Wolverines' hated rival got a pinch of BCS revenge for the Big Ten.

After Ohio State, the volcano explodes. I can make a legitimate case for — let me check — six teams. OK, here goes:

No. 4 Georgia (10-2) — The biggest knock against the Bulldogs is they didn't play in the SEC title game. They were an overthrown pass by Kentucky's Andre' Woodson against Tennessee last week from playing LSU this week in that title game. But, alas, that's how this season's progressed. Georgia can point to six wins to close the season — isn't that the way things work? Whoever is playing best at the end of the year gets the benefit of the voters? — including impressive victories over Florida, Auburn and Kentucky.

No. 5 Kansas (11-1) — Here's what you say if you're a Jayhawks fan: "We played a Big 12 schedule, and we lost only one game. You think our non-conference schedule (Central Michigan, Southeast Louisiana, Toledo, Florida International) is weak? Well, compare it to Ohio State's (Youngstown State, Akron, Washington, Kent State). At least Central Michigan won its conference — the MAC — and is headed to a bowl. None of the Buckeyes' non-conference opponents are going bowling, and only one has a winning record, and that's Football Championship Subdivision YSU." I doubt anyone outside of Kansas believe the Jayhawks are better than the Buckeyes — or LSU, for that matter — but they have just one loss. OSU and Hawaii are the only other teams with less than two L's.

No. 6 Virginia Tech (11-2) — Hey, why not us? The Hokies entered Saturday No. 6 in the BCS, and they beat No. 11 Boston College. Shouldn't that mean anything? Shouldn't three wins over ranked opponents mean something? Plus, after the tragedy that happened last April, how appropriate would it be for the Hokies to play in the national title game, showing the nation what they're made of?

No. 7 LSU (11-2) — The Tigers have the best case to face the Buckeyes. Their two losses both occurred in triple overtime — about as close as you can come to winning ... without winning. Also, they finished the season with a win — not to mention, a win over a ranked team (No. 14 Tennessee). They played in the toughest conference and played six ranked teams, including drubbing Virginia Tech way back in September — when the college football season was still on its axis. Everyone has said since Stanford stunned USC in October that LSU is the best team in the country. So why not now?

No. 8 USC (10-2) — So what if the Trojans beat just two teams that currently have winning records? So what if they lost to 4-8 Stanford ... at home? These are the mighty Trojans, and they come in on roll, having won three straight games — two against ranked teams. Plus, in a season like this, isn't it appropriate that the team which began the season No. 1, end the season No. 1?

No. 9 Oklahoma (11-2) — The Sooners have the second strongest case. They won their conference championship game in dominant fashion, smoking No. 1 Missouri Saturday night — their second win over the Tigers. They also beat Texas when the Longhorns were No. 19. Their losses were a 27-24 meltdown at Colorado and a 34-27 defeat at Texas Tech minus — for most of thee game — their stud freshman quarterback, Sam Bradford. Above everything else, the Sooners were the most impressive team on the final Saturday of the season. Isn't that what's supposed to determine the national champion (see: Florida, last season)?

Stream of consciousness: Um, oh, I think I'm forgetting a team. That's right! The team playing right now. The lone undefeated team — as of this moment — in Division I. The Hawaii Rainbow. They're currently down at halftime to Washington, but if they can come back to finish 12-0, they're hard to ignore. They beat a good — and ranked — Boise State team. They defeated 8-4 Fresno State, which lost by just two points to the Big 12's Texas A&M, which beat Texas...

And so the debates go on late into the night. As for the coaches of the above teams, I'm sure they're preparing their speeches to make for their teams in the hours leading up to Sunday night's announcement. Last season, Florida's Urban Meyer showed off his political side after his Gators won the SEC title game. The voters listened, pushing Florida ahead of Michigan.

So with the presidential election still 11 months away, the candidates' parties may want to listen to the coaches' pitches in the hours to come. Some of them could be positive additions to a candidate's campaign.

No, folks, the BCS system is very flawed. Something needs to be done, that can't be denied. But that shouldn't have kept you from enjoying this college football season. From witnessing Appalachian State's stunner in the Big House first hand, to sprinting back and forth between the kitchen and the TV at the hotel I work at to witness Pittsburgh's stunner of West Virginia, this has been an unforgettable autumn of college football.

A wild 14-week playoff, if you will.

Michigan needs to toughen up

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:39:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Dear friends who haven't seen a second of Michigan basketball this season:

Let me update you on the state of affairs in Ann Arbor during John Beilein's first go-around as coach of the Wolverines.

After losing 77-64 to Boston College Wednesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, Michigan is 3-4. In its defense, Michigan's losses have been to ranked teams Georgetown and Butler, the ACC's Eagles and strong mid-major Western Kentucky.

But, I digress, they're losses, and at a place like Michigan, a loss is a loss.

Here's Michigan's biggest problem. It's not tough. It doesn't rebound well. And it's streaky.

OK, actually those are three problems. Again, I digress.

In Beilein's complicated offense — where four players are stationed on the perimeter — the Wolverines shoot loads of 3-pointers. When they're making them, like in the first half Wednesday, they're never out of a game regardless of what happens on the other end of the floor.

Michigan trailed just 34-33 at halftime after making 5-of-10 triples.

But when the Wolverines struggle from behind the arc, like they did in the second half (4-of-15), games against good opponents tend to get away from them. That was the case Wednesday, when the Eagles pulled away in the final eight minutes.

Another problem is rebounding. To begin with, Beilein's 1-3-1 zone is not privy to rebounding acuity, but that's no excuse for getting dominated 50-32 on the boards, as was the case Wednesday.

Boston College left Michigan in the dust in a mere 2-minute stretch. First, there was 6-foot-1 point guard Tyrese Rice stealing an offensive rebound and scoring for a 56-52 lead. Then Michigan's Manny Harris tried an ill-advised baseball pass, which was intercepted by the Eagles.

Seconds later, Biko Paris was fouled. He made the first and missed the second — which was snared by BC's Corey Raji.

Raji proceeded to put the ball back up and in and draw a foul. His free throw made it 60-52, just like that.

Three more baskets — one aided by another offensive rebound — and the Eagles were sitting comfortable, up 66-52.

Of course another thing you — and the people who decided to leave early after the Eagles' 12-0 burst — should know is that these Wolverines can never be counted out of a game. On Wednesday, the late 3-pointers didn't fall, and a made one was waved off because of an offensive foul.

