Sunday, August 31, 2008

Mississippi State: Where we have accepted Mediocracy for 100 years!!!


10 things I saw this weekend in college football

1.) Michigan is no where near what I thought they would be. I knew there would be struggles but I never expected 40 pass attempts and our leading rusher to get 8 carries. I went from an expectation of 8 wins to maybe 6 if we are lucky. I mean for crying out loud we got beat by a Ute? Wow! Football is really slipping in Ann Arbor.


2.) Tyson Lee can play at DI and didnt play great and didnt play bad. Wesley Carroll has some competition on his hands. Defense is good at State and will again be a top defense in the SEC. AD looked good and the only problem is they didn't hand him the ball enough. Also, once again our coaches got in the way of a victory vs. an easy non conference win.


3.) Alabama looked really good. Saban just may be getting those boys ready for a return trip to Atlanta in November. (*cough* *cough* see Seymour I dont always hate on your boys)


4.) LSU did win but I didn't see GREAT QB play. They have a tough head hunting defense as usual and will be tough to beat. Les Miles is a great coach and LSU has a good offense and will design it around their stable of backs and recievers and minimize any mistakes to be made by Hatch and Lee. FWIW I think Lee wins the job at QB soon.


5.) Auburn's wide open no huddle score all the time offense didnt do that well against UL Monroe. They have QB rotation and controversy as well.


6.) Clemson is once again overrated. No, I am not taking anything away from Alabama guys but 2 of the best RB's in the country (James Davis and CJ Spiller) had a combined 8 carries???? Is RichRod coaching in Clemson again?


7.) USC is once again for real. I know Virginia is no powerhouse but they are no cupcake either. Ohio St. fans are holding their breath over Beanie Wells' injury because without him they dont stand a chance vs the Trojans.


8.) Virginia Tech is stupid for redshirting Tyrod Taylor at QB because Sean Glennon is horrific and cannot carry that team offensively like Taylor can. Taylor proved that last year I thought. Look for the redshirt to be coming off soon. Too bad for Hokie fans that it cost them a victory already.


9.) Ole Miss looks like they could have a dangerous offense but they also look like they have a horrific defense. Snead and co. could put up some points since they have a good coach in Nutt and not the cajun gorilla Orgeron anymore.


10.) Pat White can actually throw the ball. I know it was against Villanova but did any of you expect him to throw for 200+ yards with 5 Td's and only 60+ yards rushing?



Feel free to add any of what you guys saw this weekend and before you even think about writing about it, there isn't anything you can say about Michigan or State that I havent told myself or already know. Congrats to you if your team won and if they didn't.....Well you could be me!

Friday, August 29, 2008

AFC WEST


San Diego Chargers (13-3) - The Chargers will once again win the AFC West. LT is the best RB in all of the NFL and Phillip Rivers began to show why he was such a high pick last year in the playoffs. The WR corp is not real strong but Chris Chambers is a good WR to go to along with TE Antonio Gates who is Rivers go to guy. The defense is one of the top in the NFL led by Shawn Merriman, who is battling knee problems that could hinder him all year, and Shawn Phillips. They can wreak havoc on opposing offenses. I look for more big things from the Bolts this year.
KEY ADDITIONS: Rookies Antoine Cason and Jacob Hester.
KEY LOSSES: Lorenzo Neal and Micheal Turner.


Denver Broncos (9-7) - The Broncos have one of the best coaches in the league with Shanahan and he will again put a competitive team on the field. They will be led by 3rd year QB Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall. They got a connection last year and I see it continuing into a deadly combo. Once again they do not have a big time RB but Shanahan in notorious for creating good backs in his system. Defensively they will be ok but not great. They are led by CB Champ Baily and LB DJ Williams. The best thing to happen to the Broncos is that they no longer have Travis "9 kids by 9 women" "Thug" "Dopehead" Henry.
KEY ADDITIONS: Dewayne Robertson, Michael Pittman and Keary Colbert
KEY LOSSES: Javon Walker, Jason Elam and Matt Lepsis


Oakland Raiders (8-8) - Some of you may be questioning be having the Raiders at 8-8 but I really see this team coming along well. They are young but Jamarcus Russell, Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden along with Javon Walker and Ronald Curry can put up some points I believe. But, this team is led by the defense. The old school Raiders defensive style is back. With Tommy Kelly, Derrick Burgess, Thomas Howard and in my opinion the best secondary in the AFC with Asomugha, DeAngelo Hall, Michael Huff and Gibril Wilson. They will be hard to pass the ball on and I really see them doing well this year.
KEY ADDITIONS: Darren McFadden, DeAngelo Hall, Kwame Harris, Javon Walker and Gibril Wilson
KEY LOSSES: Jerry Porter and Josh McCown.



