87sportsfans Blog

Super Bowl Thought: Eli Is Most Definitely Elite

2012-02-07T03:23:58Z

Aw, look at Gisele standing up for the Golden Boy. Isn't it cute when the spoiled get backed into a corner?

Even throughout this schoolgirl tantrum, her accent makes it totally erotic, no?

OK, maybe it's just me.

You know what else is apparently just me? Recognizing Chase Blackburn's interception as the biggest play of that game.

I know, Eli had that beauty of a throw to Manningham. The pinpoint precision of that throw, under those circumstances, makes it hard to argue with anyone who touts that play.

However if Blackburn doesn't make that play, chances are Eli's throw not only doesn't happen, it wouldn't matter. Sure, if Gronkowski had come down with that ball instead it wouldn't have been a touchdown. If Brady completes that pass after running for his life from the Giants D-line- it would have deflated a team that had already squandered multiple opportunities to put the Patriots away early.

And ooh, lo and behold, look who comes up with the plays when needed: Eli Manning. And still there is a barrage of people who refuse to give him his due.

You have to feel for the guy. He comes into his league in the shadow of his big brother. Big brother wins a Super Bowl first. The following year, he faces an undefeated squad in the Super Bowl and comes out victorious.

Nah, that was just luck.

Then the disastrous 2010 season happens where Eli throws more to the players in other teams' jerseys than his own.

And finally 2011 where the Giants flounder in the middle of the season for a variety of reasons. A four game losing streak to San Francisco, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and then undefeated Green Bay.

How dare he?

A must win against Dallas, a disappointing loss against Washington, and then completing the season by beating the Jets and Dallas again to secure a division championship- albeit with a 9-7 record.

In the playoffs, he helps put up 24 points against the Falcons, goes for 330 yards and 3 TDs in Green Bay, puts up another 316 and 2 TDs- and more importantly no interceptions- on the road against San Francisco, and finally completes 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards and an incredibly impressive touchdown pass to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Again. In Big Brother's hometown, amid 2 weeks of swirling news reports about said brother's future that diminished any and all stories that were actually about the game.

But it was the defense that got hot. Right?

I'm sorry folks, but there is no denying that Eli Manning- while far from perfect- is not an elite quarterback. Simply because he plays on a team whose defense is as good or better than its quarterback does not- and should not- take away from the younger Manning's performance on the field.

He deserves to be grouped with his older brother, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Brady. His ability and history have created a resume that no one should question. Anyone who does is caught up strictly in statistics. Those people will never be pleased because there will always be something that could be labeled a deficiency.

Dan Marino? Couldn't win the big game, right?

John Elway? Only completed 60% of his passes three times.

Does Drew Bledsoe being 8th all-time in passing yards merit him discussion as one of the all-time greats?

My point is that you can nitpick all the numbers and spin them any way you want. Benjamin Disraeli once said: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics". Eli Manning is in the upper echelon of quarterbacks. Superb, exclusive, top-notch.

And most definitely elite.

Super Bowl Sunday Post

2012-02-05T17:48:31Z

Well it's here. The one day we all look forward to: the day we get to watch the best commercials of the year.

Rumor has it, there's also a pretty compelling football game to be played to. If you follow this blog you know that these posts very rarely get deep into x's and o's. While I understand them and can formulate my own opinions, there are about 206 million blogs out there trying to outdo the rest with their "in-depth" analysis. If you're looking for that, great twitter follows are @Dumonjic_Alen and @SC_DougFarrar.

Here, we aim to entertain as we talk about our sports indulgences. So without further adieu...

Tiquan Underwood has class. The Patriots do not. That's it in a nutshell.

I think it's funny how on Edge NFL Matchup, when Jon Gruden was talking about Tom Brady's performance during the regular season meeting between these two teams, he attempted to explain Brady's lackluster performance as "...everyone's human. Everyone's going to have a bad day..."

Well obviously that is true. But what if it was Eli who lost that game. Would he have been given the same reasoning?

There are certain individuals whose narrative seem to be more important than the facts. Tony Romo is one who continually gets a pass and talked about with the elite quarterbacks despite having half the resume Eli does. Brady is the "Golden Child" and can do no wrong. Denver's Tim Tebow is quickly gaining the same treatment. Team wins, they're amazing. Team loses and it's the coaching staff or the defense or the beer vendor whose product was warm, leading to a whole section of fans getting distracted and therefore affecting the environment.

OK, that last one was a stretch but you get the gist.

I said on "87 Live" last Tuesday that the key to this matchup is how the Patriots cover the Giants third receiver. I talked specifically about Julian Edelman on Victor Cruz but I can't imagine Belichick would allow that matchup anymore than he absolutely has to. Whoever ends up in the slot or being covered by the nickel or dime corner is going to be the matchup to watch when the Giants have the ball.

Expect a lot of motion by the Giants offense to get the matchup they want, which will slow the game down, and make my 38-17 prediction that much harder to get to, but it's on the internet now, so I'm sticking to it.

For the Pats, they absolutely have to neutralize the Giants pass rush. As a Bears fan, I know about not having a bonafide 'X' receiver. The Pats don't have one, but they have plenty of other options. Those options however require timing and if the Giants can disrupt the "Golden Child"'s timing this game is o-v-a-h OVAH!

Fearless prediction of the night: Madonna will look scary. She's probably going to be showing a decent amount of skin and when 50-somethings work out insanely, their bodies tend to resemble a cross between a zombie movie creature and one of the bugs from "Men In Black". You might want to have a healthy buzz by halftime. And if she lip syncs one goddamn song, I'm changing the channel.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that if the effort doesn't improve the Pro Bowl could be eliminated.