But there were a plethora of open looks, and Michigan had many opportunities to get back into the game. And there are several Wolverines who can shoot the three (five made at least one).

So there you have it, friends. The current countenance of the 2007-08 Wolverines.

Are they a great team?

Definitely not.

Are they a good team?

Not yet.

Are they an exciting bunch to watch?

You betcha. Considering that Michigan, despite looking far from stout defensively (especially in allowing the multi-dimensional Rice to score 28 points, including five 3-pointers), blocked nine shots, there is potential to build on defensively.

Michigan just needs to learn how to close out on 3-point shooters (B.C. was 8-for-14 from downtown) and, yes, limit second-chance opportunities. Oh, and there were a few times when the Eagles shredded the 1-3-1 setup by passing over it for easy layups.

Yep, these Wolverines have a lot to work on. But as the television announcers pointed out, plenty is being worked on during each and every Michigan practice. These kids should be granted an additional major in "Beilein's System."

But until the hard labor starts translating into quality wins, it will remain difficult to judge the progress this team is making.

This loss wasn't Lloyd's fault

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:06:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

This one had to be the hardest to swallow — the absolute hardest — and not just because it was Ohio State.

Yes, losing to the hated Buckeyes six times in seven years is equivalent to hell freezing over in Ann Arbor, but the way the Wolverines lost on a dismal Saturday afternoon makes the sour taste in their mouth all the more acerbic.

There was no spread offense that lit up a slow Michigan defense for 400 yards passing. There was no running quarterback who eluded would-be tacklers all over the Big House's field turf, causing groans from the hundred thousand Maize and Blue faithful. There weren't even any silly miscues — Michigan didn't turn the ball over a single time.

Rather, the Buckeyes bullied the Wolverines from end zone to end zone, running over them on offense (hence Chris "Beanie" Wells' 222 rushing yards on 39 carries), and running to them — more specifically Michigan quarterback Chad Henne — on defense, sacking the senior leader four times and hurrying him several other times.

As a result, Henne was an anemic 11-for-34 passing for 68 useless yards. As a result, Michigan's most valuable player was punter Zoltan Mesko, who booted 12 punts for an average of 45.9 yards.

If this really was Lloyd Carr's last regular-season game as head coach, it's a shame. Here's why: The biggest reason people, including myself, have said it's time for Carr to step down is because he's behind in the innovation of college football. Despite having a bevy of talented players at the skill positions, Carr hasn't switched to the very popular — and successful — spread offense. Defensively, Carr and coordinator Ron English haven't figured out how to slow down the spread.

Those are the main reasons Carr needs to step aside after an accomplished 13 seasons.

But those weren't the reasons Michigan lost Saturday, which is demoralizing. Those who like excuses will point to the separated shoulder of Henne, who overthrew several passes that Randy Moss wouldn't have hauled in. They'll also point at onetime Heisman Trophy candidate Mike Hart, who — with a bum ankle — managed just 44 yards on 18 carries.

But despite the dropped passes by Mario Manningham and the freshman mistake by senior safety Jamar Adams, who ran himself out of the play on which Wells raced 62 yards to give Ohio State the 11-point lead, Michigan didn't lose on Saturday.

Ohio State won. The Buckeyes dominated the Wolverines in every phase — except punting — of the game. Especially, and most disheartening for Michigan, Ohio State was the stronger team. It dominated in the trenches, routinely opening holes for Wells while stuffing Hart and pressuring Henne.

No, Saturday's loss can't be pinned on Lloyd. His daddy, err, Jim Tressel, didn't pull any trickeration out of his bag to steal a victory in the Big House. Instead, he made sure Wells touched the ball whenever he wasn't winded, and he kept the heat on Henne all afternoon.

It wasn't rocket science, it wasn't even first-grade science. It was old-school football. Hit ya in ya mouth football. The kind of football that fueled the Wolverines to all those Big Ten and national titles. The kind of football that is no longer en vogue.

It really is too bad that Saturday's butt-whoopin' will probably be mostly remembered as Carr's final game inside Michigan Stadium instead of what it was: the players in red and white beating up the players in blue and gold.

As so many coaches like to preach, there's only so much they can do. Ultimately, players decide a game's outcome.

That rang oh, so true Saturday inside a damp Big House.

On a day when not even Bo could have saved the Wolverines.

Can the Celtics Win 70?

noreply@blogger.com (Neil Joshi) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:06:00 +0000

Neil Joshi, The Sports Lounge

Don’t think so? Maybe you should start considering it. The Celtics just completed a 91-69 beat down of the New Jersey Nets at home, defeating their division rival by double digits for the second time in this short season. In one short summer, Danny Ainge has turned his woeful team into the New England Patriots of the Eastern Conference. KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce have fit together like a puzzle; Garnett has established himself as the early favorite for MVP, with Pierce and Allen playing exactly like they did in their primes. No team in the Eastern Conference looks half as good as Doc Rivers’ bunch right now. The stats prove it; Boston’s 17.4 average differential per game is more than double the second place Pistons at 7.4. Judging by the relative ease Boston has handled its early stretch, and the lack of major contenders in the Eastern Conference, it becomes inevitable to ask: Are the Celtics good enough to win 70 games?

Many have tried, but only the 1995-96 Bulls with the immortal Michael Jordan were able to do it, going a remarkable 72-10 that year. Just last year Dallas was close, winning 67 games, but if you take into account their 0-4 start, you realize just how close they really were (67-11 to finish the season ain’t bad, people). Sitting at 7-0 two weeks into the season, the 2007-08 Boston Celtics have already set a great pace and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

Yes, it’s early, but the Celtics, specifically their Big Three have shown that winning is the only thing that matters, with their Big Three having absolutely no ill will about having to defer to another one of their talented teammates. All three have integrated their games superbly. Garnet is throwing dimes like he’s a point guard, averaging 5 assists, easing the load of first-year starter at the point, Rajon Rondo. He’s grabbing rebounds better than he ever has before too, leading the league with 14 a game. But, most of all, it was Garnett’s scoring numbers, – a problem that all three faced -- that would be the aspect of his game that suffered the most in this All-Star orientation. Early in the season, Garnett is scoring just fine, putting up 20 in five straight games until Friday’s blowout win of the Nets.

Paul Pierce has remained the team’s leading scorer; that’s just one more thing for him to happy about. The ten-year veteran was disgruntled with his franchise in the offseason, giving his heart and soul to a team that was going nowhere fast. Then, seemingly out of nowhere his much-maligned owner brought him to two All-Stars, and now Pierce is finally on a winner again. He’s playing tremendously as well, working in complete synergy with KG and Allen. His numbers haven’t been affected all that much either; he’s still putting up 23.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while having the time of his life. Not bad if you consider where he was six months ago.

