Could this guy save the league from a lockout?(espn.com)
Well, that was a stinker. With the way this game turned out, this game got as much unnecessary attention as Tiger Woods' one car accident over the weekend. But yet, I still can't get Drew Brees's 5 TDs and his perfect rating out of my head. So much for selective amnesia. So what does this prove? For one, the Saints are amazing. Whoever can make a defensive back like Mike McKenzie, who had been with the team for grand total of a week, turn into a Brady Killer has my complete respect. It also shows that the Pats as they are now, will not make it to the Super Bowl. You don't have to look far from the 1-4 road record (only win at Wembley against the abysmal Buccaneers) as to why they won't be playing in February, or even mid January. To top that, they don't have that big game capability anymore, which may stem from the bone chilling results of the 2006 AFC Championship Game. Considering the fact their projected road to the postseason will stray away from Foxboro after the 1st round, the Pats have as much of a chance to make the next Super Bowl as the WNBA has to being the number one sport in the country, but I digress. As I was talking to Blakey, an old high school buddy of mine, about the prison beating that the Patriots received, we pondered one ginormous thought: What if two undefeated teams made it to the Super Bowl? It's historically impossible, but real fun to think. After all, it is the first time that they're two 11-0 teams in one season in NFL history. Just look at the remaining schedule for both teams.
The Cowboys may be the thorn in the heel for the 'Who Dat' Saints on paper, but on the other hand, Romo doesn't win December games on any surface. I'll give the Saints the edge on that one, as well as the other teams on the schedule if this came down to a point of a gun. The Colts have a mighty task ahead with VY (Leinart's worst nightmare) and the surging Titans coming to town. With the Colts' recent penchant for late game comebacks, this game could easily be the contest that puts a crooked number in the loss column for Indy. But for as much as I despise the Colts with every fiber of my being, I am actually rooting for Peyton to dismantle teams right into February, and by looking at the remainder of the schedule, he just might. Think about the biggest game you've ever seen, then times it by 10,000,000. Two undefeateds in the biggest sporting league in the country: One will become the iconic team of the sport, the other gets the nation's mind of the Patriots debunked attempt 2 seasons ago. Most importantly, there is no way that the NFL gets locked out in 2011 after coming off that hype-fest of a game. The momentum from that Super Bowl would carry for years, even decades. No way the NFL even thinks of taking minute off any season for a while. My only remaining question is what would the '72 Dolphins do if both make it to the Super Bowl undefeated? One team will claim the title as the first undefeated in almost 40 years, but another undefeated team will be a casualty that would normally make a select group of 60 year olds to pop champagne. There just has to be something in the NFL rulebook for this, just has to. I guess it's how that old adage goes: Can't beat 'em, then just root for them to go to the Super Bowl with 0 losses. Errrrrrrrrr! Time for a mood boost.
New Orleans
@ Washington
@ Atlanta
Dallas
Tampa Bay
@ Carolina
Indianapolis
Tennessee
Denver
@ Jacksonville
New York Jets
@ Buffalo
@ Washington
@ Atlanta
Dallas
Tampa Bay
@ Carolina
Indianapolis
Tennessee
Denver
@ Jacksonville
New York Jets
@ Buffalo
The Cowboys may be the thorn in the heel for the 'Who Dat' Saints on paper, but on the other hand, Romo doesn't win December games on any surface. I'll give the Saints the edge on that one, as well as the other teams on the schedule if this came down to a point of a gun. The Colts have a mighty task ahead with VY (Leinart's worst nightmare) and the surging Titans coming to town. With the Colts' recent penchant for late game comebacks, this game could easily be the contest that puts a crooked number in the loss column for Indy. But for as much as I despise the Colts with every fiber of my being, I am actually rooting for Peyton to dismantle teams right into February, and by looking at the remainder of the schedule, he just might. Think about the biggest game you've ever seen, then times it by 10,000,000. Two undefeateds in the biggest sporting league in the country: One will become the iconic team of the sport, the other gets the nation's mind of the Patriots debunked attempt 2 seasons ago. Most importantly, there is no way that the NFL gets locked out in 2011 after coming off that hype-fest of a game. The momentum from that Super Bowl would carry for years, even decades. No way the NFL even thinks of taking minute off any season for a while. My only remaining question is what would the '72 Dolphins do if both make it to the Super Bowl undefeated? One team will claim the title as the first undefeated in almost 40 years, but another undefeated team will be a casualty that would normally make a select group of 60 year olds to pop champagne. There just has to be something in the NFL rulebook for this, just has to. I guess it's how that old adage goes: Can't beat 'em, then just root for them to go to the Super Bowl with 0 losses. Errrrrrrrrr! Time for a mood boost.
