Forget the New Orleans Saints and their potent offense. Forget the Denver Broncos and their newfound defensive prowess under a 33-year-old head coach. Nothing has been more shocking in 2009 than the demise of the Tennessee Titans.
Once thought to be a Super Bowl contender after going an NFL-best 13-3 in 2008, Jeff Fisher's squad has plummeted to depths almost unheard of by NFL standards. The lasting memories of this miserable 0-6 beginning to the year will be the Titans laying down in the snow in a 59-0 demolishing at the hands of the New England Patriots. But just as troubling was their 20-point loss in Jacksonville two weeks ago, or being held out of the end zone last Sunday night by the Indianapolis Colts.
The Titans have been outscored by 114 points thus far, and even more shocking is the lack of effort they have showed the last few weeks. This from a team that took the Super Bowl champion Steelers to overtime in Week 1 and only lost its next two games by a combined 10 points.
Winnable games lie ahead, as the Titans will face the Jaguars, Bills, Texans, and Rams later on, but that will only allow them the opportunity to avoid being remembered as one of the all-time bad teams. Based on yesterday's no-show against New England, however, a date with any of those teams is no guarantee.
Stunning.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Are the Cardinals primed for a letdown? Not with Fitz
Even if the Arizona Cardinals do indeed wallow in yet another case of Super Bowl hangover in 2009, you can count on one thing. Larry Fitzgerald will continue to amaze.
Let's face one distinct possibility: that Kurt Warner will not make it through an entire season. History is highly stacked against quarterbacks in their late 30's playing in 16 games in back-to-back years. Warner did so last year, the first time since his St. Louis days in 2001.
The Cardinals were able to hang on to some of their key players, franchising Karlos Dansby for a second consecutive season, locking up Adrian Wilson long term, and at least for now, keeping Anquan Boldin quiet about his displeasure with his current contract situation.
To boot, they have a soft schedule, and an even softer division, the NFC West. Since 2000, the only Super Bowl loser to return to the playoffs the following year was the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, beneficiaries of the same weak division. So the Cardinals, woebegone until their amazing run last year, have that to look forward to.
The biggest questions as far as personnel go for the Cardinals lie at the hands of Matt Leinart, the team's first round pick in 2006 who has started just 16 games in three years. Leinart has had his desire questioned somewhat by head coach Ken Whisenhunt, and many still wonder if he can lead Arizona should Warner go down.
But alas, even a partied-out Leinart can rejoice in the awesomeness of Fitzgerald, the game's top receiver who put on a show last January and February when the Cardinals shocked football fans everywhere. Rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells also has a chance to lighten the load on Cardinal quarterbacks this year and keep Arizona's offense among the game's elite.
Let's face one distinct possibility: that Kurt Warner will not make it through an entire season. History is highly stacked against quarterbacks in their late 30's playing in 16 games in back-to-back years. Warner did so last year, the first time since his St. Louis days in 2001.
The Cardinals were able to hang on to some of their key players, franchising Karlos Dansby for a second consecutive season, locking up Adrian Wilson long term, and at least for now, keeping Anquan Boldin quiet about his displeasure with his current contract situation.
To boot, they have a soft schedule, and an even softer division, the NFC West. Since 2000, the only Super Bowl loser to return to the playoffs the following year was the Seattle Seahawks in 2006, beneficiaries of the same weak division. So the Cardinals, woebegone until their amazing run last year, have that to look forward to.
The biggest questions as far as personnel go for the Cardinals lie at the hands of Matt Leinart, the team's first round pick in 2006 who has started just 16 games in three years. Leinart has had his desire questioned somewhat by head coach Ken Whisenhunt, and many still wonder if he can lead Arizona should Warner go down.