Kansas City Chiefs (5-11) - The Chiefs are young like the Raiders. Brodie Croyle has the talent I believe and has a few weapons in Dewayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Johnson. The defensive unit is led by Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. They lost Ty Law and All Pro Jared Allen off this unit from last year. I don't see big things for the Chiefs this year.
KEY ADDITIONS: Glenn Dorsey
KEY LOSSES: Ty Law and Jared Allen.
Division Winner: San Diego
Wild Card: None
MVP: LT
Best Rookie: Darren McFadden

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Sports Babe of the Day


College Football has arrived (Thank God)


Can you smell it? Can you smell the grills going? Can you smell the fresh cut grass? I smell it, it smells like College Football. Its here! It has arrived! No more trying to figure out what your going to do on the weekends, you know what your doing. Your going to be happy, sad, nervous, excited, and every other emotion you can think of, but that's why we watch!!! I love it, College football is here!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonights game of the night is South Carolina vs N.C. State. South Carolina is a 14 point favorite and for what its worth I like South Carolina to win 34 to 10.

AFC SOUTH


Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - The Colts are once again the team to beat in the AFC South. Led by Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark they have one of the top offenses in the AFC with the Pats. Their defense is solid too and led by head hunting safety Bob Sanders. The LB corp is somewhat questionable to me with Brackett and Keiho but the are a solid defense who depend on their offense to give them leads to play with so they can be comfortable enough to do what the want.
KEY ADDITIONS: Dominic Rhodes
KEY LOSSES: None

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) - The Jags have become a dangerous team the last few years in the AFC. They are hard nosed team who are an old school style team. They like to run the football with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew and they play a hit-you-in-the-mouth defense. They are led by David Garrard at QB and he is a guy who doesn't make mistakes. He only threw 3 int in 325 attempts. Their WR corp has been their only question on offense the last few years but they addressed those needs in the off season by adding Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson. Their defense is led by John Henderson and the dreadlock brothers, Reggie Nelson and Rashean Mathis. Look for another playoff year from these Jags.
KEY ADDITIONS: Jerry Porter, Troy Williamson and Derrick Harvey.
KEY LOSSES: Ernest Wilford, Marcus Stroud and Sammy Knight.

Tennessee Titans (7-9) - Vince Young has come along slowly and I don't see great things for the Titans this year. They are not very strong at RB. Lendale White and rookie Chris Johnson can get the job done but I just don't see them carrying the load for this team. The WR corp is weak and Vince doesn't have a lot to work with. On defense, the Freak, Jevon Kearse, is back and they are led by Albert Haynesworth and Keith Bulluck. Again, I don't see big things from the Titans this year.
KEY ADDITIONS: Alge Crumpler and Jevon Kearse
KEY LOSSES: Chris Brown and Antwan Odom

Houston Texans (5-11) - The Texans remain the cellar team in the South. They have some weapons with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Ahman Green but not enough to make the playoffs. I see good things from Schaub and Johnson but don't look for a lot points from the Texans. Defensively they are led by Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. Ryans is one of the best LB in the NFL and not many people even know it. The Texans once again will bring up the rear in the AFC SOUTH.
KEY ADDITIONS: none
KEY LOSSES: none
Divsion Winner: Colts
Wild Card: Jags
MVP: Manning
Best Rookie: Derrick Harvey

Monday, August 25, 2008

Did You Know?


Everyone knows about the struggles of the Chicago Cubs, but did you know that the Chicago Cubs have been to 10 World Series and have won two championships?

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

AFC North Preview


The AFC North is known to be what I called the Blue Collar division. They have Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I imagine most of their fans as blue collar, hard working Americans. Not that other fans are not like that but just this division from top to bottom just says "Blue Collar" to me.

