My first installment got some pretty good feedback. As I tried to steer everyone away from picking their favorite teams, I still received a lot of bias and prejudice.
Let me start by making sure everyone understands what I'm looking for. The question is...WHAT TWO TEAMS WOULD YOU LIKE TO WATCH PLAY FOR THE CRYSTAL FOOTBALL IN THE BCS TITLE GAME?
Forget the rankings, forget the losses. Based on what you know or have seen about these teams, let me know what two teams you think would make a great BCS NC game!
I don't want homerism, but it is welcomed.
So what match-ups would be the best? We all know there have been a shortage of great BCS NC games. Only the Texas/USC and Miami/OSU games lived up to hype and were worth watching.
So let me know guys and gals...and to make it easy, I decided to once again type in just the letter below, or add your own. This is yours. Have fun with it. Let me know why you think this match-up would be a great one.
A. Missouri vs. West Virginia
B. Missouri vs. Ohio State
C. Ohio State vs. West Virginia
D. Missouri vs. Georgia
E. Ohio State vs. Georgia
F. West Virginia vs. Georgia
G. LSU vs. Ohio State
H. Kansas vs. Ohio State
I. LSU vs. West Virginia
J. LSU vs. USC
K. USC vs. Florida
L. Virginia Tech vs. Missouri
M. Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
N. USC vs. West Virginia
O. Missouri vs. USC
P. Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
Q. Oklahoma vs. Virginia Tech
R. ___________________ vs. _________________
I'd like to get enough responses so that I could tally them up and develop a four game playoff system out of this. So c'mon y'all, help me out here. I don't do these sort of things too often, and I want FOXBLOGGERS TO HELP ME ON THIS ONE. Of course write-ins are greatly welcome and appreciated!
OK BLOGGERS! I NEED YOUR HELP!
P.S. Sorry I posted to so many categories. I never do that. I just wanted to get it out there. I want to get all kinds of responses and opinions.
After searching for other places to blog, I returned to FoxSports. Why? I don't know. It still seems like the same ole blog though.
There are those in that "clique" before I left. Yes it's silly to talk about a "clique" or "CLICK".
Only those in this group get numerous comments to their blogs. I need not name them, they are obvious.
This isn't a WHINING POST by any means. I would just like to see more balance. I'd like to see some of the less heralded bloggers and the new bloggers get some comments to keep them here.
I am guilty also. However, if I see a new blogger, I will comment. I don't always have time to post comments because I rarely have time to even write a blog.
I just wanted to rant.
So let's unite as a community of bloggers and keep the ones we have. Plus make the new ones feel welcome ( if you already haven't ).
No elaborate pics, nothing frilly and fancy, just a reason why I'm on a bandwagon this year....enjoy!
"As obscure as it is relevant in todays realm of sports, is the thinking that a team must win it all to have a successful season. What is considered when a team is honored as having a successful season? Having a terrific win/loss ration during the "primer" run leading up to the important "second season" shouldn't be regarded as a failure if in fact a team struggles and loses in the playoffs.
Yet in a society clamored with the hype also comes the responsibility to live up to the hype. The coaches know it. The players know it. Yeah, even the water boy knows it. Or now should I say the Gatorade boy? And in not being politically incorrect, I won’t shun Gatorade girl.
Though this attitude has not only permeated the world of sports. Think back to the days when giving 110% actually meant “selling the farm”. Whether it was at home with your families or on the job giving everything you had to meet a company’s expectation were well, just that, expected. That 110% meant something. Does this still important principle hold true today?" -88
However true you are to yourself would determine the answer to that very important question. In a world of ever evolving ideas, holding true to the aspects of life that are true to you will get you far. In other words, don’t sell the farm then regret not only the decision, but to whom the farm was sold.
In saying that, I would like to say this. Life in the real world isn't that much different than life in the National Football League. The same 110% effort we grind
out, struggle with; at home with our spouse and kids and our jobs is reflected each Sunday here in the U.S.A. As well as Monday, some Thursdays, and come playoff time, Saturdays. This Sunday is an exception when the NFL will be on display at Wimbley Stadium in London, England. The struggling Dolphins (0-7, worst start in franchise history) are playing a "home game" against the team visiting from the New Jersey area who some dub New York A, the Giants.
Here's a stretch for you guys and gals. Speaking of the Miami Dolphins, is it possible that they are the worst team in the worst division in the history of the NFL? The only sign of life in that division are the SEVEN and ZERO (a franchise first) New England Patriots.
So why would I use a bad segue (my apologies) to introduce the New England Patriots into this conversation? Because I am on the Patriots' bandwagon, of course. To those who remember me and my first rant on FoxSports, I was angered over the offciating in the NFL over the years. For those of you not familiar, I will sum it up for you.
My initial blog (before I had left, then returned with a slightly altered nick) was a rant on bad whistle blowing. It wasn't long after the refs had stole the chance (or many chances) from the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl EXTRA EXRA Large to win the game and for once, hold the Lombardi Trophy. We all know the ending. If not, then Pittsburgh carried the banner that year. However, if you will note in my summarized BIO my rant began back in the snow in New England. Of course, my BIO doesn't say that. Yet, in putting two and two together, one will notice one team, the Oakland Raiders. Another two and two; tuck rule and "no fumble" after the official review prevented the Raiders from advancing, and catapulted New England to new heights.
I'm still cringing. This is very difficult for me to write, trust me. I may be hanged by friends and family. Please call 911 if I haven't returned to FoxSports Blogging in a few weeks. Or, just give KSP the win by forfeit for if I advance, I may have to be reached by séance and spiritually enter gambit to let all you bloggers know what it's like on the other side.
Try new heights to the tune of three Super Bowl rings in as many tries. I wanted badly for the Colts to beat them back in 2005, but it wasn't to be. I wanted Oakland to beat them in 2002. It just wasn't to be.