But alas, even a partied-out Leinart can rejoice in the awesomeness of Fitzgerald, the game's top receiver who put on a show last January and February when the Cardinals shocked football fans everywhere. Rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells also has a chance to lighten the load on Cardinal quarterbacks this year and keep Arizona's offense among the game's elite.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
You thought Favre was selfish? Cutler tops all
Maybe the Jets will end up with Jay Cutler. If they do, they'll have traded for a selfish, whining quarterback for the second straight year. Last year, the Brett Favre soap opera carried out all summer, and it resulted in a messy divorce between Favre and the Packers. This year it shouldn't take as long, which should just make it all the more evident that Cutler is in a league of his own when it comes to selfishness. And babiness. And sensitivity. And whininess.
Now, Josh McDaniels is an inexperienced coach, and a chip off the Bill Belichick block. To flirt with the idea of trading Cutler to get an overrated quarterback in Matt Cassel is ludicrous. But flirtation is flirtation, not infidelity. No trade was ever made, and Cutler was to be the man leading the Broncos.
But now, Cutler has complained to no end. He isn't returning the team's phone calls, as if he were a child who had something said about his momma and doesn't want to confront the situation. The Broncos' franchise quarterback is gone, and a team that once had high hopes for 2008 could be in real trouble. Thanks to one man's complete and utter immaturity.
Now, Josh McDaniels is an inexperienced coach, and a chip off the Bill Belichick block. To flirt with the idea of trading Cutler to get an overrated quarterback in Matt Cassel is ludicrous. But flirtation is flirtation, not infidelity. No trade was ever made, and Cutler was to be the man leading the Broncos.
But now, Cutler has complained to no end. He isn't returning the team's phone calls, as if he were a child who had something said about his momma and doesn't want to confront the situation. The Broncos' franchise quarterback is gone, and a team that once had high hopes for 2008 could be in real trouble. Thanks to one man's complete and utter immaturity.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Orioles Spring Training update
Orioles manager Dave Trembley offered his thoughts on the state of his team and some of his newcomers before Sunday's exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins. Some snippets:
On pitcher David Pauley, acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox: "The first time he pitched he was out of his lane, so to speak... The last two times he's pitched he been very good. He's a control guy, sink, curveball, he pitches early to contact. He's gonna get an opportunity to pitch. He's a guy that's in the mix.”
On veteran hurler Mark Hendrickson: "[He] had movement, had some life on his pitches. He says that's the best he's felt."
On former Cubs prospect Felix Pie: "He's worked very well with Crow [hitting coach Terry Crowley]. I think he's the kind of guy that needs to play a lot... He's been a little bit better than what I thought. I didn't know the guy. I saw him a long time ago... We want him to start being a line-drive type of hitter... His work ethics have been tremendous.”
On the Twins and their philosophy which has worked so well for them over the past several years: “They play baseball the old fashioned way... They police themsevles... They rely on their farm system, they bring their own guys up... You know when you play them, you better bring your A game because they're going to come at you all 9 innings.”
On pitcher David Pauley, acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox: "The first time he pitched he was out of his lane, so to speak... The last two times he's pitched he been very good. He's a control guy, sink, curveball, he pitches early to contact. He's gonna get an opportunity to pitch. He's a guy that's in the mix.”
On veteran hurler Mark Hendrickson: "[He] had movement, had some life on his pitches. He says that's the best he's felt."
On former Cubs prospect Felix Pie: "He's worked very well with Crow [hitting coach Terry Crowley]. I think he's the kind of guy that needs to play a lot... He's been a little bit better than what I thought. I didn't know the guy. I saw him a long time ago... We want him to start being a line-drive type of hitter... His work ethics have been tremendous.”
On the Twins and their philosophy which has worked so well for them over the past several years: “They play baseball the old fashioned way... They police themsevles... They rely on their farm system, they bring their own guys up... You know when you play them, you better bring your A game because they're going to come at you all 9 innings.”
