This week’s batch hones in on gangs and catfights, while also taking the time to toss a few at familiar targets… but enough chatter, let’s just get to the tomatoes.
Throwing Tomatoes – Volume XI
Gang Signs …for potentially spreading throughout sports, this time to the NFL. This one goes out to the whole situation. First off, at the NFL. How would anyone in the NFL front office even know this is the case? Are they going strictly off the Paul Pierce situation in Boston? If so, that’s ludicrous.
Secondly, could any of you point out any of these signs? We aren’t talking something like “The Van Buren Boys” from Seinfeld here are we?! All in all, it’s a shame that sports have come to this.
I hope for their sake “tomato red” is a neutral gang color. Danica Patrick …for getting involved in another altercation. Patrick confronted female driver Milika Duno, and later got into a verbal spat, in which Patrick accused Duno of getting in her way too many times. Looks like the post-first-victory struggles are starting to get to Patrick a little bit.
Come to think of it, does a “catfight” really deserve a tomato?!
Michelle Wie …for being disqualified at the LPGA’s State Farm Classic. Wie was disqualified for not signing her scorecard before leaving the scoring area following the second round. What’s worse is that she was finally in contention (in second place to be exact). Instead, the result is yet another miscue by Wie, who continues to be a huge disappointment. Terry Francona …for not taking care of all AL teams during the All-Star game. While treading softly with Scott Kazmir and the Rays, Francona ended up overusing Orioles closer George Sherrill, which reportedly got under the skin of the Baltimore front office. As a result, should we expect another AL East brawl? Maybe Coco Crisp should just teach his teammates how to dodge a tomato.
Dan Uggla …for forgetting how to play defense during the All-Star game. Uggla had back-to-back errors in the 10th inning of the All-Star game, plus three total in the game. He also ground into a double play and struck out. It could have been worse, especially if Colorado’s Aaron Cook didn’t bail him out by escaping a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the 10th.
Manny Ramirez …for causing yet another story and altercation. Yep, Manny’s in the news again, and once again it’s about his contract. He wants to know if Boston is picking up his option, and was quoted as saying, “I want no more [times] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing. All in all, it’s another case of “Manny being ####”… scratch that, “Manny being Manny”.
Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els …for not carrying the torch during Tiger’s absence. Apparently, there’s more pressure to perform when everyone is looking to you to perform while Tiger’s at home rehabbing. Even though it could have been much worse for Phil and Ernie at the British Open (Els tied for 7th and Mickelson tied for 19th), neither were really in it after nightmarish opening rounds. The Orioles on Sunday … and the fact that they just can’t win… AGAIN. Yet another tomato until the O’s can win on Sunday. Make that 15 consecutive losses on Sunday for the Birds… and that stat really IS “for the birds”.
Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition Washington Redskins – at the NFC East after acquiring Jason Taylor from Miami on Sunday. Greg Norman – at anyone who says a man in his 50’s can’t compete at a major championship. Chris Wood – at anyone who says an amateur can’t compete at a major championship. Tampa Bay Rays – at anyone who thought they would go away quietly. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – at the AL West after taking a commanding nine game lead.
This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… and be sure to avoid the ones with any strange signs or signals on the labels.
This weekend’s NFL Draft featured a number of similarities when compared to drafts of the past. As always, there were a boatload of trades and a plethora of surprise picks.
For me, there were a number of teams who came through with solid drafts. In particular, I’m handing out gold stars to the five teams listed below, in my NFL Draft edition of “Gold Stars”.
Gold Stars – Volume II – NFL Draft 2008 Please note: All picks state the round first, then the overall spot which the player was taken.
Kansas City Chiefs
Many of the critics are giving the Chiefs high marks for their draft. I’m joining in on that fun, and there are plenty of reasons why. Here’s the list of the new Chiefs:
1 (005) – Glenn Dorsey – DT – LSU 1 (015) – Branden Albert – OG – Virginia 2 (035) – Brandon Flowers – CB – Virginia Tech 3 (073) – Jamaal Charles – RB – Texas 3 (076) – Brad Cottam – TE – Tennessee 3 (082) – DaJuan Morgan – S – North Carolina State 4 (105) – William Franklin – WR – Missouri 5 (140) – Brandon Carr – CB – Grand Valley State 6 (170) – Barry Richardson – OT – Clemson 6 (182) – Kevin Robinson – WR – Utah State 7 (210) – Brian Johnston – DE – Gardner Webb 7 (239) – Mike Merritt – TE – Central Florida
When you’re a team with major holes to fill, the wise choice would be to start in the trenches. That’s exactly what the Chiefs did, and they did so in grand fashion by taking two of the most talented in the draft, LSU’s Glenn Dorsey and OG Branden Albert from Virginia. The Chiefs also managed to snag the talented Brandon Flowers for their secondary, as well as former Texas Longhorn Jamaal Charles to help out the running game. Still, the gem here is Dorsey, the former LSU star who despite being double teamed all season, managed seven sacks and 12 ½ tackles for a loss throughout LSU’s national championship run.
Washington Redskins
Wasn’t it a little strange seeing Washington’s name pop up so many times on the draft board? I think so. Either way, the ‘Skins took advantage of the opportunities they had, with a number of solid additions. Here’s the list:
2 (034) – Devin Thomas – WR – Michigan State 2 (048) – Fred Davis – TE – USC 2 (051) – Malcolm Kelly – WR – Oklahoma 3 (096) – Chad Rinehart – OG – Northern Iowa 4 (124) – Justin Tryon – CB – Arizona State 6 (168) – Durant Brooks – P – Georgia Tech 6 (180) – Kareem Moore – S – Nicholls State 6 (186) – Colt Brennan – QB – Hawaii 7 (242) – Rob Jackson – DE – Kansas State 7 (249) – Christopher Horton – S – UCLA
The Redskins had a great draft for a number of reasons. OK, so they seemed to ignore the D-line need again, but the big targets at WR were added. It was a need after falling short in trading for Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson. In recent weeks, the talk on the Washington Post website was the ‘Skins looking at Malcolm Kelly with the 21st pick, stating that Devin Thomas would not fall to them. Not only did Washington manage to select both receivers, but the Redskins also were able to trade out of the 21st slot for additional picks, and still get both players. That alone points to a successful draft. In addition to that accomplishment, Washington had a few other intriguing picks, including arguably the best punter in college last year (Durant Brooks), as well as Colt Brennan. Sure, Brennan got beaten up by Georgia on the national stage. He also wasn’t impressive in the Senior Bowl. He also has said to have iffy form. All that aside, he has the character, a ton of records, and has worked with a former NFL coach in June Jones. All in all, it makes him an intriguing late round pick by the ‘Skins.
