Brian Urlacher has his own blog? Wowsers, I wonder if he'll respond to my comments... golly gee I sure hope so.
I was comforted to know, after seeing David Stern's interview on ESPN this morning, that the commish is satisfied with his investigation into the referee scandal. Mr. Stern came to this enlightened state of nirvana while laying in bed one evening and thinking of all the CIA and FBI scandals that cost thousands of people their lives. These spies, moles, and leaks at our highest level of American intelligence lent Stern the idea that having a cheater ref in "his" league was okay. Luckily for us with all of the investigations, there is no proof that Tim Two Times altered the outcome of any game. If you don't find this asinine...
Joe Torre and Donnie Baseball in Dodger Blue? I furrow my brow at the thought.
If I broke the Girardi as a candidate for the Yankees managerial job in a blog before it was released in regular print media, do I get credit for the leak?
Do even the Colts fans think their team has a shot this week?
#1 BoSox Roll - What a huge disappointment from a fans perspective. I was really looking forward to a great World Series that went at least 6 games. You can try and come up with the reasons why Colorado could not hang with Boston, but the fact of the matter is Boston was too good. Its amazing how these good teams end up "cruising" through the regular season with a 3.87 team ERA, then the get to the playoffs and turn it up a notch. With their backs against the wall they smoked the two best teams left standing seven games in a row. I wonder where Lowell will end up and how much this season will cost the team that signs him.
#2 Top 5 BCS Contenders - Last week these were my top five contenders: 1) Ohio State, 2) Boston College, 3) Arizona State, 4) LSU, and 5) Oklahoma. Looks like nothing changes, with these five, but BC looked very beatable and Arizona States victory was pretty impressive in Tempe. Problem with the Sun Devils is running the table looks pretty unlikely, but if they do it, how can you keep them out? Lets add two more top conteders to the list: 6) Kansas - could it be? 7) Oregon - its either them or ASU.
#3 Tom Brady? - This is shaping up into being the most dominant statistical seasons in the history of all of sports. Brady is on the way to having a Madden '08 season. Let's project his stats: 4862 yards/60 TDs/4 INTs/136.2 QB RTG/4 SUPER BOWLS. I think he's worth the $16 mil, I think Moss is worth the $8.25 mil, and I think Welker is worth the $0.5 mil. I'm not sure if next weeks game will even be a game. I'll take the Pats and give the Colts whatever it lands on. I'll even wait until Sunday to lay my money down.
#4 A Rod Says Thanks, But No Thanks To $72 Mil - This may be viewed as quite a gamble, but I guess it speaks for A-Rod's discontent in N.Y. I think Alex told Boras, "I don't care what is costs, get me out of the Bronx, and I'll cover what you lose." The Rangers will save $3 mil over the next three years, and will allow them to continue rebuilding after a nice set of trades near the end of last season. Although I have not recieved much support of my opinion that A-Rod will end up a Giant, but mark my words, its where he's going. The Giants are going to dump Zito and sign A-Rod to whatever he wants and make him a shortstop again. Expect it to be in the $30 mil range, and most if not all to be guaranteed.
#1) The BCS Rankings and Top Contenders - The clamoring has begun and the pundits are making their expert opinions heard. Herbstreit is doing his usual brainwashing, May is giving his annual underdog spiel, Holtz is spitting food all over himself, and Corso is giving us his best Madden impression. I'll help you get through all the muck going into this weekend. Column #1 gives the top 5 undefeated candidates in order, column #2 has the top 5 1 loss teams, and column three gives the top 5 candidates for the NC:
Undefeateds
Ohio State (Big Ten) Its obvious if they run the table they'll get in, lets just hope they don't
B.C. (ACC) Again, the inside track to the NC if they can win out
Arizona State (Pac 10) It will be nearly impossible for any PAC 10 team to run the table
Kansas (Big 12) Long way to go, plus a conference championship game will hurt them
Hawaii (WAC) In the same boat as Boise State last year, no real chance
1-Loss
LSU (SEC) You know an SEC school will be there in the end, this is my choice
Oklahoma (Big 12) The best chance of any Big 12 team, Kansas isn't too promising
USC (Pac 10) See note for the Sun Devils
Kentucky (SEC) They can beat anybody, I have them slightly ahead of South Carolina
Oregon (Pac 10) I'd like another Big Ten school in here but there's none to choose from
Top Candidates
Ohio State has no real challenges on their schedule, even if they lose I have a feeling they'd slide back up the rankings. The pollsters love the Big Ten in the NC.