During the game against the Raiders, I could feel something brewing inside me that I had never felt before against an AFC team (of course, the Kansas City Chiefs being excluded). I am an AFC guy. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky. Watching football on Sundays meant I had no option but to root for the AFC teams broadcast on NBC affiliate WSAZ out of Huntington, WVA. I rarely watched an NFC team at that time. So growing up in the 80’s and 90’s of course I was a Buffalo Bills fan as well as a proud Bengals, Browns, and Oilers fan. A New England fan, not so much.
And still to this day a New England fan, not so much. Something changed this year however. First the team acquired Randy Moss for a 3rd round draft pick. What a steal that was. Moss is a native of Rand, WVA. Living in eastern Kentucky, we tend to notice Pro-caliber players who may attend Marshall, WVU, UK, EKU, and the like. So I was a Moss fan from day one with the Minnesota Vikings. He became a phenomenon.
Loved then hated in Minnesota, Moss moved on to Oakland to play for the Raiders. He once again fell into a love/hate relationship with not only the team, but the higher-ups. As much a talent as Moss is, an infection to a team it seems may be better to describe him. When Moss became a member of the New England Patriots a ring was what he was looking for. Aside from resurrecting his tainted image, Moss also wanted to prove that he still could not be covered one on one. I personally was wanting the infection to spread. And who knows? Maybe it already has behind closed doors.
This year Moss has caught 10 touchdown passes and in the process raised Tom Brady’s career to an unbelievable new level. With 27 touchdown passes in seven, yes seven games, Brady has began the season unlike any quarterback in NFL history. Sure, anyone can just heave the ball into the air long distance style and let Moss do the work. I mean that’s what Randall Cunningham did in Minnesota in Moss’ rookie year, right? True, but Brady also has shown accuracy and precision in his passes and making very few mistakes. In fact he is on pace to shatter many of the NFL records. He already has set a few records. One by being the most accurate passer in 100 pass attempts (79-100) in NFL history.
But it’s not only Moss. The addition of Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Sammy Morris, and Adalias Thomas has greatly improved the offense and defense and special teams.
Have you wondered yet why I haven’t mentioned Bill Belichick? Well, it’s because I have saved the best for last.
I told my wife about this blogging contest in which she replied, “I hope you win!” She also wondered if I was going to have time to write this blog. How odd is this? While I was typing this at work, she called. Anyway, back to Belichick. I like him about as much as I like working 60 hours this week. As I mentioned earlier though, hard work pays off. A hard work ethic is what Bill Belichick is all about. He gets the most out of every player on his roster. Some would argue that he stretches them too far at times. Such as the time a couple years ago when WR Troy Brown was used in certain defensive formations; Belichick has done nothing but win though.
So, love them or hate them, that is the question. Honestly I despise this team. Yet I will say that I am on their bandwagon. Why you may ask. As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them!” I wouldn’t go that far. However, any team that Moss is playing for…I like. What I like most though is that it’s possible that before season’s end Moss will have infected the locker-room with his disdain for certain players, certain plays, and even Belichick himself. One could only hope.
Yes, I am on the New England Patriots’ bandwagon. But I am only being drug along behind on a string. I am hoping this team will go 16-0 in the regular season. No team in NFL history has done that except the 1972 Dolphins. Yes, I am on the New England Patriots’ bandwagon, but I hope they choke in the playoffs. I cannot see myself rooting for this team to do anything otherwise. Do I think this 2007-2008 version of the New England Patriots can go undefeated…sure. They do however have some tough games ahead of them. A date at the Colts on November 4th looms large. Possibly the only game after that which could be a challenge for the Patriots is the trip to Baltimore on December 3rd.
Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. This team shows that 110% each week. They bring their “A” game to every game. I’m not convinced yet if they brought their “C” game it would have any bearing on the outcome of the game. Yes, they may not cover the spread, but they could still win by a touchdown or more.
Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Just like some of my favorite teams in the past, I am on the Patriots bandwagon. The Minnesota Vikings cruised through the regular season in 1998. A team carried by Randall Cunningham, Moss, and Cris Carter though stumbled in the NFC Championship game at Atlanta.
Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Belichick has pride. That is unmistakable. If there is anyone out there that thinks the Patriots will not go for the 16-0 record under Belichick’s watch, well then they are wrong. Did I mention “Bill Gate”? It has been termed many ways. Belichick cheated. No getting away with it Bill.
Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. What other team in the league has the arsenals on offense, the players like Asante Samuel, Adalius Thomas, Teddy Bruski, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymore, Rodney Harrison and the like on defense? No other team has. They begin to remind me of the 2006 version of The Ohio State Buckeyes. Invincible all season, yet in the face of adversity playing the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship game, well, they choked. I have to be on the Patriots’ bandwagon.
I have to love this team. They have the tools they need to get the job done. This team possesses the will to win. They own the players that have the will to win. This team is comprised of winners. Are they a surprise team this year? I think so. Everyone knew they had the potential to be good heading into the season. Did anyone think this team could be great? I did. The greatest team in the history of the game? I did.
My wife was lying in the bed with me when I heard the news of the trade for Moss. I turned to her and said, “#$%%, I hate that team! Now they will be unstoppable!”
True story here. One night as some of my co-workers and I were sitting outside the hospital on break we saw in the distance two people walking alongside the road. Not knowing where they were headed on this foggy Summer night, we dismissed the idea that we had even acknowledged their existence. We continued the usual co-worker conversation between nurses, lab technicians, X-ray technicians, and the like.( For those of you not privy to such information; aggravating patients wanting their pain medication two hours early, annoying family members insisting their diagnosis of the illness must be noted on the chart, and of course, the "closeness" noted between THE couple of the week highlights the conversations of most hospital workers taking breaks on the nightshift.)