Two 20-point scorers are great, but adding a third one to the mix just makes it unfair. Ray Allen is a scorer, and he’s doing that in bunches for the Celtics. Playing with the two most skilled players of his life, Allen is still averaging 20.6 points and remains one of the game’s most polished shooters. His jump shot needs to be replicated more often. He’s already hit 20 three-pointers and is shooting at a 44% clip from downtown. His scoring numbers are down from his days when he was a loser in Seattle, but Allen is handling his place in the third seat of this juggernaut like a gentleman.

You could argue that Wednesday’s win over New Jersey was Boston’s most important win of the season, simply because one of the wonderful play by the Celtics bench. It wasn’t hard to predict that Pierce, Allen, and KG would all average 20 points a game and dominate as a trio the way they have, but the production Rivers got from his bench last night may have been the most important development all season.

The Big Three combined for only 45 of the team’s 91 points, and was the first time that at least one of them didn’t score at least 20. The Celtics actually do have players left from their two face-lifting trades, and they came out in full force collectively for the first time all season. Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Tony Allen all scored double figures, and more importantly, finally made their presence felt against a quality team. If those guys can continue to play at that level, Jordan’s Bulls may be having some company atop the record books.

Tigers keeping busy is a good thing

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:10:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Who are these guys? The Yankees?

Seriously. Since when do the Detroit Tigers make two lineup-altering trades before turkey is served on Thanksgiving? Since when do the Tigers not fret about a $100-million payroll?

Since last fall, Alex. That would be the answer.

And as long as GM/president Dave Dombrowski continues to hold the reins, I don't sense any slowing down in the pursuit of perfection (isn't that some company's slogan?).

It's even difficult to keep up with the Tigers' transactions these days. Not only has Dombrowski dealt for shortstop Edgar Renteria and outfielder Jacque Jones since the conclusion of the World Series just over two weeks ago. He also re-signed closer Todd Jones to a $7 million, one-year contract on Tuesday, the first day of free agency.

Apparently Dombrowski's mother never preached, "Patience is a virtue."

But that's all right, because in this case the GM's quickness to act is a good thing. In a slim free agent market, and with trades never easy to complete, Dombrowski simply gets the job done.

Are the moves risks? Of course. Just about any off-season acquisition or re-signing comes with a set of "ifs." For instance, will Jones, 39, hold up health wise and be the closer he's been the past two years. Is the left-handed hitting Jones really an upgrade from Timo Perez, who hit a scorching .389 last season in 29 games? Will Renteria, 32, hold up any better in the middle of the infield then converted first baseman Carlos Guillen, also 32, did?

There are plenty of questions. And, for now, no answers. Those won't arrive until baseball is back in full swing.

Then we'll know, for sure, if Dombrowski made the right moves.

But just the fact that he acted to make the acquisitions — and now is trying to re-sign veteran pitcher Kenny Rogers — says something about what he's attempting to build heading toward the season.

"We’re trying to win now,” Dombrowski said in the Detroit Free Press. “This fits with what we’re trying to do.”

Yes, trying to win now. Not in two years, not in five years. Since that miracle 2006 season, Dombrowski n' Co. have adopted a few pages from the Yankees' philosophical guide — the "win now" chapter. Last fall Dombrowski traded away a few talented — but unproven — prospects for the proven thunder stick of Gary Sheffield. While injuries derailed the slugger's season, that didn't make the acquisition a poor one. A hurting Sheffield still did much more than any of the traded prospects, none of whom made it to the Bronx.

Now Dombrowski has shipped away another promising prospect in pitcher Jair Jurrjens, sent to Atlanta in the deal for Renteria. Jurrjens was stellar in a few starts for the Tigers last season.

But Dombrowski knew he would have to sacrifice a talent to procure Renteria, so he sucked it up and made the move — stabilizing Detroit's infield in the process. There will be more Jurrjens, he must think. The window of winning a World Series with older players such as Sheffield, AL batting champ Magglio Ordonez and Gold Glove second baseman Placido Polanco, on the other hand, is closing.

Which comes back to the "win now" doctrine. It is now officially a motto of the Tigers organization, which has to rub off positively on the players. Close to no one wants to play for a "rebuilding" team. Just about everyone wants to play on a team like the Tigers.

A team that will take risks to improve itself during the off-season. A team that has one goal each season — to win the World Series.

Must be talking Yankees, right?

Surprisingly enough, I'm not. I'm talking that team in Motown.

Yes, the same Tigers who lost 119 games in 2003.

Here Come the Free Agents -- National League

noreply@blogger.com (Kyle Vasatka) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:45:00 +0000

As the clock struck midnight on the east coast early Tuesday morning, Major League Baseball's "Hot Stove" was officially fired up. Let the rumors, misleadings, and false reports begin! Never are baseball fans toyed with more (except maybe during the trade deadline) than during the off-season signing period. The Power Alley is committed to covering MLB's off-season, so tune in here for the latest information and discussion about free agent signings.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ARIZONA (4) -- Jeff Cirillo, 3B; Tony Clark, 1B; Livan Hernandez, RHP; Bob Wickman, RHP.

ATLANTA (5) -- Octavio Dotel, RHP; Julio Franco, 1B; Andruw Jones, OF; Ron Mahay, LHP; Chris Woodward, SS.

CHICAGO (4) -- Cliff Floyd, OF; Jason Kendall, C; Steve Trachsel, RHP; Kerry Wood, RHP.

CINCINNATI (2) -- Eddie Guardado, LHP; Eric Milton, LHP.

COLORADO (10) -- Jeremy Affeldt, LHP; Elmer Dessens, RHP; Josh Fogg, RHP; LaTroy Hawkins, RHP; Matt Herges, RHP; Jorge Julio, RHP; Rodrigo Lopez, RHP; Kazuo Matsui, 2B; Mark Redman, LHP; Yorvit Torrealba, C.

FLORIDA (3) -- Armando Benitez, RHP; Aaron Boone, 3B; Byung-Hyun Kim, RHP.

HOUSTON (8) -- Brad Ausmus, C; Craig Biggio, 2B; Jason Jennings, RHP; Mike Lamb, 3B; Mark Loretta, SS; Trever Miller, LHP; Brian Moehler, RHP; Orlando Palmeiro, OF.