Baltimore Ravens
Another draft, another Ravens team searching for an impact QB. OK, so maybe it doesn’t happen every year, but it sure seems like it. I was impressed with Baltimore’s draft for a number of reasons. Here’s the list:
1 (018) – Joe Flacco – QB – Delaware 2 (055) – Ray Rice – RB – Rutgers 3 (071) – Tavares Gooden – ILB – Miami (FLA) 3 (086) – Tom Zbikowski – S – Notre Dame 3 (099) – Oniel Cousins – OG – UTEP 4 (106) – Marcus Smith – WR – New Mexico 4 (133) – David Hale – OT – Weber State 6 (206) – Haruki Nakamura – S – Cincinnati 7 (215) – Justin Harper – WR – Virginia Tech 7 (240) – Allen Patrick – RB – Oklahoma
With Steve McNair retiring, the Ravens desperately were seeking a top QB. If not Matt Ryan, then it was going to be Delaware’s Joe Flacco, featuring a towering 6’6” frame and powerful arm. While I think the Ravens may have traded up a little high (in a panic) to get Flacco, I still think this could pan out to be a solid “un-Boller-like” selection. Next, there’s RB Ray Rice from Rutgers. I loved watching this kid play in college. Sure, scouts say he may not have the size, but man he runs hard. Like a bull, and I think he’ll be a fine addition as well. Finally, I can’t help but admit that Tom Zbikowski, the former Notre Dame safety, also sticks out in my mind. He can play special teams, he has speed, he hits hard, and he’s smart. He should be a great fit with the Ravens. All in all, a solid draft for the men in purple.
Carolina Panthers
I think the Panthers addressed some needs for sure, and got some solid value in a number of their slots. In a year where John Fox will be under a microscope more than ever, here’s their list of new additions:
1 (013) – Jonathan Stewart – RB – Oregon 1 (019) – Jeff Otah – OT – Pittsburgh 3 (067) – Charles Godfrey – CB – Iowa 3 (074) – Dan Connor – ILB – Penn State 5 (141) – Gary Barnidge – TE – Louisville 6 (181) – Nick Hayden – DT – Wisconsin 7 (221) – Hilee Taylor – OLB – North Carolina 7 (241) – Geoff Schwartz – OT – Oregon 7 (250) – Mackenzy Bernadeau – OG – Bentley
I admit when trading up, I thought the Panthers may have given up too much. Still, they were aggressive and filled needs, and you can’t fault them for that. Jeff Otah was listed as one of the better linemen in the draft, and should eventually help Carolina with their running game. As for former Oregon Duck RB Jonathan Stewart, call me crazy, but I think he could have a better career than Darren McFadden. Finally, I want to mention former Penn State LB Dan Connor, who was originally projected as a late first round pick. Instead, he fell to the third round, where Carolina gets great value, and a guy with great instincts. I think Connor will go on to excel in the NFL, just like former teammate Paul Posluszny began to do before a freak arm injury last season.
New York Jets
After a major drop off from a solid 2006 season, the Jets needed to improve in a big way. And on paper, it certainly looks like they may have done that. We’ll see how this crop does, but here’s New York’s solid list:
1 (006) – Vernon Gholston – DE – Ohio State 1 (030) – Dustin Keller – TE – Purdue 4 (113) – Dwight Lowery – CB – San Jose State 5 (162) – Erik Ainge – QB – Tennessee 6 (171) – Marcus Henry – WR – Kansas 7 (211) – Nate Garner – OT – Arkansas
Sure, the Jets didn’t have as many picks as the other teams mentioned above, but they picked quite well with what they had available to them. The pick most intriguing to me is Dustin Keller, former TE from Purdue. Scouts say he lacks in size and blocking ability, but I think this guy is underrated. He has 4.5 speed for a tight end, coupled with great hands. With that alone, he could cause some nightmares and tough matchups for opponents. He should be a solid weapon for the Jets passing game. In addition to Keller, I think Vernon Gholston could end up being a very talented defensive end in the NFL. I think both he and Dorsey could have solid careers. Finally, the Erik Ainge pick intrigues me. He is a solid QB for a fifth round pick, and he certainly has the size at 6’5”. Who knows, maybe he could climb the depth charts. The Jets certainly need a QB to step to the forefront. Hey, Tom Brady did it.
There you have it, five teams that personally jumped out at me during this year’s NFL Draft. Certainly, I liked some other picks in the draft such as the Steelers stealing Mendenhall late and the Cowboys adding speedster back Felix Jones, among others. Still, the five above teams in particular had unique moves, situations, or multiple picks that I felt could pan out or add some value. Feel free to pitch in your thoughts on the draft, and who you personally would give a gold star too. This has been “Gold Stars”, and that’s a wrap for another NFL Draft. When is kickoff?
Never out of season, it’s time to break out the tomatoes once again, and direct them at the individuals throughout sports that deserve them the most. Alongside “Throwing Tomatoes” this week, I present you with “Gold Stars”, which will act as the red fruit’s positive counterpart.
I don’t know about you, but every now and then in grade school, I would have a teacher that would give you a gold star on your homework, along with a “Great job”, or a “Well done” to go along with it. From what I hear, that was fairly common, and I bring that concept to sports.
This edition of each features all but the NFL Draft, which will get its own separate post (coming soon).