While this contest was deplorable, how about you just move it back to after the Super Bowl so the players from those two teams can participate? The game was moved to make it more relevant. Can you say "backfire"?

Last week I wrote that the Colts should trade the first overall pick for multiple players and picks, keep Peyton Manning, and try to reload the franchise that way instead of settling for just one pick.

If the Colts do end up cutting ties with Peyton, all I have to say as a Larry Fitzgerald fantasy owner is: Phoenix is nice in the winter.

Enjoy the game folks!

What Jim Irsay Should Do About This Peyton Manning Thing

2012-02-03T06:29:20Z

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning was medically cleared to resume full football activity and continue to put Colts owner Jim Irsay on the hot seat.

The extremely open owner has the unenviable task of trying to decide whether or not the all-world quarterback has enough in the tank to warrant keeping him around for another go-round; or letting the star walk away, saving $28 million in a roster bonus and leaving a gaping hole at the most important position on the depth chart.

Making the situation that much more intriguing is the presence of college standouts Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. While everyone agrees Luck is more ready to start in the NFL from day one, most also agree that Griffin won't be that far behind.

Now that the medical question has been answered, it's now on Irsay to determine the direction of the franchise that was barely on the professional football radar before Manning for anything other than ditching the city of Baltimore in a cloak-and-dagger relocation operation.

It's not very often I have a moment of clarity in situations like this- where both alternatives look pretty damn attractive. I have had draw on a tremendous amount of intestinal fortitude and discipline to come up with this opinion on what Irsay should do: trade the pick.

In Manning's absence this past season, the veil has been revealed on the real state of the Colts roster. The emperor has no clothes. 2011 has cemented Manning's legacy of his importance to that team, ironically, through what has transpired without him.

The Colts were 28th in the NFL in scoring, 30th in yards per game, 27th in passing yards per game, and 26th in rushing yards per game. A far cry from 2010 when they were 4th, 4th, 1st, and 29th respectively.

And while the Colts had struggled defensively in 2010, 2011 was even harder without Manning keeping the offense on the field, getting leads, and otherwise keeping the defense fresh.

What does all this show? That should the Colts let Manning walk, they are most definitely more than a quarterback away from contending. There are multiple holes here that one pick, albeit the first overall, won't fix. The Colts could easily garner a couple of players and multiple picks for that first overall that would only make the last few years of Manning's career that much more successful.

Secondly, while Luck and RGIII are talented there is no guarantee of success. For every Peyton Manning there's a Ryan Leaf. For every Drew Bledsoe, a Rick Mirer. Other notable first round "sure thing" quarterbacks: Heath Shuler, Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, David Klingler, and let's not forget Jeff George- taken first overall in 1990 by the Colts who traded to get him.

If Manning plays three more years, I will bet you a dime to a dollar they will be more productive than the first three years of either Luck or Griffin. Even if both pan out, for either one of them to be another Manning is hard to believe at this point. Manning is a "once-in-a-generation" player. Luck or Griffin may be, but that's a $28 million gamble Irsay should not be willing to take.

Where franchises scour the globe to find a quarterback with half Manning's ability, the Colts are sitting in the driver's seat and hold all the cards. By trading the pick for multiple players and/or picks, Irsay truly can reload. With the right personnel choices, he can do it faster and better than any other franchise in sports and keep the Colts in forefront of NFL franchises.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? That's the problem- all the solutions do. However to pass on what you know to be true in exchange for the roll of the dice is not just ill-advised, it's irresponsible.

After all, Irsay's nothing but rational. Right?

87 Live Super Bowl Preview NSFW

2012-02-01T18:02:27Z

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Goldman Sacks, Around the NBA, Bears-Forte

2012-02-01T17:21:02Z

Great show last night with an old friend. If you haven't listened to it, check it out at the main page. It is most definitely not safe for work or children thanks to our special guest.

Eddie Goldman, ESPN's #1 ranked DT signed a national letter of intent to attend Florida State. I hope he pans out because I can't wait for all the "Goldman sacks!" comments on SportsCenter.

NBA thoughts:

-How long before the Lakers are thinking about starting Andrew Goudelock at the point? I mean, really kids- there hasn't been this much excitement about an unheralded draft pick since...well, Derek Fisher out of Arkansas-Little Rock.

And no, you can't bring up Devean George.

For the record, since Goudelock's started to receive decent playing time four games ago, the kids shooting just under 50% from the floor, 57% from behind the arc, and averaging 11.5 points per game. He also has just one turnover in each of the games. Not bad for the 46th pick, eh?

It makes a much better story than the Lakers supposed interest in Gilbert Arenas. If he couldn't co-exist with Dwight Howard in Orlando how do you expect him to fit in with Kobe, Bynum, Gasol, and MWP? Who could forget this?

And let's not forget the player notorious for guns can't shoot anymore. Ironic, no?

-The Charlotte Bobcats are a mess. In 2009-2010 they won 44 games and made the playoffs. Last year? 34 and no playoffs. This year? 3-19 and mired in a 9 game losing streak.

Kemba Walker may have been a nice college player, but I have doubts whether or not he's the star to build around.

What's worse: watching a flailing franchise and feeling sorry for the fans who were burned by the Hornets and now are forced to deal with this; or the fact that one of best two players of all time is running the show and just can't seem to get it right?

-The Sacramento Kings are officially back in the "Maybe it wasn't Westphal" zone.

-It's still early but beware of teams like the Pacers and Hawks. Teams that can win on the road usually make someone miserable come playoff time.

-I'm trying to determine if the Sixers are for real or if they've just taken advantage of the post-lockout world and come March reality will reign.

What do I like? They outscore their opponents on average by 11, they take care of the ball and play defense.