LOS ANGELES (7) -- Luis Gonzalez, OF; Mike Lieberthal, C; Ramon Martinez, 2B; Rudy Seanez, RHP; Mark Sweeney, 1B; David Wells, LHP; Randy Wolf, LHP.

MILWAUKEE (7) -- Francisco Cordero, RHP; Tony Graffanino, INF; Geoff Jenkins, OF; Ray King, LHP; Corey Koskie, 3B; Scott Linebrink, RHP; Damian Miller, C.

NEW YORK (11) -- Sandy Alomar, C; Luis Castillo, 2B; Ramon Castro, C; Jeff Conine, 1B; Mike DiFelice, C; Damion Easley, 2B; Tom Glavine, LHP; Shawn Green, OF; Paul Lo Duca, C; Aaron Sele, RHP; Jose Valentin, 2B.

PHILADELPHIA (8) -- Antonio Alfonseca, RHP; Rod Barajas, C; Freddy Garcia, RHP; Jon Lieber, RHP; Kyle Lohse, RHP; Jose Mesa, RHP; Abraham Nunez, 3B; Aaron Rowand, OF.

PITTSBURGH (3) -- Tony Armas, RHP; Shawn Chacon, RHP; x-Cesar Izturis, SS.

ST. LOUIS (8) -- Gary Bennett, C; Russell Branyan, 3B; Miguel Cairo, INF; David Eckstein, SS; Troy Percival, RHP; Kip Wells, RHP; Kelly Stinnett, C; Preston Wilson, OF.

SAN DIEGO (7) -- Michael Barrett, C; Geoff Blum, 2B; Milton Bradley, OF; Doug Brocail, RHP; Mike Cameron, OF; Rob Mackowiak, OF; Brett Tomko, RHP.

SAN FRANCISCO (5) -- Barry Bonds, OF; Pedro Feliz, 3B; Ryan Klesko, 1B; Mike Matheny, C; Russ Ortiz, RHP.

WASHINGTON (1) -- Robert Fick, 1B.

* x = pending club option *

Here Come the Free Agents -- American League

noreply@blogger.com (Kyle Vasatka) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:31:00 +0000

As the clock struck midnight on the east coast early Tuesday morning, Major League Baseball's "Hot Stove" was officially fired up. Let the rumors, misleadings, and false reports begin! Never are baseball fans toyed with more (except maybe during the trade deadline) than during the off-season signing period. The Power Alley is committed to covering MLB's off-season, so tune in here for the latest information and discussion about free agent signings. First, let's take a look at the American League's share of the 148 players who have filed for free agency.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

BALTIMORE (3) -- Paul Bako, C; Kris Benson, RHP; Corey Patterson, OF.

BOSTON (8) -- Royce Clayton, SS; Matt Clement, RHP; Eric Gagne, RHP; Eric Hinske, 1B/OF; Bobby Kielty, OF; Mike Lowell, 3B; Doug Mirabelli, C; Mike Timlin, RHP.

CHICAGO (2) -- Darin Erstad, OF; Mike Myers, LHP.

CLEVELAND (4) -- Keith Foulke, RHP; Chris Gomez, INF; Kenny Lofton, OF; Trot Nixon, OF.

DETROIT (3) -- Sean Casey, 1B; Neifi Perez, SS; Kenny Rogers, LHP.

KANSAS CITY (6) -- Jason LaRue, C; Odalis Perez, LHP; David Riske, RHP; Reggie Sanders, OF; Mike Sweeney, DH; John Thomson, RHP.

LOS ANGELES (1) -- Bartolo Colon, RHP.

MINNESOTA (3) -- Torii Hunter, OF; Carlos Silva, RHP; Rondell White, OF.

NEW YORK (9) -- Roger Clemens, RHP; Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B; Jose Molina, C; Andy Pettitte, LHP; Jorge Posada, C; Alex Rodriguez 3B; Mariano Rivera, RHP; Ron Villone, LHP; Luis Vizcaino, RHP.

OAKLAND (3) -- Jeffrey DaVanon, OF; Mike Piazza, C; Shannon Stewart, OF.

SEATTLE (4) -- Jose Guillen, OF; Chris Reitsma, RHP; Arthur Rhodes, LHP; Jeff Weaver, RHP.

TAMPA BAY (3) -- x-Greg Norton, DH; Josh Paul, C; x-Al Reyes, RHP.

TEXAS (4) -- Jerry Hairston, 2B/OF; Sammy Sosa, OF; Brad Wilkerson, OF; Jamey Wright, RHP.

TORONTO (2) -- Sal Fasano, C; Joe Kennedy, LHP.

* x = pending club option *

The Beilein effect: Michigan off and shooting

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:09:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

They've played just two games, yet the changes are very evident.

A change in body language. A change in attitude. And, most importantly, a change in their style of play.

The Michigan men's basketball team is — drum roll — fun to watch.

Unlike the past six seasons under Tommy Amaker, when the Wolverines' offense was often stagnant, the 2007-08 Wolverines are never stuck in the mud. They're always moving, always creating open shots for each other.

I'm not joking when I say Michigan made nine 3-pointers in its 72-57 win over Brown — in the first half.

Since the Wolverines lack depth up front and and are far from a big team, they pressure teams defensively with a halfcourt trap that did a good job of preventing Brown from settling into its offense. The defense keeps everyone on their toes, always moving and communicating.

That's what you want in a zone defense.

More important than whether you or I enjoy watching this team, it's transparent that the players have bought into coach John Beilein's system and enjoy playing within it.

Freshmen backcourt starters Manny Harris and Kelvin Grady thrive in it, creating open 3-pointers for each other and transformed forward DeShawn Sims, who didn't make a 3 last season but knocked down 3-of-5 Sunday en route to 17 points. (And he wasn't banking them in, either. His shooting stroke is as sweet as a shooting guard's).

Not to be forgotten is redshirt sophomore Anthony Wright, who came off the bench to make three triples and score 10 points. And with senior Ron Coleman also swishing a 3 Sunday, that's five Wolverines who made at least one 3-pointer.

That's what commentators call "a diversity of weapons."

Michigan was far from perfect against the undersized Bears, don't get me wrong. Far too often in the first half the Wolverines picked up their dribble and were trapped in the frontcourt. And then there were the two fastbreaks when Harris and redshirt sophomore K'Len Morris threw away easy passes. And the time Harris got caught in the air on the break and threw the ball ... to a Bear.