Yet, on that night the two we could barely distinguish just moments earlier had made their way to the entrance of the hospital Emergency Room. "Long walk to visit a patient!" One co-worker said.
"I bet I will see him in the ER waiting room, then in one of the ER Bays needing treatment." I thought quietly to myself. For I knew who one of the guys were; what we as Medical Professionals like to refer to as "Regulars", or "Frequent Flyers".
Sure enough, when I returned to the lab there were orders there for the basic lab work done in ER. A CBC ( Complete Blood Count ) to check for infection, anemia, hydration, etc. A BMP ( Basic Metabolic Panel ) to check a patient’s electrolytes, kidney function, lung function, etc. Just routine labs, it was just a routine phlebotomy.
What was not routine however was the patient's status when I opened the door of the room the patient occupied in this state of "EMERGENCY". Writhing in pain, twisting, groaning, complaining, "Help me stop this pain! God, I can't take this! Can't they give me anything for this pain?"
"Didn't I just see you walking toward the hospital with this other guy?" He replied, No. "You seemed to be fine just 10 minutes ago" I thought. Of course, the previous conversation did not occur, for I am a Medical Professional. I had to treat the situation as a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. And it was, for him at least. More the case of a MEDICAL NECESSITY. He had to get that prescription of pain medication.
In the medical field, especially in Emergency Rooms across the nation, similar events take place every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. Although it is not my job as a member of the Laboratory Team to make these decisions, doctors and nurses have to deal with these types of issues and treat patients accordingly.
So exactly how do we know when it’s a real emergency? Good question. The fact is, it’s about a 50/50 guestimation. The usual suspects we know of. They give themselves away by making their third trip to the ER, that week. The new generation “frequent flyers” however trick us. We aren’t aware of their wiliness until after the fact.
Don’t get me wrong though, you do have your bona fide Medical Necessity patients. These are the backbone of the hospital. They are at the hospital because they need to be. When they arrive at the door, you know what you have in front of you.
As crazy a tie-in as it seems, the above are what we like to call in the medical field, your “Knowns”. They are a given. They are your New England Patriots. They are your Indianapolis Colts. They are your Baltimore Ravens. Like last year, this years versions of the aforementioned teams are a given. They will bring it every week. They will win a lot of games. They will make the playoffs.
One could come to the conclusion that these teams should called be the “regulars” or the “frequent flyers” but that has been reserved for my newly noted term, Medical Emergency Pretenders. Yes, these teams don’t seem to bring it every week. These teams give their fans fits of rage and feelings of euphoria. Or both at the same time. On the same play, nevertheless. They are the new generation of pretenders in that just when you had discharged them, here they are back in the ER two or three days later with the same scenario. Complaining of the same symptoms. On the pain scale of 0 – 10, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable ( i.e. getting hit by a semi and living, falling from an 8 story building and living), they will tell you, “ 9, 10 when it’s at it’s worst”.
Let’s take for example the current AFC West leading Kansas City Chiefs. When they began the season 0-2, scoring 13 points total in the two losses on the road at Houston and at Chicago, many naysayers were calling this possibly the worst offensive team in history. Since they let Trent Green go many said, Damon Huard just couldn’t get the job done in KC. And when the critics weren’t kicking Huard (who did have less than 200 yards passing in both games) they were beating up on Larry Johnson. But why wouldn’t they? Johnson, who carried, literally the team last year is gearing up to do it again this year. However, the team cannot rely on Larry Johnson to do it all, so they brought back KC’s favorite son Priest Holmes to help LJ with the load and sent Michael Bennett to the Bucs.
Although the team sits at 3-3 now after the unimpressive start, they are as much pretenders as those who come through the ER, by ambulance for kicks, complaining of abdominal pain. Get this Chiefs team an Abdominal Series, STAT! Yeah, coach Herman Edward’s squad have gone 3-1 since, but scoring 13 at home in a win against Minnesota (2-3), and winning at home against Cincinnati (1-4) is not that impressive. What is impressive though is going to San Diego and handing the struggling-at-the-time Chargers (3-3) a 30-16 Loss. Their remaining schedule however is stockpiled with playoff teams. Green Bay, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Detroit highlights their non-division slate. 26-22. That’s the record of the teams remaining on their schedule, including divisional foes Denver twice, revenge-minded San Diego, and at improving Oakland. They proved to me they can’t beat an elite team for they lost at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1). Larry Johnson gained 12 yards rushing in that game, and the team scored 7 points.
Pack it up Kansas City, your season’s over and you have ten games to go. You can whine, fake cry, and scream for pain medication all you want. But you are a definite Medical Emergency Pretender.
As bad as the Chiefs have looked at times this year, no team has needed a resuscitation as badly as the 1-4 New Orleans Saints. They remind me of the kind that complain that they can’t catch their breaths, but fail to tell you they keep holding it just the same. What began September 6th and ended October 7th was a stretch of 4 consecutive losses to start the season, and proved that this team needed to be on the ventilator as much as it needed to breathe on its own. Their only close game was a home game they lost to Carolina by 3, 13-16. Before that they gave up 103 points in the first three losses. Ugly on the field and ugly on the scoreboard. They did though travel to the great Northeast and beat a questionable Seattle team.
For a team that led the league in scoring last year, scoring seems to be a problem this year. 10, 14, 12, 13...the numbers they put up in their first four losses. Scoring 28 at Seattle in the win was pretty impressive however. Maybe this team has gotten on track after they woke from the nightmare that was adjusting their game without the services of Deuce McCallister, the heart and soul of the once dynamic offense. Reggie Bush inherited the full-time position at tailback and only time will tell if he can stand up to the grind of a 16 game season. He has looked better recently though, tallying 97 yards rushing in the win at Seattle.