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
2009 MLB Predictions -- Predictable
I always say when I pick Boston or New York, I HOPE I'm wrong. If I pick them and they fail miserably and someone comes back to me at the end of the year and says, "See!", I'm perfectly fine with that. With that said, I will try not to let my hatred of the Evil Empires stand in the way of my sure-to-be-off predictions:
AL East
1) New York
2) Boston*
3) Tampa Bay
4) Baltimore
5) Toronto
AL Central
1) Cleveland
2) Minnesota
3) Chicago
4) Kansas City
5) Detroit
AL West
1) Oakland
2) Los Angeles
3) Seattle
4) Texas
ALDS: New York over Oakland, Boston over Cleveland
ALCS: New York over Boston
NL East
1) New York
2) Florida*
3) Philadelphia
4) Atlanta
5) Washington
NL Central
1) Chicago
2) Houston
3) Cincinnati
4) St. Louis
5) Milwaukee
6) Pittsburgh
NL West
1) Arizona
2) Los Angeles
3) San Francisco
4) San Diego
5) Colorado
NLDS: Chicago over Florida, Arizona over New York
NLCS: Arizona over Chicago
WS: New York over Arizona
Hope I'm wrong!
AL East
1) New York
2) Boston*
3) Tampa Bay
4) Baltimore
5) Toronto
AL Central
1) Cleveland
2) Minnesota
3) Chicago
4) Kansas City
5) Detroit
AL West
1) Oakland
2) Los Angeles
3) Seattle
4) Texas
ALDS: New York over Oakland, Boston over Cleveland
ALCS: New York over Boston
NL East
1) New York
2) Florida*
3) Philadelphia
4) Atlanta
5) Washington
NL Central
1) Chicago
2) Houston
3) Cincinnati
4) St. Louis
5) Milwaukee
6) Pittsburgh
NL West
1) Arizona
2) Los Angeles
3) San Francisco
4) San Diego
5) Colorado
NLDS: Chicago over Florida, Arizona over New York
NLCS: Arizona over Chicago
WS: New York over Arizona
Hope I'm wrong!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Clippers slip: Sign of things to come for Celtics?
If there's one thing I've learned about Boston sports, it's that just when you think you have them where you want them, they defy all odds (and I mean ALL odds) to make some sort of miracle comeback. The Celtics may not be an exception, but it's hard not to revel in last night's 93-91 loss to the lowly Clippers in L.A. No Kevin Garnett, but no excuses. The Celtics have won with players out, so you can't have it both ways, Boston.
The Eastern Conference is still soft, which is what mainly benefited Boston last year in their ridiculous turnaround. But Cleveland needs to capitalize on what looks like it could be a mini midseason swoon by Boston.
I'm sure that something like this won't happen again, so let's enjoy it while it's here. Boston was 66-16 last year, a record they likely will not match this year. Cleveland has one loss at home all year. The sagas of the two cities are well-chronicled, with Cleveland being a notorious choke town and Boston being a charmed town. But if just this once there is no miracle left for a Boston team, perhaps such an inexcusable loss is in fact a good sign.
The Eastern Conference is still soft, which is what mainly benefited Boston last year in their ridiculous turnaround. But Cleveland needs to capitalize on what looks like it could be a mini midseason swoon by Boston.
I'm sure that something like this won't happen again, so let's enjoy it while it's here. Boston was 66-16 last year, a record they likely will not match this year. Cleveland has one loss at home all year. The sagas of the two cities are well-chronicled, with Cleveland being a notorious choke town and Boston being a charmed town. But if just this once there is no miracle left for a Boston team, perhaps such an inexcusable loss is in fact a good sign.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Message to 31 teams: Don't mortgage the farm for Cassel
It almost might work out in what looked like the worst of circumstances for the resident cheaters of the NFL. Sacrificing one year of making the playoffs may let them earn some depth and security for years to come. Why? Because their so-called "system", the one whose legitimacy has still yet to be verified, allowed a mediocre quarterback to look like an elite one. Matt Cassel is just that, mediocre. But he will be making the most money in a one-year tender for a franchise player in league history next year, because the Patriots used their franchise tag on him. That means that if some team is foolish enough to try and snag him, they will owe the Patriots two first-round draft picks. Meanwhile, it's not like the Patriots won't be in good hands at quarterback without him.