But those are minuscule miscues for players with no college experience prior to last Friday. There's not too much Beilein and his staff can complain about after two games, two wins.

What they can smile about is the versatility of Harris, who led Michigan with 22 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Harris is the type of slashing guard that the Wolverines dearly missed last season. He has the quickness to get to the basket, but he also can knock down the 3, as he showed by making 3-of-4 from long range.

Harris has already established himself as Michigan's best and most important player. When he's on top of his game, Michigan won't be blown out of games.

Grady might be the point guard this program's been searching for. He's unselfish, quick and he takes good care of the ball. On Sunday, he committed a modest two turnovers. Also, Grady is far from an offensive liability. He proved that he can't be left open by making two first-half 3-pointers against the Bears.

Returning point guard Jerret Smith's absence from the first two games — due to a one-game suspension and an ankle injury — has been a blessing in disguise for Michigan because it has given not only Grady, but redshirt senior C.J. Lee the opportunity to show Beilein how they can run the team.

Lee did so efficiently Sunday, dishing out three assists and not turning the ball over in 18 minutes.

During Amaker's six years in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines took themselves out of games — particularly road games — with loads of turnovers. Michigan is playing much more mistake-free under Beilein, giving up the ball 22 times total so far despite being sans experience in the backcourt.

Now the real tests begin. People will say, "We'll really find out about this Michigan team in the next two games" — at Georgetown, vs. Butler in Alaska — and they're right. We'll find out how the Wolverines handle a dominant big man against the Hoyas' All-America candidate, 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert. We'll see how they guard an experienced backcourt full of deadly shooters against Butler.

But these first two games weren't just wins over inferior opponents — as was often the case during the beginnings of seasons while Amaaker was in charge.

The initial pair of wins of the John Beilein Era showed that these Wolverines love playing for their coach. That they love shooting 3-pointers (which they happen to be pretty good at). And that they're only going to get better.

And that's all Beilein can ask for.

That his team improves from game to game, continuing to distance itself from the not-so-pretty images of the program's last decade.

Mavericks-Warriors always a good watch

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:37:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

If I were NBA commissioner for one day...

I'd strictly enforce traveling...

And make sure the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors play each other at least eight times — all on national TV — during the regular season.

Yes, their games are that good, that dramatic. Even in November.

I didn't think Thursday night's battle in Oakland could live up to the six-game series that took place last spring, when the eighth-seeded Warriors stunned the team with the regular season's best record in six games.

And it didn't. But only because the game lacked in meaning. Dallas entered the contest 3-1. Golden State was a pitiful 0-4. But that didn't keep the teams from fighting each other as if it were May. This one was a TNT producer's dream.

High-flying dunks (thank you, Matt Barnes). Plenty of 3-pointers (thank you, Jason Terry ... and everyone else). Up-and-down action. Zillions of lead changes.

Dallas' 120-115 victory featured a little bit of everything. And it was just a November win. But also it cemented Dallas-Golden State as the NBA's new premier rivalry. No, it will never live up to the Lakers-Celtics and Pistons-Bulls rivalries of the 1980s, but with today's NBA struggling to reel in new fans, this budding rivalry is the bait.

Critics of the NBA who say players don't give their all during the regular season had no case Thursday night. Golden State's new Jason Richardson, a.k.a. Kelenna Azubuike, was all over the court, flying high for several crowd-pleasing dunks. Dallas point guard Devin Harris forgot about the ankle injury that kept him out of Dallas' previous game, relentlessly attacking Golden State's ill-matched defenders, creating open look after open look for Terry (who was on fire, connecting on 10 of 17 shots for 24 points) and the Mavericks' other outside shooters.

While the '80s had Bird and Magic, and Isiah and MJ, going head-to-head, the stars of this very young rivalry aren't so pronounced. Dallas has 2007 MVP Dirk Nowitzki, but he is willing to share the prime-time shots with players like Terry and Jerry Stackhouse, who hit the huge 3-pointer in the final minute that turned out to be the difference. Golden State is led by its fearless point guard Baron Davis, who — when he wants to — can get to the basket at will.

But Golden State is far from a one-man show. The Warriors are at their best when Davis is dishing to outside shooters such as Al Harrington, who knocked down four 3-pointers Thursday, and Barnes.

Golden State-Dallas is the epitome of a team rivalry in a league that's dominated by individuals. That's one of the reasons it's become, in the course of seven months, the best matchup the NBA can promote.

Unlike in most NBA games, stagnation is missing from Dallas-Golden State affairs. The pace is fast-paced, and even when the game slows down in the half court, the teams display an unselfishness and great ball movement that smells of college basketball. The players are so caught up in the rivalry, they forget about their individual statistics, their individual goals. All that matters is beating those guys in the other uniforms.

At the end of the night, the Mavericks were 4-1 and the Warriors were 0-5. The Mavericks are off to a great start and are all but certain going to finish among the top three teams in the mighty Western Conference. The Warriors can't wait until their voluble captain Stephen Jackson returns from his seven-game suspension after two more games. Then they'll attempt to turn this ship around and sneak in the playoffs.

But well before then these guys will meet again. On Jan. 2, to be exact. And the intensity that was palpable — just from watching on high definition — Thursday night will be evident once again, as the Mavericks attempt to prove that Thursday's result was no fluke while the Warriors look to show once again that Dallas has no answer for them.

It will be a back-and-forth engagement, that's for sure. Not decided until late in the fourth quarter. With Dallas' Avery Johnson and Golden State's Don Nelson pulling every punch they've got until the final horn.

Sound like a rivalry? It should.

Because that's exactly what it is.

Even if Dirk ain't Bird and Davis ain't Magic.

Boston Red Sox Top 5 Prospects

noreply@blogger.com (stephen a) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:20:00 +0000

The champs check in with not only another World Series ring, but also one of the best systems in baseball.

1. Clay Buchholz, RHP

Buchholz has already logged some big league innings- and thrown a no hitter. Buchholz can get his fastball anywhere up to 96, but more often sits around 91-92 mph. His curveball has been described by some scouts as among the best in the game. Drafted by the Sox in the first round out of Angelina College, Buchholz and Josh Beckett could be forming one of the most formidable 1-2 punches in baseball soon.

2. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF

One of the most exciting players, Ellsbury is an extremely athletic centerfielder out of Oregon State. This season, Ellsbury had a 1.162 OPS at AA and a .739 OPS in AAA. The emergence of Ellsbury could end up pushing Coco Crisp out of Beantown.