Where do you direct your tomatoes and gold stars this week?
Throwing Tomatoes – Volume VI plus Gold Stars – Volume I
MLB Arizona Diamondbacks …for not just having the great pitching… but hitting too. Hey, watch out baseball world, the Diamondbacks aren’t just pitching well with the likes of Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, and company. Their young bats are hitting too… and hitting a lot. The D’Backs own the best record in baseball, and show no signs of slowing down.
Barry Zito … for pocketing so much of San Francisco’s cash, yet not delivering in return. Wow, where do you rank Barry Zito among the biggest free agent busts in baseball history? My goodness, if I’m a Giants fan, I’m thanking the baseball gods for at least giving the city of San Francisco a pitcher like Tim Lincecum to help them forget about Barry (no, not that Barry). NBA Philadelphia 76ers …for giving the Pistons fits thus far in the first round. How many of you can honestly say that you thought Detroit would have this much trouble with the Sixers? Give Mo Cheeks and Philly credit. They’re playing hard… and playing well, even after faltering in the second half during Game 4 this weekend. The series is tied at two games apiece.
Phoenix Suns …after backup themselves up into an NBA Playoffs corner. Sure, the Suns spanked the Spurs in Game 4, but a 3-1 first round deficit is not what Phoenix had in mind this postseason. Not with Shaq in town. I would be shocked to see the defending champion Spurs lose this lead. You should be too.
NFL Washington Redskins …for finally changing their team philosophy regarding the NFL Draft. How did I think the ‘Skins did in the draft? I’ll share that in my next post. Instead, my gold star goes to Washington for changing their philosophy and actually keeping draft picks this time around.
Cincinnati Bengals …for being a stubborn joke of a franchise this offseason. The Chad Johnson story is ridiculous. OK, Johnson isn’t perfect, but he said he wants to be traded. The Bengals desperately need new fresh faces to come in. The Redskins offer what could end up being two first round picks, and Cincy doesn’t take it? Are you kidding me? Hey Cincy, don’t you realize Randy Moss was dealt for a fourth round pick?
NHL Dallas Stars …for continuing their playoff push with a 2-0 series lead over #2 seed San Jose. How fitting it is to give the Dallas Stars a gold star. Still, after ousting the Stanley Cup champs in round one, the Stars haven’t skipped a beat , and have now taken the first two games over the Sharks on the road.
Caps/Flyers Calls and Mishaps …after a few iffy calls and missed opportunities in the Washington/Philadelphia Game 7 Not to discredit the Flyers and how well they played in their series against Washngton, but how frustrated are those running the NHL right now? They were that close to having a dream matchup of Crosby and the Penguins vs. Ovechkin and the Capitals. Still, what looked like a few iffy calls here and there, combined with some missed opportunities by the Capitals, instead you have Philly advancing to play Montreal. Oh well NHL… maybe another year.
College Basketball Tyler Hansbrough …for choosing to come back for his senior year. How many players in the college ranks say they’re coming back for another year, only to later change their mind and go pro? Prior to March Madness, Hansbrough stated that he planned to come back if North Carolina didn’t win a championship. The Heels didn’t win, and Tyler kept his word. I applaud him for doing so, and I think one more year in college should help him prep more for the pros too.
Danny Green …on the other hand, will be testing the NBA waters. Sticking with North Carolina, sixth man Danny Green will declare for the NBA draft, but not hire an agent. Therefore, he could return. OK, I get it with Ellington and Lawson doing the same, but Green? No offense Danny, you can play ball, but you should stick in college longer.
Miscellaneous Danica Patrick …for becoming the first female to win an IndyCar race. I admit it, I was starting to think Danica was going to become one of those stories, where a ton of hype is tossed out, but no victories ever arrive. She proved me wrong and was able to make it happen recently. What a story it was, and what an emotional moment for Patrick, her family, her team, and her fans. Bravo Danica, that’s a gold star for you.
Michelle Wie …for not living up to the hype, and feeling additional pressure from Danica. You think Wie is feeling any any additional pressure now? I don’t care if she plays a completely different sport. Michelle Wie tried to compete with the men in golf, and didn’t come close. She hasn’t been able to compete with her own gender either. Now, the pressure is really on.
Camden (A tomato/gold star combo) I throw a tomato at the unfairness of life, but give a gold star to a great pet. For those of you who are pet lovers out there, you’ll understand. Camden (yes, he’s named after Oriole Park at Camden Yards – so this is partially sports related), my one-year old cat, died unexpectedly a few weeks ago at the age of one. He apparently had an underlying heart condition that was undetectable. He will be sorely missed by me, and by everyone that came into contact with him. R.I.P. little man…
Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition Detroit Red Wings – at the Colorado Avalance, so much for that heated and tight rivalry. Atlanta Hawks – at the Boston Celtics, who many thought would easily sweep the #8 seed Tampa Bay Rays – at Boston, after sweeping the reeling Red Sox over the weekend.
This has been a special two-pack of “Throwing Tomatoes” and the all new “Gold Stars”. Please see my other post, featuring the NFL Draft breakdown, with a “Gold Stars” spin... coming soon.
Emerging from a Tryptophan coma and fending off the scents of pumpkin pie and homemade treats, I have returned to the world of sports. OK, so I never left. Temporarily, my words left this location. I have returned, armed with a pen, a keyboard, and….a… tomato? Yes, that’s right. Let’s get this thing started, and sticking to football only this time… get ready to “splat” the uprights…
Where do you direct your tomatoes this week? Here’s where I feel mine are most deserving:
Throwing Tomatoes – Volume IV
“Top of the Vine” – The BCS C’mon, who else deserves to be at the top of vine this week? Let’s face it, we knew that the BCS would take a lot of heat due to a year filled with upset after upset. This was truly an unbelievable season for the fans of college football… and a nightmare for the BCS committee. A two loss team makes the title game? Still, while one could easily argue that LSU deserves it, it’s still absurd. Kansas sneaks in over Missouri? Illinois sneaks in with three losses? I guess Zook and the boys had to due to Ohio State backing into the National title game. Honestly, we could go on and on about this topic. Before we do, some tomatoes need to be hurled. Incoming! NFL
Joe Gibbs Heartbreak and distractions aside, as the head coach of an NFL team (and a Hall of Fame one at that), one simply must know the rules of the game and keep a level head during crunch time. Instead, back-to-back timeouts by Gibbs result in an unsportsmanlike penalty, pushing Buffalo’s Rian Lindell from a difficult 51-yard field goal to a chip shot 36 yarder, and another heartbreaking loss for the Redskins, who already had a horrible week due to the passing of Sean Taylor. A big win may have eased some of the pain. A tough loss was just what the ‘Skins didn’t need. R.I.P. Sean, you will be sorely missed.