Boston College is obviously up there because they haven't lost yet, if they run the table it will be tough to dethrone them.
Arizona State is three, but hanging on for dear life. The Pac 10 schedule is going to make it tough for anyone, especially without a conference title game to boost a one loss team going into the next to last poll.
LSU has got to get by Auburn this week. This is my underdog pick of the weekend, I have a good feeling about Tuberville's team getting healthy again but I'll leave LSU as a top contender.
Oklahoma once again the perennial teams have the advantage. With a nice finish to their season and a little help you might want to write them in. If you're gonna lose, do it early.
#2 Colorado Waits - The postseason is heating up in Major League Baseball. The AL series is a complete coin flip. The only problem for the Sox is they can't throw Beckett again unless Francona goes nuts. The series is heading back to Beantown and Manny is hot as a firecracker. I love to see a little fire, and I would have laid 10 to 1 that Beckett would have snapped Lofton's neck in two.
#3 Who Manages the Yanks in '08? - There aren't too many people around baseball that don't think Torre is getting absolutely hosed. I understand if they want to let him go because he's old, but let's not make a spectacle of it. There's news going around that Mattingly has the inside track, but my gut says Joe Girardi would make more sense. I'd take the guy whose already managed in the big leagues. Torre can go sit under an umbrella in the Bahamas, but he deserves better than this.
#4 Nebraska Football - What the heck is going on in Lincoln? Osborne is back in the mix? Callahan may be gone before the season is over if you ask me. I can't imagine all this turn over can be good, anyway you look at it. This seems a lot like the Notre Dame situation. Nebraska may not win a game next year.
This is intended to be tongue and cheek, a little bit of tongue and a lot of cheek...
1. Lisa H (the former Lisa 4 USC) - a completely weak schedule, filled with I AA opponents, may not be #1 very long, can you say Ohio State...
2. edhardiman - this duck has been at the top for a long time, he's not going anywhere, the proof is in the pudding, this is our USC...
3. UltraMegaOK - the Miami Hurricanes of the blog world, tough to like, some insane opinions, but at least he lays it out there
4. MeanDovine - father christmas of the blog site, always has a compliment, not many harsh words from him, a little Boise State, gotta love em...
5. Rivjo - Kind of like USF this year, he deserves his ranking, even though the haters spit, ya'll better recognize!
6. JoshQPublic - Hail the Irish, I swear he must get paid...
7. Dudski - Have you read his bio? Not sure, but he writes a good blog, a little Gamecock in him...
8. LSUfan - He's been crushed by many opponents, kind of like your 3 loss BCS team, call it like it is LSU...
9. 14falcons - The Hawaii of the blog world, tough to beat and tough to schedule, got to go out of your way to find him...
10. ksp113 - He'll make you laugh and make you cry, kind of like Auburn this year...
11. tophatal - the lady killer of the group, got enough to crush you, just like West Virginia...
12. Norcalfella - doesn't come around much but his stuff has substance, a little California Golden Bear...
13. Nostradamos...He's another college football guy, but his opinions are good, probably happy to see Osborne back, Nebraska of the blog world, in and out...
14. bmoynahan - Haven't seen him much but his stuff is pretty good, he'll shock you with his writing ability, Boston College fits him...