IBRACADABRA!(espn.com)
How 'bout Barça? The blaugrana affirmatively answered my worries by coming through in the biggest week of their season to date and taking back the top spot in La Liga. In the latest installation of El Clasico, Barça edged out Los Merengues 1-0 in a more competitive game than the 2-6 thrashing of the last derby matchup. The high-volt Barcelona crowds made me appreciate the rivalry even more, and reminded me of Fenway when the Yanks come to town, plus the Catalan curse words. It's better to come out the victor in these tight contests, especially considering this was a game that the Madridians could have easily won with chances from Ronaldo and the 1 man advantage that Madrid had for about a half hour in the 2nd half. Once again, it was the big Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who tallied a goal off a cross only 5 minutes after being inserted into the pitch. Let's not forget the captain and center back Carles Puyol putting on a show to save the game in a few instances, making me gain more respect for the defensive positions of soccer. I have to give that respect, considering If I were to play, I would have to play that position due to my lack of dribbling ability. I mean, I would probably be allowed to use my hands if people saw me work the pitch! But to me, the most important victory of the week came against the Italian club Inter Milan 2-0 in an important Champions League fixture, which not only showed that Barça can still be overwhelming, but also strengthened their position of a continued title defense into the new year. With the first-time promoted Xerez next on the schedule, I'm as comfortable as Drew Brees throwing into the Patriots secondary (Apparently still haven't got over it.).
Will a walker be a mandatory requirement for the Sox SS position?(cache.daylife.com)
Can't write this entry without writing a few notes on my Sox. Gone goes Gonzo. That has been the extent of the latest goings-on in the Red Sox segment of the Hot Stove, creating a little more impact than the Halladay buzz. Don't think so? Check out this Gammons article on a possible Pedroia switch to short. Intriguing? You bet. Especially considering that he was an All-American shortstop in Arizona and was at short when he began his road to the bigs. Why did he move you ask? To make room for prospect phenom and alleged Sox offseason target Hanley Ramirez. As great as all of this sounds and as much as I love athletes in my height class succeeding in every level, I'm kind of in the modern major league mindset of having my shortstops being at least 6 feet tall. It almost makes as much sense as FIFA punishing Thierry Henry for their ref's mistake, or how a guy named Buck MARTINEZ pronounces Ortiz, "OR-teez". With the current state of our defense, we already have question marks with Mike Lowell and I hate to say, V-Mart at the backstop. Putting Pedroia at short is only rolling the dice on an already questionable defense. Although the Scutaro alternative seems like a Renterian risk in comparison. Not only would we lose a draft pick, but we will probably be relying on a guy who had a career year at 33 years old to put up similar production when he is around 36 or 37. That foot injury at the end of last year doesn't make me warm and fuzzy inside, either. Come to think of it, I would pay double the price of admission to see Pedroia do an Ozzie-like flip to his position. Let the black hole continue.
Oh yeah. Can't forget that Roy guy, or all the rumblings that he wants his next destination either this winter or in the next winter. All while we hear that the Sox are putting on a full court press to get the ace. Bottom line is I don't see how the Scrooge of all prospect wealth, Theo Epstein, will deal the likes of Buchholz, Kelly, and other top young'ns for just one run at the postseason, and that doesn't include the multi-million dollar extension that we may have to give a guy who will be a post-prime 34 in 2011 with a ton of innings on his right arm. And I'm sure many other organizations share the same philosophies. Toronto blew it last trading deadline by asking too much in a situation where they had superior leverage. Unless Toronto lowers their demands a smidge, expect Halladay to finish out his current contract for a 4th place Canadian team. That, or the Yanks pull the plug and I spend another winter trying to gouge my eyes out. As for Hanley, still don't see it, The Sox no doubt have a hole at short, but I just don't see the Marlins giving away Ramirez without us dumping our whole farm system. Besides, 6 year, $70 million dollar contract is actually a bargain with the way he's been playing. Plus, the Marlins will need a star to open when they open that new stadium in 2012, a looooooooong ways to go. Good luck on all that, Theo.