Ravens or the Refs? I don’t know who to believe here, so they both get a tomato. Scratch that, multiple tomatoes. Certainly, if head linesman Phil McKinnely referred to Samari Rolle as a “boy” on multiple occasions, then he deserves one. Rex Ryan deserves one for calling a timeout when the defense was about to stop New England on fourth down and win the game. The refs may deserve a few for becoming “flag happy” at the end of the Monday night contest, eventually leading to the Pats scoring the go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute to go. The Ravens players may deserve a handful for coming unraveled during that final stretch too. Heck, I can’t decide… I better get a bushel out and start tossing them in all directions.
Bart Scott The Baltimore linebacker deserves one all on his own for tossing an official’s flag into the stands during Monday’s match with the Patriots.
Miami Dolphins I said it before and I’ll say it again. The ‘Fins get a tomato until they can get into the win column. That may never happen, especially after laying a giant egg in a game that was arguably their best chance, against the hapless division rival Jets. The Bills are on deck. Fantasy Football Playoffs – Open Season With most fantasy football playoff seasons beginning in a week, here’s your chance to toss a tomato at whichever player (or players) led to your demise. For example, Laurence Maroney, I’d invest in an umbrella. You could have a few coming your way. That goes double for you Shaun Alexander. College Football
Georgia Bulldogs Would you like some cheese with that “whine”? Go ahead and complain about your BCS matchup with Hawaii. It won’t surprise me a bit to watch the Warriors sneak up on you and bite you in the backside. Can anyone say Boise State? Incoming! MiZZou None of us expected you to be #1 in the country, and knocking on the National Championship door. Once you got there, we also didn’t expect you to get crushed that badly by the Sooners. As a result, it’s tomato time. While I’m at it, the Tigers get a second one for confusing the people of the world that can’t spell by sometimes dropping the “SS” for “ZZ”. Make up your mind! West Virginia Wow, it was right there. All the Mountaineers had to do was beat a Pitt team that had underachieved all year. I’m going to keep my tomatoes away from Rich Rodriguez though, who was noticeably dejected, and during his postgame speech, further proved that he is a class act. Officiating in “The Backyard Brawl” There were some atrocious calls in the WV/Pitt game. Anyone else think perhaps the Big East officials were trying to help get a cut by doing whatever it takes to get the Mountaineers into the National title game? Do I smell controversy? I smell tomatoes too. People Drinking the “Todd Reesing Haterade” With all that has happened over the past few weeks in college football, I think Tim Tebow emerges as the favorite for the Heisman trophy. However, how can people consistently avoid the talk on Todd Reesing as a candidate? The QB of Kansas had a brilliant season, featuring a QB rating of 152.4, with 32 touchdowns and six interceptions, while leading the Jayhawks to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the Orange Bowl. If you ask me, the kid deserves an invite to the ceremony, and those who don’t buy it, can take this tomato and shove it. Send the kid to New York already!
Les Miles Honestly Les, you aren’t fooling anyone. The constant stuttering and dodging around the subject of the Michigan job is glaringly obvious. I get it, you don’t want to affect the focus of your current players. Even still, it won’t shock me one bit to see Miles donning maize and blue next Fall. It shouldn’t shock you either.
Jay Paterno and Mike McQueary No, I don’t mean Joe Paterno. JoePa is in the clear this time, even though this season was a disappointment for many fans of the Nittany Lions. Therefore, my tomatoes are directed at Jay (QB Coach) and McQueary (WR Coach), who single handedly seemed to coach the talent right out of the Penn State offense. Karl Dorrell and Dan Guerrero The tomato goes to Dorrell for underachieving as head coach at UCLA, and taking a team with talent and possibilities, and running them into the ground. In addition, Guerrero, the AD at UCLA also gets one for keeping Dorrell around for as long as he did.
Charlie Weis and the Irish With another talented recruiting class coming in next year, we might as well get our jabs at Notre Dame now. Who knows, they may actually turn into something special again. The 3-9 nightmare season is over for Irish fans. Wait, that record didn’t earn them a BCS bowl berth?! I’m kidding of course. Speaking of jokes directed at Notre Dame, I’ll leave you with this one, which I thought to be quite comical. Enjoy.
Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition
Pitt Football – at West Virginia, for spoiling their shot at a National Title Oklahoma – at Missouri, for knocking them out of the National Title… and the BCS New York Jets – at the winless Miami Dolphins Adalius Thomas – at his former teammates in Baltimore Eli Manning – at his critics after two late solid drives in a win over Chicago This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… I hope you weren’t wearing white.
First of all, I would like to thank everyone who participated in my first ever Stupid Pill Survey. To review the post that includes the actual survey in its entirety, please click here. As promised, I am now going to post your results, as well as add some final thoughts from my end. Overall, the numbers are only a small sampling of the Fox Sports Blog community, and therefore likely do not provide a very accurate depiction of the overall opinion of everyone that views this website on a regular basis. Either way, the results that I did receive were quite interesting, including some results that I expected, and others that I did not. There was also some interesting feedback from some of you, and I appreciated hearing your additional thoughts. For those of you that provided what I thought were the best comments, I have included a link to your page, and encourage the readers of this post to also check out their work as well.