What do I question? The only legit team they've beat so far is the Hawks. I'm not calling the Magic legit. They're in a tailspin and unless they get a mother of a deal for Dwight Howard, it's only going to get worse.

We're about to learn a whole lot about these Sixers as their next six games are home against Chicago, Miami, at Atlanta, then home against the Lakers, Spurs and Clippers.

Stay tuned.

The Chicago Bears say that RB Matt Forte won't hit the open market. OK new GM Phil Emery, here's your first test: are you able to make the obvious decision?

It's my opinion that a franchise tag will hurt the relationship in the long run and while we all know this is a business, why burn a bridge with a player who has been solid on and off the field?

Chicago doesn't have the best reputation as being a well-run franchise so let's start off on the right foot, OK Phil?

Oh and don't be upset if I refer to you as Phil Connors once or twice.

Lakers Edge At Least Entertaining

2012-01-27T02:50:08Z

The Lakers served notice to the world that they are still capable of beating a talented opponent. It's either that or they just realized that the Clippers are not all that used to success and therefore you can screw with their head.

It's probably that second thing I said.

It's no secret to anyone that these Lakers are suspect. But for one better than mediocre night there seemed to be some fire left, as contrived as some of it felt. The near-fights that threatened to elevate to "elementary schoolgirl slap fight" level, felt a little bit like this:

Everyone's got a little "goon" in them, but is anything funnier than Pau Gasol- the softest post player in maybe NBA history- trying to antagonize and instigate the Clippers? That's totally ignoring the fact that picking on the Clippers is the equivalent of making fun of the awkward kid who managed to take a half-step up from nerd-dom- a social smack down to keep everything in order.

Whether the Lakers are under construction or simply on the early stages of demolition, a chip on their shoulder might actually serve some purpose.

If this new attitude is more than a facade and actually an indication that they've realized the basketball world no longer respects them; if the haters coming out in force have forced them to play not with urgency but with something much more powerful: pride then maybe there's still hope for some Randy Newman in June.

But that's getting way ahead of ourselves following nothing more than a shove and a parting "Yeah, that's what I thought!" It will all ring hollow if they suddenly can't score or overcome middle of the road teams again.

But for now, at least we have Pau The Thug. An unlikely part for an even less likely player. In the end, that's. It enough.

Jurassic Eli, Raiders New Coach, Prince Fielder, New Orleans Hornets

2012-01-25T17:47:57Z

If you listened to Tuesday's 87 Live, this is what I was talking about- see if you can spot a young Eli Manning in this clip:

The Oakland Raiders have hired Broncos D-Coordinator Dennis Allen to be their new head coach. Allen beats out a field that included Marty Mornhinweg, Dom Capers, Todd Bowles, and Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael, Jr.

Let's think about this for a second, kids. Let's just count out Mornhinweg and Carmichael for lack of head coaching experience. We can also count out Capers because I think we all can agree Capers is one of those coaches who is a much better coordinator than he is a head coach. Wade Phillips is another one.

But let's just talk about Todd Bowles. Sure, he hasn't been a coordinator before but he filled in rather admirably as the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins after Tony Sparano was fired.

I'm not sure what it is about Bowles that is making it hard for him to find work. That was not an easy situation in Miami and, while the team was still playing hard for Sparano, he managed to get them pointed in a better direction for those final three games. He won two of them and lost to eventual AFC Champion New England by just a field goal. That kind of experience- no matter how short- shouldn't be so easily ignored.

So Allen gets the Oakland job. Denver's defense, which was heralded as one of the reasons for Tim Tebow's impressive record, finished 24th in the NFL in points allowed, at just over 24 per game. The Raiders were 29th at just over 27 per game, proving my point that better than bad doesn't necessarily mean good.

If you're a Raiders fan looking to feel good about your team, try this:

Are the Tigers now Yankee-proof with the addition of Prince Fielder? I mean, sure Comerica Park is no easy pickings for a left-handed power hitter, but that short porch in right field in Yankee Stadium? You can't tell me that didn't register at all on management's radar.

Anywho, the addition of Fielder to the Tigers lineup, coupled with the Tigers top 3 starters all having WHIPs under 1.5 last year and Jose Valverde's 49 saves makes you wonder just how high to set the expectation bar this spring. A 95-win team probably just made themselves a 100 win team. 100 wins means a shot at home field advantage until the World Series, so they got that going for them. Which is nice.

If you're a New Orleans Hornets basketball fan- either one of you- how straight-up pissed are you at Chris Paul?

I mean let's talk straight facts here, kids. It's a shortened season. There's that much less time for any team to hit a skid that derails them from a playoff run. As we begin play today, here's the Southwest Division standings:

San Antonio 11-7

Dallas 11-7

Memphis 10-7

Houston 10-7

New Orleans 3-14

You don't think if CP3 is still a Hornet, they couldn't compete with that racket?

The Hornets are averaging 3,000 empty seats per home game. It's a fantasy, but doesn't the Seattle Hornets have a somewhat decent ring to it?

Championship Sunday Thoughts

2012-01-23T12:09:24Z

In the week leading up to the AFC Championship game, Joe Flacco became the center of the Ravens universe, both good and bad.

In light of S Ed Reed's comments that he looked like he didn't have a grasp of the offense against the 2nd ranked defense in the NFL, the Houston Texans, there was much discussion about just what Flacco is as a quarterback.

Some brought up the fact that he's won more playoff games than most quarterbacks with his level of experience. Others brought up the fact that in the big games, he has yet to put up that dominating stat line that make onlookers stop and pause.

Sunday, Flacco did what he had to do. Sure, he threw a pick to Brandon Spikes in the fourth quarter however to focus on that would take away from the fact that 61% completion rate, over 300 yards, and 2 TDs usually means you're going to at least be in position to win.