With some luck, more luck, and better play this years Saints team can turn their season around. I think it started with getting that first win. The Pro-Bowl QB Drew Brees though has to figure into the equation also and make better decisions. Being in the NFC South Division doesn’t hurt things either. This division literally has a different winner each season. Can the Saints make it back to back division champs? I think so. They have a favorable schedule in which the combined records of their remaining opponents is 25-32. This team could conceivably go 10-6. Anything is possible these days. Crazy as it sounds after an 0-4 start, it’s just as possible as it could be probable.
Consider there is only one team remaining on their schedule that has grounded itself with an identity and as a force. That would be the Jacksonville Jaguars. And the Saints get to play them in the Superdome. So what if they are 0-2 in the division? They still get to play Atlanta twice; as well as home games against lowly St. Louis, and unstable teams such as Arizona and Philadelphia.
While looking at their remaining road schedule, it’s not unfathomable that the team can go 9-2 the rest of the way. Playing at San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago means this team has a chance. This team has hope. This team may need the ventilator to keep them alive, but can breathe on its own if indeed it has found an identity once more. What more does the team have to lose? They closed the season last year turning blue, but caught a second wind in the playoffs and made it to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Chicago Bears. Has this team loaded with playmakers and coached by a savvy Sean Payton caught its first breath of air this year? I think so. We won’t call this team Pretenders. No, not with a division crown that could seemingly be theirs. They still get to play Tampa Bay at home. They still have life left in them. Their season is just starting.
A Saint’s team that has everything to gain by diagnosing the problems, knowing the symptoms, and getting to that Emergency Room like a man with his umm, member, caught in the fly of his Levi’s can’t be called Pretenders. No, this team is what I would term a Medical Emergency Contender.
Gear up New Orleans! You’re in for one heck of a ride. Gear up Saints! You’ve got work to get done and you have 11 games to prove to the Nation of Haters that YOU will go 10-6; win the division, make the NFL Playoffs!Take a deep breath. Relax. Look at what you can accomplish as Contenders!
Unfortunately, not all the teams that are on this early "bubble" of contention will fare as well as the New Orleans Saints. Let us take a breif look at a few other teams coming off of a win last week. Let the stats do the talking and the Medical Emergency Pretenders do the walking.
The Cleveland Browns:
You've had a good run through 6 games. Any Browns fan will gladly accept a 3-3 start from such a bad team for so long. You almost feel you have to blame someone on this team. So yes, Derek Anderson came walking through them ER doors. He came confidently. He was only there to have a 4 inch gash above his right eye be stitched. He has lifted the team on his shoulders like a bag of saline. Which is about the equivalent of how far this team will go. Just a few electrolyes. That's all this team is. They have to get some meat on that defense. It's great to score 41 on Miami's defense. It's not so great to allow 31 points to Miami's offense.
You have a decent non-divisional schedule ahead of you. All I need to say is next opponent is at 0-6 St. Louis. Starting here your next opponents have a combined record of 22-34. That's a great sign for this offense.
But you never made it to the ER doors Anderson. You were dreaming of a season ending 11-5 record. Back to reality. You are in the AFC North. You go 8-8 and miss the NFL Playoffs.
Cleveland Browns you are discharged. Dare I say that you are a Medical Emergency Pretender?
Browns fans: You guys and gals are not alone! Doesn't that make you all feel better? The passionate fans of TheMinnesota Vikings will be holding back the tears at seasons end also. Cheer while your team has Adrian Peterson. He may not be there long. There is hope, but slim my friends.
Minnesota's opponents over the next 11 weeks are a combined 33-27.Yes, you will hang around the cellar dwellars in the NFC and stay in the dark too long. You may find what you were looking for over the last 3 games of the seaon. But it will be too late. Like Peterson himself, you Vikings are the little boys that stick the beans up their noses and scare the parents. You seek medical attention. You don't find any.
Minnesota Vikings: hold your collective heads high for you are Medical Emergency Pretenders!
Man, I've been rough on these teams! Can we find any team with a win last week that could get some medical attention? Get some love from the nursing staff? Sure we can. There's a team in Jacksonville that has come through the ER with a UTI. The team requests no treatment. Just a little some'n some'n to ease the pain. Just a little annoyance they boast!
The Jaguars have an archrival. Why couldn't a Jaguar tear into a helpless Colt? There is no reason they can't. Jack Del Rio has his team right where he wants it. Being 4-1 and residing behind the AFC South leading Indianapolis (5-0) is quite alright with them. They know they can beat them. They have the momentum. They have won 4 in a row. They have the Colts coming to their house this Sunday.
The Jags are nasty. They have a nasty defense that has given up 13, 7, 14, 7, and 17 points over 5 games. They know they are nasty! But still yet they find gentleness and kindness as they take the Colts to the ER. Severely wounded and bleeding profusely, the Colts knew what was coming. The Colts could not stop what was coming. The Jags themselves only reside in the waiting room. They hear the opponent will make it through. They don't hesitate to get up and leave.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, despite the fact that your opponents over the next 11 weeks have a combined record of 30-24, at seasons end you will have that impressive resume and an 11-5 record. Go ahead and admit this team into in the NFL Playoffs. For you, my friends, are Medical Emergency Contenders!
For whatever reason, the Jaguars stop at the door of the ER and notice a familiar foe. A team patiently waiting to see if their opponent is alright after the thrashing they laid upon them this coming Sunday. Why do the Jaguars even stop to acknowledge their in-state rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Maybe the Jaguars wonder if the Detroit Lions are alright themselves. The nasty Jags do not. These Jags want the Bucs to know they own the state.