15. ReverendRhythm - Usually at the top, Florida fits him perfect...
San Francisco 49ers - I've never been a fan of Mike Nolan and his coaching style. The close to the vest, be careful with the ball in case we might turn it over is preposterous. 2 passing touchdowns? Doesn't LaDainian Tomlinson have that many this year? Well I guess that isn't so bad considering Tomlinson is about to become the most prolific running back touchdown passer in the history of tackle football. Let's run some "numbers" real quick: dead last or at least near it in nearly every offensive category. Now I know Nolan doesn't call the plays but he has a hand in the fact that the 49ers don't really try to score any touchdowns. The philosophy appears to be keep the ball in the middle of the field, try and kick some field goals, and maybe squeak out a win.
San Diego Chargers - Now tying in with the 49ers, the Chargers hired Norv Turner off of the 49ers coaching staff. I actually thought Norv did a pretty good job with the 49ers offense but even a casual fan (ie. JCScheffers who made a good call on this ONE) knows that Norv can't run a football team. The Chargers were about penciled in to at least get to the AFC championship game and they'll be lucky if they even get a shot in the playoffs. The defense is where the Chargers are really losing it. If they don't get it right quick, it will be curtains for the Bolts.
Philadelphia Eagles - In the City of Brotherly Hate, there is plenty of it to go round right now. My suggestion is focus on football and try not to get distracted along the way. That may be too much to ask of some people but I think you catch my drift.
Cincinnati Bengals - Can you say jail? Maybe Goodell should just shut this franchise down for a year and call it a rebuilding plan. This is really a fun team to watch with some offensive weapons, no pun intended. I suggest the Bengals just go sign Vick, Pacwoman, and Tank (too late) and try and just maybe really go out and try to kill some fools.
In an ongoing installmant coinciding with the release of the rest of the foxsports mock draft I will continue to breakdown the players in the first round. If a player is still being drafted by the same team I will skip them and move on. This will give me more of a chance to prove my worth of evaluating college football players as I stare into my crystal ball.
So what I aim to do here is apply my expert opinion to the football draft. I am going to use the most recent mock draft released by foxsports and breakdown the picks. I won't go into much detail, just use what I know to shed a little light. I predict I'll be 70% effective with my predictions. Follow me as I lead you down a path of enlightenment. I will give a grade based on my prediction of their fist five years in the NFL also prediction is based on them going to the team they are projected to land on.
(The first three were based off of Peter Schrager's mock drafts. This one goes off of the NFLDraftScout.com's latest entry.)
2. Brady Quinn/Lions (A) - As stated in volume 1 Quinn is a great pro prospect. Despite his negative publicity, the kid never had a great offense to play with, and carried his team the last two years. Jon Kitna is not a bad mentor, he'll get 4-5 starts his first year. This is the pick Detroit needs to make.
3. Joe Thomas/Browns (B) - This doesn't seem to be the pick that makes sense. Why not go with Calvin Johnson?? At the least draft Johnson and trade him if they really don't want him. Thomas is a good player, but get a guy that touches the ball.
6. Amobi Okoye/Redskins (B+) - If the Skins are dead set on drafting a DL then this is the pick. Okoye gets a B+ only because he's a better choice than Branch. Still, look at the history of impact DTs. Is there such a thing unless Ray Lewis is standing behind you?
7. Leon Hall/Vikings (B) - The lack of testing in college is going to make the transition of this guy into the NFL very tough. I'm not so sure he's really a 7 pick. I would go ahead and take a versatile LaRon Landry here. Use the cover two and get the best overall DB in the draft.
8. Laron Landry/Falcons (B) - I suppose this means the Falcons are set on drafting this guy. Unless its a smokescreen to move up for the chance at Peterson. You know Petrino loves offense, and if they've made the decision to let Vick take them to the promised land, they'd better get some more offensive weapons. I'm just not so sure Norwood is the answer and Dunn is obviously on the last leg of his career.
9. Alan Branch/Dolphins (C) - Not sure what this pick is aimed to do for the Dolphins. Getting the second best DT inside of the first ten picks? Should they be looking for a replacement for Thomas??? That's what I'd be doing. Then again I'm not a rich guy that runs a football team like I know nothing about football.