So if a team like, say, the Minnesota Vikings finally wakes up and realizes Tarvaris Jackson can't cut it at this level and decides to sell out for Cassel, they will be handing the Patriots two first-round draft picks for a player who shouldn't even command one seventh-rounder. It will also save the Patriots plenty of salary cap money, rather than keep them financially constrained. The money freed up by Cassel's possible departure could allow them to land a malcontent like Julius Peppers and turn him into the second coming of Corey Dillon.
So to those other 31 teams, even those with dicey quarterback situations, please, please don't fork over more than $14 million for the product of a strong offensive system whose receivers push off and whose line cut-blocks as if it was going out of style. Save the money and the draft picks and keep Cassel where he belongs, on the New England bench chewing up valuable cap space.
So if a team like, say, the Minnesota Vikings finally wakes up and realizes Tarvaris Jackson can't cut it at this level and decides to sell out for Cassel, they will be handing the Patriots two first-round draft picks for a player who shouldn't even command one seventh-rounder. It will also save the Patriots plenty of salary cap money, rather than keep them financially constrained. The money freed up by Cassel's possible departure could allow them to land a malcontent like Julius Peppers and turn him into the second coming of Corey Dillon.
So to those other 31 teams, even those with dicey quarterback situations, please, please don't fork over more than $14 million for the product of a strong offensive system whose receivers push off and whose line cut-blocks as if it was going out of style. Save the money and the draft picks and keep Cassel where he belongs, on the New England bench chewing up valuable cap space.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
NFL gaffes with moving Pro Bowl to Miami
It's not that the people of Hawaii are any more deserving to have the Pro Bowl than a city like Miami, but the tradition has been around for 30 years and the players love it. It needs to stay. Roger Goodell is always looking for the extra buck, but he really doesn't need to tinker with the Pro Bowl. Playing it before the Super Bowl doesn't make it any less anticlimactic, especially considering players from the Super Bowl teams won't be participating, and quite possibly players who played in the previous week's championship games.
Playing it in Miami also cheapens to game. The players love going to Hawaii to be away from the distractions. Miami is hardly a getaway considering many players are from there or spend their offseasons there. Having it Miami merely makes it an side note, and perhaps just a way to ease the sting of the dreaded Super Bowl "dark week" that also needs to go. But nonetheless, having it after the season and in Hawaii is what the players want, and quite frankly what the fans want.
Having it before the Super Bowl doesn't mean anyone will care any more than they do or don't now. Attendance will likely be low; the fans in Hawaii get one game a year, as opposed to those in Miami, who get 8. Celebrities and other VIPs in town for the Big Game don't figure to spend a Sunday afternoon watching a meaningless game that very well will be missing some of the game's biggest stars.
Playing it in Miami also cheapens to game. The players love going to Hawaii to be away from the distractions. Miami is hardly a getaway considering many players are from there or spend their offseasons there. Having it Miami merely makes it an side note, and perhaps just a way to ease the sting of the dreaded Super Bowl "dark week" that also needs to go. But nonetheless, having it after the season and in Hawaii is what the players want, and quite frankly what the fans want.
Having it before the Super Bowl doesn't mean anyone will care any more than they do or don't now. Attendance will likely be low; the fans in Hawaii get one game a year, as opposed to those in Miami, who get 8. Celebrities and other VIPs in town for the Big Game don't figure to spend a Sunday afternoon watching a meaningless game that very well will be missing some of the game's biggest stars.
Monday, February 02, 2009
I stand corrected: Parity may be fading
Super Bowl XLII should have been seen as an aberration, not a sign of the times. The Patriots were 18-0 going into that game, and even though the Giants became the fourth team in four years to win the Super Bowl, it should have been clear that the balance of power had not really shifted.
Fast forward to last night, Super Bowl XLIII. I can hear Dennis Green this morning saying the Cardinals "let them off the hook". The Steelers, with yet another ludicrous comeback against a super-prevent defense, and the Patriots have now combined to win five of the past eight Super Bowls, and the joy of last season's game seems miles away.