It becomes a stare down for the first minute or so, but Tampa Bay does not back down. They have the same number of wins as the Jags. But they have that one extra loss the Jags can hang their hats on for now. Marked long ago before training camp, was the date October 28, 2007. Bragging rights on the line. These Buccaneers host this same nasty Jacksonville team.
Tampa Bay walks away from the ER knowing the Lions were just a tune-up for the upcoming Jags. Just one of three teams left on the Bucs schedule that has a record above .500. This team knows they face opponents each week that combine to have a losing record with 30 losses scattered among them.
Tampa fans thought it had lost a valuable limb that could not be replaced the last time they visited this ER. Another Cadillac injury. Those common MVAs ( Motor Vehicle Accidents) happen all the time. The Bucs don't hesitate to grab Michael Bennett from the Chiefs. The Bucs know that they lead the NFC South and want to cling to that lead so this I say to them:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you pirates of the south, you will be stealing your place in the NFL Playoffs. You guys, you are officially Medical Emergency Contenders!
Bottom of the 7th inning, 2 outs, Cleveland 7 Boston 3.
Barring back to back to back jacks again by Youkilis, Ortiz, Manny, or any other scenario of runs scored that the BoSox are more than capable of....
For arguments sake...is this series over if Cleveland goes up 3-1? Keep in Mind their World Series run when they came back against the Yankees in 2004 in a similar situation.
What does everyone think?
Now what does everyone think? 3-2 headed back to Boston! And, the Indians got the ole smackdown!
My UK Wildcats. My amazing UK Wildcats just knocked off the no. 1 team in the nation LSU at Commonwealth Field. Dropping from 8 to 17th in the rankings in a close loss at South Carolina. Well, we got NO respect.
CAN WE GET SOME RESPECT!
Now that I'm thinking somewhat clearer, I think America may now view this team as a power in the SEC. We haven't had this type of confidence in football from week to week in nearly 3 decades.
We deserve respect. We have earned respect. Football is about Polls. Don't blame me for that either. Now, don't drop us again 10 spots for a close loss. UK is a legit top 10 team when you compare them to any other team in the nation. Not a great defense, no. We make stops when we have to. Coach Brookes makes the proper adjustments at half-time and we get things done in the second half.
Upon first glance at any score of an NFL game not watched you tend to get this mental picture of how the game probably shook out. You know, without even watching the game, you get this gut feeling that the game was a barn-burner; the game was a nail-biter; the game was a blow-out, or even the game could have been won on a last second field goal.
Your next thought is finding the highlights or reading about the game to check your gut instinct. You know, that game in which you only saw the final score.
Chicago 27 Green Bay 20 F/ Baltimore 9 San Francisco 7 F / Seattle 0 Pittsburgh 21 F/ Ja.
Hold up! Since you have TiVo, rewind back a few frames to check what you just saw scrolling across the bottom of your overpriced Hi Definition screen. You did see correctly. You did see Green Bay suffer the teams first loss. Could it have ended on a goal line stand? You did wish you hadn't missed the offensive fireworks on display at Monster Park in San Fransisco. And yes, you did see a Seahawk had performed a natural miracle. A Seahawk had laid a Goose Egg in Pittsburgh.
Fun for the whole family. Fun for the Pittsburgh family. Fun for the Steelers' faithful. Fun in the sun for a 'Hawk flying across the nation with a 3 - 1 record and leading the NFC West in the standings? No, not really. Fun for my family and I? Of course. However not for reason you may think. Not because the family and I are the aforementioned Steelers' faithful. As the Seahawks were laying this egg in the nest that is Heinz Field, we were standing in lines to ride the Maverick, the Top Thrill Dragster, the Power Tower, and of course the Corksrew among others. And as any Amusement Park fan would know, my family and I were enjoying the day at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
We knew what to expect that Sunday at Cedar Point; a mere 184 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. We had traveled to the top of Ohio before and enjoyed all there was to enjoy at the best Amusement Park in the world! And given the temperature was uncharacteristically likened to a hot summer day for the first full weekend of October; we just assumed that everything else in the world was as atypical as much as it was predictable.
The Seattle Seahawks had made the same assumptions it appeared. On Monday when we returned to our Kentucky home I watched as the NFL scores scrolled across the bottom of our overpriced Hi Definition screen. 21 - 0? That Pittsburgh defense must have been jacked up. I thought. That Seattle offense must have had at least three or four chances to score, but just couldn't get it done on the road. I thought. I knew what I thought. But what was Seattle thinking? Before the game? During the game? After the game?
After the game, and after head coach Mike Holmgren gave his post-game speech, the Seattle Seahawks bought into the fact that this was just one game. One of eleven more to play as they make their push toward the NFC West title and the subsequent sprint toward the Super Bowl. The team was encouraged I'm sure to forget about what had just happened and start looking forward to their next opponent. Yet when you finish a game you have prepared all week for on defense, offense, and special teams, and you know just a safety, just two points was all that was needed to beat you that day, well you begin to question what just happened and how.
Whether any member of the team will admit it or not, many, if not all players, as well as coach Holmgren himself quesitoned on their flight home from that performance, " Where did we go wrong?" As well as, " Where do we go from here?"
Simple questions indeed but not so simple are the answers. Truly, what does this shut-out mean to a Seahawks team coming into the game on a high-note, playing like they were flat-lining, and ending the game as if there was nothing more to do to bring them back to life?
Honestly, the answers are not that impossible to find. The truth lies hidden in the performance. What does the shut-out last Sunday at Heinz field mean to this 2007 -2008 version of the Seattle Seahawks?
Very little.
Coach Holmgren would have been correct in derailing the bad thoughts of a shut-out and reiterating the fact that this loss was just one. One loss, no matter how bad it looks, scrolling across the screen at the bottom of any television is just what it is. One loss.