And in position they were.

Most people will talk about Ravens K Billy Cundiff missing a very makeable field goal that could have tied the game and sent it to overtime. That would mean we would ignore Lee Evans having the game winning touchdown pass slapped out of his hands.

Secure the ball, son.

If Evans holds onto that ball, we're talking about the Joe Flacco as carrying the Ravens to the Super Bowl. Flacco's redemption was there for the taking and with one failure to secure the football, it's up in smoke...

And while we're talking about ball security...

The San Francisco 49ers will not be going to the Super Bowl not because of what Eli Manning did. Not because of anything Alex Smith didn't do. But mainly because Kyle Williams managed to botch not one, but two punts.

Now I know what you're going to say, each team had pleeenty of opportunities down the stretch to put the game away. You're absolutely right. The amount of punter camera time in the last seven minutes of that game was downright deplorable for the NFC Championship Game.

However, there we were in the overtime with the Giants punting to the 49ers only to have Williams fumble because the ball was breathed on wrong, the Giants recover, Lawrence Tynes kicks a chip shot, and like that- the season is over and we all start debating whether or not Eli Manning gets in the neighborhood of his brother if he wins another win.

Oh, and this also came out of it:

So we have that going for us.

I feel bad for Williams. He's a young player and hopefully will have many opportunities to vindicate himself.

However on this day, he's the goat. Him and Lee Evans. All alone on the Titanic. I'll let you decide which one is Kate Winslet.

Paterno Legacy Polarizing

2012-01-23T11:21:37Z

Joe Paterno passed away Sunday from complications from lung cancer.

I'm not going to rehash all my feelings about him. If you follow this blog or my twitter account you know how I feel about the recent events at Penn State.

Paterno has become the definition of the tragic figure. The long tenured head coach of one of the more successful football teams in the nation, he has been remembered more in the last 24 hours for the countless lives he touched than for anything he ever accomplished on the football field.

However in the last 3 months, all of those aspects have been overshadowed by the Jerry Sandusky fiasco. Guilty of simply not doing enough morally- not legally- to remove a child predator from society, the question is what you attribute his motivation for the inaction to.

Do you take him at his word that he truly, honestly believed he had done enough and that if his superiors felt no action was needed he was justified in not pursuing matters any further? Is not doing everything in your power to prevent future victims simply a mistake? Akin to forgetting to set your alarm to wake up in the morning?

Or do you feel that given the severity of the issues brought forward, he should have contacted police in spite of his superiors' attempt to brush it all under the carpet?

Those two contrasting positions determine how you will remember "JoePa". It is truly tragic that a man who had apparently done so much for so many for so long will end up being remembered by some for what he didn't do. It is also justified.

In life, no person is ever as good as you think they are; nor as bad as you assume. I make no assumptions on the character of a man I've never met. I've only given opinions on what actions the university took in light of the revelations in the last year.

All that is put to rest with the passing of Paterno. What's done is done, and how people choose to remember the man is their own business.

May his soul rest in peace.

Keith Grieve: Lakers Just Don't Have It Where They Need It

2012-01-20T19:13:35Z

Shame on me for not going on the record, but I knew the Lakers were going to lose that game to the Heat last night.

This Lakers team leaves you less than satisfied when you watch them. Kobe's Kobe, and he always will be. It's once again his supporting cast of characters that come into question.

PG and SF is where the Lakers are their weakest. Derek Fisher is a shadow of whisper of his former self, struggling to keep up with quicker (read: younger) point guards. Matt Barnes has yet to justify his starting position over Metta World Peace.

Not that MWP is that much better, but at least you know he's capable of being a decent starting caliber player. You know you're not going to see it very often these days, but you know it's in there...somewhere...and you know it's just GOT to be dying to be let out. Or maybe it isn't and this is the absolute best the bat-shit crazy MWP can muster.

Regardless, any time the Lakers face an opponent with a top level PG or SF they're going to struggle. Unfortunately for the Lakers that puts them at the "hard to believe" stage to do anything important.

Dwight Howard will not fix things. Post play isn't the problem. It's the fact that they are incredibly vulnerable on the wing and at the point and that opens up a lot of options for the upper-echelon teams.

Kobe's not getting younger and maybe the only bright spot to this year is that it's only 66 games long.

LA may just belong to the Clippers. For now.

Billups, Darvish, Irsay, ESPN-Tebow, and Flacco-Reed

2012-01-19T13:08:09Z

Los Angeles Clippers G Chauncey Billups lived up to his nickname, "Mr. Big Shot", in the closing seconds of last night's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

That was the least he could do after that abhorrent attempt at a pass in the lane moments earlier.

You have to love sports- if Billups doesn't make that shot, we're chastising him for being careless. However, since he redeemed himself he's the hero.

For tonight anyway.

He's still squinty-eyes away from being the second NBA player to look like the creature from "Alien".

The Texas Rangers agree to pay Japanese Yu Darvish $60 million on top of the $50 million they have to pay his Japanese team for the rights to sign him.

Does anyone else have issues with this?

I mean, sure there's been some bonafide Japanese success stories, but this kid better be the kernel that pops for that price. We wouldn't want another running joke like this:

If you have Twitter and haven't followed Jim Irsay yet, you're missing out. If you don't have Twitter and haven't run to your computer/ smartphone/ iPod and created an account JUST to follow Irsay, what the hell are you waiting for?

In the wake of the media uproar with Rob Lowe announcing Peyton Manning's retirement, Irsay responded with gem:

@JimIrsay: My sources tell me Rob will star in an epic remake of "Deep Throat" with aging porn stars and 4 finger circus clowns!