Who besides those two teams, and perhaps the Colts and Chargers, feel that they have a chance to win the AFC next year? The NFC is wide open, but they are a cut below the AFC and don't figure to win as many Super Bowls as the AFC in the next decade or so.
The ending was brutal, because it was the underdogs that got kicked in the gut when it looked like they were destined for glory. It seems we now must allot at least one season out of every two or three for either the Steelers or Patriots to have their celebratory parades and what not. It was nice to see Jerome Bettis get his ring I suppose, but last night was not fun too watch. Dynasties are back in pro football until further notice.
Fast forward to last night, Super Bowl XLIII. I can hear Dennis Green this morning saying the Cardinals "let them off the hook". The Steelers, with yet another ludicrous comeback against a super-prevent defense, and the Patriots have now combined to win five of the past eight Super Bowls, and the joy of last season's game seems miles away.
Who besides those two teams, and perhaps the Colts and Chargers, feel that they have a chance to win the AFC next year? The NFC is wide open, but they are a cut below the AFC and don't figure to win as many Super Bowls as the AFC in the next decade or so.
The ending was brutal, because it was the underdogs that got kicked in the gut when it looked like they were destined for glory. It seems we now must allot at least one season out of every two or three for either the Steelers or Patriots to have their celebratory parades and what not. It was nice to see Jerome Bettis get his ring I suppose, but last night was not fun too watch. Dynasties are back in pro football until further notice.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A fist full of Lions jokes, even after the season
No one is better than Jay Leno at keeping the Detroit Lions fresh in our memories, even a month after their dubiously historic season ended. The jokes just keep on coming, and each is just as funny as the one that preceded it. So without further do, here are five of my favorites. Keep in mind, Leno has been doing these for years, even since Johnnie Morton exclaimed, after the Lions won a game after being 0-12, "I want Jay Leno to kiss my ass!" (Leno actually did, because Morton sent a donkey out to L.A. for Leno to plant one on). And now the jokes (These are not verbatim, but as close as possible):
- On the Super Bowl and the NFL Experience provided for fans: "The Detroit Lions have a section, fans actually just put on a uniform, stand there and fans boo them and throw beer at them."
- On the upcoming NFL playoffs: "Well it's NFL playoff time... or as the Detroit Lions call it, 'Fantasy Football'.
- On the divisional round of the playoffs: "Lot of good games this weekend, Ravens are playing the Titans, Chargers are playing the Steelers, Lions are playing Guitar Hero."
- Relating the Presidential election: "According to Newsweek, sociologists believe that nine months after election day, there could be tens of thousands of what they call 'Obama babies.' Psychologists say this is not unusual, because a lot of people celebrate a big victory by having sex. That's true. See, that's why there's never been any Detroit Lions babies."
- On their accomplishment of becoming the NFL's first 0-16 team: "I don't want to say they're getting cocky, but some of the players are already starting to talk about doing it again next year."
- On the Super Bowl and the NFL Experience provided for fans: "The Detroit Lions have a section, fans actually just put on a uniform, stand there and fans boo them and throw beer at them."
- On the upcoming NFL playoffs: "Well it's NFL playoff time... or as the Detroit Lions call it, 'Fantasy Football'.
- On the divisional round of the playoffs: "Lot of good games this weekend, Ravens are playing the Titans, Chargers are playing the Steelers, Lions are playing Guitar Hero."
- Relating the Presidential election: "According to Newsweek, sociologists believe that nine months after election day, there could be tens of thousands of what they call 'Obama babies.' Psychologists say this is not unusual, because a lot of people celebrate a big victory by having sex. That's true. See, that's why there's never been any Detroit Lions babies."
- On their accomplishment of becoming the NFL's first 0-16 team: "I don't want to say they're getting cocky, but some of the players are already starting to talk about doing it again next year."
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Despite Steelers' sixth, 2008 was still a decent season
Let's establish one thing right off the bat: Come Super Bowl Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals will be what we thought they were, and always have thought: they are losers. They have had a great season and deserve credit for their run, but they are overmatched by the Steelers. That said, the new Pittsburgh dynasty is an unwelcome nuisance in this age of supposed parity.