Seattle was beaten by a better team Sunday. Don't misconstrue my thinking. Any loss will make a team wonder where they are as far as progression from week to week. Any loss will cause a team to wonder if it will happen again next week. Any loss will make a coaching staff and most notably a head coach ponder where the blame should lie.
My wife and I stood in line this past Sunday, for nearly an hour and a half taking small strides at times to reach the seats of the Top Thrill Dragster. A ride that begins at 0 mph, then 4 seconds later, you are screaming at 120 mph. After the 17 seconds (the total ride time) are gone you have just ascended and descended 420 feet in the air. The line was long, the wait was exhausting. The ride was worth it all. We had to take those steps though to reach our goal. Even if it only lasted 17 seconds.
Seventeen seconds. Seventeen weeks. The Seahawks know they can overcome this beat-down by the Steelers. They know they dominated an upstart Tampa Bay team in week one. They know they only lost by 3 to division rival and another team with tremendous potential at Arizona. They know they beat a good Cincinnati team at home which at the time wasn't as dessicrated on defense as it is now. They also know they traveled to San Fransisco and handled another division rival by 20 points. Coincidentally, the team that beat them twice last year. But they also know about the egg left at Heinz Field this past Sunday.
Holmgren may have a lot of blame to throw around. Possibly a lot of blame on himself. Possibly on the heat. I know, I felt that same heat just 184 miles away in neighboring Ohio. But to blame would only remove a nail in the coffin of the Seahawks performance last Sunday. And to blame would only make the loss seem too significant to overcome.The team should gather what positives they can from that performance and use them as a catalyst. Like taking those small steps it seemed that day for my wife and I to get to our goal. We knew those small strides were worth it.
In a game that was scoreless and Seattle still holding it's own on defense deep into the first half, RB Najeh Davenport for Pittsburgh got the team going with a 45 yard run. That set up a 13 yard pass from Ben Roethisberger to TE Heath Miller within the last two minutes of the half. The TD capped off a 10 play drive which was the only score in a 7 -0 halftime game. The only score the Steelers would need.
That drive was essentially Pittsburgh's 0 - 120 mph catalyst. Roethisberger finished the game 18- 22, 206 yards, and a touchdown.
However like all good rollercoasters blazing with speed and towering with height, the game did have it's climax after Pittsburgh scored. Within the final minute of the first half Seattle counterpunched with it's best chance at scoring in the game. The Seahawks QB Matt Hasselback seem to engineer his teams version of the Maverick. A two and a half minute ride that was less than worthy of the wait for Seattle. At the Steelers 14 yard line and a chance to tie, Hasselback threw a pass that Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor decided he would own that day. The Seahawks would never seriously threaten again.
On the road, or on a coaster, it's tough to wait for that window of opportunity to arrive and then have it shut down suddenly. My wife and I know. The Top Thrill Dragster shut down once while we were in line. Hasselback and teammate Shaun Alexander ( 11 carries, 45 yards) hopped in line for the ride, but before they could get on track, or in reference to the Maverick's 4, 450 feet of smooth winding course, the ride closed. Although you miss your chance to ride, you are almost certain there will be another. Wait in line. Wait for the go ahead signal to restart the fun. This is the NFL, you will get more chances to capitalize on your opportunities.
For Seattle though, that opportunity never arose in the second half. The Steelers did what the Steelers do best in the third and fourth quarters. Like the Corkscrew which is a short but fun ride that takes you through many rotations and inversions, Pittsburgh unleashed its own version. The result? Pittsburgh dominated the second half like very few teams can. Theory being a good Seattle offense can't score without the ball, the Steelers smothered the time of possession by keeping the ball on offense themselves nearly 25 of the 30 minutes of the second half. That corkscrew had to hurt Seattle's offense as it felt every minute fly by as fast as the ride itself. Agonizing as they watched the lead grow to 21 but having no control. Unlike the coaster though the second half was anything but short and fun for the visiting Seahawks.
A defense that stood up to the challenge in the first half seemingly had no answers in the second half. A defense staying on the field for 25 of 30 second half minutes is almost unheard of these days. Just attribution to an efficient Pittsburgh offense, and their 5 minute defense.
No, watching the scores scrolling by at the bottom of my overpriced Hi Definition screen and seeing Seattle 0 and Pittsburgh 21 F, I would have thought the game was completely dominated by defense. Sometimes that gut feeling about the games are wrong. If you don't get the chance to watch them, I would guess most of the time they are.
So where do we go from here? Waiting in line at Cedar Point to ride the Power Tower. We had to ask ourselves, "Do we want to go up or down?" See the ride has four towers, two to skyrocket you up to the sky then gently bring you down. Another two to slowly rise you to the top and suddenly send you furiously back to earth. Both fun. Both unique in their own way.
Yes, don't believe Holmgren didn't ask his team a similar question. "Do we want to hang our heads, or do we want to pick ourselves up and compete and reach our goals?" I guess there is very little a loss can do except make you wonder if you gave it your all. As a guy that didn't get to watch the game, I can't say whether Seattle gave it their all in the second half or not. Certainly there are major issues on defense when you MUST stay on the field that long in one half. But also, looking to the Seattle sideline, don't you think some defensive players were ready to come out of the game. Ask Holmgren at some point to put Matt Hasselback and Shaun Alexander the "stars" of the team in on defense?
If you can't get us off the field, time-out, you come stop this then. We can't!
I'm sure there will be more games over this 11 week stretch when Seattle's moxie will be put to the test again. Will they pass the test this time? Can the offense stay on the field? Can the defense stay off the field? These are the Seahawks! These are the ones a couple of years removed from losing to Pittsburgh in SuperBowl Extra Extra Large! There will be games when they are riding their own version of the Power Tower. Most every team will have that up and down season. It's only Week 6, so I say....