3. Jed Lowrie, SS

Another Sox first rounder, Lowrie is a shortstop with good on base skills, but not much power yet. A switch hitter, Lowrie hits most of his balls to the right side, and a lot of them in the air. If he can develop more power he could turn into a premier shortstop.

4. Justin Masterson, RHP

Just 22, Masterson struck out over 100 batters over the course of the 2007 Minor League season, in which he split time at High A and AA. Masterson profiles as a high #2 starter, and could perhaps end up being in the rotation within a couple of years.

5. Michael Bowden, RHP

Another first round pick, Bowden throws around 95 and has three secondary pitches that profile as being potentially above average. Perhaps a bit overmatched at AA this year, Bowden posted a 4.28 ERA and his K/BB ratio was the lowest it's been since his first professional season.

NCAA men's basketball preview: predicting the 65

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:17:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

I've spent the past several days pondering how I want to handle my college hoops preview.

Should I predict all of the major conferences? Should I predict the All-Americans? What about the top freshmen? Coaches most likely to be fired?

But then it came to me: What, ultimately, is Division I college basketball about? What does it boil down to? When do the casual fans ditch their dinner dates to sit in front of the TV?

You guessed it — on Selection Sunday. No matter what happens during November, December, January, February and early March, if a team is selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament, all is good. It (and its fans) has a new life. Anything can happen. It controls its destiny.

Which is why, without further ado, I am embarking on the unenviable task of predicting each of the 65 teams which will play in the Big Dance. Let's get it started.

31 AUTOMATIC BIDS

Big East Conference
— Georgetown: Big man Roy Hibbert will have an All-American year, making his decision to return well worth it.

Atlantic 10 Conference
— Xavier: The Musketeers, led by diminutive guard Drew Lavender, could be even better than last year, when they were a last-second 3-pointer away from beating Ohio State and advancing to the Sweet 16.

Metro Atlantic
— Loyola (Md.): The MAAC's leading returning scorer, Gerald Brown, averaged 22 points last season.

Ivy League
— Cornell: Pennsylvania and Princeton have won or shared the title every season since 1962. Expect a big shift in power this season.

America East
— Albany: The Great Danes will repeat despite the loss of conference player of the year Jamar Wilson. Vermont, as always, will be their top challenger.

Patriot League
— Holy Cross: This is becoming a two-team league, with Holy Cross and Bucknell meeting in the conference tournament title game the past three seasons. Expect it to happen again.

Northeast Conference
— Robert Morris: No team has made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament from this conference. Expect the same this season as the Colonials unseat Central Connecticut State.

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
— North Carolina: Duke might challenge the Tar Heels, but there is simply too much talent and depth, and Tyler Hansbrough is the most determined player in the country.

MEAC
— Hampton: Rashad West, who led the league in scoring with 17.8 points per game, will help the Pirates back to the Big Dance.

CAA
— Virginia Commonwealth: Eric Maynor, who hit the game-winning shot against Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, is back for another run at it.

Big South
— High Point: Led by Arizona "AZ" Reid, who led the league in scoring with 21 ppg, the Panthers are ready to take over the top spot in the conference from Winthrop, which lost coach Gregg Marshall.

Southern Conference
— Davidson: No doubt about this. Led by Stephon Curry, the son of former NBA sweet shooter Dell Curry, the Wildcats should spend some time in the Top 25.

Southeastern (SEC)
— Tennessee: With Florida down and Kentucky rebuilding under Billy Gillispie, this is the Volunteers' season. Scoring point guard and All-America candidate Chris Lofton will lead the charge.

Ohio Valley Conference
— Austin Peay: Buoyed by the return of all their key players, the Governors will try to get the OVC its first Big Dance win since 1989.

Sun Belt
— Western Kentucky: The league should be strong thanks to the return of 80 percent of its top players, but the Hilltoppers will be the best of the 13 teams.

Atlantic Sun
— Belmont: Expect the Bruins to make their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Big Ten
— Indiana: A week ago, I would have picked Michigan State, but after watching freshman Eric Gordon play in an exhibition game, I'm convinced he'll be special. And alongside D.J. White, he'll make the Hoosiers the league's best team.

Horizon League
— Butler: Sure, the Bulldogs lost their coach Todd Lickliter (to Iowa), but Brad Stevens inherits four of the Sweet 16 team's top five scorers.

Summit League
— Oakland: The league, formerly known as the Mid-Continent Conference, has a new name, and it will feature a different team in the NCAA Tournament, as the Golden Grizzlies take Oral Roberts' spot.

Mid-American (MAC)
— Ohio: This might be the toughest league to predict, but I'm going with the loaded Bobcats, who will be led by forward Leon Williams, who averaged 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds last season.

Conference USA
— Memphis: The biggest no-brainer. The Tigers could be the No. 1 team in the country, and if their first two games are any indication, freshman guard Derrick Rose is as good as advertised.

Big 12
— Kansas: Frank Martin's young Wildcats will give the Jayhawks a scare, but ultimately experience will prove vital as Brandon Rush and a trio of steady guards lead Kansas.

Missouri Valley
— Southern Illinois: You know the Salukis will always play strong defense, and forward Randal Falker is a beast down low.

Southland Conference
— Texas-Arlington: With every key player back, expect the Mavericks, who were just 13-17 last season, to make a surprise Big Dance showing.

SWAC
— Grambling: The Tigers, who haven't won a share of the league title since 1989, return seven of their top eight scorers.

Big Sky
— Montana: Jordan Hasquet, who is the lone all-conference returning player, will take the Grizzlies to the tournament.

WAC
— New Mexico State: No Reggie Theus, no problem for the Aggies, who return loads of talent.

Mountain West
— BYU: All-conference Trent Plaisted will lead the Cougars in a down year for the conference, which lost several of its marquee players.

Pac 10
— UCLA: This conference is absolutely loaded, but there's no doubt who the top team should be. Keep an eye on freshman giant Kevin Love. He could be special.

Big West
— UC-Santa Barbara: Alex Harris, who averaged 21.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season, will lead the Gauchos, who will take advantage of the recruiting violations that have negatively transformed the Long Beach State program.

West Coast
— Gonzaga: Another easy pick. The 'Zags were able to make the tournament without suspended star Josh Heytvelt a year ago. Now a remorseful Heytvelt is back, along with several other key parts of that team.