But 2008 had a lot of good things to remember. There was some parity, like the 1-15 Dolphins turning around into division champions. The Ravens qualifying for the AFC championship game with a rookie quarterback. The Falcons unscrambling the mess left by Michael Vick.
For the first time in a long time, all four finalists did not win a single playoff game the previous year. The Titans' 13-3 record was the best in football, the first time since 2002 that the NFL didn't have at least a 14-win team. And the Cardinals removed themselves from a dubious list, those who have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Only the Lions, Saints, Browns, Texans, and Jaguars have never appeared in the Big Game.
The Steelers had a lot of numbers and laws of averages on their side Sunday against Baltimore, much like they did the previous week against 8-8 San Diego, a team essentially playing with house money after a 4-8 start. And on Feb. 1, the Cardinals will be up against not only the league's best defense, but bad history. Seven of the past nine teams making their first Super Bowl appearance have lost, with only the Ravens and Buccaneers being the exception in that span. The Cardinals happen to be going against the team with the most Super Bowl wins, not an enticing proposition for a team that has look extremely pedestrian at times this year.
The Seahawks had a much stronger team than Arizona does, and the Steelers team that defeated them was not as dominant, at least on defense, as this one. Uh-oh.
Oh well. At least there were a lot of positives in 2008, even if the end result did not show it. Did I mention the Patriots were absent from the postseason?
But 2008 had a lot of good things to remember. There was some parity, like the 1-15 Dolphins turning around into division champions. The Ravens qualifying for the AFC championship game with a rookie quarterback. The Falcons unscrambling the mess left by Michael Vick.
For the first time in a long time, all four finalists did not win a single playoff game the previous year. The Titans' 13-3 record was the best in football, the first time since 2002 that the NFL didn't have at least a 14-win team. And the Cardinals removed themselves from a dubious list, those who have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Only the Lions, Saints, Browns, Texans, and Jaguars have never appeared in the Big Game.
The Steelers had a lot of numbers and laws of averages on their side Sunday against Baltimore, much like they did the previous week against 8-8 San Diego, a team essentially playing with house money after a 4-8 start. And on Feb. 1, the Cardinals will be up against not only the league's best defense, but bad history. Seven of the past nine teams making their first Super Bowl appearance have lost, with only the Ravens and Buccaneers being the exception in that span. The Cardinals happen to be going against the team with the most Super Bowl wins, not an enticing proposition for a team that has look extremely pedestrian at times this year.
The Seahawks had a much stronger team than Arizona does, and the Steelers team that defeated them was not as dominant, at least on defense, as this one. Uh-oh.
Oh well. At least there were a lot of positives in 2008, even if the end result did not show it. Did I mention the Patriots were absent from the postseason?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
L.T. could miss most of 2009 with sore fingernail
LaDainian Tomlinson might not spend the 2009 season in a San Diego Chargers uniform. He has had a phenomenal 8-year run with the Chargers, a record-setting run in fact. But with the way his play has declined and the way his previous two seasons have ended, it has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans and perhaps of management as well.
The lasting images of what was a great run in 2007, when the Chargers went from 1-3 to the AFC championship game, was Tomlinson sitting on the sidelines in New England with his parka pulled over his head and his eyes hidden behind his tinted visor. This after it was believed he would be able to play in the most important game of his career.
This past season, when the Chargers reeled off four straight wins to capture the AFC West title, Tomlinson injured his groin in the season finale and was only able to play on a limited basis in the wild card round against Indianapolis. In their toughest game of the season at Pittsburgh in the divisional round, Tomlinson once again was M.I.A. In his absence, backup Darren Sproles rushed for only 15 yards as the Steelers rolled. Once again, with his team needing him, Tomlinson was nowhere to be found as the Chargers' season came to an end.