Another highlight from last night:

@JimIrsay: Hey peter king, if u keep carrying those pictures of Chairman Mao...u ain't gonna make it with anyone,anyhow!

Seriously, does it get any better than this? Glad to see some things from the old man have held true.

Sign number 247 Tebow-mania has gone too far: ESPN finding footage of Tebow running with a broken bone in his leg to score a touchdown...from HIGH SCHOOL!

Look, it was impressive for sure. But at this point, I don't think anyone is questioning Tebow's toughness. His ability to play quarterback in the NFL- sure. But not his toughness.

This was just a flagrant attempt by ESPN to bring you "All Tebow, All The Time". They might as well just start calling themselves "TSPN".

I'm just glad to see less and less "Tebowing".

And while I'm talking about ESPN, you know what really pisses me off about the "Worldwide Leader"? ESPN Insider.

That's right. If you want to hear the latest trade rumors, free agent buzz, or even look at the first round of mock drafts from their experts, you have to pay a monthly rate.

While I am all for capitalism and trying to leverage your popularity financially, it is a major sign of "my-shit-don't-stink"-ness to think that of all the other places on the internet we could see these things we'd still rather pay money to hear it from you.

However the real blame isn't with ESPN, it's with those of you who actually pay for it. YOU'RE FEEDING THE BEAST! It's like letting Jerry Sandusky out on bail to go live near an elementary school. Oh, wait...nevermind.

Hey Joe Flacco- if Ed Reed's comments the other day made you cry- get another effing job. Seriously folks, Flacco isn't the second coming of Joe Montana, Brett Favre (maybe a good thing), or Dan Marino.

He's a glorified Tim Tebow who can't carry a team and isn't nearly as mobile. The man hasn't proven a thing yet about his ability to play quarterback when it counts and Reed merely stated the obvious.

If Flacco want to shut him- and everybody, really- up, go out there and beat a Patriots defense that most other reliable passers haven't had any issues with this year.

Hell, he couldn't even hit the receiver with this pass:

And to be honest, Flacco apparently told Ed Reed he's "cool" with it all. Which is good. The media on the other hand is criticizing Reed and trying make a story out of nothing. If Reed went over the top with his comments, maybe then we have something. But I didn't hear anything that wasn't honest and Reed is one of the players on that team that has earned the right to be able to call it like he sees it.

He has proven himself. And that's how that works.

#NFL Saturday Thoughts, Sunday Preview- Multimedia Edition!

2012-01-15T13:51:21Z

To quote the great American poet Meatloaf: two out of three ain't bad. OK, so it was one out of two, but there's no song about that so leave me alone.

Give credit to the San Francisco 49ers- no, on second thought give credit to 49ers QB Alex Smith. He made some big throws and one great play with his feet when he had to and kept the Saints on the ropes.

What impressed me most about Smith's three TD no INT performance was that two throws involved incredible accuracy; while the third was a nice job of defense recognition and changing the play to allow a nice pass to WR Michael Crabtree.

Speaking of Crabtree, I found someone with worse hands:

But I digress...

I said for the Niners to win they needed two Brees turnovers, avoid turnovers themselves and run the ball. Check, check, and check. However, I didn't pick the Niners because I thought for sure this was the week we would all be disappointed that Alex Smith isn't what Niners fans hoped he was.

He proved me wrong. Color me impressed. Just don't Color Me Badd.

In the other game, we saw Bill Belichick emasculate Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow in front of the world. This was about as difficult to watch as the BCS National Championship game.

And as if to stick that proverbial middle finger up at the world, the hooded wizard calls a "quick kick" on 3rd and 10, up 35 points with 3:10 left in the game. This of course resulted in a fracas as Von Miller started a brawl.

I don't support fighting on the field normally, but I actually understand Miller here. He got his ass kicked, for sure, but at least he showed a little pride. Of course, there's better ways to react to a classless move but at least it provided a little excitement to an otherwise channel-flip-fest of a game. It kind of reminded me of this:

So the Tebow thing is over, and it's alarming how fast ESPN is now distancing itself. While doing highlights of the Niners win, when describing Alex Smith's TD run Trent Dilfer described it as: "...if Tim Tebow makes this play, we do an hour long special about it".

He's right, but wow- that didn't take long.

And now onto Sunday's games...

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens This game will be more about "what could have been" than what actually transpires. The Texans have one of the more prolific running games that unfortunately has to be paired with a third-string QB.

Now to his credit, TJ Yates has been "Caleb Hanie" horrid. He's just not Matt Schaub and against a superb defense like the Ravens. They hold opposing quarterbacks to a 68.8 rating. The teams played earlier this year, but the Texans were without All-World WR Andre Johnson. Now they're without the most important position on the field and a 29-14 score like we had in week 6 is probably going to show its face again.

The impetus is on the Texans defense to make Ravens QB Joe Flacco turn the ball over. The Ravens can run the ball too this game will come down to which team can force the other to be one-dimensional. To do that, you need to stop the running game and make the quarterback beat you.

Flacco can do that, I'm not sure Yates can on the road against this defense. I'll take the Ravens, 17-7.

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers After the Giants held a talented Falcons team to only two points, it would be easy to get ahead of ourselves.

Now they face a 15-1 Packers team teeming with confidence and with a week off to get healthy. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has assumed the top of the mountain as far as QB play goes and their defense has intercepted the opposing QB 31 times this year.

Now read this.

The Giants have not statistically run the ball well all year, despite having two talented RBs in Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. On the flip side, they have surrendered more than 110 yards per game on the ground.

The Packers are not a very good rushing team, however if they can run in this game it's over. There are two "X" factors in this game and they both are on the Giants: the Giants defense and Eli Manning.