Cleveland Browns (11-5) - Derek Anderson broke out last year and made an immediate connection with my boy Braylon Edwards. Kellen Winslow, Jamal Lewis and the newly acquired Donte' Stallworth give this offense plenty of fire power. The have Brady Quinn backing up Anderson should he fail. Their defense has problems namely in the secondary. They have a top 5 OL led by 2nd year man Joe Thomas. They filled a big need on the DL with the acquisition of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. The biggest problem with the Browns is their terrible secondary. They give up too many big plays and have to hope the offense can out score opponents. The only other question in my mind for this team is how much will Romeo Crenel way at the end of the season?
KEY LOSSES: No players but traded away top 3 picks in last years draft to get Rogers and co.
KEY ADDITIONS: DT Shaun Rogers, DT Corey Williams and CB Travis Daniels


Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) - This is not your dad's Steelers. The days of smash mouth running the football with Bettis & co. are over. Now the offense revolves around Big Ben. He has a very good receiving corp led by Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Holmes showed last year that he is ready to be a legitimate #1 WR in the NFL. Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall give them a good 1-2 punch at RB. As always their defense will be tough led by Troy Polamalu. Look for Lamar Woodley to break out. Former Tide standout and MS boy Deshea Townsend is the veteran in the secondary to lead the younger guys.
KEY LOSSES: G Alan Fanaca, T Max Starks, LB Clark Haggans and RB Najeh Davenport.
KEY ADDITIONS: RB Rashard Mendenhall, QB Byron Leftwich (JK), C Justin Hardwick, RB Mewelde Moore


Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) - This team has a lot of talent. The only problem is most of that talent can't stay outta trouble. WR Chris Henry is back but for how long? Former rookie LB standout Odell Thurman couldn't stay out of jail and is gone. Hell, the have had over 10 players arrested in the last couple years!! On with the predictions. Carson Palmer is a top QB and him along with TJ (holy last name) Houshmandzadeh and OCHO CINCO make a dangerous combination that can put up a lot of points. The only problem on offense is the run game. Rudi Johnson flopped last year and cant stay real healthy and former Michigan standout Chris Perry has done nothing. If they can get a productive run game then they can make the playoffs but if not I say no. Their defense is very bad and have no big time players. Their best player is former Tide DE Antwan Odom and could end up being rookie Keith Rivers. The over/under on the Bengals and Browns this year? I say 110?
KEY LOSSES: DE Justin Smith
KEY ADDITIONS: TE Ben Utecht, Rookie LB Keith Rivers


Baltimore Ravens (5-11) - Gone is Brian Billick and John Harbaugh is the new head coach. I think their offense will still struggle. Kyle Boller has been a bust and look for rookie Joe Flacco to take the starting gig at some point. Opposing defenses will stack the box and stop RB Willis McGahee and force either Troy Smith, Boller or Flacco to beat them with the pass. The heart and soul of this team still remains its defense. They hit you hard and come from all angles. Their DL is led by Haloti Ngata and Trevor Pryce. Their LB's are absolutely sick with future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis along with Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs. Now add in Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Dawan Landry and perennial pro bowler Ed "I got my heart in this &*%@" Reed and you have a very lethal defense. Poor things just cannot get any help from their offense. I dont see that changing this year.
KEY LOSSES: RB Musa Smith
KEY ADDITIONS: QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice and S Tom Zbikowski
Division Winner: Browns
Wild Card: Steelers
MVP: Braylon Edwards
Best Rookie: Joe Flacco

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Breaking down the AFC EAST

In the coming days we will be giving our breakdowns of each division in the NFL. I will handle the AFC while Dollar will handle the NFC.
I will start today with the AFC EAST







New England Patriots: (12-4) Nope! I do not see another run at an undeafeated season for the Pats. I still think, like most of you, they are the cream of the crop in the AFC. Tom Brady will once again hook up with Randy Moss to make the most feared duo in the NFL. Add in Wes Welker and Lawrence Maroney and the Pats have the most explosive offense in the NFL and don't look for that to change.
KEY LOSSES: CB Asate Samuel, WR Donte Stallworth, CB Randall Gay and S Eugene Wilson.
KEY ADDITIONS: LB Victor Hobson, TE Marcus Pollard and CB Jason Webster.



New York Jets: (9-7) Brett Favre alone will take this team from a double digit loss team to a .500 team or better. He is the greatest QB to ever play the game and I think he will step right in and help the J-E-T-S JETS, JETS, JETS to a winning record. He has a good WR corp in Coles and Cotchery and rookie TE Dustin Keller, I believe, will have a good year. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are good enough to move the ball and the Jets OL got better by adding pro bowlers Alan Fanaca and Damien Woody. The Jets defense will be lead by 2nd year LB David Harris and S Kerry Rhodes. Add rookie Vernon Gholsten to the mix and I see better things for the Jets this year.
KEY LOSSES: LB Victor Hobson, LB Jonathan Vilma, WR Justin McCariens and DT Dewayne Robertson.
KEY ADDITIONS: G Alan Fanaca, LB Calvin Pace, LB Vernon Gholsten and FB Tony Richardson.