10. Adrian Peterson/Texans (B) - Matt Schaub and Adrian Peterson for Laron Landry and... Someone must really know what they're doing because this one has me baffled. Let's see, David Carr never had a chance in Houston because they never had a line. Now they still don't have a line, but at least they have Schaub. I'm glad I'm not a fan of either team.
11. Robert Meachem/49ers (B) - According to Norcals website and 41 mock drafts polled, Meachem is the 4th or 5th best reciever in the land, yet he's going 2nd? I know he had a hot combine, but is this a gamble worth taking? You know Nolan goes on character as much as he goes on talent. I trust the guys evaluation abilities more than I trust his conservative wimpy coaching style. I believe this will happen. They'll take an o-lineman in round 2.
12. Patrick Willis/Bills (A) - The next Demeco Ryans? I'd suppose that's what they are aiming for. Their offense has been coming along nicely, I suppose its time to turn towards the defense. Replacing Nate Clements may be something they'll take care of later.
13. Darelle Revis/Rams (B) - I'd think about trying to find some recievers or trade down and get a tight end. The Rams have been quiet in the offseason so maybe they are just bracing for a losing season or two. Marc Bulger is good, but he needs help and more speed. Bruce just ain't what he used to be.
Here's a ranking of how I feel these teams are meeting their needs with these picks. This by far is the worst of the mock drafts I've seen. The only picks I really agree with are the Lions, the Redskins, and the 49ers. The other ones may happen, but I just don't get them. The more drafts I look at, the more I realize I'm as much of an expert as these guys that release this garbage.
In an ongoing installmant coinciding with the release of the rest of the foxsports mock draft I will continue to breakdown the players in the first round. If a player is still being drafted by the same team I will skip them and move on. This will give me more of a chance to prove my worth of evaluating college football players and stare into my crystal ball.
So what I aim to do here is apply my expert opinion to the football draft. I am going to use the most recent mock draft released by foxsports and breakdown the picks. I won't go into much detail, just use what I know to shed a little light. I predict I'll be 70% effective with my predictions. Follow me as I lead you down a path of enlightenment. I will give a grade based on my prediction of their fist five years in the NFL also prediction is based on them going to the team they are projected to land on.
3. Brady Quinn/Cleveland (A) - Now this is more like it. The most polished, NFL ready player in the draft. The Browns would add wins with this pick. They have some weapons on offense and Quinn can get the ball to them. I'd still like to see Quinn go to the Raiders though.
9. Amobi Okoye/Dolphins (A) - Learning from some of the best interior defensive players in the league would be perfect for this youngster. Put him next to Jason Taylor and I think you have an impact player right away. I believe this is the pick that will happen.
11. Adam Carriker/49ers(B+) - More of a Mike Nolan fit. A solid player and could fit in very well here. You could say the Niners need more speed in this position, all they need is production and I think this guy can give it.
12. Adrian Peterson/Bills (B) - Peterson still has the injury problem no matter where he goes. How many RBs are the Bills going to draft before they get it right. This could definitely help the offense if he stays healthy. I still like the pick.
15. Paul Posluszny/Steelers (A) - This guy is going to be a great player. The next Zach Thomas type of guy. Plus put him in a Steelers uniform, make him meaner, and maybe he's the next Jack Lambert. This guys a stud, should get drafted higher.
16. Marshawn ####/Packers (B) - I am hesitant about this player. His ankles bother me, plus, the shake and bake type of runners in college have a tough time in the pros unless your name is Bush. If he could alter his running style into a little more like Shawn Alexander he'll be a great pro. His ability to catch adds to his value. The running back pick makes a whole lot of sense for the Pack.
18. Leon Hall/Bengals (B+) - I guess his speed isn't the problem. I still hold to my contention that the lack of wide reciever talent in the Big Ten will have him unprepared to shut down many NFL recievers. Still the Bengals need help here and Hall should stay out of trouble and be a good safe pick.