If Manning throws more than one interception, it will be very hard to overcome this Packers team. For the Giants to win, they need mistake free football from Manning, over 100 yards rushing, and keep the Packers throwing- much like the 49ers did to the Saints.

It sounds like lunacy to dare Aaron Rodgers to throw but the more he puts it up, the more chances there are for turnovers. He's as accurate a passer as we've seen in the NFL, however everyone has human moments and the Giants only chance is to force turnovers. They have to take this game, it won't be given to them.

Now that I wrote all that and made my case for what the Giants have to do, I'll tell you that it won't happen and the Packers will come away with this one, 31-17.

NFL Divisional Round Saturday Preview

2012-01-14T14:00:00Z

So you say you've got some playoff football to watch this weekend? WELL, without further adieu...

New Orleans Saints vs San Francisco 49ers While I was driving to the old day job today, I heard Mike and Mike debating about how we'll find out whether or not the old adage "Defense wins championshps" still rings true. When you think about it, this game is about a battle of styles: the high-flying, high scoring offensive wunderkind Saints and the physical, punishing 49ers.

On that topic, as a fan from the 80's I can't believe we're seeing a San Francisco team that's as physical as this one. But anywho...

The 49ers are giving up a paltry 77.3 yards per game on the ground. The Saints have been quite proficient on the ground this year, averaging 132.9 yards per game. The Niners limit opposing QB's to a 73.6 rating. Saints QB's passed for a 110.5 rating.

The Saints on defense surrender over 100 yards per game on the run, while the Niners have a more than capable rushing offense, averaging 127.8 yards per game.

The one stat category that is one sided is the Saints Pass Defense vs Alex Smith and the 49ers passing game. The Niners pass for only 183 yards per game while the Saints have contained opposing passers to the tune of a 86.4 rating. The hidden aspect in that is that while Smith will never be confused with Brees, 49ers QBs put up a 91.4 rating.

What does all this mean? Not a damn thing if the Niners pass defense lays an egg and Brees goes nuts.

For the Niners to win, they can't turn the ball over and they need to ride Frank Gore like Zorro. On defense, they've produced turnovers and that has to happen here. Two Brees interceptions and they're in business.

For the Saints to win, they need to stifle Frank Gore and make Alex Smith beat them.

They can do that, and they will. Saints win, 21-10.

Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots The Chosen One vs. The Golden Boy- pure TV magic, eh?

I'm not even going to get into numbers here folks. The world is aflutter with Tim Tebow-mania after his nice little toss to Demarius Thomas to eliminate the Steelers in overtime and produced this.

If Denver wants any chance to win this, Tim Tebow can't turn the ball over. There is a chance in this one as the Patriots defense statistically is not awe- inspiring.

In their previous meeting a couple of weeks ago, once the Pats started playing man-to-man Tebow imploded. I would expect a lot less zone and lot more trying to make Tebow make progressions and hope the pass rush gets there first.

On the Patriots side, while people are now being vocal about their distrust in Tom Brady's abilities, he still has viable targets to throw to in Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez.

The only question is if the Broncos somehow win this, will Josh McDaniels finally get labeled as the saboteur he really is?

The Patriots come away with this one, 27-17.

The Time Is Now For Eli To Prove Elite Status

2012-01-14T02:38:12Z

This weekend is Eli Manning's moment.

Sure, that whole Super Bowl win over the then-undefeated New England Patriots was big. As magical that ending was, there was something lacking as far as the referendum on Manning's career. That improbable catch by David Tyree that kept the crucial drive alive made it feel a little too lucky.

The NFC Championship game that year also relied on Brett Favre- having an unbelievable year- throwing an at-the-time unlikely interception to ice the game for the Giants.

So Eli has a little something to prove.

And in an almost storybook setting the New York Giants travel back to the scene of that NFC Championship Game- Lambeau Field to face the now-defending champion Green Bay Packers.

The Packers, who ran off 13 consecutive wins to start the season, have already sent the first blow having defeated the Giants earlier this year at home. The Giants could have easily won that game, but failure to execute in the closing moments gave the Packers the win.

And now the Giants and their unappreciated-outside-New-York quarterback attempt to prove that instance of inequity was just that- an instance. A blip on the radar that makes you look twice but never appears again.

The perception of Eli is that he's not very consistent and that as Eli goes, so goes the Giants. I've been one of the biggest proponents of that theory, and the numbers back me up in one major category: turnovers.

Here's how Manning's stats break down:

9 Wins: Average of 22-for-36, 61% complete, 289 yards, 17 TD, and 5 INT

7 Losses: 24-for-39, 60%, 328 yards, 12 TD, and 12 INT

Manning's stats are nearly identical in wins or losses. The only stat category that fluctuates is his interceptions.

Once again- as Eli goes, so go the Giants.

Except at this time in his career, he's running out of time to prove himself elite. He's thrown for 4,000 yards the last three years, nearly eclipsing the 5,000-yard barrier this year. Sure, it's a passing game these days but that's still not nothing. In his seven full seasons, he's averaged 25.5 touchdowns. However, he's also averaged a little over 17 interceptions over that same time frame.

So with Manning there is risk/ reward and when he's on, there are few who are better. The question here is Manning's legacy as he heads toward the wrong side of thirty years old.

The stage is set, the players are in place. It's on you, Eli. How do you want to be remembered?

NCAA National Championship Game- Multimedia Style!

2012-01-11T03:00:49Z

So have you heard the one about the college football team who gets ranked #1, goes to the National Championship game, and then has all its players' and coaches' brains sucked out through their ears in the days leading up to the big game?

Me neither.

This is the best analogy I could find for what transpired last night. Drago is Alabama, Apollo Creed is LSU, Rocky is Les Miles, the towel is Jarrett Lee.