Now without further ado, here is a recap of the questions, as well as the final tallies…
Stupid Pill Survey Results
Question ONE: 2006 NFL MVP (Adjusted Scenario)
The Briefing: As most of you know, LaDainian Tomlinson broke the NFL touchdown record this year, which was formerly held by Seattle’s Shaun Alexander. Let’s slightly adjust the scenario by saying that Tomlinson had 27 touchdowns on the season (four less than his total of 31), leaving him one behind Alexander for the NFL record. While 27 total touchdowns and over 2,300 total yards is still an incredible season, would falling short of the record affect the voting drastically, therefore opening the door for a candidate such as QB Drew Brees of the Saints, who had over 4,400 passing yards and led his team to a first round bye (after a 3-13 season)? On the other hand, perhaps another player would have been more valuable to his team this year?
With this adjusted scenario, who is your NFL MVP of 2006?
The Options:
LaDainian Tomlinson (RB - San Diego Chargers)
Drew Brees (QB - New Orleans Saints)
Larry Johnson (RB – Kansas City Chiefs)
Tiki Barber (RB – New York Giants)
Someone Else (Write-in Candidate)
The Results: Overall, the voters chose Drew Brees as the winner, but only by a narrow margin. All votes were for either Drew Brees or LaDainian Tomlinson, and here are the final percentages:
Top Comments: Many of you had interesting comments for this one, but overall, these three stuck out in my mind, and here they are:
burger21: “LT/Drew Brees (I know it’s ridiculous and I hate award ties, but it’s been done before – Manning/McNair – and I couldn’t go against either. I think it should have been that way even without your adjusted scenario)”
sayerec: “Brees, because LT could have been replaced by Turner without missing a beat. Who on the Saints could have replaced Brees??? Most valuable player!!!
ShooterB: “Drew Brees, because I feel he made the bigger impact for his team. Tough to argue against LT, but he played behind a good line… a great fullback, and with an established team. Brees didn’t have that luxury.
KP’s Take: Overall, I presented a scenario that simply asked if LaDainian Tomlinson would still have won the NFL Most Valuable Player award if he had an incredible year, but had not broken the record for the total number of touchdowns in a season. Without that extra record in place, would Tomlinson still have still beaten players such as Drew Brees for the award? This is a real tough one, as it is hard to argue against Tomlinson, considering the numbers he put up. Honestly, when I thought of this question, I thought of a few different situations coming into play, and my fellow bloggers (mentioned above) discussed all of them. I considered this vote turning out to be a tie like back in 2003, when both Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared the award. I also wondered about what kind of season Michael Turner would have had if LT were not around. Turner likely would not have put up such gaudy numbers, but they likely still would have been pro bowl type statistics. Therefore, because of Turner playing well during the season, and the Chargers being an established powerhouse team, I wanted to consider Drew Brees as my MVP vote. The NFL touchdown record is the only thing that got in the way, which is why I came up with this scenario. Overall, my vote would be for Brees, or for a tie, as “burger21” mentioned.
Question TWO: 2006 NFL Coach of the Year (Adjusted Scenario)
The Briefing: Sean Payton definitely is deserving of the Coach of the Year award in the NFL, as the Saints had an incredible turnaround this season. However, let’s discuss a slightly different scenario. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina certainly is still being felt around New Orleans, and overall, this was a horrible tragedy that many people wish had never happened. Speaking of which, what if it didn’t happen, and the Saints were not the overwhelming sentimental favorite of the NFL this year (for obvious reasons)? Would that have opened the door for Eric Mangini of the New York Jets, who had an equally incredible season? What about someone else?
With this adjusted scenario, who is your NFL Coach of the Year for 2006?
The Options:
Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints)
Eric Mangini (New York Jets)
Marty Schottenheimer (San Diego Chargers)
Jeff Fisher (Tennessee Titans)
Someone Else (Write-in Candidate)
The Results: The final numbers of this question were not even close, with Sean Payton winning in a landslide. Here are the final totals:
Top Comments:
ian2813: “Eric Mangini would probably get it because he coaches in New York. The media wouldn’t have given the Saints as much coverage without Katrina, though I’m sure Sean Payton would still have been considered a strong candidate for the award.”
jgrace_12: “I’d say Payton still wins coach of the year. The Jets have been somewhat competitive recently, under Herm Edwards. The Saints pretty much came out of nowhere."
KP’s Take: My adjusted scenario was basically asking if the unfortunate incidents in New Orleans (regarding Hurricane Katrina) never occurred, would the overall results of the Coach of the Year award changed? New Orleans got more press this year due to these unfortunate incidents. Overall, the Saints became “The New America’s Team”. How drastic would the voting changes have been if Katrina did not happen during this time? I honestly thought this vote might turn out to be a little closer. As I mentioned in my original posting, Sean Payton is a worthy winner of this reward. However, I also have to say that Eric Mangini is an equally worthy candidate. Both were first year coaches in the NFL. While the Jets had some more success under Herm Edwards in recent years (as mentioned by jgrace_12), New York was still 4-12 last season (and lost significant talent coming into 2006). The Saints finished last season with a 3-13 record. At the end of this season, both teams finished 10-6, with New Orleans earning a first round bye due to the fact that they were playing in a weaker NFC conference. I was also happy to see “ian2813” bring up the point of the New York media outlets, as this was the other thought in my head. Without Katrina, I see more votes going to the Jets and Eric Mangini. The difference in record is only one game. Overall, I see this as a tough call, and wonder if perhaps this could have also ended in a tie, like the 2003 MVP award did. No argument should be made against Sean Payton, and the job that he did with the Saints, and their many young players.
Question THREE: 2006 NFL Rookie of the Year (Adjusted Scenario)
The Briefing: After starting the season 0-5, the Titans were already hearing talk of who they would take with the first pick in the NFL draft. However, Vince Young helped spark Tennessee to a late playoff run and an 8-8 record for the year (almost making NFL history). Let’s once again tweak the season scenario slightly. What if Marques Colston had not suffered a minor injury late in the season with New Orleans? Colston’s numbers were still quite impressive during the year (1,038 yards receiving and 8 TD’s), but the injury almost immediately dropped him off the Rookie of the Year radar. Would an injury free season by Colston have changed the voting at all? Was one of the other rookies in the NFL this year more deserving?