Tomlinson is slowly turning into either a prima donna, a machine with failing parts, or just a running back with extremely bad timing when it comes to injuries. His legacy may be one of greatness, but only in the regular season. He has never excelled in the postseason, either due to injury or ineffectiveness, and ultimately that may spell the end of his time in southern California.
The lasting images of what was a great run in 2007, when the Chargers went from 1-3 to the AFC championship game, was Tomlinson sitting on the sidelines in New England with his parka pulled over his head and his eyes hidden behind his tinted visor. This after it was believed he would be able to play in the most important game of his career.
This past season, when the Chargers reeled off four straight wins to capture the AFC West title, Tomlinson injured his groin in the season finale and was only able to play on a limited basis in the wild card round against Indianapolis. In their toughest game of the season at Pittsburgh in the divisional round, Tomlinson once again was M.I.A. In his absence, backup Darren Sproles rushed for only 15 yards as the Steelers rolled. Once again, with his team needing him, Tomlinson was nowhere to be found as the Chargers' season came to an end.
Tomlinson is slowly turning into either a prima donna, a machine with failing parts, or just a running back with extremely bad timing when it comes to injuries. His legacy may be one of greatness, but only in the regular season. He has never excelled in the postseason, either due to injury or ineffectiveness, and ultimately that may spell the end of his time in southern California.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Steelers: the new Patriots?
Should the Pittsburgh Steelers win two more games en route their NFL-leading sixth Super Bowl title, can they be considered a 21st-century dynasty? It would be their second in four years, and more importantly, give them two more in the past four years than the New England Patriots, thought to be the first (and only) dynasty this decade to date.
The Steelers are not a flashy team, nor are they even a dominant team. They are easy to dislike for me as a Ravens fan, but nowhere near Patriot-hatable. They aren't exactly world-class guys, but they generally don't possess the bend-or-break-the-rules-at-cost mentally that Bill Belichick's squad does.
The Patriots videotaped their way to three Super Bowl titles at the start of the decade, while the Steelers fielded strong teams, but not championship-caliber teams. They suffered two AFC championship game losses to New England before finally breaking through in 2005.
What would a second Lombardi trophy in four years mean? The good would be that they would supplant the Patriots as the current NFL powerhouse. The bad is that it's the Steelers, a team that won four Super Bowls with the help off avid steroid use in the 1970s. While this team doesn't closely resemble the Steel Curtain teams, history is far too appreciated in the Steel City to go unnoticed and be disconnected from the modern-day group.
I am, as usual, pessimistic about the banged-up Ravens' chances this Sunday, and the Steelers would figure to be considerable favorites against either the Eagles or Cardinals in the Super Bowl, meaning we could be heading down a familiar, and painful, path once again.
The Steelers are not a flashy team, nor are they even a dominant team. They are easy to dislike for me as a Ravens fan, but nowhere near Patriot-hatable. They aren't exactly world-class guys, but they generally don't possess the bend-or-break-the-rules-at-cost mentally that Bill Belichick's squad does.
The Patriots videotaped their way to three Super Bowl titles at the start of the decade, while the Steelers fielded strong teams, but not championship-caliber teams. They suffered two AFC championship game losses to New England before finally breaking through in 2005.
What would a second Lombardi trophy in four years mean? The good would be that they would supplant the Patriots as the current NFL powerhouse. The bad is that it's the Steelers, a team that won four Super Bowls with the help off avid steroid use in the 1970s. While this team doesn't closely resemble the Steel Curtain teams, history is far too appreciated in the Steel City to go unnoticed and be disconnected from the modern-day group.
I am, as usual, pessimistic about the banged-up Ravens' chances this Sunday, and the Steelers would figure to be considerable favorites against either the Eagles or Cardinals in the Super Bowl, meaning we could be heading down a familiar, and painful, path once again.
Monday, January 12, 2009
A grim baseball season approaching in 2009
Is there any point in watching baseball in 2009? The competitive balance was already going to be any issue, and that was before the Yankees spent half of America's economy in free agency and the Red Sox added another half-roster to their already loaded squad just to stick it to the Yankees. As we know, that's all that matters in Boston.