19. Darelle Revis/Titans (B+) - It's amazing how a bad choice in a previous draft can really tie your hands. The Titans need to draft offense but PacIdiot has screwed Tennessee royally. I hope this guy has better character so Fisher can keep his job.
20. Lawrence Timmons/Giants (C) - This guy won't help the bad Manning, and since you sold your soul to get the bad Manning, you better do everything you can in every draft to cover your ####. Stupid pick, draft offense.
21. Jarvis Moss/Broncos (A) - There's a good chance this guy could go higher than this. With that being said, getting him at 21 would be a sweet deal. The Broncos offense is what it is, so drafting defense seems to be the way to go for the Mile High Horses.
30 Picks covered so far. Maybe I can be Mel's replacement when his head falls off from the weight of that hair being too much for his neck to support.
In an ongoing installmant coinciding with the release of the rest of the foxsports mock draft I will continue to breakdown the players in the first round. If a player is still being drafted by the same team I will skip them and move on. This will give me more of a chance to prove my worth of evaluating college football players and stare into my crystal ball.
So what I aim to do here is apply my expert opinion to the football draft. I am going to use the most recent mock draft released by foxsports and breakdown the picks. I won't go into much detail, just use what I know to shed a little light. I predict I'll be 70% effective with my predictions. Follow me as I lead you down a path of enlightenment. I will give a grade based on my prediction of their fist five years in the NFL also prediction is based on them going to the team they are projected to land on.
5. Gaines Adams/Cardinals (A) - Like I had said in volume one, Gaines Adams was the better player than Anderson. Not much else to say.
7. Jamaal Anderson/Vikings (C+) - Anderson loses value here because he's the second best DE in the draft and the Vikings still don't need another DE like they need other things.
10. LaRon Landry/Falcons (B+) - The Falcons do need help on offense bad. And they've decided to build their team around Vick, I'm not sure why you would add another defensive player. It makes completely no sense to take Landry here. Landry would get an A if he slipped to eleven to the 49ers.
11. Amobi Okoye/49ers (C) - I know this kid is a manchild but the 49ers need immediate help immediately. He's only 19 years old. By the time he's really ready to live an NFL lifestyle and mature to the point where he'll be dominant, he'll be gone. The 49ers ought to learn from the NBA that drafting youngsters is not a risk worth taking.
12. Darelle Revis/Bills (A-) - Taking the top rated corner in the draft is usually a fairly safe pick because they end up on the field. Value here at #12 for the Bills is nice. I like the pick, they'd do well to get him here.
13. Patrick Willis/Rams (A) - His showing at the combine and in the Senior Bowl makes it seem like this guy could be a force. Although he didn't get a lot of national attention during is collegiate career, he'll be a good one. Great choice for the Rams.
14. Reggie Nelson/Panthers (C+) - The freakish talents of the draft always scare me. They've relied so much on their superior athleticism in college that they don't really learn to play the game. Fairly reckless. Reckless players in the NFL can get burned bad. The Panthers don't need this guy. It would be a bad pick.
15. Leon Hall/Steelers (B) - Not an A because he lacks the explosiveness of a player like Revis or Landry. Could be overvalued because of the lack of speed in the Big Ten. May settle into a nickel situation his first year. An okay pick at 15, but could do better.
16. Greg Olsen/Packers (C) - Good tight ends are an accident. Think of all the great tight ends drafted in the last ten years. The position doesn't matter that much. The teams with the best tight ends don't win Super Bowls. The Ravens, Giants, and Chargers would have them all if the tight end was that valuable. Dumb pick.
17. Ted Ginn Jr/Jaguars (D) - Can you say R. Jay Soward. Kids a wimp, a big shot, won't go across the middle. He will suck.