With this adjusted scenario, who is your NFL Rookie of the Year for 2006?
The Options:
Vince Young (QB - Tennessee Titans)
Devin Hester (DB/KR/PR - Chicago Bears)
Marques Colston (WR - New Orleans Saints)
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB - Jacksonville Jaguars)
Someone Else (Write-in Candidate)
The Results: Again, this vote was also another landslide, and here are the results:
Top Comments:
cajunsmiles101: “QB is the toughest position to make an impact as a Rookie. No way do the experts admit their mistake by choosing Marques Colston."
lisa4usc: “Young deserves it BUT Reggie Bush gave the Saints that much needed spark to compliment Brees… Young gets the nod.”
KP’s Take: Honestly, the Rookie of the Year voting in the NFL this season reminded me a lot of how the most recent Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year awards turned out. There were so many deserving candidates, but unfortunately only one player could win the award (but at least one from each league received it in baseball). In my case, I have to agree with the voters here, even if Colston had not gotten injured late in the season. As “cajunsmiles101” mentioned, QB is a tough position as a rookie. Many rookies in recent years don’t even see the field for a few years. Not only did Vince Young see the field as a rookie, but also led the team on a number of comebacks. As a result, Tennessee finished 8-8, and just missed the playoffs. No team had ever earned a playoff berth after starting the season 0-5, but Young and the Titans just missed out on breaking this record. That alone is why Vince Young deserves to still win the Rookie of the Year award.
Question FOUR: Who least deserves to be employed in the NFL at this time?
The Briefing: After difficult and/or somewhat disappointing ends to the NFL season, all of these men are reportedly returning to each of their respective positions. Which individual most deserves to have already been fired?
The Options:
Tom Coughlin (Head Coach – New York Giants)
Marty Schottenheimer (Head Coach – San Diego Chargers
Gregg Williams (Def. Coordinator – Washington Redskins)
Matt Millen (President and CEO – Detroit Lions
Someone Else (Write-in Candidate)
The Results: As you will see below, many of you felt that Matt Millen should no longer be working in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how many more chances he will get to “right the ship” in Detroit. There were also some clever write-in responses, and here are the overall results:
Top Comment:
vikequeen (Actually doesn’t have a blog page, but gave me a lot of great feedback on every question): “How do you choose between inept management and inept coaching? Millen doesn’t seem to know what he’s looking for so he ends up with junk. Tom Coughlin takes quality and manages to turn it into junk. It’s a shame that Tiki had to go out this way…”
KP’s Take: For this question, I’m just going to run down each person on my original list, one by one. Tom Coughlin is lucky to still have a job in my mind, as the Giants do have a great deal of talent. I think the main reason he is still around is due to the fact that there were a number of player injuries that crippled the team’s chances. If another disaster happens next year for the Giants, Coughlin is likely gone. Next, there is Marty Schottenheimer, who deserves to stay. “Martyball” will continue to catch criticism until he can win in the playoffs, but a 14-2 record does not deserve a termination of employment. Marty deserves more time. Next, there is Gregg Williams, who is the defensive coordinator of the Redskins. There have been rumors of Williams clashing with his defensive players, but I’m not sure how true those rumors are. The defense was horrible this year in Washington, but Gibbs has stated that Williams will stay. I think he gets one more chance, and that’s it. Matt Millen is the final man on the list, and he also deserves to be unemployed at the time. However, there is loyalty in Detroit, and maybe the Lions front office has a better explanation as to why he is staying. They only know the answer to that mystery though, as it seems pretty clear that many fans out there feel he should be long gone.
Question FIVE: Who will be the MVP of Super Bowl XLI?
The Briefing: There are certainly a number of different players listed as early favorites for this award, and this one is certainly anyone’s guess at this point. Therefore, I will toss out two random players from each of the Super Bowl representatives, and expect a great deal of write-in votes to come my way.
The Options:
Peyton Manning (QB – Indianapolis Colts)
Thomas Jones (RB – Chicago Bears)
Marvin Harrison (WR – Indianapolis Colts)
Brian Urlacher (MLB – Chicago Bears)
Someone Else (Write-In Candidate)
The Results: As expected, I did receive a good number of write-in votes for this question. Obviously, there are a number of quality players on each team, and it is tough to predict who will step it up in the clutch. Here are the results of the votes that I did receive:
Top Comment:
TheFormer88Fan: “I think the play of Bob Sanders will have an impact on Grossman. Whether it’s on a corner blitz, which I almost guarantee we’ll see at some point, or an errant pass…”
KP’s Take: The results of this vote make a lot of sense to me. Throughout the year, the Colts have had a tough time stopping the run. Therefore, it would make sense to have the most votes for a Chicago player go to a running back, in this case being Thomas Jones. On the other side, it makes sense for the most overall votes to go to a player like Peyton Manning, who is a two time MVP winner, and one of the best players in the NFL. Manning also no doubt will be the player targeted by the Super Bowl MVP voters, as long as the Colts win, and Peyton has a decent enough game. I think that if Indy wins, the voters will do anything possible to get the award into Peyton’s hands. However, my overall vote is going to go to someone else, and that player is Dallas Clark, the tight end for the Colts. The Chicago defense is solid, and I can see them forcing Manning to throw a few interceptions. Chicago also will likely focus on trying to eliminate Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne from the game, which will open the door for Dallas Clark to have a huge performance. I think it is overall tough for a defensive player to earn the award, as they usually have to either make an abundance of big plays, or end up with at least one defensive touchdown. This is why I am sticking with an offensive player. On the Chicago side, if the Bears were to win, I see that happening only if they can control the clock and run the ball effectively, therefore giving my MVP award to Thomas Jones, who should end up with better numbers than his fellow teammate Cedric Benson. In summary, I vote Dallas Clark if the Colts win, and Thomas Jones if the Bears win.