Buffalo Bills: (5-11) Dick Jauron's team will be led by 3rd year RB Marshawn Lynch. They will have a battle at the QB position with much the much maligned JP Losman and Trent Edwards. Lee Evans is a game breaking deep threat but lacks the ability to be a physical every down threat. There defense is OK but nothing to write home about.
KEY LOSSES: CB Jeremetrius Butler, CB Jason Webster and RB Anthony Thomas.
KEY ADDITIONS: DT Marcus Stroud, LB Kawika Mitchell, CB Will James


Miami Dolphins: (3-13) The Bill Parcells ERA begins in Miami and I don't look for an immediate impact like Parcells has had with other teams. They lost their franchise DE Jason (Dancing Machine) Taylor. They will have a QB battle between newly signed Chad Pennigton, Josh McCown, John Beck and rookie Chad Henne. At RB look for Ronnie Brown to be out for the year by week 6 as usual and Ricky Williams to make a resurrgence in Miami. Yes, I just said that. They have some very good young WR in Ted Ginn Jr and Derek Hagan. Their defense is bad and lost the best 2 defensive players they have had the last 10 years in Taylor and Zach Thomas.
KEY LOSSES: DE Jason Taylor, LB Zach Thomas, WR Marty Booker, DT Keith Traylor and QB Trent Green.
KEY ADDITIONS: LT Jake Long, DT Jason Ferguson, WR Ernest Wilford, LB Akin Ayodele and QB Josh McCown.



Division Winner: New England Patriots

Wild Card: none

MVP: Tom Brady

Best Rookie: Darrelle Revis

Idiot of the Week

B.J. Upton is my Idiot of the Week! Here is a kid with all the tools to be a great baseball player for many years and the only thing standing in the way of him and greatness is himself. Last night I was disgusted to see him not hustle out of the box last night on what he thought might be a wall scrapping HR and lolly gag until it hit the wall then he proceeded to hustle just a little but a heads up play by a true great player, Mark Texieira, trailing Upton and tagging him out just before reaching the bag. It reminded me of what really irks me with some of today's ball players. They get their money and think they are better than most of the other players so they try and get the spotlight on themselves instead of doing whatever it takes for your TEAM to win. This is not the first instance in which Upton hasn't hustled and cost his team. He had been benched 2 times in the last 3 weeks for it. I applauded Joe Madden for doing it! It sends a message that no one player is above the TEAM. This is a first place team who is winning with a low payroll and mostly players who are unselfish and willing to do whatever they need to do to put the TEAM in front. Players like Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena. B.J. needs to get himself together and realize he has great potential and needs to be remembered for how he played the game the right way and not for being the guy who got benched for not hustling. In his short career he has not lived up to his draft hype, in my opinion alone. He had to be moved to the outfield because of his horrific defense and also has had a couple scrapes with the law. Now he is being chastised for not doing the easiest thing in baseball. Running.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Photo Finish For Phelps

Micheal Phelps continued his Olympic dominance last night when he beat out Serbia's Milorad Cavic to set a new Olympic record in the 100 m butterfly. Cavic, before the race started, gave Phelps some bulletin board material. When will anyone learn to shut up when it come to Micheal Phelps? The Australians ran their mouth and he shut them up. The French did it the other night and they were shut up and now a Serb ran his mouth and Phelps said he used it as motivation to win last night. He came from 7th place at the split and at the last turn he came from almost a half body lentgh to win in one of the most exciting finishes I have seen.

Here is a hint to anyone that will race against Phelps anytime in the near future..... SHHHHHHHH!!!! He is the Micheal Jordan of mens swimming and nobody is even in the same league as him!!

BREAKING NEWS: Jamaica's Usain Bolt broke the WR in the 100 meters with a 9.69. He broke the world record and did it while celebrating with his arms strected out wide and pounding his chest the final steps of the way. His name is fitting but maybe instead of Usain Bolt we should call him INSANE BOLT!


Friday, August 15, 2008

Justin Woodall ready to breakout??

The Tuscaloosa News had an article today discussing Justin Woodall, a junior safety from Lafayette Co. MS, and I found it very interesting. You can read the article here.