Ranking for the teams if it goes as FoxSports has it predicted (this takes into account, the person, the pick, the team, and the slot):
On the fourth page of the b section of the sports page I read in the morning, I found some very sad news. This news may only be sad to me though, which is what kind of disappoints me. Barbaro dies, and two seconds later there are 50 articles on the blogosphere we call foxsports, bemoaning the death of a legend. On the television news they have that cheesy music, and fade to silence with a picture of a horse. Oh so dramatic and tragic. Anna Nicole dies and we have sickos on this site talking about what they'd do to her dead body. You can't flip on the cable news without still hearing about this lady who left a trail of kids, and lovers, and money, and drugs, and countless other things. Then she recieves our utmost attention, even after her death. Maybe a suicide, considering the similarties to Marilyn Monroe; Anna wanted to secure her stardom, in a true life Shakespearean tragedy of love and deceit, and ultimate death.
Back to 4b of the paper this morning....Player dead, broken neck, dead on impact, helmet to helmet block, 25 years old, a delay, a completed game, a family left behind.
It saddens me that our society has its priorities so screwed up.
It begs me to ask the question, "where are your priorities today?"
Love one another, be kind, respect those around you, forgive and forget, say a prayer, and value every second of your life.
I get paid to evaluate talent and put a winning team on the field. If I am good at it I'll move up in my profession. If I do a poor job, I'll be looking for another boss. So far I've been proficient at my trade. I've recruited many who've moved well beyond my expectations. I think I'm pretty good at seeing past what I want to see and evaluating the intangibles.
So what I aim to do here is apply my expert opinion to the football draft. I am going to use the most recent mock draft released by foxsports and breakdown the picks. I won't go into much detail, just use what I know to shed a little light. I predict I'll be 70% effective with my predictions (which I'm 100% effective at pridicting). Follow me as I lead you down a path of enlightenment. I will give a grade based on my prediction of their fist five years in the NFL: The prediction I make is also based on them going to the team they are projected to land on. This will be for the first ten picks, (its taking longer than expected). I hope to provide 11-20 sometime next week.
1. Jamarcus Russell/Raiders (D) - A very good college quarterback and thats it. Never had that ultimate success level where he seemed to hover above the other players on the field like we got to see from college quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Matt Leinart and Vince Young. Although he can do amazing things with the football he is nowhere near deserving of the hype and the number 1 pick. He will struggle mightily and never recover if he is an NFL starter his first season. Ought to trade.
2. Joe Thomas/Lions (A) - Big and strong. Usually a safe pick to take the best college lineman if you're not the Raiders at least. But, this won't help the Lions win this year. Good pick for building the team back to a winner.
3. Adrian Peterson/Browns (B-) - May well be the most projectable running back in a long time. Still not deserving of the #3 pick. I could go on and on about running backs taken lower have just as much success as running backs taken early. Proof 2005: #2 Ronnie Brown, #4 Cedric Benson, #5 Cadillac Williams///#65 Frank Gore, #73 Vernand Morency, #109 Marion Barber. You can stick any good running back in the right system and he can be great. Plus paying someone coming off of an injury is a dangerous investment. Charlie Frye/Braylon Edwards/Kellen Winslow/Adrian Peterson, wow sounds like at least 4 wins.
4. Calvin Johnson (A) - Seems to be the most dominant offensive player on the board, big, fast, strong. A steal at #4, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets picked higher than this. Tampa Bay lands a winner with this pick and a difference maker.
5. Jamaal Anderson/Cardinals (B-) - I am always wary of guys who move up the board quick. If they were that awesome they'd already be up the board. I also find that defensive ends seem to be overvalued in the NFL. Everyone keeps looking for the next Lawrence Taylor, but I think there are plenty of Jared Allen's to be found later and cheaper. The Cardinals seem to need help elsewhere, maybe the offensive line? They have the quarterback, the recievers, and the Edge. I think they need line help to get Edgerrin back around 1350 yards on the ground. Seems like they need to maneuver for Thomas or Brown.
6. Alan Branch/Redskins (B) - How can a DT get better than a B? Not an impact position. Just need someone to move bodies and stack up the middle. Highest DT taken in 2006 - 12 (Ngata)/ 2005 - 16 (Johnson)/ 2004 - 14 (Harris)/ 2003 - 4 (Roberston). You get the point, not good value here.