Everyone who was watching knew something had to be done. The only one with the power to do it wouldn't.

Which makes one wonder: just how deep was Lee in Les Miles' doghouse? I mean, I understand sticking with your starter and having faith and all that- but by the middle of the third quarter- and that's pushing it, really- it was clear that Jordan Jefferson had no answers for what he was seeing out of the Crimson Tide defense. Lucky for Lee I found this:

Give Miles credit for this though: the guy stuck to his guns and believed in his game plan. He was dead ass wrong, but the man has conviction.

Credit must be given to Alabama's defense, but shouldn't the number one ranked team in the nation be able to cross midfield once? I mean even Bobby Hebert knew what should have been done.

That's right, this guy:

Twitter was blowing up with people complaining about how boring the game was because no one was scoring touchdown after touchdown. You see, kids, unlike the NFL, the college game hasn't been legislated to a pass only league. If you can't find the entertainment in watching two great defenses go head to head, you're not a football fan- plain and simple.

The other side of that coin is that reaction is not so much due to boredom but rather disappointment. Here we have what is supposed to be holiest of holy's playing to decide which team truly is the best team in college football and the LSU offense looked like it was taken verbatim from the Atlanta Falcons' gameplan the day before. What? Too soon?

To me that's the inexcusable part. 40-plus days to wait for this game and we find out LSU really is only half a team. With a playoff, they would have been exposed before the championship game perhaps and we'd have that rousing crescendo we all expect out of title games.

Or we end up with up Butler-UConn. I should have quit while I was ahead.

New York Jets Bring Up Players' Coach Argument Again

2012-01-03T02:18:38Z

First the Miami Heat last year, now Rex Ryan? What the hell is going on?

So Santonio Holmes quit on the New York Jets apparently yesterday while they were in the throes of trying to scrape their way into a playoff spot. Kinda like when your dog wipes his ass on your carpet, just different because the dog doesn't know better.

I'm just going to say what Greenberg said this morning: you know there's something wrong with the guy if the Steelers let him walk away after making what is one of the better championship clinching plays in NFL history.

And now Rex shows his sensitive side pleading for team unity. I hate to be the to break it to ya, buddy, but if you have to beg for something like that you're dead in the water. You're Fredo Corleone- yeah, you got to play big shot for a while but it's only a matter of minutes before you're knocked off.

Which brings us back to the "player's coach" argument- can it work? In the right circumstances, sure the coach doesn't have to be the hard ass all the time. I think the necessary characteristic of the so-called "player's coach" is the ability to be the hard ass when he needs to. Everyone in that position can pull out the emotional pre-game/ halftime speech when needed.

As the leader, you as the head coach need to be able to call people out- the right way of course- and get all 22 pieces working in unison when ego threatens the whole operation. By all accounts Rex Ryan was unable to accomplish that and what you saw was a very uneven team with an uneven quarterback unable to win away from home.

And that, sir, just won't get it done in New York.

NFL Week 17 Mulitmedia Preview

2012-01-01T17:14:35Z

It's New Year's Day and my holiday hiatus is over. I know, you missed me. You're getting all teary eyed at my return. It's OK, don't Speak. Words can only ruin this moment.

Today is Week 17 in the NFL and while there are a myriad of draft and playoff position implications, there are only a couple of games I'm really paying attention to.

Jets at Dolphins- The Jets need to win this game and a lot of help from other teams, a Native American shaman, and Madame Leona down the street from me who reads palms. Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan has done an awful lot of talking the last two years however this year has been an abject disaster. How fast can he get home to that last batch of crow?

The Dolphins have been playing fairly well and I think they'll love the opportunity to stick it in a division rival's derriere. I will pick the Dolphins only because I want to see the postgame presser.

Ravens at Bengals, Steelers at Browns- Ravens/ Steelers is one of the better modern rivalries these days. Nothing is so grating on the nerves as an over-confident Steelers fan. I know a lot of them.

I'm picking the Ravens and Steelers, but saying a few novenas that the Browns find a way to pull of the upset.

Chargers at Raiders- the vultures are circling in San Diego and one looks conspicuously like Marty Schottenheimer. Wierd, huh? Norv Turner is all but fired and the Raiders are desperately trying to wrest the AFC West away from the clutches of Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. What a way for Norv to go with a slaughter at the hands of the Raiders.

Chiefs at Broncos- I'm a little disappointed that this Twilight-laden society didn't go crazy with the "Team Kyle" or "Team Tebow" angle. But there's always this:

Orton can now play spoiler to the team who did him a favor and released him instead of letting him rot on the bench behind the savior. Kinda takes the wind out of that whole revenge thing, doesn't it?

Anywho, I'd really love for this whole Tebow-thing to be finally neutered by no playoffs, so I'm taking the Chiefs. I mean, hey, they beat the Packers didn't they? Surely the zone-read is no big challenge after that, is it?

Cowboys at Giants- In this battle of beleaguered quarterbacks, the winner takes the NFC Least crown and the subsequent playoff berth. The loser, well, faces a long off-season of questions. Will we see the return of Romo-mania? Or will it turn to cries of "No mo' Romo"? Is Giants QB Eli Manning truly ELIte? Or will his Giants be ELIminated? I can't preview this game any better than this:

I'm picking the Giants only because if they lose this game at home, the National Guard might need to be called in to secure the parking lot.

That's it kids, the final NFL Weekly Preview of the 2011 season. Hope you all had a wonderful New Year!

Week 15 NFL Quick Hits

2011-12-18T18:04:55Z

Really quick rapid fire thoughts:

Dolphins at Bills- REAAALLLYYY hoping JP Losman ends up making some sort of play to beat the Bills today. I think the fans might just shake the stadium to the ground. Sour Bills fans are entertainment that one can't quite put a cover charge on.