34 AT-LARGE BIDS (BY CONFERENCE): WITH BETTER SEEDS LISTED HIGHER.

ACC (5)
— Duke
— N.C. State
— Clemson
— Virginia
— Georgia Tech

Atlantic 10 (1)
— St. Josephs

Big 10 (4)
— Michigan State
— Ohio State
— Wisconsin
— Minnesota

Big 12 (4)
— Kansas State
— Texas A&M
— Texas
— Oklahoma

Big East (6)
— Louisville
— Marquette
— Pittsburgh
— Syracuse
— Connecticut
— Providence

CAA (1)
— George Mason

Conference USA (1)
— UAB

Missouri Valley (1)
— Bradley

Moutain West (1)
— Utah

Pac 10 (5)
— Washington State
— USC
— Oregon
— Stanford
— Arizona

SEC (5)
— Florida
— Kentucky
— Arkansas
— Mississippi State
— Georgia

JUST OUT: Washington (Pac 10), Fresno State (WAC), Villanova (Big East), Alabama (SEC), Mississippi State (SEC), Illinois (Big 10), St. Mary's (West Coast), Maryland (ACC), Missouri (Big 12).

Whew! That's it, folks. Please respond with feedback on the selections/omissions you disagree with. I'm sure that come March I'll feel like an idiot.

Which is why, for now, I'll abstain from predicting the Final Four or the national champion. I'll make those picks once the field is set. Once I know for sure who's dancing and who's not.

As always, enjoy the madness.

NFL mid-season report

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Lloyd) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:43:00 +0000

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Now that Super Bowl XLI1/2 is in the books and every NFL team — except Baltimore and Pittsburgh, who play tonight — has played at least eight games, it's time to assess the first two months of this 2007 season. It's time to place teams in categories — some good, some bad — and determine which teams still have a chance at Super Bowl XLII.

It's time to break things down like Ron Jaworski, to analyze things like John Madden. Ain't no joking in this column. Just well-thought-out answers.

The Top Tier
These two teams are miles above the rest of the NFL. There's a 90 percent chance they'll meet again in the AFC Championship Game.

1. New England (9-0) — The Patriots showed Sunday why they're the best team in the league, and one of the greatest regular season teams of all time. Tom Brady is the coolest customer in the candy shop, Randy Moss is the scariest receiver in the league, and when the offense struggles once in a blue moon, the defense picks it up.

2. Indianapolis (7-1) — The Colts are not far behind their rivals. Consider the fact that despite the absence of their No. 1 receiver, Marvin Harrison, their left tackle, Tony Ugoh, and their two starting outside linebackers, the Colts led 20-10 with under 10 minutes remaining. They came that close. Their defense is better than ever, as was the case for three quarters Sunday, and Joseph Addai has morphed into one of the league's top five running backs.

Second Tier Playoff Locks
These teams, barring a mega collapse, will be playing the first weekend in January.

1. Dallas (7-1) — How comfortable does Tony Romo look? Seriously. With a new contract and a happy T.O. running crisp routes, Romo couldn't be more relaxed if he were seated in a La-Z-Boy with a margarita in hand. The Cowboys offense isn't that far behind the Colts' and Patriots', but their defense still needs to toughen up and not give up so many big plays.

2. Green Bay (7-1) — Who would have thought? The Packers? Seven wins, one loss? Without even a pinch of a running game? This, folks, is why Green Bay fans should never let Brett Favre retire. It isn't every day that a player with Favre's competitiveness and will to win comes along. Favre is completing 66.3 percent of his passes and, more importantly, making the plays when his team needs them (such as on the first play of overtime last Monday against Denver). The Packers defense also is much stronger than people give it credit for.

3. Pittsburgh (5-2 ... play Baltimore tonight) — I expect the Steelers to take care of division foe Baltimore at home tonight, but even if they don't, I'm not moving them from this spot. Their defense is back to being steely, and Willie Parker has proven that last season wasn't a fluke. Add in Ben Roethlisberger playing his best football and new coach Mike Tomlin finding new ways to motivate a recent Super Bowl winner, and this team will make the playoffs ... only to eventually fall to Indy or New England.

Don't Pencil Them In ... Yet
These teams are in good position to make the playoffs, but there's still plenty of work to do.

1. Tennessee (6-2) — Could this team win any uglier? Vince Young personifies this rag-tag bunch perfectly, because he hasn't played very well, but he makes the plays when necessary. And the Titans find themselves just a game back of the Colts. But let's not kid ourselves. When the teams meet in the final week in Indy, the Colts will have the division locked up. But the Titans should have a playoff birth by then as well.

2. N.Y. Giants (6-2) — Another big surprise, the Giants have won six in a row and can tie the Cowboys for the division lead with a home win on Sunday. Maybe the most appealing thing about this team's run is we haven't heard any reports of players or coaches badmouthing each other. Instead, there have been reports of coach Tom Coughlin lightening up. Yeah, I know, it sounds surreal. But with a balanced offensive attack and an always-improving defense, there is reason to smile.

3. Detroit (6-2) — Here's the feel-good story of the first half. The worst franchise in all of professional sports the past five years has turned it all around in half a season. Absolutely stunning. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think the Lions will make the playoffs. If Jon Kitna stays healthy. If Kevin Jones stays healthy. If the defense continues to play over its head (it scored two touchdowns Sunday against Denver!). Still can't believe it.

Bubble Teams ...
So far I've listed eight teams. And I believe all eight will make the playoffs. That leaves four open spots. The following bevy of teams will fight for those spots (two in each conference). I've ranked them in terms of their chances of making the playoffs.

1. Seattle (4-4) — I know this is sad. I really don't like these Seahawks very much. But consider the other teams in their division: Arizona (3-5, can't win on the road); San Francisco (2-6, six-game losing streak); St. Louis (0-8, no comment). It would take a major collapse for Seattle to not win the division. Mike Holmgren will save his job by getting back to the postseason.

2. San Diego (4-4) — Again, the Chargers should be thankful for the division they're in. Kansas City has overachieved to be 4-4. The Broncos (3-5) have been plagued by injuries and are lucky to have three wins. The Raiders (2-6) are the Raiders. There is simply too much talent and will (I think) on this team to miss out on the playoffs.

3. New Orleans (4-4) — The Saints are on a roll, having won four consecutive games after that shocking 0-4 start. And only one of their remaining opponents (5-4 Tampa Bay, which leads them by a half game in the NFC South) has a winning record. They should take over the division from the overachieving Bucs sooner rather than later.

4. Cleveland (5-3) — The surprise team of the AFC, the Browns have a favorable schedule to sneak in as a wild card. While their next two games — at Pittsburgh and at Baltimore — will test them, their final six games are against teams with losing records. With their balanced offensive attack, the Browns are in good position to make the playoffs.