7. Gaines Adams/Vikings (B+) - Projects better than Anderson, seems more explosive and more dominant in the games I watched. He can put on some pounds and be better than Udeze. But, why whould you spend another pick on a DE? They just did that. Still makes more sense than Anderson going to the Cards.
8. Levi Brown/Texans (A) - Another pick that makes sense, but not as much if they get rid of Carr. This was the type of pick that would have made sense the last three years. They missed they're chance at building a winner when they didn't build a line to protect Carr. Now he seems to be on his way out. Kubiak and Plummer does seem like a nice fit though. I like this pick.
9. Brady Quinn/Dolphins (A) - The pick doesn't make sense because the Dolphins just spent all that money on Culpepper. It does make sense because he ought to sit on the bench for awhile before he's thrown in the fire. Probably the most NFL prepared college qb in a few years. Will be an outstanding NFL quarterback, a sure Super Bowl winner. Caught a lot of heat from fans because he's from Notre Dame and didn't really have a dominant winning career. What I saw was a lone bright spot on an awful team that single handedly won 10-12 games in his career. This is why I project him with a high grade. Should easily be the fist QB taken.
10. Dwayne Jarrett/Falcons (B+) - A second rate Calvin Johnson, but makes huge sense for a Bobby Petrino/Matt Schaub led Falcons offense. If Vick moves out of the way (which I predict within the next 2 years), he'll have a great career. Moves into the right system to have success because the Falcons blew their last 15 reciever roster decisions. He'll be their go to wideout.
Ranking for the teams with the first ten picks if it goes as FoxSports has it predicted (this takes into account, the person, the pick, the team, and the slot):
When your team hasn't made it to the Super Bowl in a long time frustration begins to set in. As a youngster I became accustomed to the 49ers being in the Super Bowl every other year and I got used to putting my 1978 foam finger on and waving it around. If somehow they didn't make it that year then I grabbed a VHS tape and watched Joe hit John streaking between defenders about 75 straight times. Or maybe went with long TD passes from Joe to Jerry over outstretched Bronco defenders. Heck I'd even go with Ricky Watters and Deion Sanders in those sweet #### (like a sweet #### Bonneville) throwbacks.
Now I have about 12 years experience coming up with a reason to root for a team that I could care less about: I think I've perfected the thought process. I've tried betting on the game. I've tried coming up with a reason to root for a coach because he used to help Bill Walsh. I've tried hating Brett Favre. I've tried rooting for Chris Chandler. I've tried wishing John Elway would screw it up again. All these are pretty shallow reasons. So this year I'm trying to be a little more thorough in my ultimate decision on who to root for. Time is running out.
Since teams were set for this years game I've been saying Tony Dungy with one side of my mouth and the Bears with the other. Wrestling with it. Who to pull for. Who to scream at. But, the more I ponder this subject, the more I realize my disdain of Peyton is ever growing. It supercedes my respect for Tony Dungy even though knowing he deserves a Super Bowl for putting up with that self gratifying, self edifying Manning offspring.
As of Friday, February 2, 2007 I'm closing in on a decision. A leaderless Bears team, an underdog Bears quarterback. Or a team with the ultimate leader, a man who lost a son just a year ago, a man of faith. I hope I can decide so my conscience will be clear when my head lays down on the pillow Sunday night. Maybe I'll say a prayer, maybe I'll flip a coin, maybe I'll just pull for a square, hope I draw 0 and 7.
I was reading a post on the NFL Chargers "Bush League" behavior; someone had never heard the term, and asked for a definition. It got me to thinking, and I felt it apt to write a post about "Bush."
Bush League (the best definition I can give): Bush League is a term I've most heard used on the baseball field, but can apply to any behavior seen as the lowest of low class in athletics. I've heard the term used in CA, IN, KY, MI, FL, AL, NC, HI, OH, GA, and AZ (all states where I've coached baseball).