It's just one loss. Right? Just two losses against three wins on the season. A lot of teams would love to be over .500 right now. What does this shut-out mean to the Seattle Seahawks? No way of telling till the next game. Which by the way just happens to be at home. Against the 0 - 5 Saints. Some will call this a "get well quick" game.
My message to the Seahawks is " Get Well Soon! ". New Orleans front seven are pretty stout. Alexander may have another tough outing. Having a healing broken hand doesn't help.
Just as my wife and I stood in line to reach our goals, we patiently waited our turn. Our turn to shine, to scream, to shout, to have fun. Seattle must do the same thing. Be patient. Don't think you must be ahead by 20 at half-time to knock the critics of last weeks performance. For last week was just one game. Just one loss. Not a loss to a division rival. Just one loss.
And with that loss, a shut-out no less, what does it all really mean? It means the Seattle Seahawks coming into this weekend has 3 wins, and 2 losses.
Get in line Seattle for whatever ride you feel like standing in line for. You can only ride one ride at a time though. And remember, hustle doesn't show up on a stat sheet.
Well, last week I decided to drop the commentary to the games in yet another way of improving upon my 34-28 record of picking the weekend games. And guess what? It worked. Coming off a weekend in which I was up only 6 and down 8, I needed change. So after this past weekend of actions without commentaries I managed an 11-3 mark. I'm proud of myself this time. Back on track at 45 -31 for the season.
Just a few quick comments. San Diego is alive. This is wrong, that is wrong, coaching is wrong, offense is wrong, defense is wrong. They put up 41 at Denver and holding the Broncos to 3 points. The Broncos are no high scoring team, but LT and company may have come out of their shell. Was LT a factor in that game?
Now that we are 5 games into the season, some of those 2-1 teams I mentioned earlier in a post are now starting to exert themselves as real contenders. Teams like Jacksonsville, Tennessee, Washington just to name three seem to get it done week after week. By the way, kudos to the Washington defense. Wow! What they did to a rather potent Detroit Lions offense was something. 144 total yards? I can see San Francisco being held to 144 total yards, but Detroit. Impressive.
It took me three weeks to believe in Pittsburgh. I believed in Arizona since week one. The Cards winning one at home against the Steelers was one of only six picks I got right last week. Heading into week 4 I was holding my head above water at 28-20. With a 6-8 last weekend smack down...34-28 is where I stand. Maybe I'm thinking too much.
Think I will try this week with NO commentary on any game. Just go with "gut" instincts.
On the eve of Week Four in the NFL we wait in anticipation for the kickoffs at 1pm tomorrow. What's just as fun to me is to keep my eye on the scoreboard in the corner of my television screen. I love seeing an underdog being up by 21 in the first half. There's just something fun about that. I usually think back to that type of game for the favored when I'm wondering who is going to win a tight game in the playoffs, including the SuperBowl.
So this Blog is Simple: I just have one question I want FoxSportsBlogNation to give me their opinion on.
Which 3-0 Team is ripe for the picking this week and get their first loss?
A. New England Patriots: 3-0 Scored 114 points, Allowed 35 points. Week Four. They play @ Cincinnati Bengals ( 1-2, 1-0 at home ) Scored 93 points, Allowed 95 points. Could this be the game? Cincinnati's playoff hopes may rest on this game. Going 1-3 in the AFC North Division is not good with a tough 3-0 Steelers team, the Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland ( a team the Bengals already lost to two weeks ago ) Think the Bengals want it more?
New England has beaten: New York Jets ( 1-2 ), San Diego Chargers ( 1-2), and Buffalo Bills ( 0-3 )
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-0 Scored 97 points, Allowed 26 points. Week Four. The Steelers travel to Arizona (1-2, 1-0 at home ) Scored 63 points, Allowed 68 points. This game could also be the one. Arizona is due. By that I mean they are due to have a break out game, and of course finally finish a team off in the 4th Qtr. Arizona is not a bad team, folks. They have stockpiled number one draft picks for several years and can be as good as any team in the league when the whole team is on the same page. Heinz Ward is out for Steelers who better not overlook this team.
Pittsburgh has beaten: Cleveland Browns ( 1-2 ), Buffalo Bills ( 0-3 ), and San Francisco 49ers ( 2-1 )
3. Indianapolis Colts: 3-0 Scored 93 points, Allowed 54 points. Week Four. The Colts get to host Denver ( 2-1, 1-0 road ). Scored 52 points, Allowed 57 points. The Broncos brought in Dre Bly to compliment Champ Bailey in the secondary. Denver knows that the road to the AFC Champioinship will go through Indianapolis or New England. However, the Broncos two wins have come on last second field goals.
4. Green Bay Packers: 3-0 Scored 82 points, Allowed 50 points. Week Four. The Pack play at rival Minnesota ( 1-2, 1-0 home ) Scored 51 points, Allowed 36 points. This may be the game of the week. Even overshadowing New England/Cincinnati. I say this because I believe the Vikings are better than their 1-2 record. A Minnesota defense that is one of only 3 teams in the NFL through three games to allow less than 40 points. The other two? 3-0 Pittsburgh and 3-0 New England. That's some good company. Minnesota has the playmaker in Adrian Peterson. Will Green Bay earn their stripes in this game?
Green Bay has beaten: Philadelphia ( 1-2 ), New York Giants ( 1-2 ), San Diego Chargers ( 1-2)
My apologies to any blogger that has posted a similar blog.
The few, the proud, the(nah, not them Marines) very few bloggers that keep up with my post have noticed I've been a little uneasy to put it best when it comes to my picks. First I want to thank you guys that do read what little I have been trying to write. Seems like I only have time to blog at work. Thanks for reading Greenspire, et al.
And I salute the Marines, and all the Armed Forces for doing the things a TRUE American would and should do!