Here's some outside-the-box for ya'. Other than another bat, what is the biggest need for the Sox this offseason. Didn't expect me to say long relief did you? The Sox didn't have that guy that would eat those innings last year, especially late in the season. The abundance of one inning relievers destroyed the effectiveness of guys like Ramirez, Delcarmen and Okajima because they would constantly have to be called upon to clean the mess from one of our "low risk, high reward" pickups. My mind always flashes back to the most defining game of the '09 season when the Yanks beat us in the 15-inning game with relievers who could pitch more than 1 inning, while we had to use 5 relievers in the extra innings, depleting our 'pen and even our starting rotation for the long run. Instead of using these red flag pickups to build the starting rotation, how about using one of those injury risk starters (Harden, Sheets) as the long guy? No longer will the pressure of tossing 200 innings will be the norm, putting less stress on the minds and bodies of two excellent talents. A spot start or two for the annual Wakefield injury wouldn't hurt either. That and their relative youth beats having to rely on an otherwise aging relief market that includes Darren Oliver (39) or a Scott Schoenweis (36). Wake me when Feb. 17th ends.
Oh yeah. Can't forget that Roy guy, or all the rumblings that he wants his next destination either this winter or in the next winter. All while we hear that the Sox are putting on a full court press to get the ace. Bottom line is I don't see how the Scrooge of all prospect wealth, Theo Epstein, will deal the likes of Buchholz, Kelly, and other top young'ns for just one run at the postseason, and that doesn't include the multi-million dollar extension that we may have to give a guy who will be a post-prime 34 in 2011 with a ton of innings on his right arm. And I'm sure many other organizations share the same philosophies. Toronto blew it last trading deadline by asking too much in a situation where they had superior leverage. Unless Toronto lowers their demands a smidge, expect Halladay to finish out his current contract for a 4th place Canadian team. That, or the Yanks pull the plug and I spend another winter trying to gouge my eyes out. As for Hanley, still don't see it, The Sox no doubt have a hole at short, but I just don't see the Marlins giving away Ramirez without us dumping our whole farm system. Besides, 6 year, $70 million dollar contract is actually a bargain with the way he's been playing. Plus, the Marlins will need a star to open when they open that new stadium in 2012, a looooooooong ways to go. Good luck on all that, Theo.
Here's some outside-the-box for ya'. Other than another bat, what is the biggest need for the Sox this offseason. Didn't expect me to say long relief did you? The Sox didn't have that guy that would eat those innings last year, especially late in the season. The abundance of one inning relievers destroyed the effectiveness of guys like Ramirez, Delcarmen and Okajima because they would constantly have to be called upon to clean the mess from one of our "low risk, high reward" pickups. My mind always flashes back to the most defining game of the '09 season when the Yanks beat us in the 15-inning game with relievers who could pitch more than 1 inning, while we had to use 5 relievers in the extra innings, depleting our 'pen and even our starting rotation for the long run. Instead of using these red flag pickups to build the starting rotation, how about using one of those injury risk starters (Harden, Sheets) as the long guy? No longer will the pressure of tossing 200 innings will be the norm, putting less stress on the minds and bodies of two excellent talents. A spot start or two for the annual Wakefield injury wouldn't hurt either. That and their relative youth beats having to rely on an otherwise aging relief market that includes Darren Oliver (39) or a Scott Schoenweis (36). Wake me when Feb. 17th ends.
Cloud 10 Curiosities: Family Fail!
(failblog.org)Mochaman's Fantasy Football Report
- Boston Beersquad - 9-3 (1st, Plax's Got a Gun, 1st in Division 2, 1432.70 Pts.)
Big win to keep me in first as I approach the final week of the regular season in this league. Kinda concerned this week as I face off against a team who has outscored me on the whole by almost 300 points with me holding onto a division lead only because I have outscored the other 9-3 team. Have to win not only for the league crown, but for that coveted bye week, and it won't be easy, especially armed with the RB tandem of Maroney/Mike Bell. All prayers welcome.
- Killa' Beavaz - 8-4 (3rd, Yahoo Public 179914, 1188.46 Pts.)
I'm all about the nail biters! In third place by the the vitrue of being separated by 40 points from the top team. Chris Johnson has been in another atmosphere lately. Gonna need some big weeks by McNabb and Fitzy the next couple of weeks if I'm going to overcome and grab this division. Get ready for the ride, ladies and gents!
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