Situations in coaching baseball where I've heard the term, "you're bush", "that's bush", "bush league move" etc...
1. Team A has a 10-0 lead late in the game and double steals:
Response, "coach that's a real bush move."
2. Team A records the third out of an inning and instead of rolling the ball towards the mound like is done everywhere in America, the first baseman throws it out to centerfield so Team B has to retrieve it.
Response: "Complete bush league, classless maneuver."
Side Bar: A team did that to us this year, as well as the following example.
3. Team A, the home team, takes its pre-game infield with the loudspeakers blaring the Harlem Globetrotters whistling song (this signaled me into the bush festivities.) Team A proceeds to play circus clown music while the visiting team takes their pre-game infield.
This would be classified as Grade A Major League Bush.
Response: “Coach you are complete bush, and so is your program.”
So as you can see Bush League is a complete disrespect for the game and/or your opponent.
I would classify kneeling the football halfway through the third quarter more bush than scoring a touchdown.
The term bush league is understood by different people differently.
This is the best way for me to describe "Bush".
Add your best “bush” examples, and we don’t need any sex therapy talk!
After a day of watching the NFL Network I am starting to wonder a few things:
1. Where are all the people shouting "Indy is the best team in football." My guess is crying into their bowl of cream of wheat. I'd be surprised if Indy got through round 1. The absolute only way Indy has a chance to make it through the playoffs is to A) secure home field advantage B) Get Vanderjagt back. Who in this room wants Manning over Brady?
2. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the rest of the Bears season. The only team I'd compare them to is the Colts. Super start to a season and in the near future the season will be over. I understand loyalty and all, but does Lovie have any idea?? You have Griese and Orton (refer to last season) on the bench and your qb is playing worse than Alex Smith. The absolute only way Chicago has a chance to make it through the playoffs is to A) secure home field advantage B) secure home field advantage. Who thinks the Rams at home have a good chance tonight?
3. When is Brett Favre going to retire? His post game interview almost made me cry because I was throwing up.
4. Here are your not so usual power rankings, these are teams I would not want to play next week if had to win a game (excluding the obvious):
A - Miami (Can you say Joey Harrington comfortable in an offense for the first time in his pro carrer.)
B- Tennessee (I've been saying it since the minute last years national championship game ended, VY is a winner, enough said.)
C - Philadelphia (Why do people hate Jeff Garcia? Bill Walsh knows how to pick em.)
D - Buffalo (Football is better when the Bills are good .)
E - Pittsburgh (Maybe Big Ben's head doesn't hurt anymore.)
5. Drew Brees is the best qb in pro football as of right now. He is in an absolute zone. I was able to see him live in the G Dome a couple of weeks ago and I have never seen anyone that solid since I used to go watch Steve Young. Minus the escapability that's the closest you can come to comparing him to a recent quarterback (pocket presence, touch, accuracy on multiple routes). With those weapons (Bush) if their defense can just hold up, who is better in the NFC right now?
If you are an intelligent fan of any NFL team please share what you know about what your team will be drafting or trading over the next couple weeks and into the draft. I know I am pumped that Norv Turner is the new O-coordinator of the 49ers. I think if Smith will ever be a good quarterback then Turner will get him there. Turner may stink as a head coach but him and Nolan have worked together before and they are a good fit. My take is the 49ers will focus on defense this draft, probably a defensive back in the first round. Linebacking is solid, and they have drafted defensive line in the last three drafts. Maybe a defensive end, since Young is on the way out, possibly a linebacker since none of them were healthy this season. I also would think they will hit up free agency for a reciever. What do ya'll think???
Published sports column contributor, but I'm about the 560th ranked blogger on this site. I'll keep most of my posts sports related. My sense of humor exists to amuse myself. This has happened by default because I rarely seem to amuse anyone else. I'm ashamed that my favorite professional sports teams are from the city of San Francisco.
Favorite sports listed from favorite to least favorite: duck-duck-
goose, red-light green-light, freeze tag, marco polo, and hop-scotch.