( I'm a little more aggravated right now because I had half of this blog written and I wasn't paying attention and deleted my entire entry!!! &%@!!!! ) See how work can interfere with the important things in life at times? Can't this place understand how important this blogging is in comparison to working???
As a recap of my first 3 weeks, I will boast on my 10-6 record in the first week. ( What do we really know before the first week of games start?)However, weeks two and three I sprang a 9-7 consecutively. For the math impaired, that's a 28-20 record. I guess having a winning record after 3 weeks isn't so bad. When it seemed just about every team in the NFL lost a key player in week one, and we are still figuring out whether the 3-0 and 2-1teams are for real, being above .500 isn't so bad. Right?
Simply put, I struggle with these improving ( San Fransisco, Arizona), disappointing (St.Louis), and decent but questionable ( Seattle)NFC West teams when it comes to matching them up with other Division teams, and especially matched one against the other. None of these teams have really set themselves apart as a favorite. The 0-3 Rams have some work to do. A once high octane, "Greatest Show on Turf" offense has gone sour, scoring 32 points in 3 games. 10 points a game? Anybody want to tackle? Go near the offensive player with the ball on this team? Woeful. This team will play spoiler though the rest of the season, and who knows?...Division Champs? Do you have unaltered faith in the other 3 teams? Woeful.
Then we have the NFCSouth. What can you say about a Carolina team that wins on theroad@ St. Louis, then loses @ home to Houston? Typical Carolina, an enigma the first half of the season, a force the second. With Delhomme more than likely out this week when they travel @ Atlanta, the question is...Can they win without Delhomme? As some say, he's the "poor man's Brett Favre". With New Orleans and Atlanta at 0-3, Carolina winning 2 on the road and losing at home, and Tampa Bay winning two at home and losing on the road, the jury is still out. Even without Duece McCallister, could New Orleans still win this division? Talk amongst yourselves.
Yes, I know it's only week 4, but this is when the contenders begin to separate themselves from the pretenters.
NFC WEST
TEAM RECORD PF PA
SAN FRANCISCO 2 - 1 53 70
SEATTLE 2 - 1 64 50
ARIZONA 1 - 2 63 66
ST. LOUIS 0 - 3 32 68
NFC SOUTH
CAROLINA 2 - 1 75 67
TAMPA BAY 2 - 1 61 37
ATLANTA 0 - 3 30 64
NEW ORLEANS 0 - 3 38 103
Draw conclusions based on PF (points scored) and PA (points allowed)
So enough with my ranting. On with my Week 4 NFL picks: I'm going to decipher points scored at home and on the road and use that as an aid only. Honestly, who expected Philly to smack the Detroit Lions with a 56 last week? So, everything we know about the NFL is still being shaken and cifted to determine the "be" and "wannabes".
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HOUSTON ( road 1-0 ) @ ATLANTA ( home 0-1 ): Houston, 1-0 on the road, Atlanta 0-3 with no sign of progress, but defense can still hold at times. I don't see the "upset" ( what an odd statement with these two!)
HOUSTON 27 Atlanta 13
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BALTIMORE ( road 0-1 ) @ CLEVELAND ( home 1-1 ): Can the Cleveland offense score at will as with last week against Cincinnati? Doubt it. Although Baltimore almost blew a home game against the Cardinals last week. I didn't get to watch the game, but the Ravens secondary looked puny against a Kurt Warner led Arizona attack. But Anderson, Quinn are no Kurt Warner.
BALTIMORE 32 Cleveland 24
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CHICAGO ( road 0-1 ) @ DETROIT ( home 1-0 ): Question on everyone's mind: Can Brian Griese deliver? Not enough for win on the road.
DETROIT 40 Chicago 37
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GREEN BAY ( road 1-0 ) @ MINNESOTA ( home 1-0 ) : I still don't have any reason to believe the Pack will lose this momentum.
GREEN BAY 24 Minnesota 17
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( Due to time constraints { WORK }, I must move ahead to my regularly scheduled picks { withought commentary }
NEW YORK JETS ( road 0-1 ) @ BUFFALO ( home 0-1 )
NEW YORK 17 Buffalo 10
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ST. LOUIS ( road 0-1 ) @ DALLAS ( home 1-0 )
DALLAS 35 St. Louis26
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OAKLAND ( road 0-1 ) @ MIAMI ( home 0-1 )
OAKLAND 16 Miami 13
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TAMPA BAY ( road 0-1 ) @ CAROLINA ( home 0-1 )
CAROLINA 20 Tampa Bay 17
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SEATTLE ( road 0-1 ) @ SAN FRANCISCO ( home 1-0 )
SAN FRANCISCO 21 Seattle 17
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DENVER ( road 1-0 ) @ INDIANAPOLIS ( home 1-0 )
INDIANAPOLIS 23 Denver 20
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PHILIDELPHIA ( road 0-1 ) @ NEW YORK GIANTS ( home 0-1 )
PHILIDELPHIA 27 New York Giants 20
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NEW ENGLAND ( road 1-0 ) @ CINCINNATI ( home 1-0 )
NEW ENGLAND 38 Cincinnati 36
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PITTSBURGH ( road 1-0 ) @ ARIZONA ( home 1-0 )
ARIZONA 17 Pittsburgh 16
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KANSAS CITY ( road 0-2 ) @ SAN DIEGO ( home 1-0 )
SAN DIEGO 24 Kansas City 21
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Please feel free to comment. I'm here to comment also ( if possible )! What do you guys and gals think of my picks? Brian Griese? Denver's chances? A lot of good games this weekend. Enjoy!
I HAVE TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO MY KENTUCKY WILDCATS, RANKED 14TH, 4-0, BUT MANY, MANY TOUGH GAMES AHEAD. HOWEVER, RANKING OF 14 IS HIGHEST EVER FROM WHAT I HEAR!
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