Unfortunately, the rest of baseball has been virtually idle. The Rays are headed for a major downfall, and while the Cubs threw some money at some more players, the best they can hope for is to take the weak National League before getting smoked in the Series by one of the Evil Empires.
The Blue Jays and Orioles will duke it out for 4th place in the AL East, and both will be lucky to crack 70 wins in another broken-record of a season. The Phillies may have broken the city's mini-curse, but that's all they'll get, as it's likely back to reality next year. The NL West is simply dead weight to baseball.
So, when do NFL training camps start?
Unfortunately, the rest of baseball has been virtually idle. The Rays are headed for a major downfall, and while the Cubs threw some money at some more players, the best they can hope for is to take the weak National League before getting smoked in the Series by one of the Evil Empires.
The Blue Jays and Orioles will duke it out for 4th place in the AL East, and both will be lucky to crack 70 wins in another broken-record of a season. The Phillies may have broken the city's mini-curse, but that's all they'll get, as it's likely back to reality next year. The NL West is simply dead weight to baseball.
So, when do NFL training camps start?
Thursday, January 01, 2009
No Pats? Great. Wild Card Weekend? Odd.
A Sunday unlike too many others for me transpired and I was thankful. December 28, 2008: the day that my hometown Ravens qualified for the postseason while the Patriots did not. To make it sweeter, New England wasted an 11-5 season, becoming the first team in 23 years to win 11 games and miss the postseason. The playoffs can now be enjoyed without the Patriots being able to cheat and terrorize as they have six of the past seven seasons.
But how about this for an oddity? For the first time in recent memory (and probably ever), all four road teams are favored in the Wild Card round. So much for home field advantage in the postseason, right? While it can't be expected for that to happen in the division round, it is a resounding statement that this year is a free-for-all. No Patriots, no problem. Now other teams don't have to worry about succumbing to divine intervention, just old-school, smash-mouth football.
The oddity of four road teams being favored is due in large part to the fact that two of the games feature road teams with three and four more wins than their home counterpart. The Ravens and Dolphins have identical 11-5 records, while the Eagles and Vikings are separated by just a half game.
The feeling here is that at least one home team will prevail, considering two of the visiting teams are starting rookie quarterbacks and the Chargers have always had the Colts' number. The Vikings, meanwhile, are the largest of the four underdogs at a full three points (same as Baltimore-Miami), but are 6-2 at home this season.
But alas, this is a weekend to truly rejoice. January is here, and New England is not. Junior Seau once again will go ringless, as will Randy Moss and how-many-4-yard-out-patterns-can-you-run-and-call-yourself-great Wes Welker. Bill Belichick will not stalk the sidelines in his hoodie, nor will he have any hidden cameras at any games (that we know of).
Truly odd, but great nonetheless.
But how about this for an oddity? For the first time in recent memory (and probably ever), all four road teams are favored in the Wild Card round. So much for home field advantage in the postseason, right? While it can't be expected for that to happen in the division round, it is a resounding statement that this year is a free-for-all. No Patriots, no problem. Now other teams don't have to worry about succumbing to divine intervention, just old-school, smash-mouth football.
The oddity of four road teams being favored is due in large part to the fact that two of the games feature road teams with three and four more wins than their home counterpart. The Ravens and Dolphins have identical 11-5 records, while the Eagles and Vikings are separated by just a half game.
The feeling here is that at least one home team will prevail, considering two of the visiting teams are starting rookie quarterbacks and the Chargers have always had the Colts' number. The Vikings, meanwhile, are the largest of the four underdogs at a full three points (same as Baltimore-Miami), but are 6-2 at home this season.
But alas, this is a weekend to truly rejoice. January is here, and New England is not. Junior Seau once again will go ringless, as will Randy Moss and how-many-4-yard-out-patterns-can-you-run-and-call-yourself-great Wes Welker. Bill Belichick will not stalk the sidelines in his hoodie, nor will he have any hidden cameras at any games (that we know of).
Truly odd, but great nonetheless.
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