I am writing this to give those of you Tide fans a perspective from me. I coached against Justin for 4 years. I saw him as a freshmen pitcher throwing in the mid to high 80's and knew at that moment he was something special. His head coach, Richie Harralson, and I were friends and he kept telling me "This kid is gonna be special!". We played against him for 4 years and each time he threw the ball as well as any high school pitcher I have seen. He had a funky delivery and his fast ball was EXPLOSIVE! We played against Lafayette Co. in the Dizzy Dean World Series Championship game in 2005 and I knew there was no way we could just go out there and hit him and win. We had to rattle him and put some pressure on him. Our leadoff guy bunted for a hit, #2 guy bunted and we had 1st and 2nd then our #3 hitter then bunted for a base hit. With the bases loaded we got an infield cheap single and then there was an error and a walk. We ended up scoring 5 runs in the first without getting a ball out of the infield. We won the World Series and we only had 3 or 4 hits that game off him. We won 7-4 I believe. The whole point of that rambling was he was too good for us to hit him and win. He had the most uncanny and raw athletic ability of any kid I have ever seen on a baseball field and if any of you know me I have seen and coached against many stud high school athletes. Heck, I coached against Jay Bruce in an all star tourney and I still think Justin is a better athlete!

I believe he could pick up a golf club and be as good as most guys who have played for years. He is that good of a natural athlete! All he needs to do is refine his skills by listening to his coaches and have the right techniques and approach. When he was drafted by the Mets after high school, one of his coaches said he turned down a HUGE signing bonus to go to Alabama!

Anyways I just wanted to give you guys a little perspective from me and what I saw out of him in 4 years. I think he will do great things the next 2 years in the Capstone.

There you go Seymour! That was for you!


photo courtesy of Tuscaloosa News

Sports Babe of the Day


I know its not sports related but everybody deserves to see this.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Sports Babe of the Day

Thank You Stacy Keibler!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Saturday, August 9, 2008

USA vs CHINA


VS

The Medal Count has begun. Who wins USA and their Superior athletes or China and their 900 billion people and the bought and threatened Judges? I say go to hell China!!!

Sports Babe of the Day (USA) edition


USA! USA! USA!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Did you Know?


That the Atlanta Brave have lost 26 consecutive 1 run games on the road.
I think that speaks volumes of the management or lack their of. Bobby Cox you once where a good manager back when the Braves had Terry Pendleton and Ron Gant, ect... and I appreciate the many successful years you gave us Braves fans but my friend I think its time for you to move on.

Sports Babe of the Day



Anybody like Nascar?

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Monday, August 4, 2008

Thats 240 pounds Folks! Its about that time


This is for you Seymour!

Sports Babe of the Day

WOW!!!

Did You Know????? (Seymour edition)


That the three greatest hitters of our generation; Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr, have never won a World Series title.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

R.I.P. Harry Christopher "Skip" Caray, Jr.

Sports Babe of the Day


This is what woman are supposed to look like. In case anybody was wondering.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

2 of David Reily's Heroes!

Don't ever say I do not put anything on here for you Wain D!







Sports Babe of the Day


Pig Sooey!!!!!!!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Welcome to Beantown Jason Bay!




Yes this is another Red Sox article and if you dont want to see it or read it then stop here......


Here is the reason I said I was happy with the deal that sent Manny out of town and brought in Jason Bay..... In his first game as a Red Sox, Bay went 1 for 3 with 2 runs and 2 walks. No, they are not glaring stats but here is the special thing... In the 12th inning last night with 2 outs and no one on, Bay hit a towering ball that seemed to be a HR at first but it hit off the top of the Green Monster. Now here is the difference I like between Bay and Manny(other than the millions of dollars less that Bay cost). If Manny hits that ball then he pimps it thinking HR but it hits off the Monster and he has to hustle to get a bang bang play at 2nd base for a double (If Manny was feeling froggy enough to hustle!) What did Bay do? Pimp it? No. Jog? No. He busted his butt out of the box and legged out a triple. Big deal you say huh? The big thing is that he was on 3rd instead on 2nd or 1st like Manny. JD Drew was intentionally walked. Jed Lowrie came up and hit a chopper up the middle that Bobby Crosby got to but could not get a hustling Lowrie out at first. The result? A Red Sox win and a stop to a long 2 week losing skid and a start to HOPEFULLY (Knock on Wood) a great career for Bay in Beantown.




Now I know Jason Bay is no Manny and in many ways. He plays the game alot more like I like with heart and hustle and grittiness but he doesn't have the personality of Manny. Manny is a first ballot Hall of Famer and Bay probably won't be one. But he respects the game and his team enough to give them everything he has for the whole game and cares less about the spotlight. Keep in mind that in this years comparisons that Bay has 2 more HR and only 4 less RBI's than the "overpaid and heading for his twilight Manny".


I just had to point this out to the people who are Manny apologists. If Manny hits that ball and we are in that situation then we head for another inning!


Welcome Jason Bay and best of luck in Beantown.

Sports Babe of the Day (pac 10)