And last but certainly not least…
Question SIX: Who will WIN Super Bowl XLI?
The Options:
Chicago Bears
Indianapolis Colts
The Results: Many of you are picking the Colts to win Super Bowl XLI, and here are the final percentages:
KP’s Take: Honestly, this game could easily go either way, but I obviously have to suck it up and pick someone. Therefore, after switching back and forth a few times in recent days, I have finally settled on picking the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl. The Colts defense is still playing well, and Peyton Manning and the offense is clicking after that huge comeback victory against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. While the Bears and Rex Grossman also have stepped it up in the playoffs, I still see the Colts outlasting Chicago, especially in the second half of the game. The first half will remain close, but I predict a final score of 27-16 in favor of the Colts.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think the 2006 NFL Season has been quite unique, and definitely one to remember. There were a great deal of interesting races for this year’s awards, in which I feel that some were possibly affected by non-football related situations, while others may have been different if a unique record had not been broken. In my mind, I am starting to think that perhaps little things out of our control (and other random situations) really do have a greater effect on the voting process than people realize. It also appears that some of you may agree with me regarding that very thought.
Aside of the NFL awards for this season, I further wanted to get a take on what people thought about the upcoming Super Bowl. Will it be a good game? Who will win? Who will be the Most Valuable Player, and who will raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy? In order to get the real answers to all of those questions, we will just have to wait and see. But for now, you are aware of what some of your peers think, and hopefully that will help you get by until the big game on Sunday.
Thanks again to everyone that participated in the first ever Stupid Pill Survey! - KP
For this “tidbits” segment, I am focusing on Anaheim and the NHL Western Conference playoffs, the Washington Redskins and draft pick Rocky McIntosh, Ohio State’s new football uniforms, and last but not least, Roger Clemens.
Ducks go for the Underdog sweep
Tonight promises to be one of the more exciting nights of the NHL offseason, as the #6 seed Anaheim Ducks take on the #3 seed Calgary Flames in the first Game 7 of the 2006 postseason.Even more intriguing, if the Ducks can manage to defeat the Flames, then it will be a complete sweep for the underdogs in the Western Conference as #5 seed San Jose, #7 seed Colorado, and #8 seed Edmonton have already advanced to the next round.If you are not only a hockey fan, but also an indifferent fan, then in my mind you have to root for the Ducks in this game tonight.Having a complete sweep of underdogs in the first round of any sport’s playoffs is something that we may not see for years to come, perhaps not in the rest of our lifetime.Therefore, tonight I will be keeping an eye on the NHL playoffs, hoping that perhaps Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere can put up a solid performance that fends off Jarome Iginla and the feisty Calgary Flames.
Ohio State football to have new uniforms in 2006
The Ohio State Buckeyes will have new football jerseys for the 2006 season.Usually, this would not be a big story to me, or to anyone for that matter.However, there has been quite a fuss about these new uniforms.Apparently, many Ohio State fans are in an outrage about the fact that the team will be donning brand new jerseys this season.When I first saw these uniforms, I saw very little differences at all compared to the previous uniforms, and wondered what all the fuss was about.There are no fancy stripes or no crazy sleeves.Ohio State is only dropping the gray stripes from their uniforms, and Nike has replaced them with black stripes on the sleeves instead.After thinking about this some more, I began to understand more and more why Buckeye fans are frustrated.Ohio State is a school rich in the history of football, and I imagine that Buckeye fans want to preserve the history in the form of their more traditional uniforms, just like fellow Big Ten rivals Penn State and Michigan both have done.I think the anger and frustration is as simple as that.However, I am curious to get the take of any Ohio State fans out there, and how they may feel about these uniform changes (are you indifferent, angry, or excited?).No matter what your opinion is Buckeye fans, feel fortunate that the change was not that dramatic.Think about it, Ohio State could instead be wearing jerseys like the ones that the Oregon Ducks wear.
Redskins get the apple of their eye
The Washington Redskins selected Roger “Rocky” McIntosh with their first pick of the 2006 draft.With a last name like McIntosh, it would be very fitting for Washington head coach Joe Gibbs to refer to him as “the apple of my eye”.The Redskins had a glaring need at linebacker after the departure of Lavar Arrington, and filled this need by selecting McIntosh, who previously attended the University of Miami.Rocky is obviously the guy the ‘Skins were seeking all along, as Washington parted with three draft picks (picks #53 and #189 in this year’s draft,as well as their second round pick in 2007) in order to move up to pick #35 to take him.This move marks the second consecutive year that the Redskins have moved up in the draft order to take a player they were desperately seeking.Last season, it was former Auburn QB Jason Campbell.While I’m not too crazy about Washington parting with three picks (and two second rounders) to get McIntosh, I do however like the pick.Rocky McIntosh fulfills a need, has great speed and instincts, and plays hard.He does not appear to have any off-the-field problems as some of his other former alumni.Furthermore, McIntosh led the Hurricanes in tackles in 2005 with 89 (including 50 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks).Overall, McIntosh should be a welcomed addition to Greg Williams’ defense, and yet another piece to Washington’s Super Bowl puzzle.
Will “The Rocket” play again this season?
There are already reports out that the Houston Astros have made a legitimate contract offer to Roger Clemens should he decide to return for another season.The first question to ask is whether Roger will return to baseball or not.If he does decide to return, it has been mentioned that not only will Houston be in the running to sign him, but also the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers.My opinion has not changed since my last posting, in which I also briefly discussed this topic.My gut feeling is that Roger Clemens will return to baseball for one more season, and the draw to play near his family is too great for him to go elsewhere.Furthermore, Roger has family within Houston’s organization in his son Koby Clemens, who could be an outside shot to make it as one of the team’s September call-ups.The fact that Houston has already placed a significant offer on the table just further solidifies this opinion in my mind.Roger Clemens will decide to pitch another year, and will help the Houston Astros get to the playoffs again in the year 2006.