Seahawks at Bears- Dear Caleb Hanie, lose today and there's no hope. DFIU. Sincerely, Reality.

Titans at Colts- Matt Hasselbeck is starting. Jake Locker would have won this game. Colts continue their push toward succession management.

Packers at Chiefs- Are they televising this game outside of Wisconsin? Why?

Bengals at Rams- Dear Bengals, if you lose this game don't bother showing up the next two weeks. Sincerely, Underwhelmed.

Saints at Vikings- Total gut feeling here is that this an upset waiting to happen. Hold on... it was just gas. Saints easily.

Redskins at Giants- ELIte? or ELIminated?

Panthers at Texans- Cam's having a great season. Unfortunately there's 21 other guys who have to perform.

Lions at Raiders- Suh comes back in one of the hardest places to play against a team notorious for shenanigans to get under a player's skin. What could go wrong?

Patriots at Broncos- I could care less about Tebow. Lose this game and we can stop talking about the Patriots.

Jets at Eagles- The All-Gusto Bowl. The only thing keeping the Jets from being the biggest disappointment in football is the Eagles. Taking the Eagles in this.

Browns at Cardinals- Ken Whisenhunt avoids the hot seat for no apparent reason. A win is a win, but something's rotten in Arizona.

Ravens at Chargers- Ray Lewis reportedly comes back to face a Chargers team clinging for their lives. If Ravens win, they're one step closer to proving they belong in championship talk and the Norv Farewell Tour gasses up. Lose and we're right back to wondering how bi-polar Baltimore is.

Steelers at 49ers- FINALLY! A prime time game worth watching. Should be a good game between two sound defenses. It comes down to who you like more: hobbled Roethlisberger or healthy Alex Smith. Exactly. Steelers.

87sportsfans.com NFL Week 14 Power Rankings

2011-12-14T04:13:27Z

Cincinnati-Xavier, Lakers-Odom Split, Week 14 NFL Thoughts

2011-12-11T13:58:39Z

If a Cincinnati basketball player kicks another player on the court, and nobody cares, is he still an ass?

Yes, Yancey Gates, you can take your thug ass and exit the arena. To quote Motley Crue: don't go away mad, just go away.

And that also goes for Xavier's Tu Holloway and his dumbass comments at the press conference after. "We got gangstas..." Holloway said. Really? Take that shit to the playground.

Gates should be dismissed from school. Yesterday.

I'm all for trash talking. Ask anyone who's ever played with me in a rec game. My mouth runs and the games I play are worth nothing more than meager attempts to reassemble the personal pride I lost years ago.

In big boy basketball news, the Lakers are reportedly pulling out of the Chris Paul sweepstakes. However, the damage has been done to their relationship with Lamar Odom who apparently couldn't hold back the tears long enough that indeed, this is a business, and yes you may be traded.

Really Lamar? Dallas will be your 4th team. It's not like you were born and bred a Laker.

Sure, he's had a pretty successful seven season run. Sure, his departure actually weakens the Lakers more than any subsequent trade can fix. But to come in and pout because you thought you couldn't be traded is just ridiculous.

Dallas will reportedly give the Lakers a first rounder in 2012 and a second round pick, so the long term ramifications obviously can't be tallied but Odom gave them a flexible 3 or 4 who knew how to play alongside Kobe. Even if the Lakers acquire the two shoulders with legs from Orlando, they will likely not have a viable PF on the roster.

NFL games I'm paying attention to:

Bears at Broncos: The Bears defense who has been doing it's best to gift wrap a win for backup quarterback Caleb Hanie now takes on the task of stopping the Tim Tebow Travelling Circus.

The last time the Bears faced a mobile quarterback, Cam Newton, they were shredded for 3,206 yards. Obviously, that's an exaggeration, but it wasn't pretty. One difference between the two quarterbacks though is that Newton can actually pass proficiently.

The focus for me is that abhorrent offense that apparently even Marc Bulger didn't want any part of. No Jay Cutler, no Matt Forte, no bonafide "X" receiver since Willie Gault left town, and let's not forget the absence of LG Chris Williams means that Hanie will be running for his life as offensive coordinator Mike Martz continues to believe he's got Kurt Warner under center throwing to Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

I hate to admit it, but a Bears win will surprise me today.

Texans at Bengals: Can you believe there is actually discussion that Bengals rookie QB Taylor Dalton is the Rookie of the Year? Really? Well he's been pretty good, no doubt, but Newton wins that award.

As far as this game goes, if the Bengals want the football world to take them seriously they have to win this game. The Texans are sporting a third string quarterback, who admittedly didn't look bad last week, against what's supposedly one of the better defenses in the league.

The Texans can play D as well and can run the ball obviously but I think Yates has a really hard time today. Bengals win.

Eagles at Dolphins: Sorry folks, but the Eagles need a regime change. Whether it's on the field or in the front office something has to give. This team is in such a tornado or crap that it's going to take something drastic to right the ship.

On the field today, the Dolphins have been downright resurgent. Who knew Matt Moore is the second coming of Jay Fiedler?

Mike Vick is back for the Iggles and as much as I hate to say it, I think the Eagles actually pull this one out. No evidence, just a gut here.

Giants at Cowboys: Which Eli Manning will we see? Which Tony Romo will we see? You might as well just play this game on an old electric football game.

Who will win? Well DeMarco Murray was supposed to reignite the Cowboys running game, but that expectation has come back to Earth.

The Giants trail the Cowboys by one game for the NFC Least lead. With only three games left this is a must win for both teams. Giants S Kenny Phillips is ruled out which will help out Romo. Giants go into Dallas and steal a win.