5. Tampa Bay (5-4) — The fact that Jeff Garcia led the Eagles to the playoffs last year bodes well for these Bucs, who will likely need to win the division to get a playoff spot. With the exception of the game at New Orleans, the Bucs have an easy final seven games, with the only other winning team on their schedule the 5-3 Redskins.

6. Jacksonville (5-3) — The good news: Starting QB David Garrard is expected back in the lineup for Sunday's huge game at Tennessee. The bad news: The Jags' offense hasn't been the problem. Rather, the usually steady defense has allowed 29, 23 and 41 points the last three games. With San Diego, Indy and Pittsburgh left on the schedule, the defense better get its act together quickly.

7. Washington (5-3) — Consider how close this team is to being 2-6: two overtime victories (16-13 over Miami in Week 1 and 23-20 over the Jets on Sunday after trailing 17-3) and a 21-19 win over Arizona, which just missed a field goal at the end. But now, despite a difficult remaining schedule, they have a shot at the playoffs, and Clinton Portis' 196-yard effort Sunday had to be a huge relaxer for young QB Jason Campbell.

7. Baltimore (4-3 ... play at Pittsburgh tonight) — Obviously the Ravens' fortunes would improve dramatically with a win at Pittsburgh tonight, which would put them in a three-way tie for first with the Steelers and Browns, but I don't see that happening. And consider the remaining schedule. Home games against New England AND Indy AND Pittsburgh. This team will need to become twice as good in the second half if it wants to play in January.

8. Kansas City (4-4) — Finally, Larry Johnson is starting to earn his large contract. And veteran QB Damon Huard has been a pleasant surprise. Additionally, the Chiefs have the Chargers at home on Dec. 2, and a win in that game would give them the tiebreaker over San Diego. But I don't think they'll be able to keep overachieving, and a game at Indy in two weeks is a sure loss.

9. Arizona (3-5) — Five homes games — not to mention games against 0-8 St. Louis and 2-6 Atlanta, San Francisco and Cincinnati — give the Cardinals hope that they can catch the 4-4 Seahawks in the dismal NFC West. The fact that they beat Seattle in their first meeting means that an improbable win on the road in Seattle on Dec. 9 would give them the tiebreaker.

10. Buffalo (4-4) — With three consecutive wins, all of a sudden the Bills can't be counted out of the playoffs ... yet. J.P. Losman is back and healthy, and Lee Evans is the best receiver in the league no one talks about. But still the playoffs are a long shot. While two games against Miami will help, five road games — including three against winning teams — and home tilts with the Pats and Giants will dethrone these pesky Bills.

A Miracle Away
These teams can't be dismissed, but their fans are planning vacations for the first weekend in January.

1. Chicago (3-5) — I can't dismiss my preseason pick to play in the Super Bowl. If that defense can play up to its potential...

2. Minnesota (3-5) — Anytime you have the best new running back in the league, Adrian Peterson, who already broke the NFL record for rushing yards in a game (296), anything is possible — even with Brooks Bollinger at QB.

3. Carolina (4-4) — The good news is the Panthers are just a half game behind the 5-4 Bucs and they play Atlanta at home next weekend. The bad news is David Carr has proven he can't lead an NFL team, Steve Smith isn't unhappy (and neither is anyone else).

4. Denver (3-5) — Somehow, some way, the Broncos are just a game back in the morbid AFC West. But losses in five of their last six games and the fact that each of their wins has come on a last-second field goal by Jason Elam tells a different story. This team, which was embarrassed 44-7 by Detroit Sunday, could easily by 0-8.

5. Philly (3-5) — There are many players on this team who were on last year's squad, which won its final five games to sneak into the playoffs. But with games at New England, Dallas and New Orleans remaining, these Eagles need divine intervention.

6. Houston (4-5) — The Texans finally stopped the bleeding with a 24-17 win at Oakland Sunday, but the wound will likely reopen soon. Games at Cleveland, Tennessee and Indy will doom the Texans.

Stick A Fork In 'Em
These teams have no shot at making the playoffs and should start thinking about the '08 Draft (only five and a half months away).

1. Cincinnati (2-6) — As if things could get worse, Chad Johnson sustained a neck injury Sunday and had to be carted off the field. Even if Johnson returns, the Bengals have used up all their losses. Until they seriously address their defensive holes, they're not a team to take seriously.

2. Oakland (2-6) — The positive is they've been competitive, with their last three losses coming by a combined 13 points. But that means nothing in this league. All Raiders fans can look forward to is another top 10 pick in next year's NFL Draft.

3. San Francisco (2-6) — 49ers fans can't even remember the opening two wins after six demoralizng losses, four by 18 points or more. With Frank Gore And Alex Smith either hurt or not performing up to expectations, there really are no positives here.

4. Atlanta (2-6) — No surprise here after the Michael Vick saga derailed this franchise. Hey, at least the Falcons have a one-game winning streak.

5. N.Y. Jets (1-8) — After making the playoffs a year ago, I didn't imagine the Jets would be this bad. Inconsistency on both sides of the ball has plagued them. When they score a lot of points, they give up a lot of points. When their defense plays well, their offense enters hibernation. And the losses pile up.

The 0-fers
Two teams have yet to win a game. Can either go the entire season without a victory? Here's my take.

1. St. Louis (0-8) — The Rams will win a game — probably their home game against Atlanta on Dec. 2, or maybe even a road game at the 49ers in two weeks.

2. Miami (0-8) — While I give the Dolphins a better chance than the Rams of going 0-16, I tend to think they'll break up the streak as well. Home games against the Jets, Bengals and Bills (this next weekend coming off their bye week) give them ample opportunities to get in the win column.

The Bigger Question: Can New England go 16-0?
I'm not going to predict the playoffs until I see how matchups shake out, but I think the Patriots have a great chance to finish the regular season 16-0. The tough games remaining are at Baltimore, home against Pittsburgh and at the N.Y. Giants to close out the season.

One big factor is that if the Colts keep winning, the Pats will need to continue winning to secure home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. But even if the Colts lose, I don't see New England letting up on the gas pedal. Bill Belichick is taking out his anger about the "Spygate" incident on the NFL by running up the score on every opponent the Patriots overwhelm. Expect him to play his top guns just enough the final week of the season — even if there's nothing to play for — in order to beat the Giants.

Yes, the Patriots will finish 16-0.