Synopsis for tidbits Volume III
The final game of the first round of the NHL playoffs is tonight, in a Game 7 matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames.If the common theme remains, then the Western Conference will find yet another underdog prevail.Can the Ducks complete the underdog sweep in the Western Conference, or will the Flames leave Anaheim seeing red?
Speaking of seeing red, the Ohio State Buckeyes will still be seeing red in 2006… scarlet red that is.What they will not be seeing any longer is the gray that once graced the sleeves of the Buckeye football jerseys.While the gray in the jerseys will not be sticking around, the Ohio State Buckeyes certainly will still be around and in the thick of yet another National Championship race.
Roger Clemens could be sticking around for yet another season, and therefore adding even more stats to his already illustrious hall of fame career.Will Clemens choose to retire, or play another season?If Roger does play, will he return to the Astros or choose another team in the majors?If he does return, how will he fare?
Finally, how will rookie Rocky McIntosh fare for the Washington Redskins this season?Will McIntosh get lots of playing time ahead of fellow competitors Warrick Holdman and Chris Clemons?Furthermore, can McIntosh provide a positive presence as a member of the Redskins, or will he turn into a “bad apple” like his fellow Miami alum (and now Redskin teammate) Sean Taylor.
I know that I am not the first one to blog about the Super Bowl or the officiating, and I also certainly will not be the last.I am also not one to frequently write about common topics, but this time it is just too hard to resist.Even after a week, my brain just will not allow me to move on without creating a posting about the final game of this most recent NFL season.Ahh, yes… the final game… “Super Bore XL”. I mean, Super Bowl XL… my fault.It has been over a week now, but the game is still fresh in my mind.I have had this posting brewing in my archives for a while now, and it is about time I just posted it and moved on to my next piece.
Yes, the Super Bowl… the center attraction of what I like to call the “NFL Zoo”, which features all of the league’s “animals”.Among the list of “animals” at the “NFL Zoo” include the league officials, coaches, players, past players, owners, celebrities, media, and advertisers, who all flock to one place for one final time that year, that being the Super Bowl.Two teams, the “kings of the jungle”, remain in the running to get their hands on the Lombardi Trophy.One team would finally emerge as the solo king of the zoo’s jungle, and this year that turned out to be the Pittsburgh Steelers.The exciting road to being the “king of the jungle” is what keeps the “NFL Zoo” in business.Along that road though, the zoo has to keep all of its parties happy.
However, this year, the main attraction for the game was actually the officiating crew or “zebras” as they are often called.The “zebras” stole the headlines at the “NFL Zoo” on Super Bowl Sunday this year.
But why were the “zebras” the main attraction at this year’s Super Bowl?
Where does one start to answer such a loaded question?There were so many questionable calls and glaring moments in Super Bowl XL.First of all, isn’t this supposed to be the best crew in the NFL?Come to think of it, the officiating was pretty horrible throughout the playoffs.
I want to start by stating that I was an indifferent fan during the game.I am not a die-hard Seahawks fan, and you will never see me waving a “Terrible Towel” and rooting for the Steelers.Furthermore, I am a die-hard fan of the Washington Redskins, and an avid football watcher.I crave a solid and competitive game, and usually am more likely to let somewhat questionable officiating slide by the wayside, unless it happens again between Michigan and Penn State in college football (but that is a topic for another time).
Bear in mind, I realize and understand that it is not easy to call a game in the NFL, and certainly us as fans have the luxury of seeing all replays in slow motion, when the officials have to make every call at full speed.Thankfully, instant replay now exists to assist with more consistent officiating.In fact, there are many occasions where great calls are made, and these officials should be applauded more for when those instances do happen.Honestly, I even think a few blown calls a game are OK, as long as not during completely critical times.What really “grinds my gears” though is when a game is so completely lopsided, and every call is going one team’s way.As an indifferent football fan, I witnessed this during Super Bowl XL.And as a fan of the game, I am almost inclined to consider taking the “conspiracy theory” approach and begin wondering if this happened for a reason.
Ahh, conspiracy theories… fun stuff, don’t you think?Consult the great website “dictionary.com” and you are provided with the following definition:
conspiracy theory n.
A theory seeking to explain a disputed case or matter as a plot by a secret group or alliance rather than an individual or isolated act.
conspiracy theoristn.
Secret group or alliance?Doubtful… or is it?There couldn’t possibly be some kind of secret alliance within the NFL, could there?We know the “zebras” were not behind it, but if at all, just a cog in a more deep routed plan.
If the “zebras” were behind this plan, what kind of conspiracy theories could one accuse them of?I tried to brainstorm reasons, and only could come up with a series of discredited conspiracy theories.Among those include the following…
-- The Officiating crew got scared when seeing all of the Seattle Seahawks logo “foamhead” hats worn around the stadium, and reacted against their team in thinking it would keep them from contracting the “bird flu”.
-- Prior to the game, the officials had likely heard all the rumors about Pittsburgh’s Joey Porter. They were aware that he threatened to “tap out” as many Seahawks players as possible.Perhaps the officiating crew feared that Porter would further threaten to “tap them out”, as he did with his NFC opponents.
-- Being at Ford Field, perhaps the officials thought if they did not let the city’s hometown boy Jerome Bettis win the game, the Ford family may find a way to lay them off.
It wasn’t these zebras (above) that blew Super Bowl XL… but why the fuzzy image?Hmm, perhaps this is a view from the eyes of one of Super Bowl XL’s officiating crew.In all seriousness, was there a method to the madness, or just bad luck for Seattle?
He also ground into a double play and struck out. It could have been worse, especially if Colorado’s Aaron Cook didn’t bail him out by escaping a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the 10th.
age to defeat the Flames, then it will be a complete sweep for the underdogs in the Western Conference as #5 seed San Jose, #7 seed Colorado, and #8 seed Edmonton have already advanced to the next round.
along, as Washington parted with three draft picks (picks #53 and #189 in this year’s draft,